The Right Time || Sebastian Sallow x MC ||

Chapter 4

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Gaunt Manor had to be the most horrifying yet beautiful building Maeve had ever seen. An all black mansion that had just as creepy gargoyles and stone mouldings as what she imagined Azkaban would have.

She had to admit she was absolutely terrified when a few weeks ago, Poppy had thrown herself into her room to show her the invitation of her own engagement party.

Of course they knew the rumours of the Gaunt family. Ominis spared them no detail. Maeve had suggested that maybe they try and get out of going to the party, but Ominis had so pleasantly reminded them, there was no way that was going to be happening. At least not without consequences.

So here she was, standing in the most god awful black high heels and long green dress, smiling to a bunch of people she didn't know. Her fingers clasped the champagne flute as she downed her fourth drink of the evening. She watched as Poppy kept a polite but strained smile on her face while clinging onto the sleeve of Ominis' suit.

Maeve hadn't seen Sebastian since they arrived here about three hours ago, he had excused himself to go help with decorating. She knew that was an excuse, they haven't spoken as much as a few words in a couple of weeks, not since she snapped on him while he tried to apologize to her.

It was like living with a stranger, but that's exactly what he had become to her, a stranger.

She tried to keep telling herself that, that their friendship was over but her heart always sped up whenever he entered the room or they bumped into each other in passing. Whatever feelings that were stirred up, she kept trying to shove them down. She was here to help Poppy, and then that was it.

An enchanted platter passed her as she placed her now empty glass on it, grabbing a full one.

"Already another?" Sebastian's voice startled her and she squealed, her hand flying over her chest.

"Merlins beard, where in bloody hell were you all night?" She shoots him a glare as she takes a sip, his eyebrow shooting up in amusement. "Please don't try to scold me for drinking, this place is giving me the absolute creeps." Maeve murmurs, Sebastian lets out a low chuckle as he grabs a glass off the floating tray, tilting it towards her.

She gives him a small smile as she clinks her glass against his.

"Try spending a summer or two here." Sebastian grimaces as he takes a sip. This was something Maeve had completely forgotten about that, once Solomon had died and Anne disappeared, Sebastian spent his summers for fifth and sixth year with the Gaunts. They weren't descriptive about exactly what went down, just that the two boys had spent most of their time in the Gaunt library.

"Right, sorry." She gave him a sad smile. She looks out and see's Poppy whispering something into Ominis' ear and he gives her a nod as they excused themselves, disappearing into the crowd. Maeve swallowed hard as she turns to Sebastian, but once she realizes he is already staring at her, she can feel the heat spread across her cheeks.

"You know, you still owe me a dance from the Yule Ball." Sebastian chuckles taking her half empty glass out of her hand, his wand appears vanishing the cups. He offers her his hand and she just stares at it completely dumbfounded.

"I thought you were kidding about that dance." She retorts still staring at his outstretched hand.

"Why would I joke about wanting to dance with you?" Sebastian asks. Her face flushes again as she now looks up at him.