The Hope beneath the Dark - Sebastian Sallow

*25. Yule Ball

After an awkward breakfast in the Great Hall with Sebastian and Ominis, I was worried to let the two of them spend their day alone together, but fortunately, Garreth and Leander invited them to spend the day with them and some other boys in our year. They came to our table during breakfast, giving Ominis the perfect opportunity to find a way not to be alone with Sebastian all day. 

"A bunch of boys spending the day together?" I pointed out. "Seems suspicious, doesn't it."

"We all need some time away from you women, especially if we are going to be stuck playing princes and princesses all night with you!" Garreth joked.

"Fine, have fun!" I scoffed, before kissing Sebastian goodbye and heading off to greenhouses, where I agreed to meet Poppy, Natty, Nellie and Samantha. 

When I got there, the girls were sitting on benches and chatting about their dresses. It would be my and Natty's first, and last Yule Ball. The girls had plenty to tell us about. 

"Any of you are in need of some last minute shopping before tonight?" Samantha asked.

"We're all good! Poppy and I bought our dresses last night." I informed them.

"I see you like to plan in advance!" Natty mocked us. "Shall we head to Hogsmeade now?"

It was a nice day out, I enjoyed the distraction, I needed it before the Ball tonight. We roamed around Hogsmeade, spending a full hour in Honeydukes, then headed for a butterbeer. More like three to be honest, we spent most the afternoon at the Three Broomsticks, chatting about our plans for the Holidays, amongst other things.

On our way back to the castle, I walked alongside Poppy, both of us a few feet away from our friends.

"Can I ask you something, Poppy?" I asked as I wrapped my arm around hers.

"Anything!" She exclaimed.

"Would you mind getting ready together? We can go to the room of requirements." I asked. "It's just that, I can't exactly ask Imelda to help me do my hair, you see? She might just put fire to it. I'd like to get ready with my best friend."

"Of course, I would've suggested it if you didn't ask anyway." Poppy affirmed.

We agreed to retrieve our dresses and meet again up in the astronomy tower. I arrived long before Poppy, so I took that free time to check on my plants. I was lucky that Deek was spending a lot of time in here too, I must admit all my Dittany plants would be dead by now if he wouldn't check on them at every chance he has. I didn't need plants and potions as often as I did last year, so I kind of forgot about them.

Poppy finally arrived and we both got dressed. I helped her set her dress, so she did with mine too. She left her short hair loose as she usually does, but she wore a lilac headband that was matching the color of her dress. There was lace flowers embroidered on it. It was cute and delicate, just like her personality.

Only my hair was left to do and we were reading to head to meet our boys in front of the Great Hall's entrance. Poppy braided my hair into a long and voluminous fishtail braid with two loose strands contouring my face from each sides of it. My dark black hair was making my green eyes appear even brighter after Poppy and I put some makeup on. I went for a rich rosewood shade for my lips, whilst Poppy decided on a light peach color.

"Are you ready?" Poppy asked while standing between the two columns of the corridor leading to the exit.

"Yes, let's go!" I replied, following her out of the room. 

Sebastian's POV

"Come on Ominis, we need to get there before the girls." I pleaded as he was tying his bowtie. "Do you want me to help you with that?"