Hogwarts Champion // Triwizard Tournament

XIV

UNCHARTED TERRITORY

Hours had passed in a whirlwind of music and laughter, the Great Hall alive with the energy of the Yule Ball. But as the night wore on, the crowd began to thin, and the pulsating rhythm of the music gradually faded into the background.

With a sense of freedom and spontaneity, Sebastian and I decided to escape the confines of the ballroom and explore the castle under the cover of darkness. My feet were tired from hours of dancing, longing for the cool stone floors of the corridors, and I welcomed the opportunity to stretch my legs and unwind.

As we ventured into the dimly lit hallways, the castle seemed to take on a life of its own, its ancient walls steeped in centuries of history and mystery. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows on the stone, creating an atmosphere that was both eerie and enchanting.

Sebastian glanced over at me, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Had enough dancing for one night?" he teased, his voice tinged with amusement.

I chuckled, feeling the fatigue beginning to settle in. "Definitely," I admitted, flexing my sore muscles as we walked. "But I have to admit, it was a lot more fun than I expected."

He nodded in agreement, his gaze wandering towards the moonlit windows that lined the corridor. "Yeah, it was," he murmured, his voice softening with nostalgia. "Reminds me of the old days."

I glanced up at him, sensing a hint of vulnerability beneath his usual stoic exterior. "Yeah, it does," I agreed, a flicker of warmth blossoming in my chest. Despite the ups and downs of the evening, there was a sense of camaraderie and shared memories that bound us together.

We continued to wander the labyrinthine halls of Hogwarts and the weight of the night seemed to lift from our shoulders, replaced by a newfound sense of freedom and connection. And amidst the quiet solitude of the castle, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected bond that had formed between us.

I leaned in slightly, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Sebastian," I began, "do you ever wonder what happened to us? We used to be so close."

Sebastian glanced at me, his expression thoughtful as he considered my question. After a moment, he shrugged, a hint of resignation in his demeanor. "It's hard to say," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "I think it could be a number of things. Maybe life got in the way, or we just... drifted apart. But one thing's for sure, we're both to blame."

"What do you mean, 'both to blame'?" I asked, my tone was curious and slightly offended as I searched his face for answers.

Sebastian sighed, his gaze distant as he considered his response. "We let things get in the way," he explained, his tone tinged with regret. "We drifted apart, got caught up in our own lives and ambitions."

His words stung, and I could feel my temper rising. "And of course," Sebastian muttered under his breath, "you don't want to take any responsibility."

His jab cut deep, fueling the fire of my anger. "Excuse me?" I snapped and stopped in my tracks. "I'll have you know that I've been trying to mend things between us. But if you want to play the blame game, fine. Maybe you should take a good, hard look in the mirror."

Sebastian's expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he regarded me with a steely gaze. "Is that so?" he retorted, his voice laced with bitterness. "Well, maybe I would if you didn't always act like you're above it all."

My frustration surged as Sebastian's words pierced through the tense air. Without turning back, I continued walking, my steps quickening with each heartbeat. His jab cut deeper than I cared to admit, igniting a storm of emotions within me.