Hogwarts Champion // Triwizard Tournament

XV

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

The next morning dawned with a soft light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the dormitory. As I stirred awake, I found Grace and Nerida engaged in animated conversation, their voices filled with excitement as they recounted their experiences from the Yule Ball.

Sitting up in bed, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and listened as they eagerly shared tales of their night, laughter bubbling between them like a joyous melody. When they noticed my wakefulness, their attention turned to me, curiosity evident in their expressions.

"So, Seraphina, how was your night?" Grace asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I hesitated for a moment, weighing my words carefully. The truth lay heavy on my tongue, but I couldn't bring myself to share the complexities of my evening with them. Instead, I offered a small smile and replied, "It was... enjoyable. I had a lot of fun, and it was a great night overall."

Nerida nodded enthusiastically, her excitement undiminished. "That's wonderful to hear! Did you dance a lot?"

I nodded in response, allowing a flicker of warmth to brighten my expression. "Yeah, we danced quite a bit."

As the conversation continued, I couldn't shake the nagging sense of guilt that lingered in the pit of my stomach. I slipped into my green jumper and laced up my boots, the fabric and leather familiar against my skin. As I prepared to leave, Grace and Nerida's curious gazes followed my movements.

"Off to the library already?" Grace asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "But it's barely morning!"

I offered them a small smile, masking the turmoil swirling beneath the surface. "I just feel like doing some reading before the holiday rush begins," I replied casually, hoping they wouldn't pry further.

Nerida nodded understandingly, though a hint of concern flickered in her eyes. "Alright, well, don't get too lost in those books," she said, her tone gentle.

With a final wave to my dormmates, I stepped out into the corridor, the cool stone walls enveloping me. As I closed the door behind me, I found Sebastian leaning casually against the opposite wall, his gaze fixed on something in the distance.

For a moment, we stood in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. Then, Sebastian straightened, his expression unreadable as he glanced in my direction.

"Morning," he greeted, his voice neutral.

I returned the greeting with a nod, the tension thick in the air. Despite the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind, I couldn't bring myself to confront them just yet. Instead, I offered a small, forced smile before turning to make my way down the corridor, leaving Sebastian behind me.

Sebastian's footsteps echoed softly behind me as he caught up, his voice breaking the silence.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his tone tentative.

I kept my gaze forward, my steps steady, masking the turmoil within. "About what?" I replied, my tone colder than I intended.

He hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice subdued. "About last night."

I felt a surge of frustration bubbling within me. "There's nothing to talk about," I said tersely, the words clipped. Despite my attempt to shut him out, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this conversation was inevitable.

Sebastian's frustration simmered beneath his words as he exhaled heavily, the tension between us palpable in the air.

"Damn it, Sera! Would you stop for one minute?" he blurted out, his voice laced with a mixture of exasperation and desperation.