He Couldn't Be That Bad? // Sebastian Sallow and You (spicy)

47. Christmas Presents

I'm sitting with Ominis and Sebastian in a little alcove near the top of the Grand Staircases, where natural light floods in and a delightful spread of tea is permanently set up. I've walked past it more times than I can count, usually crowded with students, but today it's just us three. The enchanted kettle pours us each another cup and the tray of Christmas cookies perpetually refreshes. An elf in the kitchens must like us as the cookies are warmed and heavenly.

We each go through our grades, mostly bragging, about our high test scores for midterms. I'm more than pleased to share that on the whole I got the best grades. Sebastian got the highest in Defense, and Ominis in History of Magic. But despite this, they are still comparing scores between them, seeing who edges the other out in terms of points.

As we sit and enjoy our tea and conversation, snow is steadily falling outside the windows. There are still some midterms happening for the younger years so this part of the castle is practically empty, and a crew of seventh years are already out celebrating. The three of us have decided that we'll be spending our Christmas break here because we consider Hogwarts more of a "home" for the holidays. Today there is a peaceful quiet and calm across the castle that makes it feel smaller, cozier, and that it's really just Sebastian, Ominis, and me.

"A better score in History of Magic should not be weighed as heavily as Potions." Sebastian chuffs, popping another ginger snap in his mouth.

Ominis takes a sip of tea and says. "I disagree. Since there is a degree of added difficulty simply to stay awake in that class."

"He has a point." I chime in, eagerly grabbing the last meringue.

Sebastian takes another bite and says with a mouth full. "No, no, no. The material covered in History is much easier, regardless if you get your afternoon nap, you grandpa."

I chuckle and finish off my second cup of tea. "History of Magic literally spans a millenia, so I wouldn't call that 'easy'. Plus, the delivery of the information makes it phenomenally more challenging to absorb, Sebastian. You get good marks in potions because you like the material, and Sharpe is a good teacher. You wouldn't stand a chance in Professor Binns' class."

"Wouldn't stand a chance?" Sebastian scoffs, and flicks a piece of crumb at me. "I reckon you better head to your meeting with Weasley early."

"No need to be sensitive." I jest, setting down my tea cup. "So you'd rather we not exchange presents?"

At that, Sebastian sits up taller. "No need to be dramatic."

Ominis makes a cheeky grin. "You're right, Sebastian's never dramatic."

We chuckle and I reach into my bag, pulling out three gifts. I hand two small packages to Ominis, and one wide heavy parcel to Sebastian. He grunts a little as I drop it to his lap.

"Wait a minute, he gets two?!" Sebastian complains. I'm about to retort when he lowers his chin and whispers. "Unless my other present can't be wrapped."

Ominis makes a barfing sound.

I glower at Sebastian. "Yours is bigger, so don't be cross."

"You got that right." Sebastian quips again.

My mouth falls open and I smack his arm with the back of my hand. He flinches harder than I'd actually hit him, so giving him a stern look, I continue. "Anyways. I don't want to go last, so open mine first."

Ominis carefully opens the wrappings, untying the string and not tearing the paper in the slightest. He touches around the paper box for the lid and slides it off. He lifts some of the tissue paper inside and feels around, pulling out a table that looks about the size of one in a dollhouse. His brows furrow, so I explain the contents to him. "I shrunk a potting table so it can travel to your new home. It has a collection of herbs, basic necessities for potions, and a strawberry plant. Each is ready for harvest once you return it to its normal size."