A Cruel Fate of Endless Devotion

Chapter nine: Hogsmeade Date

The library was filled with the soft rustling of turning pages and the faint scent of old books. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the rows of wooden bookshelves. Despite the occasional whispers and giggles, there was an overall sense of tranquility and studiousness in the air.

Melody's attention was pulled away from her potions assignment when the chair across from her was pulled out, another student plopping their books down on her study desk. She looked up with irritation, her brows furrowing and her lips forming a thin line. She sighed, trying to regain her focus, but couldn't help feeling frustrated by the sudden disruption to her concentration.

 "Can I-"

"Hello sweetheart"

"Hello Leander," Melody replied with a forced smile, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "How kind of you to grace me with your presence and completely ruin my study session. What can I do for you?"

Leander smirked, oblivious to her sarcasm. "Since you enjoy my presence so much, how about accompanying me to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Melody found Leander's cockiness and blunt rudeness to be grating and disrespectful. She valued kindness and empathy in her friendships and couldn't bring herself to genuinely like someone who lacked those qualities. It was hard for her to enjoy his company, let alone entertain the idea of spending the entire day with him in Hogsmeade.

Before Melody could reject Leander's invitation to Hogsmeade and get back to her study session, a sharp voice cut in, speaking for her.

"She's busy,

"Sebastian!" Melody exclaimed. She assumed he had been standing there long enough to hear Leander invite her to Hogsmeade.

Sebastian's nostrils flared and his fists tightened at his sides, his heart sinking with a mix of anger and hurt. The thought of Melody spending time with Leander, and the possibility of them growing closer, fueled his overwhelming jealousy, causing his gaze to burn with an intensity that could rival the hottest flames.

Leander smirked, "I haven't heard the lady say she's busy"

Sebastian's mind raced with anger and frustration, his knuckles turning white from the intensity of his grip. Deep down, he knew that resorting to violence would only make matters worse, but the overwhelming desire to defend Melody clouded his judgment.

"I said she's busy, Prewett. I'm taking her to Hogsmeade."

Melody's heart fluttered as she weighed the sincerity of Sebastian's invitation. She couldn't help but question whether his declaration of taking her to the village was driven by genuine affection or a strategic ploy to keep her away from Leander. Not that she minded having an excuse not to spend time with the cocky Gryffindor boy.

"Maybe next time then" Leander said as he winked at Melody.

"Don't count on it" Sebastian firmly said, his eyes still glaring daggers at him as he walked away.

As Sebastian's anger subsided, he became aware of everything that had just happened. Including his declaration that he was taking his declaration of taking Melody to visit the village this weekend without even asking her first. Suddenly he felt nervous. His heart raced as he wondered if Melody would accept his invitation or thank him for giving her an excuse not to go with Leander. The uncertainty made his palms sweat. As he looked down at her, he hoped that the nervousness he felt wasn't visible on his face.

"Did you mean it?" she asked him.

"Well our last visit to the village was interrupted by a troll attack" he laughed. "Seems only right we go back and finish it the proper way"