Shadows of the Past

Fragments Unveiled

The following weeks were a whirlwind, with Sebastian practically tethered to my side. If he could, he'd have followed me into the bathroom. Before I knew it, the day before the break arrived, and with it, the Yule Ball looming that very night.

The corridors of Hogwarts hummed with an electric energy as students bustled about, anticipation for the impending holiday break palpable in the air. Snow dusted the castle turrets, lending an ethereal quality to the scene, and whispers of excitement echoed off the stone walls.

As I navigated the throng of students, my mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming Yule Ball. It was the talk of the school, with everyone abuzz with plans and preparations. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach as I contemplated the evening's festivities.

With each step, the anticipation grew, mingling with the festive decorations adorning the Great Hall. It was shaping up to be a magical evening, filled with music, laughter, and perhaps even a touch of romance. But amidst the excitement, there lingered a sense of trepidation, a reminder of the challenges that awaited beyond the castle walls.

"Did you sort out your dress?" Anne's voice snapped me from my reverie.

"Yeah, got it all squared away on Monday. Found something decent at Gladrags," I replied with a slight smile.

The upcoming festivities weren't exactly my cup of tea, but Sebastian's excitement was infectious, and I wasn't about to dampen his spirits.

"What color?" Anne inquired, a playful twinkle in her eye. "Green?"

"Is it that obvious?" I chuckled.

"Well, it's your eye colour, your house colour, and your favourite colour," she teased, joining in my laughter.

As we chatted about the ball, the anticipation bubbled within us, mingling with the excitement of the approaching festivities. We sat there, enveloped in conversation, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the boys to join us for lunch.

Sebastian's hand on my back made me jump out of my seat. "Sebastian! You scared the hell out of me!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry," he said, planting a kiss on my cheek. "Why are you so jumpy?" he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"I don't understand how you're not jumpy with all that's going on," I replied, trying to steady my nerves.

Sebastian chuckled and settled into his seat beside me before reaching for his lunch. "So, after this, Ophelia, do you want to come into my dorm and get ready with me?" Anne asked.

"After this?" Ominis interjected. "It's barely noon. The ball isn't until 6 pm."

"Ominis, I can tell you don't have many women around you; they take hours to get ready," Sebastian laughed, teasingly.

"I don't like to feel rushed," I added, nodding in agreement. "I'd rather have too much time than not enough."

"Precisely," Anne chimed in.

As we finished our lunches, the boys continued teasing us. Eventually, Anne and I stood up, preparing to make our way back to the dorms.

"I'll meet you in the common room at 5:30, okay, love?" Sebastian confirmed.

"Okay," I said with a smile before he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on my lips.

Anne and I walked side by side, our footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls of Hogwarts. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting warm golden hues across the corridor as we chatted about everything and nothing. We laughed at inside jokes, shared stories of past Yule Balls, and exchanged excited whispers about tonight's festivities. With each step, the anticipation built, filling the air with an electric energy that seemed to crackle around us.