Shadow of the Key | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 28: Halloween Ball

"When I'm around slow dancing in the dark, don't follow me, you'll end up in my arms."

- Joji

This is the longest chapter in the fic so far, remember to take breaks and hydrate! ♡

Amelia's POV

The Professors and faculty did, in fact, hear about the Hallucinating Curse incident.

Amelia and Sebastian were both called into Professor Weasley's office almost as soon as they entered the school, considering that Aurors had been called in and were roaming the halls to account for any students who suffered from the curse.

Some students walked around aimlessly and cluelessly, some were screaming at portraits, and even a few of them were attempting to drown themselves in the Central Hall fountain.

The Hospital Wing had been packed with so many students, they had to magically extend it and Nurse Blainey kicked out anyone that dared to attempt a visit.

Of course, Headmaster Black was away that weekend in London to meet with members of the Ministry, but there was never a reason given as to why he did, raising both Amelia and Sebastian's suspicions.

They relayed what they could to Professor Weasley, though she had her own suspicions that they weren't being entirely truthful, especially when she noticed both of their ghastly appearances.

While they mentioned that a cloaked figure had been behind the spread of the curse, they didn't mention the methods they both took to deal with them.

They worried that if they mentioned the mysterious person was actually a Gaunt, Ominis would either be expelled or suffer the wrath of his family. Potentially both.

The Gaunts had tortured him enough.

As the Professor took in their soaked clothes and hair when it hadn't rained, the dirt and blood that caked both of them, and their dark eye circles that signaled a long night, she didn't even want to know what had to be done.

They definitely did not mention what they ended up doing afterwards.

While they stood side by side and listened to Professor Weasley confirm that the Ball would still be taking place, since the curse could be easily removed from the students and there were Aurors stationed around the school to make sure things go smoothly, Amelia could feel Sebastian's fingers brush against hers.

She assumed it was an accident at first, but after the second or third time, it became apparent that he was intentionally touching her.

After the fourth time, he wrapped the tip of his pinky around hers.

She tried to fight the smile that dared to break through her lips, but the slightest touch from him made her lose the battle.

She earned a questionable look from Professor Weasley, although she couldn't see what exactly was making her smile so much.

It doesn't look too good when you're smiling from ear to ear while the Professor is telling you about students trying to jump from the castle balconies.