In the Shadow of Injustice

Prologue Pt. 1

Dear Diary, let me tell you how I got into this situation.  I've told you about Sebastian before but I've never told you the whole story.

I first met him in Defense Against the Dark Arts class on my first day of school, September 1st, 1890. He was dueling with Leander Prewett, that stuck up Gryffindor. I was immediately impressed by his dueling skills, and his cocky attitude amused me. He turned to me when I suppressed a giggle at Leander hanging in the air, his own grin filling his face a second later and I knew. You know that feeling you sometimes have about someone, that you were destined to be "something"? That's how I felt about him, as soon as our eyes met. When we were teamed up, he smirked at me, I'll never forget what he said. "Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome." He was so cocky, so confident in himself that he sparked that fire in me, the one that loves challenges.

************

"This should be easy." Sebastian remarked immediately attacking but Johanna deflected him with protego. "Protego, that complicates things." he muttered from where he was thrown. When he got to his feet, determined to beat him Johanna attacked hard and fast, as they bantered back and forth. "Good form," he commented.

"I know." She shot back.

"This can't be your first duel!"

"Let's just say I'm a quick learner." 

As he attacked again Johanna  couldn't help but admit, "You're good." "How perceptive. Thank you," he remarked sarcastically, clearly not enjoying not winning by now.  Not amused, she knocked him from the podium with a flourish.

Afterwards, she approached to help him to his feet but he was already dusting himself off, a grin on his face.  "Not bad for a beginner. You give as good as you get," he said before brushing past her, his hand touching hers briefly.  A giant grin spread on her face, and her cheeks tinged slightly pink as it did.

"Don't get cocky after one victory with Sallow," a blonde Slytherin whispered to her, as he left the classroom, "He's not one to back down from a fight."

"Cocky? I'm not cocky." She thought angrily.

*******

After class we talked again, and I boldly told him he was lucky I held back. Impressed he invited me to Crossed Wands, a secret and unsanctioned duelling club. At the time Profesor Hecat hadn't told me to join so I turned him down, suspicious of such a club. As a new student I didn't want to get in trouble. I am (was), devoted to being a good student and helping Professor Fig, I owe (owed) him a lot. Sebastian didn't take it well and said I didn't know how to have fun. I lost my temper and told him:

"Oh really? Bold of you to assume when you barely know me. You want fun? I'll give you fun. By beating your ass again." Johanna fumed.

Sebastian raised his eyebrows in surprise as she stormed away. How could she be so fiery yet cautious at the same time? He would have to keep his eye on her.

*******

I saw him again later that afternoon. He was leaning right up against the gate inside the clock tower, arms crossed. "Glad you could make it. Lucan's right over there." I could tell he wanted to say more but he didn't. Sometimes I wish I could read that boy's mind, Merlin he is so confusing!

******

Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her leave the clock tower with Natsai Onai. Since when had they become friends? She definitely would have done much better if she had teamed with him. But all she had done was ignore him, with an occasional smirk in his direction. Now she was going to Hogsmeade with Onai. He couldn't help but be jealous. What would she do there? he wondered, so he decided to follow, dragging Ominis with him.