Exile || Sebastian Sallow

31 | Christmas Invitations

This chapter is dedicated to catsallow.
Because you never fail to make me laugh.
And also, this is your number.

───•~❉᯽❉~•───

"I confessed the longing I was dreaming of
some better love"
- Hozier

───•~❉᯽❉~•───

31 | Christmas Invitations

Belle's Perspective

I'd barely sat down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall when Garreth Weasley jumped onto the table, arms to the side as if in showmanship on a stage, two vials of potions on each hand. Everyone at the table stopped and stared to watch him, some grumbling and skittering away.

Garreth cleared his throat and grinned widely. "Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow students if I could have a bit of your time to present to you my new-"

"Invention?" Poppy interrupted with a giggle.

Garreth smirked, leaning down to her and winking. "Why, yes, Poppy love, my newest invention!"

"What does it do this time?" Lila asked beside me.

"Turn us into a walking wig shop, perhaps?" Natty inserted.

"Oh come on, that was one time!" Garreth countered with a pouty lip.

Poppy held up a hand. "I quite liked my purple hair!"

"It just turned me even more redhead," Leander murmured while sipping a goblet. No one else seemed to have heard.

Garreth pointed at Poppy, then turned back to Natty. "Ah see! My potion wasn't all terrible." He turned back to Poppy again. "Thank you, Pops. I knew I could count on you!"

"My hair was a horrendous orange for a week! You were lucky I did not punch you, my friend. I had to walk the castle halls looking like a sickly jester."

Garreth pretended to look hurt, putting a palm on his heart with a dramatic flair. "Why, Natty, have you got a vendetta against orange-haired fellas? Does my hair offend you?"

Natty pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. I snorted, deciding it was best I kept quiet as they all bickered.

"Mister Weasley!" Professor Black suddenly appeared and sauntered over to the Gryffindor table. "Come down from that table at once! Have you any manners? Students are trying to eat food, not dirt from your dirty shoes!"

Garreth merely sighed and jumped down from the table, apologizing to the headmaster who didn't even stay long enough for it before exiting the Great Hall.

My mind drifted off elsewhere as Garreth went on and on about his newest potion invention. Something about making you fly without a broom or wand. It couldn't be very good if it went wrong.

I knew what Garreth was doing. He was trying to distract everyone from the horrific incidents of the weekend by presenting a potion he hadn't even perfected. He was just that kind of friend. Always trying to get people to smile even in times of darkness and uncertainty.

The aura inside the castle hasn't been the greatest ever since Hosgmeade Festival. Many students got hurt, and a beautiful night turned nightmare couldn't be easily forgotten.