Acceptance: Hogwarts Legacy Continued

Chapter 57: Sebastian- its a date pt. 2

"But why do I have to come with you?" Sebastian drug his feet across the dirt pathway, asking the questions not for the first time. He was just so annoyed he had to trek all the way to Hosgmede.

"As I have told you ten times already- I need more spider fangs for potions this week. And since I don't fancy traipsing through the forbidden forest like you and Diana do, killing spiders, I have to buy my own. AND like you have known for years, I don't like to go to Hogsmeade on my own, a fact you have never had issue with until today."

"Yes, but why do you have to go with me?"

"Because you need to get outside more- people are starting to mistake you for a ghoul.... Also I couldn't find Diana."

He huffed indignantly. Of course she was busy off doing something and couldn't help a friend when they needed it-

"I can already tell what you are thinking and it isn't fair to blame her for having a life. You're just still letting yourself be bitter."

He didn't respond at all this time, choosing instead to tuck his fists into his pockets and ignore the blind boy beside him. He didn't want to be thinking about her anyway. He was better off here, even if he was annoyed about it. Better than whatever she was probably doing; some keeper task or some magical theory homework. Wherever she was or whatever she was doing he definitely didn't care about it.

They made their way to the potions supply shop and Ominis found what he needed from Mr Pippins. When they came out of the shop there was a wind that had a bit of an icy bite. Sebastian requested that they stop at the three broomsticks to hopefully wait it out before trekking back. This time it was his friends turn to begrudgingly agree, and they headed towards the tavern.

"I thought you didn't want to even come out here- why extend the stay." the blind boy complained as they crossed the threshold and entered the warm room.

"Well if I am going to be miserable I might as well be miserable and warm."

He ordered their drinks and the two of them went to find an empty table to wait. It was pretty crowded so they moved up to the second floor to hopefully find a place less rowdy. He spotted a free table, though it was covered in the previous inhabitants' mugs. He scooted them off to the side and they took their seats.

"Ugh, this table is dirty." Ominis wrinkled his nose at his hand, which he had placed unknowingly in a spill.

"Well it was this or try to find a spot with that lot down there."

He looked over the railing, watching the people below. Most seemed to be a part of one big group, but there were a few couples around the edges. Most of them looked like people who probably lived in the town, but there was a couple in the corner who were definitely school aged. Actually the boy facing him looked like-

"Looks like Weasley is on a date."

"Professor Weasley is on a date??"

"What? No! Garreth Weasley you dolt. Why would a teacher be on a date here?"

"Where else would they go" the blind boy countered

"I dunno, a gravesite?" Ominous tsked at him, and went back to trying to clean his hand.

"He seems to be enjoying himself though, probably the first date he's ever been on. Looks like he came with-"

He froze, his whole body was going numb. There was no way that was her.

"Who did he come with-"

He jumped up from his seat and basically dangled his whole body off the railing to get a better look. It really was Diana sitting across from him. He hardly recognized her; her hair was done up and she was wearing something other than her school uniform. But it was the same reddish hair and her same movements. He watched her turn to the side, getting a look at her face, as she accepted her drink from the barmaid. She was there, on a date, with that damned Griffindor. He contemplated jumping off right then to check and made sure, but was stopped by a voice coming up the stairs.

"I'd ask you not to jump to your death at my tavern thank you. Won't be cleaning up any mess of yours Mr. Sallows." Sirona chided him, bringing up their drinks and collecting the empty ones on their table.

"Were you just hanging off the railing?!? When the hell are you doing?" Ominis scolded him as he got back into his seat and took a huge swig of his butterbeer. Damn, he thought, he wished he was seventeen already so he could order something stronger.

"She's here with Weasley." He replied, dropping his mug down and trying to not sound like he was going crazy- which he was.

"Who the hell are you talking about?"

"Diana. Diana is sitting down there on a date with Garreth Weasley" he slid out through closed teeth.

The blind boy looked surprised- good, at least he hadn't known and chose not to tell him.

"How do you know she's on a date?"

"Well she's never looked that good when she was spending time with us." He looked down at her again. Even from behind and as far away as he was he could tell she looked nice. It made him feel even more annoyed- he didn't care what she looked like, but why did she never put forth any effort when she was spending time with him?

"Okay well we obviously need to get out of here." Ominis took a swig from his own drink and stood to leave.

"What?! Why?!"

"Because there is no way that I am letting you go three weeks of acting like she doesn't exist only to break that streak just to ruin her date."

"It's a date with Weasley, it can't be going that great anyway."

"I don't care if it was with a troll, there is no way that I- and in extension you- will be interfering in any way. In fact, we are going to leave right this moment before she even realizes that we are here." And at that he slapped coins down on the table, and with that incredible strength, started dragging Sebastian across the floor.

He tried to get his bearings and remove his arm out of his friend's grip, but it was fierce. He very begrudgingly gave him, knowing that if he were to fight it he would have hell to pay. Before they left though he took one more glance over at their direction, but all he could see was Weasley with the dumbest grin on his face- and he felt like he wanted nothing more than to hex it right off.