Forbidden Request

Chapter Seventeen: Jealousy?

As I headed towards the dungeons for Potions, lost in thought, I almost collided with Sebastian. He flashed me a roguish grin as he stepped back to avoid bumping into me.

"Careful there, Atlow," he teased, using my last name with that familiar, mischievous tone. "Wouldn't want you getting hurt before we've even started our next adventure."

I couldn't help but smile despite myself. "I'm just heading to Potions. Poppy and I don't share this class."

Sebastian tilted his head, his eyes twinkling with playful curiosity. "Well, I'm sure she'll survive the peace and quiet. But I, for one, am quite glad to have you as my potion-making partner in crime."

His flirty remark caught me off guard, and I felt a warmth in my cheeks. "I guess I'm not completely out of luck then," I replied, trying to match his lightheartedness.

Sebastian fell into step beside me, his demeanor relaxed but with a hint of that familiar charm. "Indeed. Let's see if we can make Potions a little more interesting together. I have a feeling we might just make it through the day with a bit of fun."

We continued down the dimly lit corridor, the slight bounce in his step and the casual way he leaned closer made the journey to Professor Sharp's classroom much more enjoyable.

Sebastian and I walked into the Potions classroom together, the muted, earthy aroma of ingredients filling the air. The room was set up with rows of cauldrons and shelves brimming with bottles of mysterious substances. As we entered, I caught sight of Garreth Weasley already at his workstation, his head tilted slightly as he examined a vial of shimmering liquid.

When Garreth's gaze met mine, his face brightened with a mischievous grin. "Jude! What a pleasant surprise to see you again so soon," he said, his tone light and teasing.

I chuckled softly, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's just one of those days with back-to-back classes. I guess I'm getting used to it."

Garreth's eyes twinkled as he leaned in slightly, his smile widening. "Well, you certainly don't seem bothered by it. And I must say, you were quite impressive in Charms earlier. Didn't expect you to be such a pro."

Sebastian, who had followed me to our seats, shifted slightly to place himself between Garreth and me. He gave a curt nod to Garreth, his gaze colder than usual. "Garreth, I see you've been keeping busy. I'm sure you've got a lot to offer in Potions as well."

Garreth's grin didn't waver as he glanced between Sebastian and me. "Always. It's good to see you, Jude. Any tips from your side on how to make the best of today's lesson?"

I met Garreth's gaze, trying to ignore the faint but noticeable tension that had crept into the conversation. "Not really. Just focus on the instructions and we'll get through it."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained a polite tone. "Indeed. Let's concentrate on what Professor Sharp has planned for us today."

As Professor Sharp began to outline the day's potion—an elaborate elixir requiring precision and care—I noticed Sebastian's subtle, almost imperceptible shifts in posture. Despite his efforts to appear indifferent, it was clear that Garreth's attention was unsettling him.

Garreth continued to throw casual glances my way, his easy charm contrasting with Sebastian's more reserved demeanor. I found myself caught between the two, trying to focus on the task at hand while navigating the unspoken tension that seemed to simmer just beneath the surface.

With a deep breath, I turned my attention to the potion instructions, hoping to ease the growing discomfort and complete the lesson without further incident.