Forbidden Request

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Four Of Us

I slowly regained consciousness, the faint light of early morning filtering through heavy curtains. My head throbbed with the remnants of last night's revelry, and I stirred, realizing I was lying on a comfortable bed.

The first thing I noticed was the soft, oversized Slytherin Quidditch shirt draped over me.

It was warm and smelled familiar.

My heels lay discarded on the floor beside the bed, and as I glanced around, I realized I was in a Slytherin dormitory.

The room had a dark, moody charm. The walls were adorned with deep green tapestries and silver accents. A large, ornate Slytherin crest hung prominently, adding to the room's regal feel. The furniture was dark wood, with two large four-poster beds draped in heavy green curtains. On one side of the room, there was a mahogany desk cluttered with parchment, quills, and a few well-used textbooks.

A faint smell of polished wood and leather.

Nearby, an elaborate bookcase filled with old, leather-bound volumes stood against the wall, and a comfortable armchair sat in a corner, its dark green fabric inviting.

A few framed pictures of Slytherin students and their exploits adorned the walls, casting a nostalgic ambiance over the room. The light filtering through the curtains gave everything a soft, subdued glow, enhancing the room's cozy yet mysterious atmosphere.

I slowly pushed myself up, my head pounding with the familiar ache of a hangover. As I blinked groggily, trying to clear the fog from my vision, I noticed a familiar figure in the bed across from me. Poppy was curled up, still fast asleep. The sight of her lying there brought a sense of relief amidst my confusion. Her presence was comforting, a reminder that I wasn't entirely alone in this strange place.

The room's shadows danced around, and the soft light filtering through the curtains cast a gentle glow on Poppy's peaceful face.

Suddenly, a shuffling noise to my left piqued my interest and I turned my head, squinting to see through my sleepy vision.

Then I spotted Sebastian on the floor beside the bed.

He was curled up in a makeshift nest of blankets and pillows, looking unusually peaceful despite the uncomfortable spot. His dark hair was tousled, and he had an arm draped over his face, covering his freckles.

The sight was enough to make my cheeks heat.

I was still trying to shake off the effects of the alcohol when I noticed Ominis enter the room. The faint red light from his wand barely illuminated the space, but it was enough for me to see that he was not surprised to find me sitting up in Sebastian's bed.

Ominis paused, then turned his attention to Sebastian, who was still curled up on the floor, and Poppy, who was sleeping soundly in the other bed.

I looked around the room, taking in the Slytherin green and silver decor, the Quidditch posters, and the cluttered desk with a few textbooks and parchment scattered across it. The realization slowly dawned on me that this was indeed their dorm, not just a random Slytherin room.

Ominis noticed my realization and gave me a small, understanding nod. "You're awake," he said quietly, not mentioning the obvious.

"Looks like you had a rough night. I'll get you some water," he added, as he moved towards the boys bathroom.

Sebastian's eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at me with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"Well, good morning, Atlow," he said, stretching and rubbing his eyes. His voice was hoarse but carried a familiar teasing tone. "I see you've made yourself at home. Hope I didn't snore too loudly."