Swallow your pride

Hot breakfast

Sebastian POV

Sebastian was having breakfast in the Great Hall. As he sat at the table, forcefully tearing apart his pastry, he couldn't help but steal glances at the entrance to the Great Hall. He had expected Yarra and Ominis to return last night, but they hadn't shown up. This added to his growing frustration and jealousy. He couldn't help but wonder what Ominis was planning to do with Yarra. The thought of them together, alone in the darkness, made his gut clench.

Finally, Yarra appeared in the doorway, alone. She was heading straight for him. Sebastian's eyes locked onto Yarra as she approached him with a purposeful stride. His eyes flicked quickly over her form, checking for any sign of distress or discomfort. He sat up straighter in his seat, trying to maintain a calm demeanor, though he was dying to ask her a million questions.
"I need your help, Sebastian!" she said quickly and took a large plate.  Sebastian's eyebrows raised at the sight of Yarra loading up a plate with an overwhelming amount of food. The shift in tone and topic caught him off guard.
"My help?" he echoed, curiosity piqued. "With what?"
"I need something from the Potions shop. But I can't go buy it myself. Ominis must not know about it." She spoke hastily. "Will you help me?" she asked with a pleading look in her eyes. Sebastian felt his heart skip a beat at the urgency in Yarra's voice, and the pleading look in her eyes. He instantly agreed, his mind racing with questions about what she needed and why it was so secretive.
"Of course, I'll help you," he said firmly. "What do you need me to get from the shop? Yarra hesitated for a moment. Then she sat down next to him, looked around to see if anyone was listening and leaned closer so that only he could hear her. "I don't know what it's called... I'm sure you've already bought it for one of your...lovers." Sebastian's eyes widened, surprised by Yarra's words. "For one of my... lovers?" he repeated, dumbfounded. He had a reputation, sure, but the implication stung a bit considering his complicated feelings about Yarra. He leaned in closer to hear her better, his heart thudding faster.

"To eliminate ... unwanted consequences after ... you know ... if you are not careful." she said sheepishly.
Surprise flashed in Sebastian's eyes when he realized what Yarra was asking for. He hadn't expected this topic to come up, especially not with her.
"You... want a Contraception Draught?" he asked, his voice a low whisper to avoid any eavesdroppers.
"Yes, especially something AFTER." she said, putting her fist over her mouth and biting her finger, a look of guilt on her face. Sebastian's heart skipped a beat as he understood the implication of her words. He had bought that potion many times before, for his many... escapades. He felt a mixture of surprise and something that felt oddly like jealousy. The thought of Yarra needing that potion because of a night spent with Ominis made his gut clench.

"I know, I know! I screwed up! I thought I could handle it, that I had it under control, but he was so...convincing." she said before he could scold her and quickly continued, "But if I take the 'after' potion then everything will be fine, won't it?" she finished, covering her mouth with her hand.
Sebastian felt a pang of jealousy at her words, but he forced himself to push it aside. Yarra was asking for his help, and he couldn't let his feelings get in the way.
"Yes," he muttered gruffly, his clenched jaw betraying his inner turmoil. "If you take the 'after' potion, there should be no lasting consequences",  he added, unable to keep the harshness from his tone.
"Thank you Sebastian", she quickly hugged him and said, taking the plate in her hand. Before she left she added, "Take more, please." she winked at him and walked away. Sebastian sat there, stunned. The unexpected hug had caught him off guard. He was just starting to regain his composure when Yarra added her final request. A small, wry smile tugged at his lips as he watched her walk away.
He helped himself to more pastries, still trying to digest the conversation they'd just had.

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Ominis POV

Ominis woke up in bed in the room of the head prefect whom he had bribed. It was worth it. He reached out to pull Yarra to him. His hand searched the empty space beside him, only finding cool sheets where Yarra should have been. A frown tugged at his lips as he pushed himself up on his elbow, his hand running through his tousled hair. Worry and confusion flickered in his eyes as he scanned the empty room.
"Yarra?" he called out, his voice tinged with concern.
When he heard no response, he reached for his wand on the bedside table in a panic. He got up and walked to the table where his wand guided him to a piece of parchment. He took it in his hand and read,