DELGADO || Sebastian Sallow (Hogwarts Legacy)

Part 33 - Scandals and Shadows

ꕀꕥ〡~𐀔~〡ꕥꕀ

❝ Something flickered in his expression. Guilt. Regret. ❞

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"Sebastian!" I called out softly as I moved through the west wing hallway. "Sebastian?" My voice grew slightly louder.

After he told me to meet him here, I waited the full ten minutes before slipping away from the crowded ballroom. Avoiding the watchful eyes of the staff and the Gaunt family, I quietly made my way through a backroom, climbing the fire stairs as carefully as I could in my dress and heels.

Now, here I was, alone in the forbidden part of the mansion.

I opened a few doors, but there was no sign of him. My heels clicked against the wooden floor, the sound unnerving in the empty hallway.

"Sebastian, where are you?" I said, my voice at normal volume.

Silence.

The west wing was strictly off-limits to anyone outside the Gaunt family. Even most of the staff weren't allowed here—only the most trusted ones who had served for over a decade.

I was trespassing. A direct violation of Mr. Gaunt's rules.

At the end of the hall, I found myself still alone. Was I early? Had Sebastian changed his mind? Was this some kind of trap?

"Sebastian!" I called again, this time slightly louder, my voice echoing faintly against the high ceilings.

Suddenly, a door behind me creaked open.

Before I could react, a strong hand grabbed me by the waist, yanking me backward.

A startled cry escaped my lips, but a firm chest collided with my back, swallowing the sound.

I was dragged into a dark space, the door snapping shut behind me, leaving us in complete darkness. My breath hitched, panic flaring in my chest as I struggled against my captor.

A soft flick of a wand ignited a dim light overhead, casting a glow over the cramped space.

And then I caught the familiar scent of whiskey and cedar.

Sebastian.

"Are you insane?" I hissed, shoving at his chest.

"Keep yelling like that, and we'll both find out how insane I can be," he shot back in a low whisper. "Do you want to get us caught?"

I lifted my chin, matching his glare. "I couldn't find you! Didn't you hear me calling your name the first few times?"

"Of course I did," he said through gritted teeth. "But I couldn't risk leaving my hiding spot while you were practically shouting. You might have the privilege of marrying into this family, but if they find me here, they'd kill me on the spot."

My stomach twisted. "I'm sorry," I murmured.

I shifted slightly, trying to adjust my dress so I wouldn't ruin it in this tight space, but it was impossible to move without bumping into him.

I stepped on his foot. "Oops, sorry."

"Just—wait, let me—" He tried to move to the left.

I turned, thinking that might help, but all it did was press my back directly against his legs.

"Turn around," he groaned, exasperated.

I whirled back too quickly, my dress catching between us, making things even worse.