Stairs
Credit: The idea of Sebastian trying to climb the stairs to the female dorms while arguing with his romantic interest only to fall on his ass was from @kirke-is-my-name, who kindly gave me permission to write about it. โฅ
The characters (other than my OC), places, and spells are all from Hogwarts Legacy.
All main characters have been aged up to 20 years old, since Iโm an adult and donโt feel comfortable writing romance about teenagers. This is somewhat of a love triangle situation between Sebastian/my OC Sรฉance/Ominis but will ultimately lead to Sรฉance/Sebastian. Feel free to imagine yourself as the love interest, I donโt mind, I simply donโt like writing โy/nโ stories as much. :) I also posted this on Fanfiction.net under the same username. Here's the link if you'd like to read it there:
Some parts are in Sebastianโs POV, some parts are from Sรฉanceโs POV. I do hope you enjoy despite the fact that I wrote this all in one sitting! ^~^
Word count: 4,616
Rating: T for a bit of cursing and sensual references.
-
Sรฉanceโs POV
โSรฉance, do you have a moment?โ Ominis asked, catching up to me as I exited Professor Hecatโs classroom.
โOf course, what can I do for you, Ominis?โ I replied, making a beeline for the edge of the hallway so others would pass us by.
Ominis shifted from foot to foot restlessly, and he adjusted the collar to his robe. โI was wondering- well, I just wanted to ask if you would like to join me at The Three Broomsticks this Friday after classes.โ
โThat sounds lovely,โ I agreed, โwill Sebastian be joining us as well?โ Sebastian almost always accompanied us when we went to The Three Broomsticks, and on the rare occasion he didnโt, Natty, Imelda, or Poppy had tagged along.
โNot this timeโฆI thought it could just be you and I this trip.โ His cheeks appeared a bit flushed, but I attributed that to his rush to grab my attention after class.
โWell, that sounds just fine to me. Iโve got to stop by Tomes and Scrolls anyhow, so perhaps Iโll do so afterward.โ
โItโs a plan then.โ Ominis replied, a smile spread across his lips. โIโll see you in final period.โ He added before waving and heading off toward his next class.
I turned to make my way to the Herbology corridor.
-
Sebastian welcomed me with a grin and a quick wave of his hand as I entered the classroom, walking to my potting station adjacent to his.
โHey.โ He greeted me.
โHello Sebastian, how are you?โ
โIโm excited for my next Crossed Wands duel. Iโve been practicing and Iโm going to destroy Imelda.โ The brunette chuckled, before glancing my way. โHow are you? Youโll be there, right? This Friday afternoon.โ
I froze, feeling guilty already. I hadnโt missed one of Sebastianโs duels yet, just as he hadnโt missed any of mine. โIโm so sorry Sebastian, Iโm afraid Iโve already made plans Friday. I had no idea you were scheduled to duel.โ
โOh,โ He replied, a disappointed expression on his face, โItโs alright, I understand. I guess I canโt expect you to be at all of them.โ
โMaybe I can reschedule,โ I began.
โThatโs not necessary, Sรฉance. If youโve already made plans, then you should see them through.โ He insisted.
โAlright then,โ I replied uncertainly.
Professor Garlick then began rattling off information about the amazing Venomous Tentacula and its different properties, informing us that the plant could even be utilized in certain potions.
-
Sebastianโs POV
The remainder of the day passed, and I found myself simmering for most of it. I couldnโt figure out why, given that Sรฉance had only made plans because she hadnโt been aware of my scheduled duel. Regardless, she had every right not to come. She had no obligation to me. I knew I was acting ridiculous, but I still couldnโt help the way that I felt, even if my feelings werenโt justifiable.
I dragged myself to the male Slytherin dorms, dropping my bag to the ground with a loud thud. I defeatedly slumped onto my bed face-first, groaning.
โYou seem to be in quite a mood.โ Ominis said cheerily from his bed next to mine, and I jumped at the surprise of his company.
โOminis! I didnโt know you were there.โ I replied, rolling onto my back.
โForgive me, Iโd simply assumed that the person whose eyes worked would have seen me when he came in.โ He quipped, chuckling.
I sighed, annoyed, even though I knew Iโd usually have found humor in the situation and Ominisโ joke.
Ominis furrowed his brow, turning his face in my general direction. โAlright, whatโs wrong? Youโre usually mercurial but this is a new level of sulking, even for you.โ
I groaned in irritation and waved him off even though he wouldnโt see it. โI donโt want to discuss it. Why donโt you tell me whatโs got you so nauseatingly cheerful?โ
Ominis grinned once again at the subject, and he clasped his hands in front of him. โIf you must know, Iโve got a date this Friday.โ
โA date? With whom?โ I asked, my eyes narrowing in suspicion. Friday was the day Sรฉance had told me she had plans.
I mentally reassured myself that it couldnโt be her, because sheโd given no implication that she was romantically interested in Ominis. In fact, she hadnโt seemed to take particular interest in anyone as of yet.
โWith Sรฉance. I asked her today after Defence Against the Dark Arts.โ Ominisโ cheeks reddened and he continued to smile, evidently unable to wipe the dopey look off his face.
โThat canโt be right, Sรฉance doesnโt date. Everyone knows that.โ I pointed out. Many men, and even some women, in our school had tried. Sheโd turned them all down, albeit gently. โAnd why didnโt you tell me you were going to ask her?โ
โI suppose the right person just hadnโt asked her yet.โ Ominis shrugged. โAnd I didnโt want to say anything until there was something to tell. Now there is.โ
โYou canโt date her!โ I blurted out before clamping my mouth shut, resting my face in my palm.
โAnd why not?โ Ominis replied defensively. His glare missed me by a couple feet, but I got the message.
โB-Because, itโll ruin our friend group.โ I said, scrambling for an excuse. Even to my own ears, it fell flat. โBesides, are you sure she even knows itโs a date? Did you explicitly ask her on a date?โ
ย โSebastian, if I didnโt know you better, Iโd say you sound jealous.โ Ominis crossed his arms over his chest. โI thought youโd be happy for me. And no, I didnโt say โHey Sรฉance, will you go on a date with me?โ, but I did ask her to accompany me to The Three Broomsticks. When she asked if you were coming, I told her I would like for it to just be the two of us. I donโt feel I could have made it much more obvious that I was asking her on a date.โ
โJealous? Why would I be jealous?!โ I asked incredulously, despite absolutely feeling jealous.
โBecause I know you used to like her, but that was years ago. Iโd thought you had moved past those feelings.โ Ominis countered, still looking indignant. โApparently I was incorrect.โ
โSo I might have had some feelings when we first became friends, but that was so long ago! Things are different now.โ As I spoke the words, I could feel that they were a lie.
โWhat stopped you from acting on those feelings back at the start, then?โ Ominis asked. โYou must not have liked her much if you didnโt bother making a move. Thatโs never been an issue for you with other women.โ He pointed out.
โBecause I liked Sรฉance too much. I didnโt want to ruin our friendship, or destroy the group dynamic we have. Iโm not great with women, I knew Iโd fuck it up somehow, so I let it go.โ I admitted.
โDid you? Let it go, I mean? Because it sure doesnโt sound like you โlet it goโ.โ Ominis pursed his lips skeptically.
โI thought I had.โ I admitted quietly. โBut now I donโt know how I feel.โ
โWell, you better figure it out, Sebastian.โ Ominis said coldly. โBecause I donโt want things to progress with Sรฉance unless I know thereโs nothing between you two on her end. You need to settle this.โ
โHow can you even like her?โ I asked cynically.
โWhat kind of a question is that?โ Ominis retorted. โYou know how because you like her, too.โ
โThatโs not what I meant. You were vehemently against me using Dark Magic and were furious when I learned the Unforgivable Curses. How can you now seek the hand of someone who uses those very same Curses?โ
Ominis was quiet for a moment, pondering this. โIt bothered me too much at first,โ He conceded, โBut Iโve known her for so long now. She only uses those spells to protect and help others.โ
โThatโs the same reason I started learning them!โ I exclaimed frustratedly.
Ominis sighed defeatedly. โIโm aware, Sebastian. I stopped raking you over the coals for that ages ago. Where is this coming from? You know youโre not going to talk me out of having feelings for her, right?โ
I took a deep breath as well. โI knowโฆโ Standing up, I grabbed my book-bag off of the floor where Iโd dumped it earlier. โIโm going to the library to study.โ I told him dryly.
-
Sรฉanceโs POV
Ominis sat next to me in Defence Against the Dark Arts as usual, but he looked much more perturbed than he typically did.ย
โIs everything alright today, Ominis?โ I asked him, whispering since we were supposed to be listening to Professor Hecat.
He continued looking forward but tilted his head toward me to hear more clearly. โIโm okay, but I think you need to speak to Sebastian.โ Ominis murmured back, frowning.
My brow furrowed in confusion, โWhy?โ I asked him.
โIโll not say more, you two need to have a discussion.โ
And he stayed true to that sentiment, refusing to elaborate when I attempted to get him to throughout the class. The bells rang and the nervousness fluttering in my stomach became a full-on swarm as I made my way to Herbology class, knowing Iโd see Sebastian there. I wondered why Ominis had said I needed to speak to him, and whether it was about something bad. Had I done something wrong, or was he still unhappy about me missing his duel?
I entered the Herbology room, my glance nervously flicking toward Sebastian. He was already seated, and even as I sat next to him, he refused to look at me.
โHi, Sebastianโฆโ I greeted him awkwardly.
โSรฉance.โ He replied curtly.
โOkay, whatโs wrong?โ I asked, trying to level with him.
โWhat do you mean? Nothingโs wrong.โ He replied flatly, still refusing to glance in my direction.
โOminis told me I needed to speak with you. He wouldnโt say anything more than that.โ
Sebastian laughed dryly, rolling his eyes. โOh, did he now?โ
โOkay seriously, Sebastian-โ I began, but he quickly cut me off.
โWe should pay attention to Professor Garlick.โ He stated dismissively, turning his gaze toward the red-haired woman.
My brow pinched in concern, and I frowned, โThatโs a firstโ I muttered.
Sebastian never had an issue ignoring teachers in favor of chatting with me before. It was clear he was upset, but I didnโt understand why. After all, Iโd offered to postpone my plans and he had declined. I didnโt feel I'd earned his ire at all. Then again, he was known to have a temper sometimes. I decided to shrug it off and assumed things would improve on their own. If he didnโt start acting normal by the end of the day, then Iโd bring the matter to his attention again.
The rest of class passed without incident, but also without Sebastian so much as looking at me. As the bells chimed to signify the end of the period, Sebastian turned to leave but I gently grasped his forearm to stop him.
โSebastian, arenโt we walking to the next class together?โ I inquired. We had every other day, given that we shared the same final period, where weโd join Ominis as well.
โIโve got something I need to do before going to class.โ He informed me shortly, pulling his arm away and heading off.
I sighed, gathering my belongings, and walked toward Professor Sharpโs classroom for final period.
โWho put a broomstick in his ass?โ Imelda asked, watching Sebastianโs back as he hurried off.
โI donโt know. I must have done something to anger him.โ I shrugged, looking over at her.
ย โCanโt imagine what.โ She said, smirking as if she knew something more than I did.
I looked at her suspiciously. โWhat do you know?โ
โNot much more than you do.โ She replied, gesturing for me to enter Professor Sharpโs class ahead of her. I found Sebastian already seated. I felt my eyes narrow in irritation. He clearly lied about not being able to walk to class with me since he was here before me. I decided not to sit next to him and Ominis, and instead choose a station next to Imelda.
โSo, youโre avoiding Sebastian now?โ She asked, quirking an eyebrow. โHere I thought he was the one avoiding you.โ
โThings are weird with him right now and I donโt know why.โ I muttered, disgruntled. โI thought I should give him space until I figure it out.โ
โIโve an idea.โ She smirked at me; a knowing glance shot my way.
โYou do? What is it, then?โ
โItโs because of your date with Ominis, of course.โ She informed me flippantly with a wave of her hand.
I froze, squinting at her. โMy what?โ
She looked at me, brow furrowed and eyes narrowed โI heard him ask you out yesterday in the hallway. Donโt worry, Iโm not going to tell anyone about it. I donโt care enough to anyway.โ
My eye twitched as the synopses in my brain misfired. โIโฆIโm not going on a date with Ominis. He only asked me to The Three Broomsticks. We always go there together.โ
โAlone?โ She asked, putting an emphasis on the word.
I gaped at her in silence for a moment. โWell, noโฆโ
โThatโs what I thought.โ Imelda made her point, tugging at the base of her top to adjust it.
โBut why would Sebastian be treating me differently because of that?โ I asked.
Imelda looked at me like I was a dolt and opened her mouth to answer, but Professor Black interrupted from right behind us.
โMy apologies, ladies. I didnโt realize I was interrupting your social hour with my boring instruction. Shall I wait for your gossip about Mr. Sallow to conclude before I continue?โ He asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Both of us blushed, embarrassed at being confronted in front of the whole class. I knew my face was beet-red. Each of us muttered an apology.
โAh, excellent.โ Professor Sharp said and then retreated, continuing to teach. I couldnโt pay attention, more focused on Sebastian across the room and my thoughts of the situation at hand. I kept looking his way to see if he had a reaction to what our professor had said in front of the class. He met my stare a couple times, holding it for a few seconds, his face devoid of expression, before looking elsewhere.
โThatโs enough.โ, I decided, โIโm talking to him after classโ.
I had my supplies packed up before the bells even rang and sprang up the second I heard the first notes ring out. I saw Sebastian rushing to escape the classroom ahead of me, but I had been prepared for this and caught up to him.
โThatโs it, youโre talking to me right now.โ I commanded him authoritatively, grabbing his upper arm and pulling him back once we were far enough down the hallway.
With my hand on his arm, I could feel muscle that his robes hid well. In the last few years, heโd grown up quite a lot. He was now at least six inches taller than my 5โ7 height, and I had to look upward to view his face. It was unlike when we first met, and our heights had only been centimeters apart. My hand, fully stretched, still didnโt even cover half of his bicep as I held onto it.
He turned to me, and his eyes flicked to mine, cold and dark. โOh, am I?โ He asked derisively, tearing his arm from my grasp. โAnd why should I do that?โ
I blinked, caught off guard by this reaction. โBecause weโre supposed to be friends.โ I answered, desperately trying to figure out why heโd be this infuriated.
โFriends?โ Sebastian repeated, his posture relaxing deceptively as he raked his hand through his messy brown hair. โI donโt think so.โ
I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice wavering slightly. โWhat is that supposed to mean?โ I asked hollowly.
โA friend wouldnโt ditch me to go on a date with someone whoโs like a brother to me!โ His anger exploded again, and he paced back and forth, continuing to muss up his hair and make it even more wild.
โSebastianโฆโ I said softly, โI had no idea it was a date; you have to believe me.โ
โYeah, right!โ He spat back, โYou know what? Iโm done with this conversation.โ He stormed off, and I followed right on his heels.
I called after him several times, trailing him all the way to the dorms before he finally stopped to turn around.
โWhat do you want?!โ He yelled; expression twisted in fury. โI donโt want to talk to you! Iโm done with this, stop pestering me!โ
I glared at Sebastian, crossing my arms over my chest. Stepping closer to him, I looked up at his enraged face.
โYouโre really this petty? Youโre going to end a four-year friendship over a misunderstanding? You have no right to treat me this way! Even if I wanted to go on dates, I could, Sallow. You donโt own me. You are so out of line itโs unbelievable.โ I shouted, tears of frustration brimming my eyes. โIโve sat around waiting for you to ask me out for years, Sebastian. Years, and you never did. Iโve turned down everyone else who asked in the pathetic hope that you might throw me a scrap of romantic attention. Meanwhile, Iโve had to stand by and watch you date a new woman every other month. So, you donโt get to do this. Iโm the one whoโs done.โ I poked his chest, hard. โIโm done talking to you. And believe me when I say Iโm done being friends with you, too.โ I added, my voice trembling.
I turned and ran up the stairs to the female Slytherin dorm rooms, finally letting the tears fall onto my cheeks now that he could no longer see me.
-
Sebastianโs POV
โIโve sat around waiting for you to ask me out for years, Sebastian.โ
The words repeated themselves in my head several times before they fully registered. Why was I such an idiot? Why did I say I didnโt want to be friends with her anymore?
โIโm done being friends with you, too.โ
My jaw finally shut, and I sprung into action.
โSรฉance, get back here! Weโre not finished with this conversation!โ I shouted after her, still clinging to my anger as I sprinted up the stairs.
Only, there were no stairs. It became a flat, slippery ramp and I stumbled back, sliding downward and finally landing on my ass. I grunted at the brunt of the fall, my cheeks reddening in embarrassment. If that wasnโt a lesson in humility, I didnโt know what was.
โImpressive,โ Imelda said wryly. โThatโll win her over for sure.โ
She smirked at me, and I could tell she was holding back laughter. How gracious of her. I stood up again, my fists clenched.
โWill you please get Sรฉance to come down here?โ I asked through gritted teeth.
โWhy should I?โ Imelda asked, that familiar judgmental tone in her voice. โIt seems youโve done enough already. You really messed this one up.โ
โPlease, Imelda, Iโm begging you.โ I stared at her, my expression hard and serious.
โHmmโฆAlright. But only because you begged. I like Sรฉance. I think sheโll be able to keep you in line. Someone has to.โ She gave me an up-and-down glance then disappeared up the staircase.
I paced back and forth, awaiting Sรฉanceโs return at the bottom, our conversation on replay in my mind.
-
Sรฉanceโs POV
Imelda approached me, and I knew I looked like a full-on lunatic. I had tears running down my cheeks from when I was upset only a minute ago, but now I was also stifling laughter after what Iโd just witnessed. Sebastian, fully in his rage-mode, getting dumped onto his ass by a magic staircase. I started chuckling all over again. There were too many emotions brewing within me. Embarrassment that Iโd finally admitted my feelings for him, fear over what the things that had transpired between us would mean and how things would change moving forward, anger that he was treating me so poorly, helplessness over the entire situation, hurt that he tried to end our friendship over nothing, and humor over the staircase situation. I laughed again as I thought of it.
โI see you watched Sebastianโs staircase debacle.โ Imelda said, a mirthful smile playing on her lips.
I smirked back at her. โIt was quite a finale to a hellish display.โ
She gave a bark of a laugh, then sat next to me on my bed, touching my shoulder. โAre you alright?โ
I looked over at her, noticing for the hundredth time how pretty she was. For all her snark, surface-level narcissism, and detached demeanor, she was quite wonderful once you got to know her.
โYes, Imelda, Iโm fine. Thank you for checking on me.โ
โThatโs what Iโm here for.โ She said, leaning further on the bed and crossing her legs underneath her. โWell, that andโฆโ
โAnd what?โ I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose to take the edge off my headache. โWhat did Sebastian say to you?โ
โHe really wants you to go back down and talk to him. He literally begged me to come get you. As much as I usually love seeing a cocky, delusional man resort to begging, I did actually feel a bit bad for him.โ She bit her index finger, looking off into the distance as she thought about it. โYou are quite something to lose.โ
โYou should have heard the way he was talking to me, Imelda.โ I refuted. โBut thank you, thatโs sweet of you to say.โ
โI did hear him. Well, most of what he said, anyway. Thereโs a lot of passion in that man.โ She grinned over at me. โThat kind of passion transfers well into other areas, if you catch my meaning.โ
I laughed a bit and then sighed, shaking my head. โOnly you, Imelda.โ
I blushed upon pondering what sheโd said. Sebastian was nothing if not passionate.
โThere is no one like me.โ She remarked, her hand flat under her face to frame it and exaggerate her statement. โSo, are you going to go talk to him?โ
I groaned, tilting my head, and glanced toward her. โShould I?โ
โIโve got to say, Iโm rooting for him. Heโs got fire, that one. Men without fire are so boring.โ She snickered. โBesides, youโre obviously mad for each other.โ
My face reddened again as I opened my mouth to deny it, but I couldnโt. โHow do you know?โ
โAre you serious?โ She scoffed, throwing her hand to the side in front of her. โFor one, I could cut the sexual tension between you two with a knife. The way he looks at you- itโs like heโs a starving wolf and youโre a giant steak dinner.โ
I laughed, rolling my eyes at her exaggeration.
โOn a more serious note, Iโve observed both of you the last few years and youโre always taking care of each other. Heโs loved you for a long time. Why do you think he dumps the girls he dates before things get too serious with them? Besides, even when others turned their backs on him, you never did. Why start now?โ
Her last sentence rang in my ears, and I looked at her, shocked.
โWhat?! I do say something profound every once in a while.โ She said defensively, raising her eyebrow at me. โWhat are you still doing here? Go, go. Get your man.โ She shooed me away like a pet who was begging at mealtime.
โAlright.โ I said, standing up. โAnd Imelda? Thank you.โ
โIt was nothing.โ She waved me off as I left the room. ย
I silently made my way down the staircase, unsure if Sebastian would even still be waiting after so long. He was. I found him seated at the bottom of the stairs, against the opposite wall. His knees were bent, his elbows resting on them, and his long fingers wound through his hair. I could tell just by a glance that he was horribly upset. I got down on my knees in front of him.
โSebastian,โ I said gently.
โIโm sorry.โ He said immediately, the words flat. It was obvious he was beating himself up over it all. โFor everything. I didnโt mean it.โ
I leaned forward and took his hands, gently untangling them from his hair and holding them in my own. His stayed limp and pliant.
โLook at me.โ I requested, squeezing his hands in mine.
He slowly turned his face upward, meeting my gaze. His irises were dark and murky, his cheeks and eyes rouged. I could tell he had shed at least a few tears. My throat felt tight at the realization, and my eyes began to water. Sebastian had cried because of me.
โIโm sorry, too.โ I whispered. โI didnโt mean it either.โ
He shut his eyes and shook his head for a moment before staring back into mine.
โFor what?โ He asked. โYou didnโt do anything wrong, Iโm the one who started everything. Iโve been acting like an idiot because Iโm jealous.โ
โIโm sorry I hurt you. I never would have agreed to go with Ominis if Iโd known he looked at it that way. You know that.โ
โI knowโฆโ Sebastian admitted, his brow furrowed as he leaned his head back to rest against the cool stone of the wall. He seemed to have no energy left in him. โBut jealousy obviously isn't the most logical of emotions.โ
โWhy are you jealous?โ I asked, wanting to know the extent of how he felt.
His head lulled forward, and he gazed up at me with an obvious expression, his brows lifted emphatically. โYou know why.โ
I sighed, giving him an exasperated look. โYouโre really going to make me-โ
In one quick movement, heโd leaned forward, simultaneously pulling my hands so I fell closer to him. His full lips claimed mine and he freed one of my hands, his interlacing itself in my hair as he held my head to his own. He pulled back an inch, and I felt his breath against my lips.
โIโm in love with you.โ He murmured, resting his forehead against mine. โI donโt want to be friends anymore because I want to be much more than that.โ
My heart was hammering in my chest. Iโd been waiting to hear those words, or any words like them, from him for so long. I leaned forward, kissing him once again. He reached around me and pulled my legs apart, tugging me onto his lap to straddle him as he deepened the kiss. My legs wrapped around his waist, his thighs supporting my backside. His tongue danced with mine and I moaned softly against his kiss, my hands entangled in his hair. He gently bit my lip, one hand reaching around to grab my ass and hold me closer to him while the other remained cupping the side of my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb.
โI love you too, Sebastian.โ I said so softly it was almost a whisper.
His coffee-black eyes flicked up and down my face, taking in every inch of it. He breath came and went quickly, and I could feel his excitement brush against me. I stroked his cheek, running my thumb along the spray of freckles there.
โYouโre beautiful.โ He murmured, leaning in to kiss me again.
โIโm really going to have to cancel that date.โ I said and groaned, breaking off the kiss. I was already feeling bad for Ominis.
โYes, you are.โ He confirmed, laying me on my back and hovering over me, his strong arm underneath my waist to prop me up. He began kissing down the crook of my neck, then back up until he got to my ear. โBecause youโre mine now.โ













