in my unbiased opinion mc and seb literally matches each others freaks to such a degree that they would literally ruin anybody else's lives if they ever try to move on from each other like no actually for the safety of wizarding society and the general public just please fall in love and live happily ever after and leave the rest of us alone
This list is for anyone who needs references as to which named NPC's attend the MC's classes in fifth year.
I watched back all of the cutscenes, so I've made it as detailed as possible. But if I've forgotten anyone, please let me know and I'll update the list!
This is fantastic, amazing, well put together and a great help for writing.
I know this because I’ve attempted this before and let me tell you, I’ve run circles in my head trying to figure out class attendance and failed a couple times before it ends up on the back burner yet again.
I know we all love our boys morally grey and confident, but the reason why I fell in love with Sebastian is because he possesses a quiet sensitivity towards the feelings of others. While I don’t think he is able to put a label to the exact feelings, he would be in tune to the vibes™ and instinctively react to help others feel at ease.
This is why Ominis and Sebastian remained close friends. Ominis is inclined to closing himself off due to his upbringing, but the Sallow twins are generally more forthcoming and open to reading the emotions of others. They make it easier for Ominis to open up and come into himself. They’re allowing Ominis to heal.
It also explains why Sebastian is shown interacting with so many other students in-game. Knowledge and assistance from him is free - something which someone from Slytherin would understand it’s value, and yet he gives it so willingly. (Never mind that one time he tells the Hero that he likes having friends in his debt, which sounds more like his own way of humouring closer friends)
Off topic, but I also believe that Slytherins are the sort that value money, connections and prestige - the value of a namesake. Which does not make them shallow but rather have an understanding these are the things that make the world go round. It also explains why the Sallow twins who are incidentally from a ‘poorer’ village compared to their peers in Slytherin, are able to join the house of Salazar. They understand the power of human networking. Being cunning is the skillset required to wrest power from others unwilling to share.
If you are from house Ravenclaw, it would be why you and Sebastian become fast friends. Sharing knowledge is something both of you value, and Sebastian has plenty to spare in comparison. Offering and asking for help is the foundation of building relationships.
He is giving and his heart is in the right place most of the time - can’t say the same about his head but that’s usually where he taps to in desperate times.
If given the chance, he is able to reflect and make the effort to change. He is capable of growth.
He can change, cares about his friends and those around him. He’s charismatic, if not a little insecure of the little true connections he has, and he’s got a good heart. That’s why Seb’s character is so compelling. Deep down he’s a good person, and there’s so little of those these days.
Context: It's no longer Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it's Hogwarts: Conservatory of Music (and Nerdish Tomfoolery).
Synopsis: It's free period while Melanie catches up on her school work, Sebastian shows off what he has been practicing on his guitar.
Pairing: Modern! Sebastian Sallow x MC
WOrd CoUnt: ~750
Note: Short paragraphs inspired by this phenomenal collaboration of an audio ai musical from these three amazing artists
(@silverxstardust/ @legacygirlingreen / @darch7995 )
When I first got hold of this collab I was inexplicably, undeniably, pulled back into the world of writing again because of how much I enjoyed the facet of their shared work. I'm writing more for this AU somewhere down the road for sure.
Okay, back into the cave that I slinked out from.
Link to the collab: https://www.tumblr.com/legacygirlingreen/736330579967180800/strumming-hearts-modern-sebastian-sallow-x-mc?source=share
Melanie leans back against the plush backrest of the sofa, turning a page of her assigned reading for class. A book about the history of various classical composers.
Sebastian walks into the student lounge, his acoustic guitar slung around his back, in search for someone. He scans the room, beaming when he finally laid eyes on the raven-haired girl seated in the corner.
He almost rushes over, eagerly grabbing her attention. “Hey, hey Mel. Mels, watch this.” The brunette unceremoniously seats himself on the sofa opposite her.
She lifts her head from her reading to look at him. His expression was almost laughable, reminding her a little bit of a golden retriever - or was it more like a dachshund?
Satisfied with her glance, he brings up the neck of his acoustic guitar and finger picks what is the starting hook of Careless Whisper.
There were several stirrings and chuckles from the students behind Sebastian due to the sensual yet comedic nature of his song choice. For her own sake and his, Melanie tries not to pay them any more attention than needed, simply taking it as a platonic showcase.
Though the slight furrow in her brow couldn't quite tell herself whether she was amused or embarrassed. Most likely both.
Swiftly, he moves his left hand to tweak the tuning keys, willing the guitar into jumping octaves while adding on the bass part of the song with his right - simultaneously generating a beat with a few taps of his palm.
His head and shoulders move as he lets the feel of the music flow through his being.
There were a few rough notes and twangs about it, but it's still groovy - and also just the sort of unnecessarily excessive thing he would do to pass the time. But she must admit, he can be rather dashing when he performs, when he puts all his focus into creating something.
What was meant to be a joke of learning how to play as many parts of Careless Whisper on one guitar, he still finds himself inevitably taken by the music. It was rather captivating.
Then, he stops just before he hits the first verse. That was as far as he got. He releases a small breath and a self-accomplished smile.
Wiggling his eyebrows, Sebastian displays a showy tilt of his shoulders, obviously fishing for compliments. “Huh? huh?”
Melanie laughs at his goof, but not to discredit his hard work.
“It’s pretty good.”
“Pretty good? I spent all afternoon on it!” His eyebrows raised in disbelief.
Almost definitely saying, ‘Did you know how hard it was to learn that?’
She tries to hold back her laugh this time.
“It is pretty good.” She repeats, shrugging, not really knowing what else there was to say.
He waves her off nonchalantly. “Pfft. Classical people, what do you all know?”
Melanie scoffs, taken aback by the audacious slander of her course. “Excuse me, we’re not as backward as you think we are.”
“I didn’t say that!” He leans back, holding up his only free hand in a show of submission, the other still holding onto his guitar.
Then quickly throws a pointed glance at her ‘A History of Classical Composers’ as a case in point.
Her eyes widen and her mouth opens agape at the insinuation.
“Well, I- never!” She places a hand over her chest, dramatising her voice.
Sebastian lets out a soft laugh as she plays along with him. A cheeky grin spreads across her face.
He brushes the tuning keys in a quick gentle swipe, as he briefly looks to check that it's okay.
“It does spoil the guitar though. Even though it’s pretty cool.”
He smiles fondly at his acoustic, the back of it hiding a series of signatures from his close friends over the years, which comfortingly leans against his torso during sets.
Tiny drawings that his sister Anne first made in retaliation to a prank when they were younger. A very careful but skewed signature from Ominis who tried to be as neat in his penmanship as he could be for a visually-impaired person.
Forced signatures from his bandmates Garreth and Leander, and the newest addition being Melanie, written nicely in a corner that he insisted upon, closest to his chest.
His gaze upon his guitar sent something within her stomach aflutter. She quickly directs her attention back onto her pages before he notices.
--------
Inspired by this cover of Careless Whisper:
Summary: Melanie Nye isolates herself from the student body. Sebastian finds her after the Room of Requirement decides to intervene.
Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x MC
WOrd CoUnt: 2300 ~
Or read it on AO3.
Notes: Just gotta hit harder on that grief. They will take turns, eventually.
The Room of Requirement was silent, as the sounds of the student body were hidden away behind transfigured walls.
The death of Professor Fig was sudden and unexpected for everyone, but after a period of time, the school had resumed its regular activity.
It was not surprising, for barely anyone truly knew what had transpired beneath them. Most hadn’t even been remotely aware of how much danger they were in until the last moment, when students near the Central Wing were hastily evacuated.
Melanie couldn’t decide which was worse, the amount of condolences she received or how quickly it stopped - as if the death of a faculty member was just another morbidly normal event the students went through in their years of schooling. It was unbearable.
Once she had cleared out all the camps in the Highlands, she decided to sequester herself into the Room of Requirement.
Curled up on the sofa in the middle of the room, she stared listlessly into the entrance of the vivarium, gleaming into its sky beyond - the warmth of a summer’s day shining from within.
Aside from the bubbling of brewing cauldrons and the tamper of raining, watering clouds hovering above the plants, it was quiet. She was quiet, deep in thought. Deek watched on, hidden away, letting her have her space.
The image of Professor Fig dying replayed in her mind over and over again. The warmth of his hands ebbing into a terrifying chill, the light in his eyes fading away.
The regret, fear and sadness he had towards Miriam and towards her. It was hard to impress the meaning of his emotions.
For once in her life, Melanie struggled to understand. Magic had become an extension of herself within the span of a year and a half. The knowledge imparted to her by her professors and friends took quickly. But Death - Death was hard for her to understand. It always has been so.
She understood the gravity of Professor Fig’s remorse in his dying breath, but there was a certain unwillingness deep inside her that refused to truly accept - something? Refused to accept that he was truly gone?
The drum and click of the entrance shocked her out of her reverie. Deek was here somewhere. Had he left? Was it Professor Weasley? She gathered herself, turning to see who the Room of Requirement had opened the door for.
She laid eyes instead on brown tousled hair that belonged to none other than Sebastian. A very surprised Sebastian at that, in awe of the room that he found himself in.
Sebastian? What was he doing here? How?
His eyes soon caught onto the top of Melanie’s head peeking out from behind the sofa.
“Melanie?”
She sat up to get a better look at him, vice versa.
He frowns upon seeing her face. Her eyes were puffy and red. Had she been crying?
Who hurt her?
“S-Sebastian. What are you doing here?” She reaches up to her face and realises that she had been tearing up a little. She quickly pretends to rub her face, pretending to have woken up from a nap in an attempt to disguise wiping her tears. “H-how did you manage to get in here?”
She was truly baffled, the Room of Requirement had never let anyone else other than Professor Weasley and Deek in here. What was it doing?
“I was wandering around looking for you actually. I saw that you were a little distracted today at the courtyard, so I wanted to see what you were up to. I thought you were in the Astronomy Tower. When I was on my way up, a door had suddenly transfigured in front of me. Obviously, I entered.” Sebastian states, as if there was any doubt that he wasn’t going to enter a new mysterious door that suddenly made itself known in front of him.
“I see.” Melanie was still figuring out the room’s intentions.
It was a lie, the part about him simply wondering about what she was up to today. In actual fact, now that Melanie was more available in the castle, Sebastian wanted to speak to her about what happened in the catacombs. He wanted to make sure that they were alright.
But Sebastian gathers that what Melanie needed now was a listening ear and a manner of support instead. Though a little small talk is necessary before he can ease into what was bothering her. “What is this place?” His awe and curiosity were genuine.
“It’s the Room of Requirement. I was shown it at the beginning of the school year to help better my studies.” Sebastian wandered in, taking in the sheer size of the room.
“So you had your own little Undercroft and you didn’t think to tell us? I’m hurt.” He feigns, bringing up a hand to his chest. “All those times you disappeared in school, you were up here?”
Melanie had a couple of options she could use to explain herself but for once, she fell silent. He closes the gap between himself and the sofa, leaning his hands on the back of it, staring into the vivarium beyond as well. A pause.
“Are you okay, Melanie?” He is gentle in his words, not taking his eyes off the vivarium.
She lets out something close to a sound of surprise. His gentle tone of concern caught her off guard, it stirs something else within her as well. Her fingers lightly crease the fabric of her skirt.
“Yes, I am fine. No need to worry about me.” She smiles a little, attempting to bolster her usual polite demeanour to shun him off.
He does not look at her, trying to leave her some personal space in hopes that she would feel comfortable enough to divulge her feelings to him.
Sebastian presses a little. “You know you can tell me anything and I would understand. I believe I, of all people, would understand what you are going through.” His expression hardened as he recalled his past years.
Melanie remembers the first time they ventured into Hogsmeade together for her school supplies, and the times after, how they bonded over their affinity towards Thestrals.
“But if you don’t wish to, please know that I am here for you, as you have been for me all this time.” He finally looks at her, prompting her to look back at him.
There was that same sincerity in his eyes again. Whatever Sebastian had promised her in the Undercroft that day, he had intended to make his word on it.
“Thank you Sebastian. That means a lot to me.” She looks down, her hands suddenly a point of interest. “I suppose I have been a little under the weather as of late.”
“I don’t blame you, given everything that has happened. There are some days when you feel like you just need to get away from everyone, away from it all.” He settles his forearms on the couch this time, crossing them in an effort to get a little more comfortable.
“Exactly.” She lets out a lithe chuckle, and then a sigh. “Everyone has returned to their days as if nothing happened. As if we weren’t under a massive Goblin invasion just a couple of weeks ago.”
Sebastian lets her continue.
“And remembering Professor Fig. I find myself struggling to come to terms with it. I see his face over and over again every time I close my eyes or even when I let my mind wander just for a bit.”
Her voice begins to tremble as she goes on, her emotions building. “His eyes were filled with remorse and regret. A sadness, of what would never be.”
Melanie’s eyes well up, but she does not stop them this time, unafraid to show vulnerability towards her friend. Sebastian feels for her deeply, he lets her continue.
As she spilled her thoughts, she felt it. She suddenly understood. The missing feeling. She just wanted- just needed to hear herself say it out loud.
“He said…” Her voice trembles, as she struggles to say it. “Miriam, his wife…she-she would have loved me.” Her voice finally breaks into cracks, eyes close as her face scrunches into an unforgiving show of her despair as tears stream down her face, the dam breaks into an uncontrollable sob.
Sebastian was startled by her outburst, but keeps his cool, rounding the sofa to seat himself next to her. There was a moment of alarm, but he went with the best thing he could think of.
Tentative, he circles his arm around her shoulder and guides her close. His need to comfort her, instinctive.
She buries her face in his collar, tears streaming. She knows she needs this, but doesn’t want him to see her all broken up. He places a gentle hand on her head, his other arm still fastened around her shoulder. It settles on her head protectively.
She chokes on her sobs, unable to form anymore words.
It burns something within Sebastian as he feels the collar of his shirt growing damp. There was more beneath her words.
Melanie never spoke much about her family, only of her distant aunt who was constantly travelling. Perhaps they were more similar than he thought. He frowns.
After everything they had been through, and the people that she had helped - there was just no winning to be found.
Time passes as he remains steadfast for her, keeping her trembling frame close to him. Her sobs quieten as she calms a little. She sniffles, and the embarrassment of weeping into the nook of her good friend’s shoulder begins to creep on her, but she is all emptied out now, in a good way.
A sense of peace begins its ripple towards her soul. Wiping the remainder of her tears, she slowly dislodges from him. A soft ‘thank you’ emerges from her lips, her cheeks flush with tinted red.
…cute. Keep it together Sallow, your ‘friend’ just had a good cry on your shoulder, don’t be daft.
“Think nothing of it.” His reply was soft as well, regarding her with utmost care. Battling trolls, breaking into numerous Goblin and poacher camps - facing off infamous enemies and even fighting against Rookwood and Ranrok themselves.
It makes their trip into the Scriptorium look like child’s play.
Melanie ponders thoughtfully, “Perhaps this was what the Room of Requirement knew I needed. A friend.”
“A kindred spirit.” He adds on, a grin on his face.
She smiles at their moniker, “yes.” She looks down at his collar, clearly soaked. Flustered, she reaches out to pat on it in an attempt to dry it. “I’m sorry. I made your shirt all wet.”
As she does so, Sebastian Sallow feels an adoration for her blooming within.
“It’s alright.” He assures, absentmindedly reaching up to feel at the cloth, brushing her hand away in the process. “It’s just a shirt. What matters is that you’re feeling better.” He gives a brief, understanding smile.
“I’ll make it up to you next time.” Melanie promises.
“No need, I owe you far too much. Besides, I couldn’t just stand by and watch my best friend go through her troubles alone. If you ever need to talk again, you know where to find me.” His playful demeanour returns to him, that charming smile just for her.
She returns the favour with a coy smile of her own. “Best friend?”
“And you think I don’t appreciate what you’ve done for me.”
“I thought I was just a ‘good friend’.” She teased. He realises that she was referring to their conversation in the Undercroft after the events of the Catacomb.
“Oh come on, a wizard needs some time to process things.” He can feel himself getting nervous. Sweet Merlin, what is happening to him? This is not like him at all.
“I see, and what about Ominis?”
Sebastian doesn’t let himself fall for the same tricks twice. “A guy can have two best friends, can’t he?” He replies, more confident this time, reaching into his usual bravado.
Mirth glosses her features as she smiles at him, clearly enjoying the banter. He grins, the feeling was mutual. Then just for a moment, they find themselves caught in the comfort of each other’s eyes. Brown to Blue.
Suddenly, he becomes very aware of her as she is of him.
Oh. Oh.
Sebastian is the first to react, for both their sakes. He glances about the room, eager to fixate on something else aside from the metaphorical storm brewing between the two of them.
“Well, now that I’m here. Why don’t you introduce the room to me? I assume being invited in means that I am now a welcome guest, and it will be seeing me more often?” The Slytherin stands, eager for a tour.
Mischief breaches Melanie’s tone as she stands as well, ever-adapting.
“Of course, and I will be asking if Ominis can join in as well, make it our new hangout.”
Sebastian supplies a chuckle, shoving down his jealousy for once. He is a big boy, he can share. Even though it was he who discovered the room first - and the one that was invited in by the room itself.
“I’m sure Ominis will be thrilled. Though, I expect that he will be more cross than I was once he finds out that you’ve been hiding this place from us all this time. We could have been lounging on couches and napping under warm sunlight, rather than sitting on dark, damp crates.”
“We’ve been by that corridor at least three times together. It is clear that the room deemed you weren’t ready for it.”
She protests, leading him down the steps into the alcove she had designed for when she was finally ready to invite her friends.
“Not anymore.” He quips back, smirking. She only lets out a defeated sigh.
Peeking out from the railing above, Deek watches as the two students disappear down the stairs, their voices getting softer as they make their distance.
“So who introduced you to this room? …Professor Weasley?” A surprised reaction from him.
“Mhm. And did you know that I fought a dragon?” She asked, eager to tease him a little more.
“A what?!” He exclaims in disbelief.
Deek smiles in relief, the students will be just fine.
Summary:
A week after the events of Ranrok’s Rebellion, Melanie is in the midst of processing all that had happened, while tiding through the remainder of her school year. Sebastian and Ominis can only watch from a distance as their friend tries to work through it.
Pairing: Hints of Sebastian Sallow x MC
WOrd CoUnt: 1,500 ~
Or read it on A03.
Notes: It's been a long while since I've touched the metaphorical pen, can't wait to see where this goes.
Time seemed to come to a standstill for Melanie even as a week passed, following the events of Ranrok’s rebellion.
After the proceedings of Professor Fig’s funeral were completed, the student body were advised to embark on their preparation for their O.W.Ls.
The professors offered a short postponement to Melanie in light of recent events, but she decided that it was best to proceed as normal. Choosing to push through as she attempted to mourn her mentor privately as best she could.
At the same time, the Keepers had elected to entrust the repository to her, after deeming more than worthy. She accepts it - a tense undercurrent still running within her despite having won the war.
Sebastian was also reeling from the events within his family - or the lack thereof. With the impending examinations, he barely had time to process anything either.
The only thing Sebastian did manage to do was to talk to Ominis in an attempt to reconcile with him. They agreed that while it would be rocky for now, their friendship would endure.
Melanie, on the other hand, seemed miles away, aside from her occasional engagement in their rising number of study sessions.
The boys determined that perhaps it was best to hold off on difficult conversations for now.
Though, whenever Sebastian’s weary hazel eyes met Melanie’s own mourning blue from across the table, it was like looking into a mirror.
They chose to keep it from Ominis, understanding the need for space, suffering together in silent solidarity.
Once the O.W.Ls were over, Melanie took to the Scottish Highlands for some time alone while Sebastian and Ominis made up for lost time in the Undercroft and taking leisure trips to Hogsmeade.
A week later, the boys grew concerned as they realised that Melanie had been off school grounds an awful lot, much more than she usually would. It was to a point where they no longer caught glimpses of her tapping along the floors, or the sound of a distant Revelio.
There were a couple of times Sebastian or Ominis would catch her lingering around Professor Fig’s classroom, sometimes with dirt and debris-stained clothes, but all they could strike with her was a single salutation and a couple of ‘I’m fine’s, before she would head off to return to the lands beyond.
Sebastian himself found his thoughts miles away as he and Ominis padded along the streets of Hogsmeade.
“She will be ready when she is ready, Sebastian.” Ominis offers, letting his wand guide him, its red light pulsing meekly. He makes sure not to raise it too high, so that it does not unnerve those unaware of his condition.
He listens out for the folk around him going about their day, occasionally manoeuvring around certain individuals who seem to be as blind as he is.
“Hm…what? Sorry Ominis, I was distracted.”
Ominis furrows his eyebrows, trapped in his lovelorn thoughts more like. Now that Sebastian actually had more time to think about himself again, he had the headspace to restart his infatuation with the, well, not-so-new-anymore fifth year.
Though it wasn’t clear if Sebastian was aware of his infatuation at all.
Ominis supposes that’s a step, in comparison to obsessing over the Dark Arts.
Sebastian continues, “You know, she has been away quite often, and I can’t even get a word in edgewise whenever I spot her.”
“It’s the same for me too, Sebastian, but there are some things we cannot force.” Ominis thinks back to the many times he himself was exasperated by his own best friend’s stubbornness.
Even then, Melanie would always advise that at times like these, the best option is to trust and be supportive. Sometimes they have to work it out for themselves.
Sebastian falls silent, unsure if that was truly the best solution. If his close friend was suffering, he should be doing something about it. Suddenly, he spots something in the glass window. He stops.
“Ominis”, he holds his best friend's wrist in an effort to stop him.
“What is it?” The blonde cranes his head towards his friend to hear him better at their sudden stop.
“Can we head inside there for a moment?”
———
Melanie descends into the school compound, stowing her broom away. Her hair dishevelled after spending a whole day and night fighting trolls and clearing the remainder of Rookwood-Ranrok camps littered around the South Coast.
She could still feel the spray of seawater and the grime of wet sand all over her clothes. She couldn’t wait to return to the Room of Requirement for a brief respite and then a hot bath.
Straightening what she can of her uniform and hair, she enters the Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower, towards the Astronomy Tower. She was way beyond curfew and had a conviction to head out early the next morning to accomplish more. She had to be brisk.
Exiting the Undercroft after a late night spell practice, Sebastian hears a familiar, unmistakable sound - the soft clacking of footsteps crossing the hall above. It was Melanie. He could recognise the sound of her footsteps anywhere. Finally, she had returned.
“Melanie.” He calls her - loud enough to garner her attention, but not enough to alert the patrolling prefects of their presence. She stops upon hearing Sebastian’s voice.
Peering over the railing, she sees him looking at her from below. Checking the coast, they walk to each other, meeting halfway at the stairwell.
She looked a downright mess. It had been a long day for her, he’d reckon. For some reason, she looked every bit more battered by the elements than usual.
“Sebastian, you’re still up?”
“Yeah,” he trailed off, “couldn’t really sleep.”
“Me neither.” She replied.
And I was waiting for you to return. He thought to himself.
There was a silence between the two, clearly knowing their reasons for the lack of easy slumber. Sebastian only lets it last for a moment.
“You’ve been busy from the looks of it.” He points out, gesturing to the state of her attire. Instinctively, she sweeps her hands over her clothes in a futile attempt to straighten it.
“Yes, I was out clearing the remaining camps of some of Rookwood and Ranrok’s followers.''
“I see. Well, if you are in need of any assistance, you know you are free to call me along.” He offered.
A smirk graced his features, shining his signature Sebastian Sallow charm in an effort to sway her.
Her heart skips a beat, as it always does. She quickly composed herself, familiar with his spell of persuasion.
“Thanks, I’ll be sure to do so.” She gave a small smile but it was clear that she had not much of an intention of doing so. It doesn’t get past Sebastian, but he lets it slide, for now.
There were more important things at hand, like giving her what he stopped in Hogsmeade for.
“Oh yes, Ominis and I went into Hogsmeade today, here.” He fishes out a dark green robe and hands it to her. “I saw it and thought you might need it.”
She was surprised to say the least. Sebastian and gifts? Seems rather unlike him. She takes it from him. “What’s this?”
“A robe.”
“I can see that.” She couldn’t help but let loose a little laugh.
It was music to his ears.
Merlin, she's beautiful. He couldn’t stop his train of thoughts from leaving the station.
He ‘plays it cool’ effortlessly, casually. “Well, I’ve noticed that you’ve been out of the castle quite a fair bit.”
Then he pauses. “I know this is not even worth a fraction of making it up to you considering all that you have done for me, but if you must be out there, it has been raining more often, lately. Best to keep warm while you keep your wits about you.”
Melanie was taken by his display of modest sincerity. Her fingers lightly stroke across the moss green corduroy in her hands. The feeling of stitched velvet was soft and comforting.
It wasn’t exactly her house colours, but it was definitely more useful for blending in. She preferred it that way. It was easier to move around when she wasn’t a walking beacon for her school.
A smile graces her features. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Think nothing of it.” His smirk returns, satisfied by her reaction. “Maybe if you’re up for it, we could head down to Hogsmede too. Between your ‘crusades’ and what not.”
His expression was confident, but she spies an almost missable light flush on his neck creeping from beneath his collar. For a moment, her mind seems to have caught onto a thought but she couldn’t quite put a pin on it.
“Sure, I’d like that.” Her smile only gets wider, and she feels her cheeks heat up, responding on its own towards Sebastian’s flush. Strange, something seems to be happening to the two of them.
The slight colouration on her cheeks doesn’t escape Sebastian either.
Cute. Sebastian’s brain wanders again, but he should focus on the girl in front of him.
“Great, I’ll send an owl to check in soon. I’ll let you get back to your room.” He pauses. “Good night Melanie.”
“Good night Sebastian.” She bids him with a smile, rewarding her with Sebastian’s own charmed one as he walks away.
The two students head off to their separate destinations, and somehow, it feels as if time had begun moving again.
When I first encountered Ominis in the halls, I thought he was just a nerd who liked to show off by constantly practicing - emitting pulses of red light from his wand and whatnot. Like a demonstration of how he could control his magic in small bursts at all times.
Especially, with how he commented on the troll situation in Hogsmeade, I thought he was someone who was going to be hard to win over. Or there would be a storyline that has to do with competing with him.
Then, after encountering him outside the Undercroft, it was then I realise that he was clearly blind and that he was someone who was just heavily protective of his friends.
Consider me feeling bad regarding my initial judgements of him.
So I've been on Etsy, looking at wands. Specifically Sebastian Sallow's wand, because a girl gotta add to her collection, and her is something I've noticed -
Sebastian's wand is noticeably shorter than Ominis'.
Wand length is Harry Potter means a few things. A very tall person may have a longer wand, or a toad like person may have the shortest wand I've ever seen (Umbridge). But length also says something about character.
One thing I noticed was when I look at Ominis' wand, I'm reminded of Draco Malfoy's wand. Neat with not to much added on to it. Ominis' wand is actually more black than Draco Malfoy's wand, and as we now know, a little bit longer than Sebastian's wand.
Sebastian's wand on the other hand, is not like any I've seen before. Yes, we've seen wand woods in that color before, but not with that kind of handle.
Ominis' wand is plain black, while Sebastian's has all sorts of different colors and metals. It looks like green marble on the handle. It's also quite clear from the pricing, that Sebastian's wand takes a lot more to make.
So what can we say about Sebastian and Ominis, based on the wands?
Ominis is very refined my character. We actually rarely see him use any magic, and when we do, it's mainly for guiding himself around the school. Other than in the catacomb with the inferi, and when you choose him as a companion with companion mod, I actually don't think I've every heard Ominis say a spell. So I decided to look up videos of Ominis casting spells, and I noticed right away how calmly he says them. It's so quite and calm, that I hadn't noticed it before now. Speaks volumes to how confident Ominis might be in his own strength and abilities, that he doesn't need to yell them out loud
We know nothing about the true length of his wand, nor the felxibility, wand wood or core, so all of this is just speculation.
Sebastian's wand is quite interesting. Not is not neat as Ominis' wands, and does say a lot about their different upbringings. But with the many details of Sebastian's wand, I think the length speaks more of what he lacks/his insecurities, instead of his personality as a whole. Because what is wand lacks in length, is made up for in details.
Sebastian is the stereotypical insecure teen boy, who needs some sort of power or control to feel comfortable. Power and control he does not have naturally, and will therefore have to teach himself. His defence is his charm - probably something he has build up, in order to hide the parts of him he's not too sure or proud about.
Compared to Ominis, Sebastian is a little bit louder when casting spells. It's not that he yells them out all the time, but it's louder and you notice it. Which is a funny contrast between their NPCs roaming around the castle. Find Ominis, and he speaks to you. Find Sebastian, and he says nothing.
In conclusion, Ominis is much more relaxed in himself. You would expect him to be much more closed off and insecure. And though he is a bit closed off, he's not that insecure. He is the one with a family or a dark nature, and though it makes him uncomfortable, he is very firm in his beliefs, which does not aline with his family.
Sebastian on the other hand, is not relaxed in himself, whatsoever. I would even go so far as to say, that he is never relaxed, and almost living in a constant state of tension. Sebastian is insecure in his own abilities, and without his sister being there as a comforting and nurturing support, he might as well be ticking time bomb.
It's while writing this, that I start to wonder, how on earth Sebastian and Ominis managed to become such close friends in the first place. Yes, they're both "loners" when we meet them, but there was a time when Sebastian wasn't a loner. He had his sister. But more on that another day.
(I’m currently watching medical dramas now and I just needed to get it out of my system - I’m sorry Medical Professionals if its inaccurate. It’s lengthy so more under the cut.)
MC / Protagonist : Emergency Medicine / Trauma Surgery - Caring for illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention (ER).
Definitely someone that jumps into action and the jackknife of medicine. Able to perform under high pressure and maintaining her cool. Has experience in performing surgery for trauma wounds (stab, car crashes, crushes, falls, 3rd degree burns, gunshot wounds)
She works alongside Head Nurse (ER) Everett Clopton who is just as high-strung, reactive and able to keep up with her. Pages medical specialists for various patients, so she sees her colleagues periodically. Ominis Gaunt does come by to discuss certain patient care when required but the ER is frankly too noisy and fast-paced for him. In extreme situations where there are no medical posts or other specialists available, she is able to perform trauma surgery or provide assistance.
Sebastian Sallow also likes dropping by often to check in on her unannounced (he secretly enjoys the heated atmosphere of the ER).
Sebastian Sallow : Cardiothorasic Surgeon - Performing surgery on organs in the chest, such as heart, lungs and esophagus
Smart, fast, performs well with the adrenaline that comes with high pressure heart and lung surgery. Withstands long hours of precision surgery, able to perform bedside manner with respect and care. His need to jump with an action that is risky and yields the most results with success makes him prime for this department as nothing can be more dangerous than taking someone’s heart out and resetting it a hair away from death if done by the untrained and the weak-hearted. And Sebastian is none of those things.
Ominis Gaunt : Public Health / Health Policy - Researching evidence-based medicine and working with physicians to improve guidelines for treatment of conditions
The blind son of the Gaunt family, a renowned powerhouse and stronghold of medicine in the country. Ominis chooses to work at their least affiliated and poorest hospital (coincidentally also the furthest). His job is purely desk-bound, assisted by Anne Sallow as they work together to improve policies and garner funds for the hospital in the name of public health. Though nothing will stop them from heading out into the field to handle cases that they prefer to approach hands on.
Anne Sallow : Infectious Diseases Specialist - Diagnosing, treating and preventing infections in patients
An expert on Infectious Diseases and was a surgeon-in-training. After she had been diagnosed with cancer, she had to give up her studies to be a surgeon. She decided on helping others instead, affecting change at a higher level with Ominis. Shrewd, confident and charismatic, she and Ominis make sure the hospital is run to a t while dealing with insurance companies, philanthropists and the Gaunt family board members. She is in remission.
Natsai Onai : General Surgery - Performing surgery, treating diseases of abdomen, chest, head, neck, blood vessels, digestive tract, injured and deformed patients
The best surgeon this hospital has. She transferred over from Uagadou and with her experience, she is able to accomplish any surgery easily. With her strong need to help people, she has amassed extreme knowledge and drive to learn as many possible ways to carry out surgery on different ailments. She also allows the hospital direct affiliation with her mother hospital in Uagadou for resources and second opinions on abnormal cases.
Garreth Weasley : Pediatrics - Medical care of infants, children and adolescents
Family and children have always been a pillar of Garreth’s life. A cheerful and positive doctor, Garreth is a natural with children and has a hand in his family’s pharmaceutical company for manufacturing the branch of vitamin-based supplement chewables that are friendly for children. He is definitely an advocate of wearing a mask in his clinic as children really are the melting pot of diseases. He occasionally organises parties where he makes a lot of mind-numbing drinks for the other doctors, but those are rare as everyone never stops working and no one is willing to work hungover. He works alongside Poppy Sweeting often as their departments intersect. In a pinch, he is also able to deliver babies.
Poppy Sweeting : Obstetrician Gynaecologist - Treatment of pregnant woman, delivery of babies and the care of women’s reproductive organs and health
A firm but comforting presence in the OB/GYN unit, Poppy follows her patients from advisory stage and into the delivery room. When facing complications, she is able to keep her cool and remains a strong pillar of support for starting families. Poppy’s grandmother was an OB/GYN as well and Poppy decided to follow in her footsteps.
Leander Prewett : Oncology - Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer
With family and history in medicine, Leander follows after the footsteps of his parents who are prolific doctors, gleaning their expertise and knowledge as pioneers in Oncology. While it is a study that is rife with morbidity, Leander possesses the tenacity and drive to keep a cool head and determine the best treatment and clinical trials for his patients.
After Anne was diagnosed with cancer, Sebastian stopped by Oncology way more often than he should for Prewett’s liking as he is akin to a fireball. But after working with him, Leander finds himself open to accepting newer, and riskier forms of clinical trials with an improved set of guidelines he formulated with Sallow’s opinion. In the past, he had low confidence in himself and believed that Sebastian was better suited for Oncology than he was, but after taking on Anne as his patient and seeing Sebastian’s reactions - it cements Leander’s confidence that only those with his measured temperament can do his job.
Imelda Reyes : Neurosurgery - Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect the nervous system, brain, spinal column, spinal cord and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system
Extremely intelligent, precise, determined and focused, Imelda possesses an eye and expertise for the human brain like no other. She does not tolerate nonsense in her office and in her operating room as one wrong move throws a patient into brain damage for life, a fate she decrees worse than death. She plays chess and sports in her spare time, her chess skills equal to being a grandmaster.
Amit Thakkar : Pharmacy - Dispensing and advising medical practitioners, patients, and nurses on safe, effective and efficient use
While it seems like a job with little excitement, it is the clear attention to detail and memory of every drug and pill in his storage that separates Amit from the rest. On top of dispensing medicine, he is also adept at chasing away unwanted abusers of his counter and is currently an advisory to procuring, discerning and looking for new drugs that could speed up patient recovery with lesser side effects.
Everett Clopton : Head Nurse with MC in Emergency Department - Directs nursing service activities in the emergency room
Everett is a trusted second-in-command to MC, and is able to handle, support her orders, and keep track of all patients and their welfare in the room. His main forte is dealing with all chains of command and patients in the chaos with a smile on his face and a sliver of veiled threats to keep them in line. He also takes time to make sure that MC is not overloading herself as she has a penchant for taking on more work than she should.
———————
(I know I’m missing some friends but they should be reserved for other areas such as anathesiologists, radiology, psychology, that sort. I might add on the Professors as well, but that is another post.)
Extra
Lucan Brattleby is definitely an intern with a flair for surgery but for which department? If anything I know he definitely idolises Sebastian and has a minor crush on MC.
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