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[slytherin-simp]

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC

Modern AU Biker!Sebastian 

“Catch-A-Ride“

MDNI

Tags: SMUT 18+ | Forced Orgasm/Made to cum | Multiple Os | Overstimulation | F!Penetration | Motorcycle Stimulation | Outdoor Sex | Oneshot | Aged up 21+ | MC is a little feisty |

WC: 3,050

A|N: Your motorcycle boyfriend is devilish~ Also, he loves her v much ♡ This is my 1st ever Bash fic! You can thank [this] post and @finalgirllx for saying the phrase "Biker Seb".

MC quickly swipes an extra coat of mascara on her lashes when she hears the knock on the door. She tosses the tube back in her makeup bag and looks herself over in the mirror one last time. 

There’s another louder knock as she nears the door. 

“I’m coming!” She shouts, checking out the peephole to make sure it’s who she thinks it is. MC recognizes his messy brown hair and the sunglasses he always wears. 

She throws the door open and pulls him in for a hug. “Hey!” 

Sebastian smiles as she hugs him tight. “Hey,” He holds his motorcycle helmet in one hand and wraps his free arm tight around her waist. “Are you ready to go?” He looks down at her as his hand rubs her lower back 

“Yeah, let me just grab my helmet and we can be off.” 

The two share a quick kiss before she reaches for the helmet on the coffee table in her living room. He keeps smiling a bit longer than usual and she narrows her eyes in suspicion. 

“You’re earlier than you said you’d be.” She glances at the clock on the wall. 

“No traffic.” Sebastian counters.

With her helmet in hand, a perfect match to the one Sebastian is holding, a gift from him on their last anniversary, she guides him out the door. 

“What’s that look on your face?” MC tries to see his eyes beyond the dark sunglasses. His smirk growing the closer they get to his bike. 

“What look? I always look like this.” He chews on a piece of gum in his mouth.

She knew him well enough to know something was up. “What’s going on, Sebastian? What are you up to?”

“Nothing,” He puts on his helmet, hiding the grin he’s sporting. “I can’t be happy to see my girl?” 

She narrows her eyes again before putting on her own helmet. Sebastian climbs onto his bike and waits for her to do the same. 

“I suppose…” She half believes him. She would drop it for now, though, she knew she’d bring it up again later after they took their first pitstop. 

He waits quietly for her to climb onto the bike behind him. She’s done it a dozen times by now, going with him on several rides all over the city and into the mountains. The view alone always knocked her socks off. Not to mention how exhilarating it is to be racing down a road while the wind whips past and your heart is racing from the thrill. 

Sebastian looks back and watches to make sure she doesn’t need help as she swings her leg over. 

He had told her to wear a flowy skirt for their evening ride but she was already regretting it as she tried to stuff the ends of the fabric under her legs on the seat. She didn’t want her skirt to fly up and expose her panties to passersby giving them an unwanted show, so she took her time making sure every part was tucked under.

Sebastian was very patient and waited for her to tap him to indicate she was ready since the helmets muffled sound. 

Tonight's plan was to take a ride along the winding roads toward the mountains as the sun set over the land below. It had been a while since they last took this route and she was excited to see the gorgeous views again. 

Once satisfied with her modesty, she wrapped her arms around him and tapped him. 

Sebastian braced the bike and started it up. She pushed her face into his black leather jacket. The familiar oaky scent of the leather mixed with the metallic smell of the outdoors gave her a comforting warmth in her chest. She pressed her knees to the back of his jean-clad thighs, preparing for acceleration. 

With a loud rev, he sped off down the street and her heart pounded with adrenaline. She smiled wide from ear to ear as he picked up speed.

Her neighborhood passed in a flash, and then they were out on the open road. The sky was shades of blues, oranges, and pinks washing over the landscape. He took a right turn and then they were off on the long stretch toward the mountains. 

Sebastian picked up speed once they were in a less populated area.

She held on tight to him and kept her weight on the center of the bike. Her hands rubbed over his chest as she relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. There were tons of trees and valleys off to one side and large mountains growing on the right. 

At a red light, Sebastian brought his hand up to his chest and rubbed the back of her hand gently. She hugged him from behind and gave him some ‘I love you’ squeezes. He squeezed her hand back in return. 

They entered the mountain roads, speeding past forests and hiking trails. They hadn’t seen a car in miles.

The bike hummed pleasantly beneath her without the protection of the thick denim pants she usually wore. Then Sebastian revved the engine and it was more than pleasant. 

The vibration started rushing through her like an electric current. She blushed as the sensation continued. It was becoming a bit much. 

The only thing between her clit and the seat was the thin layer of cotton panties she wore. She breathed through it and tried to relax against his back. 

The engine revved higher and her fingers dug into his chest. She held him in a vice grip and shifted in her seat. 

The bike wavered and Sebastian turned his head for a moment to look back at her. He then quickly looked back at the road, keeping his eyes on it.

The vibration of the bike's seat felt even more incredible. She shifted minutely, trying not to make the bike come unbalanced but the assault to her clit was becoming too much. 

He sped off down the mountain road, but she wasn’t paying attention to the beautiful scenery anymore. 

Her legs were shaking and her stomach muscles clenched as shockwaves rippled through her core. The orgasm hit her like a bus. She gasped and clung to Sebastian, fighting the urge not to rock her hips for some delicious friction. 

The bike's unrelenting vibrations assaulted her now oversensitive clit.

She couldn’t stop the moans that escaped her as another orgasm was pulled from her. Her thighs clamped down on the bike as her body pulsed. 

Her cries of pleasure were audible in the wind as one orgasm melted into another and another. 

The seat and her panties were soaked from the wetness making the seat harder to stay on. She felt herself sliding, but the death grip she had on Sebastian kept her centered. 

She must have been knocking the air out of his lungs with the strength of her grip but there had been no reaction from him at all, even when she screamed out in pleasure. 

The vibrations changed slightly giving her a break from the strong ones she’d been accosted with, and the orgasms finally stopped. She was sweating and gasping for breath. 

She smacked his chest and could feel his body rumble with laughter. She smacked him again and he revved the engine higher and, oh, fuck… he was doing this on purpose.

Her clit throbbed to the point of pain as her body responded to the higher vibrations. She was on the brink of madness as more orgasms piled on top of one another. 

She started paying attention to her surroundings again when the bike began to slow, striking gravel. Her panting was more audible without the motorcycle engine and wind whipping past to drown her out. Her rapid breathing fogged the visor of her helmet.

The bike came to a stop on the side of the road next to an impressive view of the mountains and forest below. 

She was limp against his back as the bike gently purred. Small tremors ran through her body with every breath she took. He cut off the bike but her body continued to hum with the ghost of the intense vibrations. 

Sebastian waited a moment before carefully peeling her hand off him. The kickstand came down and he slid off the bike. Removing his helmet revealed his messy brown waves. He spit out his gum onto the ground and set the helmet down carefully. 

As he walked over to her wearing a shit-eating grin.

She glared at him, but it wasn’t effective with the helmet on her head. She yanked it off and Sebastian carefully took it from her, setting it on the ground. 

Her hair was a mess sticking to her sweaty forehead, her cheeks a deep red, and her lips plump and swollen from biting them. 

“You did that on purpose!” She spat, placing her hands in front of her on the seat to hold herself up. 

He lifted his brows with a smirk. 

“How many times?” Sebastian asked in a cool tone. 

“What!?” She huffed, still glaring at her boyfriend. 

"How many times did you cum on my bike? How many?" He took off his sunglasses and hooked them in his back pocket. He wouldn’t need them again tonight as the sun set. She could see the spark of excitement in his eyes. 

"I…. I don't know.." she adjusted in the seat and felt how slick it was. 

She was in a state and wanted him to be just as much of a frazzled mess as she was.

Her legs were like jelly as she tried to stand. She would not be embarrassed by the wetness she left on the seat, she refused. 

Before she could get off the bike, Sebastian crouched down and looked at her at eye level. His eyes looked almost predatory as his finger slid over her bare thigh. Her skin ignited with his touch as he moved up and up, pushing her skirt the farther he went. 

She could feel the slickness all over her thighs and knew her panties were absolutely done for. 

“How many?” His tone was serious, sending shivers down her spine. 

She held her breath as his fingers reached the soaked fabric. He nudged where her clit was and her body jerked. 

“I-I don’t know! …I lost count.” MC trembled under his touch and gaze. 

He hummed with a small smile.

“Get off the bike.” He rakes his hand through his hair as he stands and waits for her. 

She tried again but her legs were trembling so much it took her a moment. Her skirt was sticking to her thighs and she looked a mess. 

Sebastian helped her, placing his hands on her waist and guiding her off the bike. Her feet slid on the gravel as he pulled her against his body. 

“You made a mess of my seat.” His lips twitched in a smirk.

It was very obvious just how much of a mess she’d made thanks to the state of the dehydrated leather. 

The world tilted and her chest was pressed down to the wet seat, ass in the air. She braced her hands on the bike to hold herself up. 

Sebastian flipped up her skirt and tugged her panties down to her ankles. Then his mouth was on her and she gasped. He licked her slit eagerly, pushing her thighs apart to go deeper, licking more of her. He latched his lips on her clit and he sucked hard. 

MC fell apart, legs trembling as she gasped his name.

He lapped at her until she was soaked anew, making her aching cunt quiver. She was a blubbering mess, writhing in the firm grip he had on her thighs. She hissed as he dug his fingers into her leg, pressing harder, keeping her in place. He held her apart and ate her out more lively than she’d ever seen. 

Sebastian moaned against her pussy and she arched her back. His tongue felt like sin and she couldn’t form words. 

"The way you taste…" Sebastian didn't comment further. He just hummed a satisfied sound.

A cool burst of air struck her dripping heat and she groaned at the loss of his mouth. 

She faintly heard the sound of a zipper over her own hysterics. Then the thick head of his cock pressed against her aching entrance and her whimpering became begging.

“Oh! Yes, please! Yes, yes!”

“Gods,” He murmured.

He took far too long to press his cock into her. She wanted to be filled, she was begging for it, dammit!

Sebastian presses in and the blunt head of his cock pops passed the tight entry of her pussy.

He sucks in a breath and grabs her hips firmly. He pulls her body, forcing her to take him to the hilt as he stands completely still. 

It was a snug fit and he waited a moment, lightly rocking his hips while her body accommodated him. 

Her feet slid on the gravel trying to find purchase. 

Sebastian angled himself then struck that one spot that counted. He wasn’t gentle with her, his thrusts were hard and fast as his fingers dug into her hips. 

“I have every intention of fucking you until you scream.” His voice was gruff as he slammed home over and over. 

She knew what he was capable of. He would absolutely fuck her until nothing else existed but his hand digging into her hips, his cock filling her pussy, and her voice horse from screaming in pleasure. 

Thank fuck they were in the middle of nowhere on a lesser-known road. She wasn’t capable of caring a single bit if a van full of camera-caring tourists drove by at this moment and watched. She wasn’t herself and neither was Sebastian. He fucked her primally, rough and hard. 

She had no idea how the strength of his thrusts hadn’t tipped over the bike, she certainly wasn't helping matters. Her walls fluttered with the relentless pleasure and Sebastian hissed. She could feel it… she was right there yet again.  

“Cum,” He growled. He panted as he yanked her hips back and back in tune with his thrusts. 

It was like a switch was flipped and she was flying, screaming, cuming so fucking hard around his cock. Her whole body shook from the force of the orgasm, the bike and Sebastian’s vice grip being the only things to keep her upright as he continued to fuck her. 

His strokes were long and gentle as she rode out the last of her climax. She was almost sobbing, moaning in pleasure, and feeling the pain of just how overworked her poor pelvic muscles were. She was going to be sore for days.

She whimpered, catching her breath, and finally looked up to see the view before them. Gods, she wished she cared, she really did, but he was picking up speed again. The wet sounds of skin on skin and her cries echoing were the only noises around. 

She pressed her forehead to the seat and hung on for dear life. He pulled her hips to meet every one of his thrusts. She lived for the soft grunts that escaped him, his small moans and heavy breaths as he used her body to seek his own pleasure. 

He squeezed her hips again digging his fingers in hard. She couldn’t possibly cum again, but he reached around and started teasing her clit, and… Fine! She guess she could cum again, and gods, it hurt so fucking good. 

Her vision went blurry and her eyes filled with actual tears. 

Sebastian’s grip tighten one last time as his hips slapped against her body. His cock pulsed and he moaned. He rested his chest against her back. His cock pulsed as he slowly rocked his hips through his pleasure.

Tears fell from her eyes and she wiped them off on her sleeve. It was all very overwhelming to her spent muscles.

He panted into her hair as he caught his breath. Her heart pounded against the seat, blood rushing and throbbing behind her eardrums. 

Finally, Sebastian released his bruising grip from her hips and rested his forearms on the seat on either side of her.

A quiet moment passed over them and then he was softly kissing her all over the back of her neck, biting her favorite spot below the ear. 

Wetness started cooling on her thighs as they settled there. She wanted nothing more than to be back at home in her bed with him, curled up and sleeping in his arms.

Sebastian huffed and stood up, pulling out of her more gently than usual. She nearly fell to her knees but he caught her. He chuckled and tugged her close to him, wrapping his arm around her and looking down. His chest rose and fell quickly as a smile tugged at his lips. 

She loved that his hair was sticking to his forehead as well and his cheeks were a nice rosy shade of red. He was nowhere near her level of disheveled, but it was a nice sight. 

“Think you can survive the ride back?” He kissed her forehead.

“Do NOT do that thing again!” 

He laughed and picked up her helmet off the gravel. “Fine, fine.” He smirked. 

“How did you even figure something like that out!?” MC took her helmet from him. 

“I was doing a bit of research on my bike, and-”

“Of course you were,” She cut him off. He knew too damn much, always researching this, and studying that. She glared at him for good measure before putting her helmet back on, making sure it was the last thing he saw. 

Sebastian smiled wider and kissed the forehead portion of her helmet before placing his back on. He tossed her a rag from his back pocket to wipe herself down with. He found her panties on the ground and quickly swiped them up, putting them in his jacket pocket. He took a seat and watched her in silence.

“...So romantic,” She said in a monotone voice, taking the rag to her thighs.

He observed as she cleaned up, resting his arms on the bike handles before pointing to her inner thigh. “Missed a spot.” 

She smacked his arm away. “Start the bike, Asshole!” 

His laugh rumbled from under the helmet, then the bike roared to life.

.

.

.

I like how the first words she says are the entire theme of the fic. That was a total accident. 

Thank you for reading! 

This was influenced by a fic I read like 5 years ago now about how motorcycles can be revved juuuust right to make someone get off. So, sorry if some motorcycle stuff wasn’t accurate. I’ve never owned one lol.

Masterlist is in my bio.  

[slytherin-simp]

This is my WIP of Seb-Skein! He is a part of our collaborative fanfic over on the Garreth's Groupies Discord Server! Yes, it's Sebastian as a Puffskein. 😂

[slytherin-simp]

Sebastian: When you've worked in the Ministry as long as I have, you develop thick skin. Someone: *walking by* Blue is not your color. Sebastian: BLUE BRINGS OUT MY EYES, YOU PRATT!

[slytherin-simp]

My Dearest, Sometimes words fall short in expressing the emotions that stir within us, and I find myself caught in that very struggle as I pen this letter to you. However, I need you to understand something that goes beyond mere affection or friendship. I'm not sure how significant my voice may be in the grand symphony of life, but please know that my words are filled with sincerity. I love you. Truly, deeply, and unconditionally. My heart swells with a care for you that transcends ordinary boundaries, and I want nothing but the best for you. In times of joy and sorrow, in moments of triumph and defeat, I'm here for you. I'll stand by you through thick and thin, offering my support and encouragement. Your happiness is my joy, your pain is my sorrow, and your dreams are my aspiration. You are a person of remarkable strength and beauty, both inside and out. Your presence in my life has brought a warmth and radiance that I never knew I needed. But now, I find myself drawn to it, cherishing every moment we share. Take care of yourself, my love, for you matter more to me than words can express. Know that my heart beats for you, and my arms are always open, ready to embrace you whenever you need solace, comfort, or simply the touch of someone who cares. With all my heart and soul, I'm yours. You are never alone; not as long as I have breath in my body and love in my heart.

Forever Yours, Ominis Gaunt

[slytherin-simp]

Ominis: *walking into potions with a content smile on his face*

Sebastian: *notices* What’s got you all smiley?

Ominis: Oh you know, just having a good day. I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ve been a certain word beginning with ‘H’ all day.

Sebastian: Horny?

Ominis: *scowling* Happy Sebastian! I was happy!

.

[slytherin-simp]

Group Sleepover, Garreth being a 🐓 block 🤣

(In the middle of the night)

MC: *on one side of the room*

Sebastian: *on the other*

MC: *sits up and looks over towards Sebastian*

Sebastian: *who's still awake, looks over at her*

MC: *winks and gestures with a finger for him to go over to her*

Sebastian: *smirks and gets up, strategically trying to work his way over all the other sleeping gang, treading REALLY carefully*

MC: *gives him a cheeky grin*

Sebastian: *wiggles his brows, when suddenly his ankle gets grabbed and he shrieks and falls forward onto the floor*

MC: (?!?!?!)

Sebastian: *looks down at his leg with a frown*

Garreth: *whispers gripping onto him with a player curious grin* Heh..And WHERE are you going?

~

[slytherin-simp]

"I heard about your fight with the troll in Hogsmeade. You know there's a thing called trying too hard". Ominis is such a sassy bitch but also can you feel the jealousy of having a new key memory with Sebastian that he doesn't? Do you think he's afraid their friendship might be in danger with MC befriending Seb so fast? Exiting the Undercroft without his permission is another layer on the shitcake.

Ok anon let’s do a quick dive into how freaking tragic Ominis’s fifth year is, shall we?

First of all, I think you’re right—Ominis is afraid of losing Sebastian. Like horrified. To me, this is less jealousy in his comments, and more like a bit of sassy frustration thrown at MC. If MC’s a Slytherin, he’s kind when he meets them—but the moment they exit the Undercroft it’s a complete switch.

He started out the year already down one of his two best friends. And she’s dying. Not only is he preparing himself to mourn for one of the few people who had ever been kind to him, he has to see the affect it has on his only other friend, who is turning desperate. It’s clear that Sebastian is trying to look for any solution to help Anne well before he meets MC, and who has to deal with it but Ominis. Sebastian was already growing distant as he began opting out of late night chats in the Undercroft to stealing books out of the restricted section. Ominis started to feel like the only good he’d ever found in life was starting to seep away.

And then they’d come. Where Ominis had disproved of Sebastian’s new activities and questionable reading material, MC goes right along with him.

How long, he started to think. How long until he ditches me completely for someone who agrees with him?

And when Sebastian showed them the Undercroft—the secret they’d shared for years now—it was utter betrayal.

But he couldn’t let go of Sebastian’s friendship. Not when it was all that he had, however broken it might’ve been.

And that’s how it goes, over and over again, as Sebastian asks more and more of him. He’s lost control. All he can do is give snide remarks when MC passes by, even though he knows deep down they don’t deserve it. Weren’t they just as desperate for friendship as he was?

And god it just gets worse. He keeps saying yes when he should say no because if he doesn’t, he’ll lose him. He can’t lose him, not when he’s already loosing Anne, not when he has nothing left.

But guess what? As hard as he tries—as hard as MC tries, alongside him, in the end—he still loses him. His best friend walks a path he can’t follow. And he’s left with the choice, once again. Yes or no. Stay or don’t. Give in, or finally give up.

But he’s already learned by now that he can’t give up. Not on Sebastian.

Its all a shitcake. One with layer upon layer upon layer. Worst part is, there’s really no one to blame. Ominis doesn’t want to lose the good he has. Sebastian is willing to risk all the good to save the only family he has left. And MC is trying desperately to find any good to begin with.

[slytherin-simp]

[slytherin-simp]

The restricted section

[slytherin-simp]

Love Me, Love Me Not Part Three

Part 1 and Part 2

For @applinsandoranges

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC ♥️ 🌶 NSFW 🔞

After the explosive game of Spin the Wand, Sebastian finally admitted that he wanted MC for himself. So, what happened next?

There had been countless number of times that Sebastian had walked the corridors of Hogwarts, but this was the first time he had done so whilst holding MC's hand. And not just any hand hold, not like the times they had grasped each other whilst messing about, those didn't count. No, this was different.

He kept glancing down at their joined hands, their fingers interlocked, his thumb grazing over her soft skin. And then he would look up at her face, her eyes moving to meet his, and then they would just grin at each other like a pair of idiots.

Gone was his rage from earlier in the Clock Tower and on the bridge. Her kiss had taken care of that.

He had no idea how long they had spent on that bridge, mouths locked, bodies writhing, but when they had finally torn themselves apart, all their friends had disappeared from the Clock Tower space.

Now, they were heading back to the common room, the corridors deserted and the castle quiet, the majority off enjoying their Christmas elsewhere. As they neared the dungeons, Sebastian couldn't help but tug MC into a corner, his mouth pressing hotly against her jaw, her neck. She melted against him, her hands touching him, making the fire of his need spread.

Now that they had started kissing, he didn't want to stop, he had to just check and make sure it was definitely real.

As they kissed he could feel the urge to press against her, his knee slipping between her legs, and she let him. He rutted shamelessly against her hip, and his cock began to twitch, hardening rapidly. She was soft, achingly willing, and he moaned, his mouth moving to suck at her neck. He tugged the neckline of her jumper aside, desperate to taste more.

"Seb," she gasped. "Someone could see us."

He groaned, pulling back, the disappointment almost painful. "Sorry," he smirked. His eyes gleamed wickedly. "I just want to bite you."

He loved the way she blushed, the way her eyes glowed with a warmth that was just for him. Nobody was going to lay a finger on her but him. He was going to make absolutely sure of that.

When they arrived in the common room, MC had begun to move towards the girls dormitory, her whispers of goodnight on her lips, but he tugged her back, refusing to let her go. The thought of being separated from her was diabolical. "Don't go."

She smiled. "It's late, Seb, and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We should get some sleep."

He curled a lock of her hair around his finger. Soft, silky, perfect for running his hands through. "Stay with me."

MC stared at him, a flush spreading over her cheeks. "That is a rather bold suggestion, Seb," she said.

He quirked an eyebrow. Her little miss prim act didn't fool him. "Are you declining a night of my exceptional cuddling skills?"

"Who says they're exceptional?"

"I do," he grinned. He tugged her closer, slipping an arm about her waist. He slowly kissed her mouth before resting his forehead against hers. "You can keep your clothes on if that makes you feel more comfortable, but you are sleeping in my bed tonight. I'm not accepting any other answer than yes."

"What about Ominis? I think he might have something to say about me being there," she said.

"The other two boys we share with have been sneaking girls into their beds since 6th year. You get used to it, and we all happen to know a rather good silencing charm, should the need arise for one."

She chewed her lip thoughtfully. He moved to press kisses to her cheek, and then her ear. "You do trust me, don't you?"

"I do," she said, softly.

He smiled, confident, assured, and tugged her in the direction of his dormitory. "Then, let's go."

....*....

Sebastian's dormitory was dark and quiet, the drapes drawn around Ominis' bed. The other two beds were empty, the lads having gone home for the holidays. Sebastian brought a finger to his lips as he led MC past Ominis.

She eyed Sebastian's narrow bed. That was going to be very cosy indeed. Her whole body flushed at the thought. She had never done anything like this before. But, as she had just told him, she trusted him. There was no pressure to do anything she didn't want to, she was comfortable in his space, and if anything, that just made her want him more.

MC slid beneath his blankets wearing just her chemise and underwear, and couldn't help feeling a bit shy and awkward. She had never been this exposed in front of him before, but he had kept his head turned respectfully as she had undressed, ridding himself of his own clothing. She had stared, open mouthed as he removed his shirt, the ripple of his back muscles almost making her squeak aloud.

Heart pounding, she lay back against his pillows, his scent on the soft cotton surrounding her with comfort and added arousal. And then, the mattress dipped as he climbed in beside her, immediately reaching to tug her right in close against him.

"Comfortable?" His voice was the barest whisper of breath near her ear. She nodded, words failing her. She was in bed with Sebastian!

He adjusted the blanket and buried his face into her hair, his hand smoothing down her back. Her eyes fluttered closed in contentment and she shifted closer, the thin fabric of her chemise a flimsy barrier between his chest and her breasts.

The rate of his breathing quickened and she nuzzled her face into the hollow of his throat, just soaking up the feel of being this close to him. Her sultry dreams of him had not prepared her for how it would truly feel, every fibre of her being sensitive and aching, the feel of his hand stroking lazy circles through her chemise just so right.

She had never let a boy this close, Andrew Clemmens in the library had got the closest with his eager hand. She had always drawn the line, not ready, not wanting it enough.

But this, laying half naked in Sebastian's arms. This was a whole new level of temptation.

He pressed a kiss to her head, his hand on her back slowing to a stop. He had asked if she trusted him, and she did, but could she trust herself?

A wicked little smirk twisted her lips as she brushed her nose against his throat. She swirled her tongue against him, tasting the salt of his skin and then gently breathed out against the damp patch she had left behind.

His hold on her tightened and he stilled, his heart thudding against her chest. "Risky and dangerous, MC," he rasped into her hair.

"Mmm, our favourite," she whispered. She kissed his neck, lips and tongue tasting, slowly. A sigh left his lips. She moved lower, shifting a little, her breasts grazing against him, the thrill of the movement making her thighs clench tightly. She took a mouthful of flesh at the base of his neck and sucked, just as he had done to her at the party.

"Fuck," he breathed. His fingers gripped her chemise, tugging it tight. "You're playing with fire."

Oh, she was already burning, but she wanted him to burn, wanted to drive him crazy. She began to trace gently with her finger tips, drawing lazy lines over his chest, swirling a teasing dance over his stomach. The hair there was soft and she tickled it gently, the muscles tensing under her touch, he flinched and smothered a chuckle against her head.

She lifted her face to him, smiling in delight that he was tickilish. She moved to do it again and his hand shot to her wrist, quick and accurate as he grasped it. "Don't dish out what you can't handle in return," he warned.

She giggled and squirmed up to take his bottom lip into her mouth, sucking gently before swirling her tongue over it. He moaned and rolled her beneath him, the weight of him on top of her making her pulse throb thick and fast.

His kiss was deep and slow, exploring her mouth with deliberate strokes that made her moan softly. His hips rocked against her and she felt the thick, hard press of his arousal against her hip. She smoothed her hands down his back, her fingertips grazing the waistband of his underwear. He rocked against her again, the movement a bit more desperate than before.

She broke the kiss to whisper, her words a mere breath on his lips. "Can I touch you?"

He sucked in a quick breath. "What? Are you sure?"

She teasingly slid her finger tips just under his waistband. He stared down at her and raised an eyebrow. "What was that you said about bold suggestions earlier?"

"Call me curious," she breathed. She blushed slightly. "I've never touched anyone like this before, never wanted to. But I want to touch you."

"Never?"

She shook her head. "You're the first."

He smirked. "I rather like the sound of that."

She eased her hand under the waistband, the firm flesh of his waist softening and sloping into the curve of his arse. She watched his face as she reached to grab a playful handful. "Mmm, sexy," she moaned.

He shook his head in amusement. "You're a naughty girl, MC," he chuckled.

"Oh, I'm just getting started."

"Well, in that case..." He shifted up from her, stealing his warmth from her as he reached for his wand on his bedside table. He knelt up above her and cast a silencing charm around his bed. He grinned down at her. "Best not wake Ominis."

His kisses grew hungrier, more desperate, sounds of pleasure escaping his throat as she explored his skin, learning every inch of his chest, shoulders and back. He traced the curve of her waist, her hip, his finger tips grazing lightly against her outer thigh. It was like delicate licks of fire and she pushed his hand back there, grabbing his wrist to guide his hand up her thigh towards her hip in a slow, agonising caress. She moaned, her hips lifting to grind against him.

He was hard and throbbing against her. Itching to feel him, she slid her hand back under his waistband, sliding over the jut of his hip, before she dipped to glide her hand against hot, silken flesh. A surprised groan escaped him and he stilled, mouth open, panting as she stroked her hand along him, exploring the new shapes and textures of his intimate area. When she cupped the softness of his balls, the sound that left his throat was fucking delicious.

She wrapped her hand around his length, squeezing gently and sliding up to the head. He shuddered, tilting to bear his weight on one forearm. She may never have touched a man before, but she had read plenty of romance books, remembered listening to the gossip whispered in the girls bathroom. She was ready to wing it and see what she could do.

"Tell me what feels good," she said.

He thrust his hips against her hand. "Trust me," he said through clenched teeth. "That feels fucking good."

She slid her hand up and down again, and then he grasped her wrist tugging her hand free. She thought perhaps he didn't like it after all before she gaped, shocked as he spat messily onto the palm of her hand. He shoved her hand back down there, and she found that her hand slid a little easier over him. It drew a deep, guttural moan from him. "Oh, fuck!"

She felt a flush of pleasure, a powerful feeling of having control over him, the power to make him come undone in her hands. The more she stroked, the bolder she became, she felt him leaking from the tip, the fluid slippery and she used it to help her fuck him. She was fascinated, watching his face as he became more and more undone under her touch, his hips bucking. The sounds coming from him made her grateful for the silencing charm, and damn, they were fucking sexy.

He slid a hand under her chemise, hot palm gliding to cup a breast, his thumb teasing a nipple. She closed her eyes savouring the feel, but was intent on her task, she wanted to concentrate on him. So much so, that when his caress slid lower, she shook her head. "No, not yet, let me do this for you."

He gripped her face in his hand, claiming her mouth, his tongue writhing against hers, his panting breaths hot and desperate as he rutted into her hand. And then he clenched, groaning, her name tumbling from his lips. She gasped at the pulsing throb of his cock, hot release spilling out, shooting out to splatter across her exposed midriff, her chemise all twisted up around her.

Watching him reach his peak like that made her own ache throb and tingle, she even moaned. It was the most erotic experience of her life so far.

He sank down beside her, burying his face into her neck, breathing hard. "Fucking hell, MC. I was not expecting that."

She grinned and wrapped her arms around him, pressing kisses to his sweaty face. "I take it you enjoyed that."

He groaned, holding her tightly. "I can't believe you stopped me from touching you," he grumbled. "Hardly seems fair."

She pressed a kiss to his mouth. "Let's just say you owe me one."

....*....

Christmas Eve saw the world outside the windows blanketed in white. MC sat at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall eating breakfast, the ceiling filled with twirling snowflakes. Ominis was beside her, as always at mealtimes, and Poppy had joined them. Sebastian had snagged some toast and claimed he had an errand to run and he promised to catch up with her later.

"How is everything after last night?" Poppy asked. "Did you two finally manage to talk?"

"Oh, I think a lot more than talking went on," Ominis said, smirking.

MC gave him a startled look. "Ominis!"

"Perhaps next time you should cast your silencing charm a bit sooner."

MC flushed scarlet and Poppy's eyes widened, her hand covering her mouth with an impish giggle.

"Mind you, it's about bloody time," Ominis said. He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Now, if you will excuse me. I, too, have some errands to run. I will leave you lovely young ladies to chat."

As soon as Ominis was out of earshot, Poppy grabbed MC's hand. "Tell me everything!"

After MC divulged some of the details, Poppy gave a sigh. "Ominis is right, it is about time. I'm so happy for you."

MC's smile became a worried frown. "What about you?" She asked. "I'm guessing there won't be anymore snogging going on between yourself and Leander."

Poppy grimaced. "Perhaps not. It's so annoying, because when we were alone, he was so lovely. Sweet, funny, kind. Last night he was just ridiculous!"

MC chuckled. "That's boys for you, I'm afraid."

"They can't all be like that," Poppy sighed.

MC thought for a moment, her eyes flicking over to where Leander and Garreth were sitting. "Well, if you're looking for someone to have a snog with, I can recommend Garreth."

Poppy looked at her. "Really?"

MC nodded. She leant in towards Poppy. "Don't tell Sebastian I said this, but damn that boy can kiss. Phew!"

MC made a show of fanning herself and Poppy giggled. "I will bear that in mind!"

....*....

MC found Ominis seated by the fire in the common room, reading. "Hello, Ominis," she said. She joined him on the sofa. "Do you know where Seb is?"

"He went to send an owl," he said, closing his book. "He wanted to wish Anne a merry Christmas, even if she won't reply."

"Maybe she will this time," MC said. She gave a little smile.

Ominis sighed. "Perhaps. I think he knows not to get his hopes up though."

She reached out to put her hand on his. "He has us."

Ominis smiled. "He was definitely cheerful this morning. I'm afraid I can't claim the merit for it. That's all you."

"I'm sorry we disturbed your sleep," she said.

"I'm just glad he finally confessed his feelings for you, it took him long enough."

MC chewed on her lower lip. "Actually, we didn't really talk that deeply about our feelings. It was more...physical than that."

A crease appeared in Ominis brow. "No confessions of love? From either of you?"

"No," she admitted.

Ominis put a hand to his forehead. "Honestly, you two. One of these days I am going to smack your heads together to knock some sense in to you."

....*....

Sebastian tugged MC along the corridor by her hand. "Come on," he said. An excited smile lit up his face.

"What's the hurry?" MC groaned. She rubbed her tummy. "I'm still so full from the feast."

Sebastian just winked and dragged her along towards the Undercroft, their footsteps the only sound in the quiet of the castle. His other hand moved to check his pocket, even though he had checked it only a moment ago. Her Christmas gift was still safely tucked inside. His stomach did a seesaw flip with nerves and excitement.

He paused outside the door to the Undercroft. "I wanted to do something special for Christmas Eve," he said. "Especially since it will be our last one at Hogwarts."

She gave him a curious smile as he opened the entrance and they descended into their secret hideaway. He watched her face for her reaction as they entered, his heart beating a little bit faster. He hoped he hadn't gone too over the top.

In the centre of the room there was a canopy of dark green fabric, the sides draping gracefully down to form a kind of open fronted tent. Inside, there was a huge, low bed strewn with pillows, and all in the roof of the canopy were enchanted fairy lights. The rest of the Undercroft was in shadows, creating a softly lit haven for them both.

Her eyes widened and she put her hand to her mouth. "Oh, Sebastian...it's beautiful!" She gasped. She looked up at him. "You did all this?"

He gave a shy, half shrug. "Ominis helped me. I think he wanted a better night's sleep."

She launched herself at him, arms wrapping tightly about his neck. He laughed and held her, relishing the feel of her in his arms. "You like it then? It's not too much?"

"It's perfect," she said.

She released him and moved towards the tent. She gave him a cheeky smile over her shoulder. "This is all very romantic, Seb," she teased. "Anyone would think you're trying to seduce me."

"Is it working?"

She tilted her head, playfully. "Maybe."

She kicked off her shoes and crawled onto the bed, turning to lay on her side, propped up on one elbow. She looked at him, a warmth in her eyes that made his heart pound. Bathed in the glow of the fairy lights, she looked like something out of a dream. His mouth went dry at the sight.

For years he had wanted her to look at him like that, and now that she was, he still felt like he needed to pinch himself just to make sure it really wasn't a dream after all.

He reached into his pocket and took out the neatly wrapped gift box. "I er...I wanted to give you this," he said, nervously.

She sat up. "You got me a gift?"

"Of course," he said. He kicked off his own boots and joined her on the bed. He held out the box. "Here, I hope you like it."

"You should be waiting until tomorrow to give me this," she scolded gently. "My gift for you is in my dormitory still."

"That's alright," he said. "And anyway, I wanted us to be alone when I gave this to you."

"Is that so," she said, her smile curious. She took the box with excitement and tugged the ribbon free. He had spent ages making sure that ribbon had looked just right, and she had it off in seconds, lifting the lid off the box. She hesitated at the sight of the dark blue velvet box inside. Her eyes lifted to his. "This looks expensive."

"You're worth every coin," he said. And he meant it.

She blushed and carefully opened the lid up. Her lips parted and she sucked in a swift breath. "Oh, my..."

Sebastian realised he was holding his breath, his lungs beginning to burn as she lifted out the necklace with trembling fingers. She bent to study the delicate silver work of the pendant, the swirls representative of the Ancient Magic symbols. The careful work of the silversmith had artfully encased the stone, and MC brushed a finger tip over it. "Is that Moonstone?"

"It is," he smiled. "Do you remember that day you blasted a particularly large cluster of it, and a chunk flew off and whacked me on the forehead?"

She looked up at him and chuckled. "I certainly do. You were most put out that I had made you bleed, and marked your pretty face."

He rubbed his fingers over the very spot, not that any mark remained, it had all healed up nicely. "I think it was more the fact that you laughed that offended me the most."

"It was rather funny," she grinned.

"Yes, well, I actually kept the piece of Moonstone that wounded me," he said. He pointed to the necklace. "I knew it would come in handy one day."

She stared at him. "Why would you do that?"

He met her gaze, his heart thudding like a wild thing in his chest. "Because it's you, MC," he said. "It was a moment I didn't want to forget, like so many others we have shared. I couldn't seem to part with it, and then, after the way I marked up your neck at Halloween, I decided that a neck as beautiful as yours deserved something much more suitable. So, I took the stone and some drawings to a very skilled silversmith, and had that necklace made for you."

MC swallowed hard and looked back down at the necklace. "It's very beautiful," she whispered.

"Much like it's owner," he said. He held out his hand. "May I?"

She nodded and handed him the necklace. She turned and lifted up her hair so that he could fasten it around her neck. When she turned back to face him, she smoothed her fingers over the pendant. It looked perfect. But, he wasn't quite done yet.

He slid his wand out and held it out towards her. She lifted an eyebrow. "What's this?"

"One more little surprise," he said. He aimed at the stone. "Revelio."

MC gasped as a swirl of stars lit up within the stone, glowing softly. "How did you do that?"

He chuckled. "I wish I could say it was easy, but believe me it's not as easy as you think. It was worth it, though. Now you have your own little galaxy of stars inside your Moonstone. But, it can be hidden, another little secret of ours."

"This is so thoughtful, Seb..." She broke off, her eyes shining with tears. "Why did you go to so much trouble for me?"

"Because I love you," he said simply. "I always have."

The tears escaped and rolled down her cheeks. "You always have?"

"Ever since 5th year."

She put her hands to her face. "Oh, Seb, I've been such an idiot!"

"What? Why?"

"All this time I have been running around being so foolish, doing dumb stuff like snogging bloody Clemmens in the library, and the whole time I was in love with you too. I was just too much of a coward to admit it. I feel so awful that you caught us that day."

"I must admit, Clemmens is lucky he still has hands," Seb frowned. "I don't know how I managed to walk out of the library that day without tearing the place up."

"And yet, you still found it within yourself to gift me something as beautiful as this," she said. She gazed down at the necklace again, sniffling. "Nobody has ever given me such a thoughtful gift before."

He gently took her chin in his fingers and tilted her face up to his. "Like I said, you are worth it," he murmured. He bent to kiss her, unable to keep away from her a moment longer.

The kiss was soft, an expression of love, and he moved to gently kiss the tears away from her cheeks. She shuffled closer, her hands moving over his shoulders to circle around the back of his neck, a shiver sliding over him as she curled her fingers into his hair.

His kisses became warmer, moving to claim her mouth once more, diving in to taste her softness.

"So," he said, gazing down at her, pressing soft kisses around her mouth. "You love me?"

She smiled. "I do."

He nodded, preparing to really put himself out there. He had never felt so vulnerable. "Enough to come and live with me after graduation?"

Her eyes widened, and she sat up straight, shocked. "Are you serious?"

Oh, shit. Too much, too soon? He pushed his fingers through his hair. "Well, yes. I was thinking about the conversation that we had, when you said you didn't know what you wanted to do. I...I just, well...all I know is that whatever we both end up doing with our lives, I want you right there beside me, just like always," he said. He sighed. "But, no pressure. It's your choice."

She shook her head and his heart sank a little. He had got a bit carried away with himself. Had he blown it?

"There is no choice," she said. "Not when it comes to you, Seb. I will always choose you, us."

He stilled, heart thumping, daring to believe. "Really?"

She nodded and reached for him, grasping the front of his jumper to tug him close. She smirked. "You're stuck with me, Sallow, I'm afraid. Forever."

"I could live with that."

Chuckling they both tumbled back onto the bed, limbs entangling, mouths seeking warm kisses. Sebastian held her close. He had no plans to let her go for a very long while.

....*....

This time, MC didn't feel shy as he helped her slide her clothing from her body. She was a little breathless, her pulse an urgent throb as he pressed his mouth to her skin, exploring every new curve.

She arched upwards at the feel of his hot mouth on her breasts, threading her fingers through his hair, sighing at the silky softness of it. Every brush of his hands, every swirl of his tongue sent fire sweeping through her. Her hunger for him was spiralling into a fierce ache.

She didn't stop him this time when he slid a hand downwards, his fingers gently probing. She gasped at the feeling, knowing only the feel of her own touch in her most intimate parts until now. His strokes were gentle, but she had an urge to bear down, desperate for blinding release.

"Seb..." It was a plea, it was gratitude, it was want. He kissed her slow and deep, a finger sliding home and she moaned into his mouth, her hips rolling at the intrusion. "Yes," she breathed.

He slid in and out, long, luxurious strokes, moaning himself at the tight heat of her. He worked a second finger in, kissing down towards her ear. "I want to try something," he said.

"Like what?" She said. He slid both fingers deeper and she groaned.

He smirked. "Just a little tip I picked up in the Quidditch changing room chats."

She panted. "Erm, okay?"

"Trust me." He winked.

She watched him, curious, as he slid downwards, parting her legs wider and settling down between them. A flash of shyness washed over her as he stared right at where his fingers had been doing such a good job.

Anticipation made her thigh muscles twitch. She licked her lips suspecting what he was about to do, but it was no preparation for the feel of his tongue sliding up over her soft heat. Her head tilted back and a whine of pleasure poured from her mouth.

His tongue set to work, sliding effortlessly, tingles of shock and fire washing over her. She had to bring her hands to her face, stunned at the erotic sensation of him kissing her like this.

A pressure began to build and she couldn't help but grind her hips against him, hunting that release. He gripped her thighs tighter, swirling faster over her clit, her hips bucked, and she panted, her fingers gripping his hair as the pressure snapped. A loud cry escaped her throat, the release pulsing and swirling over her.

As she lay there gasping, he moved upwards, positioning himself. He grinned down at her. "That was a good tip, and now, I no longer owe you one."

She felt his arousal nudge against her throbbing folds. She slid her hands around his waist. This was it. He was going to make her his, body and soul. "I love you," she whispered.

He nuzzled his nose against her cheek, kissing her softly. "I love you too," he said.

Slowly, gently, he eased himself into her. He whispered in her ear, soft words to help her relax, his lips kissing her with teasing touches. She moaned at the full feeling, the stretch as he slid deeper, but she welcomed it. It was where he belonged. She needed to feel him this close.

When he began to move, a primal need enveloped her, her legs wrapping around him, holding him in place. The sound of his harsh breaths near her ear added to her pleasure, knowing it felt just as good for him. She glanced down at where they were joined, the sight of him fucking her making her bite her bottom lip.

Once he had started, he didn't stop, sounds of pleasure spilling from his mouth as his hips pounded against her. She stared up at him, in awe of how bonded she felt with him, it was the closest she had ever been to anyone. She couldn't believe it had taken her so long to seize it. All her fears melted away, she was no longer scared of losing him. He was hers.

His release came swiftly, she could feel the throb of him deep inside her, and then he pressed his forehead to her shoulder, breathing hard. She smoothed a palm to press against his heart, feeling the frantic beat against his ribs.

"We are definitely doing that again," he panted.

She chuckled and he groaned, her laughter squeezing muscles around his still sensitive cock.

Wrapped up in his arms and dozing, MC remembered the day they had lain in the grass that summer after fifth year, their hearts so damaged by all that they had been through. She had held his hand and promised him that she would take their secrets to her grave.

As she watched him dozing against her now, their bodies still cooling from their passion, she knew that she would be by his side until her death. She would leave Hogwarts with him, and together they would face whatever life brought to them next.

She held the pendant of her necklace in her fingers, twirling the beautiful silver so that the Moonstone could catch the reflection of the fairy lights above. Deep inside the stone, her own little galaxy of stars still swirled. Her heart swelled at the thought he had put into this gift. A token of his love, thought of and created even before their kiss on the bridge.

To think she almost tried to forget that she loved him. It seemed utterly impossible now to even comprehend. She couldn't love him more.

Sitting in her trunk in her dormitory was her own gift for him. She slid her eyes to him, brushing his hair softly back from his forehead, he snuggled in even closer to her and she kissed his hairline. She had also put thought into his gift, and it had not been an easy thing to achieve. She wondered how he was going to take it.

She had bought him some things towards his thoughts on a career on research, leather notebooks, a new quill and some ink. But there was also an envelope, and inside that envelope was a letter from Anne.

MC had found her. After a long conversation, Anne had come around to the suggestion of writing to him. She wasn't completely there on her forgiveness, but she was willing to start talking to him again, especially after hearing the steps he had made in making up for past events.

MC was going to give it to him after breakfast tomorrow. She hoped it made him happy. He had a beautiful smile and she wanted to give him reasons to share it.

After all, isn't that what you do for the ones that you love?

MC had taken the leap, dived into the unknown, and the fluffy, peaceful clouds had caught her, or rather Sebastian had caught her. Maybe they had caught each other. She had never felt safer.

Thank you for all the positive feedback and love. I can't thank you enough 💜

[slytherin-simp]

Love Me, Love Me Not - Part 2

Link for Part 1

Last time we saw Sebastian and MC, they were getting rather and hot and steamy. Let's see how these idiots handled that 😂

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC 🌶 Spicy/Angst

For @applinsandoranges

Dawn was a cruel intruder. MC groaned into her pillow at the sounds of Imelda getting up and preparing for her early morning Quidditch training. How the fuck could she get up and do that so early after last night?

Oh, Merlin, last night!

Colour flooded MC's cheeks hotly and she cringed into the pillow. Fuzzy memories, pulsing with heat, flashed through her mind. Sebastian's hands on her skin, his mouth...oh, fuck, that mouth! Her thighs clenched tightly at the memory of him searing her neck with his kiss. She could have died! Her soul had floated up and out of her body, seeking out his so they could entwine in a swirl of fierce passion.

Had she really rubbed herself shamelessly against his dick? She slapped her hands over her face, mortified! How was she going to look him in the eye ever again?

She frowned, vaguely remembering him holding her hand, walking her back to the castle. She had moved to hold his arm, needing to feel him closer. And then, once they had arrived at the door for her dormitory, she had so desperately wanted him to kiss her. She tensed. Had she asked him to? Oh, fuck, had she? She couldn't remember!

Her hands slid from her face, her head hammering a tad from the loaded punch she had downed all night. She was alone. He wasn't in the bed beside her. She was strangely grateful. If he ever was in her bed, she wanted to be able to remember every damn moment of it.

She sat up, throwing the covers back, her bladder was screaming for release. She padded quietly towards the bathrooms feeling a bit ropey. She passed a younger student in the corridor, their gaze one of shock as she passed. She gave them a rueful grin, running a hand through her hair. She must look a right sight, hung over and bleary eyed.

Once in the bathrooms and washing her hands, she glanced up at the mirror and froze in shock. No wonder that student had been gaping.

"Oh, mother of Merlin, no!" She swore. She gingerly brought her fingers up to her neck, the whole right side of it blooming with bright red and purple bruising. She touched the tender flesh and winced. Fuck, he had devoured her!

From her ear to her collar bone were Sebastian's mouth marks, violent in colour and incredibly evident. She was stunned, but also, throbbing with utter need. There must be something very wrong in her head to be so turned on by such a sight. And, worse, she wanted more!

Flustered, her heart hammering as fiercely as her head was thumping, she hurried back to the dormitory. She gathered her things, including a soft, silk scarf, quickly showered, and made a dash from the common room. She did not want to risk running into Sebastian this morning.

A walk down to the lake cleared her head a little, but it still felt like a little soldier was marching from one temple to the other with big boots on.

She sat on a rock and thought about where this might leave her relationship with Sebastian. Did this mean they would continue on this path? Or would they become distant and awkward with each other? The fear of losing him completely made her stomach clench tightly. She looked up at the sky, the clouds thin and moving swiftly on the morning breeze. Nothing fluffy and peaceful to draw comfort from today. Just confusing reality.

But sitting here wouldn't get her any answers. She could only get them from him. With a sigh she headed back indoors. Maybe some food would help.

The thought of coming to face to face with Sebastian made her cringe. The most important thing was to save their friendship. This could not ruin that. Her heart would truly break.

As she walked towards the Great Hall she spotted Poppy and immediately remembered the conversation they'd had on the way to the party. Oh gods, if Poppy found out Sebastian had done this to her neck she would be crushed! And after Poppy had been brave enough to confide in her too. MC felt like an awful friend, cringing again at her shameful behaviour.

MC quickly pulled her hair around to cover that side of her neck as an extra measure over the silk scarf, shamefully hiding until Poppy had gone in to the hall before following. MC kept her head down and walked quickly to the Slytherin table. It was still early and the Hall hadn't filled yet, the older students especially had not arrived in their droves, preferring to remain in their beds after last night.

Ominis was in his usual spot, sipping tea and reading a book. MC took a deep breath, grateful he wouldn't be able to see her little disguise, and climbed into the seat beside him.

His head turned towards her. "Good morning, MC. How's the head?"

She groaned. "Was I that drunk?"

He smirked. "Sebastian said he had to practically carry you back to your dorm."

MC felt her cheeks warm. "What else did he say?"

Ominis tilted his head curiously. "What else was there to say?"

"Nothing," she said, quickly. "Where is he? Has he already eaten?"

Ominis still had curiosity written all over him when a familiar mop of brown hair appeared and Sebastian climbed onto the bench opposite them. He looked right at her, his smirk as confident and charming as ever. "Good morning. I'm surprised to see you up and about so early."

MC flicked her eyes nervously towards Ominis, then back to him. "I...erm...I am a bit tired," she swallowed hard. "Can we...er...can we talk?"

His eyebrows twitched playfully. "What about?"

"Oi, oi," Leander called. He came up behind Sebastian, followed by Garreth and Everett, and gripped Sebastian by the shoulders. "Alright, lover boy."

Sebastian frowned up at him, shrugging his shoulders free. "Get off," he grumbled. "What are you on about?"

Leander chuckled and gave MC a cheeky wink. "Nice scarf, MC," he said. "What you got hiding underneath that then, eh?"

MC felt her cheeks burn and she put tentative fingers up to her neck. Sebastian's gaze swung back to her, his eyes a little panicked.

"What's going on?" Ominis asked.

Leander laughed. "Didn't you hear, Gaunt? Everyone is talking about it. Sebastian and MC got down and proper dirty last night, in front of everyone."

Ominis gaped, his head turning immediately towards MC. She sucked in a horrified gasp, her eyes darting around the Hall to see that people were indeed looking their way, whispering behind their hands. She was vaguely aware of Ominis reaching out a cool hand, hunting out one of hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Sebastian's cheeks were as flushed as hers felt, he was eyeing where the scarf covered her neck.

"Fuck off, Prewett," MC muttered. She clambered to her feet, legs shaking. Everyone was staring.

Garreth took hold of Leander's arm and tugged him away. "Come on, mate. Leave it."

"Excuse me," she muttered.

She could hear their voices behind her, could feel the eyes on her back as she practically ran from the hall, running blindly for the doors. Once again, she was hot gossip, her name on everyone's lips, and this time Sebastian's name was being dragged through the mill too.

She had always tried to be discreet, ensuring boys never left a mark, but Sebastian had been a different story, with him all her control had evaporated. How had she let herself get so out of control in front of everyone like that?

She swore she was never going to drink another drop of alcohol ever again. Drowning in her need for him she had thrown the drinks back, Poppy's words haunting her. She had watched every girl at that party, her claws ready to maul if one of them so much as touched Sebastian. The hypocrisy of it was bitter, which had her reaching for more drink, trying to drown away everything.

And then she had seen him, alone, seemingly searching for someone, and she had wanted to be found. Oh, Merlin, she had thrown herself on him! And now the whole school knew!

....*....

Sebastian had launched himself up off the bench, shoving Prewett aside, and he ran after MC. The way her face had fallen hit him like a thousand hexes.

She was a swift little thing, darting through groups of students, and making for the Viaduct Courtyard at a decent lick. He sped up, bursting out into the cool morning air. "MC!" He called. "MC, wait!"

She darted to the side, her robe flicking out as she dashed behind the columned walkway. He chased her into the shadowed walk, catching up to her and seizing her arm. She went to pull away, stumbling a little, but he steadied her with his other hand. She looked up at him, a whole range of conflicting emotions flickering across her pale face. Then her bottom lip began to tremble and he felt a crushing sensation in his chest. This was all his fault.

He moved to pull her in closer, desperate to comfort her, but she held him at arms length, shaking her head. "No, don't," she gasped. She glanced around them, eyes wide. "People will see."

She may as well have cast a basic hit to his chest. He let go of her immediately and stepped back. "I'm sorry."

She stared at him, a small sigh escaping her lips as her shoulders sagged. She brushed back strands of hair from her face and took hold of his hand. "Not here, come on."

They hurried down the long, winding staircase to the boat house, the Black Lake a choppy, grey mass before them. Heavier clouds were drifting in and it looked like rain. Sebastian held tightly to her hand, fearful to let her go. Was she going to tell him to back off from her? Was this the beginning of the end? Damn him and his lack of self control. When would he ever learn to think before acting? And why was it always her that ended up getting hurt in the process? He couldn't blame her if she dumped his sorry arse. Who needed a friend like him?

The boat house was deserted at this time of day, the boats bobbing on their ropes, knocking gently into each other. MC led him inside and closed the door before releasing his hand.

"Prewett is a prick," he said.

She huffed a humourless laugh. "Would you have not done the exact same thing to him?"

His mouth tightened. "That's not the point."

"No, the point is we are the juiciest gossip in the whole school," she sighed.

Sebastian eyed her neck. "Is it bad?" He pointed awkwardly at his own neck. "Did I hurt you?"

"See for yourself," she said. She tilted her head back and to the side. The scarf slipped a little and he winced at the bruises under her ear. He stepped forward and with gentle fingers, brushed her hair back and tugged at the simple knot of her scarf. The silk slid away from her throat and she swallowed hard, her eyes flicking up to his.

His breath hissed through his teeth at the sight of her neck, the smooth flesh a colourful canvas of his lust. "Fuck, MC, I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"It doesn't hurt," she said. She attempted a small smile. "Next time, eat something before dancing."

His eyes widened. "Next time?"

Her face flushed crimson and she took a step back, reaching to tug the silk scarf back from him. "I mean, erm...you know, next time you find yourself in a situation like that."

Oh, so not necessarily with her then. He pushed a hand through his hair and nodded, trying to smile, his heart flipping madly.

She hesitated. "Did we...did you...I can't remember much about getting back to the dormitory. I didn't embarrass myself further, did I? I mean, I didn't do anything inappropriate."

"No, you were just intoxicated. Imelda took over once I got you there. I thought she was going to skin me alive when she saw the state of you."

She nodded, relieved. "Well, thank you for getting me back safely."

"Of course," he said.

An awkward silence fell between them. Thoughts and feelings twisted and turned inside of him. He wanted to touch her, wanted to hold her. The depth of his heart was on the tip of his tongue, tingling. He could just tell her, like Ominis had told him to.

"Things aren't going to be weird between us now, are they?" She asked. "You're my best friend, Seb. I'd hate for something so foolish to ruin that."

Foolish. Everything that had been balanced on the tip of his tongue vanished. He swallowed it all down, tucking it away next to his crushing disappointment. He was beginning to wonder if there would ever be a right time to tell her, maybe he should try to let it go.

"You have nothing to worry about," he assured her. He covered his tortured heart with his best smirk. He leant in and tweaked her nose playfully. "I mean, what's a hot dance between friends, right? It would take a lot more than that to get rid of me."

Relief made her face sag, and her eyes shone with tears. She stepped forward and buried her face into his chest, and of course, he wrapped her up tight, his hand gently smoothing her hair.

He would always be there to hold her when she needed him.

....*....

Instead of waking up from terrible nightmares, she was now plagued by hot, breathless dreams of Sebastian biting her neck like some kind of erotic vampire. She made a mental note to stop reading gothic fiction.

Although, stopping the gothic fiction wasn't going to stop her getting hot and flustered over Sebastian apparently. She found herself staring at his mouth more often now, and even worse, she would catch herself eyeing his trouser area, remembering the feel of him, hot and hard against her body.

One afternoon, she found herself alone with him in the Undercroft. They were quietly studying, quills scratching away on parchment. She paused to watch him, admiring the way his hair fell across his forehead. He sighed, brows drawing together, lips pursed as he read his text book. Now she knew what those lips felt like on her skin, but how would they feel on her mouth? He pushed his hair back with long fingers, the strands falling softly against each other, the firelight glinting on the streaks of gold lightened by the sun.

What was going to happen when they graduated? What if she hardly ever saw him again? It was a sobering thought.

"What are you staring at? Do I have the remains of lunch around my mouth or something?"

His eyes swung towards her, his smirk delicious. She bit back her smile, and failed. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

His gaze turned curious. "About?"

She took a steadying breath. "About what happens when we leave here," she said. "After graduation. I have no idea what I am going to do. I mean, I've finally found a place where I feel I belong, and all too soon I will have to leave it."

Sebastian put down his quill and leant towards her. "Have you any thoughts on where you want to go?"

She shrugged. "Not really," she admitted. "I don't really have anywhere to go. I suppose I could try and get my old job back at the cafe, stay there until I decide what I want. What about you?"

He frowned, thinking. Her heart clenched a little. For some reason, it was important for her to know what he was going to do. It was almost like panic, what seized her, fear of him slipping out of her reach.

"Well," he said. "I did think about applying for the Auror program, however I'm not so sure now. I'm a fair hand at research, I know my way around a library, so perhaps something along the lines of that. Either way, I don't want to farm fields for the rest of my life."

"Even though it looks good on you?" She smiled.

He chuckled. "Want a closer inspection?"

MC had to clench her thighs at the naughty gleam in his eye. "This conversation is becoming rather improper, Mr Sallow." She spoke primly but he wasn't buying any of it.

"You started it," he grinned.

She sighed, rolling her eyes, and flipped the page over in her book, but she wasn't really paying much attention to it. Her smiled slipped a little and she fixed her gaze on him. "Whatever we do after graduation, I do know that I will miss this," she said. She indicated the two of them sitting together. "I will miss being able to do stuff like this with you everyday."

He reached across the table and put his hand over hers. She resisted the urge to twist her palm up and clasp it properly. "Don't think you'll be getting rid of me that easily," he said. "You won't be the only one missing this time we have together. I'm not going to just walk away and leave you behind."

"You promise?"

"I promise." His warm, brown eyes were earnest, his expression soft as he looked at her. He brushed his hand lightly over hers and a riot of goosebumps spread up her arm.

"Careful, I might hold you to that," she said.

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

....*....

As the term moved along, MC threw herself into her schoolwork to distract herself from Sebastian, and soon the weeks slipped by and Christmas was upon them. She had kept her head down and worked hard, no booze, no boys. She was feeling more in control than she had in a long while. Perhaps they could have a nice, normal Christmas. Their last here at Hogwarts.

After a gift shopping trip in Hogsmeade, MC sat in the Three Broomsticks with Poppy and Natty. She took a long sip of her butterbeer and smiled at her friends. "Did you get all your gifts?"

Natty gave Poppy a nudge. "Poppy even got one for Leander," she grinned.

Poppy flushed. "It's just a little thank you for all the help he has given me at the beast pens," she said.

"And the rest," Natty giggled.

"Oh, what's this? What have I missed?" MC asked, sitting up straighter.

Poppy squirmed a little, but a little grin won out on her mouth. "We may have had a little kiss."

MC gaped. "Poppy! You go girl. Was it nice?"

"It was...wet?" Poppy screwed her nose up a little. "Not much like how you read it in a romance novel to be honest."

MC snorted into her butterbeer, coughing a little as she choked back a giggle. "Give it another go, practise makes perfect. If not with Leander, then perhaps someone else."

Poppy's face lit up with curiosity. "Yes, this is what I need. Got any other tips? What's it like when things start moving under the clothes?"

MC gasped. Her cheeks blushing a little. "What makes you think I know about that?"

Poppy hesitated, blushing herself. "Oh, sorry. I thought...well, you are a bit more experienced at these things."

Natty grabbed up her butterbeer, interested eyes flicking between her two buddies.

"Kissing perhaps," MC admitted. "But I've never, you know..." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "I've never taken a boy to bed."

Natty looked surprised. "Not even Sebastian?"

MC swallowed and twisted her drink on the table top. "Not even him."

Both Poppy and Natty sighed in disappointment at the same time. MC looked at them both, a furrow on her brow. "What?"

Poppy squeezed her hands into little fists and thumped them down on the table as she said. "But, you love him, right? You must do!"

"He...he's my best friend!" MC spluttered. Shock made her mouth drop. Where had that come from?

Natty reached out and put her hand over MC's. "It's alright, MC," she said. "You can tell us. But, it is fairly obvious. The way you two look at each other, everyone wants someone to look at them that way. I think it's all rather lovely."

MC stared at them both. Her heart sped up a bit. "What do you mean, how do we look at each other?"

"Infatuation," Poppy said firmly. "That's the word I would use. And, as for the Halloween party..."

MC held her hand up. "Nope, don't even go there. This is getting a bit out of hand now."

"Why, did we hit too close to home?" Natty smirked.

MC snatched up her drink, her whole body burning at what they were suggesting. It was nonsense. It was wishful thinking. It was waking up everything she had buried away, deeply away, over the last few weeks. She drank down some more of her drink, her blood flowing fast and hot.

Infatuation. She took a shaky breath. And she didn't miss the little knowing smirk shared between the other two girls. Dare she believe it?

....*....

Most of the school had gone home for the Christmas holidays, but a few of the 7th year students elected to stay and make the most of the school in their last year.

Sebastian finished wrapping the Christmas gift he had bought for MC. He fiddled with the bow, knowing that he had spent far too much money, and he hoped he hadn't gone too over the top.

His guilt over what had happened at Halloween still clung to him. Her neck had been a masterpiece displaying the loss of his self control. He wouldn't have blamed her if she had blanked him after what he had done. But she hadn't.

She hadn't come back for more either.

His restraint around her was now on a tight leash. He was nothing but a gentleman, aside from a little playful flirting, but then they had always done that.

Seeing her being mocked like that in the Great Hall had cut him deep. He had pounded Leander for the little bitch he was at duelling practise for that.

He was also glad to notice that she didn't seem to have a boy hanging around her anymore. He had been sick of listening to the gutter talk in the Quidditch changing rooms. She had a taste for Quidditch players it would seem. It made him feel sick, and the Undercroft had taken some real punishment in the effort to ease his jealous fury.

However, things had been quiet lately. Ominis had dropped a few hints about confessing how he really felt, but he brushed him off. She had been so scared of ruining their friendship after Halloween, and he didn't want to do that either. So, he kept his mouth shut. All he wanted was for her to be happy. It was what she deserved.

Once wrapped, he hid the gift in his trunk, ready for when he could give it to her on Christmas day. Then, he went to the common room in search of Ominis.

"Where is everyone?" He asked.

"MC said that she was meeting Poppy and a few others in the Clock Tower," Ominis said. "Did you want to go along?"

"Sure, why not? I'm feeling sociable."

....*....

MC was on her third glass of mulled wine, her cheeks rosy, and eyes bright as she sat and chatted with her friends. Snow was falling gently outside, but the frigid Highland air was being kept out by a rather impressive warming charm.

There was a large Christmas tree in the corner decorated in the latest Victorian fashion. MC was starting to feel rather in the spirit of the season and was glad she had opted to stay at the castle.

As the evening wore on, the lads brought the firewhiskey flasks out. MC declined, sticking with the mulled wine that Garreth's mum had given him the recipe for. It was actually rather good.

She found herself sitting in a circle of her friends, chatting and telling jokes. Sebastian, Ominis, Poppy, Natty, Everett, Garreth, Leander, Imelda and Amit. They were trying to come up with a game to play, something for the adults, as Imelda cheekily put it.

"Truth or dare?" Garreth suggested.

"Hmm, that could turn dangerous very quickly," Ominis said.

"That's half the fun," Sebastian chuckled.

"It's got to be something at least a little risky," Imelda said. "Come on, are you winners or are you wimps?"

"It's not bloody Quidditch," Leander grumbled. He shot the girls a sly grin. He tugged his wand out of his pocket and gave it a rather skilled twirl. "How about a game of Spin the Wand?"

There was a jumble of groans and giggles around the circle, the boys looking a lot more keen than the girls, although Poppy was flushing a lovely shade of pink.

MC flicked her gaze towards Sebastian, he caught her eye and smirked. She licked her lips. This could prove more dangerous than truth or dare. She looked at Ominis, waiting for him to shoot this game down too, but he didn't. If anything, he looked curious.

"Okay, let's do this," Leander said. "We all take turns spinning our wand in the centre of the circle, whomever the wand points to, you have to kiss them under the mistletoe. Who's in?"

Everyone glanced around the circle, and nobody was backing out. MC felt her heart begin to thump a little faster.

"What kind of kiss?" Amit asked, timidly.

"At least a minute," Imelda said promptly. "No quick pecks, and it has to be on the mouth."

They all nodded, expectation thick in the air. Natty lifted her wand and charmed a little sand timer to time the kisses, and Poppy charmed a large bunch of mistletoe for them to kiss under, throwing MC a little smirk as she did so.

"I'll go first seeing as I suggested it," Leander said. He leaned in to spin his wand.

"Can't wait to get a snog more like," Garreth sniggered.

Leander grinned and spun his wand. Everyone watched it, spinning round and round, finally slowing to a stop. It was pointing at Imelda. Leander looked a little bit scared and MC covered her mouth with her hand, smothering a chuckle.

"Come on then, Prewett," Imelda said. She got to her feet and moved under the mistletoe. "Pucker up, bitch."

Everyone laughed as Leander moved to join her. He didn't quite know what to do with his hands, all flustered and awkward. Imelda sighed and grabbed his face with both hands, planting her mouth firmly against his.

Poppy gasped, her face falling a little as she watched them. Again, MC debated the risk this game posed. Garreth pumped his fist in the air as Natty flipped the timer. MC watched them kiss, a steady flood of colour darkening Leander's face.

Wow, a minute felt like a long time.

MC glanced around the circle wondering what it would be like to kiss any of them for a minute. Sebastian was obviously the one that made her heart pound, but then, she didn't want to kiss him for the first time in front of everyone. She trusted Ominis, and Poppy, and figured they would feel safe. As for the others, she felt a bit nervous.

The minute was up. Imelda broke away, cool and unflustered as she retook her spot in the circle. Leander was blushing madly, a stupid grin on his face. He gave Garreth a nudge as he sat down next to him. "Go on then, mate. Your turn."

Garreth clapped his hands together, rubbing them as though warming them up, before taking out his wand. He leant forward to spin it.

"No cheating," Everett warned. "We know who you want it to land on."

Leander chuckled, his eyes darting towards Poppy. She didn't notice, she was too busy watching Garreth, her own wand already out and ready for her turn.

Garreth's wand spun quickly, the wood grating against the stone floor. It slowed and stopped and MC felt her cheeks bloom with warmth. It was pointing at her. Her gaze lifted to Garreth and he too was blushing a deep red.

Leander gave a delighted laugh and slapped Garreth on the shoulder. "Fucking hell, Garreth! Nice catch!"

Everett leant in towards Amit. "I knew he would cheat. So obvious."

Everyone looked at MC and she managed a smile. Her gaze flicked towards Sebastian and she was surprised to see his expression tight, his jaw working against the clench of his teeth. He did not look happy. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, more about Sebastian's reaction than the thought of having to kiss Garreth.

She stood and moved towards the mistletoe. She took a steadying breath. It was just a kiss. She had kissed a boy before. Nothing to it.

Garreth came up towards her. He was taller than she expected up close, and his eyes were actually a very pretty green. He gave her an awkward smile. "I apologise in advance if this is rubbish," he said.

She felt her nerves slip away at those words. She noted the eager faces of Leander and Everett, poised and ready to make a joke out of this. She knew how it felt to suffer that kind of mockery. She felt a pang of empathy for Garreth and decided to make this easy for him.

She leant in towards him. "Don't worry, just follow my lead," she whispered.

Fully aware that Sebastian was watching this, she reached out to grab the front of Garreth's jumper, tugging him closer. He gave a little squeak of surprise and she smiled before going up on tiptoes to press her mouth against his.

His lips were warm, soft, and he tasted of firewhiskey and chocolate fudge. She could feel his nerves, but he was gentle, taking care not to take advantage. She deepened the kiss, the sand slipping through the timer as she swirled her tongue against his. He gasped softly, his hand moving to press against the small of her back. Her hand moved up to cup his face. He was good, very good.

If she had been looking down at her circle of friends, she would have seen the gaping mouths of Poppy and Natty, the look of surprised wonder on Leander's. She would have also seen the curious tilt of Ominis' head, and the quiet, dark fury on Sebastian's face. Poppy glanced at Sebastian, saw his expression, and gave Natty a quick nudge. She nodded for Natty to look, and when Natty saw, she looked at Poppy, biting her bottom lip in knowing concern.

The sand ran out, Garreth and MC continued to kiss, oblivious that their time was up. Natty noticed. "Erm, times up guys," she said.

Everyone glanced around the circle at her words, and then looked back at Garreth and MC as they continued to kiss. In an instant, Sebastian was on his feet. He grabbed Garreth's sleeve. "Hey, she said the time's up," he bit out. "That means stop."

Garreth jumped, released MC, and she quickly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She met Sebastian's gaze and flushed under the intensity of his glare. However, she had not forgotten about Garreth's own nerves and she reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. He looked at her uncertain, and she smiled. "That was nice. Thank you."

Garreth looked dazed, flushed, and then he grinned widely. When he went to sit down, Leander clapped him on the back again. "Nice one, mate. Not going to lie, I'm a little jealous."

Imelda threw him a scowl at that comment.

MC's heart lurched for Poppy, and caught her little frown of disappointment. Prewett could be a real arse sometimes, his mouth moved before his brain could kick in. His words were starting to slur together a little, clearly he'd had a few too many gulps of firewhiskey.

Sebastian took hold of MC's arm and led her back to the circle, clearly wanting her to sit with him. She felt tense, poised, as though this was about to go very wrong. Sebastian was coiled tight like a spring, just waiting to be released.

Leander clapped his hands. "Right then, who's up next?" He gave MC a little smirk. "You never know, maybe you can tick another lad off your kiss list, MC."

Gasps sounded around the circle. Poppy looked furious. "Leander!" She cried.

Sebastian was instantly on his feet, wand out, aiming it right at Leander's face. "Watch your mouth, Prewett," he snarled.

Leander scrambled up onto his own feet, wand out. "What's the matter, Sallow, did I hit a nerve?"

MC leapt up next and grabbed Sebastian's arm, she knew that look on his face. "Leave it," she hissed.

Everyone was on their feet now, not wanting to get caught in any cross fire.

"You need to learn some bloody respect," Sebastian growled.

"It was only a joke," Leander said. He gave MC a sheepish look. "I didn't mean anything by it. And it wasn't exactly a lie. MC has kissed a few of the lads."

"And you're just jealous because you weren't one of them," Everett chuckled. "Come on, Leander. She isn't going to want to kiss you after this. I reckon the game is over, sadly."

"Oh, the game is definitely over," Sebastian snapped.

"At least I can admit it though," Leander said. "I'd kiss her, of course I would. Unlike you, Sallow. You've been giving her the eye since 5th year but you're too much of a pussy to do anything about it. I thought you'd finally cracked it at Halloween, but it would seem not. What's the matter, did she knock you back?"

Silence. The only sound was the soft swish of the pendulum above their heads.

MC could see the stunned faces of her friends, the softly falling snow through the doorway, the flicker of candles and festive baubles. It was so still though, as if the room was holding its breath.

She took every detail in, but most of all, she was keenly concentrating on Sebastian. Her own shocked heart thudding madly against her ribs. This was the second time this week that someone had pointed out that there was something between her and Sebastian. She stared at him, but he couldn't even look her way.

Sebastian was shaking with his fury, and MC knew all of his tells, he was about to cast the first strike. She leapt forward, knocking his wand arm sideways, just as a spell shot from the tip.

Two things happened at once. The Christmas tree exploded, shiny trinkets and sparks flying in all directions as Sebastian's spell hit it. The second thing was Leander, flying backwards, hitting the floor with a thud before sliding to a stop against the black metal fence.

Everyone had jumped backwards, shouting and calling out. MC spun, confused. How had the tree and Leander both been hit?

The answer was Poppy. She was standing just behind MC, her wand pointed towards Leander, her face set in ferocious determination.

"Poppy!" MC gasped.

Poppy scowled and lowered her wand. "He deserved it." It was scary how calm she sounded.

"Could someone please tell me what in Merlin's name is going on?" Ominis demanded.

MC looked to Sebastian, his face was flushed, his eyes flashing with fury. He locked gazes with her, his eyes softened a little, but he was wound up so tight, his chest heaving with his breaths.

She took a step towards him, hand outstretched. "Seb..."

"I can't do this," he muttered.

She frowned in confusion. "Do what?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry."

He turned and ran for the courtyard. MC stared after him for a moment, stunned. "No, wait!"

"Where's he going?" Poppy asked.

MC didn't know, but she was going to find out. She took off after him, her heart in her mouth. They had to talk. There was too much up in the air now, a swirl of emotions tumbled in her gut, and she needed some answers.

She could hear her name being shouted, but she ignored them, sprinting after Sebastian as he disappeared onto the covered bridge. His feet thundered across the wood, hers desperately chasing after him.

"Sebastian, wait, please." She panted. He was too fast, she would never catch him.

She pulled out her wand and flicked it towards his back. "Arresto Momentum!"

He slowed right down and she ran past him, spinning to a stop so she stood facing him. She gripped the front of his woolen jumper before releasing the spell. He staggered right into her, the pair of them stumbling chaotically into the barrier fence of the bridge.

She yelped as he crushed her, but she refused to let go of him, not wanting him to start running again.

"What the fuck?" He yelled. He gripped her wrist where she held him, straightening. "Let go."

They had fought before, many times, she wasn't afraid to bite back.

"You don't get to run away from me like that," she growled. "We need to talk."

"Okay, let's talk," he bit out. He thrust his face up close to hers. "Enjoyed kissing Weasley, did you? Didn't even hear the timer had run out."

She gasped and then scowled. "I didn't chase you down to talk about Garreth."

He pulled a sickening face and mimicked what she had said. "Oh, thank you, Garreth, that was nice!" Then his face twisted into something feral. "Beautiful bit of feedback. I bet you made his fucking night."

"It was just a game!" She protested.

"What about Halloween, MC? Huh? How did that feel? Was that nice, too? Or did I not live up to your standards? Maybe that was just a game too."

She gulped. His face was so close, his eyes blazing, the fury seeping from him in waves. Her waist was crushed up against the wooden railing behind her and the wind whipped freezing flakes through her flying hair.

"Seb..." She said, breathing so hard it hurt her lungs.

His fingers gripped her shoulders, shaking her a little. "Well? Tell me the truth. How did I make you feel?"

He looked desperate, wild. If she was honest, his intensity did scare her a little, and yet her body was firing up, heat exploding through her veins at the way he was pressed up against her. The memory of Halloween night made her lick her lips, and his gaze dropped to her mouth, his expression morphing into something darkly ravenous.

"You're..you're jealous," she gasped.

His hand gripped her face, his freezing fingers almost soothing against the burn of her cheeks. He dragged the pad of his thumb downwards over her lips, parting them. "You have no fucking idea," he groaned.

He trailed his thumb back along her lower lip, his eyes following the movement. "Watching him kiss you like that..." His own mouth moved lower, dipping towards hers. "I wanted to kill him, blast him right out of your arms."

Her fingers tightened their grip on his jumper, her heart felt like it was going to hammer its way right through her rib cage, and her mouth was tingling with anticipation at the thought that he was about to kiss her.

"You still haven't answered my question," he asked. His eyes lifted to hers. "How do I make you feel?"

She swallowed, the movement making her lips brush against his thumb. She whimpered a little. "Like...like my skin is going to burst into flame if you touch it," she admitted.

He slid his hand from her face, fingers trailing over her jaw and down to the column of her throat. "Like this?"

She sucked in a sharp breath, her throat working as he teased delicate finger tips up towards her ear. Her hips fidgeted against him. "Seb..."

His face moved even closer, the tip of his nose brushing against hers, his breath hot on her cold skin. She could smell the firewhiskey, the scent of his skin, her lips were hungry for a taste. Impatient, she moved to kiss him, but he pulled back from her a little, his lips twisting into a satisfied smirk.

"Hmm, you really want me to kiss you, don't you?"

"Isn't that what you want, too?"

"Aren't you scared about what that might mean? If we cross that line, MC, could we ever step back over it?"

"Since when have you ever paused before rushing in to something?"

He pulled back a little, the cold air rushing in to replace the warmth of his breath on her face. His face was conflicted. "I can't lose you," he whispered.

MC was done going over the same thing in her head and in her heart. He was going to send her crazy if they kept going round and round in circles like this. One of them had to take that leap, dive into the unknown and hope to Merlin that it wasn't an empty cloud, and they wouldn't tumble down to a nasty end.

She reached up to touch his face, finger tips trailing across his eyebrow and down to sweep across his cheekbone. How many times had she looked on this handsome face? She knew every line, every dip and curve. She knew his smile, his sadness, his fury, his determination and his pain. Just now, she had caught a glimpse of his desire in the way he had looked at her mouth. It made her tremble, ache sharply in places that needed a release she was sure only he could ease. She traced his freckles, sliding down to his lips. They were soft, inviting.

"You're not going to lose me," she promised.

He stared at her, eyes darkening, his head lowering down towards her again. He hesitated, a mere breath away from her lips, but she was done waiting. She pressed her mouth to his, lips tasting lips, a soft teasing taste.

They both paused and smiled. His body seemed to relax, moulding softly against her, like he was letting go of something that had held him in a tight grip.

His next kiss was firmer, hungrier, his hands holding her in a desperate grip. He moaned, deeply, his mouth parting and MC didn't hesitate. She claimed his mouth, so much pent up hunger pouring out of her as their tongues slid together. She moaned into his mouth, reaching up to grab his hair. She didn't think she would ever be able to stop. She had waited so long for this, finally, finally, she was getting what she really wanted.

She had taken the leap, dived head first into this with him, and he seemed to be right in it with her. If she fell, then she fell, as long as he was holding her like this, she reckoned she could take the hit.

To be continued... Part 3

[slytherin-simp]

Love Me, Love Me Not - Part One

This is for @applinsandoranges and her brilliant request.

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC 🌶🔥 NSFW

Blurb: She loves him, he loves her, but they are both too damn scared and stubborn to admit it. She finds solace in the arms of other boys, he just wants her to be happy - can these two idiots actually fess up and admit the truth?

Summer after 5th Year

Clouds of the purest white, fluffy and inviting, as though you could jump in and lose yourself in the softness, sailed lazily across a perfect summer sky. It was beautiful, pure, the air warm and balmy, but summer was fading out fast.

MC lay on her back, her eyes watching those peaceful clouds float by, her chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. She allowed a sense of peace to wash over her and she closed her eyes.

A voice, deep and raw, the tone familiar and holding all that held her heart hostage. "I will never be able to repay you, you know that, right? Everything you've done for me. My debt to you is limitless."

Her eyes opened. Those clouds may look inviting, but don't be fooled. Once you dive in, there is nothing to hold you in their fluffy depths, and you will soon be plummeting for the ground, reality rushing up to swallow you whole.

The magnitude of the last school year loomed over her. Her first year at Hogwarts had been a baptism of fire and death. And yet, here she was, laying on the grass, spending lazy summer days looking up at the sky, alive. Beside her, the boy who had stolen her heart and consumed it with fire and magic.

Sebastian Sallow. A boy with trauma in his past, a boy just as lost in the dark as she was, a kindred spirit that had somehow found her and woven his tragedy deeply with hers.

Her heart was his, and yet he did not know it. The words were there, at the back of her throat, tethered there by all the horrors they had been through.

So much darkness, so much death, so much to process under this peaceful summer sky. Too much death.

The words from her heart had to be swallowed down, harboured safely in the secret caverns of her chest. They both needed time. Time to grow up, time to heal, time to sort through the mess that had been scattered after that day in the catacombs, the horrors underneath Hogwarts. The grief, the loss, the pain, and the sacrifice.

Her hand fumbled out across the grass, fingers seeking out Sebastian's, taking them and holding them securely. She would always try to catch him when he stumbled.

"There is no debt to pay," she said, softly. "I would do it again, gladly. As far as anyone else is concerned, we were never in those catacombs. I will take our secret to my grave, and even then I will hold it tight in my death grip."

She stared at the sky, not daring to look at him, because her eyes would betray the love in her heart. His head turned towards her, she could feel the burn of his gaze. Her lips ached to kiss him, to taste him, to know him even deeper than she already did.

But it wasn't the right time. And, who knew? He may not feel the same. He was grateful, of course, but that didn't mean love. He was her friend, first and foremost, and to lose that was out of the question. She'd never had a best friend before him, never had the chance to. He was a friend so precious that she had lied to save him from a fate worse than death.

Why then would she risk losing him over something so small as a kiss? No. For now, she was content to lay under a peaceful sky and hold his hand. Alive.

....*....

One Year Later

This would be MC's third year at Hogwarts but the sight of the castle on the first day still made her stop for a moment, a small pause amid the chaos of students arriving in their droves, just a moment to appreciate the beauty of the place she thought of as home.

A bump from behind made her stagger a little and she turned to see a group of younger students, their eyes widening in recognition as they looked up at her, mumbling their apologies. She smiled and waved them off. No harm done. They continued to stare at her though, whispering behind their hands as they headed off towards the school. "That's her, that's the Hero of Hogwarts."

Sighing, still shying away from the hero worship that didn't sit right with her, she followed the students down the path. How was she a hero? She had blood on her hands, and plenty of it. She held secrets that would scare you more than a creepy bedtime story ever could.

Trauma, she had discovered, wasn't something you could just sweep under a carpet. No. It lingered in the shadows and leapt on you when you least expected it, lurked on the edge of your dreams, circling, waiting, always waiting.

Carrying such weight was hard. And sometimes you needed a release. MC was sure her methods were a little scandalous, definitely frowned upon in the Muggle world, but luckily, she didn't belong there anymore.

The Wizarding World was more accepting, more open, but it still had a sense of morality of course. She still had to be discreet. And she was. Mostly.

She had been rather good over the summer. Working in a cafe by the sea, lodging in a room above it, taking the time out to try and find herself. Becoming an adult came with its own problems, and she had discovered that drinking in bars and meeting charming young men had eased some of the insecurity that plagued her. It made her feel good, even if only for a little while. She absorbed their compliments, allowed them to spoil her, allowed them to hold her hand and charm her with soft words. A stolen kiss in the dark to chase the shadows away.

But never to come anywhere close to her heart. No. Her heart was still in the hands of Sebastian Sallow, and yes, he still had no idea he owned it.

....*....

Walking into the Slytherin common room was like stepping into home, and MC felt a smile tug at her lips, savouring the feel of the room around her. The energy of a new term was thick in the air, excited chatter and the meeting up of friends after two months apart made for a noisy atmosphere. But it felt good. It felt right.

"MC!"

Her heart skipped and stuttered in her chest. She spun, her eyes lighting up immediately at the sight of him. She hadn't seen him all summer and the ache of missing him had her running, arms out, her feet leaving the floor as she threw herself into his embrace.

Sebastian grunted at the impact, the rumble of his laughter pleasant against her chest as she squeezed him tight. She didn't care that others were staring. She was owed a Sebastian hug, it had been too long.

"I missed you, too," he said, chuckling.

She lifted her head to look at him more closely, her hands behind his neck, her feet dangling uselessly where he still held her. A little sigh escaped her. Oh, how beautiful he was!

His skin was sun kissed, a riot of freckles splashed across his nose, his features sharper, hardened into those of a man. But his eyes, they were still him, still sparkling with his mischief and warmth.

Realising she was just staring at him, grinning like an idiot, she ruffled his mop of brown hair, some of the strands tinted with gold. "Someone has been spending a lot of time out of doors," she said. "You have a tan."

His eyebrows flicked upwards playfully. "I've been working the fields. Got to earn honest coin somehow."

He placed her back on her feet and her hands slid down to his upper arms, her own eyebrows lifting at the firm muscle she could feel through the fabric of his shirt sleeves. She gave them a squeeze in appreciation. Working the fields felt good on him. In fact, she took a step back to study him a little closer and felt a flicker of fire twist into life within her. He had filled out more, his shoulders were wider, and damn if he didn't seem taller. He filled the space he stood in completely, and she was staring hungrily.

His cheeks reddened and she gave herself a mental shake. If she wasn't careful she would be drooling in a minute. She covered her obvious oogling with a little smile, a turn of her shoulder. Make it playful, make him smile. "Looking good, Sallow," she nodded. "Your Crossed Wands fan club are going to be swooning in the spectator stands."

His trademark smirk appeared and he took her arm, walking her towards the staircase. "That's alright, if they get too much for me I can just set my all powerful bodyguard on them." He gave her a little wink. "Come on, let's find Ominis. I'm starving and there is a seat in the Great Hall with my name on it."

Getting to their table was a flurry of hugs and greetings. MC, Natty and Poppy had stood in a three person hug, squeezing each other for so long that Sebastian had waded in, separating the girls, tugging MC possessively away. "Now, now, ladies," he chuckled. "You can catch up later. Now, MC and I need to eat."

Poppy and Natty exchanged a secret, knowing look and then they let MC go with promises to meet up the next day.

Ominis was already seated, looking as handsome and composed as ever. MC slid onto the bench next to him, her hand gentle on his arm. "Hello, Ominis," she greeted.

He smiled and nodded. "Good evening, MC," he said. "May I say, your new perfume is particularly lovely. I shall have to remember it. I had grown used to your previous scent."

"Thank you, Ominis. You always say the sweetest things."

He passed her the jug of juice. "How was your summer? You're owls were less frequent this time."

"Busy, I was working through most of it," she said. "But I am more than ready to get back into the swing of things here. I've missed you all so much."

Sebastian met her gaze and smiled. Yes. It was really good to be back.

....*....

Sebastian turned down the covers of his bed and slid between the sheets, the cool, clean linen of his pillow soft against his cheek. His drapes were still open on the side that faced Ominis and he watched as his friend climbed into his own bed.

"It feels good to be back this year," he said.

Ominis hummed in agreement. "Our last year," he said, thoughtfully. "It's a bit scary to tell you the truth. The big, wide world awaits."

"How bad can it be?" Sebastian grinned.

"Where you're concerned, anything is possible," Ominis sighed.

Sebastian smirked and wriggled a bit, getting comfortable, sleepiness making his eyes droop.

"Do you think this will be the year when you finally tell MC how you feel?"

Sebastian froze, his eyes opening wide to stare across at Ominis. Ominis lay with his head angled towards him, waiting for a reply.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Sebastian said.

Ominis sighed. "Of course you don't," he drawled. "Except, for me, it's so very obvious that you are ridiculously in love with her."

Sebastian rolled over to stare up at his canopy. Was he really that obvious? Maybe he needed to reign his affections back a touch then. He didn't want to scare her away. The thought of losing her made him feel sick to his stomach.

But, at the same time, his whole body ached for her. He closed his eyes, his mind replaying the moment she had spun to face him in the common room earlier. She was just perfect, so beautiful, and she had run to him, run right into his waiting arms. The feel of her softness pressed up against him like that had made his mind reel. For a split second, when she had stepped back from him, her eyes scanning him from head to toe, her hands feeling at the muscles in his arms, for that split second he had thought he saw something in her eyes. Desire? Want?

His heart had leaped, sped up. Did she want him too?

But then she had turned playful, flirty, the look gone, if it had been there at all.

He rubbed at his face with his hands and turned to look over at Ominis. "Maybe it's not love, Ominis. Maybe it's just...I don't know. A crush?"

"Oh, Sebastian, it's not a crush, and you know it," Ominis said. He leant up onto one elbow to face Sebastian. "And I will tell you right now, if you don't say something to her, then someone else is going to beat you to it. Someone else is going to snap her up and then you will have lost your chance."

Sebastian scowled. The very idea of another man touching MC waking up a rage in his gut that made him feel nauseous. Ominis was right. Wasn't he always? MC was highly eligible. Who wouldn't want her?

He rolled over, thumping at his pillow a bit before settling down. The sleepiness was gone. He lay there and thought about MC, his demons hovering in the corner, waiting to pounce.

....*....

The whip of brooms speeding past filled the air, the whack of the Beaters, and the shouts of the team joining the din of Quidditch. MC sat in the stands watching Sebastian speed through the air, his arm swinging the bat to whack a bludger back towards his opponent. His face was set with intent, a grunt leaving his mouth as he hit it, the crack of the impact ricocheted across the stadium.

MC bit her lower lip. Watching him was stirring up feelings. Hot feelings. She felt her cheeks flush with heat. She had been kissed by some handsome lads during the summer, but none of them had fired her up as quick he did. And he hadn't even touched her like that. Like she wanted him to.

Then he was gone, zooming off, the chants of the spectators rising as Hufflepuff took a shot at goal, but the Slytherin keeper saved it. MC shot to her feet, a cheer bursting from her lips at the cracking save. She shook her Slytherin scarf with pride and the Keeper, Andrew Clemmens, looked her way, giving her a cheeky wink. MC laughed and waved at him.

The game continued, Slytherin dominating the play, Hufflepuff struggling under the relentless stamina of her house. Imelda was like a roaring dragon, driving her team with a mad gleam in her eye. It paid off. Slytherin caught the Snitch. They were victorious!

As the team were heading off for the changing rooms, MC elbowed her way through the mass of students milling about to find Sebastian. He had earned a congratulatory hug, but she couldn't see him, craning her neck over many heads, her hands tugging at her scarf.

"Hey, MC."

She turned and looked up at Andrew Clemmens, the Slytherin Keeper. He gave her a smile. He was cute, soft, dark curls framing a handsome face, eyes like a stormy sky. He was well built, a strong neck and tall, very tall. Her lips curved upwards in a return smile. "Nice save earlier, Clemmens," she said.

"Thanks. I saw you cheering," he said. He glanced about, rubbing the back of his head. "Are you coming to the after party?"

"Wouldn't miss it," she said. Her brow creased slightly. "Have you seen Seb? I was hoping to catch him."

"Oh, er, I think he has gone in to change already," he said. He hesitated. "Are you and him a thing?"

MC flushed. "Oh, no. No, we're not a thing. Just friends." She inwardly cringed. The irony of everyone assuming that was the case was not lost on her. She was faced with similar questions on the regular.

Andrew's eyebrows lifted a little, a smile widening his lips. "Oh, okay, well...maybe I will catch up with you later at the party then?"

She stared up at Andrew. She wished he made her heart beat faster, it would make things a lot easier for her if he did, but no. However, she found herself nodding and said she would see him later. His smile was dazzling, and she watched him walk off, knowing without a doubt that she might well catch up with him later, but she couldn't give him her whole self.

....*....

The way MC had smiled at Andrew Clemmens, the way she had stood and watch him walk off, it made Ominis' words ring in his ears. Somebody else would try to win MC's heart. Sebastian's hands were clenched at his sides as he watched them talk. Was Andrew swooping in to make a claim on her?

Sebastian had been about to go to her, celebrate the win with her before changing, but now he was wound so tightly he would probably say something stupid. The best thing to do would be to go shower, cool off, then find her at the party afterwards.

But then, she was turning, her eyes scanning the crowd and seeing him standing there. Her face brightened and she was skipping towards him. She flicked her scarf up and over his head, wrapping it about his neck. "Why, hello, Beater boy," she sang. "How's it feel to be a winner?"

Her smile was infectious, he couldnt help but return it. "It feels pretty damn good, I must say."

She giggled and tugged on the scarf, he was pulled a little closer. Her face was close, close enough to lean in and kiss her. Fuck, he wanted to. He really would be a winner then, better than any match win.

"Going to the after party?" She asked.

He nodded. "You?"

"Want me to wait, or shall I meet you there?"

He wanted her to wait, no, he wanted to sneak her in to the changing rooms, smuggle her into a cubicle, press her up against his body, naked and wet. Fuck the party.

He reached up to rub a hand against his forehead, his thoughts making his blood feel hot and thick in his veins. "Meet you there?"

Oh, Sallow, you idiot!

She nodded and slid the scarf free of his neck, the scent of her wafting up from the wool to drive him wild. She prodded his chest with a finger. "No getting waylaid by your little fan club and leaving me waiting," she teased. She glanced to one side where a group of 5th year girls were staring and whispering, little flushed cheeks and admiring eyes.

MC's flirting was doing things to him, twisting his insides up into tight knots. He couldn't care less about this so called fan club. She was the only girl he wanted to kiss. But his jealousy was scraping nails through his thoughts. Did she flirt with Andrew like this? Did she give him that same smile?

"Won't you have Andrew Clemmens to keep you company if I'm not there?"

The words had left his tongue before he even realised they were there. Her face fell a little, her brow creasing, and her cheeks flooded with a rosy blush. "What?"

The words were out there now. Too late to pull them back. He shrugged, trying desperately to look as if he didn't care. But he did care. He cared a lot. "You two looked fairly cosy. Don't let me stand in your way."

She stared up at him, a shadow passing through her eyes, and then she straightened. She wrapped the scarf around her own neck and gave him a tight smile. "Since when do I ever let anyone stand in my way? I'll see you later."

And then she was gone, striding across the grounds, away from him. He watched her go for a minute, cursing his stupid mouth, before heading to go and change.

....*....

The Slytherin common room was a riot of noise, flags hanging from wherever they were thrown, plenty of refreshments, including more than one flask of firewhiskey being passed around the older students.

MC managed to snag one and took a long drag, calming her frayed nerves.

Could she have been any more obvious? Putting her scarf around his neck, tugging him closer, asking to wait for him. Why hadn't he kissed her for Merlin's sake?

And then, to top it all off, he had mentioned Andrew, telling her he wouldn't stand in her way. In other words, go snog him, I don't care.

If it didn't make her feel so wretched she might have actually laughed. She really needed to stop trying to send him signals. He clearly didn't want them.

He was her best friend. She had been desperately trying to not fuck it up for two years now. Maybe she needed to accept that this is how they were supposed to be.

Slapping a brave face on it, she smiled, she drank, and she sang along with the bawdy songs. She didn't see Sebastian, he hadn't showed up yet. Must have been giving her plenty of time to catch up with Andrew.

Speaking of which, there was the Keeper, swigging from a flask of fire whiskey. She found herself wandering his way, his smile aimed right at her. She smiled back and he offered her the flask.

Just like during the summer, she covered her pain with a handsome face, seeking comfort in their playful flirting, giving as good as she got.

When Andrew bent down to whisper in her ear, asking her if she wanted to go some place a little quieter, she nodded, her hand sliding into his. Grinning, he tugged her through the still rowdy party, and along towards his dormitory.

When his lips found hers she closed her eyes and tried not to think too much, because if she did, it would be Sebastian's face she saw behind her eyelids, and not Andrew's.

....*....

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since the Quidditch match and Sebastian could feel a shift in his friendship with MC. She was always busy, her presence most definitely missed by his side, and he hated it.

She hadn't said anything to suggest she was cross with him, always had a smile and friendly word for him, but he felt like she was slipping through his fingers, drifting away from him. He didn't know how to pull her back.

Neither of them had mentioned Andrew Clemmens again, but Sebastian had heard she disappeared with him from the party. One of the crates in the Undercroft had been shattered into tiny pieces after that tasty piece of gossip.

They didn't seem to be a couple, they didn't spend a lot of time together, but Sebastian did not like the way Andrew smiled at her. He didn't like it one bit.

To distract himself, Sebastian threw himself into his studying. Final year meant exams, important ones, and Sebastian did not want to spend the rest of his life farming in fields. He had higher hopes for himself, and that meant getting his head down and putting in the work.

He was laying on his bed, head resting on a hand reading a text book, when Ominis came in, wand out. "Ah good, you're here, Sebastian," he said. He moved to join him, sitting on the edge of his bed. He grimaced. "I've just had a chat with Sharp about my Potions assignment. It was better than last time, but still not up to standard. I'm getting rather vexed about it to tell the truth. Do you still have that book we used last time? I wouldn't mind another read of it."

Sebastian sat up, thinking. "I may have returned it to the library already. I don't recall seeing it in the Undercroft."

"Hmm, that's a shame. Perhaps I should go and hunt it out."

"Would you like me to go?" Sebastian offered. "I was going to head to the library anyway and look up a few things. Might as well give old Scribner the wind up while I'm there."

Ominis sighed. "That poor woman. Why must you bother her so?"

Sebastian smirked. "She loves me really, and anyway, it's my last year. I can't disappoint her now, I've got a reputation to uphold."

"Just try to avoid detention,' Ominis said. "I thought you could aim for a whole term without one this year."

Sebastian slid from his bed and clapped a hand to Ominis' shoulder. "I love your optimism, my friend. But, you know me. I'm not usually put off by a little detention."

....*....

"Psst."

MC turned and quickly ducked as a little ball of parchment paper sailed towards her and bounced onto her text books. She snatched up the paper, smoothing it out to see words scrawled in ink. 'You look sexy when you're concentrating.'

MC fought the smirk that tried to lift her lips. She looked across the library to where Andrew Clemmens was sitting, his own study books out on his table. He was sitting relaxed, his chair tipped back a little as he gazed across at her. He winked and she shook her head, still fighting that smirk.

They had kissed a few times, but she had told him she didn't want anything serious, and definitely didn't want it to be public knowledge. Her excuse? Well, being the hero of Hogwarts made her prime gossip material, so it was better to be discreet.

Mostly, she wasn't sure she wanted Sebastian to know about it. Knowing she was kissing other boys might make him think less of her. Despite trying her best to bury her feelings, her heart ached for him. She missed him, but being close to him made it harder to try and forget how much she burned for him. So, she had been avoiding him a bit. It was killing her to do it too.

Andrew was a distraction. A bit of fun. She thought he would grow bored with her, fed up with being a secret. Oddly, he seemed to love it.

Feeling bored with her study and acting on her mischievous streak, MC stood up, picked up a book and walked past Andrew's table. She gave him a little smile, her eyes indicating to follow, and she moved towards a quiet part of the library.

There was an alcove, right near some old texts that people rarely looked at. Not quite the restricted section, but a good spot for hiding none the less. She moved behind the bookshelves and didn't have to wait long before Andrew joined her.

He glanced at the books, trailing a finger along the old, dusty spines. "And what are you going to study in here?" He asked. His grin was playful.

She reached out and gave his tie a little tug. "I can think of a few things."

His hands moved to her waist and she tilted her head back. "I can think of more than a few things," he murmured.

He kissed her firmly, backing her up against the bookcase. She slid her arms around his neck, their tongues meeting in a deeper kiss.

Andrew must have been feeling bold, because he slid his hands down to cup her arse, squeezing gently. He moaned a little, pressing his hips against her. His mouth moved to her jaw, pressing kisses down to her neck.

MC felt a flash of panic. She didn't want him to mark her. "Easy," she whispered.

He licked up the length of her neck, kissing behind her ear. His fingers moved to the waistband of her skirt, thumb tracing lazy circles before he tugged her blouse free.

She gasped. He chuckled against her neck. "It's alright," he said. He slid a hand under her blouse, his fingers hot through the thin fabric of her chemise as he caressed her waist.

She opened her mouth to tell him to stop and then froze at the sound of footsteps. Andrew hadn't heard them, he was still kissing her neck, his hand sliding higher under her blouse, rucking the material up against his wrist.

Shit! She made a grab for his arm, ready to pull away and then the footsteps rounded the bookcase and came to a sudden stop.

Oh gods, no! No, not Sebastian, not him!

"Oh, fuck," she gasped. She shoved Andrew forcibly away from her, her gaze locked on to Sebastian's as he stood there, dumbstruck.

Andrew looked up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Oh, Sallow, it's only you." He breathed out a relieved chuckle. "Thought you were Scribner for a moment. That would have been awkward."

"And this isn't?" Sebastian asked, quietly. Too quietly.

MC cringed, her heart a twisted thing in her chest. Of all the people to walk around that corner. Why did it have to be him? She would have taken a months detention any day over this. The look on his face cut her like a Diffindo spell.

"Sebastian," she said. Her voice sounded like a plea. She even held out her hand a bit towards him.

Sebastian looked at her hand, his gaze lifting to meet hers once more before he stepped up to the bookcase beside her. His eyes were blank, cold even. He scanned the books before sliding an old volume off the shelf. "Don't mind me," he said. "Just pretend I was never here."

And then he was gone. His footsteps fading as he walked away.

MC felt tears burn the backs of her eyes. It felt like something had been ripped, a wound opened and left to sting, a gap widening between them. She didn't think she could bear it. She wanted to shout his name and make him come back. But what if he didn't? What if he ignored her? That would be worse. So she didn't make a sound.

"That was a close one," Andrew said. He grinned. "Now, where were we?"

He reached for her and she immediately slapped his hand away. He jumped. "What the...?"

MC hurriedly shoved her blouse back into her skirt and threw a cold glare at Andrew. "Enough," she snapped. "We're done."

He frowned in confusion. "What? Is this because Sallow saw us? He won't tell."

"No, he won't tell," she said. Of that she could be certain. "But, what if it hadn't been him?"

He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "Are you sure there is nothing going on between you and Sallow?"

Her throat tightened. Oh, she was sure, now even more so. "I'm sorry, Andrew. I can't do this anymore."

Without a backward glance she walked quickly away from him. So much for not fucking things up.

....*....

The Undercroft was blistering hot, smoke and ash thick in the air. The whole place was a wreck, crates splintered, books scattered, feathers from exploded pillows drifting through the smog of his spell casting.

Sebastian was soaked in sweat, his hair stuck to his forehead, beads of it dripping off his face. Despite his furious blasting, his stomach was still clenched tight, his stance rigid. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Andrew Clemmens with his hand up MC's blouse, her face flushed, bodies pressed close.

He gritted his teeth. He had dreamed of doing something similar with her once, a hot, suffocating dream. Seeing her reenact it with another man made him feel sick, the bile stinging the back of his throat.

His shoulders slumped as he realised he had no right to be this furious. She didn't belong to him. She wasn't his. And that was his own damn fault. Hadn't Ominis warned him? He stared at the devastation he had caused in the room and sighed. If either her or Ominis were to see this, they would want to know why, and he wasn't ready for the answers to those questions. He lifted his wand. This was going to require a fair few Reparo spells.

Undercroft all fixed and looking as though a Sebastian sized storm hadn't blasted through it, he made his way to the Great Hall for dinner. He wasn't particularly hungry, but he had to show his face. He had to smooth over the cracks in his heart and make it alright. He couldn't lose her.

She was there, sitting next to Ominis, looking composed and neatly dressed. His jaw clenched, the image of her all flustered trying to crowd his thoughts. He climbed onto the bench opposite her, and she looked up, pausing her conversation with Ominis. He almost flinched. She looked scared for a split second. It was a rare emotion on her face, but it flitted across her features, and then was gone.

His resolve to make things right strengthened. He smiled, the movement effortless, a well practised lie to cover up his boiling emotions. "And what are you two whispering about?"

He reached for a bread roll and pulled it open.

"My Potions assignment," Ominis replied. "MC kindly offered to help."

Sebastian turned his gaze to her and lifted an eyebrow, his smirk teasing. "I'm surprised you can find the time."

She blushed, her eyes skipping awkwardly away. "You're not funny, Sallow," she grumbled.

Ominis tilted his head. "Am I missing something?"

Sebastian wanted to punch something, he flexed his fingers, his smile cool and controlled. "MC seems to have found herself a boyfriend, that's all."

"He is not my boyfriend," she said, quickly. "In fact, he isn't anything. I won't be meeting with him anymore."

Interesting. Sebastian shrugged and popped a piece of bread roll into his mouth. Ominis was switching his interest between the two of the them, soaking up the vibes. He would definitely have something to say once he got him alone. Sebastian was determined to avoid that until he had the will to face it.

"That's a shame," Sebastian said. "There is a market and fair on in Hogsmeade at the weekend, I was going to suggest you invited your new man to join us. Never mind."

The lie almost stuck in his throat. He would rather swim with Dugbogs.

MC frowned at him. "How very welcoming of you," she said. She screwed up her napkin and dropped it onto her plate, food half eaten. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some things to see to."

She climbed off the bench, her mouth tight. Sebastian was trying to be nice, what was wrong with her? "I'll see you later, then," he said.

She threw him a look over her shoulder that almost made him flinch and then she put a gentle hand on Ominis' shoulder. "Meet me later and we will look at your assignment."

Ominis nodded. "Thank you, I appreciate the help."

MC left the Great Hall and Sebastian tossed down his bread roll, shaking his head. Maybe he should have just raged in front of her, at least he might have got some kind of reaction other than just coldness.

"Is this about Andrew Clemmens?" Ominis asked.

Sebastian stared at him. "You literally know everything, don't you?"

Ominis smirked. "Knowledge is power my friend," he said. Then he frowned. "If only that applied to my Potions work as well."

"I caught them kissing," Sebastian admitted, quietly.

"Hmm, well it sounds like that won't be happening again anytime soon," Ominis mused.

"You believe her?" Sebastian asked.

"Why would she lie?"

Sebastian shrugged. "I don't know."

Ominis sighed and shook his head, patting his mouth with his napkin and preparing to stand. "Honestly Sebastian, you're supposed to be smart."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll figure it out, hopefully." Ominis shook his head again and left Sebastian sitting at the table, a thoroughly confused frown on his face.

....*....

MC held out some kibble to the kneazle that was curling about her ankles, the interaction with the beasts calming her nerves. She hadn't meant to cry about it, but a twenty minute sniffle session in the bathroom had been unavoidable. How could she love Sebastian, but at the same time want to slap him across his smirking, handsome face?

He didnt feel the same way about her as she felt about him. Her heart squeezed painfully. His acceptance of Andrew had been like a cold bucket of water in her face. She tried to picture a jolly outing to Hogsmeade, Andrew at her side, Sebastian making jokes, and she just couldn't see it. There was something very wrong about the idea. But, he had offered that scenario up with a smile.

It was time to face the hard truth. She had to bury her love for him. Bury it deep. She winced, bending down to stroke the kneazle, scratching behind its ear. She might as well try and stop breathing, because switching off her feelings for him was going to be like being starved of air.

....*....

Halloween. Always an excuse to party, and being their last year, the students in 7th year were planning a little party of their own. Taking place after the feast, they had organised a place, just far enough from the school. A little tent near the edge of the Black Lake, innocent looking enough, until you stepped inside.

Decorated with pumpkin lanterns, garlands of flowers and spider webs, creepy candles, all manner of curiosities placed around, the party tent looked spectacular. MC had taken some inspiration from the gothic Victorian Muggle movement, and it had a creepy effect on their party space.

After the feast, MC, Poppy and Natty met up, giggling and whispering excitedly as they headed down towards the lake. MC was wearing a black dress, the corset adorned with lace and silver pearls, green ribbon tied through the laces. It pushed up her breasts rather scandalously, and she was showing much more skin than usual.

"Blimey, MC," Poppy giggled. "You're going to have no trouble finding a snogging partner tonight."

MC grinned wickedly. "That's the plan."

Natty frowned. "What about that Gryffindor boy you were courting?"

"Thomas? Pfft! We weren't courting," MC said. "I merely snogged him a few times. There is a difference."

Poppy put a hand over her mouth, giggling. "Oh MC, I wish I was as brave as you when it came to boys."

Brave? She wasn't brave. She was a fool. Hiding behind her flirting and kissing boys in broom cupboards was not being brave. Inside, she was quietly screaming. It didn't matter how many boys she turned a smile to, Sebastian Sallow was the boy who haunted her dreams, his was the face she saw when she closed her eyes at night.

Their friendship was a little strained lately, she found it harder and harder to be close to him. It was breaking her heart but she found she was spending less and less time with her best friend. And that was what she had wanted to avoid, wasn't it?

Ominis suspected, she knew he did, but he never pushed her for details, and she certainly didn't want to drag him into this mess. It would be highly unfair to place him between her and Sebastian.

Tonight, she wanted to drink, she wanted to dance, and she wanted to enjoy time with her friends. That wasn't too much, was it?

She turned to Poppy. "Got your eye on someone, Poppy?" She flashed a cheeky smirk. "Who is it?"

Poppy blushed a deep, rosy pink. She stuttered a little. "Oh, well...maybe."

MC squealed and squeezed her friends arm. "Oh, come on, don't leave me hanging!"

Poppy gave a nervous glance towards Natty, MC looked between them. "Who is it?"

Poppy winced. "Sebastian," she mumbled. She looked down, blushing harder. "I'm so sorry."

MC sucked in a quick breath, almost losing her step on the rough pathway, but caught herself in time. Ice spread along her spine. "Why...why should you be sorry? Sebastian is quite the catch."

Her voice sounded off to her own ears. She swallowed, hoping the other girls wouldn't notice her crippling shock.

"Sebastian was only one boy I thought might make for a lovely kissing partner," Poppy said, quickly. "But I also quite like Leander too. He has been very sweet to me lately, helping with the beasts. I think Leander is the more likely candidate. Sebastian isn't going to be interested in a girl like me. He is so handsome, highly eligible, he can have his pick of ladies I'm sure."

MC's lips felt stiff. The idea of Sebastian mulling over his pick of ladies made her skin itch and crawl. But, also the shock of realising that day was going to come hit her like a Bombarda spell. And she thought things were difficult now?

"I...er...I think Sebastian is indeed an eligible option," she managed to say. She looked at her friend, noting the awkward cringe on her face. She sighed and put her arm around Poppy. "Don't ever put yourself down like that, Poppy. If Sebastian thinks you're not good enough, then he is even more of an idiot than I thought."

Poppy managed a shy smile before looking at MC a little more closely. "You're not cross with me?"

"Why in Merlin's name would I be cross with you?"

Poppy and Natty exchanged a look. "Well, you and Sebastian have always been so very close..."

MC forced a chuckle and waved her hand dismissing her words. "Oh, Poppy, in case you hadn't noticed, I've been snogging my way through the Quidditch team boys. Sebastian couldn't care less. Of course I am not cross."

Poppy and Natty exchanged another meaningful look and MC decided that she'd had more than enough of this conversation. She tugged on Poppy's arm. "Come on, that's enough boy talk. Let's get to this party. I need a drink, the quicker the better."

....*....

Poppy and Natty watched as MC made a beeline for the drink table, scooping punch into a glass and downing it in a few gulps.

"You're a very good actress, Poppy," Natty said.

Poppy shrugged. "At least we got what we wanted," she said. She looked up at Natty. "You were right. She is mad for him."

"I would say she cares a lot for you too, my friend," Natty said. "Despite trying to cover up her true feelings, she was quick to jump to your defence."

Poppy grimaced. "I know. Makes me feel bad for deceiving her like that."

"Don't worry, it's not like you're actually going to sink your teeth into Sebastian now, is it. Leander on the other hand..."

The girls looked at each other and giggled.

....*....

The party had descended into a sultry, alcohol infused vibe. Couples danced close together, the lighting now dimmer, shadows reaching out from corners to cloak the wandering hands and stolen kisses. It was still packed out inside the tent. 6th years had found their way in, making the most of the night, or what was left of it.

Sebastian pressed his way through the throng of dancers, bodies hot and writhing. The atmosphere was thick, so thick you could taste it, and he debated bailing. Ominis had left about an hour ago, tiring of the shenanigans. But, he couldn't leave without one more look for her.

The sight of her in that tight black dress had nearly stopped his heart. She was so fucking beautiful, and bordering on scandalous with the amount of flesh she had on show. She had proved popular with the lads, and his ears had bled with the comments he had overheard.

The last time he had seen her she had been refilling her glass from the punch bowl, staggering a little, clearly drunk. He had asked her if she was alright and she had giggled, patted his cheek and insisted she was fine.

She was vulnerable in that state. The thought of someone taking advantage of that vulnerability had his fists clenched tight at his sides.

One more quick check and then maybe call it a night.

"There you are." A soft giggle, a hand on his upper arm. He would know that voice anywhere.

He met her gaze, her eyes were lidded, burning with something that made his insides turn molten. His eyes dropped to her mouth, her lips were slightly parted, welcoming. He licked his own lips. "There you are," he returned.

She leant in close, her mouth near his ear. "Dance with me," she urged.

Her arms snaked up around his neck and she pressed herself against him. His hands found her waist, his fingers flexing over the bones of her corset. Her smile was going to be his undoing.

They began to move, her hips a devastating tease against him, and he gulped. Heat spread through his blood, firing up every nerve ending until his ears were roaring with his pulse. Hadn't he just been prowling the dance floor trying to prevent someone doing this exact thing with her?

Her eyes locked with his, and his grip on her tightened, urging her as close as possible. She was intoxicating, irresistible. She rolled her hips and a groan slipped from his lips, a noise he hoped was swallowed in the throbbing sounds that surrounded them.

One of her hands slid downwards, over his shoulder to smooth over his chest. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his vest, holding him tightly. The blood in his veins was pulsing hotly, flooding downwards towards his pants. He could feel himself tightening, his arousal growing uncomfortable in the restriction of his clothing.

She moved her head closer, the warmth of her breath fanning across his throat. His heart hammered wildly, he smoothed a hand up and around to press against the bare flesh of her shoulder blades. Her skin was hot, feverish and impossibly soft.

She sighed against him, her head tilting, exposing her neck, her body a writhing, pulsing thing in his arms. He thought he might actually explode, his desire a roaring desperate thing. He stared at the flesh of her neck, smooth, inviting. He clenched his jaw, the need to claim that neck with his mouth made his tongue burn.

Other dancers jostled against them, they staggered a little, his arms tightened around her, protecting her his first instinct. She gasped, pressing impossibly closer, and somehow, his head had dipped, his mouth a breath away from the skin of her neck.

The temptation overwhelmed him and he sank his mouth against her flesh, lips sliding over the skin, tongue swirling until he drew her skin upwards in a desperate suck. She was divine, his eyes rolled at the taste and the scent of her this close. His cock twitched hungrily in his pants.

Her head rolled backwards, a long breathless moan leaving her lips, her fingers sliding upwards to grip his hair.

He sucked her, hard, his mouth moving to taste as much skin as possible. He was like a man starved, his tongue swirling over the reddened flesh to soothe her. He pressed hot kisses all the way up, the softness of her hair against his nose as he buried his face below her ear, breathing in deeply. He could hear her panting, her fingers twisting painfully in his hair.

He was lost, drifting in a haze of fire, the hand on her waist lowered, gripping her hip, grinding her against his arousal. He was so desperate for the friction he couldn't help it. She drove him crazy.

Her small cry of pleasure sounded in his ear. He'd made her do that, she wanted it. His teeth sank into her earlobe and tugged.

How was this happening? She was rubbing against him, seeking his arousal and grinding tightly against it. His control nearly slipped completely. Images of her doing this naked, her hair spread out against his bed sheets, seared across his mind. He could feel his underwear growing damp, his cock twitching and leaking against her movements.

"MC," he murmured hotly. They had to stop. It had to stop before he lost all control. But, fuck, did this feel good. If he could freeze the moment, savour it, hold her like this forever, he would die a happy man.

To be continued...... Part 2

[slytherin-simp]

(Sebastian in detention for fighting)

Professor Hecat: All of you please begin writing lines on the parchment in front of you, when you’re done-

Professor Sharp: *enters the classroom looking pissed off* Another two here for you professor!

(Ominis and MC walk in)

Professor Hecat: My word! Well, in you both come. Get your quills out.

MC: *sitting beside Sebastian in a huff*

Ominis: *sits beside MC* I cannot believe this.

Sebastian: *curious af* Why hello there my dear friends who keep lecturing me about detention. *smirks* What brings you both here?

Ominis: Little miss fists of fury here. *nodding at MC* After you finished fighting that Gryffindor a group of girls were talking shit about you and she got into a scuffle with one of them.

Sebastian: *impressed* Good to know I can count on you to defend my honour MC.

MC: *writing lines* Shut up Sebastian.

Sebastian: So then why are you here Ominis?

Ominis: The girls boyfriend got involved.

Sebastian: *shocked* You had a fight???

MC: *still not looking up from her parchment* That would’ve been better than what he actually did…

Ominis: Oh give off MC I panicked.

Sebastian: What did you do?

Ominis: *sheepishly* I cast serpensortia…

MC: Yeah…ten times! He commanded an army of fucking snakes Sebastian! To deal with one boyfriend!

Ominis: I PANICKED!

.

[slytherin-simp]

Ominis “I Hate My Family” Gaunt and Sebastian “My Family Hates Me” Sallow

[slytherin-simp]

Gryffs trying to set up a prank for the Slyths 💚

With Sebastian and Ominis finding out and being weird creeps to them 🤣

(Down some darkened private hallway)

Leander: Do you really think it's going to work?

Garreth: I don't see why not? They're always pranking us..We need to fight back.

Leander: I totally agree..Come on then, let's do it.

Ominis: *out of nowhere behind them* Hello Boys! *smirks*

Leander: *shouts in surprise*

Garreth: HOLY shit!

Ominis: What are YOU two talking about?

Leander: Nothing.

Garreth: Yeah nothing..We were just..Hanging out.

Sebastian: *out of nowhere, stood behind them on the other side now* Oh really?

Leander: *shouts in surprise again*

Garreth: Fuck!

Leander: Jesus! Where did you both even come from?

Ominis: We're the shadows that follow you around, Leander *wicked grin*

Garreth: But you both just appeared out of LITERALLY nowhere?!

Sebastian: *sinful smile* we always know, where you two are..

Leander: You're creeping me out! *frowns*

Garreth: FACTS! How'd you even know we were here!?

Ominis: We know all..Garreth.

Sebastian: We're the ghosts..Lingering in your thoughts.

Garreth: FUCK this *runs*

Leander: GAZ! WAIT UP! *runs*

Sebastian and Ominis: *smirking at eachother*

[slytherin-simp]

I’m not sure if a lot of the subcategories of Harry Potter/Wizarding World fan fiction have a lot of Taylor Swift themes/titles or if it’s really just the good ol’ algorithm, but when I see HL fics/one shots with Taylor titles/lyrics, it makes my swiftie heart happy

[slytherin-simp]

The struggle to remain an Ominis girlie is real.