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fierymiasma · 1 year

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❀ And You Look Fetching in Yellow ❀ // Sebastian Sallow x f!MC

Summary: Hogwarts couples exchange scarves to signify their intention with each other. Unfortunately for Sebastian, MC is new to the whole magic thing.

It's been weeks since Sebastian had gifted her his scarf. And yet nothing romantic has happened between them.

How was she supposed to know that she had to give him something in return?

Part 1: You Look Better In Green

♪ Tags: Slight Dark!Sebastian, angst, sadness, manipulation, making out, heartbreak

Word Count: 5k

|| Masterlist || AO3 ||

"Did you see what the new girl was wearing?"

"Obviously, do I look like I live under a troll's bridge? The whole school is talking about it!"

Sebastian preened, sitting a bit straighter in his seat. He had been lounging on a bench with Ominis in the Dark Arts Tower, bored out of his mind. About ten paces away, a gaggle of 3rd year girls were giggling and loudly whispering amongst themselves. The student body of Hogwarts never had anything better to do then to guess who started courting who. Sebastian had never cared much about this (often incorrect) news, having always found it dull.

But it was looking like Hogwarts was just about to get bit more interesting.

"What was she wearing?" one of the shorter girls asked.

"She was wearing a Slytherin scarf!" another whispered conspiratiously as if it was an unspeakable secret.

There were gasps around the group. The new Hufflepuff student? Wearing Slytherin's green and silver scarf? It could only mean one thing.

"Ohhhh, she's seeing from someone from Slytherin." There was much fervent whispering.

"I bet so many hearts are crushed now. Someone finally got to her first."

Sebastian couldn't' help but puff out his chest. Finally, in his time as a 6th year at Hogwarts, the natural order of things were being corrected. No longer did he have to worry seeing his Hufflepuff in ugly red and yellow.

"Who do you reckon gave it to her?" one of the Ravenclaws bounced on the tip of her toes.

"Well, there's not that many Slytherin boys that she associates herself with."

Sebastian grinned. He leaned back against the wall, crossing his hands behind his head. He was constantly next to her side whether that meant on the battlefield or at the library. His devotion to her had most definitely discouraged any potential suitors who thought they were worthy of wasting her time. An effortless arm thrown around her shoulder. His coarse hand tucking a strand of hair behind her ears. His chin resting on her much shorter head. Now that the whole school knew that the most amazing girl in all of Hogwarts history was his, Sebastian's worries could finally-

"I heard from someone in Charms that it's Ominis."

Sebastian stilled. What?

There were squeals of delight.

"Of course! That makes so much sense! They look so cute together!"

Sebastian scowled. No they didn't.

"Awww, I'm so happy for them. I bet he swept her off her feet!"

"It's the eyes isn't it? All the Gaunt kids have those gorgeous eyes."

In Sebastian's personal opinion, blue eyes were incredibly overrated.

"That makes so much sense! They're always in the library studying together."

One of their voices took a cheekily tone. "Studying? Is that what the kids are calling it now a days?"

Yes, Ominis and his Hufflepuff were always studying together, only because Sebastian invited both of his best friends to his study session.

The group of girls all squealed bouncing up and down like a group of Puffskeins. They were loud and annoying enough that Professor Hecat had opened the doors to her classroom. With heavy scolding, the professor shooed them outside, to spread their gossip elsewhere in the castle no doubt.

Sebastian felt as though he took a troll club to the head. That was his green scarf around his Hufflepuff. It was Sebastian's scarf that she was wearing every day. Not Garret's. Not Natty's. Not even Ominis's. It was Sebastian's. Turning to stare at his best friend, he was startled to find that Ominis was still engrossed in his book. The other boy looked completely at ease, as if Sebastian's entire life hadn't been entirely upended.

"What," Sebastian spat through gritted teeth, "in Merlin's name, was that all about?"

·͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙

The hero of Hogwarts laid on her back like a starfish on the grounds of the Transfiguration courtyard. Having successfully commandeered a quiet corner of the courtyard with Natty and Poppy, she tried her best to relax between classes. Poppy was playing with Gerald. Natty attempted hastily to finish her astronomy homework before the next toll of the bell. The ancient magic user scowled at the bright blue cloudless sky as if it personally had cursed her.

She was still wearing Sebastian's scarf. The new Hufflepuff hadn't taken it off since Sebastian had kindly (or possessively?) wrapped it around her. His signature bergamot and oak scent was starting to fade.

She had learned quite quickly the ins and outs of courting at Hogwarts thanks to her friends. Coming from the muggle world, it was dizzyingly confusing all the fake rules that witches and wizards put upon themselves. She wasn't sure if it was wizard conservatism or teenage boredom that forced the students of Hogwarts to play these stupid courting games.

Wearing another House's colors was a walking advertisement to the rest of Hogwarts that you were officially being pursued by classmate of another House. The second that a Gryffindor was caught wearing green and silver or a Ravenclaw was caught wearing red the whole school would erupt in commotion and gossip.

In her opinion, the student body of Hogwarts needed to go outside more. Experience some of the real world for once.

After all it was their coy games that put her in this whole mess. She thought, as any rational being would, that after a whole year's worth of 'dates', alone, unsupervised, not under the watch of any adult, that something more would come of her relationship with Sebastian. She had hoped by now she would be wrapped in his strong arms with his green scarf wrapped around the both of them, joining them together.

She had thought wrong. Instead, it was the still the same Sebastian. Teasing tone, seductive one-liners, coy looks when he thought she wasn't watching. He always held her at an arm's length, never getting too close. Despite all of his flirty comments, he never made a verbal hint that they were anything more than friends.

Ugh, this was all so maddening. If she had it her way, she would march right up to Sebastian, grab him by the beautiful luscious curls of his, and kiss him silly until he finally got the message through that thick skull of his.

"Why isn't my brilliant plan working?" She whined as she laid beneath the sky, as if hoping it would give her the answers.

"What plan?" Natty asked, not looking up from her astronomy homework. "Your mind has been up in the clouds all day."

She groaned, throwing her arm over her eyes to block out the sun. "Why hasn't Sebastian made a pass at me yet. For Merlin's sake, we went to Three Broomsticks and Sirona gave us her Valentine's Day Special. We shared it, together. Using one spoon, like a couple."

"Have you considered that Sebastian might think you two are actually exclusive?" Poppy interjected. "I mean, you're wearing his scarf. That has to count for something."

The new student groaned. She started ripping the grass next to her in frustration. "I don't think we're dating. At least, I don't think Sebastian Sallow is the type to not snog his girlfriend silly when she drops obvious hints."

Poppy made a show of gagging at the thought of her friends making out. In retaliation, the other Hufflepuff half-hearted threw some of the plucked grass in Poppy's general direction. The strands lamely flew everywhere but their intended target.

Natty sighed, brushing the grassy debris from her astronomy chart. "Honestly, Europe is so behind. Back at home, things were much simpler. Girls do not have to wait for the man to ask them to be in a relationship! Anyone could do the asking! All of this exchanging of clothes is so silly to me. What if two people from the same House start dating? Then what? This makes no sense to me."

Poppy hummed in agreement. "Dating at Hogwarts does seem like such a headache compared to Uganda, Natty. But," she squeezed Gerald tightly, "you can't deny how cute it is when you see the couples together wearing each other clothing. They're so mismatched and adorable." Poppy paused awkwardly. "Come to think of it, I've never seen Sebastian wearing even a hint of yellow."

The air stilled. Both Poppy and Natty turned to stare at their friend who was still in the process of pulling out all of the blades of grass in her vicinity. It was a long awkward moment before the hero of Hogwarts realized that her two good friends were looking at her, expecting a reaction out of the wallowing girl.

"What?" She asked.

Poppy gave her a pitying look. "You…you did give Sebastian your scarf right?"

The new student blinked owlishly, her hands stilled in their destructive action.

Natty sighed. "A hat? Your tie? Cufflinks? Merlin's beard, even your socks would do. Anything?"

For being a wielder of ancient magic, she sure didn't have a clue as to wizarding culture. "Um, no? Was I supposed to?"

Both girls groaned. Natty shook her head, disappointed in the lack of charisma her friend had. Poppy looked at her pitifully as if she was the runt of a Niffler litter.

"What? We're supposed to trade scarves? Who made up that rule? Is that why Sebastian hasn't made a move on me?"

"YES!" The other girls replied, getting fed up with the drama.

"No one told me about this!"

The three girls bickered back and forth, homework now entirely forgotten. So lost in debate, they missed the Slytherin that was approaching them.

Imelda Reyes, captain of the Slytherin team, stood in front of them, interrupting the trio of girls. "Oh good, the losers are all gathered together." She looked rather bored as if she would rather be on the field than here.

Poppy frowned. Gerald stuck his tongue out at the offending girl. "Imelda, why do you keep calling your only friends at Hogwarts losers?"

Imelda ignored the remark, flipped her hair behind her shoulders. "It keeps the fans in line. Got to remind you lot of your place."

The Slytherin girl turned her sights onto the other Hufflepuff who was still wallowing in the grass in self-pity. "Anyway, I came to collect on my good deed. Some token of appreciation would be nice. Even a thanks would do."

The Hufflepuff sighed. She pinched her nose in frustration at the annoyance that was Imelda Reyes. Rolling over to her side, she faced the Slytherin captain. She propped up her chin on her hand. Nothing that Imelda ever have to share was interesting. "Imelda, what is it now? Why should I be groveling at your feet for this time?"

"You should be thanking me for saving your relationship with Sallow." Imelda nonchalantly stated.

The new girl spluttered, her chin slipping off of her hand and hitting the ground. She made a pained noise, rubbing at the growing bruise. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Imelda inspected her glossy green nails. "It's painful to see you two fumbling about like Quidditch little league toddlers. I just gave a gentle nudge in the right direction."

The bottom of her stomach was in free-fall. Imelda "helping" was never a good thing, despite what the Slytherin believed. "Imelda, what did you do?"

Imelda grinned. "Oh, you know, just started a rumor that Ominis was the one who gave you the scarf."

She finally sat up. Bits of grass stick to the Hufflepuff's hair. "Why on earth would you do that, Imelda? The whole school is going to think that Ominis is courting me!"

"Indeed."

Natty frowned. "I have to admit. I do not see the game you are trying to play. How does that help our friend?"

Imelda rolled her eyes. It was sometimes frustrating being the only Slytherin of their girl group. They were so slow to stack the odds to get what they wanted. They were so narrow-minded as they achieved their goals, seeing only a couple paths towards victory instead of the millions of possibilities Imelda always saw.

"Boys like Sallow are easy to manipulate. Start a rumor that his best friend is seeing the love of his life, and the boy will make sure to do everything in his power to correct the record." Imelda flicked off a speck of dirt on her otherwise well-polished nails. "He'll come crawling back to you in a week tops."

Poppy oo'ed in approval, clapping excitedly at the new development. Natty shot her a judging look. Poppy dropped her "oo's" to a respectful volume.

The other Hufflepuff gaped in silence, at a loss for words. "Sebastian's one of the smartest people I know. He can pick up even the most difficult spells on the first try." She crossed her arms. "He's too smart to fall for your tricks, Imelda."

Her compatriots were silent. Natty, Poppy, and Imelda ginned and looked at each other deviously. Poppy was the first to bust out in laughter, causing the other two to join in. The offended girl scowled behind her green scarf, annoyed.

The Hufflepuff rolled her eyes. "You all think so low of him. I'm telling you, Sebastian's not the type to care about this sort of petty thing. You'll see."

"Oh, we'll see alright." Imelda sneered. "I bet my best broomstick that your Slytherin will come crawling back to you on his knees. Why I bet he's foaming at the mouth right now."

·͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙

Sebastian was practically foaming at the mouth. He wanted to scream and pull his hair out. Back in the sanctuary of his dorm room, he could finally take off the mask of indifference he'd been wearing all day. Ever since he eavesdropped on the rumors surrounding the new student, they have followed him incessantly, mocking him. It seems like all the students, all the professors, even the godforsaken portraits were talking about the 'newest couple in Hogwarts'. How on earth that anyone could see her and Ominis actually together was beyond him.

Speaking of Ominis, Sebastian glanced over at his friend who was sitting comfortably in his own bed, reading a book in braille. Ominis looked serene as if he was above the petty comments of the commoners of Hogwarts.

Suspiciously aloof in Sebastian's opinion.

"How are you not bothered by all of this?" Sebastian asked. He squinted his eyes, trying to see if he could catch Ominis in the act of trickery.

Ominis sighed, marking his place in his book before closing it with an air of finality. He had foolishly hoped that the silly rumors going around Hogwarts wouldn't upset his best friend too much. The students of Hogwarts were constantly talking Sebastian after all. Gossiping about his charm around the female students, about his duels, about him getting detention for the second time that week. Sebastian was never bothered by gossip, seeming revealing in it.

This rumor was different, it would seem.

"I'm not sure what you're on about." Ominis tried.

Sebastian could smell something was up. "Don't you play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm referring to. The whole school thinks our new friend is seeing you. Now, I believe that the heresy isn't true." Sebastian's voice threatened to crack. "Is there any reason to believe otherwise?"

The accused boy huffed, rolling his eyes. "Merlin, Sebastian, you really live up to the infamous Slytherin jealousy."

"Don't you avoid the subject." Sebastian said.

Ominis frowned, confused. "Why don't you just correct the rumors? Haven't you been courting her the whole time?"

Sebastian scowled, turning away from his friend, hiding the disappointment on his face. He'd thought that everything was going so well. Her secretive smiles and stolen glances whenever she thought Sebastian wasn't looking her way. The way she stared openly and unapologetically mid-duel as his muscles strained under the force of his spells.

"No, we're just friends, Ominis." Sebastian responded stiffly. "That's all there is too it."

Sebastian had thought that she returned his affections, especially when she accepted his scarf, a calling card of his intentions to woo her. He thought things were going even better when she invited him to an date to Three Broomsticks, reminiscing about their first of many troll attacks. Sebastian thought the date had gone perfectly when he walked her like a gentleman to her dorm.

It wasn't until she bid him a cordial, kind but only friendly, goodbye that he had realized how wrong he was. She had not returned to give Sebastian her own yellow and black scarf, a token of her acceptance towards the courting. And Sebastian had stood in front of the wine casket that hid the Hufflepuff common room, scarfless, lamenting in what an absolute fool he had been.

Ominis's frown deepened. "Enough of this nonsense, Sebastian. She's interested in you. I mean, half of the female population is. I can hear the way you two talk to each other."

Sebastian chuckled darkly. "If that were true, I'd be wearing a yellow scarf."

It had stung. The blatant, but very gentle rejection that she had given him. Sebastian wasn't raised to be a troll to woman, and Anne had taught him to be better than his peers, so he allowed himself a few days to wallow before swallowing his pride. It was privilege enough that she would be friends with him after all that had happened in their 5th year.

He was an idiot for thinking that someone as amazing as her would want to be with someone who's done so much bad as him.

Ominis shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sebastian, but I am convinced that something is afoot between the two of you. As both your friend and her friend, I can say without a shadow of doubt that the feelings are mutual. I think the time for games is finished. You must confess your feelings towards her."

Sebastian scoffed at the ridiculous notion. It's like Ominis wasn't even listening to him. Sebastian had literally just finished explaining how not interested she was in him.

"Gyffindors don't have a monopoly on courage, Sebastian." Ominis chided. "We Slytherins are brave enough to get what we want. We always have been."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. He could feel the venom on his tongue. "Oh? How's courting my sister working for you?"

Sebastian wasn't sure what reaction he was expecting from Ominis. What Sebastian was for sure not expecting was for a blush to creep its way up Ominis's neck. His best friend sat ramrod straight, as still as a statute. Ominis was incapable of schooling his expression and looked like a child who was caught in a lie.

Sebastian's mouth dropped at Ominis's shift in demeanor. While he had some suspicions over the nature of Ominis's outings beyond Hogwarts grounds, it was a different matter entirely to have confirmation that Ominis was attempting to woo his twin sister.

The two boys were quiet, frozen in place. The air in the dorms was stifling and awkward.

Ominis cleared his dry throat, very comfortable with pretending that he was also selectively deaf. "Well, anyways, it is my humble opinion that our friend is head over heels for you. All you need to do is ask."

Sebastian threw up his arms. He was going to get nowhere with this infuriating boy. Giving up, he collapsed, face first, on his bed, defeated.

·͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙⁺˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚⁺‧͙

The Hufflepuff sighed, chewing on the end of her quill. Sitting on one of the dusty decrepit armchairs of the Undercroft, she relished in these moments of silence. No one, student, professor, or villager, was asking anything of her. Instead, she could simply be alone with her thoughts.

Unfortunately, her thoughts often revolved around Sebastian.

She rested her head against her fist and blew a raspberry in frustration. The parchment before her was riddled with crossed out phrases and giant bleeding blotches of ink where her quill had paused. She had spent the whole afternoon trying to come up with…something to say to Sebastian. Four hours of work only to come up with nothing. Ugh. Why did words have to be so hard?

Maybe everyone was right. It would be much easier just to throw him a Hufflepuff jumper and call it a day.

Before she could finalize her thoughts, the iron gates of the Undercroft swung open. She hastily stuffed the quill and parchment into a random pocket in her bags. She couldn't help but fix her hair, just in case it was Sebastian.

In walked the very man who had been on her mind all day. And Sebastian Sallow looked rather miffed. Hands already clenched in frustrations, he walked up to her. His eyes trailed up and down her form.

"What are you wearing?" he asked without preamble.

There was a sense of deja vu at the question. "My school uniform? Because…I go here? I'm a Hogwarts student?"

Sebastian frowned. "Where's your scarf?"

She huffed. Really? Out of millions of important things they had to talk about: Sebastian's behavior, Anne, their maybe date, their questionable relationship status. Her scarf was the thing he chose to fixate on? "It's warm outside, Sebastian. Why on earth would I be wearing a scarf in the spring?"

He scowled, now pacing unable to contain his anxiety. So she decided not to wear his scarf anymore. What did this mean? This only proved Sebastian's theory that she did reject his affections. Ominis's words of encouragement last night only worsened Sebastian's current mood. Ominis had no idea what he was talking about. Maybe after all this time, she finally learned the symbolism behind the gifted scarf and was appalled at Sebastian's rather forward claim on her. Maybe the rumors were to be believed, and she was interested in Ominis. Maybe her and Ominis "studying at the library together" actually had no studying whatsoever. Maybe-

His thoughts got interrupted when something rather soft smacked him square in the face. Whatever the scratchy material was had hit in right in his open eyes. His eyes watered, stinging at the insult.

"What in Merlin's beard?" He ripped the offending fabric off his face.

In his hands was a warm, yellow and black striped Hufflepuff scarf. The one that she had worn throughout the fall. The one that always managed to hide her teasing smiles and blushes. It smelled of their shared apple tarts and a bit singed at the edges as if one of her Confringo spells exploded a bit too close for comfort.

It smelled like her.

He looked up to catch her gaze. She was leaning with all her weight on one foot with her arms crossed, slightly annoyed at the silly affair.

Sebastian recovered quickly. He couldn't stop the grin from his face. He felt like he was back to his old self, just like how he was when the two of them first met. "Well, well, I was waiting for you to pay me back eventually. Nice to know that Hufflepuffs have some manners."

She huffed, tired of these games and double-speak. "You know, if you don't want it, you can always give it back."

"Now hold on," Sebastian cut her off, already wrapping it possessively around his neck in intricate woven pattern so tight so she couldn't even separate it from him if he tried. "I never said I didn't appreciate the gift."

She rolled her eyes. Walking up to him, she picked at the scarf on instinct, fluffing it in a more comfortable manner for him. "This is frankly so dumb."

He hummed in delight at his Hufflepuff fussing over him. With her so close to him now, he felt like a purring Kneazle. "Well, as dumb as you think it is, I think I look rather fetching in yellow. Don't you think so, sweetheart?"

She choked on her spit, hands frozen on her scarf. She missed the safety of the green and silver scarf that allowed her to hide her expressions from the world around her. With a scarlet face, she muttered. "Sebastian Sallow, you know I find you attractive."

Sebastian smirked, preening under her words.

Whatever speech she had drafted now forgotten in favor of venting her frustrations out onto him. "You should also know that you drive me absolutely bonkers. I just can't believe we had to go through this whole song and dance. Merlin, I've been drunk on the Amortentia that is you, Sebastian Sallow, for a whole two years now." Her hands tighten the grip that she had on hers (now Sebastian's?) yellow scarf. "I've been in love with you ever since you first took me to Hogsmeade. Merlin's beard, Sebastian, I've taken you as my companion to every poacher duel I can think of. We explore the most dangerous dungeons together. We fight off foul Acromantulas together. And it takes a silly yellow scarf for you to finally realize my feelings for you?"

She finally looked up at him, her fierce eyes finding his. What she wasn't expecting was a rare moment of vulnerability on Sebastian's face. The confident charming boy before her looked uncertain all of a sudden.

His rough hands reached up to gently meet hers, holding her in place. "Why would someone as good as you want someone who's done so much evil like me?"

And therein laid the truth of Sebastian's fears. If the savior of Hogwarts was too good for people as dull and drab as Garreth or Prewett, then in what world would she want to be with someone who had so much blood on his hands as Sebastian? No, she deserved the best. And it certainly wasn't someone like him.

She was flabbergasted. She was so used to the Sebastian Sallow she first met. The boy whose Slytherin ambitions urged him to greedily take what was rightfully his. Where was the young brash and carefree optimistic boy whose boldness and forwardness had charmed her?

She gently removed her hands from his. His expression was caged off from her. Gently, she reached up to caress his face, angling his chin slightly downwards so he could look at her in the eye. He turned to her, like a wilting flower dying for the sun. The walls around him melted as his knitted brow soften to look at her.

"Sebastian, you are rash and reckless. You are possessive and incredibly jealous, even though you have no reason to be." The other boy looked away, trying to pull away from her. She held his chin in place forcing him to look at her. He looked gorgeous in yellow.

"You're also the most devoted person I know, devoted to Ominis, to Anne, to me. You fight so fiercely to protect what is yours both on the battlefield and off of it. Everything you have done, both the good and the awful, has been because of your love. Everything that you are, your recklessness, your kindness, has been because of your love, your devotion to those that you care for. How could I not fall in love with you?"

The bright joyous colors brought a sunny aura to his usual darkened expressions. The Hufflepuff scarf around his neck made him look lighter, more open to the possibilities around him. The hues of yellow reflected the golden flecks that were hidden in his brown eyes.

He scoffed, trying not to think too hard at her words, not willing to break into a million pieces in front of her. "You are so brilliant, sweetheart, you could have anyone you wanted in the world. I'm just a boy from some hamlet who couldn't even save his sister."

Her shoulders softened. Oh, Sebastian. "That's not true. I am here with you, Sebastian. I am choosing to be here with you. I will always choose to be here with you, in this moment."

He could see her eyes dip down to look at his lips. And with that, it was like the weak dam to his flood of emotions was broken. He surged forward catching her lips in his. His hands flew up to cup both sides of her face, marveling at the beauty he was holding. She responded in turn, throwing her hands around his neck. She met the storm that was Sebastian with equal ferocity. Her lips pressed forward, almost bruising him with the passionate intention behind it.

He could feel the curl of her smile against his. Her long eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks as if they were kissing the freckles that they found there. She smelled of their shared apple tarts, and her lips were warm against his. In her arms, he felt safe, like the world was created just for the two of them.

Lungs dying, he could barely stand ripping himself away from her. He rested his forehead against hers, not wanting to let go of this moment even for a second. His thumb was still caressing her cupped face, marveling at the miracle that was the savior of Hogwarts.

"You should know, you are never getting your scarf back." Sebastian quipped.

She let out a breath of laughter. Sebastian eagerly chased it with another quick kiss. Later, much, much later, after he was finished kissing his darling silly, he'll walk out the Undercroft with a yellow scarf around his neck holding hands with his Hufflepuff wearing that green scarf of hers.

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fierymiasma · 2 years

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ꕥYou Look Better In Greenꕥ//Sebastian x MC

NOW WITH PART 2: And You Look Fetching in Yellow

Summary: In which Sebastian sees the new transfer student wearing someone else's scarf and proceeds to absolutely lose it.

Word Count: 1.5k

|| Masterlist || AO3 ||

Ever since the new 5th year joined Hogwarts and knocked Sebastian on his ass (while stealing his heart at the same time), Sebastian developed a new morning ritual. He would arrive, as late as possible as usual, to breakfast, plop down on the empty spot that Ominis had so nicely saved for him, listen to Imelda prattle on about some boring Quidditch news, and sigh and longingly stare over at the Hufflepuff table.

It was always something different every day, much to Sebastian's delight. Sometimes she would wear the most eccentric outfit, a clashing cacophony of mismatched colors that only she could pull off while being the most gorgeous witch in Hogwarts. Sometimes she would arrive late, wiping the sleep from her eyes, tired from their shared late night misadventures.

This morning Sebastian was unlucky. Sitting directly across from Poppy, she was obscured from Sebastian's gaze.

Even more unlucky, Imelda Reyes decided she had permission to sit next to him.

"Did you see what the new Hufflepuff was wearing today, Sebastian?" Imelda teased.

Ugh. "No, why should I care? It's not like I spend my mornings just ogling her."

"Of course not." Imelda said breezily. "It's only been the talk of the entire school. Surprised you were the last to hear about it, what with you practically drooling over her every morning."

Ominis snorted into his porridge.

"I have no idea what you're on about. What she does doesn't concern me in the slightly." Sebastian lied like the lying liar he was.

Imelda shrugged. "Oh, that's a shame. And here I was about to bring you the news that your favorite Hufflepuff is most definitely off the market now. Looks like someone got to her before you did."

"WHAT?" Sebastian bellowed.

Imelda grinned. "See for yourself, pretty boy."

Playing right into her trap, Sebastian stood up, now blatantly searching for the Hufflepuff. He was able to angle his view around Poppy. A part of him was excited to see what ridiculous set outfit she was wearing today. Sebastian didn't see what the fuss was all about. Nothing unusual, her usual Hufflepuff robes, a grey sweater, and-

-And a Red and Yellow Gryffindor scarf.

His mind went blank. The usual bustling of voices in the Great Hall silenced themselves. Sebastian could feel the heat erupt in the back of his eyes. His wand shot dangerous hot sparks, itching for a fight.

Who, in Salazar Slytherin's name, gave her that?

She was wearing a Gryffindor scarf in front of the whole damn school. Anyone who was anyone knew what that meant. Why, it was practically a front page advertisement on the Daily Prophet! Wearing another House's apparel meant you were seeing someone. Off the market. No longer available. Every other day you would see a Ravenclaw girl wear a new black and yellow tie. A Slytherin showing off their newly acquired blue coat. It was a possessive silly schoolboy thing, but if you were an eligible bachelor or bachelorette, you wore your gifted scarf with pride.

Who in Merlin's name would claim what was rightfully his? Who would be daft enough?

He didn't even register that his body was moving, until he was halfway across the Great Hall, making a beeline straight towards the Hufflepuff table.

"Morning." He greeted Poppy and the new transfer student stiffly, interrupting their conversation.

"Oh Sebastian! Good morning! Did you have any of the strawberry tarts? They're especially good today!" She beamed behind the offending Gryffindor scarf that was around her neck.

"Who gave you that?"

"Oh, well, I'm pretty sure the House elves make the tarts from scratch and then they sort of apparate it up here. I'm actually not quite sure how their magic-"

"Who gave you that tacky thing? Was it Garreth? Prewett? I always knew that weasel was up to no good. I should remind him o-"

She looked at him in alarmed confusion. "What on earth are you talking about Sebastian?"

Sebastian felt his jaw clench. So, she had no idea. Of course she wouldn't. She was a new transfer student, immensely popular and with half the school falling over themselves fawning over her. It had to Prewett. Only that sniveling bastard was underhanded enough to trick Sebastian's Hufflepuff into something so nefarious. Practically broadcasting to the whole school that they were dating. Gryffindor chivalry indeed, taking advantage of someone like that. He bet all Prewett had to do is go up to her with his big, ugly nose and manipulate her into wearing that disgusting thing.

"Your scarf," he spat. "Who gave it to you?"

Her eyes darted at Poppy who gave her a bewildered shrug. She blinked in confusion, almost as if she forgot she was wearing it. "Oh, this? It's so cozy and warm, isn't it? I think it really matches with my complexion!"

Sebastian could practically feel his back molar crack.

She continued, unaware of the inner storm brewing inside of Sebastian. "Natty and I were out at Hogsmeade and got caught in the rain. My poor scarf got soaked, and I haven't had a chance to learn the drying charm yet. She was nice enough to lend me hers instead!"

He deflated, wand dropping into his pocket; fight forgotten. "Ah…Natty…the other…transfer" Of course. It wasn't that long ago that Natty transferred and was learning all the nuances of the social intertwining of a different country much less Hogwarts social etiquette. Probably thought all of this was silly anyway.

"Is something the matter, Sebastian?" She leaned over placing her gentle hand on his forehead. "You're awfully red. You're practically burning up!"

Poppy tried to hide her laughter behind her hands.

Sebastian's blush was so strong it practically hid all the freckles on his face. Arms flapping around, he pushed away her hand from his forehead. "Never mind me. It's a miracle you didn't get sick wearing that silly thing. If you really needed an extra scarf you should have come straight to me."

He started undoing his own warm green and silver scarf. And with the most nonchalance and charm he could muster, he gently wrapped it around his Hufflepuff's neck. Green and silver framed her rising blush so nicely. Something deep in his stomach purred possessively in approval.

"There. All better. Those colors match you better anyway. Red and yellow look awful on you." He flushed. "Not that you ever look awful. You look fantastic. One of-No, the best looking person at Hogwarts." His ears burned as Poppy practically howled in laughter unable to hold herself back any longer. "Um, best looking friend at Hogwarts. Much better than that old Ominis anyhow."

His Hufflepuff blushed, trying to hide her smile behind her newly acquired gift. The butterflies in her stomach were practically doing flips. "Thank you, Sebastian. Y-you're not so bad yourself, for a Slytherin."

He nodded stiffly. "Well, if you ever need any more just ask me. Slytherin is a good look on you." He wasn't sure what to do now that his mission was complete. "Um, don't ask Ominis though. He…um…he hates it when people borrow his clothes. Gets all particular about his things. Just come to me whenever you need anything."

Her eyes swam in amusement, and she brought Sebastian's scarf closer to her face, inhaling the rich dark scent left behind. A rich oak wood, some warm-scented cologne, and a slight musk that was undeniably Sebastian. Her eyes never left his gaze as she gauged his reaction. "Oh, how lucky, that I am friends with the most charitable Slytherin I know. It's nice to know that my friends are so concerned about me."

Sebastian's knees felt weak. He mustered up the energy to croak out, "Well, it's not all charity. It's nice having friends in my debt."

She got closer to him, in the mood for something a bit more daring. "Well, I would hate to always be in your debt. There must be some way to repay you."

His mouth gaped open. For once, the manipulative, charming Slytherin was at a lost for words.

"How about I treat my favorite Slytherin to some Butterbeer? My treat? I have to start paying back some of that debt somehow."

Sebastian's mouth was dry. "If I have nothing better to do, I suppose I'll join you. It's not like I'm doing anything." (Ominis wouldn't mind getting ditched.)

"It's a date then." Sebastian choked at her words. "7'oclock. Three Broomsticks. I'll see you then."

Sebastian nodded stiffly and promptly marched himself to the Slytherin table, a bit bewildered as to what just occurred.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

Poppy's laughter finally subsided, as she finally got a moment's rest to wipe the tears away from her eyes. "Blimey, I can't believe that worked. I knew borrowing Natty's scarf was a brilliant move."

The other girl smiled, gently packing away the old scarf borrowed from Natty back into her bags, right on top of her very own and very dry Yellow and black scarf that was secretly tucked away. "What can I say Poppy? Sometimes to catch a Slytherin you got to think like a Slytherin."

Part 2

AO3: fierymiasma

#sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow x mc #hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow x reader #dark!sebastian #sebastian sallow fanfiction #ominis gaunt #imelda reyes #poppy sweeting #hphl #fierymiasmawork

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