Merciless

After getting dressed for the day, I make my way down to the common room. All sorts of unfamiliar faces could be seen. Most of them were all conversating with each other, I’m assuming about classes. I shuffled through my folder to find my schedule for today. I know Professor Weasley had said my first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts but I wanted to know what was after. Looks like I have Astronomy and then after Divination.

The common room was beautifully lit in a greenish-blue light coming from the water that was lit by the morning sun. I walked over to the green velvet couch hoping to see a familiar face. Sebastian was sitting in a nearby chair with his legs crossed. His attention was entirely on that book he had been reading last night before we parted.

“Can’t you take your eyes away from that wretched book?” A dirty blonde-haired boy barked. This annoyed Sebastian, causing him to close the book loudly as a sharp sigh escape his lips.

“You know Ominis, I’m beginning to feel you are right.” Sebastian remarked causing Ominis to huff in defeat. Ominis turned his head over to me. His eyes matched the same shade of white as his skin the difference was his skin you could see a fleshy pink undertone.

“If only you’d admit I’m right more often,” Ominis said causing Sebastian to roll his eyes.

“Also, I’m Ominis Gaunt, by the way, It’s a pleaser to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Alice Cross.” I replied. Ominis’s eyes seem to widen in shock at my response. It was almost as though I had struck fear in him. He stared at me for a moment only getting snapped out of it by Sebastian.

“I’m sure she doesn’t feel all too welcomed with you blankly staring at her.” Sebastian declared as he locked his eyes on mine with that cocky smirk of his.

“How do you know what I was staring at? I’m blind ya know?” Ominis pleaded as he pointed at his eyes. Sebastian scoffed shaking his head. I laughed realizing Ominis had won with this comeback.

“Where is everyone off to this morning?” I asked hoping maybe I had someone to walk with. Both Ominis and Sebastian took a gander at their schedules.

“Looks like my first class is potions with Professor Sharp.” Ominis said reluctantly waiting for Sebastian and me to reply.

“Well, I’m headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Sebastian said standing up from his seat very confidently. Ominis shook his head in agreeance pulling his wand out in front of him.

“Me too.” I smiled meeting Sebastian’s hazel gaze once more.

It’s strange just how intriguing he is. I want to know everything about him. The book he’s reading. Everything. His smile seemed to cause my stomach to flutter as if butterflies had taken homage inside it. Not in a bad way though. He walked over getting close to me sending his familiar smell to bless my nose again.

“I suppose we can walk to class together if you’d like?” He asked as I nodded. Excitement overtook his demeanor. I stood up grabbing my things that I placed next to me on the sofa. Once, I was all situated the 3 of us began our journey outside Slytherin's common room.

____________________

Sebastian and I had parted ways with Ominis not too long after we had left the common room. Our walk was a little awkward. Neither of us had spoken since we decided we were going to walk together. I was nervous. I guess because for some reason he has this effect on my body. It was as though my body wanted to completely throw itself into him feeling his arms wrap around my waist. What were these’s thoughts?

He had this confidence about him. Something I severely lacked. He seemed to not give in to the pointless comments of others and to much of my surprise, he was the one with the comments. He was quick on his feet, always armed with the next cocky response which I couldn’t help but fancy over. Every well-thought-out remark sent my heart racing like he had some sort of control over it.

We walked up the flight of stairs in the Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower. Sebastian was muttering to himself almost like he was practicing something. I let out a little chuckle to escape my lips. I quickly shifted my eyes to my schedule hoping he didn’t catch my gaze.

Sebastian cleared his throat catching my attention. His smirk is more endearing than ever.

“So Gryffindor, I never actually welcomed you. It’s nice to see a new face in Slytherin.” his welcoming eyes grazed over my face stopping at my lips which I had a piece of my long black hair placed between them.

“You do know my name is Alice right?” I reminded him as he let out a chuckle I scrambled to release the little bit of hair that was now completely saturated.

“I know, I just like to call you Gryiffindor.” he teased grabbing the sopping wet strip of hair. I shooed his hand away placing the hair behind my ear hoping my cheeks weren’t as pink as they feel.

“You do that a lot?” he let out as I rolled my eyes ignoring his question.

“Not everyone gets a ministry escort to Hogwarts. It’s a shame what happened. I’m glad you made it here safe.” he admitted as he nudged my shoulder.

I took in a sharp breath realizing my cheeks were in fact dazzling and I had no way of hiding it.

“Thank you. It was an adventure if that's the proper word for it. Thrilling if you’d ask me.” I laughed trying to make light of the topic. Although I wasn’t exactly lying it was an adventure. I couldn’t tell him though, Professor Fig had me promise him before we made it to Hogwarts that I tell absolutely no one what happened. But a piece of me wished I could.

“That’s an interesting perspective considering you encountered death.” his eyes now narrowing. I want to tell him but I know if I do it would come off like I was looney.

“How did you and Fig manage to escape the Dragon without dying?” his tone is now curious. I felt his eyes pierce through me like knives. That is a question I have avoided myself. I didn’t know exactly how to answer without giving anything away. We kinda just teleported.

“Maybe that’s another conversation for next time.” I looked at him with a teasing smile. He seemed to take kindly to my suggestion with hope in his eyes.

We had made our way to the entrance of Professor Hecat’s class. He propped himself up against the wall with one foot crossing the other. I stood in front of him not too close where it would have been weird, but close enough where I felt calm because of his aromatic aura.

“I guess this means I have more of an incentive to come and find you then?” He muttered taking in his bottom rosy pink lip between his teeth. I couldn't help but drop my gaze pushing my hair behind my ear once again. I would like that a lot. The thought of him on a search for me gave me an electrifying pulse through my chest.

“I suppose so.” I gave him a shy smile cocking my brow up teasingly before heading into class.

_____________

The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was decorated with interesting artifacts. The most noticeable is that of a large dragon skeleton hanging from the ceiling. There was a large space between the left and right sides of the classroom that each holds 3 rows of desks. I walked over to one of the desks and took my seat.

In the distance, there was small horseplay between that of a Gryffindor student and too much of my amusement Sebastian. Both boys had their wands drawn on each other shouting quick attacks. Sebastian with the swift flicks of his wand sent his opponent for the whirlwind. The Gryffindor student after being hit with stupify gathers his bearings and begins his attack.

“Stupify!” The boy shouts causing Sebastian to be surrounded by a purple orb.

“Is that all you got Prewitt?” Sebastian laughs. “Bombarda!” he yells as a flashing stream of color shoots out the tip of his wand.

Right before the boy got hit by Sebastian’s attack, he ever so quickly shouted protego which Sebastian shockingly did at the same time. This sent the trail of spells to go up in the air hitting the skull of the dragon and knocking it off its restraints. Just before the skull met its dreadful demise of crushing the Gryffindor student, Professor Hecat ran out of her office with her wand ready.

“Levioso!”

The skull inches away from crushing the boy now levitating in mid-air. Professor Hecat still firmly holding her wand made her way down the steps from her office.

“Perhaps, you two can attempt to duel each other on your time. I may have plenty of new students but I only have one Herbridean Black skull.”

Professor scolded both boys while placing the skull back in its rightful place. Sebastian laughed in his victory turning around and giving me a wink. I giggled twirling my pencil between my pointer and middle finger. The girl next to me shot me a look.

“Sebastian Sallow huh?” she said in an accent. I brought my eyes to hers in surprise she noticed.

“What?” I said hoping she would forget anything. I’m sure she isn’t. I always seem to wear my emotions on my sleeve.

“Oh come on don’t act like nothing just happened between the two of you.” she whispered making sure our nearby classmates didn’t hear our conversation.

“It was only an exchange of eyes.” I concluded. I’m not buying that either.

“The way you two looked at each other, it was more than just a stare.” she insisted. “I’m Natsai by the way.”

“I’m Alice, Do you have any idea how nice it is not to hear someone question that I’m the “new 5th-year?” I said very relievedly. The both of us gave each other a smile before focusing our attention on Hecat.

“With the events of this morning's duel between Mr. Sallow and Mr. Prewitt, I hope you all took notice of the spell I used?” she asked looking around the room for hands to go flying but none seem to raise.

“In today’s class, we will be going over a spell that has saved more times than not. Levioso.” she instructs the class. The tall redheaded boy that had been dueling moments before jumps out of his seat.

“Levioso!?” he shouted very upset. Just after he uttered the spells name Professor casted the spell on him. He glided in the air in control of Hecat as the rest of us laughed.

“Yes, Leander Levioso. The levitation charm.” Professor said proudly as she let him down back on the ground. Leander was almost as red as his hair in embarrassment as he took his seat.

We all stared at the feather placed in front of us knowing we had to practice the charm. I readied my wand that I have been borrowing. I took in a deep breath holding it in my lungs for a few seconds only exhaling when I felt my nerves subside.

“Levioso.” I stated firmly watching the feather raise. I moved my wand in loops watching the feather spin to the circles I was drawing. Everyone watched as I dropped the feather.

“Well done Ms. Cross! I didn’t expect any less from you considering your father was one of my praised students.” She clapped. Her statement stung a little. I didn’t want to be compared to my father. I was nothing like him not by the long shot. I was much nicer and didn’t always have a sneering look on my face.

The thing is I didn’t want to be like him. I wanted to be Alice. Why can’t anyone understand that? All my life I was compared to him. My mother always says I have his looks from his ink-black hair to his emerald-green eyes. She always concluded though, I had her kindness.

No, my father was a rock. He was always never letting my mother in on his thoughts or how he was feeling. He said it was a weakness he’ll never be seen wearing. There were nights, I would find her crying in her chambers all because my father was never home. He always made up an excuse saying the Ministry needed him. If it weren’t for the freshly smeared lipstick always near the corner of his mouth maybe she would have believed him. The very thought of him turned my stomach in a way that fueled the fear I held dormant but most of all anger.

As my thoughts rambled for minutes on end, I found myself clenching my wand almost with enough force to snap it in half. Natsai scooted her chair a couple of inches away knowing the fire in my eyes was as bright as they felt.

“Alice, are you alright?” she asked very concernedly for the state I was in. I never broke my gaze from the feather laying on the desk in front of me.

“Very well, with everyone done with this exercise, there’s no better way to practice than to duel.” Hecat said. “Sebastian. Alice. You up first. Take your positions on the dueling stage.”

Sebastian gave me a look of pleasure knowing he had proven to be well-skilled in the art of going one on one.

“Let’s see what you’re all about Gryffindor.” He whispered passing by as he took his position across from me.

I couldn’t focus on anything besides the anger I was feeling in my chest. I wanted to prove to her I was nothing like my father. Or maybe I needed validation from myself by proving it. Hecat informed Sebastian and me that we were only to use basic cast, protego, and levioso. We both nodded letting her know that the rules were understood. She flicked her wand sending the stage up a few feet.

_______________

Professor Hecat requested I stay back after class to inform me she had extra work for me to complete. She had also told me she would let Professor Weasley know that I had requested I go to Hogsmead with Sebastian to grab a few things I lost on my trip here.

The rest of my classes were a blur. All I could think about was the look on Sebastian’s face when I won the duel in class today. Although he did give me work for my money. He was brilliant. The way he elegantly moved was almost like a well-choreographed dance. With every cast, he made the more enjoyment he got watching as I deflected it. It was almost as though he never got so much gratification from his duel with Leander.

I made my way into the Common room after doing some homework in my dorm. I sat in my usual spot by the fireplace realizing I wasn’t alone. Ominis and Imelda come walking from behind taking seats nearby.

“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Imelda said frantically.

“I was in our dorm catching up on some studying.” I informed very annoyed at the fact she didn’t notice me.

“We’ll besides that, I along with the other house Quidditch captains are all preparing something very exciting. We’re gonna create our own Quidditch season.” Excitement overtook her as she presented with the biggest smile.

“Are you sure that’s the greatest idea?” Ominis questioned causing Imelda to get annoyed.

“I think it's a fantastic idea. Thank you.” You could hear the unpleased tone in her voice. “It starts at midnight at the Quidditch field Friday night.”

Imelda stomped off making her rounds around the common room to spread the word. Ominis shook his head in disapproval of the invitation. We sat for what felt like ages before we began a conversation.

“Sebastian seems to have taken a liking to you.” He smiled. I didn’t get what he meant by that. He had no emotion in his voice or on his face so I couldn’t get a good understanding if he was bitter.

“I hope so. I don’t seem to have many friends that of yet.” I muttered playing with my fingers.

“Neither does he. At least not since Anne couldn’t attend this year.” his voice was low as he moved his head around picking up voices.

“Who’s Anne?”

“His twin sister. She ended up getting very sick from a curse that was placed on her by goblins. Ever since Sebastian hasn’t been himself. He’s been getting himself in trouble from getting into things he shouldn’t all in the false hope he can save her.” Ominis choked on the last bit of his statement. I couldn’t help myself but feel sorry for Sebastian.

“I’m guessing the book he’s reading is a part of his efforts?” I asked knowing the likely answer.

“Yes, very much so.” Ominis said softly looking over in the direction of the dormitories.

Sebastian from the distance was walking in our direction. He was nearly walking into others because his attention was still captivated by the contents of the book.

“I’m glad you are spending time with him.” He said standing up and brushing away all the lint that had stuck to his robe. I smiled knowing I was glad also.

“He needs a little bit of a distraction.”

I’ve been enjoying my little glimpses of time with Sebastian. He was a fresh start to what I’d been used to back home. He didn’t have a predetermined mindset on who I was. He saw me for me and that in itself relieved any anxiety I may have been feeling.

I was so used to everyone back home treating me in such a way that left a bad taste in my mouth. All the servants coward at the thought of conversating let alone laying their eyes on me. Even friends I had made from muggle school, always had to act a certain way around me or else my father would throw a fit causing me to never see them again.

I remember back home before I got accepted to Hogwarts, during the summer season, this boy who had seemed to fancy me during our time in school came by my estate. He wasn’t of high class like I was but he was really sweet and didn’t seem to mind the diversion in status. Not that I minded. I never have paid any attention to social status. It wasn’t an interest of mine.

Once my father took a good look at him, he had him escorted off the property. That night at the dinner table he had told me I was to never see him again. I remember feeling devastated. Heartbroken that he had scared off the only boy who has shown any type of interest in me besides the lads that were of my father's choosing. My father and I had an exchange of words that night causing me to run off to my room in a fit of tears. My loving mother tried her damndest to defend me but it only left her with a red welt across her cheek.

Sebastian made his way to his usual spot sitting in the chair placing the book next to him on the end table. He looked at me with a smile his eyes welcoming me. His hair was neatly combed over with the ends dripping from being freshly washed. His scent was stronger than ever which sent me into a frenzy.

“Sorry for going easy on you earlier.” I chuckled as he leaned back in the chair taunting me with his familiar smirk.

“I let you win Gryffindor.” he remarked.

His eyes made their way to my hands which couldn’t seem to stay still. I was nervous. For some reason, I was always nervous when he was around. I quickly rested my hands on my lap ensuring that he wasn’t to suspect anything. I looked over to his book and then back at him.

“Finished reading your book?” I asked changing the subject. He took a quick glaze before sighing.

“Yeah, I’m kinda disappointed with it though. It didn’t seem to have what I was looking for.” a bit of disappointment washed over his face. I want to ask about Anne but I don’t want to come off too nosey like last night.

“How come? I’m sure it wasn’t that much of a boring read if it held your attention for as long as it did.” I said as he chuckled under his breath.

“You know, I suppose you’re right. It did have some interesting parts within it.” he gave me a soft smile before quickly shuffling through his pockets.

He pulled out a folded piece of paper quickly stumbling to open it. He rushed to sit next to me. His body was pressed up the side of mine sending chills up my spine. Why does he make me feel this way?

“So someone in the halls earlier in the day was passing these out. It looks like a Quidditch game is going on Friday night.” He said excitedly turning his head to look at me.

His eyes always seemed to change. Shifting through shades of green, blue, and brown. Only this time his eyes were a golden amber to match the highlights within his head of locks. I took in a sharp breath which was hard to take in. He swallows hard before turning his head back to the paper.

“Um,” he searched the paper awkwardly before continuing. “Do you wanna go? Seems like it would be fun.” the hope in voice echoed in my ears. His eyes were still locked firmly on the flyer.

“Of course, I would.” I reassured him. He looked over at me again but only this time the usual mischievous smirk of his forming on his lips.

“Great! I’ll meet you at your dorm around quarter after 11 o Friday.” he leaped to his feet and grabbed the book he’d been reading walking out of the common room