okan

DISTANCE. CH. 5

Guess who?

pairing: sebastian sallow x male hufflepuff mc

genre: fluff, slowburn 𓆹𓆺

(8000 words)

worth the wait…?

Two weeks later, the shift had happened so quietly that no one had bothered to acknowledge it.

At first, it had been coincidence. Sebastian lingering after class, Ominis appearing halfway through conversations like he’d always meant to be there. Then it became convenience, shared walks through the courtyard, running into each other during free periods without it feeling accidental anymore. Now they simply sat with us at breakfast, like it had always been that way. Garreth spoke to them like they’d been friends since first year, and Diana had already corrected Sebastian’s grammar twice. No one questioned it.

The Great Hall roared with its usual morning energy when I arrived, sunlight pouring through the enchanted ceiling and scattering across goblets and plates in bright flashes. Somewhere near the Hufflepuff table, a group of second-years argued loudly about whether kneazles counted as cats.

Diana was already seated at the Ravenclaw table, calmly dissecting a piece of sausage with utensils, while Garreth sat across from her, gesturing wildly with a fork mid-explanation.

“You’re both early,” I said, sliding onto the bench beside Diana.

Garreth leaned forward immediately. “Perfect. I was just explaining my improvement to Thunderbrew Potion.”

“That sentence already concerns me.”

“It shouldn’t,” he said defensively. “It’s innovative.”

“You replaced an ingredient with something explosive.” I summarized flatly.

Diana glanced up. “Specifically, it was powdered boomslang scale.”

Garreth waved a strip of bacon for emphasis. “The reaction speed is incredible.”

“Yes,” Diana said calmly, “because it detonates.”

Before I could point out that explosive potions usually defeated their purpose, two hands suddenly slipped over my eyes, large and warm, completely blocking my vision. My brain identified the owner immediately. Sebastian. Which was deeply inconvenient, because the moment I realized it, my brain also helpfully supplied exactly what those hands felt like, warm, slightly rough along the fingers, long enough to cover half my face.

Why do I know that.

“Well?” Sebastian’s voice came from behind me, far too pleased with himself. “Guess who.”

I should answer, but instead I tilted my head slightly, like I was genuinely considering the question. Sebastian leaned closer behind me, waiting.

“Hm,” I said thoughtfully.

Garreth and Diana had gone quiet, glancing at eachother and silently judging us.

“Well?” Sebastian prompted.

“Is it,” I said slowly, “Amit?” I made sure to sound excited about it, as if I definitely knew I was correct.

The hands vanished instantly.

“…Amit?” Sebastian repeated.

I turned around to find him standing behind the bench, looking personally offended, his arms halfway raised like I had just insulted his entire bloodline.

“Of all the people,” he said, “you chose Amit.”

Garreth collapsed onto the table laughing, while Diana blinked at me.

“Wait,” she said, “how do you even know Amit?”

Sebastian folded his arms, still staring at me. “Yes. An explanation is due.”

I shrugged. “I tutored him in Herbology last year.”

Diana tilted her head. “You did?”

“Briefly,” I said. “He was convinced Venomous Tentacula responded better to encouragement.”

Garreth wheezed. “Encouragement?”

“He tried talking to it too.”

Sebastian didn’t laugh. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly as he slid into the seat next to me. “And that’s how you recognized his hands?”

I paused. “What?”

“You said Amit,” he continued. “So clearly you know what his hands feel like.”

Garreth made a strangled noise somewhere between a laugh and a cough.

I stared at Sebastian. “When did I say I touched his hands?”

“You implied it.”

“I absolutely did not.”

“You identified him by touch. It certainly wasn’t voice. Not open for debate.”

“You asked me to guess.”

“Yes,” Sebastian said, gesturing sharply, “but Amit was a very specific guess.”

“It was the first name that came to mind.”

“That’s really not comforting.”

Garreth had fully given up pretending to eat. “This is fantastic,” he whispered.

Diana rested her chin lightly in her hand, eyes flicking between us. “More like exhausting.” She murmured.

Sebastian leaned forward slightly. “So the tutoring never required physical contact?”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Well, there was one point where I sensually guided him through fertilizing the plant.”

Sebastian’s brows lifted immediately.

“With his hands,” I continued. “And dirt.” with a flat tone.

Sebastian went very still. “…You did?”

I stared at him and then replied incredulously. “No.”

He furrowed his brows tapping his fingers on the table. Seemingly unimpressed by my sarcasm. “He handled the dirt himself. I spoke words. That’s typically how tutoring works.”

“And the only time we had contact,” I added calmly, “was when he shook my hand afterwards to say thank you.”

Sebastian watched me for another moment before leaning back slightly, muttering under his breath, “Hm.”

It was me furrowing my brows now. Petty much?

“Didn’t realize we had a herbalist among us,” he added, sounding just a touch too casual.

Sarcasm? What is he even mad about?

Diana immediately looked up. “Oh, he is.”

Garreth nodded. “Very much so.”

“And that’s not even the only thing he’s good at,” Diana added casually.

I closed my eyes briefly. Here we go.

Sebastian glanced back at her. “Oh?” He perked up at Diana and Garreth jumping in.

“He’s actually very good with healing charms too.”

“That is a giant exaggeration,” I said immediately.

“It isn’t,” Garreth said.

“Yes, it is.”

Diana ignored me. “In first year, he healed a bird’s wing.”

Sebastian blinked. “…You did? First year?”

“It was a small bird,” I said quickly. “And a very small wing.”

Garreth nodded enthusiastically. “Still broken.” He emphasized it to mock me.

“It was barely fractured.”

“You still fixed it,” Diana continued.

Sebastian looked between the three of us, trying to decide how seriously to take this.

“And because of that,” she added, “he got private lessons with Madam Blainey for a while.”

Sebastian turned back to me. “Private lessons?”

“For a bit,” I admitted. “Nothing major.” I quietly added.

Garreth leaned forward. “He’s being modest.”

“I’m being honest.”

“You literally practiced healing spells with the school nurse.” He really wasn’t giving up.

“For a short time.”

Diana nodded. “She said he had a steady hand.”

Sebastian’s gaze dropped briefly to my hands resting near my cup. I followed his gaze, fighting the urge to hide them. The small distance to his own pair catching my attention. Then he went quiet, something shifting behind his expression, subtle but there.

“…So how good are you now?” he asked finally, quieter than before.

The question lingered.

“At what?” I asked.

“Healing,” he said, a little more casually, though the curiosity remained. “If you were getting private lessons and all that.”

Garreth leaned back, watching. Diana glanced between us.

Before either of them could answer, Ominis arrived, sliding into the seat beside Diana with practiced ease. The moment Sebastian spoke, Ominis’s head turned slightly toward him, a brief pause that most would’ve missed. He didn’t react outwardly, but inwardly, he sighed. He knew that tone. Sebastian only sounded like that when something had caught his interest in a very particular way.

“Go on then,” Garreth said. “Tell him.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I mean… I’m decent. I can handle basic injuries. Small fractures. Cuts. Things like that.”

Diana snorted quietly. “That’s a very conservative summary.”

“It’s an accurate one.”

Garreth pointed his fork at Sebastian. “He always heals any of my broken bones after the quidditch matches, that’s why I can always be so thoughtlessly reckless.”

“You’re psychotic for being proud of that and seriously need to stop.” I comment sternly and then look away.

“And Professor Garlick still asks him to help sometimes if someone gets hurt in herbology..” Diana added.

“That is not a regular occurrence!” I look back towards them, now having a tint of heat on my face. They are really laying it on thick.

Sebastian watched me, thoughtful now. “Still… that’s impressive.” His thoughts seemed to shift elsewhere, not that anyone commented on it.

I shrugged, reaching for my pumpkin juice. Across the table, Ominis remained quiet, though he could practically hear the gears in Sebastian’s head turning, and he had a strong suspicion where those thoughts were heading.

Garreth broke the quiet with a satisfied sigh. “Well, he certainly has other areas he is ridiculously terrible at!”

Sebastian huffed a laugh. “Is this about flying?” He gave me a quick teasing side glance.

“Oh you’ve been familiarized with it? He’s famous for it,” Diana said. “Of course it is.” She still answered his question.

I exhaled. “How about we actually get going? You know, since we have multiple classes, which require total concentration and commitment?” I attempted to change the topic.

Sebastian made it sound like the worst attempt imaginable. “Oh yeah. I will personally work on that problem of his.”

After a few shared laughs, we got up and made our way out.

“If he crashes into another building again, I’m not helping,” Diana added casually.

“Not with me around. You see, I’m the captain-”

“That won’t help ya, mate,” Garreth cut in.

I shook my head, unable to hide the smile tugging at my face. “Can we get to class without you three annoying me for once?”

“No,” they said in unison.

I turned to Ominis. “At least you’re on my side.” I patted his shoulder.

“Don’t touch me.” he said dryly, already turning away, Diana following him toward History of Magic.

“See you later,” she called.

That left Sebastian, Garreth, and me heading toward Potions. Sebastian split off not long after, heading to the library. I didn’t let him leave without making a comment about never having seen him study before, and after a quick exchange, we parted ways.

As Garreth and I approached the dungeon classroom, he spoke casually. “He used to go to the library all the time during free periods last year.”

“Good. He’s studious,” I said. Raising a brow at Garreth, wondering why he felt the need to comment that as if it were conspiracy.

“Or,” Garreth continued, “he’s got something else in mind.”

I didn’t respond this time.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” I said eventually. “He’s… competent.”

“Sure,” Garreth muttered. We walked inside the classroom, immediately stilling and nodding at professor Sharp as a greeting.

The lesson passed without incident, mostly because I physically stopped him from turning his cauldron into a another disaster.

“You’re stifling innovation,” he complained as we walked after sorting back the recipe books into the shelves.

“I’m preserving your eyebrows.”

He continued anyway, explaining how Bloodroot potion could function as an antidote. It couldn’t. I only half-listened, my thoughts drifting. Sebastian. The library. The way he’d asked about healing. Strange.

Garreth suddenly stopped. “Hold on,” he said, jerking a thumb toward the lavatory. “I’ll be a minute.”

He was gone before I could answer. I leaned against the cold stone wall, counting distant footsteps to pass the time.

One minute.

Two.

Five.

I knocked sharply. “Garreth, if you’ve dissolved yourself, I’m not explaining that to Sharp-” No response.

I frowned-

-and my vision vanished.

Hands. Warm. Familiar. This again.

“Amit,” I said immediately, a small smirk forming.

A quiet scoff behind me. “You’re committed to that, aren’t you?”

The hands dropped. I turned to find Sebastian watching me, somewhere between amused and unimpressed.

“It was funny this morning.”

“It wasn’t.” He cocked an eyebrow undeterred.

“I enjoyed it.”

He shook his head huffing out the ghost of a laugh. “Where’s Weasley?” He inquired while looking around.

“Inside. Either alive or experimenting.” I gave the answer without giving it much thought.

He hummed once. Then, without warning—

“Come on.”

“Pardon, what?” It came out more flat and sharp than I intended.

“I said, come on.”

His hand caught my wrist, and he started walking.

“…You’re serious.”

“You said yes.”

“I said ‘Pardon, what.’” I repeated since he’s apparently delusional.

“Not talking about that.” He started but then quieted down, a smile settling on his face.

“Delirium or Psychosis?” I tossed out as he dragged me along.

His grip on my wrist didn’t loosen as he kept walking, steady and completely unbothered by my resistance. I glanced down at his hand, then back up at him, incredulous.

“This feels like human trafficking.”

“Don’t be dramatic.”

“You’re physically relocating me without consent.” I made hand gestures at passing students, trying to explain to them that I was as perplexed as they were.

“You’re walking for Merlin’s sake.” He deadpanned.

“Under duress.” I lifted a finger.

That earned the faintest hint of a reaction, a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh, but he still didn’t let go. We turned the corner, the corridor opening up ahead-

-and I immediately slowed, my steps dragging.

“…No.”

Sebastian didn’t even hesitate, keeping up the pace.

“No, absolutely not.” I dug my heels in this time, forcing him to feel the resistance. His grip tightened slightly in response, not enough to hurt, just enough to make it clear that stopping wasn’t an option.

“You’re taking me to the flying lawn,” I said, more urgently now, already recognizing the direction. “That’s where the brooms are.”

“Yes, proper time for that flying session.” He had a sickening smirk in his tone and I could imagine it without even having to look at him.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I have things to do,” I added quickly, searching for anything remotely convincing.

“Like what?” He humored me. Prick.

“…Important things.”

“That’s unlikely.”

“It could definitely be likely.” I searched for his face.

“Not nearly enough to stifle you’re upcoming success in flying.” He, unfortunately for me, kept his gaze ahead.

I glanced back over my shoulder, like Garreth might magically appear to rescue me. “Garreth’s still in the bathroom.”

“He’ll survive.”

“He might not.” I turned back to face his back as he led me through the castle, some students stopping to look why someone was being basically dragged against their will.

“Not my problem.”

We kept moving, the light from the flying class lawn beginning to spill into the corridor ahead, bright and unmistakable.

“I feel unwell,” I tried again, faster now. “Like actually. Nausea.”

“You don’t.”

“It’s cholera.” I signaled at the passing students again silently that I was being abducted, who now were more amused than worried. All traitors.

“It’s not.” Sebastian raised his hand to wave at the passing students as they were left indecisive about whether to intervene.

“I could pass out-”

Sebastian stopped just long enough to look back at me, unimpressed, like he was weighing whether I was serious or just committed to the act. Then his grip shifted, firmer this time, and he pulled me forward again when I tried to resist.

“Keep up.” His gaze flicked over me briefly, assessing. “You’re going to learn to fly whether you like it or not. I swear my pride on it.”

“I am actively trying not to.”

“I’ve noticed.” He scoffed out a breath.

The lawn doors, right past history of magic came into view, sunlight spilling through the opening as he pushed them forward without breaking stride. I wondered if I I should yell for Diana to rescue me.

“That should tell you something.” I retorted at his comment before. Voice growing more distressed.

“It does.”

“And?”

He didn’t even look back this time.

“And you’re still coming with me.”

I’m fucked.

๛

So that’s what led me to be standing in front of him, wind tussling the hair I had tried to somewhat style this morning for once, as he hovered slightly over the ground on a broom, one fisted hand resting on his upper thigh while his other loosely held the broomstick. He was explaining something about not being forceful, and how it’s basically sabotaging my chances of getting along with my broom.

At some point I had the broom between my legs, holding it by the broomstick and floating next to him, having shut off completely until then, steeling my nerves to the best of my capabilities, trying to ignore the way the air felt thinner even this low off the ground.

“Well, look at you go. Seems Diana and Garreth exaggerated a bit, no?” he said, a hint of amusement slipping into his voice as he started floating higher, slow and deliberate, his dress shirt shifting faintly, after having taken off his robe and waistcoat, with the movement, looking down at me like he already expected me to follow.

Setting off was never the problem… it was the height, and actually moving, and the way my stomach seemed to lag somewhere below me.

“Haha… told you…” I replied as I lifted higher towards him, the broom started growing more shaky beneath me, a faint, uneven sway that made my grip tighten. I clenched the broomstick harder and glanced beneath me, the ground already feeling farther than it should, quickly snapping my head back up again.

I assume Sebastian noticed, because he let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh, then lowered himself a couple meters to get back to my level, easy and controlled, hovering next to me.

“You don’t have to be scared,” he said, softer now, placing his hand on my shoulder, warm and grounding, tilting his head just enough to catch my eyes when I tried to avoid his gaze. “I won’t let you fall.” There was something quietly certain in the way he said it, like it wasn’t reassurance, just fact.

“I feel pathetic,” I blurted out, the words coming out tighter than I meant.

He frowned immediately, a small shake of his head. “Stop. Don’t do that.” His tone shifted, not harsh, but firm enough to cut through the spiral before it could settle. “Focus on the progress, not the struggle,” he continued, more lightly now, like he was easing the weight of his own words. “You’re already higher than you were a minute ago… even if you’re pretending not to notice.”

He had, unbeknownst to me, placed his hand under my broom and had been pushing it up, subtle and steady, while keeping my attention on him the entire time. When I finally realized, and actually looked, and saw how high up we were, my breath got caught in my throat, sharp and sudden. The couple of students that had been hanging out in the courtyard had shrunk into small, distant dots in the field, their voices long swallowed by the open air. My eyes were forced shut by reflex, lashes pressing tight as if that alone could anchor me, my arms shaking as they gripped the broomstick, the wood unsteady beneath my hands, the broom responding by starting to wobble.

“Hey-” His hand tightened slightly on my shoulder, not enough to startle, just enough to ground. “Eyes up. If you keep looking for the ground, you’ll only find it faster.” There it was again, that faint edge of teasing, but quieter now, more careful. “Stay with me, alright?”

The broom wobbled again, sharp and uneven beneath me, and I sucked in a breath, forcing my grip to loosen just slightly despite every instinct screaming otherwise.

“Don’t fight it,” Sebastian said, closer now, his voice lower, steadier, cutting through the noise in my head. “You’re making it worse.”

“I can feel that,” I muttered under my breath.

“Good. Then stop doing it.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the height, the drop, the way my stomach hadn’t quite caught up with the rest of me. Instead, I focused on the broom, on the subtle shift beneath my hands, the way it reacted when I tensed, when I pulled too hard.

Gradually, the wobble eased. Not completely. Not perfectly. But enough.

“There you go,” Sebastian said, quieter now, like he didn’t want to break whatever fragile balance I’d managed to find. “See? Not so difficult.”

“It is absolutely difficult,” I replied, though my voice had lost some of its edge.

“Debatable.”

The broom steadied further, the uneven sway smoothing into something more controlled, something I could actually anticipate instead of react to too late.

I adjusted my grip again, smaller this time, more careful.

The broom responded.

“…Alright,” I said slowly, more to myself than to him.

Sebastian watched me for a moment, something more focused settling into his expression as he took in the shift.

“Good,” he said. “Now- move.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Forward,” he clarified, like it was obvious. “You’re not meant to hover there all day.”

“That was not part of the agreement.”

“We didn’t have an agreement.”

“Oh right I almost forgot I was abducted!” I said in a feigned cheerful voice as he tilted his head and let out a breath before smiling and coming up next to me in the air.

“Lean,” he said, ignoring me entirely, already drifting slightly ahead. “Gently. Not like you’re trying to throw yourself off.”

That did not inspire confidence. Still, I shifted my weight forward, just slightly. The broom responded immediately, gliding ahead in a way that felt entirely too smooth compared to everything that had just happened. My grip tightened on instinct.

“Not so tense,” Sebastian called, circling back toward me with ease, like the air itself moved around him instead of the other way around. “You’ll start fighting it again.”

“I am trying not to die.”

“You’re not dying.” He elongated the mid vowel. Prick. Such a prick.

“That feels subjective.”

He huffed a quiet laugh, drifting alongside me now, close enough that I could still anchor myself to his presence without relying on it completely.

“Keep your balance centered,” he continued, more measured tone now. “Let the broom do the work. You’re guiding it, not controlling it.”

I adjusted again, slower this time, more deliberate. The movement smoothed. We drifted across the courtyard, not fast, nor particularly graceful, but moving, actually moving, and for a moment, the height didn’t feel quite as overwhelming.

“…Alright,” I said again, quieter this time. Eyes switching from the tip of the broomstick to the line of trees surrounding ahead towards the north of the lawn.

“There it is,” Sebastian replied, something almost approving slipping into his tone.

We made a slow turn, uneven but manageable, the castle walls shifting in my peripheral vision as I focused on keeping steady. And then, somewhere between one turn and the next, it stopped feeling like immediate disaster. Not exactly safe. Definitely not comfortable. But… manageable.

Sebastian, of course, noticed immediately “Well,” he said lightly, drifting a little higher before dipping back down again in an easy arc, “look at that. You’re not completely hopeless.”

“I never was,” I shot back as if all that talk before hadn’t happened, though there was less bite to it now.

“Mm. Jury’s still out.” Sebastian was thoroughly proud of himself and his teaching. I scoffed at the thought, knowing for a fact it was the reason for his smug visage.

We made another pass across the courtyard, smoother this time, the turns less sharp, the corrections less frantic, and somewhere between one breath and the next, I stopped bracing for immediate failure. It wasn’t perfect, but it held, and that alone felt like something.

Sebastian, of course, noticed.

“Careful,” he said lightly, drifting a little higher before dipping back down in an easy arc, like gravity had simply decided to ignore him, “you look like you’re starting to enjoy yourself.”

“That’s not what’s happening,” I replied, though there was noticeably less resistance behind it now.

“Sure it isn’t.”

He pushed off again, gliding past me in a smooth line, just close enough for the air to shift around me, deliberate, testing. “Try keeping up.”

“That seems unlikely.”

“Then prove me wrong.” He said in an extremely annoying tone. One that no one would be able to resist the need to quiet down.

I exhaled once, steadying my grip, adjusting my balance the way he’d shown me, smaller movements now, more controlled. Then I leaned forward, just a bit more than before. The broom responded immediately, faster this time, the glide sharpening into something with actual speed behind it. Alright. I leaned a little more. The wind picked up against my face, robes tugging slightly at the sudden change, the courtyard beginning to blur at the edges as I tried to match his pace, to close the distance he kept so easily.

“Not bad-” Sebastian started, somewhere ahead of me.

I leaned further. And that’s when it shifted. The angle changed too quickly, too sharply, and without realizing it, I pulled the broomstick closer toward my torso instead of guiding it forward.

The response was immediate. The broom shot upward. Way too fast for my inexperience. The lawn dropped away beneath me in a dizzying rush, the ground shrinking too quickly, the air thinning again, harsher this time, colder.

“-No, not like that-” Sebastian’s voice cut in, sharper now, already flying towards me.

I tried to correct it, pulling the broom back down the way I thought I was supposed to, but my grip was wrong, too tight, too panicked, the movement jerking instead of guiding. It only made it worse. The broom jolted again beneath me, violent and uneven, and I felt the balance go completely, that awful, hollow shift where nothing quite lines up anymore.

“Loosen your grip- don’t fight it-” Sebastian called, closer now, matching my height, but not touching, not yet. “You’re pulling too hard- just steady-” his voice was growing slightly more strained but it seemed he had faith.

“I am trying-” I started, breath catching as the broom lurched again. My hand slipped. His faith was definitely misplaced. Just a small shift, fingers losing their exact placement, the kind of mistake that would’ve been nothing on the ground. Up here, it was everything. My weight tipped with it. For a split second, I was still on the broom-

-and then I wasn’t.

There was a brief, suspended moment where nothing existed but the sudden absence of support, my body no longer aligned with anything, the world tilting in a way that didn’t make sense.

I slipped clean off.

Sebastian made a sound, sharp and startled, the first real break in his composure, but by then I was already falling. The air rushed past too fast, loud and hollow in my ears, the castle walls stretching upward as the ground came closer in a way that felt entirely wrong. Instinct didn’t even have time to catch up.

Then-

Impact. Not with the ground. With him.

Sebastian caught me just a little too close to it, the force of it knocking the air from my lungs as his arm locked around me, pulling me in tight, steadying the both of us in one sharp, controlled movement. I didn’t splat. Barely.

My hands had already grabbed onto him before I’d even processed it, gripping tight, instinctive, refusing to let go now that there was something solid again. For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think. Just the rush of it, the drop still echoing somewhere in my chest, my grip tightening without permission as I held onto him like letting go would send me right back down again. The ground sat just beneath us. For a moment, neither of us moved, hovering just above the ground as Sebastian kept one arm around me, steady and controlled. His hold didn’t loosen right away, like he wanted to be certain I wasn’t about to slip again.

“Hey,” he said, quieter now, his voice closer than before. “You’re alright. I’ve got you.”

I didn’t answer.

My hands were still gripping onto him, fingers curled into his robes without me really thinking about it. The fall hadn’t fully left my body yet, still sitting somewhere in my chest, my breathing uneven, my thoughts lagging behind what had already happened. Sebastian lowered us the rest of the way until my feet touched the ground, keeping his arm there for another second.

“It’s fine,” he continued, more measured now. “You’re fine. Just breathe.”

That was when it registered. How close I still was. The way I was still holding onto him. I let go immediately, the movement sharp and uncoordinated as I pushed away from him and stumbled back. My boots hit the ground unevenly, and I half-stepped off the broom I’d been placed sideways on, catching myself just enough to stay upright.

Sebastian steadied the broom and dismounted right after, landing cleanly before stepping toward me again.

“Hey-” he started. An arm extended out of reflex.

I had already turned away. My back to him, I pressed a hand against my forehead and exhaled, trying to slow my breathing, trying to pull myself back into something steady. It didn’t quite work, my chest still tight, the rhythm off.

“I’m fine,” I said, though my voice came out way thinner than I meant it to. Behind me, there was a brief pause, long enough for him to notice it, long enough for him to reconsider whatever he’d been about to say next.

Then his footsteps came closer, slower this time, more deliberate. “Doesn’t look like it,” Sebastian said, his voice lower now, stripped of its usual edge. “You nearly-”

I cut him off before he could finish, swinging my arm back through the space between us without turning around and stepping forward at the same time, putting distance there before he could get any closer. “I said I’m fine.”

The words came out firmer this time, controlled, even if the edge hadn’t quite faded.

Sebastian stopped. Not just physically. Completely. The reaction wasn’t loud but it was there in the stillness, in the way he didn’t try to step forward again, didn’t fill the silence the way he usually would. For once, there was no quick remark, no attempt to smooth it over with humor. Instead, he just stood there, watching. It took him a second to piece it together, the fall, the panic, the way I’d grabbed onto him, and then the way I’d pulled away just as quickly. The realization settled in quietly, and with it, something else that sat heavier than he liked.

“…Right,” he said after a moment, the word quieter than anything he’d said so far. His hand dropped back to his side, fingers flexing once like he hadn’t quite decided what to do with them. His gaze lingered on me for a second longer before he looked away, exhaling under his breath, the energy he’d carried through the entire lesson slipping into something more restrained.

“Take a minute,” he added, not stepping any closer this time. “No one’s dragging you back on a broom just yet.” There was a faint attempt at something lighter in the last part, but it didn’t fully land, not the way it usually would. He stayed where he was after that, giving me space without turning it into a big thing, though his attention didn’t leave entirely. It lingered, quieter now, watching without pressing, like he was waiting to see if I’d steady on my own before deciding what to do next.

It took a few minutes for my breathing to settle, the tightness in my chest easing little by little until it stopped feeling like I had to think about every inhale. I let out one final breath, slower this time, and dropped my hand from my forehead before turning around hesitantly. Sebastian had his back to me, standing a short distance away with one hand resting on his broom while the other moved along the handle in small, unnecessary adjustments, the same motion repeating like he hadn’t quite decided what to do with himself. The broom he had handed to me laid on the grass next to him, having probably retreated it as it had been hovering in the air still.

I watched him for a second, then cleared my throat and stepped closer. He glanced back over his shoulder at the sound and straightened slightly, turning just enough to face me as I approached.

“S-” we both started at the same time, then stopped.

“Sorry,” we said together.

A brief pause followed, something easing between us without either of us fully acknowledging it.

“You can speak, sorry,” Sebastian said, gesturing lightly, though his attention stayed on me.

I shook my head, exhaling through my nose as I rubbed the back of my neck. “No, I mean- that was unnecessary. I overreacted.” The words came easier once they started. “You were trying to help and I just made it harder than it needed to be. I should’ve handled it better.”

Sebastian’s expression shifted almost immediately, whatever he’d expected clearly not that. “That’s not- no,” he cut in, stepping closer without hesitation. “You didn’t overreact. You were thirty feet in the air and nearly fell off a broom for the first time. That’s a normal reaction.”

“I’ve seen people manage it,” I said, quieter, not quite meeting his eyes. “Without… that.”

“And I’ve seen people fall off entirely,” he replied, just as quickly. “You stayed on, you corrected it when I told you to, and you didn’t lose it until you were already slipping. That’s not ‘making it harder,’ that’s you actually doing it.” His accent slipped out harsher as he grew passionate about motivating me.

I let out a short breath, unconvinced. “Still. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

“That part,” he said, a faint hint of something lighter slipping back in, “was slightly unnecessary.”

I glanced at him, crooked smile forming.

“But,” he added before I could respond, lifting a hand slightly, “I dragged you out here without consent and put you on a broom you clearly didn’t trust. So I’d say that cancels it out.”

The tension didn’t disappear completely, but it shifted, settling into something lighter. Sebastian moved first, adjusting his grip on the broom before mounting it in one smooth motion. He shifted back along the handle, making space in front of him, then looked down at me like the decision had already been made.

“Round two,” he said.

I stared at him. “You’re joking.” My eyes narrowed as his did too, for an entirely different reason.

“Not this time,” he replied, nodding toward the space in front. “You’re not flying. I am. You just sit right here.”

“That sounds worse.” I denied immediately.

“It isn’t.”

I didn’t move, the memory of the drop still sitting too close to the surface to ignore. Sebastian watched me for a moment, then leaned forward slightly, his tone lowering just enough to pull my attention back to him.

“I’ve got you,” he said, steady, certain. “You won’t fall.”

I hesitated, weighing it, then glanced at him again. He didn’t look unsure, didn’t rush me, just waited like he already knew I’d decide eventually. “You’re very confident for someone who nearly let me fall to my death.”

“I caught you,” he replied without missing a beat. Way too nonchalant about it.

“At the very last second.”

“It was exactly on time.” He was the one to lift a couple fingers this time.

I exhaled quietly, then stepped forward, more careful this time as I reached for the broom and climbed on in front of him, adjusting my position until I felt steady enough.

“If this goes wrong-”

“It won’t,” Sebastian said, already settling his grip on the broom. “Promise.”

I exhaled quietly, then stepped forward, more careful this time as I reached for the broom and climbed on in front of him, adjusting my position until I felt steady enough. The shift in balance was immediate, different from before, his presence behind me changing the center of it, grounding it in a way that made it easier to sit without overthinking every small movement.

Sebastian settled in properly after I had hopped in front of him, one arm coming around my waist to hold the broom by the broomstick as he adjusted his seating behind me, close enough that I could feel the slight shift of his weight as he positioned himself properly. His other hand braced briefly at a spot right over my knee, before sliding into a more controlled hold. “Comfortable?” he asked, his voice closer now, lower by proximity rather than intention. The hairs on my neck stood up. This was a bad idea.

“Define comfortable,” I muttered, adjusting my grip slightly.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“You really need to stop doing that.” I was going to turn to face him but the broom started moving.

He huffed a quiet breath that almost resembled a laugh, then shifted slightly, the broom responding under us as he tested the balance. “Alright,” he said, more focused now. “Don’t overthink it. You’re not doing anything this time, just sit still.”

“That I can manage.”

“Good. Try not to prove me wrong.”

Before I could respond, the broom lifted. It was smoother than before, controlled, no sudden jolt, just a steady rise that pulled us off the ground in one clean motion. My body reacted anyway, shoulders tensing slightly, breath catching as the distance between us and the courtyard began to grow.

I closed my eyes.

“Really?” Sebastian’s voice came from just behind me, threaded with quiet amusement. “You might enjoy this again if you actually look at it.”

I left the ‘again’ part of his statement uncommented although I snapped at him inwardly. “I’m enjoying it conceptually,” I opted to say instead.

“That’s not how this works.” He laughed for real this time.

“I disagree.”

He shifted slightly behind me, one hand adjusting the angle of the broom as we leveled out, the movement smooth enough that it barely registered beyond the change in direction. “You’re not about to fall,” he added, tone still light, but steadier underneath. “I’d prefer you didn’t miss the part where you’re actually flying.”

I hesitated for a second, then cracked one eye open, just enough to check. We were moving. Not speeding, not struggling, just… gliding, the courtyard stretching out beneath us, the height still there but less immediate, less overwhelming with the control taken out of my hands.

“…Alright,” I admitted quietly, opening my eyes fully this time.

“There it is,” Sebastian said, a hint of satisfaction slipping into his voice.

The broom dipped slightly into a gentle turn, smooth and controlled, nothing like the uneven movements from before, and for once I didn’t tense immediately, just adjusted with it, letting the motion happen instead of fighting it.

“Told you,” he added, just a touch smug now, though there was something lighter behind it.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I said, though there was less resistance behind it than before.

“I fear I’m ahead already.” That did unfortunately force out a laugh out of me, he followed along promptly.

The movement evened out into something steady, a rhythm that didn’t demand constant correction, just enough awareness to stay balanced while Sebastian guided the broom with practiced ease, the courtyard slipping behind us without me fully registering when it happened, my focus caught somewhere between the unfamiliar sensation of flying and the fact that I wasn’t the one controlling it. Then his hand shifted, subtle at first, the balance changing before I fully registered why, and a second later it settled at my waist, firm enough to anchor me in place as the broom picked up speed.

My thoughts stalled entirely, whatever I’d been focusing on disappearing the moment the contact registered, replaced with something far less useful as my attention snapped to it, the warmth through the fabric, the steadiness of his grip, the way it held me in place without effort. That was new. And extremely unhelpful, much like a lot of aspects of being around Sebastian Sallow.

“Try not to tense,” Sebastian said from behind me, far too casual about it, like nothing had changed, like this was a normal adjustment and not something that had completely derailed my concentration. “It’s easier if you don’t fight the movement.”

“I’m not-” I started, then stopped, because that wasn’t even remotely convincing. Not to mention it wouldn’t make sense about me letting him know I tensed due to his touch instead of his change in stance. I could just give him a loaded wand at that point. “Right.”

The wind pressed a little stronger against us as we sped up, the shift in pace more noticeable now, the turns sharper but still controlled, the kind that didn’t leave room for hesitation. I forced my focus forward again, dragging it away from the distraction, away from the fact that his hand was still there, steady, grounding in a way that made ignoring it nearly impossible.

“Woohoo!” He hollered behind me, it forced out a couple more laughs out of me as i involuntarily pressed against his front, the sheer speed in which he was flying taking me out of the easy pace he had set before. It took me a second to realize the surroundings had changed, the open space widening, the familiar stone of the courtyard gone, replaced by something much larger as the structure curved around us and the stands rose up on either side.

The Quidditch pitch.

I blinked, adjusting instinctively as Sebastian guided us into a wide turn without slowing, leaning into it with ease as the broom followed in a smooth arc, controlled and deliberate, carrying us along the edge of the stadium.

One lap. Then another. Of course.

“You’re doing this on purpose,” I said, glancing back just slightly, enough to catch part of his expression.

“Doing what?” Sebastian replied, his tone light in that way that meant he absolutely knew what I meant.

“This,” I gestured vaguely ahead, the pitch, the movement, the very obvious pattern, “the stadium, the laps, I’m not playing-!”

“Just thought you might appreciate the full experience,” he cut in easily, not even attempting to deny it.

“I said I wasn’t interested in Quidditch.”

“You said you weren’t one for it,” he corrected, guiding us through another turn, a little faster this time, clean and controlled. “That’s not the same thing.”

“That is the same thing.” I was laughing again, walls having crumbled before I realized.

“Not quite.”

We straightened out again, the pitch stretching ahead, open and wide, and I adjusted automatically this time when the broom shifted, not overthinking it, just following the motion instead of resisting it.

“You’ve never actually seen it from up here,” he continued, more casually now, like he was making a point he’d already decided on. “Hard to judge something properly when you’ve only experienced half of it.”

“I’ve experienced enough of it.”

“Watching it from the stands doesn’t count sadly.” He spoke slow and infuriatingly.

I exhaled quietly, shifting slightly as we dipped into another turn, smoother again, faster, the stands blurring faintly at the edges as the speed held steady.

“…That is your argument?” I asked. Looking over my shoulder, our noses too close for my liking.

“It’s a very good one.” He kept his eyes right on mine. My breath hitched.

“It’s not.” I forced out after I managed to breathe.

Sebastian huffed softly behind me, the sound close enough to feel. “You’re still here, aren’t you?”

“What am I supposed to do, jump-?” I realized he had meant it in a deeper meaning after catching the slow and steadying of his tone only after I had replied sarcastically. That landed more than I wanted it to, and I didn’t answer right away, I couldn’t, I was physically not able to. It was as if my brain had completely deflected whatever feeling had inevitably settled into my chest just now and forced me to pay attention to something else. Instead it slippedforward again as we completed another lap, the motion starting to feel less foreign, less like something I had to consciously survive.

“See?” he added after a moment, just a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “Not nearly as terrible as you made it out to be.” Thank Merlin he spoke up again, I guess I over interpreted…

“I didn’t say it was terrible.”

“You implied it.”

“I strongly suggested it.”

Instead of arguing back he shook us a bit on purpose to which he had to dodge a backwards headbutt to the face. We curved along the pitch again, the movement fluid, consistent, and for once I wasn’t focused on the height or the drop or the possibility of falling, just the rhythm of it, the speed, the way the broom responded without resistance. That, and the hand still at my waist. I forced my attention forward again. The next turn eased instead of tightening, the speed gradually pulling back as Sebastian angled the broom upward and guided us toward the stands. The descent was controlled, steady enough that I didn’t feel that sudden drop this time, just a gradual return until the wooden rows came into view beneath us. We were on the Slytherin stand.

We landed lightly, the broom dipping once before settling. Sebastian steadied it for a second, then swung off first and turned back toward me, already offering his hand like it had never been in question. I paused for a brief moment. It settled in quietly then, the way he handled…this, no mention of what had happened, no attempt to revisit it, just adjusting, making sure I was steady before stepping back. No apology dragged out, no explanation forced into it. Just… action.

Right. I think I had just understood the kind of person Sebastian was. My lips twitched into a toothy smile. I took his hand.

He helped me down with an easy grip, letting go as soon as my footing was secure. I stepped back, running a hand through my hair to fix what the wind had done to it, then dropped down onto the bench, leaning forward with my arms resting on my knees as my gaze drifted out across the pitch and up toward the sky.

Sebastian joined a second later, sitting a row above me, elbows resting against the wood behind him while his legs stretched out along the bench below, settled in like he belonged there. For a while, neither of us spoke. The air up here carried differently, quieter, open, the stillness settling in after everything that had come before. I glanced back at him once before looking ahead again. “Thank you,” I said, the words coming out more honestly than I’d expected.

Sebastian tilted his head slightly. “For what?”

“For catching me,” I replied, then added after a short pause, “and… for this…and also just in general.” I looked away and scrunched my nose, realizing I sounded way more sentimental than I wanted to.

He let out a quiet breath, something softer sitting behind it. “Glad you enjoyed yourself.” he said.

A small stretch of silence followed, easier now.

“I meant what I said earlier,” I continued, my gaze still fixed ahead. “I made it harder than it needed to be.”

Sebastian shifted slightly behind me, his attention settling on me again. “You didn’t,” he said, direct and certain. “You handled it. That’s what matters.”

“I fell off.” My voice quieted.

I let out a quiet breath, my grip tightening briefly against my sleeve before easing again.

“I should’ve kept it together.”

“You did,” he said, more firmly this time. “You pushed through it, got back on, and you’re still here. That’s it.”

He nudged his knee into mine. “Albeit got onto my broom instead, a broom nonetheless.” He spoke as if sophisticated and we erupted into laughter.

I didn’t answer right away anyway. The words sat there, steady, without pressure behind them. After a moment, I nodded slightly, more to myself than to him. The quiet settled again, stretching out across the stands, the pitch below empty, the sky open above us.

“…It wasn’t as bad as I expected,” I admitted after a while.

Sebastian shifted behind me, something faintly amused slipping into his tone. “Victory.”

“Congrats.” I looked at him relax and breathe in the air.

“No need, I’m used to praise already.”

I rested my head in my palm and scoffed a chuckle, then looked forward again, a small smile pulling at the corner of my mouth before I could stop it.

“You’re insufferable, you know that?” He’d deserved that.

He shrugged crossing an ankle over the other as he laughed along. I shook my head lightly, letting the moment settle as my gaze drifted upward again, the earlier tension finally easing into something quieter, something that didn’t need to be filled with anything else.

DISTANCE CH. 4

Quite right.

pairing: sebastian sallow x male hufflepuff mc

Genre: fluff, slowburn 𓆹𓆺

(3000 words)

Garreth finally grabbed a muffin only after I had begrudgingly decided that yes, fine, I would actually show up to his invitation. Getting sugar and vanilla out of clothes was, apparently, a collaborative effort, because Diana had now held me hostage for over five full minutes, brushing, patting, and flicking flour off my trousers and shirt with an intensity usually reserved for tidying objects, not people.

“No, absolutely not,” she said firmly, already reaching for my sleeve again. “You smell like kitchen.”

“I do not,” I protested, twisting away while tugging my shirt straight and sniffing it, which only served to wrinkle it in new and interesting ways. “And even if I did, I don’t have time to change.”

Garreth leaned in and sniffed exaggeratedly.“You smell delightful. Like poor decisions and self-inflicted chaos.”

“I might already be late,” I said, grabbing for the door handle before Diana could mount a second offensive. “Mistfeather probably didn’t even get to take off with the letter on time.”

“That’s because your cat committed a felony,” Garreth added helpfully.

Zephyr, perched innocently atop the counter with all the performative guiltlessness of a creature who had absolutely committed said felony, blinked slowly.

“Exactly,” I said, glaring at Zephyr for a quick second. “So he might already be waiting.”

Diana groaned, wand already halfway raised. “At least let me—“ She flicked her wand anyway.

“Scourgify!”

Cold air swept over me in a blink, ripping away most of the sugar-heavy scent just as I was already halfway through the doorway. “Cloak!” Garreth shouted after me.

“I don’t need it!”

“You’re going to freeze!”

“I’ll live!”

๛

I ran anyway. The Floo flames roared up around me, emerald and choking, and I barely gave myself enough time to shout my destination before stepping forward like someone who definitely had their emotions together.

“Conjuring Courtyard!”

The world lurched unpleasantly, and I stumbled out of the flames far too fast, boots scraping stone as I caught myself on the edge of the garden path with a sharp inhale.

Okay. Breathe. Normal. Casual.

I smoothed my white button-up reflexively, sleeves already rolled to my forearms, Hufflepuff tie crooked at my throat in a way that felt deeply symbolic of my current state. No cloak. Of course. When I lifted my head, my brain immediately stopped cooperating.

Sebastian Sallow was sitting on the edge of the fountain, one leg propped up, the other dangling lazily as he twirled a thin twig between his fingers with infuriating ease. Sunlight caught in his hair just enough to feel intentional.

He was dressed almost exactly like me. White shirt. Rolled sleeves. The only difference being the green-and-silver tie hanging loose at his collar.

My stomach made a decision I had not approved.

I forced my shoulders back, inhaled, and marched forward with what I hoped read as confidence rather than impending emotional derailment. Sebastian noticed me almost immediately. His gaze snapped up, sharpened for half a second, then softened as the corner of his mouth lifted.

“There you are,” he said.

I sat beside him before my nerves could stage a proper intervention. “Sorry,” I said, breathless. “I got… held up.”

He hummed, still twirling the twig. “Worth the wait.” Most likely just teasing. But I still had to pretend my heart did not absolutely skip a beat.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Sebastian shifted slightly, the twig stalling between his fingers as he glanced out over the courtyard, then back at me, clearly searching for something to say.

The silence stretched. I panicked. Didn’t want to make it awkward. Wait was he feeling awkward already? Before my brain could intercept my hands, I flicked my wand. With a soft pop, a muffin appeared in my palm. Slightly misshapen. Still warm. Dusted faintly with sugar.

I stared at it

Sebastian stared at it.

“I—” I started, then immediately regretted it. “Sorry. That was… I didn’t mean to- but-“ I held it out anyway, arm stiff. “I made these earlier,” I rushed. “In the kitchens. With Diana and Garreth. I might’ve overmixed the batter. They’re not bad though. I think.”

Sebastian blinked once. Then his brows lifted in genuine surprise. “You made them?” he asked, searching my eyes.

I nodded, suddenly acutely aware of how ridiculous this looked. “You don’t have to take it. I just- you were sitting there and it was awkward and I didn’t know what else to do.”

He laughed softly and reached out before I could retreat. “I’m not refusing a homemade muffin,” he said, fingers brushing mine briefly in the process.

Entirely unhelpful. He inspected it like it was something rare. “Do you carry baked goods on you often, or am I special?”

“That was a panic response,” I admitted. “Interpret accordingly.” Why the hell do I sound like professor Weasley? His brows raised for a second. His grin widened. He took a bite. I watched far too closely.

He paused just long enough to make my stomach drop before his expression shifted. “…Okay,” he said, impressed despite himself. “That’s actually really good.”

Relief hit me so fast I nearly laughed. “Told you.”

He took another bite, slower this time. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”

“Guessed what?”

“That you bake,” he replied. “You don’t carry yourself like someone who spends their afternoons in the kitchens.”

I bristled. “And what does that mean?”

He smiled faintly. “You seem precise. Put-together. I’d have pegged you for something tidy. Notes color-coded. Books stacked by height.”

“I do not stack my books by height,” I said, then sighed. “Well…not intentionally.”

That earned a quiet laugh. “Exactly my point.”

“Baking is precise,” I argued.

“Yes,” he agreed. “But it’s also messy. You have to accept that things won’t behave.”

“That’s why I like it,” I admitted. “I can let things misbehave without…consequences.”

His smile softened. “Figures.”

We sat there for a moment, the fountain murmuring behind us, the courtyard alive with distant voices and birds overhead. Sebastian finished the muffin, brushing a bit of sugar from his thumb.

“You make things when you’re thinking,” he said, not quite a question.

I glanced at him. “Is that an observation or a guess?”

“An informed one,” he replied. “You don’t strike me as someone who does nothing when their head gets too loud.”

I looked away, heat creeping up my neck. “You’re very sure of yourself today.”

“And also very observant.” I added more quietly.

“Am I wrong?”

I didn’t answer that. Instead, I said, “You asked me here to spend time together.”

“I did.”

“And so far I’ve offered you baked goods and you’ve given me a character analysis.”

He smiled, unbothered. “I don’t feel shortchanged.”

Something in my chest loosened at that, just enough to draw a quiet huff of laughter from me. “Good,” I said. “Because I’m not very good at… whatever this is.”

I flinched inwardly at how open to interpretation that statement was.

Sebastian leaned back on his hands, gaze lifting toward the sky. “Neither am I.”

Thank god he didn’t catch on. But his answer still surprised me enough to make me look at him again.

After a moment, he added, quieter, “But I wanted to try.”

“Being friends.” He added almost like an afterthought. The fountain splashed. A breeze stirred the leaves overhead.

“I think we could get along.”

I swallowed and nodded with a tight smile since I wasn’t sure how to respond without sounding like a doofus.

“All right,” I said.

We sat there a little longer, the quiet settling into something almost comfortable.

Almost. Sebastian broke it first.

“Hey,” he said, his tone careful in a way I hadn’t heard from him before. “About Divination.” There it was. My pulse kicked up immediately. I kept my expression neutral, though my thoughts were already sprinting ahead of me, arranging possibilities I very much did not want to entertain.

“Yes,” I said. “That.”

“You left quickly.” He started.

“I don’t enjoy that class,” I replied evenly. Bad attempt at trying to lie from the get-go, even if it’s only half a lie.

“I noticed.” He hesitated. “I just wanted to check in.”

Well that wasn’t what I’d expected.

“Check in how? Why?”

He worried the edge of the fountain stone with his fingers. “I might’ve said something that made it worse.” I saw him search for my gaze. My brow furrowed. “You mean the tea?” I startled myself from being so upfront suddenly.

“Yes,” he said at once, relief flickering across his face. “When I commented on it. And everything after. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”

Oh.

My carefully constructed internal scaffolding wobbled. “I left because I didn’t want to deal with it,” I said slowly.

“With what?” he asked. My pupils dilated.

“The implications,” I said after swallowing, then immediately wished I’d chosen a different word.

He blinked. “Implications?”

I opened my mouth. Closed it again. Adjusted course. Come on you got this. “Divination has a way of inflating things,” I said carefully. “I don’t enjoy being told things about myself I didn’t ask to hear.”

Understanding softened his posture. “I wasn’t trying to interpret anything. I swear.”

I studied his face for signs of teasing or curiosity sharpened into something invasive.

There were none. Just concern.

“I didn’t think you were,” I said. “I just assumed.”

“Assumed what?”

“That you’d want to talk about what it meant.”

He let out a quiet, incredulous laugh. “Absolutely not.”

I stared at him. “Not even a little?”

“Merlin, no,” he said. “I barely survived the incense. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

Something in my chest shifted. Unpleasantly.

“Oh,” I said. Wait this is great. He hasn’t caught on at all! Huzzah!

He glanced at me with something like relief and faint amusement. “You read far more into that than I did.”

“I was being cautious.”

“That tracks,” he said, not unkindly. “It’s another thing I’ve noticed about you.”

“You notice a lot,” I said.

He smiled. “I’m surprised I’ve just started this semester.”

That landed harder than it should have, and I didn’t immediately know why. I felt my cheekbones flare up so I looked ahead instead. Should I try to explain the tea situation better? This still feels too open for interpretation. No, just leave it. He’ll- probably forget about it, he said so himself, he was just worried.

I shifted on the fountain’s edge and turned toward him. “I’d like to know more about you.”

I did, but I also wanted to stray the attention onto him. The response was immediate, if not dramatic. Sebastian blinked once, then looked away, rubbing the back of his neck as though organizing his thoughts.

“All right,” he said. “That is a common thing to ask, yes.” He made a small joke before answering.

I adjusted my sitting position and offered a tight smile. Trying to convey the fact I was listening.

He straightened slightly. “I’m from Feldcroft. Small village. Mud everywhere. Lots of sheep.” A pause. “I like dueling. I enjoy rules more than I let on, provided they’re logical. And I’m very bad at pretending not to care.”

“So you’re an open book?” I followed up.

He smiled briefly. “For the most part.”

“Family?” I followed up once more.

The change was immediate. His expression didn’t soften or harden. It simply disappeared, leaving something blank in its place.

“It’s complicated,” he said, eyes fixed on the fountain.

I regretted the question as soon as it landed.

“We don’t have to talk about it,” I said.

He looked at me, surprise flickering before easing into something quieter.

“Thank you.”

We let the sound of the water fill the space again. And, watching him stare at nothing in particular, something finally settled into focus. Sebastian wasn’t afraid of being noticed. He was afraid of what might happen if someone reached too far. I might have said something about it, maybe cloaked it with the reasoning of an observation like he’d done aswell. Instead, a sudden weight settled in my lap. I startled as black fur and whiskers filled my vision. Zephyr turned once, twice, then folded himself down as though he’d always intended to be there.

“You,” I murmured brows furrowing. “What are you doing here?”

He answered by purring.

Sebastian glanced down, surprise flickering across his face. “You have a cat.”

“He does what he wants.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Sebastian reached over and scratched behind Zephyr’s ears. The response was immediate. Zephyr leaned into the touch, purring louder, utterly unbothered.

Sebastian laughed under his breath. “I’ll take that as an approval.”

I watched them both, something uneasy tightening in my chest. He’s touching my cat. I know how his hands feel like so I understand why Zephyr is enjoying it. Oh.

“Odd,” I said, finally, after punching myself mentally. “He’s not usually like this.”

“With anyone?”

I nodded, hand reflexively brushing past the other ear. “He doesn’t like strangers.”

Sebastian stilled, hand hovering before settling again, slower this time. “And I’m a stranger.”

“You are,” I said. “Well, pending friend.” I teased and smiled. He returned the smile twofold. Zephyr remained exactly where he was.

Sebastian glanced back at him, amused and thoughtful. “Then I seem to have passed whatever test he’s running.”

“He bit Garreth,” I added, mostly to amuse him.

“Probably earned.” He added and raised his brows. We snickered.

I stared as Zephyr shifted closer to him, perfectly content. The purring grew louder. Something warm and deeply inconvenient took hold in my chest. Of all the things I’d expected to complicate this, my cat hadn’t made the list. While brushing his fur we both apparently had the same idea of brushing his back. Our hands briefly touched. Is this a jinx? How come I always react this way to a simple brush of a hand. Our eyes met soon after. We stilled. He pulled his hand away after a moment. From Zephyr…and my hand. But primarily from Zephyr…and on default from my hand. He let out a large breath and then got up before smacking his palms on his knees.

“Come on. Let’s walk for a bit.”

At first I got scared I had made him uncomfortable but he seemed content enough so I placed Zephyr down and nodded without complaint.

๛

We walked back inside the castle, our footsteps echoing along the long corridors as daylight thinned into a dusky blue hush. The torches had begun their nightly glow, gilding the stone walls in amber. We traded stories and strange little facts about ourselves, the kind that spill out only when the air feels easy. Zephyr trailed behind us, quiet and nearly imperceptible, as though he had mastered the art of becoming background scenery.

“What do you mean you don’t like Quidditch?” he asked, after bringing it up for the sole purpose of mentioning, quite proudly, that he was the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team.

“Exactly what I said. I just don’t like… it.” My voice tapered off at the end, shrinking around the truth.

He studied me for a moment, the way someone does when they know a door hasn’t been fully opened. So I opened it.

“I’m terrible at flying.”

He looked ready to wave the statement away, likely preparing a speech about how everyone struggles at first. I didn’t let him.

“No, I mean actually terrible. A first year could probably fly better than me. Do you know how humiliating it is to fail flying class three years in a row?” I slipped into a ramble before noticing the grin spreading across Sebastian’s face.

Only when I caught it did he finally speak. “Well, I think you just need a tutor.” He puffed out his chest as if presenting himself as the obvious solution. I scoffed on instinct, deflating the gesture instantly.

“I’m the captain.” He argued immediately, brows furrowing in confusion. So he does have somewhat of an ego.

“I’m still the one on the broom. You tutoring me just because you’re captain isn’t going to make me fly like Madam Kogawa.”

“But I’m the captain.”

I stared at him, briefly wondering if Garreth had somehow possessed him. I opted to chuckle.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad. You just need someone to guide you.” He gestured between us, subtle but unmistakable.

“Hey, I’m the captain-”

“Oh my God.” I rolled my eyes, though a small laugh slipped out this time before I could stop it. He joined me in the laughter shortly after. By then we had reached the lower levels of the castle, where the corridors forked. He would head deeper toward the dungeons; I would turn toward the basement and kitchens. Silence settled between us, sudden and awkward. The conversation had been flowing so naturally that its absence felt louder than any echoing footstep.

“Let’s do this again sometime,” Sebastian said at last. “Especially since you now have a flying tutor.”

I raised a brow, half smiling. “Oh, do I now?”

“Quite right.” He smirked. That’s dangerous. Noted.

We shared one last chuckle before I took a step toward the left corridor.

“But yeah… let’s hang out after class again. Tomorrow, maybe.” I faltered. “Or- another day.”

“Whenever you have time,” I added quickly.

He extended his hand, smiling wide. “You got it, mate.”

Ah. That.

I clasped his hand, hoping I didn’t look as awkward as it felt. His grip was warm and steady, far too confident for the riot of nerves it sparked. He began walking backward toward the dungeons, lifting a hand in farewell before tucking both into his pockets. With an easy grin, he disappeared down another set of stairs, swallowed by stone and shadow. After an involuntary sigh of enamoration slipped from my mouth and my shoulders slumped in relief, I turned the corner toward the kitchens, heading for the common room. Or so I thought. A couple of steps ahead stood my so-called best friends, leaning against the walls and looking at me expectantly.

“Seriously?” I asked in a deadpan voice.

Diana spoke up first. “That sounded pretty good.”

“Right, very friendly,” Garreth added with a snicker.

“Why are you two still here?” I asked, exasperated, feeling my face flush.

“Free period?” Garreth replied.

“You know, the time block in which you’re free to do whatever you want,” Diana chimed in, finger twirling with her curls, clearly aiming to provoke me.

“Oh, I wasn’t aware you two wanted me to Glacio you against the wall,” I shot back, stepping closer as I pulled out my wand. It was a mock threat, but a threat nonetheless. They backed away with wide grins, their wands already in their hands.

“I can definitely understand your need to cool down after Sallow probably has you melting—”

Diana didn’t get to finish as Garreth blocked an incoming Glacius at her with loud laughter.

“Hey! Chill out, mate.” Pun intended, god what pricks.

Diana burst out laughing too, while I was practically breathing steam out of my ears. I hurled more and more Glacius spells at them as they redirected the blasts while jogging away, forcing me to chase after them and throw an equal number of insults along with the spells.

These two I swear to Merlin.

DISTANCE CH. 3

I’ll think about it…

pairing: sebastian sallow x male hufflepuff mc

Genre: fluff, slowburn 𓆹𓆺 (4100 words)

By the time lunch rolled around, the Great Hall felt louder than usual. Not actually louder, the same clatter of plates, the same low roar of conversation, but everything seemed to press in closer, sharper. I sat down at the Hufflepuff table and stared at my plate like it had personally offended me.

Diana noticed almost immediately.

She didn’t say anything at first. Just watched me the way she did when she was piecing something together, head tilted slightly, eyes flicking between my face and my hands.

Garreth, oblivious as ever, shoved a forkful of food into his mouth. “You’re late.”

“Wasn’t,” I muttered.

“You were,” Diana said calmly. “You always get here before us.”

I frowned at my plate. “I had to talk to Hecat.”

Garreth perked up. “Oof. That’ll do it. She’s terrifying before noon.” He tried to jest.

“She wasn’t terrifying,” I said. “She was just… thorough.”

Diana hummed. A sound that meant nothing and everything at the same time. I picked up my fork. Put it down. Picked it up again. Garreth squinted at me. “Why are you eating like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you don’t know how to work a fork.”

I shot him a look. “Can you not narrate me?”

“Only if you stop acting strange.”

“I’m not acting strange.”

Diana finally leaned forward, folding her hands on the table. “You’re distracted.”

“I’m tired.” I offered.

“You’re alert,” she countered. “not… here for whatever reason.”

That made something twist uncomfortably in my chest. I opened my mouth to argue, then stopped. Closed it again. Garreth swallowed. “Did something happen in Defense?”

I hesitated for half a second too long. Diana noticed. Of course she did. “There it is,” she said softly.

“There’s nothing,” I replied, sharper than I meant to.

Garreth raised both hands. “Hey, no accusations, just asking.” They were both looking at me, gazes edging towards worry.

I forced myself to eat, chewing without tasting. “Hecat paired me with someone. It was a decent match. That’s all.”

“A decent match,” Diana repeated. “And that’s been rattling around in your head for the past four hours?”

I shrugged. “Guess it caught me off guard.”

“Who was it?” Garreth asked.

I shouldn’t have answered.

“Sebastian Sallow.”

The name landed on the table between us like dropped glass.

Garreth blinked. “Oh.”

Diana’s expression didn’t change, which somehow made it worse.

“Oh what?” I asked defensively.

“Nothing,” Garreth said quickly. “Just— him, that’s all.”

“That’s all what?” I repeated once more.

“He’s… noticeable,” Diana said carefully.

I frowned. “That’s a vague word.”

“It’s an accurate one.” she replied quickly.

I exhaled through my nose. “You’re both making this into something it’s not.”

Diana smiled faintly. “We haven’t made it into anything.”

Garreth leaned closer. “You’re the one spiraling.”

“I am not spiraling.”

“You asked about him,” Diana pointed out. “Unprompted.”

I stiffened. “I was curious.”

“You’re never curious about people,” Garreth said. “You barely remember half our classmates exist.”

“That’s not true.” I tried to defend myself.

“You forgot my name for a year,” he retorted cheerfully.

“That was one time.” Darn it.

Diana’s gaze softened - not teasing now, just observant. “You don’t have to explain it,” she said. “Whatever it is.”

“There is no ‘it’.”

She nodded. “All right.”

That was worse than arguing.

I stood abruptly. “I’m done with this conversation.”

Garreth grinned. “We didn’t even start it.”

I grabbed my bag and hoisted myself from the Hufflepuff dining table, ignoring the way my pulse had started to race for no reason I was willing to acknowledge. Behind me, Garreth whispered, “He’s definitely not bothered.”

Diana murmured something I couldn’t hear. I didn’t look back.

๛

The corridor outside the Great Hall was crowded, students spilling out toward staircases and classrooms. I focused on the floor ahead of me, on the rhythm of my steps, on literally anything that wasn’t-

I nearly collided with someone.

I stopped short, breath catching. Sebastian Sallow stood in front of me. One hand resting loosely against the stone wall, talking with Ominis, someone I actually remembered from History of magic, mostly because he was one of the only blind students we’ve had…I’m not proud of my reasoning either. He turned as I froze, eyes sharpening slightly as they met mine.

“Oh,” he said. “You again.”

Ominis glanced between us, then gave Sebastian a knowing look. “I’ll meet you in later,” he said, and walked off without waiting for a response.

Sebastian watched him go, then looked back at me.

“You all right?” he asked. No teasing. Just curiosity.

“Yes,” I said immediately.

He tilted his head. “That was fast.”

I frowned. “What was?”

“Your answer.”

I crossed my arms. “You asked me a question, no? Why is my reaction time an issue?” I was being prickly.

A corner of his mouth twitched. “Fair point, wasn’t being serious though.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The noise of the castle flowed around us, footsteps, voices, laughter, but the space between us felt oddly still.

“I didn’t see you at crossed wands,” he said eventually.

“I didn’t make promises.”

“Oh is that so?” He raised his brows.

“I had somewhere to be.” I offered instead.

He studied me for a beat longer than necessary. He seemed attentive. “Right,” he said. “Of course you did.” Something about the way he said it made heat creep up my neck. I hated that.

“I should go,” I said.

He stepped aside immediately, giving me room without question. “Sure.”

I took one step past him. But then he spoke again, quieter.

“You were good today.”

I stopped. Didn’t turn around, but tilted my head to show I had heard him.

“You didn’t fight like you were trying to prove something,” he continued. “Most people do.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. So I didn’t say anything. After a moment, he added, almost lightly, “It was… refreshing.”

I glanced back at him despite myself. He wasn’t smirking. Wasn’t posturing. He was watching me with that same thoughtful expression, like he’d filed something away and wasn’t sure why it mattered yet.

“Thanks,” I said finally.

He nodded once. “See you around, Willow.”

I walked away before he could say anything else, before I could say something worse. And I absolutely did not spend the next five minutes replaying the sound of my name from his voice.

Absolutely not.

๛

I had barely made it halfway down the corridor when footsteps hurried up behind me.

“Oi - wait up.” Garreth’s voice.

I slowed, mostly because Diana had already fallen into step beside me. Behind us, Garreth lagged a little, just enough to be noticeable. I glanced back just as someone passed him heading the opposite way.

Sebastian.

He didn’t stop. Just lifted his hand slightly in greeting, eyes flicking toward us as he moved. Garreth responded without hesitation. A quick clasp, palm to palm, brief and familiar, before they separated and kept walking, neither of them breaking stride.

It lasted a second at most.

I stopped.

Diana stopped with me.

We both turned slowly.

“What,” I said carefully, “was that.”

Garreth blinked. “Was what?”

“That,” Diana echoed, pointing down the corridor. “With Sallow.”

Garreth followed her gaze, then shrugged. “Oh. That.”

“Oh,” I repeated, mocking his tone

Diana’s brow furrowed. “You know him, why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“I wouldn’t say know,” Garreth said. “We’ve talked.”

“You just did a handshake people usually don’t do with strangers,” she replied.

He grinned. “Fair.”

I crossed my arms. “Since when?”

“Potions,” he said. “This term.”

Diana looked at me pointedly. “You said he was ‘around.’”

“I said I’d seen him,” Garreth corrected. “Different thing.”

“That’s not better,” she said.

Garreth shrugged again, unbothered. “He’s fine. A bit intense, but smart. Doesn’t mess around.”

I focused very hard on the stone floor. “Does he… do that with everyone?” I asked, aiming for casual and landing somewhere near forced.

Garreth glanced at me. “What, the greeting?”

“Yes.”

He thought about it. “No. Not really.”

Diana’s gaze snapped to me instantly. I felt my neck warm. “Right. Interesting.” I guess he shakes and clasps hands with anyone, I thought to myself pettily…yeah the thought irked me.

Garreth squinted. “Why?”

“No reason,” I said quickly.

Diana smoothed it over before he could push. “So you’re acquainted,” she said. “Good to know.”

We started walking again. Garreth launched into a rambling explanation about Potions pairings, something about an Invigoration Draught gone wrong, but I barely heard him. My thoughts snagged on that single, careless motion, the familiarity of it. The fact that Sebastian hadn’t hesitated. Hadn’t looked surprised. Hadn’t needed to think.

“…and then Sharp threatened to assign me extra essays,” Garreth finished.

Diana nodded. “Tragic.”

I hummed noncommittally. Not even realizing I had zoned out for far too long. As we turned toward the staircase leading up to Divination, Diana leaned closer to me, voice low.

“You all right?”

“Yes,” I said on autopilot.

She didn’t argue. Just gave me a look that said we’ll come back to this. I swallowed quietly. I stared up the stairs, pulse still uneven. Divination awaited. I wasn’t sure that was comforting.

๛

Divination was already a lost cause the moment I climbed the ladder. The classroom smelled faintly of incense and dust - old cushions, low lantern light, curtains drawn tight against the sun as if it might interfere with fate itself. Tea cups were laid out on small circular tables, steam curling lazily upward. I took one look at the setup and sighed.

Diana noticed immediately. “Sit,” she said, already lowering herself onto a cushion. “I’ll help you.”

“I try,” I muttered, dropping down beside her. “The leaves just… hate me.”

“They don’t hate you” she huffed, a smile tugging in her tone. “You’re just not looking at them the right way.”

“I stare directly at them.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

Garreth flopped down across from us, stretching his legs. “If it makes you feel better, I once predicted my own tragic demise. Turns out I just needed a nap.”

“That explains so much about your personality,” Diana said, never shying away from an insult. Before I could respond, Garreth’s head snapped up. “Oh— hey!”

He waved enthusiastically toward the ladder. I turned.

Sebastian was climbing up first, one hand on the rung, posture relaxed like he’d done this a hundred times. Ominis followed close behind, hand resting lightly against Sebastian’s arm as he offered to guide him. My stomach did something unhelpful.

Garreth was already gesturing wildly. “Over here! Plenty of room!”

Sebastian glanced in our direction, just briefly, and then nodded, adjusting his pace so Ominis could keep step. I shifted instinctively, scooting my cushion over to make space.

So did Diana.

Ominis settled beside her, resting his wand neatly at his side. Diana offered him a small smile and immediately began explaining something about the seating arrangement, her voice soft and precise.

Sebastian dropped down next to me. Garreth plopped in on Sebastian’s other side, grinning like he’d just assembled a particularly successful group project. I stared very hard at my teacup. I suddenly felt very motivated that I could read what the leaves had to say. Definitely.

This was fine.

Perfectly fine.

People sat next to each other all the time. I wasn’t going to let… anything interfere with basic social decency.

Sebastian leaned back slightly, surveying the room. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I cleared my throat. “Likewise.”

He glanced at my cup. “You any good at this?” He questioned with a small twitch of his lips.

“No,” I said immediately.

Garreth snorted. “He’s awful.”

“I’m sitting right here.”

“And I stand by it,” Garreth said cheerfully.

Sebastian huffed a quiet laugh. “Honest, then.”

I shrugged. “Diana has been carrying me on her back since third year.”

Diana, without looking away from Ominis, said, “He exaggerates.”

“I do not.”

“You do.”

Sebastian tilted his head, amused. “So what’s the problem?”

“The leaves never make sense,” I said. “Everyone else sees symbols. I just see… leaves.”

“Hmm.” He leaned closer, peering into my cup without touching it. “You’re looking too hard.”

Garreth perked up. “That’s what Sharp says about stirring clockwise.”

Sebastian ignored him. “Divination’s more… impression than logic.”

“That’s the issue,” I replied. “I like logic.”

“That tracks,” he said, a little too easily.

I blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He smiled - patronizing and smug. “Nothing bad.”

I didn’t entirely believe him. I felt heat rush to my cheeks from the suspicion…definitely from the suspicion.

Garreth leaned forward. “Wait - so you’re not good at this either?” he asked Sebastian.

Sebastian shrugged. “I’m adequate.”

“That means yes,” Garreth translated.

Ominis, still speaking quietly with Diana, added without turning his head, “He pretends not to care. It’s irritating.”

Sebastian scoffed. “You wound me.”

Diana smiled faintly. “You’ll survive.”

I watched the exchange with a strange, detached awareness, the ease of it, the rhythm. Like they’d been doing this longer than I’d realized.

Sebastian noticed my silence.

“You all right?” he asked, quietly.

“Yes,” I said too quickly. Then steadied myself. “Just… bracing for embarrassment.”

His shoulder brushed mine, accidental, probably.

“You’ll be fine,” he said. “Worst case, you predict something vague and ominous.”

Garreth nodded sagely. “Ah yes. The classic dark times ahead.”

Professor Onai drifted past at that moment, eyes unfocused, voice airy as she announced something about destiny and teacups and the unseen threads that bind us.

Sebastian leaned back again. I looked down at my cup.

Still leaves.

Still no meaning.

But for the first time, I wasn’t entirely distracted by that.

๛

I tipped my cup. Nothing shifted. The leaves clung stubbornly to the bottom, damp and uncooperative. I frowned.

Diana leaned over slightly, peering in. “You’re rushing it.”

“I’ve been staring at it for five minutes.”

“That’s still rushing.”

Garreth craned his neck from across the table. “What’s it say?”

“That I should’ve taken Ancient Runes instead,” I muttered eliciting a small laugh from Garreth.

Sebastian glanced over. “Still nothing?”

“No patterns. No shapes. No looming doom.” I tilted the cup again. “Just… tea.”

Garreth laughed. “Tragic.”

Professor Onai drifted toward us at that moment, shawls swaying, eyes unfocused in that way that suggested she was looking through the room rather than at it.

“Ahhh,” she murmured, stopping beside our table. “I sense frustration.”

I resisted the urge to sigh at her.

“Some minds,” she continued serenely, “struggle to open themselves to the unseen.”

“That would be him,” Garreth said helpfully, pointing at me. Sebastian rubbed his forehead with his thumb while letting out a laugh.

Onai turned her gaze downward. Her expression changed.

“Oh?” she said softly.

I stiffened. “What.”

She leaned closer, peering into my cup with unsettling interest. “How curious.”

Diana’s eyes lit with immediate interest. Garreth practically vibrated.

“I see… movement,” Onai said. “Energy. A warmth approaching. A connection not yet realized.”

Garreth burst into laughter. Diana clapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking. Sebastian raised a brow, letting out a short, incredulous huff. Ominis, unmoved, sipped his tea he is supposed to use for Divination. “Divination does tend to dramatize.”

I stared at the cup. “There is nothing in there.”

“Oh, denial,” Onai crooned. “Such a powerful force.”

I tipped the cup again, inspecting it from every angle. “It’s leaves. That’s it.”

She smiled knowingly. “Fire often begins unseen.”

Garreth lost it entirely. “Oh, this is gold,” he wheezed.

Diana grinned at me. “Fiery connection,” she repeated.

Sebastian glanced sideways at me, expression unreadable. “Do you feel particularly aflame?”

“No,” I said flatly, brows furrowed.

“Shame,” Garreth added, all twenty-eight teeth on full display.

Onai straightened, already drifting away. “In time,” she sang, “the cup will reveal what the heart resists.” She laughed softly to herself as she moved on.

I exhaled. “She does that on purpose.”

Garreth wiped at his eyes. “I hope she never stops.”

I looked down again. Still nothing.

“See?” I said. “Empty.”

Sebastian leaned in slightly. “May I?”

I hesitated, then slid the cup toward him. “Knock yourself out.”

He tilted it carefully. Nothing happened. He frowned. “That’s odd.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Validation, at last.”

He rotated it once more. And then- The leaves shifted. Just enough for the eye to follow. They slid into place with a faint, almost imperceptible hum, like something settling where it belonged.

The shape formed slowly. Deliberately.

A long curve. A coiled line. A distinct, unmistakable head.

A snake.

The table went quiet. Garreth’s grin faltered. Diana leaned in, breath catching.

Ominis tilted his head. “What is it.” Not understanding the reason for the sudden silence.

Sebastian stared at the cup. Then, quietly: “Huh.”

My stomach dropped. “That- ” I started. Then stopped.

I looked again. The shape held. I laughed, sharp and forced. “That’s not anything.” Sebastian’s gaze flicked to me. “You’re sure?”

“Yes,” I said immediately. “It’s a coincidence.”

The leaves did not move. Sebastian didn’t say anything else. But he didn’t look away either. Silence followed. Not the awkward kind, the heavier kind. The kind where no one wants to be the first to say something stupid. Garreth didn’t laugh this time. Diana didn’t tease. Ominis merely tilted his head, listening to the absence of sound.

I felt it anyway. The shift.

Barely noticeable. But all three of them, Diana, Garreth, even myself, our gazes drifted, just for a fraction of a second, toward the two Slytherins now seated beside us.

It meant nothing. Obviously. Sebastian noticed. I could feel his attention sharpen, like a wand being raised without the spell yet spoken. He leaned closer, studying the cup with far more interest than I was comfortable with. “Hm,” he murmured. “That’s… specific.”

My chest tightened. He had nice locks. Oh shut up for Merlin’s sake. Before anyone could say anything - before he could - I cleared my throat sharply.

“Sorry,” I said, already lifting my wand. “This draft is awful.”

I flicked my wrist.

“Ventus.” i murmured.

The air stirred suddenly, sweeping across the table in a brief, controlled gust. Tea rippled. The cup wobbled, nearly tipping.

Garreth startled. “Oi- !”

Sebastian jerked back instinctively, hand hovering near the cup to steady it. I looked entirely innocent.

“How exactly,” I said mildly, lowering my wand back into my back pocket. “are we supposed to divine anything with a draft like that?”

Professor Onai drifted by at that exact moment, murmuring something about restless currents and unsettled fates as she dismissed the class with a wave of her hand.

I glanced down at my cup. The leaves had shifted again. My brow twitched.

No snake.

No ambiguity.

A heart.

Oh for Merlin’s sake.

Clear. Centered. Undeniable. The world seemed to stop. Garreth’s mouth fell open. Diana stared. Ominis went very still, because that’s how tense the atmosphere got.

Sebastian didn’t say a word, but his eyes darkened with something intent, something far too focused.

I felt heat crawl up my neck. Absolutely not. Without hesitation, I picked up the cup. And poured it out.

Right there.

In front of all of them.

Leaves, tea, prophecy, gone.

The cup clinked softly as I set it upside down on the table “There,” I said evenly. “Problem solved.” No one spoke, and I didn’t elaborate at all.

I stood, grabbed my bag, and didn’t look at anyone as I moved toward the ladder, passing the professor as she followed me with her gaze for a second. Behind me, I felt it, the unfinished thought, the unasked question, the thing I refused to carry with me.

I climbed down anyway. Some futures didn’t deserve the courtesy of interpretation.

๛

The kitchens on the other hand didn’t need interpretation. The kitchens were warm.

Too warm, maybe, ovens humming softly, copper pans hanging in neat rows, the smell of sugar and butter settling into everything. The house-elves barely glanced at me as I stood at one of the counters, sleeves rolled up, wand tucked away. They were used to seeing me in here.

I didn’t remember deciding to bake. I just… was.

My hands moved automatically, stirring batter in a chipped bowl, the spoon scraping the sides in a steady rhythm. Flour dusted the counter. A measuring cup sat unused beside me. I stared into the bowl without really seeing it.

“Wow,” Garreth said from behind me. “So this is what running from destiny looks like.”

I didn’t jump, but I did pause. Darn them for knowing me so well. Diana and Garreth stood a few paces back, framed by sacks of grain and crates of apples. Garreth looked amused. Diana looked observant.

“I needed something to do,” I said, stirring again.

Garreth peered into the bowl. “Is that… cake?”

“Probably.”

He nodded approvingly. “Bold choice. Very grounded. Very ‘I’m ignoring something.’”

I sighed. “You followed me into the kitchens.”

“Yes,” Diana said calmly. “We did.”

Garreth leaned against the counter. “You know, most people cry in bathrooms.”

“I’m not crying.” I glanced at him, offended.

“Shame,” he said. “Would’ve been dramatic, we need more drama in this boring school.”

I stopped stirring. “I’m dropping Divination,” I said flatly.

That shut him up.

“It’s completely illogical,” I continued, words tumbling out now. “The class contradicts itself, the methodology is nonexistent, and Professor Trelawney reads meaning into steam. Steam.” I rambled on while adding multiple jars of ingredients without actually checking their contents.

Neither of them interrupted.

“I’ve never once seen anything in my tea leaves,” I added, a little sharper. “Not once.” Silence stretched.

Then Diana spoke, carefully, like she was stepping onto thin ice.

“You know,” she said, “tea leaves don’t usually show things.” I frowned. “What?”

“They’re not meant to,” she said. “Not literally. You interpret patterns. Suggestions. Impressions.”

I turned back to the bowl. “That’s my point.”

“You’ve never interpreted anything before,” she continued, gently repeating . “Even when others thought they saw something.”

I didn’t respond.

“And then,” she said, “the first time you do…” My grip on the spoon tightened.

“…it’s a snake,” Diana finished. “And then a heart. Clear. Centered. Precise. I mean that’s more of a revelation than a divination.”

Garreth shifted his weight, suddenly less relaxed. “That part was weird,” he admitted.

The batter sloshed as I stirred too hard. “It doesn’t mean anything,” I said.

Diana hummed softly. “Maybe not.”

I exhaled, relieved, briefly.

Then she added, “But it’s not nothing either.”

I stopped stirring altogether. The spoon rested in the bowl. My gaze followed the rim of it. “I don’t like that class,” I said quietly.

“I know,” Diana said.

“I don’t like what it implies.”

“I know.”

The warmth of the kitchen felt stifling now.

Diana hesitated - just a second - then said, very deliberately: “I think hanging out with Sebastian is a good idea for you.”

The words landed heavier than any prophecy. I looked up sharply. “What?”

She met my gaze without flinching. “I’m not saying why. I’m not saying what it means.”

Garreth nodded once, subdued. “She’s just… saying it.”

I stared at them both, heart thudding. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Diana asked, softly.

“Yes,” I said immediately. “Completely.”

She didn’t argue. Just watched me the way she always did when she knew pushing wouldn’t help.

Garreth cleared his throat. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “you don’t look worse lately. Just… louder inside. I like you a little louder.”

I looked back down at the bowl. The batter had gone lumpy. “I’m fine,” I said.

Diana smiled - small, knowing. “Of course you are.” her mimic told me one thing and one thing only: ‘it’s fine, no one is judging you.’

The kitchens returned to their quiet hum after nothing followed from neither of us, the house-elves resuming their work around me. I stared at the bowl for a long moment. Then, without thinking, I started stirring again. Slowly this time. They didn’t leave, to my dismay…or enjoyment. Garreth rolled up his sleeves like he’d been summoned specifically for manual labor, immediately commandeering a second bowl. Diana nudged herself in beside me, reading the recipe upside down and correcting it anyway.

“Too much flour,” she said, already starting to analyze the recipe from the open book on the counter next to me.

“It’s fine,” I replied, stirring, hint of a smile attaching itself to my features.

“You’re assaulting it.”

Garreth snorted. “Be gentle. It has feelings.” He made a mock whiny tone.

“I’m not the one who started this,” I muttered.

“That’s debatable,” Diana said, handing me milk. “You came here instead of anywhere else.” She tied her hair up.

The kitchens filled with sound, quiet laughter, the clink of bowls, Garreth somehow managing to spill sugar despite doing absolutely nothing with it. The earlier tension eased, settling into something familiar and safe. For a few minutes, I forgot why I’d come down here at all. Eventually, the batter reached a point of no return - overmixed, undeniably doomed.

“These were supposed to be scones,” I said.

Garreth peered in. “They look… emotional.”

“They’re muffins now,” Diana decided. “Accept it.”she said to them coldly.

I scooped the mixture into tins and slid them into the oven, shutting the door with care. When they were finally done, I pulled them out and set them on the counter to cool. Garreth’s hand darted forward instantly. I smacked it away with my wand.

“Do you want second-degree burns?” I scolded. “Because that’s how you get them.”

He recoiled, offended. “You wound me.”

“Wait,” Diana huffed, amused. “For once.”

Before any further argument could be had, something landed heavily on the counter. I startled. Zephyr jumped onto the counter like a shadow detaching itself from the ceiling.

“Merlin—” Garreth yelped, nearly dropping the spoon.

The brown-white cat sat proudly amidst the scattered flour and bowls, tail flicking once with smug precision. Clenched in his mouth was a folded piece of parchment, edges slightly crumpled.

I stared.

Slowly.

“Oh no,” I muttered.

Diana squinted. “Is that…?”

“Yes,” I said flatly. “That’s a letter.”

Zephyr let out a sharp mrrp and dropped it directly in front of me, one paw pinning it down possessively.

“You did not,” I accused him. “You attacked Mistfeather when he was delivering me a letter again!”

Zephyr blinked, unrepentant.

Garreth snorted. “He looks proud of it.”

“He always does this,” I said, carefully extracting the parchment from under Zephyr’s paw. “Every time I get mail. As if I’ve personally betrayed him.”

Zephyr flicked his tail against my wrist and hopped down, evidently satisfied with his contribution. I was still holding the letter. I hadn’t opened it yet. Diana’s gaze shifted from the muffins to my face, her expression changing, softening, sharpening, both at once.

“…Who’s it from?” she asked, though her tone suggested she already knew. I swallowed.

Sebastian Sallow.

The name sat heavy in my head, uninvited. I scoffed lightly, forcing my voice into something casual. “Probably nothing. Maybe he- I don’t know. Clarifying something. From class.”

Garreth raised a brow. “Clarifying what?”

“I don’t know,” I said quickly. “That’s the point. He could’ve misunderstood something.” I was pulling at straws.

Diana and Garreth exchanged a glance. That quiet, loaded look that meant they were thinking the same thing and had decided not to say it yet. It made my stomach turn that they were thinking about it.

“…Do you want to open it?” Diana asked carefully.

I hesitated. Then, with exaggerated nonchalance, I flicked the parchment open. The ink shimmered once before the letter cleared its throat and read aloud, voice smooth and unmistakably his:

—

“Hey, Willow.

If you’ve got some time this afternoon, would you want to meet me in the Conjuring Courtyard?

Thought we could hang out for a bit.”

—

Silence.

Utter, damning silence.

I stared at the parchment like it had insulted my whole bloodline.

“…I knew it,” I muttered. I repeated again in colorful language a bit louder.

Garreth grinned. Diana, however, just tilted her head. “You’re swearing,” Garreth observed. “That’s new.”

“This doesn’t mean anything,” I said immediately, folding the letter a little too aggressively. “He said hang out. That’s… vague. Friendly. Normal.”

Garreth nodded solemnly. “Ah yes. The most dangerous phrase of them all.”

Diana shook her head, lips twitching. “You don’t sound upset.”

“I’m not upset,” I insisted. “I’m just- cautious.” I glanced away.

Zephyr chose that moment to hop back onto the counter and stare at the folded letter with narrowed eyes, as if judging it.

Garreth reached for a muffin. I smacked his hand away with my wand without looking. “They’re still hot, as something usually is a minute ago.”

“Worth it,” he said mournfully.

Diana sighed, amused. “So?” She started into my eyes.

I glanced down at the letter again, my grip tightening despite myself. “…I’ll think about it,” I said.

DISTANCE CH. 2

Didn’t even see it.

pairing: sebastian sallow x male hufflepuff mc 𓆹𓆺

genre: fluff, slowburn

(2500 words)

As always the first thing to do at the start of every school year is to gather in the great hall with all of the other students. Not only to meet the professors for this semesters but to also sort in the new first years into their houses. So the moment we got off the train, rode the wagons to hogwarts and delivered our luggage to our room, we bolted down to the great hall.

The clatter of cutlery and low murmur of the students hushed the moment Professor Weasley stepped up with the Sorting Hat cradled in her arms. My friends and I had snagged ourselves spots toward the back of the Hufflepuff table, which conveniently blurred the lines between houses. Professors rarely cared to scold anyone so far from view, so Diana sat squeezed in beside me, Garreth across the bench, the three of us clustered like some odd little coalition.

Zephyr was tucked in a lumpy bundle under my robes, his faint rumbling purr vibrating against my stomach. Hopefully nobody noticed.

The first trembling student approached the stool, and as the hat was lowered onto his head, it wasted no time booming out across the hall:

“Ravenclaw!”

Diana perked up, clapping eagerly for her new housemate, while Garreth muttered under his breath, “Remember when she almost fainted because the sorting hat told her she would do good in Slytherin?”

Diana gave Garreth an ice cold stare. “Oh shut it, will you.” We laughed it off lightheartedly.

One by one, the line of wide-eyed first-years dwindled, each name called, each nervous shuffle across the floor punctuated by the Sorting Hat’s announcements. Some students looked triumphant when their house was called, others pale and queasy. The Gryffindor table broke into thunderous applause every time their numbers grew. The Slytherins, by contrast, clapped in neat unison, their faces unreadable.

I might have been clapping too, but my eyes kept drifting toward the green-and-silver banners across the room.

Sebastian Sallow sat among his housemates, posture lazy, one hand idly drumming against the tabletop. He wasn’t watching the Sorting at all - he was watching the people watching. When his gaze inevitably snagged mine, it was like being caught mid-step on a staircase that suddenly wasn’t there anymore.

And of course, he smiled. Rather… playful. A smirk that said you’ve been caught staring, and I’m going to milk out every ounce of enjoyment I can get out of it.

I tore my eyes away and clapped along for a girl sorted into Hufflepuff, palms stinging more from nerves than enthusiasm.

Diana leaned in, voice low. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost. In a metaphorical sense of course.”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, a little too quickly. Zephyr wriggled under my robes as if to disagree.

Across from me, Garreth grinned into his pumpkin juice. “I’ll say it now: this year is going to be extra fun. I feel it tingling in my bones.”

I tried to laugh it off, but when I risked one more glance across the hall, Sebastian was still looking at me. Still smirking. And this time, he raised his goblet in the barest mock toast. I looked away and made sure to not let my gaze stray towards for the rest of the ceremony.

๛

When all the new students were sorted into their houses and rushed after their prefects, we too decided to retreat in for the night. I bid Diana and Garreth goodbye and scurried into the thick line of Hufflepuff students.

Honestly I had shut off all thoughts in my brain at that point and just wanted to make it back into the comforts of my bed.

But — a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around and was barely able to hold back my flinch when I saw Sebastian Sallow standing in front of me now.

“Oh- hey!” I tried to start first since I didn’t want to give him any opportunities to mention our non-official staring contest from before-

“Is it a habit or am I just extremely attractive?”

Well that’s that then.

“…Sorry. I recognized you from Olivanders so— you know, you caught my attention-“

He interrupted me.

“In other words, you just couldn’t keep your eyes off me. Ah yes, thank you mate, I appreciate it.”

I furrowed my brows and wanted to retort. “What? No—“

He smiled this time. “Chill. I’m just pulling your leg. Happy you didn’t forget me this time.”

“Sorry again..” I apologized once more for never noticing him in our four years together at Hogwarts.

“Usually I don’t really accept dry and plain ‘sorrys’ such as yours…so I’ll let you owe me a favor to make up for it.” He was so proud of himself. Honestly I was starting to think he was a little bit of a prick.

“Whatever..” I retored in a monotone voice and rolled my eyes very slightly. Neither one of us said anything after that so we settled into an uncomfortable and awkward silence.

“Well—“ I tried to break it.

“So—“ he did too apparently.

It caused both of us too chuckle lightheartedly.

“I’ll cya…around I guess.” I simply offered and he shrugged and nodded.

“Sweet dreams.” He said with a small smile and turned around after his friends had called for him.

I smiled back when he had already turned his back to me and rushed after my housemates who had gone far ahead already.

๛

After a good night’s sleep, a nice warm black coffee to start the day and some snacks I nabbed from the staircase leaving the Hufflepuff common room, I was ready to start the first day of my fifth year at Hogwarts.

Some of the days of my classes had changed so I was basically sorted into a new group of students I most likely never really interacted with. One thing I struggled with was making new friends, it just wasn’t very easy for me to be naturally forthcoming and friendly…how ironic for a Hufflepuff.

I rushed into defense against the dark arts, only to have to duck out of the way of a confringo spell hurling right into my face.

I turned sharply toward the source of the spell. The Gryffindor boy, tall, red-haired, and looking utterly mortified, lowered his wand.

“Oh! Apologies!” he quickly yelped, his voice sounding pretty sheepish. “Didn’t mean to nearly singe you.”

Professor Hecat’s sharp tone cut through the classroom before I could respond.

“Mr. Prewett! Mr. Sallow! This is practice dueling, not an opportunity to redecorate my classroom with scorch marks!”

Leander Prewett - that was his name, I remembered now. I didn’t pay any mind to his opponent, nor the name professor Hecat mentioned, trying to remember if I had ever spoken to Leander before.

“Maybe if Prewett learned to aim properly,” his opponent now added, brushing a speck of ash from his robes. I didn’t look over but thought it was a bit rude…

Leander scowled. “Maybe if you’d stop moving like a Niffler on sugar, I’d have hit my mark.”

A few of the students chuckled under their breath. I couldn’t help the small grin tugging at my lips, though I quickly hid it.

Professor Hecat sighed, rubbing her temples. I had barely moved to take a seat when Professor Hecat’s sharp voice rang out again.

“Since Mr. Prewett seems intent on setting my classroom on fire, perhaps we’ll try a different pairing. You—” her eyes locked on me, calm but cutting, “—why don’t you step forward?”

The quiet murmurs that followed made my stomach twist, but I rose anyway, brushing the crumbs of the former snacks from my sleeve as I made my way toward the front.

“Against..?” I asked, trying to shove down the nerves.

Her gaze swept the room. “Sallow. You’ve had your fun. Now, up, no jests this time.”

Sebastian looked up from where he was leaning against a desk, wand spinning idly between his fingers. The grin on his face faltered slightly when his eyes met mine.

“Oh,” he said after a beat, lowering his wand a little. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

I was dumbfounded when I saw none other than Sebastian standing next to me and looking me over. Now the snarky comment to Leander actually made sense…

“Likewise.” I replied calmly. But honestly my palms were sweating. Something about him was just so intimidating but also..alluring?

We’d only met properly last night - after the Sorting and the ceremony, when the Great Hall had started to empty. A quick exchange, a shared laugh, and then a quiet, “See you around,” before heading off to our separate dormitories. I hadn’t expected “around” to mean literally today.

Garreth was starting to seem correct about this year becoming much more interesting. Professor Hecat clapped her hands once, pulling everyone’s attention back. “Positions! Let’s see what you two can manage.”

The dueling stage lifts up right from under our feet and separates us from the rest of the class. Sebastian tilts his head slightly, his confidence returning as if the momentary surprise had never happened. “Do you even remember how to block, Willow?”

I couldn’t help the smirk that crept up and just had to play along. “Still remember how to not miss, Sallow?”

A few scattered laughs echoed from the back of the room. Hecat’s expression remained stern, but her eyes gleamed faintly - curious, almost calculating. She was, of course, the only one here who knew the truth about me - well about my father. The retired Auror, once famous for his dueling expertise. But that wasn’t something anyone needed to know. Not yet at least.

“Begin!”

Sebastian, befitting of him, moved first - fast, confident and eager to strike. His wand cut through the air, and a bright red spark burst toward me.

“Confringo!”

I lifted my wand almost instinctively, deflecting with a clean, sharp motion that sent the spell spinning harmlessly off-course.

Sebastian blinked, then grinned wider. “Not bad,” he said, tone teasing but with a trace of respect. “You’ve got quick reflexes.”

“Comes in handy,” I said, lowering my wand slightly. “Especially when people start throwing curses as sloppily as you do.”

Okay, yes, I was honestly surprised at my response aswell. He just manages to rile me up for some reason.

More laughter echoed. Even Hecat’s mouth twitched before she barked, “Focus!”

Sebastian’s grin only deepened as he straightened his stance again. “All right then,” he said, voice low with challenge. “Let’s see what you’ve really got.”

I steadied my grip on my wand, pulse quick but steady. “After you, not that it matters in your case.” I said softly.

And then the real duel began.

Sebastian’s spells came extremely fast, one after another, sharp bursts of color slicing through the air.

Protego. Deflected.

Another flash. Protego. Sparks hissed past my shoulder.

He advanced with purpose, each cast stronger than the last. The room seemed to shrink around us - just his voice, the crack of spells, and the faint hum of magic in the air.

“You’re just going to block all day?” he said, eyes narrowed, tone light but edged with irritation.

I didn’t answer. I watched the rhythm, the lift of his wand, the breath before the next strike.

“Confringo!”

A flare of orange tore through the air. I pivoted, heat brushing past as it fizzled against the wall.

Then my chance opened.

“Rictusempra!”

The silver jet of light hit him under the ribs. He staggered, a surprised laugh breaking through before he caught himself, teeth gritted as he tried to steady his footing.

He barely had time to refocus before I moved again.

A quiet breath. Barely a whisper.

“Expelliarmus.”

The red shimmer pulsed between us. He blinked - confused, and then looked down to find his wand gone.

It was already in my hand.

For a long second, the classroom was utterly still.

Sebastian exhaled through his nose, steadying himself. A faint, incredulous smile tugged at his mouth - not smug anymore, but genuinely impressed. “Didn’t even see it,” he said softly.

I walked towards him with a small smile and offered his wand back. “That’s sort of the point.”

He took it, nodding once in acknowledgment. “You’re better than you look.”

“Good thing I didn’t say much, unlike you.” I replied, definitely trying to get under his skin, most likely to no avail. This boy was so-

The class murmured, the tension dissolving into low chatter. Professor Hecat’s gaze moved between us, unreadable but sharp.

“Enough for today,” she said finally. “Good instincts, both of you. Precision. Control.” Her eyes lingered on me for just a beat longer. “Dismissed.”

Everyone started scattering off, picking up any books they had with them or robes they had discarded.

“Mr. Willow,” she said, clearly intending to speak to me alone. “A moment.”

Sebastian slowed by the doorway, glancing back as if curious why she’d singled me out. He didn’t linger openly, but he didn’t leave either. He hovered near the frame, arms loosely crossed, pretending to examine something on the wall.

I stepped closer to Hecat’s desk. Her eyes were sharp, studying me with a focus that felt almost surgical. “Your control was exceptional,” she said. “Not just the accuracy - the restraint. Most students your age would have tried to overpower an opponent like Mr. Sallow. You did not.”

“I just… reacted,” I murmured, growing shy at the praise.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice lower. “In a way that tells me you’ve had guidance. Good guidance.”

A faint twist of recognition flickered in her expression - the kind that said she knew exactly where that guidance came from, even if she wasn’t naming it. I felt panic rise.

Before she could say more, she waved me off. “Go on. Don’t keep the others waiting.”

I nodded quickly, letting out a breath I didnt know I was holding and headed toward the door.

Sebastian straightened the moment I approached. He didn’t say anything at first, just looked at me with that unreadable mix of curiosity and something like interest. Not the smug kind anymore. Something quieter.

“You know,” he said finally, pushing off the wall, “if that’s what you can do on your first day…” His gaze flicked to my wand. “You should come to Crossed Wands.”

I paused, furrowing my brows. “Crossed… what?”

“The dueling club,” he explained. “It’s run by a couple of students. Friendly matches, tournaments, bragging rights, that sort of thing.” He lifted a brow. “And you’d fit in. More than fit in.”

“I don’t know,” I said instinctively. “Maybe—”

“Just try it,” he cut in, kind of forceful, but more certain. “You’ve got talent. Would be a waste not to use it.”

I hesitated for only a breath, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll… think about it.”

“That’s as good as a yes,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

We reached the hallway. Students were scattering, voices filling the air. He turned to me one last time and extended a hand.

A handshake. Simple. Casual.

I took it.

His grip was warm. Steady. Soft. And for a split second, I noticed the shape of his hands. The warmth. How easily mine fit against his.

“Good duel,” he said. “And… well done. Really. I think we’ll be seeing more of each other, no?”

My heartbeat stumbled a little, my attention shifted back to him. “Looks like it.”

He released my hand, gave a small nod, and stepped away down the corridor.

I watched him go.

And only then did it hit me — hard, mortifying, impossible to stop:

He had nice hands.

I froze.

Oh no.

DISTANCE CH. 1 Ouch.

pairing: sebastian sallow x male hufflepuff mc

genre: fluff, slowburn 𓆹𓆺

notes: this is a story about a character from the 2023 award winning game, hogwarts legacy. This will not be a complete retelling of the original story, but rather a story about an alternative universe in which hogwarts isn’t threatened by a goblin takeover, nor in need of a student that possesses ancient magic that has never been heard of before. For convenience purposes you will be given the surname ‘Willow’

(2000 words)

“You bloody idiot! You're going to be late if you don’t march down your buttocks to the car right this instant!”

The panicked and borderline whiny voice of my adoptive father was falling on deaf ears as I was struggling to stuff down my luggage with all the excessive items we apparently needed for my fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

With one last heavy ‘Humpf!’ I was able to forcefully close the magical suitcase, which didn’t waste any time locking itself after the long, worn out luggage straps found their destined partners in order to secure themselves.

I huffed out a victorious breath of relief, looking over at my Norwegian forest cat to see if he deemed my efforts worthy of praise. When I was once again, like always, met with his completely unimpressed grimace, I let out a small chuckle at his typical response and went over to pick him up.

“Obviously can’t forget my one and only partner in crime, ride or die and most loyal confidant, Zephyr!”

After Zephyr gave me the most unfazed ‘meow’ in history, the loud, screeching, Tocsin-like voice of my father quickly threw me back into motion as I hurled Zephyr onto the suitcase and was basically manhandling this giant joke of a suitcase outside towards my dad who looked like he would spew fire any second now.

“Sorry!” I hurled the suitcase into the boot of the car, Zephyr letting out a quick yowl before leaping onto the backseat through the pass-through.

“It’s a miracle I even got all that rubbish in there, I mean, remind me why exactly we need 16 books on one topic?” I kvetched aloud as I hopped in front onto the passenger seat and put on my seatbelt simultaneously.

My dad let out an annoyed huff at me as he started the engine and brought the car roaring into life. “If those rascals from your year hadn’t set half the student supply closets on fire then you would be good to go with only a backpack.”

I was going to interject since that didnt unfold as simple as he was making it sound but he chirped back in. “Honestly! The sum they had all the guardians pay for the damage on top of having to buy your school supplies on your own this year was definitely a well thought out plan to scam us.

I let out a hearty laugh at my dads usual crippling fear of getting scammed once again finding its way into our conversation. “I doubt Ms. Weasley would partake in something that scandalous, no?” I looked over with a smile as my dad caught my visage and couldn’t help but let out a small huff of laughter. “Maybe not.”

As we flew over the muggle towns and took a sharp turn, my dad glanced over at me and then back at the road. “You didnt forget to send Mistfeather to inform Mr. Ollivander about your ‘wand accident’ right?” He quipped in a slightly judgmental way.

I groaned out immediately and spoke up in a feigned angry tone. “It was an accident! Was I the one that told that troll to barge into the greeenhouse and specifically find the only mandrake plantation, where I had set down my wand for mere two minutes to go and get fertilizer for my dittanies?”

“Your wand should never-“ I interrupted with a quick hand gesture, mimicking his voice. “Your wand should never be out of arms reach of you, ever. Yeah, I know, you’ve lectured me enough over the summer, trust me.”

He shook his head and sighed, flying down towards Diagon Alley while murmuring ‘the youth of today..’

After my dad had safely landed, he looked over at me and let out a small breath.

“Well then, that’s your stop.” I cracked a small smile and he did too, a rare, warm one. “I’ll drop off your suitcase at the station when passing by on the way to work.” I nodded in appreciation and called Zephyr over to my lap, ready to leave. “You have your ticket right? Oh and can you make sure you don’t soil your clothes as much this year? That Mimbulus Mimbletonia sap took half the summer break to get off— oh and-“

I raised my hand and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m good dad. Thanks for caring.”

My dad wasn’t used to showing affection nor receiving it…hard childhood. So throughout the years I figured out this way of getting him to quiet down.

“…goodluck this year then.” He raised his fist towards me and I bumped it with a small laugh and then exited while shushing Zephyr who was attempting to retreat back into confines of the car. I waved my dad goodbye as he flew back off and left me in buzzing streets of diagon alley.

๛

The door let out a comforting chime as I walked in with Zephyr in my arms, having spent enough time in front of the door getting him to calm down. It was completely empty as I walked upfront and rung the small desk bell. Mr. Ollivander came rushing from around the corridor ahead.

“Ouh! Well if it isn’t Mr. Willow! I received your owl about that new wand, a pity.” I nodded with a small smile. “Sorry I wasn’t able to look after it better, sir.”

He shook his head quickly and threw his hands up. “Meh. I didn’t feel it suited you that well anyway.” I furrowed my brows and chuckled.” What?” He readjusted his glasses and spoke up. “You were very timid and shy when you walked in here about 4 years ago - but I knew then that you would undoubtedly go through a certain…change.” The bell had chimed once more as I was left in a minor daze from Mr. Ollivanders words.

Just as Ollivander was going to turn the corner of the counter to find me a new wand he spotted the new person that had walked in and stood behind me quietly.

“Ah! Mr. Sallow. Yes, yes, I have your wand right here. I just got done repairing it.” Ollivander quickly rushed back inside, through the corridor and turned the corner into what was probably his work space.

The one he called ‘Mr. Sallow’ stepped up next to me and leaned against the counter with both hands, not talking to me just yet, although this quick glance towards me didnt go unnoticed.

We suffered under awkward silence for about a minute until he was the first to crack and spoke up. “Did you manage to finish professor Ronen’s charm homework?”

I kept forced myself to not startle due to his sudden voice. As the cogs in my head had visably started turning, I was starting to question something.

Wait what.

Professor Ronen? Charm class. The homework. But I don’t know him-

Suddenly an awkward feeling of guilt settled into my chest as I realized I had never even acknowledged the existence of this person standing next to me. Oh god. Please don’t let it show on my face.

Too late. Eyebrows furrowed. Gaze turned to look upwards in confusion. Mouth slightly jarred.

I looked over at him hesitantly and he let a small chuckle before I could respond to him. Damn he’s quick. “Ouch. I usually pride myself on my magnetic personality. Was I that much of a nuisance that i became invisible to you?” He said with a small hint of a smirk.

“No! Of course not, I’m really sorry. I must have… - I genuinely don’t know.” I let out a small huff and extended my hand in earnest.

“<insert name> Willow, nice to meet you…after 4 years of taking the same class.” I said in an apologetic tone and he shook my hand firmly.

“Sebastian Swallow, pleasure. Hopefully you don’t forget again by next term?” We both chuckled at his joke as Ollivander rushed back inside with a green wand box in hand.

“Oh? Seems you two have gotten acquainted. It’s always a joy to meet new people, no?” Ollivander quipped warmly and we both nodded at the elderly man in a respectful manner.

Sebastian then took the box from Ollivander and bowed at him slightly with a small ‘thank you’ escaping his mouth as he retreated backwards towards the door. Before he left, he looked back towards me and gave a small sarcastic salute and offered me a playful grin. I returned it a bit too eagerly and was left there with my hand raised, waving at him as he left the store.

I only got startled out of it when Ollivander cleared his throat, another box now sitting on the counter in front of him. I looked down at the yellow colored box and noticed a note that was pinned on top. It read ‘for Willow, just in case.’

“You knew?” I asked rather incredulously, looking back towards the man to meet his knowing gaze.

“We Ollivanders haven’t been able to retain our success for this long by just pure luck you know.” He said in a knowing tone and gingerly pushed the box towards me.

I removed the note while still in awe at the old man’s prescient abilities. When I opened the box I quickly noticed the bottom of the lid, which read in cursive letters ‘Willow Twist.’

I looked over at him and he started speaking as if on cue.

“The Willow Twist, 14 inches with a dragon heartstring core. This specimen in particular is a much darker shade of Willow than the usual.” Ollivander continued, clearly proud of his work. “The wood itself was preserved from an extremely old willow tree, about a hundred years old no doubt!”

I furrowed my brows at his statement. “A hundred years? A willow tree usually only lives up to about seventy..” he quipped back cheerfully. “Oh! I presume you’re well-versed in herbology and plant-life then?” I nod back hesitantly, not wanting to come off as arrogant.

“Well? Pick it up then, will you!” He ushered me gleefully and I didn’t waste another second.

When I picked up the wand, the books and wand boxes in the shelves started floating around, creating patterns around me while warm hues of color started seeping out of the wand itself. Zephyr, who had finally come out of hiding from under a displaced chair in the corner of the room had started to jump and claw at the floating boxes.

After a mere 10 seconds of this artful display, the books and wandboxes found their way back into the shelves and the air around us returned back to its former state.

Ollivander let out a proud, victorious and bellowing laughter, I thought he was way too excited for his age and laughed along.

“Well there you have it! Take good care of it now. Don’t break this one aswell!” He scolded me playfully as I bowed happily and exited the store after hurling Zephyr, to his displeasure, into my arms and bidding Ollivander goodbye.

๛

The train ride to Hogwarts was rather uneventful. I was able to catch up with some friends and gossip about anything new happening at school.

“I heard from some sixth years that professor Sharp is especially strict to the fifth years, apparently he believes that by your fifth year you should already be a well rounded wizard or witch.” My dear friend, Diana Klee informed us. I met Diana, a very gifted Ravenclaw student in my third year. We met in the library when we realized we had to study for the same classes so we had decided to study together from then on.

“Oh please. We all know Sharp’s actually a big softie.” My other even dearer friend, Garreth Weasley, a Gryffindor student and my first ever friend at Hogwarts, stated while stuffing some chocolate frogs in his mouth.

“I mean how much more strict can he be? I think it’s just exaggerated. We’ll be fine as long as we don’t cause trouble.” Both me and Diana looked over at Garreth accusingly after I finished talking. “That means no more potion experiments during class, Garreth.” I teased him scoldingly, to which he only shrugged and murmured with his mouth full. “Whatever do you mean?.”

We laughed it off and continued talking about the upcoming new school year. Weirdly enough, I have a really good feeling about this one.

Wonder why..

I caved in.

This dude quite literally took over my maladaptive dreaming sessions like hello?? The audacity?? That was my fucking fanfic source and now I can’t even concentrate without spending at least 2 hours watching Sebastian Tik toks.

I’m getting closer to caving in and starting a Sebastian x male Hufflepuff MC story..

⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜

Moonlight…

Chapter 3

𝟹𝟼𝟶𝟶 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜... ⋆ටᆼට⋆

We didn’t move for what seemed like forever. Only gazing at eachothers eyes, trying to figure out what the other was thinking.

I swallowed down my nervousness and spoke up. “You’ve— quite literally just committed murder.” I said and kept my eyes on him. I couldn’t help but be more wary of him while standing in a literal carnage of flames.

“And you’re committing treason.” He replied matter-of-factly. I furrowed my brows. “Pardon? I wasn’t the one that killed them-“ he interrupted me swiftly. “I don’t think that will matter when they investigate and find you missing during the hour of the…” he looks over at the flames and then back at me with a slight smirk. “Accident.”

I immediately start growing frustrated. “What the hell is your deal? You called me here. What even is your goal?” I asked while stepping closer, trying to seem intimidating.

“I saved you—“ he was going to say but I spoke up. “I had it under control.” He raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “You were this close to plummeting down to your death. I’m only telling you what they will think of all this. You will be the prime suspect.”

I took a step back after he mentioned the fact he had saved me. He did. I would’ve definitely been dead if he hadn’t. “—but still, the investigators will be from my clan. They know what we are capable of, and I can assure you I’m not capable of that.” I extend my hand towards the flames and burnt bodies.

He shrugs. The nerve. “It won’t matter to them. They won’t have any other suspects since your clan doesn’t like to interact with anyone else anyway. And considering how poorly you are being treated by them, they won’t think twice to frame you.”

I grow quiet. Playing out the scenario in my head. He had a point. It may not play out exactly like that but I will end up being seen as the culprit. Before I could contemplate further he interrupted my train of thoughts.

“You could come with me.” He looked down at me. I looked up at him. His eyes in complete indifference while mine were in shock. “You’re mad. A Hyuga with the…Uchihas?” I couldn’t help but pause and say their name with slight fear. “None of this even— even makes sense! You caused this! You called me here! Why are you acting like this couldn’t have been avoided?” I spoke in an angered tone.

He spoke up again. “I did no such thing, I simply asked you to come and you did.” He raised his hand when I was going to continue yelling at him. “I’m simply stating the reality of the situation. You came here to meet me. You got tailed and ambushed, and I burned them down.” His tone was stricter this time. “And I’d do it again if anyone ever tried to harm you agai-“ He stilled.

I narrowed my eyes and furrowed my brows, not understanding why he would go to such lengths. Judging by the way his face contorted after that left his mouth he was also startled by his own words.

„What about Kagura? Everyone knows she’s associated with me. If they do end up announcing me as the culprit then she will be in danger too.“ He looked rather unfazed by that.

„She’ll be fine. We will have someone sent to get her if the need arises.“ I shook my head, absolutely not convinced.

„When she’s dead?“ he groaned. „Kōhi. It will be fine. You’re wasting time right now. They probably already have people coming our way.“ He said while looking up at the rising cloud of smoke.

I let out a worried sigh and then nodded quickly, hesitant but knowing this was the smartest thing to do right now. He gave me a single nod and then motioned with his head to follow.

We’d been leaping from tree to tree for awhile now, not taking any breaks. I didn’t want to seem weak so I ignored the fatigue that was building up but from the way Madara glanced back every now and then I could tell he noticed.

„We’re almost there.“ he informed me and looked back ahead, landing down onto a dirt path. Right ahead was the Uchiha estate. It was no where as grand as the Hyuga estate but for some reason it seemed much more threatening… just this stilling aura emanating from the wooden gates alone.

He looked back towards me. I spoke first before he could speak up. “Was this your plan all along? What is actually going on here? Was it all—“ He covered my mouth keeping his brows perfectly still. “You’re skeptical, understandably so. But your anxiety is clouding your judgement.” I looked into his onyx orbs for a bit, looking for any hint of deceit. After deeming him innocent I lightly swatted his hand away, glancing at him and then at the door.

He let the aggressive gesture go unnoticed and started walking. “If anyone asks, I found you stuck in a bear trap and you don’t have a home.” I keep up with his pace and then roll my eyes. “Oh wow how did you come up with that one..” I ridiculed him to which he just stayed silent and stood in front of the wooden door, waiting for them to open. “Isn’t it obvious from which clan I am?” He responded without looking back. “Doesn’t matter. People get exiled left and right anyway.” Before I could continue asking more questions the wooden gate started slowly opening.

An aged guard stepped towards us, seeing Madara and giving a quick bow, which I didn’t let go unnoticed and then looked over at me.

“Who’s this.” He asked in a gruff tone and Madara spoke in a way that made me look over to see if he was the same person. “Found them trapped in one of the bear traps, homeless. I’ll personally take care of him.” Gone was that soft but heavy tone, replaced with one that held true authority. I was so startled that I didn’t notice him moving ahead. I bowed quickly at the guard and then rushed after him.

I didn’t speak up while he was walking me through the beautifully designed estate since I didn’t know who would hear or see us. I tried to not stare at anyone passing by but I couldn’t help myself. I’d never engaged with anyone outside of my clan, let alone seen anyone.

I gazed up at Madara’s slightly larger frame. He’s so different. It’s so new and uncharted. I have this boiling pit of anxiety inside of me but…at the same time it feels— exhilarating. Exhilarating to get to dare walk the edge for a bit after following the roads designed for us Hyuga ever since birth.

I had completely dozed off into thought and barely stopped myself from bumping into him.

He turned towards me and then moved to the left. “Ah. Sorr-“ I swallowed my words when I saw the man that was standing before me now.

I looked him up and down once and then widened my eyes. “You! The Uchiha from that night!” I said to him as he tilted his head and smiled.

“It’s nice to finally be able to formally meet you… and to put a face on the person my brother here has not been able to shut up about—“ I quick strike to the gut and he grunted and then coughed out a breath.

Madara retreated his elbow, gave him a quick glare and then spoke up.

“This is my brother, Izuna Uchiha.”

After getting over what Izuna had been saying way too quickly I stumbled to take my hand out to shake his. “Ah- Yes. I’m glad you’re safe. I’m Kōhi Hyuga, nice to meet you.”

He shook my hand after grumbling at Madara. He then spoke up more clearly. “When you and that other Hyuga girl set me free I told Madara here about it and he made me show him who exactly it was.” He smirked over at him.

Madara scoffed and then continued. “When I heard he had been let go by two members of the Hyuga clan I was merely surprised that someone would do that knowing it would be betraying their own clan..” He continued after looking away. “..I understood when he pointed at you though.” I could see his ears slightly twitch and grow red and I had to hold myself back from teasing him about it, instead deciding to concentrate back on Izuna.

“Well whatever the case… I’m just glad you were able to get away. Back at the Hyuga Estate they were furious.” I said, mostly starting smalltalk when I realized something I hadn’t thought not nearly enough about for.

“Why did my clan arrest you? I know you might think ill of them now… and it’s true they aren’t the most pleasant of people to be around, but it is still rather uncommon for them to take in someone, especially an Uchiha.” I pondered loudly. He exchanged a quick glance with Madara, almost as if having a quick conversation and then looked back towards me and smiled a bit too sweetly.

“Ah. Well I got into a fight with one of the guards and didn’t know there were more. Ended up getting a proper beating and thrown in, so it wasn’t anything groundbreaking or criminal if that’s what you had in mind.” He finished with a wide smile. I almost hurled right then and there. If I hated one thing it was fake smiles. But why was he faking it? Is he emotionally detached? Trauma? Is he hiding something?

I shook my head slightly and smiled back a bit awkwardly. “Well I’m glad it turned out fine in the end.” Madara then stepped ahead and motioned for me to follow. “I need to show you to your room so you can get situated, come on.”

I nodded swiftly and waved at Izuna. “Alright— see ya later…Izuna?”

He nodded and waved back. “Yeah. See ya.”

His smile faltered ever so slightly but I chose to ignore it.

Instead I followed Madara’s swift footsteps with my own rather loud ones due to the Geta I was wearing. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen one person that was wearing anything other than plain sandals, was it for tactical purposes? I mean not everyone wore Geta in the Hyuga clan either but we are certainly quite different in our choice of clothing.

Madara led me through a corridor with a window in the middle that looked out into a wast wheat field. It was truly beautiful. He slid open the door and went inside after taking his sandals off.

“You’ll be staying here for the time being. It’s a bit small but it’s the best I can offer someone I found trapped in a bear hole.” He said with a small tinge of a joke and I allowed an equally small tinge of a chuckle to escape.

“It’s plenty. Thank you.” I said and looked up at him, once again meeting his onyx orbs head on. He gazed into my face with the most unreadable expression I’ve ever seen. If I even tried to decipher it, it seemed to shift into an entirely new one immediately. He didn’t break eye contact for a good minute and finally spoke up while retreating to the door.

“Rest well.” He said and let out a faint sigh while closing the door behind him.

I stood there for a minute longer. It felt as if I was entranced considering the sudden numbing sensation that went through my face…unbeknownst to me it was actually just me blushing.

๛

After spending way too much time just rolling around on my futon I sat up and looked ahead at the door right in front of me that was letting the moonlight seep into the my room due to the thin fabric it was made from.

I groaned to myself once and then got up, deciding a walk around the estate might help clear my mind and resting a bit a easier. I slipped my geta and the upper part of my grey kimono back on and slid the door open. I walked on the dark wooden engawa, enjoying the slight breeze of the night and the sound of the grasshoppers. Suddenly the sound of someone’s voice caught my attention instead.

I perked up and walked towards the voice…a gruff voice. As I got closer I was able to understand more but halted when I heard Madara’s distinct tone. It annoyed me that I could distinguish his voice this easily but ignored the thought and concentrated on their conversation instead.

“I just think that if we could keep him here a bit longer before—“ I furrowed my brows as I listened to him but startled when the gruff voice spoke over him. “It doesn’t matter what you think. It’s happening tomorrow. End of conversation.” My curiosity got the better of me and although I scolded myself for prying on their matters I still activated my Byakugan and saw which room they were in and that there was a third person with them aswell.

“Father, I think what my brother is trying to convey is—“

He, as I conclude it’s Izuna, was also interrupted.

“Are you both defying my orders? This isn’t open for debate. Another word from either of you and you will wish you had been mute.”

They quieted down and then their so called ‘father’ continued.

“That boy will be used as bait to get the Hyuga clan to join our side in the battle against the Senju and you will both comply. Understood?”

Madara dared to speak up again. “I’ve seen the way his clan treats him. They wouldn’t care if we threatened to kill him…so just let him go and we can—“

“Madara.” While I was already listening and watching with widened eyes, a pounding heart and a racing mind, I also got an absolutely shiver to run down my spine due to his father’s tone.

After that he went quiet for a bit and with what sounded almost choked he said..

“..Yes, father.”

The moment I deactivated my Byakugan, I didn’t even have time to comprehend the shock of betrayal as I took off my Geta and bolted. I ran faster than I had ever before, although I had taken off my shoes to keep quiet, lights were being turned on all over the estate as I desperately tried to find the exit while running through endless corridors.

Suddenly a horn was blown. It made me run even faster. There were heavy footsteps sprinting around everywhere. They were chasing me. I knew it. I was terrified. I felt like crying, the only reason I wasn’t was because my brain was too preoccupied with the amount of fear it was feeling from being chased by the Uchiha themselves.

More and more Uchiha spotted me as I ran outside into the garden. They all came at me from different directions, reaching out to me, as if hungry. One thing I took notice of in that state of high adrenaline is the way they all first flashed their Sharingan at me, furrowed their brows in confusion and then as if opting to another method went out to grab me. I didn’t think much of it and instead took it as a chance to evade them and leap over the high wooden gate and rushed inside the thick woods. I was leaping from branch to branch, panting heavily as I could see them catching up to me from all sides with my Byakugan.

I knew they would catch up to me sooner or later. Either that or just burn me down while Madara had done to those Hyuga guards..

I quite literally swallowed down that thought along with the lump that was building up in my throat from from completely over exerting my physical abilities.

When I looked ahead and saw that the next branch was too far for me to reach I realized in horror that I had to run through the mildly large clearing in order to even be able to have a chance at escaping.

So I did.

Unsurprisingly enough Uchiha men leaped down all round me, circling me like wolfs hunting a prey.

I was stuck. Any slight opening I found had been immediately closed before I could make a run for it. I breathed in heavily, trying to calm myself down as I knew a fight was inevitable.

I raised my slightly trembling palms in a defensive manner and saw that they all had begun weaving hand signs.

I was done for. I didn’t know what they were about to do but considering the amount of people about to unleash a jutsu on me I concluded it didn’t exactly matter.

Just when I was about to accept my fate and all the Uchiha had reeled back as if taking deep breaths, a loud yell had been heard from the side.

“KŌHI!”

I recognized the voice before they even finished yelling and my body moved on its own. The person landed next to, raising one arm upwards and lowering one arm downwards. I did the same without question, as if she was controlling my movements together with hers. And then as if we were one body, we activated our Byakugan and—

(八卦掌・回天) Hakkeshō: Kaiten!

We both started turning rapidly while emitting chakra from all of our tanketsu points. Due to our close proximity we had to have absolute perfect coordination between our steps, but knowing it was her, I went all out.

火遁・豪火球の術­ Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!

The Uchiha guards fired mercilessly. All surrounding men let out titanic barrages of flames that were clashing head on with our Combined Palm Rotation technique. We kept turning and turning. If we stopped before they did we were dead. No debate. This technique depletes a lot of chakra so the dome of chakra was getting weaker, more and more heat coming through the fire style techniques of the Uchiha. Just when I was about to give up I heard her voice yell through.

Kagura’s voice.

“For fucks sake! Just for once don’t quit!!”

It felt as if time stopped. I recalled the way at any slight stumble, mistake or criticism I had shut down completely for an extended period of time. I felt weak and pathetic thinking back about it now. I was mistreated, sure. Sought closure with her. Kagura. So she thought it too. And she was right. But all of that doesn’t matter. The present, the now, matters.

“I’m not backing down this time.”

We sped up. Exponentially. Our dome of Chakra had become denser, thicker…and reflective. The flames that it was clashing against were no longer being endured, but repelled. We heard the agonizing screams of the Uchiha as they burned themselves down to the ground.

As we stopped spinning, I looked over at Kagura, my body shaking, vision blurry and spinning at the same time. I launched at her and gave her a tight hug. “Th— thank-“ I couldn’t finish my sentence. The exhaustion was taking over. The fact that she was dead silent and rapidly breathing along with me told me that she was in a similar state. The only thing we were able to communicate through were our exasperated huffs of laughs.

Then it dawned on us at the same time. We had to move. So without any words, not that we were able to form any, we pulled eachother ahead, holding onto eachothers shoulders as we took a single step ahead.

Which was the only step we managed before two new ninjas landed in front of us. We grew alarmed immediately, but were in no state to defend ourselves. I met the gaze of the one on the left.

It was Madara. He looked at me…inquisitively. As if trying to figure something out that was wrecking his brain apart. I recognized the other as his brother. He was the one that drew his sword first. This alerted Kagura and she took a measly step forward to intimidate but it was no use. We were hollow. They could cut us down and we probably wouldn’t feel it.

I saw Madara reach his hand over at his brothers wrist, gripping it and then motioning with his head at us. Izuna looked at him as if he had grown a second head. “You know what he will do to us if we do this.” Izuna tried. “I am fully aware. I just don’t care anymore. That rotten old man cares about only one thing. Power. Either come with me or I’ll leave alone and take the blame for it on my own. It’s up to you.”

Izuna swallowed thickly, looking over both of us and our barely open eyes. “Fuck..”

He strode forward and grabbed Kagura, having to grab her wrists since she tried to strike him down in her sorry state.

Madara came over to me and extended his arm in help instead. I looked into his eyes. I understood what they were doing. What he was doing. I gave him a faint smile and took his arm leaning slightly against him. They tried walking with us but when it showed difficult they threw us on their backs and leap up into the trees instead.

The last thing I remember before finally letting unconsciousness take over me was noticing that Madara had really soft hair. I was out of it basically at that point. So I didn’t realize I had basically nuzzled into his nape.

His sudden raised heartbeat and warming body temperature after that action was all that was needed to send me into a deep slumber.

Managed to finish this finally lol. By the way, thank you sm to all the likes? Like I know it might not seem like a lot but they really do help push me to write. I don’t know just the thought of someone enjoying my writing just gives me the serotonin to huddle up on my bed and get this done lollll. Anyways enjoy xx

Moonlight…

Chapter 2

3100 words.

⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜

The hot summer heat that engulfed the whole estate was roasting me alive in the study hall as I was trying to get these goddamn scrolls of ‘the virtues of the Hyuga’ done by the end of the hour. I had already procrastinated my punishment issued by Hiroshi long enough and if I wouldn’t finish these in time…didn’t even want to think about it.

The only problem was that I couldn’t focus for the life of me. The crumpled paper of the former Origami was sitting at the corner of my desk, right in my field of vision. It was intoxicating me to say the least. I couldnt keep that crumpled paper away from me for more than an hour.

“Always keep your stations tidy-“ I was immediately snapped out of my daze as the supervisor of the study hall abruptly snatched the piece of crumpled paper away and was casually going to walk off.

Without even thinking I grabbed the himo of her hakama and pulled it. I realized the horror of what I had done way too late. She turned around with absolute dread etched on her face. Eyes narrowed, Byakugan out, palms already raised and me on my way to another punishment.

๛

After a hundred gentle fist strikes at wooden dummies and 20 laps around the estate with obstacles designed to only be avoided with the Byakugan I was now sitting in the infirmary, for once, getting my hands and eyes bandaged. I could honestly live a blind life at this point considering the amount of times I had to wear these bandages.

The door of the infirmary swung open as someone hurriedly walked in. Both me and the nurse were startled by the brutal entrance of the person.

“Again?!” The person shrieked and I realized it was Kagura. Of course it was. The nurse gave her a judgemental look because of her mannerisms but couldnt do much else since nurses didnt have the authority to reprimand us.

“Kōhi this is like the fifth time in two months, you can go blind by this rate.” She spoke worriedly and I smiled slightly to show my appreciation for her. “I’m fine. I’m getting used to it at this point.” I spoke and stood up from the examination table, nodding at the nurse as I reach out my hand to Kagura for her to guide me.

She took it without a question, grabbing ahold of my hand with her surprisingly much rougher and calloused ones. She had always put so much effort into her combat training to the point that she had once even been recognized as the current best combatant in our class.

Speaking of recognition…

“Hey aren’t our scores for the junior examinations out by now? Let’s head over to the examination hall to see-“ I was saying while absentmindedly playing with my himo when she abruptly halted, causing me to bump into her. “Kagura- what the hell?”

I asked quickly and she spoke up in a panicked tone. “Shit! Kōhi! I forgot to hand in the assignment on Tanketsu points!” I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow, which was mostly covered by my bangs. “Wasn’t that due two weeks ago?” I asked with the slightest of judgement. She rolled her eyes unbeknownst to me. “They gave me some more time since I aced the combat examination that day.” She spoke again and I furrowed my brows when I realized her tone was a bit raspy. “Are you sick? Why do you sound so..rough?” She coughed. “It’s probably just a minor cold, it’ll go away, anyway you can hold out for a couple minutes on your own right?” She asked and had already let go of my hand. “Yeah it’s fine, I can’t do much like this anyway.” I replied with a short sigh and she hummed as a reply. “Alright I’ll come find you in a bit.” She then rushed off, her loud tip toeing pulling out a mild chuckle out of me.

I moved my head around for bit, looking around blindly. Well what now? I couldnt exactly go finish the scrolls, nor could I find the way to the study hall. I let out another sigh and sat down at the edge of the engawa, deciding to enjoy the soft breeze that had taken up awhile ago.

After only two minutes I felt a hand on my shoulder. I was surprised for a second that it brought me so much comfort. I reached up and put my hand on it, feeling the same callousness…although this time slightly more- burly? I assumed that it was Kagura again and looked up to her face in her general direction. “That was quick. Did no one catch you sprinting like a madman?” I asked with a soft smile and the hand clenched. Like quite hard to be honest. It made me furrow my brows in slight suspicion. “Uhh are you okay? Why are you not speaking.” She didn’t answer. “Kagura?”

“Come to the river when you get better.” I reeled back slightly. Did her voice get even raspier? “Are you seriously thinking of going to the river again? And whats with that voice-?” I spoke up, still under the impression it was her. I mean who else would put their hand on my shoulder. Didnt have any other friends and the adults don’t do that. I was going to speak up again after she didn’t reply but I was quieted by her removing her hand entirely. Suddenly I felt a strong breeze sweep through and I spoke up once more. “Kagura?” In a more worried tone this time. No answer.

Just when I managed to stand up I heard some footsteps running towards me. “Ahh! Sorry for taking so long!” That was Kagura. That was definitely her. The rasp was like it was before and she still had that tone in her voice I knew so well. She panted slightly, stopping right in front of me. “Sorry, did I keep you waiting for too long? I had to search for it first, my room was a mess.” She huffed out a laugh and then perked up. “Why are you looking at me like that? Hey, are you actually mad?” I raised a hand to stop her from talking. “No, no— you just startled me is all..” I swallowed a lump forming in my throat and huffed out a rushed breath. “Ah. Alright— wait did you make that? Damn while being blind? Thats just talent.” She giggled afterwards and by the sound of he shifting movements it seemed as if she bent down to grab something. “What?” I asked obliviously after a moment and she replied quickly. “This Origami.”

I froze. Immediately tensing up. “W-what.” I struggled to say. “Yeah it’s an Origami. You didn’t make it?” I didnt reply, way too focused on the fact that he… It had to be him right? The voice, his hand. I mean— the fucking Origami! Was he playing with me? Why does he want to meet me? Fuck that, how does he even know he has this effect on m— why does he even have this effect on me.

“…ōhi. Kōhi!” I startled. “Jeez, are you sure you’re okay? Im telling you, they keep going too hard on you.” She asked with slight worry etched into her tone and I took awhile to reply, opting to just shake my head. “And you’re red too…okay, let’s get you to your room, you’re obviously not feeling well.” I shook my head quickly. “N-no! I’m fine— can you drop me off at the infirmary though?” She hesitated and then answered. “Why? If you are feeling bad just say so.” She grew slightly frustrated, I could basically see her slightly puffed out cheeks. “I’m fine. I just want to ask something.” She sighed after a moment and then nodded. “Alright, alright. Come on.” She put her hand on my shoulder and started guiding me.

Oh yeah it was definitely him before.

After taking way too much time reassuring Kagura I was fine and she could leave only for her to barge in anyway we entered the infirmary. The nurse, better know as Miss Hana spoke up in an annoyed tone. “What now? I just treated you.” She said and walked closer, already starting to inspect me. “I’m sorry— but I was wondering if we could somehow get these off faster?” I started and then Kagura spoke up. “That’s what you’re here for?” She questioned and Miss Hana replied very quickly.

“Absolutely not. You should’ve thought of that before straining your Byakugan that hard. Our eyes are our most fragile organ, and as a Clan who’s most valuable weapon is our Doujutsu we simply cannot be this reckless.”

She spoke with finality in her tone already making her way to the door to lead us out. I glanced in Kagura’s direction and then walked over to the exit with a short sigh. As Kagura prompted to follow me she accidentally stumbled over the leg of the examination table. She managed to catch herself on the shelf but caused some scrolls to land right onto her head.

I turned around when I heard her grunt and spoke up. “Kagura— you good?” I walked towards the ruckus. “Yeah, yeah- sorry Miss Hana I’ll-“ when she bent down and wanted to pick up the scroll she froze.

When she abruptly halted I reached out and managed to put my hand on her shoulder. “Kagura?” Before she could say anything I was pushed back by Miss Hana and I heard her snatch the scrolls off the ground. “Look at the mess you’ve made! Leave now before I-“

“You’re practicing foreign Jutsu..” she interrupted her with an uncharacteristically soft tone and I could hear the gasp of air rush into Miss Hana’s lungs.

It was strictly forbidden for any Hyuga to practice foreign Ninjutsu, Taijutsu or even literature for that matter. The Hyuga regarded their teachings and techniques as the highest and most elite form of ninjahood and were extremely prideful in them, so if you were to do such a thing…you’d be labeled as an outcast forever, and not only you, your family aswell.”

Kagura spoke up again after Miss Hana went quiet. “I managed to read a bit. It said something about ‘medical ninjutsu’. “ I raised both eyebrows, she continued. “That’s…a completely foreign concept, the Hyuga have never used Jutsu to heal, if you were to be fatally wounded in battle then it is just seen as blatant proof that you simply weren’t good enough to survive.”

Miss Hana managed to stutter out. “L-look, it just caught my interest. I just read up on it a bit..” she tried to argue but Kagura spoke up again. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re committing a crime.” She said and both of them went quiet.

“Can you heal his eyes?” Kagura asked after a moment of silence. I was taken aback by her request, realizing immediately afterwards that it wasn’t a request, it was a threat. Blackmail, if you will.

Miss Hana didn’t reply for a good two minutes, the three of us just standing still tensely.

“Yes.” Miss Hana finally muttered out, her tone strained and full of frustration. Kagura guided me to the table and then took a step back. Miss Hana came closer and stood right in front of me. “This stays between us.” She said quietly and placed both of her hands onto my face.

It felt as if you jumped into a cold lake on a scorching summer day. A cool feeling swept through my temple as the lingering strain on my eyes kept lessening by the second. When she removed her hands and gingerly took the bandages off the former swelling and red area around my eyes had disappeared. I looked around at Kagura who was looking at me almost in awe, Miss Hana taking a few steps back only to do the same, probably shocked by her own accomplishment.

I got down from the table and nodded at her. “Thank you.” I said, not only showing appreciation for her gesture but also a small apology for basically blackmailing her. Kagura only huffed out a small scoff and then opened the door. “Well I definitely know who will be treating me from now on when I get hurt.” She teased as I pulled her along, ignoring how she stuck out her tongue at Miss Hana and gave her a little wave.

As we got out and walked along the engawa I looked around, testing out my vision. “It isn’t a trick or something. It’s actually healed. This is— revolutionary!” I said in awe as Kagura shrugged. “I always knew she was sketchy, turns out she was hiding a giant secret.” She said and started smirking. “More importantly…why did you even want her to treat your eyes” She finally asked the question I was hoping to avoid and bent over to get a look at my face.

“You’re going to be quiet, got it? One word about this and I’m using you as a training dummy.” She only giggled as a reply and I furrowed my brows.

“I’m going to meet him.” I said afterwards quickly.

“Him?” She quipped.

“Him.” I replied.

“Like, him - him??” She questioned again and I rolled my eyes and just nodded.

“He said to meet at the river around night time..” I informed her hesitantly.

“What if it’s a trap?” She asked the most obvious question.

“What if it isn’t.” I said after a moment of silence, a small blush creeping up to my cheeks.

She started laughing loudly. “Oh my.” She caught her breath. “You like him-.” She tried saying as if it was the most casual thing there was. “I don’t.” I immediately interrupted her. “That’s not- possible. I wouldn’t. Who even would? And I can’t even if, hypothetically, there was a…life where me and him were something , it’s not in this one. And I don’t like him like that anyway so-“ I stilled when I looked back at Kagura who was holding back her laughter, her cheeks puffed out.

“I hate you.” I said and rushed past her. “No wait! Let me help you get ready!” She quickly called after me while following me

“No!” I argued back with a progressively reddening face, only looking back at her when I reached my dormitory and let her in with a roll of my eyes. “Brat.” She sticks her tongue out.

๛

I peeked around the entrance door, four guards. Must’ve upped the security after the escape of that Uchiha. ‘Escape’, that’s what they chose to call it. As if the Hyuga would admit they let a valuable source of intel get away so easily.

I activated my Byakugan, looking through the stone wall to get a clearer vision of the situation. There was no way I could get past them. I Needed a diversion again. Good thing Kagura helped get completely loaded up with ninja tools. I looked through the many Shuriken and Smokebombs. It wouldn’t be enough. They must’ve gotten orders…and also punished for letting their guard down the last time. I spotted a paper bomb right after that thought. I’d never actually used one but it was as the name suggested. A bomb. I swalllowed thickly, hyping myself up inwardly as I attached the paper bomb to a Kunai with a thread and engraved my chakra in it. Basic junior ninja tool training, good to know I can still do it.

I leaped on the stone wall, at a safe distance from the guards, they weren’t looking towards me. I reeled back my arm and used all the strength I had to fling the Kunai into the woods, fast enough for them not to notice and strike a tree.

I raised two fingers up, forming a chakra link between me and the paper bomb.

爆 (baku)!

A quick explosion rang out from the forest, the guards quickly grew alert.

“What was that?! Are the infiltrators back?” One of them asked and another spoke up. “Doesn’t matter who it was, we are taking them out.” He stated bluntly and all four of them rushed into the woods towards the sound of the paper bomb.

I sprinted towards the lake faster than I ever had before, rushing into the woods and leaping from the protruding roots, onto the branches of the trees, glancing back once to see that no one was following me. I sighed out a breath of relief as I was about to reach the last tree that had grown on the edge of the riverbank.

Suddenly a rough voice called out behind me.

八卦空掌 (Hakke Kūshō!)

The moment I registered the words in my head I immediately turned around and covered my face and upper body with my arms. A heavy gust of chakra knocked me hard into the last tree. I only had enough time to force myself onto my knees and look up just to see another figure coming down on me with a raised Gentle Fist, aimed right into my head. I didn’t have time to retaliate nor to dodge. Just as I covered my face for another blow, this time a much more painful one, a much stronger gust of wind rushed through the forest. I tensed up as I felt heat radiating with it from beside me. It was only until I lowered my hands and saw the trees scorched and completely off their stumps when I finally let out the breath I was holding involuntarily. The Hyuga who was aiming for me was gone. I looked down the branch I was standing on, somehow still intact. I immediately looked away. His body was scorched and mangled. Only when I looked to the side did I see two pair feet standing right next to me, facing the calamity.

I looked up hesitantly, meeting the blazing red eyes of Madara Uchiha. We didn’t exchange any words. It was almost as if we were communicating with our eyes.

He extended a hand towards me. I looked at it in caution and then grabbed it firmly, accepting his help to stand up. As I got up I met his eyes again, not making any effort to let go off his hand. It was so warm and comforting. And considering the absolute natural disaster this man had just caused it was weird even thinking that.

I snapped out of my daze when he tilted his head, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly. I reeled back a bit, not letting go of his hand.

“I was right.” He spoke up, his tone reverberating through the area.

“What..?” I questioned immediately, too out of it to process anything he was saying.

“You’re eyes do look even more beautiful under the Moonlight.”

He said while his eyes turned back into a calm Onyx color instead of the harsh red of the Sharingan.

⁜ 𝙾𝙲-𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗. (𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚍.)

⁜ Moonlight - Prequel.

⁜ Moonlight - Chapter 1.

⁜ Moonlight - Chapter 2.

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚊𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚕. 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 <\𝟹 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚝𝚠.

𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍.

2600 words.

Moonlight…

Chapter 1

⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜ ⁜

56..57..58..5-9?..

My bandaged hands trembled, the soreness reaching up all the way to my torso as I attempted to catch my breath, only to receive a harsh strike to the back of my neck with a slim stick.

Did I really believe that i could get away with dirtying the Hyuga name? There is no way they would just leave me alone after I was brought back by an Uchiha, on his back too to add on to it. It’s disgraceful to say the least.

I struck the wooden buddy one last time, not being fast enough to retaliate the oncoming wooden arm and ended up falling down for the 5th time that hour. I had to start over now. This is torture but who am I supposed to even complain to? Government? Doesn’t exist. Higher ups? No contact. Quite literally Hell on earth.

“…pathetic. This dummy is used for training Juniors. You will be nearing senior in the next moon cycle and you can’t even hold out for mere 10 minutes. How do you expect to—“

I shut out the combat educator. Formally known as Hyuga Hiroshi. He’s been a pain in my ass since I was just a child. Always fostered and put more care into the training of his favorites more than in mine. I usually just nod absentmindedly whenever he starts his monologue about how much of a waste I was.

I get snapped out of my thoughts when he suddenly clenches my jaw and looks me dead in the eyes.

“Keep. Them. On.” he said threateningly, I gripped his hand as hard as I could, only ending up hurting myself more from all the bruises that were battered on to them from the training.

I forcefully activated my Byakugan, the strain on my eyes felt like hell incarnate.

“Good. Youre finished. You will keep your Byakugan on for another hour and then return to your dormitory. I want five written scrolls of ‘the virtues of the Hyuga’ by tomorrow.” He stated unapologetically and then turned around, leaving me on the ground in the stone garden.

As I felt frustration and the feeling of injustice fill me, the person I would direct it to in my mind was already clear as day to me.

“…fuck you, stupid Uchiha.”

I slid my door open slowly, exhaustion etched upon my features. I saw a figure rush up to me as I walked in. I squinted my eyes to make out the identity as good as I could, but all I could see was fog right now.

“Oh my..- shit! That looks like really bad Kōhi. The iris almost looks like it’s cracking..” I felt relief rush my body as i recognized that quirky voice and sighed as I sat down as soon as I stepped into the room.

“God it’s all that Uchiha’s fault.” I started grumbling as Kagura had already gotten out some cloth to bandage my eyes. “Did he really use you for funds? Bastard.” She murmured vulgarly, concentrated on not putting too much pressure on her ministrations.

“And he was so slick with it too. I genuinely thought he had good intentions..” she quieted for a bit and then hesitantly added. “Well— he did save you from that hole…I just assumed you went back without me and didn’t even bother to check around. You most likely would’ve been stuck in there for—“

“Oi. Don’t defend him.” I said and tilted my head towards her general direction. “We hate him now. He’s a jerk.”

“We?” She quickly interjected.

“We.” I replied and scoffed at her.

After a brief pause we both huffed out a laugh.

“I’m not going to lie I am curious to what he looks like.” She said after awhile. “Like..I was only able to see his retreating form as I ran towards the gate when I saw the guards with you.”

I attempted to roll my eyes, hand immediately moving up in pain. “Don’t. Just imagine him as..a toad, A-an Oni!” I argued with her and she groaned. “Okay…but was he…attractive?”

I retreated my neck to showcase my disturbance. “No. Average at best…” I stated first and after she didn’t say anything I added. “Well.. he— he had nice bone structure. Very uhh…healthy.”

Unbeknownst to me she smirked wickedly. “Doesn’t sound like a toad to me.” I attempted to smack her hand but hit the ground. “Out!” I whisper yelled and she rushed out giggling. I shook my head. Tch. Attractive? Yeah right. My left foot.

I picked at the last pieces of rice in my bowl idly while Kagura shamelessly went to get her third bowl. I looked over at her returning form with a mountain of rice in her bowl.

“We have combat training in an hour. You will feel heavy if you eat all that.” I said to her scoldingly, pointing the chopsticks into her face.

“Shh. Keep your eyes on your bowl, thank you.” She retorted dismissively.

“How are your eyes by the way? Do you think we need to bandage them again?” She asked after a short pause to swallow. “No it’s fine. I’m used to the stinging at this point. The only downfall is that my vision has been worsening.” I started but quieted down after some commotion caught my attention in the wooden makeshift canteen. Someone was thrashing and making a lot of noise. An intruder perhaps? Or a new prisoner for questioning?

I lifted my head as high as I could, catching a glimpse of long, black, disheveled hair and a plain dark violet robe.

Was it…? No it couldnt be. For what reason even? The Hyuga know not to mess with the Uchiha for no reason. Maybe..an issue of pride? Did their ego get cranked up that bad after one of their own was saved by an Uchiha from a shallow bear trap?

Whatever the reason, I had to talk to him again. The urge was almost painful. I needed not only answers but also some closure about…everything.

I looked over at Kagura and gave her a quick nod. She was confused at first but when she turned around and pointed her vision towards the commotion aswell she immediately rushed to finish her bowl. Both of us quickly got up and made our way through the tables in a polite manner to investigate the situation ourselves.

We peek around the corner to see two adults forcefully dragging a struggling boy about our age, maybe slightly older into the wooden hut on the other side of the estate, the so-called interrogation room.

We’ve only seen the outside. Just a plain wooden temple. Nothing too eye catching. I looked over at Kagura and gave her the signal. We looked over at our Geta lined up on the ground right in front of the engawa. Just as we were going to head out we noticed a big problem. One guard stayed outside the interrogation room with a clear view towards our direction. They probably knew some of us ninja in training might get curious and come out early to try and get a peek.

“Shit…he’s looking right this way.” I said to her and she started scratching her head. “What are we going to do? He needs to leave.” She said and took another glance at him.

I shook my head at her comment. “There are other ninja in there anyway. We won’t get far. We will need to wait…shit but we don’t have much time because of combat training..” I realized and sighed. “Can you look inside?” I asked and motioned over at her eyes.

She closed them and then opened them again. Veins lining her cheekbones around her eyes.

“It’s sealed off. Understandably, everyone here does possess a doujutsu that basically undermines the complete existence of walls.” She half-joked and I nodded with a huff.

“Let’s…meet up later in the evening. If it’s taking this long to get anything out of him then they will probably keep him here for awhile.” I said and we retreated back inside quietly.

๛

We leaped across the roofs of the many buildings scattered around the estate, landing behind the hut of the interrogation room. I gave Kagura a glance to make sure she was ready. She tucked a strand of her curly, dark ginger hair behind her ear and nodded in confirmation quickly.

We decided one of us would stay outside to notify if anyone was approaching. I went inside as quietly as I could, veins flexing across my cheekbones as I activate the Byakugan to see if there were any guards inside. Since the seal only worked from outside the building there was no issue in scanning the inside.

I froze in my spot as the chakra network of two individuals appeared in front of my eyes. Right around the corridor. The one on the far left didn’t resemble a basic, standing anatomical structure, leading me to the conclusion that they were most likely sitting down. The other was was standing completely straight.

It was obvious which one was the guard. I gave one quick glance behind me and then took out a Kunai. I had to time this perfectly. That Hyuga was most likely highly trained considering they put him as the sole guard. I had to throw the Kunai into the far left wall next to him, quick enough for him to at least glance at it, best case scenario turn towards it. Just enough for me to..

I turned the corner while simultaneously throwing the Kunai at the wall. He turned his head, quickly growing alarmed. Only a second passed. When he turned towards me, he caught my gaze with his own Byakugan. It was too late. I was already too close, my sole focus being on his chakra core at his stomach, completely ignoring his tenketsu points. Two fingers raised and flexed with my own Chakra.

One single strike.

-

柔拳, Jūken!

-

And he was out. I tried to stay calm as I felt the anxiety catching up from the absolute treason I was committing. To ignore the gnawing feeling of regret I looked over at the prisoner, fully expecting to see Madara, already thinking of what to say to him about his the stunt he pulled about a week ago.

That wasn’t Madara.

Well, to be honest he could’ve been if I hadn’t completely engraved his features into my mind…for whatever reason. His face was slimmer, his eyes a bit rounder and his hair slightly longer than Madara’s. I felt frustrated I was able to discern between Madara and this young man’s similar features but couldnt berate myself any further when he spoke up with an obvious husk in his voice. Most likely from the torture.

„Who the hell are you supposed to be now.“ He basically spat, his eyes narrowing on my form. I fumbled to reply due to his intense gaze, opting to grab the wooden bars that had caged him into his cell. „Shit..what now—„ I looked around and then spotted the Kunai at the wall I had thrown. I quickly pulled it out and started stabbing and slicing aimlessly at the hardwood. „Fuck.“

I cursed outloud and was going to continue my hopeless efforts until he managed to stand up and come closer, opening his hand and requesting the Kunai. I gave it to him after a moment of hesitation and took a step back.

One slice of the kunai was enough for him to cut down the hardwood. He didn’t waste any time to force himself out of the opening he had created, only offering me a single glance before bolting around the corner and outside. I ran after the shock had settled and saw Kagura peeking inside with an incredulous look on her face. „not even a goddamn thank you? You’re right, he really is a douchebag.“ she grumbled after I quietly closed the door behind me and we leaped back onto the roof and started running back to our dormitories.

„Wasn’t him. He looked similar though, to some extent.“ I spoke up after we landed in front of the engawa. „Oh so we risked getting executed for a total stranger. Great. I’ll see you in my next life then.“ I shoved her curly head away lightly. „I just wanted some answers…and that guard is out cold. I doubt he’ll remember anything.“ she went through her hair with one hand and then rolled her eyes. „For our sake, let’s hope you accidentally killed him.“ she said bluntly and then made her way to her room, raising her hand nonchalantly while walking off.

I swallowed thickly and entered my room aswell. God I really didn’t think this through.

๛

tap tap tap tap.

I startled upwards from my futon and looked at the small window next to the door. Two sharp eyes were glaring 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 and straight at me.

tap tap tap tap.

The figure continued tapping and it sent absolutely chills through my body. I got up, swallowed thickly and then took tentative steps towards the window. The eyes didnt leave my form. I couldn’t see who it was from the dark but ultimately froze when it’s eyes went from black to a stark red. I froze on my spot.

Could it be..? I grabbed the handle of the window and gathered enough courage to slide it open in one swing. And I did, only to find no one there. I peaked my head out and looked around, no one in sight. I was terrified to say the least. Just when I was going to close the window again I noticed a small piece of paper on the foot of the window. It was folded into an Origami. I perked up when I saw the familiar form of the paper. The Hyuga training of the kids involved folding these paper cranes to not only hone their craftsmanship but most of all their coordination skills with their hands.

I leaned through the window and grabbed it, treating it gently. I looked around one last time and closed the window.

I sat back down on my futon and looked at the Origami, admiring the immaculate technique. Whoever had done this was definitely good with their hands. I then noticed a speck of black on it. I furrowed my brows as I touched that peculiar spot and realized it was ink. I folded the Origami back into its former shape and was taken aback to see it was a short letter…if you could call it that.

“… thank you for freeing my brother.

Does this make us even then?

❀."

Oh. I crumbled the paper. more on accident. Was that a flower? Probably a drop of ink. Yeah…but- he wrote this. Madara did. He was outside my window too. I felt my heart start to beat faster, heat rushing to my face. I immediately blamed the rather horrific aspect of this whole ordeal. It was creepy to say the last, no?

Yeah. That’s why my heart was basically beating out of my chest. Absolutely.

That night I barely managed to sleep after making sure I let out all of my frustration into my pillow.

….What is happening to me?

⋆ටᆼට⋆

𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎: 𝙺𝚘̄𝚑𝚒

𝙻𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚊me: 𝙷𝚢𝚞𝚐𝚊

𝙰𝚐𝚎: s𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚝 𝟷𝟼, 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛.

𝙱𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚍𝚊𝚢: 𝚂𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟶𝚝𝚑

𝙴𝚢𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚛: 𝚆𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚎

𝙷𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚛: 𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗

𝙵𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍/𝚜: 𝙷𝚢𝚞𝚐𝚊 𝙺𝚊𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚊

𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚜: 𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚕, 𝙺𝚘𝚒 𝚏𝚒𝚜𝚑, 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚜, 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚢, 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎, 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 (𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 friend, 𝙺𝚊𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚊)

𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚜: 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚍, 𝚏𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚜, 𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚜, 𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚞𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎, 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚗

𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢:

- 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛 '𝙷𝚢𝚞𝚐𝚊'

-𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚢, 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚋𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚗, 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎...𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚔𝚎𝚢𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜.

-𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍. 𝚂𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚢 𝚊 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚝.

𝙰 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚏𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜.

𝙰𝚛𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎. 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚝.

(𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑, 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚊𝚓𝚘𝚛. 𝙵𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚝𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚎𝚒𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎.)

(…I am working on chapter one.)

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕 prequel 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚎 𝙾𝙲 𝚡 𝙼𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚊 𝚄𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚑𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗. 𝙷𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝙺𝚘̄𝚑𝚒 𝙷𝚢𝚞𝚐𝚊.𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚝𝚛𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚒𝚖. 𝙱𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚍𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚞𝚙𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛. 𝙵𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜 '𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟶' 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚕𝚘𝚕. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚟er 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍!＼(￣▽￣)／

2600 words.

Moonlight…

(Prequel)

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Silence.

Utter silence was mandatory in the Hyuga estate during almost all hours. Conversing? Just a tone above a whisper. Walking? Softly, without stomping or clacking your footwear. Even while bathing you had to avoid splashing around the water.

Graceful - Resolved - Unapologetic - Efficient

Those were just some of the many important virtues taught among the Hyuga.

Today was no different for Kōhi as he carefully let his brush flow across the paper, making sure not only his writing but also his posture was exemplary. The Hyuga clan were never quite secretive about their strict and … rather unforgiving principles. Every single day was an examination, starting at the age of five and leading up to your deathbed. The moment you learn to interpret the information will also be the one in which you will understand your privilege of being born into one of the most prestigious clans there ever was.

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Kōhi POV

A single tear of sweat threatened to roll down my forehead from the sheer amount of concentration I was going through. It wasn’t metaphorical nor an exaggeration calling every day an examination. There were secret examiners in every class, every day. They take notes on each of the students and their progress, give briefs on their work ethic and if any lucky few catch some attention they could get recommended to be.. promoted.

With a loud gong the class was dismissed and everyone placed down their brushes, not daring to stand up nor look up from their papers.

“dismissed.” quick and straight to the point like always. The head of the education department of the Hyuga clan spoke in a strict but soft tone as I and the other students in the manner taught already at a very young age stood up slowly. Head down, shoulders straight, arms above your stomach. With a simultaneous nod we formed a practiced line and walked out of the room. The moment I left the room I let out a quiet breath of relief, non-audible to anyone except for my best friend Kagura who was walking right behind me.

“Did it feel more serious this time or was it just me-“ she tried whispering, only receiving a quiet, worried glare from me in return. When they were allowed to finally disperse they immediately bolted to the stone garden across from the Hyuga Academy, sitting down on a rock each and then finally calming their tense shoulders.

“It definitely was. Did you see Sensei Tsubasa? She was basically holding her breath the whole time.” He said, unconsciously untying his kaku obi and tilting his head idly.

“She was shitting bricks. Fuck that, a whole house.” she said and started snickering as he he stifled the quiet chuckle trying to escape his lips.

“Serves her right. My hand is still red from last week’s scolding..” I said, slightly twitching the right corner of my lip to mimic a resentful expression while rubbing the top of my hand. “Do you think it was today..? Like, yes, I know they said ‘pray to every god there is that you even have a seat in this class..bla bla bla..but- what will happen if they don’t see us fit?” I asked trying to ridicule the situation to the best of my capabilities. It was quite literally the only coping mechanism mildy effective in this hell hole.

Kagura shrugged absentmindedly and quipped “what does it matter? We are from the side branch…it’s already set in scroll on who will be promoted and who won’t.” she said and let out a scoff afterwards. “The best thing to do for us is to just pass the basic examinations so we can at least fight in the war.”

I gave Kagura that same empathic frown I’d been offering her ever since we were children. I knew for a fact Kagura wasn’t as passive as she was portraying herself to be, she had dreams. All Kids do…or did.

I shook my head and sighed, tying my obi back around my waist neatly. I stood up and looked over at the garden walls.

“Should we head down to the river? The heat isn’t making all of this much easier.” I attempted to cheer her up. The moment she heard ‘river’ she was already up and rushing ahead.

“Race ya!” She said in a rare cheerful tone and started ‘running’, if you could call it that, outside and away from the Hyuga Estate.

I followed briskly, also picking up the pace only when making sure I was outside the premises. I ran after her silhouette, dipping and leaping over protruding branches and roots while calling after her playfully.

Just as I made a leap over a large stump and landed on the soft grass, the solid ground beneath my Geta were no longer there. I couldn’t even look down nor process the situation as I let out a quick yelp before falling into the bottomless pit of darkness…or at least that’s what he thought it was, when in reality it seemed to be a common bear trap.

I landed a bit awkwardly onto my left foot and groaned, looking up at the still leaves on the trees.

“Kagura?” I yelled her name, not wanting to be too loud since being found by a Hyuga member in such a state would be…I don’t even want to think about it.

After calling for her for a couple more times as loud as I can without being- well - actually loud, I slumped down on the damp earth under me. I brought my knees a bit closer to my chest and rested my head on my knees, my gaze landing on the wall of dirt in front of me.

Now you might be thinking, what kind of ninja can’t get out of a simple hole? I’ve actually seen it done many times by my peers, teachers, parents, just anyone really. Walking on walls. One of the fundamental skills of a Shinobi. Sadly one that I quite literally am dogshit in. In order to pull off this technique you simply need to gather and control your Chakra on the soles of your feet and retain it there…my problem is exactly that. Chakra Control. I’ve never been good at it, and it’s not exactly a secret either. Always a step behind everyone at the lectures, always having my parents be criticized for their failure of a child, talk about childhood trauma.

I sighed after starting to realize that I might be spending awhile here before Kagura realizes I wasn’t following her…knowing her, that might take awhile if she already reached the river.

“Shht.”

I flinched and didnt dare lookup at the sudden noise coming from above. I felt like an idiot for having been this calm about the situation I was in. bear trap? As if. This hole was placed here to specifically capture unknowing victims from the opposing clans. Yeah, that had to be it. And of course I was the one that fell in it, idiot—

The self deprecating thoughts in my mind had been cut short by the person from above speaking up again.

“The hell are you doing in my bear trap.” Ah. Nevermind then. I gathered the courage to look up now. My sight landed on a boy around my age, looking down at me crouched down at the edge and resting his forearms on his knees.

I saw the boy’s mouth open and then close again when he saw my eyes. Partially the reason why I hesitated looking up at the noise he let out beforehand. One distinctive feature of the Hyuga were their pale, white eyes. The Byakugan. Some see it as a blessing and some as a curse. Easy to identify and capture.

We stared at eachother for awhile in silence. His dark onyx eyes were intimidating to say the least, if considering the only pair of eyes I’ve seen since I was a child were soft white ones. He was probably contemplating if he should just kill me right here on the spot.

“Come on get out of there. There are others around here.” He spoke up rather unfazed by that unofficial staring competition.

“I can’t.” I answered matter-of-factly. Realizing too soon I might have made myself look like a weak foe. Maybe he won’t even see me worthy of saving and kill me right here on the spot-

He leaped down into the hole, landing right in front of me. Yeah I was going to get murdered.

I backed away against the dirt wall as far as I could, unconsciously activating my Byakugan, which only elicits a small huff of a chuckle out of him. “You wouldn’t even know what to do with that.” He said rather unimpressed and crouched down at my feet.

“What hurts?” He asked, seeming way too bothered for someone who was doing this voluntarily.

“Ankle.” I replied barely above a whisper and let the veins around my eyes relax back into their former state.

When he looked down at my ankle and I was going to let out a small sigh of gratitude he suddenly gripped it roughly and held it up slightly. Nevermind, he was going to kill me right here on the spot.

“You fucking brute!-“ I yelled in sudden agony and he let it fall back again. “Ah, Sorry. Didnt think you’d be that fragile.”

I came down from the adrenaline the pain had let surge through me very fast because of that statement and instead felt myself get even more frustrated than before. “You grasped it as if it was hardwood. Who wouldn’t react the way I did-“

“Shh.” He shushed me. He goddamn shushed me. I wondered if I gathered enough chakra into my palm I would be able to pierce his throat with one strike-

“Get on my back, that will be easier.” I was interrupted from my homicidal thoughts when I processed his offer.

“I’m quite heavy-“ he turned around and offered me his back. Basically telling me to get to it and shut up. “Alright then.”

I got onto his back hesitantly, not exactly comfortable with being this close to or touching someone that could potentially be carrying me to my dungeon cell.

He hosted me up with an offensive amount of minimal effort and casually strode towards the opposing wall and started walking on it. I gripped his shoulders more tightly as he carried us up nonchalantly. He irritated me for some reason, which he shouldn’t because he was apparently rescuing me right now.

“Does your ankle hurt that much that you’re gritting your teeth?” He asked as he continued walking and I swallowed thickly at being exposed. “Uh no just tense.” I replied while cursing myself for being so obvious. “Do you know your way back?” He asked just when he reached the top. “Of course I do.” I retorted a bit offended but tried to edge myself to be more civil this time. “Well?” He asked, tilting his head behind his shoulder slightly. “Well what?” I replied briskly. “Well which way is it.” He said and huffed out his frustration at my poor conclusive thinking skills. “Ah- to the east.” I said and got more comfortable on his back. He hoisted me up a bit higher and started jogging ahead which caught me off guard a bit. “I should probably thank you instead of… well, being a brat. Thank you. I appreciate it.” I offered after feeling guilty for being so difficult. He just shrugged his shoulders and I smiled a slightly.

“So what’s your name?” I asked while looking behind me if Kagura was anywhere in sight. She wasn’t. Of course she wasn’t. I shook my head as he replied. “Uchiha, Madara.”

I tensed up the moment that name rolled off his tongue, cautiously looking down at his long, black disheveled hair. “U-uchiha?” I spoke with a soft stutter and he looked back at me while jogging. “Problem?” He asked with a hint of a smile. “No, not at all.” I replied quickly. Partially because I always believed prejudice is the venom of this world…and partially because I was scared shitless.

It’s not like it was a secret either. The Uchiha are one of the most feared clans to ever exist… and yet I was being saved by one with no reason to help me.

“What’s your name?” He asked after a brief silence, most likely noticing I had gone completely still. “Hyuga, Kōhi.” I replied with feigned confidence to hide my alertness. He sputtered a scoff. “Is something funny?” I asked while tilting my head to search for his face and raising an eyebrow in disapproval, not that he could see it. “Really? Did your parents hate you that much for deciding to name you ‘newcomer’?”

I furrowed my brows and spoke up quickly “no- not like that. It’s Kō - hi. Not Kōhi.” I searched for his face after explaining it and realized he had already moved on. First he ridicules my name and then just brushes it off. “You’re ill mannered.” I say to him after scoffing and looking to the side, only receiving a hum and a shrug in return.

I perked up when the estate was finally visible. I looked down at his hair, his form still hoisting me up as he walked directly towards to the main entrance. “Hey— No! What are you doing?! You can’t just walk up in there like you own the place!” I whisper-yelled at him as I fumbled to get down from his back, ultimately falling down on my back as he let go off my thighs.

“Oi.” I froze in fear as he casually called over the guard at the door. When the guard took notice of him he immediately rushed over, already getting into a fighting stance. “I found him in the forest. I want the rescue fund the Hyuga give out for finding lost members.”

I looked up at him dumbfounded. My shock turned first turned into confusion, then a surging feeling of betrayal, and then lastly fury. He used me for money. He didn’t do it out of the kindness of his heart nor any motive to become friends. That sly son of a-

The guard scoffed and I startled. He looked over at me with a judgemental gaze and then lowered it onto Madara. He turned around and gave the other guard at the gate a signal and then turned back to me. “Go inside already..” he said annoyed and disapprovingly, looking back as the the other guard rushed over with a satchel of coins.

I got up, keeping my eyes on Madara, raising my eyebrows in surprise at his indifferent features as he caught my gaze. He caught the satchel with one hand as the guard tossed it over and then turned to me promptly. “Don’t take it to heart.” He said with the slightest hint of a smirk a man could muster while looking me up and down once then turning around and retreating back into the forest.

The only thought that ran through my head was the earlier one which included my palm straight through his neck. As the guards brought me inside Kagura finally rushed over, hair damp, clothes disheveled and with a worried tone asked what was going on. I gave her a quick annoyed glance and pinched her arm. While walking back inside and into the dormitories I listened to her barrage of apologies while secretly thinking over that whole interaction with that Uchiha.

If he was only out for the money ,why did he go through all that throuble of getting to know me? Or even conversing with me for that matter. As I brushed Kagura off and sat down on the neatly made futon, I couldn’t help but think through every single detail about my interaction with him…the whole night, secretly, deep down hoping we might meet again.

How frustrating.