Philinda, am I right?

MC stared blankly at the boy in front of her. The gaudy purple and white bouquet he was quite literally shoving in her face with his shaking hand, eager for her to accept, tickled her nose and throat.

She was allergic to hyacinths.

If that wasn't annoying enough, she didn't even know this sweaty, anxious Hufflepuff's name. He'd ambushed her immediately outside her Common Room, only to thrust the offensive offering out with a nervous, "Good morning, MC."

Weeks ago, she would have been flattered by the sweet, spontaneous act. Now, after having suffered countless encounters of a similar nature since beginning sixth year, her patience had worn thin.

"Hyacinths make me break out in a rash - sorry." She said flatly, spinning on her heel and rushing away before he could reply.

She did not want to hear his stuttering apologies, excuses, and flattery that would undoubtedly follow her rejection. It felt rather cold, to turn down his gift so bluntly, but she had long since lost the patience to coddle each and every hopeful suitor who crawled from the woodwork, seeking the affections of the Hero of Hogwarts.

Unbeknownst to her, Sebastian Sallow was also waiting for her outside the Common Room. Having witnessed the entire, pathetic exchange from his spot casually leaning against the far wall of the corridor, he pushed off and made to catch up with her - a task made quick thanks to his significantly longer stride.

"Rather than the Hero of Hogwarts, I'm starting to suspect that you endeavor to be known as the Shrew of Hogwarts." He chuckled, falling into stride beside his exasperated companion.

She offered a mocking bark of a laugh in response, rolling her eyes. "Only you would find such humor in my suffering, Sebastian."

"Suffering? I must admit, I'm rather envious of you -  droves of strapping young lads falling all over themselves just for the opportunity to carry your books and shower you with gifts. Bet they'd pay a galleon just to have you cast a smile their way." Sebastian said, nudging her with his elbow. "Actually, as your friend, I'm beginning to wonder if there's a business opportunity for me somewhere in all this..."

"Oh? So not only will you make light of my misery, but you now intend to sell me? Am I your whore rather than your friend?" The edge in her tone warned him he was pushing her a bit too far this morning.

"Nothing says you can't be both." With a cheeky grin, he risked one final jab before nonchalantly draping his arm across her shoulders and pulling her close. "A bit of breakfast ought to fix up that notorious temper of yours. Let's get you fed and back in good spirits, eh? We need you on your best behavior if you're to keep our clients, er, suitors coming back for more."

She groaned, deflated, and entirely too drained to continue their banter. Letting Sebastian wheel them both along to the Great Hall, she did feel immense appreciation for his company - the swarms of hopeful admirers were not nearly as bold in the face of Sebastian's domineering presence. She could typically relax by his side.

Typically.

Until breakfast was over, and Sebastian was deep in a heated debate with Ominis over whether or not the Giant Squid actually consumed a diet entirely of toast. They'd heard a rumor that the Headmaster's house elf, Scrope, had been seen by the cove feeding it like a common house cat.

Seeing a window of opportunity while her guard dog was distracted, Everett Clopton wasted no time at all swooping in. Mindlessly collecting her books from the table and getting ready to ask her peers if they could stop arguing about mollusks so they could get to Charms on time, the words fell silent on her tongue when her belongings were snatched without warning from her hands. She turned, startled, to find Everett smiling confidently down at her.

"Thought we could walk to Charms together since it's the only class I have with you this year. I miss our little chats!" He said cheerfully.

"Perhaps if you weren't still in the beginner's flying class, you might find yourself with more time for actual studies, Clopton. I can carry my books on my own - I wouldn't want you tiring your arms before Kogawa's lesson." She said, probably a bit too rudely, but her tolerance was thread-bare.

This was certainly not the first time an inexplicably presumptuous young man had ripped something from her hands without asking - it wasn't even in the first dozen times that month. She struggled to recall the last time she'd carried anything for herself since term began. She felt downright infantile, coddled to the point these insufferable escorts refused to allow her to even open doors for herself.

Everett opened his mouth, likely to insist as was so often the case, until he caught sight of something over MC's shoulder and paled.

"I'll be taking those off your hands now, Clopton." Sebastian's voice came coolly from behind her, and she barely contained a shiver when his body brushed briefly against her side to claim her textbooks.

"R-right, of course. Thought you were busy, Sallow." Everett choked out. Trying to save a bit of face, he turned to MC with an uneasy smile and asked, "See you in class?"

"You know, it's funny. You seem like a helpful chap, Clopton. As it so happens, I've been looking for someone to help me test out a new hex I discovered in the Restricted Section." Sebastian's warning tone wiped what was left of the smile from Everett's face, and the poor boy took off without another word, tail between his legs.

"Sebastian, that was uncalled for. He meant well. Although I must admit, your tactics are far more effective than my own." She offered him a grateful smile and held out her hands. "Thank you for that - may I have my books back now?"

Disregarding her request entirely, he added his own books to the stack in his arms and nodded for her to follow. She usually had to hurry to keep pace with him, but he matched his steps with hers this morning. Unsure why, she found herself fighting to keep down an unwelcome blush. The butterflies in her stomach must have just been from stress.

When they escaped the chaotic bustle of the Great Hall, Sebastian shook his head and laughed bitterly, "How are you not cursing every single one of these fools? It's insulting the way they approach you  - so full of themselves, acting like they own you. Then all it takes is one small implication of a threat, and they're practically pissing their trousers. Everyone wants a piece of the Hero of Hogwarts, but none of them have the spine to stand by your side."

This was surprising. Sure, Sebastian could be blunt and rude even on his best days, but the angry flush on his serious face while he ranted showed that he was actually upset. It was rare for him to truly become riled and rarer still to see him dwell on things he found unsavory.

"It's unlike you to be so mean-spirited. Besides, this has been going on all year. What's got your knickers in a twist over someone as innocuous as Clopton?" She asked, curious.

"It's not just Clopton." He sighed, shaking his head. "Sometimes it feels like the entire school is out for a piece of you. I'm annoyed just watching from the sidelines - I can't imagine the toll it's been taking on you."

Warm affection flooded her chest at her best friend's concern for her well-being. For as much of a bastard as he could sometimes be, at the end of the day, she knew she could always rely on him to understand her.

"Frankly, it's amazing anyone even lets me pick out my own wardrobe at this point. Feels like I'm not allowed to simply be anymore." She lamented.

"You do understand this is all because they intend to court you, right? They're pursuing you seriously." He asked slowly.

She balked, turning toward him abruptly while they walked, "Of course I know that - it's what makes the whole thing worse. They all think know they what I want and what's best for me. It's infuriating. Thankfully, I at least have you, Sebastian. Don't know what I'd do if you ever lost your head."

Sebastian stopped suddenly, causing her to crash face-first into his back. She squeaked indignantly, rubbing her nose and glaring up at him when he spun around and grabbed her shoulders, looking at her with a strange expression.

She knew that look. She didn't like that look. It always meant mischief.

"You're right. They don't know what you like. None of them do. I, however, am the perfect man to fill such an illustrious position." That charming smile and the way he said it like he'd realized something incredible made her apprehensive.

"I'm not quite sure what you're implying." She waited for him to elaborate.

"Who else has the backbone and, let's be honest, the right to stand confidently by your side? Of course it's me." He jabbed a thumb into his chest to punctuate the statement. "I'm tossing my hat into the ring as well. I'd be an idiot to simply watch as the rest of these buffoons drooled over you. Waste of your time when we could just be spending our days together like we always do."

Processing, she cocked her head to the side. It almost sounded like Sebastian was informing her of his genuine intention to woo her. That couldn't possibly be the case, however. They'd been thick as thieves since she arrived nearly a year and a half ago, and he'd taken great joy in mocking her for all her would-be romantic partners. If she was mistaken in her assumption, he'd never let her hear the end of it.

'You actually thought that I would offer to court you?' She could practically hear his mocking laughter in her head.

So she settled on the most reasonable explanation.

"So you honestly believe that if you pretend to be serious about me, romantically I mean, that it'll scare off the rest of my suitors? That's an absurd plan, even by your standards, Sebastian. Part of me thinks that you expect to get even more sick enjoyment out of my misfortune if you can actively participate in it, rather than simply watching." She said, expecting him to laugh and try to convince her.

He didn't laugh, however. Rather, the corners of his mouth turned down ever so slightly, a flicker of hurt flashing across his features. Then the odd look vanished and was replaced by another one of his signature grins.

"Very well. I see I have my work cut out for me - starting to feel a bit sympathetic toward the other lads. Fear not, though. I shan't let my intended be without my company for even a moment." He answered jovially, shifting the tall stack of books into the crook of his arm so that he could use the other to loop through the crook of her elbow, keeping her arm pinned tight to him while they walked to class.

-

If Sebastian was joking about seeking her favor, he was making an impressive show of things. True to his word, he spent weeks glued to her side even more than usual. The only times she was without her ever-present companion were in the lavatory and her dorm bed - and even then he'd repeatedly attempted to coax her into sneaking him into her room, insisting it would send a message to anyone who saw then waking up together.

As much as she loathed to say it, this new and overbearing side of Sebastian annoyed her. She grew more exhausted with his antics by the day, and even though he'd succeeded in keeping quite literally everyone else far away from her, she simply couldn't be pleased with the circumstances of their new avoidance.

Having Sebastian dote on her so affectionately made her accept a rather nauseating truth - she was in love with him.

The way he remained so unaffected by their flirtations drove her wild, to the point she would rather be drowning in love letters and praise from strangers again than face the beautiful torture that was allowing the object of her desire to continue unknowingly toying with her emotions. He was entirely ignorant to the impact his every miniscule word and touch held over her very being, and she couldn't help the utter pining consuming her.

Then, she felt quite bitter. For all his bravado and the way he complimented her looks and character, how he seethed when anyone approached her who he deemed unworthy, she wanted to ask, "If I'm so desirable, why don't you claim me for yourself?"

That would be mortifying, however. The sheer thought of exposing her candid feelings to him like that - opening herself up for rejection - left her feeling naked and insecure. Like a coward, however, she continued suffering silently while he wore down her mental state further and further every moment of the day by feigning interest.

The final straw came when she woke to a small box on her nightstand. The package was a deep lilac - her favorite color, and the sprig of Dittany fastened into the bow was a unique gesture. When she lifted it, a note fluttered onto the floor, and she went to pick it up, but a loud banging on her door made her jump and nearly drop the lovely gift.

"Rise and shine, princess. I'm starving!" Sebastian's brash voice rudely called through from the other side of the door while he continued impatiently knocking his fist against it.

Only at times like this, when they were alone, would he behave in a way she was familiar with. The Sebastian Sallow waiting for her in the hall was the real one - obnoxious and crass, comfortable enough in her presence to treat her as an extension of himself who he didn't need to perform in front of. Not the one who pulled out chairs and carried her over mud puddles like something precious.

She stared down at the box in her lap thoughtfully. Someone clearly knew her well enough to know her favorite color and plant - it was sweet and genuine. Nothing at all like the other impersonal things she'd been buried in from those who wanted her but didn't want her.

Sebastian increased the volume with which he pounded on her door.

"Merlin's bloody balls, you're insufferable. I'll be out in a moment, you intolerable bastard." She shouted, unable to bite back the grin when she heard him laugh loudly at her retort.

Sebastian was not a patient person, and so she wasted no time in tossing on a fresh set of clothes and haphazardly smoothing her hair with a brush. So intent on leaving before he could continue his harassment, she decided to head out without the perfume she typically wore. One day without it wouldn't be the end of the world, as much as she enjoyed the fragrance.

Swinging the door open, Sebastian's fist nearly collided with her face, hand poised to begin relentlessly banging against the wood again. She stared up at him, exasperated, before shaking her head and pushing past to march down the stairs. He trailed after her, cackling.

"You're in a mood already, I see. Rough night? Bet you'd sleep better with some company." He teased, and she could practically picture the way he was most certainly wiggling his eyebrows at the innuendo.

"Think you're clever, do you?" She scoffed.

"What's that you've got there?" Taking his place by her side, he made a grab for the purple gift box, and she yanked it out of the way.

"Gift from an admirer. I found it on my nightstand this morning."

Sebastian scowled, looking appalled. "He was in your room? I'm not even allowed in your room."

"I didn't allow him in my room, you pig. It was simply waiting for me there when I woke up. It's actually kind of sweet when you think about it. They know my favorite color and flower. I can't wait to see what's inside." She said dreamily, ignoring the way Sebastian feigned a gagging noise.

"Sounds more like a louse than an admirer. Sneaking into a girl's bedroom, uninvited. Ought to find whoever it is and hex them. Did they leave a note?"

"They did, but unfortunately, I left it behind as I was trying to appease my rather childish friend this morning."

"Pity. I would like to know who I need to put in their place today." He glowered, hand unconsciously sliding into his robe pocket to paw at his wand.

"Oh, enough of that, Sebastian. Aren't you tired of pretending to fawn over me yet? I'm certainly bored with the charade. Maybe this one is actually worth my time." She answered harshly, trying to push back the sour taste the words left on her tongue.

He remained silent after that, stalking along dejectedly beside her. Wondering if she'd scolded him too much, she almost felt guilty until he still chose to wind his arm around her waist and tug her firmly against him while they walked to breakfast. His body felt warmer today, she thought, and she allowed herself to relish in the softness of his hold and the deliciously potent smell of his cologne. She was glad to have left her perfume off that morning, knowing that she would instead smell like Sebastian the remainder of the day.

Seated next to each other, Sebastian continued sulking petulantly by her side. Deciding that the best time to open her gift would be while the sarcastic boy was choosing to bite his tongue, she gently placed it on the table in front of her and loosened the bow.

She could feel Sebastian staring at her while she lifted the lid - it seemed he, too, was curious as to what this particular surprise had in store.

"Chocolates?" She asked no one in particular, perplexed and a bit disappointed.

Sebastian snorted but had the good grace to try covering it up with a cough.

Six chocolate truffles were neatly arranged in the little box. While they certainly did look exquisite as far as confections went, it felt rather dispassionate compared to the consideration the sender had put into the packaging.

Still, it was a thoughtful gift nonetheless, and while chocolate may not have been her favorite treat, she could still appreciate having a bit of dessert to start the day.

Bringing one to her lips, she opened to pop it inside her mouth.

Until Sebastian's hand came flying at her face with absolutely no warning, swatting her hand roughly and knocking the truffle to the floor. She sat there staring between the piece of chocolate on the floor and her struck hand before turning to glare at him, livid.

"And just what the fuck was that about? I know you're in a shit mood since we bickered, but that was immature even by your standards."

"Ha! How about I make you eat that accusation instead of the nasty garbage you just tried to consume." He retorted, and when she gave him a confused frown, he continued, "Go ahead and give one a sniff - don't you dare put it in your mouth, though. I'll pry your jaws open like a dog."

Still baffled beyond all comprehension, she obediently brought another chocolate to her face and inhaled deeply.

"I can't smell anything. What's got you so bothered? Are they spoiled?" She asked.

Groaning, Sebastian gestured impatiently with his hand. "Close your eyes and give it another go."

She did.

Nothing.

"Perhaps you could move back from me for a moment? Your cologne is especially pungent today. It's all I can smell - probably why I'm not picking up on the chocolate."

Sebastian stilled instantly and simply stared at her, gaping. Lost for words, he took an uncomfortably long moment simply attempting to find his voice again, making a sort of funny, choking noise before what he wanted to say finally graced him with its presence.

Softly, he bent his head down to whisper to her, "They're spiked with Amortentia, darling. That's why you can't have them. Someone's tried to drug you."

Like she'd been burned, MC dropped the second piece of chocolate and shoved the box into the center of the table, looking aghast.

"Incendio!" She set the vile box aflame and launched herself off the bench, intent on getting as far from it as possible while it smoldered.

Mortified and frightened, she still picked up on the fact that Sebastian, always so loyal even after she'd lashed out at him, was instantly by her side as they made their way out of the Great Hall together. Shameful tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she furiously wiped at her face, hell-bent on not allowing her emotions to get the better of her over something so ridiculous.

"Hey, easy now. Slow down for a moment." Sebastian caught her wrist gently and pulled her back to him, letting her bury her face into his chest.

He wasted no time at all wrapping his arms around her frame, shushing her gently. His intention was to prevent her from crying, but the tenderness with which he treated her only served to make the task that much harder and she worked to maintain a steady breathing pattern, taking comfort in his scent.

They were standing in the middle of one of the staircases leading to the dungeons. He repositioned them carefully so that she was against the wall, shielding her in case of any passers-by. When he was certain she had successfully contained her burgeoning distress, he pulled back just slightly and nudged her chin up with a finger so that she would look at him.

"There's my girl. Nerves of steel, as always." He smiled fondly at her, but she frowned.

"Oh, please don't mock me right now, Sebastian." Her voice came out thick and cracked, still trying to maintain composure.

His expression softened further, almost apologetic.

"I'm not mocking you. You're the one who was nearly poisoned, yet I'm barely holding it together. Frankly, you're handling this magnificently." He praised, and she could now see that he, too, looked positively beside himself. "Gods, I can't believe you nearly ate that - and right under my nose. I got careless, I'm sorry."

"You? Careless? Sebastian, if it hadn't been for you, who knows what manner of horrid things I might be doing right now. You saved me. I owe you a great debt."

"You owe me nothing, you silly thing. I'm your best friend, and it is my privilege to keep you from harm." He said earnestly, but then his reassuring smile turned to something akin to amusement. "Particularly now that I know you can't smell a simple love potion if I'm in your vicinity."

There it was, the unfortunate detail she'd hoped he would be kind enough to ignore - at least to spare her feelings. Life could never be so easy with Sebastian, however, and she knew damn well he wasn't going to let something that juicy slip.

Flushed brilliantly red, from the tips of her ears to under her clothing, she still met his gaze fearlessly and challenged, "Yeah? So what of it? I smell your cologne in Amortentia. Have since we brewed it in Potions last year."

His eyes widened at the unexpected boldness of her statement, and he wondered just how far he could push her. "You smell my cologne, do you? What else?"

Never one to back down, she continued with more determination than before, "I smell smoke and char - like when you taught me the Blasting Curse. It's probably because it's your favorite spell. Also old books, like the ones you enjoy absconding with from the library."

Sebastian's grin only widened, and he pressed her even further. "You know what it means to associate Amortentia with a specific person?"

"Well, if I'm literate enough to read Sharp's assigned notes on the matter, it means I'm in love with you, unbearable bastard that you are. Why that happens to be is far beyond me, though. I mustn't be in my right mind." She grinned back, daring him to tease her anymore. Honestly, it felt freeing to tell him.

Laughing loudly, Sebastian ruffled her hair affectionately. "Gods, you're just not cute at all, are you? Any other girl would be a mess of tears and shame if their affections were discovered in such a way, but not you, eh?

"Any other boy would be wondering who mixed Felix Felicis into his morning pumpkin juice to have me confessing my affections like this, yet here you stand wholly unconcerned." She quipped.

"We make quite a pair, you and I." Bending down so that his lips brushed against the shell of her ear, Sebastian delighted in the heat radiating from her face before he whispered, "Aren't you curious how I knew it was Amortentia? What I could smell in it?"

She stilled, a thrill running through her as she debated whether or not she actually did want to know the answer.

"I swear, I'll use my ancient magic on you if you say it was Samantha Dale's shampoo."

Pulling back to laugh wholeheartedly, gripping his sides, he mimed wiping a tear from his eye. His broad smile settled on something unfamilar then - vulnerability.

"You're not wearing perfume today. I noticed as soon as you left your room. You didn't put any on, yet all I could smell permeating from that wretched box was the absolutely intoxicating floral you're always wearing." He said, holding her gaze as he spoke. "Then, the subtle tang of Wiggenweld. You always keep a few on hand because you're such a bloody menace."

"And the third note you picked up?" She asked hopefully, voice hardly above a whisper.

Sebastian took a lock of her hair between his fingers and brought it to his lips, kissing the silken strands before continuing. "The Forbidden Forest always lingers here, in your hair, even long after you've come home from one of your adventures - that was there too."

Speechless. That's what she was, for the first time in her life. She searched his face for any hint of his usual teasing and came up dry. She swallowed thickly, nodding her acknowledgment and dumbstruck into silence. He laughed again, clearly enjoying the sight of her so flustered because of him.

"Now that that's out of the way, how about we deal with this unsavory suitor of yours. Then you can finally start taking my attempts to court you seriously. It was a rather large hit to my ego that you thought I was playing around."

Sputtering, she choked out, "Y-you were actually - "

"Afraid so. The whole time, in fact. And you thought I couldn't keep a secret." He winked, tucking her hair back behind her ear and leaning down to kiss her cheek.

The unexpectedly bold act stirred her from her stupor, and she said simply, "I'm an idiot. Why didn't you correct the misunderstanding? It's uncharacteristic of you to remain quiet about much of anything."

"Can you blame me for being nervous in front of the girl I fancy? In fact, I'm still a bundle of nerves at this very moment." He confessed, holding a hand out to prove to her he was shaking.

She reached up to lace her fingers through his, pulling his hand down to her lips to kiss gently along his knuckles, earning a fond sigh from him.

"What's this? The Sebastian Sallow - actually nervous?" She stared up at him mischeviously, stepping forward impossibly closer and dropping their joined hands to the side, so there was nothing blocking her from pressing herself against him, staring up prettily through her eyelashes. He swallowed thickly.

"Perhaps nervous wasn't the right word choice. I'm simply terrified beyond all measure that you'll wake up tomorrow and realize you've made a terrible mistake in choosing me." He admitted weakly.

Unable to wait another moment, she reached her arm up and curled it around the back of his neck, tangling her fingers in his soft hair and pulling him down to crash her lips against his, startling them both by her brazen behavior. Still, Sebastian's nerves melted away in a primal need to take control - he couldn't possibly allow her to manhandle him that way when he should be the one making her swoon.

Shaking his hand free from hers, he moved one to slam against the wall next to her head, the other gripped firmly to her waist, rubbing tantalizing circles into her hip bone with his thumb. When he slid his tongue across her bottom lip, he grinned deviously at her gasp and snaked the wet appendage inside her mouth, groaning when she kissed back with just as much fervor.

He worried he may have pushed her too far when, after lowering the hand on her hip to play with the waistband of her skirt, she pulled away abruptly.

His concerns were short-lived however when she panted out, "Fucking hell, Sebastian. The Undercroft is too far away. Or did you intend to take me on the stairs for all to see?"

"In a hurry, are you? And here I thought I could take my time ravaging you. Guess I'm not the impatient one in this relationship." He said wickedly, but they both knew the truth of the matter was that they were both impossibly eager to sneak away.

"If I don't get you to myself, and soon, I'm going to shamelessly sully both our reputations right here and now." She said, heated.

That was all he needed to spring into action. Earning a startled yelp from MC, he scooped her up by the midsection and tossed her over his shoulder, keeping a hand firmly planted on her ass while she clawed at his back like a cat demanding to be put down.

"I'm your girlfriend, not a sack of potatoes." She whined.

"Remind me later not to kill the lad who attempted to poison you. We do owe him that much for helping you finally see the light." He laughed louder still when she scoffed, grumbling something about how the culprit should be so lucky as to suffer a quick demise.

-