In the Shadow of Darkness | Sebastian Sallow

The Yule Ball

I stood back, admiring our handiwork. Natty's dress was a yellow silk satin with burgundy puffed sleeves and accents made from velvet. She looked like a true Gryffindor, and the colors brought out her skin tone beautifully. I knew Brian would be taken with her the moment he saw her. My dress was emerald green, which Natty and Poppy had quite by coincidence, believed I looked the best in out of all of the options at Gladrags and not because my date was a Slytherin. They were, of course, right. The bodice, sleeves, and skirts were embroidered with intricate lilies and vines with both silver and gold sequins, which paired with the deeply colored velvet and satin brought out my blue-green eyes, light chestnut hair, and fair skin. I turned my face to the side with a sigh, wishing I could better cover the constellation of beauty marks there.

Natty took my hands in hers, joy radiating off of her. "You look beautiful!"

I smiled at her. "You, too, Natty. You're surely going to be the most beautiful girl at the ball."

"Nonsense!" Natty scoffed. "I believe that might be you."

My heart light, I hugged her tightly and we walked down the stairs to the common room.

Brian was waiting for us, and he visibly took a deep breath, seeming to hold it as she approached. He offered a hand, which she took, and leaned down to kiss it before gesturing her through the portrait hole. I followed them, knowing Sebastian would be waiting for me at the Reception Hall.

Once we arrived there, I searched for Sebastian, spotting him rather quickly. His back was to me as he carried on a rather animated conversation with Ominis. His hair, for once, was not disheveled, making me wonder if Ominis had ensured every strand would be in place for the special occasion. Hearing me approach, he stopped talking and turned, and upon catching sight of me, grinned. He took my hand, taking stock of my gown and humming with appreciation before brushing his lips along my knuckles. My heart fluttered as his eyes raked over my figure approvingly, lingering a bit longer on my exposed collarbones and following the wide neckline from its apex just shy of exposing my shoulder down to its lowest point, below which a lily adorned the center, just above my breasts. "Merlin, you are beautiful, darling."

I smiled, replying coyly, "You look quite handsome yourself, Sebastian." His dress robes were a simple black and white accented with an emerald green tie he had matched perfectly to my gown—care of Gladrags, no doubt. Ominis, who had opted to attend the ball alone, had also opted for a green tie. "As do you, Ominis. Some might think I had two escorts to the ball," I added teasingly

Ominis smiled somewhat shyly. "Sebastian insisted."

I chuckled. "Well, then you definitely owe me a dance before the night is finished."

His smile turned more confident and genuine. "Who am I to deny a lady's request."

"First, my sister, and now my girlfriend?!" Sebastian teased, feigning jealousy.

"Oh, hush," Ominis bantered.

Girlfriend, I thought, my heart swelling with happiness. Unable to contain the feeling, I reached up and stood on my toes to press a quick kiss to Sebastian's cheek before linking my arm with his. I reached out to Ominis as well, and he did the same to my other arm. The three of us walked into the Great Hall together, earning many curious and awed stares. The thought occurred to me, as it had many times, that we were the unlikeliest of trios—two Slytherins and a Gryffindor, together against the world.

The Great Hall was beautifully decorated, its ceiling transformed into a snowy winter sky, with holly-adorned candles floating all around. The four house tables were gone, replaced with many small ones lining the edges of the room and plenty of space for anyone who wished to dance. Along each wall were many wreaths and on the opposite side of the hall from the entrance—where the professors usually sat—was a very large holiday tree adorned with every color imaginable. I sighed happily at the sight, leaning into Sebastian's warmth as he smiled down at me.