In the Shadow of You | Hogwarts Legacy

You could feel Sebastian's eyes on you from across the Charms classroom. It seemed foolish, but you couldn't bring yourself to look at him.

The two of you hadn't spoken to each other since the incident before dinner the other night. But most of your schoolmates had done more than enough talking. The rumors had already been floating around, their glares and whispers accompanying you in the hallway between classes.

"Ugh—ignore them! They're just jealous, that's all," Samantha had assured you.

And you did, quite easily. By now, you were used to people talking about you. Both good and bad things.

But you hated fighting with Sebastian. You still hadn't even had the chance to tell him what happened in London. Perhaps it was time to let it go—surely, he wanted to apologize and make it up to you.

You decided you'd talk to him after class.

On your way out of Charms, however, you saw him with Adelaide Oakes. Smiling and laughing. Something ugly twisted in your stomach at the sight of them together.

You turned and walked away.

Midweek, in Defense Against the Dark Arts, you sat down wordlessly next to Sebastian. Unfortunately, it was the one class you had together where you couldn't avoid him.

"Alright, class, let us begin," Professor Hecat declared. "Today's lesson will be a bit different than our usual defensive practices. In preparation for this week's festivities, I will be instructing you on an equally challenging and dangerous skill: ballroom dancing."

A few chuckles escaped your classmates.

"Now, if you would, please clear the desks from the middle of the floor and pair up with your partner."

Merlin, this was going to be awkward. You hadn't spoken to each other in almost three days and now you had to dance together?

Once the floor was cleared, the two of you stood an arm's length apart waiting for Hecat's instruction.

"Alright, I'm sorry," Sebastian broke first, "I overstepped the other day...with Emrys."

You sighed in relief, then felt a pang of guilt. "Perhaps I was a bit harsh—"

"Now, typically the leading partner will place their right hand at the small of the other's back," Hecat began instructing. "Following partners, your left hand will be placed on the leading's right shoulder. Then, the two of you will clasp your free hands, like so. She was using a pair of students toward the front of the classroom to demonstrate. 

With a flick of her wand, the record player began a slow, classical tune, urging everyone else to follow along. Sebastian moved first, assuming the lead but keeping a respectful distance between you.

"No, you weren't," he picked up your previous conversation. "I deserved it. I was an ass."

You laughed, nodding in agreement.

"I saw you...talking with Adelaide after Charms the other day," you replied casually. "Were you asking her to be your date to the ball?"

Sebastian's brows furrowed in confusion as he looked down at you. "Of course—"

Professor Hecat interrupted yet again, giving instructions on adding more complicated steps like dips and spins.

"Of course not," Sebastian said as soon as she finished speaking. "She asked me, but I politely declined."

"Mr. Sallow, I don't see any spinning back there!" Professor Hecat was eyeing the two of you.

"Hold on," he whispered to you and grinned. He quickly spun you out and back into position. You couldn't help the giggles that escaped you.