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ziru-pan · 10 months

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The Rumour Part II

Read Part I here

MC chased Sebastian half-way across the castle, Ominis following behind and barely able to contain himself. The looks and whispers were bearable, but Sebastian’s response to them was not.

He wrapped an arm around MC’s shoulder, pulling her in nearer whenever someone looked their way.

“Stop it, Sebastian!” She shoved him off, to which he appeared fake-offended.

“But, my love, I just want you close to me.”

“I would’ve rather have gone on a date with Duncan than all this,” She mumbled, but Sebastian heard it.

Instead of teasing her again, his jaw tightened and he marched forward so fast that MC couldn’t keep up with his long strides. She scurried after him all the way to the Clocktower, where a large crowd had already formed.

“Why are there so many people here?” MC asked Ominis, fighting her way through the mass of people toward Sebastian.

“Oh, I invited a few as we were walking up here.”

MC slowly turned round to him, hoping he could feel the heat from her face.

“Why did you do that?”

Ominis shrugged, “Would’ve been a boring duel if no one had watched it.”

“There’s not going to be a duel. There’s no way Duncan Hobhouse is coming here.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve made sure he will be,” Ominis smirked darkly.

“You are utterly terrifying sometimes, you know that?”

Ominis just shrugged again.

Sure enough, Ominis had arranged for Duncan’s presence. Hauled in by Garreth, who was grinning from ear to ear, poor Hobhouse was shaking in his boots. He was pushed into the centre of the courtyard, where Sebastian stood, and the crowd parted to form a makeshift circle. MC tried to push her way through, but the crowd was so thick, it was like trying to part a concrete wall.

“I heard that you challenged me to a duel, Dunkein.”

Sebastian stood proudly, his wand already out, and began to circle Duncan like a vulture. He’d never looked more like a Slytherin, and MC resented it.

“No, no, Sebastian, it was just a misunderstanding. Right, MC? Where is she? She’ll tell you!”

Duncan looked around the crowd desperately and MC tried to poke her head up by standing on her tiptoes, but she was too far away for him to see.

“Oh, she told me alright,” Sebastian chuckled, examining his wand, “She told me you wouldn’t stop pestering her about a date. Is that right?”

Duncan wiped the sweat from his forehead, “I just wanted to thank her for helping me with something, that’s all.”

“For stealing a Venomous Tentacula leaf from the Hidden Herbology corridor so you could claim you stole it?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

A ripple of a gasp, followed by laughter, echoed across the crowd. Duncan turned bright red, and his bottom lip actually began to quiver. MC couldn’t take anymore, and she began to shove her way past with more ferocity.

“Well, come on then,” Sebastian said, taking a few steps back and pointing his wand at Duncan’s chest. “You wanted a duel, so we'll duel. Everyone here knows I never back down from a fight.”

Duncan shook his head furiously, backing away but being pushed back into the centre by the crowd. Sebastian chuckled, and it was the last straw for MC.

She finally pushed her way through and broke free of the crowd, rushing to stand between the two boys.

“That’s enough, Sebastian!”

The crowd was stunned into silence. Sebastian rolled his eyes.

“It’s just a bit of fun, MC, I’m protecting your reputation.”

“No, Sebastian, you are being cruel.”

She spat the last word with particular venom that made him recoil. His face hardened.

“You’re the one who started all this!” He threw his hands into the air with a growl, “Now you’re mad that I’m playing along?”

“Playing along?…” Duncan asked dumbstruck.

The sound of his voice brought MC back to the present, and she realised where she was. Her face scanned the crowd of faces looking back at her with wide eyes and opened mouths.

“Everyone get out. Right now,” She said, perfectly calmly.

There was a soft murmur, but no one moved.

MC clicked her tongue, and pulled her wand from the back pocket, flicking it towards the metal gate. A small spurt of white lightning shot out the end and connected with the metal, conducting the electricity all the way along it. Several people yelped backwards at the shock, and the crowd dispersed quite suddenly through any available exit.

The only person, other than Sebastian and MC, that remained was Ominis, who was leaning against the far wall with a smile on his face. MC decided to ignore him.

Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head to the side.

“What now, then? Huh? Are we going to stand here for long enough that you can go tell everyone we’ve had an argument and broken up?”

MC pulled off her robe in silence and threw it to the side, before rolling up her sleeves to her elbows.

“What are you doing?” Sebastian asked.

“Seen as you want to duel someone so badly, duel me.”

He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious. This has gone too far.”

MC set her gaze on him with the intensity of the sun; “I thought Sebastian Sallow never backed down from a fight?”

That was enough to rile him up, and he took off his own robe and loosened his tie.

“Wait, you’re not seriously going to duel are you?” Ominis asked, bewildered.

“Ominis, either shut up and get behind the gate, or you’re next,” MC hissed, though she kept her eyes on Sebastian. He had this look in his eyes, a taunt, an invitation. It said ‘come on, then.'

Without looking up to see which Ominis had chosen, MC brought her wand to her face and Sebastian copied. She flicked it down to the side and walked to the other end of the room.

They faced each other, and for a moment, the tension was palpable. MC’s heart beat in her head and her fingers were pulsing with anticipation. A part of her felt… excited.

Sebastian smirked, his eyes dark yet playful. He motioned for her to start.

“Ladies, first.”

The duel erupted into an explosion of spells. As hard as Ominis tried to listen, he was entirely unable to discern if anyone was winning.

Sebastian deflected her spells with a flick of his wrist, countering with practised, considered spells that would have finished even the most skilled adversary in seconds.

But MC was fast, diving and shielding herself as if it was second nature. Sebastian frowned in concentration, he’d never had to think about duelling so carefully before, but each of his moves was more powerful than the next.

MC didn’t let up, however, and cast her own tirade of spells in quick succession that Sebastian barely had time to protect himself from. The smell of smokey Confringo and burning from the Tempest Jinx enveloped the room.

Finally, Sebastian caught MC off-guard with Accio, sending her reeling through the air towards him. But, in his intensity, he underestimated his strength, and she crashed into him, sending them both to the floor in a heap.

MC quickly pinned his arms down to the floor, kneeling over him with her wand at his throat.

“You’re going to apologise to Duncan Hobhouse,” She ordered, staring down at him with a smug smile.

“Me? Apologise?” Sebastian wasn’t finished.

He dug his heels into the floor and used his strength to physically flip her over until he was on top of her. He held her wrists above her head and shook his head in disbelief again, pointing his wand to her chest.

“You said you’d rather date Duncan Hobhouse than me. I think it’s you who should be apologising to me.”

MC frowned, “What? I never said that!”

“You did! On the way here!” Sebastian protested, using his knee to stop her legs from squirming beneath him.

MC thought for a moment, but then it dawned on her. While she hadn’t said it specifically, her words might have been taken to mean that. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

“That’s obviously not what I meant, Sebastian. You didn’t have to be so cruel to him.”

“He upset you. I’ll do anything to defend the people I love.”

His words hung in the air for a moment and MC’s breath hitched in her throat.

“Do you mean that?” She whispered, suddenly realising just how close their faces were.

His nose was millimetres away from hers and, was she imagining things or, were Sebastian’s eyes travelling down to her lips?

Sebastian softened, his grip loosening on her wrists.

“You know I do,” He breathed.

He closed the gap and pressed his lips into hers, savouring the warm taste of Incendio on her skin. She deepened the kiss, moving up to meet him. He let go of her hands so she could slide them around his neck, her fingers knotting with the hair at the base of his head.

When they eventually pulled away, panting for breath, Sebastian had a huge smile on his face.

“No. Way.”

The pair looked to the entrance of the Clocktower Courtyard where Zenobia Noke stood with her mouth open. Her eyes widened as they travelled from MC to Sebastian and back to MC, then she took her chance and disappeared off running, screaming to the heavens about what she’d seen.

Sebastian looked back to MC before bursting into laughter. MC lay back on the floor with a sigh before beginning to laugh herself.

“Well, now that we’re all friends again, shall we go get a butterbeer?” Ominis voice came abruptly from behind the gate.

MC had forgotten he was even there, but sat up suddenly with a stern look.

“Oh, don’t think you’re getting away with this, Gaunt. You caused most of this mess!”

Ominis pouted and cocked his head to the side, “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“You did tell half the school on the way here,” Sebastian said slowly.

“As well as Peeves!” MC added.

“Plus, you’re the one who got Garreth to bring Duncan here.”

Ominis bit his lip, “Come on, it was just a bit of fun. We’ve had a pretty boring month.”

MC scoffed and shook her head in disbelief while Sebastian chuckled.

“How about,” Ominis started, “We all collectively decide to blame Duncan Hobhouse?”

MC mused for a moment. Sebastian looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a look that said ‘Should we?’

She sighed and nodded, “Sure, that works for me.”

The three of them erupted into laughter, MC’s face turning bright red and Sebastian clutching his stomach.

“Although, I should mention,” Ominis said between laughs, “I did tell Headmaster Black too.”

MC frowned in genuine bewilderment.

“You were with us the whole time, how in Merlin’s name did you manage that?”

Ominis shrugged nonchalantly, “I have my ways.”

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ziru-pan · 10 months

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The Rumour

Summary: to stop Duncan Hobhouse's advances, f!MC tells a small lie to get him to stop... only, news travels fast in Hogwarts.

“Oh, Duncan, would you just leave it?”

MC stormed through the library, pulling out the books she needed with thunderous force. Duncan Hobhouse scuttled after her, whining like a lost cat.

For the past hour, he’d done nothing but ask MC if she would go on a date with him.

“I just want to thank you for the Venomous Tentacula leaf you got me!” He whinged for the seventh time.

MC spun on her heel, her eyes dark and her jaw set.

“You’ve thanked me. Consider me thanked. Now can you please just leave me be!”

Madam Scribner shot an angry shush from across the library. MC had to swallow down the fury that was bubbling inside her.

“I want to thank you properly, MC, and what better way than a drink in The Three Broomsticks?”

She ignored him, carrying her books towards a free table in the far corner, praying that Hobhouse got the hint.

“Come on,” He continued, sticking to her like a shadow, “Give me one good reason why you won’t go on a date with me?”

“Because my boyfriend wouldn’t like it!”

The words had fallen out of her mouth before she’d even thought of them; she brought her hand to her mouth as if she could stuff them back in. Why in Merlin’s name had she said that?

“Boyfriend? I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. Who is it? I’ll duel him for your hand in an instant!” Duncan puffed out his chest, but his glasses slid down his nose and he looked just like a first-year.

MC decided to bluff him.

“It’s Sebastian. Sebastian Sallow. Shall I let him know to meet you at Crossed Wands?”

Duncan’s eyes went wide and his jaw dropped to his chest.

“No, no that’s okay. Probably best not to mention it. I should be going actually, I’ve - er - I’ve got a - a book I need to read. I’ll see you around, MC.”

Duncan scurried away with the fear of God propelling him forwards. MC let out a hearty laugh, grateful to have discouraged the boy finally. She turned back to the table, and jumped out her skin when she was met face-to-face with another student.

Zenobia Noke stood with her mouth wide and eyes large.

“No. Way.” She breathed.

A dozen thoughts sped through MC’s mind - most of them were different forms of murder - but before she could act, Zenobia rushed off to the nearest group of people she could find and began to whisper, all the while with her eyes glued to MC.

“Zenobia, wait-” MC cried, but she was defeated.

In true Hogwarts fashion, it was spreading like wildfire. In an instant, the three surrounding tables were already talking, one Gryffindor boy even blatantly pointing to her. Was that Slytherin telling Madam Scribner? Merlin, Zenobia had moved on to the portraits!

This was a storm she couldn’t control, but she could possibly catch Sebastian before it caught up to him.

MC sprinted out of the library, dropping her books in a heap on the floor. The eyes and heads that followed her couldn’t slow her down as she sprinted up the steps of Central Hall, out the right door, and across the small bridge to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower.

Sebastian was always here, and she would have to be the unluckiest person alive for it to be the one day he decided to hang out elsewhere. She scanned the crowds desperately from the balcony, but didn’t catch a glimpse of him.

Her feet carried her down the stairs two at a time toward the Undercroft, and thanked Merlin that the gears of the clock were just starting to turn.

Sebastian stepped a foot out of the door, but MC barrelled into him - and Ominis - shoving them back inside.

“Ow, what on Earth- MC? What are you doing?” He protested, almost tripping backward over Ominis’ feet.

“You have to -” She panted, catching her breath, “You have to stay in here.”

“What? Why?” Ominis demanded, shoving Sebastian out of his face with a huff, “What’s going on?”

“Uh-” MC hadn’t thought this far, “There’s a fire, so we should stay here.”

“A fire?” Sebastian frowned, reaching for the door again, “We should go help!”

“NO!”

Ominis and Sebastian gave her a look, so she corrected herself.

“No, not a fire. I meant- um- I meant that Peeves is juggling fire out there so we should wait a minute.”

Ominis narrowed his eyes and tutted.

“I can handle a Poltergeist, MC. I’m going to be late to Potions.”

MC tried to stop him, but Ominis was surprisingly strong and moved her arm from the doorway with ease. Out of stopping Ominis and keeping Sebastian in the Undercroft, MC decided to cut her losses.

“MC, what is going on?” Sebastian smirked with a sly smile, “If you wanted me in the Undercroft alone you could have just asked.”

“Oh, shut it, Sallow,” MC sighed, smacking his shoulder.

She checked behind her but Ominis was far gone, so she pushed Sebastian into the centre of the room. He laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender.

“Is this where you murder me? Is that why you wanted Ominis out of the way? I’ve got to say, I’d rather not die in the Undercroft, but there are worse ways to go I guess-”

“Would you shut up for one second? Merlin, you’re insufferable sometimes. Look, I need to tell you something-”

The gate to the Undercroft flew open, and Ominis barrelled in, holding his stomach and laughing maniacally.

“Is it true, MC?” He said between gasps, holding the door frame for support. MC had never seen Ominis so without composure, but her fury saw no bounds.

“How the Hell did you find out so fast?”

“Find out what?” Sebastian asked dumbly.

Ominis shrugged, wiping the tears from beneath his eyes, “Professor Ronen told me.”

“PROFESSOR RONEN? WHO TOLD HIM?”

“Told him what?”

Ominis sniggered again, “He didn’t say, though Peeves has already made a rather catchy song about it-”

“How did Peeves find out?”

Ominis shrugged, “Oh, I told him.”

“You did what? Ominis Gaunt, you are a dead man!”

“Told him about what!” Sebastian yelled, his jaw set and his eyebrows furrowed.

There was an awkward silence, and MC slowly turned back to Sebastian, her face scarlet red.

“Don’t be mad…”

“If you start like that, I cannot guarantee it,” He frowned. She could almost see the steam coming from his ears. Ominis started laughing again, but did his best to keep it quiet.

“Look, it all started because Duncan Hobhouse-”

Ominis hissed at his name. MC ignored him.

“-because Duncan Hobhouse would not stop pestering me about going on a date with him. Saying ‘no’ just wasn’t cutting it, so I told him I had a boyfriend.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, “Go on.”

MC sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Duncan said he would duel whoever my boyfriend was just so he could take me on a date. So I had to think of someone who he’d never, ever want to take on in a duel…”

Sebastian puffed his chest out and raised his chin, a beaming smile illuminating his features.

“So you told Duncan Hobhouse that I was your boyfriend?”

“Don’t look so smug about it,” She scowled, but the damage was already done.

Sebastian pulled his wand from his back pocket and dramatically rolled his sleeves up, heading for the door.

“Uh, where are you going?” MC said, eyes going wide.

“To duel Duncan Hobhouse! I have a lady’s honour to defend!”

“Don’t you- Sallow, Come back here! - Ominis, you better shut your mouth- Sebastian! Wait!”

(part 2? do you want?)

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