Chapter Text
Foreword
Hello. I would like to quickly begin this by saying that I'm new at both writing fanfics and to AO3 as a whole. I've been wanting to write for a while, and Hogwarts Legacy completely captivated me. Sebastian Sallow is my favorite character. He is so complex and nuanced. He isn't evil. He just wants to save his beloved twin sister, and in this case, Evander's hugs and kisses. This won't be a smut at all, so if you expected that, well, wrong ff. While I do plan on writing intimacy, it will be of the more innocent type. Holding hands around Hogwarts, laying together at night stargazing. Holding each other when they are sad.
The steamier parts of a teenage relationship will be at most uncomfortable moments after snogging. English isn't my first language, so apologies if I make a few mistakes here and there. While this will be a Hogwarts Legacy MM fanfic, I will be taking more elements from the series in general. That means I will be taking creative liberties with a wider variety of spells and some in-game mechanics will not be taken at face value.
I am writing this as I transcribe the in-game dialogue (for maximum loyalty to the source material) so it might take me a bit as I play-write. Anyway, I truly do hope you enjoy this.
XOXO -Avalon
The Great Hall of Hogwarts buzzed with energy. Floating candles hovered lazily beneath the illusion of a clear night sky, their soft light glinting off silver platters filled with mouth-watering food. To Sebastian's right, Ominis sat devouring his meal with surprising enthusiasm. How his best friend managed to eat so much and still remain lankier than Sebastian was a mystery.
On his left, Ismelda Reyes droned on about Quidditch-again. More accurately, she was talking at Sebastian. Something about Kagawa appointing her as Slytherin Quidditch captain a year ago. Honestly, one would think she'd been given Amortentia by the game itself.
"Fascinating," Sebastian muttered absently, not even attempting to feign interest.
"Impressive," he added when a pause in her monologue demanded a response.
If Ismelda noticed or cared about his lack of engagement, she didn't show it. As long as she could talk about Quidditch, she was content.
Sebastian, however, had other things on his mind. Like always, his thoughts were firmly focused on finding a cure for Anne. When she returned, she'd likely enjoy chatting with Ismelda as much as the Quidditch-obsessed girl enjoyed talking. If only Ominis were as enthusiastic about helping him find a solution as Ismelda was about her sport, they'd have cracked the mystery already.
The Sorting Ceremony dragged on. By the time the final nervous first-year was sorted, Sebastian was itching to leave the Great Hall perhaps with a minor detour to the Restricted Section of the library. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shift in the room's energy. Murmurs swept through the hall as Headmaster Black rose abruptly and stalked toward the double doors, looking thoroughly displeased.
"What's happening?" Ominis asked between bites of pudding.
"I'm not sure," Sebastian replied, sitting up straighter in an attempt to see what had ruffled Black's feathers.
Moments later, Black returned, but this time he wasn't alone. Behind him walked a tall boy, his expression a mix of awe and nervousness. His pale face stood out against the black robes marking him as a newcomer. The boy appeared to be around Sebastian's age. The sight immediately piqued Sebastian's curiosity.
"Who is that?" he wondered aloud.
"Who is who?" Ominis asked, glancing up from his dessert.
"No idea, but he looks fit enough to be a Seeker," Ismelda mused, eyeing the newcomer like a Niffler sizing up its next shiny prize. "I hope he's sorted into Slytherin."
Sebastian's interest deepened as he watched the boy approach the front of the hall. "Perhaps he's a transfer from Beauxbatons," Sebastian speculated.
"Don't know, don't care as long as he's not a baboon on a broom," Ismelda grumbled, still appraising him.
The entire hall watched with bated breath as Professor Weasley placed the Sorting Hat on the boy's head. A long pause followed, the boy seemingly deep in thought as the hat deliberated.
"I've never seen a hat-stall," Ominis whispered.
Sebastian hadn't either. He found himself staring at the boy, unable to look away.
"You belong in Ravenclaw!" the hat finally boomed. Cheers erupted from the Ravenclaw table.
"Well, that's that," Ismelda huffed, clearly annoyed by the outcome.
Sebastian couldn't explain the flicker of disappointment he felt. When the boy's robes transformed to match his new House, he turned to face the hall. For a brief moment, Sebastian locked eyes with him. Even from a distance, the vivid blue of the boy's gaze was striking.
The moment was broken as the boy turned his attention back to Professor Black.
"Oh, and one more thing," Black declared pompously. "Due to the unfortunate incident on the pitch during last spring's final, this year's Quidditch season has been canceled."
"No way. That bumbling troll just canceled Quidditch!" Ismelda looked ready to hex Black's mustache clean off. She wasn't alone most of the Great Hall shared her outrage. Professor Kagawa glared daggers at Black from the staff table.
Sebastian groaned inwardly. He'd counted on Quidditch matches as prime opportunities to sneak into the library undetected.
His gaze drifted back to the new boy, who stood puzzling over the announcement almost as if he didn't even know what Quidditch was.
"Enough!" Black snapped, raising his hands for silence. "It's not as though I've banned flying altogether."
"Might as well have, that little bastard," Ismelda muttered venomously under her breath.
Sebastian tuned out the rest of Black's speech. He only snapped back to reality when Black finally dismissed them for the night.
Before leaving, Sebastian found his gaze drawn back to the Ravenclaw boy, who briefly met his eyes before looking away, cheeks tinged pink.
Sebastian shook his head, trying to dispel the odd feeling. He had no time to be distracted by the new boy no matter how cute he was. Wait. Cute? Had he really just thought that?
Determined to push the thought aside, Sebastian fell in step behind Ominis as they exited the Great Hall. He had a Restricted Section to break into.