Sebastian Sallow: Duel of Hearts

Chapter Twenty Nine

Author's Notes

As I approach the final chapters of this journey, I want to pause and sincerely thank all of you who have been with me, especially since this is my first storytelling experience. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm have been incredibly meaningful to me. I am truly grateful for your continued presence as we near the climax of our tale.

Enjoy! x

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As the final days of the school year drawing to a close, Hogwarts was alive with a vibrant energy and anticipation for the highly anticipated Masquerade Ball. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, as the anticipation of the event permeated every corner of the castle. In my dorm room, the girls were buzzing with excitement as we prepared for the big night. Dresses were laid out carefully on each bed, and everyone was vying for the chance to make the biggest impression on their date.

Imelda was already prepared for the ball and had some extra time before meeting Gareth outside the Slytherin common room. Despite the surprising match between them, Imelda and Gareth seemed to complement each other well. Imelda expertly styled my hair, and I felt a surge of delight and happiness wash over me. She artfully twisted and braided my locks into an intricate half-up, half-down style, complete with delicate cascading curls that framed my face exquisitely. As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I was amazed by the spectacular transformation.

Imelda's meticulous makeup application had brought out the natural beauty of my features, while the elegant hairdo and the striking emerald gown came together to create a look that was breathtakingly beautiful. And to top it all off, the matching emerald necklace that Sebastian had given me completed the ensemble perfectly, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.

"Wow, Ella, you look absolutely stunning!" Imelda exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration. "I can't believe you found the perfect dress."

I turned to face her, feeling a swell of gratitude towards my roommate. "Thank you so much, Imelda," I said, my voice filled with appreciation. "You truly have a gift for hair and makeup."

Imelda beamed, her eyes sparkling with pride. "It was my pleasure," she said. "You're going to turn heads tonight, that's for sure."

As I walked towards the Slytherin common room with Imelda, I felt a flutter of excitement in my stomach. I couldn't wait to see Sebastian and show him my new look. And as I entered the common room, I saw him standing there, his eyes locked on me, a look of awe and admiration on his face.

"Ella," he breathed, his eyes drinking in every inch of my appearance. "You look absolutely breath taking. I'm the luckiest guy in this entire castle".

I blushed at his words, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at the sight of him. "You're looking quite handsome yourself, Sebastian," I said, my voice soft with admiration.

Sebastian walked over to me, taking my hand in his and placing a gentle kiss on it. "Shall we go, my lady?" he asked, a playful smile on his face.

I laughed, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me at the sight of him. "Yes, let's," I said, my heart soaring at the thought of spending the evening with him. However, as we walked together, I couldn't shake off my plan to investigate the secret passageway that Sebastian had shown me. Although he had planned for us to explore it after the ball while Hunter was distracted with his date, I knew I had to keep my intentions a secret from Sebastian. Revealing my plan would only put his life in danger while I delved into Hunter's mysterious agenda.

As we stepped into the Great Hall, I was struck by the vibrant Summer decorations that adorned the walls and ceilings. Strings of colourful paper lanterns floating in the air, casting a warm and inviting glow over the room. The tables were set with crisp white linens, and platters of delicious food and drinks were arranged in a tantalizing display.

The band on stage played upbeat music, their instruments creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and conversation, and the room buzzed with the energy of students enjoying themselves. In the corner of the room, I spotted Natty, Imelda, Gareth, Poppy, and Ominis, their faces lit up with joy as they enjoyed each other's company. As Sebastian and I approached them, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the wonderful people in my life.

As the night progressed, Sebastian and I danced to the enchanting melodies, lost in each other's embrace. The ballroom buzzed with excitement and anticipation, but to me, there was only Sebastian, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I nestled my head against his chest, feeling his warm breaths against my hair.

"You're breath taking tonight, El," Sebastian murmured, his voice filled with tenderness and admiration.

I looked up at him, feeling my heart overflow with affection for this wonderful man. "And you're the most handsome man in the room," I said, my eyes shining with love. "I'm so grateful to have you in my life, Sebastian."

Sebastian's eyes softened, his fingers gently tracing circles on my back. "You make every day worth living, Ella," his voice full of emotion. "I love you more than anything in this world."

I felt my heart swell with love, knowing that his words were true. "I love you too, Sebastian," I whispered, my fingers lacing through his. "Forever and always."

Sebastian's smile widened, and he leaned in to place a soft kiss on my forehead. "Forever and always," he repeated, his eyes locked on mine, and we continued to sway to the music, lost in the moment and in each other's love.

Despite the lively and celebratory atmosphere of the ballroom, my senses were keenly attuned to the presence of Hunter and his date, who kept casting sneaky glances in my direction. My intuition told me that this was the perfect opportunity to investigate the secret room that Sebastian had shown me earlier, and I couldn't let it slip away.

With a single-minded focus, I scanned the room for any sign of an opportunity to break free from Sebastian's warm embrace and the comforting warmth of his affectionate touch. My heart ached at the thought of leaving his side, but my desire to uncover the truth was too strong to ignore. As I conversed with Poppy, I searched for a distraction or opening, waiting for a chance to slip away unnoticed.

Suddenly, as if fate had intervened, Ominis approached us, and diverted Sebastian's attention. I seized my chance and quickly excused myself under the guise of needing to use the bathroom. As I slipped out of the Great Hall and into the cool, crisp breeze of the castle corridors, a shiver ran down my spine, a mix of excitement and trepidation. I knew that I was about to embark on a dangerous mission, one that could put myself and those I love in harm's way. But I also knew that I couldn't let Hunter's agenda go unchecked, and that the secret passageway could be the key to unravelling his plans.

I approached the entrance of the secret passageway, feeling a sense of anticipation and trepidation. The narrow tunnel was barely wide enough for me to squeeze through, and I had to crouch down low to avoid hitting my head on the low ceiling. My wand emitted a soft glow as I cast the Lumos spell, illuminating my path through the dimly lit tunnel, while my other hand carefully lifted my emerald gown to avoid getting it caught on any sharp edges.

As I made my way deeper into the passageway, the air grew increasingly musty and stale, and the walls seemed to close in around me. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I finally reached the small room that Sebastian had described to me. It was cramped and claustrophobic, with barely enough space to move around.

I approached the table in the centre of the room, my eyes darting around and saw a large map of Hogwarts. The map was meticulously drawn, with intricate details and markings in red ink indicating hidden passages with crosses on it and secret rooms throughout Hogwarts.

I noticed a small box in the corner sitting next to the map. My curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the lid to reveal its contents. But before I could even register what was happening, everything went black. My vision clouded over, and I felt my legs give way beneath me as I crumpled to the ground, losing consciousness.