Secrets of Mr. Sallow

30. Suspicion

Y/N walked into the library, noticing Hufflepuff student Adelaide Oakes sitting next to Garreth. This sight immediately sent chills down her spine, as the last time she sat next to a boy, it was Leander Prewett. 3 hours later, he and his Ravenclaw girlfriend broke up.

"I'll talk to you later, Garreth." Adelaide smiled before walking off.

"Adelaide was awfully chatty." Y/N chuckled.

"Hm?" Garreth looked up at her, confused.

"You and Adelaide seemed to be talking for a while." Y/N explained.

"Oh, yeah. We were just discussing the details of the end of year ball." Garreth smiled.

"Huh? A ball? Wouldn't you discuss that toward the end of the year?" Y/N questioned.

"Yes. At the end of each year, of course, the 7th years graduate from Hogwarts, but the school puts on a ball, as a way for the 7th years to celebrate. Every year is themed differently. This year, our theme is 'Masquerade'." Garreth chuckled.

"That sounds amazing. But I still don't understand why you and Adelaide were discussing it so early in the year." Y/N exhaled.

"The end of year ball isn't something that takes only months to plan. It takes a good 9-10 months to plan, so Headmaster Black put me and Adelaide up to the task of figuring out the tiny details." Garreth explained.

———

The following week, Y/N kept noticing the odd behaviour coming from Adelaide. She'd often catch Adelaide hanging out with Garreth, whether he was studying in the library or flying at the Quidditch pitch.

Y/N couldn't help but carefully observe Adelaide whenever she caught her with Garreth. He'd make - barely laughable - jokes and she'd laugh way to hard, like she was trying to complement him. She'd playfully slap his arm, or lean ever-so close to him, her cheek almost touching his. Whenever they were discussing the end of year ball, she couldn't help but ask the same question every time.

"You have a date yet?"

Y/N scoffed at that question, not understanding how Adelaide could continually ask the same question knowing that he had a girlfriend.

Should Y/N have been judging Adelaide's behaviour? No.

She needed to find someone who probably knew all about Adelaide's tricks.

So, at 4 PM, Y/N met Ominis in the Undercroft. When he entered the room, he could sense the frustration and nerves from Y/N. She sat on the couch, putting her head in her hands.

"What is the matter, Y/N?" Ominis asked, sitting down beside her. He placed his wand in his lap, trying to understand her feelings based on her breathing and how she adjusted herself - considering he couldn't see her.

"What do you know about Adelaide Oakes?" Y/N exhaled, trying not to found weird.

"Oh, I- Uh, I don't know. She and Sebastian had a...thing for a few months. Why?" Ominis questioned.

"I think Adelaide is trying to steal Garreth away from me." Y/N blurted out, her stomach twisting into knots as soon as her true feelings were released.

"What gave you that idea?" Ominis wondered.

Y/N then explained all of her observations. Every glance between Garreth and Adelaide, every poor joke that he made and she laughed at, every small playful slap on his arm.

"Y/N, I'm not sure I'm the person best suited to tell you about Adelaide Oakes." Ominis warned.

"Yeah, I know. But, the only person I know who would have any idea is the one person I refuse to speak to." Y/N rolled her eyes, leaning back on the couch.

"You want to know about Adelaide Oakes?" Y/N turned around when she heard his voice echo through the Undercroft.

"I suggest you leave, Sebastian. I don't want Y/N lighting you on fire." Ominis exhaled.

"No, Ominis. I want to hear what he has to say. Maybe he'll be able to help me solve my problem." Y/N shook her head.

"So, you're not going to rat me out to Headmaster Black or the Ministry?" Sebastian questioned her.

"I'm willing to ignore my threat against you, as long as you help me understand Adelaide Oakes' tricks." Y/N nodded.

"Alrighty then. Adelaide and I had a brief - and I do mean brief - fling back in our 4th year. It only lasted a month and a half." Sebastian exhaled.

"Why so short?" Y/N asked.

"She was way too clingy. Spent every minute of every day with me. If she wasn't in class, or in her common room, she was with me. I prefer to choose who invades my personal space for long periods of time." Sebastian chuckled

Y/N then spent the next 2 minutes explaining all of her observations to Sebastian, who listened intently.

"I have say, Adelaide is trying way too hard to get in between you and Garreth. I mean, Merlin! She could at least choose someone more desirable." Sebastian scoffed.

Y/N glared at Sebastian, giving him a small punch on his shoulder.

"Ow." Sebastian groaned.

"How do I prevent her from getting in between us?" Y/N asked, concerned.

"At this point, you might be too late. You'd have to pull off some serious romantic gesture in order to snap him out of Adelaide's tricks. Although, that plan won't work if he doesn't exactly see and/or believe that Adelaide is trying to get in between you two." Sebastian warned.