endgame // sebastian sallow

38: Game On, Sallow

Chapter 38: Game on, Sallow.

"Weakness, tension in between us,
I just wanna give in."

Noelle's Perspective

"No," I said abruptly that Monday.

"What do you mean, no? Sallow is going around letting everyone know he's beating Gryffindor in a click." Nellie let out behind me.

I clutched the books in my hands, walking down the castle corridors as the Gryffindor Seeker followed me around. My feet stopped at the moment from the mention of Sebastian, and I flushed a little.

"Sallow? W-What? What do you mean he's going around—"

"Yeah, since he's no longer suspended, he went around classes all stupidly saying to watch out for Friday's game!" She complained, "I'll assume he thinks we're losing since I'm back."

A laugh came out of me, almost coming out as a mock.

I remember telling Sebastian in a hazy way last Friday that I'll make Slytherin lose again. It wasn't a serious thought. I didn't plan on taking the Seeker position again, especially since Nellie was better, but he was being bold.

The flashes of that night were a blur, but there were glimpses of being with Sebastian. I did come across the halls with him the next few days, and all that came out of his mouth were remarks about the upcoming game.

I thought he was being silly as always. That's just the way he was.

"I figured since the school found out you two are back to being gums, it's creating pressure toward the match." Nellie let out.

My eyes almost bulged, "Gums?"

"Yeah, you know, how you two were in the fifth year. Always sticking together, doing reckless shit, leaving the school grounds," Nellie informed, "Best friends." She raised her fingers, emphasizing the words.

I closed my eyes at the thought that we weren't really the best friends from fifth year, but it was nice to know we could interact more around the halls — but Sebastian was being eager.

"Of course, the dormitory knows you're more than that," Nellie whispered, "But, you have to take that seeker position for me and beat his ass, Elle."

My mind couldn't imagine myself being up in the air with Sebastian Sallow in front of the entire Hogwarts. It was giving me second-hand embarrassment thinking about it. I couldn't do it.

"He's too good of a Seeker," I said, remembering Sebastian's skills that one night in the field, "No way. It'll be weird, Nellie."

"And he also used to be too good at dueling in school before you demolished him in Hecat's class!" Nellie reminded, "Just do it again, but in Quidditch."

I sighed, wanting to smile at myself from the memory of defeating Sebastian in a duel one year ago, but I kept calm and ignored the nostalgia.

"I don't know—"

The sentence in my mouth didn't finish. Over our sides, we came face-to-face with two Slytherins in front of the Charms classroom door.

Ominis and Sebastian stopped before us, and all four of us stood in an awkward stance. I could feel my books clutching harder in my chest as I reflected to Sebastian.