Only Death Will Have Me

Episkey

Monday morning. Slytherin second game of the year, against Hufflepuff. Neil met David Wymack, the coach, on his selection day, he was serious but cheery, and had plans for Neil, since Seth would focus on his studies, after Christmas he'd be leaving the team. Something Neil can't even believe. He was on the Slytherin's bench with another three players, someone sat beside him, it was Andrew. 

Neil smiled at him, and got a glare in return, Andrew shouldn't be there, but Wymack didn't seem bothered. A player noticed him though, and yelled he couldn't stay, Andrew stared him down until he dropped it and went back to watching the game. The first fifteen minutes were violent, Seth was fighting even with his own team, the narrator was fun and was trying for a diversion. Slytherin scored two times in a roll, and 10 minutes later Hufflepuff scored, Neil groaned and got up to lean against the railing. 

"Tired of riding the bench?" Andrew asked, even under all the screams, his voice was clear. 

Neil didn't even look at Andrew, of course he didn't want to stay out of the game, but he was new, he didn't have much choice. But he would play, he didn't even care about school, and had enough money to not look for a job as soon as he left, so playing was on top of his list of priorities. 

"Staring at Kevin won't make him score." Andrew commented when Kevin shot for goal and it was deflected.

"Maybe it will, I'll try empirically anyways." Neil refuted changing his weight to his right then left leg, he couldn't stay still. 

After 20 more minutes Slytherin had scored three more times and Hufflepuff only once. They called half time and the whole team was back on the bench for water and Wymack's pep talk. Jean didn't even ask Andrew for his seat back, he and Neil were standing while Kevin took Neil's seat. 

"Kevin, is your shoulder alright?" Neil asked after some time, Kevin looked up at him. "I saw you being hit."

"It's sore." Kevin answered. 

Neil grabbed his wand from his pocket and approached Kevin, his mom used to do it without her wand, but Neil wasn't that good, he only managed wordless magic till now. Kevin took his shirt off when he noticed what Neil was about to do, and his back was red and scratched where the bludger hit. Neil pointed his wand and it started healing, Kevin huffed, Andrew paid close attention. 

"Good as new." Joked Neil putting away his wand. 

"Well done Neil." Said Wymack. 

Andrew got up and motioned for Kevin and Neil to follow him, they obliged and Wymack didn't even glance their way. The three of them got down a flight of stairs, when Andrew stopped and sighed. 

"Tilda's lawyer is here, he wants to speak with me and Aaron, and I need witnesses to be present, for legal reasons." Andrew said it fast, as if to get rid of it. 

"Sure, right after the game?" Kevin asked, Andrew nodded. 

"Me included?" Neil intervened, it was odd, why would Andrew want him there, he and his mother weren't on good terms even before her death, Andrew didn't answer, only glared. "It's just… I'm not even seventeen." 

"You included." Andrew said and started going up the stairs. 

The second half of the game was even more brutal, Hufflepuff started fighting with everything they had, but they were no match for Kevin, Seth and Thea, the game ended 37 minutes later, the Slytherin Seeker grabbed the golden snitch with a beautiful turn on his broom. The entire pitch erupted in screams, Neil felt his blood rushing, he had to do something. 

After Kevin showered Andrew and Neil were waiting for him, Neil started talking about everything he could remember, Kevin answered but he was clearly tense. They went to Dumbledore's office, a woman, Aaron and Nicky were already waiting by the entrance. Dumbledore let them in, his office was as big as Neil remembered from his first night, with natural light it almost seemed alive, with all his portraits and trinkets. The lawyer shook Aaron's and Nick's hands, Andrew had his arms crossed, so he didn't even try. Three chairs appeared with a movement of the Lawyer's wand, he sat by the side of the desk. Aaron and Andrew followed suit.