The wall between us // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Three

The end of the year came fast and we were all preparing for the house cup celebration, Slytherin was coming dead last, we were about 90 points away from first place. I wasn't too keen on having front-row seats to watch Gryffindor win the house cup, they are such sore winners.

"Are you ready yet?" asked Imelda in her usual annoyed tone.

"Yes Mum, I'm coming," I say playfully teasing her. She gave me an annoyed look while sitting on her bed tapping the bedframe in frustration.

"We are going to be the last ones there at this rate." she jumped up from her bed in an effort to hurry me along. I slipped on my Slytherin robe and did the button-up at the front, as I took a final glance in the mirror. I don't know why I cared so much about my appearance all of a sudden it never mattered before, id even sometimes walk around in my pyjamas if I couldn't be bothered getting changed.

"you look great, let's go," she said as she pushed me out the door.

We entered the great hall and the Slytherin table was busy full of students ranging from 1st year to 7th years, Imelda sat down near some of her Slytherin pals that I didn't really know, so I decide to stand at the back wall by the door. I subtly glanced down the Slytherin table hoping to lay eyes on Sebastian but I only saw Ominis, and he was sitting by himself - maybe he was late, he is always late.

I haven't spoken to Sebastian since our moment in the undercroft, we exchange glances in the common room or when we passed by each other in the halls, but he always seemed busy or in a hurry, almost like he was kind of avoiding me. - I'm just overthinking, right? - he wouldn't ignore me, after everything we've been through. That's crazy, Right?

I snap back into reality when I heard the familiar throat clear of Professor Black, he does it to quiet down the room and almost always immediately works.

"This year we have seen our students exemplify the bravery of Godric Gryffindor." The Gryffindor house interrupts him with bouts of cheering.

"Allow me to finish," he says in an annoyed tone. "The loyalty of Helga Hufflepuff." he continues before being interrupted by the Hufflepuff house. I could hear Poppy's soft voice cheer clearly against all the other muffled Hufflepuff voices. "The Wisdom of Rowena Ravenclaw." The Ravenclaw house cheered but not as loud as the other tables they are a lot more humble in these situations. "And the ambition of Salazar Slytherin." There were no cheers from our table just soft claps coming from the other tables in the room.

"and so, the winner of this year's House Cup-" He begins to announce but Professor Weasley moves to his side and gracefully interrupts him "Excuse me, Headmaster. If I may?" he glances at her in an annoyed matter but still gestured for her to speak.

"One particular student's heroism during the attack on Hogwarts, not to mention the level to which they have excelled in their coursework, as a new student, no less-" Everyone starts to turn and look at me whilst chattering amongst themselves. I don't like being the centre of attention, especially in front of the whole school.

"Well, it would seem that it certainly merits, I'd say, 100 points to Slytherin house. - wouldn't you agree?" she turns to the headmaster for approval. "Ah. Yes. Thank you, Professor Weasly."

"I suppose we have our new winner." He announces as he waves his hand to replace the Gryffindor banners with Slytherin banners.

The Slytherin table erupts in cheers and delights over our unexpected win, Imelda shot up from her seat and ran over to me as did some of her fellow Slytherin friends they all circled me and cheered. I couldn't help but smile and laugh awkwardly along with them it was a contagious feeling.