Right Where You Left Me | Sebastian Sallow |

CHAPTER NINE: Game On

The sun finally started to set, now casting golden beams of light down from the sky. Highlighting the main attraction of the night.

The quidditch field was decked out with red and green banners, alerting all of those around of the big rivalry match.

Spectators packed the stands, not an empty seat in sight. The crowd's excitement was electric.

With a prepared team and adrenalin pumping through my blood, the stage was set.

After my shitshow of a morning and a stressful day of classes, I was ready to release all my energy out on the field tonight and to give it my all.

I entered our team tent, walking to my designated locker. Opening the small door, I gazed upon my beautiful red and gold uniform.

I released a sign of appreciation, "Hello lovely, oh how I missed you." I flipped the uniform to the back and read my last name and number.

BENNET

5

I smiled, feeling an enormous sense of pride. Knowing I'm representing my own house.

Putting on my uniform and mandatory gear, I glanced into a nearby mirror to see not just Eliza Bennet, but the Gryffindor Seeker.

"Hope you brought your A-game today Bennet! Let's show those snakes who we are!" Garreth Weasley walked past and gave me a pat on the back. Garreth was the team's keeper.

The crowd roared with excitement and the band started to play, alerting both teams that the game would start in thirty minutes.

Hearing the band start now had my stomach in knots.

Yes, I was super excited to compete and show my skills, ready to assert my dominance on the field. But in thirty minutes, I also had to see him.

What position does he play? He can't be the captain. Shit, what if he's their team's seeker?

Eliza stop, get a hold of yourself.

The Slytherin tent was right next to ours, both charmed, so we could speak freely about game strategies. I had no idea what to expect tonight. I went over to the large chalk board to review our plays one last time and to distract myself from unwelcoming thoughts.

Moments later, a commanding voice spoke out, "Gather round, everyone!" The captain herself, Natty, stood before us. Respect immediately given to her as the rest of the team huddled around in silence.

Pointing in the direction of the Slytherin tent, she spoke, "We all know who's in there, and they know who's in here. My friends, we are certainly a force to be reckoned with, a challenging team to anyone that steps on that field! Let's set the standard for who we are during tonight's opening match!"

They certainly picked the right person for this role. Natty spoke with command in her voice. I was in awe listening to her speak and so was the rest of the team.

She continued, "Stick to your plays and think fast. My friends, I leave you with one more word of advice. Hustle beats talent when talent doesn't hustle. Good luck everyone!"

The team cheered and we all grabbed our brooms from their mounts on the wall. The sound of a trumpet filled the air, time for both teams to make their way to the field.

We as a team stepped out into the crisp October air. A chill running down my back from the slight breeze.

Turning to my right, I glanced to the opposing team walking out as well. I let my eyes wonder till they focused on one specific player.

And there he was.

It was almost odd to see him wearing a Slytherin quidditch uniform. A past chapter of his life that I never had the privilege to hear about. Ominis eventually told me earlier today that besides the last two years, Sebastian has been on the quidditch team since his second year.

I always knew Sebastian was athletic based on our adventures from fifth year, but I didn't know he was that athletic. The loose fabric of the uniform's sleeves allowed for a little muscle to peak through. His body was lean, looking insanely fit in the uniform. Sebastian lifted his arms to stretch, causing his shirt to rise, revealing only toned muscle underneath.

I commanded away the unwanted butterflies in my stomach.

They shouldn't be there.

Even though Sebastian and I are not on speaking terms, I can't deny that he looks great in that damned uniform.

His back was now to me, walking to the field with the rest of his team. I read the back of his jersey.

SALLOW

11

Directing my eyes away from his back, they traveled to the objects held in both hands. A typical broom and....a beater stick.

Out of all positions he could have been, he's a beater??

This day keeps getting better and better.

Getting back into the right mindset, I brought my focus back to my team and my position's objective.

My team and I walked inside the stadium and up a small set up stairs that lead to a closed door.

I could feel the stadium shake beneath my boots and my ears started to ring from the volume erupting from the crowd.

"Witches and Wizards, please welcome the first house of tonight's opening season match, Gryffindor!" Lucan Brattleby, a fellow Gryffindor, was this season's commentator.

The doors burst open, and my team and I flew out onto the field as one. We all flew past our own student section.

"Go, go Gryffindor! Go, go Gryffindor!" My house screamed with indescribable excitement. Natty and I now flew together and made our way to the Slytherin student section. We both flew in an ascending spiral around their spectator tower, then making our way to our starting positions on the field.

"And now for Gryffindor's opponent, please welcome the second house of the evening, Slytherin!!"

The team of green burst through the door, flying around the field just as my team had done before. Except for one particular player.

Sebastian flew straight to his own student section, flying low enough to reach out and give everyone a high five. He then flew to my own student section, holding up his hand for all to see. Making it into an "L" shape.

Typical Sebastian.

The opposing team finally flew to their own starting spots. Joining us, we all made a circle around the center of the field. Meanwhile the captains flew to the center for the toss of the quaffle. Imelda Reyes for Slytherin and Natty for us.

Lucan's voice filled the stadium once again, "The players have now taken their positions while Madam Kogawa steps out onto the field to begin the game!!"

The crowd roared; I'll be surprised if anyone of us would be able to hear Kogawa, who taught flying here at Hogwarts, speak next. Kogawa stood beside a little brown trunk; they held all the game's playable objects.

She finally spoke, "I want a nice clean game! From all of you!" She said this while making eye contact with every single player.

"The bludgers are released along with the golden snitch! Don't forget that if the team's seeker catches the snitch, 150 points will be rewarded and shall be named the winning team!" Lucan's voice was filled with excitement, obviously because his own house was playing.

The snitch flew around my broom and the other seekers as well. Taunting us.

Come on Eliza!

I tried to hype myself up but then found Sebastian making direct eye contact with me. I could feel the competitive tension between us.

"The quaffle is released, and the game begins!!"

Game on Sallow.