Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 75

-Ronnie-

The smell of freshly cut grass wafted over me, painting a smile on my face. The Quidditch pitch had become a safe space for me as the year progressed. Here I was, nearing the end of my time at Hogwarts, grateful that I'd been able to come out here and work off my troubles, and my anger, and completely lose myself in the grueling practices that Imelda would put us through.

"You ready to be a hero again?" A chipper voice rang out.

I turned to see Finn, Ominis and Poppy approaching. Instinctively, I looked toward Sebastian who was talking strategy with Imelda.

"Don't know about 'hero'. But I do want to win!" I laughed and turned back toward my friends.

They all had their faces painted green to a different degree. Poppy had painted her whole face with green stripes. Finn had half his face painted green with the other half painted maroon while Ominis had a 13 painted on one cheek and a 7 on the other for Sebastian and me.

"How much convincing did it take to get you to paint our numbers on your face?" I snickered.

"Not much," Poppy giggled next to him and I saw Ominis blush. "I was only going to paint your number but I know how Sebastian can be so I put his 13 on there too," Poppy added.

"That's probably for the best," I laughed.

I saw Professor Pierce walk toward us with Professor Black and two other men I didn't know directly but their resemblance to their sons was undeniable. They had to be Reggie's and Ignatius' fathers.

The others continued talking but I tuned them out and eavesdropped on the sour-face group of men while pretending to interact with my friends. I watched the group out of the corner of my eye.

"That's the seeker for the Slytherin team correct?" The white-haired man, whom I assumed to be Reggie's father, asked.

"Oh uhh? Mhhhmm," Professor Black nodded distractedly.

"A mudblood?" The white-haired man asked as he surveyed me as if I were an animal for sale.

"Unfortunately," Professor Pierce was the one to answer this time. "A tragedy that such beauty and talent have been wasted on such a filthy bloodline."

They all nodded in agreement.

I rolled my eyes but kept my attention forward, biting my tongue.

"Professor!" Finn interjected.

My eyes widened as I looked at Finn and then toward Pierce.

Professor Pierce's eyes narrowed as all the men looked at Finn. It was written all over their faces, they were shocked that someone would speak out against them.

"Yes, Mr. O'Leary?" Professor Pierce responded, his voice dripping in disdain.

"Don't you think it would do well to bolster the Seeker for the team you wish to win?" He remarked, his voice sounding innocent enough.

"I've got good money riding on Slytherin," Poppy added quickly.

The men appraised us for a moment. My heart was beating out of my chest. I could hear it roaring in my ears. Did they know who they were standing up to? The risks? It didn't feel worth it.

"Finn," I cautioned in a sharp whisper. "Poppy..."

"Hufflepuffs," Ominis chuckled. "Their loyalty knows no bounds." Ominis sighed softly as if there was not a single ounce of tension in the air. He was used to navigating these situations. Also, he was the only one out of us who they had a modicum of respect for.