Run Away ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter thirty-seven

The view from the quidditch stands had been kind that spring day with the warmth of the sun against bare skin. The breeze however kept the temperature low enough for everyone to remain covered. Antheia was grateful for the slow beginning of the spring that made her gloves feel more at home among the crowd. Black hands remained hidden. She had her way through the underworkings of the stands and pulled the borrowed blue scarf tighter around her neck to keep the cold wind off of her.

It was the semi-finals of the season and the match was only half an hour away from beginning. All of the school was there to see who would be the first team to make it to the finals; Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

"Are you sure this is the right stand?" Antheia asked as they climbed the narrow staircase hidden under the canvas.

"Positive," Garreth Weasley assured ahead of her. The faculty stand was normally open to all students and staff, but Antheia hadn't felt comfortable going alone. It hadn't been part of their original plan when the friends all got together to watch the match together and Garreth had taken it upon himself to get the information that they needed while they were there. She followed the red-haired boy up the stand and into the blinding sunshine above.

Antheia hadn't told anyone about her late-night visit to speak with Sebastian Sallow the night before. The only news that she had shared had been what she had learned in her research; the connection between Godric's relics and the history of their creation. She wasn't sure why she was so uncomfortable telling her friends about speaking with Sebastian, nothing had happened between them, but she felt ashamed regardless.

The faculty stand hadn't been any different from their own. The only notable difference was rather than being neutral colors, instead, they proudly had each house color displayed in a vibrant rainbow of expression.

Most of the professors sat there to watch the matches for themselves however it was open to everyone. There were clusters of students that sat in the box alongside the faculty.

Antheia didn't expect to see any familiar faces of students as she trailed behind Garreth, but her head turned at the call of her own name. The two younger girls from the library were sitting a few rows down. Rosalie and Mia had been wearing the golden yellow to cheer on the Hufflepuff team from the stand when they waved over to her.

Unlike in the library, the two weren't alone, they had been with their own friends. Two other girls wearing Ravenclaw blue sat next to them, both turning their attention to watch her as along. One girl with black hair glanced at her before turning her focus back to the book in her lap. The other girl had hair that was a fiery shade of magenta, it looked almost alive like a burning fire under the glow of the sun. Even though she had been a stranger she began waving over to her too, a fist full of pencils balanced between her fingers.

Antheia considered walking over and thanking Rosalie and Mia for their assistance with the books but instead offered a small wave back in the group's direction.

"Auntie Tilda," Garreth cheered as they reached the top of the stands.

Professor Matilda Weasley pursed her lips and folded her hands neatly across her lap at the sight of her nephew approaching. "Mister Weasley," She grinned professionally, "Must I remind you that we are still at Hogwarts and I am your Professor, at least for the rest of this term."

Besides her, Dinah Hecat smiled at the two of them. "Oh please, Tilda. It's a match day, we aren't teaching today and merely fans like the rest of everyone here." The older woman bore a youthful smile at the sight of them. Both women were Heads of their own Houses respectfully, people who would be knowledgeable about the house relics.