Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Eight: Spectator Sport

Imelda threw the Quaffle to me, my arm outstretched catching it and immediately tucking the red ball under my arm tightly. A loud whoop and smattering of applause sounded off next from the stands and again, I didn't look. It didn't matter. I pulled up on the handle, gaining altitude before turning one hundred and eighty degrees to flip back to the other end of the pitch where Imelda was already racing to play Keeper.

Knowing I needed to avoid the other boys, I pushed for max speed again and was delighted to hear a Bludger coming up right under me. Using it to my advantage, I swerved to the right just as one of the boys made a grab for the ball under my arm. His arm made contact with the raging Bludger and I dashed off as he cried out in pain.

Push faster, push faster, I pleaded with my broom and then I was raising the Quaffle, aiming for the lowest ring on the end of the pitch. Imelda's eyes were locked on as I pushed forward and she moved to block the post.

I released the Quaffle and sent it soaring through the hoop she'd just abandoned, her face a mix of anger and delight. Even when we were on the same team, Imelda didn't like when I out did her. I smirked as I went to catch the Quaffle before it hit the ground and rose up to meet her.

Our gaggle of boys attempting to keep up were at the hoop with us only a second later.

"That was some damn good flying," the black haired boy said, looking at me with a look of surprise on his face.

"You get to be pretty good when racing Imelda here," I replied coyly, not wanting to divulge I had learned most of those flying skills while fighting Ashwinders and goblins a couple years ago.

"If you think that was impressive, Black, just wait until we play Gryffindor this year," Imelda said back to him. "Now, why don't you two go help Crouch there to the hospital wing. We have a couple more things to work on to prep for tryouts Wednesday."

They nodded eagerly and descended, tossing their brooms to some friends before dashing out of the entrance to the pitch.

"What do you say, another couple of reps? I want to see how you do against a couple more Bludger patterns."

I smiled at her, "That sounds great, Imelda."

-

It was as we were finally getting off our brooms around midday when I noticed it. At the top of the stands, just between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw stands on the other side of the pitch, was a single stem of what looked like purple wildflowers. Imelda was chattering away at my side, talking about how great the training session had gone but I couldn't focus on anything she was saying anymore.

I knew that those flowers were for me.

"Imelda, I, uh, I gotta go grab something. But I agree practice was great! We on for Monday?"

"As long as we don't get swamped by Professor Hecat, yes," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm going to get lunch."

"You still owe me five Sickles, Reyes!" I called after her as she kept walking and I smiled as she let out a sharp laugh.

I waved her off and waited a moment until more students filed out of the pitch in groups of two or three. Once most of the students were gone, I hopped back on my broom and took off for the stem of purple. I was there in just a few seconds, landing a few rows below them and dismounting carefully, not wanting to fall. I set my broom down and climbed over the rows of benches.

I was right that I had spotted flowers.

Sitting on the top row of benches was a delicate green glass vase, a stem of purple flowers flowing out of the top. The delicate petals were vibrant and seemed to have a soft shimmer over them. I recognized that shimmer as I reached out to touch one of the petals. They had been enchanted so they wouldn't wilt.

I'd been given a flower like this before, seen the shimmer over the petals, and remembered the tenderness in his voice when he'd given it to me.

Shaking the memory off, I continued to look at my gift. Tucked under the delicate glass was a single piece of parchment, folded up into a neat square. My name was scrawled over the corner in green ink, the messy handwriting attempting to look neat.

I gingerly picked up the vase and set it off to the side, picking up the parchment once I was sure the vase wasn't in danger of tipping over.

Abbi,

I enjoyed seeing you fly today. Slytherin might just win the Quidditch cup this year. Meet me in the usual spot tonight, I've something to share with you.

Sebastian

I looked around for his curly brown hair. I hadn't even noticed him when I was flying, so lost in the adrenaline it gave me. I scanned the whole pitch, the sun glaring from its highest point of the day, cluing me in to just how long I'd really been out here today. But no matter where I looked, there was no sign of him.

No tuft of brown curls.

No flash of a crooked smile.

No warm brown eyes.

Just some purple flowers, and a note.

I couldn't help the blush that rose to my cheeks, or the smile, pulling wide across my lips.