The chanting was very loud in our common room, with the Quidditch players gathered all around the couch near the fireplace. Imelda stood among all of us, yelling over everyone:

"You two," she pointed at the two guys that were our chasers, "you will back Sallow all the way up to the goal," she yelled, eyeing them, before her attention stopped on me, "while our beaters cover you, busy with the other chasers, your focus is on the goal, Sallow."

"Understood."

It wasn't a new strategy to me, and even though everyone had three chasers, the entire team relied on me to be the one to score the most points. Especially today, going up against the Gryffindor. It was an important match, and despite lacking focus for much these past couple of days, I knew this was important.

Lily and I haven't talked nor looked in each other's direction ever since that morning, after our argument. And even though it was hard, I continued to avoid her, to make sure she was comfortable. The last thing I wanted to see were those tears forming in her eyes.

"Alright team!" The captain shouted, gathering our attention once again, "This is the first game of the season, and we are going to claim the first victory!"

Everyone began screaming and shouting, it would drive anyone mad. I wished Ominis was around for this: he'd absolutely hate all the noise that the Slytherin Quidditch team was capable of making.

Even though our team was set out to walk towards the Quidditch pitch together, I did not want to be near all that noise for long. We were going to get all the time to make noise together with the audience at the game soon enough. Right now, I needed some quiet. I needed to put my head in the game, and think only of the game.

That's when I heard her.

"Come! Your scarf will be more than enough!"

"I'm not so sure, Grace..."

I was hoping to avoid the girls, for Lily's sake. To show Ominis that I was not, in fact, bothering her. However, I was out of luck on this one.

"Sallow!"

Damn it. 

"Come over here, and quick!" Grace motioned for me to approach them. My eyes scanned Lily, who wasn't looking in my direction. Instead, she stood there, rubbing her left arm awkwardly. I cursed fate once again.

"What can I do for you, ladies?" I laughed nervously, approaching the two Slytherin girls.

"Your sweater, hand it over."

I looked down at Grace, caught off guard. Startled, almost, "Pardon - "

"Hurry up and do it, Sallow!" She was quite demanding for a girl who always sat quietly in class. "You won't need it when you play, but we will!"

I looked down at my Quidditch sweater, almost debating if this was really happening. However, I obeyed, and took my House sweater off, standing there in a plain shirt now.

"I'll take that, thank you," Grace snatched the sweater from my hands, grabbing Lily's arm and wrapping her own with it, before walking away, "Good luck today!"

I remained there, watching them leave.

What just happened?

The Quidditch pitch was loud and full of students as well as faculty, all eager to watch the game. It was an exciting opening game of the season, with two sworn rivals, House Slytherin versus House Gryffindor. I couldn't lie, I was thrilled myself: I had so much frustrations that were begging to be let out, and this was the perfect opportunity for it. My eyes eagerly scanned the Gryffindor's side of the changing room, spotting Leander there. We both gave each other a side glare, before returning back to prepping for the start of the game.

"We are counting on you, Sallow, at least until I catch the snitch," Imelda chuckled.

Sometimes, I wondered if she self appointed herself to be the co - captain of the team.

"Alright! I want a nice, clean and fair game between all of you!"

Professor Kogawa attempted to sound serious, but we all remembered how she was the first to run around the hallways of the castle, cheering when the news traveled about Headmaster Black allowing Quidditch this year. I could see it in the way she stood in the middle of the field, just waiting for the game to begin.

"Brooms up!"

With a whistle, we began the game. I was fast enough to grab the quaffle first, already heading towards the Gryffindor's side of the pitch. Even through it was the first game of the season, and a full year of no Quidditch, everyone came prepared. The Gryffindors were not going to allow us to win that easily. But I was also not going to allow Leander to know what victory feels like.

"And Slytherin's take the lead, with number nine, Mr. Sallow, scoring the first 10 points!"

The crowd was riled up now, especially our side of the pitch. It felt good, but it also felt odd. I scanned the bleachers, before spotting Ominis standing there, with Grace and...

Her.

Lily stood there, laughing with Ominis. She was wearing my Quidditch sweater.

"Sallow!"

Imelda's voice snapped me back to the game, realizing I just sat there, floating mid air.

"Gryffindor is catching up! Number eleven, Mr. Prewett, evens the score!"

I didn't know how I missed Leander slipping right past me, I was only distracted for a moment, but I knew Imelda would not leave me be if I kept this up. I motioned for my broom to fly forward, catching the quaffle from one of the chasers, while our beaters distracted the opposing side.

I was so close to scoring, but my path was cut by Leander, which made me steer my broom aside, slightly rocking.

"What did I say, Sallow?" He snapped, "stay away from her."

"Keep talking like that and you'll be the one I throw through the ring!" I snapped back, chasing after him. 

"Sallow! Get back to scoring!"

I flew past our captain, ignoring the fact that I still had the quaffle. Grunting, I tossed it over to one of the chasers on our team, hoping they could do their job while I was giving Leander the inconvenience of being chased after. He was heading towards our goals now, getting ready to throw the quaffle, before being beat by one of the beaters.

"Not a chance!" I yelled, passing by his broom in an attempt to startle him, before I began to head back towards the opposite side of the pitch, assisting with yet another score.

"Things are looking rather heated up there! Slytherin continues to stay in the lead!"

Another chant from the crowd, boosting my ego. I raised my arms up in the air, encouraging the crowd to cheer louder.

At that moment, even though I was occupying the crowd, my eyes stayed on Lily, who was looking back at me. We held each other's gazes, and I felt all the screaming and shouting become distant. It was like she was the only one here. She looked mesmerizing, standing there in my sweater: her blonde curls creating the perfect contrast with the pine green of the sweater, her cheeks rosy pink, with her grey eyes almost glittering underneath the sunlight.

All this time, all I ever wanted was you.

"Imelda catches the seeker! Slytherin takes the first victory of the season!"