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Seb... wasn't too sure where he was going. He had snow-covered boots and his cheeks were still a bit windburnt. Instinctively, he pushed his goggled into his hair, letting his vision blur. He unfolded his glasses from the magically-protected case they remained within and pushed them onto his face. He hadn't stayed behind to get talked to by... everyone, probably, knowing the words would just ring hollow. Somewhere behind his upset he vaguely heard his name called out, but his feet didn't stop.

Even though he was exhausted, wanting nothing more than to go to bed, the stairs were just too much. He barely made it up one flight before his knees started to shake. Using his sweater sleeve, Seb wiped away tears he didn't even know had formed. He managed to find one of the little nooks he'd discovered previously before he just plopped onto the ground. He let himself curl into a ball, arms wrapped around his shins as his face sat on his knees. His glasses pushed up as he buried his face along with his emotions.

Was he getting worse? He didn't even see the snitch that time! It had been right there, only a handful of inches from his face.... but he missed it entirely! This had to be some horror from the fates, right? That or it was a very real sign that he should just officially give up. Maybe he could see if Nic would just ask one of the first years to fill in... even one of them would probably be better than him. Maybe he could even play sick just to see. Seb sniffled as he curled up tighter, the emotions just overwhelming him. No amount of help, practice, good advice... nothing seemed to fix whatever was broken in him. He was just cursed with bad luck, and he knew he always would be.

As tears continued to spill, Seb couldn't stop himself from sobbing. His body was shaking a bit as he cried, the weights of guilt collapsing upon him. He felt like he'd failed all his friends yet again, but this time... this time he hadn't even been close! He hadn't seen the dang thing, even though he'd been right in front of it. He figured none of the other seekers had ever been so bad at their job, either recent or ever. His sensitive ears twitched when he heard someone walk close. With the other clues, he knew it had to be Alice. She sat in the floor beside him and set her hand on his slightly wet hair. All she could say was his name, and his brain told him it was because she was so disappointed. Honestly, he was too. A handful of seconds (or was it several minutes? Who knew...) came another set of footsteps, this one far heavier. He couldn't identify it immediately, but he'd soon learn that it was Lewis.

Lewis had been watching the game, both curious and a bit anxious of the outcome. He was acutely aware that either outcome of this game wouldn't be... great. If Csuri won, it'd continue to crush Sebastian... but if Seb won, Csuri would probably lose her already tenuous temper. Once the game had been called, he felt the weight of the whole dynamic. It seemed most of the school had been rooting for the underdogs. He quickly told his family he'd see them later, then used his long legs to leave the stands quickly. He knew his friend was hurting, especially watching the dejected walk-off. Man, if he hadn't seen that look before. He half-sprinted inside, spotting Alice walking a handful of feet down the second floor to an all-too-familiar nook there.

As he walked over, Lewis' dark eyes surveyed the scene. Sebastian was curled into a ball so tight he could practically be used in gameplay, and Alice looked a bit shaken up as well, which wasn't good. The tall Ravenclaw sank into the floor, plopping down across from the fourth years. "Huf. That was a rough game, wasn't it? It's so much harder to play in wintertime. But... I know that it couldn't have felt very good." He sighed softly, pondering the best thing to say here. "I also know that a lot of people are going to say 'there's always next time' or 'just keep practicing' and, well, neither are super helpful. A lot of them haven't played in our role, which makes it hard to find the right words to say. But, I can say that it's hard. Our job isn't an easy one. Not only is the snitch... well, it's a pain in the arse. But also, a lot of the pressure for perfection gets put on our shoulders, doesn't it?"

At that, he got something of a nod, plus a mumbled "Uh-huh" from Seb. "I know you're a good seeker, Sebastian, even if it doesn't feel like it. I've seen you in practice, when you're really in your element. I've seen you run the pitch when there weren't such heavy stakes. But I also know the toll that comes when you feel like you need a win. When everything is on your shoulders." He reached out, patting Seb's back. After a second, he peeked up a bit, bloodshot green eyes looked over at him. Man, he looked exhausted.

"Let me ask you. Before the games, do you often think about who's all there? About your mum, friends... girlfriend?" Aha, a nod. Thankfully, he still seemed to be paying attention. "I had a feeling. Sometimes that makes things so much harder. Because then, not only do you have to fight for your team, but you feel extra pressure to make those people happy. And even though you know everyone is still going to love you so, so much regardless, it's a bit more disappointing." That got Seb to sit up a bit, though he leaned in a bit closer to Alice. "Y-yea... I just... wanna do good for th-them." Seb added through some broken sniffles. Lewis handed over a small pouch of tissues, then continued.

"But if it helps, just know that all your friends, your mum, your teammates and rivals... everyone is cheering you on. Come win or lose, these people will all still be there with you. Plus, honestly, in school... the points don't really matter. Wins, yea, they're fun... but if anyone ever gets upset with you, they're a butthead. It's not like there's tournaments and quid on the line. Sometimes... sometimes trying to make it less important helps make it easier. There's no stakes during practice, right? So if it helps, pretend the games are practices. Put in your earbuds, block out the sound, and just practice. Your next game's against me, right?" He asked, wanting to make sure Seb was still following along. "Y-yea. Th-the last game."

"Right, and you and I have practiced together plenty too. You've beaten me before in practice, so I know you can do it. Your broom's even faster than mine, to help balance out my noodley arms." Lewis wiggled his arms out to either side, as if to prove their proclaimed noodliness. A laugh, however shaky, left the Gryffindor. "And I bet I can talk Nic into having our two teams play some practice games ahead of the big one. We can probably even invite half the school out to sit in the stands and make some noise. Plus Tàmhas can practice the announcing with Alice and Amelia. I bet they'd like the practice to feel more confident next year too." He nodded and winked over at Alice herself. "Then when the game comes up it'll just be another practice. How's that sound?"

Seb nodded again, feeling a little better. "I-I don't wanna bother everyone. Practices are usually pretty boring." At that, Lewis laughed. "They sure can be, can't they? But if we set it up as more of a game, it'd be less boring. Not to mention, I'm certain that well over half the school would be glad to spend a bit of extra time outside, if only to cheer you on. Ooh, or we can probably rope in the Hufflepuff and Slytherin teams! Maybe do a skirmish or two. Mix and match players so everyone has a bit of a change of pace. Last time the school did that it was a super fun day. Plus, you know Professor Liu. She's always living for chaos." Another laugh, this one followed by a more genuine grin. "That does sound like it'd be a lil chaotic... but also pretty fun. D...do you really think everyone would wanna do that?" Lewis lovingly ruffled Seb's messy navy hair.

"It would totally be fun! And it'd keep Tàmhas and Alice on their toes in the booth."