"So," Dean says as he and Seamus reach the center of the Quidditch Pitch. "Just a few easy laps, then?"
"What makes you think I can't play seriously?"
Dean looks at him skeptically, raising an eyebrow. "I would feel bad out-flying you. I didn't wanna make this a competition."
"Cocky, aren't you? I'll have you know I'm at least as good on a broom as you." Seamus crossed his arms. "What, just 'cause you finally made the team, you think I can't keep up?"
Dean didn't meet Seamus's eyes, muttering something that sounded vaguely like, "You're a bit of a scrappy build, not to mention you rarely fly…"
Seamus scoffed, and rather than directly responding to Dean's comments, made a proposition of his own. "How about we do make this a competition. All speed and agility: first to catch this Snitch wins. Loser buys dinner at Hogsmeade next weekend. Do we have a deal?"
They shook on it, both looking more determined than ever. "Good luck," Dean says, raising his eyebrows and sizing Seamus up.
"Don't need it." They released the Snitch and mounted their brooms, waiting until it got far enough off before shooting off after it.
Seamus rose high, swooping in a wide circle as he searched for the Snitch. Dean halted his ascent far lower, watching Seamus rather than trying to find that glint of gold.
The sun was shining high and bright in the sky. Seamus had to squint to see anything at all, but he'd be damned if Dean won this bet. He hadn't shut up about making the team for the past two weeks. Seamus was happy for him, of course he was. But he was also getting a bit tired of it. Dean needed to be knocked down a peg or two. It was just icing on the cake that he didn't think Seamus would be capable of it.
Dean may have been thrown off his game a bit, but that didn't stop the adrenaline from pumping through his veins. He loved the feel of the wind on his face more than anything – Quidditch filled him with an excitement and a happiness that little could compare with.
One thing that did was Seamus. Dean knew he should try to catch the Snitch, but he couldn't keep his eyes off Seamus – the way his arms flexed as they held the broom, the determination on his face. And that bum…
Dean was nearly knocked from his broom as Seamus pulled back around. He held the Snitch in his hand, waving it above his head. "I believe this means someone owes me dinner."
X
A/N: Thanks to Lo for the motivation behind this (and yes, it's 437 words just like you requested). Also written for Writing Club – Character Appreciation 2: (Quidditch position) Seeker; Showtime 3. (action) Bragging; Amber's Attic – Slash 5. DeanSeamus; Count Your Buttons W2: Scrappy; Funfair – Northern: Sophie's Ice Cream Stall 19 (Seamus Finnigan) and 38 (Dean Thomas); Seasonal – Days of the Year – June 27: Write about something happening on a sunny day; Shay's Musical Challenge 50: Write about being distracted from winning something; Gryffindor Themed Prompts: (Character) Dean Thomas, (trait) Confident; Hamilton Mania – Act 1, 14: (emotion) Excitement, Other Prompts: 1 (character) Seamus Finnigan 365 Prompts 6: (action) Playing sports; Insane House Challenge 473: (object) Broom