Go Gryffindor Go!
Tension was always rife on Quidditch mornings, especially for the Gryff/Slyth matchoff. Gossip – who would win, who would lose their nerve – became heated opinion, flying as swiftly as seekers between the whispered taunts and direct scorn flung between the rival houses and their unfortunate team members. Even younger Muggleborn students, who tended to regard Quidditch in the same way they did American football, threw off their cloak of distain, faces animated and rivalling their Wizardborn peers.
The Ravenclaws were no different.
This morning, Padma Patil listened to the discussions surrounding her with interest, while Cho Chang concentrated on drawing a scrap of parchment between her fingers. Marietta Edgecombe was tapping the side of her bowl with a spoon and glancing around the Great Hall as if something might drop out of the clouded ceiling and bite her; when Zacharias Smith sauntered into the Hall, the silver slid from her fingers. Cho jerked back to the present at the sound.
"Gryffindor better win today," she declared, shifting in her seat to look at Harry.
"I'm sure Harry will do fine." The reply was automatic and slightly bitter, but Marietta didn't bother following her friend's gaze. She was too busy gazing at the Hufflepuff table, a half smiling lingering on her lips.
Cho looked up and gasped, eyes settling on Zacharias Smith in disbelieving horror. His robes, shimmering brilliant green and yellow, were doubly shocking as Luna's hat.
"What is he doing?" she finally hissed.
"Harry-hatred?"
Marietta's voice was light and her smile growing.
Cho shook her head, and together they watched Zacharias in fierce debate with his housemates. When Marietta looked back at her friend, Cho was close to tears.
"What's wrong?"
Cho breathed deeply and took a large bite of porridge. Marietta glanced uneasily up the table; Padma turned away quickly, her plait quivering against immaculate robes.
"He's a Hufflepuff." Cho braced her hands on the table. "He should be – remembering – Cedric." She breathed deeply. "Not supporting Them."
The glare she gave the Slytherins was venomous.
Marietta glanced at the Hufflepuff table. Zacharias Smith had charmed his robes back to normal, although Marietta assumed his sentiments remained unchanged. She chewed her lip, picking words with care.
When she spoke, Cho strained to hear. "Zacharias is in the… DA."
Here Marietta paused and straightened, glancing at Umbridge.
"I bet he just doesn't like Harry Potter."
Cho looked doubtful. Marietta tried to sound like her mother.
"It'll have nothing to do with – All That. Slytherin is just a Hogwarts house, nothing more."
"Oh yeah? So why don't you support them?"
"Because it's just not done." Marietta stabbed at her breakfast, regretful. "I've never even considered it."