Chapter 2: Quidditch
The first thing that Isla saw when she woke up the next morning was the emerald green hangings of her four-poster bed. She smiled slightly. Without any ado, she rose, dressed and headed towards the Great Hall, where Sophia was already taking breakfast. She sat beside her, and, as she filled her cup with tea, Phineas joined them. He looked deadly.
"Is it true that you are planning to try out for Seeker?"
Isla did not lower her gaze, but blushed furiously.
"And how do you know?"
"Miss Flint informed me, and Gamp said you ought to be given a tryout."
"Well, there you are."
"You don't deny it, then."
"Of course not. It was not supposed to be a secret anyway. I have done nothing wrong. All I wish to do is compete for the honor of my house and of my family in an area where I might have a chance of distinguishing myself."
"And what about classes? Aren't they enough?"
"Phineas, you know perfectly well that I am not the brightest, nor most studious, witch in this school. And do not pretend that you welcome competition in academic achievements, because gallantry does not suit you. It is not as if I will be the only girl in the school playing Quidditch, anyway. Julia Lestrange plays Keeper, and all the other houses have at least one female player on their teams."
"I don't care what the mudblood dens do!"
"Mr Black, please", said Sophia soothingly. "Your sister is only trying to establish pure-blood superiority. The only way she believes she can achieve her goal is through Quidditch. Let us not condemn her motives. And let us not forget the importance of the Quidditch Cup being won by Slytherin, and the glory it would mean for the members of its team."
Phineas was not easy to manipulate. He was the master of manipulation. He seemed suspicious, but he also seemed to appreciate the truth in Sophia's words.
"Well, let us hope your flying is better than your potion making."
Even though Isla was used to his manner, his complete lack of faith hurt her; but, then again, that was the way of her family. Everything was calculated, and absolutely nothing should be left to chance.
As soon as Phineas left, Ursula joined them.
"What did your brother want?", she asked with a very superior air.
"Oh, nothing in particular", said Isla, controlling her rage. "We were discussing Quidditch."
"I see."
"So, which classes are you taking this year, Ursula?", asked Sophia.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy, Transfiguration, Potions and Charms."
"How extraordinary. So did my brother last year. Did he influence in any way your choice?", said Isla buttering with unnecessary force a piece of toast.
Ursula looked ready to reply something very spiteful, but at that moment, Professor Nott, the Astronomy teacher and Head of Slytherin House, appeared handing out timetables.
"Anything amiss, Miss Flint?", she said in her deep, calm voice.
"N-no, Professor."
"I hope so. Now, which classes will you be taking this year?" Her narrow, black eyes underneath her thick eyebrows, and her long black hair falling on her midnight blue robes combined with her eternal serenity made her look positively lethal.
After all three had been given their timetables, Professor Nott moved on.
"Oh, in Merlin's name", moaned Sophia as she examined her timetable. "Who can bear History of Magic on Monday morning?"
"They who take it to NEWT level. I have Runes. What about you, Ursula?"
"I begin with Care of Magical Creatures" said Ursula.
"We will see you in Transfiguration, then", said Isla, rising, and pulling Sophia to her feet. She burst as they reached the Marble Staircase.
"The insolent girl! Her nerve! How could she!"
"Remember, Isla, she is a Flint. She will do anything to have her way, and her way is a rich, pure-blood husband!"
"Yes, as is ours, but I would never-NEVER-do such a thing to secure one!"
"Don't let any Slytherin hear you say this."
Isla looked around at Sophia, alarmed.
"Why do you say that?"
"You just sounded terribly... well, terribly loyal and honor-bound, that's all. I know you wouldn't do such a thing, but don't brag about it in front of Slytherins."
"But I am a Slytherin. Don't be ridiculous! Loyal and honor-bound! I'm a Black!"
Isla practiced Quidditch daily during the first week of term. After class, she would run down to the Quidditch pitch, release a Snitch, and fly for two or three hours. The tryouts were scheduled for the first Saturday of the school year, and she desperately wanted to get into the house team. Phineas raised his eyebrows disapprovingly every time she entered the common room grasping her broom and dripping mud, but that only increased her determination.
Classes admittedly were becoming very demanding, and Isla caught herself wishing she had taken less subjects. But she preferred to keep busy than stay idle. In that first week, exhausted though she was, she had little sleep so that she could manage both homework and intense Quidditch training. By Friday evening, however, she looked dreadful; she could barely keep her eyes open, and she was as white as death, having skipped dinner for nearly a week.
Sophia made her eat double helpings at dinner the night before the tryouts, and when Isla announced that she intended to run down to the dormitory to fetch her broom, she was beside herself.
"You will do nothing of the kind! It is a miracle you have managed to survive this week. You have practiced enough. What you need now is rest", and she led her towards the dungeons. Isla could not find enough energy in her body to resist, so she let herself to Sophia's guidance.
As soon as she touched the mattress of her bed, she fell into a deep sleep.
At breakfast, Isla could hardly look at the food surrounding her, let alone eat it. Sophia insisted that she ate, even a small bowl of porridge, and Isla felt immense relief and gratitude towards her, who did not judge or condemn her. Ursula, on the other hand, looked at her across the table, through her thick spectacles, hardly trying to disguise her pleasure at Isla's evident anxiety. Not long afterwards, Isla could bear no more, and rose to leave the Great Hall. Just as she stepped into the Entrance Hall, she met Phineas.
"Well, Isla, good luck", he said, poison dripping from every syllable he uttered. "I do hope you will not make a fool of yourself."
Sophia dragged her out of the Entrance Hall, and led her towards the Quidditch pitch. Isla glanced backwards just in time to see Phineas and Ursula exchange a nasty little smile. Her spirits sank, and nervousness bubbled up in her stomach; however, as soon as she arrived on the pitch, everything else was driven out of her mind, and only one thing mattered: Quidditch.
The weather was dry, in contrast with the previous days, but the cold was bitter and clouds were hiding the sun. She waited on the benches with Sophia and Ursula. The Beaters were called to try out first. Isla wished Duilius good luck. About ten students had come to try out, and after an hour or so, Duilius was chosen, to Isla's delight.
"Well done, cousin, I am very happy for you", she said to him as she was getting onto the pitch.
"Thank you! And the best of luck to you", he said, with a genuine smile spreading over his face.
Isla was encouraged by Duilius' warmness, and, as she moved towards the Captain and the rest of the team, she regained confidence in her skill and effort.
"Good luck, Miss Black", said Gamp as she approached. "Though I doubt you will need it."
"Thank you", she replied perplexed, bowing slightly.
The instructions Greengrass gave to the five potential Seekers were simple: all would try to locate and catch the Snitch. The first one to do so, would be selected for the team. The contestants mounted their brooms, and kicked off the ground.
Isla felt the acceleration of her broom as she was gaining more speed, and the wind against her face made Phineas and Ursula's contempt seem utterly unimportant. She concentrated on the task at hand. She examined her antagonists: Alexander Rosier seemed extremely relaxed and awfully sure of himself, Caracactus Burke was looking sideways in his direction, Frederick Fawley looked very anxious and Sean Blishwick was already sweating. Isla's attention was then fixed to Greengrass, who was about to release the Snitch. And the Snitch was out.
Isla began circling the pitch in order to get a glimpse of the small golden ball. She kept an eye on the other players as well, in case one of them noticed it before she did. She continued swooshing around at great speed for a long time, when she saw a glimmering light near the furthest set of goal baskets. Burke was watching her closely; he was nearer the Snitch than she was. She spun around, and began accelerating in the opposite direction. Burke instantly followed, and, before long, all five were zooming towards the other end of the pitch. Isla, having almost reached the scoring area, dived suddenly, and pulled out turning in the direction of the Snitch. It was gone. Wind blew in her ears as she increased speed, and searched frantically. She soon spotted it, just over the stands. This time she went directly for it, without caring if anyone followed. Her palms grasped her broom tighter and they began to sweat, as adrenaline rushed through her body. She detached her right hand from the broom, and caught the Snitch, just as another extended arm appeared on her right.
She could hardly believe it, but there it was, the Snitch, fluttering inside her sweaty palm. She landed in front of the rest of the team, and Greengrass came towards her.
"Congratulations, Miss Black, you are the new Seeker of the team. Well done."
"I thought you needn't worry", said Gamp.
"Well, I hardly believed I would..." said Isla, looking amazed at the Snitch, still clasped in her hand.
"My dear Isla, congratulations!"
Before she knew it, Sophia, Duilius, Ursula and Phineas were all around her congratulating her. Phineas looked pleased with her, and that was the most important praise for Isla.
For the first time in many years, more than she could immediately count, she felt whole, untainted and, dare she say it? Happy, genuinely happy.
Hogwarts, 8 September 1864
Dear Mother,
I write to inform you that I have been selected to play Seeker on the Quidditch team. I hope you and Father are pleased. Cousin Duilius also joined the team as Beater.
Elladora greatly enjoys herself, though with her OWLs next year, she finds classes more difficult in comparison with last year. She will be fine, I trust. She sends her love and promises to write soon.
Phineas is very pleased with his duties as Head Boy, and works hard for his NEWTs. But I expect you learn about him from Father.
I hope you are both in good health.
Your daughter,
Isla
Isla's parents were not displeased, as her getting into the Slytherin Quidditch team could only bring honor to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black; but they weren't proud of her either, for she was a daughter, and she was expected to do as she was told. She had not consulted her parents on trying out for the Quidditch team, and that caused more displeasure than her success had caused pride.
Isla tried to ignore the growing pain in her chest due to her parents' complete indifference in her. She could hardly expect anything else, she kept telling herself. That was how they always treated her, why should their behavior change now? She had hoped, though, that something might change. Obviously, her hopes had been dashed in vain. She swallowed her sadness, and ignored her pain, secretly wondering whether she could go on like this forever.
Generally, Isla was not such a devoted student, but everyone around her seemed to have decided to focus on their studies. She therefore could not afford to be distracted, and managed to concentrate without too much difficulty on her school work. She immersed herself in training, which was proving quite demanding under Greengrass, and the immense amount of homework assignments. Indeed, she had little time to do anything else; the library and the Quidditch pitch were the places she frequented the most. Transfiguration, in specific, was particularly difficult, since the curriculum in sixth year included human transformations. Despite the Outstanding she achieved on her OWL, and some natural inclination towards that subject, it demanded great effort to keep a good level. But Transfiguration was the only subject she genuinely enjoyed, and she gladly did all the extra homework that Professor Williams gave them.
With so much work, time flew by without her realizing, and November was soon upon her, cold and wet. As the first Quidditch match of the season, Slytherin versus Hufflepuff, loomed nearer, the day did not seem to have enough hours. She had Quidditch practice three times a week, and she dedicated most of her energy on that: she had to win her first Quidditch match, especially against Hufflepuff.
On the eve of the match, she was sitting in the library, staring blankly at a Herbology essay on the Venomous Tentacula she was supposed to be correcting. A storm was raging outside, and Isla let out a long sigh as a bolt of lightning struck outside the window. If the weather remained like this, it would be impossible to find the Snitch. She suddenly felt very anxious. What if she failed? What if she didn't catch the Snitch, and prove a disappointment to everyone who had believed in her, and, most importantly, to Phineas? She could not stand his cruel and mocking expression should she fail.
Sophia was writing frantically an essay on Arithmancy, and Ursula was buried in a huge tome entitled "Palmistry". Ursula was having trouble with her classes, because she had taken on more subjects than she could handle. It was true, Sophia had also taken quite a few subjects, but she could discipline herself to work hard, and, being the best student in their year, was thriving under the pressure of the NEWT-level classes. Indeed, Isla was amazed at how well she was doing, and was very proud of her friend, a feeling she kept to herself. Being a Slytherin, everyone, and especially Phineas, expected her to antagonize Sophia, and work harder in order to surpass her. But she resented her in no way, and would never dream of trying to overcome her. Ursula, on the other hand, threw Sophia the most envious looks, as she was writing effortlessly an essay on the most difficult subject Hogwarts offered.
"I hope you feel prepared for tomorrow's game, cousin" came Duilius' voice from behind Isla. He sat next to her.
"I am afraid this wretched weather will hold", he continued looking out of the window.
"Well, it cannot be helped. We will do our best whatever the weather is. Besides, these are the conditions we have been training in. We should be fine", said Isla.
"Of course you will", said Sophia. "Mr Greengrass has had you train very hard over the last two months."
"True. But, unfortunately, the same goes for Hufflepuff", said Duilius.
Isla felt once more anxiety rise in her. She excused herself, and went to the dormitory to sleep. At first, she could not rest, and was constantly rolling in the sheets, but after half an hour or so, she succumbed to tiredness, and fell asleep.
Once again, she was running barefooted on a beautiful meadow, with the sun shining bright in the sky. The beloved boy was laughing in front of her, and, as he realized that she was gaining on him, he squeaked in surprise, and jumped into the stream that ran across one side of the meadow.
"Sirius, NO!", Isla screamed.
She threw her eyes open. She was lying in her four-poster, her sheets twisted about her, and her night gown damp with sweat. She realized immediately she had actually screamed, and was relieved that neither Ursula nor Sophia had awoken. She laid back, and tried to calm herself. She drifted once more to an uneasy sleep.
Isla could hardly feel her stomach as she stepped out of the changing rooms onto the Quidditch pitch. The storm was still raging, and, before they could reach the centre of the pitch, they were soaked. The captains shook hands, Mr Castle, the referee, blew his whistle, and all fourteen players rose from the ground.
The rain was heavy, and Isla could hardly see through it. She took out her wand, pointed it to her face and muttered "Impervius". That did the trick: the water was now repelled from her face. She began circling the pitch at a great height, hoping to get a glimpse of the Snitch, but in vain. She moved lower, but still, she saw no sign of the small golden ball. The wind was roaring, and she could just manage to keep her broom on course. A bludger with great speed came her way, and, as she was preparing to dive, Icarus Slughorn, the other Slytherin Beater, sent it towards a Hufflepuff Chaser. At the same time, Gamp scored a goal. Isla looked at the score. It was 50-40 for Slytherin. Hufflepuff were playing hard. She accelerated, and strained her eyes for the Snitch. And then she caught sight of the Hufflepuff Seeker.
He was flying upwards with great speed, and, as Isla followed his direction, she saw the Snitch. It was now moving again, towards her. She accelerated, as the Hufflepuff Seeker was gaining great speed and was moving towards her. She increased her speed. The rain and the wind had made her body numb with cold, but she scarcely noticed. She was almost there, but the other Seeker was nearer. She gave a final push on her broom, freed her hand from the broom, and reached for the Snitch. The two Seekers were bound to collide, when Isla's hand closed over the Snitch, and, with her other hand, pulled to a dive in order to avoid the other player. She landed, and only then did she fully appreciate the frantic fluttering she felt on her cold, wet hand. She had caught the Snitch. She let out a great sigh of relief that no one heard over the roaring of the wind, as the rest of the team landed around her. Julia Lestrange went so far as to hug her, but the others were content with shaking her hand. Duilius was the warmest in his congratulations, and Gamp seemed pretty happy with her too. Greengrass, having won his first game as Captain, was beside himself with joy, but gave little credit to anyone else other than himself.
As soon as all the team had changed into dry robes, they returned to the common room, where festivities were taking place to celebrate the victory. Isla sat in her favourite corner with a glass of butterbeer in her hand, as she heard Phineas say:
"Yes, Isla has a great talent in flying. Ah, yes, we Blacks are natural flyers. Indeed, for years I have tried to convince her to join the team, but she would not listen! Oh no, I have no ambition in Quidditch, schoolwork and my duties as Head Boy have completely engrossed me, though I enjoy flying prodigiously."
She could not justify it, but she felt very annoyed at Phineas' words. Hadn't this whole effort been to prove to Phineas and her parents that she was good at something, and that she deserved their attention? Her own brother was trying to take credit for her hard work, for her skill. She immediately realized her folly. It was of little consequence that she was actually a good flyer. All that mattered was that now Phineas had more proof that being a Black made you almost royal. They were intelligent, good-looking, succesful, rich, and, as Isla had kindly proven, good Quidditch players. Inexplicably, she felt disgusted.
"Well, congratulations, Isla" came Ursula's voice, cold and sneering, mercifully snapping her rebellious train of thought.
"Thank you, Ursula, you are very kind. I hope you no longer doubt my flying abilities."
"Not in the least", she said with a fire dancing in her eyes. She had never been praised as Isla was being praised that day, and she could hardly stand it.
Sophia came and sat next to her. Her eyes were on Duilius, who was laughing whole-heartedly with a couple of friends.
"Shall I ask him to join us next week?", inquired Isla half-glancing at her.
"Do you think he will come?" Sophia blushed a deep crimson. "Invite who? Where?"
"Duilius, of course, on the first Hogsmeade visit!"
"Well... Him being your cousin, it would hardly be inappropriate, would it?"
"Of course not."
Isla smiled; at least she could depend on Sophia and Duilius to make her feel human once in a while.