A/N – So here it is as promised, the next chapter uploaded as soon as I could. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter.
I awoke with a start, clamping my hand hard over my mouth to stop me from screaming out. I couldn't remember the last time I had had a nightmare, especially in Hogwarts where I felt so safe! In the dream I had just awoken from I was alone on the Quidditch pitch when a grey mist started to roll towards me. Within seconds it had covered 50 meters and had engulfed me. It made me feel strange, I couldn't breathe and I had the biggest sense that I was being watched. I started to run; I had no idea which direction I was heading. Suddenly a hand reached through the mist and grabbed me. That's when I woke up.
I was too shaken to go back to sleep so decided to go and get some breakfast. It was 7 o'clock on a Saturday morning, too early for any of my family to be up usually but late enough for the hall not to be deserted. Being as quiet as I could I pulled on some grey trackies, one of James's old Puddlemere hoodies and a pair of uggs. Satisfied that I would be warm enough in the chilly corridors I snuck out of the dorm room and carried on until I was out of the common room. Once out into the dungeons I slowed my pace and wondered along not really caring if I woke up any paintings.
When I reached the top of the stairs that led out into the main foyer I could hear the slight chatter coming from the hall. Suddenly feeling hungry I sped up and walked through the doors into the large open room. It was filled with the early risers; most of them were from Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. There were only a couple spread along the Gryffindor table and none at all situated at my house table. I kept my eyes ahead and ignored the looks I was getting as I walked towards the far end of the table. The Potters and Weasley's were well known for their love of sleep as well as food. They did not expect to see me up this early.
I liked the end of the table because I could easily watch everything else that was happening. There was something about watching other people go about their lives that calmed me and calming down was exactly what I needed now. I was usually fine with nightmares but there was just something about that fog that had freaked me out, it was so much thicker than any mist I had seen before and was a darker shade of grey.
The minutes ticked by as I sat and chewed on toast. People came and went, the tables started to fill as each house awoke. By 9.30 I had crunched my way through 10 slices of toast and was feeling much better. It was about then that Lucy, two grumpy looking boys with jet black hair, and the rest of the Gryffindors in my family looking equally as tired and grumpy appeared in the doorway. I watched as Lucy quickly scanned the room before locking eyes on me. She pointed and started off towards me with everyone else shuffling behind her.
"You guys look a bit tired." I addressed my family trying to stop myself smirking.
"Yeah well if a certain little Slytherin hadn't woken us all up insisting you'd gone missing we would still be sleeping now!" Moaned Fred, sitting down and helping himself to bacon. I looked at Lucy; she gave me a guilty look back.
"I woke up and you weren't there, so obviously thought you would be in the tower with these guys." She explained sitting down between me and Fred and nodding her head towards Albus and James who I sometimes went to see when I couldn't sleep.
"So when you weren't with me or James, she panicked and woke every one of us up. And then she insisted we all accompanied her to look for you when it was pretty obvious you would be here." Albus told me looking slightly amused. I laughed out loud; my family were sometimes so stupid.
"Well as you are all here, you might as well tuck in." I motioned towards the buffet of food that had appeared in front of us. No one had to be asked twice, within seconds Dominique had sat down next to Fred and James, Albus, Rose and Roxanne had done the same opposite us.
Fred soon bought up quidditch in the conversation and mentioned that Gryffindor trials were coming up soon. Everyone instantly forgot they were tired and grumpy and joined in the conversation. Since they had a pretty much identical conversation yesterday I wasn't that interested and instead carried on watching people.
That was when I heard the ripple of whispers descend across the room. I turned my head slightly to see Malfoy strut into the room. As usual most girls stared as he passed but this time I noticed something different. The boys were watching too and it was them who were whispering.
What in Merlin's name has happened? Has the entire male population of Hogwarts turned gay over night?
He got closer to the Slytherin table; the people in our house that usually ignored and dismissed him were watching him intently with smirks on their faces. He reached them and they literally got up and welcomed him with open arms as if he had been their best friend since first year. They laughed and slapped him on the back; I really had no idea what had caused everyone to have such a sudden and obvious change of heart.
It was only when I saw a couple of them glance over at my group whilst speaking did I catch on. Of course, the rumours had already spread. The Slytherins have a new found respect for Mr Malfoy because of how he stood up to my brothers.
That's good, now he might get some friends and stop staring at me constantly. It was getting annoying, I think?
As usual the first 6 weeks of school had flown by and I woke up the next weekend remembering that Slytherin quidditch trials were being held today. I smiled to myself, Lucy and I had made the team since second year, her as a beater and me as the seeker. I was fairly confident this year would not be any different.
"Morning Luce." I called out as I stretched and rolled over to see her sat on her bed fully dressed in quidditch kit twirling her beaters bat around in her hand. She instantly turned at the sound of my voice and smiled. Dropping her bat she jumped up and over onto my bed.
"Right we have one hour until trials, just enough time to get dressed then go down for breakfast. Come on up and at em, I've been waiting for you." she demanded pulling my covers back. I laughed and got out of bed heading straight for my trunk to retrieve my kit.
I was feeling good; I had an excellent week and luckily had a good night's sleep last night. No more nightmares disturbing me. Within 5 minutes I had finished getting ready and was just pulling my hair back into a bun.
"Come on then, I'm ready." I told Lucy. She screamed and skipped towards the door. Man I have a weird family!
The hall was full, everyone was busy eating and chatting. As well as Slytherin trials, Hufflepuff were also recruiting on the other half of the pitch so there was green and yellow everywhere. The largest group of hopefuls were second years. They were so happy they could finally try out that most of them did, even when they were hopelessly bad. I smiled at the younger kids remember how excited Lucy and I had been during our first tryout.
We walked over and sat down at the Gryffindor table with my brothers, Rose and Fred. As usual they were eating, when they saw us and smiled proudly. Everyone in the family was proud of Lucy and I for making the team every year, they didn't care what colour out kit was.
Since Fred and Albus had been the Gryffindor beater and seeker since their second year we thought we might get some advice from them but all got were some muffled 'good lucks' and 'your going to kill it' between mouthfuls. We sat with them a bit longer, I discussed a new spell we were learning in defence with Al and Rose whilst Lucy talked beating tactics with Fred. My stomach was churning with excitement and I could feel Luc literally buzzing next to me.
People cheered as our quidditch captain sixth year Toby Kalt got up and walked towards the door. When he reached it he spun around and saluted the Slytherin table making everyone laugh. Toby was awesome! Even the Gryffindors liked him. Once he had disappeared out the door a stream of younger Slytherins followed. Lucy jumped up and chased after them. I did the same after one last smile at my family.
"Wait up Luc!" I hollered to her as I jumped down the concrete steps and legged it across the grounds. Lucy stopped in her tracks about 200 meters away and stood still waiting for me. I caught up with her out of breath.
"Merlin, why did you need to run so fast?" I puffed, putting my hand on her shoulder and bending over trying to catch my breath. Playing quidditch may be good for your legs and arms but it didn't help your fitness whilst running.
"Sorry Lils. I was trying to catch up with Toby. He's so hot!" She exclaimed setting off at a jog again. "I wouldn't mind sharing a broom with him!" She laughed and winked whilst turning around so she was running backwards facing me. I laughed too. I had to admit, Toby was incredibly good looking and although it pains me to say, the only person hotter than him is Scorpius Malfoy.
Wait stop thinking about that Lily! Malfoy is not hot, he's a Malfoy!
There was about 25 of us all stood in a line in front of Toby as he said his normal introduction speech. With Lucy and me arriving later than the rest we were at the back of the line making it hard to see anything but the necks of people.
"Right, now that's over. I want everyone to split into groups. If you want to be a keeper go and stand in a group on that far left line." Toby explained to us, about 4 people including our normal keeper Bryce Tammet stepped over to where he was pointing.
"Now if you want to be a beater go and stand in a group next to those lot." He spoke again and I gave Lucy and quick hug before she walked over to stand with about 7 other wannabe beaters. She was the only girl and all the boys were laughing slightly like they had no competition. I smirked, watching them would be funny.
The next group to be formed was the chasers; it was the biggest group by far but was also the toughest. Last year our three chasers were the best in the school but two of them graduated so that only left Toby. The two new chasers would have big boots to fill.
There were 3 of us left which meant I had two people to beat for the place of seeker.
"Toby?" A deep voice sounded from my right. "I want to try for the seeker and chaser position. Is that okay?" I swivelled my head to see Scorpius Malfoy stood casually leaning against his broom. He had on tight black long sleeved top and black trousers and was looking very unkempt. I swallowed quickly.
"Yeah mate that's fine. Just try for the chaser first and then I'll watch you fight against Potter here for seeker." Toby replied nicely. "Right guys, let's get this started."
Seekers were last as usual so I had to watch everyone else go first. Lucy completely crushed it, she showed the boys just what a little fourth year girl could do and it sent some of them to the hospital wing. She had obviously made it. Whilst I watched Malfoy stood next me.
"You worried Two?" Malfoy's unique voice sounded once again using that blasted nickname.
"No way Malfoy." I snapped in reply not even looking at him.
The chaser's trials were interesting, Malfoy played great, and he had definitely been playing since he was young. I hoped that he would choose to be a chaser over a seeker because by the looks of his skills I would have some serious competition.
The Seekers first challenge was a simple we had to fly twice around the pitch. First to finish won. I mounted my broom and pushed off so I was hovering about 10 meters off the ground. Toby was doing the same facing me. Scorpius soon joined us too. The last up was my other competition a small third year called Emma Scott. I looked over at the Malfoy. The blonde smirked which caused me to roll my eyes. Emma looked terrified which made me roll them again.
"Lily!" I heard Lucy shout from below. I looked down to see her pointing towards the stand. I followed to where she was pointing and saw a huge group of people with a large enchanted banner that flashed Go Lily, Go Lucy, and Go Hugo over and over again.
I grinned widely, my whole family plus others were there, and they were here to support me and Luc and Hugo who was trying out for Keeper at the other end of the pitch.
Turning back to face Toby I slowed my breathing and bent low ready to speed ahead.
"On your marks, get set, GO!" screamed Toby and we were off. The wind whipped my hair and my eyes instantly started watering. Through the tears I noticed movement to my left, Malfoy was gaining on me. There was no sign of Emma. I stopped looking for her and concentrated on getting faster but every time I sped up so did Malfoy.
By the time I reached the last half of the second lap Malfoy was starting to pull ahead. I tried as much as I could but there was just no catching him! He crossed the finish line and 2 seconds later I did. We both landed and the boys instantly jumped on him congratulating him and slapping him on the back. I was angry very angry no one had ever beaten me in a race, the Weasley temper was building, waiting to be released but I held it in. there was no point getting into a argument and definitely losing my slot on the team, he had won fair and square.
I remount my broom the second task was starting; Emma had pulled out of the race and therefore the competition so it was just me and Scorpius now. This challenge was designed simply to show who the best seeker was. The snitch would be released and the winner would be the one who caught it first, just like in a real game.
Toby flew into the air and launched the immobile snitch far away. We could no longer see it but we knew that it has sprouted its tiny wings and zoomed away.
"Right guys, off you go. See you at the end." Toby told us before winking once and leaving us to fly away and find the snitch.
I flew off and immediately felt the pressure. It wasn't like the pressure I felt during a game it was different, a lot more depended on this. I needed to be seeker!
I could feel all the eyes on me as I scanned the arena for the tiny golden orb. Malfoy wasn't far away doing the same. Glancing at my family in the stands I grinned, that grin then quickly changed into a smirk when I noticed the golden ball hovering over Molly's head. Without a second thought I sped towards them. My family saw me coming and started to cheer causing the snitch to fly away. Swearing loudly I chased after it, gaining more and more every second. We were very high now, higher than the stands and smack bang in the middle of the arena.
I was just about to grab it when it just dropped, plummeting towards the ground. I followed it but was now aware that Malfoy was also closing in. This wasn't good; he weighed much more than me so in a drop he would definitely go faster. I was right, within seconds he was in front of me reaching out for the snitch. They were directly beneath me and we were only about 10 meters from the ground. I only had one choice.
I launched myself off my broom and dropped quickly straight past Malfoy. Flailing around I managed to grab the snitch but seconds later I hit the ground. Hard.
I heard screams and the sound of people running. I actually felt okay, I had landed on my left arm and was pretty sure it was broken but that could be easily fixed so I jumped up. All the blood rushed to my head and I swayed a little, Malfoy reached out and grabbed me as everyone else appeared including my family.
"Whoa there Two. Take it easy" he whispered
"Potter, are you okay? What the hell happened?" Toby asked running a hand through his hair whilst checking me up and down for obvious injuries.
"Couldn't let Malfoy catch it so I jumped." I said simply. Someone laughed. I looked up to see James holding his belly laughing loudly at me.
"I'm sorry but you are just so stupid! No one else would ever throw them self off a broom to win some silly trials!" He chuckled making the rest of my lovely family laugh.
"Yeah, you are one of a kind Lily Luna Potter." Albus joined in stepping closer and pulling me into a gentle hug.
"Right so trials are now over, Ill announce the team now." Toby spoke getting all the attention back on him.
"Keeper; Bryce Tammet. Beaters; Adam West and Lucy Weasley. Chasers; Talia Modest and Scorpius Malfoy. And lastly the seeker will be Lily Potter as long as she promises not to kill herself during the next training session." He finished laughing.
There was lots of cheering and hugs as everyone celebrated their new positions. I winced every time someone touched my arm so Scorpius put his arm around me,
"Come one, I'll take you to the hospital wing." He said loudly.
"Malfoy you take your hands off of her!" I groaned as my brothers cut in as usual using their protective brother voices. "We are her brothers, we will take her." James snapped before picking me up bridal style.
"James what the fuck are you doing!" I shouted struggling in his arms. "I have a broken arm, I'm not dead!" I carried on struggling until he placed me down and let me walk back to the castle. Merlin my arm hurt, but on the bright side I was once again the Slytherin seeker and I beat Malfoy!
That night after a quick trip to the nurse and a full afternoon of being congratulated I collapsed onto a leather sofa in the common room. It was pretty deserted with people off finishing last minute homework and eating and other stuff like that.
I sat staring at the burning fire when there was a tap at the window. I turned my head and smiled when I saw our family owl Wiggy sat outside. I leapt over the back of the sofa and opened the window for him. He fluttered in and dropped an envelope on the coffee table. He then let me pet him for a couple of minutes before flying away in search of the some mice on the grounds.
I settled back down and opened the envelope, I knew immediately from the handwriting that it was from dad.
"My dearest daughter Lily,
Albus wrote to me earlier today telling me some great news. Why did you not write yourself tell us that you had been asked to do sixth year Defence against the Dark arts! I am so proud of you Lily-pad! Your mother is too but I'm sure you will get a letter from her any day now telling you just that. I am also proud of you for making the team again, despite the way you did it. Do you have a death wish baby girl? Promise me you will never pull a stunt like that again, I don't know what I would do if I lost you love.
Please write back soon so I can hear how you are doing, I love you so much and I'll see you soon at Christmas.
Lot of Love, Dad.
I smiled as I read the letter over again.
"Lily-Pad ayy." A voice I could now instantly recognise breathed in my ear.
"Yes Malfoy my nickname is Lily-pad, what do you want?" I snapped.
"Nothing much, I'm just a bit bored so I thought I would read your letter. Your dad sounds Lovely."
"Yes he is, now go away please!" I groaned.
"As you wish Froggy." He said standing up.
"Froggy?" I repeated.
"Yeah, two didn't seem to be catching on so I've made you a new nickname. It's quite clever really because a frog sits on a Lily-pad and that is what your dad calls you!" he told me looking very pleased with himself. I frowned.
"Fine if you get to give me a nickname, I'm going to give you one. Hmm let's see, "Scorpius...Scorp...Scor...Cory...Corp...Pius...Pye...Pie! PIE! My favourite pie is...blueberry! I'm going to call you Blue!" I told him just as happy with my new name for him.
"Fine, I like that colour. Goodnight Froggy." He smirked and waved before turning round and walking through the door to the boys dorms. I smiled back and went to wave before I realized what I was doing.
What am I doing! Was I just flfirting with Malfoy? Oh Merlin what have I got myself into!
So what did you think? Let me know!