Chapter 4 - Dreams
Merula walked down the cobblestone path as it rained around her. She was nervous and her heart was beating.
She had finally received an owl from the Quidditch team, inviting her to come join one of their practices to test her skills.
As she approached the training grounds, she saw the Slytherin team huddled up together.
"Ah, you must be Merula"
Said a tall student with an armband on turning around as she approached them. He must be the captain.
"That's me"
She said reaching them.
"This is the new potential seeker? Don't make me laugh, I bet she can barely take off!"
Said a large dark-skinned student from next to the captain.
He had a buzz cut and muscles that bulged through his robe.
She threw him a dirty look.
"Shut up Jamal, give the girl a chance"
Replied the captain, who smiled at her.
"Follow me"
Merula walked over to his side, aware of Jamal studying her as she passed, she returned the disgusted look. The pair walked toward the centre of the field. He was carrying small box under his arm.
"Hooch says you are a very good flyer. Confident, skilled and willing to take chances. Those are all essential skills for a seeker."
Merula listened and nodded her head as he stopped to look at her.
"Not very talkative, eh? First-time nerves? Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine. I assume you know how Quidditch is played?"
Merula nodded again, remembering the countless nights she had dreamt of herself being the world's best Quidditch player.
"Good, that will save me time explaining this"
He said as he opened the box. Suddenly, a little golden nut with wings shot out of it and flew into the distance. She could barely make it out anymore.
"Well then? What are you waiting for? Come on!"
The captain laughed.
Merula suddenly realized that her test had already begun. She jumped on her broom and before it touched the flood she was in the air, as fast as she could push the broom.
She flew towards where she had last seen it and slowed down, looking around. It was hard to see in the rain, but in the corner of her eye, she saw something shimmer.
An instant later she was off in its direction, drawing closer.
There it was, hovering a few feet away. She moved in to grab it, but in an instant, it dashed away from her.
Frustration started to boil inside of her and she switched to her angry side.
She shot off toward it in pursuit, following it closely as it sored through the sky.
It was right in front of her. She reached out, inching little by little, flying faster and faster.
A few more inches, a little more. Her hand reached out and finally, with a final push, she managed to grab it.
She leant back in triumph and at that moment realized she had been flying straight up, above the clouds.
Not only that, but she was looking up at the sky. As she leant back, she lost her grip and flung her broom away by accident.
Her heart skipped a beat as suddenly she started to fall, the air rushing by as she desperately scrambled for anything to hold onto.
"Help! Ah!"
She screamed as she fell, kicking and flailing in the hopes that one of the team members would hear or see her.
She traversed the clouds, soaking her and plummeted out of the other side. She could see the grounds below her. The team was nowhere to be seen.
This was it, there was no way out.
She began to cry. Not from sadness, but frustration. There was so much more she wanted to do, so much she wanted to accomplish. She was going to show anon the extent of Merula Snyde, but now she was going to die.
She closed her eyes as the ground drew dangerously closer, waiting for the moment to arrive.
Suddenly, something slammed into her, grabbing her from behind and the earth tilted downwards from view.
She looked behind her to realize someone had caught her as she fell from above and angled the broom just in time to miss the ground.
But their speed was too much and they still crashed into the ground, albeit, with a lot less force than she would have originally.
After rolling aggressively for a few yards, she came to a stop.
She let out a long exhausted breath and tried to control her breathing as she heard the Slytherin team run towards them in the distance.
But before she could sit up, a hooded figure was beside her, crouched down.
"Are you ok?"
Came a male's voice from inside. She peered under the hood to see a face with freckles observing her with a worried expression.
"I… think so?"
She said softly as he helped her up.
When she was back on her feet she looked carefully at the man.
He had red hair and a serious face, but he was smiling now. A smile that warmed her up inside.
Her emotions suddenly caught up with her like a hammer to her head and she felt the overwhelming need to cry.
There was no doubt in his actions as he embraced her in a hug, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her.
She began to sob, uncontrollably, clenching his chest and burying her face in it, crying as hard as she could.
This wasn't only about the fall, this was all of the stress she had been going through lately.
This man made her feel safe for some reason. She was letting down her guard as she snuggled as hard as she could into his embrace, wanting to hide from reality and disappear into this position for hours.
"Merula! Are you ok!?"
Cane the captain's concerned voice.
"It's ok Ryan"
Said the unknown saviour.
"She's just shaken up, that's all"
"Charlie... you saved her life"
Charlie. That was his name. She felt her emotions swelling back down inside her and she pulled away, rubbing her eyes gently.
"T-Thank you, Charlie…"
She managed to croak, strangely nervous.
He smiled and placed a hand on her arm gently.
"Don't mention it. Are you sure you are ok?"
She peered into his eyes and for a moment felt peace. She let out a breath.
"Yes. I'm ok.
She turned to the Slytherin captain.
"Here, the Snitch"
She said, dumping the little orb in his hand, slightly frustrated they hadn't seen her fall.
"Oh, right, you actually caught it, but Merula, you almost died, on your trial. I'm not quite sure we can take you on"
He said, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Merula's heart sank slightly upon hearing it and she sank her head. She had been through a terrifying situation, but that didn't mean she wanted to give up on her Quidditch dream.
"Just a second there Ryan"
Came Charlie's voice from her side.
"You didn't see her flying. It was amazing. Nothing could stop her. I was out on a few flying rounds when I noticed her soaring up into the sky."
He looked at her.
"I've never seen such dedication. I know this goes against my whole situation, being the Gryffindor captain and all, but give her another chance. This girl is the best seeker you are going to find. If you don't want her, I'll take her!"
He chuckled slightly.
She stared at him, her mouth almost hanging open in awe. In a matter of minutes, he had saved her life and possibly one of her dreams as well.
He noticed and winked at her.
She blushed and immediately questioned her response. Why was she blushing from being winked at by this, rather attractive, man?
Ryan looked at her for a moment, thinking.
"Ok, I'll talk with the team and we'll reach a conclusion. You'll get an owl soon"
He said to Merula and walked back.
Jamal hanged back for a moment and nodded at her, his face different from before. Whoever Charlie was, his name carried some weight.
"Are you sure you are ok?"
Charlie asked after they had left
"Oh, yes, very sure I'm sure!"
She said awkwardly. Charlie giggled.
"That was quite a fall, I don't think many people have managed to survive something like that!"
"Yea… Thanks again for saving me and all…"
She said, diverting her eyes away from his gaze.
"Merula was it? Why don't you go back to the castle and have a shower?"
Merula sighed. He would probably forget she existed in a few minutes.
"Yea, sure…"
She said and turned around, headed towards the field entrance.
"Would you like to meet up later for a drink in Hogsmeade?"
Merula froze. She turned around just to make sure it was him who had said that.
"Me?"
Charlie chuckled.
"Are you sure you are sure you are sure you are ok?"
She grinned at his answer without even realizing it.
"Yes, that sounds nice"
"It's a date then"
He said, getting onto his broom. He winked at her and shot off into the sky.
The rain had stopped. She watched him disappeared into the distance as a new emotion blossomed inside of her.
After the shower, she sat on her bed, a towel wrapped around her head.
What to wear. She really only had her school clothes. Was that enough for a trip like this?
She thought back to when she had looked into the Hogsmeade windows.
Most of the girls had been wearing nice "going-out" clothes. She remembered Penny's long sundress from last year and how Anon had been drooling over her.
Anon. The thought of him suddenly seemed alien to her. She still felt her undivided love towards him, but it was different this time.
She blinked and looked at the time. She was going to be late if she didn't leave now.
Without thinking about it too much she put on a grey skirt and a sweater with the house logo over her heart and left the girls dorm.
In the common room, Anon was sat with Rowan and Barnaby. Her heart fluttered slightly seeing his face laughing but she did her best to ignore him and walk towards the entrance door.
"Hey Merula"
She winced, took a breath and turned around.
"What do you want?"
She spat, emphasizing the "you" as she turned to face Ymous.
"I heard you were trying out for the Quidditch team."
"So what? I told you I am the best player at Hogwarts. It was only a matter of time before they-"
"Good luck"
What? She was caught off guard. She blinked momentarily. He had wished her good luck. He wasn't smiling, but he didn't seem to have any kind of hatred towards her. It didn't feel like he was mocking her.
"Whatever, just make sure to cheer for me from the stands"
She said in a huff and left the room, her heart racing. What was that about?
Her mind exploded with thoughts as she rushed to Hogsmeade.
Charlie was already there, sat at a table. Thankfully, he had chosen a Gryffindor sweater, so she didn't feel out of place in her one.
She entered and sat down next to him.
"Merula! I was beginning to think you weren't coming!"
He grinned.
"Sorry I was, um, stopped by someone for a moment"
She said dully. Why did her mind seem to fail to think when she was with him?
He smiled.
"Don't sweat it. Butterbeer?"
For a moment she had no idea what he was talking about, but then remembered where she was.
"Oh, yes, please"
She watched as he stood up, smiling as he nodded at her, and walked towards the bar.
She looked around. Everyone was laughing and talking. It was full of people. A fire roared in the chimney against one of the walls.
From somewhere, music was playing. Lively music that made the small pub feel much more welcoming.
She looked towards one of the windows, remembering herself peering through it from outside, covered in snow. Watching everyone have fun. She remembered secretly wishing she could be one of them. One of those people smiling. One of those people with a happy life and people that cared for her.
Why was she here? She had no friends. No one would care for her like they did for others. What was the point? This was stupid, she could be at home wandering the corridors alone, she could-
"Merula?"
She blinked and looked up. Charlie's face was momentarily concerned as he placed a butterbeer in front of her.
"Am I going to have to ask you again if you are ok?"
He grinned.
She suddenly felt like crying again. She fought against the tears, smiled back best she could as she swallowed the tears and picked up the glass.
She had made a friend.