Here is the first of two chapter updates today. Hope you enjoy.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much
-Helen Keller
3th March 1989
"Alright! Is everyone ready?" Tonks asked the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.
The whole team, Annie included, where sitting in the Hufflepuff changing rooms, waiting for the game to begin. Tonks stood in front of the team, dressed in her canary yellow Quidditch robes. Annie was sitting next to Michael McMillian and Daisy Melbourne, the other two chasers. Daisy was in sixth year, while Michael was in fifth, like Annie and Tonks. The two beaters, Simon Bennet and Alastair Smith, sat on the other side of Michael while the keeper, Jack Cauldwell, sat next to Daisy. Simon and Alastair were both in forth year and Jack was in seventh year.
A chorus of 'Yes's' went around the room and Tonks smiled.
"Okay! So, we're playing Gryffindor today and if we want to win the House Cup, we have to bet them today. We only just won against Ravenclaw and we have to be in a good position for when we play Slytherin. Annie, make sure you catch the snitch when we're at least 50 points up."
Annie nodded and Tonks continued.
"Right then. No one end up in the hospital or I'll kill them!" She threatened and everyone burst out laughing. "What?" She asked.
"Tonks, we all know that if anyone will end up in the hospital wing, it'll be you!" Annie explained. Tonks blushed.
"Oh alright then. But seriously, play carefully!"
They all followed Tonks out of the changing room and on to the Quidditch pitch. Annie was right behind her, carrying her broomstick, a Comet 260. Her father had bought it for her when she was made prefect, replacing her old Cleansweep Five. Madam Hooch was refereeing the game. Annie shuddered at the memory of Professor Snape refereeing the Hufflepuff vs Slytherin match the previous year. Needless to say, they did not win. The Hufflepuff team took their positions on the field, while the Gryffindors did the same.
"Captains, shake hands!" Madam Hooch said. Tonks walked forward, as did Charlie Weasley. Tonks kept her face expressionless while Charlie smirked. For a second, his eyes flickered towards Annie, who kept her head forward and ignored him.
"Mount your brooms, please!"
Annie gripped the handle and scrambled on to her broom. The whistle rang shrilly, and Annie kicked off the ground, along with all the other players.
"And the Quaffle is taken by Nymphadora Tonks, who passes it to Daisy Melbourne." The commentator, Elsa Wilson – a Seventh year Ravenclaw – announced. "Followed by a neat pass to McMillian. McMillian takes his aim, and Gryffindor Keeper, Oliver Wood –misses – That's 10 points to Hufflepuff!"
The cheers of the Hufflepuff crowds filled the stadium. Annie hovered around, keeping an eye out for the snitch, and Charlie Weasley, who was keeping close to her. Hufflepuff scored another four goals while Gryffindor scored three. 50 to 30. Annie knew she would have to find the snitch now, before Gryffindor over took them. Annie looked frantically round the pitch, searching for the small gold ball. Then…There! There it was, hovering near to one of the spectator stands. She looked around and saw that Charlie hadn't seen it yet. It was now or never, she had to get it before he did.
Not wasting a second, Annie leaned forward and shot off towards the golden glimmer in the distance. She was certain that Charlie had seen it now, or that he was following her. Come on, she thought. You can do this! She was nearly there. Annie could hear the cheers of the crowd, willing her to catch the snitch. Just a few more meters, she thought. They were very high up. It's a good thing I'm not scared of height, Annie said in her head.
Just as her hand clasped the golden snitch, she felt something (or someone), crash into her. Hand still clamped round the snitch, she fell from her broom. She was falling. And screaming. Annie saw the grass coming towards her so she closed her eyes and everything went black.
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