A/N: This starts from the Quidditch tryouts. Hope it's all going okay so far!

Disclaimer: I own specific characters and the plotline, nothing more.

Raven's POV

"Hey, Raven! You ready?"

"Oh yeah, bring it on Zabini!"

"Feisty, I like it." Blaise chuckles as I mount my broom. The competitor, Elizabeth Bulstrode spits in my direction, missing by quite a bit.

"Charming as ever, Lizzy, dear." I simper. She merely growls in response. Blaise stifles another chuckle, then opens a small, varnished box. A golden ball zooms out the moment it's open and practically disappears immediately.

"Right ladies, the Snitch has been released, to win the position of Slytherin Seeker, GO!" He cries as me and Bulstrode kick off, flying up into the air far above the spectators. I know my family is down there, each and every member, Delacours and Scamander twins included. The Zabini's are down there too, waiting for their turn and watching my performance as they wait. Turning my attention to the sky, I spot Bulstrode gliding around aimlessly in search of the golden Snitch. I try a more tactical approach of flying slowly, as to see the sudden movement. It's a rather bright day, sunny, but not enough to blind you. An excellent day for Seekers. I try to tune out the noise of the day, shouting, singing, and birds, everything is a distraction. Bulstrode is shouting and balling at me now, telling me I'm sure to fail. I barely hear the taunts over the sound of me ignoring her. She's so distracted by her new game, she fails to spot the Snitch hovering just below her knee. I shoot towards her and she shrieks in alarm, thinking I am after her. As I approach and she flees, it darts off and Elizabeth spots it. Although I'm in the lead, it's only by an inch and she's speeding up. We both plunge, neck to neck, neither daring to breathe for fear of losing. I notice we have the same broom, so it's based on pure skill. Reaching out together we nearly grasp it. Taking a long gulping breath, I leap clear of my broom, diving out, hand outstretched. Before I can register fear, my adrenaline numbed fingertips close over the struggling Snitch. It's mine! I've caught it!

As I come down, my hand shoots out and snares my hovering broom. Using the momentum of the fall, I swing from it and land safely on the handle before diving it down towards the ground. The cheers and whoops of the small crowd get louder and louder as Elizabeth Bulstrode's shrieks of anger grow fainter. Once low enough, I lean forward and swing my leg over the handle, dropping down and landing lightly on my feet, delighted to feel the turf again being the victor. Swarms of ginger cloud my eyes.

"Bloody brilliant!"

"You were great!"

"Well done, Ray!"

"Congratulations, you're the new Slytherin Seeker." A silky voice whispers in my ear. Whipping around, I see Casius smiling at me. My face lights up and a wide grin spreads across my already beaming face. I wrap my arms around his neck and he spins me around, strong arms firmly around my waist.

"I did it, Cas! I did it!" I squeal into his shoulder as he sets me down. He grins broadly, then releases me. Raising my hand, I toss the Snitch up and catch it. I raise my eyebrow at Blaise, a smile playing on my lips.

"Would you be wanting this back?" I ask him, my tone slightly mocking. Pointing his wand at the golden ball and mutters a quick spell. It turns a luminous shade of emerald green, its wings a glittering silver.

"Keep it Wise-Aker." He smirks. "As a birthday present."

"Ooh, three days early, I'm impressed." Blaise shrugs at my comment and jerks his head towards the changing rooms.

"Now get out of here, show-off, let's give everyone else a chance." He winks cheekily. Sticking my tongue out, to the amusement of a few spectators, I leave the pitch, with the other Weasley-Potters.

Scorpius' POV

So she is into Quidditch. Damn. But I suppose it would be such a waste of potential if she was a major bookworm. Still. I can't help but be a little disappointed that she nailed my dream position with such...style. She swans into the changing rooms like some kind of queen. She misses the Chasing and Beating tryouts. Sarah Pucey and Ellie Parkinson beat some other kids and nabbed the remaining two spots. Vinnie tries for a Beater, but gets hit with two bludgers at once and breaks a leg. The Zabini twins both get places on the team, only by default because Vinnie, the only other competitor, was knocked out. And they're the brother and sister of the Captain so that's obviously a big factor. They seem upset that Belmont didn't show in time. They spend a while looking for the second Bludger before giving up. I am curious about the exchange between her and the older boy.

"Keep it Wise-Aker. As a birthday present."

"Ooh, three days early, I'm impressed."

So it's her birthday in three days? Five days before mine. What should I give her, a bucket of frogs or flobberworms?

"Now, for the Keeping Try-outs." Zabini declares.

Ooh, my turn! I think to myself.

"First up is...Terry Pucey!"

"Whoever that is." I add, to a now conscious Vinnie.

"I think it's that Sarah girl's brother." He informs, I make an acknowledging grunt. Zabini shoots, being the top Chaser. Terry Pucey saves one Quaffle out of five. Pathetic. Smoothing my green Slytherin robes, I prepare for my turn.

"Next is...Petey Goyle!" Vinnie and I share a shocked look.

"Why would he try to out me?" I ask him.

"Kid had to be good at something, I wouldn't think this was it, but let's give the kid a chance." He shrugs. I can't help my eyes narrowing as a green clad Peter kicks off and sits himself in front of the middle hoop. As the Chaser flies up, the second bludger smacks him in the gut.

"Merlin's Beard!" He moans as he falls from his broom.

"ARESTO MOMENTUM!" A Sixth Year spectator yells. I watch curiously as Blaise Zabini's fall slows dramatically, so it appears in slow motion. As soon as he lands, ever so gently, on the ground, people group around him. His brother and sister seem a little too shocked to do much. Blaise is propped up and somebody splashes cold water on his face.

"Who's going to Chase for the Keepers?" Somebody groans. Blaise looks even more worried. A few people laugh, he's just been hit by a Bludger yet the show must still go on. A now grounded Peter smiles at the boy.

"I think I know somebody that can help with that." He grins before dashing off. A low chatter rises, whispering about what happens next. To my relief, Peter comes running back with a substitute. I don't immediately recognise her. She got dressed in a hurry, still dragging an arm through her robes. She looks a little flushed from sprinting, deep concern furrowing her brow. A light spray of freckles dance across her small nose and high cheekbones. Long, slightly frizzy hair sweeps down to her hips, a curly waterfall of deep mahogany.

"Move out the bloody way and let me at him!" She snaps in a voice so familiar it hurts. I imagine her a little paler, hair pulled back in a long, tight braid...

"Who's that?!" Vincent asks appreciatively, eyes roaming over her.

"Belmont." I spit venomously, annoyed at his obvious fancy. His eyes widen.

"No way, she's actually kinda.. ya know..pretty." He remarks, slightly shocked. "When you don't know it's her!" He adds quickly.

"She's still hideous."

"Well, she is now I know it's her!" I roll my eyes at his 'Vinnie' logic, and turn my attention to the fallen boy. We walk over and stand above him.

"Blaise!" Belmont yells, skidding to her knees beside me, leaning over her friend, fearing the worst.

"F-fine." He gurgles, spitting out a mouthful of blood. She shakes her head, a faint smile ghosting her lips. He clutches his side gasping painfully. Unbuttoning his robes, she runs her fingers across the black bruise blossoming on his chest. Prodding slightly, she applies pressure to specific areas, seemingly observing the reactions. Suddenly, her finger sinks into a dip and the boy howls and writhes in agony. Her hand shoots back and a few tears threaten her eyes. Tenderly, she extends long, pale fingers and delicately traces the crevice, exploring more.

"One, two – no - three broken ribs." She whispers softly. The screams grow louder. A small tear escapes her eye, one probably only noticed by me.

"Wand!" She snaps, turning her sadness into anger. Looking up, she sees my wand sticking out of my back pocket. Sitting up, she reaches for it. I dodge her hand.

"Hey!" I yell in protest. She snarls at me. Standing up, she continues to grab for my wand. Stopping, I start to form some kind of insult when she lunges for me I gasp as she brushes my backside plucking the wand from my pocket.

She snickers at my small blush, seemingly pleased that boys could consider such small actions in that way. Dropping to her knees, she points my wand at Zabini's chest.

"Brackium Emendo!" The girl whispers. The Fifth Year screams in anguish, back arching agony as his bones mend. Belmont winces at his pain.

Raven's POV

Sitting up as best he can, Blaise rubs his head.

"Blaise!" I grin happily, throwing my arms around him and snuggling my face into his neck. I feel him yelp slightly as I knock the bruising.

"I'm so sorry!" I gasp, horrified. He chuckles at my concern, than indicates to help him up. Casius and I drag him to his feet and he shuffles over to the stands, sits down and grins broadly.

"Thanks, Ray. I knew you'd help." He smiles genuinely.

"How? I might have left you there." I bluff, hoping my lie is convincing.

"Nar, you like me too much." He winks at me and I feel my heart beat a little faster. I thank Merlin that he can't hear it and that he is unaware of how true it is in a completely different way.

"Now Chase! Go find me a Keeper!" Blaise laughs. Nodding, I run back to the pitch, mount my broom and kick off.

"Come on, Petey!" I yell as I climb higher. Laughing, I close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of the wind through my loose hair. A tap on the shoulder makes me jump. Spinning around, I spot him holding the Quaffle.

"Forgot something, Sis?" He asks playfully. "Trying to escape somebody, perhaps?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Ha ha, I wouldn't tell Casius you have a crush on his big brother, he may not be so friendly." Petey winks, tossing me the red ball. I blush furiously and try to deny it. Badly.

"Don't worry, Ray. Your secret's safe with me." I smile gratefully and he flies towards the hoops. Once in our positions, I hear a whistle sound, indicating the try-outs have begun

Zooming forward, I wait until I'm as close as possible before launching the Quaffle to the left. Petey swings sharply, catching it with his broom handle and knocking it just out the way of the hoops. 1-0 to the Keeper. Swooping low, he grabs it and tosses it back. On catching it, I wait a minute before going in again.

This time I try strategically. Tactics. Feigning right, I fly determinedly towards the far hoop. Taking the trick, he hovers over it protectively, leaving the middle hoop open. 1-1 now, I hope Petey beats that Terry guy, he really was awful. After a couple more shots it's 3-1 to him. One more shot. The small boy is sweating slightly, looking troubled. I'm feeling fine really, a little warm but it's always the same kind of shot with only one opponent. No biggy. Heading for middle, I keep up my poker face, my opponent is wise to me and keeps his eye on all hoops. He swerves to the right as I toss it over in a spare of the moment change of heart. The Keeper swears loudly and reaches for it, missing with his fingertips, I assume he'll clip it with his foot but he doesn't. Miss. Last point to Chaser. He saved three out of five. We both dive down and dismount.

"You're positively vicious!" Petey pants, grinning slightly. "I saved most of those by accident and only as far as the post!"

"I do try. We all done? You got the position?" I ask, blowing a few stray curls out of my eyes.

"Not quite." He replies a little sheepishly. "One more." I raise my eyebrow at everybody's sudden awkwardness. Blaise clears his throat.

"A good score, very hard to beat. Last but...not least." He rolls his eyes comically. "Scorpius Malfoy."

Scorpius' POV

The girl looks furious. Good. She asks Petey something and he looks a little awkward, she adds something else and he shrugs. Scowling, she snaps at him and stalks off in my direction, sporting a loathsome glower. I only smirk in response. Adopting a confident, dominant position, Belmont sneers.

"You win that position and I'll climb the Whomping Willow."

"If you actually get to the top you can copy my Herbology homework for a week." I counter. Raising an eyebrow, she looks suspicious.

"Forgive me if I don't believe a word out of your scummy Malfoy mouth."

"Reach the top of that tree without being injured and we do have a deal." She smirks at the proposition.

"DEAL!" We declare in unison, before kicking off. Wind stinging my cheeks, I howl in delight as the air whizzes around me. My competitor also seems to be enjoying it, smiling as her hair streams out behind her. Taking the necessary positions, we start on the whistle. Smirking at me, she shoots forward, speeding towards me. The sheer speed catches me off guard and when she tosses the Quaffle at the far left hoop, I only just save it. This tactic is repeated with the right. As she retrieves it, she seems to catch it at an odd angle, wincing as she experimentally stretches her right hand. Twisted wrist. Weakened. I can so win this. As my smirk forms, she transfers the large red ball to her left, throwing it up and down to prove she can.

"Don't tell me, you're ambidextrous?" I yell, hardly even a question. She only winks, then comes at me again, opting for centre instead of the outsides. This catches me out. Flailing, I accidentally clip it with my elbow, knocking it into the post. So lucky. 0-3 to me. I can do this. Maybe. The insults fly in between shots, feeding our competitiveness. Fourth shot. Heading for right, I assume she'll change at the last minute and move towards left, but she's so close, she doesn't have time, so I return to right. She rolls to left, I follow her. She returns to right and almost gets it in. I am lucky once more. Fifth shot. In position once more. Heading for middle. I stay firmly in place. Switches to left. I stay. Getting very close. Still left. I move to guard left and she turns to middle, before I can move to the middle, Belmont dives for right. Pulling her arm back, she prepares to shoot as I dash to protect the hoop. This is the goal between me and Pete. I need to get it or we draw. Then it's a random, unreliable choice. A name from a hat. Adrenaline courses through my veins. Preoccupied by my anxiety, I see it all in slow motion. Twisting sharply, the Chaser transforms the throw into an astonishing drop-kick that flies straight through the hoop. Darting down I dismount and search the crowd. Cheering surrounds me. But aimed at who? Who has the position? Pete or me? I was convinced he got four but now I'm unsure. A tap on my shoulder makes me whip around. I see a panting girl, deep red in colour.

"Belmont." I nod in acknowledgement, determined not to compliment her.

"Not half bad, you." She nods in return. "But I thought you'd be more of a Seeker."

"I've no talent for it." I sniff. "And by the looks of you with that Quaffle I don't see why you're not a Chaser. You're good." I try desperately to make my words seem insulting.

"Blaise and Casius begged me to try Chasing and Keeping. They said I could succeed in any position." She says, shrugging it off.

"Chasing and Keeping, yeah. That's just reflexes. But Beating?" I ask, hiding my surprise with a sneer. She shrugs once more.

"I have a strong arm and good eyesight. It's all tactics, but I'll admit it's not my strongest asset."

"Why Seek if you could play anything?" She sighs heavily at this, looking irritated.

"Every Seeker knows that Seeking is a passion. An art. I couldn't play seriously in any other position." The girl explains with a sniff. "Anyway, enough small talk. Meet me tomorrow. After breakfast. Under the Oak ."

"Why?!" I ask angrily, frustrated that something that should be a favour is made to sound like a command.

"Because I, have a tree to climb." She replies, tone mockingly breezy as she strolls off. "An you'd better show up, Keeper!" Belmont adds, dashing off to join the Zabini siblings up ahead. 'Keeper', I like the sound of that.