"All right", Alexander addressed us with a fervor that was inaccessible to the grand majority of humankind at five o'clock in the morning, "First match of the year, of every year- Gryffindor versus Slytherin. In two weeks. We've got to win this one-"
"You say that about every one", Hayden muttered gloomily. Oh Hayden. I called him Eeyore in my mind.
"How's the Slytherin line-up this year?" Benjamin asked quickly, preventing another Alexander-Hayden five a.m. love fest, "Didn't they have three seventh-years last year?"
"Yeah, Flint, Mulciber, and Drayden all left" Harper replied, "Zambini's Captain and he's a Keeper. Zena and Yaxley are Beaters and the Chasers this year are Avery, Carrow, and Vesper. I don't know who the Seeker is though."
Thank goodness Mulciber's gone.
"It's Black" Sirius murmured stiffly.
Wait- Black- as in Regulus Black?
The awkward silence confirmed that it was Regulus.
Alexander nodded, trying to diffuse the sudden tension as he said, "Zambini's quite good, Vesper's decent, Zena comes from a long line of famous Quidditch players, and if Sirius is any indication about how the Black family plays- well, Regulus ought to be good. Other than that, though… I mean, we'll destroy them no matter how good they are."
"Can't wait" James grinned and slapped Sirius heartily on the back.
"All right, everybody, grab your brooms and get into position!"
On Monday, I woke up more refreshed than on Friday, but still tired as homework had taken the better part of last night. Neither Dorcas nor Lily had missed the opportunity to say, "I told you so!" as they left for bed around midnight. I didn't join them in sleep until four in the morning. Still, classes were survivable, especially because we had double Charms with the Ravenclaws, which was one of my favorite classes, and always passed quickly.
Then came History of Magic. When I felt myself falling asleep yet again on the warm sunlit couch, I made sure to lean my head on the couch instead of on Audrey. He said nothing and simply ignored me. But to my surprise, when Binns asked for the essay assigned Friday, Audrey turned one in. I glanced at him, remembering his words about how he didn't need to do every assignment to get the grades. He also turned his head slightly and our eyes met. He quickly looked away, but as I left, he held the door open for me and waited for me to pass through before proceeding himself. And for the first time a long while, I realized that gratitude wasn't completely absent in the Slytherin House.
And finally, the last class of the day, Potions.
"Now, today we shall brew the Draught of Peace. I will partner you up randomly and you and your partner will have this one hour to brew it. Tricky little potion it is, but if brewed correctly, it will alleviate symptoms of anxiety and agitation. Right then, Ms. Faith and Ms. Baker, if you will."
Alice timidly smiled at Amanda from Slytherin who sighed and flipped her long mane of blonde hair down her back.
"Ms. McKinnon and Mr. Avery." Marlene audibly groaned, causing the Gryffindor side to laugh.
"Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Carrow." Peter gulped.
"Ms. Evans and Ms. Carrow." Lily tried to keep a respectfully straight face as she moved over to Amycus' side.
"Mr. Lupin and Mr. Rookwood."
"Mr. Black and Mr. Rosier." Sirius' jaw was clenched as he moved besides Evan.
"Ms. Meadowes and Mr. Nott." I glared across at Theodore, not wanting this bastard to be anywhere near my friend. He caught my glare and smirked.
"Mr. Smith and Mr. Travers."
"Ms. Kingsley and Mr. Snape." I blinked. Snape? I searched the classroom until I saw him at the very back. He hadn't even looked up at the mention of his name. He was too busy scribbling away in some sort-of book.
"Mr. Zena and Mr. Yaxley."
"Proceed!"
As Snape made no sign that I even existed, I took it upon myself to go sit beside him. As I neared him, I realized he was scribbling away furiously in his textbook.
Strange place to write so intensely…
I caught the words 'Sectumsempra' and 'Knights of Walpurgis" at the corner of the book before he realized I was watching and shut the book quickly.
"We're partners" I said impassively.
"Go get the materials, then", he said equally as impassively, matching my carefully disinterested stare with a sneer.
Rather than begin with an argument, I did as he said and by the time I returned, he had the cauldron all set up.
Without speaking, we assigned ourselves roles as partners. I prepared the materials and handed them to him and was also in charge of controlling the temperature of the fire while he added the ingredients and stirred.
To my surprise, there were many times when he did not follow instructions but did some things I'd never seen before. I meant to protest, but blinked in surprise when the potion turned orange, just as directed. So when he told me to allow the potion to simmer cooler than the instructions directed, I did as he said.
"Are you so afraid of me as to just listen to everything I say without question?" Snape sneered, rather peevishly as we waited for the potion to turn pink.
"No", I said defensively, "you just seem to know what you're doing, even if it's not what the textbook says." I shrugged, "Besides, I happen to know you're good at Potions."
"What?" he blinked, his unpleasant tone tinged by slight surprise and caution, "How do you know that?"
I lowered the temperature a bit more before replying, "Lily told me that you're amazing at Potions and that you taught her everything she knows."
"Evans said that?" Snape said and now his voice held no trace of sneer but rather awe and something very much like… gratitude.
"Yes", I said and lowered my voice before adding, "And you're allowed to call her Lily, you know."
Suddenly, Snape was on the defensive. His eyes became colder than ice, like iron gates pushing me out. His voice was dangerously low as he asked me, "How much do you know about me?"
And Lily was the obviously unspoken ending there.
"Nothing. Just that you two have been friends before Hogwarts", I said, indicating that the potion was ready for the next step. Snape held out his hand and I gave him the porcupine quills.
Snape seemed to be struggling between happiness and the verge of panic.
"Nobody knows", I said quietly, "And I mean it when I say I don't know… I just, she just said that…" My voice trailed off. I was confused. I had never seen Snape lose his calm. In front of me was a Severus Snape I did not know, a Severus Snape I could not respond to through coldness. So who do I talk to this strange Snape?
"Please don't be mad at her", my words came out a whisper, but that was perhaps what had been needed. Snape regained his normal composure and staring at the potion instead of at me, he nodded curtly before holding out his hand for the moonstone powder.
Although neither of us spoke again, I couldn't help thinking of his question myself. How much do you know about me? And Lily? Doesn't that imply there is something to be known? I glanced over at Lily who had finished her potion already and was proudly beaming besides Amycus who was simply scowling at her openly.
I had to agree though, sometimes it was difficult to handle being besides Lily's brilliance and princess-like brightness. It made you feel so plain and dull. I had to hide a smile. I felt Snape's eyes on me briefly but when I looked up at him, he was just capping the phial with our potion in it.
Slughorn came by to collect the phial and upon seeing the final result, praised us both and awarded both Houses ten points.
It was my first official match on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and I was feeling, well, to put it mildly, anxious as hell.
I wasn't sure what I was eating- Alice and Lily were simply handing me things and I was chewing three times and swallowing.
I barely registered the morning post until an owl dropped a letter right into my cup of pumpkin juice.
Dorcas quickly pulled it out and performed a quick Drying Charm on it before handing it back to me.
I opened it, confused. I rarely ever got post except every other Sunday, when my parents would write to me.
Ray,
I was sent a letter by Alexander Wood that the youngest sibling of the Kingsley Family had finally been made an official Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Congratulations! Though I can't say I'm surprised, I always expected it.
Ray, I don't know if this letter will make it to you by the first match, as I'm rather far from you, we're playing Bulgaria tomorrow night, but I wanted to tell you that you're amazing and you had better know it. So you go out there with stout confidence and show everyone what you're made of. I love you and I wish I could be there for you. Our family and the whole Luxembourg team is rooting for you! Don't be afraid of results- I already know how brilliant you are, your results are bound to come to you.
Your brother,
Jamie
"Team!" Alexander called suddenly, standing up, "Time to change and get to the pitch."
"Good luck, we'll be there rooting for you" Lily promised me kindly, offering me her best smile.
"Don't worry, you'll be brilliant" Marlene said in a rare show of optimism.
Dorcas childishly patted me on my bottom and Alice reached for my hand and squeezed it, telling me she would be there for me, win or lose.
"Thanks, guys" I said earnestly and with the letter in my hand, I joined the others as we headed down to the locker room.
Roaring, pounding, clapping, stomping… and a blinding bright ray of sunshine as well as intense feelings of anxiety and excitement- these were my first taste of the Quidditch Pitch.
"Captains, shake hands... On your mark, ready, set…GO!"
I pushed off, the adrenaline running through my veins… everything seemed so much sharper because of the bright sunlight and because of my nervousness…
On the opposite sight of the field, I saw Regulus swerving around, searching for the Snitch.
Alexander had just deflected a Slytherin goal with his left leg and he passed it to James, who delicately avoided a Bludger and two Slytherin Chasers before handing it off behind him to Harper.
A minute had already ticked by… "Come on" I muttered to myself, "Let's put an end to this."
I pushed myself up higher into the sky, trying to get a better perspective.
A few moments later, Gryffindor scored, courtesy of Sirius Black.
Regulus began to elevate as well, following me up into the sky.
I ignored him, afraid to look at him and see that angry, haughty expression of his instead of his kinder, open, honest one.
There was a long rally where both Keepers made excellent saves but then Gryffindor scored again, this time courtesy of James Potter. Abruptly, a sudden flash of gold passed my face by mere millimeters.
Without a second thought, I raced after it, and sure enough, I spotted it flying higher into the sky- the Snitch.
Regulus chased after me, as I pursued the Snitch down into the middle of the Quidditch game.
I barely avoided the Bludger, the Slytherin Keeper, the two goal posts, and all six Chasers in an intense battle with the Quaffle, staying right on the Snitch's tail.
I was right on it and I stretched my hand out… nearly- I could feel the metal with the tips of my fingers…
SLAM!
I felt myself literally flung off my broomstick- but a hand caught mine as I started to fall.
"FOUL!"
"YOU DIRTY LITTLE-!"
"PENALTY! PENALTY SHOT TO GRYFFINDOR!"
But I was only looking up, up into a pair of wide, confused silver eyes belonging to Regulus Black.
He had saved me, clutching onto my hand as I dangled in mid-air.
But he didn't seem sure if he had truly meant to save me. All the Slytherins were boo-ing him, but I stared directly into his eyes, trying to thank him, and trying to tell him I would have done the same for him.
Because I would.
Madam Helens brought me my broom and Benjamin and Hayden hoisted me onto it.
"Begin!" Madam Helens shouted.
Harper made the penalty shot and the game resumed.
More motivated than ever, it was only a couple minutes later when I spotted the Snitch again- right next to Zambini's foot.
I dove for it but nearly crashed into Regulus who'd swerved right in front of me, cutting me off.
I maneuvered the broom sideways, coming even with him in seconds.
The crowd was yelling, screaming…
Regulus and I reached out our hands at the same time- Suddenly, I heard Audrey shout angrily, "Carrow, don't!"
"That was just so wrong."
"Wrong?! That was more than wrong, Lily, it was an absolute dick move! Merlin, if I could just get my hands on him!"
"Violent tendencies, eh, McKinnon?"
"Shut up, Black."
"Is she all right?"
"She hasn't woken up yet, Alexander."
"Oh! Did she just blink? I swear I saw her eyes move-"
"Shush! I think she's coming around!"
I blinked once…twice-
Suppressing a squeal, I ducked my head under the covers.
I felt terrible- one could only imagine how terrible I looked and yet, the entire Quidditch team, including some of the best-looking boys in the school- were staring at me.
There was silence for a moment and I heard James ask, "Is she being shy…? I never saw her being shy before."
"Well" I heard Hayden reply uncomfortably, "I suppose she still is a girl…"
"How are you feeling, Ray?" Dorcas asked me impatiently, curtly cutting across the boys' conversation.
"Fine" I murmured, peeking out from under the covers with just my eyes. I was lying out of my ass because I was actually sore all over… What happened to me?
"How-" I cleared my throat, "How did the match go?"
"Um… there's going to be a rematch" Harper informed me, "On account of Carrow hexing you just before you got to the Snitch. He blasted you off your broom and you fell into the stands- hard."
"That great big prat!" Marlene interjected.
"He's been suspended from play for half the season though" Benjamin was quick to add.
"I'm guessing I fell into the Slytherin stands?" I mumbled, wincing as pain shot up my left side.
"Yeah, they- er… they were a little too enthusiastic about 'helping' you up, which mostly consisted of trampling you…" Sirius told me honestly.
"Actually, you landed right on top of Severus and he was trying really hard to keep you from getting hurt" Lily said to me.
I saw Sirius and Marlene exchange annoyed glances and James was studying Lily with a worried expression on his face.
"Probably just didn't want to get in trouble, with Dumbledore right there and all" James replied.
I nodded, "Well, I'm sorry about that…"
"Why are you sorry? You pretty much did catch the Snitch- twice. The Slytherins were playing the foulest tricks! Resorting to cursing you! That game was ours! Dirty gits!" Alexander was nearly shouting in frustration.
"Yeah, well, when have they been anything but?" Sirius said bitterly.
"WHY DID NONE OF YOU TELL ME SHE WAS AWAKE? IRRESPONSIBLE FOOLS!" Madam Pomfrey came running over, "OUT! This girl needs her rest, OUT!"
They were all chased out soon enough, but as Madam Pomfrey gave me a Healing Draught, I couldn't help but think of Sirius' words… When have they been anything but?
Well, Audrey Zena had tried to stop Carrow and according to Lily, Snape had tried to protect me… Though of course why any of them behaved the way they did was beyond my ability to reason. And Regulus… Regulus had saved me. Though every time he had, I wasn't sure if it was accident or not… Though I knew I'd never be brave enough to force the words from my mouth, I'd always wanted to ask him if he'd meant to save me… even though I was a… Mudblood.
I was released from the hospital wing the next evening after curfew with written permission from Madam Pomfrey (or Poppy, as I'd now come to call her).
I expected to run into nobody but a couple ghosts and if I was extremely unlucky, Filch or Mrs. Norris, but as it were, Hogwarts was far busier in the dead of the night than in the daytime when all the children were dozing in classes.
"You saved her, we all saw it" a voice said angrily, "Hell, the whole school saw it- what's she to you?"
"She's nothing to me. It's just that she's a Seeker, like me."
My stomach plummeted. They're talking about me… So that must be… Regulus and… I listened hard, trying to identify the other voices.
"So just because she's a Seeker, you'll pick the Mudblood over your loyalty to the House? I don't remember you being so protective when we hexed Hufflepuff's Seeker last year."
"Last year I wasn't a Seeker. She wasn't my prey."
"Listen, you fool! Because of you, we have to rematch! Because of you, Carrow can't play anymore."
I peeked around the corner to see Regulus surrounded by Zambini, Vesper, Zena, Avery, Yaxley, and Carrow- the Slytherin Quidditch team.
"It's not my fault Carrow's a fool" Regulus replied calmly, albeit his voice was a little stiff.
"You insolent little brat!" Carrow snarled, "It was your fault! Just because you're from some high-up pureblood family doesn't mean we're going to just lick your feet. Pureblood families make mistakes too. Obviously, your brother-"
A hard slam echoed as Regulus grabbed Carrow by the collar and threw him against the wall with surprising strength.
"I could have caught that Snitch all on my own, you bloody fool. I would have too, if you hadn't interfered." Regulus growled in a low voice.
"Oh that's right, you're a Carrow" Regulus sneered on, "You're just like your father, at the wrong place at the wrong time. Who's the one that blew Death Eaters' cover at the Ministry a few years back?"
Carrow was being throttled, but he choked out, "Fuc-Fucking j-jackass."
"Enough!" Zena shouted and shoved them apart, "Its one Quidditch game. We'll get them back and that's it-"
Suddenly, Avery turned around. I wrenched myself back into the shadows, heart thundering.
What if they saw me? There's no way out of this. I'm… pretty fucked.
"Who's that?" Avery said menacingly, "Show yourself before we curse you!"
I tried to stay calm, stay calm… Should I strike?
Suddenly, someone stepped out of the shadows besides me. I barely stifled a gasp.
"It's me" Snape replied, not bothering to glance my way.
"What are you doing out here?" Vesper asked, his eyes narrowing, "I don't believe you play Quidditch."
"I just wanted to warn you that Filch is on his way here" Snape sneered, "But if that information is unwelcome, then by all means, continue and get caught, like you deserve."
There was silence as they processed this information.
"Let's all go back" Zambini finally said, "Severus is right. This is foolish."
He stepped out of the corridor and I pushed myself as far into the corner as I could, praying he would not turn around. He didn't, and neither did the rest of them as they all sneaked out, back towards their common room.
Snape was last to leave and as he did, he looked back at me with unfathomable eyes.
"Thank you" I mouthed. I risked stepping out for a moment to hand him my note from Madam Pomfrey, so that in case he did get caught, he would at least have an excuse.
He looked down at it in surprise before giving me a curt nod and going on his way.
My heart racing, I counted slowly to thirty seconds before stepping out of the shadows and making my way back to the Gryffindor common room.