OFF TO THE MATCH

Her stomach felt like a bubbling pot of nerves.

Ginny said as they stood in the living room "Dad will join us at the stadium, he's still finishing up work at the office"

Violet had never seen Mr. Potter but knew of his fame and his feats also that he was the Head of the Auror department, like a wizard policeman.

Ginny said "Lily will apparate with me and one of you will take Violet"

She looked at the boys waiting for them to decide.

Violet asked a little confused "Wait, sorry, but what does apparition entail?"

Ginny answered patiently "Disappearing from on spot and reappearing in another, you might feel queasy and it isn't very pleasant I assure you but it's very quick. Dangerous too if done wrong, you can splinch yourself"

Violet asked "Splinch?"

Lily answered this time "A part of you can get left behind, like a nail, an arm"

Violet went pale and looked a little frightened.

Albus seeing her fear tried to be reassuring "But that won't happen to you"

Violet argued "What's the guarantee?"

Scorpius said comfortingly "We have a license, you're allowed to get one when you're sixteen, so even the Ministry of Magic thinks we're capable of apparating without doing any damage"
Everyone except Violet smiled. Ginny said "Violet don't worry, nothing is going to happen to you, the boys will be very careful"

She looked at the boys sharply who nodded in agreement to her words.

Violet looked at the beautiful woman, she felt her fear ebbing away "Um…okay"
Ginny smiled and patted her shoulder.

Scorpius said jokingly "Better you splinch her than me mate"

But upon receiving a glare from Ginny and Violet going pale again, Scorpius apologized laughing nervously "I was just joking, seriously"

Ginny asked her son shooting another reprimanding glance guilty Scorpius's way "Al you'll be able to do it then?"

Albus nodded "Sure"

Violet felt her cheeks turning red, Lily told her quietly" It'll be like getting squeezed through a pipe, it's not very nice but might not be so bad with Al right?" she winked and laughed when Violet's cheeks began resembling tomatoes.

Albus wasn't any less awkward, he seemed very uncomfortable although only Scorpius noticed it. Ginny led them to their backyard "We can't apparate from inside the house because there are charms that have been put in place, just for safety reasons"

Albus said looking at his mother "We already know that Mum"
Violet hid her smile, while Socprius shook his head at his friend and whacked him upside the head, Lily rolled her eyes. His Mum said sighing "Albus, it's nice that you don't think of Violet as a muggle but honestly please learn to accept that she is one"

Albus blushed, rubbing his head where Scorpius had hit him "Oh…yeah…sorry"
Ginny looked at the group "Lily and I will leave first, you both follow, you know where to go don't you?"

Albus and Scorpius nodded seriously.

Lily smiled "See you in a bit"

Violet bit her lip watching as Lily took her mother's hand and Ginny spun on the spot until they both disappeared with a loud crack that made Violet blink and move a step back.

When they were gone, Scorpius said "Well I'll be off, don't worry Violet, you'll be fine"

With a smile towards Violet he did the same as Ginny and was gone.

The backyard couldn't have been awkward after everyone was gone.

Albus looked at Violet squeamishly "Well you should take my hand"

Violet rubbed her palms on her shorts and outstretched her right arm to Al stepping closer to him as she did so.

He took her hand in his big one, she hadn't noticed the size of it before.

It felt oddly weird in hers.

But she thought with relief that his hand was just as sweaty as hers if not more.

Albus took a breath and focused on the three Ds, Destination, Determination and Deliberation. Why was he so nervous? He had done this before hadn't he?

He tightened his grip on her hand and spun.

After the crack, Violet would have screamed but she was too tightly squeezed to do so, it was the most disgusting feeling ever, it was worse than being airsick.

She felt her feet hit solid ground and she could feel the world spinning.

Her hand much sweatier than before was still in Al's.

He had surprisingly found his balance being used to the feeling.

She quickly extricated her hand from his and ducked away from him to puke.

She was terribly motion sick and this was by far the worst experience she had had till now.

She retched and Albus watched a little lost and concerned.

People began to watch, but Ginny ran forward and began rubbing her back.

When she was done she stood up, her chest heaving and sweat glistening her forehead.

Ginny took the bottle of water Lily handed her and gave it Violet who gratefully gulped it down.

Ginny asked gently "Violet, do you feel better?"

Violet blinked and let out a breath "I think I'll be fine, I'm just motion sick that's all"

Albus breathed a sigh of relief still not saying anything.

Scorpius tried to break the tension "Is that an eyebrow I see missing?"

Violet almost exploded into a string of curses, and her expression was priceless.

His question made Violet's hand immediately reach up to check and when she felt both her eyebrows in place she chucked the water bottle at him, hitting him square in the chest "Shut up, don't do that!"
Scorpius, Lily, Albus and Ginny laughed.

Violet finally took in the location.

It was large open meadow and in the centre ring till the sky was a stadium and all around her thousands of people wearing weird robes in shades of blue and complete black.

Some were carrying red bats, others eating what looked like brown frogs which Violet would have to ask about later.

She could feel the excitement in the air.

She felt her stomach easing up and the sickness ebbing away.

She turned to Albus "Where are we?"

He answered unconcerned waving to another teenage boy somewhere ahead "Northern Ireland"

Violet asked gaping "What?!"
Albus looked at her "Yeah"

She spluttered to form a coherent sentence "That's far away"

He laughed "Yeah, we need somewhere away from muggle eyes, somewhere wizards can congregate easily without the fear of revealing themselves"

She took it in.

The trees and the air was fresh.

Just then she saw a large group of people drop out of nowhere clutching what seemed to be a comb.

She blinked and was worried if she watched her mouth would be permanently open.

Albus saw her looking at them picking themselves up "That's a portkey"

She looked up at his amused emerald eyes mouth still open "A portkey?"

She repeated in a daze, he answered "Yes, makes travelling in groups easier, you just touch the object, usually things muggles can't be suspicious about like garbage, it's tuned to an exact time so at that moment will take you to the location it's meant to go"

She shook her head "Incredible"

He smiled "Come on, I think my Dad and the rest of my family is here"

She took a few seconds watching a little kid flying on a toy broomstick, squealing with joy as he did and followed Albus.

Violet had till now only heard of the Weasley family, but when she saw them, it was overwhelming.

Albus had been very accurate in describing people and all the characteristics.

She stood on the edge of the group and watched the hugs going around, the kisses and the constant chatter.

She recognized Teddy Lupin, the one she found interesting because he was a metamorphmagus with his trade mark turquoise hair and an arm around his more than beautiful blonde wife, Vicoire she remembered looking like they had walked out of a fairytale together.

She couldn't help feeling out of place. The whole family looked startlingly good in their own way.

She noted that it was in their genes.

She could easily pick out Nana Molly, a loving grandmother smothering Al with her hug which though he was protesting against, he seemed to enjoy.

She recognized Arthur Weasley, lanky and aging standing next to his wife laughing as she proceeded to flatten Albus's unruly black hair.

She knew Rose when she saw her from the detailed description Scorpius had given her a few days back.

Scorpius was talking to two people who seemed to be her parents, she could see a bit of both of them in Rose, Hermione Weasley's intelligence and mannerisms and the jovial amiability of her father.

Lily was talking to who she suspected to be Hugo Weasley and Roxanne Weasley both of whom contrasted in looks.

Hugo with his numerous freckles lanky and shy, Roxanne, outgoing with a fierce streak and mocha skin.

She then proceeded to pick out Louis Weasley, who was busy trying to keep Fred Weasley's hand off his shoulder, she noticed he ahd a certain seriousness about him.

Fred Weasley on the other hand as Al had described was just like George Weasley who was laughing at Ron Weasley now and she also saw Dominique, smiling politely at Ginny Weasley, flowing blond hair straight out of a magazine. Then Molly and Lucy, Molly with straight reddish brown brown hair and freckles carrying a book beneath her arm and pushing her spectacles up her nose standing beside the red haired, hyper and younger version of her jumping up and down as Rose told her something. Percy Weasley stood next to his wife Audrey who looked like a really nice lady talking to Ginny, Fleur And Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley was talking about what Violet guessed to be dragons to Angelina Weasley and the final member who she first thought was Albus but then noticed the difference in clothing, height and the glasses.

She watched for a minute smiling and feeling like a complete outsider until somehow she heard Ginny say her name to Molly Weasley "Albus brought his friend with him, Violet" Violet watched as Molly Weasley asked looking around "Oh where is she?"

She stepped forward as Ginny said "There she is"

Molly smiled upon seeing her "Come here dear don't be shy, we might seem like an unruly lot but we don't bite"

Violet felt more at ease, she said "I am Violet Felix, you must be Molly Weasley, Albus and Lily's grandma"

Molly drew her into a big hug that surprised Violet "That's Nana Molly to you dear"

When the rest of the family saw her they all approached her.

They all looked curious and Violet looked down, being unused to so much attention.

Albus materialized next to her and when he spoke from beside she jumped involuntarily "She's our neighbor and a muggle"

They all nodded in understanding and George Weasley said spreading his arms "Welcome to the family!"

Everyone laughed.

She smiled and greeted every one of them.

Rose said "Hi, I'm Rose, we'll be great friends I am sure"

Violet smiled "I guess, Scorpius has said so much about you"

She rolled her eyes "That boy"

She met Harry Potter, shaking hands with him was slightly surreal.

He smiled politely "It's nice to meet you Violet, Al's told us a lot about you"

She looked at Al who was trying to hide his embarrassment and was failing.

She smiled "It's good to meet you to after hearing so much from Al"

Harry looked at his son "Why don't you take her around there's still time for the match to start, show her the stalls"

Albus nodded, Scorpius came up to him slinging his arm over Rose's shoulder "Guess what we just spotted Garth and Win"

Albus looked slightly excited "Really? let's go then"

Violet unsure followed, she asked Albus "Which team are we up against?"

Albus asked her surprised "We?"

She looked at him, looking away when she spotted a weird wizard who was wearing an even weirder hat "Yeah, apparently I support the Tornadoes, at least that's what my shirt says"

He asked again "Your shirt?"

She blushed as the wind blew at her face blowing her hair into her face, she squinted in the bright sunlight "Well, okay your shirt but I'm wearing it so…"

He smiled "it's alright, you can keep it, and we are up against the Ballycastle Bats, it's our first match of the season and it might be an easy win"

She nodded "So your brother is the goal keep right?"

He nodded "Keeper, yeah that's right"

She admitted "I am not a sporty person, you'll have to help me out"

He assured her "Don't worry, I'll explain it to you, but things happen very fast in Quidditch, unless the snitch is fussy"

As the neared the stalls she asked pointing to a kid with a brown frog "What is that, it looks creepy?"
He laughed "That's a chocolate frog"

She laughed and looked at him awestruck "An actual chocolate frog?"

He nodded smiling at her fascination, he liked her enthusiasm.

She said "I want to try one"

He said "You can get whatever you like"

They went to the first stall, obviously to buy chocolates, where they met with Garth Thomas and Winchester Jordan.

When they saw Scorpius, Albus, Rose and Violet approaching, they waved but also looked quizzically at Violet.

They exchanged one-armed hugs and Violet stood smiling and trying to hide her nervousness.

Rose pulled her forward "This is Al's new neighbor Violet, she's a muggle"

Win smiled approvingly "Good on you Al"

Garth held out his hand "Garth Thomas pleased to meet you"
She smiled shyly "Violet Felix"
The other boy Win laughed "Felix"

She blushed but didn't say anything.

Win not noticing her discomfort asked "So you two are a couple?"
Albus and Violet denied it together with equal force "No!"

Win nudged Garth "Notice the similarity?"
Scorpius said "Shut up Win"
Then he told Violet "He just likes being a prat, it's his favorite pass time"
They laughed and began discussing the match and school which Violet didn't understand so she slipped away to check out the treats.

She found some very interesting items.

As she stared enthrawled by a packet of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans a girl appeared next to her "A muggle, now he's after muggles is it?"

Violet looked at her, she was taller than her and much prettier.

She had luscious brown hair and perfect features, she nonchalantly picked up a box of sugar quills.

Violet asked politely "I'm sorry, who are you?"

She looked at her with piercing grey eyes "Margret"

Violet remembered the name and remembered the letter.

She said smiling "I am Violet and you got it wrong, Albus isn't after me"

Margret smirked "Yeah actually looking at you it's pretty obvious you're not his type. But I'm just warning you, don't fall for him, don't ever make that mistake"

Then she went to bill her sugar quills.

Violet stood there holding the packet of every flavor beans feeling slightly like an idiot and slightly hurt.

Albus appeared in front of her "hey, is there anything you want to buy?"

She blinked and snapped up looking at him "W-wha..oh..yeah…these and the chocolate frogs"

Albus looked at the packet "Daring, you do realize when they say every flavor they mean every flavor?"

Violet said still unsettled trying to push her thoughts aside "Well, I am interested in it"

She went to pay for her things but Al stopped her "Let me"

She shook her head "No, there's no way in hell you're paying for my food"

She was startled by the defensive tone in her voice and even Al seemed a little taken aback but he said "Um…I'm only paying because you don't have the proper money"
She asked wondering why she was on edge "Proper money?"

He nodded suddenly nerveous and awkward on seeing her behavior "Yeah, wizarding money, Galleons, Sickles and Knuts"

She succumbed and handed him the products "Fine"

She didn't know why there was thudding in her chest and for some reason she was afraid, afraid of Albus.

He handed her the food and the proceeded to the next stall where she bought herself another shirt and scarf.

Albus noticed the change in her mood and how she was trying to avoid him.

That's when the announcement was made "The match will begin in a few minutes, please proceed to the pitch"
The announcement was repeated thrice but now everyone began moving and the talk grew louder.

They joined the Weasleys once again.

Molly was recalling Ginny's days as a professional player and everyone was talking.

As she walked beside Albus in silence, she saw Margret talking to a gaggle of girls that looked like her friends.

Margret caught her eye and smirked on seeing Al next to her, she looked away shaking her head.

Violet looked down at her feet, Albus told her "Climbing to the top box will take some time, but the view from up there is awesome"

She didn't respond.

Albus stated "Okay you aren't acting like yourself"

She forced a smile "I am fine, just thinking"

As the began the climb he said "Well it's time to stop thinking about whatever you are thinking about and think about what's happening right now"

She took his words seriously, Margret was just angry at Al and it wasn't like she was falling for him so there wasn't any good in psyching herself out especially at a time like this.

When they got to the top box, Violet sucked her breath in. She thanked her lucky stars that she wasn't afraid of heights.

The wind was blowing, the crowd was buzzing, the sun was shining and she was a part of this.

Louis stood next to her "It's really cool isn't it?"

She nodded looking at him and immediately feeling charmed.

He smiled a dazzling smile at her "I'm Louis by the way"

She nodded "I know, Al told me"

His blue eyes seemed to bore into hers and she wished she looked better than she did.

That's when Fred Weasley pushed him aside and said "Keep your Veela charm away from the poor girl Lou! Hi I'm Fred, Al's favorite cousin"

Violet smiled and Al looked at him "Who told you that?"

Fred clutched his heart "You hurt me Al"

Al rolled his eyes "My cousins are mental"

She looked cheekily at Fred who winked at her grinning "I can see that"

Fred laughed "You're going to fit right in, wait till you meet James, he's going to love you"

Al told her as Fred moved on to irritate poor Louis "James is his favorite cousin and vice versa"

She asked excitedly "When do the players come out?"

Al looked at his watch "Another few minutes until everyone's here and then they'll make an announcement"

She said over the noise "I have butterflies in my stomach"

He grinned "This is nothing like any sports match you've seen before"

She asked "What if I said this is the first sports match I've ever been to?"
He said back "Then I'd say excellent!"

They laughed.

After two minutes, a voice boomed loudly "Wizards and Witches welcome to the first match in the race to this year's League Cup! Get ready for a spectacular start for the season by the BALLY CASTLE BATS aaand last year's champions the TUTSHILL TORNADOES!"

The crowd roared and cheered all around her and she cheered along with them.

She held her breath for it had begun.

AN: Tell me what you think.

Please?

Thanks for reading!

SPHP20896:)