Chapter 25. A win of unequal proportions
The weather stayed the same as March trudged along. It was cold with biting winds, but somehow seemed more bearable than February and January had been.
It had been a rather exciting start to the month for various reasons.
First of all, the entire class of third-year students suddenly fell ill at the same time and ended up in the Hospital Wing for two days with high fevers and delirious daydreams. This caused a small scale panic attack – though it was quickly discovered that an ingredient in potions class had been moldy. The Hospital Wing was overwhelmed with so many students and Healer Somsak had to call in extra Healers from Mungo's.
Immediately after, the entirety of the plants in Greenhouse Five suddenly grew a ridiculous amount, as if someone poured a growing serum in each and every pot. This caused Professor Longbottom to employ a special task force of sixth and seventh-years to do major pruning in the chaos of the jungle. Scorpius was one of the helpers and managed to keep a lot of the clippings. He set some up to dry in the window of his dorm and sent some to his mother with Professor Longbottom's approval.
Lastly, someone's knickers were found dangling from the candles in the Great Hall on a Saturday morning and posed quite a problem for the professors to get down. The end result of the Great Underwear Debacle was that most students seated in Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were subject to a wax shower from candles bursting. The underwear was never found.
On a more relevant note (that Scorpius cared about), there were two Quidditch games he attended to not much fanfare because of the relentless cold and dreary weather. Outside of that, there were lots of practices. Lots of running and push-ups. Lots of training in preparation for Ravenclaws next big match against Gryffindor. There were no breaks – just training and homework. Scorpius did have one date with a seventh-year Gryffindor at one point, but it progressed to no more than a first date.
Plus he had ditched a studying session with Jazz and felt a little guilty about that. She had a way of not saying anything but saying everything at the same time, with her long hair flicking around in her ponytail.
He had a two hour break after getting out of class early one Wednesday midway through the month. He decided to meander his way to the Owlery to send a letter to his parents.
A golden Snitch bounced in front of him, ricocheting off the wall and returning to Potter who was sitting in the window. He flung it again, in front of Scorpius.
"Well? Are you standing there or are you passing?" Potter had an angry expression on his face and he was throwing the Snitch with a frantic energy. The ball whipped in front of him again and Scorpius decided to sit down.
"I'll sit."
"I'm not really in the mood to talk quite frankly."
"Why not?"
The Snitch whipped from his hand again. "I'm a failure Malfoy. Can't do anything. Can't solve the mystery. Sister is pissed at me again. Can't do anything right."
Scorpius brought his legs up to the window sill and crossed them, turning towards Albus. "From what I can see you're a very accomplished wizard. Not a failure. Siblings get over their anger eventually."
He looked incredulously at Scorpius. "Do you even know Lily?"
"Err … no. She's fifth-year. Not in Quidditch. I mean I could pick her out of a crowd but … no, no I don't."
"Yeah well she holds a grudge. She's bloody well still mad that I hid her socks in the tree when we were six. Not to mention the dumb comments I made at Christmas. And I mean, Rose heard them as well. But at least she's normal and bloody well punched me in the kidney like I deserved and moved on. Mind you I didn't think that at the time – kidney bloody hurt for days after. But at least she doesn't rage for months and years after."
"You could apologise?"
"Are you mad!" Potter gaped at him. "She's being unreasonable and irrational."
"Well, I don't know then. Don't have siblings and only have two cousins that annoy the hell out of me."
The Snitch bounced aggressively on the ground again. "Bloody sisters." He sighed.
"What about the investigation? Haven't heard much about it from you recently?"
"I have absolutely no new anything for who sabotaged the Quidditch game. Nothing has turned up. I thought I had something but it failed. My Dad is an Auror and I can't even solve some minor school mystery."
"Were you planning on becoming an Auror as well?"
"That's not the point!" He burst out. "I'm a failure to his legacy. Hotshot goldenboy Harry Potter has a dud for a son. A son that wants to be a Quidditch ref of all things and live barely above the poverty line IF he even makes it. That's barely a profession …" He sighed loudly. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this. I mean we're friendly. But not friends really. No offense mate."
And that was the crux of it. Scorpius: friendly with Quidditch, friends with no one. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure your Dad doesn't mean to put this pressure on you. Or if he does, then that's shitty of him. We can't live up to our parents legacies. I thought you had two leads so far for this 'mystery'?"
"Dead ends. Nobody is reliable."
Scorpius rolled his eyes. "I'm sure half the people can't be trusted with their own eyes. Who has motive?"
"I don't know. I don't want to presume anyone is guilty without evidence."
"You're working about this the wrong way, in my opinion. Make a suspect list first and eliminate them as they go. The list of people who would want to hurt Rose or the Ravenclaw team is rather small when considering the size of the school. And the spell. Some sort of minor freezing spell – they usually only teach that level of spell to second-years and up. So you can eliminate all first-years. But to hold the spell for only one second and then perform the countercurse without anybody noticing ... that's rather advanced. So I'd say at least fifth-year, but most likely a sixth or seventh-year student."
"That's still a huge portion of the school."
"Yes. We can eliminate further. I mean, you have the list of attendance for the game so that can be cross referenced. Most crimes are done by people that know them. All Quidditch players are suspect. All Hufflepuff's fifth-year and up, all Rose's friends and family, I'm inclined to say all of Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw fifth-years and up even though I know you'll protest."
But seems Al was stuck on something else. "Friends and family! Ravenclaw Quidditch team? You and I are on that list then."
"Yes. We both weren't near the play, and I don't play with my wand on me. As quickly as we are on that list we are off. Chill Potter."
He threw the Snitch against the wall again. "I want to solve this stupid thing."
"I mean, remember you're sixteen. I bloody well hope you solve it because that was Ravenclaw's win that was robbed. But also – chill a little."
"I don't want to let Rose down. I told her I'd solve it."
"I'm sure she's not holding her breath. She doesn't expect you to have all the answers."
"But that's precisely why I want to! Because she doesn't expect anything and I want to show her that she's worth the bloody effort."
"Okay. Well … let's go over everything you have and determine next steps."
They hashed it out further, highlighter the prime suspects for further investigation and then Scorpius left for practice, deciding to send his letter off the next day instead, leaving Potter throwing the Snitch against the wall with slightly less anger.
Their next game was over a week later. Practices the whole week had been hell. It seemed like everyone was slogging through the days with heavy weights on their feet. Arms were slow to catch and throw Quaffles. Brooms dragged through the air as if they wouldn't fly straight. Even Junior who could pick the perfect songs for a practice seemed to be hit by something.
Scorpius spent the whole week in the library with Nadir and Jazz. As much as his body felt slow, his mind felt slow as well. It seemed to take five times as long to finish assignments as normal.
Even Westlock and Nott couldn't really get him to emerge from his stupor. He felt lethargic and he was worrying about all the homework that was taking him much longer than normal to do.
When he did emerge from the library, Westlock berated him all evening about his upcoming choir performance. "Scorp, I told you back in December and you promised. We've been practicing nonstop for this. Don't you dare have anything that day – you said it was free. Now you're saying you can't?"
"We might have a semi-final game the next day! I talked with Cap. He said I didn't have a good enough reason. I'm telling you now so you know. This is huge!"
Westlock almost exploded. "Not good enough! What did you say? This random person asked you to come? No you bloody idiot, it's only your best friend who needs the moral support."
Scorpius rubbed his temples instead of responding. Quidditch was intense, he couldn't take a night off at all. Besides, Westlock had choir shit all the time. Not a big deal.
He ended up going to bed early.
In the end, it seemed like nobody was ready for their next game. Practices were terrible, morale was low. They could literally hear Gryffindor roaring from the locker rooms nearby – full of energy. That almost seemed to dampen spirits further.
They changed in silence, as if each person was fighting a war in their head and was too engaged to do anything else. It took a while for anybody to notice but Bitz brought it up twenty minutes to game time: Weasley hadn't arrived yet. Her spot was empty in the room.
Ten minutes to game time and Nadir turned to Scorpius with a slight head nod. "Where is she?"
He raised his hands helpless. No fucking idea. They had a game in ten minutes and they were missing their Seeker.
"I'll be back," Nadir said, "in eight minutes. Everyone try to get energized." He took his broom and went out the door.
They did some stretches, the echoes of Gryffindor's cheers reverberating around their ears.
"Okay everyone, let's liven up. It's a bit chilly out there but we have a game in a few minutes," Jazz said. "Abdul will be back shortly with Rose and it'll all be good."
Six minutes to go.
They played a game of 'avoid the firework,' where they shot a light scattering spell and tried to dodge the light bouncing around. Soon enough there was some laughing and joking around. It eased the mood a bit.
Three minutes to go.
Nadir came back without her. "Alright team. We have to assume we are down a Seeker right now and thus, everyone be on the lookout for the Snitch. We'll break Bitz off first to take over the role of Seeker, so everyone please keep a close watch on Bludgers – Gryffindors will control them for a majority of the game. I'll call a time out if we need to switch."
Still no Weasley. Scorpius felt a tightness in his chest. He couldn't decide what it was – anger? Disappointment? Frustration? Concern?
One minute to go.
Everyone was looking at everyone and nobody could say anything. Where the fuck was Weasley? They had only won one game so far this year and now they were going to be missing one of their most important players … it was unbelievable! Ridiculously unbelievable.
They heard the announcers start up and Gryffindor players being called to the pitch. Nadir stood up and motioned for everyone else to follow. Scorpius was the last to stand up and then the door burst open and Weasley ran in.
She tried to shield her face, but if anything it only drew attention to it. Her eyes were brimming with tears and she had a black eye and a large cut running down her cheek with some blood smeared across her face.
"Merlin." Scorpius was the first to notice.
"Rose!"
"What the hell?"
Astrid stared, wide eyed as Weasley dashed next to her.
"Rose, what happened, are you okay?" Jazz asked.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry I'm late. Just need a moment to get ready."
Nobody moved. The announcer called for the Ravenclaw team and that broke the tension. Weasley stripped her shirt off and put on a thermal base layer with her jersey over it. Scorpius could see the swollen side of her face. It looked terrible.
"Jazz, go talk to the ref's and tell them we need five minutes. We can use our time out if they won't allow it."
She gave an imploring look at Nadir, clearly wanting to stay, but he gestured at her to go. She gave one last glance at Rose, then gave a huff and was off.
"Okay team, the rest of you can head to the pitch and do a warmup lap again, we'll be there shortly. I have a feeling that we won't be allowed to postpone the game for very long."
Astrid, Junior, and Bitz slowly followed Jazz. Scorpius was sure Nadir meant he should go as well but dammit he wanted to know if she was okay.
They left and Weasley turned around from facing the wall after she had on all her winter gear and burst into tears. She put her hands on her face. Nadir sat down next to her and put a hand on her back.
Merlin, Scorpius wanted to do the same. How did Cap do that so comfortably? He hovered in front of her.
"Should we postpone the game?" he asked, though whether it was for Nadir or Weasley he wasn't sure who he wanted to respond.
Weasley shook her head. "No. No. I'm okay. I need a minute. I'm fine. Just need a second." She wiped at her eyes, but tears involuntarily fell out. The right eye was almost swollen shut and blood was running down her cheek. Scorpius went to the door and pulled the first aid kit off the hanger.
"Rose, do you want to talk about what happened? Are you okay?" he heard Nadir say. Scorpius rifled through the first aid kit and pulled out supplies for her.
" – minor. Really. I'll be fine. I'm ready to play."
She was still wiping at the tears that wouldn't stop falling. Scorpius kneeled down in front of her. "Here," he said gruffly, though his fingers were gentle when they lifted her chin up. She had a stubborn set to her jaw. From this close up it looked a little worse. Her eyes were fierce through the bruises and cuts. He knew she would be okay for right now. This game wasn't something they could fight her on.
She didn't say anything so Scorpius took that as a yes and gooped some salve up in his hands, touching her skin gently to spread the balm. She didn't flinch. Her eyes were steady. He cleaned off the smeared blood, added a quick sealer to her cut, and put a bandage over.
Jazz came back in a flurry. "Game is starting in two minutes. Didn't have to call a timeout, I accidentally dumped my water bottle on the refs so they're drying out right now."
Weasley wiped at her eyes once more and stood up. "Alright. I'm good." Her voice was shaky and her eyes were still wet. She grabbed her broom and didn't look back.
Jazz was wide eyed looking at them. "Oh fucking hell."
"She's okay," Scorpius said. "It'll be okay."
"She's a liar. Why are we playing?" she demanded at Nadir.
"Because she's okay."
Jazz was tense. "Literally any player would say that. Doesn't mean it should happen still. A game does not go above a player's wellbeing!"
Despite her harsh tone, Nadir didn't bite. He grabbed his own broomstick. "Trust me, it would have been worse if we cancelled the game for her benefit – because it wouldn't be for her benefit." He walked out. "We're starting. See you in one minute."
Jazz looked at Scorpius. "I've never felt so strongly that we're going to lose as I do right now."
Scorpius could only nod at the growing dread in his stomach. Jazz wasn't helping. Fuckity fuck fuck.
Despite the dread, the game started smoothly enough. Tiff, being her usual brash self, made a few sly comments about the delay, the lack of Ravenclaws in the stands, and Jazz's clumsiness, but weather was holding out. Hugo won the jump ball and they were on the defensive.
Gryffindor wasn't holding back. They came out very strong, scoring three goals right off the bat before Scorpius could really process the game had started. He couldn't stop glancing at Weasley every few seconds. She flew high in the air and stayed there – much contrary to the Gryffindor Seeker who was lower and flying around.
He managed to focus on the game for the next five minutes and Ravenclaw scored one goal. Just as Scorpius was heading back down the pitch, a Bludger flew right in front of his face and nicked the tip of his nose. He swore.
Bitz called to him. "Sorry Scorp! Needed to direct that a bit more and missed!"
Weasley was still flying high, much above the game. Completely out of it.
Well, they were going to lose. She got beat up by someone, couldn't stop crying, and was flying way too high above the pitch to even be involved in the game. The dread deepened.
There was an epic fight of the Quaffle between Nadir and Hugo over the Slytherin stands with Nadir victorious and Hugo getting knocked into some students. Nadir took the Quaffle to the opposite end of the pitch. He passed it to Astrid, who passed to Scorpius (and again, he was having trouble following along) and then to Nadir. He shot, and it was blocked.
Scorpius flew by Nadir. "Should you call a timeout? She's not even in the pitch."
"It'll be okay." Nadir flew back quickly, chasing Tyler.
Merlin he was so frustrated and so full of dread.
The game was slow going. Gryffindor scored two for every one of theirs.
He flew up high once to see how she was doing when he had possession of the Quaffle, and Merlin forbid, she barely acknowledged him. She was circling around slowly, as if not caring about the game. Face still wet.
Well, when Gryffindor caught the Snitch it would be a hell of a loss for Ravenclaw. Again.
Ten minutes later there was motion from the corner of his eye. Weasley left the clouds heading straight down, flying as fast as a falcon. Scorpius's heart thumped uncontrollably. She was going to kill herself. She was headed straight for the ground at an unreal speed. The Gryffindor Seeker Azur was at the opposite end of the pitch, seemingly entranced as well by the death dive.
He was watching the dive. Everyone was watching the dive. He was swearing continuously under his breath. Astrid's mouth was open wide as if she were about to shout.
He didn't know how she could see through her tears – she must have been still crying – but what a dive. She'd almost reached the ground and seemed to be increasing in speed.
He couldn't look away – he couldn't. He was riveted to the scene, as everyone was.
Weasley had a death wish. No fear. Didn't care at all. He was sure her feet scraped the ground with how close she got as she pulled out of the dive. Literal death wish. Fuck. Fuck.
But then he could see the flittering gold in her hand.
He felt elated followed immediately by concern and worry. The mood was echoed. They all flew to her, but she was emotionless with the flittering Snitch in her hand. Her face was still bruised, the bandage hanging off her cheek by the barest amount.
Junior said it best in the locker room after Weasley quickly changed and left. "… I don't think we actually won."