Chapter 6
Hello everyone, back with another update. It's the first Quidditch match, I've never written anything like this before so I hope you all enjoy! I own only my OCs and plot, as always constructive criticism and comments are welcome!
A week after Halloween, the first match of the Quidditch season was upon the Gryffindors. Allegra's nerves had calmed after becoming the new seeker, but now the match was almost here, she had started to go off her food. On top of that, the Slytherins had made her the prime target for jinx attempts and threats. Allegra suspected Hodge had requested other members of the team to look out for her. Caradoc Dearborn made a point of leaving the library at the same time as her every night of the week leading up to the match and James was ensuring he was never more than five feet from Allegra when the Gryffindors were making their way between classes. Three days before the match, Allegra snapped when James was walking so close to her on the way to Care of Magical Creatures, he stood on her robes and tore them.
'James! For Merlin's sake, are you close enough, or do you want to actually put my robes on?' fumed Allegra.
'What? Can't a friend walk beside another friend?' James' tone feigning innocence.
'Walk beside, not walk on top off!' she snapped, pushing James off her torn robes.
'Reparo. Oh sorry Remus!' Allegra had pushed James right into Lupin, almost toppling him over.
'Most girls could only dream of being this close to me,' James winked to Allegra.
Marlene suddenly made a choking noise, hand flying to her throat.
'Marlene, are you alright?' Phoebe fretted.
Marlene snapped out of it almost instantly. 'Sorry, I'm just finding it difficult to breath with Potter's overinflated head taking up all the oxygen!'
Phoebe and Lupin snorted.
The Gryffindors and Slytherins had dispersed out around the edge of the Forbidden Forest, today's class focusing on Bowtruckles. As Professor Kettleburn began his lecture, Allegra felt something heavy knock into her shoulder.
'I hope you're ready for tomorrow Quinn, Ravenwood has been perfecting his unforgivable curses,' whispered Roger Pritchard.
'Well I'll be sure to warn the rest of the team, Ravenwood is more likely to hit one of them considering his atrocious aim,' spat Allegra.
'Letting girls onto the team, the Gryffindors are a disgrace to this school,' Pritchard continued, 'but don't worry Quinn, we'll soon put a stop to that tomorrow. Tell me, would you rather lose an arm, or a leg?'
'Over there, you two, stop whispering sweet nothings and focus on today's class!' Kettleburn barked.
'Sorry Professor, it's quite difficult focusing when Pritchard here is threatening me with an unforgivable during tomorrow's match,' Allegra said loudly, her voice wavering slightly.
She heard Pritchard swear under his breath from behind her.
The Gryffindors were in an uproar.
'Professor -' started Lupin.
Nora Henson and Amalia Shafiq gasped.
'How dare you -' fumed Lily. Meanwhile Marlene, Phoebe, James and Black had all taken their wands out.
'Enough, enough! Pritchard, ten points from Slytherin and detention tomorrow. I'll be talking to your head of house as well, never in all my time of teaching!' Kettleburn was furious.
The rest of the class continued on an uneasy fashion and as they made their way back up to the castle, Pritchard caught Allegra's eye, smirked and mimicked slicing his throat.
As if her nerves weren't bad enough.
/
Allegra got a grand total of two hours broken sleep the night before the match. She knew this because she checked her watch every ten minutes, finally falling asleep sometime around 4 o'clock and waking up just after six. Far from being tired, she was wide awake. Despite the bravado she'd put on, Allegra was worried, especially in regards to the threat from Pritchard. They were fourth years, so she seriously doubted he was proficient enough to cause her any damage, but that didn't mean an older student wouldn't perform a curse. For all Kettleburn's bluster, Pritchard had gotten away with a soft punishment as the only evidence was her word against his.
To stop herself from overthinking the day, Allegra got up and decided to go for a run around the grounds, she needed to do something otherwise she might go insane. Thankfully it was a clear day, not too sunny to make it difficult when searching for the snitch. Allegra dressed quietly and spent a few minutes stroking Phoebe's cat, Hera.
'Merlin I wish I was a cat,' she murmured against Hera's head, kissing her gently.
She made her way down to the common room and had just reached the portrait door when a voice shook her out of her thoughts.
'Couldn't sleep?' Sirius Black was slumped across the armchair closest to the fireplace, throwing a spare chess piece up in the air, then catching it easily.
'I'm just an early riser,' Allegra stated with forced politeness, she did not want to get into an early morning screaming match with Black.
'Aren't you usually the one that almost misses the first class of the day due to oversleeping?' Black raised an eyebrow.
'I didn't realise you kept such a close eye on me,' replied Allegra coolly.
'Don't flatter yourself Quinn. It's alright if you're nervous you know, most people are before their first match. I mean I wasn't, but then again I am exceptional,' drawled Black.
'An exceptional idiot,' muttered Allegra, turning towards the portrait door once again.
'Where are you going?' he asked suddenly.
'For a run, dad.'
'And by going for a run I presume you'll be missing breakfast?' Black sounded bored.
Allegra shrugged her shoulders.
'Don't you know it's tradition for the team to have breakfast together?'
She didn't. 'I'll throw up if I have anything to eat,' said Allegra truthfully.
Black appeared taken aback by that, but recovered himself. 'Well you still have to sit with everyone else. So you can either go back up to your dorm and worry about this match for the next two hours, or you can help me with this Potions essay.'
'Oh really? Those are my only two options, are they?' Allegra's temper was rising, she could have sworn she saw Black hide a smirk as well.
'Yes,' he said, matter of fact.
'Surely you're so magnificent at Potions you wouldn't need the help of a mere mortal like myself,' drawled Allegra.
Black snorted. 'I'm not as good at Potions.'
'Remus is good,' she raised an eyebrow.
'You're better,' he replied simply.
Allegra rolled her eyes. 'Fine.'
They worked on the essay for about an hour, the remainder of the time they sat in silence. Allegra hated to admit it, but just having someone else awake beside her, about to play as well, had calmed her nerves. At some point Allegra nodded off again, and was woken by a gentle shake from Caradoc Dearborn, smiling widely.
'Ready to head down?' he asked in his thick Mancunian accent.
Allegra rubbed her eyes and noticed the rest of the team were gathered at the Portrait door, talking quietly. She reddened slightly.
Dearborn noticed and chuckled. 'Don't worry, we've only all just assembled, you haven't held anyone back.'
Allegra grinned and walked with Dearborn over to the boys.
As they entered the Great Hall they were welcomed by cheering and clapping from the Gryffindor table. Allegra grinned again, before spotting her friends sitting halfway down the table.
'I'll be back in a second!' she said to Hodge.
'Marlene! Good luck for today, you'll be amazing, I can't wait to hear your commentary,' Allegra gave Marlene a hug.
'Aw cheers Allegra, I'm a bit nervous, but it's us that should be wishing you good luck!' she returned Allegra's hug. Phoebe and Lily got up to wish her luck.
'You know, I think I'd rather face Slytherin than have to sit through an entire meal with Potter,' Lily looked distastefully at the chaser who at that exact moment was talking animatedly with Black, scrambled egg dripping down his mouth.
'And just think, Allegra's doing both!' laughed Phoebe.
'We'll be cheering for you,' Marlene smiled. Allegra waved them goodbye and rejoined the rest of the team, she noticed James eyes lingered on Lily. Allegra caught his eye and he turned back to his breakfast, reddening slightly.
Allegra was amazed at how much food the rest of the team could consume, she'd barely had a round of toast, and only ate this because Hodge was sitting beside her, breathing down her neck.
Finally, it was time to head down to the pitch, as they left, they again received a round of applause from the rest of the table.
Allegra fumbled with the buttons on her Quidditch robes, stomach doing somersaults as the stadium filled up with people. Not long after, Hodge called them round for a quick pep talk.
'Alright everyone, we've been training hard. This game isn't going to be easy, but I have faith that every single one of you will work your hardest to win. Now, lets get out there and beat those Slytherin prats!' Hodge shouted the last part, and received cheers of approval from the rest of the team.
They reached the pitch, Hodge and Slytherin captain Richard Cartwright flew to the centre, shaking hands as Master Stewart spoke to them both. He blew the whistle and the game began.
Allegra kicked off from the ground, hands tight on her broom, eyes narrowed, searching for anything golden and glistening.
The game was fast-paced, the three Gryffindor chasers seemed to have a telepathic link as they passed to each other.
'And that's Potter, now Hodge, back to Potter, nice reverse pass to Goshawk, back to Potter - goal Gryffindor!' Marlene exclaimed.
Allegra grinned.
'Gryffindor are the only team this year to have a girl in their first team, Allegra Quinn is making her debut as seeker today. An absolute cracker, and no, I'm certainly not biased!' continued Marlene.
'And we're back with Hodge, the Slytherin team just can't seem to keep up with this attack. Hodge to Goshawk, who passes back to Hodge, WHO SCORES!' The Gryffindors below were ecstatic.
'Dearborn has just hit a smashing bludger at Cartwright, who drops the quaffle, which is picked up by Potter, and it's Potter, still with Potter. Nice dive their James, and Potter scores! I have to say, that Caradoc Dearborn has a lovely way with his bat!'
'Miss McKinnon!' exclaimed Professor McGonagall.
'Sorry Professor, just admiring Dearborn's swing!' Marlene stated.
Allegra was in stitches, so distracted by Marlene's commentary she had lost focus on the snitch.
The match continued on, Gryffindor scored nine more times to Slytherin's two goals. It was also getting dirtier, Slytherin beater Virgil Ravenwood was cautioned for smashing into the Gryffindor keeper Macmillan. Master Stewart blew his whistle and gave a penalty which Hodge duly dispatched.
Suddenly, Allegra spotted the snitch, hovering just above a stationary Black's ankle. She shot off after it, Slytherin seeker Scallen Fawley was hot on her heels. Allegra was getting closer, ten feet - five feet - three feet, then a bludger flew just above her, she ducked, bludger missing her head by a hair.
'YOU SCUM! HOW DARE YOU! THAT'S MY BEST MATE! THINK YOU'RE A BIG LAD WITH THAT BAT? I'LL SEE YOU AFTER THE MATCH WITHOUT IT AND WE'LL SEE HOW BRAVE YOU ARE!' roared Marlene.
'MCKINNON!' shouted McGonagall.
'FINE! Slytherin beater Haddock almost paralyses the Gryffindor seeker, but we continue on.'
In all the commotion, Allegra had lost track of the snitch, and was resigned to starting her search all over again.
Meanwhile, the Slytherins were resorting to grubbier tactics. Cartright smacked into James, leaving him bleeding from his forehead, but that wasn't stopping him from scoring.
'Potter again, he's going on his own here. C'mon James! Yes!' Marlene squealed.
Gryffindor were now up 150-40, the crowd going mad.
'Hodge now, Hodge passes to Goshawk, who passes back to Hodge, and that's a lovely bit of play, Goshawk has the quaffle again, and now - MERLIN'S BEARD, HADDOCK YOU PRI-' screamed Marlene, as Haddock hit the bludger directly at Goshawk's broom sending him spiralling.
Professor McGonagall was now wrestling with Marlene over the megaphone.
'- just telling it like it is Professor, he is a giant pri-'
Suddenly Allegra, who had been flying around the Gryffindor goalposts, spotted the snitch. She dove. Within seconds Fawley had pulled up beside her, but Allegra was going to get the snitch, she stretched her arm and flew up as the snitch shot upwards, her fingers almost grazing it. All of a sudden Fawley fell back, before Allegra had time to think she was in more pain than she'd been in in her entire life. Her right wrist had been smashed by a bludger, in her delirium she tried to grab the snitch with her left hand but was suddenly flying handless on her broom. Fawley banged into her and Allegra veered left, the last thing she could remember was falling, falling, her eyes closing.