When Emma woke up the next morning, she felt confidence pumping through her quicker than blood. It was the first Quidditch Cup final she would face as Captain of the team, it had to go down in history. With the team she had, she didn't think anything other than winning was possible, still she didn't want to jinx it.
As she went to open her curtains, she heard her mirror vibrating. Eagerly, she picked it up and opened it.
"Good luck today, Champ!" Her father cheered without a greeting.
"You're going to be brilliant!" Her mother added. "We wish we could be there, but you might be in for some surprises."
Emma chuckled. "You mean both Uncle James and Grandpa watching?"
Kat's smile faded slightly at the surprise being ruined. "Oh, you know?"
"Grandpa is always there and I found out about Uncle James from Elsa," Emma revealed. "Although his reason for being there is no longer viable."
David sighed. "I know but he wants to watch both you and Elsa play so he's going anyway." He then glowered. "But if I ever get my hands on that Locksley boy or his father, I will–"
"Do nothing dangerous otherwise your wife could arrest you," Kat interrupted before her husband could finish his threat. "I agree and we're looking into him too, but for now, ignore Robin, ignore everything and win. You've got a female Beater now, so the game is yours."
Emma laughed again. "Yeah, you are pretty fierce and so is Mulan."
Kat grinned devilishly. "Exactly. Now, go have a good breakfast and I can't wait to hear how it goes."
"Yes, boss!" Emma said with a grin. "Thanks to you both. I love you."
"We love you too!" David replied before he hung up the call.
With the added surprise chat with her parents, Emma felt even better. She pulled her curtains wide to see that, unsurprisingly, Victoire was already awake, reading her Transfiguration textbook in bed but the other three inhabitants of their dormitory still had their curtains firmly shut and snoring was heard from at least two.
"Morning," Victoire greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"Great," Emma replied eagerly. "How are you?"
"I'm good," Victoire replied, "but this revision is starting to wind me up. I just want the exams to be over with."
Emma pulled a face. "I'd rather they weren't. The sooner your exams are over, the sooner I have to compete in the Final Task."
"I hadn't thought of that," Victoire admitted. "I wonder if you'll get any idea of what's going to happen or if you will be just expected to turn up and hope for the best."
"I have no idea," Emma replied with a sigh. "Although, I don't know if it makes it more exciting or nerve-wracking with not knowing. I suppose we will all start on a level playing field if none of us are told anything."
"True," Victoire agreed as she put her book down. "I'm starving. Wanna head down or wait for sleepyhead?"
"We can give her a poke when we're dressed and see," Emma decided.
The two then stood up and started getting dressed. Emma decided to put her Quidditch robes on straight away just without the pads which she would put on when they were in the changing room. It meant she didn't have to return to the dormitory and waste any energy, she wanted to save every bit of energy she could for playing.
Once they were dressed, Emma poked Ruby as she had said and was met with a groan. "What?"
"Breakfast, come on," Emma said poking the brunette again so she wouldn't fall asleep.
"I'm coming," Ruby replied with a large yawn. She sat up and rubber her eyes as she brought herself around. "I'll meet you in the Common Room in five."
"You'd better," Emma joked before she picked up her broom and left the dormitory with Victoire.
As they reached the Common Room, they saw Minnie and Lily making their way from their own dormitory, both already dressed in their robes with their brooms in hand as well.
"Morning, Captain!" Minnie greeted. "Ready to win?"
Emma beamed. "Definitely."
"You know, we were talking yesterday and realised that we don't actually need to score any goals to win," Lily said. "If I've worked that out right. You just need to catch the Snitch and we win."
"No pressure on Emma there then," Victoire said with a chuckle.
"Nope," Minnie said. "It's all on you, Em. You against Ravenclaw."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Score some goals, you lazy shits."
Both Minnie and Lily chuckled, unabashed at the insult shot at them.
"Is Ruby joining or is she still asleep?" Minnie asked.
"She's just coming–"
"I'm here!" Ruby cried, cutting Emma off, as she shot forwards, her broom tucked dangerously under her arm as she finished buttoning her robes. "What are you waiting for? Let's get food!"
She bypassed the group in the centre of the Common Room and shot forward towards the portrait hole. Chuckling, the rest of them followed her down to the Great Hall. They placed their brooms in a cupboard outside as they were banned from the Great Hall before they entered.
As usual, when Emma entered, she glanced to the left at the Slytherin table and saw Regina sitting on her own. The Gryffindor flashed her a wink which was met with a returning smile before she headed towards her usual spot at the table.
Before her first match in her second year, Emma had barely eaten a thing but now she knew just how useful a healthy breakfast was. Therefore, she piled her plate with sausages and eggs along with some fruit and washed it down with an orange juice and a cup of tea so that she was full of energy.
Not long after they sat down, the other three members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team entered the Great Hall, also already dressed, before making their way towards their Captain.
"How are you feeling, Cap?" August asked as he set his plate up with pretty much the same food as Emma.
"Good," Emma replied. "How are you feeling about playing against your girlfriend?"
At that, August choked on the sausage he had just bitten into making LJ have to beat him on the back to clear his airwaves.
"Umm, what?" The Head Boy asked, his face flushing bright red as the rest of the team started giggling, even LJ found it mildly amusing.
"Elsa told me," Emma revealed. "I know all about it, Augie."
If looks could kill, Emma would have been petrified by the glare August gave her, but she just cackled louder.
"Just don't let her shoot past you because you're distracted," Emma said with a wink.
August continued to glare at her before rolling his eyes. "Just catch the Snitch and we don't even have to play."
"We can't play with that attitude," Emma groaned. "Regardless of how easy it would be to win; we want a fun game. If everyone does their bit, Ravenclaw doesn't stand a chance. They need over two hundred points to get above Slytherin so don't let them, but you'll get my full motivational speech before the match."
"Oh, I can't wait for that," Minnie said sarcastically causing Emma to nudge her.
"I'm quite excited," Mulan muttered, speaking for the first time. "It's my first match."
"Then we have even more luck on our side," Ruby said. "We will win, for us, for my dad and for our Champion. Go, go Gryffindor!"
"Go, Gryffindor!" The rest of the team chanted before it was echoed all the way down the Gryffindor table which made the team beam brightly that their House was behind them.
"Yeah, you guys have got this," Victoire added with an excited grin.
Once the team had finished their breakfasts, they started making their way out of the Great Hall to heckles from the Ravenclaw table who were trying to put off their opposition.
"Replacing a Beater with a girl?" One scoffed. "You'll never win."
Mulan hesitated in her step. As it was her first game, she'd never experienced anything like this before and as she usually kept herself to herself, she'd never dealt it before either.
However, Emma had it covered.
"One of the last times Ravenclaw won the Quidditch Cup was because of a female Beater," she stated casually. "In the nineties. In fact, you've never scored higher than that game. Kathryn Swan, open a history book, jerk."
The Ravenclaw's jaw dropped in shock, especially at the name.
"Exactly," Emma continued when he didn't speak again. "My mother in fact, so I'd stop your comments if I were you."
The rest of the Gryffindor team snickered in response, especially when the boy ran away. Emma grinned at the rest of her team as they continued walking out of the Great Hall as one.
"Is that true?" Mulan asked as she walked beside her Captain after they'd collected their broomsticks from the cupboard.
"Yeah," Emma replied. "Knocked the Quaffle out of the Gryffindor Chaser's hands just as Ravenclaw's Seeker caught the Snitch to put them ten points in the lead and they won and took home the Trophy. One of her proudest moments, aside from having me and her career." She flashed her Beater a warm smile to cheer her up. "You're going to be fine. You're brilliant. My only regret is not putting you on the team back in September."
Finally, Mulan smiled. "Thanks, but don't worry about it. This way, I got to make sure I kept up my grades and do some playing too. It's a win win in my opinion."
As they continued down the hill, Emma saw that Mulan walked with an extra bounce in her step as she walked forward to catch up with LJ to discuss tactics.
"You really are a great Captain," August murmured as he replaced Mulan to walk beside Emma.
Emma glanced at him and smiled. "Thanks. I still can't believe it wasn't you."
August chuckled. "I think you've said that a few times this year." He grew serious for a moment which worried Emma. In all the time she'd known August, he'd rarely ever been serious. "I did try to push for Robin to be expelled, you know, but the rules state that he didn't actually succeed in casting the Unforgiveable so he can't be expelled. Ridiculous, I know."
"Oh," Emma muttered, unsure of what to say in response as she didn't really want to be talking about them before the big game. "I am happy for you and Elsa though. You're a great match."
It was August's turn to go quiet as he blushed. "Thanks."
They were quiet as they continued down the hill, hearing the crowds bustling towards the Quidditch pitch, building the excitement of the final match. It was filling Emma up with anticipation.
"We're going to win this," she said, more to herself than to August but the Head Boy turned to his Captain and grinned.
"Hell yeah!"
They reached the changing rooms where the rest of the Gryffindor team were already waiting, but no one was sitting down as they were too excited and adrenaline-filled to sit still.
Emma headed towards the Captain's office to check over last minute details. However, as she walked in, someone was already sitting in her chair.
"Now that's my Captain!"
If it were even possible, Emma felt even more excited. "Grandpa!"
She rushed forwards just as he stood up, arms wide, ready to embrace his only granddaughter. Midas Swan pressed a gentle kiss on her head as he hugged her tightly.
"I've missed you," Emma said as she pulled back. "I am so happy that you're here!"
"You can't keep me away from the Quidditch final, Champ," he replied. "Especially this year when my Em is Captain. Minerva has told me the scores of previous games. Just need to capture the Snitch and the game is yours."
Emma chuckled. "But that's a boring game."
Midas grinned. "That's my girl. Make every move count. You're going to be fantastic. How are you feeling about the Final Task?"
"I don't know what it's going to be, so I can't worry," Emma said with a shrug.
Midas looked confused for a moment before he quickly schooled his face, but not quickly enough for his granddaughter not to notice.
"What do you know?" She asked.
"I can't tell you," he replied. "Not if you don't know. Minerva would surely hex me and I would definitely lose my position as the Head Governor."
Emma's brows furrowed in confusion. "Have you known all of the Tasks before they happened?"
Slowly, Midas nodded. "We had to approve them to make sure they were suitable and done safely." He reached out and squeezed Emma's shoulders softly. "I vetoed every dangerous idea put forward but I realise today is not the day to be talking about that and I'm sorry I brought it up. Today is the day you win the Quidditch Cup and I will tell you everything after you win the Interhouse Tournament."
"You're going to be there?" Emma asked, her tone hopeful.
Midas grinned once again. "For every possible reason, I'll be there. Your parents too, but I didn't tell you that." He winked to make his granddaughter smile. "Now, I shall let you finish checking the opposition and final Captain tasks. Good luck, Champ."
He pulled his granddaughter close and hugged her once more and pressed another kiss on her forehead before pulling away and leaving the tent.
With the extra blessing from her grandfather, Emma felt even more confident. She checked the file on the desk and felt confident before returning back to her team. Everyone was still standing up, but this time it was in silence as they didn't know what to say.
"Can everyone sit down, please?" Emma asked and as requested, they all sat down and looked up at their Captain. "There's not much to say except we have this in the bag. We've played brilliantly all year and now we really have the best team." She looked up and smiled at Mulan who grinned nervously back at her. "We have the best Chasers and the best Keeper and a team of Beaters who are so in sync it's scary." Mulan and LJ turned to each other and grinned. "And we have me," she added as an afterthought.
"The best Seeker in the school," Minnie piped up making Emma blush.
"I suppose," Emma said as she picked up her sheet, shrugging off the compliment, she never really did well with them. "Phillip Yao is playing is usual set and everyone is really on their A-game here. Their Chasers are going to be even more direct this time as they're all Seventh Years and want to make a lasting legacy for their schooling and House. Just because Elsa is a Champion, doesn't mean she's going to let the side down. Ruby, feel free to distract Billy as much as possible."
Ruby chuckled. "That's the plan. Oh, he told me, which he probably shouldn't, but Yao and the Seeker, Aurora Rose, are dating so if the Beaters aim at her, it'll distract him too."
"Ruby," Emma chastised. "You know that's not the way to play. If she's not near the Snitch, you can't aim at her."
She glanced at Mulan and saw that she was nodding and whispering with LJ.
"Their Keeper, Merida Brave, has been throwing out some spectacular saves, so keep an eye on her," Emma continued to her Chasers. "And their Beaters are brothers so they're pretty in tune to each other so keep an eye out. That being said, we still have the best team. We are Gryffindor and we're taking home the cup!"
Minnie stood up and raised her broom in the air. "Go, go Gryffindor!"
The rest of the team stood up and raised their brooms. "Go Gryffindor!"
"Let's go!" Emma cried and she led her team out of the changing room and towards the pitch, everyone still chanting, "go, go Gryffindor," as they went.
The chant was picked up by their fellow Gryffindors as they walked onto the pitch. Emma looked up to see that it looked like the entire school was in attendance as the stands were packed. She looked into the VIP box where her grandfather was sitting beside the Headmistress on one side and her uncle on the other. So, James had turned up despite Robin no longer playing.
Emma walked forwards to where Yao, the Ravenclaw Captain was standing beside Madam Spinnet, ready for the beginning of the game. She stepped forward as required as her team stood behind her.
"Now, I know it's the final, but that doesn't mean the rules slide," Madam Spinnet warned. "I want a fair game as always and may the best team win. Captains, shake hands."
The two reached out and shook hands formally before they returned back to their teams.
"In the air!" Madam Spinnet called and the fourteen players shot up into the air. "Let the final begin!"
Everyone flew into their positions with Emma flying above her team, the Beaters staying wide, August heading towards the back and Ruby flying forward as the Catcher. Yao flew forward for his team, which Emma found interesting as usually it was Elsa who was the Catcher for the Ravenclaw team.
However, there was no time for pondering the sudden change to the Ravenclaw Team's routine as the game was about to begin. Pointing her wand at the chest of balls, Madam Spinnet cast the opening spell and the two Bludgers and the Snitch shot into the air before she tossed the Quaffle high and the final was on its way.
"And it's Ruby Lucas with the Quaffle!" Margot Hood, the commentator called. "Yao never had a chance against the ferocious Gryffindor. Not sure why he played the Catcher instead of Nolan, but it didn't pay off. Lucas passes to Starla who tosses the Quaffle to Weasley, who feints to the left, before she shoots to the right and she scores! Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Emma cheered her team from above, celebrating their quick, early lead, but that wasn't the first goal in the first two minutes. Elsa was now in possession and was determined to score, she passed to Billy who threw it back to her, straight past Minnie's outstretched arm, and Elsa neatly scored to the left of the hoop August was blocking.
"It's ten all!" Margot cried. "It's going to be one ferocious game!"
And it really was.
Ravenclaw matched Gryffindor every goal they scored. When Ruby scored the next goal for Gryffindor, Billy levelled the playing field. Then when Minnie scored two goals back-to-back, Yao and Elsa scored a goal each.
"This game is incredible!" Margot called out. "The game is a hundred and ten apiece. If the Snitch isn't caught soon, the game is going to go on all night!"
However, Emma had been searching for the Snitch for the entire game. Usually, she would allow a few goals to be scored before she started looking but she needed to win this. She's searched high and low, but the small, golden ball was nowhere in sight and she was starting to get even more frustrated.
As she flew, she could hear Margot's commentating that every goal was being matched and it was adding to her frustration. She needed to catch the Snitch.
"That's another goal for Gryffindor!" Margot cried. "Well done Starla! Ravenclaw are back on the attack with Nolan grasping the Quaffle under her arm and it's hit away by Hua, a brilliant last minute find by the Gryffindor team. Her aim is fantastic!"
Emma cheered, finally some good news but it was short lived.
"Billy Gus is on the Quaffle and slips it by Booth to level the score once more! It's one hundred and twenty each."
The desperation to find the Snitch was growing. Deciding quickly, Emma flew high to stay out of everyone's way but also to see as much as the pitch as possible. The only downside is the fact that it made the Snitch even smaller.
She needed to stop listening to the scores as she concentrated on her task. The Snitch needed to be caught. She barely heard the crowd cheer at the next goal, she didn't know who had scored and, in that moment, she didn't care.
Then suddenly, something glinted in the lower corner of the pitch and she dived. It may not be the Snitch, but it could be.
"Swan seems to have spotted something in by the Ravenclaw goal posts," Margot cried. "Is it the Snitch?"
As Emma flew down, she saw that the glimmer was the small golden ball she had been searching for. Unfortunately, it must have realised she was on the attack and it flittered away in the complete opposite direction.
Emma cursed as she pulled her broom up to change direction. Frustratingly with Margot's announcement, the Ravenclaw Seeker was on her tail to follow Emma and attempt to prevent her from capturing the Snitch.
In the background, more cheers were heard as more goals were being scored but all that mattered to Emma was the Snitch. Emma had no idea what the score was now, but she knew if Aurora got the Snitch first, Gryffindor would lose.
Bending down, Emma allowed herself to gain speed, trying to get close to the Snitch. She reached her hand out, ready to capture the golden ball when she felt a tug on her broom.
Confused, Emma's hand opened as she turned around to see that Aurora had her hand clasped around the end of Emma's broom, preventing her from flying forward.
"What are you doing?" Emma snapped. "You cheat!"
Aurora used Emma's distraction to her advantage and shot past her, gaining on the Snitch second by second.
Now angry as well as frustrated, Emma centred herself and leant forward once more to gain speed. She would not lower herself to Aurora's levels.
"A nasty move pulled by Ravenclaw; her Captain should be having words with her!" Margo yelled, voicing her own dismay at Aurora's tactic.
The Ravenclaw's right arm was outstretched, a mere millimetre away from the golden ball when – whoosh! A Bludger flew towards her and smashed into her hand, breaking it in an instant. In pain, Aurora pulled her arm back and cradled her hand, allowing Emma to bypass her.
"And Hua, in a very legal move, blasts the Bludger into the Ravenclaw's hand, knocking her off course," Margot cried. "And Swan is flying. She reached out and yes! Captain Emma Swan captures the Snitch! It's three hundred to one hundred and fifty. Gryffindor win!"
"Yes!" Emma cheered as she held the Snitch in the air.
Suddenly, she was surrounded by her team as they had a crazy team hug with their brooms hitting each other awkwardly, but they didn't care. Their happiness and excitement were too high.
They lowered down to the floor and the brooms were tossed aside as they hugged once more. Emma pulled back, tears of happiness rolling down her face which surprised her more than those around her.
"I'm so proud of you guys," Emma cried. "Every single goal scored and saved and Mulan, you are the reason we won this. That last hit was brilliant!"
"It was what you said earlier," Mulan said, blushing brightly with the compliment. "You said you can't hit the Seeker unless they're about to catch the Snitch. LJ batted me the Bludger as I was closer so I blasted it to she wouldn't be able to catch it. Will her hand be alright?"
Ruby scoffed. "She deserved it, what a cheat!"
"I know," Emma agreed, "but who cares now? We won!" She paused a second. "I'd better go shake Yao's hand, one sec."
She rushed over to the centre of the pitch and shook Phillip's hand. However, as soon as they shook, he rushed off to where Aurora was standing at the edge of the pitch, still crying, cradling her hand, and refusing to let Madam Ella even look at it to fix it.
However, Emma didn't care as her grandfather was walking on the pitch beside Professor McGonagall.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce the winners of this year's Quidditch Cup. Gryffindor!" The Headmistress cried loudly to the crowd with Midas walking beside her as he carried over the trophy. "They win fifty points for their House!"
"Well done, Em!" Midas cheered as he passed his granddaughter the trophy after hugging her tightly. "I'm so proud of you."
Emma grinned. "Thanks, Grandpa," she said as she accepted the trophy from him.
She held it high in the air just as August and LJ dipped under her legs and lifted her onto their shoulders. They did a lap of honour of the pitch as the field was bombarded with Gryffindors, each one wanting to celebrate with their team who had brought home the trophy for the fourth year in a row.
The Captain felt like she was still flying her broom she was that high. Sheer jubilation surrounded her as she was carried around. She'd experienced the thrill of winning for the past three years, but this time, she was even more responsible from leading the team.
"Okay, guys, you can let me down now," Emma chuckled and finally the two dropped her gently back onto the solid ground.
"Party in the Gryffindor Common Room!" August called immediately. "Let's go!"
"I'll be there soon," Emma said. "There's a bet I need to settle."
August looked confused before nodding and walking away along with the rest of the team, bar Ruby who stayed behind with her captain and best friend. Emma and Ruby made their way towards the edge of the pitch before they were blocked off by Elsa and her father.
"Well done, Em, you were brilliant," Elsa said as she pulled her cousin in for her hug.
"Brilliant game, both of you," James added. "I just want to speak to your Beaters about signing them. I'll catch up with you later."
"LJ is going to love that," Emma said. "Although, he does know Mulan is only a Sixth Year, right?"
Elsa nodded and rolled her eyes. "I did tell him, but he didn't listen. You know what our dads are like when they're excited. He wants to talk to her anyway. Idiot."
Emma chuckled but Ruby interrupted her before she could say anything in reply.
"Come on, you have a bet to settle and I am not missing this."
"What?" Elsa asked.
"Come join," Ruby said and she crabbed both of their arms before pulling them towards the Black Late shore where Regina was already waiting with Victoire.
"What a welcome," Emma said with a raised eyebrow. She turned to her cousin. "You know not to make bets with me, right?"
Despite being heavily confused, Elsa nodded. "Well yeah, you always win."
Emma smirked. "Exactly." She turned back to Regina. "Well, losing Captain. Off you go."
Regina glared at the blonde before shaking her head. "Oh no, I am not doing this with an audience. That was not agreed."
"That's fair," Emma agreed before she turned around. "Go on."
Elsa, not wasting time, shot off in search of her father. The other two weren't moving.
"Guys, off you go," Emma pushed. "I'll be up soon."
Both looked reluctant but when Emma glared, they both rolled their eyes before walking away.
"We'll save you a butterbeer," Victoire said before they linked arms and walked off.
Once they were gone, Emma turned back. "So, where were you?"
Regina glowered at the blonde before nodding. They'd made a bet, so she had to stick to it or she knew she'd never be able to live it down.
With a deep breath, Regina turned towards the Lake and braced herself.
"I can't promise to look away," Emma teased as she kept her eyes on the Slytherin. However, she did glance around quickly to make sure no one was watching. Confident, she turned back to Slytherin to see that she had already started removing her clothes and Emma's breath caught at the sight of the olive skin on show, glistening in the golden sunshine.
Now naked, Regina ran forward and into the Lake. Fully submerged, she turned and waved her wand in the air. A sign appeared in her hand that said:
"Emma is the best at Quidditch!"
Emma laughed loudly. "That is quite satisfying."
"Happy Swan?!" Regina cried from the water after vanishing the sign.
Emma walked over to the shoreline. "Hey, you came up with the idea. It's not my fault that you lost. But, seeing as you look so cute…"
An idea hit her that she would either be thrilled at her idea or regret it immediately. She stripped her clothes off too and ran into the water.
"Fuck, it's freezing," Emma groaned as she swam out to where Regina was.
"You're an idiot," Regina muttered. "Why did you come in? You won."
Emma smiled. "It's like you said, everything is better when we're together."
Gently, Emma pulled Regina in for a kiss that warmed her up more than getting used to the cold water.
"You're hot," Emma murmured. "I'm all warm now. That gillyweed must have really turned me into a partial fish because it was not this cold in April."
Regina chuckled. "Yeah, it's a perk of the plant. I just put a warming charm on before diving in." she pulled Emma in for another kiss. "Can we get out now?"
Emma laughed. "Yeah." They quickly made their way out of the water and dried each other off before putting their clothes back on.
"You played so well," Regina murmured. "I got worried when Rose pulled your broom. I'd have been furious with her if she was on my team. That's just unnecessary desperation."
Emma shrugged as the two started to make their way up towards the castle. The dregs of the Quidditch crowd cheering Emma as they walked past.
"I know," Emma replied. "But Mulan's last hit was brilliant, I couldn't ask for a better player. My uncle has actually gone to speak to her despite the fact she's not leaving. He'll have his eye on her next year too. Ugh."
"What?" Regina asked, worried at the sudden groan.
"I have a Keeper and a Beater to replace next year," she said with a sigh.
Regina nudged Emma's shoulder. "I thought there was something more severe wrong then. I have to find a new Keeper too."
Emma raised her eyebrow. "Shall we make another bet for next year?"
"Oh, hell no," Regina said. "I'm not going through that again, not even for you." She winked at her girlfriend before glancing around to make sure they were still alone so she could pull her in for another kiss. "Although, just because you won the Quidditch Cup, it doesn't mean you'll win the Interhouse Tournament."
Emma smirked. "Just you wait."