Wednesday November 10th 2021:

They were always there; the corridors, outside the castle, the Great Hall, the library, and in the classrooms. 'They' being individuals of every house, but the majority of them being Slytherins following Scorpius.

Because of the Malfoy's impressive Seeker skills during practises ever since making the team, and Bert Macmillan's high praise, their house was thoroughly convinced that Scorpius would likely be the key for them achieving the Quidditch Cup after so many years. He was being bullied less and less, and people he didn't even know in his own house often greeted him as if they had been good mates for years.

Those who were not a part of Slytherin stalked the talented Seeker for another reason. Rose was popular amongst Gryffindors and was sociable by nature, so her approval of him had earned him a high status.

What all houses had in common however, was their admiration for Scorpius' new-found confidence, in conjunction with his newly formed lean muscular build. Girls (and a boy here and there) would bring him his favourite treats from Honeydukes, and frequently hand him compliments and short to long ranging conversations

In advance of the first Quidditch match of the year, Scorpius relaxed side by side with Albus below the beech tree by the lake. Albus rejoiced in feeding the school's giant squid dwelling beyond the glittering ripples of water. Knowing what the creature's appetite was from reading one of his plentiful books of magical creatures that Hagrid gave him as a gift, the giant tentacle rose out of the water with a splash so powerful that the teen's clothes were soaked, and it latched onto the shrimp taken from the Great Hall during breakfast.

The time passing by with the feeding was not different from any other time they would hang out since returning from their summer holiday, not with a number of people chatting it up with Scorpius. They barely had time to relax. Many people approached their hang out at the beech tree to support Scorpius. Even fellow Quidditch players like Rose and Cora stopped by and wished him the best of luck.

"I told James to wish you luck, but he doesn't want to. He takes our house's pride very fervently," Rose said, already sporting her scarlet Quidditch robes.

"Of course. That wanker," Albus grumbled, taking James' behaviour more seriously than Scorpius.

When Rose departed, Scorpius caught a glimpse of the newest Chaser of their team; she was out for an isolated stroll, hands in her pocket with a troubled expression.

"Erika!" Scorpius shouted.

Erika lifted her head and grinned when her dark glistening brown eyes found him.

"No need to be nervous," Scorpius said.

"I'm not nervous," Erika fumblingly giggled, ambling towards him.

"Come on. You can tell me," Scorpius said in a sing-song voice.

Erika sighed. "Fine, I am a little. Ever since leaving Mahoutokoro, I have been trying my best to leave a good impression on everyone. It's difficult when you're a student who switches schools being fifteen, you know? This game means a big deal to everyone here, so the idea of letting them down in my first match—"

"That won't happen!" Scorpius finished. "You played flawlessly in all of our practises!"

"Yes, but practise is much different from the actual deal," Erika said.

"Well, I wish you luck," Scorpius said.

"Me too," Albus added.

"That's sweet of you two. I would wish likewise for you, Scorpius, but you won't need it," Erika said.

She winked and Scorpius' gaze followed the elegant movements of her long shining ebony hair as it bounced along with her strut.

"I don't hear the name Erika much," Scorpius muttered.

"Huh? Oh yeah. I guess so," Albus said, put off from that random comment.

"It's nice though," Scorpius said, maintaining his watchful eye on the path Erika exited from, like she was still there. "Did you know she wants to be a Healer?"

"No," Albus said, even more put off.

"She told me one time when we were leaving practise," Scorpius said.

"It's amazing how seriously these people take this game," Albus said, not enjoying the conversation or subject Scorpius was beginning to brew. "They act like the fate of the world depends on it, and now they don't treat you like shite just because you're good at it."

"I don't think it's winning that is drawing people to me, but my confidence," Scorpius said, withdrawing his stare on the retreating Erika, as well as his thoughts.

"I know. I'm just saying," Albus remarked. "Just make sure to be careful."

"I will," Scorpius reassured.

The enormous writhing tentacle arose again to snatch the final handful of shrimp from Albus' hand, and Scorpius pointed his wand at his robes to have a wave of hot air stream from the peak, and then to his own. Now they were no longer soaked; something Scorpius wished he had remembered to take care of when Erika was there.

XXX

The blustery weather howling and swerving on outside was so powerful that barely strutting over the borderline between the pitch and the changing rooms he already felt the combination of wind and rain slap his face.

But through the howling of the intense breeze he could still make out the deafening cheers echo throughout the stadium, and spot the flock of swaying green and yellow flags and banners. He did not concentrate on the flags or banners however as much as he did on Albus already gawking over at his direction. He waved, and Scorpius gleefully but timorously waved back.

Albus was finally confident about Scorpius' abilities after so many months, but no matter what, witnessing a Bludger closing on him, nose-diving near to the ground, or another player advancing next to him and occasionally punching during practises, Albus would panic.

The captains shook hands, and in ten seconds the whistle blew. Scorpius launched into the air, performing his objective as Seeker, he scouted about for the golden flying Snitch.

"And they're off!" Abigail Wood announced. She may not have been good at the game itself, but she was proven to be quite the engaging announcer. "Given the current weather conditions, it would be near impossible for anyone to see what they are doing, especially for the Seekers to seek out the Snitch! But that won't stop Horace Jameson of Slytherin flawlessly heading for the Bludger flying towards his teammate Erika Yushamor — in possession of a Quaffle!"

Albus was relieved that Horace was on Scorpius' team, so he would not pummel him into the ground — Horace was very skilled with his hitting.

Only a minute into the game, Scorpius detected Erika's usual talents not being embellished. Her broom controlled erratically and now and again a Bludger would just miss her, and a Quaffle would always be stolen not long after she would retrieve it. But he did not focus on Erika for very long, and instead swerved to the opposite direction Horace was heading, desperately searching for a speck of gold beyond the downpour. Hugo, being Hufflepuff's Seeker, zoomed all around with a watchful eye, but then decided to exhilarate high above the clouds to search there. He never liked to waste time and mosey around.

Scorpius chose to stay put below the clouds, edging over to the Hufflepuff's goalposts.

"Erika Yushamor scores the first goal!"

The Slytherin crowd went hysterical, waving their green banners and flags with the intense wind making their movements even more prominent.

Scorpius momentarily gave up his Seeker duties and saw Erika hovering mid-air, in complete shock with the widest smile on her face. He cheered for her, and Erika saw this and flushed.

Veering back to his goal, Scorpius continued his search but saw nothing. Just then Hugo emerged from the clouds — to Scorpius' relief — without the Snitch in his hand.

Suddenly, there flickering it's lightweight supersonic wings was the Snitch. Gasping, Scorpius dived with the wind and rain lightly belting his face. He was eight feet away with his arm extended forward. The commentary was completely unheard by him, but then Hugo came veering in off the left of him, also with his hand reaching forward.

Scorpius' heart fluttered in anticipation, but then a Bludger — hit by Hufflepuff's Beater — threw both of them off course. In just a few seconds, the Snitch flew upward from position. Scorpius was feeling indifferent about the sudden block, grateful for interrupting Hugo, but the other of it blocking his own goal.

Disappointed booes from both opposing team supporters, including Albus, sounded from the stands. But that quickly changed with the Hufflepuff supporter's applause and uproar when one of their team's Chaser scored.

"The two teams are now evenly matched! Eighty points each!"

The two Seekers darted up past the clouds. Scorpius was skilled at diving, but not so much the vertical soaring, especially in the rain and dark patches of clouds. Unlike Hugo, where soaring appeared to be his speciality.

Scorpius narrowly avoided the Hufflepuff and frantically scanned his surroundings, with Hugo ahead of him.

Neither of them could see the tiny golden nuisance, but with both of them simply hovering, they both took their time and hunted. Then, the speck of gold revealed itself, circling around a cloud. Scorpius accelerated with all of his might, trying not to blink — which was difficult due to the pressure of the wind in his eyes — and saw Hugo following him at the corner of his unblinking eye.

The Snitch flew downward, and Scorpius smirked. With his talent as an advantage, he swooped down and kept on it. Now that he was closer to the ground, he could hear the crowds again, and at the moment he knew that they were ecstatic on the Slytherin side.

"Scorpius Malfoy of Slytherin is in pursuit of the Snitch, with Hugo Granger-Weasley of Hufflepuff tailing behind him!"

Scorpius could hear a faint voice from the crowd, calling out his name and cheering him on. He would know that voice anywhere: it was Albus! Albus was never so loud or excited for these sorts of events, so Scorpius was surprised, but surely inspired.

Good timing too, because Scorpius increased in speed and inched closer and closer to his target, with Hugo barely falling behind. His hand closed in around the struggling Snitch at the end of his house's side of the pitch.

The whistle blew and the Slytherin supporters jumped from their seats and cheered while the Hufflepuff supporters reacted in the opposite manner.

Scorpius settled his broom back to ground level and showed off the Snitch for everybody to see.

"Great game, Scorpius!" Bert Macmillan praised, patting his shoulder.

A handful of Scorpius' teammates hoisted him into the air on their shoulders, and Erika ran up to him.

"Great job!" Erika said.

"It was pretty great," Scorpius acknowledged through the roaring cheers, "but you were the first to make a goal!"

"He's right!" Bert chimed in. "Well done, everyone!"

Everyone congratulated each other, and then put Scorpius back down. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around, being face to face with Hugo.

"Good game, Scorp," Hugo said, presenting his hand to Scorpius.

It was clear on Hugo's face that he was disappointed, but Scorpius admired him being a good sport. Scorpius shook his hand. "Thanks. You too."

When the team was on their way to the changing room, Scorpius was interrupted again, this time by Albus.

"You!" Scorpius said. "What was with that yelling encouragement, huh?"

"I thought you needed it," Albus said. "Nice hair by the way."

Scorpius looked confused, but then touched his hair since he could not see it. His standard thin slicked back hair was currently rumpled, pointed upwards like the tip of a flame.

"Must be all of that wind and rain," Scorpius said. "You know I just might keep this look."

Albus swore every success Scorpius had was accompanied by a good amount of confidence. With a preposterous hairdo like that and proudly keeping it, he was sure he was being crazily overconfident with his beliefs. Though secretly Albus could not deny that he adored this new style choice.