A Whole New Flint
Emmie stared wide-eyed at the plant before her as she listened to Professor Sprout explain the best ways to retrieve the pods hidden within it. While she normally had no trouble with herbology, she was starting to wonder if she would be able to survive this year - literally. The plants had only gotten more dangerous.
"Alright. That's it. Now get into pairs and start collecting," Professor Sprout said brightly. "Don't forget to use your gloves!"
Emmie blinked and looked around, planning to team up with Kara as she usually did, though her best friend was now grinning cheekily at her from her station next to Penelope Clearwater. Emmie huffed and then looked for Melanie and Toni, but they were already pulling on their gloves as they cautiously inspected their snargaluff. Sighing, she looked around the room, hoping to Merlin that she was not about to end up with Flint. Even though he had managed to act fairly cordial the last two days - where that was coming from she had no idea - she still wasn't keen on being stuck with him for the remainder of the class. She already had rounds with him that night.
"Need a partner?"
She turned and saw Wood standing next to her. She nodded quickly and turned to the plant, reaching for her dragonhide gloves.
"Ehm, if you distract the vines, I suppose I could get the pods," he said, now eyeing it carefully. "Seems to be the more dangerous part of this."
"Are you sure that your hands'll fit?" she asked. "Seems a rather tight space. Besides, good chance both of us will be smacked by those vines regardless." Oliver leaned a bit closer, peering down into the plant.
"Good point," he said as he pulled out his wand. He glanced over at her. "Ready?"
Emmie pulled on her gloves and nodded, a determined look coming over her face. He then started through the first charm that Sprout had suggested, managing to stun the plant temporarily. Emmie moved quickly, reaching down between the vines and grabbing the first pod. It was a bit stuck, though she pulled it out with a jerk just before the vines came to life again.
She plopped it into a bowl and turned back to the plant, nodding that she was ready again.
The two worked in silence for a bit, too focused on not getting hit or scratched to say anything much to each other. Once they had extracted all the pods in the plant, they moved over to another station where they were to cut the pods open to get the tubers out.
"How's the book going?" Oliver asked as he started to break open the first pod.
"Good," she said. "Just got a few chapters read so far."
"It's a bit slow in the beginning, but picks up after that," he said.
"Good to know," she said as she jumped back slightly to avoid the clumpy liquid that squirted out at her.
"Careful there," Oliver said, chuckling as he handed her a rag.
"Thanks," she said, smiling slightly as she cleaned up her hands.
"So, ehm… my brother's match is going to be on the wireless this weekend. If you're up for it, you could come by the Gryffindor common room and listen in," he said casually. Emmie glanced over at him as she dropped the tuber into a bowl. She had never been to the Gryffindor common room before. "There's a bunch of us listening in." That was better. It was a group thing.
"Sure. I could probably come by," she said. Oliver grinned.
"Good. Starts just after lunch. You can come over with me afterwards," he said. Emmie nodded. "If there's anyone else in Hufflepuff that wants to come, feel free to bring them along."
"Of course," she said quickly, turning her attention back to her work. "Sure Fincher, Diggory, and the others would like to catch it." Oliver made a slight face at the mention of Cedric, though Emmie didn't notice.
"You close to all of them?" he asked. Emmie chuckled.
"Course I am," she said. "Been playing with most of them since second year save Diggory. Sort of become like brothers, guess you could say." Oliver nodded, seeming to relax a bit at that. "Fincher's got Diggory and I working together on choosing the new chaser."
"He thinking of putting you up for captain next year?" he asked, glancing at her.
"Merlin, no. I'd be horrible at that," she said with a chuckle. He frowned slightly.
"What makes you say that? You're a strong chaser and you'll be the oldest next year," he said.
"I'm pretty shite at coming up with plays and strategies," she replied. "I'd rather just play than have to manage the whole team. Besides, Diggory's much better at that than I am. And I'm nowhere near your level. We'd be doomed against Gryffindor with me at the helm. At least with him we might have a chance."
"Sure you could be good at plays and such," he said. "Don't sell yourself short, Mac." She blushed slightly as she glanced at him. "I could help you out, if you want?"
"Not sure Fincher would like that. Or your team," she said. "Aren't I the enemy?"
"Probably right about that," he said. "But still… would do it if you want."
"I'll think about it…"
"Good! Bring it in!" Fincher shouted before flying down to the pitch. He stood and waited as the rest of the team came over. Emmie pushed the few strands of hair that had come loose from her braid behind her ears as she trotted over, her broom tossed over her shoulder. "That was a good practice, but still need to hit those drills a bit harder." There was a collective groan. "Enough of that! You know they work!"
Emmie couldn't help but chuckle as she glanced around the group. They might whine, but she knew they were all secretly grateful that Fincher wasn't anything like Wood. The stories of his practices were legendary from the way the rest of his team complained about him.
"Mac, nice work. Think with a bit more practice, you'll have that dive ready for the next match," Fincher said. She couldn't help but beam in pride.
"She's gonna be our secret weapon this year," Ryan Parks, one of the beaters, said as he tossed his arm around her shoulders. "Ravenclaw's won't know what hit 'em."
"Not so sure about that," she said, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
"Stop it, Mac. You know that you're good. One of the best chasers we've had," Tiberius Whitshire, the other beater, said.
"Hey," shouted Charlie Nickles, the other chaser, a frown on his face. "I am standing right here."
"Shut it, he's right," Fincher said, a slight smile on his face. "But you've improved on your speed over the summer." Nickles' frown softened a bit. "Trials for the new chaser are coming up it a couple weeks. I expect all of you to be there." They all nodded. "Now, hit the locker room before Wood comes out and gets on my ass for taking up the field longer than we're allotted."
The group nodded and started towards the locker rooms. Cedric fell in step with Emmie as they made their way over.
"Whitshire really is right," he said to her. "You are honestly one of the best chasers we've had." Emmie felt herself blush all over again as she glanced at him.
"Well… you're a smashing good seeker," she replied, trying to repay the compliment. A slight blush came over his face as well.
"Not sure how I'll fare against Harry Potter."
"You'll get nowhere thinking like that," she said, shoving him playfully. "Have a bit of confidence, Diggory." He nodded as he glanced over at her and then back at the others, noticing they were a bit ahead.
"You know… it's alright to call me Cedric… if you want," he said shyly. Emmie just blinked a bit before smiling.
"Alright… Cedric," she said, feeling a slight flutter of something in her stomach at the sight of his grin. That was odd. Never happened before.
Just as they stepped into the fieldhouse and rounded the corner, they ran into the Gryffindor team as they were heading out to the pitch.
"Good practice, Mac?" Oliver asked, stopping for a moment.
"Yea, fairly," she replied, though she kept walking.
"Don't forget about Saturday," he called out as he started walking again. Emmie felt her face heat up as all the blokes on her team stopped and turned to stare at her.
"I won't!" she said before rushing into the locker room.
"So… what's Saturday?" Parks asked, coming in after her with a grin.
"Oh, ehm, Ryan's team is playing and Oliver invited all of us to come over to Gryffidor to catch it on the wireless," she said quickly as she started working at her bracers.
"All of us?" Nickles asked.
"Yea… all of us," she said, working on the pads and then tossing one into her bag as she began working on the other. She was so focused on the task at hand that she missed the look they all shared as they moved to their lockers. Or the odd look on Cedric's face.
She then looked up at them, causing them to quickly rearrange their faces.
"You in?" she asked.
"Sure," Fincher said. "We'll all go." Emmie smiled and turned around, sitting on the bench to work at her shin guards.
"Alright then. Planning to head up just after lunch," she said.
"Sounds like a plan."
Emmie sighed when she saw Flint leaning against the wall reading and continued forward. She prayed that this would be bearable. Flint heard her walk up and looked over at her, marking his spot in the book and then shoving it in his pocket as he pushed off the wall.
"Ready for rounds?" he asked lightly. Emmie just blinked as she noticed the unusually warm smile on his face. It seemed… odd. And out of character for Flint. He was usually either sneering, scowling or leering.
"Ehm, suppose," she said, continuing to walk. Flint fell in step next to her, not saying anything. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, noticing that he wasn't staring at her like he usually did. That was odd as well. He appeared to actually be doing his job. Maybe he had moved on to the next girl already. That thought buoyed her slightly. "What were you reading?" she finally asked, finding the silence to be a bit much.
"Just a book that Pucey suggested," he said. "Some adventure story about pirates and whatnot. It's pretty good."
"I didn't realize you enjoyed reading," Emmie said with a short laugh, though part of her was surprised to hear he too liked adventure stories.
"There are many things you don't know about me, MacKenzie," he said, though it was without his usual double meaning. "Get to know me and I just might surprise you." She looked over, noticing he was smiling slightly. Whipping her head around, she focused on the corridor in front of her.
"So… you like adventure stories?" she asked, not quite believing that she was actually making small talk with Flint at the moment.
"Yea, pretty exciting," he responded. "Though always looking for recommendations if you have any." Emmie studied him a bit, trying to figure what he was getting at. "I'm serious. I like reading." Her eyes widened slightly.
"Are you ill?" she asked, coming to a stop as she looked up at him. Flint chuckled as he turned to her.
"Feel fine," he said. He didn't say anything more, though Emmie could slightly tell that he had wanted to say something more. Something that was likely inappropriate. She studied him a bit before continuing to walk.
"How's your brother?" Flint asked casually.
"Why do you care about my brother?" Emmie asked, glancing at him suspiciously.
"Heard you two were close," he said.
"We are," she said.
"I'm fairly close with my brother as well," he said.
"You have a brother?" Emmie asked. He chuckled in response.
"Told you that there were things you didn't know about me," he said. "He's a lot older - about six years. Only at Hogwarts together for a year." Emmie nodded slowly, thinking it over. Her brother had never mentioned another Flint to her.
"What's he do?" she found herself asking. She could not believe that she was actually having a cordial conversation with Flint.
"Works at Gringotts," he said.
"Cursebreaker?" Emmie asked.
"Nah. Financing," he said. "Rather boring."
"He play quidditch in school too?" she asked.
"No. Never really was that good at sport. But he's incredibly smart. Still helps me with my schoolwork sometimes over the summer or winter break," Flint said. "I'm the only quidditch player in the family."
"Must be nice," Emmie said. Flint snorted.
"What I would give to have two pros in the family to help train me," he replied. Emmie found herself smiling slightly.
"It does help," she admitted. "But dad gets a bit… overzealous. Prefer working with my brother."
"He still with the Wanderers?" Flint asked. Emmie nodded.
"Chaser. Two seasons now," she said. "We're all awfully proud of him."
"But won't be long until you're in the League," Flint said. Emmie found herself blushing slightly.
"At least I hope so," she said. "Competition to get into the League is rather tough. Especially for women."
"You'll get in," he said, sounding rather sure. "Don't think I haven't noticed how good you are." Emmie was silent, unsure of how to respond. To be honest, this whole new Flint was really making her head spin. She had no idea that he could be so… friendly.
"I'm not that good," she said without thinking. "About average…"
Flint stopped and turned to face her, a somewhat serious look on his face.
"Don't underestimate yourself, MacKenzie. You are a good chaser," he said firmly. "And don't let anyone else tell you differently." Emmie just blinked, unable to speak for a bit. "Besides, I thought you wanted to go pro."
"I do," she responded. He nodded.
"Then you need to start thinking like a pro. You're not just average. You're great," he said. "And you will get signed. Got it?" Emmie just nodded wordlessly. "Come on. We should check the corridor near the potions classroom."
"O-okay…"
"He what?" Kara shouted as she stared at Emmie in utter confusion. They were in the common room working on protective charms.
"I know," Emmie replied. "It was so… odd. I've never seen Flint be so… friendly."
"Never thought I'd ever hear Flint and friendly in the same sentence," Kara said, walking over to her as she tapped her wand against her lower lip.
"You think he's up to something?" Emmie asked. Kara snorted.
"Course he is. This is Flint we're talking about," she replied.
"So this is some sort of new strategy to… get me to like him?" Emmie asked.
"Whatever you do, Em, do not fall for it," Kara said emphatically. It was Emmie's turn to snort.
"As if I would," she replied. "I would never, ever fall for Flint."
"I know, but if this is his new approach, you never know what he'll pull out next," Kara warned. "Merlin… Flint being charming… this is… we should check and see if Hell has frozen over."
"Don't worry. The last person I want to date is Flint. That will never happen," Emmie replied. Kara nodded and stepped back over to where she had been standing previously.
"So, figure we could get Fincher to help us this Saturday. Maybe practice in the courtyard where there's more room. And he's much faster at charms and spells than I am," she said.
"Oh, ehm, can't," Emmie said. "Got plans."
"What plans?" Kara asked, not quite believing her. Emmie rarely had plans that didn't involve Kara. "And if you say homework, I will jinx you for real right now." Emmie chuckled.
"Course not. Wood invited me to listen to the match on the wireless in Gryffindor," she said. Kara's eyes widened as she rushed back over to her.
"Seriously?!" she asked excitedly on the verge of squealing. Sure, it was for quidditch, but this was definitely a good sign.
"Yea, told me to bring the whole team," Emmie replied. Kara frowned at that.
"Oh…" she said. "No matter. Still a good chance for you two to get closer." Emmie rolled her eyes.
"We're just friends," she said.
"But not for long," Kara sang.
"Seriously, Kara," Emmie said with a laugh. "Just friends."
"Whatever," Kara said with a sigh as she walked away again.
"What are you working on, Mac?" Cedric asked, walking up to the two.
"Helping Emmie here with her offensive and defensive charm and spell work," Kara said. "She's been a bit… lacking in that regard."
"Ah… need some help?" he asked brightly. Emmie blushed slightly.
"S-sure, Cedric," she said, stuttering slightly. Kara's eyebrows rose slightly as she watched the interaction. This was a development. He looked over at Kara.
"What spells are you working on now?" he asked, pulling his wand out.
"Just trying to get her to do a decent shield charm," Kara replied. "She's better, but still needs work."
"It's not that bad," Emmie shot at her.
"How you've passed charms so far, I'll never know," Kara replied.
"That's because I am good at charms… just not defensive or offensive ones," Emmie said, pouting slightly. Kara just shook her head.
"If you're so good, then do one now," she said, crossing her arms in front of her. Emmie took a deep breath and then said "protego." A small shield came up and then quickly disappeared.
"Think I know what the problem is. You should wave your wand like this," he said, moving to take Emmie's wrist in his hand and guiding it through the motion. "And be more confident in your incantation." Emmie nodded, unable to speak as a blush quickly spread across her cheeks. Kara couldn't help but chuckle.
Emmie really never would change.
Hey guys! Sorry for the break. Had a busy weekend and then got caught up on yet another story. Swear as soon as I finish one, I get another one going… going to be awhile before it's ready to post as there's a lot of work to be done. But maybe in a few weeks. The idea came to me when I was taking a nap on Friday and before I knew it, I had the prologue and two chapters written. It's a Sirius Black fic, which I've never done before and there is a lot of plotting left to do, but we'll see how it goes.
Pamela Hutchins – No problem! Thanks for reading!
cjconner326 – Haha! Honestly, when ideas come to me, I can write pretty quickly. On any given day, I can do about 10,000 words spread out across various stories, sometimes more if I'm working from home and don't have a lot of projects going. Been in a dry spell in terms of work, hence so much of this story done in as fast as I've done it. Really need to get more work… And I'm glad that you like it! It's been kind of fun to explore different aspects of the same character.
nadia4245 – Haha, kind of the same with me and Flint. I actually previously wrote a complete and total rom-com with Flint as the main character set in 2018. Check it out, if you want!
Aphrodite-Venus-u.k – Thanks! It's a habit that I've picked up from previous stories. Feel like there is a lot more to explore if I include more perspectives than just the main character. ^_^
Thanks for reading guys!
