Okay, so just a bit of a warning this is a long one. Hope you enjoy:)
Chapter 11
September 17, 2030
It had been a week since the incident. The talk had died down as much as possible, and all I got were a few stares here and there.
Eventually, the Bloody Baron had convinced Peeves to relinquish the weapons, after much persuasion from McGonagall, and the castle had quickly been repaired.
As I woke on Sunday morning, I was filled with an overwhelming amount of emotions. I hadn't spoken to Bailey or Wyrene, although I knew she had found out. I had gotten a multitude of letters from my 'parents' over the week, but I had thrown them in the fire the first moment I could.
Maybe I would confront them later, but right now, I was too upset to deal with them.
I had barely spoken to anyone except Xinia, Anica and Ciena all week, but luckily the rest of my friends understood.
The other reason for my swirling emotions was the fact that Quidditch tryouts were being held today. McGonagall had put a notice up in the Community Hall on Monday evening, and it had been all the first years were talking about all week.
The rules for trying out had changed several years ago. However, they were still strict on who they let play. From what I'd been told, only the best first years would be allowed on the teams, if at all.
Our group had discussed it a lot recently, and we decided that all of us bar Hailey and Ciena would be trying out. I had heard that quite a few others would also be trying out.
The tryouts had been a welcome distraction for me, so every spare minute I'd had I'd been on the school brooms practising. More often than not, Anica and Xinia would join me, and in the late afternoon, most of the group would as well. All of us are going for the positions we played in our first game except for Owen. She would be going for Chaser instead of Keeper.
I quickly get dressed for the day before heading down to breakfast. I wolf down my food before rushing to the Quidditch pitch to get some last-minute practice in. I knew I could play well, but I had to be better than everyone else to even have a chance to get on the team.
Lucky for me, no one had arrived at the field yet, so I had it to myself. I quickly grab the school broom I had been using all week before kicking off into the air.
To warm-up, I did a few laps of the pitch before flying in and out of the stands and through and around the hoops. I did a few more laps before returning to the ground to grab a beaters bat and a bludger. I toss the ball into the air and give it a few seconds to fly around before returning to the sky. Almost immediately, the Bludger starts making a path towards me and I quickly ready my bat. When it's close enough, I hit it hard, sending it flying away from me.
Initially, I just hit it wherever to get myself ready, but eventually, I move to targeting certain spots. About 85% of my shots hit precisely where I aimed, the other 15% varying from close to and nowhere near my target.
As I'm going for Beater, I don't need to worry about the weather conditions or the other players, which makes me much more confident. I'm not exactly nervous, but I'm anxious to just get the tryouts over and done with.
I'm so concentrated on hitting the Bludger that I don't realise people are starting to show up to the field. When I do, I realise all of the Quidditch Captains are here already and so are a few students. I feel heat rising to my cheeks as I quickly grab the Bludger the next time it comes near me and return to the ground. I put the struggling ball away, keeping my broom and bat.
By the time I get back, quite a few more people have shown up, all clad in appropriate gear. I spot Anica and Xinia amongst the crowd and quickly make my way to them. Before I can reach them though, a tall girl with long blonde hair calls out to me. I recognise her as a 6th year Slytherin, but can't recall her name, or why she might be calling out to me. Nevertheless, I make my way over to her.
"Say, what's your name, kid?" she asks.
I look up at her warily.
"Gena Dinnick," I answer, not bothering to specify I'm not technically a Dinnick.
"You got a sister? Slytherin Keeper?"
"Yeah, Wyrene," I clarify.
"You trying out today?"
I nod. The girl smiles, holding her hand out.
"I'm Tatum Lillian. Slytherin Chaser and Quidditch Captain."
I feel my eyes widen in surprise, almost forgetting to shake her hand.
"Oh!" I exclaim. "Nice to meet you."
I try to smile at her, but it falls short. Tatum laughs, clapping my shoulder.
"Relax. You'll be fine out there. From what I've seen and what Coach Wood told me, you've got a pretty good chance," she reassures me. "Besides, I'm looking for two new Beaters. Both of them graduated last year."
I feel my hopes rise at her words. I actually have a chance!
"Thank you!" I smile brightly.
"No worries," she laughs. "Anyways, I should get going. See you."
She walks off, leaving me to join the girls.
"Who was that?" Anica asks.
"Slytherin Quidditch Captain," I tell them. "She said I have a pretty good chance of getting on the team!"
Both of them widen their eyes in surprise. Xinia jumps up and down in excitement.
"That's so good, Gean!" she cries. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Yeah, that's awesome," Anica agrees, although her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Tatum - the Captain - said she's looking for two new Beaters," I tell her. "Both of hers graduated last year, so she needs new ones. You've got a pretty good chance too Anica, especially with the good word from Coach Wood."
Anica's expression brightens considerably, and I smile at her. Unfortunately, Xinia seems to get nervous at my words. Her smile falls, and she starts fidgeting with her necklace.
"Hey, you'll be fine too, Xin," I say quickly. "Wood put in a good word for you as well, and you're an awesome player."
"But what if they've already got three Chasers and don't even bother looking for new ones? What if I freak out and make a mistake. What if - "
"Well at that rate you will," Anica cuts in, smiling lightly. "Don't worry Xinia. Everything will be fine, and we'll all get in and be able to verse each other in future games. Although Gena and I will totally demolish you guys."
Her taunts seem to snap Xinia out of her thoughts, and she fixes Anica with a glare.
"No way! You guys are going down!"
Anica and I laugh, but before we can speak, a sharp whistle rings out. Almost all the conversation stops immediately to look at the four students in front of us. Two girls and two boys, I assume they're the Captains, as Tatum and Priya - Owen's older sister - are the two girls. Coach Wood stands off to the side.
Everyone looks at them in anticipation, so Priya speaks up. She's the shortest of the four, but she makes up for it in muscle. Her short black hair is in a small ponytail at the back of her head, and her scarlet robes stand out against her brown skin.
"Alright, everyone, listen up," she calls out to the few people still talking. "My name is Priya Kent, and I'm the Gryffindor Captain. I'll be holding tryouts for every position except Seeker, because that's my position, starting with Chasers."
Tatum then steps forward.
"I'm Tatum Lillian, Slytherin Captain. We have one Chaser spot, and both the Beater spots. Sorry for those of you who wanted to try out for the other spots. I'll be starting with the Chaser first."
The taller of the two boys steps forward. He has strawberry blonde hair and pale skin. Although he's taller, he looks younger than the other boy.
"I'm the Ravenclaw Captain, William Zachary. All spots are open except for Keeper. Chasers will be first."
I feel Xinia tense beside me at the prospect of going first, so I send her a reassuring glance. She smiles a little in thanks.
I turn back to look at the last boy to step up. He seems slightly familiar, but I can't place it. He has messy blonde hair that falls over his eyes. He shakes it aside as he prepares to speak.
"Hi, everyone. I'm Harry Muply, and I'm the Hufflepuff Captain."
His last name sparks recognition. Xandler Muply, one of Bailey's friends, was his younger brother.
"Unfortunately, we only have the Beater spots open. I'm really sorry to anyone who wanted to try out for the other positions."
When he finishes talking, Tatum steps up again.
"Alright, now that's sorted, everyone who can't tryout, please clear out. You can stay and watch in the stands if you want as long as you don't cause a disturbance."
There's a collection of groans and mumbles as about a third of the group leaves. With them gone, about forty people are left. I spot the rest of the group and a few others I recognise left. Luckily all of our friends are going for positions they can try out for.
Just then, Tatum continues speaking.
"Gryffindor tryouts will go first, then Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and finally Slytherin. You're welcome to stay and watch before you go, but you don't have to. Keep in mind, though, if you miss your tryouts you won't get another chance."
"We're not leaving," Xinia whispers to Anica and me.
I try not to roll my eyes.
"Obviously. Why ever would we?" I answer sarcastically.
Anica laughs, and Xinia slaps me.
"Shut up," she mutters.
"Priya, you can take the lead," I hear Tatum finish.
Priya leads the Gryffindors away, and I give Nick, Dylan, Owen and George a thumbs up as they leave. My bets are on George, although Owen has a pretty good chance with her sister being the Captain. I hope Nick and Dylan get in, but I'm pretty sure Priya's only holding tryouts for everyone because this is her first year of being Captain and it's recommended they hold tryouts for everyone on their first go.
Still, my fingers are crossed for them.
The rest of us make our way to the stands to sit and watch everyone try out. We meet Ciena and Hailey along with the rest of the group. We don't speak much before the tryouts begin.
As Priya said, she starts with the Chaser positions. Eight people are going for the spots, Owen among them. I also spot Xander and his friend Xandler - the Hufflepuff Captains brother. If I remember correctly, they were on the team before which means they would probably get the positions again. The other four look relatively young, perhaps no older than fifth year, so Owen has a pretty good chance. Then I spot the last girl who has to be a seventh year.
"She'll be the other Chaser I bet," I whisper to Xinia.
"Poor Owen," she agrees.
We watch as Priya explains to them what she wants them to do. They mount their brooms and take to the sky, passing the Quaffle between each other. After a few minutes, four more people take to the air and fly to the goal hoops. I spot George among them.
"Each of you gets three chances to either score a goal or stop the goal, depending on your position," Priya calls out.
Suddenly, without warning, the older girl throws the Quaffle she's holding at the middle hoop. Then, even quicker, George darts towards the ball and knocks it out of the way.
Gasps of surprise come from all around us, Xinia one of them.
"How did he do that?" she cries. "He wasn't that good when we played!"
"He was holding back," Kimmy says with a smirk. "Didn't want to steal all the glory from Owen."
"Are you that good as well?" I ask sceptically.
She shrugs.
"Somewhat."
I glance at Xinia, noticing her growing panic. Kimmy's going for Chaser as well, which means Xin has less of a chance of getting the spot if Kimmy is as good as she says. I feel my own worry start to grow although I try to hide it.
Xin will be fine.
I turn my attention back to the tryouts, watching as Xander gets a goal through one of the others going for Keeper.
This continues for a bit longer before the last six students - Beaters - take to the sky. I spot Dylan and Nick talking to each other before flying off in separate directions.
Now all the positions are on the field, the tryouts start looking more like a proper game, except it's everyone for themselves. The Chasers weave in and out of the way of the Beaters and their Bludgers while trying to get the Quaffle through the hoops the Keepers are watching.
Finally, Priya calls them back to the ground. They stand around waiting while Priya talks to Coach Wood for a little bit. The rest of us sit in anticipation, trying to get a look at everyone's reactions as Priya tells them whether they got their positions or not. Next to me, Xinia bounces her leg up and down in impatience.
"How long does it take to tell people their bloody positions?" she exclaims when she notices me looking at her.
"Why are you so worried?" I ask. "Xander is obviously going to get in. Priya's just doing the trials because this is her first year of being Quidditch captain."
"There are also four of our friends trying out," she says. "I want them all to get spots, but I don't think they will. Most of these people were on the team last year so like you said they're going to get in. There's no way all of their positions can be open."
"Guys, shut up," Anica suddenly says from the other side of Xinia. "I think she's telling them."
We instantly snap our eyes back to the pitch. All the students are gathered around Priya and Coach Wood. As I watch, I spot George wrap his arms around Dylan and Nick and beckons to Owen. She joins the boys, and they stand together. Their focus returns to Priya as she starts reading out the names from her sheet of paper. About three seconds pass before Xander, Xandler and the seventh-year girl sport grins. I look at Owen and see her smile fall. She didn't get a spot.
"Shit," Anica curses.
I don't look away as Priya starts reading again. Just then, two boys give each other a high five. Then they walk up to Dylan and Nick and shake their hands. Neither of our friends looks particularly happy.
"They didn't get Beaters then," I sigh.
"I really hope George at least gets a spot. He was so good…" Xinia trails off, crossing her fingers.
I nod as Priya once again looks down at her paper. I watch George as his expression doesn't change for a second. Then, a massive smile forms on his face and Owen, Dylan and Nick cheer loudly.
"Yes!" Xinia and Kimmy shout, standing up.
Ciena, Hailey, Anica and I join them, cheering and clapping loudly.
"Go George!" Anica shouts.
He looks up at the stands, searching for us, and grins even wider when he spots us. The rest of the Gryffindors on the field congratulate him and the others who got the spots.
Eventually, Priya speaks again, and I see everyone who didn't get positions walk off the field. About a minute later, the other six follow after a quick word from their Captain and Coach Wood. The four of them join us shortly, and we all congratulate George.
"You guys all did really well," Hailey tells the others. "I think you should have gotten in."
"It's alright, Hails," Owen tells her. "Priya told me I probably wouldn't get in this year anyway. Dyl and Nick knew as well."
"Plus, we got reserves," Nick smiles.
"I'm still really sorry guys," George says. "I would've loved to be on the team with you three."
"It's fine mate," Dylan waves him off. "Yours was really the only spot open anyway."
Our conversation gets cut short when Harry Muply, the Hufflepuff captain, calls out for their tryouts to begin.
"Those who are trying out for Hufflepuff Beaters, please come down and join Coach Wood and me."
A few people around us stand up, and I recognise a second-year boy who I have seen practising a few times.
"Guys, that's Flynn Edelman, he's outstanding, he was on the team last year. I'm pretty sure he replaced a seventh year," Owen tells us.
"Holy!" Anica practically screams.
"Wow," I add.
We all watch as four people line up in front of Harry, including Flynn and Wendy, Hailey's older sister.
"I didn't know she played," Kimmy comments.
"Yeah, she's friends with Flynn," Hailey admits. "She's not as good as him, but she plays pretty well."
Kimmy nods before returning her eyes to the tryouts. They go by rather quickly with only four of them. Flynn is the last one to try out, and he certainly lives up to my expectations. I get a little nervous watching him because if I make it onto the team, I would have to verse him.
In the end, Wendy and Flynn get the spots, to no one's surprise.
"Ravenclaw, please come down," William, the Ravenclaw Captain announces.
I watch as Xinia once again begins to fiddle with her necklace.
"Hey, it'll be fine," I reassure her. "You will be amazing, and you're going to blow everyone away with your awesome skills, and you will put the other students to shame with their horrible skills."
"Yeah as long as you don't fall off your broom you'll be fine," Anica grins.
Xinia slaps her.
"Real encouraging."
I laugh before hugging her.
"Don't worry Xin. You've played a million times. You can do this. Just go be your brilliant self."
"Come on, Xinia," Kimmy beckons patiently. "We need to go."
Xin nods, taking a few deep breaths before getting up and following Kimmy.
"Good luck you two," George calls as they leave.
They flash him big smiles before turning around again. I notice Xinia looking a little more confident. Interesting.
As the rest of the Ravenclaws make their way to the pitch, I turn to George.
"So how come you didn't show us your skills during our game?"
He shrugs.
"I didn't want to put Owen to shame."
"You and your sister," I mutter under my breath.
"What?" he asks in confusion.
"She said the same thing," I explain. "Anyway, is Kimmy as good as you?"
"She will be. I've played for much longer than her, so I'm better. But she's better than what she was playing if that's what you're asking."
"Better than Xinia?" I ask.
"I think so, but Xinia is still pretty good," he replies.
"You think they'll get in?"
"Depends on how good the others are, I reckon."
"So what do you think about Xinia?"
"What?" he stops abruptly.
"What do you think about Xinia?" I repeat.
"What do you mean?"
"What you think -"
"For god sakes, I know what you mean. Why do you ask?"
I shrug.
"I'm interested."
"Why?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes, it does," he cries. "Why are you asking what I think about Xinia?"
"Just because -"
Just then, Anica suddenly hits my side.
"GUYS SHUT UP! XINIA'S ABOUT TO CRASH!"
I whip around to look at the field, where sure enough, Xinia is heading straight for the stands to the right of us. She's desperately trying to right herself, but she's moving too fast.
"Come on, Xinia!" I yell, cupping my hands around my mouth to make my voice louder. "Fix yourself up!"
My words seem to reach her as she shakes her head before pulling into a steady climb at the last second, slowing down as she ascends into the sky. As she regains control of her broom, she starts to descend again, an angry look on her face. She speeds away before I can understand why. Not taking my eyes off of her, I ask Anica what happened.
"Someone sent a Bludger at her," she tells me. "She looked distracted like she wasn't paying attention. She didn't notice it until it had hit her."
"Who hit it?" George asks.
"Dunno," Anica replies. "Some blonde guy."
"Pretty sure she's going to go kill him," I comment.
"Probably," Anica laughs.
I return my focus to the game. William and Harry are positioned at opposite goals as Keepers. Harry probably got pulled in by William to help with his tryouts. Five people hold Beaters bats, although there seem to be two teams of two and the other just going for everyone. There's six Chasers, so presumably, three of them are on teams versing the others. A few others hover above the game, all of them looking around desperately. Probably the Seekers looking for the Snitch. A whole game is taking place in front of us, and I don't know where to look.
Just then, one of the Chasers scores a goal through Harry, and I see two girls fly up to congratulate him. Neither Xinia nor Kimmy moves out of their positions, so I gather they're playing on a team together with the other boy.
The Quaffle is thrown back out onto the field, and the game continues. Our group watches in anticipation while Xinia holds her place next to Kimmy.
Suddenly, I see a flash of blue in front of me, and I realise that Xinia is no longer in her position beside Kimmy. She's racing past two of the beaters, then knocks the blonde kid so that he is hanging from his broom. She continues on and in one smooth motion, she grabs the Quaffle off one of the girl Chasers on the opposing team and changes direction for the hoops.
"Go, Xinia!" I stand and yell.
"You've got this," Anica joins as the whole group begins to cheer her on.
"Come on, Xin!"
"Yes, you can do it!"
Kimmy and another boy race alongside Xinia to cover her as she makes her way to the goal. One of the Beaters sends a Bludger to knock away an opposing Chaser, and the other races ahead of Xinia, bat in hand, clearing a path for her.
Just then the other boy Chaser rushes toward Xinia, hand reaching out for the Quaffle. Xinia doesn't move out of the way, however.
"What are you doing?" Owen yells. "Get out of the way Xinia!"
Still, she doesn't move. She's two seconds away from impact.
Suddenly, she falls into a quick dive with less than a millisecond to spare. The boy flies straight over her as she pulls ahead. Everyone in our group cheers.
Xinia reaches the goals and without a second of hesitation tosses the Quaffle at the left hoop. William races to stop it, but it flies too quickly for him. She makes the goal, and the stands erupt in cheers, not just from our group.
"That's the best I've ever seen a first-year play," someone comments.
"She and that other girl are amazing! If they don't make the team Will's gone mental."
I assume the 'other girl' is Kimmy, who had scored a pretty good goal a minute into the game Anica had said. She had also successfully kept the other off of Xinia as she went for hers.
The game continues for a little longer before one of the Seekers suddenly dives after spotting the Snitch. The other four chase after him, all trying to catch it. In the end, an older boy, a sixth-year most likely, catches it.
William calls them back to the ground once the game finishes. I can see the nervous look on Xinia's face from here. My heart pumps loudly in my chest as I wait for the results to be told. Just before William reads the results out, I see Xinia whisper something to Kimmy, who nods and gives her a reassuring smile. Then the names are readout. I watch as Xinia's face doesn't change, and my heart drops.
"Looks like Kimmy got in," Dylan states.
"Looks like Xinia didn't," Anica replies.
We all sit in silence as they make their way up.
"I'm so sorry, Xinia," Nick apologises.
"For what?" I see her smile grow, "I got in!"
"You little -" I cut off, leaping up to hug her.
Anica and Ciena follow suit before the rest of the group joins in. We pull Kimmy into the mixture, congratulating them both. Eventually, we pull away to let them talk.
"Who else got in?" Ciena asks.
"The guy who caught the Snitch," Kimmy answers. "Tyrene. And Dean, the boy who wasn't on our team, got the other Chaser spot."
"Peter and Cohen got Beater," Xinia says, looking upset. "Cohen was the one who hit the Bludger at me."
"That's probably why he got the spot," Anica points out. "Cause he hit the star player."
Xinia rolls her eyes but smiles a little.
"I feel sorry for Fred. He was the one who spotted the Snitch, but Tyrene had a faster broom, so he caught it first. It's not fair that we have to use the crappy school brooms when we already have less of a chance of getting on the team."
I think back to my conversation with McGonagall, but then other thoughts creep in, and I push them away. I can't afford to be distracted.
"Who's Fred?" I ask. "I mean, how do you know him?"
"You really don't pay attention, do you?" Xinia comments. "He's a first-year like us. Honestly, you'd think having classes with the guy would make you notice him."
"Who cares about other people?" I snort.
"Everyone except Slytherins," Kimmy laughs. "No offence."
I hear the joke in her voice, so I brush it off.
"No, but you're right," I say. "That is crap. If the only thing that stopped him from getting the Snitch was the school brooms, that's unfair Tyrese got the spot."
"Tyrene," Xinia corrects. "But there's nothing we can do," she shrugs. "He'll probably get on the team next year. He's the reserve Seeker at least."
"That's good," Anica says.
Just then, I hear Tatum calling out.
"Slytherins, come down now if you're trying out."
"Shit," I mutter. "Come on, Anica."
"Good luck guys," Xinia hugs us.
"You'll be awesome," Nick says.
A chorus of good luck follows.
"Thanks, guys," I smile before turning away to walk down to the pitch.
When we reach the field, I count nine of us in total. Four going for Chaser, five for Beater. I'm surprised to spot Kyle among the Beaters.
"I didn't know who were trying out," I say.
He grins at us.
"Last minute thing. Tim dared me to. Couldn't back down."
We laugh, shaking our heads.
"Do you actually want the spot?" Anica asks.
He shrugs.
"Sort of. I'd rather play Keeper, but I had to go for something. I mean, if I get in, it'll be awesome, but if I don't, I won't mind too much."
I nod, turning back to Tatum as she starts talking.
"Alright, everyone give me your names and what position you want so I can check who's here."
The Chasers introduce themselves as Liam, Matthew, Benjamin and Taj. Tatum looks surprised when Matthew tells her his name.
"Isn't your name Michael? You're already on the team," she asks in confusion.
Matthew smiles a little.
"Nah, that's my brother. We're twins," he clarifies.
"Oh, that makes sense," Tatum nods. "Beaters?" she asks us.
Anica and I introduce ourselves, and Kyle follows. The other two girls, one a sixth and one a second year, are Bronte and Cindy.
"Any chance you'll let me in this year, Tay?" Bronte asks.
Tatum rolls her eyes.
"Just 'cause we're friends doesn't mean you get in Bronte," she laughs.
Bronte shrugs.
"Worth a try."
"Alright guys," Tatum says to us. "This is how it's going to work. I'll let the Chasers go for a run first, see what you can do. Will's going to be Keeper for us, and you'll try and get your goals through him. After a bit, we'll add the Beaters to test their skills and your ability to dodge them Chasers. Everyone understand?"
We nod, and she tells the Chasers to get ready. On her mark, they fly off into the air, Liam getting to the Quaffle first. I don't pay attention to them, too focused on getting myself ready to watch. I tighten all my gear and grasp the bat I had been given. I warm my arms up and give a few test swings with the bat. I get a feel of it quickly, and it soon feels comfortable in my hands.
To take my mind off my worry, I chat with Anica.
"How are you feeling?" I ask.
"Little nervous," she admits. "But mostly just impatient. I want to get this over with."
"Same," I smile a little. "Reckon we've got a good chance?"
"Think so. Cindy's only a year older, Bronte might be good, I don't know, and Kyle's not trying too hard. As long as we play well, we'll all have a pretty good chance, I think."
I nod, letting her words mull over in my mind. I'm not overly intimidated by the others; I'm mostly worried about myself. I don't often get nervous, but sometimes it muddles me up. I can't afford to make any mistakes, though. As Anica said, it's going to be close. I need to be on my game to make sure I get a spot.
We don't talk anymore as we wait for Tatum to call us up. I try to take a few breaths to steady my heartbeat, and it helps a little. I continue to swing the bat around before hopping on my broom and doing a few low turns and circles to get used to the feeling of the broom again. I had managed to get the school one I'd been using, so I knew I didn't have to worry about not being able to manipulate it properly.
Over the past week, I had been able to control it and even been able to do some tricks on it. It's still nowhere near as good as mine at home, but it would do.
Before I know it, Tatum calls us up, and we mount our brooms and fly into the air.
"I want to see how good your aim is, how strong your hit is, and now well you can protect your Chasers," Tatum tells us. "I'm going to play Chaser alongside them and Gena; you're going to mark me and protect Taj. Bronte, you'll mark Liam and protect me. Anica, you'll mark Benjamin and protect Matthew. Kyle, mark Taj, protect Benjamin. Cindy, mark Matthew and protect Liam. Is everyone clear on what they're doing?"
I nod, keeping that information in my mind. Mark Tatum, protect Blondie. Watch out for Kyle, keep the friend away. Keep clear of the twin to help Anica. Maybe sabotage young girl if Anica needs it. Got it.
Tatum calls for the 'game' to begin again, and I follow Tatum as she flies away. I find Taj - or Blondie, as I prefer - and keep him in my peripheral vision. I spot the Bludgers instantly but decide to stay away from them unless they come near me or my marks.
As well as watching them, I keep an eye on the game to see how well the others are doing. Anica seems to be doing the same as me, watching but not hitting, while the others handle the balls.
For a few minutes, both Tatum and Blondie mostly stay out of the game, so I don't have to move anyway. But eventually, the twin tosses the Quaffle to Tatum, and she flies off. I race after her, readying the bat in my hand for the next time I meet a Bludger. Luckily Blondie followed Tatum as well, being on the opposite 'team', so I can watch him as well.
As I fly past Anica, I call out to her to get her help. She understands immediately, thankfully.
Blondie is now in possession of the ball, but Tatum is closing in on him. Just in time, Anica sends a Bludger towards me so that I can swing it at Tatum. I slow down as it comes towards me, and hold my bat up. I grip it with two hands, needing the extra strength. I've got near-perfect balance, so I don't have to worry about the broom tipping me off.
The Bludger comes closer, closer, until, finally, I can hit it. I swing my bat with all my strength, aiming it at Tatum. My bat hits true, and the ball flies at Tatum. She dodges it at the last second, but it puts her off course, allowing Blondie to gain some ground with the Quaffle. A surge of happiness goes through me to know my nerves aren't affecting my game.
With renewed confidence, I fly after Blondie.
He's now passed the Quaffle off to Liam, who quickly scores a goal. I can tell he's got a lot more talent than the others, and will probably get the Chaser spot. Oh well. Sucks for the others, but I don't care too much.
I continue to watch Tatum and Blondie, occasionally helping the other Beaters when they need it. I still haven't done anything exceptional, so I'm a little worried, but neither has anyone else.
The game carries on.
The Chasers continue to score goals and dodge our Bludgers. I manage to hit Tatum's broom twice, sending her off course, but she doges every other hit. Usually, that would be enough, but the Bludgers aren't regular Quidditch Bludgers so they can't hurt or damage equipment, so all it does is make me look better. Not that that's bad.
Anica and I end up practically playing together, falling into our familiar rhythm of staying out of each other's way and helping when necessary. The game continues to be pretty straight forward until suddenly Tatum intercepts a pass and grabs the Quaffle and her team bands together to keep the others away. Anica and I race after her with the aid of the rest of the Chasers. The Bludgers seem to sense they need to hit someone, so they fly near us.
Suddenly, I get an idea. I voice it to Anica, and her eyes light up. We've only done the move once or twice before, but it's incredibly effective and will secure our spots on the team if we can pull it off. I know a lot is riding on this, but it's worth the risk.
I double back, hoping Blondie can hold his own for a bit while I get into position. Anica does the same a little away from me.
This whole move is exceptionally precarious, and there's only a small chance it'll go right. It takes impeccable timing and positioning and almost double the normal strength. Hopefully, with two of us, we can pull it off.
I do a few loops around one of the Bludgers, moving around to the front of Tatum, to get it into position. As I expected, it follows me around, allowing me to control where it flies. I make sure Anica is ready before stopping in a particular spot. When she's in place, we ready our bats. I count down on my fingers; three, two, one. On one, the Bludger is in the perfect spot for me to hit, and I swing my bat with all my might once again. I aim it towards the middle of Anica and I while she does the same.
Somehow, against all the odds, the Bludgers meet at full force. They fly off in the same direction, having hit in just the right spot, towards Tatum, who our team have managed to hold off while we were setting this up. With double the force and speed the Bludgers fly together. Tatum notices them too late, and they hit their mark. One of the balls hits the front of Tatum's broom, sending her spinning, while the other hits her hand holding the Quaffle, probably breaking a few of her fingers. She drops the Quaffle, allowing Blondie to catch it and pass it off to Liam, where he soars down the pitch, unfollowed by the others because Tatum is out of play. He scores, getting the Quaffle past William as the crowd erupts into cheers.
Tatum calls the end of the game, and I feel a little bad when I spot her hand. The Bludger must have hit it harder than I thought, and her wrist is bent out of place.
"Yeah, um, sorry about that Tatum," I say as I place my feet firmly on the ground.
"Don't worry about it, kid," she smiles. "I'll get it fixed up in no time. That was one hell of a move," she adds, looking between Anica and me.
Anica beams, looking extremely pleased.
"It was Gena's idea," she says modestly.
"Couldn't have done it without you," I tell her.
We become silent however, when Wood walks over and begins to talk with Tatum quietly.
The rest of the players have landed, and we stand in a semi-circle waiting for them to join us.
While we're waiting, I turn to Anica.
"We need payback for what Xinia did," I tell her.
She nods.
"I agree. What should we do?"
"Well I have a Bludger here, and we both have a bat, and she's not paying too much attention, so..."
She grins, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"I like the way you think."
"Not too hard though, we don't want her in the Hospital Wing for a week."
"Soft then?"
"Mid-soft, I think," I smile.
"Sounds good."
While Tatum and Coach Wood are still talking, Anica and I ready our bats. Xinia is talking to the rest of the group, and none of them is paying attention. The perfect targets. Again, I count down before releasing the Bludger. We hit it straight away, aiming it directly at Xinia. It flies towards her, but just before it hits her, it gets intercepted. At the last second, George spotted the Bludger and leapt up in front of Xinia, stopping the path of the ball with his hands. It pushes him back a little as he struggles to hold it against his chest. The rest of the group jump up in surprise, some screaming, some laughing.
Anica and I erupt into laughter at George struggling and Xinia's angry look. George passes the ball off to Nick, who throws it back to us. Anica catches it easily and holds it under her arm, where it stops struggling. She smirks up at the group and George's amazed face. Still laughing, we turn back to Coach Wood and Tatum, who is rolling her eyes at us but smiling a little.
"Alright everyone, settle down," she says. "Time for you to find out who made it in."
Everyone exchanges glances and Anica wraps her arm around me.
"The Chaser spot goes to Liam," Tatum announces.
Liam punches the air, a grin on his face. I clap for him, crossing my fingers when I let my hands drop.
"The two Beater spots go to Anica and Gena," Tatum continues. "Congratulations to the three of you."
I smile widely, giving Anica a high five and a hug. My hair turns bright yellow, and I don't bother changing it back. Tatum tells us our first practice will be next week before sending us off.
We walk up to the group, and they greet us with cheers and hugs.
"I'm so glad we all made it," Xinia whispers to us.
I grin at her.
"May the best team win."
Phew, that was long. Oh well:) I promise to update soon.