Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, nor do I own Harry Potter. All ideas are my own.
When I head down to Quidditch practise on Tuesday night, I'm surprised by what I see before me.
Surprised is the not quite the right word, I am absolutely delighted, happy, and confused, but still shocked all the same.
"ALBUS?", I practically scream, feeling my face burn red.
My voice ricochets off the surrounding courtyard walls, so for the next 2 minutes all you can hear is a high-pitched "ALBUS" on repeat. I sound like one of those old records my Oma and Opa used to have, which would constantly stop working and just play the same song over and over again.
The two people snogging furiously suddenly jump apart, having just spent the past 5 minutes oblivious, lost in their own world. Albus wears a sheepish look, startled, eyes wide, like a rabbit caught in headlights.
I'm getting a sense of deja vu here, why am I always walking in on people while they're snogging?
When I first saw Al kissing someone in the courtyard, my first thought was brilliant, here we go again. To me, long dark hair only meant one thing, return of the bitch, so you can imagine the shock on my face once I realised that he's not snogging Eliza but Alice!
Alice's wavy chestnut locks are all tousled from hands running through her hair. She too looks sheepish, but relieved once she realises it's me, smiling up at me nervously through long lashes, giggling under her breath. I want to run up and hug her, as I know she's wanted to do this for so long, but realise, given the situation, that it would be highly inappropriate.
Both of them stand awkwardly, staring at the floor, probably wishing it would swallow them up, until Al finally breaks the tension by answering my earlier scream.
"Yes Rosie?", he asks.
I realise, now that I'm staring at him properly, shock no longer blurring my eyes, that he is almost glaring at me for interrupting them. I'm annoyed at myself too to be honest, I have waited for this moment for ages and now typically I'm the one who's broken them apart.
All I want to do right now is grab either one of them, stuff them into the nearest classroom, and demand that they give me the lowdown on their newfound 'relationship', if you can even call it that. But I know that it's best to leave them be, and let them get on with it, they can sort it out themselves without me interfering.
Clearly, whatever has happened between the pair of them has only done so recently, and it wouldn't be fair of me to suddenly come barging in and order them to spill their deepest darkest secrets.
So I decide on pretending to forget what I was asking Albus about, yes, that seems to be the best option, after all, ignorance is bliss.
"Um, I forgot. Never mind, I'll see you both later", I say quickly, feigning forgetfulness as I practically run away from them.
Turning on my heel, I run into the closest corridor and stop for a second, taking in everything I've just witnessed.
My heart bursts for them, I am so happy for Alice that I could honestly cry. She has wanted this for so long, and Al must have finally seen how much of a better pairing the two of them would make, as opposed to him and Eliza.
I promise myself to not put any pressure on them, ignoring the niggling questions that threaten to bubble over.
There will be plenty of times to interrogate the two in the future. But I really want to know - how did it begin? Who made the first move? Are they going to get together? And how has Al moved on from Eliza so quickly?
I would like to believe that Al is doing this with Alice because he really likes her, but part of me is slightly wary of the fact that him and Eliza have only been broken up for less than a month, and that this is slightly soon.
Although I'm hoping he'll be in it for the long run, perhaps he has decided to use Alice as a rebound, and if he has I will be extremely angry with him. That would be so unfair on Alice for Al to use her like that, just to make Eliza jealous and make himself feel better. Alice deserves so much better than that.
But no, I tell myself, I'm not jumping to conclusions. After the Quidditch match in 2 days time, I will then interrogate Al, but I'm not letting anything distract me from Thursday's game.
Speaking of distractions, you can then imagine my annoyance when I see Zabini also walking down to the Quidditch pitch. Annoyance is harsh, he is a nice guy who I've come to find some respect for, but right now I need to focus on the game, and talking to my opposition isn't ideal at the moment.
Hoping he isn't making his way down to play, as that means Malfoy will also be down there, whom I've managed to successfully avoid for the past day, I speed up and start gently jogging down the steps. However my short strides are met by longer ones, and almost as soon after I've began running, Zabini has already caught me up.
"I hope you're not running from me hey Weasley?", he smirks, giving me a genuine smile.
"Of course not Zabini! Just warming up for Quidditch practise", I reply, matching his smirk with a cheeky grin of my own.
My voice has adopted a mocking sort of tone, as if I'm asking, who, me?
"Ah yes well can't let you miss that now can I!", he quips, shaking his finger at me, jokily patronising me, "Or maybe I can, if that means you'll play shit on Thursday"
"I wouldn't count on me playing shit now Zabini, we all know that when it's Gryffindor vs Slytherin the gloves are off!"
"Ah yes, I know you can play dirty, and it seems you have been. So tell me, what have you said to Scorpius to make him so angry these past few days? He refuses to speak of it but my logical conclusion has only drawn me to you Weasley."
Although I can still hear the good nature in his voice, he's adopted a slightly more serious tone. Olive eyes have now turned slightly chestnut, they're darker, trying to gauge my reaction.
"And what makes you think that then Zabini", I retort playfully, trying to reintroduce the light-heartedness of before.
"Well something clearly happened after Hogsmeade weekend, as he returned from the Gryffindor dorms in a foul mood, and something tells me it wasn't Belle who made him that way. And apart from that, he's not seen anyone else bar me, Nott and well, you."
He takes a step closer to me, putting a hand on my shoulder.
Unlike if it were me and Nott having this conversation, I don't feel threatened. I know Zabini is only looking out for Malfoy's best interests, and well, if he really believes I've upset Malfoy this much then I'm not surprised he's asked me. I would do exactly the same if I thought someone had upset Alice or Evelyna.
Continuing on, he says, "I'm not accusing you Rose, really I'm not, but it's just unlike Malfoy to be so cut off and distant. He's angry, and I don't just think it's to do with his mum."
Sympathy plucks my heartstrings, playing a melancholy melody, however I have no answer for Zabini.
"I'm sorry Zander, I can't give you the answer that you want. For me to have said something to Malfoy, I would have actually had to speak to him, and well, I've been ignoring him for the past 2 days"
Giving him a half smile, I step away from him, and can see that his dark eyes have returned to their lighter colour, a clear indication that he believes there has been no foul play on my part.
"I may be lethal on the Quidditch pitch Zander, but trust me, I wouldn't resort to being spitefully nasty, especially after someone's mum has just died"
I want to believe what I'm telling him, as now I suddenly feel awful that I've been absolutely abhorrent to someone who's parent has just passed, but then I remember what Malfoy said
"I'm sick of everyone treating me as if I'm going to shatter in their hands"
Reminding myself of this, I feel mildly comforted, even if that does sound strange, feeling relaxed that when I tried to be really nice to him, he practically told me to fuck off.
If one of my parent's died (God forbid), and Malfoy tried to be nice to me, I'd probably tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine.
One thing I can't deal with more than anything, is people's pity. I know they're only trying to be nice and supportive, but again words of condolences just act as a reminder of what has now gone, and what has now changed in life, forever.
"Look, I really have to go Zabini. I'm sorry I can't give you a straighter answer"
And with that, I leave, smiling goodbye, and run, now sprinting down to the pitch. I can see James waving at me frantically, a sign that I'm going to be told off for being late. Great, what a brilliant start to practise.
When I'm finally in the air, and the evening wind encircles me, wrapping me up like I'm a present, the moon has taken centre stage. Stars are blinking down from the blanket of night, and frosty moonlight dances, illuminating everything it touches. The faint glow of the castle in the background provides a scenic backdrop, and I can hear the birds settling down for the evening, still chirping away, singing the perfect accompaniment to the surroundings.
I allow myself to be absorbed by this scenery, up here, floating in the sky, taking advantage of it as the next two times I'm up here, I will be too focused on Quidditch to admire the beauty of my home.
Nerves, on top of nerves, on top of nerves. That's all I can feel consuming me, practically eating me alive.
Butterflies flitter around in my stomach this morning, and I feel so anxious I'm almost tempted to take a calming draught.
Normally I'm much better before Quidditch matches, but today I am shaky, on edge, ready to blow.
I am a balloon ready to pop, I just wonder who will be the one to take the pin to me.
I can't deal with breakfast this morning, but Alice practically forces 2 slices of buttered toast down my throat. Alice always becomes very matronly during Quidditch. She doesn't play herself, which means that she practically becomes my mother and fusses over me all day, right up until the game begins.
I haven't spoken to her about the Al incident since, but there's a glint in her eyes that is just daring me to ask her about it.
Reminding myself to do so after this match, I wash down my food with a glass of pumpkin juice and practically throw myself off of the bench, so desperate to return to the safety of my dorm so I can change.
I am stopped by Anto on the way, who wishes me luck and kisses me on the cheek, and I know that should make me feel comforted, but instead I just feel even more queasy.
I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that I may just feel lust for Anto, and I'm mistaking friendship for romance. After all, it's not ideal if I like kissing him when we're snogging, but as soon as I pull away I question my entire existence and what the fuck I was just doing.
However I can't bring myself to tell him this at this current point in time. I'm telling myself it's because I need more time to work out if this is what I really want, but in reality I know I'm just avoiding the situation.
I'm not being mean about it though, I've told him I need time and space, and to be to fair to him that's what he's given me. I'm not about to become the female version of Malfoy, playing people off against each other left right and centre and toying with their feelings as if they're puppets on a string, and their feelings are irrelevant.
One more chance, the voice in my head tells me, give him one more chance. Niggling away at me as I climb the steps, I agree to give him one more chance only if we lose today, and I don't think we will. I'm very confident in us winning, and therefore won't need to give him another shot.
God, how bitchy do I sound right now. I'm just going to blame it on the nerves, I go through periods of being really interested in Anto and then being completely the opposite. I know this isn't fair on him though, which is why I've tried to make it seem like I'm happy all along, although I know the voice in my head betrays this.
Once I'm dressed in my uniform, I sneak off down to the pitch, trying to escape all the "Good Luck!" and "I know you'll be great!".
Again, I know they're only trying to help and reassure me, but I just find it so pressurising. The worst one is "We're counting on you!", like God, way to make me feel relaxed before the game.
I think I must not like being the centre of attention.
Unlike Dom or Rox, who thrive under the spotlight, the minute compliments are showered my way I freak out and don't know how to react. If I apply this theory to why I hate being wished good luck or shown pity, it still holds true. Why I then decided to be lead chaser on a Quidditch team if I hate being centre stage, I'll never know - it was definitely poor planning on my part.
Noise swims around me as I stand on the edges of the stadium. An array of colours blind me with their mismatching, the seats are practically overflowing. The excitement is tangible, you can almost taste the electricity in the air.
I know Quidditch games are normally busy, but this one just seems to be excessive. I suppose though, it is the first one back of the year and it's the two biggest rivals, Gryffindor and Slytherin, so what a big first match this promises to be.
Standing alone, absorbing the scene around me, I feel eyes burning in the back of my head.
Quipping my head around, I'm met with the usual suspect of the blonde ferret, glaring at me, sparking war with his narrowed gaze.
Luckily for me, Ciara and Astrid interrupt my train of thinking and gaze, bounding up to me, crushing me in a bear hug. I can feel the nerves radiating off of them too, and tell them that they need to relax, which is very hypocritical of me as I feel as if I'm about to explode.
"We're going to be fine guys. We know how to play, we know our tactics, we can win this.", I say, eliminating the nervous tone in my voice, replacing it with one that appears calm and collected.
Hugging them once more, we all collect our brooms and kick off, soaring into the air.
This action alone causes the crowd to erupt in cheers and whoops, I can even hear chants of "ROSIE! ROSIE! ROSIE!", which, when I look down quickly, has clearly been started by Alice, Evelyna and Dom.
I blow a kiss at them, and then settle my mind, collecting my thoughts, blocking out all the other noise around me.
All I see is red, battle is imminent, and this is one I intend to succeed in.
Our Gryffindor team circle the pitch, James and Fred throwing their arms up, encouraging the chants and cheers from below.
The Slytherin team however, don't seem impressed.
The comparison between the two teams couldn't be more obvious if it tried.
On the one side, you have us, smiling and cheering along with the crowd, and on the other hand, you have them, cold, collected, flying in unison, attempting to intimidate those who don't scream for Slytherin.
The only exception to this of course, are Al and Benji, who clearly look amused by our antics.
I'm surprised that Benji is playing actually, as he is normally benched, but then I realise that Tommy, another chaser, isn't up here with us. Instead Al, Benji and Zander, the 3 chasers, are all together, assembled in a line, ready to strike.
Malfoy and Nott look menacing with their beater bats, Nott raises his eyebrows up at me sharply all the while hitting his hand with the bat, as if it is a weapon.
I wink at him in an attempt to throw him off, which it does as he looks puzzled for a split second, before composing himself. Malfoy however, just looks furious, and upon seeing me do this, flies away to join Zabini.
Good, I'm glad I've managed to rile him up before the first match of the year.
Harri and Toby, the other two players on their team, seeker and keeper, are attempting to look frightening, but instead look like they've got upset stomachs.
It's quite amusing really, I can tell this is something that Nott has orchestrated, the whole "scare them into playing shit" tactic, but on those two it just looks wrong, it appears misplaced.
The sudden blow on the whistle indicates that it's game time. And so the fight begins.
Astrid has the Quaffle, which she passes elegantly to Ciara, who swoops and soars and easily pelts it through the first hoop, scoring the first 10 points of the match.
It flies by Toby, almost hitting him on the ear. I think he was too distracted by Astrid to focus on defending to be honest.
Al then gets the Quaffle, which he tosses to Benji, who attempts to perform a Parkin's Pincer, but fails miserably, causing me to end up with the round ball.
Up.
Around.
Dodge Zabini.
Fly to the side.
Yes, you've got it.
Come on Rose, speed up.
Just duck from the bludger.
And yes, it's in, another 10 points to Gryffindor.
The game continues as such, Gryffindor are 50 points ahead within the first 10 minutes, and I can tell Nott has now deployed a new tactic wordlessly, as the match suddenly increases in intensity.
Zabini has the Quaffle, gliding seamlessly through the air, another talent of his, and puts it straight through the hoop, causing Slytherin to gain 10 points.
Lucas didn't stand a chance at the goal, none of us would've seen it coming.
Then Slytherin are suddenly up another 10 points, as Al has caught the Quaffle from Ciara, who's looking furious, and pelted it through the far right hoop.
My stomach drops for a second, but I don't allow it to consume me and affect my playing.
I manage to intercept the Quaffle from Benji again, who you can tell is a reserve bless him, and throw it over Nott's head, where Astrid catches it and chucks it through the centre goal, although I earn a whack to the side from Nott's bat.
Luckily though, whoever is refereeing sees this foul play, and gives me a penalty, which I score, so in total I'm able to give Gryffindor 20 points in the space of 2 minutes.
70 - 20, come on, we can do this, if we keep intercepting and defending as we're doing then we have this in the bag.
Worry starts to wash over me slowly though as I realise I don't know where James is. Normally he is tactical, and calm, he is never usually this slow to catch the snitch.
I know that sounds as if I have really high expectations of him, as we're only 20 minutes into the match, but normally James is hot on its heels, ready to pounce at any given moment.
This is not a good sign. Quickly glancing down as I dodge the bludger, intercepting the Quaffle from Al, who sticks his tongue out at me, I finally find our seeker.
He is searching for the gold sphere frantically, never focusing on one spot for more than a second. With this attitude, we can kiss the win goodbye, he's never going to find it if he's in a flap.
I wish I could communicate with him, to just tell him to calm down and stop panicking, but I can't leave Astrid and Ciara. Slytherin are getting more intense by the minute, and Nott himself certainly looks like he's out for blood, I can't afford to abandon my fellow chasers for a second.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and in that moment, it would've been really useful to me.
If I had known what was going to happen, I would have flown down to James in an instant and told him to stop freaking out, hell I might as well have flown off of the pitch entirely and just quit the game, because as I whipped my head back around to check if it was okay to leave the girls, I was met with a flying boulder, travelling at about 50mph.
The only thing I really remember, before everything switched off and turned black, was someone shouting my name.
Plummeting down through the air, completely alone, not even with the company of my broom, my head felt light, and airy, and all I wanted to do was close my eyes, and fall asleep.
Falling was a fear I never had before, but now I think it might be one that stays with me for life.
My hands clamoured for something to hold on to, despite the fact I knew it was a lost cause. White noise filled my ears, drowning out the screams and shocked voices from below.
As I hurled through the iodine sky, I shut my eyes, and accepted, that this was it, perhaps my chapter is closing.
Oh dear… which one of the beaters did it guys? Come on, own up!
PREVIEW OF TOMORROWS CHAPTER:
"Yes I understand Al but if Nott hadn't knocked me off my broom I wouldn't be here right now, lying in a hospital bed"
"Rosie, I don't know why you keep saying that it was Nott? We never even told you who it was?", Al replies, a questioning tone in his voice.
A confused look gleams in his eyes, one which I don't understand for a second, until it dawns on me.
All I was told about the match, was that whoever hit me wanted to do it badly, as the bludger came flying towards me with purpose, as if it was meant for my face.
However I was also told that at that very moment, Nott had whacked Lucas with his bat, pushing him through the hoop, which is why Gryffindor got another penalty.
Which only means that, if it wasn't Nott who hit me, it must have been Malfoy.
I just thought I'd give you guys the lowdown on me quickly:
I am female, 18 (only just my birthday is March), from England, and have just finished college (High School in the US). I'm planning on going to University end of September so have the entire summer to write this story, I have been off college now for nearly a month!
Like I've said before, my driving test is next week, so if I am a bit preoccupied it's because I am focusing all my time on trying to pass (I don't think I will pass lol but it's worth a try).
I hope you're all enjoying the story so far! This chapter was harder to write due to it being a Quidditch match so I hope you like! My next couple of chapters have already started taking shape :) Please review!