Lexie's POV: "We could oil their brooms!"
"Or put some of Longbottom's potion in their drinks." The discussion at the Slytherin table was blooming.
"Malfoy, we're trying to sabotage them, not kill them", I said regarding his latest suggestion.
"Oh, please as if you'd miss them" he winked.
I just rolled my eyes and devoted myself to the baked potato on my plate. I still could not wrap my head around the outcome of the game. A tie. Probably the first one in centuries here in Hogwarts. And that during my last game against Gryffindor, of all times. My last chance to show these conceited little wankers what playing Quidditch actually looked like. I looked at my fellow teammates Lucian Bole and Miles Betchley, who were just discussing their chances of causing an earthquake during Gryffindors next game. I sighed. Luckily, Marcus cut them off.
"An earthquake? Really? For a game that is played in the air?" He got up to walk out of the great hall and I quickly followed him.
"Marcus, wait." He turned around until I caught up to him in the entrance hall.
"That was … something", I tried starting the conversation.
He raised an eyebrow, grinned, and said, "You came to tell me that?"
"Well, you know, I have some ideas", I admitted, now smiling as well.
"Course you do", Marcus said throwing his arm around my shoulder. "Tell you what, give me one evening to be grumpy and gloomy about the game and tomorrow we talk about how we make sure that we don't embarrass ourselves like that ever again."
Before I could respond a smug voice interrupted. "So, you agree? Your performance today was an embarrassment?" It was one of the Weasley twins. "Oh, now Flint, don't be too harsh to yourself. You were able to catch the quaffle a couple of times. I mean that's something, right Fred?"
"Although, he did also manage to drop it a couple of times… does that cancel each other out?" George responded, smirking.
"Shut it, boys" I stepped in front of Marcus before he tried to snap someone's neck.
"Oh, your girl is defending you now? I see, you must have trained her well." Before he even finished his sentence, I had pulled my wand and pushed it against his throat.
"Careful", I hissed.
"Careful indeed, Miss Hatchet." Professor Lupin joined us in the entrance hall. "7th year, right? I don't think I have to remind you of the school rules, do I?"
I bit my lip, "No, Sir." Slowly I let down my wand, still trembling with anger.
"5 points from Slytherin. See this as a warning, Miss Hatchet. You and your friend can go now."
I was about to turn around and leave as Professor Lupin added to the twins, "You know because she's so well trained."
I froze. "Excuse me?" I looked at him in disbelief.
"Is there a problem, Miss Hatchet?" Lupin asked with a little grin.
"Apart from a Professor disrespecting a student like that?" I asked sarcastically.
"You're a smart girl but telling from your appearance today, I don't think you know enough about respect in order to accuse a Professor of disrespecting you. Two weeks detention might be enough to teach you a lesson about this topic, Miss Hatchet."
I opened my mouth to protest but he quickly added, "Want to double it?"
Slowly, I closed my mouth again in disbelief. How could he treat students like that? In my six years at Hogwarts, I had never experienced such injustice. This time, Marcus was the one pulling me away towards the common room. I took one last look back at the Weasley twins who simultaneously stuck out their tongue. I was still boiling with rage as I said, "lucky bastards." – Apparently a little bit too loud as Lupin shouted amused, "And that makes it four weeks, Miss Hatchet. Congratulations!"
Nicki's POV: I sat on a sofa in front of the fireplace, not really listening to the chatter around me. Alicia and Angelina had already put our tie behind them but I just... I really couldn't wrap my head around this. Almost 7 years of rivalry and our last game ended like this?
I watched as the fire danced in lazy flames, making beautiful patterns in yellow and red and orange and giving off that blissful warmth. After this game and the biting cold, I still felt like my bones were made of ice and the fire was very welcome. I was mentally going through the game, searching for things we could have done better. Things I could have done better. I only noticed Fred and George when they slumped down on the sofa next to me.
"Hey, Nicki", George said and I flinched.
"Goodness, don't surprise me like that", I said and took a deep breath.
"Yeah, sorry, but we've got news", Fred grinned and George added: "Really good news. You know, your archenemy?"
I raised a brow. Where was this going? "You mean Hatchet?"
George nodded and smirked. "Yeah, that one. Well, she just got detention! From Lupin! Four weeks!"
"And he insulted her. Just like that. And she couldn't do anything about it", Fred said and sighed dramatically. "It was glorious to watch."
Well, these were definitely news that would lift everyone's mood. "Wonderful", I said and sat up straighter. "Just wonderful. And he insulted her? Lupin? He always seems like such a nice guy. But if anyone deserves it, then it's her." I cackled in glee.
Fred and George exchanged a quick glance. "Do you feel better now?", George asked.
My (very) content smile spread all over my face. "Yes. Yes, so much. This really just sweetened my evening. I absolutely cannot wait to see her."
Fred snorted. "Well, we surely don't want to miss that."
At this moment, Angelina turned towards us from the chair she had been lounging in. She frowned. "What is it with you three? Why are you always out for trouble and mischief? You three have been costing us the most house points just because you can't get over your petty rivalries and... and whatever you two are up to." She gestured towards the twins at this.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "This is not a petty rivalry, it is a feud, raised and cultivated in six long years", I said and raised my chin in mock defiance. It was quiet a few moments, then we all started laughing.
"Maybe we should rather play a game of Exploding snap instead of discussing your schemes", Angelina proposed, a smile still playing around her lips. And that was exactly what we did for the rest of the evening.