Disclaimer: uhm...mostly not mine. but some of it is. if it doesn't appear to be mine, it probably isn't. if it reminds you of something of your own, then i hope (for my own sake) that i didn't steal it and that we're both just very creative in similar ways. otherwise, sorry about that.

The Winged Serpents

Chapter Eight: A Triumphant Loss

***

Severus Snape blinked maliciously. It isn't easy for a person to put malice into a blink, but Snape managed. The sun was glaring down onto the Quidditch pitch and he was getting a little sick of waiting. Patience, while a handy virtue he could normally command, was not a natural ability for him. If the Captain hadn't personally invited him to attend the Slytherin tryouts, he would have been quite content to grade exams in his office. Well, not content. But at least I wouldn't be so edgy.

Finally, a whistle blew below, signaling the end of the Keepers' quarter. Each group of players (Keepers, Chasers, Beaters, and Seekers) were given a quarter of an hour to face off against each other and compete for a spot on the House team. Snape had already sat through the Chasers and Keepers, and now it was time for the Beaters to duke it out. He watched as a line of students marched toward the center of the pitch, brooms in hand. He noted, with a bit of wry amusement, that Goyle and Crabbe were trying out again. However prejudiced Slyths may be, at least they choose skill over political status on the Quidditch pitch. Next to those lumps of barely-harnessed magic stood Devon Ryle, and beside him...The twins. Ah yes, of course. How could I forget? What did Maxim call them...our Unbeatable Beaters?

His eyes picked up a bit more action now, as he surveyed the field with renewed interest. Their Captain, Marcus Flint, marched towards them. The hopefuls stood in silence as they received their instructions. They would sort out into pairs and go against each other. Each pair would be responsible for keeping themselves intact, while trying to knock the other pairs off their brooms. Anyone who hit the ground before fifteen minutes were up was immediately disqualified, as well as their partner. Those remaining at the end of the quarter would be considered.

Crabbe and Goyle immediately shook hands, as did Raven and Dove. Hmph. No surprise there. Devon Ryle matched up with another Fifth Year, a boy named Fayden Adderson, and a couple of sneering Fourth Years, Tenebru Bole and Philip Derrick, growled at their own unwilling twosome. The four pairs stood in a sort of square and mounted their brooms. Waiting for the whistle and the release of the Bludgers, they all stood with bats in clenched hands. The fierce determination seemed to wash over each of their faces. Even Snape could feel his face grow taut with intensity, near-sinister anticipation taking hold. Let's see what they can do.

The whistle screamed across the pitch. Four Bludgers were released, and everyone took to the air.

***

Raven immediately went after the first Bludger she could find. She zeroed in on it and whacked it as hard as she could in Crabbe's direction. It slammed hard into his arm, but he held on and whisked away from her. Behind her, Dove was tracking her every move, scanning for any possible signs of danger. After a moment, she saw a Bludger racing towards Raven from Devon's direction. She put on a bit of speed and easily disrupted its course, bumping it away in no general direction.

For the first few minutes, both girls were content to let the physical exertion sweep over them and fuel the way. Raven happily smacked any and all offending Bludgers towards whoever was unfortunate enough to be nearest. Dove trailed along after her, batting away unsuspecting Bludgers, with no regard as to where she sent them as long as they left she and her sister alone. The two girls were having no trouble at all, it seemed as if their relentless practice over the past two years had indeed paid off. But somewhere near the ten minute mark, something changed.

Suddenly, all four Bludgers seemed to be making their way towards the twins with undaunted persistence. One after another, the Bludgers raced towards them, no clear break in sight. Dove flitted back and forth in an effort to slow the onslaught, and Raven ground all of her anger and confusion into her muscles, forcing accuracy into every stroke. As she sent another Bludger towards the fourth year girl in front of her, it finally dawned on her. Looking around herself, she saw that the other six Beaters had formed a circle about her and Dove. They're ganging up on us, she thought bitterly. Those bastards are ganging up on us!

What?! What do you mean they're ganging up on us? Dove was so focused on the Bludgers which threatened to overwhelm them, she had not yet had time to notice the corrupt strategy that the others had adopted against them.

They're trying to beat us out of the competition. They don't want us to win. Look around you! Raven's thoughts were angry and disgusted. She would not be happy when all of this was over.

Dove noticed a stray Bludger heading towards her sister and batted it out of the way. As she did, she took the time to really look up and around. Forming a sort of triangle around her were the three pairs of Slyths. They were just hovering in midair, returning each Bludger easily. On each of their faces was a look of impending victory. Dove's face turned abruptly at the sight. Her eyes clenched momentarily in dismay. But she forced them open again as she was caught on the leg by a Bludger. Her broom shook momentarily, but she regained her balance and fought on. With a renewed determination, she began to effectively combat every Bludger that sailed their way.

But she was getting tired. Nearly thirteen minutes of rigorous bombardment, and the last three or so almost entirely aimed in her direction. She glanced up at Raven and saw the same weariness beginning to melt into her. Dove exploded with fury as another Bludger managed to tip her sister on the side of the head. As she looked on, her inattentiveness allowed another Bludger to whack into her arm...and she dropped her bat.

Oh shit! She scanned frantically around herself, for any sign of possible escape. But all she saw were those determined faces. Raven noticed her sister's distress and flew closer.

Dove! Fight them off!

I can't, came the weak replay. I dropped my bat when a Bludger hit my arm.

Raven cursed inwardly. Alright, don't worry about it, just stay close. There shouldn't be much time left. Gimme a few seconds and I'll try to fly us closer to the ground. Raven maneuvered around to position herself between Dove and Devon as he seemed to be causing the most damage out of all of them.

They don't even care which of them gets it, do they? Just so long as it isn't us. They want us off the team that bad. Dove's sad announcement tweaked at Raven, but she focused on the dangerous air around them. She fended off two Bludgers and managed to knock Fayden a bit, but ended up taking a Bludger herself. She grabbed onto Dove's broom for support and hefted the bat around to knock another Bludger away. As she did, she forced her broom to cooperate and lower itself a few feet at a time.

Slowly, the girls made their way to the bottom of the field, the malicious group of Slyths still surrounding. Raven glanced up at Flint, struggling to keep her balance. Why is it taking so long? She tried to force the question onto her face, but she received only a blank look in reply. Just as she turned to face down Bole once more, a Bludger caught her directly in the back of the head. Her neck cracked angrily as she was uprooted from her broom. Dove grabbed at her arm, but she was already leaning too far over. Both girls tumbled off into the open air.

As they fell the twenty remaining feet to the ground, they could hear cheering echo abruptly from the area they had just occupied. And as they hit the ground, a whistle blew.

***

Snape watched in outrage as the group of scattered Slytherins suddenly began to form a mutated ring around the twins. What are they up to? He kept his eye on Ryle, who appeared to be the one orchestrating the moves. Each of them began to slightly alter their hits and began to slowly direct the Bludgers into the two girls. It wasn't an abrupt change, but it took Snape off-guard nonetheless. Raven! Dove! Look around you! You've got to get out of there! he thought frantically. But his face remained impassive and resolute.

He watched, helplessly, as six students and four Bludgers attacked the two girls. He flinched each time Raven or Dove was struck, but his face was empty. He gasped inwardly when he saw Dove lose her bat and sway powerlessly, but his eyes showed no recognition. It wasn't until a Ryle sent a Bludger into the back of Raven's already-bloodied head that he stood. His body barely able to contain the anger that shook within him, he stared on and saw as both girls were pulled off their brooms. He stared on as the six remaining students hopped around on their own brooms and flew victorious loops. He stared on as the whistle finally shrieked and the two girls slammed into the ground with a heavy thud. He stared on as nobody else made a move towards the two unmoving bodies crumpled on the grass.

Then he broke into a run.

***

Dove awoke to an array of sweets and cards on a bedside table. Glaring lights burnt into her eyes and she rubbed the palms of her hands into her eyelids to relieve them. She sat up and looked around her. She was in the infirmary. Slowly, she took everything in. Half-eaten chocolate frogs lay in empty boxes beside her. A stack of cards and short rolls of parchment lay beside her on the bed. Raven remained asleep in the bed to her left, an Madame Pomfrey was scooting towards her with an array of colorful vials.

"Oh, good good good. You're awake. Perhaps now Severus will stay in his dungeons. How do you feel?" She reached forward with a tube of pinkish potion and gave it to Dove. "Just a Pepper-Up Potion. Drink up, it'll bring you to your senses."

Dove slowly took the tube and slugged it down. In moments, she was wide awake. She fixed her eyes on the medi-witch in front of her and cleared her throat. "I'm fine, thank you. What happened? And what were you saying about Professor Snape?"

Madame Pomfrey adjusted herself on the bed and proceeded to murmur a few things with her wand pointed at Dove. After a few moments, she gave a satisfied sigh and refocused her gaze on the girl. "Well, apparently there was a bit of an accident at tryouts. You and your sister had a nasty fall. A broken wrist each, some minor concussions, and a scad of cuts and bruises. The wrists are healed, and the concussions are taken care of. I sealed the cuts for you, but the bruises will just have to fade on their own, I'm afraid. You should be alright in a few hours." The nurse got a mischievous glint in her eyes as she continued. "As for Professor Snape...he's the one that brought you both in. Somewhat of a hurry, matter of fact, for such slight injuries. Seemed quite anxious to hear of your prospective conditions. Insufferable man bothered me every hour, on the hour, wanting to know if you were awake, if you needed anything."

Dove found herself grinning uncontrollably at the thought. "How'd you finally get rid of him?" she asked.

"I didn't, actually. Headmaster Dumbledore did. Convinced him it would be best if you two were left to rest. He didn't seem too keen on the idea, but he's stayed away. Actually, I should probably notify him that you're awake. Set him at his ease." Madame Pomfrey grinned back and gave Dove a knowing squeeze on the arm. A few thoughts cluttered into Dove's head though, and she took a few steadying breaths before asking any questions.

"Madame, how long have we been unconscious? And is Raven okay?"

"Oh, only a day or so. Don't worry, it's only Sunday night. You should be right as rain for classes tomorrow. And Raven will be fine. She's in good shape. Only has the few bruises I mentioned. Nothing to worry about." Madame Pomfrey got up and headed over to another patient at the farther end of the room to administer the rest of her potions and elixirs. Dove turned and saw Raven fluttering her own eyes. She conveyed the new information to her sister and leaned back.

So, he seemed worried then? Raven questioned.

Seems like it, yes.

I wonder...

I know.

Dove grinned at her sister and lay back down. With thoughts of her Potions master misting around in her mind, she relaxed into a gentle nap.

Raven watched her sister drift off before looking up at the figure now hovering above her. "Oh! Professor! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Her eyes wandered over the man in front of her. He was dressed in the same full black robes, his hair as greasy as ever, his skin weathered down. But he seemed...unwound. "Are you alright?" she asked awkwardly.

He seemed startled at the question, but straightened himself out before she had time to think about it. He glanced around the room surreptitiously before answering her. "Yes, I'm fine. Although, I was under the impression that you were the ones currently under Madame Pomfrey's medical surveillance, not I." He nodded towards the sleeping girl opposite her and then back again, a discreetly questioning look in place.

"Oh, we're fine. A few bumps and bruises, nothing more. She was awake a minute ago, but she never passes up the opportunity to sleep." Raven grinned at the figure before her. His seemingly controlled persona seemed to have lessen slightly. It was hardly noticeable, but Raven could detect it in places where no one else might be able to. He did not return the smile, but his eyes softened in exchange. He opened his mouth to speak, but before any sound could leave his mouth, four jostling students clambered into the room. Chris, Kello, Alex, and Drew rushed to Raven's bedside, babbling excitedly.

Raven raised her eyebrows at them and shifted her eyes towards Snape. The four looked up, starting considerably at the sight. Fear emptied into the eyes of the two Gryffindors as they realized that it was very possible that they had just interrupted the dreaded Potions professor. His gaze swept over them, as cold as ever. He turned back to Raven and gestured slightly at her sister.

"Well then, I assume you will both be in fit condition to attend classes tomorrow?" He retained absolutely no mark of the near-emotion she had just witnessed. She searched his face, but found no remains. It was only woven into his Fabric that she found her relief. She sighed slightly and gave the affirmative answer she found most appropriate. He glared once more at the offenders beside her bed before stalking out.

Raven watched him go, her shoulders sagging a bit as the door slammed behind him. But she had no time to regret the occurences before her friends jumped back into full Recount mode. She settled her eyes and braced herself for a long evening of new rumors, old gossip, and retold jokes.

***

The next day, after classes were finally out of the way, the two girls found themselves moping towards the Slytherin common room. On any other occasion, they might have been racing along with everyone else, but their hearts weren't in it. Team rosters would be posted today.

They sauntered into the oversized dungeon room and casually approached the bulletin board. They had no doubt that their names would be conspicuously absent from the list. Everyone knew that they had been disqualified as soon as they hit the ground. But they were still curious as to who they would be forced to root for this year.

Pushing through the heavy throng of optimistic and curious Slytherins, they jostled their way up to the front and looked at the boards. Tacked into the center of it was a sheet of parchment written in green ink. It read as follows:

Slytherin House Quidditch Team

Seeker

Draco Malfoy

Chasers

Marcus Flint (Captain)

William Montague

Patrick Warrington

Beaters

Dove Thomas

Raven Thomas

Keeper

Darbin Bletchley

The two girls stared in confusion. All around them, students were whispering and muttering. What was going on? From behind them came a thick grumbling. Devon Ryle pushed to the front and glared at the Thomas' with mayhem in his eyes. He let out a tiny smile of satisfaction as he turned to the list. He shoved a finger at the parchment and followed it down the page to the Beaters' listing. But his smile faltered when he read the names. He too stared at the scrawling in disbelief. Suddenly, his eyes froze over and he turned back.

He shoved Dove backwards into  Second Year and grated his teeth. "How did you do it, hmm? Did you threaten him? Did you-" But he was interrupted by a loud voice from his right.

"Cut it out, Ryle." Marcus Flint pushed his way up and in between Dove and Devon. "They didn't make me do anything. They didn't threaten me or anything of the sort. I chose them because they were the best. Get over it." Marcus was every bit as strong as Devon, plus two years older, so he had no fear of intimidation. He dared the boy to challenge him, but no challenge came.

"But they were disqualified," Ryle whined.

"No, they weren't. The whistle went off just before they hit the ground. So technically, they were safe. Although, I probably would have chosen them over you anyway. Disqualified or not." Ryle threw an angry glance at Marcus, but recovered quickly at the Seventh Year's sudden flare of temper. "They managed to battle of four Bludgers and six other Beaters by themselves. Your lousy attempt at showing them up only proved their superiority. Now, get out of my sight." The command was low and quiet. But there was no question of power here. Devon looked down in humility and began to walk away. But just as he passed Dove's side, he muttered into her ear.

"You'll pay for this."

She and Raven both turned to look after him, but he was lost in the crowd. They celebrated along with the others that night, but the words rang in both their heads, unwilling to let them be.

***

In his own rooms, Severus Snape was also struggling with thoughts. "Are you alright?" He turned pieces of the brief conversation over in his mind, examining each word. It's as if she can see right through me, he thought. A shudder ran through him. I rather hope not. No doubt she would be frightened out of her wits at the sight. He sighed heavily and paced the room. There would be no sleep for him tonight.

***