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Chapter 6- Trials
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The third Saturday in October was clear and mild- perfect for Quidditch. Striding across the grounds to the pitch, Severus glanced sideways and asked his roommate, "Do you honestly believe we have a chance of making the team this year?"
"Honestly? No. Dishonestly? There's always a chance," Tom replied breezily, his attention on a group of first years sprinting past them. He raised his hand to shade his eyes against the morning sun and observed, "At least our Alumni supplied us with Comets for our Trials." Snorting in derision, he continued, "Unlike those Gryffs I watched fall off those crap Cleansweeps the school provides. Not that they deserve better."
"Indeed," agreed Severus, his mind focused on the approaching Trials. The Quidditch Captain chose the team each year, but he made each player win their position. Severus had almost made the team last year, and this year was determined to do his best to make the cut. He stood with the others at the edge of the pitch.
Owen Hurley, the Captain, used a Sonorous charm to amplify his voice. "Alright, you lot, if you don't know the drill, listen up! Each year divides into groups of ten and flies once around the pitch. Hustle over, firsties, and mount your brooms!"
An over-excited group of first years fell off their brooms before they had barely achieved vertical lift. The rest did little better and soon became part of the small crowd watching the Trials from the stands. The second and third year hopefuls followed shortly thereafter. A single fourth year and a couple of fifth years made the first cut. They stood in the centre of the pitch, joined by the sixth and seventh years that had flown with the best speed and control.
"Now the fun starts," Tom said in an undertone, handing Severus his wand for safekeeping. His skills were to be tested first.
Severus' hand gripped the handle of his borrowed Comet in reaction. He was too edgy to joke about the proceedings. Hurley divided them into small groups according to the position they were trying for. Tom and Erik Greyback were competing for Seeker. No one even attempted to oust Jugson from Keeper or Benton and Keane from positions as Beaters. Last year's Chasers, Sutton, Hurley, and Graham, were joined by half a dozen others vying for the coveted spots.
Greyback and Wilkes mounted their brooms. Severus watched where he stood with the other Chaser hopefuls and mentally practised the flight patterns in the same way he had all summer. He had not been able to afford a racing broom. Even if he had, his home was small, unlike the others who had official sized or makeshift pitches in their back gardens. He'd had to make do with a kind of creative visualisation.
"Erik's going to take the snitch!" someone in the crowd shouted.
Severus took his grandfather's omnioculars out of his pocket and looked through them to see the Greyback boy's fingers reach for the golden winged ball. The crowd gasped. Lunging for the snitch appeared to unbalance the Slytherin. He fell to the side, his legs' grip on the broom saving him from a disastrous fall.
Beside Snape, Davis cried disbelievingly, "Good gods, Wilkes caught the snitch, he got it!"
The satisfaction on Tom's face equalled the anger on Erik's. When the two landed, the younger Slytherin accused hotly, "My gripping and braking charms failed! You hexed me, you cheat!"
"Really? Me and what wand? I gave mine to Snape for safekeeping, didn't I Snape?"
Severus reached into a pocket and gave his roommate back his wand. Tom waved it and said, "We only began wandless magic end of sixth year. D'you really think anybody could've hexed over such a distance without a wand?"
Erik stepped close and looked down into Tom's eyes, nodding. "Yeah, I think you could, and did, you rotten little tyke."
A strange smile played across Tom's face. He said with a chilling lightness, "If I didn't think your sister was such a fine piece, I'd show you a few things I can do right this minute."
Face losing all colour, Erik yelled, "Hurley! Tell this half-blood that his kind isn't wanted on the team."
The Quidditch Captain looked uncomfortable as he strode over and said, "Sorry, Erik, he won. I'll put you down as reserve, in case Wilkes can't play, but that's the best I can do."
Greyback stormed off the field. Jugson and Keane stood with opened mouths, looking stunned. Hurley shook his head unhappily and then barked, "Enough gawping, people! Anybody that has delusions of being a Chaser, get into groups of three. First group, on your brooms and run through the plays while Jugson gets off his arse and attempts to be Keeper. Beaters, show us you deserve your positions. Right-bloody-now!"
Of the first three, Graham dominated with his scoring. In the second group, Hurley took to the air himself and dodged Bludgers with amazing skill while out-flying the competition. The last group was made of Clive Sutton, Reece Davis, and Severus. The prospective Chasers flew a pattern, throwing the Quaffle to each other while dodging Bludgers on the way to scoring a goal.
"Snape, catch!" Sutton called, his voice magically projected before he threw the Quaffle.
It was a break in the pattern… Sutton himself was to have carried the scarlet leather ball into the scoring area. Unable to do other than go along with the change in plan, Severus gripped the Quaffle with one hand while zooming toward the nearest goal hoop. Jugson was flying to block his shot. He threw the Quaffle and scored.
Severus' triumph was short-lived. Hearing an ominous whooshing noise, he braked hard, throwing his body to the left. It saved him. The iron Bludger headed for his back crashed into his right shoulder. Instead of finding himself knocked off the broom, he was able to keep a white-knuckled grip and immediately descend.
"Bad luck, Snape, that Bludger malfunction. This might've been your year," Hurley consoled with a patronising tone that set the injured boy's teeth on edge.
"I want to continue the Trials," he gritted out.
The tall, fair-haired Captain denied, "You can't. The way you're bracing your shoulder with your arm tells me you need the mediwitch."
"I've endured worse."
The flat statement caused Hurley to stop shaking his head and look thoughtful. He said in the tone of one conferring a great favour, "I'll put you down for reserve Chaser, but as Captain, my decision is final. You go to the infirmary, right now, Snape."
Bitterly agreeing with a curt nod, Severus turned away. Tom hurried over, saying, "I saw Sutton shake hands with Benton before the gawby mounted his broom. Unlike yours truly, Sutton's obviously not been practising wandless magic. He had to resort to the old fashioned way of taking out the competition." The boy gave a malicious chuckle. "Looks like his plan backfired, though."
Unsurprised by the first two statements, Severus was mystified by the last observation until he saw a brown haired girl running towards him. She rushed by Clive Sutton without acknowledging his 'Hullo Eris'. Eris held up a white case and said, "I volunteered to give first-aid during Trials. I'm ace at the small stuff, but you need more than pain and anti-inflammatory spells and wrapping. Let me help you to the infirmary."
About to decline, even though his shoulder was beginning to throb, Severus heard Sutton's expletive filled protest and changed his mind. Placing his unhurt arm around her shoulders, Severus gingerly leaned against the girl. She smelled faintly of lavender. Eris supported him with a slender arm wrapped around his waist. Her murmured pain suspension spell caused him to sigh in unconscious relief.
She looked at him with concern. "Are you still in pain? Some people are resistant to those kinds of spells. Here, I'm small-boned, but I'm strong. Put more of your weight on me."
A quick glance showed that Tom was suppressing a laugh and Clive was gnashing his teeth. Smirking, Severus allowed her to support him even more as they left the pitch.
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Eris helped the injured boy off the pitch and tried to lighten his grim features by joking, "We're both sturdier than we look. Personally, I pity the man who attempts to carry me up a staircase one day."
"Are you implying that you'd let someone try?"
His dry tone sounded normal, not out of breath. Eris said while her gaze travelled over Severus' face, "Sure, it's romantic, but I'd use a lightening spell first." He huffed in amusement, but the beads of sweat on his brow and upper lip indicated that the temporary spell had already worn off and he was concealing pain.
She looked around. They were halfway across the grounds to school and no one was near. Eris stopped walking and said, "Close your eyes, don't ask questions, and I'll have you feeling less like cursing in just a minute."
Intent black eyes bored into hers before sharp features relaxed slightly and he nodded. When his eyes closed, Eris removed her earring and swiftly pricked his finger. Softly, she chanted a spell. After making sure that he wasn't watching, she took his finger and sucked the drop of blood. Thank Merlin, his finger tasted clean. It also tasted salty, and a bit coppery.
He pulled his finger and body away, asking imperiously, "What did you just do?"
Eris admitted, "A blood magic spell. Some people think any spell involving blood is Dark, so I figured I'd do it first and explain afterwards."
"Is it Dark?"
She shook her head. "No. I've used it on myself when every muscle ached so badly I could barely breathe and it saved my..." His arrested expression caused her to stop the confession. Those penetrating eyes of his were mesmerising. She'd have to watch herself around him. Eris smiled at the thought of his reaction if she told him his gaze should be classified as a Dark Art. Fanciful thoughts shaken off, she said, "Blood focuses and intensifies the magic, but ingesting it doesn't give control over someone. I'd have loads of self control and could give up chocolate, if it did."
He uttered a considering 'hmmm' in response. Snape moved stiffly, without assistance, the rest of the way to the infirmary. Eris strolled beside him and tried to remain silent. If he didn't want to talk, she wouldn't force conversation upon him. A couple of minutes passed. She gave in to the need to be sociable. "You looked really good out there." Fighting a blush over the wording, she qualified, "The way you scored that goal was impressive."
"Thank you."
Most guys would've begun telling her how they'd flown the pattern and executed the goal in more detail than she'd like. Not Mr. Laconic. The girl blew her fringe out of her eyes and tried again, "What do you think went wrong with that Bludger?"
"Nothing. Benton aimed it at me deliberately." His lips twisted down.
In shock, Eris wordlessly asked a question with her eyes while opening the door for her injured companion. He entered the main corridor and said bitterly, "Sutton didn't want to lose his position like your brother did."
His voice conveyed a mixture of disappointment and cynicism. It was as though he resented the unfairness but didn't expect to be treated any differently.
"What's wrong with you, boy?" Madam Pomfrey's brisk tone broke the charged silence. Waving them impatiently inside the infirmary, the mediwitch straightened her cap and shut the door, directing, "Onto the cot at the end, and take off those robes so I can see what I'm dealing with. I've got a dozen others to see to, so I'll be back shortly."
Eris followed Severus to the cot, past several first years with broken bones and concussions. Drawing the curtains for privacy, she jumped when he said curtly, "I don't need your help."
Hands on her hips, she disagreed, "You may only feel a dull ache right now, but if you try to remove those robes, much less a shirt, you'll soon wish you hadn't."
"Very well."
Eris was unsettled by the way he watched her like a hawk and began to chatter, "I've helped Erik several times after a fall. He flies like a demon, with no thought of personal safety." Easing the robes off, she continued while unbuttoning a shirt-sleeve, "I like flying, but not the acrobatics needed for Quidditch." His wrist was much wider than hers was. She undid the other cuff. He didn't have much arm hair. Her eyes flickered to his chest. Curiosity outweighing embarrassment, Eris started on his shirt buttons.
"Do you intend on a career as a Healer?"
His chest was smooth, with just enough definition to make it interesting. Without thinking, she replied absently, "No, I wouldn't want to become blasé about the human body." Realising what she'd said, her eyes flew up to see arched eyebrows and a darkly amused gaze. Eris flushed bright pink.
"What's going on here? I don't allow these kinds of shenanigans, miss, so take yourself off before I report you to Professor Slughorn," the mediwitch scolded, entering the curtained area.
"Yes, Madam," the girl said in a small voice, slinking out and dashing for the infirmary door.
Outside, James Potter slouched with his back against the wall. Seeing her, he uncrossed his ankles and arms, straightening to announce, "I had nothing to do with that Bludger going rogue, and neither did any of my friends, so if Snape tries to say any of us did..."
"He won't," said Eris, noting with interest the relief her words engendered. "Are you worried that Evans will think otherwise?"
"Yeah." Hazel eyes were rueful. "I think she's finally becoming interested, but something like this could roger what little progress I've made."
He walked beside her to the main corridor. She said, "I've seen her looking at you, Potter, so I know she's interested."
The Gryffindor's face creased in a wide, boyish smile. "Really? Should I ask her to go with me to Hogsmeade, then?"
Maybe the Sorting Hat wasn't the decrepit piece of crap she'd accused it of being when it suggested she might do well in Hufflepuff. She was certainly acting un-Slytherin. Rolling her eyes, at herself as much as the eager boy beside her, Eris advised, "I wouldn't. She won't say yes. Instead, I'd ask her if she's made any plans for Hogsmeade. She'll most likely tell you what she and her friends are going to do. Whatever Evans says, just smile and say you and your friends are going to wander around and have lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Then wish her a good weekend and walk away."
"What if she says she doesn't have any plans?" questioned James.
Away from his pals, Potter was surprisingly likeable. Not that she was going to send him a Christmas card, but Eris was impressed by his willingness to ask for advice. She told him frankly, "She won't. Interested doesn't mean won over."
His crestfallen look made her sigh. "In the unlikelihood that she says no, however, you still smile, only you say that you and your friends don't really have a plan either, you're just going to wander around and have lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Then you walk away."
"Why am I telling her my plans if I'm not going to ask her to go with me?"
Shaking her head at his naïveté, Eris enlightened, "It gives her the opportunity to show up and check you out some more. You're not playing hard to get, but you can't make it easy, because it's human nature to want what doesn't come easily."
"I never thought of it that way before," said James, flashing the smile that would win over Evans if the girl had a normal level of estrogens in her body. He said jokingly, "So what's the price for the advice, Greyback?"
"Same as before, put me on patrol with you and allow me to walk the outside perimeter by myself again."
"Like some alone time, do you? Okay, it's a deal." James smiled and bounded up the stairs toward Gryffindor house.
Eris' smile lasted until she reached Slytherin house. Inside her dorm room, Narcissa sat at a desk, reading a letter. Holding up the parchment when she saw her friend, Cissy announced, "Lucius will be visiting over Hogsmeade Weekend. He wants me to invite all my friends to lunch. Isn't he the most generous man?"
"Mmm," Eris agreed, "He's the most, alright." The most cold-blooded, creepy man she never wanted her best mate to marry. Flopping back onto her bed, she listened to Cissy gush on and on and morosely wondered if she'd have the nerve to call Malfoy 'Luci'.
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Only a few other students sustained injuries serious enough to warrant an overnight stay in the infirmary. One of them snored. Unable to sleep, Severus tried to remember a sleeping charm. He decided to try it on the snorer first, and if it worked, perhaps on himself as well. Before he could reach for his wand, he heard a familiar call.
Meowrrr…
Severus gazed down at the Siamese standing beside his cot and asked the cat, "Are you merely out for a stroll, or did you track me down?"
Leaping up to the mattress, the female gave a soft mew. She rubbed the side of her body along his leg as she daintily padded her way up the cot. After rubbing her soft cheek against his hand, the feline then butted it with her nose. He took the hint and began petting the demanding creature. The contented purring noises caused a smile to curve his lips.
The cat jumped onto his lap, lying down to expose an underside of hair that was even downier and more soothing to stroke. Soft, rumbling purring muted the snoring. Combined with the relaxing petting motion, the two actions caused the boy's eyes to become heavy. In a voice that was becoming increasingly drowsy, he said, "You are well named, Elpis. I now have hope of actually falling asleep tonight." He continued to pet the feline until his eyes closed and his fingers slid off to rest palm up on the mattress. The feeling of a warm, rasping tongue licking his pricked finger caused the sleeper to smile.
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A/N: I used the Trials from the HBP and the info in Quidditch through the Ages to help write the Trials in this chapter. Thanks to everyone who is reading the story, and special thanks to those whose reviews encouraged like magic last week...♥Aunt Draco (aka 40/16) ♥ cupcakeswirl ♥ ElspethBates ♥ Embellished ♥ FNP ♥ GraceRichie ♥ kathaania ♥ NazgulGirl ♥ silver-pensieve ♥ Slipknot-3113 ♥ sunny9847 ♥