Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been uploading lately. Apologies for how short this is! I've been really busy because I have family visiting and I'm going on a long holiday! I won't be updating for a couple of weeks but when I get back, I'll post a long one with lots of Maddie sass, pranks, reveals and James's arrogance!

In this chapter we have some Quidditch! Not much else happens, mainly fluff with a little James confrontation….


Chapter 5: Reasons I Love Quidditch

Copying letters was so boring and tedious, especially in the morning. Some of the letters we copied (with a simple copy spell) and gave out to people were hilarious. Of course, James caught wind of what was happening pretty quickly. He would stare us down in class, trip us in the halls and glare whenever he saw us. When we were in the same room, you could cut the tension with a knife. Of course, it was so hilarious to me, which made it funnier! The whole thing was known as 'Maddie and Albus's Prank'. I had tons of letters coming in asking who the couple was and who people thought the couple were. It was then I had the idea to make a list of all the couples nominated and then publish that the day we say who the couple is.

"Look at this one! Someone nominated Filch and… Professor Trelawny! My God, I'm dying!" I gasped as Al and Scorp cracked up. The divination teacher and the caretaker? It was just too funny. I looked at Al and Scorp who looked a little too normal, they looked awkward. Out of the blue, Al spoke up.

"Hey, we're going to breakfast," Al said too casually, but he looked nervously at Scorp the whole time.

"Cool! Let me just get my bag and we'll walk together…" I saw Al and Scorp's desperate and annoyed expressions exchanging between them. Of course, I thought, feeling deflated. They're a couple and they wanted some space from their third wheel, aka, me. "… Or not. I still have some more letters to copy and… yeah," I said, trying to sound normal and upbeat as Al and Scorp smiled gratefully and ran out. I sat down and went back to copying letters. I felt really awkward. Was I being too clingy? Maybe everyone thought that. I mean, Jo has been avoiding me a bit lately. And Rachel has been snippy. And Oscar has been a bit edgy. Was it me? Were they just hanging out with me to be nice? Did they even like me?

It was like a flood of self-doubt and pity washed over me. It was so weird, because this never really happens to me. I guess I'm usually sure of myself, but no, not anymore. I was so confused and weirded out with myself. I didn't really know what to do.

I thought the situation couldn't get worse.

Wrong.

Hope walked up to me, her usually big and fuzzy hair flat and her eyes sad.

"Maria is so rude. She keeps on blabbing and gossiping about me! Can she not gossip about me for a second? But, you see, Maria isn't even that nice. She's so pushy and bossy and goodie-goodie. Plus, she's totally copying me with everything. I mean, she's totally crushing on Dimitri because I am! And it's unfair because she's so much prettier than me! I mean, sure, she has huge glasses but her chocolate brown hair and porcelain skin and onyx eyes and her curves are to die for! Dimitri will go for her! Did you know she has awful acne? It's so awful and gross and she has to use my makeup to cover it up. Did you know she hates Emma? Emma is so sweet and kind but Maria always gossips about her! I hate people that gossip! Did you hear that Emma is basically in love with Peter? I mean, I thought I Peter was way too good for her! Emma isn't even that sweet or kind. Like, let's be serious – Maria is prettier than her. And that's hard because Maria is so ugly! I mean, big glasses, poo coloured hair and those evil, black eyes. Not to mention, she's as flat as a board! Is that another love letter you're copying? I can't believe it is James and Willow who wrote those letters! I almost blurted it out in class but thankfully Dimitri stopped me! Dimitri is so hot. I love how he's so skinny and likes to read. He's always saving me. How handsome and sweet is he?" Hope rambled so quickly I almost missed it all. I found it funny how she hates people who gossip so she comes and gossips to me.

I smiled sympathetically and turned her in the direction of Emma, the girl with the big forehead and apparently is 'so sweet and kind' and 'not very sweet and kind', according to Hope. She's… also in love with Peter? Who is Peter? I think I hang around with him. Huh.

"I think Emma wanted you," I said. Hope smiled and skipped over to Emma. I could literally see Hope gossiping about Maria. I shook my head and headed out for breakfast. Hopefully Scorp and Al had enough alone time. But I guess it gave me time to copy this other letter. It's been a week of releasing letters and we've released about nine letters over the course of those days, all from different stages of their relationship. I smiled at this letter. It was hilarious.

Dear _,

I love being your boyfriend. It's so fulfilling! I really wanted to kiss you in the hallway today but I knew that I couldn't. Why? Why are we still seeing each other in secret? I hate it.

The song you wrote for me was so pretty. I especially loved the way you sang it to me. I could listen to your voice for all of eternity.

Love you always and see you at the usual place,

Al and I visited their secret hide-out yesterday. The hide-out is behind Hagrid's hut, as we found out from some clues in letters 234 and 156. Not very romantic, but hey. Whatever they like.


"Hey," I said as I slid next to Rachel and piled my plate with everything there was to offer (the usual). But it was weird. Instead of the usual buzz of chatter, the whole room was shouting with excitement. Confused, I asked (well, yelled. It was too loud to be heard if you only talked) Rachel what was going on. With a massive grin (and tomato sauce) on her face, she grabbed my arms and shook me.

"Quidditch tryouts are today!" she squealed. Immediately, I yelled so much, even the kid nicknamed Deaf Guy (he doesn't hear much) heard me.

"Really?" I squealed/ asked Rachel who nodded enthusiastically. I looked over at Scorp and Al who were chatting with Oscar, Xavier, Roy, Peter and Dimitri. (So that's Peter! The guy with the big ears!)

I was so excited. Quidditch was the only activity I was good at. It was funny seeing people's reactions when they found out I'm a beater. It's more common for boys to play that part in Australia, but I loved having the excuse to violently hit magical, uncontrollable and heavy balls with a bat at people while they fly meters above the ground.

It's therapeutic.

Reasons I Love Quidditch:

1 . It's very violent.

2 . I love flying around on a broom. It feels so cool!

3 . Girls and boys can play of all ages and sizes!

4 . It's interesting to play and watch (unlike other muggle sports like cricket. I don't understand how people can watch that!)

5 . It's great for team building!

6 . There's always a winner! None of that 'everyone's a winner!' crap.

7 . I'm very competitive. Like, very.

8 . It's great for letting all your anger and frustration out.

9 . IT'S FRICKIN AWESOME!

"Who's the captain? Where do we sign up? What do you guys play?" I stopped my excited chatter before I started to sound like Hope. Who, by the way, is now dating this guy, Eric Fizzle in Hufflepuff since the start of breakfast. Apparently, she's just trying to make Dimitri jealous. I wonder how long that'll last.

Anyways.

"I'm the captain. Signups are in the common room. And, I play chaser. There – I just answered all of your questions!" Xavier, the really hot guy, said in this nice, deep voice. I hadn't really talked to him much because he hangs around Lesley and Frank, the two really shy twins. But from what I'd heard, he's really nice.

"I play seeker," Scorp said, "and Al plays keeper. He's the best there is!" he said, his voice filled with pride. These two were so cute! Apparently, Gryffindor has won the Quidditch House Cup ever since Harry Potter became their seeker, which was well over 20 years ago. Well, now that I'm here, I'm gonna break their streak.

Hopefully.

"Jo, Maria and Dimitri play chaser, Roy, Peter and Frank play beater, Al is always keeper and Scorp is always seeker. Lesley plays whatever and so does Eva. You?" Xavier said as his really pretty eyes looked into mine. I was getting the gist he was the 'Golden Boy'. You know, good looking, smart, charming, polite – your typical boy next door.

Not really my type.

"I'm a beater," I said, my eyes locking his for a challenge. Xavier only raised his eyebrows and nodded. Pleased, I turned to Al and Scorp.

"Well, good news! The love letters are all over school! I have some more here," I said, handing them out to the people around me. Everyone sniggered and cringed at the awkward letters. The worst letters were Willow's. James' were bad, but not as bad as hers. Yet, still, I'm actually surprised that the 'tough, amazing and laid-back bachelor' of Gryffindor could write such heartfelt and cringe worthy words.

I grabbed my wand and put a dispersing spell on the letters to make them fly up into the air and disperse around the room. Laughter and anticipation filled the hall as friends huddled around the letters. I smiled smugly and shared a glance with Al.

Suddenly, the whole room went quiet. All you could hear were hushed whispers and the sound of one chair scraping back slowly. I looked up to see James Potter standing up at the Gryffindor table. I tried to look and act surprised/ confused but I could tell the letters had pushed him over the edge. I smothered the urge to smile smugly. He slowly started walking towards the Slytherin table, his eyes locked on mine and Al's. He looked… very angry. But hey, I'm not too concerned. Lupin taught us a new defence spell in class so I'm all prepared.

Plus I keep pepper spray on me at all times.

I smiled sweetly as his footsteps echoed loudly through the hall. Even the teachers were watching with interest.

He weaved his way through the crowd and finally right above me. He cleared his throat and smiled his winner smile. My God he was hot. You know how some people just look good? Like, all the time? That's him. His hair was nice and he smelt good and his eyes were-

Super angry. Oh yeah. I forgot! I hate his guts, he hates mine.

"Do you play Quidditch, Maddie?" he asked, his tone very polite and charming but his manner was stiff and cold. I smiled a sickly sweet smile and acted all innocent.

"Yes, I do. I play beater, actually," I said politely. James nodded and smiled.

"I play chaser," James said smugly. Ah, yes. He thought he was quite good at Quidditch. It's all anyone can talk about, the 'young and promising James Potter' who played chaser in his first year and ever since.

He's quite the legend around here. But, you already knew that.

"Al plays keeper. Actually, I was wondering if you two – and Scorp – could help me out with some training? I mean, I know Al is very good and so is Scorp. But, I would love to practise with a beater too! It'd be great fun. Here, all three of you come with me and we'll sort it out!" James smiled and walked away, fast. I shrugged, stood up and followed, but as I stood up, my foot got caught on the leg of the long seat. I tripped and fell to the ground.

Did I mention the whole school was still silent and still watching our every move? Well, they all laughd and snorted but then James made it even worse.

"Falling for me, are you? I have that effect on women," James said smugly. Glowering, I stood up and walked out of the room with Al and Scorp.


Once all four of us were out in the empty hallway, James rounded in on us.

"Ok, stop. I know you love to prank me and my friends and all that other shit, but this is taking it way to far! I mean, your hurting me but your also humiliating Willow! She's been in tears and is so anxious! All she can think about when she wakes up is 'is this the day everyone will know I'm the poor sucker writing the letters?'. It's not fair on both of us! So, I'll give you an idea. Out me. Tell everyone that I was the guy in the letters but don't tell them it was Willow. Please, don't tell. Make it… I don't know, the Mystery Girl. And, btw, I am so going to get all of you back for doing this," James huffed, his eyes angry, enraged, desperate and evil. Ok, maybe not evil. But you get the gist! He was right, I guess. It was mean to bring Willow into this prank war. I mean, I would hate having my whole relationship exposed like that. The more I thought about it, the more I realised it was a pretty crappy thing to do.

But just because I felt bad for Willow did not mean I felt bad for James. Oh no, he totally deserved the humiliation.

"Deal. We won't tell anyone about Willow," Scorp answered almost immediately.

I smiled the smile that says 'I'm pretending to like you right now and am only acting nice but everyone, including you, knows I hate you,'. James smiled his own one of those smiles right back at me. I wiggled my fingers in a little wave and then made sure he was looking when I rolled my eyes and turned to Al and Scorp.

"Do you guys now feel really bad?" I asked. Scorp and Al both nodded. I looked down at my shoes and the three of us walked back to breakfast.

The one feeling I wasn't expecting to feel was anticipation.

Anticipation to see James Potter's counter-attack.

Game on.


Hey guys! Thanks for reading! Comment, review and all that stuff if you have ideas, questions or just want to let me know something! I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

Ok, thanks!

Kat xx