Chapter 28 – Slytherin vs. Gryffindor
"There is a beauty in your eyes / It dances like a song on fire / It is primitive like love / Sacred like the need for man and animal to like in harmony / Let that beauty sing you the lullaby that lives in the kingdom of Swaziland"
Her voice carried clear through the night while the starts twinkled in the sky over her. Her students had left her classroom on top of the tower not too long ago and she was left alone. Professor Sprouse liked to stay up long into the night. It was the time of the day she adored the most. The old lullaby had been going through her head all evening. It calmed her down to sing it to the night, because the feeling of being watched was strong tonight.
Some days she wandered through the grounds, a few times with Hermione by her side, both of them walking in silence, enjoying each other's company. Luna was sure something was off with the older woman but didn't pry. The Daily Prophet offered more than enough rumours if one wanted to believe them. Either she would be deemed worthy of the truth or she would stay out of it, that was all up to Hermione.
Looking up at the cloud-covered sky she was able to watch the North Star shining bright. Today she would write her letter, no matter the old rules. She just hoped her Dogon Master would understand why she broke with the rite and answer her. After all, it had been her Master who had taught her to listen to her feelings, and not just her head.
XxX
The Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor had been on every lip at breakfast. The weather was cold and misty but at least no new snow was supposed to fall. It was the last game before the winter holidays and for both Slytherin and Gryffindor, it was their first game of the season.
Professor Sprouse stood next to Madam Hooch talking about the game and watching the students gather on the stands.
The team entered the pitch and made both women take their spots. The Slytherin Captain Sakura Takagi and the Gryffindor Captain Ian Wood shook hands. Their teams stood behind them, ready to go as soon as Madam Hooch started the game.
"Mount your brooms, please." Madam Hooch waited until everyone was ready, gave a curt nod and gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.
Fourteen brooms took of high into the sky while she released all four balls and took off after them, throwing the Quaffle into the air.
"Here the go off! Welcome to the last Quidditch game of 2020. I'm you commentator, Gerald Smith. Today, what a surprise, we get to see Gryffindor, you recognise the mostly red haired team, against Slytherin, who, sadly, forgot to dye or charm their hair green. If you are bored, sleepy or in a bad mood please leave now." it came from next to Professor Sprouse who was tasked with supervising the annotator. Since Lee Jordan, it was a sport between commentators to beat the legend with even funnier comments. They were not to be biased in favour of their own house but only to keep the crowd entertained.
"Merrythought caught the Quaffle and heeds of towards the rings. The Slytherin Captain looks happy to get some action. Takagi uses her broom to shield the goal. Man this woman knows how to keep her rings safe. I heard that's not the only thing she knows."
As a second year muggle-born Hufflepuff, Gerald was a skinny boy with dark blond hair. Until now he had done a great job at the last few games, but some comments were just too much.
"Smith, the game, nothing else." Professor Sprouse reminded him.
"Guys, you heard our hottest Prof, sorry no more juicy news. Flint caught the Quaffle and sent it on his way to Warrington. Owww that hurts! Never get onto blond Weasley's bad side. Her Bludger hits hard. Her cousin Granger caught it and starts to attack. Merrythought again, outch! this time Burke hit his target. Pucey, Flint annnd goal for Slytherin! No chance for big Weasley with that last second pass."
The three Slytherin Chasers Flint, Pucey and Warrington slapped hands and Takagi gave a thumbs-up to her two Beaters Burke and Peebles. Wood watched his team from his position high up but didn't worry. He knew they would tie the score in no time. His two Beaters played Quidditch together long before they joined Hogwarts, their dads had been best buddies nearly their whole life after all. Roxanne Weasley and Jason Jordan were the best Beaters Gryffindor got since Roxanne's dad and his twin had left Hogwarts.
"Now Potter got the Quaffle. Look at his moves, what a risky flying style! He's a daredevil just like his mom, if you ask me. Granger is right behind him, nearly can't see her if it wasn't for that bright red hair. She looks like a literal fire bolt up there. Sad she's flying a thunderbird, else it would be a great wordplay. Might want to ask her mother to..."
"Smith." Professor Sprouse sighed and smiled at him. "Wrong information."
"Score for Gryffindor. Potter got boxed by Warrington and Pucey but he still did it. It's a 10 – 10 ladies and gentleman!"
It was the odd feeling of someone breathing in her neck that made Luna's hair stand up while she tried to continue focusing on the game. Maybe the person behind her was a little to close, but when she turned around slightly there was nobody behind her. Deciding it had been the wind she wrapped her brown scarf tighter and continued scolding Smith as he commented Mrs. Potter's great Quidditch column instead of the game.
The lullaby at the beginning, just like all that HP stuff, is not my own, rights sadly belong to others.
If anyone had trouble with all the names I have a list for the Quidditch player at hand for you:
Gryffindor
Ian Wood, Captain, Seeker
Louis Weasley, big Weasley, Keeper
Rose Weasley-Granger, Granger, Chaser
James Potter, Chaser
Alec Merrythought, Chaser
Jason Jordon, Beater
Roxanne Weasley, blond Weasley, Beater
Slytherin
Sakura Takagi, Captain, Keeper
Benjamin Rosier, Seeker
Felix Flint, Chaser
Roy Warrington, Chaser
Darius Pucey, Chaser
Sebastian Burke, Beater
Byron Peebles, Beater