Author's Note: Hey guys, so I'm aware that Hogwarts has a fixed schedule for Quidditch games every year, buttt frankly, I don't really care. Haha. So in my story, first game of the year goes to Slytherin and Hufflepuff. I had an incredibly fun time writing this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy! =)
Hufflepuff's Quidditch team was anxiously seated inside their tent. The first Quidditch match of the year was about to start and Brittany stood at the front going over plays and giving last-minute pep talks. Mike sat in the front row, listening intently and gripping his Beater's bat. Sam was beside him, squinting at the chalkboard with the plays drawn all over it and silently going over each detail.
"I know last year was a tough year for us, guys, and Slytherin beat us really badly. But you've all been working really hard during practice, and I'm confident we're going to do great this year. You all remember the Schrödinger's Cat play that I showed you last week, right?" Everyone nodded at Brittany, "Good. I think it's totally gonna win us the Quidditch Cup this year. Lord Tubbington and I worked really hard on it. But just so you know, even if we don't win the Cup, or even today's game, I'm still really proud of you guys. And the most important thing is that we have fun! Okay, bring it in!"
Everyone gathered around in a circle and did one last cheer before exiting the tent and out into the pitch. The Slytherin team was already outside, circling the pitch as Jacob Ben Israel announced each player's name. Brittany watched nervously, but then smiled when Mike patted her on the shoulder.
"You're doing a great job as captain, Britt. Way better than Webb last year," he reassured her. He stared at everyone in the stands that were cheering on Slytherin. Many people lost their confidence in Hufflepuff after its failed season last year, and it only intensified when they found out that Brittany Pierce of all people was voted captain this year. Brittany scrunched her eyebrows together in a look of determination.
"Thanks, Mike," she said, "That means a lot."
"And last but not least, Slytherin's second Beater and captain, Santana Lopez!" Jacob shouted into the microphone.
"No problem. Now let's get out there," Mike gave Brittany's shoulder one more squeeze and jumped onto his broom, pushing his legs off the ground and propelling himself into the air.
"Yeah, we'll show 'em!" Sam said coming up behind them.
"Show them what?" Brittany asked innocently as she followed Sam and Mike on her broomstick.
"Flying right by Slytherin's goal post is one of Hufflepuff's Beaters, Mike Chang!" The crowd cheered and Tina could be heard from Ravenclaw's tower screaming Mike's name. He laughed and when Tina blew a kiss at him, he pretended to catch it and patted his cheek.
"And there goes Hufflepuff's Seeker, Brittany Pierce! This is Brittany's third year as Seeker, but first year as captain. After Hufflepuff came in last place in the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup last year, people have lost faith in its team. I'm not really sure how much better they're going to fare this year with Pierce—AH!" Jacob's commentary was interrupted when a flash of green flew right past him.
"Are you sure you want to finish that sentence, Jewfro!" Santana threatened.
"Uh-um, nevermind! I mean, I'm sure Hufflepuff's going to do great this year!" Jacob corrected. Santana lifted a corner of her lips. She looked over at Brittany who had her head hanging down, embarrassed. When Brittany looked up and made eye contact with her, Santana winked and gave her two thumbs up.
You're gonna do great! Santana mouthed. Brittany gave her a small smile in response.
Madam Hooch blew the whistle to get everyone's attention. The crowd cheered, anxious for the game to begin. Each player gripped the handles of their brooms as Madam Hooch prepared to release the balls. Santana glanced around the stands and at her team, smirking confidently. Brittany focused on the Golden Snitch and narrowed her eyes in quiet resolve.
Once Madam Hooch threw the Quaffle into the air, Sam launched himself at it, grabbing it before any other Chaser could. Mike swung his bat and aimed the first Bludger at Slytherin's Seeker. Brittany darted past him, focused solely on the Snitch. Santana saw her, but before she could aim a Bludger in her direction, Sam passed her and headed straight towards Slytherin's goal.
"Shit!" Santana cursed. She turned around and chased after him, waiting for a Bludger to fly by so she could direct it towards Sam. Santana followed him from behind, while a Slytherin Chaser flew towards him from the front. Sam lifted his broom, dodging the Chaser and leaving him and Santana to collide. Sam looked over his shoulder and smirked at the collision he had caused. When he was near the goals, he pulled his arm back and threw the Quaffle into the tallest goal post with all his might. Azimio, Slytherin's Keeper, tried to block it, but he was too slow.
"Incredible!" Jacob yelled in surprise, while the Hufflepuff stands went wild. "Sam Evans makes the very first goal of the year, earning Hufflepuff ten points!"
The Quaffle was thrown back into play, and once again, Sam was the first Chaser to reach it. Karofsky immediately shot a Bludger towards him, but Mike flew to Sam's side just in time to deflect it. Mike stayed beside Sam as they shot across the pitch towards Slytherin's goals. The field was just a blur of yellow and green as Hufflepuff Chasers distracted the other team, protecting Mike and Sam as they neared the goal posts.
Suddenly, Santana came down and rammed into Mike, knocking him towards the ground. She then proceeded to dig her side into Sam. But before he could lose his balance, another Hufflepuff Chaser appeared from in front of him. Sam passed the Quaffle to him, and he quickly shot it through one of Slytherin's hoops.
"Another amazing goal from Hufflepuff!" Jacob exclaimed. He started pulling on his hair as he squealed through the microphone, "Hufflepuff is now leading twenty to zero! Slytherin better pick up the slack!" Santana growled as she threw a glare towards Jacob's direction, and he recoiled in fright.
Brittany laughed as she and another Hufflepuff high-fived each other. The Snitch fluttered by her at that moment and she quickly replaced her smile with a fierceness only seen when she was dancing. Slytherin's Seeker was already headed towards it when Brittany easily passed him. They raced around the pitch, shoving each other as they both tried to reach for the Snitch.
"Hold on to your seats, ladies and gentlemen! Both Seekers are nearing the Snitch. This looks like it's going to be a close one! My body is shaking with anticipation!"
The Slytherin Seeker was small compared to Brittany and she used that to her advantage. She drove him towards the sidelines and gave one more shove, causing him to crash into one of the towers. The spectators gasped at Brittany's unexpected aggression. She continued to chase after the Snitch, but when she reached out for it, a Bludger hit the front of her broomstick, causing her to spin around in circles.
"Oooh! Pierce takes a nasty hit from a Bludger! It seems Karofsky's happy about it though!" Karofsky watched as Brittany tried to regain control of her broom, a smug smile on his face and his bat resting on his shoulder, "Santana on the other hand..."
"Hey!" Santana screams, coming up beside Karofsky, "Watch who you're aiming for!"
"It's part of the game, Lopez!" he yells back.
"If she gets hurt, I'll—"
"And Brittany seamlessly recovers from the hit! Amazing! That is a true dancer's grace!"
Santana and Karofsky immediately turned their attention back to Brittany. Brittany had dashed straight towards the Snitch again, having never lost sight of it. As Karofsky tried to catch up to Brittany, Santana shot a Bludger between her and the Snitch, hoping to distract her without actually hitting her. Brittany remained completely unfazed, however, and neared the Snitch.
"Another ten points for Hufflepuff!" Santana and Karofsky both halted and snapped their heads towards Slytherin's goal posts, where Sam had scored once again.
Brittany saw her opening. She steadied her broom as she scooched her butt forward and leaned over the front of her handle. Her broom tipped forward as she outstretched her arm and her fingers wrapped around the Snitch.
"BRITTANY PIERCE HAS CAUGHT THE GOLDEN SNITCH!" The crowds broke into a deafening applause. "IT'S UNBELIEVABLE! HUFFLEPUFF HAS WON 180 TO ZERO!"
Brittany landed gracefully on the ground, still holding onto the Snitch. The rest of her team gathered around her. They lifted her up and cheered her name, and everyone in the stands celebrated Hufflepuff's stunning win. Brittany laughed as her teammates bobbed her up and down in the air. Her face brightened, and she blushed as everyone complimented her for her seeking and captaining skills.
Meanwhile, Santana was scolding the Slytherin team for underestimating Hufflepuff and not trying hard enough. She started hitting Azimio for not saving any goals, and then turned her attention to Karofsky. They had to pull her off him, but she continued to kick and flail in their arms.
"Santana!" At the sound of Brittany's voice, Santana settled down and her teammates let her go. A large grin replaced her scowl when she saw how elated Brittany was. "Santana, we won!"
"Yeah, Britt, you did! Congratulations!" Santana giggled and held onto Brittany's arms as she jumped up and down.
"Sorry, that you lost. But it's not my fault my team is better yours." Santana laughed at Brittany's bluntness.
"Nah, Slytherin's still better than Hufflepuff. You're just a better captain than I am." Brittany looked down at her feet bashfully. Santana softly poked her nose, "It's still only the first match though. We're still going to win the Quidditch Cup at the end of the year."
"You wish," Brittany said, wrapping her arms around Santana's waist, "Hufflepuff's totally going to win that cup. Then I'm gonna put something hot in it, put it to my lips, and empty out every last drop. Sayin' what's up to my cup," she hummed.
"Oh my gosh, it looks like Slytherin and Hufflepuff's captains are going to make out!" Jacob's voice roared through the speakers, "Now these girls know how to celebrate a win! OW!" McGonagall slapped him over the head and pulled him away from the microphone by the ear. Santana just rolled her eyes at Jacob's perversion. She linked her pinky with Brittany's and walked them off the field.
"Come on, let's go and celebrate. And I'll explain to you how Slytherin is better than Hufflepuff."
"We're still going to win."
"Haha! Yeah, right. I'll show you." Santana nudged Brittany with her elbow.
"No, seriously. Show me what?"