Quidditch practices had been going better now James was not pissed off with half the team. He was an amazing seeker – even Roxanne couldn't deny that. Within two weeks, the team had gone from disorganised chaos to a team that might actually beat Slytherin. Apparently, this was the biggest match of the season (even though the season had just begun) and James was adamant they needed to win to be in with a shot at the trophy this year.
Poppet sat at breakfast on that fateful Saturday morning, piling bacon and eggs onto her plate. She was sat with Florence, both of them in their Quidditch robes, and discussing Florence's favourite subject of late: Blane Hughes. Ever since Florence had found out that Blane fancied her, she'd only talked about him. ("Fancy that, Pops! A seventh year! Wanting to date me!") It was getting a little tiring, Poppet had to admit. However, Florence had a plan and her own motive to win the match. If they won, she'd make her move at the after party.
However, her conversation about how she'd snog him was cut short, much to Poppet's delight. James sat down opposite the two girls and helped himself to four pancakes.
"Slow down, James. A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips," Poppet teased as he piled the maple syrup coated pancakes into his mouth without so much of a word of good morning.
"Mm nerfuzz," He said, through a mouthful of pancake.
"Excuse me?" Florence laughed. However, her laugh was interrupted by Blane who had just sat himself down next to James. Florence's robes went nearly as scarlet as her face. Poppet suppressed a giggle.
"I'm nervous," said James, after he'd swallowed. "It's my first match as captain. Morning, Blane."
"Morning, James," Blane said. Blane was well built, very tall with dirty blonde hair and a cheeky grin, "Morning, girls. You all ready for the match?"
"You betcha!" Florence squeaked. James caught Poppet's eye and both of them quickly stuffed their mouths with food to stop them laughing. Florence's face when an odd shade of red again.
Blane seemed to either not notice Florence's change in colour, or ignore it completely. He told the others that Tobias was currently in the kitchen stealing food for the after party. When Poppet asked if that was a bit previous, Blane told her that with a seeker like James Potter, Slytherin wouldn't be able to touch them. James beamed with pride at the words from his teammate. "Anyway, I gotta go. My broom needs polishing before I go out there. Gotta look good for the ladies," He winked at Florence and she giggled before making his way out of the Great Hall.
Florence finished her toast in silence. James and Poppet exchanged a look over the table.
"Alright, Flo?" James asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah," she nodded. She knocked back the dregs of her pumpkin juice and then stood up very quickly, "I gotta go! See you on the field!"
As she dashed out of the hall, James and Poppet laughed.
"Bless her," Poppet giggled.
"Indeed," James responded, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Your parents coming today?" Poppet asked.
"Yeah, they couldn't miss Albus' first Quidditch match and my first match as captain! What about yours?" James smiled. He was clearly ready to make his father proud.
"Yeah, just my mum though," Poppet said, "My dad has a work thing."
"Ah shame," James said. Poppet didn't dare to announce that it was because of his dad that Douglas couldn't come and watch his daughter's first Quidditch match for his old school, even if it wasn't his old house. She was pleased to be seeing her mum though. She missed her.
Once James and Poppet had finished eating, they walked down to the pitch together, their brooms slung over their shoulders. Poppet's mother had sent her broom and she was very pleased to have it back. It was like embracing an old friend. The stands around the pitch had already begun to fill up with the exciting chatter of students. James and Poppet were the first two from the Gryffindor team to show up. They headed into the little room under the stands and waited for the rest of the team to arrive.
Albus and Florence came down together. Albus was full of excitement as he'd just seen his Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione. "We left Rose with them," Albus explained, "but she's on her way!"
Soon enough, she appeared. Her bushy, ginger hair had been pulled into a sleek braid down her back. She was chattering about her mum and dad and how excited she was to see them. Finally, Tobias and Blane entered the tent.
"We saw their new seeker," Tobias said, "It's that Malfoy kid, in your year." He gestured to Rose and Al as h said this.
"Oh, Merlin's beard," Rose grumbled. Everyone was very aware how much she disliked him, "That little sewer rat gets everything."
"Amy reckons he's great," Florence said, "We share a crystal ball in Divination sometimes."
Before anyone could respond, the teams were called out onto the pitch. In the family stand, Poppet could see her mother. She waved excitedly at her daughter and Poppet waved back, beaming. Stood in front of her were six figures dressed in emerald robes and all clutching brooms. A wave of nerves suddenly hit Poppet. This was it. This was real.
James reluctantly shook the hand of the Slytherin captain, who was short and stocky with short black hair and deep brown eyes. He smiled pleasantly at James. Before she knew it, Poppet was mounting her broom and kicking off from the ground. She soared through the air and loved the feel of the wind through her hair.
"AND THEY'RE OFF! TWO POTTERS ARE ON THE GRYFFINDOR TEAM THIS YEAR AND IF LITTLE ALBUS IS ANYTHING AS GOOD AS HIS BROTHER, THE SLYTHERIN'S BETTER WATCH OUT!"
Poppet grabbed the Quaffle as it soared past her face. She quickly dived out of the way of a Slytherin chaser and zipped her way to the end of the pitch. The Slytherin captain was the Keeper and Poppet dived to the left, throwing the Quaffle through the hoop and was rewarded by the cheers of the roaring crowd.
"AN EXCELLENT START FOR GRYFFINOR FROM THEIR NEW CHASER, POPPET HASTINGS, WHO IS ACTUALLY NEW TO THE SCHOOL AS WELL! 10 NIL TO GRYFFINOR!"
James flew alongside Poppet. "Great job, Hastings!"
Poppet smiled and saw expertly deflect a bludger from hitting Tobias in the head. Impressive.
Gryffindor scored another two goals, both by Tobias. Slytherin scored once. Albus then put another Quaffle through the hoop.
"CLEARLY QUIDDITCH SKILLS DO RUN IN THE FAMILY! ALBUS POTTER SCORES FOR GRYFFINDOR PUTTING THEM UP BY 30 POINTS!"
Poppet scored another goal, and then Slytherin got two back. James was soaring around above their heads, along with Scorpious. It appeared neither of them could see the Snitch yet.
"Poppet! Pass to me!" Poppet threw the leather Quaffle she was holding to Albus who expertly scored another goal. In the family stand, Poppet could see a man with messy black hair and round glasses jumping up and down and cheering. Poppet guessed that was Harry Potter.
Suddenly, James made a dive that made them all jump. He shot down from way above them. Fluttering around by the Gryffindor goal posts Poppet could see a glimmer of gold.
"IT APPEARS JAMES POTTER HAS SEEN THE GOLDEN SNITCH!" The commentator's voice boomed around the stadium and everyone drew their attention to James. The Malfoy boy was zooming after him. Poppet suddenly found herself with the Quaffle in her hands and decided not to let herself get distracted by the snitch. She passed it to Tobias who effortlessly knocked it through the hoop. Another 10 points to Gryffindor.
The crowd roared so loudly Poppet thought she might be knocked off her broom. She looked around and saw James, near the ground, holding his hand high above his head. He had caught the Snitch! Gryffindor had won!
She flew down to the ground and Florence ran up to her and hugged her tightly, "We won!" She squealed. James did a victory lap of the pitch holding the snitch before landing next to his team mates. Poppet noticed Roxanne and Jocelyn clapping and beaming in one of the stands. Her heart leapt. Despite it being freezing cold, a warmth spread through her body.
Suddenly, the pitch was flooded by parents as they were allowed down to see their children. Poppet's mother, Jennifer, dashed towards her daughter, beaming. Poppet crushed her mum in a giant hug. "You did so well, Poppy!"
"Thanks, mum," Poppet was sure this smile would never leave her face, "I missed you!"
"I missed you too," Jennifer looked over Poppet's shoulder at Florence who was looking very awkward stood behind them."Who's this?"
"I'm Florence," Florence smiled, "I'm Poppet's friend."
Jennifer looked shocked as if it were unlikely her daughter would have a friend.
"Nice to meet you," she extended her hand out and Florence took it and shook it, "I'm Jennifer, Poppet's mother."
"Poppet!" Poppet looked around to see James and Albus walking towards them, their mother and father behind them. Poppet felt almost starstruck. Harry Potter was approaching her with a big, goofy smile on his face. "Meet our parents!"
"Hi," Poppet said awkwardly, "I'm Poppet."
"Great performance out there," Harry Potter said, extending his hand so she could shake it, "I'm Harry."
"Thanks," Poppet blushed.
"And I'm Ginny," said James and Albus' mother, smiling at Poppet. She was a truly breathtaking woman. She had ginger hair cut into a bob and a glowing smile. Poppet shook her hand also, "You're a talented chaser. Have you ever thought of a career in Quidditch?"
"I – erm – no," Poppet said, quietly. "Not really."
"Watch out for trials for the Holyhead Harpies when you finish school," Ginny Potter smiled at Poppet kindly and she smiled back.
Before Poppet could respond, Poppet's mother had joined them and was chatting to Harry. She forgot they probably vaguely knew each other as her dad now worked under Harry as an Auror.
They walked back up to the castle with Rose's family. "You showed that Malfoy who's boss, James," said Rose's dad, smiling fondly at his nephew.
"I know!" James enthused. "When I saw him I knew he wouldn't be a patch on me!"
"I'm glad Draco didn't make it to the match," Ron sneered, "I hate that little piece of –"
"Ronald!" Rose's mother hissed and all the children laughed, "You're meant to be setting a good example for your daughter."
"I am," Ron insisted, "You're the one who punched Malfoy in the face when we were at school, not me. That's not a very good example, is it?"
Hermione had to laugh at this. She turned to Rose. "Where's Hugo, darling? We must see him before we dash off."
They were stood in the Entrance Hall now and everyone was getting ready to say goodbye to their family. With a quick hug and a kiss of the cheek, Jennifer walked off down the drive to Hogsmeade where she would be able to apperate. Florence and Poppet watched her go.
Hugo and Lily rushed into the hall and were made a fuss of by their parents. Soon, the Weasley-Potter parents decided it was their time to make a move and they said a final goodbye to their children, smiling and waving.
"Nice to meet you, Poppet," Harry said, shaking her hand again, "And nice to see you again, Florence!"
"Bye, Mr. Potter," They said in unison and he smiled kindly as he walked off down the drive with his wife and brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
Poppet and Florence turned on their heels and walked up to the Great Hall for some lunch. The smell of hot soup made Poppet's stomach grumble wildly and she clutched it, giggling.
As they walked in, Blane wildly waved at them, beckoning for them to come over. Poppet turned to Florence, expecting her face to be flushed but it was as pale as ever. She smirked, glancing at Blane, "I can't wait for this party tonight."
AN: Some old facesmade an appearance! How exciting! This is my version of Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny! Sorry if you don't like them, but they're how I want them for this story! What did you think of Poppet's mum? I have a lot pre-written so I am going to be updating verrrry regularly! Next chapter will be a party chapter! I'm really looking forward to it!