Beginning of the End
Daisy sat in the Arrows locker room, the first dressed in her uniform and pads as usual, with her eyes closed as she bobbed her head in time to the music coursing through her headphones. While the sense of foreboding had passed enough that she slept most of the night, she woke with her stomach in knots and had a tough time eating that morning.
Wills had started to comment on it, but a sharp look from her had silenced him. Granted she had no doubt that he informed her brothers and everyone else in the players' box as soon as he got there.
Now was the time focus, though. She had gone through all of her other pre-game rituals - spent an hour pulling her hair into dutch braids that were now knotting together in a tight bun at the top of her head - and now she sat with her favorite game-day playlist on, hyping herself up for the match.
Today would be just like any other match, she had told herself. She would go out there and focus. Then she would kick Hardwick's ass. Through that, she would show the Network that she wasn't afraid. That nothing was going to stop her.
"She's out of sorts," Blanks said softly to Campbell as he glanced over at Daisy. Campbell looked over at her, frowning slightly.
"She does seem on edge. That's unlike her," he commented.
"She'll come out of it by the time she makes it on the pitch," Kelly added. "She always does."
"Hope so. It's the Falcons. We'd all hate to lose to that rotten lot," Blanks said as he finished up with his uniform.
"Pix's got the best win record against them," Cunningham said. "No doubt she'll pull it off. Something about Hardwick sets her on fire. Performance in the last matchup was enough on its own to win her MVP."
"Don't worry too much, Blanks. Our Pix is the best seeker there is," Campbell said, patting the younger player on the back. Blanks looked over at her, seeing a slight grimace on her face before she smoothed it out and a smirk appeared, her eyes still closed.
"Alright then."
An hour into the match and the Arrows were certainly giving the Falcons a run for their money. They were up by 100 points already and Bray had only let two goals by. James was looking more and more sour as it went on while it only fed the Arrows who were flying faster, tighter and cleaner.
"Good to see that whole nerve mess cleared up," Wills said as he leaned forward in his seat.
'What are you talking about?" Jamie asked, looking over at his teammate.
"She was in a bit of a state last night and this morning. Barely touched her breakfast," he replied. All three triplets and Freddie whipped their heads around to look at him. From behind, Christos leaned forward.
"That is not like the Pixie," he said as Roxanne shifted in her chair from next to him, turning to meet Dominique, Molly and Victoire's eyes. Victoire unconsciously rubbed her growing belly as she looked over at Teddy.
"Just a bit of nerves, is what she said. She looks fine now," Wills said, not taking his eyes off the game. They all turned back in time to catch Daisy whipping through the Falcons' formation, causing Allens to drop the quaffle. Kelly snatched it up and took the play to the other end of the pitch.
"She's fine," Teddy said softly as he leaned towards Victoire, patting her arm.
"Can't help but worry. Suppose it's the hormones," she said, smiling slightly.
"You don't need to worry about anything other than making sure Teddy Jr. is growing well," Teddy said.
"What makes you think it's a boy? Very well could be a girl," Victoire said, relaxing a bit.
"Still don't understand why you want it to be a surprise," Teddy said with a sigh before taking a sip of beer.
"More fun that way," Victoire replied, grinning at him.
"Did you see that! Bloody good job, Pix!" Freddie shouted as he jumped to his feet, clapping.
"Sit down, Weasley! Some of us want to actually see the match!" someone shouted. Freddie glanced back, smiling, before he sat down and face the match again.
"What's eating you, Jamie? Not worried about Pix, are you," he asked. Jamie shifted in his chair, a frown on his face.
"Something's up with Hardwick," he said finally, his brown eyes following the Falcons seeker. "He's been acting wonky all game."
"I've noticed it too," Remus said, also watching Hardwick. "Usually he's glued to her side, trying to throw her off. But today, it almost seems he's avoiding her."
"Why's that, you think?" Freddie asked, leaning forward.
"New tactic, likely," Alan said. "Everyone is always trying to outfly her."
"And failing no matter what they do," Remus said, smiling as he looked at his brothers. "Wiggins is still trying to figure out how she does it."
"The only one that really gives her a run for her money is White," Alan replied. "It'll be a tight race for seeker of the year." Jamie leaned forward in his chair, still frowning, as the conversation picked up around them. Only Wills noticed.
"You think something's going on?" he asked softly, not wanting to draw attention.
"I feel… unsettled," he said, just as softly. "Felt it all morning." Wills nodded.
"That's what Pix said last night. She tried to play it off this morning, but I knew she was lying," he said, his eyes returning to the match. "She'll be fine. She's got the blokes out there watching her back."
"I know… still doesn't help," he replied. Wills glanced at him and then settled back in his chair.
"It'll be fine," he said, though he wasn't sure who he was trying to convince.
Daisy ducked to miss a bludger, not sure where it came from. She focused in front of her, buzzing underneath James and then swinging around to shoot up above the play, scanning around for the snitch and Hardwick.
He had been carefully avoiding her all match and that was something odd. Usually they would engage in cat-and-mouse with Daisy evading him and then popping up in time to drive him mad, sparking him to chase after her again. But this match, he wasn't taking the bait. Nor was he yelling out his usual taunts.
She wasn't sure if this was a new tactic of his, but either way, with her nerves already on edge, she wasn't liking it.
"Keep it up, Pix! We nearly got this!" Blanks shouted as he passed her. Daisy smiled slightly and looked around, searching for the snitch. Even if Hardwick was off his game, she wasn't going to let that stop her from winning the match.
She shot off, recognizing the play the guys were setting up. She grinned, knowing what she needed to do. She was nearly in position when something slammed in to her from her left side. She shouted in pain, glancing over to see Hardwick grinning as he kept up with her.
"Get out of my way, Hardwick!" she shouted.
"Not likely," he shouted back, about to slam into her again. Daisy managed to avoid him, the sudden change throwing her off slightly, but not enough.
"Bloody hell," Remus shouted as he sat up in his chair. "I know she's tough, but even that one had to hurt."
"Where's the bloody ref!" Wills shouted, jumping to his feet. "Hardwick's been going after her for the last hour. There's no way all of that was legal!"
"For whatever reason, no one's stopping him," Jamie said with a sigh.
"What's gotten into him? First half of the match, he's avoiding her and now he's glued to her side," Alan said.
"Must be some new tactic Weathers has him trying," Teddy said. "Trying to throw her off and all."
"Looking at Weathers, it seems like he's going off script," Alan said, pointing across the field. Weathers was shouting at the field, his eyes glued to Hardwick. Jamie shifted in his chair, the feeling of unease becoming even stronger.
"Something's wrong," he murmured.
"We're not too late!" a woman shouted. Everyone turned to see Aleka and Alekos standing next to Teddy. The auror shot out of his chair, worry etched on his face.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"You must stop the match. Get Daisy to safety. They are going to take her," Alekos shouted as Aleka quickly started down the stairs.
"What? How do you know this?" Teddy asked.
Suddenly a loud boom shook the box and they all turned to face the field.
"What the hell?" Freddie asked.
"Someone get Pix!" Remus shouted as his jumped to his feet. Wills turned to look at the field, frozen. In seconds, utter chaos had broken out.
Daisy sped up, hoping to leave Hardwick behind her. She got ahead several feet, her focus ahead of her. She had seen the familiar glint of the snitch and was trying to follow it with her eyes but lost it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw it again - somewhere over the stands. Smiling, she turned and then pushed herself forward, nearly plastering herself to the broom as she shot ahead. She was ready to end this.
Suddenly, a large boom reverberated throughout the stadium. Daisy pitched right - hard. By the time she corrected herself, there were several more booms and smoke as the people in the stands started screaming and stampeding towards the exits. Looking down, she saw the field swarming with people in black cloaks, with more in the stands shooting off curses and hexes. Her eyes widened. There was no way they should have gotten in, but she knew immediately who it was. The Network. The many aurors there on security were already engaging with them as the players flew around, confused.
"Get to the locker room!" Kelly shouted as he started flying towards her. A bludger came from nowhere, knocking him off his broom.
"KELLY!" Daisy shrieked as she started flying for him. But then Hardwick appeared, cutting her off. Daisy swerved and sped up, determined to get away from him. The rational side of her was screaming to get to safety in the locker room - they were here for her, after all. But the other side didn't want to run from the fight. So instead, she aimed for the stands, focusing on a group of Network people. She narrowed her eyes and in a second they were all knocked out. She turned, missing the stands and held her hand out, knocking out various members as she passed by.
"DAISY, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" she heard someone yell. She looked over, seeing Teddy already in the stands.
"I CAN HELP!" she shouted back, unsure if he heard her. She then turned her focus back to helping where she could.
"Can you undo the charms keeping us from apparating?" Teddy shouted in the players' box. Christos, Aleka and Alekos nodded. "Then do it. And for Merlin's sake, someone take Victoire to safety!" Alekos walked over and helped her up, then disappeared as Aleka put her hands up, undoing the charms.
"It's done," she said as Alekos reappeared. Tessa appeared next to him, Chris and Tori on either arm.
"When did you- What?" Toby said, just realizing that she was no longer sitting next to him.
"We need help," she said, her voice much louder and stronger than usual as a determined look was set on her face. "I've informed Nikos. The others are coming." She then walked up to stand next to Aleka, looking out over the field. "Can either of you fly? We must protect Daisy."
"I can," Aleka said, a wicked grin appearing on her face as a broom appeared in her hand. She then knocked out the glass and jumped out, smoothly landing on it and shooting off.
"Protect everyone and someone get Daisy," Teddy shouted before disapperating, Dominique, Chris, Tory, Toby, Tessa and Alekos quickly following. Wills looked around the pitch, searching for Daisy. He pulled out his wand and quickly summoned a broom from the field where several were now laying abandoned by their riders.
"Don't die and for god's sake, don't let them get her," he shouted before taking off. Jamie looked over at his brothers as the other two nodded silently.
"Let's go," he said as they all disapperated, leaving Molly and Lucy with Roxanne, Freddie and Christos. He turned to Roxanne, his face full of worry.
"Go somewhere safe. Now," he said. She only returned his look of concern with a scowl.
"Seriously, Christos. You know me by now - I'm not going anywhere. Not to mention, I think you might need someone with my skills," she replied. Christos sighed and shook his head looking out to the chaos. There was no time to get into an argument with her, and part of him knew she was right. He then turned his gaze to Molly and Lucy.
"Can you two fight?" he asked. They both nodded and looked out at the field, gripping their wands. "Then let's fight." He leapt over the chairs in the box, smoothly turning into a griffon and flying out.
"Bloody hell," Molly murmured.
"Come on. Let's help save the day," Lucy said, smiling at her sister. Molly nodded and the two disappeared.
Daisy swerved out of the way, missing a curse that was heading her way. She grinned and leaned closer to her broom, looking to her left and managing to take out a few more Network members. They seemed to be coming from everywhere.
"Daisy! You should not be here!" Aleka shouted as she pulled up next to her. Daisy glanced over and turned her focus back to the task at hand.
"I can take care of myself!" she shouted.
"They're here for you!" Wills shouted, coming up on her other side. Daisy huffed.
"I'm NOT going down to hide!" she shouted. "Let them try!"
"They will! They are!" Wills shouted back. Daisy just leaned against her broom and shot forward, leaving the two behind. She was not going to let anyone tell her to stand down. This was her fight.
"Where the fuck is Pix!" Jamie shouted, looking over at his brothers. The three of them were fighting back to back in the stands. He glanced up, barely catching a glimpse of red as it streaked by.
"Wills and Aleka are helping her! She'll be fine! Let's focus on not getting ourselves killed, yea?!" Remus shouted before firing off another curse. Jamie turned his gaze back to the Network members surrounding them. He took a deep breath and focused. He quickly ran through a quick list of emotions, trying to decide which to use. He then smiled as he focused on one.
The Network members around them suddenly got a dazed look on their faces as their wand hands dropped to their sides. A few had goofy grins as they looked at each other.
"I don't know if I've said this, but I love you, mate," one said as he walked over and enveloped the other in a bear hug. Remus and Alan stood looking confused as the group surrounding them started hugging and kissing each other.
"Blimey, that is a neat trick," Remus said.
"Best get out of here before it wears off," Alan replied.
"If only you had the power of persuasion," Remus said as the three ran off quickly.
"Not sure if anyone in our kind has that power," Jamie shot back.
"Where's Pix!" Teddy shouted as they caught up to him in the stands and start shooting off hexes and charms.
"Last I saw, Wills and Aleka had her surrounded," Alan shouted. Remus looked up to the sky.
"Fuck off… she's lost them and Hardwick's on her again!" he shouted. They all knocked out the Network members around them. Even in the midst of chaos, it seemed as time stopped for a moment.
"No!" Jamie shouted.
They all watched in silence as the scuffle ended and Daisy fell off her broom, plummeting towards the ground.
"PIX!" Jamie shouted before disappearing.
Daisy continued shooting off more hexes at people in the stands then shot up high as she swerved to miss some Network person who had found a broom.
"There you are!" someone shouted. Daisy glanced over her shoulder at Hardwick.
"Knew you were involved," she shouted back.
"I'm to deliver you to Magnus!"
"Gotta catch me first!" she shouted before speeding up.
But something was wrong. He caught up to her. He shouldn't have. All their previous matches, Hardwick could barely keep up with her. But today something was off. She leaned closer to her broom and then shot right suddenly, trying to lose him. But he caught up yet again. She threw out more of her maneuvers, still dodging random hexes and curses as they flew about the stadium.
Suddenly, an arm grabbed her around the middle. Daisy looked over, seeing a sneering Hardwick.
"Got you," he shouted, as he fumbled with his uniform, obviously going for his wand. She looked around and then forward, determined they wouldn't get her this time. She pulled her leg up and kicked out, knocking Hardwick away and causing him to let go of her.
He wasn't happy about and Daisy couldn't help but grin in glee. But then at the last second, he pulled out a bludger bat coming up to her side again. Before she could register what was happening he swung and hit her in the head.
Immediately, Daisy was knocked off her broom, the air swirling around her. She reached for her broom in vain. The last thing she saw before everything went black was Hardwick. Flying straight for her.
Not gonna lie, this was a hard chapter to write just because all the action... And it needed multiple perspectives to make it work.
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
