Chapter Fourteen - The Midnight Match
If someone had told Skye she would be spending her final week of first year breaking into a teacher's office she would have laughed them off. Now, she was practically quivering with fear as she watched Fred and George tackle the cabinet in Madam Hooch's office.
"I can't believe we're doing this," she groaned.
"Honestly, Freddie. You'd think she didn't trust our ability to break-and-enter." George grinned as he watched his brother work.
"Excuse me for having a normal reaction to theft," she scoffed.
"It's not theft. We're just borrowing them. We'll make sure to put them back." Fred assured her as he picked the lock.
Skye was surprised picking a lock was actually a thing. Where the two had learned this particular skill she didn't want to ask. She shuddered as she recalled how excited Tabitha had been when they told her how they were going to pull this off. Skye had to wonder if she was the only normal person around this place as her best friend practically begged them to teach her how to do it too.
"Got it," Fred cheered as the cabinet swung open, revealing the familiar case that contained the four Quidditch balls.
The three students made their way out to the corridor, joining Lee and Tabitha, who had been watching the halls.
"About time. I was starting to think you'd ran for it," Tabitha quipped.
"Nah. We just couldn't stop Skye preaching at us to use our skills for good," George joked.
"Don't worry. She'll soon learn it's so much more fun to be bad," Tabitha retorted with an evil grin.
Skye found herself wondering how she got stuck with such bad influences as friends. With a shake of her head, they set off to join the crowds at the Quidditch pitch. On approach, Skye wouldn't have thought anything was amiss. However, as they penetrated the magical barrier that surrounded the pitch she was startled by the roar of the crowds and bright lights that illuminated the grounds.
Upon seeing them, students began to woop and cheer, congratulating their group on their success in retrieving the case. In that moment, Skye felt like a hero as students she didn't even know were patting her on the back. She could practically feel the heat radiating from her face. Of course, Tabitha took it in her pride, waving with the dignity of a queen being worshipped by her people. Weaving her way through the crowds, Skye spotted Adam and Mikey who were talking amongst themselves, each holding a box of popcorn.
"Hey guys. What's with the popcorn?" She asked.
"Well, the Hufflepuffs thought it might be a good idea to provide snacks," Mikey grinned. "We've got a bottomless cauldron of popcorn, an assortment of sweets, and we even charmed the fountains so you can get a mug of hot chocolate on your way in."
"That's brilliant," she chuckled.
"How come when they do something it's brilliant, and yet when I do something it's wrong, or stupid, or illegal," Tabitha complained with a huff as she approached.
"Simple. Their mischief involves food," she stated matter-of-factly.
"If that's all it takes, I'll be sure to bring snacks on our next adventure. Anyway, they want everyone to head to the stands and I'll have you know I've secured us some of the best seats in the house," she grinned.
Apparently, the 'best seats in the house' were in the stands where the teachers usually sat. Glancing around, Skye noticed most of the seats were taken by the higher years who lead the charm work, or those that helped a lot in organising everything.
"Is that your sister, Toby? She's so cute!" Came a high pitched shriek from the group of Ravenclaws.
Skye laughed as Tabitha scowled in the girl's direction, muttering about how she was going to curse her into oblivion. Unfortunately, there was little seating left in the area and the only free seats were in front of their group. Before Tabitha could even suggest heading off to join the crowds, the girl waved them over. Skye was just too polite to pretend she hadn't seen her, like Tabitha wanted.
"Look at them! There was no way we were that small." The girl sighed heavily. "I wish I could go back to first year. It feels weird that we won't be coming back."
"That's right. It's your last year, right Toby? Do you have any plans?" Skye asked to distract herself from the raging ball of Tabitha.
"Well, I've been to get a job at the Ministry in the Spell Registration office. I thought it might be good to start off there while I work on developing my own spells." He told her.
Skye gawped. "You invent spells? That's amazing."
Toby grinned, while Tabitha let out an exaggerated yawn. Suddenly, a booming voice began to echo amongst the crowd.
"Good evening, Hogwarts students. This is your commentator, Lauren Powell, signing on for the greatest match of Quidditch ever to be played at Hogwarts." Skye watched as the players headed out onto the field, each of them holding a broomstick. "Today's match will be refereed by the Hufflepuff in the black and white stripes. Now let's all give the ref a big cheer, shall we?"
The crowd roared as the Hufflepuff boy mounted his broom to perform a loop, before returning to the ground. Skye watched as the players mounted their brooms, swiftly followed by a sharp whistle that sent the crowd nuts.
"And they're off! Captain Snake Man is the first to grab the Quaffle, immediately passed on to the guy whose name sounds like puke. Oh, nice interception there by Gryffindor's sass pants, but ouch, she is intercepted by a Bludger courtesy of Slytherin's beater, Buffy."
"Err… why is the commentator calling Angelina sass pants?" Skye questioned Tabitha.
"Lauren can't remember anyone's names. Usually McGonagall helps her out, but I think this is way more entertaining," Mikey explained, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
Skye couldn't contain her joy as she watched everyone race about on their brooms. Tabitha had been right; Quidditch was amazing. Not that she would ever play herself. Skye had flinched whenever someone kicked a ball close to her in primary school. Merlin knows what she would do if she was on a broom, high up in the air when a bludger came swooping at her.
"Looks like Speedy Gonzales is down for the count for Gryffindor. One chaser down, and it's not looking good for the red lions with the score currently at 70-10."
Despite the fact that they were losing, Skye cheered with the rest of them, shouting words of encouragement, while Tabitha threatened their lives. After an outrageous number of fouls, quite a few death threats towards the ref, and an incident involving a rogue owl on the pitch, the score was 210-90 in Slytherin's favour. According to Tabitha, the only way Gryffindor could redeem themselves was if Charlie Weasley caught the snitch.
"Redhead Hotness has just seen the snitch!" Lauren announced, causing the entirety of the spectators to get on their feet.
Tabitha was screaming, holding Skye's arm tight as they all watched Charlie dive. Unfortunately, the Slytherin Seeker, deemed 'Higglypuff' by Lauren, was right on his trail. Skye could barely keep track of where they were aiming their hands, only mere glints indicating there was anything there at all as they skimmed the ground.
"Looks like Buffy is trying to distract Redhead Hotness with a well aimed bludger. Watch out!"
The commentator gasped as the scene unfolded; both Fred and George had charged into the area to defend their Seeker, the Slytherin Beaters, 'Buffy' and 'Butch' had prepared to retaliate, the whole of the Quidditch field rushing in to defend their Seekers. Skye gasped as they clashed in the air, a mound of bodies and brooms hitting the ground.
The whole stadium went silent. They were watching. Waiting.
"They're okay!" shouted Lauren, causing the loudest eruption of cheers so far. Everyone watched as the players unravelled themselves, the final players to emerge were the Seekers. "But not only that, Higglypuff has the snitch. Slytherin win!" She announced, causing three quarters of the crowd to groan.
"What!?" Tabitha cried in outrage. "I demand a rematch."
Skye smiled at her seething friend as she ranted and raved about the injustices of the world, when a familiar gut-wrenching feeling hit her.
"Umm… Guys. I don't feel so good." She said hesitantly.
"Did you eat too much popcorn?" Adam asked her.
"No. I, I think something is trying to tell me that we're about to be caught," she admitted.
Behind her Toby cursed, "are you sure?"
Skye nodded, feeling guilty. Suddenly, red sparks erupted from the perimeter of the pitch that was closest to the castle.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tabitha questioned her brother.
"It means Skye is right. Someone is coming from the castle." He confirmed with a grimace.