"All right!" Alexander addressed us with a fervor that was inaccessible to the grand majority of humankind at five o'clock in the morning. "The first match of the year, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, is in two weeks. We've got to win this one-"
"You say that about every one," Hayden muttered gloomily. I recalled what James told me about Hayden once: "Good player, melancholy bloke. Dunno why. Just is. Heard he was born that way."
"How's the Slytherin line-up this year?" Benjamin asked. "Didn't they have three seventh-years last year?"
"Yeah, Flint, Mulciber, and Drayden all left," Harper replied. "Zambini's Captain and he's a Keeper. Zena and Yaxley are Beaters and the Chasers this year are Avery, Carrow, and Vesper. I don't know who the Seeker is though."
Thank goodness Mulciber's gone, I thought.
"It's Black," Sirius murmured stiffly.
Wait, Black as in Regulus Black?
The awkward silence confirmed that it was Regulus.
Alexander nodded, trying to diffuse the sudden tension as he said, "Zena comes from a long line of famous Quidditch players, and if Sirius is any indication about how the Black family plays- well, Regulus ought to be good. Other than that, though, the team's rubbish. And really, with all our training, we'll destroy them no matter how good they are."
"Can't wait!" James grinned and slapped Sirius heartily on the back.
"All right!" Wood barked. "Everybody, grab your brooms and get into position!"
On Monday, I woke up more refreshed than on Friday, but still tired as homework had taken the better part of last night. Neither Dorcas nor Lily had missed the opportunity to say, "I told you so!" as they left for bed around midnight. I didn't join them in sleep until four in the morning. Still, classes were survivable, especially because we had double Charms with the Ravenclaws, which was one of my favorite classes, and always passed quickly.
Then came History of Magic, which to mean became more like the name of a promising lullaby than a class. When I felt myself falling asleep yet again on the warm sunlit couch, I made sure to lean my head on the couch instead of on Audrey. He said nothing and simply ignored me. But to my surprise, when Binns asked for the essay assigned Friday, Audrey turned one in. I glanced at him, remembering his words about how he didn't need to do every assignment to get the grades. He also turned his head slightly and our eyes met. He quickly looked away, but as I left, he held the door open for me and waited for me to pass through before proceeding himself. And for the first time a long while, I realized that gratitude wasn't completely absent in the Slytherin House.
I'd made it to the last class of the day: Potions.
"Now, today we shall brew the Draught of Peace. I will partner you up randomly and you and your partner will have this one hour to brew it. Tricky little potion it is, but if brewed correctly, it will alleviate symptoms of anxiety and agitation. Right then, Ms. Faith and Ms. Baker, if you will."
Alice timidly smiled at Amanda from Slytherin who sighed and flipped her long mane of blonde hair down her back.
"Ms. McKinnon and Mr. Avery." Marlene audibly groaned, causing the Gryffindors to laugh. "McKinnon, mind your manners!" Slughorn chided.
"Now, then, let's have Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Carrow." Peter gulped.
"Ms. Evans and Ms. Carrow." Lily tried to keep a respectfully straight face as she moved over to Amycus' side.
"Mr. Lupin and Mr. Rookwood." Remus scratched his jaw and kept a mildly disinterested and vague expression on his face as Rookwood sat beside him.
"Mr. Black and Mr. Rosier." Sirius' jaw was clenched as Evan Rosier came and sat beside him. Rosier was smirking.
"Ms. Meadowes and Mr. Nott." I glared across at Theodore Nott, not wanting him to be anywhere near my friend. He caught my glare and smirked.
"Ms. Kingsley and Mr. Snape." I blinked, and my glare melted away as I looked for my unexpected partner. I searched the classroom until I saw him at the very back. He hadn't even looked up at the mention of his name. He was too busy scribbling away in some kind-of book.
"Mr. Zena and Mr. Yaxley."
"Excellent," Slughorn said. 'Excellent' was not the word that any of us would have decided upon, I thought wryly, as I looked at my classmates' expressions. But then, Slughorn himself was Head of Slytherin.
Proceed!" Slughorn called out.
As Snape made no sign that I even existed, I took it upon myself to go sit beside him. As I neared him, I realized he was scribbling away furiously in his textbook. Strange place to write so intensely… I caught the words 'Sectumsempra' and 'Knights of Walpurgis" at the corner of the book before he realized I was watching and shut the book quickly.
"We're partners," I said impassively.
"Go get the materials, then," he said equally as impassively, matching my carefully disinterested stare with a sneer.
Rather than begin with an argument, I did as he said and by the time I returned, he had the cauldron all set up.
Without speaking, we assigned ourselves roles as partners. I prepared the materials and handed them to him and was also in charge of controlling the temperature of the fire while he added the ingredients and stirred.
To my surprise, there were many times when he did not follow instructions but did some things I'd never seen before. I meant to protest, but blinked in surprise when the potion turned orange, just as directed. So when he told me to allow the potion to simmer cooler than the instructions directed, I did as he said. I remembered that Lily had once told me that Snape had mentored her. I hadn't believed her because to me, it seemed like Lily was the most talented witch in our year, apart from Athena, who was a Ravenclaw, and Dorcas, possibly. Now, I saw how that was possible.
"Are you so afraid of me as to just listen to everything I say without question?" Snape sneered rather peevishly as we waited for the potion to turn pink.
"No", I said defensively. "You just seem to know what you're doing, even if it's not what the textbook says." I shrugged. "Besides, I happen to know you're good at Potions."
"What?" he blinked, his unpleasant tone tinged by slight surprise and caution. "How do you know that?"
"Lily told me that you're amazing at Potions and that you taught her everything she knows," I answered honestly.
"Evans said that?" Snape said and now his voice held no trace of sneer but rather awe and something very much like gratitude.
"Yes," I said and lowered my voice before adding, "And you're allowed to call her Lily, you know."
Suddenly, Snape was on the defensive. His eyes became colder than ice, like iron gates forcing me out. His voice was dangerously low as he asked me, "How much do you know about me?"
"And Lily" was the obviously unspoken ending there.
"Nothing. Just that you two have been friends before Hogwarts," I said, and then I indicated that the potion was ready for the next step. Snape held out his hand and I carefully gave him the porcupine quills.
Snape seemed to be struggling between happiness and the verge of panic.
"Nobody knows," I said quietly. "But I just thought that..." My voice trailed off. I was confused. Here was a Snape I did not know, a version of Snape that I could not respond to through coldness.
"Please don't be mad at her." My words came out a whisper, but that was perhaps what had been needed. Snape regained his normal composure and staring at the potion instead of at me, he nodded curtly before holding out his hand for the moonstone powder.
Although neither of us spoke again, I couldn't help thinking of his question myself. How much do you know about me? And Lily? Doesn't that imply there is something to be known? I glanced over at Lily who had finished her potion already and was proudly beaming besides Amycus, who was simply scowling at her openly. I had to admit, though, I sympathized the slightest bit with Amycus. It could be difficult to handle Lily's unrelenting brightness. It made you feel so plain yourself. I smiled a little at how utterly peeved Amycus looked. Just then, I felt Snape's eyes on me briefly but when I looked up at him, he was busy capping the phial with our potion in it.
Slughorn came by to collect the phial and upon seeing our final result, praised us both and awarded both of our Houses ten points.
It was my first official match on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and I was feeling- well, to put it mildly- anxious as hell.
I wasn't sure what I was eating. Alice and Lily were simply handing me things. I was chewing three times and swallowing.
I barely registered the morning post until an owl dropped a letter right into my cup of pumpkin juice.
Dorcas quickly pulled it out and performed a quick Drying Charm on it before handing it back to me.
I opened it, confused. I rarely ever got post except every other Sunday, when my parents would write to me.
Ray,
I was sent a letter by Alexander Wood that the youngest sibling of the Kingsley Family had finally been made an official Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Congratulations! Though I can't say I'm surprised, I always expected it.
I don't know if this letter will make it to you by the first match, as I'm rather far from you. (We're playing Bulgaria tomorrow night.) But I wanted to tell you that you're amazing and you had better know it. So, go out there with stout confidence and show everyone what you're made of! I love you and I wish I could be there for you. Our family and the whole Luxembourg team is rooting for you! Don't be afraid of results. I already know how brilliant you are, and your results are bound to come to you.
Your brother,
Jamie
"Team!" Alexander called suddenly, standing up. "Time to change and get to the pitch."
"Good luck, we'll be there rooting for you." Lily offered me her best smile.
"Don't worry, you'll be brilliant!" Marlene said in a rare show of optimism.
Dorcas childishly patted me on my bottom and Alice reached for my hand and squeezed it, telling me she would be there for me, win or lose.
"Thanks," I said earnestly and tucking the letter into my robe, I got up from my seat and joined the others as we headed down to the locker room.
The sounds of the crowd roaring, pounding, clapping, stomping...
A blinding bright ray of sunshine...
Intense feelings of anxiety and excitement...
These were my first taste of the Quidditch Pitch.
"Captains, shake hands... On your mark, ready, set…GO!"
I pushed off, the adrenaline running through my veins. Everything seemed so much sharper under the bright sunlight. I could feel the blood pounding through my veins.
On the opposite sight of the field, I saw Regulus swerving around, searching for the Snitch.
Alexander had just deflected a Slytherin goal with his left hand. He expertly passed it to James, who delicately avoided a Bludger and two Slytherin Chasers before handing it off behind him to Harper.
A minute had already ticked by.
"Come on" I muttered to myself, "Let's put an end to this."
I pushed myself up higher into the sky, trying to get a better perspective.
A few moments later, Gryffindor scored, courtesy of Sirius Black.
Regulus began to elevate as well, following me up into the sky.
I ignored him, afraid to look at him and see that angry, haughty expression of his instead of his kind, open, and honest one.
There was a long rally where both Keepers made excellent saves but then Gryffindor scored again, this time courtesy of James Potter. Abruptly, a sudden flash of gold passed my face by mere millimeters.
Without a second thought, I raced after it. I lost it for just a moment, and then I spotted a flash of gold high in the sky. Yes! It's the Snitch! I went full speed after it. Realizing what was happening, Regulus chased after me.
I pursued the Snitch straight down into the middle of the Quidditch game. It was a whirlwind of chaos, trying to weave through the ongoing game to chase the Snitch. I barely avoided a Bludger, the Slytherin Keeper, the goal posts, and all six Chasers in an intense battle with the Quaffle, but I managed to stay right on the Snitch's tail. I was getting closer. I stretched my hand out. Nearly there! I could feel the metal with the tips of my fingers.
SLAM!
I felt myself literally flung off my broomstick. I squeezed my eyes shut, dreading the fall. But a hand caught mine just in time.
"Foul!" Madam Hooch called.
"You dirty little-!" James began.
Madam Hooch waved her wand and yellow sparks shot up into the air, which meant she was awarding a penalty.
"PENALTY! Penalty shot to Gryffindor for that disgusting bit of foul play!" Mary, the commentator, shouted.
But I was only looking up, up into a pair of wide, confused silver eyes belonging to Regulus Black. He had saved me, clutching onto my hand as I dangled in mid-air. But he didn't seem sure if he had truly meant to save me. All the Slytherins were boo-ing him, but I stared directly into his eyes, trying to thank him, and trying to tell him I would have done the same for him.
Because I would.
Madam Hooch brought me my broom and Benjamin and Hayden hoisted me onto it.
"Begin!" Madam Hooch shouted.
Harper made the penalty shot and the game resumed.
More motivated than ever, it was only a couple minutes later when I spotted the Snitch again. It was right next to Zambini's foot.
I dove for it but nearly crashed into Regulus who'd swerved right in front of me, cutting me off.
I maneuvered the broom sideways, coming even with him in seconds.
Seeing us speeding towards the Snitch, the crowd was yelling and screaming.
Regulus and I reached out our hands at the same time. Suddenly, I heard Audrey shout angrily, "Carrow, don't!"
"That was just so wrong."
"Wrong?! That was more than wrong, Lily! It was an absolutely vile move! Merlin, if I could just get my hands on him!"
"Violent tendencies, eh, McKinnon?"
"Shut up, Black."
"Is she all right?"
"She hasn't woken up yet, Alexander."
"Oh! Did she just blink? I swear I saw her eyes move-"
"Shush! I think she's coming around!"
My eyes opened, and I saw the entire Quidditch team peering down at me. Startled, I hurriedly ducked my head under the covers.
There was silence for a moment and I heard James ask, "Is she being shy…? I never saw her being shy before."
"Well," I heard Hayden reply uncomfortably. "I suppose she still is a girl."
"How are you feeling, Ray?" Dorcas asked me impatiently, curtly cutting across the boys' conversation.
"Fine," I murmured, peeking out from under the covers. To be honest, I was actually sore all over. What happened to me?
I cleared my throat and sat up. "How did the match go?"
"There's going to be a rematch," Harper informed me. "On account of Carrow hexing you just before you got to the Snitch. He blasted you off your broom and you fell into the stands- hard."
"That great big prat!" Marlene interjected.
"He's been suspended from play for half the season though," Benjamin was quick to add.
"I'm guessing I fell into the Slytherin stands?" I mumbled, wincing as pain shot up my left side.
"Yeah, they- er… they were a little too enthusiastic about 'helping' you up, which mostly consisted of trampling you…" Sirius told me honestly.
"Actually, you landed right on top of Severus and he was trying really hard to keep you from getting hurt," Lily said to me.
I saw Sirius and Marlene exchange annoyed glances and James was studying Lily with a confused expression on his face.
"Probably just didn't want to get in trouble, with Dumbledore right there and all," Harper pointed out.
"Well, I'm sorry we didn't win," I said.
"Why are you sorry? You pretty much did catch the Snitch- twice," James said.
"The Slytherins were playing dirty, resorting to cursing you! It's because they knew that game was ours," Alexander said, clearly frurstrated. "Foul gits!"
"Yeah, well, when have they been anything but?" Sirius said bitterly.
"WHY DID NONE OF YOU TELL ME SHE WAS AWAKE? IRRESPONSIBLE FOOLS!" Madam Pomfrey came running over, "OUT! This girl needs her rest, OUT!"
They were all chased out soon enough, but as Madam Pomfrey gave me a Healing Draught, I couldn't help but think of Sirius' words… When have they been anything but?
Well, Audrey Zena had tried to stop Carrow and according to Lily, Snape had tried to protect me. Though of course why any of them behaved the way they did was beyond my ability to reason. And then there was Regulus. Regulus had saved me. Though every time he had, I wasn't sure if it was accident or not. Though I knew I'd never be brave enough to force the words from my mouth, I'd always wanted to ask him if he'd meant to save me, even though to him I was probably nothing but a… Mudblood.
I was released from the hospital wing late next evening. It was after curfew, so I had written permission from Madam Pomfrey.
I expected to run into nobody but a couple ghosts and if I was extremely unlucky, Filch or Mrs. Norris, but as it were, Hogwarts was far busier in the dead of the night than in the daytime when all the children were dozing in classes.
"You saved her, we all saw it," a voice said angrily. "Hell, the whole school saw it- what's she to you?"
"She's nothing to me. It's just that she's a Seeker, like me. I wanted a fair game."
My stomach plummeted. They're talking about me. So that must be Regulus and... Who else? I pressed my back against the wall to keep from being seen and leaning into the wall, I listened hard, trying to identify the other voices.
"So just because she's a Seeker, you'll pick the Mudblood over House loyalty? I don't remember you being so protective when we hexed Hufflepuff's Seeker last year."
"Last year I wasn't a Seeker. I wasn't involved. She wasn't my prey."
"Listen, you fool! Because of you, we have to rematch! Because of you, Carrow can't play anymore."
Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked around the corner to see Regulus surrounded by Zambini, Vesper, Zena, Avery, Yaxley, and Carrow- the Slytherin Quidditch team.
"It's not my fault Carrow's a fool," Regulus replied calmly, but his voice was a little stiff.
"You insolent little brat!" Carrow snarled, stepping towards Regulus menacingly. "It was your fault! Just because you're from some high-up pureblood family doesn't mean we're going to just lick your feet. Pureblood families make mistakes too. Obviously, your brother-"
A hard slam echoed as Regulus grabbed Carrow by the collar and threw him against the wall with surprising strength. I flinched as I felt the wall vibrate against my dark.
"I could have caught that Snitch all on my own, you bloody fool. I would have too, if you hadn't interfered," Regulus growled in a low voice.
Carrow was being throttled, but he choked out, "You say that, but she nearly beat you twice!"
Regulus hissed ans his grip on Carrow tightened.
"Enough!" Zena shouted and shoved them apart. "It's one Quidditch game. We'll get them back and that's it-"
Suddenly, an owl flew past the window. The shadow made Avery reflexively turn around. I wrenched myself back into the shadows, heart thundering.
What if they saw me? There's no way out of this!
"Who's that?" Avery said menacingly, "I saw you. Show yourself before we curse you!"
I tried to stay calm. Stay calm, Raylynx. Think!
Suddenly, someone stepped out of the shadows besides me. I barely stifled a gasp, biting my lower lip hard to keep from giving myself away.
"It's me," Snape replied, not bothering to glance my way.
"What are you doing out here?" Vesper asked, his eyes narrowing. "I don't believe you play Quidditch."
"I just wanted to warn you that Filch is on his way here," Snape sneered. "But if that information is unwelcome, then by all means, continue and get caught, like you deserve."
There was silence as they processed this information.
"Let's all go back," Zambini finally said. "Severus is right. This is foolish."
He stepped out of the corridor and I hurriedly hid behind the curtain of the large hallway window. The curtain was somewhat transparent and the glass was seriously cold against my skin, and I prayed I wouldn't shiver and give myself away. But I managed to keep still and none of the Slytherins looked towards where I was as they all sneaked back to their common room.
Snape was the last to leave. I saw him through the curtains. As he began to leave, he glanced back at me with unfathomable eyes.
I hesitated. As much as I disliked him, he had helped me out. I didn't want to do him any favors, but I also didn't want to owe him. Boldly, I risked stepping out for a moment to hand him my note from Madam Pomfrey, so that in case he did get caught, he would at least have an excuse. He looked down at it in surprise before giving me a curt nod and going on his way. My heart racing, I counted slowly to thirty seconds before stepping out of the shadows and making my way back to the Gryffindor common room.
