Chapter 17
Sunday, November 18th
The day of the game has finally arrived, and Amelia is bursting with anticipation. She rises early and begins preparing for the big event. She meticulously checks and double-checks her uniform and gear, ensuring that everything is in perfect order. Standing in front of the mirror for the third time, she takes a deep breath and glances at herself from head to toe, ensuring every detail is squared away.
Just as she finishes her final inspection, Teagan quietly approaches her from behind and places a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Amelia feels a wave of comfort wash over her as she turns to see her friend, and she smiles with gratitude.
"You've got this, Amelia," she reassured her. Despite listening, Amelia continued gazing at herself in the mirror, feeling apprehensive. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
"I just hope I don't fall off the broom," Amelia said.
"You won't. You'd be great if you did anything like you did during practice," Amelia and Teagan heard a third voice coming from the staircase.
"Hey, Bailey," Teagan greeted.
"Hey there, your brother wants to talk to you; he's standing outside the Slytherin entrance." She turned to Amelia.
"Come on, the team is waiting. The game is in about an hour." Amelia nodded, following Teagan and Bailey from the girl's dormatory. When they exited the house, Alex stood with arms wide open. Amelia didn't think twice before closing the gap between them.
"You're going to do great 'Mel."
"You're going to watch me play?" Amelia asked her brother.
"Of course, sis. I may not like the sport much, but I'm not about to skip out on my sister's first game against Ravenclaw." Amelia pecked her brother on the cheek.
"I'm so happy you're going to be there! How's mum and dad?" She asked.
"They're a little hesitant with the accident; they're worried something will happen to you. But they're pushing their fears aside. They know how much you want this."
"Mum hates flying, period. But I understand why they're hesitant. I just can't live my life in fear or constantly worrying about something bad happening. Life goes on, you know?" Amelia said as the group headed to the Slytherin tent on the Quidditch field.
Quidditch Field: Slytherin Tent
As Amelia made her way toward the Slytherin tent, her heart was pounding with excitement and nerves. She knew that her performance on the Quidditch pitch would be crucial for her team's success. As she stepped inside, she was greeted by the familiar faces of her teammates. They all wore the same determined expression as they prepared for the upcoming match. Amelia could feel their camaraderie and support, giving her the confidence to do her best. Her teammates include Erin Basic, Keeper, 5th year; Jamie Frasier, the Captain, 7th-year Beater; Mallory Malfoy, 3rd-year Beater; Charlie Dunn, 7th-year Chaser; John Felton, 6th-year Chaser, and Scorpius Malfoy, 4th-year Chaser.
"Glad you can finally make it." Mallory sneered. Scorpius rolled his eyes.
"Seriously, Amelia. Welcome back."
"Alricht now, enouch o thon. Here is the plan." Jamie chimed in. Not wasting any time. The team nodded with the Captain's approval before Jamie huddled everyone together. Jamie started to stomp twice and clap once (Think of 'We Will Rock You.').
"Slytherin will win, hoorah." Jamie chanted. The team mimicked their Captain's movements.
"Slytherin will win, hoorah…hoorah.." Soon after they ended, Headmaster Snape entered into the tent. Amelia smiled brightly at him. Severus, however, only smirked at his young daughter.
"Guid afternoon, headmaster." Jamie glanced at him.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Frasier. I'll only interrupt for a brief moment." Severus paused. A deafening silence in the tent.
"I wish you all well for this upcoming game against Ravenclaw. Although I am Headmaster, and I'm not supposed to show favoritism, you all know who I am supporting." Severus said with a grin.
"Furthermore, I wish you all a safe but exhilarating game." He professed. His eyes locked with Amelia. Swiftly, he turned around and exited the tent with his robes billowing behind him.
"We got this!"
Quidditch Field
"The sun is shining, not a cloud in sight, a gentle breeze; what more can one ask for, folks? You'd think this is summer and not fall." George Foreman, a fifth-year Hufflepuff, narrated from the announcer box above the teacher's stand. Hermione and Severus are sitting together, hand in hand. Hermione is gazing at the field, watching the Ravenclaw team fly out. Fireworks sprawled out into the sky as a raven's head expanded from the cloud, illuminating with bright blue and black colors. Crystal Weasley flew in a double-loop barrel roll, showing off her skills. She smiled and waved to her fellow teammates.
"Ronald must be so proud of Crystal," Hermione whispered to Severus. He let out a low growl before squeezing her hand.
"I'm sure he is." He said through clenched teeth. Hermione just shook her head. 'He never did like Ron; I don't think he ever will." Hermione thought to herself. Even after all these years, he will never forgive him for abandoning her and Harry in the forest.
"And there they are, ladies and gents! The noble house of Slytherin! Flying in the lead, their Captain, Jamie Fraiser, number '45, and tagging in from behind is their newest seeker, and a first for Slytherin, Amelia Snape!" George shouted. Over in the Slytherin stand, the house cheered. Across the field in Gryffindor, the lone Alex called, "Go, Amelia!" More than a few heads turned in his direction.
He immediately stopped what he was doing.
"What? I can root for my sister despite being in Slytherin. They aren't playing us today." Alex remarked. A few shrugged before turning their attention back to the game. Madam Diggory flew in the middle of the circle. Half filled with Ravenclaw, the other half, Slytherin.
"You all know the rules of the game. If I catch anyone not following them, you will be barred. Do I make myself clear?" Delphi commanded. Each student nodded in agreement.
"Upon my whistle." She held up her hand and counted down from five.
"THE WHISTLE BLEW! THE GAME HAS BEGUN!" Streams of Green and Blue flashed across the sky. Zooming in and out and balls whisking in the air.
"Looks like Reznikov got the quaffle! She's a speedy little thing! Zipping down the field toward Slytherin! Hope Basic can defend their hoops! She's number '23, folks!" George shouted. Reznikov nose-dived to avoid getting hit by Scorpius Malfoy, number 4.
"Lucky break there, Red!" Then in another moment, Jamie threw a bludger, spinning her out of control.
"Oooh! I spoke too soon. She might be knocked off her broom! Oh, wait! Basic blocked a quaffle! She does have good hand-eye coordination."
"TEN POINTS TO SLYTHERIN! Felton scored! O. Weasley just missed the ball! Better luck next time!" The game went on for about fifteen minutes before Amelia spotted the snitch.
"So far, 30-10 with Slytherin in the lead. Caputo scored a goal for Ravenclaw. THERE! Snape sees the snitch! Crystal Weasley is on her tail! Who will catch the snitch? Well, no one will know!" Hermione and Severus watch with anticipation. Then, the two seekers almost crashed into the teachers' stand, trying to grab the snitch; half the teachers ducked as they zoomed above them. Knocking off one of the flags off the pole.
Amelia is on a Numbus 2015, one of the fastest brooms. Weasley is on a Swifter jet '14. A new brand of brooms recently emerged and has been flying off the shelves. Concentrating as hard as she can, she sees the snitch. It's only a matter of moments before she carefully stands to catch her balance to retrieve it. Weasley is flying at top speed next to her, arms reaching out. She looked over her shoulder and saw Amelia trying to steady herself on the broom.
"Would you look at that! Snape is trying to stand on her broom! After that incident, you'd think she'd be more careful! My word, I wonder what the Headmaster thinks of this development." George chuckled. Over in the teacher's stand, Severus scowled evilly towards George Foreman.
"That will be 20 points from Hufflepuff for that remark, Mr. Foreman." Hermione couldn't help but chuckle.
"Come now, love. He's only trying to have fun."
"In regards to her near-death experience, and now this escapade." He and Hermione both hold their breath.
As the game of Quidditch climaxes, Amelia balances expertly on her broom, her eyes fixed on the golden snitch hovering in the distance. With a burst of speed, she propels herself forward, narrowly avoiding a bludger hurled her way by an opposing team member. As she draws closer to the snitch, her heart races with anticipation. Yet, in her eagerness, she fails to notice how close she is to the edge of the broom. Suddenly, her weight shifts, causing her broom to tremble. Amelia reaches out to grab the snitch, but her grip slips as she loses her balance. For a moment, everything goes black as she falls, her mind racing with fear and adrenaline. Did she manage to catch the snitch before the fall? She's unsure but knows she needs to brace herself for the impact.
Severus and Hermione bolted from their seats in the stands without wasting a precious moment and sprinted towards the field. The reaction from each of the four houses was immediate, with a loud gasp filling the air as they watched the Headmaster and the Deputy Headmistress make their way to the center of the field.
Severus dropped to his knees, feeling the sand beneath him as he reached out to grasp the back of Amelia's head.
"Amelia?" he whispered, his wand scanning her body for any sign of injury.
Amelia slowly opened her eyes to see the very concerned look of her father staring down at her. She slowly uncurled her fist, revealing the snitch that lay snugly in her palm.
"SHE'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH! SLYTHERIN WINS! AND SNAPE LIVES! AGAIN!" The crowd cheers. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. Amelia smiles broadly as her father helps her up. Once steady and on her feet, she throws her hand with her snitch clutched tightly and pounds the air gleefully.
"We won, Daddy!" Amelia threw her arms around her father in excitement.
"Congratulations, sweetheart. I'm just glad you're okay. We have to get you to Poppy." Severus said, unwrapping his arms from around her.
"Why?"
"You fell off your broom, that's why!" Hermione commented.
"But I feel fine!"
"You pulled a Potter. However, we need to make sure you're not suffering from internal bleeding." Severus said seriously.
"Fine." She groaned.
"Then, you can celebrate with your friends." Hermione hugged her.
"Way tae gae champ!" Jamie said as he landed. Walking up to pat Amelia on the back.
"Thanks, Jamie." She smiled at him. Not realizing she was blushing in front of her parents. Hermione couldn't hold back the snicker.
A/N: A little shorter than others, but hope you still liked it! Let me know what you think! Reviews are always welcome! Also, any recognizable names are not mine! I've borrowed from "Outlander" and "Orange is the New Black!"