After all the training with the team and the "lessons" from Sean at the Firewhisky Flask, Thess had acquired a new perspective on the game. The movement of the teams was no longer just a blur in her peripheral vision. Where she once saw only chaos, there was now strategy. She could understand everything happening on the field.
Gryffindor was the first to concede a goal, which left Rose quite irritated. Anaya seemed to be having an easier time than her and held a clean sheet for quite a while. Still, a goal hoop is large enough for a player to fly through with broom and all (though this is forbidden), and there are three of them for just one keeper, so even the best in the world can't keep a clean sheet forever. Add to that the fact that keepers are the only defenders on a team—at least, they were until Damon changed the game.
When a cross from Spinnet left Heathfield with an open goal, he was stunned to see the Quaffle intercepted by a Bludger and ricochet out of bounds. Everyone on the field stood with their mouths open, except Anaya and Damon, who merely exchanged a wink.
"That's it!" shouted Ginny from the sideline.
The Gryffindor team also yelled quite a bit at the referee about the validity of the play, but she just blew the whistle to resume the game.
Watching Estela fly was a spectacle in itself. Her movements were something no other player had seen before. She had mentioned in practice that, since gravity doesn't apply, the notion that her goal was behind her and the opponent's in front was far too limiting. She preferred to imagine her goal as being above her and the opponent's below, envisioning herself descending a "snowboarding slope" toward the goal, performing tricks along the way.
Whenever the captain took the Quaffle, someone would mutter a curse because they truly didn't know how to stop her from advancing.
Tariq's main role was to protect the team, and he did so with a ferocity Thess hadn't realized he possessed. The way he knocked away Bludgers sent by opponents was rather intimidating, especially given that this ferocity came from such a gentle giant.
Meanwhile, Damon focused on attacking, and here, "attacking" didn't mean scoring goals but literally hitting people. Crash had an extraordinary skill: with any kind of bat, he could make any type of ball go exactly where he wanted (never bet against him in pool). The poor Gryffindor players endured a real bombardment, but the Bludgers always hit their brooms, throwing them off balance without actually injuring them.
Sean was the team's top scorer, finishing the plays initiated by Estela, who didn't have the best aim and preferred to cross to him. Orion, meanwhile, was an all-around player; he positioned himself well, had excellent ball control, flew superbly, and scored. Although he didn't show any particularly extraordinary skill like the others, he executed the basics to perfection. It was clear he was a cut above the rest.
After the initial shock, Gryffindor underwent a drastic reconfiguration. Since Estela was unstoppable, they quickly realized that the best course of action was to focus on marking her, preventing her from getting the ball, or trying to intercept her passes to Sean. Moore was assigned to guard Damon and make it difficult for him to reach the Bludgers, which were essentially his ammunition. They also put all their energy into attacking, not giving Anaya a moment's rest. Rose, too, seemed to have locked down the goal. She was giving her all to block every opposing shot. The effort was draining her, and it was clear she couldn't keep up that pace for much longer.
This shift gave them a solid comeback, enough for Ginny to jot down plenty of notes, and brought the score difference back to less than 150 points. In other words...
"It's all up to you, Wood," shouted the captain.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Thess asked James, who hadn't left her side since the game began.
"Marking you," he replied with a smile.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to go look for the Snitch?"
"It would be a waste of time, considering you know where it is, and I don't."
Thess's eyes widened in surprise. "Did your mother tell you?"
"No, Rose did."
"And why would she do that?"
"Because I'm on her team, and she wants to win."
Thess glanced again at the Snitch, floating above the midfield line, and James saw where she looked. She cursed mentally, then dived. James dived after her. She attempted the Wronski Feint, and although James followed her perfectly, he pulled up at the same time as she did, avoiding a crash with the ground.
"It's no use. I'm sticking to you until the Snitch appears, and you can pull as many feints as you want—I won't risk leaving your side."
That changed everything. Thess had never played against someone who knew about her ability before. Although the advantage was still hers, if they both went after the Snitch simultaneously, all James needed was a bit more skill to catch it first. And though Thess felt confident in what she'd learned, James had six more years of experience than she did.
"Think of something." She ran through her training in her head, all the techniques Ginny and her teammates had taught her, and made her choice.
Instead of staying close to the Snitch to reach it faster when it switched from stealth to capture mode, Thess rose to the farthest point on the field, far enough that she could attempt a spiral dive.
Waiting was the dull part—sometimes she envied those who couldn't see the Snitch since they could stay occupied searching the entire game. But apparently, Snitches were enchanted with a touch of mischief, as they always seemed to show up at the worst possible moment.
James saw it immediately as well, since he was paying attention to wherever Thess looked. Both of them dove simultaneously, and Thess soon initiated the Spiral Dive, but to her surprise, James mirrored her move. They were shoulder to shoulder, broomsticks brushing together, two outstretched hands—but Thess had the shorter arm.
James would've grabbed it if a Bludger hadn't struck his hand.
"Ouch!" James cried out in pain.
"Damon!" Ginny yelled from the bench.
"Sorry, Coach," Damon replied, without a hint of remorse in his voice. "It won't happen again."
The Snitch returned to stealth mode, and Thess flew over to check on her opponent's hand.
"I'm fine," James said, extending his hand, then repeated it louder for his mother to hear.
Thess watched the Snitch slip away in stealth mode; it didn't seem likely to reappear anytime soon.
"I can't believe you tried to outdo me with a Spiral Dive," James said. "My father practically invented that move."
"Damn," Thess thought, feeling out of options. Then she dived after the Snitch, even in stealth mode.
If the Snitch could think, it would have been astonished at the boldness of this player. It did what it was programmed to do—it fled.
James followed her, despite not seeing anything and thinking it was another feint.
Thess continued pursuing the Snitch, which, despite not changing modes, kept moving away as if afraid she might actually capture it. Thess led the fleeing Snitch on two laps around the field until suddenly, its vibrations shifted, and it switched modes mid-chase.
James's eyes gleamed as the Snitch appeared before him, and he sped up. Thess did the same, pushing her broom to the limit. There was no room for maneuvers—they could only speed forward. Yet somehow, James managed to gain more speed than her.
Just as Thess was beginning to lose hope, Orion appeared, drafting behind her. She felt the push of the broken air pressure, propelling her forward. Soon the other players noticed what was happening and joined them in the Hawk's Head Formation.
"That's not fair!" James shouted.
The Gryffindor players were stunned to see the play; they'd never seen a team mobilize like that to assist a Seeker. But they soon realized that now they had the entire field to themselves and a clear path to the goals.
Gryffindor scored goal after goal, and Anaya was nearing despair as the score flipped in their favor. They were still within the 150-point margin, but that would soon change.
Seeing the opposing formation blocking him, James did the only thing he could and threw himself against Thess, but Orion saw his move and intercepted him.
With Orion out of position, the formation broke, and the Angels scattered like leaves in the wind while Thess continued her turbulent path.
The wall of air hit her like a car crash once she lost the aerodynamic protection of the Hawk's Head Formation. Her broom wobbled and shook, much like on her first day of training, but thankfully, there had been many training days since then.
Amara's whistle rang out as Thess's hand closed around the Snitch, and even the entire Gryffindor team was thrilled with the dramatic conclusion. Or rather, everyone except one.
"Damn it!" Rose muttered, throwing her helmet to the ground.
Gryffindor 530 X 560* Heavenbrook Angels
"I'm still upset about that outcome; we came so close," Rose said as she, Thess, and Anaya made their way down to the pool.
"You put pressure on a professional team," Thess replied, "playing with a bunch of kids. Isn't that enough?"
"Never!"
A barbecue was indeed waiting for them after the game ended, along with a cake that didn't quite fit but was tradition nonetheless. However, everyone was far more interested in the meat. Damon took charge of the grill, while Sean brought the drinks. Ginny didn't like that one bit, but after he promised he wouldn't give any to the Gryffindor kids, she relented.
"You defended really well," Anaya said to Rose.
"Really well?" Rose replied. "You conceded more goals than I did."
"Yes, but that's because it was five against one at the end."
"All I hear are excuses."
When the three girls reached the pool, Thess noticed all the Gryffindor boys seemed to be looking at her. Because they were.
"Is something wrong?"
"Hey, everyone," Moore shouted, "Wood's got a six-pack!"
Everyone started hooting, leaving Thess mortified, wishing she could hide behind her towel.
"No one is going to make jokes about anyone's body here," Amara said, immediately silencing everyone. "And you, Wood. No being embarrassed." She took the towel from her. "We worked hard for those muscles of yours, so show them off with pride."
She was right. Thess wasn't about to let a bunch of boys intimidate her. She straightened her posture and glared at her old teammates. Now they were the ones looking sheepish.
"Sorry, Wood," Moore said. "The truth is, we're proud of you. That's just our way of showing it."
"I know," she replied.
"You look great," said Howard, blushing, though not from the sun.
"Thanks," she said, feeling a bit shy herself.
The two stood facing each other for a few seconds, searching for something to say, until Rose dragged her friend away.
"Come on, Thess, let's get something to eat."
The party lasted all afternoon, the kids thrilled at the chance to be together again. Even Lily spent a good while chatting with Spinnet, the new captain, discussing the possibility of her taking a spot on the team next year.
After the girls lay down to sunbathe, James decided it was a good time to approach.
"Hey, Thess" he said, coming to her side, wet and shirtless. "You played really well."
"Thanks," she replied, resisting the urge to run away.
Across from them, Anaya held back her laughter with her hands, while Rose, farther off, gave her cousin a disapproving look.
"So... We never really had the chance to talk properly, and I was thinking..."
"No," she interrupted.
"No, what?"
"Whatever you were going to suggest. No."
"But I..."
She stood up and threw herself into the pool with a splash.
"Can someone explain what I did wrong?" James asked, bewildered.
"Ah, don't take it personally," Anaya said. "It's nothing against you, it's just your last name."
"What's wrong with my last name?"
"Never mind. By the way, my name's Anaya," she said, extending her hand with a smile.
And as the party carried on into the night, everyone was invited to stay over.