Chapter Nine: Quidditch

Jack barely touched his breakfast the morning of the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. His stomach growled, demanding food, but his mouth was unable to chew, let alone swallow.

Nerves and guilt consumed him in equal measure. The nerves because it would be his first time playing Quidditch in front of an audience of more than three hundred people—any audience, in fact. He had played Quidditch before with his mother and family, but there was a huge difference between playing Quidditch over a frozen lake with five other people and playing it on a regulation field, with a full team, official rules, proper gear, a referee, and, most importantly, four balls in play. Jack had never caught a Snitch before.

Guilt consumed him because he didn't think it was fair that only Merida had been punished by being expelled from the Gryffindor Quidditch team. After all, he had also broken the rules and entered the Forbidden Forest. But instead, his punishment (and Elsa's) had been to help Professor Tenebrae organize his paperwork and clean jars, cauldrons, and other utensils used in various classes by most of the school's teachers.

At least he hadn't had it as bad as Hiccup, who had to help Professor Gobber clean the dragon cages every weekend. Jack could always tell when Hiccup was nearby—half a kilometer away, in fact—just by the smell. Like right now.

Hiccup sat across from Jack at the table, devastation in his eyes and dirt still on his face. Most students moved away when he walked past them.

"Hiccup," Jack said, gagging slightly, "you know I appreciate you. But seriously, you can't sit like that in the Great Hall—you're going to make everyone lose their lunches."

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Right at that moment, a group of fourth-year girls walked past, and one of them gagged so hard it looked like she was about to bring up her pumpkin pasties.

"That," Jack pointed out. "Go take a bath."

Hiccup sighed but didn't seem too bothered. With a few movements, he ran a hand through his messy hair and shrugged. "It's the price I have to pay. Oh well, I guess."

Jack shot him a disapproving look, but not too seriously, knowing Hiccup wouldn't change his mind. At least he was still his friend, even if there was always some... chaos around him.

Their conversation was momentarily interrupted by the loud noise from a nearby table. It was the Gryffindor Quidditch team, shouting excitedly about the upcoming match. Some were already in uniform, others were discussing strategy, and Jack felt even more nervous when he noticed that Merida was nowhere to be seen in the Great Hall. And—was that Sirius Potter wearing the Seeker uniform? The heavy feeling in his stomach grew, but he forced himself to eat something, even if just a little.

"Everything okay?" Elsa asked, sitting next to him. She was calm, as always, which only made Jack feel more pressure. How could she be so relaxed when everything around them was pure chaos?

"I don't know... I'm nervous," Jack admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "It's my first real Quidditch match, and there's so many people watching. I don't know if I'll be good enough."

"Elsa, come on, we're running late," Sirrah called from a few seats away, visibly nervous.

Elsa smiled at Jack and patted his back. "You'll do great, Jack. If anyone can catch a Snitch, it's you. I saw you do it in tryouts." Then she stood up and hurried off to join her friend.

Jack nodded, grateful for her words (because after what had happened in the Forbidden Forest, he considered her a friend—he had tried to spend more time with her, and she seemed to be doing the same). But his mind was still stuck on the idea that the injustice of it all was affecting him more than he thought.

"Have you prepared?" Hiccup asked, raising an eyebrow as if testing his resilience. Jack didn't answer right away, distracted by the noise of the Great Hall and the growing excitement.

Tension was building, and time was running fast. There was barely an hour left before the match started.

"I don't know if I can do this, Hiccup," Jack said without looking at him, his voice tense. The guilt was crushing him, and the thought of the Quidditch match wasn't helping at all. "It's... I don't know, I feel like I don't deserve to be playing. Merida... she was the one who really worked for this."

Hiccup sat across from him, looking at Jack with a mix of understanding and curiosity. Hiccup, even though he didn't play Quidditch, understood what it felt like to doubt yourself. But there was something more in his usual calmness. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.

"Why do you feel that way?" Hiccup asked without judgment. "You know Merida's punishment isn't fair, but what you do now won't change that."

Jack looked up, meeting Hiccup's gaze. The guilt was still there, like a shadow he couldn't shake.

"Yeah... but you know she was the one who worked the hardest. She trained every single day, more than the rest of her team, more than anyone, really. I only got into this because... I didn't want to be left behind. I wanted to compete against her." Jack sighed, frowning. "She sacrificed so much to get there, and I... I'm just the guy who slipped in. And now she's off the team, and I..." his voice cracked slightly. "I don't feel worthy of playing."

Hiccup crossed his arms, watching Jack with a mix of calm and seriousness.

"What happened in the Forbidden Forest was a mistake, yeah, but you don't have to carry all the weight of it. It's not fair, and you know it. Merida isn't struggling because of you, and you're not replacing her. You're playing because you're part of this team, because they believe in you. Because you believe in yourself, right?"

Jack hesitated, staring at his empty plate.

"What hurts the most is that Merida didn't even get a chance to fight for her spot. It all happened so... fast," he said, frowning with frustration. "I don't know if I feel bad for her, or for myself."

Hiccup, now more serious than ever, gave him a small smile and patted his shoulder.

"Look at it this way: you can do what she couldn't. Play and do it well. Sometimes, the best way to honor someone is to move forward, not stay stuck in what can't be changed. Even if it's against Merida's team."

Jack looked at him in silence, feeling the anxiety begin to fade. Hiccup was right.

"You're right," he finally said, taking a deep breath. "But if I mess up today, I'm quitting the team."

"Then don't mess up!" Hiccup said, standing up with a grin.

Jack smiled, for the first time feeling a little lighter.

"Thanks, Hiccup. Really."

With one last pat on his shoulder, Hiccup got up, ready to leave. Jack watched him for a moment before making a decision.

"Let's go!" he said, suddenly more determined, standing up abruptly. "It's time to play!"

Elsa wasn't the type of person who felt comfortable in the stands. The crowds, the noise, the intensity of the game… All of it made her feel out of place, as if she were invisible among the cheers and shouts of the students. But that day was different. She was there, sitting among the others, watching the Quidditch match with a mix of nerves and excitement.

The Quidditch match was in full swing, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Gryffindor and Slytherin were facing off with all their energy, but Elsa couldn't take her eyes off Jack, who was flying through the air in his position as Seeker. She watched him intently, feeling a mix of pride and concern. But, to her dismay, the golden Snitch was nowhere to be seen.

The stadium was filled with energy. The stands vibrated with the cheers and shouts of students from all houses, supporting their respective teams. The colors shone brightly: Gryffindor's red and gold on one side, Slytherin's green and silver on the other. Elsa adjusted herself in her seat, nervously watching Jack as he soared on his broom with fierce concentration.

The referee threw the ball into the air, and the whistle echoed across the field. The match had begun.

From the start, Gryffindor and Slytherin clashed with ferocity. Goals went back and forth, with Gryffindor's Keeper, Jeremy, making impressive saves, while Slytherin's Seeker, Jack, was determined to find the Snitch before anyone else. But despite both teams' efforts, the Snitch remained elusive.

"Gooooooooal!" the crowd roared as Leo, Slytherin's Chaser, threw the Quaffle through Gryffindor's hoops. The scoreboard climbed quickly, but Gryffindor wasn't far behind. Faye and Olivia, Gryffindor's Chasers, each scored a couple of goals almost immediately, bringing the score to 50-10.

As the match progressed, tensions rose, and the plays became more intense. Elsa watched with wide eyes, increasingly impressed by both teams' skills. That was when an accident happened.

A brutal collision occurred in the air when one of Slytherin's Beaters, Finn, sent a Bludger hurtling toward Gryffindor's Keeper, Luke. He tried to dodge it, but he wasn't lucky. The iron ball struck his broom hard, and Luke plummeted to the ground with a loud crash. The crowd fell silent for a second—until Luke got up, visibly dazed but unharmed. It would take him some time to get back into position, meaning Slytherin had to take advantage of the opportunity to close the gap.

Elsa's heart pounded with adrenaline. She knew the match had reached its most dangerous point. Gryffindor's Beater, Noah, immediately retaliated, sending a Bludger toward Finn, who barely dodged it. The match continued, but with a much more tense atmosphere.

"Goal for Gryffindor!" the commentator shouted, and Elsa looked at the field, spotting Faye, who had just scored. The score was now incredibly close—70-60—and both teams seemed equally capable of winning. However, Elsa couldn't take her eyes off Jack, who seemed more focused than ever on his search for the Snitch.

It was impressive to watch how quickly he moved, flying back and forth as he tried to spot the tiny golden ball among the chaos of players. At the other end, Sirius, Gryffindor's Seeker who was replacing Merida, was doing the same. Both boys flew through the air with skill, but the Snitch kept eluding them, darting unpredictably in different directions.

After a couple of hours, the match neared its end. The scoreboard had flipped in favor of Slytherin, standing at 80-230, and goals no longer mattered. Only one thing remained: the Snitch.

Suddenly, with a roar from the crowd, all eyes turned to the highest point of the field. The Snitch had appeared, glinting in the sunlight, and Jack saw it. Elsa's heart skipped a beat. Sirius had seen it too, and both Seekers launched themselves into the air at breakneck speed, their brooms cutting through the wind.

"Goal."

Elsa watched anxiously from the stands, her heart in her throat. She knew this moment would decide the match.

Jack was so close. His fingers grazed the Snitch, but before he could grab it, Sirius surged ahead by a mere millisecond and reached for the tiny golden ball, letting it slip momentarily. But not for long. Both players flew side by side, twisting, rising, and diving as the Snitch did.

"Goal."

Finally, Gryffindor's Seeker made a final push and caught the Snitch.

"Sirius Potter catches the Golden Snitch! The final score is 230-250. Slytherin wins!"

The Slytherin crowd erupted in cheers as the referee raised his arm.

"Victory for Slytherin!" the crowd roared, and Elsa felt a mix of relief and disappointment. It wasn't that she wasn't excited about the victory, but she knew Jack had given it his all. He had been so close to catching the Snitch.

On the field, Jack landed with a frustrated expression. His teammates surrounded him in celebration, but Elsa couldn't help but feel a little sad for him.

As the match ended and the players descended, Elsa stood up, looking for her teammate to offer her support. But then, something stopped her.

In the middle of the crowd, standing in front of her, was Albus Potter.

Albus hadn't been on the field, but his presence was unmistakable. He was there, watching the match with a calm expression, his green eyes shining under the sunlight. Elsa couldn't help but look at him, a sense of curiosity washing over her.

In the distance, Albus saw her. It wasn't the first time they had crossed paths in the hallways, like when he helped her against Ophelia and her lackeys, but it was the first time she felt so aware of his presence. This encounter wasn't coincidental—something in his gaze captured her, and Elsa couldn't help but return it with a shy smile.

He raised a hand, waving at her. Elsa, slightly surprised, returned the gesture with a small nod. There was nothing particularly special about that greeting, and yet, something shifted inside her chest. There was something about him that made her feel nervous, as if his presence alone was enough to make her heart beat faster than usual.

She decided to approach him.

"Hi!" Elsa greeted with a nervous smile.

Albus smiled back, his eyes shining with a mix of warmth and curiosity.

"Hello, Elsa. How was the match?" he asked, his voice soft yet clear.

"Well… we won," Elsa said, glancing at the field. "But Jack couldn't catch the Snitch. He gave it his all."

Albus nodded, watching Gryffindor's defeat with a slight smile on his lips. Something inside Elsa told her it was because his brother, Sirius, had lost.

"Sirius got lucky, I suppose. But, as they say, there's always a next time."

Elsa felt a mix of relief and nerves at his relaxed tone. There was something about him that made her feel calmer, yet his words awakened a different feeling inside her. As if a small fire had been lit in her chest.

"Yeah… well, Jack is always willing to try again, even when things don't go as he hoped."

Albus looked at her with interest.

"That's what I like about him. He never gives up."

Elsa smiled shyly. For some reason, his words made her feel closer to him, as if they shared some kind of unspoken understanding.

"You seem to have that attitude too," Elsa said without thinking, surprised by her own words. But when she looked at Albus, she realized there was something in his gaze that made her think he truly understood what she meant.

Albus looked at her in silence, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. Then, he nodded toward the castle.

"Well, now that the match is over, would you like to walk back to the castle with me?"

Elsa stared at him, eyes wide with surprise. She had never imagined that someone like Albus Potter would invite her to spend time together, even for something as simple as a walk.

"Sure," she finally replied, smiling shyly. She couldn't help but feel a strange sensation inside her—something warm and nervous that she couldn't quite understand.

As they began walking together, Elsa couldn't help but think about what had just happened. Something inside her had changed—something she couldn't quite describe.

Albus Potter was just another boy at school, right?

And yet, at that moment, he seemed to be so much more than that.

As soon as she saw Sirius Potter catch the Snitch, Punzie left the Quidditch stadium and headed toward the castle. She didn't even care who had won; the only thing on her mind at that moment was that her bladder was about to burst. She had held it in since the beginning of the match, afraid to miss an important moment, but now she couldn't take it anymore. She ran through the castle hallways, dodging students celebrating Slytherin's victory, walking with determination and refusing to let the pain in her abdomen slow her down.

When she finally reached the bathrooms, she sighed in relief. Without wasting time, she rushed into a stall, and when she came out, she thought there might be a flood of students in the corridors now that the Quidditch match had ended.

Punzie approached the sinks, sighing in final relief. She turned on the faucet and let the water run over her hands, scrubbing them vigorously. They were still somewhat dirty and sore from the punishment she had received: helping Professor Longbottom in the greenhouse with his magical plants. It seemed like an easy punishment compared to others, but after several hours dealing with roots trying to wrap around her wrists and flowers releasing explosive pollen, her fingers were covered in tiny cuts and stubborn dirt stains.

"All because I went into the Forbidden Forest..." she thought with a slight pout.

She sighed and kept scrubbing her hands until they were clean enough. She allowed herself to enjoy the silence of the bathroom, far from the noise of the match. But just as she was about to dry her hands, a subtle sound broke the stillness.

A sob.

Punzie frowned and turned her head toward the stalls. She remained silent, listening, and then she heard it again: a muffled sob, followed by a shaky breath.

Someone was crying.

A chill ran down her spine. Was it... Moaning Myrtle? She had heard stories of the famous ghost who sobbed in the bathrooms, and the mere thought of her suddenly appearing made her nervous. She swallowed hard, suppressing the urge to run away.

Come on, Punzie, she told herself. You're a witch, not a little kid afraid of ghosts.

But part of her wasn't convinced.

She looked around, making sure no spectral shadows were floating in the air. Slowly, she approached the stalls, her heart beating a little faster than usual.

"Hello?" she asked cautiously.

The crying stopped immediately. A tense silence followed, interrupted only by a faint, shaky inhalation.

"No... it's nothing," a broken voice responded.

Punzie blinked. That wasn't Myrtle's voice. It was much firmer, though trembling. But she recognized it.

She bit her lip. She didn't want to intrude if the person just needed to be alone, but she also didn't want to ignore someone clearly having a hard time.

Maybe I should leave, she thought. She wasn't good at handling these situations. What was she supposed to say? What if she only made things worse?

She took a step back, unsure.

But then she remembered the excitement of the match, the adrenaline she had felt watching the players fly.

A knot formed in her stomach.

"Merida?" she called softly.

There was no response at first. Punzie waited, unmoving, giving her space to decide if she wanted to talk. A few seconds passed in complete silence until, finally, the stall door slowly creaked open.

Merida stood there, her eyes red and her face wet with tears. Her wild hair fell over her face as if trying to shield her from the world. Punzie noticed the tension in her shoulders, the way she avoided looking at her directly.

"Don't tell anyone," Merida murmured, hastily wiping her face with the sleeve of her robe.

Punzie felt the urge to respond with a joke but held back.

"I have no reason to," she said instead, as gently as possible.

Merida huffed, but not in annoyance—more out of exhaustion.

"It's stupid… I'm upset over something stupid."

Punzie tilted her head.

"It doesn't seem stupid to you."

Merida pressed her lips together and, after a moment of hesitation, let out a long sigh.

"I just…" her voice wavered, "wanted to play."

Punzie nodded, not interrupting.

"Everyone was out there, living the game, feeling the thrill. And I was here, stuck, like I wasn't good enough…"

Merida squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold back fresh tears. Punzie waited patiently.

"It wasn't fair," Merida continued, clenching her fists. "I wasn't the only one who broke the rules, but I was the only one who paid the price."

Punzie felt a lump in her throat.

"Merida…"

"Don't tell me everything happens for a reason or that rules are rules," she said bitterly. "I don't want to hear that."

Punzie shook her head.

"I wasn't going to say that."

Merida blinked, surprised.

"You weren't?"

Punzie shook her head again. "I was going to say you're right. It wasn't fair."

For a moment, Merida's expression softened. She didn't seem used to people just agreeing with her without trying to justify things.

"But I was also going to say that this doesn't define you," Punzie added. "Not playing today doesn't mean you're not a great player. Or that you won't get another chance."

Merida lowered her gaze.

"I got kicked off the team. How am I supposed to get another chance?"

"If there's one thing I've learned," Punzie said, crossing her arms, "it's that there's always another chance. You got suspended from the team this year. You've got six more."

Merida let out a dry laugh.

"You're really optimistic, you know that?"

Punzie grinned proudly.

"It's a natural talent."

For the first time in the whole conversation, Merida smiled. It was small, barely a gesture, but it was there.

Punzie held out her hand.

"Let's go get something to eat."

Merida looked at her doubtfully.

"What?"

"Well, if you want to. Honestly, I didn't eat breakfast because I was too nervous about the match, and I just filled up on pumpkin juice because I couldn't chew anything," Punzie said, shrugging. "If you want, we can complain about the game while we eat. My dad says bread makes troubles lighter."

Merida hesitated for a moment longer but then took Punzie's hand and walked out of the bathroom with her.

"Thanks," Merida murmured as they weaved through students on their way to the Great Hall.

Punzie didn't say anything, just smiled, feeling satisfied with herself for making someone feel better.

And just like that, without realizing it, in that quiet, hidden bathroom of the castle, a new friendship was born.

A/N: Hello, I'm back again, Iwaited till I had some few chapters don until I updated this. So, wait for a new episode next week.

Please feel fre to tell me what you think.

I´ll leave you the Quidditch team players here, just if you wanted to know

Gryffindor Quidditch Team

Chasers:

1. Olivia (c)

2. Faye

3. Emily

Beaters:

1. Noah

2. Jason

Guardian:

1. Luke

Seaker:

1. Sirius

Slytherin Quidditch Team

Chasers:

1. Argus

2. Ophelia

3. Leo

Beaters:

1. Finnegan (c)

2. Theodore

Guardian:

1. Rita

Seaker:

1. Jack