Chapter ─ 7 | Quidditch Match
The next morning, excitement and nervous energy buzzed through me and Noelle. Today was the day. Our first Quidditch match, Slytherin versus Gryffindor. As we made our way to the Great Hall for breakfast, Noelle couldn’t stop bouncing on her toes, and I kept adjusting my gloves, though we still had hours before the match.
We pushed open the doors to the Great Hall, where the usual hum of breakfast chatter filled the air. I spotted Emily almost immediately. Already decked out in her Gryffindor uniform, she waved us over with a grin.
─ Morning, traitor, ─ Noelle teased lightly, nudging her with a shoulder.
Emily smirked. ─ Better watch out, Noelle. My aim’s been improving. ─ She winked and then turned back toward her table.
Noelle and I found seats at the Slytherin table, where our friends were already waiting for us. Cardan, Iyon, Severus, Lily, Barty, and Pandora were ready for the game, each in their own way. Cardan had his face painted in green and silver, with an enthusiastic grin on his face as he unrolled a massive banner that read ─ Win Win Slytherin.─ Iyon, not to be outdone, had a large, intricately drawn green Slytherin serpent on a poster propped next to him. Severus, as usual, had a more subtle display, a green-and-silver scarf wrapped tightly around his neck and a painted snake curling around his left cheek.
Lily looked torn. She had one cheek painted in Gryffindor red and gold, and the other in Slytherin green and silver, offering me a small shrug when I raised an eyebrow at her. ─ I'm neutral today, ─ she explained.
─ Neutral or confused? ─ Barty teased, his own face half green, half silver, looking like he was ready to fight for Slytherin’s honor.
Looking across the room, I noticed that even Eleanor, sitting at the Gryffindor table, had painted one cheek red and the other green. Farther down the Slytherin table, I caught sight of Lucien who's cheeks were painted with green and silver.
I exchanged a grin with Noelle. The support was overwhelming, and it only fueled the anticipation building up inside me.
As breakfast wrapped up, Noelle and I headed straight for the locker rooms, our nerves kicking in now that the match was closing in. I entered the boys' changing room, slipping into my green and silver Slytherin robes with shaky fingers. After taking a deep breath to calm myself, I headed out to meet Noelle by the broom shed. She was already there, holding her broom with an expression of fierce determination.
─ Ready for this? ─ she asked, cracking her knuckles.
─ More than ready. Let’s win this thing, ─ I replied, forcing confidence into my voice.
With that, we retrieved our brooms and joined the rest of the team. Benjamin Carrow, our captain, gave us all a brief, no-nonsense pep talk before we lined up, waiting for our grand entrance.
─ Ladies and gentlemen! ─ came the booming voice of Remus Lupin from the commentator's stand. ─ Let’s welcome Gryffindor! ─
A deafening roar erupted from the stands as Gryffindor's team flew into the arena, led by their captain, Angela Mellburn. James Potter, one of their newest Chasers, flew in right behind her, grinning like he owned the sky. Emily trailed behind them, giving Noelle and me a playful wave.
─ And now, Slytherin! ─
Our entrance was greeted by loud cheers from the Slytherin side of the stands, with a noticeable groan from the Gryffindor crowd. I mounted my broom and kicked off from the ground, soaring into the air with Noelle by my side. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as we lined up against the Gryffindor players.
Benjamin and Angela strode forward to shake hands, a ritualistic show of sportsmanship that looked anything but friendly. Their grips tightened, and Benjamin offered a challenging smirk.
─ Play fair, Carrow, ─ Angela muttered under her breath.
─ Always, ─ Benjamin replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Madame Hooch stepped between them, her whistle ready. ─ I want a clean game, ─ she said sternly, eyeing both teams. Then, she blew her whistle.
With a sharp blast, the balls were released, the Golden Snitch vanished into the sky, the Quaffles were released, and the Bludgers zoomed off in unpredictable directions.
Potter wasted no time seizing the Quaffle. He darted through the air with a speed that took the Slytherin Beaters by surprise, weaving past the green-clad Chasers.
Within moments, he hurled the Quaffle through the nearest goalpost. Gryffindor scored almost instantly.
─ Ten points to Gryffindor! ─ Remus called, his voice tinged with excitement.
Noelle cursed under her breath, gripping her bat tightly. She didn't waste any time sending a Bludger Potter's way, forcing him to veer off course. ─ That’s for scoring too early, Potter, ─ she muttered.
The game was fast and brutal. Angela scored next, flying past our Keeper with a graceful arc. The Gryffindors erupted in cheers again.
But Benjamin and two more Slytherin Chasers were not to be outdone. They quickly organized, passing the Quaffle back and forth with lightning speed. Benjamin flew in close, tricked the Gryffindor Keeper with a fake, and slammed the Quaffle into the goal. The stands shook with applause from our side.
─ Ten points to Slytherin! ─ Remus announced, though I could hear the edge of disappointment creeping into his voice.
I circled the pitch, my eyes trained on the field, but my mind focused solely on spotting the Snitch. Somewhere in the chaos, that tiny gold ball was waiting for me. I scanned the skies, dodging players and Bludgers as I weaved through the air. Below me, the game raged on. James and Emily had managed to break through our defense again, scoring two more goals.
─ Thirty-ten! Gryffindor is taking the lead! ─ Remus announced excitedly.
Noelle was relentless, sending Bludgers left and right. She aimed one straight at Potter, who barely dodged it. The ball ricocheted and knocked the Quaffle out of Angela’s hands, allowing Slytherin to recover possession. Benjamin shot forward, scoring once more, and then a second time, narrowing the gap.
I could hear Remus muttering under his breath in the commentator’s box. ─ Come on, Gryffindor… ─ And then, more quietly, ─ Bloody Slytherins. ─
Professor McGonagall, who was standing nearby, shot him a sharp glance. ─ Lupin! ─ she scolded. ─ Mind your language! ─
I grinned at that, even as I flew higher, still searching for the Snitch. The game had become a blur of red and green, but that flash of gold continued to elude me. Gryffindor scored again, but Benjamin quickly answered with another goal for Slytherin.
I was starting to feel the pressure. Every time Potter scored, he smirked in my direction, like this was all a game just for him. I could hear the Gryffindor fans chanting his name, ─ Potter! Potter! ─
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it, the Snitch. It was darting near the Slytherin goalposts, glittering in the sunlight. My heart leaped, and without hesitation, I shot forward, my broom tilting downward as I chased after it.
Across the field, I could see Gryffindor's Seeker spot it too. He dove at the same time, and we were neck and neck, racing toward the tiny golden ball.
─ Come on, Regulus! ─ I heard Noelle shout from somewhere behind me, her bat swinging at a Bludger she sent flying at Emily to keep the Gryffindor Chaser at bay.
The Snitch veered sharply to the left, and I followed, pushing my broom to its limit. We were so close, both of us reaching out, but then I felt the wind shift, and I leaned in just a little further, stretching out my fingers until I finally felt the cool metal of the Snitch against my skin.
─ Regulus Jackson has caught the Snitch! ─ Remus’ voice echoed through the stadium, sounding more disappointed than enthusiastic, but I didn’t care.
The Slytherin stands erupted in cheers, drowning out the groans from the Gryffindor side. Noelle was the first to reach me, grinning as she clapped me on the back.
─ And a special shoutout to Macmillan for taking Potter out with a Bludger! ─ Remus added, though it was clear he was only half-pleased.
As the team gathered around me, Benjamin patted my shoulder with a rare grin, and the others hoisted me and Noelle into the air, celebrating our victory.
We’d done it. Slytherin had won, and the feeling was nothing short of exhilarating.