Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin
Regulus:
Regulus only had one pre-game ritual- he always had the same breakfast before a game- Plain oatmeal. Barty said he was crazy- Barty had a big breakfast usually consisting of absurd amounts of bacon and eggs. Dorcas’s only pre-game rituals were as far as Regulus could tell- mental.
It was surprising for some of the younger years that 3 people in their group were on the Slytherin Quidditch team but that’s just how it was. Dorcas had been given captainship two years ago but Regulus and Barty had been on the team for over a year before that. Barty was a Beater, Dorcas was a Chaser, and Regulus was a Seeker.
The other people on their team weren’t that good at Quidditch or being good human beings. However usually they could be counted on to play well. The last Keeper they had was also the team captain- Emma Vanity. She was really good and nice enough. Regulus had heard that she got offers from 4 different teams to play Quidditch professionally! The new keeper was good- some small younger year- so altogether Slytherin won almost every match they played.
This game was against Ravenclaw. Pandora normally would sit and root for Slytherin with them but when Ravenclaw played she went all out. She had assured Regulus that she knew he was better at Quidditch than the Ravenclaws but it was just house loyalty.
Regulus knew that James had his pre-game rituals too. It wasn’t as if he’d been stalking James or anything like that. The “Marauders” just tended to involve the whole school with whatever they did. That’s why Regulus knew that James ate bacon and eggs before every game and also didn’t talk to anyone. But this was Regulus’s game day not James’s so he ate his oatmeal like he always did.
Once he was done and had waited for Barty and Dorcas to finish up their breakfast they all started heading down to the Quidditch pitch to prepare for the game.
“Party when we win?”, Barty said while pulling his gloves onto his hands. Dorcas nodded, “Can Marlene and some others come?” Barty scoffed, “Course’ McKinnons always welcome; and uh-”. He looked at Regulus and whispered something into Dorcas’s ear. She smiled, “I like how you think Crouch”. Regulus sighed, “I’m assuming I can’t be told whatever that was.” They both looked at each other and shook their heads in unison. He sighed once more, “Fine. Let’s go change it’s fucking cold out here”.
After they had all changed and the whole team was present Dorcas brought them together for a huddle. “Listen”, she started, “I know that a lot of us don’t like each other. However, that is not going to stop us from going out there and beating Ravenclaws ass”. The team looked around at each other and she sighed, “Just remember our strategies. Pippa, Ravenclaw usually goes for the left hoop but they won’t always. Dolohov, Barty, please don’t knock anyone out. Our backups are not as good as you two. You can’t hit people hard enough to knock them off their brooms. McCaffers, flank the other Chasers Jenkins, guard the Keeper, I’ll try to steal the Quaffle from them if they get it.” She turned her gaze to Regulus, “Regulus do your own thing, but don’t show off and when you catch that snitch make sure that we’re winning first.” She put her hand in the middle and they all piled their hands on top of each other’s.
“On three Slytherin! One, two, three, Slytherin!”
They broke out of their huddle and started to march out towards the field. Regulus wondered who would be the announcer today since the normal one was out sick. He found out when a Welsh accent came from the booth, “And here comes Slytherin in green.” It was Remus Lupin. How did McGonagall get him to do this? From the other side of the stands, clad in blue, Ravenclaw marched out. Their team captain- Emmeline Vance stood at the front with a stony face. Dorcas marched forward and shook her hand.
Madame Hooch stepped into the middle and started to shout instructions. Regulus swung his left leg over his broom and gripped it tightly. Hooch started to count off
“ONE, TWO THREE”
She blew her whistle and at the noise Regulus kicked off alongside his teammates and flew into the air.
Regulus’s favorite part of Quidditch was the rush of the wind in his ears as he flew around. He flew over to one of the goalposts and floated there for a minute glancing around for the snitch. Remembering Dorcas’s instructions to wait until they were up in points he sat on his broom for a minute, scanning the crowds. He saw Pandora in the Ravenclaw section with Ravenclaw paint all over her face cheering loudly for Ravenclaw. Evan was sitting in the stands with some girl in their year and seemed to be booing at something. He turned his eyes towards Gryffindor. His eyes found Sirius and quickly moved away from him to the seat to his right. There sat James Potter. His cheeks were flushed by the cold and he was leaning forward tracking the game with his eyes. Regulus saw James’s eyes move onto him and he quickly looked away and put his focus back onto the game. Dorcas had managed to score three goals and the Ravenclaw Keeper looked close to tears. He heard Lupin’s voice again booming above, “And Trackers runs to steal the Quaffle from Meadowes and ooo bloody hell that looks like a nasty hit. She doesn’t stop though, she rushes forward and scores! Another point for Slytherin, 4 to nothing. Ravenclaw better step up their game if they want to win”.
Suddenly Regulus saw a small gold glint from the corner of his eye. He turned and say the Golden Snitch fly down and flutter right by Slytherin’s left goalpost. They were ahead and this was as good a time as any. He leaned forward and started to fly towards it.
“Black has seen something by the Slytherin goalpost and it seems that Martelle has seen it too! They’re racing to catch it and fucking hell are they fast. Sorry Profess-” Regulus tuned out the voice of Lupin and focused on catching the Snitch,
Regulus heard the wind rush in his ears and blow his hair backwards. He leaned forward and stretched his hand out and-
“Black catches the snitch! Slytherin wins!”
Regulus flew to the ground and Dorcas was next to him in a heartbeat, “Good job Regulus”. He heard congratulations from all the rest of his teammates and people started to go down to the field to congratulate the winning team. Regulus still didn’t understand why they let others on the field. They could congratulate their friends later. He muttered something to Barty about showering and he would meet him in the Common Room.
Regulus turned to the locker room and walked in. He felt kind of numb. It has been so easy to catch the Snitch, not really a challenge.
Barty always had crazy parties, especially whe Slytherin had won a game. They were invite only but that didn’t change the intensity.
Marlene Pov:
Marlene’s girlfriend was hot. She didn’t exactly have a thing for Quidditch players- she wasn’t attracted to any of the girls on the Gryffindor team. However she had to admit that the sight of Dorcas in her Quidditch gear and gloves was very attractive. Then again Dorcas herself was very attractive.
Once the game had ended Marlene grabbed Lily and Mary and pulled them down to the field to congratulate Dorcas. She almost bumped into Regulus as he made his way over to the changing rooms before seeing Dorcas.
Marlene ran over to Dorcas, leaving Mary and Lily behind and kissed her. Dorcas instantly kissed her back and her hands found their way into Marlene’s hair. Marlene pulled away for a minute, “You did so good”. Dorcas grinned, “Just practicing to beat your team. Our match is coming up soon, you know?” Marlene smirked, “We could beat you with our eyes closed.”
“In your dreams McKinnon”
“Oi!”
Mary and Lily were walking over. “Congrats Dorcas”, Mary said. Lily nodded, “Yeah your team did really well”. Dorcas moved to standing next to Marlene and put her arm around Marlene’s waist, “Thanks. I actually wanted to ask you something.” Lily grinned, “You already have our blessing Dorcas”. Dorcas laughed, “Not that. I was wondering if you three want to come to our party.” Mary’s eyes grew brighter, “A party? I’m in.” Lily and Marlene nodded in agreement. “And uh..“, Dorcas added, “Bring Potter and his lot”.
Marlene looked up at her, “You really want them there?” Dorcas shook her head, “I could care less, but certain people want them there.” The three girls started to ask her but she cut them off, “Can’t tell you who, Slytherin secrets and all that”. Marlene looked at her, “Not even your girlfriend?” Dorcas shook her head, “Sorry Marls, I can’t reveal my contacts. Anyway, are you all in?”
Lily nodded, “I am”
“Me too”, Mary chimed in.
“You know I am”, Marlene said, “And we’ll ask the boys. No promises, you know Sirius and Baby Black aren’t on the best terms.”
“We don’t really need him if he doesn’t want. Just need Potter.” Marlene’s eyes widened, “Oh I see what you’re doing. He’ll come.”
Dorcas grinned, “Brilliant, party’s at 10 and the password is Pepper Imps. See you there.” She winked at Marlene and sauntered over to Barty who was chatting with Evan.
Mary grabbed Marlene and Lily’s arms and started walking back to the castle, “Come on!! We have to go get ready”.