Pranking hearts

It was Saturday morning. A November Saturday morning. And even more specifically it was the day of the first Quidditch match that would be taking place this year, starting the whole season. And it was the biggest match, the one whole Hogwarts was always looking forward to. Especially McGonagall was always very nervous for the players on the pitch because one of the teams was hers. The match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Even the other two houses that weren't playing were usually quite excited about this particular game. The main thrill of it was the lifelong rivalry between the two houses which brought up the urge to fight in all the players. All of them wanted to show that they were the best.

The girls' dorm was buzzing since morning. The three players were up ungodly early, doing some exercises and stretching before the event. Katie, who was so rudely woken up when the sun wasn't even properly shining wasn't as cheery as the other three, but she still tried to push a smile on her face to support her friends. Rhea spent about ten minutes just making her hair. Securing the loose strands of her always-messy hair with bobby pins to keep them away from her face. Angelina also pulled her hair into a ponytail while Alicia worked out a rather stylish-looking bun. Receiving weird looks from her friends. Her excuse was that even if she will be all sweaty she can look good. Angelina couldn't help but roll her eyes at that comment.

The four girls made their way into the Great Hall. Being greeted by praises and wishes of good luck. Rhea and Angelina were used to that, last year had learned to take compliments with modesty. But for Alicia, this was a premiere and she always enjoyed the attention. She was practically bathing in it. So it was more than expectable that she would stop by to talk with some people, pulling Katie back with her. Which left just Angelina and Rhea continuing towards their table.

"I swear one day she will get herself tossed into the Black Lake just for attention," Angelina muttered under her breath, shaking her head at Alicia's cocky attitude. She was just flirting with one of the fourth-year Hufflepuffs, completely ignoring Katie who was feeling as uncomfortable as ever. Rhea clicked her tongue, plopping down in her seat.

"That's Alicia, and weirdly enough we love her the way she is," Rhea answered, already reaching for some toast. Angelina sat down next to her with a huff. Rolling the sleeves of her Quidditch sweater, which they traditionally wore under their Quidditch robes in the colder months. She grabbed some sausage, planting them on her plate.

"How are we friends with so many flirts?" Angelina huffed, stuffing the food into her mouth. Rhea shot her a confused look until her eyes found the twins by the entrance of the hall, speaking with some Ravenclaw girls that suddenly appeared like the dumbest possible Ravenclaws out there with their excessive giggling and hair twirling. Following Angelina's earlier actions she huffed, turning towards her plate as she started eating. Trying to ignore the tightening feeling in her chest.

Rhea and Angelina started talking about the strategy of the game. The two of them spent the whole of yesterday's night with Wood coming up with different tactics to use against the forever cheating team. Angelina and Rhea would be working their butts off today. Sure they still have Alicia but the girl still wasn't all that fit into their team and Angelina and Rhea already have a year of working together so Wood relied most of the action on them.  The two girls of course didn't mind, they lived for the action, relished in the feeling of the wind in their hair, and what made the feeling even better was when they managed to score and anger the Slytherins. That was a pure feeling of joy for them.

Somewhere in the middle of their conversation, the boys came over, Lee only quickly grabbing all his hands could carry before he ran off. Saying that he needed to prepare everything for the match as he was a commentator. Fred and George sat down opposite the girls, immediately pilling their plates with food. Saying that they need fuel to have enough strength for blasting those bludgers off.

Alicia and Katie joined the group soon as well, Katie sat down next to Rhea to keep some distance from Alicia who was gushing about how cute the Hufflepuff lad was. Angelina was so close to stuffing something into Alicia's mouth to shut her up for a while. Rhea had to reach for Angelina's hand to stop her from actually doing so. Rhea was already finished with her breakfast, now only sipping slowly on her orange juice while listening in on the argument Fred was having with Angelina about his carefreeness. The older Weasley twin seemed unbothered by the hard match while Angelina was putting too much pressure on the importance of it. Everyone knew it would be better not to get involved.

"You've got to eat some breakfast." Rhea heard the voice of Hermione Granger say from down the table where she was sitting with a group of Gryffindor first-years. After the incident with the troll, Rhea noticed how close Hermione suddenly got to Harry and Ron. They seemed to almost represent best friends now which made Rhea feel slightly better about leaving Hermione in that bathroom on the night of Halloween.

"I don't want anything," Harry muttered weakly. Rhea noticed the worry settle on his face. He was nervous about the match, and the chatter and excitement filling the whole Great Hall were probably making it worse.

"Just a bit of toast," wheedled Hermione. Pushing a plate with buttered toast towards Harry who just pushed it away.

"I'm not hungry."

"If that lad won't eat he will faint on us halfway through the match," Angelina muttered, bringing the goblet with her pumpkin juice to her lips. Rhea could understand how Harry was feeling she also didn't feel particularly hungry before her first match, but she also knew that if he won't eat he might fall off his broom in the middle of the match. He will be needed all the strength he can muster.

"Harry, you need your strength," said Seamus Finnigan who said opposite Harry. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team." Rhea cringed slightly at how straightforward the Irish first-year was.

"Thanks, Seamus," said Harry sarcastically, watching Seamus pile ketchup on his sausages.

"That's unless you are Rhea," Fred pipped up, obviously also listening in on their conversation. Just like the rest of the team. The first-years lifted their heads, all of them looking over at the group of third-years that were not sitting too far from them. Seamus, Ron and Dean Thomas immediately locked their eyes on Rhea, a slight blush tinting Ron's cheeks. While Harry and Hermione only sent her a smile.

"Yeah, everyone is out for Rhea, because they know that she can give them a right fight on that field." George bragged stuffing a sausage in his mouth.

"Yeah, she is Wood's secret weapon." Alicia gloated about her friend as well while Angelina nodded in agreement. The first-years looked at the blonde girl with amazement. This was their first Quidditch match at school that they could see and so they were just about to get blown away by the amazing skills of the Gryffindor Chaser. But they have heard around the school how big of a star she is.

"All right mates, let's not make it into something it isn't, everyone is doing their best on that pitch and everyone is at risk of getting clobbered." Rhea dismissed looking over at her teammates. "You four, locker rooms. Others you should go get ready, wear something warm it is quite cold outside." Rhea instructed.

"Ay, ay captain," Twins joked, standing up from their seats with grins.

"Don't let Wood hear you," Rhea stated with an eye roll. As Angelina was standing up she put her hand on Rhea's shoulder nodding towards Harry to which Rhea only gave a subtle nod. Angelina left tugging Alicia along, the team left the Great Hall, closely followed by the group of first years. Harry went to leave with them but Rhea got in his way. "Sit down," She instructed calmly and Harry sat down with a sigh.

She pushed the plate with the toast back in front of him to which Harry only gave her an annoyed look. But there was no way Rhea would be backing out now. She was a stubborn person and when combined with her caring nature there was no way her friends would get out of her helping them. Even if she would have to force them. But Harry is stubborn as a mule as well. Giving Rhea a bit of a hard time.

"Start eating, and I'll tell you things that will help you during the match," Rhea stated simply sparkling Harry's attention.

"What things?" Rhea didn't answer. She just nodded towards the plate with toast. Harry grabbed the toast and took a quick bite from it, causing a smile to grow on Rhea's face at the achievement.

"See that guy there," Rhea pointed her finger towards the dark-haired boy who had his plate full of food and was munching on it quite disgustingly. Harry cringed at the sight of the boy. "That's Lucian Bole. He is not the wisest tool in the shed but he can hit that bludger with great strength but he can't hit a fast-moving object even if it would save his life." Rhea explained. "So move as much as you can and you are safe. And as for their other Beater, Peregrine Derrick he can't see further than at the tip of his broom, so if he by chance hits you it was most likely a lucky shot from his side."  Rhea explained. Harry nodded, eagerly finishing his toast.

"Okay," Harry nodded, feeling grateful for Rhea's advice.

"Of course, you don't have to worry about the Beaters much, we have Fred and George for that," Rhea said matter of factly, her eyes focused on the Slytherin table searching for the one person. "You need to keep your eye out for that one," Rhea pointed toward the blonde-haired kid. He was maybe in the same year as Rhea. He was nervously drumming his fingers on the table seemingly deep in thought as he kept muttering something to himself. "That's Terence Higgs, Slytherin Seeker and if I can say so without hurting our house's pride too much he is quite good."

Rhea explained to him. It was not her intention to frighten Harry or to make him nervous. But it was better if he knew what he was up against. And so Rhea decided to give him all the secrets that she has learned about the Slytherin players. Some of these she didn't even tell Oliver. They were obtained just by her observation on the pitch during games. 

"So I don't have a chance?" Harry asked fearfully while eyeing the blonde Slytherin player. Rhea chuckled shaking her head.

"I never said that." Rhea calmed down his nerves a bit. "I have something that you can use against him." She started and Harry's attention was on her almost instantly. "So Terence is maybe quick on his broom but that confidence disappears once he is flying straight for the ground. He gets scared and rather pulls up early than risk crashing down. You can beat him here. Just don't be afraid you will crash, keep your hands closer to the top of your handle, that way you will be able to make sharper turns and you will be able to pick it up just in time." Rhea explained to Harry some of her tricks.

"Woah, okay, thanks." Harry grinned, suddenly feeling a bit more sure of himself.

"You're welcome. Also, I advise you to fly a bit under the snitch, that way it won't be flying around like mad because it won't sense you around it."

"How do I catch it then?" Harry asked, knowing he doesn't yet have that long hand to just reach for it.

"You stand on your broom. It's one of the advanced tricks that I do but I believe you will be able to do it. You just make sure to maintain your balance and stand right in the middle of the broom, otherwise, you will just tilt forward and make a few painful summersaults on the pitch."

"Okay," Harry answered with a nod.

"All right, come on them or Wood will have our heads for being late."

***

The locker rooms were quite noisy, after all just like every time before the match. The twins were the main cheerleaders, causing mayhem in the locker rooms, and driving Wood crazy. Rhea was just buttoning her Quidditch robes, securing the shin guards so they won't fall off. She pulled on her brown leather gloves, which were slightly too big on her hands still. Wood cleared his throat for silence.

"Okay, men," he said. Causing the three girls in the team to frown.

"And women," Angelina stated with a cold glare aimed at their Captain.

"Seriously does gender equality mean nothing to you, Oliver?" Rhea asked with annoyance. Folding her arms over her chest to show her obvious irritation with the situation.

"And women," Wood agreed. It was better than having a female revolution in his lines. He also knew that if Angelina and Rhea were out for him for his comments he would not get out of it unharmed. The two girls calmed down, giving each other a satisfied nod allowing Oliver to continue with his speech. Which he also had last year after Charlie gave him the space to speak to the team, already preparing him for his upcoming Captain duties. "This is it."

"The big one," said Fred with mock seriousness in his tone.

"The one we've all been waiting for,"  George continued, a silly grin playing on his face. They were standing on either side of Harry. Startling the boy a bit as he just now realised he was standing in between the two gingers.

"We know Oliver's speech by heart," Fred told Harry with a grin, "we were on the team last year." Rhea rolled her eyes. The twins were trying to gloat in front of Harry just to show how cool they were. Rhea however was sure that Harry didn't miss how popular the twins were amongst the students.

"Shut up, you two. Rhea, tell them to be quiet," Oliver asked the younger girl who rolled her eyes and looked over at her two best friends.

"Is a silencing charm needed here boys?" Rhea asked threateningly, even though she didn't have her wand at hand as it was securely in her Quidditch bag, the two boys quickly shook their heads and shut up. Oliver nodded toward Rhea gratefully before continuing. 

"This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it." He glared at them all as if to say, 'Or else.' Angelina and Rhea shared a look, both of them filled with determination to not make this match easy for the Slytherins. This year was supposed to be their revenge year. To make Slytherins pay for what they did last year. "Right. It's time. Good luck, all of you." With that, the team grabbed their brooms and made their way out of the locker rooms.

The team walked out onto the field. Accompanied by the cheers of their house. The students were standing in the stands, ready to cheer for their team. The seven players stood in the middle of the pitch. Scarlet and green meet in the middle. Oliver and Flint having their usual stare-off. Glaring one at the other, Flint had an unpleasant smirk on his face. His eyes hardened when he saw the determined look on Oliver's face.

Rhea looked up seeing Edmund already looking at her in worry. That made Rhea feel uneasy. Edmund was let in on all the plans of the Slytherin teams since he was part of it. And if he didn't look all content with what their Captain had in plan it must have been something bad. Making a mental note to stop by her dark-haired friend secretly while they'll be playing, she turned back to Madam Hooch.

"Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you," she said, once they were all gathered around her. Rhea nodded even though she knew the Professor wasn't particularly talking to her or anyone in her team. But most likely it was aimed at the team of green and silver, even more so at their Captain. "Mount your brooms, please." Rhea grabbed onto her school broom, bringing one leg over it. Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle. Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off. The Quaffle got tossed in the air.

"Rhea," She heard Angelina mutter to her from her spot on her right. That was her signal to start. She zoomed forward faster than a snitch would. Edmund did not even register when she took the Quaffle right from his hands. But the action didn't stay unnoticed by Lee who immediately got to his job.

"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Gryffindor star player Rhea Black, what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too..." Lee yelled out, praising his friend for her great play.

"JORDAN!" McGonagall scolded the student that was sitting right in front of her so she could keep an eye on his biased commentating. It was no secret that he had his preferences in this match and so it was needed to have someone to hold him back. But she couldn't help but be proud of the young girl. She knew that Miss Black would make it far, she had the predisposition to be quite a decent Quidditch player, but she couldn't believe how incredibly good she truly was.

"Sorry, Professor." Lee apologised, not meaning it at all. It was just to keep the Professor off his back. Katie Bell who was sitting next to him chuckled, before bringing her attention back to the game. Rhea zoomed through the air, noticing Pucey heading straight at her. Right before he was about to get her she tossed the Quaffle at Alicia and right after it pushed off her broom and jumped in the air, causing the Slytherin player to rush past the spot where she was before.

Rhea landed gracefully back onto her broom. Her eyes found Harry who was looking around for a snitch. She let out a sigh of relief knowing that he was safe so far. She then zoomed her way over to the Slytherin player that she needed to find. Luckily for her, he wasn't too far. Already searching for a suitable time to speak with her. She stopped her broom a bit away from him, her eyes focused on the game, seeing Oliver save the goal.

"Have something on your chest?" Rhea asked so only he would hear her.

"Well, a few chest hair, but I doubt you want to hear about that," He shot back teasingly. Rhea scanned the field seeing Angelina holding the Quaffle and dodging the Slytherin Chasers while Beaters try to knock her off with Bludgers. Angelina was going right according to their plan which meant Rhea won't have much time until she will need to get in her position.

"No time for messing around Ed, whatever you have to say, say it now." Rhea pressed some more. And even if Ed wanted his team to win, the cost for it was too high.

"Flint is out for you and Wood this time. Keep an eye out for him, that's all I'm saying. And duck." Just as Edmund said it Rhea saw a Bludger flying her way, dipping down and letting it fly over her head.

"Thanks," She muttered quickly before gliding to her assigned spot. She flew right behind Angelina, dipping down some more when she noticed Flint and Pucey there. They went to squeeze Angelina in between them, the girl waiting to the last second before dropping the Quaffle which securely landed in Rhea's arms. The blonde winked up at the two Slytherins before speeding forward towards the hoops.

A terrible feeling overlapped the girl as she felt something following her. She allowed herself a little glance to the right seeing a Bludger so close to her she had no chance of dodging it. Tightening her grip on the Quaffle while her left hand clutched the broom she got ready for an impact. But it never came. At the last minute, the Bludger was blasted away by Fred. He gave the blonde girl a cheeky grin which she gratefully returned, zooming forward and scoring a goal effortlessly.

The Gryffindor stands cheered happily. No one was surprised that Rhea was the one who scored the first goal. But it still was a right thrill and show for the watchers and enthusiastic fans of the sport.

***

The match continued, the Gryffindors now significantly winning on points scored by the three Chasers. But Flint submerging to his naturally competitive nature was quick to abolish the rules and he got Oliver Wood knocked down from his broom. Sending the only Gryffindor Keeper to the ground painfully, leaving the hoops unguarded. After that, it was fairly easy for Slytherins to score points.

Rhea now had the Quaffle once again. The Slytherins were getting on her nerves. Flint even got rid of Angelina now. Leaving only the twins with Rhea and Alicia as the only players. And of course Harry.

Rhea zoomed through the pitch, her grasp on the Quaffle stronger than ever before. She was about to reach the goal when someone pushed her from the side, shoving her out of her track. She glanced to the side to see Marcus Flint there, a terrible sneer on his face.

"Give it up Black, either you give me that Quaffle or you'll find yourself in the Hospital Wing like last time." Marcus threatened. Rhea's eyes subtly scanned the place, confidence rising in her as she shot a smirk back at Marcus.

"You would have to catch me first," She taunted, suddenly diving down confusing Flint before he got hit by a Bludger aimed at him by George Weasley. He and Rhea have been sending each other secret signals for a while now and had prepared a good plan for Rhea to score another goal. And so she did. With a great sense of pride, she zoomed past Flint grinning proudly when she noticed the red mark on his face which will soon be turning dark. "Weird, I scored a goal and I am still not in the Hospital Wing."

"Yet." The threat was said with so much venom that even Rhea felt slightly worried. But quickly dismissed it, getting back into the game. She flew past Alicia, seeing the girl looking quite dizzy, she was forced to fly around the hoops for a long time, just blocking the attacks from Slytherin Chasers, since Wood is out like a light and Angelina has also been rushed into the Hospital Wing already. Rhea was left asking how they always end up in Hospital Wing when playing with Slytherins.

An opportunity of seizing the ball occurred and Rhea of course immediately took it, trying to score as much as she could in case Harry doesn't catch the snitch. But for each point Rhea scored, the Slytherins scored two. It was hard playing alone in the front, only having Alicia in the back but she was better off there. The Slytherins did have a good strategy for putting out the players.

Rhea grabbed the Quaffle, going straight for the goal. The Slytherin Keeper Miles Bletchley already had a scared look on his face when he noticed Rhea flying his way. But before Rhea could throw the Quaffle at the goal she got knocked down from her broom. She didn't have time to realise what was happening before she found herself falling so she couldn't grab onto her broom and save herself.

Letting out a shriek as she felt the wind rush around while gravity kept pulling her down. Wishing for her wand to be there, securely in her back pocket so she could just swish it and save herself somehow. But that was quite an impossible thing to do at the moment. The harsh wind hit her skin. She could feel the ground already until a flash of red zoomed in front of her eyes and she found herself sitting on the broom in front of someone.

"Thought you might need a lift," Fred said cockily from behind her, causing a faint chuckle to escape her lips. "You all right?" He asked, a slight hint of worry in his tone as they flew through the air.

"Yeah fine. Thanks for the save." Rhea said flashing him a smile. They flew past George who nodded at Rhea trying to see if she was okay and she nodded back as a signal that nothing was broken. Though the pain in her side was quite irritating. She suspected that the harsh hit might have cracked a few of her ribs.

Her eyes landed on Harry who was going neck to neck for the Snitch with Higgs. The boys follow the snitch downwards towards the ground, approaching it rather quickly. Fred stopped the broom so both of them were now watching Harry and Higgs compete for the Snitch trying to see who would reach it first. 

"Just a bit more Harry come on, come on," Rhea muttered to herself, making sure that Harry had his hands placed as far towards the tip as possible. And just as she suspected, once the ground was uncomfortably close the Slytherin Seeker backed out, and Harry pulled up his broom as he follows the Snitch, feet above the ground. "Steady Harry," Rhea instructed as if Harry could hear her, he started slowly standing up on his broom. Trying to maintain his stability just like Rhea told him he stepped forward, trying to grab the ball. "No, that's too close to the..." Rhea didn't even get to finish her sentence when she saw Harry topple off the broom with a yelp, tumbling on the ground.

Her breath hitched in her throat when she noticed how harshly he hit the ground. The whole stadium goes silent. Watching the boy who slowly picked himself up from the ground. He got up and lurched. It looked like he was going to be sick before he spat out the Snitch. Rhea's eyes grew in size at the sight of the small golden ball in Harry's hand as he proudly showed it to the ground. They won!