Before the Game
Practice started the next morning at five o’clock am. Dragging himself, sleep ridden and yawning, to the mirror, Regulus made an attempt to straighten his appearance as he changed into Quidditch robes. An early wakeup is no excuse for sloppiness, he could imagine his mother saying. He cast a longing look at his still-warm bed before hurrying out the door, trying very hard not to think about how wet he will be in an hour.
The next morning was no easier, and with classes becoming harder and harder and homework piling up, Regulus found himself staying up later each night. The next few weeks slipped by in a hazy blur, foot-long essays and dawn-brightened Quidditch pitches swimming before his vision when he closed his eyes. Somehow, the word that he was the Slytherin Seeker got out to the whole school, and random people had taken to staring at him in the hallways, whispering to their friends.
“He’s Sirius’s brother.” Regulus caught multiple people hiss.
“Oi! Black!” a boy Regulus had never seen before called to him one november morning. “What’re you gonna do when your brother flattens you with the Quaffle?”
His friends dissolved into laughter.
“Ignore them.” Pandora said firmly from beside him, taking hold of his arm and walking ahead. “I don't know why everyone suddenly cares so much that you’re the Slytherin Seeker, you haven't done that much.” she said with her usual bluntness. Regulus knew her well enough not to take offense.
“I think I know why.” he responded with a sigh. “My brother is one of the most well liked people in our school. Everyone knows who he is. People were probably wondering from the moment I walked in whether I was going to be a Sirius part two, and I guess being on the team may be proving their ideas.”
“But you are nothing like Sirius,” said Pandora with a soft smile. Regulus didn't ask what she meant.
“Yeah.” he said. “But they don't know that. It doesn't bother me much, you know.” he didn't like the pitying look Pandora was giving him just now.
“We’re going to destroy Gryffindor in the game on Saturday, then everyone will shut up already.”
“I like your confidence.” Pandora said. Regulus turned to her.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” she said quickly. “I'm just glad you think you’re going to win.”
“Do you not think we’re going to win?” Regulus said with a frown.
“Of course I do!” Pandora said, a little too cheerfully. Regulsu shoved her. “You're just as bad as them.” he said with a mocking tone. Pandora grinned.
“Just the truth…” she replied.
Regulus knew Pandora was probably right. The first match of the season, Slytherin vs. Gryffindor, was drawing near, and while the Slytherin team had been playing decently, he had heard that Gryffindor was fantastic. James Potter was the star of the team, according to the gossipy Slytherin second years that talked endlessly about his stupid hair in the common room. As the match drew closer, Regulus was slowly becoming more and more anxious, both at the prospect of playing before the whole school, and for some reason, seeing James for the first time since the try-outs, face to face in the middle of the air.
The fateful day drew nearer, and the whispers intensified. Soon, even Rudolphus Lestrange was almost in tears shouting at the Slytherins each morning, his voice growing hoarser and hoarser. The team, however, was flying better than ever. Perhaps under the pressure of the entire school watching their upcoming game, or the threat of four hundred push-ups that Rudolphus had been hinting at all week, every member was working harder than they ever had. Regulus himself began arriving at practice half an hour early, to throw a few extra snitches before everyone else arrived. The little gold ball began to flit before his vision even in classes, and when he collapsed onto his bed exhausted each night, Quaffles and Bludgers filled his dreams.
“Alright, team.” Rudolphus said sharply at the end of practice Friday morning. The match was the next day, and the entire team was looking especially pale and silent.
“We are going to win this match. We have trained for it, all of you-” he met Regulus’s eyes. “Have worked for this win, and we will not let the Gryffindors take that from us.”
The team cheered, and Regulus couldn't help but joining in.
“We are NOT ALLOWED TO LOSE” Rudolphus shouted, his cheeks flushing. “NONE OF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO LOSE.”
The team sounded their agreement. Behind Regulus, Yaxley let out a whoop.
“and if you do…” Lestrange continued, his face darkening. He didn't finish his sentence, but Regulus felt a thrill of fear at the look in the Slytherin’s eyes.
“He has a bet going with Rookwood that the team will win.” Regulus heard the keeper-whose name he never quite caught- whisper to her friend as the team slowly made their way back to the changing rooms.
“How much?”
“50 Galleons, I think.”
The friend sucked in a breath, and Regulus felt like doing the same. Rudolphus’s brooding expressions and harsh attitude now made sense. He found himself next to McNair, who bent down to whisper to him.
“Don't be the one to lose Black, Rudolph will have your skin.”
Regulus turned towards the older boy, shoving the fear from his eyes and assuming an unaffected expression. McNair didn't look menacing, but cast a worried look over his shoulder.
“Focus on yourself, McNair.” Regulus snapped. McNair retreated a bit, looking confused at his icy tone.
“I'm just saying.” he said. “You better catch that snitch.”
“I will.” Regulus replied sharply.
But McNair was already walking away, joining another conversation with a rowdy laugh, and Regulus was left feeling like snakes were curling around his insides. Looking back at Rudolphus, who was glowering at yet another line-up on his clipboard, Regulus let out a shaky breath.
They really had to win this game.