Rematch
"Ladies, laddies, and la LGBTQ+ welcome to the Quidditch Cup finals! Today we have another familiar sight. Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor!"
The respective teams fly out of their tunnels and up into the sky as the crowd cheers their name. Amongst the voices one could hear the chants of "HOGWARTS FINEST!"
Up in their box the older students watch the pregame display with somber smiles.
Abby noticed their "You guys alright?"
"Yes, dear." Sky answers, gently patting Abby on the head. "We're just going to miss this."
"Not so much the deafening yells, no?" Victor gently nudged Mel with his elbow.
"No, those will not be missed. That view, however, will be." Mel purrs as Jayce flies past their box, Caitlyn flying along beside him.
"This is an important game for Ravenclaw, folks. The final game of Jayce Talis as captain of the team."
There are yells of 'awww' and other words and expressions of disappointment at the announcement. Jayce takes a moment to hover above the center of the pitch and wave towards the students in the stands.
"Pretty Boy preening his feathers." Powder snarks in jest. Mel and Vicktor chuckle at the statement.
"Captain Wick and Co-captain Miller meet Captain Talis and Co-captain Kiramman center field."
"Sorry golden boy, you're leaving without that last Quidditch win." Vi purred, Daphney grinning behind her.
"Let's see you put your money where your mouth is, Wick." Jayce snaps back.
"Apologies, Vi. You're going to be eating your words very soon." Caitlyn taunted in her silky posh voice.
"Teams take their positions, Coach Grayson steps onto the pitch… AND THE GAME BEGINS! Miller snatches the Quaffle from right under Kiramman!"
This time Vi and her team were prepared for Caitlyn's tactics but Caitlyn was prepared for hers. It was the complete synergy of Ravenclaw against the independent teamwork of Gryffindor.
"KIRAMMAN SCORES! 10 POINTS TO RAVENCLAW!"
Sadly Vi has never won against Caitlyn in a game of strategy. She can't calculate, can't move the pieces on the board to her will. What she does have, is full faith in her team and she knew as long as they blocked shots long enough their Seeker would beat the Ravenclaw Seeker for the Snitch.
"MILLER SCORES! 10 POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!"
The first half of the game was difficult.
"Bold move from Burke but Wick ain't easy to down!"
But manageable.
"Kiramman moves to intercept. Miller passes to Katie. Akagi goes in to ste- oof solid shoulder by Howarth! KATIE SCORES! 10 POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR! Score's up 40-30, Gryffindor in the lead."
Her team shared passing highfives but Vi had an odd sense of foreboding. Caitlyn knew how to play the long con and Vi could only hope her team was prepared.
"Think they've gotten cocky enough?" Jayce asked Caitlyn in passing.
"Yes. I'll signal the team. Let's hope this works." Caitlyn replied, voice taut.
"RAVENCLAW'S SWITCHING TACTICS! They've got their Beaters focusing Vi. She's barely got a chance to breathe! Akagi is hounding Miller! Girl can't shake him!"
Vi was trying her best to think but all that brain power was currently working to keep her from getting domed by a Bludger or bodied by a Beater. Her mind focused on dodging to the point she couldn't keep eyes on her team. Maldon tried to help her but he'd been downed by Tande. She needed to stay calm but every second she only got more and more enraged.
It was Chasers vs Chasers now. With the Ravenclaw beaters focusing Vi, and the other Gryffindor Beater downed it was up to the Chasers to keep the game going and that's exactly what Caitlyn wanted.
"KIRAMMAN SCORES! 10 POINTS TO RAVENCLAW!"
"KIRAMMAN SCORES! 10 POINTS TO RAVENCLAW!"
"KIRAMMAN SCORES! 10 POINTS TO RAVENCLAW!"
Without the distractions it was easier for Caitlyn to score point after point- she was a woman on a mission gods damn it- but she was under pressure. Soon enough the Gryffindor Seeker would likely catch the Snitch. This trick would only work once and Vi will definitely be furious but this was Jayce's final game. She had to.
"CLAVERDON HAS CAUGHT THE GOLDEN SNITCH! 150 POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR! IN A SURPRISING TURN OF EVENTS- RAVENCLAW WINS AT 190-200! That's the game folks! This has been Nicholas Olney, it's been a pleasure announcing for you all."
—
By the time the Ravenclaw Beaters backed off and the cheers reached her ears, Vi was panting, infuriated, on edge, and ready to tear somebody a new one for the shit they'd just pulled. That all came simmering down when she looked over the celebrating Ravenclaws.
There, hugging her honorary brother and being spun around like some cheesy romance movie, was Caitlyn. The MVP of the game smiling like the sun, surrounded by her peers.
Vi turned away to join her team on the pitch. They were just as tired but when she landed they looked at her with wide smiles.
"You held up real fuckin good up there boss." Their Keeper, Zakir Murphy, chuckled and patted her shoulder.
"Sorry, Vi. I tried to lose Akagi." Daphney's head hung low.
Vi frowned at this. She reached out and pulled the younger Zaunite into a gross, sweaty, but no less affectionate hug. "You shut it. You did great."
Vi pulled back and looked at her team. "You all did. Gryffindor will get that cup next year but let's give Ravenclaw this one. Golden Boy is graduating after all." Vi grinned at her housemates who cheered and laughed.
Satisfied with their response Vi looked back over to the celebrating Ravenclaws. Blue and Gray eyes met across the field. Caitlyn was still beaming and her heart melted at the sight.
"Simp." Daphney whispered.
Vi couldn't deny.