Tryouts
Victoire and Jade sat in the library their first Friday back at Hogwarts, getting as much of their homework done as possible to ensure that they could enjoy their weekend to the fullest.
"Vic?" Jade called in an uncertain voice.
"Hmm?"
"Have you pissed off any Slytherins lately?"
"Not intentionally. Why?"
"Because that Rookwood bloke is eyeing you like you murdered his grandmother and stole his birthday cake." Jade squinted at him, cocking her head to the side. "Or is that his happy face? Hard to tell."
Victoire looked up from her Charms assignment and saw Salvatore Rookwood staring at her from across the library as if she were interesting to him. "Oh, him. That's Salvatore, he's my Potions partner and he's a right prick. Don't worry about him."
"I'm not worried about him, but I'm a little worried for you. Why does he look so angry?! Did you actually kill his gran or something? I was just joking about that."
"No, but I've half a mind to kill him," Vic said, shooting a glance back towards him. He was sat comfortably in his chair, his legs opened unnecessarily wide as he looked the picture of masculine arrogance. His dark brown eyes held the promise of his thoughts being just as filthy as the comments he freely makes towards her.
Vic looked away from him, feigning disinterest as she closed up her books and packed away her things. Truthfully, Salvatore got her all kinds of hot and bothered - not that she'd ever admit it or give the asshole the satisfaction of knowing so. She bid Jade goodbye as it was nearly five, and Ravenclaw's Quidditch tryouts were being held today.
She sat on the bleachers as she watched the Beaters trying out first, noticing a group of Gryffindor boys in her periphery that most definitely weren't supposed to be there. As a prefect, she was well within her right to tell them off so she stood and made her way towards them.
Her heart rate spiked as she noticed Kit Stone, Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, at the heart of the group surrounded by his friends and teammates. Vic played it cool, putting on her bitchiest mask of indifference as she felt Kit's eyes roaming up her body.
"Hey Vicky!" Kit called, giving her his brightest, most dashing smile.
Victoire was immediately caught offguard by his overfamiliarity. "Don't call me that."
Kit frowned as if affronted by her rejection of his nickname. "Well, what can I call you then, babe?"
"What? I don't know, but you all can't be here. This is a closed tryouts session."
Kit smirked in a way that Vic guessed was enough to get him out of trouble with most of his doting admirers. But not her.
"Just trying to feel out the competition, no harm done. We're friends, right, babe?"
"Stop calling me babe. And no, not really. I think this is the first time we've spoken directly."
Kit pouted again like a little kid who was told he can't have candy before dinner. "Can't call you Vicky, can't call you babe...You're so bossy! The second part of your name doesn't really work well for a nickname, though. If I start calling you Twa, I'm afraid people will think it's short for twat. And that's really rather rude, and I'm a gentleman." He puffed out his chest ridiculously and Vic bit down on her lip to keep from smiling. He was like an overgrown toddler trapped in the muscular body of a demi-god, with floppy blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
"Well, you'll probably call me a twat anyways considering I'm gonna have to pull the prefect card on you guys and give you detention if-,"
"Weasley, you're up for Chaser tryouts!"
Victoire huffed under her breath and threw Kit a threatening look as he looked at her innocently, shouting, "Go on, Twa!"
What the hell was that? She wondered as she mounted her broom and began flying. I'm surprised the brainless oaf knows my name to begin with, she thought as she effortlessly tossed the quaffle through the post. She fought a smile as she heard Kit screaming from the bench, "YES, TWA! PENETRATE THAT POST!"
At the very least, she'd have a laugh about it with Jade later. When she was told she'd made the team, she gathered her things and headed towards the locker room when she noticed Kit approach her, this time alone.
"Good job out there, Twa. I hope I didn't embarrass you with my cheering."
"I'm not easily ruffled," she responded. "Though I'm not sure I like the nickname Twa much, either."
Kit grinned cheekily, and Vic thought idly that she understood why women seemed to flock around him. His charm was tangible, something about him just drew you in despite yourself.
"Well, maybe we can figure out one you will like together next week at the party in Gryffindor common room. We're already counting on crushing Hufflepuff in the first match of the season, so are you game to celebrate Gryffindor's victory with me?"
Vic wondered what on earth possessed him to extend such an invitation to her. She wondered if her indifference to his charm threw him for a loop, and he was now working for her admiration that women usually threw at him instantly. She doubted he'd ever had to put in any work at all towards a woman before, considering the sheer volume of willing women around him at any given moment.
"No thanks," she said.
Kit looked devastated at her refusal, as if he couldn't understand how anyone could say no to him.
Vic began walking away as he said, "You can bring a friend. If you change your mind, the offer still stands."
She pretended not to hear, secretly enjoying seeing the king of Gryffindor practically groveling.
***
Later that night in the common room, Vic sat with Jade and Link around the marble fireplace. Moonlight streamed through the tall arched windows into the circular tower room. Link lazily stroked someone's pet cat as he stared into the fire. Vic watched him dreamily, looking forward to spending some quality prefect time with him this year.
"What's wrong with this picture?" Jade asked no one in particular.
Vic looked towards her. "What do you mean?"
"It's our first Friday night back in our last year at Hogwarts. Shouldn't we be partying or doing something illegal?"
"I'm having a great time with Mr. Winkles here, thank you very much," Link said in a mock defensive tone. Mr. Winkles purred his agreement.
Jade sighed. "I forgot you two are prefects, Merlin help me. Looks like I'm destined to have no fun this year with you two goody-two shoes for best friends."
Victoire sat up in her seat. "Hey! We can be crazy, right Link?"
"Oh, yeah, totally. Like the other day..." he leaned his head in conspiratorially towards Jade as he whispered, "I ate a snack in the library. While touching books."
"That's it. Off to Azkaban," Jade deadpanned, earning a chuckle from Link.
Vic figured now was as good a time as any to break the news. "Speaking of parties, you'll never guess who invited me and a friend to a Gryffindor House party next week, preemptively celebrating their win against Hufflepuff."
"Who?" Jade asked eagerly, grasping the arms of her chair in anticipation.
"Kit Stone," Vic replied, looking bored as she thumbed through her book.
"WHAT?! TELL ME EVERYTHING!! I need an outfit, oh my god!!" Jade started jumping and pacing like a madwoman, frightening several first years.
Victoire giggled at her predictable reaction, explaining the strange encounter they shared earlier at tryouts. She was pleased to note that Link looked a little pouty, potentially jealous at Kit bestowing attention on her.
"I told him I'm not going," Vic said before Jade could get even more carried away, if possible.
"You WHAT?" Jade shouted, placing her hands on her hips.
"I'm a prefect, Jade. I can't. Besides, I don't care to - my little cousins are in Gryffindor House but besides them, I'm not that familiar with any of them."
"You can get as cozy as you'd like with Kit if we go!" Jade pleaded.
Vic fought an eye roll as she said, "I don't fancy that idea at all."
"Neither do I," Link said, a possessive tone in his voice that made Vic look at him. He was looking at her in a way he'd never before, all shyness gone. In its place was an intense longing that made heat pool between her thighs. She felt her cheeks flushing as Jade pulled her attention away from Link.
"Come on Jade, Link can handle prefect duties for that night. You don't have to stay long, but since you were the one who was invited, just go so that I can go with you even if you leave early, alright?"
Vic blew out a breath. "Okay. Fine. But if Link gives you detention, you deserve it."
"Who's to say I won't punish you, too?" Link challenged, a smirk playing around his lips as his green eyes lit up playfully, possibilities of potential punishments for her swirling within them.
Luckily, Jade was too busy planning her party outfit and squealing with excitement to notice Vic biting her lip, practically panting for Link. Maybe she'd test just how far she could push Link if his jealousy caused him to act so temptingly.