Hufflepuffs Melody - O.W

3 - The Team

The Hufflepuff common room was full of excitement as the eager new recruits waited for the quidditch results. Cedric was greeted with cheers as he pinned the results to the board near the door and hurried quickly over to Melody and her friends.

'You look stressed,' Alex observed,

'You don't,' Cedric replied taking in his outstretched body splayed over the sofa his head in Melody's lap, 'it's hard though,' he carried on, 'I feel so bad for the people who don't make the team I don't want them to think it's personal.'

'Oh Cedric, don't be ridiculous I can hardly fly and even I know that no one would think that,' Olivia quipped from her seat, her head still buried in her transfiguration book.

'Anyway, if they give you any shit they can deal with me and ill put them in detention,' Mel smirked.

Cedric nodded and visibly relaxed,

'Right, I'm going to the library,' Olivia announced standing up looking at Melody expectantly.

'I'm meeting Eleanor actually, but I'll walk out with you,'

Much to Alex's protests about having to move the two girls bid farewell to their friends and made their way out of the common room laughing at Cedric who was trying to not let Alex use him as a cushion.

'So who has made the team?' Olivia inquired at the sound of a crying third year that Melody tried to shoot a comfortable look, 'I mean clearly not her,' she giggled slightly and was answered by a slap from Melody.

'Don't be mean, she was terrible though dropped the flaming beaters bat, twice. Surely she should of realised she didn't have a shot.' Melody laughed despite herself. 'So, there's me and Ced then Malcolm got chaser this time along with Heidi Macavoy and Tamsin Applebee. They'll be fine I'm sure but I'm a little worried about the beaters, I didn't have the best selection,' she continued on as they manoeuvred their way past a group of Slytherins that looked like they were up to no good. 'Yeah, so the beaters are Maxine O'Flaherty and Anthony Rickett, they're good players individually but I think I'll struggle to get them to work as a team, maybe I should have chosen Branstone instead-'

'-doubting your team before your first practice, that must be a new record, it's gonna be easy to win this year lass,' a rich Scottish voice said from behind her.

Shit, she thought to herself try to keep some cards close to your chest idiot.

'Olliewollie,' she span around with a sickly sweet smile, 'eavesdropping are we, didn't realise you were in Slytherin.'

'I don't need to cheat to win, Fawley.'

'Because you've been doing so well without it,' she deadpanned,

'At least I trust my team, great leadership skills their cap,' he countered.

'If I was you I'd worry about filling Charlie Weasley's reputation,' she cocked her eyebrow taking a step closer thinking she had the upper ground back.

'Filled it actually, already got a seeker,' he said with a step, 'and if its failed to reach your notice,' he carried on closing the space in between them, 'my beaters are identical twins,' he stepped even closer they were almost touching, 'they're practically the same person, one brain. Have fun with your little team lass.'

Melody tried to stand her ground, she tried not to move but he was still moving forwards and he was so much taller than her, retreating would show weakness and she wouldn't do that. She was so focused on not moving and keeping eye contact she lost balance stumbling backwards holding in a curse at Oliver's chuckle. He pushed past her and strutted down the hall.

'At least my beaters don't have one brain cell,' she shouted after him.

Olivia cringed, 'not your best line,'

'I know,' Mel snipped rolling her eyes, 'fuck sake,'

'Who do you think his seeker is?' Liv asked as they walked up the stairs,

'I don't know, who is there? Maybe Lee Jordan?'

Olivia murmured her agreement before the pair separated and Melody began her climb to the Gryffindor tower.

'Melly,' She heard an excited voice squeal,

'Hello Eleanor,' she replied cheerfully ruffling her hair and smiling at her friends, 'I'm Melody,' she introduced herself, 'You must be Percy's brother Ron.' She addressed the redhead who didn't seem the happiest at the comparison. Melody laughed, 'tough being compared to your brothers all the time ay? Got a lot to live up too?' she asked which was greeted by a mumble. She laughed again, 'So does Elle, it's gonna be hard to one-up me, I am pretty great,' she winked.

Weasley and his friend laughed but Eleanor didn't, Melody pecked her on the forehead quickly, 'you'll be quidditch captain, prefect and something else I'm sure, don't fret. You guys are only eleven anyway you need to learn your way around the castle before you start dealing with the crushing pressure of perfect siblings.'

Melody had just planned to catch up with Eleanor, but she quite enjoyed the company of Harry and Ron and decided to show the trio the kitchens. They were having a great conversation about Percy when he was younger, when Harry dropped the bomb, he was the Gryffindors new seeker.

'What?' Melody squealed, 'you're what?'

'Yeah,' Harry laughed nervously.

Melody span around to face Eleanor who was trying to not look nervous under her stare, 'you didn't tell me?'

'You're the competition now,' she replied with a smirk.

'Oh, it's on,' Mel replied simply scanning her sister, 'I'll see you later sis, watch your back,' she winked. Hurrying off to find Cedric.