Sparks Fly || A George Weasley Story

Year 4: To The Pitch and Back

I stared up at the ceiling, not exactly feeling like going to class today. Technically nothing was stopping me from staying here, except maybe my conscious, but I was sure that I could beat away that anxious feeling with a broom if necessary. 

I sighed, getting up out of bed and putting on the bare minimum of my uniform: my button down, my skirt, tie, and shoes. It was cold outside, and a robe would be the smart thing to put on, but I didn't really plan on making it outside today, so I left it in a bundle on the floor in front of my trunk as I walked out of the room where Heather was still sleeping. 

There were a few students milling about in the common room, but none of them made a move to speak to me, so I left to get some breakfast. I'd missed breakfast and lunch yesterday, and I wasn't planning on doing it again. I get awful dizzy when I don't eat, and I was hoping to practice a little bit on the pitch during my break today, so I certainly didn't need to pass out and fall to my death. I'd already fell off my broom on purpose once, and I'd eaten breakfast that day. 

When I walked in the great hall, it was already buzzing with commotion. There was no telling what everyone was going on about, but I was sure that I would hear about it later, either from Heather or Tamara, who would say that she doesn't gossip, but does just as much as the rest of us. Or maybe, I'd hear exactly what it was going on from the twins who I would inevitably see at some point today. Perhaps they'd even come over to pester me while I tried to eat my toast. 

Speaking of, I took a seat and started piling my plate full of food. I didn't care if it's what I normally ate for breakfast or not, I needed to eat. 

"Hey there, Juniper," Wesley said, taking a seat in front of me, "Are you ready for our game this weekend?"

"Mhm," I mumbled through a mouthful of bread. 

"Good, because Flint has been a proper arsewipe since he saw me yesterday morning," He sighed, "I'm not even captain anymore and I'm still getting shit about it." 

I took a long sip of juice, "Maybe when we beat them into the ground, he'll learn to keep his bloody mouth shut."  

"Yeah, hopefully, we do a lot better than we did against Ravenclaw." Wesley shook his head. 

"Listen, dislocated shoulder or not, I'm going to be out there on the pitch, and no one is going to be able to beat us. I'm going to make sure of it." I nodded, hoping to console him. 

"Oh, of course," He nodded, scratching the back of his neck, "I'm just a little worried. I don't know what Cedric was thinking when he put Zach on the team instead of Oleander." 

"I know exactly what was going through his head," I said, "He was hoping that by replacing Oleander, it wouldn't look like he was playing favorites by keeping the same team. I don't know why he's worried about that, it's not like Wood ever puts anyone new on his team." 

"You still on about Wood? Honestly, Poppet, if I didn't know that your mate was hopping on his broomstick every night, I'd think you were swooning over him instead of your sweet little gingerbread boy." A very thick Irish accent laughed as Pandora slid into the seat next to me. 

"Have I ever told you how much I hate every word that comes out of your mouth?" I asked, smiling over at her. 

"No, but now you have," She shrugged, "Anyways, guess who I heard has their eye on you! I think it's so funny." 

"Pandora, whoever it is, I don't really care. I've got other things to worry about right now."

"Listen, poppet, what you need right now is something not so serious to focus on right now. I think it's exactly what you need," She rolled her eyes, "So, I heard that little Draco Malfoy has his sneaky little eye on you."