The Little Lightning Girl

57- I Trade a Game-Winning Snitch for a Torn Shoulder Ligament

Rose and I got ready for our game in the Weasley tent, both of us incredibly anxious about the match to follow. I was just donning my robes when Kaley returned from spending time with James.

"Those are definitely your colors," Kaley said, gesturing at the garment I was lacing up. The uniform for our Junior league team was a combination of navy, gold, and silver, and I had to admit I rather enjoyed the look.

Without asking or even mentioning it, Kaley stepped behind me and began tightly fixing my hair. Her clever fingers tucked my dark hair into a French braid that hung down my back, streaks of gold woven throughout. She often was the one who secured my hair for school Quidditch matches, so she knew what to do. She then moved to Rose as I reached to put on my shoes.

"Are you nervous?" Kaley asked.

Rose groaned, "Everyone knows you don't ask an obviously nervous person that!"

Kaley rolled her eyes and started on Rose's second braid, "You two are the best players on that field. You're going to crush the other team."

I winced, "Well, I'm not sure. We had a good practice but... I hear Canadians are actually pretty good at Quidditch."

"No, they're just good at Hockey," Kaley stated.

I laughed but Rose frowned, "What the hell is Hockey?"

I snorted, but left Kaley to explain, "It's a sport played on ice, with skates and sticks. It's almost more violent than Quidditch."

Rose's frown turns thoughtful, then back to anxious, "The fact that they're violent doesn't actually make me less nervous, oddly enough."

"Well I never had a vision about today, so I'm as in the dark as you," Kaley shrugged, then finished Rose's hair.

The Seer grabbed both me and Rose into a hug at the same time, her slight height advantage allowing her to rest her arms on our shoulders. I gripped her back tightly, realizing that my hands were actually shaking.

"Really truly, you're going to do amazing," Kaley said softly.

I huffed and nodded, "We don't have a choice."

...................

Victor gathered the team just outside the locker rooms and pulled us into a circle. Dressed in identical uniforms, it finally felt like they were a team, not seven strangers from around the world. Even Victor wore an everyday robe that sported the same Blue and gold of their Quidditch robes.

"You have worked hard. You are no longer individuals, now you are a team. I chose you because you have talent, skill, intelligence. So play smart, work together, and you will win."

Hums of agreement, and possibly of nerves, ran through the huddle. A whistle blew, signaling that it was time for the game to begin. Without hesitation, we lined up in the normal order, Chasers, Beaters, Keeper, then Seeker. As we walked toward the entrance to the field, I saw Rose's shoulders lift at each steady breath. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. We had made it this far, and through far worse than a game of Quidditch.

I could hear when the announcer spoke, "Introducing the Junior league team under Gwenog Jones! Chasers, Alan Welsh, Derek Barnes, and Freya Elwood!"

With my keen ears, I heard the swoosh of air as each player flew onto the field and into their positions.

"Beaters Ivan Atwell and Hayden Davis! Keeper Parker Green, and Seeker Wesley Young!"