The Journal of Regulus Arcturus Black

Chapter 18. Hogsmeade, the Peacock

Quidditch try-outs was a simple task that Draco thought was going to be easy but really shouldn't have been undermined. He was met with hostility from both parties and yes, there were two very distinguished groups that were trying out. Girls and boys. In all fairness at least there were a few nice enough lads standing alongside the girls.

"Pansy?" Draco asked wearily, hand gripping his broomstick tightly whilst he tried to fight the autumn air curling around his body. "I didn't even know you wanted to play?"

"Oh I don't, but I think I can actually win if I'm a Chaser," she shrugged.

Draco squinted his eyes, looking past her and at Millie. "And Millie? You're trying out for chaser I pre—"

"Beater," she said, then turned to Greg and Vince giving them a helpless shrug, "no offense."

"None taken," Greg said, looking bored. Draco knew that if he wanted to win then there was no way he was going to let Greg play Quidditch. No offense again. Draco sighed, walking away from his friends and looking over at the old Quidditch players; big burly looking men that probably should have left school by now. He sighed and took a few steps back, calling attention to the segregated groups.

"Right! So what I'm going to do is have everyone try-out. No one is safe and all positions are available," he shouted. "Well except seeker," he muttered, pushing himself up on his broomstick and soaring away from the group. They all followed and Draco started to do laps around the Quidditch pitch, also not paying attention to Blaise and Theo who were in the stands and watching.

They were supposed to give moral support.

But instead they were arguing.

Draco rolled his eyes after his fifth lap around the pitch meaning the fifth time watching his two friends continue to argue. He didn't have time for them to bitch at each other when he needed to get players sorted. "Two more laps and we'll get started on actual position drills!" he ordered, flying down to Theo and Blaise.

He hovered just over them, arching his brow when he realised they weren't paying attention at all to him. "It's wrong is what it is!" Theo hissed.

"Merlin Theo it's my life—"

"It's not just yours- not when you're so involved—"

"I'm not!"

"That's the problem!"

Draco rolled his eyes and leant forward on his broom, effectively shoving Theo's shoulder. "Oi! You two are here for one reason and one reason only, to help. So I suggest putting a lid on whatever it is you've done Blaise and start to watch the others with me," he hissed, before flying away.

"How do you even know I did something wrong?!" Blaise called, whilst Theo grinned smugly.

Draco really did hate his friends sometimes.

He called attention to the still very distinguished groups of people trying out and started to call on people who wanted to be a keeper. Draco sighed, watching most people opt out of that position and then straightened up when he saw a familiar face fly over to the Quidditch hoops.

"Tommy?" he called, flying over to the boy. "You play?"

"I guess?" Tommy shrugged, gripping the school's broom tightly. He looked a little queasy up high in the pitch. He gave Draco a steely nod and tight smile, "I'm here because Aliza's being a dick and she dared me."

Draco arched his brow, "Aliza... your sister right? The Gryffindor?"

He nodded, "I usually don't care about stuff like that but she's watching me." He pointed over to a far corner in the stands where some students were sitting. Draco narrowed his eyes, immediately locking in on some jet-black and very messy hair. "Plus Keeper's the easiest position right?"