A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 1: Chapter 3

Part 1:

Chapter 3 –

November 2nd, 1995

Despite the cold chill running through Emilia's body, she doesn't remember there ever being moment where she had been more excited. Well, not that she remembered much, but she was officially deciding today was a new core memory for her.

Emilia wrapped the Gryffindor scarf tighter around her neck, suddenly wishing she had listened to Hermione and brought a hat to protect her head from the winter wind. Her new blonde locks flew around her face as she heard a giggle from her left.

"I told you to bring a hat Emilia, these games tend to get cold because of how high up we are," Hermione said as she grabbed a hold of Emilia's hand and started dragging her towards the quidditch field.

Today they were attending Emilia's first quidditch game, - that she could remember - although she had to read a book about it to get information on the sport before today, seeing as quidditch is a national thing and something even a student from Beauxbaton's should be familiar with. After hours of research on the sport, she came to realize that it was quite an extravagant and vicious game, something that she found herself excited to watch.

It also happened to be Harry's first game back since Umbitch – yes, we are still calling her that, despite Hermione's dispute of the name – cancelled quidditch and Gryffindor had to go through a whole process of getting their team reinstated. Harry had come to breakfast that morning and was excited to finally be back out on the field, Ron on the other hand was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

After hearing that quidditch was back and that they were to play a game that evening against Slytherin, Ron looked at the food on his plate in distaste and suddenly gained a green tint to his skin. In all honesty, Emilia found it quite amusing to watch. Eventually Harry's enthusiasm overcame Ron's nervousness and him and Harry started discussing plans on how to win the game.

Staring down at the game now, the colours of red and gold, and green and silver overcame the field as the players flew out to the pitch. Cheers erupted through the crowd and Emilia smiled to herself, joining in on the cheering as even Hermione placed her book down to join in with the crowd.

Emilia watched as Professor Hooch blew her whistle to signal the start of the game, and the sea of colours flew around the field. Angelina Johnson – the captain of the team as Hermione told her – sped the quaffle along down the field, passing it along to Katie Bell before it was intercepted by Adrian Pucey. Adrian swept it along the field, ducking through the masses of Gryffindor players, and hitting Fred Weasley pretty hard in the process.

Emilia gasped as she saw Fred temporarily fall off his broom before grabbing a hold and pulling himself up. George, Fred's twin brother, flew over to check on him, nodding before flying towards Adrian.

Emilia wondered if this was how the sport was normally played and it seemed as if Adrian was ignoring the rules of the game and targeting the Gryffindor's instead. From what she had read, quidditch was a game of strength and balance. Each team, equipped with 7 players, had the fundamental task of gaining points, whether through beating the quaffle through the goal or seeking out the snitch, which was Harry's task.

At that thought, Emilia looked around the pitch, trying to find the black head of unruly hair that belonged to Harry Potter. Spotting him racing through the field, ducking beneath players, Emilia grabbed a hold of Hermione's arm.

"Hermione look! I think that Harry spotted the snitch!" She squealed in excitement.

Hermione turned her head towards where Emilia was pointing, and a pale flush took over her face. Emilia having noticed turned back towards the game, seeing that although Harry had found the snitch, Fred and George were now battling it out with a few Slytherins in the middle of the game. Diverting her attention back to Harry, she saw Draco Malfoy rush towards him.