Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 30 - Wins and Losses

February nears it's end and the next match of the season in here.  I don my quidditch robes and grab my broom.  Today is our match against Gryffindor.  It's a shame George and Fred won't be playing today.  That would have been a lot of fun. Alas, Umbridge is sticking with her life ban decree, so both twins and Harry are stuck in the stands. All three are obviously supporting their house, decked out in red and gold. However when I make eye contact with George, he subtly waves a small Hufflepuff banner in greeting.

Grinning like a idiot, I wave back before meeting up with the team. I chug some water while Alex gives us a pep talk. Apparently Gryffindor is struggling a bit due to the mid season player changes, but I know better than to underestimate them. Especially Miss Ginny Weasley. I've seen her practice during DA meetings, and that girl is a force reckoned with. The only thing stronger than her skills, is her personality.

Alex dismisses us, and we head out to the pitch single file. Edwin and I give each other a nod, ready to put our practiced skills to work. Hopefully everything we trained for over break pays off. Madam Hooch blows her whistle, and we're off!

Edwin and I watch the bludgers fly into the air, each keeping an eye on one. He flies off in pursuit of one, and I follow the other. It zooms towards Zach, and I quickly intercept it, using my bat to knock it in Alicia's direction. She maneuvers around it, barely avoiding the projectile. However in doing so, Zach is able to snatch the quaffle from her. Cursing, she pursues him and I continue to track my bludger.

I glance up to see Summerby patrolling for the snitch. A catch this early would be an easy win. However that is a rare occurrence. I see an opportunity for a clean shot at Angelina and I take it, sending the bludger hurtling in her direction. I feel a pang of guilt as she nearly tumbles off of her broom, but remind myself that this is what the game is.

Lee Jordan's commentary of the match is rather one sided, constantly praising the Gryffindors for every little success. Edwin catches my eye at one point, sticking out his tongue. Seems like he noticed too. I chuckle to myself and fly off to defend Hillary.

The match is rather heated, and for a bit it seems like all is lost. Gryffindor is ahead by a hundred and forty, and the snitch is nowhere to be seen. I'm doing everything in my power to keep the Gryffindor chasers at bay, but the three girls have been working together for so long, it's hard to compete against such a well oiled team.

I'm trying to line up a shot at Bell, when I see Summerby suddenly take off. Immediately the Weasley girl gives chase, and I realize the snitch has been spotted. Of course Lee starts going on about Ginny will obviously be the one to catch it, earning a well deserved reprimand from McGonagall.

I see Katie about to make a shot, and quickly send the bludger her way. If we want a win for Hufflepuff, we have to make sure we're no more than a hundred and forty behind. One more goal, and we'd be tied. She looks like she has a clear shot since Alex is distracted by the two seekers. Desperate, I hit the bludger as hard as I can. It flies towards her, smacking into the back end of her broom, sending her spinning off to the side.

The commotion catches Alex's attention and his eyes widen when he realizes his near costly mistake. I give him a light nod and head after my bludger. I almost reach it when the stands erupt in cheers. Someone must have caught the snitch, I just don't know who yet.

"Against all odd, Summerby somehow managed to catch the snitch! I don't know how he was able to do it when facing one of the most talented seekers, but luck was favoring him today." Lee announces, nearly getting smacked my McGonagall. "I mean, fantastic play by the Hufflepuffs. A well deserved win!"

Both teams land and the pitch fills with students of both houses. I'm jostled about by beaming Hufflepuffs as they congratulate us on our win. I can't help but grin. This is my first ever win, and it feels good. Somehow in all the commotion, Alex manages to make his way to me.

"Taylor!" He shouts over the noise, bringing me in for a hug. "You really saved the game back there."

"Thanks." My face flushes at the praise. "Just doing my best Captain."

"No doubt. You and Edwin have improved a lot. We'd have lost otherwise." He releases me and is immediately swept away by a see of yellow and black. My heart fills with joy and pride. As much as I hate to admit it. Mom was right, there's nothing quite like a quidditch win.

***

The next morning, I'm sitting at breakfast with the team, going over everything that happened in the game yesterday. Good strategies, ones that need improvement, and general game play. As we're eating, the morning owls come flying in, bringing letters and packages to the students. I'm surprised when I spot my mom's owls. Usually she sends them on Tuesdays. I'm even more surprised when the owl drops a red letter on my plate.

"You got a howler?" Alex stares at it, confused. "Whatever did you do that deserved a howler?"

I look at Edwin, panic in my eyes. He seems to be thinking the same thing I am. Somehow, my mom found out I've been lying to her.

"Just open it. I'll just get worse if you wait." The sympathy in his eyes makes my heart sink. I've never received a howler before. It must mean mom's super upset at me. Taking a deep breath, the eyes of all my team mates on me, I pop open the letter. Immediately my mother's voice start screaming through the great hall, making me flinch.

"Hazel Azalea Taylor, how dare you lie to your mother!" Her voice catches the attention of the entire great hall, even Umbridge is watching with an amused look on her face. "You told me you didn't make the quidditch team! Now imagine my surprise when I came to watch the game yesterday, and none other than my own daughter was in the air! You know how much quidditch means to me as ex captain of the Holyhead Harpies! And you hid it from me! I hope you're happy that you've hurt your own mother!"

With that, the red envelopes shreds itself, the scraps raining down on my breakfast. Tears fill my eyes and I grit my teeth, determined not to let them fall. After a few seconds of silence, the hall starts filling with chatter again. I can't help but feel like everyone's talking to me.

"I'll see you guys later." I quickly stand up, practically running from the hall. I see Edwin try to stand to follow me, but Alex shakes his head, asking him to give me some space. Once I'm away from everyone, I can't hold back the tears. They stream down my face as I stumble through the halls. I find a quiet corner far away from everything and sink against the wall. I bring my knees up to my chest and bury my face in them, completely giving in to the sobs.

How could my mom humiliate me like that? How could she accuse me of being happy that I hurt her? I didn't do this to hurt her. Why can she not realize that? This isn't about her. Why does everything have to be about her, and how she feels? Why can't it be about me? My sadness starts to morph into anger as I sit there. I can't enjoy quidditch because of her. Her and her stupid expectations, always making things hard. And the guilt I feel when she looks at me with those disappointed eyes. Why do I have to feel bad for not watching to be her? For not wanting to let her live vicariously through me? Why is it all my fault?

I lift my head as tears of anger now flow down my cheeks. Fine. If this is how she thinks things are, then I'll make it true.

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