Hogwarts: a school of Witchcraft and Love (Tom Marvolo Riddle x F!reader)

Chapter 2-01

After months of practicing flying under Madam Hooch's wing, you managed what most students would never be able to do: land yourself a spot in the prestigious Gryffindor Quidditch team.

You nervously looked up into the sky, part of you hoping that no one could tell how much of a novice you were, but then again, you were the youngest member in the team so it was obvious.

The sky somehow seemed wider today than ever before, and yet smaller in the way things could only be when they were personal and especially meaningful.

You walked across the green, towards the spot where three broomsticks were lined up, ready for takeoff. One was for Gillian, who was team Captain for his second year in a row, plus Katy and Bea&two other girls from seventh year that had been picked to play Seeker and Defender.

Gillian introduced you to them. They seemed friendly and welcoming, but you could see their competitive spirit. They were all determined to win the upcoming match. Everyone seemed so confident in their abilities as they prepared themselves mentally for the practice session ahead.

You gulped hard against a dry throat as you took hold of yours. Admittedly, it was a little bit scary to fly with students that had played together for years. You felt a little bit like an outsider. What if you made no good impression?

Gillian came your way to hand you a pair of gloves which helped make gripping the handle more comfortable, but all the same your hands were sweating anxiously underneath them now.

"Don't be so nervous. We're here to help you." The other two seventh-year girls on the team also gave you words of encouragement as they helped set the equipment up.

After a brief warm-up session on the ground, it was time for you to mount your broomstick and take to the skies.
You steeled yourself and mounted your broom, feeling the wood beneath your hands. As you lifted off the ground, very quickly all your fears and insecurities simmered away. There was no place to think about them when you were up in the air.

You flew behind him, trying to keep up with his pace. He showed you how to perform basic maneuvers like turns and loops while Bea and Katy cheered you on from below.

Before long you were smiling and laughing while also trying to keep any unwelcome flies from entering your mouth. The wind whipping against your skin created an intense feeling. It was almost indescribable as you maneuvered between two tall trees at either end of a huge expanse of grassy grounds below, seeing the few students that were awake look up at you in awe as you zoomed by.

With the wind in your ears it was hard to make out what Gillian yelled at the girls below, but you stayed behind him as he dove closer to the ground without actually touching it.

"That was great," Gillian approved of what he had seen and nodded at Bea, who threw him a quaffle before getting on her own broomstick. "We really need to work on our passing if we want to beat the other Houses, though. Let's see what you can do with this (Y/N)!"

You readied yourself for his pass. But instead of throwing it directly at you, Gillian put all his strength into it and lobbed it high above your head. The force of the throw knocked you backwards slightly, but you quickly recovered and flew after the quaffle.

When you caught up with it, you saw that Gillian was already well ahead of you. He looked back over his shoulder and grinned before putting on a burst of speed that left you far behind him in an instant.

You were so not letting him get away with that. Every second you were on your broom became easier, and you felt yourself improving with each passing minute, gaining more confidence and control over your broomstick.