𝔚𝔞𝔯 𝔬𝔣 ℌ𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔰 // 𝔍𝔞𝔪𝔢𝔰 𝔓𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯

SEVEN || The Bludger Mishap

Estella

November 22nd, 1974

For almost a month now, I've been struggling to come to terms with my feelings for a certain Gryffindor boy. It's strange how much he affects me, how every time I see him, I feel this desire to talk to him. Sometimes, when I'm lying awake in bed late at night, I find myself thinking about what it would feel like to hug him or to have his lips on mine. 

But as much as I know that he feels the same way, I can't confess my feelings to him. The reason? It's because we can't be together. Our families have a long-standing feud, and if they found out that we were together, it would be a disaster. I know that it's silly to let this get in the way of my happiness, but it's hard to ignore the reality of the situation.

Today, there's a quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and the anticipation in the air is palpable. This is a big deal because Slytherin and Gryffindor are huge rivals, and the added tension between the Black brothers just makes it all the more exciting. 

Everyone is talking about it at breakfast, and I can't help but feel nervous about what might happen. It's strange how something as simple as a quidditch match can have such a big impact on our lives, but that's just the way things are at Hogwarts.

After breakfast, everyone headed to the quidditch stands to watch the game.

"We're gonna win, I know we are. Regulus will catch the snitch like always, we just need to be about a hundred points up before that," Mattheo says, seating himself beside Vanya.

"We'd better win," I moan, sitting next to Mattheo. "Otherwise, we'll never hear the end of it from the Gryffindors," I finish, taking a sip of my pumpkin juice.

Earsplitting cheers erupt from the crowd as the Gryffindor team emerges from the dressing room, the song "Eye of the Tiger" is blasting as the teams walk-up music, but it's not quite as loud as the clapping and roars of the Gryffindor students.

The Slytherins walk up as well, all looking very serious, Regulus, I noticed is staring daggers at his older brother; Sirius does the same.

"It's the eye of the tiger

It's the thrill of the fight

Rising up to the challenge of our rival

And the last known survivor

Stalks his prey in the night

And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger"

The crowd screams the lyrics, sending chills down my spine in anticipation for my houses team victory. With every student on their feet up in the stands and the fourteen quidditch players assuming their positions, the music begins to die down slightly, Narcissa and the Gryffindor team captain shake hands, staring seriously into each others eyes.

I sneak a glance toward the Gryffindors, even from so far away I make out the figure and face of Mary. My lips part slightly, she winks once, and turns away. I feel my cheeks get hot, recalling the events that took place nearly a month ago. Mary and I haven't spoken a word to each other since that night.

The game begins and it's neck and neck, both teams playing fiercely. I watch as James Potter zooms by on his broom, chasing after the Quaffle. Why do I keep watching him? I try to focus on the game, cheering for our team, but my mind keeps wandering back to Potter.

The game continues stressfully, bludgers are hit, players dodge them. Sirius and Marlene McKinnon do good as the Beaters of the team.

I find myself continuing watching as James flies smoothly, his messy hair blowing in the wind, mesmerized. But every now and I then I roll my eyes at myself and rip my gaze away from the hazel eyed boy, only to find myself staring at him again two seconds later.