Haunted

Down Goes The Wicked Witch

Aurie was a bit nervous as she made her way to the Quidditch field. She wasn't sure what to make of herself and her confidence was extremely low. Would she be able to handle a broom again after a year off? Let alone handle a Bludger? She headed into the locker room to change into broom flying clothes. Grabbing one of the school's loners. She needed to buy a new broom, but wasn't going to stress over it if she didn't make the team. She was mostly nervous over looking like a fool in front of the handsome man. She'd die of embarrassment.

She peaked around the corner. Her eyes first met the quidditch captain, Septimus. Clad in his quidditch uniform. A Slytherin scarf wrapped around his neck. Other members of the team were there too. Imelda who flew around on her broom with a permanent resting bitch face. She moved with a force like a twister. Axel was there too, talking with Septimus. Aurie felt inadequate in the moment but she tried not to let it show.

Stepping out onto the field, she had a toughness about her. Gripping her broomstick a tad too tightly. Her knuckles growing whiter. She watched the members all stretch and get ready with their gear. Septimus walked towards her a whole foot taller than she was. Aurie had to force herself to look up at him. The severe want to touch him was hard to fight off. She wanted to punch herself.

"Since you've played before, I have no doubt you understand your role." His grey eyes bored into hers.

She nodded and rolled her eyes. "Keepers job is to protect their goal, seeker's job is to find the golden snitch and win the game. My job as a beater is to throw bludgers at our opponents. Am I missing anything, monsieur Malfoy?" A smirk teased the corner of her mouth. Her French accent danced around her words.

He signaled Axel to unlock the trunk that held the quaffed, the bludgers, and the small golden snitch. They all flew around. The team on their brooms ready for their practice to begin.

"Then I guess you'll have no issue joining them." A smirk adorned his own chiseled features.

Aurie was honestly shaking as she hopped on the broom. The broom took off with a quickness. She needed her muscle memory to come back. It's been too long. What does she do? Just as she figured it out Imelda slammed into her from the side.

"What's the matter, Cartier? Forget how to ride a broomstick?" The girl teased. It was obvious that she was trying to get under Aurie's skin.

It wasn't going to fly with her. She heard her name from the stands. Figured it was probably Avril who was either warning her or cheering her on. The raven haired girl was able to shake off Imelda. Going over to Axel to have him throw her the bludger. Once she caught the heavy, deranged ball she tossed it at Imelda. She wanted to knock her back, but instead knocked her off her broom. She fell with a crack.

"Oww, I think I broke my arm." Imelda closed her brown eyes and winced. Everyone stopped what they were doing and immediately landed.

Aurie was still in the air. She honestly didn't feel sorry for the girl. Sooner or later she had it coming. Septimus told two random teammates to help her to the nurses. She slowly landed her broom and bit her lip nervously.

She walked up to the tall, white haired specimen of a man. "So, I take it I'm not on the team."

Septimus couldn't even hide the chuckle that had left him. "Ma cherie, you made the team and gave me a new spot to replace. Imelda was a thorn in my spine."

"In everyone's side." Axel interrupted.

Septimus nodded. "Truly. I owe you. You've answered my wish to have her off the team."

Aurie couldn't help but slightly feel proud of herself. However, that also meant she needed to get a new broom. Surely, she wasn't going to go to Hogsmead alone. Just as she was about to ask before Avril came down from the stands.

"You injured Imelda! I saw it with my own eyes! Merlin, that was spectacular. She is on the team, right? You can't not put her on the team." Avril said to her cousin.

Septimus laughed. "Yes, she's on the team. She actually got rid of her for me. Aurie is truly impressive."

Aurie blushed as he called her impressive. Avril giggled and took her hand. "We are going to The Three Broomsticks. Butterbeer is on me."

Avril dragged Aurie away. She'd be lying if she didn't want just a bit more time with the quidditch captain. However, she probably wouldn't have much to say other than to be a smartass. Oh well. Maybe she'd have another chance soon.

The duo sat at a table while Sirona got the girls their butterbeer. In walking Sebastian and his best friend Ominis. He sat closely to Avril. Brown eyes holding some sort of tenderness for her. Ominis looked around the room with unseeing eyes. His facial features looked a tad exhausted.

"So, quidditch tryouts went well for you then, Aurie?" Sebastian asked as he waved Sirona down for a drink.

Aurie nodded. "I took out Imelda with a bludger. I guess it owed me some praise." She laughed. "Girl had it coming if I'm honest."

Ominis laughed too. His shoulders were bouncing with the news. "That's perfect. She truly did have it coming. No doubt about that. Can't brag to be the fastest broom flier anymore. Or a quidditch player."

"Have you two seen the others? I said they could join." Avril asked, her cerulean eyes bouncing back between Ominis and Sebastian.

"Axel is with some red haired girl right now. And your cousin slash fiance...no idea. Although, I wouldn't doubt he'd be here soon." Leave it to Ominis who seemed to have the scoop on everyone.

Septimus did walk in. He seemed cleaner and changed out of his quidditch uniform. Aurie glanced at him before keeping her gaze on the amber liquid of her butterbeer. The sweet butterscotch taste glistened on her lips. He took his place next to Aurie. His scent wafted over her like a freshly baked pie. Her cheeks felt warm and she hoped it wasn't obvious how bad she blushed. Avril looked over at her and giggled.

"Well since we are mostly all here. How about a toast to Aurie. For getting rid of the wicked witch." Avril raised her glass and everyone else followed.

"To Aurie." Said Sebastian.

"Yes, Aurie." Chimed Ominis.

Everyone drank their butterbeers. Laughing along together. Aurie felt for once like she belonged. Even though she tried not to show it. Avril and Ominis and Sebastian were locked into a conversation with each other. Avril was a bit tipsy as she spoke.

"I'm not impressed by most things, but you definitely enticed me today. Well, actually to be more precise the minute you walked through the double doors of the great hall did you entice me." He admitted. "I'd like to get to know you more."

Aurie's gold eyes met his and a smile formed on her face. "Oh, really? You think I'm some prize or something? You just got to have me?"

The boy smirked. His eyes darkened slightly. "Perhaps, I do want you. However, I'm nothing if not willing to lavish you first. I'm sure I'll come up with something you'll fall for."

Aurie laughed that he sounded so sure of himself. She wasn't willing to date anyone after the fiasco at her old school. She'd rather not fall for some tall handsome man that offers her the world again. She mostly doesn't want to shatter on the floor again. She may not have shed tears that night, but she did hurt. Even if she had slight hopes that things would be different if she allowed herself to try.