SPARKS FLY | fred weasley x oc |

chapter 6- quidditch

The freezing rain pelted my face like needles. When Madam Hooch, the referee, had told us that rain was expected and that we should wear layers, nobody had expected the monsoon that began during breakfast. I had actually ran back to my dorm and put on another pair of wool socks, just in case. They weren't enough. The rain itself would've been horrible, but there was also a ripping wind swirling around us. One hand steadied myself on my broom while the other was stationed on my forehead, acting as an umbrella for my goggles. Surprisingly, the stands were full of screaming students and various banners and signs. In America this weather would've made us cancel the game. I expected there to only be a few die-hard fans watching today, but it seemed even more packed than last weekends' Ravenclaw/Slytherin match.

"Olivia, watch your left!" She ducked just in time to dodge the bludger that was headed right for her. I looked up to see Cedric and Harry weaving between the stands and then up into the clouds in pursuit of the snitch. I returned my focus to the pitch just as Jessica sent the quaffle through the main hoop, everyone erupting in cheers. We were ahead, but if Harry caught the snitch, it would put Gryffindor over us. We needed just a few more to solidify our victory.

"Wipe that smug smile off your face, Mel! Match isn't over yet." Fred yelled as he zoomed past me, waving his bludger club.

"Worry about your own team, Freddie." I countered as Olivia launched a bludger in his direction, hitting the handle of his broom and sending him into a spiral towards the ground. There was a loud crack of thunder and a flash of lightning. Everyone looked to the sky to see Cedric falling, unable to control his broom. Jessica and Matthew raced upwards to help him, Cedric gaining control seconds before crashing into the ground. After we knew he was fine our attention returned to the sky, lightning flashing every few seconds. One strike was bright enough to illuminate the clouds. That was when we saw the dementors. There was a whole swarm, Harry stuck in the middle. He was able to maneuver his way between them and broke through the cloud bank, only to be sideswiped by one and knocked off his broom. Dumbledor stood and amplified his voice, shouting an incantation that slowed Harry's falling body onto the ground, Madam Hooch and multiple other teachers rushing to his aid. A flicker of gold caught my eye.

"Cedric, the snitch!" I yelled, catching his attention. "Center field." His eyes instantly found the zipping gold ball and snatched it in his fist as he flew by. He took a lap, holding it up victoriously.

"Diggory caught the snitch! Hufflepuff wins!" Lee Jordan boomed over the speakers. The last match had resulted in a Ravenclaw win and everyone hung out on the pitch for hours, but today everyone instantly rushed inside and out of the rain. We ran into the locker rooms beneath the stands, our shoes slopping with water. Madam Hooch entered soon after us and shed her dripping referee robes.

"Excellent playing today, all of you! Melanie! That was great! One of the best Keepers I've seen at Hogwarts." I was thankful my cheeks were already red from the cold because I could feel the blush spreading.

"Thanks! I really didn't do much, it was all you guys." I was partly trying to get the attention off myself, but also genuinely thank them. "I was so nervous."

"Well, you didn't need to be. It was great." Cedric echoed Hooch.

"Alright then, you lot get out of these wet clothes and up to the castle. I'll have a batch of hot chocolates sent to the common room. I want all of you to stay by the fire for at least one hour. I don't need to hear about one of you ending up in the infirmary, missing a toe from hypothermia." I opened my locker and found the sweater and jeans I had put in there earlier in the week. I was disappointed to find a pair of sneakers, knowing that my feet would stay wet until I got back to the common room. We practically ran back to the castle, wanting to get out of the rain as soon as possible.