Love Potion #9-3/4

The Match

I stood at the top of the tower, my teammates on either side. A gust of wind blew through my golden hair, giving full view of the stadium in front of me, the green clad team waiting on the other side.

"You ready, Melody?" my captain yelled from behind me.

I mounted my broom and grinned at Ginny over my shoulder.

"Let's kick some ass."

We flew out to the middle of the field, meeting our sneering opponents halfway. It was the first match of the year, and what a way to start the season. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. The crowd roared with a deafening clamor. These Slytherins didn't stand a chance. I scanned over them, smirking, looking each directly in the eyes, and showing them no fear. I met the opposing keeper's gaze and hatred boiled up in my stomach.

It was the familiar eyes of Dan Howell.

I glared at him. I was not losing to him this time.

Madam Hooch's whistle sounded, and each of us raced to our designated positions. The game had begun.

I flew past the Slytherin's chasers and became the first one to touch the quaffle. I launched myself towards the goalposts, dodging each opponent who flew in my way and every encounter with a bludger. I swerved past a beater and finally threw the quaffle at the Slytherins' goalpost. Dan, at the very last second, grazed the quaffle with his fingertips, tossing it back into the field. I rolled my eyes as he turned towards me grinning.

"Just don't have it today, huh America?" He laughed.

I felt my cheeks grow hot, but I ignored his stupid taunts. I had a game to win.

Demelza Robins had caught the quaffle and was making her way back over. Cheering her on, I raced to help her when Urquhart snatched the ball from her. Cursing, the two of us attempted to corner him, but he was just too quick. Ginny tried to intercept, but was narrowly missed by a bludger. Urquhart scored.

"Ten points for Slytherin!" the commentator announced to the stadium.

I cursed under my breath. This was not off to a good start.

The Slytherins had immediately grabbed the quaffle again and were running it back towards the Gryffindor goalposts. "No you don't," I muttered, diving after it.

Vaisey fumbled, allowing a narrow window for Ginny to grab the quaffle.

"Yes!" I cheered as she tossed the quaffle to me. I rushed to the Slytherin goalposts, only to be met by one of their beaters, aiming directly at me. As the bludger raced my way, I barely dodged it, simultaneously shooting the quaffle through a goalpost. This provided just enough of a distraction to make it past Dan.

"That's ten points for Gryffindor!"

Dan glared at me, and I flashed him an innocent smile.

Over an hour had passed, and the score was 80-40 in our favor. But it was clear the team was getting worn out.

"Come on Potter, where's that damn snitch?" I muttered under my breath.

But it was then that I remembered there was no Potter. Harry was off doing god knows what. And our new seeker, Cormac McLaggen... well he had a lot to learn. I groaned, anticipating a long game.

In my distraction, a bludger nicked the end of my broom. I could feel myself start to sink, and it took all my strength to keep myself afloat.

Goddamn. Just when you think it can't get any worse.

I struggled making my way towards the center of the field where the quaffle was, but managed to snag it from one of our rivals. I raced towards the goalposts, slower than I would have liked but advantaged by the Slytherins' fatigue. I stood face to face with Dan, looking for an opening. I met his eyes, determined as all hell.

And then I felt my broom start to drop.

In my last few seconds of clear thinking, I managed to pass the quaffle off to Demelza just in time. I watched the grass below grow closer, closer, when over the wind I could just faintly hear, "Slytherin has caught the snitch!"

I slowed my descent just as I was hitting the ground, landing on all fours. My ankle felt a little sprained. Overall I was fine. But...

"Fuck!" I yelled out. "FUCK! WE LOST?"

I looked at the descending players, the Slytherins celebrating already. The grass suddenly felt cold under my fingers. I could already see Dan's dumb face beaming at me. I didn't want to hear it.

"You alright?" Ginny asked me.

"Fine," I said, standing up and dusting off the dirt from my pants.

The Slytherins were high fiving each other and wooping. Dan raised an eyebrow at me.

"Awww, better luck next time America!" He ran off with his teammates.

"Blimey," Ginny grumbled, "You'd think he would have come up with a better nickname for you by now."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't think he has the brains to."

Suddenly I saw a flash of jet black hair and bright blue eyes coming toward me, wrapped in Hufflepuff robes.

"Melody!" Phil Lester ran up and wrapped me in a hug. "Are you okay? I was so scared when I saw that bludger coming at you."

"I'm okay," I hugged him back, thankful for a friendly distraction from Howell.

I limped back to the mess hall, with Phil's arm wrapped around me for support.

"I know it's the first game of the season, but don't be too disappointed!" he said.

"I know, I know," I replied. "But you should have seen the look on Howell's face. God, I just want to smack that smirk off of him."

Phil laughed, ever the optimist. "I'm sure you'll have plenty of chances to get back at Dan this year."

Little did we know then how right he would turn out to be.