Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Third Year: Bambi's Birthday

October 1991

"Alright everyone, let's call that a day!" Oliver called, clapping his gloved hands together, his feet crunching on the frosted dewy grass.

It was an early crisp October morning, and the grounds were now covered with vibrant red and orange leaves, and the trees were holding on dearly to their last few spots of green. Outside the air was brisk and bitter, but nobody seemed to mind too much. Even so, the warmth from the castle was welcome for every student, especially those on brooms.

The Gryffindor team landed, faces pink and slightly wind burnt from flying so high in the air. They had been practicing every morning since 6:30 because Oliver wanted to get in some extra Quidditch practices to prepare for their upcoming match a few weeks away.

Bambi landed heavily on the ground, wiping some damp strands of hair from her face.

"Shower off and get to breakfast. Remember we have practice later this afternoon at-"

"FOUR O'CLOCK SHARP!" Called the Weasley twins together, "We know Woody boy,"

Oliver shook his head with a small impassive smile, "Good, go on then," He shooed them forward with his hands, walking to put his broom away in the cupboard.

"Oliver!" Bambi ran over to him, her broom in one hand, "Did Hooch tell you who we're playing against yet?"

Oliver made a pained expression, "Slytherin- But don't worry about that. We have an advantage with these morning practices." He still seemed a bit nervous, but held it back behind his white smile.

Bambi frowned but she knew better than to open her mouth. Slytherin was the last team she wanted to play against for their first game.

"I'm telling the rest of the team later, it's too early for an uproar," Oliver sighed as he walked back toward the locker rooms.

"I thought you said you thought it was going to be Ravenclaw," Bambi couldn't hide the look of disappointment on her face.

"That's what it sounded like. Inglebee came down with a case of dragon pox this last weekend though. They caught it early enough, thankfully, but until they find a replacement Beater, Ravenclaw will be out of the running."

"Ah," Bambi nodded, waving to Oliver as they walked through opposite doors to the separate locker rooms.

Bambi stripped her rain and sweat-soaked uniform from her body, warming her freezing skin under the hot water of the showers. The heavily perfumed waters steamed around her, immediately relaxing her sore muscles. Bambi stepped out wrapped in her dressing robe, smelling faintly of rose and patchouli. Those were her favorite scents which reminded her of her father. Angelina and Alicia were already dressing, their hair wrapped up in towels on their heads.

"How many more morning practices do we have?" Angelina groaned as Bambi walked over to her locker, grabbing her school uniform stored inside.

"The game is on the 9th," Bambi thought of the upcoming school days as she pulled a sock over her ankle, "10 if he intends on making us go out every morning before classes,"

Alicia yawned, "This is dreadful, I don't know how much more sleep I can spare."

"It's because we're playing Slytherin," Bambi said quietly. "I think he's worried,"

"Slytherin??" Angelina groaned, "No wonder. I've seen their games. They're always trying to play dirty."

"What happened to Ravenclaw??" Alicia looked just as disgruntled as Angelina.

"He said one of their beaters got sick," Bambi explained what Oliver had said while drying her hair with a hot air charm. "I mean, I'm not looking forward to playing against them, but are they really that bad?"