Troubled Love║Sirius Black

Chapter 58

James Potter stood at the centre of the huddled group of teens, minutes before the match was set to commence. He took a deep breath, looking around at the faces of his friends and his teammates. They had been through so much together as a team, standing on the brink of their final game - the weight of responsibility sitting heavily upon his shoulders.

"All right everyone," James began, his voice steady, cutting through the nervous chatter. "This is it. For some of us, our last ever Quidditch game at Hogwarts."

He paused, letting the significance of his words sink in, as he shared sad glances with Sirius, Hallie and Sophia.

"Ravenclaw is tough," James continued, his voice growing more passionate as he spoke. Hallie smiled slightly at the pure determination and conviction laced into James' words. "However, we beat Ravenclaw last year and we can do it again. Remember what we talked about in practice. Stick to the plan, watch each other's backs and play like we've got nothing to lose. Because today, we leave everything out there on that pitch."

James' eyes scanned the room, locking onto each of his teammate's gazes, one by one. "Padfoot, Hals and Sophia, we've made some incredible memories on that field. Let's make this last one the best one yet. Let's show them what Gryffindors are made of!"

Hallie smiled brightly, watching as Sirius clasped James' shoulder tightly. The team responded with a chorus of agreement and excited cheering.

"Now, let's get out there and give them a game they'll never forget!" James shouted, throwing a brotherly arm around Sirius and Fawley. Hallie held Sophia's hand tightly, as the team grabbed their brooms for the final, but most definitely not last, time.

As Hallie flew out, the entire atmosphere of the pitch was beyond electric. The stands seemed to be packed full to capacity; a sea of red and gold banners fluttering proudly in the breeze, alongside the deep blue and bronze of Ravenclaw.

"Welcome to quidditch everybody!" came a recognizable tone, which was unfailing in making Hallie smile. She glanced up at the commentary box, taking in the sight of Remus, with McGonagall standing close by. "We have an exciting match up ahead for us between the Ravenclaws and the Gryffindors for the Quidditch cup of 1978!"

The roar of the crowd grew to a deafening tone, as Madam Hooch made her way onto the field. Hallie nervously swallowed the growing lump in her throat, as she positioned herself between Fawley and Browne for the final time. 

With a shrill blow of the whistle, Madam Hooch signaled the start of the match. The three Gryffindors immediately shot into action, as the crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers.

"And...Browne has the quaffle!" bellowed Remus into the microphone, as the three chasers zigzagged down the pitch. "He does a beautiful pass over to Hals...I mean Brennan, who narrowly avoids Gudgeon on her right. Brennan does a perfect reverse pass over to Fawley just in time! Well done Hallie!"

Hallie narrowly avoided a bludger sent her way, as she streaked down the pitch in a flurry of red vermillion. She streamlined her body, pushing her broom forward as fast as it would let her.

"And Fawley scores everybody!" Remus exclaimed excitedly, causing the cheers and jeers from the crowd to intensify. "That's 10-0 to Gryffindor!"

The game quickly became a blur of colour and motion. The quaffle seemed to be moving from hand to hand at lightning pace, the bludgers were being fired through the air at menacing force and the players were moving so fast that it was hard to distinguish who was who.

Hallie, Fawley and Browne who were now flying in a hawkshead attacking formation, moved with the fluidity of a well-oiled machine. After two years of playing together, they seemed to fly in perfect harmony, translating to seamless teamwork on the field. Hallie weaved between the two Ravenclaw beaters, passing the quaffle to Browne, who flew up her right side, securing the quaffle straight through the middle hoop.