Being a Greengrass after all should sound pretty serene.
But being a part of "the Emeralds" should not, especially when hearts become entangled with the infamous Regulus Black.
Goodness, lawfulness, or evilness. Which path will they tread in the ti...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
November 1st, 1976
A biting chill had settled over Hogwarts as October gave way to a bleak November.
The Emeralds had celebrated Evan's birthday in October much the same way they had celebrated Avery's in September. She had spent days debating what to give him: a mixtape, an advanced broom care kit, or her collection of joke potions. In the end, she'd settled on the mixtape and the potions. The broom kit felt far too predictable.
Now, however, birthdays were the last thing on her mind, because it was the first match of the season between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Last year's Quidditch Cup champions.
Avery couldn't keep still. Her knee bounced beneath the Ravenclaw table as she pushed eggs around her plate, barely touching her breakfast. Across from her, Pandora watched with obvious concern.
"You'd better win this one," Barty said. "We can't have Slytherin taking the Cup again."
Pandora, who had charmed bright blue highlights into her hair for the occasion, nodded enthusiastically. When it came to Quidditch, house loyalties always came first. It didn't matter that the Emeralds were friends; for the next few hours, they were Ravenclaws and Slytherins before anything else.
"Yeah, show those snakes who's boss."
Avery smiled weakly at her words. "I'll do my best, but I can't help the fact I'm not the fucking seeker."
"True," Pandora conceded. "But you can stop goals from being scored. And you're brilliant at that. I believe in you, Ave."
Barty snorted. "Or you could just distract the Slytherin Seeker."
Avery gave him a look. "That is Regulus Black for you."
Barty's grin only widened. "Even better. You could also aim a Bludger at him and knock him off his broom."
"Oh, brilliant idea," Avery deadpanned. "Why didn't I think of that before?"
Pandora frowned, shaking her head slowly. "Uh, I don't think Madam Hooch would approve that as a Quidditch strategy."
"You're saying she'd approve under other circumstances?" Avery asked.
"Might do."
"No, hear me out." Barty pointed his fork at Avery. "All she has to do is smile at him when he flies past. Maybe wave. The poor bloke will forget the Snitch exists."
Avery buried her face in her hands as Pandora dissolved into laughter.
"It'd be more effective than most of Ravenclaw's tactics," Barty said.
"I hate you, Barty."
"And yet," he replied smugly, "you haven't denied it'd work."
Avery, knowing very well herself that his point was valid even if she didn't like it, bit down the urge to throw a piece of toast or whatever she could grab first thing from the table. With a huff, she turned toward the Slytherin table, only to be met with Regulus's eyes set on her already, as if he'd been eavesdropping to their conversation or reading her mind all along. He gave her a small smile.
