The Chaser's Heart

Year 5: Quidditch Final

In a shocking twist that I wasn't even sure they saw coming, Hufflepuff defeated both Gryffindor and Slytherin in the next two matches of the season. Cedric Diggory, their young, new Seeker, had proven to be extremely good at his job. Slytherin had one win, a draw and a loss, Gryffindor had lost two matches, and Ravenclaw had won one and drew for the second. Gryffindor would have had to win by a significant margin against Ravenclaw at the end of May, but they hadn't been able to manage it. We'd won by a slim margin, earning our spot in the Quidditch final against Hufflepuff.

The two weeks following our match against Gryffindor were a hazy blur. Between Quidditch practise and studying for the OWL examinations, I didn't have much recollection of anything that happened. Even the OWLs themselves seemed fuzzy. I felt almost as if I'd dissociated from the entire experience. I could hardly remember actually writing the exams and only had bits and pieces of the practical exams. I knew I tried the best that I could. I had never been academically inclined, but I felt I at least performed decently on the practical exams, enough to carry on to sixth-year. My mind was too focussed on the upcoming match and Rakepick's plans for breaking into the next Vault, which she had decided not to enlighten me with. I felt like I was walking on pins and needles, just waiting for her to tell me that it was time.

The OWLs came and went without anything out of the ordinary from Rakepick. Penny was still in a bit of a state from her sister getting trapped in the portrait and she spent a good deal of time crying while we studied for the exams. I wasn't even sure if it had registered with her that her own house would be competing in the Quidditch final.

I didn't even have time to relax or celebrate the day I finished taking the OWLs. Skye whisked me off to the Quidditch pitch the second I emerged from the Great Hall following my Charms practical exam for our final practise of the year.

I didn't even remember to feel odd or emotional during Orion's moment of vivification before the match. It would be the last time I heard one of his drawn-out speeches about teamwork, balance and harmony. Who knew what we would be in for next year when Skye was Captain? It was Irina's final match on the team as well, she would be moving on to the real world. She was a bit odd and unorthodox in a different way from Orion, but she was a decent Seeker and I would miss having her on the team.

'Here they are, Quidditch Cup champions two years running and after their third, Ravenclaw!'

McNully's voice echoed loudly through the pitch, drowning out the cheering crowd and making my ears ring a bit. Blimey, I couldn't even remember him kissing me after Orion's pep talk before he went up to the Commentary Box. But he must have. He did before every match since we'd been together.

I needed to get my head in the game. The OWLs were over but my brain was fried. Orion and Irina were counting on us pulling together to win the match today. I couldn't muck this up.

'Captain Orion Amari! Parkin! Knight! Turner! McBride! Coughlan! Stravinsky!'

He bellowed our names as we shot out onto the pitch. I always secretly loved that bit, even before we started dating. It made me feel like I was playing in a much more important match than the Hogwarts Inter-House Quidditch Final.

We did two laps of the pitch before Madam Hooch blew her whistle, signalling for the two teams to get into formation. I wasn't ready. My mind still felt foggy. I didn't feel properly warmed up even though Orion had led the team through some stretched in the changerooms before the match. I flew best when I had worked up a bit of a sweat. It was June, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky, hopefully that wouldn't take long.

'Green with the Quaffle and he's off like a shot towards the goal hoops! Pass to Newcastle, oh no! Fumble! Picked up by Amari! Tricky bit of drifting there followed by some Inspired Broom Surfing, of course! No Ravenclaw match would be complete without a bit of that. Brilliant dodge, Bludger there by Jensen and Amari's passed the Quaffle to Parkin! Shoots... scores! First goal of the match and it's ten-nil for Ravenclaw!'