-Rivalry Forged in Unity-

Rivalry Forged in Unity-Chapter 9; Game On

The next day, November 1st, it was the morning of the first Quidditch match at Hogwarts. I was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, not even eating breakfast.

"Take a bit of toast, Mia." Harry said.

I shook my head.

"Mia, you'll need your strength today." Hermione said.

"Hate to say it, but Granger's right, Lancaster." Malfoy said suddenly, making me jump. He smirked.

Malfoy grabbed toast from his plate and shoved it at my mouth.

"Okay, okay-" I huffed, grabbing it with my mouth.

"My team's still gonna kick your arse today though, Lancaster." Malfoy grinned.

Snape approached.

"Good luck today, Lancaster." He said. "Then again, now that you've proven yourself against a troll — a little game of Quidditch should be simple enough for yourself." Snape spoke. "Even if it is against Slytherin." He said, almost a smirk on his face possibly. Malfoy smirked.

Snape walked off, and I noticed him limping a little.

"That explains the blood..." I muttered.

"Blood?" Malfoy cocked his head.

"Listen, Malfoy." I began, lowering my voice. "Last night, I'm assuming Snape let the troll in as a diversion, so he could try and get past that three-headed dog thing." I said. "But, he got himself bitten. That's why he's limping. His leg was bloody last night in the bathroom." I told him.

"It was...? Odd..." Malfoy spoke.. "Are you assuming he's evil cause he's the Head of Slytherin House?" Malfoy questioned.

"No, idiot...I'm just saying it only makes so much sense why his leg was bloody." I told him.

"Okay, okay. But why would anyone go near that damn dog?" Malfoy huffed.

"Look, the day I was at Gringotts — Hagrid took something out of the vaults, something small in a package. He said it was Hogwarts business, very secret." I informed Malfoy.

"Vault 713, yes?" He reassured.

I nodded.

"So you're saying..." He began.

"That's what the dog's guarding. Snape wants whatever it is." I said.

"Huh..." Malfoy mumbled. There was then an owl screech.

My family's owl, Athena, was flying with a big package.

"Athena?" I cocked my head. She dropped the package in front of us.

"That thing is huge! What is it?" Malfoy asked.

"I don't know....Let's open it." I said, before opening up the package with Malfoy.

"It's a broomstick..." I gasped.

Malfoy scanned it, his eyes widening.

"That's not just a broomstick, Lancaster. That's a Nimbus 2000!" Malfoy gasped.

"But who sent it? My dad could never afford a Nimbus 2000..." I spoke. I then glanced over at Professor McGonagall. She was petting Athena and she smiled softly at me. I smiled back.

Later on, me and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team were making our way to the pitch. We walked up the steps and waited for the doors to open. I was now in my red and gold Quidditch uniform.

I swallowed.

"Scared, Mia?" Oliver asked.

"A little." I spoke up.