Beatrice Lestrange has always been an outsider in her own story. Born into one of the darkest families in the wizarding world, she grew up under the looming shadow of her infamous mother Bellatrix Lestrange.
Despite this, Beatrice is nothing like th...
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The morning of the Quidditch tryouts dawned bright and clear, the sky a perfect stretch of blue without a cloud in sight. The Great Hall was buzzing with early morning energy as Beatrice sat with her friends at the Hufflepuff table, pushing scrambled eggs around her plate.
The usual warmth of the hall, with its enchanted ceiling showing a bright, cloudless sky, did little to calm the nerves twisting in her stomach. Around her, conversations flowed easily, students talking about classes, homework, but for Beatrice, all thoughts circled around one thing: the tryouts.
Hannah sat across from her, cheerfully piling toast onto her plate. —We're going to crush it today,— she said between bites, eyes bright with confidence. —I don't know why you're even worried, Bea.—
Beatrice glanced up, managing a small smile. —I just... I don't know, Han. It feels like there's more pressure this year.—
Leanne, sitting beside her, shook her head. —It's the same as last year. You were the best Chasers then, and you'll be the best Chasers today. It's just nerves.—
—Yeah, just don't eat too much,— Susan chimed in, smirking as she leaned back in her chair. —You don't want to feel like you're going to hurl halfway through a drill.—
Beatrice forced a laugh, though her stomach tightened at the thought. She glanced down at her untouched food, then across the table at the others, who seemed far more relaxed. Hannah was right; she had been on the team last year. She knew she could do it, but today still felt different, heavier. The weight of expectations, her own and from the others, felt heavier than ever.
Leanne nodded, her smile more determined than usual. —I've been practicing all summer with my dad. He says I'm hitting harder than ever.— She gave a mock punch to the air, trying to ease the tension, though her fingers fiddled with the strap of her broomstick bag.
—That's because you hit like a troll,— Susan teased, though her laugh felt a little forced. —I just hope we don't have to go up against each other too much. I'd rather hit Bludgers at the Slytherins than at you.—
Beatrice chuckled, but the thought of competing against her friends made her stomach churn even more. They'd always been a team, supporting each other through every match. But today, they had to prove themselves individually. Each of them wanted a spot on the starting lineup, and there was no guarantee they'd all make it.
—We've done this before, Bea,— Hannah added, though her smile was tight. —You and I were Chasers last year, we know what to expect.—
—Yeah, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying,— Beatrice said. —I mean, what if Cedric decides to completely change things up this year?—
—He won't,— Susan said, though her eyes flickered with uncertainty. —He knows we're good. We've just got to show him that again.—
Coincidentally, Cedric Diggory walked by, giving their group a nod and a friendly smile. —See you on the pitch, girls.— he said, with the confidence of someone who had no doubt they'd make the team again.
