𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘋/𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (English version)

Chapter 26

Summer had officially ended, making way for autumn. The sky above the castle was grey, not promising good weather, and a heavy storm seemed likely to break out soon.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team had not yet been formed, and most of the candidates were on the stadium field, waiting for the tryouts to begin.

Ron was the only one in silence, standing still, watching Ginny and Harry in front of him.
The boy was scared, anxious,he cared about that role more than anything else and was willing to do whatever it took to get it. Hermione and Sarah climbed the stands, both clutching their red-and-gold scarves to their cold bodies.
"We could be sitting by a fireplace, sleeping under warm blankets, I'd even accept studying with you in the library, Hermione. But no! Here we are, supporting Ron in the freezing cold!" Sarah had been grumbling at the curly-haired girl since they had left their dorm.
Hermione motioned for her to be quiet; the tryouts were about to start. Black's eyes immediately fell on a tall figure approaching Ron—Cormac McLaggen. Both girls exchanged a look; neither of them really believed that Ron stood a chance against him.
"Maybe Cormac isn't what he used to be, right? He could fall off his broom... or miss a save and be the worst of the candidates." Sarah didn't even believe her own words; she was almost trying to convince herself that her friend could make it.

"No hard feelings, Weasley, yeah? I'm trying out for Keeper too." The blonde looked around, proud and happy, fully aware that 99% of the time, the spot would be his.
"A tank like you? You've got the build of a Beater, don't you think? A Keeper has to be quick, agile," Ron replied.
Cormac caught a fly with his hand, crushing it. Ron stared at the boy's hand, wide-eyed, small drops of sweat falling from his damp forehead.
"I've got a shot," the blonde said, lifting his eyes toward the stands, noticing not just Granger but also Sarah sitting there.
"You could put in a good word for me with Black, couldn't you? I wouldn't mind getting on a first-name basis with her, if you know what I mean."
Ron looked at him in disgust. Sarah would never want to be associated with someone like that.

The two Keepers mounted their brooms, flying toward their respective goalposts. Ginny flew toward them with precision, dodging anyone who tried to stop her, but despite her recognized talent, Cormac managed to save everything that came his way. Ron, on the other hand, waited for his turn on the opposite side, trembling on his broom and nearly falling off.
His saves were clumsy, imprecise, and absolutely no match for his opponent's. Sarah glanced at Hermione.
"Do something, or we'll have to put up with him for the entire year."
The curly-haired girl immediately understood what she was referring to, covering her mouth with her hand as she looked at Cormac.
"Confundus."
The boy was pushed away from the goalpost, and the ball flew past him. Ron, however, managed to save the final ball, scoring a point in his favor.
Sarah stood up, ecstatic; the cold didn't bother her anymore.
"Yes! GO RON!"
Hermione laughed, standing up as well, clapping for the new Gryffindor Quidditch team Keeper.

↚↚↚↚↚↚↚↚

The evening after the tryouts, Ron didn't talk about anything else, his face always wearing a big, genuine smile. Some of his comments were a bit exaggerated, but his friends decided to let it go—it was a moment worth celebrating.
"I admit I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make that save. I hope Cormac didn't take it too hard," Ron said.
Sarah lifted the book she was reading in front of her face, hiding her laughter from the boy.
"He's got a crush on you, Sarah," he continued.
She immediately grew serious, glaring at him.
"And did you tell him I'd rather die alone?"
"Oh, come on, maybe he's not as bad as you make him out to be."
Sarah glanced at Hermione, silently asking for help.
"Cormac is the worst person at this school. We all really prefer to stay far away from him and his crowd," Hermione said, without lifting her eyes from The Daily Prophet in her hands.
Meanwhile, Neville entered the common room, looking around.
When he spotted Sarah, he approached her.
"Sarah, Cormac is looking for you outside."
The girl sighed, placing the book on the table in front of her.
"He's a Gryffindor, why doesn't he come in?"
"He says he'd rather talk to you outside—his words."
Sarah nodded, thanking the boy as he headed up to his room. She stood up, bored, stretching her numb legs.
"If I'm not back in ten minutes, it's because I've buried him alive, got it?"
The group laughed as they watched their friend leave the room. Many students were returning from their own house tryouts or from the library, and Sarah saw Cormac leaning against the wall down the stairs. She descended the steps with her head lowered.
"McLaggen, what's so urgent that you need to ask me?"
The boy pushed off from the wall, smiling at her.
"First Sunday in October, what do you say? You and me in Hogsmeade."
Sarah remained still, looking at him with a face that clearly showed the annoyance she was feeling.
"Uh, no? I don't want to be rude, but I thought I made myself clear last time—I'm not interested in getting to know anyone right now."
"For now, exactly. Just give me one chance, one!"
Sarah was exasperated, crossing her arms, hoping to convince him to drop it.
"What do I need to do to get you to leave me alone?"
"One date, just one, and if it goes badly, I promise I'll leave you alone."
It wasn't a bad deal, after all. She could just pretend it had been the worst day of her life, and she'd be free forever.
"Swear it."
Cormac laughed, placing a hand over his heart.
"I swear."
Sarah was satisfied, relaxing as she looked at him, now feeling more at ease.
"Fine, see you Sunday, then."
The girl climbed the stairs, waiting for them to move in the right direction so she could return to the common room.
She looked up, and in a second, her smile faded,Tom was standing in front of her. He had heard everything they had said, and now he was staring at her, silent. His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.
He took a few steps down, now standing just one step away from Black.
"What a fall from grace. I thought you were smarter than that, Sarah."
The girl averted her gaze, finding it difficult to hold his eyes.
"I don't think I owe you any explanations, Tom. Or am I wrong?"
"No, not at all. Your choices are none of my concern," he said, stepping down the last step, now standing beside her, "but don't come crying to me when Cormac McLaggen uses you like he's done with the rest of the school."
"And who says I actually want anything with him?"
Tom laughed, shifting his gaze to the blonde boy, who was still standing there, watching them, a bit scared.
"For your sake, I hope not. He's not the sweet guy he pretends to be."
"Funny, coming from you."
That comment infuriated Tom. With his free hand, he grabbed Sarah's wrist, leaning close to her ear.
"Oh, Sarah, don't play with me right now. You know me too well to attack me like your little Gryffindor friends do."
He released her and continued down the stairs, walking past Cormac.
Tom stopped in front of him, looking him up and down.
"If I hear one word, McLaggen, just one wrong word, I swear you won't have a single peaceful day left in this school."
The blonde nodded, trembling like a frightened child.
Tom walked away without turning back to look at Sarah, who remained standing on the stairs.

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Ale