The Serpent's Daughter

Chapter 7:A Game of Quidditch

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the Hogwarts grounds. Laughter echoed across the pitch as Lilyanala Riddle stood, broom in hand, facing the Weasley twins, Fred and George. The thrill of the Quidditch match filled the air, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a lightness in her heart.

“Come on, Lily! You can do it!” Fred called out, a mischievous grin plastered on his face as he hovered on his broomstick.

“Just remember to lean forward! It’s all about balance!” George chimed in, his voice a mix of encouragement and teasing.

Lily, determined to impress the twins, gripped her broom tightly, her heart racing with excitement. She had watched countless matches, her eyes glued to the field as she admired the players soaring through the air, but this was different—she was about to be one of them.

“Okay, here goes nothing!” she shouted, and with a swift kick of her legs, she pushed off the ground, soaring into the sky. The rush of wind whipped through her hair, and she let out a delighted laugh, feeling exhilarated as she climbed higher.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Fred cheered, watching her with wide eyes.

George flew closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don’t forget to catch the Quaffle!” he shouted, tossing the red ball towards her. It spiraled through the air, and Lily’s instincts kicked in. She leaned forward, reaching out with her free hand, and managed to snag it mid-flight.

“Nice catch!” Fred applauded, zooming around her in a circle. “You’ve got potential, Lily!”

“Just wait until you see what we can teach you next!” George added, his enthusiasm contagious.

As the twins continued to demonstrate different techniques, Lily felt the thrill of the game coursing through her veins. She mimicked their movements, gliding through the air, laughing as she tumbled slightly but quickly regained her balance. It felt liberating to be up there, free from the burdens that often weighed her down.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Percy Weasley watched with a proud smile. He had always admired Lily, but seeing her flourish like this filled him with a sense of joy. From the timid little girl he had known when they were both younger, she had grown into a strong, confident young witch, unafraid to take on new challenges.

“I can’t believe how much she’s improved,” Percy mused, turning to Ron, who stood beside him, eyeing the antics of his older brothers with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

“She’s pretty good!” Ron agreed, his eyes wide as he watched Lily’s laughter echoing through the air. “Did you see that catch?”

Percy nodded, his chest swelling with pride. “She’s really come into her own, hasn’t she? It’s amazing to see her so happy.”

“Yeah, especially after all that stuff with Draco,” Ron said, glancing at his brother. “I didn’t think she’d bounce back so quickly.”

Percy frowned slightly, remembering the way Draco had treated her. “She’s stronger than she realizes,” he replied thoughtfully. “Sometimes, it takes a little while to find that strength, especially after a tough breakup. I’m just glad she has Fred and George to lift her spirits.”

Back on the pitch, Lily soared through the air, the wind tousling her hair as she chased after the twins, who were teasingly challenging her to a race. She pushed herself faster, feeling alive and free, her worries fading away with every twist and turn.

“Last one to the goalpost is a Bludger!” Fred yelled, and with that, they all took off, laughter trailing behind them like a comet’s tail.

Lily could feel her heart racing, but it was no longer from fear or uncertainty—it was pure exhilaration. As they reached the goalpost, she glanced back at Fred and George, their faces lit with delight. The simple joy of the moment wrapped around her like a warm embrace.

“Let’s do that again!” she shouted, landing smoothly beside them as they all dismounted.

“Definitely! You’re a natural, Lily!” George exclaimed, ruffling her hair affectionately.

“Next time, we’ll teach you how to dodge Bludgers!” Fred added, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Just then, Lily caught sight of Percy walking towards them, his expression proud and slightly bemused. “You were brilliant, Lily,” he said, his voice warm. “I’m impressed by how far you’ve come since you were five. You’ve really grown.”

Lily felt a blush rise to her cheeks at his praise. “Thanks, Percy! I had a great time!”

“You know, if you keep this up, you might just make the Quidditch team next year,” Percy suggested, his enthusiasm palpable.

“Really?” Lily’s eyes widened, excitement bubbling within her. The idea of playing Quidditch at Hogwarts made her heart race even faster than the broom ride had.

“Of course! I’ll talk to Oliver Wood; I’m sure he’d love to have you,” Percy said, a hint of seriousness in his tone.

“Yeah, and if you get on the team, we can make sure to protect you from the Bludgers!” Fred added with a cheeky wink.

Lily laughed, the thought of flying alongside her friends filling her with joy. “I’d like that!”

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the pitch, Lily felt a sense of belonging and happiness that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Surrounded by the Weasley twins and Percy, she realized that despite the challenges she faced, she was never truly alone.

The summer days stretched ahead of them, filled with laughter, friendship, and the promise of adventure. And as she stood there with the wind in her hair and her heart full, Lily couldn’t help but hope that brighter days were ahead for all of them.