KILLER | H. POTTER

6. GIRLS

Cass flew above the copse of the trees, following the little golden dot through the air.

She'd almost forgotten how frustrating Seeking was.

She followed it to the edge of the forest and just as it cleared the trees, it decided to go down almost to the ground.

In her rush to catch it, Cass missed just how close she'd come to the ground and when the little shit decided it was going up again, Cass's momentum was too much and she dove straight into the earth.

She barely had time to turn away so that the side of her face would bear the brunt of the fall. She turned so she could lay on her back, without getting up and stared up at the cloudy skies.

"Shit—are you okay?"

Cass couldn't gather the energy to feel upset over Potter's presence. "I know you're stalking me and all but this is a bit much."

"I was just... on the pitch, and I saw you out here. I came over when I saw you fall." He held out a hand to Cass.

Cass ignored it and sat up on her own. "That's not a good excuse."

"You're not back on the team, are you?"

"Rest assured, Potter, there is no way in hell I'm ever going to be on the Slytherin team again."

Potter frowned. He got that look on his face he sometimes had when he was about to say something stupid. "Why?"

Cass glared at him. "That's none of your business, Scarface."

Potter took a step back, uncertain. "Listen... I know it's not my business and I shouldn't have spied on you on the train but... I really think you should report Zabini, especially if what he did... on the train is a recurring thing."

Cass scoffed. Finally, she got up from the ground, dusted herself off as dignified as she could. "If I reported every wanker who sexually harassed or attempted to sexually harass me, I'd never leave McGonagall's office."

Potter looked slightly sick. He avoided Cass's eyes.

"And Zabini is not the reason I quit the team."

"I still think Zabini should be punished for... what he did."

Cass shrugged. "Maybe. But I cannot stress enough how much I don't want to deal with that right now. Believe me, his reckoning will come. Just not today or tomorrow. Now leave me alone."

After a moment, Potter started walking away, but after a few steps, he got on his broom and flew off like a shot.

It took Cass a few seconds to realise what he was doing. He was going after the Snitch she'd failed to catch. Oh hell no.

Cass got back on her own broom and chased after him. She was neck and neck with him soon enough. They both gained height rapidly, going after the Snitch at full speed.

Cass couldn't help glancing at Potter out of the corner of her eye. He looked determined. Almost like they were on the pitch at a real game again. It felt a little... exhilarating.

They didn't go for any fancy tricks or feints, it was a pure speed trial. One on one. Potter was reaching out, his fingertips almost grazing the golden ball. Cass did the same. Either of them could've caught it but in the split second it took for them to reach it, Cass lurched to the side, sending the tail of her broom straight into Potter's side, whacking him almost off his broom, and Cass caught the snitch.

He looked pissed off, slightly affronted, but if Cass didn't know better, she'd say there was the barest hint of amusement in his eyes.

She turned away from him. "Better luck next time, Potter."