Secrets Only Trouble Knows - George Weasley

33 - The Rogue Bludger

I'd never had more positive encounters with my fellow students than I did in the wake of my prank against Professor Snape. It was strange, experiencing such a difference — instead of snide remarks for being who I am made behind my back like I was used to, I had people approach me and praise me for what I'd done. Some younger kids even asked me to sign their copy of the photograph of Snape they'd picked up.

It was so intriguing the way public opinion changed on a dime. I wondered how long it would last until things went back to normal and they all remembered who my father was. But for the time being, I enjoyed the break and the feeling that I was even the slightest bit cool.

Contrary to what I'd been expecting, my mother wasn't nearly as angry with me for my mischievous actions as I'd feared. She wasn't thrilled to learn I'd have two consecutive weeks of detention on my academic record, but I think the fact that what I'd done had happened to Snape of all people really softened the blow. She wasn't a fan of the man herself from her school days, so she found it all a bit funny. Had I accidentally pranked any of my other professors, she might have felt differently. I took the little victory.

Talk only diverted to something else when the next Saturday arrived, which brought with it the infamous battle between the Houses: a Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch match.

My brother, Harry, Kol, and the Weasley twins were nervous. Excited, too, yes, but certainly very nervous. Slytherin had always been our biggest rival, but especially after the tension experienced this term with Draco Malfoy and Graham Montague, they wanted the win extra hard today.

Around eleven o'clock, the whole school started to make its way down to the pitch. I walked with Hermione and Ron, following after the boys on the way there, talking with them and giving them a pep talk to try and ease their nerves. It was dreary and cold today and, just as we approached the locker room, there was the sound of thunder booming in the air. A big storm was definitely rolling in any minute now.

Jasper, Kol, and Fred headed inside to get changed first. My brother was talking about how he thought it was probably going to be a nasty one out there on the field today, to which Fred assured him a little rain hadn't ever stopped them before.

Harry refrained from leaving just yet when Hermione, Ron, and I wished him the best one last time. George opted to wait up for him in the process.

"Good luck today, Harry," Hermione told our friend.

"Thanks, 'Mione," he smiled gratefully. "I appreciate it."

"You're gonna do great, okay?" I told him, reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze. "Don't stress. I know you're probably nervous about going against Draco, but you know as well as any of us that you're better than him and you can win the match without a doubt. You've got this."

Harry drew me into a quick hug. "Love you, Nov. Thank you."

I smiled, pulling away. "Love you too. Now go kick some ass."

He laughed. Then, with a wave to us all, he bounded up the steps to the locker room. I let out a deep sigh as soon as he disappeared inside.

"Ready, Nov?" wondered Ron. I looked over my shoulder, seeing he and Hermione were starting to walk back towards the stands.

"Yeah, just a second," I replied, and they paused to wait for me. I turned to face George still standing by my side. "Look out for him?" I asked hopefully, referring to Harry.