Reactance | James Potter

Chapter 11

"FIVE NIGHTS A week?!"

Dorcas nodded at the girls surrounding her. "Can you believe it? Potter wanted all seven originally, but Dalen threatened to snitch to McGonagall so he backed off."

Olivia, Lily, and Mary gaped at Dorcas in disbelief. Each had a book in their lap, but no one was actually paying theirs any attention apart from Marlene — who was only pretending to read, just to avoid looking Dorcas in the eye. It was clear in how Marlene kept glancing up every few seconds . . . not to mention that the book was upside down.

Alice was missing for the evening, having gone to Frank Longbottom's (her boyfriend) dorm.

"That's overkill!" said Lily like a scolding mother. Despite none of the girls, other than Dorcas, being accustomed to Hogwarts Quidditch, they knew that the common number for weekly practices was three. "Each practice is two hours! How long could you possibly toss balls and zip around for?"

"Three hours," corrected Dorcas. The thought alone made her body slump with tiredness. "Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — starting an hour after dinner's end."

"You'll be out past curfew," noted Olivia curiously. "How's that allowed?"

"Teams have special permission during the Quidditch season," said Mary with her usual, light smile. Always the Hogwarts informant. She had read Hogwarts A History enough times to have it memorized.

Dorcas nodded at Mary kindly, "Yes, you're right. From November until after the cup's game."

Whichever team wins the season's final gets the Inter-House Quidditch Cup. This earns them the privilege of displaying it publicly in their house's commons for everyone to see, a bragging right, until they have to pass it on to the winner of the next year.

   Ravenclaw had won for the last two years in a row, meaning that they had held onto the cup as recurring champions. Its spot in Gryffindor's trophy case had long gone dusty.

   To say that upset Quidditch-lover James would be an understatement. Olivia clearly recalled last year when, after the final match, James had angrily smashed his broomstick into splinters with the call of Hooch's whistle. Olivia could only imagine what his reaction would be like this year, should Gryffindor lose again — this time under his leadership.

Lily was looking horrified at Dorcas.

"When will you find the time to study?"

   Dorcas could only shrug.

   Lily, Olivia and Marlene were sprawled out on the carpet. The common room fire raged at their backs, lining their necks with sweat. Over the small, glass table sat Dorcas and Mary on the couch. The girls talked freely, despite that the room was bustling with chatter from dozens of other Gryffindor students.

   The Gryffindor commons were overwhelmingly maroon: the carpet, plush furniture, cloths on the study tables, curtains thick covering the windows .  .  . The only gold was in the details. Like the intricate award display cases, hanging chandeliers, mantle on the fireplace.  .  .  .

   Students cramped around wherever they could, enjoying the peaceful Sunday evening before classes would start up again in the morning. Most of the small, circle study tables were taken — as were the two armchairs facing the fire on either side of the girls. In fact, two students were cramped onto each chair and more sat on the carpet by their feet.

"Well, we're of course going to watch your first practice, Dory," said Olivia casually, flipping a few pages of her book just for something to do. Sixth level Charms spells stared back up at her.