The Unexpected Twin

~46~

The chilly autumn air whipped through the Quidditch pitch, sending the rustling leaves tumbling across the grass. The Hogwarts students were gathered in excited clusters, some whispering about the upcoming tryouts, others nervously clutching their broomsticks. The scent of damp earth mingled with the sharp tang of freshly cut grass.

"Alright, listen up!" Davies shouted as he stood in front of the bleachers, looking more intense than ever. His usually serious expression was now one of fierce determination. "This is the year we're taking the Cup back. Every position is open. I want to see passion, skill, and teamwork today, or you'll be flying off this pitch faster than you can say 'bludger'."

The crowd of hopefuls shuffled, some tightening their grips on their broom handles, others puffing out their chests. Cho had her arms crossed and a frown on her face, and stood beside me, who was trying to hide the nerves.

"I'm going to make it," I muttered to Cho, but my voice was filled with uncertainty.

"You've been on the team before, Y/N," Cho said, giving me a reassuring smile. "Of course, you'll make it."

"I don't know..." I scratched the back of my head. "I mean, there's a lot of new talent this year. What if someone's better than me?"

"I doubt it," Cho said with a wink. "Just remember to focus. You've got this."

Grant Page, the team's usual keeper, overhearing the conversation, snorted. "Of course, you've got this, mate. But don't go expecting me to pull any strings, alright? I might not be on the team this year."

"Well, you'll be cheering me on, won't you?" I grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, yeah, from the stands where I belong," Grant said, giving me a playful shove.

Davies raised his voice again, signaling the beginning of the tryouts. "All players, please get in line! We'll start with basic drills. If you can't keep your head in the game, you won't be on the team. Let's see your skills!"

The line of hopeful players stretched out across the pitch. I watched, my eyes scanning the faces of my competitors. Some were familiar, like Cho and Jeremy Stretton , two of Ravenclaw's former Chasers, but there were also new faces I didn't recognize. One girl, with a long braid and fiery red hair, was eyeing her broomstick like it was a prized possession. She caught my gaze and smiled with a mixture of confidence and nervousness.

Davies gave the signal, and the players kicked off the ground in a flurry of movement. I felt my heart race as the wind tousled my hair. I was soaring above the pitch now, a familiar rush of excitement flooding through me. I could hear the whoops and shouts of my fellow students, and the sharp crack of bludgers being hit in the distance.

"Let's see what you've got, Y/N!" Davies' voice rang out through the crowd.

I quickly maneuvered my broomstick, testing its responsiveness, and zipped down the length of the pitch, eyes fixed on the Quaffle being thrown back and forth among the Chasers. I dove low, swooping in to intercept it with a smooth, practiced motion, narrowly dodging a bludger that came too close for comfort.

"Nice!" shouted Luna from the sidelines.

I could feel the familiar adrenaline rushing through me as I passed the Quaffle to another Chaser. I quickly turned, my broomstick responding to every shift in my weight. My body moved as if it had remembered the rhythm of Quidditch, every motion flowing naturally.

The practice drills continued, with each player taking turns to show off their skill. I was pleased with my performance, but as the tryouts moved on to the next phase, my focus shifted toward the new players on the field. One of them, a tall boy with dark hair and sharp eyes, was showing off impressive aim, smacking a Bludger so hard it nearly knocked Davies off his broom.

"This is going to be a tough competition," I muttered, glancing at Cho, who was watching with her usual attention to detail.

Davies called the players back to the ground for a quick break. "Alright, everyone gather round!" he ordered. "We're about to start the final part of the tryouts—Chaser drills against Bludgers. It's all about team coordination. Show me how you work together."

I felt a surge of anticipation. This was the moment I'd been waiting for. I glanced around at the other players, and my eyes settled once again on the red-haired girl from before. She was looking at me, eyes bright, and I couldn't help but think that she might just be one to watch.

Davies' voice cut through his thoughts. "We'll start with you, Y/N. Let's see how well you handle a pass under pressure."

"Right," I muttered under my breath, taking a deep breath as he prepared for the next round of tryouts. The Quaffle was tossed into the air, and the competition began.