Lily Potter and The Pearl of Fate

Chapter 9: The Chaser

Trudging on to the Quidditch pitch, Lily wondered if she was able to do this. But it was worth a try, if it meant stopping Scorpius the "pureblood" (is he worth it? or is he just a halfblood, as Lily mistakenly called him?) from insulting Rose - insulting anyone again.

"Welcome, quidditch players! It's the tryouts!" shouted the captain of the Gryffindor team. It sounds as familiar to Lily as it is to Hugo. A figure, just as familiar, stood before Lily's eyes. It was Dominique Weasley.

"Great. It's Dominique. She's sure going to be very strict, plus she is 6 years older than us." Hugo, who had volunteered to go to the tryouts with Lily, whispered quietly, cautious not to let anyone hear him other than Lily.

It was raining cats and dogs and the Gryffindor captain decided to challenge the Gryffindors in this weather, making more butterflies in her stomach churn than ever. Dominique Weasley was towering over them, and Lily could just tell that Hugo was as nervous as she was, considering the fact that he was biting his lip and pacing around slightly.

"Welcome, everyone! This year, I will be your captain. Currently, we have James Potter as seeker, Cedric Dawndew as keeper, Yehuda and Cassiopeia Finnigan as beaters, Elizabeth Ambrose and I are chasers, which means we need to have recruits for one chaser only. If you are coming forward hoping for another place, please leave now because the requirements are stated clearly on a sign in the common room. If you are staying here as a chaser, auditions will start immediately now." Dominique's voice hung in the air as many people left quietly, leaving only a few - five, actually, people on the pitch.

"So, auditions will continue as follows: we shall start from the seventh years down to the first years, and each one of you will try to score as many goals into the three hoops guarded by our keeper in five minutes, while our beaters are hitting the bludgers around. The person who manages to score the most goals will be our new chaser for the Gryffindor team. Now, without further ado, let's get started." She continued.

Lily wasn't sure if she was going to survive this. It seems, despite the fact that there was only one place left, everyone was looking very confident about themselves. Except for Lily. Well, maybe Hugo too, but she had a more important job to this than fighting for the rank of Chaser. She was doing this for Rose, for all the wizards and witches who are being looked down upon.

Lily tensed. The current student in the trials was in his fourth year, and she has already scored five goals in his first two minutes. Could she do this? A rush of doubt started to eat away her determination.

The reality loomed over her. The fourth-year girl had ended gloriously with a victorious score of twelve, ecstatic cheers rising up from everywhere. She was sure she would not be able to make it. Then her plan would fail. Then all her hard work, this standing up to Scorpius, would mean nothing. Then Rose and the others will be free to be insulted again. That would NOT happen. It would not.

Hugo, on the other hand, must have noticed her expression. "Hey, Lily, no worries, I guess. If you don't manage to get in, we can always find a way to outsmart that little Malfoy brat. And, I'm sure you are going to do a great job. I know you will," he assured her.

"Maybe," Lily gave him a weak smile. But inside, her burden has tightened and her heart groaned at the pain. Now, not only she had to get in the team to help Muggleborns and half-bloods alike, but she also had to try hard not to fail Hugo's heart.

"C'mon Lily, you can do this!" Hugo stated. Lily suddenly did not know what to do. Trying hard to hide her trembling legs, she controlled - at least, tried to control - her emotions so she looked as confident as she could. She was doing this for her friend. She was doing this for an entire race in the Wizardry World.