LILAC (Fred Weasley)

Chapter 55

„Dear Diary,

Today I learned a very valuable lesson. Sometimes second chances aren't just the one we give. Sometimes second chances were given by fate, by something higher, by destiny. Seemingly it lies in small patches we can't grasps. And fate had something very funny for me in store. And not just for me.

This year the Quidditch tryouts for Ravenclaw were really early and we wanted to watch the newbies trying their luck. I hung out with Cho on the field when she took care of her broom and Sean was sitting with Gemma on a bench next to the stands, reading a book. Gemma meanwhile seemed to have her focus everywhere. I know that she likes Quidditch. So I was pretty glad she decided to join us today.

Louis didn't dare though to show up. He is trying out for the Slytherin team again and he doesn't want to be seen as a traitor or someone who wants to steal others tactics and plans, even if that never lies in his intentions. He claims he wouldn't want other teams to watch them as well. Or he was just scared someone might leash out on him. My guess is on the last. Sean thinks so too.

Anyways, while Cho and I were chatting away, absentmindedly ignoring what was going on around us. When all of a sudden Davis was screaming, pointing around and gesturing widely. A bludger was heading Sean and Gemma's way. Out of control. A newbie trying out for the position of a beater didn't have any control of any tool at all. (Almost as bad as me)

Gemma had killer reflexes. She sacrificed a book and hit the bludger with it away, directing it into a completely different direction. She was in shock, the leather bound book broken and Sean sat there with wide eyes, his hands still half open in the air, where he held the book just a few seconds prior.

I did the only reasonable ting in that moment. I cheered so loud, I believed my lungs dared to implode. Because Gemma just saved her brother with a bloody book. And I wasn't the only one impressed. Davis instantly flew over to them. He had along conversation with Gemma. And even Sean seemed to push her forward (and he usually never does that). In the end, both of them managed that Gemma went down with him onto the field and onto a broom.

I couldn't have done it. I didn't manage it last year, I haven't managed it before and I certainly wouldn't have managed to get her to try it in the future. In that case fate gave her a second chance in really trying it out with hitting her brother almost unconscious with a bludger.

Life seems funny that way.

When we told the others on the dinner table that Gemma made it into the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, they were flabbergasted. I can't blame them, it came out of the blue. Fred claimed that they now have to look out in their next matches, with Gemma and Cho as an addition to the team.

For a while it was fine to talk about it, but I could see that Gemma slowly started to get uncomfortable with all the attention on her and the constant questions. She was fighting with her fingers again and picking at the skin around her nails. So I did the only reasonable thing and made a scene, averting the attention towards me and making the others laugh. I was telling them, how it would have ended, if it was me in Gemma's shoes today and Sean went pale on the thought of that. Also I did a very good impression of the book Gemma decided to break. I could see Gemma relaxing more and more and joining into the laughter.

I am excited to see what the quidditch field has in store for her and if she can keep up with it. I know that she has the rules down, the strategics and has the feeling for it, however, she never really played before. She never allowed herself to play, because she was too scared she might make a fool out of herself. No matter how hard I tried to convince her, that she with high possibility won't make a laughing stick out of herself, even if she does badly, she decided against trying, hiding in the library from a possible life. So that's why I am so glad, that Davis managed it. Gemma hasn't told me yet what he said to her in order to persuade her, but whatever he said, I'm glad it worked.

She is now back from the showers, time for me to question her. She needs to spill how she really feels about all of this, because knowing her, her nerves will lash out soon, if she doesn't make room for them and her having a panic attack mid training is not the best way to start her new journey.

With that, we will hear again from one another. Diary, thanks for sticking around and keeping up with all my emotions.

Yours,

Jade."