Woes of a Weasley

5: Death To Marcus Flint (Not Really)

I didn't shake his outstretched hand, so he pulled it back, still sustaining a grin.

"Um.... thanks? But how?" My eyes widen. "Are you messing with me? Is this actually a joke?"

"No." He sneers again, his voice sounding slimy. Makes me want to gag, really. "Our first match is two weeks from now so you'll get more practice."

️With that, Flint and his buds walk off the field and go back inside the castle.

"You're in?" Draco meets me at the edge of the field with Crabbe and Goyle.

I could only nod.

"Wait 'till everyone finds out you got the place on the team." He snickers to himself as he strides past me, followed closely by Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum.

"I don't understand, though!" I shout after him. "I'm too small for a Beater."

Malfoy shrugged and continued walking inside. I was left alone on the field. Just me and my broom.

Maybe Flint saw something special about me? Maybe I'm really quick and agile.... Maybe I'm actually a valuable player! Ha. I honestly don't know.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The two weeks before the match went by incredibly fast, even though they were the first two weeks of the school year. They're hardly worth mentioning.

My favorite class is potions, just because Snape favors me. Most everyone hates potions, especially because it's in the dungeons, but I do love the dungeons.

The Slytherin common room is in the dungeons, and when I fall asleep it's calming to watch out into the dark waters of the black lake before I go to bed. Sometimes you can see weird animals, and every now and then when the lake is low the water laps up against the window, creating a relaxing echoing sound.

️Word got out I made the team, so some places I went people would point subtly and whisper. I guess it was weird for a third-year Weasley girl to be a Slytherin Beater. Im one of the only girl Beaters in the history of the school.

Today is the game. It's at noon, and I've practiced a ton. I have barely been around my friends, and I haven't talked to my family much. I sent one letter home to mom and dad, but that's it. I actually feel confident on a broom.

Gryffindor versus Slytherin.... I can't lose.

"Um... Ains?" A small voice from behind interrupts my thoughts.

I was sitting on a boulder overlooking the lake, and I didn't expect Ginny to find me. I skipped out on breakfast this morning because I'm actually a little nervous about Quidditch. Excited though, too.

"Hey Ginny." I sigh, not turning my head.

"Here. You should eat for the match today." She climbs up onto the rock beside me, and hands me an apple. I hesitantly take it, muttering a quiet thanks right before I take a bite.

"Er... and well... I have something to tell you." Ginny's nose scrunched up as she thought of a way to word what she was going to confess.

"Yeah?" I pry, taking another bite of my breakfast. "Shpill itf." I spoke with my mouth full.

"I was in the Library a few nights ago, and I overheard Flint talking to that big brunette guy-"

"Adrian?"

"Yes I think so. Anyways - they were talking about you." She glanced sideways at me, and when I didn't react, she continued speaking. "He was telling the Adrian guy why you made the team."

"And?" I raise my eyebrows, anxious for what Ginny was going to tell me.

"And he said- well he said-" She fidgeted nervously where she was sitting. "Flint said Sicily and Draco persuaded him to let you join, and that was the only reason. He said... I think he said something about doing his girlfriend a favor? I'm sorry."

I freeze and throw the core of my apple into the water. Does this mean I have no talent at all?

"Im sure he's happy with the decision he made though by adding you to the team!" Ginny said hurriedly, as if she was afraid I'd blow my top. I jump off the Boulder and brush off my robes, and fix up my scarf for the cool, fall air.

"No worries." My voice cracks and I clear my throat. "Thanks Ginny." I grin at her as genuinely as I could, and let her walk with me back to the castle.

Flint thinks he could just use me? And I'm sure Draco blackmailed him or something.... making me a cheat. Now I know. I'm not even supposed to be on the team.

I clench my fists open and closed after Ginny passed ahead of me. I need to prove myself! Even more now than before.

"Ainsley, Ginny." Percy passes us in the hall, not even stopping to talk more. Ginny huffs and and I shout after him.

"Hey Prick! You comin' to the match today?"

Percy whipped around and glared at me with narrow eyes.

"Five points from Slytherin." He growls, then spins on his heels continuing to walk through the hall.

"That wasn't nice, Ainsley." Ginny scolds and I shrug.

"It's true, isn't it?"

"No comment." She replies and I quickly hide my smile. "Hey the match starts pretty soon so you should probably get with your team."

"Right." I nod, jogging off in the other direction. Did I actually just have a sister moment with Ginny? Whatever it was... it felt kinda good.

I change into my Quidditch uniform. I'm number 10. The first team mate I see is Malfoy. I start to run up to him but I catch myself.

He went behind my back to get me a place on the team.... I guess it's not that bad, but still- I wanted to be a part of the team fair and square.

"Ready for this?" He questions and I nod without speaking. The rest of the team had joined us in the tunnel under the stadium by the time Flint arrived. He swaggered in, all confident, and I frown at the fact he never believed in my Quidditch skills.

"Alright. We all wanna win this. Play dirty if you have to, just make it subtle so Madam Hooch doesn't notice." Flint chuckled, and was joined by a few teammates. There are only eight of us in all, but that's all you need for Quidditch. "Who's ready to beat those cocky Gryffs?"

Everyone around me cheered, but I just kept staring at Flint. He turned to me and smiled.

"And here's to our new Beater!" He added, not breaking eye contact with me. I saw Adrian roll his eyes, but most of the team clapped. Im definitely going to kick ass.... I've got to.