Scratches (Fred Weasley)

(10) Ravenclaw VS Hufflepuff

The week's been nothing but Quidditch practices. After the first practice, Roger had came to them white faced the next day. He told his team how quick and agile Diggory's training was, all of their mock games ending not longer than fifteen minutes. Cedric had a sharp eye, and they all bet that he could catch it before Cho did.

Which caused everyone to train harder, the ten laps doubled to twenty. Roger also introducing a new exercise where they would do curl-ups with their legs curled around their broom, and they were lifted five feet from the ground. Florence had fallen and landed on her head atleast two times during the first try.

Hufflepuff was the only game that they could guarantee a win, seeing as the Gryffindors and the Slytherins were tough competitors. Gryffindor had a paranoid of a Captain who always pushed them to win at every game, while the Slytherins played nastily.

Marcus Flint, their Captain had borrowed a Beater's bat and aimed it at Davies the previous year when they had lost the game to Ravenclaw. Roger was confined into the Hospital wing for his massive concussion and a few broken ribs.

Nobody really did like it when they had to play for Slytherin.

Everyone on the Ravenclaw team had been stressing about it, so on the morning of the awaited match, the Ravenclaws were nowhere near their hyped moods. Instead of going about and spreading team spirit, each of them looked as if they knew they were going to loose beforehand.

Nicolai and Alexander noticed this, from the way Florence sat glumly in her blue and bronze Quidditch jumper, looking at her food in disinterest.

"I made this eagle hat, look!" said Nicolai during breakfast that morning. She put on a ridiculous knitted eagle on her head, lolling it from side to side, making the hat move. "Don't believe her. She asked Luna Lovegood to make it for her. You know how that girl is with house pride." said Alexander, before taking a bite from an apple.

"Thats...wonderful, Nic." she said shortly, looking at Cedric Diggory, who sat modestly in his seat. He wore a pleasant expression as he chatted with his fellow teammates, all of which were dressed in their Quidditch jumper. Florence swallowed the lump that was building in her throat, before picking on what was on her plate.

"You nervous for your game?" asked Alexander concernedly, Florence nodding, "We've seen them play...yesterday. You should have seen Davies' face. He's never worried when we go against Hufflepuff."

"I heard that Diggory has a different playing scheme, uncommon—as some people would describe it." Nicolai said, draining her goblet of pumpkin juice. Florence sighed inwardly, finishing up the remainder of the omelet and bacon strips that were on her plate quickly as possible.

"You're not helping her," muttered Alexander as Nicolai frowned at him, "What? I was being candor, I simply told her what I've heard from other people—"

"Maybe she needs encouragement rather than you indirectly telling her that they might lose." he retorted.

"I wasn't saying anything like that!" she protested,

"Oh but you were—"

"I wasn't!"

"Guys!" Florence sighed, the two going silent almost immediately, giving their friend an apologetic look. "I'm fine, okay? Pressure is all. But I'll manage." she said solemnly. "You'll be fine, Flo. We swear. You're a great Chaser." "Yeah. Diggory can suck it up." Florence chuckled, thanking her friends.

Florence walked to the Quidditch pitch alone, Nicolai and Alexander deciding to go a little later when the game was about to start. She had her Cleansweep 7 on one hand and her safety gear on the other. She was startled by voices, two tall figures walking at either side of her.