Aria Black and the Prisoner of Azkaban *Re-Write*

No Falling, Failing, or Dying Around Here, Folks!

At breakfast the next morning, we all sit in silence. Harry brings down his Firebolt, and it's like the main attraction at the zoo. Students from every house come to admire it. The Slytherin team even stops by to harass Harry.

Tonks is up and ready, trying to lighten the mood. She tells about a million cheesy jokes on the borderline of stupid, but the effort is nice.

My little fan from Ravenclaw, Michelle Hart, approaches me after the Slytherins leave. "Hi Michelle." I say, smiling.

She grins. "You're playing Ravenclaw today."

"I know." I say.

Michelle leans in to whisper in my ear. "Even though you're playing my house, I'm still rooting for you, okay?"

I puff my chest out cockily. "I won't beat you guys too bad."

She smiles at me and shakes her head disapprovingly. "Just watch out for my friend, okay? Jeremy Stretton. He always makes sure I do my homework, because I hate school and I hate class and I hate homework." Michelle wishes me luck once more and leaves to eat toast.

Jeremy Stretton passes the table and claps Oliver on the back. "Good luck today, mate."

Oliver nods, a stony mask on his face. He doesn't function until we get to the Pitch.

I take a bite of tart, but cannot finish it. My stomach hurts in hunger and I take one more bite. Oliver ushers us to the locker rooms.

Angelina, Alicia, and I depart to our side of the locker room. They're looking pale and worried. Alicia hovers over the trash bin for a moment, and then changes into her robes. Oliver told me that his rule for vomiting is: barf over the stands, and we can always get it off your robes.

Unlike the weather at our match with Hufflepuff, the sky is clear and cloudless. The sun beats down on us, but a gentle breeze cools us down.

For our pep talk, Oliver stands in front of us, arms folded and stare piercing. "You know what we've got to do. If we lose this match, we're out of the running. Just... Just fly like you did in practice yesterday, and we'll be okay."

He stops me at the door. "Remember what we talked about?"

I nod, smiling. "Complete focus and determination. No falling, failing, or dying around here folks!"

Oliver is not amused. "You forgot to mention to take this seriously."

"Sir yes sir." I say quietly, following him out.

Applause sounds as we step onto the pitch. My stomach leaps with excitement. These people are clapping for me! I find Remus in the top row, next to Dumbledore and Professor Sinistra. He's clapping politely and smirking.

The Ravenclaw team is dressed in a pretty shade of royal blue. Their Seeker is the only girl, a small, petite one named Cho Chang. Roger Davies, the Captain, is a fifth year like most of us on our team. Jeremy, Oliver and apparently Michelle's friend is here. Jeremy, Roger, and Randolph Burrow are the Chasers that I'll be facing.

On the other end of our line, Fred and George are sizing up their competition. Duncan Inglebee and Jason Samuels are the Beaters. Both are tall, strong, and handsome. Fred and George try to look threatening but fail miserably.

Madam Hooch steps up, Quaffle in hand. "Wood, Davies, shake hands." She says.

Oliver reaches out and shakes hands with Roger as fast as he can get away with.