Nerves were a constant companion when faced with new experiences—whether it was the first day at school, the first kiss, the first date, or the first Quidditch game. Right now, those nerves were so intense that I could barely bring myself to stand. My feet felt as though they were weighed down by lead, each step a monumental effort.
"Come on, get up," Hannah urged, grabbing my forearm with a firmness that spoke of her determination. "Cedric's been looking for you everywhere."
I shot her a panicked look. "What if I fall? Or worse, what if I make the team lose? I can't bear the thought of letting everyone down."
Hannah took a seat beside me, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the storm of my worries. "You're fantastic, Bella. I saw you fly the other day—no one could even think about catching you, not even Roger Davis."
Her words were a balm to my frazzled nerves. I worked to secure my hair into a tight ponytail, trying to focus on the task rather than the churning anxiety in my stomach. "You're just saying that because you're my best friend," I said with a shaky laugh.
"Come on," she insisted with a reassuring smile, "I never lie, not to you! You know me better than that."
Her confidence was infectious, and I felt a flicker of reassurance in the midst of my apprehension. "Okay," I said, "can I have a hug before I go?"
Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me, her embrace warm and grounding. "Good luck, Bella. I'll be with Ernie on the bleachers, cheering you on."
As she pulled away, her words lingered in the air, a gentle reminder of the support waiting for me. I watched her leave, feeling a bit more prepared to face the challenge ahead.
We stood in the Quidditch Tower, the anticipation buzzing around us like an electric current. The whole team moved in synchronized steps towards the starting gate, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As we reached the heavy double doors, we paused, the tension palpable.
"Scared, Brown?" Cedric's voice broke through my racing thoughts. His tone was light, but I could sense the genuine concern behind it.
"A little bit," I admitted, trying to mask my trembling hands and the tight knot of fear in my chest.
"That's all right," Cedric said, his voice a soothing balm. "I felt the same way before my first game."
I looked at him, curiosity mingled with anxiety. "What happened?"
He chuckled, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Er, I don't really remember much. Took a Bludger to the head two minutes in. Woke up in the hospital a week later."
I swallowed hard, feeling a chill at the thought. I forced myself to focus on the space ahead as the doors creaked open. The roar of the crowd surged in, a tidal wave of sound that almost took me aback.
The commentator's voice cut through the noise, clear and enthusiastic. I recognized the name from Hannah's chatter—Lee Jordan. "Hello, and welcome to Hogwarts' second Quidditch game of the season! Today's game: Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw!!!" His voice boomed with infectious energy as we mounted our brooms, the familiar, comforting grip of the handle grounding me.
We soared out onto the enormous pitch, the vast expanse of green and the sea of cheering spectators sprawling below us. The sensation of the wind whipping past and the cacophony of cheers filled my senses as we formed a circle in the air. Madame Hooch emerged onto the field, her presence commanding immediate attention. The whistle for the game was about to blow, and with it, the start of a new chapter of triumphs and trials awaited.
