𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 | 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

✧ chapter 14 ✧

1976

"...The quaffle is released into the air, and they're off! Potter takes possession; he's heading for the rings. But what's this?! A spot of foul play by the Slytherin keeper Blythe Breckinridge lands the quaffle in Captain Emma Vanity's capable hands..." the iconic voice of fast paced Gryffindor commentator Kenneth Jordan echoed throughout the Quidditch pitch, barely audible above the protest of the crowd.

"Bollocks!" Marlene hollered, thumping her manicured fists against the railing of the Gryffindor grand stand.

"They can't play that! Breckinridge almost took out Prongs eye!" Remus added, his usually calm façade dropping in place of anger at the blatant favouritism.

The first match of the season had only been going on five minutes and the Slytherins were already playing dirty.

"Potter recovers from Breckinridge's savage attack and takes off in hot pursuit of Vanity with the quaffle. A bludger seems to be headed straight for him but he only has eyes for that quaffle, look out Lily Evans you've got competition!" Kenneth Jordan was a tall, dark boy with dreadlocks who was well known for his wit and dry humour. He was in his seventh year and nobody wanted to think about him leaving. Although his commentary was sometimes biased it was never dull and nobody would be able to replace him.

Back in the Gryffindor stands Lily balled her fists up at Kenneth's joke and Marlene scowled, putting an arm around Lily protectively. Meanwhile on the pitch, James was far too concerned with winning to pay any mind to the comment about Lily. As a result, he also was paying no mind to the bludger careering towards him. Aurora spotted it seconds before Kenneth announced its chosen path and leant low on her broom to increase her speed as she intercepted it just in time. She then sped off after it, a plan obviously forming in her mind. She positioned herself in front of the bludger and sat on her broom in an almost blasé manner considering a bludger was now headed directly for her.

"A wonderful save by Faulkner! Potter is joined by Overton and they're both catching up to Vanity! Can she get past Spencer and score for Slytherin? But what's this?! Faulkner appears to be on her own suicide mission! This is insane! I can't believe my eyes folks!"

Aurora ignored the sudden eruption of noise from the stands. There was a mixture of people telling her to move combined with collective panic and a few voices telling her to do a flip when she fell off her broom. Aurora positioned herself to hit as if she were aiming in practise when corralling the bludgers back into their box. She licked her finger and stuck it in the air, figuring out the direction the wind was blowing and how strongly, then lined herself up accordingly. Everyone else realised what she doing a moment too late however, as her gaze zeroed in on Emma Vanity seconds before she swung her bat. The bludger connected with the wooden bat with a crack that resonated throughout the pitch with alarming intensity and sailed cleanly towards Emma in an almost perfect arch.

"...hit the deck!" The end of Sirius warning sailed through the grounds and the entire Gryffindor team needed no prompting. James and Theodore ceased their chase and fell back almost immediately for fear of being too close upon impact, and Bram shot up six feet above the rings he was supposed to be guarding. Emma slowed a little and looked up at Bram apprehensively, before following his shocked gaze. She turned just in time for the bludger to connect with her stomach, knocking her clean off her broom and definitely winding her. The quaffle slipped from her fingers and Bram nosedived in order to retrieve it before the impending time out was called. Emma's body collided with the ground seconds later and the whole pitch seemed to go silent. In the distance a whistle was blown and Madam Pomfrey burst onto the pitch, making a beeline for Emma, followed closely by Professor Slughorn. The rest of the Slytherin and Gryffindor Quidditch teams landed seconds later, all dismounting their brooms and rushing over. Emma finally moved and Aurora let out a breath she didn't realise she'd been holding. The relief was short lived however as Emma lurched to the side and vomited up her breakfast mixed with blood.