Spectrum ( A Harry Potter fan-fic )

Chapter 2: Quidditch

       What had she just done? Was that even her? Something was wrong and she had not wanted to shut herself away any more than now. She wanted a friend to be here but she knew that wouldn't happen anytime soon being in Slytherin. "There you Slytherins are! Came a shrill voice from the field as the Slytherins spilled out into it. Taylor noticed a group of students already there with their bags at a nearby corridor. The red and gold emblazoned crest on their chest stood out. The Gryffindors were here. Not the Ravenclaws or the Hufflepuffs where she had friends but the Gryffindors, the known rivals of the Slytherins ever since Hogwarts came about. The Slytherins moved towards the corridor and placed their bags on the opposite wall of the corridor. Madam Bowsteon was waiting for them with a few dozen Cleansweep 100s laid out in front of her. "Now, find a broom and stand on the left of it", she continued as they found their spots "Right. Now, hold out your right hand above your broom and say UP ! Grab your broom tightly now", she said. Taylor was uneasy but she had no problem getting her broom off the floor and into her hands. She had played Quidditch before with the gang. Soon, the class had all risen to the air. Salem and his friends were throwing Illous Pennyscent's wand between themselves and teasing him. Madam Bowsteon was away to fetch a new Cleansweep 100 as Pin Jugstein had broke one as he crashed and broke his nose in the process. He still had a bloody handkerchief pressed against his nose.

       Illous was getting to his wand, but Salem wouldn't allow it. His friend Mallou Kegby had thrown a jinx at Illous as he reached for his wand for the hundredth time. Illous fell to the ground clutching his chest as he spewed slugs from his mouth. Salem just cackled. Anger rose in Taylor once more but her mind was elsewhere. She didn't even notice when Salem came up to her. A loud call from Salem finally brought Taylor back to her senses, " Hey! Elddri! Aren't you going to help the iddy widdle Pennyscent ?" , he scoffed. Taylor said nothing but walked to Illous and helped him up. A flash of light hit her straight on the back and she felt pain. She screamed as she hit the hard ground. As she turned back to face Salem, a brunette haired girl had stepped up and was shouting at Salem. "You can't just be throwing spells and jinxes around willy nilly you pothead! ", she said loudly. "Hmph, whatever you say, sis", Salem said playfully with a hint of sarcasm and hate behind the cold words. " Sis ?", Taylor asked the girl as she helped Taylor and Illous up. As Illous picked up his wand from the ground, the girl answered " Well, stepsister ". That cleared up the fact that she didn't hear another Xest during the Sorting. "Wait, so his parents are divorced? I mean both. Both... of your parents....right?", Taylor asked nervously. "Haha, no biggie. Yes, my mother married his dad. Although my dad died, his parents divorced", said Helen Chaser simply. "Wait, you and Salem are the same age?", asked Illous green-faced. "Yeah. It's weird, I know", Helen answered calmly. As the murmurs of the surrounding Griffindors and Slytherins subsided, Madam Bowsteon had returned to continue the lesson. " There you are Mr.Jugstein. Don't go breaking that broom with an arm now", said the pink-haired teacher as she lobbed the new broom into Pin's arms.

       As the giggles and chatting faded, Madam Bowsteon had grabbed her Cleansweep 100 and called the students to the skies. Illous and a majority of the class were still shaky but everyone was relatively still flying and in the air. The air and feeling of the broom matched with the weightlessness had taken over Taylor's senses. One of her most anticipated activities was about to begin. Flying and best of all, quidditch. As she took in the sight of the massive castle, Salem's face had come into view. He traced his thumb across his neck with a malicious grin. Taylor wasn't phased. Salem had stumbled upon his downfall. Taylor was bold in the skies. She felt as powerful as a dragon against a muggle. She would drive Salem into the ground and laugh after. Soon, she would get her wish.

       An hour into the class, Madam Bowsteon wanted them to fly through a simple course. Everyone got through it relatively easily give or take some hiccups in between the loop and dive. Illous almost fell off his broom and everyone thought Pin was going to actually break a second broom with the speed he was diving. Fortunately, a mouthful of dirt was all he had to endure. Taylor practically cruised through the course with her eyes closed. She was at home. She could see Salem's face of awe forever. Seeing him gawk at the sight of her finesse was priceless.