Rose Weasley and the Wizard's Sacrifice

Chapter 2 | Gryffindor-Slytherin Match

A few hours after they left the library, the Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch Match began, which was one of the exceptions to the non-fraternization policy. Aside from Quidditch and the library, actually, Rose didn't know of any other places they were allowed to coexist.

She found her seat next to Noah and Jude Jordan. Jude was a stocky boy in Sixth Year with them. He had ear-length dreadlocks and a nose ring, and gave Rose a peace sign when she sat down.

Noah had cups of hot chocolate ready for her and Reagan. Rose gratefully wrapped her hands around the one he handed her.

Reagan sipped hers and moaned, "Oh, man, Noah, you're welcome to sit with us any time."

Rose smiled and elbowed her friend. Noah grinned at her, and she grinned right back. They stayed like that for a moment before a booming announcement that the Quidditch players were about to enter the pitch made them both jump a little.

She turned to the Pitch as the announcer thundered, "And here's the Gryffindor Quidditch Team members! The Chasers: Spinnet, Forbes, and Creevy! Of course, the ruthless Beaters, Potter - James Potter, that is - and Corner. Wood, the Keeper-"

Rose winced. Reagan, the only person she told about her old relationship with Wood, gave her a sympathetic smile and squeezed her hand. "-and the Seeker, Albus Potter!"

"And, here come the Slytherin players!" As the first Slytherins stalked on the Pitch, several boos and cheers echoed, depending on who you supported. Even from up here, she could see the daggers the Gryffindor and Slytherin players were shooting at each other. There was no love left between their Houses.

"Of course, the Chasers: Bulstrode, Grutch, Locke! The Beaters, Nott and Greyback - they're a brutal pairing, I'll tell you - and here's their Keeper, Duncan. And there's the new Seeker, Scorpius Malfoy!"

Rose froze.

Scorpius Malfoy.

Reagan and Noah and even Jude turned to her, all looking worried. Rose didn't know what to do. She fisted her hands at her sides as she watched a blonde figure saunter across the Pitch.

Her eyes narrowed. A blonde figure she recognized. It was that Slytherin, from the library. No wonder he'd reacted strangely when he heard her name.

And that emotion she'd seen flash across his features - guilt.

And even as Rose watched him walk across the Pitch - the son of the man that had killed her her uncle, she didn't blame him.

It didn't change the fact that he'd been a jerk to her and Noah yesterday, but still.

"You okay, Rose?" Noah dared. They were all still looking at her, gauging her reaction.

Rose loosed a breath. "I'm fine."

They all seemed to exhale in relief. Jude muttered, "Good, because the game's about to start."

Sure enough, she'd missed the captains - Archer Wood and Rhydian Nott - shake hands. Both teams were taking their positions now, and the ancient Madam Hooch blew the whistle as she released the Quaffle in the air.

"You're right," Noah said, wincing as the Gryffindor and Slytherin Chasers collided. "It's gonna be a bloodbath."

That was the understatement. Within the initial confusion of the scramble for the Quaffle, one of the Slytherin Chasers had elbowed Gryffindor Chaser Creevy in the nose, and he was now bleeding everywhere. Madam Hooch blew her whistle within the first three seconds. After verifying Creevy's nose wasn't broken, Hooch called a foul. Gryffindors got a shot at the posts.