Crossroads of Two Worlds

23- Try Hard

"Ahem! Hello? Hello? Can you HEAR ME?!"

The sound system squealed as Louis Weasley spoke into the microphone... much louder than needed. He had been designated as this year's Quidditch announcer and had, as usual, his wolf-dog puppy by his side... which should be interesting.

"Oh good it's working. LADIES and GENTLEMEN! May I, Louis Weasley, invite you to enjoy Hogwarts' FIRST Quidditch game of the season- no Boyo stop it! I'm busy, you can't stick your tongue- sorry, anyway... FIRST game of the season... GRYFFINDOR VERSUS RAVENCLAW!!!"

The crowd burst into applause and deafening cheers. It seemed like the entire school was here, even Slytherin and Hufflepuff students. It brought a rush of adrenaline to my body and brain that I'd only ever experienced during sword fighting before.

"On the Ravenclaw team this morning... drumroll please!!"

Pounding on laps and stomping on the bleachers commenced, creating a buzzing sound that halted when Louis spoke again, "Chasers Dominique Weasley- wow she looks like she could throw a good punch, huh- Seraphina Jones, and Seth Chase! Beaters Jackson Ramone and Elias Karson! Keeper Aaron Smith! Aaannnddd... Ravenclaw's Seeker... Alison Davies!"

As each name was said, the corresponding person launched into a loop around the stadium, the crowd going wild. I'd forgotten that Louis's unnaturally beautiful sister was the Captain for Ravenclaw team. She looked nothing like her siblings and more like a feminine, ridiculously gorgeous manifestation of their father. Or at least Rose said so. Rose also said that she was one of the smartest, most creative people in the entire Potter-Weasley clan. That fact didn't make me feel all that great about trying to defeat her team. But gods, I'd try.

"And your Defending Champions of the Quidditch Cup...GRYFFINDOR! Chasers Genevieve Wood, Tristan Shirst, and Frank Longbottom! Beaters James Potter and Fred Weasley- What handsome men they are!- And the newbies of the group, Keeper Rose Weasley- aww what a cutie!- and Seeker Alana Faye!"

I waited until I heard my name announced and shot into the air, zipping around the arena in seconds, earning numerous claps from those in my house that came to watch.

Eventually we all took position, me above the rest of my team, looking down at Angelina Weasley as she held the Quaffle in her hands, "Now this is the first game of the season, so I want a clean game from all of you! Lord, I sound like Hooch. Alright, three, two, one..."

She threw the ball in the air as she blew the whistle and on cue Dominique swooped in and caught it just a hair before Genna. With a bit more hesitation than I probably should have had, I realized that it was not, in fact, my job to hover in one spot on my broom and watch the chasers play the game without me. So I flew higher into the air and began to look around the pitch for the tiny speck of gold that would indicate victory for this game.

While I felt remarkably lazy, sitting above everyone just watching for a tiny speck, my house scored six points against Ravenclaw's one. My team was amazing. Now I just had to finish it and spot the pesky little bit of gold. Unfortunately, the position I finally did spot the snitch in was not ideal. It had begun hovering in between the hoops that Rose guarded fiercely. It would be no simple task to just pop in there, grab it, and then smoothly exit the area. Thankfully, I knew how to dodge. I spiraled around a Ravenclaw Beater and ducked to avoid a bludger that Fred had aimed at the same player I'd just maneuvered around.

"Sorry, Alana!" Fred shouted as he whizzed by me.

Without pausing in my flight path I shouted back, "You're good!"

I kept the tiny, fluttering golden ball in my sites as I stopped in dived around players from both teams. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my best friend make a miraculous save, blocking a shot from none other than her gorgeous French cousin. And Dom was known to be one of the best players Ravenclaw had ever known! Not even she could daunt Rose!