MY TYPE OF LOVE | marauders era

| chapter six |

By Wednesday, Olivia had posted the tryout details for Quidditch. They were going to be the next weekend, and every position was open but hers - Keeper. Privately, the rest of the old team met up, including Hunter, the best sub last year who we thought was taking Jane's spot as a Keeper.

Typically, there would have officially been tryouts for only two positions this year - Keeper and Chaser - since the seventh years had graduated. The rest of us would have had our positions safe unless we chose to step down, but there would have been tryouts for our subs.

I knew an old Ravenclaw Captain had started the tradition years ago - alongside an official team, every player would have another person shadow them during practice in case of emergency, or when the player graduated from Hogwarts, there were still people who could step up into the position without too many ripples. It was a brilliant strategy, and the tradition had been upheld.

Now, it seemed that Olivia was trying to change the tradition.

"I don't really have a problem with Olivia holding the tryouts this way," Avery, a chaser in my year, said as he relaxed in a corner of the Common Room where we were grouped. "I mean, she is Captain."

"I normally wouldn't have a problem," Autumn agreed, "But Olivia is far from partial when it comes to picking and choosing a team."

"You're just worried she'll kick you off the team for being a jerk," Jack said, "Looks like your retorts are finally catching up with you."

"Like you're any better, Dickenson," Autumn shot back, "Who says your sharp remarks won't kick you off the team? I've heard Wyatt has a chaser friend - think they'll replace you?"

"Well, the way I see it," Hunter interrupted Jack from replying, "She's going to pick Wyatt as a Beater, and leave the experienced player so we don't have total destruction. Olivia might be biased, but she's not completely stupid."

I bit my lip and tried to ignore Autumn's eyes. Between the two of us, we both knew I was the better player and more favored by Olivia.

"So it's between me and Glinda," Autumn said, voicing my thoughts. "Do you think she'll choose based on tryouts or past experience?"

"Past experience," I replied immediately.

"Even if it's unintentional, it will influence her decision," Avery pointed out, kicking his feet up onto the armrest. "That's just straight up how people work."

A tense silence filled our little group. I fidgeted, trying to think of something to say, but there wasn't anything anyone could say to lessen the foreboding doom. Finally, Hunter broke the silence.

"Well, best of luck to us."

Jack snorted. "Best of luck to Ravenclaw. Without a good Quidditch team, there's no way we're winning the House Cup this year."

I stood up. "Despite our pending doom, I have an essay due Friday that is calling my name."

Autumn rose with me. "There's nothing we can do now, anyway. No strategy is going to beat Olivia's determination."

We walked away together, heading to our room. After several sets of stairs, I closed the door and faced Autumn, who looked only two minutes from crying.

"It's going to be alright-" I started, but she just shook her head.

"No it won't, you know Olivia hates me. If there's a choice between which one of us has to go, it's going to be me." She said miserably, and I shook my head.

"Well, you didn't let me finish. I most definitely ticked Olivia off a little this Sunday," I said, and explained my conversation to her from the previous Sunday. Autumn stayed quiet, sinking into her bed.