Emaline Goode: The Raven Of Ilvermorny: A Secrets Of The Gordian Knot prequel

Chapter 9 - Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

November had begun and it was getting colder and colder. Winter was coming. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake was like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in his first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up to second place in the house championship. The week after that, Emaline will make her Hogwarts debut with Ravenclaw against Hufflepuff, their biggest rivals and according to Skye, the game is probably the most intense rivalry in the school. As last year's Cup winners, Ravenclaw was sitting comfortably in first place. In two weeks, Emaline would be allowed to return home to America for Thanksgiving.

On Friday morning, she was sitting with Tulip having breakfast, and reading a letter from her mom. "Good morning, Tulip!" said a girl's voice. Emaline turned around to see who the voice belonged to. It was a girl who had long, blonde hair with two thick braids over her shoulder and a braid on her left side that formed a ponytail, giving her a half-up and wearing a robe with yellow on it. She was in Hufflepuff. Following behind her was a much younger girl who looked just like her, only she had shorter hair. "Hi, Penny! And Beatrice!", said Tulip. She sat down next to Tulip. "So, is the banner finished?", the older girl asked Tulip.

"Yes," she said. "It just finished drying."

"So, you must be Emaline Goode," said the older girl. "Tulip has told me all about you. In fact, everyone in Hogwarts is talking about you. Are you British, by any chance?"

"No, I'm American, specifically, I'm from Oregon." she said, "I've been transferred for the year from Ilvermorny."

"Oh, I've heard so much about that school," said the younger girl, "Which house are you in?"
"Thunderbird."
"I'm Penny Haywood, by the way. This is my little sister, Beatrice."
"Nice to meet you both.", she said as she shook Penny and Beatrice's hands.

"So, are you excited about the Gryffindor/Slytherin game today? Can't wait to see Harry Potter in action!"

"Yeah. Can't wait."

Then, meanwhile, in through the window came a Snowy Owl. It was Hedwig, Harry's pet. She was carrying a very large package and dropped it off right where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting, right next door at the Gryffindor table. "Bit early for mail, isn't it?" said Hermione.

"But I never get any mail," said Harry.
"Let's open it."
The trio opened up the package and it revealed a brand-new broomstick.

"It's a broomstick," said Harry.
"That's not just a broomstick, Harry!" said Ron, "It's the Nimbus 2000!" Nearby, Oliver Wood's jaw dropped onto the table. He was insanely jealous. Emaline looked and she was jealous.

By eleven o'clock, the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars. The seats might be raised high in the air, but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes. Emaline, who wore her Thunderbird team jacket, joined Tulip, Beatrice, and Penny in the top row where the students from Ravenclaw were sitting. They brought a banner that they had painted just for Harry. Even though the girls were in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, they wanted to root for Gryffindor. It said: "LET'S GO LIONS!" painted in scarlet and gold letters. Penny was good at drawing and she painted a gold lion. Several other banners like theirs lined the stands across the stadiums. One of them was made by Ron, Hermione, and Dean Thomas and said: "POTTER FOR PRESIDENT!" also with scarlet and gold on it and also with a lion.

"Is Quidditch like this all the time at Ilvermorny?" said Penny.
"Absolutely," said Emaline, "But it's a very different game over there in America. It's a lot more violent and brutal. And very competitive. You wouldn't dare take the field unless you knew how to use your fists."