The Gifted Curse

Chapter 4 - Seeker

There was plenty of chatter at breakfast in the Great Hall a few days later when Geneva returned. It was nice to know people cared when they heard of her injuries – the genuine ones anyway, some were just interested in the gossip that came with it.

She saw him at a distance. Her Potions Professor was taking his place next to Professor McGongall at the teacher's table, which lined the very top of the Great Hall. Geneva's belly did a somersault, which she never questioned, and for a while her eyes remained fixated on him, trying not to make it too obvious to him or anyone around her, but hoping he would look in her direction...just once.

No. Stop it. She wouldn't allow it. She forced herself to turn away.

Geneva was interrupted only when the post owls flew in, dropping parcels and letters across the hall. A tawny owl swooped down in front of her, fanning her hair upon landing, almost knocking over the sugar bowl. It had a piece of parchment rolled up in its claws. Geneva detached the message and unravelled it to find a letter from her parents.

Hi love

Your father and I have been so worried about you, but the school have been beyond commendable on ensuring you a safe recovery. We are so glad you're better now and look forward to having you home at Christmas, dear.

Congratulations on making Slytherin seeker! We knew you could do it!

Love, Mum and Dad xoxo

What did you get? Geneva asked, noticing the parcel beside Orah. She undone the brown string, hastily opened the box, and revealed a generously handsome amount of homemade chocolate fudge. Orah beamed and shoved a piece between her lips at once, rolling her eyes as saliva filled her mouth, tantalising her taste buds. "Mum's fudge is the best! Try it!"

She offered the box to Geneva who bit into the squishy cube with approval, getting the attention of Slytherin girls sat opposite, who had also dipped into the box. Billy Jamerson - Orah's crush -also learned over and took a cube for himself, lighting a fire inside her belly. She was practically transparent in awe and kicked Geneva under the table.

After breakfast, the first lesson was timetabled– Charms. She and Orah were making their way along the corridor to Professor Flitwick's room when a sudden voice called out behind them.

"Oi!"

Geneva knew it was Draco before she'd turned around and saw his snotty pale face and bleached hair. He was stood centred by Crabbe and Goyle – the boulders he called friends.

"You may be the new Seeker for Slytherin, Azur,but I can assure you the wrong person was chosen. I was as close to that snitch as you were, and who got hit by a bludger – you!"

"You clearly weren't as close because I caught it," Geneva answered back.

"Don't get funny with me, Azur. Your back crumbled like a cookie out there. You've not even had your first match yet. Pathetic!." Draco spat, looking her up and down. "We may aswell all say goodbye to this team. Terrible decision if you ask me, making you seeker."

"Shut your mouth!" Orah blasted. Geneva thrust an arm out to stop her jumping in further.

"Well I didn't ask you," Geneva assured Draco. "I couldn't give a damn what you think."

"Mi-ster...Malfoy..."Came a smooth, deep voice. Professor Snape slid into view, robed from his neck to his feet, with his fingers clasped low in front of him.

"What seems to be the trouble here?" he asked, momentarily shooting everyone a calm but authoritative look.

"Our Quidditch team," Malfoy jabbed. "It's all going to pot now isn't it, now that they've made her seeker."

Snape opened his mouth slightly, seconds before speaking.

"A decision I concluded. Miss Azur caught the snitch in the quickest time, and was therefore rewarded for her efforts."

Geneva's belly washed around, swelling with pride at perhaps the first compliment Professor Snape had ever given her. She looked at him in a way she hadn't before – a slight smile resting on her lips that she hoped was concealed more than she felt it. She thought of their moment in detention. It was there immediately as though pulled from the archives.

Draco's mouth, if possible, turned down even further in an embedded sneer.

"Now," Snape addressed, looking around at them all. "I suggest you all make your way to wherever you should be at this hour.I'll hear nothing more on this subject. Go."

And with that, they all departed whilst his tall stature remained fixed to the spot, until they were out of sight.

Draco sneered at Geneva for the remainder of the day and even more so at dinner when Dumbledore announced the new seekers foreach house, inviting them to the front to collect their handsome new Quidditch robes with their names and number on the back.

Geneva couldn't help but glance over at herPotions Professor when her name was called. He was applauding in unison with the teachers as she walked to the front to collect her robes in Slytherin colours of green and silver, and was sure enough looking right back at her. His expression however was neutral as always and entirely unreadable. A part of her wished for a smile, or something – a glint of happiness perhaps - but this was Professor Snape. In seven years of being at Hogwarts, Geneva had never seen him smile. It was a standing joke throughout the school.

"The day Snape smiles," meaning; fat chance of that happening!

Geneva shook Dumbledore's large jewelled hand and accepted her robe with great applause from her table of Slytherins. She felt, at that moment, on top of the world. Teachers and students alike,applauded to congratulate the successful four, and to conclude, Dumbledore gave a speech on the importance of all inclusive, passionate team-members,regardless of position. Malfoy's nose turned up in disagreement, riddled with jealously. Geneva loved every second.

Dinner that night also marked the announcement of the Yule ball, which was speedily approaching on the coming Saturday. The room erupted in excited chitter chatter which Dumbledore brought down to a silence again to finish his speech.

The same question was on everyone's lips for days afterwards and discussed at all hours, during lunch, in the corridors and lessons – dates.

Geneva was approached at least eight times in the next few days leading up to the weekend of the Yule Ball, and it didn't come as a surprise to anyone who knew her.

"You're turning everyone down!" Orah's mouth dropped as the girls sat studying in library that evening. "Why?"

Geneva almost laughed at the wave of panic in Orah's voice and the urgency of her question.

"I just don't want the gossip that comes with it afterwards," she began a prissy mocking voice. "Did you hear, Geneva didn't go with Jonathon, she went with Philip instead. Yah Yah Yah...How could she?I'm going to pass."

"But Jonathon Hill though!" Orah gaped, as he awkwardly walked on.

"Especially," noddedGeneva. He was regarded as one of the most handsome and academic of all Slytherin house - a prefect - tall with black hair and a chiselled jaw. Amazing greeneyes. Even the first years drooled over him. Geneva discreetly looked back at him, as Orah had reacted so dramatically to his reaction.

"I'm sure he's ok," Geneva assured her. "He'll take it on the chin."

"The chin? I think you just knocked him out."

Geneva laughed. "There are plenty of girls that would love go with him."

"What are you going to do when everyone has dance partners?" Orah continued.

Geneva shrugged, underlining a key piece of her draft essay.

"Sit out. It's really not a big deal. I just want to see Draco dancing, really."

"Well..." Orah chimed, "If he dances like he tries out for Quidditch seeker..."

Laughter rolled between them.