EPHEMERAL [2]

15; TUTSHILL TORNADOES? MORE LIKE TUTSHIT TORNADOES!

*listen to animal by zayde wolf - it's linked above*

Elara was thrust back into intense training and played her first game with the Harpies in March. She was so nervous that morning when she woke up in her apartment. She was supposed to meet the team in the stadium before they would take a Portkey to the other team's stadium.

They were playing against the Tutshill Tornadoes. A few years ago, Elara wouldn't have even been worried. But, the Tornadoes had been doing quite well, and Elara wanted to do good on her first match.

She couldn't invite everyone she wanted to be there. No one at Hogwarts would be able to come, considering they had school. But, she got tickets for her father, Uncle and the Weasleys sans Percy and those at Hogwarts.

After grabbing a coffee, she headed to the stadium, her playing uniform in a bag that was slung over her shoulder. Her broom was shrunk and placed inside the bag as well. She was glad she already had a Firebolt, because if she didn't, they would have given her one. She was happy to be able to keep her already existing broom.

When she walked into the stadium, she was greeted by the rest of the team gathered around Gwenog. She greeted them, and Gwenog gave a short speech, directing her words especially to Elara, considering this was her first match.

"We all remember our first matches. And they are something you will never forget, whether we win, or not. It's something that will always be with you." Gwenog placed a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "You, my friend, will be brilliant today. I just know it."

Then, it was time. The Portkey glowed a bright blue. They arrived outside the Tornadoes stadium, and were led to their locker room, where they donned their normal training uniforms and went out onto the field for some warm-ups and last minute training.

The stands were empty, as there was still time before the match began, but Elara didn't let the thought of the upcoming match distract her from her warm-ups. She stretched, did some laps and practiced her swinging.

Then, when the time came, Gwenog led them back to the locker rooms and they wore their game uniforms. It felt so surreal as Elara slipped her arm guards and knee guards on, before putting her boots on and lastly her robes overtop. She traced the golden talon on the front, before tying her short hair into a half-up half-down hairstyle.

Then, she grabbed her broom and stood in formation, ready to leave the locker room and fly up into the stadium. When she heard the announcer call the name of their team, she mounted her broom and flew out after Gwenog.

The sound of cheering got her blood rushing. She let a huge smile come over her face as she took it all in. She was in her element. Doing her favourite thing in the world, surrounding by adoring fans, with the team of her dreams.

For a second, she felt like she was back at Hogwarts, flying out with the stands cheering her name dressed in emerald and silver. But now, they were cheering for the Harpies, dressed in emerald and gold.

After the customary greeting of captains, the referee tossed the Quaffle up and as soon as the whistle was blown, one of the Harpy chasers grabbed it and flew towards the Tornado hoops. Elara cracked her neck as she watched her surroundings, grinning when she saw a bludger zooming towards her.

She brought the bat back and then swung it forward. It connected with the bludger in a sickening crack. The black ball flew back and smacked into the Tornado Seeker's face. When it moved away, Elara grinned at the sight of the bloody nose and the now louder cheers.

The game passed by in what felt like minutes to Elara but was actually hours. Both teams scoring hefty points, and both Seekers exhausting themselves looking for the Snitch. Elara was happily smacking bludgers left, right, up and down, and bloodying almost everyone in the opposing team.

Finally, Jemma caught the snitch. "HARPY SEEKER CATCHES THE SNITCH! THE HOLYHEAD HARPIES WIN THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON!"

The team landed on the grass below and all hugged in a massive group hug, Elara close to crying tears of happiness. "We did it!" She exclaimed.

"We did." Gwenog smiled proudly. "You did great, El."

They headed back to their locker room and changed into casual clothes. "We should celebrate Elara's first win." Jemma commented as she tied her laces.

"Butterbeers on me." Gwenog offered. Cheers all around.

"I'd love to but let me say hello to some people. They came to see me tonight." Elara grinned.

"I'll come with. We'll meet up with you lot later." Jemma waved them off. "Same pub as always, yeah?"

"Yeah." Their Keeper nodded. Elara grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder, leading Jemma out of the locker room and outside the stadium where her father said to meet her after the game. When she saw him she went running.

"Dad!"

He noticed her and immediately opened his arms, catching her and spinning her around. "I'm so proud of you, little moon!"

"Thank you!" She laughed, before beaming even more at the sight of the other stood beside him. "Uncle Moony!" She hugged the older man.

"Easy win, eh?" He joked.

"The easiest." She joked back before turning her attention to the two redheads stood beside each other. "Bill! Charlie! I'm so glad you could make it!"

They both hugged her. "Couldn't miss your first match as a professional player, could we?" Charlie winked as Bill ruffled her hair.

"Mum and Dad wanted to apologise for not being able to make it." Bill told her.

"It's alright." Then, she remembered Jemma and dragged her forward. "This is my friend, Jemma. Our Seeker."

"Seeker?" Charlie raised his eyebrows. "A woman after my own heart."

"Pleasure to meet you too." Jemma laughed. "You're a Seeker too, then?"

"I was. Gryffindor. England wanted me, but I said no. I prefer working with dragons." Charlie shrugged.

"Only would say that, that casually." Bill rolled his eyes at his brother.

"That seems dangerous." Jemma commented.

"Dangerous is my middle name."

"Charlie, please never say that ever again." Elara cringed. "Right, well as lovely as it was seeing you all, we have to go celebrate my first win. I'll see you all soon, yeah? Let me know if you want more tickets." Elara laughed as she hugged them all goodbye before they Disapparated.

Elara walked with Jemma to the bar that they apparently always went to when they had matches here. According to what Jemma told her, there was a bar in every home city of every team that they went to after a winning match. If they lost, however, they would head back to the Harpy stadium and practice for an hour or two.

Their night was spent drinking, dancing, singing and just enjoying their win. Elara felt so happy and light that she for a second almost forgot that Voldemort had risen not that long ago. But, she let that thought flush from her mind for the night and focused her mind on having fun and enjoying herself.