Chasing the Keeper (The Quidditch Pitch Sequel) - Oliver Wood Love Story

Hufflepuff

The Slytherin Hufflepuff match approached more quickly than Serena had liked. The morning of the match her stomach kept doing backflips. The Hufflepuffs were acting very cocky at breakfast and kept waving Hufflepuff flags and cheering for Cedric Diggory. Serena sat down with her team.

“You need to take care of that prat,” said Serena to Malfoy as she took a sip of pumpkin juice.

“I plan on it,” said Malfoy. Serena didn’t eat much of her breakfast, but the rest of the team wolfed down theirs. Serena watched the Gryffindor table and noticed that Oliver was wearing a Hufflepuff pin on his shirt. She understood why, but it still made her upset that he wasn’t supporting her team. She knew how bad he wanted the cup, but knew he would never support Slytherin. It’s a rival thing.

Serena led her team down to the pitch thirty minutes before the start of the game. Everyone changed into their robes and sat down on the benches waiting for Serena’s pregame pep talk.

“All right everyone,” she said as they settled down. Marcus winked at her and she rolled her eyes in disgust. “I know I don’t need to stress to you all how important this game is. But, we need to keep focus. I know Hufflepuff isn’t much of a threat, but Diggory could be a potential problem. Malfoy, I want you to KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM at all times. If he flinches, I want you on top of him, got it?”

Malfoy nodded his head.

“Chasers, don’t get big-headed and cocky. Their Chasers are good and don’t think they aren’t. We need to stay on top of our game. Lucian and Peregrine, protect Malfoy at all costs. We can’t lose our Seeker.”

Serena could hear students piling into the stands. She checked her watch and noticed that it was ten minutes until the game.

“Are you all ready?” she asked.

“Let’s do it!” yelled Flint.

“Let’s crush them!” yelled Malfoy.

“Yeah!” yelled Adrian.

Serena led the team out of the locker room and to the pitch. Hufflepuff was already out on the field and Serena walked to the middle where she would shake hands with Diggory.

“I want a nice clean game you two,” said Madam Hooch as her and Diggory stepped up beside her. The stands were filled with Hogwarts students and teachers and they were cheering loudly. Serena’s heart began to pound in her chest. She hoped that Malfoy would stand a chance against Diggory. “Now, shake hands.”

Serena held out her hand and Diggory grabbed it in a nice firm handshake. Madam Hooch then blew her whistle and all 14 players kicked off from the ground. Lee Jordan’s voice echoed throughout the stadium.

“THE QUAFFLE IS RELEASED AND THE GAME HAS BEGUN!” he yelled.

Slytherin was the first to snatch up the Quaffle. Flint was zooming down the field and Serena was doing her best to keep the Hufflepuff Chasers off of him. He threw the Quaffle into the middle hoop and scored. The stands cheered from the Slytherin side, but the rest of the school booed. Serena high-fived Flint and raced towards the other end of the field.

“Slytherin leads ten to nil,” said Lee Jordan.

Adrian and Marcus raced around the Hufflepuff Chaser who had the ball and sandwiched her until Serena was able to fly up and knock the Quaffle out of her hands. They had gotten some more boos but it wasn’t against the rules. Serena played dirty, but she played fair.

She raced back to the other side of the pitch and had to dodge two Bludgers that were sent her way. It brought back some terrible memories from last year but she had to overcome her fear. She shot at the lower hoop and scored. The crowd went wild.