[REWRITING] SPARKS ⤖ F. WEASLEY

iii. problems on the pitch

𝕊ℙ𝔸ℝ𝕂𝕊 

iii. problems on the pitch

☽

     A CRISP WINTER day greeted the Ravenclaw Quidditch team as they prepared to face Slytherin. Margot blinked at the clear Saturday sky, glad she would not have to play in the rain today. She hated playing in the rain; she never could see the Snitch properly with all that water.

     Roger Davies was giving the team a pep talk, which Margot typically tuned out of. It was the same thing every time. What was the point in listening over and over again? She knew how to play Quidditch, and she was ready to get to it. She was buzzing as Davies finished his rambling.

      "Hey," said Margot to Samuels and Inglebee, the Ravenclaw Beaters. "Keep a target on Flint, will you?"

      "'Course," said Samuels. "Heard about that beating he gave you last season." Inglebee nodded in agreement.

     "Thanks," she said, watching as they headed out onto the pitch. 

     Davies stopped her just before she made her way out into the open. "Keep away from Flint," he told her. "Don't need you getting into any trouble, eh?"

     "Got it," said Margot. She brushed past Davies and grinned as she made it out onto the pitch. The students were cheering, excited for another game of Quidditch. Margot was as excited as the rest of them. If she nailed this, Ravenclaw might have a chance at winning the Cup this year. 

     "Don't let them get ahead, yeah?" Margot nodded at their Keeper, Page. He nodded, giving her a thumbs up as they prepared to get started. The players got into position around Madame Hooch, watching her movements closely. Margot would not be distracted by anything, though she could feel Flint's smirk directed at her. Her skin was crawling. 

     "Hey, Potter!" called Flint from across the pitch. Madame Hooch was readying herself, and she had no problem with the players talking to one another until she was ready. "Ready for a replay of last season?"

     Margot wrinkled her nose. "Jeez, Flint. Think you might have a little crush, the way you're obsessed with me." She laughed at the look on his face. "Why don't you focus on winning for once?" She smiled sarcastically.

     Flint glared, but said nothing as Madame Hooch directed them to mount their brooms. Margot did so, rising into the air gracefully. She eyed the stands for a second, trying to spot her friends before the game started. She spotted Faye, sitting among a cluster of Gryffindors including Oliver Wood, her cousin Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the Weasley twins. She took a deep breath before directing her gaze back to Madame Hooch. 

     As soon as the Quaffle was released, Ravenclaw gained possession. Margot shot straight up in the air, eyes scanning the air for any sign of the Snitch. She darted through the air, dipping and diving in search of the little gold ball. She gasped as she veered to the left, dodging a bludger. She shot a glare at the Slytherin Beater who sent it her way, before taking a lap around the pitch. Still, she did not see the Snitch.