My Blood [Severus Snape]

Chapter 4- Quidditch Rivalry

The first Quidditch match of the school year began as Gryffindor went against Ravenclaw. Diana woke up to a commotion outside her private quarters. Gryffindor players riled each other up for the upcoming match before making their way to practice one last time. She glanced outside the window and saw Ravenclaw already finishing up practice. The unusual order of matches was enough for hope that someone besides Slytherin might take the cup this year. She could feel the cold of November through the tempered glass and decided to bundle up.

The noise down at breakfast became much louder now that a Quidditch match was soon to start. The Ravenclaw quidditch players sat among their friends who encouraged them while the captain quietly went over their strategy, careful for no Gryffindor to hear. Diana watched as Hufflepuff students visited the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor table to offer words of support.

"Good morning, Diana! Excited for the match today?" Professor Flitwick asked cheerfully as Diana joined them at the High Table, wrapped up in a shawl. She smiled knowing all too well how much Flitwick enjoyed watching the quidditch matches. As a student Diana could remember seeing Flitwick jumping up and down excitedly while the rest of the professors sat quietly spectating like statues. He encouraged them all to cheer on their team despite never really taking home the Quidditch Cup.

"Absolutely! I'm hoping that we secure a win this evening." Diana answered cheerfully as food appeared on her plate. Severus Snape turned to the two Ravenclaw professors with a look, clearly having overheard the small conversation.

"I wouldn't be too excited. Ravenclaw may win the match, but they will never win the cup. Slytherin will take the cup with ease." Snape said with competitive eyes. Diana made eye contact with the Slytherin professor and could tell that Snape was fiercely competitive.

"Oh, Severus, you say that every year," Flitwick argued while still maintaining his cheerful attitude. Snape glanced at Diana before looking out at the long tables filled with students.

"I'm not sure if you have noticed just yet, Filius, but Slytherin has won the last six years consecutively. I assure you that they don't plan to lose that streak any time soon." Snape continued. His eyes seemed to dazzle at the idea of taking the cup for a seventh year in a row. Filius shook his head before going over to his seat to enjoy breakfast. He turned to Diana who enjoyed watching the rivalry. "I do, however, love to see Minerva lose so I will be joining your side on the pitch."

Diana couldn't help but burst out laughing at how competitive Severus truly was. He looked at her oddly, not expecting her to laugh. She quickly regained her composure, her face growing red. Flitwick himself seemed interested by how amused she seemed by their conversation. After all, Flitwick was being serious as well.

"I just hope both teams enjoy themselves out there." Diana lied, secretly wanting to crush Gryffindor. It would have been nice for her house to win the cup the first year Diana taught at Hogwarts like they did when she was a First-Year student. Something inside her told her not to let Severus know she was competitive as well unless she wanted him to patronize her.

The seats were slam full of students, staff, and longtime fans of quidditch. Diana sat on the first row of seats, right between Filius and Severus. As expected, Filius jumped enthusiastically at every play, shouting at the players his own suggested plays. On the left of her Severus sat almost stoic like. One would think he hardly cared for quidditch if it wasn't for his eyes intently following the match. Diana tried her best to remain calm, but once Gryffindor scored a quaffle into one of the Ravenclaw goal posts, she lost her cool.