"If you're afraid to fail, then you're probably going to fail."
-Kobe Bryant
+++
[victoria's pov]
"Today, we will be having tryouts for the new Quidditch team," Madam Hooch announced.
Fred and George looked at each other excitedly. I wasn't as excited as everyone else. Quidditch was pretty easy and I never thought about joining the team since I wasn't a sports player.
"You'll be splitting up into your houses," Madam Hooch continued. "Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw."
As everyone split into their groups, George nudged my shoulder.
"So... don't have a date for the ball?" he asked.
"No," I said.
"You know, if you don't find one and I don't find one, we can go as friends," he said with a grin.
"Ok, Georgie," I said. "And thanks."
"No problem. Anything for my friend."
I smiled, thankful for George. He was like an older brother to me.
"Get in your positions!" Madam Hooch said.
I sat on my broom and got into position. Madam Hooch opened up the chest and the balls flew out, scattering everywhere.
My eyes were on the snitch. I only wanted to play for fun. My motivation was pretending it held my happiness and in order to get it, I had to chase it. I wasn't the only one after it though. A Raven claw boy named Roger was after it as well and I wasn't about to let him have it.
The snitch flew out of sight, making me have to look around for it. I saw that Fred and George were trying out for beaters. They were so fast, they were like human bludgers.
Angela was doing a great job as a keeper. She did miss one shot though and one of the quaffles made it through the hoop.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a gold figure flying around. It caught my attention and I flew after it, knowing it was the snitch. I reached out my fingers to grab it, but it kept teasing me and flew in different directions, almost making me fall off my broom. Roger followed closely behind. He was copying my moves. Every time I did a loop, he did a loop. Every time I flew around a hoop, he did the same.
It was starting to drive me nuts, then I remembered one of the tricks I saw the Irish do at the Quidditch World Cup. One of the players had done a free fall then caught themselves right on time before hitting the ground.
Then, the snitch appeared in front of me, ready to tease me again.
"You can do it," I told myself.
My fingers unwrapped from the broom and I stood up, balancing on it now. I jumped towards the snitch and started falling. The wind blew against my back and I saw Roger looked at me wide eyed. Madam Hooch was carefully watching me as I caught the snitch with my left hand on time seconds before I hit the ground. My broom flew back to me and I grabbed it with my right hand. I sat back on the broom and looked at Roger.
"Great job, Ms. Y/L/N!" Madam Hooch called out.
Madam Hooch applauded, impressed. I felt a warm and proud sensation.
Roger was determined to show off as well. His trick wasn't as great as mine though. He decided to do loops in the air on his broom. Madam Hooch and I watched as he spun uncontrollably after the third spin. He crashed on the ground with a rough impact.
"Ok, I've seen enough!" Madam Hooch said.
Everyone flew back to Madam Hooch. The twins flew on their brooms around the field and Madam Hooch had to call them out twice. I flew over her and handed her the snitch.
"Nice job today, Y/L/N," she said.
"Thank you, Madam Hooch."
I heard George and Fred run over to me.
"That was wicked!" They shouted in unison and carried me on their shoulders. I almost fell off, not expecting it.
"Fred, George!" I yelled. "Put me down!"
That made the, laughed and after a few moments of celebration, they eventually put me down.
"You should join the team!" George suggested.
I shrugged.
"Sports aren't really my thing," I said.
"At least think about it," Madam Hooch said, overhearing. "I'll leave a spot open for a Gryffindor seeker for a few days."
"I'll think about it," I said.
Madam Hooch nodded and sent us off to the changing rooms.
Fred put his arm around me as we walked back to the changing rooms (of course they're not going in together).
"You did great, Sugar," he said.
"Thanks."
+++
I was peacefully studying in the library reading a book about muggle studies. The librarian kicked out some seventh years for causing a loud racket. I wasn't actually reading anymore. My mind had drifted to Fred. I didn't have a date to the ball now so I guess I would be going alone. My peaceful alone time was disturbed when a figure sat across from me.
"Fred, I'm busy," I said, not looking up.
"Um... I'm not Fred," a voice said.
I looked up from my book and saw a brunette Gryffindor boy.
"Oh. Hi, Oliver," I said, shutting my book to be polite.
He flashed a smile.
"So you and Cedric, huh?" he asked.
"Um... no," I said. "Did you need something?"
He nodded.
"As the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, I would like to invite you to the team," he said. "Madam Hooch told my class about your trick and I have to admit, that was impressive."
I felt flustered.
"Thanks," I said. "I told Madam Hooch I'd think about it."
"Well, you don't have long," he said. "The first game starts after the first tournament task."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah. I invited your friends to the team as well," he said. "Fred and George."
"What did they say?"
"They agreed and suggested that I ask you as well. I think it was... Fred?" he informed me. "And Angela is the new keeper."
Since my two best friends were in the Quidditch team, I figured why not. Especially if Angela was going to keep making moves on Fred.
"Then, I'll be happy to join," I said.
"Great!" he smiled. "Can't wait to see what you can do."
"When's the next practice?" I asked.
"Next week Friday."
"I'll be there."
He smiled at me before leaving.
"So how have you been?" a familiar voice asked from behind me.
I turned around and saw Cedric.
"Oh, hey," I said. "I've been typical. How are you and Cho?"
"We've been great, actually. She confessed her feelings to me not too long ago and I asked her out right after."
I was happy for him and Cho. At least I was able to help someone.
"So... you and Fred going together?" he asked.
"No," I said disappointedly. "He's going with someone else."
"Who?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Is that why you ran out of study hall?"
As a friend, I told him the truth and nodded my head.
"Helga Hufflepuff," he said. "Why don't you just tell him how you feel?"
"No, it'll ruin our friendship."
Cedric shook his head.
"I'm sorry things didn't work out for you."
"Don't be," I said. "Where are you headed?"
I stood up and packed my books.
"No where, I'm on a free hour."
"Me too," I said. "But I have to get to the Gryffindor common room. I have to switch my books."
He offered to walk me to the Gryffindor common room and I agreed. Others gave us strange looks since they thought we weren't talking to each other anymore. Who made the rule that exes weren't supposed to talk to each other anymore?
"I'll see you another time?" Cedric asked.
"Yeah."
We walked away and I entered the Gryffindor common room.
"Victoria!" Hermoine and Ginny shouted when I walked in.
"What is it?"
"You got a letter!"
I was surprised since I wasn't expecting any letters.
They handed it to me and I opened it.
"What does it say?" Ginny asked impatiently.
"'You look beautiful today as always,'" I read out loud. "'From your secret admirer.'"
Hermione and Ginny gasped.
"Secret admirer?" Ginny squealed.
Great. Another thing added to my list to think about.
+++
Who do you guys think the secret admirer is?
Who would you want to share a dormitory with and why?
Sincerely, tomriddleisswag.
☁️☁️☁️
4/19/21