Sitting at the Ravenclaw Table, Y/N's demeanor was far from cheerful as she absentmindedly toyed with her food. The tense air around her was a constant reminder of the fallout from her recent outburst, leaving a strain in her relationship with Sophie, Seraphina, and Aurora. Apologizing seemed like an insurmountable task, her pride acting as a barrier she was unwilling to breach.
The gloom that hung over her was not just about her strained friendships, but a reflection of her overall disillusionment. The recent loss of her companions had solidified her belief that forming connections only led to pain.
She berated herself for ever letting her guard down, for allowing herself to become vulnerable to the inevitable hurt that followed. Trusting new people had always been a challenge for her, and this situation only reinforced her reservations.
At just twelve years old, her demeanor was notably mature, an unusual combination of coldness and bluntness. The softer facets of her personality were reserved for a select few – Kipper, Amaryllis, her Nanny from America, and perhaps a few more hidden in the recesses of her past. The rarity of those who glimpsed her more childlike side could be counted on one hand.
With a sigh, she propped her chin on her palm, her thoughts momentarily consumed by the upcoming Quidditch practice meeting with Cho Chang, a substitute for Davis. Her fork prodded at a piece of meat on her plate, a reminder of the advice Davis had given her about protein and fiber intake for her training.
A voice broke through her thoughts, and she swiveled her head to face the source of the interruption. Hermione stood before her, an air of determination about her. Y/N's arms crossed defensively as she regarded the Gryffindor.
"What— oh," Y/N mumbled in acknowledgment, her guard clearly still up.
"What do you want?" Y/N questioned, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Hermione, not one to mince words, rolled her eyes before extending a piece of paper toward Y/N.
"You're my partner," Hermione declared matter-of-factly.
Y/N's eyebrows furrowed as she accepted the paper and began to read. The contents revealed that they were paired up for an upcoming field trip, an arrangement that Y/N found less than desirable.
A small scoff escaped her lips as she scanned the paper, confirming that she was indeed stuck with Hermione as her partner for the excursion. The realization that they would be tethered to each other during the entire trip didn't sit well with her.
"There must be a mistake," Y/N grumbled, a trace of frustration coloring her words.
"I've already spoken to Dumbledore; it's final," Hermione retorted, her tone tinged with irritation. "Believe me, being forced to spend time within three feet of you isn't exactly my idea of a good time," she added, her annoyance evident.
Y/N's glare intensified, a silent promise that she wouldn't make the experience any easier for Hermione. "The feeling's mutual, Granger," Y/N shot back, a brief exchange that marked the beginning of an unlikely partnership – one forged in the crucible of circumstance and reluctantly accepted by two strong-willed individuals.
"You ruin everything!"
✴✴✴✴✴
Strolling through the sunlit Courtyard, the verdant grass brushed gently against Y/N's ankles, creating a soothing rhythm with each step she took alongside Cho. Their hands bore the weight of heavy boxes on each side, and as they finally lowered the burdens to the ground, Y/N observed the older witch's actions with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"I reckon you know how to play Quidditch, right?" Cho's voice broke the silence, and Y/N's head bobbed in affirmation. "America has one of the best teams," Cho continued, her tone carrying a hint of admiration.
"Just the basics," Y/N responded, her words carrying a hint of humility. She had indeed dabbled in Quidditch during her time in America, but she was far from an expert.
"So, I'm the Seeker, and you're the new Chaser, right?" Cho's inquiry drew another nod from Y/N. "But, keep in mind, in some games, you might be tasked with different roles. We'll see which ones you excel at," Cho explained, her expression warm and encouraging.
In a graceful motion, Cho handed Y/N a bat, the sturdy bat finding its place in the younger witch's grasp. The weight of it settled into her hands, and Y/N's fingers curled around it as she listened intently to Cho's guidance.
"On my word," Cho began to count, her fingers dancing delicately over the chains that held the bludger in place. Y/N's heart quickened in anticipation.
"Now!" Cho's command rang out, and the bludger was set free from its constraints. It soared upward, propelled by an invisible force before its descent began, drawing it closer and closer to Y/N. Her gaze remained fixed on the descending bludger, a mixture of determination and caution in her eyes.
"Careful now, it's coming back," Cho's voice held a note of caution, a warning that Y/N took to heart. With a natural grace, she positioned herself, her right leg extended slightly while her grip on the bludger remained firm. Her free hand extended to her side, ready to swing into action.
As the bludger descended within reach, Y/N's arm rose swiftly, guided by her instinct. A sudden motion, a calculated swing, and the bludger shot away from her, the wind carrying the force of her strike. The ball's trajectory narrowly avoided Cho's face, earning a surprised and impressed look from the older witch.
"Good, Crimson. You'd make a fair Beater," Cho's words carried genuine praise, and Y/N's chest swelled with a sense of accomplishment. Her gaze followed the bludger as it sailed away, its journey halted only by the invisible boundaries of their training area.
The bludger, true to its nature, veered back toward Y/N, and this time, she braced herself. The impact landed square on her gut, forcing the breath out of her in an involuntary exhale. A stumble, a fall to the ground, but she held onto the bludger with determination. Her fingers clung to its rough surface, her grip unyielding even as she hit the grass.
The ball was swiftly returned to its confines, and Y/N's breath came in steadier intervals as she secured the bludger back into its box, the chains rattling as they once again held the unruly sphere in check. Her gaze met Cho's, a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction in her eyes, a testament to the small victory she had just achieved on the Quidditch field.
"Bludger," Cho's voice carried a knowing murmur as her hand gently patted Y/N's back, readjusting the girl's collar with a practiced ease. "Nasty little buggers, aren't they?" she continued, a lighthearted chuckle escaping her lips. Y/N's smile mirrored her sentiment, the shared understanding of the bludger's unpredictable behavior creating a camaraderie between them.
"Indeed," Y/N agreed, her voice carrying a touch of amusement. "But you're right, I'm a Chaser," she added, her pride in her newfound role evident in her tone.
With a gentle closing motion, Cho sealed the box that housed the bludgers, the task completed with a contented smile. As she rose from her crouched position, she turned her attention back to Y/N, a warm expression softening her features.
"Do well, little Crimson," Cho's encouragement was accompanied by a smile that radiated genuine belief in Y/N's abilities. The use of the affectionate nickname, "little Crimson," brought a flutter of warmth to Y/N's heart, a subtle reminder that she was finding her place among the team.
As the box clicked shut, sealing the bludgers away, Y/N's gaze lingered on Cho for a moment. Y/N was taller than the girl, though Cho was a few months older than her.
"We're the same age, I'm just a year under you because I transferred late," Y/N's voice held a hint of protest, a desire to clarify the misconception. But Cho's eyeroll and dismissive wave preemptively silenced her.
"Tut tut, don't want to hear it," Cho's playful response carried a lightness that brushed aside any need for explanations. "Call me big sister from now on," she added with a playful glint in her eye, the corners of her lips curving into a mischievous smile.
Y/N's eyes rolled in mock exasperation, the edge of her lips twitching with the urge to smile. She couldn't deny the fondness that was growing between them, a connection forged on the Quidditch field. With a small shake of her head and a soft chuckle, Y/N let herself succumb to the
"No thanks, I'd rather die."
✴✴✴✴✴
Several days later, the soft ambiance of Y/N's dorm room was subtly disrupted by the focused rustling of clothes and the methodical placement of various items into her bag. The upcoming field trip, organized for her Muggle Studies class, required Y/N's attention to pack her essentials.
Clothes, a few personal items, and other necessities found their way into her bag, even though the prospect of visiting a zoo in London hardly stirred excitement within her. Nonetheless, the thought of an escape from her usual routine, a temporary respite from her academic responsibilities, was a notion too tempting to ignore.
As the door clicked open, signaling someone's entrance, Y/N's attention shifted from her packing to the figure that stepped in. Aurora's arrival was met with an unspoken tension that lingered between the two, the aftermath of their unresolved conflict casting a shadow over their interaction. Neither of them exchanged words, the silence a testament to the divide that had grown between them.
Amid this strained atmosphere, Aurora began organizing her belongings on her bed. Her movements were accompanied by an audible, exasperated sigh, a manifestation of the emotional turmoil that seemed to hang in the air. The weight of the unspoken issues lay heavy in the room.
Finally breaking the silence, Aurora's voice held a layer of frustration as she voiced the question that had likely been lingering in both their minds.
"So you're really not going to apologize?" Aurora's inquiry was direct, her gaze fixed on Y/N, who met her with a calm but unyielding look.
"For what?" Y/N's response carried a hint of defiance, her own eyes avoiding direct contact.
Aurora's stern expression held firm. "You accused us of using you for your fame, when you know that isn't true," she pointed out, her words carrying a tone of disappointment laced with an underlying plea for understanding. Y/N's slight scoff of disbelief did little to alleviate the tension.
"Because you are," Y/N countered, her words tinged with a mixture of defensiveness and skepticism.
Aurora's frustration became palpable as she let out an exasperated sigh, her patience wearing thin. "Do you ever get tired?" Her question held a hint of exasperation, a plea for self-awareness.
"Ever get tired of being a pretentious asshole?" Aurora's voice grew bolder, her gaze unwavering as she confronted Y/N with an unfiltered critique. "You know, I wanted to be nice to you because you clearly have some issues, but I'm not a carpet you can just walk over on."
The verbal volley continued as Aurora's frustration found an outlet. "You always think you're so great, better than anyone else, acting like you're misunderstood. Well, news flash, Y/N, you're not 'misunderstood' it's just that nobody fucking likes you because you're a selfish git!" The words were punctuated by Aurora's rising emotional intensity, her own frustration spilling into the open.
"Me, Sophie, and Seraphina deserve better," Aurora declared, her tone resolute as she presented an ultimatum.
"Unless you apologize, our friendship is over," she sneered, her final words weighted with the gravity of their implications. With that, Aurora pivoted on her heels, her departure swift and decisive, the door slamming shut behind her, leaving Y/N to grapple with the aftermath of their confrontation.
TO BE CONTINUED...