The Secret and the Match

It was finally the day of the match. Albert looked delighted since it was his birthday, Isabell looking happy, Olivia and Padma looking nervous. Amelia, who had sneaked to the Slytheirn table, was trying to give a thumbs-up to Olivia, but she was watched by the Slytherins, who said they were certain that Ravenclaw would lose without Amelia.  

Everyone told Albert ‘Happy Birthday’ and gave him presents when they woke up. Olivia gave him a Keeper’s glove. 

‘Just in case you want to practise,’ Olivia had said. 

Isabell gave him a small model of the newest broom, Nimbus 2001. Harry, Hermione and Ron also gave him presents. 

‘I… can’t… do… this…’ Olivia was panting and breathing heavily.

‘Olivia Dragonheart-’ Draco came over and grinned. 

‘Yeah?’ Olivia snapped at Draco. ‘Can’t you see I’m having some issues?’

‘Olivia, who doesn’t have the courage or the heart of a dragon, I’m surprised your name is-’

‘Draco, don’t mind them, they will surely lose anyways,’ laughed Pansy.

‘Leave them alone, Draco! How many times do I have to tell you this?’ said in an angry voice. Isabell and Olivia looked around to see Amelia standing there, glaring at Draco.

‘W-what?’ Draco said, surprised.

‘I said leave... them... alone.’

‘But I won’t.’

‘Fine. You said it,’ Amelia took out her wand as Draco did the same.

‘No, don’t!’ some Ravenclaw girls, including Hermione yelled.

Draco and Amelia were standing in the limelight, every single pair of eyes were staring at them either in shock or surprise.

‘EXPELLIARMUS! ‘ Amelia said before Draco could say his jinx. His black wand flew from his pale hands and Harry Potter caught it just in time as it flew to the Gryffindor table. Harry grinned. He and Amelia were standing at either side of Draco. Olivia had joined as she took out her polished wand. Isabell was cheering for them until she noticed that a teacher was coming over. She stopped and looked shocked. Olivia, Harry and Amelia looked at where Isabell was staring-

‘What is this?’

Snape in his usual cold voice, appeared by the students surrounding Draco.

‘Detention to Mr. Potter, Ms. Dragonheart-’

‘No sir! I did it! I started duelling Draco,’ Amelia said, standing in front of Snape, staring boldly at the dull eyes.

‘Fifteen points from Ravenclaw and detention for Ms. Clearwater,’ Snape said coldly. ‘And if any of you complain you may as well join her!’ he yelled to the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw table.

The hall was speechless, only Snape’s voice echoing fading. He then joined the other teachers. Everyone ate very quickly, for they were excited for the match and wanted to see the new seeker and beater playing. Olivia and Padma had to go to the changing rooms and get changed into their Quidditch robes. Roger spent the last 5 minutes instructing the team about positions. 

Amelia and Harry both couldn’t go and see the match because they had detention with Snape. Amelia was to write 5 parchments about why she duelled Draco and what spell she used and explain it on another three parchments. Harry had to organise potions as Isabell and Olivia did back then. 

Back at the Quidditch pitch, everyone was seated and cheered for the teams as they flew with their brooms. Surprisingly, Olivia had done an astounding trick she had learnt from Amelia. They all cheered harder. 

‘And it’s my birthday today! (Most of the crowd booed) Not interested, huh? Well, anyways, Amelia Clearwater and Cho Chang were replaced by Olivia Dragonheart and Padma Patil! NOW, THE MATCH BEGINS!’ Albert was calling out excitedly as Madam Hooch blew her whistle. 

Albert was commentating in a bored voice until something both sad, yet exciting happened.

‘And the seekers Diggory and Olivia Dragonheart are searching for the golden snitch! And- OH MY WORD! A BLUDGER HAS HIT OLIVIA! Is she alright? Uh, who had done it? It just seemed to have come from nowhere!’ Albert yelled. 

Olivia screamed as the bludger hit her. She was about to fall on the ground when someone flew with a broom, at the speed of light, and caught her. Everyone gasped. 

‘OLIVIA!’ screamed Isabell fearfully, jumping up and down.