"Aurelia, Cho."
At Damien's call, the two girls, who were wearing their Quidditch uniforms and numbers 8 and 13 on their backs, stood up from the bench in the changing room.
All the team and the reserves gathered up, including Altair, who, as the main Seeker, was wearing number 7 on his back.
"Yes, Captain?" the Malfoy politely asked.
"I know I have said this before, but I want to say it again. Do not panic. Both of you are more than capable of holding these positions. Trust your abilities. If any opposition player taunts you, pay no heed to their words."
The two nodded their heads in understanding.
"Keep your eyes only on the Quaffle and the Ravenclaw Chasers. Whatever else happens on the pitch is none of your concern. Understood?"
"Yes." Aurelia nodded, and there was no hint of nervousness on her face.
Cho, however, was tense, and when the Captain looked her way, she forced a smile.
"The nerves won't go away until you get started," he chuckled. "Your job is to keep an eye out for the Snitch and an eye on the Ravenclaw Seeker. Do not stop to watch the game in the air or pay attention to Aurelia or anyone else on the team. Understood?"
"Yes, Captain."
"We have a very good opportunity to score points in this match and build a substantial lead. The Hufflepuff and Gryffindor match ended with a score of 180-170. So, I want goals, lots of goals, and as soon as possible. Understood?" Damien looked at his fellow Chasers, who solemnly nodded.
Cho was even more nervous as the importance of the game weighed on her. It was their opportunity to go directly to the top of the table, and she needed to catch the Snitch at all costs.
When the changing-room door opened, they heard the cheers of the crowd in the stadium, and walking through the tunnels made the girls feel as if there were knots in their throats.
"Cho."
She turned around to look at Altair, who was smiling at her.
"Shine, love," he gently said, and her nervousness mysteriously eased away.
She nodded to him in promise and then looked at the light at the end of the tunnel.
"Welcome, one and all, to another fine morning of Hogwarts Quidditch; where broomsticks soar high, egos soar even higher, and Madam Hooch's patience is, as ever, put to the ultimate test. I'm Felix Merriman, here to provide your running commentary, your comic relief, and, with any luck, absolutely no reason for Professor Flitwick to send me detention slips during the post-match analysis..."
She giggled when she heard the commentator's words.
"Felix is as good as ever, always helping you control your nerves," said Felix Selwyn, and Cho laughed some more since it sounded as if he was praising himself.
As they stepped out of the tunnel under Damien's lead, the reserves moved to the left and took their seats on the bench.
"Let's look at today's match-up: Ravenclaw, fielding a tried-and-tested line-up under Captain Claire Fleetwood, with Harriet Dorny guarding the hoops, Sloper and Calder on Chaser duty, Marcus Belby and Cordelia Avery wielding the Bludger bats, and Jeremy Stretton on Seeker watch. If teamwork counts for anything, this group may just prove that strategy can outpace raw ambition. Let's just hope they have a better season than last year.
Slytherin, meanwhile, has sent out a squad as ambitious as they are determined; Captain Damien Rosier leads Chasers Flint and Pucey, Beaters Warrington and Selwyn (helmets advised if you're in the front row), and two brand-new faces in the starting line-up. Aurelia Malfoy steps up as Keeper to replace Miles Bletchley, making her debut, and Chang Cho takes flight as the youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history. She's not even eleven years and two months old yet, but she is already under more pressure than Filch during a dungbomb raid..." The crowd laughed at his words and then cheered for the two first-years. "Worth noting, their star Seeker, Altair Black, is watching from the bench, perhaps plotting his own grand entrance for another day."
The Gryffindor stand was screaming its lungs out in support of the Ravenclaws, and Felix did not forget to take a dig at them.
"And an honourable mention to the Gryffindor stands, who seem to think that cheering for Ravenclaw today will help them forget yesterday's ten-point defeat to Hufflepuff. Nothing like a little Slytherin rivalry to unite the school, at least until the next match."
Jeers were hurled his way from the red stand, but the other three houses laughed at his words.
"Oh, would you look at that... The stands are buzzing, both teams look sharp, and there's a sense in the air that we might just witness something special. Or at least a few new moves we'll all be discussing at supper. Whatever happens, Quidditch at Hogwarts never fails to surprise. Wands away, eyes up, let's get this match underway as Madam Hooch gets ready to blow the whistle!"
Both teams quickly took their positions, and Cho tried her best to keep an eye on the Snitch that disappeared up into the sky.
As soon as she heard the whistle, she charged at the Ravenclaw Seeker, tailing him but keeping an eye out for the Snitch.
It only took thirty seconds for Damien to open the score for Slytherin, and then the three Chasers showed the spectators why they were the best in the school right now.
Goals flowed, and by the half-hour mark the score was 100-20, and Aurelia was already shining as she had made two very crucial saves as Keeper.
The match grew more intense as Ravenclaw refused to give up. They truly seemed determined not to lose this match, but with the deficit on the board, a lot of pressure was falling on their Seeker's shoulders, who was already annoyed by how Cho was tailing him.
Aurelia soon had the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins cheering for her when she pulled off a stunning save.
She dived right at the Ravenclaw Chaser who had managed to get past Damien and avoid the Bludgers, closing her angle to shoot. Claire tried to chip the Quaffle over her, and she nearly succeeded, but Aurelia suddenly flipped in the air and slapped the Quaffle away with her broom, sending it toward Adrian, who caught it and charged at the Ravenclaw hoops.
The crowd jumped to its feet as Damien scored, and Felix on the mic showered more praise on her.
Cho felt elated at how well her best friend was performing, but she wanted to shine too, and her chance came when she spotted the Snitch.
Jeremy did not even realise what happened when she flew past him, leaving him swaying on his broom, but then he saw the Snitch and chased after her, his heart lodged in his throat.
The battle of the two Seekers started, and Damien made a very bold call.
"All-out attack!"
Minutes passed as the match grew even more thrilling.
Goals were scored left and right, but Aurelia was making more saves than the Ravenclaw Keeper.
At the hour mark, the scores stood at 180-70, and by this time, both Seekers were crazily chasing the Snitch, which nearly caused them to crash into each other or the stands multiple times.
Everyone held their breath when they saw Cho suddenly pull up, chase the Snitch into the sky, climb higher and higher, and then flip and dive after it, showcasing her mastery.
She was like a wild Kneazle chasing a rabbit for the hunt, caring about nothing but the Snitch.
Altair watched her diving straight toward the ground, and whilst the others around him worriedly shot up to their feet, he stayed seated.
The Ravenclaw Seeker did not even dare chase her or the Snitch in that reckless manoeuvre; he hovered and watched as Cho braked hard less than ten metres above the ground and then jumped off, lunging at the Snitch that tried to fly past her.
She caught it with her outstretched left hand and then fell to the ground, rolling on the pitch.
The spectators held their breath as she lay sprawled, but then she raised her arm, and they saw the Snitch in her hand.
Madam Hooch's whistle pulled them out of a trance, and the stadium erupted in raucous applause.
Cho laughed heartily and planted a kiss on the Snitch, and the next thing she knew, Aurelia had jumped on top of her, rolling on the ground together with her.
The rest of the team were excited too, but they held their composure for the later celebrations in their common room.
"360-90... let that sink in... No, let another fact sink in! The youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history has caught the Snitch and won the game for her House on the day she played her first official match!!!
By Morgana's Wand, this girl is brilliant! Extraordinary... There have not been many moments in my life where I have found myself short of words, but this is one such moment... Genius... absolutely genius...
The first Quidditch weekend of the season, and we have already been left with memories that we will talk about for the rest of the year, and perhaps even beyond.
Do not forget Aurelia Malfoy, the reserve Keeper who made eleven saves today. Eleven! Even the best of them don't make that many saves in a match...
This team is stronger than ever, and those who doubted the selection of these first-years have their answer now.
Slytherin are the team to beat this year, yet again...
Well played, Eagles. There's no shame in today's loss. You were just up against a team that is brimming with talent... Remember there's always the next match... and possibly some extra flying practice.
Standings after the first weekend are as follows:
1st: Slytherin – 360 points
2nd: Hufflepuff – 180 points
3rd: Gryffindor – 170 points
4th: Ravenclaw – 90 points
This is Felix Merriman, signing off, reminding everyone: sometimes you soar, sometimes you stumble, and sometimes you're simply outflown by something extraordinary. Good flying, Hogwarts!"
Cho was beyond herself when Madam Hooch praised her, and then she ran straight into Altair's arms, who spun around with her.
He did the same with Aurelia, and then the two girls excitedly hugged him together and started jumping around, screaming in excitement.
"Hey, hey, don't forget your brooms! You are missing your helmet, Aurelia!" Felix Selwyn called out as they started walking toward the tunnel, and both girls embarrassingly rushed back to pick up their brooms and helmet.
The walk back to the castle was not easy. Students poured in from all sides, congratulating them, but thankfully the boys on the team kept everyone away.
When the Slytherins arrived in their dormitory, they found a table full of confectioneries and a simple note from their Head of House waiting.
"Well done!"
"No," Altair stopped them from picking up the snacks and sweets. "Freshen up. Lunch first."
No one disobeyed his words, and all rushed to their rooms and toilets to get ready.
Cho and Aurelia took a quick shower together, and half an hour later they gathered with the rest of the house.
With grace and order, they made their way toward the Great Hall under the lead of the Prefects, and their behaviour and composure surprised the teachers and students alike.
None of them rubbed their win and points in anyone's face, and even the two stars behaved as if they had not accomplished anything extraordinary today.
However, when they returned to their dormitory, there were celebrations, fireworks, and even a few Tickling Charms here and there.
The Slytherins enjoyed the confectioneries until evening, and then, after a light supper, everyone returned to their rooms to prepare for the academic week.
One thing was certain, the year was only going to grow wilder and more fun week after week.