Chapter 37: Part 9
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***
- The important thing to remember is that we're not going to die. And the rest doesn't matter, does it? - Scott asked with hope in his voice.
It was Saturday morning. The first match of the year. Scott and Isaac's first match. The first match to open the scoring for the Championship. Were the boys worried? Oh, of course not. They merely shook and paled at every mention of the word Quidditch. As a completely calm Laura told them, it was a normal reaction to the stress ahead.
- You just realise that there is a game coming up, an important event for you. Try to stop thinking of it as something scary,' she shrugged. Scott, swallowing hard, looked up at her, and the girl laughed merrily.
- Why are you guys so sour? Don't worry so much, Laura's right,' Pete cut in, fixing his defence and looking at himself in the small mirror.
- 'Can you tell me, oh great ones, how do we stop thinking about our first official game? - Isaac asked with obvious irritation in his voice, and Scott, nodding cheerfully, shifted his gaze to Laura again. With a sigh, the girl threw her arms around the sophomores' shoulders and led them to the locker room exit, stopping at its entrance and sliding the flaps open slightly, nodding her head at the opening.
- Look,' the girl beckoned to the boys, smiling, 'These people are here to watch you. And no, it's not exciting. You should be calm. I mean, yes, they'll be looking at you, as they should, but that shouldn't worry you,' the girl looked at each Gryffindor seriously, 'You're not here because you want to show off. You're here because you love Quidditch. So do what you love, no one's stopping you! Fly, grab the ball, score. Just do what you're good at.
- Wow, cool,' Tyler grinned, "I guess I don't even need a speech now," he laughed.
- Better to say a few words though, Ty,' Peter grinned. Then the captain, throwing his broom on his shoulder, turned to his team and smiled.
- We have a game in two minutes, and you just need to know that you're all very cool Quidditch players. We're going to win, because no Clawback can stop us today. Good luck, Gryffindor! - exclaimed Tyler at the end. Everyone on the team supported him with cheers. The captain, smiling, turned his back to the boys and prepared to leave, 'Here we go,' he sighed, muttering to himself, 'One minute. One minute to go. We're going to win,' he said as he slid the sashes open and walked out of the locker room with a broomstick slung over his shoulder.
Scott felt as if he had entered another dimension. There was nothing but noise all around. McCall thought he heard lions roaring from the bleachers of his faculty. Looking round, he could see both Puffenduys dressed in red and Slytherins dressed in blue. To avoid panicking again, the boy quickly turned away and stared at the back of Isaac walking in front of him.
- Don't worry,' Laura whispered in his ear and, squeezing his shoulder gently, took her place in the circle, with Madam Trick already standing in the centre.
- I'll try,' Scott whispered under his breath and put his foot on the broom while still on the ground.
- Commands! - Madame Trick announced. Scott barely heard her over the deafening screams from the stands. Their commentator, Oliver Katz, a classmate of Wilfred and Lenard, was adjusting the microphone, speaking into it periodically. Scott strained to listen, and finally managed to hear the woman.' "So are bans," he said, but he must have got to the very end of her speech. Isaac's bewildered face told him he couldn't understand a word she was saying. It made his heart feel better,' 'You all know the rules, I hope. Violations will result in an uncompromising suspension from the field, and therefore a weakening of the team. I think you should think twice before flying into a player on the other team. Captains! - shouted the woman.
Tyler, smiling at his team and the fans, grabbed his broom and walked to the centre of the circle, where the captain of the Clawtauran team, Steve Wilberg, had already stepped out. Shaking hands, the boys exchanged a few words and then separated again, already sensing that the competition was about to begin. Tyler finally put his foot on the broom and got ready, with a look that told the team to do the same.
- On the count of three, I'm releasing the quaffle,' Madame Trick announced, holding the aforementioned ball, 'Teams, get ready! - She shouted, 'Three!' Scott sighed heavily, covering his eyes for a moment. Stiles immediately appeared in front of him. Smiling, the boy replayed their last dialogue in his head.
- 'If you don't win, I'm going to come over there and kick your ears off. And then I'll give you a hug. And then I'll kick your ears again. Do you understand me? - the boy gibbered in his own way.
The Headmasters allowed them to communicate through the fireplace - the boys themselves didn't know why, but somehow they didn't care. There was no limit to the joy of both of them. They hadn't been separated for more than a fortnight practically all their lives, and here they hadn't seen each other for three months. Both of them, they were sure, would have a tantrum if they weren't together for Christmas. It would be a disaster. They had their own Christmas traditions that were unbreakable.
- I'll walk if I have to,' Stilinski muttered, causing Scott to smile again (all he did that night was smile and laugh at Lydia's lamentations and Will and Stiles' laughter).
- Two!' Madam Trick's voice made the Gryffindor open his eyes and clench the handle of his broom harder.
- Good luck,' Scott said with one lip, looking into Laura's eyes. The girl smiled and winked at the Gryffindor and clenched the shaft of her Nimbus as well.
- One! - Madam Trick shouted and threw a quaffle into the air.
Scott didn't even think about it, and almost automatically rushed forward, snatching the ball and flying at full speed toward the still-empty goal. His heart snapped, but McCall kept going. Oliver's voice reached him through the shroud of shouts and screams.
- McCall snatched up the quaffle and raced for the Ravenclaw gates! Bor rushes after him. Leahy takes the pass and drives the quaffle towards the goal. Bohr still hasn't taken his place as goalkeeper. Leahy passes to McCall. Come on, Scott!
Scott, rushing towards the goal, felt the familiar tingling in his fingertips and mumbled something incomprehensible even to himself under his breath. Would he really be the one to open the scoring in this Championship? Would he really score? At that moment there was a shriek behind him, but Scott knew not to turn round, it was only to attract attention.
- You're not going to score, McCall! - Kyle shouted back at him. Scott grinned and flew a few more metres and, when it was about three or four metres away from the goal, threw the ball into the ring.
It seemed to him that something was wrong. That he had made a mistake somewhere, but he didn't realise where or how. But then suddenly the screams were deafening, and someone came from behind, deafening him even more. It was blurry in front of his eyes, but at the same time, it was perfectly clear. Scott was picking up the tiniest movement and sound, while perceiving almost nothing.
- Did I score? - Scott asked, not knowing who he was addressing.
- Yes!' yelled Pete. Scott, smiling, nodded and flew on, waiting for the transmission.
Twenty minutes later, Gryffindor was still winning, but now the score was 60:40. As Scott - and absolutely every player on both teams - thought, now was the time to catch the snitch. And, as soon as McCall thought about it once again, the stadium was deafened by Oliver's voice.
- Laura spots the snitch and rushes right after it! Oh, no! She's too far away from him. But Amelia Corsi is right behind the snitch! What a moment!
Scott, forcing himself not to listen, rushed off to do his task, which was to help Isaac. The latter was in a very, very unpleasant situation. Cormac and Meg, the Ravenclaw team corralers, were to the right and left of the boy. Olivia, the third paddler, was flying behind. Mark and Kyle, the hunters, were flipping a bludger, clearly knowing their target.
Scott, snorting evilly, flew forwards, flying around all the clawmen. When he was level with Isaac, the Gryffindor raised his palm and clenched his fingers into a fist, leaving only his middle and index fingers. Leahy, understanding his friend without words, threw the ball away with force, and McCall, who had been expecting it, sprang forward, catching the clawed Gryffindor by surprise.
- Here's one for you, crows. Lions can fly, too! - Scott heard Leahy shout.
- Two events! - Oliver said, 'Laura and Amelia are competing for the Snitch! Who will win? Meanwhile, the paddlers are not backing away from McCall's. Come on, Scott, Laura! Gryffindor must open up!
- Mr Katz, I must ask you to keep your cool,' McGonagall said in a stern voice.
- Damn it,' the boy cursed, and immediately began to rant, 'McCall's heading for the gate! But Bor is waiting for him there. Come on, who's gonna take that point! Scott rounds Olivia and. Oh, no! He crashes into Meg! Ravenclaw team has the ball! And again, no! Tyler intercepts the ball! The fight is on!
Scott half-listened to the commentary and wondered what he should do. Meg had taken the ball away from him and now the boy's shoulder was aching really badly, but he didn't care about that. Tyler had the quaffle but he was surrounded. You had to help, but how if you were in sight of the other players?
It was at that moment that Isaac appeared on the horizon. He slowly, almost without attracting attention, 'floated' through the air behind the backs of the Clawbacks, facing Scott. Winking at his friend, the boy pointed a finger at the two corrals surrounding the Gryffindor captain and put his palms together, eyes glittering. With a nod, Scott flew over to his friend and turned to face the struggling corralers.
- Not too hard,' McCall warned.
- Just custody? - Isaac sighed sadly.
- Just custody,' Scott nodded affirmatively.
- You're boring,' the boy snorted.
- I just don't want to hurt anyone! - McCall exclaimed.
- It's time! - Isaac exhaled and rushed towards the clawed corral.
Scott rushed after him. The boys flew up on either side of Olivia, who was showing the most activity towards poor Tyler. The girl, immediately wary, slowed down, though she didn't stop fighting for the ball.
Meg, on the other hand, tried to push Scott away at the same time. The boy got a shove in the side and yelped as he started to slide off the broom. Isaac immediately flew over to him and helped him regain his balance.
- They're reading us,' Lehi exclaimed. At that moment, Lenard flew right behind Isaac, eyes flashing and winking at Scott. McCall, understanding without words, smiled.
- They may be reading us. But there's someone they're not expecting to see right now,' Scott nodded at Lenard and Wilfred, who were exchanging bludgers, catching Isaac's incomprehensible look. The Ravenclaw hunters (one of whom was Kyle) seemed to be busy making sure that Tyler, Scott, or Isaac didn't maim their corrals. They didn't realise they were making a mistake now.
- Careful,' Scott said with only his lips, looking into Lenard's eyes. He nodded and lifted the corners of his lips, as if to signal that they were ready. 'Isaac,' McCall said quietly.
Isaac nodded, gripped the broomstick tighter and, with his lips pressed together, flew into Meg, who, not expecting such an impulse, gasped and lost her balance for a few moments. Then Scott pulled the same trick on Cormac. The clawed man fell out of the fight for a few seconds as well.
And then it seemed that only Olivia and Tyler were left. The clawed girl was clearly counting on her victory, but it wasn't to be. She focused all her attention on the Gryffindor team captain, and it was at that moment that Lenard reminded everyone of himself very, very successfully.
The bludger flew straight into the quaffle, knocking the ball out of the girl's hands. She cried out, either from surprise or from the discomfort caused by the bludger hitting her hands. Nevertheless, Tyler reacted with lightning speed, ducked under her and quickly grabbed the quaffle, finding himself in front of the goal in a matter of seconds.
- Once again, the Gryffindor captain proves his skill! Brooke and Bor are one on one! Tyler flies round the rings, diving underneath them. Is this really a way to confuse Damon? Brooke rushes to the left, and Bor rushes in as well. Will Team Ravenclaw take the point?
Scott, unable to be satisfied with the comments any longer, turned around and began watching the battle at the rings with his heart pounding frantically. It was then that he realised why Oliver's voice had a more questioning expression at the end. Tyler darted to his left and Damon followed, but suddenly, at the very last moment, Brooke recoiled. And that's when Oliver's voice deafened the stadium once again.
- No!' the boy shouted, 'No, he won't! Tyler makes a manoeuvre! Gryffindor gets the point!
- Yes!' Isaac shouted in Scott's ear. McCall covered his eyes and took a deep breath.
- It's one point, don't get too excited,' he said quietly, shaking Cormac's hand (it was something of a small apology to each other), "Sorry mate, that was a bit harsh," the boy smiled peacefully at the clawed man, and he returned the smile.
- It's okay, we weren't too good just now either,' Cormac waved his hand, "And you can't tell me how..." he couldn't finish.
Scott honestly didn't realise what had happened, but in an instant it was as if the shouting had intensified a hundredfold. The noise was everywhere, there was no escaping it. Oliver could be heard screaming, but he couldn't make out the words. McCall looked at Cormac, and got the same look in return, but turned and felt his heart, which had sped up a thousand times in a second, clench.
Laura, dishevelled, with a gash on her lip, was flying almost at the very ground. At first Scott didn't understand why all eyes were on the girl, and he was afraid that she was hurt badly - the wound and the height of Laura's flight were not good thoughts. But then something in her upturned hand glinted in the sunlight, and without realising it, Scott shouted as loudly as he could.
The noise didn't stop, but now Scott thought he could only hear the screams of the six men who were members of his home team. Tyler, screaming the loudest, flew towards the ground and almost fell off his broom, forgetting all about safety. He flew into Laura and hugged her so tightly that the girl seemed barely able to breathe at all.
Wilfred and Lenard flew up next, followed by Isaac. Scott hadn't noticed when he'd managed to get down, but only came to his senses when he was sandwiched between Leahy and Peter.
- She's got us all fooled, you little...' Fortunately, the wild screams and shrieks coming from the stands prevented anyone from hearing the rest of Tyler's phrase.
- Win, win, win, win,' Isaac, Scott, and Lenard kept repeating. Peter and Wilfred were laughing loudly and contagiously, almost jumping up and down, still sitting on their brooms.
- Gryffindor! - shouted Madam Trick. The seven boys, barely able to pull themselves together, turned to the professor, who was looking at them with a completely serious expression on her face, 'If you are not next to the Ravenclaw team in a second, I will award you automatic defeat.
All seven of them were blown away by the wind. Almost in the blink of an eye, they found themselves back a few metres high, in a circle with the Ravenclaws. They looked upset, of course, but smiled nonetheless, clapping for the winners.
- That was awesome,' Steve Wilberg said, flying up to Tyler to shake his hand.
- You were really strong too,' Tyler said, barely holding back a happy smile.
- Congratulations,' Cormac grinned, shaking Scott's hand.
- You have to admit, it was unexpected,' McCall laughed. Cormac grinned and nodded.
- You deserved it,' Olivia cut in.
- I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to hurt you too badly,' Meg said guiltily. Scott waved his hand and just hugged the girl.
- Will you come to our next match? - Olivia asked, turning to Scott, Isaac, and Lenard.
- To see you guys beat the Slytherins? I'd love to,' Lenard laughed. Olivia nodded and smiled, allowing the Gryffindor to finally fly over to her Seeker.
***
- I can't believe it! - *** I can't believe it!' exclaimed a happy Stiles, laughing uncontrollably.
- Well, I didn't expect anything else,' Lydia shrugged, still smiling, 'I'm really glad Kyle lost, to be honest.
- Nice girl,' Will laughed.
- No, well, why? - The redhead asked nonchalantly.
- It's a Christmas present from me and Scotty,' Stilinski laughed, raising his fist victoriously.
- Stiles, please,' Eleanor sighed, smiling, 'I'm very happy for you and your friends, honestly. It's just that I have an ethics test the day after tomorrow, and our teacher is a total sheep.
- I have a feeling you won't pass ethics,' Will said thoughtfully.
- That's why, please, give me a chance to learn this nonsense,' she sighed, nodding at the book she held in her hands.
- For your sake, Mademoiselle, anything,' Will bowed courteously and jokingly kissed the charmbaton's hand.
- Wow,' she marvelled, 'You would have passed ethics, Will. Where do you get your manners from, anyway?
- I'm a pure-blooded wizard,' the Slytherin shrugged, 'I guess it's something my parents gave me from birth.
- I shudder when I remember how we found out,' Stiles said quietly.
- But at least,' Will grinned and sat down on the couch between him and Lydia, throwing his arms around their shoulders, 'that's why we're best friends.
- Oh yeah,' the redhead said sarcastically, 'Let's all get into the hospital wing and then bond with silent boys of unknown origin. It would help a lot in becoming friends, for sure.
- Lydia,' all four boys immediately fell silent, looking at the newly arrived guest with undisguised surprise. Or rather, guests.
Jackson and Ivan, standing side by side, were staring intently at the redhead. Stiles squinted and folded his arms across his chest. Will, sitting on the other side of Martin, did the same. Lydia herself seemed very surprised, but her mood was much friendlier.
- I'm listening,' the redhead said. Stiles gave her a wary glance and tensed more.
- Could you help us? Technically, it's not help for the two of us, but specifically for Hogwarts and Durmstrang,' Jackson said in his usual mannered way.
- What do you mean? - The redhead raised her eyebrows, still sitting in her seat.
- We seem to have found some information about the Tournament. We could use your help right now,' Ivan interjected. Eleanor looked thoughtfully at Will and Stiles and put two and two together in her head and grinned at the two 'guests'.
- Why don't you get the hell out of here? You're not welcome here, as you've probably noticed,' the girl said with undisguised sarcasm. Jackson gave her a scornful glance, but only looked at Lydia again.
- It won't take long. Just helping me find out some information,' he sighed, turning to the redhead again. Martin gave Stiles a warning look and stood up from her seat, taking her bag with her.
- Whittemore, one wrong word,' Will muttered, glaring angrily. Stiles immediately backed him up, nodding his head frantically.
- Don't worry,' Jackson snorted and disappeared down the corridor, followed by Ivan. Lydia turned to her friends and smiled warmly.
- Don't worry, guys, it's fine. Jackson and I have peaceful relations this year,' she said and left as well.
- Well, you know a few spells for emergencies,' Stilinski snorted. Will nodded, glancing at his friend, coming to some conclusion. Eleanor sighed heavily and continued to study her hated ethics.
***
- So you're saying they're elements? - Marzia asked perplexed.
She, Sonya, and Lydia were sitting in their bedroom, talking about what the redhead had found out during the day. Ivan and Jackson led her outside the castle. There, in the garden, it was empty at first glance. But when Martin looked more closely, she noticed three signs everywhere - earth, water and fire.
According to Whittemore, in passing (the boy never said when or where), he once heard that there would be some connection to the direct origin of the champions.
- And how to understand what this connection is? - Sonya sighed, twirling her native headman's badge in her hands.
- Maybe the origin is sort of like a native country? Bulgaria, Great Britain and France? - Marzia suggested.
- What's that supposed to mean? - The blonde muttered irritably.
- We won't be able to guess,' Lydia shook her head, 'It could be anything. The country, the department, the school, even the town or house number. All we can do now is learn as much as we can about the elements.
- I've been reading about them non-stop for three months,' Marzia rolled her eyes, 'I don't even know what to emphasise.
- Fire,' Sonia said, looking up at the ceiling.
- Huh?' the seventh year girl didn't understand.
- You're a Gryffindor. Your element is fire,' Sonya explained, turning on her stomach.
- That makes sense,' Marzia hummed.
- Naturally,' the blonde rolled her eyes.
- So,' Lydia pondered, ignoring their bickering, 'There could be a connection by affiliation to the immediate faculties.
- Looking for the outline of fire? - Marzia asked, frowning.
- Or a lion,' Lydia sighed.
- It's so hard,' Sonia whimpered, burying her face in her pillow.
- We'll find out soon enough anyway.
- Too soon, perhaps,' Lydia whispered, covering herself with the blanket.
The first stage of the Tournament was only days away. All three schools were feeling excited and nervous, but they were holding back and not showing it as much as they could. Lydia, like the rest of the Hogwarts students, still cherished the dream of helping their champion, but already realised that they were powerless.
For over two and a bit months, the entire Hogwarts delegation had been scouring for information about the elements, the Tournament, its rules, and more. Now it was time for the champions themselves.
Lydia fell asleep thinking about how much she would like to help. For some reason she dreamed of Marzia riding a lion, and Sonia, Lydia and Stiles laughing next to her, riding tiny lion cubs. Well, no one said purebloods couldn't have delusional dreams, did they?