WRONG CHOICE

16

we collected our brooms then headed down to the pitch where the rest of the seventh-years waited.

"look," i nudged Tom and pointed.

he followed my finger to where Lily Evans stood beside a sullen looking James Potter.

his arm was in a sling and he leaned heavily on a crutch.

"new broom?" Tom tapped his crutch as we passed.

the rest of the Slytherins heard his comment and burst out laughing.

"watch it, Riddle." Potter snarled.

"or what, you'll tell Dumbledore?" Tom smirked. "we both know what happened last time."

we stalked past, joining the group of Slytherins, who had watched the interaction with grins on their faces.

"Merlin knows what he's even doing here." Merula Snyde looked at Potter distastefully. "moral support, i suppose."

"he's nuttier than squirrel shit," Regulus commented.

the Slytherins snickered as Professor Sinclair approached.

"morning all, welcome to try-outs," he boomed. "not all of you will make the team, but that shouldn't dishearten you. we've got plenty of fine players here today."

it began to rain slowly and a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs pulled their hoods up.

"i'll sort you into house teams, then we'll play a few games. as always, i want nice, clean play. any foul play and i'll personally ensure you don't make the team. understood?" he looked at each of us.

nobody responded.

"excellent." Sinclair clapped his hands. "right, sort yourselves according to which position you play, then i'll come round and make the teams up."

we shuffled around, splitting off into four groups: chasers, beaters, seekers and keepers.

Issy Murk, Neil Lament and Roddy Lestrange came and joined Tom, Bella and i.

"Rodulphus," Bella kicked his shin hard. "long time no speak."

he groaned and rubbed his shin. "if you were a guy, Bel, i'd deck you right here."

"i'd love to see you try." she scoffed.

Sinclair reached our group and Roddy straightened.

"right, you three here, and you make another group." he parted us, leaving me in a team with Tom and Neil.

i didn't speak to Neil often—we'd been partners in potions in third year, but we'd never spoken after that.

Avery Nott and Regulus joined us as beaters, Amy Carrow as seeker and her brother Alec as keeper.

"who'll be in charge?" Neil asked the group.

"i will," Amy stepped forward, flicking her hair over her shoulder and grinning at Tom.

i found myself clenching my jaw—was i jealous?

"no," Tom said. "Aura will be our captain."

my heart backflipped.

Amy's expression faltered, then she glared at me. "i don't know if she's the best choice, Tom."

"better choice than you." he looked past her.

her fists clenched as her face turned red.