LOVER BOY || J. Potter

{CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR : DETENTION AND DEFEAT}

LOVERBOY

{JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER}

The crisp air of the morning was sharp against Maeve's face as she adjusted her gloves, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth. It was a day perfect for Quidditch, the sky a clear, endless blue, but the tension was thicker than a cauldron of poorly brewed potion. The stands were packed with students, their colourful banners waving high. But Maeve's mind was heavy with the pressure of the match.

Sirius was nowhere near the pitch. He sat far up in the Gryffindor stands, shoulders hunched, eyes fixed on the team he had celebrated victory with countless times. His replacement, a nervous fourth-year named Colin Fawley, stood awkwardly with his bat clutched tightly in his hand. James looked similarly uneasy, everyone knew Colin wasn't ready, but there hadn't been a better option.

"Alright, team," James said, his voice firm but lacking his usual bravado as they huddled before the game. We're going to give it everything we have today, Maeve," he turned to their Seeker, "I need you to go out there and do exactly what you did last time, one track mind, focus on nothing but that snitch, yeah?"

Maeve nodded, her blue eyes serious. "I'll do my best, Captain."

"I know this isn't ideal circumstances, no offence Fawley, but it could always be worse. Let's go out there and give those Ravenclaws hell." This earned hollers and cheers from the rest of the team.

As both teams walked out, the stands erupted into cheers blue and bronze and red and gold banners being thrust into the air.

...

The Ravenclaws, led by their Captain and Chaser, Declan Davies, were relentless. Within the first thirty minutes, they scored seven goals, making the score 70-0. The Gryffindor team was struggling to find their rhythm, and Colin's inexperience as a Beater was glaringly obvious. He kept swinging too late or missing entirely, allowing Ravenclaw's Beaters to dominate and send Bludgers hurtling towards the Gryffindor Chasers.

Maeve watched nervously as James grit his teeth, narrowly dodging a Bludger aimed straight at his head. He threw a desperate pass to Alice, who fumbled but managed to keep hold of the Quaffle before getting tackled by a fierce Ravenclaw Chaser. The ball was stolen yet again, and before Frank could even process it, a bludger was sent towards Davey narrowly avoiding his head, he ducked allowing Ravenclaw to score yet again.

"Come on, Gryffindor!" James yelled, his voice hoarse. Maeve caught his eye as he watched her circle high above the pitch. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted her to stop watching the game below and focus on that dastardly, gold ball, but very second they failed to score, the pressure on her grew.

Ravenclaw scored again, 80-0.

For a moment, her eyes flickered to Sirius. He was leaning forward, fingers digging into his knees as he watched, a strange mix of hope and despair etched on his features. She was dragged away by the cheers of the Ravenclaws as Colin swung at a Bludger and missed again, allowing Davies to streak down the pitch and score once more. 90-0.

"Stay focused!" James roared at his team, trying to keep morale from collapsing.

James managed to snag the Quaffle and, with a burst of determination, dodged one of Ravenclaw's Chasers and made a swift pass to Alice. She sped up the pitch and the goal was nearly reachable until a bludger hit the stick of her broom sending her spinning and the quaffle flying out of her hands as she attempted to steady herself. Ravenclaw was ruthless, responding with another quick goal. 100-0.

Maeve, high above, caught sight of something glittering near the Hufflepuff stands. Her heart leapt—was it the Snitch? But just as she sped toward it, a Bludger came hurtling in her direction. She swerved, narrowly avoiding it, but the Snitch was gone.