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Inside the echoing walls of the Great Hall, along the passage between the tables of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, a girl strode forward with a fleet-footed step; not stopping until she found her usual place.
Vicky Frobisher set her book down without so much as acknowledging her friend Cynthia.
"So… Are we going to talk about it?" Cynthia asked.
Vicky snorted, turning about exasperated. "Fine. It's Weasley. He got the Keeper position."
"Oh… Well, that could've been you , if you'd wanted it. But you didn't. You bailed out."
Vicky was usually mild mannered, but a sudden burst of annoyance flared in her chest. "It's not that, I— Look, I don't know what I want, so don't ask me."
Quidditch was such a liberating game, and the only thing that could clear her mind of all other clutter; but it didn't fit in her schedule. Hadn't she already made peace with that? Charms Club took precedence, and she couldn't drop Potions tutoring either— that would go right into her resume. If she loafed around then chances were she might be affected after Hogwarts. She couldn't do that to her Mum. She'd promised.
"Hey, what's that?" Cynthia asked.
There was a small paper in Vicky's book. "It's probably the note I got from Mum this morning."
It bothered her more than it should. She knew that with her father long gone, her mother had to make an extra effort to keep her at Hogwarts. Vicky didn't like the constant notes asking how she was doing though, or reading about Mum's latest struggle. Being honest, this morning's note had made her sniffle too. It was common to feel both annoyed and wistful this time of the month.
"Does your Mum use kid's paper?"
The paper in her book had little baby shark drawings. Vicky unfolded it with curiosity.
Would you be my Valentine's? Stone circle. After school.
— T
Vicky flushed.
"Oh, that's so sweet. You're going, aren't you?" Cynthia whispered over her shoulder.
The floor screeched as Vicky stood up, stuffing the note inside her book.
"I have no time for that."
"Vicky! Everyone else has a date."
But Vicky had already left.
Vicky only went to the stone circle to tell this person off. Not because she couldn't handle the mystery. A boy waited for her.
"Sorry for the baby shark," Terry Boot said, fidgety. "Only paper around when I made up my mind. See, I have a little brother."
Vicky nodded, speechless. Had she ever talked to Terry before?
"Look, it's fine if you want to tell me off. It's just— I've noticed you for ages. You're so driven and intriguing to me. All I want is to talk," he said with a bright smile.
Vicky pushed her shoulder-length hair behind her ear. She gave him a hesitant nod, surprising even herself.
Terry smiled, handing her a steaming cup of tea. "I also have a big sister, and, well, overheard you complaining about cramps earlier… I figured it wouldn't hurt at any rate."
"Thanks."
They sat on the grass, and talked all afternoon. Vicky poured her family's story, and Terry listened supportively. Her chest became fluttery and warm. The tea soothed her, she imagined. She wasn't used to people taking care of her.
At one point, Vicky felt Terry's fingers intertwining with hers.
"Hope it's okay."
Vicky nodded. She felt selfish, but she was just a girl. She could be strong. She could be wrong. But it was her life.
"Think they'll let me back in the team?"
"Small chance. But we can badmouth Weasley."
Vicky leaned on his shoulder. "Yes. Let's do that."
Even without Quidditch, she was ready to fly.