Myrtle Potter: Chapter Six - Quidditch |
Sun streamed in the dormitory window early Saturday morning. Myrtle was already awake. Butterflies in her stomach had made sleep a difficult task. Myrtle threw off the bedclothes and went over to her trunk. She took out a pair of old, black robes that she always used for Quidditch and put them on. Opening the hangings, she found everybody in the dormitory asleep. She left silently and walked down to breakfast. The few students scattered around the breakfast tables looked as nervous, if not more, as Myrtle felt. Myrtle had never tried out for anything before. She knew she could fly, but could she fly that well? After a hurried breakfast, Myrtle retreated to Gryffindor Tower where she found Antoinette leaving for breakfast. The girls said hello and the Myrtle ascended the stairs to the dormitory. Re-opening her trunk, she took out her broom. It had been her father’s when he was at Hogwarts and she loved it, no matter how old it was getting. Her broomstick servicing kit lay at the bottom of the trunk. She took it out and began to polish the handle of the broom so the name “Firebolt” appeared in glittering letters. Half an hour later, she was finished. Myrtle departed from the dormitory and left Gryffindor Tower for the Quidditch Pitch. When she arrived, the Quidditch Pitch was alive with chattering voices. Students from all houses were waiting to try out. “Gryffindors! Gryffindors over here!” a loud voice boomed from the far side of the pitch. Myrtle started towards the voice and found Antoinette there waiting for her. Before the girls could even say a word, the loud voice began again. “All those trying out for Chaser, go to my left. Beaters, to my right. Seekers, you lot stay here!” Finally Myrtle recognised who the voice belonged to. It was Cameron Wood, Gryffindor’s Keeper, Quidditch Captain and Hogwart’s Head Boy. “Good luck Myrtle,” Antoinette whispered in her ear. “I’m gonna try out for Chaser. You’ll be fine. See you when you’re Gryffindor’s new Seeker.” Antoinette left, leaving Myrtle alone with six third years, who were all trying out for Seeker. In the distance Myrtle could see all the other houses doing similar things to Gryffindor. Waiting, waiting, waiting. It seemed like she’d be forever. Cameron was spending so much time with the Chasers. At least Antoinette would get a good trial. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a Ravenclaw flying. He was really good, far better than the rest of the Ravenclaw’s who were trying out for Seeker. Somehow he reminded Myrtle of Ben. But it couldn’t be Ben; Ben didn’t know how to fly properly. Then it clicked. The boy in the air was Harrison Chang, a fourth year and he was Ben’s half-brother. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? His father had died before he was born and so he had kept his mother’s name. It was quite obvious where he had got his flying skills. Their mother, Cho Chang, was a world champion Quidditch player, just like Harry. She played for China and had won the Asian Quidditch tournament five years running. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a white blur fell from the sky and landed on Myrtle’s shoulder. It was Hedwig, and she had a letter attached to her leg. “Thanks Hedwig!” Myrtle exclaimed, pocketing the letter. Whatever was going on could wait until after her trial. “Go on up to the Owlery old girl and get some water. I’ll come and visit you after I finish Quidditch.” With an affectionate peck, Hedwig left. “My, My, aren’t we special. Letters delivered to you on the Quidditch Pitch. Unfortunately, your family’s fame does nothing for you Potter. You’re still an ugly Mudblood.” Myrtle did not need to turn around to see who that voice belonged to. Yvette Burstrom. “Look at your rust bucket of a broom. My Nimbus 4020 (pronounced four-twenty) could outstrip it any day.” “Put your money where your fat mouth is Yvette. In case you haven’t noticed, it takes skill to ride a broom and I could out fly you every day.” “Aren’t we feisty this morning. Catch me if you can then!” Yvette kicked off from the ground and rose into the air. Myrtle rose to the challenge and urged the Firebolt into the air. Wind rushed through her robes as the broom gained speed. Yvette was in front of her and diving. Myrtle followed suit. Yvette snuck a look behind her and with a menacing grin drove her broom towards the ground. Myrtle knew what she was trying to do. She was going to make Myrtle follow her and then pull out of the dive so that Myrtle went crashing to the ground. |