An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Running down the stairs, Elara looked around for her best friend but it appeared as though Hanna hadn't yet arrived. That was of no matter, she was running a little early after all, lunch hadn't even begun yet- a fact that was slightly frustating as she was feeling rather peckish at that particular moment. She was dying to find out how Hanna had done during her try-outs and also to discuss the letter that she'd shown her that morning during class.
Waiting by the door to the Great Hall, Elara tapped her foot impatiently and cast a nervous look around as if expecting Filch to arrive at any moment and accuse her of loitering. Elara's mind drifted once again to the letter in which Hanna had shown her and she wondered what she could possibly say to her friend on the matter. How was she supposed to offer an opinion when both of her parents had been ever present in her life- perhaps Hanna wouldn't even want to discuss something so personal, perhaps she would prefer to inform Elara upon her Quidditch results.
Elara didn't care what the Slytherin chose, she would be there to support her no matter what.
The door to the entrance hall squeaked open, Hanna pushing at the old wood as her feet dragged across the cold stones. Her hands were cold and her shoulders ached, the try-outs had been strenuous but she had done well and couldn't wait to tell Lara about it.
Hanna rolled her shoulders as she lazily picked up her head to survey her surroundings, her eyes quickly falling on her friend; she was early which definitely wasn't a surprise. The Slytherins feet tiredly led her to stand next to Lara, throwing a small wave at her as she leant against the door to the great hall.
Elara noticed the moment her friend entered the entrance hall, the door made a loud enough sound as it opened that she thought it might be able to wake sleeping giants. Still, she waited for Hanna to approach her, not wishing to venture too close to the draft that would surely have entered the hall after the Slytherin. The Hufflepuff couldn't help but feel sympathy for Hanna, her friend loked like she'd gone through hell- glorious hell upon the quidditch pitch, but to someone who wasn't used to the sport, it was still hell all the same.
"Shut it" Elara giggled at her friends greeting, leaning against the wall to mirror her friend and waiting a fraction of a second for Hanna to have the opportunity to speak before growing impatient. "So? How'd it go? Did you make the team?!" she demanded, gaze flicking down and then up to take in the entirety of Hanna's beaten up figure. Oh god she hoped she'd done well, could she honestly be friends with someone who didn't have any basic quidditch knowledge? Yes... But it would be a struggle.
Hanna smiled at her friend, watching her as she stared impatiently back before yelling out her long waited question. The Slytherins face fell before she turned away from her friend, if she played her cards right then she could totally make it seem like she completely blew her chances.
"I tried, really I did..."
Hanna took a step away from the door, her face turned away and her shoulders low as she spoke; a smirk pulled at her lips as she tried to stop herself from laughing.
Elara waited expectantly for an answer, she was so eager for an answer she wondered how she could simply stand back and wait for her friend to give her an answer- she seemed intent on keeping her waiting for as long as possible.
Then her face fell and she spoke and Elara felt her heart break a little for her friend. "Oh Hanna, I'm so sorry... There's always next year?" she tried to offer words of reassurance and encouragement. But she knew that if roles were reversed then she would be crushed.
"That Amara Seabrook doesn't know what she's playing at!" sympathy gave way to defensive outrage and she planted her hands on her hips, scowl set firmly upon her face. "Do you want me to march on down there and give her a piece of my mind? I'll let her know exactly how big a mistake she just made!" as her friend turned away from her, she placed a hand comfortingly upon Hanna's shoulder, at a loss on how to console the girl.
Hanna turned to her friend as she began to ran, her hand shooting to cover her mouth in hopes of stopping herself from laughing but as her eyes met her friend nothing could stop the loud giggles coming from the young Slytherin. Her whole body shook and tears pricked at her eyes, Hannas stomach ache ad she laughed moving to lean against the wall again as she tried to catch her breath.
"I can't" Her words were cut of by another laugh before she took a deep breath and continued, "I got on the team! In fact I was so good at it I got two positions, Keeper mainly but also seeker whenever the need me!" her voice held a jokey smugness as she flipped her hair and held her head high.
Elara would do it, she didn't care how intimidating or frightening Amara could be, nobody upset her friend, even if Hanna really truly sucked at Quidditch. Amara could take one for the team and let her play... Or at least keep her as a reserve if she was honestly that bad.
Then Hanna started laughing and Elara realised that she'd been played. Hands returning to her hips in disapproval as she watched Hanna double over with laughter. "That is NOT funny, Hanna!" she exclaimed, letting out a breath that she hadn't realised she'd been holding. "I can't believe you would do that- well actually I can totally believe it, but how dare you?"
Turning away from her friend in mock anger, she let out a "hmph!" and refused to look at her for a moment. That is, before Hanna revealed exactly how well she'd done "Hanna! That's brilliant!" she exclaimed, turning back to the Slytherin in excitement of the news. "Of course, Hufflepuff are still going to crush Slytherin this season, but it's awesome that you'll be able to partake in TRYING to beat us!"
A mock look of shock fell on her face as listened to her friend, how dare she think Hufflepuff could beat her... well beat the team at least! She crossed her arms and shook her head at her friend before taking a long around the hall, she didn't realise how hungry she was and she was starting to get impatient for lunch.
"You should have been there Lara, first time playing and yet I caught the snitch and was able to save three goals against Lindsey! It was amazing!"
Her eyes turned back to her friend, a wonder in her eyes as she thought about all the years she despised quidditch and yet here she was talking about it like it was the best thing out there.
"I wish I could've been there to see you play! But somehow I don't think you're Captain would appreciate my presence much" she told Hanna regretfully. It was alright though because once she made the Hufflepuff team (when she made the team, there were no ifs about it) then she could have a front seat view of watching Hanna play- whilst also beating Slytherin's team into the dirt.
A smug smirk appeared upon her face as she watched Hanna marvel over the sport that for so long she'd disapproved of and disliked. Oh, how the tables had turned... No longer would Hanna only grudgingly listen to Elara's animated talk of Quidditch- perhaps they could even go to see a professional match together one day! Maybe even the world cup! Oh this was brilliant.
"So, wish you'd given Quidditch a chance when I spoke about it first year, don't you?" she teased, nudging Hanna playfully as she waited for lunch to start.
Hanna rolled her eyes at her friend and stood up straight, her feet moving her around the room as she swung her arms at her side; sure she may have been a little hasty with her opinion but she still didn't understand the reason for it or any other sport really.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. I still understand the need for it, its pointless like football or any other sport"
She span to face her friend as she voiced her opinion, a teasing smile on her face as she waited for her reply; Hanna knew Lara's opinion on Quidditch of by heart but it was still fun to mess with her.
"P-pointless?!" Elara clapped a hand over her mouth in shock at Hanna's words. How dare she? How could she even go there? "I cannot BELIEVE you made the team!" she went on to say, staring at her friend in complete disgust. It was okay, maybe if all of Slytherin's players had the same attitud they wouldn't feel the need to try very hard during their games- that could work in Hufflepuff's favour.
"I honestly could recite an essay on the benefits of sport and how it boosts moral and leads to a healthier lifestyle but I'll spare you the details, you can do that research yourself!" she told Hanna, still outraged that she would spout such utter nonsense.
Hanna couldn't hold back the grin as her friend went into her usual rant, holding her hands up in surrender and shaking her head as her friend questioned how she got onto the team. Leaning her head against the wall as she watched her friend, a fondness in her eyes as she thanked Merlin for their friendship.
"I know you could, you have... multiple times!"
Her words were followed by a small laugh as she crossed her arms, her eyes moving to their surroundings when her thoughts ran to other matters; they had agreed to talk about the letter but right now it could wait, she was hungry and didn't want to ruin this.
Elara paused when Hanna declared that she'd already recited that essay several times before "and I'll do it again!" she threatened "Don't push me!" she knew how boring Hanna found it when she repeated herself- but sometimes drastic measures had to be taken to garner respect. Hanna obviously didn't have a healthy respect of Quidditch, yet... Perhaps being hit with a bludger or two would make her gain that respect... She'd learn it for sure during her first real match.
"It should be pretty soon..." Elara muttered on the subject of lunch "You must be starving after all that flying around" she was hungry herself and she hadn't done half the strenuous activity that Hanna had that day. Her friend must be starving.
"Yeah, if I don't eat soon I might just kill and eat you" her face was fully serious as she peered at her friend, no hints were given to whether she was joking or not. A smile pulled at her lips after a minute and another fit of giggles fell from the Slytherin as she nudged her friends shoulder.
"I'm kidding! I would never, you'd be too bland"
A smirk pulled at Hannas features as she threw a wink at her friend, crossing her arms against her chest before leaning her head back against the wall and taking a deep breath; allowing her body to relax a little after the try-outs.
Elara stared back at Hanna as they Slytherin made a joke about eating her if lunch didn't arrive soon... Or she thought it was a joke, it seemed like a joke... Was it a joke? Then Hanna began to laugh and confirmed Elara's suspicions. "Ha ha, very funny!" Elara sighed, rolling her eyes at Hanna's antics. It was all very well and good joking around, but if she didn't eat soon, she might have to resort to cannibalism to survive. It had happened to people before when they'd gotten hungry enough!
"And for your information, I'd have plenty of flavour if you learned how to season your food properly!" she retorted with a smirk, knowing how passionate Hanna was about cooking. She hoped to hit a nerve and wind the Slytherin up, just as Hanna had been doing to her for the past few minutes
02 | 
19 | 
20
February
