#13 | Club Sign-Up Sheet

Vicky strolled down the Main Corridor, one hand flipping through the pages of the Daily Prophet, though her attention wasn't on the how of the writing — she'd long since figured out that the paper only hired the best writers. No, today she was critiquing the what of it, which was, as it sometimes was, an exercise in disappointment. This was all they had to report on today?

Sure, there were the usual fluff pieces on the Sagemore kids or the Weird Sisters' tour announcement, but who cared? They were all too predictable. She'd glanced at the Prophet at breakfast, but now she was giving it a second pass, mostly because she needed something to fill the void while she made her way to sign-ups. It wasn't like she had anything else to do.

But the gossip — oh, that was a different story. Reena Ashworth had been all anyone could talk about this morning, and Vicky, well, she was in the thick of it. She wasn't the one to start this rumour — too much effort for too little return. But being on the receiving end? That was a different matter. The gossip mill was her favorite playground, and she'd loved playing with it.

It was like a little side hobby for her, always had been.

If she couldn't actually write for the Prophet right now, she might as well get her fix by helping spread some sort of word around school. But she wasn't interested in just the idle chit-chat. No, Vicky had bigger plans. When she graduated, she would contribute to society in a way that mattered — maybe shape the future. She wasn't just going to sit around gossiping forever.

Well, not just gossiping.

As she moved through the corridor, weaving around students like a kind of pro — effortlessly dodging an arm here, a bag there — Vicky was reminded how much she'd missed Quidditch. She hadn't been able to play for a while, but now, after taking care of the little things that needed tending to, she'd be back in the game by next match. Amara was probably pleased about that.

Vicky had been a Chaser for years, and it showed in her easy navigation of crowds. Her ability to maneuver without so much as looking up from the Prophet was second nature. She could probably dodge a Bludger in her sleep if she had to. Maybe not one of Amara's though.

Finally, she reached the sign-up sheet. Tucking the paper under her arm, she tossed her wavy brown tresses over her shoulder, just enough to give herself a nice little flair. Of course, she couldn't be bothered to acknowledge the Sagemore girl nearby — wasn't like she needed to, anyway. She'd got enough attention. So what was she loitering around for? Didn't matter.

Vicky glanced over the club options with the same expression she reserved for most things that didn't immediately grab her attention: uninterested. Wilderness Club? Pfft. No thanks.

The thought of trudging through mud with wet boots and a layer of grass stuck to her robes was enough to make her gag. Plus, Amara would definitely notice if she came back smelling like anything other than perfume or a light trace of Quidditch sweat. No one needed that.

Archery Club had its appeal, but no. Ashworth, Twiggs, and Langford? Way too much bad company for her liking. The idea of a 3-on-1 challenge sounded vaguely fun, but it wasn't worth the hassle. She liked a good challenge, but not the kind where she had to deal with people she didn't want to deal with just to win. That wasn't how she worked. At least not these days.

Music Club, though? Now that was more like it. She wasn't a singer per se, but she could carry a tune if she needed to. But dancing? That was where she'd shine. Quidditch had given her the stamina, and her reflexes? She'd take that to the dance floor any day. The bonus was that it would look good on her Academy applications, something she'd always appreciate.

She signed her name on the sheet with an eloquent swish — so much flair it could've been a signature for a beloved fan — and then gave a satisfied nod. Perfect. Turning on her heel, she moved away, her robes swishing behind her like they were in an impromptu fashion show.

(Note: Victoria signed up for Music Club!)