To make matters worse, there was a game coming up “ my first “ against the Wimbourne Wasps. The entire team was training heavily, and (minus Leo) was getting easily set off.
A few days after Charlie’s visit, I woke up in the middle of the night by a flash of white light. Startled, I lay in bed until I heard a low rumbling sound that seemed to shake the foundations of my flat, sending vibrations flowing across the wall. I groaned; I always had a hard time sleeping through storms.
Indeed, this was no exception. After what seemed to be a decade of tossing and turning, I finally realized that I was a witch. A witch that was of age.
I scrambled out of bed and looked frantically for my truck that held all my Hogwarts items. When I finally found it at the foot of my bed, I began rummaging through all of my belongings for my cauldron, leftover potions ingredients, and my copy of Advanced Potion Making. Checking that I had asphodel, wormwood, valerian roots and sopophorous beans, I hastily began making the sleeping potion. Twice, the thunder growled so viciously that I nearly spilled my potion, but I finally finished it. I headed back to bed, drank my potion, and fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
When I finally began to wake, I felt a smile spread across my face. Never had I slept so peacefully through a storm. I stretched my arms, yawned, and turned to look at the alarm clock “ and promptly screamed.
The clock announced that it was eight o’clock. Eight o’clock?!?! I should have been at the stadium at six! Quickly, without bothering to eat of comb my hair, I dressed in my practice clothes, grabbed my Silver Arrow, and apparated.
I arrived that the field with the air in full action. “Watch out!” I heard Leo cry out.
I ducked and felt a rush of air above my head that could have only belonged to a speeding Bludger. Annoyed at the near-miss, I grabbed a bat and flew to join the team.
“Are you okay?” shouted Leo in the air. I nodded, and returned my attention to the Bludgers. Today was Beater training for Janusz and me, and Avoiding Bludger(s) training for the rest of the team. The sky was turning a nasty shade of grey, and moisture could be smelt in the air. The drop in pressure made my head throb. Then, sure enough, it started to drizzle.
Though we usually stayed out of each other’s way, the team was annoyed at my late arrival. It was either that, or now that they say what a foul mood I was in, they decided to get a sick kick from making it worse. More than once, Phil flew straight at me, causing me to pull out of his way and into some one else’s, usually Scott’s. Ben and Joey took things a step further and actually flew into me, knocking into my broomstick and jostling me around. Countless times I lost my grip because of this, and would have fallen off if it wasn’t for my legs wrapped tightly around the broom handle. My beautiful Silver Arrow, once sleek and shiny, was battered like a punching bag: twigs were crumpled and broken and the scratches were countless.
I kept telling myself to be strong and wait the practice out, but the last straw was Janusz hitting a Bludger at me with such force that while I was able to get out of the way; it singed the tips of my hair when it flew by. I could hear him laugh and mutter something that sounded like, “Holerna kobieta.”
Everything began to pile up at once: the team never gave me a chance; Charlie’s disastrous visit and how he decided to dislike Leo without even knowing him; the thunderstorm for wearing me out; my stupidity for brewing such a strong sleeping potion; the team for physically abusing me “ I had to let it out. I was angry enough to snap my broomstick handle in half.
“HEY!” I screamed at Janusz, who was now on the ground. I landed and began to march over to him when I realized I didn’t have much else to say. However, I blew my top already, so I might as well keep the lava flowing.
Janusz turned toward me slowly, meaning to intimidate me, but it only infuriated me more. Oh, so because he shoots me a glare I should shut up and play nice?!? Who does he think he is?!?
“Well excuse me, Mr. Too-Cool-To-Speak-English,” I began, raising my voice with each word. “Who do you think you are?! Do you think that you own this place? Do you think that just because I’m a woman you can do what you want with me? And don’t you dare take a step towards me!” I warned in a low voice. “Or Lord help me, I will beat you senseless!” I held up my Beater’s club, prepared to strike.
Janusz stared at my eyes without any emotion in his face (a creepy expression, trust me) and then he turned and walked away without a word. I stood there, partly paralyzed by my outburst. The entire team began to walk away from the field and to the locker room. I sighed and massaged my sore head. Leo came up to me and wrapped me in his arms. At first, I felt restless “ I wanted to punch something, not be embraced “ but it’s a wonder how a hug, complete with hair stroking and a peaceful silence, can calm a person. For a moment, I felt that Leo and I were brother and sister; I really felt like I was Mimi Adams.
“Are you okay, Mimi?” he finally whispered in my ear.
I sighed. “I’m okay now.” But truth be told, that whisper made it worse. It made me think of when Charlie whispered my name into my ear on Christmas Day, the day that we exchanged out first kiss.
Leo pulled back suddenly. “You should talk to Walter Falcons! Tell them about the abuse!”
I shook my head. “No. They can’t get rid of five players “ it’d be easier to get rid of me. After all, Levia also tried out, and they could insert her into the team easily. Besides, everyone else gets along fine “ I’m the only complainer.”
Leo rubbed my shoulders. “You’re tense,” he observed. Suddenly, his face lit up. “There is a casual event at my friend’s house tonight. It would be a way for you to further your sports career “ you know, make yourself known. Would you like to come? Non-formally, I mean.” added Leo hastily after hearing what his invitation sounded like.
I smiled. “Well…why not? I’ll be there.”