Chapter 47 - First Quidditch Match (1/2)

Saturday morning, the Great Hall is abuzz as especially Slytherin and Gryffindor glare at each other from their respective table. The more excited members have their faces painted in the house colors and make alpha animal-like gestures to each other from across the Great Hall such as pounding on their chest and so forth. Ignoring the rivalry, Rowan eats her sausages and eggs as she mutters, something about how the ketchup is missing.

”I've been reading Quidditch Through the Ages and did you know there are more than 700 ways to commit a foul?” Terry Greenwood excitedly exclaimed.

”Really?” Severus muttered. ”Maybe I should read it too.”

”Mm, I'll lend it to you once I'm done,” Terry happily said.

Severus and Terry continue to eagerly chat about Quidditch as Wilkes takes a seat next to Rowan. ”Do I detect a lack of Slytherin spirit in thine youthful face?” Wilkes said as Rowan glanced up to only wince at seeing Wilkes's face painted in Slytherin colors, green and silver.

”Aren't you a Perfect?” Rowan grumbled as she eyed his brightly colored face. ”You're supposed to be setting an example.”

”And I am by showing my house spirit!” Wilkes gleefully said. ”Besides as long as I remain civil, none of the professors will say anything.”

Rowan rolls her eyes and mutters, ”Lucky.”

”Ah, do I detect a lack of Quidditch team spirit?” Wilkes wickedly cackled.

Tactfully changing the subject, Rowan asked, ”Why aren't you eating with the 5th years?”

”Because, they're still getting ready,” Wilkes drily commented.

Rowan snorts as Wilkes's eyes gleam at spotting fellow yearlings. ”Fellow friends, we have an unbeliever among us!” Wilkes loudly shouted.

Rowan instantly bolts leaving her food tray behind half-eaten, but not before accidentally brushing past Terry. Before she doesn't get very far as a rather large, Slytherin 5th year easily catches Rowan and carries her back. Sitting her firmly back down, the Slytherin 5th years surround Wilkes and Rowan.

”What's this I hear about there being an unbeliever in our house?” Said, the burly figure that had caught Rowan.

Just like at the Salem Witch Trials, Wilkes pointed and jeered, ”There she is an unbeliever!”

Rowan's face darkens as Terry seriously whispers to Severus. ”Apparently unbelievers must be taught to believe in the Slytherin house spirit.”

”Why do you doubt our great house?” The burly 5th year rumbled as the other fanatical 5th years eye Rowan like a cannibalistic tribe would eye a human as food.

”I do not doubt,” Rowan hastily said. ”I merely asked, where all the 5th years were, and Wilkes shouted that strange remark out.”

”We are not convinced,” the 5th year said as the other surrounding 5th years grunt in agreement.

Rowan hastily parroted Terry's comment and says, ”I know that there are 700 ways to commit a foul in Quidditch.”

”Yes, but that does not mean you are a believer,” the burly 5th year grumbled.