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The wind was deafening as she sailed through the air. She could just make out the shouts and cheers from her friends below as Hufflepuff scored yet another goal.

She resumed her position at the hoops while carefully scanning the players for the Quaffle. "Go on, Zach!" She cried as he zoomed past her, giving a small wave.

Hufflepuff was ahead 60-20 now. If Zach caught the Snitch, it would be an automatic win for, though she secretly doubted it. Their old broomsticks were barely a match for the Slytherins' new Nimbus 2000s - courtesy of Mr Malfoy. And while Draco was an unpleasant little rat, she had to admit that he was rather good at Quidditch, and shoo-in for the Slytherin team as seeker.

The Slytherin players exchanged the Quaffle so fast she barely caught it just before it flew right through the hoops. The spectators cheered again.

This was the seventh offensive she'd blocked, and she was feeling rather pleased as she tossed the ball back into the game. She just might make the Hufflepuff team after all!

But as she was re-steadying herself on her broomstick, something slammed into her from the left, so hard it knocked the wind out of her.

Her grip on the broom handle slipped. Before she knew it, the wind was wooshing around her as she felt herself plummeting to the ground and everything faded to black.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

When she opened her eyes, she was staring at the ceiling of the infirmary. Her friends' faces peered at her from above anxiously. To her surprise, Cedric was there as well, his Quidditch robes hanging heavy on his shoulders as he looked at her with great worry.

"What happened?" she mumbled, trying to shake the blurriness from her vision.

"Oh thank heavens you're alright!" Hannah shrieked. "We saw everything! Don't worry, Madam Hooch punished him."

"What? Who?" She tried to sit up but a pain shot through her right arm, causing her to cry out and sink back onto the bed.

"Malfoy, of course!" Zach exclaimed. "Butt the bloody Bludger at you, he did!" He was also still in his Quidditch robes, and Hannah, Susan, and Ernie's faces were smudged with Hufflepuff house colours.

The entire left side of her body ached something awful, and she groaned in pain. "Why would he do that? Didn't he just have to catch the Snitch?"

"Merlin knows," shrugged Susan. "He's absolutely beastly. Got a week of detention, but that was worth more like ten! Anyway, we've got to get to class. We'll come see you tonight if we can."

Cedric lingered as her friends pattered off. "Ugh, this is so embarrassing," Angel covered her face dramatically with her good hand. "Don't look at me, Ced."

He laughed, shaking his head. "You're fine! And Madam Hooch told me you'll definitely make the team for Keeper. You were fantastic out there!"

Angel's eyes lit up. "Really? I guess my injuries were worth it, then!"

"Trainings are loads of fun, and you'll get to play at a proper game later this year."

"Can't wait," she said genuinely, and Cedric returned her smile. "Well, I better get going too. Get better soon so you won't have to practice this Friday!"

After he left, Angel sighed in disappointment as she adjusted herself in the bed. In her state, she knew she would definitely have to miss her first training, and for what! That pompous Slytherin arsehole. She quickly scolded herself for cursing him, but had half a mind to write to her mum about this.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

A few hours had passed since her friends left and the sun had begun to set. Her arm did not feel much better. In fact, her head had started pounding now. Sighing again, she pressed back further into the pillows and closed her eyes.

She was just about to drift off to sleep when a harsh voice shattered the silence. "Wake up!" Whoever it belonged to kicked the metal bedframe so violently it sent vibrations up her body. Her eyes flew open.

Draco stood by her bed with Crabbe and Goyle. "Malfoy!" She tried to sit up, immediately regretting it as pain coursed through her arm.

"Here's the deal, Mudblood," Draco announced, as-a-matter-of-factly. "I'll leave you alone for the rest of the year, and you don't play Quidditch."

"What? You want me to stop playing Quidditch? Why?"

Draco's smirk faltered and his eyes darted back and forth. "Because... because he said so!" Crabbe jumped in at the pause.

Angel scoffed. "Are you sure it's not because I'm actually good at it? You hit me with that Bludger because we were going to win, didn't you? So you had to find a way to sabotage the game! What's the matter? Couldn't find the Snitch?" Then, summoning all her courage, blurted: "sod off, Malfoy!"

At that, Draco's hand shot out and gripped her sore arm tightly. She nearly screamed in pain as he leaned closer. "Listen here, you filthy little Mudblood." She glared back at him as little droplets of spit landed on her face. "You will take my very generous deal and tell them you don't want to join anymore. Otherwise, I can't guarantee that you won't see precious wannabe seeker Smith in this very bed you're in."

"Why me? I'm just trying out for keeper. Zach's the one who wants to be a seeker," she argued, feeling a little guilty for throwing Zach under the bus like this. But she just couldn't make sense of Draco's request at all.

"Come on, Smith will never beat me at catching the Snitch," Draco snorted. "But we can't always have Hufflepuff leading the games, can we? And besides, they're only asking you out of pity. No one really wants a Mudblood maggot on their team, it's a waste of resources."

"Honestly, why is it such a big deal whether we're in the lead, if you think you're always going to catch the Snitch anyway?" There was no end to this boy's ridiculousness, Angel thought to herself. But something in his cold, unwavering stare told her that he meant every single word of his threat, and the last thing she wanted was for anyone else to get hurt.

"You will leave me alone forever," she conceded. "And all my friends too."

Satisfied, he released his hold on her. "See, wasn't so hard, was it. Get well soon, Dawson." He slapped her arm, making her wince, before spinning on his heels and striding away.

It was now almost dark and her arm throbbed. She waited until the three of them were completely out of sight before bursting into tears.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Dear Mum and Dad,

I've decided not to try out for Quidditch anymore. I've made a deal with that blond boy Draco Malfoy. He's agreed to leave all of us alone if I don't play, so all's well and good. On the bright side, I won't be needing a new broom or robes, so we can save some Galleons on that. Hah!

It's alright, though. I've joined the Herbology club with Susan, and we've made friends with Neville Longbottom. He's a little awkward, but we like him a lot. Mum, I shared the apple strudel you sent with him. He loved it! He hasn't any parents, so maybe I was thinking we could invite him over for Christmas this year.

Dad, send a star map from home, please! I've drawn one here from Astronomy class.

Kisses and misses!

Love,
Angel

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Dear Angel,

Sorry to hear about Quidditch. It's horrid, what that Malfoy boy does, but at least he's leaving you alone now. Pay him no mind, but if he really hurts you or your friends in anyway, we'll definitely be writing to Professor McGonagall about it!

Hope you're enjoying Herbology club. Sorry to hear about Neville's parents too. It'd be lovely to have him over for Christmas! Invite whoever you want - you know your Mum's Christmas dinners can feed the entire town of Bethlehem. What about that Malfoy boy? Maybe Mum and I could teach him a lesson or two about politeness!

Look at us, start of the term and already talking about Christmas. Have fun at school and study hard!

Love,
Dad and Mum

P.S. Here's your star map. Saw Ophiuchus last night. Remember it? Magnificent constellation indeed!

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Dear Mum and Dad,

Invite DRACO MALFOY for Christmas!!! Absolutely NOT!!! Over my dead body!!! I'd rather eat cat food!!! Trust me, he's absolutely fiendish and will most certainly ruin everything. As if he'd say yes anyway. Neville said he'll definitely come, though. I'm so excited! Better get cracking in the kitchen, Mum.

Lucky you, Dad. I sadly haven't been seen Ophiuchus here yet. Only Canis, Aquila, Taurus, Cassiopeia, and Orion. 

Love,
Angel

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Dear Mum and Dad,

I can't believe it's already Christmas! Neville and I have already packed. We're going to sit together on the train so you can pick us up together. See you at Kings Cross!

Kisses and misses!!!

Love,
Angel