Broom - September 24 - word count: 682 - @wolfstarmicrofic
The Quidditch pitch was buzzing with excitement as Gryffindor and Hufflepuff faced off in their latest match.
Remus sat in the commentator’s box, leaning back in his chair. He was totally ready to do his duty.
“And Gryffindor takes possession, James Potter dodging a Bludger- because of course, he makes everything look easy-,” Remus said, his voice amused.
He paused for a second before adding, “I’m sure he’s very proud of himself.”
On the pitch, Sirius swooped down with Marlene at his side as he locked on to a nearby Bludger.
Remus couldn’t help but track him, barely keeping his voice from cracking as Sirius smacked the Bludger towards the Hufflepuff Chasers with perfect form.
“Here comes Sirius Black, who I assume thinks he's auditioning for some dramatic flying role rather than playing Quidditch. But, credit where it's due- that was an excellent hit... probably all those hours working on his wrist strength.”
There was a snicker from some of the Gryffindor stands.
Sirius, mid-air, threw a blush-tinted grin back up toward the commentator’s box, saluting with his Beater’s bat.
Remus tried not to blush. Tried.
“And now Logsden has possession, passing to Potter- I swear this match is a personal highlight reel for James. Honestly, someone should remind him there are other players on this team.”
Down on the pitch, James gave a theatrical wave, clearly soaking in the attention.
“And Black, once again, looking far too proud of himself for someone who just barely avoided hitting Rivers with that last swing,” Remus quipped, shaking his head. “Can someone please remind him that we’re here to hit Hufflepuffs, not Gryffindors?”
Marlene barked a laugh as she zoomed past Sirius. She elbowed him as she flew by, and he exaggerated a spin in response, nearly toppling over on his broom but grinning all the while.
“Honestly, it’s a miracle he hasn’t fallen off his broom yet,” Remus added with a laugh. “But I suppose we should be thankful for small mercies.”
“And Potter’s lining up for another shot at the goal… And he scores! Gryffindor now leads 30 to 10, and it’s no doubt the rest of us will hear about this in excruciating detail during dinner.”
Sirius and James high-fived in mid-air, and Sirius gave another look toward the commentator’s box, this time with a slightly exaggerated wave that had Remus rolling his eyes.
“I’d like to remind everyone that, despite what it looks like, James Potter is not actually playing this game by himself, though he seems convinced otherwise.”
There was a collective laugh from the Gryffindor stands, and even McGonagall could be seen stifling a chuckle.
“And now- oh, would you look at that! Another spectacular play by Sirius Black. I’m not sure if it’s bravery or simply a complete disregard for personal safety.”
Remus paused, as Sirius caught his eye once more and sent a playful smirk his way.
“Ah, and yes, that grin on his face means he’s fully aware I’m talking about him. And no, Sirius, you’re not getting special treatment from the commentary box, no matter how much you wink at me.”
The Gryffindor side howled in laughter, and Sirius blew a kiss in response, nearly toppling off his broom in the process. Remus shook his head.
“Honestly, it’s a miracle I’m allowed to commentate at all. But let’s move on... Hufflepuff still has a chance to- oh, never mind. Matthew Rivers has stolen possession, and Gryffindor is now leading by forty points!”
Remus smiled, watching Sirius dive-bomb a bludger.
“And there goes Black again, risking life and limb for... well, I’m not entirely sure why. Probably just for the drama. Typical Gryffindor behavior, honestly.”
When the Snitch was caught, signaling Gryffindor’s victory, the stands erupted in cheers.
The dark-haired boy flew top speed right at the commentator’s box, still grinning like a madman.
“Nice commentary, Moony,” Sirius said, laughing as Remus raised an eyebrow.
“Nice flying, Black,” Remus shot back, feigning nonchalance. “Though, next time, maybe try not to hit our own team with that stick of yours.”
Marlene is sick and tired of this shit. Always second best to every man, boy, wanker, just because she’s a girl.
Growing up at home with three older brothers was never easy. Everything’s always a competition, she’s always trying to prove herself, to be recognised as something wonderful just like them.
Every time she does anything remotely cool, everyone always coos at her and suspects she’s just trying to be like her older brothers. And it’s not fair. Nothings fucking fair. Everything they do will always be better because they’re boys. Men always have a leg up in this stupid world, and Marlene thinks that’s utter cow-shit.
Here she is, age thirteen, teeth bared, and hungry for blood.
Quidditch try outs.
Last year she didn’t make the team because her stupid fucking brother was captain and “didn’t think she has what it takes”. And he had the “evidence” to back that up, because he stuck her on goal keep. She was twelve and tiny and he stuck her on goal keep when she was trying out to be a beater, because he didn’t want his little sister on the team. She hates her stupid brother.
But Nick isn’t on the team anymore, he’s finished school now, and the captain is just some random Gryffindor. She doesn’t really care where she gets put on the team, so long as she gets on it, even though she’d prefer beater. She’s nasty with that bat.
All she has to do is beat one of the other beaters on the team and it’s all smooth sailing from there out. Her competition today is a second year named Thomas Yates who looks like he might shit his pants the next time someone talks too loud, that stupid wanker Sirius Black who keeps flirting with Mary, and Marcus; her fifteen year old brother.
She can’t wait to take him down.
Marlene looks around the pitch, assessing the team so far. A bunch of boys aren’t even taking this seriously, but they’re all already on the team, so she suspects that’s why.
There’s one thing she notices though, one thing she doesn't like at all.
She’s the only girl.
“Are you lost?” Fredrick, the new captain, said, looking down at her over his clipboard. He’s very tall, and very skinny, and Marlene already doesn’t like him. He has a stupid mustache that he clearly can’t grow any thicker.
“Nope.” She said, glaring at him.
Fredrick laughed, “Sweetie, this isn’t makeup club.”
Marlene smeared at him, “Obviously. I’m here to try for beater.”
“Beater?” Fredrick asked, and he, and all his mates behind him began to snicker and laugh, “Not worth it. You’ll never make the team, look at yourself, you’re tiny. Besides, we don’t want a stupid little girl on the team.”
“I’m not a stupid little girl, you wanker!” She spat, stomping down on his foot, making him cry out in pain before storming off over to the pack of younger boys. With her approach, they all went quiet. She glared at them all.
With a quirk of her eyebrow and a stupid, smug smirk, Sirius spoke in his posh little accent, “McKinnon… trying out?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged, twisting her broom beside her, “I’m going for beater.”
Sirius laughed, “Ooh, against me and your brother?” He shook his head, “I reckon Yates’ got a better chance than you.”
“You sure about that, Black?”
Sirius shrugged, up on his high horse, “Well… yeah. Look at you.”
“Willing to bet on it?” She asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
With a snicker, Sirius nodded, “Why not. If you make the team, I’ll give you ten galleons, if you don’t make it, you give me twenty.”
What. A. Prick.
“Deal.” Marlene said, sticking her hand out to shake. Sirius shook it, his hand so much bigger than her own. But that didn’t deter her, boys have such stupid ideals about what makes you good at things. They think they’re better beaters than her because they’re bigger, stronger, better simply because they’re men. But Marlene’s more agile, she’s ridiculously fast and her aim is near perfect already. She puts in the work, training whenever the pitch is free. She’s determined to prove herself. To prove them all wrong.
They all take to the sky, broken up into teams of red versus yellow. Marlene’s playing red, saddled up beside Black, which is perfect. This way she can prove she’s better than him by hitting more bludgers, and she can go ham on her brother on the opposite team. She can’t wait to beat him, honestly. She can already feel the victory.
Fredrick blew the whistle, sitting off to the side on his broom to watch and take notes. And Marlene thanks Mary for tying this great big red bow into her braid this morning, it’s sure to keep his attention.
They were off, zipping around the pitch and playing. Marlene hit the bludger hard, managing to stop it from flying right into Potter's head and straight towards her brother. He barely dodged it in time.
“Fuck!” He screeched, gripping onto his broom for dear life, looking at her all the way on the other side of the pitch.
“Watch out, Marcus, bludgers are dangerous! Are you sure you’re equipped for this?”
“Bloody hell.” She heard Potter snicker from behind, “I reckon you’re out ten galleons, Sirius.”
“Shit.”
Marlene laughed and was off again, diving for a bludger as it shot straight towards the seekers head.
The game went on and Marlene played ruthlessly, sending bludger after bludger straight at her brother, keeping him on his toes. It only serves him right after all these years he’s spent picking on Marlene for being so small. And he always gets away with it, their mum just says “oh, boys will be boys, Marlene, it’s only in their nature.”. Sometimes she wants to stomp on her mum's foot too, but she knows she’ll get in big trouble if she does that.
Black is pretty fast, and pretty strong, so his hits fly faster, are harder. But he doesn’t have her agility, and certainly not her aim. She reckons, out of all her options, Black would be the best teammate. Poor Thomas hasn’t gotten very involved at all, shies away from bludgers when they shoot his way, so Marlene knows he won’t make the team. Honestly, he’d probably prefer that outcome by the looks of things.
Her brother, on the other hand, is playing pretty tough too. He’s clearly a little shocked by Marlene’s abilities and is determined to be better than her. Marlene is not a very cocky person, but she’s certain she’s doing better than her brother. She’s definitely getting on the team.
Back on the ground, Potter was giving her shoulder a good jostle, keen to keep playing beside her. James is a very quidditch focused lad, she’s come to notice. It’s pretty much all he talks about, besides Lily Evans, so she knows he’s thinking strategically more than anything else. He wants her on the team because having her there will bump up their chances for a win. Marlene is pretty chuffed with that.
Black seems to be dreading handing over his ten galleons.
“Right, now the beaters.” Fredrick says, announcing who has, and hasn’t made the team this year, reading from his clipboard, “Black, you’re safe, McKinnon- Marcus, you’re safe… And welcome to the team Yates!”
Marlene’s smile dropped.
“Right, that’s that. See all of you who made it at training tomorrow, the rest of you, see ya!”
She didn’t… No, no this can’t be right. There must be some mistake. She can’t have this, it’s…
She storms over to Fredrick, stopping him in his tracks, “Oi, what about me?”
“What about you?” He asked, glaring down at her.
“I’m on the team, right?”
“Did you hear me call your name? Don’t think so, sorry. Better luck next time.”
Marlene is furious. “Why? Why aren’t I on the team?”
Fredrick looked around and leant down to whisper, “No one wants a stupid girl on their team, do they? Now fuck off.”
♢♤♡♧
Marlene practically busted down McGonagall's door with how aggressively she was knocking on it. Her fist slammed into the wood, over and over and over until the door swung open and she was met with the professor's scowl. “Miss McKinnon, what can I do for you that is so urgent that you feel the need to break down my door?”
“They won’t let me on the team cause I’m a girl.”
“Now, that’s a rather heavy accusation to throw-“
“It’s true Miss.” Mary backed up, “We watched the whole thing.”
“Yeah, she was better than half those blokes!” Lily agreed.
“It’s sexist.” Mary nodded.
“Really misogynistic, Professor.”
“It’s fucking stupid.” Marlene added.
“Miss McKinnon, watch your language.”
“It happened last year, my brother didn’t let me on the team. I told you how he set it all up and everything. But Fredrick didn’t get clever about this, I proved I was good. Ask anyone… except maybe my brother. Ask Yates!”
“Yeah, he made the team and he was proper useless.” Mary said.
“Miss McDonald.” McGonagall tutted before taking a heavy sigh, “Yes, well, there hasn’t been a female on the Gryffindor team in nearly twelve years. I’m not surprised to say the least, however Fredrick is the captain and has the overall say. Unless there is evidence that he has malicious intent I can not intervene.”
“But Miss!”
“Now, now, Marlene. I’m sorry, but I really cannot get involved, I haven’t the jurisdiction. I can’t tell you that all you’ll need to fight this would be a simple petition signed by majority of the team requesting your recruitment. I’m simply not allowed to get involved.” She said with a little smile, “Now, I have essays to mark, good day, Marlene.” She said and shut the door.
“Brilliant!” Marlene grinned, and the girls set off on their mission.
Mary drew up the petition, used nice colours and everything. Real proper looking, and everything. They headed straight for the Great Hall, since it was lunchtime now and the quidditch players surely would be eating their fill. Marlene was quite hungry herself after all that, but she had priorities.
Her first stop was Potter and Black.
“Oi, McKinnon, shit luck.” Sirius grinned.
“Hey, leave it. She did good, I think it’s bollocks you didn’t make the team.” Potter said.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Black nodded, “Honestly, I’m willing to call off the bet, you should have made it.”
“If you really think so,” Marlene grinned, slamming the petition down between them, “Sign this. I swear I’ll keep the bludgers as far away from you as possible, Potter, secure your path straight to the goals.”
“What’s this?” He asked, peering over the page.
“A petition to get me on the team. Imagine it, Black, we played so well together. I’m better than my stupid brother and you know it.”
“A lot faster, that’s for sure.” Sirius nodded.
“It’d be nice to have a girl on the team, new perspective and all.” James shrugged, “Plus, we’re the only team without one, we’d be able to even out the competition, it’s not really fair, otherwise. Girls are a lot smarter than us, no wonder we never win.”
“No, we never win because you’re always trying to show off.” Sirius retorted with a snicker.
“Just sign it, will you?” Marlene sighed.
James shrugged, taking the quill to write his name, ”How many do you need?”
“Most of the team.” She said, "A few of you will be easy, it’s the older ones I’ll have a problem with.”
“I reckon Yates will sign it, easy.” Sirius said, taking the quill from James to sign it himself, “I don’t think he actually wanted to make the team, he was just trying out because his dads crazy about quidditch.”
“The older ones will be harder to persuade, they’re all friends with your brother and he chats a lot of shit about you, I mean, some of the stuff he said after practice today was really rude-“
“Shut up, James.” Sirius hissed, “Don’t hurt her feelings.”
Marlene rolled her eyes, “Oh, ease up, I know he hates me because I’m better than him. He’s so insecure.”
“Sorry.” James winced.
“Maybe you could help?” Mary suggested, and Marlene was about to butt in and shut her up, she’s capable of doing this herself. She wants to do this herself. Mary lent down, right into Sirius’ space and locked eyes with him, “Come on, Black, help her out. Get the other blokes to sign it and let her on the team, and if she makes it, I’ll give you a snog.”
“Mary!” Lily gasped.
“Oh, it’s just one snog, no big deal.“ Mary grinned. “I’ll probably give him one eventually anyway.”
Maybe their help wouldn’t be the worst, Marlene thought. Boys did tend to listen to boys more, and if she gets on the team, she can prove to them that she’s totally worth it. That girls are worth it. Maybe, if she makes the team, other girls will want to join too. That would be pretty cool, Marlene thinks.
“Yeah, come on, I heard you talking about your dumb snogging competition today, you’ll win.” Marlene said.
Sirius was quick to agree, “Absolutely, I’m in!”
“No!” James gasped, “Lily, snog me, it’s an emergency!”
“Absolutely not.” Lily shook her head, “But it would be cool of you if you helped. It would be so nice of you…” She said, strategically curling her hair around a finger.
James went bright red, nodding his head, “Y-yeah, absolutely. Yes, I’m- of course. I just wanna help Marlene, you know, she deserves a spot on the team, I totally agree. Definitely.” He said, trying to act all heroic and nonchalant.
Marlene rolled her eyes. Honestly, boys are so daft.
“Wow, that’s so cool of you, James.” Lily continued.
“Yeah…” James replied, shrugging, clearly trying to hide how bashful he was, “That’s me, you know? Cool, I’m cool. So cool, just… cool and-“
“I think they get it, James.” Sirius said, monotonous, “Wanna tell them how cool you are again, cool boy?”
“Shove off.” James mumbled, a little embarrassed.
“Go on.” Mary said, literally shooing them away, “You have things to do. Go do them.”
James and Sirius scrambled to do as they were told, both eager to impress the girls and inflate their egos a little more. Marlene will never underhand boys, she thinks. They’re all so dimwitted and girl crazy.
Over the rest of the afternoon, Marlene managed to rack up enough signatures, thanks to the help of James and Sirius convincing a handful of the older boys to sign. Merlin knows how they managed that, but Marlene suspects foul play, James and Sirius are known to get up to no good.
This doesn’t bother Marlene though, she’s just chaffed she’s got enough signatures. Mary, Lily and herself managed to nab the majority of them, wandering the castle and hunting down the younger, nicer, more alone and easier to intimidate Gryffindor players, so she’s rather proud she's done most of it herself. She did think it was very smart of Mary and Lily to use the boys' crushes on them to their advantage. Marlene wonders how easy it would be to make boys do anything if you promised them a snog or something. Though, Marlene doesn’t think she’ll ever put that to the test. Even if some boy finds himself attracted to her, rather than repulsed by how boyish she is, she would never promise them a snog.
She really doesn’t understand Mary’s desire to put her mouth anywhere near one of those things. Marlene suspects it’s because she doesn’t have any brothers.
The three of them marched their way back to McGonagall's office, declaring the petition with a wide grin. Fixing the little specs on her face, Minerva reads it over before giving Marlene a rather proud smile.
“Give me one moment, girls.” She says before shutting the door in their faces.
They wait in anticipation, Marlene’s nerves radiating off her like some nuclear fuse, spreading onto Mary and Lily, who are now buzzing with anxieties of their own. When their Professor steps back out, she requests Marlene’s follow behind, so the three of them race right after her. They approach Fredrick in the courtyard, and Marlene puffs out her chest proudly.
“Mr. Fredrick,” McGonagall says, handing the petition over to him, “If you have any further issues, you may take them up privately with me, in my office. If you have such a severe issue with Miss McKinnon here being on the team, perhaps we should have a chat about finding a new captain for the season. You know where to find me, good day.” She said, and off she went.
Marcus snatched the petition from Fredrick, snarling down at his little sister.
Proudly, Marlene stuck her hands on her hips and grinned, “What’s the problem, Marc? Are you and your mates here intimidated by a little girl?” And with that, she turned to walk away, “See you at practice tomorrow.”
Marlene felt pretty fucking good when one year later, five whole girls came to try out for the team. She couldn’t wait to make captain one day, that’ll really show them.
