A Life Worth Choosing

Author's Notes: Oki so I'm doing a horrible job at ending this story, which means there is still one more chapter to come. Anyway, here's the big Quidditch Match that you all have been waiting for. For less confussion, here is a list of the two teams...

Slytherin:

Avery Potter- captain, Keeper

Zyler Calix- co-captain, Chaser

Orion Black- Beater

Kaeda Malfoy- Seeker

MacAdrien Flint- Chaser

Garrett Aarons - Beater

Anikin Walker- Chaser

Hufflepuff:

Marcel Weasley- captain, Chaser

Aimon Weasley- Chaser

Hayden Williams - Keeper

Ryder Sanchez- Chaser

Briar Andrews- Seeker

Aryana Banter- Beater

Tyberon Portia- Beater

Chapter 20: Fallen Victory

Ginny woke up to the sweet sounds of birds chirping and the rapid breathing of Draco beside her. She rolled over to her side and stared happily at the ring on her finger. Finally she was Mrs. Draco Malfoy.

Draco groaned as he began to stir, rolling over to wrap himself around his wife, and drifting instantly back to sleep. Ginny smiled as she took his hand into hers and closed her eyes not wanted to wake just yet. It had been a long eventful night and she could use the extra rest.

Just as she began to drift back to sleep, a loud crash sounded out in the hall.

“Reparo!” she heard Harry call out. “Lily get over here. Don't make me stuplify you!”

“I don't wanna take a bath,” Lily was complaining.

“Lily Ophelia Potter! Keep it down. Auntie Ginny and Uncle Draco are sleeping,” Hermione chastised.

“Uncle Draco?” Draco asked finally waking up.

Ginny let out a small giggle, “Get use to it. We have fourteen nephews, four nieces, and two more on the way. Well, that's when you include Harry and Hermione's three as well as Tallulah and Teddy of course.”

“Great, now all I have to do is get all their names straight,” Draco joked. “I suppose we should get ready for the match.”

“Do we have to?” Ginny moaned, kissing Draco lightly.

“Do you have any idea how long it's been since I been to a Quidditch match?”

_________________________________________________________________________

Kaeda sat quietly at the Slytherin table, her leg bouncing a mile a minute as she pushed her food around with her fork.

“Nervous?” Peyton asked.

“Me?” Kaeda looked up, startled. “No-no, of course not,” she stuttered.

“Good, because we are so going to win,” Macadrian insisted. “There's no way we're going to let Hufflepuffs beat us again.”

“You should really eat something,” Katrina suggested handing Kaeda an apple.

Kaeda sighed as she took the apple and absent mindedly took a bite. The last thing she needed was the faint from lack of food in her stomach.

“So, you and Avery going to the party together?” Viola asked.

“They're still not talking,” Macadrian answered for her. “I hear he's taking that Ravenclaw. What's her name? The one who wears a lot of black.”

“Ara?” Kaeda said looking up from her plate for the first time.

“Yes, her,” Macadrian answered.

“Not jealous are you?” Payton asked.

“Me, no? Besides I already have a date.”

“Who, not Zyler I hope,” Teddy interrupted, taking a seat across from Kaeda. “Hope you don't mind me joining you. You know how Ave and Cel are before a game. They're doing that silent treatment thing again.”

“I know what you mean,” Kaeda said flashing a small glance towards the Slytherin Gryffindor table where Marcel, Junior, Zyler, Avery, and Junior's roommates all sat together.

“So who are you taking?” Teddy asked taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

“I'm- I'm-” she stuttered as her eyes wondered around the great hall and finally settling on the Gryffindor who just happened to be walking by at that exact time. “I'm going with Braden!” she said pulling Braden down into the seat next to her.

“Really?” Braden asked wide-eyed.

“Of course,” Kaeda smiled. “Remember I said yes when you asked me?”

“You do?” Braden asked confused, “Which time?”

“That's great noone cares, now be gone!” Macadrian interrupted waiting for Braden to leave before she continued. “So who's JR taking?”

“Noone at the moment,” Teddy answered. “But apparently he has someone in mind and he says he's he going to ask her after the match.”

Peyton, Macadrian, Viola all squealed with delight.

“That means it could be one of us,” Viola said.

“Merlins! I'm a mess! I have to go redo my hair,” Peyton said rushing for the entrance, Peyton and Viola right behind her.

“So Mr. Lupin, who will you be escorting to my party?” Kaeda smiled across the table to Teddy who blushed, turning his hair a light shade of pink.

“Do you honestly think there is a witch here who wants to go out with werewolf?” Teddy asked in a low voice as he hair slowly began to turn back to it's normal shade of turquoise.

“I think the question is who wouldn't want to date you. You're funny, smart, you get top marks, and you're dad's the Minister of Magic. You probably get away with loads of stuff.”

“And yet, I'm still a werewolf.”

“Fine, if you won't ask someone, I will.”

“Oh, no! I know that smirk. Don't even think about it Kade!”

Ignoring Teddy's pleas, Kaeda got up and walked over to the Ravenclaw table, returning momentarily with Jaylee Ryan.

Jaylee took a seat at the table and smiled at Teddy who hid his face in his arms as his hair immediately turned to hot pink.

“Kaeda said you wanted to ask me something,” she said sweetly.

“She-she did?” Teddy stuttered looking up so quick that he knocked over an entire bowl of oatmeal. “Sorry,” he said, reaching for his wand to clean up the mess.

Jaylee laughed softly, “Something about the party?” she hinted.

“Well, um- I- you probably will just say no- but I wanted to know- but you don't have to say yes- I just thought-”

“I would love to go to the party with you!”

“You would?” Teddy asked amazed.

“Why wouldn't I?”

“Well, the whole werewolf thing just scares people sometimes so I just thought-”

“Well you thought wrong! I love werewolves. I have an older brother who is one.”

“Really? I didn't know you had a brother other than Talon.”

“Yes, his names Gryffin. He's twenty-two so naturally he doesn't go here. Walk me to the stadium?” she asked holding out her hand.

Teddy smiled as he took her hand, “I owe you big time,” he whispered to Kaeda. “Good luck at the match!”

________________________________________________________________________

“Come on, Mate, just tell me dude,” Talon pleaded as he and Junior took their seats on the stands.

“You'll have to wait and see,” Junior answered.

“Come on, just tell me which house she's in.”

“What house who's in?” Draco interrupted as he and Ginny took a seat behind the boys.

“Which lucky witch he is taking to the party,” Talon answered.

“Which he is going to have to wait and see just like everyone else,” Junior said turning around. “Hello Mum!” he said hugging Ginny. “Nice to see you two together.”

“Well you better get use to it,” Draco smirked.

“Nice to see you again Miss. Dubbs,” Talon nodded his head to Ginny.

“Good to see you too, Mr. Ryan. How's the Gryffindor team doing this year?”

“Wicked!” Talon answered excitedly. “We just had Oliver Wood help us out at practice the other day. He's the coach for the Prides.”

“Yes, I remember Oliver from back when I went to Hogwarts. Fred and George use to complain about his long speeches.”

“Yeah, now poor Ave is going to have to put up with it next year when he joins Portree,” Harry said taking a seat next to Ginny.

“So Avery's taken the job?” Junior asked.

“Well, he still hasn't declared it as a definite yet, but Harry and I are hopeful,” Hermione said taking a seat next to Harry and lifting Lily onto her lap. “Oh, and since Harry obviously already forgotten, Mr. Blinko from Quality Quidditch is looking for you, Draco.”

“Yes, right. He's in the Headmistress' Box,” Harry added.

“Well I better go see what he wants then,” Draco said getting up from his seat.

Before the long, the stands were full of Students, and families awaiting for the beginning of the match.

_________________________________________________________________________

“So remember, we need at least eighty points to put us ahead of Gryffindor in the House Cup points. Hufflepuffs are behind us by one-hundred-eighty points. That way even if they catch the snitch, they'll still need to make at least four goals more than us to pass us out.” Avery was saying as he did his traditional pre-match talk in the Slytherin locker room before the match. “Black, Aarons, I need you two to block Marcel and Sanchez. They've been working on their speeds and passes. Flint, keep your eye on the Quaffle at all times. Calix, try sharing the Quaffle for once. The more it moves, the harder it is for them to get a hold of. You got that broom of yours repaired, right Walker?- Good, now Malfoy, just concentrate on catching the Snitch. It's not that difficult of job.”

“Well you just make sure you don't let anything in the hoops, Potter!” Kaeda said getting up and walking out.

“And why you're at it, Potter,” Zyler added, “Get your mind off the girl and back onto the match.”

“What's that supposed to mean, Calix?” Avery called after him.

“Can you two fight after the match?” Ryder interrupted. “Hufflepuffs' are already on the field.”

The Slytherin made their way to the field to find Madam Hooch and Marcel in the center. The Hufflepuff team hovering behind Marcel while Kaeda hovered alone before him. Avery took his place beside Madam Hooch while the remaining team joined their Seeker.

“Are both teams ready?” Madam Hooch asked, looking at both Marcel and Avery to nod.

With the sound of her whistle, Madam Hooch sent the Quaffle into the air and the game began.”

“Hufflepuffs start out with control of the Quaffle by Marcel Weasley, and he passes it to his little brother Aimon Weasley, now it's off to Ryder Sanchez and AWE, intercepted by Anikan Walker of the Slytherin team. Walker makes a u-turn, passes it to Macadrian Flint, Flint passes it back to Walker who just misses that Bludger sent by Hufflepuff's Aryana Banter. Walker passes the Quaffle to Zyler Calix and he's heading for the hoops, where Hufflpuff's Keeper Hayden Williams stands ready, and here goes Calix for the goal and, WAIT, Calix passes it back to Flint and Flint SCORES! SLYTHERIN 10 - HUFFLEPUFF 0!

“There's the whistle and the Quaffle's up and OH!- Aimon Weasley from out of no where takes control. Aimon passes it to Sanchez, who misses it, but Marcel recovers it just before Walker gets his hands on it. Garrett Aaron's of the Slytherin team sends a Bludger heading for Marcel and WOW, that was a close one. Bludger intercepted by Hufflepuff's beater, Aryana Banter. That's what you call good team work there. Marcel's heading for the hoops where Slytherin Team Captain Avery Potter is ready, Marcel shoots, and Potter defends his goal! No wonder Coach Wood of the Prides has been trying to get his hands on this kids. What an amazing save!

“Now, Potter passes the Quaffle off to teammate Walker, Walker is just flying passed the Hufflepuff chasers, look at him go! He's coming up to the goals, OUCH! Bludger to the head that's gotta hurt! Nice block by Beater Tyberon Portia as Walker drops the Quaffle which is quickly recovered by Hufflepuff's Aimon Weasley, but what a good sport. Walker manages to stay on his broom and is back in the game on Aimon's tail as Aimon heads for Potter, but Orion Black is in his way with a Bludger. Aimon tosses the Quaffle back to brother and team captain Marcel just before the Bludger catches his tail end of his broom! Look at that broom spin! I'm getting dizzy just watching it. Marcel heads for the goal and- another excellent save by Potter!

“With no sign of the Snitch, the game is SLYTHERIN 10 - HUFFLEPUFF 0! Slytherins are in control of the Quaffle and wait- was that a sign of the Snitch this early in the game? I didn't see anything, but looks like the Slytherin's Seeker Kaeda Malfoy did as she dives towards the center of the field, Hufflepuff's Seeker Briar Andrews close behind her- but wait! Malfoy pulls up right at the last second and OUCH! Andrews hits the dirt! Looks like it was just a fake out and OH- CALIX SCORES! SLYTHERIN 20 - HUFFLEPUFF 0!

“Andrews is up and back on her broom and she doesn't look happy as she flies towards Malfoy who is circling the Slytherin hoops searching for signs of the golden snitch and wait! Slytherin scores again! SLYTHERIN 30 - HUFFLEPUFF 0!

“Sanchez has the Quaffle he just missed that Bludger sent by Black. He's really looking for a goal, and INTERCEPTED by Walker. Walker has control, he passes it to Flint, who passes it Calix. Back to Flint, now to Calix, pass to Walker. What is this Hot Potato? Flint has the Quaffle as she comes up to Keeper Williams and GOAL by Walker! SLYTHERIN 40 - HUFFLEPUFF 0!

“But wait, the excitement is not at the Hufflepuff goals, but seems to be on the opposite side. Seems that Hufflepuff's Seeker Andrews has just took a hold of Malfoy's broom tail which of course is a foul, but Madam Hooch didn't see it and is not calling anything. Potter doesn't look happy as he calls for a foul. Hufflepuff's take advantage of this distraction and HUFFLEPUFF SCORE! SLYTHERIN 40 - HUFFLEPUFF 10!”

_________________________________________________________________________

“Slytherin's just scored again?” Draco asked as he returned to his seat where he left Ginny and Junior. Since he had left, Bill, Charlie, Trevor, Travis, and Molly had joined them as well as Ron, Pansy, and Violet.

“No Hufflepuff,” Charlie answered. “There down by one goal now.”

“SLYTHERINS SCORE!” the boom of the commentary rang through the stands. “SLYTHERIN 60 - HUFFLEPUFF 40!”

“Looks like it's going to be a close one,” Bill said. “Are you getting all this Hermione?” he asked looking over to the witch who held up a Muggle camcorder, recording the game.

“Yes, but my hands getting tired,” she answered.

“Here, I'll do it for a while,” Harry said taking it from her.

“So, Father, what did Mr. Blinko want?” Junior asked.

“Oh, he offered me a job,” Draco answered happily.

“At Quality Quidditch?” Ron asked. “Why would you want to work there?”

“No, it's a different job for a new project he's starting. I would tell you more, but he wants to keep it under wraps for the moment. He's going to make an announcement at the party.”

“Well did you take this job?” Ginny asked.

“Of course!” Draco smirked. “Which is why I'm going to have to resign at the Auror's Office,” he said turning to Harry.

“No problem, mate. The job just doesn't seem to suit you anyway.”

“Hey sorry we're late!” Fred said from behind everyone and he and Holden took a seat behind everyone. “We had some unfinished business to take of.”

“There's no sign of the Snitch yet I see,” George added as he and Lyndon joined the family as well.

“Not yet, Slytherin is up by two goals,” Ron answered.

“What's in the bag?” Pansy asked noticing the brown sack that George was carrying around.

“Oh, just some business deals,” George smirked, shaking the bag.

“Sounds like a bag of galleons,” Molly raised an eyebrow.

“Right, I almost forgot! Here's ours,” Junior said, standing up giving a handful of galleons to Fred. “Talon want in same as me.”

“You are taking bets on the match?” Pansy laughed.

“Maybe,” Fred and George said together.

“CALIX SCORES AGAIN! SLYTHERIN 70 - HUFFLEPUFF 40!”

_________________________________________________________________________

Kaeda circled high above the match searching for any glimmering of gold she could find, but there was still no sight of the golden Snitch.

“COME ON ORION!” she shouted as she saw Orion setting up for another goal.

“NICE BLOCK BY HUFFLEPUFF'S KEEPER HAYDEN WILLIAMS!” the commentary boomed through the stadium.

“Malfoy! Stop watching the game and pay attention to your position!” Avery called out as Kaeda flew by him, glaring as she did.

Kaeda quickly zoomed to the opposite side of the field to avoid anymore lectures from Avery.

“HUFFLEPUFFS SCORE! SLYTHERIN 120 POINTS - HUFFLEPUFF 90 POINTS!”

“Kaeda look out!” Orion shouted from below her just in time for Kaeda to shift underneath her broom to miss a Bludger that was heading her way.

Kaeda righted herself onto her broom and gave a short wave of thanks to Orion before continuing her flight around the pitch. As she came near the Slytherin's goal post, she saw it. That glimmer of gold she had been searching for. It right there hovering over the right golden hoop.

Kaeda flattened herself onto her broom and sped for the post, flying just above Marcel who was racing for the goal, Quaffle in hand. Slytherin was already passed the score they needed to surpass Gryffindor in the points markings and if she could catch the snitch before Hufflepuff, it would knock them out of the running.

Kaeda glanced back momentarily to see Hufflepuff's Seeker Briar Andrews a good distance behind her. All she had to do was reach the Snitch before it zoomed away out of sight and Slytherin would take the victory.

“Kaeda look out!” Avery shouted.

Kaeda turned her head back towards her destination just as a Bludger was heading her way, but it was too late. The Bludger collided head on into Kaeda stomach, knocking the wind out of her and forcing her off her broom to fall helplessly to the ground.

Abandoning his goal post, Avery sped into a dive towards his fallen team mate where he caught her, just yards from the ground.

“MARCEL SCORES JUST AS ANDREWS CATCHES THE GOLDEN SNITCH. NOT ONLY DOES HUFFLEPUFF WIN, BUT THIS PUTS HUFFLEPUFF TO THE NUMBER ONE SPOT OF THE QUIDDITCH HOUSE POINTS STANDING. HUFFLEPUFF WINS! FINAL SCORE HUFFLEPUFF 240 POINTS - SLYTHERIN120 POINTS!”

“Nice catch, Potter, but don't think catching the Quaffle was more important!” Kaeda spat as Avery landed.

“Sorry if I was distracted by saving your life!” Avery spat back. “It's not like I could have caught the Snitch for you!”

“No, but you couldn't have stopped the goal which would have put us in first place!”

“Well if you were paying more attention to what was going on in front of you instead of behind you, I wouldn't have had to catch you!”

“Maybe if you didn't distract me by all your yelling, I would have seen the Bludger in time!”

“The least you could do is thank me for saving your arse a trip to the hospital wing!”

“Grrr!” Kaeda growled, her face red as she stalked away from Avery in fury.

“Hey Malfoy, you alright?” Anikan asked he landed his broom on the ground beside her. Without a word, Kaeda walked passed him as she disappeared into the locker room.

“Nice catch, Potter!” Macadrian said as she and the rest of the team crowded around their captain.

“Is Kaeda alright?” Garrett asked concerned.

“She's fine,” Avery growled, pushing his way past his team mates.

“Hey Potter!” Orion ran to catch up to Avery. “Mate don't worry about the loss, there's still two more matches to catch up. You did what you had to do.”

“Yes, well tell that to Kaeda!” Avery said before walking into the locker room, slamming the door behind him.

_________________________________________________________________________

“Wow, didn't see that coming,” Talon said as he stared with amazement at all the excitement on the Quidditch match.

“I'm going to go make sure Kaeda's alright,” Ginny said hurrying up, Molly following closely behind her.

“I have to go congratulate my boys,” Bill said getting to his feet.

“We better get going, too. We have some business to do with Lee in Hogsmead for the new shops opening this weekend then we have to pick up with girls before the party,” George said getting up.

“Fifty galleons for each of you,” Fred said handing the bag of galleons over to Junior and Talon.

“You bet against your sister?” Draco asked surprised.

“It was a sure bet,” Junior smirked.

“We knew Kaeda and Potter were still having problems and our sources say it was affecting their game,” Talon added.

“So you two have sources?” Ron asked. “You couldn't have shared this tip with your favorite uncle? Now I'm out five galleons!”

“Ron!” Pansy said smacking his arm.

“Well I have some creatures to take of,” Charlie said stretching. “Holden and Lyndon are more than welcome to stay here with us if they'd like.”

“Can we Daddy, please?” Lyndon asked.

“Is it Ok with you Fred?” George asked.

“Two less things we have to worry about,” Fred joked.

“I guess that leaves the rest of us to help Cissy set up the Great Hall,” Hermione said looking around.

“Knowing Mother, she's probably already finished,” Draco smirked.

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