Audriana’s mind raced as Gavin visibly fought himself regarding his response to her hopes. She wasn’t sure if it was her admitting to Robin saving her life, or if it was the minute and momentary walk down memory lane, but he had agreed. More or less. Her breath rushed out as a sigh of relief, her hand extending to pull him towards her. “Thank you.” Audriana breathed against his shoulder as her arms wrapped around one of his own.
It was slightly challenging to keep up with him as he was still walking, but a huge part of her was desperate to be near him, to touch him. He was here, and he was real. After Audriana had left the day of graduation and never looked back, Gavin had not been part of her life. She had always been so sure that things would work out. That he would wake up and finally see her.
But then Seventh Year had rolled around, things had changed, and she hadn’t even been able to look at him. Not unless it was during a match and he didn’t realize she was looking. It sounded almost pathetic now that she thought back to it.
Since the snitch had been released, Audriana had lost track of it. It would show up eventually. She hadn’t been chosen as the youngest female seeker in ages because of her anxiety or nerves. The snitch would find its way back. If it didn’t, she would wait until the points were impressive enough to search it out and beat the other team to it. Yes, she was a little cocky, but that was just how things were. Especially this year.
With her entire family officially gone, Quidditch season couldn’t have come sooner. While it did mean more practices with a certain Gryffindor team Captain, it also meant less time to herself. More time to have responsibility and things to worry about. The Gryffindor-Slytherin game had come around earlier than it had the year before, so this game wasn’t one to take lightly. Not that Audriana could ever let herself do so, of course. Not when Gavin was in charge, either.
A group of Slytherins sliced through the air in front of her, making her lean back to avoid them. Shooting them a nasty glare, Audriana flew higher and observed everyone from above. The Slytherin seeker was on the other end of the pitch, down by the Gryffindor goal posts; Audriana hovered at the end of the oval pitch just to the left of the Slytherin hoops. She had learned that hanging about on their side of the field often confused and annoyed the opposing teams, so she stuck with it.
“Blackmoor has the quaffle, skimming past the Slytherins with just enough room to spare. But oh! He’s nearly knocked off by-“
Audriana didn’t catch the rest of the sentence as her eyes shot to him, following his motions across the pitch as he swerved to avoid bludgers flying his direction. Her heart caught in her throat as one flew past his head. Gavin ducked, aimed, and released the quaffle with perfect timing brought about by at least six years of practice and training. The sound marking a goal rang through the pitch and she relaxed, allowing a half smile onto her lips.
His eyes met hers from several feet down and across before he turned and flew in the other direction to chase after the Slytherin team. Audriana desperately hoped she was imagining the distrust and dislike in his eyes.
It was time to find the snitch, she decided, if only to keep from thinking about how his look made her stomach fall to the grass of the pitch and left her floating with her heart aching.
Gavin sent her a look that was far too amused, forcing Audriana’s thoughts to be put on hold as she waited for him to say something. Anything. A question? This couldn't be good. What if he wanted to know about her job? Or, heaven forbid, a relationship? She would have nothing good to say - nothing he wanted her to say or expected her to say. She wasn't some professional Quidditch player or married with little nippers running about her feet daily. She was still alone with a career that was hardly even able to be considered one.
“Yes? What?” She asked, too quickly. She probably should have just glanced at him, waited for a question, and kept quiet. But she was already on the defensive; what could he want to ask her about that she could answer honestly? Audriana didn’t want him to immediately dislike her again.