During breakfast, Marigold saw Isabella Miller crying at the Ravenclaw table, with Simran Patil, her Gryffindor friend, consoling her. On the other hand, James was visibly happier and more relaxed.

 “My parents wrote back about Draco,” Scorpius couldn’t hide his smile. “My mum seemed amused. She told me that my dad practically passed out, though.”

 “He’s so cute, though,” Marigold cooed, reaching over to stroke the ferret’s head.

 “Goldie,” James said, tapping her on the shoulder. “When’s our first Quidditch match?”

 “In about two weeks, I believe,” she replied. “It was supposed to be this upcoming Saturday, but Madam Johnson had to delay it because of the bad weather.”

 “Do you think we’d be able to practise before the first match?” Rose asked.

 “Of course,” Marigold said. “Are you and James free next Saturday?”

 “I’ve got a lot to do, but I’m sure I can make some time,” she replied.

 “Me too,” James added.

* * *

 On Saturday, Marigold led the rest of the Gryffindor team out to the Quidditch pitch early in the morning.

 “We have a fresh new team. There’s no way Slytherin would ever stand a chance against us,” Marigold told them until she saw everyone from the Slytherin team also heading to the pitch.

 “Where do you think you’re going, Flint?” she confronted their captain.

 “Quidditch practice.” Julius Flint replied nonchalantly.

 “I booked the pitch for Gryffindor today.”

 “Easy, Lupin-Black. I’ve got a note.” he showed her a piece of paper.

 “Uh oh, I smell trouble,” Albus said, as he headed there. Scorpius followed him.

 “I, Professor Horace Slughorn, hereby give the Slytherin team permission to practise today, owing to the need to train their new Seeker.” Marigold read, then shot Flint a look of disbelief. “You’ve got a new Seeker? Who?”

 Flint and a few other players backed out of the way to reveal a certain tan brunette with heavy eye makeup and a malicious expression.

 “Parkinson?” James asked, surprised.

 “That’s right,” she smirked.

 “But how?” Rose asked as if she couldn’t believe it.

 “I think I saw her snogging Flint the other day,” Georgina commented.

 Marigold immediately realised what that meant.

 “So Parkinson didn’t even get it on pure talent!” she exclaimed.

 “Exactly,” Noel said, then turned to Flint with a defiant look on his face. “We’ll come back some other day, then.”

 “I wasn’t expecting this,” Marigold said apologetically. “Let’s go to Professor Longbottom and ask him if we can use the pitch tomorrow.”

 As the Gryffindor Quidditch team, along with Albus and Scorpius, headed out of the pitch, Parkinson blocked their way, glaring straight into Marigold’s blue eyes.

 “You better beware, Lupin-Black,” she said evilly. “We’ll prove to you Muggle-lovers and mudbloods that your undeserved glory will be no more. For the great Delphini will make the wizarding world great again.”

* * *

 Unlike Caspian Mirthblight’s team, the new Slytherin team, most of whom were composed of Alyssa Parkinson’s cronies, made the match one of the messiest ones in history with the Slytherins committing practically every foul known to wizardkind.

 “Slytherin in possession - Avery with the Quaffle - hit hard with a Bludger swung by Greengrass - hope it broke his nose -” Andrew announced as Professor Longbottom shot him a look. “Only joking, Professor - Slytherin scores - oh no…”

 James caught the Quaffle and passed it to Rose, who then passed it to Georgina. Just as Georgina hurled it into one of the Slytherins’ goalposts, Danielle Bulstrode, another Slytherin Chaser, pulled her hair. The Quaffle still managed to make its way into the hoop.

 “THIRTY TO TEN!” Andrew hollered. “TAKE THAT BULSTRODE, YOU DIRTY-”

 “Mr Laird,” Professor Longbottom calmed him for what seemed like the tenth time.

 Mairon Avery caught the Quaffle to pass it to Bulstrode. James lingered between them, hoping to catch the Quaffle before her.

 “POTTER - FOR MERLIN’S SAKE - THINK THAT GODDAMN BALL IS PARKINSON’S HEAD AND -”

 “Mr Laird!” Professor Longbottom said sternly.

 Just then, Marigold noticed the tiny, fluttering golden object in the air; she started heading towards it right away. When Parkinson noticed Marigold going after the Snitch, she switched direction and immediately began tailing after her. When Marigold glanced behind to see Parkinson, she sped up.

 “Not so fast, Lupin-Black!” Parkinson yelled scornfully.

 With only her right hand grabbing onto her broomstick, Marigold spread out her left hand, reaching for the Golden Snitch. Parkinson noticed Marigold’s hand only a mere inches away and grabbed onto the tail of her Firebolt Supreme.

 “FOUL!” the audience yelled.

 “YOU CHEATING SCUM!” Andrew screamed angrily. “YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B-”

 This time, Professor Longbottom didn’t bother to calm him down; he, too, was fuming with anger. Professor Slughorn looked like an angry bull.

 As Parkinson’s grip tightened, Marigold held on to her broomstick desperately. The thought of catching the Golden Snitch flew completely out of her mind.

 Remus and Andromeda looked at Marigold with concern, while Sirius was shaking his fist in the air towards Parkinson.

 “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” he hollered.

 “That’s my girlfriend you’re talking to, you blood-traitor!” Flint shot back.

 Parkinson steered the Firebolt Supreme to the side, and Marigold fell to the ground with a loud thump.

 “Goldie!” James immediately headed his way down to the ground.

 “Marigold!” Andrew started sprinting to the ground to check on her.

 “Are you alright?” Sirius, Remus and Andromeda also made their way over.

Madam Abbott, with the rest of the Gryffindor team following her, ran towards Marigold, who was groaning with pain.