Slytherin Practice

It had rained quite heavily the day before, so when the Slytherin Quidditch team marched out on to the pitch the grass was still damp enough that boots stuck to the ground. As a result, it appeared they were all rather eager to get on a broom and begin. Haitham stepped up, recently voted in as their new Captain and positively glowing with QUIDDITCH energy.

"Alright everyone, lets practice that formation from last time! Oh-.. And as you all probably know already, Cora will be joining us as reserve seeker in the event that James can't make it." They'd already handled introductions prior to getting dressed for practice, so the announcement was more a formality than anything else.
Haitham paused for a moment, allowing them their small talk.

Nora, Aumellia and Cora shared some gossip regarding a bit of a situation the night before at the Hog's Head.. While Artie and Artorias were busy trying to shove each other off their brooms and in to the wet grass.
Up front James and Morgaine seemed focused and just wanted to get going, while Penthesilia fussed over her uniform. As team manager she couldn't always join them - with the more administrative duties occasionally taking presedence. So she was happy to get some Chaser practice in.

".. Alright! Lets go Snakes!"

They all bolted away with determination following their Captain, had to stay on top to maintain their winning streak after all.

Left on the ground were the Slytherin Cheerleaders who had their own training to do. Recently they'd been trying to perfect a bit of a light-show. Using a combination of magic to create a large, ethereal snake. One which they intended to coil about the arena before lunging through their goal in time with the players entering the stage. Spectacular for their fans and hopefully intimidating to the opposite team.

"Lets head up the tower, this muddy mess is awful." Heather took charge and ushered the others along. Ioni, Maddison and Stella all half-skipping their way to the nearest staircase to avoid getting stuck ankle-deep in the sticky ground.

"Hey, Addie! We're going, c'mon already." The boy blinked a few times and then turned to join the others, he'd been rather distracted watching the team's backup Seeker. Inwardly hoping she'd have a good time and not get injured.. too badly. His concerns weren't exactly unfounded either. They trained almost as recklessly as they played and often times at least one of them had a visit to the infirmary after practice was over.
Everyone on the team knew this though, they all signed up for it.. and ultimately it was all in the spirit of their House. Competition breeds success and they were certainly a competitive bunch.

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"Wé almost 'ad eet! Come ooon Addie stop-.. Héather, tell 'im!
The energetic French-born Witch let out a frustrated sigh and slumped down to sit on the spectator bench. Maddison and Stella soon joined her.. though they appeared more amused by Ioni's outburst than anything else.

Adrian felt the tip of a wand prod him firmly in the side. "O-Ow! Hey! What the-.." Oh he'd seen that glare before. Heather knew how to get her point across without saying much of anything. A trait any respectable barkeep would pick up rather quickly. It faded in to no more than mild annoyance almost immediately. She wasn't actually mad at him, but Adrian had lost focus yet again mid-spell when Cora swept by their position.
Is she hurt? Is she keeping up with James? Yeah he was distracted to say the least.
".. You can talk to her after practice, dummy. Now come on, lets get this right."

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Battered, bruised and depleted of energy.. The Slytherin Quidditch team finally descended to the pitch once more after Haitham blew a sharp whistle. Indicating that their session was over.
By the time Adrian had rushed down the tower to check on them they were already on the way out, mostly because Artie had to be carried by a group of them to the infirmary. The Chaser looked like he'd been in a gutterfight.. and given the pleased, haughty look Artorias sported Adrian could only assume they'd gotten in to a brawl again. At least he was helping to carry the stretcher and no doubt Artie would return the favour next time, as they often did.
Wait.. Was Haitham wearing a makeshift scarf of.. grass around his neck? Whatever it was Niamh was there to brush it away before they joined hands and headed back to School.

"Mr Cross."
Before Adrian had a chance to turn around he felt Cora dive on to his back. The sudden weight - albeit light, had him staggering forward before finding footing once more. Once he had stabilized he reached down, searching with his hands for a firm grip on the back of each the girl's legs. With a now Cora-sized backpack secure, Addie could finally straighten up a bit.

".. How'd it go?" He glanced to the side after posing the question, spotting a bit of her dark hair in his peripheral vision.
For her part Cora seemed rather pleased with this arrangement, getting a piggyback ride to the school and a chance to rest her aching muscles. "Oh you know.. Gave James a run for his Galleons, I'm sure they'll replace him with me soon."
Adrian blinked, surprised. ".. Wait, really?"

She drew in her lower lip, holding back as long as she could before the light giggle escaped. "You'll believe anything I say, huh." Adrian was about to protest, but he had to pause as a small rock getting caught on his boot almost had them both tumbling on to the pathway below. Again that sharp sense of balance fortunately prevailed.
A rush of emotions surged through him, the way she instinctively squeezed against his broader frame.. He blushed, clearing his throat. ".. Sorry, and no I dont-.. I don't believe -anything- you say. I just thought-.." She cut him off, sounding amused. ".. That I'd be the new star on the Quidditch team. Aww how sweet."

They walked in silence for a few moments, enjoying the light evening breeze. Eventually Adrian offered a bit of a cryptic reply, but with how his tone carried an unmistakable layer of affection, Cora knew. ".. Something like that."