Summary: Maki tries learning about Quidditch; Rin wants to know why.

"This doesn't make sense." Nishikino Maki slammed the book closed and skimmed it across the library toward her best friend, Rin, who'd agreed to teach her about Quiddtich when Maki became suddenly interested in Rin's favorite game. Rin was a Chaser on the third year all school team and a backup for the Gryffindor team.

"But you love books."

"Did you actually read that one?"

"Yes." Rin nodded earnestly, "It's my personal copy. Kayo-chin reads me chapters when I can't sleep."

"But it's stupid."

Rin pouted. Maki sighed.

"I just don't understand. Why doesn't the Seeker just grab the…" Maki frowned as she tried to recall the names under the pictures of the three different types of balls, "Snidget when it's released."

"Snitch. Snidget is a bird they stopped using centuries ago." Rin shook her head, "It was cruel. The Snitch is the size of a walnut, super fast, and WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT IT?"

Rin was right in Maki's face, eyes narrowed and suspicious, and then the Librarian had a hold of both of them and Maki found herself being tossed out of the library while Rin shouted, "THAT'S MY BOOK!"

Maki shoved Rin off her.

"Go back and get my book." Rin dragged Maki forward, but Maki heard the bolt in the library doors slide shut.

"Tomorrow. Now explain about the Snitch."

"Just tell me which player you're crushing on…"

"Stop asking me."

Rin sighed, hands in the pocket of her robe, "Go get your broom and meet me on the Quidditch pitch."

"Why?"

Rin waved Maki off as she hustled toward the Gryffindor tower. Maki took out her wand and whispered "Accio Firebolt." Anyone in between her and her broom would probably be a Slytherin and the only ones she cared about were smart enough to dodge.

###

Exhilarating. Maki hadn't expected it to be exhilirating. Sure she loved flying, swooping between trees, taking quick turns around corners, soaring and then feeling the thrill as the broom dropped until an impossible moment before the ground when Maki would zoom forward. Her family's castle had so many places to dive and twist through, and the past two summers she'd had fun chasing Rin on the ginger's frequent visits. But adding in another challenge, an unpredictable one, that had Maki breathless, heart racing, eager to outcharge someone.

"My arm's going to fall off." Rin whined.

"Just a couple more. Please." Maki didn't want to stop.

Rin had her mouth open to say something, but she hesitated, her eyes flicking to the side, "I'll let the real one out, then I'm done."

"Okay." Maki pulled up, hovering, eyes on Rin's hands as she opened a small box and let a tiny whizzing blur of gold free. It zoomed to the left and up, Maki pulled back on her broom, following. This one was actually staying in view. The wind seemed to be picking up, Maki could hear it blowing to her right, but her focus was completely on the Snitch. She could just reach out, grab it, a real one, know what it was like to feel it in her palm. Her broom, picking up the urgency, surged forward and Maki threw out her hand, but as her hand should have closed around the ball, a rush of air shook her broom, another broom, rider upside down passed underneath her, Yazawa Nico was suddenly blocking her path, and the Snitch was caught between their palms. And then Yazawa's hand, tiny and warm, closed hers over the Snitch, which fluttered against her fingers.

"First time I've ever caught a girl." Yazawa stated, ruby eyes sparkling like a spell gathering, "Good thing you weren't flying for Slytherin." She seemed serious, "Are you going to start?"

Yazawa was still holding her hand closed and Maki could still feel the Snitch.

"If you open your hand, it won't fly away." Yazawa let go, watching Maki curiously as the Quidditch novice opened her hand to examine the winged ball still fluttering there. "It's enchanted. Now it's bonded to you."

Maki remembered the feel of Nico's fingers around hers and blushed.

"So how many have you caught, Yazawa?" Maki wondered.

"It's Nico, remember. I catch 'em all. Unless unhelpful med team members pull me out of the game."

Maki no longer cared about the Snitch, shoving it in her wand pocket, "You haven't been cleared to fly."

Nico grumped, "And how would you know that?"

"You're my patient, I don't want you to reinjure yourself."

"Nico is fine. And I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will clear me so I can practice for next week's game."

"She didn't clear you…"

Nico swooped away, toward the Forbidden Forest, Maki giving chase.

"Nico is fine." Maki heard the tiny Seeker shout, as her black hair flowed free in the wind.

Maki willed her Firebolt faster and found herself even with Nico. She raised a hand, considering going for her wand, but not sure what spell she could use that wouldn't make Nico drop from her seat. So instead, Maki reached out a hand for Nico's robes, yanking, Nico stopping as soon as she felt the pull.

"I'm fine." Nico gritted, eyebrows lowered.

"I just...can we just talk..." Maki glanced at the sky, it was nearing evening. "Concussions are really dangerous. Maybe I can explain over dinner...the Hospital Wing should be quiet."

"We talk, you clear Nico to play…" Nico sounded...persuadable.

"We talk, your eyes stay focused, we'll see. Having any headaches?"

"Just you."

Maki almost giggled. Nico had contorted her face, forehead wrinkled, tongue sticking out the side of her mouth in a pantomime version of Maki wasn't sure what, but it sure made her grin. Not, as she hastily raised a hand to cover her mouth, that she would let Nico see. But the jewel eyes had a twinkle and Maki knew her own had given away her amusement.

Nico nodded, her broom turning toward the castle, her robe pulling out of Maki's hand. Maki nudged the Firebolt to keep pace.

Rin, standing on the Quidditch pitch, had watched the whole exchange, huge grin on her face. Didn't need to study to pass the 'who was Maki crushing on' quiz now. No, they weren't coming back. Rin hopped on her broom. She had to tell Kayo-chin before dinner.

A/N: Was looking for stories I'd started and found this chunk so here you go, for a bit of brightness this mid February. Have a good weekend, whether with friends, partners, or solo. Also, the Harley Quinn movie is fun. Stay safe!