You cracked your knuckles, excitedly. You sat perched atop your broom, emerald green robes blowing in the wind. Today way Quidditch tryouts. It was one of the hardest days of the season. You, as team captain, had to decide who got cut and who stayed. It stress it caused was excruciatingly painful.
Terence was balanced on his own broom, bouncing up and down. You surveyed all of your fellow Slytherins who were just dying to make the team. You bit down on your lip. You hated telling them they didn't make it. You hated telling them they weren't good enough. Terence continued to shift with ecstatic movements. Excitement and anticipation was coursing through his veins. You rolled your eyes.
"Can you hold still so I can focus?" You snapped and Terence's broom immediately fell still. You sighed, but nodded a thank you. Once again you turned your attention to all of the Slytherins waiting to tryout. Terence nudged you. "What now, Higgs?"
"Are you going to start today or are we just going to sit here and stare at them?" You rolled your eyes but lowered your broom, until you hovered about 3 feet from the ground. Everyone's attention snapped to you in perfect unison. You smirked. The amount of power you had over Slytherins was amazing.
"Alright! Listen Up! I need a new Keeper, a Chaser, and 2 new Beaters! If you're interested in any of these positions then please step forward and if not please exit the field now!" You shouted. Today wasn't the time to play nice. Quidditch was taken very seriously at Hogwarts and your team had to be the best of the best. No exceptions.
Only about 15 or so students remained from the 50 that stood in front of you, just minutes ago. You sighed. You weren't even 5 minutes into tryouts and you had already crushed so many dreams. Terence nudged you again. You let out an exasperated sigh.
"It's going to be okay (Y/N). Not everyone can make the team. They know that. You know that. We need the best of the best. You said so yourself." You nodded. He was right. Not every one could make the team. That's how it worked.
"If you're interested in being a Chaser please move to the right side of the field. Adrian will be helping you with training. Go!" You barked. You watched as 5 of the 15 ran off towards Adrian. He shot you a smirk as he began giving them instructions. "Alright! Beaters are on the left side of the field! Terence will be helping you! And Keepers stay here!" You watched as the crowd split until you had 3 Slytherins standing in front of you.
"This is how it's going to work! I want two of you at each end of the field. We're going to see how well you can keep the Quaffle from getting through those hoops!" The kids bit their lips. They couldn't be older than Matt, who was trying out for Beater. One of the Second Years spoke up, timidly. You made note of that. Timid didn't work on your team.
"We have to block your Quaffles from getting through those hoops?" You looked at him, scrutinizing his every move. He shifted uncomfortably. There were no girls trying out, which was no surprise.
"Yes. That's correct. Why?" The boy bounced from one foot to another, nervously. It was an action that Terence often had a habit of doing when he was anxious.
"Well, it's just you're the best Chaser I've ever seen and your Quaffles are said to be impossible to block." You grinned.
"Quidditch is a rough game. I may be a good Chaser but there may be better. And in that case you have to be prepared to block anything that's thrown your way. Sometimes that even includes a bludger! Now get up there!" The kid looked petrified with fear but both raced up towards the goal posts on either end of the field.
Only one kid remained and you immediately recognized him. Draco Malfoy. Your mouth fell agape but quickly twisted into a smirk. He gave you a smug smile. "Surprised to see me, (Y/N)? I suppose it is a rather shocking scene."
"No. Not in the least. I just thought you'd be out for Chaser. Not Keeper." He smirked again as you rolled your eyes.
"I'm not trying out for any of the positions you've offered," he replied smugly. You gave him a baffled look. And he smirked for what seemed to be the umpteenth time in less than a minute. The infamous Malfoy smirk, of course. He handed you a crisp envelope. You took it, eyeing him suspiciously. Breaking the emerald green wax seal, you skimmed the letter carefully. What you read shocked you.

Ms. Middlebrook,

It's to my understanding that you, once again are holding tryouts for the Slytherin Quidditch team. It is also my understanding that you don't have an opening for team Seeker. My son, Draco is extremely talented. And while your current Seeker Thomas Higgs shows potential, I think that Draco would make a much better Seeker. I ask you to please consider him and in exchange I will buy your entire team a set of Nimbus 2001's. That is, if he makes the team. Thank you'd or your time.

-Lucius Malfoy

You stared down at the letter in utter disbelief. Was he being serious? Adrian and Terence noticed your shock and quickly rushed over to you. They stood behind you, reading over your shoulder. They stood frozen in place.
"My name's not Thomas," Terence finally mumbled, breaking the silence. You glanced at him. His anger was seething. This was not good. You looked at Adrian and then gestured to Terence. He nodded, grabbing Terence by the arm and dragging him toward the locker room. You followed suit. What were you going to do? How were you supposed to make that decision? This one decision could break your team. And your friendships.
"What the hell am I supposed to do?" You shouted as you barged into the locker room, behind the boys. Adrian bit his lip, nervously as Terence seethed with anger.
"Well, what do you want to do, (Y/N)?" Adrian asked, carefully. You collapsed onto a bench, massaging your temples.
"I don't know. We could really use new brooms but-" Terence jumped to his feet, anger pulsing through him. He was ready to explode.
"Don't tell me you're actually thinking about this, (Y/N/N)! It's damn bribery and we haven't even seen him play! You already kicked Marcus off the team and he wasn't too bad! I don't want to be kicked off the team (Y/N)! Quidditch is the only thing I have to look forward to!" He was so worked up that he began to sweat. You got up and patted Terence on the back. This was going to be a hard decision. A really hard decision.
You turned on your heel and walked out of the locker room as calmly as you could manage. The boys rushed after you, nervously. You came to a stop in front of the platinum blonde. He smiled smugly, expecting you to hand him the position. That's not how this works. You looked him straight in the eye, while everyone held their breaths in anticipation. You sighed. "Can you catch a Snitch, Malfoy?"