Minho was satisfied with how the training had gone that night: if he had to decide, he would've probably guessed that the team had never had one this good. He assumed that the thrill of having to go against Gryffindor, and of being finally able to train properly again after the summer break had really done miracles.

Everyone seemed to be in perfect shape – the Beaters had happily and constantly beated the two Bludgers with great trajectories (apart from one or two times when they almost hit the Keeper and then even each other) and without ever getting tired; the Keeper – Hwang Yeji, the only girl on the team – had protected her area with crazy precision and had almost never missed a Quaffle.

And as for the Chasers, they had had their fine deal to practice with: flying formations to one end of the pitch to the other – always paying attention to the Bludgers, – passages, new techniques to try and get the Quaffle into those loops Yeji was so carefully looking after.

Minho, on the other hand, had little to do with them: of course, he always had to keep an eye out for the two Beaters (he knew the team capitain had expressed privately his wish for them to try and knock him out), but he hadn't had problems with them at all – he could just feel them coming, even from afar.

And in addition, also his hunt for the Gloden Snidget had gone as smoothy as ever: the little glowing ball had no secrets that worked with him, his sight was so precise he could catch it on the spot.

The team capitain, at some point, had got so annoyed with him reaching it too fast ("You won't let us enjoy the goddamn match if you catch it this quickly!"), that he'd requested Minho to join him and the other chasers: the boy hadn't managed to get through Yeji's barrier, but knowing that your own capitain didn't even want you to practice what you were supposed to practice could not be but a very good thing.

They'd gone on for over two hours when Michael Flynt, the capitain, had finally called it a day.

As always, the team gathered above the center of the pitch to receive the usual directions and overall considerations about the session, alongside a motivational speech.

"You flew really well today", started Flynt. "Keep this up on Saturday, and we'll smash Gryffindor!" a happy cry followed his words.

"We can't wait to throw 'em as many Bludgers as we can manage!" added one of the two Beaters (Song Mingi, a sixth year so tall he was often minstaken for a seventh year student), shaking his bat left and right.

"Nice to know", commented sarcastically the Keeper. "But try and really send those Bludgers to the Gryffins, I've got enough on my plate even without your random throws, you moroon".

The team roared with laughter: their mood was so good and their confidence so boosted nothing could really scare them at that moment in time. To celebrate, Minho even did a spontaneous back flip.

"Well, yes, but you did amazing anyways", commented the capitain. "Same goes for you Yeji – damn it, we struggled! But those actions were smooth", he added referred to the chasers. "Quite the actions! I'm sure we'll have better luck with the Gryffindor's Keeper, and also, let's be honest – their team is just not as good".

"I'd go safer on that, Michael", warned Yeji. "They've got some very great assets as well. Take Bang Chan, for example: he's very very good, nothing to say".

"Wouldn't know, with how he's been looking lately", commented the other Beater. "Have you seen him at breakfast yesterday? Boy looked sick".

Minho considered the boy's words: as a matter of fact, Chan had looked rather sick the other day, and seemed overall to be constantly exhausted. He just hoped the friend would be doing better soon.

"Nothing is preventing him from getting better though", objected Yeji. Minho would've sworn she looked rather pissed. "We must not underestimate him".

"Well, okay", agreed Flynt. "But it remains one against seven! We can beat 'em team!"

Everyone screamed in agreement. Minho was feeling very confident – he honestly didn't know what could've possibly gone wrong.

"Before we finish though", said abruptly Flynt, surprising everyone as they were just about to fly down to the changing rooms. "I need us to take care of something. Or rather, someone".

"Oh, beautiful", commented one of the chasers, a fifth year named Yeosang, known for his sarcastic attitude. "I see we're finally coming to an agreement to have your hair cut, Michael. Not to be rude, but you do look like a monkey in it".

The team laughed at the boy's joke, but Minho had understood where Flynt was going: he'd also noticed the two boys hiding next to the tribunes, and was going to make them pay for it.

Not that he could blame the capitain entirely: when he'd first spotted them, at the beginning of the training session, he'd had the same reaction; but then, after giving them a more attentive look, he'd recognized who the two boys were – one was Lee Felix, a very good friend of Seungmin. He didn't know him personally, but he wasn't blind to the fact that he was always very nice to the young Slytherin and had contributed to make him a much happier person. How could he possibly attack someone who'd helped one of his closest friends that much?

And as for the other boy, he had nothing bad to say either: he was pretty sure that his name was Jisung, and although they'd only talked once, on their first day back that September, he'd grown quite fond of the guy. He just looked very soft and caring, quite shy but overall a really nice person – and besides, Gryffindors were really struggling: could he really blame him for wanting to know his team's strategies?

Silly boys, he thought to himself as soon as he heard Flynt's words. There were many other places they could've hidden in to not get noticed! Have they ever heard about the Transfiguration classroom?

He quickly flew to be exactly next to the capitain. If he could avoid it, he would've tried his best to prevent the two from getting into trouble.

"If you're talking about the two dudes", he whispered. "Don't worry, and most importantly don't tell the team! Do you know how stresfull this could be for them? Knowing that all of our strategies are going to be far from surprising? We need to have them be focused and confident", he didn't know how good of an excuse that was, but he hoped that it'd be enough for Flynt.

The capitain examined Minho's face (who tried his best to keep his gaze as serious as possible), but took very little time to reply: "Damn it, Lee!" he shouted out loud. In that moment, Minho knew he'd failed: the whole team was now going to know everything.

"So tou're telling me you have not only lost one Snidget, but two? You won't be leaving this pitch until you find them both!" Flynt sent the Seeker a very eloquent look: You owe me one, Lee, his eyes seemed to be saying.

Minho was glad he was a skilled enough player and owned a good enough broom, otherwise he would've miserably fallen off. You're smooth as fuck, Michael he thought, rather admired.

"But they've worn off", he pretended to complain, to keep up with the capitain's game. "It's going to be impossible to find them while it's so dark outside!"

"Tsk, great", mumbled Yeosang. "Now you're even telling us that you have lost Snidgets. Aren't you supposed to be, like, the Seeker?"

Minho managed to stay calm: there was no way Flynt would've helped him without making sure he was concomitantly mocked. After all, the ladder was a Slytherin.

"Shut up Kang", Michael told the Chaser. "Team, let's get going! Our Lee has to take care of his forgetfulness, but we all must get a great deal of rest".

Minho watched as the whole team set off towards the changing rooms. "And don't forget", added Flynt. "That the quicker, the better – I want those two Snidgets gone as soon as you can manage. You know" he smirked, "wouldn't want you to get too tired".

Minho smiled. He could not remember ever liking his capitan that much. "You can count on that", he assured, and set off towards the two boys.

~🤍~
So, before you kill me for still keeping you guys on this cliffhanger, just know that this is how I had intended the chapters to be so don't be mad at me pls🥺.

But to make up for it – since I am not that bad uwu – the next upload is going to be on Thursday! Happy now? :)

But either way, I quickly wanted to let you know that my bias is indeed Minho🥰 and as far as I can see he's most of y'all fav as well so we Minho stans stay winning✊🏻

Question of the day: favorite skz title track?
This is actually SO hard omg because Miroh is an undiscussed queen, but I might have to go with Levanter😳.

Until next time!

Vic🌙.