Muggle sports and The Bat beast
James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus arrived near the Evans home, Sirus lead them to the home where Vi was outside, leaning on an odd looking back speaking to a brunette with a grin.
“Vi!” Sirius called, waving. Vi turned and beamed.
“Hi guys, you made it. Roslyn, this is Sirius, James, Peter and Remus, friends from the boarding school Lily goes too.” Vi introduce them. “Boys, this is my best friend, Roslyn.”
“Nice to finally meet you guys. Vi is so excited to have pen pals.” Roslyn beamed.
“Did you decide what game you wanted to play. You mentioned it was a debate between two?” Remus asked.
“Oh yeah, Cricket.” Vi nodded. “As long as there is a bat, I am good.” She smiled.
“We should be winning, but everyone has heard of the bat beast and your kind of a horror story now Vi.” Roslyn smirked.
“Bat beast?” The boys repeated confused.
“You’ll find out when the game starts. I hope we bat first!”
“So, before we actually go… what are the rules of cricket?” James asked, Vi and Roslyn smiled. Whilst they walked to the playing field, they both explained the rules of the game to the boys.
They sat with the Evans family as a group of other kids were on the field, going through stretches before the game began.
“Do you guys even know the rules?” Lily asked them curiously.
“Vi and her friend explained it… it seems simple enough.” James nodded.
“What do they call her the bat beast?” Sirius asked.
“They same way she earnt the nick name Violent Violet. “Lily grinned. “She is pretty dangerous with a bat.”
~*~*~*~
James had covered his mouth watching it, the game itself was a lot more physically active them Quidditch with all the running around, but the hits were solid, Vi was clearly having fun.
“Scared Potter?” Lily giggled.
“I am terrified….” Sirius admitted. “Can you imagine her being a beater?” He whispered, Lily grinned.
“Imagine her on the Gryffindor team.” Lily whispered back.
“If she isn’t a witch we will loose her amazing skills…” James groaned. “How are they not dying with all that running?”
“Vi has always been the more active one in the family.” Petunia explained. “Running, sports, she is on several other teams for fun. But sports like Cricket is her better sport.”
“She could probably run cycles around the Quidditch pitch.” Remus commented, “But both teams are pretty close run wise.”
“Yeah, Vi’s team will be getting a few more runs in. Roslyn needs to bat, and she is fairly good too.” Lily said.
“Your sports are so much easier to understand.” James sighed.
“Because everyone has the same role on a team, instead of four things going on all at once.” Lily grinned.
~*~*~*~
“What got you into sports?” James ended up asking Vi as they were batting a ball back and forth, Roslyn and the other boys were enjoying the picnic Mrs Evans had set up after the match had been played.
“Um, not sure. Muggles have a very young school cause reception, we used to play simplified games, and I loved it, as I moved up in the school years I found myself loving sports. Cricket, rounders, Football, basketball – though I cannot shoot a hoop for the life of me.” Vi grinned “Its fun, bet its was like that for you, right?”
“Yeah, but most Wizards love Quidditch, not going to lie, it is kind of the only sport we have too.” James caught the ball she batted his direction.
“Do you want to try out some Muggle sports?” Vi asked.
“Yeah, I’d love too. But from the sounds of it… there are many.” James frowned.
“There are, but you are a better chaser right? The role is to score by throwing the Quaffle into they to hoops.” Vi said, he nodded. “Then we can go with games with a similar role. Quidditch is like several muggle games mashed into one. Which makes it easier. Well try basketball. You have to score by throwing a ball into the hoop, but there is a lot of running and you can move holding the ball.”
“Then, how does that work?” James frowned.
“I’ll tell you but looks like we better grab some food before Sirius eats it all.” Vi laughed. The duo joined the rest of the group, and Vi began to explain the rules of basketball to James as they were discussing the sport. Lily seemed a little surprised with the interest into the muggle game.
~*~*~*~
“Hey Vi, what brought on that conversation about Basketball?” Lily asked as they were walking home, the boys had left on the knight bus, Lily was holding her sister’s arm with a small frown.
“James wanted to try out a different sport. He mentioned he likes playing as a chaser, and considering the rules of Quidditch, Basketball seems the closest to the role, could suggest football too…” Vi hummed lightly.
“Interesting. Didn’t know Potter was interested in anything other then Quidditch.” Lily frowned.
“Well, it sounds like Quidditch is the only real sport in the Wizarding world. Maybe he just didn’t have more options.” Vi shrugged, “I’d have to invite them for a kick around next time.”
“I think Potter would like that.” Lily smiled, “You are a very good friend Vi.”
“I try. I like hanging out with them.” Vi grinned. “If I get a letter, I’ll need to take a football.”
“You will get a lot of looks.” Lily grinned. “But having a kick around at Hogwarts sounds like it will be fun.”
~*~*~*~
“No letter Vi?” James gave a sad smile.
“No, my birthday is the day after the normal cut off, so hopefully next year.” Vi smiled. “But you’re going for the team this year, right?”
“Yep, gonna be the best Chaser!” James smirked.
“We’re working on something special; I’ll send it with Jet once we have it sorted.” Sirus grinned.
“I can’t wait! Good look with Try outs, you better send me an owl if you make it.” Vi smiled, the boys agreed before they hurried on to the train.
“You okay Vi?” Petunia asked.
“I really want to go to Hogwarts Tuney… it feels…”
“Lonely?”
“Yeah.”
“Come here Vi. Fingers crossed for next year.” Petunia hugged her, Vi frowned lightly, but she did smile and wave when she noticed the boys waving from the window. Next year she thought hopefully.