New Job
“Ms. Granger, I’m Lance Gold, the head coach of the Falcons.”
Hermione shook his hand happily, smiling. “Pleasure to meet you!”
“If you follow me, I can show you your office and the locker room and training room where you’ll probably spend most of your time.” He opened his arm to the hallway and Hermione followed, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
Hermione’s stomach was fluttering with anticipation. A new job always had that feeling, especially one she had been waiting to hear back from for months. One she had been very excited to start. And, naturally, she had done her research before accepting the job.
The hallway was brightly lit, and decorated with various Falcon awards and accolades. The team had been around for quite some time but had recently been bought by an anonymous donor (she could not find any clues as to who it was anywhere) which included new uniforms, new facilities, and new staff (which Hermione was now part of). The team would be starting anew.
Hermione continued to follow Lance down to the very end of the hallway. He tapped his wand to the knob and it clicked open. Hermione found herself holding back a gasp at the room before her. Whoever paid for this locker room had money and an eye for design.
The walls were lined with shiny yellow and maroon lockers, matching the colors of the team. Against another wall were various nooks and hooks storing equipment and brooms. In the center were benches and chairs and in the open space between some lockers was a giant whiteboard for drawing plays and defensive styles, if Hermione had to guess. More accolades and banners featuring the team’s logo and mascot occupied the open spaces.
“It’s quite impressive, I agree Miss. Granger,” Lance said behind her. Hermione let out a laugh.
“This is a beautiful room,” She noted, following him as he led her to another hallway. With another tap of the wand, Hermione was led into her office. If she thought the locker room was nice, this surely was nicer.
“Is that a television?” Hermione gasped (outwardly this time), immediately going over to the flatscreen against the wall. Lance let out a belly laugh.
“That’s correct. Our main benefactor thought it would be useful for reviewing film and showing drills to the team,” he explained, putting his hands in his pants pockets.
Hermione wanted to kiss this donor. She appreciated the mixture of both muggle and wizarding techniques. It was creative and forward-thinking. It was genius.
“Let me know who this benefactor is because they’re getting a big hug.”
Lance grinned, his pride in coaching such a team showing.
Hermione was shown the rest of the facilities which included a heavily decorated weight room, the showers, ice baths, and the mini-clinic. It appeared that everything could be done in this one building. By the end of the tour, Hermione had to pick her jaw off the floor.
Lance checked the Muggle timepiece on his wrist. “The team should be arriving for practice soon. We can head back to the locker rooms and I can introduce you.”
Hermione nodded. She supposed this was when her real job started.
When they reached the locker room again, bodies were already coming into the space. Hermione’s eyes widened at the sheer size of the players. She knew Quidditch at Hogwarts was not the same but these players…were professionals. She stood with Lance in front of the locker room, watching each player walk in. They seemed to follow a similar routine: walk in, greet another player either through fist-bump or head nod, and begin dressing in their equipment. Hermione noted that some looked her way but were not shy to undress.
When about 20-30 players had arrived and had gotten changed, Lance cleared his throat over the loud chatter throughout the room. Heads turned towards them and Hermione felt herself growing warm at the sudden attention.
“Falcons, it is my pleasure to introduce Hermione Granger-”
Before he could finish, the back door clicked open and another figure stepped through. The hallway leading back to that door was mostly blocked, so Hermione couldn't see who it was. She just watched as other players turned, their faces breaking into grins. The figure fist-bumped those he passed before fully coming into the opening.
Hermione’s breathing was cut short as she made eye contact with Draco Malfoy. Clad in Flacon’s gear.
For fuck’s sake.