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EXMOOR QUIDDITCH STADIUM
COMMENTATOR’S BOOTH
LATE MAY, 2001
“We start off this pre-season practice match with high hopes, don’t we, Smithers?”
“Why of course, we’ve got an excellent line up for our third season back after, ahem, some technical difficulties, shall we say? Last season, we saw the return of only three-quarters of the league teams, but this year, we’re back to the full fourteen. Er, which returning team are you looking forward to seeing on the pitch most, Newman?”
“Well of course, we all know the Holyhead Harpies had a rough start in the 1999 season since they took a break last year. Their return brings a lot of secrecy and mystery — no one has seen them train or play in the last year. In addition, there’s one player we’re all excited to see. This year, they welcome Ginny Weasley to their line up of players.”
“She’s, um, currently rumoured to be dating Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, and is a menace on the field. Though she is only on the bench for this match, so don’t expect too much, folks.”
“Right, let’s focus more on her Quidditch skills instead of her dating life. We can get to that juicy tidbit later.”
“Whatever. She played as a Chaser in her time at Hogwarts for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, during which several scouts were taking evaluations for the league’s players. It’s hinted that if not for the war, she would have been drafted straight out of school, however questionable.”
“Of course, she’s yet to prove herself. Today the Holyhead Harpies face off against the Monterose Magpies, a parallel rematch to that of the ’99 pre-season. The Magpies are the league’s record holder for number of wins, however, they have been stuck in second for the past couple of seasons. How the Harpies will fare is a question I’d like to ask Coach Bodiment myself.”
“Actually, I heard that they’ve signed Weasley as a rookie for one major reason - she’s an all rounder. That, I need to fact check.”
“Let’s be frank for a second…there’s never been a female all-rounder.”
“I’ll have to correct you there mate, there’s never been a successful all rounder. Ever.”
“Please. And Ginny Weasley thinks she can change this?”
“I guess we’ll see why.”
“Now, the real question, Newman, is if she’s on the team for her skills or her, ahem, feminine wiles.”
“Isn’t it always?”