A casual bit of Quidditch
Katie, Angelina and Alicia all looked a bit solemn. Harry decided to approach his friends and teammates. “Why the long faces, girls?”
“We miss Quidditch.” Angelina said. “I know the Tournament takes a lot of time up hence there are no House matches, but…”
“We miss the adrenaline, the challenge, the ambiance!” Alicia added.
“I don’t miss getting up earlier for training and ploughing through the mud, but basically anything else, we do miss.” Katie finished up.
“I do miss Quidditch too. I love flying, and I go flying with Mama Hedwig and Bolt but I miss a good Quidditch match.” Harry noted. “Though…while the Quidditch House cup is cancelled, what about pickup games?”
“Pickup?” the three girls asked.
“Yes…There is no rule against casual Quidditch, I mean I had casual matches with the Weasleys at the Burrow, I don’t think they’d mind if we borrow the Quidditch Pit for a casual match either.” Harry noted.
“Why didn’t we think of that?” Angelina asked.
“Anyhow, we need to gather Fred and George, and we are putting the team together. We need someone whom wants to play against us though, and someone to fill in as keeper.” Alicia added.
“Ron would be a Keeper. He was decent at the Burrow. He’s no Wood but whom is?” Harry suggested.
“Wait until we tell the boys, they would flip.” Katie said.
“HARRY, WE LOVE YOU!” Ron, Fred and George said as he was tackled in a three way hug by the Weasley siblings.
“Get off me, you prats!” Harry said playfully, trying to not get crushed. “We still need to ask the teachers if…”
“Oh, is everyone hugging Harry? I’m in!” Luna said as she had just come in and decided she wanted Harry hugs.
“It’s not a hug-fest, I delivered these sports fanatics some good news.” Harry noted.
“Can I still get a Harry hug!” Luna asked with her pleading puppy-dog eyes.
“Yes, you can.” Harry said with a smile, as Luna hugged him.
“What was that shouting earlier, I was trying to read.” Hermione asked.
“I advised the Quidditch nuts that casual Quidditch games without House cups are an option. Oh and Luna begs for hugs.” Harry said.
“Well, I’m not a Quidditch fan, but I know how much you love it…and I’m proud of you thinking of it. You can be really clever if you want to. And about the hugs…I want to join.” Hermione said. “They feel nice.”
“Join the cuddle pile!” Luna said as Hermione was pulled in the hug with her and Harry.
“I heard you plan to bring back Quidditch?” Bolt said as she…well, bolted into the room. “Hug me, brother!”
“I’d rather not have my spine snapped. Besides, I already got two ladies hugging me.” Harry said. “That and we still need to bring it to the teachers for permission. Though I doubt McGonagall would give us trouble, she is a Quidditch buff.”
“All right, then break up your cuddle…” Fred began.
“And get moving?” George continued.
The three components of the Lunar Harmony cuddle exchanges glances before saying in unison. “Five more minutes.”
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The heroes had brought the suggestion towards the teachers. And later that day during lunch, Dumbledore spoke up. “Students of Hogwarts, and students visiting from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. A quick word…velocity.” They all gave him weird looks at that and questioned his sanity. “And now a quick announcement. While it was mentioned that the Quidditch House Cup would be cancelled due to the tournament, after a suggestion from a few clever students, the Quidditch pitch will be open for casual Quidditch games. You can make your own teams from any students or house and Quidditch your heart out. I must say that you are still students and do not abuse this right, as if your grades drop, you will be denied. Also since a lot of people would love to play at the same time, please turn to Madam Hooch so that we can make a schedule.”
It brought a lot of cheering from the students, a lot of them being Quidditch fans.
“Sounds nice. Long time no Quidditch that isn’t pro match. Just Quidditch for fun sound nice.” Krum noted. “Not all my school team here, though. Need new teammates.”
“Oh, I would love to help. I am a Seeker for Slytherin, after all, not to mention a respectable Pureblood…” Malfoy said.
“You bought your way into the team, you aren’t even a good seeker!” Tracey said from the Potter’s table.
“I am a good Seeker!” Draco argues.
“Oh yeah, catch!” Trace said as she picked up a walnut and threw it.
“Catch what?” Draco asked as he was hit in between the eyes with it. “Ouch! You bitch, I wasn’t ready.”
“I gave a heads-up.” Tracey said. “We can try again. Catch!”
“This time I’ll…” THUNK! “I wasn’t ready!” Tracey kept throwing more nuts at him. THUNK! “You nearly shot my eye out you blood-traitor!” THUNK! “Stop throwing nuts at me…” THUNK! “Why are there six of you…” THUNK! “Getting a bit fuzzy in the head.” THUNK! “Look at the pretty birdies! Tweet, tweet…” THUNK! “I’m a little teapot, short and stout, here is my handle, and here is my spout…” THUNK! “Nighty-night!” with that last one he fainted.
“That was fun.” Tracey said as she continued eating her lunch.
“You got good throwing arm. You want to be on my team?” Krum asked.
“Hells yes! The misogynistic Slytherin Captains never allowed me to audition for their team. Hear it, Daphne? I’m going to finally play Quidditch.” Tracey said.
“I’m happy for you, Trace…that you get to do a sport you love…wearing cute outfits…sweating.” Daphne’s eyes glazed and a blush appeared on her face. “I’ll take a shower before we head to the pit.”
“You are a lucky bitch, Tracey. You get to be on a team with Krum.” Ron noted.
“Well you got to play against him and you get Keeper Trainer in case you want to apply next year.” Hermione pointed out.
“I guess I’m a lucky bastard.” Ron added.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harry had most of his old Quidditch team complete with the Crimson Lionesses (as the three Gryffindor Chasers were sometimes called), the Weasley Twins and Ron standing in as Keeper. Krum himself gathered a mixed team from the other houses plus Durmstrang. With Tracey as a Chaser.
“Go Harry! Go Bolt! Go Team!” Hedwig stood in the stands, red and gold lion paraphernalia, and red and gold facepaint.
“Ease up, Owl momma. It’s jus ta pickup game.” Hermione noted.
“It is my chicks’ first game where I’m able to cheer for them so I’m taking it!” Hedwig said.
“Since I technically have James Potter’s skills I could also join a team, but I’m not going to steal my little bro’s thunder.” Maps said. “Maybe I can join another team...”
Gryffi was now wearing a lion hat on top of her already lion-shaped head and it let out a loud lion-like roar. The silent literal sword woman then raised her fists and bounced in her seat, letting the lion hat doing the hollering for her. “Where did she get that hat?” Hermione asked. Gryffi pointed at Luna, whom was in the commentor’s seat next to Lee Jordan whom was showing how the mike worked.
“I don’t know why I’m even here.” Pansy said.
“Maybe because Ron is your friend and you want to support him?” Hermione suggested.
“We aren’t exactly friends. He’s just someone I hang with because he wasn’t an asshat and dumbass like Draco…and we played a few games of chess together…and we traded some Wizard Cards…” Pansy said.
“Isn’t that what friends do? Enjoy one another company and doing fun stuff together?” Cloak asked. Pansy stared in the distance like she Knut had finally dropped.
“We got problem!” Krum said. “Nikolai ate bad shrimp and we are Beater short. Who volunteers?” A lot of people in the crowd (Potter vs Krum drew a lot of people to see this pickup game) tried to get Krum’s attention at the same time and start fighting each other for a chance. Krum just sighed. “This is like America all over again. I pick by chance!” he says as he closed his eyes, turned around three times and decide to spin around. “You!” he says as he opens his eyes and saw he pointed at Pansy.
“Me?” Pansy asked as she pointed at herself.
“You can fly? You can swing bat?” Krum asked.
“I can fly, sure…” Pansy said. All students got to fly in first year and she wasn’t bad. Not amazing but she has flew in her spare time to clear her head, but it was just a casual flight, not sportsman flight. “As for beating…I’ll figure it out.” She has already been learning Chess from Ron, matter of time she may learn a bit about Quidditch. Besides, she tries to find a hobby that suits her.
“I unleash Bludger. You try to hit.” Krum said.
“Try to imagine you’re caving in Malfoy’s face!” Ron joked.
Pansy actually liked that thought. “Well, unleashed the little bugger!” she said, and Viktor did just that. The little enchanted iron ball shot up in the air once it was unchained. Then it headed straight down right in the direction of Pansy; whom just swung her bat. And hit the Bludger, sending it flying off in the distance.
Everyone stopped to stare at them. “You say you are beginner?” Krum said. Pansy nodded. “You are on the team.” Krum verified.
“It’s coming back.” Someone in the crowd said. The Bludger has turned around. However, it didn’t head towards Pansy.
“Sorry I’m late. I heard they need a Beater? Well look no more. I think Mr. Krum should be convinced of my talents soon…” Malfoy had arrived on the scene. Only to take the bludger to the face. “Hello birdies, nice to see you again!” he then fainted again.
“I say we get the match started!” Harry suggested as everyone agreed, forgot about the blonde ponce and get started. Everyone flew up their brooms. And Harry on top of Bolt, and it was kind of odd since it looked like she gave Harry a piggy-back ride.
“Is that allowed?” a random student said pointing, at Harry and Bolt.
“It is. There is nothing in the rules against it. And I mean it, because what kind of rulebook could have foreseen that?” another student replied.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“Hello everyone, I’m Lee Jordan. You may know me as the commentator on the Hogwarts House cup Quidditch games. Though it is not house cups, I love my job and so I would not be sidelined. I will providing colorful commentary you all so love. And I have a co-commentor, Luna Lovegood. She is here on the advice on the Weasley twins…which means she’s either going to be the best or worst person to comment with. Say something more about yourself, Luna.”
“Hi! I’m Luna Lovegood. My dad owns the Quibbler. If you want to comment on its quality, know that about anyone on that field has sold their exclusive rights to it for interviews and comments so suck it! I love magizoology, pudding and warm cuddles from Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.”
“Whoa, haven’t seen Harry nearly fall of his broom as quick as that time the broom was enchanted. Anyhow, today we witness our first pickup game of Team Gryffindor vs Team Krum. I know that’s not what they call themselves, but its basically team Gryffindor, just having swapped out their Keeper. And it consists of his Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived, my buddies and pranksters supreme Fred and George Weasley, their brother Ronald keeping the goal and the three Crimson Lionesses Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell. However, Angelina and Alicia are already taken…Gred and Forge, you lucky bastards!”
“We sure are!” the two redheads said.
“Out of all of them only Katie is still single…” Lee Jordan continued.
“In your dreams, Jordan!”
“I’ll take that as a ‘maybe’. Though I admit Harry’s sister has done a beautiful transformation from broom to hot sexy sporty broom waifu and…shutting up now since I don’t like that murderous look they give me. Other team!
We got famous Bulgarian Seeker and Durmstrang Triwizard Champion, Viktor Krum! Don’t get a hard-on Ronald Weasley!”
“Sod off, Jordan!” Ron shouted.
“I’m kidding; It seems that Ronald has a hard-on for Miss Parkinson, whom is one of the Beaters on Krum’s improvised team…”
“You better stop with that unless you want the Bludgers to go anywhere else but in the direction of the players.” Pansy growled.
“Anyhow, the rest of Viktor’s team includes Tracey Davis, the living proof that Slytherins can be swell, so Draco has no excuse to be as much a git as he is. She may not give a hard-on but someone is probably staining her undergarments right now.” Lee Jordan continued.
“Pansy, can I borrow the bat?” Tracey asked.
“I should stop jesting in this manner or I’ll end up visiting Madam Pomfrey real soon…” Lee Jordan then turned to Luna. “Anyhow, Lunes, care to introduce the rest of Team Krum.”
“I would but for all the languages I speak, French and Bulgarian aren’t among them. So I will not speak the names out aloud unless I risk butchering them. I can speak Gobbledegook, Mermish, Japanese and Updog, though.”
“What’s updog?” Lee asked until realization hit his face. “You cheeky little tart!”
“Anyhow, Viktor, Pansy and Tracey are the only important characters on that team that will be focused up and are of no consequence.” Luna noted.
“I have a name, you know…and feelings!” one of the unnamed (to us) and minor characters on Krum’s improv team said.
“Anyhow, they throw out the Quaffle, and they’re off! And of course those lionesses take control of the ball. I wish they would take control of my…” Lee Jordan was nearly hit by a Bludger. “Moving on! Look at those aerial maneuvers, they are like a ballet on brooms.”
Angelina raised her hand as if she wanted to do a high pass to Alicia. The opposing chaser game in and would try to block a high blow. But she dropped the Quaffle and caught it with her own hand, a fake-out to pass it backwards to Katie whom by-passed the other Chaser. As another Chaser closed in, she did a sideways roll over her broom to avoid it, also known as a Sloth Roll, before passing it to Alicia.
“We start strong with Angelina peforming a famous fakeout called the Plucked Barn Owl Gambit and passes it on to Katie, whom performs an excellent Sloth Roll and pass it right to Alicia approaching the goal. Man, are these three beautiful sirens of Quidditch so in synch. Alicia approaches and, yes first goal for Team Gryffindor! They take the lead right of the bat. What do you think, Luna?”
“I think that Krum’s Keeper has Wanker’s cramp.” Luna said.
“I feel like busting out in laughter but I don’t know whether its genuinely funny or I’m worried. Anything else?”
“That cloud is shaped like a pineapple. I love pineapple but every time I try to eat one, my pet bat Jinx would hump it.” Luna explained.
“Er…I don’t know how to reply to that. Anyhow, Krum’s team has the Quaffle now. They are probably decent in their own right, but they haven’t been on a team or as synched as the Lionesses. Krum may be a great Seeker, but there is a reason he is nothing more then that.”
The Chaser of Team Krum dropped the Quaffle and Angelina dove for it, but Tracey swooped in and grabbed it first. “Don’t forget about me!” Tracey said.
“Go Tracey! Sorry guys, your team is swell but rooting for my girl here.” Daphne cheered.
“Understandable.” Maps noted.
“Whoa, Tracey Davis is fast and agile on a broom. I wonder why the Slytherin team never recruited her. Oh, that’s because they are sexist arseholes whom are the types to only think of girls as someone they can demand to make a sandwich for them. I wouldn’t do that. I would politely ask my girl to make a sandwich because I can admit I’m a disaster with even basic kitchen tasks and need someone strong and smart as her in my life.” Lee Jordan commented.
“Real smooth Jordan, but not getting a date out of any of us!” Katie Bell shot back.
“Yet!” Lee Jordan said hopeful. Anyhow, Trace is taking that ball towards the goal, but the Weasley twins are going with the Bouncy twin maneuver, knocking the Bludgers between them with the Chaser in the middle. But oh, look at those moves from Davis!”
Tracey saw the Bludger being bounced around between Fred and George. First time she did a Sloth Roll to dodge. Second time she jumps off the broom and back on. Third time she leaned back to avoid, not breaking her stride. The fourth time the Bludger came her way, another Bludger came in and knocked into the first, causing them to bounce in opposite directions. “And that is an impressive bit of Beating by Pansy Parkinson. I wonder what her secret is.”
“A lot of aggression to work out!” Pansy shot back.
“Anyhow, Tracey is catching up and whoa, that was really close. Close save from Ronald Weasley.” Lee Jordan noted.
Ron panted as it was more intense then the games at home. He nearly missed the save. He passed the Quaffle back to Katie and the match continued. Now, the Chasers were at a disadvantage on Krum’s team since they never worked with one another before and had no idea of one another’s style or strengths, while the three girls of Gryffindor acted like a unit. Tracey may be outnumbered three to one, but she was able to get more chances to score then her other teammates. Though she did make a few good goals, several were also blocked. Tracey was doing the best but didn’t change the fact she was outnumbered.
“And we cut to the seekers. Bolt may be transformed but she is still a Firebolt and Krum has one too.”
Bolt and Harry were able to keep up wit Krum easily as they scouted for the Snitch. “Your Firebolt sister, she is fast like my broom. But she can be faster, right?” Krum asked.
“Yes. But it wouldn’t be fair if she used her enhanced speed like that.” Harry said, knowing Bolt would even leave fellow Firebolts in the dust.
“Do not. In Quidditch, you take every advantage. Is to win. In pro Quidditch, speed is not all. So not hold back. For pride as Seeker. Also, you have Firebolt while other school team Seekers do not.” Krum explained.
“Oh, point taken. Ok, Bolt. Let’s cut loose!” Harry said.
“Oh, I’m so fired up!” Bolt said. “Here, Snitchy, Snitchy!” The two continued to scout rapidly, shooting across the field as a lightningbolt. “Found it!”
“After it, big sis!” Harry said.
“Swiggity switch, let’s get that Snitch!” Bolt said as she rushed forwards. However, she put too much speed behind it and overshot it and missed the Snitch. “Oh, bad start, try again!” she did make the mistake a few times. “I think I may be a bit too fast for Quidditch. I rarely get to go all out like I do now. I may not have as much control over my speed as I thought…”
“Be faster then Krum, but not too much faster, stay close to the Snitch.” Harry suggested. Bolt followed suit. At first it seemed ok, Bolt only going barely faster then Krum. However, Krum seemed to be better at reading how the Snitch moved and took shortcuts to the path where the Snitch would fly too. It shows that his experience was trouncing all of Harry and Bolt’s tricks.
In the end, while Team Gryffindor scored the most goals, Krum caught the Snitch in the end. Harry and Bolt were shocked. Krum gave them a smile. “You did good. You have experience, but I have more. And you and broom sister are good. But in pro Quidditch, everyone has same type of brooms. You had skill and a broom beyond other people at school. But with that you are stuck. Like weightlifter with five kilo weights. You can fly with storm, with cursed Bludger or cursed broom. Impressive. But in pro Quidditch dangers much more common.” Krum explained in detail.
“Thank you, Krum. Thanks to you I have learned a lot. I love flying, and I may be good. I am reminded I can still be better. Before now I never had a reason to become better. But now…I really want to.” Harry said.
“Me too. I may have been given greater power with my transformation. But I have my limits. I need to learn control. So I can be a better sister, and to be a better flyer!” Bolt added.
“Match was fun.” Krum laughed heartily. “You no did bad. Just lot to learn. In few years you may give me run for money.” Krum patted Harry’s back. “But team is strong. I Seek good. But rest of team no match for yours.”
And indeed, while Krum caught the Snitch, Team Gryffindor has scored enough to make sure that even with the 150 points from the Snitch Catch, they stood equal.
“And there you have it. Harry Potter lost, but he gave it all. Krum is a pro after all. And it is a more acceptable loss then because of Dementors. Take that Amos Diggory! Brag about your son now!” Lee Jordan said. “And in the end, both teams were strong despite some disadvantages, and this is what International cooperation should be like. Sportsmanship and respect people. Suck that Ministry!”
“The Ministry has a permanent Wrackspurt infestation.” Luna noted. “They also have an army of Heliopaths down in their Department of Mysteries.”
“What now?” Lee Jordan asked.
“Fire Spirits that burn everything they gallop over.” Luna noted.
“Gallop? Are they fire horses?”
“Only on Tuesdays. But we know that the great Heliopath wars will be on a Tuesday.” Luna said dreamily.
“Fred and George, you did this to me.” Lee Jordan sighed.
“On one hand, man, Viktor Krum was awesome. On the other hand, sorry Harry.” Ron said to Harry.
“It’s ok. It’s no shame to lose. It means that I can get better. For as much as I played Quidditch, I had a lot of advantages, which became meaningless against a real pro. Playing a school team is different then pro.” Harry said.
“And we have a chance to grow. Which I think is fine. Because if you are already on top, where do you have left to go? It wouldn’t be as much fun.” Bolt chuckled.
“This loss felt fair. And Krum is a swell guy, learned a lot from him.” Harry said.
“I don’t think you’re the only one whom has grown.” Hermione said. “I think someone else did.”
“Whoa, Pans! You really were good at being a Beater.” Tracey said impressed. “I never thought a tightpuss like you had it in you. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
“I…didn’t know I had it in me either. On the other hand, I didn’t bother much finding out what I’m capable off.” Pansy said.
“You are learning a lesson me and Tracey knew for a long time: we make our own destinies, we can pick our own goals in life. I want to excel in Potions. Tracey is sporty. And maybe you won’t be a pro Beater, you have become more than just another of the Pureblood Bigot Kids.” Daphne noted.
“You are really good at that. When you swatted that Bludger away or blocked that other Bludger…” Ron added as he whistled.
Pansy looked at the bat in her hand. She was good at it. She was perhaps not going to go pro but she learned more about herself. At one point she was a pureblood princess. She was in a gilded cage, locked by expectations. So she had little to call her own. Being just in the background and one of the many haughty Slytherins. But she felt…like she could make a name for herself. Not as Parkinson, but as Pansy. And it felt good. She smiled. “Thanks. I…actually feel envigorated. I feel more free.”
“You know, you look better then you smile.” Ron noted. Pansy looked up, eyes wider. “I mean, when you scowl, you look like a pug. But when you smile, you are prettier. Like a…prettier sort of puppy. Ok, I stink at compliments.” Ron nervously rubbed the back of his head.
“Oh, er…Thanks Wea-” she stopped halfway. “Ronald. I think I owe you a thanks for setting up the events for…a bit of self-discovery. But don’t let it get to your head. After all that little brain of yours is used to living in a wide open space.”
“As long as you don’t let your head get big either, that lithe little frame of yours may become top-heavy.” Ron shot back. It has become a bit of playful banter between the two.
“This was fun. We need to do again.” Krum said.
“Indeed. Though I am still up for a rematch with Cedric too.” Harry said.
“I want to see what he can do too.” Krum noted.
Dumbledore has observed it from afar. Many didn’t know he was quite a Quidditch freak. And he was quite a player for the Gryffindor team as a kid, but that accomplishment was not as well known as the million other things he’s done, as it would be buried behind more important things like discovering uses of Dragon Blood, defeating Grindelwald, the Order of the Phoenix and earning himself a Chocolate Frog Card. He remembered that during his time the Chudley Cannons were an actual accomplished Quidditch team before their streak of bad luck hit and made them the joke they are today.
“This was a good idea.” Dumbledore thought. “I should allow Quidditch casual matches next year too. Less negative competitiveness.” Things were progressing slowly, but in small things, random acts of kindness, mutual respect, he felt it was worth all he went through.