Disclaimer: I own nothing but original characters.
Chapter 1
The Heat
"Oh, what a marvelous hit by Hughes!" The crack of the bludger as it found its mark reverberated throughout the pitch, causing the students and professors in attendance to groan. The Ravenclaw Chaser dropped the Quaffle and fell from his broom, falling the twenty-or-so feet to the ground. Iwan Hughes, the Hufflepuff Beater responsible, was already focusing on his next target: the Ravenclaw Seeker, Gwendoline Pierce.
Iwan was in his last year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This was an important match for him, as it was his last match as Captain of the House team and his last chance to impress a few scouts who had decided to attend the games over the course of the school year. He wasn't the only one, of course. He knew Pierce was looking for her shot at the Professional League as well, and it was known among the school that she had impressed Gwenog Jones, retired player, and now manager, for the Holyhead Harpies. He had heard nothing from the scouts before concerning himself however, and very much wanted to make an impression on those attending this game. He wanted to show them that he was a true Beater and could make it in the Professional League.
Soon, Iwan found the Bludger. It was speeding towards him at a slight angle. He had Pierce in his sights. She had spotted the Golden Snitch and had a commanding lead on Gary Fowler, Hufflepuff's 3rd year Reserve Seeker. Their 1st String Seeker had been incapacitated in their match against Gryffindor. She still couldn't move too quick without getting dizzy.
Iwan pulled his bat back, taking aim. He took a deep breath and swung, hearing the crack as his bat connected with the Bludger. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. This was it, the defining moment of the season. Who took home to Quidditch Cup would be decided by who caught this Snitch. Pierce's arm was outstretched, just inches away from her target.
CRACK! Iwan's Bludger found its mark, connecting solidly with Pierce's ribs, knocking her off-course. The Hufflepuffs in the stands erupted into cheers as Fowler caught up to the Snitch. He was just a few feet behind, when Iwan noticed his bludger being returned by Will Turner, one of Ravenclaw's Beaters. He pointed his broom, a second-hand Thunderbolt III, and shot off to intercept. It would be difficult. He'd have to be careful not to run into Fowler, the poor kid wasn't focused on his surroundings.
As Iwan approached at top speed, he quickly decided on something reckless and stupid, which would surely piss off Mary, his best friend, and his squib parents, both sitting in the stands with the professors and scouts. He quickly pushed himself off his broom, launching himself over Fowler and above the bludger, which he quickly deflected away from his Seeker, and landed again, if just barely, on his Thunderbolt.
"What a move by Huhges! Have you ever seen a Beater do something that daring?!" Professor Devlin, the now official announcer of all Hogwarts Quidditch matches (as decreed by Headmistress McGonagall herself) shouted to the stadium as the students erupted into cheers and boos as Fowler finally snatched the Snitch. "And Hufflepuff wins the House Cup for the third year in a row! I know Hufflepuff will be sad to see Iwan Jones graduating as he has led this team on an impressive three year winning streak! I hope there are some scouts in the stands taking notice of this most impressive lad!"
Iwan flew down to the pitch and shook hands with McGonagall as she, somewhat begrudgingly, handed the Quidditch House Cup to Iwan for the third time. He gathered all the 7th Year team members: Mary O'Connel, Richard Bishop, and the injured Seeker Lillian Medley and handed the cup to them. He did not miss the quick glare Mary shot him for his reckless move. He knew he'd be in for an earful later. But for now, they enjoyed the taste of sweet victory. The main issue next was to get the contraband drinks to the Hufflepuff Common Room for the victory celebration that was sure to follow that night.
Soon, Iwan was wrapped up into a monstrous hug from behind. "That was the most dangerous and reckless thing you have ever done! How could you scare me like that!"
"Mum!" Iwan whined. "It turned out all right didn't it? I didn't die or anything!"
Rosemary Hughes, Iwan's adoptive mother, was generally a kindhearted, patient and soft-spoken woman. But sometimes, especially when Iwan had done something truly reckless, like the time when he tried to play with a bear cup while on vacation in the States, she could truly terrify him.
"Young man," she scolded, complete with withering glare. "I don't care how it turned out, I care that you don't get it into your thick skull that you could seriously hurt yourself, or worse, if you don't think things through and be a little more careful! You're lucky I don't ground you for this."
"Yes, mum. Sorry, mum." Iwan had learned that it was always best to go along with his mother's scolding than to defend himself. Last time he tried to defend his actions, another incident involving an apparently agitated wolverine, he ended up being forced to clear his mother's formidable garden of any and all weeds, and help his father, Geoffrey, build a new fence around their large acreage, by hand. It was a less than pleasant summer that year.
"We love you child, I just don't want you to die or maim yourself before your thirty!" His mother's face softened as she added "and congratulations on another wonderful match. Your father and I always love watching you play."
"Thanks, mum." Iwan smiled at his parents. His adoptive father stepped forward to wrap his son in a congratulatory hug now that the scolding was over and done.
"Hell of a game, son. Hell of a game!"
"Thanks, dad."
"Now, go back to your friends! We'll see you in a few weeks when term ends. We love you, Iwan." With their farewells, Iwan turned back to his teammates and noticed there was someone new on the pitch. A woman in a brown and beige dress suit. She wore a small pin on her left lapel in the shape of an owl and carried a clipboard. She approached Iwan and the rest of the Hufflepuff team.
"Mr. Hughes," the woman said loudly. The rest of the team quieted down and looked at the woman. "May we speak in private?" Iwan agreed and the two walked away from the team so as not to be overheard.
"My name is Susan, I'm hear representing the Oxford Owls. We've been watching you this season, and occasionally over the last few years. You're an impressive player. We'd like to extend an offer for a private trial."
The silence hung in the air for a few moments before Susan, awkwardly reached out and closed Iwan's open jaw. It was a few more awkward moments before Iwan gathered the words to reply. "A private trial? Yes! Absolutely!"
Susan gave a nice, professional smile, before she handed Iwan a small business card. "Good," she said. "On here you will find all the information you need: date, time, and place of meeting. The owner will want to meet you at the Raven and Lily pub before taking you to the practice pitch himself. We look forward to seeing you there. Good day, Mr. Hughes." With that, the woman turned and walked away. Iwan was left staring at the small card, so engulfed that he didn't even notice the rest of the House team had migrated over to his position and were now looking over his shoulder at the card as well.
"Well done, Iwan!" Mary said, shaking him from his trance. He had actually impressed a scout enough for a trial! He turned and wrapped Mary in a large hug and planted a surprisingly large kiss right on her lips. After realizing what he just did, they both burst out laughing. There was a time, just a few years ago, when Iwan would've done anything for that casual of a kiss between them, but in a far more romantic light. The two had even tried dating in 5th year. Things had progressed rather quickly between the two before they realized that it was not working out. Surprisingly the split had never damaged their friendship, and they had remained the best of friends and closest confidants.
Soon, though, Iwan felt the sweat he had accrued during the match and realized, that as team Captain, this was his last chance to dismiss his team before graduating. "All right, listen up you lazy layabouts! That was a hell of a game. You've done me proud this season. Now hit the showers! The party starts right after dinner! Dismissed!" The team cheered and retired to the locker room and discarded their sweat-drenched uniforms for the last time that school year and showered off before returning to the castle for a filling, post-match meal.