He's always cheered for the lost cause.
(Chudley Cannons, anyone?)
He's never been concerned about the odds.
He just hoped.
Because one day those folks in orange and black would win.
(Forget those Quaffle drops.)
He was always the first one to support them.
He never strayed from the group of fans.
(Loyal, he was.)
Because one day they'd win; he knew it.
And those Ballycastle Bats would get their comeuppance.
And then they'd see who the better team was.
And Fred and George wouldn't laugh.
And Percy wouldn't roll his eyes.
And Charlie wouldn't say, "Pathetic."
No one would dare comment.
Because he had stood by the side of the losing team.
And hoped that they'd win someday.
But when it matters, do things stay that way?
Quidditch was all just fun.
Losing team or not, he loved it.
(Even if winning was a lot better.)
So, now, when the real world comes to awaken him?
How does it feel now, siding with the loser?
How does it feel now, knowing he won't win?
Is he still that loyal fan cheering them on?
Is he just as willing to show up to every single game, rain or shine?
Does he still show his support?
And now that it's real life,
(Not a stupid, insignificant Quidditch match),
What's it like being beaten up, day after day?
Is hope still going to save you from failure?
They know he's tried.
But if he's learned anything from Quidditch, it's that trying isn't ever enough.
So, he disappears from the crowd of cheering fans that looks more miserable daily.
And he stops wearing the team colors.
He just vanishes from the world of Quidditch.
Because sometimes you need to win a game.
So then he's gone.
And he thinks about those lovely victories.
How great he felt.
How great everyone felt.
How everyone laughed and smiled and cheered.
Oh, how he wants to rejoin the group of fans.
But, oh, doesn't he remember the Tornadoes?
How fair-weather fans aren't welcome, thank you very much.
He can't just hop on and join the crowd.
Then, he'd be as welcome as a Dementor
(Or a Lethifold, for that matter)
Facing the entire world's Patronuses.
So, he needs to work his way back into the crowd of loyal supporters.
(Honestly, he is one; everyone's had their moment of uncertainty!)
Because in the end, the unlikely will win.
Just like he always thought.
AN: Another Harry Potter freeverse. The Ballycastle Bats are mentioned in Quidditch through the Ages as a very successful team. And Lethifolds are carnivorous creatures (extremely dangerous) that can only be repelled by the Patronus Charm. Sorry for confusion that may have caused. Thank you for reading. :)