The Irregular Opposition
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Chapter One...
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23rd March (Fifth Year)
Professor Marchling's Office
09oo hours
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'Miss Weasley, I'm still not sure you understand, less than one percent of Quidditch players make it to international standard and while undoubtedly you take your quidditch very seriously, I find it difficult to understand why you won't accept that quidditch, though in many ways an excellent pastime, is not a career someone of your intellectual capacity should be striving for.'
Professor Marchling steepled her fingers and peered across her cluttered desk to where Rose Weasley was sat, visibly trying not to grind her teeth.
Seriously? Seriously! Rose tried very hard not to clench her fists as she stared defiantly back at her least favourite teacher. How dare she call quidditch a pastime! Quidditch is- is-
Well, Rose knew that quidditch, to her at least, as well as to any other sane mortal, the best thing in the entire world. She didn't understand why Professor Marchling couldn't see this. It was as obvious as, well, the nose on her face.
'Miss Weasley, you are on track to score twelve Outstandings in your Ordinary Wizarding Levels, a set of results that will guarantee you top grade N.E.W.T.s and allow you to go onto a career in any field you choose. Don't throw your education away on a sport that is famous for the short lifespan in the public eye of their players.'
Professor Marchling eyed her student properly for the first time, noticing the whitening around the girl's knuckles and sighed.
"I don't mean to be unkind Rose," She said, straightening a pile of parchment on her desk. "But these career sessions are supposed to prepare you for what your life is going to be like once you enter your Sixth and Seventh years and also once you leave Hogwarts and I hate to see a girl as gifted as you throwing away your career. Quidditch at Hogwarts is very different to inter-league quidditch and this is what I don't think you realise-"
'Why do you think that I don't realise that?'
Rose eyed her teacher, swallowing down her temper. In the back of her mind, that logical place where she hardly ever went, Rose knew that the professor only had her best interests at heart. But while Rose's adoration of the sport was legendary, her stubbornness was equally well known.
'Well, because-' Professor Marchling was floundering slightly, suddenly unsure. 'You need experience, dedication-'
'Experience?' Rose actually blanched- did this person know nothing? 'You think I lack experience?'
Again, in the back of her head, that scarcely trod minefield of logic and reason, Rose knew she was being rude and she felt a twinge of guilt for the teacher who, after all, was only trying to do her job. Still, Rose felt compelled to set her right.
'I have played the position of beater on the Gryffindor quidditch team since the age of twelve, the youngest player to do so in over fifty years and the youngest girl to do so in over two hundred years! I made Captain last year, over the head of three other very qualified candidates including a seventh year making me the youngest captain ever had by, not just the Gryffindor team, but any house team at Hogwarts.'
Rose tried to take a deep breath, to stop her runaway tongue from spewing out more facts and statistics but the slightly shell-shocked expression on the professor's face was incentive enough to continue.
'I have attended the National Junior Quidditch League summer camp every year since the age of seven, and, following several weeks of strenuous tryouts, secured a place at the International Quidditch Cup Junior Divisions training camp last summer in Russia as one of only two placements from the United Kingdom. Just this Christmas holiday, I spent two weeks working as an intern in the Department of Magical Games and Sport under the tutorage of retired Puddlemere captain Oliver Wood on a completely voluntary basis simply to gain the experience of working in a professional sporting environment.'
'So you see,' Rose sucked in a much needed breath. 'I am quite aware of how difficult it will be to make Quidditch as a career, but you know what? I'm going to try anyway.'
Professor Marchling absently tapped her chin, peering down at the defiant girl in front of her. Then, making up her mind, she pulled a clean sheet of parchment towards and dipped a quill into the inkwell.
'Obviously Hogwarts is not a quidditch training school and so, if you intend to stay here to complete your N.E.W.T.s which I understand from your mother that you do-'
Rose shifted uncomfortable in her seat, remembering the blazing row she and her mother had had on the night before she left to return to Hogwarts at the end of the Christmas holidays.
'You will need to complete at least the requirement of subjects.' Professor Marchling continued. 'Judging by your expected O.W.L. results I would usually be urging you into taking at least six or seven N.E.W.T.s but I sense that is not going to be favourably received.'
Professor Marchling bestowed a rare smile her brightest student.
'Hence, I would suggest that five N.E.W.T.s would allow you sufficient time to focus on your quidditch while also being the minimum requirement for most Ministry based careers. I know that the more practical subjects have always been your favourite so I suggest Defence Against the Dark Arts, as well as Herbology and Charms. Have you any preference regarding these choices?'
'I want to continue Care of Magical Creatures', Rose answered with a grin. 'That way I can always go to Romania and work on the dragon enclosure there with Uncle Charlie.'
While Professor Marchling tried to figure out if she was joking or not, Rose continued: 'And potions as well as Professor Zabini has promised that I can go off syllabus if I want to and anyway, Scorp obviously wouldn't be able to cope without me in potions.'
Professor Marchling made a final note on her parchment then nodded to Rose who stood, sensing the non-verbal dismissal. Picking up her bag she was about to retrace her steps across the room to the door when Professor Marchling spoke.
'You know Rose, as much as I disagree with the choice you have made, I am quite happy to help you in any way possible. As your head of house, I have a lot of influence with other members of the staff and would be happy to speak to Coach Hendrix about the possibility of you assisting with teaching the first years in their flying classes if you would like me to.'
Rose felt an unexpected smile form on her face as she gratefully spoke her thanks, before turning on her heel and walking out of the office.
A.N.
Hello my darlings, a new story here (don't worry, others are still ongoing.) Hopefully, as you can tell, this story is going to be about QUIDDITCH, the best sport in the universe. I'm the sort of gal who likes to through in plot bunnies, so keep an eye for little bits of interest.
Love and hugs, and don't forget to review!
A.A.A.