With so many cousins, one would never expect Rose Weasley to get bored at family dinners round her grandparents' house. And most of the time she didn't. Most of the time she found entertainment with one of her many relatives. However, this one particular dinner, Rose found herself seated between two tedious conversations.
To her right sat her brother who was involved in a tedious conversation with Molly and her uncle Percy about the possible new Head of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. On her left, about half of her cousins were discussing Quidditch. Having little interest in either topic, Rose was forced to choose the lesser of two evils and listen to the Quidditch conversation.
"I'm just saying," said Albus, "Nott is the best player in Slytherin."
"That doesn't mean he didn't have to buy his way to Quidditch captain," said James through a mouthful of brussel sprouts.
"Actually it does."
"The best player on the team doesn't always get captain."
"That's true," Roxanne agreed.
"Thank you," said James.
"Yeah, Rox is by far the best player on the Gryffindor team and Scorpius still got captain," Fred added.
Albus laughed into his mashed potatoes. When James glared at him, Albus said, "Sorry but she is a lot better than you."
"That's your opinion," said James loftily.
"That's everyone's opinion," said Albus.
"Well then," cried James, "If Rox is the best player on the team why didn't she get captain?"
Albus shrugged, "I suppose Malfoy's better."
"Too far!" said Roxanne. "Now I'm on James' side."
"Me too," said Fred.
"You just go on the side with more people," his sister smirked.
Fred opened his mouth to show her the contents: three thoroughly chewed roast potatoes. Roxanne kicked him and Fred promptly closed his mouth.
"See, Albus," said James, ignoring the fight between Fred and Roxanne. "Everyone else agrees with me! This is just another example of me knowing more about Quidditch than you."
"Should I remind you that I'm actually a Quidditch captain and you aren't?"
James snorted. "You're Hufflepuff Quidditch captain, Al, it's not exactly hard; you just have to be beat out other Hufflepuffs. Rose could be Hufflepuff Quidditch captain."
Rose started at her own name.
"Sorry, Rose," said James, "You were the just the first person I could think of that knows nothing about Quidditch."
"Oi!" cried Rose. "I know some stuff."
Albus, James, Fred, and Roxanne all looked around at her with faces that said "oh really?"
"What do you know then, Rosie?" asked Albus. "Can you name five teams?"
Rose looked between them for an ally and found none.
"Fine," she said, holding up her right hand to count them off. "Chudley Cannons."
"Good start name another," said James.
"Give me a moment! Right, Chudley Cannons, that's one. Then there's… England, Ireland, Scotland… Latvia."
Albus scowled. "You literally just listed countries."
"Do those countries have Quidditch teams?"
"Well, yeah."
"I rest my case," said Rose. "Now let's talk about something more interesting."
"Like what?" challenged Roxanne.
"Like how I heard some girl Lily knows asked Hugo out."
James, Albus, and Fred slammed down their forks and turned to stare at Hugo Weasley.
Roxanne merely shrugged and bit into a large piece of chicken.