LbN: For the Teachers' Lounge: Judgment Day Challenge. Prompt was "frenemies".
"ENOUGH!"
The call echoed around the pitch, bringing all of the players to a halt. Elia McManus was upset - and when the captain of the newly formed London Lightning was upset, she tended to send people home with interesting bruises. It happens, when your captain is the best Beater in the world.
"What are we doing?" she asked, when everyone had flown into the circle. "Our first real season starts in two weeks, and you're all acting like this is a Quidditch play in primary school. Weasley!"
Ginny had known this was coming, but still flinched. "Captain?"
"What do I have to do to get you to pass the Quaffle to Parkinson? Parkinson, is there a reason you can't get out in the open unless you're in scoring position?" McManus huffed. "O'Hara's not going to always be there to mediate between you two, so I suggest you get yourselves together. Everybody pack it in for the day. Five AM tomorrow - no complaints!"
Ginny flew back down to the turf and stalked off to the locker room, O'Hara and their Keeper, Chase, following behind her.
"You know she's right, yeah?" O'Hara said. "I can't carry both of you."
"I know, mate," Ginny said, wincing as she changed out of her Quidditch robes.
The rest of the team trouped in, Captain McManus coming in last.
"You two," she said, pointing to Pansy and Ginny. "Get in here."
Without looking at each other, they entered what was laughingly called the "coach's office". The Lightning didn't have a "coach", just a faceless group of owners somewhere. That's why it was McManus who smacked both women upside their heads that day.
"Ow!"
"Sit down," Elia said. "Neither of you is an idiot. We're the punching bag of the league - no one even wants to coach us. We're going to have to win every game this season to get even an ounce of respect. Plus, we've got every major news outlet saying an all-girl team can't function - I don't need the two of you proving them right."
"Why do you even care what they say?" Pansy asked.
"It's not just about what they say. It's about whether or not we're better than what they say." She glared at them. "Can you two play together? Seriously - Weasley, are you still pissed about the War?"
"Yeah - because some bitch trying to serve your boyfriend up on a platter to an evil overlord is not something you forget in a hurry," Ginny snapped.
"Get over it Weasley," Pansy said, not looking at her. "I'm betting at least three people from every House were thinking the same thing."
"Okay, I see how things are," Elia said. "You're both benched for the first three games."
"WHAT?" Ginny bellowed.
"Until you two act like teammates, or at least learn how to work together, you're not going on that pitch." The smile she gave them was wholly unpleasant. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go let Andrews and Kellar know they'll be suiting up."
"You can't be serious!" Pansy said.
"Serious as a hippogriff rampage. Better buddy up if you want to see any kind of play time this season."
The two women glared at each other when Elia had gone.
"Right," Ginny said, folding her arms. "Let's get this over with. My favorite color is blue, my favorite food is cottage pie, and I know you like corner shots to the middle hoop, so I'll pass to you when you're open - what?"
Pansy had just snorted with laughter. "Weasley, you're turning out to be as dense as your brother. Captain's not going to put us back in just because I know you favorite color is blue and my favorite kama sutra position is -"
"ARGH! No!"
Pansy grinned. "You heard her - got to buddy up, Weasley."
"Fat chance."
It took two out of the three games before Ginny and Pansy broke. After watching the team barely squeak out a victory over the Dublin Destroyers, Ginny cornered Pansy as they were leaving the stadium.
"We've got to get our spots back."
Pansy just looked at her for a moment. "Right. You're right. Okay, look - meet me at that new coffee place in Diagon Alley around two tomorrow. We can talk it over."
"Fine." Ginny didn't wait for anything else, but Disapparated back to her apartment.
Pansy was waiting outside of The Spicy Mug when Ginny arrived. She'd already ordered for both of them, apparently, and was lounging at one of the tables.
"I got you hot chocolate with cinnamon," she said by way of greeting. "That's what you drink, right?"
"Uh...yeah. Thanks," Ginny said, sitting down. "So…"
"I figured we could go over the playbook," Pansy said, pulling it out of her bag. "You know, figure out how we...fit together."
And something about her smile set off alarm bells in Ginny's head. "Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me everything?"
"I think it's a good idea to assume that I'm never telling you everything, Gin."
"What in the actual fu -" Ginny began, but stopped when she saw the flashbulbs going off just a bit away from them. "Are those reporters."
"Mmmmhmmmm," Pansy said as the waiter delivered their scones. "So smile, and act like we're besties, and that I'm full of the most insightful Quidditch analysis in the world."
"You're full of something, alright," Ginny muttered, plastering on a fake smile. "So what? You're using me to rehabilitate your image?"
"Don't be so dramatic, Gin," Pansy said, and then laughed when Ginny gave her a Look. "I'd like to think that we're embarking upon a mutually beneficial relationship in an effort to protect our budding careers. Now hush, and let's study."
"I hate you," Ginny said, still smiling as the paparazzi moved closer.
"It's mutual."
The cool air bit her face and the wind whipped through her hair, and all Ginny could think was, "Worth it." Worth the fake bonding time, worth the stupid "Mending Fences" article in the Prophet, worth the laughter in the locker room as their teammates teased them. It was all worth it to be back in the air.
"And it's O'Hara with the Quaffle, flanked by Weasley," the commentator called.
Ginny flew under the other Chaser, taking out one of the Arrows' Chasers in the process. She turned from the tackle and shot up to the center of the pitch, just in time to see O'Hara score. She shot back down the pitch after the Arrows' Captain, and was just about to tackle him when she had to roll to avoid a Bludger.
"Go get 'em, Weasley!" McManus shouted, whacking the Bludger toward another player. "I've got you covered!"
Ginny put on a burst of speed. She was too far away to stop Arrows Chaser Kent from shooting, but Chase blocked the shot and threw the Quaffle straight to her. It was automatic at the point - a left-handed catch, and immediately turn to go the other direction. Ginny rolled to avoid another Bludger, but kept a good hold on the Quaffle.
"Weasley's got possession, but Jesser is right behind her. Looks like Jesser is going to go for the tackle, annnnnd - OH!"
Ginny had felt the other Chaser right next to her, and had been ready to roll away, when a blur had come and collided with Jesser on her left. She passed the ball to O'Hara, who scored through the left hoop, and looked back.
The ref was blowing his whistle, bringing the game to a halt, while medi-wizards helped Jesser. Pansy flew over, looking smug.
"See?" she panted. "Mutually beneficial. Couldn't let me bestie get clobbered."
"Are you growing fond of me, Parkinson?" Ginny asked with a grin. "Because I'm well and happily spoken for."
Pansy gave an award-worthy eyeroll and flew back to their side to talk to Chase.
"That's a penalty for Parkinson, and a free shot on goal for Jesser. Apparently it's not a good idea to try and tackle Weasley when Parkinson's around…."
The game only lasted another thirty minutes, ending with the Lightning's Seeker, Andrews, catching the Snitch. That put them at three wins and no losses, and everyone was in a good enough mood to endure the inane questions from reporters.
Ginny was sailing so high that she didn't even care that her loving teammates had decorated her locker with their favorite bits of the "Mending Fences" article. "Very funny, you lot," she said, as half of the team headed for the showers.
"Good game, Weasley," Pansy said.
"You too. You know this changes nothing, right?" Ginny asked, but she was smiling. "I still hate you and everything you stand for?"
"Stood for. And yes. I still think you're a self-righteous twat whose moral compass points 'Potter'. But so what? We win games."
"Damn right."
"Have a good weekend, Weasley," Pansy said in a chipper voice. "Get some rest, eat some good food, suck Potter's dick…." She laughed and jumped away as Ginny tried to hit her with a towel. "See you at practice."
"See you Monday, bestie."
