Life is Like T-Rex
By: Sam Lincoln
Disclaimer: The characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and are used here without permission. The story image is property of Jenny Owen Youngs and is also reproduced without permission.
"Not trying to make you think this is some kind of great big deal I just know exactly how you feel I could be the thing you reach for in the middle of the night.
Let me be the one to treat you right."
-Last Person, Jenny Owen Youngs
Chapter 10: Training Day
"Dad?" Lily asked. "You've told us what you were thinking during all of this, but what about mum? Why did she keep saying no?"
"An excellent question, and one you'd have to ask your mum for the definitive answer, but this is what she told me. This happened the week after that Quidditch match…"
"And the two of you sno…er, kissing," James added.
"Yes and the kiss. As I was saying, your mum was at practice with the Harpies…"
"Hey Ginny!" Victoria Gerrand called out to your mum who was tirelessly running through Chaser drills. "Hey Weasley," she said again when Ginny did not respond. Gerrand sighed deeply when your mum kept at her drills, oblivious to the world around her. "Oi Potter!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.
That did get your mum's attention and she came to a stop mid-air. "What?"
"Gladish wants to talk to us."
"About what?"
"How should I know? I'm just the messenger."
"I'm still finishing up the extra drills she gave me."
"Well I think this takes precedence. You know how it is with Gladish, do what I say until I say otherwise."
Your mum sighed and angled her broom in Gerrand's direction. "Alright, let's get this over with."
"So, Potter then?"
"Shut it," Ginny warned.
"So what, did you think he was here?"
"I was concentrating on my drills."
"Oh nonsense you can do those drills in your sleep. I think you were day dreaming. Trying his name on for size?"
Your mum's face flushed. "I told you, I was focused on the drills. What with the way Gladish has been riding me over playing in that match I didn't want to make any mistakes."
"About that, whatever possessed him to ask you to play with him?"
"Harry is an old friend, and he needed a favour."
"Still quite a bit of cheek on his part asking a professional player to help win his amateur league."
"Honestly, I doubt that thought ever crossed Harry's mind. He knows me, he's played Quidditch with me, I'm the person he was going to ask."
"And if you just happen to be a top flight professional so much the better?"
"That was just a lucky break for him."
"But why say yes?"
"He did save my life, and my father's and my brother Ron's, and my best friend, and oh yes he's Harry Bloody Potter!"
"Ok, fair point, we all owe that bloke a favour or two." They landed in front of the Harpies' practice building. "Still, there's really nothing going on between the two of you? I mean again, he's Harry Potter, the single most eligible bachelor in Britain."
Ginny pushed open the door. "Trust me, if there was anything to tell, you'd be the last to know."
"Is that anyway to build team loyalty?"
"If I have to sacrifice team unity for the sake of my privacy that's a small price to pay especially since I can just pick up your slack."
"I should know better than to pick on the star of the team," Gerrand said with a laugh.
"And don't forget it. Now where did Gladish want to meet me?"
"In the big meeting room, and let me remind you that I don't know what she wants to talk to you about, probably Appleby."
"Great, just what I'm looking forward to," Ginny grumbled as they entered the large hall used for team meetings and strategy sessions.
"Ah good, so the Greater London Area Amatuer Quidditch Champion has deigned to grace us with her presence," Wilhemina Gladish, the Harpies manager, barked out. Your mum looked around and saw that all the team's Chasers, and a few of the other starters were also in the room. "Now take a seat so we can get started. No right down in the front please," Gladish added when Ginny tried to sit in the back.
"Good luck," Gerrand muttered to your mum. It was obvious that Gladish was still annoyed at your mum's actions the week before and was going to take another strip out of her.
Ginny squared her shoulders and sat down in the offered chair. A childhood's worth of Molly Weasley tongue lashings left her well-equipped to deal with whatever Gladish was about to deal out.
"Alright girls we're going to review some omniocular recordings this morning. I think we'll all find them highly illuminating." Gladish flicked her wand to dim the lights and grainy omniocular footage started to play on the screen behind her.
Ginny groaned when she realised what they were watching, footage from our two versus seven match. "How did you get this?" She blurted out.
"I have my ways Weasley," Gladish replied. "Now for those of you who don't know, our own Ginevra Weasley took part in the London Area Amatuer Quidditch League Championship, and after showing everyone up by playing out of position, she and her friend Harry Potter, perhaps you've heard of him, went and by themselves beat a full side. The first match doesn't concern us, it's boring amateur Quidditch. Yes even you Weasley, your Seeking was rubbish. No, we're here to watch the second match, and how two flyers managed to beat seven."
"Play against a bunch of over-the-hill chumps?" A voice in the back suggested.
"So you think you could win with no Keeper, or Beaters, even against these plonkers?" Gwenog Jones countered.
"Jonesy's right, it doesn't matter who the seven are, it takes serious flying, and tactics, to pull this off. Now Weasley, how much time did you and Potter spend reviewing your tactics?"
Ginny squirmed in her seat. "Er, practically none at all, it all sort of came together too quickly for anything in depth."
"Then how did Potter know to go deep like that at the open?"
Your mum shrugged. "He just knew it was the right play. They weren't expecting it."
"Very good, remember proper Quidditch requires every player out there to know what's going on, Chasers need to follow the Snitch, Beaters the Quaffle, and Seekers the Blodger. If you don't know where you teammates are, odds are good you'll blunder into one of them at the wrong time. Now Weasley, about these rotations you and Potter made defending the goals?"
"I, er, I'm sorry, but there really wasn't that much thought put into any of this. Like I said before, Harry and I just...knew what the other was going to do."
"And why do you think that was?"
Your mum did her best to ignore the sotto voiced suggestions from the crowd. "Er, because we spent all that time playing two-a-side when we were kids, and all the time we spent practicing at Hogwarts most likely." So we're clear kids, even at the time your mum didn't completely believe this answer, but it was the only thing she was going to admit to in that room.
Much to your mum's relief Gladish nodded along to her explanation. "Yes exactly. Practice is the only way to get this sort of cohesion. And make no mistake ladies this." She pointed her wand at the flickering playback. "Is the sort of flying we'll need if we want to win the championship."
The rest of the session proceeded in a similar manner with Gladish breaking down particular maneuvers your mum made. Sometimes she asked your mum questions about them, and other times the questions came from the reserve players. It gradually dawned on Ginny that instead of the mocking she expected when Gladish began showing footage from the match, the team manager was in fact being genuine with her praise.
After reviewing the footage two or three more times Gladish dismissed the rest of the team. "Stay a moment Weasley," she told your mum.
"Was there something else you wanted?" Gladish asked.
Gladish looked back at the Quidditch footage still playing behind her. "I just wanted to know when the wedding is."
"The what?" Ginny spluttered.
"You and Potter. You two are involved right?"
"Harry and I are friends. Sure we dated once, but that was a long time ago."
Gladish seemed to mull over what Ginny had said. "If you insist, but I've seen plenty of people fly together, and that right there is more than just hours of practice."
"I didn't realise you could judge a person's relationships based on how they fly."
"Weasley do you have any idea just how brilliant a clinic you put on? I could frame this recording and put it in a bloody museum. The only other time I've seen you fly even close to this level was in your house team days when we were scouting you."
Ginny's face fell when she realised where Gladish was headed. "Don't tell me, it was when I was playing for Harry."
"Precisely, it was one of the reasons we offered you a contract, that and I liked your versatility. Then, when you came on you played well, but I never saw that same spark, not until today."
"Ask anyone, Harry has a way of bringing the best out of people," your mum insisted.
"Then maybe he should be managing this team instead of me."
"No, you're the best!" Ginny said.
"You're also stuck with me so that was the right thing to say," Gladish noted with a chuckle before turning serious again. "Playing for me Weasley you're bloody good, great in a few years time, playing for him you're transcendent. It's like a switch gets thrown."
"Merlin, that sounds pathetic."
"As you said, the lad's an inspiring figure. Honestly I don't give a toss what your relationship with him is. I only asked because I want to know how much longer I'll have you." Your mum opened her mouth to protest but Gladish waved her off. "Don't argue with me. There are two kinds of players in this game. The ones out for fame and fortune, and the ones who play for the challenge. You've never struck me as the fame and fortune type. No, you fly to prove you're the best, but what happens when you reach the top? If you're not interested in Galleons then it's time for the next challenge."
"I don't want you to think I'm not one hundred percent committed to the Harpies," Ginny quickly said.
"Oh hush, of course you are. I wasn't questioning your commitment. I wasn't even saying your motivations are bad. In fact I respect them a lot more than those money grubbers. But I will tell you one thing Weasley. I'm not letting you go until I say you're the best, and you won't be the best until you fly like this," She jabbed her wand at the recording. "in a match. I don't care how many Golden Brooms you win. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Ginny said with a nod.
"Good, I wanted to make sure we understood each other."
"I think we do," Ginny replied.
"Then why are you still here? Go take the rest of the day off, but be sure to get in early tomorrow."
"I will, and thank-you," Ginny said as she turned to leave the room.
"And Weasley?" Gladish called out when Ginny reached the door.
"Yes?"
"No more amateur Quidditch. Don't forget who pays you to fly. I don't care what Potter offers you."
Your mum laughed. "Don't worry, I'm sure I'm no longer welcome there anyway." She was right, before the next season started a rule was passed prohibiting active and recently retired professional players from participating.
Ginny went straight to the locker room to change out of her practice robes. She pulled up short when she caught sight of her stall. Hanging in the locker was a complete set of Harpies game kit with the name "Potter" emblazoned on the back.
"Alright, very funny," your mum announced to the empty room.
Victoria and the other Chasers poked their heads into the locker room from their hiding spot in the showers. "The gals and I figured we should go ahead and get your kit updated."
"Oh not you lot too," Ginny groaned.
"What do you mean us too?"
"Nothing, forget I said anything," Ginny ran a hand over the embroidered name on the robe. "This was a good one," she admitted. "But what do you think Gladish is going to do when she finds you all in here, and not out running drills?"
"And what about you?" Victoria shot back.
"She gave me the rest of the day off."
"I guess we know who the favourite is."
"The difference is you need the practice, I don't."
"Maybe we can slap a wig on Potter and replace you with him. He seems like a more pleasant sort to be around."
"Harry in a wig, now that is something I'd like to see." To this day your mum has yet to make this happen. "But you forget that Harry's a Seeker, and rubbish at anything else. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I have some serious relaxing to do."
"You heard the witch," Victoria announced to the other Chasers. "Let's go get to it and show Weasley here who the real talent is."
"I am going to get you back for this," Ginny warned Victoria as the rest of the Chasers filed out of the locker room.
"You can try," Victoria replied.
"Your forgetting who I'm related to, be on guard Gerrand. You never know where you might find a Wheeze," Ginny called out as the other chaser closed the locker room door behind her.
After cleaning up from her morning practice session Ginny stood in front of her locker and stared at the gag robe. She let out a small laugh then packed the robe away in her kit bag. After a long moment where she sat in front of her locker; your mum took a deep breath, stood up, and walked out of the locker room.
Many hours later, around dinner time in fact, Aunt Hermione pushed open the door to a small London cafe, the same one your mum and I went to the night of the engagement party. She glanced around the room until she saw Ginny sitting by herself in a booth near the back starting at her placemat. Hermione walked over to the booth and sat down with a thump causing Ginny to look up.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet me for dinner on such short notice Hermione. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you."
"It's no trouble at all Ginny, I always enjoy the chance to get away from your brother and Harry." She grimaced. "That came out wrong, you know what I mean. So why did you want to talk? Your message was a little vague."
Without saying anything Ginny deposited her kit bag on the table in front of Hermione. "Go ahead, open it," Ginny said.
Hermione unzipped the bag and found herself staring at the "Potter" robes. "Oh," she said simply. "A prank by your teammates I take it?"
"Yes, and before that Gladish spent an entire review session showing the rest of the team an omniocular recording someone made of that match last week," Ginny grumbled. "Though that actually wasn't that bad. Our conversation afterwards though…"
"What about it?" Ginny then recounted what Gladish said to her, pausing only to place her order when the waitress arrived. "Well I can see how that would get you out of sorts," Hermione said once Ginny was finished. "Really that woman," she added with a chuckle.
"What?"
"Don't you see Ginny? She said all that to wind you up. Insinuating that you play your best to impress Harry, what nonsense."
Your mum picked at her napkin. "That's not exactly what she meant, and she wasn't exactly wrong. You didn't see that recording, it was brilliant flying."
"Of course it was, you and Harry are both extremely talented flyers. Now you're probably bound and determined to fly that well in a match with the Harpies just to prove her wrong, but that's not what you wanted to talk to me about is it?"
"Of course it's not!" Ginny snapped. "It's about Harry," she admitted. "And wipe that smug grin off your face, it's not a good look for you. This is all your fault you realise?"
"My fault?"
"You and my brother had to go and get engaged."
"Technically that's Ron's fault."
"You still said yes, and that's why half the blame is yours. Don't you see Hermione, if Ron hadn't proposed none of this would have happened. I would still be happily flying around with the Harpies, Harry would be off catching Death Eaters, and we wouldn't be messing up each others lives!"
"I don't think Harry would ever say you're messing up his life. Even if you were, which you aren't," Hermione chided your mum. "And really, what's the problem? I know you both still fancy each other."
"It's not that simple," Ginny replied.
"Yes it bloody well is!" Hermione shot back. "Merlin, what happened to the two of you?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Ginny, so help me if you don't start talking I will kill you with my bare hands, and I'd really rather not do that, what with the wedding coming up, and it would be such a pain to try and find a new maid of honour at this point."
"We both know it'd be Luna."
"And can you imagine the toast she'd give? Now out with it."
"Alright fine, I'll talk." Your mum then instantly clamped her mouth shut as their meal arrived. "Do you remember the summer after the final battle?"
"Yes, it was when you and Harry last spent any significant amount of time together wasn't it?"
Ginny nodded. "It was, but the thing is, we didn't really talk about what happened the previous year."
"Then what exactly were you doing...oh," Hermione said when she saw the meaningful expression on your mum's face. "So you never talked about anything?"
"How could we? It was all so fresh. You were there, you know what it was like."
Hermione sighed, "I was, and no I suppose you couldn't."
"You had it lucky, Ron was with you for, most of it, he knew. Me and Harry though. He has no idea what it was like going to Hogwarts for that year, and I can't begin to imagine what it was like for him on the run. Especially considering that he had to put up with you and Ron in that tent."
"Harry's no prize in close quarters either, especially back then. He didn't let either of us get a full night's sleep, what with all the nightmares." They both grimaced, even then all those years later, none of us liked talking about that time. "Wait, you said you didn't talk about anything, does that include your break up?" Ginny nodded. "Oh Merlin, that's what this is about isn't it?"
Your mum leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed defensively in front of her chest. "I might understand the reason, but I am allowed to feel cross about it."
"But it was five years ago!"
"And he's never apologised!" Ginny shot back, a little too loudly if the looks the other diners shot their way was any indication. She discretely cast a silencing charm over them before continuing. "He never once apologised for any of it. Not for breaking up with me, not for vanishing with you and Ron, not for keeping me in the dark the whole time, and not for going off to die without saying anything to me first."
"Ginny..."
"No Hermione, don't say it. I realise he had good reasons for all of those things, but it still hurt to get left behind."
"But why didn't you say anything to Harry back then?"
"Like I said, I wasn't thinking about that stuff, I was too numb, too glad to just be alive. Then Harry and I drifted apart during my last year at Hogwarts, and barely said a word to each other. Then, out of the blue he proposes to me! No warning, no preamble, just 'marry me' like nothing had happened."
"I'm not the person you should be telling this to," Hermione pointed out.
"I am aware, it's just these past few months have been good, really really good, and I don't want to change that."
Your aunt reached out and grabbed and grabbed your mum's hand. "Ginny, that's great, but you'll never be able to advance things with Harry, and don't argue you want to, until you get that out in the open."
"And if I don't like the result?"
"You're a big girl, what's the worst thing that could happen?"
Your mum closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "And how do you suggest I go about doing that?" She asked when she reopened her eyes.
Hermione smiled. "I might have an idea or two."
Author's Notes: Ok, I grant you that Ginny's reasoning isn't exactly the most, oh what's the word I'm looking for, insurmountable, obstacle in the world. Hey, it's a sitcom, the drama is always going to be a tad slight. Just like how jobs are only important when it's a part of the narrative, and the rest of the time the characters are free to hang out and talk. Fun fact, when thinking up the Harpies manager, my template was hockey coach Scotty Bowman, one of my all time favorite coaches. His irascibility and penchant for playing mind games with his players seemed like a good fit for a Quidditch manager. Thanks again for all the reading and reviews!
-sam, 2013-04-15