A/N: Hey guys!
I know it's taken me a while to update but i'm in the process of doing my first spanish gcse controlled assessments and aside from having to learn my speaking and writing, i've had two listening and reading tests (most of the content we hadn't even learnt yet) and now they've decided to give us all a thirty page vocab booklet, each page has about 225 words on it, to learn. yippee.
Something of importance: this chapter is unlike anything i've ever written before, fanfic or no, and i apologise if it's not up to normal standards! obviously, quidditch matches are going to be playing a big part in this story so hopefully you'll like this one and i'll just get better as time progresses! font like this: ohh, look i'm in bold and italics! is commentary just to clear up any confusion. Also, i do not know all the rules of quidditch, the scoring system, or anything like that so i've been truly creative and made it up! sorry if this may annoy you, i have tried to stick to what i know is true as much as possible but decided to use my artistic license a little.
anyway, spiel over, thanks amazingly much to: Mercy'sFoundaWayforMe and siriusblack4evaxx for reviewing, it means a lot you keep coming back guys :) and to dutchie-1987 for favouriting!
take it away billie!
19th October
Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw
7:00am
I'm nervous.
No I'm not. I'm Billie Potter, pleasure to meet you.
No, definitely nervous.
Am not.
Are too, why do you feel like being sick?
I don't.
You do.
Just haven't eaten yet.
Why don't you go eat then?
My bed's warm.
So you're hiding in your bed?
Am not!
Are too. Why are you hiding?
BECAUSE I'M NERVOUS!
So you are nervous?
No!
That's what it's been like since five this morning. I got back in from astronomy at half 12 and only had about four hours sleep. Well isn't that a good way to start the quidditch season? It's kick-off at ten am. And I'm still in bed. Truth is, I'm really scared. This match means a lot, lose this and it could be the only match we play all year.
8:00am
Two hours 'til kick-off. I'm ready. Surprisingly, I felt a lot better as soon as I'd got my robes on, I was part of a team, it's not like I was going to be up there on my own.
Red under t-shirt, red jersey, leather chest and arm pads, red and yellow joggers, long red socks, my worn but extremely comfortable boots, my long red cape that reads: B POTTER 03 and last, my thick, fingerless leather gloves. I put these on lovingly, mum and dad bought me them for making the Gryffindor team in my second year and I hadn't ever lost a game whilst wearing them. I guess they are my lucky gloves and I stroked the worn leather pattern on them for a few minutes before daring to head down to breakfast.
I met Sammie and Stony on the way down, they too were all robed up Sammie with WILLS 04 and John with STONE 02 printed on their backs.
"You ok?" I asked them.
"Cause we are!" Sammie jumped up and down, showing how ready she really was.
"Are you?" John asked, before tutting at the state of Sammie's cloak and doing it up for her.
"I . . ." My mind wandered back to an hour ago when I was laid in my bed shaking with nerves but now I was kitted up and with my team I couldn't feel anything other than excitement and pride. I grinned. "I'm brilliant."
We didn't realise the irony of us walking in together until we actually did, there was an uproar of cheering from the Gryffindor table, ear-splitting enough to drown out any boos from the other houses.
"And so enter the Gryffindor Chasers!" James greeted us as we strode over. We were pulled into a hug one by one, even a protesting John. "Don't pull away Stony, it's tradition!"
The atmosphere was electric. Our table was a swarm of red figures, Alice and Frank, both avid quidditch fans were dressed entirely in red and ran over (hand in hand as per usual) to wish us good luck. They were shortly followed by Sirius, Remus and Peter. I cracked up laughing at what they'd no doubt made Wormy dress in, a bright red lion suit.
"Rooar!" He told me between giggles. Padfoot and Moony were dressed a little more conservatively. Sirius in a tight red top and jeans with the Gryffindor scarf hanging loosely around his neck. He was going to freeze and no doubt the female population would be too distracted by his chest and arms to pay attention to the game. Good choice of clothes Padfoot. Remus was wearing jeans and a red sweater, he loves those things . . . Remus Lupin, part man, part wolf, part SWEATER.
"Good luck!" They both told me between hugs, seemingly excited, especially Moony. I swear he's a secret Quidditch addict.
"Sirius is looking good." Sammie breathed in my ear as we sat down to eat. I laughed into my pumpkin juice. "What?" she giggled along with me, we both turned to look at Padfoot down the table, insisting he had the last piece of bacon. "Man alive, I wish I was in your year."
"Why?" John asked suddenly, we hadn't even noticed him sit down opposite.
"So she could go out with Sirius of course." I told him, laughing at Sammie's horrified face and John's which was slowly turning sour. Really! They must learn to expect me to wind them up about one of them liking someone when the other's is around! It's simple, they like each other far too much.
"Right." He muttered sharply. And I received a weak slap from Sammie as I continued to chuckle at them both. They are so oblivious to the way the act around the other!
"BILLIE!" Emmeline bounded over and I couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm.
"Hey! You good?" I moved to make room for her but she didn't sit down.
"Ace thanks!" She chirped back. "I'm well up for the game today!" A chorus of excited replies followed her statement.
Peter and Martin were the last to finish eating and as soon as they were done we stood to tumultuous applause and made for the Gryffindor Changing Rooms where James would give us a pep talk.
"GRYFFINDOR FOR THE WIN!" I heard Padfoot shout over the crowd and I turned back to smile at him. So happy I could burst.
9:50am
James' "talk" was pretty good for a first time. We all got seated in a tight circle, with our brooms laid out by our sides. James stood in front of us.
"Right guys!" He began, beaming down from his standing position. "It's our first match of the season, a very important season, and I think we've got a good chance today. Ravenclaw are probably one of the weakest teams at the moment, I don't think Gove has been doing as good of a job as he thinks he has and my spies tell me their not as tight as we are." His 'spies' were Padfoot and Wormtail, he'd paid them to go and observe the other teams' practices all last week. Peter had been happy to oblige, Sirius not so much. "Tightness is our strongest point. We are the tightest team in the school, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses and instead of just playing to our own strengths we try to utilise each others'. Chasers," He turned so he was facing us properly. "You need to fly fast and hard. The Ravenclaw goalkeeper is nowhere near as good as our Emmeline," she blushed, "But I want you to play like he is. We need to show these guys what we are made off and really, I don't want them to get a touch on that quaffle once! Sammie, take the left wing and let Billie take the shots until we get settled into the match, the Ravenclaw team will be much less likely to want to take a play for Billie when she's got you both on the wing sides. John, do the same but on the right side. I want to see fast passes, leave them no chance of interception. Billie, I want you to lead the defence and attacks, if you see Emmeline in trouble block them off." We nodded silently in agreement.
"Beaters," He turned to face Martin and the surprisingly relaxed Peter, "We need speed, aim and power. You don't let the other team try to take advantage of you, show them how we work. Peter, they're going to see you as the weakest in the pack. We know you're incredible so don't let them pick on you. Emmeline, you too, are going to get some stick out there, you need to stay focused and in the game. We've talked about not letting your emotions get the better of you, yeah? Watch the chasers because they'll give you some sign of what to do if you're unsure. Make sure you look for bludgers as well as the quaffle because no doubt you'll be having some of them hit your way as well. Also, if you wanted to help me out . . . if you see their seeker looking like he's seen something then do try to distract him, block him off or something. It might give me a few more seconds advantage."
Martin snorted, snapping the buzzing silence. "Because you need it!"
"Oh Martin," He replied acting coy and embarrassed, "You always know what to say!"
"Are you ready?" A small voice made us all look up. It belonged to a small, ginger second year boy, who'd obviously been roped in by Minnie to do some running.
"Sure, just give us another minute." James smiled at him warmly before turning back to us. "This is it then guys. Let's show them what we're made of!" We all stood and pulled each other into a messy team embrace. A great clump of red.
11:30am
WE WON! We won! We won! We won! We won! We won! We won! We won! We won! We won!
Merlin's beard! That was one hell of a start of season game!
The nerves had wormed their way back in to my body so I was shaking again by the time we were all in the air, staring down the other team. James and Oliver Gove grimaced through the traditional bone breaking handshake before returning to their places. Gove, being a chaser, was smack bang opposite me.
"I want a nice clean match ALL of you! This is the first game of the season so let's start how we mean to go on!" Madame Hooch's voice could be heard clearly over the excited hubbub of the crowd. One side was a sea of red, the other blue. I couldn't help chuckling when I saw professor McGonagall because she had transfigured her hat a bright red colour for the game and was already stood up cheering and ignoring the funny looks she was getting off the rest of the staff.
Alright then guys! Three minutes until kick off, I'll go through the players with you. A smile spread across all our team's mouth as the unmistakeable voice of Professor Jubential rang out from the commentator's box.
On the Gryffindor team we have:
Emmeline Vance – Goal – Emmeline is a newbie to the team but tip offs say we've been told to watch out for her. I cheered along with the reds; they do need to watch our Em. Martin Goldsburg and Peter Goldsburg – Beaters!The stands burst with noise again. Since when has Gryffindor become so family orientated? Samantha Wills! – Chaser, John Stone – Chaser, Billie Potter – Chaser! Hey John! Sm-iii-le!
Sammie and I turned and laughed as John flushed and smiled.
"It's my game face!" He shouted, still grinning.
Oh sorry, his 'game face'. Right. And finally we have the captain James Potter! Why anybody ever let him on a broom I'll never know but there you have it, the GRYFFINDOR TEAM! We clapped and wooped along with our house and the small handful of traitors that had joined us from Hufflepuff. After announcing us he went through the blue team, the noise surrounding us was still ear-splitting but the amount of cheers was definitely less, our side were louder for sure. I finally was able to pick our Sirius, Remus and Peter in is big red suit in the crowd. They'd no doubt flirted their way into getting the best seats and I could see Sirius waving a colourful banner reading: I LOVE POTTERS. It was quite embarrassing, but supportive all the same. Madame Hooch flew back onto the pitch, quaffle in hand. We all tensed up as she drew the whistle into her mouth and gave a sharp blow on it, tossing the quaffle high into the air.
Gove was fast, but as I'd expected I was just the little important bit faster. I snatched the red ball out of the air and started speeding towards the Ravenclaw goals, the spectators a blur in my peripheral vision. Another Ravenclaw chaser was flying in to cut me off so I tossed the ball sharply to Sammie on my left and saw her catch it neatly, she'd already been expecting the pass.
And the Gryffindor team are going like the clappers . . . sorry, apparently you won't know what that means . . . Wills in possession after an incredibly fast pass from Billie – Sammie was dodging the onslaught of oncoming players, determined to take possession of the quaffle, in a sharp move she flew straight up, firing the ball to the other side of the pitch and straight into John's waiting hands. We were almost at the goals now and the opposing chasers were battling vainly but didn't seem to know what to do to distract us. The quaffle found its way back into my hands as we drew up to the goal posts. Gove, Martins and Turner were doing everything they could to get the ball from me without simply pushing me off my broom. Pass back to John. Move. Receive from Sammie. Move.
And it's Gryffindor at the goal, trying to find the right spot to shoot and – SCORE! I spotted my gap and flung the ball straight through the unguarded hoop. I heard Gove cry out in anger but it was drowned under the cheers from the red sea of people.
Gryffindor lead 20-0 . . .Their goalie hovered in front of the middle hoop the quaffle turning slowly in his hands, waiting for some kind of sign from a chaser. We were all marked up, Sammie had taken Lisa Turner's back and was tailing her around to the left and Stony was infuriating Martins by flying directly in front of him at all times. Most people mark from behind but John has an incredible nack of keeping close to people and being in front of them and it drives them insane so we let him do it. I was right up the backside of Gove, so close I'm sure Padfoot would be jealous, mirroring his slightest movement and bumping into him occasionally, letting him know I was there. He was starting to get annoyed too and I was delighted to see it was putting him off, if there's one thing modern quidditch lacks it is composure – that's what dad says anyway. The goalie made a stupid decision to throw the ball to Gove and as soon as he turned I was there, blocking him and with a startled cry Gove dropped the ball into my hands and I sped off, back to shooting position.
It's never a good idea to drop the ball into your opponent's hands. A smile quirked my lip at Professor's biased commentary and in a movement that completely threw the goal keeper I passed the ball onto John who powered it into the left hoop. We darted over to one another to share a high five.
And it's another goal for the Reds! The Ravenclaw team can't quite decide what to do with them! Gryffindor lead 40-0!
. . . Gryffindor 80-0 Ravenclaw
. . . Gryffindor 150-0 Ravenclaw
We kept up our constant stream of goals, letting to poor Ravenclaw players get as far as the halfway line before snatching the ball back off them. Only a few of out shots hadn't gone in, one of mine was intercepted by Gove himself, one of Sammie's got saved (much to the keeper's delight) and a couple of John's shots fell short and were intercepted.
"Hey Billie!" I heard Peter call from above me about twenty minutes in, he was grinning hugely and had his beater's bat held aloft, "Watch!" And with that he soared towards the oncoming bludger. My stomach tightened uncontrollably, pictures of him lying in the hospital wing inhabiting my thoughts. Suddenly, the crowd gave a huge gasp as he swung his bat and hit the bludger hard towards the goal hoops. Of course, the goalie had no choice but to dodge, it was let him score or go to St Mungos with a smashed face. The crowds and Professor Jubential went wild in a happy disbelief.
Alright! Way to go mini Goldsburg! He's only in his fourth year as well! James has been training them well so far! Damn straight, James has been training us well! As we upped our lead to 240-0, with help from another bludger goal from Peter, the Ravenclaw team decided they had no other choice but to play dirty. Quickly, the game began to get a little out of hand, bludgers were narrowly missing heads, elbows and fists started being thrown into faces and ribs – not by our team of course! We are actually skilful - so why would we ever need to play dirty? One carefully flung out elbow hit John straight in the chest as he was on a goal run as we like to call them and he was winded, the quaffle slipping from his arms. Cries of outrage were called from our supporters and a fog horn of boos nearly knocked us off our brooms as Madame Hooch ruled the incident as an accident with a wave of her hand.
We all know that was a foul … but anyway, the Ravenclaw team are finally over the halfway line! I don't blame the Gryffindor chasers for not wanting to get too close, maybe they'll take out an eye next time-
Professor! You cannot say that!
Just telling it how it is Minerva!
. . .
(don't hurt me) Sir attempted to whisper away from the mic but everybody heard and raucous laughter rang through the stadium. Ravenclaw was getting close to our goal now, I saw Emmline's brow furrow intensely as the chasers gained on her. I have to admit that even if she wasn't the greatest keeper Hogwarts has seen in a few decades, we were still very close behind. The ball was passed firmly to Gove and before I could do anything about it, Gove spun the ball towards the hoops. There was an audible intake of breath. Silence . . . Then came an eruption of cheers (and boos, losers) as Emmeline dived magnificently for the Quaffle and caught it happily with both of her hands. A shriek of frustration escaped Gove's lips as he turned to face me, murderous.
What a SAVE! It's a promising debut from Emmeline Vance! Aw, even the captain's getting in on the celebrations! I looked and laughed, James had swooped down from wherever he had been searching to hug Emmeline in celebration, before whizzing over to John to check he was alright after being winded. I couldn't hear their conversation over the buzz of the crowd but from reading lips I could tell it consisted of a lot of words our mother would die if she heard us say. I agreed in their use though; if you're going to lose, lose whole heartedly don't stick your elbow in another player's chest! Emmeline took her first goal pass of her quidditch career, choosing to feint and send all their chasers zooming to the left before firing it to John at the right. In a quick succession of passes we had left Emmeline far behind and we were back in the attacking quarter on the Ravenclaw side. I was beginning to wish James would catch the snitch already when.
Oh! It looks like Brooks has seen something! The Ravenclaw seeker? It wouldn't make a difference, obviously, but I'm sure James would be a little sore if he didn't catch it for the first time in years. Potter is in close behind her! It's there! And Potter is getting closer . . . Closerr . . . AND JAMES POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! Gryffindor win 390 – 0!
YES! A swell of happiness burst inside as us reds raced to James, all cheering and smiles.
"Yes! James!" Martin boomed over the exulted cries from the Gryffindors. We went round one another, patting each other on the back and gripping arms with people. We soon scattered on James' and my command to shake hands with the Ravenclaws and thank them for the game. We got some very funny looks but what do they want from us? The Potter twins were brought up properly thank you very much! I found Emmeline, buzzing around the team and congratulated her excitedly.
"Well done!" I cried, giving her a triumphant hug, "You were AMAZING." She blushed and thanked me, returning all the compliments I gave her. I saw Peter sidle up to me, grinning furiously. "You!" I yelled, poking him square in the chest. He looked taken aback. "Nearly gave me a bleeding heart attack with your fancy beater tricks!"
"Me too!" Martin joined us, ruffling up his brother's hair, "You're not cool." He told him, but far too fondly for the smaller boy to be able to take it to offence.
"Hey!" James appeared right in front of me, making me jump a little, nerves still edgy from the adrenaline, "Haha, scared you!"
"Did not!" I poked my tongue out at him and grinned before pulling him into a hug. "Well done you!" I patted him on the back as he squeezed me ridiculously hard like he used to do when we were four, trying to test whether I'd pop or not.
"You too!" He told me back, "Your shots out there were fantastic! I don't know how I'm going to choose a man of the match out of your guys! I never envied the previous captains for having to do this!" I laughed at him.
"As long as you don't pick yourself . . ."
"I'm not THAT big headed!" He insisted. I gave him that look that clearly said: yes, yes you are. He had the grace to laugh and together we signalled the team to go back to the changing rooms.
It felt so good to peel all my sweaty kit off and get in a shower, the warm water adding to my feeling of plain happiness. Both changing rooms were a babble of: I can't believe it! Well done! We showed them! And it was nice to hear everyone so thrilled about it all, all being as passionate as James and I are. Because we need a team like that – a team like us – to succeed. We met again in the group room where we started for our pep talk and watched happily as a tremendous smile spread evenly across James' face.
"WOOO!" He let out a long cheer, unable to describe how awesome we were. We laughed along with him. "I can't believe you guys! That was UNDESCRIBABLE! 390 NIL! NIL!" He began to jump around happily. "Ahhhhhh." He let out a long, whistling sigh of contentment, "I'm so proud of you guys . . . which has made it almost impossible to pick a man or woman of the match but-!" He grinned as a Mexican wave of ooohs sped along the line we were sat it. "I have decided! . . . That today's man of the match is Little Mr Peter Goldsburg!" We all cheered for him as James gave Peter a congratulatory hug and a certificate. I frowned.
"I didn't know there were certificates involved! I would have tried harder!" I joked, identical (no pun) grins adorning both James' and my face.
"Billie, if you'd tried harder the Ravenclaw team would be too scared to ever get on a broom again!" John exclaimed, Sammie nodding by his side the changing rooms once again burst into a bout of laughter. We wove our way into the cheering crowd that, at usual had massed around the changing rooms I was delighted to find Sirius, Remus and Pete right at the front, jumping and cheering louder and more enthusiastically than anyone else. As soon as I caught sight of Padfoot's stupid banner I made a beeline for him. Not sure what made me do it, but I ran straight over and allowed myself to be pulled immediately into a tight, triumphant hug.
"WE WON!" I told him, shouting over the screams.
"I KNOW!" He roared happily back, "YOU WERE AMAAZING!"
"WELL DONE BILLIE!" Remus bellowed into my ear, I spun round to give him a huge hug as well.
7:00pm
A huge Gryffindor party was kicked off as soon as we got back, music and everything, until McGonagall came storming up, congratulating us of course, but then insisting that we stop RIGHT NOW and had the party later. Anyone who made a ridiculous noise (she looked directly at Padfoot when she said this – funny really), or made mess (she gave me a look – Padfoot found this funny) would be given a week's worth of detentions. What a way to kill the atmosphere! She left after giving us a MNDL and as soon as she had gone, and we'd settled down, I saw Lily sneak in, a pile of books in her arms looking decidedly suspicious. James saw her too.
"Thanks for pooping the party Evans!" He shouted as she crossed the room to find some quiet in the girl's dorm. We weren't even spared a glance.
So all afternoon when have simply been lolling around in the Common Room, feeling content but with undertones of excitement for the party ahead. Padfoot and I half ran down to Hogsmede to get Butterbeers, Firewhiskey and piles and piles of sweets, so many we couldn't fit under the invisibility cloak and nearly got nicked by Filch. Imagine us two being caught lugging crates of alcohol, with pocketfuls, armfuls; Padfoot even had a ton in his hood, of sweets. Filch would've gone SPARE.
I've completed an essay, with Remus' help of course and started my potions one. I never expected to be doing homework today. In the last hour I've been up in the girl's dorm with Alice, both of us preparing for the party. She honestly seemed as happy about today's win as I am and talked me through each minute of the game, telling me things I hadn't seen whilst on the pitch, Martin nearly hitting someone with the bludger and James winding up their seeker by talking to him almost constantly. We both had a good laugh at professor Jubential's commentary, agreeing that he needed to be the commentator for every match, even the international ones! Lily marched in not ten minutes ago, arms folded fiercely over her chest.
"Black wants to know if you're ready because the party is starting now and they don't want to start without you." She spat, no doubt unhappy that Sirius had actually spoken to her. I saw the unhappy face Alice was wearing, this was the first time Lily had spoken to me in the past weeks and it wasn't anywhere near the pleasant conversation she wanted us to have. Giving Alice an apologetic look I replied with a short: "Thanks." Before turning away from her and blanking her out completely. That was the first time Lily has spoken to me in the past couple of weeks and really, I couldn't be bothered!
Now, Lily has left to go meet Amos for the night (she announced this to Alice who almost got a slap for tutting at her) and no doubt her head will be filed with notions of how awful James and I are and how rubbish at life we are. Well stuff him! I'm off to party with my friends because, quite frankly, we've earned it and there's nothing that can stop me!
A/N: there! hoped you liked it! the first quidditch match i've ever written, nice and easy was that one but trust me, quidditch isn't all plain sailing! please, please PLEASE review, especially with an improvement! i want to know exactly what you guys think so i can make these matches more realistic!