Chapter 26: Pain, Lovely Pain

A/N: so school started for me…not too thrilled but I do get to hang out with my best friends. I hope you are all well and ready to divulge in another adventure. This chapter is for the awesome people in BRAZIL!

The next evening at 6:45, Will, Garrison, and I made our way through the castle and down to the Gryffindor changing rooms. Everyone was just walking through the door when we arrived. I walked to the left around a wall to the girl's side. Katie, Alicia, and Angelina were pulling their school clothes off and changing into their practice stuff.

"Hey Ginny!" Katie said. I knew Katie pretty well, I had spent a lot of time at Katrina's over the past few years.

"Hey." I walked over and dropped my bag on the bench. I had brought enough pairs of workout clothes so I wouldn't have to bring my bag every time and I could just leave it in my locker. Strapping my leather arm and leg braces on, I followed the three chasers out of the locker room to the pitch. I blast of cold air hit me and I shivered. Oliver was trying to gather everyone in the center of the pitch before we pushed off.

"Now all of you know Will, Ginny, and Garrison. They will be running drills with us in hopes to improve and fill the slots on the team after we all move on." Everyone nodded at the three of us. "We are going to run a lap around the pitch and then split up and work on the drills." And with that, Oliver dropped his broom on the ground and took off running.

We drug our cold, exhausted bodies back to the locker room. Oliver had worked us until finally we just dropped to the ground and refused to move. I flopped down on the bench with a groan. Alicia, Katie, and Angelina did the same.

"That sucked."

"I'm surprised you lasted so well on your first day." Angelina said honestly.

"Me too." I rolled off the bench and started to pull my shorts and t-shirt off. Pulling my hoodie and sweatpants out of my locker, I grabbed my bag and slowly made my way out of the room. I met Garrison and Will who were coming out of the boy's side.

"That was hell." Garrison said. He looked like he was ready to collapse right there.

"Na shit Sherlock." Will said; his voice filled with exhaustion. Trudging out of the locker rooms, we started the long trek back up to the tower. No one said anything the whole way up. Stepping through the portrait hole, we said goodnight and went up our separate stairs. The girls were sitting on the floor talking when I walked in the door. Not even acknowledging them, I walked straight to the bathroom and into the shower. I let the hot water run over my muscles. I knew I was going to be sore in the morning, but it was so worth it. The feeling of flying as fast as you can, taking shots at the goal is one the best feelings in the world. I stepped out of the shower and wrapped my towel around me. Everyone was still sitting on the floor. I moved around them to my trunk and started digging through it for my favorite pair of P.J. pants.

"Rough practice?" Natalie asked.

"You have no idea." Grabbing a long sleeve shirt and my red and gold checked pants, I walked back into the still steaming bathroom. After climbing into my pajamas and brushing my teeth, I exited the bathroom, making a beeline for my bed. I collapsed onto it and sighed.

"Is it worth it Gin?" I heard Lauren ask from the center of the room. I couldn't help but roll over and look at her.

"Totally." I said as a smile made its way across my face. "But so I sleep, so I'm going to indulge in that luxury." She laughed as I buried myself under my blankets and pulled the curtains shut. That was one of the best sleeps of my life. The exhaustion missed with the wonderful shower and my favorite PJ pants was the ultimate combination. I awoke the next morning to find everyone else up and moving around the room. Natalie and Katrina were already in their uniforms, Demelza was brushing her teeth, and Lauren was in the bathroom. I pulled my skirt and jumper off of my trunk. After brushing my teeth and making sure I grabbed my robes, I followed the others down the stairs. The boys were lounging in the chairs. Dressed in their blazers with the Gryffindor crest on the left pocket, they looked rather spiffy. Lauren walked over and kissed Will on the cheek. It was still weird seeing them together. All of us walked out of the warm common room and into the cold castle. It began to sleet outside as we walked from the common room to the Great Hall for breakfast. Draco smiled at me from the other side of the Hall as I sat down with my friends.

"Uuuhhh." Will said as he slowly lowered himself into his seat. We were all very sore from the previous evening's practice.

"I know how you feel. I think my legs are about to fall off."

"My arse hurts so bad." Garrison complained as he too slowly lowered himself down onto the bench.

"Isn't it a LOVELY morning?" I heard a voice above me.

"Oliver, if you say anything about a lovely morning, I will personally make sure you are unable to EVER have children." I said as I turned around and looked at him. His hands slowly went to protect himself as we all began to laugh. "Ouch, ouch, ouch." I said as I clutched my abs.

"Don't forget that we have early practice the rest of the week." Oliver said cheerfully after recovering from my earlier comment.

"Piss off." Will muttered. Oliver laughed as he walked off to the other end of the table where the twins and the three girls were. "If you don't end his life Gin, I will."

A/N: I know it has taken awhile but school is in full swing again and we have already started rehearsals for Into the Woods. I won't update again until I have 10 reviews showing, it keeps me motivated. Love to all, Ginja-Ninja2897