A/N: I know this one is a bit short. I've been handling some resurfacing PTSD and my writing has suffered from it (this is the only story I've forced myself to work on for a couple of weeks). I'm in a good place now and I think things should be back on track for my version of "normal."

Harry's decision to call in reserves seemed to be the right one. While it took two weeks before he and Ginny were well enough to return to work and their flats, they were a full week and change ahead of the rest of second string; recovering even before Anastasia and Cynthia.

The team doctor passed both of them to play, but they were intercepted on their way to the lockers.

"Weasley! Potter!" Gordon's voice called from behind them, "My office."

Harry and Ginny exchanged confused looks before turning back down the corridor.

"What's up, Coach?" Ginny leaned against the door frame as Harry came to stand behind her.

"Were you both cleared to practice?" Gordon looked up intently from his chair.

Harry nodded, "We were on our way to the pitch now."

Gordon gestured to the seats opposite his desk, "Good because you'll be practicing with first-string."

Ginny nodded and sat down with Harry, "Dr. Draper said we're the only members of second string who are over the bug."

Harry stared back at Gordon; the intensity of this stare was puzzling, and just a fraction unnerving. Gordon seemed to sense Harry's unease and got right to the point.

"I sent Alex and Minal home an hour ago."

Harry felt his heart rate increase tenfold. "Do they have this flu?" He tried to swallow but his throat was suddenly too dry.

Gordon nodded. "So you'll be practicing with first string because you are their reserves and you'll play first string matches until they can return to their posts."

Harry felt his stomach drop through the floor as his heart tried to see how fast it could beat without flying out of his chest. He would be playing Seeker in a real match, a match where winning and losing mattered, where the total points scored were important, where his opponent would have been playing for years longer than him.

"I have full confidence in you. Jason and Eva will work directly with you Ginny. Desmond was a Seeker before he started working as a Scout so he's going to work to help you be ready, Harry. We're going to be doing a lot of cramming over the next five days to be ready for Saturday's match, but I don't doubt the two of you are up to the challenge."

Harry felt numb. Gordon's words seemed to only be semi-processing; his mind wasn't really taking them in. Ginny seemed to be feeling similarly, as the woman whom Harry thought would always have something ready to say sat speechless next to him.

"I know this is a lot, especially just coming off this illness," Gordon took a deep breath before leaning forward over his desk, "but I trust you to make this happen. Without you two playing, specifically you Harry, we might as well forfeit every match until Alex and Minal are able to play."

Harry nodded, not trusting himself to speak yet. He was vaguely aware of Ginny nodding as well.

"Great, I'll be out to help you both once I track down Desmond. We'll see you on the pitch."

A portion of Harry's brain understood they'd been dismissed, so he stood and instinctively reached for Ginny's hand. He needed something to ground him, and he knew that would always mean Ginny. They walked silently, hand in hand down the corridor before Harry finally found words to put to the chaos running through his mind.

"Merlin, Gin, we're playing an actual match on Saturday."

"Yeah," she breathed. "I'm torn between feeling excited and feeling sick."

"Me too," Harry squeezed her small hand in his. "At least you've got Jason and Eva to help you."

Ginny nodded, "I'm sorry you don't even have Alex to help you. Did you know Desmond was a Seeker?"

Harry thought back, "I think he mentioned it at one point while scouting me. I guess we'll see what he remembers."

Harry held open the locker door for Ginny before following her in. They didn't dawdle to get out on the pitch.

"Ginny!" Eva flew over and threw her arms around Ginny. "I'm so glad you're well enough to play! Gordon wasn't sure when he sent Minal home if we'd have a backup or not."

"I'll do my best to be better than no one," Ginny chuckled.

"You'll be fine," Jason smiled as he pulled up next to Eva. "We'll be working really hard the next few days, but I'm sure you're much better than not having a third Chaser."

"And Harry, thank goodness you're here!" Eva smiled reassuringly at him. "I was really worried that Jason and I would have to be scoring ridiculous numbers to give us even a chance at winning. With you here too we can breathe."

"Alright," Jason interrupted, "let's get to work. We've got a lot to catch you up on, Weasley."

Ginny gave Harry an encouraging smile before flying off with Eva and Jason.

Harry looked around and didn't see Desmond or Gordon. Taking a deep breath to try and calm his nerves, Harry settled on flying laps. He could lose himself in the feel of flying as fast as he could round the pitch. The wind whipping past him as he pushed his broom to its limits was calming, soothing, and everything else faded into the background.

When Desmond and Gordon pulled him out of his meditative state, Harry finally felt like he could breathe again.

"Ready to train me?" Desmond laughed as Harry leaned over his broom handle breathing heavily.

"I thought that was what you were supposed to do to me." Harry panted.

"Desmond hasn't played in over ten years Harry," Gordon chuckled. "He's going to be helping you but he's not going to be able to work with you the way Alex does. We're going to get the practice Snitch out and Desmond will be there to coach you through anything he notices you need to work on."

Harry felt some of the nervous energy he'd just flown off starting to build back up.

"You've got this Harry," Desmond nodded. "I wouldn't have pushed for you to be Alex's reserve if I didn't think you were an equal match to all those first-string Seekers on the other teams."

"Exactly," Gordon looked down at his watch, "So let's get going, we've only got till Friday night to have you ready."

A thought occurred to Harry, "Wait, I've lost track, who are we playing Saturday?"

Harry followed Desmond and Gordon's eyes as they landed on Ginny running drills with Eva and Jason.

"The Holyhead Harpies," Gordon sighed.