Several loud thumps could be heard on the deck as the recruits dropped in despair from the announcement. The pre-assigned youth teams will compete against the Chudley Cannons first team. Toyotomi and Mouse who remained standing looked at their team sitting beside them.
"I knew this was going to happen!" Said Jess, who also remained standing gripping her silver broom more tightly than usual. She looked at the rest of the team. "Oh my god. No chance we are winning this."
Jess was, of course, referring to Team D. Toyotomi frowned slightly. How could she be judging the whole team without even considering each individual?
"You're right, we got no chance..." Said a dark-haired boy, his head tucked between his knees. Toyotomi recognized the boy as Joe Hooper from the trials due to his natural good looks. His baby face remaining unchanged over the years.
Toyotomi stood with his fist clenched, mostly from the anxiety of the upcoming match, but also due to his team accepting defeat so easily.
"You alright Tomi?" Said Mouse, noticing that his friend was unusually emotional. However, Mouse did not realize what was at stake for Toyotomi. His Quidditch career, his promise to his brother and his final connection to the magical world was on the line in this next Quidditch game.
"Moaning won't get us anywhere. I don't think they expect us to win this game." All eyes fell on Toyotomi. He looked at his team with fiery eyes. "I think they aim to assess how long we can hold out. No one expects a bunch of teenagers to beat the Cannons."
The team listened intently. An awkward silence passed as they continued to stare at Toyotomi for the follow-up. He blushed slightly, now fully aware of his outburst. However, he realized he had gone this far, so may as well continue.
"We just need to play every one in their natural positions and adopt a defensive counter-attacking play style and we may have a chance," said Toyotomi
"Well, I am playing seeker." Said Jess, adamant in securing that position.
"I play seeker as well!" Said Zayna cheerfully, a girl of Arabic descent.
Everyone looked at each other confusingly as they exchanged positions. A fatal conclusion dawned on the team; they were all seekers apart from Toyotomi. This was no small issue, players from such a specialized position would struggle to adapt to other positions so quickly.
"Everyone calm down… This selection was obviously intentional and makes things difficult…"
"Difficult? This will be impossible!" said Ivanka, an older trialist.
"No, I think we have a chance. We just need to assess our strengths and then translate that into a position. I assume everyone has watched a Quidditch game, so you will have an idea of what to do when it comes down to it. The first position we need to select is a seeker."
Everyone volunteered at once, shoving each other out the way to get the position.
"I am sure you all are excellent seekers, but we can only have one. Ideally the fastest flier out of us all." Toyotomi scanned his team, he knew a key factor in speed was the broom. Straight away the silver shimmer of the Mercury stood out amongst the average brown.
"Jess I think you ought to take the seeker role."
"Naturally." She replied.
A choir of moans ensued, apart from Mouse, who eagerly looked up to Toyotomi for the next set of instructions.
"Wait a second mate, who made you captain?" Hooper got up and approached Toyotomi staring him down. "I don't have to listen to you," he spat.
"You're welcome to take my place. In fact, if anyone has any other ideas of what we should do in this situation then go ahead."
The moans from the loss of the seeker position went silent. Joe Hooper also remained silent but displayed a face of pure disgust as he sat down begrudgingly. Toyotomi took a deep breath. He did not want this position of leadership, but he did want the win.
"The remaining positions include the keeper, chasers and beaters. These will all be defensive positions apart from our final chaser who will receive the Quaffle and counterattack. The keeper will be the most difficult position in this game. As a keeper you will get barraged, you will have to make saves and you will get injured."
"Mouse," said Toyotomi grabbing the full attention of his small friend. "I have seen you fly. You are a very talented seeker; your speed and agility are unbelievable and even hard to follow at times. But that is exactly why you are crucial to this plan. You should play as the final chaser and dedicated scorer. You will receive the Quaffle from our defensive chasers and bolt it like your life depended on it to the other side.
Mouse nodded, he did not question Toyotomi's decision and decided to trust him.
"Zayna and Ivanka, can you play as the remaining chasers? Your role is to snatch the Quaffle from the opponents. An extremely difficult job considering the quality we are up against. But I trust you will get a few opportunities. Once you get the Quaffle, look for Mouse and throw it to him and hard as you can"
"What about me and Joe," said Richard, pointing at himself and his friend.
"I think you guys should take up the beater position. We need a bit of strength there. I doubt you will see much bludger possession on your side, merely due to the fact that Lancer and Smith are natural beaters and some of the best in the league. They're not called the Chudley Dangers for no reason. And although the Chudley Cannons lose most of their games, the beater duo never fail to injure an opponent per game."
"So, what do you recommend?" Replied Richard, a slight quiver in his voice.
"Just deflect their shots. They will be aiming their bludger at whoever is causing the most problems on our team. Defend them at all costs. Fly next to them if need be."
The team murmured in agreement at their new positions. The defensive plan made sense. Against professionals like the Cannons, damage control would be crucial. The team were now all standing gripping their broom, ready to prove themselves in their impossible circumstances.
I guess you will be taking Keeper then," said Jess, emerging out of the teams' pre-match chit chat to confront Toyotomi.
"Yeah, I've played there before a few times and against some very good players." Replied Toyotomi in reflection. He was of course referring to his brothers. His admiration and respect for them ran deep. Toyotomi knew they would go far.
"Good luck," Jess scoffed.