Chapter 4: Game Face

Yana clutched the bathroom sink to stop her hands from shaking. In less than half an hour, she'd be playing her first match of the season against the Holyhead Harpies. She'd played the all-female squad before, but not as a Puddlemere United player. After all the speculation and uncertainty surrounding her playing future, now was her chance to prove to everyone that she was a stronger and better player with her new club. She wanted to believe it, but the butterflies in her stomach begged to differ. Splashing water on her face, Yana examined her reflection in the mirror, unable to ignore the shadows under her eyes from a restless night's sleep.

There was a knock on the door behind her, and Wilda poked her head in. 'The boys wanted me to check you hadn't done a runner.'

Yana grimaced in the mirror. 'Fat chance. My legs feel like jelly.'

Wilda smiled sympathetically and joined her by the mirrors. 'It's okay to be nervous, y'know. I was a quivering mess before my first United match. Truth be told, I'm still not particularly keen on facing Gwenog Jones again.'

Yana hummed in acknowledgement. 'If it's any consolation, I know the owner of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes if you want to send her payback in the post.' Yana said, causing Wilda to snort.

'Thanks, but his sister's a Harpy now, so I don't like my chances.'

It was true. Today's match was highly anticipated for many reasons, one of which was the debut of Holyhead's new Chaser, Ginny Weasley, girlfriend of the famous Harry Potter. But to Yana, Ginny was and always would be George's kid sister. Which didn't help when she considered that her job today involved pelting Bludgers at her. She shook the thoughts away while she put on her eye goggles and helmet. Wilda finished braiding her hair, and gave a satisfied nod to her reflection. 'We'd better go. Benito will want a team meeting any minute.' she said, pausing to turn at the door. 'You good?'

Yana hummed in confirmation, and followed Wilda into the main section of the home team's change-room.

.

Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, a stark contrast from the heavy rock music that had been blaring during their morning drills. While it was clear that the Puddlemere squad liked to have a good time, they had all quietened down as game-time drew closer. Rounding a corner, Yana found Oliver sitting by himself on a bench in front of the chalkboard, intently focused on the diagrams Benito had drawn up earlier. She came up behind him and pulled a paper bag out of her pocket.

'Hey. Smash?' she said.

Oliver jumped, looking up at her with confusion and a hint of annoyance as she held out a paper bag in front of him.

'Citrus Smash. They're sweets.' Yana clarified when he didn't answer.

He shook his head and turned back to the board in silence. Frowning, Yana popped a sweet in her mouth and sat on another bench next to Andrei.

The Czech gave her a reassuring look. 'Don't mind him, he's as quiet as you before game time. You'd think he was being sent into a dragon's den. Trying to make him eat a proper breakfast is nearly impossible. Speaking of food… may I?' he said, eyeing the bag in Yana's hand. She held it out to him, and he took a couple of the bright coloured balls, screwing up his face the moment he ate them. 'Ó můj bože, that is sour!' he exclaimed. A gloved hand suddenly reached over Yana's shoulder and grabbed a handful of sweets from the bag. Benjy and Leo sat down beside them, looking very pleased with their stolen stash. Their smiles disappeared the moment they scoffed them down.

'Ugh! What the heck, Yana?!' Leo spluttered.

'You're meant to suck on them, idiots.' Yana said smugly, downing another one. 'Serves you right.'

Benito marched to the blackboard and cleared his throat, commanding his teams' attention. He observed the seven players in front of him with a steely expression. 'Alright, everyone. We're here. We know what we've worked for and what we want. Its fair conditions outside, but the wind's strong going east. Sol, if you can, aim to play north-facing. Benjy, you shouldn't have too many distractions looking for the Snitch, long as Sol and Yana keep Jones and Grattan out of his way. In the meantime, Chasers, stay wide and use your peripherals, I've heard those girls have got tailgating down to a fine art. Confuse them, scramble them, do whatever you have to.'

'And make sure that Wilda doesn't go missing.' Leo added, prompting groans and chuckles from the others. Wilda had famously disappeared into thin air during her first Puddlemere match against her old club three years prior, thanks to a curse from Captain Gwenog Jones. Wands had pre-emptively been confiscated from the crowd that day due to anticipated tensions in the lead-up to the match.

'Yes, that too.' Benito said. 'I'll be watching from the coach's box, but I'll fly down for time-outs.' Benito adjusted his navy blue cap, then clapped his hands together loudly. 'Now let's fly! Who's in charge?!' he yelled.

'PUDDLEMERE!' the team shouted back.

'Who's in charge?!' Benito repeated.

'PUDDLEMERE!'

.

With renewed vigour, the seven players marched in single file through the tunnel under the stadium. Yana and Brodie settled into position side by side. 'You ready, kid?' he said gruffly.

Yana glanced up at him. 'Let's find out.' she said through her mouth-guard.

The two of them tapped their bats together and clapped each other on the back. Outside, they heard the commentator's booming baritone announce the opposition's entry onto the pitch.

'Ladies and gentle-wizards, please welcome the away team! Playing for the Holyhead Harpies today, we have: Abernathy, Garcia Fernandez, Giorgio, Grattan, Jones, Morgan, aaaaand Weasley!'

The crowd erupted into wild cheers as the seven women in gold flew around the stadium. The doors in front of them opened. It was time. Yana mounted her broom and followed her teammates into the cold blue sky.

'And now for the home team!' the commentator called. 'Here they are, Puddlemere United: Brodie, Griffiths, Kasakov, Madigan, Vaso, Williams, aaaaand Wood!'

After completing an entry circuit of the pitch, the Puddlemere players joined the Harpies down by the centre circle. On the grass sat a large rectangular crate, containing the four balls required for the game.

'And please put your hands together for the referee, Mister Woodrow Summerby, and assistant referees, Daryl Cavanaugh and Alessandro Scarpellini!' said the commentator. From her position, Yana spotted Ginny Weasley, looking determined and poised amongst her teammates. Holyhead won the coin toss, and Gwenog Jones and Brodie shook hands with each other and the referees before flying back to their respective teams. Summerby gazed sternly at the all the players.

'I want a clean game, everyone. Good luck.'

With a flick of his wand, the crate opened, launching the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch. Summerby blew his whistle and threw the Quaffle upwards, beginning the match.

.

'And it's Abernathy of Holyhead in possession from the get-go, flying up the pitch, closely followed by Madigan and Kazakov of Puddlemere. Abernathy passes to Ginny Weasley, in her professional debut. Weasley takes an overhead pass to Vai Morgan, stolen by Madigan, who reverse throws to Griffiths. Wilda Griffiths gaining speed on her old club, dodges a Bludger from Jones, and it was only a matter of time before we saw another confrontation between those two!' chuckled the commentator. 'Griffiths to Kazakov and- no! Stolen by Vai Morgan! Approaches the scoring area… she shoots- no, side-passes to Abernathy… GOAL! Gillian Abernathy bypasses Keeper Wood to score for Holyhead in the first two minutes! Ten-nil to the Harpies!'

Yana glanced up at Oliver, who looked completely shocked that he'd been beaten so early.

'Get your game-face on, Wood! Don't let her bother you!' Brodie shouted at him as he flew past.

Play continued at lightning speed, with Holyhead's Chasers scoring another goal within five minutes. There was still no sign of the Golden Snitch, Benjy doing his best to keep out of everyone else's way as he hunted for it. And wherever he went, Holyhead's Seeker, Bettina Giorgio, tailed and circled him like a hawk.

Yana back-handed a Bludger towards Gabriela Garcia Fernandez, the Holyhead Keeper, but was it was knocked back by their Beater Sally Grattan, who'd anticipated the move. Grimacing, Yana flew over to Brodie.

'Sol! We've got to target the Keeper and Chasers!'

He nodded in agreement. 'You take the Chasers, I'll go-between!' he called back, urging her forward as Ginny Weasley took possession of the Quaffle.

'Here!' Yana called, waving her bat. She waited for him to fly on Ginny's left and block her path with a Bludger. Brodie swung his bat, sending the Bludger in front of Ginny, who ducked just in time for it to fly over her head. But she didn't see Yana come up on her right and return the Bludger her way. She yelped in surprise and dropped the Quaffle, which was swiftly picked up by Leo, who shot off towards the scoring area.

'Weasley loses the Quaffle, and it's taken by Madigan! Some smart tactics there from the Puddlemere Beaters! Brodie and Vaso proving they are a pair to be reckoned with!' The commentator called. 'Yana Vaso debuting for United after four stellar seasons with the Arrows, and she's certainly living up to her vicious reputation once again! And it's Madigan to Kasakov, back to Madigan, dodges a Bludger from Grattan, low pass to Griffiths approaching Garcia Fernandez- GRIFFITHS SCORES!'

The fans in blue erupted into frenzied cheers and waved their flags while the scoreboard flickered to read THIRTY-TEN. Yana did a loop and tapped bats with Brodie, while Wilda punched the air in celebration. Suddenly, she halted mid-air.

'Yana, move!' Wilda shouted. Yana turned, but too late.

WHAM! A Bludger thumped into the small of her back, sending her face-first into her broom. Winded, Yana gasped for air and wiped her bleeding nose on her sleeve, thankful that her mouth-guard spared her any further damage. Brodie managed to beat the Bludger away again, and rushed to stop Yana falling off her broom.

'FOUL!' the fans jeered, waiting for Summerby to call a penalty. But the whistle never came. In the chaos, there was a loud roar of celebration from the Harpies fans, and the scoreboard flickered again.

'And Weasley scores in her debut match! Right under the nose of Wood! That is some stark retribution right there! Forty to ten, with Holyhead still in the lead.'

The Puddlemere fans booed, calling again for a foul. The whistle blew for a time-out, and a couple of medi-wizards flew onto the pitch and escorted Yana down to the grass to fix her nose. Meanwhile, Brodie furiously exchanged words with the referees, shaking his head in frustration, and eventually flew back to the rest of the Puddlemere team, who were hovering in a huddle. Benito had joined them and was talking to them sternly.

'No free shot for United after that blistering blow from Gwenog Jones.' said the commentator. 'Summerby seems resolute, and the fans aren't happy! What an action-packed match so far! And only thirty-five minutes in!'

After Summerby checked with the medi-wizards that they'd finished with Yana, he blew his whistle and tossed the Quaffle up again.

.

Whether it was the attack on Yana or Benito's pep talk, something had stirred in the other Puddlemere players, each of their faces more determined as they flew. Leo grabbed the Quaffle again, and their squad tightened in formation around him. Yana, recognising the move as a power play, hurried to join the pack. It worked. Andrei broke free with the Quaffle as they approached the scoring area and landed an easy goal, bringing the score up to forty-twenty, only two goals behind. And within ten minutes, Wilda had scored another goal, giving their team, and its fans, a much-needed confidence boost.

But Holyhead weren't done. Gwenog Jones and Sally Grattan's Beater tactics grew increasingly aggressive, twice attempting to knock Wilda off her broom, and damaging the tail of Leo's broom when he failed to dodge in time. Benjy was looking increasingly agitated as he struggled to shake Giorgio away with repeated dives. As Vai Morgan crossed the scoring area, Oliver braced for the throw, when he was suddenly thrown from his broom by a well-timed Bludger from Gwenog Jones. He fell several metres before he was caught by Leo and Andrei, who were shouting with urgency to the referees. The whistle blew for a time-out, and everyone stopped where they were. Even the crowd had quietened.

Yana spotted Brodie waving her down to the ground. She landed on the grass and huddled with the rest of her team. Benito appeared with a pop, rushing to Oliver as the medi-wizards stretchered him away. He ran over to them a few minutes later.

'How is he?' said Andrei.

'Is he coming back on?' Wilda asked.

Benito shook his head, looking grim. 'I don't think so. He's conscious, but the Bludger got his ribs. They've got to check he hasn't punctured a lung.'

'What're we gonna do with no Keeper?' said Leo.

Benito pulled out his notepad and pencil, and examined it for a moment. 'Andrei and Yana, take turns on our goal end to keep the hoops. Andrei can still pass between Wilda and Leo, but we need a solid defence, we're already being flattened as it is. Think you can do that?'

Yana's stomach lurched. She'd practiced defensive moves before, but nowhere near Oliver's skill level. And she had the disadvantage of a bat in her hand, whereas Andrei had both hands free to catch and balance on his broom.

'Are you sure?' said Yana uncertainly.

Benito sighed. 'We don't have much of a choice right now. We need at least two Chasers to have any chance of scoring until Benjy sees the Snitch. And if he does, ignore everything I just said do whatever you can to clear his path. It's our best way out right now.' said Benito, putting a hand on Benjy's shoulder.

Summerby flew over and hovered above them. 'Ready to resume?'

Brodie gave him a thumbs up, and turned to his remaining five players. 'We good?' The others nodded, and Benito wished them luck before disapparating back to the stands.

.

Wilda was handed the Quaffle to take a free shot from Holyhead's foul, and cleared it past the Keeper with ease. It was now forty-all.

'Weasley to Morgan, back to Weasley, avoids a Bludger from Brodie, passes to Morgan, down to Abernathy, she ducks an attempted block from Madigan. Abernathy to Morgan, too fast for Griffiths. She's taking the shot!' cried the commentator.

Instinctively, Yana swung for the Quaffle and beat it away with her bat, groaning the instant she realised her mistake.

'Foul to Vaso for illegal use of bat. Summerby awards a free shot for goal to Holyhead. Penalty to be taken by Gillian Abernathy.' announced the commentator.

Yana and Andrei looked to each other with uncertainty. Technically, neither of them were allowed to block the shot, and so, they reluctantly flew out of the scoring area and hovered anxiously with the rest of their team.

'Abernathy approaches the scoring zone, and too easy, secures the goal! Fifty-forty to the Harpies!'

It was coming up to an hour of play, and any hopes Puddlemere had of keeping the scores even, were quickly dashed. Without Oliver to guard the posts, Holyhead bagged another three goals in quick succession.

'EIGHTY-FOURTY TO THE HARPIES! Those ladies are smashing this one out of the water!' cried the commentator. 'United's got some work to do if they- wait a second!'

There was an excited buzz from the crowd, many of whom were pointing down towards the grass below. Benjy and Giorgio were pelting towards each other from opposite ends of the pitch, arms outstretched in pursuit of the Golden Snitch. Yana forced herself to look away so she could aim a Bludger in the path of Morgan. Suddenly, she heard the whistle blast three times, signalling the end of the match. Yana tensed. She hadn't seen which Seeker had made it first. She turned to look at the scoreboard and breathed a sigh of relief.

'WILLIAMS GETS THE SNITCH! IT'S GAME OVER!' the commentator declared over the roar of the crowd. 'Puddlemere United come back to snatch victory over the Holyhead Harpies, one-hundred and ninety to eighty!'

Punching the air, and tapping bats with Brodie once again, Yana joined her team in a victory lap around the pitch, soaking in the cheers (and boos) of the hundreds of fans.

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As soon as they made it back to the change-room, they mobbed Benjy in a celebratory scrum, high-fiving and hugging each other in a muddle of broomsticks. Benito was with them moments later, along with Lance McGovern and Darius Armstrong, the other coaches.

'Well done, everyone! Well fought!' Benito exclaimed, clapping them all on the back.

'How's Oliver?' asked Andrei.

'Sore, but no broken bones this time.' came the reply from Oliver, who walked stiffly towards them, with several bandages covering his bare torso. He was grinning widely. 'That was some save, Benjy. One your best yet.' he said to the Seeker.

'I'll say! Three cheers for Benjy! And three cheers for Puddlemere!' Leo shouted.

The atmosphere was euphoric. To Yana, it felt like they'd won the World Cup. The relief of making it through her first match with only a few minor mistakes was absolute bliss. The adrenaline of it all reminded her just how much she loved playing Quidditch.

'You know, Vaso.' Oliver murmured in her ear, 'I think that's the longest I've ever seen you smile. Don't let it break your face.'

Yana turned to him and punched his shoulder. 'Don't let me break yours.' she said, still smiling. At this rate, nothing could bring her down. Not even a sly remark from her Keeper.