Chapter Two: Love is in the Air
When they were first years, Fred and George had watched longingly from the stands of the Quidditch games. The summer before their second year, they spent most of their days and nights practicing their skills. They did the math. Most of last year's Quidditch players were on their 7th year, and would be leaving Hogwarts. Fred and George had their eye on the Beaters positions. For them, there was nothing more satisfying than belting a Bludger towards your opponent. Lee, on the other hand, found his thrill in the Quidditch play-by-play. They all had to admit that Lee had a knack for it.
For the first practice, they didn't know what to expect. They had heard rumors of this year's team captain, Oliver Wood. Some say that he's a crazy 4th year, bent on winning the Quidditch cup. Others say... Well actually, they all say that.
"Alright Gryffindors," Wood said as he paced back and forth on the Quidditch field. There were about 30 people trying out for that team, for all but one spot was taken. That, of course, was Wood's position as the team's Keeper. "Today you'll all be trying out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Seeing as how there's an overwhelming amount of you, I'd like to ask you to separate into your desired positions; Seekers here, Chasers to my right, and Beaters to my left."
There was a scurry of movement as students moved into their lines. Fred and George were alarmed to see that Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were trying out for the Chasers position. They exchanged looks, and after a while George gave Fred a wink and a nudge in the ribs.
"Shut up," Fred muttered, turning back to face Wood.
"Great," Wood said, checking the rows of players. "I'll be watching the Chasers play first. See how they handle themselves in the air. Beaters and Seekers are free to roam around, but make sure you're back by the time your positions are being tested." He mounted his broom with the Quaffle under his arm. "Alright Chasers, let's go!" And with that, he gave a kick off of his broom and charged into the air. Shortly followed by Chaser-hopefuls.
Fred and George, now joined by Lee, decided to stick around and watch. Fred, trying not to make it so obvious, kept his eye on Angelina. Though nothing to get past his twin. George nudged him again on his ribs. "Watching your dear 'Angel', are you brother?"
Fred ignored his remark and watched as Angelina scored yet another point. She and her friends were actually pretty good. They were scoring more than any of the other players, that's for sure.
Before they knew it, Wood had blown the whistle and the Chaser tryouts were over. Fred wasn't surprised when the three girls had made the cut. Yet another stream of squeals and giggles followed the news.
Next was the Seeker tryouts. Angelina, Alica, and Katie had stuck around to watch it. They sat to the boys' right. Every now and then, Fred would glance over at them. Sometimes he'd catch Angelina looking over as well. Those damn hormones, Fred thought, chuckling in his head.
The Seeker tryouts were over, and only 3 made the cut. It wasn't surprising, there were a very few who tried out for the position. Not that many people could handle the pressure anyways.
Fred quickly grabbed his broom, and followed his brother over to the center of the field where Wood waited. He could feel Angelina's eyes on him, making him even more nervous than he already was. There were 9 people trying out for the Beaters position. He hoped and prayed that George and him would get it. It just wouldn't be the same if only one of them got it. But he and George were the perfect Beaters. They communicated and played in total synchronization. You can't just have one without the other.
"Is this it?" Wood asked no one in particular. "Great," he said, though no one even answered him. He carefully let loose the rebellious Bludgers, and chased after them. Fred, almost forgetting what he was there for, followed suit.
Suddenly he wasn't so nervous anymore. It was just like it was at home. Just him, the sky, and those damn Bludgers. He gripped the 'mallet' firmly in his hand as one of the Bludgers made its way towards him. In a split-second, he gave the Bludger one good whack, sending it miles away where George was waiting for it.
Feeling like he had just started playing, Wood had blown his whistle and the tryouts were over. He was a bit sad when his feet touched solid ground. He and George waited in agony as Wood looked over the notes he'd been taking as they played.
"Alright," Wood said suddenly, shaking everyone out of their daze. "The Weasleys," he said, pausing shortly afterward. Fred's heart raced. Please please please please please!, he prayed in his mind. "You're our new Beaters. The rest, thank you for trying out."
With a few discouraged grumbling, everyone left, leaving Fred and George dumbfounded. They had no idea they'd get the positions right then and there. They looked at each other, a smile slowly forming on their mouths.
"YES!" they said aloud, raising their mallets in the air in victory. Lee had run up to them, figuring out that they got the positions and joined in on their celebration.
"Right," Wood said, walking away feeling kind of annoyed. He blew his whistle again, cutting the Weasleys' celebration short. "Seekers and Chasers who made the cut, please come out here!" Once everyone had gathered around, Wood began again. "Now, to determine who'll take the positions, we're going to play an actual game. You all should know now that our new Beaters are Fred and George Weasley."
Fred was about to correct him that he had pointed to the wrong twin when he called their names, but he was too happy to do so.
Wood had divided them into teams, and since there were only two Beaters, he let them play for whatever team they chose. To make things fun for them, they both chose to be on opposing teams. Fred, being on Angelina's.
The game was just as exciting as if it were a real one. Fred's heart was pounding with every beating of the Bludger. It actually seemed as if it was just him and George, playing that 'ping pong' game those muggles play. They seemed to know just exactly where the Bludger'd get hit to. It'd be freaky if Fred wasn't already used to it.
Around the middle of the game, George decided to be funny and he hit one Bludger towards Angelina, who was too busy chasing the Quaffle to notice. Fred raced towards her, but not before giving George a death look. George, on the other hand, merely smirked. Fred knew it would be too late if he were to hit the Bludger, and he'd probably hurt Angelina in the process, so instead he tackled her in the air, pushing her out of the Bludger's way. She was caught by surprise and let out a little yell but Fred had no time to explain for the Bludger seemed to be pissed at him for getting in the way and rushed towards him. Fred, though, was ready for it and sent the Bludger spiraling towards the ground.
Fred, smiling at his triumph, took this time to wipe the sweat that was flooding his forehead. He caught Angelina in the corner of his eye. She was blushing. Which made him blush as well. Though he was probably redder than she was.
He quickly shook her out of his mind, though, for he had a game to play. And teammates to save. With a look of determination, and a hint of glee, he raced towards another Bludger.
When they were first years, Fred and George had watched longingly from the stands of the Quidditch games. The summer before their second year, they spent most of their days and nights practicing their skills. They did the math. Most of last year's Quidditch players were on their 7th year, and would be leaving Hogwarts. Fred and George had their eye on the Beaters positions. For them, there was nothing more satisfying than belting a Bludger towards your opponent. Lee, on the other hand, found his thrill in the Quidditch play-by-play. They all had to admit that Lee had a knack for it.
For the first practice, they didn't know what to expect. They had heard rumors of this year's team captain, Oliver Wood. Some say that he's a crazy 4th year, bent on winning the Quidditch cup. Others say... Well actually, they all say that.
"Alright Gryffindors," Wood said as he paced back and forth on the Quidditch field. There were about 30 people trying out for that team, for all but one spot was taken. That, of course, was Wood's position as the team's Keeper. "Today you'll all be trying out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Seeing as how there's an overwhelming amount of you, I'd like to ask you to separate into your desired positions; Seekers here, Chasers to my right, and Beaters to my left."
There was a scurry of movement as students moved into their lines. Fred and George were alarmed to see that Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were trying out for the Chasers position. They exchanged looks, and after a while George gave Fred a wink and a nudge in the ribs.
"Shut up," Fred muttered, turning back to face Wood.
"Great," Wood said, checking the rows of players. "I'll be watching the Chasers play first. See how they handle themselves in the air. Beaters and Seekers are free to roam around, but make sure you're back by the time your positions are being tested." He mounted his broom with the Quaffle under his arm. "Alright Chasers, let's go!" And with that, he gave a kick off of his broom and charged into the air. Shortly followed by Chaser-hopefuls.
Fred and George, now joined by Lee, decided to stick around and watch. Fred, trying not to make it so obvious, kept his eye on Angelina. Though nothing to get past his twin. George nudged him again on his ribs. "Watching your dear 'Angel', are you brother?"
Fred ignored his remark and watched as Angelina scored yet another point. She and her friends were actually pretty good. They were scoring more than any of the other players, that's for sure.
Before they knew it, Wood had blown the whistle and the Chaser tryouts were over. Fred wasn't surprised when the three girls had made the cut. Yet another stream of squeals and giggles followed the news.
Next was the Seeker tryouts. Angelina, Alica, and Katie had stuck around to watch it. They sat to the boys' right. Every now and then, Fred would glance over at them. Sometimes he'd catch Angelina looking over as well. Those damn hormones, Fred thought, chuckling in his head.
The Seeker tryouts were over, and only 3 made the cut. It wasn't surprising, there were a very few who tried out for the position. Not that many people could handle the pressure anyways.
Fred quickly grabbed his broom, and followed his brother over to the center of the field where Wood waited. He could feel Angelina's eyes on him, making him even more nervous than he already was. There were 9 people trying out for the Beaters position. He hoped and prayed that George and him would get it. It just wouldn't be the same if only one of them got it. But he and George were the perfect Beaters. They communicated and played in total synchronization. You can't just have one without the other.
"Is this it?" Wood asked no one in particular. "Great," he said, though no one even answered him. He carefully let loose the rebellious Bludgers, and chased after them. Fred, almost forgetting what he was there for, followed suit.
Suddenly he wasn't so nervous anymore. It was just like it was at home. Just him, the sky, and those damn Bludgers. He gripped the 'mallet' firmly in his hand as one of the Bludgers made its way towards him. In a split-second, he gave the Bludger one good whack, sending it miles away where George was waiting for it.
Feeling like he had just started playing, Wood had blown his whistle and the tryouts were over. He was a bit sad when his feet touched solid ground. He and George waited in agony as Wood looked over the notes he'd been taking as they played.
"Alright," Wood said suddenly, shaking everyone out of their daze. "The Weasleys," he said, pausing shortly afterward. Fred's heart raced. Please please please please please!, he prayed in his mind. "You're our new Beaters. The rest, thank you for trying out."
With a few discouraged grumbling, everyone left, leaving Fred and George dumbfounded. They had no idea they'd get the positions right then and there. They looked at each other, a smile slowly forming on their mouths.
"YES!" they said aloud, raising their mallets in the air in victory. Lee had run up to them, figuring out that they got the positions and joined in on their celebration.
"Right," Wood said, walking away feeling kind of annoyed. He blew his whistle again, cutting the Weasleys' celebration short. "Seekers and Chasers who made the cut, please come out here!" Once everyone had gathered around, Wood began again. "Now, to determine who'll take the positions, we're going to play an actual game. You all should know now that our new Beaters are Fred and George Weasley."
Fred was about to correct him that he had pointed to the wrong twin when he called their names, but he was too happy to do so.
Wood had divided them into teams, and since there were only two Beaters, he let them play for whatever team they chose. To make things fun for them, they both chose to be on opposing teams. Fred, being on Angelina's.
The game was just as exciting as if it were a real one. Fred's heart was pounding with every beating of the Bludger. It actually seemed as if it was just him and George, playing that 'ping pong' game those muggles play. They seemed to know just exactly where the Bludger'd get hit to. It'd be freaky if Fred wasn't already used to it.
Around the middle of the game, George decided to be funny and he hit one Bludger towards Angelina, who was too busy chasing the Quaffle to notice. Fred raced towards her, but not before giving George a death look. George, on the other hand, merely smirked. Fred knew it would be too late if he were to hit the Bludger, and he'd probably hurt Angelina in the process, so instead he tackled her in the air, pushing her out of the Bludger's way. She was caught by surprise and let out a little yell but Fred had no time to explain for the Bludger seemed to be pissed at him for getting in the way and rushed towards him. Fred, though, was ready for it and sent the Bludger spiraling towards the ground.
Fred, smiling at his triumph, took this time to wipe the sweat that was flooding his forehead. He caught Angelina in the corner of his eye. She was blushing. Which made him blush as well. Though he was probably redder than she was.
He quickly shook her out of his mind, though, for he had a game to play. And teammates to save. With a look of determination, and a hint of glee, he raced towards another Bludger.