Chapter 4
Wood hopped out of bed at six in the morning and rolled Fred and George out of their own beds. He was surprised to find that Harry was already awake in the common room, reading. He did his usual yelling up the stairs to the girls and soon enough the barely alive Quidditch team was assembled in a crooked line.
Angelina and Alicia were trying to keep one another awake while Fred had already fallen asleep leaning on George. Wood stalked around them and tried to give a rousing speech to pump everyone's spirits but it obviously wasn't working and those still sleeping were getting very exasperated.
Wood marched everyone out onto the field and checked everyone's brooms then kicked off the ground and hovered before them. As soon as everyone was in their places they were pressured to star manning the field. Luckily the cool dewy breeze against their faces awoke them from their nights' sleep.
"Alright, now George and Fred I'm going to throw the bludgers out now, so be prepared."
"Yes captain, my captain." Fred saluted amused.
Wood rolled his eyes and hit the heavy dark balls up into the sunlight sky. He then set off the snitch for Harry and then proceeded to challenge his chasers to try to get past him.
Katie came at him first and tightly came in on his left side, just missing the golden hoop by an inch. Wood chuckled and then readied himself for Alicia who had an irrational look upon her face. Wood wondered for a moment if she wasn't trying to just toss the quaffle and hit his head. She did get quite angry when she hadn't had enough sleep.
Alicia jet herself towards Wood and escaped him. She threw the quaffle in the hoop while Harry screamed out that she got ten pints. Alicia grinned and Wood frowned, disappointed that she had gotten the better of him.
"Well that's one for the team, and zero for the captain!" George called out.
Everyone was laughing, with the exception of Wood and didn't notice that a bludger was heading right towards Alicia's spine. George was so proud of his joke that he wasn't watching until it was too late.
"Alicia, duck!" George screamed.
Alicia turned her face just as the bludger slammed into her backside. Alicia's raven hair twirled all around her as she fell to the ground. Harry whipped past the others and caught Alicia just before she hit the uninviting dirt.
Fleur and Hermione entered the Great Hall and took seats at the long mahogany table. Hermione started to eat her porridge immediately, but Fleur just stared at the foreign cuisine.
"What's the matter, don't you like food?" Hermione questioned.
"Yez, but I have never eaten zis fried pig's meat before." Fleur responded poking at the bacon with her fork.
"Oh, you'll get used to it all, its very good."
Fleur smiled but felt a little sick inside at the sight of some of the items placed before them, especially the runny eggs. Her thoughts were interrupted though as Ron and Percy came and sat across from the girls.
"Good morning Fleur." Percy said with a broad smile.
Fleur nodded to him and returned the smile flashing her perfect grin. Ron became engrossed with her until his concentration was broken by Harry. Harry heaved himself in a seat next to Ron still clad in his Quidditch attire.
"What are you doing in here like that?" Ron asked.
"You won't believe what happened. We
were practicing outside this morning and George made this joke, and naturally
we all laughed until Alicia…"
"What?" Hermione cut in.
"Until Alicia was hit by a bludger." Harry finished with his green eyes wincing.
Fleur and Hermione gasped as Percy started to get up from the table.
"Maybe I should go check to see what's going on." Percy declared.
"Oh I can tell you that, she is in hospital…and will have to sit out the entire Quidditch season. Madame Pomfrey says Alicia can't risk being put out there again."
"I would hate to see the look on Wood's face when he finds out." Ron added.
"He's still out on the field racking his brains on who could replace her. Well…not replace her for good, I mean Wood cares about her too much to replace her."
"I could do it!" Ron piped in.
"Ron, you can't even control a broom." Hermione offered.
"I…" Ron started, but then stopped as Fleur picked herself up from the table.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"Don't vorry, I'll be back zoon." Fleur spoke with a smirk and then trotted off.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Percy all looked at each other for a moment. Then they all scrambled from the table at the same time to follow Fleur. They had a feeling this was going to be something not to miss.
Fleur spotted Wood nervously ruffling his hair sitting against a Quidditch post. He was mumbling to himself and then noticed a shadow drawing near. He looked up into Fleur's face and sighed.
"What do you need?" He asked nonchalantly.
"I vant to help you."
"Oh and why would I need you help?"
"You're zort one player, I can take her place."
"You?" Wood cackled.
"Yez me, do I need to try out?"
"Will it please you if I let you try? Will you leave me after?"
"Only if you're unimpressed." Fleur shot back and placed her hands on her hips.
By this time the other four arrived and came just in time for the showdown. Percy stamped over to Wood and Fleur and set Fleur aside.
"What are you two up to? Wood if you are badgering her again…"
"Actually it's quite the opposite Percy." Wood replied as he met Fleur's eyes.
"May I borrow your broom?" Fleur asked Wood politely.
"Oh why not." Wood spoke and handed her the beaten old broom.
Fleur pushed a piece of shinning hair from her face and then carefully mounted the broom. She made herself comfortable as everyone watched with curiosity.
"Fleur, that's not safe." Percy said.
"It's okay Percy, just watch."
Fleur nodded to all of them then kicked off the ground and zipped off into the air more quickly then anyone Wood had ever seen. He just scoffed though and watched her zoom above their heads.
"Anyone can do that, what else do you do?" Wood hollered.
Fleur smirked again and zoomed off even higher then slowly pushed herself up and balanced herself standing on the broom. She rode this way for a moment enjoying the looks of awe below. Then she sat herself down again and did a flip, keeping herself attached to the broom. After that she came back to the ground for a smooth landing.
"That might not have been my best, but vhat vere you saying?" Fleur breathed out catching her breath.
"I think that…uh…"Wood spoke dumbfounded.
"You need to be on the tem! Wood she would win us the cup this year! Can't you see it?" Ron blurted out.
"Zank you Ron." Fleur said appreciatively.
"Well I guess you could fill in…" Wood stammered.
"You von't regret it Oliver." Fleur spoke returning his broom.
"Hey just call me Wood alright?"
Fleur just took a backwards glance at him and smiled as she walked off towards the castle.
"Alright Oliver."
Ron laughed as well as Hermione and Harry. Wood just ruffled his dark hair and then looked from his broom to the open sky. What had he gotten himself into now?
