Author's Note: Hello, here I am again, starting up yet another fic. If any of the names in here are familiar it's because I was inspired to write this while playing Hary Potter: Quidditch World Cup so I stole almost a whole team. Well, I hope you enjoy 'Love and Quidditch' (Terrible name, I know.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any charaters, places, or things that are mentioned in the books and/or movies - they belong to JKR. I also don't own a number of the American Side .. they belong to EA Games.
Chapter 1 - And So It Begins
Oliver Wood stood when the receptionist called his name. She showed him to the lavish corner office of one, Baxter Everett, Chairperson of the International Quidditch Association. A squat man; old, fat and balding, but with bright blue eyes that could warm a cold room. He stood and waddled around his desk as Oliver entered and grasped his hand firmly.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Everett." Oliver said formally, with a smile that didn't quite touch his eyes.
"Ahh . . Don't be silly the pleasure's mine!" Mr. Everett exclaimed and motioned for Oliver to take a chair in front of the desk.
Oliver sat and Mr. Everett paced back and forth behind his desk.
"I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Wood. Not just about your courageous acts during the war, but also about your skill on the Quidditch Pitch," he paused to study Oliver, "As you know, the war is over . . . and we're trying to rebuild this society; make it good as new. We've all got to move on as a whole; got to try and remember that we don't have to watch our backs for Death Eaters anymore, that we have a new day ahead of us."
"I agree, but what does this have to do with me personally?" Oliver asked.
"Well, I had a talk with the Minister the other day . . . and he thinks it's best we give the English Wizarding World something to take their minds off of the gloom of the war . . . ." Mr. Everett trailed off expectantly.
"I still don't see what this has to do with me." Oliver stated.
"Quidditch, lad! We're going to give them Quidditch back! The English International Side! Minister Weasley asked me to do him a favor and get the team off the ground, but he recommended you to captain the team. He said he couldn't think of anyone better. Tell you the truth neither could I; I saw you play while you were on Puddlemere, you were only eighteen then. I know you can make a team for me, there's still time before the season starts; it's only August, you know. So, what do you say, lad?"
"I'll do it."
Mr. Everett beamed, "I knew you would. You've got two weeks to find me as many players as you can. I'll take care of the rest, if need be."
Darena Alden soared past the visitor's goals for the fiftieth time, marking the end of her laps. She laughed as she did a loop and dove back to the ground to wait for the rest of the team. Darena was a Chaser for the American International Side, and at the age of twenty-three, just beginning her sixth year on the team. She was tall compared to other women, yet still shorter than most men, with a lithe build broken by soft curves. She put a hand over her hazel eyes to block the midday sun as she looked to the sky to watch her teammates. There was a slight wind, but it didn't bother her; her brown hair was pulled into a messy bun.
Darena didn't have to wait long, hovering just above the ground, she was soon joined by Roxy Singleton, the Seeker and only other girl on the team. She was short and slim, the perfect Seeker's build, with blue eyes, fair skin and short red hair that rivaled the accepted definition of 'carrot-top'. She was twenty, in her third year as a professional Seeker. Before Roxy could even take a breath, Gianni Feydilay, a Chaser, and Jase Hart, a Beater, landed on either side of her. Gianni was taller than most men, with shaggy black hair, brown eyes, and the littlest bit of hair on his chin. He had gotten on the team the same year as Darena, yet he was twenty-two; having been pulled out of school to play at seventeen. Jase Hart was quite a good looking boy, sandy blonde hair long enough to brush his green eyes. Jase was nineteen, going into his second year with the American Side, being the baby of the team, he was the one the others had to watch out for.
A few moments later, the four who were hovering were nearly knocked off their brooms by Robert Green, Chaser, Kaden Dash, Keeper, and Carl Anderson, Beater. Robert just matched Gianni in height, the only hair he had was a black goatee and eyebrows, one of which was pierced, and steely gray eyes that complimented his darker skin. Rob was the oldest on the team, twenty-five, going on eight years and the Captain. Kaden was relatively short for a twenty-one year old man. He had blonde hair and brown eyes. He was four years on the team, but a very experienced Keeper and brilliant play-maker, therefore Co-Captain. Carl Anderson was average height with broad shoulders, which gave him an impressive figure. He had close cut brown hair, dark skin and stormy blue eyes.
"You know, Rob, being the Captain means you're supposed to be responsible!" Roxy shouted as he banked a turn and flew over to hover with them.
"That includes trying to keep your players safe, not trying to kill them!" Jase laughed.
"Really, with any one of us missing, the team would be screwed. Honestly, who could take my place?" Darena asked jokingly.
"Honestly, Rena, anyone who could catch a Quaffle." Rob said sarcastically.
She laughed, "Well thank you, Captain Bob Zwamey, for that confidence boost!"
". . . . . I hate that nickname." he muttered.
"Right kids, we have a practice to get on with." Gianni yawned, throwing the Quaffle at Roxy's head.
Her Seeker reflexes kicked in and she snatched it out of the air. Contemplating it for a minute, she pelted it at Carl, who was hit in mid speech.
They all laughed and flew away with a flourish.
The next morning found a very impatient Oliver Wood outside a conspicuously clattering house in Hogsmeade. He knocked again. And was finally met by a soot covered redhead.
"Fred - "
"Oliver!" he interrupted, "Didn't think I'd see you around so soon after . . . so soon after your last visit."
Oliver visibly tensed at Fred's slip, but conflict was avoided when George clamoring over to see what was keeping his brother.
"Oliver!" George exclaimed, "Come in, come in. Sorry my idiot of a twin kept you out here. Mind your step though."
Fred gave George and indignant glare. "Anyway, Wood. What brings you here?"
"How would you two like to play Quidditch for the English International Side?" Oliver asked quickly making a space on the couch and sitting.
They looked at each other and laughed until the tears rolled down their cheeks and Fred rolled of the couch.
"Wood . . . oh Wood," George sighed, wiping tears from his eyes, "We were the pranksters of our lot, but that was one of the most absurd things I've ever heard."
"George is right; that's absolutely ridicul-oh. You're serious. Well, we can't just leave the bloody shop to run itself."
The shop being the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The twins had proved themselves to be ingenious inventors during the war and had become quite successful now.
"You can leave it to someone, can't you?" Oliver asked.
They looked at each other again, seemingly talking to each other without words the way only twins can.
"What's going on, Oliver. We thought you gave Quidditch up for good." Fred said, eyeing him.
"Your father recommended me to Captain the English International Side. They want to get us back into the running; figure it'll help people move on. I've got to build a team in two weeks and you two are the best bloody beaters I know." he explained.
Fred was opening his mouth to say something, when George grabbed his arm and pulled him a few feet away saying: "Excuse us for a moment, will you?"
"What are you on about, George?"
"I want to know what you think we should do." he replied seriously.
"I think we should do it. We can get Ginny to run the shop; she's there enough and she's just as good as us when it comes to inventing." Fred said, just as seriously.
"Excellent, 'cause that's what I was thinking. I was also thinking about when we should start planning to wreak a little havoc - "
Oliver coughed loudly. 'Do the dolts really think I can't hear them?'
"I think he can hear us." George whispered.
"Well, what an observation! I never would have known if it wasn't for you, my clairvoyant counterpart!" Fred said sarcastically.
Oliver rolled his eyes, "So, what would you rather be doing: rotting in some shop or playing Quidditch?"
The answer was unanimous. - "Quidditch!"
"Who else have you got in mind?" George asked.
"Harry won't do it." Fred supplied. "Too busy being an Auror."
"And Alicia can't." George added with a look that said 'don't even think about it.'
There were a few happy occasions during the war. One of them being Alicia Spinnet becoming Alicia Weasley. And now she was pregnant with her and George's first child. Which George claimed would be the first of many. Alicia claimed it would be first and last.
"I was thinking of Angelina." Oliver said.
"I think she'd do it, but that's only one Chaser . . . two more. You can't even have most of the old Gryffindor team since Katie -"
George cut his twin off with a glare. "Oh, right." Fred said sheepishly, "Go on then, who else?"
"You two Beating, me Keeping, Cho Chang Seeking, Angelina and Roger Davies Chasing. That's who else." Oliver said with effort to keep his voice civil.
"You need another Chaser." Fred said meekly.
"None of the old Hufflepuff Chasers will do it and I'm not asking any Slytherins." Oliver said decidedly, "Mr. Everett is just going to have to take care of it."
Baxter Everett was a careful man, caring, but careful. He never did anything hastily and he always considered all his options before making a decision, lest he should hurt anyone. When Arthur Weasley, British Minister of Magic, came to him for help it was all he could do to say yes. Now, he was in a predicament. That Wood boy had only been able to find six players. Six was no good when you needed seven; he had to make a deal with another international team. And Merlin knew it was a rarity if those ever went over well.
He had chosen to approach his native America. They would be the most understanding and most cooperative, he was sure. He had always been very good to them. Just short of playing them his favorite, and he knew the rest of the I.Q.A didn't like it. He sighed, quietly resigning himself to what he was going to do, and strode out onto the pitch. The pitch was where the golden team spent most of their time. Practicing. 'They're so committed to each other.' He squashed the thought. Thoughts like that weren't good when one was going to break up a team.
Robert Green brought his broom to a halt high above the pitch to survey his team. Carl and Jase were doing laps low to the ground, hitting both Bludgers back and forth seamlessly. Kaden, Gianni, and Darena monopolized the middle of the field, going on with their drills without him for the moment. Roxy was just above them and just below him, letting the Snitch get a head start and then chasing after it and snatching it back.
He smiled to himself. 'This is perfection.' He had achieved Quidditch nirvana with this team, they were flawless, fast, and absolutely unbeatable together. They dominated last season, and they would again this season. Nothing could break them now, this was their chance to create a legacy. He smiled again and dove back to join in the drills.
"Bax!" Roxy cried and ran over to him, flinging her arms around his neck.
"Hello, Roxy." he laughed.
She let him go, smiling and laughing; Roxy had always found the old man amusing. Carl and Jase had gone to put the gear away, Rob, Gianni, Kaden, and Darena were exchanging warm hello's with him as they all moved towards the locker rooms. Upon reaching them and rejoining the others, Mr. Everett sat them all down.
"I suppose I should tell you the reason for my visit." he began pacing back and forth in front of them.
He hesitated, pausing to look at all of them. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to make a deal with this team. He knew they'd do whatever he asked; they owed him that much. Yet, he still couldn't bring himself to break them up. He was about to simply commend them and tell them that England was getting a team together again and leave, perhaps the French would be reasonable . . .
"Well . . . I hope you didn't come here just to pace and tell us that you think you should tell us why you're here. That would be a pretty pointless reason to be here." Carl laughed.
"Right, right. But, unfortunately that's not it." he sighed, "England is getting a team together again . . . to try and make the populace move on and put the war behind them."
"Okay, that's great for them; it's about time they start moving on, I mean it was a terrible thing, but they've got to get over it now. Though, I'd like to know what it has to do with us?" Darena asked.
"They only have six players." he blurted, taking a second to compose himself, "They're missing a Chaser. . ."
Robert stood and turned his back on them all, "You want one of us."
It wasn't a question. He sighed and turned back around, looking Mr. Everett straight in the eye. The team sat in silence, all of the studying the floor except Darena. She was watching Robert intently.
He looked away for a second, and then took a step forward, "I'll go."
That caused a start from the team. It caused a start from Mr. Everett too, but Darena beat them all to it, jumping up and striding over to Rob to stand defiantly in front of him.
"You can't go, Rob. You're the Captain. Being Captain means you're supposed to be responsible," she said with a half-hearted smile, "Not running off to join some other team as soon as you hear about it. I'll go instead. You all won't have to worry about it then; anyone who can catch a Quaffle can replace me."
"Merlin, I didn't mean it!" Rob growled.
Gianni stalked to where she was standing and shook her, not hard, but he shook her, "God dammit, Rena! What's the matter with you?! We need you! No one can do what you do! Rob and I need you, no one can do what we do together!"
"I need you," Roxy added, "You can't leave me alone with them!" She motioned to the rest of the team.
"If you leave I have no one to get me out of trouble after matches." Jase smirked.
"Basically, we're not letting you go anywhere, Rena. That's that. Plus the fact, it would screw up every play I designed for you guys." Kaden said with a wink.
Darena sighed, "I want to stay, I really do. I'd never leave you guys willingly; you're like my family. But, Baxter came to us because he knew we'd do what's right. And after all he's done for us, the least we can do is cooperate with him."
"For once, she is right." Carl admitted.
"Fine. We give Rena to England, who do we get? What's in it for us?" Rob said angrily.
"Th-the I.Q.A is bringing up a new Chaser, Debbie Muntz. First draft, she's a prime pick. I'll make sure you get her." Mr. Everett stammered.
"See, this won't even upset the balance." Darena said with an attempt at cheerfulness, "Well, unbalance, actually. You'll still have another girl, Roxy. Don't let them get on her case too much."
Without a word Roxy flung her arms around Darena's neck, sobbing "Don't go, Ren. Don't go." over and over again.