Disclaimer: I'll own HP&THBP in 10 days, but until then I don't own much other than the characters you've never heard of.
Somewhere near the Quidditch pitch shortly after three o'clock
Charlie looked around, a confused look on his freckled face.
"Where is she?" he asked to no one in particular.
Down the Charms corridor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the same time
"Shit shit shit shit shit. I am so dead." Kayla muttered, running down the corridor, black robes blowing out behind her as she went, broomstick in hand. She took the stairs two at a time, desperately hoping that the staircases didn't choose that moment to switch. Finally, she was at the main doors of the school and all that was left was to bolt down to the Quidditch pitch.
By the pitch
Charlie breathed a sigh of relief as he spotted Kayla sprinting in the direction of the congregated Quidditch players. She skidded to a stop by them, breathing heavily. She stripped off her heavy robes, opting for only a white shirt, tie, and black slacks.
"Okay," she panted, rolling up her sleeves, "Sorry I'm late. Had a minor misunderstanding about something with Professor Flitwick that involved a bag of Dungbombs that I didn't leave there. Anyway, I'm here now, so let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
Charlie rolled his eyes in response, but climbed on his broom and began to take off.
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa!" Kayla stated, "And exactly what do you think you're doing?"
"Um, playing Quidditch?"
"No. Wrong answer. You are now going to help me organize these maggots into groups according to position. Then we can play Quidditch."
Charlie mumbled something incoherently under his breath, which Kayla chose to ignore. They sorted the tryout-ees into individual positions, sticking a senior player or two (depending on what was available) with the new players. The results were either forlorn or entertaining; Kayla wasn't sure which.
Two lone students stood in the Keeper group (Oliver and some other kid Kayla didn't know). Since the former Gryffindor Keeper had graduated the previous spring, there was no senior player in the group. To compensate, Kayla put one of the the older Chasers, her seventh year companion Christine "Pindi" Pindir, in to supervise.
Five people were in the Beater group, including the sole remaining senior, sixth year Shane West. Kayla recognized one of the potentials as Shane's younger brother, Matt. If what Shane said was true, then the tryouts for that position would be basically unnecessary. However, there were three other people that deserved a chance, which meant at least another half hour of Kayla's time.
Charlie, being the only Seeker, stood alone. After a moment of pondering, he joined the other two Chasers, fourth year Mark Tokarz and Kayla, in a vain attempt to not look pathetic.
Once everyone was in their designated group, Kayla began describing the process that would ensue.
"All right, so first we're going to work in groups determined by what position you play. The players already on the team will report back to me as to what your individual level of play is. Later, we're going to play a mock game, so I can see what you're like actually on the field. Or in the air, as the case may be. I'll be rotating around the groups, so if you have any questions, you can ask me either then or now. Any questions?" Silence was the response. "All righty then. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
With that, the groups went off in their separate directions. Kayla and Mark wandered around from group to group, observing the progress or the lack thereof. When they got to the Keeper group, Kayla pulled Pindi aside.
"So," she started, "How're they doing?"
Pindi cast a skeptical gaze around the mini group before responding.
"I dunno. They seem enthusiastic enough, but I don't think either one of them can match Kevin's play level."
Kayla sighed.
"Yeah, well, we knew when Kevin left that we would be in for hell trying to replace him. It's not my fault that I know how to pick the best."
Both girls smiled before resuming their solemn mood.
"So, are we totally screwed?"
Pindi shook her head.
"I don't think so. That Oliver kid seems like he could do well, given the proper training. We could whip 'em into shape in no time flat."
Kayla raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"You think?"
Pindi nodded.
"Okay then, that's it. We'll just have to - what is Mark doing?"
Both girls switched their gaze from the two Keepers to the fourth year Chaser, who was sitting atop his broom, bucking up and down, waving his arms in the air, yelling something about how chickens were trying to steal his soul. Kayla and Pindi exchanged exasperated looks before heading over in the deranged boy's direction.
"MARK ANDREW TOKARZ! What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Kayla screamed, quickly becoming infuriated.
Mark caught the warning signs and immediately stopped what he was doing. Kayla stormed over to him and yanked the boy off his broom by the neck of his robes.
"I'll repeat myself - what in the hell do you think you're doing? Did I not specifically tell you that you were not - repeat not - to do anything to make an ass out of yourself or me during this entire afternoon? Did I not say that?"
Mark stood dead still and remained silent, waiting for the wave of insults to pass. When he was sure that Kayla was done ranting, he responded.
"Yes?"
"Are you asking me or telling me?"
"Telling you?"
"Right. Now what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Sorry, Kayla."
"That's what I thought. Now get your ass back over there and do something worthwhile, will you? We're going to play soon."
Mark walked away, looking relieved. Kayla turned back to the group which had congregated upon seeing that someone was getting yelled at.
"All right, I want you and you on the field, now." She said, pointing to Oliver and Matt West. "The rest of you can sit over there until they're done. Any questions?"
A Beater by the name of Christian Hayden raised his hand.
"Yeah?"
"Do you yell at all your players like that?"
The question raised a chuckle from the rest of the group. Kayla smiled weakly and said,
"No, only the ones I really like. No, I'm kidding. Mark's like my little brother. That gives me full rights to bitch at him like he's related to me. The rest of you don't get that privilege."
"Unless you're me," Charlie stated, "I get yelled at the most."
"Right. This team is like a family. If you want to be a part of that family, you need to demonstrate that you can interact with my 'siblings' in a way that'll make the rest of us proud. It's not just on the pitch, either. During class, downtime, whatever, if you need something, just ask one of your teammates. They'll be more than happy to help you out. Or, they should be." Kayla shot a pointed stare in Charlie's direction.
"Whaaaat? I help out just as much as the next guy."
"Yeah, if by 'help' you mean delegate to another person. Cuz you're good at that."
Charlie stuck his tongue out in a mature fashion, earning another laugh from the rest of the people present.
"Okay, though, seriously, we've wasted quite enough time. Let's get on with this thing so I can go finish that five foot essay for Snape on the properties of wolf's bane outside of potion making."
"Wasn't that assigned two weeks ago?" Pindi asked, a confused look on her face.
"Um...noooo. Anyways, changing the subject to why we're supposed to be here, everyone in the air. Now."
The order was promptly carried out, and the practice game soon began. After twenty or so minutes, the players switched, and so on and so forth until everyone had gotten their chance to play. Eventually, the senior members of the team seceded from the rest of the group to discuss who they thought should be on the team. Finally, a decision was made and they turned back to the group.
"Okay, first I would just like to thank you all for coming out and trying, um, you all did well, but there are only a limited number of spots on the team, so only two of you will be walking away from here happy people. Uh, Oliver Wood will be the new Keeper, and Matt West will be the new Beater. Congratulations, Oliver and Matt, practice tomorrow at 5, um... Thanks for coming out, everyone. Now go do your homework."
The rejected players headed dejectedly up to the castle, heads hung. Matt and Oliver hung around, however, Matt waiting for Shane, Oliver for Kayla.
"So," Kayla said once he had caught up to her, "Congratulations. You made it."
Oliver smiled, observing Matt jumping on Shane's back in jubilation.
"Thanks. Look, I know I need a lot of work, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to become the best."
"The best, huh? You set high goals. I like that in my players. Look, if I didn't think you would be willing to work hard, I wouldn't have put you on my team. I'm a very demanding person, believe it or not, and I expect my players to do what I tell them."
"I will! I mean, I'll do whatever it takes."
Kayla smiled.
"Good. I respect that. Now, sorry, but if you don't mind, I have this huge essay due tomorrow that I've been putting off for two weeks. So, congrats again. See you tomorrow!"
With that, Kayla took off, sprinting up the hill to the castle where she met up with Charlie.
"So," he said, smirking slightly at his panting teammate, "You happy with your new family?"
Kayla nodded.
"Yeah. Maybe this year won't suck too bad after all."
7/7