Year 3: Chapter 36

While Ginny was comfortably cuddled up to Joseph, the rest of her friends were having a tough time. Christian had called a Quidditch meeting now, as the game would take place in the morning.

The team were having nightmares; the last three practices had been terrible. Amanda and James had been throwing insults at each other instead of the Quaffle; they were bringing the entire team down.

"Okay, so we're having a bad stretch at the moment; that's why I've called this meeting. We're going to discuss the players of the Hufflepuff team and then once we've finished that we're going to work out our own problems. Do you all understand?"

The team nodded weakly and Christian slipped one arm around the chair that Kathy was sitting in. Amanda saw the smile on Kathy's face it was easy to tell they were happy with each other. She herself was sat next to Ted with Frank on her other side. Opposite her was Sirius and on his other side was James.

It was true that they were having problems; it was the fact that Amanda and James weren't talking to each other civilly that was the main problem. But smaller ones had sprung from that Sirius was trying his hardest not to take sides but he was being pulled towards James and Amanda knew it, and then because of the argument between Alice and Frank he was refusing to speak to Amanda.

Christian cleared his throat and brought attention back to them all.

"Okay first person is the Keeper, Alan Head. Black, you were assigned to watch him tell us what you found out."

"Well he's good, I've been watching him practice but he has one problem; he can't tell the difference between faking a throw and a real one, so as long as you all fake a throw before attempting a goal you'll always get it in. Just try to keep away from the middle because then he'll save it he has the speed."

Kathy and James nodded, but all he got was a mumble from Amanda. Christian didn't seem happy with this but he looked at Kathy.

"What about your player?"

"Oh, well I was watching that Nicolas Pullman, he's their main shooter but for some reason he'll never pass left. I don't know why maybe he's got a weaker left arm or something but he won't pass that way. So what we have to do is cut him off on the right side and force his pass left that way we can intercept it as the entire team never gathers on his left."

"But won't they just block us from getting on his right hand side?"

Kathy nodded towards Amanda before answering.

"Yep they'll do that so here's the plan; you and James will distract the other players, come at Pullman from the left or straight on make them think you're coming that way and then I'll take the Quaffle from his right without him suspecting we know that's the only way he passes."

"Wait, so you're the only one who'll take the Quaffle from him!"

"No James, I'm just giving an example; we'll all do it. And hey don't yell at me, I haven't done anything."

Christian banged his hand against the table. Everyone fell silent as they discussed the other two Chasers (Freddie Cast and Louisa Book) then moving onto the Beaters (Opal Smart and Alexis Beetle) and finally the Seeker (Aaron Scott)

Finally when that was done, Christian looked around at the group.

"Okay I know something is going on and I'm sick of whatever it is. Last year we had our problems with detentions and arguments but nothing compared to this. So this is what's going to happen. Longbottom I want you to tell us what's wrong."

Frank made a face like he was about to object but quickly changed his mind.

"Alice won't speak to me, says I'm useless and that I don't understand what's happening in her life. Then of course Amanda, being Amanda, has taken her side and won't talk to me."

"She's one of my best friends! Of course I'd take her side, just like she'd take mine! It doesn't mean I don't like you Frank, I'll talk to you; Ginny still is and she's taken Alice's side, you were just to quick to judge!"

Christian shook his head.

"Wait, so you two aren't speaking because you thought the other wasn't speaking?"

"Yep!"

Amanda smiled as she hugged Frank. She saw Alice looking at her and she raised an eyebrow at her signalling that this was only for the good of the Quidditch team. Then she had an idea.

"Wait, one second."

She moved and dragged Alice over to Frank.

"Now tell him what you told me last night, otherwise I swear I'll tell him for you."

Alice whacked Amanda in the arm but looked at Frank.

"I'm sorry, you didn't do anything; it was Aaron, he was winding me up and I took it out on you. Forgive me?"

He smiled at his girlfriend, looking happier than they had seen him in a while

"I forgive you. Want me to push Aaron off his broom tomorrow? I can make it look like an accident."

The laughter that spread around the table was happy and then Christian slammed his hand down again.

"Okay, one argument down and another two to sort out; Black, Dixon what's your problem."

Amanda looked at Christian as she took her seat.

"He's sided with James that's what the problem is. It's always the same thing something happens and he sides with the boys, just ignoring the fact that he's been my friend longer. That he relies on me when things go wrong but no here he goes throwing me aside again."

"Mand! Oh I hate girls, you know that, they twist everything around until it suits them. All I did was sit by James during breakfast and that means I'm siding with him. I'm not siding with anyone, okay? Both of you are my best friends in this world and if you want to argue about crap, well go ahead, just leave me out of it!"

He slammed his hand against the table before letting his head fall. James looked at him and then at Amanda.

"You know, he's right; we shouldn't drag him into this. We're arguing again and let's face it, that's not going to change; we're always going to be fighting about something. But I say we make a pact. We stop all arguments when Quidditch is involved."

He stuck his hand out and Amanda looked at him closely. Finally she took his hand.

"Deal, but that doesn't mean I'm talking to you after we've had the party for winning."

"We'll see about that."

The meeting ended and everybody headed to bed getting ready for the early start the next day.

Okay everybody it's been a while hasn't it sorry about that I'm having some problems with accessing the site but now that I've gotten on I'm determined to post.

Jessie I'm sure this was the story that we were talking about a couple of weeks back. Well I'm glad you're still reading if not reviewing. Roman is doing so much better now he's been moved into a new room for babies that aren't likely to die, and he's only got the feeding tube left in. And they've now given him a middle name Jack (as in a Swansea Jack!)

Annie I hope you're feeling better, Roman is doing fine he's putting on weight and he's so gorgeous. I'm hoping to hear from you soon.

Firewalker yes this is a fun time, its one of those things you know where everybody falls out over some stupid little thing well that's what's happening and I hope this chapter threw some light onto the whole incident.

As for Ginny and Joseph I've through that in to show that some people are still happy and because I like Joseph I don't know how he wormed his way into this story but now he's here he'll be staying for a while.

Taylin well I hope this chapter explained some things. They're just fighting no biggie and as for Sirius and Amanda well you'll just have to wait and see I think there's a few surprises coming your way.

Okay my last exam is on Friday so I'll try to post again next week it depends on my work rota now (I haven't checked it yet)

Kris