Chapter 16 The troubles with Quidditch and Girls

"What did you expect?" Shawn said to Eric for not the first time that day. "Girls are just mental."

It was just after practice and Eric was heading towards the Great Hall for a late dinner.

The game against Ravenclaw was going to be right after Christmas and Carr wanted to run through all the plays before the holiday. He was determined to beat Ravenclaw. It would secure Gryffindor's place in the lead.

The practice was also the closest that Eric had gotten to Olivia since the library. When she made her comments to Carr he became known has 'that Chaser.' Even Carr had used the reference to him. That was just further insult to injury.

After the practice Carr and Olivia had walked off the pitch together. Watching them leave made Eric's gut tighten. He gripped his broomstick like he wanted to strangle it.

"You lost your chance." Michael said to him. "Carr probably already made his move and she accepted. He does fancy the ladies you know."

Eric now pictured Carr's neck in his hands.

"Keep that up and that broom probably won't fly for you." Shawn said. He had come down to watch the practice. "You blew your chance. Don't you know that you never insult a girl's father? Unless she initiates it."

"O Come on. You've heard her talk about her Dad and Mum. All they seam to do is have Quidditch Parties or drag her to a match or a rally or something."

"Is there supposed to be something wrong with that? Maybe I should try to hook up with her." Shawn said wiping down his hair.

"Michael give me that bat. I just found a huge bludger I need to swipe."

"You're cleaning the blood off not me." Michael said passing Eric the bat.

Eric immediately took a swipe at Shawn's head who ducked it. "If you want me to clean this up all you have to do is ask."

Eric dropped the bat.

"The only payment would be you letting me take out Molly next year to Hogsmeade."

Eric chased Shawn all the way to the castle with the bat. Michael trailing behind, asking Eric not to break his bat when he finally hit Shawn. They made it to the entrance when they were stopped by a huge mass.

"You boys hadn't been fightin'" Hagrid asked them.

"Those two." Michael quickly said. "I just gave Eric the bat because Shawn had it coming."

"Some friendship." Shawn said. "All I asked was to take out his sister."

"I think the twins are a little young to be asked." Hagrid said in a slight tone.

"Next year they should be made fair game." Shawn said.

"If you dig yourself into a hole, you better be sure you have something to get yourself back out again." Hagrid said before walking off.

"I was joking." Shawn said. "I wouldn't ask them out without your approval."

"Truce then." Eric said. "I'm hungry let's get some dinner."

"Good idea." Michael said taking back his bat.

Eric had found the great hall was just as busy as always. He quickly grabbed a seat and one of the steaks.

Shawn and Michael gotten into a debate over who had the most homework. Michael thought Ancient Runes was hard. Shawn thought it was Divination. He said he was too positive minded to be giving himself bad omens.

Eric was glad that he had good summer training in Aritmacy with his Mum. She had prepared him for that class.

However he did not receive outward help in Care of Magical Creatures. He did enjoy the class most of the time. That is when the creature they were studying didn't try to eat him.

After dinner he thought about talking with Olivia again. How much time could a girl need to calm down anyway?

Tomorrow at least would be the Hogsmeade trip. Eric decided he would find her there and talk with her. That would be a start.

Once they had returned to the Common Room Eric decided to get started on his homework. He got his school bag and found a quiet spot in the common room.

While going through some Transfiguration theories, he then felt a presence sitting down besides him. "Hi," Eric said to Christine Lily.

"You really like her don't you?"

Eric looked around expecting to see her talking with someone else.

"I'm talking about you and Olivia." Christine Lily said.

"And how old are you again?" Eric said to her. This was the last person that he would expect to have this conversation with.

"Almost twelve." Christine Lily said. "You do know that girls mature faster than boys."

"I've heard." Eric said.

"I think she likes you too." Christine Lily said. "Just don't be too mad at anything on Saturday."

"What's so big about Saturday?" Eric asked.

"It is the Hogsmeade trip, right?" Christine Lily said. "She has made plans with somebody. Just gently approach her. Don't judge anything."

Eric could not say anything. He had to consider this for a moment. "Who put you up to this?" He asked.

"No one." Christine Lily answered. "I just wanted to help you. Let you know what is going on."

"So no one prompted you?" Eric asked again.

"No," Christine Lily answered. "I overheard Carr saying he was going to be holding trials for replacement players and seeing about next year. I was interested in Seeker. There's your alternative motive."

Eric didn't know if he should hug her or laugh.

"You think you can get me into the tryouts?"

"Are you being honest with me about Olivia?" Eric asked.

"Yes." Christine Lily answered. "And I am being honest with you about the Quidditch. I want to be on the team. I just don't have a good broom here so I would need to borrow one."

"Saturday night." Eric answered. "I will watch you fly with my broom. You do good, and I will talk with Carr."

"Thanks." Christine Lily said getting up. "Don't tell anyone yet, please."

"Don't tell anyone about Olivia." Eric said back.

"Why, the whole tower knows." Christine Lily said getting up and heading upstairs.

Eric put his homework away. He couldn't even concentrate on it right now. How did Christine Lily know about Olivia? Was it that obvious? Surely she was wrapped up in all the things the first years had to learn and accomplish? He also had to worry about how well Christine Lily would do if he let her go to the tryouts. He did not know if he could tell her if she was terrible. Would she stop talking to him as well? Not that he would mind at times. But one of his priorities was keeping an eye on his cousins and sisters.

It was going to be a wait before Christmas break.