Chapter 33: Game Day and Counting Down!

She couldn't get comfortable in bed. Tossing and turning, Phoenix's mind was busy. It was Saturday. Her first Quidditch match. First season games always made her nervous. She gave a sigh, staring at the ceiling. "Relax," she whispered to herself. Phoenix breathed slowly in and out like her Aunt Phoebe taught her. She closed her eyes, allowing the tension to drift.

BEEP… BEEP….. BEEP…..

"Ugh!" Phoenix gradually opened one eye looking around and froze the clock. 'Oh yeah, that will show that clock!'

Opening the other eye, Phoenix pushed the covers off and stretched cat like. Her small meditation was over. Cali immediately jumped on the bed, rubbing her body on Phoenix's face. "Hey Cali, how are you?"

Cali, swishing her tail, turned towards the end of the bed. She hopped onto the trunk, turned around, and looked at Phoenix. Phoenix followed her with her eyes, realizing she was showing her something. Cali rubbed a large package sitting on her trunk.

'Who is this from? I don't remember seeing this last night. '

It was wrapped in brown package paper. She took the tied knot and pulled it loose. The strings fell down, revealing winter clothing. The clothing ranged from warm pants, thermal clothing, sweaters, heavy socks, boots, a heavy coat, and long-sleeve shirts all in her size. They looked brand new, and whoever got these knew her style.

'Wow! Maybe mom got these?'

Lost in all the wonderment, the smell of food came floating to her nose. Her stomach growled a little. She needed to eat breakfast. It was hours before her game. She looked over at Hermione's bed, seeing it empty.

'Hmmm, she must have let me sleep. She never leaves without making sure I'm halfway awake.'

Phoenix got dressed, placed her new winter clothes in her trunk, and headed to the Great Hall. Once she spotted her friends, she immediately sat in her usual spot on Harry's right. They were talking about something, but Phoenix paid no attention. She was hungry and food was on her mind. She loaded her plate with a stake of pancakes, four high loaded with syrup and butter, four slices of oranges, two bananas, several pieces of toast, and filled her cup to the brim with pumpkin juice. Everyone around her looked at her in amazement. They have never seen her eat like that.

"Hungry?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, your plate looks like Ron's second batch." stated Hermione.

"What do you mean by that?" Ron muffled, swallowing an enormous piece of un-chewed toast. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I wish you can convince Harry to eat. He won't listen to us. You both need your strength for today's game." Hermione begged.

Phoenix looked over at Harry who was watching her with envy. "How can you eat that on a day like this?" Harry asked.

Phoenix swallowed her bite before answering, "It is simple, Harry. You see, I stab a piece with my fork," Phoenix picked up her fork stabbing a huge piece, "I put it in my mouth," She opened her mouth wide shoving in the bite. "I chew it," Phoenix chewed and swallowed it. "And I swallow it. You see Harry, it is easy."

Harry gave her an annoyed look. She responded with her famous grin. "Come on, Harry, you've got to eat something. It is not good to play a game on an empty stomach." Phoenix explained.

"I said I didn't want anything."

"Not even some fruit?" Phoenix asked, shoving a sliced apple in Harry's face.

"Like I said, I'm not hungry," he said, shoving away the sliced apple.

"Leave him alone, Phoenix. He doesn't want fruit. He wants sausage," Ron muffled.

"No, I don't." Harry said, annoyed.

"Good, more for me."

"Ron! You are not helping!" Hermione yelled.

"I'm not hungry, so let's please just drop it!"

"But, Harry!"

"Hermione, leave him alone, he is nervous." Phoenix said eating a slice of orange.

"Fine!" Hermione said, given into defeat. But she kept a watchful eye on Harry.

The rest of breakfast went by with a change of subject while Harry kept quiet. He tried not to think of the match ahead, but couldn't. He envied Phoenix on how calm she looked. 'She said she played some sports.'

Harry looked over at Phoenix, who was talking to Seamus Finnigan about Chasers. He watched Seamus as he tried to explain about the different maneuvers Phoenix could use in games. She shrugged them off, saying she might put in her own twist.

'I wonder what she meant by that?' Harry thought, then felt a soft shove on his right.

"Hey Harry, we need to get going. We have one hour before game starts, and I bet Wood has a huge speech before game starts." Phoenix said getting up and dragging Harry to his feet. "See ya later Hermione, Ron, Seamus. Wish us luck!"

"Good luck!" The three of them yelled as Harry and Phoenix left the Great Hall and headed to the locker room.

As the two reached the locker room, Phoenix and Harry looked around. On one side there were three lockers for the Chasers, in front there were two for the Beaters, and on the other side there were two more for the Seeker and the Keeper. There were two shower rooms. The one closer to the Chasers was the girls', and the one closer to the Keeper was for the boys. On top of each locker was the last name and first letter initial of the player's name written in scarlet red.

"Are you guys going to stare or get dressed?" asked Fred, making Harry and Phoenix jump.

"Geez Fred, let them awe. They deserve it being first years." Angelina Johnson said walking over to her locker next to Phoenix. Katie Bell followed. Her locker on the other side of Phoenix.

"I wasn't awing. I was making sure where everything was." said Phoenix making Angelina and Katie laugh.

"Don't worry, I did the same thing when I first came to the locker room." said Angelina.

"So did I."

"Really?" Phoenix questioned. She wasn't sure if it was the truth or they were trying to make her feel better. Either way, she couldn't ask as Wood cleared his throat.

"Oh great, here comes Wood's "speech". He gives the same one every game. You will have it memorized in no time." whispered Katie. Phoenix gave a soft laugh, making Katie laugh until Angelina shushed them.

"Okay, men," Wood said.

"And women," said Angelina.

"And women," Wood agreed. "This is it."

"The big one," said Fred.

"The one we've been waiting for," said George.

Phoenix saw Fred lean over to tell Harry something but couldn't hear what.

"Told you, you will have his speech down." Katie whispered.

"Shut up, you two," Wood told the twins. "This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it." He glared at them all as if to say, "Or else."

"Right. It's time. Good luck, all of you."