Author's Note: This was one of my favorite chapters to write. I hope you all enjoy it.
Quidditch practice began in July. It became apparent to all who keep up with the sport that Marcus Flint is in the running for the league's Rookie of the Year. At least that's what the sports press has to say, especially those from Quidditch Digest, Quidditch Today, Quidditch International, The Sporting Wizard's Journal, The Sports Bulletin, and the arrogant sports reporter from The Daily Prophet.
The season hadn't even started yet, and Marcus is touted as "The Golden Arrow." The hard-to-please Daily Prophet reporter wrote an article about the up-and-coming athlete. It stated: Given the burly chaser's athletic abilities, he's sure to be a fan favorite. Having seen Flint perform on his school's quidditch team and at Appleby's practices, the guy is a flying highlight reel. Overall he's averaged 9.7 assists per game (could be higher depending on how in the zone he is), 11.9 blocks, and shot .549% above the league chaser average. At Hogwarts, in his final quidditch season, Flint made almost 250 scores alone. It set a new Slytherin record as well as a school one. Then there is his blocking percentage, and when you add all of this up, the question becomes, who needs the other chasers when you've got Marcus Flint? He's Appleby's Golden Arrow.
This article led to the Appleby Arrows holding a press conference with their new star rookie. When the press members asked for a quote about his quidditch potential, Flint stated, "I have failed over and over again in my short life, and that's what's pushed me to succeed. Some people may see a wall of beaters and a sky full of quaffles and give up. But as for me, I see an opportunity to try to figure out how to get around it. Limits are like fears, and they're often illusions. So, never say never and defy gravity. It's all about the sport and business. I may attract your attention now, but attention is like galleons- there's enough of it to go around for everyone."
Then Marcus was asked about his favorite quidditch player of all time. "Well, there are so many to choose from. It's a tough choice. But when I think about it, it would have to be the Tornado's retired chaser, Gordon Palmer. He played with so much charisma and had an aptitude for the game that's unmatched even by today's standards. The man taught me to enjoy the game and think strategy. I remember as a kid watching him fly and play. I knew then that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a chaser just like Palmer."
However, a reporter from The Sporting Wizard's Journal decided to get personal. The man with the jutted chin and an eccentric, knotted beard wondered, "The women of the wizarding world will want to know about your love life. Are you seeing anyone?"
The question put Marcus on the spot. His stomach knotted up as a result. Before answering, he thought about how to respond. Since Voldemort has returned, if he says what he wants to say, it could get him and Hermione in trouble. He loves his girlfriend and doesn't want her to be harmed. Neither does he want that god-awful mark. So to keep his witch out of the spotlight for as long as possible, he declared, "I'm afraid quidditch is it. My long-time girlfriend has been quidditch for as long as I can remember." Everyone in the room laughed, and he hoped it would buy him time.
A highlight of the conference was the Arrows manager,
Chipper Johnson. The outstanding, visionary coach was asked about his new rookie sensation. He spoke with his deep British drawl. "Everyone has been hoping to find the next Davey Irvan, the best chaser the quidditch league has ever known. Well, I think we found him. I have no doubt Flint will live up to expectations when the season starts in early September. Like everyone's calling him, he's definitely our Golden Arrow. And if the cards fall right, he'll score a bullseye for us that will help our team make it to the playoffs. We've been on that trajectory and got waylaid last season with a few injuries."
Coach Johnson pulled the Arrows hat off his head and ran a hand through his thinning brown hair. Then he remarked, "We've assembled a fine team this year. One of the best we've had in ages, especially with the acquisition of Rex Wainright from Puddlemere. We made that deal quietly. No one expected it, just like no one expected Tom Haney to leave Ballycastle. Yet, we picked him up too. So now we've got the league's best beater, the second-best keeper, and our Golden Arrow. We're in a prime pre-season position. Something the Arrows haven't been in for a long time."
For a brief moment, the spotlight was off Marcus. It was put onto the league's best beater and Hot Hands Haney. But that moment lasted like the blink of an eye. Now, the press wanted to know how Marcus felt about working with Hot Hands and King Rex (as they call him).
When all was said and done, rounds of flashes went off, and poses were made for the cameras. The quidditch press conference was hugely successful. The papers got many good quotes and soundbites from the event. And just like that, fancy t-shirts were printed with the words Golden Arrow. Naturally, Flint's name was on them.
New Appleby's stadium signs were also designed with the Golden Arrow to accompany the shirts. So, the three new Arrows had larger-than-life monikers and banners with pictures on them- Hot Hands, King Rex, and The Golden Arrow side-by-side. It's disgustingly embarrassing, at least to the rookie.
In the Arrows locker room, Marcus breathed a sigh of relief that the press conference was over. Now he can concentrate on getting in top form for the season. However, with all of this unnecessary press surrounding him, he can only wonder how intrusive they'll truly be. If his press coverage is anything like Oliver Wood's or the dreaded Krum, then there's a lot of uncertainty about how long Hermione can stay hidden. That concerns him since he considers himself her number one protector, especially without a wand.
Luckily an article in Quidditch Today quoted Marcus's long-time friend, Cassius Warrington. It seemed to back up what the Appleby Arrow's rookie said about dating, thank goodness. Marcus owes his friend a bottle of the best fire whiskey because the guy's words took the heat off. At least for a little while. The blonde Warrington declared, "When I was partying, Flint was out playing quidditch and running drills solo. When I was waking up, he was at the pitch playing quidditch before class. I think he dreams of flying when he sleeps and eats quaffles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But that's just Flint being Flint. Eat, sleep, quaffles, repeat."
Thanks to Warrington, another Arrows t-shirt popped up. One in the form of Eat, Sleep, Quaffles, Repeat with Flint's name, and a golden arrow going through the word quaffles. The Appleby's GM couldn't be happier. The sum of money fans have spent purchasing The Golden Arrow, Hot Hands, and King Rex gear is obscene.
It's the most pre-season money the team has collected in years. And it's the most pre-season apparel buying any rookie player has ever gotten, save for Krum. Barring any season-ending injuries (like last year), the Arrows could go all the way.
And that makes Ron Weasley want to "Puke! This whole thing with Flint being a Golden Arrow has me wanting to vomit up slugs again." The outraged redhead slammed the Daily Prophet's sports section onto the Burrow's kitchen table.
With a motion of his hand, waving over the paper, he told everyone in earshot, "The guy's a troll! He's a bloody troll! But now people are acting like Flint is Merlin himself. He's a mean, dopey bully. That's what he is. Pushing and shoving his way on the pitch. I hope he gets disqualified in games!" Then the irate Weasley said, "And the nerve of him to look smug in pictures! What's he got to look smug about? He's an ugly troll with mangled teeth! This is a joke. That's what this is- a bloody joke!"
Just then, Mrs. Weasley hollered, "Ronald Bilious Weasley! Watch your language!"
As Ron ranted over Marcus, Hermione had to control her wand hand from hexing him. But oh, how she wants to! Because vomiting up, slugs can be made to happen discreetly. Instead, Ginny, who had invited her over, whispered for them to go outside. When the friends were safely away from the house, in the meadow, they sat and discussed the sports articles.
"How do you feel about dating a superstar?" the youngest redhead wanted to know.
Picking a wildflower by her leg, Hermione told her friend, "I'm not sure. I think it feels the same as any other day because he didn't mention me as his girlfriend. But if the press knew I was dating him, I might have to change my opinion."
Her answer prompted Ginny to wonder, "Are you alright with him not calling you out, naming you as his girlfriend?"
Without any thought, Hermione smiled before answering. "Oh, I'm more than alright with that. He flooed to my house after the press conference and told me all about it. The reason Marcus didn't mention me is for several reasons. The biggest one is Voldemort. He shielded me from harm and hate mail."
Ginny didn't know that. Hermione's friend responded, pushing hair behind her ears, "That's further proof of his feelings for you. A person always protects what they love." Ginny's tender heart melted a little upon thinking about those words. She can imagine it's nice to feel that kind of love.
In agreement, Hermione stared at her bracelet- the one Marcus gave her. The piece of jewelry is her physical reminder of her guy's feelings, and his actions with the press are another one. It screams she's under his protection. Their love is worth preserving. It's their love, and it feels great.
Like Ginny, it makes her stop and think about things. Her life would be different if they'd never met and if she'd never tutored Marcus. She'd like to believe that her heart would be missing something and that it would know it wasn't complete. That it's missing a piece somewhere. And even if she didn't know what she was looking for, Hermione would like to feel that her heart would be searching for that piece until it was home again.
Isn't that how love works? Doesn't it examine and want and seek what's lost? And then, when the piece is found, it shouts, "I've been missing you! Now I've found you, and everything is whole and right."
The irony is sometimes, the missing piece has been there all along. Only the wrong person, or wrong things, were blocking it from sight. That's what happened with Marcus. Her focus was not on him but on everyone's opinion of him. It caused her to delay their love, which is really sad when it comes right down to it.
That brings her back to Ron and his wretched opinion of Marcus, which is seriously frustrating. But instead of dwelling on Ronald's attitude, Hermione told Ginny, "You're right. People will come in and out of our lives. They'll say all kinds of beautiful, flowery words at fitting times. In the end, it comes down to actions. A person should be judged by their actions, not their words. It's the actions that matter most."
Then Ginny wore a cheeky smile and declared, "But romantic words are nice too."
Both girls giggled and spent the rest of the time discussing a particular juicy picture and write-up in Witch Weekly. Hermione had not seen the image or the report, leaving her wondering what the ludicrous reporting had to say this time. Once Ginny had produced the magazine, both girls looked at it. The rubbish publication did a full spread on her man with an article titled The Muscular, Mouthwatering Marcus Flint. It came complete with vapid, uninspiring words and a pin-up picture.
The article itself was a complete waste of Hermione's time reading. She swears she lost brain cells. It contained things like Marcus's favorite color, favorite charm to use, favorite food, and favorite sweet treat. Then it detailed his preferred sleeping position. Which made Hermione wonder what his sleeping arrangement had to do with anything. What does that matter?
However, she may have been too quick to judge. Although she'll never tell a soul. That one distinct piece of information did serve to make the heat rise in Hermione's body and face turn several shades of tomato red. To quote her boyfriend, "I prefer sleeping nude at home and on my back."
Next, the article mentions what he smells in the amortentia love potion. This is where things took a compelling turn. Marcus stated, "Amortentia is a rather peculiar thing. It's different for people, and a person's favored scents can change too. As most people know, I had to redo my final year at Hogwarts. So I had to brew the potion twice since it's not only a sixth-year potion but a NEWT level one as well."
He went on to say, "The first time I brewed it, the year prior to repeating, I smelled the wind on a perfect flying day, Hyacinth, a new handbag, and a vault at Gringotts. But when I brewed it in my final year, the aromas changed a bit. That time I smelt a heady tropical fragrance, the inside of a library, sugar quills, sunshine, and the wind on a perfect flying day."
Wretched Rita Skeeter questioned Marcus as to why the smell shift occurred. To which he replied, "Life can take revolutionary twists and turns. A person's hopes and dreams change as people enter different stages of life. No one is left standing still, wanting the same things as they did years ago or even months ago. For me, that's like love. It awakens the soul and makes me want more- more than I did the year before."
It only led to Skeeter contemplating if Flint was seeing someone. But he brushed it off by saying, "When I do find that person, the one that's my other half, she'll set a fire in my heart and send a sense of peace to my mind. And she'll come in one petite, perfect package."
His answer only made Hermione swoon a little. She can't help but wonder if she would smell him as he does her in that same potion. Those scents he mentioned are all her, except for the wind part. Regardless, that did not set her soul alight like the perfect petite package phrase regarding his love.
That alone made her heart trill subtly, knowing he told the wizarding world of their love. But the pin-up is the thing that all the witches are talking about. Right there, for all the world to see, is a shirtless Marcus Flint. His bottom half is covered with quidditch pants. Although they leave nothing to the imagination as they cling to his muscular thighs.
Never will Hermione voice it out loud, but she has to agree with the article. Marcus is definitely mouthwatering and a whole bunch of naughty things that don't bear to be spoken. Despite that, her man's picture winked at her. It caused a flutter in her stomach, more heat throughout her body, and a race to her pulse. And oh God! If he were there beside her, she would snog him senseless.
Instead, the witch has to wait for that to happen. And she waited and waited for all of three weeks. Marcus's practices were fierce, especially with the Arrows' month-long training camp. Coach Johnson put the team through their paces and drills. Marcus had never been so sore or so worn out in all his life.
Plus, the amount of fan mail is overwhelming. Every day the owl deliveries had been brutal. Letter after letter came for Rex Wainright, Lucas Haney, and himself. Some were packages of candy, while others came complete with girls' underpants. When Marcus opened one of that kind, his eyes grew wide, and his nose scrunched up in disgust.
His teammates ribbed him about it, telling him all the witches would be dropping their panties now with the article in Witch Weekly. However, Marcus could care less. The only girl's underpants he wants to see are those of his girlfriend. That thought led to a lot of images that made his pants uncomfortable and his afternoon unfocused.
As the training camp came to an end, the well-built wizard had time to reflect on his and Hermione's relationship. On Saturdays, the guys were allowed to leave the camp. Marcus went once and hated it. Everyone had gone clubbing and picked up witches dressed in... well... clothes that looked like bedroom attire. Even the majority of married players would pick up witches and take them to a hotel room somewhere.
The whole thing became disturbing. Seeing these married men participate in extra-curricular activities with women other than their spouse or stated partner shook Marcus to the core. It made him ponder things he's never thought of before, like faithfulness and love in marriage. The only time he went out with the group was the one time, thank goodness.
The number of women hitting on him was alarming. Not to his teammates, though. The guys loved the fact the witches were throwing themselves at Flint. "Loosen up and live a little, Man," they said.
It was Haney who told him, "Enjoy the feel of women falling over themselves to get into your pants. Merlin knows I do. I have a woman in every quidditch town I visit. You're young and just starting out. Relish this time because you can never get it back. Why just look at all these babes! They're making eyes at us. They know we're hot, and we know they want us. It's an alcoholic-induced lust fest." He motioned around the club with a bottle of rum.
At that moment, Marcus knew this wasn't the scene for him. He nursed a beer while his teammates danced, snogged, and drank. A certain busty black-haired beauty came and plopped herself in his lap. Her blue eyes all but begged him to kiss her, and feeling brazen, she began pressing her breasts and lips into him. But Marcus turned his head at the last minute, not wanting her attention. Not only because he has a witch that he loves, but also because who knows where those lips have been?
Luckily the girl got off his lap and moved to try her fortune with another guy. The guys ribbed him, saying, "What are you, Flint, ninety? When a big chested bimbo plants herself on you, you respond."
Bowser, a beater, stated, "You act like Mulvaney. The man's married and in love with his wife. He refuses to go out with us. Real downer he is."
Shortly after that, the men dispersed, each going their separate ways for the night. Most didn't make it back to camp until the morning, unlike Marcus, who laid awake thinking about love and Hermione. He thought about how difficult it would be to see each other properly with him traveling and practicing.
The team went clubbing again on the final Saturday before camp ended. As usual, they asked their new rookie to go with them. Having become his habit, Marcus turned them down. Instead, he sat about the common area on a sofa, reading the newest letter Hermione had sent him. A plate of peppermint toads and butterbeer truffles were beside him on a side table.
Rick Mulvaney entered the room carrying two bottles of beer. The tall, rugged Irish man plunked himself down beside the rookie. "Here," he said, handing Flint a bottle.
The two had never had a real conversation before. The Arrows' seasoned franchise player is in a league of his own. The man's a legend in quidditch, who's had opportunities to transfer to better teams like Puddlemere. Instead, Mulvaney chose to stay put with Appleby saying, "My wife and kids love it here."
Any time Marcus has come close to talking with the guy, he'd clam up. What does one say to an older, revered quidditch player, especially a rookie? But that night, Mulvaney chose to speak to him. "Looks like you could use a good beer. The Lone Wacky Wolf pale ale is the best in wizarding Ireland. So why aren't you out with the team? I know why I'm here. What's your story, Kid?" He took a swig of the beer.
Marcus sat the letter on his lap and took a beer chug too. He coughed a moment before acknowledging, "This is good stuff. Strong but good." Then he explained, "The club isn't my thing. It's not what I want. I have a girl back home, and she means a lot to me. I miss her like crazy."
The conditioned beater turned his green eyes on the young man beside him. "Aye. You love her, this girl of yours back home?" Marcus gave a confident nod.
Staring at the newest Arrow, Mulvaney shared some advice. "Take it from someone who knows. Hold onto that love. If your girl is worth anything to you, keep her close. This game is just that, a game. At the end of your career, who you have standing with you and who you go home to is what matters most. It's not the money, the guys, the championships, or the attention. Those are just icing on the quidditch cake. It's who's in your bed and in your heart that matters, and hopefully, it's a good woman. My Sheridan is a good woman."
As the man took another sip of beer, Marcus heard what he said. He thought about it, and Mulvaney spoke again. "Hear me say this. Quidditch hours can be challenging to have a stable home life around. But it can be done if you have someone willing to work with you. Sheridan worked with me, and together we created something lasting. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. Remember that, Kid."
Marcus sat there like a stunning spell had hit him. The man beside him gave the best advice he's received in ages. Advice that he didn't even ask for, and yet it's as if the middle-aged man read his mind. Before Marcus could even speak, Mulvaney shared a final piece of advice. "Don't take it for granted, either. I learned that the hard way. And one day, you wake up wondering if your family misses you or has forgotten about you. That's the scary part about being apart. But don't give in to those fears because love whispers louder than any fear. Let the love talk between the two of you, Kid." Then he turned on the wireless and let the sounds of the wizarding music carry into the night.
Marcus drank his beer and held Hermione's letter tightly in his hand. He thought some more about her. Nothing in his life is as precious as she is. He can't help but believe nothing ever would be because he's found his happiness. It's her. His heart has waited so long to be loved by someone like her. So long that he can't imagine a world without her in it. Quidditch is his job, but Hermione is his... It could be the beer, but he knows it's more than that. It's the love talking inside him.
