Welcome to the Jungle
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Part One: Fifteen
Chapter Twenty-Four: Tell Me Why
Coach Hooch runs them through the ringer once more, with calisthenics, with shooting, dribbling, and passing drills, and finally, with an utterly miserable session of suicides across the court.
Despite the talk with Puck, it's the second session Finn has bailed on, and a punch to the idiot's face looks increasingly more likely.
At least this time, none of them hurl, or come close to it. Perhaps it's because they know what to expect and thus have a few minutes to mentally prepare themselves, or perhaps it's because their collective endurance has improved rapidly since the start of pre-season training, but either way, it's a small blessing.
On the upside, Roger has the pleasure of taking Finn's place on the team while the latter is benched, and there's a malicious, gleeful part of Harry that looks forward to the moment Finn finds out that, actually, his actions have consequences, and not everyone is going to put up with his shit.
God, but Finn makes it really easy to dislike him.
"Are you guys all right?" Harry asks the others. They've successfully managed to drag themselves into the locker room, but none of them have done much else.
"Can we just unanimously vote Hudson off the team?" Roger entreats. Beside him, their second reserve, Gabriel, nods his agreement.
"I don't think we're allowed to do that," Harry regretfully answers.
"Well, I'm kicking his ass if he puts us through that shit again," Mike decides. The mental image is almost comical, because Mike is about 5'8", and Finn's brushing 6'1". Mind you, the height difference wouldn't do Finn any good against Mike, but all the same…,
"Get in line," Matt mutters beside him.
"I wonder if everything I say to him just goes in one ear and out the other," Puck muses. He's texting someone, his thumbs overly aggressive against the keypad of his phone, and there's a certain hostility to his expression that makes Harry assume - correctly - that it's Finn. "It's been three fucking weeks."
Before he can think about it, Harry hauls himself up from where he's slumped on one of the benches, and drags himself towards one of the showers. He and Mike have Karate later, but it feels as though he's just sweat out an ocean, and no doubt, he smells like the pits. As he does, the varsity team piles into the locker room, delayed by a post-training huddle with Hooch. They're in high spirits, clapping each other on the back and what have you, and it's a little like a kick in the teeth.
He grimaces, chagrined, and hustles through his shower. Then he gets dressed, winter clothes and all, and exits the locker room alongside Mike, Matt, and Puck. Gabriel and Roger have already bailed, and behind them, the varsity team has turned the locker room into an impromptu karaoke bar.
"That's a sight I'll never unsee," Mike says.
"Yeah," Matt huffs a laugh, "You and me both, dude."
"Should've filmed that shit," Puck laments.
"Maybe another day," Harry claps his friend on his shoulder, "I doubt this will be the last time."
And to no one else's surprise, it's not.
-!- -#-
Strictly speaking, Harry couldn't care less if Finn was on the team. He's tall, with a longer reach than most, but he's an unremarkable player with a tendency to hog the ball, and as far as Harry's concerned, Roger's a far better team player, and basketball player in general.
In fact, the only reason Finn is a starter at all is because as a former football player, one can assume that there's already an established rapport between he and the other starters (namely Harry, Mike, Matt, and Puck). Unfortunately, Coach Hooch, when determining this, hadn't known that Mike, Matt, and Harry were, at best, tolerant of Finn Hudson, and that hasn't changed in the weeks since..
In saying that, Finn is one of his teammates, and regardless of whether or not Harry likes him off the court, a part of Harry feels obliged to make sure the dumbass is all right, and moreover, to make sure he's actually going to take his commitment to the team seriously from here on out.
As such, he texts Hudson with a warning that he'd be stopping by his place a little after eight, and after his Karate class, Harry does just that. He isn't going to be long, and thus his father and sister wait in the idling car, and Harry, meanwhile, jogs up to the front door, rings the doorbell, and waits.
It's Mrs Hudson who answers, and after a round of obligatory small talk, she shows him to the living room. Finn's there, chowing his way through a bag of Doritos while he watches an episode of Top Gear, and upon sight of him, Finn blinks, bemused.
"Dude, what are you wearing?"
"It's a Gi," Harry answers. Finn stares, uncomprehending. "My uniform for Karate, genius. Where were you this afternoon?"
Finn shrugs, defensive. "Didn't feel like going."
Harry stares, and repeats blankly, "You didn't feel like going."
Finn shrugs again. "The only reason I tried out is because it's Puck's favourite sport. I don't actually like it."
Harry shakes his head, incredulous. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth. Jesus Christ, Hudson. You join a team, and you make a commitment to it. You don't just ditch whenever the fuck you feel like it. In what world is that even okay?"
Harry turns to leave then, irritated.
"Quit the team if you don't like it, I don't give a shit. Just know that since you've ditched twice, you're benched for the season. Ditch one more time, and don't even worry about quitting, Coach will kick your ass off the team for you."
-!- -#-
In the car, he sets up a group text between himself and the others on the team (barring Finn) and informs them of Finn's excuse. None of them are impressed, justifiably, and he's inundated with a series of invectives at Finn's expense. It's not enough to drag him out of his irritation, but it's good to know they're all (even Puck) on the same page where their last teammate is concerned.
"Bad news?" James asks.
"Finn's a f-freaking moron," Harry answers, "Don't know why the f-hell - why the hell - he's on the team."
"You're going to meet people like that throughout your life," James answers, "I know it's frustrating, but try not to let it get to you."
Harry exhales, and glares out of his window. "Easier said than done."
"The best experiences always are."
Harry glances at his father, unimpressed. "Who are you, Yoda?"
His father grins, unabashed, and Harry laughs despite himself. Quinn texts him, a rambling text about her evening thus far, and slowly but surely, his peak of temper fades. There's not much he can do about Finn, but he can at least say he's tried, and come what may, the rest is out of his hands.
And Harry? Well, he can live with that.
Author's Note: I had a hell of a time with this one, mostly because I realised partway through that I shouldn't have brought Finn's arc until after the winter break, but I kind of had to see it through because last chapter was already posted. As such, I'm not thrilled with this chapter, but on the bright side, you'll be seeing Sirius soon. Thanks for reading, and for all of your reviews. They're always appreciated. Until next time, -t.