And if you say this life ain't good enough
I would give my world to lift you up
I could change my life to better suit your mood
Cause you're so smooth

From the Santana song "Smooth."

Chapter 24: Wimbourne Wasps and a Waiting Woman

Charlie wiped his sweaty palms on his scarlet and gold Quidditch robes. Why was he so nervous? It must be the anticipation over the big match against Slytherin and the scout from the Wimbourne Wasps watching. That must be it. Would he do something dumb? Fall off his broom or smack into the stands? That doesn't happen to Charlie. It hadn't in all his time at playing Quidditch. Why would it now? Why oh why did he invite Madeline? Why be nervous in front of her? This was Madeline for goodness sake! He grew up with her. She said she would be his girlfriend. That was it. It was too good to be true. He was going to make a fool of himself and she'd drop him like a fetid chizpurfle. But what did she care about Quidditch anyway? She was out of school and working. He felt like a dumb kid. And flying fish brains! The scout from the Wasps was watching! His insides felt all twisted.

Focus on the game, he told himself. Don't look at her, don't look at the scout. The snitch, just pay attention to the snitch. When he came out onto the Quidditch pitch, he immediately craned his neck around to search for her in the crowd. There! She was leaning over the railing and waving to him. His heart leapt. He felt a shove from behind.

"Come on Charlie," said a teammate.

He tore his eyes from Madeline. "Sorry." He mounted his broom, and at the whistle, took off.

The snitch. The snitch. The snitch. Her silky black hair. Her smile. A bloke shouldn't have his girlfriend at his game. He felt self conscious. Her smile...her little waist...the snitch the snitch! He could be playing pro one day. Something clicked on in his head and he was after the tiny winged gold ball like a hound dog on the scent.

Madeline leaned farther over the edge of the railing cheering wildly.

"Sit back, dear. You'll fall and break your neck," said Alastor.

She sat back. "Look at him go!" She turned briefly to Arthur and Alastor. "Did you see that? He's amazing." This was the first real match Madeline had ever seen Charlie play in. She was quite impressed at his performance and very proud that the crowd was cheering him on. The students were all cheering him on! Her Charlie!

After the match, Madeline was making her way down the steps of the spectator stands when she ran smack-dab into a Hufflepuff girl with long magenta hair.

"Oop! I'm so sorry," said Madeline.

"No, it's my fault," said the girl. "Hello, were you sitting with Mad-Eye Moody?"

"Yeah. He's my brother."

The girl's eyes got as big as saucers. "You're joking! My stars," she gasped. "He's my hero." She grabbed Madeline's arm. "You just have to introduce me. Please?"

"Sure," said Madeline. "By the way, my name's Madeline."

"Oh! I'm-" she thrust out her hand and accidently fell forward onto Madeline as a couple of Slytherin's pushed past.

"Watch it," one sneered.

Both girls cringed.

The Hufflepuff girl continued, "I'm Tonks, Nymphadora Tonks, but please call me Tonks. I get teased," she added.

"Good to meet you Tonks." They shook hands. "Come on."

Tonks followed Madeline back up the stands to where Alastor and Arthur were talking with Professor McGonagall.

"Alastor, this is Tonks," said Madeline.

Tonks tripped over Madeline as she made her way forward to shake hands with the auror and nearly fell into his lap.

"Oh," she blushed. "Sorry."

"You alright, young lady?" asked Alastor.

"Fine." She looked star struck.

Presently, Charlie came up the steps behind Madeline.

"Hello," he said. She practically flew into his arms. He grinned. "I've got to tell you something," he said. She glanced at her brother who was being fawned over by Tonks who was peppering him with questions and compliments.

"Let's go," said Madeline and the two of them jumped down each step hand in hand and then walked a ways before saying anything. "You were amazing, Charlie. But the match didn't last very long."

"Yeah, that happens," he chuckled, "when the snitch is caught early on."

"You mean, when you catch it," she said.

"Well, yes," he blushed modestly. "I got lucky," he shrugged.

"This is such a great place. I'm so envious. I was always jealous that I couldn't go to Hogwarts, but now I really know what I'm missing," she said excitedly. He tried to interrupt but she went on. "I went with Fred and George out to see the magical animals and oh-"

"Yeah, Madeline," he laughed. "Wait, I need to-"

"It was incredible-" she began.

"Yes, but, I have to tell you." He stopped walking and planted himself in front of her. "I got an offer to play Quidditch professionally."

"Wow!" Her face lit up. "That's fantastic!"

"It is, but," he began, "they want me to start training with them this summer. This means that I wouldn't return to Hogwarts next year."

"I don't understand. You wouldn't finish school?" she said.

"No." He shook his head slowly. "I don't know what I should do."

"Quit school, of course!" Madeline herself didn't finish sixth form, which isn't compulsory in Muggle schools in England.

"Really?" he said.

She nodded. He smiled at her spontaneity and wild abandon.

"You know, I won't make a lot right away, but if I'm good, then wow!" He smiled with his entire face.

"If you're good? Of course you are! Everyone was cheering for you. Didn't you hear them?"

"Yeah," he blushed again.

"You'd get out of school earlier and well..." her voice softened, "I miss you."

"I miss you too." They kissed and he whispered. "We could get married sooner."

"I'd like that." She beamed.