It's a Rough Game Quidditch
RATED M
Disclaimer: You love this, and although it's not mine, I will give it to you.
A/N: It's such a boring day, and I'm so sunburned, so I'm writing away all I can at home. An offer I made last chapter, vote for your favorite team on the Standings list and it may sway how the Quidditch Cup goes! Also, my original offer stands that I will write a story if you send me an idea that will include your name in the first disclaimer.
Chapter Six
Week Five
"We're hosting Germany this week?" Cuyler asked, slinking into the team's tent with Debbie. "Aren't they at the bottom of the list?" Gioni flipped a few pages in his binder and nodded.
"They'd need to close us out and score 800 to beat us properly," he muttered, going back to his charts. "Debbie, how's your bruises from last week?"
"Not as bad as what I left on Robert, that's for sure," Debbie joked. "I'm fine, Cap. Where's everyone at?"
"Fred and Brandon are off doing whatever it is they do, and Robert's on his way," Gioni said, sounding distracted.
"And...Mary?" Cuyler asked.
"I don't care!" Gioni lashed out. "Let me get some work done here!"
"You're fighting," Debbie said, not asking.
"Whatever," Gioni grumbled, flipping a few pages back to the last match. He was scanning the stats and numbers, trying to estimate how much they should win by. The scores were easy to figure on paper, but hard to apply when they got on the field. Gioni was glad that it was at least at their home pitch that they were playing. Next week, they were getting a break, but the week after that, they were shipping off to Sydney, Australia. It was nice to sleep in his own appartment.
Robert popped into the kitchen, phazing Gioni for a minute. He looked around, then continued to his papers.
"Wow, I haven't seen you this focused since we our chance at the Cup last year," Robert commented. "What's up, Frederli?"
"Him and Mary are fighting," Debbie muttered quietly.
"I never said that!" Gioni said sternly.
"We assumed they're fighting," Cuyler corrected. Debbie snorted, then passed it off as a cough. "Cap'n Frederli here says he has a big plan for Germany.'
"When everyone is here, Sloan," Gioni moaned, throwing his work on the table. Fred casually walked in, followed shortly after by Brandon, and at last, Mary.
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I late?" Mary asked.
"Didn't bother anyone else, Singleton," Gioni commented. "Alright, since Germany has no chance of claiming our spot, and they can't seem to score 200, I think we should give our dear enem-- I mean, friends, of course, a taste of what it's truely like to get your ass beat."
"Hier, hier!" Robert commented.
"And your plan, Captain?" Mary asked coldly.
"My plan, Singleton, is that we start to give them a little sense of victory. Let them get an easy round of goals, and then unleash Smith and Lee after them. After they're bludgered up a bit, Montz, Green and I will go in for the kill, leaving Mary, excuse me, Singleton to catch the snitch. Sloan, you're best bet is to make it look like you're guarding the goals until Fred and Brandon go in."
"What's with the last names, Gioni?" Brandon asked. "I'm getting all confused. I know we're close knit and all, but I don't follow well with this whole last name thing."
"Sorry, man, just feeling very...coachy today," Gioni said. "Hey, Rob, how do you say, 'Let's kick ass' in German?"
"Oh, that's easy," Robert replied. "Lassen Sie uns Kick Esel."
"I think we'll need that tomorrow." Gioni smiled and folded his notes.
#
"Lassen Sie uns Kick Esel!" the American Team called as they entered the field. Each player knew his or her job, and as they got into position, each communicated with Gioni through their eyes. He nodded to all, and the game began.
"Germany leads 90 to zero," the announcer screamed. "Holy everloving cow! Where is Frederli's team today?" Gioni called for a timeout and was granted that.
"Alright, Fred, Brandon, ready to go?" Gioni whispered hoarsly.
"Ready as we can be," Fred said, nodding to Brandon.
"Singleton," the captain commanded, not looking up. "How many can we score before you can have the snitch?"
"Anywhere from 10 to 400, the way their seeker cuts me off."
"We can deal," Gioni growled. The referee blew his whistle, and the game resumed. Fred and Brandon began hiting the bludgers right and left, weakening the other side. Brandon smashed one at the German keeper after the game had tied up, but the keeper ducked and the ball bounced off a goalpost, hitting Gioni right in the solar plexis. The referee blew his whistle again and the team flew down to where Gioni had fallen.
"I'm good, I'm good," Gioni choked out. "Just winded. Help me up, guys." Brandon and Cuyler grabbed Gioni by the forearm and shoulder guards. The usual Healer ran over.
"Are we alright here?" she asked, shaking her head at them.
"Fine," Gioni told her.
#
The team collapsed late that night in Gioni's apartment, sunburned and tired. They had decided that instead of their usual drunken stupors, they would spend a night in. Gioni sat on the left side of the couch, Mary on the right, and Fred was forced in the middle of it. Debbie had insisted on making them food, courtesy of Gioni's kitchen, and had dubbed Robert and Cuyler her sous-chefs. That left Brandon to wander back and forth.
"That game was too long," Debbie teased Gioni in passing. "Next time you have a working plan, make it shorter."
"Sorry, Debs," he said, shrugging. "I'm a big thinker."
"Whatevs," Debbie replied. "Are you two still fighting?"
"Who said we were fighting?" Mary snapped. "I never did."
"They're still fighting," Fred said. Mary smacked the back of his head, standing.
"I'm going to turn in early," she stated, apparating before any protests could be made. Gioni sat, staring.
#
WEEK FIVE MATCHES
USA vs. Germany (490, 90)
England vs. Australia (220, 70)
Spain vs. Bulgaria (180, 120)
Nordic vs. Japan (200, 0)
France Break
STANDINGS
1. USA 1650
2. England 920
3. Bulgaria 780
4. Australia 650
5. Nordic 620
6. Spain 550
7. Germany 460
8. France 450
9. Japan 420