It's a Rough Game Quidditch
RATED M
Disclaimer: Oh, you see, the reason I always write this is to make it clear that I don't own any HP stuff.
A/N: I'm trying to get this done fast, so if I make a mistake, sorry! (By the way, the "one-line" and "four-line" shots are based off of EPAK stick training, so I'm sorry if it's a little confusing.")
Chapter Nine
Week Eight
"So, when are we actually going to be home, now?" Gioni asked Wood after a late work session in France. "I know we're in England next week for half-point, but we go home for... Japan?"
"Correct," Wood replied. "Then we're out again for two weeks, break for one, back in US for four weeks, and then the Cup. Sounds simple, doesn't it?"
"I miss my bed," Cuyler groaned, leaning back in his chair.
"I miss your-- I mean, my bed, too!" Debbie moaned, sliding her guards off. Mary eyed them suspiciously, then shook her head.
"You can keep to your bed all you want after the Cup," Potter scolded. "Note that Wood and I only get one week in our homes and that's while you lot are playing with the English kids."
"True," Robert admitted. He whiped the sweat off of his bald head.
"All right, here's our final notes from today," Wood announced, lifting his clipboard. "Debbie, Frederli, you both dipped right before almost every goal you shot. That's not a big deal, but if you don't stick to your spot, it can give the keeper a quick second to telegraph.
"Lee, Smith, quit feeding the one-line," he said, swinging a bat on a diagonal plane. "It does give you power, but no aim. Try the three-line or the four-line." Wood swung the bat back and forth horizontally.
"Mary, one thing I noticed," Potter said. "You're a bit wreckless as to where you are in comparisson to where everyone else is. You need to know where the bludgers are and where your teammates and opponents are while you are looking for the snitch. You can't just not care." Both women stared at each other.
"What if I don't care?" Mary questioned. The tent fell silent.
"Excuse you?" Potter asked, placing a hand on her hip.
"What if I don't freaking care what the hell you're saying?"
"Then you will regret it," Ginny Potter said, almost whispering.
"Fine."
"Fine!" Both stormed out of the tent.
"I, ah, think we should call it a night," Wood said, making eye contact with Gioni.
"I'll find Mare," he said.
"I'll find Gin," Wood replied.
"Hey, don't worry. Mary's a moody person. She'll be fine later," Gioni muttered.
"I think she should keep her personal feelings out of the game," Wood murmured.
QCQCQCQCQCQCQCQCQCQC
"The United States lead 300 to 100," the translator announcer, well, announced.
Mary was rising higher into the air, keeping her eyes on the French seeker, a man named Cian. The higher she went, the more she saw. She hoped to scan the whole field for the snitch and catch the glimmer faster. Then she saw it.
Diving down, she caught a glimse of Cian speeding toward her. That just made her push harder. Her Nimbus 2001 would only go so fast. The snitch was at arms reach, at the same altitude as the goalposts.
Just as she caught the snitch, a bludger came down hard on her back, knocking her down onto Debbie and Gioni. All three crashed into the ground below as the translator announced, "United States wins!"
QCQCQCQCQCQCQCQCQCQC
"That was foolish! I don't even know what the hell you were thinking! I mean, I know the adrenaline rush when you dive, but you specifically heard Ginny tell you about awareness. You think she made up that shit? No! She was trying to prevent this! You owe her an apology, you owe Frederli and Debbie an apology, and you owe your whole team an apology because as soon as we get to England, we're doing heavy duty practice!" Wood was breathing heavily, and Mary had retreated far back, hiding her face. Potter placed a hand on his arm.
"I think that's enough, Oliver," she said quietly. "No one got seriously hurt, and she did catch the snitch. Go sleep on it." Wood stared at Mary for a split second, and apparated out of the tent.
"All right, guys, nothing to see here," Gioni told the rest. "Go to your tents. Next week, we conquer England. No offense, Mrs. Potter." The team streamed out, one by one, until only Mary, Gioni, and Potter remained.
Gioni sat next to Mary, and every time he would go to say something or even move, she would turn away. Finally, after nearly an hour, Mary spoke.
"I really am sorry, Coach," she said quietly. "You were totally right, and I was totally wrong."
"We all make mistakes, Mary," Potter replied. "Wood has a short fuse. He'll be over it after you guys crush England's team."
"Thanks for understanding," Mary whispered, watching Potter apparate. She hung her head low, stating, "I'm sorry, Gioni."
"Forget it, hun," he muttered, pulling her close. "You didn't hurt me."
"I know," she replied, running a hand through his hair. She closed her eyes, and he picked her up slowly, carrying her to his tent.
"Goodnight," he whispered, setting her in his cot, using a spell to make it fit them both.
QCQCQCQCQCQCQCQCQCQC
WEEK EIGHT MATCHES
USA vs. France (450, 100)
England vs. Germany (180, 110)
Australia vs. Spain (70, 230)
Bulgaria vs. Japan (160, 190)
Nordic Break
STANDINGS
1. USA 2410
2. England 1440
3. Bulgaria 1270
4. Spain 1060
5. France 960
6. Nordic 950
7. Australia 890
8. Japan 890
9. Germany 760
A/N: By the way, due to a nasty PM I recieved, I do keep track of the math involved, and the number next to the country in "Standings" is really the total number of points they have received since Week One. Check the math if you don't believe me.