CHAPTER 32: WHAT A MATCH!
Kevin joined the sisters for their early morning run the next day, despite the fact that he and the other Cannons were up late last night trying to sign enough autographs for the entirety of Hogwarts.
"Don't be too upset when I wear you both out with my endurance." he sent the girls a cocky smirk as they stretched.
Sharing a knowing glance, the two siblings said nothing. Analese and Ella set the pace, and Kevin had no trouble keeping up. At least, for the couple of miles. The professional Quidditch player was finding the steady pace of the sisters harder to maintain about halfway through the third mile. His breathing was shallow and raspy, throwing him off the even tempo the girls were keeping.
"If you need to sit out, Kev, we'll understand." the redhead offered, her voice calm and collected as if she was merely strolling around the Black Lake.
"Yeah, mate, we don't want you to over do it midway through the Quidditch season." Ella agreed.
"No, I can keep going." Kevin gasped weakly. "How much more?"
"Oh, about three miles left, now." Analese replied.
"We just finished the third." the younger girl added.
"Six miles?!" Kevin exclaimed before he tripped over his own feet. The Chasers laughed to themselves before helping the fair-haired Beater to a standing position. "Maybe I'll stop after all." the pro athlete breathed heavily. He let himself fall backwards onto the soft grass.
"See you soon, mate." the girls called over their shoulders as they continued their run. Less than twenty minutes later, Analese and Ella returned to find Kevin fast asleep.
"Poor guy's exhausted. Only got about four or five hours of sleep." Ella smirked in amusement as she conjured whip cream and a feather.
"Brilliant, Teri, but wait until we get upstairs and let the rest of the Cannons see it." Analese pulled out her wand.
"Accio 'Scarlet Falcon'." the younger girl summoned her broom.
"Accio 'Flaming Phoenix'." her sister followed suit.
"You got him?" Ella inquired.
"Yeah, no problem." Analese assured as she mounted her broom with Kevin hung over her shoulders. "Let's fly through the castle."
"So much more fun." the honorary Gryffindor agreed eagerly as she and her sister kicked hard off the soft ground.
As the girls shot through the corridors, McGonagall spotted them. Since it was still somewhat early, the rest of the school were still in their house dormitories, allowing the professor to speak freely. "Great show last night." she called after the soaring students.
The sisters saluted her as they passed, expressing their gratitude. Once the Chasers had rounded the corner, an amused half-smile appeared on McGonagall's usually stern features.
When the three early-risers got back to the common room, the rest of the house was still asleep. Well, every other Gryffindor besides one Oliver Wood, who was staring off into space in a shadowy corner. After dropping Kevin, still dead to the world, back onto the couch, the siblings sat on the rug before the fire.
"What were you working on last night before bed?" Ella asked in a whisper into the silence.
"Oh, just a poem, nothing important." Analese replied with a modest shrug.
"I'd love to hear it, Pae." the younger girl had pulled out a sketchbook and pencil.
Oliver was pulled from his reverie by the voices and was eavesdropping. The girls knew he was there and listening, but decided to ignore him.
"Alright, but it's not my best." the redhead reached into the bag near her makeshift bed and revealed a navy blue notebook of her own. She flipped to a random spot near the back.
"You'll need a new one soon." Ella noticed nodding to the nearly full spiral notebook.
"It'll have to wait until the Hogsmeade trip, though." the fifth year girl had found the correct page. "Here goes nothing." with a short pause, Analese recited her newest literary work.
'THE RED ROSE WHISPERS OF PASSION
AND THE WHITE ROSE BREATHES OF LOVE
OH, THE RED ROSE IS A FALCON
AND THE WHITE ROSE IS A DOVE
BUT I SEND YOU A CREAM-WHITE ROSEBUD
WITH A FLUSH ON ITS PETAL TIPS
FOR THE LOVE THAT IS PUREST AND SWEETEST
HAS A KISS OF DESIRE ON THE LIPS.'
"That was beautiful, Lese." Alicia's voice stated from behind them. The Gryffindor Quidditch team, excluding George, was now standing in the common room.
"Hey guys, why are you up so early?" the red-haired girl inquired.
"We were hoping to see the Cannons in action." Angelina grinned hopefully.
"Sure, we don't mind at all." Kat had just woken up.
"Awesome." Harry and the twins cheered together.
"Wait," Ella called. "How would the Gryffindor Quidditch team like to join our practice?" she invited.
"That'd be-" Fred began excitedly. "That'd be cool." he calmed his voice down. "If it's alright with you." his voice had lost its 'new-prank-pep' and he shrugged in an attempt of a cool and collected appearance.
"It's cool with us." Sam responded before turning towards her fellow Keeper. "Wood, get your broom."
"Why?" the reserved guy in the corner called back.
"We're having a training session with Hogwarts' best team." Alex cheered, punching his fist in the air. "Alright."
"Where's George?" Analese had just noticed the twin's absence as Oliver climbed the stairs.
"I'll give you a hint," Alicia snickered, "Katie wasn't there when we woke up."
"Nevermind," the sisters stated in unison, "don't want to know."
Oliver came back down the boys' stairs, clad in his scarlet Quidditch robes.
"Yay! Let's go!" Ella squealed as the sisters darted for the window.
"Last one to the pitch flies like Flint!" Analese added after kicking open the window and mounting her broom.
The sisters shot out on their brooms, followed closely by Harry and Kyle. Laughing it up were the three Beaters, Fred, Kat, and Kevin, who were tailing Alex, Taylor, Alicia, Angelina, Zack, and Sam. Finally, Oliver was bringing up the rear, putting little effort in the race.
Once everyone had landed, Kevin, being the oldest and captain of the Chudley Cannons, took charge. "We usually start out with a few laps to get warmed up. Alright, teams, into the air. Fifteen laps of the pitch, pace yourselves."
Following orders, the fourteen players zoomed into the air high above the ground. To spectators, a fiery blob of speeding robes was all that could be seen, a random Technicolor blur set near the front.
The first people down were a group of five. Harry and Kyle had tied for first, having the fastest brooms, the Firebolt, clutched in their hands.
It was a trio that landed seconds later. Analese didn't have the best brooms, but the two sisters did have the best endurance and will power. Their speedy pace and mounds of Muggle Mountain Dew enhanced energy had allowed them to score the second place spot along with Oliver.
The Gryffindor Keeper had left all problems back on the ground. Any aspect of his life would have no affect on his game. Quidditch was his sanctuary, and nothing would take that from him.
Alex, Zack, Alicia, and Angelina were the only people still up in the air when the sisters got impatient. "If you four would stop flirting and start flying, we might actually get some real training done." the pair of hyper girls yelled at the quartet of Chasers goofing off in the skies.
The final four landed and the sisters noticed the flush on the Hogwarts girls' cheeks, in no way caused by the exercise they had just completed. Sharing a knowing smirk, Analese and Ella silently agreed to bring it up later.
"Now that we can move along to the real practice," Kevin looked pointedly at his male Chasers, "let's start sectionals. Beaters," Fred jumped to a military attention, "we're going to break out a Bludger and try not to injure each other too much." Kevin's eyes glanced quickly between Kat and Fred. "Chasers, Keepers, pass and score drills. Keepers, switch in and out every five shots." Oliver gave a curt nod of understanding, it felt weird to be taking orders rather than giving them, but he wasn't about to argue with a professional who was helping him and his team out. "Seekers, work on dives before taking up Snitch searching."
As everyone now knew what to do, the groups broke off. Kyle and Harry headed up the pitch to the opposite goal posts than the ones that Oliver and the Gryffindor Chasers usually practiced with. The Cannons' Beaters shot for the space above mid-field while Fred let loose a Bludger and grabbed his bat. The Chasers and Keepers rose to the remaining goal posts as Analese nabbed the Quaffle.
"Alright, before we start, I want Lese to shoot a goal by me on her own, or try to." Sam had loosened up, this not being a 'no-fun-intended' training session.
"Watch what you say," Angelina warned.
"She has a power shot that almost knocked me off my broom last year." Alicia finished, smirking at her friend's playful glare.
"As I recall, you weren't who I was aiming for." the accused redhead defended herself. "You just happened to come between me and the terrible two."
"Hold up," Taylor interjected, "you tried to murder the Weasley twins with a Quaffle last year?!" she was shocked at Analese, to say the least.
"No, not murder, just injure," Analese smirked at the professional athletes' expressions, "and not the twins, just Malfoy and Flint."
"I remember that," Ella flew up beside Angelina. "It was when you first found out that Malfoy was on the team, unfairly, I might add. They had just insulted Ron, Harry, and Hermione."
"So, since I was still in the air and still in possession of the Quaffle, I chucked it with a force of fury at the gits." her sister finished. "Alicia had just moved to join the rest of the team on the ground as I let go. As it soared dead on toward the targets, Alicia intercepted it with her broom."
"It wasn't all bad as she spun out of the air and smacked the two buggers across their faces." Angelina managed to add before cracking into laughter with the sisters.
"If you ask me, I improved their appearance." Alicia finished with a proud grin.
After a little over five minutes, the laughing Chasers and Keeper (Oliver wasn't participating) had regained control and were able to get back to practicing.
"Alright, one shot from Lese, and we can get back to work." Sam called, moving to hover before the goal posts.
Deciding to take a chance just for the fun of it, a knowing smirk played across the red-haired Chaser's lips. She hooked her arm around the scarlet ball and soared past the Beaters.
"Lese, what are you doing?" Kevin shouted a little louder than intended.
As Harry pulled out of a clean dive, the Seekers' attention was captured by the flash of red zooming past them. All eyes were on the focused redhead as she headed back for the guarded posts, having picked up the necessary speed.
Sam's blue eyes followed the speedy Chaser as she came toward the hoops. Her gaze traveled to Analese's face, her intent green eyes concentrated on the right ring.
Oliver couldn't help but admire Analese's skill for the sport. After knowing her for over five years, he knew that expression of hers well. Analese was in deep concentration as she subconsciously bit her lower lip.
She was about twenty feet from the goal posts when she sent the Quaffle behind her back. The auburn-haired Quidditch player released the scarlet ball. It shot past her steadying right arm and soared toward the goals.
Sam, having been focused on her opponent's eyes, which were still indicating the right hoop, dove in that direction. The Keeper's lapse in judgment of Analese's skill was caused her to fall for the fake-out.
It was a two second play that sent the Quaffle directly through the left goal. Everyone's jaws dropped as no one had actually seen that kind of move be completed without looking and being successful before. It wasn't unheard of to do a fake-out, but the Chaser usually subconsciously glanced at the actual hoop they were going to be aiming for. Not even Ella knew that was coming.
The fourteen Quidditch players were snapped back to normal when the unsupervised Bludger struck Alicia harshly in the shoulder.
"Alicia, hold still." Ella commanded as she moved to check the damage, wanting to be a healer in the future. "It's dislocated at least. This should heal it, but it's best if you don't use it for the remainder of the day." the third year girl advised after charming the injured shoulder to its original state.
"Thanks, Ella." Alicia grinned. "I'm glad Fred's found someone who can fix his mistakes."
"Hey!" Fred shouted, offended.
Alicia sat in the stands and watched, disappointed at the lost opportunity. It was a couple hours later that the sectionals ended.
Analese had taught the Chasers her newest scoring stunt, promising to teach Alicia as soon as they both had the time. Oliver had been up on his game, as always, despite the fallout between the two dedicated Gryffindor fifth years. Kyle and Harry had enjoyed the several competitions for the Snitch that they had set up. The Beaters spent their time attempting to over power each other's swings, laughing the whole time. Now, it was time for the fun part: Game Time.
The two teams had gathered spectators and the stands were filled with Hogwarts students and staff. Lee Jordan took it upon himself to provide commentary.
"Welcome to the Quidditch match of the decade. First up, we have the home team, short one player. The talented Gryffindor lions are made up of Potter, Johnson, Evans, Weasley, Wood, and one time only, Ella Sinesstra, subbing for the injured Alicia Spinnet. Unfortunately, George Weasley is a little preoccupied and cannot participate in today's match." Lee's voice resounded across the grounds. His last statement sent laughter erupting through three quarters of the stadium.
"And the special guests for this lovely Sunday are the Chudley Cannons!" their names were drowned out by the echoing cheers for the professional Quidditch players.
The match went by with ease, no fouls, no cheating. Ella seemed right at home on the Gryffindor team, practically anticipating Analese and Angelina's passes and formations. Oliver was blocking goals left and right. As Taylor moved to perform the stunt she had just learned from Analese, Oliver kept his eyes on the scarlet ball. As it was released, he dove before the left hoop, his finger tips barely brushing the Quaffle off course and into Analese's awaiting arms.
Towards the end, a few minutes before Harry nabbed the Snitch, Analese stole the Quaffle from Zack and headed back up the pitch. Alex was on a collision course with her as a forceful Bludger just struck by Fred towards Alex was intercepted by the red-haired Chaser's back.
"Oh, that had to hurt." Lee stated the words everyone was thinking. "Evans takes a powerful Bludger to the back, but maintains her speed and hold on the Quaffle. Tough as marble, that girl."
Analese was a few yards from the goal posts behind Sam. "Evans takes aim, and releases." Lee continued to announce.
A sudden bolt of pain shot through Analese's body and down her right arm. Before she could stop the Quaffle from leaving her grasp, it was shooting ten feet in front of her. Everyone stared as the scarlet ball soared at least five feet off target and fell to the ground.
It wasn't until Harry flew over to Lee Jordan and told him that he had caught the Snitch that any sound was heard. "Harry Potter has caught the Golden Snitch. Gryffindor wins!" Lee exclaimed.
Oliver appeared beside Analese before Lee had finished his sentence. "What the bloody hell was that, Evans?" he growled. Oliver never growled at anyone, especially not Analese. He had to be overly upset with her to react like that.
"I don't know, Wood." her expression was solemn and unreadable, her voice neutral.
"You don't know?" the captain hissed back.
"It just happened." she replied in the same emotionless tone.
"You don't fumble, it doesn't just happen." Oliver was livid.
"Lay off, Wood!" Ella glared at the guy, having just flown up to the pair.
"Don't start with me, Sinesstra. This is between me and Evans." the Keeper snapped back.
"Look, Wood, just forget it." Analese interjected flatly before her sister could throw a punch. "I'm sorry, alright, but it was just for fun."
Kevin flew over right then, after congratulating all the other players. "How about a rematch with one change." he offered. "We get Ella and you can use Alex."
"What did I miss?" George flew up to meet them, having seen the confrontation from the ground.
"Nothing, George." Analese responded with an empty voice. "You know where Katie is?"
"She and Alicia are chatting it up with Alex." he told her.
"Thanks," the red-haired Chaser left the interrupted altercation. She stopped beside the hovering pro athlete and made a proposition. "Hey, Katie, want to play against the Chudley Cannons?"
"Of course." the blonde answered immediately.
"Alex, why don't you keep Alicia company for the match?" Analese offered with a wink.
"Sounds cool to me." Alex agreed. "But, are you alright? That Bludger had to have hit you pretty hard, after all, it was aimed for my thick skull."
"No worries. I'm alright," Analese chuckled a bit, her right shoulder protesting with a shock of pain. "I'm a big, tough girl. I tie my own shoes and everything. But thanks."
The game was galleons of fun for Ella. Once again, the scoring before the Snitch was caught remained low and about even, Ella scoring quite a few of the goals.
About thirty minutes in, Kyle and Harry dove for the Snitch. "It's a dead-on dive. It's gonna be a photo finish." Lee announced eagerly. "And Kyle Gallo snatches the Golden Snitch with the assistance of a longer arm than our own Harry Potter. The Chudley Cannons win with a score of 200 to 50."
As soon as she could, Analese flew off to the castle, the majority of the school following suit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sick of seeing Analese hide her misery, George confronted Oliver after the match. "Why aren't you apologizing to Analese, Wood?" the redhead shouted at his captain. The locker room was deserted except for the two of them.
"Sticking up for your girlfriend, Weasley?" Oliver retorted bitterly.
"What?" George couldn't have heard that correctly.
"Your girlfriend, Weasley. The one I say you hugging on New Years." the Keeper slammed the door to his locker shut with fury. Once the initial shock had worn off, George was doubled over with laughter. "Care to let me in on the joke?" Oliver snapped.
"You think me and Lese are⦠dating." the Beater managed to choke out before his hysterics picked up again.
"You two were alone in her room, hugging for like five minutes before she kissed you on the cheek." Oliver's voice held a hint of anger. "What am I supposed to think?"
"Well, first, I've been dating Katie since the Masquerade Ball. Second, Analese is like a sister to me." George explained. "I guess I can understand how me comforting her like that would look different to an outsider. But, no worries, Lese is just another Weasley." he finished.
"Well, I feel ruddy stupid now." Oliver replied.
"You know what's gone wrong now so you can fix it." the redhead stated.
"But how?" the Keeper was exasperated.
"It has it be really special to appear entirely sincere." George thought aloud.
Oliver's eyes wandered along the walls and finally landed on the calendar. The Friday two weeks away was circled in bright red. January 28th. "The Battle." he breathed.
"What?"
"That's it!" the captain exclaimed. "Thanks, George." and with that, Oliver raced from the Quidditch pitch, leaving a dumbfounded George behind.
