Opening Day
Daisy sat on the bench in the visitors' locker room at Puddlemere, her eyes closed as the music poured over her. She was determined to be in the zone today.
The press had been going on about the match for a couple weeks now, with the media coverage intensifying in the last week. They were having a heyday over the fact that Daisy would be matched up against all three of her brothers for the first time. And that they were all three being coached by their father.
Not to mention, her boyfriend was also still one of the top chasers and she was going up against her mentor. Again. In short, the press had made a big to-do about it. Everyone had been looking forward to it ever since the Arrows beat Puddlemere in the final last season, knowing all three Wood triplets would be on the team.
"She's not taking this lightly," Blanks said, watching the silent Daisy as she worked through some deep-breathing exercises.
"Would you? First time going up against all three of her brothers at once," Bray said. "And her dad. And her boyfriend. And her mentor. The press has been having a go at this for awhile. They do it every time we play Puddlemere."
"Yea, but she's got it," Campbell said, grinning at the tiny seeker. "If anyone could pull it off, Pix can."
At that moment, Nilsson and John walked into the locker room. The team was immediately at full attention, though Cunningham had to nudge Daisy to get her to take her headphones off. She then turned her bright green eyes on the coaches, her face determined.
"Alright, team. First match of the season. Puddlemere is going to be out for blood. I need every one of you to focus and play like you have been in practice and we'll pull this off," Nilsson said, looking around at them. "Let's win!"
"Go Arrows!"
"Feels good to be in navy blue," Remus said, pulling on his jersey over his beater pads as he glanced over at Alan.
"That it does," Alan replied.
"Good thing we've all learned a long time ago to tell you three apart," Vane said, looking at the two.
"Not on the field," Remus said, grinning. "But that's kind of our intention."
"If you can't tell us apart, the other team can't as well," Alan added.
"Over half the team is family now," Wills said, grinning.
"Not yet," Ashley said, rolling her eyes.
"Will be soon enough," Wills sang.
"I swear to Merlin, you bring up marrying Daisy one more time, I'm stealing one of their bats and taking you out myself," she said, scowling at the chaser.
"What's gotten into you? He's been like this for years," Jamie said, chuckling.
"It's gotten worse since they started dating and I'm at my wit's end," Ashley said with a huff.
"But you know you love me," Wills said, batting his eyelashes at her.
"Shove off," she said, pushing him away.
"I'm with her," Jakes said, rolling her eyes. "Usually I can handle you, Wills. But you've been extra annoying this summer."
"Alright team, gather round," Oliver boomed as he walked into the locker room, the various coaches following him in.
"Yes, Coach!" Wills shouted brightly. Oliver scowled at him, then turned to focus on his pre-game pep talk. It was a lot of what they had heard before - keep an eye on Daisy, go after the chasers, Bray's weak side.
"This is our chance to show that we're the better team. Let's not let a repeat of the final happen," he said sternly. "She made be my little Pix-" he stopped and glared at Wills, "but we must start the season strong. Go out there and kick some arse!"
"Go Puddlemere!"
"Okay, so this is more exciting than the friendly," Tori said, beer in hand. She was wearing an Arrows shirt that had Daisy's name and number on the back, deciding she'd rather be Team Pixie than Team Triplets. In fact, most of the players' box was in Arrows gear, granted it was understandable when it came to Toby, Dominique and Lucy - who now had a jersey that read 'Mrs. Kelly' on the back, courtesy of the team.
"Sure to be a good one," Chris said, watching as the teams were announced.
"And finally, introducing your 23-24 Quidditch League Champions - THE APPLEBY ARROWS!" the announcer shouted. "Led by captain Ryan Kelly!"
"I do kind of miss the morning tension at breakfast whenever they play each other," Christos said from where he sat next to Roxanne. "Daisy is particularly entertaining. Today would have been legendary."
"What do you think it was like at her and Wills' place?" Teddy asked.
"Suspect they shagged each other's brains out to work through the tension," Lucy said nonchalantly.
"Lucy!" Molly exclaimed, slightly aghast. Lucy just shrugged, while Dominique chuckled.
"Wouldn't be surprised," she added. "Perhaps it's a pre-game ritual. That what you and Kelly do, Luce?"
"Seriously, Dom?" Molly said, flipping her head around to look at the blonde. In front of them, Laura, Lila and Bridget glanced back to laugh at the cousins. "Really, I'd rather not hear about my cousin's - or my sister's - sex life."
"Probably cause you've got none of your own," Lucy said lightly. Molly's cheeks turned pink as she glared at her sister.
"Merlin, you get married and now it's all dirty jokes," she huffed.
"And you weren't used to that already with all our cousins?" Victoire asked as Freddie and James dashed into the room and sat down.
"What did we miss?" James asked, leaning forward in his chair, the Wood on the back of his Puddlemere jersey on prominent display.
"Nothing but Dom and Lucy's dirty minds," Molly grumbled. James looked at her confused.
"Certainly they aren't as bad as the triplets?" he asked. He looked down at the three women in front of them. "Are they?"
"Jamie is a gentleman," Lila said, glancing back at him with a slight smile.
"Remus and Alan on the other hand," Laura continued.
"Alan's not that bad," Bridget interjected.
"Not unless you get him and Remus together," Laura said.
"Ladies, if you do not mind, the game is starting," Christos said, pointing towards the field.
"Half a season and he turns into a quidditch maniac," Lucy said with a chuckle.
The group went quiet as Wills and Kelly fought for control of the quaffle - possession went back and forth a bit before Wills shot towards Bray. Daisy passed down in between the chasers, causing Vane and Jakes to go in opposite directions. However, her efforts to run defense were cut short as Remus - or possibly Alan - nearly took her out with a bludger.
"We're going to hear about that later," Freddie commented.
Wills scored as the Arrows set up for offense and Daisy glared at her brothers before shooting up to watch the action from above.
"Definitely going to hear about that," James concurred.
"She's still in top form, though," Chris said, watching the game intently. Daisy ducked out of the way of another bludger and shot off towards the other end of the field while Nilsson yelled instructions at Blanks and Campbell to better guard Daisy.
"What other form d'you expect her to be in?" James asked without turning around.
"She has been a bit distracted as of late, from what she tells me," Toby said. "With everything going on."
"Obviously not that distracted," Freddie said, sitting back and grinning as Daisy managed to trick Alan into sending a bludger towards Remus that he barely dodged in time. "Up to her old tricks again."
"She definitely doesn't want to lose this one, that's for sure," Dominique said.
Daisy allowed a small smile to herself as she saw Remus nearly get hit by the bludger that Alan had sent his way, thinking he was going to take her out. She wasn't even that upset that her brothers were trying to knock her off her broom - wasn't anything new. They were always trying to knock her off her broom.
"Stay focused, Pix!" Nilsson yelled at her. She nodded shortly and flew up, watching as Kelly and Wright tossed the quaffle back and forth, then passed to Cunningham at the last minute. He managed to sink in through the right hoop, causing Jamie to frown.
"Better luck next time," she thought as she passed around the back of the hoops and started to get in position for defense.
"Don't get too cocky!" was the response.
"When have I ever got too cocky?" she shot back as she focused on the Puddlemere chasers. Her bright green eyes followed them until she located the holes. Grinning she steered towards them, flipping upside down as she slipped through Vane and Wills, nearly hitting Wills' broom. He jerked in the opposite direction, dropping the quaffle that Cunningham was waiting to grab.
"Nice one, Pix!" Wills shouted.
"Stop complimenting the enemy!" Jakes shouted. Daisy just chuckled and turned her focus back on the match.
"After two seasons, you'd think everyone would start to catch on to their style," Dominique said about three hours into the match, watching the game go back and forth until Kelly scored again. The Arrows were up by about 50 points. "What's more, that Uncle Oliver would have them so well trained, Daisy's usual tactics wouldn't work."
"Not for a lack of trying," James said with a sigh. "I know Weathers pushes us hard before we play them and we still lose. Sure Uncle Oliver does the same. Even when you're expecting it, it still throws you off."
"And Nilsson always tries to add in something unexpected," Chris added. "Interested to see what new tricks he's got her working on."
"Is there another way to do a flip that we don't know about?" Teddy asked, as he leaned forward.
"If there is, Pix would figure it out," Freddie said as he walked up with another round of beers. He started passing them around, handing the last to Victoire.
"I'm good," she said, her eyes still on the match. Freddie stopped and looked at her, confused.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"Got an early shift tomorrow," she said absentmindedly. "I don't want to be hungover." Teddy glanced over at Freddie as he sat down, still glancing at Victoire.
"More beer for me," he said cheerfully. Victoire either didn't hear him or didn't care as she took a sip from her water bottle. Christos glanced at the couple, studying the two before he started smiling to himself.
"What's that about?" Roxanne asked. Teddy and Victoire looked down at him, their eyes widening.
"Nothing," he said, turning back around. He had done his fair share of ruining surprises, so he wasn't about to do it again. Teddy and Victoire seemed to relax. Of course, that would be about the moment that Victoire started turning a bit green.
"You alright?" Teddy whispered to her. She shook her head quickly and stood, using Cunningham's goal as cover while she dashed from her seat and out to the bathroom. Granted, it didn't go unnoticed by Dominique.
"What's wrong?" she asked, leaning towards Teddy.
"Must have had some bad breakfast," he said, looking towards the door. "Or maybe she caught something at work."
"Then what's she doing at a quidditch match," Dominique replied.
"She was fine this morning," he said. Lucy noticed and looked back at Teddy as well.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Nothing," Teddy said quickly. Lucy and Dominique met each other's eyes, feeling like something was going on. Victoire came back, a paper towel in hand. While she no longer looked green, she was still a bit pale.
"I'm fine," she said, sitting next to Teddy and taking a drink from her water bottle.
"No, you're not. You should go home. You look sick," Dominique said.
"This why you didn't want the beer?" Freddie asked, holding up the second cup of beer. Lucy and Dominique locked eyes and started to grin. Molly looked back and forth between them and then back at Victoire.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" she blurted out. Everyone froze before whipping their heads over to look at Teddy and Victoire, whose eyes were wide.
"Guess that secret's blown," Teddy said with a feeble laugh as he looked at Victoire. She sighed and shook her head.
"At least we already told Mum and Dad and your grandmother," she said.
"OH MY GOD!" Dominique squealed as she and Lucy jumped from their chairs and started shrieking and jumping. "I'm going to be an aunt!" She leaned over the chair and grabbed Victoire, hugging her. Roxanne looked over at Christos.
"That what you saw?" she asked quietly. He nodded.
"I was not about to break another secret," he said with a sigh. While the women were busy congratulating Teddy and Victoire, the rest of the group was on their feet, watching the match.
"They found the snitch!" James shouted.
"That was fast," Tori commented.
"You thought what you saw with her against Wiggins was good, wait until you see this," Chris said, his eyes fixed on the two seekers who were now spiraling towards the snitch. Daisy was nearly flat against her broom, her eyes fixed on the snitch that was only about a foot or so from her. Ashley was next to her, not about to give up the fight.
Everyone was up on their feet, everyone watching the two seekers. They were headed towards the crowd on the other side of the stadium.
"They're going to fly into them," Tori said.
"No, they won't," James said.
"But-"
"Trust me," he replied. Daisy leaned forward her right arm out.
"YES! GO PIX!" Freddie shouted.
Suddenly, just when it seemed she was going to grab it, Daisy's head whipped in another direction. Even though just as quickly she whipped her attention back to the snitch, that small distraction was enough. Ashley surged forward, grabbing the snitch and shooting up before she hit the stands. Daisy leaned to the side and shot off to the right, her frustration apparent.
"What was that?" James shouted. "HOW COULD YOU MISS THAT?"
The rest of the players' box was stunned, even the Puddlemere fans.
"Good thing the triplets keep a large supply of alcohol. Daisy's gonna need it," Dominique said, her brow furrowed.
"What do you think it was?" Lucy asked.
"She best not be going back to last season," Freddie said. "I've got a fair amount of money on her this year."
"FREDDIE!" Roxanne, Lucy, Molly and Dominique shrieked at the same time. He looked back at them.
"Sorry," he said a bit sheepishly. Chris sighed as they all stood.
"Commence with Operation Cheer Up Pix," he said to Tori.
Later at the Woods flat, everyone looked towards the door nervously, waiting on Daisy to show up. The rest of the Arrows had arrived about 15 minutes ago - as had Puddlemere - but Daisy still wasn't there.
"Should we send someone to check on her?" Tori asked Chris. He shook his head.
"There's an auror team with her. She's fine. Just wallowing a bit," he said before taking a drink. "Kelly said she told them not to wait on her."
"She had a solid match before that last part," Tori said. "Nothing to be ashamed about."
"She got distracted so she's going to beat herself up about it," he said with a sigh.
"What the hell got her attention?" Tori asked. Chris shrugged.
"Dunno," he replied.
"PIX! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" Wills shouted, grabbing their attention. A dejected looking Daisy had just walked into the living room and stopped, her eyes widening as everyone looked at her. She then narrowed her eyes at her boyfriend.
"Thanks, Wills," she muttered as she walked straight for the drink table and poured herself a stiff drink.
"Seriously, Pix. I was worried," he said.
"Oh, shove off. Go celebrate your win with my brothers," she snapped before downing half the drink. Wills stopped and stared at her back.
"Pix… I'm sorry-"
"Shut it Wills!" she shouted before she grabbed a bottle and walked through the crowd towards the balcony. The doors flew open and then slammed shut behind her.
"Okay… now I see why everyone keeps mentioning being afraid of her," Tori said, eyes wide. Chris sighed heavily and looked around the room.
"Sure her brothers are currently pulling straws over who's going to talk her down," he said.
"They take turns?" Tori asked.
"It's either them or Wills. But I don't think Wills is a viable option at the moment," Chris said.
"Looks like someone's beat them to it," Tori said, looking towards the balcony. Chris looked over in time to see Toby slip out.
"Probably best if it's him," he said with a sigh.
"Leave it," Daisy said, hearing the door open as she took a swig from the bottle.
"Even if it's your best friend?" Toby asked. Daisy glanced over at him and then back at the street, motioning for him to sit. Toby walked over and took the bottle from her and took his own drink. "Want to talk about it?"
"I blew it. You saw," she said, still not looking at him.
"You had a decent game before that. Better than decent," he said, holding the bottle out to her. She took it and sighed then took another sip.
"I thought I saw something," she said. "In the stands."
"Did you?" he asked, immediately concerned.
"No," she said. "Just my eyes playing tricks on me with everything."
"Pix… that's not your fault," he said. She sighed and looked over at him.
"I know. Just… I don't want to go back to last season," she said, her brow furrowed.
"You won't. Come on, Pix. This is nothing like last year. You have a hold on your magic. You know how to use it," he said.
"But I'm just stuck here. Waiting. For what? For Magnus to come after me again? That's what Teddy and everyone seems to think," she said. Toby studied her a moment. "That's why I'm being treated like I was back at Hogwarts. No, worse. At least even then Mum and Dad would let me out. I have to ask permission to go on a date with my own boyfriend."
"Pix, we're just trying to keep you safe. You and your whole family," he said. "We have reason to believe that the Network will come after you again. We just want to make sure they don't get you this time." She stared at him and then took a drink.
"I know. Just wish there was… something I could do," she said. Toby chuckled.
"You have no idea how many aurors and Prostatis are working on this right now. And we're still stuck. No offense, but I don't think there's much more you could do to find them. Even with your gifts," he said. Daisy nodded.
"I know. Doesn't mean I like it," she said, holding the bottle out to him. Suddenly, she felt calm as all the anger seemed to leave her body. She sighed and leaned back in the chair. "Jamie, stop it," she said loudly. Toby looked over towards the balcony doors, seeing a shocked Jamie looking through the windows. He opened the door and shuffled out.
"Just wanted to make sure you were calm before I came out," he said, sheepishly. Daisy glared at him. "Didn't realized Toby was already out here."
"I'm fine," she said. "Frustrated, yes. Disappointed. Definitely. But I'll be fine."
"You sure?" Jamie asked. Daisy just looked at him.
"Again, Pix. It was a good match. You just had a moment. I know you, it won't happen again," Toby continued.
"If it helps, Ashley's been saying she doesn't count it as a real win. She knows something distracted you," Jamie said.
"Doesn't matter. I lost. But I won't make the same mistake," Daisy said.
"I know you won't," Jamie said. Daisy nodded.
"I should probably go apologize to Wills," she said, pushing up out of her chair.
"Oh, and go talk to Teddy and Victoire," Toby said. Daisy stared at him.
"Why?" she asked.
"Just do it," Toby replied. She shrugged and continued into the flat.
"You seem happy that you're not the one who has to go talk to her," Bridget said, glancing up at Alan.
"It's not that I don't want to, just… sometimes you never know with Pix," he said, glancing towards the balcony. "And Jamie's got that nifty little trick to calm her down." Bridget nodded.
"Right," Bridget said, nodding slowly. "You're worried about her." Alan cracked a smile.
"Of course, I am. She's my sister. We've always been close. You know that," he said.
"And she brought you back from the dead," Bridget said, dropping her voice so no one could hear.
"And there's that," he said. He looked towards the balcony, where Jamie was standing outside the doors. "Just… everyone thinks they could try to take her again. And… I just remember when they got her the first time."
Bridget reached out and took his hand, squeezing it.
"I know she's frustrated. With being watched all the time and we've had no word on the investigation. I'm sure that's what got her today in the match. And I know she's going to beat herself up for it," he said, looking down at Bridget.
"And I know you. You'll do everything you can to help her. Cheer her up. You're a good man, Alan," she said. "That's why I ultimately agreed to go on that first date."
"You sure it wasn't my good looks and charm?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Bridget chuckled.
"If that were it, I would have said yes the first time," she said. "It was your heart that got me."
Alan stared at her a moment.
"I don't know why you put up with me and this. The security detail. My family. The Network and constant threat that we'll be attacked again. And-"
"The possibility you could die again?" she asked softly. He stared at her a moment, before cupping her cheek.
"I'm not going anywhere, Bridge," he said.
"I know," she said. "Just as I know that this isn't going to last forever. I'm not afraid, Alan. I love you. And that… that's worth whatever we go through until this is over." Alan smiled.
"I love you too, Bridge," he said, bending down to kiss her. Bridget smiled up at him after and then glanced over.
"Seems Daisy has decided to rejoin us," she said. Alan looked over, seeing Daisy walk back inside and then beeline towards Wills.
"And seems she's about to apologize to Wills," Alan said. Bridget looked around and noticed Teddy and Victoire surrounded by various family members.
"By the way, I think we should talk to Victoire and Teddy. They sort of made an unexpected announcement today," Bridget said, leading Alan towards them.
"What?" he asked.
"Just let them tell you."
Okay, so there are a couple more chapters before we get back into the Network... apologies. But... we get a bit of drama with Iris in the next chapter. And then a return to the Halloween party in the chapter after that, which I had a bit of fun with...
AleenaBean - Aw, thanks! I know you want to read more about the Network, but trust me... things are coming. Just be patient. ^_^
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
