QUIDDITCH
Sitting in the common room, the Gryffindor Quidditch squad each had a different expression. Surrounded by a mound of crumpled parchments, Captain Katie Bell was frowning at a clipboard. Ron Weasley fidgeted with his Keeper gloves as Ginny Weasley relaxed back in her chair and idly threw a Quaffle into the air.
"We need more practice," Katie broke the quiet. "We're not unbeatable, but we're good—great even." Every evening Slytherin has been practicing; Ravenclaw's Chasers are getting sharper. We have to go more aggressive.
"Not to mention Hufflepuff," Ginny replied, catching the Quaffle with a pleasing thump. "Their supposed to be lightning-fast new Seeker's."
"But how?" nonetheless Ron threw his gloves on the table and asked. "We only get the pitch twice a week, provided the weather permits. More time cannot be magically created.
Katie deliberately tapped her quill against the copybook. "Perhaps we do not need the pitch each time. If we practiced inside the House? We could establish reserve teams out of the other Gryffindors. Everyone then gets to participate in Quidditch and we get all the required practice. It doesn't really make sense to only offer Quidditch to members of the team and forget about everyone else? It would help train the younger ones and we can have a reserve... Hmmm, this might just work."
There was great buzz in the room. Reading in the corner, Neville Longbottom turned to show great interest. "You mean anyone could join in?"
"Exactly," Katie remarked with a smile. "But just if they so desire. Nobody will be made to perform. We will keep things laid back and light-hearted. Reserve teams can alternate roles and perhaps even test tactics we wouldn't risk in a live game."
Just entering the room, Hermione Granger wrinkled an eyebrow. "How will you guard against it spiralling into anarchy?"
"Easy," Ginny answered with a cheeky grin. We will designate you as referee.
Searching the House for Talent
The Gryffindor crew put up a message on the common room bulletin board the following morning. It came out as:
CALLING ALL GRYFFINDORS!*
Are you interested in Quidditch? Have you ever fantasised of scoring the winning goal or flying across the heavens on a broomstick? This is your opportunity.
To enable us to practise, the Gryffindor Quidditch team is seeking reserve players. No experience is required. You only need zeal and a broom (borrowed ones are okay). Everyone is welcome, from First to Seventh years!
Subscribe below!
Lunchtime saw names all over the parchment. Even first-years like Dennis Creevey had scrawled their curiosity. Katie was overjoyed.
She rallied everyone in the common room that evening. "Thanks for all of you registering. Three times a week we are scheduled to have practices. You will be divided into reserve teams, and we will arrange things such that everyone can attempt several places. Although this is supposed to be fun, keep in mind that it also gives you an opportunity to assist Gryffindor in winning the Cup.
There were cheers and an irresistible enthusiasm. Some of the younger pupils felt comfort knowing Hermione promised to keep score and enforce the rules. Neville even volunteered to keep time.
The Initial Practice
First practice was a frenzy of activity. The core squad broke up, each athlete coaching a set of reserves. While Katie worked with young Beaters who had borrowed old bats from the school shed, Ginny took a group of enthusiastic Chasers, including Colin and Dennis Creevey.
"Hold it like this," Katie said, guiding a fourth-year student with nervousness towards the right grasp. "Now swing, but target control rather than force. Since the Bludger is erratic, concentrate on where you want it to travel."
Ron was teaching the Keepers concurrently. "It's all about focus," he advised a wide-eyed second-year. "Watch the eyes of the Chaser. Usually, they will show where they are aiming."
The first attempts from the reserves were wild but funny. One of the Creevey brothers got cheers from his colleagues after inadvertently tackling the Quaffle from Ginny's hands. A Beater's uncontrolled swing launched a Bludger rushing towards Hermione, who deftly shielded herself with a timely Shield Charm.
As Hermione shook herself, she said sarcastically, "This is going well." Still, she couldn't help but grin at the athletes' pure delight.
Enhancement and Harmony
The reserve teams got quite better over the next few weeks. Previously not having touched a broomstick, players were now scoring goals and intercepting passes. While a quiet third-year called Megan proved to be an outstanding Seeker, the Creevey brothers became shockingly agile Chasers. Even Neville tried it, acting as a Beater and belly-laughing each time he hit the Bludger.
The Gryffindor common room was busier than it had ever been. Conversations about the Quidditch strategy took place instead of homework, and students who had never participated before were connecting over their common love of the game.
One evening following practice, Ginny said to Katie, "This was a brilliant idea." "It is bringing the entire House together, not only helping us."
"And we're seeing things we would never have tried otherwise", Katie said. "That double-feint action Megan executed today? We are opposing Ravenclaw using that."
The Match of the Houses
Katie set up a complete House match to end up the semester. Selected from the most passionate players, an all-star reserve team would challenge the Gryffindor team.
The game was a show. Gryffindors, supporting their fellow students, crowded the stands. Hermione had even charmed banners with flashing inspirational inscriptions. The game moved quickly and excitedly. Playing Seeker for the reserves, Megan almost outpaced Harry Potter to the Snitch. Ron surprised everyone by letting a reserve keeper block one of his shots, therefore generating cheers from the audience. Minerva McGonagall really enjoyed the game and congratulated Katie on this wonderful idea of having everyone included.
Though no one gave a damn about the result, the Gryffindor squad prevailed by a tiny margin at last. Celebrating their improved abilities and friendships, the reserves were over the moon. Katie made sure everyone who took part got a little token—a Gryffindor badge charmed to play a brief House cheer fragment.
Legacy
The practice sessions developed as a Gryffindor custom. Whether they dreamed of making the main team or simply wanted to feel the excitement of flying, every year, new students excitedly registered to join the reserves.
When Katie, Ginny, and the others had long graduated years later, a seventh-year Megan stood as Gryffindor Quidditch captain, happily staring at the most recent announcement on the bulletin board:
Want to play Quidditch? *CALLING ALL GRYFFINDORS*