Sixty-Five Roses

04

Monday came and Parker had on black athletic leggings, with pockets, and a purple athletic shirt. She had her hair in a high ponytail and a pair of sneakers. She stared at the field nervously and placed a subconscious hand on her inhaler. She'd take her needed medication that morning, but the idea of an incredibly athletic game worried her more than she cared to admit.

Her team was dressed in exercise clothes and she watched as each member ran onto Google's game field. There were spectators on both sides. Their team ran onto the field. As they ran, Nick, Billy and Lyle tried to look cool, but all failed.

Parker noticed Stuart was wearing his beanie and rolled her eyes.

"Why the hell do we have to run with brooms between our legs, though?" Stuart asked.

"The tech department hasn't figured out how to make them fly yet," Lyle replied and Parker chuckled softly before it erupted into a cough. Nick and Billy glanced at her and she gave them a nod to let them know she was okay.

They reached the field and lined up with Graham's team. Sid, the guy who introduced himself the week before, was playing referee.

"All right, welcome to the Quidditch Pitch. Let's have a good clean match, Nooglers!" He blew the whistle and everyone moved further back and into position.

Stuart, upon noticing Parker's frown, rolled his eyes before he locked his phone and stuck it in his pocket, turning his attention to the group huddled together.

"Okay, rules. The beaters toss the bludgers at the chasers before the can get the quaffle through the three rings. No blagging, no blatching, no blimping, no habersacking. I don't wanna see quaffle hogging. No imperious curses, no confundus charms. In the unlikely event of a dementor attack, use a patronus charm. I recommend the stag, but that's a personal decision," Lyle told them.

Parker frowned in confusion. Lyle's rules had sounded like a bunch of hocus pocus to her.

"Lyle, Lyle, Lyle," Neha interrupted. "These beautiful idiots have no clue what you're talking about. Come on, use your muggle words."

"Come on, Lyle, you're making me feel like I'm back in math. I've got a couple savants here with eye-hand coordination. Just say game on and let us play," Nick said.

"Fair enough. Version 2.0: Peg them with the kickballs before they throw the volleyball through the hoop. Brooms in, people." Stuart gave her an infuriated look as they stuck their brooms into the small huddle. "Hufflepuff on three. One, two, three!"

"Hufflepuff!" the team yelled.

Stuart mumbled it and Parker frowned.

Lyle yelled, "Yeah son! Yeah, let's get it!"

Everyone ran to the white line in front of the hoops and knelt on it as they waited for the referee to blow the whistle. Parker adjusted the broom slightly, feeling incredibly subconscious.

"No mercy! No mercy!" Graham yelled to his team from across the field. Parker glared at him from the opposite side.

"Tips down! Blue team ready?" Sid asked.

"Ready!"

"Red team ready?"

"Bangarang!" Lyle yelled.

"Brooms up!"

Everyone raised their brooms and ran for the balls. The blue team got to first line and grabbed the three balls. They earned a point almost immediately when Graham threw the ball through a hoop. Nick and Billy began asking questions while Neha and Yo-Yo tried to block the blue team from scoring a point and failed.