VIOLET (A Harry Potter Universe Fanfiction)

8.

On Tuesday morning, Marlowe slowed down as he approached Benson's office on his way in. This time, he was expecting to be stopped, and sure enough, when Benson caught sight of Marlowe standing there, he said, "Morning Mr. Finnegan."

"Morning," Marlowe returned.

"Why don't you come in a minute. We can catch up about Sunday."

So Marlowe, who had had plenty of time to anticipate this but still didn't feel ready, stepped inside and sat down in the same seat he had occupied only a week ago. His heart was beating rather quickly.

"Tell me," he said, "how do you feel like you did?"

Marlowe swallowed. He hated questions like these. It was like being in school again and the teacher asking if you thought you'd done alright before showing you the mediocre grade on your essay.

"I think," Marlowe began. His mouth felt very dry. "I think I did okay. I was able to kind of forget about everything else and focus on the match and that was the one big goal I'd had. To just not get too in my head."

Benson stayed quiet, waiting for Marlowe to go on.

"But I didn't feel as strong as usual. My shoulder was really bugging me and I think you could probably tell. I know I can do better than that."

"I think that's an accurate assessment," said Benson.

He paused, considering Marlowe.

"I wasn't unhappy with your performance," he said. "I thought you did alright as well. And you went ahead and did it, even though we could all tell you weren't feeling top notch. I appreciate that dedication. What I'd like to know is how we can help you to be at your best, even on those days where you aren't feeling all that great. I'd like you to feel confident stepping in on any given day, but I need to know how we can support you so that's really possible. We obviously don't want to do anything that's going to take too great a toll on your body, but I'd also like to start testing you more. I see something in you and I want to push it. I want to see what you can really do."

Marlowe had not expected the conversation to go this way. He had thought they would discuss the match in great detail, picking apart each of his plays and critiquing it. Perhaps they still would, too. It was what he had done with Shep Porter, the coach who usually worked with the beaters and keepers after the other two times he had played.

"I don't-" Marlowe said. "I don't really know. I guess... I just need to figure out how I can feel stronger. I felt like... on Sunday, I felt like I didn't have as much power as usual, but if I pushed myself to be where I usually am, it hurt and the more I did that, the less I'd be able to keep it up. I don't know if it's figuring out how to pace myself, or building up my strength so I can keep it up or... I don't know. I have a lot of trouble with my joints around that time of the month."

It felt very vulnerable to be saying all this. He had rarely opened up to anyone except Caiti and his mum about what the full moon and the days around it were really like for him.

"We'll have to set something up with the healers. See if they can evaluate anything and maybe make some suggestions."

"That would be helpful," said Marlowe.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better than Sunday," said Marlowe. "A little sore still."

"Mention that to Shep, will you? He might be able to pick up on something you do to compensate when you're tired or sore. We can work on how to perfect your technique so you get the most power without overexerting yourself."

"Okay," said Marlowe. "Yeah. I'll ask."

His heart rate was starting to slow down.

"You're a good player," Benson said, sitting back. "You've got a future if we can learn how to deal with this together."