The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 82: Balls Vroom Blitz

The air within the common room was apathetic at best, dismal at worst.

Days after the events of the First Task, the energy that filled the air was absent.  People lazed about in chairs and couches, all sharing a similar look of lethargy.  Even the twins, the physical embodiment of mischievous energy, were slumped on a couch together.

Angelina eventually looked up when she realized someone was standing in front of her.  She forced her eyes open and looked at a rare sight: a disapproving Harry Potter.  "Hey Rabbit," she said tiredly.

"I don't believe what I'm looking at," he said in his most severe voice.

"What do you mean?" Alicia asked, trying to be offended by his tone.

"It's a beautiful day outside, no one is in the Infirmary, and you lot are lying about as if there's nothing to do!"

"But there isn't anything to do," George said.

"Speak for yourself," Katie said from a table, "I'm studying for my O.W.L.s,"

"But there isn't anything good to do," Fred amended.

"I so happen to know that there is something we definitely can do," Harry said.

"Well go on then, share with the class," Angelina said with a grin.

"Gladly!  Grab your brooms and meet me at the pitch."

The team looked at each other.

"Harry, there's no Quidditch this year," George said in a tone of deep remorse, as if lamenting a beloved friend's death.

"There's not a Quidditch League this year," Harry corrected.

"Okay, fair point.  But there's no point in doing any kind of trials or practice since there's no League this year."  Fred sighed despondently.  "And we don't have enough people for a pick-up game."

"Plus they can last a while and I don't think I have the energy for one," Alicia said as she slumped boneless, sprawling over the end of the couch.

"What if I find the people and have an idea to make things more interesting?"

"Oh?  How so?"  Angelina raised an eyebrow.

"Trust me," Harry said.  "I already checked the pitch, it's back to normal from when they built the arena for the First Task.  If you'll indulge me, meet me at the pitch with your brooms and I solemnly swear it'll be fun."

"I don't know Rabbit..."

He put his face right in front of hers.  "Don't make me do the look," he said with a smile.

She grinned and pushed his face away.  "Okay okay, fine!  Not like I got anything better to do."

"Yes!  You won't regret it," he said enthusiastically.  "Ron!  Ginny!  Come on, y'all too.  Hermione and Neville, come on down, it'll be fun to watch.  Katie?  You too please."

Katie looked like she wanted to protest but after a moment she sighed, "Fine but if your idea isn't fun I'm bringing my notes to study."

"Fair!  I'll meet everyone there!"  Harry ran from the room.

"You know, this might be the most excited I've seen him for a not-obvious reason," George said thoughtfully.

Angelina stood up and stretched.  "Guess that's as good of a reason to listen to him then."

-0-

The team and others from Gryffindor got to the pitch and looked about.  As Harry said, it was restored to its former glory as the Quidditch Pitch.  Harry was not waiting for them so his fellow Housemates clustered around the benches and chatted while they waited.