Order of the Sphinx... Why should HP get to have all the fun?

Chapter 20: Quidditch Match

 Dedicated to Chocoholic Junior for her 18th Birthday today

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling... Unfortunately. So her characters and world aren't mine.

I'm just a weird High School Graduate who likes messing around in her sandbox

Chapter 20: Quidditch match

The noise of the crowd was almost deafening. Shouts and various chants were circling around the stadium. I was sitting on one of the warped wooden benches which ran through the middle of the room. Various jackets and sneakers littered the floor of the change room and I couldn’t help but muse that, although Hufflepuffs were supposed to be fair, it sure as hell didn’t mean they weren’t messy.

“Alright men.” Crowed Josh, clapping his hands together and then rubbing them to create friction. Jamie, one of the beaters, cleared her throat. Josh flinched. “And women.” He tacked on, withering under Jamie’s fierce glare. He tried to lighten the mood and get back into the game spirit as the rest of the team crowded around.

“Now, this game is gonna be rough. These Ravenclaws can be bloody gits when they want to be. So, I had originally planned to go out there and give them an eye for eye. You know, really surprise them with how rough we stuck it to them. But Hamish told me I was being a right trollop and we decided for a tactical approach.” He said earnestly, splaying his leather gloved fingers. He met everyone’s eyes and I stole a stealthy glance at Hamish. His eyes were brilliant, face alight with fire, raring to go.

“We lost badly to Slytherin last game, so if we beat the birds we may have a chance at actually going to the final. Now, as you know, Wyeth’s mother told him to quit the team because of that nasty fall in the Slytherin game, so we were without a seeker. Well, your prayers have been answered.” Josh looked down at me then with a large smile. Grabbing my hand he pulled me up to stand beside him, his arm around my shoulders preventing my escape.

“This gentlemen… and ladies” he said, bowing to Jamie who gave an indignant snort and refused to look at him. “This is our new seeker, Anna MacKay. She’s quick; she’s agile and bloody stubborn as hell.” I rolled my eyes and he grinned consipiritally at me. “She hails from the land where they breed them tough. Ned Kelly came from there, and we have this little… wait” he paused and looked at me. “What do call your soldiers who went to war again?” he asked softly. “ANZACS?” I asked confused. “Yeah! That’s the one! Well anyway.” He said, addressing the team again. “We’ve got this little ANZAC who can hopefully win us a game.”

He gave me a slap over the back and smiled hugely. The team murmured appreciatively and Hamish gave a whoop. “Anna is a beast!” he called, his hand covering his mouth to make it look like he didn’t say it. I rolled my eyes again. “Hamish is an idiot!” I called back, snickering at him. He rolled his eyes this time.

Professor Sprout rumbled in then, her merry little face smiling happily. “Morning team!” she crowed, shaking off some snow which had dusted her shoulders. “Morning Professor Sprout.” We all chorused in time. She grinned at us all as she paused in the doorway, dithering whether to come or go. “Just wanted to wish you luck for the game. I’m hoping we’ll be partying tonight.” A Cheer went up at her words.

“Good luck badgers!” she said, and left with a flourish and a billow of robes. We all looked at each other and grinned. “Let’s get to the gate now!” Josh called, and we all went and picked up our brooms. Leaving the changing room, we walked towards the side door of the pitch, falling naturally into a two line formation. I stood next to Hamish. When Josh who was up the front with the keeper whose name I didn’t know, reached the doors they stopped, awaiting the doors to open eagerly.