The Cupboard Series 5: United We Stand ...

Chapter 23

The first snows of the season caused an upsurge of urgency in certain members of Diricawl Academy. Only the fact that the snow was little more than a light dusting on the ground and the tops of the trees prevented any panic from settling in.

Nearly every afternoon after classes and then again for most of the days on the weekend, the Diricawl quidditch pitch became the place to be. Pick-up games were organised on the spur of the moment and even impromptu quidditch position practices appeared.

For Mike, the school's sports teacher, it was almost a nightmare. Being a non-magical meant that he couldn't get on a broom and fly it, due to the simple fact that, while brooms themselves were imbued with magic, it took the rider's magic to steer it. And being up in the air amongst the fourteen or so kids was the ideal place to be to ensure that everything was fair and that there were likely to be less injuries.

Thankfully, though, he was blessed with some responsible prefects. The three girls – Angelina, Alicia and Katie – worked well together organising everyone and making sure that the teams were as fair as possible. Lee Jordan had taken the top of one of the stands as his own, a place where he sat commentating on the games and throwing out the odd remark or two to help those in the air stay safe. Even the twins seemed to be taking extra care where they were hitting the iron cannonballs called bludgers and moderating how hard or how close they were sending them towards the younger students.

Mike had been given a crash course in the rules of quidditch by Harry, Minerva and Sirius but it really took until he was able to watch the kids playing that he finally understood it. Well, mostly understood. He still thought that one hundred and fifty points for catching a single ball seemed a bit lop-sided, especially when ninety-nine times out of a hundred it would also mean winning the game, regardless of everything else that had been happening in it.

But all of this relentless play and practice had been for a good cause. Headmistress McGonagall, being the rabid quidditch fan that she was, had promised quidditch. And knowing that with a school the size of Diricawl that a league or tournament was out of the question, she'd promised something special, something that she'd hinted that they'd need to find and field their very best school wide team for.

"May I have your attention, please," Headmistress McGonagall said to the teens gathered for dinner one Saturday night late in November.

Heads swivelled around and in some cases, whole chairs were turned about until everyone was facing her. The fact that there were quite a few sweaty and grass-stained teens told her that most of them had come straight from the quidditch pitch to dinner once again.

"It has been exceedingly pleasing seeing so many of you flying together and practicing your quidditch moves over the past months. I can honestly say that we have seen a great deal of improvement. Now, though, is the time to share with you what you have all been working towards," she said, creating an excited low buzz amongst the tables.

"Next Saturday, Diricawl Academy will be hosting an exhibition quidditch match between an All Stars Diricawl Team and Puddlemere United," Headmistress McGonagall announced with a huge smile on her face.

Cheers greeted her announcement, along with an enthusiastic round of applause.

At her gesture, Mike rose from his seat and joined her, a large box appearing on the table courtesy of the elves.

"Your All Stars Diricawl Quidditch Team consists of ..." Headmistress McGonagall began, drawing it out and nearly seeming to suck the students in with the way they were all leaning forward in anticipation.

"Chasers Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell."

As each girl's name was announced, a huge round of applause was given. Each girl rose, a massive smile nearly spitting their faces, and walked towards the front where Mike was waiting to give them their new uniforms. The uniforms were a deep forest green and white with gold highlights. The players' name and number was emblazoned on the back of their uniform as well as on the left side of their chest.