Chimaera Of Judgement

43: Injury And Inquiry

"Mount your brooms!"

It did little to quell the fears of the Gryffindor Quidditch team that nearly every single student and staff member had turned out to watch the deciding match of the season; both teams were unnervingly close in points, and it was anybody's game. Though Ravenclaw's Chasers weren't quite the well-oiled machine of the Gryffindor team, Gryffindor were at a distinct disadvantage: one missing Beater, replaced by his less-than-capable chum, Puerilis Logan. He was the only student who hadn't managed to maim his own team members during Olivia's disastrous emergency tryouts that kept Madam Pomfrey busy for hours.

"Ready?"

Madam Chang's question felt loaded to Albus on this outing. Of course they weren't ready - they were short a player, and everyone would have felt more secure playing with just Aiden McLaggen holding a Beater's bat. His sweaty hands slipped a bit on the handle of the old Firebolt as he said a silent prayer to whomever might be listening that the Bludger would avoid Logan altogether.

"One, two-"

Too late now. The match had begun.

"Go, Albus!" several Gryffindors screamed, which made his face burn. "Give 'em hell, James!" and "Send Moran crying to his mummy!" were among the other cheers and jeers. This might have buoyed his spirits considerably if not for the equal shouts of "Gryffindors are gits!" and "Accidental Albus is a joke!"

And then there was Joseph Moran. Olivia had insisted he learn all he could about his opposite number, convinced it would give him an edge, but the longer he tried to listen to his sister gush about how "amazing" the boy was during breakfast, the more he felt drawn to stab himself in the temples. Still, no one had ever spoken a disparaging word against Moran, and that put him on edge. He would have to be in top form today.

"Welcome to the grand finale!" bellowed Martin Finnigan heartily across the stands. "That's right, it's the lions versus the eagles in a winner-take-all spectacle that will be talked about for centuries! In the Seeking position, we have the formidable seasoned veteran Joseph Moran squaring off against fan favourite and newcomer Albus Potter, whom rumour has it aided our Defence professor in ridding the school of the ghost attacks!"

"Why is he talking about that?" Albus muttered to himself as he began circling the pitch, eyes sharp and combing the ground for the telling glint. Then, without warning, he felt a sharp pain as something collided with his shoulder.

"Ow!"

"Sorry!" yelped Logan, frowning apologetically. "I- I was trying to dodge Tate, he was-"

"Nevermind," Albus growled, rubbing his arm. "Just get back out there and let me do my job!"

"-little traffic jam with Albus and Logan, there," Finnigan's commentary informed the crowd. "Logan, as many of you know, is sitting in for team regular Ryan Macmillan, whom has been stuck in a magical - oops! James intercepted Aubrey's pass there a moment ago, and now it's Moore passing to Wood, Wood to- NO! YES! That is, Wood fooled Lahey, and Gryffindor have got themselves on the board early!"

As the crowd roared in his ears, he nodded politely to Tranquilius Thomas when he soared overheard.

"How are you and Ouida getting along these days?" Albus laughed conversationally, but Tranky's reply was cut off by a sudden surge of cheers.

"Ladies and gents, that was one amazingly gymnastic move Wendelyne Moore pulled off there, never seen anything like it! Can a body bend like that without breaking?"

Though Albus had to admit he was curious as to just what feat Wendelyne had managed, he forced himself to remain focused on the task at hand. It's too bad he couldn't stay that way for long, however, because as Martin was saying, "James Potter with the Quaffle, and he's on fire, no one can-", the world faded away...