#pro quidditch league

[seriousbrat]

quidditch and class

Okay originally this was a tangent in the tags of my last post but I started thinking about it more and it got too complex haha.

While thinking about quidditch as a sport, we see many very prominent, very talented female players like Ginny, the other Gryffindor Chasers, Gwenog Jones/the Holyhead Harpies, Mullet, Moran. (Notably, Katie, Ginny, and Demelza are all explicitly better than Seamus and Dean. And Ron haha.) As as a sport it's seemingly equal between genders and therefore played in mixed-gender teams, and this is likely explained by the fact that speed is controlled by an external object, the broom. So while what we value in sport and athleticism in the real world has been heavily predicated on what we consider the biological 'advantages' of (cis) men, in Quidditch this is not so much the case.

It may be that certain positions (Beater) are generally more suited to cis men, but it may also be that women excel specifically as Chasers and Seekers, which are after all the key positions on a Quidditch team. If everyone is capable of achieving the same speed (and therefore force) on a broomstick, other factors might come into play, such as flexibility, dexterity, endurance, strategy.

However, the importance of the humble broomstick also means that the sport would be strongly influenced by class. Who can afford the best broom, basically.

It's wild that broom choice in pro quidditch isn't (as far as we know) standardised, but essentially a wealthy team/nation like I guess Ireland lol would have an advantage against a less wealthy team or nation, who couldn't supply Firebolts to all its players. In the case of Ireland I suppose the British Ministry of Magic also possibly governs them (I think? rip? ?) so Ireland would have funding from Britain, presumably.

And to be clear this happens irl too, less obviously perhaps, but wealthier nations will be able to dedicate more resources, better equipment, and better training to their athletes. This is why the US wins so many Olympic medals, not because its people are inherently better or more athletic than other countries with comparable populations, whatever American Exceptionalism would have you believe.

Harry's good without his Firebolt but also it's a little unfair haha. To be fair Ginny's just as good, maybe better than him, with whatever the Weasleys can afford for her. And it's also true that in CoS Malfoy/the Slytherins are still worse than Harry and the Gryffindors, even with better brooms, as I think Wood points out. So it could be that broom choice doesn't matter quite as much as it seems, in the sense that at least the talent of the athlete is the predominant factor in how well any given broom functions. In the flying lesson in PS we see that brooms do respond to some sort of innate talent in the user, so this would make some sense.

Still, in a situation with two equally matched players in terms of talent, the determining factor would likely be broom quality. So it is still important. I assume that JKR just didn't think about this lmao. Which whatever, maybe if HP was a series about sport, not delving into this question would matter more (and by her own admission she designed Quidditch to not make sense.) I'd have to reread Quidditch Through the Ages but it really should have been mentioned there lol. Oh well, not sure how realistic it is for 'Kennilworthy Whisp' to have a class-based analysis of his favourite sport anyway lmao.

For the purposes of worldbuilding I think it's fine for this to be the case, since the WW is not supposed to be a fair, perfect utopia, and like I said this very much happens in real life too. It's interesting to think about though.

[sunnysam-my]

I will never shut up about how ironically progressive Quadball aka Quidditch for muggles is, because it so funny. It has been so pro non-binary and trans people for a long time and even changed the name in 2022 to isolate it from JK.R.

In Quadball it's important that all of the maximum four players identify as the same gender. This is known as the "four maximum" rule:

A quidditch game allows each team to have a maximum of four players, not including the seeker, who identify as the same gender in active play on the field at the same time. The gender that a player identifies with is considered to be that player's gender, which may or may not correspond with that person's sex. This is commonly referred to as the "four maximum" rule. USQ accepts those who don't identify within the binary gender system and acknowledges that not all of our players identify as male or female. USQ welcomes people of all identities and genders into our league.

So yeah, basically, there's the men's team, there's the women's team and there's the non-binary team. It doesn't matter if you're pre transition. You a man? You go to the men's team. It's against the rules for trans men to be on women's team, regardless of how they look, if they wants to be on a men's team, because they identify as a man they have to.

[fidelixcorde]

While Taylor and Harry would argue that their love story began in 1997 during their Sixth year at Hogwarts, their friends and loved ones would instead say it began the day they met in 1992, when the Chamber of Secrets had opened, and it was revealed that Harry wasn't the only Parselmouth on campus.

Two powerful bloodlines came together -- that of the Potter/Peverell line and that of the Khalil/Sayre line -- when Taylor and Harry fell in love. The world would rue the decision to try and keep them apart during the Wizarding War, while Harry was hunting Horcruxes, and Taylor was hunting the Death Eaters.

Post-War, after rebuilding Hogwarts and laying to rest those who fell to the darkness, the two celebrated their wedding in 2002 at the Burrow during the early spring when the flowers were in bloom and the weather was more mild. Shortly after, they fell pregnant with their first children, James Sirius and Rubeus Arthur, both born in early 2003.

As their family grew, Harry joined the pro-Quidditch league after trying -- and quitting -- the Auror training. Playing for the Falmouth Falcons, he brought them to the World Cup three times, and he brought home the Cup twice. After seven wonderful years, he retired from pro-Quidditch to accept Headmistress McGonagall's offer of becoming the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, now that the job is no longer jinxed.

In the meantime, Taylor joined forces with Hermione Granger ( @bccksmarts ) to create the Wiltshire Primary Academy, a school for underaged magical children from all walks of life, in order to educate them in a setting that makes it harder for the pureblood supremacy to fester. They teach a few core classes from Hogwarts, as well as mathematics, language arts, world history, science, chemistry, and music. There are also a few extracurriculars, such as gym and art classes. The Academy is open all year 'round, in order to give some of the children a safe haven from abusive homes/environments, and thus Muggleborn children are better prepared to enter the magical community.

After the twins were born, Taylor gave birth to two more children, Lily Luna (2005) and Jonas Alessio (2006). Due to these back to back pregnancies, when she fell pregnant again, she suffered a miscarriage by 15 weeks, and fell into a deep depression. It took months to claw herself back out of the hole of darkness, thanks to her support system, and she refocused her efforts back into her children, in order to give them a good life. However, after nearly seven years, Taylor does get pregnant -- by accident -- with their final rainbow baby, a little girl (Laura Minerva, 2013), who is absolutely spoiled to near death.

0

[undercoverdrxco]

Hermione Granger is the new potions teacher at Hogwarts and her newfound love of quidditch drags her to the pro league games where she finds out that Draco Malfoy is the captain of the local team. He invites her to their after party at The Three Broomsticks, instating a new routine of Hermione getting heavily intoxicated with the entire quidditch team every Friday night - and Neville Longbottom, the Herbology professor, finds it strange how often he finds that Draco Malfoy is wandering the castle early Saturday mornings - but Hermione pretends that she’s surprised, and gossips with him on who could be inviting Malfoy to their quarters every week, and Hermione isn’t aware that Neville is really the one playing along, for he and just about every other Hogwarts professor already knew of their secret, not so secret, drunken shenanigans.

[tananoyaarchive]

firestarter

Title: firestarter  Author: justlikeswitchblades Rated: Teen Word Count: 1291

After a few years in the pro Quidditch leagues, his team falling short at the playoff semifinals, Tanaka's learned that it's okay to step away from it at all. He flies home to Japan--on a plane this time--and heads into the mountains, with nothing more than a backpack, his wand, and his broom at his side.

[thosebizzareserpents]

SEEKER WEEKLY MAGAZINE

The voice in quidditch media. Advancing and Celebrating the culture.

Growing up Flint-Wood.

The Flint-Wood siblings take us on their quidditch journey. From Sunday training sessions, debut goals and saves, championship cups and stirring accomplishments. We talk to the next generation in professional quidditch.

[potterandpreferences]

Being a Weasley sister would include?

Being a Weasley sister would include:

The Burrow is an absolute madhouse at the best of times. Privacy is a luxury you can rarely afford.

If you were the only female child then perhaps that would be different, but as it is you share a room with Ginny and that means everything you own that fits the pair of you often gets shared

No matter what age you are, all of your brothers are Big Brothers TM

If someone even so much as looks at you in a way that could be even slightly non-platonic, up puff their chests as and down go the eye brows

In your opinion ,Crookshanks is more threatening but for some reason, other people seem to find the patented Weasley Brother Glare to be terrifying

You get used to pranks. It teaches you the skill of laughing at yourself, and also the skill of getting payback

You know what they say about revenge.

Best served cold, and you have a long memory when it comes to Fred and George's antics

... Which is perhaps why they avoid pranking you in the first place.

You grow up with an appreciation of all things muggle as well as all things magical.

You bond with Arthur Weasley over muggle items in the shed, when he's helping you avoid bedtime.

You bond with Molly Weasley over the gardening, making sure that there is plenty of food for the ten of you to eat.

You bond with your siblings over flying, chess, a deep seated hatred of Lockhart and how star struck your mother gets over him

It's very rare to have family holidays. Sometimes it's hard not to resent being poor, but there will always be something to remind of you everything you do have

You may not be able to afford the latest and greatest fashion trends like the other students, but your Christmas jumper? It's homemade. It's tailor made to you. It's your favourite colour. It's a tradition.

That doesn't even cover everything else that your mother made from scratch, and you know she made it all with love

There is a Weasley temper

It's not all rainbows and sunshine and getting over envy and bitterness

There's ten of you, with different personality types, hobbies, interests and needs, all in one household.

Inevitably things get fraught some times

You know you shouldn't have favourites among your siblings, not really, but you do anyway because some of them are just more suited to your own personality.

Occasionally, this can make it feel like battle lines have been drawn

There's nothing that affects the entire household more than when Fred and George are on opposite sides of the issue though.

That's when problems get resolved most quickly and you all privately know this

That's why, at least once, you have all individually gone to the twins and asked them to fake a falling out over whatever is causing the latest family drama.

The most important thing about being a Weasley sister though?

It's that it teaches you to be whoever you damn well want to be

You want to go pro at quidditch? You have plenty enough siblings to form two teams to practice, to teach you to fly, to show you the latest drills the teams in the league are using

You want to work with animals? Charlie is right there with a list of contacts and recommendations, with his own experiences from his education and moving to another country to work

You want something in the Ministry of Magic? Percy is a walking, talking encyclopaedia of all things Ministry, and Arthur is on excellent terms with people from all departments

Whatever you want to do, you have a cheerleader squad backing your every move. Maybe not all of them, not all at once, but eventually they will all be on board and supporting you 100%

You have a big family who loves you and their biggest wish is for you to be true to who you are and love yourself too.

[chudleycanonficfest]

The Switch

Day 10, Story #2 is by @adenei

Title: The Switch

Author: adenei

Pairing: George Weasley/Angelina Johnson

Prompt: First Date

Rating: T

TW: Mentions of character death

***********

The shop is quiet as George locks the door to his office. It’s been a month since the grand re-opening of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, and the steady thrum of customers has put the business back on track to where it was before the untimely closure due to the war. Things are different, of course, with Fred not being there, but George’s family and friends have stepped up and offered more support than George knows what to do with—not that he wanted it in the first place.

  In retrospect, he is thankful for his family and friends, Ron and Angelina in particular. They helped him put down the bottle and get his life back on track. 

  “Fred wouldn’t want this.” Angelina had told him late one night while she and Lee were staying over in his flat that smelled of days-old Firewhisky and hadn’t been cleaned since before they’d gone into hiding at Aunt Muriel’s.

  “How would Fred feel if you let everything the two of you worked for go to shit? How would you feel if the tables were turned and if it was—” Ron had yelled as he snatched the half-full bottle away from his brother and dumped it down the drain. The emotion was raw as the words caught in his throat, the end of the phrase hanging between them like the weight of a bludger pulling them down and grounding them.

  At first, he’d been pissed, but they were right. Fred wouldn’t have wanted George to resort to any of that. And even though he’d been begrudging in accepting help to begin with, George knew he wouldn’t have gotten the shop up and running as swiftly as he did without everyone’s help. The hole in his heart still ached, and not a moment went by where he didn’t miss his brother, but finding a new stride in this post-war life is exactly the push George needed to not only move on but also honor and make Fred proud.

  As George makes his way onto the main floor of the shop, a figure standing behind the counter makes him pause. He’d recognize that silhouette anywhere, the unrequited crush from his Hogwarts days now thrust back in his life, as if to taunt him of just another thing he’ll never have.

  “You’re still here?” The exhaustion is apparent in George’s voice after a ten-hour day.

  “Yeah, I wanted to make sure you didn’t stay on and try to do all the inventory yourself again like last week.” Angelina runs her fingers over the various displays of fireworks that are locked away behind the checkout area as she lightly teases George.

  “Nah, I learned from that mistake. Besides, don’t you have your regular job that you need to get back to? Now that things are running smoothly again, we’ll be able to manage without the extra help. Especially once things die down after the first.”

  “I don’t mind spending a few hours here after work, you know that. Things’ll start to pick up again soon once the Quidditch season gets underway, I’m sure, but right now, my corresponding duties are light. Call me crazy, but I’ve enjoyed spending more time with you lately. Almost makes me feel like we’re back in Hogwarts, you know? When real life and responsibilities seemed so far away.”

  A chuckle escapes George’s lips. It was true, all this time they’d been spending together, especially with Lee and sometimes Alicia, almost made everything feel right again.

  “Well, we can hang out in other places, too. I swear I don’t live at Wheeze’s.”

  “George, you live upstairs.”

“Ah, bugger off.”

  “I’m only teasing.”

  “And all I’m saying is if you want to do something outside these walls, all you have to do is ask.”

  “Are you hungry, then?”

  A genuine laugh bubbles up into George’s throat at Angelina’s brazenness. “Bloody hell, woman! Impatient much?”

  His outburst brings a smile to Angelina’s face, brightening the dark circles under her eyes from the extra hours spent helping out. 

  “You’re the one who said to ask. So, what do you say? Fancy a drink and a meal down the street? It’s late enough that the Leaky shouldn’t be too busy.”

  “I s’pose it couldn’t hurt. Beats making something for myself, that’s for sure.”

  “Great, let’s go.” 

  Angelina walks around the counter and reaches out to take George’s hand in hers. An electric shock shoots up his arm from the point of contact, and George has to stop himself from pulling away from the surprise of it all. A memory flashes through his mind of twinkling lights amongst a silver backdrop in the Great Hall all those years ago. He sees two figures dancing and twirling to the music of the Weird Sisters, one with flaming red hair much like his own and the other whose sapphire gown swished against the travertine floor. The memory brings a reminiscent smile to his lips as Angelina tugs him out the door.

  When they reach the Leaky, the pair settles into a quiet booth in the back of the establishment, away from curious eyes. It’s late in the evening for a meal, which is made evident by the empty tables and chairs scattered throughout the pub. Only a handful of patrons litter the bar, allowing Tom to be attentive to their needs. 

  George takes a large swig when the barkeep returns with Butterbeers, and they place their orders.

  “No shot of Firewhisky tonight then?” 

  George shakes his head. “I told you, Ange, I was serious about stopping. I can’t use the bottle as a crutch for grief anymore.”

  Angelina nods as she observes him intently. George can feel the heat of her gaze trailing over him as he takes another sip from his drink. 

  “You’re staring.”

  “Sorry, I was just thinking.”

  “Oh? And here I was thinking I was mesmerizing you with my dashing good looks,” George quips. 

  Angelina smiles, and for a moment, George thinks he sees a blush on her cheeks before she recovers.  For all the time they spent together during Hogwarts, and more recently in the months following the war, George finds it odd that they’re struggling with conversation now.

  “Knut for your thoughts?” asks George.

  “Just that it’s been nice reconnecting with you. And Lee. Circumstances are shit, of course, but with my hectic schedule during Quidditch season, I don’t get much time for socializing and friends. I even had to drop my registration for the semi-pro league I was hoping to play for.”

  George nods, and his stomach twists as he processes her words. That would mean she’d be leaving soon once things got busy. He’s overcome with the urge to see if her job is something she’s passionate about.

  “Do you love it? Your job, I mean.”

  “Well, yeah, if I can’t play professionally, the next best thing is writing and commentating. Plus, I’ve gotten to see the world all on the Ministry’s dime. Can’t complain there…”

  “But is it something you see yourself doing for a long time?” George presses. He doesn’t mean to sound judgmental, but he needs to know if it’s even worth it to pursue.

  “Well, after graduation, it seemed like the right fit. The opening was there, my parents were encouraging me to see the world, and I didn’t have anything tying me down. Honestly, I think my parents thought it was safer for me to travel, especially with the war on...”

  And what about now? 

  George is nodding his head up and down while the question ricochets in his mind. He opens his mouth, gathering the courage to allow the four words to escape his mouth when Angelina interrupts him.

  “Well, there are some openings that would allow me to stay in London that have just come up. They’re looking for commentators and stats writers for the matches played in the Kensington stadium. So, if you needed an extra hand at the shop, I could stay—”

  “—I don’t want you to stay for the shop. If you want to travel the world, you should. I doubt you’ve seen all the world has to offer in two seasons.”

  No! What are you thinking! 

  George can almost hear Fred chastising him for his rash response. It doesn’t come out the way he meant it to sound, and he knows he messed up given the crestfallen look on Ange’s face.

  “I only meant—”

  “I-I’ve actually already put in for the London job, George. And I promise it’s not because of the shop. Lee promised to help me with commentating, and this way I can play again. I start training next week. You know how much I missed playing Quidditch, and now that England is safer, I can stay and have the best of both worlds.” 

  The longer she goes on, it feels like she’s rambling and going on with a laundry list of pre-prepared reasons, which doesn’t sound like the Angelina he knows. It’s almost like she’s trying to convince herself that those are the reasons she’s staying, and not for anything else.

  “Oh.”

  Ange rolls her eyes. “Don’t worry, I know you and Fred always used to think you two were the center of the universe, but I promise I didn’t choose to stay just for you.”

  Her voice is light, and she’s smiling, but George can’t help but sense something else lingering beneath the surface. Disappointment, perhaps? Or maybe he’s just reading into things too much. Hoping something might be between them that really isn’t. He forces himself to stop overthinking and simply enjoy her company instead.

  “Well, I, for one, am happy you’re staying. We’ll be able to get together more often, and it’ll almost feel like our Hogwarts days. Maybe I’ll even be able to convince you and Alicia to test new products again.”

  Angelina nearly spits out her Butterbeer at George’s joke as Tom approaches with their meal. He knows he’s not fooling either of them; the irony is that the girls were always two steps ahead of him and his brother. They were the only two in their year who managed to avoid becoming test subjects to all of their prototypes.

  The two fall into more reminiscing as they tuck into their fish and chips. George doesn’t realize how ravenous he is until he starts eating, and he’s even more grateful for Ange’s suggestion now.

  As they are polishing off the remainder of their baskets, the topic of conversation falls on the Yule Ball, as Ange remembers how Fred had tossed the wad of paper at her.

  “It was romantic, wasn’t it?” George jokes as he remembers his brother’s ridiculous attempt at asking a girl out. “Still don’t know why you said yes to that tosser.”

  To this day, he’d always resented his brother for drawing his wand first and asking Ange to the ball. Of course, George knew it was all meant to be a bluff. It was Fred’s attempt to get his brother to buck up the courage and ask Angelina for himself. 

  George remembers it vividly. “Just ask her. What’s the worst she’ll say? No? Fine, if you won’t do it, I will.”

  When Fred had gotten Ange’s attention, George had no idea what to expect. They were usually well in tune with each other, and George could anticipate Fred’s moves, but when his brother had asked Angelina himself, it took George by surprise.

  “We were getting down to the wire, weren’t we?” Angelina interrupts George’s thoughts. “No one else had asked me, so I figured it was better to go with one twin than none at all.”

  George chooses the wrong moment to polish off the last of his chips. The fried potato catches in his throat, and he coughs it up, all while reaching for the last dredges of his Butterbeer to clear things out.

  Did she just say it was better to go with one twin than none at all? But then that would mean… 

  “Ange, don’t tell me you were waiting for me to ask you.”

  She shrugs and averts her eyes from his gaze. “I mean, I wouldn’t have been disappointed if you’d asked, let’s put it that way.”

  After this revelation, George burst into laughter. To anyone else in the near vicinity, it probably sounded like he should be admitted to the Janus Thickney Ward. He hasn’t laughed this hard since he and Fred were able to pull off a prank on Muriel shortly after arriving at her Manor at the end of March.

  “You—Fred—I—me—” He can’t seem to formulate a coherent string of thoughts until Angelina goes from amused to offended.

  “Honestly, George, I didn’t realize it was that funny. Forget I said anything.” She checks her watch and gathers her bag. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all. It’s getting late, and clearly the thought of the two of us together appalls—”

  She’s in the process of standing up when George sobers from the onslaught of irony and reaches out to grab her wrist.

  “Ange, wait. I’m not laughing at that. Just—just give me a chance to explain, yeah?” He pulls her into the bench beside him, where she lands on her bottom harder than she needed to as she lets out a loud huff of indignation.

  “Fred never intended to go with you when he asked.”

  “Excuse me?” Her eyebrows have raised so high on her face that George is surprised they haven’t gotten lost in her braids.

  “No, what I mean is, he’d been pestering me to ask you since the ball was announced. He knew I had a thing for you—obviously—and was being supportive.”

  It felt weird for George to admit that he fancied Angelina in school now, after so many years of keeping it close to his chest. Fred and Lee were the only two who ever knew.

  “So, what are you trying to say, then?”

  “When Fred asked you...I was shocked, too. I didn’t realize he’d already devised a plan that I didn’t cotton on to right away.”

  The look on Angelina’s face transformed from defensive to shock to comprehension, all in the span of a few seconds. “Don’t tell me…”

  “Being an identical twin has—er, had—its benefits.”

  “So.. are you trying to tell me that I didn’t go to the ball with Fred?”

  “Nope.”

  “And at the end of the night, when I kissed Fred in an attempt to make you jealous, I was actually kissing you all along?”

  “Sorry if it was disappointing.” The wisecrack escapes George’s lips before he can stop it.

  Half of him is expecting Angelina to slap him for the ‘switcheroo’ that he and Fred pulled, and in fairness, they deserved it. What if Ange actually had fancied Fred, and they’d pulled one over on her?

  But to his surprise, Angelina does the opposite. She leans in and kisses George right then and there. The same shock he felt when holding her hand earlier ignites within him once more as he lets his body take control. He allows himself to get lost in the feel of her lips, realizing that it’s the first time he’s truly felt like himself since Fred’s passing. He even dares to let himself think he’s found happiness again.

  Eventually, George pulls away as his lungs begin to burn from the lack of oxygen. They remain close, foreheads touching as he offers a weak smile. 

  “Y’know, I was going to tell you it was me at the end of the night, but how could I when I thought I was going to break your heart when you thought you’d kissed Fred?”

  “You’re insufferable, you know that?” 

  “Yeah, but you can’t argue with sixteen-year-old George’s logic, can you?”

  Ange rolls her eyes and leans back. George misses the contact as soon as it’s gone.

  “What do you say we get out of here?” Ange raises her eyebrows in question as if tempting him to follow when she scoots out from the bench a second time.

  George pulls enough money to cover their meals out of his wallet and leaves it on the table before scooching out behind her. He pays no mind to the remaining customers as he pulls Angelina back into him and whispers in her ear,

  “I’d say we’ve wasted five years of pointless pining to wait any longer.”

[mitchellbernford]

Mitch laughed at Theo's reply. His grin widened when Theo clearly sounded excited, that was a great sign. As was the fact that Puddlemere was communicating what was happening to the team, at least part of them. Not the case with his team. Even though it was clear that Theo was happy about the prospect it was nice that he came right out and said so. "Yeah, we had a long talk when he approached me about it," Mitch replied. "But I thought it'd be a good idea to talk to you too. Clearly I'm considering it." That had to be obvious but just in case. "Puddlemere is a great team, steady." The only changes since he'd left were the chasers. That was both a plus and a cause for pause. "Little nervous that the team might not be happy to see back," he told Theo honestly. He'd left for a bigger paycheck, not everyone in the league thought that was a good enough reason to switch teams. Which had been a surprise to Mitch. Sure getting paid to play quidditch was amazing and almost shouldn't count as work. Certainly wasn't anything like the work at the farm. But it was a job, going for a better paycheck seemed like a no brainer. Or it had till recently. "But I don't expect you to be able to clear that one up for me," he added quickly. "What I am curious about is the chasers. You blokes are good on pitch, smooth. You've played with me before so I feel like you'd have a good perspective on it. You think I'd fit? I'm not trying to change teams and end up on a losing streak." Something he knew Theo wouldn't want either. No one who'd busted their arses enough to make it to the pros wanted that.

When Theo said he was great it was easy to see that he was telling the truth. The bloke looked like he was doing great. Mitch didn't know if that was just Theo having a great day or what but it was nice to see. He chuckled when Theo told why he was doing so well. That was a good reason. Mitch hadn't moved around as much as Theo but he was getting to the point where not switching teams was more appealing then chasing after a bigger paycheck. Just not the team he was currently on. "Not having to unpack pre-season was probably a nice perk," Mitch teased. "Doing alright, can't complain," he answered when the question was turned on him. They could have continued on just chatting, Mitch had never had any problems keeping a conversation with Theo going. But once they'd ordered their food he figured now was as good a time as any to see if Theo knew what was going on. Some teams were more open then others, Puddlemere had always been good about that. "Have you heard," he asked, leaving off what it was Theo might have heard or not.

[littlerose13writes]

The Flint Flyers, founded in 2010 by Marcus Flint, is the biggest amateur Quidditch club in wizarding Britain. They have teams for all ages, from tiny kids on training brooms (Sparrows) all the way to senior adult beginners (Owls) and everything in between and it’s a popular pastime for the many people who loved playing Quidditch in school but didn’t fancy going pro. There are recreational teams who play for fun and exercise and competitive teams who play in leagues against other amateur squads. The summer coaching programme for Hogwarts-aged kids brings in guest coaches from all over the professional industry (one is Puddlemere coaching star and life partner of Marcus, Oliver Wood) and the school teams are littered with Flint Flyers, who often play alongside their house team rivals over the summer.

As well as the Quidditch teams, the Flint Flyers field an artistic flying squad, Starlings, coached by Alicia Spinnet, who perform aerial tricks and formation acrobatics. The scene is growing rapidly, becoming competitive between clubs and artistic flying is quickly becoming a sport in its own right. Several Hogwarts students (including the Scamander twins) are in talks with McGonagall about setting up a house league in artistic flying and she has said if there’s enough interest they can do it.

Marcus’ son, Cole, is in charge of the under 11s programme and prides himself on getting any kid confident in the air. His youngest team, Sparrows, are 4-6 years old and play with specially adapted bludgers and training brooms that get them used to flying; it’s a big deal when a Sparrow moves up to a full-height broom. Cole is also particularly passionate too about adaptive abilities flying, working with broom designers and disabled athletes to make adjustments to the kit and to the broom to allow everyone to play Quidditch.

[bnhafandomcalendar]

BNHA Fandom Calendar: 5-11 September

Ongoing/upcoming events:

@toshinkoweek​, a Toshinori/Inko week is 1-7 Sept

@shinkamiweek2021 is 13-19 Sept  

@iidamomoweek, an Iida/Momo week is 19-26 Sept

NEW: @mhawlwweek, a WLW fanweek is 5-11 Oct.

BNHA Bingo, a bingo card event, has released its first card

Exchanges, big bangs, etc.

BNHA POLY BANG, a polyship/polycule bang, has writer signups (closing 10 Sept) and artist signups (closing 30 Sept)

BNHA Rarepair Bang, a rarepair bang, has artist signups (closing 12 Sept)

MiriTama Xmas Enchange, a Mirio/Tamaki secret santa (closing 12 Sept)

NEW: @tdmm-minibang​, a TodoMomo bang has Writer signups (closing 19 Sept) and Artist signups (closing 3 Oct)

NEW: Dekubowl Art and Fic Exchange, a Dekubowl exchange (closing 30 Sept)

NEW: ShigaDabi Big Bang, a Shigaraki/Dabi bang has artist applications (closing 1 Oct), writer applications (closing 7 Oct), beta applications (closing 14 Oct), and pinch hitter applications (closing - 31 Oct)

NEW: Vigilante Files, a Vigilantes minibang (closing TBA)

Zine sales/preorders:

Join the Jult Zine, a Best Jeanist zine (closing 11 Sept)

@kitchenherozine, a recipe book zine (closing 12 Sept)

Strawberry Lemonade, a summer-themed KiriBaku zine (closing 12 Sept)

EXTENDED: BNHA Formalwear Zine, a formalwear zine (closing 14 Sept)

Bird of Prey, a Hawks zine (closing 15 Sept)

NEW: Unbroken Bonds, a ShinDeku zine (closing 15 Sept)

𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙊𝘛𝘖𝘕𝘐𝘕,  a Sero Hanta zine (closing 21 Sept)

Amplify, a Kamijirou zine (closing 25 Sept)

NEW: @crimsontieszine, a Kacchako soulmates zine (closing 30 Sept)

NEW: @leagueofvillains-thezine​, a League of Villains zine (closing 30 Sept)

Forever Home, an EraserMic family zine (closing 25 Oct)

NEW: @lionheartkrbkzine, a Kiribaku fic anthology (closing 1 Oct)

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NEW: @underdogszine, an underrated character fashion zine (closing 5 Nov)

Leftover Sales:

@quirknojutsuzine, BNHA x Naruto crossover zine (closing TBD)

NEW: Quirks & Quidditch, a BNHA x Harry Potter zine (closing TBD)

Free Zines:

Halcyon Haze, A BakuDeku Festival Zine

Symbol of Fear, an All For One zine

Tidal Heroes, an underwater fantasy au zine

Contributor applications:

Gravity Between Us Vol 2, a Midoriya/Uraraka zine (closing 19 Sept.)

NEW: REDACTED, a BKDK SCP Zine (closing 1 Oct)

Mod applications:

Crazy Stupid Love, a BKDK Romcom Zine (closing 8 Sept)

Parallels - Fates Intertwined, a soulmate-esque Kiribaku + Izuocha bang (closing 8 Sept)

NEW: @tdmm-minibang, a TodoMomo bang (closing 12 Sept)

Interest checks:

Monochrome Zine, a “what if” Tenko and Touya zine (closing 11 Sept)

@herocookbook, a pro hero cookbook zine (closing 14 Sept)

NEW: @iidacamiebigbang​, an Iida/Camie bang (closing 15 Sept)

TodoDeku Pro Hero Zine, a Todorki/Deku pro hero zine (closing 17 Sept)

LOVE+e, a fluffy League of Villains fanzine (closing 17 Sept)

NEW: Kiribaku Royalty Zine, a Kirishima/Bakugou royalty AU zine (closing 28 Sept)

Ever After, a BKDK Wedding Zine (closing 30 Sept)

NEW: Between a Rock and a Hard Place, a KiriTetsu zine (closing TBD)

[roleplaycharacter1shots]

pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

Warning(s): Language, drunk talk, alcohol, not very proofread

Word Count: 1126

Character(s): Kyle Lucas, Beatrice Quade (@blackinkpen’s OC)

Summary: What if… Kyle went pro instead of joining Level Seven?

Title credit to Haruki Murakami

---

Original Scene: Should he be honest? Kyle chewed his lip for a moment, thinking, but also knowing that he couldn't sit here in silence. "What I think I want to get out of this internship is... to see Quidditch at a different level," he replied after a brief pause. His eyes brightened once more as he began to develop an answer. "I mean, I've been a part of the sport as a player and as a spectator. So I think it would be interesting to see more of the components of the sport and what it takes to go further as a professional. I honestly don't know if I'm cut out to be a professional Seeker," Kyle did end up admitting, his cheeks pinkening. "But maybe if I get to see the behind-the-scenes to becoming a professional, I'll know for sure. And I'm not quite sure yet what I want to be when I graduate. I have determined that the world of Quidditch is vast, so I should be able to see all of the different opportunities it may have to offer me."

Kyle could feel his ears flushing red. His mind was racing once more, and his gut was suddenly twisting. His father would have definitely been shaking his head at his son's responses. But sometimes Kyle couldn't help what came out of his mouth. His gut instinct most of the time meant that he would just be brutally honest. In his opinion, if he had lied and said that he wanted to be a professional Quidditch player and then showed no true interest, what would his mentors think of him? If Kyle had a student who tried to do something he didn't feel passionate about, it would definitely show and he might have felt a bit cheated.

It wasn't like Kyle didn't want to work with the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He had a background in one of Europe's beloved sports, so he did have enough of a connection that he felt that he wanted to pursue something related to it. Above all else, Kyle knew he was young and inexperienced. His only jobs had been odd ones during the holidays. This was his first try at getting something more adult-like; his first steps into the real world. Even if he didn't get this internship, Kyle knew that he had learned something from the experience.

Kyle gave his head a small shake, working to keep himself on track. The interview wasn't over yet. And if he lost his nerve now and mentally checked himself out, he would not only lose his shot but also humiliate himself. He may never be able to show his face around the Ministry again if that became the case. Kennedy was being very kind to him, so Kyle didn't really have any excuse to throw in the towel yet. She may be a little dismayed that her prospective intern did not want to get into the big leagues like her previous intern Bast, but she hadn't asked him to leave. The thought of Bast sparked a bit of fire within Kyle's chest, a portion of the residual jealousy he felt towards his former peer. If there was a way for him to be able to compare himself to "the prodigy," this was his chance and he couldn't throw it away.

Luckily for Kyle, Kennedy seemed interested in what he had to say. "Why should I pick you for this internship over any of the other applicants? What sets you apart from them?"

It may be almost the end, but that didn't mean that Kyle wasn't going to be set free from this interview too quickly. Not that Kyle didn't like spending time with Kennedy; it was the stress of the whole interview process that was heightening his anxiety. The pressure of the situation and meeting a new person made Kyle's heartbeat increase and his palms sweat. Deep down, he knew that with experience, he would get more comfortable with it all. And as long as he didn't let Kennedy see that he was so nervous, he would at least look decent in her eyes even if she didn't consider him for the internship in the end.

He had to nail this question, and he was most likely in the clear. It was just like when he had tried out for Seeker at Hogwarts. Put in the maximum effort and hope for the best. So Kyle straightened himself as much upright as he could, his hands flat on each of his thighs as he mentally prepared his answer.

"I believe that you should pick me for this internship because... I think I can bring a different perspective to this department," Kyle began. He paused for a moment to swallow and wet his lips, which were becoming drier as his palms became damper. "I have stated that becoming a professional Quidditch player is not high on my list of potential careers, despite how I have experience participating in the sport. Because of this, I think I provide a different outlook for this internship as a whole, which could potentially increase connections between this department and others." The statement maybe a little bit ballsy as well as a stretch, but there was no going back now.

"And I am incredibly dedicated to anything I become a part of," Kyle went on with the more concrete part of his response. "I am more than eager to learn and push myself as well as ask for help when I need it, something I think is not always easy to admit."

What if…: Orange was… not really Kyle’s color.

Granted, the jacket was nice, Kyle wouldn’t lie. He stared down at the vivid orange garment that lay draped haphazardly over the kitchen chair. He had been strutting around in his bedroom for a bit after putting it on the morning of his first match a couple of years ago, puffing out his chest. Kyle had been so pleased with himself. The jacket meant that he had made it into the British and Irish Quidditch League, after all. He had strutted his way down the pavement that day, excitement fluttering in his stomach as he prepared to start on the amazing, fulfilling journey that was his Quidditch career.

Oh, those were the glory days.

Kyle had been so proud all that time ago, and now… looking at that jacket made him want to puke. And yet he stood there, frozen, hands shoved in his pockets. The kitchen was dark, save for the moonlight streaming through the window.

“Kyle?” Only then did he blink, lifting his chin slightly at the sound of Bea’s voice. The lights flickered to life, furthering pulling him away from his reminiscing. His body wobbled a little bit as he straightened up.

“‘S late, B,” he mumbled. He did not face her, his weight shifting uneasily from foot to foot. “Go back ta bed.”

Footsteps echoed through the space as Bea padded over to face him. Kyle looked away. While his vision was hazy to begin with, he still made an effort to avoid her eyes. “Kyle,” she began again quietly.

“Mmph,” Kyle groaned. His gaze went down to the floor, his eyes briefly shutting to keep out the slowly spinning world.

“Kyle, look at me.” The small plea in her voice finally made something click a little bit. His neck was limp as he finally rotated his head towards Bea. When he opened his eyes again, he was met with her concerned expression.

It didn’t take long for Bea to finally catch a whiff of his breath. Her nose wrinkled a bit, but she did not drop her gaze. “You were at the pub again,” she said with a small sigh. The look in her eyes indicated that she had confirmed her suspicions. He did not reply right away. “Kyle -”

“So?” Kyle slurred irritably, shrugging. “I a’ways do af’er a match, B. Not’in’ wrong wit’ that.”

“There isn’t, no,” Bea agreed carefully. “But Kyle, you tend to go over your limit -”

Kyle snorted. “Not tonigh’, Bea,” he replied, waving a hand at her. His temper was starting to spark, easily catching on the alcohol in his system. “I’m tryin’ ta have a good time.”

“But Kyle,” Bea insisted, her voice rising slightly. “You can’t keep doing this -”

“I can do whateva the bloody hell I want,” Kyle cut her off. He wobbled on his feet for a moment but was able to continue once he leaned against the kitchen chair for support. “And you wanna kno’ why? ‘Cause I fuckin’ earned it, tha’s why!” Bea flinched the tiniest bit at his tone, but he barely noticed. “I’m the on’y one on the fuckin’ team who does a damn thing to try and win the bloody match! But d’you know wha’ I get in return for all of my work?! Piss and shit, B! So I think I fuckin’ deserve a firewhiskey or two, a’ight?”

“But it’s always more than ‘a firewhiskey or two,’ Kyle,” Bea pointed out. “You can’t even stand up straight!”

“I deserve it! But we coul’ fuckin’ win at least once, too!” Kyle shouted.

“Kyle, you guys play some really good teams,” Bea reminded him. “You’re not going to win every time. That’s not your fault -”

“Oh, hush, B.” Kyle shoved his way around Bea, moving towards the fridge. Now he was ticked off at her for making him blubber on like that.

“It’s just how things go, right?” Bea continued, trailing after him. She softly placed a hand on his shoulder as he clumsily crouched before the opened appliance. “You win some, you lose some. When you played at Hogwarts, you guys never won every match.”

“I joined the Chudley Cannons two years ago,” Kyle grumbled. “And we haven’ won bloody once since!”

“There’s still time,” Bea insisted. “My rune research takes ages to get through.” Kyle could only grunt at that. The only object of interest to him was Butterbeer, which he grabbed and cracked open methodically. “And sometimes it might never bring up anything noteworthy,” she went on. “There’s always the possibility that what you do in life might not… always turn out how you want it to, I’m afraid.”

“I tol’ you, I don’ wanna deal wit’ this.” He took a gulp before continuing. “Jus’ let me enjoy the rest of my nigh’, ‘kay?”

“Kyle, you’re going to have to deal with this eventually,” Bea replied firmly. She snatched the bottle from his hand. In one smooth movement, she dumped the remaining contents down into the sink. Once it was empty, Bea tossed it away before stepping fully in front of her boyfriend. Because of his drunken stupor, Bea was able to easily evade him and place her body stoically in front of the fridge to prevent Kyle from getting a new one.

“C’mon, B -”

“Kyle.” It was Bea’s turn to snap. “Stop it.” She placed a hand on either side of his face, forcing Kyle to look at her. His firewhiskey breath stung and stank, but she held fast. She stared into his glazed eyes, refusing to look away even as his blown, unfocused pupils danced around to look anywhere else. But even so, Bea could see the pain and upset at their dark centers. “Kyle.” Her tone softened, her fingers inching their way up into his curls.

“Bea.” Her name was said in a slur, but there was a bit more of a plea to it this time.

“What’s wrong, Kyle?” she asked.

“I wanna win, B,” he whispered. There were tears now in his eyes. Bea felt her own water as she watched his body slump and the wall came down. “I jus’ wanna win.”

“It’s okay if you don’t though,” Bea reminded him. “It’s okay.”

“Bu’ wha’ if it’s not?” Kyle asked. “Wha’ if I keep failing an’... an’ you leaf me an’...” He was openly sobbing now. “I’m… I’m not good enuf and I can’t -” Kyle bent forward, burying his face into Bea’s shoulder.

“Oh, Kyle,” she murmured. Bea wanted to cry with him, but she was also relieved that he had finally revealed his true demons. She fully embraced Kyle then, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “I’m right here. It’ll all be okay.”

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 125: Grawp

They'd finally got their wish for fresh air, the Marauders all glanced around to find themselves back in the Forbidden Forest even! Nobody else seemed particularly happy with these circumstances, oddly enough.

Regulus found himself in some long ropes thick as he was heavily pinning him down, Evans went to help Smith disentangle Longbottom from a gnarly bush, and his brother, Lupin, and Potter immediately cheered in excitement and went to the very end of the barriers' reach as they raced each other to find out where exactly in the massive Forest they were. It wasn't comforting that none immediately knew what could be in the vicinity, nor that it was so heavily dark only the barest of a high noon sun trickled in through the trees to light the ground.

Peter came jogging over to help get him out though, offering him a hand up, and then hefting one uneasily in his hand as he eyed the trees he'd been between.

"I don't like this," Peter told him quietly. "We've never seen anything like this in here."

"Maybe, it has to do with Hagrid?" Regulus struggled to offer something well out of his depths, he'd only been in here a handful of times with some older students on a dare. They'd come across gnomes, a few bowtruckles and alizors before a nearby roar in the gloom had made them all decide a tactical retreat was best. "He keeps all kinds of mad things in this forest, right?" Was Fluffy running around here somewhere still? Or that car? "Harry and him are close, maybe he's domesticating something new, would explain why he's always so injured."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Peter agreed, "actually it makes a lot of sense, if he found something on his way back from the giants. I wonder if that's why Madam Maxime-"

Peter stopped with a squeal of surprise as Potter appeared from behind the tree and grabbed at him, laughing raucously before trying to pull on his arm. "Come here Wormtail, you've got to see this! Remus thinks he found signs of a giant, in this forest, can you believe the nutter! Padfoot's actually agreeing with him, they're both mad!"

Peter looked back and beckoned for him to follow, but Regulus just watched as he was pulled a bit along to something in the dirt that had interested the lot. His brother had the book in hand now with a very smug expression as he told Grawp was sure to be the name of a giant, it didn't make much sense as a chapter title anyways.

Regulus certainly didn't think it was funny at all and was sure they were all joking, but he didn't laugh as he just kept watching. Potter was clearly trying to put the whole instance behind him as he jumped around laughing with abandon about the Weasley twins' stunt, and while Peter hovered and laughed along too, every time he made to take a step back towards him Potter grabbed him and asked some new question, and Peter looked so deliriously happy, he didn't even seem to register they kept interrupting his answer.

It was all as much of a show as Lily Evans was putting on, he was absolutely positive. The three of them were huddled very uneasily in this forest they had no familiarity in, she kept sweeping at her hair in that agitated way of hers and still had such a faraway look in her eyes from thoughts she couldn't escape it was a wonder the words weren't glitching out in Sirius's hands from her lack of focus even as she was visibly trying to participate in her friends' quiet whispered conversation.

Something had to give, they couldn't all keep pretending to go about as normal until they got out of this, could they?

Then Smith surprised them all by spontaneously yelling across the clearing, "oi! There's not an Erumpent in here, is there?"

"Err," Potter grinned awkwardly, but his brother said, "yeah, why?"

She grimaced, that clearly hadn't been the answer she was hoping for.

"Not this far out here," Potter supplied, watching Lupin mutter quietly for a moment before he patted a massive tree. "They're closer around in meadows with soft, short patches of grass."

"Fantastic," she sighed, edging a little closer so they weren't yelling quite as much. Longbottom took an automatic step with her like they were joined at the hip while Evans stayed in place with, one could almost say, an amused expression. "Err, you are joking about that giant, right?" She asked.

"Actually, Regulus made a point-" Peter began, but was cut off by Potter once more.

"Well, just because we've never seen one, doesn't mean it's not possible," he teased.

Smith and Longbottom were actually drawn into the argument though, now the five of them were all debating each other back and forth for the pros and cons of it all.

"Err, Prongs," Peter tried one last time, but he barely came up to his shoulder, and the gesture of even tapping him to get his attention probably came across far more childish than he really meant it to.

"Yeah, one sec Pete, I don't care how many books you've read Longbottom!"

Peter sighed and walked off, and James didn't stop him this time, he had more than enough attention now.

"You win some you lose some," Peter told him with a shrug as he went back to Regulus's side with a smile that for all the world was still trying to brush off the instance.

Regulus still had half a mind to go over there and kick that idiot in the shins along with his brother just for good measure. At least Lupin was looking back and forth and seemed to realize anything had happened. He couldn't seem to get Sirius's attention any better though, they were having so much fun sparring with these two new points of view.

Alice even stopped to take a step back to admire her work, even if it hadn't quite gone how she'd intended, and Frank barely noticed he was so involved now. She felt a little bad Pettigrew had gone off again, but that was nothing new, and this would be proof enough to her boyfriend he could get on with them just fine as they kept lobbing the merits of a giant living in this forest in total ease like they were all in an advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The book hung in Sirius's hand almost as if he'd forgotten a Quidditch game had been mentioned coming up. Even Remus was still adding in, and Sirius kept parroting his points and nearly whacked his friend in the face several times he kept agreeing with him even if he remained arguably on the outskirts of the argument like she was letting herself drift off to be, smiling indulgently as well.

He didn't seem to mind, chuckling and catching her eye with a knowing look even as he still watched his last friend talking to Regulus once more with a concerned expression.

'Sorry,' she mouthed at him.

He just shrugged and made a 'what can you do,' gesture to the loud-mouthed idiots, now including her own boyfriend, and it was lovely to see him get so invested in this and not even seem to realize Lupin was an arm's length away.

"You baffle me," Regulus told Peter sincerely as he watched them with a hint of longing.

"I've been called thick plenty of times, that doesn't surprise me," Peter shrugged, leaning against a tree and hands deep in his pockets.

"No," Regulus frowned, "I meant, like, you can be plenty knowledgeable and I certainly listen to you when it came to Lupin, I don't understand why you don't make them see that."

Peter looked just as confused as him now. "I know how Moony works, he's not difficult, it's not remotely the same thing."

"You still don't think you're good enough to be friends with them though," Regulus deduced.

"I don't think they need me," Peter corrected with a heavy sigh, rather than admitting he was also right in some regards as well. His practical magic was leagues behind everyone's, even Regulus's he was sure. That memory had proved to him enough he'd be lucky to pass the most important of his OWLs next week.

Regulus shoved his hands in his pockets and couldn't think of anything to say back, he lived that feeling as well, Sirius had made it abundantly clear he didn't need him a long time ago.

"Well, we'll just see then!" Potter finally ended the argument of all things, his smug look even seemed just a touch less insufferable than usual even as he grandly pointed back at the book. "Go on then Sirius, tell them how right we are!"

His best friend was eager to do just this, while Frank shook his head in exasperation but hadn't been able to come up with a new point of attack anyways and they'd started repeating themselves a bit, best to get to the facts then.

"A few more bouts of that and Smith will have us all holding hands," Peter grinned.

"She's too nice to be an Auror, she'll get eaten alive by the first Death Eater she tries to haul in," Regulus huffed, still glaring a bit at Potter and his brother.

"Think that's why her and Longbottom made such a good team they were targeted?" Peter uneasily reminded, trying his best to not think up who had been in that party, like a certain Black cousin. "I'll bet you anything Longbottom's shrewd mind behind that wand can produce some nasty hexes, and she got them to confess on the spot." He laughed like it was supposed to be funny given the outcome.

That only served to remind Regulus of his own impending death in this future. He still remembered just as well as Peter who had done the deed to those two, his earlier fears of thinking no one would miss him suddenly had a garish light on them as he wondered if Bellatrix had targeted them in revenge? She'd been very chummy with him over the past holiday, those little hints of his future while she'd held her arm lovingly made a horrible amount of sense now as he realized she must already be a Death Eater, Mother and Father would be encouraging her to draw him in like Sirius never had.

He swallowed convulsively and fought back the childish urge to ask Peter to tell him it was all going to be okay, he didn't see how. According to Sirius himself it hadn't even been Aurors to do him in, but some lackey of the Dark Lord's, maybe even Bellatrix herself. He couldn't manage to do anything without someone hating him.

Peter seemed to realize his mistake all on his own, patting him gently on the back and whispering, "hey, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned that."

"Why not?" His voice cracked, he probably sounded like such a baby. "Everyone knows that's what's going to happen to me anyways."

"No it's not!" Peter looked horror struck now. "You said it yourself, we can change!"

"I don't see how!" He snapped, like a bitter child throwing a tantrum he was sure, still glaring at Potter. "I'm not like you, I don't get to go back to Gryffindor tower and be done with this when I get back, I don't know how to just fade off and go unnoticed to even be ignored by anyone! They all have expectations for me."

Maybe he could just run away from school and live in this forest until he was of age, surely Sirius and even Peter would love to show him how to do that. Maybe bring him out homework to do from time to time while he lived off berries and still show him magic if he ever crossed their mind.

"Regulus, I-" Peter tried, but was once again interrupted by the timely attention of his mates.

Sirius had been watching out of the corner of his eye and seen something happening between these two that didn't look all light fun anymore, and compulsively let himself pounce at the chance to see if he could be of help to smooth this over, he knew both well enough he was sure he could. "Merlin Wormtail, what kind of scary stories are you telling him about this place?" He laughed as he jogged over, Prongs barely noticing he was so smug about Hagrid bringing Hermione and Harry into here and his point was about to be proven.

"Shut up Sirius!" Peter's patience finally burst so loud everyone whipped around to look at him and he didn't even notice. "Merlin, can't you ever ignore me when I actually want you to!"

He put his hand on Regulus's shoulder and steered him away as far as they could go, blood pounding in his ears with such force he hadn't a care the scene he left behind, barely waiting until he was sure he was back out of hearing range before telling Regulus. "Hey, listen. Your arsehole friends don't get to tell you what to do any more than mine do! Or your parents, or anyone! You're the one who told me this future isn't set in stone, and I'll bloody move to another country to stop those idiots from dying if I have to! I won't be used like that again by You-Know-Who or anyone. There is going to be a way out of this for us Regulus!"

Regulus had never really thought himself much of an optimist before, and certainly wouldn't have pegged Peter for one before now, but he'd never let himself question much before to even have his own opinion for long, that's what had gotten Sirius into so much trouble in their youth. The idea of his future still terrified him, it wasn't the answer he so craved, but he finally came to the same conclusion he realized Peter had. Nobody was going to give it to them except themselves.

Peter wanted to still be friends with them, he just wasn't sure how he fit in anymore, if he ever had at all. Maybe it was a lost cause he should give up on, he told himself, it would certainly fix his own problem of not wanting James to die, not any of them, even if they did still annoy him, and it wasn't doing him any good to repress that feeling. He looked back and saw that Sirius had taken the book back from Prongs, an unsettling look on his face as he carelessly confirmed there was a giant tromping around in here, Hagrid's own half-brother.

To most it probably seemed uncaring, but Peter knew better, and he did feel guilty for apparently actually hurting Sirius's feelings for once. James and Remus looked just as unnerved, he tried not to feel too smug he'd caught them all so off guard, maybe they'd stop underestimating him now. Regulus stayed by him, chewing on his cheek in that way of his. He'd make a difference in somebody's life if it was the death of him.

[bonesliketambourines]

kinkuary day 2: style

i fucking mainlined an oreo milkshake while i was writing this so if it’s disjointed that’s the sugar talking.

Summary: Draco’s determined to keep Puddlemere United in the top slot of the Quidditch Premier League, by any means necessary. He’s fine with his reputation as a ball-busting, joyless coach who rides his team hard if it gets the job done. And if there’s one particular player he’d like to ride just a little bit harder? Well, by any means necessary, right?

Tags: quidditch player harry. special teams coach draco. clothed sex. a manifestation of the author’s disturbing personal adoration of pro athletes.

Excerpt:

Draco had walked into practice that first day geared up for—harsh words, a snubbing, maybe even a physical altercation? Instead, Potter had shaken his hand enthusiastically, smiled broadly, and earnestly said how pleased he and the team were to have Draco there, and how much they were all looking forward to learning from him, and how grateful they were he’d picked Puddlemere, as his familiarity with the new system would no doubt give them an advantage both in league play and when it came time for national team selection.

Draco had found himself charmed, and instantly hated it.

read it here on Ao3!

day one || day three

[thosebizzareserpents]

“Attitude Era” 1999 - 2020 pt I

The finest from the British and Irish Quidditch League

Pride of Portree (Scotland)

Puddlemere United (England)

Montrose Magpies (Scotland)

Ballycastle Bats (Ireland)

Caerphilly Catapults (Wales)

Tutshill Tornados (England)

Wimbourne Wasps (England)

Falmouth Falcons (England )

[prodigalpercy]

percy weasley LOVES quidditch so, so much.  he doesn’t play because flying is probably his least favorite activity, but watching it?  staying up to date with the league?  talking with oliver about gryffindor’s strategy?  going to every one of ginny’s games when she’s pro?  he was SO EXCITED at the world cup.  he bet galleons on harry’s firebolt against penelope.  quidditch is like the only thing that makes him relax and not act like his usual prissy self.

also percy tends to crush on quidditch players.