Chapter 8 - First Quidditch Game (1/2)

Arth yawned as he walked out into the fields with a very bored look on his face. Although he would rather be reading, at the moment he was forced to complete another task. That task being flying.

”Alright everyone, let's try this again! Do not panic or freeze up when riding your brooms. Now like I have said, say Up!”

Their teacher, Madam Hooch, had short, gray hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk. She would use her intimidating eyes to watch out for any rough and idiotic behavior while they flew.

Arth extended his arm out as did Alice and his other friends.

””Up.””

Arth, Alice, and James all had their brooms fly up immediately while Sirius got it on his second try. Lily and Remus struggled to raise their brooms while Severus, who was across from Lily, also made no progress.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle.

”Now anyone who was unable to raise their brooms by command, do not worry. Practice makes perfect. Now ready your brooms. On the count of three, you will all mount your brooms and hover a couple feet above the ground. On my whistle. Three- two- one-”

Madam Hooch blew her whistle and everyone rose up to a height they were comfortable with.

”Wonderful. Now I reckon you all understand how to play quidditch? Shall we have a practice round then?”

Everyone cheered, except for Arth and a few other people who did not seem to enjoy the thought of playing Quidditch. Quidditch was the current most popular wizarding sport in the world.

Matches were played on a large oval pitch with three ring-shaped goals of different heights on each side, between two opposing teams of seven players each: three Chasers, two Beaters, the Keeper, and the Seeker. There were three different balls: the Quaffle, the two Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch. The Chasers and the Keeper respectively scored with and defend their goals against the Quaffle; the two Beaters bat the Bludgers away from their teammates and towards their opponents; and the Seeker locates and catches the Golden Snitch, whose capture simultaneously wins the Seeker's team 150 points and ends the game. The team with the most points at the end wins.

Or in simple terms, basketball on brooms with an unfair freeball wandering around.

As they were choosing the roles that people should play, James and Alice immediately stood up and volunteered themselves for chaser.

”I wish to be a chaser!”

”I'm chaser, you got it?”

”We need a seeker and a keeper, hey Sirius, wanna be seeker?”

”Nah mate, I'd rather be a chaser. You be the seeker.”

”Well.... if we don't have a seeker, I'll be a seeker.... hey Arth! Do you wanna be a seeker? You are good with a broom.”

Arth vehemently shook his head. ”Nah. I'll sit this one out. Take Remus.”

Remus gave Arth a shocked look. ”I hate heights. I'm not playing.”

”Oh come on Remus,” whines James. ”It'll be fun.”