Fun and Games

Chapter Three: Risks

Lili hurried back out onto the pitch with the new factory sealed sets of Quidditch balls, hoping that the twins had not gotten into those as well.

"Here we go. These should be okay to use," she grimaced, "I've also just sent everything in my office to some friends in the charm breaker department to check for any more little surprises. I'm truly very sorry about all that. I really do hope that all of you are okay," The team all at once tried to reassure her that they were fine, and that they would laugh about it later. They liked her and didn't want her to feel bad about it. Not to mention Liam's serious warnings that morning, no one wanted to be the cause if they were to lose the sponsorship. Lili mumbled under her breath, "I'll have to get them back somehow."

Liam, oozing charm once again, all traces of anger and annoyance completely gone, quickly stepped up to Lili to take the boxes from her. "Okay team, we'll begin a few warm up exercises, 22 through 28, and then we will go into a full scrimmage. I think that we'll do teams three and four today," he barked back in captain mode.

The team hardly ever scrimmaged Starter team vs. the Reserve team. Instead they had different mixed teams so everyone played with and against everyone else, this way in actual games they could work easily as a team no matter who was playing and who was on the injured list. Liam opened both boxes carefully as not to let the Bludgers or the Snitches loose and removed the Quaffles. He tossed the Quaffles to Alicia and to Chad, who seemed to expect them. The entire team mounted their brooms as a whole and flew up to about fifty feet and started a complex flying pattern. It was something like follow the leader, only there were two leaders and it involved passing the Quaffle, or hitting it with a bat, to their teammates and blocking the Quaffle of the other team; all the while the Seekers periodically swooped down to try to get the Quaffles away from the Chasers in mid pass.

Oliver flew to the goal hoops opposite Tim, the keepers were the only ones who did not participate in the cross training of the other players. They had warm up exercises of their own to complete. He started a complex series of maneuvers to loosen his muscles and feel out the new broom. Faintly surprised he finished the warm up exercises even faster then he ever had before, the new broom handled like a dream. He couldn't believe the broom's precision and how smoothly it turned. As always he felt wonderfully free in the air with the wind rushing through his short hair, all of his problems were left behind land bound, and his world narrowed to preventing the reddish ball from going through his goal hoops. Oliver did a few flips just for fun and almost missed his cue, he would have if he were flying his Firebolt, but this new broom allowed him to get to the goals just in time to stop the Quaffle from going through the highest goal hoop. He wrenched his mind back to the business at hand and concentrated on stopping the Quaffle, as the team had started taking shots on him.

Far below the scene and high above it were many witches and wizards, each assigned a player to watch and a statistic of which to keep track. Lili climbed the stands to the highest row and pulled out her Omnioculars. She hoped that this team would work out, the head of the company was somewhere watching to see what the company's product could do for this team; her reputation was also hanging in the balance as she had been the one to recommend Puddlemere United. She'd probably not be fired or demoted, but the company's confidence in her might be shaken if it didn't work out with the team she had so highly praised and suggested.

Even if her reputation was not at stake, Lili still really wanted to pick up Puddlemere United, the players were so much nicer than those who played for the Kerry Kruisers. The girls had fought like cats and the guys were absolute dogs, making dealings with the team something like a visit to the vet gone wrong. In the locker room she had gotten a chance to talk to some of the girls who were very nice, to both her and each other. Lili giggled to herself, some of the things they said about the guys on the team were really just too funny. Come to think of it, those guys are really quite nice as well . . . They're not too bad to look at either, she thought. I wonder where that came from? I shouldn't be thinking things like that! she sternly reminded herself, but continued along that vein nevertheless, it is true of course, especially that Liam with his raven hair, ice blue eyes, and charming demeanor . . . or that sweet Oliver with those incredible soft brown eyes and hair to match! Lili started slightly as she realized just what it was that she was thinking, there I go again, strange it's just not the thing I usually think about. But I've got to admit that you can't beat a Quidditch player's physique, that's for sure! Lili shook her head, trying to clear the unwanted thoughts, now really that was just going too far! She forced such uncharacteristic thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on the players flying high above her. It amazed her to no end how graceful and polished their movements were, she'd only seen researchers test the new brooms, and they were somewhat lacking in the grace and polish department. It had been a while since she had seen professionals in action, and these professionals were really quite good. They even appeared to be using the brooms to their full potential, something the Kerry Kruisers were never able to achieve with the previous broom series. Those Weasleys may be a pair of practical jokers, but they sure did know how to spot a good Quidditch team. Maybe I'll go easy on them the next time I see them . . . We have lunch tomorrow I think, and they're going to stay on for a bit of a 'holiday,' they're probably really coming to check up on me as per parental orders, as she was thinking about the twins and their motives for visiting her again so soon, something Oliver had mentioned occurred to her, huh, no wonder why they recommended this team, not only are they good, but one of the players played with the twins in school! Talk about a conflict of interests!

After roughly two hours of warm ups and drills, exercises 22 through 28, they did 5 through 10, and exercise 15, the team then took a much needed short break before starting the scrimmage. As the players floated gracefully to the ground, Lili hurried down from the stands to greet them with water, towels, and an apology.

"You guys looked great up there!" she said to the team in general, "sorry that I only have water for you to drink, but I was afraid to give you guys the sports drinks we had stocked . . . er, the last thing I need is for the entire team to drink something that they shouldn't have," she smiled and proceeded to hand out towels and water bottles. "I'm looking forward to seeing you guys scrimmage. It should be a really good game, and quite frankly the only people I've seen on those brooms lately have been the research teams and they're somewhat lacking in the talent department. Now, do we have any preliminary responses to the new brooms? We'll get comments on the equipment after the scrimmage. The scrimmage will be a better test for the equipment than those drills were."

"I couldn't believe how smooth it was," bubbled Alicia.

"I liked the weight, it definitely made for better leverage against hitting those Bludgers," rumbled Matt, "but there was one thing that I found to be a bit odd. It veered slightly to the left, I thought that only older brooms picked up those inconsistencies."

"Hey! Mine too! But it veered to the right," Sean glanced inquiringly at Lili.

"Okay, okay, hold on a sec let me get all this down," Lili smiled happily as she scribbled furiously with her quill. "Okay, got it," she looked up to the two beaters, "there is a reason why your brooms do that. They were actually built with you in mind, Matt you're a lefty right? And Sean you're a righty?" they nodded, still slightly puzzled. "They veer slightly to compensate for when you have to take your hand from steering to hit the Bludgers. If you think this isn't a good idea after a few more trials let us know and we'll drop that feature. If it turns out to be a good idea then we'll want to try and tailor it more to your specific needs. Any other comments?" Lili looked around hopefully, her eyes came to rest on Oliver of their own accord.

"I found it helpful that the broom stayed steady when ever I tried to stop the Quaffle, or the odd Bludger," supplied Oliver. Lili tried to suppress a giggle.

"Could you repeat that for me please?" she asked innocently, that vague halo appeared above her head again. She was trying so very hard not to giggle. It seemed to be coetaneous because Kristin, Kathleen, Alicia, Meridith, and Hilarie were smothering giggles as well. The other guys just looked at him puzzled, they weren't sure what was going on either.

"I thought that it was good that whenever I was impacted with the Quaffle or the Bludger my broom stayed steady," he said with a confused look on his face. He wondered what she, and the other girls, could possibly find amusing with that simple statement. He gave her an inquiring look, hoping she would elaborate on what it was that she was finding so funny.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. If you really must know the novelty hasn't worn off yet. I come across few people from Northern Scotland. Here in Cork," with this she flushed slightly and the rest of the team bust out laughing. Oliver flushed slightly as well, he had this problem with Kathleen when she had joined the team the year before, if he remembered correctly she was from around here somewhere in the south of Ireland. He just didn't understand why women found his accent so endearing.

Liam, after toweling himself off, worked his way over to Lili and skillfully cornered her away from the rest of the team. Oliver saw what Liam was doing, and he didn't like the glint in his eyes, but thought it best not to interfere. He was definitely not looking forward to having that private discussion with Liam, he was beginning to figure out the topic of their little discussion, although it confused him to no end. Instead he made his way over to Tim and Sean who were talking excitedly about the new brooms.

"I've heard that you were quite a good referee for the American Quidditch League, are you going to grace our scrimmage with the privilege of your refereeing skills?" his eyes wandered lazily down and then back up her body approvingly. Lili blushed slightly at this and couldn't meet his eyes, "I've been looking forward to this pleasure since I heard that you were our contact within the company."

Lili didn't know whether to believe the words he was speaking, or the suggestions and innuendos he left unsaid. She was surprised that he should behave as he was if he had heard of her while she was still reffing for the AQL. Most Quidditch players tended to avoid her upon hearing about her ex-ref status, and that went double for those who knew of her reputation especially her press reputation. "Well, it's been quite a while . . . I don't know, I'm really out of shape and not up on all the European rules. We have booked a professional referee for this scrimmage. Why don't we let him handle it? I-I'm really not up to it."

He only smiled ingratiatingly and grabbed her hand, she flinched just the slightest bit, panic beginning to grow at the pit of her stomach. She knew Liam's type, 'no' didn't appear to be a word in their vocabulary. Panic definitely started to take hold, there was a reason she was an ex-ref, and reffing now probably wouldn't be a good idea, but convincing Liam of such seemed as if it was going to be a problem.

"You don't look out of shape to me," his eyes made another journey down and then back up her body, "I'd say you're looking very good to me," ignoring her protests he seemed to come to a decision, "I'm sure you will do fine. The team will really enjoy this pleasure!" and with that said he pulled her over to the rest of the team. "Break's over guys!" Liam announced cheerfully, "I've just spoken to Lili here, and as you most of you know she was quite a prolific referee in the American Quidditch League before her . . . early retirement last year. With a little encouragement I bet we can get her to agree to referee our scrimmage," he left it hanging, waiting for the team to give the proper response.

Lili looked just a bit pale at his announcement, and when everyone cheered she flinched and turned even paler as she unsuccessfully tried to reclaim her hand from Liam. This is such a bad idea, but how to get myself out of it gracefully? she thought in a growing panic, how did he know!? More importantly how much does he know? Not all of it . . . He wouldn't be pushing me to ref if he knew the whole story. And how am I going to explain this to Eamonn, or Diarmuid for that matter?

"Um . . . Well, just a warning for you guys. I haven't done this for a while and I'm a bit rusty on the European rules," she looked into their excited faces and sighed, "but I'll do my best." She smiled weakly, "let me just get my broom," she said as she searched her pockets for her whistle. Once she found it she blew two short sharp blasts. How the hell am I going to get out of this one? I'm so screwed, I'm so screwed, I'm so screwed! kept repeating itself in her mind as Luke pulled her away from Liam's possessive grasp, and the team for a moment. Liam shot him a warning look, but Luke ignored it and the other inquiring looks he gathered from the rest of the team.

"I know who you are. One of me mates was on the American Eagle All-Star team, he was there and told me all about it. Are you sure you should be doing this?" Luke hissed, as soon as they were out of ear shot of the rest of the team. Luke's face was strained and lined with concern. His earlier contempt for her had flown out the window when he recognized her, and saw what a stupid mistake she was going to make.

"I know, I'm taking a risk . . . but I can't refuse! Because if I do I'll have to explain. And, well . . . I'd rather not. I'm sure you can understand why. But, if you can think of a way for me to get out of this gracefully I'm all ears, but otherwise . . . I'm stuck. Besides, it's only a scrimmage, what could happen? It's not like it's a real game or anything," she tried to sound calm and collected, but only managed tense and slightly frightened as they returned to the where the rest of the team was waiting.

The team stood mystified for a few moments, wondering what they were waiting for, until from somewhere above them a blue broom came swooping down to hover just next to Lili. She just patted it fondly and said, "well, I guess we'll be off then," with that she kicked off, the team shortly following suit. Once in the air she gestured to one of the boxed sets of balls, it promptly opened and the Bludgers were released along with the Golden Snitch, she gestured again and the Quaffle made its way to her hand. "Just a few of the improvements we've made, I never liked kicking the box open . . . It wasn't very graceful," she said grinning at their astonishment. "Now to begin . . . " she tossed the Quaffle up into the air to start the game, hoping she wouldn't live to regret it.

The game got off to a good start, the teams were quite evenly matched so it promised to be a long one. It was both exhilarating and frightening for Lili to be back on a referee's broom. Contrary to her disclaimers Lili was definitely not out of shape and her memory served her well. She was very fair in her calls, saw just about everything, and she was an excellent referee. All was going well until the score was tied 60-60. There was a fast break down the field Meridith, Luke, and Alicia were flying in an upside down triangle formation, passing the Quaffle as Kathleen, Hilarie, and Chad tried to break their formation. Chris suddenly spied the Snitch in the middle of the opposing team's triangle. Seconds later Kristin had spotted it as well. The two went for it nearly colliding in mid air.

Watching for excessive Cobbing between the Seekers, and the Chasers for Stooging, Lili descended a few feet near the goal hoops to get a better view of what was happening. As she did so a Bludger came seemingly from nowhere and, despite the numerous anti-referee charms on it, caught her right at the base of her neck. She never saw it coming. The momentum carried her toward the hoops and Oliver who had just seen what had happened. Doing what any other decent person would, he made a quick lunge and caught Lili seconds before Liam. Shit, Liam's not going to like this, I should have let him catch her . . . but how was I to know that there would be someone else there to catch her? Somehow the idea of Liam putting his hands on her was distasteful to Oliver, and he wasn't sure why, for some reason he couldn't quite trust Liam's motives. Liam's comment about 'a friend in the industry,' was unfortunately starting to make some sense to him, and he found it to be disgusting. He thought, I know Liam's devoted to Quidditch, hell I am too . . . but to use someone like Lili in such a way . . . That's just low . . .

The game stopped, and the players flew over to see what had happened, Tim was the last to arrive. With his heart pounding Oliver steadied the petite limp form in his arms, taking care not to look Liam, who was sure to be enraged, in the eye; Oliver was very worried. He wasn't sure he could feel Lili's pulse so see her breathing, which made no sense since she was hit in the neck, and a blow there shouldn't have caused her heart to stop.

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