Fun and Games

Chapter Four: Consequences

Dark . . . Everything is dark . . . Wh-where am I? W-what happened? And why does my head hurt so much? I feel all fuzzy, er no that’s not right, muzzy, that’s right muzzy. I can’t think. Hurts too much to think. Won’t think.

The darkness lightened a bit becoming more grayish around the edges, and Lli became aware of a steady, though somewhat quick, thumping in her right ear.

Huh . . . What . . . What’s that pounding? Is it my head? No . . . No that can’t be right. My head aches more than it throbs . . .Huh . . . Can’t think, maybe if I don’t think it will come to me.

She began to become aware of a gentle pressure across her back and around her left shoulder. Slowly Lili also started to discern another gentle pressure, this one under the backs of her knees.

Hmm, what’s that? It-it feels like something is supporting my back, and my knees? What on earth? And more importantly, why on earth? I’m perfectly capable of supporting myself! Er, aren’t I? Strange, now that I think of it, I feel like I’m floating . . . No, no that’s not quite right . . . Falling? No, no not that either . . . Gliding? Hmm, gliding . . . That might be it . . . Gliding down, yes that’s it gliding . . . down . . . down toward what? . . .oh, the ground . . . She saw images of the ground before her mind’s eye. That’s right, ground, rushing up to meet me at an unhealthy speed . . .oh, no . . . not again! Oh, NO!! She convulsed slightly as her heart started beating again, it was far from regular but it was enough. Her chest burned momentarily with a flash of white hot heat, that was gone almost as soon as it started. Darkness descended once again.

Thump-Thump . . . Thump-Thump . . . Thump-Thump . . . Darkness lifted briefly and Flashes of more recent bits of memory now passed by her mind’s eye . . . Quidditch . . .Testing . . . Beta testers . . . Puddlemere United . . . Liam . . . Matt . . . Luke . . . Oliver . . . Weasleys . . . Jokes . . . Enchanted Bludgers . . . Tricks and Traps . . . Caught again . . . Freed . . . Quidditch . . . Puddlemere United, they were testing the new F series and the new shock absorbing pads . . . And then what? It all went well, didn’t it? Not quite, Weasley twins played a joke . . . And Oliver defused their prank . . . So all was well? But if it was then, why the darkness? . . . Faint . . . Did I forget to eat again? No, no that’s not it. I had lunch . . . So why is everything so dark and black? Black . . . Black . . . Black . . . Hair, cold . . . Blue . . . Blue eyes. Blue eyes watching me . . . Always watching . . . Liam . . . Huh, right Liam . . . An Irish Beater . . . Not another Beater . . . What’s with me and Beaters anyway? Impressive players they are though . . . Cutie Captain . . . What does he know? What does he want? What to do? He . . . Right, he found out about the American Quidditch League . . . He got me back on a broom as a referee. Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid! How could I be so stupid? Why take that risk? Liam . . . He cornered me into doing it . . . Did he know? No, couldn’t have . . . But what about Luke? Luke . . . Luke tried warning me . . . Luke, knows . . . Liam can’t know . . . He wouldn’t make me do it, would he? Luke can’t tell . . . Trouble, where there’s trouble there’s usually twins . . . Friends, school friends . . . Pranksters and prankees . . . Keeper friend . . . Goal hoops . . . Oliver, twins’ friend . . . Even though he’s a friend of the twins, he definitely seems to be a nice person . . . Sweet even . . . Keeper, that’s right he’s a keeper . . . Oliver . . . Hmm . . . There, strong, but . . . Pain, lots of pain . . . Blinding pain . . . and then a flash of goal posts going by . . . Going down . . . Down . . . Down . . . Down . . . Darkness again . . .Ooo, too hard to think . . .

Slowly other bits of her became aware again, and the gliding sensation ceased. She felt something warm and firm, with just a little bit of give on her right, it seemed to be the source of the steady thumping she was hearing. Still muzzy, Lili couldn’t quite figure out what it could be. Whatever it was, it felt warm and warm equaled safe and secure in her mind. Safety sounded like a good idea to her so, she shifted a little as to be more oriented towards the warmth. As she moved, she felt the thumping quicken ever so slightly. A small sigh escaped her lips when the gentle pressure supporting her tightened protectively, and the thumping quickened a little bit more.

~*~

Oliver was very worried, he couldn’t quite find a pulse on Lili and she didn’t seem to be breathing. He spent a minute examining her chest. Oliver flushed slightly as he realized that it would be the one and only time he’d be able to do it without embarrassment, but then again, checking out witches’ chests was not something he did on a regular basis. Slight movement caught his eye, somewhat hopefully he thought, what was that? Did she just inhale? His heart was beating hard and fast. Maybe she moved a little bit, could have been a breath, maybe? I can’t tell, damn it! She can’t be dead, right? Maybe she’s just a shallow breather . . . I wish she was wearing something a little more form fitting instead of these dratted robes, it’d be so much easier to see if she was breathing. He flushed again at the implications of that last thought, definitely not something of the sort to which he was accustomed to having. I’m so glad no one here can read minds, what a time to be thinking about such things . . . although she certainly would look good in something more fitted. Nice figure she has there . . . He shook his head trying to clear away the unprofessional thoughts. Now, where the hell did that come from? I can not allow myself to be sidetracked so easily, why am I having so much trouble keeping my mind on business today? This is important, DAMN IT! She can’t be dead, she just can’t! Things like this just don’t happen anymore. People don’t die playing Quidditch! Bludgers, Bludgers just don’t hit the referees! They’re supposed to be charmed to prevent accidents like this! Heavily, heavily charmed! I’d suspect those Weasleys, but those were new, factory sealed! Besides they would never actually hurt someone with their pranks, well at least not intentionally! How did all this happen? It’s all wrong!

Shock faded a little bit and let some rational thought leak through to his consciousness, well it will easier to treat her on the ground. He shifted her just a little bit very, very carefully, and then shifted his weight to start the broom descending. As he shifted her he thought he felt the faintest wrench in her body, quickly he examined her more closely hoping that he might find some sign of a heartbeat, after a few seconds he found a very weak and irregular pulse. Relief flooded through his body and he almost shouted in elation, but he knew that she wasn’t out of the woods yet. Okay Wood, don’t get too excited . . . Just because she has a pulse it doesn’t mean that she’s okay, that was a nasty hit she took to her neck. She could have serious nerve or spinal damage, or she could even be paralyzed for all I know. And then there’s whatever it was that caused her heart to stop beating in the first place. Oliver could see witches and wizards gathering down below him, presumably to make an effort to try and revive Lili. He also noticed her broom bumping gently into his thigh trying to get back to its mistress. As he descended it followed, getting as close to Lili as it could, huh that’s one advanced broom for sure, he thought somewhat distractedly, they don’t usually follow their owners around like pets. Then again she does work at a broom research facility . . . Guess she would be in the right place to have one . . .

With a quick look to his Captain, Oliver noted that Liam was still fuming, too angry to speak. That’s going to be a fun conversation to have with him later, Oliver thought somewhat unhappily, he’s going to be one jolly person to talk to period. And then to add something like this happening, to whatever it was that Liam was so angry about before . . . it’s not going to be an easy time that’s for sure! Oliver’s thoughts turned bitter as his opinion of Liam sank another couple notches. And I’m sure he will be only thinking about one thing, and one thing only. His precious contract, instead of this poor little witch. He looked down at the limp form in his arms, and grimaced. Come to think of it we probably have lost that contract now, but that really shouldn’t be what’s on his mind, or mine for that matter! he sternly reminded himself. Well as least I’ve got my heart in the right place in my distress for her. I’m a hell of a lot more concerned for her than I am about that stupid sponsorship!

As he pushed thoughts of the sponsorship form his mind something occurred to him, oh shit, Liam’s really going to go spare for sure! Merlin, I just hope he doesn’t try and take it out on me! Hmm, I don’t think he can . . . But with him you never know . . . I’m sure he’s already thinking about the possible lawsuits against us for this, and before we even know if she’s going to be okay! Poor witch, you don’t deserve this.

Oliver thought for a moment and suddenly panicked anew, what am I going to tell the Weasleys? I know they must have been behind Thunder and Lightning Enterprises giving us this chance, it was so out of the blue, and we weren’t even close to being in the running for it! We were positive that the Prides were going to get it . . . I’m sure they must have mentioned us to her, how else would they have thought of us? We’re good, but we’ve had rotten luck where the Cups have been concerned these past few years . . . Oh god, Fred and George are not going to be too pleased about their friend . . . I really do hope that she’s going to be okay. No one deserves to take a bludger to the neck.

The other team members had fallen silent upon reaching him and seeing the almost lifeless form of Lili in his arms. They all looked grave and worried, Luke looked especially concerned. I wonder what it was that they talked about before the game? Did he try to warn her about something? Or does he know something we don’t? I’m surprised Liam hasn’t called him to task for it yet. Then again he was probably waiting for a chance alone with Luke to do so, or at least until Lili wasn’t within earshot. No one really wanted to break the silence, they were waiting for the inevitable tirade from Liam. Speaking before he spoke would only make the inevitable worse. The team didn’t have too long to wait, as Liam shortly found his voice and started yelling.

"WHO THE HELL DID THIS!?!?!?! OWN UP NOW, OR YOU MOST CERTAINLY WILL REGRET IT LATER!!!" he roared, his face turning a bright purple, and his mind inevitably locked on the contract. Or rather the almost certain loss of the contract. "I haven’t seen such an amateurish mistake made in all my years of playing Quidditch!!"

Oliver stopped listening to Liam at this point. Liam wasn’t talking to him, it would be nearly physically impossible for him to both hit Lili and catch her as quickly as he had. I know I didn’t do it. I also know that judging from the angle that Bludger hit her there was only one person who could have sent it towards her. But why? I don’t understand it! What the hell can anyone have against Lili? She seems so sweet and innocent . . . Oliver shook his head again to clear the unbidden thoughts from his mind, now is not the time Wood! Get yourself together! You’ve got a real problem in your hands now, literally!! Think man, what the hell just happened?!

Oliver took a moment to run through the events of just a few minutes previous, and came up with more questions than answers, well . . . I guess the real question here is why didn’t the anti-referee spells on that Bludger protect Lili? True, she’s not a ref anymore, but that shouldn’t have made a difference should it? Those balls are supposed to be charmed to hit players only, right? Well, I do know one thing for sure, the Bludger’s protective spells malfunctioning was definitely not the work of the Weasleys. They would never actually hurt anyone with their pranks, all the balls they’ve bewitched before have never hurt anyone, they’ve just been merely annoying. Besides those balls were factory sealed, meaning no one should have been able to tamper with them.

Oliver looked down at the limp figure in his arms, what did you do to deserve this little one? he silently asked. So full of life, it’s no surprise that you’re a friend of the Weasleys. There’s got to be something that the mediwizards here can do for you. You’re still alive, barely, but hanging in there. He couldn’t bring himself to think of her as being anything other than okay. Nothing that a little rest won’t fix . . . I hope.

His feet gently touched the ground and he was immediately swarmed by witches and wizards in white robes who began trying to examine Lili. Liam ploughed through the mediwizards and marched right up to Oliver. The rest of the team stayed back talking in hushed voices, Liam had really outdone himself in his yelling at his team, and they were all very glad that he was distracted for the time being.

"Give her here Wood," he demanded, "I’ll take her to the infirmary. You and the rest of the team will go hit the showers, and then head back to the hotel. There is nothing that more that you can do here. You will then wait there for my return," and then, almost as an afterthought, he growled in Oliver’s ear, "hopefully we haven’t damaged our chances for this sponsorship. Don’t forget about our little discussion. I’ll see you back at the hotel," Liam reached out to make a grab for Lili, who chose that moment to shift slightly and bury her face into Oliver’s strong chest. His heart beat quickened as she let out a small sigh and settled deeper into his arms. As Oliver’s heart beat increased, his arms automatically closed protectively around Lili. There was just something to that small sigh that awoke Oliver’s protective instincts, and the thought of letting Liam take her left a sour taste in his mouth. He had nothing to worry about though, as her actions, made it clear that she wouldn’t be going anywhere with Liam at the moment. Oliver certainly wasn’t even going to try and make a pretense of attempting to disengage her from his arms, as he did not want to do her any more damage than she had already acquired from the stray bludger and short fall. The mediwizards seemed to agree with his thoughts. They kept Liam at bay while Oliver stood still with Lili, waiting for instructions from someone wearing white robes. Aw shit, shit, shit! Liam’s going to kill me after all this, I bet he’s going to blame me for it all! And for god’s sake where the bloody hell are his priorities!! I wasn’t even seriously thinking about that sponsorship anymore! And if he wasn’t here I wouldn’t have thought about it at all! His respect for Liam was completely shattered at this point. Oliver blushed beet red from both embarrassment and anger and he avoided Liam’s gaze. Instead he studied the unconscious form he was holding, she has to be okay, she just moved and let out a sigh. She must be close to waking up. Cautiously he shifted her a little as to get a better grip now that he was standing, absently noting as he did so how comfortable she felt to him. It was definitely a change from the last time he had handled a witch. Granted that the last time had been when he had caught Kathleen after Kevin had knocked her from her broom, and she was very awake and extremely angry at the time, which could account for the difference. But, somehow Oliver figured it probably wasn’t quite that simple, nothing ever was as simple as it seamed.

Soon, the mediwizards around him parted and quieted down respectfully to allow an elderly wizard through. Dressed in the white and gold robes of an advanced mediwizard, the older wizard approached Oliver, and upon seeing the expression of extreme concern on his face patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Don’t worry lad, Lili’ll be just fine. We just need to get her to the infirmary, a spell or two, a good night’s rest, she’ll be good as new, and hopefully a bit little smarter. The higher ups here at Thunder & Lightening Enterprises have invested quite a bit of money in her. T’would be stupid not to where she’s concerned, not the most level headed witch when it comes to these things now is she? Really, Lili ought to know better than to go and do something like that. Luckily for her, she’s been insured. She probably doesn’t know it, but this lass has some very strong Dark Arts protections on her now. I made sure of that myself, I wouldn’t let her work here under any other circumstances! Although, it looks as though those protections will need to be redone after today. She shouldn’t have done what she did in her condition, but that’s really not for me to say," the elderly wizard explained. "At the moment, she is one of the company’s most valuable employees. I’m sure that Diarmuid’s still gloating over stealing her away from the AQL. Even with these . . . er, strings attached, she comes with her own warning y’know, it was a fairly impressive coup."

"But . . . But . . . But she . . . Why would she need defense against the Dark Arts?" Oliver stuttered. The elderly wizard just waved impatiently at him and tugged at his robes. He gave in and followed , presumably to the infirmary.

~*~*~*~