Quidditch Analogies II

Quidditch Analogies II

It was at the reception immediately following Fred and Angelina’s wedding, that Alicia Spinnet realized George Weasley was watching her. The wedding itself had been lovely; Angelina was a beautiful bride and Fred looked quite handsome in his tuxedo. Alicia had been one of the maids of honor and smiled to herself when she thought of the time when she doubted Fred and Angelina would last. They had certainly proved her wrong.

That had been back in their seventh year. Now she was twenty-six, and after many years of dating, the two decided to tie the knot. Alicia couldn’t have been happier for them, but she was also sad in many ways. She was alone, no boyfriend, and other than Angelina and Katie, no real friends. She led the lonely life of a Medi–witch.

So it was discomforting at first to discover that her ex–boyfriend was staring at her from across the table. Finally she couldn’t take it any more.

"Why are you staring at me?" she hissed at him.

George started. "Sorry, my dear, but you’re a vision of loveliness."

Alicia blushed, although she knew he was only teasing.

"Care to dance?"

At first she thought he was talking to someone else, but he was holding his hand out to her. She nodded and stood up, and they made their way out onto the floor. The first song just happened to be a waltz so they moved in closer together. Alicia felt herself relax and she closed her eyes as they continued to sway to the music. After a few minutes, George whispered in her ear.

"Hey, Ali, want to steal away for a few moments?"

She nodded, afraid to speak for fear of what might come out. They walked a little ways away from the reception until they reached the small paddock where all the Weasleys used to play Quidditch. The night was cool with a strong breeze and Alicia shivered. George, noticing this, gave her his coat. The stars were out in abundance and Alicia found herself looking for familiar constellations.

"Remember back in our seventh year," George began; he too was looking up in the sky, "when you thought that Fred and Angie would break up?"

Alicia smiled. "Yes, and then they made up and I asked you how that was possible. What was it you told me?"

George smiled fondly. "Quidditch analogies, my dear."

Alicia went to the shed and took out two Cleansweep Sevens. She handed one to George and clambered aboard hers. "And what exactly is a Quidditch analogy?"

They rose into the air; it was too dark to play Quidditch, but they could still fly around. George looked thoughtful.

"Well, I can’t explain it to you exactly, but I can show you. If you’re willing to face the consequences."

His eyes sparkled mischievously and Alicia felt a shiver run down her spine. "Alright, go ahead."

"In Quidditch," George began, "Bludgers are things that get in our way, right? They just want to ruin our lives, even bloody us up a bit. Well, a Beater’s job is to knock those Bludgers away. To protect and defend, that’s what a Beater does."

"Yes," Alicia said, wanting him to continue.

"Well, my dear girl, you are a Chaser. And as such, it is my job to protect you. So while you’re scoring goals and kicking arse, I will be there to defend you, to knock away any nasty Bludgers that come your way. I am the Beater to your Chaser, keeping you safe while you go for your goals."

They were silent for awhile. Finally Alicia released the breath she had been holding.

"Wow," she breathed. "That’s amazing. It made me feel all tingly inside, warm and fuzzy."

George smiled, but it was a sad smile. "Like I told you, it works every time."

Silence again. Crickets chirped all around them and the sky sparkled. Alicia flew around a bit, enjoying the breeze in her hair. She bit her lip. She was dying to ask George a question, but wasn’t sure she had enough courage. Finally she burst out.

"If it works every time, why didn’t you say that to me when we broke up?" she asked.

George was very quiet. "Because, when Fred used it on Angelina, she still wanted to be with him. I assumed that you didn’t want to be with me."

Alicia felt terrible. "You didn’t even try. You were more obsessed with your shop, and never paid any attention to me."

"I still cared about you, Ali," George said in a pained voice. "You told me you didn’t think it was working, and I didn’t want to push it. Don’t blame me. You tell everyone that we broke up, but really, you dumped me."

Alicia was glad that it was so dark; he couldn’t see the tears that were forming in her eyes. "I didn’t think you cared. I thought you cared more about practical jokes than me, and I needed more than that."

George sighed in an exasperated manner. "Honestly, Alicia. You never think that anyone cares about you, or that anyone can care about anyone else! What is it that you have against love? You seem to think that everyone’s relationship is doomed."

He felt a whoosh of air pass by his head and knew that she had just flown by. They were basically having this conversation in the dark, unable to see one another. It was sort of easier that way.

"Show me one relationship that started in Hogwarts, as children, which has lasted, George, show me one!" Alicia said, angrily.

"I can show you three," George said pointedly. "My parents, Ron and Hermione, and Angelina and Fred, for that matter. Not to mention that I’ve always suspected there was something between Professor Trelawney and Snape."

Alicia half laughed/half sobbed. "They don’t count," she said in a muffled tone. "Your parents may have gone to school together, but I know they didn’t start dating until they left, Ron and Hermione are constantly breaking up and getting back together, Fred used Quidditch analogies, and Snape and Trelawney are only tennis partners."

George laughed. "Can you imagine Snape playing tennis? Ugh, especially in those little tennis shorts. Now there’s a mental image I didn’t need. Hmm, maybe I’ll market that. Tennis playing Snape figurines, to scare the children. They’d have to explode, though."

"See? All you think of is Weasley Wizarding Wheezes!" Alicia complained.

"Relax, Ali," George said placatingly. "You’re wound tighter than a spring. Come here, wherever you are."

He felt another breeze and could just make out her features; she was sitting on her broom, right in front of him.

"What?" she asked, disgruntled.

George kissed her. At first taken by surprise, Alicia held back, but after a moment, she kissed him back. When they broke apart, she turned red.

"What was that for?" she asked, also curious to know what it meant.

"Because you’re the Chaser, I’m the Beater. I’m supposed to protect you and I thought you needed protecting from whatever demons are haunting you."

Alicia melted. "Damn those Quidditch analogies," she said, not meaning it.

"Damn," George agreed. He kissed her again and that time, Alicia didn’t hold back.

From down below, hidden in the bushes, Katie Bell tried to stifle her giggles. Lee placed a hand over her mouth, and waited until the noise had subsided before removing it.

"Four down," she giggled.

"It’s the Quidditch analogies, my dear," Lee said with a grin. "Works every time."