Before the Quidditch Game

Before the Qudditch Game

Oliver Wood stood before his six teammates, pacing back and forth like a hungry tiger. Anxiety nearly leaked out of his pores, just like the sweat that was beginning to form on his forehead.

"Right then! We NEED to win this match! It is absolutely IMPERATIVE that we do. FOCUS, TEAM, FOCUS!!! That's what we need! Keep your eyes on the balls and work some magic out there, mates!!!"

Harry, trying to stifle some laughter, tried to look serious and intent as Wood rounded on him.

"Harry! You need to wait until we score at least 70 points, then you can catch the Snitch! If you don't, then we will LOSE OUR CHANCES AT THE CUP, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

Harry glanced around at the rest of the team. Fred was making faces behind Oliver, who had the slightly crazed look that haunted his eyes when he was desperate. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia were shaking their heads at him, and trying not to laugh. George was sleeping.

"POTTER, ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?"

"Yes, Oliver, calm down...I know I have to wait until we're 70 points up...I completely understand. Of course, I could be fatally injured by a Bludger, fall off my broomstick, and die...I'm sure that would make at least two people happy, but it wouldn't help our situation, now would it? Of course not, so that's why I am going to wait until we're 70 points up, avoid all Bludgers at all costs, and tire the Hufflepuff seeker out during the time I am waiting for us to be at least 70 points up. Then, before it gets dangerously competitive, I'll catch the Snitch when we're at least 70 points ahead. Not 60 points, but 70 points." The sarcasm wasn't under his control anymore. It just came out unheeded. Oliver looked like he was going to murder him because of the sarcasm. He glared at Harry, but merely coughed, nearly choked, "Right then! Let's go!" Oliver shouted, waking George with a start.

"And remember: THERE IS NO "I" IN GRYFFINDOR! WE MUST FOCUS AND WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM!! WE MUST WIN THE CUP! WE ARE THE BEST RUDDY TEAM IN THIS SCHOOL! EVERYONE KNOWS IT, SO WE MUST SHOW IT! THERE IS NO "I" IN GRYFFINDOR! FOCUS, FOCUS, TEAMWORK IS VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT! REMEMBER THIS AND SHOW NO MERCY!"

Harry, Fred, and the girls burst out into uncontrollable laughter, not being able to contain themselves any longer. Oliver, glaring manically at them spat: "What's so funny? I'm being serious, dammit!!"

George, still a bit disoriented, yawned and said:

"You know, Oliver, I'm pretty sure there IS an "I" in Gryffindor. In fact, I'll bet Harry's Firebolt and everyone else's broomsticks that there is definitely an "I" in Gryffindor."

Oliver stood for a moment and looked like he was going to explode in rage, and turned as scarlet as his Quidditch robes. Instead, he burst into ringing, loud, obnoxious laughter that echoed throughout the locker room.

"Yeah, there IS an "I" in Gryffindor, isn't there! How stupid of me!" He doubled up laughing, and motioned to the rest of the team to follow him out.

"C'mon team, let's go kick some Hufflepuff ass!!!"