Fanfiction: A Certain Amount of Skill
Title: A Certain Amount of Skill
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Zacharias Smith and the Quidditch Team
Prompt: Air
Word Count: 2449
Rating: PG
Summary: The Hufflepuff Quidditch team had a bad reputation of accepting mediocre players. Zacharias Smith knew this, and planned to change it.
Author’s Notes: Number eight in the Fanfic Challenge.
“Before we start, are there any questions?”
Apart from the quick glances and impatient toes pounding into the ground, only Zacharias Smith raised his hand. Well, if no one else was going to ask…. “Yeah. Aren’t you a little big to be a Seeker?” The dark looks from the older students burned a hole in the back of his head.
Only taken back for a second, Cedric Diggory responded without offense, “Well, it’s true that Seekers are usually smaller.” A large player in the front of the group jeered, assuring that Cedric didn’t have to defend himself. “No, weight’s an important factor when choosing Seekers; it’s a fair question. But, I can catch the Snitch if that’s what’s worrying you. All of you are here to focus on these.”
Placing his broom aside, the captain unhinged the trunk and presented the contents to all. Zacharias rolled his eyes. They weren’t stupid. Everyone knew what the Quaffle, Bludgers, and Snitch were, and which positions controlled which ball. Or if they didn’t, they were useless for trying out for Quidditch. His impatience pushed his aggravation, especially after a girl inquired how dangerous the Bludgers actually were.
They were made of iron, what did she think it felt like to be struck by one?
Hufflepuff had the unfortunate reputation of accepting mediocre players to their Quidditch team, and Zacharias Smith realised that if he didn’t want to see another repeated disaster of the brutal massacre against Slytherin, he would have to join. Beyond that, Quidditch tryouts were what he had been looking forward to all of his life.
Others shared the same idea as him. On the field, he eyed each one of them carefully, deciding who to take seriously and who didn’t belong near a broom. A few he recognized from the squad in his first year, and no matter what anyone said members that were previously on the team always had precedence.
“We’re going to get started,” Cedric announced to gather the wavering attention of the lot. “Mount your brooms and circle around the field once. Then put yourselves into groups by what position you are trying for.”
Finally. The air is where he belonged, and no one could have asked for more perfect weather than what they had.
Three students couldn’t keep themselves in the air for longer than a minute, and by the time Zacharias finished his lap they had already dragged their feet to the stands. Undoubtedly first years, because they almost never had the experience to qualify and join the school teams.
“Ced told them to wait a year.” Feeling a rush of wind pass his ears, Zacharias raised his eyebrows as a girl with dark skin and matching hair stopped her broom. She grinned, and it was only then that he recognized her as a member of the team from the previous year. “But, at least they’re excited about it, don’t you think?”
“Oh please, they couldn’t even mount their brooms.” He spoke with acid clarity, because he wondered if she was as smart as she thought she sounded. “The team doesn’t need first years.”
The fourth year laughed heartedly, and hit him across the shoulder. “I don’t know, I think that Potter from Gryffindor was a right good first year Seeker. Pity we didn’t have an opportunity to face Wood’s team last year, because you haven’t seen what Diggory can do.”
“He’s too big to be a Seeker.”
From the look on the girl’s face, Zacharias expected a long and drawn-out explanation on how he was wrong, but fortunately the Seeker in question finally rounded the hopefuls together. He hovered in front of the group with a Quaffle in his hands and a look of determination across his face. “Chasers, you’ll have three chances to score against each hopeful Keeper. You’ll follow in alphabetical order, but be careful of the Bludgers.”
Diggory went on to explain that the test for the Beaters was to keep the Bludgers away from the Chasers when they went to score, but that didn’t settle Smith’s doubt. Few Quidditch teams carried that method, of incorporating the Beaters into the tryouts alongside the Chasers and Keepers.
“And if those Bludgers twist our heads?” asked one of the girls trying for the team.
The burly boy with blond hair that defended the captain earlier spat out, “You’re going to have to learn how to avoid them sooner or later. So just don’t get hit and you won’t have a problem.”
The rest of the rules were simple: score as many goals as possible without being knocked unconscious by the Bludgers, no fouls allowed, and no insults. Everything else was determined by ability and skill. The Keepers were already by the goals, one in position to be the first to try and block. Zacharias tried to contain his smile as he imagined how easy his first scores would be, because the Keeper was far too big on his broom to even be trying.
“To all of you, good luck.” With that, Cedric tossed the Quaffle to the first Chaser. “Tamsin Applebee.”
Discovering it was the name of the girl who wouldn’t stop talking to him, Zacharias Smith decided he didn’t particularly like the idea of having a returning Chaser try first. This scepticism was not unfounded, as Tamsin flew past the Keeper with agile speed and scored three separate times.
“Rupert Cab.” A husky seventh-year swooped down with power instead of speed, but only managed to make one goal.
It was when Cedric called, “Kenyon Cadwallader,” that the burly student that confronted Zacharias was given his chance to prove what he could. Zacharias loathed declaring that the fourth year was good. But with three scored goals and a dodge of two bludgeons, Cadwallader certainly proved himself during the first run.
Bethany Everstone and Alexander Knight each managed to score twice. This continued on and on, and Zacharias Smith was quick to catch the Quaffle when his name was finally called.
For possibly the first time in his life, he was thankful that his surname came so late on the list, because it provided him the opportunity to study the Keeper. Inexperienced. Sloppy. Slow. More importantly, weak when it came to protecting the low left goal post.
Always the skinny kid, Zacharias prided his speed and agility, and caught the Keeper off guard to score the first time. Swerving around a threatening Bludger, Zacharias ducked and threw the Quaffle past the Keeper to secure a second point. Confidence swelling in his chest, he was able to make the third goal and feel damn good about himself.
Franklin Walker finished the queue by failing to score any.
This continued through three more Keepers, and the tryouts only halted once. A fourth-year novice Beater missed a Bludger, and it knocked Margaret MacDonald off of her broom. Diggory called a halt as he, Applebee, one of the Beaters, and a handful of people from the stands determined whether or not she was all right. From the sky, Zacharias couldn’t hear the conversation, but judging from the girl’s bleeding face, she wasn’t going to get back on her broom.
His suspicions were completed, and although he considered her more of an equal for at least taking a Bludger than quitting because of it, as Parker had, Zacharias Smith was satisfied that his competition was now cut down even more.
With two Keepers to go, he tallied his scores as he completed each run. Three. Two. Two. Two. Only three hopefuls bothered him, and he became more and more certain that the two Chasers from the previous year were going to earn their spots again. Applebee and Cadwallader each only missed one shot, and for Cadwallader it was only because he had to dodge the Bludger just as he tossed the Quaffle.
The only other competitor with a score to rival his was Nicolas Johnson, a sixth year. Two. One. Three. Two. The odds weighed heavier with each goal, and with each goal bent the chance that this was going to be an easy victory for him.
The next Keeper was possibly the easiest yet, a thin boy with possibly no upper-body strength, and most of the Chasers were able to score easily threes through him; including Nicolas Johnson. Zacharias, determined to keep his status, swooped down with the Quaffle tucked like an egg in his underarm. As the Keeper moved to the left goal, Zacharias threw himself up and with his right hand tossed the round ball through the middle hoop. One.
Taking the Quaffle back, Zacharias glared at the Keeper for some hint of where he was going to heavily guard. Relying on his speed, the Chaser flew over the Keeper’s head and while catching him off, threw the Quaffle into the goal for another point. Two.
Zacharias swore inwardly as he missed the third goal and was half-tempted to yell at the Keeper in frustration for moving in front of the right hoop at the last second. But, he wasn’t stupid. He had to play by Diggory’s rules if he wanted to be on the team, and there was one Keeper left to break the tie.
But as though Merlin were somehow against him, the Keeper with the most decent talent served last and even Applebee and Cadwallader could only pass two goals. The others faired no better, but Nicolas Johnson beamed when he managed two through.
When Zacharias came into possession of the Quaffle, he could not recall the last time he felt so much pressure. His chest seemed to stretch, and after taking the moment to wipe the sweat from his brow, he flew forward and decided to focus on using his speed. Catching the Keeper off guard at the left hoop, he was able to barely pass it through the right for the first point.
The Keeper wasn’t happy, and the two exchanged narrowed visions before he flew in for the next point. He convinced himself that his toss scored because he outsmarted the Keeper, and paid no mind that the older player’s fingers accidently tipped it in. He didn’t care. He had two goals and was tied in points to his competitor.
So self-assured in his self, Zacharias did not see one of the Bludgers come behind and strike the end of his broom.
Gripping the handle as the broom, he tried to pull up and maintain balance, but couldn’t stop from spiraling down to the ground. Jumping off at the last minute kept him from hurting himself. At least physically; if anyone asked he could have sworn he actually felt his pride take a beating. On his back he lied on the ground and cursed aloud every bit of profanity he had gathered in his life. How could he let that happen? He wasn’t some stupid first year or incompetent about Quidditch. No, how could he let that happen?!
“You all right there, Smith?”
Finally deciding to open his eyes and force way through humiliation, Zacharias picked himself up uneasily and tried not to look into the faces of Cedric Diggory and the others who had rushed down to see if he was all right. Mumbling something along the sounds of, “Yeah. Perfect,” he bent down to retrieve the Cleansweep by his side.
Damn it. The back of his broom was mangled. What were his choices now? The score was still tied between him and Johnson, and he probably looked like a right fool for not dodging the Bludger. He could still fly up, take his last chance. At least, not quit.
He mounted the broom, trying his best to ignore the concerned looks and the soreness in his back. No. It wasn’t his fault. If those Beaters could gather any half-decent players, he wouldn’t have crashed into the ground and have a faulty broom. Idiots. Prats.
With foul thoughts flying through his mind, and a lack of balance on his Cleansweep, Zacharias Smith missed his final Quaffle toss and sank back into the queue with a scowl etched on his face. The rest of the Quidditch tryouts progressed without his attention much attached, and he was more than obliged to land on the ground when it was all over. Without a proper broom, the sky was no longer his domain.
He turned a deaf ear to all of the talk surrounding the other players as the Chasers talked with the Keepers and Beaters about everything that had happened. He didn’t care about them. All he knew was that it was now between him and Nicolas Johnson, and Johnson had managed not to be hit by a Bludger. Glaring at the sixth year didn’t make him feel better, either. He didn’t feel much of anything outside of frustration until Cedric Diggory finally returned with an assured smile.
After giving congratulations and reassurance to all of the participants in the tryouts, throughout which Zacharias consistently rolled his eyes and felt like telling the captain to get to the point, the results were finally spoken. “Our Keeper for this year will be Herbert Fleet.” That made some sense. Fleet was the last one to have tried for the Keeping position, the one to easily stop the most goals.
“As for the position of Chasers: Tamsin Applebee, Kenyon Cadwallader, and Zacharias Smith.”
What?
Zacharias blinked rapidly, as though it would somehow replay what had been said. Apparently missing the announcement of the Beaters, he didn’t realise how speechless and unaware he was until Applebee and Cadwallader approached him.
“So, you’re our new Chaser,” spoke Cadwallader with strict perception. “Tamsin and I will have to bring you up on our new strategies, so be prepared to work hard during our first practice.”
He was only half-listening, and concentrated more on trying to catch the attention of Cedric Diggory. Part of him wanted to say that the Seeker was as big a duffer as others thought he was, to pick the one who had been hit by the Bludger instead of the one who hadn’t. Another part of him, a bigger and more important part, decided this is what he wanted. He was a Chaser now, and he earned his spot on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.
“Ced picked all right.” Tamsin declared, taking a look at Zacharias’ mangled broom. “That sixth year was good, but you got up after taking a Bludger. I think that impressed him. So, get that broom fixed and you’ll be ready to show us you’re a bit more than just a foul mouth then, Zach?”
He smirked, pleased at what he heard. Instead of remarking that Cedric Diggory was still too big to be a Seeker, he replied, “It’s Zacharias.”
--
I apologize for any Americans. Most characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters: Zacharias Smith and the Quidditch Team
Prompt: Air
Word Count: 2449
Rating: PG
Summary: The Hufflepuff Quidditch team had a bad reputation of accepting mediocre players. Zacharias Smith knew this, and planned to change it.
Author’s Notes: Number eight in the Fanfic Challenge.
“Before we start, are there any questions?”
Apart from the quick glances and impatient toes pounding into the ground, only Zacharias Smith raised his hand. Well, if no one else was going to ask…. “Yeah. Aren’t you a little big to be a Seeker?” The dark looks from the older students burned a hole in the back of his head.
Only taken back for a second, Cedric Diggory responded without offense, “Well, it’s true that Seekers are usually smaller.” A large player in the front of the group jeered, assuring that Cedric didn’t have to defend himself. “No, weight’s an important factor when choosing Seekers; it’s a fair question. But, I can catch the Snitch if that’s what’s worrying you. All of you are here to focus on these.”
Placing his broom aside, the captain unhinged the trunk and presented the contents to all. Zacharias rolled his eyes. They weren’t stupid. Everyone knew what the Quaffle, Bludgers, and Snitch were, and which positions controlled which ball. Or if they didn’t, they were useless for trying out for Quidditch. His impatience pushed his aggravation, especially after a girl inquired how dangerous the Bludgers actually were.
They were made of iron, what did she think it felt like to be struck by one?
Hufflepuff had the unfortunate reputation of accepting mediocre players to their Quidditch team, and Zacharias Smith realised that if he didn’t want to see another repeated disaster of the brutal massacre against Slytherin, he would have to join. Beyond that, Quidditch tryouts were what he had been looking forward to all of his life.
Others shared the same idea as him. On the field, he eyed each one of them carefully, deciding who to take seriously and who didn’t belong near a broom. A few he recognized from the squad in his first year, and no matter what anyone said members that were previously on the team always had precedence.
“We’re going to get started,” Cedric announced to gather the wavering attention of the lot. “Mount your brooms and circle around the field once. Then put yourselves into groups by what position you are trying for.”
Finally. The air is where he belonged, and no one could have asked for more perfect weather than what they had.
Three students couldn’t keep themselves in the air for longer than a minute, and by the time Zacharias finished his lap they had already dragged their feet to the stands. Undoubtedly first years, because they almost never had the experience to qualify and join the school teams.
“Ced told them to wait a year.” Feeling a rush of wind pass his ears, Zacharias raised his eyebrows as a girl with dark skin and matching hair stopped her broom. She grinned, and it was only then that he recognized her as a member of the team from the previous year. “But, at least they’re excited about it, don’t you think?”
“Oh please, they couldn’t even mount their brooms.” He spoke with acid clarity, because he wondered if she was as smart as she thought she sounded. “The team doesn’t need first years.”
The fourth year laughed heartedly, and hit him across the shoulder. “I don’t know, I think that Potter from Gryffindor was a right good first year Seeker. Pity we didn’t have an opportunity to face Wood’s team last year, because you haven’t seen what Diggory can do.”
“He’s too big to be a Seeker.”
From the look on the girl’s face, Zacharias expected a long and drawn-out explanation on how he was wrong, but fortunately the Seeker in question finally rounded the hopefuls together. He hovered in front of the group with a Quaffle in his hands and a look of determination across his face. “Chasers, you’ll have three chances to score against each hopeful Keeper. You’ll follow in alphabetical order, but be careful of the Bludgers.”
Diggory went on to explain that the test for the Beaters was to keep the Bludgers away from the Chasers when they went to score, but that didn’t settle Smith’s doubt. Few Quidditch teams carried that method, of incorporating the Beaters into the tryouts alongside the Chasers and Keepers.
“And if those Bludgers twist our heads?” asked one of the girls trying for the team.
The burly boy with blond hair that defended the captain earlier spat out, “You’re going to have to learn how to avoid them sooner or later. So just don’t get hit and you won’t have a problem.”
The rest of the rules were simple: score as many goals as possible without being knocked unconscious by the Bludgers, no fouls allowed, and no insults. Everything else was determined by ability and skill. The Keepers were already by the goals, one in position to be the first to try and block. Zacharias tried to contain his smile as he imagined how easy his first scores would be, because the Keeper was far too big on his broom to even be trying.
“To all of you, good luck.” With that, Cedric tossed the Quaffle to the first Chaser. “Tamsin Applebee.”
Discovering it was the name of the girl who wouldn’t stop talking to him, Zacharias Smith decided he didn’t particularly like the idea of having a returning Chaser try first. This scepticism was not unfounded, as Tamsin flew past the Keeper with agile speed and scored three separate times.
“Rupert Cab.” A husky seventh-year swooped down with power instead of speed, but only managed to make one goal.
It was when Cedric called, “Kenyon Cadwallader,” that the burly student that confronted Zacharias was given his chance to prove what he could. Zacharias loathed declaring that the fourth year was good. But with three scored goals and a dodge of two bludgeons, Cadwallader certainly proved himself during the first run.
Bethany Everstone and Alexander Knight each managed to score twice. This continued on and on, and Zacharias Smith was quick to catch the Quaffle when his name was finally called.
For possibly the first time in his life, he was thankful that his surname came so late on the list, because it provided him the opportunity to study the Keeper. Inexperienced. Sloppy. Slow. More importantly, weak when it came to protecting the low left goal post.
Always the skinny kid, Zacharias prided his speed and agility, and caught the Keeper off guard to score the first time. Swerving around a threatening Bludger, Zacharias ducked and threw the Quaffle past the Keeper to secure a second point. Confidence swelling in his chest, he was able to make the third goal and feel damn good about himself.
Franklin Walker finished the queue by failing to score any.
This continued through three more Keepers, and the tryouts only halted once. A fourth-year novice Beater missed a Bludger, and it knocked Margaret MacDonald off of her broom. Diggory called a halt as he, Applebee, one of the Beaters, and a handful of people from the stands determined whether or not she was all right. From the sky, Zacharias couldn’t hear the conversation, but judging from the girl’s bleeding face, she wasn’t going to get back on her broom.
His suspicions were completed, and although he considered her more of an equal for at least taking a Bludger than quitting because of it, as Parker had, Zacharias Smith was satisfied that his competition was now cut down even more.
With two Keepers to go, he tallied his scores as he completed each run. Three. Two. Two. Two. Only three hopefuls bothered him, and he became more and more certain that the two Chasers from the previous year were going to earn their spots again. Applebee and Cadwallader each only missed one shot, and for Cadwallader it was only because he had to dodge the Bludger just as he tossed the Quaffle.
The only other competitor with a score to rival his was Nicolas Johnson, a sixth year. Two. One. Three. Two. The odds weighed heavier with each goal, and with each goal bent the chance that this was going to be an easy victory for him.
The next Keeper was possibly the easiest yet, a thin boy with possibly no upper-body strength, and most of the Chasers were able to score easily threes through him; including Nicolas Johnson. Zacharias, determined to keep his status, swooped down with the Quaffle tucked like an egg in his underarm. As the Keeper moved to the left goal, Zacharias threw himself up and with his right hand tossed the round ball through the middle hoop. One.
Taking the Quaffle back, Zacharias glared at the Keeper for some hint of where he was going to heavily guard. Relying on his speed, the Chaser flew over the Keeper’s head and while catching him off, threw the Quaffle into the goal for another point. Two.
Zacharias swore inwardly as he missed the third goal and was half-tempted to yell at the Keeper in frustration for moving in front of the right hoop at the last second. But, he wasn’t stupid. He had to play by Diggory’s rules if he wanted to be on the team, and there was one Keeper left to break the tie.
But as though Merlin were somehow against him, the Keeper with the most decent talent served last and even Applebee and Cadwallader could only pass two goals. The others faired no better, but Nicolas Johnson beamed when he managed two through.
When Zacharias came into possession of the Quaffle, he could not recall the last time he felt so much pressure. His chest seemed to stretch, and after taking the moment to wipe the sweat from his brow, he flew forward and decided to focus on using his speed. Catching the Keeper off guard at the left hoop, he was able to barely pass it through the right for the first point.
The Keeper wasn’t happy, and the two exchanged narrowed visions before he flew in for the next point. He convinced himself that his toss scored because he outsmarted the Keeper, and paid no mind that the older player’s fingers accidently tipped it in. He didn’t care. He had two goals and was tied in points to his competitor.
So self-assured in his self, Zacharias did not see one of the Bludgers come behind and strike the end of his broom.
Gripping the handle as the broom, he tried to pull up and maintain balance, but couldn’t stop from spiraling down to the ground. Jumping off at the last minute kept him from hurting himself. At least physically; if anyone asked he could have sworn he actually felt his pride take a beating. On his back he lied on the ground and cursed aloud every bit of profanity he had gathered in his life. How could he let that happen? He wasn’t some stupid first year or incompetent about Quidditch. No, how could he let that happen?!
“You all right there, Smith?”
Finally deciding to open his eyes and force way through humiliation, Zacharias picked himself up uneasily and tried not to look into the faces of Cedric Diggory and the others who had rushed down to see if he was all right. Mumbling something along the sounds of, “Yeah. Perfect,” he bent down to retrieve the Cleansweep by his side.
Damn it. The back of his broom was mangled. What were his choices now? The score was still tied between him and Johnson, and he probably looked like a right fool for not dodging the Bludger. He could still fly up, take his last chance. At least, not quit.
He mounted the broom, trying his best to ignore the concerned looks and the soreness in his back. No. It wasn’t his fault. If those Beaters could gather any half-decent players, he wouldn’t have crashed into the ground and have a faulty broom. Idiots. Prats.
With foul thoughts flying through his mind, and a lack of balance on his Cleansweep, Zacharias Smith missed his final Quaffle toss and sank back into the queue with a scowl etched on his face. The rest of the Quidditch tryouts progressed without his attention much attached, and he was more than obliged to land on the ground when it was all over. Without a proper broom, the sky was no longer his domain.
He turned a deaf ear to all of the talk surrounding the other players as the Chasers talked with the Keepers and Beaters about everything that had happened. He didn’t care about them. All he knew was that it was now between him and Nicolas Johnson, and Johnson had managed not to be hit by a Bludger. Glaring at the sixth year didn’t make him feel better, either. He didn’t feel much of anything outside of frustration until Cedric Diggory finally returned with an assured smile.
After giving congratulations and reassurance to all of the participants in the tryouts, throughout which Zacharias consistently rolled his eyes and felt like telling the captain to get to the point, the results were finally spoken. “Our Keeper for this year will be Herbert Fleet.” That made some sense. Fleet was the last one to have tried for the Keeping position, the one to easily stop the most goals.
“As for the position of Chasers: Tamsin Applebee, Kenyon Cadwallader, and Zacharias Smith.”
What?
Zacharias blinked rapidly, as though it would somehow replay what had been said. Apparently missing the announcement of the Beaters, he didn’t realise how speechless and unaware he was until Applebee and Cadwallader approached him.
“So, you’re our new Chaser,” spoke Cadwallader with strict perception. “Tamsin and I will have to bring you up on our new strategies, so be prepared to work hard during our first practice.”
He was only half-listening, and concentrated more on trying to catch the attention of Cedric Diggory. Part of him wanted to say that the Seeker was as big a duffer as others thought he was, to pick the one who had been hit by the Bludger instead of the one who hadn’t. Another part of him, a bigger and more important part, decided this is what he wanted. He was a Chaser now, and he earned his spot on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.
“Ced picked all right.” Tamsin declared, taking a look at Zacharias’ mangled broom. “That sixth year was good, but you got up after taking a Bludger. I think that impressed him. So, get that broom fixed and you’ll be ready to show us you’re a bit more than just a foul mouth then, Zach?”
He smirked, pleased at what he heard. Instead of remarking that Cedric Diggory was still too big to be a Seeker, he replied, “It’s Zacharias.”
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I apologize for any Americans. Most characters belong to J.K. Rowling.