Happiness is the Kestrels in the Playoffs!

[safinnigan]

Date: Monday, 18 September 2000
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: The Leaky Cauldron, Exmoor Quidditch Pitch
Characters Involved: Seamus Finnigan, Aurin Helm
Rating: PG-13 - In Case the Kestrels Lose AGAIN

Comments

[safinnigan]

Seamus jumped up from his seat as soon as Aurin headed into The Leaky, a huge grin on his face. He’d been to a lot of Kestrels matches, but this was the Playoffs! Nothing could take away from the excitement of being able to go see a Playoffs game in person! He smiled even broader when he saw Aurin’s shirt!

“Aye, mate! Well then, don’t you look the proper fan now, mate!” Seamus laughed, grabbed his harp, tucked the take-away lunch into his pocket and they were ready to go. “Right, Portkey’s a waiting!” He led the way out to the back of The Leaky Cauldron where he’d stashed the Portkey - a tattered looking pile of Prophet’s tied with a string. He grabbed onto a corner and smiled back at Aurin. “Soon as you’re after taking hold with me we’ll find us at Exmoor!”

The Portkey transport was the usual swirl and whirl of mixed delight and disruption. He was glad when they landed just to the south of the stadium with an easy walk towards the Pitch. These seats were not the wonder that were the skyboxes, nor the top of the Pitch as he’d won from Quality Quidditch Supplies, but they were seats at the Playoffs, which was more than most fans could find. He’d been offered them at the last minute, and was more than happy to get them. He and Aurin made their way roughly half-way up into the stadium and quickly found their seats. Not the best, but hardly the worst. The excitement of all his fellow Kestrels fans surrounding them was contagious.

“Well then, Aurin, mate, not bad seats for the Playoffs then lad! And on the Kestrels side of things to be sure, so wear your shirt proudly and sing along loudly when this Seamus plays on his harp.” Seamus was looking forward to playing his harp in support of his team and singing his heart lungs out. It should be a good afternoon - providing the Kestrels won!

He withdrew the lunch from his pocket and restored it to its right size with his wand. “Right, mates lunch served whenever you’ve a need for it then.” He handed Aurin an Arthurs and opened one for himself. Arthurs, the Kestrels and a friend to enjoy it with - there was little more a man could want in this life. that a bird wouldn’t solve

[golden_armor]

The seats were fairly well-situated, as far as Aurin was concerned. He'd never been a fan of the higher seats that looked down on the game. Even if it meant not being able to see the whole field, he liked to be down on a level with the goalposts, where the action took place. It was more exciting that way!

"Oh, you can bet I'll be singing as loud as anyone else here! Louder, even." Aurin grinned as he looked around at the masses of green and gold surrounding them, the infectious pregame excitement making him fidget somewhat.

"Thanks mate," he said as Seamus passed him the bottle. He pried off the cap and took a swig, then noticed an excited stir running through the crowd. Looking to the source, he saw that the announcer for the game had taken his place in the box at the top of the stadium. "Hey, I think the game's starting!"

[safinnigan]

Seamus grabbed his harp and started in playing with the other Kestrels fans, urging his team on to greatness at the start of the match. When the balls flew in the air marking the beginning of the game, his voice and his harp roared with the rest of the crowd as the teams flew into action. There was little so thrilling as the start of a Quidditch match with the witches and wizards poised on their brooms one minute, and flying off at dizzying speed the next. The only thing better was the end of the game - if your team won!

“Aye, mate! ‘Tis a fine day for Quidditch!” Not that Seamus A. Finnigan had ever thought there was any day that wasn’t a fine one for Quidditch!

“Well then, lad, ‘tis a fine thing to be a wizard and watching a Professional Quidditch match.” He laughed, saluting the team flying around the pitch with his bottle and drinking some of his Arthurs. “’Tis even better to be after seeing your own favourite team at home on the Pitch! Right, ‘twood be a shame to be after missing the Playoffs when the team's in the thick of it then, mate!” He cheered on the team, playing his harp and giving full voice to his cheers as he lost himself and his troubles in the heat of the match on the Pitch.

[golden_armor]

Remembering his singing, dancing shamrock, Aurin pulled it from his pocket, restored it to its right size (or perhaps a bit bigger), and cast a quick charm to levitate it over his head, where it did a jig in midair, singing along with the crowd.

Aurin sang as well, taking occasional swigs from his Arthurs between songs, cheering wildly along with the rest of the crowd when the Kestrels did something impressive or daring, and generally having a good time. It had been so long since he'd last gone out and actually had fun, he'd almost forgotten what it was like!

As the game went on, though, it started becoming clear that this may not have been the Kestrels' day. They were playing gallantly and giving it all they had, but the other team's beaters were having an especially "on" day, and already one of the reserve Chasers had had to be called in. Still, until the snitch was caught, there was always hope!

[safinnigan]

Seamus cheered his heart out and sang and played his harp with the rest of the crowd. The Kestrels were getting their share of the goals but the Wanderers had more. Nine times the Kestrels got past their Keeper. The Wanderers matched that and added three more. It was coming down to just who would catch the golden snitch, as usual! Both Seekers were perched at the top of the Pitch, above their seats and easy viewpoint. They’d had clear view of most of the play and the goals, but they’d not be the first ones to see the flickering golden wings when they finally appeared on the Pitch, not unless the charmed golden ball decided to flit around on the edges of the Pitch.

Seamus finished off an Arthurs and got out another for himself and for Aurin.

“Too close to call, mate!” He said with a smile and a nod as he handed Aurin his beverage. “’Twill come down to the snitch then, I fear.” He’d not seen enough winning Kestrels games to suit him this season, and was worried that this one might be another loss. Yet, he couldn’t deny as he sang and played the complex melodies out on his harp that he’d enjoyed most every game he’d attended, even when his Kestrels lost. It was a pleasure to get lost in the thrill of the moment and the movement on the Pitch, and Seamus decided to push away any thoughts of those other games and just enjoy this one.