Practice Makes Perfect
Title: Practice Makes Perfect
Genre: Fluff
Pairing(s): USUK
Word Count: 2,079
Rating/Warnings: None, PG
Summary: In the wake of their newly renewed friendship, Arthur reluctantly agrees to watch Alfred's Quidditch game. Harry Potter AU. Done for 'games' prompt from the usxuk summer camp.
"You'll come and see my Quidditch game, right?" Alfred asked Arthur as they sat down for breakfast. Alfred ignored the strange looks he was getting from the other Slytherins and the shouted comment from Jacob.
"Why? It's not like I can do much help. And you do realise that you're sitting at the Slytherin table," Arthur replied as he poured milk onto his porridge. He reminded himself to say thank you to Winky for sending up his favourite honey. Alfred rolled his eyes at Arthur's answer and picked up a piece of toast.
"Well, duh. And of course you'll help! I really want you there Arthur." Alfred batted his eyelashes at Arthur, who watched with fascination at how much Alfred looked like a scrawny, teenage Bambi. Next he cursed his younger brother for making him watch it ever since he had two Muggles talking about it. The stupid fawn had featured promiently in his nightmares.
"I guess Gryffindors are as stupid as they seem if they're getting the tables mixed up," a loud voice drawled and both Alfred and Arthur stiffened. Arthur turned to see Draco Malfoy smirking at Alfred and he resisted the urge to scalp the little brat.
"I would agree with you but I dislike you more," Arthur told Draco with a smile before drawing his wand and sending a non-verbal colour charm at the fourth year. Draco shrieked and Arthur watched in fascination as all his attention was drawn to trying to return his hair to its normal colour. He turned back to Alfred who was watching with poorly disguised admiration. "I thought that Quidditch matches were cancelled because of the Tournament. So what are you playing?"
"Erm.... well I organised a little match. It's not official and anyone can be on the teams but it's just to make sure that everyone's Quidditch skills stay up to scratch. We've got loads of people playing and I know that you wouldn't want to play but maybe you could watch?" Alfred looked at Arthur from beneath his lashes with a shy smile on his lips and Arthur could not resist that look.
"Alright. I'll come and watch," Arthur said reluctantly and Alfred raised his arms in celebration. "When is it?" Arthur asked before Alfred left.
"After breakfast. I've gotta go get ready. See you then!" Alfred waved to Arthur as he dashed off to the Gryffindor table and rounded up several members of the house including a large portion of the Quidditch team. Arthur could see the Weasley twins jostling and shoving each other and Harry Potter with his two friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He also saw many others he could not name stand up and leave and this irritated him. Slytherins, especially Kirklands, prided themselves on knowing information so they could use it to their advantage and Arthur liked to know everything about the people in the school. It helped that he had an almost perfect memory.
"Kirkland! Turn my hair back!" Draco shouted as a strand of bright purple hair fell in front of his eyes. Arthur gave him a cool look.
"No," Arthur said simply before leaving the breakfast table as well and following the crowd of students out onto the Quidditch pitch.
"Arthur!" Arthur turned at a familiar voice from one of the people in the crowd. He saw Matthew waving at him and Arthur returned his smile. Matthew and him had always gotten on, even though they had not had a chance to talk much after he and Alfred had had their fight. But now it was different. "So you and Alfred finally made up, huh?" Arthur felt himself flush and ducked his head to hide it from Matthew.
"Yes... well, we've finally managed to talk. Properly." Matthew smiled at Arthur's answer.
"It took you long enough." There was silence between the two of them for a moment. "Um... you two have talked about... what went wrong the first time? I mean, you guys aren't going to have another fight like that?" Matthew asked, looking awkward. Arthur felt like his awkwardness was contagious and he looked at the ground as they walked on.
"Erm, yes. If I start to get too... controlling then he'll warn me. That way it won't get that bad." Arthur reassured Matthew, knowing that he just wanted to make sure that his brother could not be hurt by Arthur again. Matthew did not seem completely happy with the answer though because he gave Arthur a slight frown.
"And what is Alfred doing?" Matthew asked and Arthur felt confused. He raised an eyebrow at Matthew and the other boy just shook his head. "Never mind. You'll find out."
"So Matthew are you one of the players today?" Arthur asked as the Quidditch pitch came into sight. There was already small crowds of people chatting on the stands, including a few teachers. Matthew snorted at Arthur's question.
"Merlin, no. I'm just supporting Al because apparently he needs several hundred people watching him. I suppose that's why you're here too? I have to say I can't see you riding a broomstick, a hippogriff maybe..." Matthew said with an innocent look on his face which quickly turned into a smirk as Arthur shoved him playfully.
"Stop teasing me!" Arthur said as he turned red. He remembered his first flying lesson after Alfred and Matthew had arrived at the school. It was how he met Alfred after all, crash landing into Transfiguration through the window. That had been painful. "Hey there's Alfred!" Arthur pointed out to try and take the subject off his absymal flying skills. Alfred had a strange look on his face as he came towards them but it quickly disappeared into his usual happy smile.
"Hey Matt, Artie. I wasn't expecting you guys down until much later," Alfred said. He slung an arm around Arthur's shoulders, almost squashing Arthur against his side before turning them to face Matthew.
"How could we resist seeing the great Quidditch stars? Don't want to miss a moment after all," Matthew said, even though he looked very amused for a reason lost to Arthur. "So when are you starting? Arthur and I have got to find some good seats." Arthur wondered at how Matthew, even though he was completely unlike his brother, managed to have the same mischievous, false innocent expression that was present on his face at the moment.
"Er... soon," Alfred said and Arthur twisted his neck to look at his face. At the same time Alfred turned his head so he could face Arthur and soon Alfred's face was all Arthur could see. He tried to move his face back from Alfred's but Alfred's arm prevented that. "You'll be cheering for me, won't you Arthur?" Alfred smiled, showing startling white teeth and Arthur found himself nodding.
"Alfred! Come on!" A male shout caught Alfred's attention and he turned his head away from Arthur to look at where the voice was coming from. Arthur inhaled for what he felt like was the first time.
"Alright, I'm coming!" Alfred yelled back and Arthur cringed at the noise which was a little too close to his eardrum for comfort. The next moment had Alfred releasing Arthur and jogging over to where the shout had come from. Arthur was left with Matthew, trying to stop his mind from going hazy.
"What just happened?" He asked a laughing Matthew, who didn't reply but dragged him to the stands.
The Quidditch game seemed to be a mismatch of people from different houses. Alfred was playing Chaser and the two others that joined him was the Weasley girl, Ginny if Arthur remembered correctly, and Katie Bell, the girl who had cursed Pansy Parkinson after the girl had made one too many comments about her Muggleborn heritage. Arthur had liked the creative use of curses she had employed.
Someone had given Daphne Greengrass the chance to referee and she was looking unusually excited with the whistle in her hand. She also had her broomstick in her other hand and Arthur was looking forward to see what would happen to Francis who was inching closer and closer towards the younger girl.
"Hey, Alfred is waving at you," Matthew nudged Arthur who looked away from the rapidly developing situation between Greengrass and Francis to see Alfred waving frantically at the pair of them. Arthur waved back shyly while Matthew laughed and waved back just as enthusiatically.
"They're all really pumped for the game," Matthew said, "who do you think will win?"
"I don't know, Alfred's team looks good. The only weak point looks like it will be the Seeker. The other team have Harry Potter after all," Arthur remarked as he eyed up the teams. Over the last year he had brushed up on his Quidditch knowledge even if he avoided the actual games in case Alfred saw him there.
"They've started!" Matthew breathed as the whistle sounded, Greengrass had stopped beating Francis with her broomstick and actually mounted it, and the teams took to the air.
It was a fast and furious game even though there was moments of hesitancy since some members of the team were not used to working together. Soon enough, Arthur was caught up in the atmosphere and was cheering with the best of them. He could not take his eyes off Alfred who was a natural as he moved through the sky. He managed to get past the Keeper several times and each time, Arthur cheered for him. Once, Alfred looked down at where they were sitting and grinned. Arthur had smiled back to try and cover the embarrassment he felt at Alfred having seen him act like a fool.
When Potter dived for the Snitch with Cho Chang hot on his tail, the crowd as one rose to their feet and cheered on their prospective Seeker. Despite wanting Alfred's team to win, Arthur found himself cheering for Potter. He was clearly the better flyer and he didn't like Chang. If anyone asked, he was going for the first reason.
Luckily Potter hadn't been the youngest Seeker in a century for nothing and after they both reached the Snitch, it was Potter who flew up with the prized golden ball clenched in his fist. There was a storm of cheering even by the other team, led by Alfred Arthur was pleased to note, and the players landed on the pitch with a satisfied look around all of them. Several of them congratulated each other, especially Potter, as they headed towards the stands where people were starting to pour out of. Matthew and Arthur hung back, they had no desire to be caught in the crowds. When most of the people were on the pitch, they picked Alfred out of the crowd and headed towards him. He swept Arthur up into a hug.
"Did you see me score that last goal? I managed to dodge a Bludger at the same time, did you see?" Alfred looked between Arthur and Matthew. They both nodded.
"Congratulations Alfred, that was a really good game," Arthur said quietly. His words were for Alfred only and he did not want Alfred's irritating friend whose name he kept forgetting. He did remember that he had a friend called Lukas from Norway that was in Slytherin. He and Arthur partnered often in lessons, mostly because they could work together easily and had similar magical skill.
Alfred smiled at him and Arthur felt himself grow hot. Not for the first time he cursed his fair skin which showed the blush all too obviously.
"It was, wasn't it? Everyone played really well, it was a shame you couldn't join in Arthur." Alfred was completely sincere and this made Arthur blush more. The thought crossed his mind that he enjoyed watching Alfred play far more than he would have enjoyed playing it but he did not voice this thought. There was only so much embarrassment a human body can take before exploding.
"Come on you two, I see a party on the horizon," Matthew said, breaking up the tension between Alfred and Arthur that Arthur was determined to pretend never happened. The three of them started to walk towards the castle, taking a moment to laugh at Francis who had been tied to one of the goal posts by Daphne Greengrass and her two sisters as willing helpers.
"Now it's a very good day," Arthur commented dryly as they left Francis to his well-deserved punishment.
Hello fluff, it's nice to write you again. Hope everyone likes and thanks for your comments!
Genre: Fluff
Pairing(s): USUK
Word Count: 2,079
Rating/Warnings: None, PG
Summary: In the wake of their newly renewed friendship, Arthur reluctantly agrees to watch Alfred's Quidditch game. Harry Potter AU. Done for 'games' prompt from the usxuk summer camp.
"You'll come and see my Quidditch game, right?" Alfred asked Arthur as they sat down for breakfast. Alfred ignored the strange looks he was getting from the other Slytherins and the shouted comment from Jacob.
"Why? It's not like I can do much help. And you do realise that you're sitting at the Slytherin table," Arthur replied as he poured milk onto his porridge. He reminded himself to say thank you to Winky for sending up his favourite honey. Alfred rolled his eyes at Arthur's answer and picked up a piece of toast.
"Well, duh. And of course you'll help! I really want you there Arthur." Alfred batted his eyelashes at Arthur, who watched with fascination at how much Alfred looked like a scrawny, teenage Bambi. Next he cursed his younger brother for making him watch it ever since he had two Muggles talking about it. The stupid fawn had featured promiently in his nightmares.
"I guess Gryffindors are as stupid as they seem if they're getting the tables mixed up," a loud voice drawled and both Alfred and Arthur stiffened. Arthur turned to see Draco Malfoy smirking at Alfred and he resisted the urge to scalp the little brat.
"I would agree with you but I dislike you more," Arthur told Draco with a smile before drawing his wand and sending a non-verbal colour charm at the fourth year. Draco shrieked and Arthur watched in fascination as all his attention was drawn to trying to return his hair to its normal colour. He turned back to Alfred who was watching with poorly disguised admiration. "I thought that Quidditch matches were cancelled because of the Tournament. So what are you playing?"
"Erm.... well I organised a little match. It's not official and anyone can be on the teams but it's just to make sure that everyone's Quidditch skills stay up to scratch. We've got loads of people playing and I know that you wouldn't want to play but maybe you could watch?" Alfred looked at Arthur from beneath his lashes with a shy smile on his lips and Arthur could not resist that look.
"Alright. I'll come and watch," Arthur said reluctantly and Alfred raised his arms in celebration. "When is it?" Arthur asked before Alfred left.
"After breakfast. I've gotta go get ready. See you then!" Alfred waved to Arthur as he dashed off to the Gryffindor table and rounded up several members of the house including a large portion of the Quidditch team. Arthur could see the Weasley twins jostling and shoving each other and Harry Potter with his two friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He also saw many others he could not name stand up and leave and this irritated him. Slytherins, especially Kirklands, prided themselves on knowing information so they could use it to their advantage and Arthur liked to know everything about the people in the school. It helped that he had an almost perfect memory.
"Kirkland! Turn my hair back!" Draco shouted as a strand of bright purple hair fell in front of his eyes. Arthur gave him a cool look.
"No," Arthur said simply before leaving the breakfast table as well and following the crowd of students out onto the Quidditch pitch.
"Arthur!" Arthur turned at a familiar voice from one of the people in the crowd. He saw Matthew waving at him and Arthur returned his smile. Matthew and him had always gotten on, even though they had not had a chance to talk much after he and Alfred had had their fight. But now it was different. "So you and Alfred finally made up, huh?" Arthur felt himself flush and ducked his head to hide it from Matthew.
"Yes... well, we've finally managed to talk. Properly." Matthew smiled at Arthur's answer.
"It took you long enough." There was silence between the two of them for a moment. "Um... you two have talked about... what went wrong the first time? I mean, you guys aren't going to have another fight like that?" Matthew asked, looking awkward. Arthur felt like his awkwardness was contagious and he looked at the ground as they walked on.
"Erm, yes. If I start to get too... controlling then he'll warn me. That way it won't get that bad." Arthur reassured Matthew, knowing that he just wanted to make sure that his brother could not be hurt by Arthur again. Matthew did not seem completely happy with the answer though because he gave Arthur a slight frown.
"And what is Alfred doing?" Matthew asked and Arthur felt confused. He raised an eyebrow at Matthew and the other boy just shook his head. "Never mind. You'll find out."
"So Matthew are you one of the players today?" Arthur asked as the Quidditch pitch came into sight. There was already small crowds of people chatting on the stands, including a few teachers. Matthew snorted at Arthur's question.
"Merlin, no. I'm just supporting Al because apparently he needs several hundred people watching him. I suppose that's why you're here too? I have to say I can't see you riding a broomstick, a hippogriff maybe..." Matthew said with an innocent look on his face which quickly turned into a smirk as Arthur shoved him playfully.
"Stop teasing me!" Arthur said as he turned red. He remembered his first flying lesson after Alfred and Matthew had arrived at the school. It was how he met Alfred after all, crash landing into Transfiguration through the window. That had been painful. "Hey there's Alfred!" Arthur pointed out to try and take the subject off his absymal flying skills. Alfred had a strange look on his face as he came towards them but it quickly disappeared into his usual happy smile.
"Hey Matt, Artie. I wasn't expecting you guys down until much later," Alfred said. He slung an arm around Arthur's shoulders, almost squashing Arthur against his side before turning them to face Matthew.
"How could we resist seeing the great Quidditch stars? Don't want to miss a moment after all," Matthew said, even though he looked very amused for a reason lost to Arthur. "So when are you starting? Arthur and I have got to find some good seats." Arthur wondered at how Matthew, even though he was completely unlike his brother, managed to have the same mischievous, false innocent expression that was present on his face at the moment.
"Er... soon," Alfred said and Arthur twisted his neck to look at his face. At the same time Alfred turned his head so he could face Arthur and soon Alfred's face was all Arthur could see. He tried to move his face back from Alfred's but Alfred's arm prevented that. "You'll be cheering for me, won't you Arthur?" Alfred smiled, showing startling white teeth and Arthur found himself nodding.
"Alfred! Come on!" A male shout caught Alfred's attention and he turned his head away from Arthur to look at where the voice was coming from. Arthur inhaled for what he felt like was the first time.
"Alright, I'm coming!" Alfred yelled back and Arthur cringed at the noise which was a little too close to his eardrum for comfort. The next moment had Alfred releasing Arthur and jogging over to where the shout had come from. Arthur was left with Matthew, trying to stop his mind from going hazy.
"What just happened?" He asked a laughing Matthew, who didn't reply but dragged him to the stands.
The Quidditch game seemed to be a mismatch of people from different houses. Alfred was playing Chaser and the two others that joined him was the Weasley girl, Ginny if Arthur remembered correctly, and Katie Bell, the girl who had cursed Pansy Parkinson after the girl had made one too many comments about her Muggleborn heritage. Arthur had liked the creative use of curses she had employed.
Someone had given Daphne Greengrass the chance to referee and she was looking unusually excited with the whistle in her hand. She also had her broomstick in her other hand and Arthur was looking forward to see what would happen to Francis who was inching closer and closer towards the younger girl.
"Hey, Alfred is waving at you," Matthew nudged Arthur who looked away from the rapidly developing situation between Greengrass and Francis to see Alfred waving frantically at the pair of them. Arthur waved back shyly while Matthew laughed and waved back just as enthusiatically.
"They're all really pumped for the game," Matthew said, "who do you think will win?"
"I don't know, Alfred's team looks good. The only weak point looks like it will be the Seeker. The other team have Harry Potter after all," Arthur remarked as he eyed up the teams. Over the last year he had brushed up on his Quidditch knowledge even if he avoided the actual games in case Alfred saw him there.
"They've started!" Matthew breathed as the whistle sounded, Greengrass had stopped beating Francis with her broomstick and actually mounted it, and the teams took to the air.
It was a fast and furious game even though there was moments of hesitancy since some members of the team were not used to working together. Soon enough, Arthur was caught up in the atmosphere and was cheering with the best of them. He could not take his eyes off Alfred who was a natural as he moved through the sky. He managed to get past the Keeper several times and each time, Arthur cheered for him. Once, Alfred looked down at where they were sitting and grinned. Arthur had smiled back to try and cover the embarrassment he felt at Alfred having seen him act like a fool.
When Potter dived for the Snitch with Cho Chang hot on his tail, the crowd as one rose to their feet and cheered on their prospective Seeker. Despite wanting Alfred's team to win, Arthur found himself cheering for Potter. He was clearly the better flyer and he didn't like Chang. If anyone asked, he was going for the first reason.
Luckily Potter hadn't been the youngest Seeker in a century for nothing and after they both reached the Snitch, it was Potter who flew up with the prized golden ball clenched in his fist. There was a storm of cheering even by the other team, led by Alfred Arthur was pleased to note, and the players landed on the pitch with a satisfied look around all of them. Several of them congratulated each other, especially Potter, as they headed towards the stands where people were starting to pour out of. Matthew and Arthur hung back, they had no desire to be caught in the crowds. When most of the people were on the pitch, they picked Alfred out of the crowd and headed towards him. He swept Arthur up into a hug.
"Did you see me score that last goal? I managed to dodge a Bludger at the same time, did you see?" Alfred looked between Arthur and Matthew. They both nodded.
"Congratulations Alfred, that was a really good game," Arthur said quietly. His words were for Alfred only and he did not want Alfred's irritating friend whose name he kept forgetting. He did remember that he had a friend called Lukas from Norway that was in Slytherin. He and Arthur partnered often in lessons, mostly because they could work together easily and had similar magical skill.
Alfred smiled at him and Arthur felt himself grow hot. Not for the first time he cursed his fair skin which showed the blush all too obviously.
"It was, wasn't it? Everyone played really well, it was a shame you couldn't join in Arthur." Alfred was completely sincere and this made Arthur blush more. The thought crossed his mind that he enjoyed watching Alfred play far more than he would have enjoyed playing it but he did not voice this thought. There was only so much embarrassment a human body can take before exploding.
"Come on you two, I see a party on the horizon," Matthew said, breaking up the tension between Alfred and Arthur that Arthur was determined to pretend never happened. The three of them started to walk towards the castle, taking a moment to laugh at Francis who had been tied to one of the goal posts by Daphne Greengrass and her two sisters as willing helpers.
"Now it's a very good day," Arthur commented dryly as they left Francis to his well-deserved punishment.
Hello fluff, it's nice to write you again. Hope everyone likes and thanks for your comments!