Open A Need To Practice

Miles, of course, had been rather disappointed when he had been overlooked for the Gryffindor team. Even if he hadn't had high hopes of making it first try in the first place. But still, the rejection hurt all the same. But, instead of sitting around and moping about failing, it only made him more determined to make it the next time around. Though, thinking about it, that was also a little unlikely given that no one on the team was graduating next year and no position spots would be open. But still, he was going to put in the effort and practice as much as he could so he was better for next year. Maybe if he showed so much skill, the captains would have no choice but to pick him over someone else. (He could dream, anyway).

Broom in one and and quaffle tucked under the other, the first year huffed in a breath of fresh air as he stood on the pitch, craning his neck to look up at the clear sky overhead. The perfect conditions to get in a little practice time. The problem was that he had no one to practice with, so, he was hoping there was someone else around who might be open to the idea of tossing a quaffle around with him. "Hey, I don't suppose you want to practice with me?" He offered with a friendly smile at the first person he happened to spot on the pitch with him, "I promise I'm not rubbish or anything!"

Miles instantly brightened up at the offer, immediately nodding his head. He wasn't going to turn down someone playing keeper for him while he got in some practice as chaser. And, as he took a closer look at the slightly older girl, he realized he recognized her from the try-out. "That would be amazing," having someone to practice with was one thing, but getting to practice with someone who had actually just made the team was going to be some great practice. "I'm Miles, by the way," he thought introductions were probably in order, "I remember you, you tried out for the team and are one of the new alternates, right? Congratulations for that." While he was a little bitter, that was true, he was still happy for the people who had made the team over him, even if he didn't really personally know any of them,

He smiled at the older girl, nodding his head slightly and a blush on his cheeks as she complimented his try-out. "Yeah, I had a feeling that Gryffindor was going to have a lot of competition, so I guess I wasn't too surprised when I didn't make it this time around." But, just because he had failed this time, didn't mean that he was just going to give up. Oh no, one of these days he was going to make the team and all his hard work was going to pay off. He was more than ready to practice, after all, he needed to practice if he did want to make the team and prove that he deserved a spot just as much, if not more, than everyone else. "Sounds good," he agreed with a grin and a nod of his head, "I'm confident with my flying, I've been flying since I was little and been dreaming about being on the team for just as long."

Hopefully, with enough practice and with hanging out with the right people, he might still have a shot at making the team next year. A very minute chance if one of the current alternates or any of the players decided just to not show up for the try-outs, but it was still a chance. And if he made friends with some of the current players, then wouldn't that only help his chances as well? "Well, I hope so!" And hopefully that road wasn't going to be a long one because he really didn't want to keep getting disappointed and looked over year after year. What was most surprising, was when the older girl suddenly switched into coach mode and started talking about throwing things at him. Miles just blinked for a moment, a little shocked from the sudden chance of pace. He'd only asked her to practice with him, but apparently, she was going to be his coach. Not that he remembered asking for coaching, but he wasn't going to complain about it. "Um, right, yes ma'am right away!" He might as well play the part of diligent student, quickly hopping on his broom, pushing off from the ground and setting off on a quick loop of the pitch just as he had been instructed.

This practice session had taken a rather surprising twist. He had been expecting to just have a friendly practice with someone, maybe tossing a quaffle back and forth and getting in some shots here and there. Instead, what was happening was he was being coached around the pitch by a girl who didn't really look to be that much older than he was. Still, he supposed she did have the seniority over him, and she had actually made the team that year, which did have to count towards something. Even if she still was only an alternate and not one of the starting players. Still, as he heard her shouting at him again, he couldn't help the slight grin as he glanced back, "Maybe if you showed me how it was done I might get the hang of it faster!"