Open Finding Hope

[AJ Ari]

Open after Jamie posts with Hope

With their quidditch season more or less over, minus a few lingering late season practices, AJ felt a bit adrift with what to do with his spare time. It wasn't like them losing early in the season was new after the past few years, but their last game against Beauxbatons still hung heavy in his mind, even though it'd been awhile since the game. He didn't consider himself an amazing player, with or without Eli glaring at him on the pitch and judging his every move half the time, but something about their last game felt like it had gone particularly badly. Maybe it was the knowledge that Beaux had an almost entirely new team and they'd stilled wiped the floor with them. Or, more specifically he suspected, it was the feeling he'd really let Hope down more than the rest of the team this time. She'd gotten beaten to hell and back that game and AJ hadn't been able to stop it. He also didn't know if he was imagining it, but she seemed equally as down about the game as he felt, even now.

Stuffing a collection of parchment he'd been using for notes into his bag after class, AJ sped up in the hallway when he spotted Hope, scrambling to get organized for a moment so he could talk to her. "Hey, Hope, you got a second?" He said, side-stepping another student as he caught up to her. "Crazy to think we're nearly done with quidditch this year huh?" He said, suddenly adrift for a way to talk to her despite all his jumbled thoughts about the two of them already. "Wonder who Dom'll pick for captain."

 

[Hope Thompson]

The brunette walked around the castle. The year was not that good for her, in fact it had been her worst year. After losing the quidditch game her grades were less good also. In general she just felt not good enough anymore. And perhaps she just needed an break. The thought of stopping with Quidditch had been going through her mind a lot, in an point that she almost wanted to speak to Dominic. But on the other hand if she stopped with Quidditch, she had nothing else which she had liked. Walking with her books in her arms through the hallway she was lost in her thoughts, almost didn't hear AJ coming to her, and stopped walking. '' Uh- yeah sure.'' She than said softly to him and looked in his eyes. She nodded as he talked about the quidditch season, another failure season. Hope hadn't been thinking of his next question, Dominic would leave ofcourse. '' Everyone but Adam.'' The brunette than said with an sight. She tried not to get between those boys mostly, but as only girl she needed to fight her way. '' I'm not sure If I will continue with quidditch, to be honest.'' Hope than told AJ, looking at her feet for an moment, sighting. ​

 

[AJ Ari]

AJ suddenly felt a bit awkward when Hope agreed to chat with him for a moment. It wasn't like they hadn't hung out before, or that he'd expected her to say no, he was just suddenly distinctly aware of her looking at him and where all his limbs were at that particular moment. Would it be weird if he put his hands in his pockets now? Would she notice? Shaking his head, AJ tried to focus again, letting out a sheepish laugh when she mentioned Adam being one of their potential replacement captains. "Merlin, no, could you imagine?" He said, grimacing. AJ had been ready to go along with the joke, trying to think of something funny to say about Adam that wouldn't potentially get him killed on sight if it got back to their teammate, but he nearly stopped in his tracks at Hope's next sentence. "What, why?" He asked her, taking a few larger steps to keep up with her after the shock wore off. "We uh, the team needs you! You can't quit," He said, heart dropping at the idea that of games and practices without her.

 

[Hope Thompson]

The brunette watched her feet and was glad that AJ agreed with her about Adam. And looked up again and hoped that thought would never come true. Because than she would not feel any better at all. If she ever wanted to continue in the first place. And the reaction AJ gave her was not something she had expected. And dared to look at him now. Looking an bit suprised. It wasn't that she wanted attention, but these words did her good. Although her mind said different. She stopped for an moment with walking. And sighted. '' That's not true. I am terrible. We keep losing.'' Hope shook her head. It was sweet of him to make her feel better, but she had negativity in her head.​

 

[AJ Ari]

AJ slowed down as Hope came to a stop, feeling a frown when she let out a defeated sigh. "That's not true! Well, okay, we do keep losing- But it's not cause you're a bad seeker!" he said, grimacing a bit. "We all suck, so you're right at home?" He offered, sighing along with her after a beat. "That was a terrible pep talk, sorry," he said, falling back into step with Hope. "But really, please don't quit. You're one of the only people in our year who's still bearable," he said, sticking his hands in his pockets. AJ still couldn't shake the feeling that bad mouthing Eli or Adam, even vaguely, would somehow alert them, but it was worth it if it make help make Hope feel a little better. It was disheartening to see her so down on herself, and AJ hated the idea she might quit over a few bad games.

 

[Hope Thompson]

It was kind of AJ to try and cheer her up or something. But she had no idea where that came from. He had been kind always and didn't asked so much attention as Adam did. But when he spoke to her she could just not believe his positive things. When he said they all sucked she grinned for an moment, after an long time. So that was something. '' It's sweet thank you. But I still feel bad about myself and there is nothing.. that can change that really..'' Hope said with an sigh. But the team was not in good shape as well, and she had said it before their team spirit was terrible. The fact he took so notice of her and that she was bearable in the team felt in some way nice to hear. But next to Adam everyone was bearable she figured. '' I don't know.. It's one more year.'' Hope than thought and what was one year? But how could she ever have trust in herself again. She would be seventh year soon and that would be her very last one. '' Who do you think will be captain?'' The girl than asked.​

 

[AJ Ari]

AJ felt himself relax some when he managed to get a smile out of Hope. It was only a brief one, but he hoped it still counted as a good sign. He sputtered when Hope said she was just going to keep feeling bad about herself. She'd just said nothing could change her mind, but AJ found he desperately wanted to. He loved Quidditch, and Hope was clearly passionate about their team, but he hated the thought that she was carrying so much guilt or misery over their crappy little team. "Hope-" He started, unsure what to actually say. "Yeah.. One more year, we can stick it out right. If we lose, oh well, never again, and if we win-" AJ trailed off with a shrug. It would be really nice to have one proper win under their belt before graduating. AJ had no illusions about going pro or anything, but it would be nice.

Hope's question about next year's captain made him pause. He knew Dominic would be leaving them, which was sad, but he'd not put much thought into the fact that they'd need a replacement captain too. "Just hope it's not me, right?" he said sheepishly. "Maybe Dominic should pick you?" AJ gave Hope a hopeful nudge. No one on their team really displayed a lot of leadership capabilities, but maybe Hope being captain might cheer her up enough to stick with it for one more year. It was a bad reason to suggest it to her, but AJ couldn't stomach any of the other options at the moment.