Target Practice

[Austin Branning]

There seemed to be a lot of change in the air in Austin's life of late and a lot of it was good and he felt positive about it but change was still a scary concept and Austin still found it unnerving. One of the few constants in his life during the last few years was Quidditch, it was something he could turn to for solace at any time and that was what he chose to do early in the new school year. Tryouts would be soon and while his position on the team was safe he didn't want to be shown up by a rookie.

With many reasons to get in some practice Austin headed down to the Quidditch pitch with a bucket of tennis balls, his broom and his club. Once on the pitch Austin put aside his broom and instead chose to focus on his hitting first. He reached into the bucket, took out a ball and threw it in the air. On its way down Austin drew back his arm and collided his club with the tennis ball sending it flying across the pitch. When he heard the quiet thud of it hitting the floor he took another ball and did it again. And again. And again.

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei was finally a second year, and that meant she could try out for the Quidditch Team. She had been dreaming of being a part of the team since she saw her first Quidditch game, and had done a lot of research into Quidditch since then. In the holidays, she was finally able to purchase her own broom, and she spent a lot of time flying on it, practicing different moves and zipping and zagging throughout the house (much to her parent's displeasure). Analei was certain she wanted to be a beater, but she knew she had a long way to go until she'd make a good one.
One of her first plans of action when she got back to Hogwarts was to practice. She half ran - half walked down to the pitch, excited to get a feel for it, and imagine what it was like actually playing a real Quidditch game. Once she got there however, she saw that it was not unoccupied. Analei didn't know why she thought it would be empty, but she didn't want to make a fool of herself by practicing in front of other people - especially not the person who was down there on the pitch. But she had come down to practice, and she knew she'd be angry with herself if she left without getting anything done, and with her mind made up, she made her way towards Austin, holding her broom on her shoulder. "Hey, you're Austin right?" Analei asked, approaching the boy, though her mind was telling her to not do it, to run away and stay inside instead, she pushed on. No more shyness. "You're one of the Hufflepuff beaters?"
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[Austin Branning]

Austin hadn't expect many people to want to use the pitch so early in the semester so he was surprised when he was joined by someone. Austin didn't know who the girl was but it became clear that she knew who he was which seemed odd. She was too young to be in his year, maybe she was a fellow Hufflepuff. When the girl asked if he was a beater on the team it made sense that she knew his name, she must be a fan and perhaps she was looking for tips on the position. "Yeah, I'm Austin and I'm a beater, did you need something?" He asked the girl.

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei took a deep breath as the boy replied. He didn't seem too keen to talk, but he did ask if she needed anything, so she tried to smile and be as confident as she could. "No, well, yeah, I'm just - " Focus! She told herself. Why was she so nervous? "I'm thinking of trying out for beater this year." Analei replied, hoping he wasn't going to laugh at her or brush her off.
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[Austin Branning]

Austin was a little conscious about how he was coming across to the girl. The truth was he wasn't the most social of people. He'd come along way since meeting Geo but he was still awkward around new people. When she told him she was looking to try out for beater he saw an opportunity to come across better. "Really thats great!" Austin put aside his club and made his way over to her. "Hows your flying? Have you played Quidditch before? Not that it matters, I'd never played until I tried out," Austin had never even seen a broom until his first flying lesson so if he could play beater he was sure the girl in front of him could.

 

[Analei Westwick]

Austin reacted positively to her comment, and Analei felt herself smile. "I've never played Quidditch before - but my flying's not bad. I got an Outstanding in the flying class last year." Analei told Austin with a smile on her face. "My name's Analei. I've been reading all holidays about Quidditch, and I know all of the rules, I think I just need to get a bit stronger, and better with my aim maybe?"
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