Closed What Does It Take?

[Victoria Barron]

After doing her research and talking to Olliver about quidditch Victoria had gotten more and more interest in the sport. So much so that she was taking her deep dive into the sport in a new direction. She needed to talk to someone with a little more experience than Olliver. Someone who could give her some more insight into what it took to be a good quidditch player. And who better than the captain of the house team? It had taken her a minute to find out who she was looking for, but when she did she had made sure to keep her eyes open while she went around her day. Surely, she'd had to bump into the boy sooner or later. Whether that'd be in the hallways or the common room she didn't particularly care. As luck would have it, Victoria had been passing the great hall when she thought she noticed who she was looking for back over at the house table. Without giving it as much of a second thought she strode into the hall and dropped down on the opposite side of the table from where he was sitting. "Hi. You're Teddy, right?" She asked, quite certain he resembled the picture she had seen in the library when she was looking through last year's yearbook. "Can I ask you a question? It's about quidditch. I grew up with Muggles, so I'm trying to learn more about the sport." Vic explained, sharing perhaps a little too much information in the hopes that he'd have time for her.

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Without Hugo around, Teddy's start to seventh year had been quiet, especially since he still wasn't on speaking terms with Audrey either. He'd had the whole break to convince himself that she was totally overreacting about the whole thing. It didn't matter that he sent an extra spell, especially when it made no difference and Audrey still won the duel. He had finished feeling bad about it because the more he thought about it, the more he decided that at the end of the day, it really wasn't a big deal. Instead he focused on Quidditch. His team had to be perfect if Gryffindor was going to hold onto the championship trophy for a third year running. And the thought of Audrey celebrating his loss if he got it wrong was all the motivation he needed to put her drama out of his mind.

He sat at the Gryffindor table absently chewing his food and mentally running through tactics when a very small person came and sat down opposite him. “That depends whose asking,” he said with a smirk before he set his fork down. Since it was about Quidditch he was happy to oblige. "Oh well yeah I'm always up for a Quidditch chat. What's your name first though?" He wondered what her question might be or if this was some elaborate opening of a bribe to get her on the team. Whatever it was, the first year had his attention.

 

[Victoria Barron]

Victoria raised an eyebrow at the boy's response, quickly dropping it when he set his fork down in what seemed to be confirmation that he was indeed the person she was looking for. "Right, sorry!" She reacted when Teddy asked for her name. That definitely should've been the thing to start with. "Hi. I'm Victoria. Or Vic, if you prefer. First year. Pretty new to everything magic." Vic introduced herself in what felt like a single breath. He had only asked for her name after all. "So, quidditch." She started, hoping Teddy wouldn't mind her being a little direct. "You're the captain right? So I guess you've been on the team for a while?"

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Teddy didn't do much expect sit and listen to Victoria who went by Vic. Vic was a handy nickname as the only other Victoria he could think of went by Tori and this way he wouldn't get them confused. He liked this Victoria too, she had spirit and he respected that. "Yeah I'm captain. I joined the team in second year." He told her, "Barely anyone makes the team as a first year. And on top of that I was an alt for a couple of years." Teddy saw the impatience of some of his alts, he'd been there and knew their time would come. "Are you hoping to make the team?" He asked curiously, trying to guess where she was going with this conversation.

 

[Victoria Barron]

Victoria nodded when Teddy mentioned he had been on the team for literal years. Starting as an alternate sounded like a good way to get some practice in and be part of the team, even if perhaps you didn't get to play during the actual games. "Makes sense. I reckon try-outs are quite competitive?" She questioned curiously, before shrugging at his question to her. "Hmm, maybe I might. It definitely sounds like fun." Vic replied with a grin. "But that's not what I wanted to ask you about, if that's what you're thinking." She grinned. Vic would be lying if she said she wasn't intrigued, but she had heard of the rule about trying out as a first year so she didn't think she'd have much of a shot at it. It also wasn't why she had initially been looking for Teddy. "I was mostly just wondering if you could tell me some more about what makes a good quidditch player? I've been trying my best to learn everything I can about the sport, but there's only so much books and my classmates can tell me. I figured you might be able to share some insights?"

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Teddy straightened in his seat, clearly pleased with the question since it wasn’t every day someone came looking to him for his wisdom. “Competitive? Vic there are Gryffindor's who would sell their souls to get on the team,” he said, half joking about it because it was probably only half true. He listened to her question. Her eagerness to learn actually impressed him and he let it show a little bit with a smile, "Well as an expert, I'd say talent starts a good player off for sure." He said, "And being confident, dedicated and really focused on your training and the game. Even the talented need to train or they'll fall behind." He enjoyed sharing his thoughts. "Reckon you've got what it takes?"

 

[Victoria Barron]

Victoria snorted at Teddy's remark. From what she had learned about gryffindors so far it could be highly likely that there were students who could consider selling their souls though. Some of them were pretty intense. She nodded along as he spoke about what he considered to be traits a good quidditch player needed to possess, making a mental note of all of them. They all seemed to make a lot of sense. When Teddy asked her if she had what it takes she considered it for a second. Talent? She didn't have a clue. Confidence? Check. Dedication? Double-check, especially if she enjoyed something. Focus? Most of the time. All in all she'd say she'd be somewhere up on that ladder for sure. "Well I don't know about talent, but those other traits I definitely possess." Vic replied perhaps a little more confident than she should be seeing as she had never tried her hand at the sport before. "Why? Are you inviting me to try out?" She questioned with a small grin.

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Teddy grinned, liking the girls confidence, "Yeah alright I am. Come along to tryouts and show me what you got." Teddy answered, picking up his fork and taking another mouthful of food and feeling very good about himself. "Ivy Cullen, she's my longest serving chaser. I'm sure if you ask her nicely, she'll help you practice too." Teddy said, happily offering up Ivy without even checking first.

 

[Victoria Barron]

Victoria raised her eyebrows when Teddy invited her to try-outs. She hadn't actually expected him to do so, especially not after he mentioned barely anyone making the team during their first year. Plus there was the rule about first years trying out. Being invited rather than having to beg for the opportunity to try out did feel good though and she wondered how many students could say that had happened to them. "Cool, I will." She responded with a smile. When he told her the name of one of his players she nodded and made sure to remember it. Some extra practice might be nice, especially since she might not be able to practice flying outside of class without some sort of supervision. "I guess I better start practicing then. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me." Vic grinned as she got up, knowing she had taken up plenty of Teddy's time. "See you at try outs, cap."