Harry Potter and the Children of the Clan

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

James sat astride his broom, drifting back and forth in front of the goal hoops. A quick glance to the giant hour glass showed him less than a minute remained of playing time. It had been a close game, more a testament to the poor ball handling of the opposition than to his own stellar goal keeping. But he would admit to several well handled saves so all in all, not a bad day.

And then the whistle blew and it was time for the coach's end of game critique and pep talk. The comments were kept to the basics. Things like more focus, greater care in passing the ball and keeping things simple at this stage in their careers. James was trying to figure out a better way to see what was happening at the farther end of the pitch. He thought he was being too reactive.

Once the coach released them for the day, he shouldered his broom and headed for the commissary area of the general purpose building. He exchanged a few greetings but he was surprised when he heard a very familiar voice call out to him.

"Hiya, James."

He turned and saw Kai Chao waving to him from a table. He threaded his way through the other tables and came to stand across from her.

"Hey, hi. What brings you up here?" James asked. "I thought you were going to be spending all summer working with your folks."

"So did I," she said with a smile, gesturing for him to sit down. "But we've been going nonstop since school let out and they figured I needed a break."

"So on your first day off, you decided to come up here?"

"Yeah, well, I've never been and I thought I could watch a couple of matches, see what the place was like," she replied, her smile looking a touch more tentative.

"So, what do you think?"

"I think the place is brilliant. I think it's really cool that it's set up more for the flyers than the fans, you know? And this is really great, too," she said, emphasizing the building with her hand. "Give's you a place to hang out after a match."

"Yeah, I've been coming up here since I was a little kid. Watching my Da and the others play matches. Hey, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm starving and need to get something to eat. Um, you want something?"

"Oh, um, sure, that would be very nice. What were you going to get?"

"Fish and chips."

"That would be lovely, thanks," the girl said, her smile getting much brighter.

When she began to reach into the pocket of her robe, James held up a hand and said,

"No worries, I've got it. Da gave me some sickles before I left home."

James got up and went to the concessionaire and was back in a few minutes with his hands full.

"I thought it would be easier to get one big order and we could share. I got us pumpkin juice, too."

James set the tray down and took the seat just around the table from the girl. He began to tuck in while she took a more leisurely pace. After the first piece of fish and a handful of chips James slowed down. After a gulp of juice he smiled a bit and said,

"Sorry about that. But I was really hungry. It's been a long morning."

"Don't be sorry, it's not like you were trying to swallow it whole," she said with a little laugh. "Um, if you don't mind my asking, how is your dad, the Professor, doing?"

James had to laugh a bit before he said,

"You and everyone else. He's doing fine. He was pretty done in when they brought him home, but after sleeping for about twenty four hours straight he woke up. He got checked out by a healer and aside from a few scraps and scratches he's good. He's been a little on the quiet side, but that's not unusual. It just means he has to think his way through some things before he tells us everything. Don't worry, you'll see him again at school."