Chapter Text
Hunk sighed, watching Lance desperately try and climb the tree. “Lance, you’re gonna hurt yourself.”
“No…I’m…Not…” The branches were just slightly out of reach and far too wide to just grab onto, even if he jumped, so he attempted instead to shimmy up the side. The problem, of course, was that the tree was more wide and knobly than most trees that would allow you to do that. Still, motivated by sheer determination, Lance pushed himself….2 feet off the ground. And that was giving a generous definition to ‘2 feet.’
“Jeezus, Lance, you’re gonna hurt the TREE.” Hunk said, sitting with his laptop open and deleting a line off an email. He made double, triple, quadruple sure that the addresses he had put in it were correct, and that his original email was actually sent yesterday. “Hey, listen to this, ‘Reminder to anyone interested, Quidditch Practice is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5, beginning RIGHT NOW (all caps) so be sure to come down to Yelmier fields to learn the rules and play with a great group of people!’”
“Okay?” Lance said, bark crumbling over his fingertips as he tried to gain a new grip, “Why did you want me to listen to that?”
“I’m sending it out to all the people who signed up on our email list. You don’t think it sounds too…pressure-y? I don’t want to scare people away.”
“Hunk, you have never pressured anyone into anything in your life,” Lance said. Hunk still looked worried, “If it helps, Allura might kill you if you DON’T send it.”
And like that, Hunk pressed the ‘send’ button. “Well, there goes nothing. Think anyone’ll show up?”
“No idea.” Lance said, “I hope so.”
“What the hell are you doing?”
At the sound of Allura’s high pitched stress-voice, Lance promptly dropped out of the tree and onto his back with an undignified squeak. He tilted his chin up to see Allura in her favorite T-shirt that read ‘Because Hogwarts doesn’t accept FAFSA.’ Flanking her were her roommates and fellow team members, Matt and Shiro. “Good evening, Princess. Gentleman.” Lance said, as though he wasn’t covered in dust from climbing up a tree.
Allura looked around. “Where’s everyone else?”
Hunk swallowed awkwardly, “Well…I just sent out a reminder e-mail. Most people probably forgot.”
Allura bit her lip as Matt and Shiro sat beside Hunk. “What about players from last year? Rolo? Nyma? Anyone?”
“Nyma’s got work on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings this semester.” Lance said, dusting himself off, but quite comfortable staying on the ground, “She said she might be able to snitch for us for some weekend games if we really needed her. And Rolo’s on a semester abroad.”
Allura sighed, disappointed. “So, it’s just us.” She collapsed, sitting with the rest of them and resting her chin on her hand. “I’ve been reluctant to say this, but…we may have to cancel the team.”
“You can’t cancel Quidditch!” Lance said in a horrible British accent.
Shiro swatted his head, “What have I said about doing movie quotes while Allura’s stressed?”
“Not…to do it?”
“Besides,” Matt said, “Oliver Wood quotes are totally my schtick.” Shiro drew up his prosthetic arm to swat him in turn, “Sorry, sorry, serious time, I get it.”
“Seriously though,” Shiro said, “It’s only just turned 5 now, lets give it a bit. At the very least, in a half hour we can probably go get dinner.”
“I thought you three weren’t on the meal plan anymore since you got an on-campus apartment?” Hunk said.
Matt put a finger to his lips and whispered a “Shh,” As he sent out a text. “Allura, I know for a fact a freshman is going to come.”
“How?” She said, sulking.
“Because my little sibling owes me big time, and I’m guilting them into coming.”
Allura raised her eyebrow at him, but was smiling, “Great, I’m sure they won’t be resentful at all.”
Matt rolled his eyes. “Naahhh, they’ll love it. Besides, what’s a little kidnapping when it comes to Quidditch?” That got Allura to snort. “Pidge needs more socialization anyway, or they will rot on their computer.”
“Like you?” Shiro said.
“Even worse.” Matt said, ignoring the dig, “Also, they’re 16, so if any of you flirt with them, LANCE,”
“Hey!”
“I WILL be forced to shish kabob you on your own broom.”
Lance reached over and grabbed the rod he called broom and kept with him over the summer, “You hurt Ole Blue and I’ll—I’ll—“ Matt raised an eyebrow, expectantly, “I’ll think of something.”
“Sixteen and already in college?” Hunk said, “At Altea Tech no less? That’s impressive.”
Matt shrugged, “Helps when they’re a prodigy. And when our Dad’s a professor.”
“My dad’s the dean,” Allura said, “And I couldn’t skip anything.”
“Um, excuse me? Is this Quidditch?” They all looked up to see a tall girl with big hoop earings and short brown hair.
“Well, hello~” Lance started before Hunk clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Shay!” Hunk said, ignoring the fact Lance was trying to lick and bite his way to freedom, “You made it!”
She beamed at him, “Well, how could I say no when you talked about how fun it was?”
In turn, Allura beamed at her, “Please, sit,” she said, making room, “My names Allura, I’m co-captain.” She and Shay exchanged handshakes, “Alright, Hunk gets the official kudos of the day.”
Hunk smiled at her, while Matt looked in disbelief, “What? I’m bringing someone too!” He said.
“a) They’re not actually here yet, b) you used threats, while Hunk used his natural charm.”
Matt pouted, and Shay giggled. “Well, hold on for just a moment,” Shiro said, “I might get some kudos too,” He waved to someone in the distance.
Lance finally freed himself from Hunk’s grasp, and his blood ran cold when he saw who was approaching. It was a boy with black hair and all black sweats, and was eerily familiar to Lance. He spluttered, “What the—how did he—what’s he doing here?” He said, shocked.
“Oh, you know him?” Shiro said, “He’s my little sib in my dorm.”
“Do I—do I know him—I--!”
“Hey Keith,” Shiro said, as Keith in question sat down, surveying the group, “I’m glad you’re here, wasn’t sure you were going to come.”
“I wasn’t sure either,” Keith said.
“What are YOU doing here?!” Lance demanded, slightly too loud.
Keith blinked at him, “Do I…know you?”
Lance spluttered again, “Uh, the name’s Lance.” Nothing. “We went to high school together? Remember? Lance and Keith, neck and neck in every class?”
Keith shrugged, “Sorry, dude, it was a big high school.”
“WE HAD EVERY CLASS TOGETHER?!” Lance protested before Hunk clamped his hand over his mouth again.
“Uh, anyway,” Allura said, as Hunk silently wrestled Lance to keep him under control, “We’re glad you’re here, Keith. Have you played any Quidditch before? Sorry, Shay I should be asking both of you.”
Shay and Keith both shook their heads, but before either could elaborate, they all heard in the distance a cry of “MAAAAATT!”
“Ah, Pidge is here,” Matt said, innocently, as a smaller version of him hurdled across the field and slammed into him.
Matt sprawled on the ground as the smaller version, presumably Pidge, sat on his back, “30 texts? Really? 30??”
“Well, if you had just responded to the first 15…ow!”
Pidge scowled and looked at the rest of them, “Hi, I’m Pidge.” They said, as though they weren’t perched on their older brother.
“Actually,” Allura said, “Now that you’re here, we can begin introductions. I know you’re all probably tired of this from various orientations, but lets go around in a circle, and give your name, year, pronouns, major, position if you have one already, and ministry position if you have one. So, I’m Allura, senior, she/her, poli-sci major, I play pretty much everything, but I prefer chaser, and I’m Co-Captain. Oh! And I’m a Gryffindor. We should also do Hogwarts houses, I nearly forgot.”
She motioned for Shiro to go next. “Hi, I’m Shiro, he/him, I’m also a senior, I’m a physics major, a chaser/keeper, I’m the other co-captain, and Pottermore says I’m Gryffindor.” He shrugs.
“Pfft,” Lance said, managing to free himself yet again, “Pottermore’s unreliable.”
“Lance,” Allura said in her warning voice, “We’ve had this debate before and we will not have it again.”
Lance pouted, “Anyway…” Matt continued from the ground, “Name’s Matt, he/him, 3rd senior, also physics major, treasurer, and chaser. And Ravenclaw.”
Pidge cleared their throat, “Hi, I’m Pidge, they/them most of the time, unless I tell you otherwise. I’m a freshman, and a Ravenclaw too.” Matt lifted his fist up off the ground and Pidge bumped it.
Lance cleared his throat for dramatic effect, “My name’s Lance, but you can call me anytime. He/him pronouns, please and thank you, I’m an astronomy major, a sophomore and a beater/seeker. I’m also your friendly social chair for this year, and a proud Gryffindor.” He mumbled something under his breath along the lines of “no matter what stupid pottermore says.”
Hunk rolled his eyes, “Hi, I’m Hunk, he/him. Engineering major, beater/keeper…uh,” He counted on his fingers things he was supposed to say, “I’m a sophomore…Equipment Manager and secretary, aaaaand I’m a Hufflepuff.”
Shay smiled, “I’m ALSO a Hufflepuff!” She said, excited, “oh, I’ll start from the beginning. Shay, She/her, Junior, geology major, and…did I get everything?” Hunk nodded at her and she happily folded her arms in her lap.
Finally, the gaze of the group landed on Keith, “Uhh, I’m Keith,” He swallowed, ignoring Lance’s glare, “he/him, I’m a freshman—“
“How can you be a freshman?” Lance said, “We were in the same year in—“
“Lance, I swear to Rowling” Hunk said “if you make me have to gag you again—“
“I’m stopping! I’m stopping,” Lance said.
Keith rolled his eyes, “I took a GAP year, if you’ve ever heard of it. I’m still undecided and I don’t know my house.”
Lance spluttered again, “Lance,” Shiro warned, “Don’t.”
“But—but—“ Lance said, “How do you NOT know? Like…are you just unsure? Caught between two? Or—“
“Actually, I’ve never read the books,” Keith said. Lance nearly died. “Or seen the movies. Shiro said that wasn’t a problem.”
“It’s not,” Allura said, desperate to calm the situation before it began. “Well then! Lets get started going over rules and positions. The rules are pretty different from what they are in the books, so don’t worry, Keith, you’re not behind. Veterans, why don’t you set up hoops and equipment while I go over some basics?” She glares at Lance, and he sighs, getting up to retrieve the equipment from the closet in Yelmier hall.
“So, what’s the deal with you and Keith?” Hunk asked as they set up hoops, cheaply made from pvc piping and hula hoops.
“Deal?” Lance said, bitterly, “What deal? There is no deal, apparently.” Hunk glared at him, “Fine. He was a stuck-up prick who thought he was better than everyone in classes, sports, you name it.”
“And…was he?”
“He was an anti-social bastard is what he was,” Lance said, “I tried to be friendly, I really did! But no, despite being only Salutatorian and not VALEdictorian, I was beneath the gaze of the almighty Keith.”
Hunk nodded, starting to understand, “Well, it can’t hurt to give him a chance,” Hunk said, “It’s been a year, a lot might have changed since then.”
Lance made a disbelieving noise, “I doubt it. Who joins the Quidditch team without having read Harry Potter?”
“Someone who’s nice and responds to the call when we’re desperate for numbers?” Hunk supplied. Lance sighed, and Hunk knew he just about had him, “You heard Allura earlier. We can barely field a team assuming all three newbies stay. If someone gets injured or has to drop out, we need Keith to be here, or there’s no team.”
Lance sighs, “Alright, I get it. I’ll try to be nice.” He swallowed, glaring at where Allura was going over riding brooms, “But I don’t have to like it.”