Post by Ethan Chapman on Dec 21, 2008 12:59:52 GMT
Had it really been thirty-four years? Ethan had never felt his age before, but returning to Hogwarts really brought home that he wasn't eighteen years old anymore, but fifty-four. The school had barely changed in these thirty-odd years, certainly, but the faces - they had changed beyond recognition: new students; new professors too. And now a new Headmistress. Ethan shook Minerva McGonagall's hand with a smile before leaving her office with his team: Chien, Miles, Declan, Caley, Oakes, Parkin and Leafe. They were a talented group of seven, hand-picked by Ethan himself. The Wigtown Wanderers had never been stronger and it was thanks to the players' and his own hard work. Ethan hadn't spent ten years at the club for nothing and he was proud of their achievements. Hopefully his team would pass on some valuable skills to the youths of today's Hogwarts. Glancing at his watch with a scrutinising expression, Ethan then ordered his team to settle in, rest, and prepare for the next few days ahead. He watched them disappear down the corridor before heading to the Great Hall, empty of life. Still, when Ethan closed his eyes he could remember the days of naivety and leisure when he and his friends would attempt to start food fights and force Headless Nick to eat, much to their head of house's agitation. Many years had passed since Ethan was a teenager; even his children had passed teenagehood - one was about to become a father! Luke, Rosie and Lorraine had all attended Hogwarts, and like himself they had been Gryffindors. Ethan felt a rush of house pride and a smile reached his lips as he stood stock-still, hands in pockets, staring up at the high ceiling of the room. Those were the days when Gryffindor were the best of the best. He hoped they still maintained that strong pride and determination.
As Ethan lay in bed that night, Miles, Declan, Oakes and Leafe sleeping soundly in the other beds in the comfortable accommodation they had been given, he wondered how Haley was doing. His wife of twenty-nine years was at home, alone, maybe asleep, maybe thinking about him too. Ethan smiled. Another year and it would be their thirtieth anniversary. He wasn't a romantic man - or at least that was what people thought - but Haley was the most special person in his life. Ethan loved her so much and it pained him to be away from her. Still, sleeping here in Hogwarts, he remembered, so many years ago, when he was Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, watching that small but spunky second-year brunette rush up to him after a match and congratulate him on winning. Nothing had ever made Ethan so happy as to see Haley smile, ever since she had been born. He'd loved her the moment he'd set eyes on her when he was five years old, however cliched that seemed. Propping his head against his arm on the pillow, Ethan heaved a silent sigh. He'd have to write tomorrow morning, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep easy, knowing if Haley was all right or not. He also wanted to see how Daisy, his daughter-in-law, was doing. He'd watched Haley give birth three times and he knew it would not be easy for Luke's wife. The baby was due in about a month's time, but one could never know if the mother would go into labour early. At least the Quidditch tournament would be over by then, in time for Christmas, Ethan thought.
The next day Ethan dressed quickly and ordered his team to have breakfast and meet him on the Quidditch pitch, where he would be announcing the beginning of the tournament. Although Ethan always missed the comforts of home, nothing else could beat the rush of adrenaline and excitement when playing or coaching or leading Quidditch events. This was why he did this all over the world - from his home country of the UK to faraway places like India and China, where culture differed so much but whose youths also loved Quidditch just as much as in the west. Still, being in your own country, in your old school - that was the best feeling in the world. Ethan allowed a pleased grin as he walked onto the pitch, ever familiar and yet newer. He was glad Hogwarts had taken care of it. The stands were somewhat empty at the moment, but no doubt that would soon change as the students filtered from the Great Hall, away from their breakfasts, to the opening ceremony of the Quidditch Skills Cup. Ethan straightened his clothes as he stood at the top of the commentating box, watching everyone take their seats, the buzzing of the chatter growing louder by the minute. Eventually everyone seemed to have arrived, Chien and her players sitting behind where Ethan was situated. He nodded at his team and glanced at the Headmistress. She gave him the go ahead and, sticking his wand to his neck and murmuring 'Sonorous', he began to address the crowd, who quieted the moment he spoke.
"G'morning, Hogwarts, and welcome to the first day of the Quidditch Skills Cup. My name is Ethan Chapman. Some of you more knowledgable Quidditch fans will know me as the current Coach of the Wigtown Wanderers. The even-more-knowledgeable of you will know I once played for England, which was a great honour. Well, it is a great honour for me to be here today, hosting this event. I have travelled all over the world hosting similar events, but nothing beats coming here, to Hogwarts, my old school, and seeing all of you play a fantastic standard of Quidditch. Your professors may have already explained to you what the Quidditch Skills Cup is about, but again, to summarise, it is a tournament that involves pupils of all ages, combatting in the form of Quidditch skills. The four positions are, as most of you know, Chaser, Beater, Keeper and Seeker. Each position requires various different skills and if you are participating you will have already signed up for one of them. I will be overseeing your tasks over the next few days, but to assist me are my team, the Wigtown Wanderers. Let me introduce you to them... Some of you will be spending a lot of time with them during the tournament." Ethan turned around and gestured for the seven to stand up. "Li Chien, Chaser and Captain. Wyatt Miles, Chaser. Nick Declan, Chaser. Danielle Caley, Beater. Dawson Oakes, Beater. Lacey Parkin, Keeper. And Milo Leafe, Seeker." Ethan looked back at the crowd. "If you have any questions during the next few days, don't hesitate to ask either myself or one of my team."
Ethan stared at his battle-worn, coarse-skinned, rough hands and gave a small, savouring hint of a smile. "So, I conclude with wishing you all the best of luck in your challenges. Do your best and don't give up. Now, let the competition commence!"
As Ethan lay in bed that night, Miles, Declan, Oakes and Leafe sleeping soundly in the other beds in the comfortable accommodation they had been given, he wondered how Haley was doing. His wife of twenty-nine years was at home, alone, maybe asleep, maybe thinking about him too. Ethan smiled. Another year and it would be their thirtieth anniversary. He wasn't a romantic man - or at least that was what people thought - but Haley was the most special person in his life. Ethan loved her so much and it pained him to be away from her. Still, sleeping here in Hogwarts, he remembered, so many years ago, when he was Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, watching that small but spunky second-year brunette rush up to him after a match and congratulate him on winning. Nothing had ever made Ethan so happy as to see Haley smile, ever since she had been born. He'd loved her the moment he'd set eyes on her when he was five years old, however cliched that seemed. Propping his head against his arm on the pillow, Ethan heaved a silent sigh. He'd have to write tomorrow morning, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sleep easy, knowing if Haley was all right or not. He also wanted to see how Daisy, his daughter-in-law, was doing. He'd watched Haley give birth three times and he knew it would not be easy for Luke's wife. The baby was due in about a month's time, but one could never know if the mother would go into labour early. At least the Quidditch tournament would be over by then, in time for Christmas, Ethan thought.
The next day Ethan dressed quickly and ordered his team to have breakfast and meet him on the Quidditch pitch, where he would be announcing the beginning of the tournament. Although Ethan always missed the comforts of home, nothing else could beat the rush of adrenaline and excitement when playing or coaching or leading Quidditch events. This was why he did this all over the world - from his home country of the UK to faraway places like India and China, where culture differed so much but whose youths also loved Quidditch just as much as in the west. Still, being in your own country, in your old school - that was the best feeling in the world. Ethan allowed a pleased grin as he walked onto the pitch, ever familiar and yet newer. He was glad Hogwarts had taken care of it. The stands were somewhat empty at the moment, but no doubt that would soon change as the students filtered from the Great Hall, away from their breakfasts, to the opening ceremony of the Quidditch Skills Cup. Ethan straightened his clothes as he stood at the top of the commentating box, watching everyone take their seats, the buzzing of the chatter growing louder by the minute. Eventually everyone seemed to have arrived, Chien and her players sitting behind where Ethan was situated. He nodded at his team and glanced at the Headmistress. She gave him the go ahead and, sticking his wand to his neck and murmuring 'Sonorous', he began to address the crowd, who quieted the moment he spoke.
"G'morning, Hogwarts, and welcome to the first day of the Quidditch Skills Cup. My name is Ethan Chapman. Some of you more knowledgable Quidditch fans will know me as the current Coach of the Wigtown Wanderers. The even-more-knowledgeable of you will know I once played for England, which was a great honour. Well, it is a great honour for me to be here today, hosting this event. I have travelled all over the world hosting similar events, but nothing beats coming here, to Hogwarts, my old school, and seeing all of you play a fantastic standard of Quidditch. Your professors may have already explained to you what the Quidditch Skills Cup is about, but again, to summarise, it is a tournament that involves pupils of all ages, combatting in the form of Quidditch skills. The four positions are, as most of you know, Chaser, Beater, Keeper and Seeker. Each position requires various different skills and if you are participating you will have already signed up for one of them. I will be overseeing your tasks over the next few days, but to assist me are my team, the Wigtown Wanderers. Let me introduce you to them... Some of you will be spending a lot of time with them during the tournament." Ethan turned around and gestured for the seven to stand up. "Li Chien, Chaser and Captain. Wyatt Miles, Chaser. Nick Declan, Chaser. Danielle Caley, Beater. Dawson Oakes, Beater. Lacey Parkin, Keeper. And Milo Leafe, Seeker." Ethan looked back at the crowd. "If you have any questions during the next few days, don't hesitate to ask either myself or one of my team."
Ethan stared at his battle-worn, coarse-skinned, rough hands and gave a small, savouring hint of a smile. "So, I conclude with wishing you all the best of luck in your challenges. Do your best and don't give up. Now, let the competition commence!"