Countdown [Lucas]

"Would probably cause an muggle crisis over all these owls that die without known cause." he said with a chuckle. He wasn't sure how communication across continents happened. He was sure there was some way to communicate without having to just send someone through portkey. He did know apparation wouldn't work that far away, but that was fine with him. Would keep his father from bothering to visit him that often. He really should think of that backup plan for what to do outside of quidditch. Just in case. Shouldn't he have had an offer by now? It was a worry of his. Did he have anything else he was good at? He didn't even know. Quidditch was the one thing he really loved. The thing he wanted to be in. But how could that happen with no teams giving him even a chance to go try out for them.

"I think I'll give it my best shot." It was a challenge. How could he turn that down? He hoped he'd be able to push himself enough. Maybe he could come back the following year and challenge her. It'd never happen with his location and then her eventual injury, but it was just another motivator. "How do you know how much I want to improve?" He said. He needed to push himself. Show he deserved a spot for reasons other than his father owning a team and having money. He wanted the position because he earned it. Not because he was given to him. "I'm sure you dropping out of school would go over so well." What even happened when people dropped out of school? Even for professional quidditch players they were still in school if they were young enough. Just look at Evans.

He tilted his head slightly, trying to think of if he had noticed. "I don't think so. Though I've had my nose in a book most of the year." Studying or reading. And quidditch. He hadn't really done much else over the year. "I suppose you did." he said giving her a smile. Some days he hated not being able to pick up on things like that. But then again, he didn't even realize that he was missing the cues that often, so he didn't even know when he was supposed to get mad at himself. It seemed he had missed out on all these signs from Alicia though. But if she didn't see him getting the hints, why did she kiss him? It was all so confusing. "What Wood doesn't have some rule against interteam romances?" He said jokingly. Quite frankly he wouldn't put it past him. "Yeah I suppose it is a quick way to figure it out. But might be a bit much to go and kiss everyone out there." That would be mean a lot of kissing to find the one person you could at least tolerate.

"Ah, yes, the great fabled owl-pocalypse. I hear they spoke of its coming in Arthurian legend." Alicia snorted, their owl postings would clearly potentially rival that of the night of he-who-must-no-be-named's defeat and the ensuing excitement. Owls just weren't fast enough half of the time anymore, and the ministry's paper airplanes or whatever were only so practical. Especially over long distances. Not to mention how much more wide-spread the owl-pocalypse could potentially be. "I can't be the cause of a mass die-out of owls, though. Talk about bad karma." There also was the fact that she rather liked owls and wouldn't wish any harm on them. Flying creatures had to stick together in the air and all that. Maybe that was the key to crafting a better broom, figuring out the mysteries of the great birds of prey and bringing something new to the table. Not that she'd ever have much time to do anything with that once she got rolling on some quidditch team or another. Then it'd just be one thing at a time, what with all of the practice and everything.

"Well, I'll have to hold you to that." She wasn't going to let anything get in her way of flying her fastest and trying her hardest, not by her own choice anyway. Alicia hadn't been keeping a grip on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, as a reserve and then a Chaser under Wood of all people, to just throw it all away and give up on her dreams. No, she was planning on a good and long Quidditch career and retiring at the ripe old age of whenever she couldn't manage to get on her broom anymore. Of landing a place on a good team, and then the national team. Of somehow managing to win the Quidditch World Cup with her teammates, and everything that that entailed. "Well, you want to be a pro-Quidditch Player don't you? Why wouldn't you want to improve?" It was something that she had embraced once she had climbed onto her first broom. To constantly be continuing to improve and take her game to the next level, until she just couldn't anymore. Sure, she had a bit of an odd devotion to the sport but it had been her dream for so long, she didn't even question that it might not happen like that. Couldn't.

"Never glanced over the top of your book?" That was rather disappointing, especially considering the last year or so that she had spent fawning over him. That had certainly been an interesting way to spend a bit of time, though maybe the journey was worth it or whatever. She wasn't certain that she'd learned anything on the way, though. Maybe there'd just be some huge revelation later on, if that was how it worked. "Does he? Well, I can take Wood." Their team captain was enough of a pain as is, and Alicia certainly wouldn't mind an opportunity to give him a piece of her mind about his insane training schedules - on top of all of the ridiculous team bonding. It wasn't like they all weren't friends already. "Well, maybe not every person, but I assume it'd be moderately productive eventually." Obviously if Quidditch didn't work out she might have some luck coming up with a matchmaking service - if she ever figured it all out for herself in the first place.

"Well if it was in Arthurian legend, it must be true. Merlin was a pretty smart guy." he said with a chuckle. He always found it amusing, and a little annoying, that Merlin wasn't a Ravenclaw, as someone who was like him would tend to be. But he was a Slytherin, something they liked to rub in. Oh well. Ravenclaw had plenty of successful alumni. Of course they also had people like Lockhart. What a disaster he had been the year before. At least Lupin had been able to actually teach them what they needed to know for the NEWTs this past year. "Yeah I wouldn't want to cause a mass die-out either. Suppose there has to be another way." How did the various governments communicate? Or even families who moved to different countries. There had to be some way to communicate to different countries. Well he hoped there was. He wanted to be able to try and keep in touch with everyone here. His friends were the ones he would miss.

"You know I'll be good for it." He always pushed himself. He didn't necessarily have to, but he did anyway. He wanted his team to do the best they could. They had done a decent job versus Slytherin and Hufflepuff, but with the duo of Evans and Wood, there had been a difficulty time. Of course they were also all but guaranteed the house cup this year. Well he supposed Wood could have one cup. He had won the cup with Ravenclaw a few years ago. But even here, he knew there were rumors that he only had his spot because his father had helped him get there. It was infuriating at times. He had tried out and earned his spot on the team. "I do, but I haven't have any offers." he said "If I do, of course I'm going to work to improve everyday." Even now he was working on improving, trying to earn that team invitation. His life was basically get up early to do a quick work out, go to class, get on the pitch for a little bit, then hit the library for the rest of the evening until curfew. Meals were somewhat optional at this point. Plus the house elves in the kitchen were always glad for visitors.

"Once in a while." It was nothing against her, he just always seemed to have a nose in his books when he wasn't out playing quidditch. Especially with this mush studying. Her telling him that she had apparently been fawning over him, and he hadn't noticed was somewhat annoying. If he had managed to pick up on the hints, maybe they could have explored something earlier. Not realize it at the last minute and feel bad that there wasn't a chance for that. "I don't know if he does or not. Just seems the type of guy to have a policy like that." At this point he didn't know what Wood did, but he did have just a bad feeling that had been there since they had been younger. "Well but if it's not every person, how would you know for sure that that is the best?" Maybe that was the analytical side coming out. Always wondering if there was something more to learn. And at this point he didn't even know if there really was anything to a single kiss. Maybe it was all just made up. Oh how his view would change before he left the school.

"I suppose he was." Certainly not a Gryffindor, but sometimes you need more than their brand of bravery. Though, in her personal opinion bravery never really went out of style. Maybe King Author would have been a Gryffindor, which would have been a rather awesome gain considering most of their alumni while lovely weren't so notable. There was Sir Cadogan, and as much as she appreciated him when he wasn't being their irritating entry portrait he wasn't exactly Merlin. Not exactly a score when you were trying to prove to the Slytherins that you weren't all brawny idiots - even if there were bound to be a few. "Yes, there's got to be some other way for me to send you my illicit homework questions." Really, was there anything at all convenient about Wizarding Britain? If you couldn't talk to someone halfway across the country in a split second what were you even doing? "I'd suggest fire calls, but then I'd have firsties gawking at me." Seeing a girl stick her head straight into a vibrant green fire wasn't new folks, be about your business. Really, if the firsties weren't so adorable she'd be significantly more irritated with them.

"Oh, I don't know. I might just get too good. You could choose to forget." She snorted at that because, as oblivious as he had been to her he certainly had never seemed like that kind of person to her. Something which was both quite admirable and potentially irritating, depending on how things turned out for her. She just hoped that she made it far enough that she could hold up her own side of the challenge. She'd thrown down the gauntlet and she'd be damned if she didn't see it through. "Well, I mean it's rather early on isn't it?" Sure, they were nearing the end of the year and they were cutting it rather close if they were going to offer him a position but there was still time. Not that she'd been obsessively studying up on that information for next year or anything. There was nothing to be nervous about. Yet. "Yep, that's where my summer's going to be spent if mum doesn't drag me in all the time." Her family had a big enough home, not to mention yard, that it made a fair enough substitute for the Quidditch Pitch. Her only issue being that her mother was rather fond of trying to convince her to get a proper job instead of facing numerous injuries playing Quidditch professionally. As if.

"Well, that's probably it then." Something that didn't make that realization any less disheartening even if it did explain some things. Better than finding out that he'd been constantly running away from her out of fear or whatever. Plus, better for her ego. At least she wasn't going to end up regretting never saying anything. "Yeah, I don't doubt it. But, then, I also don't particularly care." Alicia shrugged, she could stand insane practice times and weird rituals and whatever, but her personal life was a no-go. At least until she started playing professionally. Then she might rethink it. "Well, I suppose it could be every person, but that could very well take my entire life." She snorted at the idea of hunting down everyone on the planet and snogging them, just to make sure. "I'm not that devoted to the idea." Yes, she might live well into her hundreds but that was not how she was going to be spending all of that time.

"Maybe they specifically made it hard in order to keep school children from getting homework answers." Sure there were fire calls, as suggested, but outside of that and sending an owl, there weren't many opitions at Hogwarts to keep in touch. Outside you could apparate to a friend or use the floo network, both of which were not allowed to happen at school. "Yeah I wouldn't want first years gawking at me either." He was usually actually pretty patient with the young first years. He would often help the kids in his house with school work if they were stuck. He didn't mind helping them out.

"I wouldn't forget a challenge. I'd just have to work harder to catch up if I think I still wouldn't win." He was competitive when it came to quidditch, even if it wasn't as evident to people when compared to some of the other competitive flyers. He was more of quietly competitive, working on the areas he needed to work as hard as he could. When she said it was early he shrugged. "Not really. Every day without an offer is another day without a placement. I don't have too much longer before I need to find another job." He wouldn't be able to be involved in quidditch without playing, so working for Magical Games and Sports was out. Same with learning how to make brooms and other equipment. What else was there beyond that? "I hope that's where my summer will be." But the only way that would happen would be if he got a spot on the team. Otherwise he would have to work in a different career. Which would mean he wouldn't have time to get up and fly.

"Probably." he said with a nod. How else could he explain it? He was just oblivious. Focused on academics and quidditch. Maybe when the academics was taken out it would be easier. Who knew. Well he supposed he would find out soon enough. "Well I suppose if you don't care." he said with a smile and a head shake. He was glad his captain wasn't as stuck up as Wood. Well that was his perception of the guy anyway. At least he wouldn't have to be at the same school as the guy the next year. Oh what the future had in store for them. Not that being on the same team would help their relationship at all. "Well but then how are you going to test it out? Or are you just going to snog until you find someone who is decent enough?" It was a lighthearted jest. He couldn't imagine hunting everyone down to see if they were the person.

"I mean, if you're going too that much effort to get answers, they might as well let you do it." If you managed to get around the wards and find the right person somehow on your first try, why not? Call it some glorious feat of magic or whatever and let it slide. At least it'd make Binns update his exams ... if he even noticed the difference to begin with. If it made things more interesting, and not the same old for decades, it would certainly be worth it. "Way too many questions to answer and keep up a conversation at the same time." Alicia replied with a nod, she wouldn't mind under normal circumstances but the whole utter fascination thing tended to override any patience the younger students might have had. At least in Gryffindor. It certainly didn't help if they were eavesdropping in on things that their little ears were better off not hearing yet.

"Oh, so we're just going to have to put it off until we're good and old." Alicia replied with a grin, "That way we'll each have plenty of practice time." Plus, a quidditch game between them when they were getting into their hundreds would certainly get interesting - though she'd still mop the floor with him. There was no way that she was going to lose to him, or anyone else for that matter. "Well, hopefully it comes in soon then." Because as competitive as she was she could more than empathize with issue, and she wanted to face him on a big Quidditch Pitch. "Maybe it'll show up with breakfast?" That was rather optimistic, though now she was just a bit invested in seeing her fellow chaser get that letter. Surely there had to be some Chasers retiring or whatever, making room for the new incoming batch and all that. "That way you can just have extra bacon if it doesn't." Bacon might not make everything better, but it would certainly be a start. "One can only hope that such a magnificent summer is possible." And maybe she could rope Amelia in too, just to get a bit of scoring practice in before the new semester started. She didn't know what she'd do if she didn't end up being offered a spot. What else was there?

"Bit insulting, really, but I think I'll live." She snorted at the idea. Getting past the mild irritation, it was more amusing than anything else considering her predicament. How often had she waxed poetic about his hair, and him in general, thinking he had even an inkling about her feelings towards him. It was certainly a tale. "I'd offer to teach you, but I haven't the time." The idea was amusing, but that'd be like asking him to teach her everything about ancient runes are whatever. Rather tedious, and even more difficult to find a less awkward place to start, as interesting as that would be. "To be fair, I doubt he'd be able to replace me on such short notice. The second year prospects still need some practice." Maybe next year, but Wood would be gone from the school soon enough anyway. No way was she going to let him tell her off via owl. "I think I'd have to start with the Wizarding World and all, can chat with a muggle about Quidditch." She squinted in mock contemplation at him, "Hopefully I'd end up lucky?" Or she would just put an ad out in the Prophet. That'd certainly end up getting her some candidates, though doubtfully the ones that she actually wanted. Shame.

"But they don't want you to get the answers." He said. They even tested their quills for those big exams to make sure they weren't cheating. They were pretty strict on that. Of course working together with other students on homework, or getting help from older students wasn't banned. Sometimes it was even assigned to do some work with another student. It really depended on the teacher. "Maybe you could do it after they've all pretty much gone to sleep." It was just another thing the first years would have to understand when they entered the magical world. He could remember back to his first year when he had spent time actually marveling at the staircases and how they moved. And of course gotten lost.

"Exactly. We'll have to put it off until we're in our 60s. Hopefully we can both still fly at that point." He'd love to see them racing as older people on brooms. He was sure it wouldn't really happen that late if it happened at all. Speed was something he needed to keep working on, but a lot of his play came in his physicality and strength with throwing. Speed wasn't something as necessary to his game, but he wanted to keep building his strength. "Who knows if it'll ever show up. I'm not going to hold out hope." No he needed to not get his hopes up too much. Plus he likely wouldn't tell anyone if he got a tryout anyway. Just in case it didn't go well. "What and ruin this figure?" he said joking around. He didn't really worry about the amount of food he ate. He was active enough it didn't matter. Plus he was still growing. "It would be nice to spend all summer just with Quidditch." Previous summers had been spent doing things for his father. Mostly running around for the team or going to events. Not exactly fun.

"I apologize. You know us Ravenclaws. Always glued to our books." Or other creative endeavors. Even at meal times, you'd be hard pressed to see a Ravenclaw table without at leas a few books being poured over. Maybe at the main feasts. But even then, he was sure someone managed to sneak something in. "Starting with the with the wizarding world makes sense. There are less of us then there are Muggles. And yes there is that quidditch factor." As a pureblood Lucas hadn't really interacted with muggles, if any, at this point in his life. Muggleborns, sure, but actual muggles? it wasn't like his father was going to let him go visit the family of one of his muggleborn friends. "Well yes, I'd hope maybe it does go quick and you'd find someone with that method." Maybe he'd just have to settle. He didn't nearly have the ability to be that forward with people. Of course he'd find out soon enough that the person he'd feel like that with was sitting right under his nose.

"I mean, who says you'd give me the right answers?" Alicia retorted with a smirk, "I know you're a Ravenclaw and all, but you don't know everything." Still, he did have a point. If Hogwarts managed to cut off almost all communication its students had with the outside world that certainly meant that they wouldn't be able to cheat off the alumni. Though, she had to wonder if that meant they were reading their mail? They'd have to be to effectively quell that sort of cheating. Maybe she should invest in some privacy charms for her post, except she didn't doubt that Dumbledore would still be able to get into it without breaking a sweat - the dude was rather scary. "Maybe I can, if you really want to talk to me that bad." She certainly didn't mind talking to him but past conversations last this and on the pitch they had never been particularly close. "Unless you're trying to land me in detention. Get me benched next year when we're going up against the Ravenclaw team." Alicia arched an eyebrow as if she were really considering it. He hadn't ever seemed that underhanded but she'd certainly do a lot for Quidditch, even if she wouldn't go that far.

"I'll make myself fly if I have to come up with a broom-wheelchair hybrid." She'd make it to that game if she had to force herself, though coming up with a harebrained invention would be significantly easier. There had to be some sort of spells out there that would make it work, some how. For now she'd just have to keep her throwing arm spry, and just keep working on her speed. "I'm sure it will, they're clearly just arm-wrestling over who gets to send you a letter first." Not how try-outs worked but it was a comforting image, a sort of bidding war over gaining his talents for their teams. "Oh yes, you're glorious figure." Alicia snorted, "It'll only get really bad if you add chocolate to that bacon." Not that she'd ever admit to having tried that, it was a rather weird and difficult to explain flavor. She got into the most interesting things when she wandered into the muggle world. "Yeah, nice weather and the wind in your hair is wonderful." She was longing for summer already, just at the idea of it. The last summer she had before she graduated and went off to who knew what, in who knew where.

"I think I may die from the embarrassment." Alicia replied, feigning faintness. With what he'd done with not noticing her feelings towards him, the least she could do was pull his leg a little bit even if she wasn't holding it against him. She, as a Gryffindor, had always had to be on her toes at least a bit. Mostly incase someone had decided to chuck something across the table at her during dinner, something which was probably more common than it should have been. "Yeah, but I'd have to hunt down all the little Wizarding Communities too. Might be tedious." Though, probably more of a learning experience that what she would have been looking for. Alicia bobbed her head in agreement at his Quidditch comment, "Can't go whipping my broom out once I start to get to know whatever muggle guy." That was a quick and easy way to get herself a lecture from the ministry, something which she was more than willing to avoid. "Thanks, I look forward to starting my line of lucky wizards at the steps of the Ministry. Gotta have aurors on hand incase anyone gets rowdy." It may even be the event of the year, if all of the other Pureblood families weren't looking down at her for how uncouth it was. And if her mother didn't faint at the shock of it all.

"I might give you the way to find out the right answer if I didn't know it for sure." He said. He wouldn't want to give someone the wrong information. At the end of the day they were supposed to be learning how to be functioning members of society. Part of that was learning where to find the answer, whether it be through another person or through another source. "Ah yes, getting you a detention without even being present." That would be a hoot. Of course it wouldn't really matter, seeming as the following year there would be no Quidditch at Hogwarts due to the Triwizard Tournament. He would be glad to have learned that when he came back and visited home the following year. Sure he didn't get to go out with the cup, but at least he got to play.

"I'd think that would be quite a sight to see." He could just imagine a magical wheelchair flying through the air. If they could make cars and motorcycles fly, why not a wheelchair? Maybe he'd have to work on that in his spare time. "I doubt it. I probably don't stick out that much." He wasn't going to fool himself into thinking he was the best out there. While he knew there were a few guys retiring that year, there were plenty of flyers better than him to take their place. He felt like he would have to be lucky to even get a chance to compete for a spot on a team. "Hey I have worked hard for this figure." he said with a chuckle before replying "Please tell me you haven't tried that combination." He ate bacon here and there, but he couldn't imagine it with chocolate. That just seemed like a weird combination to him. "I do quite enjoy playing in the summer. Especially when it's nice." Of course he would eventually find out he would be treated to another few months of winter, with the seasons flipped, but he'd take that.

"Oh no, what will we do." He had been reverting to his more joking self as a self defense. It had gotten a little awkward with the realization she had apparently been after him for part of the year. Sarcasm had become partially a defense mechanism. But not with his father. That was mostly quiet. Well polite conversation. Not too quiet. Not too loud. "Yeah but with magic and apparating it'd be easier to get from community to community." That was the beauty of music. "I feel like I wouldn't even be believed. Like I'm going out on my broom for a fly. Would probably sound crazy." He chuckled a little at her comment about the line of wizards at the ministry. "You'd have to advertise it in the Daily Prophet to get it out there. Would be funny to see who turned up." If she managed to be a quidditch player, probably a lot of people. If not who knew.

"By the end of next year, I assume I'll take what I can get." Alicia certainly appreciated the offer of help, in whatever form that it came in, especially given her overall lack of studying prowess. By the end of next year she'd probably be sitting outside the Ravenclaw dorms and pestering each and every member of the house for help, if she didn't end up just haunting the library for the last weeks before her NEWTs were due to be sat. Not something that she was at all looking forward to, even with the offered help. Alicia made a contemplative humming sound, "Yes, so I'll have to keep my eye on you, just in case." It'd take something grand and magnificent to drag her away from Quidditch, and even if there wasn't an official team she'd find a way to get at least some practice in. When it came to Quidditch she'd make it work, against whatever obstacles popped up in her way.

"Yes, a magnificent technological-magical feat." It would certainly be an interesting invention or whatever, if she ever figured out the mechanics of it. Or got some sort of push to actually figure out those mechanics. Right now it was just a weirdly appealing spur of the moment idea. "There aren't exactly that many schools like Hogwarts pumping out potential professional Quidditch players, so I bet you stick out plenty." Sure, there was plenty of competition to go around but with the team and reserve spots to consider there was some amount of space, assuming there was someone retiring or out with an injury. Not the sort of things that she'd wish on anyone but it happened. "So have I, that doesn't mean I don't get to enjoy my glorious, greasy bacon." She snorted, bacon really was lovely but so were a lot of other things. She could probably start a list. Alicia widened her eyes innocently at Lucas's insinuation, "I mean I might have, but I wouldn't exactly call it an enjoyable experience." The textures were all wrong and strange, not exactly something that she was eager to attempt again - not without some major improvements.

"Yeah, but there's gotta be some nomadic wizarding communities or whatever I had to hunt down." Yes, Alicia wasn't the best at history, or understanding the intricacies of other wizarding cultures outside of big settlements like Wizarding Britain's. Something that would more than likely require more research than she was willing to put into it without it being some sort of required project. Maybe one day. "Absolutely, though I could do a live and in person demonstration just to get them to believe me - if they didn't end up thinking that they were hallucinating." An endeavor which wouldn't be at all practical even if it was sane or realistic. "Yeah, throw myself out to all of the creeps and random dudes." Sure, some nice enough guys might end up showing up but it certainly would be difficult to pick them out from the crowd that she anticipated would show up. She might be Gryffindor enough to try just about anything but that didn't mean she was keen on throwing herself into that sort of catastrophe, outside of theoretical. There was way too much trouble involved, even for her.

"Well I'm sure they'll be some Ravenclaws that can help. After all the best way to learn is to teach." It helped to remember the information more when you taught it. He didn't know the process, but he knew when he helped teach information to others he remembered it more. So he was sure there would be some willing students to help her out, as it would help them out as well. "Maybe I'll figure out somewhat to sabotage you without having to actually cause it." Maybe influence some other people at the school to cause trouble that would also get her in trouble. But was it really worth it knowing that it didn't matter to him if Ravenclaw won the following year or not? It wasn't like it would affect his chances of playing. He was out of there. And while he'd always have loyalty to the house he had grown to love, he wanted it to good competition regardless of anything.

"I'm sure someone could easily make that happen." There were a lot of smart and innovative witches and wizards out there. Even if there wasn't truly a need for it, if someone asked for it, he was sure someone would find a way to make it work. "There are quite a few schools around the country, plus any kids who are phenomenal and homeschooled. And there aren't a huge amount of spots opening up each year." And there hadn't been any sort of hint or anything that something would be coming. It made him nervous, and he just wanted to be able to get something. He needed to get out of his house. "Of course you can't give up bacon. I prefer oatmeal though." It kept him full for longer, which helped when he got sidetracked. Bacon was an option on special occasions. "Well I suppose I will miss the bacon and chocolate combination then." It didn't really seem like something he would have even thought of combining.

"I suppose that true, although there are likely the same thing with muggle communities. At least the wizarding communities you can just apparate to. Not necessarily true with the muggle ones." No not with the international secrecy law. They weren't to reveal what they were to muggles. "And you'd get picked up and thrown in Azkaban for revealing wizarding secrets to the muggle world." he teased. He didn't think, even with seeing it, that many muggles would believe what they were saying. But then again, he hadn't really interacted with any muggles. That would not suit his pureblood father. Even interacting with muggleborns at school wasn't ideal for that guy. Not that he showed that with his position as head of a team that had muggleborns on it. "Hey maybe one of those random dudes is the one. You never know." Who knew what was out there. All he knew was one country and one country's worth of wizards. There were a lot more out there.

"Maybe, if it doesn't turn into some sort of inter-house rivalry." Alicia shrugged, she could probably persuade some Ravenclaw into helping her out but some people just got weird about things - though it tended towards the Slytherins having the issues. She certainly wasn't willing too do her part to throw a quidditch game against Ravenclaw just as some odd sort off payment for the help. No, she'd rather struggle through it on her own and bemoan its difficulties if that was the case. "Well, if you tried that trick I'd just have to get the Ravenclaw team into detention first." It would certainly require a fair amount of skills that she didn't make much use of typically but she was certain that she'd be able to figure it out if she really put her mind to it. Maybe owl the Weasley twins for a few tips and tricks that might be of use if it came down to that. Of course, quidditch would be significantly less fun if they were going off of the reserve team, even if there weren't going to be any official games next year. She wouldn't want to miss out on the challenge or anything.

"True, but it would be an interesting thing to accomplish." Not anything major or anything, but maybe it'd start some sort of new era of quidditch. A whole new elders quidditch league maybe, though it might end up filling the beds of St. Mungo's more quickly than it would be worth. "Sure, but you have to be at least a little bit optimistic." She still couldn't imagine herself in this sort of situation next year. "Even if you don't end up starting for a team, there are still the reserves." Maybe not quite as glorious but it would be better than not making a team at all since you could at least try to work your way up the ranks once you had your foot in the door. "Oatmeal's fine, but I always end up adding a fair amount of fruit and sugar to make it worth it." Alicia couldn't much stand bland food, and certainly not first thing in the morning unless she absolutely had to. Her two basic wants amounted mostly to passable food and a quidditch game or two every once in a while. Alicia let out a long sigh, "It certainly is an acquired taste." Not so much as the really obscure sorts of food that some wizarding countries had, but just a touch out there compared to the average fare at Hogwarts.

"True, but that's assuming that I end up getting my apparition license." It wasn't much of a possibility since pretty much everyone ended up getting their license as soon as they could, and leaving bits behind was a rather distinctive concern of hers. Especially across countries and other long distances, she'd rather stick with portkeys since they were moderately more predictable. "Well, maybe I'll start an inner-Azkaban quidditch league then. I could even meet my soulmate in there!" If it was even possible to stand up let alone mount a broom following prolonged exposure to dementors, excluding the whole risk of the inmates escaping. Though, it was rather dubious to begin with that many, if any, of the inmates at Azkaban deserved the glory of quidditch to lighten there days. Certainly no one like Bellatrix Lestrange. "Could be, I guess I'll just have to take a couple of years off following my magnificent quidditch career." One could certainly dream, and that'd certainly be one way to round out that whole thing.

"I mean you don't get the results until after everyone has graduated. Not sure how it can affect anything." he said, matching her shrug. It wasn't like they were Slytherins who may consider giving false information in a bid to get head, but that wasn't the nature of Ravenclaws. Of course, he was sure there could be some people who were hat stalls between the two. She'd just need to find the right Ravenclaw to ask. "How would you even know it's coming? Could be a sneak attack that ends with you in detention without even knowing what had happened." It was all just to tease her. There wasn't any sense in sabotaging her play. For one, he wanted to see her do well as well, as she was fun to play against. And for another, there wouldn't be too much in it for him. This year, maybe it would have been different, but why mess up someone else's potential future just to win?

"It would be. Might be the next craze in transportation option." He could see older wizards zooming through the sky in their wheelchair, staying balanced easier than they would be on a broom. It was an interesting concept for sure. "There aren't many reserve spots wither. And even then, to get one of those you still have to go through the tryout process. If I don't hear something soon, I'm going to have to seriously reconsider my career options." And by reconsider, he meant actually figure out what else was out there for him. What else would he even be interested in doing? "I always add fruit to it. It just keeps me full, which sometimes is something needed." Plus it killed two birds with one stone. Kept him full, but also gave him a serving of fruit. Sometimes he had a side, it just depended on how hungry he was. "Well it's a taste I prefer not to acquire. Chocolate and bacon should be kept separate." There were somethings he would consider combining, but that was not one of them.

"Are there any doubts you will?" He had earned his already, having turned 17 during winter break of his 6th year, so it had been over a year at this point. It had helped out a lot over the previous summer, but it still wasn't enough. But at least he hadn't left any part of him behind yet. But he knew that was likely more for short distances. Portkeys were handy, but they still needed to have a set time to use them, which could be quite annoying if you want to go somewhere quickly. "Hey, way to look on the bright side on that one." He said with a chuckle. Having had dementors on campus this year, he was in absolutely no hurry to revisit those feelings. He'd rather die than experience that for years on end. "Well I'm sure after a fantastic career you'd be set financially to take a couple years to pursue that."

"Class rankings? Or I could just have a mortal enemy I don't know about who wants to see me fail." Alicia snorted at the idea. Sure, she might not get along with everyone but she didn't exactly run around picking fights with everyone either. At least, not unless there was something that she was going to need to fight over. Mostly quidditch. Always quidditch. She'd just have to con the right person into helping her out. "Maybe I'll just have to start a war with Ravenclaw, then. The best defense is a good offense and all that." The idea was both amusing and utterly exhausting at its  prospect. She'd have to keep everything new and fresh which would mean even more research, otherwise it'd be her pride on the line. Way too much work to consider putting in when she also was meant too be considering her own future, assuming quidditch didn't end up panning out. "Though, that'd throw me off my studies ... and I'd have a whole house coming after me." Alicia chuckled at the image, considering the cleverness of the whole house she was rather certain that she wouldn't be able to even take a step without landing in new manufactured trouble.

"Yes, the perfect long-distance broomstick for when your broom gets a bit painful." Cushioning charms were all well and good and everything but they tended toward wearing out if you spent hours on a broom during one long quidditch game, and they could get long. Though, it did provide quite a bit of motivation to get the game over in a timely manner, so there was that. "True. I don't even know what I'd do if I didn't make a team. Start a junior summer quidditch league?" The idea was rather ridiculous, but quidditch had been so much of her time - she couldn't imagine being forced into doing something else even if she couldn't stand just sitting around and living off her trust either. Not to mention having to teach hoards of young witches and wizards. Sure, there was the glory of sharing the joys of quidditch, but weighing that against kids swarming and every direction and the benefits became more dubious. "Yeah, bacon and chocolate are better off admiring each other from afar. Could you imagine fruity bacon, though? Now, that might be interesting." Though it did sound a fair bit more ridiculous than even the combination of chocolate and bacon. No, she'd prefer her bacon to not be so banana or apple flavored, thank you very much.

"Hey, I could leave a leg or something behind during my test." A very terrifying and painful prospect but it was just about as possible as anything. It hadn't happened yet but there was always the pressure of the actual test, even if she could withstand all of the pressures of a quidditch game easily. "It is a bit far-fetched, though." Especially since she hadn't even had much trouble during the practice classes, past the time she shaved half her eyebrow off - harmless, really. "Yes, I would bring light to that dark place." If she didn't land herself neck deep in trouble starting fights with her fellow inmates because really, they kind of deserved in given half of them were in there in the first place for torture. "I'll have to add it to my bucket list." She'd get back around to it one day or another, eventually.

"Mortal enemy in Ravenclaw? I think you have the wrong house." If anything she'd probably have something in Slytherin. But he doubted she would. He didn't really see her going around arguing with people outside of quidditch, and there it was easy to leave things on the pitch. Yes they all wanted to win, but the game wasn't worth losing friends over right? He pretty much had friends in every house. But he could separate competition from his friends. It was something that would help later on and he would be playing against Amelia. "You don't think they wouldn't figure that out pretty quick?" Of course he was sure they wouldn't necessarily pick up on it straight away, but he figured they would at some point. And then they'd figure out ways to get back at her. He'd love to see his entire house coming together for some team work. Might help the quidditch team out in a way. "And you'd lose potential help from the house if you get stuck on your studies."

"Exactly. Perfect way to get home at the end of a long match." Luckily the games at Hogwarts did have some things in place to keep the games stretching for too long, since they were students and couldn't afford to spend a day playing a game, but that didn't mean the brooms didn't get uncomfortable. But he wouldn't change anything. He liked the sport too much. It was all he could really see himself doing. He certainly needed to do something to get out of his father's house. He couldn’t afford to hang around too long, or think his dad would let him use his money. As far as he knew there wasn't a trust set up for him, and his own bank account had a few pitiful galleons from when distant relatives sent him money for his birthday/Christmas, but even some of those ended up in his father's account for whatever reason. His father just made sure Lucas has good clothes and new books. Nothing less for a pureblood child. "I have no idea what I'll do. Maybe I'll try my hand at reporting or something." Fat chance of that, given his reserved nature. He'd do fine actually writing the articles, but asking the questions was something else. "I'm not sure I want fruity bacon either. Plain regular bacon is good enough for me."

"Yes you could, but you can also retake the test you know." He knew a couple of kids in his year had had to retake, but had passed on subsequent attempts. He supposed at that point it would depend on if she could convince herself mentally to do that. Luckily he hadn't had to deal with that too much. "I suppose it's always a nervous thing until you pass the test." He had had the pressure of needing to pass to be able to get away from home if needed over the last couple of breaks. "The dementors wouldn't know what to do with you." he chuckled. That would be a sight to see. Well it would if he had any desire to go there. "There you go. Solution found." He said with a nod.