A game for boys? Privately, Kiri thought that that was one of the silliest reasons she'd ever heard for not participating in something. Giving up one's education, constantly ending up with injuries, being too old for the sport at 35, the fear of replacement by more agile athletes... Those would be reasons to think twice about taking up a sport, but "a game for boys"? No way. Quidditch was considered a boys' game by some, and Kiri could probably prod their buttocks on the Pitch. All over the Pitch.

"Kiri," said Kiri, brushing back her hair to look up at the other girl. "And I would think twice about giving up football for a reason like that. I mean, if you're having fun and-..." She couldn't continue because, at that moment, a shrill whistle rang out through the classroom. Kiri grabbed the ball and rose smoothly to her feet to look at Professor Lawson who was standing a few metres away, whistle in his hand.

There was a lull in kicking and dribbling as more people stopped to see what was about to happen. Why was Jake being called to the front? For once, it looked like he wasn't the cause of some sort of commotion but merely its unfortunate endpoint. (Although (strictly speaking, he was, namely of the one following his injury.)

Kiri stood still, waiting on the professor to tell them to continue or proceed to the next part of the lesson. Maybe it was time to wrap it completely, she'd lost track of the time.