Albus Potter picked nervously at his breakfast, barely noticing the conversations going on around him. In approximately one hour he was to head out to the quidditch pitch with every other Slytherin hopeful to snag one of the spots on their house team. Last year he had tried for the seeker position but due to an unfortunate accident, (flying head first into Scorpius bloody Malfoy) he had been laughed off the field by the Clarson, the team Captain. This year there was a new captain, Nicoli Zabini was a perfectionist and was forcing a total reset on the Slytherin team. Meaning last year's team had to tryout again and all seven positions were up for grabs.
As of last week, there was over twenty quidditch hopefuls and there was no doubt that more had signed up. Glancing up and down the Slytherin table he noticed that he wasn't the only one not eating. Malfoy looked almost green as the Parkinson-Nott sisters tried to coerce him to eat something. The Batts twins were sipping their drinks, plates devoid of any food. Lily for once was silent, waving off any attempts at conversation. The only ones who seemed unaffected by nerves were the Zabini siblings; obviously, as team captain, Nicoli was safe; Antonio had zero interest in quidditch, and Dahyna just had an unshakable confidence in herself.
Deciding that there was no point in staring at his plate any longer Albus abruptly stood, earning him a few wary looks (someone had already lost their breakfast due to nerves). Nicoli, Dahyna, and the rest of last years team stood as well and brushed past him on their way outside. Dalton, a fellow 3rd year, shot him a nervous smile as he passed while Dahyna gave him a firm pat on the back. With a breath to steady his pounding heart Albus followed them out, everyone else slowly rising to follow.
~ASP~ASP~
"I'm going to be perfectly clear," Zabini shouted over the howling wind "I don't care if you were on this team last year, who you're related to, or that even hippogriffs couldn't fly in this wind. I will except only the best on this team. First, we will run basic drills to weed out the weakest fliers, then I will assign you into pairs to run position related drills, fifteen minutes per position." He gave them self-satisfied grin "And after that we go to into speed and control drills."
Once they were all in the air Zabini told them they were to fly ten laps around the field diving down nearly to the grass after the first lap, then back to the top of the goals at the start of the third. He was going to lead them in a line at a set speed, they had to keep up, anyone who could not was disqualified, and anyone who was hit at all by a bludger was also disqualified. With a signal to Madam Hooch the bludgers were in the sky.
On the first dive they managed to lose three people who pulled out of the dive too early and another was knocked off their broom as a bludger barely missed Albus and knocked Goyle clean off. Four laps in, the pace was starting to take its toll. Lily, who was the only second year left, had already fallen behind four spots. Dalton was struggling to keep up with Dahyna and her brother, while Albus had managed to fall behind Malfoy.
Finally, Zabini pulled around to the center of the field. Glancing around Albus noted that Lily, Malfoy, Dahyna, Dalton, one of the Batts twins, another seventh year, two sixth years, and three other fourth years had made it through. There were still six people too many.
"Dahyna, Malfoy, get the beater bats and knock someone off their broom. Potter, Larson and Flint you're chasers against Monroe, Olivine and Girl Potter. Mays, Moretti you're keepers. Batts and Wagtail, you're seekers." Zabini called out as several charmed balls shot across the pitch. "If you get knocked off your broom you are cut from the team."
~ASP~ASP~
After Another hour and a half of hellish drills, the remaining ten hopefuls were sprawled out in the grass while. Lily was lying across Albus' lap eyes closed and chest pounding, Dalton was kneeled over dry heaving, Malfoy had his head between his knees, hair sticking in all directions, Dahyna was the only one standing, her dark complexion tinged red from the wind.
Zabini waited until the balls were secure in their trunk before turning to address everyone "You all flew brilliantly. All of you would a fantastic addition to our house team," he paused dramatically "Unfortunately I still have to cut three of you."
"Dahyna, you're lead chaser. Malfoy, Boy Potter, you're second and third. Batts I'm moving you to beater with me. Monroe you get to keep the Seeker Position. Flint you're still Keeper but I need to see more out of you, Girl Potter almost stole your position." Zabini glanced down at Lily "Girl Potter, consider attending practices, I'd like to keep you as a backup. The rest of you are dismissed."
