Captain Aidan Johnson of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team sighed and turned to survey his prospective Chasers. Already someone had been sent to the Hospital Wing with a broken arm during Beater tryouts, and the Seeker tryouts had been nothing short of disaster. He'd had to turn away six people because they wanted to try out for Keeper, and that was his position. Now, finally, it was time for the Chaser tryouts.

Lined up with the other prospective Chasers was first year James Potter, holding his cousin's broom. After all, nothing had been said in his letter about first years trying out; the only mention of brooms had been that first years were not allowed to bring them. So technically, he hadn't broken any rules. He just hoped that that excuse would work on the captain.

"First three over here!" Captain Johnson called. James walked over with the others. The captain looked over at him and asked, "Aren't you a little young, first year?"

"Nothing in the rules against it! Besides, what's the harm to you?" James responded confidently. Inside though, he was worried. The captain looked thoughtful for a minute, then shrugged.

"Guess you're right; let's see what you got." James took to the air along with the other three. There's nothing better then flying, he thought as he strained to catch Johnson's instructions.

"I'm going to go in the goal; Your job is to score on me as many times as possible in five minutes. Ready, GO!"

James shot off, received a pass, and through it toward the right hoop. GOAL! One of the other Chasers grabbed the Quaffle and shot off toward the goal itself. And so it continued for another 5 minutes until the captain blew his whistle. James landed, satisfied that he had done his best job, scoring four of the ten goals made. Whether he would get the position was still up in the air, as there were still about 15 people to go. He sat down on the sidelines, and mentally judged the other Chasers. This one was a Quaffle-hog, this one had no clue what she was doing, and so on. Finally Johnson blew his whistle for the last time, and landed on the ground, the Quaffle under his arm, and motioned for all the Chasers to congregate around him.

"Most of you did really well," he said one all of the Chasers had surrounded him, "but we are only looking for 3 Chasers. So, after thinking about it, I decided on Wood, Spinnet, and Prewett!"

James sighed disappointedly, watching Spinnet let out a whoop and take off on a victory lap. Oh well, there was still next year. Suddenly Spinnet crashed into one of the goal post, and fell to the ground unconscious. The remaining potential Chasers gasped. Johnson sighed and turned back to the Chasers.

"We lose more Chasers that way then in the actual game," he muttered under his breath. Then louder, "Well, it looks like the new Chaser will be… James Potter!"

James let out a whoop and went to join his dorm mates, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, who had been watching in the stands. He was the new Gryffindor Chaser.

Captain Johnson sighed, relieved that the tryouts were over. It was too bad about Spinnet, he reflected, changing back into his school robes. James Potter is a good choice, though, once he trains, he'll do really well. He left the locker room, feeling slightly more optimistic about Gryffindor's chances for the Cup.