Chapter 3: On His Behalf

Harry and Angelina were stood up by Draco and his gang, which came as a relief to the Gryffindor Chaser. But Harry's problems did not end there.

He was taunted by Draco again a few days later, this time during a flying lesson with Madame Hooch. The way Harry would later tell the story to his friends, Draco had taken Neville Longbottom's Remembrall and flown off the ground without permission. Harry had gone after him on his own broom. When Draco then threw the object, Harry had flown after it and remarkably managed to catch it, thus showing up Draco.

Only trouble was, Professor McGonagall had seen the whole thing.

But she was not angry. Quite the contrary. She was now adamantly lobbying for Oliver Wood to make Harry the new Seeker for the Gryffindor Quiddtich team. Shocked though she was while hearing the story with Oliver, Angelina was just glad Harry was safe. Though equally amazed and privately impressed, Wood dismissed the suggestion out of hand.

"A first year on my team? Not going to happen. He's too young."

"He caught the thing in his hand after a 50-foot dive, Oliver!" McGonagall insisted. "The boy's a natural; I've never seen anything like it! And he said it was only his first time on a broom."

"All the more reason why it's not a good idea. An inexperienced flyer is a risky bet. To be that and his age? He'd get flattened by a Bludger in our first match," Wood admonished.

Angelina was torn. A part of her shared Wood's concern for Harry's safety, but another wanted Harry to have the best experience possible at Hogwarts. And if having status on the Quidditch team gave him that (as well as a degree of power of Malfoy and his Slytherin tormentors), then so be it.

"Oliver, I have to agree with our Professor on this one." She held up a hand to silence him when he began to protest. "Yes, he's young. But he will have me and Fred and George - his best friends - on the team with him. We'll keep an eye on Harry. And if there's anyone who can get rid of inexperience in a player, it's you. I nominate Harry for the team. What do you think?"

Oliver let out a long breath. "Fine. But only if you and the Weasleys promise to keep an eye on him."

Angelina grinned. "Aye-aye, Captain."