A/N~~Writing these things is harder that I thought…ONWARDS!
Harry Potter~~Year 4
Part 4
The Gryffindor team swarmed around Harry as he told them that Professor Dapes had agreed to help them pick a Keeper. Harry had reserved the Quidditch field for Gryffindor for the next 3 days and tryouts began the next afternoon. After two days of fast flying and tough decisions, the team had picked 4 finalists, Ron, Dean, a fifth-year named Marcus and Ginny. Harry was glad that Professor Dapes was making the final cut.
Harry was thinking about the candidates all afternoon. He sat in Care of Magical Creatures thinking about the finalists. He wanted Ron to get the place, but he wasn't sure if that was because Ron was his best friend or because he was good. Marcus was decent, as was Dean. Ginny showed some promise, but she was afraid of Harry because of what had happened his second-year in the Chamber of Secrets.
Harry walked out to the Quidditch field alone. Ron had wanted to come, but Harry thought it would look more equal if they weren't together just before final cuts and told Ron so. Ron surprisingly agreed and went off to talk to Hermione. Harry rounded to side of the bleachers deep in thought and, to his surprise, someone had beat him there…Professor Dapes!
"Hi Professor. Bit early aren't you? I asked you to come later so that we could warm up and stuff before you arrived. I didn't expect you to be here," said Harry.
"It's alright," replied Dapes. "I actually wanted to speak with you alone and I figured this would be the best place and time to do so. It's about Voldemort and your parents."
"My parents!" exclaimed Harry. "You knew my parents, Professor?"
"Yes I did Harry. Did anyone ever tell you why they were killed?"
"Well, it was because they were really close to Professor Dumbledore." Harry said rather vaguely. "I don't know much more than that."
"Ah. I see. Well let me tell you a bit more. You see, your parents were both powerful. Very powerful. And as Voldemort rose in power, he realized that something was draining that power. Not all of it, but enough so that he noticed. Once he figured out that a very powerful source was draining his power, he went looking for it. Your parents tried to hide their tracks, but it didn't work and they were forced to go into hiding and stop their spell. This is where they needed a secret keeper. And I'm sure you understand the rest about Pettigrew being on Voldemort's side. Correct?"
"Correc…..WAIT! YOU KNOW ABOUT PETTIGREW??? How???" exclaimed Harry.
"Yes Harry. I know about Pettigrew. I know you are anxious to haul me up in front of the Ministry to clear Sirius' name, but you see…it's not quite that easy. I hate to admit this and I do wish you wouldn't go spreading it around school, but I was a spy for the Ministry. I was in Azkaban for 3 years and was let out because they realized I had been a secret informant in Voldemort's inner circle. But people still do not believe that, even though I was the only one of us who did not kill anyone. Anyhow, my word to the public is about as good as fourteen/fifteen year old wizards and a werewolf. But I did want you to know exactly WHY your parents were killed. The other reason I needed to talk to you was because…"
Dapes was interrupted by the rest of the Gryffindor team and the rather nervous finalists. Dapes whispered, "Harry, we'll finish this later."
Understanding, Harry called to the group, "Warm up a bit faster than usual please, we have a guest today!"
Awhile later, Hermione came and sat next to Harry and Professor Dapes to watch the end of the tryouts. Harry was at a loss for who would make the best Keeper, but Dapes wasn't. At the end, Dapes called them all down and told each what their greatest assets and weaknesses were. Harry had guessed correctly on most. But Dapes announced that Ron would be the best Keeper for the Gryffindor team. Ron whooped and Harry politely congratulated and consoled all four players. Later that night, Ron, Harry and Hermione privately shared their excitement that Ron was now on the team too.
The next morning brought Malfoy to the Gryffindor table. "I heard that Potter influenced Dapes to give Weasel the Keeper spot because they're friends."
"HE DID NOT!!!" yelled Ron. "Don't say that! I won it fair and square."
"He did." said a low voice from behind Malfoy. Malfoy whirled around to find Professor Dapes. "I wouldn't accuse him of that without any evidence. And I seriously doubt that any Gryffindor is going to speak against Harry Potter."
"I won't." said Marcus. Dean nodded in agreement.
Ginny stood and said, "Ron was the best of us. He deserves it."
"Now, Mr. Malfoy, are you satisfied? Or do I need to take points from Slytherin to convince you?" asked Dapes.
"No sir," said Malfoy as he slunk back to the now silent Sytherin table.
"Thanks for standing up for me Professor, " said Harry.
"It was no problem. Now if you will be so kind as to stay a little bit after class today, we shall finish our discussion," Dapes said as he walked toward the teacher's table.
"What discussion?" Hermione and Ron asked simultaneously.
"Ummmm…I think we should take this to the common room…alone." Harry said mysteriously.
Harry filled Ron and Hermione in on all the details of Dapes' past and swore them to secrecy. Both were as amazed as Harry. They both thought he was very brave and had more of a renwed respect for him.
After their discussion, they went to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry was highly curious as to what else Dapes wanted to say.
After class Harry hung around, while Hermione and Ron went to lunch.
"Ah, Harry." Dapes began. "I'm not one to mince words, so here it is straight out. Before I 'left' Voldemort's service he set up a curse for you. It would kill you on the Quidditch field sometime this year. Now I don't know exactly when or how, but it IS set up and I'm warning you to be careful. I've been out there searching the ground for curses and I've been unable to find any. I'm sorry. I've mentioned it to Professor Dumbledore and he and I thought it best that you don't play or watch this year."
"WHAT??? NO QUIDDITCH??? But I'm the captain." Harry yelled.
"I'm sorry, Harry. There is nothing else to be done."
Angered but not wanting to lose house points for mouthing off to a teacher, Harry walked stormily out. But he stopped, remembering an incident from that summer. "Professor?"
"Yes Harry?"
"This summer, at the Quidditch World Cup, when I looked at you, my scar burned like it did when I faced Voldemort my first year at Hogwarts. Would that have something to do with it?"
"Harry! Why didn't you tell anyone? Oh dear me…… please leave. I need to study and think. Come back tomorrow." Dapes said as he swept, rather preoccupied, into his office.
A/N~~Cliffhangers are the best. Please review!!! No Dapes is not Quirrell!!! Sorry, no more Harry/Hermione, I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I'll put some in Part 4! Part 4 might take until after this weekend due to concerts and such!
J ~~Lady Lelila