Chapter Four

"Okay guys," Roxanne Weasley addressed the small group of assembled Gryffindors in front of the fireplace, clapping her hands twice. The group quieted down, respecting the authority Roxanne had as head of the Quidditch team. "Due to the fact that two of our Chasers are now graduated from Hogwarts, we're going to be holding tryouts this weekend. I expect lots of eager first years but, who knows? Some of them might actually be good," she announced. The rest of the team groaned at the thought of training some young newbies.

"Oh, enough with your groaning! Basically, it will be pretty simple. Although we're looking for Chasers, all of you need to be there at 9:00 a.m. sharp! If you aren't there," Roxanne said threateningly, raising an eyebrow at James. "then we could easily open up your spot on the team," she laughed. "We're going to do some warm-ups and flying tests, followed by them teaming up and us observing. Then we'll play some scrimmages and after they leave, we'll think it through," she said. "I expect us to be done by three o'clock and we can post the results at dinnertime. Any questions?" Roxanne asked the overwhelmed group.

James raised his hand. "Is it possible that you've gotten even bossier over the summer?" James teased and the rest of the group laughed. Roxanne turned away, red rising in her tanned cheeks. "We haven't even started classes and already you're bombarding us with Quidditch stuff," James complained and the group murmured in agreement. Hugo, James, Lorcan, and even her brother Fred looked at her angrily. "Is all you do during the summer think about school?" James cried out.

Roxanne turned away from the boys and looked into the fire, telling herself to calm down. In truth, James had been spot on. Roxanne did indeed spend most of her summer devising a plan to keep the Quidditch Cup and score well on her final exams. Roxanne thought she was very much like her aunt Hermione. From the stories she heard, Hermione had lived and breathed school. Roxanne felt the same way. Outside of school, Roxanne felt out of place and awkward. Back at school, in her classes and on the Quidditch field, she felt like she finally belonged. And, of course, there was her unspoken goal- to be Head Girl.

"Well, James, you're officially off the team," Roxanne snapped, turning back around with fury in her eyes. The team was silent and stared at her, dumbstruck. "You can try-out on Saturday with all the others. You aren't so special anymore, Potter. And Headmistress McGonagall told me to tell you that unless your grades and class behaviour improved, you won't be allowed on the team. That means no detentions this week, or else."

James stood up, knocking over the wooden table in front of him and the five butterbeers that sat on it. "You can't do that! I'm the best Keeper this team has ever had!" James roared. A few students sitting on the opposite side of the common room, watching the rain as it fell heavily down, looked scared and scurried to their dormitories. James stood there, nostrils flaring and green eyes blaring.

"I'm afraid I just did, Potter," spat Roxanne, flipping her long black hair behind her broad shoulder. She stared back at James, not breaking eye contact, one hand reaching for her wand just in case. Pulling it discreetly out of her back pocket, Roxanne got ready to hex him.

"Expelliarmus!" James shouted and Roxanne's oak 12 inch wand flew from her hand. Staring at it as it flew across the room and landed loudly on the wooden stairs, Roxanne looked up at the older wizard.

With the wand, Roxanne knew she was more advanced and could easily beat Potter, if he even dared to try fighting with her. But while defenceless, Roxanne looked upon James as a skilled, terrifying wizard. "You wouldn't dare," Roxanne said, trying to act bravely. But her voice cracked and James broke out into a grin.

James put his wand into his back pocket and slowly turned around. Heading up the stairs, James cast one look back at Roxanne. "I'll see you on Saturday then," he said and left for the dormitories.

Roxanne let out a deep breath once he was gone. "Bloody hell," her brother Fred said quietly. "What did you just do?"