Tryouts

I can do this. I can do this. I can totally do this.

Saturday morning, as I head down for breakfast, all I can think about is everything that can go wrong today at tryouts. Everything. Everything can go wrong. What if I miss every shot? What if I miss one shot and the other person trying out doesn't? What if I die? Okay, maybe the last one is a bit OTT, but who knows? This is Hogwarts- anything can happen.

Still, my stomach feels sick as I sit down beside Dani. Herself and Rose try their best to console me, seeing how nervous I am, but I can't calm down. Am I this nervous every year?

Well, yes.

I look down at the food on my plate- a bowl of porridge with honey on top. My stomach turns as I stare at it, so instead I look to my hands on my lap. Breathe in, breathe out. Counting. Going over my homework. Nothing seems to help. Merlin, I need to relax. Even if I don't make the team, it's not the end of the world.

However, what if Jason does want me to be captain next year? What if people see me playing and decide they want to recruit me for their team? I mean, I haven't even considered Quidditch as an option for a career after Hogwarts, but it would be wicked to be acknowledged, at least.

Maybe that's why I'm so nervous. This is the year that makes it or breaks it for me- if I don't get on the team I have no chance at all of being captain. Being a keeper, it's hard to be noticed by recruiters, but if I become the captain, I have a way better chance.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" Alex says, sitting down across from me.

"I have tryouts later," I reply.

"Hey, don't worry, you'll do fine," Fred assures me, sitting next to Alex. I stare at him in wonder for a moment, still surprised by how nice he is to me, compared to his friends. I suppose one of them has to be nice.

James squeezes in between Eleanor and I, which makes her huff. I'm too involved in my own worries to even care about James right now, and him annoying Eleanor.

"We've all seen you play, Mia," James says, taking my bowl of untouched porridge. I quirk an eyebrow up. He takes a spoon of it, and then places it back down in front of me. "You're actually a decent player."

"Thanks," I mumble. I mix my porridge around absentmindedly.

"I'll be there to cheer you on," Eleanor reminds me softly.

"I mean, I'd come too, but I don't think Jason would appreciate non-Ravenclaw's being at the tryouts," Dani pitches in. "But I'll be supporting you in spirit."

I smile at this, grateful to have great friends to support me.

By the time half twelve comes around, I'm a ball of nerves. Before tryouts, seeing as he's the best chaser, James took shots on me so I could practice more. I saved over two thirds of the shots, which made me feel somewhat better. After that, Jason came down to the quidditch pitch, which was when they all left, bar Eleanor, who went to the stands to watch.

Two others stand beside me, both trying out to be keeper. One of them is a fifth year girl, with dark skin, and long, glossy black hair, which is tied up into a neat ponytail. I don't know her, but she looks somewhat familiar. The other is a third year Asian male, who is nervously gripping his broom. Used to the routine of tryouts, I just gaze straight ahead, my thoughts on getting through these.

However, I don't think I've seen either of these people play before. What if they're amazing, and I'm simply mediocre compared to them both? I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to convert my thoughts to something else.

I look up to the stands, where Eleanor sits. She looks cold, with a Ravenclaw scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. She sees me looking, and gives me a thumbs up.

"Alright," Jason says, gaining the attention of everyone. "Technically speaking, we only really need a beater, and two chasers. However, of course, I'm willing to let others tryout for other positions. I want our team to be the best." He takes in a deep breath. "This is my final year as captain, and I want to make it count. Now, no one has come to tryouts to replace Jenny, so she will remain Seeker this year." He nods in the direction of the seventh year seeker.

"Okay, so let's begin tryouts." His gaze lands on me. "Keepers, we will rotate you for this. Chet, you're up first."

Chet looks as though he's about to get sick as he mounts his broom. I feel almost sorry for him, but then I remember that right now, Chet is the enemy. I wonder did I look as nervous as he does on my first tryout? Oh Merlin, I hope not.

However, as he flies up to the rings, he looks suddenly relaxed. I suppress a smile, knowing that feeling all too well.

The chasers trying out take ten shots each. Chet is a good keeper, there's no denying. By the end of the ten shots, he's saved six of them. Six is good. Not brilliant, but good.

Zoe goes up next, which aggravates me. Jason is purposely leaving me until last. He knows I'm anxious. Before he flies up to take shots with the others, he comes over to me.

"Look, I really don't want to have to replace you," he admits. "You're one of the best on the team. Jenny and I will be gone next year, and it will just be you and Jack left from the team I trained since fifth year." He sighs. "One of you will be captain next year... and... I'm really considering you, Mia." I try not look too amazed at this- me, as captain of Ravenclaw! How wicked would that be? "So, show these two what you've got." He smiles at me, brushing his hand through his blonde hair.

"I'll do my best," I say, still in shock over what he just said.

"Good luck," he tells me, before flying up to the others, who are waiting to take shots on Zoe.

I watch, feeling more determined than ever. I'm disappointed when Zoe saves eight out of the ten shots. I can feel my heart beat quicken, as Jason calls me up to the posts.

I mount my broom, and make my way up. I can't help but smile, happy to be flying. I always feel happier when I'm flying. Maybe I should also consider quidditch as a viable career path. Plus, with a background of quidditch, it would be much easier to get into the Department of Magical Games and Sports.

I try not to ponder too much on my thoughts as the chasers line up to take their shots.

I save the first four shots easily. The fifth one I barely catch, which gets my adrenaline going. The sixth one Jason throws, and I have to dive to actually save it. It hits off my arm, and bounces away from the goals. The seventh one I kick away. The eight one brushes the tips of my fingers, and I watch in slow motion as it goes through the hoop.

I curse, feeling annoyed with myself for missing that shot.

I narrow my eyes as the next chaser lines up, ready to take their shot.

I can do this.

Another dive, and another save. One more shot to save, and I have this. One more shot and I might be the captain next year. I have to do this. I've never wanted anything more in my entire life. I can't do sudden death with Zoe, I just can't.

I watch carefully as the next person lines up for their shot. I tighten my grip on my broom, ready to dive in any direction the quaffle might go. I can hear my heart beating in the silence. The wind howls around me, the sun suddenly blocked from view. Everything is still. It's like everyone is holding their breath- waiting, watching, wondering if I can do it.

The quaffle is released from the throwers hands, heading for the right hoop. I swerve, stretching out my hands to catch the quaffle. However, that doesn't happen. I watch in horror as the quaffle brushes the tips of my fingers, going right through the hoop in ease. I let out a breath, disgusted with what just happened. My stomach ties into a tight knot, and I can feel my mood turn sour.

I look to Jason, who's looking wide-eyed at me. He looks as disappointed as I feel.

After a moment of complete silence, Jason clears his throat. "Um, alright." He shakes his head. "Zoe, Mia, you two will have a sudden death round. Whoever lets in the first goal will be cut." He looks to me, a little bit of reassurance in his gaze. "Mia, you're up first this time."

I fly back to the hoops, my jaw clenched tightly. I just have to save as many shots as possible, hoping that Zoe will let in the first shot.

We rotate for awhile, neither of us letting in any of the shots. Jason looks impressed by both of us, but because of what he said earlier, I know he's secretly rooting for me. I wonder if Jack and Jenny are rooting for me, too? Sometimes I wish I was closer to everyone on the team. After the years spent with them, they feel like family, although distant. Another reason I can't lose to Zoe.

I save the next shot, and Zoe goes up to take my place.

I watch as Jason bounces the quaffle on the palm of his hand. His eyes narrow slightly, his head tilts. I've watched him probably a thousand times, but my awe of him never fades. Like James, Jason is a natural at quidditch. I remember watching him in first year, too, soaring through the air, a look of determination on his face that never vanished until the match had ended.

Like every other shot, my stomach twists in nervousness as the ball soars through the air, heading for the left ring.

Zoe reaches out, hands determined to find the quaffle. It slips past her hands, and I watch in triumph as the quaffle slips through the ring. I keep a straight face as I pass my regards to Zoe. She simply smiles, shakes my hand, and then heads towards the changing rooms. Once she's gone, Jason lands and pulls me into a hug, which causes me to feel embarrassed.

"I knew you could do it," he says, releasing me and ruffling my hair.

I laugh, punching his side lightly, to make him stop ruffling my hair. I can't hide how ecstatic I feel now that I'm officially on the team again. The others grin at us, looking between us both. It is unprofessional of him to favor someone over the other.

"So, official Ravenclaw keeper is Mia Johnson," Jason announces. "And, I saw great shots taken by the rest of you. Those trying out for the open chaser positions can leave. I'll have the list up by Monday of who's made the team." He looks to the remaining people. "So, now all that's left is finding Jack a partner." He looks up to the stands where Jack is sitting, gazing down at us. I wonder how I didn't spot him before. I look for Eleanor, but she's no longer in the stands.

She's running towards me, a smile plastered on her face. Her cheeks are rosy from the cold, and I can't imagine what mine must look like. When she reaches me, she pulls me into a hug, and I laugh out of joy.

"Come on," I say to her, "let's watch the rest of the tryouts up at the stands."

We pass Jack who's coming down to examine those trying out to be his partner, and he congratulates me on making the team again. I grin, still surprised by this. I'm officially in the run for being next years captain- something I never realized I wanted until I almost didn't make the team. I want it so badly, and it's only in short reach. I have to prove myself to Jason more than ever, now.

Eleanor and I gaze down at the pitch. "He says he's considering making me captain next year," I tell El, biting my lip.

She turns to me, her eyes wide. "Seriously?" I nod my head. "I knew it! He'd be stupid not to consider you-"

"Hey, now," Jason interrupts us, joining us at the stands. His sudden presence causes me to jump, as I hadn't noticed him making his way towards us. "I am definitely not stupid."

He sits himself down beside me, watching the pitch intently.

"Shouldn't you be down there, deciding who makes the team?" Eleanor asks him.

"I let the beaters decide their partner," Jason replies. "They know better than I would who they work well with." He glances at me for a moment. "Actually, Eleanor, is it okay if I speak to Mia for a second?"

Eleanor frowns, but nods her head. I follow Jason away from her, slightly confused. I wonder if he wants to talk about me being captain next year, or perhaps that he's decided Jack would be best suited to the position.

He rubs the back of his neck when we're far enough away from Eleanor. "Look, it's my final year in Hogwarts," he begins. "I really do want to make the most of this year."

"We'll definitely miss you on the team," I tell him, giving him a smile.

This, for some reason, makes him frown. "Well, I hope I'm not only missed because I won't be on the team anymore."

"Oh," I say dumbly. "I mean, of course I'm going to miss you anyway! You were a great friend these last few years. It won't be same without you around."

This causes his frown to vanish slightly, but I can see that he's still unsure whether or not I'll actually miss him, or his quidditch skills. Truth is, I will miss Jason. He really has been a great friend, and he's believed in my skills since I began quidditch. He's supported me as much as my close friends have, and I don't think I would have continued loving quidditch as much as I do, if it weren't for him.

Even in third year, when I had fallen off of my broom when a bludger knocked me through the hoop (A horrible feeling I would not wish on anyone), Jason had come to visit me in the Hospital Wing, telling me that the team isn't the same without me. Of course, I got visits from my brother and James too (Fred was avoiding me at this point), but Jason's were a lot quieter and nicer.

I owe Jason a lot. After that fall, I was nervous about playing again, but he got me back up to speed.

"Look, in two weeks we have our first trip to Hogsmeade," he continues. "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to meet up to get a Butterbeer, or something?"

I nod my head. "Yeah, sure! Will the rest of the team be coming?" I ask, being the idiot that I am.

His cheeks turn a little pink. "Uh..." He trails off, looking embarrassed. I internally curse myself, because, Merlin, I am a complete twat. "Well, I was hoping it would be just you and me."

"Oh." My cheeks grow warm. "A date?"

He gives a nervous smile. "Yeah," he says. "But we don't have to if you don't want to."

I shake my head quickly. "No, sorry. I don't get asked on a date much, I'm not good with this," I ramble on, wishing my mouth would stop opening. "Of course I'll go on a date with you." I'm surprised by my answer, because: 1) I've never been interested much in Jason. I mean, he's attractive, and he likes a lot of the things I do, but he's not someone I ever considered dating. Or, well, he's not someone I ever thought would consider dating me. And, (2) I've never been on a date before, and not knowing what to expect makes me nervous.

"Oh, great!" he replies. His smile looks more confident now, and his cheeks have returned to their usual colour. I can imagine mine are flaming red at this point. "I'll see you around- I have to go catch up on some homework." He walks away from me, and I turn back to Eleanor who's patiently waiting for me to return to her.

"What did Jason want?" she asks when I reach her.

I sit down, because I still can't process what just happened. "I got asked on a date."

I like Jason... I like writing him. I don't know, sorry. He's just an important character to keep this story moving! Sorry for the longer than usual wait for this update- I got busy doing other things

Anyway, please review! I really do appreciate them, and it makes my motivation to write go up a lot!