Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Harry Potter series. That credit goes to the brilliant mind of J.K. Rowling. Go Jo! I also do not own some of the material used. Again that belongs to Jo and Warner Brothers.

Chapter 7 Tryouts

It was now Wednesday, the day of the tryouts. Albus came running into the Great Hall, his smile reaching both ears.

"Today's the day," he said enthusiastically.

Fred and James smiled. Lucy watched as Rose groaned.

"Yeah, we know," Rose said.

She crossed her arms and put her head on the table.

"Excuse her. Rose is just nervous," Lucy told Albus.

Albus put a hand on Rose's shoulder.

"It doesn't matter it you don't make it," he said.

James laughed and stuck his fork in his mouth.

"To Rose it matters, though," Fred whispered to him.

James almost spit his food out from laughing. Lucy looked over at Rose, who was now both nervous and annoyed.

"Just take deep breaths," Lucy said.

They all looked up as Professor Longbottom stopped behind James.

"Hello, there," the professor said.

"Hello, Professor Longbottom," they greeted with a smile.

"As your Head of House, I am forbidden to show favoritism. As a family friend, however, I wish the two of you luck," he said, eyeing Rose and Albus.

"Thank you, Professor," the two of them smiled.

Fred gasped when he saw the time.

"Come on. It's time," he said.

James, Fred, Albus, Rose, and Lucy all left the Great Hall together and headed for the Quidditch field. When they got there, Lucy went up the stadium and joined most of her cousins that had come to watch.

"Hey you two," Alex called.

Fred and James smiled and waved.

"Hey, Alex," they said, James sounding more urgent in his delivery.

James turned to Albus when he started laughing.

"What was that all about?" Albus asked, still trying to control his laugh.

"You see, Alex is Chaser with James," Fred said.

"And…" Rose began, pushing Fred on to continue.

"And he's hoping Alex will choose him to replace him next year as Captain," Fred said quickly so he could run to avoid James's fist.

After recovering from laughing, Albus turned to his brother.

"The Head of House doesn't do that?" Albus asked.

James shook his head, but it was Fred who answered.

"Not unless the Captain was undecided," Fred said.

"Yeah, when McGonagall was Gryffindor's Head of House, she had to choose Dad as Captain," James added.

Albus started to nod and then leveled his eyebrows.

"Wait, Dad was Captain," he asked.

"Yeah, Mum couldn't choose before she left," Fred said with a laugh.

Abus's eyes grew. He hadn't been told any of this before.

"Aunt Angelina was Captain too?" he asked in aw.

James laughed and threw an arm around his brother.

"Didn't realize there were so many Quidditch players in the family, did you?" he asked.

They all turned as Alex cleared his throat.

"All right, tryouts are about to begin," Alex called out.

Albus and Rose took deep breaths as James and Fred turned back to face them.

"We better get going. Good luck," James said.

Albus gulped as he looked up at the stadium.

"I didn't realize how packed the stadium is," he told Rose.

"Now, will you all start circling the field for me?" Alex asked.

Albus and Rose glanced at each other, and mounted their brooms. They flew in pairs of five. When everyone landed, Alex got rid of five slowest flyers.

"You have to be quick if you want to make the team," Alex said.

James and Fred gave a reassuring wink to Albus and Rose.

"Now, I need those who are going for Seeker to come to me left side. Keepers, on my right," Alex said.

James and Fred watched nervously as Albus and Rose began. There were soon three contenders on each side. Albus and Rose were still in the running.

"James and Cameron take the remaining Keeper hopefuls to their final test," Alex said.

Rose gave a nervous look at Albus as she followed Cameron. She smiled as he gave her thumbs up. Albus took a deep breath as he walked behind his brother.

"Your test is simple. The first to catch the Snitch will be on the team. Good luck," James said.

Albus hadn't even spotted the Snitch by the time Rose was named Keeper. He finally caught it ten minutes later. Albus smiled when he saw Rose running towards him as he landed.

"Congratulations, Albus," Rose smiled.

"You too, Rose," he said.

The rest of the team soon joined them. James wrapped his arm around Albus as Alex extended his hand to receive the caught Snitch.

xxx

James got up as someone began knocking on the fourth year boys' dormitory door the next day. His eyes grew when he saw who was waiting on the other side.

"Albus?" James asked.

Albus lifted up his hand, a piece of parchment in it.

"Another letter," he said.

James sighed and turned.

"I'll be right back," he told Fred.

Albus turned to face his brother as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Well? What does Mum and Dad say this time?" James asked.

Dear Kids,

I'm counting down the moments until we meet again. Congratulation, Albus, on making Seeker. Your father and I are so proud of you and James both. Lily's sure to be something as well when she begins next year. Tell Rose congratulations as well.

Love Mum and Dad

Albus looked up at his brother in shock.

"How can they…" he began as James just shook his head.

"I don't know," James said.

AN:

I hope the tryout wasn't too short.