The characters and places in this story belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own a 2 year old and a 2 month old.
Perhaps I can trade?
Chapter 10 – A New Focus
"Come again?" Harry stuttered.
"I am sorry Harry. I assumed someone would have told you. It's not like this was a big secret." Nick replied.
Not a secret. This was not the first time information about his past had been given to him out of the blue. "Tell me now Nick." Harry said wearily.
"Of course Harry. The summer you were born Dumbledore knew that Professor Flitwick wished to continue going to dueling contests. Professor Flitwick would need an assistant that could continue the lessons in his absence, so that he could continue his sport. When Dumbledore asked Lily to be that assistant, she of course, agreed. In August, your family moved into Godric's Hollow. I believe you and your parents had been living in Diagon Alley prior to that." Nick seemed to think a bit, as though he was trying to remember some allusive memory.
"James continued to be an Auror, and Lily was a natural teacher. Professor Flitwick believed Lily's talent in charms surpassed his own. They often worked together to create a few new charms. Most of these charms were created to use against Voldemort. While your mother taught her lessons, you were often brought to Dumbledore's office or to the kitchens. The student body and staff as a whole were unaware of the time you spent in Hogwarts."
Nick sighed, his ghostly head wobbling on his severed neck. He straightened it before continuing. "Lily and James stayed in Godric's Hollow during the summer break. After your first birthday, Dumbledore began to receive word that Voldemort was planning to attack the Potters. When school began again that fall, Dumbledore urged them to move up to the castle. He felt he could protect the three of you better from here. Your parents refused the offer and opted to have a Secret Keeper set up by that October. The rest you already know."
Seeing the tears streaming down Harry's face, Nick made a slight bow and floated through the far wall.
Hours later, Harry found himself under his invisibility cloak. Harry moved quickly to Dumbledore's office. "Ice Mice." He whispered, and when he reached the top knocked loudly on the office door.
"Come in Harry. I have been expecting you." Dumbledore said from within.
Harry walked in and as if years of repetition honed his script, "I'd rather stand; I don't want a lemon drop, and care to tell me why you never bothered to let me know that my mom used to work here?" He snarled.
"Harry your mother was a wonderful pupil and a good friend. I promised you, after your 5th year, that I would not keep anything from you. I have kept my word." Dumbledore said quietly.
Harry sat down puzzled. "So my mom didn't work here?"
"Harry have you used your pensieve?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
"No sir, I haven't had time." Harry responded a bit defensively.
"Perhaps you need to bring it to our next meeting. To answer your question, yes your mother did work here, but you have the memories, you were there."
"Professor, I can hardly remember back to when I was one." Harry said indignantly.
"Harry with a special spell you can see any memory you witnessed, whether or not you can recall it. Bring your pensieve to the next visit and I will show you. In the meantime perhaps you should see Professor Flitwick. He worked closely with her and can give you more information than I."
"Thank you Professor. Umm, Nick said something about me spending time in your office when I was little." Harry said blushing.
"Why yes Harry. Whenever your mother would teach in the afternoons, I used to have you brought up here to watch you play. I rarely see children that young, so I found it interesting to watch you and see what you would do." Dumbledore smiled warmly. "Now it's late and you should be in bed."
"Yes sir, good night then." Harry replied and left the office more quietly than he had entered.
The day rose with a vengeance. The sun was strong and the wind whipped through the corridors and halls. In Harry's mind this was a great day for Quidditch. Once the team had been dragged from their beds, earlier than the rest of the house; Harry led them all down for breakfast. Harry thought people who were tired wouldn't be too nervous to eat.
The players fumbled over toast and sausage, eating their fill. Ginny played with grapes, tossing them into Ron's open mouth. Dean shouted to Ginny that her aim better stay that good for the game. Harry barely tasted his food while watching to make sure nobody seemed extra nervous. Natalie toyed with her eggs but squared her shoulders and answered Harry cheerfully when he asked if she was alright.
When the school seemed to awaken and other students came down for breakfast, Harry motioned and the team got up to head out to the locker rooms.
"Ok first game of the season. We're playing the defending Champions and they won't be too keen on giving the Cup up anytime soon. They're good but we're better."
Harry looked over his Chasers. "You three need to work as a team. None of you are the star and by willingly passing when necessary you stand a better chance against their Beaters picking on one of you." Dean nodded and the girls just smiled in reply.
Harry nodded toward the Creavey brothers. "You two need to distract and frustrate their Chasers and keep them disorganized." The boys saluted Harry with their bats.
"No problem Potter." Collin said with a grin.
"Ron you're the King, mate. I doubt you need to be reminded, but play to remind them." Ron flicked a speck of dust off his shoulder and winked.
"Ok Gryffindor, let's get out there and show them we mean business." Harry announced as he grabbed his broom from his locker.
When they passed through the locker doors to the pitch, the team mounted their brooms and took their laps around the stands.
This year a fourth year from Ravenclaw was announcing. "Welcome to the First Quidditch game of the season. Today we have Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor." The houses cheered and booed respectively. After announcing the Ravenclaw team the boy turned to Gryffindor. "This year's team consists of Ron Weasley Keeper, Ginny Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Natalie Finnegan as Chasers. As Beaters, the Creavey brothers, Dennis and Collin. Gryffindor seems to prefer keeping siblings in these positions. Their Captain and Seeker is Harry Potter."
With the laps completed Madam Hooch brought out the chest of the balls. "Right, I expect nothing less than a clean game from both sides." She released the Snitch and Bludgers, and with a whistle the Quaffle was tossed up to the teams.
"Gryffindor beats Ravenclaw to the toss and Weasley has control. Look out she's headed toward the goal but tosses back to Thomas with a backhand pass. Thomas swings low and ducks under a Bludger hit toward him. Thomas tosses the Quaffle to Finnegan who passes back to Weasley and score! Weasley scores the first 10 points to Gryffindor."
Harry watched the team work together while scanning the pitch for the Snitch. Once the score reached 40 -10 he kept a closer eye on his opponent. The boy was riding a Nimbus 2002 but seemed more interested in watching Harry look around than doing any real searching on his own. 'Hmm, must be a standard Ravenclaw game plan. Perhaps I should humor him.' Harry moved quickly into a dive. The boy followed quickly.
"Potter spotted the Snitch and dives toward the Gryffindor posts. Has he got it? NO! The Ravenclaw Seeker barely pulled out in time to avoid the ground. Folks Potter used a Wronsky Feint. Potter is famous for attempting to use this tactic against other Seekers."
Harry smirked as he saw the other Seeker pull away. As he pulled level with the ground with mere feet to spare. A glint of gold attracted his attention toward the center of the pitch about 30 feet into the air. With a glance Harry saw that their team had moved up to 80-20. Harry decided that now would be a good time to end the game. He pulled straight up and, before the Ravenclaw Seeker could even catch on to where Harry was headed, wrapped the Snitch in his fist.
"Potter has caught the Snitch! Gryffindor wins 230 to 20."
Red and gold flags waved profusely and the whole team crowded Harry. "We did it!" Natalie shouted.
Harry gave Madam Hooch the Snitch and the team made their way back to the locker room through the horde of classmates.
"Well done team. We played an awesome game. This weeks practice will mainly be used to work on maneuvers and tactics. Anything that you believe we need to work on will be brought up then." Harry was about to continue when there was a knock on the locker room door.
"Did someone order room service?" Dean asked jokingly.
"You all change and clean your brooms. I'll see who that is." Harry replied gruffly.
When the door was opened a middle aged Wizard stood there. His robe had a National Quidditch League badge.
"Can I help you umm?" Harry began slowly.
"Mr. Potter I certainly hope so. I am a talent scout in the N.Q.L. and I need a moment of your time. My name is Devon Pila. May I come in?" he said reaching to shake Harry's free hand.
When Harry finally pulled his hand back he glanced over the gentleman warily. "No my team is changing. But when I'm done I can meet with you up at the school?" Harry added when seeing Pila's disappointed face.
"Yes that will be wonderful. I'll go up and wait for you in the side room? Mr. Potter, could you bring your whole team with you? I know there are several of us that wish to speak with you all."
"Sure let me go wash up. Did you say several?" Harry said confused.
"Of course, this is a big recruiting year for the N.Q.L." Pila said enthusiastically.
Harry mumbled a 'be right back' before closing the door. As an afterthought Harry locked it.
"Team we have company from the N.Q.L. in the castle's visitor room." Harry began. The team stared at him. "Well finish up and we will head up as a group."
Twenty minutes later a freshly washed Gryffindor team walked into the visitor room. Pila was the first to walk up and shake Harry's hand again.
"Mr. Potter thanks for bringing everyone up. Now onto the business at hand. The N.Q.L. has several positions open. A few are reserve positions. However, even these players see game time. I hope we can interest each of you to agree to come to tryouts for various teams, but today we'd like to talk to any 7th years interested in playing pro." Pila said eyeing Harry hopefully.
The younger players walked over to view a few pamphlets and speak to team representatives. Dean smiled at Pila and said, "Sorry sir, but I'm not looking to play pro." Turning to Harry he said, "Hey I'm headed up to the main room. Want me to lead up the rest of the team?"
Harry nodded and told the rest of the team if they were done they could go up with Dean. Only Harry and Ron remained.
"Mr. Potter, I hope we can bring you on board any one of our teams." Pila said excitedly.
"Actually sir, I don't wish to play pro Quidditch either. I'm here for Ron."
Ron was talking something over with a Chudley Cannon rep and Harry could tell Ron was excited. His hand gestures were animated as though to imitate a broom in a loop. With a shake in agreement, the rep clapped Ron on the shoulder. Ron took some paperwork from him and walked back to Harry. With a backward glance and a wave the boys walked out and headed for the stairs.
"Let's go up to the owlery." Ron said.
"Well, what happened?" Harry asked as they climbed the stairs.
"The Cannons want to sign me!" Ron exclaimed.
"Oh wow Ron, that's great, so are we owling your parents the news?" Harry asked.
"Actually, it's the contract. I told the recruiter that I wouldn't sign till my father reviewed it and approved of it. Figured it would be best to play it cool." Ron said with glee.
"Actually that's a great idea, he would know if they were taking advantage of you and could show it to someone in the dept of Magical Games." Harry said.
With the paperwork tied around Pig's leg, the boys headed back to the common room to share Ron's news with the rest of the group.
"Oh my goodness Ron, Mum and Dad will be so proud of you, and won't the twins be a bit jealous." Ginny said while hugging her blushing brother.
Hermione swept Ron into a hug as soon as his sister had freed him. "I'm proud of you too; I know this is something you always wanted."
With slaps on the back from the other boys and a well done from Lavender and Pavarti; Ron and Harry climbed the stairs of their dorm to change and meet everyone back in the common room for a Post Quidditch game party.