Chapter 10

Friday's Quidditch tryouts finally came much to the relief of everyone on the team because it meant Angelina could finally stop threatening us with death if we somehow missed them.

"Not a bad turnout." I observed as I examined the group of prospects that had gathered on the pitch.

Fred elbowed George. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Indeed I do." George said with a smirk.

"What?" I asked scanning the group for a face that would cause them to react so strongly. Then I spotted it. "Oh, never mind."

"Did either one of you know that Ron was planning on trying out for the team?" Fred asked.

"Not a clue." George responded.

"You can't really blame him." I said. "He's probably freaking out enough as it is. You guys throwing snark every chance you get."

"Fair enough." Fred said as Angelina called for everyone's attention.

Tryouts went well. She started them out simple with just having the Chasers try to get the Quaffle in the Hoops. Then she got Fred and George in to try to distract them with Bludgers. There were a few who were absolute crap. The only one I actually kept on eye on was Ron. He wasn't perfect, but he could take a hit and wasn't giving up. A little work and he might not be half-bad.

After she had put them through all the drill Angelina called the team to the far side of the pitch. "So what do you guys think?"

"Frobisher and Hooper are pretty good. And Weasley could be promising with some work." Katie Bell said.

Maybe I'm a tad biased, but I wanted Ron on the team. "Frobisher might not be a good idea. She was talking to me earlier this week about practice scheduling and mentioned that if this clashed with Charm Club she'd put Charms first. Add that to all the other clubs she's in it might be a bit difficult for her to fit us into her schedule."

Angeling nodded. "Anyone else?"

Fred cleared his throat. "Due to the temperament of some of our players," He looked directly at me. "I feel unless Hooper has a major attitude change before the next practice, he's going to end up having a nervous breakdown from all the hell the players in question will give him."

I sighed. "I know I am the player in question, and I can honestly say I will give him hell, because he needs to chill out and not whine so much."

Angelina sighed. "The question is can will Ron survive the hell the three of you will give him?"

"Ron is capable of giving just as good as he gets." I assured her.

She nodded. "Sounds like Ron might just be it. Anyone against that?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Good. Next practice is at two tomorrow. Let's go welcome the newest member of the team."

In celebration of Gryffindor finding a new Keeper in Ron Weasley we had a bit of a party in the Common Room. I gave up my usual chair to take over a couch with George.

I was on my second butterbeer when Harry came back from detention. Ron spilled his butterbeer all over himself running over to Harry. Bless that kid's soul, he was so excited.

As they approached the first thing I caught was, "-where's Hermione gone?"

Fred took another swig from his butterbeer and pointed to one of the chairs by the fire. "She's there."

Ron looked a little disappointed. "Well, she said she was pleased when I told her."

I felt George tense. "Let her sleep."

I glanced at the group of first years we recently did another round of tests on. They still looked like they had recent nosebleeds. Note to self next time we test Nosebleed Nougat bring tissues. And lots of them.

Everyone drifted off to other conversations leaving me with the twins and Lee. I finished my butterbeer and looked around for another.

Lee knew what I was up to. "Fresh out Libra. Sorry."

"Just as well." Fred teased. "You my friend have a problem. Going to end up like the house elf that used to work for Crouch."

"The alcohol content is next to nothing Fred. It might be enough to get a house elf wasted, but if I wanted to I would have to spend the better part of the day continually downing them."

"Do you have to destroy my jokes with logic every time?"

I feigned surprise. "I thought that was why we're such good friends."

Sensing a lull in the conversation, I kissed George on the cheek and stood up. "Night boys. I've got homework, and I do need some sleep to function."

"Homework is for Sunday night," George protested. "And tomorrow is Saturday, the day designed for sleeping in."

"I want to get all of it out of the way so I don't have to worry about it."

He sighed. "Fine, but one more?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes and kissed him.

Lee and Fred started being smartasses.

I pulled back and grabbed the nearest cushion to launch at them. Once it hit them I gave George another kiss on the cheek and headed up the stairs.