A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for those of you who attempted to read the last chapter the first little bit that it was up... Something went wrong and it wasn't working right. It's been fixed since later that day though, and I hope all of you have read it by now... Okay, so I'm thinking about starting to do more chapters per school year... The first few years weren't as important as these next few, so yeah... Also, I'm really sorry about the long update. I had TONS of school work the past few weeks, and then I didn't know where I wanted this chapter to go... Internet brownies to those who waited?
October 10, 2020
My dorm room was brisk when I awoke, so I pulled the covers up to my chin before glancing at my watch. 8:30. James was holding Quidditch tryouts in... an hour. Crap! I was supposed to meet Al in the Great Hall fifteen minutes ago...
I practically jumped out of bed, pulling on a pair of jeans and a worn-out Gryffindor tee (I think at one point it was Mum's) before running my brush quickly through my hair and pulling it back. I shrugged into a cardigan and slipped into a pair of high tops. Within ten minutes I was running through the Common Room on my way downstairs.
"Bout time you showed up," Sasha said with a smile as I slid in next to Albus. She was sitting on Al's other side, trying to get him to eat.
"Al, calm down. You've got this. You're dad was the youngest seeker in a century. You're mum's a fantastic chaser. You've got Quidditch in your blood. You've got this," I said, taking his hand and squeezing it.
"You know, if it was me, hearing about the success my family had in anything wouldn't make me feel better, it would psych me out worse..." Sasha interjected.
"Al, don't listen to her. You've got this! You're always one of the first picks for family matches..." I said.
"Uncle Charlie and Dad are loads better than I am..." Al muttered.
"Albus Severus Potter, you'll make the team. Stop worrying," Roxanne said, strutting over and sitting across from us.
"But Roxie..."
"Albus, you're brother needs a good seeker for his team. You've been going out and practicing every day after lessons -"
"How'd you know that?" Albus interjected.
"I saw you," Roxie said, shrugging. "I didn't tell James, mind you, but you weren't exactly hiding it..." Albus frowned.
"But anyway," Roxanne continued, "You'll make it. He needs you. Rose, you could probably make it as well. You're probably the best keeper in the family... You should try out too!"
"Um..." I said, blinking at Roxanne. "There is no way I'd make it..."
"Want to bet?" Roxanne said. "You could totally kill it?
"People would say it's favoritism. You Fred, Al, me, and Olivia all on James's team? There's only one person not directly connected to him on the team then," I said, shaking my head. "Besides, Quidditch isn't my thing.
"It's more your thing than Hugo's,: Roxanne said. "I"m sorry, but he really isn't that great of a chaser or keeper..."
"I'll try out if you try out," Albus said, standing. "I should go warm up. You coming, Sash?"
"But..." I sputtered. "I'm not dressed right! I don't have broom! I can't..."
"You can use my broom today," Roxanne said. "Now let's go."
"But..." I tried, still not wanting to do it.
"Come. ON" Roxanne said, grabbing my arm and practically pulling me to the pitch.
"Okay, so from last year's team, we already have two chasers, Olivia Wood and myself, James Potter, and then we have two beaters, Roxie and Fred Weasley. That leaves us with seeker, chaser, and keeper positions that need to be filled," James said as we all gathered. "We're going to do chasers and keepers at the same time, so would anyone like to go first?"
"Rose will," I heard Roxanne say from James's left.
"Rose? As in my cousin, Rose Weasley? I thought Fred jokingly put her name on the list?" James asked, confused.
"They're making me try out," I pipped up. James nodded.
"And you're willing to go first?"
"I"m willing to get the humiliation over with."
"Fair enough. You got your broom?"
"Roxie's."
James picked out a couple of applicants for the chaser position, and we mounted. Olivia would be throwing too, James explained, while he, Fred, and Roxie watched from the ground to see who stood out. The best from each group would move on to the next round and so on until James had a strong team.
I missed two shots, both of them thrown by a third year named Jessie Konner. James looked impressed with us both, and even Olivia was eyeing me up like I was a juicy steak. It was actually kind of troubling...
I made it onto the next round of really good chasers, this time missing one of James's shots. An older boy, Trevor McLaggen, was also doing really well; he only missed one of Jessie's shots and one of James's.
Finally, about two hours after we had started, James talked with Olivia, Fred, and Roxie. As they were whispering with each other, Trevor came over to me.
"That was a really good last save, Weasley..." he said, shaking my hand. I blushed.
"Thanks McLaggen. You had some pretty stellar saves as well though.."
"It's your family making the call though," Trevor countered.
"You're older; they'll respect that you deserve a chance since we were equally matched."
"Who's your favorite player?" Trevor asked suddenly.
"My aunt Ginny. On and off the pitch she's got a big heart and she's a great chaser."
"Well, what team do you support?" Trevor asked me.
"OI MCLAGGEN! Stop flirting with my cousin or we might have to change our decision!" Roxie yelled. We both turned to face the group.
"McLaggen, you're pretty evenly matched with Rose, but we decided since you're older and Rose's heart isn't exactly in the game that you should get the spot. Rose, I need you as an alternate though. Jessie, I think you realized this already, but you're the chaser spot. Let's break for lunch and in half an hour we'll regroup for seeker try-outs," James said, before heading into the changing rooms, followed by Olivia.
I sat next to Sasha in the stands, watching Albus go. Merlin, he was a natural flyer; that much was quite plain. Between his parents, it wasn't surprising. For as long as I could remember, my Potter cousins had been dominating the air.
I looked down at James looking up at his brother... It was obvious that the only seeker fit for the team was Al. James and Al were infamous together; they rarely got on well, and frankly I didn't really want to deal with a complaining Al. But he so wanted this... I honestly didn't know what to think.
"Okay, we've got the last member of our team..." I heard James call. Sasha and I immediately stood up in out seats, grabbing each others' hand. "Albus Potter, as much as I hate to admit it little bro, you're the best we've seen. Tell Dad you need his jersey."
"YES!" Sasha and I cheered before running from the stands to envelope Albus into a hug. Albus hugged us back tight, cheering.
"Al, Rose... You guys wanna come with us? Roxie, Fred, Olivia, McLaggen, and Jessie are sneaking to Hogsmeade to celebrate the best team Gryffindor has had in years... I guess you could come too, Sasha?" James asked, coming over to us later that evening, about six-thirty.
"James... That's not exactly my scene..." I said slowly.
"But we want it to be a team thing, and Al won't come without you," James complained.
"Maybe because he knows without me he's going to be bullied by you and Olivia," I retorted. "Sash and Al, go if you want. I have some studying to do..."
"I'll go if you want, Al," Sasha said.
"I think I want to go..." Al said softly.
"Then go. I need to visit the library anyway..."
I'd been in the library for almost an hour before that familiar voice greeted me.
"Weasley," Scorpius Malfoy said. I couldn't help but smile into my book.
"Malfoy," I replied, finally glancing up at him. He was smirking.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked.
"Mind if I ask you why we're back to surnames?" I retorted.
"I don't want to be beat up," Scorpius admitted.
"Luckily for you, everyone who would is busy in Hogsmeade," I said. Scorpius smiled.
"I heard you tried out for the Quidditch team and almost got the spot," he said.
"That's true," I responded, shrugging. "I've always been an okay flyer... Something I got from my dad."
"We should go flying together sometime then."
"I dunno, that'd be a hard date to conceal from James... Or anyone for that matter. Mark my words, if we go flying together, Rita Skeeter's next headline would be: What is Daddy Going to Say About His Baby Girl Dating A Malfoy or something of the like..."
"Well, what would you suggest as a date then if you want to consider it such?"
I smirked. "A picnic in the Forbidden Forest. Or exploring lost passageways of the school. Or sneaking into Hogsmeade... There are many good dates that would keep a relationship a secret..."
"Rose Weasley, would you like to have a picnic on the lakefront tomorrow for lunch?" Scorpius asked me. I looked at him, sort of shocked.
"Um, Scorp... I hate to break it to you, but I'm just not ready for a boyfriend yet..."
"I know I know... I meant just as friends. You can invite along Sasha and Albus too, I guess, if you want..."
"I'll meet you tomorrow Scorp." His smile overtook his face, and after a quick hug we both headed back to our separate Common Rooms.
