Chapter 9
A Pile of Papers
(A/N: To whom ever asked, OF COURSE I'VE HEARD OF THE FORTH BOOK! I READ IT IN ONE DAY! Sorry bout that. It's just, some people. I simply didn't like the forth book very much.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
I don't know if I said this before. I am not going by the forth book, but I am going by the two books that JK has ghost written. Quidditch Through the Ages mostly. To the story.)
When the train slowed down the group of friends stepped off. The first thing they heard was Hagrid's shouting. They all waved to him before climbing in a carriage.
When they arrived in front of the school, Dumbledore was standing in front of the doors. They gathered around him to see what was the matter.
"I need to see Mr. Potter."
Harry walked forward, not too surprised. Things like this always happened to him. Dumbledore turned and Harry followed him. Harry soon recognized it as the way to Dumbledore's office.
"I'm very sorry about this Mr. Potter. I didn't want you to miss the sorting, but I am also missing it this year for the first time."
"It's no problem Professor, and if it makes you feel any better, I haven't seen the sorting since my first year."
Dumbledore chuckled slightly as he gave the password to reveal the moving stair case. Inside the office stood a man Harry didn't know.
"So there he is! See now that wasn't so hard now was it, Albus?"
Dumbledore's lips thinned. "Yes. Harry I would like you to meet Arron Slive, Captain of the Appleby Arrows."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Potter!" He said shaking Harry's hand energetically.
"Um, you too." Harry was confused. Sally was under his shirt and she must have sensed it as she squirmed slightly.
"Please have a seat Mr. Potter."
Harry sat down in the chair that he always used. You could almost call it his seat.
"Mr. Pot-"
"Harry, please Professor, if you don't mind."
"No, not at all. Harry, do you know how old you have to be to play on a national Quidditch team?"
Had Dumbledore brought him up here to discuss Quidditch? "No Professor."
"You have to be 15. Do you know how old you have to be to join a national Quidditch team?"
"15?"
"No Harry, 14. And I do believe that you just had a birthday."
Harry didn't quite understand. "But Professor why would you want to join a team before you can play on it?"
Dumbledore opened his mouth to answer but Arron beat him to it. "I'll answer that for you Harry. See, that gives the new player a year to practice with his new team. It's not as important with a Seeker or a Keeper, but with a Chaser it would be very important."
"So Harry, the teams always ask me to send in recommendations for new players. I don't do it very often, but I sent one for you, and you got many replies. If you agree, these teams," he set down a pile of papers, "are willing to come watch you at your next game."
"But then why are you here Mr. Slive?"
"Well Harry, the Appleby Arrows are willing to let you sign now, before the game."
Harry's eyebrows lowered. "Why?"
"We feel there's no need to see you play-"
"How do you know if I'm good enough?"
"Well, you see, um, Professor Dumbledore so rarely sends in recommendations that we just-"
"Do you even know what position I play Mr. Slive?"
"Chaser isn't it? I remember that's what your father played."
"No, I'm a Seeker. And I would rather wait until after the game before I sign anything."
"I see..." Mr. Slive suddenly looked very uncomfortable. After a moment of silence he got a hint, and left.
"You handled that very well Harry."
"Professor I don't want that to happen. They didn't want me on the team, only my name."
"I understand Harry. Here, these letters include information on the teams. The newest version of Quidditch Through the Ages is already three years out of date. If more then one team still considers you after the first game, then you will have to chose the team you wish to play on. I will handle the contracts for you. You won't need to worry about that."
It hadn't even crossed Harry's mind. This was the real world. They were already dragging him in to it. "Professor, I'm not so sure."
"It's a lot to take in one night Harry, but having them watch you play won't hurt you. If you should change your mind, at least you had the choice."
Dumledore had a way with words that always seemed to hit home. Harry was still trying to take it in.
"This may be a lot on you Harry, but I should advise you to keep it to yourself for a while. Sometimes our friends will unconsciously effect our choices for the wrong reasons."
Harry looked down at the letters, and Chudley Cannons was on top. "Yes Professor I understand."
"Good, is there anything else you would like to tell me about before we go down to the feast?" Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in a way that made Harry sure that he knew anything Harry would have to tell.
"Are snakes allowed in school?"
He smiled. "You just couldn't leave her at home could you?"
Harry smiled also. "No, I couldn't. They wouldn't take good care of her."
"As long as you don't use her as a weapon or such, I see no reason for you to have to send her home."
"Thank you Professor."
"Now we should go down to the feast."
When they walked in, all eyes turned upward and Harry hurried to his seat that his friends had saved.
"Harry, what was that all about?"
Harry didn't answer, and they didn't ask again. A while later, he broke the silence.
"Dumbledore says I can keep Sally."
"You asked him?"
"Well, he seemed to already know about her. He wanted to know if there was anything else I wanted to ask him, and I asked if snakes were allowed."
"Well then, I guess you don't need to keep her a secret, as long as you don't cause a panic."
"Yeah," Harry's mind wandered to the pile of papers that were in his cloak. Needless to say he didn't eat very much that night. After what seemed like forever, Dumbledore stood.
"I'm very sorry about my missing of the sorting, but there was a matter that needed my immediate attention. I am to announce that both the Gryffindor and the Slytherin houses will need to elect new Quidditch team captains. All those who wish to participate in the vote should meet here on Friday. Anybody who wishes to try out for the teams should meet on the field on Saturday. I have a new Professor to introduce. Professor Deleve came here for another reason, but has agreed to remain and teach the Defense position. Please stand."
Harry looked at the staff table, it was a girl. She was young, not a day over 30. Harry thought she look vaguely familiar, but couldn't place it.
They made their way up to the common room. All the first years who had ate too much went up too bed, but Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry sat around the fire. The others talked, but Harry spent most of his time silent. Sally had made her way out and sat on his lap, gaining him a lot of 'Is that real?', 'Where did you get it?', and other such things, all of which he ignored.
"Harry, is something the matter?"
"No."
"Yesss there isss," hissed Sally.
"Yes, Sal," Harry hissed back, gaining him stares from all around the room, "but I need to keep it to myself. They can't know, especially not Ron."
"Well, who am I going to tell?"
"I dunno, sometimes I think you and Ginny are very close to understanding each other perfectly."
"Well, I have a bit of help. She'sss really worried and ssscared right now, I can feel it all the way over here."
"She has no reason too be."
"They probably think it hasss sssomething to do with Voldemort. But I've been around enough to underssstand the word 'Quidditch' when I hear it. You know, all three of them are worried, maybe you should sssay sssomething to calm them down a little."
Harry looked up, and his friends were still looking at him, worry all over their faces. "Guys, it had nothing to do with Voldemort, so stop worrying. I just need to keep it to myself." Ron and Hermione relaxed, but Ginny didn't.
"Well it didn't help Gin."
"Like I couldn't tell Sal. The whole room is staring at us. They've never seen me say more then three words in Parseltounge."
"You tell me asss though I care. What'sss it to you if they ssstare? I only showsss they need sssomething to do."
"Well, want to help me go over these letters?"
"Sssure, asssk the only one in the room who can't read." Harry laughed, Sally had a way with making him feel better. He started to read the papers in Parseltounge to her.
There are thirteen teams in the British and Irish League. Each year they compete for the League Cup. The year being right, the winner of the League cup will go on to compete for the European Nationals Cup, played every three years, and the World Cup, played every four years. Every twelve years when the two cups fall on the same year, the European Nationals are played later in the year when the World Cup is over. Over the past three years the League cup has been won by the Falcons once, then the Catapults twice. The Catapults went on to win the European Nationals one year and get in the playoffs of the World Cup the next year.
Chudley Cannons
Robes: Bright Orange emblazoned with a speeding cannon ball, and a double "C" in black.
Captain: Ray Snile
Line Up: Seeker- Lin Barstel
Keeper- Terry Smith
Chaser- Jack Yinn
Chaser- Kyle Trance
Chaser- Cara Miles
Beater- Barney Trup
Beater- Linda Swean
Description: The Cannons have now what they call a 'dry spell'. They have won the League Cup twenty one times, but the last time they did so was in 1892. The team members and many of the fans believe that all it will take is a little push to put them on a winning streak again. Most others feel that it would take more of a punch.
Motto: "Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best." (Changed in 1972 from "We shall conquer")
Falmouth Falcons
Robes: Dark Gray and White with a falcon-head emblem across the chest.
Captain: None, (the Falcons claim that they hate being controlled.)
Line Up:
Seeker- Lee Marshel
Keeper- Mark Vaise
Chaser- Sid Atle
Chaser- Nick Jert
Chaser- Jude Save
Beater- Tom Crase
Beater- Sam Elle
Description: The Falmouth Falcons have been known for hard play ever since their famous Beaters Kevin and Karl Broadmoor. The team has always tried to hire Beaters and other players that don't mind breaking a few limbs. They have won the British and Irish League Cup fifteen times, and the European Nationals once, when Kevin and Karl were still around. Their rivals are almost everyone, though the Caerphilly Catapults have a grudge against them for an incident that happened last year. The Falcons like to use the method of distracting the players with insulting comments. This is an old tradition, and were the name Falmouth came from.
Motto: "Let us win, but if we cannot win, let us break a few heads.
Montrose Magpies
Robes: Black and white with one magpie on the chest and another on the back.
Captain: Kyle Smith
Line Up:
Seeker- Kevin Prilt
Keeper- Ben Black (Known as BB among fans. Many don't understand the meaning of it, but Ben was Muggle born and says he played with his BB gun as a child.)
Chaser- Ryan McCarty
Chaser- John Nile
Chaser- Brian Parker
Beater- Ross Tomson
Beater- Pat Myer
Description: Though still the most successful team in history of the British and Irish League, they have recently hit a 'dry spell'. They have won the League Cup thirty two times and the European Nationals twice. The 'dry spell' started when their Chaser Molly True left. They claim she was the best player they ever had. She left to raise her children, and then left the country due to all the people protesting in front of her home that she rejoin the team. All Magpie fans pray that the 'dry spell' will not last as long as the Cannons' has.
Motto: The Magpies adopted Eunice Murray's petition of "A faster Snitch because this is just too easy!" as their motto.
Caerphilly Catapults
Robes: Horizontally stripes of light green and scarlet. (Changed from vertically striped when Tiffany Casit joined last year and claimed they made her look fat.)
Captain: None, (the Catapults say that with team work they can help each other without a coach.)
Line Up: Seeker- Sue Litrel
Keeper- Chuck Fring
Chaser- Brad Bowl
Chaser- Chad Bowl
Chaser- Lad Bowl
Beater- Tiffany Casit
Beater- Tony Suring
Description: Quickly becoming the best team in the British and Irish League. They were the winners of the League Cup and European Cup last year. The made if to the playoffs for the World cup but were beaten by the Fitchburg Finches who's seeker Maximus Brankovitch caught the snitch within the first few minutes. Sue Litrel, the Seeker, actually plays the position of Chaser. She was changed to allow the triplets to work together. She has only caught the snitch six times in the past three years. The team has won by getting so far ahead that the other team catches the snitch even though it won't help them. These matches though often last a few days, in which the teams only have four hours to eat and sleep before they start again. The Chasers are triplets, giving them the advantage of anticipating each other's moves. Their rivals are the Falmouth Falcons, which began when Sam Elle called Tiffany fat in the middle of their game. She then in a bludger at him, sending him to the hospital for a week.
Motto: "You may say it, but can you play it?"
Tutshil Tornadoes
Robes: Sky-blue with a dark blue double "T" on the chest and back.
Captain: Carl Hennik
Line Up: Seeker- Willy Swarts
Keeper- Zac Pryce
Chaser- Trevor Collins
Chaser- Ashley Grass
Chaser- Matt Plut
Beater- Anthony Gougus
Beater- Bethy Indigo
Description: The Tutshil Tornadoes hold the record of winning the League Cup five times in a row. One of their retired players still holds the record for the fastest Snitch capture in 1921 of three and a half seconds against the Catapults. Ever since this capture the Tornadoes have tended to look for very fast seekers. Their favorite technique is a quick capture before the other team has a chance to score any points. The Tornadoes came in second for the League Cup, the beaters of the Catapults keeping Willy away from the snitch.
Motto: Quick witch for a quick snitch, quick pin for a quick win.
Kenmare Kestrels
Robes: Emerald green robes with two yellow Ks back to back on the chest.
Captain: Jack Hyrps
Line Up: Seeker- Meredith O'Hare
Keeper- Erin Lynn
Chaser- Patrick McGrivin
Chaser- Harold Synee
Chaser- Lady Preeth
Beater- Mark Nolith
Beater- Taylor Rekle
Description: This Irish team has become more of a European team as they no longer limit to Irish players. Meredith O'Hare's father Darren O'Hare has been known to attend the Kestrels' practices and give them tips. The Kestrels have been known to use the Chaser Hawkshead Attacking Formation, of which Darren O'Hare is credited with the invention of, quite often.
Puddlemere United
Robes: Navy Blue with two crossed golden bulrushes.
Captain: Barron Victory
Line Up: Seeker- Daisy Jertish
Keeper- Hale Reden
Chaser- Sophia Minvil
Chaser- Radley Winson
Chaser- Samantha Chelves
Beater- Victor Bruze
Beater- Mildred Nolves
Description: Being the oldest team in the league seems to gain them much respect, respect which may be undeserved. Puddlemere has won the League Cup twenty two times, and the European National Cup twice. All those who know them though say that the team is very easy going and loves to fool around. On the field there is no sign of this but it is easy to see during the victory parties.
Wigtown Wanderers
Robes: Blood Red with a silver neat cleaver on the chest.
Captain: Oliver Tynce
Line Up: Seeker- Halee Nixed
Keeper- Stewart Astwim
Chaser- Lauren Rumvix
Chaser- August Qupen
Chaser- Lucy Bezy
Beater- Luke Bezy
Beater- Major Parkin
Description: The Wanderers have won the League Cup nine times. Fans of the team have been known to dress in imitation of Walter Parkin in attempt to bring their old good luck back. Major Parkin is a descendent of the original seven siblings of the butcher.
Motto: We'll slice you to pieces.
Wimbourne Wasps
Robes: Horizontally striped robes of yellow and black with a wasp on the chest.
Captain: Greg Livin
Line Up: Seeker- Lisbeth Smith
Keeper- Brenden Philips
Chaser- Roy Crilt
Chaser- Vicki Zinith
Chaser- Pansy Finim
Beater- Thore Srim
Beater- Leo Breve
Description: The Wasps have won the League Cup eighteen times and have been in the playoffs for the European Cup twice. The Wasps have always looked for fast Chasers. Wasp Fans known as "Stingers" will buzz loudly to distract the other team while they are taking a penalty shot.
Motto: Buzzzzzzzzzzzz
Harry finished with a sigh. "Ssso you mean there'sss no Sssally Sssnake team? Then why on earth do you enjoy thisss sssport! Ssstart your own team!"
"Sal, not now."
"Sssorry Harry. I'm really the lassst one you should be talking to. I don't underssstand any of it."
"I can't talk to anyone else about it. If Ron finds out he'll want me to join the Cannons, and I can't do that. This is my entire future."
"Well, Ginny can keep a sssecret. She won't tell you what to do and she won't tell Ron. Plusss then she would ssstop being ssso worried. You know, that'sss an ugly thing to know sssomeone feelsss."
"Alright, you take her to a room and then come get me. Okay?"
"Ssso Ron doesssn't asssk quessstions?"
"Exactly."
Sally went up Ginny's leg and looked her in the eye. "She wants you to follow." Harry put in.
"Alright Sal, were we going?" Sally just started away, and Ginny followed her out of the portrait hole.
Fifteen minutes later, Harry rose and started to walk out. "Hey Harry, where are you going?"
"For a walk," he responded shortly, and he left quickly.
As though he had timed it, Sally was coming up the hall. "Where did you leave her?"
"A bathroom that she sssaid nobody usssesss."
"Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom."
Harry hurried down to the place he hadn't visited for two years now. He found the room and went in quickly. Ginny was sitting on the floor, talking with Myrtle.
"Harry, why are we here? I was sure Sally was trying to tell me to stay."
"I asked her to take you somewhere, because I needed to talk to you, and Ron can't know about it."
"Secrets! Nobody ever included Myrtle in secrets."
"Hello Myrtle."
"You don't come in here like you used to. Nobody comes to talk."
"Well this is a girl's bathroom, I'm not aloud in here."
"What can't Ron know Harry?"
Harry sat down and started telling her what had happened, and why he needed to keep it a secret. Ginny sat there with her mouth open.
"Holy Crap, I don't believe this."
"Me neither, it hasn't sunk in."
"This could determine your whole life!"
"Shhh! It's 9 o'clock, we're supposed to be back by now."
"Footssstepsss Harry!" Sally warned, and she went out the door to see who it was.
"Shit. Myrtle, cover for us and start crying. Please, do me a favor."
"Favor! Nobody ever does Myrtle favors!" She burst in to tears, making a lot of noise.
"It'sss a tall guy with really oily hair." Sally said quickly.
"It's Snape. My luck." He turned to the sink, and hissed "open". The sink disappeared. Ginny jumped in first, and Harry followed quickly with Sally on his neck.