Chapter 16

The next week was very quiet. On Saturday Harry came downstairs, wearing his Quidditch robes and looked at the sign up sheet he posted for the team tryouts. He scanned it quickly and smiled. Alex had put her name down for keeper, as did Kagato, Colin and Seamus. For chasers Ron, Dean, a second year Harry didn't know and to his surprise, Neville. Soon Fred, George, Katie and Alicia had joined him.

"Not many on the list this year." George said

"Yeah, but that should make it easier, unless they're not any good." Said Fred.

"Are you guys kidding? Alex is trying out for keeper. He father was supposed to be better than Oliver is. Even he had said that once."

"I just hope it runs in the family Katie." Alicia smiled.

"Well, we need to get them up. Girls go get Alex. Fred and I'll get the boys."

The twins smirked and Harry knew they were up to something. The girls and the twins disappeared up the stairs. Alex came down a few moments later with Katie and Alicia. They talked as they waited for Fred and George. Harry was glad to see Alex smiling again. For the first part of the week she had barely said a word and he was still in the dark about what she was told. Kagato still wouldn't tell him. Suddenly there was a small explosion that stopped the conversation. They looked at the stairs as black smoke filtered down. Ron, Dean, Neville and Seamus came down the stairs. Ron was swearing under his breath about Fred. They were all covered in shoot and a green gooey liquid. There were two more explosions. Colin and the second year boy came running down the stairs, shaking, and looking just like the other boys. They waited for the sound of a fourth explosion, signaling that the twins had gotten Kagato up, but it never came. There was, however, the sound of thumping coming from the boys' stairs. Then it sounded like the twins screamed. They came running down the stairs, covered in something yellow and very sticky. Kagato followed after them, grinning. His robes were sparklingly clean.

"That was completely uncalled for Kagato." Fred moaned as he tried to get the substance off his robes.

"Yes, totally unnecessary. We were just going to wake you up."

"Sure you were. Next time, plan the explosions to go off all at once." Kagato winked and walked over to Alex. He slipped his arm around her waist and hugged her. Ron rolled his eyes. The rest of them snickered. "Good morning everyone." Alex leaned up, quickly kissed Kagato on the cheek and started to blush. He just smiled. Harry cleared his throat.

"Ok, enough fooling around. Go and clean up. We have work to do." The boys went upstairs and came back in a few moments, clean. Harry motioned for them to pick up their brooms, which were now being kept in the common room. Once everyone had their brooms, they walked down the stairs and headed for the entrance, all were talking about Quidditch. Harry reached for the front doors with out looking and it was suddenly jerked from his hand and slammed shut. Snape was standing by the door.

"And where are you all going?" Harry sighed.

"Sir, it's our try out day. I booked the Quidditch field three weeks ago. Professor Dumbledore knows that we.." Snape cut him off and pointed at Alex.

"She is not permitted to try out. Back to your common room Miss Reese." They all stood there, mouths open and speechless. "I suggest you do as you are told, now go." Alex shook her head, hugged Kagato and turned around. She got as far as the marble staircase when she heard her name.

"Miss Reese, come back down here." She turned and Dumbledore was now talking to Snape. Smiling, she ran back to the others.

"Now Professor, there is no reason that Miss Reese shouldn't play."

"I am only concerned for her safety. She should not be outside the castle."

"The Quidditch pitch is not a dangerous place to be. Madam Hooch is waiting there for them. I asked her to supervise the tryouts. Besides, I am interested to see if she has the same talent that her father did." He smiled at Alex. Snape breathed heavily.

"Her father wasn't THAT gifted. I thought you were interested in her safety, I guess I was wrong." He turned and went back to his office. The small group giggled.

"Now, off with you. Madam Hooch is waiting." Dumbledore smiled and walked to the stairs as they all walked outside to the pitch, laughing at Snape.