Chapter 6- the Quidditch Season.

Harry Potter had been excited about the new quidditch season all summer. He couldn't wait to find out who would be the new captain for Gryffindor, because their last captain, Oliver Wood, had left school two years ago, and last year quidditch was cancelled because of the Triwizard Tournament. Training was tomorrow and Harry couldn't wait. But he still had to get through double Potions with Snape and the Slytherins. He shuddered at the thought of it. Snape was probably extra grouchy this year, and ready to take as many points from Gryffindor as he could, and Harry was not looking forward to the battle between him and Malfoy. After all, Harry had narrowly escaped death last year and Draco Malfoy was probably very annoyed that he was even still alive.

          "Harry, can I have a word with you please?" Professor McGonagall pulled Harry's arm to get his attention.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well, as you know, we are short of a quidditch captain. And I was wondering if you would like to take up that responsibility." She hesitated. "I mean, it might take your mind off things."

"Oh yes Professor. I will. I mean I would like to."

"Great, well, you better get off to class. I'll see you tomorrow on the quidditch pitch, yes?"

"Yes." Harry replied.

He nearly ran to class, he new how strict Snape was, so it wasn't a good idea to be late for his lesson, unless you were a Slytherin.

"Potter. You're late. I refuse to waste my lesson waiting for you." Snape growled.

"Professor McGonagall had to talk to me about something."

"Quiet! I would have thought the world famous Harry Potter would have learnt some manners by now. That's five points from Gryffindor. Now, can we please start our lesson." Harry sat down as quick as he could "Open your books, Intermediate Potions on page one, follow the instructions to making the potion and do Not distract me. Understood?"

          The lesson went on in for ages like that, bangs coming from cauldrons, Snape shouting at Neville whenever he had the chance, Slytherins getting as many points as they could and Gryffindors losing as many points as Snape could manage.

          After the lesson had finished, Harry had to go straight up to the common room to do as much homework that he could before he fell asleep in his chair. Although it was the first week, they still had as much homework as they did any other week.

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          "Right then Gryffindors. As you know, we are short of one captain and one goalkeeper. Are new captain will be Harry Potter." Everyone cheered for him.

"Nice one Harry!" Fred and George shouted in unison.

"Now, I think you should all train, and Mr Potter." McGonagall said.

"Yes Professor?"

"It is your job to find us a new goal keeper." McGonagall turned on her heel, and walked off down the field, back to the school building.

"So what should we do now Harry?" Fred asked. Harry wasn't used to giving instructions.

"Um, practice. We don't need a goaly for now, do we?"

"No, just pretend that we're really good at quidditch." George said.

"Well we are good." Angelina zoomed past Fred and George on her new broomstick. It was the new Nimbus Sky-Flyer. Harry had briefly spotted it in a shop in Diagon Alley, but him and Ron were in a hurry to get back to the Leaky Cauldron so they couldn't stand gaping at it.

Katie Bell grabbed the Quaffle before jumping on her broomstick and flying off to join Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson who were zooming around the hoops.

"So Harry, does your Firebolt still work?" George said.

"Don't know, haven't tried it this year."

"Well come on then, what are you waiting for?" Fred cried. Then the Weasley twins grabbed the two Bludgers and shot off into the air. Harry paused for a second. He wasn't too sure what he was meant to do. It was strange, there was no Wood telling Harry what to do. He released the Snitch, jumped on his broomstick and stared flying.

          Harry couldn't see the Snitch, so he decided to look at the other five players zooming around. The three chasers had improved quite a lot since he had last seen them. But that was two years ago, so Harry wasn't too surprised. Fred and George hadn't changed at all. They were still flying around like maniacs after the two balls. Harry looked around for the Snitch but couldn't see it anywhere. He didn't know what to do about the new goalkeeper. He knew that Ron liked quidditch a lot, but didn't know if he just liked watching or if he would want to play as well. He decided that he would ask Ron tonight.

          Harry spotted the Snitch, so he dived to catch it. Everyone looked around at him, then flew down to help him put the balls away. "Good work you guys. I'll see you later." Harry didn't know what else to say. So he turned around, carrying the box of balls, hoping that everyone would follow him.

          When Harry got to the Common Room, it was crowded with people. He saw Hermione and Ron in a corner, so he pushed his way over to meet them.

"Hi Harry, how did training go?" Ron asked. Hermione didn't even look up because she was concentrating on her homework.

"Alright."

"Who's the new captain, then?" Ron said eagerly.

"Um, me," Harry said shyly.

"Wow! That's great!" Ron shouted out. "And who's the new goalkeeper?"

"There isn't one yet. I have to chose someone." Harry scrunched up his nose to show that he wasn't looking forward to it.

"That'll be interesting for our first match. Won't it? Oh, I can't wait to tell Malfoy." Ron laughed.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see the look on his face." They both sat down at the table. And got out some parchment and a quill to start their homework.