CHAPTER SIX .
The Quiddich Trials
The following day, Harry, Ron and Hermione went down for breakfast together. Neville had been among the people who had arrived over night, and was sitting cheerfully at the Gryffindor table. A small line of first years was at the front, eating at the teacher's table. When most people had finished breakfast, Dumbledore clapped his hands.
'Please can I have your attention. Yesterday, several students were unable to board the Hogwarts express. Therefore, they will be sorted now. If you would please be so kind as to wait before going to your first lesson.'
A nervous first year walked up to the three-legged stool and pulled the hat down over his ears. 'GRYFFINDOR!' Shouted the hat, and the Gryffindor table's cheers echoed throughout the castle. All of the ten students were in Gryffindor 'What a coincidence.' Said Ron, sarcastically.
Harry watched the new Gryffindors. They looked tired, and puzzled that they had all been in Gryffindor, but suddenly Alicia Spinnet came running over, looking delighted, which took Harry's mind right off the first years. 'Harry! Professor McGonagall just appointed me head of Gryffindor Quiddich team!' She burbled 'Everyone is still on the team, except we need a new keeper.' Harry looked at Ron, but he was deeply engrossed in a conversation with Seamus. 'When are you choosing the new keeper?' Asked Harry on Ron's behalf. 'This evening.' Said Alicia 'I put a notice about it on the house board.' Harry hoped Ron would get a place. He was a very good quiddich player.
At this moment Professor McGonagall came around handing out the new timetables. 'Look!' exclaimed Ron, examining it 'Professor Anigin!' He's the new defence against the dark arts teacher!' Harry looked at the timetable too- Anigin? Harry had certainly never heard of him before. 'I hope he's better than Crouch!' Said Hermione, smiling.
None of their previous Defence against the dark arts teachers had lasted long. There were rumours that the job was jinxed. 'We only have him on Thursday afternoon!' Said Ron with a mixture of expressions in him voice 'To keep us in suspense.' Harry looked up at the top table. A wizard that Harry didn't recognise was sitting at the table, with his back to Harry, so he couldn't see his face. He was wearing long black robes, and a black, stiffly pointed wizards hat covered his head, with no hair showing underneath. 'That must be him.' Said Hermione in an undertone, following Harry's gaze. She had a puzzled expression on her face, and her eyebrows were knitted, as though she was thinking very hard.
'History of magic first!' Ron groaned 'What a way to start the week!' 'Come on!' Said Hermione, rubbing her forehead, and getting up keenly. 'It might not be Bins, Ron!' 'Yeah, right Hermione! Nothing can stop him teaching- he's already dead!' 'Just trying to be encouraging.' Hermione muttered huffily.
They spent a boring history of magic lesson making notes on the wand revolution. 'Nobody cares that some guy flicked a piece of wood and discovered they could cast spells with it!' Said Ron frustratedly. 'Well, personally, I think it's quite interesting.' Said Hermione, taking a third piece of parchment to copy notes onto. 'Think of the time it saved wizards all over the world, Ron. They had to use cauldrons for-' 'Would you give it a rest Hermione?' Groaned Ron. He turned his back to her, taking fresh piece of parchment and scribbling the title of the page they were supposed to be copying from. He rolled his eyes at Harry, and Harry grinned, ducking behind Lavenders head as Binns gave him a severe look. He decided he'd better concentrate for the rest of the lesson, as Binns wasn't in a good mood, and busied himself with his notes. By the end of the day Harry was exhausted, but looking forward to the Quiddich trials later. 'C'mon Ron!' Called Harry after charms 'You don't want to be late!' Ron ran quickly up to the dormitories to get his new broom, a cleansweep 7, and they made their way down to the pitch. 'I won't get in.' Said Ron, smoothing the brooms tail fondly. 'Oh, you will!' Said Harry hopefully. 'D'you really think so?' Said Ron, his ears going pink. Ron was so eager to get there; he started jogging, and then broke into a run. Harry couldn't keep up with him. 'Ron!' Harry panted 'You'll tire yourself out!'
When they arrived, what looked like the whole of Gryffindor house was sitting in the changing rooms waiting. More were still arriving. As Ron signed his name on the piece of parchment, Harry saw Neville, standing nervously in the corner, his own broom clutched in his sweaty hand. Also amongst the crowd were Ginny, Colin, Seamus, Dean and Dennis. 'I don't stand a chance!' Said Ron despairingly. 'You do Ron! I know it!' Said Harry crossing his fingers under his robes on Ron's behalf. 'But Seamus is amazing, and there are loads of 6th and 7th years as well!' 'They might be on the team next year- everyone except me is in the 7th year, so there'll be loads've places- but you'll get it this year Ron- I know you will!' 'So, you'll be captain?' Said Ron impertinently. 'No, you will!' Argued Harry back
At that moment, the changing room door opened, and McGonagall called a third year Harry didn't know onto the field. 'Honestly! I've called your name three times!' Harry heard McGonagall scolding the terrified third year. Harry saw that Alicia Spinnet, Madame Hooch and McGonagall were seeing each person separately. Fred and George were sitting in the corner of the changing rooms, complaining loudly why the team couldn't watch the trials. 'I heard McGonagall say that we would be biased!' Said Fred. 'We only wanted to watch, not to choose!' Said George. 'Well, at least everyone's allowed to try out! Said Fred. "I heard that the Slytherin trials for Keeper and Chaser are next week. Girls aren't allowed!' 'But half of our team are girls! They make excellent quiddich players!' Said Ron, his ears going pink once more. Slowly, all the Gryffindors had their turns, and went away. 'This is making me nervous!' Ron muttered, shakily. 'There's still the second audition to look forward to!' Said Fred, winking at Harry. 'What! I thought tha-' Ron Began to protest, but at that moment McGonagall's head appeared in the door. 'Ron Weasley!' She called. 'Good Luck!' Said Harry, as Ron was escorted out of the changing rooms. They grinned and Ron rushed off. Harry, Fred and George hurried to the window, but nothing except an unused corner of the field could be seen. They waited in the changing rooms, nervous on Ron's behalf for 10 minutes, until Ron emerged, red and sweating, but with a broad grin on his face. 'That was fun!' he gasped, sitting down. 'I'm starving let's go and get some supper!'
Fred and George stayed behind to wait for Alicia. They wanted to know how it went, and when they would know who was chosen. So Harry and Ron walked back to the castle together, Ron giving Harry an accurate description of what had happened.
They met Hermione at supper and Ron retold his story once more to for her benefit. She was trying hard to look interested. 'It's Hogsmead this weekend.' Said Hermione, looking warily at Ron who had just spotted Ginny, and looked ready to tell his story for a third time. 'Do you want to go?' 'Yeah, I'm low on stinking pellets!' Said Ron happily. Hermione looked disapproving, but relieved that Ron had been distracted enough, and didn't say anything.
They spent the rest of the afternoon in good spirits, playing chess and exploding snap in the common room. Hermione had spread her OWL textbooks and notes all over the floor (She had run out of room on the desks) and was writing a revision timetable. 'If only I hadn't lost my Model of the Galaxy!' she kept repeating. 'Astronomy lesson midnight on Wednesday.' Said Ron 'Will you survive?' 'It was all my birthday money!' She continued, ignoring Ron. Harry had the feeling that there was something more about Hermione's Model missing than she was telling them, but he didn't push it.
The Quiddich Trials
The following day, Harry, Ron and Hermione went down for breakfast together. Neville had been among the people who had arrived over night, and was sitting cheerfully at the Gryffindor table. A small line of first years was at the front, eating at the teacher's table. When most people had finished breakfast, Dumbledore clapped his hands.
'Please can I have your attention. Yesterday, several students were unable to board the Hogwarts express. Therefore, they will be sorted now. If you would please be so kind as to wait before going to your first lesson.'
A nervous first year walked up to the three-legged stool and pulled the hat down over his ears. 'GRYFFINDOR!' Shouted the hat, and the Gryffindor table's cheers echoed throughout the castle. All of the ten students were in Gryffindor 'What a coincidence.' Said Ron, sarcastically.
Harry watched the new Gryffindors. They looked tired, and puzzled that they had all been in Gryffindor, but suddenly Alicia Spinnet came running over, looking delighted, which took Harry's mind right off the first years. 'Harry! Professor McGonagall just appointed me head of Gryffindor Quiddich team!' She burbled 'Everyone is still on the team, except we need a new keeper.' Harry looked at Ron, but he was deeply engrossed in a conversation with Seamus. 'When are you choosing the new keeper?' Asked Harry on Ron's behalf. 'This evening.' Said Alicia 'I put a notice about it on the house board.' Harry hoped Ron would get a place. He was a very good quiddich player.
At this moment Professor McGonagall came around handing out the new timetables. 'Look!' exclaimed Ron, examining it 'Professor Anigin!' He's the new defence against the dark arts teacher!' Harry looked at the timetable too- Anigin? Harry had certainly never heard of him before. 'I hope he's better than Crouch!' Said Hermione, smiling.
None of their previous Defence against the dark arts teachers had lasted long. There were rumours that the job was jinxed. 'We only have him on Thursday afternoon!' Said Ron with a mixture of expressions in him voice 'To keep us in suspense.' Harry looked up at the top table. A wizard that Harry didn't recognise was sitting at the table, with his back to Harry, so he couldn't see his face. He was wearing long black robes, and a black, stiffly pointed wizards hat covered his head, with no hair showing underneath. 'That must be him.' Said Hermione in an undertone, following Harry's gaze. She had a puzzled expression on her face, and her eyebrows were knitted, as though she was thinking very hard.
'History of magic first!' Ron groaned 'What a way to start the week!' 'Come on!' Said Hermione, rubbing her forehead, and getting up keenly. 'It might not be Bins, Ron!' 'Yeah, right Hermione! Nothing can stop him teaching- he's already dead!' 'Just trying to be encouraging.' Hermione muttered huffily.
They spent a boring history of magic lesson making notes on the wand revolution. 'Nobody cares that some guy flicked a piece of wood and discovered they could cast spells with it!' Said Ron frustratedly. 'Well, personally, I think it's quite interesting.' Said Hermione, taking a third piece of parchment to copy notes onto. 'Think of the time it saved wizards all over the world, Ron. They had to use cauldrons for-' 'Would you give it a rest Hermione?' Groaned Ron. He turned his back to her, taking fresh piece of parchment and scribbling the title of the page they were supposed to be copying from. He rolled his eyes at Harry, and Harry grinned, ducking behind Lavenders head as Binns gave him a severe look. He decided he'd better concentrate for the rest of the lesson, as Binns wasn't in a good mood, and busied himself with his notes. By the end of the day Harry was exhausted, but looking forward to the Quiddich trials later. 'C'mon Ron!' Called Harry after charms 'You don't want to be late!' Ron ran quickly up to the dormitories to get his new broom, a cleansweep 7, and they made their way down to the pitch. 'I won't get in.' Said Ron, smoothing the brooms tail fondly. 'Oh, you will!' Said Harry hopefully. 'D'you really think so?' Said Ron, his ears going pink. Ron was so eager to get there; he started jogging, and then broke into a run. Harry couldn't keep up with him. 'Ron!' Harry panted 'You'll tire yourself out!'
When they arrived, what looked like the whole of Gryffindor house was sitting in the changing rooms waiting. More were still arriving. As Ron signed his name on the piece of parchment, Harry saw Neville, standing nervously in the corner, his own broom clutched in his sweaty hand. Also amongst the crowd were Ginny, Colin, Seamus, Dean and Dennis. 'I don't stand a chance!' Said Ron despairingly. 'You do Ron! I know it!' Said Harry crossing his fingers under his robes on Ron's behalf. 'But Seamus is amazing, and there are loads of 6th and 7th years as well!' 'They might be on the team next year- everyone except me is in the 7th year, so there'll be loads've places- but you'll get it this year Ron- I know you will!' 'So, you'll be captain?' Said Ron impertinently. 'No, you will!' Argued Harry back
At that moment, the changing room door opened, and McGonagall called a third year Harry didn't know onto the field. 'Honestly! I've called your name three times!' Harry heard McGonagall scolding the terrified third year. Harry saw that Alicia Spinnet, Madame Hooch and McGonagall were seeing each person separately. Fred and George were sitting in the corner of the changing rooms, complaining loudly why the team couldn't watch the trials. 'I heard McGonagall say that we would be biased!' Said Fred. 'We only wanted to watch, not to choose!' Said George. 'Well, at least everyone's allowed to try out! Said Fred. "I heard that the Slytherin trials for Keeper and Chaser are next week. Girls aren't allowed!' 'But half of our team are girls! They make excellent quiddich players!' Said Ron, his ears going pink once more. Slowly, all the Gryffindors had their turns, and went away. 'This is making me nervous!' Ron muttered, shakily. 'There's still the second audition to look forward to!' Said Fred, winking at Harry. 'What! I thought tha-' Ron Began to protest, but at that moment McGonagall's head appeared in the door. 'Ron Weasley!' She called. 'Good Luck!' Said Harry, as Ron was escorted out of the changing rooms. They grinned and Ron rushed off. Harry, Fred and George hurried to the window, but nothing except an unused corner of the field could be seen. They waited in the changing rooms, nervous on Ron's behalf for 10 minutes, until Ron emerged, red and sweating, but with a broad grin on his face. 'That was fun!' he gasped, sitting down. 'I'm starving let's go and get some supper!'
Fred and George stayed behind to wait for Alicia. They wanted to know how it went, and when they would know who was chosen. So Harry and Ron walked back to the castle together, Ron giving Harry an accurate description of what had happened.
They met Hermione at supper and Ron retold his story once more to for her benefit. She was trying hard to look interested. 'It's Hogsmead this weekend.' Said Hermione, looking warily at Ron who had just spotted Ginny, and looked ready to tell his story for a third time. 'Do you want to go?' 'Yeah, I'm low on stinking pellets!' Said Ron happily. Hermione looked disapproving, but relieved that Ron had been distracted enough, and didn't say anything.
They spent the rest of the afternoon in good spirits, playing chess and exploding snap in the common room. Hermione had spread her OWL textbooks and notes all over the floor (She had run out of room on the desks) and was writing a revision timetable. 'If only I hadn't lost my Model of the Galaxy!' she kept repeating. 'Astronomy lesson midnight on Wednesday.' Said Ron 'Will you survive?' 'It was all my birthday money!' She continued, ignoring Ron. Harry had the feeling that there was something more about Hermione's Model missing than she was telling them, but he didn't push it.