The New Quidditch Captain

The train stopped at Hogwarts just as the sun was setting. The boys filed out of the compartment just after they finished putting on their robes. Their green Slytherin badges shone brightly in the moonlight. The carriages came for them and they stepped into them. The rain started to fall heavily on the faces of the first-years as they hopped into the boats and began their journey into the school.

The Great Hall's ceiling still showed hard rain even as the returning students took their place at the tables. The Slytherin Quidditch Team filed around the same spot on the table.

"Harry," the oldest, Nikolas Duncan, whispered to him. Harry looked over at him. He could see the first years' wet and bedraggled bodies shyly come into the Great Hall.

"What, Nick?" he asked the older boy.

"I talked with the other team members and they all agree. We want you to be our new Captain. Will you do it?" Nikolas asked him and looked back at the first years. The Sorting Ceremony had begun but Harry couldn't concentrate on it. He was too excited to care.

"Are you serious? Yes, I'll do it!" he whispered loudly and some of the members of the table shushed him. The other members of the team clapped him on the back but Harry only looked at Draco. He seemed genuinely happy for Harry. This new Draco seemed to be a bit much for Harry. His brother seemed to change every year.

The last name was called.

"Xavier, Marshall!" McGonagall called. A small towheaded boy stepped forward from the empty spot that had contained 20 first-years. He sat in the stool and the hat was placed on his head. He had to hold the brim of it to keep it from consuming his entire head. The hat deliberated for a moment before calling out the boy's house.

"Ravenclaw!" the hat shouted and the table erupted into cheers.

"Another smart teacher's pet," Draco remarked. The team laughed.

Harry got his schedule and followed Garret Baker, a prefect of Slytherin to the dungeon common room.

"The new password is Wolfsbane," he called out. Harry looked at his schedule as he waited to go in the common room.

"You have Transfiguration with me in the morning, Harry," a soft voice said over his shoulder. Anya stood there, her schedule in hand.

"Good, someone to cheat with," Harry teased and made her laugh. She rolled her eyes as they approached the dormitories. Anya went to the girls, leaving Harry alone.

His trunk was already at the foot of the bed and Hedwig was in her cage. He let her out to hunt. Her white form contrasted sharply with the darkness of the night. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle walked in a few minutes after Harry. They all dressed for the night and crawled into bed.