Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and characters related to it. Harry Potter and its characters are the intellectual property of the talented J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. Scholastic, Raincoats, and Bloomsbury books. Storyline and plot have been developed partially based on the plots, characters, and storylines of the first 5 installments of Harry Potter, The Sorcerer's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire, and The Order of the Phoenix.


Author's note: Thanks again for the reviews. Truly appreciate it. Little more romance in this chapter but not a lot.

Chapter 14

"There's hope for this team yet," thought Harry as he looked over the selection of the new Gryffindor chasers that Saturday morning. It was a beautiful morning for quidditch; the sun was high above their heads, with clear cloudless skies.

The team tryout had gone quite well. There were a dozen odd hopeful participants that turned up for the selection. Among those that had showed up included Harry's very own dorm mate, Seamus Finnigan. Harry had divided them into 4 different teams, each taking turns to play one another as he watched over the players. Harry had asked Professor McGonogall to attend the team tryouts that morning, out of courtesy of course. Harry didn't feel that the Transfiguration professor's presence would do much good to sooth the nerves of the already jumpy bunch of Gryffindors gathered that morning. Professor McGonogall did oblige, choosing to watch from a good distance from the pitch, so as not to distract the players from their games.

As the team had discussed the day before, the tryouts were held by dividing the participants into teams, with Ron and Katie tending to the goal on either side, Kirke and Sloper swinging their bats at the bludgers, hitting them in every direction trying to find a chaser to hit. Ron's confidence as keeper had seemingly grew since they won the quidditch cup the previous season. He was giving the chasers that were scoring against him a very hard time indeed, making excellent saves time and again. He still made a few mistakes, allowing in a few goals, but overall he was less tense than he was when he first made it as the team keeper. Katie was also doing quite well, playing out of position. Sure, she had allowed more goals in compared to Ron, but Harry could visibly see the differences between the chasers that very day. He had noticed a few 4th years that he thought would be excellent additions to the team in the coming year when Katie left school. Kirke and Sloper were doing reasonably well, which only led Harry to believe that they had managed some form of practice during the summer, or maybe if it was just their nerves that gave them problems the previous year. They were doing a reasonable job of making the chaser's lives difficult although there were a few times that Harry wondered if Sloper had intentionally hit the bludger the way he did, or if the bludger just happened to fly into his bat. Nevertheless, they performed as well as could be expected for players of their calibre.

By the end of the tryout, it as clear to Harry as to whom he would select as the two new chasers for the Gryffindor quidditch team. Seamus had performed exceptionally well in all his test matches. He had displayed great flying ability and he had managed to baffle Ron once or twice when he had scored spectacular goals. One problem that Harry noticed though, was that Seamus had the tendency to carry the quaffle a little too often. He hogged the quaffle quite abit, which reduced his effectiveness as a team player.

The other chaser that had caught Harry's eye (in more ways than one) was none other than, Ginny Weasley. Harry already knew that she was quite a good flyer, but he never quite expected her to play the way that she did. She didn't score many goals, only putting two or three quaffles through the hoops during the test matches, but she displayed a keen sense for the game. She had managed to dodge bludgers that were being sent her way. She had wiggled in and out of opposing chasers, as well as set up a great many chances for her team mates to score. She also managed to steal the quaffle from the opposing chasers on a great number of occasions, her rather small build making her extra speedy and almost undetectable when she snuck up behind opposing chasers. Harry also had a weird flipping feeling whenever she managed to score on those few occasions. He waited to talk to Katie Bell before he told Professor McGonogall of his choices.

Katie had agreed with Harry on Ginny, and although she was impressed with Seamus's skills as a chaser, she pointed out Seamus's seemingly selfish play on the pitch to Harry. However, she did not make too much of a fuss about Harry's decision, as she agreed that Seamus could be trained to be a team player. Professor Harry had gone to see Professor McGonogall about the new selections, and he noticed Ron and Katie giving Ginny the 'thumbs up' as he left the pitch.

Professor McGonogall seemed to be thinking somewhere along the lines of Katie, and promptly agreed with Harry's decision, leaving the team captain to make his announcements to those that had tried out on that day.

"I regret that we only have two selections for the team this year," he said to the crowd of Gryffindors. "Some of you have shown exceptional promise in today's tryouts and I urge you to try again for the team next year, as we will need a chaser to replace Katie when she leaves. On this day however, the new chasers for the Gryffindor quidditch team will be Seamus Finnigan and Ginny Weasley," he announced.

There was murmur of disappointment among some of the people, but they accepted the team captain's decision. Harry noticed Katie encouraging some of the 4th years that he had thought, would make excellent chasers in the future. He went to see Seamus and Ginny after his announcement.

"Harry! I made it! I'm so excited. Thank you so much for picking me," said Ginny excitedly.

"Don't thank me Ginny. You pretty much landed the spot all by yourself," he said as he beamed at her. Seamus though, was not as composed as Ginny.

"I'm on the team! I'm on the team! I knew that being dorm-mates with the captain of the team had to count for something!" said an ecstatic Seamus as he shook hands with Harry and Ron.

"Well Seamus you did play quite well today. But I'll be blunt, you were a little selfish on the pitch and we'll need to train you to be more of a team player," said Harry.

"I was selfish?" asked Seamus.

"Well you were quite a hog on the pitch today if you didn't notice," snapped Ron as Seamus shot a look at him.

"What are you trying to say?" asked Seamus, gritting his teeth slightly. The tone of which Ron had said that apparently aggravated him a little.

Harry could sense a little tension building up between Seamus and Ron. He decided to calm things down a little before Ron or Seamus ended up saying something they'd regret.

"You'll just need some time to fit in to the team, that's all. I'll tell you guys about the next training session once I've worked out a schedule. Good work out there today Seamus," said Harry as Seamus seemed to ignore the earlier tension and shook Harry's hand again before he headed for the Gryffindor showers.

"What was that about Ron?" asked Harry as they returned to the Gryffindor common room.

"What was what?" asked Ron.

"You snapped at Seamus when you told him he was a selfish player," said Harry.

"I did? Guess I did it without realising," replied Ron shrugging a little. "I guess some part of me still hasn't really forgiven him for calling you a liar last year. Think I was a little too straightforward when I told him he was a selfish player?"

"Well, the tone of your voice spoke for itself."

Ron shrugged again and didn't say anything. Harry had been touched by his friend's loyalty the previous year, standing up for him when Seamus hadn't believed him about Voldemort's return.

"I'll clear it up with him later I guess," said Ron. "Too bad Fred and George aren't around anymore. I can just imagine what it would be like, when they announce the Gryffindor team members, and introducing the Gryffindor team, Bell, Potter, Weasley, Weasley, Weasley and Weasley!" he said light-heartedly as the both of them chuckled.

They entered the common room to see a wave of congratulations surrounding Ginny. She looked really happy and was grinning from ear to ear, a smile which made Harry's knees buckle slightly as he had to suddenly fight to keep his composure.

"Well Harry, I hope that your decisions today were not influenced in any way," said Hermione playfully as they entered the common room.

"I don't know what you're suggesting Hermione but….," said Harry defensively before he was cut off.

"I know Harry I was just teasing," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Later that night, Harry was having a tough time trying to keep up with the homework that he had left unattended to until the weekend. His mind was already suffering from the long day that he had, and all that he had learned in potions that week seemed to have leaked out of his ears. He was having a hard time trying to figure out the function of salamander blood when used with the everlasting sleep potion.

"This is hopeless!" he cried out, tossing his quill on the table. "Times like these I wonder why I even bothered taking potions again," he said hopelessly as he rested his forehead on one of his hands. 

"Hey mate, like I said, I'm glad it's not me in the dungeons with Snape every Wednesday," said Ron with a grin. "Can't help you out with potions Harry," he said slightly apologetically.

"I can't believe that it's only the first week of the term and I'm already stuck on a potions essay. Somebody just turn me into a ferret, then at least I'll have an excuse for not finishing the essay," said Harry as Ginny, Hermione and Ron laughed out loud.

"Oh just let me have a look at the essay Harry," said Hermione when she had finished laughing.

"Thanks Hermione."

Ginny was doing her Astronomy homework. Harry just stared dreamily at her as she scratched her nose with the tip of her quill, which was a habit of hers that Harry had noticed. She was writing her notes on her parchment, her mouth mimicking the words as she wrote them down. Her fringe fell over her eyes, covering her sight and she lifted her small hands to push her hair out of her eyes. Harry had thought that her brown eyes were twinkling, matching the redness of her hair.

"Harry……..Harry!" called Hermione, snapping Harry out of the daze he was in. "I was telling you that salamander blood is used to neutralize the effects of adding dragon's liver into the potion. Have you been paying any attention?" she asked, slightly irritated by her friend's lack of attention.

"Sorry Hermione, just drifted there for a second," said Harry recomposing himself. He really wondered what had gotten into him. Hermione seemed to have noticed where Harry's attention was and was grinning madly.

"I'll just walk you through the essay," she said to him. "Hopefully we'll get it done by the end of the night."

So Hermione helped him out with the rest of his essay. She had helped him tremendously by pointing out his errors, or merely acting as a walking, breathing, talking reference book that Harry could constantly refer to whenever he needed. Ron had excused himself a little earlier, saying that he was very tired from waking up early that day. Harry knew what Ron meant. His eyelids were already drooping from having to wake up early that morning for the team tryouts. It was quite a while before he had finally managed to finish his essay and allowed Hermione to look through it. Ginny had already finished her work earlier and had gone to bed.

"So Harry, still wondering about Ginny Weasley?" asked Hermione cheekily as she handed him back his essay. "The essay's fine by the way, shouldn't be too much of a problem even by Snape's demanding standard."

Harry was really tired by this time and was not really in the mood to talk about his love-life with Hermione when something suddenly occurred to him.

"Err.. Hermione?" he asked.

"Yes Harry?"

"You know last year, you said something about Ginny being 'over' me…," said Harry uncertainly. "Well I was just wondering….you know…..if….."

"Oh Harry," giggled Hermione. "You're still hopeless sometimes when it comes to girls. Yes Ginny got over you, meaning she got over hero worshipping you a long time ago," she explained. "It just means she's looking at things more maturely right now."

Harry was slightly relieved at hearing this. He just smiled and yawned again.

"Well you'd best get to bed Harry. You've had quite a day," said Hermione.

"Yeah, I think I'm going. Night Hermione," he said as he got up to leave. "Aren't you going to bed too?" he asked.

"Yeah I am. I'm just writing a letter to Viktor. I'll just finish it and go to bed," she said.

Sometimes Harry really wondered about Hermione and Viktor Krum. She never mentioned anything about going to Bulgaria to visit him after the final trial in his fourth year. He assumed that Hermione didn't go to Bulgaria because she didn't mention it, or did she? He made a mental note to ask Hermione about it the next time he got a chance before he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

"It has been done, my lord,"

The man that was Peter Pettigrew did not seem as Harry had remembered him. The little rat like man that was once his parent's best friend had a look of evil confidence about him, his silvery hand hung by his side as he bowed to greet his master.

"Well done Wormtail. I am pleased that you have made yourself most useful in the past year," said Voldemort.

"Thank you my lord. I only live to serve you," said the man.

"Ah Wormtail, ever the boot licker. But yes, you have pleased me, and Lord Voldemort always remembers his faithful," said Voldemort venomously. "Now, it is nearly time. Nearly time for me to claim what is rightfully mine, and no one, not even Potter will be able to defy me again.

Voldemort had turned around and he picked up a glass-like orb, which was jet black in colour and glowing faintly.

"Soon……..soon the time will come. And I will claim what is rightfully mine," he said as his maniacal laughter echoed through the halls, bringing a chill down Harry's spine.

Harry woke with a start. His forehead was throbbing and his scar was burning like it had never done before, he was covered in cold sweat and his hands were shaking. He knew what had just happened. He had just witnessed something that Lord Voldemort was planning, in his dreams. This time though, it was different from the previous year, he wasn't seeing things through Lord Voldemort's eyes. He had been in the same room as Voldemort, looking at what was going on as though he was not there. He didn't know what to think. Was he being possessed by Voldemort again? What was he planning? Is he in danger? Are they in danger? His mind was racing with the endless possibilities that the dream could have meant and slowly, he regained his composure. He knew who he had to see. He had to see the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.