Chapter Ten: Line Change
After Double Herbology on Friday afternoon, Harry and the other sixth years hurried to the Great Hall to get some dinner, he was about half way through his meal when Ginny joined him. "How was Defence Against the Dark Arts?" he asked her.
"It was fine," Ginny told him, once she'd sat down beside him. "We haven't done anything too exciting yet, it's been mostly spells you taught us last year. We were doing the Reductor Curse today, I managed to blast through an eighteen-inch thick piece of wood, only Colin managed as good as that in my class - although Luna told me she did pretty well with it yesterday, she blasted through the twelve inch block - no-one else's managed more than the nine-inch block."
"Good work, Gin," Harry told her. He felt a feeling of pride when she told him how well she was doing, Harry wondered if that was just because she was a friend, or because his lessons the year before were partly to do with it, or was there more to it than that? He remembered his conversation with Civis on his first full day at Gryphon's Eyrie and resolved to have a talk with Hermione or Sirius soon about it.
They chatted comfortably with each other for another ten minutes, then paused when Jamie and Mark joined them - Civis, in the form of a small brown-and-white terrier trotted behind the two first years. Harry could tell that they'd been outside, as he'd had Herbology all afternoon, he knew they hadn't. "Bunked off did we?" he joked as they sat down and helped themselves to steak-and-kidney pudding.
Jamie smiled at him, "Of course we did, Harry. After all, you helped us with our Transfiguration homework last night, and the only lessons I had this morning were Charms and History of Magic, neither Flitwick nor Binns assigned homework. So we didn't have anything to do. Civis suggested we go to the Library, but we changed his mind."
"Good for you, Jamie," Harry told her with a grin. "Too much time in the Library at your age, can be bad for your health." A glare from Hermione told him she'd heard that comment. Ginny giggled and Neville smiled to himself. "By the way, I have to be somewhere tonight. I probably won't be back before curfew, so say close to Civis okay? I won't need him tonight, so I'd feel better if he was with you."
"What I am going to do, Harry?" Jamie asked. "You were going to teach me how to play Wizards Chess."
Harry thought for a moment, then glanced down the table, "Hey Nev, are you busy tonight?"
"No, why?"
"Could you go over Jamie's Herbology assignment? She's finished it, but she wants one of us to go over it to make sure its okay. I was going to do over the weekend, but you're better at Herbology than me anyway."
"No problem, Harry. I'm always glad to help."
"Good to hear Neville. Thanks."
The look on Jamie face told Harry very clearly that she'd much rather be learning to play Wizards Chess. "Thanks a lot, Harry. Being lectured about plants by Neville all night, isn't exactly my idea of fun."
"Well, at least you'll get your homework checked," Harry told her. "And Neville'll spot any mistakes. He only got three O's in his OWLs, and two of them were in Herbology."
"What was the other one in?"
"Practical Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Thanks to your Defence club?" suggested Mark.
"Quite possibly," Harry admitted. "Although it was down to him in the end. He did well in the battle at the Department of Mysteries too, better than I thought he would to be honest. I've underestimated Neville a lot in the past. I try not to do that anymore."
When he'd finished his desert, Harry rose from the table. "Neville, Jamie, Mark, I'll see you at breakfast. I'll see the rest of you at the DADA classroom at seven. Don't be late."
"We won't be Harry," Ginny assured him.
Harry nodded goodbye and headed for the door, stopping briefly to talk to Katie Bell, and the two Beaters, who both handed him a note, Harry opened the notes, then after reading the contents he chatted with them for a minute or two, then with a shrug, he left the Great Hall.
----
Hermione and Ron were the first to join Harry outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, arrived about five minutes early. They had clearly been to the Library, as Hermione was carrying several thick volumes that Harry had never seen before. From the names on the covers he guessed they were Arithmancy texts. Ginny arrived a minute later and Katie joined them just as the second hand on Harry's watch reached the hour. She had clearly been running, as she was a little out of breath. "Sorry I'm late Harry," she gasped. "Malfoy was terrorising a couple of second-year Hufflepuffs in the Entrance Hall. I didn't want to leave him until Jessie Blackfern had found Professor Snape."
"I suppose Snape let him off?" said Harry, cynically.
Katie shook her head, "Actually, he didn't."
The other Gryffindors were surprised at this, so she elaborated. "At least, he let the ten points I took from Slytherin stand. He could have taken them back again. I'm surprised he didn't actually."
"Ten points?!" exclaimed Ron. "Malfoy terrorises younger students and all Snape does it let a ten-point loss stand. If I'd tried that, McGonagall would've had my badge faster than you can say 'Chudley Cannons'."
Harry nodded agreement and walked a few steps down the corridor to a small mahogany-panelled door. He whispered a password under his breath and the door opened. Once the others had caught up he ushered them inside. The room, which was small and decorated in mahogany and Gryffindor red-and- gold, was clearly an office, and as it was in part decorated with items from the DA class the year before, clearly the office of someone working in Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"Who does this office belong to?" asked Hermione as Harry indicated that they should be seated. Hermione and Ron sat down on a small couch on the left wall while Ginny and Katie took two of the four chairs in front of the carved mahogany desk. Harry himself sat down in the padded red-leather chair behind the desk. "It's not Professor Ambrose's. Hers is attached to the Defence classroom."
"I'll tell you who this office belongs to 'Mione." Harry told her, smiling slightly.
"Who?"
"Me."
"It's yours?" Hermione said, sounding a little puzzled.
"Yep," Harry confirmed.
"Wh-why do you have an office?"
"A couple of reasons," Harry admitted. "When I talked to Albus at St Mungo's, he suggested that after last year, it might be a good idea to have a student voice on the faculty. And, as Professor Ambrose said she could do with some help this year, he decided to make my position as head of the DA, a staff one. So like all members of staff, I get my own office. I'm also going to be part of what he calls the 'Defence Council'."
"What's that?" asked Ron.
"It's a select group of staff members that will meet regularly to discuss security issues in and around the castle. The idea is to keep the knowledge of any changes to the castle's defences on a need-to-know basis. And as I probably know the castle better than anyone except Albus and maybe Filch, I'm going to be on the 'Council'."
"Who else is in this 'Defence Council'?" asked Ginny.
"Albus, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, Flitwick, Ambrose and Dr Chrystan. Jonas Johnson is going to come up at some point over the next couple of days and he'll be co-ordinate things for us."
"Why Dr Chrystan?"
"I'm not sure, Ginny," Harry admitted. "But I think he might more than he seems."
"In what way?"
"I think he might actually be Aduro Deunatus in disguise."
"Aduro? Why?"
"Well, between what Albus tells me, and a couple of talks I've had with Sirius, Remus and Tonks, I've a pretty good idea what the members of the Order I know about are doing. And Aduro hasn't been mentioned once. So, either he's not doing anything at all, which I'd say is extremely unlikely to impossible, or he is working somewhere in disguise. And with his powers, it'd have to be a non-combat role."
"Still, they don't exactly look very similar do they, Harry." Hermione pointed out.
"Who's Aduro Deunatus?" Katie asked. "And what do you mean by powers?"
"Aduro Deunatus is." Harry struggled for the right word. "A god, I guess. At least he's been called that. He was the one that brought my godfather back from behind veil in July. As for his powers. Ginny knows more about that than I do. Although I suspect he could change his appearance if he wanted to."
"Aduro has vast power." Ginny told them. "The only book I could find that mentions him and his brothers and sisters didn't go into much detail. But, from what I can tell. he's nearly invulnerable to most forms of attack, including magic; at least as strong as the average giant; can fly unaided, even though he doesn't have wings; can Apparate anywhere he wants to - with passengers - including into supposedly impregnable places like Hogwarts; and he throw fire hot enough to burn most dragons. He may also have other powers, including illusion-casting, that the author of the book didn't know about."
"That's powerful."
"Yes, it is," Harry confirmed. "And he's promised to help us against Voldemort." Kate, Ron and Ginny stiffened at the name, but said nothing. "Hermione."
"Yes, Harry."
"There are a couple of books in my collection you might want to have a look through. The copy of the Liber de Umbra that Draper got for me from a contact in San Francisco has some interesting stuff on the witch burnings and several chapters on demonology."
"That sounds interesting," said Hermione, standing up and moving to the bookcase.
"Third shelf down, it's about fourth or fifth in from the left." Harry told her, as she disappeared behind him.
"Thanks."
Harry turned to the others, "The main reason I called you all here - other than to let you know where I'll be in my free time, if I'm not in the Library or Gryffindor Tower - was to discuss the Quidditch team." Katie and the two Weasleys nodded, to show they were listening. "Now, Kirke and Sloper handed me provisional resignations just as I was leaving dinner."
"What's the provision?" asked Katie.
"They'll stay on if we can't find replacements that are as good or better," Harry replied. "They don't want to leave us without Beaters, but they don't want to play if we can do better."
"Can we though?" asked Ron. "We tried pretty hard to find Beaters last year, and they were the best we could get." Katie nodded in agreement.
"Ginny, Jamie and I met up with a couple of second years who want to play - in Quality Quidditch Supplies - when we went to Diagon Alley." Harry told them.
"Who?" asked Katie.
"I'm guessing David and Shaw?" suggested Ron.
Harry nodded. "They're perfect. Both of them are six foot, if they're an inch and they're only second years; they probably weigh over two-hundred pounds each; and according to everyone I've talk to their reflexes are faster than mine." he paused, then added with a grin. "Plus, they were buying Thunderbursts."
"Wow," said Ron. "Those are supposed to be better than the Firebolt."
"In a way, they are," Harry conceded. "They're slightly slower and a bit less manoeuvrable, but they're rock solid, very stable, and can take a direct hit from a Bludger at close range. They won't be much use to a Chaser or a Seeker, they need speed and agility, but according to Mr Quernith at Quality Quidditch Supplies, a lot of the top Beaters have bought them, and a quite a few Keepers too, including Megan McCormack and Barry Ryan."
"So we've got to get new Beaters, probably Connor and Shaw, and two more Chasers, anything else?" asked Katie.
"I'd like to find at least three new Chasers, and a spare Keeper, if possible. With all that's going on I'd like to make sure we don't get in the situation with the team that we got into last year. I want to win the Cup comfortably, not by the skin of our teeth like we managed before."
"That'd be good," said Ron.
"If Ginny's going to try out for Chaser, do you want another reserve Seeker?" Katie asked.
"I'm not going to dismiss the idea," Harry told her. "But if it's okay with Ginny, I'd rather she kept the job and the reserve Chaser takes her place if I can't play. At least for this year."
"That's fine with me, Harry." Ginny assured him. "Assuming that I can get a Chaser spot."
"You'll do fine, Ginny," Ron told her. "You were great over the summer."
"I just wish I had a better broom. The Cleansweep Six Wood left behind that I've been using isn't up to much. I was lucky last year that Cho and Summersby had fairly old brooms too, or I'd've been in trouble. A lot of people trying out for the Chaser will have newer brooms. I couldn't possibly beat a Firebolt or Nimbus Two-Thousand-And-One. Merlin's beard, I couldn't beat a Nimbus Two-Thousand or Comet Two-Ninety."
"Don't worry, Ginny. It'll all work out."
"When do you want to do the tryouts?" said Ron. "I reckon we should get started as soon as we can."
"I thought we could do them tomorrow?" Harry suggested. "I'd've done them tonight, but this is the first free night we've all had, and I wanted to talk to you guys first."
"Excellent," said Ron. "What time do you want us down there?"
"I've got the pitch booked for ten o'clock," Harry told them. "I gave Neville a notice to put up in the common room when I came down to dinner. He should've put it up by now."
They chatted about Quidditch for a while longer, then Katie said goodnight and headed back to the Tower. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione stayed in Harry's office until almost ten o'clock, then they walked back to Gryffindor Tower together. When they reached the Tower, Hermione gave the password ("Abyssinian Shrivelfig") and lead the way into the common room. Harry glanced over at the noticeboard to see if the Quidditch notice had gone up. When he turned back he could have sworn that Ron and Hermione were parting from a good night kiss, as both of them were blushing. "'Night Harry, Ginny."
"Good night, Hermione."
"'Night 'Mione."
Hermione headed up the girls' staircase to bed, and Ron followed her example a few minutes later. Harry and Ginny stayed in the common room for about another half-hour, enjoying each other's company, and then headed up to their dormitories to bed.
----
Harry was just sitting down to breakfast the next morning when several owls dropped a long, thin parcel and a note on the table in front of him. Ginny - who was the only one of his friends at the table at the time - looked at Harry, the package and then back to Harry again. "Are you expecting any mail?"
"No, I'm not," Harry told her, pulling the package towards him and opening the note:
Dear Harry,
I have recently experienced a reversal of my poor financial situation thanks to investing in the Firebolt Broom Company. I have been informed by some associates of mine, that you undertook to cover my debts to Messrs Fred and George Weasley, I am greatly appreciative of this, and hope this racing broom prototype - the successor to the Firebolt - will cover the expense.
Yours sincerely,
Ludovic Bagman Department of Magical Games and Sports
"It's from Bagman," Harry told her. "Apparently, he's got out debt and he's sent me a broomstick to cover the money I gave to the twins."
"What sort of broomstick?" Ginny asked. "You've already got a Firebolt."
"He says it's a new prototype, made as a replacement for the Firebolt."
"That'll be interesting to see, the Firebolt's still streaks ahead of anything else on the market."
"I'm going to have Civis take a look at it. I've had problems with brooms before."
"Good idea," agreed Ginny. "Let's open it first though."
Harry nodded and began tear off the wrapping paper. After a few seconds, Ginny leaned over and began to help, the broom which rolled free a minute later, was a deep inky black, with similar - though sharper - lines to the Firebolt, and a similar, smooth, birch-twig tail. Harry could feel the power emanating from it as it struggled to take to the air. The name - which was written in glittering, metallic green - was Lightstrike.
When Neville, Jamie, Mark, and Civis the terrier, arrived at the table a few minutes later, Harry left the first years in Ginny and Neville's care and signalling for Civis to follow, he left the Great Hall.
Once they were out of sight of the castle, Harry turned to his companion. "You can transform now."
Civis barked and transformed, returning to the grey-skinned, pointy-eared form that was his natural appearance. "What's up, Harry?"
"I got this by owl-mail from Ludo Bagman this morning," said Harry, handing him the broomstick. "Can you give this a thorough check?"
"No problem," said Civis, taking the proffered broom. He examined it for a moment. "Ummm... Nice, very nice, rowan with a layer of black diamonds, a couple of nice improvements to the flying charms... What's this? Godric's sword! It's got an Menslego Charm on it!"
"Is that bad?"
"No. Quite the contrary, with a little practice that charm will allow you control the broom with your thoughts."
"Wow."
"Indeed," agreed Civis. "Well, it's clean."
"You know it's clean already?" Harry said, surprised. "It took Hooch and Flitwick weeks to clear my Firebolt."
"I've been around broomsticks since Grimstone and Madam Boothby first started making them, I know them inside out."
"That's good enough for me," said Harry. "Let's head back to the Tower and get my things."
When Harry and Civis arrived at the Quidditch pitch, Harry clad in his scarlet team robes and carrying his two broomsticks, most of the people he was expecting had arrived: Katie, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Jamie, Mark, Andrew Kirke, Paul Sloper, Connor David, Henry Shaw, both Creeveys (though only Dennis carried a broom), and two others Harry didn't immediately recognise. Katie, Ron and Ginny wore their full Quidditch uniforms, but Kirke and Sloper wore only the gloves and pads over ordinary clothing.
Harry pulled Ginny away from the others to the shelter of one of the stands. "Will this help your problem, Ginny?" Harry said, handing her his Firebolt.
Ginny stared at him, "You want me to take your Firebolt!"
Harry nodded, "If this Lightstrike's as good as I think it is, I certainly won't need it. I'm sure Sirius would prefer one of my dearest friends to get some use and pleasure out of it than for it to gather dust somewhere."
"Thanks, Harry," said Ginny, accepting the shiny broomstick.
"Hide the Cleansweep under this stand. I'll lock it up in the Gryffindor changing room after we've finished the trials."
"Okay," said Ginny, doing what he suggested and then slipping back onto the field. Harry watched her for a moment then walked out onto the field himself. Glancing around he could see that Katie had got the trunk of balls out of Madam Hooch's office. The last four contenders had arrived, including second-year Euan Abercrombie. "Hello, everyone. For those of you who don't know, my name is Harry Potter, and I am the Captain and Seeker for Gryffindor." he said. "We have a vacancy for at least two Chasers, two Beaters, and reserve Keeper. We will not be taking on any new Seekers, as we already have a reserve."
At this Dennis Creevey shrugged and joined his brother on the sidelines. "As we have several positions to fill, I'm going to split you up. Keepers, go with our Chaser, Katie Bell to the hoops at the far end." Harry took the Quaffle out of the box and threw it to Katie. Ginny, Abercrombie, Emma Dobbs and two others took to the air and followed Katie. "Chasers, go with our Keeper, Ron Weasley to the other goal." Natalie McDonald and a tall, well-build, black boy Harry reckoned must be a fourth or fifth year, followed Ron, who already carried one of the spare Quaffles. The only players left were the four Beaters. "I'm going to release one of the Bludgers and let you four play with it for a while, whoever impresses me the most gets the spots. Try not to hurt each other too badly."
He could have sworn he saw David and Shaw exchange looks at that comment. Harry through a bat to each of them and waited until they were in the air, then bent down and released one of the Bludgers. "Away you go!"
An hour later, Harry had his new team: Katie, Ginny, fourth year Wilhelm Whisp, and fifth year Sharon Skelton as Chasers; Connor David and Henry Shaw as Beaters; Ron and third year Harvey Johnson as Keepers; and himself and Ginny as Seekers.
"Okay everyone, we're ready." Harry told the other eight players. "The first official practice will be on Tuesday night."
Soon the stadium was clear except for Harry and his friends. Harry mounted his new broomstick and took to the air. For five minutes, he criss-crossed the stadium and looped and manoeuvred through every move he could think of and then landed, grinning widely. "It's brilliant." he told them, he handed the broom to Neville and then headed up to castle, arm-in-arm with Ginny and Jamie, with the others following closely behind them.
A/N: Please review.
After Double Herbology on Friday afternoon, Harry and the other sixth years hurried to the Great Hall to get some dinner, he was about half way through his meal when Ginny joined him. "How was Defence Against the Dark Arts?" he asked her.
"It was fine," Ginny told him, once she'd sat down beside him. "We haven't done anything too exciting yet, it's been mostly spells you taught us last year. We were doing the Reductor Curse today, I managed to blast through an eighteen-inch thick piece of wood, only Colin managed as good as that in my class - although Luna told me she did pretty well with it yesterday, she blasted through the twelve inch block - no-one else's managed more than the nine-inch block."
"Good work, Gin," Harry told her. He felt a feeling of pride when she told him how well she was doing, Harry wondered if that was just because she was a friend, or because his lessons the year before were partly to do with it, or was there more to it than that? He remembered his conversation with Civis on his first full day at Gryphon's Eyrie and resolved to have a talk with Hermione or Sirius soon about it.
They chatted comfortably with each other for another ten minutes, then paused when Jamie and Mark joined them - Civis, in the form of a small brown-and-white terrier trotted behind the two first years. Harry could tell that they'd been outside, as he'd had Herbology all afternoon, he knew they hadn't. "Bunked off did we?" he joked as they sat down and helped themselves to steak-and-kidney pudding.
Jamie smiled at him, "Of course we did, Harry. After all, you helped us with our Transfiguration homework last night, and the only lessons I had this morning were Charms and History of Magic, neither Flitwick nor Binns assigned homework. So we didn't have anything to do. Civis suggested we go to the Library, but we changed his mind."
"Good for you, Jamie," Harry told her with a grin. "Too much time in the Library at your age, can be bad for your health." A glare from Hermione told him she'd heard that comment. Ginny giggled and Neville smiled to himself. "By the way, I have to be somewhere tonight. I probably won't be back before curfew, so say close to Civis okay? I won't need him tonight, so I'd feel better if he was with you."
"What I am going to do, Harry?" Jamie asked. "You were going to teach me how to play Wizards Chess."
Harry thought for a moment, then glanced down the table, "Hey Nev, are you busy tonight?"
"No, why?"
"Could you go over Jamie's Herbology assignment? She's finished it, but she wants one of us to go over it to make sure its okay. I was going to do over the weekend, but you're better at Herbology than me anyway."
"No problem, Harry. I'm always glad to help."
"Good to hear Neville. Thanks."
The look on Jamie face told Harry very clearly that she'd much rather be learning to play Wizards Chess. "Thanks a lot, Harry. Being lectured about plants by Neville all night, isn't exactly my idea of fun."
"Well, at least you'll get your homework checked," Harry told her. "And Neville'll spot any mistakes. He only got three O's in his OWLs, and two of them were in Herbology."
"What was the other one in?"
"Practical Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Thanks to your Defence club?" suggested Mark.
"Quite possibly," Harry admitted. "Although it was down to him in the end. He did well in the battle at the Department of Mysteries too, better than I thought he would to be honest. I've underestimated Neville a lot in the past. I try not to do that anymore."
When he'd finished his desert, Harry rose from the table. "Neville, Jamie, Mark, I'll see you at breakfast. I'll see the rest of you at the DADA classroom at seven. Don't be late."
"We won't be Harry," Ginny assured him.
Harry nodded goodbye and headed for the door, stopping briefly to talk to Katie Bell, and the two Beaters, who both handed him a note, Harry opened the notes, then after reading the contents he chatted with them for a minute or two, then with a shrug, he left the Great Hall.
----
Hermione and Ron were the first to join Harry outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, arrived about five minutes early. They had clearly been to the Library, as Hermione was carrying several thick volumes that Harry had never seen before. From the names on the covers he guessed they were Arithmancy texts. Ginny arrived a minute later and Katie joined them just as the second hand on Harry's watch reached the hour. She had clearly been running, as she was a little out of breath. "Sorry I'm late Harry," she gasped. "Malfoy was terrorising a couple of second-year Hufflepuffs in the Entrance Hall. I didn't want to leave him until Jessie Blackfern had found Professor Snape."
"I suppose Snape let him off?" said Harry, cynically.
Katie shook her head, "Actually, he didn't."
The other Gryffindors were surprised at this, so she elaborated. "At least, he let the ten points I took from Slytherin stand. He could have taken them back again. I'm surprised he didn't actually."
"Ten points?!" exclaimed Ron. "Malfoy terrorises younger students and all Snape does it let a ten-point loss stand. If I'd tried that, McGonagall would've had my badge faster than you can say 'Chudley Cannons'."
Harry nodded agreement and walked a few steps down the corridor to a small mahogany-panelled door. He whispered a password under his breath and the door opened. Once the others had caught up he ushered them inside. The room, which was small and decorated in mahogany and Gryffindor red-and- gold, was clearly an office, and as it was in part decorated with items from the DA class the year before, clearly the office of someone working in Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"Who does this office belong to?" asked Hermione as Harry indicated that they should be seated. Hermione and Ron sat down on a small couch on the left wall while Ginny and Katie took two of the four chairs in front of the carved mahogany desk. Harry himself sat down in the padded red-leather chair behind the desk. "It's not Professor Ambrose's. Hers is attached to the Defence classroom."
"I'll tell you who this office belongs to 'Mione." Harry told her, smiling slightly.
"Who?"
"Me."
"It's yours?" Hermione said, sounding a little puzzled.
"Yep," Harry confirmed.
"Wh-why do you have an office?"
"A couple of reasons," Harry admitted. "When I talked to Albus at St Mungo's, he suggested that after last year, it might be a good idea to have a student voice on the faculty. And, as Professor Ambrose said she could do with some help this year, he decided to make my position as head of the DA, a staff one. So like all members of staff, I get my own office. I'm also going to be part of what he calls the 'Defence Council'."
"What's that?" asked Ron.
"It's a select group of staff members that will meet regularly to discuss security issues in and around the castle. The idea is to keep the knowledge of any changes to the castle's defences on a need-to-know basis. And as I probably know the castle better than anyone except Albus and maybe Filch, I'm going to be on the 'Council'."
"Who else is in this 'Defence Council'?" asked Ginny.
"Albus, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, Flitwick, Ambrose and Dr Chrystan. Jonas Johnson is going to come up at some point over the next couple of days and he'll be co-ordinate things for us."
"Why Dr Chrystan?"
"I'm not sure, Ginny," Harry admitted. "But I think he might more than he seems."
"In what way?"
"I think he might actually be Aduro Deunatus in disguise."
"Aduro? Why?"
"Well, between what Albus tells me, and a couple of talks I've had with Sirius, Remus and Tonks, I've a pretty good idea what the members of the Order I know about are doing. And Aduro hasn't been mentioned once. So, either he's not doing anything at all, which I'd say is extremely unlikely to impossible, or he is working somewhere in disguise. And with his powers, it'd have to be a non-combat role."
"Still, they don't exactly look very similar do they, Harry." Hermione pointed out.
"Who's Aduro Deunatus?" Katie asked. "And what do you mean by powers?"
"Aduro Deunatus is." Harry struggled for the right word. "A god, I guess. At least he's been called that. He was the one that brought my godfather back from behind veil in July. As for his powers. Ginny knows more about that than I do. Although I suspect he could change his appearance if he wanted to."
"Aduro has vast power." Ginny told them. "The only book I could find that mentions him and his brothers and sisters didn't go into much detail. But, from what I can tell. he's nearly invulnerable to most forms of attack, including magic; at least as strong as the average giant; can fly unaided, even though he doesn't have wings; can Apparate anywhere he wants to - with passengers - including into supposedly impregnable places like Hogwarts; and he throw fire hot enough to burn most dragons. He may also have other powers, including illusion-casting, that the author of the book didn't know about."
"That's powerful."
"Yes, it is," Harry confirmed. "And he's promised to help us against Voldemort." Kate, Ron and Ginny stiffened at the name, but said nothing. "Hermione."
"Yes, Harry."
"There are a couple of books in my collection you might want to have a look through. The copy of the Liber de Umbra that Draper got for me from a contact in San Francisco has some interesting stuff on the witch burnings and several chapters on demonology."
"That sounds interesting," said Hermione, standing up and moving to the bookcase.
"Third shelf down, it's about fourth or fifth in from the left." Harry told her, as she disappeared behind him.
"Thanks."
Harry turned to the others, "The main reason I called you all here - other than to let you know where I'll be in my free time, if I'm not in the Library or Gryffindor Tower - was to discuss the Quidditch team." Katie and the two Weasleys nodded, to show they were listening. "Now, Kirke and Sloper handed me provisional resignations just as I was leaving dinner."
"What's the provision?" asked Katie.
"They'll stay on if we can't find replacements that are as good or better," Harry replied. "They don't want to leave us without Beaters, but they don't want to play if we can do better."
"Can we though?" asked Ron. "We tried pretty hard to find Beaters last year, and they were the best we could get." Katie nodded in agreement.
"Ginny, Jamie and I met up with a couple of second years who want to play - in Quality Quidditch Supplies - when we went to Diagon Alley." Harry told them.
"Who?" asked Katie.
"I'm guessing David and Shaw?" suggested Ron.
Harry nodded. "They're perfect. Both of them are six foot, if they're an inch and they're only second years; they probably weigh over two-hundred pounds each; and according to everyone I've talk to their reflexes are faster than mine." he paused, then added with a grin. "Plus, they were buying Thunderbursts."
"Wow," said Ron. "Those are supposed to be better than the Firebolt."
"In a way, they are," Harry conceded. "They're slightly slower and a bit less manoeuvrable, but they're rock solid, very stable, and can take a direct hit from a Bludger at close range. They won't be much use to a Chaser or a Seeker, they need speed and agility, but according to Mr Quernith at Quality Quidditch Supplies, a lot of the top Beaters have bought them, and a quite a few Keepers too, including Megan McCormack and Barry Ryan."
"So we've got to get new Beaters, probably Connor and Shaw, and two more Chasers, anything else?" asked Katie.
"I'd like to find at least three new Chasers, and a spare Keeper, if possible. With all that's going on I'd like to make sure we don't get in the situation with the team that we got into last year. I want to win the Cup comfortably, not by the skin of our teeth like we managed before."
"That'd be good," said Ron.
"If Ginny's going to try out for Chaser, do you want another reserve Seeker?" Katie asked.
"I'm not going to dismiss the idea," Harry told her. "But if it's okay with Ginny, I'd rather she kept the job and the reserve Chaser takes her place if I can't play. At least for this year."
"That's fine with me, Harry." Ginny assured him. "Assuming that I can get a Chaser spot."
"You'll do fine, Ginny," Ron told her. "You were great over the summer."
"I just wish I had a better broom. The Cleansweep Six Wood left behind that I've been using isn't up to much. I was lucky last year that Cho and Summersby had fairly old brooms too, or I'd've been in trouble. A lot of people trying out for the Chaser will have newer brooms. I couldn't possibly beat a Firebolt or Nimbus Two-Thousand-And-One. Merlin's beard, I couldn't beat a Nimbus Two-Thousand or Comet Two-Ninety."
"Don't worry, Ginny. It'll all work out."
"When do you want to do the tryouts?" said Ron. "I reckon we should get started as soon as we can."
"I thought we could do them tomorrow?" Harry suggested. "I'd've done them tonight, but this is the first free night we've all had, and I wanted to talk to you guys first."
"Excellent," said Ron. "What time do you want us down there?"
"I've got the pitch booked for ten o'clock," Harry told them. "I gave Neville a notice to put up in the common room when I came down to dinner. He should've put it up by now."
They chatted about Quidditch for a while longer, then Katie said goodnight and headed back to the Tower. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione stayed in Harry's office until almost ten o'clock, then they walked back to Gryffindor Tower together. When they reached the Tower, Hermione gave the password ("Abyssinian Shrivelfig") and lead the way into the common room. Harry glanced over at the noticeboard to see if the Quidditch notice had gone up. When he turned back he could have sworn that Ron and Hermione were parting from a good night kiss, as both of them were blushing. "'Night Harry, Ginny."
"Good night, Hermione."
"'Night 'Mione."
Hermione headed up the girls' staircase to bed, and Ron followed her example a few minutes later. Harry and Ginny stayed in the common room for about another half-hour, enjoying each other's company, and then headed up to their dormitories to bed.
----
Harry was just sitting down to breakfast the next morning when several owls dropped a long, thin parcel and a note on the table in front of him. Ginny - who was the only one of his friends at the table at the time - looked at Harry, the package and then back to Harry again. "Are you expecting any mail?"
"No, I'm not," Harry told her, pulling the package towards him and opening the note:
Dear Harry,
I have recently experienced a reversal of my poor financial situation thanks to investing in the Firebolt Broom Company. I have been informed by some associates of mine, that you undertook to cover my debts to Messrs Fred and George Weasley, I am greatly appreciative of this, and hope this racing broom prototype - the successor to the Firebolt - will cover the expense.
Yours sincerely,
Ludovic Bagman Department of Magical Games and Sports
"It's from Bagman," Harry told her. "Apparently, he's got out debt and he's sent me a broomstick to cover the money I gave to the twins."
"What sort of broomstick?" Ginny asked. "You've already got a Firebolt."
"He says it's a new prototype, made as a replacement for the Firebolt."
"That'll be interesting to see, the Firebolt's still streaks ahead of anything else on the market."
"I'm going to have Civis take a look at it. I've had problems with brooms before."
"Good idea," agreed Ginny. "Let's open it first though."
Harry nodded and began tear off the wrapping paper. After a few seconds, Ginny leaned over and began to help, the broom which rolled free a minute later, was a deep inky black, with similar - though sharper - lines to the Firebolt, and a similar, smooth, birch-twig tail. Harry could feel the power emanating from it as it struggled to take to the air. The name - which was written in glittering, metallic green - was Lightstrike.
When Neville, Jamie, Mark, and Civis the terrier, arrived at the table a few minutes later, Harry left the first years in Ginny and Neville's care and signalling for Civis to follow, he left the Great Hall.
Once they were out of sight of the castle, Harry turned to his companion. "You can transform now."
Civis barked and transformed, returning to the grey-skinned, pointy-eared form that was his natural appearance. "What's up, Harry?"
"I got this by owl-mail from Ludo Bagman this morning," said Harry, handing him the broomstick. "Can you give this a thorough check?"
"No problem," said Civis, taking the proffered broom. He examined it for a moment. "Ummm... Nice, very nice, rowan with a layer of black diamonds, a couple of nice improvements to the flying charms... What's this? Godric's sword! It's got an Menslego Charm on it!"
"Is that bad?"
"No. Quite the contrary, with a little practice that charm will allow you control the broom with your thoughts."
"Wow."
"Indeed," agreed Civis. "Well, it's clean."
"You know it's clean already?" Harry said, surprised. "It took Hooch and Flitwick weeks to clear my Firebolt."
"I've been around broomsticks since Grimstone and Madam Boothby first started making them, I know them inside out."
"That's good enough for me," said Harry. "Let's head back to the Tower and get my things."
When Harry and Civis arrived at the Quidditch pitch, Harry clad in his scarlet team robes and carrying his two broomsticks, most of the people he was expecting had arrived: Katie, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Jamie, Mark, Andrew Kirke, Paul Sloper, Connor David, Henry Shaw, both Creeveys (though only Dennis carried a broom), and two others Harry didn't immediately recognise. Katie, Ron and Ginny wore their full Quidditch uniforms, but Kirke and Sloper wore only the gloves and pads over ordinary clothing.
Harry pulled Ginny away from the others to the shelter of one of the stands. "Will this help your problem, Ginny?" Harry said, handing her his Firebolt.
Ginny stared at him, "You want me to take your Firebolt!"
Harry nodded, "If this Lightstrike's as good as I think it is, I certainly won't need it. I'm sure Sirius would prefer one of my dearest friends to get some use and pleasure out of it than for it to gather dust somewhere."
"Thanks, Harry," said Ginny, accepting the shiny broomstick.
"Hide the Cleansweep under this stand. I'll lock it up in the Gryffindor changing room after we've finished the trials."
"Okay," said Ginny, doing what he suggested and then slipping back onto the field. Harry watched her for a moment then walked out onto the field himself. Glancing around he could see that Katie had got the trunk of balls out of Madam Hooch's office. The last four contenders had arrived, including second-year Euan Abercrombie. "Hello, everyone. For those of you who don't know, my name is Harry Potter, and I am the Captain and Seeker for Gryffindor." he said. "We have a vacancy for at least two Chasers, two Beaters, and reserve Keeper. We will not be taking on any new Seekers, as we already have a reserve."
At this Dennis Creevey shrugged and joined his brother on the sidelines. "As we have several positions to fill, I'm going to split you up. Keepers, go with our Chaser, Katie Bell to the hoops at the far end." Harry took the Quaffle out of the box and threw it to Katie. Ginny, Abercrombie, Emma Dobbs and two others took to the air and followed Katie. "Chasers, go with our Keeper, Ron Weasley to the other goal." Natalie McDonald and a tall, well-build, black boy Harry reckoned must be a fourth or fifth year, followed Ron, who already carried one of the spare Quaffles. The only players left were the four Beaters. "I'm going to release one of the Bludgers and let you four play with it for a while, whoever impresses me the most gets the spots. Try not to hurt each other too badly."
He could have sworn he saw David and Shaw exchange looks at that comment. Harry through a bat to each of them and waited until they were in the air, then bent down and released one of the Bludgers. "Away you go!"
An hour later, Harry had his new team: Katie, Ginny, fourth year Wilhelm Whisp, and fifth year Sharon Skelton as Chasers; Connor David and Henry Shaw as Beaters; Ron and third year Harvey Johnson as Keepers; and himself and Ginny as Seekers.
"Okay everyone, we're ready." Harry told the other eight players. "The first official practice will be on Tuesday night."
Soon the stadium was clear except for Harry and his friends. Harry mounted his new broomstick and took to the air. For five minutes, he criss-crossed the stadium and looped and manoeuvred through every move he could think of and then landed, grinning widely. "It's brilliant." he told them, he handed the broom to Neville and then headed up to castle, arm-in-arm with Ginny and Jamie, with the others following closely behind them.
A/N: Please review.