Harry Potter and his whole world belong to JK Rowling. I am borrowing a few characters from her.

Quidditch Tryouts

Harry woke the morning of the Quidditch tryouts feeling as though he'd swallowed all the butterflies in Britain. He wondered for the first time what McGonagall had been thinking of. He was no good at this sort of thing. He wasn't Captain material. He should have let Ginny be captain.

He sighed as he rolled out of bed. Ron grinned at him, already wearing his Quidditch robes. He looked like he'd been up for a while; his hair was wet.

"You look awful," was Ron's cheerful greeting. Harry grunted in response. Ron chuckled. "Stop worrying, Harry. You'll be fine. You know Quidditch and Ginny knows Quidditch. You'll be able to know who fits on the team. Trust me, mate. After everything you've done, Quidditch tryouts will be a cinch."

Harry nodded shakily. He grabbed a towel and headed for the shower.

The dormitory was deserted by the time he finished in the shower. He dressed quickly and made for the common room. Only a few students were in there. Everyone else had gone for breakfast or had gone to the Quidditch pitch to watch the Gryffindor tryouts. Feeling somewhat bothered that Ron, Hermione or Ginny hadn't waited for him, Harry set out for the Great Hall.

Hermione and Ron were at the Gryffindor table and Harry smiled when he realised that the two of them were trying to coax Ginny to eat something. Her face was stark white and Harry could see her trembling from where he stood. He made his way over to them. Ginny looked up at him but said nothing. Ron sniggered.

"She thinks she's going to throw up if she says anything, mate," he said in a mock whisper to Harry. Ginny glared at her brother. Harry sat down across from her and took her hand. She looked at him in shock.

"It's alright, Ginny," he said softly. "We know what we're doing. We can do this." Harry gave her hand a squeeze. "After what we did last June…this is easy, Gin."

Ginny nodded at him and picked up her fork. Harry gave her hand another squeeze just as Dean and Seamus joined the table. Dean stared at their joined hands, but said nothing. Harry and Ginny withdrew their hands at the same moment. Ginny grinned at Harry and continued to eat.

*

Harry, Ron and Ginny walked toward the Quidditch pitch together. Hermione had told them she'd meet them there later; she had to do something first.

Harry heard Ginny take a deep breath as she noticed the crowd gathered on the pitch. It looked like every Gryffindor at the school had turned up. Harry even noticed Cho Chang. He waited for the familiar flip flop of his stomach. Nothing happened. There were even several professors in the stands. Harry wondered if they were there to supervise or to watch. He knew Professor McGonagall was very interested in the Gryffindor prospects, but he was somewhat surprised to see Remus and Professor Flitwick there as well. Madam Pomfrey sat next to McGonagall, her wand held ready. Harry hoped that she wouldn't need to heal anybody.

"Typical," Ginny snorted.

"What's that?"

"The people from the other houses coming to watch and see who will be on the team."

"Ah, well, we'll just have to ignore them, Gin." Harry grinned at Ginny and she smiled back. She was starting to look nervous once more.

"Okay," she said quietly, mainly to herself. "We need a Chaser and two Beaters. Shouldn't be too difficult."
"We've got Beaters," Ron pointed out.

Ginny snorted. "Those two are not playing on my team…okay, our team…if they haven't improved dramatically over the summer."

Harry and Ron stared at Ginny, surprised.

"Ginny, if you wake me up for a 4 am practice once, I quit," Ron said with a grin. Harry laughed. Ginny glared at them both and stalked ahead. Harry tucked his wand into his t-shirt pocket and saw Ron do the same. Even at Hogwarts they weren't safe enough to go wandless.

By the end of the tryouts, Harry had a throbbing headache. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Ron landed his broom and stalked over to him.

"They're horrible," he said bluntly. "Mate, out of the 16 people, maybe five could even be considered, and they're not even good enough to play for…the worst team ever."
"The Chudley Cannons then," Ginny snarled angrily. She'd landed behind Ron without either of them noticing. She and Harry had mainly watched from the ground, weeding out those with enough talent on a broom. Those who could fly well had been given a club or the quaffle and had shown what they could do.

It had been a disappointing day.

Harry was surprised about two things. One, Dennis Creevey had tried out and actually showed some real talent as a Chaser. The second was that Mark Evans had tried out as well. He could really fly, but it was obvious that he'd never played Quidditch before. But then, Harry hadn't before his first year either, and now he was Captain.

"I know who I want, Harry," Ginny said quietly, sitting next to him. She held out a roll of parchment with some names on it. There were six in total. Two Beaters, one Chaser and three reserve Chasers. Harry was surprised to see that she'd chosen Mark Evans as the starting Chaser, but couldn't disagree with her choice. In total, there were two fourth years, two second years, a third year and the one first year.

"Looks like someone else has the talent to join in their first year," Ron said with a chuckle. "Although he's only the youngest in five years. Not nearly as good as the first in a century." Harry grinned, his face flushing slightly.

Ginny held the roll of parchment in front of her as the Gryffindor hopefuls landed around them. Harry knew that they were about to break some hopes. Ginny bit her lip and looked in his direction. He nodded and stood beside her.

"We want to thank each of you for trying out today. It's great to see so many people wanting to join the Gryffindor team and try to help us continue our winning streak, which is now at two years," Harry said, trying to come up with something comforting and intelligent at the same time.
"It would have been three if Quidditch hadn't been cancelled during the Triwizard Tournament!" Katie Bell announced with a grin.

"That it would have, Katie," Ginny agreed with a laugh.

"I wish we could have all of you join the team, but as we only had three positions to fill, I'm afraid that wasn't an option. Now, if you weren't chosen, please don't be discouraged. Everyone here showed incredible talent and would be an asset to any team. I encourage those people to try again next year." Harry swallowed. He looked at Ginny.

"Right," she said, holding up the parchment again. "If I call your name, please sit on one of the benches over here. Everyone else, like Harry said, I'm very sorry, and I hope you all try again next year." She cleared her throat nervously. "Right. Okay. Beaters, Dale Hanson and Craig Levine. Reserve Chasers, Shanna Edwards, Natalie McDonald and Dennis Creevey. Starting Chaser, Mark Evans. Thank you everyone for trying out, and we hope to see you at the games!" Ginny rolled up the parchment and slipped it into her pocket. A girl had burst into tears on the edge of the hopefuls and two of her friends were helping her toward the castle. Ginny swallowed, her face tense.

"I was hoping nobody would cry," she whispered miserably to Harry. They both turned to face the new members of the team. Each of them was beaming, excitement all over their faces.

Well, most of them anyway.

Mark Evans had such a look of fury on his face that Ginny, Harry and Ron all stopped in their tracks in shock. Excitement they could understand, but anger at being chosen? That was unheard of.

"What's with you?" Ron asked abruptly. Harry glanced around the stadium and saw that most of the students had drifted off. Professor McGonagall, Remus and Madam Pomfrey remained in the stands, watching curiously.

"I didn't try out for Chaser," Mark snarled. Ginny stared at him wordlessly, her mouth slightly open.

"You hardly have the size to be a Beater," Ron pointed out, chuckling. Mark ignored him. Ron had a point though; Mark was very small.

"I told her what position I wanted," he said, pointing at Ginny. Her face darkened. Harry glared at Mark.

"Her name is Ginny Weasley. Captain Ginny Weasley to you. And what other position is there? The positions available were Beater and Chaser."

"I want to be Seeker."

Harry blinked. He stared at Mark Evans in disbelief. He could see Ron out of the corner of his eye opening and closing his mouth, too shocked to speak. Ginny's face was turning scarlet.

"I told you that Seeker wasn't available. In two years, Seeker will be available, but until that time, not a bloody chance in hell," she spat at Mark. "We have a Seeker. We've only lost one game in five years with him at Seeker."

"Well, in all fairness, Ginny, it was three and a half…He didn't play most of last year, and in fourth year, Quidditch was cancelled," Ron pointed out, getting his voice back.

"Ah, right," Ginny said with a chuckle.

"Who's the Seeker then?" Mark asked sulkily.

"I am."

Mark glared at Harry, his eyes raking over his scar. Harry glared back.

"I want to be Seeker."

Ginny made a noise of frustration. Ron gritted his teeth and advanced on Mark. Harry glanced up at the professors and found that they were headed toward them, thinking they might need to break something up. He held up his hand, stopping Ron.

"The best we can offer you is Reserve Seeker. But unless I am very hurt…or dead…you will never play in the position of Seeker in an actual match."

Mark raised his chin and said nothing.

"I suggest you remain at Chaser, and then in two years, when I am no longer at school, Ginny can move you to Seeker. But that way you have two years of Quidditch experience."

Harry wasn't sure why he was making this offer to Mark, but found himself doing it anyway. Maybe it was because Dudley had beat him up the previous summer.

"I want Seeker. I don't want to be second fiddle Seeker, I want Seeker now."
"Well, I'm afraid that's out of the question, Mr Evans. Mr Potter is Seeker and shall remain at the position until he is out of school. I suggest you either take the Reserve Seeker option, or stay on as Chaser. This argument is over. Decide." Professor McGonagall and Remus had arrived and had heard this last statement from Mark. McGonagall was glaring down at Mark, her beady eyes glinting.

Mark stared fearfully at Remus. Harry felt anger surge inside him, worse than it had been when Mark had demanded the Seeker position.

"I want Seeker," Mark repeated sulkily.

"That position is not available," Remus said quietly. "You have been given the honour of playing Chaser, a position that many would have been very happy to receive, and now we hear that you don't want it. So that leaves the option of Reserve Seeker or the option of not being on the team at all. What would you like to do, Mr Evans?"

Remus spoke calmly, but Harry could tell that he was quickly losing patience. His grey eyes were getting that steely look in them again. Harry turned back to Mark Evans.

"If I can't be Seeker," he said, raising his chin defiantly, "then I don't want to be on this stupid team."

He flung his broom at Harry and stomped off the pitch.

"Good riddance," Katie Bell yelled after him. Ron stared after Mark's departing back and burst out laughing.

"What an ungrateful git."

"That will do, Mr Weasley."
Harry had quite forgotten about McGonagall and Remus. He was so surprised by the attitude from Mark Evans.

"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall, but these first years are awful. Harry would never have yelled at Oliver Wood that he wanted to be Keeper."

"That's because Oliver would have beaten me with his broomstick if I'd tried it," Harry pointed out.

Ron and Ginny laughed. McGonagall smiled thinly at him.

"If I might, Miss Weasley, Mr Potter," she added in a whisper. "I think Mr Creevey has more talent than Miss Edwards or Miss McDonald. Of course, you don't have to take my advice."

Ginny smiled. "I thought that too, Professor. Don't worry."

Ginny turned to Harry. "Well, it appears we only have two Reserve Chasers."

"Right," Harry said, turning to the new team members. Every one of them was quivering, whether it was from excitement or shock from what had transpired, Harry wasn't sure. "Okay, we're only going to have two Reserve Chasers. The Chaser position was declined, so Dennis, we wish for you to fill it."

Dennis Creevey's eyes lit up and a flush crept slowly up his face. He nodded at Harry and Ginny in delight.

"Right," Ginny said. "Shanna and Natalie, I want you to practice with the team for every practice, should Dennis or Katie or myself not be able to play then you are still in shape and ready to go. Our first practice will be posted on the notice board in the common room, but I am hoping we'll be able to start on Tuesday. We'll practice evenings during the week and mornings on the weekend. Our first match is against Slytherin in three weeks time. Are there any questions?"

One of the Beaters raised his hand. Harry thought his name was Craig. He was in second year.

"Did you really face You-Know-Who two years ago?"

There was no doubt who this question was directed at. Harry sighed. Ron growled angrily.

"I believe she meant Quidditch related questions." Remus' voice was sharp and angry. He was glowering at Craig, the same look he'd given Seamus days before. Craig shrank before Remus' anger.

"Yes, I did," Harry answered. "And I got away. This is the last time I will answer this question. If there aren't any Quidditch related questions, then you may go."

The five new members stood and left the pitch. Ginny glared after them.

"I hope this isn't a sign of things to come," she said angrily. Remus chuckled.

"Well, Professor Lupin, we should get back up to the Great Hall for lunch. I daresay these students are starving." McGonagall nodded to them and walked toward the castle, Remus at her side.

"Wow, what a tantrum." Hermione had joined them. Harry jumped when she spoke. He hadn't heard her approach.

"I've been up in the stands for a while, but I didn't want to interfere with your team meeting, so I just waited. Why did that first year freak out like that? I heard him shouting, but couldn't understand what he was saying."

Harry laughed. "He didn't want to be Chaser."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "He's hardly got the upper body strength to be a Beater. Fred or George had more power in one finger than he would have in his whole upper body."

"He didn't want to be Beater either, Hermione," Ginny said impatiently. "He wanted Seeker or nothing. We told him he could stay as Reserve Seeker or as Chaser. He chose nothing." She shrugged. "No loss, really. I don't want a prima donna on the team."
Hermione shook her head. "I can't believe a new player would pull something like that." She looked thoughtful. "He's the one from your area isn't he, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "I never knew him to be like that. He's always been very quiet and kept to himself. But I didn't know him all that well. Dudley beat him up last summer because he supposedly cheeked him. Now that I saw that display, I don't doubt that he cheeked Dudley."

Hermione shook her head as they ascended the stairs into the Entrance Hall. Hermione went into the Great Hall, but Ron, Ginny and Harry all went straight up to Gryffindor Tower to change.

Harry was glad that they didn't see Mark Evans. He didn't particularly care for him. As Ron had pointed out earlier, he couldn't see any of them mouthing off like that when they'd been in first year. Especially not if they'd been trying out for one of the teams. He smirked when he tried to picture Oliver Wood's reaction had Harry spoken like that to him.

He'd probably still be walking funny.