Allo, allo! Just a short note to say that I have worked out the plot. I
know exactly what's going to happen and how I'm going to finish this story.
I'll be updating much more often now.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- Chapter 11
No matter where he went, Harry was always followed by Sirius or Lupin or both. All the other teachers at the school had an eye on Harry too. Whenever he left on class to head for the other the teacher would stand outside to make sure that Snuffles or Lupin were nearby. No one suspected that Harry was being followed and Harry was very grateful for it. Professor Dumbledore had ordered a Duelling Club to be set up. Professor Lupin, McGonagall, Snape and Flitwick were all to teach it. There was a need for so many professors because of the amount of students that were to be attending the lessons. The Duelling Club was open for anyone from any house from the Second years to the Seventh years. The Duelling Club was to be starting in a week, after the houses had finished their Quidditch tryouts. Gryffindor had the pitch today, Hufflepuff had already sorted out their players and Ravenclaw needed no tryouts. The Slytherin's had the pitch in two days.
Harry, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell and Fred and George Weasley met in the change room before the tryouts began.
"Here's what I propose we do. Katie, Alicia and Angelina can try scoring on each person. I say, throw the Quaffle at them 15 times each. Harry, Fred and I can vote afterwards who we think is the best then Alicia, Katie and Angelina can give us their imput on how the people looked from the air. How does that sound?" George looked at everyone and found that they were all grinning at him.
"What?" He asked uneasily. Katie giggled.
"You sound like Oliver. I think we have found our new leader. Guys, do you think George will make us proud as Team Captain?" Everyone voiced their agreement and George flushed proudly.
"Really? You want me to take over?"
"Yep. You've been flying for years. You have played on this team for five years and I don't think anyone else wants the job." Alicia looked at the team to make sure they were okay with it. Even George's twin brother, Fred, nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled. Today we have decided on our Team Captain and by the end of the day we should have our Keeper." Fred declared. Harry, Fred and George grabbed their clipboards and Angelina, Katie and Alicia retrieved their broomsticks.
Harry glanced down the list of names. There were only a few trying out and Harry felt relieved. He had never been involved in a Quidditch tryout before. His heart sank when he realised that by next year he would be the only member of their Quidditch team left. Fred, George, Angelina, Katie and Alicia were all graduating this year and Oliver Wood was already gone. He felt sad at this thought. Harry had been a part of the same team for three years (last year didn't count; there was no Quidditch) and he had grown accustomed to his team. Being on a Quidditch team they had learned to trust and communicate with each other and had become quite good friends. Next year Harry would be standing on this pitch with whomever they picked for the position of Keeper (there were no 7th years trying out this year) deciding who would replace his team mates.
When Harry glanced up from the clipboard the saw about 15 people holding broomsticks and a few friends and supporters in the stands. He saw Hermione on the benches with Snuffles beside her. She was here to support Ron who was trying out. Harry had seen Ron strut his stuff when they played on the pitch over the summer and thought he was really good. Harry wasn't just saying that because Ron was his friend, but because it was true.
"Good morning you young hopefuls." George started off with a grin. Harry shivered slightly in the clod morning air and stifled a yawn.
"What we are going to do first is let you guys warm up. You will do five laps around the hoops then come back here. We will call you one by one where you will head to those set of hoops," George paused to point to the set of hoops on the left. He continued, "Alicia, Katie and Angelina, who you should know are our Chasers, will come up the pitch and shoot at the hoops. There will be fifteen shots. Harry, Fred and myself will evaluate you from the ground while Alicia, Katie and Angelina will watch from the air. They will be taking it easy, not shooting as though we were in an actual game, because them none of you would stand a chance." He beamed the three girls, who shook their heads and laughed at him.
"After all we are a team of unbeatable, fantastic, talented members and we need the best! Now start you warm ups!" The fourteen hopefuls raised up in the air and shot off towards the hoops. Alicia, Angelina and Katie did their own series of warm ups, throwing the red Quaffle back and forth. Harry, Fred and George settled back and got ready for the tryouts to begin. Harry watched Ron dipping around other players as he rounded the pitch and secretly crossed his fingers, wishing that his best friend could make it onto the team.
One by one they called up person after person. Harry jotted down scores and comments onto his clipboard. Just as a 3rd year sat down George called out "Ronald Weasley". Ron got us shakily and took off towards the hoops. Harry watched as Katie passed the Quaffle to Angelina, who passed it back. Katie tossed it to Alicia who shot at the hoop. Ron twirled around and knocked the Quaffle away. Harry heard Fred cheer quietly beside him. Again and again the Chasers shot at the goal, but all but one was saved. Harry flashed his grinning friend a smile and a thumbs up. At the end Fred, George and Harry compared notes. Even though the tree of them all wanted Ron to get the spot, they did have to be fair. They came down to the conclusion, a tie. Ron and a fourth year, Sophia Mackenzie. They called Katie, Alicia and Angelina over and the six discussed it.
Angelina, Katie and Alicia talked about how the two had looked up in the air. Sophia may have looked organised from the ground and she may have been able to save fourteen out of the fifteen shots, but she looked too flimsy and disorganised from the air. They said that if it had been a real game and if the ruthless Slytherin's had been pelting Bludger's and Quaffle's at her, it was quite possible that she wouldn't do as well as she had today. Ron, on the other hand, was perfectly controlled, alert and aware of what we going on around him, not just the Chaser's bringing the Quaffle up the pitch. The team decided to go with Ron and to make Sophia the back up Keeper. George stood up and thanked the hopefuls for trying out, congratulated them then cleared his throat. Harry glanced up to the stands and saw Hermione leaning forward eagerly. She was twisting her hands tightly and looked slightly nervous.
"Ron Weasley will be our Keeper and Sophia Mackenzie will be our back up Keeper." Ron gasped and Hermione came leaping out of the stands. There was applause from the watchers and the people who tried out. The hopefuls left looking slightly depressed, but most congratulated Ron anyway. Harry grinned at his friends' face. Ron was beaming, his face slightly coloured and he was exclaiming, "I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" over and over again.
When Harry and the team finally got a chance to talk to Ron the sun was almost overhead. George kept saying that he always knew his youngest brother could do it. Fred was babbling about a party. Harry was talking about how much fun they would have at practice and the Chaser's were welcoming on to the team. Hermione had planted herself beside Ron and kept telling him how proud she was, but how scared she was now that her two best friends were playing in one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
* * *
Ron was on top of the world all day. Nothing could dampen his spirits, even when Hermione declared that they had better start on their Potions homework. After dinner, around 21.00 Fred and George disappeared and Harry and Hermione dragged Ron to the library. Half and hour later they dragged him back to the Common room where the whole Quidditch team had set up a party. George and Fred had sneaked into Hogsmeade and got jugs of Butterbear, candy, food from the Hogwarts kitchens and even added some of their own jokes.
Ron was thrilled. Harry was happy seeing his friend getting so much attention. He thought it was fabulous for Ron, considering all the times he had to stand in Harry's shadow and Harry got all the attention, wanted or not. Hermione voiced his thoughts as they both watched him talking to random people from Gryffindor Tower. It was late by the time they all went to bed.
*~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~*
By the way, in case you wonder at the change of moods in this/these chapters it's just because I decided that I needed to lighten it a bit more and add some happiness to the story. I'm just working on getting everything in place now so the real plot can start. I promise we're almost there! Don't worry, there will be more action and adventure coming up!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- Chapter 11
No matter where he went, Harry was always followed by Sirius or Lupin or both. All the other teachers at the school had an eye on Harry too. Whenever he left on class to head for the other the teacher would stand outside to make sure that Snuffles or Lupin were nearby. No one suspected that Harry was being followed and Harry was very grateful for it. Professor Dumbledore had ordered a Duelling Club to be set up. Professor Lupin, McGonagall, Snape and Flitwick were all to teach it. There was a need for so many professors because of the amount of students that were to be attending the lessons. The Duelling Club was open for anyone from any house from the Second years to the Seventh years. The Duelling Club was to be starting in a week, after the houses had finished their Quidditch tryouts. Gryffindor had the pitch today, Hufflepuff had already sorted out their players and Ravenclaw needed no tryouts. The Slytherin's had the pitch in two days.
Harry, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell and Fred and George Weasley met in the change room before the tryouts began.
"Here's what I propose we do. Katie, Alicia and Angelina can try scoring on each person. I say, throw the Quaffle at them 15 times each. Harry, Fred and I can vote afterwards who we think is the best then Alicia, Katie and Angelina can give us their imput on how the people looked from the air. How does that sound?" George looked at everyone and found that they were all grinning at him.
"What?" He asked uneasily. Katie giggled.
"You sound like Oliver. I think we have found our new leader. Guys, do you think George will make us proud as Team Captain?" Everyone voiced their agreement and George flushed proudly.
"Really? You want me to take over?"
"Yep. You've been flying for years. You have played on this team for five years and I don't think anyone else wants the job." Alicia looked at the team to make sure they were okay with it. Even George's twin brother, Fred, nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled. Today we have decided on our Team Captain and by the end of the day we should have our Keeper." Fred declared. Harry, Fred and George grabbed their clipboards and Angelina, Katie and Alicia retrieved their broomsticks.
Harry glanced down the list of names. There were only a few trying out and Harry felt relieved. He had never been involved in a Quidditch tryout before. His heart sank when he realised that by next year he would be the only member of their Quidditch team left. Fred, George, Angelina, Katie and Alicia were all graduating this year and Oliver Wood was already gone. He felt sad at this thought. Harry had been a part of the same team for three years (last year didn't count; there was no Quidditch) and he had grown accustomed to his team. Being on a Quidditch team they had learned to trust and communicate with each other and had become quite good friends. Next year Harry would be standing on this pitch with whomever they picked for the position of Keeper (there were no 7th years trying out this year) deciding who would replace his team mates.
When Harry glanced up from the clipboard the saw about 15 people holding broomsticks and a few friends and supporters in the stands. He saw Hermione on the benches with Snuffles beside her. She was here to support Ron who was trying out. Harry had seen Ron strut his stuff when they played on the pitch over the summer and thought he was really good. Harry wasn't just saying that because Ron was his friend, but because it was true.
"Good morning you young hopefuls." George started off with a grin. Harry shivered slightly in the clod morning air and stifled a yawn.
"What we are going to do first is let you guys warm up. You will do five laps around the hoops then come back here. We will call you one by one where you will head to those set of hoops," George paused to point to the set of hoops on the left. He continued, "Alicia, Katie and Angelina, who you should know are our Chasers, will come up the pitch and shoot at the hoops. There will be fifteen shots. Harry, Fred and myself will evaluate you from the ground while Alicia, Katie and Angelina will watch from the air. They will be taking it easy, not shooting as though we were in an actual game, because them none of you would stand a chance." He beamed the three girls, who shook their heads and laughed at him.
"After all we are a team of unbeatable, fantastic, talented members and we need the best! Now start you warm ups!" The fourteen hopefuls raised up in the air and shot off towards the hoops. Alicia, Angelina and Katie did their own series of warm ups, throwing the red Quaffle back and forth. Harry, Fred and George settled back and got ready for the tryouts to begin. Harry watched Ron dipping around other players as he rounded the pitch and secretly crossed his fingers, wishing that his best friend could make it onto the team.
One by one they called up person after person. Harry jotted down scores and comments onto his clipboard. Just as a 3rd year sat down George called out "Ronald Weasley". Ron got us shakily and took off towards the hoops. Harry watched as Katie passed the Quaffle to Angelina, who passed it back. Katie tossed it to Alicia who shot at the hoop. Ron twirled around and knocked the Quaffle away. Harry heard Fred cheer quietly beside him. Again and again the Chasers shot at the goal, but all but one was saved. Harry flashed his grinning friend a smile and a thumbs up. At the end Fred, George and Harry compared notes. Even though the tree of them all wanted Ron to get the spot, they did have to be fair. They came down to the conclusion, a tie. Ron and a fourth year, Sophia Mackenzie. They called Katie, Alicia and Angelina over and the six discussed it.
Angelina, Katie and Alicia talked about how the two had looked up in the air. Sophia may have looked organised from the ground and she may have been able to save fourteen out of the fifteen shots, but she looked too flimsy and disorganised from the air. They said that if it had been a real game and if the ruthless Slytherin's had been pelting Bludger's and Quaffle's at her, it was quite possible that she wouldn't do as well as she had today. Ron, on the other hand, was perfectly controlled, alert and aware of what we going on around him, not just the Chaser's bringing the Quaffle up the pitch. The team decided to go with Ron and to make Sophia the back up Keeper. George stood up and thanked the hopefuls for trying out, congratulated them then cleared his throat. Harry glanced up to the stands and saw Hermione leaning forward eagerly. She was twisting her hands tightly and looked slightly nervous.
"Ron Weasley will be our Keeper and Sophia Mackenzie will be our back up Keeper." Ron gasped and Hermione came leaping out of the stands. There was applause from the watchers and the people who tried out. The hopefuls left looking slightly depressed, but most congratulated Ron anyway. Harry grinned at his friends' face. Ron was beaming, his face slightly coloured and he was exclaiming, "I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" over and over again.
When Harry and the team finally got a chance to talk to Ron the sun was almost overhead. George kept saying that he always knew his youngest brother could do it. Fred was babbling about a party. Harry was talking about how much fun they would have at practice and the Chaser's were welcoming on to the team. Hermione had planted herself beside Ron and kept telling him how proud she was, but how scared she was now that her two best friends were playing in one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
* * *
Ron was on top of the world all day. Nothing could dampen his spirits, even when Hermione declared that they had better start on their Potions homework. After dinner, around 21.00 Fred and George disappeared and Harry and Hermione dragged Ron to the library. Half and hour later they dragged him back to the Common room where the whole Quidditch team had set up a party. George and Fred had sneaked into Hogsmeade and got jugs of Butterbear, candy, food from the Hogwarts kitchens and even added some of their own jokes.
Ron was thrilled. Harry was happy seeing his friend getting so much attention. He thought it was fabulous for Ron, considering all the times he had to stand in Harry's shadow and Harry got all the attention, wanted or not. Hermione voiced his thoughts as they both watched him talking to random people from Gryffindor Tower. It was late by the time they all went to bed.
*~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~*
By the way, in case you wonder at the change of moods in this/these chapters it's just because I decided that I needed to lighten it a bit more and add some happiness to the story. I'm just working on getting everything in place now so the real plot can start. I promise we're almost there! Don't worry, there will be more action and adventure coming up!