Chapter Sixty-seven
Madam Hooch motioned for the crowd to settle down. "We have a few start-of-season details to attend to. Go about your business until the game begins."
The students cheered and danced and waved signs of support while Madam Hooch, Albus Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall walked onto the grass. The Slytherin and Gryffindor players lined up facing each other.
"Harry, Draco, Araminta, we'd like to speak to you three. The rest of you take a lap," said Madam Hooch. The other players took off running around the field.
Madam Hooch and the other professors each took out their Quidditch handbooks. Snape put on a pair of reading glasses and Madam Hooch lifted her monocle. "It says here that in the event a player is member of more than one House, they are required to play for both teams."
"I remember," said Araminta. She exchanged glances with Draco and Harry.
"What we neglected to see before," said Dumbledore, "was the part about the player's position."
"I don't understand," said Araminta.
Snape held up his book so that she could see the illustrations. "Positions, Araminta."
"I know that--there's Chaser, Beater, Keeper, and Seeker."
"Yes, Araminta," said Professor McGonagall, polishing her square-rimmed frames. "It's obvious that you played before and that you're not a newbie. But there's more that the headmaster needs to explain."
"You see, Araminta, you must truly play for both teams," said Dumbledore. "It cannot be an illusion; you must treat both sides fairly. Therefore, you do not have a predetermined position." He skimmed over his notes again. "It says here that such a player must play all positions and no positions, and that he or she must score with each team equally."
"I don't get it." Araminta was tired of the circular talk.
"I understand," said Harry. "He means that if you put the ball through the hoop for Gryffindor, you have to turn around and put the ball through the hoop for Slytherin."
"I could do that," said Araminta, looking at Harry and Draco in turn to assure them of her intentions.
"I think that since there are already Keepers for both teams, you won't need to hang around either end of the pitch, specifically," said Madam Hooch, who was flipping pages. "However, you'll be needing this."
Madam Hooch handed her a bat.
"I have to be a Beater for both teams too?" asked Araminta.
Madam Hooch nodded her head in confirmation. "You'll bat for both teams. You'll be a switch-hitter! You can do it."
Araminta held onto the bat with one hand and her broom with the other. This was going to leave her a lot to juggle with.