CHAPTER FIVE
"So what is everyone doing this weekend?" Lara asked that evening after dinner, plopping herself down on a comfy couch in the common room.
"Working." Hermione said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. She was curled up on a couch by the fire reading a chapter of Mythical Beasts and Where to Find Them for Care of Magical Creatures.
"What work?"
"The tonne of homework we got this week. perhaps." Ron said, sitting on a couch near Hermione's and opening the same book.
"Well I have Quidditch Trials." Harry said from his place at the table in the corner near them.
"Oh yeah, you need a new keeper and chaser don't you?" Ron asked, still flipping through the book to find the correct page.
"Chaser?" Hermione said, looking up from her book. "Did you loose a chaser?"
"Yeah, Angelina, she got Head Girl this year and had to give up her spot or she couldn't handle it."
"That's tough, she is good." Hermione commented.
"I know." Harry said extremely frustrated, running a hand through his hair nervously. Several of the girls on a nearby table swooned when he did this. He tactfully chose to ignore them.
"Have you got anyone in mind?" Ron asked, having found his page but reluctant to start reading.
"Not really."
"When are these trials?" Lara asked, interested.
"Tomorrow morning, 9 o'clock on the quidditch field."
"I'm there." Lara said simply.
"You. ..can fly?" Harry asked, in a very doubtful voice.
"I'm the best." Lara said, without a hint of modesty.
"You could never outrun me on a broom."
"I bet I could."
"We'll see tomorrow."
"What are you on the team?"
"Seeker." Harry said shortly, obviously feeling this conversation was going on longer than he wanted it too.
"Typical, Golden Boy has the position with the most glory."
"I DON"T DO IT FOR POPULARITY." Harry yelled. The entire common room was in silence as they watched the two fight.
"I DIDN'T SAY THAT!"
"YOU IMPLIED IT!"
"PROBABLY BECAUSE IT'S TRUE!"
"YOU WOULDN'T SAY THAT IF YOU UNDERSTOOD QUIDDITCH! I don't play for the fame, I play for the game."
"What are saying? I don't understand Quidditch? I bet you I could get the Snitch before you; anytime any where!" Lara said, standing up and facing Harry.
"Lara, I wouldn't say that in a hurry. He's the youngest seeker in a century." Hermione said knowledgeably, book marking her page and sitting up, ready to interfere if the fight got out of hand.
"At Hogwarts, perhaps. But there's a world outside this castle. I started playing Quidditch for my team when I was 10. I believe that's a year younger than you Potter." Lara said smugly.
"That doesn't prove you are better." Harry snapped.
"Me beating you would."
"You're on!"
"Tonight?"
"It's dark you moron, we wouldn't be able to see it." Harry snorted.
"I can put a spell on the snitch that would make it glow."
"That defeats the purpose of seeking though doesn't it?"
"This isn't a test of who can find it first. Anyone can look for a snitch. The trick is to catch it."
"We'll get caught." Harry said.
"Aww... is little Harry Warry scared of getting twouble?" Harry narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry, I know an invisibility spell."
"I've got a cloak."
"So do I.. but it might fall off while flying."
"You have a cloak?" Harry asked, confused.
"Yes." Lara said shortly.
"Fine. I'll meet you back here in fifteen." With that, Harry turned around and headed back up to his dormitory. Lara went down the stairs to hers, putting on white trackies and a white tank top. She was down in the common room in five minutes. Harry, however, took the full 15. He came down in his full Quidditch Uniform, red cape flying out behind him. Lara struggled to retain a gasp. The uniform looked drop dead sexy on him. The girls however, had no need to refrain their delight. They rushed towards him, quickly surrounding him.
"Oh Harry, be careful!"
"You're so brave!"
"I love that uniform!" Harry grinned at these comments, and couldn't help but run a gloved hand through his hair. Lara raised her eyebrows at this. Harry noticed and quickly brought his hand down, realizing the arrogance of the maneuver.
"Coming."
He said, excusing himself from the girls and heading through the portrait hole after Lara. The girls had wanted to watch, but it would've looked suspicious if there was a crowd of girls on the pitch ooing and aaahing at thin air.
"You're getting used to the attention Potter."
"I am not."
"I saw that little hand through the hair move. Smooth Potter."
"It was a reflex! As if you wouldn't push those mosquito bites of yours as far out of that top as you could if there was a pack of gorgeous guys around." Lara opened her mouth in shock. Then she smiled.
"You're learning you are. The Harry Potter of last week would not have said that."
"Don't say I'm turning into you. That's the worst insult possible." Harry said, before quickening his pace and running ahead.
The two got their brooms out of the shed wordlessly and headed towards the Quidditch Pitch. Harry detoured and got the practice Snitch from the Gryffindor changing rooms. When he stepped out onto the fields Lara was already flying. And boy could she fly.
It was like she wasn't on a broom, that she was simply sailing on air. She swerved and swirled, her long hair lashing out behind her. Harry stared at her for a second before snapping out of it. It would be a lie to say she wasn't beautiful. But that beauty was outshone by her bitchiness.
Harry opened the box and took out the snitch, clutching it firmly in his hand. Leaving the box on the ground, he flew up to Lara's level. She stopped her antics and settled in mid-air beside him. She did a quick gesture with her hand, but nothing happened.
"Nothing's happened, you've done it wrong."
"No I haven't, I just made us invisible, but I also added an extra charm that meant we can still see each other." Harry raised his eyes, wondering if she was telling the truth, but then reasoned she would get in as much trouble as he would. "Pass the snitch." She commanded. Harry handed the struggling golden ball over. Another two wrist flicks later and the snitch was glowing a vibrant green, and was struggling even more frantically to escape. Lara let it go, and it zapped out of her hand, a lot faster, Harry noticed, than usual.
"First one to catch it wins." Harry nodded.
"One..." Harry counted. "Two...three...GO!" The two sped off after the glowing ball. It was zapping in and out of the goal posts at the moment, but as they approached it swerved away. Both flyers took a sharp turn left and flew after it, Lara's Nimbus Two Thousand and One seemingly slower than the Firebolt, but in her hands easily matching it's capability.
For 15 minutes the pair flew after the glowing Snitch. Lara was surprised at how good Harry actually was, she wasn't expecting him to show this much. Harry too, was surprised at her skill. The two ducked into the trench around the edge of the pitch, following the glowing Snitch's path.
It was not only a metre away from Lara's outstretched hand. Harry, beside her, kept both hands on his broom. Suddenly the Snitch swerved upwards. The two followed it's course and rose above the trench. The Snitch was now flying about a metre from the ground across the pitch. Harry stood up on his broom slowly, getting ready to lunge for the Snitch. Lara, however, was sitting sideways on her broom. She guided the broom higher and steadied herself until she was just above the Snitch. Just as Harry lunged forward she swung down, using her knees to hold onto the broom, and snatched the glowing ball millimetres from his outstretched hand.
Harry landed in a heap on the ground, his broom following. Lara swung back on her broom and guided it down gently, landing gracefully on the ground.
"I win." She said smugly, clutching the Snith in her hand triumphantly. Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Lucky." He muttered.
"Oh it had nothing to do with luck Potter, especially when your brooms a model better than mine." She grinned wickedly before flinging her broom over her shoulder and walking away, leaving a furious and dumbfounded Harry in her wake.
*****************************************************
"She cheated!" Harry said as he crawled through the portrait hole and slumped into his seat, arms crossed.
"Don't have a hissy fit Potter." Lara snapped, following him into the common room. The inhabitants of the castle who had stayed up for their return began muttering amongst themselves. Everyone had though Harry would win.
"You won?" Hermione asked, not hiding her surprise at the result.
"Yeah, as much of a shock as it might be." Lara said sarcastically.
"I suppose you want to be seeker then." Harry said grumpily.
"I don't want to play seeker, you can keep you silly position. I want to be a Chaser. That requires some more skill."
"Well you'll have to try out tomorrow."
"After tonight, you still doubt my skill?"
"I didn't see you throw a Quaffle." Harry said, standing up and facing her. "For all I know, your Chaser skills could suck as bad as your personality." Lara clenched her hands by her side, trying to restrain from hitting him. Hermione stood up, sensing the danger signs and intending to stop it. But she was too late. Soon enough Harry and Lara were in another fight.
"Why do you insist on bashing each other up? Couldn't this little feud of yours stay verbal?"
"No!" They both replied in unison before storming away to their respective dormitories.
"I don't know how much more I can take. They're going to kill each other soon." Hermione said to no one in particular, sighing deeply before returning to her book.
***************************************************
The next Saturday morning, Lara was up bright and early on the field, flying. The twins, Fred and George, were watching her fly in wonder, wiping imaginary drool from their mouths.
"Boys, come here!" Harry yelled. He was standing in the centre of the pitch with the two other chasers, ticking off a list of names on a piece of paper. Fred and George reluctantly tore their eyes away from Lara and headed towards their Captain.
"Okay!" Harry yelled to not only his team but those trying out. "I want those trying out for Keeper to go first. Our chasers will attempt to score, you have to try and stop it. Understood?" Harry said, adopting the role of Captain very well.
The Keeper try outs were terrible. Harry's pained expression grew worse and worse as those trying out gradually decreased in abililty. He was at a complete loss when Ginny took position in front of the goal. Harry raised his eyebrows skeptically. He hadn't known Ginny was any good, and seriously doubted she was. But it was worth a shot.
Kate and Alicia flew towards the goal, throwing the Quaffle between them. Eventually, Katie took the ball and made one final streak for the goal. She headed towards it, aiming carefully for the left hoop. However a quick pass switched possession to Alicia, who threw the quaffle at the right hoop in one swift movement. Ginny however, was ready, and as quick as lightning swung her broom around and booted the Quaffle far away. Harry smiled. He had found his keeper.
"Okay, that was great. But I think I've made my decision, Ginny Weasley, welcome to the Gryffindor Quidditch team." The red head's eyes widened in shock before she grabbed Harry in an enormous hug.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" She said happily. Harry laughed, returning the embrace.
"It was no favour, you were really the best!" Ginny grinned as she was enveloped by her two brothers.
"Good one Gin!"
"You're one of us now!" Ginny's panicked face at this comment showed that this was not an accomplishment in her view.
"Okay!" Harry yelled, halting the twins babble. "Chasers, position yourself over there. Our new keeper and two chasers will play on your team, me and the two beaters will play against you as defense. I want to see you score some goals!" Harry said enthusiastically. He and his team mates mounted their brooms and flew upwards.
"Collin Creevy, you're up first!" Harry yelled from his height. The skinny boy mounted his broom nervously and rode up to join the team.
Harry was not as worried about the chaser tryouts , even though the candidates proved to be worse than the Keepers. If Lara was half as good a Chaser as Seeker, the position was hers.
"Last one, Black, your turn." She girl mounted her broom smoothly and kicked off the ground, joining Harry in the air.
"Ready?" He asked.
"You bet Potter." She said, smirking. Bring it on.
"So what is everyone doing this weekend?" Lara asked that evening after dinner, plopping herself down on a comfy couch in the common room.
"Working." Hermione said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. She was curled up on a couch by the fire reading a chapter of Mythical Beasts and Where to Find Them for Care of Magical Creatures.
"What work?"
"The tonne of homework we got this week. perhaps." Ron said, sitting on a couch near Hermione's and opening the same book.
"Well I have Quidditch Trials." Harry said from his place at the table in the corner near them.
"Oh yeah, you need a new keeper and chaser don't you?" Ron asked, still flipping through the book to find the correct page.
"Chaser?" Hermione said, looking up from her book. "Did you loose a chaser?"
"Yeah, Angelina, she got Head Girl this year and had to give up her spot or she couldn't handle it."
"That's tough, she is good." Hermione commented.
"I know." Harry said extremely frustrated, running a hand through his hair nervously. Several of the girls on a nearby table swooned when he did this. He tactfully chose to ignore them.
"Have you got anyone in mind?" Ron asked, having found his page but reluctant to start reading.
"Not really."
"When are these trials?" Lara asked, interested.
"Tomorrow morning, 9 o'clock on the quidditch field."
"I'm there." Lara said simply.
"You. ..can fly?" Harry asked, in a very doubtful voice.
"I'm the best." Lara said, without a hint of modesty.
"You could never outrun me on a broom."
"I bet I could."
"We'll see tomorrow."
"What are you on the team?"
"Seeker." Harry said shortly, obviously feeling this conversation was going on longer than he wanted it too.
"Typical, Golden Boy has the position with the most glory."
"I DON"T DO IT FOR POPULARITY." Harry yelled. The entire common room was in silence as they watched the two fight.
"I DIDN'T SAY THAT!"
"YOU IMPLIED IT!"
"PROBABLY BECAUSE IT'S TRUE!"
"YOU WOULDN'T SAY THAT IF YOU UNDERSTOOD QUIDDITCH! I don't play for the fame, I play for the game."
"What are saying? I don't understand Quidditch? I bet you I could get the Snitch before you; anytime any where!" Lara said, standing up and facing Harry.
"Lara, I wouldn't say that in a hurry. He's the youngest seeker in a century." Hermione said knowledgeably, book marking her page and sitting up, ready to interfere if the fight got out of hand.
"At Hogwarts, perhaps. But there's a world outside this castle. I started playing Quidditch for my team when I was 10. I believe that's a year younger than you Potter." Lara said smugly.
"That doesn't prove you are better." Harry snapped.
"Me beating you would."
"You're on!"
"Tonight?"
"It's dark you moron, we wouldn't be able to see it." Harry snorted.
"I can put a spell on the snitch that would make it glow."
"That defeats the purpose of seeking though doesn't it?"
"This isn't a test of who can find it first. Anyone can look for a snitch. The trick is to catch it."
"We'll get caught." Harry said.
"Aww... is little Harry Warry scared of getting twouble?" Harry narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry, I know an invisibility spell."
"I've got a cloak."
"So do I.. but it might fall off while flying."
"You have a cloak?" Harry asked, confused.
"Yes." Lara said shortly.
"Fine. I'll meet you back here in fifteen." With that, Harry turned around and headed back up to his dormitory. Lara went down the stairs to hers, putting on white trackies and a white tank top. She was down in the common room in five minutes. Harry, however, took the full 15. He came down in his full Quidditch Uniform, red cape flying out behind him. Lara struggled to retain a gasp. The uniform looked drop dead sexy on him. The girls however, had no need to refrain their delight. They rushed towards him, quickly surrounding him.
"Oh Harry, be careful!"
"You're so brave!"
"I love that uniform!" Harry grinned at these comments, and couldn't help but run a gloved hand through his hair. Lara raised her eyebrows at this. Harry noticed and quickly brought his hand down, realizing the arrogance of the maneuver.
"Coming."
He said, excusing himself from the girls and heading through the portrait hole after Lara. The girls had wanted to watch, but it would've looked suspicious if there was a crowd of girls on the pitch ooing and aaahing at thin air.
"You're getting used to the attention Potter."
"I am not."
"I saw that little hand through the hair move. Smooth Potter."
"It was a reflex! As if you wouldn't push those mosquito bites of yours as far out of that top as you could if there was a pack of gorgeous guys around." Lara opened her mouth in shock. Then she smiled.
"You're learning you are. The Harry Potter of last week would not have said that."
"Don't say I'm turning into you. That's the worst insult possible." Harry said, before quickening his pace and running ahead.
The two got their brooms out of the shed wordlessly and headed towards the Quidditch Pitch. Harry detoured and got the practice Snitch from the Gryffindor changing rooms. When he stepped out onto the fields Lara was already flying. And boy could she fly.
It was like she wasn't on a broom, that she was simply sailing on air. She swerved and swirled, her long hair lashing out behind her. Harry stared at her for a second before snapping out of it. It would be a lie to say she wasn't beautiful. But that beauty was outshone by her bitchiness.
Harry opened the box and took out the snitch, clutching it firmly in his hand. Leaving the box on the ground, he flew up to Lara's level. She stopped her antics and settled in mid-air beside him. She did a quick gesture with her hand, but nothing happened.
"Nothing's happened, you've done it wrong."
"No I haven't, I just made us invisible, but I also added an extra charm that meant we can still see each other." Harry raised his eyes, wondering if she was telling the truth, but then reasoned she would get in as much trouble as he would. "Pass the snitch." She commanded. Harry handed the struggling golden ball over. Another two wrist flicks later and the snitch was glowing a vibrant green, and was struggling even more frantically to escape. Lara let it go, and it zapped out of her hand, a lot faster, Harry noticed, than usual.
"First one to catch it wins." Harry nodded.
"One..." Harry counted. "Two...three...GO!" The two sped off after the glowing ball. It was zapping in and out of the goal posts at the moment, but as they approached it swerved away. Both flyers took a sharp turn left and flew after it, Lara's Nimbus Two Thousand and One seemingly slower than the Firebolt, but in her hands easily matching it's capability.
For 15 minutes the pair flew after the glowing Snitch. Lara was surprised at how good Harry actually was, she wasn't expecting him to show this much. Harry too, was surprised at her skill. The two ducked into the trench around the edge of the pitch, following the glowing Snitch's path.
It was not only a metre away from Lara's outstretched hand. Harry, beside her, kept both hands on his broom. Suddenly the Snitch swerved upwards. The two followed it's course and rose above the trench. The Snitch was now flying about a metre from the ground across the pitch. Harry stood up on his broom slowly, getting ready to lunge for the Snitch. Lara, however, was sitting sideways on her broom. She guided the broom higher and steadied herself until she was just above the Snitch. Just as Harry lunged forward she swung down, using her knees to hold onto the broom, and snatched the glowing ball millimetres from his outstretched hand.
Harry landed in a heap on the ground, his broom following. Lara swung back on her broom and guided it down gently, landing gracefully on the ground.
"I win." She said smugly, clutching the Snith in her hand triumphantly. Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Lucky." He muttered.
"Oh it had nothing to do with luck Potter, especially when your brooms a model better than mine." She grinned wickedly before flinging her broom over her shoulder and walking away, leaving a furious and dumbfounded Harry in her wake.
*****************************************************
"She cheated!" Harry said as he crawled through the portrait hole and slumped into his seat, arms crossed.
"Don't have a hissy fit Potter." Lara snapped, following him into the common room. The inhabitants of the castle who had stayed up for their return began muttering amongst themselves. Everyone had though Harry would win.
"You won?" Hermione asked, not hiding her surprise at the result.
"Yeah, as much of a shock as it might be." Lara said sarcastically.
"I suppose you want to be seeker then." Harry said grumpily.
"I don't want to play seeker, you can keep you silly position. I want to be a Chaser. That requires some more skill."
"Well you'll have to try out tomorrow."
"After tonight, you still doubt my skill?"
"I didn't see you throw a Quaffle." Harry said, standing up and facing her. "For all I know, your Chaser skills could suck as bad as your personality." Lara clenched her hands by her side, trying to restrain from hitting him. Hermione stood up, sensing the danger signs and intending to stop it. But she was too late. Soon enough Harry and Lara were in another fight.
"Why do you insist on bashing each other up? Couldn't this little feud of yours stay verbal?"
"No!" They both replied in unison before storming away to their respective dormitories.
"I don't know how much more I can take. They're going to kill each other soon." Hermione said to no one in particular, sighing deeply before returning to her book.
***************************************************
The next Saturday morning, Lara was up bright and early on the field, flying. The twins, Fred and George, were watching her fly in wonder, wiping imaginary drool from their mouths.
"Boys, come here!" Harry yelled. He was standing in the centre of the pitch with the two other chasers, ticking off a list of names on a piece of paper. Fred and George reluctantly tore their eyes away from Lara and headed towards their Captain.
"Okay!" Harry yelled to not only his team but those trying out. "I want those trying out for Keeper to go first. Our chasers will attempt to score, you have to try and stop it. Understood?" Harry said, adopting the role of Captain very well.
The Keeper try outs were terrible. Harry's pained expression grew worse and worse as those trying out gradually decreased in abililty. He was at a complete loss when Ginny took position in front of the goal. Harry raised his eyebrows skeptically. He hadn't known Ginny was any good, and seriously doubted she was. But it was worth a shot.
Kate and Alicia flew towards the goal, throwing the Quaffle between them. Eventually, Katie took the ball and made one final streak for the goal. She headed towards it, aiming carefully for the left hoop. However a quick pass switched possession to Alicia, who threw the quaffle at the right hoop in one swift movement. Ginny however, was ready, and as quick as lightning swung her broom around and booted the Quaffle far away. Harry smiled. He had found his keeper.
"Okay, that was great. But I think I've made my decision, Ginny Weasley, welcome to the Gryffindor Quidditch team." The red head's eyes widened in shock before she grabbed Harry in an enormous hug.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" She said happily. Harry laughed, returning the embrace.
"It was no favour, you were really the best!" Ginny grinned as she was enveloped by her two brothers.
"Good one Gin!"
"You're one of us now!" Ginny's panicked face at this comment showed that this was not an accomplishment in her view.
"Okay!" Harry yelled, halting the twins babble. "Chasers, position yourself over there. Our new keeper and two chasers will play on your team, me and the two beaters will play against you as defense. I want to see you score some goals!" Harry said enthusiastically. He and his team mates mounted their brooms and flew upwards.
"Collin Creevy, you're up first!" Harry yelled from his height. The skinny boy mounted his broom nervously and rode up to join the team.
Harry was not as worried about the chaser tryouts , even though the candidates proved to be worse than the Keepers. If Lara was half as good a Chaser as Seeker, the position was hers.
"Last one, Black, your turn." She girl mounted her broom smoothly and kicked off the ground, joining Harry in the air.
"Ready?" He asked.
"You bet Potter." She said, smirking. Bring it on.