Disclaimer: all characters and the wizarding world belong to J.K. Rowling, of course.
Thanks to KittyMonster for being my beta reader.
I hope everyone enjoys this! This is my first HP fic, so please R&R. I'd appreciate it ^_^
Warning: This fic contains OOTP spoilers (and will probably not make much sense if you haven't read it)!
***
For the Love of Quidditch
Chapter 2 - "Tryouts"
***
While the thoughts of Quidditch kept Harry happy for a short while, in a few days his depression caught up with him, and once again he found himself withdrawn and bitter, his guilty conscience nagging him twice as hard as before. Nothing kept him happy for long. His shame and sadness were wrapped around him too tightly now, constricting his heart and restraining him from any form of solace. He wondered if he would ever feel true unfaltering happiness again. He thought not. Not with this guilt, not with knowing what he had to do next.
Still, the days flew by and before he knew it he was packing his things. He threw his belongings haphazardly into his trunk - books, clothes and other assorted things falling into a disorganized mess. The only things he made sure to pack safely were the mirror Sirius had given him and his Firebolt. Hedwig cooed from her cage, seeming to know they were going to a better place, perhaps trying to get Harry to act more like it.
When he had finished packing, Harry sighed and sat on his bed. He had a few hours until he had to go to Mrs.Figg's, where he would Floo to the Burrow, and so decided to take a nap.
***
He was striding down a dark, narrow corridor towards a door. The Department of Mysteries, his conscious brain reminded him. Walking through familiar doors and down more passages, he finally arrived at aisle 97. Then there were voices - Death Eaters. Bottles crashing, bright flashing lights, and screams filled his ears. And then he was running, running away from what he knew would come next. There was the brain room, Ron's arm disappearing behind tentacles. And finally he appeared in the sunken room with the archway. He could see everyone dueling around him, but everything was silent. The scene seemed to play in slow motion in front of his eyes. Sirius, battling against Bellatrix on the raised dias, a red flash of light, and then a second, the fatal blow, and Sirius falling backwards before disappearing through the veil that surrounded the room. No! Sirius! SIRIUS! His brain screamed.
And suddenly he was somewhere else, away from the familiarity of the previous dream. He could hear a voice, but could not tell what it was saying, nor could he see anything through the darkness around him. He felt around to try and see where he was, but could not find anything to grab on to. There was a hiss from around his feet. He stepped backwards slowly. Then there was laughter - deep, cold, satisfied laughter that filled the air and gave him chills, seemed to rip every ounce of warmth out from within him. The voice was happy, very happy. Things were going his way again.
***
Harry jolted awake, his scar searing with pain, blinding him. He was bathed in sweat, his heart beating as though trying to break through his ribcage. He grabbed his forehead, trying to make it stop. Sirius... That laughing... so cold... he shivered. It could be none other than Voldemort. He hoped no one else had been hurt, or worse, killed. The pain in his scar ebbed a little, still throbbing but not as bad as at first.
He turned to look at the clock. It was 5 o'clock, an hour before he was supposed to leave. Harry decided to go early, in hopes that Mrs. Figg could distract him from his dream, could hopefully reassure him that no one else had been hurt.
He stood up and got ready to go. He ushered Hedwig into her cage, picked her up and took hold of his trunk, dragged everything downstairs.
"I'm leaving!" He called to his aunt and uncle. There was a mumbled reply from the kitchen that sounded a bit like "good". Harry shrugged, opened the door and shut it silently behind him. He padded down the front path, turning toward Mrs. Figg's when he reached the sidewalk. The night air was cool and refreshing. A slight breeze tickled Harry's cheeks and blew his messy black hair away from his eyes, ruffling Hedwig's feathers as she slept in her cage. Harry looked up at the moon, a silver crescent in the sky.
Before long he reached the house of Mrs. Figg. He strode up her walkway, and tapped lightly on the door. She answered it quickly, and ushered him inside. To his dismay, it still smelled of old cabbage and cats. Still, it was much more cozy and comfortable now that he knew who Mrs.Figg really was.
"Good evening, Harry. You're a bit early," She smiled down at him, looking him over. His body was still a little too thin for his frame, his eyes cold and emotionless, underlined by dark circles. "But I guess I can't blame you. I'd want to leave early too if I was living with the Dursley's." She frowned slightly before her mouth twisted into a smile again. Harry smiled meekly. "Well, come in then. Leave your things here and let's have a cup of tea."
"Thanks." Harry said as he laid his trunk on the ground, balancing Hedwig's cage on top of it. He followed Mrs.Figg into the kitchen, where she motioned for him to sit at the table as she went to the stove. He sat in an ancient, battered maple chair.
"So, how has your summer been so far? Dursley's not giving you much trouble, I hope." Mrs.Figg asked pleasantly.
"It's been fine." Harry lied. You try having a good summer when there's someone dead because of you, he thought. He traced the scars of the old, worn table with his finger.
Mrs.Figg looked over at Harry, watched him studying her table with a blank expression on his face. She felt sorry for him, sorry for everything he had had to go through, everything he had to deal with far before his time, hoped that a summer filled with the Weasleys and Quidditch could wash away some of his pain, make him smile again.
"Here you go then." She placed a cup of tea in front of Harry, then sat down opposite him. He stared at the small china teacup; the tiny pink and gold painted flowers were fading from age, and there was a chip near the handle. He breathed in the hot steam, smelling the spices from India mingling with the vapour.
"Thanks." Harry replied. His scar twinged and then fell silent again. "Say, Mrs.Figg... can you tell me if anything has happened today? Has anyone been attacked?"
"Attacked? No dear, not that I know of. Don't you worry about that, now. I'm sure the Order have everything under control." She patted his hand reassuringly.
Soon it was time for Harry to leave. He thanked Mrs.Figg, and gave her a hug before departing, trunk and Hedwig in tow. He stood infront of the hearth, grabbed some floo powder, threw it down, and shouted "The Burrow!" then stepped into the fireplace. The fire burned green and then he felt the usual tug that threw him into a nauseating spin before spitting him out on the other side.
***
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley greeted him on the other side. "Ron, Ginny, Harry is here!" She shouted as Ron came running into the room. "How are you dear? No problems, I hope."
Harry nodded, "Yeah. I'm fine, thanks." Mrs. Weasley gave him a hug. He gave a half-hearted hug back. He was surprisingly uncomfortable for being in such a familiar, welcome place.
"Harry!" Harry was struck down by Ron who gave him a huge hug. Harry hugged back, stronger this time. "Good to see you, mate!" Ron grinned, slapping Harry on the back.
"Good to see you too." Harry replied, forcing a grin in return. Ron, oblivious as usual, smiled back even harder.
Then Ginny appeared at the foot of the stairs. "Hi, Harry." They exchanged a quick hug. Normally the twins Fred and George would have been there to greet him, but they were on vacation visiting their older brother Charlie in Romania.
"Well then, Arthur should be home from work soon. Would you two mind helping Harry bring his things upstairs and then setting the table?" Mrs. Weasley asked her children. The children obliged. Ginny took Hedwig in her cage, Harry and Ron each grabbing hold of one side of the trunk, before all three of them headed upstairs. They placed Harry's things in Ron's room. Harry let Hedwig out of her cage, who was immediately bombarded by a flapping, twittering Pigwidgeon.
"Shove off and leave her alone," growled Ron, snatching her from the air and placing her back on her perch, much to the relief of Hedwig, who immediately flew out the window. Ginny giggled. Then they went back down to the kitchen and, gathering plates, cutlery, glasses and napkins, set the kitchen table.
Mr. Weasley came home shortly after, mouth turned into a frown, looking more stressed than usual. Mrs. Weasley ran to take his things, and they exchanged a kiss before Mr. Weasley sat down at the table while Mrs. Weasley went to get the food.
"Good to see you, Harry." Harry nodded in return.
"Rough day at the office, Dear?" Mrs. Weasley said as she floated their dinner from the kitchen to the table.
Mr. Weasley sighed "Bad news. I'm afraid Tonks has disappeared." Harry stiffened up at hearing this, his eyes widening as panic took over. He remembered Tonks, the kind, shapeshifter girl who was part of the Order of the Phoenix. He had last seen her almost three weeks ago, when he had arrived back in London from Hogwarts. Mr. Weasley, seeming to notice Harry's distress, said, "Oh don't worry, I'm sure she's all right. We have people from the Order out searching for her, in any case. She'll be found..." He trailed off, not sounding as sure as his words.
Harry still looked worried, but was slightly reassured. The Order would find her, he was sure. Was that was why his scar had been hurting earlier, why had Voldemort been happy? Had Tonks been taken by Death Eaters? He wondered if he should tell them about his dream. But the Weasleys began serving themselves and chatting around him, distracting him from his thoughts.
***
Mrs. Weasley had rushed them off to bed shortly after dinner because the tryouts were the next day, but Harry found himself unable to sleep. He tossed and turned for a while before resorting to his usual position - laying on his back and staring at the ceiling. He could hear Ron breathing heavily in the bed next to him, asleep. Moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the room slightly. Harry raised his right hand into the air above his head and squinted, silhouetting it against the ceiling, wondering if it would be the hand to slay Voldemort. No, murder Voldemort, he thought. He frowned, placing his arm back by his side, his palm resting on his stomach. He felt the flesh beneath his fingers rise and fall with his breathing. He could feel the warmth through his thin t-shirt. How could he purposely take away someone's life? Putting someone in Azkaban was one thing, but killing them? He wasn't sure he had it in him.
Damn that Trelawney. Of all the prophecies she could have made, why that one? Why couldn't she have stuck to false predictions and flakey behaviour, instead of sealing his fate to that of a murderer or a matyr?
Harry furrowed his brow, scowling at the ceiling. He wondered why Voldemort had been so happy today. He hoped Tonks was okay, wherever she was. His thoughts drifted back to his dream earlier that day. What plan was Voldemort conjuring up, now that the prophecy was gone? Still questioning, Harry drifted off into a dark, dreamless sleep.
***
The next day Harry and Ron woke up early to prepare for the Quidditch tryouts. Harry raised himself out of his bed, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He threw on a clean pair of jeans and a black T-shirt that actually fit him for once - Dudley had gotten it for a gift from a relative and it had been much to small for him. He and Ron walked downstairs in silence, still yawning groggily.
Ginny giggled as they entered the room. "You two look like you've crawled out of a dungeon!" She exclaimed at seeing Ron's half-closed eyes and Harry mid-yawn, his hair messier than usual, sticking up unnaturally at the back. Harry eyed her sleepily.
"Now, now, Ginny, don't let Professor Snape hear you say that!" said Mrs. Weasley. They all chuckled. "You three sit down and I'll have your breakfast ready in a few minutes." She left the room.
Harry and Ron sat down at the table. Harry looked at Ginny who, quite unlike them, seemed fully awake. Her striking red hair was tied back in a ponytail, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling as she grinned at the boys.
"So, are you two ready for the tryouts today?" She asked.
"I suppose." Ron said, scratching his head. "Can't really get more ready at this point."
"And you, Harry?" she turned to look at him.
"Hrm? Oh!" He stuttered, half-dazed as he realized she was talking to him. "Well, I haven't practiced in a long time..."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, Harry. You're the famous Harry Potter, youngest seeker to grace Hogwarts in a hundred years!" she giggled again.
"Yeh. While we're all practicing ourselves to death, 'ol Harry here can still fly circles around us even after months without practice!" Ron stated glumly. Harry shook his head and laughed, patting Ron on the shoulder.
"We'll see, I guess. Do you know how the teams are going to work?" he asked the pair.
"I've heard we're all going to be split into 4 teams, though it could be more or less depending on how many people show up." Ginny replied.
"Yeah and then there's one game each week." Ron chimed in. "Quite a bit like at Hogwarts, I reckon. I hope we're all on the same team!" Harry and Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Breakfast!" Mrs. Weasley announced, placing two large plates full of eggs, bacon, toast and fruit in front of them.
"Wow, Mom, THANKS!" Ron said, helping himself.
"Anytime, dear. You three need your strength for the tryouts today."
Midway through their meal, Pigwidgeon flew in the window, dropped a letter on Ron's dish, and then flew around his head chirping, looking for praise.
"Yeah, yeah. Good, Pig." Ron waved her off, as he opened the letter. "It's from 'Mione," he said through a mouthful of food, "she's wishing us good luck at the tryouts." They all smiled, making a mental note to thank her later.
The rest of breakfast was spent discussing the tryouts and Quidditch. Harry munched on a piece of toast and an egg, but found he couldn't stomach much else. Finally, after some final preparations the three teens were ready to leave.
"So, how exactly are we getting there?" Harry asked. "Floo powder?" He hoped not.
"No, no. You can't very well floo to a field. We've sent away for a portkey." Mrs. Weasley explained. Harry blushed, embarrassed that he had been stupid enough to mention floo powder. Mrs. Weasley took an old, ratty baseball cap out of her pocket. "It's supposed to activate at 9:50am. It's 9:48 now, so you all better take hold of it." Harry, Ron and Ginny each grasped part of the hat with their free hand - the other holding their broom - and waited for it to take them their destination. At 9:50 exactly, they were swept off to tryouts.
***
Longtoad's field was a long rectangle of grass, with a dense forest of tall evergreen trees surrounding all sides. Three hoops on tall poles had been erected at each short side of the field - the goal posts. On one of the long sides there was a small grandstand painted in black, yellow, red and green stripes, with a tower on one side of it for the announcer. The sky was slightly overcast, but there were patches of blue breaking through the grey and white. In the center of the field, a group of people stood, most of which held brooms. Had a muggle been among them, they would have seen nothing but the lush greenery and the sky overhead.
Harry, Ron and Ginny poofed into existence on the outskirts of the field, stumbling forwards as they were jolted from their swift arrival. Spotting the group in the center of the pitch, they made their way over to them. The grass was still slightly damp, and made soft squishing noises as they stepped through it. As they approached, they looked to see if they recognized anyone. Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper - the pair who had taken over as beaters for Griffindor last year - were there, along with Katie Bell and a girl Harry recognized from the Ravenclaw team. Katie waved at them and they waved back. There was also two boys, one with bold blue eyes and blonde hair, the other darker, with brown hair and eyes, who he recognized as the keeper and chaser from the Hufflepuff team, standing with Zacharias Smith. Beside them was a group Ginny recognized as Ravenclaws from her year. There were also some faces they didn't recognize. There was a group of Slytherin's too, but to Harry and Ron's relief; Malfoy was not among them.
"Wonder why Malfoy's not here?" Ron asked Harry absently. Harry shrugged.
Harry spotted Cho Chang from the corner of his eye. She smiled at him and blushed, then turned away to talk to a girl next to her. Harry paid her no attention, and continued to follow his friends around the edge of the group. Finally the three found a hole in the circle of people and wedged themselves in so they could see the coach who was standing in the middle.
Coach Pilfick was tall and lean, with broad, muscular shoulders. His hazel eyes scanned the crowd. His short, coffee coloured hair was spiked on top of his angular head. He held a broom in his left hand - a Cleansweep 7 - a clipboard in his right, and a large silver whistle on a black string hung around his neck, contrasting against his dark robes. He was actually quite attractive.
A parchment and quill were passed to them. Harry, Ron and Ginny each signed their names and positions they wanted to play, causing a coloured nametag to appear on their chest. Harry noticed each person had a different colour on their nametag, which matched the colour their name was written in on the parchment. His was a deep crimson.
"It's so he can tell who we are." Ginny whispered to Harry. Her own tag was violet. She passed the parchment to the boy next to her. Eventually it got passed to Coach Pilfick, who scanned it briefly.
"All right then," he started, his voice smooth and deep, "welcome to the Youth Summer Quidditch League! I am Coach Pilfick. I will be judging you all today and assigning you to teams. There are 30 of you, so there will be 4 teams, two of which will have an extra player. I will try to make the teams as even as possible skill-wise, so none of you need fret about things being unfair." He looked up and smiled at the crowd. "Okay then, let's get started! Will you all please mount your brooms and do laps around the pitch until I tell you to stop. I will be watching you from the air." He gestured towards his own broom. "Off you go then!"
Harry, Ron and Ginny did as they were told, and before long were gliding through the air. Harry zoomed ahead of his two friends, thrilled to be on his Firebolt again. The wind swept through his raven-black hair, caressing his skin as he soared above the pitch. A smile appeared on his face.
Harry looked over and watched some of the other players. Most seemed comfortable, but a few of the ones he didn't recognize seemed a little unsure of themselves, clutching their brooms tightly, wobbling slightly from time to time. Coach Pilfick was in the middle, making notes on a clipboard.
After 10 minutes or so, the coach blew his whistle and motioned the group to gather around him once again. "Now we will practice catching and throwing the Quaffle. Accio Quaffles!" He yelled. A large net bag full of quaffles floated into the air. "Split off into pairs, one of you come get a Quaffle from me, and then spread out and begin." Harry and Ron paired up, Ginny partnering with a Ravenclaw girl from her year.
By 1:30 they had done a drill for each skill in Quidditch; they each got a chance to defend the goals, search for the snitch, hit and dodge beaters, throw and catch Quaffles and try and score goals, as well as general flying techniques. All the while Coach Pilfick had been watching them, making notes on his clipboard.
"Okay then, you bunch sit tight for a little bit while I sort out the teams." He said at the end of the drills, leaving them to fly around, play with the balls, or talk at leisure.
Fifteen minutes later the coach returned, clipboard still in hand, and ushered them to gather around him. "I will now announce the teams you will be on. The first team will be the High-flying Horntails. Those called will please gather together over there," he pointed over his shoulder, "and wait until everyone has been assigned to a team. I will instruct all of you when your first practice is then. Right. The three chasers for the Horntails are Lindsey Addison, Adrian Pucey and George Filligan. Beaters are Wallace Bole and Jack Sloper..." He continued until all 7 members of the High-flying Horntails had been announced, plus an extra player.
"Next, the Valiant Vipertooths. Please stand together over there." He pointed to his left. "Chasers are Katie Bell, Anna Durham and Zacharias Smith. Beaters are Nigel Underhill and Andrew Kirke. Keeper is Ron Weasley. Seeker is Cho Chang." Ron looked at Harry distressingly as he walked off, obviously disappointed not to be on the same team as Harry. Harry smiled at him hearteningly and shrugged.
Coach Pilfick went through all the positions on the Ferocious Fireballs, plus and extra player, without calling either Harry's or Ginny's name. Harry and Ginny smiled at each other knowingly, glad to have someone they knew on the same team, waiting for the coach to announce their positions.
"Lastly we have the Obliviating Opaleyes. Chasers are Lucy Cabbot, Ginny Weasley..." he continued down the list until reaching Harry's position as seeker. "Right, then, Everyone gather round, please! Practice will start in two day's time for those teams that have practice on Monday. Teams will practice at separate times, right here at Longtoad's Field, three times a week. Games will be played on Sundays, the first of which will be in one week. Well, that's it! I can't wait to start practicing with you all. Please come and get a schedule from me before you leave today as it shows when your practices and games are." He smiled at the group around him.
"Looks like you and I are on the same team." Harry turned to Ginny, "Shame about Ron, though."
"Yeah, but at least you and I are together!" She exclaimed happily. Harry nodded and grinned at her. Just then Ron walked up to them. He handed them each a schedule.
"Rotten, it is, you two being on the same team but not me."
"Yeah, we were just saying that. But at least it sounds like you got a good team." Harry tried to console him.
"True. At least I didn't end up with Eric Gelidey on my team. Did you see him wobbling around on his broom earlier? Poor Fireballs!" They all laughed and nodded in agreement. Harry smiled at his best friend, glad that he wasn't taking their separation too hard.
Harry brushed his hair from his eyes and stared up at the sky; the overcast grey had turned into a bright blue with a spattering of perfect white clouds that looked fluffy enough to sleep on. The sun shone down, warming Harry's skin. A huge smile broke out on his face. His eyes, a brilliant green, sparkled in the sunlight. He wondered how the world could be so beautiful and so ugly at the same time.
"Harry? Harry!" He was brought back to reality by Ron's voice. He blinked and grinned at his friend sheepishly. "It's time to go home, Harry. Let's go." The three teens - one tall, broad shouldered and flame-haired, one short, sleek and beautiful with a bright orange mane, and one pale, with jade green eyes and obsidian hair, and a lightning scar on his forehead - took hold of the battered old hat again, and were gone.
***
AN: Thanks soooo much to all my reviewers! I really appreciate it! Chapter 3 will hopefully be up soon. I've already started it so not too long i think! There will be a healthy dose of fluff in the next chapter, for all you who have been waiting patiently for it ^_^
Tanith Devika: At the end of OOTP, Dumbledore simply says that Harry has to return to Privet Drive once a year, but not for how long. "You need to return there only once a year, but as long as you can still call it home, whilst you are there he cannot hurt you." - Dumbledore. I think the reason he made Harry stay there for long in the last books is because, like he said, Harry can't be hurt by Voldemort at Privet Drive, so he kept him there in order to keep him safe.
celestine de karamel: yes Hermione will play a role in the story (but not Quidditch!). don't worry she'll come in soon ^_^
Thanks to KittyMonster for being my beta reader.
I hope everyone enjoys this! This is my first HP fic, so please R&R. I'd appreciate it ^_^
Warning: This fic contains OOTP spoilers (and will probably not make much sense if you haven't read it)!
For the Love of Quidditch
Chapter 2 - "Tryouts"
***
While the thoughts of Quidditch kept Harry happy for a short while, in a few days his depression caught up with him, and once again he found himself withdrawn and bitter, his guilty conscience nagging him twice as hard as before. Nothing kept him happy for long. His shame and sadness were wrapped around him too tightly now, constricting his heart and restraining him from any form of solace. He wondered if he would ever feel true unfaltering happiness again. He thought not. Not with this guilt, not with knowing what he had to do next.
Still, the days flew by and before he knew it he was packing his things. He threw his belongings haphazardly into his trunk - books, clothes and other assorted things falling into a disorganized mess. The only things he made sure to pack safely were the mirror Sirius had given him and his Firebolt. Hedwig cooed from her cage, seeming to know they were going to a better place, perhaps trying to get Harry to act more like it.
When he had finished packing, Harry sighed and sat on his bed. He had a few hours until he had to go to Mrs.Figg's, where he would Floo to the Burrow, and so decided to take a nap.
He was striding down a dark, narrow corridor towards a door. The Department of Mysteries, his conscious brain reminded him. Walking through familiar doors and down more passages, he finally arrived at aisle 97. Then there were voices - Death Eaters. Bottles crashing, bright flashing lights, and screams filled his ears. And then he was running, running away from what he knew would come next. There was the brain room, Ron's arm disappearing behind tentacles. And finally he appeared in the sunken room with the archway. He could see everyone dueling around him, but everything was silent. The scene seemed to play in slow motion in front of his eyes. Sirius, battling against Bellatrix on the raised dias, a red flash of light, and then a second, the fatal blow, and Sirius falling backwards before disappearing through the veil that surrounded the room. No! Sirius! SIRIUS! His brain screamed.
And suddenly he was somewhere else, away from the familiarity of the previous dream. He could hear a voice, but could not tell what it was saying, nor could he see anything through the darkness around him. He felt around to try and see where he was, but could not find anything to grab on to. There was a hiss from around his feet. He stepped backwards slowly. Then there was laughter - deep, cold, satisfied laughter that filled the air and gave him chills, seemed to rip every ounce of warmth out from within him. The voice was happy, very happy. Things were going his way again.
Harry jolted awake, his scar searing with pain, blinding him. He was bathed in sweat, his heart beating as though trying to break through his ribcage. He grabbed his forehead, trying to make it stop. Sirius... That laughing... so cold... he shivered. It could be none other than Voldemort. He hoped no one else had been hurt, or worse, killed. The pain in his scar ebbed a little, still throbbing but not as bad as at first.
He turned to look at the clock. It was 5 o'clock, an hour before he was supposed to leave. Harry decided to go early, in hopes that Mrs. Figg could distract him from his dream, could hopefully reassure him that no one else had been hurt.
He stood up and got ready to go. He ushered Hedwig into her cage, picked her up and took hold of his trunk, dragged everything downstairs.
"I'm leaving!" He called to his aunt and uncle. There was a mumbled reply from the kitchen that sounded a bit like "good". Harry shrugged, opened the door and shut it silently behind him. He padded down the front path, turning toward Mrs. Figg's when he reached the sidewalk. The night air was cool and refreshing. A slight breeze tickled Harry's cheeks and blew his messy black hair away from his eyes, ruffling Hedwig's feathers as she slept in her cage. Harry looked up at the moon, a silver crescent in the sky.
Before long he reached the house of Mrs. Figg. He strode up her walkway, and tapped lightly on the door. She answered it quickly, and ushered him inside. To his dismay, it still smelled of old cabbage and cats. Still, it was much more cozy and comfortable now that he knew who Mrs.Figg really was.
"Good evening, Harry. You're a bit early," She smiled down at him, looking him over. His body was still a little too thin for his frame, his eyes cold and emotionless, underlined by dark circles. "But I guess I can't blame you. I'd want to leave early too if I was living with the Dursley's." She frowned slightly before her mouth twisted into a smile again. Harry smiled meekly. "Well, come in then. Leave your things here and let's have a cup of tea."
"Thanks." Harry said as he laid his trunk on the ground, balancing Hedwig's cage on top of it. He followed Mrs.Figg into the kitchen, where she motioned for him to sit at the table as she went to the stove. He sat in an ancient, battered maple chair.
"So, how has your summer been so far? Dursley's not giving you much trouble, I hope." Mrs.Figg asked pleasantly.
"It's been fine." Harry lied. You try having a good summer when there's someone dead because of you, he thought. He traced the scars of the old, worn table with his finger.
Mrs.Figg looked over at Harry, watched him studying her table with a blank expression on his face. She felt sorry for him, sorry for everything he had had to go through, everything he had to deal with far before his time, hoped that a summer filled with the Weasleys and Quidditch could wash away some of his pain, make him smile again.
"Here you go then." She placed a cup of tea in front of Harry, then sat down opposite him. He stared at the small china teacup; the tiny pink and gold painted flowers were fading from age, and there was a chip near the handle. He breathed in the hot steam, smelling the spices from India mingling with the vapour.
"Thanks." Harry replied. His scar twinged and then fell silent again. "Say, Mrs.Figg... can you tell me if anything has happened today? Has anyone been attacked?"
"Attacked? No dear, not that I know of. Don't you worry about that, now. I'm sure the Order have everything under control." She patted his hand reassuringly.
Soon it was time for Harry to leave. He thanked Mrs.Figg, and gave her a hug before departing, trunk and Hedwig in tow. He stood infront of the hearth, grabbed some floo powder, threw it down, and shouted "The Burrow!" then stepped into the fireplace. The fire burned green and then he felt the usual tug that threw him into a nauseating spin before spitting him out on the other side.
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley greeted him on the other side. "Ron, Ginny, Harry is here!" She shouted as Ron came running into the room. "How are you dear? No problems, I hope."
Harry nodded, "Yeah. I'm fine, thanks." Mrs. Weasley gave him a hug. He gave a half-hearted hug back. He was surprisingly uncomfortable for being in such a familiar, welcome place.
"Harry!" Harry was struck down by Ron who gave him a huge hug. Harry hugged back, stronger this time. "Good to see you, mate!" Ron grinned, slapping Harry on the back.
"Good to see you too." Harry replied, forcing a grin in return. Ron, oblivious as usual, smiled back even harder.
Then Ginny appeared at the foot of the stairs. "Hi, Harry." They exchanged a quick hug. Normally the twins Fred and George would have been there to greet him, but they were on vacation visiting their older brother Charlie in Romania.
"Well then, Arthur should be home from work soon. Would you two mind helping Harry bring his things upstairs and then setting the table?" Mrs. Weasley asked her children. The children obliged. Ginny took Hedwig in her cage, Harry and Ron each grabbing hold of one side of the trunk, before all three of them headed upstairs. They placed Harry's things in Ron's room. Harry let Hedwig out of her cage, who was immediately bombarded by a flapping, twittering Pigwidgeon.
"Shove off and leave her alone," growled Ron, snatching her from the air and placing her back on her perch, much to the relief of Hedwig, who immediately flew out the window. Ginny giggled. Then they went back down to the kitchen and, gathering plates, cutlery, glasses and napkins, set the kitchen table.
Mr. Weasley came home shortly after, mouth turned into a frown, looking more stressed than usual. Mrs. Weasley ran to take his things, and they exchanged a kiss before Mr. Weasley sat down at the table while Mrs. Weasley went to get the food.
"Good to see you, Harry." Harry nodded in return.
"Rough day at the office, Dear?" Mrs. Weasley said as she floated their dinner from the kitchen to the table.
Mr. Weasley sighed "Bad news. I'm afraid Tonks has disappeared." Harry stiffened up at hearing this, his eyes widening as panic took over. He remembered Tonks, the kind, shapeshifter girl who was part of the Order of the Phoenix. He had last seen her almost three weeks ago, when he had arrived back in London from Hogwarts. Mr. Weasley, seeming to notice Harry's distress, said, "Oh don't worry, I'm sure she's all right. We have people from the Order out searching for her, in any case. She'll be found..." He trailed off, not sounding as sure as his words.
Harry still looked worried, but was slightly reassured. The Order would find her, he was sure. Was that was why his scar had been hurting earlier, why had Voldemort been happy? Had Tonks been taken by Death Eaters? He wondered if he should tell them about his dream. But the Weasleys began serving themselves and chatting around him, distracting him from his thoughts.
Mrs. Weasley had rushed them off to bed shortly after dinner because the tryouts were the next day, but Harry found himself unable to sleep. He tossed and turned for a while before resorting to his usual position - laying on his back and staring at the ceiling. He could hear Ron breathing heavily in the bed next to him, asleep. Moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the room slightly. Harry raised his right hand into the air above his head and squinted, silhouetting it against the ceiling, wondering if it would be the hand to slay Voldemort. No, murder Voldemort, he thought. He frowned, placing his arm back by his side, his palm resting on his stomach. He felt the flesh beneath his fingers rise and fall with his breathing. He could feel the warmth through his thin t-shirt. How could he purposely take away someone's life? Putting someone in Azkaban was one thing, but killing them? He wasn't sure he had it in him.
Damn that Trelawney. Of all the prophecies she could have made, why that one? Why couldn't she have stuck to false predictions and flakey behaviour, instead of sealing his fate to that of a murderer or a matyr?
Harry furrowed his brow, scowling at the ceiling. He wondered why Voldemort had been so happy today. He hoped Tonks was okay, wherever she was. His thoughts drifted back to his dream earlier that day. What plan was Voldemort conjuring up, now that the prophecy was gone? Still questioning, Harry drifted off into a dark, dreamless sleep.
The next day Harry and Ron woke up early to prepare for the Quidditch tryouts. Harry raised himself out of his bed, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He threw on a clean pair of jeans and a black T-shirt that actually fit him for once - Dudley had gotten it for a gift from a relative and it had been much to small for him. He and Ron walked downstairs in silence, still yawning groggily.
Ginny giggled as they entered the room. "You two look like you've crawled out of a dungeon!" She exclaimed at seeing Ron's half-closed eyes and Harry mid-yawn, his hair messier than usual, sticking up unnaturally at the back. Harry eyed her sleepily.
"Now, now, Ginny, don't let Professor Snape hear you say that!" said Mrs. Weasley. They all chuckled. "You three sit down and I'll have your breakfast ready in a few minutes." She left the room.
Harry and Ron sat down at the table. Harry looked at Ginny who, quite unlike them, seemed fully awake. Her striking red hair was tied back in a ponytail, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling as she grinned at the boys.
"So, are you two ready for the tryouts today?" She asked.
"I suppose." Ron said, scratching his head. "Can't really get more ready at this point."
"And you, Harry?" she turned to look at him.
"Hrm? Oh!" He stuttered, half-dazed as he realized she was talking to him. "Well, I haven't practiced in a long time..."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, Harry. You're the famous Harry Potter, youngest seeker to grace Hogwarts in a hundred years!" she giggled again.
"Yeh. While we're all practicing ourselves to death, 'ol Harry here can still fly circles around us even after months without practice!" Ron stated glumly. Harry shook his head and laughed, patting Ron on the shoulder.
"We'll see, I guess. Do you know how the teams are going to work?" he asked the pair.
"I've heard we're all going to be split into 4 teams, though it could be more or less depending on how many people show up." Ginny replied.
"Yeah and then there's one game each week." Ron chimed in. "Quite a bit like at Hogwarts, I reckon. I hope we're all on the same team!" Harry and Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Breakfast!" Mrs. Weasley announced, placing two large plates full of eggs, bacon, toast and fruit in front of them.
"Wow, Mom, THANKS!" Ron said, helping himself.
"Anytime, dear. You three need your strength for the tryouts today."
Midway through their meal, Pigwidgeon flew in the window, dropped a letter on Ron's dish, and then flew around his head chirping, looking for praise.
"Yeah, yeah. Good, Pig." Ron waved her off, as he opened the letter. "It's from 'Mione," he said through a mouthful of food, "she's wishing us good luck at the tryouts." They all smiled, making a mental note to thank her later.
The rest of breakfast was spent discussing the tryouts and Quidditch. Harry munched on a piece of toast and an egg, but found he couldn't stomach much else. Finally, after some final preparations the three teens were ready to leave.
"So, how exactly are we getting there?" Harry asked. "Floo powder?" He hoped not.
"No, no. You can't very well floo to a field. We've sent away for a portkey." Mrs. Weasley explained. Harry blushed, embarrassed that he had been stupid enough to mention floo powder. Mrs. Weasley took an old, ratty baseball cap out of her pocket. "It's supposed to activate at 9:50am. It's 9:48 now, so you all better take hold of it." Harry, Ron and Ginny each grasped part of the hat with their free hand - the other holding their broom - and waited for it to take them their destination. At 9:50 exactly, they were swept off to tryouts.
Longtoad's field was a long rectangle of grass, with a dense forest of tall evergreen trees surrounding all sides. Three hoops on tall poles had been erected at each short side of the field - the goal posts. On one of the long sides there was a small grandstand painted in black, yellow, red and green stripes, with a tower on one side of it for the announcer. The sky was slightly overcast, but there were patches of blue breaking through the grey and white. In the center of the field, a group of people stood, most of which held brooms. Had a muggle been among them, they would have seen nothing but the lush greenery and the sky overhead.
Harry, Ron and Ginny poofed into existence on the outskirts of the field, stumbling forwards as they were jolted from their swift arrival. Spotting the group in the center of the pitch, they made their way over to them. The grass was still slightly damp, and made soft squishing noises as they stepped through it. As they approached, they looked to see if they recognized anyone. Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper - the pair who had taken over as beaters for Griffindor last year - were there, along with Katie Bell and a girl Harry recognized from the Ravenclaw team. Katie waved at them and they waved back. There was also two boys, one with bold blue eyes and blonde hair, the other darker, with brown hair and eyes, who he recognized as the keeper and chaser from the Hufflepuff team, standing with Zacharias Smith. Beside them was a group Ginny recognized as Ravenclaws from her year. There were also some faces they didn't recognize. There was a group of Slytherin's too, but to Harry and Ron's relief; Malfoy was not among them.
"Wonder why Malfoy's not here?" Ron asked Harry absently. Harry shrugged.
Harry spotted Cho Chang from the corner of his eye. She smiled at him and blushed, then turned away to talk to a girl next to her. Harry paid her no attention, and continued to follow his friends around the edge of the group. Finally the three found a hole in the circle of people and wedged themselves in so they could see the coach who was standing in the middle.
Coach Pilfick was tall and lean, with broad, muscular shoulders. His hazel eyes scanned the crowd. His short, coffee coloured hair was spiked on top of his angular head. He held a broom in his left hand - a Cleansweep 7 - a clipboard in his right, and a large silver whistle on a black string hung around his neck, contrasting against his dark robes. He was actually quite attractive.
A parchment and quill were passed to them. Harry, Ron and Ginny each signed their names and positions they wanted to play, causing a coloured nametag to appear on their chest. Harry noticed each person had a different colour on their nametag, which matched the colour their name was written in on the parchment. His was a deep crimson.
"It's so he can tell who we are." Ginny whispered to Harry. Her own tag was violet. She passed the parchment to the boy next to her. Eventually it got passed to Coach Pilfick, who scanned it briefly.
"All right then," he started, his voice smooth and deep, "welcome to the Youth Summer Quidditch League! I am Coach Pilfick. I will be judging you all today and assigning you to teams. There are 30 of you, so there will be 4 teams, two of which will have an extra player. I will try to make the teams as even as possible skill-wise, so none of you need fret about things being unfair." He looked up and smiled at the crowd. "Okay then, let's get started! Will you all please mount your brooms and do laps around the pitch until I tell you to stop. I will be watching you from the air." He gestured towards his own broom. "Off you go then!"
Harry, Ron and Ginny did as they were told, and before long were gliding through the air. Harry zoomed ahead of his two friends, thrilled to be on his Firebolt again. The wind swept through his raven-black hair, caressing his skin as he soared above the pitch. A smile appeared on his face.
Harry looked over and watched some of the other players. Most seemed comfortable, but a few of the ones he didn't recognize seemed a little unsure of themselves, clutching their brooms tightly, wobbling slightly from time to time. Coach Pilfick was in the middle, making notes on a clipboard.
After 10 minutes or so, the coach blew his whistle and motioned the group to gather around him once again. "Now we will practice catching and throwing the Quaffle. Accio Quaffles!" He yelled. A large net bag full of quaffles floated into the air. "Split off into pairs, one of you come get a Quaffle from me, and then spread out and begin." Harry and Ron paired up, Ginny partnering with a Ravenclaw girl from her year.
By 1:30 they had done a drill for each skill in Quidditch; they each got a chance to defend the goals, search for the snitch, hit and dodge beaters, throw and catch Quaffles and try and score goals, as well as general flying techniques. All the while Coach Pilfick had been watching them, making notes on his clipboard.
"Okay then, you bunch sit tight for a little bit while I sort out the teams." He said at the end of the drills, leaving them to fly around, play with the balls, or talk at leisure.
Fifteen minutes later the coach returned, clipboard still in hand, and ushered them to gather around him. "I will now announce the teams you will be on. The first team will be the High-flying Horntails. Those called will please gather together over there," he pointed over his shoulder, "and wait until everyone has been assigned to a team. I will instruct all of you when your first practice is then. Right. The three chasers for the Horntails are Lindsey Addison, Adrian Pucey and George Filligan. Beaters are Wallace Bole and Jack Sloper..." He continued until all 7 members of the High-flying Horntails had been announced, plus an extra player.
"Next, the Valiant Vipertooths. Please stand together over there." He pointed to his left. "Chasers are Katie Bell, Anna Durham and Zacharias Smith. Beaters are Nigel Underhill and Andrew Kirke. Keeper is Ron Weasley. Seeker is Cho Chang." Ron looked at Harry distressingly as he walked off, obviously disappointed not to be on the same team as Harry. Harry smiled at him hearteningly and shrugged.
Coach Pilfick went through all the positions on the Ferocious Fireballs, plus and extra player, without calling either Harry's or Ginny's name. Harry and Ginny smiled at each other knowingly, glad to have someone they knew on the same team, waiting for the coach to announce their positions.
"Lastly we have the Obliviating Opaleyes. Chasers are Lucy Cabbot, Ginny Weasley..." he continued down the list until reaching Harry's position as seeker. "Right, then, Everyone gather round, please! Practice will start in two day's time for those teams that have practice on Monday. Teams will practice at separate times, right here at Longtoad's Field, three times a week. Games will be played on Sundays, the first of which will be in one week. Well, that's it! I can't wait to start practicing with you all. Please come and get a schedule from me before you leave today as it shows when your practices and games are." He smiled at the group around him.
"Looks like you and I are on the same team." Harry turned to Ginny, "Shame about Ron, though."
"Yeah, but at least you and I are together!" She exclaimed happily. Harry nodded and grinned at her. Just then Ron walked up to them. He handed them each a schedule.
"Rotten, it is, you two being on the same team but not me."
"Yeah, we were just saying that. But at least it sounds like you got a good team." Harry tried to console him.
"True. At least I didn't end up with Eric Gelidey on my team. Did you see him wobbling around on his broom earlier? Poor Fireballs!" They all laughed and nodded in agreement. Harry smiled at his best friend, glad that he wasn't taking their separation too hard.
Harry brushed his hair from his eyes and stared up at the sky; the overcast grey had turned into a bright blue with a spattering of perfect white clouds that looked fluffy enough to sleep on. The sun shone down, warming Harry's skin. A huge smile broke out on his face. His eyes, a brilliant green, sparkled in the sunlight. He wondered how the world could be so beautiful and so ugly at the same time.
"Harry? Harry!" He was brought back to reality by Ron's voice. He blinked and grinned at his friend sheepishly. "It's time to go home, Harry. Let's go." The three teens - one tall, broad shouldered and flame-haired, one short, sleek and beautiful with a bright orange mane, and one pale, with jade green eyes and obsidian hair, and a lightning scar on his forehead - took hold of the battered old hat again, and were gone.
AN: Thanks soooo much to all my reviewers! I really appreciate it! Chapter 3 will hopefully be up soon. I've already started it so not too long i think! There will be a healthy dose of fluff in the next chapter, for all you who have been waiting patiently for it ^_^
Tanith Devika: At the end of OOTP, Dumbledore simply says that Harry has to return to Privet Drive once a year, but not for how long. "You need to return there only once a year, but as long as you can still call it home, whilst you are there he cannot hurt you." - Dumbledore. I think the reason he made Harry stay there for long in the last books is because, like he said, Harry can't be hurt by Voldemort at Privet Drive, so he kept him there in order to keep him safe.
celestine de karamel: yes Hermione will play a role in the story (but not Quidditch!). don't worry she'll come in soon ^_^