I'm back…..my hunting trip was relaxing, and sincerely needed…..Good news while my husband was out being a barbaric man, I got two more chapter completed…..Thanks to all the reviewers, when I got home I was in shock, thank a million times over…..

I've been told that this is a good chapter……you can judge for yourself….anyways keep reading and reviewing.

Nothing is my Own.

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Chapter Nine: Tryouts

Harry Potter with his unruly black hair and startling green eyes had a gut feeling when he lifted his head off his pillow that this wasn't going to be his day. It might have been the Weasley's owl Errol splattering cereal all over his robes at breakfast that confirmed his suspicious. Or maybe it was the cruse Malfoy hit him with when he was on his way to Defense Against the Dark Arts class. It could have be the flirty waves Cho Chang shot him on his way to Divinations. The fact that Professor Trelawney predicted Harry's early death yet again didn't help his day, but he was more concerned with the death looks he was getting from Pavarti Patril who had partnered up with Lavender, leaving him with Susan Bones. To top off everything else that had gone so terribly wrong, he spilt a skin boiling potions all over Professor Snape, who furiously took 25 points from Gryffindor.

Harry drudged as his feet drug him into the Great Hall for a bit to eat before he had to go down to the Quidditch Pitch for tryouts. He wasn't sure they had picked the right person to be Captain this year. Maybe Cho was right, he was the worse Quidditch captain ever!


He had been on the team longer than any other player, but what did he know about leadership. He was a seeker and really didn't even practice with the team. To him

Quidditch was a simple game of cat and mouse. He was the cat and the snitch was the mouse.

The added pressure placed on him by Professor McGonagall didn't help him feel any better. "I'm getting use to that Quidditch Cup in my office Mr. Potter."

Harry took a deep breath and look at his player list for the 100th time that day.

Ron Weasley- Keeper

Harry Potter- Seeker (captain)

Andrew Kirke- Beater

Jack Sloper- Beater

Ginny Weasley- Chaser (lead)

??????- Chaser

??????- Chaser

He knew Ron was the right choice as keeper, he himself would obviously play seeker, although he wasn't to sure about his two beaters, and Ginny still questionably the lead chaser. Harry took a second list from his robes and began to survey it.

Sign Ups Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts:

Seamus Finnigan

Dean Thomas

Pavarti Patril

Dennis Creevy

Euan Abercrombie

Jonathan Puller

"Short list," Harry muttered to himself, he was hoping for a slightly better turn out.

"Harry, we've been looking everywhere for you mate!" Ron exclaimed loudly followed by the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Harry smiled, "sorry, I was just getting bit to eat."

"We've got to be at the pitch in fifteen minuets," Ginny reminded him.

Harry shoved the lists back into his robes and grabbed his Firebolt that was next propped up next to him, and walked with his teammates down to the pitch. It was a beautiful September day, perfect Quidditch weather. Harry closed his eyes and took in a huge gulp of air, when he opened his eyes he felt slightly intimidated. A group of hopefuls and his team were looking at him in anticipation.

"Er, I'm glad you guys showed up for tryouts," Harry started feeling a cringe when he saw Pavarti's death glare had not eased.

"We have two open positions, both being chasers, if anyone would like to tryout for a different position please let me know now," Harry said quickly, hoping nobody would speak.

"I'd like to tryout for the position of beater," Pavarti said loudly.

"We have two beaters already, " Jake Sloper said annoyingly.

Harry feeling rather nervously look over at Ginny for some guidance.

"She can still tryout, we want the best players for each position, anyways didn't Andrew say he was thinking about tryout for a chaser position?" Ginny rescued.

"The point is there is room for us to play with player position, so lets see what you guys can do," Harry said feeling slightly more confident.

Dean Thomas went first, he had obviously been coaxed into trying out by Seamus and Ginny, because he was hideous on a broom. Harry felt his heart skip a beat when he fell off his broom ten feet up in the arm, his heart rhythm returned back to normal when Dean jumped up shouting he was okay.

Seamus wasn't bad, but he had no speed at all, he was slower than Neville on a broom!

Although, his aim was spectacular, if he threw the quaffle it was going in the goal post.

The most surprising tryout came from Dennis Creevy, man that kid could fly. Harry actually felt a little dizzy as he watched him zoom around the pitch, obviously that would be a definite advantage against Slytherin.

Euan Abercrombie wasn't bad for a second year, and Harry felt he'd make a fair

Quidditch player in a few years when he got some size on him. He was just to small to play chaser. The same went for the third year Jonathan Puller, Harry grinned as he watched that kids reflexes, he was definitely Gryffindor's next seeker.

Harry felt a cold chill race up his spine when Pavarti's turn came up. She let her eyes pierce him as she mounted her broom.

"She looks pissed mate," Ron whispered over at Harry. He didn't respond.

"Pavarti, you've said you want to be a beater, lets see what you can do," Harry said trying to avoid her stare.

She smiled forcefully and gripped the beater club tightly in her hand. She was a natural flyer, and her balance was impeccable. Balance was everything to a beater, because they only could use one hand to hold on to their broom. She also was deadly accurate with a bludger. Harry had to duck as she sent one flying towards his head as she headed for the ground to dismount.

"We'll have to call you home-run Patril!" Dean joked, but only Harry and Dennis understood what he was talking about.

"What's a home-run?" Ron asked confused.

"Muggle sport," Harry said understanding Dean's naive ness to the wizarding world.

Harry examined his notes he had scribbled during each individual tryouts and nodded.

"Team," he motioned all of them in. "What do you guys think?"

"Pavarti definitely out beats me!" Andrew offered.

Ginny nodded, "I agree."

"What about Dennis? he has speed." Harry asked.

"Speed, I've never seen anyone go that fast on a Clean Sweep!" Ron exclaimed.

Jack looked around the group, "what about that Euan kid, he wasn't bad."

"I think he's a tad to small to play chaser," Harry said re-reading a note he had made.

"I think Harry's right, you need to be able to take a bludger," Ginny explained, "plus, you need some weight to push around the pitch."

Andrew smiled as she said this, "so how are you planning on playing chaser?"

Ginny grinned, "I've got skills."

Ron glanced over a the nervous group of potentials, "I think it's safe to rule Dean out, he bloody fell off his broom."

"Ron," Ginny snapped, her face looking slightly flushed.

Harry grabbed her arm, "no Ginny, Ron's right, Dean really doesn't need to fly, for his own safety."

She glared at Harry for a moment but shook her head in agreement, conceding defeat, "what about Seamus, he's slow but he has a really accurate aim."

"We just need to figure out what might be more valuable on a quidditch field speed or accuracy," Harry stated.

"So we're eliminating Euan, Jonathan and Dean right?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head and look at his team, "if we're all in agreement?"

"I agree," Jack said first.

"Me too," Andrew seconded.

Harry looked over at Ron and Ginny who were nodding in agreement.

Harry broke away from his team and headed for the potentials, "thanks for tryout but we have some eliminations to make before we proceed to the next step on the tryouts."

He looked at the nervous group of six standing before him, he hated having to do this part.

"Patril, Creevy, Finnigan," he paused, "your staying, the rest of you can watch the rest of the tryout from the bleachers if you'd like, but this just isn't the right time to offer you a position on the team."

"That isn't fair," protested Euan Abercrombie, "just because their older than us."

"I'm sorry you feel that way Euan, the team decided, you can always try again next year," Harry offered.

"You played when you were a first year, I figured you'd realize talent is more important than seniority," Euan argued.

Harry shook his head, "we thought you were really good, you just aren't big enough to play chaser yet."

"Why not give me a chance to tryout as seeker," he retaliated.

"Trust me Euan, you can't out seek Potter," Jonathan interjected.

Euan rolled his eyes, "whatever." He walked away looking very bitter.

"It's okay, I'll be back next year," Jonathan smiled as he turned to chase after Euan.

Dean on the other hand look relieved, "so I don't have to get back on a broom right?"

Everyone laughed.

The second phase of the tryouts was more like a team practice, to see how everyone would fit together.

Harry moved Andrew into a chaser's position, and nervously placed Pavarti as his replacement as beater, after making her promise not to intentionally hit anymore bludgers towards his head.

Andrew did well as a chaser, and Ginny was a natural. Harry caught a glimps of Ron's terrified face when she did a corkscrew down toward the ground followed by a double back flip just feet away from the ground.

Pavarti was already taking the lead as a beater, showing Jack how to better grip the bat. Angelina would be jealous that Harry had found such a promising replacement for Fred and George. They liked to hit bludgers towards people's heads too.

The real dilemma that faced the Gryffindor Quidditch captain was choosing between Seamus and Dennis. One was fast, one was accurate, but neither was both. After watching Dennis miss his third attempt at making a goal Harry motioned Ginny over.

"I don't know, what do you think?" Harry asked eyeing both boys as they attempted a few more goals.

"Well, on one hand you've got me and Andrew with speed, so an accurate player would play better to our skills. On the other hand, Andrews extremely accurate, I haven't seen him miss one goal, and Seamus might hurt us when he can't keep up and be at the end of the pitch where the actions at," Ginny deduced.

Harry watched Dennis fumble another goal attempt, "could you teach him accuracy?"

"Maybe?" Ginny said skeptically, flinching at his failed attempt.

"Could we teach Seamus speed?" Harry asked watching him cruise down the field at a record slow speed.

Ginny shook her head, "no, he's already on a Nimbus 2000, speed is something that can't be taught."

"So we should go with Dennis then?" Harry tried to get Ginny to decide.

Ginny took a deep breath, "tough to say, both of them have their strengths and their weaknesses."

Harry feeling slightly bitter for the lack of advice Ginny had offered him on a decision motioned his team over.

"Okay, we're going to put it to a vote, tell me the two player you think should stay," Harry said quickly.

Ron looked around the group, " Dennis and Seamus."

Ginny disagreed, "Dennis and Pavarti."

Jack nodded with Ginny, "I agree with her."

Andrew glanced over his shoulder before he spoke, "Seamus and Dennis, I know I'm not a great beater, but we need strong chasers more than strong beaters."

"Well, majority rules, Dennis is definitely in. I think your going to do a wonderful job as a chaser Andrew," Harry hinted.

"So it's Dennis and Pavarti?" Ron asked for clarification.

Harry nodded to confirm his choice. He felt terrible for what he was going to have to do to Seamus, "okay, you guys can join us now."

"Well, the team voted and it was decided that our new team mates will be Dennis and Pavarti. Sorry Seamus, it was close," Harry offered expecting to see his famous Irish temper.

Seamus looked disappointed but didn't lose his cool, "all well, you win some, you lose some."

Dennis and Pavarti looked ecstatic. Pavarti was jumping up and down hysterically, and that cold glare had finally melted from her face.

"Congratulations guys, I'll get a practice schedule to you after the next captain's meeting," Harry explained, "you guys are free to go now."

The team dispersed into the locker room for clean up before returning to their common room. Harry gathered the balls and attempted to place them back in their chest. The quaffle was easy, but it took him nearly three minuets to catch the snitch and the bludgers were possible the biggest headache, he had just secured the first one when he felt a impact on his back.

"Oh my God! Harry are you okay?" Pavarti exclaimed as she was leaving the locker rooms on the pitch.

Harry bit his lip to hide how much pain he was in, "yea, I'm fine."

He hatefully grabbed the culprit bludger and wrestled it back into its chain restraints.

"So your talking to me again?" he asked as he secured the last clip.

She flashed him an hateful look, "no, I'm not talking to you. You lied to me!"

"No I didn't," Harry defended, feeling a bit confused.

Pavarti narrowed her eyes, " you most certainly did, you told me you were going to Hogmeade with a friend, and I find out from my sister last night your going with Cho Chang."

"I didn't lie, she is a friend from another house," Harry protested.

Pavarti laughed to herself, "do I really look that gullible?"

"Pavarti," Harry started.

"No, let me say something," Pavarti interrupted. "I owe you an apology, I shouldn't have been so forward. It's just, I've liked you for so long now, and you don't even seem to notice. I thought you'd like me if I showed you how much I liked you. It's all Lavender's fault, she told me I needed to be more aggressive towards you."

She had turned deep red at her words.

"Forward? That's a nice way of putting it," Harry joked trying to ease out of the situation.

Pavarti's head shot up, "I'm really not that way. If you'd just take the time to get to know me."

"I like you Pavarti, as a friend," Harry tried to explain.

She let out a deep sigh, "you think I'm just some giggling idiot. I'm really not like what everyone thinks."

"I don't think you're a giggling idiot all the time," Harry said honestly.

She lowered her head, "this is so embarrassing, and I don't embarrass easily."

"Listen Pavarti, it isn't you, it's me. I really don't have room for any type of relationship in my life right now. It would just complicate things to much."

Harry wasn't sure why he was being so understanding. That is when it hit him, that swooping sensation. He knew it well. The same sensation he use to feel when he got around Cho Chang, like he had missed a step while climbing a staircase.

The setting sun was glowing around the outline of Pavarti Patril, she looked so normal so beautiful. Her warm brown hair was tied neatly behind her back, and her creamy completion looked flawless in the natural light.

Pavarti bit her lip and forced a smile, "why do you have to be so nice. You make it impossible for me to stay mad at you."

"Just a gift I guess," Harry choked out trying to keep from staring at her.

Her forced smile faded into a more natural one, "walk me back to the common room?"

Harry nodded stiffly, trying to figure out why his stomach was suddenly doing back flips.

The walk back was the most uncomfortable one of Harry's life. Pavarti seemed so at ease, but Harry kept losing his words. The majority of the walk was in silence, due to the fact Harry couldn't find the right way to re-initiate the conversation.

"Whomping willow," Pavarti said as they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.

Harry felt a chill run up his spine, he never realized how sweet Pavarti's voice was.

"Well, goodnight Harry. I'm glad we talked," she said with a genuine look on her face.

She placed a kiss on his cheek and turned to leave. Harry let his fingers touch the place her lips had been and felt a tingle burning there.

"Goodnight Pavarti," he said after a momentary delay, she had already reached the girl's dormitory stairs.

Harry rolled his eyes at himself, "I'm a bloody idiot!"