Chapter 22: Trialing Tryouts and a Midnight Snack

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"The Chudley Cannons wear robes of bright orange emblazoned with a speeding cannonball and a double 'C' in black. The club motto was changed in 1972 from "We Shall Conquer" to "Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best."

~*~

Harry awoke in the morning when someone pulled open the coverings on the windows and sunlight poured into the tower room. He was surprised to see Fred Weasley standing there in the dorm.

"Up now both of you," said Fred. "Tryouts start in half an hour."

 Both Harry and Ron crawled out of bed grumbling before dressing quickly and walking down to the common room. Aside from the Quidditch team and the potential new members the only other people up and about were Hermione and Ginny. At the moment they were sitting over at a table in the corner whispering and laughing about something. When they grouped up with everyone else Harry realized they must have been planning to watch the tryouts. Then he noticed the guards Ginny was holding and grinned. He thought that perhaps the Gryffindor team might as well be called 'Weasley United' at this rate.

 People gathered their things and soon progressed out to the pitch. After a bit of chaos Harry managed, with the help of his teammates, to sort out the mess and start the tryouts for Keeper.  Each keeper took his turn guarding the posts against Angelina, Katie, and Alicia who were throwing the quaffle back and forth viciously. Each potential keeper was given 20 shots and Harry took note of all the scores. He was very surprised when a first year, Laurell Cauldwell, managed to block seventeen. Her total was surpassed only by Ron who had managed an amazing nineteen. Harry wondered how many extra practice hours he'd been sneaking in. Finally when everyone had had a go at it Harry called the start of a mock game after finding out what positions people were trying for. He'd assumed Ginny would try for chaser but was amazed when she announced that she'd be trying for beater. Part of the original team would make up the players on one mock team but Harry mixed in some of the potentials. Eventually the teams were assembled and he managed to pull Hermione into helping out. She released the snitch followed by the other balls in the case and the game began.

 Harry began circling the pitch, observing instead of playing as two people were trying for reserve seeker. He kept his eye more so on third year Devin Petite than on the second year trailing her. Ginny and the Adam, her fellow beater, were doing amazingly well and were almost rivaling Fred and George. The other potential beater had to be subbed in and out because there were three trying. Ethan did well but didn't seem to work as well when partnering. The game continued before his eyes before Devin finally caught the snitch and ended the game. 210 to 50.

 Harry applauded as they landed and then went off to converse with his team members. Ron was made Keeper quickly and Laurell became his reserve. (When she heard the announcement later she was anything but disappointed.) Devin would become his new backup and Ginny along with Adam would be reserve beaters. The chasers were a mixed lot, consisting of a girl and two boys; Seamus, Dean, and Natalie worked well together. After the announcements had been made Harry booked the first practiced and everyone headed to the showers.

 Up until now Harry had done a marvelous job avoiding anyone seeing him unless he was fully clothed. Unfortunately the locker rooms did little to help with that. He pretended not to feel the glances as he peeled off his sweaty shirt. When he looked up Dean, Seamus, and Adam looked away. He didn't doubt that they knew, what with all the rumors going around. He tried to ignore it and stepped into the shower stall where he let hot water pour down on him. He'd have to talk eventually. They were all curious. Even if that didn't merit it he knew his dorm mates probably deserved an explanation for why he sometimes woke them with his screams. Ron wasn't very helpful to have around when he was trying to do a silencing charm. He didn't mind having his friends there for him, really. He just didn't want to be a nuisance. So far no one had said anything to him though, except for Neville that was. And he hadn't said much, but what he had said had been momentous. He'd told Harry about his parents, said he knew that Harry had already found out from Dumbledore. He'd offered his support to Harry if he ever needed it. Harry had been amazed at how kind some people could be. He reminded himself not to be annoyed the next time Neville lost them any points in potions. Besides, this year he was managing to more than make up for them in Herbology. Everyone had been surprised at his brilliance in that particular subject.

 Harry dried himself off with a towel and got dressed quickly to avoid any more glances his way. After he was dressed he headed back to Gryffindor Tower with his friends. When they'd put away their Quidditch gear everyone regrouped at table in the common room. This was part of the time table Hermione had drawn up and she wasn't going to let any of them weasel out of her study group. The topic for tonight happened to be History of Magic and Hermione handed them each a practice packet for the O.W.L. Ron groaned and picked up his quill as he began flipping through the pages.

"They expect us to know this stuff?" said Ron. "Bloody hell.  I can't tell one goblin rebellion from another. It's not like any of this will help us later on."

"Ron," exclaimed Hermione, exasperated now, "Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.'? Ringing any bells up there?"

Harry laughed at his friend, "No, but he keeps hearing that odd hollow-like echoing sound lately. Isn't that right Ron."

"Sod off."

"Come on," said Hermione, "We don't have time for this!"

Ron and Harry sighed and picked up their quills. An hour later Hermione was finished. Harry and Ron finished twenty minutes after that. They scored the practices and Hermione was only the one who passed. She was still miffed though as she had only been 'slightly' above average. She managed to keep them studying for another hour before they started a game of chess. Harry was thankful for Hermione's opinions then as she led him to come quite close to winning against Ron. Well at least the closest he'd ever been. Ron creamed him though. Ginny joined them shortly, though already in her night dress. She challenged Ron and Harry and Hermione were dragged into watching what Harry later referred to as "The Eternal Chess Game from Hell." Ron finally managed to win after a long drawn match and Ginny actually took the loss well, either that or she hid it very well. They shook hands very formally both saying "Nice match." Harry and Hermione giggled at the two siblings. Hermione was in the middle of congratulating Ron when his stomach rumbled loudly.

"Boy am I hungry," said Ron sheepishly, red creeping up his face and almost to his ears.

"Why don't we go nick some food from the kitchens?" suggested Harry.

"Good idea," replied Ron.

"Can we all fit under the cloak?" inquired Hermione curiously. "You know I've been reading about temporary expansion charms and I was thinking.."

Everyone ignored the babbling and stared at her in shock. Harry was surprised Hermione didn't fall into a dead faint.

"You mean," said Ginny, "That even with all your perfectly duties, you are suggesting ways to improve our chances when sneaking out after hours and you want to go with us."

"Yes," said Ron, "Don't you want to go to bed before we 'come up with a clever idea to get us killed'?"

Harry mock gasped, widening his eyes, "Or worse!- Expelled!"

 They all broke into fits of laughter and Hermione sulked for a minute before sending Harry for the cloak.  She tapped it with her wand and Harry watched as it expanded to fit them all. Harry noticed that Ron and Hermione remained quite cozy even with the added space. Finally when they were all concealed and had checked to make sure no one's foot was sticking out they began their trek to the kitchens.

~*~

 Harry woke groggily the one morning a few weeks later and reached for his glasses. He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and got up with a grimace. He woke up Ron and they began to get dressed before heading down to the common room. Harry almost regretted waking his friend after five minutes of his nervous babbling. He grinned though and remembered his first Quidditch game. They met up with Hermione and Ginny and were the only other ones in the Great Hall so far except for a few members of the Ravenclaw team. Hermione had a book leaned against a pitcher of orange juice and was reading intently while eating a few bites of toast. Harry watched Ron pile up food on his plate and then watched as he proceeded to barely touch it.

"You should eat, Ron," said Hermione from behind the book.

"You never pick on Harry like this before games," grumbled Ron.

"He never eats anyway though," shot back Hermione. "It's not like he'd listen either."

"You do know I'm still here?" said Harry.

"Well he should," complained Ron.

"Hello," said Harry as they continued. He waved an arm at Ron while Ginny laughed at him.

"You try forcing him to eat sometime," said Hermione. "I don't ever see you giving me any help. Now shut up and eat something before I strangle you."

She returned to her toast and then turned to Harry who had finally given up and was staring at his goblet. "Did you say something, Harry?" she inquired.

"No," replied Harry sincerely. "Not a word."

"Oh. Okay then."

 Harry started a conversation of Ginny rather than pretending to be interested in the goblet anymore while trying to ignore how at this moment his friends had suddenly grown very interested with each other. He smiled though when Hermione leaned back against Ron's shoulder. Every now and then he had doubts about the two had coupling up but these were invisible at moments like this. He was definitely sure that all their fighting was really just an excuse to make up afterwards. "Or even to make out," Seamus had commented the other day causing Ron to go red and everyone else in the dormitory to nearly die with laughter.

 Finally everyone finished breakfast and Harry soon headed out to the pitch with Ron where they met up with their teammates. Harry was feeling nervous about the game. It wasn't that he was afraid of losing. He was afraid of facing Cho out there on the field. So far this year he'd barely caught a glimpse of her. He wondered grimly how much she hated him. His philosophy for the game now was to try not to think about that. All he needed to do was catch the snitch and he would be fine. There was no need to even say anything to her. It would be fine. He would be fine.

 The game started.

And Harry was wrong. Because when they flew out onto the field he extended his hand to shake the other captains. Then he realized exactly who he was shaking hands with and felt a nervous lump rise in his throat. It wasn't that he felt that way about her anymore. But she and Cedric had been close and Harry had gotten him killed. He wondered how much she knew.

"Now I want a nice clean game from all of you."

They separated as Madame Hooch blew her whistle and soared up to the level of the goal posts. The game began and Harry watched the field for a glimpse of the snitch. So far the score was 20-0 Gryffindor and Lee was doing his usual commentary. It would be strange next year with him gone, and the twins, and most of the team as well. He knew the Weasleys had already signed an agreement about the shop they were going to rent and perhaps eventually buy. He continued scanning the pitch, still no sign of the elusive snitch. He glanced at the stands where Dumbledore was seated along with much of the faculty. He glanced past the Slytherin stands was about to move on when he saw Lucius Malfoy. 'Why would he be here?" thought Harry. "Slytherin isn't even playing." The man seemed suspicious but Harry supposed all Malfoys should be held permanently under suspicion.

 He continued scanning the pitch and noticed a fleck of gold –the snitch glittered at the Ravenclaw end. He accelerated and Cho flying a few feet below him did as well. He had an odd feeling of déjà vu as he gained on the snitch by the second.

"Oh!" screamed Cho, and he saw a flash of light gleam by him. He was already focused on the snitch though.

As he grabbed it a force pummeled into him.

And he began to fall.

It was only then he realized that the light had been green.