Chapter 5
Quidditch Tryouts



On the Friday morning of Quidditch tryouts Crystal could hardly sit still.
"I can't wait until tryouts!" She yelled across the great hall during breakfast.
After Harry, Ron, and Hermione had finished their toast, the group began their journey to the dungeons. Even though Snape assigned a load of homework Crystal still remained in a good mood.
When they arrived at the Transfiguration room Professor McGonagall informed them that she'd tell them more about the Mask Dance.
"The Mask Dance," the Professor began, "will open up the Elite competitions. This is the first time these competitions have been held in over fifty years. Only sixth and seventh years will be able to attend the dance. I don't want anyone going to the dance with someone else. The Mask Dance supposedly helps you find your soul mate. The dance helps bring you together in a magical way. You push aside your differences and for one night nothing else matters. I advise everyone to change the way they look for that night so no one can identify you. When you got to Hogsmeade tomorrow I advise you to visit Marikee. They carry a wide selection of masks at reasonable prices. Just don't tell anyone what your mask looks like. Now take out your books and turn to page 25."

After dinner that night Crystal made her way onto the wet Quidditch pitch for tryouts.
"Everyone trying out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team over here!" Harry called. "If you are trying out for a beater get on the right side of me. If you are trying out for a chaser get on the left side of me." Crystal moved to the right just as Harry had instructed. "First of all," he continued. "I want everyone to know who is already on the team. I'm the seeker, Ronald Weasley is the keeper, Ginny Weasley and Parvati Patil are chasers, and Dean Thomas is a beater. This means that we only have one beater position and one chaser position open. Chaser tryouts are fairly simple. All you have to do is start at one end of the field with the quaffle, fly to the other end and score. Oh and Ron will be protecting the goals. You only have one shot to make it in so aim carefully.
"If you are trying out for the beater position, I want you to protect the team from bludgers. Dean will be hitting the bludgers toward the team to give you more of a challenge. It's your job to protect us. Let's start with chaser tryouts. Lavender Brown, you're first."
Crystal could already see sweat rolling off of Lavenders face. She was nervous. Crystal tightly grasp the handle of her new broom and waited patiently for her turn. The sky slowly began turning a bright orange. In what seemed like no time at all Crystal heard Harry say beaters you're up somewhere in the background.
"Crystal," Harry shouted. "You're first."
She climbed onto her Bullet NG and got ready to take off. With one hand on her broom and one hand on her trusted club there was no way she could lose.
"Go!"
Crystal and the rest of the team rose into the air. The harder Dean tried to hit his fellow teammates with bludgers, the harder Crystal tried. Crystal's agility and pinpoint accuracy kept her a step ahead of Dean. Finally Harry blew his whistle, signaling the end of her tryout.
"I could have done better," Crystal told Harry, "but with a simple drill like this, it's hard to show off.
After everyone had finished Harry announced, "Everyone, go to bed and the results will be posted tomorrow morning on the notice board."

Crystal woke up early the next morning to. Once she was dressed she rushed down to the common room to see if she had made the team.
"I knew it!" Crystal yelled as she glanced at the list. "I made it, I made it." Crystal looked down at her watch. It was only 5:00.
Crystal left the common room and went down to the great hall for breakfast. She quickly ate a piece of toast and eggs then headed back toward the common room. She got out her books and began writing her essay that Snape had assigned. When the clock finally hit six Harry entered the common room.
"Are you glad that you made the team?" Harry asked as he leaned against the wall beside the fireplace.
"Yeah, I'm happy," Crystal answered casually.
"So how long have you been up?" Harry asked as he took a seat.
"About an hour," Crystal replied. "I couldn't sleep until I knew I made the team."
"With skills like yours added with the rest of the team, there's no way that Slytherin can win."
"Who's the captain for Slytherin's team?" Crystal asked.
"Draco," was Harry's reply. "He's the only other seeker that's even come close to beating me. He started by paying his way on the team but he's defiantly nothing to laugh at now."
"If you're hungry, I'll go with you to get something to eat," Crystal suggested.
"Sure," Harry replied.
Over the next hour Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all appeared in the great hall.
"Crystal," Hermione began as she grabbed a biscuit. "Do you want to come with Ginny and me to shop for our masks today?"
"Sure," Crystal replied.
"Then it's settled," Ginny said. "The girls will go get our masks the we'll meet you two,"-she pointed at Harry and Ron- "in the Three Broomsticks around noon."
Suddenly thousands of owls of various breeds swooped into the hall to deliver letters and packages to their owners. One rather fat, gray owl flew down and landed in front of Crystal. She quickly untied the note and read"
"Remember your mission"
Crystal quickly ripped the paper in half. She didn't need this, especially not today.
"What did your letter say?" Harry asked as he saw Crystal throw the ripped parchment to the ground.
"Nothing," Crystal replied.
"But. . ."
"Nothing," Crystal repeated louder.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Crystal left the great hall and went to where they would depart for Hogsmeade. Filch went around checking to make sure no one was trying to sneak out of the castle. When Filch arrived at Crystal he said, "Now who are you? Not trying to sneak out are you?"
"Oh no Mr. Filch. I have my permission form right here." Crystal replied as she took a note out of her pocket.
"I'll be watching you," Filch warned as he continued down the line.
Once they reached Hogsmeade the girls went to Marikee while the boys went up the street to Dazzle.

Marikee was a beautiful little shop filled with thousands of items they could use for the Mask Dace. A short plump young witch continuously went around the shop making sure everything was nice and clean. They carried masks, dress robes, potions to change your hair color and that was only the front of the shop.
After looking a while Crystal said, "Hermione, what do you think of this mask? It's the same color as my dress robes." Crystal was holding a baby blue mask that sparkled every time it was moved.
"Wow, that is so beautiful," Hermione exclaimed. "I think I found one I like too." She held up a dark green mask with a glossy coat. "It's also the same color as my dress robes."
"It's beautiful," Crystal replied. "What about you Ginny? Have you found anything you like?"
"Yes," Ginny said as she held up a bright red mask that appeared to have thousands of rubies embedded in it. "But it's way to expensive. I'll never be able to afford it."
"I'll buy it for you," Crystal suggested.
"No, you don't have to," Ginny replied.
"I want to," Crystal demanded. "Just don't expect a Christmas present from me."
"Okay, okay," Ginny gave in.
"I want to get a potion to change my hair color too," Crystal went on.
"Yeah me too," Hermione and Ginny agreed,
"We should all get a different color," Crystal suggested.
"All I want is blond highlights," Hermione called.
"I want brown hair," Ginny said.
"I'll take black then," Crystal said.
After the girls had finished paying for their items they made their way up the stone street toward the Three Broomsticks. Once they were in the pub they noticed that Harry and Ron were already waiting for them.
"What took you so long?" Harry asked as the girls came closer.
"It takes awhile to shop," Crystal said. "And in fact we're right on time."
"So what did you buy?" Ron asked as he tried to look into their bags.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Hermione teased.
"Yes, I would that 's why I asked," Ron replied.
"Break it up you too," Harry begged.
"The way you fight all the makes it seem like you two like each other," Crystal pointed out.
"We do not!" Hermione and Ron yelled simultaneously.
"Crystal, Ginny, let's go get the butterbeers," Hermione demanded.

Once the girls had vanished from view Harry asked, "Do you like Hermione?"
"I don't know," Ron replied. "She's in love with Krum. I don't stand a chance."
"If you like her go for it. The Mask dance isn't that far away," Harry pointed out.
"But how will I know who she is?" Ron asked. "We'll have masks on remember?"
"Then it it's meant to be it'll work out," Harry said.
"We're going to have a good Quidditch team this year aren't we?" Ron said, changing the subject as the girls returned.
"Is that all you ever talk about?" Hermione asked as she handed Harry a butterbeer.
"Quidditch is very cool," Ron argued.
"I never said it wasn't," Hermione continued, "I just don't waste my time talking about it."
"I," Ron began but was interrupted by Crystal. "Don't start fighting again.
"We're not fighting," Ron and Hermione said.

Later in the Gryffindor common room, Harry collapsed onto a chair. "I still have to do Snape's assignment," he groaned as he thought of everything he had to do.
"I finished mine this morning," Crystal bragged.
"Then you can do mine for me," Harry suggested.
"No way!"
Harry and Crystal both cried out in pain.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked as he rushed toward his best friend.
"It's my scar," Harry gasped. "It's never hurt this much before."
"Crystal what's wrong with you?" Hermione asked.
Crystal didn't say anything. She slowly turned around, so that her back faced the crowd. She lowered the top of her robes to reveal a lightning bolt shaped scar on her back right below her left shoulder.