Hey again, I'm soooo happy to hear that everyone's enjoying the story. Thanks once again to all of those who have submitted reviews............I'm pleased to see that some new readers are enjoying the story as well!! I really love hearing what you guys think!

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the magnificent author of Harry Potter and I take no credit for her wonderful creations!

Chapter 9: The Mysterious Meeting

"What is taking her so long to open the door?" Harry asked himself as he stood waiting in the dark corridor for Professor McGonagall to answer the door. Perhaps it was because he was so nervous about this meeting that it seemed like he'd been standing there forever. But, it was true. Harry was indeed very nervous, seeing as how he did not know what to expect when McGonagall would open her door and let him inside.

Finally, after what appeared (to Harry) to be a lifetime, the intricate brass doorknob began turning and soon the mahogany brown door opened to reveal a small, cozy office. "Come in Potter," Professor McGonagall's voice came from within the room.

Of course, Harry had been in this very room countless times before--when he had been punished by McGonagall, but never had it looked ever so welcoming. The warmth of the room was radiating from the roaring fire that appeared to be have been burning for quite some time already, and the lighting of the room was very subtle and emitted a sense of tranquility.

"Well sit down then," McGonagall pointed towards the small, red chair off to the side of her desk, and then sat down herself. Slowly, Harry made his way to the cushioned chair. Regardless of the fact that the room did feel very warm and hospitable, he still felt worried and a strange sensation was now forming from within Harry's stomach.

"What's the matter Mr. Potter? You look rather ill," Professor McGonagall had noticed that Harry's face seemed a slight bit paler than usual. "Maybe something to drink will put some colour back into that skin of yours...............Here," she offered Harry a nice, hot cup of tea.

"Um............thank you Professor," Harry took a sip and felt the warm liquid flow through his body, right down to the tips his toes. He instantly felt better and sat patiently, waiting for Professor McGonagall to speak again.

"There, that's better," she had obviously also noticed the change. "Well Potter, now I suppose you're wondering why exactly you are here," McGonagall said matter-of-factly.

"Um............well the thought DID slip through my mind."

"Of course it did.............I didn't really tell you anything now, did I?" a strange smile came across Professor McGonagall's face as she said this. "Well, the truth of the matter is that................." McGonagall never got the opportunity to complete her sentence, for at that moment the door to her office flew open.

"PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL!!" Harry turned his head to see a very horrified Percy standing in the doorway, who paid no attention to Harry at all. In fact, Percy gave the impression that he didn't even know Harry was sitting right in that very room.

"Percy, what ever is the matter?" McGonagall asked with furrowed brows.

"Well..............I was just patrolling up in the Gryffindor tower," Percy said, still paying no attention to Harry.

"And............" Professor McGonagall urged him to continue.

"And, well--er--I can't really say................it's too awful," Percy's voice was shrill with terror.

"PERCY!" McGonagall was getting really angry. "YOU ARE REALLY DRIVING MY PATIENCE!"

"Sorry Professor, but--he's--he's missing............not in the common room or in the library--Not even with his friends."

"Percy, what on earth are you talking about? WHO'S MISSING?" Professor McGonagall's mood towards Percy was not changing at all. Harry, who sat there in silence, was also curious as to who was missing.

Percy drew a large breath before he began speaking again. "Harry................he's gone................I can't find him anywhere!" He still apparently had not looked in the chair where Harry was sitting.

"PERCY YOU IDIOT! If Harry is missing, then who may I ask is this," Professor McGonagall made a gesture towards the red chair in which Harry was sitting in.

Percy at last took his eyes off of Professor McGonagall and turned them towards the chair where he finally saw Harry. "Oh, why hello there Harry--I mean--HARRY!!!....what are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere."

"Didn't you ask Ron where I was?" Harry inquired.

"Oh--no, not really............" Percy seemed a bit embarrassed to admit this, seeing as how his whole state of panic could have been avoided if only he had asked Ron such a simple question.

"Well, it's nice to know you care about me now that you believe all my foolish lies about Voldemort," Harry said bitterly, remembering how last year, Percy (like many others) refused to believe that Harry was telling the truth about the Dark Lord's return.

"Oh Harry, I am truly sorry about that," Percy's eyes were sincere and Harry could tell that his apology was true. "And Professor........sorry for interrupting your meeting here....Just doing my job you know..... I'll be leaving now." Percy turned around, walked out and closed the door behind him.

"Foolish lad!.....Now, where was I?" Professor McGonagall was trying to remember where she'd left off before they were interrupted. "Oh yes.....Potter, as you might have already noticed, Angelina Johnson is no longer at Hogwarts."

"Umm--now that you mention it Professor, I haven't seen her this year at all."

"Yes, she completed her 7th year at Hogwarts and has left us," she informed Harry.

"Oh, right....I forgot about that," Harry had a puzzled look on his face. "But what does Angelina's leaving Hogwarts have to do with me?"

"Well Potter, seeing as how Gryffindor is now without a Quidditch captain, I was hoping that you'd be willing to take her place.......I have already confirmed it with Professor Dumbledore and he says it would be fine if you took such a position. " That strange smile she'd given Harry earlier had again appeared on Professor McGonagall's face.

An overwhelming mixture of both happiness and grief took over Harry's mind. He was undeniably very happy that McGonagall had thought him worthy enough to be Gryffindor's captain, yet he was torn between that and the fact that he did not know nearly as much about Quidditch as he should.........What good would he be as a captain?

"Er, Professor........I don't think I'd make such a good captain--I mean--I don't really know much about Quidditch........even Ron knows a lot more than I do."

"Mr. Potter, are you suggesting that I make Mr. Weasley the Quidditch captain?--After I have just consulted the Headmaster? Weasley can barely do his job as a keeper let alone be captain!"

"Well, maybe if you just gave him a chance--I mean, I really think he'd be a much better captain than I would........maybe making him captain might even strengthen his confidence as keeper, please Professor?" Harry pleaded.

"If you're certain, then I suppose I cannot force you to be captain......." McGonagall seemed a little hesitant towards this. "You'd better go and inform Mr. Weasley.......he will have to start holding try outs for new positions soon, Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet have also completed their 7th year so Gryffindor will be needing some new Chasers....off you go then Potter."

"Thank you Professor.........I know Ron won't let us down." Harry practically leaped from his chair and ran out of the office, towards the Gryffindor tower. He was sure Ron would be delighted to hear the good news. Soon, he arrived just outside of entrance, guarded by the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she asked.

"Glamdring!"

The portrait swung open and Harry rushed through to tell Ron the good news. He looked around the almost empty common room and found Hermione and Ron sitting in their regular chairs by the fireside, they clearly had been awaiting Harry's return.

"RON! You won't believe what just happened!" Harry ran so quickly over to where they were seated that he almost tripped over Crookshanks who hissed loudly at him.

"It's obvious you didn't get in trouble then," Hermione said, noticing his joyous mood.

"What happened Harry?" Ron was very anxious to find out.

Harry took a seat by the fireplace before answering. "Well, you know how Angelina left Hogwarts?"

"She did?.......I had no idea," Ron said.

"Of course she's left," Hermione added in her all knowing voice. "She was in the 7th year."

Harry continued. "Well anyway, since she's gone, McGonagall asked me to be Quidditch captain."

"Oh Harry that's wonderful!" Hermione expressed her joy by jumping off her chair.

"Yea, but the thing is, I told her that I didn't want to be captain."

Ron's jaw had dropped down. "Harry, what's the matter with you? Being captain's great! It's all I've ever wanted to be."

"Yea, I know. That's why I convinced McGonagall to let you be captain.......besides you know a lot more about the game than I do," Harry beamed at Ron.

If Ron's mouth had been open before, it was now so wide that you could stuff about a dozen Chocolate Frogs in it. "HARRY, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS?.....ME? Quidditch captain?" Ron now began dancing around the room. "Wait till Fred and George find out!........Harry thank you.....I'm Quidditch captain!!!!" Ron was so happy that he somehow found himself hugging everyone that happened to be in the common room, including a few first years who were quite shocked and gave Ron peculiar stares.

"Oooh! I should write a letter home!" Ron said as if a light switched on in his head. He literally bolted up the stairs to his room and didn't come down.

Harry had never seen Ron this happy before. It had always been Ron's dream to become Quidditch captain for the Gryffindor team. Harry had learned this years ago when he'd taken Ron to see the Mirror of Erised. While Harry's reflection in the mirror had revealed his family, Ron's depicted himself as Quidditch captain and Head Boy. Harry had sat there by the fire, watching Ron express his happiness. He smiled, knowing that he'd helped his friend achieve just one of those fantasies.
Well there you have it.......a short but sweet chapter! Not one of my best, but it was okay I guess. Tell me what you thought of it.......Review please and be NICE!.....I DONT CARE WHAT SOME OF YOU PPL THINK!!!!! Ron deserves some of the lime light too!! Please don't let the fact that Harry gave the captaincy to Ron ruin your reading experience!!