A/N This chapter will for sure be longer then last chapter. I normally try not to write short chapters but it couldn't really be helped last chapter.
Chapter 6 The Flying Tutor
They then walked into the Common room where a bunch of students but by no means the whole house were sitting inside. Harry then amplified his voice so he could broadcast to the entire house.
"OK Everyone Common Room 5 Minutes."
A bunch of very angry and Sleep Deprived students walked in shortly after that.
"OK Professor what is going on?" Melanie inquired.
"House Meeting Ms. Holmes," Harry replied.
"What about Professor?"
"The Usual stuff."
This perked up several students.
"OK first off How many 1st and 2nd years have their primary residence in Hogsmeade."
HE noted whose hands went up.
"OK if you want to be able to go home on the weekends see me for a waiver application. Josh, anything you have to discuss?"
"Not really Professor, right now all the positions are filled. I'll probably start practice up in around a week. I spoke with all the players and they all plan to stay on the team so I don't foresee any vacancies."
"I wouldn't be so sure yet Mr. Arnold as the next item on the list is coming up this Spring. That being the 2nd part of the Exchange Program with the Tokyo School of Magic. Shiki, you and Mr. Senshi aren't eligible to take part since you did you part coming here prior to transferring in permanently. Professor Flitwick, Prof. Sprout, Prof. Snape, Headmistress McGonagall, along with the Heads of the Wizarding Education Office and the Department of International Magical Cooperation and I got together and decided that Two members of each house would be sent. I want nominations for who you think should go. Sorry Mr. Arnold but Quidditch Players are eligible to be on the list. WE need nominees of Good Moral Character and especially people who would do an excellent job representing Hogwarts.
"I nominate Jaimie Black," a voice immediately called out.
"You can't nominate Jaimie she's only a first year."
"Actually Miss Black is a valid nominee. WE decided against restricting it to certain class years."
"Sir, is there anything preventing your daughter from going?"
"No there isn't." Harry replied as he wrote Jaimie Black and Amy Potter on the list.
"I nominate Jeffrey Boot."
"My friends and I nominate Susan Colsworth."
"Barbara Bailey over here."
"I hereby nominate myself," a familiar voice called out.
Harry quickly wrote down Jeff, Susan, Barbara, and Abigale's names.
"OK that's all set. The next item deals with a bit of School Spirit. Every year since I've been back here there has been a Common Room decorating contest. Last year the Seventh years handled it. The year before the first years did. This year I was thinking of holding a small contest within the house for design ideas. I'd like to see the designs by the first week of October. The winning group will get a chance to decorate the Common Room for the contest.
As the 2nd week went on Amy managed to avoid Nastia. She secretly wondered if her nemesis was on the list of nominee's for Slytherin. Friday Amy was walking towards the gates with Hitari when Madame Conway called out.
"Miss Potter, you have a minute?"
"What for Madame Conway?" Amy wondered.
"IF you could follow me to my office."
"Fairly soon they were in the Flying Instructor's office out by the Quidditch Pitch."'
"Miss Potter, a few of the first years look like they might have trouble with the flying lessons. I was wondering if you could spare some time to work with them and see if you can tutor them in flying. You are certainly an exceptional flyer. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if you end up in my position someday."
"Much as I enjoy flying I don't know if I would want to be a Full time Flying instructor. Besides I want to talk to my dad about this first."
"I figured you would Miss Potter so I went to him first and he approved it. Though usually only prefects and Professors have this power part of the reason I spoke to him before discussing it with you was to see if I could authorize you to adjust the point totals for the houses of the students you would be tutoring. So long as you don't go overboard you will have that power. I have a list right here."
Amy looked at it.
Eric Anderson R
Jaimie Black G
Olivier Harrington G
Jessica Hope H
Patrick Kent R
Crystal McCormick G
Brittany Stone H (2nd year failed last year)
Michelle Swanson S
Hitari Transliata R
Ricardo Vanwicken H
"I'll get these people started. Some of them are from Wizarding families and you would think would be fairly decent fliers."
"That you would after all they would have the most experience with brooms yet they act likely they've never been on a broom before."
"Should I use the Pitch of the lawn outside."
"The Pitch is reserved tomorrow from 2-5 other then that it's available."
"Ok we'll use the lawn outside."
They then went back to the Castle with Amy having Hitari tell Eric and Patrick of the tutoring session. Amy then went to the Gryffindor Common Room. Jaimie was standing outside the Portrait hole when she arrived.
"Amy, any chance your dad will let me drop flying?"
"Most likely not Jaimie, as it is you have a tutoring session for that class tomorrow after lunch on the lawn between the Castle and the Forbidden Forest."
"Like that female dogwitch can make me show up for a tutoring session."
"Jaimie, you will show up for it if I have to drag you there on your back."
"Like you can make me show up for it. Trust me Amy you can't. You don't have the power."
"Actually Padfootette Madame Conway arranged it with the deputy Headmaster for me to run the tutoring sessions."
"Still you can't make me show up even if you are running them."
"Want to bet Jaimie."
They then went inside where she spoke to Crystal and Olivier about the tutoring. At Dinner she went over to the Hufflepuff Table to talk to Jessica Hope, Brittany Stone, and Ricardo Vanwicken. She also went towards the Slytherin table.
"Get lost Potter, you aren't supposed to be here," Nastia pointed out.
"I came over here to tell Michelle Swanson to be outside on the lawn tomorrow after lunch for tutoring on flying."
Amy spent the morning the next day working on what was covered at that point. After lunch she noticed how the various tutee's were waiting in the Entrance Hall. Jaimie looked like she was in Azkaban the way she was walking.
"Ok Let's head outside I already have brooms set out for everybody. We will be starting you all out slow. Depending on how things go I might break out the Quidditch Balls later on."
First thing she did was to review the first lesson on Mounting and low level hovering. She could see how Crystal McCormick was extremely nervous.
"Crystal, it's ok. I'm sure you will do fine. I'll have you know I can throw a pretty good impediment curse. The brooms are charmed or something to sense nerves. Try and relax and I bet that broom will leap into your hands.
"How nervous was your dad his first flying lesson."
"Crystal, her dad was born to fly. His first flying lesson ended up doubling as a Quidditch tryout," Jaimie commented since she had known the Potters most of her life.
"It wasn't intentional of course. In fact the only reason it did happen was because a classmate of mine Draco Malfoy was causing trouble."
Harry then explained how his first flying lesson went.
Amy could see how Crystal was still having problems relaxing. She decided to divide the group into two parts. Eric, Olivier, Patrick, Brittany, and Hitari were one group and Jaimie, Jessica, Crystal, Michelle, and Ricardo were the other group. She took Eric's group on a brief flight at about tree top level for a little while and then came back and had Crystal's group do the same thing. By this time Crystal had relaxed enough that she had an easier time getting the broom to do what she wanted.
"OK gang here is the deal we will be meeting every weekend either on Saturday or Sunday for three hours. I will be sending around a schedule soon as it's developed. Some weekends we will be meeting in the small groups and sometimes I will have everyone meet. I want you all to do a few things. A get together with the people in your group and chose who will be keeper, seeker, two chasers and the beater. Some sessions we might have a sort of mini Quidditch group so it would help if I knew what position you each would do. For one thing it gives flying a purpose and it makes it interesting especially when you have Bludgers flying around. How many of you aren't real familiar with Quidditch?"
Eric, Crystal, Jessica, Michelle, Hitari, and Ricardo raised their hands.
"I've seen it played but I can barely understand it and wouldn't know the rules if I tried."
"OK I'll try to explain it quickly. The Positions mainly. Let me just get the balls."
Amy came back with the School's Quidditch set. She took the Quaffle out.
"This ball is the main ball that is used. It's the Quaffle, Let's go Up a little higher for a couple minutes nothing beyond Tree top height. Dad if you could Fly behind me in case I miss. If you need to pretend your looking for the Snitch."
"Amy, isn't Slytherin trying to hold practice right now with the set?"
"Their using the normal practice set. I borrowed the game set. You know the real good set that Madame Conway only takes out for matches."
"OK," Harry replied.
Amy made everyone fly into a single line with Eric in Front.
"OK I'm going to throw it to one of you and it's your job to Fly off somewhere within a reasonable distance from me and try to throw this ball past me like a chaser would. I will try to catch it and throw it towards the next person in line. By holding this brief drill it will give you an idea of flying while holding something. Amy stayed somewhat stationary as Eric tried to throw the Quaffle about three feet above her only she noticed and raised up enough to catch it.
"Nice try Eric, Jaimie, heads up."
Jaimie got it past her and Harry caught it.
"Good job Jaimie, Olivier," Amy called out as she threw it to him. Amy ended up going a little low but he caught it and threw it almost out of reach of her left arm but Amy flew a little ways over and nailed it. Jessica," Amy then called. Jessica was barely paying attention and the ball flew past her. Patrick though caught it.
"Amy, mind if I take my turn since Jessica missed her shot."
"I don't think so Patrick," Amy said.
"No it's OK Patrick I don't think I could handle that position," Jessica told him.
Patrick threw it so hard it got Amy in her stomach.
"Nice throw Patrick glad it wasn't a Bludger. Crystal,"
Crystal managed to get it past her. Brittany also managed. Michelle even got it past her but Amy was able to block Hitari and Ricardo's shots. There are two other Balls. A few of you did pretty good getting it past me. Jaimie, Crystal, Brittany, and Michelle all managed to get it past me. Olivier, you and Ricardo did the best when I threw it near you but not right at you. You three might want to consider being either a chaser of keeper for your small groups."
"How many chasers are on a normal team?"
"A Normal team has three chasers but there are only ten of you who were on the tutoring list so I decided to only have two per group. It's their job to score by getting past the Quaffle past the Keeper. I play keeper for Gryffindor. Normally I'm in front of a set of hoops Over behind us. There are also two beater's who job it is to send two black balls called Bludgers at the opposing team. I'm not going to release the Bludgers since they can be nasty. I can think of at least one person who would be a good beater just from the last drill."
"Professor, what position did you play?"
"I was a seeker. The seeker's job is to catch a very small winged ball known as the Golden Snitch. The seeker is one of the most vital players on the team. For one thing a Chaser scores only ten points at a time but the Seeker scores 150 in one shot. Maybe some session I can arrange for someone to train a couple of you on some pretty good seeker tactics," Harry responded.
A couple students eyes almost lit up when he said that. Amy soon packed up the balls and so forth a signal that the session was done. Crystal stayed behind a minute.
"Amy, you really think I have what it takes to play Quidditch a sport I had never even attempted before today?"
"As a matter of fact I do. Both you and Jaimie look to have the skills needed. I'll talk to Madame Conway along with Josh Arnold and see if we can arrange for you to show your stuff. My dad knew nothing about Quidditch when he ended up playing seeker for Gryffindor. The captain at that point Oliver Wood had to fully train him after McGonagall placed him on the team.
At that moment Amy saw her teammates walking outside brooms in hand.
"Amy, quick warm up practice," Josh called.
"OK," Amy called as she grabbed her broom and the box of balls. Julie assisted her. Crystal followed along.
"Amy, what's with her?" Tom wondered.
"Madame Conway has me tutoring some of the first years. After we did some basic drills I did a Quidditch drill with them. Given time she might make a good chaser."
"It will be a couple years before we need a chaser but who knows we might need a reserve keeper if you end up going to Japan."
"One of my other tutees also a Gryffindor looks like he might have the skills needed. I think he went back to the Castle."
"How many kids are you tutoring?"
"Ten total, Three each from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, and one Slytherin who doesn't seem to bad. Like Marcus Flint she seems to by a typical of Slytherins."
"Yo Firstie," Josh called out.
"My name you dumb arse is Crystal."
"Sorry, I overheard Amy telling one of the others how you look to have what it takes to play chaser. You want to take a few minutes to see how you do?"
"Sure," Crystal said. Amy could sense Crystal was nervous. Crystal though took the broom and managed to summon it up. She then took off and hovered about even with the Top Row of seats. Josh quickly released the balls. Julie snatched the Quaffle and threw it to Crystal who caught it and zoomed a little cautiously toward the hoops Amy was guarding. Amy though wasn't being a slow going as she was during the tutoring session and caught it. Tom was also in the air but Vernon had held back. As Crystal was going along She almost got hit by a Bludger Steve had hit her way.
"Hey watch it, You almost hit me," Crystal yelled toward him.
Josh flew over towards her.
"You ever play Quidditch real Quidditch that is."
"Just the drill Amy did earlier."
"Steve and I we play the beater position. It's our job to hit those black balls called Bludgers toward the opposing team. Since we don't have an opposing team being practice Steve and I try to aim towards the others but not right at them. IF you ever play on a Quidditch team you'll have to dodge those while doing your normal duties."
"I see. What's that little flitting thing over there?"
"That is the Golden Snitch."
"Oh that's what the seeker looks for Professor Potter talked about it today. HE was watching the Tutoring session."
Steve tried to hit another Bludger at Crystal but Josh aimed it away from him.
"Has a Bludger ever been aimed at the crowd."
"On occasion but the game stops then so we can corral it away from there. In fact it's considered a foul to do that. A few years ago we actually had a student who acted as a bodyguard for Amy and during the game we armed her with a club like this and she would try to intercept Bludgers that went too far."
"Did she graduate?'
"No she was a first year. She drowned mysteriously at the beginning of last year." []
"It's a fun game."
"Crystal, have Amy give you a practice schedule since I might place you on the reserve team. It's the best I can do with you being a first year. I'll talk to Professor Potter see if he will go for the idea."
"How often does a first year make the team."
"Usually for a first year to make the team they have to be real good. Professor Potter is a good example. He had never heard of Quidditch when he ended up being chosen by McGonagall to be the Gryffindor Seeker. Amy wasn't that bad a keeper herself as a first year and that's with a slow broom."
Josh came up to her after Practice.
"Crystal technically I can't give you a spot on the team but I'd like you to practice with the team. In a couple years you will probably end up with a permanent spot on the team. Of course by then I wouldn't be surprised if Amy is captain."
"Could be. Who knows if I don't end up in Japan I could end up Captain next year."
"Yeah right."
Just as Amy walked in Michelle the tutee from Slytherin walked toward her.
"Amy, you have a minute?"
"Sure Michelle something up?"
"Any chance I could move to the other group?"
"Why do you want to move to the other group you seemed to get along great with the other members of your group."
"That's not the problem. The problem being that three of the names you said would be good chasers are in my group. One of us would have to switch groups and I'd really like to play the Chaser position."
"We'll discuss it next week at tutoring."
"OK but what if the other group selects their positions before then."
"We'll have to see what happens." Later that evening Amy was leaving the Common room when Josh walked over.
"Amy, where you heading?"
"To hang in my dad's quarters for a little while. Why something up?"
"Team related stuff. I wanted to discuss something with your dad."
"I doubt he'd scream if you joined me."
Amy then walked down to his room the Captain following her. She quickly gave the password.
"Well I'm off to supervise a detention."
"Professor, you have a minute."
"Not really Mr. Arnold."
"Sir, I let Crystal McCormick one of the first years practice with us and she did good enough that I was thinking of putting her on the reserve team."
"I have no problem with it but I'd run it past Madame Conway. WE probably should get a reserve team set up as it is. After all you graduate this year don't you."
"As a matter of fact I do sir."
"See if you can set up a tryout for reserve players with Madame Conway. Try to have a reserve keeper, beater, possibly a chaser or two. Seeker we should be in good shape."
"OK sir," Josh replied.
Late the next day A sign was posted in the Common Room on a bulletin board.
QUIDDITCH TRYOUTS SCHEDULED
The following Reserve Positions
Are being placed up for tryout by
Interested parties
1 reserve keeper
1 reserve beater (will be promoted to
main team next year)
2 reserve chasers.
Candidate must be at most a fourth
year and being reserve First Years ARE
ELIGIBLE.
TRYOUTS WILL TAKE PLACE FIRST
SATURDAY IN OCTOBER at 1PM
"If I wasn't on the stupid tutoring list I'd give it a try," Jaimie grumbled.
"Madame Conway will probably be on hand and if you show you can do it young pup who knows she might take you off the tutoring list. I think your friend Crystal is off the list based on Josh's testimony," a calm voice said as a hand was rested on her shoulder. Jaimie looked up and saw her dad.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence dad," Jaimie said.
"Come on Jaimie, McGonagall will probably scream but I think you deserve to know something vital."
"Sirius, you are not going to teach Jaimie how to become an animagus," Amy said as she walked by.
"I had no such plans Feathers."
"Yeah right Padfoot."
"I was going to show her how to sneak into the kitchens to nick food."
"Why bother Dobby brings plenty to where ever I am if he thinks I need it. Once he even brought me a couple cheeseburgers when I was planning on simply sneaking down there myself. He probably sneaks me liters of pumpkin juice every year. It's rare I don't have a jug of it in my wardrobe charmed so it stays ice cold. He probably slips full jugs in there when I'm not looking. My first year when I almost failed History of Magic his deliveries of goblets of pumpkin juice are the only reason I didn't collapse sooner."
"What will I do when your not around though Amy like if you end up going to Japan?"
"I'll talk Dobby into supplying you with your favorite treats at certain intervals."
Amy was having a nice quiet week and was just getting ready to walk into her Dad's room for a private family dinner that Thursday when She saw one of the groups walk up.
"Amy, we could use your help," Brittany said.
"What's wrong Brittany?"
"Eric and Patrick both want to play Beater only you specified one beater and we are short a chaser."
"Eric, would you or Patrick have a problem going with the other group in exchange for Michelle Swanson who wants to play Chaser only her group has three possible Chasers."
"Michelle is the girl from Slytherin right?" Brittany inquired.
"Yes she is. She is the only Slytherin on the list."
"I wouldn't mind changing groups," Patrick said.
"OK, that settles that issue then. I'll see you all on Saturday."
"Hitari, hold up," Harry called out as the first years were dispersing.
"Something up Professor?"
"Yes, far as I'm concerned you are allowed to dine here tonight."
"Amy had warned me it was family only as in You, Amy, Shiki, and your wife with the twins and Jamie staying home with a sitter and the house elf."
"I ah meant to have Amy tell you to come."
The Dinner ended up going well. Amy and the other Quidditch Players then had to plan for the tryouts.
A/N I do plan to show the tryout since it will determine a lot. I know this chapter was delayed but it took a bit then I was out of town during the beta period.