A/N: There are some important notes at the bottom, please read them!
New Neighbor
Chapter 18
"Pinkle Pops," Harry muttered sullenly. The statue leapt aside, revealing the all-too-familiar staircase.
As he entered the circular office, a large red bird flew in front of him and landed on a shelf near Harry's head.
"Hello Fawkes," said Harry.
"Harry, I'm so glad you were able to make it," a voice sounded from behind a tapestry. The crinkly old face of his headmaster emerged.. Eyes twinkling, he settled behind his desk.
Harry didn't say anything and made no motion to sit down in the chair opposite the headmaster.
Harry knew that Dumbledore noticed this but his cheerful expression never wavered, as usual.
"Lemon drop?" asked the old man, holding out a small tin filled with the yellow candies.
"Actually, professor," Harry began cynically, "I have some assignments to complete. So if you don't mind, I'd like to know why you invited me here."
To Harry's disgust, Dumbledore's eyes softened.
'Why does everyone have to pity me!' he internally screamed, clenching his fist behind his back.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Dumbledore finally spoke.
"So how are you doing, Harry?" he asked, leaning forward with his hands crossed.
"Are you blind?" Harry asked bitterly.
Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged.
"Because you'd have to be to not notice what a hell my life has become!" Harry continued, the volume of his voice rising.
"Every single bloody student stalking me like I'm some sort of- of- prize! The Daily Prophet has made no effort whatsoever to keep the bloody reporters and rumors at bay, and it's a pity party wherever I go, even with you!"
Dumbledore, his eyes flashing now, opened his mouth to speak but Harry rudely cut him off.
"Sirius is dead because of you, so leave me the bloody hell alone," the enraged student said softly. Harry turned and left the office.
The old headmaster let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. He'd known the process of Harry returning his life back to normal would be difficult, but Dumbledore hadn't expected it to be quite so challenging.
KNOCK KNOCK
Dumbledore glanced up at the door. The knocking continued insistently.
"Come in," Dumbledore said monotonously.
McGonagall entered, followed by Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad-Eye Moody.
"Hello Minerva, Kingsley, Alastor," Dumbledore said, nodding at his male visitors.
"How can I help you, gentlemen?"
"Kingsley and Alastor have found something, Albus-"
Mad-Eye cut McGonagall off with his familiar growl, "it's about the girl, Albus. Figured we'd come to you before we went to the Ministry."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled inquisitively. He turned to Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"This is true, no?"
Kingsley nodded.
"Minerva," he said, taking on an authoritative voice, "please notify the staff that I am leaving on business for the Ministry and will return tonight."
The female professor nodded obediently and turned to leave.
As she exited, Moody spoke up.
"We'd best hurry, Albus," he said firmly, his independent eye swirling impatiently.
Nodding curtly, Albus followed his two comrades, apprehensive of what he might uncover.
XXXXXXXXXX
Kira crammed the remains of her toast into her mouth, trying to ignore the butterflies going wild in her stomach.
"Are you sure I should do this?" she whispered to Neville as they entered the quidditch pitch.
Neville nodded. As the pair emerged they saw several people dressed in red quidditch robes. Numerous other students stood nervously in groups on the sidelines.
"Is everyone here planning to try out for the Gryffindor quidditch team?" asked a stout woman with a pointed nose and gray, spiked hair.
A dull mumble spread throughout the crowd. Kira could only guess that it meant they were here for tryouts.
"Very well," the gray-haired woman said, seemingly perturbed at the student's lack of response, "I'll leave it to you then, Harry."
She had turned to the tall boy in crimson quidditch robes standing beside her and it was only now that Kira realized whom it was. The blonde's facial features hardened in annoyance. Denying any feelings inside her, Kira watched him intensely. As Harry, who looked somewhat tense, cleared his throat to begin talking, whispers swelled within the groups of students, causing Harry to falter. Kira watched him take one more deep breath before finally speaking.
"We'll be looking for two chasers and a beater today. We'll have each of you go up in groups of three with us and we'll evaluate you from up in the air. If you want to see the expectations and guidelines of quidditch members, see Madam Hooch. Thank you."
Harry quickly walked off the stage to converse with the rest of the quidditch team. Amidst the group of red-robed players, Kira recognized Ginny, as well as her brother Ron, her old wizard chess partner. Kira giggled at the memory. The only player she didn't recognize was a brawny Asian boy.
"I got the broom," Neville puffed, who'd just run up from behind her. Kira hadn't realized he'd left to borrow Seamus' broom. It took a bit of persuasion on Kira's part, but Seamus had eventually caved. He seemed a bit disappointed he couldn't attend the quidditch tryouts, however, as he had a large assignment to complete.
"Thanks Neville," Kira replied anxiously, "I'm still not sure about this though-"
"If you don't mind, we'd like to get started," Ginny's voice boomed above the student's chatter.
"First, we'll take Enrique Pettinato, Jim Ward, and Lucille Elstad. Mount your brooms, please." Three younger students, probably third or fourth years, shakily stepped forward. As they shot into the air to join the rest of the quidditch team, Kira felt her stomach flop dangerously.
XXXXXXXXXX
'Of all people, she had to come to tryout!" Harry thought angrily, stealing a glance at Kira, who was absorbed in a conversation with Neville. He furrowed his brow and looked back at the three eligible players, determined to pay attention. They'd gone through almost the entire crowd and they hadn't had much of a turnout. Catches were sloppy and flying technique was poor. Harry felt sorry for a second year, Rob Nazari, who was hit in the nose with the Quaffle after he missed the easiest throw in the world. He quickly left for the infirmary with a bloody nose.
Ten minutes later, Harry caught Ginny's eye. Her frustrated expression clearly explained her opinion of the potential players.
"Thank you, all brooms down now!" Harry yelled, seeing that the allotted time was up anyway. His command stopped the tryout immediately. As they landed on the field, Harry pulled his fellow team members off to the side.
"What do you think?" he asked warily.
"That fourth year, Nolan, wasn't that bad. Could work on his speed but he's got good coordination," Ron said as he wiped the sweat of his forehead.
"Yeah, I suppose," Harry answered.
"C'mon, let's get this over with. We only have three more," said Quang Pham, the Gryffindor beater. Quang had joined the team a year prior as a second year. And though he wouldn't ever measure up to the skill of the Weasley twins, he knew his way around the field and could hold his own.
Harry eyed the last three students, namely the stunning blonde in the center.
"Harry?" asked Ron. Harry blinked, not realizing he'd been starring.
"Yeah, let's get this over with." As he mounted his trusty Firebolt, a grin crossed his features.
'I'm the captain here. Kira will never get on this team, I'll make sure of it,' thought Harry as he shot up into the air.
XXXXXXXXXX
Kira flinched as the Quaffle flew past her head, the Quaffle she was supposed to have caught. The ball had raced past her head at such a speed that she'd felt her blonde hair shiver.
Kira glared at Harry, the one who threw the ball. That was the sixth time he'd made her look like an idiot. Unfortunately, his head was conveniently turned away so he didn't see her fierce glower.
The other two students who were trying out alongside her, Euan Abercrombie and Clayton Mastro, didn't seem to be doing too good in Kira's opinion. Euan was too nervous and Clayton had a problem with his hand-eye coordination. And since Clayton was trying out for position of a beater, that was not a good thing.
She turned to see Ron, who had just blocked a goal by Euan, hurl the Quaffle out towards Ginny. Seeing this as an opportunity, Kira gracefully sped forward to block the pass and therefore make an attempt at a goal. Seconds before her outstretched hands caught the red ball, a huge weight knocked into from the side which sent her spinning in a circles, hanging on to the broom for dear life.
After taking control of her broom, Kira circled to see what had whacked into her with a force that nearly crushed her in mid air. To her disgust, Harry was watching her, rubbing his elbow in mock pain. She watched a flash of guilt cross his emerald eyes before the customary hardened expression was restored.
Ron flew towards them, starring at Harry is disbelief.
"What'd you do that for, mate?" he inquired, wide-eyed.
Harry slowly pulled his gaze from the enraged blonde and rested it upon his best friend.
"Didn't mean to, mate. Sorry about that Kira, I was swerving so I wouldn't be clubbed by Clayton."
Kira didn't answer, just fumed in anger.
"And just so you know Kira, as captain of this team, I'm going to need a player who can succeed in offense. And as you've made no attempt to make a goal so far, I think it's clear to say that you will not be joining-"
Kira cut him off.
"Oh, the tryout isn't over yet, Harry. Five more minutes to go, see? I think it's safe to say that I still get another chance."
Harry frowned.
"Fine," he said curtly, his emerald orbs flashing defiantly. Ron watched him for a few moments before shrugging and returning to his place in front of the goal posts. With a last glance, Harry flew off.
'Not on the team, my arse,' thought Kira, 'we'll see whose the idiot.'
The whistle sounded, signaling the beginning of another play. The Quaffle was thrown, passed, caught, and stolen. Kira kept her attention on the Quaffle but watched Harry out of the corner of her eye. As expected, he was watching her.
In moments, Ginny had passed the Quaffle towards Clayton, but Kira thrust her broom forward to intercept it. She watched Harry dive towards her, a smirk on his face. From below Quang smacked a bludger in her direction. A split second before Harry slammed into her again, Kira pulled up into a tight spiral and swerved past Ginny, encircling the players at an incredible speed. The bludger whizzed by Harry's head, narrowly missing him. Enraged, Harry swerved in her direction but she skillfully tossed the ball to Euan, who was hovering above the center goal. Ron, who was taken aback by the scene, had forgotten to guard against him. With a swift move that was very un-Euan-like, the boy flung the Quaffle into the goal as Kira sped past.
As the tryout came to a close, Kira watched smugly from the air as Harry fumed at her from below. She high-fived Euan, who was ecstatic with his accomplishment. As the team settled onto the field, Ginny sent her a glance of satisfaction, and Kira grinned in response.
XXXXXXXXXX
"She can't join the team, Ron!" Harry stated loudly. He, Ron, and Quang were in the locker rooms, changing out of their quidditch robes.
"You know as well as I that she was much better than any other potential chaser out there!" Ron countered.
"Her technique is good, her coordination is wonderful, and her reflexes are brilliant," Quang added.
Harry groaned in frustration.
"But she missed the goal at least four times!"
"That's only because you kept throwing her off. What was up with that, Harry?" questioned Ron, eyeing his friend.
"There was nothing 'up' with it. I need to know if the players can handle the pressure and if they have the ability to improve. Kira Sanden clearly does not!"
"And what evidence have you to prove that?" persisted Ron, sensing Harry would concede soon.
"She just- ah! I can't believe this!"
Ron chuckled, "great excuse, Harry. You know we need her on the team in order to beat Slytherin this year, you don't want to hinder our chances of winning, do you?"
"Of course not, but it's just- just- I don't think it would be a good idea."
Ron rolled his eyes and it was Quang's turn to chuckle at the argument.
The tall redhead opened his mouth to continue the dispute but Harry held up his hand to silence him.
"Just- fine, ok? She'll join the team," Harry muttered.
"Knew you'd see reason, mate," Ron laughed, patting his friend on the back, "let's go."
The three left the locker rooms to find Ginny and Madam Hooch waiting for them on the field.
"I'll be expecting your decisions by tomorrow, Mr. Potter. You have until then to decide who you'll choose to join the team," Madam Hooch said curtly before exiting the pitch.
"So Nolan Priesal is a go, right?" Quang asked, "he was good, could fight off the bludgers well."
"Yeah, Nolan is on the team," Harry told him.
"And the two chaser positions, Toby Hatchett and Kira Sanden get my votes. Kira's skill was obvious and though Toby's small, he's quick," declared Ginny.
Harry felt Ron's eyes.
"Okay," he said in a defeated tone, "Toby and Kira are in."
A/N: Gah how long has it been since I've updated? More than a month at least, sorry guys.
IMPORTANT: This chapter was extremely hard to write but now that I've gotten it done I have no clue what I'm going to do for chapter 19! Any ideas? Besides of course your seemingly incredible need to see Harry and Kira snogging in the corner? Lol, if you have any input for the next chapter, PLEASE tell me in your review!
And to all of you who keep telling me to have Harry and Kira snog: Lol, patience patience patience! Don't worry, I have stuff planned I just haven't gotten to that part of the story yet. But don't freak! It's not that far away, I promise! A few chapters at the most.
IMPORANT ALSO: I'm going to bring up the idea of review responses again... Do you want me to respond to reviewers who have questions or not?
Like always, please please please review!
