A/N: OK, sorry for the late update but a bit preoccupied lately and forgot to update. Thank you to all those that have been reviewing. Please continue. I'm open to suggestions to the story so please R/R.

Disclaimer: I wish I could be as good as JK Rowling but I'm not. This is her stuff and not to mention the influence that this story took from various fanfics.

Chapter 11
The All-Stars Arrive

There was lots of chatter about who would try out for the team. As Harry and Kayla were walking to the Gryffindor table, they spotted Ginny and Luna were already there so they decided to join the two fifth year girls. Harry and Kayla were sitting across from Ginny and Luna when they were joined by Ron, Hermione, and Neville almost right away.

Harry asked, "How were your classes so far?"

Luna was reading her upside down copy of the Quibbler and pulling in the occasional fruit to take a bite out of them while sounding frustrated, Ginny said, "I don't know if I'll be able to survive this year. All of the teachers are already starting to pile on the work and it's just the first day. Can you believe that Snape wanted four feet of parchment on the uses of orchids on headache relief potions?"

Harry said, "It'll be alright. Remember, you have Hermione and me to help you if you ever need it."

Ginny's eyes lit up and said, "Thanks Harry. I'll probably take you up on that offer."

Kayla said, "I can help you also if you want."

Ginny turned to Kayla and with less excitement said, "Thank you."

Kayla turned to Harry and asked, "Harry did you want some roast beef sandwiches. There are plenty over here." She handed some to Harry while she was asking and this rubbed Ginny the wrong way as she glared at the girl but nobody seemed to notice.

After everybody managed to get a little to eat, Hermione asked, "Harry, how did you do all that charms work that you did last night? It was really good but you didn't know anywhere as much at the end of last year."

Harry said, "I was practicing."

Ron said, "You're not going to tell us are you."

Harry replied, "Not right now. I will tell you soon though but for now it's my secret."

Hermione and Ron frowned at his response. Hermione than asked, "Since you're not going to tell us when and how you learned these spells, can you teach us?"

Harry said, "Sure, that's not a problem. I'll have to find some time though, because I already have some private lessons with Kayla right now and plus I want to help Ginny prepare for her O.W.L.s."

Ginny was thinking, 'Is Kayla trying to work her way in with Harry? I wonder what it is that they're working on. At least I'll have him for part of the time alone to work on my O.W.L.s. You can't really count it as a date but I'll take whatever I can from Harry.' She ended up asking, "What is it that you're working on with Kayla?"

Harry said, "We're exchanging some talents that's all. It's up to Kayla if she wants to help you in what she's doing for me but I have no problem if you want to join us when I'm doing the teaching but I think that everybody here has class at that time."

Hermione and Ginny frowned while Ron was relieved that he didn't have to work too much harder than all that he had to do so far but wanted to be there for what Harry had to teach though. Luna seemed oblivious to the conversation but Neville who was listening asked, "Kayla, if you don't mind. Can you tell us what it is that you're helping Harry with?"

Kayla thought, 'I don't want too many people to know about this yet. I'm not sure why but I feel that I can trust Harry. I just don't know about the rest of them. For now, I'll just only help Harry and when I get to know the rest of them better than I'll help them also.' She said, "I just want to try something with Harry first. If it works out than I'll help everybody else out but I would prefer not to say what it is that I'm working on right now."

Hermione sighed and thought, 'Looks like she's trying to play some kind of game. Well, I'm not sure that we can trust her yet. I need to keep an eye on this girl but until than we'll just have to work on Harry for now on the details of what he's working on.' Hermione ended up saying, "Alright, but when the time comes please let us know."

Kayla nodded and was about to say something when Harry interrupted by saying, "It's almost time for class. We should get going."

Hermione checked her watch and notice that they had ten minutes to make it to the transfiguration class. The sixth year Gryffindors got up and headed off to transfiguration while the fifth years headed off to astronomy. Harry and his friends arrived just five minutes before classes started and took there seats near the front of the class. The bell rang for the start of class and the students sat down in their seats which were paired off.

McGonagall entered the class through the main entrance into her class and said, "Good afternoon class and welcome to N.E.W.T. level transfiguration. In order to have gotten in this class you needed to achieve at least an 'E' on your O.W.L.s. This class will be moving at a fast pace and it will be easy to fall behind in this class. Please keep up and if you have trouble come see me after class or at my office. Are there any questions?"

Nobody raised there hand and she continued on by saying, "Today we're going to start with a review of everything that we've worked on over the last five years. By the end of this semester everybody should be able to transfigure complicated furniture designs. Alright, a general idea of what we will be covering is listed on the board. If there are no questions than let us begin."

Once again, nobody raised their hand and started their two hour class session on a quick review of everything they should be able to complete already. To many people's surprise, Neville had little difficulty with the spells that he had difficulty working over the past years and was up to the standards of the rest of the class. At the end of class, McGonagall told Harry to stay back. His friends waited for him outside of the door to walk to Hagrid's class.

McGonagall said, "Mr. Potter, are you aware of the Durmstrang challenge that was announced yesterday at the feast before you arrived?"

Harry sighed and said, "Yes Ma'am."

"I'm not for beating around the bush so I'll ask you. Are you going to sign up to be on this team?"

"Professor, I want to be on this team to represent Hogwarts and Gryffindor but I feel that I should keep secret about some of my abilities and this challenge will bring out some of my abilities. If I were to be selected to be on the team, I believe that the only thing I'll be able to participate in would be the quidditch team."

McGonagall thought about it for a minute and nodded. She said, "I understand Mr. Potter. If you were to make the team than it would be ultimately up to you and the team on what each member of the team will be doing. Plus, there is the possibility that you won't be making it on the team."

Harry nodded and said, "I guess this will have to be solved if the problem arises. I would like to submit my name to be on the team."

McGonagall still kept her stern face and said, "I expected nothing less from you but it was your decision to make. I'll submit your name and you better get going to your next class."

Harry met up with his friends who were waiting by the door and the group made there way down to Hagrid's hut for class. On there way down, Harry filled the rest of the group on the conversation with McGonagall. Upon making it to Hagrid's hut, they were surprised to find that it was mostly Gryffindors and the only non-Gryffindors were the ones in the DA.

Harry walked up to Hagrid and asked, "How are you Hagrid?"

Hagrid turned around and with a large smile on his face, said, "Just fine 'arry. 'Ow are you all doing?"

Everybody offered there hellos and Kayla was introduced to Hagrid and the two started talking about what she had already learned which interested Hagrid to no end. The bell for the start of class chimed and Hagrid went to the front of the class and started his lesson.

Hagrid said, "Today's lesson will be on this creature," he pulled away a large tarp to reveal a winged beast with the body of a lion. He asked, "Who can tell me what this is?"

Hermione's hand went flying and Hagrid called out, "'ermione?"

Hermione answered, "A griffin."

Hagrid replied, "That's correct and five points to Gryffindor. Now can anybody tell me what a griffin is?"

This time Hagrid called out to Kayla and she answered, "It is a magical beast with the ability to fly. Griffin's are incredibly strong and loyal. Just like the phoenix they are loyal only to those of good hearts."

Hagrid said, "That's also correct. Ten points to Gryffindor."

The class continued on as Hagrid had each student go up and pet the griffin and lectured on other properties of a griffin. At the end of class they bid Hagrid bye and headed back to the dormitories with the exception of Hermione and Kayla who went to runes class.

The group met up with one another again at dinner in the Great Hall. The Hall changed this time as there was a pedestal with the Hogwarts banner draped over it sitting in front of the Head Table. The pedestal had what looked like a small oak tree on it that had a shiny brown trunk with branches and leaves of three different shiny colors which were, blue, purple, and red. Near the end of dinner, Dumbledore stood up before the school to the side of the pedestal and said, "Good evening. As you all know tonight we will be selecting our Hogwarts All-star team to represent us against that of Durmstrang. This tree here will be selecting the team randomly as its leaves shed. The colors of the leaves are representative of the house that the student belongs to. Blue is for Hufflepuff, Purple is for Ravenclaw, Red is for Gryffindor, as there are no Slytherin, there are no green leaves."

Dumbledore tapped the tree once with his wand and a blue leaf fell from the tree. Dumbledore picked up the leaf and said, "When I call your name, please come forward and stand on the other side of this tree. The first person is Susan Bones of Hufflepuff." There were clapping from all four houses with the occasional clap coming from Slytherin and a standing ovation coming from Hufflepuff who were congratulating her. She made her way up to the front on the opposite side of the tree and waited for the next name to be called.

Dumbledore tapped the tree again and a red leaf fell from the tree. He picked it up and called out, "Hermione Granger of Gryffindor." Hermione modestly stood up to the hollering and cheering of her house mates and to the glares from most of Slytherin. She made her way up and after shaking Susan's hand, while the two congratulated each other, took her place next to her.

With the next tap on the top of the tree, a purple leaf fell from the tree. Dumbledore took the leaf and said, "Terry Boot of Ravenclaw." Terry stood up with a jump and excitedly made his way to the front and took his place next to Hermione after greeting Hermione and Susan.

As the cheering from Ravenclaw calmed, the next leaf fell from the tree. Dumbledore picked up the red leaf and called out, "Ginerva Weasley of Gryffindor." As Ginny stood up there were lots of hollering and cheering from both the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw table. Harry congratulated her and she blushed as she made her way up to the front where she was congratulated by Susan, Hermione, and Terry.

After Ginny took her spot next to Terry, another leaf fell from the tree after Dumbledore tapped the tree. He picked up the purple leaf and called out, "Luna Lovegood of Ravenclaw." With the airy expression still on her face, Luna lowered her copy of the Quibbler, and made her way to the front to stand next to Ginny. The crowd wasn't cheering as loudly as they were for the rest of the team so far but the loudest cheering could be heard from her friends from Gryffindor.

To the surprise of most of the people who were keeping count. Another red leaf fell off of the tree and Dumbledore picked it up to call out, "Ronald Weasley of Gryffindor." Ron jumped up from his seat to the cheering of the Gryffindor version of Weasley is our King. Ron took his place next to Luna after congratulating Susan, Hermione once again, Terry, Ginny with a hug, and Luna.

After the Gryffindor finished singing Weasley is our King, Dumbledore gave the tree a tap once again. He picked up the blue leaf and read, "Ernie MacMillan of Hufflepuff." The Hufflepuff table erupted once again just like before for Susan when her name was called. Ernie made his way to stand on the other side of Ron after they shook each others hand.

The Hufflepuffs quieted down when Dumbledore raised his hands up. After tapping the tree again, a red leaf fell from the tree and Dumbledore called out, "Kayla Rapp of Gryffindor." There were cheering from Gryffindor but it was out of loyalty to the house because most of the students didn't know much about her other than Harry. There were also some whispering of she shouldn't be allowed because she was just a transfer student and not really a Hogwarts student. Harry stood up and cheered for her while she blushed and hugged Harry before making her way to the front where she shook everybody's hands.

Dumbledore tapped the tree once again and another leaf fell from the tree. He picked up the purple leaf and read out, "Michael Coroner of Ravenclaw." There was loud cheering from the Ravenclaw table. Michael made his way up to the front and shook everybody's hand although it was a bit hesitant between Michael and Ginny due to their break up at the end of last year.

Dumbledore raised his hand to calm the entire hall down. The Great Hall was filled with looks of anticipation of those that wondered who was going to be the last person to be on the team. There were also expressions of hope of those that still had there names left on the tree that they will be picked next. As always, there were the Slytherins who tried to look like they didn't really care but it was evident in the way they were staring at the tree. With the last tap on the tree a final red leaf fell.

Dumbledore picked up the leaf and his eyes started to shine incredibly bright as the twinkle in his eyes grew. He read out, "Harry Potter of Gryffindor." Right when the words Harry left Dumbledore's lips, the hall erupted in cheers with Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor standing and cheering while the Slytherin were shouting insults. Harry briefly closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he opened them up again to the scene of everybody patting him on the back and congratulating him.

He stood up and made his way to the front where he was congratulated by Dumbledore and saw Hagrid cheering with all his heart and McGonagall clapping with the hint of excitement in her stern expression. Harry shook the hands of his new teammates and exchanged congratulations with one another.

Harry took his place next to Michael and Dumbledore raised his hand to call for the hall to calm down. Dumbledore said, "I would like to thank Miss Bones, Miss Granger, Mr. Boot, Miss Weasley, Miss Lovegood, Mr. Weasley, Mr. MacMillan, Miss Rapp, Mr. Coroner, and Mr. Potter for volunteering for the team. Will you all please follow me back to my office?"

Led by Professor Dumbledore, the newly assembled team made there way back to the Headmaster's office. They took seats around Dumbledore's desk as he took his seat behind his desk. Dumbledore asked, "Lemon drop?"

Everybody declined. He than continued on by saying, "I wanted to thank you all again for volunteering for representing Hogwarts. As you probably heard already from the rumors running around campus that quidditch has been canceled for this year so we can focus our attention on this competition. First off, as you all are familiar with the three different competitions, are there any reservations from anybody on the team?"

It was silent for awhile before Harry said, "I do professor." Everybody in the room looked at him fairly surprised except for Kayla and Dumbledore. He continued on by saying, "I'm pretty sure that everybody here is familiar with my unique relationship with Voldemort." There were some flinching by most of the people in the room except for Hermione, Dumbledore, and Kayla. After the flinching ended, Harry said, "I had my reservations with entering this team until I talked to Kayla and Professor McGonagall. I believe that if I were to stay on the team, than about the only thing that I'll be able to do would be the quidditch competition."

Dumbledore asked, "Are there any problems from the rest of the team?"

Coroner said, "If he can't possibly play and is that self conscious about You-Know-Who than maybe he shouldn't be on the team."

Once he finished the statement, he was faced with heavy opposition from the rest of the team. They were all yelling at him especially the Gryffindors. During the heated exchange Harry walked over to a window that over looked the lake and the oak tree that he rested under earlier in the day. Harry didn't feel like joining in the fight and just waited until it died down. Dumbledore called for order and everybody quieted down quickly.

Dumbledore said, "It may be possible that if Mr. Potter does not participate in the other two events than it won't hurt the team. The academics and dueling competition will have five people each so let's see who would compete if Mr. Potter did not."

Hermione said, "Well, who would be good for the first competition?"

While staring out the window, Harry said, "I believe that Hermione, Kayla, Ginny, Luna, Michael would be good for the team with Susan preparing with them just in case one of them don't feel up to it the day of test. Of course, the rest of us will be helping them prepare for it."

Everybody was surprised by the ease that Harry mentioned the names and including Michael while he just tried to kick him off the team. Harry continued on by saying, "From what I can tell, all of them have pretty sharp minds and even if Ginny and Luna are a year behind, I don't believe that they will have problems catching up because they're already incredibly smart as it is."

Ginny blushed at the comment and even Luna seemed to show a little surprise in her usual airy expression. Hermione than said, "I believe that that could probably work especially with the rest of the team helping, everybody should be in a pretty good position by the time it is for us to compete."

Dumbledore said, "Alright, since that is settled. Who will be on the dueling team?"

Still staring out the window, Harry said, "The dueling team should be filled with varying talents like that of a quidditch team. I think it would be a good team with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Kayla, and Terry. Susan and Luna would be very good alternates for this team." He sighed and said, "I know it sounds a little lopsided with it being filled with so my Gryffindors but from what I saw they were incredibly good not to say that the rest are not good."

Michael asked, "Kayla just transferred here. How can you say that she's better than any of us?"

Harry said, "I'm guessing that I know a little more about her than the rest of you do. It's up to her if she wants to tell you but from what I can tell she's going to be pretty good. If somebody else shows better promise later on than we can always switch who's going to be in the starting lineup but for now at least we have a team to focus our attention on instead of dividing it between all ten of us."

Susan said, "That is a good plan. From what I remember also, the only person that was better than all of us was Harry and I can understand why he won't be able to duel because it would show much of his abilities. But I believe that if a tie does come and Harry is selected than he should compete though."

Harry turned to her and said, "I agree. It would be anybody's responsibility to be in the tie breaking duel if they are selected."

Dumbledore said, "Now that we have two of our teams down. Who are going to have on the quidditch team?"

Hermione said, "I'm not an expert on quidditch or anything but I believe that we can settle on Ron being the keeper, Harry being the seeker, and Ginny as one of the chasers. Other than that, I'm not sure about the other positions."

Susan said, "I'm not that great but I've practiced at being a chaser with Ernie who has worked out with the Hufflepuff team as a beater. We were going to try out for the house team but I guess there's no quidditch other than this."

Harry said, "That leaves one chaser and one beater left."

Terry said, "I can play the other beater position. I don't play for the house team but I helped them practice in years past."

Harry said, "Alright than, so who's going to take the last chaser position?"

Kayla said, "I can play the last chaser position. I didn't play at AIM but occasionally joined a pick up game whenever they were looking for people to play."

Harry nodded than said, "So we have Ron in Goal and I think that Michael should work as back up to him, Terry and Ernie as beaters, Ginny, Kayla, and Susan as chasers, and me as the seeker. I think that Ginny should also work as my backup. Luna can work as the back up to the chasers. If the beaters have problems than we'll just have to figure something out later on because I don't think we'll be able to get Hermione on a broom."

Hermione nodded to the rest of her team. Dumbledore said, "Since we've got that much settled for now. The first competition will be in the middle of October. You will be asked to study whatever you can because anything is open to being questioned."

The team left the office and headed back to their respective dormitories after saying bye to each other and plan on meeting after dinner to plan out how everything is going to work. When they made it back to their personal common room, Ron went off to look for food while Hermione went to start her homework. Neville was already working on his homework when the group made it back.

Shortly after making back, the portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw opened up and Luna came in with her trunk levitated behind her. Harry went to setup everything for Luna and Ginny came to help her settle in. When Harry came out from the girls' room after setting up Luna's sleeping arrangements, he entered the common room where Hermione and Ron were bickering about studying and eating habits. Harry snuck off to the boys' room and went down his trunk to train and finish his homework.

The next morning, Harry woke up as usual at five in the morning and headed down to the quidditch pitch again to exercise. Harry was joined this morning on his work out with Blaze while he was jogging and Nightlight while he was flying on his broom. By the time Harry made it back to his room to get ready, Ginny was already sitting in their common room waiting for him.

Once he came in, Ginny asked, "Good morning Harry. Where were you this morning?"

Harry replied, "Morning Gin. I was just working out. I work out every morning to try to get in shape. I'm just going to take a shower and get ready. Do you want to join me for breakfast?"

With a smile, Ginny said, "Sure, hurry up and get ready."

After getting ready for the day, Ginny and Harry made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. They were having fun talking to each other with the occasional bite from there breakfast. About halfway through breakfast, they were joined by the rest of there friends and the Great Hall was alive with chatter again. After breakfast, Harry, Hermione, Kayla, and Neville made there way to double potions while Ron made his way to divination than muggle studies.

The group took there usual places in the back of the class with the Slytherins crowding the front of the class. Potions was filled mostly with Slytherins and nobody knew how it was possible for Crabbe and Goyle to make it in N.E.W.T. Potions. They were the only Gryffindors to make it along with three Ravenclaws and two Hufflepuffs.

Snape made his way in with the door slamming closed. He stood before the class and said, "This is the most difficult class at Hogwarts. I'm not sure how some of you made it into this class." When he said that he was looking at Harry, Neville, and Kayla, he continued on by saying, "No matter what, once you are unable to keep up anymore than I will have no problems kicking you out. Today we will be starting with the Wolfsbane Potion. Can anybody tell me what this potion is?"

All of the Gryffindors raised their hands along with Draco. Snape completely ignored the Gryffindors and picked Draco who responded, "It's a potion so those loathsome creatures known as werewolves are able to control themselves during a full moon."

Snape said, "Correct Mr. Malfoy and ten points to Slytherin." He continued class by lecturing on the properties of the potion and gave them the instructions to brew the potion. Hermione partnered up with Neville while Harry worked with Kayla. Both of their potions were flawless by the end of class but it required a week to brew. Snape dismissed class feeling very dissatisfied with himself because he was unable to find fault with the Gryffindors during class.

The group had an hour break before lunch so they all headed over to the library to start their homework at the urging of Hermione and Kayla. Neville and Harry didn't put up much of a fight and ended up working on their homework with the girls. They were later joined by Ron, Luna, and Ginny during lunch in the Great Hall.

After all the classes ended that day, the All-star team met up with each other in the Room of Requirement. They were all sitting in comfortable sofas or recliners in a circle discussing how everything should run.

Hermione said, "I think that we should focus all of our attention to the first task and than to the next task after we finish the first one."

Ron replied, "But, I think that we should pay some attention to the challenges later on now so we would be better prepared. After all, most of the people who will be playing quidditch haven't played in a real match before so they need lots of practice."

The two of them started to argue with each other and than Ginny said, "How about we first start of with pure dedication to the first task and than we start adding quidditch in about a month before the first competition. We could probably use some kind of method to relieve stress anyway."

Susan said, "I agree with Ginny, we can focus all of our attention on the academics at first and slowly including quidditch into the routine. We shouldn't forget that Durmstrang did generate players like Victor Krum."

Hermione knew that she was going to be defeated on her plan so she decided to give. Hermione said, "Alright, I can see where you're going with this. For now though I think that we should partner up to give direct tutoring to a person that's competing in the first task. We should also have a joint meeting once a week to share what we have learned."

Harry said, "I think that's a good idea Hermione. Everybody that's in favor for having partners and than a once a week meeting to share what you all have learned, than raise your hand."

Everybody agreed and than Harry asked, "Who wants to pair up with whom?"

Everybody was looking at each other in silence thinking of who they wanted to work with and who they did not want to work with. Luna said, "It doesn't really matter to me. You all can choose who you want."

Harry said, "I would like to work with Ginny if nobody minds."

Ginny's eyes went a little wide from the surprise announcement, and she was saved from the embarrassment with Hermione saying, "I would like to work with Ron that is if he doesn't mind." Ron also caught a little of guard just nodded his agreement.

Susan said, "I could work with Luna considering she's in her fifth year and I'll be able to help her out with what we learned last year."

Terry said, "That makes sense so I can work with Michael considering I hang out with him more than I do the rest of you with the exception of Susan."

Harry said, "That leaves Kayla with Ernie. If there are no objections to these pairings, I believe that we have our teams. How about we meet on Fridays after lunch for our group meetings just in case we run late there's nothing on Saturday that will interfere with what we are doing."

With that, Harry stood up, offered his hand, bowed to Ginny and asked, "May I ask my fair lady to accompany me to the library to start our new adventure?"

Ginny giggled then said, "Of course, good sir." The two of them bid everybody else good night and went of to the library to start there research to prepare Ginny for the first competition.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. If you have any comments or constructive criticisms I welcome them all. Now to address all of my reviewers since the posting.

Dancerrdw: Thank you for your consistent reviews.

Lily MalfOy13: Thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Lonsome-love: Thank you for your praise. Kayla right now has no romantic interest in Harry but can't promise anything later on. As of the planned stages of the story so far, Kayla is a friend at least for now but no telling what will happen when I get too deep into the story because I'm still a little unsure right now.

IamSiriusgrl: Thank you for your compliment and hopefully I'll keep up a steady rate of posting.

Jbfritz: Thank you for your series of reviews.

Slick92: Thank you and I will try to keep up the descriptive nature of the HP world.

Kaleena Mason: Thank you for your review and I'm really glad that you are happy about the magical trunk.

RaeRoark: Thank you for the review and I understand the importance of Chapter 8 if you read 9 and 10 without knowing what happened there. I e-mailed you a copy of chapter 8 that was posted which included the author's notes. Hopefully you were able to read it.

Abby92: I will definitely continue and Kayla is the same age as Harry in this story which is 16.