A/N: Here you are, my first DOUBLE DIGIT chapter! Lol, this is the first story that I've carried on this far in a very long time, I usually abort at chapter five, and see it just goes to show what reviews can do! I really hope you like this chapter, its not really fluffy, but its more like the pre-fluff chapter (hint lol). Well please review it when you're done reading. My next update should be on Tuesday the 22, so look for it then. I'd update sooner, but I have to go to Georgia for the weekend. Well, here's the chapter! Ciao!
Oh, yea, and I now have a review goal. I hope to get at least 200 reviews for this story, so tell your friends about me!
Sanity of the insane
Chapter Ten
Biting the bullet
Ron looked around the great hall for Harry, for some reason he had been avoiding him lately, and he needed to talk to him. He wasn't there. He'd just have to catch him later, breakfast was more important at the moment.
Sitting beside Hermione, he grabbed a plate and started loading it up with everything within arms stretch.
"You might want to lighten up on what you eat Ron." Ginny warned from across the table, while she ate her toast plain.
"When have you ever cared what I eat?" Ron glared at her as he spread thick grape marmalade over a biscuit.
Ginny shrugged, "Suit yourself, but if I were you, I'd be careful. Quidditch tryouts are this afternoon."
Ron dropped the roll. "What? Now? How come no one told me?" He demanded, eyeing everyone as though they were plotting against him.
"Honestly Ron, it's been posted on the bulletin board for a week!" Hermione intervened, sipping on a mug of steaming tea.
"Oh. Wait a moment… Ginny, who's the captain?"
"There isn't one… yet, we're all meeting and we'll vote, I think."
Ron nodded. "Oh. Okay. I guess that works, even though Harry's a shoo in. Speaking of Harry, has anyone seen him?"
Ginny nodded. "I saw him this morning, but he was going out. I don't know where he went, but I think it was something for defense class. He was talking of reuniting the D.A."
"Yea, well, if you see him, tell him I need to talk to him."
"Will do." Ginny watched her brother shove the smothered biscuit into his mouth with distaste. "Don't blame anyone but yourself when you get sick all over the place at tryouts!"
"Off msht hup Jinnnnee." Ron mumbled through the food.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "What ever. Anyway, I need to go to my dorm for something, so I'll see you guys later!" She smiled and walked out of the Great hall, but she didn't head off towards the stairs, she was going to find Harry.
Find him she did, out on the grounds, lingering around a beech tree near the lake with an odd expression on his face. When she walked up to him, he looked surprised but happy.
"Hello Ginny."
"Harry, just stop. I want to know something."
"What's that?" Harry asked, as he sat down, indicating that she too should sit.
"Why are you… I don't know how to say this but, why do you act so different around my brother? I mean, you're… great when it's just you and I, and even if Hermione's around, but when Ron's here, you change. And why are you avoiding him?" She sat down, but gave him a hardened Weasley woman stare.
Harry ran a hand through his hair and looked out over the water. After a moment he sighed and looked back at her.
"Ginny. Your brother, he, well that is to say, I don't think he'd be too fond of me really being friends with you…"
"Friends?"
"Well, I mean, more than friends, and I don't think he wants me around you, so I figure, if I don't go around him, he cant tell me to stay away…"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Harry, honestly. I mean, for you to be so bright, you're really dumb sometimes. Even I noticed how much he's hinted about us in the past… forever. I mean, you can't really think that."
A thrill shot through Harry unexpectedly when she said 'us'.
"So.. you don't think that… I mean, he won't care…?"
Ginny laughed out. "Harry, you know him better than I, so you tell me!"
He grinned. "I guess not… I was just a little worried, I didn't want to have a row over it."
"Well, then don't, it's my place to row with him. Besides, he hated Dean, and I made him shut up about it, so I can handle him!"
"I wouldn't exactly say he shut up about it, you just never heard…" Harry grinned, then looked back at the lake thoughtfully. "You know, I saw my Dad right here, by this tree last year."
"You're… Dad?" Ginny looked at him uncertainly.
"Oh, not literally, it was in Snape's Pensive, but he was there. He was picking on Snape actually, calling him Snivellus and hexing him. Then my Mum, she came over and shouted at him to stop. I don't know how they ever wound up together. I saw that look of hate in her eyes that day, and it truly was loath."
"I guess it just shows that when two people are meant to be, it will work out, no matter what." She grinned at him, hoping he knew she wasn't just talking about his parents.
"Yea. That must be it." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it even more. "So, are you excited about Quidditch tryouts?"
"Oh, as much as can be expected, I mean, at least this year I won't have to be seeker, now that your back."
"Good, you weren't that great."
"Harry!" Ginny made a slap at his arm.
"I'm only joking. So I assume that you are aiming for one of the three vacant chaser positions…"
"Of course, and with me in the air, Gryffindors never going to lose again!"
"Tee bit arrogant aren't we now?" Harry grinned, "But maybe you haven't noticed, we've been on top since I joined the team."
"Oh, who's arrogant now."
"Arrogance has nothing to do with it my dear…" Harry stopped as he heard the bell sound across the grounds signaling the start of lessons.
"Oh great," Ginny groaned. "I'm off to Trelawny! Wish me luck."
"You? Ha! I have that Bones woman!" He stood and helped Ginny to her feet.
Ginny brushed herself off. "Well, she's better than Snape!"
"Yea, you've got a point there. Well, 'bye Ginny, I'll see you at tryouts then…"
"Bye Harry!" Ginny called as she rushed off to divination.
There was quite a turnout for the Gryffindor team tryouts. While there were only two available positions, it seemed as though the whole of Gryffindor showed up, even a few hopeful first years.
Harry cleared his throat then pointed his wand at his throat uttering 'sonorous'.
"Hello." His voice boomed over the crowd, which immediately quieted. "Er, thank you all for coming to our tryouts. I regret to say that we do not accept players below the second year." There was a groan from the first years, but he continued, "Also the only available positions are two chasers. The current team is as follows: Keeper: Ronald Weasley, sixth year; Seeker: Harry Potter, sixth year; Chaser: Katie Bell, seventh year; Beater: Jack Sloper, fourth year; Beater: Andrew Kirke, third year. If you have any problem or dislike for or with ANY of these people, you would do well to leave now, because on the team, there are no conflicts. O.k., since no one is leaving I guess we can get started. Katie?"
Katie nodded and looked around.
"Hello," her voice rang out. "I am Katie Bell, since I am the only chaser, I will be conducting this tryout. First I would like you to split up in groups of… five. There now, mount your broomsticks, and fly through the hoops. The ten flyers with the best time will move on, the rest of you will be encouraged to try out next year." She waved her wand and several different hoops appeared.
Ginny mounted her broom, her stomach in knots. She wasn't sure about her broom, it wasn't that fast, so she'd have to stay low to it and not miss any hoops. When the whistle sounded she took off. She was surprised at how quickly she was advancing. She finished a full five minutes ahead of the other four students in her group. When every one had gone, she was astonished to find that even with her cleansweep seven, she had the third highest time.
"Very well done. If you didn't make the cut, you are welcome to stay and watch the rest of the tryouts, but please, watch from the bleachers." Katie said to the group of disappointed Gryffindors. Only Colin and Dennis Creevey stayed, snapping pictures and smiling maniacally.
"Right then, congratulations, and now the real competition begins. Look around, and know that these people aren't your friends for now, they are your enemy. You job is to out shine them, to get the part. I will now pair you all up, and we will put you through our reaction course, to see how you work in teams. Half of you will be cut in this round of tryouts."
Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat as she moved to stand next to Neville, her partner.
"First, grab a quaffle and get in the air. Now, toss the ball back and forth, some of you may have played this game when you were younger, but with each catch back apart a bit. O.k. begin."
Ginny ran her hands over the smooth leather of the quaffle and let all of her nerves release into it. She glanced up at Neville, focused in and threw the ball, and it hit him square in the chest and bounced off, he didn't catch it.
"Sorry Ginny! I'll get it!" Neville flew off to get the ball, but missed by a mile and toppled into Parvati Patil as she was reaching for a pass from Larissa Parks, a second year.
"Neville! Watch where you're going!" Parvati spat angrily, as her own ball soared over her head.
Ginny groaned, but called. "It's o.k. Neville, I'll get it, just wait right there!"
After another hour of vigorous training, Ginny was in the final three. It was her, Larissa Parks, and Sara Clearwater, a tall lanky third year with an excellent aim.
"Well, ladies, I must say that you three are all worthy of being on the team. But the team has spoken, and I am sorry to say that Larissa, sweetie, you didn't make it. Fret not though, I'm graduating this year, so you come back and take my spot!" Katie smiled at the young girl, who didn't really seem upset.
"Ah, well, I know that I'll get it eventually. Thanks, I had fun."
Ginny blinked. She did it. She was on the team, and it wasn't from lack of options. She was almost in tears as she looked around at people she'd always known and saw them in a new light, they were her teammates! Some how it felt much different, and better, than when she was picked for seeker, but that was probably because she actually wanted this position.
"Right then," Katie said, her voice back to normal volume. "Welcome to the team girls, and don't think that it will be any easier than today's tryout, if we catch you slacking, we have Larissa waiting. That said, I think its time to vote in our new team captain. Any suggestions?"
"I vote Harry," Ron piped in.
"I vote Katie," Harry countered.
"I second it for Harry," chipped in Kirke.
"Me too," Katie piped, grinning.
"And I suppose I seal the deal with a vote for you Harry." Ginny grinned at him.
"I don't think I have time to be captain, so I don't accept. As you all know, I am teaching this year and I am reinstating the D.A. That sucks up a lot of time. Besides, you deserve it Katie. So, as your voted it captain, I pass the honor on to Katie." Harry looked around, hoping they would except it.
"Righto! Three cheers for Katie!" Ron quipped.
"Ron! Hey, Ron!" Harry jogged to catch up with his friend as they walked out of the Quidditch pitch.
"Yea mate?" Ron turned.
"Oh, I wanted to talk to you about something… er, see. I might as well get this out. I was thinking of asking Ginny out, but I wanted to make sure it was okay with you first…."
Ron clapped him on the back. "It's about time mate! I'd say you've been doing more than just thinking of it, yea I see you two together all the time. Just do me a favor." Ron let his grin fade, and replaced it with a very sober look. "Don't hurt her."
"I won't Ron, you know that…"
"I know, but she is my only sister, and I would hate for something like that to come between us."
"Well, I promise that I won't, I don't even think I could."
"Right, well I gotta go meet up with Hermione now, so I'll see you later mate!" Ron clapped him on the back again, and trudged off towards the castle.
Harry smiled as he walked up to the castle, the bounce in his step showed the transformation in his mood now versus the past few days.
A/N: (Lol, a quick note: I just re read the chapter, and the way they told Larissa she didn't make it made me realize that I've been watching a little too much Survivor and American Idol… lolz!)There it is, Harry quit being pigheaded, so now, we have to wait and see what shall happen later! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and REVIEW lolz. O.k. now to my reviewers of Chapter 9:
To Fleury: Yea, Harry is a bit dense, but he's coming around (and it only took him ten chapters lol..) Well, thanks for reviewing, and please review more!
Draghknar: Tada, here you are. The next chapter. I hope you liked it. I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Keep reviewing!
Nixtear: Ginny is one of my favorite characters, and I've always pictured her as a very straight forward person, sorta blunt.. y'know. I'm glad that you like this though. Please review again.
Jaime: (do you mind if I still call you Jaime, and not Starzlight?) I will try to keep up the balance, but the next chapter tips the scales entirely to H/g (that's a hint lol) So make sure to come back on Tuesday the 22nd (that's the update day). Keep reviewing!
Fantasy Writer: I'm really glad you liked it, and you took the time to review, it means a lot to me. Please continue to review!
HpLovesMe: Well, he's now told Ron, so all that leaves is Ginny…. I'm glad you liked it, and please review again!
Luna Lovegood2: Yea, I hate it when every one makes it all just about the two people, and don't even put any other characters in it hardly, so I try not to do that. Two hours? Wow, I didn't realize how long my story is getting! -gigglesnort- that's exciting! Yay! Well, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, and will continue to review!
TO EVERYONE: (Pinch!) Happy St. Patties Day (a day late…)!
Keep reviewing!
Ciao
Aimee
