From the Daily Prophet of 2 August, 2000
Harry hits the pitch
Potter, Puddlemere kick off training
By Mike Thalia
PUDDLEMERE, England -- More than 50 Quidditch players raced their brooms in a full-speed pack, periodically launching into death-defying dives, swift climbs and sudden turns meant to challenge even the most skilled flier. In that much, it could have been the first day of training for any professional club.
What made this particular session different was the throng of about 2,000 witches and wizards that cheered their every move, and the man they came to see.
Harry Potter.
The Boy Who Lived officially began his professional Quidditch career Tuesday, taking part as Puddlemere United held its first workout of the year at Nimbus Arena. He more than held his own in a series of gruelling drills, overcoming all the excitement and earning the praise of his manager and team-mates.
"That was tough; I'm glad I've been preparing," Potter said as he walked off the pitch. "But it was fun. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the challenge of a good practice."
"Harry did every bit as well we could have expected," United manager Glenn Watson said of his new Seeker. "We set up our drills to give us a good idea how well the lads can fly. He was right there with the best of the bunch on every move."
It was a most auspicious beginning for a first-year player trying to live up to his status as a national hero.
"There's a great deal of pressure on Harry to succeed," said United Keeper Oliver Wood, who was a friend and team-mate of Potter's at Hogwarts. "He also has a great deal of determination to overcome that pressure. In fact, I know he'd rather die than fail. Based on what little I saw, he showed that determination on the pitch today."
Potter's success is likely to make his boss' job more difficult. Since the 20-year-old sensation was acquired in a 100,000-Galleon transfer from Chudley in June, it has been widely speculated he could unseat two-year fixture Samuel Diop from his role as first Seeker. With the Boy Who Lived playing well and droves of supporters flocking to Puddle U. to watch him, there is sure to be added pressure on the manager as he contemplates the side he will take to the 2 Sept. season opener at Portree.
"There's a long way to go before I name my squad," Watson said, "but Harry did nothing to hurt his chances of earning a place today."
Potter's competition was willing to speculate where his manager was not.
"Harry did everything well today," said Gregg Knapp, Puddlemere's top reserve Seeker last season. "It certainly looks like he can fly, dive and catch. If he keeps playing like that, I might be out of a job."
Potter's day began at 7 a.m. with a private team meeting in the stadium's locker room to discuss club rules and plans. United took the pitch at 8:45 to a standing ovation from a crowd that nearly filled Nimbus Arena's upper mezzanine. Many of the spectators chanted Potter's name and the Boy Who Lived give a quick, tentative wave in recognition of the cheers.
"I can't believe I was there to see Harry Potter walk onto the pitch for the very first time," Puddlemere supporter Patrick Hartwell, 23, said. "That's something I'll be able to tell my grandchildren one day."
"The crowd was amazing," Potter said.
The atmosphere in the stadium felt almost match-like a few minutes later as the 53 United players and four coaches lifted off on their brooms. The team spent the next three hours running through flying drills: sprints, dives and the aforementioned team flight. The buzz was incessant, and the cheers were riotous as Potter and United's other stars -- Diop, Wood and Chaser Siobhan Moran -- took their turns.
Said Watson, "It's hard to believe we got that kind of support on the first day of training."
Potter seemed unfazed by the audience and was among the best players in each of the morning drills. Only Diop and new Chaser Madori Sato were faster in sprints. First-year Seeker Ekaterina Petrova was the lone player to match the agility of Potter's dives.
"I did my best," the Boy Who Lived said humbly. "There were a lot of other really good players out there as well, though."
It was in the afternoon that Potter did the most to earn the respect of his peers, however. After an hour's lunch break, Watson divided his charges for practice by position. The seven Seekers spent the remainder of the session showing off their in-game skills in a giant Snitch-hunting free-for-all spanning the entire pitch.
At first Diop, the Quidditch League of Great Britain and Ireland's top Seeker a year ago, dominated the competition, catching the Snitch three times in a row. It was the Boy Who Lived who broke that streak with a brilliant capture, diving with poise into the middle of a frenzied Chasers' passing drill. Potter also outraced Diop to nab the Golden Snitch from under the south hoops and dove under the broom of Knapp to finish the two-hour session with three captures. Diop, who caught the Snitch six times, and unheralded Australian Rebecca Stephens (one capture) were the only other Seekers to emerge successfully from the melee.
"It took (Potter) a while to get used to the pace of the game and the congestion of having all the Seekers up at once," Puddlemere's Seekers coach, Perry Holmes, said. "Still, he showed good instincts and an excellent skill for getting the Snitch after he spotted it."
"Harry's good up there, really good," Knapp added. "He's fearless as well as a strong flier. Between him and (Diop), it made things almost impossible for the rest of us."
Even Diop spoke highly of his new rival.
"That was difficult," the rarely complimentary Senegalese international said. "(Potter) made me work hard and he still got the Snitch three times. I am not used to losing. I must try harder."
Potter will have another chance to impress today, when United continues its training camp with another 7 a.m. practice at Nimbus Arena. Puddlemere has sessions scheduled daily until it plays its first preseason game 12 August on its home pitch against France's Lourdes Miracle.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow," Potter said just before he entered the locker room at the end of Tuesday's practice.
With Harry Potter on the team, so is the rest of wizarding Britain.
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Mike Thalia covers Puddlemere United for the Daily Prophet. Owl him at thedpreportingyahoo.com
A/N: Hey, it's actually Quidditch! Well, sort of. Thanks to all of you who have been waiting patiently for some action. Now, there's just a month to go before opening day.
Kudos also to my betas, Chi, Nancy and R.G., for their continued efforts at keeping me on track.