From the Daily Prophet of 3 September, 2000

Potter pleased to cheer on Puddlemere

By KC Allen

PORTREE, Isle of Skye When Puddlemere United Seeker Samuel Diop made his move Saturday afternoon, so did Harry Potter.

As Diop shook loose from his Pride of Portree defenders and raced after the Golden Snitch, the Boy Who Lived leapt to his feet and added his excited shouts of encouragement to the cauldron of sound inside Star Stadium. When Diop grabbed the winged ball and a 290-90 victory for Puddlemere, Potter pumped his fist in celebration and rushed onto the pitch to congratulate the triumphant players in blue.

It was the kind of display one expects to see from a diehard fan. Not from a superstar relegated to the bench.

But, as any witch or wizard with even the slightest knowledge of his other accomplishments can tell you, Harry Potter is not your typical Quidditch superstar.

Puddlemere's 100,000-Galleon newcomer doesn't begrudge Diop his place in the starting line-up. To Potter, a spot on the sideline is more of an accomplishment than a setback.

"I'm really, really happy just to be here," the 20-year-old Seeker said at the post-match news conference Saturday. "I know everyone says that, but it's true. I started training not knowing what to expect. Making the team was my goal and I've done that, so now I'm just trying to enjoy the experience. After all, Quidditch is great fun.

"When (manager Glenn) Watson called me into his office on Thursday and told me to pack my gear to come up here, I was delighted. Just being here listening to a huge crowd chant and cheer, seeing all the tactics we've been working on play out in the air against real opponents and, of course, watching my team-mates win it was an amazing experience. And, being there on the bench, I had about the best view in the stadium. I really couldn't ask for more."

The Puddlemere United fans, most of whom had been expecting more than a backup's role from their newest hero, will be delighted to learn there is more Quidditch ahead for the Boy Who Lived. Just not with the first team. After Saturday's match, Watson announced Potter will start for the Puddlemere reserves when they take on Portree's second team at Nimbus Arena on Tuesday.

"(Seekers coach) Perry (Holmes) and I are very impressed with the progress Harry's shown so far and we obviously want him to continue to improve his form," United's manager said. "We also know the only way he's going to do that is if he gains more match experience, so he'll be playing for the reserves on Tuesday. It's not quite the same as first-team Quidditch, but it will give him a greater taste of the professional game."

"I can't wait," Potter said. "It'll be good to get another chance to get out there and play."

That he could have demanded a chance to play with the first seven an action that wouldn't be out of character for most players of his stature doesn't seem to have occurred to him.

"Why would I do that?" the young Seeker asked incredulously when the subject of first-team match time came up. "How would that help the team? The worst thing I could do is make myself more of a distraction than I already am."

It's that selfless attitude that could be Potter's greatest contribution to Puddlemere in the short term. While many star Seekers are driven only by the individual glory of the Golden Snitch, the Boy Who Lived seems genuinely committed to his team's success. That's something for which Watson is grateful.

"Harry's handled the situation very well," said the Puddlemere boss. "He's already a brilliant flier and a very talented seeker. I'm sure he knows perfectly well that a number of the other clubs in this league would love to have him. He could have come to me and said 'Play me or transfer me to a team that will,' and I wouldn't have blamed him. Instead it's been 'What can I do to help the team?' and 'What can I do to get better?' A manager can't ask for more than that from a first-year player, especially one of his skill.

"The fact is, we think Harry's got a brilliant future ahead of him. In terms of flying, he can already compete with the best. About the only reason he wasn't on the pitch today is because Samuel's game is more refined at this point. That's where we're especially lucky. Having the two of them means we can give Harry however much time he needs to find top form. I think that will be good for his career in the long run."

Potter apparently thinks so too.

"Having one of the world's best Seekers as a team-mate is definitely something that's helped me a lot," the Boy Who Lived said. "I've only known (Diop) a month and I've already learned a lot just from watching him and training with him. I think he even motivates me to work harder because I know he's going to beat me in every single drill if I don't give 110 percent. Not that he doesn't beat me most of the time anyway. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick up on a few more of his tricks as the season goes along."

So, for now at least, Potter seems to have no qualms about Diop winning their hard-fought competition for the starting role.

"Sam absolutely deserves to be out their playing with the first team," Puddlemere's first-year Seeker said of his erstwhile intra-team rival. "It doesn't matter what the situation is, he just about always catches the Snitch. You saw today's match. Portree's Beaters had Bludgers after him almost the whole time, and the minute they gave him space he had the capture.

"I hope he does that a lot more this season. If he does, Puddlemere will probably have the championship and I'd gladly cheer him on for that, whether it's from the bench or the training pitch."

If there's a trophy involved, even Potter's staunchest supporters should be happy. Especially if their hero is playing every Tuesday night.

KC Allen is the Daily Prophet's national sports columnist. Owl him at thedpreporting(at)yahoo(dot)com

A/N: First of all, I need to apologize to all of you for the horrid delay in posting. I'm not going to make excuses, but I certainly never intended to go five months without doing any writing. My sincerest thanks go to those of you who e-mailed, reviewed or IMed encouraging me to keep going; it's very likely I would have given up without all the support.

As for future posting, I'm not going to promise anything. But if I go more than I month without a new chapter any time soon, you all have my permission and encouragement to flame me unmercifully.

So, again, thanks to all of you for not giving up on my humble (and belated) work. And thank yous to my betas, LadyChi, Nancy and Promethean Alchemist.