Chapter 3: Broomsticks

It was no surprise to the Gryffindor Quidditch team when Harry had told them that over the summer he received a Captain's badge. Harry had been the youngest Quidditch player in a century, and many agreed that he flew even better than Charlie Weasley. His flying skills were undeniable, especially since he won the Gryffindors every game he played, unless he was knocked out first by a Bludger or fake dementors.

Harry had scheduled tryouts and practice for right after dinner, when everyone was free for lessons. He now stood, waiting, on the Quidditch field by himself, since he arrived 10 minutes earlier, bringing his broom and the balls with him.

He recalled when he went onto the Quidditch field for his first game, nervous and shivering. He pictured in his mind's eye, himself, dangling from a broom that was trying to kick him off, and then pictured dementors, at another game, swooping down at him. Shaking his head of these thoughts, Harry saw a red head emerging from the castle, and the next moment, Ron Weasley was running towards him, his broom under his arm.

"Hey Ron!" yelled Harry with a wave.

"Hey, Harry," Ron shouted back with a grin, "I wonder if I can make the team this time?"

"Nonsense," replied Harry, "You don't have to try out. I'm not making a new Gryffindor Quidditch team, I'm just filling in the empty spaces."

"You sure, Harry?" asked Ron with a puzzled expression, "Because you know I can't play that well."

"I'm sure," said Harry firmly, and there was silence.

A minute later, a group of 5 girls walked towards them, waving and smiling.

After 5 minutes, about 15 people gathered around Harry, waiting for instructions.

"Right," said Harry, glancing over them to see who was there. "So the members of last years Quidditch team, please stand over there." He pointed to the stands, and Ron, Katie Bell, Andrew Kirke, Jack Sloper, and Ginny Weasley started walking off.

"Wait," called out Harry to Ginny, "You were on the team last year as Seeker when I was banned from Quidditch. But now that I'm back on the team, you know..."

"Oh right," laughed Ginny, "Right, I want to try out for a different position."

"Well then you stay here," said Harry, adding to the group of students, "Are you all here to try out for Chaser?"

Every single one of them nodded.

"I hope you realize that there are only 2 empty spots on the Quidditch team. So we only need 2 Chasers. Well then, let's not waste any time. Ginny, why don't you try out first?"

Ginny hopped onto her broom, and soared into the air, with Harry bewitching a few balls that looked similar to Quaffles, to fly around her. Ginny caught a ball, flew to the 3 goal posts, and scored! Once, twice, three times, only missing the fourth time.

Harry scribbled some notes in a clipboard he was holding, and Ginny landed in front of him.

"Okay, Ginny, that was great. You could go sit there with the rest of the team for now. I'll get back to you at the end of the try outs."

"Next, Dennis Creevey."

Colin Creevey's younger brother gave Harry a huge smile, and rose into the air on a broom.

Tryouts lasted half an hour. Harry was forced to watch every single one of them, even though his eyelids were already drooping. At the end of the tryouts, Harry walked to where everyone was sitting on the stands.

"Well," he began, "You all did a great job, some better than others, of course. But since we only need 2 Chasers, I'll have to choose. Our first Chaser..." He consulted his clip board and there was a tense silence, as everyone strained their ears to catch his words.

"Ginny Weasley," Harry said at last with a big grin. There was some applause, mainly from Ron, and then everyone hushed again.

"And the second and final Chaser is... Dean Thomas!"

A few groans rose from the people who didn't make it, but the members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team applauded loudly, clapping him and Ginny on the back.

"Congrats, Ginny and Dean!" grinned Harry, grabbing his broom and the box of balls, and leaving for the castle, with the rest of the team and everyone else behind him.

"Well, we have a new team!" sighed Ron, falling in step with Harry. "Thanks for letting me through without trying out."

"Ron, you tried out last year! It doesn't have to be repeated," assured Harry.