Disclaimer: J K Rowling owns the rights and likenesses of all the characters in the Harry Potter series. This story is meant to add to the world she created. Any conflicts are accidental and they yield to her reality (canon).
7. The Flight of Another Potter
The second day of classes went OK for Samantha. Her day started with History of Magic, but as Mira put it, "There is no class more boring." Professor Binns, the only ghost teacher at Hogwarts, taught the class. It was a study in boredom and your ability to resist sleep. Double Charms followed History and Samantha found Professor Weasley to be much more interesting and lively, not that it was very difficult. They spent the double period charming extra chairs to fight each other and race around the room. The final half hour contained a battle royal where the last chair standing earned ten points for it master's house. Samantha and a Hufflepuff boy were the only one remaining as the class neared it end. The two conspired together and had their chairs run full speed at each other crashing into dozens of pieces. Professor Weasley ruled the contest a tie since neither chair remained intact and awarded ten points to both of them.
"Don't tell me your father is a pro at Charms," said Mira as they walked to get some lunch.
"No, my mother was the Charms expert, or so I am told," answered Samantha.
After lunch, they had Transfigurations. No one acted up in Hermione's class. She was strict and didn't tolerate horseplay.
She had a complicated transfiguration spell for them to work in class. They had to turn their white mouse into a miniature pony. Extra marks were given for bridals and ornate saddles. Sirius had no trouble accomplishing the task. He assisted Mira with her saddle adding a feathery liner. Samantha had trouble with her mouse. She could get either the front or rear of the pony to appear but not both. Sirius helped her with it, but the best they could do was just getting a pony with no extras.
"Finally, a subject where I can help you," Sirius said with confidence. "At least I am better than you at something."
"No worries here," Samantha admitted. "As far as I know, my parents weren't any better than me in this class. Any help you can give will be needed."
"A nice improvement, Ms. Brooks," said Professor Weasley. "You pass the assignment, but I suggest more practice. Forty minutes for one plain pony won't help you much in the world."
"I have already offered Samantha, my help, Professor," said Sirius.
"Well then, I wish you luck in your endeavor," said Hermione as she strolled on to the next table.
"What is it like, being taught by your mum, Sirius? Asked Alex.
"Well, you just do the best you can and never get out of line," Sirius answered. "James hasn't learned that one yet, but there is still hope."
Alex and Mira laughed, but Samantha did her best to match their amusement. She knew exactly what it felt like to learn from her father in front of others even though she couldn't tell anyone.
Later that night, the students went up to the tallest tower for Astronomy class. Samantha wasn't as good at this subject as she was at Care of Magical Creatures. She was glad when class was over and they could go back to their common rooms.
The rest of the week was more of the same. Aside from those Samantha had taught the Protego spell to, everyone had failed miserably in Defense. No one could block Harry's jinxes very well causing many students to be put in a quite room while the effects of his Rictusempra charm wore off. Snape found nothing wrong with Samantha's antidote to his aging draught. Earning her a pass on the written assignment many others found themselves working on.
Samantha awoke on Saturday morning. The weather outside was overcast but still it was decent weather for tryouts. After a late breakfast, the members of the quidditch team and the hopefuls walked down to the pitch. Lily and Samantha walked together talking about the last week. Lily had a great showing in Defense class landing a bat-boogey hex on Harry, while he was blocking her Expelliarmus charm.
"I knew I couldn't disarm him, so I used the hex my aunt taught me," said Lily pleased with herself.
"Way to go, Lily," said Samantha.
The Gryffindor quidditch team gathered in the middle of the pitch discussing the schedule for the day. They decided to start with the open chaser position. Lily was the first one chosen to fly. She flew up in the air on her Cleansweep 580. She flew in formation with the team passing the quaffle to the other chasers heading for the goal posts. The beaters, Sirius and Mark Johnson handled blocking for tryouts since they were without a keeper.
A few spectators came out to watch tryouts. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny sat in one of the boxes watching the players fly to and fro.
"I don't know why I put myself through this," Hermione said half covering her face with her hands. "If I had my way, they never would have gotten on a broom until they got here. But oh no, Ronald had them flying around since they were four. I swear if Lily gets hurt I will never forgive him."
"Hermione, calm down," Harry told her. "Lily is doing just fine. I see she has had a good teacher. She is amazing with those passes. I have not seen moves like that since…" Harry received a glaring look from Ginny as if to shut him up before he said too much.
"Since when?" Hermione asked, her face half buried in her arm. "Since when!"
"Since, I was in school," Harry said covering as well as he could with Hermione asking the questions.
"Ginny, do you know what he is talking about?" Hermione asked presuming the answer.
"Ah, nope. Not a clue, Hermione," answered Ginny knowing she was found out.
Trying to salvage what he could, Harry pointed out that they were back on the ground. Hermione's attention shifted to the field making sure her baby was all in one piece.
"Good, now we are on to keepers," Harry said. There were a few that couldn't manage to save even the slowest shots, but one had the skills necessary to make the cut.
Lily came bounding up the stairs to the box. "I made it, I made it," she cried nearly in tears. "I am their new chaser."
"Congratulations, my dear," said Hermione making sure there weren't any other students around. "I am proud of you, and your father will so excited to hear the news."
"Thank you, mum," said Lily still beaming. "And thank you aunt Ginny, I really appreciate your help."
Ginny's smile fell as Hermione's eyes burned holes into Ginny's back. "Ginny! You have some explaining to do," Hermione said sternly. "Don't walk away from me, this isn't over yet!"
Ginny hastily bid Harry a good day and hurried Lily down the stairs out of earshot. Harry couldn't help but laugh at the situation. "Well look at it this way, Hermione," Harry began. "It isn't the only thing Lily learned from Ginny."
"What do you mean," Hermione said still red from the last realization.
"A… well, maybe I shouldn't," Harry stammered but Hermione fingered her wand forcing Harry to finish his sentence or risk punishment. "Well, Lily landed a very nice bat-boogey hex on me this week and only Ginny could have taught her that one so well."
"Now I have two bones to pick with that relative," said Hermione determinedly.
"Samantha's turn," said Harry.
Samantha mounted her Firebolt and shot into the air making one pass around the pitch. Mark Johnson, the team captain, released the snitch and Samantha took off towards the dull golden orb. Without the sun, it was going to be harder to find the snitch. She lost site of it around the far goal posts. Scanning feverously, Samantha spotted something flitting around midfield near one of the towers. She descended thirty feet and headed right for the object. It tried to double back and barrel roll out of reach, but Samantha wasn't going to lose it. She pursued it to their goal posts and stretching out her hand snagged it out of the air. Only Harry had been able to follow her movements. Most of the team just stood where they were impressed by her speed and skill on her broom.
Samantha flew over to the rest of the team landing lightly in front of them still holding the snitch tightly in her hand. "Well, what do you think?" She asked hoping for a hint at their decision.
"I will have to talk it over with the rest of my team," said Mark. The conference took only a few seconds and their verdict was in. "You are our new seeker. Congratulations."
"I made it, thank you," cried Samantha.
"If you keep that up, we'll win the cup for sure," said Sirius. "You didn't disappoint at all."
"Well done," said a voice from behind the team. The group parted to get a look at the speaker. "Very impressive, all of you," said Harry. "Now you had better win that cup this year." Harry smiled and turned on his heels and headed back up to the castle joining Hermione trying to keep her from yelling at Ginny more than she already had.
"Harry Potter watched our practice? This just keeps getting better," said a very proud Mark Johnson. "You don't want to let Professor Potter down, now do you?"
The team replied with an emphatic 'No'. The equipment was gathered up and stowed in a trunk. Mark and Brian Miller, another chaser, carried the trunk while talking to the rest of the team. Sirius hung back with Samantha.
"You were great, Samantha," said Sirius. "That was a great bit of flying you did. I have never seen moves like that at Hogwarts. You really are your father's daughter," finished Sirius lowering his voice.
"Thank you," said Samantha. "I never knew how well I would do with other people around. I have only ever played with my dad and a few improvised bludgers. I am glad I made the team."
News of the tryouts spread quickly and Samantha found herself beseeched with well-wishers from Gryffindor and the few acquaintances of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw she had made in the last week. Dinner went quickly as everyone talked of their impending victories in quidditch. It was a joyous meal and even Slytherin insults couldn't dampen the mood.
Samantha left the Great Hall with Sirius and they walked around the castle talking about moves and turns she should practice. As they passed an empty classroom, Samantha noticed her father waiting inside. "Sirius, could you give me a minute?" She asked.
"Sure, no problem," replied Sirius.
Samantha entered the room closing the door behind her. Harry looked up from his book. He smiled only as a proud father could and stepped forward embracing his daughter. "Well done, Honey. Well done. I am so proud of you I just don't know what to do with myself."
"Thank you, Dad," said Samantha fighting back tears of joy. "I am only as good as you made me."
"Oh, I dare say you have your own abilities. You proved that today. So, how did your week go?"
"It went well," said Samantha thinking back. "I am not very good at History or Transfiguration, and I need Sirius and Mira's help in Care of Magical Creatures. But my friends help me where I need it and I do the same for them."
"That makes me happy to hear. What about Potions? Is Snape giving you a hard time?"
"Not really, nothing worse than anyone else. I am good enough at Potions that he leaves me alone most of the time."
"Wonderful, Honey. I am so proud of the strength you are showing. Your mother would be thrilled."
"I know she would."
"Well, I think I have taken enough of your time," Harry said reluctantly. "On you go now. Sleep well, Honey."
"I will, miss you."
"Miss you too," Harry said as he watched his daughter open the door and leave.
"What did you say to him?" Asked Sirius.
"He just congratulated me on making the team," Samantha said rubbing her locket while deep in thought.
As she was lying in bed waiting to fall asleep, she was staring at her mother's face. She was looking at her open locket thinking of what she would say if her mother was here. After a few minutes, Mira asked her what she doing.
"Nothing," Samantha said closing her locket. "Just thinking, that is all."
"OK, goodnight then," said Mira extinguishing the lit candles.
The room fell into darkness and Samantha could hear her own heart beating. It had been a wonderful day. She made the team and her father was very proud of her.
Sunday was mostly spent completing the prior week's homework. Sirius and the others helped Samantha with her weaker subjects when she needed it. Likewise, Samantha returned the favor. The quidditch team had a meeting on Sunday so everyone could get to know each other and they could figure out a practice schedule and plays.
"We need some really good plays if we want to beat Slytherin this year," coached Mark. "We don't want to be embarrassed during the finals like last year again."
"Mark, that is unfair," snapped Brian Miller. "They took out our keeper twelve minutes in. What could we do about it?"
"Obviously, more than we did," was all Mark could say.
The meeting lasted for about an hour and four new plays were drawn up. They also decided on having practice every Wednesday and Saturday until they got closer to their first match. After the team disbanded, Mira joined the three of them sitting around the fire half-heartedly working on a Transfiguration paper. The night passed uneventfully and everyone made it to bed early.
Samantha found her sleep slightly troubled. She kept finding herself feeling alone in her dreams. This was very unusual for her. She had never had dreams like this before. She awoke several times almost in a fright. She would scan the room seeing three other people in their beds and Edrea sitting calmly on her perch next to Samantha's bed.