For the disclaimer see previous chapters
ccccc
"Good afternoon class." Said Professor Flitwick as Harry, Ron, and Hermione slid into their seats. "I trust that you know the importance of these classes as the NEWTS are coming up quickly. I will spare you another lecture on that and instead we will start right out. Today we will be dueling. I want you to reach back into your knowledge of all the charms we have discussed. Get into pairs and we will have a tournament. The winner will receive some honeydukes chocolate."
As Professor Flitwick was talking, Harry looked around the class noticing that there seem to be no slytherins in this class. The class was entirely made up of Gryffindors. As the professor told them to pair up, he noticed that Ron and Hermione had already paired up. 'Weird,' he thought. 'That's twice today I thought something has been going on between them.' He looked around trying to decide whom to pair up with and glanced Neville out of the corner of his eye. He walked over to Neville and together they started dueling. From all around the room there were shouts of "Expelliarmus" and "Stupefy." It was a close match between him and Neville, but in the end Harry won with a well-placed "Stupefy."
The final duel took place, oddly enough, between Harry and Ron. Ron knocked out Hermione with a quick shout of "Petrificus Totalus" barely before the match even got underway.
Harry and Ron moved to the middle of the room as their fellow classmates surrounded them to watch the duel. First there was a cry of "Stupefy" which Harry dodged rather well with a shielding charm. Then came Harry's shout of "Expelliarmus." This Ron was able to side step while simultaneously casting of the tripping jinx. Harry immediately fell down but was still able to throw out a slug curse smiling wickedly at Ron. Ron knowing what was coming was able to dodge it and through out his own curse while Harry was still getting up from the ground. "Petrificus Totalus" he shouted. Harry was caught unprepared and fell down unable to move. Ron had a sinking suspicion that Harry let him win.
"Congratulations Ron and everyone. It seems that you have remembered your charms quite well. Next class we will be working on the Bubblehead charm. I expect a 8" essay on the bubblehead charm and its uses by the next class."
'Here we go again,' Harry thought. 'Homework already and only the first day.'
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville all made their way to McGonagall's classroom for their first transfiguration lesson of the term. They once again endured the typical speech that came from all of the teachers at the beginning of term. Harry didn't even bother listening this time and instead sat gazing out the window; his thoughts in other places.
"Today we will be changing these chairs into dogs. This requires precise concentration and is harder than anything you've attempted up to this point. No talking please and Harry, please see me after class."
Harry could not concentrate the rest of the lesson and was stuck pondering what in the world McGonagall would want to talk to him about. 'It's only the beginning of the term. What can I be in trouble about already?' he thought. He then noticed that his chair legs had turned into something vaguely resembling dog's legs. He glanced over at Hermione and saw that she had managed to turn most of her chair into a dog but the dog had no head. The end of class could not come soon enough as Harry was curious about what McGonagall had to say.
"You two go ahead. I'll see what McGonagall has to say and meet you in the dining room." Said Harry.
"Okay, Harry. Good luck!" said Hermione, and Harry again wondered if there was something that he should know about Ron and Hermione.
"Mr. Potter. There is a matter that I wish to discuss with you. I hope you realize by now that the lifetime ban that was placed on you by Umbridge is no longer in place. You are free to play quidditch again. There are some problems with the line-up however."
"Excuse me, Professor McGonagall, but… but… Are you saying that I… I.."
"Yes, Mr. Potter. You are the new quidditch captain. We have not informed you of this sooner because Professor Dumbledore was not sure if it would be wise for us to put this responsibility on you with all the impending danger. However, Professor Snape and I were agreed that there was no one else capable of this but you. You should not be deprived of all your fun even if Voldemort is a threat. Besides, this may come in handy even when facing Voldemort."
Harry was in too much shock to say anything but just sat there like a log.
"Well, Mr. Potter? If you would allow me to make some suggestions about the line-up? I believe that Ginny Weasley would make an excellent Chaser along with Katie Bell. That would leave you free to be the seeker still. Ronald Weasley actually improved towards the end of the year and I think would do nicely to remain as Keeper. Kirke and Sloper will again be the beaters. That is all Mr. Potter. I expect to be updated regularly, and I expect that we will win the house cup again."
As Harry made his way back to the dining room, he thought about all that this meant. He knew that this was going to mean a lot of extra work for him. As he entered the great hall he could barely even make his way to where Ron and Hermione were as he was still in shock.
"What is it, Harry? It's not you-know-who again is it? Is it Professor Snape? What?" asked Ron. He could tell that there was something wrong with Harry by the look on his face, but did not know that it was from shock.
"McGonagall just asked me to be the quidditch captain for the Gryffindor team. She said I would have to make adjustments in the line-up." Said Harry still quite in shock.
"That's bloody great mate!" shouted Ron excitedly. "I am still going to be keeper aren't I?"