Chapter Three

The Substitute Seeker

The Wednesday after classes started, a notice about Quidditch tryouts went up on the board:

Quidditch Tryouts Saturday, September 6 at 1:00 pm

Captain Jamie Weasley is looking for two chasers and one beater. Please do not miss this opportunity to be on the Gryffindor team.

"You gonna tryout, James?" asked Oliver.

"Naturally," James replied, "I shouldn't tell you this, but my dad gave me his Firebolt, its upstairs in my trunk."

"No way!" said Oliver, "But first years aren't allowed brooms."

"I know, but my dad gave it to me anyway," James said.

"You better hope nobody finds out," Oliver whispered, "So, what position are you gonna tryout for?"

"Well, I really wanted to be a seeker, like my dad, but dear cousin Jamie has that job. I guess I'll go for chaser, like my mum and granddad."

So at twelve forty-five on Saturday, James, Oliver, Lily and Sarah headed down to the Quidditch pitch (Oliver, Lily and Sarah were there to support James).

Jamie auditioned the chasers first. James only missed one goal but unfortunately, two other boys, a third year and a fifth year, didn't miss any.

"But you have to let me on the team, I'm your cousin!" James yelled at Jamie.

"Yes, and your also only a first year, a whiny one I might add, and Kyle and Mark were better than you, being my cousin has nothing to do with it!" Jamie exclaimed.

Furry bubbled up inside James. Then, forgetting everything else, James punched Jamie in the stomach. Jamie fell to the ground, cursing. Everyone turned to see what was going on.

"James no!" cried Lily, running forward. Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall had seen the whole thing.

"Mr. Potter!" she called, "One week of detention and ten points from Gryffindor! I can't believe how outrageous your behavior was!"

"That was a bloody good hit, mate," said Oliver. The foursome was sitting in the common room after dinner.

" Yeah, but it cost me ten points and one week of detention!" said James.

"You should have tried out, Lily," Oliver said,quickly changingthe subject.

"Me? Why?" Lily asked.

"Don't be modest, I've seen you play before, you're brilliant!" Oliver assured her.

Lily shrugged.

The day before the first Quidditch match of the year (Slytherin versus Gryffindor), Lily and Sarah were down at the pitch watching the team practice. They told Jamie they'd watch and tell them how good they were doing compared to the Slytherins (whom they had spied on yesterday).

Then, suddenly, a bludger came out of nowhere and hit Jamie in the back of the head. Blood flew out of her mouth as she started to fall to the ground.

"Catch her!" cried Keeper Nicole Wood.

Lily and Sarah ran onto the field and caught Jamie just in time. Blood was still coming out of her mouth.

"It looks like she has a bad concussion," said Nicole, examining her, "Mark, Kyle, get her to the hospital wing, and hurry!"

Mark and Kyle levitated Jamie off the pitch and into the castle.

"Great," said Nicole, "Just great! How are we supposed find a seeker now, the match is tomorrow!"

"I can do it," said Lily. The whole team stared at her. "My mum and dad were both seekers and one time, I beat my dad to the Snitch!"

Nicole handed Lily her broom. "Let's see how good you are," she said.

"You're actually considering this!" cried Holly Spinet, "She's only a first year! Surely you could-"

"She's Jamie's cousin and Harry Potter's daughter!" Nicole interrupted, "And, she the only chance we've got."

Lily kicked off the ground hard. It felt good to be flying again, for she hadn't flown since the summer. Within two minutes, Lily had caught the Snitch and landed smoothly on the ground.

Everyone except Sarah was gaping at her. The Nicole slowly began to clap.

"Well done, well done," she said, "Will you play seeker for us tomorrow? Just once, until Jamie heals."

"I-you-she-" sputtered Holly. "A first year can't do this!"

"It's okay Holly, just for one match, Lily's got talent!" said Nicole. She turned to Lily. "I know you don't have a broom, but could you barrow one from someone?"

"Yeah, I think I know someone…" Lily said, smirking.

"James, I need Dad's Firebolt," Lily demanded. She and Sarah had just returned from the Quidditch pitch to find James and Oliver in the common room doing homework.

"What? What do you need it fo-" James stopped dead, "I mean, uh, you'll have to ask Dad. I don't have it!"

Lily put her hands on her hips and gave James a stern look.

"I know you have it, I heard you telling Oliver, now hand it over, I'm playing in the match against Slytherin tomorrow and I need a broom."

"What!" cried James and Oliver together.

"You didn't even tryout, plus the team's full, why would they need you?" asked Oliver.

"Jamie got hit in the head with a bludger and can't play tomorrow so Lily volunteered to be the Seeker. Nicole Wood watched her catch the Snitch, so Lily's going to be the seeker tomorrow," said Sarah.

"What!" said James again, "Lily how could you do this? You know how badly I wanted to play! Why didn't you tell Wood that I could play? I can't believe you!"

"James, I-" Lily started, but James stormed up the stairs to the boys dormitories and slammed the door. Oliver picked up James's stuff that he had left behind, shook his head and went upstairs.

"How could she do this?" James asked when Oliver entered the room, "When Dad finds out I lost out to a girl, especially Lily, he's going to be so disappointed in me!"

James took off one of his shoes and threw it against his nightstand causing a bottle of ink to fall off and smash on the floor.

"Great," said James.