Chapter 8 – Third Generation Seeker, Second Heartbreak

Anna walked back to Gryffindor tower. She and Harry had decided they were going to meet 5 days a week to practice. Hopefully it wouldn't take more than a few months to learn. As she entered the tower she found she wasn't alone James and Remus were sitting at the table doing what looked like last minute homework.

"Hey Anna, where have you been?" James asked.

"I had to see a teacher," Anna said vaguely, she didn't want tell them she was on speaking terms with Harry Potter.

"Oh right, hey did you still want to try out for the Quidditch team?" Remus asked.

"Um… yeah sure," she said.

"Ok well tryouts are on Saturday morning at 9am," James said.

"Thanks," Anna said half heartedly.

"What's wrong," Remus asked looking up from what Anna now saw was a detailed drawing of a Quidditch pitch with little figures moving around.

"Nothing," Anna said.

"Yeah sure whatever you say. So what's wrong?" James said dismissing her answer.

"Well… I haven't really played Quidditch before," Anna said quietly.

"We could help you out tomorrow for a bit if you want?" Remus offered.

"Really you would do that?"

"Of course we would we are your friends," James said. At these words Anna felt like throwing herself on James and hugging him, she refrained but her heart felt like it had just expanded several sizes.

The next evening Anna found herself at the Quidditch pitch with Remus, James, Lupin and Sirius.

"I don't know if I can do this!" Anna said, she was standing on the ground with Remus's broom in front of her.

"Look if just go up there and do your best," James said.

"If you don't think you are any good after," Remus said.

"Then don't try out just try ok?" Lupin added.

"Alright, I'll go," Anna said grinning. She mounted the broom and kicked off. It was the most wonderful feeling she had ever imagined. She felt free not weighed down with anything, she didn't have to keep looking over her shoulder. She felt this was what she had been missing all her life.

"Like it?" said a voice in her ear that made her jump and almost fall off.

"I can't believe I ever was scared of doing this," she almost shouted.

"I am going to throw some golf balls at you and see if you can catch them, ok?" Lupin asked. Anna nodded. So Lupin started throwing them for her to catch while Remus and James helped Sirius practice. After an hour of practicing Anna and Lupin flew back down. Anna was still full of adrenaline and couldn't keep still. "Oh my god I can't believe that it was so amazing," she said practically bouncing on her feet. Lupin stood grinning at her.

"So you are going to try out then?" He asked looking at her he had never seen this side of her before. She was usually so quiet and reserved the few days he had known her.

"You bet I am," she said. When Remus, James and Sirius came back down they all walked back to Gryffindor tower together. They were half way there when Remus pulled Anna back.

"Have you heard anything from Eric?" He asked her.

"No he hasn't done anything yet… I think we should make sure he doesn't," she said feeling guilty now the feeling of flying had subsided.

"What? Why?"

"I was told to not make enemies."

"By who?" Anna didn't know how to reply so she decided with the truth.

"My dad,"

"But your dad is not here so how would he know."

"He just would ok,"

"Ok, but look… doesn't Lupin deserve better than her?" Anna nodded. "So shouldn't we do something to rid him of Alison?"

Anna hesitated for a bit struggling to decide what to do, "Yeah ok, but I am only doing this for him," Anna said. They walked back and found the others sitting doing homework. Anna and Remus joined in.

The rest of the week went by without mishaps. Eric still hadn't done anything so Anna was safe from her father. It was soon Saturday and Anna was even more nervous about the tryouts than she had been about flying. Sirius was sitting in the stand next to her, he seemed even more nervous than Anna did if that was possible.

"I am not going to get on the team," Sirius was saying to her.

"Don't say that, of course you are. If I can fly then you can get keeper."

"Thanks Anna," Sirius said. There were 4 other people trying out for seeker position, 5 for keeper and about 10 for chaser. Remus and called everyone up one by one. They went through all the chasers two out of ten seemed to be good. Anna and Sirius discussed who they thought would make it. Then the keepers were up.

"Lupin, Sirius." Remus called and gave him an encouraging smile. Sirius kicked off from the ground and flew over to the goal hoops. James and Remus, who had his hair tied back in a ponytail, flew up and along with Nicky Wood, the only girl on the team, took turns at throwing the Quaffle at Sirius. Sirius did a very good job and blocked all most of them. Anna was sure he would get on the team. She cheered when he saved the Quaffle, earning annoyed looks from the other people trying out for keeper, and then when he came down.

"That was really good, I reckon you defiantly got it," Anna said patting Sirius on the back.

"Thanks I thought I did the best I could."
Soon it was Anna's turn to go up, the other seeker tryouts were good, and one 3rd year girl did very well.

"Fischer, Anna," Remus called.

Anna flew up and felt free again, this time however she had to concentrate on dodging bludger and finding the hidden golf ball they were using as a snitch. She flew up high and started searching, James and Remus were hitting Bludgers at her she had to swerve and dive to miss them. Suddenly a hint of white caught her eye. At the end of one of the goal post a white ball was floating by a levitating charm. She turned the broom she was using and speed towards the end of the pitch Anna reached out her arm and grabbed the golf ball. Sirius was cheering and dancing around. Anna landed next to Remus.

"Well done, that was good I'll post the results either tonight or tomorrow." Anna and Sirius sat down waiting for the other two tryouts to go.

"You were better," Sirius said as they watched the last person try out.

Harry sat at his desk looking out the window he had a clear view of the Quidditch pitch. He saw Anna try out and couldn't have been prouder. He hoped Lupin had enough sense to realize how good she was and pick her. There was a knock on his door and Ginny walked in.

"Good morning Harry," Ginny said as she sat down in the chair opposite smiling at him. He tore his gaze away from the window and looked at her.

"Benous Dias," Harry said.

"What were you looking at?"

"I was watching the Quidditch tryouts. That Anna Fischer is really good."

"I haven't seen her, but I'll take your word for it,"

"So what's up Gin?"

"Sean was wondering if you were coming the wedding, you never gave us an answer. I told him of course you were but he told me he wanted to make you say you were," Ginny said. Harry looked down, how could he say yes when he wanted them to call off the wedding. Who was he to break them up he had left Ginny once just after he realized she had been there for him, she was the one he was meant to be with, until he met Katie who showed him just how love could be. He wanted Ginny to be happy she deserved to be happy and if that meant it wasn't with him so it would be.

"Of course I am," Harry said quietly.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing… well it's something but you don't need to know," Harry said still not looking at her.

"What is it, do I need to hex it out of you. You were warned about my bat bogey curse right?" She joked and Harry laughed.

"Yeah I was. Well if I hadn't gone away do… do you think… I… I mean we would have stood a chance?" Ginny didn't say anything. Harry suddenly realized his mistake. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that. Please just forget I said anything."

"Harry—"

"No Gin, forget I said anything, please, I want you to be happy," Harry pleaded. Then Ginny did something that broke his already cracked heart, she nodded and got up and left. He couldn't believe it, what did he expect her to do? Say yes and then throw her self at him. He wanted her to do that but he knew deep down she wouldn't. He knew she was happy with Sean, stupid name anyway, and who has hair like that nowadays, it was down passed his ears. Harry spent the rest of the day in his office and avoided everyone.

That evening Anna was sitting with Sirius and Lily; both Anna and Sirius kept looking over to the table where Lupin, Remus, James and Nicky were sitting talking between themselves. They would be posting the results at 8pm. Alison kept looking at Lupin and glaring at him, she was obviously annoyed he wasn't paying her enough attention. As Anna, Lily and Sirius sat talking about the trials Beth, Sirius girlfriend, came and sat down next to him.

"Hi, I hope you get on the team," she said to Sirius.

"Yeah so do I," he replied not looking from where Lupin and Remus were now arguing.

"Sirius can we talk, please," she said in a quiet voice that Anna knew meant something. Sirius wasn't paying attention, so Anna poked him.

"Ow what was that for?" He asked her. She tilted her head towards Beth. "Oh right yeah sorry. What did you want to talk about?"

"I am going to send my dad a letter; want to come Lily?" Anna said knowing that Sirius was going to be an idiot and not go off and talk to Beth.

"Yeah sure," Lily said and they went up to Anna's room. When they were out of ear shot of everyone Lily rounded on Anna.

"Have you seen Eric recently I thought you talked to him, he hasn't done anything?"

"No he hasn't but there is nothing I can do about that just give him time to think of something," Anna said patiently.

"But it needs to happen soon,"

"Good things come to those who wait," Anna said quietly.

"You don't believe that do you?" Lily said looking at Anna. Anna didn't say anything for a few seconds then said even more quietly than before. "I have to believe that." Lily stood looking at Anna who's hair was down covering her face. Before Lily could say anything Alison came storming in and said in a huff, "they just announced the new players."

Anna shot out of the room and down to the common room. Did she want to look? She looked down the list Chaser: Kayle Winterson. Keeper: Sirius Lupin. Seeker: Anna Fischer.

"We did it Sirius!" Anna exclaimed and turned around to look for Sirius, he was sitting at the table with his head in his hands. Anna went over to him.

"Sirius, what's wrong? You got keeper!" Sirius mumbled something about being mature.

"Sirius," Anna said sharply.

"Beth said I was too immature for her!" Sirius said quietly.
"What? She's younger than you," Anna said confused.

"I know that's what I said," Sirius said looking thoroughly depressed.

"But you made Keeper," Anna said trying to change the subject.

"I… what?"

"Made Keeper, go look," she said and Sirius got up and went over to the board and looked his face lit up, all thoughts of Beth must have been wiped from his mind. Anna was suddenly swamped with people congratulating her and patting her on the back.

The first chance Anna got that evening she went to see her father; she hadn't seen him all day. She knocked on the door but there was no answer. So she cautiously opened the door, she saw him staring at his desk.

"Dad?" She said quietly. He looked up and smiled half heartedly. She sat down in the chair across the desk. "What's wrong?"

"I saw you trying out today you did really well I am proud," he said changing the subject, Anna wasn't fooled for a second.

"Thanks I am the new seeker, but that's not the point. Dad what's wrong? Please tell me, you tell me everything." Anna pleaded with him.

"You know your mother's been dead for 6 years now. I have never gone out with another woman. I didn't think anyone would make me feel the way she made me feel. I loved her I still do I can see her in you, you have her hair and her ears. Every time I would dream about her I would wake up feeling lonely but then I would see you and it would go away." Harry said tears glistening in his eyes.

"Dad I'm sorry, what happened?" But Anna thought she already knew.

"I told Ginny… I said… do you think anything would have happened between us if I had stayed? Then I told her to forget I said anything. Then she just left she didn't say anything just nodded and left. I felt the loss I felt when Katie died. And seeing you here makes me feel happy again, I need you Anna. Don't ever leave me."

"I won't dad I need you too," Anna said, she had started crying as well. Harry stood up and he strode around the desk and pulled his daughter into a hug. "Ginny will come around dad don't worry."

"Congratulations on being seeker," he told her. Anna grinned. "How were try outs?"