Chapter 13

A Proposition

"Potter, I would like for you to meet someone," McGonagall told Harry immediately the next morning when he got down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Behind her was a tall man with brilliant blue eyes who was eyeing Harry intently, a smile spread across his face. He couldn't be over twenty-one years of age. "This is Adrian Berkley," she said, gesturing to the man. "Berkley, this is Harry Potter."

He stepped forward. "A pleasure to meet you at last, Harry!" he said, grabbing Harry's hand with a strong grip and shaking it.

"Aren't you from…?"

"Berkley here is from England's Quidditch team, Potter," Professor McGonagall interrupted, excitedly. "He's here to watch you play in practice as well as your match against Ravenclaw on Saturday." She was practically bouncing on her heels as she looked back and forth between Harry and Berkley a faint smile traipsing over her face. Regaining her composure, she smoothed down her hair and said breathlessly, "I'd better let you two talk," as she rushed back up to the staff table.

"A private word then, Harry?" Adrian asked courteously. Nodding, Harry followed him out into the entrance hall with the entire Great Hall buzzing behind him. Diehard Quidditch fans said excitedly, "That's Berkley, that is! England's team wouldn't be the same without him." Or the girls swooning, "Isn't he just so gorgeous?"

Harry took the time to eye the Quidditch player closer as they walked out of the Great Hall. He had an athletic build and was well over six feet tall—Harry guessed about 6'4"—with dark brown, almost black hair that seemed to keep on falling naturally into his brilliant blue eyes. Berkley flicked his head to the side in an attempt to get it out of his face to no avail. Sighing, he gave up. "Never in my lifetime did I think that I would be the one to recruit Harry Potter," he said, grinning. "You're already more famous than England's entire team." His eyes immediately flicked up to Harry's forehead. When he saw Harry's annoyed expression he added, "My apologies, Potter. Can't help but gawk." He grinned, revealing pearly white teeth.

"I get it all the time," Harry replied miserably.

"I bet you do…I bet you do. Now, back to business. Your Quidditch skills, to put it lightly, have caught our attention. You have been on your house team since your first year?"

"Yeah."

"Good, good…and you're captain this year?"

"Uh huh. Last year too."

"Wonderful. How interested would you be to play Quidditch as a career, Harry?"

Harry thought a minute. Although he knew becoming an Auror was destined for him that was only until he defeated Voldemort. There were other things in the world that he could do. "To tell you the truth, I haven't really thought about my life beyond Hogwarts," Harry said to Berkley. "I've had…well, other things on my mind."

Adrian gave him a look of pity. "So I've heard. But after that would you be interested?"

"Most definitely," Harry said, excited. "You get sick of thinking about Voldemort all day every day."

Berkley cringed slightly, but not nearly as much as he would have if it had been two or three years ago. "I won't press that matter. We would love for you to join our team ince this year will take a toll on us, especially at the Seeker position. Melanie Hargis has decided that she's getting too old for playing Quidditch professionally, so she's retiring after this year." Harry had heard that. Hargis had been a key to England's success in their last five seasons.

"I heard about that."

Berkley looked like he was drifting off into deep thought before he continued. "Now, I intend on watching your practice tonight and Friday night, as well as your match on Saturday. I've obviously heard a lot about your playing, but I would love to see it firsthand. From what I've heard you're an outstanding Quidditch player, Harry."

"You are too, Mr. Berkley."

Adrian Berkley flinched slightly. "Just call me Adrian, Harry. Please. I hate all that 'Mr. Berkley' stuff."

"OK, Adrian," Harry repeated.

"That's better." The young man flashed another one of his smiles at Harry. He then looked up and around at the castle. "Not long ago I walked through these halls as a student here," Adrian said, sighing. "These were some of the best times of my life, right here at Hogwarts. I graduated four years ago." Harry's estimates were right: twenty-one years old.

Harry perked up. "Then I should have known you."

Adrian shook his head. "I was in Ravenclaw. You might have played Quidditch against me once or twice, but it was one of those things where I knew you, the famous Harry Potter, and you didn't know me. Anyway, I'd better let you go. I'll be seeing you tonight then?"

"Yes, most definitely."

"I look forward to it. I have some business to attend to at the moment. See you, Harry!" He turned and walked off in the general direction of the Owlery.

"Bye."

As Harry walked back into the Great Hall, most of the female population turned their heads in hopes of catching a glimpse of Berkley. Their faces fell upon seeing only Harry walk back through the doors and they turned back to their food. Ron was chuckling as he walked back towards the Gryffindor table. "Better watch out, Harry, or Berkley's going to take over your position of most popular in the school!"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I based Berkley off of one of the pretty darn good-lookin' soccer players at my school. Hope you enjoy! 