Chapter 2: Quidditch Captain
"This year we are going to try a new teaching technique here at Hogwarts. In order to continue to your next year you must not only pass exams but you must also figure out the answer to a puzzle. You will be working with the other students within your house and year to answer the puzzle. The house that gets the answer first will be exempt from all exams. Now, enjoy your feast!"
I clapped along with the rest of the Gryffindor students as Professor Longbottom finished speaking. It was the first day back at school and we were having the start of term feast. The Sorting had already taken place.
"You should hear the strange stories that people have been coming up with about what happened to Corrine. I heard a 7th year tell a 1st year that you killed her accidentally when your spell rebounded off Moresby's shiny forehead and hit her." Celeste could barely talk because she was laughing so hard that her juice was spraying out of her nose.
"Why do they make up such ridiculous stories?" Lauran asked nobody in particular.
"Well, if she had TOLD us what happened to Corrine we wouldn't have to make it up," Aaron Howe, a fellow Gryffindor 3rd year, remarked.
"Lay off, Aaron. She doesn't want to talk about it," Spencer said sharply, "What do you think of that new uh, 'teaching technique'?"
"I think we'll knock the snot out of the Slytherins," I replied smiling at the change of subject which didn't last long.
I was once again the center of gossip at Hogwarts, and not in a good way either. Everything that happened during the Third Task of the Tri-wizard Tournament last year had stayed between me and Professor Longbottom. I hadn't even told Celeste and Lauran everything, and I certainly hadn't told the whole school everything.
I decided to ignore the conversation and eat even though I was suddenly not hungry at all. How could I have thought that I could come back to Hogwarts and everything would be fine? A girl died last term and I was there! Why couldn't my life be like everyone else's?
"Hey I'm talking to you!" Celeste exclaimed waving her hand in front of my face.
"Oh, sorry," I replied coming out of my stupor.
"You'd better be," Celeste retorted pretending to be angry, "I said, come on let's go up to the Common Room."
"Oh, it's the feast over?" I asked surprised, "I didn't notice."
"I figured," Celeste replied laughing, "Come on."
I stood up and we all walked to the Common Room which was packed with nervous looking 1st years who were getting assigned their rooms. Hogwarts had gotten so crowded that they had to add on extra rooms for every one below 5th year. Each year now had two guys' rooms and two girls' rooms. The girls' rooms were connected by a bathroom. Julia, Celeste, Lauran and I were in one room and the other four girls were in the other room. It worked out well.
"Are you ready for another year?" Julia asked, "Olivia says she's disappointed you weren't in detention more."
"Yeah, I had to stay on the teachers' good sides last year. I didn't want them trying to make my life harder than it normally is. I bet she'll see me in detention a lot more this year though," I replied laughing.
"I'll tell her that. I hope this is a good year for Quidditch; I missed it last year. I'm hoping to make the team this year," Julia had said the magic word and 3A (our dorm #) started discussing the Quidditch season enthusiastically.
Pretty soon everyone was in their beds sleeping soundly. Everyone but me, that is. I sat looking out the window and thinking about what new surprises this year would have in store.
"Good morning sunshine!" Spencer exclaimed the next morning as I sat down to breakfast.
"Morning yourself," I replied somewhat grouchily.
I was tired since I couldn't sleep last night. I kept having dreams about the end of last term.
"Aren't we a little ball of happiness this morning?" Spencer teased kissing me lightly on the cheek.
"I don't know about 'we' but I'm sure not," I retorted still grouchy, "When's try-outs for Quidditch?"
"Uh, I think it's up to you," Colby replied, "You're the Captain this year."
"What?" I asked shocked.
"I gave up Captain Duties. You're the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain," Colby replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Who decided that, and why wasn't I informed?" I asked still in shock.
"I decided yesterday. Delacour seemed to think it was a good idea too. Captain Duties were really too much for me to deal with. Plus I want to spend more time with Celeste."
"Well then, I guess I'll just have to hold try-outs on Saturday. Everyone has to come and re-try-out. Just as a formality of course," I added quickly upon seeing Lauran's sinking face.
"I'm not playing this year," Celeste said quickly as if afraid she'd change her mind.
"Me either," Spencer and Colby both said at the same time.
"Whoa, I don't like where this is going! I need a team, and at this rate it's just going to be me and Lauran!" I exclaimed.
"There are plenty of people hoping to play," Colby replied, "You just have to find them."
"Yeah, but are they any good?" I muttered.
"It'll be fine," Spencer assured me.
"Well then why do I have a sinking feeling about this year?" I muttered crossly.
"You're just paranoid," Lauran decided.
"Maybe I am, but how would you feel if you lost all of your Quidditch players in one year? It's craziness!" I took the schedule that Professor Delacour handed me and walked off trying to schedule Quidditch practice and try-outs in my head.
I decided try-outs would be on Saturday from 2- whenever we finished. What a year this was going to be!
AN/ A little short, I know, but really now, I think it has a good base for lots of laughs later on! So, um, yeah Christmas is coming up and my birthday and things are crazy cause my mom doesn't know about my BF of 3 weeks... like you really care! Excuses really don't make up for anthing! I'll update ASAP, after I get some reviews that is, so get yourself reviewing, please!
Love From,
MotherCrumpet
