DISCLAIMER: JKR has it all.

A/N: Sorry about last week; excuse on profile

Chapter 16: Practice and Potential

After breakfast Harry and Ron went back up to the common room while Hermione headed to Ancient Runes.

"We could finish our Transfiguration," Ron suggested halfheartedly.

"No." Harry stared into the fire until he got a better idea, "I haven't had a chance to fly lately."

Ron grinned, "Me neither."

They raced to their dorm, grabbed their brooms, and hurried out onto the grounds. They flew randomly once they got to the pitch, each just enjoying the thrill of flight.

After awhile Harry pulled up next to Ron, "I need some practice. What do you say we grab a Snitch and try some one-on-one?"

"Great."

They grabbed the ball then stood in the center of the field. "I'll let it go, then we'll give it about a minute's head start. Sound fair?" Harry asked

"Perfect," Ron agreed. They mounted as soon as Harry released the Snitch, and then watched their watches closely.

"Ready? Now!" They kicked off and circled the pitch. They crisscrossed and dodged each other for nearly an hour until Harry spotted the Snitch; it was at the base of the center goal post on the opposite end if the pitch. Harry rocketed past Ron, who had been shadowing him. When he got to the goals, he dove almost perpendicular to the ground. A moment later he pulled up with the Snitch firmly in his grasp.

"Good catch!" Ron congratulated.

"Thanks." Harry checked his watch, "We have about an hour before we need to head back inside. Why don't we grab a Quaffle so you can get some practice?"

"In a minute." He pointed over Harry's shoulder, "Flying lessons." Harry turned his broom. Sure enough, the first years were lined up in the yard, each standing next to a school broom. "Garrett and Alex are in the front row."

Just then the whole class roared, "Up!" Harry was pleased to see that brooms immediately shot into the two Gryffindors' hands though no one else's broom responded.

Once every one had a broom (one Slytherin waited until Madam Hooch wasn't looking then simply bent down and picked his up), they were instructed to mount. At Madam Hooch's whistle they all kicked off.

Harry and Ron watched for the next hour while two students lost control of their brooms and several others sustained minor injures do to falls. Harry focused on the two boys he had met on the train; Garrett had obviously been taught to fly by a parent or sibling, but Alex was muggle-born so the considerable skill he was showing had to be natural talent. Harry had been a first year when he had started Quidditch, and he now found himself wondering if he could put two more first years on the house team.

Ron and Harry both started when they heard the bell from the castle. They rushed inside and up to the dorms to put away their brooms then ran back downstairs to meet Hermione in the Great Hall for lunch.