A/N: Usual disclaimer. Please review if you have any feedback :). Also, for any who care, apologize for the sporadic updates. Haven't had much time to write in the past year. Hopefully, it'll be more frequent now but no promises :P.

Chapter 4

The Quidditch pitch was absolutely packed. In all her years, Daphne had never seen such a turnout for a mere tryout session. Students from all Houses had shown up to watch and, unless her guess was off, a few scouts as well, scattered throughout the stands a ways off from the students, all looking casual and holding small notepads. It was surprising to be sure as scouts didn't usually turn up until the season had started but she supposed there wasn't any harm in starting early when it came to spotting talent.

But then again, she thought amusedly, there was a lot to look forward to with this one. Gryffindor had a lot of spots to fill and she, like the rest of the packed audience no doubt, was eager to find out who would be replacing the graduated members of the powerhouse Gryffindor team that had dominated in the past few years.

From her place at the front of the stands, it seemed as if half of Gryffindor house had shown up for tryouts, ranging from terrified looking first years to the seventh years who were doing their best to look cool and intimidating, but were no doubt nervous by the way they twitched and gripped their brooms.

It was an inspiring moment really, Daphne thought. It was because of Harry Potter that these first years were able to be here at all. Ever since he had become the youngest Seeker in a century, he had paved the way for others to try and be like him. He was the reason the rules had been tweaked in the first place. Of course, over the years, not many first years had dared (nor had had the skill) to try out across any of the Houses. Openings were few as most of the teams had their established players and each Captain conducted tryouts differently. Some required their whole team to tryout again year after year to earn their place while others kept the same people on.

But this year was different, at least for Gryffindor. There hadn't been any first years in the tryouts for the other three Houses that were held earlier this month. She supposed having Harry Potter as the Captain was as good an inspiration as any for these young hopefuls. Enough for them to overcome their self-doubt and at least try, even if they wouldn't make it. Gryffindor bravery indeed.

Daphne had been pleasantly surprised when she had found out Potter had been made Captain, as she had been expecting Katie Bell to get the job. She had seen the shiny badge he had worn today during breakfast. This would be an exciting season and she was giddy to see it play out.

Potter and Weasley showed up a few moments later, the former looking bemused as he surveyed the packed stands and tryout hopefuls lined up before him while the latter looked as if he was going to vomit. Daphne shook her head sadly. Weasley was a really good Keeper…when he could overcome his nerves. She had seen him step up during last year's Finals but that really seemed more like a fluke than anything else. But for both his sake and Potter's sake, she hoped he would get the spot as McLaggen swaggered up to Potter to shake his hand.

McLaggen was…a git. No other words (at least in polite company) fit better. Daphne had never seen him play in a game but she had seen him practicing for tryouts last year before he had been hospitalized for eating Doxy eggs, all for a bet of course as he had bragged to anyone who would listen. Really, that in itself was testament enough to the amount of brain cells McLaggen possessed and on top of that, his personality and ego would be completely detrimental to team dynamics.

Every athlete knows that to play at the highest of levels requires something more than just skill and talent. It requires a certain mindset and willpower, especially so when it comes to individual sports because without any teammates, you need to reach deep within yourself to motivate and pull through in clutch situations. But team sports were a whole different dynamic, because you weren't entirely dependent on yourself anymore. Quidditch team managers primarily dealt with people. Sure, they drew up plays and coached on proper conditioning and acquiring some unique skill sets, but it was primarily about managing people. How can I navigate the myriad of personalities, egos (because one does not become a professional athlete without ego), and disputes to ensure that on game day, I present a squad of seven players who are all in tune and motivated to play hard and win together. And, more importantly, how can I keep doing it to win championships.

No small task. And to Daphne's rather keen eye (if she could say so herself), McLaggen was a "problem" player, potentially detrimental to the team he was on, no matter what talent he had. He thought he was Merlin's gift to mankind and she was willing to bet everything she owned that he was the type who would put himself before the team. She smirked slightly when Potter merely nodded at whatever McLaggen was saying and gestured him to stand back into the crowd. It took a firm hand to handle people like him.

As the morning drew on, Potter slowly managed to weed out the unqualified candidates. All of the first years were eliminated in the very first test when Potter asked them to do a simple lap around the pitch. It was disappointing, no doubt, but she saw Potter address them all with encouraging words (as a good Captain and role model should in her opinion) and she saw a few stand up a bit straighter at his words as they left to join the rest of the crowd in the stands.

There was a particular group of girls, Romilda Vane amongst them, who were promptly dismissed by Potter and seemed to have just shown up for their own amusement. They made Daphne's blood boil. Vapid the lot of them, Daphne thought sourly, hardly worthy to even be near a Quidditch pitch. She couldn't help but scowl as the girls joined the stands, heckling the crowd as they chattered on about Potter.

I couldn't agree more dear, the voice in her head chimed in, a tad smugly in Daphne's opinion.

After an eventful two hours, filled with many tantrums and a few injuries here and there, the Keeper tryouts finally arrived. Daphne wasn't sure why Potter had decided to have them last as more and more people had joined to watch. Perhaps he thought that holding the Keeper tryouts last would mean that less attention would be put onto them. If so, he couldn't have been more wrong and Weasley certainly agreed as he looked as if he was about to faint.

But in the end, they needn't have worried. Weasley did rather well in his tryout, saving all five of the goals lobbed towards him, while McLaggen missed his last one, flying completely in the wrong direction. He had looked confused afterwards, as if he didn't know how he had gotten there. Hmm, Daphne thought idly. McLaggen, as much as Daphne despised him, was not so terrible as to have misjudged that badly. Not that she cared.

As the crowd trickled down from the stands and back into the school, she saw McLaggen approaching Potter menacingly. She rolled her eyes. While McLaggen was about the size of a troll (with the brains of one to match), he had another one coming if he thought he could intimidate Harry Potter. And a few moments later, as expected, Potter sent him off, hand hovering threateningly over his wand. McLaggen stormed past where she stood at the bottom of the stands, muttering threats and curses and Daphne couldn't help but smirk. Good riddance.

Potter, meanwhile, had turned towards his new team and said a few final words before everyone was dismissed.

Katie Bell, Demelza Robins, and Ginny Weasley. Robins was something of an unknown but Weasley and Bell had outflown every other player on the pitch that day. They were formidable, but only time would tell if they could match what Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet had provided with Bell.

The two Beaters, Peakes and Coote, were certainly an improvement from the Beaters last year, who were atrocious to say the least. All in all, a rather good tryout in Daphne's opinion. If she had been Captain, she thought she would have chosen the same roster out of all the people who had tried out today.

Great minds think alike, right dear? The voice in her head chimed in. Daphne ignored it.

"Greengrass?" Potter asked in surprise as he passed by the stands where she had been standing.

"Potter," she said, allowing a small smile to appear on her face as he separated from the rest of his team and approached her. "Nice showing out there."

"Er…thanks. I didn't know you were a fan of Quidditch," Potter said, leaning his Firebolt against the stand.

"Oh, I do enjoy it," Daphne said airly. But before she could continue, an entirely unwelcome voice chimed in from behind them.

"Oh please. She does much more than just 'enjoy' Quidditch. She's a complete nut about it."

They both turned and, to her horror, saw Astoria standing a few levels up on the stands, grinning down at her mischievously.

Daphne flushed and glared at her threateningly but Astoria infuriatingly just smirked and turned to Potter, who was watching them curiously. "Seriously Potter, she's a fanatic. She lives and breathes it. I'm honestly surprised she has time to do anything else."

"I will hex you you know," Daphne growled, fingering her wand.

Astoria just sighed and said melodramatically, "And here I had come all this way to try and sit with you and this is what I get. Though I should have known. You never were good company during Quidditch matches."

"You…you did?" Daphne asked, previous embarrassment forgotten. She did tend to get engrossed in Quidditch matches. The voice in her head snorted, that's putting it lightly dear.

Astoria rolled her eyes and made her way down the stands to join them. "Don't sweat it Daph. Just teasing. But seriously Potter, you see what I have to put up with?"

Potter had been watching their interaction with no small amount of amusement on his face and he grinned at her cheekily as she caught his eye.

Astoria gave her a quick hug, "Well, we'll chat later, I'm off." And then she lowered her voice and whispered into her ear, "Good luck Daph, I'm so excited for you." And with a wave she was off, leaving Daphne speechless. She had never told Astoria, or anyone, about…well…that. Was she really that transparent?

"Sooo…," Potter began, laughter still in his eyes, "That was interesting."

Daphne made a face and sighed, "Yeah sorry about that. That's Astoria who unfortunately is my younger sister."

Potter grinned, "Don't be sorry, she seems cool."

Daphne merely grimaced, "You don't live with her. You'll think otherwise if you did."

"You know," Potter said wistfully, "I've always wondered what it'd be like to have a sibling."

"Don't wonder too hard. They can be annoying," Daphne huffed before softening a bit., "Not that they can't be wonderful as well."

"Soo, big Quidditch fan then huh?" Potter asked, "Do I have to worry about a Slytherin spy?"

Daphne snorted, "Please Potter, have you met my Housemates? Do they look like the type of people who would take Quidditch advice from a girl?"

Potter nodded thoughtfully, "Fair point. Have you ever played before?"

"No, I'm terrible on a broom," Daphne said sadly. "But even if I wasn't, I go back to my earlier point, I'd doubt any girl from Slytherin would be let on to the team."

Potter's only reply was a small "hmm" before a thoughtful look crossed his face. Daphne gave him a curious look but he merely shook his head and gave her a grin.

"Just thinking is all," he said airly before sobering up a bit, "That's a very archaic mindset honestly."

Daphne shrugged, "We're the House of pureblood supremacists and traditionalists. Conservatism at its finest."

"Well, if you really want to play, you should give it a shot," Potter said earnestly, eyes bright. "Or at the very least fly. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I didn't know you were such a big Quidditch fan but now that I know, I can't imagine that you wouldn't like it."

Daphne giggled at him, "Well with that kind of rhetoric, how could I refuse?"

Potter blushed and rubbed his head sheepishly. "Sorry, but it's not untrue though." The wistful look was back on his face as he said that and Daphne couldn't help but be enthralled by it. He always did look happiest when he was in the air, without a care in the world.

Perhaps it was something she should try out again. Her family didn't own any brooms and she never really got the hang of flying after their first flying lesson. It was the one part of Quidditch that she had never got to experience. Everything else she had covered in spades. Watching and attending matches, following the latest news in both the English League and around the world, looking at the latest box scores and stats for her favorite players, listening to the different talking heads and analysts on the Wireless. Maybe this year she would finally give it another go.

"Harry!"

She snapped out of her thoughts as they both turned to see Granger and Weasley, who was still in his uniform, calling out to Potter from the far edge of the pitch.

Potter's eyes widened. "Shoot, sorry Greengrass, I have to go. We promised to visit Hagrid today after tryouts were over and it completely slipped my mind."

Daphne merely smiled and waved it off. "Go on, I should get going as well. That Defense essay won't write itself." She grimaced at the last part. A two foot essay on Dementors for Snape that she had pushed off until now. DADA had never been her forte and she cursed herself for taking the N.E.W.T. course, even though she knew just how important it was, especially in these times.

"The one due on Tuesday? Let me know if you need a hand on that. I'll catch you later," Potter called over his shoulder as he picked up his broom and raced off to join Granger and Weasley, giving her a small wave.

Maybe you should take him up on the offer, the small voice in her head said lightly.

I should, shouldn't I, Daphne thought, no longer able to keep the smile off her face as she headed back to the castle. Who could have ever seen this coming? Having regular conversations with Potter. And on a more serious note, she could absolutely use some help with that Dementor essay. If the rumors were true, Potter had fought off about a hundred Dementors on his own in his third year so who better to get that help from?

As she entered through the doors of the Great Hall, an arm suddenly shot out and grabbed her, pulling her off to the side causing her to gasp in surprise.

"So?!" It was Astoria and she was looking at Daphne with a gleeful expression on her face. "Tell me, how did it go?"

Daphne's surprise was quickly replaced by irritation. "Were you…were you spying on me?"

Astoria merely rolled her eyes. "Oh please Daph, of course I was! I couldn't miss this, not when you finally got a chance to talk to him."

"How did you even know about…about that?!" Daphne asked faintly, trying to keep up with the whirlwind that usually was Astoria.

"It's so obvious," Astoria replied dismissively.

Daphne was taken aback. First Slughorn and now Astoria. Was she really that transparent? She was a Slytherin. She'd always prided herself on her ability to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself.

"Now enough stalling, tell me how it went," Astoria continued eagerly.

"We just talked Tori," Daphne said with a huff. "He saw me when he was leaving and we just talked about Quidditch."

"You seemed to be pretty comfortable with him. I didn't know you were on speaking terms," Astoria said inquisitively.

"We're partners in Potions. We've chatted a few times." Daphne said, deciding not to tell her snooping sister about the incident on the Hogwarts Express at the start of term.

Astoria gave a small squeal, "I didn't know that. Ugh I'm so proud of you Daph. My big sister, all grown up now." She wiped away a fake tear dramatically.

Daphne gave her a small shove and scowled, "Oh you're a riot. Now if you'll excuse me, I have homework I need to do."

"Same here! Let's go find a table at the library." And before Daphne could protest, Astoria grabbed her arm again and dragged her towards the library.

There really was no escaping her sister sometimes.

She was starving by the time she finally made it to dinner that evening. Unsurprisingly, she had gotten next to nothing done in the library as she endured the endless questions and speculations as Astoria chattered away. It was a miracle that Madam Pince hadn't thrown them out. Just more evidence that the whole world was conspiring against her that day.

"Miss Greengrass!"

She had just sat down and was helping herself to some mashed potatoes when Slughorn's voice boomed out and she saw him approaching her.

Ugh. People all day today. Daphne groaned inwardly before plastering on a small smile.

"Hello Professor."

"Just the person I was looking for! I was hoping to catch you before dinner. I'm holding a small dinner tonight in my rooms and I was hoping you'll come join us! Invited Zabini and McLaggen and a few other rising stars. If you know Miss Bobbins - her family owns a large chain of apothecaries - she will be there as well. And of course, I'm hoping Mr Potter and Miss Granger will join us."

Daphne had had an excuse all ready by the time Slughorn had finished but the last sentence made her pause. Normally, she would rather drink the Draught of Living Death than willingly have a "small dinner" with gits like Zabini and McLaggen in attendance. But Potter being there might make the whole thing worth it. And it really couldn't hurt to attend. She was no socialite but it could provide nice opportunities in the future to make connections.

Dammit. Daphne cursed to herself.

Outwardly, she gave a charming smile and said, "Of course Professor. I'd be honored to come."

"Wonderful!" Slughorn beamed at her, "then I'll see you later!" He ambled onwards down the tables, no doubt looking for more "rising stars" to invite to his gathering.

An hour later, Daphne found herself trudging down towards Slughorn's rooms.

"Miss Greengrass, welcome! Come, come. There's an open seat next to McLaggen."

Daphne nodded politely, though she internally struggled to maintain a neutral expression on her face as McLaggen gave what he probably thought was a charming grin towards her as she sat down.

Disgusting git, Daphne thought sourly.

"Let's begin! Mr Potter unfortunately will not be joining us tonight. Severus absolutely refused to reschedule his detention, the poor boy," Slughorn said, dramatically shaking his head.

Daphne closed her eyes briefly. Of course.

"Favorite player?"

"For professional players, definitely Gwenog Jones," Daphne answered automatically, without breaking her concentration on cutting the Sopophorous Bean. "She's the whole deal you know? Amazing player, fantastic Captain, awesome personality, and no off-the-pitch issues."

Potter nodded, "Try using the flat part of your knife and press into the Bean. It works better that way."

Daphne glanced at him curiously, "Really? Another Prince suggestion?"

Potter merely gave her a small grin. "What do you mean by professional players? Do you have a favorite non-professional player as well?"

Daphne flushed. "Oh um. Yeah I guess. There's some minor leagues that I follow somewhat as well. And of course, there's the school teams here."

Good save dear, the voice in her head chimed in. There was no way Potter was going to find out her favorite player ever was standing right beside her.

"Speaking of school teams," Potter said with a little smirk, "Our first game is against you guys. Don't think you snakes stand a chance."

"Oh well, we'll have to see about that Potter," Daphne retorted, though she inwardly agreed. Potter had never lost against her House and Malfoy as a Seeker just didn't hold up against him.

"How do you think Weasley's going to do? I don't think my Housemates are going to make it easy for him." She was, of course, referring to the Weasley is our King badges and song that her Housemates had came up with last year. Though she despised Malfoy and Pansy, she couldn't really fault the tactic in particular. Professional athletes needed to be able to deal with negative press, boos, and jeering that they will inevitably receive, no matter how good they were. The really great ones turned that negativity into motivation and inspiration and fuelled it into their play.

"He'll be fine, I'm sure of it," Potter said confidently, adding some lacewing flies into their cauldron.

"Good answer, O Captain," Daphne said teasingly.

Potter laughed as well before becoming more serious. "I was hoping his performance in last year's Finals would have given him a boost in confidence in himself. Don't know how well that'll hold up."

"Skill wise, I think he's pretty solid," Daphne said thoughtfully, "but if his mentality is in the wrong place, it doesn't matter how skilled he is. Though he does tend to favor the left goal more. I'm not sure if it's a subconscious thing or if he's compensating for his non-dominant hand, but it can be exploited if others have noticed as well."

Potter looked at her in surprise. "Does he really? I haven't noticed that. I'll have to watch for that in our next practice."

His expression was thoughtful as he continuously stirred their potion. He glanced at her again, "Of course, this could just be you trying to sabotage us."

Daphne huffed good-naturedly, "And here I was trying to help you Potter. You know, you should feel lucky to have such a knowledgeable partner."

Potter quirked his eyebrow at her, "Oh yeah? And what can you tell me about Seeking?"

And for the rest of the lesson, Daphne filled him in on different styles that Seekers used, most of which he was familiar with but, as he didn't follow Quidditch as much as she did, there were intricacies in certain styles that were new to him. Talking Quidditch with Potter was a new experience, one that she fully enjoyed. He gave as much as he took when it came to the discussion, asking questions and completely at ease with just how little he knew about the professional leagues compared to her. Most boys she knew would have balked at the fact that a girl had upstaged them, especially when it came to Quidditch.

Before they knew it, the lesson was over as Slughorn once again praised the pair for their work.

"Harry m'boy," Slughorn said as he came up to their table after dismissing the class. "I'm holding another small dinner this Thursday evening. You should join us! And you as well Miss Greengrass! I'm sure you enjoyed the last one we had, yes?"

"Oh it was very nice Professor," Daphne replied smoothly, successfully keeping a grimace off her face.

"So how about it Harry?" Slughorn asked him hopefully.

"I have Quidditch practice that evening sir," Potter answered, "First match coming up and we want to be prepared."

"Well I certainly expect you to want to perform well in your first match. I'll have you at one of these meetings m'boy!" And with that, Slughorn gave them a merry wave and ambled off.

Potter gave a visible sigh of relief as soon as Slughorn was out of earshot.

"Not a fan of Slughorn?" Daphne asked teasingly, "Thought you'd be overjoyed, being his best student and all."

Potter grimaced, "Can't imagine having to sit through those with McLaggen or Zabini and have Slughorn fawning over everybody."

"Oh you have no idea Potter," Daphne said, rolling her eyes. Potter looked at her curiously and Daphne went off about what she had to endure in the last dinner, especially sitting next to McLaggen and having to deal with his oafish attempts at flirting with her. Potter laughed loudly at that and Daphne gave him a mock glare before joining in.

"You should come one of these times Potter," Daphne said casually as they walked out of the dungeons together. "Keep me company." She kept her tone light, as if she was just joking around, though inwardly she couldn't help but feel how much better it would have been had Potter been with her.

"Maybe I will," Potter said smiling. "Though I'm sure I'm poor company compared to someone as wonderful as McLaggen."

He ducked just in time as Daphne half-heartedly swung her bag at him.

"You're really selling it now Greengrass," Potter laughed. Daphne merely rolled her eyes.

"Where's Weasley and Granger anyway?" Daphne asked, "Aren't they always with you?"

"Hermione has class and Ron probably left with her, no doubt they'll be arguing as usual." Potter answered.

"How about helping a girl with her Defense essay?" The words were out of her mouth before she knew it.

Oh Merlin. She fought down a blush as she glanced at Potter, who was looking at her with a surprised expression. She hadn't really meant to say it, but she was planning on finishing the damned thing before it was due tomorrow and Potter's parting words at the Quidditch pitch about help had floated into her mind.

"I meant if you have time of course," Daphne said hurriedly. "Obviously you don't have to. You've probably got about a hundred things you'd rather do. "

Daphne dear, you're blabbering, the voice in her head said gently. Daphne promptly shut her mouth and felt her ears burning. So much for being calm and collected all the time.

"Yeah sure," Potter answered, giving her a curious look. "I have that essay for Mcgonagall to finish anyways. Library?"

Daphne nodded eagerly, glad that he hadn't thought it to be out of the ordinary, and the pair set off. Studying with Potter in the library, that certainly would be new. This would be the first time they would actually hang out outside of class.

"I'd have thought you'd have no problems with the essay," Potter said bemusedly.

"I've never really been good at Defense," Daphne admitted, "Barely scraped an Exceeds Expectations on my O.W.L."

Potter nodded thoughtfully. "You know, I never thought I'd willingly study with a Slytherin this year…or ever really."

"Well if it makes you feel better, I never thought I would study with a Gryffindor," Daphne said lightly, trying to suppress a tinge of unease at his words. Was he regretting his answer now?

But her worry dissipated when Potter merely grinned at her again as they reached the library entrance.

"Seems each year always has something unexpected," Potter mused.

Daphne snorted. If any of the rumors were true about the things Potter got involved in, "unexpected" was the understatement of the century.

"Well is this the good kind of unexpected or the bad kind?" Daphne asked teasingly, though it covered the hopeful anticipation of his answer. And as always, he didn't disappoint her.

"Definitely good," Potter said with a soft smile as his emerald eyes pierced into hers.

Daphne could no longer contain the wide smile she gave back nor the blush that appeared prettily on her face.

"Now come on, let me teach you about Dementors," Potter grinned and opened the library door, gesturing her in.

"So charming Potter," Daphne snorted, but walked in nonetheless, her heart lighter than it had ever been in her life.