Welcome to the Jungle

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Part One: Fifteen

Chapter Thirty-One: Misery

At the beginning of training that afternoon, Coach Hooch introduces them to their new teammate, fellow freshman Kevin Entwistle, who is tall, thin, and quiet, but who turns out to be an accurate, consistent shot, quick and agile, and exceedingly more coordinated than Finn. It's obvious he's done a lot of growing in a short amount of time, but Entwistle is conscious of his motions in a way that Finn is not, and he's a far better player for it. He's a reserve alongside Gabriel, but Hooch has guaranteed that they'll both see time on court throughout the season, and both of them are satisfied with that.

At the end of that day's training session, Harry's not sure why he wasn't put on the team in place of Finn in the first place. Established team dynamic or not, it's abundantly clear Entwistle is a far better - and far more motivated - player than Finn ever would be.

During the impromptu team meeting, Coach Hooch also names Harry as captain of the JV team. He is as baffled by the appointment as he is surprised by it, but he doesn't protest. Instead, Harry accepts the copy of 'The Leadership Handbook' by John Maxwell Coach Hooch offers him, and solemnly promises to make sure she won't come to regret her decision.

The pressure's a bit much. At 15, Harry's never had to be a leader before, never had the responsibility of wrangling other - very contradictory - people. In fact, the only experience he has with wrangling anyone is during those scant occasions wherein he and Leo, and later Kate and Ursa, were left in charge of Cassie and Teddy while the adults dined out, or imbibed to excess, during the vacations they've shared over the years. It's not much of a foundation to build upon, but on the upside, at least no one is disgruntled by Coach Hooch's selection.

"Congratulations," Cedric offers. "Can't say I'm surprised."

"You guys voted too?"

Near the end of the last school term, Coach Hooch had asked them to vote (anonymously) for their preferred captain, and from those results, she chose whom she thought would be best for the position. Harry had voted for Puck, who knew basketball better than anyone else on the team, but no one else had mentioned whom they'd voted for, and thus, neither had he.

Perhaps he should have.

"Yeah," Cedric confirms. He looks tired, drawn and weary like Harry has never seen him, and there's a melancholy about him that no one else seems to notice. "Coach thought we were, you know, objective."

"Were you?"

Cedric swallows down a mouthful of water, shrugs, and caps his water bottle. "Objective enough."

Harry huffs a laugh. "Not at all, then?"

Cedric grins, but it's a small, feeble thing. "You know it."

Coach Hooch calls them back from their water break, and the pair of them return to the court for another round of training drills. As they do, Cedric splits to join his team, and Harry watches his retreating back with a concerned frown. His friend is not okay, and whatever is wrong, it's got Cho and Ethan worried.

He wonders if it's his place to ask. He and Cedric haven't known each other long, and they've been friends for even less time. He is concerned for his older peer, but perhaps he ought to leave it to Ethan and Cho to help. They've known Cedric far longer, and are far closer to him, after all.

Sighing, he joins his teammates at their designated end of the court, and accepts that, if nothing else, the issue will keep until after training.

Maybe he'll talk to Cedric then.

Then again, maybe he won't.

-!- -#-

As it happens, Harry doesn't get the chance to. Coach Hooch holds him back to help with the clean up, and takes the opportunity to lecture him about the responsibilities and expectations that come with the title of 'Captain'. By the time Harry's dismissed to freshen up in the locker room, Cedric's already gone.

"What's up with Diggory?" Puck asks him.

Harry shrugs. "No idea."

"Dude shot out of here like his ass was on fire."

"Maybe he had somewhere to be?"

Puck's expression is blatantly doubtful, and Harry shrugs, clueless. He goes through the motions of a brief, refreshing shower, and gets dressed quickly in the bottom half of his Gi, a plain T-shirt, and his Titans pullover. He's got Karate training that evening - the first class of the year, and his ride already waits for him (and Mike) outside.

"It's going to be cold out there," Mike reminds him.

"I'll be fine," Harry answers, "Taid's already waiting, so we'll be out there for, like, a minute."

Mike shrugs in turn. "Suit yourself, dude."

Quinn's nowhere in sight when he gets outside, but there's a text on his phone that indicates she's already been picked up. It's a bit puzzling, because normally she sticks around at least to say 'goodbye' for the day, but as Mike had said, it's freezing out. As such, Harry assumes she hadn't wanted to linger in the snow, and he tries not to dwell on it.

Inside the car, Kate waits for them with she and Harry's grandfather, Charles, and the four of them chat idly about music on their way to the community centre. Mostly, it's Charles lamenting the trash that passes for pop music these days, and Kate defending it, and all in all, it makes for an entertaining drive.

On the way, they stop at one of the few diners in town to pick up dinner - a burger, fries, and soda - and wait until their at the centre to dig in. Harry's famished, the other two are, as well, and so it's quiet as they focus on their respective meals. They get changed afterwards - Harry into the top and belt that accompany his trousers - and join their peers in their improvised dojo. Mike's dad is already there, in conversation with some of the other parents present, and Mike wanders off to greet him properly.

Meanwhile, Harry and Kate are beset upon by the latter's friends, and they pass the time before their lesson catching up on each other's lives, talking Christmas presents and what not. It's okay, because Harry's developed something of a rapport with them, but they're still a little too guy crazy for comfort, so it's still a relief when Sensei Nick calls them to order.

"Ready to get your ass kicked?"

"Maybe I'll get lucky this time," Harry answers, good-natured. He hasn't won a spar against his friend yet, but he's not made it easy for Mike, either.

"When you win, it won't be because of luck," Mike answers.

"No pressure, or anything."

"No pressure," Mike echoes, rolls back his shoulders, and slips into a ready stance. As he does, he asks with a sarcastic smile, "Now, shall we dance?"

Mirroring his friend, Harry grins. "We shall."

Author's Note: The second half of this chapter is mostly filler, but partly not. I was kind of stuck on it, but eh, it happens. I was hoping to get it posted on Saturday, but I've had a hella busy weekend. In fact, it's Monday morning, and it's still going!

Anyway, hope you've enjoyed, Until next time, -t.