Wednesday was Quiddich Practice, and since everyone and their brother had heard about the youngest seeker in a Century (Harry didn't know whether that was true, but, certainly there was some level of excitement.) Everyone around the breakfast table clapped Harry on the back, including the girls. Including people he didn't know, but who he assumed were Gryffindor (the ties were a giveaway).
When he got to the locker room, he learned that his clothes didn't fit right (apparently custom tailoring was what Madame Malkin was really for, and Quiddich went by different, more military rules). So, he shucked into clothes that had the pleasant side effect of having cloth wraps for his palms, by way of overlong sleeves. The overlong trousers would not make much difference - once he got to the air, at any rate.
Harry Potter got poked and prodded by the Weasley Twins (while the girls changed - he wondered if the duty was to stop him from peeking, or the twins - he suspected the latter), while Oliver Wood hollered instructions at the Chasers.
They moved out of the locker room as a unit, emerging under the bleachers... As they strode into the stadium, well, Oliver stopped cold. Then the Chasers and Keeper did as well. And then the twins... stood and bowed to the crowd? Harry wasn't quite sure what was going on - but then the twins stepped aside, like Star Trek doors, and bowed inward, leaving a space for Harry to finally see.
The entire school was there, it seemed. Well, other than the teachers, who surely - oh, there was Prof. McGonagall, ostensibly to keep control over the ... mania. Or was that hysteria? Better stick to mania, there's too many boys out there. Harry was sure he looked a bit pale, but he turned slightly towards George, and growled at Oliver Wood, "Couldn't we at least kick the Slytherins out? If we don't, I fear that the bleachers may topple down."
The twins gave him matching smirks, and Ollie smiled, saying, "Not a bad plan, Potter," as he strode off looking for McGonagall. After a bit of arguing, she hollered (louder than Harry had ever heard her), and sent all of Slytherin and everyone above fourth year off the bleachers.
Draco Malfoy, who had been sitting quite up front, gave Harry Potter a look that was filled with hate - or, in this case, it's petty younger cousin, jealousy. They looked similar, you know.
Practice itself proved a great time for Harry to work on wand movements, though he hoped that no one would recognize him spending the trouble to learn Bombardo - that was a spell clearly labeled for Auror track personnel, not something for ordinary use. And especially not something that you'd want someone learning four years before it was taught in class.
Nevermind how handy it was going to prove to be.
[a/n: up next: Harry gets . Leave review.]