"I can't believe the freedom I'm going to have… and the restrictions." I won't be able to support Gryffindor so openly or I could get accused of favoritism. However, I can go see Charlie more." Hermione smiled putting her hands to her chest, "I miss him like crazy and it's only been a few days." She admitted. "I can't wait for him to call so that I can tell him." The girls sat back down to eat and were surprised to find their food still hot and the pumpkin juice still cold.
After a few bites, Hermione heard Charlie on the two-way mirror.
"Hello, love. How has your day, been?"
"Crazy but good!" Hermione smiled picking up the mirror. "Ginny and I have a lot to tell you."
"Hello, Charlie." Ginny peaked around Hermione to see her brother.
"Hey, sis. How did the tryouts start off?"
"They were amazing! We may end up with a firsty on the team. Get this, he had never been on a broom until the tryouts started. He is a natural, even if he doesn't make it I'm keeping him as a reserve." Ginny couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. "We only have seventeen players returning, tomorrow."
"Maybe you can get him a few extra flying lessons, I bet Harry and Ron would love to come up and show the team a few things. I don't see McGonagall having a problem with it. I think Hermione would really be able to help you scout out the competition and come up with some maneuvers to help the team."
"I'm afraid McGonagall won't let her do that." Ginny shook her head.
"Why wouldn't she? She doesn't have to be on the team to help." Charlie told them.
"Yeah, but a member of the teaching staff isn't allowed to show favoritism like that," Hermione told Charlie and waited for the reaction.
"Love?" he asked haltingly.
"I told McGonagall the first night that I may be interested in teaching later, you made me think I might want to. She asked if I wanted to start this year, but I told her I wanted my credentials before I did anything else. She made it happen for me. McGonagall set up so I could take my N.E.W.T.S., without my knowledge, and I passed them all with O's. McGonagall wants to go over the details tomorrow after supper, but she did tell me I can leave the grounds as long as I'm not in a class or scheduled for rounds. Basically, I can leave whenever we want to make plans with you, but I can also have a bigger challenge, this year. I will be making lesson plans and I'll be able to see what each child needs individually. Things like that. However, I won't be able to support Gryffindor so much. I am excited because I may be able to go to a few Sunday Suppers and see you a bit more."
"Love, that is amazing! You are really going to love this. I know you thought you were going to be bored all year but now you can really do something that challenges you. Plus, you can use the library and keep learning. If you wanted to you could make potions for the hospital wing and so much more. I'm sure you will think of things that will keep you occupied. In your free time." Charlie laughed.
"I'm sure I can." Hermione agreed. Maybe she would start a club or a study group or even some sort of advanced class. "How is your job going?"
"It's been great. I am in love with the group I am teaching. They are a lot of fun and they really have the best interest of the dragons in mind. I did get to ask about our favorite dragon, she's doing pretty great, I'll have them get me a few pictures so that I can bring them to you. We've been working on a lot of spells and charms, I can't believe that they haven't learned some of the simple healing charms. We have a couple that still need a bit of practice but all of them can cast a disillusion charm, now. I've been trying to cram as much in their brains as I can." Charlie was enthusiastic about his group.
"I'm really glad that you're enjoying your job. I'm not going to lie, I'm glad I don't have to worry about you being near the dragons. I know you have always been really good at your job but even under the best circumstances, it's dangerous. I would take you either way but I'm glad that we don't have to worry about you getting majorly hurt, anymore." Hermione told Charlie sincerely
"I agree with Hermione, I'm glad we don't have to worry. I remember mum after you wrote to her that you were in the infirmary and that you were going to be there for almost a month." She told Charlie. "That was the year before I started school, that's why we went to see Charlie so suddenly over Christmas," Ginny told Hermione. "She was practically a nutcase over you. It's good to know that you're safe, now." It was clear that Ginny loved her brother.
The three of them talked for about an hour before it was time for them all to turn in. Charlie had a long day with his group and Ginny and Hermione had an early morning coming with the training. It may very well be one of the last times she could openly support Gryffindor and she wanted to take advantage of it. On top of that Hermione thought it really couldn't hurt to try to help point things out to Ginny if at all possible, anything that could give her a better chance at having a great team.
"What do you think of me trying to watch in a very discreet way, tomorrow? I might actually be able to scope out and see things a bit behind the scenes that way. Plus, I wouldn't have to worry about people staring at me for one day." Hermione asked Ginny as they headed upstairs.
"Do you think that will make you more comfortable?" Ginny returned.
"I think so, plus I won't have to worry about anyone trying to say it was unfair with me becoming a teacher. I know technically this is before I start but it could be less of a headache in the long run." Hermione had been able to ignore most of the staring, but it would be nice to have one day of peace.
"Then I don't mind. If you don't want to be seen I will still know you're there." Ginny smiled at her.
It was funny for Hermione to think about the fact that she was an only child and used to all of her parent's attention, yet not wanting the attention, now. Ginny was one of seven and always had to share the attention, but she was dealing with everything in an amazing way. They laid down and before Hermione knew it they were in the middle of getting ready for the day. Hermione was skipping her morning run in order to let her body rest. Hermione ordered her Breakfast in the dormitory while they were getting ready. As soon as she were full Hermione went to get her cloak from her room. Hermione laughed to herself when she pulled it out and found the products that George had sent with her. She made a mental note to write to him that she would start testing them soon, maybe starting with the milder ones, first. Ginny wanted to eat in the great hall and to start scoping out her potential team's dynamics.
As soon as Ginny sat down Hermione sat beside her, backward, on the bench. She would sit beside her until someone else tried to. It didn't take long before a fellow seventh year came by to take Hermione's spot. Hermione decided to walk around the hall and start a lookout for anything she may need to keep an eye out for. The Ravenclaw's were already buckling down and studying, mostly the upper-years were the only ones at breakfast. Hufflepuffs were a bit sparse but the ones that were there were being friendly and behaving well. Slytherin was slightly more populated but they were quiet and observing the rest of the hall, at the moment. Gryffindor had the biggest crowd, with so many students returning for the second day of tryouts. Hermione kept circling the tables waiting for Ginny to be done. She was observing the heads table, still wondering who would eventually be hired, when Ginny left. Hermione didn't notice at first but when she did she didn't mind. When could take her time and see who got on with who. Breakfast was winding down and Hermione was getting ready to leave right after the crowd did. There was one little problem with her going to the pitch.
"No one will notice he's gone and if they do they'll assume he just didn't want to show up, just don't mention anything and don't act suspicious." Hermione stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a small group of students whispering. She turned and got a good look at them, there were three of them, they were all around third and fourth year. Hermione looked quickly at the group that was leaving and counted thirteen, with the three in the group, that only made sixteen. Looking one last time, Hermione's heart sank, where was Nathanial?
Hermione took off as fast as she could with her cloak covering her. Racing back to her dorm room she ran to her room. She immediately sent a Patronus to Ginny, it would reach her before any of the students trying out would. It would only tell her that Nathanial would be late and not to make a big deal of it, Hermione would explain later.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Hermione decided to start at the Gryffindor common room and work her way down until she found him. Thankfully she located Nathanial on the fifth floor.
With the cloak securely over her, once more, Hermione raced to the classroom that Nathanial was in. A simple, for her, Alohomora opened the door. Nathanial had apparently been screaming for someone's attention but when the door opened Hermione realized that there was also a Muffliato on the room. Hermione yanked the cloak off after making sure no one was around and quickly stuffed it in her robes.
"I already have informed Ginny you will be late and told her I would tell her why, later. Did you see who put you in here?" Hermione cut to the chase immediately.
"Yes, I don't know their names, but there were three of them, a bit older. I could point them out." Nathanial said confidently.
"I won't need that. Follow me." Hermione lead him to her dorm and had him step in. she went to her desk and grabbed a glass phyle from her potions kit. "I need you to think of the memory from when you left your room until you ended up in that Classroom and the door closed, can you do that?" Hermione asked.
"Yes." Nathanial didn't even question what she was doing. "I've got it," He said with his eyes closed.
Hermione touched his temple with her wand and took a copy of the memory. Once the memory was in the tube Hermione capped it. She labeled it 'For McGonagall' and then scribbled a short note. She tied it to her owl and then told Nathanial that she was going to put her cloak back on but would follow him to the pitch. Nathanial was already going to be late so Hermione told him not to waste his energy trying to get there on time, it wasn't possible.
They ended up only being about five minutes late and the instructions had barely begun. Ginny ignored Nathanial's entry and kept talking about the first things they would be doing. Ginny then told them it was time for a warm-up, to put their brooms down and start taking laps around the pitch. Hermione was able to freely talk to Ginny with everyone so far out of earshot. She told Ginny what happened and pointed out the kids that were responsible for what happened.
"I have half a mind to send them packing," Ginny told her. "I think I rather have some fun, though…" She grinned. "You can stick around, or you can sit in the stands but if you bully my team you will get it back ten-fold."
"I'll sit in the stands for now," Hermione told her.
Ginny let the team run for close to twenty minutes before she blew her whistle and waved them back. As soon as they were crowded around Ginny told them if they were unsure of what position they wanted to play to stand in one place, Keeper in another, Beaters, Seekers, and then Chasers. Hermione was annoyed to see that the group of three were the only ones wanting to be Chasers. She may have also heard a whispered swear let out from Ginny. Nathanial was one of two kids that didn't know what they wanted to play.
Ginny looked around and wondered where she would be playing, this year. She was Seeker or Chaser most of the time, but she was a good Keeper, as well. She would find the best fits for each position and fill herself in after. She told each group she would have them take turns running drills. She wanted the other groups to start warming up with things they would need to perform, today. Chasers start passing drills, Keepers start shooting on each other Beaters practice their aim and such. She summoned Nathanial and a girl named Arura to come with her.
"I'm starting with the Seekers, first," Ginny said and motioned for the seekers to come over to her. "Since Nathanial and Arura don't know what they want to try out for I am going to have them try everything and see if they end up liking something best." Ginny started running a few drills and watched to see what happened. Right from the start a fourth year named Derrick took Ginny's notice. There was no doubt he was it, he was made for the position. She finished out the drills and asked the three to continue practicing. She would keep an eye on them and make sure nothing changed. Next, she went to the beaters, Nathanial and Arura seemed antsy about this position, as small as they were, Ginny understood it. In the end Ginny decided it would go to two brothers that were not twins but were in the same year, the oldest was just a few days shy of being a year older September fifth was one and the next year on August thirty first was the younger brother. Thankfully they were good sports about it. Michael and Matthew would be a great addition to the team. The Keepers were really fast to weed themselves out. Out of the four that were trying for the position the first three only blocked one or two shots on goal. Nathanial saved three and Arura saved four. The last one, Rodger, managed to save them all. Ginny told them to keep practicing that she would come back by and check on them later. She was down to the chasers.
"I'm assuming you have played together, before?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, we've been playing together for years. We'll be a good addition to your team." One of the boys told her confidently.
"Let's see what you've got," Ginny told them.
She ran them through a few drills and was glad to see that they were mediocre. She could do better than every one of them. She smiled to herself when she saw this. As soon as they had finished her drills She smiled and told them she was glad to see how they played. She had them go to the other end of the pitch to keep practicing. From there she Had Nathanial and Arura warm up with her and play a game of catch. She was glad to see that the two worked so well together. They ran a few drills together and Ginny was really impressed to see them play. She backed off and let them take some shots on goal. At first, she thought they were doing good but when they started taking shots with Rodger Ginny saw something spectacular. They were running a two-man offensive better than most teams could run three. They were actually making shots in on the soon-to-be keeper for Gryffindor. She told them she was glad to get to see them try out today but that it was time for the other three that were trying out to take their turn shooting on goal.
The other team, unfortunately for Ginny, did decent when it came to their shots on goal. Ginny took care of the problem about five minutes in, by switching back to Rodger. They didn't score a single point on him.
"Alright you lot," Ginny hollered after gathering them up, "If I call your names step forward," Ginny called up the three boys that had locked Nathanial into the room along with two of the Beaters that weren't going to make it but were still decent. One of the keepers that were doing okay but not great and then one of the Seeker hopefuls that Ginny thought did second best. Basically, it could have been their second string, had they needed that many reserves. "I need you lot to put on these gold jerseys." Then, Ginny called up everyone she was sure was going to be on the team. "Michael and Matthew, Rodger, Derrick, Arura, and Nathanial." Ginny called up "Maroon for you."
"Excuse me?" Allen, one of the three asked. "They're one short?" He questioned.
"Since you three have been playing together for so long I didn't want to mess up your group dynamics, so I'll be playing with them," Ginny told them as sweetly as she could, and they ate up every word, judging by their faces. Everyone else was told to take a seat in the bleachers.
It didn't take long for Ginny to know she had her team. They ran like a team should, with it being their first time playing together Ginny was giddy with excitement. It was only going to get better as the season went. About twenty minutes into the scrimmage Derrick spotted the snitch and took off after it, less than ten seconds later the scrimmage was over.
"It looks like I've got my teams sorted out between practice, the drills, and the scrimmage," Ginny told them after they had gathered around again. "I will get the list together and I will post it up in the common room, tonight. Remember, I don't care how good you are if your grades suck, you will not play. Also, any bullying and you will automatically be kicked off the team permanently. The last thing we need is a cheat or a bully on my team. I want my team to work together flawlessly." Ginny dismissed them to go get lunch.