Hi Everyone! I just want to take a few lines to apologize for taking so long to post a new chapter of this story. I greatly appreciate those of you who have stayed with me and the story through this crazy and busy time of the year. Also, usa123, thank you for reminding me that so much time has passed since I updated and thanks for your feedback and help in the editing process!
The first two weeks of school flew by like a hippogriff gliding over the Black Lake, calmly and smoothly without any major incidents of mischief or rule breaking. It was after these first two weeks had passed that James decided it was time to hold tryouts for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and held a meeting after dinner one night in Gryffindor Tower for all of those who were interested in trying out for the team.
"Hi everyone," said James as he looked around the room, "Thanks for coming to this pre-tryout meeting. I just wanted to say that, as your new captain, I am going to do my best to make sure that we win the Quidditch Cup again this year. I also wanted to state that just because you made the team last year does not guarantee that you will make the team this year. I want to make sure that we have the best possible team that we can and I don't care what year you are. Are there any questions?"
"So even a first year could try out for the team?" asked a shy and quiet boy whose hand barely showed over the fifth years that stood in front of him.
"Yes, any year can try out. However, we will not be giving flying lessons so anyone who comes to tryouts must already know how to stay on a broomstick and know the general rules of Quidditch. Anything else?" replied James as he surveyed the room. "No other questions? Okay well tryouts will be tomorrow morning at seven at the Quidditch pitch. Don't be late and come prepared."
At this last remark, the crowd of Gryffindors dispersed and headed up to their dormitories to get a good night's sleep before tryouts began.
Bright and early the next day, James, Sirius, and the rest of the Gryffindors headed out to the Quidditch pitch for tryouts to begin. Some of the Gryffindors had come to try out and hoped to make the team whereas others had come out to cheer, mock, or just simply watch the tryouts.
"All right everyone, gather around," shouted James as he and Sirius lugged the heavy trunk that held the balls, "I want you to organize yourselves into what positions you will be trying out for and in these groups I want you to start warming up by flying and tossing a quaffle to one another."
At this instruction, all of the sleepy Gryffindors that were trying out divided themselves and mounted their brooms. They soared high into the air and it soon became apparent who the newbies were.
"James, can you believe some of these kids actually think they have a chance," whispered Sirius, "even Hufflepuff would slaughter them!"
"I know, I know," muttered James, "but McGonagall said we have to let anyone tryout that wants to. I don't have a choice. Wait, is that Elena in the group trying out for Chasers?",
"Huh. I didn't know she knew how to play Quidditch but from the looks of things she sure knows how to ride a broom," said Sirius as he mounted his broom, "but I wonder if she can handle well under pressure."
"Well, lets find out," replied James as he soared into the air.
"So, everyone, I have decided who will be on the team this year. Please, don't be upset if you didn't make it but I have to choose whom I think will give us the best bet for winning because we all want to show Slytherin what it feels like to loose. I will be keeping my position as Chaser but the others are as follows: Ronald Gray will be our new Seeker, Sirius Black and Phillip Morgan will be our Beaters, Elena Abbott and Isobel Owen will be the other two Chasers, and Christian Moore will be our Keeper. The alternates will be Victoria Bennett, Will Turner, and Dillon Smith," announced James after tryouts had concluded.
With this announcement, the exhausted Gryffindors that had braved tryouts headed back towards the castle to change and to enjoy the rest of their afternoon. As Elena left the Quidditch pitch, she ran into Lily and Katherine who had been watching the tryouts.
"Congratulations Elena!" squealed Katherine as she hugged Elena.
"Thanks Katherine," replied Elena enthusiastically, "I just can't believe I made the team! I nearly fell off several times…"
"Well it didn't show from where we were sitting," answered Lily as she roped her arms between Elena and Katherine's.
"Thank you. Thank you. Your complements are appreciated. I'm just a bit worried about how practices are going to go" said Elena as they headed back towards Gryffindor Tower to savor the rest of the beautiful afternoon.
While Elena, Katherine and Lily headed back towards Hogwarts, James and Sirius packed up the trunk filled with the golden snitch, quaffle, and bludgers and carried it into the Gryffindor locker room.
"Well that went rather well, didn't it?" stated James as he pushed the trunk into a cabinet that held old brooms.
"Yes, I think so. I am rather amazed at how decent of a group we had at tryouts" replied Sirius as he began to change out of his sweaty Quidditch uniform into jeans and a t-shirt.
"Yes, same," said James, "especially by Elena. I would never have guessed that she could fly like that."
"Same. I wouldn't have pegged her for the flying type. The studying type, yes, but never to be a such a good Chaser," responded Sirius as he pulled his clean shirt over his head and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Yeah. She did look pretty good out there. Hey, did you by any chance see Lily out there?" asked James as he too began to change out of his uniform and into regular clothes.
"I think so, but I couldn't say for certain. Have you decided how you are going to try to woo her next?" said Sirius with a grin slowly spreading across his face.
"I was pondering just being straightforward and telling her that I like her and want to go out with her. I mean really what does she have to lose? It's our last year here and who knows when the next time we could see each other will be," answered James, "are you ready to head back up to the castle?"
It was with that final question that Sirius replied, "Yeah, let's go catch up with Remus and Wormtail and see if there is any mischief that needs to be managed."
Constructive criticism and thoughtful insights are ALWAYS appreciated! Please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading and hopefully the next chapter won't take so long for me to write!