(A/N: Wow, spring break just flew by, but hey, doesn't it always. Sigh. This chapter is rather short, sorry about that.)

Disclaimer: Hate disclaimers!

Chapter 11: Trying Out for the Team

Harry arrived at Hogwarts a little later than normal. He was tired from having to constantly go and comfort Michelle and convince her that the movie she saw was not real. The moment he stepped out of the fire Hermione came running up to him, waving a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Harry! Harry! It finally happened!" she cried excitedly.

"Huh, what happened?" he asked sleepily.

"Didn't you see the Prophet this morning?" she asked.

Harry shook his head. "Michelle kept me and Ginny up all night. She a scary movie and couldn't get to sleep. At four in the morning we just decided to use a Memory Charm. She went right to sleep. Anyway, what happened?"

"Elf rights granted!" cried Hermione. "S.P.E.W. finally came through. House elves now have the same rights as anyone else."

She started reading from the Prophet. "As of this day, house elves have been granted all equal rights. House elves shall receive payment, sick days, and holidays shall they wish to have it. Any wizard treating a house elf in any matter that is harmful will be charged with fellow creature abuse. If a house elf is refused their rights when they desire them, the owner shall be charged with elf mistreatment."

She looked up at Harry grinning. "Isn't this great?"

"Uh, sure Hermione. Great." he said, although he doubted that many of the house elves would want any of those rights. "Now I have something to tell you two. I decide to speak with the Dursleys yesterday."

He told them all about his conversation. Both Ron and Hermione were shocked at Dudley's reaction.

"Lousy muggles." said Ron angrily. "I still can't believe he did that. You should have hexed him."

"I almost did." said Harry angrily. "But that would fall under muggle abuse. I just hope my little talk brought them to their senses."

"Fat chance." said Ron.

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"Danny man calm down, you're too tense." said Jamie.

"I know, I know." Danny muttered. "I just hope I make the team."

"Your cousin is captain." said Josh. "Jack will let you on the team."

"It's not that simple." said Jamie. "You know what my brother is like. He's going to want the best. Although, you probably are the best going to be the best. I hope I make the team."

"Me too." said Josh.

The three of them made their way to the Quidditch field. A number of people were there. Jack was just getting started with the Beaters tryouts when they arrived.

"You're late." he said.

"Sorry." they muttered.

"Well now that everybody is here, lets begin." said Jack. "First we'll do Beaters. All Beaters come forward."

Several students moved onto the field.

"Ok, everyone else, grab broom." Jack ordered. "Now this may seem a little harsh, but Quidditch is harsh. I want everyone in the air. I'll release the Bludgers. Beaters, your job will be to knock everyone out of the air."

Several people gasped. That was rather harsh, but no one complained.

"Now if we're all ready, lets begin."

Jack released the Blugders as everyone else took flight. It took a while, but after about 30 minutes, the last person was knocked out of the sky. Jack had found his two Beaters, John Mexter and Jane Tutor.

"Now lets move onto Chasers." said Jack, rubbing his shoulder that was bruised from a Bludger.

Some people groaned. Jack wasn't pleased. "Come on now! You can't have that kind of an attitude. If you can't handle a practice, how do you expect to make the team? Now all Chasers, come to the field."

Jamie and Josh left Danny and went onto the field.

"You're going to be trying to score goals against me." Jack explained.

He flew up to the goal rings.

"Alright, lets get started!"

The Chasers flew into the hair. They fought over the Quaffle and fired at the goals. Jack was a good Keeper, but not even he could block everything thrown at him. After an hour or so, he made his choices. Sirius returned to the team after scoring more goals than anyone else. Jamie also made it when she had the second most goals made. Unfortunately, Josh didn't make the team. He was beat by two other players, and a boy named Brian Fooder made the team after coming in third place.

"Oh, well." said Josh, shrugging his shoulders. "Maybe next year."

Danny smiled nervously at him and went down to join the other Seeker tryouts. Jack made his instructions clear. He wanted all the Seekers to try and catch the Snitch while the Beaters tried to knock them out of the sky and the Chasers blocked them.

It went on for about three hours. Danny was getting very frustrated. He had been hit with a Bludger at least five times and was blocked from getting the Snitch six times.

Finally, after ten more minutes, he spotted it. Putting on a burst of speed, he dove for the small gold ball. It was about an inch off the ground, which meant that Danny probably wouldn't have time to pull out of the dive. He still went for it though. He reached out and caught it. He pulled up at the last second. The end of his broom scraped against the ground, but he didn't crash.

"I got it!" Danny cried triumphantly.

"Well done!" cried Jack.

They all landed. Some people seemed disappointed, while others just seemed glad that it was finally over.

"Good job everyone." Jack congratulated them. "I think we have one good team here. The cup is sure to be ours."

"Great, tell us when the first practice is." said John.

Jack raised his eyebrows. "First practice is right now. I found my team, and now I'm going to train it."

"Jack, we've been at it for hours!" Jamie cried to her brother.

"And we'll be at it for a few more." Jack said calmly. "I'm going to whip you into shape and make you the best team Hogwarts has ever seen."

Danny groaned at the thought of being overrun by practice. He had wanted to make the team so badly, but now he was having second thoughts.

(A/N: Like I said, short chapter. The next one will be better, I promise.)