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Chapter 6: The Beginning of Instruction
September flew by for Harry and Hermione as they learned and began to spend more and more time together. The time they both spent in the library was formidable as they continued to tear through the content for the year. The youngest Weasleys, of course, weren't pleased with their new shared time. "Ginny…" Ron began to complain, "You told me you'd get Harry out of my way this year, so Hermione and I'd have some… time together remember?"
"Oh shut up Ron, I'm trying to figure out where the potion went wrong, it isn't affecting Harry at all!" Maybe… just maybe I need to give him a bigger dose… And we'll feed Hermione some more potion as well. Looks like "just a nudge" wasn't enough for the bi-witch she thought desperately Maybe after the first Quidditch game, when emotions will be high, especially if Ron can actually do anything that game.
-Time Skip: One Week-
"The Gryffindor house Quidditch team trials will be held this Saturday afternoon, all who wish to be on the team, please go to the Quidditch pitch at One PM."
Harry read the notice with interest, after the great upset last year after he'd been banned by their "great and powerful" High Inquisitor, he was itching to get back on a broom and feel the . Deciding, he would head down and try out.
-Saturday-
The time came and the hopefuls all trooped from the Gryffindor common room out onto the pitch. Hermione decided to tag along to watch Harry and the rest of their house compete for their spot.
Katie Bell had been named Quidditch captain and while nowhere near as Wood, she promised to be a fair captain and would do her best to lead the team to victory for Gryffindor. The Tryouts began with the Chasers. The hopefuls were split into groups and told to circle the pitch. Unfortunately, three of the nine hopefuls had a collision (…one with a wall…) leaving six to battle it out for the place of the two chasers. They were then asked to do quick passing and movement drills. This proved difficult for t the two fourth years that had come out to test their mettle. Leaving the 'final four'. Eventually, a draw had been called and they were split into twos and told to wait at the sides of the arena. The seeker tryout began next and Harry walked to the centre of the pitch and was joined by a seventh year named Cormac McLaggen and a fourth year who identified himself as Henry Spears. All three mounted their brooms and escaped into the skies. They played a game of tag, in doing so Harry saw that speed was Henry's forte due to his two year younger frame, while McLaggen definitely had more power on his side, due to his larger body, however his own agility seemed to outstrip the other two by leagues. In the end McLaggen was forced out of the competition as he simply couldn't keep up. His large size however gave Katie and idea "Hang around McLaggen, you should try out for the keepers, you seem to be a better build for them anyway." The contest of speed ended with no clear victor as Henry seemed to pull away in the straights while Harry was able to keep him to heel on the corners that were placed in the track. The whistle blew and Katie signaled the two to stop and join the chasers on the side. As soon as he landed, Ginny seemed to stick to him "Oh Harry you were amazing! I don't know what Katie was thinking making you both wait!" she cooed, hoping to get and appreciative look from her "one and only". Harry, however, looked at her with an unbelieving stare that bore into her eyes, "are you kidding Ginny, that kid absolutely demolished me in the straights, I only just managed to pull it back in the corners, that kids got potential, he could even be better than me! If you can't see that then maybe you don't know as much about Quidditch as you let on." he said, suppressing a smirk, knowing exactly what she was trying to do. The Beater trials were next on the agenda, there were two third years and a fifth year vying for the beater positions. Unfortunately, one of them underestimated the speed of the bludger heading towards him and ended his session with an incredibly sore arm, leaving the final Keeper choices, before the second rounds. The original three, including one Ronald Weasley, were joined by a rather down, yet still (somehow) arrogant McLaggen. Catching exercises were the name of the Keepers game, so balls of various sizes were tossed at various speeds to determine how quickly the potential keepers moved and how they chose to stop the ball, be it a deflect or a catch. Unfortunately, both Ron and Cormac were able to pull the game to a tie. "Alright everyone. Now that we've gotten this far, we'll be playing a game of Half Quidditch, each team will have two chasers, one beater, one keeper and one seeker. While you are in teams, you will be assessed on your individual ability and how well you can gel as a newly formed team. Choose your own teams. Quickly! We don't have all day!" she finished with a bark. Soon enough Harry was placed on a team with Ginny, Ron, one successful beater and another promising chaser. The players took their places and Katie released one bludger, the quaffle and a snitch. Immediately the game started, as the quaffle flew from chaser to chaser and Harry's team made ground, only to be informed that the beater on the other team was unforgivingly accurate with his bat, leading to Ginny gaining a bloody nose. The other teams chasers were sharp and lead with crisp passing making quick ground, somehow they were predicting the others moves and managed to pass the ball to where they knew their teammate was going to be. That combination lead to one against zero against Harry's team. Harry however, was more concerned with the snitch that had yet to show itself. Suddenly a flutter of gold was seen by Ron's foot. Harry rocketed towards it, intent on finishing the game early, making sure to keep out of the way of his teammates that seemed to be going for a charge, dodging the bludger, now they knew to be wary of it. Ginny seemed to now be on the wavelength of the chasers on the other team, and was able to stop them stealing the quaffle more than once, to rocket a ball past McLaggen. Henry seemed to float by as he saw the snitch a second after Harry. The two seekers raced towards the carrot topped keeper, he moved out of their way, and surprisingly, into the way of a quaffle, stopping the opposition from scoring once. The snitch however dived towards the ground forcing the competitors into a dive, both kept pace yet Harry knew if this kept up, Henry would pull ahead, he forced the old school broom he'd been given for the trial to go past its limit. At the last minute the snitch veered upwards and Harry reacted quicker of the two seekers and grabbed Victory with his hands.
"Alright ladies and gents, you've all played well and I can assure you that you all make, at least the backup team. As for our first team of players. Chasers are: myself, Ginevra Weasley and Corrie Atkinson. Beaters, have already been decided, our seeker will be Harry Potter and our keeper Ronald Weasley."
With that McLaggen burst out "What?! You're making him the keeper, after you asked me to stay back and waste my time! What's wrong with you Katie, you know if be way better than him!"
"McLaggen shut up before I rescind my decision to keep you there as a backup keeper as well." Katie started with fire in her eyes, "well done everyone, training will be every Saturday morning, 9 through 11."
-5 minutes and a quick shower later-
"Hey Henry!" Harry called as the younger seeker walked back to the Great Hall for a late lunch. "What's up err... Harry?" he said quietly. "I just wanted to say you're a great seeker and I wouldn't mind taking a couple of games off if you wanted to get a few games in. You nearly had me at that dive y'know. I'm sure you've got what it takes to be a great seeker."
"Well err.. Thanks Harry, it's I'd love to play one game this year!" he said excitedly. As they both said their goodbyes Hermione joined them. "Well done Harry, and err you were really good too... Err-"
"Henry," Harry quickly filled in. Henry smiled and nodded before leaving to grab his lunch.
Hermione then turned and said, "Harry, I think we should speak to Professor Smith about the elemental magic training. From what I've read, it's one of the most powerful magiks that are available to man. And if... If we can both do it I guess we'll stand a better chance against Voldemort." she finished almost stuttering over the wizards name, almost.
-Professor Smith's office-
The two sixth years knocked on the door to the professor of defence and were invited in jovially. Beyond the door, the room has been completely changed from the best pink office it was last year but was now black with books lining the majority of the walls and a few odd bits and bobs littering the floor. The table was also a complete cacophony of keys, letters, quills and black sinister looking instruments that made a click at irregular intervals. "Sir, we've decided to take you up on the elemental training. If.. If it's not too much trouble" Hermione started. "We'd like you to teach us all you know, so we can defend ourselves against volde-" seeing the look on his face, Harry quickly changed tack "you know who."
"Alright then," he said quietly, "let's begin. I will warm you now I'm not an easy going teacher when it comes to elementals, I expect you to be ready every lesson and to be ready to written hard everytime we meet. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," they both said, a fiery passion burning in their eyes.
"I myself am a fire and lightning elemental, my wife was a water and wind elemental. Harry it seems you have the aptitude for the fire element and have a natural affinity for lightning. Hermione, you seem to only have a natural affinity for wind at the moment but we'll see about discovering your second element, if you have one." he spoke quickly and with a no nonsense tone. "I will personally teach Harry his lightning manipulation as I have the element, but you Hermione will have to learn by yourself I'm afraid, I have my wife's old books, in sure she would want them to find their way to someone like you." he said as he liked various books from various shelves abs handing them to the teens. "Of course I'll still be able to help you learn the basics Hermione, all natural magiks stem from the same source anyway." he said almost absent-mindedly as he scours the shelves once more. "If you two are half as good as McGonagall says your are, you'll get this down in no time. And you'll be able to use basic elements for attack and defence with ease." he said smirking. "Now today's lesson will be in drawing out your power and using it to pierce a target." over the next hour Smith explained the base theory of elemental magic and how it was drawn on by wizards of old to combat enemies that seemed unsurpassable and situations that were linked with certain death. Both Harry and Hermione listened with rapt attention, before he explained how to draw the power out of the core and mate it tangible. Before giving a demonstration and encasing his hand in fire. He showed them the best strike points for each element before allowing his apprentices to try it for themselves. Harry took like a duck to water and within 5 minutes had his hand encased in electric blue lightning. Hermione however was having slight problems and was unable gather the element correctly, after seeing Harry complete it with such natural ease, she became slightly frustrated. Harry saw the signs of Hermione's frustration and took her aside after he'd finished his last collection and dispersion of lightning and explained how it felt for him, allowing Hermione copy him and much like in the lesson the week before, Hermione picked it up quickly after.
"Well you've picked that up just fine I see," Professor Smith said after seeing both Harry and Hermione lean on the wall and pulsate their elements. "Time to move onto the next stage, using it to attack."
He demonstrated the process with his fire attack onto a dummy. "Now, you give it a try." Both Harry and Hermione looked at the professor like he'd grown a third head he expects us to do it straight away? They both thought. "Well how else are you going to learn?" he barked, as if reading their minds and leading them out into the classroom, before turning on his heel and entering his office again. After another hour of trying and failing the two of them managed to successfully strike their target and were dismissed.
Both teens were completely drained after the intense session of magic and decided to turn in. Their training had begun, and the game was on. Target: Voldemort.
A/N: Hey there guys! I'm not dead… yet… But yeah here's the latest chapter. I'll admit I had a severe case of writers block, but then this chapter decided to pop into my head and absolutely smash that block into pieces. Not much happening though, mainly filler until I can decide the real plot route, but hey you got to see Harry and Hermione training in their Elements. I won't abandon this story, and I will carry it to completion. At the moment I'm just writing in my free time… which I don't really have a lot of but I guess there's nothing I can do about that. I'll update as regularly as I can. You got some nice quidditch action this time, tell me how it is… it's my first time writing something like that so any suggestions you have would be… amazing. Anyone who knows where the title is form I will personally say, you are a truly awesome and amazing person! Drop me a review or a Pm anytime and I'll respond (if I can) profanity filter is off as well, so feel free to make your reviews... Fruity ;)
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