Chapter 8
Quidditch Tryouts
Throughout the week after the twins and I had our little trip I lounged around in the classes I had and ignored the children who still kept staring at me. Even after all this time after the first month flew by they still gawked and stared like nobodies business. I sighed and layed my head down on my desk as Professor Quirrell explained some spell that I could care less to pay attention to, I was still sorta tired after the trip. It was of course DADA with the third years. My desk partner was Jesse and in front of us was Adrian and Cassius. The desk to my left held some random Slytherin third year and Graham. Behind me held Fred, George, and Lee somewhere in the room. Today seemed to boring for everyone, and it didn't seem like it was going to get any better.
I sighed with relief as class came to a close and Professor Quirrell dismissed us and everyone practically dashed out of the classroom. "Geez, and to think that class couldn't get any more boring." I mumbled as I left with Cassius, Adrian, Graham, and Jesse.
"I'll say!" mumbled Cassius. The rest nodded in agreement.
"So, Raven," Adrian began. "We are still looking for a seeker-"
"Oh c'mon guys! You are holding Quidditch tryouts this afternoon, right?" I asked placing my index finger to the corner of my lips as I remembered. The Slytherin's sighed and gave up. I giggled and smiled at them.
"But if you need someone to help you make decisions I'd be more than happy to help!"
They smiled and gave a nod as we walked down the stairs of the Clock tower. "That's better than nothing I suppose." mumbled Graham. I gave out a small laugh and looped arms with Adrian and Jesse.
"But if it comes down to it, I'll be a back up!"
"So if we can't find any good players for one of the positions, you'll play?" asked Adrian.
"If it's alright with Marcus, then yes, I'll play. Promise!"
"Then that means you'll have to try out like the rest." said Jesse.
"Fine by me." I shrugged.
The Quidditch Pitch was buzzing with excitement as Slytherin's flied around the pitch practicing for try outs before it turned into a real game. I cheered on one side as the guys went to go change. I used my wand to call out my Firebolt and watched the game from the sky. Not long after I went to the sky, the guys came out in the Slytherin Quidditch uniform. Marcus whistled loudly and everyone flew back down to the ground. Everyone lined up side by side in a straight line as the current remaining team stood in front of us. Marcus Flint is the captain and one of the three chasers, Graham and Adrian being the other two, and the beaters were Jesse and Cassius. Which means only two positions were open, the keeper and the seeker. Even though I would be trying out to see what I could handle, I'd remain as back up for any position should anything happen to any player or to actually take on one of the two position should they not find a proper player. Despite me being from a different house, not wanting to play against my own house, and getting months worth of detention, I promised I'd take a position should they not find one, and I had a feeling they would make me a player either way.
Tryouts began with standard drills, Broomstick control, speed, agility, being able to think on your feet or would it be being able to think on your broom? No clue, I'd have to say I did okay, not really trying but even then I still manage to prove myself. Countless Slytherins tried out for seeker before it was my turn, and I'd have to say Terrence Higgs, a boy with brown hair, was really good! Only one that showed potential really, I looked towards the boys who gave me a determined look. I rolled my eyes and kicked off from the ground as the snitch flew past me. I could see it clear as day while others might see it as a gold blur, and with me owning one of the fastest brooms in the wizarding world I could catch the snitch in no time. I flew around the pitch following closely behind the snitch while dodging the dummies placed here and there and flying through the goal hoops and dodging random bludgers. You see during SLYTHRIN tryouts the team sets everything loose like I said you want to play on the team you got to be able to adjust to anything that happens on the field. I stretched out my arm and reached towards the snitch that was nearing closer. I lunged forward having one hand tightly holding onto my broom as I flew forward grabbing the snitch before dangling from my broom.
"Caught it!" I called down to the Slytherin's below. They cheered and applauded as my broom slowly ascended to the ground. I landed safely on my feet and handed the snitch to Marcus.
"That was easy." I sighed moving my right shoulder backwards stretching it out. I could feel the team smirk as they continued on to the next drill.
As the tryouts continued we came to the final person to try out for the keeper position. I already tried out for keeper manage to get four out of five shots, missing the fourth shot by "accidentally" missing it. I could of easily have made that block, but hey got to miss one and not make a perfect try out. But the more I stood there and watched the try outs pass on the more I thought how awesome I would look in green, I know, I know. Not the best thing to think about but hey I think it would be nice to play Quidditch. So why not take an opportunity now?
"You know," I said to the guys next to me. "I think i'll actually accept playing now." Just keeper though, less work for me is what I believe.
"Really?" they asked astounded.
"Sure, just keeper, nothing big. I think I'll look good in green." I replied with a laugh at the end. The team exchanged smiles and nodded, they knew they would get to me one way or another.
The tryouts came to a close and Flint took the stand with a sneer on his face. "Alright the results will be posted in the common room tomorrow."
I nodded with the rest of the Slytherin's who tried out, they left and I stayed waiting for the guys to change back into their school robes. I looked at the broom in my hand rethinking my decision but I mean what are they chances to get on the Gryffindor quidditch team when there weren't any open positions besides seeker, and Potter had that filled. Plus who'd want me on the team? So take the Slytherin's offer to join the team, hell I practically am a Slytherin. I spend more time with them then with my own house and my own house hates me, due to me. But hey, gotta do what ya gotta do. I remember wanting to join the Quidditch team last year, my first year at Hogwarts, but for Gryffindor and being able to play like my brothers did, but that was before I knew who I really was, who my real father was, and what my family really thought about me once they got the word. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were shocked and upset when I told them that they weren't my real parents and who my family really was, in fact they kind of avoided me for days. Bill and Charlie were still living with us then too. I was upset over something that day and right when Bill and Charlie walked in as I shouted at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about it. I think it was about going to visit Malfoy Manor for the Holidays.
"Why should I listen to you!" I shouted, not noticing Bill and Charlie walking in after bashing the tables about outside entertaining the rest of the family before taking a break. "You're not even my real family, you're just some people who took me in when I was a baby!"
"How do you know about that?" gasped Mrs. Weasley.
"How else would I know! I was told!" I yelled. "And what else are you lying about, huh! Did you know my father was..."
The memory faded just as I was about to say his name and continued onto the next.
"I don't want to spend holidays or anymore time with a bunch of liars!" I shouted shrinking my suit case and putting it in my pocket.
I pushed past a shocked Bill and Charlie and slamming the door shut behind me.
"Raven Avery Weasley! You get back here this instant!" yelled Mrs. Weasley.
"Molly, don't. Just let her cool off." Said Mr Weasley putting a hand on his wife's shoulder.
Bill and Charlie stared at my retreating back through the screen window.
"We'll go talk to her mum." they said before running after me catching me at the end of the Burrow.
"Raven!" they shouted.
"Go away!" I hissed jumping over the wooden gate and walking quickly down the road with a few tears slipping from my eyes.
I could hear them jumping over the gate and break into a mad dash just to catch up to me.
"Raven, please stop!" called Bill.
I didn't lessen my pace, nor quicken it and they eventually caught me. Bill and Charlie grabbed me by the arms and made me stop.
"What do you want!" I yelled keeping my head down.
"Look, Raven we wanted to ta-"
"There's nothing to talk about, now let me go!" I yelled struggling to get out of their grips.
"Raven, you need to calm down." said Charlie.
"I AM CALM!"
I kicked them in the shin making them let go. "Ow!" they yelled in pain hopping on one foot and rubbing the place I kicked.
"Don't touch me, don't ever touch me again!"
Bill glared at me and lunged at me, picking me up in order to keep me still. "Look we just wanted to talk!" said Charlie.
"Fine!" I hissed struggling in Bill's grip.
"Good." said Bill as he looked back at the Burrow and sat me down under a tree much to my dismay. Charlie sat across from me and to my right and Bill sat across and to my left.
The memory faded and another one took its place.
I smiled slightly as Bill and Charlie kissed my forehead and I waved good-bye walking down to the main road where I hid my broom to go to Malfoy Manor. They manage to talk me into returning home at the end of the school year, and they hoped I would return for Christmas. That year they celebrated without me, not even bothering to send an owl. I didn't care I enjoyed Christmas that year at the Malfoy's.
I sighed and made the flashbacks stop as the boys met me outside the Quidditch Pitch.
"Well who has a good shot at keeper and seeker?" I asked as we made our way back up to the castle.
"Well we were thinking, you as keeper, back up for seeker, and Higgs as Seeker." said Flint.
"Oh, and who is my back up?" I asked.
"I think we'll keep Bletchley around for back up."
"Great! Looks like we got a team then!" I cheered. "Lets go celebrate with a nice dinner."
"Then perhaps some fire whiskey in the common room?" suggested Adrian.
"This early in the year boys?" I asked with a small giggle. "Maybe we should wait until we win our first match."
"She's got a point, why have a celebration over tryouts when we can have a real celebration when we our first match." said Cassius.
"So a nice dinner sounds good." smirked Jesse.
"Yay!" I cheered. "After all that work, I'm hungry!"
We descended down the grand stair case, skipping over the trick step we made it to the great hall landing. I could smell the delectable dinner that awaited us. Entering the Great hall it was buzzing with excitement, Halloween was just two weeks away from Friday. That was when we had Halloween sweets lined from one end of the table to another, pumpkins floating in the air and Fred and George's Halloween pranks. Following Halloween would be the start of the Quidditch Season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Nasty shock for everyone when it comes time, and it seems Snape isn't bothered by it, then again he trusts me. Bit surprising right? I sat down in the middle of the Slytherin table and the group followed taking their own seats.
"How'd tryouts go?" asked Draco who sat next to me.
"Great, had me try out they did. Now I'm part of the team." I replied placing some mashed potatoes on my plate followed by delectable steak.
"You?" sneered Pansy. "You're a Gryffindor, you can't be on the Slytherin team!"
Jesse glared and sneered at her. "Shut it first year, Raven can be on our team if she wants."
"Yeah, a first year like you," said Graham motioning to her pug faced self. "has no say so in the matter. So why not turn back to your food, yeah?"
I smiled at her and nodded while cutting my steak and taking a bite.
"Know your place." Jesse added.
She looked at us with wide eyes but turned back to her food not looking up.
"So you excited for the Quidditch season?" Draco asked to me.
"Of course, I've always wanted to play, but I hate my house and vice versa. I can't wait to see McGonagall's face when she sees me out there!" I laughed.
"It's gonna be a great day." Adrian manage to get out with his mouth stuffed full of food.
"Oh seriously, Adrian, swallow your food before you speak." I ordered pointing my fork at him. "It's rude."
"Yeah and so is pointing a fork at my face." he shot back.
"Touche."
It was eerily silent before we started to break out laughing. I could hear Harry telling Ron about some package that was removed from Gringotts to Hogwarts before the school year started back up through all the laughter. Package? What package? The table quieted down and we continued to eat, I doing the same but listening to Harry and Ron's conversation. I know, I'm an eavesdropper, but in order to protect Ron from harm I got to make sure it isn't something dangerous.
"It's either really valuable or really dangerous." Ron said to Harry, then stuffed his face full of fried chicken.
"Or both." said Harry.
How strange, a package removed from Gringotts, one of the so called safest places in the wizarding world, to Hogwarts. So that explains the three-headed dog on the third floor. I continued to eat and laugh along with the Slytherin. Just then a thought came to me, I have a ton of homework to do! And some of it's due tomorrow.
"Shoot." I hissed under my breath finishing up what I had left on my plate.
"What's the rush?" asked Jesse as I hurriedly got up from my seat.
"Got a ton of homework I have to finish before tomorrow, I totally forgot about it!" I replied with a worried tone.
"See you guys later!" I called as I ran out of the great hall.
I took the portrait short cut of the Astronomer located on the dungeon level of the grand staircase which led to the seventh floor. I quickly walked down the stairs that led from the seventh floor landing to the Gryffindor common room entrance that held the Fat Lady as the portrait.
"Caput Draconis." I said to the portrait and it swung open. I apparated to the girl dormitories and searched around the area I slept for my book bag before apparating back down to the common room. I sat down in the corner of the room next to a window and began my homework.
The next following week was quiet and all my homework was finished for the week and half of what was due next week. Fred and George didn't bother me for that week and the only thing exciting that happened were the Quidditch practices for the upcoming game next month. I got a new set of robes, the Slytherin quidditch robes and man did they feel amazing... and very warm. Great for a day like today. It was coming down to the last week of October and it was getting very cold already. Hard to believe schools been in for almost two months since school was started and yet a lot has happened since the first day and it was just about to get more interesting. It was Wednesday and owls flooded into the Great Hall as usual, but today something interesting came in the mail. Not for me, oh no, but for Harry. It caught everyone's attention once it came in, a long, thin package was carried in by six large screech owls and was dropped right in front of Harry. The six screech owls cleared off and another one swooped down and dropped a letter right on top of it. I shifted a bit over to the left and got a clear look at the package. It was a Broomstick, you could tell by how it was shaped. I watched Harry open the package and handed the note to Ron. "A Nimbus two thousand!" Ron moaned enviously. "I've never even touched one."
Harry and Ron quickly got up and exited the hall quickly, probably going to unwrap the broomstick in private before classes start. Who sent the broom though? His muggle family knows nothing of magic, and he had no relatives with magical ability. Well except for his godfather. Yeah, I knew about his godfather, more than the ministry knows, that's for sure. Not long after Ron and Harry left Draco and his goons Crabbe and Goyle came in. Draco came in looking mad and followed by him Professor Flitwick, who walked to the Teachers table. Draco sat down not to far from me and sneered.
"What happened this time?" I asked.
"Potter got a new broom, received it from Professor McGonagall." he replied, obviously annoyed.
"Figures." I scoffed. "Oh well." I sighed going back to eating. I prefer my firebolt to that little thing.
That night I ended dinner a little early and went upstairs to study in the common room, hoping to not be disturbed for a while. Shame it was cut short though, two idiotic boys came running in and up to the boys dormitory. I noticed a flash of red and black as they passed and followed them up to the first year dormitory. I opened the door and looked inside, seeing that Potters side of the room was a mess from opening up the package.
"Oh honestly!" I yelled walking in and picking up some of the stray wrapping paper and placing it on Harry's bed, scaring the two boys. "Learn to keep the room clean!" I caught sight of the broom and smiled.
"Nimbus two thousand huh? It's good for a first year like yourself." I said giving it a good look over.
"Isn't it amazing, Raven?" asked Ron who looked almost as happy as Harry, but this being his first broom Harry was way more happier and not only that he had Quidditch to look forward to.
"Sure, but I prefer my firebolt." I replied with a shrug. "Just be careful with your lessons tonight Harry." I called as I left the dormitory and went back down to the common room to finish my studies.
That night I snuck onto the Quidditch field and watched Potter practice, to see if he was actually any good. Oliver Wood, current Quidditch Captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team was teaching Harry basics till night fall, only testing him with golf balls and throwing them as hard as he could towards Harry. Harry manage to catch every single one and I was surprised, but then again I wasn't so surprised. Harry's father James was a great seeker from what I was told. One of the best back in his year. As the sky turned pitch back I stood up quietly and left the pitch before Harry or Wood knew I was there.