Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone

Chapter 5

Tryouts

It had been three weeks since their first flying lesson, and they only went to the second and third before Madam Hooch had got annoyed with those who can fly playing all day while she was teaching and band them from attending any more lessons. Harry was a little disappointed because he couldn't get any more practice on a broom, though he was please he when he gets a brand new broom it won't fight him as if it's an old mans back he's flying on.

Lessons were only getting slightly more difficult with history and defence being the worse. Professor Quirrell just seemed off somehow, and Harry felt his stutter was being laid on a bit thick for a man who supposedly thought vampires to fear kids, though maybe not. He just found the man made an interesting subject boring, which in its self shows some talent.

Potions were a lot better since his first lesson, Snape was doing something that other houses, and Nero included found odd. He was actually giving points to Nero house, though they did deserve it by not talking back in class and working as hard as they could, though Snape never gave them more than five points each, a points a point. He had noticed that Nero house was actually starting to fight back and found he respected their nerve to go against all four houses solo just as Slytherin has too.

Sure, Slytherin and Nero Houses could team up, but then that would just be screwing up everybody's belief system and nobody wants that because nobody would have a clue what is what and who they can like or hate. It was just be too confusing for everybody involved, though it did not mean that they couldn't have the occasional alliance if the need ever arises with one side out numbered by those pesky Gryffindor's who for 'good guys' start more fights than the 'bad guys'.

It was tryout day today and Ginny and Harry were walking towards the quidditch pitch just after potions with two of the best school brooms in hand, though even the best is lame.

"Hey wait up!" called Fred suddenly.

The two stopped and turned to them, both carrying their own Cleansweep brooms. The twins stopped by them panting for breath.

"We thought you two were trying out," said George with a grin. "That annoying Granger girl keeps winging about Harry being better at nearly everything than her, flying being the largest gap between you. That you're a natural even, just like our Ginny."

"So, we want to offer our brooms up for loan so you'll both get on the team," added Fred eagerly. "And win the Foxes the quidditch cup."

"And why would you want that?" asked Harry suspiciously.

"Yeah, wouldn't you want Gryffindor to win the cup?" asked Ginny just as suspiciously.

"Maybe," agreed George. "But Neville's good and all, but if Harry is better than you little sister then that makes him better than Neville, and that Granger girl said he is, and she's hardly ever wrong."

"Indeed," nodded Fred. "Even we notice cleaver students, especially in our house, and we don't want Slytherin to win again like last year, they are getting insufferable. And we heard a rumour that Draco Malfoy has bought his way onto the Slytherin team as their new seeker and he's not bad."

"And a team of Nimbus two thousands is not something to scorn at," added George angrily.

"How the hell did you find out this anyway?" asked Harry interestedly.

"We'll tell you someday I'm sure," said Fred smirking as he and his brother swopped brooms with Harry and Ginny. "So do you think you could get us some burgers and fries later?"

"Um, sure," agreed Ginny liking the buzz of her brothers broom much better than the school one.

They then turned back towards the pitch and the four walked and talked about quidditch, and the twins explained a few seeker moves he could try against Malfoy, two of them very dangerous, but then quidditch is a dangerous sport.

It did not take them to long to meet up with the team and other hopefuls, which was not many. Fred and George went and sat up in the stands, though Emily objected to them watching since they beat for Gryffindor, but Harry and Ginny reassured her they will not tell them anything, and Harry and Ginny have a high respect status with their kin because of both their talent and the points they achieve in most classes.

Emily then went on to introduce the rest of the team, the second chaser, Kelly Bowen, the keeper, Mark Tuffy, and the beaters who both claim to be lame, and the other teammates agreed with them, Jeff Henderson, and Gary Baggins. The team seemed ok, but it needed to be great in Harry's opinion, not that he's played before.

"Ok, lets have the seekers over here," said Emily as she pulled out a small golden ball and led them a little way from the others. Harry counted the other seekers and found there're eight of them, all a few years older than him. "Ok," she smiled as she let the snitch go. They watched it for a moment before it zoomed out of sight. "Try to keep out of the chasers way, and who ever catches the snitch is our new seeker, bye." She just walked back to the others.

Harry and the other eight just stared at each other for a moment before mounting their brooms and rocketing into the air. Harry being both fastest and most stable, as he searched for a glint of gold and kept the others in his line of sight.

In the stands, Professor Remus Lupin sat watching the seekers with Fred and George Weasley. Harry was just gliding gently as if he has no care in the world while the others kept close to him. He appeared to be the only one fully looking for his target while the others who have heard of his skill in the air were keeping close hoping to steal victory.

Remus really doubted they could beat him from what he heard about Harry from Madam Hooch.

Suddenly Harry darted towards the ground at a slight angle, and the others followed, but he let them keep up for a short while before speeding ahead, and they too picked up speed even if they didn't realise or want to. They were just watching Harry and attempting to pass when he suddenly pulled up and Remus and the twins winced as all eight hit dirt and weren't getting up anytime soon.

Harry rocketed back into the sky as several people went to check on the fallen seekers. Remus could barely believe all eight of them feel for an average faint. That was just pathetic, it was just lucky Harry was here to get rid of them from the match.

"That was pretty awesome," said Fred as they watched the fallen, levitated off the pitch and probably to the hospital wing.

"Indeed, it appears we'll have a better chance of winning this year," agreed Remus with a smirk. "But if we could loose the beaters, and have you two instead, we could even win the Cup."

"But not until Dinner, Professor," commented George with a smug grin.

Then they saw it Harry blasted across the pitch, reach out and plucked it out of the sky in seconds with a huge grin, he raised his stitch hand in victory as he flew down to Emily. When he landed, she grinned at him, and almost hugged him to death.

"Excellent!" she cried out in joy. "I actually have not just a competent seeker, but a brilliant seeker!" she finished as she let him go wiping tears from her eyes.

"Thanks, so has Ginny been yet?" he asked eagerly. "How has she done?"

"Yes, I had her go first since she's a good flyer," she agreed with a grin. "It looks like she's in too, scored nine out of ten, and nobody else has come close."

Harry searched out Ginny after and watched the rest of the tryouts with her. After the last had taken their turn, Emily announced that Harry was the new seeker, and Ginny the new chaser, which got a lot of cheers from those who had watched before they went off to shower and celebrate at dinner in the Great Hall.

**

Harry and Ginny were sitting at the Nero House table and it was about half past six yet no food appeared yet, and it was not just their table but all tables. They were worried something might have happened to the house elves but the teachers did not look worried at all so it eased theirs a little but they were still hungry.

Then Professor McGonagall came walking in carrying the sorting hat with a look of both annoyance and pleased. It was a strange look, and the only reason she would have the sorting hat for would be a sorting, and they wondered who the new student might be and why they are so late.

Dumbledore them stood and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention, so everyone quietened and looked his way.

"I'm afraid today we are resorting two students," he began getting surprised gasps but he just smiled. "Two students have been asked to be resorted, which I might add I don't intend to let happen again, but these are… special circumstances, as these two students may not actually belong in the house they are in, and this is a one time deal experiment to see whether the sorting hall will rectify this or return them to their house. So could Mr. Fred and Mr. George Weasley please step up and try on the hat."

The hall was speechlessly quiet as the twins stood up and walked over to McGonagall. She placed the hat on Fred's head first and it only stayed for a few seconds when it called out.

"NERO!"

The hall took an intake of breath in surprise, but they knew how cunning they could be. McGonagall took the hat back as Fred moved aside and awaited his brother as the hat was too placed upon his noggin, and seconds later.

"NERO!"

McGonagall took the hat back with a tight smile and a shake of her head before just walking straight passed them and out of the hall. Harry and Ginny then started applauding, soon followed by the rest of the house as the twins came over looking smug and sitting either side of Harry and Ginny with the rest of the quidditch team.

"Awesome!" declared Harry. "You're just a pair of schemers aren't you," he chuckled as their Gryffindor coat of arms just changed to Nero. He again wondered how the school does it.

"We are Nero's," they agreed in unison.

Dumbledore waiting a moment for the applause to die down before speaking.

"Now that we're finished, I believe we're all hungry," he clapped once and the food appeared before he sat down.

Everyone began digging in with vigour and talking about the weird resorting amongst them selves.

"Awesome," said Jeff. "You two can take our beater places," he added gesturing him self and Gary, Gary nodded his consent.

"Well only if the captain agrees," nodded Fred looking over at Emily.

"Of course I bloody agree," she accepted. "Sure they're kin but they don't even want to play, and a chance to win the Quidditch Cup can't be missed, and now Gryffindor is down two beaters."

"Yeah I just hope our friends can forgive us," said George. "Its just we've always regretted begging the hat not to put us here just because we were young and stupid wanting to please our mother, when she finds out we're most likely getting a howler."

"She's already sent letters to us about how disappointed she is Ginny's a Nero," continued Fred. "But we just ignored them, though Ron's just makes him angrier, but I actually think he's afraid of Harry. He's actually been conspiring with Hermione coz she's jealous of his talent and hard work. She doesn't like being second best to anyone, and hates even more when she draws with Ginny."

"Yeah, why don't you two ask McGonagall to keep your class standings confidential?" asked George curiously.

"Because Hermione amuses us, and does worse because of it," said Ginny and everyone laughed. "She has to learn her lesson that sometimes people are better or just as good. Nobody whinges and cries over her being better than them, or accuses her of cheating like she did Harry just because he answered Snape's question, which were all in school books we had been scanning through for such questions."

"That girl is pathetic," said Jamie from across them. "I saw her in the library yesterday looking crazy as she was reading this huge book like her life depended on it.

"And I've seen her in the corridors," added Mathew who sat next to her. "She was muttering to her self about muggle ways you could be cheating to fool everybody."

"Maybe she should be in Slytherin," suggested Emily amusedly. "She'll be delving into damaged magic's if she doesn't get a clue, and face facts just because the books on our house say we're all losers it doesn't mean its true. She's a freaking muggleborn, and she's acting like most purebloods about us."

"She takes books and authority figures at face value," added George. "To her what they say is word of god."

"Yeah, I think I should bring up Hermione's odd behaviour with McGonagall," agreed Harry with a sigh. "And have my status kept secret, but that might make Hermione worse, and think I'm mocking her. She's troublesome but weak magically, and never tries any variation from the written word."

"I think that might be best, Harry," agreed Kelly with a sweet smile. "She may not be much of a threat magically but she's smart, and could help others get you with their power."

"Indeed," agreed Fred. "We need you to catch that snitch."

"Ok, ok, I'll go and speak to McGonagall after dinner," he answered with a sigh as they continued with dinner and let the conversation drop to less annoying topics of complete rubbish and jokes.

**

Dinner had been over for a short while and Harry was alone having just knocked on McGonagall's office door, she called him in, and he closed the door behind him and smiled at the stern professor as she sat behind her desk.

"Good evening Mr. Potter," she greeted with a nod. "I believe congratulations are in order for making your house quidditch team."

"Thank you, professor," he replied with a smile.

"Well I doubt you came here to talk quidditch, so how can I help you?"

"Well I'm concerned about one of your students, ma'am," he answered bravely.

"Mr. Weasley?" she asked reasonably.

"Well yeah sure he can be a problem but I'm not worried about him," he agreed and disagreed. "No I'm talking about Hermione Granger and her sick obsession with how she should be better than me in classes because I'm a Fox and she's not." He paused here and McGonagall nodded for him to continue. "After our first potions lesson, a lesson where I answered Professor Snape's, 'I'm gonna get you questions' correctly she confronted me and told me you let her know our years students standings, said I'm top of the year in all but history.

"And then, surrounded by a large group of my kin I might add, stupid in it self since none of hers was around, she accused me of cheating, because I a lowly Nero couldn't possibly beat her in academics. She had even admitted that she could have accepted it if I was a Ravenclaw, but not because I'm a Fox. If I wasn't such a nice guy and just told her off, and let her flee crying my kin might have hexed her, and I even sent a few of the girls after her to make sure she was alright, and to explain her misconceptions.

"However, what they said seems to have gone in one ear and out of the other, as she has this crazy idea that books are all factual, and there word is god. Then during flying lessons, she mocked me because I was unaware that we could fly without brooms, and thanked her for telling me, but that just made her angry that I wasn't bothered by her cheep shot. And then she just kept glaring jealously at me because I understand my magic so well I could fly nearly straight away.

"She has since gotten worse, glaring at me, and hissing cheat and the likes. And now she spends a lot of time in the library reading god knows what like a psycho and walking around the castle muttering about how I'm a cheat and that she'll get me. And just today, the twins informed me she's been conspiring with Ronald Weasley.

"Now I'm not exactly afraid of her, but her obsession is seriously disturbing, and I'm afraid she'll help other, less intelligent members of your house hurt my kin. And we won't stand for that kind of behaviour against us. We will fight back, but we would rather avoid getting hurt by fools who have some kind of grudge. We're not even sure what it is; at least with the Slytherin's we know why they don't like us. I have also informed Professor Lupin of this, and he expects to speak with you soon about it."

Harry finished as he looked at McGonagall; she looked grave and older than she has in a long time. She had feared this kind of situation for a while now. Since Harry came to Hogwarts with Ginny and they both became Foxes, she saw they were both special, two students built to be great, and they were pushing Nero House out of the shadows of oppression, and helping them regain their strength, two very special children, and her house doesn't like a rival that could be a greater good than them.

However, her house causing all of this conflict is weakening their stance, and with Slytherin one side, and Nero the other Gryffindor may fall since Slytherin, Nero conflicts were always fairly low because they had Gryffindor's to worry about, but now those conflicts are near nonexistent. The other two houses mostly stay neutral, and with Nero's House, unity and their kinship they believe in, their entire house will fight to gain dominance of the school as one controlled structure.

How she wished her house acted more like Nero, but alas they are too reckless and foolish to think about what they are doing; and the consequences of their actions. She took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly before looking at Harry as he awaited her reply.

"Very well Mr. Potter," she began. "Thank you for coming to me in attempt to prevent this from running out of control. I shall try my hardest to prohibit this from becoming a problem to your house."

Harry nodded his thanks with a grateful smile.

"Thanks, I know I'm above average in the brain department, so I also know that if Gryffindor start something above what they do now, they do not hold out much hope of staying on top as they tend to do. But myself and my housemates are more worried about our friends and loved ones getting hurt than taking this opportunity to take their position. It is a better solution to prevent rather than engage."

Harry then gave a short bow of respect, turned and exited her office. She just sat back in her chair feeling sick, and wanting for the first time in many years to cry. Why did her house have to be causing such a huge fuss over two students from another house who just wants to do well, have fun and be left alone?

To Be Continued…

A\N: I wasn't sure how to write a lot of this chapter and I just hope it was ok, such as the twins resorting, I let it just breeze by but it needed to be done because without them what I want for my story cant happen. Thank you and please review. Harry's taking a harder line on the stupid Gryffindor's now, I hope you like.