I Don't Want to be a Hero - Second Year
Chapter eleven
Quidditch Tryouts - 19 Sept 1992
It was a Sunday, and the weather was cool but the sun shone warmly over the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch and stands. Harry was in a uniform that he had borrowed from the new captain of the Gryffindor team, Katie Bell. She had sized it for him, and it was snug where it should be, and loose where it should be.
Harry stood with nearly a hundred other students that all wanted to try out for their teams. The field as they waited was abuzz with conversation and resplendent with all the House colours.
Hufflepuff tryouts were first and their team, and the first practise team flew up into the air to begin.
"Hey, Harry!" said Draco who was beside Harry on the ground. Harry was avidly watching while Draco was sizing up his competition. "There's your dad!"
Professor Snape strode over to his son. When he reached him he squeezed his shoulder; a gesture Harry had learned was the closest his father could permit himself to show affection in public. He was alright with it; he was growing up after all.
"Hi, dad!" Harry turned to face his father. "Look at everyone! I think everyone not on the Gryffindor team is trying out."
"I'm not!" piped up Hermione beside Draco. Harry smiled. Draco grabbed her hand briefly, and then let go. He, too, smiled.
"Except Hermione," amended Harry.
"Smart girl," Severus nodded to Hermione and she bobbed her head in return. "Tis a dangerous sport." He glowered down at both Harry and Draco. "Are you both determined to go through with this… trial?"
"Yes!" Draco answered immediately. "I want to be Seeker, sir."
"I just want to fly, but Seeker would be neat. I'm good at finding the Snitch," replied Harry a little slower.
"These ought to help, then," Professor Snape held out two tiny brooms. With a silent, wandless spell the brooms expanded to full size. Both Harry and Draco cheered; Severus bestowed upon them the brooms that Lucius had bought for them over the Summer. Severus then glanced around, "Where is Mr. Weasley? I have brought his as well."
Professor Snape knew of the falling out the Quartet had had but he had hoped that by now they would have all worked the trouble out.
Harry sighed heavily, "Not only has Ron not apologised he's gotten together with another group of boys in Gryffindor that feel the same way as he does. Fred and George are really upset by it."
Professor Snape frowned, and then it darkened as an old memory swept over him, "Marauders."
Draco nodded. Harry replied, "That's what they're calling themselves."
"Then he does not deserve any advantage," muttered Severus. He gripped both boys' shoulders, squeezed, and added a pat on the back. "Do well. I shall be with the students of Slytherin House but I shall be expecting the best of you both."
"Thanks, dad," smiled Harry.
"Thank you… Uncle Severus," Draco smiled, then gave his departing Head of House a narrow bow.
After the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tryouts it was time for Gryffindor.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team flew into the air to be followed by the practise team of those who were trying out. Professor Snape was at the forefront of Slytherin House, and his dark gaze was riveted to his son.
Harry was all smiles until the Snitch was released, and then he was grim determination as he flew about dodging the blodger, and once in awhile kicking out his foot to keep the opposing team's quaffle from going through the goal.
Below on the field Draco had raised a small group to cheer on Harry. They were mostly Slytherins but Hermione had gotten the Parvati twins in their group, and they all shouted encouragement. Soon a few Hufflepuffs had joined in while other players were equally cheered. Ravenclaw students were last but their enthusiasm for everyone above them on the Quidditch practise team was just as loud and encouraging as everyone else's.
A wild cheer rose as Harry finally caught the Snitch and ended the game. Professor Snape sighed a silent sigh of relief as he watched his son spiralling triumphantly down to the pitch.
Harry's win was a short one as the Gryffindor Quidditch team left the sky and was replaced with the Slytherin Quidditch team. Draco then followed his practise team up into the clear sky, and Professor Snape was holding his breath.
Near Professor Snape was Lucius Malfoy and he, too, was holding his breath as he watched his son fly, flip, dip, and dive through the sky on his broom.
"Sweet Merlin," cursed Lucius under his breath. "How do you stand this, Severus?"
Severus glanced over at his friend. "You are asking me? I have been a parent for less than a year. You have 12.3 years on me in regards to experiences, Lucius."
Lucius grinned at him darkly, "Oh yes, my friend, you have the delightful teenage years to look forward to."
"Do not smirk, Lucius, you will soon be changing nappies again," snarled Severus.
"Oh bollocks!" cried Lucius as Draco dipped dangerously low in the air in his hunt for the Snitch. "Do that again, Dragon, and I shall blister you!" Professor Snape smirked at his colleague's distress. Of course, he would never let on that he would likely hold down his reckless godson for Lucius.
Gryffindor House like the other Houses was all in celebration after the tryouts. Missing positions were filled, reserves were appointed, and those who did not qualify were bolstered by kind words and hugs and assurances that there was always next year.
Harry had been offered the coveted position of Seeker but he had not, yet, accepted. He loved flying but he had never been anywhere near a competitive sport except those in Primary school, and those teams had even shunned his cousin Dudley.
In the midst of the celebrations Ginny Weasley took him aside, and handed him a letter. "Harry," she said over the din, "a big, black owl brought this for you. I hope it's only good news."
"Thank you, Ginny," as he glanced at the sealed letter Ginny took her opportunity and quickly kissed his cheek. Harry just walked away, his hand absently wiping away the stolen kiss.
Finding a corner somewhat free of the dancing that had broken out, Harry broke the seal, and opened the letter. He smiled at the familiar spiky, precise penmanship.
Harry,
My heart was in my throat as I watched you play today, and although part of me wanted to fly after you to take you out of the sky I know I cannot protect you from everything. Every witch and wizard that loves to fly wants to play Quidditch, and you should know that I would be proud to watch my son play.
Love,
Your Father
Postscript: Do not forget that your friend Hermione's birthday will be celebrated this evening. I understand that Draco has arranged a surprise.
Harry's heart swelled with the knowledge that his father was proud of him, and would be there to cheer him on at games. Folding the letter he then stood, and went through the crowd to find Katie Bell. As soon as he did he let her know he was accepting the position she had offered of Seeker. He could not wait to tell his father!
A roar of cheers, and a new dance celebrated Harry's acceptance, and a bottle of butterbeer was shoved into his hands. He grinned, and drank.
At nine o'clock, an hour before curfew, Hermione caught Harry, and dragged him out of Gryffindor tower.
"I got a note from Draco saying to meet him up on the Astronomy tower," said Hermione excitedly.
Harry's feet were dragging as he tried to slow Hermione down. "I don't think I like butterbeer."
Hermione stopped, and studied Harry critically. "Are you drunk? Off butterbeer?"
"I don't know," he grimaced. "I feel like I was attacked by a bunch of butterscotch, and I'm woozy. Why were we running?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Butterbeer has only a little bit of alcohol in it, Harry. You can't be drunk." Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs. "Come on, Draco said something would happen at 9:15 and we're not to be late."
Harry trudged up the long, winding staircase after Hermione and hoped that whatever the something was that it would be quiet. Finally they arrived at the top of the tower and stepped onto the wood floor that would part when the students were attending class below and needed to look through a variety of telescopes to view the constellations.
"I don't see Draco anywhere," commented Hermione as she looked around the bare rooftop area. Harry glanced but then he walked over to one of the open arches to feel the cool breeze on his face. After all that butterbeer the breeze drifting over his features felt like Heaven.
And, then the sky exploded!
Harry dropped to the ground and Hermione let out an excited squeal. As Harry peered through his fingers he could see the dark sky being lit up by a colourful profusion of fireworks. With every firework pinwheel it was accompanied by a huge, thunderous bang. More voices below joined in with oohs, ahhs, and lots of clapping.
The pinwheels changed to delicate fairies of fire that pranced across the sky. Behind each fairy was a trail of colour that twisted and writhed until all of the tendrils met in the center then bloomed outward.
Giant, sparkly letters lit the sky that read: Happy 13th Birthday Hermione!
Shouts below came from hundreds of students and staff that were watching the spectacle. They all cried out in various voices a happy birthday to Hermione. No one knew that the Weasley Twins, behind all the fireworks, had also made it possible with a few spells, and some help from a certain Potions Master, for all in Slytherin not to miss the show.
"Happy birthday, Hermione!" shouted Draco with jubilation.
Hermione turned around to see Draco behind her. Harry, now on his feet, wondered where his friend had been hiding.
"Do you like it?" grinned Draco. He yelped in surprise as Hermione hugged him, and then kissed his cheek. He chuckled when she pulled away. "I guess you do."
"It's amazing, Draco," she burbled. "How did you do it?"
"Fred and George Weasley did all the fireworks. Let's go down to Professor Snape's quarters," he urged. "We have to get in there before curfew."
Professor Snape eyed the little feast laid out across a sideboard he had conjured. The cake would arrive after the meal. He was tapping his chin in thought when Lucius, who had arrived a moment ago, decided to comment on.
"Ah, the Potions Master has become so domesticated," smirked Lucius.
Severus turned to glare at the older man, "I have a son. That does not 'domesticate' me." He was suddenly caught by that persistent dry cough. It calmed after several coughs, and Severus reached into a pocket of his jacket, withdrew a potion, and drank a measure.
"And you say that as if it is an evil thing, Severus." Lucius sipped at the brandy he had been served by his host. He eyed his friend critically but said nothing; it was clear Severus did not wish his spate of coughing to be mentioned.
Severus frowned at Lucius, and went back to studying the small buffet. He abruptly turned to Lucius, "What are you doing here, Lucius, besides drinking my brandy?"
"Narcissa decided this evening that the cottage I have rented for term is too small, and hence, she kicked me out," Lucius laughed wryly but he would not stay long. He was certain Narcissa would want him back home, soon.
"After five months Narcissa is still moody?" asked Severus genuinely puzzled. He recalled when Narcissa was pregnant with Draco; her only difficulty had been an unusually long period of morning sickness.
Lucius finished his brandy, then nodded. "I should have known there would be trouble when the morning sickness only lasted a few weeks. Narcissa's moods may kill me before our child is born. By the by, my friend, it is unfortunately only four months. Barely. Conception was the beginning of June."
Severus smirked, and smiled wryly; glad he was not the one with a pregnant wife. It was enough to have a teenager.
A quick, polite knock upon his door alerted Severus to his visitors. He strode over to it, opened the door, and was greeted by Hermione, Draco, and Harry. Severus noted that Harry was not walking with perfect balance, and his eyes had that 'butterbeer glaze'.
"Harry, you have been drinking," Severus declared with his arms crossed over his chest.
Harry glanced up at his father. "It was only butterbeer!" he defended himself.
"Admittedly, the alcohol content is extremely low, but had you bothered to read what is and is not allowed upon school grounds you, my errant son, would have known that butterbeer is not allowed," elucidated Severus.
Lucius snorted softly, "I recall a few celebrations where firewhiskey was the inebriation of choice when I was a student."
"Well, give the entire Gryffindor House detention, dad! Everyone was drinking it!" said Harry hotly his arms flying akimbo.
Severus uncrossed his arms as he Summoned a potion for his son. He handed it to Harry. "Drink," he ordered.
"What is it?" asked Harry suspiciously.
Severus was pleased that his son would not drink a potion without knowing what it was. "Hangover Potion." Harry downed the potion. "So, if everyone in your House was drinking something that should not be on school grounds, are you telling me that it is all right for you to indulge, Harry Potter Snape?"
Harry gulped. His full name. Uh-oh. That meant trouble. "Uhm… no… but er… like you said, dad, I didn't know it was wrong." Harry smiled at his bit of logic until he noticed that no one was smiling. Except for Lucius who appeared to be snickering to himself.
Severus glowered at Harry, "Just because you did not know of something does not make it permissible, Harry. 'There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.'"
"Oh dear," sighed Lucius dramatically, "Severus is begun quoting. May we have cake before we hear an admonishment from Shakespeare?"
Severus shook his head, "And thus speaketh 'thou errant beef-witted flap-dragon!'" He turned to Hermione. "Happy birthday, Miss Granger." He opened his arm to show the small buffet. "I am told that the Hogwarts elves have fixed all of your favourites."
Hermione gave the professor a gracious curtsey. "Thank you, sir."
Lucius rose from his chair to lead the way to the birthday feast. "I am hungry. Join me lady and gentlemen?"
Just before Harry was about to load his plate with food for the evening his father caught him by the collar of his robe. "Have you something of import to tell me, Harry?"
For a moment Harry was puzzled. He was sure his father knew everything, including about the butterbeer. Then his face brightened. "Oh yes! Katie Bell offered me the position of Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team!"
"Ah," nodded Severus as he nudged Harry to continue selecting his meal. "If your grades fall, though, my son, your time playing Quidditch is ended. Is that understood?"
Harry sighed sadly. "I do, dad, and my studies won't suffer. I promise. Hermione will keep me in line." It was going to be tough having a teacher for a parent. He sat down at the small table his father had conjured just for him, Hermione, and Draco.
"Miss Granger is not your tutor she is…"
Harry gently interrupted, "Dad? Aren't you happy for me?"
Severus, who was opposite Harry walked over to him, and lay his hand upon his head. He smiled briefly, "Elated."
Harry beamed, and stuck a fork into his bacon bits mashed potatoes. All was right with the world.
a/n: Quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the insult is by Shakespeare.
A note on butterbeer & alcohol content - butterbeer is very light on alcohol content, and if drunk warm the alcohol dissipates as a vapour. Thus, it is considered safe for teens to drink. However, some people are sensitive to alcohol and Harry's butterbeer was chilled. He, therefore, got drunk off his butterbeer.