Father,
I just wanted to write to tell you that tryouts for the Slytherin House Quidditch team are this weekend. I will admit to exhilaration, but secretly, I feel rather nervous. If I don't make the team this year, I probably won't make it at all. You remember Donahue, the promising seeker from the ten and under leagues? He's three years older than me, you recall. Well, the year the Ravenclaws went to look for a new seeker, he was ill. The next year, the Ravenclaw seeker position was simply not open for trials. The captain felt that the team worked best with the current seeker. All this meant that when Falmouth Falcons came to Hogwarts, he wasn't scouted, and the idiot Hufflepuff Chaser (some sixth year) was recruited for the Falmouth minor league team instead of him.
This whole rambling letter is to express my dissatisfaction with the Quidditch system here at school. Part of the reason I was so keen to go to Durmstrang was the fact that there are no "house teams" but rather intramural teams, where students can recruit their own teams, and as long as you have all seven players, a team can be formed. Not only does this lead to more Quidditch games (a definite plus!) but also gives a chance for less experienced players to grow their skills, which fosters a friendly environment surrounding the game, rather than the much harsher tones here.
Please tell Mother that I miss her. I really appreciated the pie she sent last week. She told me that part of the secret was to sprinkle vodka in the dough instead of water—that's something I never would have thought of! Anyways, I send you both my love, and I'll be sure to send you a parchment as soon as I find out what happens with the Quidditch trials.
Sincerely,
Draco
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Draco stretched his aching hand. Once he'd begun the letter, he'd found it difficult to stop. Draco was overly emotional these days, a fact that was really bothering him. He knew that this change in him was partly due to being overwhelmed with both his and Daphne's emotions, but part of it came from Harry Potter. Draco felt terrible for the way things were left after the Creevy (for he later found out that that was the first year's name) Catastrophe, as Daphne liked to call it. Pushing his Harry Potter emotions aside just left Draco cranky and irritable, a fact which was not lost on his friends. Fortunately, Daphne helped him to convince his "less than close friends" (anyone other than Blaise and Daphne herself) that these seeming mood swings were due to the upcoming Quidditch trials.
Another issue facing Draco was Pansy Parkinson. For some reason, the silly girl had gotten it into her head that Draco somehow enjoyed conversing with her. She pestered him all the time about the most inane subjects. The worst thing about Pansy (to Draco) was her peculiar smell. Pansy not only looked like a pug; she smelled like one. Draco suspected that she knew that she smelled like dog, which explained her overpowering perfume. The sickening combination of perfume, dog, and Pansy's admittedly dull conversation skills left Draco running the other way when Pansy approached.
Draco glanced around the library. It was nearing curfew, and nearly everyone had gone to bed. The Weasel girl was in the corner of the library, scribbling furiously in a tatty diary. Draco filed the information away for later, when he could figure out a way to use that information to make the young Weasel cry. Draco knew that most outsiders would see the Malfoy Weasley feud as being rather petty, but that was simply because after the Weasley family's betrayal of the trust of the Malfoy family, the Weasleys sucked up to the "light" families. There had always been certain families that were associated with "good" and certain families associated with "power" (or so Draco's father taught…a less—ehem—powerful family might call the two sides "good" and "evil") Because the Weasleys left the side of power to toady to the likes of the Diggorys and the Longbottoms, they ensured their family would seem to be the "victims" of the Malfoy family. However, the true nature of the feud was taught to each and every Malfoy and Weasley child. The Malfoys passed on the story for self defense—so that no future Malfoy would be so duped again. The Weasleys were taught the story for the opposite reason—they hoped and prayed that they would be able to befriend a young rich magical person, so that they might again leach off of them.
Draco saw that the Weasel girl had a glazed look in her eye the girl weasel isn't all there in the head, is she? He mentally asked Daphne, much to her amusement. As Draco left the library, he felt a chill on the back of his neck. He glanced around the library. He could swear someone was looking at him, but there was no one to be seen. Draco continued along the corridor, the feeling of unease not abating until he broke into a semi-trot towards Snape's room (whoever was watching him, he didn't want them to know where the Slytherin common room was…)
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"Wake up!"
Long pause, in which Draco rolled over, but gave no reply
"Wake UP!"
Muffled groan from Draco
"WAKE UP!"
Draco pulled the covers over his head, only to have them yanked down as Daphne said—
"Dray, I'm really sorry to do this but your mom said if you wouldn't get up to use…Lumos Totalus!"
A shriek of agony came from the bed.
"Okay! Okay! Stop the torture you madwoman! I'm awake!" Draco glared at Daphne who grinned happily, pleased that she'd managed the spell on her first try. "Those sunglasses are too big for your face; you look like a bug!" Daphne simply laughed, too lighthearted to be upset by anything Draco said. Draco pushed away the covers and stood, not embarrassed by the fact that Daphne was seeing him in only his boxers. She was his sister…what's the big deal? As he made his way to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth, Draco suddenly realized why Daphne had woken him up. "Quidditch today?" He asked, panicking.
"Indeed," said Daphne calmly, pulling his flying gear out of his trunk. She pulled out Draco's old Meteor 780X (which was the racing broom du jour until the Nimbus was unveiled) and laid it on his bedcovers, which she had straightened with a flick of her wand as soon as he got out of bed. Draco's pads she arranged on the foot of the bed. Daphne dug in Draco's trunk for a second before she pulled out two sets of Quidditch robes. "Plain grey ones, or your most recent team robes? The grey ones are rather boring, but it would look well with your eyes. On the other hand—" Daphne's considerations of the Quidditch robes were cut short by Draco's exclamation of "Pick One!"
Draco stared in the mirror, silently giving himself a pep-talk. It wouldn't do to appear anything less than confident at the breakfast table, so Draco had to rid himself of any jitters before leaving the dorm. He would never admit it, but he was immensely grateful that Daphne was there to help him get ready for the trials. Draco felt a rush of love from Daphne. You silly boy, making yourself sick over this! You know you'll do well, and you'll be the youngest Slytherin seeker ever! Draco brightened—it was true, it was unusual for a young seeker to make the team, in the history of Hogwarts there had been two first year players (including Harry Potter) and though considerably more students made the house team as second years, the Slytherin House had a reputation for choosing the oldest and therefore "most skilled" seeker they could. Draco knew this year would be different. For one thing, Draco knew he was good at Quidditch. This wasn't bragging, his father had provided Draco every tool to learn to be the best seeker possible. Draco knew, just knew that this year was his. That's the spirit, Dray! Daphne's voice floated in serenely. Now, let's go get some breakfast, hmm?
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"Okay team!" Marcus Flint's gravelly baritone filled the changing room "Obviously we don't need to hold trials for Keeper" He nodded at Miles Bletchley, who grinned and gave a regal half wave at the rest of the team "Our chasers have always worked well together, so I see no reason to replace any of us" He gave a sinister grin as he gazed at his fellow chasers, Montague (who went only by that one name, and beat up anyone who tried to figure out his first name, which obviously lead to an intense desire to discover his seemingly embarrassing name) and Adrian Pucey. "Derrick and Bole are top rate beaters, so we're good there…which leaves us Seeker. Terrance Higgs decided to spend his seventh year focusing on his NEWTS, so we've gathered to hold trials for the new seeker. The contenders this year are Draco Malfoy, second year, and Gregory Nott, sixth year." Draco's stomach, which had given a funny leap when his name was called, plummeted to his stomach. Flint was infamously good friends with Nott. If Nott were his competition, it wouldn't matter how well Draco flew, Flint would be prone to choose his friend over Draco. Dray, I can sense your panic all the way up here! What's wrong? Daphne's voice invaded his panic, and helped him see a plan Daph, can you get Professor Snape to sit in on the trials? Just say that I asked for him. Daphne's mental voice became confused Dray, why would Snape care? Draco made a sheepish face Umm, he's my godfather, did I not mention that? Daphne's indignation was a clear indication that he hadn't mentioned that fact to her. Draco smirked, until he realized the whole room was looking at him. "Erm, what was the question?" Draco asked, trying not to blush. Nott snickered, and Flint looked annoyed.
"I asked if you'd prefer to fly your trial first or second. Since you're younger, I figured I'd give you the added advantage of getting to choose when you wanted to do the trial." Flint's smirk showed that the advantage of which he spoke was really just a chance to try to rib Draco by making him seem like an inept player. Draco thought for a second. He knew Snape would make the players more likely to be fair when selecting a new seeker, but he also felt that Snape wouldn't interfere in the final decision. "I say you should let Nott choose when to fly. He's going to need any advantage he can get." Draco tried to look unconcerned, but his heart leapt when he saw Adrian Pucey grin at Draco's statement. Perhaps the whole team wasn't against him just because the captain was. Nott glared, but gritted out a "first" Draco knew he would have to fly superbly so that he wouldn't allow Nott a chance to outfly him.
As the team made their way to the stadium, Draco caught sight of Severus, lounging in the bleachers, obviously there to watch the trials. As Draco walked by, his godfather raised an almost imperceptible eyebrow. Dray! Came Daphne's frantic mental voice I can't find Snape anywhere! I've asked everyone, and no one's seen him since breakfast! I'm so sorry! Draco grinned despite himself. So Severus was there to see him all on his own? Draco couldn't help but feel warmed by his godfather's desire to see his trials. The warmth flamed into a burning desire to do well, and impress his godfather. Draco did a few lunges that Krum had taught him over the summer. He finally took hold of his broom and neatly mounted. He nodded at Flint, who had been sniggering with Nott as Draco stretched. Flint's eyes suddenly narrowed. "What's Snape doing here?" Draco gave a snort "He's been here the whole time. Good thing you aren't going to be trying for Seeker, with observational skills like that, matches might last for days!" Pucey laughed out loud at this, and Severus gave a small grin. Flint scowled, but motioned for the team to mount their brooms. The trial here was to see how quickly Draco could find and catch the snitch with the whole team flying interference on him. Draco nursed no illusions, he knew Flint would be much easier on Nott than on him. This made it imperative that Draco catch the Snitch as soon as possible. He kicked off the ground and joined the team in the air. With a flick of his wand, Flint released the snitch. Draco had to wait for the count of five before flying after it. When the time was up, Draco took off after the snitch.
Draco did a loop of the pitch, avoiding players left and right. Pucey flew in front of him, and Draco did a difficult spin midair, to which Pucey shouted "Nice one, Malfoy!" Draco didn't allow himself time to bask in the glory of praise, and instead, narrowed his eyes as he scanned the pitch. After no time, he spotted the glimmer, and dove for the snitch. Flint tried to crash his broom into Draco, but Draco decided to use a maneuver Krum had worked on with him. Though Draco had never performed the maneuver correctly, now was not the time for doubts. As Flint approached on the collision course, Draco tensed, then at the last second sprung. He flew up in the air, flipping to avoid Flint, then landed back on the broom. Somehow, Draco managed the trick and still knew where the snitch was. Draco flattened himself against the broom, urging himself to go faster. His fingers closed over the snitch, and Draco felt a sense of relief, replaced by panic. How long had he taken to find the snitch? Pucey flew close to Draco. "One minute ten seconds? That's a Hogwarts all time record! Draco, may I call you Draco? You may call me Adrian, since we're obviously going to be teammates. Anyways, Draco, that was bloody fantastic!" Draco and Adrian flew down together to the pitch, where Flint and a fuming Nott were waiting. Flint glared at Draco "Well done, for an amateur. As you know, the trials aren't over yet, so don't celebrate until you see how Quidditch is really played." With this, Flint and Nott rose into the air. Adrian made a face at their backs, grinned at Draco, and rose to join the rest of the team.
Draco watched nervously as the snitch was released. He cast a spell to let him know what time it was, and counted the seconds as Nott flew after the snitch. As soon as the time passed one minute ten seconds, Draco felt like cheering. He'd made the team! He'd done it! When Nott finally caught the snitch four minutes later, the whole team made their way to the stands, a few seats away from Severus. Flint glanced at Severus, then looked at the team.
"Well, we saw two trials today, and I think it's obvious to everyone who deserves to be on the team. Therefore, it is my privilege as captain to select" Draco's heart swelled with pride "Gregory Nott!" Draco's jaw fell open. "Greg might not have caught the snitch as quickly as the other competitor, but that was just a fluke. Greg has been playing longer, which obviously means he's more skilled and—" Adrian Pucey stood up, and interrupted Flint.
"Marcus, that's a load of rubbish! Draco could out fly Nott with his eyes closed, and worse, you know it! Is your desire for your friend to be on the team so great that you'd throw the team's best interest to the wind?" Adrian glanced at Derrick and Bole "You know you agree with me! I nominate we take a vote!" Flint spluttered.
"That's totally against protocol! My decision as Captain is final!"
"Mr. Flint, I believe you're forgetting the fact that when a team is undecided, the head of house has the right to choose the new team member. However, I wouldn't dream of taking authority from the team, therefore I feel Mr. Pucey's solution, that of a vote, is entirely acceptable." Severus spoke quietly, but with an air of authority. Flint gaped, obviously trying to figure a way around the edict, then gave a resigned sigh. "Okay. Hands up if you're for Greg." Only he raised his hand. "Well men, your decision is clear. Malfoy, it's my obligation as Captain to allow you on the team." Draco refused to let Flint's belittling attitude ruin his victory. Severus spoke up again. "Oh, there is the matter of the Nimbuses to take into account." The whole team looked up in unison. Flint cleared his throat. "Nimbuses? More than one?" Severus sneered.
"Mr. Malfoy decided to allow Malfoy Enterprises to sponsor the Slytherin team. He has provided the school with seven Nimbus two thousand" A cheer went up, interrupting Severus, who calmly waited for silence again, before adding "And Ones" He unveiled the shiny black broom, as the team erupted, yelling and cheering. Draco grinned. As far as the public knew, the '01s were still in the design phase. Of course Lucius had procured one for his son. Draco smirked. With these new brooms, the team would be unbeatable!
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