As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 30 Tryouts
The following Wednesday Harry left right after an early breakfast in the great hall with Hermione, slipping out under the invisibility cloak. Just after the Hogsmeade gate he met Fred holding a snitch out. "What's the plan?" Harry asked.
"This port key will take you to their training room. Ollie will meet you there and introduce you around. I'm not sure what they have planned but they know you need to be back for the evening meal. You are under a tryout contract Harry, it is only for this week and you can leave at any time if they get to be too much."
"Thanks for all your work Fred." Harry said taking the port key and feeling it activate.
"Harry, great to see you!" Oliver Wood called out as he walked over to help Harry up.
"He doesn't land so well." An athletic looking man said watching Harry stand.
"Yes but he flies beautifully." Oliver replied to the man before turning back to Harry adding, "Come on you need a physical and a broom before you can take to the air."
"I brought my Firebolt." Harry said holding up his broom.
"The team wants you on the same broom as the rest of the individuals coach claims it will make for an easier comparison." Oliver replied.
"I hope I get a chance to fly on it before they expect me to catch the snitch."
"Of course I'm sure you'll get a few minutes."
'Great now I've got to do show what I can do on a broom I'm unfamiliar with.' Harry thought trudging behind Oliver as they navigated their way to the trainer's room.
An hour later a completely ticked off Harry Potter was handed a broom without a logo anywhere on it, "Take a few minutes to get used to it Harry. I'll yell when everyone's here."
Five minutes later as Harry was just starting to push the broom to its limits he heard Oliver's yell. 'I guess another ten minutes to really feel out this broom would be out of the question.' He thought turning sharply and feeling the broom fight him for a moment before heading for Oliver. Who was watching several individuals starting to levitate hoops into the air.
Once on the ground Harry was surrounded by a surprising large group of people. "Mr. Potter I'm coach Ver Way, This is the last time I'll call you Mr. from now on you are Potter, Harry, and any other name that may come in your direction. Oliver says you can fly so the first test is a race through the hoops. This drawing will show you the course you are to fly. I want you to fly the course at a normal speed then look at me if I wave you down that means I want to talk. If I wave you onward then you are to fly the course twice more stopping in between. You will be timed on your second and third times through the course. The best of the two will be your score, any missed hoops will be additional time. When you are ready take off and fly the course." A large man said holding out a clipboard.
Harry took the clipboard studying the drawing for less than a minute with occasional glances up at the hoops. "I've got it." Harry said taking off. On his first circuit of the course he just relaxed and memorized the course as he flew it.
"I hope he's better than what he's showing on this circuit." Ver Way said as Harry was completing his first lap.
"Did he make any errors?" Oliver asked.
"No he's smart but slow." Ver Way said waiving a waiting Harry towards the hoops.
This time Harry upped the speed flying as fast as he dared still under conscious control thinking his way through the hoops. When he finished the second circuit he stopped as directed and glanced down catching Ver Way shaking his head as he talked to Ollie. Suddenly Harry realized the coach thought he'd flown the second lap flat out. He took off and did his best to max out the broom he was on. Half way through the lap the broom reached its limit during a tight corkscrew up-left, down-left, hard up-right turn combination nearly causing him to crash. Harry recovered and finished the course before drawing his wand and yelling, "Accio Firebolt."
A smile broke out on Oliver Wood's face when he heard Harry then saw the Firebolt emerge from under the stands. Harry quickly leaped off the broom he was on mounting his own Firebolt and taking off at high speed this time he took the tight corkscrew combination at a higher rate of speed with little problem. Finishing that lap he grabbed the team's broom where he had left it hovering and flew down to the awaiting group.
"You were told we wanted you to use the team's broom for comparison purposes." Ver Way said looking at Harry his temper rising.
"I flew the three circuits you requested using your broom. After I nearly crashed on the last lap doing a simple combination I summoned my broom to insure it wasn't my flying at fault." Harry replied not really upset but letting his displeasure show just as he had with the Creevey brothers during their discussion about how his comment appeared in the Daily Prophet. Of course the coach didn't wet his pants like the younger Creevey had.
"Let's go to lunch then we can have a practice game to judge how you fly under something resembling a game." A man who had been silent until now said herding everyone back under the stands and into a dining hall where the team was enjoying a meal.
"Come sit with me Harry." Oliver said after they'd made their way through the buffet line nodding towards an open spot at one of the tables.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked after the introductions to their tablemates were complete.
"For some reason Coach thought your first trip was rather slow. Then your second circuit was just a few seconds below what our starting seeker flew the same course in. Your third circuit even with the almost crash was faster than him. When you did it on your Firebolt you blew him away." Oliver explained in a whisper.
"Who?" Harry asked confused.
"Nolin, He's our starting seeker. He isn't known for being the fastest seeker in the league. He's actually about the slowest but he does not give up once he's spotted the snitch. Most of the other seekers will back off to avoid flying into someone if the snitch goes towards other players. He doesn't, He's flat out until he catches the snitch or crashes. By the way he's the seeker on the other squad today."
"I thought I'd be going against the reserve." Harry said.
"So did I but Nolin requested to fly against you saying it would give the coach a better feel of your talent. Personally I think he's determined that you not make the team."
'Great, just bloody great he's probably heard all ready that I beat his time,' Harry thought before asking, "Any other surprises?"
"Just they will be using a new professionally level snitch." Oliver replied.
"Why a new one?" Harry asked knowing the answer would not be good.
"It's faster. Normally when we practice we use a snitch that has been removed from game play. New ones are costly and can last up to five games before they need to be retired. But this may play in to your hands given the speed with which you fly."
"Not on your brooms. It's like they were specifically charmed to be more stable. My Firebolt is skittish if you are even a little heavy handed, it's easy to over control unless you use a deft touch." Harry said seeing a gleam of something in Oliver's eye as he spoke.
"So how's married life?"
"Quite good actually, Hermione's a great gal and her folks have taken me in treating me like a son. Her father and I played a round of golf almost twice a week during the summer."
"Never could get into that game. Far too sedate, I like the action of Quidditch. So what's the Mrs. doing while you're out here flying around having fun." Oliver said.
"Knowing Hermione she's in the library studying or she's checked out a pile of books and is studying in our rooms."
"You have your own rooms, must be nice?"
"Actually it is. When they made me a professor instead of an assistant professor Hermione and I had to move out of Gryffindor tower our own rooms just had to happen. The only problem for the Gryffindors is Hermione can no longer earn them house points in class. Of course it also means I can no longer lose those points and more in class." Harry said with a chuckle in his voice.
A gong sounded in the room and everyone started to rise and queue up to deposit their dishes in a little hole by the door. "Come on Harry that's the end of lunch and it is time to get ready for the practice game." Oliver said rising.
It took about ten minutes once they were on the pitch before the coach had finished his instructions and released the snitch followed by the Bludgers and finally the Quaffle. Harry flew off circling above the action looking for the golden reflection that would indicate the snitch. Fifteen minutes into the match Harry saw the golden reflection automatically going on to a dive towards it. The snitch jogged and darted with Harry right on its tail while Nolin was slow to react and never got close before the snitch made an impossible turn and disappeared. Harry flew back up and resumed his circling trying to catch a glimpse of the snitch before Nolin unfortunately it wasn't to be. Nolin took off and when Harry looked towards his target he swore and followed this time from his position behind Nolin he was able to watch as the snitch made a number of quick darting moves before it again made an impossible turn disappearing from sight.
Harry was upset. That was twice the snitch had gotten away from him, something that had never happened in his experience. He quickly decided that this snitch needed a greater commitment from him. The practice match was two hours old when Harry finally saw the snitch for a third time. This time he was the first to spot it and dove to a position slight forward of where the snitch currently was. His gamble paid off and after flying through a formation of chasers his fingers were inches from the snitch when it jogged left away from him. Determination overtook Harry and without a thought he leaped from his broom yelling out "Oliver!" as his fingers closed on the snitch. Those who were watching the play had their mouths fall open when Harry dove off the broom. Luckily for Harry Oliver reacted instantly to Harry's yell and dove down catching him ten meters above the ground.
"Damn Harry that was dangerous." Oliver said landing and helping Harry to his feet.
Harry looked at Oliver saying, "This from the man who said, 'Catch the snitch or die trying.'"
"I guess I was a little fanatical."
"A little." Harry agreed as the coach and his group came up.
"What was that all about?" the coach asked.
"Catching the snitch." Harry replied.
"What if you had missed or Oliver hadn't caught you." The other member of the group that had spoken earlier asked.
"The snitch was a done deal and I trust Ollie." Harry said.
"Harry we would like to talk with you about a playing contract." The other member spoke again.
"And who are you."
"Bill Walker and I own this team."
"Mr. Bill Walker I don't think I'll be playing for you after today." Harry said shaking his head.
Oliver Wood looked shocked at his friend, "What's wrong Harry? I know you love playing Quidditch."
Harry focused his attention on his friend saying, "Actually I enjoy flying and the competition but with the brooms you are using here the fun isn't there. I'm fighting the broom too much."
"I assure you our brooms are the best there is." The coach said speaking up.
Harry glared at the man saying, "What didn't you notice about the fourth lap of your little hoop drill. I was faster, cleaner, and flew it with fewer problems on my own broom. I would not fly one of your brooms again if I were the highest paid player in this league. Oliver it's time for me to head back."
"Right." Oliver said heading off for the port key.
"Oliver hold it right there I'm not ready for him to leave." The coach said then turned to Harry adding, "Boy, I won't be talked to like that," in a hard arrogant voice.
"Tough you just were, Ollie if you don't produce that port key in a minute I'm going to start out on my own." Harry said his anger starting to leak out it as little flares of magic. If the coach had tried he couldn't have hit one of Harry's hot buttons any harder than the way he said "Boy". It also appeared that the coach was the only person who didn't notice as the rest of the team was backing away. In Harry's view the coach was far too much like his uncle Vernon for Harry to tolerate much longer.
Oliver nodded and headed off. "Wood if you leave now you are off the team."
Oliver was ducking into the clubhouse when he said, "So cut me I can always catch on with another team, I can't find another friend like Harry." While thinking, 'You dumb shmuck I'm actually saving you. If Harry gets much madder the least you'll need is a visit to the trainer, the worst I don't even want to think about it.'
"Boy, I've been assured our brooms are equal to or better than a Firebolt." The coach replied.
"By what bloody idiot?" An exasperated Harry asked an inkling already at the edge of his mind about who had made the assurance.
"Our seeker and my brother." The owner said.
"First your seeker is too heavy handed for the Firebolt and who in the heck is your brother?"
"He owns the broom company."
"Now there's an impartial person!" Harry said his patience at an end taking the port key from Oliver saying, "Thanks Ollie you need anything let me or the twins know," activating the port key and returning to the spot in Hogsmeade he'd left from.
Harry walked into Hogwarts just a few minutes before dinner stopping in their rooms to change he found Hermione sitting at one of the study tables open books spread out in front and to the sides of her. "Hi love." He said when she looked up at the sound of the door opening.
"Harry! How did it go?" she asked excitedly before quickly noting his down mood. "That bad?" she asked concerned.
"I told the owner the brooms his team was flying were crap then found out his brother owned the company that made them."
"So I guess you won't be playing for them."
"I doubt it. Oliver had a few words with the coach when I asked him to get me the port key so I could come back. I hope it doesn't cause him problems."
"I'm sure Oliver can take care of himself." Hermione replied noting the concern on Harry's face.
"You hungry?" he asked switching topics suddenly.
"Yes, and so are you I suspect but you stink Harry Potter. Take a shower then we'll go eat."
Sitting down for dinner Hermione said, "You do clean up well Professor Potter."
"Glad you like the result." Harry countered with a grin before helping himself to the Shepard's pie that had just appeared in front of them. "One thing about the head table they tend to get more of their preferences served here." Harry said taking a mouthful of the pie. Several seconds later he vomited most of the mouthful back on to the table before falling on the platform and grabbing his throat.
Enjoying the comfort of not having any patients Madam Pomfrey was having one of her rare meals in the great hall when she noticed the commotion reacting with astonishing speed. Her hand was emerging from a hidden pocket holding a shriveled, kidney like "stone" as she approached Harry. Hermione recognized it immediately as a bezoar, a good counter agent for most poisons.
"He's got to fight it until we can determine what it was." Madam Pomfrey said to Hermione while Dumbledore and Professor Snape were removing the entire container of Shepard's pie heading towards the dungeons and the Potions classroom.
Hermione bend down to where Harry's head rested in her lap whispering in his ear, "Harry James Potter don't you dare die and leave us," before breaking down in tears.
Professor McGonagall quickly took control of the situation. "Shamus, Weasley, Longbottom, you too Mr. Creevey, I want the four of you to help me get Potter to the hospital wing. I'll levitate the stretcher but I want you four to dampen any movement. I remember Professor Potter saying the trips when he was levitated from the Quidditch pitch always left him sick." She said conjuring a stretcher for them to place Harry on.
Harry woke up in the hospital wing with a croak. His throat was killing him and he knew this was not a good sign. "Professor Potter when I told you to get out and let me relax for a while before someone shows up with a real problem. I did not mean for you to get yourself poisoned so you could come back here." Madam Pomfrey said bustling about him.
'She's joking so that means I'm going to get well quickly and I'm out of danger.' Harry thought before looking around the room taking in Hermione seated beside him holding his hand. He could see she was nervously biting her lower lip trying not to speak.
'Come on love talk to me.' Harry pleaded in his mind not wanting to experience the pain of speaking.
"Oh Harry, you scared me so." Hermione's tear filled voice came from the chair to his right.
Harry's face clearly registered the confusion he was experiencing causing Hermione to continue, "The Shepard's pie that appeared in front of you was poisoned. It didn't come from the house elves. Dumbledore thinks someone prepared it at home then brought it here under a charm to keep it fresh, the poison was quick and deadly but something a second year could brew so there's no leads with that end of things. Who ever brought it obviously saw you at the head table and from there it was an easy to have it appear in front of you."
Harry clearly thought over what Hermione had said for a few moments before he made a walking gesture with his fingers.
"I'm not sure when you will be able to leave. Madam Pomfrey wants to keep you here for a while to insure the poison has left your system." Hermione explained. The glare she received from Harry clearly conveyed his thoughts about spending more time in the hospital wing.
"None of that Professor Potter, You had a very close call you will be staying here at least for tonight." Madam Pomfrey said from the other side of the bed.
Harry turned his head and glanced at the Matron making a slight motion with his hands that Hermione caught, "I think he wants a drink." She said looking across at the healer.
"Very well there is a pitcher of water there that he can drink. I'll watch the first couple of sips after that Mrs. Potter you will need to keep an eye on him and let me know if he has any discomfort."
Hermione poured a little of the water into the glass and went to give it to Harry, who kept his mouth closed while eyeing the water warily. Madam Pomfrey watched him refuse the water causing a light bulb moment for her. Taking her wand she waved it over the water, "That's just water, Professor Potter you are getting as bad as Alastor Moody." Pomfrey said looking down at her patient.
"He didn't mean to upset you, he just wanted to tease you a little." Hermione replied.
"And how exactly do you know that? I don't believe I've heard him speak since he arrived here today."
Hermione blushed saying, "Being his best friend for five years I've become very good at reading him. It got even better after we were married."
"I imagine it did." Pomfrey replied doing a little teasing back.
'Good thing you didn't tell her we can exchange thoughts. Snape would accuse me of using it to cheat.' Harry thought.
'We don't have potions this year,'
'Yea, like a little thing like that is going to stop him from making my life miserable. He will find a way Hermione trust me.'
Hermione didn't reply first because she wanted Harry to heal secondly she suspected the Potions Master right now was trying to find a way to prove this was all a glory seeking attempt by her husband.