Chapter 5 -
"Alright, you ready for this?" Troy asked Harry as the two walked together to the quidditch pitch while they both held a small trunk.
"I think so," Harry nodded as he held a school broom in his hand. "I'm going to try out for all three positions right?"
"Yep, we're not sure where you would be best though I reckon seeker might be a safe bet with the way you caught that ball."
"Maybe," Harry nodded. "but it seems a bit boring though."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean looking for just the one ball." Harry shrugged. "Beater sounds fun but I don't know if I got the arm strength, might go for chaser." Harry said as they arrived on the empty field. "And...nobody is here." Harry said, looking around.
"That's because I can't have every single player trying in every single position," Troy explained. "if I did we'd be here all day. You are going to try playing as seeker and beater and chaser and then you can decide before the rest come out. You know the rules and how to play and all?"
"Yeah...well I read about it...never actually played it but I do understand what I am supposed to do."
"Alright, that's a start, we can work on that." Troy said as he and Harry put the trunk down, Troy opened it to reveal four balls. "Alright these two big ones are the bludgers, that one in the middle is the quaffle and that little golden one is the golden snitch, tell me about them, go on."
"Okay well bludgers are supposed to basically attack players and the beaters are supposed to hit them away from their team and towards the other team. Quaffle is supposed to be thrown between the chasers but other players are allowed to use them even if it is not commonly done and it is supposed to be thrown between one of the three hoops on the other teams side. The snitch is a little ball that the seeker is supposed to catch to end the game."
"Bit basic but yeah, now come on, we'll practise with each before the try outs."
"Alright line up," Troy said as people gathered for the Ravenclaw quidditch try outs. "now I am Troy Jackson, Ravenclaw quidditch captain and chaser. We have one other chaser on the team and one keeper plus one beater, we need one more beater, one more chaser and a seeker. That's where you lot come in, three of you will join the main team today and a few of you will be registered as back up members, the rest of you won't. I wish you all the best of luck. Alright seeker hopefuls over there, beater hopefuls over there and chasers over there." Troy said, pointing to each spot.
Harry watched as the people went to their spots. He thought about his practises with Troy and he thought about which position he wanted. Beater was fun and Harry was a good beater according to Troy but it lacked the sort of showman ship that Harry loved, seeker was fun as well but it was not what Harry wanted. After deciding what he wanted he walked towards the spot where the chasers hopefuls were waiting.
"Hold on, you're a first year." A third year boy said. "You can't try out."
"Actually apparently I can, there are no rules against trying out for the team, just owning a broom. Troy and Professor Flitwick okayed it." Harry replied.
"Alright listen up," Troy said as he walked towards the chasers along with two other people. "for those who weren't paying attention I am Troy Jackson and chaser, this is Brian White," Troy said as he gestured to a brown haired fifth year. "he's our keeper," Troy then gestured to a black haired fourth year. "and this is Ryan McDonald, our other chaser. We'll be the ones testing you. "Brian is going to go up by the hoops and play keeper, then you all are going to go one by one and try and score on him ten times. You will be judged not just on how much you score but also on other things like how fast you score. You will also be using the same broom so nobody can complain about having the better broom or any of that crap. Alright we'll go from oldest to youngest, get ready." Troy said before he and the other two walked off.
"We got a few that look like they could have potential." Brian said to Troy.
"I put my money on Potter." Troy said.
"Really?" Ryan asked before glancing back at the chasers.
"You've never seen the kid play." Troy said with a knowing smile.
"Looks like you've got a little fan club." Troy said to Harry a short while later, he and Harry looked over to the stands where a lot of Ravenclaw students sat so they could watch. Harry noticed that in the group was Lisa who also had Loki on her shoulder, both were clapping and cheering for him.
"Guess so." Harry said with an amused smile.
"Alright it's your turn buddy." Troy said, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Right, time to win this thing then." Harry said as he walked over to Ryan who handed him a broom and a quaffle.
"Best of luck kid." Ryan said. "We'll start timing on your first throw."
"You know I am only a few years younger than you?" Harry asked but flew into the air before Ryan could answer, he held the quaffle in his right hand as he looked at Brian who was hovering in front of the centre hoop.
Harry did not immediately throw the quaffle at him, he tossed it up and down a couple of times, getting used to it's weight and fell along with the wind. A few moments later he held it under his armpit and stared at Brian, he took a deep breath and flew forwards.
He leaned left and raised his right hand, Brian hovered towards the left hoop and prepared to block when Harry quickly shifted the quaffle into his left hand, Brian's eyes widened and quickly moved to the other hoop as he thought that Harry had shifted targets. Harry lightly tossed the ball forwards then span on his broom and hit it with his broom so it flew forwards and into the hoop that Brian had just left.
"Whoa, one for Potter." Ryan said, writing it down while Troy grinned.
On Harry's second go he flew a short distance away before charging at the hoops at high speed as soon as he got closer he tossed it, Brian flew towards the right hoop as that was obviously where it as going and it was too late for Potter to change directions. It was then he realised that it apparently was not as the ball swerved left and into the middle hoop.
"Are you kidding me?" Brian whispered to himself as he tared at Harry who grinned in return.
On the third try Harry flew at high speed towards the hoop before he abruptly put on the breaks, he allowed his momentum to push him forward and threw the ball forwards as he hopped on to a standing position while on the broom and kicked it straight into the left hoop.
"Damn the kid's good." Ryan said.
"Yep." Troy smirked.
"Wait that can't be allowed, he kicked it." One sixth year complained.
"It's not against the rules." Troy shrugged.
On Harry's fourth try he managed to bounce the quaffle off the circle of the hoop into it, on his fifth try he tossed the ball upwards and flew up after it before spinning in midair and hitting the quaffle away with his broom and it managed to barely go pass Brain's fingers and into the right hoop.
The others watched in awe as Harry continued to get point after point, sometimes he would curve the ball into the hoop and other times he would feint and trick Brian. At the end of it Harry flew down and landed right in front of Harry.
"So how did I do?" Harry asked as he tossed Ryan the broom.
"Well you scored ten out of ten." Troy grinned. "Line up and wait with the others then I'll tell you the results later."
A few minutes later Troy stood in front of all the hopefuls after discussing the results with the others.
"Alright listen up, I along with Ryan McDonald are the teams only chaser at the moment. Brian White over here is the keeper, and Jeff Castle over here is our only beater." Troy said as he gestured to third year with spiky blond hair and blue eyes. "Today we are adding three members to the team, and here are those three members: our second beater will be third year Jessica Cox, our seeker will be second year Cho Chang and our third chaser will be first year Harry Potter."
As many began complaining and whining or clapping and cheering Harry looked towards the two girls that had been chosen, Jessica was a red headed girl with blue eyes while Cho Chang was an Asian girl with black hair.
"I still can't believe it!" Lisa gushed later as she and Harry sat at the Ravenclaw table. "You must be the youngest chaser in..."
"A century," Harry finished. "at least according to Troy and Flitwick." Harry added, at this point only the Ravenclaw students knew about it. The whole house decided to keep it a secret until the first game because apparently the boy-who-lived doing anything special was bigger news than anything else in the castle.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts just as owls began flying into the hall with various packages, Loki who was sat on Harry's shoulder watched with interest as the owls flew in. One owl flew towards Harry and dropped a package that was shaped like a broom. "Wow...a broom shaped package...what do you think is in it?" Harry asked, using humor to hide his surprise. He slowly opened it and saw what was inside.
"It's the nimbus 2000," Lisa grinned at him. "the latest and fastest broom in the world."
"Wonder who brought it for me." Harry said as he examined the broom.
"Me." Lisa answered, causing his head to snap up. "I ordered it for you."
"What? Why?" Harry asked with a bewildered expression.
"Because you're my friend and your good and quidditch and I wanted to do something nice for you." Lisa answered while carefully looking at Harry's face. "I figured it'd be a great present even if you don't make the team and if you don't want it then I an return it or give it to..."
"It's brilliant," Harry cut her off. "really it is, I...I will pay you back but you'll probably have to..."
"No Harry you don't have to pay me back for it, it's a gift." She said.
"What? Are you sure?" Harry asked while raising an eyebrow. "This isn't some code for I have to pay you back later or something? Because if it is I'd like to make it clear if I have to pay you back or not."
"No Harry you do not have to pay me back at all, this is a gift."
"Alright well thanks," Harry smiled at her before looking at the broom again. "I've never really had a gift before, or at least I don't remember getting one."
"Really? Never?!" She asked with disbelief before remembering that Harry was homeless and likely didn't have many opportunities for gifts. "Oh sorry."
"It's fine," Harry waved her off. "I mean I got lessons on how to read and write from the one old man but I sort of paid him back with favours and the sort. I think it's best I probably take it to my room." Harry said as he closed the package.
"I'll walk with you." Lisa said as she got up.
"Aw thanks," Harry said as the pair walked together. "I don't want to make a fuss or a big deal out of it or anything but this is my first gift ever...I think...so I'm not sure if I am supposed to do something like get you something in return or just leave it with a thank you."
"I think for me you don't need to get me anything, I come from the richest family in the world, trust me when I say I can buy whatever I want with ease. That expensive broom of yours is worth the equivalent of a knut for me." Lisa shrugged. "Just stay my friend and will call it even."
"Thanks Liz"
"Liz?" She repeated while raising her eyebrows.
"What? You don't like Liz?"
"No!" She said quickly. "Liz is a nickname for Lisa right?"
"As far as I understand it, yes." Harry nodded.
"Hmm, Liz...Liz..." Lisa repeated, trying it out loud. "I like that, fine call me Liz."
"Brill Liz, now..."
"Harry," A voice interrupted and the pair were greeted by Ronald Weasley who had walked up to them. "what's that?" He said as he gestured to the broom shaped package.
"A kettle." Harry deadpanned.
"Really?" Ron frowned. "It looks like a broom."
"Oh my mistake, I always get those two confused." Harry said with a small shake of his head, while Lisa brought her hand up to her mouth to cover her smile.
"Is that a broom Potter?" A voice demanded as Malfoy walked up with Crabbe and Goyle behind him.
"Well it's not a kettle," Lisa replied, causing Harry to snort.
"So Malfoy any luck finding that wand of yours?" Harry asked innocently.
"I know you had something to do with that Potter!" Malfoy glared at him, Malfoy's mother and father were definitely not happy about having to take him out of school and to Diagon Alley just so they could replace his wand only to be stopped midway through buying a new wand by Professor Snape arriving to inform them that his old one had been found in a broom closet. Draco was then gifted with another ear destroying rant from both his parents on losing his wand like an idiot.
"What is going on here?" A voice asked as Professor Flitwick walked up to them.
"Potter's got a broom professor." Malfoy said quickly, looking positively gleeful at the possibility of getting Harry in trouble.
"Ah yes," Flitwick grinned at Harry. "which broom Mr Potter?"
"Nimbus 2000 sir." Harry grinned back, while Malfoy looked between the two with disbelief. "It won't be a problem will it sir?"
"No, I've explained your situation to those who need to know. Best of luck Mr Potter, now Mr Malfoy I believe your business here has been concluded."
Malfoy glared at Flitwick before storming away with Crabbe and Goyle following them, once Professor Flitwick was sure they were far enough away he nodded at Harry before walking away.
"That was brilliant." Ron snickered, happy with anything that meant making Malfoy less happy.
"Hey Ron I think someone wanted you in the hall." Harry fibbed, knowing if he didn't get rid of Ron then the boy would try to hang out with him like he always did as he just couldn't take the hint and leave Harry alone.
"Oh who?" Ron asked.
"Someone with red hair." Harry shrugged.
"Okay, probably one of my brothers, see ya." Ron said before walking off.
"I think he's the first male gold digger I've ever met." Harry said to Lisa.
"Well," She laughed. "it is obvious that he just wants to be your friend because you're the boy-who-lived, I've had people want to be my friend because of my family and you can just instantly learn who those people are. Still, I hope you like the broom."
"Yeah," Harry laughed. "it's brilliant, I bet it'll fly good too. I wonder what Malfoy would say if he realised that this only happened because he tried to steal Neville's remembrall..."
"I suppose you think that's a reward for breaking rules?" An angry voice interrupted, the pair turned to see Hermione Granger who was looking in disapproval at Harry's package.
"Hmmm...yeah." Harry nodded. "Bye now." He said before walking away from her with Lisa following before she could respond. "What is it with people just straight up coming up and talking to me whenever they feel like it?"
"It's a mystery." Lisa shrugged. Eventually the two arrived inside the Ravenclaw common room.
"I'll be back down in a sec," Harry told Lisa as Loki hopped onto her shoulder. "by the way thanks again for the gift."
"It's fine..." Lisa started, she was about to say more when Harry interrupted her by kissing her on the cheek before he walked up the staircase to the boys room. Thankfully not noticing her blush, the situation was not improved by Loki kissing her other cheek. "Not a word." She said to Loki who grinned at her.
"So what was it like?" Lisa asked Harry as the two walked up the stair cases together with Loki on Harry's shoulder.
"Brilliant, Flitwick's a great teacher!" Harry smiled. "I'm glad I took quidditch, the game's enjoyable and it means I get these awesome extra lessons. Flitwick said I'm doing good, he said that I was just like my mother and apparently she was a charms prodigy. After we were done he told me stories about her."
"Hmm, do you think I could join them?" Lisa asked.
"Maybe," Harry said with a thoughtful expression. "I think worst case scenario I could probably just teach you myself but I can ask him next lesson if you can join."
"Aw thank you, that would be wonderful, I...whoa!" Lisa said when the stair cases shifted.
"Stair cases change." Harry reminded her, the two held onto the rails until the stairs became still.
"Alright let's get off." Lisa said, she was about to move forward when Harry stopped her with his arm.
"No wait, if we go up here then we'd be on the bit of the third floor corridor where we are not supposed to go. Let's just wait it out until the stairs change."
"But what if it takes too long?"
"Then we wait until someone comes and point out how we preferred to stay on the stairs rather than risk 'a most painful death' like the headmaster said," Harry calmly replied. "though personally if I was running the school then I wouldn't allow there to be something that could result in the most painful death of a student but that's just me."
Ten minutes later the stairs changed, allowing Harry and Lisa to happily walk back to Ravenclaw tower.
Dumbledore sat in his office, he was rather disappointed that Harry had not done what he had expected. Dumbledore had changed the stairs so that Harry would hopefully stumbled on the forbidden third floor corridor, but it was sadly not to be. On the one hand he felt proud of the boy for obeying school rules but on the other hand he was disappointed as he needed the boy to be curious about what was in the corridor.
Ah well, he'd have more opportunities.
The next morning many people who picked up the daily prophet newspaper were surprised as they read the headline.
BOY-WHO-LIVED SUES MAKERS OF HARRY POTTER BOOKS
A.N: Hi guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter. For those wondering about the bit with the stairs I have always wondered what would happen if Harry and the other two just stayed still and waited for the stairs to move instead of just quickly getting off on the first floor they are deposited at.
As for the pairings I have finally decided and Harry will...
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NOT be paired with Cho. For this story at least, hopefully I can do a pairing with the two together in the future as I do have other ideas. But now the fixed pairing for this story will be Lisa. And I just want to clear up a few things about her:
* This is a character I invented.
*Not to be confused with Lisa Turpin who is an actual Harry Potter character but she will not be in this story because one Lisa is enough.
Thanks for reading, feel free to leave a review.