Chapter 9, Punishments and opportunities

Harry followed McGonagall back to the castle, he felt numb, he knew he was going to be expelled, he was going to be sent back to the Dursleys.

McGonagall didn't say a word as she led Harry through the hallways and down the stairs towards he dungeon, Harry didn't know where they was going, at first he thought that they was going to the Slytherin dormitory to collect his things, but they took a turn that led away from the Slytherin common room.

Soon they came to a door that Harry had never seen before in his short time here, McGonagall knocked on the door and a familiar voice answered "Come in", Harry felt a shiver run up his spine as he realised who he had been taken to.

McGonagall tuck Harry inside and he saw Professor Snape sitting at his desk marking students homework, Harry was in Snape's office, there was shelves filled with glass jars containing who knows what, and there was a fireplace that had a fire going, providing much needed light and warmth to the room.

Snape looked up from the parchment he was writing on and he's face soured when he saw Harry, "Minerva, why have you brought Potter here" he said, he did not seem happy at all, and he hadn't even heard what Harry had done yet.

"Severus, I was just on my way to pick up some fairies from Hagrid for my next lesson, and you know what I saw, Mr Potter was flying on a broomstick and catching things out of the air" said McGonagall, she was still trying to believe what she had seen herself.

Snape's sour look only seemed to get worse, "And why do you need me for this, if Potter has broken a rule then give him a detention" he said, "Of course Potter was flying around on a broomstick, just like his father" he thought.

"It's not just that Severus, Potter was good, very good in fact, he made a catch that Charlie Weasley couldn't have done" said McGonagall, at this point she seemed to have some pride and respect in her voice.

Snape however didn't seem as impressed, "And, what has his apparent skill got to do with the fact that he was breaking school rules" he asked.

"Severus, I think that it would be a good idea to place Potter on the Quidditch team" said McGonagall, at this point Harry felt a spark of hope, maybe he wasn't going to get in trouble after all.

Snape looked at Harry, his expression was unreadable, he seemed to be going over something in his mind, "Minerva, I would have thought that you wouldn't want Slytherin to gain any skilled players after Gryffindors recent difficulties on the pitch" he finally said.

This time it was McGonagall who looked like she had swallowed a lemon, "Be that as it may, I won't let my personal feeling get in the way of a great opportunity for a student, I hope that you will do the same" she said.

"Very well, I will deal with Potter, you can return to preparing for your class" said Snape, and with that McGonagall left the room leaving Harry and Snape alone.

Harry could feel him hope quickly disappearing, Snape did not look impressed like McGonagall had done, he was looking at Harry like he was something foul that he had just stepped in.

Snape was going over everything in his head, "Potter is behaving just like his father would, I should have know this was coming" he thought, "Then again, James Potter would turn over in his grave if his son was to play Quidditch for Slytherin", this thought did give him a level of satisfaction.

After a couple of tense minutes Snape spoke, "Potter, you have broken more then a handful of school rules today, and for that you will serve a weekends detention with Mr Filch" he said, Harry felt his stomach drop, he was in trouble, but at least he wasn't being expelled.

But Snape wasn't done yet, "Also, you will report to the Quidditch pitch at 6pm on Tuesday, if you are really as skilled on a broom as I've heard then perhaps you will be allowed on to the team" he said.

Harry looked up at Snape in shock, he was actually being given a chance to prove himself, he just hoped that he could do well, however his still knew little about Quidditch.

"Now go, I have work to do" said Snape as he returned to marking the students homework, Harry quickly left before Snape could change his mind about any of this.