Chapter 20: We Need a Seeker

Minerva McGonagall sat in her customary seat at the staff table, dividing her attention between her plate and the four tables of students in her charge. Her eyes landed on Mr. Potter as the young boy entered the hall joining his friends at the Gryffindor table, who had clearly saved im a seat. Mr. Selwyn slouched in after him and headed to the Slytherin table. From all accounts the latter boy had been the instigator of the conflict that had landed the two boys in detention, a fact that was supported even by his own housemates. If his glare in the direction of the Gryffindor table was anything to go by, the animosity between the two boys had not been resolved in the hours they had spent in the broom-shed together, not that she had expected it to do so.

Rolanda paused behind her chair and said, "Minerva, your young cub made me an interesting offer."

Minerva looked up at her colleague and asked, "He didn't ask to clean the brooms by magic, did he?"

"On the contrary," the hawk-eyed witch chuckled softly, "He accepted his punishment with far more grace than Mr. Selwyn. He seemed to think that both boys would be banned from future lessons, and as we walked back to the castle, he offered to do more detentions in exchange for continuing in the class. I've never heard of such a thing before, and I was impressed by his advocacy for himself and Selwyn, so I took him up on the offer."

"Really?" Minerva asked incredulously, "He asked for the same arrangement for Mr. Selwyn as well?" Potter hadn't been in danger of being banned from the lessons, that was something Severus had added to the young Slytherin's punishment.

"Indeed, he did," The flight instructor said. "I think the only question is if Mr. Selwyn will attend these additional detentions. He rejected the proposal out of hand, but maybe he'll think about it over the weekend and change his mind. If not then Professor Snape's ban will stand. Well good evening Minerva, I'm off to get some nosh." She continued down the table to her usual seat.

"Enjoy, and thank you for telling me, Rolanda." Minerva took a sip of gilly water and continued surveying the students.

Saturday morning Minerva was awakened by the insistent meowing from the portrait of her animagus form. Last time it had been because Mr. Potter was outside her chambers. This time, it could be anything, and since her portrait was incapable of transforming, she would need to investigate. So, she belted on her tartan dressing gown, slid her feet into slippers, and headed to the student entrance to her quarters. She pushed aside the tapestry to see Oliver Wood facing the empty canvas.

Minerva silently prayed for patience and cleared her throat, "What can I do for you this morning Mr. Wood?"

The fifth year spun around to face her, "Professor McGonagall, I'm sorry for disturbing you so early, but I had hoped to speak with you about—"

"The team's lack of a seeker." She finished for him. "Were none of this year's tryouts better than last year?" Both student and teacher cringed at the memory of last year's seeker.

The Quidditch captain shook his head, "We held tryouts last Saturday and I was trying to decide who was the least horrible, but yesterday I heard a rumor—" he figited nervously as he spoke, "—about a certain first-year flying lesson—"

McGonagall held up a hand to forestall him, "Wood, you know as well as I that first years are not permitted on the house teams."

"But professor!" Wood pleaded, "surely an exception—"

"No Wood, if an exception were made for a single first year all the rest would want to be able to play, and the other heads of house would demand—" She stopped midsentence as she remembered an earlier conversation she had with Severus, he had suggested allowing the first years to try out for the following year's team. Granted it was a far cry from letting them on the team this year, but if they brought the idea to Pomona and Filius, and the four of them took the idea to the headmaster… "I'll see what I can do Mr. Wood, I make no promises."

He seemed to have not heard her and was still trying to make his case. "If Potter is half as a good as what people are saying—he could be the answer to—wait you'll see what you can do?"

"Yes Wood," McGonagall sighed exasperatedly, "I'll see what I can do, but only if you stop badgering me about it."

"Right, you are professor, you won't hear a peep out of me." He mimed zipping his lips closed.

"I doubt that" she sniffed, "but do try to restrain yourself." She brushed aside the tapestry to return to her quarters.

"I'll do my best Ma'am." He headed back to the portrait hole with a hopeful gleam in his eye.

Saturday afternoon, Minerva sat in Pomona's quarters. The heads of house took it in turn to hold their monthly meeting in each of their private rooms; it was a measure she had insisted on after becoming deputy headmistress so that the four of them would still be equals in this context. Music played softly from the wireless on a side table where it was nestled among copper pots holding a variety of magical and mundane plants. The fresh earthy smell and tinkling water from an indoor fountain gave the impression they were gathered in a garden.

Severus was addressing their group, "After that incident I began auditing the number of secondhand cauldrons being used by my students, and I will have my NEWT students examine them for degradation at the end of each term."

Filius interlaced his fingers before speaking, "Quality checks of equipment are an important measure, but what will you do if a cauldron is found to be substandard? Many of the students who use secondhand supplies will have a difficult time replacing them."

"I considered that," Severus gestured in Minerva's direction as he explained, "however, Minerva suggested that we allocate some of the stipend for equipment and supplies to replace the degraded cauldrons… I will restock the potion stores with my own funds, if need be, to make up the difference."

"I'll provide ingredients wherever possible." Pomona promised, "and I'm sure Hagrid may be able to help out as well." Severus nodded his thanks and she continued, "Speaking of substandard equipment… Madam Hooch mentioned in the staff room the other day, that one of her brooms caused injury to one of your cubs Minerva, and that we're lucky it wasn't worse."

"It's true," Minerva pursed her lips in displeasure, "Mr. Longbottom's broom crashed, and he suffered a broken wrist." Thinking back to the sight of the wrecked broom she went on, "I believe it's time we considered replacing the school brooms with newer models, not the latest ones but at least something that has better stability."

"Here here," Filius said.

Severus' eyes narrowed, a sign he was debating something, "Speaking of brooms and flying… My Quidditch captain has asked that we allow the first years to show off their flying skills to the team captains—once they have some flying experience—enough to not be a danger to themselves and others."

"What would be the point of that, if they can't be on the team?" Pomona asked, raising her eyebrows.

Severus spread his hands, "Mr. Flint proposed it as a preliminary scouting for next year's team."

Next year's team… Minerva thought again of her own captain's predicament, and the image of Harry Potter pulling out of that dive with the Remembrall in his hand. She wore many hats at Hogwarts and strived to be as fair and impartial as possible, but the one area that had always been a struggle was Quidditch. Severus had brought it up, she might as well take the plunge, she cleared her throat, "There has always been a certain amount of discontent from the first years about not being allowed their own brooms, and therefore not being able to try out for their house Quidditch team. The main reason for this has always been student safety, but if Madam Hooch could ensure they knew what they were doing on a broomstick, and we had parental consent… Why not change the rule?"

The other three had let her finish, but her colleagues were smiling to one another in a knowing way and Severus asked, "Would this have something to do with the rumors of Mr. Potter's natural flying ability that are circulating around the school? Or perhaps the fact that the Gryffindor team has yet to choose a Seeker?"

"It might," she allowed, mentally cursing the blood that went to her cheeks when she was passionate about something. "But it might help your team captains as well. If we let the first years show off their skills, it will be the next thing they'll ask for."

"That is the next logical thing they would request," Filius agreed, tugging on his thin beard for a moment before adding. "We should discuss this with Rolanda before moving forward, if she says yes, we can bring the idea to the headmaster."

They all agreed, and the subject turned to Filius ambition to revive the Interhouse Dueling Competition to curve illicit duels between students. Severus discussed his wee snakes forming a council to handle minor disputes, which the other heads of house thought was an intriguing idea. When the business portion of the meeting was done, the four discussed advancements in their chosen fields, and Pomona reported that Mr. Diggory was the unfortunate student who would be "dying" according to Professor Trelawney. This sparked the inevitable discussion of the merits and flaws of divination as a subject, and Syble's particular brand of fortune telling, which seemed to involve a great deal of guesswork and a spooky manner. Then they discussed Professor Quirrell's move from Muggle Studies professor to Defense Against the Dark Arts, and all his new peculiarities that came with it.

Tilley brought Minerva a scroll of parchment to her office Tuesday morning, it was a note from Albus. As she began reading his familiar looping script she wondered if her old friend and mentor had learned of their conversation about broomsticks over the weekend with her fellow Heads of House…

Minerva,

It has come to my attention that we are in need of new brooms for flying lessons and general school use. The Board of Governors contacted me this morning informing me of a generous donation of thirty Clean Sweep Sevens, which will be delivered this evening. The tone of the message was that they felt the donation was an immediate necessity for student safety. The governors also ask that any other equipment requests be forwarded to Lucius Malfoy, and they will assess the need and assist where possible.

Find out if any of the staff require anything while the purse strings are open.

Albus

p.s. I wonder what prompted Lucius sudden generous streak?

After reading the letter Minerva snorted in amusement and penned a response:

Albus,

You could ask Severus, as he is Lucius' oldest friend, but I have a theory. Yung Mr. Malfoy was present when Mr. Longbottom's broom crashed during the first flying lesson. He likely wrote to his parents about the incident and this donation is their response. Did Lucius give any conditions for the school to use the brooms? If not, maybe we shouldn't look a gift hippogriff in the beak.

She paused, considering the wisdom of her next words, then dipped her quill in ink and continued

With the more stable brooms, the first years could be permitted to try out for their house Quidditch team, after demonstrating competency on a broomstick. I discussed the idea with Severus, Pomona, and Filius at our last Heads meeting, and they seemed open to the idea. That is as long as Madam Hooch gives her approval, and we can send consent forms to parents or guardians of the students who wish to try out.

Minerva

She set down her quill before she was tempted to explain her idea about Harry and the Gryffindor Quidditch team. If the boy showed interest in trying out for the team himself, then he would be the one to bring it up… That is unless the likes of Oliver Wood put the idea into his head. As her house elf departed with the note to Albus she drafted a letter to be sent to the staff about equipment needs for the coming term, and another note informing Madam Hooch that thirty new brooms would be delivered that evening. It seems Mr. Potter's self-imposed detentions will be cut short, I wonder what he'll make of that, it will be a relief to Mr. Selwyn.

A/N: It was time for another foray into another character's head, particularly one of the professors. I thought weaving the idea of Harry joining the Quidditch team as a process rather than a spur of the moment decision would be better. We still have time before the Quidditch season starts, so what do you say readers? Should Harry be on the team this year? Other students will have the opportunity to try out too. Also thank you for your reviews and continued support.

Disclaimer: You should know this isn't mine by now. I'm just playing in J.K. Rowling's sandbox and building a different sandcastle.