This chapter delves into the concept of Harry sticking up for himself more and not letting people walk all over him. It also has an actions have consequences vibe to it.

Harry, meanwhile, made a decision about something regarding his fifth year at Hogwarts.

He had had it with Angelina Johnson and her temper and attitude.

Obviously, Angelina was not being invited to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Club that was being led by himself, Luna, Susan, and Hannah.

But Harry decided to cut off any ties he might have to Angelina.

And this meant quitting Quidditch.

And Harry would be given the perfect opportunity to resign from the Quidditch Team during the next evening's practice.

During the practice session, Harry had missed catching a golden snitch when it slipped through his fingers.

An angry Angelina approached Harry and yelled, "MY GOD, SEEKER, YOU HAVE THE SLIPPERERY FINGERS I HAVE EVER SEEN! DID YOU DIP YOUR HANDS IN GREASE OR OIL BEFORE TONIGHT'S PRACTICE? MAYBE YOU SHOULD INVEST SOME OF YOUR FORTUNE IN STICKEM!"

Harry, however, did not get angry back.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly on his Firebolt and bolted toward the ground. He landed safely.

At this, everyone on the team followed suit and Harry faced Angelina straight up.

"Angelina," said Harry, "I'm done with you, and I'm done with Quidditch. I am resigning effective immediately. "

"Why?" prodded Angelina.

"Because of you," growled Harry, "Ever since you became captain you have engaged in a number of instances of yelling at me, unfairly blaming me for Umbitch's detentions, and losing your temper with me."

"Sometimes a captain has to criticize his or her players," Angelina defended herself.

"Criticize, absolutely, " said Harry in a crystal clear voice, "Explain what a player did wrong and how he or she can improve. Yelling, temper tantrums, and insults are not the answers. With how many times you've lost temper with me this year, one would think you were a toddler, preschooler, or kindergartener."

"Gryffindor needs you, Harry," said Angelina.

Harry saw past this attempt at patronizing and said, "I've already won a Quidditch Cup and at this time there are more important things for me to think about than Quidditch. Quitting the team will both free up some time for me and get me away from your towering temper. Whether or not I still like Quidditch is neither here nor there compared to your treatment of me. I terminated my friendships with Ron and Hermione earlier this year because they didn't have proper respect for me as either a friend or a person. You are also someone who has lost me because you didn't respect me as a person. A good captain would have pointed out why I dropped that snitch without yelling or temper tantrums. If it was unclear why I dropped that snitch, a good captain would have given me encouragement and told me that I would get it the next time. A good captain gives his or her team constructive criticism calmly and encouragement. A good captain doesn't yell at his or her players or throw temper tantrums in front of them. A good captain certainly doesn't insult his or her players because of their failures and mistakes."

Angelina looked stunned.

"Angelina," said Harry fiercely, "Actions have consequences. The consequence of how you've treated me this year is losing as a team member. I won't miss you."

"You know," agreed Katie, "Harry is right. You've treated him like hot garbage this year and he has every right and every reason to walk away from the team. You have also treated me far worse than you used to since becoming team captain. You are too high strung about Quidditch because you take it too seriously. In solidarity with Harry, I am also discontinuing my team membership."

"I've felt that too," added Alicia, "Angelina, we've been besties since we were babies, but this year I haven't enjoyed your friendship nearly as much because you are in a bad mood 24/7 due to your Quidditch obsession. Both in support of Harry and Katie, and because your attitude has taken the fun out of Quidditch, I am also removing myself from this team."

"You-" began Fred.

"Have also-" continued George.

"Lost our services," declared Fred.

"Because you have become a maniac," finished George.

Next nanosecond, Harry, Fred, George, Katie, and Alicia, their broomsticks in hand, walked away from the Quidditch Pitch and back to Gryffindor Tower.

"Password?" asked the Fat Lady.

"Rebel," replied Harry and the portrait hole swung open.

"Okay," Harry told Fred, George, Katie, and Alcia, "I'll see you all at our first Defense Against the Dark Arts Club meeting in Classroom Eleven at Eleven tonight. I'm going to go sit in an armchair by the fire and do some quiet reflecting until then.

So, Harry went down and sat down on one of the armchairs by the fire.

Harry quietly reflected on his decision to cut ties with Ron and Hermione and how he had vowed at the time to stick up for himself more this year and not let people walk all over him.

In some ways, cutting Angelina out of his life was not so different from cutting Ron and Hermione out of his life. It came down to standing up to people who didn't show him proper respect as a person and cutting them out of his life.

The fact that Fred, George, Katie, and Alicia had all quit the team as well was not surprising to Harry. He was sure that they too had grown weary of her act and suspected that they would follow his lead in dismissing themselves from the team,

As Keeper trials had not taken place yet, Angelina was now the only member of her team left.

Harry didn't feel sorry for her. She deserved to reap what she had sewn.

Harry also reflected on the burden he had lifted off of himself by quitting Quidditch. He would have been happy to remain on the team if Angelina had not been such a huge fucking bitch. Nevertheless, Harry knew that playing Quidditch had been very time consuming.

Harry's plate was now less full, and he'd have more time to do his homework properly and to commit more time to his studies. And when homework, academics, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts club weren't taking up his time, he'd have more friend time to spend with Luna, Susan, and Hannah.

He could now further commit himself to his schooling. And if he was honest about it, he'd rather spend his free time taking friend time with Luna, Susan, and Hannah than playing Quidditch. Harry felt a sense of relief wash over him as he reflected on the events of the night.

Now, he could focus not only his time, but also his mind more on more important things.

These more important things included the Defense Against the Dark Clubs he was leading with Luna, Susan, and Hannah and he arrived in Classroom Eleven a minute and a nanosecond before Eleven hit, ready to get started.

Next chapter will be the first Defense Against the Dark Arts Club meeting.

A shout out to the following members who have added Bonded Over Losses to their favorites and/or follows lists since the last update:

Angelvier

aerojade22

blastcore1

Bookmanrc

Bumbaman

Ciberprison

cmtmp

coolgirl674

crawler82

daniel45011

DARTHCAEDUS2

Drimeth-White-Lady-of-Rohan

Fenrir Azazel

harryPeru

Kertimir

lxn12328

Phoedra135

pozsgai83

PrincessLyra94

Raghav-Garg

Remzal Von Enili

Roganor

SonoGirl

Tim Mcnamara

Wdean2023

wisearkasen

wolfy1000

Since the last update, Bonded Over Losses has surpassed not one, not two, three outstanding milestones: Bonded Over Losses now has over 200 favorers with 210, over 300 followers with 304, and over 30000 views with, 30003. Thank you to everyone responsible for Bonded Over Losses surpassing these amazing milestones.

As this will be the last update to Bonded Over Losses before Thanksgiving, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Be safe everyone!

Much love from Arizona for all the support. Love you all-Michael. :) ❤️