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The Next Morning
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-19-07 10:17
Hermione woke up the next day, feeling refreshed and relaxed even though she was sleeping in a tent under the blazing hot Egyptian sun. She threw her legs over the slide of the bed and raised her arms in a stretch while she yawned. Then she got up and padded to the tent's bathroom to freshen up and dress. Sometime later, she emerged in a pair of khaki shorts and a yellow spaghetti-strapped tank top.
She went to Ron's bed and sat down next to him. He was sound asleep, with his limbs spread in all directions and his mouth hanging open. At least he wasn't drooling.
Hermione kissed his forehead and said, "Rise and shine. We have a long day ahead of us."
Ron stirred and tried to pull Hermione into bed with him, but she laughed and managed to extract herself from his arms. "I'm going to get breakfast started."
She poked him in the side to make sure that he would get up and then went to the kitchen to start fixing French toast.
"Good morning, Harry," she said, as Harry stumbled out of bed and shuffled for the bathroom. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did," Harry mumbled, "but I had a strange dream about fingers."
"I had a dream that we found the flower. I hope we do find it today. I just really want to find it and get back to Britain."
"This is only our third day," Harry reminded Hermione. "We haven't really been here all that long and there's still a lot of ground to cover, but you never know. Third time's the charm, isn't it?" He looked in Ron's direction and saw that his red-haired friend was still sleeping, his limbs still hanging off the side of the bed. His mouth had fallen open again.
Hermione, with a warm plate in her hand, gazed over Harry's shoulder. "I don't know how he ever made it to class on time while at Hogwarts."
"Sometimes he didn't––we didn't," Harry replied, laughing. He went on to the bathroom, and Hermione set the plate down on the little dining table in the tent and went back to Ron's bedside.
"Tired," Ron moaned, capturing Hermione again. This time he had a strong grip on her and pulled her towards him so that they were cuddling on the bed.
He opened his eyes as soon as he heard the water from the shower come on. Great, Harry's taking a shower! he thought. He knew he'd have at least a couple of minutes with Hermione without interruption. He loosened his grip on her enough so that she could roll over and look at him.
"Your French toast is getting cold," she said.
"That's okay," he replied. He kissed her forehead, her nose, each cheek.
They pressed their lips together for all of a second when Ron heard the water stop. Inwardly, he groaned and wondered why Harry couldn't be one of those people who stood under the shower for at least half an hour instead of just a few minutes!
At the Pitch
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 08-19-07 10:38
Viktor had an early breakfast then went to the pitch. He stood there staring for the longest time, wondering why the hell he's even bothering when Theodosia is the one running the trials. Viktor hasn't yet figured out why she wants him there. Probably to hand out broom and help get those trying out warmed up with some drills.
"Ready for tryouts?" Theodosia asks in a soft voice.
Viktor shrugs, turning his head to look over his shoulder at her. "I'm only here because you said you wanted me to help."
"That's not true. Even if after learning I'm to be in charge today, if I'd not said that, you'd still be here."
"Maybe."
Theodosia gives soft, throaty chuckle. "Keep telling yourself that if you think it will help but you and I both konw there is no maybe about it, Viktor."
Viktor's reply is to shrug again, his eyes back on the pitch.
"Help me get out the equipment?" Theodosia asks walks past him.
Wordlessly, Viktor follows. He lugs some of the boxes with practice balls out to one side of the pitch while Theodosia first got brooms then helped Viktor with the last of the boxes. By that time a few students had shown up. Viktor starts to direct them to sit in the stands when he remembers it's not his place. Let Theodosia do it and if she doesn't think to, then she can deal with having an influx of students standing in the way on the sidelines, a number of them not even there to tryout but rather only to watch.
It takes Theodosia a good ten minutes to decide that perhaps the stands are the place for potential players and spectators alike. After directing the students, "Into the stands, please," she looks at Viktor and states, "You would have done that immediately, wouldn't you?"
Yet again, Viktor shrugs. He hides a smile when there is a flash of irritation in Theodosia's eyes.
When it looks as though the flow of students has reduced to a trickle, Theodosia checks the time then magnifying her voice calls for order. "It is two minutes to the time posted for the trials to start. Those of you trying out who need brooms, let's have a nice, single file line over there where Professor Krum will lend you a school broom. Those of you with your own brooms, onto the pitch. I will divide everyone up. Smaller groups are easy for doing warm ups and drills."
Once those without brooms have one and everyone trying out is on the pitch and divided into groups, Theodosia, her magnified voice still loud but taken down a couple of notches, lets them know they will warm now warm up with some flying and passing drills.
Viktor is waiting for Theodosia to tell him which of the groups she wants him working with. Theodosia is turning as if to tell him just that or to call him over when Professor Snider comes striding into the pitch going straight up to Theodosia. Viktor was sort of expecting this. Nothing yet has been said about Nons trying out or being on the House teams. The number of students on the pitch may be cut in half within a few minutes, depending on what Snider has to say.
There are looks of dismay and grimaces on the parts of many of the students trying out. From the stands there are even some who dare to groan at the sight of Professor Snider. The pitch falls deathly quiet when, after Snider has conferred in whispers to Theodosia, the headmistress amplifies her own voice to give the dreaded announcement of yet another change at Hogwarts. What she says first comes as a real surprised. What comes after does not.
"All assembled to try out for their respective house teams may do so. Nons may even be selected for a team...
but only if there is no Pure left for a position. Pures take precedence. Carry on!"
Snider walks off, smug smile on her face. It's the smile they've all come to know too well. Viktor and everyone else knows the pronouncement could have been worse. Snider would have forbidden anyone but a pureblood from even trying out.
No Real Surprise
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 08-19-07 11:56
It was only yesterday that Coco had been with Fritz, Daria, and Phin watching some of the Ravenclaws in hopes of making the house team out here practicing and had asked those three, "You fink, I mean think that Snider will keep some of us from playing?"
All three admitted that had been on their minds. Daria and Phin are pureblooded but don't like the changes any more than most. They aren't worried about the changes for themselves but if there is a ruling on Quidditch, they knew that whatever the ruling might be, Fritz and Coco would be impacted. It would also mean possibly having a team that's not the best it could be simply because some aren't allowed to be on it.
Sitting in the stands now to watch the tryouts - as captain, Fritz has much say in what Ravenclaws make the team and which don't and he'd told the others he'd very much like their input - Coco isn't at all shocked when Professor Snider strides onto the pitch, going straight up to Professor Batuti. From the looks on other faces, few if any are surprised that even though it came late, another new rule has been announced.
Professor Batuti continues what she'd been doing, gesturing to Professor Krum to give direction to a couple of the groups on the pitch. Everything comes to another screeching halt though when Professor Snider, who's now reached the sidelines, stops, flashes an ear-to-ear self satisfied smile, and announcing in a voice charmed to project to everyone, "Shame on me, I nearly forgot other little things."
Another hush falls over the pitch.
"No Non may be a team captain. Any Nons currently on teams must retry for their respective teams if their captains had not already told them to do so."
Snider stops as if in thought then says, "That is all. Have a wonderful tryout!"
Coco takes Fritz's hand and gives it a squeeze. Not much ever bothers Coco for more than a few seconds but Snider is a growing irritation and she's just now double dinged Fritz, taking his captain's position and making him tryout with no assurances that he'll be able to reclaim his spot as a Beater. For the first time in her life, Coco calls someone else an ugly name.
"Beastly bitch," she hisses.
Daria, a deep frown marring her face, asks quietly, "Who's captain now? Do we decide ourselves or does Krum?"
Phin shakes his head, "Not Coach Krum. He's lost status to Coach Batuti."
Coach Batuti has a look on her own face that indicates at least part of Snider's visit has taken her by surprise. She speaks to the stands, "Any of you on teams already who weren't expecting to have to try out today, I'll give you time to get your brooms if you don't want to use a school broom. Also, would Fritz Scheck Scheckpheff er the captain of Ravenclaw please see me?"
Coco says, "I have to get my broom so I'll get yours too."
Phin says, "I'll come with, Coco. Captaincy will probably go to Daria."
Coco and Phin exit the stands with Frtiz right behind to go speak with Coach Batuti. Daria stays seated for a few seconds then gets up to hurry after Fritz, not because she's eager to get the Ravenclaw captain's badge but because she wants to let Fritz know he's not out there alone.
Change of Plans
Author: Zahara Destrout
Date: 08-19-07 12:36
Zahara walked over to the Quidditch Pitch feeling a wash of excitement, she really thought she might have a chance this year. She had practiced a lot over the summer and was determined to do her best today. After much debating she had decided to try out for Seeker. She saw a familiar face and walked over to see it was Sophia, another fourth year and fellow Hufflepuff. Sophia immediately started talking and mentioned that she was going to try out for Seeker as well.
Zahara felt her heart fall, she had seen Sophia fly before and knew she was no match for the other girl. "Oh, me too." She said rather glumly.
Sophia looked her up and down and laughed, "Good, that means I'll have some real competition." They both became quiet when they saw Snider approaching the field, once she had made her announcements and left they looked at each other for a long moment.
Finally, Zahara moved and simply moved to walk away, she had a death grip on her broom. Sophia grabbed her arm and turned her to face her. "And where do you think you're going?"
Zahara searched her mind for the words she wanted and finally they came out, "Look, if we both try out for the same spot, I'll get in over you and I know your the better player anyways." She said, she wasn't going to back down on this decision.
"You would do that, for me?" Sophia's voice was soft, her and Zahara had been friends since first year, but they weren't really that close at all.
"Not just for you, for the team. We deserve to have the best, regardless of Snider's beliefs." She said simply and drew in a deep breath. "But don't you think of backing down, that would defeat the purpose."
"Zahara, this is ridiculous, you can't let her get to you like this!"
"But that's just it Soph, this isn't about letting her get to me, it's about getting to her. If she would rather have a pureblood on the team over someone who is better qualified, then we won't let her. Understand?"
Sophia nodded and decided she had to let it go, it was clear she wasn't going to win this argument. "Will you at least stay and watch?"
"Alright," Zahara said and returned to her seat, she was still fingering her broom handle but she wasn't going to back down.
Another Demotion
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 08-19-07 12:40
Fritz can't say he's very surprised that he just got demoted from Ravenclaw team captain to, well, to nobody, since as of right now he isn't even on the team anymore. He has to try out, just like everyone else, and there's really no guarantee he'll play beater again, or any other position on the house team, if Professor Snider gets her way. He steps down the stands and enters the field to speak with Professor Batuti, as requested, while Coco and Phin grab a broomstick for herself and Fritz, and Daria follows after Fritz.
"Erm, Mr. Schnecker..."
"It's Schnackenpfefferhausen," Fritz says, as politely as he can manage, though his teeth are very nearly gritted together in irritation.
"Yes, well, according to Professor Snider's pronouncement, you're to relinquish your status as team captain in favor of..." she pauses to scan a list on a clipboard she holds, "in favor of Daria Matthews."
Fritz nods, sorry he just lost his spot but glad that a good person got it instead. He likes Daria a lot and thinks she'll make a great team captain.
By now, Coco and Phin have arrived, Phin carrying the broom Fritz is to use for the trials. Fritz accepts it, says "Thanks," and looks out at the field where small groups have already formed for the warm up drills.
He feels a hand fall onto his shoulder and finds Daria looking at him with sorrow in her eyes.
Fritz shakes his head. "No worries." He shoots her the smallest of smiles and then heads out with Coco to join one of the warm-up groups.
Fritz and Coco both want to resume their old positions as beaters for the Ravenclaw team, but know that there is a very good chance that they won't get to play at all this year. Hopefully Daria will be able to have a real say in who she wants playing on the team.
Fritz mounts his broom and prepares to do some sprints across the field, trying to concentrate on having a great tryout rather than stewing over the fact that Hairy the Snide has once initiated another setback for those who aren't purebloods.
Trying Out
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 08-19-07 13:53
Ronan decided he needed a distraction this year, not only from his homelife but from the unbelievable changes happening at Hogwarts. Trying out for the Gryffindor Quididitch team seemed the logical choice. Besides, Ronan was somewhat athletic, having a great interest in the Muggle sport basketball. Quidditch, in a strange way, was like basketball in that one shot a ball through a basket, or in Quidditch's case, through one of three hoops. He wasn't 100% sure, but Ronan thought he might go out for keeper.
When Professor Batuti asked for the students trying out to get their brooms and walk onto the pitch, Ronan did just that, holding the Asteroid he'd bought over the summer. Professor Batuti placed him into a group with other students of mixed ages, houses and blood statuses, but there was a moment's delay when Snider called for all nons already on teams to re-try out. After nons like Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen and Coco Nutt joined the groups, the students were asked to take to the skies for a series of warm-up exercises, like sprints.
As Ronan flew about, he occasionally looked out into the stands, expecting to see Enid, his mother, there. He didn't think she knew that he'd found her secret scrapbook of notes and Daily Prophet articles that recounted the murders she'd committed and her knowledge of the path Caden had taken that had led to his ultimate downfall. Still, Ronan couldn't be sure. Somedays, he half expected her to show up and get her journal back. Ronan knew he wanted to submit it to the authorities, but for some reason he just couldn't part with it yet.
He didn't see Enid in the stands, but he did see Professor Jones there with her sister Urania, who had dated Caden for a few months. As far as Ronan knew, Urania still worked at the Ministry of Magic for the Department of Mysteries, where Caden had once worked too. He thought both Professor Jones and her sister were very nice and wondered if maybe he should confide in them. He knew he ought to tell somebody, and Urania had probably been closer to Caden than anyone else right around the time Caden started going rogue.
Making a mental note to talk to Professor Jones and Urania after the trials, Ronan then put all his concentration into his Quidditch warm-up.
Getting Warmed Up (Jack & Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 08-19-07 14:58
Already on the field when Hairy's announcements were made, Jack grumbled under his breath, saying all sorts of choices things that if heard by an adult would surely earn him detention and result in docked points. When Wiggy joins him, after having to retrieve his broom, he too is saying things that would make even Peeves blush.
Jack grits his teeth, sets his jaw, and mounts his broom in preparation of doing his first set of sprints. Jack had been looking forward to making the team this year. He knows without doubt he has the skill. Wiggy and Deak have both been on their teams and when he's played against them in pick-up type games he's always been able to hold his own. Over the summer, his cousin Kody worked with him as did Deak's brother Drake. They both played here at Hogwarts and are now play at St. Emrys. Jack is ready. Now, thanks to Hairy the Snide, he may not get the chaser position he's wanting simply because his mother happens to have been Muggle born.
Deak watches the sprints, waiting for his turn, saying some equally derogatory things about Snider. He also says some really bad things about Minister Smythe-Jones for supporting Hairy the Snide in all these changes. Jack would make an excellent addition to their house team and had it in the bag, of that Deak is sure, until the announcement a short time ago. Now Jack will only get chaser if no pureblood wants the spot. Worse is that Fritz isn't captain anymore and both he and Coco, both awesome as beaters for Ravenclaw, have to try out even though they've been on the team for years and now aren't assured of being on it this term.
Deak's turn at sprints comes up. Fueled by his anger, he zooms at top speed down the lane designated for sprinting. When he reaches the other end, he banks sharply, barely reducing his speed, and shoots back down to the starting spot. Deak gets in line again for another go. When his group moves on to some passing drills, Deak is still so angry he can barely speak. He's assured of a team spot even if a Non trying out for the spot does better. That knowledge, along with the fact that Jack, Coco, and Fritz might not be on the team at all, clouds Deak's vision. He does his best to push past it. He's not going to have a piss poor performance today, no matter if his making the team is much more of a lock than it is for others. Deak is better than that. He'll give these trials his all so that when he does make the team, no one can say he doesn't deserve it.
Jack and Wiggy finish their sprints just before Deak's group does. They move to one set of goals to get warmed up on getting the quaffle past a keeper. Sage Porter of Hufflepuff is made by Coach Batuti to act as keeper for the drills. He doesn't look very happy about it but Jack figures it's because of Snider's announcements and not because Sage doesn't want to help out.
Jack does his best to use his anger to his advantage. He keeps his focus, setting up his shots with the quaffle well. Everyone in the group on this drill gets five turns at the quaffle for warm-up. Sage blocks two of Jack's but three get past. For the warm-up and for this group, Jack and Wigy both get three while others in the group got anywhere from zero to two.
Their group moves on to some warm-ups that involve nothing more than passing the quaffle back and forth. Deak's group moves to a warm-up with bludgers and bats. Deak wishes it is a longer warm-up because hitting the bludgers right now feels really good!
Friends and Rivals
Author: Eithne ni Domhnaill
Date: 08-19-07 17:12
Eithne and Francis came skidding to a halt upon reaching the Quidditch pitch. The coach was already grouping the students for warm-ups. With a quick wave, Francis joined the Gryffindor line as Eithne ran further on to join Hufflepuff. From behind a bunch of taller Hufflepuffs, Eithne searched in vain for Professor Krum.
"Oh yeah." she muttered to herself as she caught sight of the new coach, Theodosia Batuti. She'd forgotten. That was too bad - after all the extra flying practice she did in her second year, she was sure she would have gotten an encouraging nod or word from Professor Krum - he always seemed so appreciative when someone put in some extra effort. And to a large extent, if she admitted it, her trying out for Quidditch was out of respect for Professor Krum.
After much jostling, Eithne finally got assigned to a group. Their first task was to fly the length of the pitch in sprints. Then at a signal from the coach, switch to racing around the edge. Eithne stridled her broom and waiting for the signal to start. She needed to do well in this exercise if she was to get a Chaser position like her cousin Aine of the Ballycastle Bats.
Since Hufflepuff had the pitch for the sprints, Gryffindor was bunched together in a corner, practicing passing and batting. Ravenclaw had just completed their sprints and moved on up to the heights of the pitch to practise approaching and defending the goal. Eithne frowned as she wondered why Sage Porter was playing keeper for them. But the signal came and Eithne had only thoughts for flying.
With a push she leaned forward to gain speed and zoom ahead of two of the group. One boy, clearly showing off, began to weave in and out of the other students. Eithne snarled in anger and decided to use his antics against him. She pushed for more speed and just as he zigged to begin another weave, she shot ahead of him too. The end of the pitch was approaching and they would have to turn, flying up but not high enough to interfere with Ravenclaw. Eithne eased off and cut to the right. Her turn was a bit wide, but she quickly nestled back down and into the group. A girl had gained on her through the turn.
Eithne streaked down the field, regaining her former position as number two - no matter how she tried, she couldn't push past the leader. Blasted upper classmen! Eithne caught a thumbs up from Francis as she jinked to make her turn again. She hoped he saw her smile - she wouldn't risk waving.
Two more passes back and forth and the signal came for racing around the pitch. Eithne found that easier - no breaking turns - but she still couldn't pass the leader. For the rest of the practice, she remained number two behind the older student. Her fierce competitive spirit left her grumpy as they were signaled to come in for a landing. She hadn't done badly at all, but she would never be happy with anything less than number one - that was her Da in her!
Coach Batuti gave some critique to the group and then had them clear the pitch for the Gryffindor sprints. In a few moments, they would begin the passing and batting practices Gryffindor had just left. Eithne craned her neck to see where Francis was - she knew he was mostly interested in the Keeper position, but had admitted he might try for Seeker too. He'd need speed for the latter. Eithne waved as the Gryffindor pack set off down the pitch; then, shuffled off with the rest of her group to the corner of the pitch just vacated by Gryffindor.