Part 3: Quidditch Tryouts

Drea Vela tries out for the Ravenclaw team.

I headed out to the courtyard. Luckily, I saw Harry with Ron and Hermione.

            “Harry! Hey, Harry!” I cried, running up to him.

            “Yeah?” he said, turning around. Noticing that it was me, he smiled, and quite nervously, if I might add. I ran a hand through my hair. Ron was looking googgly-eyed at me once more and Hermione was glaring at him disapprovingly once again, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

            “Do you know where Care of Magical Creatures is?”

            “Yeah. It’s down by Hagrid’s hut. Come on, I’ll show you. By the way, I have it, too.”

            I smiled at him. “Really? Cool!”

            Hermione glared at Harry. “Oh, and so do Ron and Hermione.”

            “Okay.”

            We made our way down to Hagrid’s hut. Midway, I challenged Harry to a race.

            “So, what do you think? Wanna race?”

            “Um…sure!”

            “On your mark, get set, go!”

            I ran with all my strength, breathing hard. I’m very good at athletics. I love to run. I left Harry in my path looking really puzzled.

            When he caught up to me, he was panting.

            “Where’d…you learn to…do that?”

            “Simple. I run a lot. You probably don’t.”

            “No, but I play as Seeker for the Gryffindor team. Do you play?”

            “A little. I used to play with some close cousins of mine. Are there tryouts?

            “Yeah. You’d have to check your Common Room, though. If you do, do you mind if I come and watch you?”

            “Not at all.”

            “You know…about what you said before about being an orphan…is it true?”

            I looked down sadly. “Yeah. I don’t really like to talk about them. They were…killed when I was thirteen.”

            “Who killed them?”

            “…Death Eaters. Basically by Voldemort,” I whispered loudly.

            “Really? I didn’t know.”

            “It’s okay.”

            “But that does explain why you could see that thestral the day you came here. You saw your family murdered, didn’t you?”

            I nodded sadly. I had to admit that it was scary how much Harry and I had in common, besides despising Malfoy.

            When we approached Hagrid’s cabin, many students had already gathered around it. Hagrid was patiently waiting for the last of us.

            “Everybody ‘ere?”

            He looked around at all of us. Nobody said or did anything.

            “Okay, then. Follow me!”

            Hagrid led us into a bright part of the Forbidden Forest. Everything was so green. It was beautiful. We reached a clearing where Hagrid stopped and turned to us.

            “Now, I’d like all of yeh ter turn ter page 203 in yer books. We’ll be learnin’ ‘bout sphinxes.”

            He turned to face the forest and whistled softly. A creature lumbered out. I assumed it was the sphinx. Every one of us widened out eyes at the sight of such a magnificent creature. The head of the sphinx was a woman’s head, which had a beautiful mane of flowing golden-honey hair that matched the color of its lower torso of a lion. It padded forward cautiously, searching each of us carefully with its eyes.

            “I’d like it if all of yeh would begin ter read.”

            And so I read. I found that as my eyes grazed the words, I was fascinated by the sphinx. I learned that often sphinxes told riddles and were often portrayed in Ancient Egypt as statues, but with the head of a certain ruler.

            “This is Goldenrod. As yeh all may know, sphinxes often tell riddles ter confuse an enemy. They’re very proud creatures and like ter be treated with the utmost respect.”

            I listened, fascinated, since because I inherited my mother’s love for magical creatures.

            Hagrid went on about the importance of sphinxes and how they were endangered and were very rare. He described in detail how sphinxes and many other endangered magical creatures were often bred in captivity.

            “I acquired Goldenrod ‘ere through the Ministry of Magic. The Minister wants yeh all ter know all yeh can about’em.”

            I wrote down notes as he spoke. Never know when you might have a test on these kinds of things. Always have to be prepared.

            Hagrid clapped his hands together. “Now, who would like ter say ‘ello?”

            Everybody stepped back except me. I was willing to learn as much about sphinxes as I could.

            “You there! What’s yer name?”

            “Drea Vela, sir.”

            “Well, thank yeh for volunteering! Come on up!”

            I eagerly walked up to Hagrid with a big smile lighting up my face. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors watched me curiously, observing my every move, especially the Trio.

            “All yeh have ter do, Drea, is ter approach ‘er carefully with as much respect as yeh can muster. Sphinxes don’t like rude people.”

            I nodded my head in response, watching Goldenrod as carefully as she watched me. She flicked her golden tail as I neared her slowly. I kept eye contact with her, never straying away from her gaze. Her slitted topaz eyes mesmerized me. I stopped and bowed, never removing my eyes from hers. She cocked her head, thinking to decide whether or not to trust me. Goldenrod seemed to trust me and came towards me, her cheek brushing against my head. I could hear pleased purring coming from deep within her throat.

            Hagrid clapped happily. The others applauded, too, filled with awe. Harry, especially.

            “Very nice! Very, very nice! Yeh treated her with lots o’ respect! How much do yeh know about sphinxes?”

            “Lots, among other magical creatures. My mother was planning to be a breeder, but…she never got the chance.”

            “Well, very well done! Ten points ter Ravenclaw!”

            At this, my fellow Ravenclaws clapped harder than ever, now impressed by my knowledge.

            “Can yeh explain about sphinxes?”

            “Yes, of course, sir. Sphinxes tell riddles in order to confuse the enemy. In Greek Mythology, the sphinx was originally said to have wings and tell a certain riddle that no one could figure out. Then, a young man came along and the sphinx asked him the riddle. He deciphered it, and, in doing so, the sphinx was so baffled by this that it killed itself.”

            “Well, that certainly covers it! Would yeh care ter tell us what the riddle was?”

            “I think that Goldenrod can tell us herself,” I said slyly, turning to face the sphinx. Goldenrod waved her tail around and sat down, her eyes boring into my own.

            Then, she spoke in a most silky voice never heard before by man or beast.

            “What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night?”

            This seemed to puzzle everyone, including Hagrid.

            Goldenrod stared me down, never blinking once. Thankfully, I already knew the answer.

            “Simple. Man. In the beginning, man crawls on all four, and then walks on two as his life progresses, and in the end, bends over on a cane on three.”

            Once again, everyone was awed by my intelligence. I smiled in pride. I turned around to face my classmates. Hermione seemed very happy at my knowledge and was clapping and beaming at me with approval. I grinned once more, proud of myself.

 

__________________________

 

            Hagrid dismissed us a half an hour later with no homework. I had to admit that was a relief. As I walked away from the hut, the Trio came up to me. Hermione suddenly began to barrage me with a bombard of questions.

            “That was wicked, Drea! Where’d you learn all that?”

            “My mother. She wanted to be a breeder.”

            “Cool!” exclaimed Ron. “Do you know anything else?”

            “Lots.”

            I walked all the way to Charms with them following me and chatting away. Harry, I noticed, was smiling at me from ear to ear. When I caught his eye, he turned away, blushing. I flushed a bit, too, almost giggling. I stopped myself and posed a neutral look on my face that betrayed no emotion.

            “Well, see you guys. I have to go to Charms.”

            I observed that Harry seemed sort of disappointed.

            “See you later!” I said, waving. As I turned around I bumped into none other than Draco Malfoy. He smirked that infamous smirk of his at me and lifted an eyebrow.

            “Well, well, we meet again, Drea,” he taunted, lifting my right hand to kiss my knuckles. At first, I felt quite enchanted, but then gradually realizing what was happening, I pulled away and slapped him silly.

            “Don’t EVER touch me again!” I barked, rushing into the classroom, which was quite empty.

            “But, Drea, I thought you were enjoying it!” Malfoy sauntered over to my desk, placing a hand on its wooden surface.

            “Leave me alone, you filthy ferret.”

            “I can’t. At least, not until the end of class, anyway. Slytherin and Ravenclaw have classes together today.”

            Alas, he was right, because a bunch of Ravenclaw and Slytherin students filed in through the doors. I muttered under my breath, cursing.

            “Can I sit here?” he asked, pointing to the seat next to me, smirking all the while.

            “Fine!” I said, waving him off. He sat down casually, seeming to observe me carefully. I had to admit that he was…well…kinda cute…in a way.

            A small man arrived after everyone got seated. I recognized him as the Head of Ravenclaw.

            “Hello! As many of you know, I am Professor Flitwick. Today we shall be learning about the charm called Aqua Eructo. Very useful when wanting to put out small fires. Now, let’s practice the wand movement.”

            Flitwick demonstrated with a wavelike movement, moving his wand almost fluidly through the air.

            “Please repeat the pattern.”

            And, we did.

            “Now, add the incantation Aqua Eructo. Let me show you!”

            Flitwick lit a fire in a large goblet. He did the movement and said Aqua Eructo. A jet stream of water immerged from the wand, quickly extinguishing the fire. I was impressed and Flitwick told us to do the same. I lit the goblet in front of me on fire and repeated the incantation. My fire went out. Malfoy was sitting beside me, his mouth open. I looked at his goblet. It was burning brighter than ever. Apparently, he still hadn’t mastered the spell yet.

            “Does little Draco need some help?” I taunted, snickering at his achievement. He glowered at me and continued to work.

            Malfoy sighed and put down his wand. “Yeah, I do. Will you, uh…”

            “Help you?” I finished for him.

            He glared angrily at me.

            “Yeah, that.”

            “Sure, I guess.”

            I showed him the correct movements and the right way to say the spell. By the end of class, he finally got it right.

            “Looks like no homework for the both of us, huh?”

            “Yeah, well, don’t expect me to help you again,” I retorted, gathering up my books and wand.

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            Now, I wasn’t about to let Malfoy be my friend, but we certainly weren’t allies. We separated when we came to a different corridor. The bell rang for lunch and I once again met up with Cho at the Hall doors.

            “So, how did you like your first day at Hogwarts?”

            “Mmm…tough, but not bad. I don’t think Snape is the Head of Slytherin anymore.”

            She slapped a hand to her hand. “That’s right! I’m so sorry! I forgot.”

            I shrugged, placing my books down at a seat at the Ravenclaw table. “That’s alright. No biggie.”

            I grabbed some lunch during free period and did some homework. All the while, Cho and I talked about things that weren’t of much importance. I was chatting to her about Care of Magical Creatures.

            “…so, they seem pretty impressed with my knowledge. Hermione especially.”

            “Hermione Granger? Isn’t she the smart one in Gryffindor?”

            “Yeah. I met her. She seems pretty nice.”

            “Pity she didn’t get into Ravenclaw with that intelligence and all.”

            “She hangs out with Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. Do you…um…know much about Harry?”

            Cho choked on her food just as I mentioned Harry’s name.

            A look of alarm passed over my face.

            “Cho? Cho, are you alright?” I asked, patting her back. She coughed up some of her food.

            “Did you say Harry Potter?”

            “What’s wrong?”

            “I used to date him!”

            “What?!”

            “Believe it or not, yeah. So…why do you want to know about him?”

            “No reason. It’s just that…he seems…interesting and all,” I answered cautiously, looking down at my food.

            “Hmmm…you like him, don’t you?”

            “No! No…I don’t…!”

            “Admit it. You’re blushing scarlet right now!”

            “Oh, alright, fine. Yeah, I do. You…don’t have a problem with it…do you?”

            “Well, not after he blew me off last year in Hogsmeade, no. Sure, I feel sorta…jealous, but I guess that’s normal.”

            “I’m just not sure if…he likes me back…”

            “Well, you can never know!” she said slyly, winking at me. I giggled.

            I guess she really is over Harry. What a shock that must’ve been when I said his name! I still don’t know…

            I finished up, still not entirely sure about Cho’s feelings for Harry.

            I got up and packed my things. “I’ll see ya later. I’m going down to the Lake.”

            “See you!”

            I exited the Hall, all the while boys watching my every move entranced. I snickered. I couldn’t help but think it funny. I decided to do a technique that I taught myself how to do. I walked by a brown haired Ravenclaw boy who looked as if he were in his seventh year. He turned to stare at me, and I looked down at the ground, walking slowly. Just then, I glanced up at him from underneath my eyelashes and he tripped and fell over his own feet. I giggled softly at his expression and ran the rest of the way to the Lake.

            It was quiet and the area was empty. Just the way I liked it. I always preferred to be alone, though I do quite enjoy the company of others. Today was definitely one of those times when I needed my privacy.

            I sat down, savoring the silence, taking my robe off and just leaving me with my grey skirt and shirt on along with knee-high grey socks and Mary-Janes. I lay back, folding my arms behind my head and criss-crossing my legs. I took a breath in and noticed how clean the air seemed to be. So much cleaner than Manhattan’s. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the breeze blowing and the birds singing. Could things possibly get any better?

            A nervous looking boy with Gryffindor colors on his robes sat under a tree. I noticed that he was holding something in his hands. I turned over and squinted my eyes. It was a toad. He looked up, his light brown hair ruffling in the breeze, noticing me staring at him. He came over and sat down next to me.

            “H-hello…,” he stammered. I bunched my legs up, hugging them to my chest.

            “Hi!”

            He blushed a very deep crimson. I almost giggled.

            “I’m…um…Neville…Neville Longbottom,” he greeted, offering a hand.

            I took it kindly. “You probably already know who I am.”

            Neville didn’t seem as nervous now.

            “Yeah. You’re that new girl, Drea Vela.”

            “Mmm-hmm,” I answered, nodding my head. I watched the inky surface of the Lake shift to and fro in the breeze.

            “So…how do you like Hogwarts?”

            “Honestly…I think this is the best place I’ve ever been. Considering I’ve barely been anywhere, this really is the best place. Hogwarts is like a second home to me.” I smiled warmly when I said this, stroking a lock of my black hair behind my ear.

            Neville smiled, too, stroking his brownish toad.

            “What’s his name?” I asked, pointing to his pet.

            “Him?” he asked, lifting the toad up. “This is Trevor.”

            I smiled. “His name fits him. Can I pet him?”

            Neville seemed very ecstatic about this.

            “Y-yeah, sure!”

            He held Trevor out for me and I grabbed him without hesitation. As I said, I’ve always loved animals, especially the Muggle kind. I stroked Trevor’s skin gently, not minding the slippery feeling of him in my hands. He croaked quietly. I could feel Neville staring at me and I turned my head to him. His entire face was lit up with a grin.

            “You k-know, no one ever wanted…to pet Trevor before.”

            “Well, I think it depends on the sort of people you come across. Some people might think that’s Trevor’s disgusting. I think he’s cute.”

            “R-really?”

            “Yeah. My mom taught me to love all animals, magical or not.”

            Now, Neville was grinning from ear to ear. I handed Trevor back to him.

            “Not many people like you, do they?”

            “No,” he replied solemnly, looking down at Trevor. I could feel Neville’s aura. He was very shy and he knew pain. “No one really bothers with me. Usually, people are rude to me or just ignore me or are polite to me. Sometimes it’s all three.”

            I nudged Neville in the shoulder gently with mine. “Well, I like you.”

            “Really?”

            “Yeah! You seem nice enough, and you’re not rude at all like…ugh…Malfoy.”

            Neville appeared to shiver at the sound of that ferret’s name.

            “He teases me and pushes me around.”

            “If he ever comes near you, I will kick his platinum blonde a*s to the moon!” I threatened. Neville smiled.

            “Thanks!”

            “Anytime!”

            He walked away and appeared to be blushing once more, but with a smile on his face. I felt good at making him feel better and making a new friend.

 

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            A few weeks later, my friendships progressed and the Trio and I became even closer, especially Harry and I. Neville and I became the best of friends, while Malfoy as around me even more, hitting on me and flirting me. Once he even tried to kiss me, but I jinxed him so that his feet tap-danced ‘til dawn. Cho was officially my best friend and let me know what was happening around the castle. She always had the greatest gossip.

            Cho sat down at the table, smiling. I looked up from my dinner, curious.

            “What is it?”

            “I just wanted to tell you that Quidditch tryouts are tonight!”

            “Really? It’s about time! I’ve been waiting forever! Are you going to be trying out?”

            “No, but I used to play as Seeker. What position do you want to play?”

            I shrugged. “I don’t know. Seeker would do nicely. Doesn’t matter to me what I get.”

            “Well, just to tell you, the tryouts are going to be at 7:30, so you’d better start getting ready.”

            “What time is it?”

            “7:00.”

            “Holy crap!”

            I shoved the rest of my dinner into my mouth along with some pumpkin juice.

            “See ya, Cho!”

            “Good luck!”

            I rushed up into the Ravenclaw dormitories, muttering the password to the portrait as I passed. I went immediately to my trunk and pulled out a striped black and white turtleneck with some cuffed jeans and my beatup sneakers. I changed out of my robes and into these along with reranging my hair so that it was loose and down to my waist. I slipped on a grey cloth headband, placing it right behind my ears so that it didn’t exactly keep the hair away from my face, but just enough so that it wasn’t irritating.

            I grabbed my broom from my oak trunk. It was a new and perfectly polished Firebolt, excellent for Quidditich. My old broom had gotten ruined, so I got a new one before school in the States. I sprinted down the stairs and out the portrait heading straight for the Quidditch field. I almost gasped. It was big and green and very awe-inspring. I had never seen anything so cool in my entire life.

            I began to slowly walk, panting hard from the run. I went into an entrance and saw that there were other Ravenclaws besides me there. I have to say that most of them were boys, but there was also a fair share of girls, too.

            At hearing me enter, some of the kids turned to stare at me. The boys were looking googly-eyed at me, practically panting at my prescence, but I pretended to take no notice. I looked around searching for Harry. I found him watching me from the Gryffindor tent. He waved to me eagerly, and I returned the gesture, waving franctily in order for him to see me. I could see, even in the distance, that he was grinning at me and blushing madly, if I might add. The other kids curiously looked towards the direction I was waving at, but seemed not to care once seeing nothing. I knew Harry had then sat down.

            Just then, an older Ravenclaw, about seventh year, with dirty-blonde hair in what I assumed were our team’s colored robes came out with a serious look on his face. He looked around at us, lingering his gaze on me for quite some time.

            “Hello, everyone, I’m Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain and Chaser Justin Blakely. I’m guessing that everyone here is trying out for the team?”

            Nobody moved, barely breathing, even. It seemed like Blakely held a lot of  power on the team.

            Not waiting for an answer, Blakely went on.

            “Good. We have some spaces availiable for Seeker and two Beaters considering those students who played on the team graduated the previous year from Hogwarts. Seeker tryouts will come first. Now, who here is trying out for Seeker?”

            I put a hand up, as did some others. “I am.”

            He looked at me intensely, narrowing his cloudy grey eyes. He pointed to me.

            “You, come here.”

            I approached him with my broom in one hand. He stared at me, never even bothering to blink once.

            “What experience have you had as playing a Seeker?”

            “Well, I played with some close cousins of mine and I play some Muggle baseball, but that’s it.”

            Blakely stuck his thumb out to the field.

            “Show me what you got.”

            I got on my broom feeling nervous and confident all at the same time. I rose high into the air and watched him.

            Blakely opened a worn old trunk and got out the Snitch, which was a golden ball with two tiny white wings on both sides. He flung it into the air and it opened its wings and began to flutter around the field.

            “Now,” he shouted at me, “you are to catch the Snitch as fast as you can while some other players send Bludgers at you. Got it?”

            “Yeah!” I hope so.

            I scrutinized the field and narrowed my eyes, spotting the Snitch at last. I leaned forward on my broom and headed for the golden ball. Suddenly, two mud brown Bludgers headed straight for me. I leaned my broom up and managed to dodge them, making the balls crash into each other and explode in midair. I exhaled the breath I was holding in without even realizing it. The wind blew strongly, making my long black hair flap behind me like a flag in a breeze.

            I saw two other  Ravenclaw Beaters throwing around a Quaffle. I somehow swerved through them to the Snitch. It was fluttering innocently to and fro, glinting and sparkling in the last rays of the sun. A fierce look overcame my face and my brow furrowed in concentration. As quick as a cat, I leaned forward, holding out my hand, and headed for the Snitch. It flew away from me and I kept a watchful eye on it, following its every move. It flapped its wings harder than ever before as I gained on it. A sudden burst of speed from my Firebolt sent my palm straight into the Snitch, catching it perfectly.

            I slowed and touched down perfectly on the ground, panting slightly from the exercise. I glanced up and noticed that my fellow Ravenclaws were looking at me  awe-struck. I looked at Blakely. He wasn’t smiling at all, yet he approached me carefully. Blakely grabbed my hand and shook it.

            He smirked. “Welcome to the team, Vela.”

            “Thanks.”

            The other kids gathered around me, chattering about how impressed they were and asking me how I got so good.

 

            After the tryouts were over, I headed over to the Lake to think. I sat down, the breeze ruffling my hair. I bent one leg and laid the other down on the grass and placed an arm on my leg, leaning my head on it and looking at the last of the sun reflected in the Lake. I then remembered Harry when I heard his voice calling out my name.

            “Drea! Drea!” he called. I heard his legs thumping on the ground and turned about and saw he was running.

            I smiled at him, flushing slightly. I hope he didn’t notice that.

            “Hey, Harry,” I greeted as he sat down next to me. He smiled back.

            “So, why didn’t you wait for me?”

            I slapped a hand to my head. “Oh, gosh, I’m sorry, Harry, I forgot. Sorry!”

            “That’s all right. I just wanted to tell you that…well…you did a good job. In fact you were…fantastic. You’re a great Seeker.”

            “Thanks, Harry. I’d have to see you in action, too, but I bet you’re real good!”

            Harry blushed so much that his face looked like a tomato. It was real cute.

            “Thanks. I actually am. Did you know that my dad was a Seeker, too?”

            “Cool. I bet you get your talent from him, right?”

            “Yeah…”

            I could sense the tension on the topic, so I changed it.

            “So…I can’t remember, but when’s Gryffindor playing again?”

            “Next Saturday. We’re against Slytherin.”

            “Who’s their Seeker?”

            “Malfoy,” he said with disgust, grimacing.

            “Ah…well, let’s hope you kick his a*s.”

            “I hope.”

            “Well…I’ve got to go. Don’t wanna be late for dinner,” I said, standing up. Harry stood up, too, looking disappointed.

            “Oh…well…see you.”

            I waved. “See you.”

            I could feel him staring at me as I ran off to the Hall, blushing madly. I knew then that I had a crush on Harry Potter.

Reviews

[KisuKimmi]

" Luckily, I saw Harry with Ron and Hermione." You did not clarify to the reader why it was lucky that she ran into Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

" Now, I wasn’t about to let Malfoy be my friend, but we certainly weren’t allies." I think it would sound better if you used "and" rather than "but."

I'm a little confused about this part "“Mmm…tough, but not bad. I don’t think Snape is the Head of Slytherin anymore.” It seems random mentioning something about Snape when he wasn't being discussed.

"He held Trevor out for me and I grabbed him without hesitation." Maybe change "grabbed" to "took." Grabbing suggests that you snatch it quickly, when it was probably a slower movement as to not scare the toad.

"I found him watching me from the Gryffindor tent. He waved to me eagerly, and I returned the gesture, waving franctily in order for him to see me." I think you meant "frantically."