Something To Look Forward To

Never have I wanted anything more in my life. I've never felt so determined before. Sure I may be only twelve years old but I want this. What do I want you ask? No, my friend, I don't want this...I need this. Quidditch. I need this position on The Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Why do I want this so badly? Trust me, you wouldn’t understand. Give you a try, eh? Alright then.

Have you ever been looked down upon? I have. All my life I've been known as "The little black kid down the street." And no, I didn't live in a well brought up town, or family at that matter. My mother left me and my father when I was two. My father and I lived in a town I reckon you would refer to as, "The Ghetto." We weren't well off with money either. He was always at work too. I only saw him at night. I went to a public school to receive an education. I never had plans for life. I knew I could never achieve them. Not with the life I live in anyway.

But on my 11th birthday, I received a letter. And you know the rest. I thought maybe my life would be better when I went to Hogwarts, perhaps I'd make some friends even. Boy was I wrong. The first three months at that place were a living hell. I didn't associate with anyone because I didn't know how to make friends. I kept to myself. So naturally, kids made fun of me. They called me "The quiet freak," and "The Nerd." It hurt. So my outlook on life returned- my life wasn’t all that great and I'd never make anything of myself.

Then we had flying class with Madame Hooch. I was rather eager to see how flying on a broomstick would feel. I'd seen TV. shows with witches , and always wished I could fly. The moment I mounted my broom, I knew this would become one of my main hobbies. Little did I know that I was such a natural. I guess all those years on a bicycle taught me to steer well. I was having a blast, flying in class, feeling the wind in my hair. I felt like I could do that forever. I felt so comfortable and free.

After class ended these two boys in my class, Fred and George Weasley, came up to me and complimented me on how well I flew. Fred and George were my first friends. We talked about flying and such. I liked Fred and George. They made me feel like I was welcome.

One day they asked me if I liked Quidditch. Being muggleborn, I had no idea what "Quidditch" was. They explained everything to me. And when I say everything, I mean everything. The tactics, and the way of the game sounded fascinating. They gave me a book from the library, "Quidditch Through the Ages," to read. It was absolutely brilliant. I was eager to play Quidditch, it sounded like good fun.

Fred and George told me they had a friend who was on the house team, Oliver Wood. I asked them how they were friends with a third year. They said their brother Percy and Oliver were roommates. Anyhow, Fred and George talked to Oliver, who they accused of being a Quidditch nut, telling him how I'd never played Quidditch. Oliver, astonished that I had no idea what Quidditch was, was very willing to help me out. So I went to one of Gryffindor's practices and watched. And afterwards I stayed with Fred, George, and Oliver so they could teach me how to play.

And let me tell you, I didn't know someone could be that obsessed with Quidditch. I curse myself for ever doubting Fred and George when they told me about Oliver. That boy was a walking Quidditch dictionary. He knew all the plays, rules, and moves. Word for word. He was amazing.

Oliver explained the player's positions and asked me which one I wanted to practice as. I picked the Chaser position, seeing as it sounded easiest. After about an hour I had got the hang of it. And I must have been pretty good because Oliver kept stating how well I was doing. And I reckon if Oliver-Mr.-Quidditch-Loving-Fool Wood thinks your good, then you must be good.

That’s how it all started. From that night on, I had become a Quidditch addict. I would really get into the games and such. Screaming at the ref. when I disagreed, cheering for my house team, booing the opposing house team. I eventually memorized most of "Quidditch Through the Ages." Now I curse myself for claiming Oliver to be crazy, when Fred and George remind me that I sound just like him.

Through out the year I had gained more friends, my social skills becoming better. The Weasleys can do that to you. I even went to several of Gryffindor's Quidditch practices and trained myself. When I played I felt like I could actually do something. I felt that I could actually make something of my life. Sure I was only eleven years old, but I'd never felt so confident.

I asked Oliver what year you had to be on to get on the house team. He told me that second years could make the team if you were good enough. I asked him if he thought I was good enough to even try out. He said "Most defiantly." And that settled it. I wanted to try out next year. Oliver was great, he was like the older brother I never had.

Over the summer I spent quite a few days at the Weasley's house, training. They helped me improve my Moves and my skills. Over the summer I became a very good Chaser. It was quite easy training at the Burrow because Fred and George were very eager to become Beaters. And their brother Charlie was a superb Seeker.

When I came back to school the following year, I had something I had never had before. A dream. An ambition. I wanted to be one of the Chasers on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

And that leads me to where I started. I wanted this position. I needed it. I needed something that I could work for. I needed something that I could look forward to. I never had anything like that. When I was growing up, I never had anything to work for. No dreams. No hopes. Nothing to look forward to when I woke up in the morning. Now I did.

When try-outs came around, I was nervous as hell. I think I did rather well. There wasn't that much competition. Clearly, the people trying out didn't train as hard as I did. Oliver kept a good eye out for me during tryouts. When the Chasers had to try to get the quaffle past the Keeper, which was Oliver, I told him not to let me score. I told him if he slacked off just because it was me, that I would personally see to it that he couldn't play a game of Quidditch for a good month, or have children at that.

I had three shots. Shot number one- I got it in. I glared at Oliver just to make sure that he understood that I meant business. Shot number two- I got that one in as well. I actually saw the look of disappointment on Oliver's face when he missed it. Shot number three- I missed, but not by far. I could tell by the look on everyone's face that I did well.

After everyone had got done we were to find out who made the team. I was nervous but Fred and George had supportive hands on my shoulders. I had seen them try out across the field. They were very good. I don't see why they were trying to block the bludgers, they were a pair of human bludgers them selves. The bludgers and the twins harmonized quite well.

The captain of the team, a sixth year girl, announced how well everyone did and such. When she got to the list of Chasers who were to be reserves and on the actual team I was terrified. I thought I had at least a 50/50 chance. I looked at Oliver who smiled confidently at me. She went down the list of reserves. My hands started to sweat. I hadn't made the reserve team, had I made the actual team? Was I cut? My friend Alicia Spinnet had made the reserve team though, I was very happy for her. The came the two Chasers who made the team.... My roommate Katie Bell had made it...I was happy for her as well... ...And I made it too...

As I heard my name being said I just stood there in complete shock. Had I heard her right? Did she say my name? I was staring at the back of the person in front of me. Everyone started departing and I was still staring at the same spot, look of confusion on my face. I felt two thumps on the back and I saw a red blur stand in the spot where I was staring. I looked up slowly and saw Oliver's smiling face. "What just happened?" I asked.

"You made the team," he replied, his smile broadening. I stared at the ground, smiling behalf of myself.

I had a dream now. I had something to work for. Tears brimmed around my eyes. I couldn't believe it. I felt Oliver’s arms embrace me while he told me he knew I'd make it all along. I hugged him back, still in shock. When he let go I felt two pairs of arms grab me from behind. I was pulled to the ground as Fred and George were ruffling my hair and poking me in the side.

"We told you, you'd make it!" George said.

"Now we get to aim bludgers at you!" Fred said, proving the point that they were the new beaters and the actually could do that now.

I just laughed and grabbed them both, hugging then as they protested. It was the happiest day in my life. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Now, two years later, my life is great. My dad and I moved out of the bad neighborhood we were in and he got a better paying job, so things are looking up. I have plenty of friends and hopes for the future. My grades are well and best of all I have Quidditch.

I'm Chaser on the Gryffindor team along with my best friends, Alicia and Katie. Fred and George are there, by my side, as the two best Beaters we've ever had. And Harry Potter, the boy who lived, is our Seeker. Imagine that. Harry's extremely nice and wicked on the field. And Oliver's still here. Our Keeper and Captain, he leads us to one victory to another. I still stand by what I said back in my first year, Oliver is like the brother I never had.

My life is pretty good now. Sure the Chamber of Secrets is opened again, but I reckon it will be okay. Professor Dumbledore is the greatest sorcerer, after all. And I know my friends are here. Life is good.