Lost Love Found

Chapter 5: The New Quidditch Captain.

Sunrays were poking through the clouds and inside the windows of the castle. A cool breeze was blowing by as a forewarning of the approaching autumn. But in spite of the breeze, it was a beautiful Saturday morning. Today was the day of the tryouts for the new Gryffindor keeper. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as many of the Gryffindor students, were already up and having breakfast in the Great Hall. In the meantime Adrian was sprinting down the stairs carrying his Nimbus 2002 on his shoulder. He dashed across the hallways until he reached the Great Hall.

"Hey guys!" panted Adrian sitting down next to Harry. "Why didn't you wake me up? I almost overslept for the tryouts."

"You are trying out?" asked Ron trying to swallow a mouthful of pancakes.

"Yeah," replied Adrian.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"You never asked."

"I'm trying out too. How good are you at flying Adrian?" asked Seamus.

"Really good."

Hermione snorted.

"You don't believe me, do you Hermione? Well, you'll see me out there," snapped Adrian.

"Falling off your broom?"

"You wish Hermione. For your information, I used to be a beater at my old school."

"Then why are you trying out to be a keeper?" asked Harry.

"Because I really like Quidditch and I think I could make a good keeper," shrugged Adrian. "Ron could you pass the syrup?"

Ron looked up from his pancakes to pass Adrian the syrup when he saw the broom resting against Adrian's chair.

"Is that your broom?" he asked excitedly. "Is it a Nimbus 2002?"

Adrian nodded. "Yeah, I got it as a present for my birthday. It's not as good as Harry's Firebolt but it's still pretty good."

"Have you seen the new Firebolt Xtreme?" asked Seamus. "It is really cool."

"Yeah we saw it when we were in Diagon Alley, but we didn't dare to ask the price. It must cost a fortune," said Harry.

That morning's conversation became "Quidditch oriented" to Hermione's dismay. She liked to attend to the Gryffindor Quidditch matches but she didn't really care about the sport itself and she hated when the boys talked about Quidditch for hours.

The chatter in the Great Hall was slowly dying as many of the Gryffindors got up from the table and headed for the Quidditch field. Ron drank what he had left of his milk while he looked around the Hall.

"I think we better get going. Almost everyone has left already."

He and his friends got up from the table and they walked together to the Quidditch field. Once there, Ron, Harry, and Hermione went over to the stands and sat down next to Professor McGonagall. In the meantime Adrian and Seamus went to the middle of the field where Madam Hooch and about twenty other Gryffindors were gathered.

Madam Hooch unrolled a long piece of parchment, cleared her throat and said, "everyone mount your brooms but don't kick off the ground yet. You'll do that when I call out your name. Then, Angelina, Katie, and Alicia will each shoot the Quaffle and you'll try to block it. That will be the first part of the tryouts. Obviously the participants who perform better will pass to the second phase, which I'll explain later." She looked threateningly around the field and added, "If anyone kicks off the ground before I call out your name I'll be the one kicking you out of the field."

Time passed by and soon the first phase of the tryouts was over and only three contestants had made it to the second: Seamus Finnigan, Frances Schmidt, and Adrian Franco.

"The second part of the tryouts will consist of Angelina, Katie, and Alicia shooting Quaffles at you again. But this time they'll do it one right after the other. There will be a total of six shots. The one who blocks more Quaffles will be the new Gryffindor keeper," said Madam Hooch looking at the three contestants. "Good luck and may the best one win."

Frances was the first one to go and he blocked 2 Quaffles out of the six. Next was Seamus who blocked 4. Last came Adrian and he blocked--

"Six out of six! Man, he's good," cried Ron excitedly turning to look at Harry. "With a team like this we'll win the Quidditch cup again!"

"Congratulations Mr. Franco, you are the new Gryffindor keeper," greeted Madam Hooch as Adrian came down to the ground grinning broadly.

Professor McGonagall stood up and took a megaphone. "Now that we have our new keeper, we have to choose a new captain. Everyone, except the members of the team, please exit the field."

Everyone did as Professor McGonagall had told them. Soon only the seven members of the team, Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch were left standing in the middle of the field.

"I want all of you to take the time to think who you consider is the most indicated person to be the new captain," said Professor McGonagall.

After a long pause, McGonagall spoke again. "I believe that's enough time. Mr. Fred Weasley?"

"Harry, Professor McGonagall," answered Fred.

Harry blushed and stared down at the ground.

"George Weasley?" inquired McGonagall.

"Definitely Harry."

"What do you think Mr. Franco?" asked McGonagall.

"Well, I don't know. I've never seen the team play. So I don't think I should vote," answered Adrian shrugging.

"Very well. What do you think Mr. Potter?" asked McGonagall looking at Harry.

"I think Alicia would be a great captain."

Professor McGonagall went around asking the rest of the team and at the end of the survey Alicia had one vote while Harry had five.

"All right, I think that we have our new team captain. Congratulations Mr. Potter!" grinned McGonagall while everybody else cheered Harry.

"T-thanks," stammered Harry, his face strawberry red.

Later, when Harry entered the Common Room he was greeted by cheers from all the Gryffindors. Of course, Fred and George had already gotten food and sweets from the kitchens and prepared fireworks for the celebration. The party didn't end until midnight when Professor McGonagall entered the common room and ordered everybody to bed.

Ron had noticed that Harry looked kind of sad and distracted during the whole celebration so as they climbed the stairs toward their dormitory he asked, "What's wrong Harry?"

"Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Because you don't seem very happy with your nomination."

"I am happy but..." he sighed. "I don't know if I'll be a good captain."

"Of course you will Harry. You know a lot about Quidditch and you are the best seeker ever."

Harry shook his head. "I don't know."

"Come on Harry, I know you'll make a great captain. Tell me, who has read nearly every printed book about Quidditch at least twice?"

"I have, but it's not the same."

"Nonsense, you just have to put into practice what you've read and what you know already. You'll do great," said Ron patting Harry on the back.

"There's something else."

"What?"

"I've sent Sirius two letters already and he hasn't answered them. What if something bad happened to him?"

Ron frowned. He shared Harry's fear. It had been a long time since they had heard of him, but he tried to comfort Harry so he said, "I'm sure he's okay and he'll write soon. Besides, if he had been captured we would know about it already."

"I guess you are right. I do hope that he's okay."

Two days later, everyone was having breakfast in the Great Hall when hundreds of owls came flying across the Hall dropping their packages to their respective owners.

"Mail is here!" said Harry animatedly.

"Duh, really?"

"Shut up Ron. Hedwig is here!" laughed Harry.

"You think she's got Snuffles' response?"

"Yeah."

Hedwig landed in front of Harry and stretched her leg out so that he could untie the message she was carrying.

"Thanks Hedwig," said Harry patting the snowy owl's head and giving her a big chunk of his toast.

"Is it from Snuffles?" asked Hermione.

Harry nodded. "I better open it later."

"Look," said Ron pointing to the two owls that were leaving a big parcel on top of Adrian's breakfast.

Adrian's heart skipped a beat when he tore open the package and found a magnificent broom with a black polished handle.

"Is that a Firebolt Xtreme?" gasped Ron and Harry in awe.

Adrian was breathless and his hands were trembling as he read the card that came with the broom. "Yes, it's a gift from my grandpa because I made it into the Quidditch team."

"Wow, I wish I had a grandpa like that," said Ron.

Soon the whole table was gathered around Adrian and his broom. Everyone wanted to touch and see the Firebolt Xtreme, which was the latest and best broom after the Firebolt. Adrian still couldn't believe his grandpa had sent him such a gift. He had to write to him immediately and thank him. He couldn't wait to fly it. He was imagining how great it was going to feel riding it and how the Gryffindor team was going to win the Quidditch cup... "What's going on here?" Adrian's joyous thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a hoarse voice that came from behind the crowd of Gryffindors.

Everyone stepped aside to let Professor Snape walk toward the Gryffindor table where he found Adrian holding his new Firebolt Xtreme. Snape glared suspiciously around the table. Then he rested his prying eyes on Adrian, Harry, and Ron, who were sitting next to each other.

"What's going on here?" he asked again.

"Nothing Professor Snape, Adrian was just showing us his new broom," replied Harry coldly.

"You got a new broom Mr. Franco?" asked Snape crossing his arms.

"Yes, it's a gift from my grandfather."

"It's a reward for becoming the new Gryffindor keeper I expect."

Adrian nodded, his hands holding tightly the handle of his broom. He was imagining it was Snape's neck he was squeezing instead of his broom's handle.

"I assume then, that he doesn't know about your improper behavior. I shall inform him about your detention, which by the way, is tonight at eight sharp. Don't forget." Snape turned to look at Ron. "Did you hear that Weasley?"

"Yes, Professor Snape," replied Ron through gritted teeth.

"Mr. Franco you better put that broom away or I'll be in the obligation of confiscating it. Everyone go back to your seats and finish your breakfast," barked Snape before he walked back to the teacher's table, his black robes sweeping behind him.

Later that day, Harry, Ron, and Adrian were sitting in the Gryffindor common room doing their Transfiguration homework. Ron's mind was everywhere but where it should be: on his homework. He didn't really like Transfiguration and today's homework was especially tedious. They had to describe the twenty-five transfigurations listed on chapter two of their book and write a minimum of three situations in which they would come in handy. He was struggling to find examples to how transfiguring a ladybug into a spider would be helpful. He gave up on it and cried in frustration, "Why in bloody hell would someone want to turn a ladybug into a spider?"

A few curious faces turned to look at him and Harry, knowing that spiders were Ron's greatest fear, said laughing, "to scare your pants off would be one good use for that transfiguration."

"Very funny Potter, but it sounds like a good one so I'll write it down," said Ron. He dipped his quill in ink and wrote down Harry's suggestion. Then for examples two and three he wrote: to get rid of a fly and to play a prank on the ladybug's mate. He still had twelve more transfigurations to go when his mind wandered off one more time.

This time it focused on his favorite sport, Quidditch, and Adrian's Firebolt Xtreme. He was thinking about how cool it would be to own a broom of his own and be in the Quidditch team. He turned to look at Harry and Adrian, who were deeply concentrated on their homework, and said excitedly, "man, with two Firebolts on the team that Quidditch Cup is ours already!"

"Don't go so fast Ron. We haven't even played our first game," laughed Harry looking up from his homework. "By the way, what are you going to do with your Nimbus 2002 Adrian?"

"I don't know." Adrian seemed to think about it for a minute and then said, "hey Ron, you want it?"

"What? You want to give me your Nimbus 2002? You are kidding right?"

"No, I'm serious. What do I want two brooms for?"

"Y-you mean it?" stammered Ron trembling with excitement.

"Yes, the broom is yours."

Ron looked as though he was going to faint. He said breathless, "Thank you."

"No problem." Adrian gave his homework a last look before closing his Transfiguration book.

"You're done already?" cried Ron recovering from the shock of getting a new broom.

"Yes, wanna look at it?" said Adrian offering Ron his homework.

Ron took Adrian's homework this time looking as though he was ready to worship Adrian. He sat back down ready to copy it down while Adrian sat down on his chair to read chapter six of his Arithmancy book.

Hermione was watching open-mouthed from her table, her stomach churning with anger and indignation to see her friend cheating. She got up from her table and walked over to Ron. "Oh no you won't!" she said snatching Adrian's homework from Ron's hands.

"What did you do that for? Are you mad?"

"No, I'm not mad. I just think that cheating is bad. You have to do your homework by yourself Ron. Otherwise you'll never learn."

Adrian put down his Arithmancy book with a thump and got up from his chair. He stepped in between Ron and Hermione and said, "Don't be so nosy Hermione. Ron and I have to serve our detentions tonight and he won't be able to finish."

"And whose fault is that?" retorted Hermione. "Ron, if you copy down from Adrian's homework I'll tell Professor McGonagall."

"Come on Hermione, this will be the only time and besides, I'm almost done," begged Ron.

"Then finish it yourself," snapped Hermione. "I'll be right here to make sure you don't cheat."

"Yes mother," groaned Ron.

Hermione then turned, pointing an accusing finger at Adrian. "And you should be ashamed of yourself! Offering your homework for Ron to cheat!" Hermione gave Adrian his homework back and added, "Go put it away before I rip it!" She sat down in front of Ron while Adrian looked at her in disbelief. Harry, on the other hand, was laughing out loud at the scene.

Adrian put away his homework mumbling under his breath, "who does she think she is... she should change her name to McGonagall junior." Soon all four of them went back to their books and continued doing their homework.

Half an hour later Ron shut his book and said triumphantly, "Done!"

"Good, now we have to go to the hospital wing. It's almost 8," said Adrian bitterly.

"See you later and good luck," said Harry waving at them.

The two of them just nodded and walked out of the common room looking like they were going to a funeral. As they disappeared through the portrait hole Hermione stood up from her seat and went over to Harry's table.

"Have you read Snuffle's letter yet?" she asked Harry quietly.

"Not yet, I was going to read it now," said Harry heading for the couch in the farthest corner of the room.

Hermione sat down next to him. After they had checked for any eavesdroppers, Harry opened the letter and read it in silence. A broad grin appeared on his face.

Dear Harry,

I have received your two letters. Sorry I didn't answer sooner. Don't worry. I'm perfectly fine. It's just that I've been very busy carrying out Dumbledore's mission, but I promise that I'll try to respond quicker. Anyway, I'll be back in a few weeks. Please promise me that you'll be careful and that you won't go around looking for trouble. Also promise me that you won't go out of bounds and that you'll stay around Ron and Hermione. By the way, say hi to them and Remus for me.

P.S. I miss you too.

-Sirius.

Harry folded the letter and put it back in its envelope. "He sounds like you Hermione giving me all those recommendations."

"Well, we worry about you."

Even though sometimes Harry felt that the Weasleys, Sirius, Hermione, Hagrid, and Lupin overprotected him, he was really thankful for having such friends. Harry turned to look at Hermione and said, "I know, thanks."

He got up from the couch and went back to the table where he had left his homework. He took out a quill and parchment and sat down. "I have to write to him. He still doesn't know that I am the new captain of the team." He began writing.

"Say hi to him for me and tell him to be careful." Having said that, Hermione went back to her Ancient Runes homework

Meanwhile Adrian and Ron were walking towards the hospital wing.

"Do you really mean it about the broom?" asked Ron breaking the silence.

"Yes. How many times do I have to tell you Ron? That Nimbus 2002 is yours. I'll give it to you when we go back to the dormitory."

"Thank you."

By now they had reached the hospital wing. Adrian knocked on the half closed door. "Come in," said a voice from the other side of the door.

Ron and Adrian entered the room and found Madam Pomfrey with her back turned organizing some bottles of Skele-gro.

"Hello Madam Pomfrey, we're here to serve our detention," sighed Ron.

"Oh yeah, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Franco. Professor Snape told me that you have to scrub the bedpans without magic. Just a minute." She turned to face them and she palled when she saw Adrian. "Oh my, Minerva was right," she whispered to herself.

"Are you all right?" asked Adrian taking a step closer toward Madam Pomfrey.

"Yes I'm fine, dear. So, you are Adrian Franco?" she asked examining Adrian's face curiously.

"Yes, pleased to meet you."

"Are there a lot of bedpans to clean Madam Pomfrey?" asked Ron miserably.

"What?" Madam Pomfrey was brought back to earth. "Oh no, dear. Only about twenty five of them."

"Twenty five?" whined Ron.

"Yes twenty five, but it's two of you so it won't take that long. Come here." Madam Pomfrey showed them to the small room where they kept the bedpans. "Here are the water and soap. Get going and next time behave properly." She walked out of the room and went back to her Skele-gro bottles.

"Let's get to work," said Ron rolling up his sleeves. "Adrian, wake up!"

Adrian was looking absently at the door. "What?"

"I said let's get to work. What's wrong with you? You had that glazed look on your eyes like your mind was in another planet." Ron smirked. "Don't tell me. You have a crush on Madam Pomfrey."

"Hell no! She could be my grandma!"

Both of them busted out laughing uncontrollably. They were both imagining Adrian walking around the castle holding Madam Pomfrey's hand and kissing her. After a couple minutes, when their laughter finally waned away Adrian wiped a tear off his eye. "I was just thinking that people look at me kind of funny."

"What do you mean?" asked Ron holding his stomach that was aching because he had laughed so much.

"That most of the teachers look at me kind of funny the first time they see me. Did you notice Madam Pomfrey's reaction when we came in? She palled when she saw me like if I was a zombie or something."

"Now that you mention it, she did act kind of weird."

"The same has happened before with Snape, McGonagall, Lupin, your Divination teacher--well, she's kind of weird herself--, Sprout, Hagrid..." Adrian said counting off with his fingers.

Ron shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe they've never seen a Spaniard before."

"Or maybe it's because of my good looks," joked Adrian.

"Yeah right."

***************

It was quarter to nine when Harry finished his letter. He reread it to make sure it was fine.

Dear Sirius,

I'm really glad you are all right; I was getting a little worried. Things around here are back to normal. For one, Snape is as mean as always. He gave Ron detention the first day we came back, so right now he is in the Hospital Wing scrubbing bedpans with Adrian. By the way, Adrian is a new transfer student that came from Spain. He's a really nice kid and he's become our friend although he doesn't get along with Hermione very well. He's the new keeper of the Quidditch team. Speaking of Quidditch, I am the new captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team! I am really excited and happy about it. But I'm also a little nervous about it because it is a great responsibility but I guess I'll be okay (I hope).

So as you see there's no need for you to worry about me. I'm perfectly fine, but anyway I promise I'll be careful.

P.S. Ron and Hermione say hi.

Come back soon,

Harry.

Harry got up and gathered all his books and parchment and put them back in his bag.

"Are you going to bed already?" asked Hermione looking up from her Ancient Runes homework.

"No, I'm just going to go put this in my dormitory and then I'm going to the owlery to send this letter." He climbed the stairs up to his dormitory. A minute later he was back downstairs in the common room. "Be right back."

*********************

Ron and Adrian finished scrubbing the bedpans in no time even though they were joking around and laughing half of the time. When they exited the hospital wing, all the corridors were deserted and quiet. Torches lighted their way casting long shadows on the floor.

"It looks kind of creepy, doesn't it?" asked Adrian.

"Don't tell me you're scared. Ahh," screamed Ron when he crashed into something hard and fell painfully on his back.

Adrian was laughing out loud at the sight of Ron and Harry on the floor after they had bumped into each other.

"What are you doing here Harry?" asked Ron getting up and massaging his aching butt.

Harry got up and straightened his glasses. "I went to the owlery to send a letter."

"To Sir... I mean, Snuffles?"

"Yeah. How was your detention?"

"No big deal," said Adrian still laughing.

They kept walking towards Gryffindor Tower through the empty corridors, their footsteps echoing noisily. The full moon was shining brightly on the cloudless sky. They were passing in front of a window, when Ron stopped abruptly.

"Oh, today is full moon?" moaned Ron. "That means Lupin won't be in class tomorrow."

"How do you know that?" asked Adrian.

"You don't know? Oh yeah, I forgot you're new here. Professor Lupin is a werewolf."

Harry and Ron laughed at Adrian's shocked expression.

"Don't worry. A week before the full moon he takes a potion that makes him safe. He still turns into a werewolf but he is inoffensive." Harry paused and Adrian let out a sigh of relief. "Still, he's so worn out the next day he can't teach his class."

"That's right, so let's pray that Snape won't be the one substituting for him," added Ron.

The next day, to everyone's dismay, Snape was substituting for Professor Lupin. The Defense Against the Dark Arts class of that day became a nightmare. Snape was barking orders at everyone, asking questions about chapters they haven't covered yet and taking points off everyone. All the students exited the classroom ashen-faced and cursing at Snape. Their mood didn't improve much when the class ended since their next class was Care of Magical Creatures. Besides having to be with the Slytherins, the students dreaded what kind of new creature Hagrid would have in store for them today.

When Harry, Adrian, Ron and Hermione arrived to Hagrid's hut he wasn't there yet. "I wonder where Hagrid is," said Adrian looking around.

"Probably looking for a dragon or a basilisk to bring to class," said Ron.

"Look who we have here. The Three Stooges and the Mudblood." Draco's drawling voice came from behind them.

"What do you want Malfoy?" snapped Harry.

"I just wanted to let you know that I am the new captain of the Slytherin team, and that we are going to win the cup this year."

"How many brooms did your father get this time to buy you that position Malfoy?" asked Ron dryly.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "None Weasley. Speaking of brooms, I heard that Adrian gave you a Nimbus 2002. Take good care of it. I'm sure it's worth more than the shack you live in."

Ron, shaking with anger, was about to hit Malfoy when Hagrid's loud greeting made all of them jump. "Hello class." Malfoy took advantage of the distraction and walked away wearing his usual sneer.

Hagrid walked closer to the students and they saw that he was carrying what seemed to be a giant kaleidoscopic shell. "This here is a Streeler, a giant snail that changes colors every hour. Follow me."

He walked over to the back of his hut followed by the students. Next to Hagrid's pumpkin patch there was a big area covered with gravel. Another 15 snails were gliding slowly on the gravel, their shells shimmering under the bright sunlight. "Now organize in teams of three. I'll give each team a Streeler. Just be careful, don't let them outside the gravel patch because their trail is so venomous that it will kill all the plants over which they pass."

Soon everyone was teamed up and taking care of the Streelers.

"They are so colorful! They are even kind of cute," said Hermione.

"At least they are much better than those damn Blast-Ended Skrewts," observed Ron.

When the class ended Hagrid called Harry, Ron, Hermione and Adrian apart and invited them for a cup of tea inside his hut.

"Congratulations you two," he said beaming at Harry and Adrian. "What do you say, going to win the Quidditch Cup again, eh Harry?"

"I hope," shrugged Harry. "We are beginning practice today."

"Good."

"Hagrid? Are there any news about Voldemort?"

Ron winced at the sound of Voldemort's name and said reproachfully, "Would you mind calling him You-Know-Who Harry?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "All right. Are there any news about You-Know-Who Hagrid?"

Hagrid took a sip of his tea. "Not really, he and his death eaters have been very quiet, which means that they must be up to something. The only thing we are sure of is that many wizards are going to the dark side and that he is regaining power."

"Minister Fudge still doesn't believe that he's back, does he?"

"No, that man is as blind as a bat."

"But there are a lot of members of the Ministry who do believe that You-Know-Who is back and they are working side by side with Dumbledore to stop him," said Adrian.

Ron raised his eyebrows in surprise. "How do you know that? That stuff doesn't get published in the Daily Prophet."

Adrian smiled and said, "I know because my grandpa works for the Ministry and he's one of those members of the Ministry who are fighting against You-Know-Who. He's also one of Dumbledore's friends."

"One of his best friends I daresay," chuckled Hagrid.

"Yeah."

There was a long pause. Harry was looking down at his untouched cup of tea, his stomach churning as scenes from the night of Voldemort's return replayed inside his head over and over. Noticing Harry's gloomy expression, Hagrid put one of his massive hands on Harry's shoulder and said, "We are going to defeat him Harry. Trust me."