Harry Potter and the Goblin Rebellion

Chapter 14 - Quidditch Captain

Although the sun was low in the late afternoon sky when the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station, it was still soothingly warm. Ron, Ginny, Luna and Hermione had to help herd the first years toward the boats. Harry and Neville were to hold spaces in a carriage; since the carriages could only hold spaces four, Luna and Ginny said they would ride with other fifth-years. Harry and Neville approached an empty carriage. Harry stopped and gazed at the thestrals, pawing the ground and rearing their heads spiritedly.

"You can see them?" he asked Neville quietly.

"Sure, Harry," said Neville.

"But you could see them before, couldn't you?" Harry went on.

"Of course, you know that. Why do you ask?"

"I just try to fool myself that Sirius isn't really dead. I try to think that the arch just took him somewhere else, like a portkey would. If you couldn't see them, then ...but you could see them before, so of course you still can," answered Harry.

"I saw my grandfather die - peacefully. I was ten-years-old. And now I've seen Sirius Black go. But I've always seen the thestrals. That's enough deaths for my taste," said Neville sympathetically.

"I've had my fill, too. Look around us at all these happy faces. In their heads, they know he's back and that the world has become more dangerous, but it hasn't sunk into their hearts yet. Last year after the TriWizard Tournament, I still couldn't see the thestrals because Cedric's death hadn't sunk in yet. It takes time for some changes to become real to us. It's our job, all of us who were in last year's DA, to prepare all of these people to stay alive, even though they don't yet fully appreciate the scope of the threat. Are you up for it?"

Neville answered, "Harry, you know I am. So long as I know why my parents are in St. Mungo's, I have no choice but to do everything I can against the Death Eaters. But you know what? I like our chances. We have a coach who could bring me around from utterly hopeless to competence in twenty or so surreptitious training sessions. With a full year and the support of the school, you'll work wonders."

"Thanks, Neville. Nothing like setting the bar high, eh?"

In the Great Hall, Neville, Harry, Hermione and Ron sat together at the Gryffindor Table.

"Have you noticed," Harry asked "how the classes seem to be bigger and bigger? We must have the smallest class in the school, except maybe the seventh-years."

"Yeah," said Ron, "I asked my folks about that. They said that when You-Know-Who - don't kick me, Hermione - was around near the time we were born, a lot of couples were avoiding having children, and many were not even getting married at all. There were loads of marriages and new births in the years after he disappeared: people making up for lost time, I reckon."

"I sure can't blame anyone for not wanting to commit their hearts in times like that - it hurts to much when they are taken away," said Harry.

"Harry," said Hermione, "people don't just die in wars. There will always be people dying and it will always leave holes in the lives of those left behind."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, but do me a favor - I don't want any of you leaving until you're at least as old as Dumbledore."

Hermione shook her head. "Harry, I'm the one who dropped Divination. I don't think it's for us to know such things."

"Any idea who the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher will be?" asked Neville.

They all looked up at the teacher's table. Most of the teachers were already there. Neither the centaur Firenze nor Professor Trelawney attended the feast, but this was no surprise: they rarely attended schoolwide functions. Snape was as greasy and glaring as ever, maybe even a wee bit more bitter looking. Harry felt a pang of sympathy despite his hard feelings toward Snape. Professor Flitwick was sitting on a stack of books in a chair between professor Sprout and Professor Sinistra, with whom he was talking. Hagrid had taken his place after bringing the first years across the lake.

Harry suddenly had another of his visions, seeing all the faculty dead, killed in a bloody mess. He barely stifled a scream and covered his face. The others turned to comfort him, gathering already what had happened. They were getting Harry to describe what he saw so he could let go of it easier, when Ginny came up hurriedly, thumping them on the backs and loudly whispering "Look" while pointing up to the teacher's table.

Seating himself next to Hagrid, who was giving a warm greeting, was none other than Arthur Weasley.

"It can't be!" said Ron.

"I'm ruined," said Ginny, "No boy'll date a girl whose father is a professor."

"Oh, well," said Ron, a little too happily, "you'll need that time preparing for OWL exams."

"Easy for you to say, Ron," snapped Ginny, "No girl with any brains would go out with you anyway."

Harry noticed Ginny winking at Hermione as she said this.

Harry smiled. "Well, I guess there won't be any problem getting the new DADA teacher's support for the DA this year. Dumbledore obviously had your Dad in mind all summer. He could see which way the winds were blowing at the Ministry."

"It IS a bit unsettling though," said Hermione pensively, "given the track record of DADA teachers here."

"Hermione Granger," teased Ron, "are you now a soothsayer!?"

"I never said there was no such thing as prophecies or curses," said Hermione, "just that the stuff Trelawney was pushing at us was claptrap. It would be hard not to think there was a problem with the DADA position. If something's going to keep your father from teaching more than one year, I just hope it'll be quiet, like Professor Lupin's departure, rather than the way of the others we've had."

"Well, let's see," said Neville, "The ministry didn't send him, so he's no Umbridge. He's no egomaniac, so he's not a Lockhart. I can see his forearm, so he's not a Deatheater like Crouch. And I don't see Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head like Quirrel. I guess the only thing we have to worry about is the full moon."

Ron had been caught by this last remark while drinking pumpkin juice and immediately spewed it out through his mouth and nose with a guffaw, "Yeah - my Dad, the werewolf."

At this point, Professor McGonagall called the Hall to order for the Sorting Ceremony. The nervous first years lined up down the aisles and around the sides of the Hall. Professor McGonagall brought out a four-legged stool and the tattered old Sorting Hat.

"In the Sorting Ceremony," she announced, "you will each come up when called and sit on this stool. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. It will determine the House which should be best for developing your skills and character. Your house will be your family and your home while you are at Hogwarts. I must stress, however, that just as when you are with your parents and you have friends outside the home, it is entirely appropriate and healthy for Hogwarts students to have friends outside their Houses."

She then placed the stool down and the Hat upon it. The brim came alive and opened up into a mouth and began to sing:

"You come to me for sorting now, to place you where you'll stay;

To tell the House where you shall sleep and help you find your way.

But I tell you sorting can go too far, when it keeps good beings apart;

Sorting should help you find your strength and not diminish your heart.

Consider, young friends, where I sit, upon this faithful stool;

Four legs it has, I know you know it, unless you are a fool.

Each leg is needed to carry the weight, and help it do its chore,

Of keeping your little bottoms up so you don't fall to the floor.

Sorcerers have thought for much too long that they were all that counted,

Now they find they have upon a one-legged stool been mounted

Of Magical beings there are more than you and must be in the mix,

Muggles too from whom you come are not mere earth and sticks.

Clasp hands, clasp hands, clasp hands around with neighbors of all sort,

Make friends, build bridges while still you can, before you must resort,

To hunkering down, keeping low, hiding from the gale,

Conjoin, confer, consider neighbors well, and now I've told my tale."

And then the Hat went silent.

The Sorting ceremony proceeded, with the Hat placing the first years in the various houses. Ron and Ginny kept trying to catch their father's eye, but he studiously avoided their gestures, even while Harry thought he saw a small smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Harry," said Hermione, "that was a very short song."

"But it made its point. Here I thought I was doing enough with the DA trying to get the Houses to work together."

"Is that what the boxing match with Malfoy and Crabbe and Goyle was about - to reach out to Slytherin?" asked Hermione.

"I didn't plan it, but I immediately saw a lot of reasons for it. Reaching out was part of it. I don't think Crabbe and Goyle are bad, just dense. And Malfoy's just a spoiled git - he hasn't got the Death Eater hatred and cruelty in him yet, though he's far along. I wanted those three to have a fair shot at getting back at us for what happened on the train a couple of months ago. Hopefully that much will have cleared. I also wanted to show the rest of the school that you didn't have to be the biggest or the strongest or to fight dirty to defend yourself and win. So it was sort of an advertisement, and sort of an olive branch offered to that gang."

"Harry," Hermione cocked her head suspiciously, "Are you sure you weren't just showing off."

"Well, maybe a little. After the way you and Ginny have been reacting - oh, don't deny it, you've noticed us boys and we've noticed you girls, too, it's natural - I realized that it feels good to be thought of as other than just the Boy Who Lived and the chief resident warrior."

"So who were you showing off for?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"No one, everyone. No, I guess just for me. I can't get close to anyone. It hurts too much already when I see everybody I care for destroyed in my visions. If I fell in love, I think I would go mad. I was close to that when Sirius died. If I was in love ..." Harry replied sadly, unable to finish the sentence, then hung his head.

"I understand, Harry," replied Hermione "until this war is over, you really can't have a life, can you? Well, let's change the subject then. Doesn't the Song make you realize how important SPEW is - we have to reach out to our fellow magical beings."

"Hermione, all those elf clothes you made are in Dobby's suitcase - he had to magically expand it to fit them all in," said Harry, "If you want to help them, why don't you find out what they want?"

"But freedom is what intelligent beings should want, shouldn't they? And not to be beaten and abused like the elves are," said Hermione.

"Well, I'm not sure that they understand freedom the way you do. But the abuse is a good starting point. The elves here and at the Longbottoms' house (Hermione glared at Neville, though he didn't realize it as he watched the Sorting) are very happy and well treated. They are part of a family and like it like that. But maybe something could be done about setting standards of treatment, like the humane treatment laws for pets," suggested Harry.

"They aren't pets!" hissed Hermione angrily, drawing annoyed glances from several people.

"No, but they are members of households who are often treated poorly, and yet would still rather stay in their homes despite awful treatment. And maybe, if they saw themselves as creatures with rights, they would eventually want freedom, too."

"Maybe you have something there, Harry. You've spent more time with elves than I have."

"Thank you for admitting that. Nobody doubts you care - but you can't act blindly on your care," replied Harry.

"I won't mention someone else who acted blindly on his cares," replied Hermione.

"Let's both take that lesson to heart," said Harry with a nod.

After the Sorting, Professor Dumbledore gave very brief introductory remarks, welcoming Mr. Weasley to the faculty and encouraging participation every Tuesday and Thursday evening in the DA, giving a mercifully subdued acknowledgement of Harry's role in it. He also announced the formation of a student-run dueling club meeting at the same time as the DA. Interested students were directed to discuss matters with Draco Malfoy.

After the feast, the prefects had to help conduct the First years to their dorms, so Harry started to head out of the Great Hall with Neville. Before he could even leave the table, however, he heard Professor McGonagall calling his name. He turned and found her standing at the head of the Gryffindor table with Katie Bell. He shrugged to Neville, who continued toward the dorm.

"Yes, Professor?" said Harry.

"Potter, you and Miss Bell are the only team members who have been on the Quidditch team for longer than one season. I wanted to discuss with you two about selecting the new Quidditch Captain. Miss Bell, what are your thoughts on the subject?"

"If you're asking if I'm interested, then I would have to say no. Between NEWT preparations and Defense Association meetings, I don't think I could do a good job at it. Besides, even though I love to play, I'm not really interested in being in charge. Harry would be good, though - if he doesn't get banned again," she added with a smirk.

"That WON'T be happening again, will it, Potter?" said Professor McGonagall sternly, peering over her glasses. He shook his head as she continued, "Well, how about it then, Potter?"

"I have given it some thought, because I knew Katie had said she didn't want to do it. I don't think I should either. I know seeking, but I rarely pay attention to the formations and strategies of the chasers and beaters. And while I'm just starting NEWT preparation, my responsibilities with the DA are frankly scaring the bejeebers out of me," said Harry, at which Katie laughed. "But I do have a recommendation - Ron Weasley. I know that as a keeper, he started poorly and only came around in the last game, but he has studied Quidditch religiously all his life, he has played at his home with all his brothers for years, and as a keeper he can and does watch everything that the chasers and beaters are doing. He also is the school champion at wizard chess, and that strategic thinking should be good for a Quidditch captain."

Katie added, "And from what I can tell, he plays better when he's not thinking about how others see him. The more involved he is in the game, the better a keeper he should be."

"I see. So you two are saying he's a good choice, not just the default choice?" asked Professor McGonagall. They nodded. She continued, "Then my decision is that Mr. Weasley will be the Captain, but you two will be his assistants. His performance last year does not yet fill me with enough confidence to turn the entire team over to him. I want both of you to be involved at all stages, particularly the recruitment and training of the new chasers and beater."

"That's fine, Maam," said Harry, "but I think we will be only needing to find one new chaser. Ginny Weasley wanted to switch positions anyway, as she's more naturally a chaser, even though she performed excellently as a seeker last year, and Fred and George have gotten her a Firebolt."

"Ooh, a Firebolt," said Katie, "and in the hands of someone who knows how to use it."

"Is that as opposed to me?" asked Harry bemusedly.

"Oh, you know what I mean," said Katie with a smile.

"Officially, however, she has to try out," said Professor McGonagall, "but with the support she has, I'm certain it's just a formality. Miss Bell, I'd like for you and Mr. Potter to discuss the Captaincy with Mr. Weasley. But before you go to the dorm, I need a private word with Potter. Could you wait outside the door for a few minutes."

Katie replied, "Of course, Professor," and walked down past the tables to the door.

"Potter, I wanted to express my own appreciation for what you are doing with the Defense Association. I also want to ask if there is any way I might be of assistance."

"Gee, thanks, Professor," replied Harry, "Honestly, I find it very intimidating to think of trying to teach over 400 students."

"400? You've been deluding yourself, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, "I would be surprised at less than 600. Any Gryffindor who thinks he or she will not be participating will be getting a very thorough discussion of the matter with me. I know the Headmaster wants you and last year's students to run this, but it seems to me he has put an awful lot on you."

"It's time I accepted having a lot on me, isn't it, Professor?"

"Certainly, but you wouldn't be the first person to run from responsibility if you were to do so, Potter. But now you are being expected to take responsibility for the development of the defense skills of most of the school, while preparing yourself for ... whatever may happen. I imagine right now you have plans for the first few meetings, and all the problems for the moment are abstract. You'll have Transfiguration class on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and a double session Thursday afternoons. Let's plan on meeting every Wednesday after class for a few minutes."

"Okay, Professor, I'm sure I'll have questions and problems. It'll be good to have an experienced teacher to discuss them with," replied Harry gratefully.

"Potter," said Professor McGonagall, "There's a lot on you, but you're not in this alone."

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry. Just then he saw Professor McGonagall in the Hospital Wing, lying in a bed, as pale as death. His face registered shock, but then he put down the feeling, knowing it was just his mind's tricks.

"Another vision, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, with concern. He nodded.

"Me?" she continued. He nodded again.

"I don't know if I should be frightened or honored," she said with a smile.

"You'll be reporting this to Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"Of course," she replied.

"Is there anyone who ISN'T watching me?"

Professor McGonagall smiled. "Maybe a few."

"I'll have to remember that if I ever feel like picking my nose."

Professor McGonagall laughed. "Yes, we would appreciate that."

"Is there anyplace I'm not being watched?" asked Harry.

"When you are in the bathroom stall or you've pulled the curtains on your bed, only the enclosures are watched. Usually."

Harry shrugged "Well, if I had been thinking of dating anyone, I guess that's out the window."

"We're not watching for your human foibles, Potter. In fact, we are relieved at how normal and human you have remained. You are watched for your safety and developments in your powers."

"Still, it's hard for a fellow to relax like that."

Professor McGonnagall smiled and nodded. "Good evening, Potter."

"Good evening, Professor."