Leo et Serpentia

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! Don't make me feel more horrible than I already do!

CHAPTER THREE: Quidditch Tryouts

The early part of Riley's first morning at Hogwarts passed uneventfully. In Herbology, Professor Sprout had the Fifth Years de-slug crates of Mandrakes. The usually jolly professor seemed to be quite perturbed, as some of the Dugbogs for Hagrid's Sixth Years had attacked the Mandrakes before start of term.

"If this is how Sprout releases frustration on innocent bystanders, I can't imagine what she's doing to Hagrid," said Riley, scraping dirt and slime from under her fingernails.

"I'm sure Hagrid deserves whatever she's giving him," Hermione said primly. Ron gave her a horrified look. "Oh, come off it Ron! I was just kidding!"

"Good," said Ron. "Otherwise you would have Harry and me to deal with."

"Ooh, now there's something she'll be scared of," Seamus said.

"Shut up, Seamus, you prat," said Harry, elbowing him in the ribs. Seamus dodged him, laughing.

The Gryffindors continued, bantering, to their next class: Divination. Hermione parted with them on their way to Professor Trelawney's classroom. At the start of class, Trelawney made her usual tinkly entrance, clad in something that was floaty and purple; Harry and Riley had a heated discussion on whether it was a dress, robes, or an old curtain gone terribly wrong.

"Class, before we begin, let me give you a brief introduction into the world of entrail-readings," Trelawney whispered mystically.

Ron made a mock-barfing noise. "Ah, animal guts . . . what's next, brain dissection?"

"Ron, that's disgusting," said Riley as Professor Trelawney looked in their direction.

"Shhh!" Harry hissed.

Trelawney's huge glasses rested on Ron's back for a moment, and sufficiently assured that the three had not been talking in class, she continued. "This particular section of Divination, more than any other, is opportunity for all students to return to their more . . . primal . . . instincts. As such, I will expect an eight-inch essay on the history of animal entrails. You may begin work in class. Next class we will actually be working with the animals and learning the necessary rituals of cleanliness, etc."

Trelawney gave them the rest of the period to work on their essays. Riley finished before the period ended, thoroughly disgusted. She wasn't the only one. Lavender kept almost-gagging. Parvati looked tragically ill.

"Bet they're not so keen on Trelawney after next class," Ron muttered angrily. He had only completed about six and a quarter inches, and was currently writing REALLY BIG to fill more space. "D'you think she'll notice if I only have seven and five-eighths?"

"This is Trelawney we're talking about, Ron. Of course she'll notice," replied Harry, squinting through the smoke and gloom of the classroom.

Lunch was almost as lethargic as the morning had been. The only disruption was caused by Fred and George, who had gotten a pack of Yodelers from somewhere. Not realizing what the toffees were, the twins had eaten them, and were both now singing enthusiastically.

Over a rather loud rendition of "Little Shop of Horrors", Harry commented, "It's really something to see Fred and George embarrassed for a change."

"Embarrassed? Them?" Riley laughed, almost choking on her shepherd's pie. "Just look, they're hamming it up out there. I don't think the twins care in the least bit." In saying this, she didn't notice how Ron, Harry, Hermione, Seamus, and Dean had gone mysteriously quiet and were all staring discreetly at something behind her head. She spun around, and shrieked a little when two strong hands grabbed her middle and lifted her onto her feet.

"Every single day," Fred sang to her, grinning, "I walk down the street/I hear people say 'Baby's so sweet.'/Ever since puberty,/Everybody stares at me/Boys, girls, I can't help it baby/So be kind/And don't lose your mind/Just remember/That I'm your baby."

"What are you doing?" Riley hissed. "This is really, really, incredibly embarrassing."

Fred cocked one eyebrow at her. "Why do you think I'm doing this?" He threw back his head and sang with gusto. "Take me for what I am/Who I was meant to be/And if you give a damn/Take me baby or leave me."

Riley nodded. "Okay, I'll play your little game." With a wink at Harry and Ron, she struck a superstar pose and sang right back. "Take me baby or leave me/A tiger in a cage/Can never see the sun/This diva needs her stage/Baby let's have fun/You are the one I choose/Folks would kill to fill your shoes/You love the limelight too now baby/So be mine or don't waste my time/Crying 'Oh, honeybear, are you still my baby?'/Take me for what I am/Who I was meant to be/And if you give a damn/Take me baby or leave me."

Then, in perfect harmony (to the astonishment of the entire Great Hall), Fred and Riley sang: "No way can I be what I'm not/But hey, don't you want your girl hot?/Don't fight, don't use your head/Cuz every night, who's in your bed?"

Riley, completely breathless, ended the song with flair. "Who - who-ooh-ooh's in your be-ed?"

Students and teachers alike sat stunned. Five or six seconds had passed when the silence was broken by a single clap. Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster himself, was applauding. The Great Hall broke into cheers.

When everyone had settled down, Professor Dumbledore stood, looking at them all over his half-moon spectacles. "Thank you, Miss O'Connor and Mr. Weasley, for that rousing performance. As I hope everyone is aware, the two were aided by Yodelers - a new candy designed to make the eater sing effortlessly." The Hall shook with a great rumble of laughter. "Now that the effects have worn off, I trust the Messrs. Weasley will return to their seats. Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here."

"Whatever possessed you to do that?" Hermione demanded as Riley sat down with cheeks a-flush.

"I don't know, really. When Fred started singing, though, I felt like killing him. So I decided that the best way to escape embarrassment and ridicule was to sing right back to him." Riley shrugged.

"It seems to have worked," Ron observed. Indeed, the Weasley twins and Lee were talking excitedly at their end of the table. Fred (who had noticed Riley watching) waved and mouthed "Hey, Riles!" Riley waved back and smiled.

"I guess you're right. I'm kind of surprised he knows RENT, though. I thought that was a USA thing." Ron sniggered, and Riley gave him a look. "What?"

"Oh, nothing." Ron said innocently, but he couldn't hide a smile.

Riley rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

* * *

Half an hour into Care of Magical Creatures, a small First Year approached the paddock. Leaving the students with the baby Jarveys, Hagrid let him through the gate. "Riley?" Hagrid called.

Riley jogged over to the paddock exit. "Apollo 'ere 'as orders to take you up to Professor McGonagall." Hagrid winked. "Good luck with the Keeper tryouts."

Riley grinned. "Thanks, Hagrid - no homework, right?"

"Nope."

"Awesome." She held up both hands, fingers crossed.

Professor McGonagall was waiting at the Quidditch pitch with a tall girl with short blonde hair. "Ah, Miss O'Connor. This is Katie Bell, Captain and Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team." The girls smiled and shook hands. "She and I are here to observe your abilities as Keeper."

Mounting her broom, Riley took her customary position in front of the three hoops at the far end of the field. Katie flew over and sat easily in the air. "Okay, Riley. We're going to split this tryout into two parts. During the first, I'm going to ask you to perform a couple of moves - it tests your knowledge of the position. Then, later, I'll take the Quaffle and try to score. It's a one-on-one sort of thing."

Riley felt confident during the first half of the tryout. It was almost ridiculously easy to comply with Katie's demands of loops, spins, and quick revolutions around the goalposts. When Katie reached for the Quaffle, Riley became a bit more apprehensive. It was evident that Katie was an excellent Quidditch player and one of the best Chasers in Hogwarts history. Still, Riley blocked everything that came her way. Katie furrowed her brows and started flying faster and turning sharper. Riley worked harder, but still managed to protect the hoops. She could tell that Katie and Professor McGonagall were impressed.

Finally Katie blew her whistle to signify the end of the session. "Not bad, Riley," she said, panting. "We'll get back to you within the week, okay?"

"Yeah . . . so is this one of those 'Don't call us, we'll call you' things?"

"Sort of. You did good work today. Now, go on back up to Gryffindor tower. You'll probably want a shower before dinner."

"Kay. Thanks, Katie, for letting me do this today."

"No prob." Katie smiled and flipped a stray piece of hair out of her face.

Watching the small girl head back up to the castle, Professor McGonagall finally allowed herself a relieved smile. "I do believe we've found a Keeper."

"I would have to agree with that, Professor." Katie shook her head admiringly. "After she's worked with the team, she could be as good as Oliver Wood. We'd have a seamless defense again."

"She's definitely one of the most talented Quidditch players we've ever had pass through our hands." McGonagall affirmed. "Let's just hope she doesn't have any unfortunate injuries. The other Houses might pick on her a bit because, well . . . she's a female Keeper. You don't get many of those."

Katie nodded grimly and made a mental note to remind Fred and George to be extra careful of Riley during the early part of the season. Especially against Slytherin . . . what was Marcus Flint going to think? He'd say that Katie had gone batty. Once he saw how talented the little Fifth Year was, it would be dangerous for a time. Troubled, Katie put the Quaffle and other Quidditch equipment back into the equipment shed.