Chapter 36
Harry turned around to see their captain walking towards him.
"Madam Hooch says you're the best flyer she'd witnessed in a long while." The boy said with no preamble, a manic glint in his eyes as he scanned him up and down. "Hmmm...tall and agile, might fit in any position but we'll have to see. Oh, I'm Oliver Wood by the way. Nice to meet you."
The boy gave him an enthusiastic handshake.
"You are trying for the Seeker right?" He didn't wait for Harry to confirm. "Good, good. We haven't had a competent Seeker since Charlie Weasley left. Suffered the biggest defeat in Gryffindor's history last year, and that too at the hands of Slytherin. Can you imagine that? That won't be happening this time. And I have a feeling that you, Harry Potter, might be playing a very big role in this."
"I'm sure I will." Harry stepped back from the guy a little, smiling politely.
The way he talked reminded Harry of many an addict roaming the slums of New York.
"Nice. Very good. Positive energy, I like it." The boy gave him a thumbs up. "Now let's go. I want to be done with tryouts as soon as possible. Any time we're not practicing is wasted time. Can't let that happen on my watch."
The tryouts proceeded till late in the evening, with the sun barely supporting them with its last bit of rays by the time they were over.
First was the audition of Keepers. From the start Harry got the feeling that Wood was just doing this one out of courtesy and didn't really have any interest at finding a second Keeper. The test for this one was simple— players simply had to save penalty shots.
There were five students hoping to impress Wood, including Ron, and each took turns at the test. The first boy, one Cormac McLaggen of 2nd year, saved 3 out of 5 shots. Cormac looked comfortable on his broom but his small body couldn't cover all three hoops, thus missing two shots by mere fingers length.
Unfortunately, he was also the one with the highest score out of all five participants. Ron saved a single goal, though more out of luck than anything else. It wasn't that he was unskilled, it was simply his inexperience combined with an ancient broom that limited his talent.
Then again, at least he saved something, unlike the 2nd year who missed all the shots.
Harry half-expected himself to have another talk with the boy. But instead of looking dejected, Ron skipped towards him with a smile as soon as he was on the ground, his broom held overhead in jubilation.
"I did it!" He cheered. "You were right mate. I didn't do it well, but hey, at least I tried!"
"So you did." Harry nodded. "Now let's see how Andrea does."
The Chasers selection was the next one, and Wood was taking this with much more gravitas. The participants were first made to race against each other. So all twelve of them mounted the brooms and off they went in a burst of speed.
"Oh she's got that in the bag." Ron muttered, looking envious. "That Nimbus is a game changer, innit? Not that she isn't good herself."
Indeed, Andrea was winning the race. But not by the massive margin that Harry had been expecting. In fact, the girl in second place looked a shade more skilled on a broom than Andrea. But her Cleansweep Seven was... simply outmatched. The fact that she was almost able to keep up with Andrea was a testament to her own riding skills.
When the riders finally came to a stop by Wood, Harry quickly observed her.
Katie Bell
Age: 12
Level: 15
Reputation: Liked
Affection: 73
Mana: 410/410
Health: 80/80
Stamina: 64/90
One of his eyebrows rose up involuntarily. Her affection was almost equal to Neville, yet he did not remember saving her life multiple times.
"Where's he going?" Ron muttered beside him.
Harry glanced to the side as Wood left the participants to discuss with his teammates. They all formed a circle, leaning their heads in to whisper furiously, seemingly disagreeing about something.
"Think they're stuck deciding between Andrea and that girl?" Ron asked.
"Most likely."
Finally Wood came back again in a jog, looking mightily impatient.
Andrea and Katie then took turns playing with the real Gryffindor team—without a Seeker, of course—performing various exercises ranging from passing a quaffle to shooting in the hoops. Andrea was more experienced, but Katie was a natural rider. They were almost equal in the statistics of successful passes and goals.
In the end, Wood decided to bring both of them in the team, with the intention of playing them alternately while keeping the other one in reserves.
Finally—after everything else was done and the sun was weak—came the turn for the Seekers section.
"Good luck, mate." Ron said. "You probably don't need it, but you know...just in case."
Harry gave him a nod before marching towards Wood, his Nimbus in hand.
"Alright, you lot." Wood started, staring at the five people present. "Your job is simple; find as many of these enchanted balls—" He held up a small golden golf ball. "—as possible. They aren't real snitches but they'll get the job done."
He waved his wand down to the side and intoned. "Tempus."
6:15.
"Thirty minutes. That's all the time you'll get to collect these balls. There are over sixty of these spread around the field and their flight enchantment will end sooner or later. So be sure to look in every corner. Now off you go!"
Harry didn't need any further prodding.
He swung himself over his broom and was off in a blast of air. Almost immediately however, he was in his own world.
For a brief time, he forgot all about the tryouts, all about the quest. Only the cool windy breeze held his attention, his heart beating in the most erratic of ways as he soared through the skies, eyes closed and chest warm.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw not the fearsome distance to the ground, but the infinite horizons in the setting sky, free to be explored and experienced. Cherished and remembered.
He found himself laughing, feeling unconfined from his shackles. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed.
The almost surreal moment was broken by a golden glint however, and he reluctantly let himself remember his goal.
'The wannabe-snitches.'
While the evening may be perfect for some relaxing time, it was the exact opposite for finding two-inch wide balls all across the three dimensions. Thankfully these golden flying spheres glinted quite visibly, and even before his broom reached its top speed, Harry was already racing after the one he'd spotted.
Its cute little wings fluttered like a hummingbird as it tried to escape—reminding Harry of his midget twin for some reason.
While it was a little challenging to keep track of the tiny thing in the growing darkness, it was still nothing compared to a real golden snitch.
He knew this from experience.
The true snitches were much more unpredictable in their flight path. These weren't. Which was why Harry was able to clamp onto it after just a short chase.
One down, many more to go.
One of his competitor was the sixth year boy he'd seen earlier. The boy sped past him with determination, clearly having spotted a snitch.
Instead of looking one for himself, Harry decided to compete with the boy. He chased after the sixth year, quickly catching up with his Nimbus until they were shoulder to shoulder.
The older boy glanced at Harry in irritation, but Harry's attention was straight ahead, having finally spotted the golden bugger as it danced through the air.
"That's mine." The older boy snarled suddenly, trying to bump him away.
A massive mistake.
Harry grabbed the older boy's shoulder and held him in place.
"Wha—!?" The gasp was barely out of him when Harry threw him away.
The senior student was blown back, a startled scream eliciting from his mouth as he spun through the air.
The rest was a foregone conclusion, and Harry won his second golden ball after a brief chase.
But he didn't wish to waste a single second. Not only was he having the most fun in a long long time, there was something within him today that just didn't want to stop. So he sped up in search of another flying ball.
Also, while he genuinely believed he faced no true competition right now, he still didn't wish to be overconfident.
He was ignorant about the capabilities of his competitors, so there was always a possibility that he may not be the most skilled flier here.
Thus, he decided to give his absolute best. And his absolute best was usually more than enough.
By the time Wood finally called them down, Harry doubted there was a single spot on the field that wasn't visited by him in the past 30 minutes.
Quest [A Terror in the Skies I] Completed!
Start your journey into the world of flying by entering the Quidditch Cup (X)
Win a position in Gryffindor Quidditch team (X)
Score the highest in any test (X)
Win with a dominating performance (X)
Win without conflict or oppositions (—)
Rewards: 800 XP
"Excellent work, Harry!" Wood exclaimed, excitement clear on his face. "And welcome to the team. There's no need to even count them, everyone knows who won."
Harry did not reply, his attention elsewhere. And even the system msg couldn't break him out of it.
There was some grumbling from the other four participants but only one had the balls to speak up.
"Yeah, right." The sixth year brat spat. "Winning with money..."
Wood turned to the boy with a frown. "Got anything to say, McLaggen?"
"Yes, I do." The senior student hissed, taking a step forward threateningly.
The rest of Gryffindor's team jogged towards them quickly, looking worried at the confrontation. "He won just because his dad's rich and cause he's Harry bloody Potter."
Harry was feeling incredibly disappointed at ending one of the most satisfying experiences he's ever had, only to be met by…this. His blood was scorching and heart on fire, his entire being was still holding onto the recent rush of freedom and excitement, not wanting the ever-present hollowness and calm to take hold again.
He felt just like he had back in the days following his escape from Hydra; free, defiant, uncontrollable, uncontainable.
And all of this he'd achieved by himself.
"If he's actually so good, he shouldn't need his Nimbus to win."
And this…insect, was trying to disabuse of that notion…
"Must be tough," Harry turned to the boy slowly, an overly mocking smirk curving on his face; cold and malicious, as he felt his restraints slipping. "being so pathetic that you look for reasons to excuse your own failures."
The boy whirled around, boring down on him. "Watch your mouth, Potter!"
Harry let out an ugly laugh, loud and goading, his blood demanding confrontation, wanting to feel the rush again, wanting to remember the power that came with ending a life. "What will you do about it? Nothing. Go cry in your pillows and sob about how unfair the world is, you whiny little prick."
His taunts worked perfectly and the older boy reared up at him with an enraged curse, a hand going for his wand.
"McLaggen, get back you–"
Harry didn't use magic. No, only the close-up physical fight could provide him what he was looking for.
Wood's startled yell was cut short when Harry suddenly surged towards the bigger boy and planted his knee directly in his stomach, hard. He felt a physical shift in his opponent's midriff and knew he'd done some damage.
'Still got it.' But his blood was still pumping hot, not quite touching the level of his recent broom-ride, but more excited than it had ever been since coming to Hogwarts.
His opponent went down with an agonized scream, instantly curling up on the spot. Vomit spewed out of his mouth—along with blood, indicating internal bleeding—drenching his shirt and face in filth.
'Kill him!' His blood roared, tasting the familiar rush of emotions, the sweet satisfaction of delivering death. Of causing pain and embracing the emotions.
He was ready to end the boy then. Ready to taste the life he was almost beginning to believe he'd left behind.
Only in the last moment did he slam the Gamer's mind on, managing to hold himself back significantly; his greed for power still being higher than the need for indulging his heightened emotions. And getting kicked out of Hogwarts would set him back a lot.
So the stomp that was meant to completely rearrange the boy's skull only broke his nose with a wet crunch, his boot landing soft and accurate.
In the aftermath, he was left standing over an unmoving body, with his Gamer's Mind eliminating any signs of satisfaction that he'd been hoping to feel.
So he simply stared down at the boy's bloodied face, cold and detached. "That was…unnecessary."
He should not have lost control.
It had begun with the broom-ride, he could see that now. The slipping of control, slowly but surely as he let himself indulge.
Perhaps growing used to emotions was not working as well as he'd thought. He may have to take a break and use Sage to examine himself.
Stumbling from an objective could prove deadly to his future. And his objective was to scourge the corners of this castle to learn everything he could.
He cannot afford to fail so early in his quest.
"Holy...smokes." Wood muttered beside him. "What the hell Harry..."
Wood's incredulity was matched by the rest of the Gryffindor's team who finally arrived.
"Fred, are my eyes deceiving me?"
"I don't know George, would you like me to test them?"
"Yes, pleas– Ouch! How does pinching my arm test my eyes?"
"Well, it lets me know this is reality and now I can confirm that we really are seeing Harry Potter standing over a bloody McLaggen, beaten half to death."
"Oh that makes sense, Fred. Could you do it agai– Ouch! Thanks. Now I can really believe it."
Down on the ground, McLaggen moaned out something.
"Did you hear him, George?"
"I did, brother dear."
"What did he say?"
"Moaaahhh."
Harry stared at the two. "Perhaps you two should take him to the hospital wing?"
"...D-Did Harry Potter just command us to do something?" One of the twin stuttered out, both looking at him with wide eyes.
"I have indeed." Harry arched a brow. "Take this boy to the hospital wing."
They both bowed down in sync.
"Of course, your Holiness!
"By your Will, your Majesty!"
"Your wish is my command!"
"And mine too!"
Then they proceeded to drag McLaggen like a sack of potatoes. All the while the three girls and Andrea stared at the scene in utter bewilderment, and not a little horror whenever their eyes fell on the ground that McLaggen vacated.
"Don't worry, Harry." Finally Wood spoke up. "You did nothing wrong. He attacked you first, you were quite right to give him a bloody beating. I just didn't know you will be so...viol–"
"Strong." One of the girls cut in, before realizing everyone was staring at her. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "I mean...we can make you a reserve beater too. If something happens to Fred or George, you know?"
"That's a good idea, Angie." Wood said, looking at him with a calculating gaze.
"Harry, mate!" Ron came running towards them. "I saw what happened."
Harry nodded back, swishing his wand to summon back his Nimbus with his own brand of telekinesis.
Ron took a second to catch his breath before shooting him an awed smile. "You really like beating rich poncy kids, eh? First Malfoy, now McLaggen."
"I do not select my enemies." Harry turned away. "They simply keep forming on their own."
Their day ended soon after, with Wood declaring to train harder than ever this year. And of course, the whole team was included in his declaration. So they were strictly told to be present on the quidditch pitch at six in the morning, four days a week, no excuses allowed.
Now that he was done with tryouts for both the tournaments, Harry had another job waiting for him. It was Wednesday when he received the letter from James. Its contents? Places that belonged to the four founders.
Now was the time for some Dungeon hunting.
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AN: And done! Sorry for the delay, took an extra day for latest MS chapter on Pat reon (Ch. 20).
Now, one of the things I'm worried about is Harry. I know his confrontation with McLaggen may have come a little unnatural and rushed. I wanted to show the more darker parts of him, to show that no, his calm life may be healing him but he isn't a normal 11 year old. And he most likely will never be.
But I was writing that scene till the last second, using my beta's advices. I feel like I could've done a much better job with more time but meh. Still, as long as it's not jarring or out of place, I'm fine with it. Also, while I want to show a dark, complex Harry, I DO NOT want him to turn into an edgy mess. So if it felt like that, do let me know.
Now that I think about it, both of my Harrys are a little fucked in the head aren't they? ...Oh well, they'll be fine. After a while, I mean.
Lastly, the previous chapter received a pretty divided reaction, with some wanting me to continue this pace while others wanting a faster one.
I've already selected how I want to proceed...just wait till Ch.19 to decide if you like it or not.
My discord: discord .gg/9wpfysDGsz to discuss fics and chill.
My Pat reon: www. Pat reon com/ Robs511 (No spaces and a dot before com) for anyone who wants to read upto the next three chaps of all my fics.
Hope the chapter was enjoyable. I'll see in the next one, which will come on 27th or 28th (unless my other fics face a delay).
Till then, have a good day/night, and peace!