Chapter 13:

Sprout did as asked, and at the three Harry started running forward flicking spells at rapid speed. On initial impact, he had caught his soon-to-be captain by surprise and Darrel was forced onto the defensive.

However, Harry was not used to dueling against power, as the young man quickly dodged under his last two spells, and returned with a few powerful blasting charms, and even a shield breaker, which caused Harry to roll backward, leaving scorch marks on his wake.

But, when Darrel fired incarcerous, Harry spun around the ropes flying in his direction and banished them right back at the boy causing Darrel to incinerate them with incendio.

Harry who knew since he had lasted this long he had already made the team attempt to go for a five-chain and win the duel, "Reducto, Stupefy, Deprimo, Expelliarmus, Incarcerous!"

The first two spells were blocked, but the next one through him off balance and the next one caught him in the chest instead of the usual disarming shot to the wand. This sent the boy flying backward and had still managed to avoid the ropes.

However, the crowd was applauding the site of someone throwing up a hell of a fight. Before Harry could do much else he saw three spells flying his way, all were silent, and he is an initial panic conjured his best shield and didn't realize the first was a shield breaker, and the next two were stunners.

When Harry's eyes opened Darrel was standing over him, he spoke quietly "Well kid I think it's safe to say you made the cut, where on Earth did you learn to duel like that? I have never seen a first-year cast a chain spell like that."

Harry grinned at the boy, "The Potters have always been great at battle magic, which gives us an edge in duels. My dad calls it like a sixth sense, the only way I can describe it is as if you've been doing something for so long it just comes naturally to you, and you don' even have to think about it!"

Darrel laughed, "Well I'm glad we got you, Potter! Not bad at all."

He helped the boy to his feet and the crowds in the stands were applauding, and Harry could see his parents with beaming faces, along with Padfoot who was hooting and barking. Darrel then announced, "That concludes our tryouts. I will be selecting three duelers after I congregate with my head of the house, and my co-captain. Thank you, everyone, for coming, I hope you enjoyed it, and I hope to see you at our first match Vs. Ravenclaw in six weeks."

The spectators once again clapped, and a few alumni of Hufflepuff even spoke with him briefly about how he would be the next great dueler. Harry took it all modestly and wished he could say the same thing for his godfather and father, who were bragging and looking proud to anyone who would listen.

When James made it over to his son he ruffled his hair, "You may just be getting advanced enough to look into the Potter Grimoire. I think come next school year I could have taught you most of the defensive magic. Though I think I want to see how you do your first year on just the common stuff. Plus I will have to make sure you can do it all non-verbally. But I am proud of you son, that was some fine dueling. Your grandpa Charlus would be having a ball watching you."

Sirius added in, "I wish I could teach you some stuff from my grimoire pup, but it's mostly dark magic, maybe when you out of Hogwarts though I'll teach you some of it!"

The group then discussed the tryouts and who they thought the other picks would be. Everyone was fairly certain that Harry would be one of the picks, and Harry did not bother confirming it with what Darrel had told him. Sirius even jokingly pointed out that if he had dueled like that against Tonks he may have tripped her up in surprise and knocked her out cold.

This conversation came to a rapid close when a tall man with short brown hair approached the group. He had a goatee and sharp blue eyes that reminded him of a girl he had been close friends with. Of course, Harry recognized him as Lord Abbot, so when James Potter saw him come over, formalities were instantly engaged, "Lord Abbot I did not even see you among the group. I am sure you are quite proud your son made captain this year, I offer you my congratulations."

Lord John Abbot gave the group a smile, "Thank you, Lord Potter, Lady Potter it is good to see you. Lord Black, a pleasure as always. I hope I am not intruding on anything, but I believe there is something we all need to discuss."

James who had clearly not been made aware of the situation yesterday looked confused, and almost a little insulted, "Please go ahead Lord Abbot. I assure you, you didn't interrupt anything that can't wait. Is this a serious matter?"

Lord Abbot nodded, "Aye it is. I was hoping we could all take this somewhere a little more private. I would of course require your heir to be present, but is there any way we can use your private quarters Lady Potter? It is my understanding that it holds a formal sitting room?"

Lily who was of course aware of what happened yesterday spoke quickly, "Of course Lord Abbot. Please follow me, I am just down the hall."

James put a hand on his son's shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze, as the group walked down the hall to the teachers living quarters. When Lily Potter gave her password to the portrait they all slid in, and James questioned, "Now what is this all about, I have to say I am concerned that you wished my heir to be here during these matters, while neither of yours is."

Lord Abbot raised an eyebrow, "Were you not made aware of the situation that has unfolded on the Hogwarts ground yesterday afternoon?"

Harry gave a short bow, recognizing the formality of the situation, "Forgive me Lord Abbot, that would be my fault. Things were a little hectic yesterday and I did not get a chance to inform my father. I supposed I assumed too much thinking Lady Potter would have informed him straight away."

Lord Abbot waved it off, "It is no matter, Heir Potter...Lord Potter I would like to officially recognize that my family now owes your son, and by extension your family a life debt. Yesterday during the first flying lessons offered here at Hogwarts, my daughter Hannah got on a broom that was jinxed, and your son and heir flew above and beyond to save her. If I am to believe what my son and daughter told me, he saved her from nearly one hundred football to her death. For that, I cannot express my thanks enough, but I do believe the family must recognize the severity of the situation."

Padfoot whistled, "Prongslet you've done it now."

Harry glared at his godfather, while James looked on in shock, "How would you like to proceed?"

Lord Abbot looked a little troubled by his next words, but he said them anyway, "Would a marriage contract perhaps settle the matter?"

Lily Potter quickly stepped into the matter, "It most certainly does not Lord Abbot. As allies to the house of Potter, we could never ask for such a price. I know it is my belief as well as Lord Potters that marriage is strictly used for love, and not political gain."

James and Lord Abbot exchanged heavy looks while James put a soft arm on his wife's, "Lils, this is a little more difficult. Normally you would be right, but since House Abbot is of the same ancient standings as House Potter it makes things a bit trickier than had Harry saved someone like Draco who is of a technical lesser house. A price must be set and made, whether the alliance stands or not."

Lord Abbot offered a counter, "Perhaps a hefty sum of galleons will settle the matter? That and the promise to strengthen our family ties together?"

Harry intervened, "I don't want your money, Lord Abbot. All that I have ever asked for is your children's friendship. It is not right that just because I risk my life to save one of theirs that they don't get to walk away free. No harm was done, can't it just be settled with the promise to strengthen family ties?"

James sighed, "I wish it were that easy Harry. I too would just agree to the strengthening of family ties, but you being the heir to the family, saving another potential heir to the ancient and noble family makes things difficult...How about this Lord Abbot. I propose a compromise. For now, we leave it as a life debt and a promise to strengthen family ties. However in three years, upon Harry's fourteenth birthday we can reconvene to establish the next step. If Hannah somehow saves my heir's life in the next three years, or something happens to one of them, then the debt is absolved?"

Lord Abbot looked at his counterpart, then with a nod offered his hand, "That sounds like a generous offer. Thank you, Lord Potter, and most of all thank you, Harry. It is only because of you that I was able to hug my daughter this morning."

Harry gave the man a short bow, "Of course sir. Hannah is my friend, and I would've been quite distraught had something happened to her."

The older man merely smiled, "I hope your friendship blossoms into something much more in future years Heir Potter. You make for a strong young man, and what I recognize as one day a very powerful lord. Thank you, Lord Potter, Lady Potter, and Lord Black for your time. I bid you all good day, and perhaps I shall see you all again at the next Wizengamot meeting, or quidditch match. I have heard your son may just find him a spot on the Badgers quidditch team as well?"

Harry nodded, "Tryouts are tomorrow!"

James and Sirius both looked gobsmacked by that while Lord Abbot offered the boy his hand, "Well good luck to you son. I look forward to hearing more about your progress as a student, wizard, and quidditch player. Until next time." Before Lord Abbot made his way to the exit he added, "My heir and your new captain has my Pensieve. I would appreciate it very much if you lent him the memory for the family to watch. I will be back on this side of the country next weekend and would like to see just how events unfolded."

Lord Abbot then tipped his hat and walked out of the room. When the Lord walked out James picked his son up in a mighty hug, "Son you are a freaking prodigy I tell you! Saving girl's lives, making the dueling team, and getting an opportunity as a first-year to sign up for the quidditch team! You are making us marauders look bad in terms of legacy!"

Harry laughed as Sirius called out, "Prongs he is going to be an animagus by third-year just you watch!"

Lily even bent down and gave her son a kiss on the cheek, "You're doing good Harry, but please watch out for yourself. I think the whole broom incident is only just the beginning."

Harry nodded in understanding but prayed his mother was wrong.

The next day was quidditch tryouts. They were holding tryouts for just about every position except seeker, where Diggory was firmly placed. Harry wished he was larger that way he may have even tried out for keeper, but decided that he would much rather play offense than defense if he couldn't be a seeker.

The chaser tryouts were fairly easy, and Harry had, like in the dueling tryouts, blown everyone away by his finesse on a broom. It had suddenly come to Harry that day that his whole life was based around dueling and quidditch and was glad he would get to continue both even while away from home.

By the end of the day, Cedric had given him the third spot as a chaser, told him that they were creating a blitz-style offense, and looked forward to seeing how he worked with it. Cedric even told him in private that he may have been the best chaser on the team, but couldn't wait to see how Harry would do under the pressure of a match and a lot of fans.

Harry had awaited this moment desperately, and the next few weeks would pass with little recognition.