Vivus armum // Drarry

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: potion lessons are better than being stuck in a hole. Maybe.

"I can't wait for try-outs this Friday," Ron said to Harry as the trio walked to breakfast the next morning. "It's going to be great with Ginny as our captain, though I wouldn't have minded having you as captain again. Too bad the eighth years can't be captains or headboys and -girls."

"I'm not sure if I'm going to join actually," Harry said scratching his neck as they walked into the great hall.

"WHAT?! Why not? You're the best seeker we've ever had!" Ron exclaimed.

"Yeah and it always made you so happy," Hermione added.

"Not when Oliver dragged us up in the middle of the night to practice," Harry mumbled under his breath. "I'm just afraid that it'll be awkward with Ginny," he said aloud to the others.

"Ginny's not going to let your break-up come between her and quidditch, and I honestly didn't think you would either, Harry," Hermione said, Ron nodding next to her with his mouth full of toast.

"Yeah, Harry we need you to kick the other houses' asses," Ron agreed after he had swallowed his toast.

"I guess..." Harry said poking at his eggs with his fork. "I'll think about it."

Having finished breakfast, the trio walked towards their next classes, however, they were intercepted by Ginny in the hall, who had run after them, a piece of toast still in her hand.

"Wait up!" she shouted after them, fixing her bag over her shoulder.

The group stopped and turned around, looking at her confused.

"Oof, never sprint right after breakfast." Ginny panted, bending forward, trying to catch her breath. "Anyway, I just wanted to make sure I'll be seeing you at the quidditch try-outs, 'cause I really don't feel like putting you in full body binds and having to carry you down there."

Harry looked at her flabbergasted. "It really means that much to you?"

"Duh," she answered. "We're the reigning champions, and I'm not letting go of that title in my last year of Hogwarts. That means I can't lose two of my best players."

Harry looked at her, his mouth hanging open.

"Anyway, I got to get to class," Ginny said. "I'll see you there. One way or another."

They watched Ginny leave, Harry still very much flabbergasted.

"Looks like you don't have a choice mate," Ron laughed, patting Harry's shoulder.

"Looks like it," Harry agreed, surprised to find himself smiling, as they walked to class.

٭٭٭

The days quickly came and went, and suddenly it was time for quidditch try-outs. Ginny had left lunch that morning with a 'don't test me' glare to Ron and Harry. Not being suicidal Ron and Harry decided to head down to the try-outs early, just to be safe and ended up getting to help Ginny set up. Fun.

Hermione had stayed behind, not wanting to sit in the freezing stands, but had wished them good luck.

People began filtering onto the court, and in a little over an hour the new quidditch team had been chosen; Ron stayed on as keeper, Ginny and Demelza Robins stayed as chasers, and Dean Thomas, who had proved his skills in Harry's sixth year, replaced Katie Bell as the third chaser. Ritchie Coote stayed on as beater, with the new addition of Nigel Wolpert, replacing Jimmy Peakes, and lastly Harry continued as seeker.

Ron and Harry returned to the common room, exhausted, but excitedly chatting about the coming quidditch season. Ginny was not going to go easy on them. She had already scheduled quidditch practice Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after dinner, as well as demanded their absolute loyalty to the team. In sickness and in health. However, Harry was not concerned about this. It was part of the joy of playing quidditch. No, what he was concerned about, was tomorrow. He had agreed to meet Aleria and her mysterious potion friend in the library after breakfast. Of course, he appreciated getting help with potions, but this meant putting his trust in a complete stranger, not to mention having to talk to a complete stranger. And to make it even worse, he had no choice but to do his potions homework. Dreading this, and slowly getting annoyed at Ron and Hermione's congratulatory PDA, he decided to go to bed early.