If Hogwarts Had a Rowing Team

Chapter 1: Starting the Team 

"Everybody QUIET," roared Professor Snape.

It was a rainy Thursday Afternoon at Hogwarts, and all the students were being extra chatty today. Harry was especially talkative today because it was almost Friday, and he was excited to go to Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione over the weekend. Snape tried to quiet the students but was unsuccessful. Today they were learning about how to turn frogs into dinner plates. Harry hated turning things into dinner plates. He always found it very difficult. Ron, however, enjoyed anything that had to do with food.

Snape continued on with the lesson until it was time for them to go to lunch. Harry was excited that it was lunch time because today was meatball day. Harry likes meatballs. Everyone got settled into their seats and started to feast on the delicious meatballs.

Suddenly, Dumbledoor taped his fork on his glass as if he had an announcement.

"Students, I have an announcement to make. Hogwarts is being allowed to try out a new sport! Rowing!"

"Isn't rowing a form of slave torture that occured in the fourteen hundreds?" asked Hermione.

"Actually, it is. It was a form of punishment. But now it is a sport that is supposed to be fun," Dumbledoor answered.

"I don't think I want to try any sport that has to do with slave punishment," Ron whispered to Harry.

"Yeah Ron, seems like it isn't much fun to participate in a sport that was meant to torture slaves," Harry replied.

"Students, sign up sheets will be going around your tables. If you are interested in trying rowing, please sign your name. The first practice starts tomorrow at the docks," Dumbledoor stated.

Dumbledoor sat back down and everyone continued to eat their lunch. Harry started to think, I kind of want to try rowing. Maybe it will make me stronger, so I can defeat Voldemort.

"Hey Ron, I think that rowing may be a good way for us to gain muscle to impress the ladies! And maybe defeat Voldemort."

"But Harry, you just said you didn't think slave torture sports are a good idea," Ron said confusingly.

"I thought about it, Ron. Maybe it will be fun. What do you think Hermione?"

"I think it may be a fun way to gain strength. I say we should sign up!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Okay! Let's all sign up!" Harry replied excitingly.

So Harry, Ron, Hermione, and a bunch of other Hogwarts students signed up for the rowing team. They were all really excited to try rowing and see what it was all about.

The rest of the school day dragged on as they sat in their classes thinking about tomorrow. Harry was especially nervous about trying rowing. He didn't think he'd be good enough to be on the team. He just wanted to be good at something for once in his life.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Harry, Ron, and Hermione finished their homework and were sitting in the common room relaxing by the fire.

"Harry, do you think we'll make the team?" Ron asked nervously.

"To be honest Ron, I am not sure. I heard Malfoy talking to Crable and Goyle about it. They said that really good rowers had to be really tall and really muscular. We are neither of those things. We are short and scrawny," Harry replied.

"Oh will you knock it off," Hermione yelled. "You just have to try it out and see how you do with it. Don't underestimate yourselves."

"You're right Hermione. We just have to see what it is like. We may hate it the second we start practice," Ron commented.