The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 71: The First Good-byes

Oliver leaned against the central goalpost, utterly at peace.  N.E.W.T.s were finally done with.  The sun was shining.  He was meeting Alicia later for dinner and a walk around the lake.  Things were looking very good for him.

He resisted reading the letter he had in his pocket for the fiftieth time.  He still felt a jolt of shock and joy every time he did read it.  He wondered if it would ever not give him that reaction.  Privately, he hoped it never failed to.  He nearly screamed with joy when he first got it the other morning.  It was sent by one of the official League scouts that had watched the Championship game.  He had gotten offers from a few teams to do try-outs with them, to see if he would have a spot on their team.

His grin had been plastered onto his face and had yet to come off.

He hummed softly, soaking up the warm sunshine.  He gazed off into the clouds, seeing pitches and stadiums made of cottony-white material.  Of wisps of players floating between them.  Of adoring fans that watched and cheered.

Eventually he noticed someone approaching the pitch.  He waved, chuckling to see them wave back.  "Took you long enough Sir Harry," he called.

"Alicia made me get her a few things before she gave me your message," Harry said with a smile.

"Yeah that sounds like something she'd do," Oliver chuckled.  "Come on, let's do some flying."

Harry eagerly followed Oliver into the air and they flew about the pitch for a while.  They dove and climbed, pretending to fly into one another.  Eventually Oliver grabbed the bag of golf balls he used to test Harry with that day three years prior, and he flung them about at odd angles.

Harry did not miss a single one.

They finally flew back to the pitch and Oliver ruffled Harry's hair.  "I knew I had a good feeling about you that day.  You're quite the Seeker and flyer.  One of the best."

Harry blushed.  "Nah, I'm sure there are better ones."

"Not much better.  Out of seven games, you caught the Snitch five times.  That's a better record than some professional players.  I'm telling you Harry; you really can make it in the League.  You're only going to get better."

Harry brightened.  "You really think so?"

"I know so.  You gotta try Harry.  I don't know what you want to do after school and it's still early for you to know, but if you try for the League, you'll be a great.  You're a natural.  I want to see you rise in the rankings and one day you and me will be playing for England during the European League and the World League."

He put his arm around Harry's shoulder and gestured with the other at the pitch.  "Can you imagine it, Sir Harry?  The stadiums full of people, thousands of times larger than here.  People from all over the world watching us play.  They're chanting your name: Potter, Potter, Potter!  I block the Quaffle, you grab the Snitch, and we bring England the gold."

Harry's eyes shone.  "I think I can see it," he said, awed.

"That's my boy," Oliver laughed, seeing the spark of imagination in Harry's eyes.  "You drive for it and if you try, I'll be the first to welcome you into the League.  I'll convince my team to give you a try-out."

"What if we play on different teams in the League?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Then we do.  Luckily we don't really affect each other directly and don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secrets.  It'll be better when we get picked to play for England together.  And whatever any other of our compatriots that join the League."

"Speaking of, did you get any offers for try-outs?"

Oliver's grin threatened to split his face.  "Sure did!  I might get more but the first three offers were from the Appleby Arrows, Pride of Portree, and Puddlemere United."