The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 118: His First Command

"Looking sharp, dear."

Harry smiled at the Mirror.  "Thank you."

"I've seen you in your Quidditch robes for six years now, well, I suppose you did not wear them your fourth.  Still, you're really fitting into them with each year.  And do I spy the Captain's Badge?  Well done!"

Harry patted the badge softly.  "Thank you.  It's...a big responsibility and I have some pretty big shoes to fill."

"The best way to do that is to take a step forward.  Walk in those shoes until they fit you."

Harry nodded.  "That's pretty good advice."  He secured the Medic Kit to his waist, checking the bindings.  He rolled his shoulders, pulling the Quidditch uniform tight.  The padding would go on right before the game, right now was just the uniform.  He looked into the Mirror.  "How's that?"

"Shoulder's up dear, back straight.  Chin up just a bit.  There!  Now you look like a commander."

Harry stared at his image.  He had never seen himself look so professional, so competent.  "I kinda do..."

"Look the part, feel the part, be the part.  Go get them, Captain."

He grinned and thanked the Mirror again.  He made his way down the stairs and his smile grew when he saw Katie walk into the common room too, wrapping her hair into a ponytail secured by a scarlet ribbon.  "Good morning!" he said.

Her smile was bright.  "Good morning, Captain!  That badge looks good on you."

He blushed and held out his hand.  "Thanks, uh, everything looks good on you."

She laughed.  "Flatterer."  She took his hand and they left the common room together.  "How are you feeling about our first match?"

"I think we'll play well," he said seriously.  "We've worked hard together and we'll be a little rough on the edges but win or lose, we'll play well."  He looked at her sadly.  "How do you feel?"

She sighed.  "Well, it's a little sad since this will be my last year.  But, I still get to enjoy playing on a team and playing with you."  She winked at him.  "How does it feel to be one of the older players, the vets?  Helping the little baby birds?"

He snorted.  "It makes me feel a way that if I said it to anyone older than us, I'd probably get smacked."

"Better not say it then," Katie agreed with a laugh.

Their arrival to the great hall was greeted with cheers and applause.  Lots of students gave Harry well wishes for his first game as captain and to Katie for starting her final season.  Harry made sure the team were equipped with the now fully traditional Champion sandwiches, as well as his close friends.  After eating their fill, he herded everyone to the lockers.

He watched over them as they got ready.  Ron no longer looked green, joking and laughing easily as he secured his padding.  Katie was a rock of comfort and care, trying to make Ginny and Demelza laugh.  Jimmy looked nervous and Mirabelle looked positively sick, clutching her bat tightly and making it shake from jitters and nerves.

Harry put a hand on her shoulder and she immediately stilled, looking up at him.  He smiled and hugged her and she sighed, hugging him back.  "Alright, gather 'round," he said softly.  Everyone did, circling up and looking at him.

"This is.  The big one," he started.  Only Katie laughed while the others looked confused for a moment.  Harry grinned.  "That was the start of a lot of Captain Wood's speeches.  Anyways, I know we're mostly a green team which isn't the best comparison since we're Gryffindors."  That got a weak chuckle.