Crossroads of Two Worlds

22-Game Time

Genna turned to look at the group remaining after those few left the field, "Now, those who are trying out for Seeker, stand over here. Those for Keeper over there, Chasers to the left, Beaters over there."

Genna's strict orders and her fierce personality reminded me of Helena Grace, even though the two looked nothing alike. The crowd split into groups, and I stood with two other students, a sixth year boy with black hair and a fourth year named Joseph. We were the only three trying out for Seeker. There were four others besides Rose trying out for Keeper, three boys trying out for Beater positions and five others for Chaser.

"Before we begin, I must issue a warning. We currently have two chasers including myself, and one beater. This does not mean that none of you can kick others off the team. Except me, you can't kick me off my own team," Genna chuckled and the rest of us followed suit, "I will not discourage anyone from trying out because firstly, those are the rules, and also, we can always get better and I try not to pick favorites."

I smiled at this. This was how it worked at Camp Half Blood as well, during capture the flag especially. No favorites, just who could do it, how well, and how fast. I was used to these rules.

I shook myself out of my daze and listened, "Seekers, I will be throwing three different colored snitches. Red, blue and gold," She pointed to each of us as she assigned us to a different snitch, mine being gold, "Whoever catches it the fastest and brings it back to me wins. Since there's three of you we'll only do it once instead of best two out of three. One chance only, got it?"

I nodded and gripped my broom tighter in my hand. Thank goodness I was the only one prepared when right then, she released three balls into the air and shouted, "GO!"

I pushed off the ground hard and flew higher, not having seen where the little bugger had gone. I floated for a bit, looking around the pitch, trying to spy for that tiny golden spark. And then I saw it. It hovered right above one of the goal posts on the left side of the field, sitting there as if it were waiting for me to come after it.

I tucked my body against my broom and sped towards that side of the field. It darted away but I had it in my sights. It headed closer and closer to the ground but I wanted a spot on this team... I wanted it bad, so giving up wasn't an option. It zipped closer to the group of chasers passing around a Quaffle and had this been a normal event I'd have gone around them better but this was necessary. I swooped in between two of them and looped around another, keeping my eyes on the tiny golden speck. It then flew straight across the field, and I was close behind it, gaining on it, shrinking the distance between the winged ball and my outstretched hand. I gave one last burst of effort, lunging for the ball and snatching it in my fist. I hovered right side up for a moment, breathing hard, before I realized that I still had to bring the snitch back to Genna. I zipped over to her and landed running, handing the ball to her.

She smiled at me for real this time, "Well done, Alana. I'll hang the results on the common room board by dinner tomorrow."

I backed away from Genna but moved towards the side of the field to wait for Rose to finish her tryout. I had a good feeling about today. We'd just have to wait until tomorrow to find out.

4:00 PM The Next Day

As I left my Potions class, a familiar redhead came sprinting towards me and nearly knocked me over. Rose was extremely out of breath as she tried and failed to speak to me.

"Rose, calm down, take some deep breaths, what is it?" I asked her, holding her shoulders steady.

"We made it!"

I wondered how she expected me to know what she was talking about, "I'm confused, we made what?"

"The Quidditch team, dummy! You're Seeker, I'm Keeper!"