Hairy Potter-Addams and the Philosopher's Stone: An Altogether Ooky Tale

Halloween

It surprised nobody who knew him that Hairy's favorite time of year was Halloween. All through October, he and Ron ran with Lee Jordan and the Weasley twins, pulling pranks across the castle.

Every Saturday, Hairy and his friends met up for baseball practice, even though, as Hairy said, it was "off season." Their practice group now included the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Quidditch teams, a couple of Muggle-born Hufflepuffs, a few older Gryffindors, and a Ravenclaw girl named Luna Lovegood. She was not especially good at sports, but she had an appreciation for all things unusual, which included baseball. In all, there were about twenty-five people who met for baseball, enough that Hairy felt comfortable petitioning Professor McGonagall for a Gryffindor House team. Padma agreed to help get one started for Ravenclaw, with the hopes that exhibition games could be ready for spring.

Several kids received baseball gloves of their own, accompanied by confused letters from their parents. Pugsley sent Hairy a catcher's mask, which Hairy bestowed on an immensely proud Oliver. Ron was put in right field; he could catch anything that came his way. Parvati pitched, Dean played shortstop, Seamus was on third, George played first, Fred was second baseman, Alicia Spinnett from the Quidditch team played left field, and Katie Bell was at center. This left Hairy and Angelina Johnson to round out the team. Hermione still refused to have anything to do with baseball, but Hairy talked Neville into being team manager.

Oliver didn't even mind cross-training with other Houses present. "It's brilliant, Potter. We have everyone on this innocent, equal playing field and we can watch how they play. We learn how their minds work, how they strategize."

"And it's fun," Hairy always reminded him. "It's about the spirit of the game, Oliver."

The joint pitch meeting with Padma, a Hufflepuff by the name of Cedric Diggory, Professor Dumbledore, and the Heads of Houses went well. A few other teachers were present to hear the students' case. Dean had done drawings of team uniforms, Padma and Prefect Penelope Clearwater organized a budget, and Hairy invited the teachers for an exhibition game between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. In all, their presentation was thoughtful and thorough.

Unfortunately, there were a few dissensions. Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin, wanted to know where the Slytherin student delegation was. Hairy admitted, "Well, sir, there isn't one. Sometimes we see Slytherins watching us, and we try to invite them to play with us, but there doesn't seem to be much interest. In fact, our invitations have been met with disdain. Slytherin, if they wish, is always free to pick up a bat or glove and come out on Saturdays. It's an open field."

Professor Flitwick remarked, "I've heard some of my students talking about this. Explain the rules." The kids took turns explaining how baseball worked, and Professor Flitwick observed that it had many similarities to Quidditch.

"Yes, Professor," said Padma. "That's why it's so popular with the Quidditch players. Harry calls it 'cross-training.' It means that being good at baseball can benefit Quidditch players, and vice-versa."

"What about people who don't play Quidditch?"

Cedric spoke. "There are plenty of Muggle-born students here. Baseball is something they can play without the pressure to be good at magic or flying. It's an equalizer for Muggle-borns and the magically raised. It requires a lot more teamwork. Ever since a few of us on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team started playing baseball, our communication has drastically improved, our accuracy is better, and, as team Seeker, I'm much more confident in my abilities as a Quidditch player."

Hairy saw fit to add, "Neville Longbottom is our scorekeeper. He shows up to every practice, he's been learning more about baseball, and he's getting to be a good coach. He's getting good at finding players' weak points."