Secrets Only Trouble Knows - George Weasley

07 - The Midnight Duel

When dinner rolled around that night, I hadn't expected to entirely forget all about the planning Adrian and I had done in the library for our elaborate plot of revenge, seeing as I was so excited about it. But the news Harry had just brought to our table was so astonishing that I couldn't help but have something else occupy my thoughts, at least for the time being.

Harry was to be none other than the new Seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, courtesy of Professor McGonagall herself.

"You. Are. Joking!" I said, once those very words had spilled from his lips.

I was entirely in disbelief. I was fully aware that my jaw was close to hitting the floor but I just couldn't seem to pick it back up. But he was most certainly not joking, as I soon learned.

Apparently, during his and Ron's flying lessons earlier that afternoon, Harry and Malfoy got into a little bit of a situation. After poor Neville had fallen off his broom and been taken by Madam Hooch to the hospital wing, Draco stole his Remembrall that had been accidentally left behind. Harry, standing up for Neville, of course went to go and retrieve it from Draco, who decided to pose a challenge for him and fly high into the air— against Madam Hooch's strict instructions to stay on the ground while she was away. They had a quarrel, which resulted in Malfoy purposefully dropping the ball. Harry dived for it and successfully caught it, but not without McGonagall witnessing the whole thing from her office. She rushed out onto the field the lessons were being held, swept Harry away, and stole Oliver Wood—Gryffindor's team captain—from the class he was in, all to tell him she'd found him a new Seeker for his team.

"I'm still in shock. Seeker?" Callie blurted. "But first-year's never—"

"— you must be the youngest Seeker in about—" said Ron.

"— a century," finished Harry, shoveling pie into his mouth. "Yeah. I was told."

"Harry, that is just incredible!" I exclaimed.

"I know, thank you, but don't tell anyone," he quickly shushed me. "Wood wants to keep it a secret. You're the only ones who know about it," he explained.

But apparently that wasn't actually the case. Almost immediately after he said that, the Weasley twins, Jasper, and Kol walked into the Great Hall, laid eyes on us, and then darted over to our table.

"Well done, Harry!" beamed Jasper, giving him a firm clap to his shoulder.

"Wood's just told us the news. Congrats, mate!" Kol smiled, taking the seat next to him.

"We're on the team too— Beaters!" chimed Fred, gesturing to himself and his brother.

"Chasers," Jasper and Kol chorused.

"And Adrian's a Chaser too. You'll be up against him when you play Slytherin!" I told Harry. "That'll be fun."

"Wow!" he said brightly. "This is great. I had no idea all of you guys played."

"Sure do," Fred replied. "And we play good too," he puffed out his chest. George grinned proudly from beside him and did the same. I rolled my eyes. "You must as well, Harry. Wood was almost skipping with glee when he told us."

"I'll tell you, we're going to win that Quidditch cup for sure this year," Jasper stated with confidence. "We haven't won since their older brother Charlie left," he pointed to the twins, "but I can feel it in my bones that this season will be brilliant for us, especially since we have you now."

A bright red blush took over Harry's cheeks.

"Thanks, guys," he said bashfully.