Chapter 48: Quidditch (1/2)

After dinner, as Chris entered the Gryffindor common room, she saw Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain there.

”Wood! Can I talk to you for a second?” Chris said walking towards him.

”Yes?” Wood looked at her.

”Well, I was asking, do you think we can try for Quidditch this year?”

”We?”

”Me and Ginny,” Chris said and pulled Ginny beside her.

”Er. . . Chris, I appreciate the enthusiasm but our team is already pretty great. I didn't think we will take tryouts this year. By the way, for what you want to try?”

Ginny's face fell.

”Chasers,” Chris said confidently. ”And Wood, we just want to try out.”

”So you can try next year.. or so... you two have plenty of time...”

”That's why we want to start this year. Wood you always should give a chance to new students.” Chris said sharply.

”I know.. but...” he sighed. ”You're right. Fine. I'll think about tryouts for Chasers and if you two can beat our current team Chasers, only then you'll be selected.”

”Cool.”

Chris hugged Ginny excitedly as Wood left.

”Are you sure it's going to be ok?” Ginny asked uncertainly.

”Ginny, at least we get to try. I didn't persuade Wood for you to chicken out. We'll be great.” Chris said.

After one week, Wood fixed the date for tryouts. Other than Chris and Ginny, few 4th and 5th-year students came for trials. Luna and Colin sat on the stands. In the Quidditch field, the Gryffindor team was present except Harry. The Weasley twins were very happy to see their sister trying. They came and encourage her and Chris. Weasley twins were Gryffindor Beaters.

In the Quidditch match, there are seven players on each side. One Keeper, one Seeker, two Beaters and three Chasers. The Chasers throw the Quaffle to each other and try and get it through one of the hoops to score a goal. Ten points every time the Quaffle goes through one of the hoops. Keepers job is to block the Quaffle before it goes through the hoop. Beaters deal with Bludgers and Seekers with the Golden Snitch.

Wood was the Gryffindor team Keeper. Wood stated the rules very clearly and everyone mounts their brooms and flew up. When Chris and Ginny were about to do that, Alicia Spinnet, a current Gryffindor team Chaser, approached them.

”I heard from Wood, you two asked him for this tryout.” She said seriously. Chris and Ginny exchanged looks. ”Let's see what you two can do. All the best.” She said and smiled. ”It's nice to see Quidditch spirit like this. C'mon.”

Chris and Ginny smiled back and three of them kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. A Gryffindor boy threw the Quaffle up and in a split second Angelina Johnson snatched it from the air. Others tried to take the Quaffle from her but failed. As Chris came close to her, she threw it towards Alicia and Alicia tried to pass it through the hoop but Wood stopped it and threw it back. Katie Bell caught it and threw it back towards Angelina. Angelina scored.

Chris sighed and looked at Ginny, Ginny looked at her and Chris heard Ginny muttering, ”That's it.” The Quaffle was back in Alicia's hands. Suddenly Ginny went towards Angelina in full speed and before Angelina can catch the Quaffle from Alicia, she came in between and caught it. Before Wood can react Ginny scored. Chris almost whistled. The Quaffle was back and this time Chris caught it. In a few seconds, Ginny and Chris showed some great coordination and after some time the tryouts ended. Everyone landed on ground and Wood came down with a smile. He talked with Alicia, Angelina and Katie for a minute at little far from them. Then came back.

”So I've decided.” Wood said with a smile. Ginny and Chris looked at him curiously.

”I think you all know the scores.” Wood said and everyone nodded.

The scores were like this:

Angelina - 5

Ginny - 5

Chris - 4

Alicia - 3

Katie - 2

Another 5th-year boy did one goal.

”So I talked with our current three Chasers, and we have a conclusion. Alicia thinks you two can be better Chaser than her.” Wood said shocking everyone.

”Yeah. I think so. You two are just in 2nd year and you did great. So I guess little more practice and you two can be professionals. And our final aim is the same, winning the Quidditch Cup.” Alicia said.

”I agree. Honestly, I never took Quidditch very seriously as my future carrier. I played because everyone said I'm a good player. So now when we've options to choose more talented Chasers then why not.” Katie Bell said smiling.