The Apprentice Piece
by Jardyn39
Part One of "The Apprentice Piece"
Chapter 11: Quidditch Try-Outs
Harry, Ron and Ginny gathered in the middle of the Quidditch pitch. Try-outs had just finished and it was beginning to get dark. Katie Bell joined them from the stands. Harry had asked her to observe the try-outs and give her comments.
"Hi, Katie," Harry greeted her. "Thanks for helping."
Harry consulted the notes he had been taking during the try-outs.
"Okay. First of all Denis Creevey. I thought he did very well as seeker. I only just managed to beat him to the snitch."
"But you got it, Harry," said Katie. "Denis is a good flyer but I thought he did better as a chaser. He and Ginny linked up well a couple of times." Ginny nodded.
"Ginny, you are definitely a Chaser. You scored more than anyone else tonight." Harry said smiling. Ginny blushed a little.
"I thought Stead did marginally better than the others," said Harry. "I'd select him for the last chaser position."
"Beaters," continued Harry. "Colin Creevey did very well but the second beater is harder to choose. I'd go with Peter Johnson on the grounds that he can hit well and we can work on his flying."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Ron clapped his hands saying, "Alright, let's go celebrate the formation of a new winning team!"
"Hang on," said Harry, still looking through his notes. "Firstly, I'd also like to nominate some reserves. Patrick Stephens wasn't bad as a chaser today but made a couple of great saves for the Rebels. Smith is a very good flyer as is Brian Clay. I'm going to make all three reserves. They are Second years and may not get a game this year, but if we get injuries we should still be able to put a team out."
"Secondly, Ginny, I'd like you to be lead chaser and play maker. As I'll be off in the clouds during the match, I won't be able to direct play. It'll be up to you to decide play changes during the match. Start by selecting some simple moves we can practice to start with."
Ginny looked at him in surprise but nodded.
"Ron, I'd like you to be Vice-Captain. If any decision is needed and I'm not there, Ron decides." Harry looked at Ron. He was looking down but nodded in acceptance.
"Finally, I'd like all of the team to help coach the Rebels. Eventually I hope to put together a Rebel side that we can practice against."
*
Harbinger greeted the Sixth Year students as they entered the classroom saying "Welcome. Please quickly copy down your homework assignment and then put your things away."
On the board were two assignments:
"1. Describe in detail everything to see that appears to be happening to your fellow students including their reactions. You may also describe what you see and feel yourself but this is not a requirement. (Max score 50%)"
"2. Speculate on the cause of the effects (if any) observed under Question 1. (Max Score 50%)"
When the last person had put away their things, the classroom door opened. In came Dobby and Winky pushing an enormous wheel-tray of mugs and a large steaming stainless steel urn. Harry could smell hot drinking chocolate.
"Dobby and Winky. Ah, thank you so much," said Harbinger as they came through the door. "Could I ask you to stay and assist?"
Dobby beamed and nodded. Winky looked like she would rather not be there and positioned herself behind the trolley.
"Madam Pomfrey assures me that there is no better cure for a shock than Winky and Dobby's chocolate drink. You may excuse yourself and partake of a mug at any time. Er, if anyone is unfortunate enough to be allergic to chocolate please say so now. No? Okay then."
He walked slowly around the classroom. "I'd like everyone to put away their wands. Just as a safety precaution. You'll understand in a moment why. Good, now everyone stand up and look around."
There was a nervous expectation and a couple of short laughs. Nothing appeared to be happening except that Harbinger was still walking between the desks.
"Just remember you are observing each others reactions. You may not see …"
"ARGH!" shouted Ron and he leapt to one side, grabbed his chair and was about to hit his desk with it when he froze with a confused expression. He was breathing heavily and shaking as he put his chair back down. He looked at Harbinger and was about to ask something when they heard a small scream.
Harry saw Dobby grab Ron's arm and guide him over to the trolley.
Gradually the centre of the classroom cleared as more and more people reacted in various ways and were lead over for a chocolate drink. No-one seemed happy to say out loud what they had seen but Harry thought they were each seeing something different.
Eventually only Harry, Hermione and Parvati were left.
"Okay," said Harbinger calmly. Looking over to the remaining students he asked, "Well do you think we should, er, turn up the volume so they can see too or should we let them off?" He was smiling.
There was a general murmur indicating that they should not be let off.
"Well, perhaps we should ask for volunteers then." Harry looked at Hermione who was looking very uncomfortable, and then raised his hand. He saw Parvati had also raised her hand. She was laughing nervously as she looked back at the others.
"Ready with the chocolate, Winky? This might be bad," Harbinger said dryly, looking directly at Harry. Harry braced himself. Behind him Hermione suddenly gave a loud scream and ran out of the room. Parvati collapsed into hysterical laughter.
Hearing the scream, Harbinger spun around looking horrified. "Winky, go after her!" he shouted but the house elf had already given chase.
"I didn't intend that. I was aiming for you Parvati, not Hermione."
"You did get me," she said composing herself, "but Hermione was directly behind. She must have got the same thing."
Harry was halfway to the door when Dobby intercepted him. "Miss will be okay. Winky will see to her."
Harbinger said, "Well on that note I think we'll leave it there. Class dismissed."
Parvati went over to Harry. "What did you see?" he demanded.
"Hermione might not want anyone to know so I won't say. It was just an illusion, just a bit different from the others. I got the joke but Hermione wouldn't have appreciated it. She'll be fine once she calms down and realises it wasn't real."
*
Very late that evening Harry waited in common room. Hermione had not returned for any of her lessons and he had been quite concerned. He was dozing but woke when he felt a pull under his seat.
"Hi," he said before opening his eyes.
"Sorry Harry, I didn't mean to wake you. You were sitting on the handle of my bag," whispered Hermione. She was wearing her dressing gown and had puffy bloodshot eyes.
"I waited ages for you. In the end I thought I'd keep your bag. Knew you'd want it back before dawn," he yawned.
Hermione sat down. She looked calm but had clearly been crying.
"I won't ask you what happened, but I've been worried. Are you okay?"
"I will be. How's Parvati?"
"Whatever you shared, she really enjoyed it. Said it was a joke but that you wouldn't get it," he said gently. "She has refused to say what she saw and Harbinger wouldn't say what anyone saw."
Hermione started to smile but then her face began to screw up as she fought not to cry. Harry reached out and pulled her into a hug. She burst into tears, his shoulder muffling her cries. Gradually her breathing became more regular until finally Harry felt a great sigh.
She pulled away from him. "Thanks Harry, I needed another good cry."
"Any time," Harry said gently and they smiled at each other. She then got up and immediately sat down on his other side. Harry looked at her confused.
"That side's a bit wet," she said as she lent in and rested her head on his other shoulder. He snorted loudly, trying to stop when she made a "Shhh" noise.
"About what happened …"
"I don't need to know, Hermione. Just so long as you're alright," he whispered and put his arm around her.
"I was so embarrassed. No, it was way beyond embarrassment. I was just standing there wondering how you would react when I realised what had happened. Silly, really. I knew the others were just seeing illusions. I think the others were just seeing things. I first felt it and then looked down and …"
She paused to draw a deep shuddering breath. Harry drew her closer.
"Harbinger apologised after. He hadn't intended me to feel that at all."
There was a small click that made both of them look up. Parvati was coming down the stairs. Hermione leaned back when she saw who it was.
"You look better," she whispered, kneeling in front of Hermione and smiling. "I saw your bed was empty so I thought I'd look for you. Hey, we hid that bag."
"Sorry, needed it for bait," said Harry.
"I can't believe you just laughed," croaked Hermione with a smile.
"Well, you know," Parvati said, raising her eyebrows. "I quite enjoyed it really." Both girls laughed silently. "I wonder how he knew I wouldn't, well …"
"Run screaming from the room in hysterics?"
"Yes."
"Must be on your school record: Watch out for Parvati, she likes to …"
"Hey!" Parvati said laughing. She stood up. "Well as you're obviously feeling better I'm going back to bed. No more work tonight though, okay?" She turned and left.
Harry realised there was an understanding between them he might never penetrate.
Hermione slowly pulled herself away from Harry and brushed her hands through her hair.
*
Harry entered the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. He was early and as the door was open decided to wait inside. In the classroom Hermione was talking to Professor Harbinger.
Harry was about to leave, not wishing to intrude on a private conversation, when he realised Hermione looked upset. She was holding an essay.
He turned and closed the door and joined them.
Harbinger smiled at Harry and continued gently, "Hermione, I don't want you to write about what you saw and felt. No-body got any marks describing their own experiences."
"But I only got a P," she pleaded.
"Only because you didn't answer the second part. You gave almost a perfect answer to the first part."
"I didn't know how to answer it," she admitted. "Nothing in the library fitted."
"There isn't a right or wrong answer. I just wanted you to speculate, that's all."
They heard a laugh outside which meant they would soon be joined by their classmates. Harry became concerned that Hermione would be embarrassed if the other saw her upset. He made to bar the door but Professor Harbinger pointed his wand at the door and it locked. It sounded like Malfoy had slammed into the door on the other side.
"How do I answer it if there's not a right answer?" she complained.
"Well as you won't let me just give you a higher mark," Harbinger began.
Hermione frowned at him, "Not unless the essay deserves it!"
"Okay. Copy Neville's," Harbinger said with a smirk. "No, better get Harry to ask Neville if he can copy."
Harry smiled. "That I can do!"
Hermione rolled her watery eyes.
"Portus," said Professor Harbinger as he pointed his wand at his chalk eraser. "Both of you take this to Myrtle's bathroom. Come back when you're ready, not before."
Twenty minutes later they returned to Harbinger's classroom and handed him back the eraser.