Chapter 57: Slytherin's New Team
When Gryffindors learned that all of their points were taken off because of Harry, Ron, and Hermoine, they alienated the trio completely and started to treat them as if they don't exist anymore. While the students of the other two houses felt pity for them, on the other hand, Slytherins were extremely happy, especially Malfoy.
During the dinner, he asked, "just how did you do it, Neal?". Neal replied, "this is a perk of becoming a model student. No one questions the authenticity of your words over troublemakers".
Daphne then said, "Well, anyway, forget about them. Unlike last time, even if Harry catches the snitch in every single match, he won't be able to make Gryffindor recover anymore. They're already finished from the race. Anyway, did you book the Quidditch grounds, Neal?".
Neal nodded, "yeah. Just a while ago, I asked Prof. Snape to give us permission to use the stadium for two days". Draco looked at him, "And?", Neal smiled and took out a parchment from his pocket, "got it. Pass the information to everyone that we'll be holding tryouts this weekend. Even the first years are allowed".
A fist year named Blair Ferlet almost screamed in excitement, "What? First years are allowed?". He then whispered to his next person, "hey, Neal says first years are allowed for tryouts". As the murmurs started at the Slytherin table, eventually the information was passed to Gryffindor and then to the other two houses.
While some of the Gryffindor students thought why did that guy have to be sorted in Slytherin, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaw were looking forward to seeing what kind of team Neal would build. Meanwhile, Ron scoffed, "what's the use of that. At the end of the day, Malfoy will drag their team down anyway and Neal will score. It will be just a one-man team".
Percy who sat near him frowned, "Ron, I believe I remembered saying you three aren't allowed to talk neither at the Great Hall nor at the Common room".
After Ron snorted and finished his dinner, while Harry and Hermoine ate their dinner silently and went away ignoring Malfoy's usual taunting, Slytherins who were interested in Quidditch and gathered at the common room by the Prefects as they were asked by Neal.
While they were murmuring, Neal cleared his throat and spoke, "ok, you might have already heard during the dinner about Quidditch try-outs, right?". As everyone nodded, He continued, "well, I want to announce something.
Everyone knows four of our members quit as it's their final year and the team is down to me, Draco and Grover. The two official reserves also quit last year and the club is only left with unofficial reserves or should I say basic members who don't get to play the games. That's why the team is going to be refreshed".
While everyone gasped in surprise including Malfoy, someone stepped forward and asked, "what do you mean?". Neal replied, "listen, carefully. For now, I'll explain it briefly and later will put the poster on the notice board.
So, including two chasers, two beaters, one seeker, one keeper, and four reserve positions, ten positions are going to be vacant. And even the first years are welcome to try. Good luck". Hearing that, everyone started to murmur among themselves.
As the current keeper, Grover, a fifth-year student asked, "what about me? I've played for the team for the past couple of years. I don't think my performance is that low compared to keepers from other teams that I need to be replaced".
Neal replied, "well, I've taken that into consideration. But don't worry, if you get replaced by someone, I'll put you as our reserve keeper. If you are that good, then, you have to prove it yourself. The four reserve players will get to play in the matches from time to time based on our opponent. And Draco, we'll talk later".
After the crowd cleared, Draco said in anger, "c'mon, Neal. I can't believe you are doing this to me". Neal replied, "what should I do, then. You keep on losing to every seeker out there. There's only twice you have caught the snitch".
Daphne defended Malfoy, "thrice, Neal". Neal looked at her, "yeah, right. The last one he caught so lucky is because of me. I was the one who made him drink Felix Felicis potion, the liquid luck. But that's not the point".
Then, he looked at Malfoy, "listen, Draco, if you want to defeat Harry, then your choice of being a seeker is wrong". Malfoy frowned, "then?", Neal replied, "become a Beater". The three of them are surprised and Tracey laughed out loud, "pfft, hahaha, c'mon Neal. Look at him. In what angle does he look like one? Didn't it need a lot of physical strength and Draco..."
Daphne laughed while saying, "he was even punched by Hermoine in the face a while ago", Malfoy's face became red in embarrassment, "don't bring that topic, again". Neal replied, "don't worry. You will do fine. If you ask me, you would do great as a Beater actually. Just think about it. You can knock out Harry Potter with a bludger. Wouldn't that be more exciting to you?".
As Malfoy thought about it, he nodded, "actually now that I think about it, you are right. My father was also disappointed in me being a seeker, anyway. But do you think everyone will accept me as a Beater without any try-out?".
Tracey then said, "well, they will, if you buy everyone in the team, a Firebolt". Daphne and Neal looked at her and said at the same time, "Hey, that's too much", Malfoy, on the other hand, replied, "hmm, a Firebolt nearly costs 800-900gold each. If I ask my father, then he might buy me one but for the whole team... Should I ask him more earnestly?"
Neal looked at him as if he's a fool, "don't tell me you are considering to spend over 6000 gold for brooms. Believe me, it isn't worth and it's very difficult to control Firebolt in a stadium small like ours. Just buy one for yourself. That's it. The rest can still use Nimbus 2001".
Later, on the weekend, at the Quidditch stadium, a few people from all houses sat in the stands to see Slytherin's tryouts. Neal then spoke, "ok, first, let's start with the keeper". After watching everyone's performances, Neal nodded, "well, Grover is still the best we've got.
Next, let's move on to Chasers". Then he thought, "I hope, Daphne will do good". The next day, Neal gave Draco, one drop of liquid luck, half an hour's worth and made his performance go great in diverting the Bludgers to others.
Then, later in the evening of Sunday, Neal gathered everyone at the common room to announce the team members. As everyone is anticipating, Neal announced, "first, let start with Keeper. Fifth-year Grover Hegde will continue to be the Keeper.
Then, next Chasers, Third-year Daphne Greengrass and Fourth-year Laura Nettle. Then, Beaters, Third-year Draco Malfoy and Sixth-year Copper Selket. Coming on to the most important position, seeker. Congratulations, Second-year Christine Eaglet".
As everyone who got selected was getting congratulated, Neal then said, "wait. There are still four more to announce, the reserve members. As I have stated before, reserve players will play in a lot more matches than you guys think.
Ok, first, two reserves for Chaser, One is Sixth-year Orion Inkwell, and the other is the First-year Julie Lavender. Now, for a reserve for Beater, Fifth-year Marsh Fluke and lastly for the Keeper, fourth-year Arch Bulb. That's it. Congratulations everyone who made it to the team.
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