105 Chapter 105: "Quidditch Tryouts and School"

One week later, on a chilly Saturday morning, Harry and Roger made their way to the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. Roger was a bundle of nerves hidden beneath a thin veil of excitement—today was the day for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team tryouts.

Upon their arrival, they found a group of eager students already milling about, each buzzing with the thrill of competition. Daniel Rogers, the Ravenclaw team captain, stepped forward to address the crowd. "Alright, everyone, welcome to the Ravenclaw try-outs," he announced. "For those who don't know me, I'm Daniel Rogers, your captain. I usually guard the hoops as the keeper. Today, we're testing for all positions except beaters. We're set there. But chaser, seeker, and even my spot as keeper are open. If anyone out here can outplay me or any of our current players, you could find yourself on the team."

This announcement stirred excitement among the roughly fifteen Ravenclaw students who had come to try out, each hoping to secure a spot on the team and gain some school-wide recognition.

The tryouts began with the chaser position. Each participant was tasked with outmaneuvering a defender and then attempting to score against Rogers, who was defending the hoops. They were given five shots each to showcase their skills. The air was filled with a mix of cheers for successful goals and groans for missed opportunities.

When it was Harry's turn, he climbed onto his Comet 220 broom—a model he was still using as he waited for the release of the Firebolt before upgrading. Harry caught the quaffle thrown his way and waited for the whistle.

At the sound, he surged forward. He had practiced maneuvers over the summer with Cedric but facing off against seasoned Quidditch players was a different challenge. Harry executed a series of feints to shake the defender and after leaving the defender behind him, Harry went close to the hoops and scored easily. Harry's strong arm and precise aim made it difficult for Rogers to block his shots.

The crowd, particularly a few spectators in the stands, began to applaud as Harry consistently bypassed the defender and scored. By the end of his turn, Harry had impressively netted all five of his shots, demonstrating his skill in both maneuvering and scoring.

Next up was Roger, who, inspired by Harry's performance, also succeeded in scoring all five of his attempts, showing off his skills.

The previous year's team members followed, and they matched the high performance set by Harry and Roger, leaving Daniel with some tough decisions to make about who would make the team.

Next, it was time for the seeker tryouts. The task was to catch golf ball-sized balls that a beater hit into the air. Each hopeful had to catch these balls before they touched the ground, and like before, everyone got five tries.

Harry, known for his quick reflexes, managed to catch all five balls effortlessly. A seventh-year student, who was the team's seeker last year, also succeeded in catching all the balls. This set up a direct competition between him and Harry.

The real test began when a snitch was released into the air. The first person to catch the snitch in two out of three attempts would secure the seeker spot on the team. Harry's competitive nature was evident as he swiftly captured the snitch in the first two rounds without giving his competitor a chance. As soon as Harry spotted the snitch, it was clear it would be his; his opponent barely had a moment to react.

Before the team captain, Rogers could announce the results, Harry approached him to discuss his particular circumstances. "Rogers, I need to be honest about something. My family has set up a strict training schedule for me, which means I can't join the early morning practice sessions. I can make it to later sessions or on weekends, though," Harry explained.

This put Rogers in a tough spot. Harry had proven himself to be an exceptional seeker, possibly the best he had seen. However, adjusting the team's schedule just for one player could upset the balance and fairness among the team members. Additionally, the other contender for the seeker position was Rogers' friend and in his last year at Hogwarts, looking to impress talent scouts.

After thinking it over, Rogers made the difficult decision to assign Harry as the reserve seeker instead of giving him the starting position. He explained to Harry, "Given the NEWT exams seventh-year students like me will be taking, you'll likely get to play in the last match of the season. And of course, if there are any unforeseen circumstances, we might need you for other games as well. I am sorry about this, but this is the best I can do."

Harry understood and respected the decision. He was happy for the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, even if he wouldn't be the main seeker. He also accepted his role as a reserve seeker, knowing it was the fairest solution for the team. Harry knew that giving him special privileges would create problems within the team if handled poorly.

Later that day, after a few more rounds of tryouts, the final decisions for the chaser positions were announced. Roger was thrilled to secure a spot on the team, and Harry was the first to congratulate him on his success.

Throughout the week, the other house teams also conducted their tryouts, and soon the results were known. Harry's friends managed to secure the positions they were aiming for. Angelina and Alicia were both selected as chasers for the Gryffindor team, and Cedric was chosen as the seeker for Hufflepuff.

Although Harry's own situation wasn't what he had hoped for, the tryouts had showcased his exceptional flying skills to everyone who watched. Even though he wouldn't be playing in every game, his role as a reserve, capable of playing both as a seeker and a chaser, was a valuable asset for the Ravenclaw team. They now had a strong backup player ready to step in whenever necessary.

With Quidditch practice not taking up any of his time, Harry had a lot of time to focus on his other interests.

One of his main focuses was progressing with the Knight Breathing Technique. He had found the perfect place for his training deep within the Forbidden Forest. There, he set up a new practice dummy. The forest creatures no longer posed a threat to him, making it an ideal spot for his training. Practicing in the tranquility of nature proved to be very beneficial for Harry, enhancing his concentration and peace of mind. This secluded spot also gave him the privacy he needed for his sword practice, away from the eyes of other students and professors, allowing him to train undisturbed.

Along with his physical training in the Knight Breathing Technique, Harry was also diligently working on the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Hidden Things. The repair work might have looked simple, but Harry was cautious. Space magic was complex and required careful handling. He conducted various tests on the cabinet to make sure the magical space within it was stable and safe before he would even consider stepping through it himself.

On the academic side, Harry wasn't just taking it easy. He had already finished the regular Hogwarts courses for all years and was now diving into more advanced studies.

In the wizarding world, further education often meant apprenticing under a master in a specific field instead of going to a traditional college. The levels of education were classified as School, Apprentice, Master, and Grandmaster. Grandmasters were widely respected for their vast knowledge and accomplishments. However, the pursuit of knowledge never really ended. Even if there were no official titles for knowledge beyond the Grandmaster level, learning continued indefinitely.

Harry decided to focus on Healing, thanks to his connections with Cordelia and Emma, and on Curse-Breaking and Warding. These subjects were essential for his future plans to travel the wizarding world, uncover secrets, and explore hidden places. He also kept up with his dueling practice to refine his skills.

Harry was very systematic in his approach to learning. He was careful not to take on too much at once, choosing to fully immerse himself in one area before moving on to another. Even with the aid of the Ravenclaw Diadem, which enhanced his ability to learn, Harry estimated it would take him more than five years to reach a Master's level in any subject. Since he was tackling two subjects at the same time, it would likely take even longer. Harry was okay with this because he understood the importance of both areas for his future plans.

Harry had a full schedule thus set for this school year. He started his days early with Knight training, breathing exercises, and sword practice, both in the early mornings and evenings. During the day, he attended his classes at Hogwarts, and at night, he dedicated his time to studying advanced magic.

To make the most of his time, Harry figured out a smart way to handle his class assignments without cutting into his study time at night. He used a special quill that could write down assignments just from his thoughts. This clever tool allowed him to focus on lectures while the quill quietly worked on his homework.

The weekends brought Harry some much-needed downtime from his busy schedule. He used this time to relax and have fun. He enjoyed playing Quidditch with his friends or just exploring the nooks and crannies of the castle. These lighter activities were a good break from his rigorous training and studies, helping him maintain a balance between work and play.