Chapter 125: Chapter 125: "Quidditch Shake-Up"
As Charles turned toward the door, ready to leave Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore stopped him with a warm call.
"Charley, don't leave with a heavy heart. As Headmaster, it's important for me to act fairly and not misuse my authority to punish anyone unjustly. But I do have something that might cheer you up," Dumbledore said, his face breaking into a kindly smile.
Charles paused and turned back, his curiosity replacing his earlier disappointment. "What kind of surprise?"
"Do you remember mentioning that you wanted to join the Quidditch team? Well, I've found a way for you to try out," Dumbledore revealed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Really? I can really try out for the Quidditch team? But I thought first years weren't allowed," Charles responded, a mix of excitement and confusion in his voice.
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Actually, there's no rule that outright forbids first years from playing. What I'm offering is not a spot on the team but a fair chance to prove yourself at the tryouts. You'll need to show your skills and impress the team if you really want to secure a place."
Charles's face lit up with determination. "I will make the team. Dad always tells me I'm naturally gifted at Quidditch. I'll show everyone at the tryouts and will definitely make the team. Thank you so much, Grandpa Dumbledore!"
Ron, who had been listening intently, gave Charles a nudge, hinting at something. Understanding his friend's silent request, Charles turned back to Dumbledore.
"Grandpa, can Ron try out for the team too?" Charles asked eagerly.
"Of course, Ron," Dumbledore responded warmly. "All first years have the opportunity to try out if they can impress the team captain. It's not just for Charles."
Dumbledore had initially intended only to give Charles the opportunity, but to avoid appearing biased, he decided to allow all first years to try out. He wasn't particularly concerned about Quidditch as a game; his primary goal was to fulfill Charles's wish.
Charles, getting excited about the prospect, quickly asked another question. "Can I use my own broom for the tryouts? With my Nimbus 2000, I'm sure no one has any chance against me."
"That's a bit tricky, Charles," Dumbledore explained, his tone gentle yet firm. "You see, first years are generally not permitted to bring their own brooms to school. You'll need to use the school's brooms or perhaps borrow one from an older student for the tryouts."
Dumbledore wanted to help Charles join the Gryffindor Quidditch team directly because of his enthusiasm, but Minerva, who was passionate about the sport, insisted that only the most capable should make the team, regardless of their year. She eventually conceded that Charles could have a trial, but he had to prove himself like any other player.
"No way! Can't I really use my own broom?" Charles protested.
Dumbledore, understanding Charles's disappointment, quickly offered a solution. "If you successfully make the team, you can ask your parents to send your Nimbus 2000 to Professor McGonagall," he explained. "She will hold onto it for you and only bring it out for training sessions and matches. That's the fairest arrangement I can offer."
Charles's face brightened at this. "That works for me! Thanks, Grandpa Dumbledore. Mom and Dad are going to be so happy to hear this," Charles said with a bright smile, his earlier frustration forgotten.
Filled with new excitement, Charles and Ron hurriedly left the office. Dumbledore watched them leave with a warm smile, pleased to see Charles so happy.
Had Harry been present during this conversation, he would have been greatly surprised. Dumbledore's treatment of Charles was vastly different from how he had interacted with Harry in the canon. Here, Dumbledore genuinely treated Charles as a grandson, genuinely concerned with his happiness. In contrast, in the canon, Dumbledore seemed more focused on preparing Harry for his role in fulfilling the prophecy, often at the expense of his personal happiness and well-being.
As dawn broke over Hogwarts, the entire school was buzzing with the news that first years were now eligible to try out for Quidditch teams. This unexpected update was all thanks to Ron, who couldn't keep the news to himself and had blurted it out in the Gryffindor common room.
Harry and his friends gathered to discuss this new development, each person showing a different reaction.
"This is so unfair," Roger lamented. "Why weren't we allowed to try out in our first year?"
Arabella chimed in with a slight frown, "Did the Headmaster change the rule just for his Golden boy?"
"Strictly speaking, he didn't bend or break any rules. There's no rule that says first-years can't play on the Quidditch team. The only rule is that first years can't bring their own brooms to school. It is just that there really hasn't been any precedent of a first-year getting selected for the team and playing, so it's more of an unspoken assumption than an official rule." Harry clarified.
Cedric, ever the peacemaker, added thoughtfully, "It makes sense, though. There's no use getting upset about it. Even if we had been allowed to try out as first years, we weren't ready for the level of competition."
"You're right. Considering how some teams play, participating in Quidditch as a first-year could have been dangerous," Harry agreed.
"But this news has the first years excited. It looks like many of them are planning to try out," Reggy noted.
Suddenly, Angelina looked at Harry curiously, "Do you know if your brother is going to try out? What position does he play? I mean, it could shake up our team dynamics."
Harry shrugged, "I'm not really sure. Our family has a strong Quidditch background, though. James Potter was a good Chaser when he was here at Hogwarts. I'd expect Charles to have some talent. But don't worry too much about it. If he doesn't meet the standards, Professor McGonagall won't let him on the team. She's quite competitive and won't let any favoritism ruin Gryffindor's chance at the Quidditch Cup."
Angelina felt reassured by Harry's explanation. Their discussion was suddenly interrupted by Susan, who rushed towards them, bursting with enthusiasm.
"Harry, did you hear the news? I can try out for Quidditch!" Susan announced excitedly.
"Don't get too excited, Susan. Sirius and Amelia won't allow you to play this year," Harry cautioned her.
"Why not? I'm good, right? You told me I'm a decent Chaser. I really want to play," Susan replied, her initial excitement fading into frustration.
Cedric, overhearing their conversation, asked Harry curiously, "Is she really that skilled, Harry? Hufflepuff could really benefit from a talented Chaser."
"She's good, but you'll have to wait a year before she can try out for the team. Sirius and Amelia are well aware of how rough Quidditch can be. They won't permit her to play just yet," Harry explained.
This news visibly disappointed Susan, who looked upset as she protested, "That's so unfair."
Trying to lighten her spirits, Harry suggested a possible compromise. "Cedric, what if you took her on as a reserve? She could join in on the training sessions. It'd be a great way to get her ready for next year."
Cedric considered the suggestion seriously. "If she's really as good as you say, I'll talk to the team captain about letting her participate in practice sessions."
Susan's mood brightened instantly at this new possibility. "Really? That would be amazing!" she exclaimed, her hope restored by the prospect of being involved with the team in some capacity.
Meanwhile, the conversation turned back to Harry's situation.
"So, are you playing this year, Harry?" Cedric asked.
Roger chimed in before Harry could respond. "Unfortunately, no. The new captain didn't agree to Harry's conditions for joining the team."
Harry wasn't particularly shocked by the captain's decision. The captain came from a family that held strong pure-blood beliefs and seemed threatened by Harry's potential to overshadow him on the field. If Harry had agreed to join without any special conditions, the captain would have had no choice but to include him, but his refusal gave the captain a convenient out.
Harry expressed his feelings about the situation, "I don't really like him, and the feeling is mutual. Luckily for the team, they've found a decent second-year girl to take the Seeker spot, so it's not like Ravenclaw lacks options."
Cedric laughed, "It's probably for the best. When you play, the Seeker role seems too dominant. Before the other team can even score 150 points, you'd have caught the Snitch."
Susan joined in, trying to lighten the mood. "Yes, Harry is incredible. But he's always too busy training and never has time to play Quidditch with me."
Harry shook his head, smiling slightly at the banter. "Okay, enough about Quidditch. It's time for class. Let's get moving."
As the group dispersed, the news of first-year eligibility for Quidditch trials continued to buzz through the corridors of Hogwarts. The news had stirred excitement and a bit of controversy among the students, but for the first years, it was a thrilling opportunity. They spent the morning buzzing with excitement, discussing strategies and the upcoming tryouts with anyone who would listen.
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