Chapter Text
"Look," said Angelina. "I know he's your best mate, but he's not fabulous."
"Yeah, but—"
"In all honesty, Potter? He's kind of rubbish."
"Yeah, but—"
"No. No, do not "yeah, but" me, this is my N.E.W.T. year and I really don't have time to deal with any of this," she sighed, pacing back and forth.
"Then who made you captain?"
"Er, McGonagall, I assume, I didn't want to decline but I didn't know I'd have to deal with my teammates in my face. It's bad enough having to tell the kids who don't make it."
"How'd you know, really? I mean, you clearly haven't told them yet, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"I'm about to, as soon we get out of here."
"No, okay, okay. Just listen to this."
"Potter, I do not—"
"All I want to know is why the whole team had to try out at the same time."
"To see if we fit together, you know that, that's the way it's always been done."
"But what do Seekers have to do with the rest of the team?"
"Well, there are always attitude issues, you know. If we're going to spend half the practice jawing at each other we won't stand a chance against Slytherin."
"Oh!" he feigned insight. "I think I get it...so you weren't going to pick that whiner even if he'd been a tiny bit better?"
"Exactly," said Angelina, with a pleasant now you're being reasonable smile.
"Oh. Right. So. I know I will play better if I'm not constantly distracted by him whining all the time! I'll be able to practice, more focused..."
"Uh-huh," Angelina said dubiously. "Focus. Right."
"Hey!"
"Start buckling down, and maybe next year you can become captain and choose all your own friends. But for now I'd like to concentrate on not getting hammered."
"Have you tried staying out of Hogsmeade?"
She paused, then rolled her eyes, tucking the crate of balls under her arm and heading off of the pitch. "Practice next Thursday. Don't get yourself suspended, or I'll make you do laps, see if I don't."
"Ugh," he shuddered. "Okay. Whatever."
"Seven o'clock. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah."
He slowly trudged off the field, but didn't even make it back into the school before his friend accosted him. "Well? Any news?"
Think fast. "Er...Angelina's still thinking it over, she hasn't told me yet." So much for Gryffindor bravery.
"Aw. Any idea when she will know?"
"Hopefully by tonight. The first practice is next Thursday so you should see if you're free then."
"Okay. Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome." He forced a smile. "You...I mean, good luck, you flew really well."
"Thanks," blushed would-be Seeker Peter Pettigrew.