Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [34]
“Alright Harry,” said Fred nicely to him, apparently over his shock, “since you’re captain, you make all the decisions… sure you wouldn’t rather let me do it?” he asked, Harry was about to speak when Alicia shouted,
“No way Fred! Harry earned that position! Ever since he joined the team, we’ve only lost one game, and that wasn’t even his fault. He deserves to be captain!”
“Alright, alright!” said Fred. “Anyway Harry, you do need to decide who’s going to be the next Keeper. Have anyone in mind?” Harry thought about Ron.
“Yeah, your brother!” said Harry. Fred and George snorted.
“Heh, Harry,” said George, “you can’t let your friendships interfere with your decisions! Ron’s okay, but we need someone awesome!”
“Alright,” said Harry, “let’s just have tryouts this Friday. The best person gets the position.”
“Sounds good,” said everyone at the same time. It was so perfectly synchronized, Harry thought they must have rehearsed. They all left back up to the Gryffindor Common Room. As Harry reached the painting of the Fat Lady who guarded the room, he saw one of his other friends, Neville Longbottom, curled up outside.
“What are you doing Neville?” asked Harry. Neville sprang up.
“I’ve forgotten the password to get in Harry! Hermione told me just a second ago, but I forgot it!” Neville looked pleadingly at Harry. Neville never did have much of a brain.
“Password,” said the fat lady in the portrait.
“I know, hold on a sec, I’ve forgotten it!” said Neville.
“No dear,” she looked at Neville, “the password is: Password.” She smiled and swung open. Neville turned around and gaped at Harry in a dumbfounded surprise.
“She’s been saying that for the past five minutes, and I didn’t figure it out!” said Neville as he waddled into the room. As Harry walked in, he saw a large group of people all standing together. He walked over to see what it was all about.
They were all standing in a circle, with a small boy in the middle that Harry recognized as Aylar Dumbledore. There was a small animal in front of him that Harry had never seen before. In fact, people all around him were holding animals that he’d never seen before. Some looked like aardvarks, only with wings. Others had elongated faces with scaly feet, and one looked like a purple blob with red eyes. The creature in front of Aylar was long like a snake, but it had long golden mandibles instead of a face. He picked it up, and wrapped it around his neck. It licked him on the cheek.
“I think I’ll call you a crake, a crab and a snake… combined!” he smiled and the people all around him clapped. He took a bow. What was going on? Aylar suddenly looked at Harry.
“Harry Potter?” he asked, looking at the scar on Harry’s face.
“Yes, that’s my name. What are you doing?” Harry asked.
“Oh, just conjuring up some pets for people who don’t have any,” said Aylar. He smiled and waved his wand at all the animals. The people who were holding them looked as though they were in a state of pure bliss.
“You want one Harry? I’ve got plenty more ideas left!” he said, tapping his head with his wand.
“No, no thanks. I‘ve got an owl,” said Harry, amazed that a boy who hadn’t even started school yet could conjure animals right out of his wand. That was magic that was too advanced for some seventh years!
“Oh, all right. But, if you ever need a pet to guard your room, I’ll happily make a vicious, spiked, fluffy ball for you!”
“Harry!” said Hermione. “Did you already show the new first year boys where their rooms are?”
Harry went red. He forgot that prefects had responsibilities: among those being to show first years where their dormitories are. Harry looked around and saw the four new boys standing around Aylar.
“Come on guys,” said Harry to them, “I have to show you where you’re sleeping.”
“But we want to see Aylar do more tricks!” said Joe.
“Not today,” said Harry. “Maybe tomorrow. Come on, let’s go.” All five of the boys followed him up the stairs leading them to their room. Harry opened the door, and immediately the five of