Harry Potter and the Bucket List

Year 6 - 3

Beta: Cloudy

(≖‿‿≖)ノ⌒●~*

"Why am I here?" I asked to the cold, empty air.

"Because I wanted company," retorted Hermione.

"You have company," I said, gesturing to Theodore who was lounging beside Hermione. "I'm a third wheel."

"You're not a third wheel," they immediately denied.

"Ugh. Snog in a broom cupboard already," I snarked, eliciting an immediate reaction from Hermione who hit my shin with her textbook. "Ow! Research buddies should not be hitting one another."

"Allow me," said Theodore, taking Hermione's textbook then hitting my other shin. I promptly smacked the back of his head. Hermione giggled at both of us.

"Seriously though," I said, hugging my cloak tighter. It was drizzling, cold, and miserable. I was grateful that I had an umbrella but I still didn't want to be out there. "Why am I here?"

"For company."

I grumbled, "You just didn't want to sit out here alone."

"Yes," said Hermione. "Don't you want to support Harry?"

"Harry's not a little boy, he doesn't need my support."

Theodore had tagged along to my morning game of tennis with the Willow. On our way back to the dorm to change, Hermione ran into us and asked us to keep her company during the Gryffindor tryouts.

It was Harry's first year as captain.

Given our recent status as Prophecy Ones, our wealth, and not-being-ugly our popularity had noticeably gone up. Or certainly Harry's. I had grown accustomed to being in the spotlight over the years.

Although I was not used to the leers. Some of them made me flustered, and others made me feel icky.

Harry was somehow oblivious to when people leered at him. I didn't know how he could handle the heated gazes. He hated the spotlight on its own, but if he knew that some had ulterior motives... well...

Honestly, I'm really glad Tom's not in my head right now, I thought coolly meeting the gaze of one of the Gryffindor boys who winked at me. His sass might give me a headache.

Then again... jealous Tom might be pretty hot.

Hmm. Thoughts for another day once we have a safe word.

(≖‿‿≖)ノ⌒●~*

(Harry)

Harry wished tryouts didn't happen on a drizzly day but luck wasn't on his side. Thankfully, Remus had purchased him an enchanted umbrella that would hover on its own near him and stay with him as he walked. As long as he didn't go full throttle on his broom, the umbrella should be able to keep up.

A glance at the stadiums surprised Harry, he hadn't expected to find his sister there.

He was not at all shocked to find Theodore next to Hermione, nor that the two of them were currently sharing their own enchanted umbrella.

Harry silently mouthed to Rosie, What are you doing here?

She gestured to Hermione and Theodore, rolling her eyes.

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. He turned his attention to the massive show up for the tryouts.  Half of Gryffindor House seemed to have turned up, from first years who were nervously clutching the Nimbus brooms Slytherin donated a few years ago, to seventh years who towered over the rest. The latter included a large, wiry-haired boy Harry recognized immediately from the Hogwarts Express.