Chapter 32

2.5K 66 8
                                    

Chapter 32

Quidditch camp was quite the Clan family affair this year. Harry and Ginny both signed up for the full two weeks. Bill and Charlie were there for the duration as always. El and Angelina were able to book a day each week. Ron had to squeeze in his appearances around his work schedule which was pretty hectic.

The Clan kids included Fred and James as fliers and Victoire helping with the first aid chores. James had yet to make up his mind about pursuing Quidditch during the school year, but he was leaning in the direction of at least trying out for the house team. Based on the moderate success he experienced during the summer league, he figured even if he didn't make the team he'd make a good showing during try outs.

An added aspect of the camp this year was the presence of Kai Chao. On the first morning she endeared herself to James by not making a big fuss when they met, simply giving him a big smile and taking hold of his hand and squeezing it for a few moments. They did conspire to eat lunch together each day. Due to Kai's advanced talents, she and James didn't participate in the same practice games.

Prior to the beginning of camp, a discussion took place at the Potter home about whether or not James would be staying overnight. Issues of safety had been laid to rest for the most part with the demise of the old ones. James had been adamant that he be allowed to stay at the school. To quote his most strident argument,

"Come on, even the kids who aren't first years yet are staying up."

So at the end of each day's training, James joined his comrades in the trek up to the castle for dinner and the evening seminars or special events, usually involving some special visitor or visitors. Invariably, James would make the walk in the company of a certain vivacious chaser with long dark hair who seemed to be in almost constant motion as they walked and talked. James couldn't imagine how anyone could have that much energy left after a full day of flying.

"So, how did your training with the Centaurs go this summer?" she asked one afternoon.

"It was good. I was glad to be able to get back out into the forest after all the nonsense that my Da had to deal with."

"I don't know, James. You wouldn't catch me dead inside that place. It gives me the creeps just being near the edge when we have to go down for a class with Professor Hagrid," she said with a shudder.

"Well, I guess I can understand how it might strike someone like that. But for me, it's a place of life and adventure and possibilities."

"Yes, the possibilities of getting squashed, stung or eaten," she replied.

James laughed and then said,

"Then I guess you wouldn't want me to tell you the story about how my Da and Uncle Ron were almost eaten by a bunch of giant hairy spiders and the only thing that saved them was my granddad's enchanted Anglia."

"What? Giant spiders and a magic car?" she retorted with heavy emphasis on the 'and'. "Now I know you're having a go at me."

"Honest. Wait, my Uncle Ron is staying up for the evening. I'll prove it to you."

And he did. Just after dinner and before the start of the evening's events Kai sat in fascination as Ron first confirmed the existence of the old Anglia sedan that his father had enchanted to fly, how it was used to rescue James' father from his aunt and uncle's house and then the long flight to Hogwarts and how that set the stage for what James had told her. Then it was the telling of the trek into the forest to seek out Aragog and find out what he knew about the Basilisk.

Kai's fascination turned to horror as Ron related in lurid detail how as they spoke to the huge spider that ruled that part of the forest the others began to close in on them from every direction, including above. Her hands were covering her mouth as Ron described how Aragog told them with resignation that he had no choice but to let them become supper for his brood. And that's when the Anglia rode to the rescue.

Harry Potter and the Children of the ClanWhere stories live. Discover now