New Quidditch Team

[Hitomi]

No: HPFGUIDX 91270

LizVega wrote:
> OK, as everything will be back to normal at Hogwarts, we hope!, 
when 
> book six starts, I'm wondering who will be on the Gryffindor 
> Quidditch team.
> 
> People that are gone:
> 
> Angelina Johnson, Captain, Chaser
> Katie Bell, Chaser
> Alicia Spinnet, Chaser
>
> Fred Weasley, Beater
> George Weasley, Beater


Hitomi:
People have been strenuously discussing whether or not Katie Bell 
has graduated.  I was going to give a quote on a thread I started 
awhile back concerning it, because at the time, I could have sworn I 
had seen some canon proof somewhere that Katie Bell was the same age 
as Angelina and Alicia.  But I can't find it, so I must have 
imagined it >_<.  The only proof we have is that she hangs out with 
the other two girls all the time, but that could be just because 
they're the three female Chasers of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, 
and we do see Angelina and Alicia without Katie more than we see 
them with her outside of Quidditch practice and matches.  So, in 
conclusion, she's either graduated this past year, which is what I'm 
leaning towards, or she's going to graduate this year, which is very 
much a possiblity.

 
> I can't remember who replaced the twins, but I remember reading 
that 
> the two weren't very good. Don't know what will happen with the 
> beaters. 

Hitomi:
Andrew Kirke, and Jack Sloper (don't ask me how I remember that!).  
But we don't know what year they're in.  I'm guessing fifth or 
sixth.  And considering that Gryffindor still won the Cup with them 
on the team, and apparently they were better than any of the other 
tryouts, I'd say they're good to go for next year's team.  I often 
wondered how JKR would handle the Quidditch after Book 4 and 5 
(before reading Book 5), especially because (working with the 
assumption that Katie has graduated) the only remaining team member 
would be Harry.  But she's made that irrelevant now.  The captain 
won't have to replace the entire team.

> Ginny said she didn't like seeking, and would prefer to be a 
chaser. 
> I think she'll get her wish. 

Hitomi:
I'd definitely say she's going to be a Chaser, because according to 
everyone she's not the Seeker Harry is, but even Harry thought she 
was good, and knowing how perfectionistic Harry is concerning 
Quidditch, that's probably saying a lot.

 
> Ron contributed to the team winning the cup, so I assume he'll 
keep 
> his position.

Hitomi:
Yeah, he's staying, too, more than likely.  There have to be 
Weasleys on the team. 


> Harry should be allowed back as seeker. 

Hitomi:
Umbridge is gone along with her Educational Decrees, so McGonagall 
should definitely let him back on the team. 


> So, if we assume that the two beaters will be back, that leaves 
room 
> for two chasers and a captain.

Hitomi:
Or three chasers and a captain, not knowing about Katie Bell, but I 
kind of just assume Ginny will be a Chaser.  So that's:

Harry - Seeker
Ron - Keeper
Andrew - Beater
Jack - Beater
Ginny - Chaser
Unknown - Chaser
Unknown - Chaser

 
> So, will Harry become the captain? Who decides? McGonagall? I hope 
> she doesn't take the same route that DD took with the prefects. 
> Harry would make an excellent Quidditch Captain, and I think he 
can 
> handle the responsibility. 

Hitomi:
Yup, McGonagall decides.  And I agree, the only option that makes 
sense, in my opinion, is Harry, though some have argued for Ron.  
Ron is a prefect, and Harry has been on the team the longest, and is 
the best and most experienced flyer.  It just wouldn't make much 
sense to pick Ron, considering the captains seem to most often be 
chosen on the amount of experience.  Wood was the eldest player when 
Harry first joined the team, and then Angelina was the eldest, 
having turned 17 her sixth year (Book 4), and probably being the 
best flyer of the three Chasers.  It wouldn't have been wise to pick 
one of the Weasley twins, if you made one Captain, you might as well 
name the other Captain, too.  Harry is now the longest standing 
Quidditch player.  And, because I doubt JKR will make Harry Head Boy 
(at least according to some of the things she says in interviews), I 
think she will make Harry Quidditch Captain.  Plus, he'd love it.  
DD would probably encourage it - it's something he enjoys, 
especially with everything else going on in his life.

 
> I wonder about other Gryffindors though, like the Creevy brothers, 
> or Neville, Seamus, or Dean. Or Pavarti, Levander. I can't think 
of 
> any other Gryffindor's that we know that could make the team. 
Maybe 
> we haven't met these characters yet.

Hitomi:
Neville, after the flying disaster his first year, I highly doubt.  
He does not seem to be proficient in flying.  I can't see Parvarti 
or Lavendar, either.  Dean or Seamus, maybe, and definitely one of 
the Creeveys.  Harry was the one that explained Quidditch to Colin; 
I'd find it amusing if Harry chose him as one of the Chasers.  And 
of course, all the Gryffindors we haven't met yet, like you said.

What I'm curious to know is about the other teams.  Has Davies 
graduated?  Will Cho still be on the team after her bad performance 
this year, and could she become Ravenclaw Captain?  What about 
Slytherin?  And who replaced Cedric as Hufflepuff Captain and 
Seeker? 

More thoughts?

~ Hitomi, who'd be ecstatic for Harry if he became Quidditch Captain