Herring Potter And The Sorcerer's Salmon - Tryouts and Tikwick

Herring had Tikwick third lesson, for Charming. Tron had explained that Charming was a dangerous subject, and the key was to remain well hidden, and never volunteer for anything. Herring had yet to find out why...

The room Charming took place in was just like any other room in the school, except many of the walls had large mirrors on, and magazine clippings of who seemed to be the professor. There was a trophy cabinet in the far left hand corner. Tron was staring at a picture of him, surrounded by scantily clad bikini models.

"But... he's a dumpy little Charming teacher!" Tron said, his face contorted with horror. "To win all these awards, he'd have to use... to use..."

"Magic?" a squeaky little voice said. Tron turned round to see Tikwick stood in the doorway.

"Goddamnit, why do all these teachers keep sneaking up on me?" Tron said angrily.

"Anyway, please settle down class. To give you a proper introduction to Charming, I'll start with a demonstration. Erm, Tho Peing, to the front of the class please." The young witch got up, and walked up nervously.

"And, Herring, yes, that'll do." Herring looked hesitantly at Tron, before standing at the front with Tho.

"Right, this is the basic concept of Charming. The magic art behind changing people's stances towards each together. Often reffered to as the "cupid" side of Magic." Tho and Herring looked at each other nervously.

"However, using Charming irresponsibly can result in disastrous consequences, and is punishable by the Wizarding Committee. That is why you must make sure you destroy any evidence... err, I meant don't it outside of lessons. Yes, outside of lessons. Anyway..." Tikwick pointed his wand at Herring.

"Infatuous Amourous," he bellowed. Without thinking, Herring dodged the bolt of magic, which bounced off a mirror, straight into Tron. He fell off his chair backwards, for the second time that day.

"Tron? Tron Peasley? Are you OK?" Tikwick said. Tron got up, and looked at the professor. Suddenly, his eyes went slightly misty.

"Oh god," Herring said, covering his face. Tho looked slightly relieved that the spell had backfired. There were low giggles throughout the class.

"I'm fine sir. How are you?" Tron said, in a slightly odd tone. The entire class burst out laughing. Herring looked thoroughly disturbed.

"Ahh, just a slight error on my behalf. Should wear off within a week or two. Now, get out your books, and work through the first set of questions. The books should have all the answer you need to complete this task." Tron leant over to Herring.

"Herring..."

"Yes Tron?"

"I think I'm in love." A goofy smile spread across his face.

"I don't. Am I gonna have to deal with this all week?"

"Do you think he likes roses or chocolates?"

"...I'll take that as a yes."

---

Herring was over halfway through his day, and it wasn't going very well. And he had a feeling the Squidditch tryouts might follow suit. Black rainclouds hung over the stadium, like a bad omen.

"Hello, and welcome to tryouts," a cold, smooth voice said. Herring recognized the voice instantly. Crepe. He just thought about sneaking out of the pitch, when;

"Ahh, Herring. I hope you know a little more about Squidditch than you do about French Pastries."

"Actually, I know barely anything," Herring said, rather worried. He didn't need humiliating in front of an entire Sqidditch team as well. But Crepe seemed to find this news good. Which still didn't bode well, Herring though to himself.

"Right. Mount brooms. You three, you're Squidders. Mattfoy and Peing, you take position of Smackers for now. Herring, you're Searcher."

"Searcher, Ma'am?" Herring noticed he was the only 'searcher'.

"Yes, you must hunt down the Enchanted Shrimp. Why haven't you mounted yet?"

"I... don't know how," Herring said.

"I'm not here to give you coaching, Potter. Merely supervising. You signed up for Squidditch, you can teach yourself."

Herring sat on the broom, and... well, did not much, really. He watched the players fly about above his head.

"Fly, broom, fly!" Herring shouted. "Erm, up!" "Sally forth, yonder broom!". However, both Herring's feet remained firmly on the ground. Crepe seemed to be enjoying this immensely.

"Look, could you just give me the words?" Herring said angrily.

"What, you mean, 'Flighteous'?"

Suddenly, Herring's broom shot vertically upwards. He slid straight off, clinging for dear life with his fishboy hands. Once he'd finally re-mounted the broom, he realised he was thousands of feet above the Squidditch stadium, with no possible way of getting down. Crepe had certainly thrown him in the deep end here.

"I think I should trust my gut instincts more, and stay away from things that will kill me," Herring said to himself.

---

It was 10pm before Herring finally arrived back at Dogwarts. After hours of sailing about in random directions, Crepe had finally sent up a couple of 6th years to fetch him back down. He was wet, miserable, and thoroughly fed up. As he entered the hallways, Crepe approached him.

"Congratulations Potter, you made them team."

"What? But I didn't even do anything!"

"I chose you for comedic value, Potter," Crepe smiled darkly, before walking off. Herring felt even worse now. Not only had he humiliated himself way too many times today, but he was scheduled to do so again in front of the entire school.

"Hey, Herring! Whats up?" Tron called, "Did you make the team."

"Yeah, but only for Crepe's kicks. Look, Tron... do you know how to fly a broomstick?"

"Sure, my brothers taught me when I was younger. Why?"

"Do you think you could maybe... teach me? I can't go out and do that again."

"Sure thing, but it's gonna cost you."

"...Anything," Herring said hesitantly.

"Well, will you deliver this letter to Tikwick's office for me tomorrow morning. I'd do it myself, but I'm shy." Herring gave Tron a throughly disbelieving stare, before nodding.

"Whatever. I just don't want to be the butt of another cruel Crepe joke."

"Mmm, her butts are always the cruelist," Tron added.

---

Will Herring learn to fly his broomstick? Will Tron get Tikwick chocolates or flowers? Will Crepe get his... just desserts? (Just deserts XDXDXD). Will Tracy stop laughing at her own jokes? Will these little aftermaths always be in question form? Will all the other aftermaths be this long? Only part 6 of HERRING POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S SALMON will tell!