Marcus Flint recognized the intensity Harry brought to the practice that day. Harry was always a focused player but if he was dealing with emotional turmoil it was as if someone had kicked him into a higher more intense level. As he watched the practice, he got more excited. He would need to find two reserve players, one for chaser and one for beater for since several Slytherins were graduating this year That way next year they would likely have a starting lineup already ready. Montague was slated to be the next captain, so he would take this year to teach him. The team was pretty tight and this was only the first practice. As the practice came to an end Marcus dismissed most the team and flew up to where Harry had just caught the practice snitch for the sixth time in an hour and a half. "So who needs to disappear into the passageways to never be seen again?"
Harry shot him an extremely puzzled look.
"Well, someone obviously upset you, you've doubled your catch rate this practice. The last time you were this upset, you were ready to macerate your Godfather."
"That obvious, huh?"
"Harry, you're being as obvious as a Gryffindor to those of us that know you."
"Great."
"Harry, maybe the rest of the school looks at you and sees a snake but to those of us in the dorm it's a huge question how you got in as a snake to begin with. Because despite your high standing in your class and the level of cunning you display, you never talk about your long term goals and you're far too tolerant. It's like you have a moral code you go by that sets you apart, something that for most of us snakes tends to be rather fast and loose. You put up with things that most of us snakes would get, pardon the pun, hissy about far longer than any of us would, and your revenge seldom as vengeful as the average snake's. Not that your revenge isn't effective, actually it is scarily effective, but it isn't the normal sort of thing most of us snakes choose to do. What makes the other snakes and everyone else afraid of you is that while you are content to get even and go no further you tend to go for the personal vulnerabilities rather than just obvious humiliation."
Harry thought about it and quickly came to the conclusion that Marcus was right. Harry figured Marcus already knew a fair number of his secrets. The truth about this one probably wouldn't hurt.
Marcus could see Harry thinking it over. Knowing the other boy as he did he drew his wand. "On my honor and on my magic, the content of this discussion will go no further."
"Remember last year, I told you I told the hat to put me in Slytherin?"
It took Marcus a moment, but he remember last year's broom discussion. "Yes, you said you did it to hinder the Headmaster's plans. My question is where did it want to put you? As I recall yours is the longest sort I can remember."
"It considered all the houses but it favored Gryffindor the most. I threatened to shred it to make it sort me snake."
"You chose a hard road."
"Somehow I doubt it is a much harder road than the one the Headmaster would have me on; at least this way I get to make some of my own choices."
"Yeah, I suppose. So, what put you in such a hissy fit, if it wasn't a person here at school?"
Harry practically snarled, "I don't want to talk about it."
Marcus was mildly surprised when in addition to hearing Harry snarl he felt a mild pulse of Harry's magical aura. He wondered if Harry had recognized what he'd done. "Okay,if you change your mind, I'm available. Practice is over we should head in. Dinner is in twenty minutes."
"Marcus…"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for giving a shit."
"You're welcome." Marcus flew down. He felt a certain smugness, He was old enough to recognize the onset of an angsty puberty and a Harry in turmoil while playing quidditch was a sight to behold. He had been mildly concerned- coming into this year - about the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff teams, but if today was anything to go by, Slytherin would dominate the pitch. His only concern now was if the lions found a good seeker this year. Madame Hooch had promised to get a couple of quidditch scouts to games this year. He and Oliver Wood were both hopeful that they would be noticed.