New Year's Eve, 1998
Harry Potter walked across the grounds of Hogwarts towards the brightly lit Quidditch pitch in the distance. It was a crisp night, that New Year's Eve of 1998. The full moon was shining brightly overhead, causing the snow that crunched softly under Harry's feet to glisten merrily.
However, Harry was oblivious to this simple beauty, as he was lost in his own thoughts. He was pondering the events of last May and the horrific battle that had become known as the Battle of Hogwarts. Tears sprang to Harry's eyes as he remembered the many victims of the battle. In particular, his thoughts drifted to his close friends who died valiantly: Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, and his one-time enemy, Severus Snape. Harry gave a sad smile at this recollection. He would have never guessed that Severus Snape would turn out to be on the good side. In fact, if you had told him this before the final battle, Harry would have said you had too much Firewhiskey. All this young lives, given for a cause they truly believed in. Indeed, their sacrifice was not in vain, as they directly contributed to the fall of Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of the age.
As Harry strode past the Forbidden Forest, his thoughts turned to his parents, Lily and James Potter. On the night of the final battle, he had been briefly reunited with them. This was one of his happier memories, despite the fact that Harry was willingly walking to his death at the time. For one who had lost his parents when he was only one year old and had had a very unpleasant childhood, any memory of his loving parents was most definitely a good one. They had given him the courage and the strength to carry on and do what he had set out to do, which ultimately vanquished Lord Voldemort forever. Harry knew that he would need a similar type of courage for the events that would unfold this night.
A roar cut through the air from the direction of the Quidditch Pitch, sending a pack of owls that had been nesting in the forest flying into the sky. Harry was quickly startled out of his revere. He quickened his step, hurrying to reach the pitch before the match got underway. As he climbed into the stands, he heard the commentator say, " — and that was the Slytherin team, headed by Urquhart." This announcement was greeted by cheers from the Slytherin side of the pitch and boos from the surrounding Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and Gryffindors.
Harry slid into a seat in the teacher's box unnoticed by any of the occupants. With a sly smile he tapped Professor McGonagall, the new Headmistress of Hogwarts on the shoulder. She turned around slowly, a scowl planted firmly on her face. Everyone knows that they should not distract the Headmistress from a Quidditch match unless they are willing to face her wrath. However her expression softened when she realized who had disturbed her.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, "You made it! Is everything prepared for tonight?"
"Of course, Professor," Harry replied.
"Now Harry," she scolded fondly,"After all we've been through in the past year, you can call me Minerva. We've been through this before."
Harry raised his hands in a joking surrender. "Okay, Minerva," he replied cheekily, putting special emphasis on her name. "Is she —,"Harry was cut off by an announcement from the commentator.
"And here come the Gryffindors." His words were greeted with much applause and cheers, Harry among them. The scarlet robed figures traipsed unto the field, their bodies illuminated by the pitch lights.
Immediately, Harry's eyes were drawn to the short figure at the head of the line. Her flaming red hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, her bright brown eyes flashed with determination and anticipation for the coming match. A gleaming Quidditch Captain badge was pinned to her scarlet clad breast. The sight of her took Harry's breath away, and as he gazed at her, he felt a feeling of intense ecstasy building up in his heart.
The commentator's voice cut into the night, "Heading the Gryffindor team is Captain Ginny Weasley, who is playing the position of Seeker for this match after the unfortunate accident of the original Seeker in last week's match against Hufflepuff. Next is Chaser Demezelda Robins, Chaser Euan Ambercrombie, Reserve Chaser Dennis Creevey, Beater Jimmy Peakes, Beater Ritchie Coote and finally, Keeper Natalie McDonald. Give it up for the Gryffindors everyone!" The audience cheered loudly.
Harry smiled brightly as Madam Hooch came unto the field. "Captains, shake hands," she commanded. Ginny and Urquhart approached each other with identical looks of disgust upon both faces. As they gripped hands, Ginny winced in pain. Harry noticed and felt feelings of anger and protection stir inside him. How dare Urquhart try to hurt Ginny that way!
"Players, mount your brooms," Madam Hooch called as she released the two Bludgers and the Golden Snitch. "Now I want a nice, clean game," she warned fiercely.
Harry laughed lightly at this comment. There had never been "a nice, clean game" between Gryffindor and Slytherin in Hogwarts Quidditch history.
On the field, both teams squared off, bodies tense, knees bent, waiting for the hoot of the whistle that indicated the start of the game.
"And they're off!" the commentator yelled. "Robins of Gryffindor is in possession of the Quaffle and is streaking down the left side of the pitch — She swerves to avoid Urquhart of Slytherin who tries to intercept the Quaffle — I don't believe it! Gryffindor scores within the first minute of the match. I think that's a record here at Hogwarts. Score is 10-0 for Gryffindor."
Harry glanced up towards Ginny, to see her cheering as hard as any of the Gryffindors in the stands. "Way to go, Demezelda!" she shouted joyfully.
The match continued with Gryffindor scoring four more goals, two courtesy of Demezelda, and one each from Abercrombie and Dennis Creevey. Harry laughed out loud when Creevey scored. It certainly was a different boy playing on the field today, than the first year who joyfully told his brother, Colin, how he had fallen in the lake and was rescued by the Giant Squid, four years ago. Harry smiled sadly when he thought of Colin. He was another brave soul who had perished in the final battle.
Harry turned his focus back on the match. Slytherin Chaser Malcolm Baddock, had just got the Quaffle past Gryffindor Keeper McDonald. The score was 50-10 for Gryffindor.
A collective gasp was heard throughout the pitch. "It seems Harper of Slytherin has sighted the Golden Snitch. No need to worry Gryffindors, Weasley is hot on his tail. She's gaining on him — they're dead even! It could be anyone's game —"
"YES!! Ginny Weasley has caught the Golden Snitch. Final score is 200-10 for Gryffindor!"
Ginny sped towards her teammates and was greeted by a gigantic hug. Fans were spilling out of the stands, onto the field. The Gryffindor team made their way to the ground and were quickly swallowed up in the mob of supporters.
"She did it once again Harry."
Harry turned towards Professor McGonagall and smiled widely, "Indeed she did...Minerva, is it okay if I steal her away for a couple of hours? There's something really important I need to discuss with her."
"Of course, Harry," she said with an encouraging, knowing smile. "Good luck."
"Thanks. I don't doubt that I'll need it."
AN: I'm thinking of submitting this fic in the HPFF Writer's Duel. It would really help me if you could leave some constructive criticism in a review. So review pretty please with cherries on top )