Chapter Four; The Leaky Cauldron

Quidditch Camp went far too quickly, and before Harry could believe it, they were having the final match of the camp. He gripped his broom harder, determined to finish the Camp on a high. They were playing the Silver Dragons, so the match was going to be interesting no matter who won.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," came the now familiar voice of Tayla Hawkins, sadness tinged into it, "and the final match of camp- the Grand Final, everyone! Put your hands together for the amazing… SILVER DRAGONS! Owens! Reynolds! Gibbson! Cruz! Crawford! Lopez! Aaaaaaand… ROBERTSON!" As Tayla called out the names, the players streaked onto the field, silver robes flying behind them. They all flew a lap around the pitch before landing just off centre, on their side of the field. While this was happening, Tayla was talking.
"And, what amazing record so far, Ladies and Gentlemen! 12 victories, one loss and a draw this season for the oldest team in the competition! Let's see if they can add another victory to that tally this afternoon, folks! That will be decided by their worthy opponents… the FIRE GRIFFINS! Let's have another round of applause for the talented… Smith! Moore! Martinez! Taylor! Taylor! Jones! Aaaaaaand… POTTER! Once again, this team has an amazing record so far, identical in tally to that of their opponent! Featuring the youngest seeker in a century and the youngest chaser in half a century, the Fire Griffins are the youngest team in this competition! This is it, folks, the Grand Final have come down to youth versus experience! Who will win? The odds are out, and it's going to be a close match for sure! Neither team has the statistical advantage- they've played each other three times, folks, and each team has one once and lost once. The draw in their statistics is from this particular match up as well! This is sure going to be interesting. Now, Referee Hooch has stepped out onto the field… let's hear what she has to say!" The now excited voice of Tayla Hawkins drifted out as she removed her sonorus charm at the same time Professor Hooch applied one to herself.

Tayla sat back in her seat and folded her arms across her chest. She hadn't been kidding- this really was going to be an interesting match. The Silver Dragons had actually played together before, and knew each other a lot better than the Fire Griffins. In that respect, she was sure that they had the advantage. But the younger team had really pulled together over the last few weeks, and Potter was the most brilliant amateur seeker she had ever seen. It was really going to be an interesting game… she returned her focus to what the Referee was saying.

"…Four hours and a time out will be called," Hooch was saying sternly, "and international regulations! All fouls will be pulled up and properly penalised; a free throw for the first, second and third attempt. A loss of ten points for all infringements after that, along with two penalty shots. A time out may only be called by the Captain. If the score is even at the four hour mark, a break of twenty minutes will be called before another thirty minutes is added into play. If the score is still even, we play sudden death. Questions? No? Captains, shake hands," the woman instructed, and two players stepped forward- one in red, the other silver. Their hands met briefly before falling down to their sides and they stepped back to take their position in line with their team.

"Mount your brooms," she said, and Tayla sat back up.

"Sonorus," she said quietly, pointing her wand at her throat. Now, she was announcing. She was back in her territory again.

"The referee has finished with her instructions, so that means… Yes! The Quaffle is released! The snitch is free now… and it's gone! Now… the bludgers are up, and the game's begun! Get ready for a brilliant match, everyone, as Owens immediately takes possession for the Silver Dragons. Now it's Gibbson! Pass to Owens! Gibbson! Reverse pass to Reynolds! Aaaand Reynolds is streaking down the pitch, looks like he's going for goal! No… spin pass to Gibbson, and that's an amazing catch by their star chaser! She shoots… GOAL! 10 to Nil, Silver Dragons!" Tayla paused for a breath as Lachlan Jones dove after the Quaffle, the Keeper not looking flustered at all. She smiled. He was young, but he never let nerves or embarrassment affect him while he was playing. He was good.

"Now the Fire Griffins have possession of the Quaffle! And it's Moore! Smith! Moore! Martinez! Wow, this is incredibly quick passing, but… yes, Gibbson with the Quaffle! And it's Gibbson, from the Silver Dragons!"

The Silver Dragons managed to score another six goals before Harry- Tayla was sure it was Harry; he was Captain, after all, shouted something to his team. Whatever it was, it worked. Their teamwork improved and suddenly the score was even on 70 all.

"And it's getting exciting now, folks," Tayla all but screamed as Moore streaked down the pitch, Quaffle tucked under her arm, "Moore still in possession… No! A very clever pass to Smith and its 70-80, FIRE GRIFFINS!"

There was still no sight of the snitch, and Tayla was getting a little exhausted, her throat sore from all the commentating she had been doing. Finally, the clocked ticked over and she braced herself, knowing her throat was about to start hurting again.

"Aaaand… it's been 3 hours and 50 minutes, folks, that's right- 3 hours and 50 minutes! If the snitch is not spotted in the next ten minutes, the players will get a twenty minute break before they resume play for another half an hour! If the score is still even then, we move into sudden death! Oh, that's 210-200 now, folks, to the Silver Dragons! If they can hold it at that for the next ten minutes, the Silver Dragons win the match!" But Tayla could see the older team getting sloppy. With two minutes to go, Rachael Moore managed to slip in another goal and the score was even again.

"That's a minute to go, folks, and the score is still even! Fire Griffins in possession- No! Brilliant intercept there by Gibbson, and she's heading for goals! Will she get there in time? 30 seconds remaining, everyone… I remind you, if the score is even, we break before returning in twenty minutes… 20 seconds to go and a spectacular pass to Reynolds! Ten seconds, and a great catch by Owens… he's going for goal… 5! 4! 3! 2! 1! TIME!"

There was a great CLANG as the Quaffle sailed straight through the left hoop. A collective gasp went through the stadium as all eyes focused on the Referee. She made a great fuss over checking her watch and looking from Tayla to the ring. Tayla was going red from the pressure. If Professor Hooch couldn't make up her mind, the decision would go to her.

Finally, after what felt like years to Tayla and the players- but was really only seconds, Hooch pointed her wand at her throat. The silence was unnatural.

Hooch cleared her throat. She hated making decisions like this- one team always felt as though she was… well… she had been called a lot of creative names doing this job. She absent-mindedly wiped away a bead of sweat as she made her decision.

"No Goal. Play will resume in twenty minutes."

Tayla sighed with relief. She was exceptionally glad that she wasn't the one that made the decision, but if she had been it would have been the same. Apart from the fact that she wanted to see the Fire Griffins play some more, you had to allow a split second of time for announcing and the countdown had finished when the goal went in. Still, the Silver Dragons looked severely disappointed as they trudged back into their locker room. At the other end of the stadium, the Fire Griffins looked exhausted but hopeful. Tayla knew full well the tactical and psychological advantage the Fire Griffins had just received. The other team were about to doubt their plays, but the younger team had just been given a major advantage and they were going to grab it. Unless something happened, Tayla was putting her money on the younger team now.

"Aaaand, after that short break, Ladies and Gentlemen," Tayla was announcing again, "we welcome both teams back out onto the pitch! They have half an hour to try and win this game before we play sudden-death! I'd like to see a proper win, so, folks, please welcome and support your teams! Here are... the SILVER DRAGONS!" Once again, seven silver blurs raced out onto the pitch and flew a lap around.

"Followed by… the FIRE GRIFFINS!" And seven red streaks zoomed around before landing. They once again went through all of the proper pre-game rituals before the game began.

"It's Moore… she's grabbed the Quaffle for the Fire Griffins! Martinez! Moore! Smith! Intercepted by Gibbson! Owens! Reynolds! Gibbson! Owens! Back to Moore! Martinez! Moore! Smith! Martinez! They're getting close to the goals, Moore! Smith! Aaah… Gibbson!" Neither team could get a goal, the players all equally exhausted and fumbling for the Quaffle a little.

"Moore!" Tayla was getting sick of calling out surnames all of the time, when she saw a flash of red out of the corner of her eye.

"Potter's seen the snitch! Or is it just his usual feint? Robertson taking a risk, both seekers flat out in a race for the ground! Potter's ahead… the grounds catching him fairly quickly, and… Oooh, that was a narrow- OUCH! Robertson not making the dive and smashing into the ground! That's got to hurt! He's back on his broom- that seeker's got GUTS! Potter's still going… that's an incredible pace he's flying at! Moore still in possession of the Quaffle… GOAL! 380-390 to the Fire Griffins… and POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! With twelve minutes and thirty seven seconds remaining in play, Potter has caught the snitch leaving the final score at 380-540 to the Fire Griffins, securing their win for the season and this year's Camp! Congratulations to the Fire Griffins, and congratulations also to the runner-ups… the SILVER DRAGONS! Well fought, losing the match by a mere 160 points in a total time of 4 hours, 17 minutes and 63 seconds! That's all for this year, folks. Thank you for coming to watch the Grand Final of the American Camp for Quidditch Prodigies' yearly tournament!" Tayla gasped and cast the counter charm. One of the Professors- she wasn't sure which one- quickly passed her a throat soothing potion, and she gulped it down gratefully. Her throat felt as though she had been yelling at the top of her lungs for the last four hours, seventeen minutes and… well… let's just say her throat was sore.

Harry had taken part in a lot of post-match Quidditch celebrations, but this one had to take the cake as the muggles would say. It had started off camp-wide with a presentation ceremony, a food fight and lots and lots of butterbeer and firewhisky (for the adults). Different players from various teams had volunteered the victory songs that their local teams sung when they won matches and there was generally a lot of shouting and cheering. Even the Silver Dragons had joined in the celebrations, looking genuinely happy for the team that had beaten them- though Harry was sure it was just a mask from most of them. They were all, after all, hoping to get a spot on a professional team, and coming second to a completely amateur team with only one person over the age of 15 wasn't something you could just be cheerful about.

Slowly, the party had drifted into their dorm and they had finished it off with a massive pillow fight that even Adal had managed to get involved with after Lily's pillow didn't quite hit its intended target of Harry. The fight dissolved soon after and they resigned themselves to a more quiet party when Professor Barone came in and told them to shut up. Of course, he had a long winded reason for it, his explanation almost putting them to sleep. Only Harry noticed the smirk on his face when they left. So, the Fire Griffins talked. Mostly about how they were going to miss each other and promises to keep in contact as well as what they planned on doing when they left camp. Harry was shocked when Lachlan confided to them that he actually didn't want to play Quidditch professionally- he was happy remaining a brilliant amateur rather than becoming a bad professional- though of course the others all denied him, saying that there was no way he would be a bad professional- but Lachlan just smiled at them, and they all knew that he was probably right. He didn't have the feel for the game the way the others did. They were naturals, Lachlan had been pushed by his professional father since before he could walk and trained to be good.

"Besides," the boy said, "Even if I did go Professional, my dad did it first. There's not much fun in that.

Suddenly, and Harry was not quite sure how it happened- Harry was back in London, Rachael beside him. He smiled slightly as she bowed her head, long hair swinging across her face making her look exceptionally cute. Harry fought to keep all evidence of his thoughts off his face. He failed.

"Erm… we should probably go and get a place to stay," he said lamely, and Rachael looked at him oddly before deciding not to comment.

"Yes, we should," she said blandly, "any place you recommend?" Harry blushed.

"Errr… well I only know of one place," he admitted, "it's called the Leaky Cauldron and students often stay there before the start of school," he admitted quietly. Rachael just smiled at him.

"Well, let's go there, then! I'm feeling quite tired, actually, and we don't have anyone to cast the spell for us this time around." Harry smiled at her, straightening up.

"Follow me," he said happily and pulled the older girl by the arm off down Diagon Alley.

"Here it is," he said in his best tour-guide voice, "The Leaky Cauldron. Founded on some obscure date a long time ago, the inn is now owned and run by a rather old man by the name of Tom…" he continued on, Rachael laughing at some of the things he said. Not many tour guides would be happy with the date he had given her!

Finally, Harry finished his narration and pulled the girl into the inn and straight towards the barman.

"Hi Tom," he said happily, "I was wondering if we could get two rooms until September First?" Tom eyed them suspiciously, but decided that they were sincere. He put down the dishcloth and sighed.

"You'll have to excuse me," he said heavily, "but there is only one more room available." Harry and Rachael glanced at each other; Rachael with a look of 'Well, if you really don't know any other places to stay…' Harry gulped.

"Alright," he said nervously, "is there any chance of the two of us staying in that room?" Tom just gave them a piercing glance and a warning look.

"A galleon a night," the wizened man said, "name?"

"Rachael Moore," Rachael told him promptly, giving Harry a look that clearly said 'don't interfere,' "You can charge it to my account." Tom looked happy at that- it meant the two teenagers couldn't rip him off, and he could charge extra if they misbehaved.

"Key?" he asked with a sincere smile. Rachael handed it to him, and Tom nodded his thanks before pointing them up the stairs.

"Room number 14, Ms Moore and friend," he sounded quite pleased and Harry breathed out a sigh of relief. He hadn't been recognised. Not that it would be all that easy to recognise him, but he wasn't going to leave that to chance. Snape, after all, had recognised him- though that might have had something to do with teaching him for the last four years and- apparently- going to school with his father.

The two teenagers moved as quickly as they could through the hall, eager to get some sleep. Unfortunately, the rooms weren't on their side. Each landing had two rooms on it, and they started from room 1.

"I swear each staircase is longer than the last," Rachael grumbled as they reached the landing containing rooms 9 and 10.

"I think you're right," Harry agreed grumpily. The stairs were old and rickety- he felt as though with each step he took, he was more and more likely to fall straight through them. He wasn't sure he had all that much faith in magic at the moment.

Finally, they reached their room and opened the door. Rachael went first, only to freeze in horror.

"It's a double bed."

Needless to say, neither of them got all that much sleep that night.

It was a tired and grumpy Harry Potter that led Rachael out into Diagon Alley the next day. There was not much to do, either. They had everything they needed, and more. Finally, Rachael offered her suggestion and Harry brightened considerably.

"Let's get ice cream," she had suggested. He quickly led her to Florean Fortescue's and they ordered their ice cream. While they were waiting for it, Harry heard a distinct voice.

"Just wait until my father hears about this!" A tall boy with slicked back blonde hair stalked out of the store. Harry froze. Luck was against him. Draco Malfoy had spotted Rachael.

"Madam," he said in what he thought was a regal voice- but he didn't sound anything like it, "may I be so bold as to enquire after your name?" Rachael looked stuck- but she couldn't refuse without giving his family the right to challenge her's to a duel.

"Moore," she said reluctantly.

"Indeed?" he asked, surprised, "My information tells me that your family left Britain several years ago," he trailed off, the implied insult left hanging.

"We are back," she sniffed. Malfoy nodded, and held out his hand. Both Harry and Rachael stiffened.

"The Malfoys, as you are no doubt aware, are the most powerful family in Great Britain," the pompous air sounding even more sickening than usual, "Come with me and I will help you move in the… right circles. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong, sort, trust me. Such a beautiful maiden must not be taken advantage of." Rachael stared into the blonde's eyes, and for a split second, Harry was sure she was going to accept. Then-

SLAP!

A large, red handprint was visible on Malfoys cheek, and Harry had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing. Malfoy was not impressed.

"Why- just wait until my father hears about this!" He stalked off, his nose high in the air and Rachael couldn't help it- she burst out laughing. That was the final for Harry. They were still laughing when Florean came out with their ice creams ten minutes later.