Chapter 10: The Quidditch Final
"Explain yourself, Sirius." Dumbledore's voice was calm yet he spoke with the authority that indicated his station.
"I was having dinner with Harry and he was telling me about his classes with Snape - "
"Professor Snape" interrupted Dumbledore
Sirius gritted his teeth. "Professor Snape, and he indicated that he had been legilimised during one of his classes, and I guess I just wanted to find out. When I tried to do the same back to Sna – Professor Snape, he deflected the probe which gave me enough to warrant attacking him" finished Sirius
"First of all, it never gives you warrant to attack another person in front of children" admonished Dumbledore, "second, is this true, Severus?"
The black haired Potions Master narrowed his eyes. "So what if it's true, Albus?"
"I should think you know the answer to that question. You know very well that we do not perform legilimency on our students"
"Even if I deem them to have cheated?"
"Even then, but for the sake of this argument did you find him to have cheated?"
Snape looked away "I couldn't tell. I couldn't access that particular memory"
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose at the statement and he looked at Snape his eyes twinkling. "Are you saying, Severus, that as one of the most accomplished Occulemens and legilimens in the country you were unable to see into Harry here?"
Snape's eyes hardened. "I assure you, Headmaster, with proper authorisation I could pierce the famous boy's deepest memories"
"Well then, I believe you have just volunteered yourself to give young Harry some lessons in occulemency"
"What?" came the startled reply from the other three members in the room.
Dumbledore ignored the question and turned to Harry. "Harry, what did it feel like when Professor Snape looked at you?"
Feeling conscious of the three adults looking at him Harry gave thought to his answer. "I guess it felt like seeing myself in a mirror. It felt like being exposed and there was a copy of me being read."
Dumbledore looked at Harry and smiled. "Well done, Harry. You have described what being legilimised feels like quite aptly and recognition is the first stage of being able to protect yourself."
Harry would have been proud of the compliment if he had known what the headmaster was talking about.
"Thank you, sir. What is legilimency and occu-?"
"Occulemency and legilimency are forms of mind magic. Legilimency is the art of attacking another persons mind with your own and influencing their thoughts and feelings, and occulemency is the art of protecting your mind. A master of these skills is called either an Occulemens or Legilimens."
"Right. You said that recognition is the first stage of being able to protect myself?"
"Quite right. As you are, you're unable to put up any defence to Professor Snape's probe however; with practise you could achieve complete resistance and defence. As it is, you have shown remarkable aptitude for one your age. I'm not really surprised though, you have shown magical prowess from third year with your skilful Patronus charm, and this year Professor Moody informs me you were able to withstand his Imperius spell, no easy feat I can assure you. You really are the son of Lily and James" Dumbledore finished kindly.
"This is all very impressive, Albus, but why Severus and not myself?" Sirius looked like he took great pain in saying Professor Snape's first name.
"For a number of reasons. First of all, Harry has more access to Severus during the school year. Secondly, Professor Snape is more accomplished than you at both skills. However, I don't believe that Harry needs to start learning Occulemency straight away; he has enough on his plate at the moment. We can set a date in the summer holidays"
The impromptu telling off seemed to be concluding and Harry was wondering if he could get back to the ball however, Dumbledore seemed to have other ideas.
"How is your training going, Harry? Are you prepared for the second task?" the question seem to startle Harry and catch him off balance, truth be told he hadn't given the second task much thought, let alone start training for it.
"Uhh…alright, I guess," stammered Harry. He always got the distinct impression that Dumbledore could tell when he was lying. Now knowing that this could be associated with Legilimency he amended his answer. "I guess it could be better, I could be trying some more"
"I find that I think best when taking baths," the headmaster said cryptically, his eyes twinkling.
The meeting concluding Harry headed out whilst Sirius and Snape remained in the headmaster's office. He made his way down to the Great Hall to find the Ball ending and the participants leaving. He tried to find Ron or Hermione but they were already gone, he noticed that Luna was still at the table.
"Hi Luna, sorry about that."
"No need to apologise, Harry."
"It seems to be wrapping up," Harry observed gesturing around to all the leaving couples, "can I walk you back to your common room?"
"That would be lovely," replied Luna, before Harry could do anything else she had clasped Harry's hand within hers and started walking off, Harry trailing behind. All of a sudden he felt rather hot around the collar and he was sure his hands would be clammy and sweaty to the touch. Thoughts were running through his head yet at the same time he couldn't string any into coherent sense. Luna nevertheless seemed oblivious to all this and kept pulling him along. Up and up they walked to the Ravenclaw Tower, their destination getting ever closer until they reached a section of wall where a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle protruded. Luna twirled on the spot and looked up into Harry's eyes.
"Thank you for a great night, Harry, you've spoiled me."
"Hardly, I disappeared for part of it."
"Nonetheless, you were quite the gentlemen."
Before Harry could react, Luna had stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek before stating the answer to the question at the door and walking into her Common Room.
Elsewhere, in the castle a similar scenario was taking place. Ron had walked Daphne to the Slytherin dungeons and was now standing out the front of the stone wall that was the entrance to the Common Room. Like Harry, Ron was at a loss for words and was stumbling over his tongue for something to say.
"Weasley, shut up," chided Daphne. Her grey-blue eyes looked up expectantly into his equally blue eyes. Ron's mouth had gone dry and he had his hand behind his head, carelessly ruffling his hair.
"I had a great night, who knew you could be the romantic type?" her voice had taken on a husky tone and she was drawing nearer to him. Ron's heartbeat was increasing, was it always so hard to breath down in the dungeons, and why was he so dizzy all of a sudden. Daphne was inches from his face
"So this has been great. I'll see you at Quidditch practise." Ron gushed out, turned on his heel and ran off, leaving a dejected looking Daphne.
Up I the Gryffindor common room, Harry had just entered to find Hermione sitting at one of the armchairs next to the fireplace smiling to herself.
"Hey Hermione, alright?" she seemed to come out of her daze, seeing Harry she sat up.
"Oh hello there, Harry. I was waiting for you, I wanted to know what Dumbledore wanted with you." Harry explained what had happened in the headmaster's office with Sirius and Snape.
"Occulemency, that sounds fascinating, I've heard it's extremely hard to master."
"Well Dumbledore says I might have a knack for it"
"Yes, that doesn't surprise me, you are able to hold off Professor Moody's imperius" she said in an almost exact quote of Professor Dumbledore. Harry stared; sometimes he forgot that Hermione was the brightest witch of their age. A noise brought Harry out of his reverie and he saw Ron clambering through the portrait hole. His friend seemed flushed and irritable.
"All good, mate?" asked Harry
"Stupid Gryffindor courage," muttered Ron, "all the talk of Gryffindor in the family and when it comes to walk the walk it deserts me." The redhead seemed to be talking to himself; he ignored his two friends and walked up to the boys' dormitory. Harry cast an amused expression at Hermione, but she just responded with a perplexed look. He followed his friend up the stairs and repeated the question, bringing Ron out of his trance.
"Does it look like I'm good?" said a dejected Ron. "First of all, I think I fancy a snake! Me, of all people. Us Weasleys pride ourselves on being Gryffindors through and through; it's basically in our blood. Secondly, I have no idea what to do about it. I doubt she even likes me, she told me to be quiet, you know?" He recounted the story to Harry, who wanted to slap himself, though he wasn't any better, was he? Harry recapped the events of his nights involving his godfather, Snape and Dumbledore, as well as what happened with Luna, and it was Ron's turn to have a wry grin on his face.
"We're hopeless, aren't we, mate?"
Harry laughed. "You know it"
The Second Task loomed up quicker than Harry could blink and he was soon standing in the bleachers for the Quidditch match that took place the day before the Second Task. Gale force winds were causing it to be nearly impossible to see and even though they were huddled under a gigantic umbrella, Harry and Hermione were still drenched to the core. The good news was that Hogwarts was trouncing Beauxbatons. The French girls just could not cope with the extreme weather conditions of Scotland, they were batted away by the fierce winds, and the continuous pouring of rain and the low clouds caused almost zero visibility. The score at the moment stood at 120-10, in favour of Hogwarts. Even Harry with his enhanced seeker abilities was struggling to find the Snitch.
"I wish Malfoy would hurry up and just find the Snitch," yelled Hermione, trying to make herself heard over the din of the storm
"There's a sentence I never thought you would say, or be glad to hear for that matter," Harry shouted back
No sooner had they spoken Malfoy went into a steep dive, levelling out following the path of the elusive golden Snitch. Not two moments later he held the winged golden ball in his hands and Lee Jordan was announcing Hogwarts as winners.
That night every house was revelling in the win, there were parties in every common room celebrating what a thrashing Hogwarts had given their French counterparts. Due to every house having a participant within the Quidditch team, the teachers had decided to let them be teenagers for once and enjoy the good times. However, once it hit midnight Professor McGonagall appeared in her nightgown enforcing everyone to go to bed. Harry, who got swept up in the merriment, had forgotten about the task the next day and thus when Professor McGonagall saw him with two butterbeers in one hand and cake in the other, one could say she wasn't too pleased.
" . " she hissed through her teeth. Harry looked downward and sighed, she was right. She rounded on Hermione and Ron.
"You are supposed to be his friends. I understand it was a fantastic win but do not get ahead of yourselves. Miss Granger, I expected better from you. Both you and Mr Weasley will accompany me to my office. Now!" She snapped.
The Second Task passed without event. Harry came in dead last but due to showing 'moral fibre' he was given more points than he felt he deserved. He was tied in first place with Cedric Diggory with the Third task not to take place for a while yet. The evening of the Second Task there was an announcement at dinner. Each school had won one game each and had also lost a game too. Consequently, the results of the previous day's Quidditch Match meant that Hogwarts who had won by such a large margin would be in the final for the Interschool Quidditch Tournament despite losing to Durmstrang in the first game. The announcement however, came from Professor Karkaroff and Madam Maxine.
"It is with great pleasure that I announce that our two schools will combine in order to create a team worthy of rivalling Hogwarts in the final" the tall headmaster of Durmstrang proclaimed. "We believe, that with both our teams providing their strongest candidates we could give the finalists a run for their money."
Though the man appeared to declare this news with enthusiasm and good-natured humour, Harry could tell that Karkaroff was ensuring that Hogwarts would go down to the combined forces of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. It was no secret that Mage and Sorceress'– the famous publication of the Wizarding world – had named Hogwarts as the best educational institution in Europe. It was a wily and strategic move from the two opposing principles of Hogwarts' rival schools. Beauxbatons was more refined in with their passing skills, their Chasers forming a formidable trio, and Durmstrang favoured strength and brute force, their Beaters being close if not equal to the Weasley twins.
Yet, the proclamation didn't have the intended effect on the mass of students that Karkaroff was hoping for. Rather than be subdued by his supposed tactical genius, the school cohort leapt up in rapturous cheers. Never one to back down, they stared the hippogriff right in the eye and said, "bring it on!"
Harry noticed that one person didn't look too thrilled. Ron who was sitting next to him looked rather green.
"Okay, buddy?" asked Harry.
His friend turned to him. "What if I don't win?"
"You'll be fine, you've got this. And just a reminder, it's 'we' not I" chided Harry.
From that week on Ron introduced more training sessions than ever before. The team was on the training ground every spare minute that they could. It got to such a fervent point that the chemistry that they once had was beginning to diminish. Ron's nerves were stretched to the limit and it was showing on the training pitch.
"Greengrass, protect those goals, it was obvious he was going for the left post. Lift your game" Ron barked from his vantage point in the air. Daphne who had done her best, glowered at Ron, flew down to the ground, dismounted and stormed off.
Malfoy glared at Ron. "Watch it, Weasley, you push the wrong buttons and you'll be left with nothing." He too dismounted and followed Daphne.
The Weasley twins flew over to Ron and both had equal expressions on their faces, neither of them amused.
"Ron, we get that you have pressure on your shoulders, we do too." Said Fred
"Remember, once the game starts, it's on us, not you" chorused George.
"I just want to win so bad," pleaded Ron.
"We know. But you're not going to win by making the rest of the team hate you" continued George.
"Why did Daphne leave though? I've been rough on her in the past" queried Ron
The twins just grinned. "Seriously, bro?" Said Fred
"She's had the hots for you for ages;" echoed George
"Probably well before the ball" continued Fred
"And from what I've heard you've been a real tit since that night." Confirmed George
"Can't imagine what you did?" said a sarcastic Fred
"Well I can but for your sake I don't want you" George Fred.
The twins' signature 'twin speak' was irritating Ron, and he didn't want to admit that he had been wrong. Shouldering his broom he trudged back up to the castle to shower and sort out his mess.
Two weeks before the Third Task and the Quidditch Cup final, Ron seemed to have finally mellowed out and the team chemistry was back. At the beginning of the training session, Ron pulled Draco aside for some personal training and conditioning. Fred and George were hitting beaters like never before, Daphne was protecting her goal - though she still remained passively icy towards Ron - and Davis, Li, and Smith were completely in sync. Ron even grudgingly admitted that Malfoy was flying superbly, though he wouldn't go as far as saying that he was as good as Harry.
The week leading up to the final match and task was both tense and entertaining. The Hogwarts Quidditch team were treated like royalty by the rest of the school, as were the champions obviously. Though Harry had been initially targeted for abuse by the other houses at the start of the tournament, it had abated considerably after the First Task.
The day of the Quidditch final was soon upon them. Students, professors, and spectators from around Europe had come to watch the much-anticipated game. It was going to go down as a classic. These were the giants of the European wizarding educational system going head to head. Specially erected bleachers were to be provided for the mass of onlookers. There were even rumours that some scouts from Britain's Quidditch League were watching to scope the skill of the players.
The team, who had been down from the castle for the last hour to warm up properly were now in the changing rooms waiting for Ron to give his final speech.
"Guys, this is it. There isn't much more I can do or say, this is down to you lot. I'm going to leave you with a couple of words.
The five S's of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit. We have the spirit. We have bled together, lost together and won together and all I ask you to do is win one more time - for me, for you, for Hogwarts, for Britain, for us.
"I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on the field and be prepared to play a good game. "
Ron finished his speech, the team looked at him in respect and awe; the twins were wiping away fake tears of pride and joy in their younger brother. Draco stepped forward, his face set with grim determination.
"Ron, you were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours just as much as it's ours."
He continued "My father and I have come to an agreement regarding the game this today and we believe it would be beneficial to the team if we were better." His eyes glinted with guile and deviousness.
"Malfoy, I'm not if you have been watching, but we are better, we are the best" pointed out a cocky Smith.
"Attitude like that won't get us there" rebutted Davis. "But he's right, we can't get any better an hour before the game. We are pretty much at our best"
Malfoy's smile being a smirk. "Really, I think there is one way we could improve"
Ron, ever the strategist, was quick to reply in a sarcastic manner "Unless you have seven Firebolts for us to use for the game, I don't see us getting better."
Malfoy's looked triumphant "I can go one better." He pulled out his wand and tapped the trunk. "I present to you, eight Firebolts!" From inside the trunk rose eight of the most beautifully crafted brooms the team had ever set their eyes upon.
"Piss off" the twins were wide eyed and from the looks of it so was the rest of the team.
"Why eight though? I'm not flying," questioned Ron
"I believe, as does my father, that the whole team deserves it. You have moulded this team and together, as a unit, we will win," explained Malfoy in what for once was in a humble tone.
The rest of the team fervently looked at the Firebolts, not sure if they were actually real. Fred and George each grabbed one and held it reverently in front of themselves.
"This can't be real" breathed Fred
"I can slap you if you want" grinned George.
The two teams made their way onto the pitch to rapturous cheering from the crowd. With their counterparts on the other side walking towards them they met in the middle with Ludo Bagman officiating. Whereas Hogwarts was dressed in Black, their opposition was dressed in blue and red, a combination of the colours from the two schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbaton had organised to bring the rest of their schools to watch the match and the Third Task. One half of the stadium was kitted out in a blazing crimson and an iridescent sky blue whereas the Hogwarts side wore black and were holding up magical placards that showed a gigantic hippogriff that moved with the crowd.
Lee Jordan was once again in his role as commentator. "Here are the teams that will be showcasing the biggest interschool Quidditch tournament since before my time and…I can't believe it, if my eyes aren't deceiving me, it looks like the Hogwarts crew are sporting brand new Firebolts!" The crowd from Hogwarts cheered even louder.
"I have just been informed that this was a generous contribution from Mr Malfoy. Well, all we can say is Thank You, sir!"
The two captains shook hands, maybe a little harder than necessary. The two teams looked on from each other, it was no secret that this would be a grudge match. The Beauxbaton girls were out for redemption and revenge for their thumping and the Durmstrang boys were nurtured by Igor Karkaroff to win by any means possible.
"Alright teams, I want this to be clean, I will not tolerate any bad blood or sportsmanship." Said Bagman. The two teams just glared at each other.
Bagman set the golden Snitch out to fly; it whizzed past all their heads and then flew off. He released the Bludgers that shot up into the sky, and then he withdrew the Quaffle.
"Three, two, one!" He threw the Quaffle into the air and the teams kicked off the ground.
"Aaaaand they're off! Li is first to the Quaffle, her diminutive size coupled with the Firebolts amazing speed leaves little doubt she would reach it first. She throws it to Smith who feints in back to her before throwing it to Davis. The trio are tearing down the pitch, just look at that speed! Davis is one on one with the keeper and he SCORES! Ten to nil in favour of Hogwarts!"
The cheering from the stands was incredible; the school's unity was overwhelming. Play resumed and the Durmstrang keeper threw the Quaffle out to the Beauxbaton Chasers. Back and forth the Chasers threw the ball, showcasing their impressive skills before they made it into their attacking third, they looped the ball over Daphne who missed in by some margin and the Quaffle went through the ring.
"GOAL!" Cheered the opposing crowd.
Hogwarts regrouped and were soon off. Davis threw the Quaffle to Su Li who then performed an underhand throw back to Davis, who was about to throw it to Smith before a Bludger from one of the Durmstrang beaters hit him in the back. The Chasers from the opposite team grabbed the Quaffle and were soon off but Daphne did her job well and protected the hoops before throwing it back to Smith who performed an impressive Sloth Grip Roll to avoid an incoming Bludger and was racing down the pitch, he converted the solo goal to much applause from the Hufflepuff students in particular.
On and on the game wore on. Neither side giving much, Hogwarts had the initial burst of play however, soon the Durmstrang keeper was able to block most of their attempts at goal. Nonetheless, Daphne was having a blinder of a game and kept out most goals, this resulted in some underhand tactics from the opposing team and at the Beaters insisted on targeting her that occasioned her to implement some tricky manoeuvrers to avoid being hit but thus left the goals free.
An hour into the game and the scores sat at 50-90 in favour of Durmstrang and Beauxbaton. Hogwarts had started to wane a bit, their passing not in cohesion. Ron was looking on from the stands, his eyes screwed up in concentration, trying to find the cause of the issue. In goals, Daphne was getting rough treatment and as Hogwarts had the Quaffle the beater from Durmstrang surreptitiously hit a bludger towards an unsuspecting Daphne that impacted with her head. She flew off her broom, tumbling with velocity towards the ground. Ron, in his prioritised seat, pulled out his wand
"Aresto Momentum!" The spell that Su Li had used to halt Fred's descent all those months ago was used to slow Daphne down.
Ron ran over to her, checking that she was okay. Daphne was out cold and was refusing to waken.
"Somebody help!" He cried, his hands squeezing the unconscious girl.
Madam Pomfrey arrived in seconds and checked her over.
"Ennervate" Daphne's eyes flickered open.
"Miss Greengrass you have been hit in the head, can you hear me?" asked the mediwitch. Daphne's turned to her and nodded her head
"Oww!" she cursed.
Madam Pomfrey performed a complex wand movement which showed an orb rising out of Daphne whilst the rest of the team landed beside them.
"From this diagnostics test it seems as you have a concussion and bruising to the spine. You simply cannot play on. Also, Mr Weasley you can let go of her now" she said.
Blushing, Ron let go of Daphne who tried to sit up but a shooting pain down her spine grounded her.
"As I was saying, you cannot play" asserted Madam Pomfrey. "You will be fine, and I can heal you but not before the game needs to resume"
Daphne turned to Ron. "You're going to need to play in my position."
"What?"
"You heard me Weasley, I can't play, and you need to stand in. Now be a man and step up!" her blue eyes flashed with determination.
"Okay…okay" he seemed to be trying to talk himself into it.
"You can do it, trust me" her hand moved over to his and gave it a squeeze.
His eyes met hers and steely resolution sparked into life behind them.
"Alright team, listen up. We're ditching the Firebolts"
"What?" came the startled cry from the rest of the team.
"You heard me. I've been looking on and we haven't practised enough with the brooms, it's causing us to be out of sync. If we are going to win this it will be through our own methods."
The team all nodded, trusting their commander. Ron pulled out his wand and summoned the brooms, leaving Malfoy's Nimbus 2001 in the locker.
"Malfoy, you're keeping your broom. I trust you" The redhead looked at the blonde, two fierce rivals in the past, now connected by something that they both loved, sharing a goal. The blonde jerked his head in acknowledgment.
"Okay team, let's go!" The Hogwarts squad stood up and kicked off.
"We're back, and we have a slight change to the line-up" came the voice of Jordan. "It looks like the youngest male Weasley is stepping in for Greengrass. Charlie Weasley was a heroic Seeker in his time here, and everyone knows of the Weasley twins' prowess on the pitch, does the famous Weasley Quidditch hero blood run in this one too?"
The cheers from the Hogwarts crowd drowned out the booing from their equivalents. Roger Davis took the penalty that had been awarded to Hogwarts after the foul on Daphne and he converted it with aplomb.
Play resumed and it was evident from the onset that Hogwarts were once again in familiar territory. The harmony between the players was simply compelling to watch. Davis, Li and Smith were playing with fervour and intensity. On and on they passed to each other. Smith flew under Li who dropped the Quaffle into his outstretched hands catching the opponents unaware and he scored poise.
The score soon sat at ninety apiece. The onrushing Beauxbaton Chasers drew close to Ron who rather than grabbing the ball with his hands, whacked the ball to Davis with the back of his broom, much to the enjoyment of the Hogwarts crowd. The Beaters from both teams were trying to out perform each other. The Durmstrang pair knocked the bludgers with all their strength and might but the Weasley duo defended their team well, even returning the action with as much determination.
"The Snitch has been spotted!" came the cry of Lee.
Everyone turned to see the Durmstrang seeker flying after the winged ball. Malfoy who had also seen it was right behind, his broom faster but disadvantaged by the distance from the initial sighting. Past onlooking spectators the two Seekers rushed to capture the Snitch, which at this moment would ensure victory for whoever caught it. Zigzagging through the stands, the Snitch was performing movements that were nearly impossible to follow. Malfoy had pulled in front and was inches from the ball when the nearly impossible happened. As if in slow motion the Snitch performed the loop that had haunted Draco since the first game of the season, he watched as it went from nearly within his grasp to the incoming Durmstrang Seeker. However, unlike the first game, Malfoy was prepared for this. The conditioning from the training session earlier that week with Ron was to prepare for this exact situation. Not to be deterred, Draco followed the Snitch, performing a barrel role whilst looping in the air to minimise air drag he follow kept on the Snitch's tail. The Durmstrang Seeker was caught so wide-eyed he had no time to react and before anyone could comprehend what had happened Malfoy had leapt from his broom to secure the wriggling Snitch in his outstretched hand, a move very reminiscent of Harry's in first year.
"YES!" Shouted Lee!
The Hogwarts crowd was going ballistic, what a win. Malfoy's move was scintillating and unheard of. Teenagers were pulling out their wands and shooting sparks into the air. The professors were had to be appear neutral were cheering, Professor McGonagall and Snape clapping loudest amongst them.
The team rushed to Draco enveloping him in a hug whilst the school streamed from the bleachers to congratulate their heroic team. From the crowd came Ludo Bagman holding a glittering trophy that had been magically inscribed with the Hogwarts crest on it to show the school's victory.
As the crowd cheered Ron put his hands up for silence.
"Before we accept this cup, I want to say a few words."
He turned to the opposing team who had filtered through the crowd to stand next to the Hogwarts squad.
"As much as it fills me with joy and honour to lift this cup, I want to acknowledge the opposing team. Without you we couldn't have achieved this result. You pushed us to the very limits to be as good as we could be. We trained and trained and trained just because we knew that you wouldn't allow any leeway. For that, I thank you. I also want to remind you that a trophy carried dust but memories last forever and I will cherish this battle eternally."
The opposing team looked quite taken aback by the thoughtful and quite eloquent salute to their flying prowess and they all nodded their heads in acknowledgment. Ron then lifted the trophy in the air and the resulting cheer was deafening to all those nearby.