Chapter Nine:

The Soulcatcher and the Hawkbane Quidditch Team

"Well, that was fun," said Ron. "We've made two new friends today, neither people I would have dreamed of being on our side; a toilet monster and a girl that not only gets hurt a lot, but practices the Dark Arts. Welcome to the group, Beastie and Cassandra. It's probably going to be a bit different with you guys here, but we're glad to have you." He took another sip of his pumpkin juice after he finished his small speech, and then proceeded toward his biscuit.

Cassandra was blushing. "I'm flattered," she said. Harry knew that she was actually quite surprised that someone had accepted her. He saw her look around to see if anyone was snickering or acting weird around her. After all that's happened, she still doesn't fully trust us! Harry realized this with a sickening feeling. Then again, he couldn't blame Cassandra for being suspicious. After all, she had been betrayed by people she believed to be her friends (and it had been more than once, she had told him about other encounters of a similar sort in Furrier's class), had seen her best friend die of an illness with no cure when she was only ten, and there was a rather high probability that Snape's cynical view of people had rubbed off on his niece over time. There were a lot of skeletons in Cassandra's closet, but she had made it this far, hadn't she?

"Truthfully, it almost scares me how quickly you all accepted me as not only an equal but a comrade." She smiled shyly and said, "I'm heading over to Turret Twelve after we're all finished eating. Is anyone else going to come?" She took a bite out of her roast, but she hadn't even touched her pasta; she simply shoved it to the side.

"Are you going to eat that, Cassandra?" Celia asked. "Because if you're not, Beastie said he's a big fan of spaghetti." She gulped her berry juice in her mouth and then held her plate over for Cassandra to toss her unwanted food. Once Beastie started eating the spaghetti with a look of true bliss on his face, Celia added, "I've got plans to meet with Furrier right after dinner, sorry."

"Oh," said Cassandra. "I understand completely." She then looked around and asked, "Anyone else? I'm sure that once people realize that Snitchgrass is one of the people in charge of starting the Hawkbane Quidditch team, the best of Hogwarts that's in the program will be flocking over there, wanting to try out. They'll only accept the best people, of course, but still...chances are that in the case of the Hawkbane program, it will be a 'first come, first serve' type of service. I personally want to see who's got the guts to go up to Snitchgrass and see what the requirements are to join the team-in-progress." She took a bite out of her dessert and said, "Well, I'm done." She left her plate and disappeared into the crowd, where it was next to impossible to spot her again.

"Do we really want someone like that hanging out with us, Harry?" Josh asked. "Sure, she's pretty cool once you get to know her, but still...what if the rumors about her are true? I've heard from Lisa that she's been caught drinking vials of blood in some of the girls' bathrooms before! All of us could get into a lot of trouble for being caught with her. Do we want that? There's something about her that I don't trust; something that gives me the impression she's going to try to hurt us...very badly. She's dangerous, that's what I'm guessing, and why do you think Lewn is my Hawkbane? It's because I'm a Clairvoyant, okay? When I see something, it is hardly ever wrong." Josh's face had turned pale. The pastry he had been holding was squashed to a pulp.

"Josh, calm down," said Celia. She looked worried...terrified. "How do you--"

"--know she can't be trusted?" Josh finished Celia's train of thought and said, "Well, for one thing, I have had several visions of Cassandra by a coffin in a cemetery. The names on the headstones coincide with the names of the victims of the alleged gorgonix. I'm sure I'm not the only one here that's heard the rumors about Cassandra Snape and Professor Ahsimal...it's obvious he's more than a Hawkbane to her, and she's more than just another student to him. They're obviously close. Oh, and where do I begin with all the accounts of people seeing her not only reading about, but actually practicing the Dark Arts? She's a freak, people! Can't you see that?"

"Maybe she's got the gorgonix in her," said Atticus. He had a grim look to him.

"There you go with that damn gorgonix again!" Josh said. "Why can't you realize that the whole gorgonix thing is just a cover-up, and that she's doing this in her free will! The Daily Prophet wasn't totally off when they said Snape was the murderer...I'm guessing his psycho niece is the guilty party."

"Now, Josh," said Celia, putting a radish in her mouth. "We can't be totally sure Cassandra's guilty."

"So, we can be sure she's innocent?" Josh retorted cynically. "Celia, it all fits together perfectly! I guess a silly girl like you wouldn't understand the signals that Cassandra Snape has been giving off since this year began."

Celia stood up quickly, accidentally dropping Beastie (who made a whimpering sound as he hit the floor with a very wet-sounding thud) "You know what? I really don't like your attitude toward me and the rest of us, Joshua Goldman! Sure, you're cute, smart, and popular, but you can be such an asshole at times!" Her usually fair skin was beet red from fury, and her eyes were narrowed. She didn't look sweet right now; she was irate and furious.

Josh looked quite taken-back by this. "So, this means we're through?" he said weakly in a teary voice. His eyes had begun to water. Clearly, he still had feelings for the pretty Ravenclaw.

"We didn't go out, Josh...not even once!" she shouted. "It never happened!" Josh rushed out of the Great Hall in tears, and didn't look back. Celia then picked up the aching toilet monster and said, "I'm terribly sorry for dropping you, Beastie. Are you all right?" Beastie nodded, announced that he would be spending a couple of hours in the prefects' bathroom before retiring for the night, and then walked off. "That boy has got some nerve," Celia growled. "Harry, I'm glad that you, Ron, and Atticus are way more understanding and can accept the fact that boys and girls can be just friends if they want to be!" She then grabbed Hermione and walked away from the Hawkbane table to go sit with the Ravenclaws. She made a seat for Hermione, and placed herself in between Isis and an acquaintance of Harry's, Ron's, and Hermione's...Luna Lovegood. "Hi, Luna! What's up? Is there anything interesting in there?"

"The Loch Ness monster got spotted again," Luna said dreamily, looking at her copy of the monthly Quibbler. She got them for free, because her father was the head editor of the paper. "And some secret information about the legendary Shadow family was brought to the surface. Sure, everyone knows that they descend from Medusa, but did you know that the Shadows can turn people into gym socks by simply rubbing their nose?"

"Oh, give me a break..." said Isis. "That's the lamest thing I've ever heard!"

Hermione said very loudly, "Malfoy likes boys a lot more than he does girls."

"Now, you could run a very good article on that!" said Isis. "Everyone at Hogwarts, and anyone who knows the Malfoy family will want to read about Draco and Harry!"

"Isis, no!" said Celia. "That would make Harry look bad, too! It would backfire!"

After dinner was finally over, Harry, Ron, and Atticus headed over toward the Advanced Astrology classroom. Surely Snitchgrass would be in her typical spot, like she always seemed to be. Harry's Hawkbane was easy to reach, and it only took the three boys a couple of minutes to walk (in Atticus's case, wheel) from the Great Hall to Turret Twelve. The doors were surprisingly unlocked. Harry was really glad he didn't have to be accompanied by a teacher anymore...Nezura had talked to Dumbledore about giving the Hawkbane students special privileges because they were in Advanced Placement and were being taught at a very stressful level. Dumbledore had acquiesced to Nezura's request for giving these specific students a little bit more freedom. The only Hawkbane student that needed to be watched by a teacher was Rick (because he was only fourteen while all the others in the program were at least sixteen), but he could also be watched by his other peers in Advanced Placement.

"Say, Harry," said Atticus. "You'll be trying out for Seeker, right?"

"You better believe it, Atticus," said Harry cheerily. He jumped up in the air in excitement, pantomiming trying to catch the golden Snitch. "I can't wait to play Quidditch again...especially for a school team!"

"Yeah," said Atticus gloomily, looking down at his motionless legs. "You're lucky you can play. The only thing I can do in Quidditch games is sit in the seats and root for my favorite team. I almost wish I could trade my gift of petrification for a pair of legs that would actually move and do their job. It looks like a lot of fun to get out there. I both envy and pity you at the same time." Atticus sighed. "You and I both have to deal with publicity all the time. Lately it's been more of you than me, and I'm not complaining to be out of the limelight for a change, and it must be frustrating dealing with all of that pressure. That is why I pity you. You can do much more strenuous activities than I'll ever be able to do, and for that I look upon you with jealousy. I hope that you don't take that the wrong way, though. I want you and Ron to make the team, and I'll be out there at the auditions, cheering you two on."

"Well, well! If it isn't Shadow, Potty, and Weasel!" Draco had appeared right behind Atticus without anyone realizing it. He had also brought Rick and Marcus along with him, too. Marcus was wearing an earring in his right ear, and Rick was wearing a sweatshirt that was way too big for him over his baggy jeans.

"Atticus, I don't see why a classy guy like you would be tempted to hang around Weasley. Does his smell not bother you too much, or is your nose just as paralyzed as your legs?"

Atticus sighed and said, "I smell auras, not scents." He let out a long yawn and said, "So, Draco, I take it that you, Marcus, and Rick are trying out for the Hawkbane team as well?"

"The Hawkbane team?" Rick asked quizzically. "Maybe Marcus and Draco, but I'm only trying out for one of the new openings in the Slytherin team. You see, if Draco gets made Seeker for Hawkbane, then I'll be able to take his place among the Slytherins, since I'm pretty good at Snitch-catching." He held up his broom and said, "My mum and dad bought me a Soulcatcher before I came to Hogwarts this year, and I've been practicing every day since I was three. You see, my older brother, Damien, taught me all there is to know about Quidditch. Once they see me out there, I hope they'll be begging me to join. Quidditch is my passion!"

"Well, Rick," said Ron. "It would be pretty funny if you didn't make it, considering how often you practice and considering it's your passion." Rick didn't seem to think so. His cheeks turned a pale pink and he rushed over toward Snape's classroom.

"Damn," said Draco. "Now one of us has got to go follow him to make sure he doesn't get himself killed by a raving lunatic," he said with sarcasm as he rolled his eyes.

"Well, I can't play Quidditch anyway, so I guess I'll look out for Rick."

"Thanks a lot, Shadow. Draco and I really owe you one!" said Marcus, giving Atticus a thumbs up. Atticus started heading toward the Dungeon, trying to catch up with the Fourth Year. "Remember to look out for the gorgonix!" Marcus teased in a friendly way. He then turned to face Harry and Ron. "What positions are you guys trying to fill? Seeker and Keeper?" When Harry told him that was correct, Marcus said, "Draco's trying out for Seeker too, and I'm beginning to fancy myself as a Beater."

Finally, the four boys made it to Turret Twelve. Marcus pushed the other three out of the way and rushed into the Advanced Astrology classroom as quickly as he could. "Professor Snitch grass!"

Snitchgrass had been asleep at her desk, but having her name called had most certainly woken her up. "Is zis about za Quidditch team, boys?" Her arms were folded and she said, "Shall ve go down to za field so I can see vith my own eyes vat potential you 'ave?" She turned to Harry and said, "I am only in charge of za recruiting part. The actual judging vill be done by a few people. Today's za last chance to be considered for qualification, and I vill have za names of za people zat make za team posted outside my door first zing in za morning."

After walking out to the field, Ron, Marcus, Draco, and Harry auditioned for their requested positions. Harry had used his Firebolt instead of his Soulcatcher because he had no idea what his newer broomstick was capable of quite yet. Each student who was trying out had to play against Snitchgrass personally, and it was harder than it sounded. Snitchgrass had played several positions for numerous professional teams in her lifetime, and had even coached the Kyoto Tsunamis before.

When Ron went one-on-one with Snitchgrass, he failed miserably. The skill of a woman that age was shocking; someone would have thought she would have gotten arthritis by this time. Each time Snitchgrass played Chaser, the Quaffles got right past Ron…not once did he block one.

Draco and Snitchgrass went out on the field, trying to catch the Snitch. Draco also failed, but not quite as miserably. He was the one that spotted the Snitch, but the Astrology teacher seemed to realize the look in the Slytherin's eyes immediately. All she did was reach her hand up, and the Snitch landed in her palm. The look on the defeated face of Draco Malfoy said everything; he was absolutely humiliated that someone tense like Professor Snitchgrass could have thrown him off so quickly. It was all over in five minutes.

Marcus was up next. There were howls, guffaws, and screams as Marcus went onto the field. "It's been ages since I've seen a Cantarus out here!" someone shouted. "He looks like his father!" Marcus did a splendid job as a Beater, and actually hit one of the Bludgers right into Snitchgrass's stomach. The teacher flinched, but then hit the same Bludger right back at Marcus brutally. He was defeated just like everyone else, but Snitchgrass assured Marcus that he'd most certainly be a Beater for the Hawkbane team.

As Harry stepped out onto the field, he saw seven hooded figures watching his every move from the seats. "Who are they?" he asked his Hawkbane.

"Oh, zey are just za judges, 'Arry," Snitchgrass said dismissively. "Forget abou' zem an' concentrate only on 'ow vell you vill do against me. So, shall ve begin?" This was the first time since the Welcoming Feast that Snitchgrass had looked this cheery. It was just a little disturbing seeing someone in her early sixties riding a broom like a nimble Seventh Year. For a moment, Harry didn't see the frizzy silver hair and wrinkles, but saw a younger version of his Hawkbane…her hair was tied tightly in two buns and it appeared to be mousy brown, and her pale eyes were like a cat's. "Vat are you vaiting vor, 'Arry? Za game between us 'as already begun, and za judges are keeping score! I vant to see you make za team, but I am not going to mollycoddle you, even if you are my star pupil!"

"Understood, Professor; you've made your point crystal clear," Harry snarled as he faced against his Hawkbane in this one-on-one Quidditch game. He hopped onto his Firebolt and then said, "Well, I'm ready when you are!"

"I vas ready minutes ago," Snitchgrass said icily as she rose up in the air on her Monsoon Storm. Her catlike aqua eyes leered at Harry in an almost bestial way…it was as if her mind was completely set on victory and nothing else. Once her feet left the ground, the seven hooded "judges" roared with satisfied applause.

"Give 'em all you've got, Lucinda!" one of them shouted, and then blew a whistle.

A second judge waved a Kyoto Tsunamis flag and said, "Don't screw up. Your record in professional Quidditch is phenomenal, so don't let some punk kid ruin your flawless reputation!"

"That one challenging Lucinda right now's not just any punk kid," a third judge said, releasing the golden Snitch. "That's Harry Potter."

"I know that, you dolt!" the second judge said, as she (it had to be a woman, because it was a silky, American, feminine voice resonating from behind the hood) punched the third one. "Still, I think Lucinda can handle Potter. Nobody yet has been able to catch the Snitch or beat a Bludger, or even stop or chase the Quaffle as well as her. She's a legend."

"Stop it," Snitchgrass said as she started scurrying about, trying to locate the Snitch. Harry could already see it. "You're making me blush, Morgan."

The judge with the Kyoto Tsunamis flag then let out a loud belch. "Oh, sorry about that one, Lucinda," she said. "Potter, you don't stand a chance! Lucinda Snitchgrass is the Queen of the Quidditch games for the twentieth century…do you seriously think you'll catch the Snitch before she does?"

"Nobody so far 'as been able to defeat me out 'ere," Snitchgrass crowed. "If you vin, 'Arry, not only vill you get the position of your choice, but za judges vill tell you 'eu zey are."

"I'll go ahead and give away my identity, if you don't mind, Lucinda!" the second judge, Morgan, said in a rather amused tone. She pulled her hood back and unbuttoned her black outer robe. She was dressed in a teal v-neck cardigan sweater and a pair of khaki corduroy pants that had a lot of pockets. Her olive skin had very few wrinkles, and she just had a few traces of gray in her dark-brown hair roots. "The name's Morgan...Andromache Morgan. I'm Snitchgrass's biggest fan."

The six other judges didn't seem quite so outgoing, and the one that had released the Snitch in the first place was beginning to hide behind everyone else. "We're rooting for you, Lucy!" Morgan shouted, making the other six jump in surprise.

"Yeah, sure," a dull, droning voice said, coming from another hooded figure, this one a lot taller than the others. "I came all the way from Lazulien University to see some pipsqueak beat up a has-been champion? And she even gets her own cheerleading squad? I thought this was auditions, not a damn tournament, Andromache!"

Morgan raised a finger up in the air and then sighed. "I'll support Lucinda Snitchgrass to the very end. Whatever decisions she makes, I'll not only support, but I'll follow her example. You see, she's been my idol since I was a student. Potter's lucky to have her for his Hawkbanes."

"Agreed," said the dull voice again. "But will you just shut up so I can watch the audition?" Morgan gave the tall figure a rude gesture before sitting back down.

Harry and Snitchgrass looked frantically for the Snitch everywhere on the field…and then it was right in front of Harry. He seized the opportunity and caught it before his Hawkbane could. He showed the Snitch off to the judges to clarify his victory. The looks on not only Morgan's face, but Snitchgrass's as well, were absolutely priceless; both were astonished. "No questions about it," Snitchgrass said. "I zink ve vound our two Seekers."

"Two?" Malfoy asked, surprised. "There's only one Seeker per team, Professor!"

"Not for za type of Quidditch za Hawkbane team vill be doing…zis is za Transylvanian vay, and it is one of za hardest types to master. Vi else vould I 'ave picked it?" Snitchgrass beamed. "Velcome to za team, 'Arry!" She then straightened herself up and said stiffly, "As vor za rest of you, I vill post virst zing tomorrow za names and positions of za players vor za Hawkbane team. It vill be easy to vind, because it vill be on my Turret's door."

First thing in the morning, Harry got up. He even skipped breakfast to see who had made the Hawkbane Quidditch team. And, just like she had promised, Snitchgrass had nailed the new roster onto the opening door to Turret Twelve, and his name was amongst the others:

The First Hawkbane Quidditch Team

Seekers:

Draco Malfoy

Harry Potter

Beaters:

Marcus Cantarus

Josh Goldman

Chasers:

Lisa Turpin

Celia Wells

Isis Acheron

Keeper:

Ron Wesley

It seemed like it would be a very effective team, if everyone cooperated. However, so much could go wrong so quickly. For example, what if Malfoy wanted to always be the better of the two Seekers? Competition amongst other team members wasn't a wise move; it usually ended in disaster.

"So, I take it you're quite pleased with yourself for making the team?" said Atticus. He had skipped breakfast to see the list, along with all the other Hawkbane students; Harry and his friend weren't alone up there by any means.

"Snitchgrass told me that I was the only person who beat her on the field..." Harry wasn't able to finish.

"'Arry, Professor Skylarke vants to 'ave a vord vith you," Snitchgrass said. She then took a bite out of her bagel and got back to eating in her room before students came in. "Turret Fifteen."

Harry followed Snitchgrass's directions to Turret Fifteen and knocked timidly on the door. "It's unlocked," Skylarke said in his elegant voice. "Feel free to come on in. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, if you can."

Harry took a seat inside the Curses & Rootwork classroom and faced Skylarke. Several herbs were drying everywhere, but there was a sickening-sweet smell in the room…decomposing flesh of some kind. "Why did you call me here?" Harry asked. "Is this about the Quidditch team?"

"To some extent," Skylarke said smoothly. Something was glowing in the teacher's hand, and then he threw the object to Harry. "Your first game is tomorrow, and I want to see the best of our school do well against the other four Houses. If all goes well, then the Hawkbane team will get to travel to other arenas and countries…this is an international program. Headmaster Dumbledore has even hired a coach for the eight of you. Would you like to meet him?" Skylarke's olive green eyes were piercingly cold as he said this. Something must have bitten him, because he flinched for an instant before he called the coach into the room.

Harry recognized the young man immediately. "Phoebus!" he shouted, remembering the delivery guy from that summer. "How are you?"

"Just peachy," Phoebus said in a laidback manner. "I got sick, and then, here I am!"

Skylarke groaned. "Phoebus was one of Professor Ahsimal's favorite students, you understand. He does friends and pets favors like this when something happens to them."

Phoebus nodded and then said, "Say, Professor? Would it be okay if you left your classroom for a while? I'd like to talk to Harry in private, if it's alright with you."

Skylarke looked offended by Phoebus's suggestion that he leave his own classroom so that they could have a private conversation. "Want me to leave, do you?" he snarled and then pointed a finger at the door. "This is my domain, and I have control here, Stellian. You leave!"

"Look, I was only teasing you!" Phoebus said. "Can't you take a little joke?"

"Get out of my room, Phoebus Stellian!" Skylarke boomed. After Harry and Phoebus left the classroom, Skylarke slammed the door shut.

"Well, I'm glad that's over and done with…Skylarke's got such a temper!" Phoebus said lightheartedly. "Harry, you know Hawkbane plays against Slytherin tomorrow, right?"

"Of course," Harry said. Phoebus went on to show Harry the entire plan, and then asked if it would be too much of a hassle to tell everyone else. "I've got to unpack my things, and I really don't have the time today…there's so much I need to get done. Would you mind too terribly?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders and told Phoebus that he'd tell the others of the plan.

Dinner was pretty good, and everyone was sitting together…except one person; Josh was sitting with his fellow Hufflepuffs, glaring angrily at Celia and giving a dirty look to Cassandra. "Doesn't that bother you?" Celia asked Cassandra.

"Not at all," Cassandra said. "Would you please pass the cranberry sauce this way?"

Hermione handed Cassandra the dish and then asked Atticus, "Could you help me with something? Atticus, I need your help."

'Oh no,' thought Harry, 'anything but that!'

"Atticus," Hermione said. "I've started a Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare, also known as S.P.E.W. and I was wondering…would you like to join?"

"Sure," Atticus said. "I think having house elves is a good idea, if the elf in question is enjoying the work. They can very easily become abused...take Dobby for an example." Several people at the table gave Draco a dirty look.

"What are you leering at me for?" he snarled. "Dobby got so annoying, that you couldn't help but want to throw a rock at him. If you lived at my place, Granger, you probably wouldn't be so friendly with house elves." He slicked his blonde hair back and said, "I'm glad that I made Seeker for Hawkbane. Rick, how did you do?"

"Just great," Rick said. "I'm Slytherin's new Seeker, taking your place!"

Draco and Marcus both patted Rick on the back and ruffled his hair. Then they both said in rather teasing voices, "Oh, we're both so proud of baby Ricky! He's really growing up!" Draco then laughed at his own joke and said, "Pretty soon, you won't need us escorting you everywhere…and you won't need us to change your diapers, either." He was having a lot of fun embarrassing his younger friend. "You're becoming such a big boy!"

"Aw…" said Rick. "Both of you should shut up; I'm not in the mood." He then picked up his Transfigurations homework and started working…and even moved away from the table.

Harry told the Hawkbane team all about the plan Phoebus had given. "We'll beat Slytherin!" Celia said. "I just know we'll win!"

"It's going to feel weird going against our own House, Marcus," said Draco. "I wonder if we'll get labeled as traitors for switching teams!"

"Oh, they'll get over it," Marcus said. "I'll go easy on Rick because he's our friend."

Cassandra had occupied herself with her cranberry sauce up until now, but then put her attention toward the rest of the crowd. "Damn," she said. "Now I don't know which side I'm supposed to support. Sure, I'm in the Hawkbane program, but my uncle is in charge of the Slytherin house. This is such a dilemma…maybe I won't go at all. That would solve everything."

"Oh my gosh!" Celia said. "Look at this…my name's in the paper again!" She held up an article in the school paper, written by none other than Lisa Turpin:

The Latest with the Hawkbane Program

By: Lisa Turpin

School celebrities like Celia Wells and Harry Potter have been brought together with six other people in the Hawkbane program (including yours truly!) to form a team that will not only play the other four Hogwarts houses, but will be competing in other arenas in Britain, as well as the possibility of traveling to places like Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, Lazulien University, Aevumis University, Swanlyre (a rather expensive private school near Dublin), and the Salem Academy of Sorcery…virtually all over the world! Of course everyone at Hogwarts has extremely high expectations for the Hawkbane team. "I always knew this day would come," says Professor Lucinda Snitchgrass (Advanced Astrology). "Such fine students, and I have no regrets on who I put on the team. Cantarus and Potter especially have a knack for Quidditch. I'm looking forward to seeing them as a Beater and a Seeker…with people like this, victory is in the air…I can almost smell it!" Of course, she has a heavy accent, but this is what I think she said.

Everyone is just as excited as Professor Snitchgrass, and can't wait for the season to begin. All the students and teachers at our wonderful school are antsy with anticipation…of course we all want to see the best of the best succeed in whatever they can, whether its academics, arts, or athletics.

"Wow," Cassandra said. "Marcus got mentioned, too. See, there's even a picture of the new team." However, she didn't sound too thrilled about all of this.

"Is something wrong, Cassandra?" Hermione asked, a bit concerned about what was bothering the girl.

"I tried out for Keeper, too," Cassandra said. "I even got to look at the scores, and I did a lot better than Ron. The only reason I wasn't allowed to play was because there's a school rule that states vampires can't play Quidditch."

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You mean to tell me that Snitchgrass snubbed you only because you're undead?"

Cassandra nodded and then sighed. "Oh well; I wanted to join the Dueling Club, anyway...it gives me a chance to improve and sharpen my true talent with the Dark Arts." She left her dirty dishes and then headed over toward the Slytherin Common Room. Marcus, Rick, and Draco followed, but they didn't walk with Cassandra because they were a bit spooked. None of them wanted to be labeled as friends of a bloodsucker, and it was known all around the school that Cassandra Snape and Professor Ahsimal were vampires. "I'll see you at the game Saturday."

Everyone was excited about the first Hawkbane Quidditch game; their first opponents would be the Slytherin team, only because Slytherin had been school champions from the previous year. Harry and Draco were in the lead, Marcus and Josh behind them, and then Celia, Lisa, and Isis…and then Ron. Everyone was nervous, of course, but the thing that got the Slytherin/Hawkbanes going was the fact that Rick Fallowin was now the Slytherin Seeker. Both Draco and Marcus waved as the team of their House passed by. However, the two Slytherin Beaters (Crabbe and Goyle) only waved to Draco. They both shoved Marcus and muttered, "Traitor," under their breath.

"Assholes," Marcus grumbled back, clutching his arm where he had gotten bruised. "Josh, we're going to have to teach those two a lesson!"

"I agree," Josh said, swinging his bat playfully. "Let's give Slytherin a rude awakening!"

"Just go easy on our friend," Ron said. "Josh, you and Marcus look out for Rick, okay?"

Harry was absolutely thrilled as he was out here, waiting to begin. He was going to test out his Soulcatcher broomstick for the first time. 'Okay, Soulcatcher,' he thought. 'Let's see what you can do!' He sat down, and got ready. Everyone else was prepared for the game, and so it began.

The crowd roared as the Hawkbane team entered the field. Professor Twitchett's School Orchestra and Band played a song as they rushed out, ready for action. Hermione waved in the band seats, playing a clarinet. Atticus was with her, playing a trombone. Up in the front of the Slytherin bleachers were Cassandra and Beastie, watching the game in a half-amused manner.

"Kick some ass!" Cassandra shouted. Harry wasn't sure if she was cheering for the Slytherins or the Hawkbanes…apparently, Cassandra was just as unsure, because she kept looking left and right for Slytherins and Hawkbanes. Her face had turned a rather interesting shade of pink in the cheeks.

Suddenly, Harry felt a Bludger hit him hard in the stomach. Usually, he would have fallen off of his broom, but the Soulcatcher wouldn't let him go; it had some sort of advanced charm placed on it. Harry looked up and then saw that Crabbe wasn't too happy that his hit hadn't knocked an opposing Seeker off his broomstick.

"You can't knock me off, stupid!" Harry shouted with pleasure. He then plunged down to the bottom to catch up with Malfoy; it was obvious that he had spotted the Snitch. However, Rick tried to do the same thing.

"No you don't, Fallowin!" Josh shouted, and tried to interfere with Rick's performance. For a Fourth Year, Rick Fallowin was quite a phenomenon…a blur to the audience, he was so quick.

"Catch the damn Snitch!" Cassandra shouted, raising a black-clad arm in the air.

'I'm really beginning to wonder who it is she's cheering for,' Harry thought angrily. 'The way she's rooting, it could be for Draco, Rick or me.'

He and Malfoy made it all the way to the grassy floor of the bottom of the arena, and followed Rick. Suddenly, someone shouted in a frantic voice, "Rick! Look out!" It was Marcus, and his face was twisted with horror; he had aimed one of the Bludgers at Goyle, but even though the Slytherin Beaters were pretty dumb, they knew when to move out of the way…now it was aiming straight for Rick.

"Look out for what?" Rick said, confused. He then gasped, because he saw the Bludger, but it was too late. It hit his left leg, and everyone in the stadium could hear the bones crack.

"Rick, I'm so sorry! That was meant for Goyle, not you!" Marcus said.

"Oh, quit complaining, Cantarus," Josh said. "Hawkbane's going to win, since the Seeker broke his leg."

"Shut up and mind your own business, Goldman," Marcus snarled at the Hufflepuff. Soon, a fight broke out between Marcus and Josh, so Slytherin's Seeker and Hawkbane's Beaters were supposed to be disqualified for the rest of the game.

It continued like this for a long time, only Rick didn't want to give up. Even though Harry and the others could see the bone jutting out of his pants-leg, he was determined to catch the Snitch. Unfortunately for Rick, he couldn't move as swiftly as he'd been doing without a broken leg. The Snitch flew right past Malfoy's nose, so Harry and Malfoy knew where it was. Rick was clueless until he caught on, finally. For five minutes, the three Seekers chased the Snitch, but then it stopped in midair for an instant. Harry seized the opportunity to end the game and gave Hawkbane their first victory. However, Malfoy got the same idea and caught the Snitch at the same instant as Harry.

"Well, Potter, this was a pretty interesting outcome, wasn't it?" he said smugly. "Two adversaries, two different Houses, one victory for the same team…I never would have predicted the ending to be like this!"

It all ended quickly, and 75 points were added to all four Houses, because of two reasons…the first was that Hawkbane couldn't be awarded points due to the fact that it technically wasn't a House. The other reason was simply that the Hawkbane team consisted of the best of the four Houses anyway. The crowd roared, and started chanting the names of their favorite players. "Malicious Malfoy!" "Powerful Potter!" "Kick ass Cantarus!" "Wonderful Wells!" "King Weasley!" (Ron groaned; that was a reference to last year's "Weasley is our King" song) "Gorgeous Goldman!" "Terrible Turpin!" "Amazing Acheron!" All of the First Years cheered as the victorious team walked out of the stadium.

Cassandra threw down a banner she had made violently. It tore in half. Harry looked up in the bleachers to see something wasn't right. Cassandra seemed to be upset, so then Harry realized with disappointment that she had probably been cheering on the Slytherin team. 'I am really going to have to ask her about this,' he thought. 'Wait until I get to her face-to-face…'