A/N: I'm going to make this clear. I don't own the Harry Potter series or it's characters. That right goes to JK Rowling
If you haven't yet, read before this story:
The Son and Nephew of the Maurders: The Sorcerer's Stone
The Son and Nephew of the Maurders: The Chamber of Secrets
Also if you haven't please take part on voting for which story you want me to update next month
Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff
Professor Dumbledore send all Gryffindors back to the Great Hall where they were joined ten minutes later by Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins who all looked extremely confused.
"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Professor Dumbledore told them as Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. "I'm afraid that for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbances should be reported to me immediately," he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. "Send word with one of the ghost."
Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing…"
One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave and the floor was covered with hundreds squashy purple sleeping bags.
"Sleep well," said Dumbledore closing the door behind him.
The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what just happened.
"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" shouted Percy. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"
"C'mon," Ron said to Harry, Neville, and Hermione; they seized four sleeping bags and dragged them into a corner.
"Do you think Pettigrew's still in the castle?" Hermione asked.
"I doubt it," Harry said, "Not now that my dad and uncle moony is aware he's here."
Harry didn't say it but they understood why. James and Remus both knew the school better than most staff, possibly more than Filch.
Although there was hope it just be the four of theme at the corner, Seamus, Dean, Ginny, and Luna soon showed up to join them at the corner, obviously hoping Harry might know how Pettigrew snuck in past the dementors. Harry didn't complain about Luna being there, or about getting in trouble for it as the girls states Dumbledore didn't say those of different houses couldn't mingle together.
It seemed every house except for the usual Slytherin bunch that think they are superior noticed that a Ravenclaw was next to some Gryffindor and started moving around to hang out with their classmates of a different house. Percy quickly put an end to the constant movements and told everyone to find a spot and stay there, fortunately not bringing up the fact they must stay with those of their own house. Because of it, Ernie, Hannah, and Justin of Hufflepuff house were with Harry and his friends.
"He might have just apparated in?" Ernie suggested.
"Unless he has a house elf working for him I doubt it," Harry said. "Only time wizards and witches can do Apparate themselves in and out of the castle is when sixth and seventh years are taking the class or being tested for their apparate license."
Harry also wanted to add when the Hogwarts express picks up or drop off students it was allowed too so the staff could get their luggage in and out of the castle quickly, but then he remember Tonks who told him that also said it was supposed to be a Hogwarts Secret, most likely for the very same reason Ernie brought up.
"Harry is right," Hermione said. "The castle is protected by enchantments on it, to stop people entering in by stealth."
"What about a Portkey?" Justin asked. "Isn't that how you and Ron got here last year Harry?"
Ron groan at the memory. In one of his attempt to save Harry, last year Dobby magically blocked the entrance into platform 9 3/4s to keep Harry and unintentionally Ron from going to Hogwarts (Harry was sure Dobby didn't intend to keep Ron from going to Hogwarts since Harry's safety seemed more important to the house elf). But instead of going home, Harry contacted Sirius to get a portkey to school, which Tonks hand delivered. The journey wasn't too bad but, on the landing, Ron fell on his butt and broke his old wand he got from his brother Charlie, which was in his back pocket. Something Malfoy spend the whole school year not letting Ron forget.
Thankfully Hermione was the first to answer. "All portkeys have to be registered to the ministry. Besides, Harry and Ron landed at Hogsmeade which outside school grounds is, so I would believe there ate charms to protect Hogwarts from any portkeys. And even if Pettigrew tried to sneak in from Hogsmeade I would think the Detectors would find him."
Unless he knows a secret entrance my dad and uncle Moony wasn't aware of, Harry silently joked. Even Harry knew that was unlikely, but as he thought of that, Harry got a sinking feeling he better ask his dad about it.
"Lights out!" Percy yelled. "I want everyone quiet and asleep now."
Harry had no idea how Percy expect everyone to fall asleep just ten minutes atfter something after finding out a criminal broke into Hogwarts undetected much less attack one of the school's portraits that guards a common room. Especially when Hogwarts is supposed to be the safest magical places in the magical world and yet this is the third year in a row that fact been questioned, and on Halloween of all days.
Most staff would tell you sometimes there were threats that sometimes made it inside school grounds, such as fifty years ago when Voldemort first opened the chamber of secrets and set loose the baskilin on muggle-borns. But even Harry knew those events never happened at least two years in a row, much less three. And if Harry was unsure if it was true, he could ask Hermione who practically had the book 'Hogwarts: the History' memorized and knew the history of the school better than anyone alive. Harry even thinks she is smarter than most Ravenclaws, even those above their year.
Harry hadn't told Hermione this, but when she was sorted into Gryffindor he was shock as he was certain she seem more Ravenclaw when they first met on the Hogwarts Express. Fortunately, after becoming friends with Hermione, Harry quickly learned that despite being an obvious bookworm wisdom found in Ravenclaw house, Hermione a Gryffindor brave heart.
Soon, the candles were out, and the only light were the silvery light of the passing ghost. Thankfully, the ghost were more understanding than Percy about the situation as when he wasn't around, the ghost let students whisper quietly and only spoke up when Percy was around to secretly alert the students.
Harry looked up at the ceiling which was enchanted to show the night sky, which was clear and full of stars. It reminded Harry of the times his dad took him to a world Quidditch match, where visiting wizards and witches camp out on rented muggle land like normal muggles. Often, they were some of Harry's happiest memories as James often told Harry of the times he and his dad, Harry's grandfather, along with Sirius when he moved in with the Potters, and how they didn't know how much stuff they did wrong trying to camp out like Muggle until James started dating Harry's mother and James invited her a game after they were done with their seventh year of Hogwarts. It was the first of rare unerupted dates outside of Hogwarts, since James and Lily along with their friends joined the battle against Voldemort as soon as they graduated.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when he heard professors checking on the students and quickly pretend to be asleep.
Harry heard what sound like his dad in mid conversation with McGonagall.
"…why can't we just postponed Quidditch this year." McGonagall said.
"Wormtail is a lot of things, but he's not stupid. I doubt he would try to break in during an event again. And even if he is, this way he can't predict Harry's schedule to get him alone," James explained. "Besides the team captains aren't arguing against it."
"That's because they felt cheated out of cup last year," McGonagall said. "Wood still won't let it go how he had the cup last year if I hadn't cancel Quidditch for the remainder of the year."
Their conversation ended with what Harry heard more footsteps coming. Harry was a little bit disappointed as he had hope to find out what they were talking about, that was until he heard Dumbledore's voice.
"Any problems?" Dumbledore asked.
"Percy says he hasn't hear any student still awake, but he thinks that the ghost might be covering for some of the students," McGonagall said.
"I told him let it slide since some of the students might just be too anxious to fall asleep after finding out there was a break in," James said.
"I agree," Harry heard Professor Sprout said.
"What about the map, James?" Dumbledore asked.
"Filch couldn't find it. He thinks it might have been stolen by a student." James sighed, but not with the usual annoyance Harry half expected whenever his dad brings up Filch blaming a student of something.
"You believe him?" Harry heard Professor Snaps asked half shock, half sneer.
"Not at first, but then I asked myself who would be cunning enough to steal something from Filch…" James stopped as if letting the question set in as if it was the most obvious answer. "I'm going to confront them tomorrow and offer them a to turn in the map with no punishments for stealing from Filch or questioning about what they used the map for what rule they break if they turn in the map."
"You think that would work?" Snape huffed.
"I'm sure James has a plan to convince the twins," Dumbledore said, "Until then, hopefully the new guardian will keep the Gryffindor corridor safe."
"Did you find the Fat Lady, sir?" Percy asked.
"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor." Dumbledore said.
Harry knew that painting. It was a nice scenery of an orchard town with plenty of trees for portraits to use to hide from Peeves and his permanent marker whenever he was in the mood for drawing mustaches. Harry wouldn't be surprise Dumbledore looked there first since Peeves often is in a mood for drawing mustaches.
Every so often, someone would caught sight of the painting being over crowded with portraits running around, running all over each other, pushing each other out of their previous hiding spots. Unfortunately for them, Peeves knew about their hiding spot, and those were the moments he let on a rumor of him being in one of those moods just so they would do that and he get a laugh out of it. So now no one knows when Peeves really is going to draw mustaches or just causing a portrait panic.
Dumbledore continued. "Apparently she refused Pettigrew in without the password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."
"Professor, if I may, we should have someone watch over the Chamber of Secrets?" Snape suggested. "Before his fall, there was a rumor going on that You-Know-Who was teaching a select few most trusted agents how to copy the Parseltongue language as a form of decoy if needed, and we don't know how long Wormtail been working for him much less trusted to learn how to copy the language."
"And you now decided to tell us?" James asked.
"It didn't occur to me Pettigrew would be able to sneak into Hogwarts grounds with the Dementors around," Snape explained. "And as I mention it was only a rumor at the time. Not to mention even if he has mastered copying the language just enough to enter the Chamber, we won't be able to detect him on the map unless he leaves Myrtle's Bathroom considering until last year, we didn't know where the entrance was and thus won't be on the map
"I agree with Severus," Dumbledore said. "Minerva, I want you to check on Myrtle tomorrow as well as ask her to keep an eye on the entrance until further notice."
"Yes, sir," McGonagall responded.
"As for now, I must go down to the dementors," said Dumbledore coldly. "I said I would inform them when our search is complete."
"Sir, if I may, maybe we should send some of the Dementors int0 the Chambers of Secrets," Severus said. "That way if Wormtail hasn't figured out how to enter it yet, he won't get a chance."
"Oh, heck no!" James said. "Harry is not ready yet to confront a dementor, and even with a professor by his side, until I know he can confront one without one affecting him like on the train, I'm not letting one near him."
"Relax, James, we're not going to let Harry near any dementor until you feel he's ready to handle at least one or two," Dumbledore said. "Besides, Severus, even under different circumstances, I wouldn't let a dementor in school grounds, which may I remind you is the only way into the Chamber of Secrets."
Severus bowed in apology. "My apologies sir, I just want the safety of my students."
James muttered something that Harry would bet had more likely of the fact Severus cares only about his house.
With that the professors left the chambers and Percy went around on patrol.
Harry glanced sideways to his friends who were awake and worried too as the same thought occur in their mind: What if Pettigrew was in the Chamber of Secrets? Until tonight, none of them thought it was possible for anyone but those gifted to speak to snakes to enter the chamber. Of course, Ginny was able to enter the Chamber without having the power, but it was passed off as Voldemort possessing her since she never really remembered doing so. Heck, she even confided to Harry that the last thing she remembered before waking up in the Chambers of Secrets was trying to fight off Voldemort from possessing her after realizing what he was forcing her to do, so no one really thought twice about it.
…
The school talked of nothing but Peter Pettigrew for the next few days, many of which either made sense or was possible. There were a few that got the idea that maybe there was a secret passage out of the chambers of secrets that led outside school grounds and that he somehow sneak in through the Chamber entrance. It did made Harry curious to see if it was true since the only part of the chamber he didn't see last year was where the Basillisk came out of hiding last year, but Hermione reminded him if that was true, Voldemort would have found it and got the Basilisk out of the school to kill muggle-borns instead of killing them inside the school.
Still, that didn't stop Harry from checking on Moaning Myrtle, who was all too happy to repeat to Harry what she told McGonagall that no one been using the entrance. She was also please to hear that, in her terms: "The nasty Dementors won't be coming near her bathroom. Although she never seen one, Myrtle obviously heard enough to know she rather not risk being affected by them, even though Harry had no idea if Dementors could effect ghost. By time he left the bathroom, Harry was trying to figure out how to ask his uncle Moony without having to explain why on the matter.
The Fat Lady's ripped canvas had been taken off the wall and replaced with a portrait of a short, squat knight in a suit of armor riding a pony Harry came to recognized and Sir Cadogan, the portrait that often challenges students to battle if he doesn't recognize them and often fall off his horse because his sword that he carries is too long and heavy for him and everytime he swings it on his pony, he looses balance. He also was the portrait many third years ask for directions to Divination on the first day back to school, which he is willing to do as he sees it as a quest, even though he just tried to threaten them.
It was no shock to Harry that the sir knight volunteered for guarding the portrait since the knight often was found searching for quest. Sir Cadogan and his pony even been seen riding through portraits with a fake mustaches, curtesy of Peeves the Polterguist. No one really knows how Peeves gets it on the actual portrait face, but often students hear other portraits saying: "Better him than me."
No one really was thrilled of the idea of Sir Cadogan protecting the entrance after the first day. He often seen thinking of ridiculously complicated passwords that he changed twice a day, and if you couldn't get it right then he challenges you to a duel for entrance. Poor Neville, who had always had trouble remembering passwords, been challenged to more duels than any Gryffindors, and since no one can really duel with a portrait without tearing up the painting, Neville would be found begging for entrance.
Harry didn't mind Sir Cadogan. As annoying as the knight was, the fact Sir Cadogan doesn't run from a challenge unless you offer him a quest instead means Gryffindor tower was safe until Pettigrew's next appearance.
Instead, Harry had to deal with the fact that since that night, Harry noticed that the teachers been watching him carefully. Even Percy Weasley often tailed Harry like a guard dog. When Harry brought it up with his father, James just shrugged. "They're just looking out for what's best for you kiddo."
Since then Harry got the feeling his dad had something to do with it.
As for the quidditch surprise, Oliver revealed that there been changes to the Quidditch match set up for the year, including most schedules. Instead of this Saturday they were playing, they change it up to next Saturday. And instead of playing Slytherin first, they were playing Hufflepuff. Oliver seem neutral on the idea as if he was trying to hide the fact that he liked it better than the other option.
Only problem, at least for Harry, was that his dad was present in every practice, and Gryffindor House quickly realize not only was the loudest and most embarrassing cheerleader during the games, but for Oliver he was the most annoying observer as James often yelled out ideas of how they can do better during their training to the players as they trained.
Fortunately, the weather seemed to steadily gotten worse as the match came nearer, so James' voice been silence out by thunder.
The night before the game, Oliver been pushing everyone to be ready against Hufflepuff. Oliver was concern about playing against Hufflepuff as Cederic had put together a strong team this year.
Unfortunately, Malfoy was using the change up to suck up attention of how he was wrongfully taken away the chance to use a new move he had been saving for just the game. He didn't say it out loud, but Harry got a feeling that it got something to do with Dementors.
Harry wasn't too ashame of the change up. Especially since it turn out the original schedule would have been on a night of a full moon and that because of it, his uncle Moony won't be able to finally watch him play. But now that it was postponed, Harry was excited that his uncle finally got to see him play.
Speaking of the week of the full moon, everyone was in for a shock when they found out who was subbing for Moony.
Harry was late because Oliver kept insisting of talking strategy with Harry. When Harry entered, he found his dad at his uncle's desk.
"Harry, nice of you to join us," James said. "Please take your seat."
Harry nodded as he walked over to his seat.
"As I was saying, I'm subbing for my dear old friend Professor Lupin for the day. As many of you know from last year, I have quite a bit of experience when it comes to fighting the Dark Arts before I came to become an Astronomy Professor, but incase some of you forgot, amongst them was surviving an encounter with You-Know-Who Three times with my wife before she was killed," James said. "Now according to Moony's lesson planner he had you learning how to defend against hindypunks, but with his permission, I decided to change up the lesson and save that for when he returns. Instead we're going to learn the spell used to de-transform a werewolf."
Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes Hermione," James said.
"Sir, we're not suppose to cover werewolves yet, much less how to fight them," Hermione said.
"True, but as I said before I got Moony's permission," James said. "Now if memory serves me right. You should have some idea what the spell is from your previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Lockhart. Although he didn't really used it against a werewolf like he claimed in 'Walking with Werewolves', I can reassure you the spell for it is very real."
The lesson pretty much went that way. First, they made notes of a difference between a werewolf and a wild wolf and the best ways to sneak up on a werewolf without getting bitten. All during the lesson, Harry couldn't help but feel that his uncle and dad set something like this up incase the inevitable happens, but in the end the class was happy as they finally learn the real secret to changing a werewolf back to a human. By the end of the class, James didn't give out homework since the lesson what Remus had planned but he did told them for extra credit they can write an essay on the best ways to sneak up on a werewolf without it leading to an attack.
By the following week Remus was back and took the essays as extra credit. Even Hermione, who didn't really needed the credit, turn in the essay.
"Well, I'm glad you been listening to Professor Potter," Remus said flipping through the essays. "Ms. Granger, since I don't really think it was necessary for you to do the extra credit, I'll reward Gryffindor ten points for you taking the time and effort to do so anyways."
Hermione blushed and thanked Remus.
When one of the students ask Remus why he agreed to the change of schedule, Remus just shrugged. "It was Prongs' idea, really. He felt it be easier if he did a refresher course of what your previous professor was suppose to teach you, and I didn't argue against it since I never agreed with how Gilderoy Lockhart handle the werewolf in his books."
Hearing it from Remus set the class in ease.
It didn't stay long as topic though as the whole school was buzzing about the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff game.
Harry woke up extremely early the day of the game, so early that it was still dark out. At first Harry thought it was the storm outside that woke him up, but it turned out to be Peeves blowing air at him real hard.
Harry reached for his wand, but Peeves had already disappeared from the room. Reaching for his alarm clock, he found it was half past four. Silently complaining about Peeves, Harry tried to fall back asleep, but wasn't able too. So instead he got up, dressed, picked up his Nimbus Two Thousand, wrote a note for Ron and Neville and walked out of the dormitory.
As Harry opened the door, something brushed against his leg. He bent down just in time to grab Crookshanks by the end of his bushy tail and drag him outside.
"What are you doing here Crookshanks?" Harry asked. "This stairway is to the boys dormitories, not the girls. Go find Hermione."
Crookshanks just stared at Harry as if telling Harry he wasn't the boss of him.
Harry sighed and headed down to common room. Unfortunately the noise of the storm was even louder there. Harry found himself glad his uncle got him prescripted goggles that repel rain for his first year as they would definitely come in handy in this storm. Harry just hope he can stay on his broom.
Seekers were supposed to be light and speedy, but when it comes to severe weather, there been recorded cases of seekers being blown off their brooms by a strong gust of wind. Even during practice when Wood had Harry and Ginny compete against each other as to help boost training, there were a few times they had to struggle to stay put on their brooms. Of course the chance of anyone dying in Quidditch is actually low, but that never really ease the thoughts of players about to play in heavy storms.
Harry decided to get working on some homework before dawn, which really helped pass the time as soon dawn. Then he put his books up and headed through the portrait hole to breakfast.
"Stand and fight, you mangy cur!" yelled Sir Cadogan.
"Good morning to you too," Harry yawned.
He revived a bit over a large bowl of porridge, and by the time he'd started on toast, the rest of the team had turned up.
"It's going to be a tough one," said Wood, who wasn't eating anything.
"Stop worrying, Oliver," said Alicia soothingly, "After how much practice we had in this storm, we don't mind."
Actually, they do mind, but they were keeping the morale up for Oliver.
By time of the game, students were rushing to the stands, trying to keep hold of their umbrellas.
At the locker room, the team changed into their scarlet robes and waited for Wood's usual pre-match pep talk, but it didn't come. He tried to speak several times, made an odd gulping noise.
Fortunately, Harry decided to speak up. "I know this rescheduling matches has screwed up our plan, but let's play hard like we always do against Hufflepuff, and show them we won't back down to a challenge."
Everyone whooped encouragingly in agreement. Wood gave Harry a thankful glance as he beckoned them to follow him.
The wind was so strong that they staggered sideways as they walked out onto the field. If the crowd was cheering, they couldn't hear it over the fresh rolls of thunder. Harry's prescripted goggles manage to repel the rain as it tried to splatter on them.
The Hufflepuffs were approaching from the opposite side of the field, wearing canary yellow robes. Cedric and Oliver shook hands as captains. Harry saw Madam Hooch's mouth formed the words, "Mount your brooms." Harry pulled his right foot out of the mud with a squelch and swung it over his Nimbus Two Thousand. Madam Hooch put her whistle to her lips and gave it a blast that sounded shrill in the distance, starting the game.
Harry rose fast, using everything in his power to stay steady. It only took five minutes for him to be soaked and frozen, but thanks to his goggles, he was able to see the game and bludgers flying at him
His plan was basically the same as his first game of Quidditch as a member of Gryffindor team: fly around and stay out of the action until he sees the snitch. With the storm as it is, it was his best option, and despite what Oliver might think, Harry knew Cedric well enough to know Hufflepuff's captain would be doing the same thing, just more around the field to direct his team.
As time went by, the sky was getting darker, sending a shiver down Harry's spine. Even with time passing quickly in this game, it's too early for nightfall, it didn't seem the storm was worsening to the point for it to grow dark. Something was wrong.
We need to end this game quickly, Harry thought as he sped up in search of the Snitch.
Finally, he saw it. A tiny speck of gold shimmering in the rain filled air up in the field. Harry zoomed toward the snitch, ready to go. Unfortunately Cedric noticed it just in time to speed off neck to neck with Harry. But Harry was quicker as he leaned down flat on his broom to pick up more speed. Finally Harry stretched his hand out before Cedric could catch up and caught the Snitch.
"I GOT IT!" Harry yelled holding up the snitch. But his victory was short last as an eerie silence was falling across the stadium. The wind, though as strong as ever, was forgetting to roar and Harry had gone deaf.
And then a horribly familiar wave of cold swept over and inside Harry, reminding him why he was in a rush to finish the game in the first place. Looking down, Harry saw a hundred Dementors, their hidden faces pointing up at him, were standing beneath him.
Harry scrambled to switch hands with holding the Snitch and took out his wand, glad he kept it on him. With the memory of seeing his mother on the Mirror of Eris, Harry pointed his wand at the dementor and yelled. "Expecto Patronum!"
A whispy shield formed and blocked the dementor bellow him, but that just stirred up the dementors more as they now started circling around Harry, avoiding his shield. Cedric look like he was trying to call out Harry's name, but it was no good as Harry heard female voice scream: "Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl… stand aside, now…"
It was then Harry realized the second voice was of Lord Voldemort, and that the female voice was of his mother the night she died.
"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill ne instead! Please… have mercy… have Mercy…"
The last thing Harry heard as he passed out was a shrill laughter and screaming.
…
"Good thing Harry and Cedric been good pals."
"Yeah, if Cedric wasn't there it could have been worse."
Harry heard voices whispering, but they made no sense whatsoever.
"I can't believe he pulled off that shield," said a female voice. "Even Professor Lupin said most NEWT level students would struggle pulling that off in face of a hundred dementors."
Harry's eyes snapped open at the reminder of the Dementors as he remember the last thing he heard.
He was lying in the hospital wing. The Gryffindor Quidditch team, spattered with mud from head to foot, was gathered around his bed, including Wood, who was trying to cover a look of joy with a look of concern. Ron, Neville, and Hermione were there too, looking as though they'd just climbed out of a swimming pool.
"Harry!" said Fred, "How're you feeling?"
"Confused," Harry replied as he remembered the lightning, the snitch, the dementors, and Harry trying to perform the Patronus Charm. "What happened?"
"You mean other than you making a last minute catch on the Snitch winning us the game?" Wood asked earning a hit from Alicia.
"He almost died, Oliver!" Alicia argued.
"Sorry," Oliver apologized.
"Don't mind Wood," Angela said.
"But what happened after I got the Snitch?" Harry asked, hiding the fact he was glad they won.
"According to Cedric, the Dementors were under you since you two started after the Snitch. Cedric saw them at the last minute, which he admitted was why you were able to catch the snitch, but they didn't seem to focus on him, but rather you. Then he said you noticed them and struggle to get your wand out and performed some kind of spell that produced a shield against the dementors. From what we can guess from there, the shield worked on a few dementors, but then the others started circling around you until you passed out and fell off your broom." Hermione explained. "After that, Cedric zoomed down and caught you."
"That was amazing by the way," George said. "I mean besides you falling off your broom. Your dad and uncle's faces were priceless when Cedric described you conjuring that shield."
"I have to agree, they were more surprise than when you caused your boggart to explode into streamers," Ron explained.
After ten minutes of talking, Madam Pomfrey came over to tell the team to leave Harry in peace.
"We'll come and see you later," Fred told Harry. "Oh, and Cedric said he'll check up on you later and to congratulate you on that catch."
The team trooped out, trailing mud behind them. Madam Pomfrey shut the door behind them, looking disapprovingly. Ron, Neville, and Hermione moved nearer to Harry's bed.
"Ginny and the rest of the reserves will be here later to congratulate you," Ron said. "They would have been here, but Pomfrey restricted to just us and the team for the moment—well us and your dad and uncle but they left shortly before you woke up to talk to Dumbledore."
"They were really angry—as was Dumbledore," Hermione said in a quaking voice. "Dumbledore was out in the field when Cedric already caught you and waved his wand so that both of you landed safely. Then your dad and uncle used the same spell as you but at stronger as they scared the Dementors away. They were furious, as was most of the professors that was there watching."
"I still say Professor McGonagall was just as scary," Neville shivered. "She looked as though she wanted to turn into a tiger instead of her cat form."
"Dumbledore conjured up a stretcher for you," Hermione said. "Your dad and uncle wanted to carry you, but Dumbledore insisted a stretcher was better."
"What about my Nimbus?" Harry asked. "What happened to it?"
Ron, Hermione, and Neville looked at each other unsure how to answer.
"Well?" Harry asked.
"Well… there's another reason why Cedric isn't here right now," Hermione said. "When you fell off your broom, the wind picked up and blew it away. Cedric could of easily catch it, but at the time it was you or the broom and he chosen you. Unfortunately, your broom hit—it hit—oh, Harry—it hit the Whomping Willow."
Harry's stomach lurched. Even he knew about the violent tree that stood in the middle of the grounds that protects the Shrieking Shack under it. Heck he is one of few students that was aware that the Whomping willow was originally planted there not to keep people from getting out, but rather to keep people from coming in as that was where his uncle Moony use to go during a night of a full moon for his transformations. But lately, with the help of the new Wolfsbane Potion, the shack been abandoned unless you count last year when Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville used it to brew the Polyjuice Potion. But the Whomping Willow still attacks anything that hits it.
"Professor Flitwick brought back your wand just before you came around," Hermione said in a very small voice. Slowly she reached down for a bag at her feet, turned it, upside down, and tipped a dozen bits of splintered wood and twig on the bed, which was all that remain of Harry's Nimbus 2000.
A/N: Yeah, I kept the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff match up and just change the results. I'm not going to give Harry the Firebolt right away even though Sirius isn't a fugitive and James is alive. Besides, don't forget James donated a whole bunch of Nimbus 2000s to Hogwarts in the first story, so it's not like Harry's quidditch practice training will be hindered by the usual problems of the old school brooms mention in the original first book. But he will get a firebolt.