Disclaimer/Author Note/Rating: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimers, legal info, etc.

Go raibh maith agaibh:

Elaine/Evenstar & Mercury… here is the rest of your game. Sorry for leaving you in suspense for so long, but glad you were eager for the next installment.

Wyall Jared… thanks for stopping back. Glad you like the Quidditch action!

Belle Stardust… welcome back in your new guise!

Sakura-Damio… welcome as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my work. Hope to hear from you more!

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Chapter 10: An Irish Temper

"This is going to turn very, very ugly," said McGonagall as she watched Serena streak back into the game . She glanced towards the Slytherin seats only to see the Malfoy family cheering for Malificus. But right next to Lucius, Severus was sitting rigid and still except for his head which turned as he followed Serena's ascent. His face was stony but even from this distance, McGonagall could see how angry he was.

High above, both Seekers were in hot pursuit of the Golden Snitch, but closer to the stands, competition for the Quaffle was still fierce. Malificus handed the ball off to Hecate as he approached the Gryffindor stands. Serena came up next to him, matching his speed for just a moment before pulling ahead. Just before she did, they locked eyes and there was no mistaking the challenge in her eyes.

Not to be outdone, Malificus had nearly caught her when Serena pulled up hard and sat up straight on her broom. She swung her elbow back as hard as she could, catching him squarely in the face and breaking his nose.

Malificus' head snapped back and his broom shot out from under him as he slid to the side. The thud of his body hitting the sand at the bottom of the arena was blocked out by the Gryffindor cheer which turned to a roar as Alexander Simon caught the Golden Snitch.

"Gryffindor wins!" shouted Brooke Duff, the honorary announcer. "All-Star Seeker Alex Simon has caught the Golden Snitch. Gryffindor wins the Alumni tournament!"

"They won!" shrieked Wood. "Take that Slytherin!"

The Weasley twins were crowing in delight and Harry thought he heard them saying something about making a killing on a wager. He tuned them out figuring whatever scheme they were into, he didn't need to be involved.

"Hey," said Ron, "look down at the field…"

Down on the Quidditch field, Serena and Malificus were standing nose to nose, obviously shouting at each other. Madame Hooch was trying to get between them before they came to blows.

"Come on!" shouted Wood. "I know another way down." They all followed Wood down a set of stairs, pushing past students, parents and even some teachers, knowing the fireworks were far from over. And they weren't only ones. From the other Gryffindor pavilion, Dumbledore and McGonagall appeared and the Malfoys and Snape were hurrying over from the Slytherin stands. They didn't hear what Malificus said as they came up, but they certainly heard Serena's answer…

"Madadh mire!" she shouted and then the stream of Gaelic curses continued and judging from Angus Wood's face they became more obscene as they went along.

"She assaulted my brother," snarled Lucius as he reached the group, interrupting Serena's tirade. She turned a devastating glare at the elder Malfoy.

"Gryffindor should forfeit the game, and she needs to be reprimanded. Reprimanded immediately! What kind of example does this set for the students at Hogwart's?" He drew himself up to his full height, trying to impress Madam Hooch with his stature and stare. Hooch, however, was still too concerned that Malificus and Serena were going to come to blows to pay much attention to Lucius.

Lucius Malfoy should talk about setting an example, thought Snape sarcastically. With his record for deception and blackmail?

"This," shouted Serena as she gestured to her still bleeding mouth, "dinna happen on its own!"

"It must have happened when you fell," barked Malificus. "I would never…"

"Dinna let the remainder o'that lie come out of your mouth," warned Serena pointing a finger at Malificus. Her Irish accent grew more pronounced as her anger increased.

"What are you accusing me of…?"

"That's enough," shouted Madam Hooch at the top of her voice. "It seems that whatever happened was balanced. The game is over. Over! Even before Alex caught the Golden Snitch, Gryffindor was leading in points. This scuffle had no bearing on the outcome of the game. Do you agree, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"HOWEVER," Hooch said before anyone else could speak. "If the two of you were currently students at Hogwart's, I would insist with the Heads of your Houses, as well as with the Headmaster, that you both be thrown off the team for the remainder of this season. You both should know better! The game is officially over."

At that Malificus reached out and grabbed Serena by the arm. Snape started to take a step forward and Lucius fixed him with an odd stare.

"I'm warning you…" Malificus began.

"Let go of me."

Rather than acquiesce, Malificus tightened his grip. Serena went limp for a heartbeat or two and then lashed out. She turned her wrist sharply against his grip, breaking it free and allowing the momentum of the move to twist her waist, bringing her arm lashing around. She struck Malificus on the side of his face, knocking him clean off of his feet. Her back-fist had such force it opened a four inch gash along his cheekbone that bled freely.

"Don't make the mistake of putting your hands on me again, Malfoy."

"You will live to regret that," he snarled.

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Hope you all enjoyed the conclusion of the Quidditch match. More to come. And for those of you who have been patiently waiting for the Serena/Severus pairing, things start heating up in the next chapter (mind you, I said "start" heating up.) Please review!!