The Snitch! It fluttered its tiny golden wings, dancing above Harry's head, just out of reach. Harry made frantic grabs each time, but never caught it.

"Harry!" a voice said, "Harry!"

Harry opened his eyes to see Ron's face swimming into view over him. He groaned and turned over.

"Harry," Ron said urgently, "The Quidditch game is today, you should be up now!" That got Harry awake. He put on his glasses, and then bolted out of bed and looked out the window.

It was hardly the perfect day for a Quidditch game. The sky was dull and overcast. The trees near his window were bending from the strong wind. Harry sighed. He knew Quidditch wouldn't be called off for a little wind. At least, he supposed, it wasn't a thunderstorm.

When Harry walked into the Great Hall with Ron for breakfast, he saw that almost no one there. He wasn't really surprised. It was still early. Such was the popularity of Quidditch, however, that the whole school would probably end up getting up early anyway. As he pushed his oatmeal around his bowl he felt the familiar beginnings of nervousness welling up. He and Ron just sat there silently, pushing their food around their plates. Finally Ron stood up.

"I suppose we should get going," Ron said, his voice coming out strangely high. Harry nodded and grabbing their broomsticks, headed outside. The moment Harry stepped out onto the sweeping lawn, a gust of wind blew. He was knocked sideways into Ron.

"Sorry--" Harry gasped, "Sorry about that."

"it's all right," Ron panted, holding his ribs. Staggering sideways against the fierce wind, they made their way to the Quidditch field, where the rest of the team was already huddled.

Wood was pacing up and down the field while the everyone else sat, curled up in little balls. Ron and Harry took a seat.

"All right," Wood said, looking a bit pale. "You know how important this game is. If we win this one, we advance into the finals." His eyes glazed over., and he sat there, staring off into the distance, as though imagining winning the Quidditch Quest until Fred Weasley prodded him in the side with the handle of his broomstick.

"Oh, right," Wood said, "Anyway, we have got to win. As long as you all try your best, I think we should have no problem. The only thing we have to watch out for is their Bludgers, they have excellent Beaters" he shot a glance at Fred and George, who were looking thoroughly bored. "And," he continued, "The wind. Just be careful on not being blown off course." He gulped. "Well, I reckon the other team should be here any minute now."

Right as he finished talking, Madam Hooch, who was going to referee the match, approached them. "Ready to play?" she questioned. Wood, with a fiercely determined look on his face, nodded. The team trooped on to the field and took their positions. Lee Jordan was commentation again. "And here's the Hogwarts team!" he was saying, "Weasley, Weasley, Weasley, Johnson, Bell, Spinnet, and Potter!" There was a thunderous wave of screams and cheers. Surprised, his saw that the stadium had filled up in the time Wood was giving them his little pep talk. Harry mounted his broomstick, almost being knocked off by another fierce gust of wind. He saw the other team walk out onto the field. "And here is the opposing team!" Lee was shouting, "Harmon, Davis, Harrington, Smith, Westly, Marlin and Turner!" There was a mixed reaction from the spectators. Some of the other team must have arrived with their own fans because there were some cheers--but mostly they were drowned out by boos from Hogwarts supporters. As they took their positions, Madam Hooch walked out onto the field.

"Now," she barked, "I expect a fair game from both of you. Good luck. On my whistle now. 3...2...1..." she blew her whistle, and the balls were released.

"And they're off! It's the Gryffindor team representing Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, against the Canadian Dopplebeaters representing Prout Academy of Magic."

As Harry soared up, his nerves evaporated. He loved this feeling…the air whipping at his hair--a little more than usual this time, with the wind and all, the feeling of being so high, and seeing everything.

Right away, he pulled up from the game and scanned the stadium, looking for that telltale glint of gold, a flutter of wings. Suddenly, a Bludger shot toward. He swerved, barely avoiding. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw another Bludger to his right. Pulling his broomstick up a bit, he just barely avoided it. Wood has been right…the team's Beaters were very good.

"Oh, and the Dopplebeaters' Bludgers nearly hit the Hogwarts seeker now. It's Hogwarts in possession, Katie Bell approaching the scoring area. She aims and--oh, that was close. Quaffle intercepted by Harrington, and now it's Prout in possession. Harrington passes to Smith. He's going for the points. He throws…ohhhhh, and it's through! 10 points to Prout."

Harry looked at Ron, who made a face. Harry smiled sympathetically, and circled the game, searching for the Snitch. He saw the other team's seeker doing the same. Harry continued listening to Lee's commentary.

"And it's Smith with the Quaffle! He's approaching the scoring area…he aims…throws…and it's in! Another 10 points to Prout!"

Harry groaned loudly as a heavy gust of wind nearly blew him off his broom. Fiercely determined, he directed his broom back in position and scanned the skies again, searching for the snitch. While he had been doing that, Prout had scored another 30 points, bringing the score 50-0, in favor, of course, of Prout. Harry was starting to feel the beginning of a slight panic. He opened his eyes wide in the wind, gripping his broom as tightly as he could.

"And Prout scores another 20 points," Lee Jordan was saying dejectedly. "…bringing to score to 70-0." Fred and George were pelting Bludgers everywhere now, evidently not caring if their bats made contact with Bludger or human. Even the heavy Bludgers seemed to be having trouble with the wind. They swerved wildly, skidding out of control at times. Harry felt his spirits sinking lower and lower. Then --"And Gryffindor scores! The score is now 100-10!"

Harry gasped out loud. 100 points?? If they scored 50 more, then they would win no matter what! Harry turned in the wind and found himself facing another fierce gust of wind.

Suddenly something small and hard blew into his cheek. "Ow!" Harry said angrily, putting his hand to the spot. He felt something small and round. Hardly daring to believe it, he cupped his hand in front of him…he had the Snitch! Harry wanted to laugh. The Snitch had blown into him! He heard Madame Hooch's whistle, and then six scarlet blurs were shooting toward him. The Gryffindor team was yelling themselves hoarse, sinking to the ground, tangled in a big knot. Harry was grinning so hard his cheeks hurt, and he raised the Snitch above his head to the shrieking crowd above…

All in all, it was pretty good day…Harry now felt light as a feather his troubles cast off to the side. It was growing dark when Harry and Ron walked back onto the Quidditch field to retrieve their broomsticks. They were chattering excitedly, walking in the shadow of Hogwarts' enormous shadow.

Suddenly, Ron put up a hand. "Did you hear that?" he said. Harry stopped talking and listened. He thought he heard a slight rustle of a cloak…Without warning, a brilliant green jet of light sliced through the cheerful atmosphere. Harry stumbled backwards and fell, throwing an arm up against the blinding light. His eyes closed, and the light grew dimmer, as the now-familiar cackling, high and eerie, floated through the silent strains of the grounds.