Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor am I attempting to make any personal gain from this story.
Harry Slithers-in; Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 14: Exam Time
The last Quidditch match would occur in late May but this didn't stop Montague from getting the team into training early in the third term. The first week back after Easter break Slytherin were out training three times a week. Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain, had his team training at least as often and, inevitably, there came a clash in bookings for the pitch.
"I booked the pitch for this evening," Wood shouted when he found the Slytherins training Thursday evening.
"I booked it first," Montague replied in an equally loud voice.
Just then the Ravenclaw team arrived, and soon a three way argument started.
Not long after this, and before anybody came to blows, Hagrid entered the stadium. "Wha's goin' on here?" he bellowed.
"I booked the pitch," Wood shouted.
"I booked it," Montague shouted.
"I booked it for this evening," shouted Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw captain.
"Enough," Hagrid thundered. "All three of yer, come with me." The three captains all followed Hagrid leaving their teams behind.
All three teams moved to a different part of the pitch, exchanging angry glares as they did so. Warrington called the Slytherins together and they had a quiet discussion while closely watching the other teams to make sure no-one was spying on them. The other two seemed to be doing the same as well.
A few minutes later Hagrid returned with Madam Hooch and the three captains. Madam Hooch addressed them all.
"According to my information, which I assure you is entirely accurate, Ravenclaw have booked this pitch for this time. Montague, Wood, you cannot just turn up whenever you want to and expect to be able to train here. In future both of you should check with me if the pitch is available, not your head of house."
"But…"
"No arguing, Wood," Madam Hooch said.
"Madam…"
"Be quiet, Montague. Both Gryffindor and Slytherin leave now."
Montague went to Professor Snape while Wood went to see Professor McGonagall. Both heads of house told their respective captains to consult with Madam Hooch in future.
The Slytherin team were not happy with the decision but it would free up more time for other things such as homework. With the help he and his fellow third years had received from older students Harry, Tracey and the rest now felt more confident about their rune translations while the assistance they were offering younger students was helping them with their own understanding of other subjects.
The next Hogsmeade visit took place early in May. As promised Sirius met with Harry and Tracey and took them on a guided tour of the village and some of the surrounding countryside. As part of this they went into the foothills of the nearby mountains where they found a number of caves that offered some shelter from the elements. Before they returned to Hogwarts Sirius gave Harry a mirror, explaining that it was a two-way mirror. He said if Harry ever wanted to talk to him about something he should just say Sirius' name into the mirror and they would be able to talk face to face.
That evening Harry decided to try out the mirror. "Sirius Black," he said into it.
"How are things?" Sirius replied immediately.
"All good. I was just trying the mirror out to see how good it is."
"I wondered how long it would take you to try it. This is pretty much the time I expected to hear from you. Is there anything else?"
"Not at the moment. In future I'll only use this mirror for emergencies. Good evening, Sirius."
"Bye, Harry."
The next month saw Harry dividing his time between Quidditch practices (3-4 times a week) and study. The last round of Quidditch matches began on the last Saturday of May when Hufflepuff defeated Ravenclaw. As a result of this match Gryffindor would need to defeat Slytherin by at least 200 points if they were to take the title. All Slytherin needed to do was win the match since this would mean they would be undefeated throughout the competition.
Slytherin made one change to their starting line-up with Adrian Pucey coming in for Draco Malfoy. Pucey hadn't been training any better than Malfoy but Montague decided he wanted all his biggest players in the team for the match. Harry thought this was a mistake but kept his opinion to himself. Malfoy, however, didn't take kindly to being dropped and he had an argument with Montague that resulted in him receiving a detention when Snape overheard the language he was using.
The day of the match arrived and Harry and his teammates were given a guard of honour by the rest of their house. Over at the Gryffindor table much the same thing was happening. The Slytherin team sat together surrounded by their supporters trying to relax and concentrate on the game ahead. This was made difficult, however, by Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students clearly (and loudly) expressing their support for Gryffindor every time they passed the Slytherin table. Harry thought some of these students were deliberately going out of their way to try and disrupt the Slytherins' breakfast.
Eventually Montague took the team down to the changing sheds earlier than needed. Once there (and safely away from the other students) he outlined their plan for the match. All three chasers were to keep back to provide backup for the keeper. This would give them as strong a defence as possible by reducing the likely openings for the Gryffindor chasers and affecting their scoring opportunities. If the opportunity arose, however, they would break out trusting the speed of their brooms to outstrip the Gryffindors. Hit-and-run tactics he called them.
The beaters were to do their normal jobs. The Weasley twins were both good players and Slytherin couldn't afford to leave them unmarked. Harry's job was to find and catch the snitch as quickly as possible – the sooner the game was over the better as Montague put it.
In the game the Slytherins strongly defensive tactics drew a great deal of comment and Harry more than once heard the commentator, Lee Jordan of Gryffindor, claim they were illegal. Despite the move Gryffindor were still able to score several goals and were leading 40 – 10 when Harry saw the snitch at the bottom of the Gryffindor goal posts. He turned and raced past McLaggen, the Gryffindor seeker but found his way blocked by the keeper, Wood, who tried to knock Harry off his broom. This illegal tactic resulted in a penalty which Slytherin scored from. A mid-air fight soon after saw both teams awarded penalties, both of which resulted in goals, before Harry once again saw the snitch. He climbed to the same altitude as it before turning and racing toward it. He heard several shouts from other players and had to avoid two bludgers sent his way by the Weasley twins but he managed to catch the snitch, winning the game by 180 – 50.
The team were ecstatic. This was their first title in three years and that evening in the Common Room they held a victory party the likes of which Harry had never experienced before. It was after midnight before Professor Snape entered the Common Room and told them to go to bed. He reminded them they had exams coming up in just over a weeks' time so they would need to concentrate on that if they wanted to round out the year successfully.
Monday morning Harry received a note from Hagrid saying that the appeal over the decision to have Buckbeak the Hippogriff put down after it had injured Draco Malfoy back in September would be held on the last day of exams. After classes that day Harry and Tracey went out to Hagrid's cabin to speak to him about it.
"Are you all ready for the appeal a week from Friday?" Harry asked.
"I'll do my best," Hagrid replied "but I dunno; Lucius Malfoy seems pretty determined."
"Have you had any help?" Tracey asked.
"Oh yeah. Ron Weasley's bin helpin' lately an' before tha' Hermione Granger was doin' wha' she could, too. Lately, though, she's been too busy wi' all her classes."
"I think it's time I called in a favour," Harry said.
"Are you going to talk to Draco?" Tracey asked.
"Yeah. I think I might be able to use my influence, and he does owe me one, after all."
Harry declined to explain any further but come Saturday he asked Draco if they could talk in private.
"I assume you know that Buckbeak's appeal is this Friday," Harry began,
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it." Malfoy seemed almost excited at the prospect.
"I think it would be better if Buckbeak wasn't killed. I think he should just be banished from the grounds. That would be better for all concerned."
Draco glared angrily at Harry. "That thing mauled me. It deserves to die."
"I've met Buckbeak," Harry said calmly. "I found him to be a very proud, intelligent animal. In fact he reminds me somewhat of your father."
"What are you implying?" Draco demanded.
"I think you upset him, so he struck out at you. He is an animal after all; they don't think about their actions. they just run on instinct. A person would have found a different way to express themselves. Instead of resorting to violence they would probably have talked to you and asked for an apology."
"I am not going to apologise to a wild animal."
Harry sighed. He had hoped he wouldn't need to resort to this but it seemed Draco was leaving him no choice. "The Heir of Slytherin does not want to see the Hippogriff named Buckbeak put down. The Heir would like to see the animal removed from Hogwarts and taken to a safe location where it will not have any direct interaction with the students."
After a few moments Draco nodded. "I'll talk to father. I can't promise anything though."
"Thank you, Heir Malfoy. I hope this will lead to a satisfactory outcome for all concerned."
Harry's exams took all his attention over the next week. He was confident he had done well in most of them but Ancient Runes was still causing him some concern. His last exam was Friday morning and, at lunch, he decided to visit Hagrid to find out how the appeal went. He approached Hagrid's cabin but was met part way there by Professor Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon, Harry. How did your exams go?" the Headmaster asked.
"I think I did ok in nearly all my subjects, sir. I know I tried my best anyway."
"And to do one's best is all one can hope for. I assume you intend to visit Hagrid?"
"Yes sir. I was curious as to how Buckbeak's appeal went."
"Most surprisingly Lucius Malfoy withdrew his insistence that Buckbeak be executed. He has, however, insisted the animal be removed from Hogwarts immediately. Buckbeak is being held in a secure and isolated location until a new home can be found."
"Thank you sir, I am very pleased to hear that. If you will excuse me I must visit Hagrid to give him my congratulations."
"Of course, Harry. Good afternoon."
Harry knocked on Hagrid's door. Hagrid threw the door open and said, "We won, Beaky's goin' to live."
"I know. I met Professor Dumbledore on the way here. Have you found anywhere to send him yet?"
"No but I'm gonna keep lookin'.
Just then there was another knock on the door. Hagrid opened it to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
"Hello, Hagrid," Hermione began. "We heard about Buckbeak. Congratulations."
"It's thanks to all three of yer," Hagrid replied.
"What did Harry do?" Ron asked.
"Harry said he'd have a word wi' the Malfoys. That musta helped," Hagrid explained.
Before anyone else could speak, however, they heard a voice from Harry's pocket. "Harry Potter."
Harry took out the two-way-mirror. "Hello Sirius."
"Harry, listen carefully. Peter Pettigrew has escaped from Azkaban. We are fairly sure he's heading back to Hogwarts so you need to be careful."
"Pettigrew escaped?" Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid all spoke at the same time.
"Who are you with?" asked Sirius.
"I'm at Hagrid's with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."
"Ah Ron, your rat. Alright. All of you listen. Dumbledore knows; the Ministry contacted him just before I called you. Despite Dumbledore's protests the dementors are being sent back to Hogwarts. Everybody is to be informed of that this evening. Don't do anything silly and you'll be fine. That applies to all of you, by the way."
"We should get back to the castle shouldn't we?" Hermione offered. "We will be safer there than in the grounds."
"That's a good idea," Sirius said. "All of you do that and make sure to tell your friends. Harry I'll see you back in London on the 30th. Bye for now." The mirror went blank.