Game 1:Gryffindor versus Slytherin

Well, it all began on an uncharacteristically hot and windy Tuesday afternoon on the Quidditch pitch. No, it began in the locker rooms. Gryffindor and Slytherin respectively. Harry the Gryffindor Quidditch captain was giving his team of half-asleep witches and wizards a pep talk.

"Wake up the lot of you!" he shouted with an amount of vigour that sent all of the teams' heads snapping out of dreamland. "We HAVE to beat those slimy Slytherin gits!" the slight smirk on his face showed that the insult wasn't heartfelt, but in lieu of past rivalries.

In the Slytherin locker rooms, Draco was encouraging his already pumped up team with a few choice words. "We will beat Potter and his excuse of a Gryffindor Quidditch team. It's my last chance to beat these Gryffs, so let's kick their arses." He said as there were hoots of laughter. "Play rough, as usual. Dirty tactics." as he said this, he took little notice of whether or not his team was complete or not. Just as he finished he sensed a female presence entering the locker rooms.

"Hi all, we have five minutes according to Madame Hooch" Amara said as she entered, followed by Pansy. Striding purposefully as if she was the captain.

The ground was dry and unforgiving; the air around the pitch was filled with anticipation of the first Quidditch match of the year. As the captains and their respective teams passed each other, Harry and Draco met in the middle of the pitch. Their match playing glares thrown at each other were far from friendly, they were menacing in the least.

"Potter," Draco spat with surprising disgust "we may be alright off the field, but don't think it's the same now. My team and I are going to whip your arses." He jeered at the Gryffindor captain.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Malfoy." He scoffed "besides don't let you mouth write cheques your arse can't cash. I've got the best team out here this year. Handpicked form the top notch. You can't get to me, Malfoy. Just think, this can be my last sweet success before we leave Hogwarts. I get to beat the Slytherin team with Draco Malfoy at the helm."

Draco only scoffed in reply as the saw Madam Hooch walk on the pitch, floating behind her was her official Quidditch equipment kit and around her neck a large silver whistle. "Captains shake hands," Madame Hooch said crisply. Calloused hands shook, "Now I want a fair game from all of you." and Madame Hooch's whistle rang out through the deafening silence and sent dust and grass particles through the air as both teams kicked off with so much force that she was almost knocked off her feet. It had begun.

The quaffle was thrown in the air as the beaters raced to grab it. It was Dean Thomas who took hold on the quaffle first, behind him his fellow chasers followed in a V formation. They ducked and weaved through the poor Slytherin defence, none of the feebly aimed bludgers hit them They split just before dean threw the quaffle to Ginny, disorienting the Keeper, Adrian Pucey. Gryffindor scored.

Bludgers were flying everywhere, the crowd screaming with delight as the teams scored.

Forty minutes into the game the commentator was in for a surprise, as were all the spectators. "Thomas has the quaffle and is zooming past the Slytherin defence, and has scored….. 90-30 Gryffindor" the crowd roared with jubilation.

Slytherin fought back with 5 goals in a row. Meanwhile flying high above the pitch Draco was totally unaware that Harry had spotted the snitch as his mind was on a certain young lady sitting in the stands reading a large tome. "….. 90-80….. Slytherin is catching up. What is Malfoy doing staring into space, shouldn't he be fighting for the snitch. I suspect it's wrackspurts filling his head. He usually isn't this dim-witted" the commentator bellowed.

At that moment McGonagall entered the room and switched the microphone off and said in a stern voice "I'd watch your language if I were you, Miss Lovegood." Once she turned around a cheeky smile crept up on her lips but then turned solemn as she heard Luna continue in a happy voice.

"…. And what do we have here; Harry has apparently seen the Golden snitch. If Gryffindor win this they will be at the top of the competition table. They are chasing for it, in a dangerous nose dive towards the ground….." the suspense was killing the onlookers.

"Malfoy… Potter…. Potter …. And he wins it for Gryffindor. Not such a surprise. Yay! Go Gryffindor. Three cheers for Harry. It's a repeat of last year." She quipped as the crowd went wild, except perhaps the Slytherin stand.

"Gryffindor win 240-80"

As the team congratulated Harry on the catch, Draco had landed close by. White-faced with rage and totally embarrassed at his loss to Potter, he stalked off the pitch and into the locker rooms. Taking a long deserved shower and changing into his 'casuals' he stepped into the spring sunshine. As soon as he found his way to a quiet tree by the lake, he sat down and contemplated on the game and Hermione. Before he knew it, he was joined by the Gryffindors and Slytherins who were joking around and hurling meaningless insults at each other about the game.

As the group of laughing students joined Draco, he finally realised that after the past six year, he can finally say that he has true friends. Hermione took her seat on the right of Draco, unconsciously she leant most of her weight against his torso. The others smiled at the two, silently plotting an intervention.

Next to Hermione sat Theo, Pansy, Amara, Adrian, Blaise, Luna, Ginny, Harry, Ron and finally Lavender.

''Ok, Potter.'' Draco began, ''in lieu of you winning I believe there should be some sort of celebration. With all the trimmings. Butterbeer, firewhiskey and lots of food.'' He said with a smirk as he watched Hermione's distaste in his choice of beverage.

''Well, enough of this chatting and more action, I say.'' Amara said with an air of authority about her. ''Where is this big bash going to take place.''