AN: I apologize for the three-day delay. I was sick, it was my brother's birthday party, and I am still dealing with my house. Enjoy the chapter!

Dumbledore placed a hand on Snape's shoulder again and said, "Let us retire to the castle and assure ourselves that those lucky Gryffindors managed to tuck it in for the night."

Holly mentally counted to ten after the teachers walked away. It was only after she counted that she threw the cloak off. Rolling her body, she plopped into the mud and leaves while Ron stretched his long legs. He whispered, "Can you believe? Fifteen points from each of them. That's sixty points gone."

"We don't have time for that, Ron." Hermione whispered stressfully, "Didn't you hear Professor Dumbledore? They are going to check on all of us. Likely, McGonagall will go to the girls' dormitory and Professor Dumbledore will go to the boys'. Come on."

All three scrambled up the embankment and raced through the forest. Holly managed to fall to her knees twice, but she only jumped to her feet and hobbled her way out of the forest. All three successfully hid behind Hagrid's hut as they watched Dumbledore stop to speak to a half-asleep Hagrid, who was clutching his pink umbrella in his hand. Holly had always held a suspicion that the umbrella was really Hagrid's wand, which the Ministry of Magic thought was broken and trashed.

"It is quite alright, Hagrid." Dumbledore said, "There were a few students who thought it would be fun to mingle with a Manticore. I assure you, the situation is handled now. Isn't that right, Severus?"

The dark wizard was standing by Dumbledore's side, but was no longer paying attention to the conversation at hand. Instead, he had been pointedly glaring at a large boulder several yards in front of the hut. The boulder in which Holly and her friends were cowering behind. When addressed, Snape turned back to Dumbledore and dryly said, "I think I will take my leave now, Headmaster."

"Of course, Severus, of course." Both wizards began walking up the swirling stone path with the castle looming above them.

Ron whispered, "Do you think McGonagall has realized we aren't there?"

"Honestly," Holly replied, "I doubt we will get away with this."

"Yes," Hermione spoke in a sad tone, "Four seventh years were caught. I'm sure they will tell Professor McGonagall that we killed the Manticore."

With a sigh, the trio crossed the remaining distance as quickly and as silently as possible. They used the same design as before- Holly leading the group with the Invisibility Cloak and the Marauders' map- while Ron and Hermione hide nearby until Holly deemed the corridor cleared. By the time they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, they were all full of anxiety.

Holly asked, "What if McGonagall or Dumbledore is in there?"

"I'll go in first." Hermione pushed forward, "If either are in there, I can claim to have an upset stomach. For all they know, I've been in the lavatory all night."

"What do we do?" Ron asked in a panicked voice.

Hermione pointed a few feet to the right and said, "You need to hide behind that statue, Ron. It isn't the best idea, but it will do. Holly, hide underneath the cloak."

Holly and Ron did as they were told. Hermione gave the password and entered the common-room. The portrait slammed back into place and all was silence once more. Ron whispered, "How do we get into situations like this, Holiday?"

Holly muttered, "Normally, you or I have a stupid idea. Our idea usually leads to Hermione coming up with a brilliant plan and saving us all."

Several minutes passed before the portrait swung open and Hermione stuck her bushy brown head out and hissed, "Get in here quickly!"

Ron and Holly rushed forward and tumbled into the common-room. It was empty at such a late hour. Ron demanded, "Did Cormac get caught?"

"No," Hermione shook her head, "I went up to the girls' dormitory and spoke with Katie. She says she and Cormac managed to hide in a tree until McGonagall passed by."

Ron looked disappointed by this news. A moment passed before Hermione said, "I think I'm going to bed. Goodnight to you both."

Holly offered her a night's worth of sweet dreams before Hermione climbed the staircase and disappeared. Ron yawned hugely and said, "I guess it's time to call it a night, huh?"

Holly shrugged and wordlessly went up the staircase. Ron gave one final wave from across the room before disappeared behind a solid door that led to the boys' dormitory. She dressed in her pajamas quietly and fell into bed with exhaustion.

Holly woke only a few hours later by Ron rapping loudly on the door. Blinking heavily, Holly glanced around and discovered the dormitory to be empty. Ron pounded on the door twice more before throwing it open and saying, "Get up now! The match starts in thirty minutes, Holly!"

She blinked once more and took in the burgundy Quidditch robes wrapped around Ron's tall frame. She gasped and bolted straight out of bed. She scrambled to find her Quidditch robes, which were tucked safely inside the pocket of her trunk. It was only as she was pulling on her favored dark pants that she saw Ron's face blazing scarlet in embarrassment. She wore a thin, strapless shirt and underwear- her usual bedtime pajamas. She felt her own cheeks heat up, but she had no time for embarrassment at her blunder. She said, "Grab me a cup of Pumpkin Juice, won't you, Ron?"
"Uh," Ron mumbled, "Sure, Holly. I'll see you in the Great Hall in a minute."

Holly slipped into a plain t-shirt before buttoning her Quidditch robes. She strapped on her lightweight gear and hastily combed her fingers through her hair before pulling it back with an elastic band. She hopped around on one foot while putting on her muddy black tennis shoes. Holly allowed a single moment to stare at herself in the mirror. She didn't care about the mess of curly black hair or the lightening scar on her forehead. She didn't really care about her pretty emerald eyes or her too-slim figure. She only saw the brilliant burgundy robes clinging to her body. With a quick grin, Holly grabbed her Firebolt from underneath her bed and slipped her wand inside of a hidden pocket of her robes. She dashed out of the dormitory and through the Common Room. She ran down the corridors and waved as several people shouted out joyously at her.

"Good luck with the match!"

"Knock Slytherin on their asses, Holly!"

"Yeah, do your thing, Holly!"

"Gryffindor will win for sure!"

Holly felt her spirits soaring higher as she came to a skidding halt at Gryffindor table. The Great Hall was usually packed, but the majority of students were heading out of the doors. Many more offered her good-natured compliments as she dropped breathlessly beside Hermione, Ron, and Neville. She said, "Good morning, you all."

Neville replied with a crooked smile, "I heard of the excitement the three of you had last night."

Holly nodded and grabbed the large cup of juice Ron wordlessly passed her. She took a big, satisfying gulp before saying, "It was quite a night."

Hermione snorted and hauntingly replied, "We won't make it through the day without detention."
"Why are you being so negative, Mione?" Ron asked.

Hermione gestured discreetly to the teachers' table and hissed, "I heard from Hannah Abbot that Pansy and Malfoy were talking about the Manticore. Apparently, Katie's friend Susie told Professor McGonagall about the entire thing."

"Who is Susie?" Holly wondered as she stuffed a piece of toast in her mouth.

Hermione rolled her eyes and answered, "One of the seventh years caught last night."

Ron shrugged and stated, "Detention won't be so bad."

"Ronald," Hermione replied in annoyance, "We have N.E. to prepare for on top of leading D.A meetings and Duel Meetings. Holly and I also have a Potions Project coming up soon and the both of you have Quidditch practices."

Ron shrugged again and replied, "So what if we are a little busy?"

Holly stood up abruptly and pulled on Ron's arm. She quickly said, "Let's go. We need to warm up a bit and the game will be starting soon."
Ron stood up and began to follow Holly. She gave a wave and said, "See you and Neville after the game, Hermione."

Hermione sighed and gave a tired smile before saying, "Have a good game. Both of you be careful."

Ron and Holly walked side by side with their shoulders brushing. Holly glanced at her best friend and quietly questioned, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Ron shrugged and said, "No problem."

"It's okay if you're nervous." Holly said casually, "I'm nervous too."

"Why?" He asked quickly, "Do you think we will lose?"

Holly laughed and said, "No way. We will crush Slytherin."

"Oh." Ron nodded and added, "Yeah. We'll win. Easy."

"You are a great Keeper, Ron." Holly said as they came closer to the pitch.

"Thanks, Holiday." He replied as they entered the small tent designed as a room for the Gryffindor team. As soon as they entered, they found the rest of the team sitting on wooden benches. Ginny offered a quick grin as she asked, "You ready to smash some snakes, Captain?"

Holly raised an eyebrow and said, "I don't want to smash them. I want them destroyed. Who's with me?"

Cormac and Katie cheered loudly while Ginny laughed.

Holly clapped her hands together and said, "We have practiced hard and we have too much talent to let Slytherin whip us. Our Chasers are the fastest, our Beaters are strongest, and our Keeper is a genius when it comes to strategy. I want to allow us to get a solid start on points before I go for the Snitch. If I see Slytherin gaining, though, I'll swoop in and grab that Snitch before Malfoy knows what's happening."

Holly felt the slightest tremble in her fingertips as adrenaline began to pump through her. She could hear the wave of blusterous noise coming from the stands. She nodded and her team stood. They followed closely behind her as they exited the tent. Her green eyes swept over the massively towering stands; people jumped and cheered and screeched. Slytherins offered rude gestures and threw out food when they thought teachers weren't paying attention. Holly grinned and offered a nod when she caught sight of Hermione and Neville loyally waving Gryffindor flags high in the air. Hermione let out a particularly loud screech and Holly rolled her eyes happily.

She and the rest of the Gryffindor team came to a standstill on their side of the field. A few yards away, closer to the middle of the pitch, stood the Slytherin team in all their green glory. Malfoy offered a haunting sneer that would have weakened the knees of a lesser person than Holly. She gave a sharp smirk in his direction before throwing her leg over her Firebolt. She felt it trembling underneath her with its eagerness, but she held it steady and called out, "Mount your brooms!"

She felt more than heard or saw her teammates gearing up from behind her. They all formed a V formation, which she knew caused murmurs of confusion to rise up around the stadium stands. This was, after all, a strategic idea of Ron's. Madam Hooch was talking loudly using an amplifying charm, "All of the players need to get ready!"

"On my mark!" She cried, "I want a clean match. Ready, set, GO!"

Holly held up her left arm high up in the air with her five fingers spread out. The Slytherins instantly burst into the air as Hooch released the balls. Holly screeched, "NOW!"

Her Beaters and Chasers took off at incredible speeds and she was filled with golden satisfaction at the speed of Jimmy and Thomas; all of those maneuvering and agility lessons had paid off for them both. She watched with the eyes of an eagle as her team went about their specific jobs, but she never once moved from the ground some hundred feet below the game. Ron was high in the air, defending his position with avenges. She rose up in the air slowly and lazily, as if she hadn't a care in the world to bother her. She pretended as if she didn't see Slytherin's Beaters, Crabbe and Goyle, hitting the Bludgers toward her with all of their might. She dodged the first with an expert backward flip that had the crowd cheering and booing in booming voices.

She could hear the angry screeching as Ginny came flying forward and busted shoulders with a Slytherin Chaser. Ginny held tightly to the ball with her right hand while ramming her shoulder against the Chaser a second time. Holly yelled out, "Tuck it in, Ginny!"
The redhead abruptly dropped about five feet lower and did a quick tailspin before zooming off toward her respective ring. The commentary, played by a rather enthusiastic Gryffindor two years younger than Holly, was cheering and praising Ginny's quick thinking. Holly grinned wickedly as Ginny threw the ball with the skills and speed of a professional player. The Slytherin Keeper didn't have time to blink before the bell sounded and a girlish voice exclaimed, "TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!"

Severus tried to remain oblivious to the fact that his House was losing by thirty points as he watched Holly Potter soar across the pitch as if she were an amazing bird of prey. He reluctantly had to admit that she was talented. He wasn't sure of her strategy; she was simply floating around the pitch and dodging cruel hits. He didn't see the Snitch anywhere, but he was no fool and he knew Holly was completely prepared for her victory. Malfoy was grinning wildly and darting across the field; he would cheer and whoop in a most undignified manner every time one of his teammates managed a particularly heavy hit to the Gryffindors.

"It seems that our lions are organized now more than ever," Albus commented conversationally, "Do you see how the Beaters stay together and work in union?"

"Yes," Minerva answered in a barely conserved tone, "Peakes and Dean only separate when Crabbe or Goyle get too close to one of the Gryffindor Chasers or Holly herself."

"Two times the power." Albus replied thoughtfully, "Simple and effective."

"I wonder yet what Potter is doing…" Minerva stated.

"Oh, I'm certain Holly has a plan. Talent for the sport runs in her veins too strongly not for her to successfully complete her plan, don't you think, Severus?"

Severus met the twinkling gaze of two cerulean eyes before dryly saying, "I'm sure Miss Potter will have no trouble showing off as all Potter blood is bound to do."

Albus chuckled, but the sound was drowned out by an amplified shout, "ANOTHER TEN POINTS FOR GRYFFINDOR! THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL BLOCK BY RON AND A SOLID SCORE BY GINNY!"

Severus swept his sharp gaze across the pitch before he lingered on the still figure of Holly several dozens of yards away from the teachers' stand. It was difficult for him to make out her facial expressions, but he could tell by the position of her body that her attention was focused. She sat ramrod straight on her Firebolt with her knees locked tightly against the broom. Her hands were fisted on the handle and her head was held high with her chin sticking up. Her full lips were set in a determined and firm line. Severus followed her hot gaze and found that she was glaring at Draco.

The boy reminded him much of Lucius in that moment; he was too proud for his own good. His bright, blonde hair was slicked back and his angular face was one of absolute superiority. He grinned viciously and dramatically shot down toward the grass. All around, in both the student and teacher section, people gasped and stood up to get a better look as the two Seekers spiked toward the ground. Severus stood up slowly and frowned as Potter and Malfoy nose-dived like speeding bullets from a gun. He was shocked and disgusted when he felt his heart speed up in abrupt anxiety.

Minerva's voice was thin as she stated, "They will crash, Albus."

Severus watched as Albus discreetly pulled his wand from the purple sleeve of his robes and held it in front of him. It was lowered, but poised to jump forward with only a second of notice. Severus stared as the two Seekers came within ten feet of reaching the ground before Malfoy hastily pulled back. The result was rather sloppy and humorous to watch as the Slytherin darted sideways to avoid a fatal crash. He couldn't hear her, but he saw Holly's face shining with amusement as she laughed and darted upward in a clean swooping motion. She watched as Malfoy angrily gestured and yelled. Holly spoke back, but the amusement never left her face.

"She tricked him." Minerva stated in an approving voice.

Severus sighed lowly as Albus laughed and said, "Excellently done."

"He dove first," Minerva said, "I wonder what made him assume the Snitch was down below."

"Her body positioning." Severus answered in a monotone voice, "She was relaxed and watching her teammates until she suddenly became tensed and transfixed on a particular area. She deceived him and brought him to a dive in the general direction that she was looking."

The game continued for several minutes before Slytherin managed to score. He could tell that Mr. Weasley was irritated with himself for missing the Quaffle, yet he properly blocked the next three throws before Slytherin scored once more. "SIXTY TO THIRTY WITH GRYFFINDOR AHEAD! OH, A NASTY HIT BY CRABBE FOLLOWED BY A CATCH FROM KATIE! SHE SHOOTS; SHE SCORES! SEVENTY FOR GRYFFINDOR!"

There was a sudden yell of worry from the Gryffindor stand followed by screams of, "GO, POTTER!"

Severus stood up once again, but this time it was quicker than either Albus or Minerva. His long lingers curled around the edge of the wall in front of him as his tension mounted. Malfoy and Potter were closing in distance, both diving toward the ground once more. He caught a glint of tiny fluttering wings about fifteen feet below the Seekers and knew that the game was about to end. He sighed hotly and muttered, "You're too close, Potter. Pull back. Damnit, pull back."
She did not hear nor listen to him, which he thought was rather typical of the child. His heart skipped a beat and he lost all breath as the two collided with a thundering clap. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized Minerva had let out a sharp cry from behind him. He was already pulling out his wand as he realized Albus was doing the same. He sucked in a deep breath and boomed, "TARDA CADENT!"

AN: Sorry for the abrupt cut off, but this was already 3,100 words and I usually make shorter chapter. Can you guess what my lovely Severus will do?:) I have a person picked for a sneak peak and will be distributing another sneak peek to the 80th Reviewer. For all to know: Next chapter will be...big;) I will update before Friday as a treat and an apology for being late on this chapter.