Chapter 36
Teachers versus Students
The next two weeks seemed to simply fly by in no time at all. The Student Team practiced nearly as often as they could, and still manage their lessons. It was decided---by a vote of all the members---that the Student Team colors would be purple with golden piping.
The Faculty Team met clandestinely, and practiced long and hard each and every day, which resulted in many a professor walking slowly and awkwardly the next day, nursing injuries incurred during their practices. The Faculty Team decided that their colors would be sky blue with dark blue piping.
When not practicing herself, Madam Pomfrey was very busy aiding numerous patients with minor Quidditch related injuries. Apparently, both squads were feverishly preparing for the upcoming match.
When the Day finally arrived, Harry gathered up the members of his team and herded them down to the Student Team's locker room. As they all began to suit up for the match, Harry spoke, "All right then," he began. "Dumbledore's told me that this match will be a bit more formal than most, so don´t go out until your name is called, okay? When we're finally all out on the field, we'll take a slow run about the pitch before assuming our position and landing."
Ron nodded solemnly, tightening his gauntlets and then shinguards. Patrick Heech looked pale, but he was the epitome of healthiness compared to poor Hannah Abbott, who was white and trembling.
Harry moved over beside her. "All right, Hannah?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah. Sure, Harry," she lied.
"Don't worry," he told her with a confident grin. "You'll do great! Really. You'll see, once play begins, everything else just fades away."
Hannah smiled, just a bit less pale now. "Thanks, Captain," she said, meaning it.
"Now, I know it's important for us to win, but also, remember our bet. If we win, you all get a teacher as your servant for three whole months. Whether you chose someone as a punishment or because you like them, that's up to you," he reminded them all.
"D-Do you really think we can win, Harry?" Hannah Abbot asked.
"Yes, really. I´m certain of it," Harry assured her. "I mean, let's be real, okay? Can any of you really see Snape on a broom? Or Flitwick?" Harry asked, grinning.
That caused even the Slytherins to laugh.
"Right," Harry then said, his voice serious. "Pretty comical, yes. But, don't forget the teachers also have Professor McGonnagal and Madam Hooch...so let's not go getting cocky, either, all right?"
They all turned toward the door as a loud cheering erupted. "Well, I think it's time to go, team," Harry said. "Remember, fly out when they call your name, then join the formation for the introductory lap."
Harry grinned when he heard George Weasley's magically enhanced voice begin to speak. "Good day, all! I'm George Weasley, of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Hogsmeade, your delightful commentator for this match. And, what a match it will be! Student pitted against Faculty in a first ever Quidditch showdown!" That elicited a huge round of cheering from one and all.
"Right then! Let's start by introducing those playing today. I think we'll begin with the
Student Team. If you please, give it up for the Captain and Seeker, Harry Potter!"
Harry kicked his Firebolt off the ground upon hearing his name, he flew out of the lockers, up, and slowly around the field, waving to the crowd.
"Next, let's hear it for the Keeper, Didrick Didly!" George proclaimed, the cheering increasing once more as Didrick flew out to join Harry in formation.
"Now, on to the Beaters, eh? The Beaters are Ron Weasley! And, Rupert Bangor!" George announced.
Ron and Rupert flew out side-by-side, then up to join the Student Team formation. Ron grinned madly at Harry, who could do nothing but grin back.
"Finally, I give you the Student Team's Chasers! Hannah Abbot! Patrick Heech! And Lazarus Lazibee!" George boomed enthusiastically.
The three Chasers flew out to complete the formation, which then flew one slow lap around the pitch before landing neatly upon the field in their proper positions.
"Nice bit of flying there, don't you think? The Student Team!" George encouraged, and Harry and his Team could do nothing but smile at the thunderous ovation. The cheering subsided after a bit, and George tactfully began again.
"And, now...for a rare treat, I bring you the Faculty Team!" George announced. Harry peered over to where the Faculty Team's locker entrance would be, waiting.
"First, may I introduce you to the Team's Captain and Seeker, Professor Minerva McGonnagal!" George thundered dramatically.
McGonnagal shot out quickly, then cleverly spiraled up to assume first position for the formation, leading the lap for the Faculty Team.
"Then, our favorite Potion Master, as well as Keeper, Professor Severus Snape!" George said.
Snape flew out, steady but performing none of Minerva's aerobatics on his serviceable yet somewhat ancient Cleansweep to join beside McGonnagal.
"Now, the First Ladies of Bludgerdom, please put your hands together for Beaters Madam Xiomara Hooch and Professor Batilda Bat!" George announced cleverly.
Madam Hooch, in her amber flying goggles, and Professor Bat flew out as a pair, both mixing up their positions until they joined the formation.
"Way to go, Mum!" Amelia screamed, stamping her feet in approval.
"Finally, the point makers of the Faculty Team, Chasers Professor Sylvia Sprout, Madame Poppy Pomfrey and Professor Victor Vector! Give 'em a cheer, you slovenly lot!" George urged in a loud voice.
The three Chasers whooshed out, line abreast, then snaked their way up to join the formation, completed their lap, and land down on the field to assume their assigned positions. Harry couldn't keep the grin off his face as Professor McGonnagal alighted just opposite him.
"So, ready for three months of service, Professor?" Harry challenged, happy to be competing against McGonnagal.
"In your dreams, Mr. Potter," she replied with an equally determined grin of her own. Harry laughed, excited.
"All right, gather round you lot!" Fred commanded as he approached the center of the pitch wearing a white and black judge robe.
"Now, let's hear it for our judge, hero, and all-around fun guy, Fred Weasley! Woo! Go on, Fred!" George proclaimed, pumping his fist into the air.
"Silly prat," Fred muttered as came towards them all, in his judges robes. "Now, now, Madame Hooch, you needn't worry," he said as he looked upon Xiomara´s pale face. "These are mine, not yours." Madam Hooch breathed again.
"Ah yes...now, where were we?" Fred asked. "Right! Yes, come on now, Captains...make with the shaking of hands already!" Fred grinned almost indecently.
McGonnagal and Harry each offered the other their hand, and shook.
"Aw, isn't that nice?" Fred gushed, which earned him a furious glare from Professor McGonnagal. "Right then. Mount your brooms, and let's have a nice clean match!" Fred continued. "Now, you know how this works. I blow my whistle and the games on, right? Okay, now wait for it. Three, two, one...GO!"
George didn't miss a beat, and ambled right into his commentary. "Heech fields the Quaffle nicely---sorry, Professor Sprout---and the students start the game! Heech over to Abbot, Abbot to Lazibee, then back to Abbot once more! Ooh, nice move, Hannah! Look, it's Abbot over to Heech, and...he scores! Students are now up ten to nothing."
"Still feeling confident, great Grandmother?" Harry asked, bumping into Minerva as they climbed, both looking for the elusive Snitch.
"Don't call me that," McGonnagal chided him. "What are you talking about, Potter?"
"I mean, it's got to be a bit embarrassing to know that we're ahead just after our first run of the game," Harry answered, before he went back to looking for the Snitch.
There came a loud cheering, and McGonnagal quipped to him, as she joined by him again a moment later. "Mr. Potter, I would suggest you listen to Mr. Weasley."
Harry frowned, saying nothing as he divided his time between looking for the Snitch, and George's commentary.
"Sprout over to Pomfrey, then back to Sprout. Sprout jets it to Vector...ooh, nice one, Professor V!" Professor Vector had tossed the Quaffle before himself, then spun his broom sharply around to swat the Quaffle bracingly with the tail of his broom at the Student's right-most hoop. "Oh, the Keeper, Didly hasn't a chance, and Vector scores. Match is ten up now!"
"You were saying, Mr. Potter?" McGonnagal asked, smirking. Harry chose not to answer, and just continued looking determinedly for the Snitch.
After a half an hour's time, the score stood at 120 to 50 in favor of the Student Team. The combination of Abbot, Heech, and Lazibee was too much for poor Professor Snape, who'd evidently spent too many years off of his broom to be of much help to his team.
It was then, just as the Faculty Chasers were gearing up for another scoring run, when Harry spotted the Golden Snitch! The tiny, glittering winged sphere was hovering just beside the viewing stands to the right of the Student's goal hoops. Without hesitation, he tilted his trusty Firebolt over, and streaked down after his quarry.
"Oh, look! POTTER'S SEEN THE SNITCH!" George roared. "Not to be outdone, ah...there she is! MCGONNAGAL DIVES IN PURSUIT...BUT DOESN'T STAND A CHANCE! THERE! HE'S NICKED IT GOOD AND PROPER! THAT'S THE GAME! STUDENTS WIN 270 TO 50!"
Harry held the struggling Snitch up in his hand, showing it to one and all. He then landed and upon doing so, was mobbed by the Student team (well, with the exception of the Slytherins, who did have the good grace to tell him 'good job' at least). The crowd cheered loudly for many a minute, thrilled by the finely played match.
Harry looked at his team gathered around him. "Great game, everyone of you!" he told them, meaning it. "Well, that goes to show you just what we're capable of, eh?" The others grinned proudly, and chuckled. "Now, in addition to winning bragging rights and all that, I believe we've won the bet as well. So..." He paused a moment, then continued. "As Captain, I want the first choice of teachers," Harry said.
"Of course," Ron said. The others nodded, the Slytherins last of all, though.
"I choose McGonnagal," Harry decided.
"Right. I choose Madam Hooch then," Ron then said.
"Ooh, I chose Professor Sprout," Hannah Abbot declared, her cheeks flushed on her excited pale face.
"Right. Then Pomfrey is mine," Patrick Heech said.
"Cool. I chose Vector...he's always giving me extra Arithmancy homework," Rupert Bangor said just a bit too smugly.
"Can't believe it...no one's chosen Snape? Well, in that case, he's mine! He's going to be wearing Gryffindor colors for the next three months, and that's a fact," Didrick Didly announced.
"I'll choose Professor Bat," Lazarus Lazibee said, then looked at Harry oddly a moment. "Is she really a vampire?"
Harry confirmed Lazibee's guesses, but then noticed Professor McGonnagal walking slowly over toward them.
"I suppose you've all chosen your victims, haven't you?" McGonnagal asked glumly.
Harry nodded, which caused McGonnagal to grimace sourly. "Go on, then. All of you, go and talk with the teachers you've chosen," he told the team, who moved past him over to the group of weary, rather glum-looking faculty members.
"Now, Mr. Potter...let me guess," McGonnagal said. "You've chosen me, haven't you?"
"Oh, yeah," Harry said, grinning. He noticed her expression. "C'mon, Professor...it won't be all that bad. We'll meet the Three Broomsticks next Saturday afternoon. Don't be late." Harry gave her a smile, then whistling to himself, he put his Firebolt over his shoulder, and headed back up to the castle and the inevitable victory celebration awaiting him...
Teachers versus Students
The next two weeks seemed to simply fly by in no time at all. The Student Team practiced nearly as often as they could, and still manage their lessons. It was decided---by a vote of all the members---that the Student Team colors would be purple with golden piping.
The Faculty Team met clandestinely, and practiced long and hard each and every day, which resulted in many a professor walking slowly and awkwardly the next day, nursing injuries incurred during their practices. The Faculty Team decided that their colors would be sky blue with dark blue piping.
When not practicing herself, Madam Pomfrey was very busy aiding numerous patients with minor Quidditch related injuries. Apparently, both squads were feverishly preparing for the upcoming match.
When the Day finally arrived, Harry gathered up the members of his team and herded them down to the Student Team's locker room. As they all began to suit up for the match, Harry spoke, "All right then," he began. "Dumbledore's told me that this match will be a bit more formal than most, so don´t go out until your name is called, okay? When we're finally all out on the field, we'll take a slow run about the pitch before assuming our position and landing."
Ron nodded solemnly, tightening his gauntlets and then shinguards. Patrick Heech looked pale, but he was the epitome of healthiness compared to poor Hannah Abbott, who was white and trembling.
Harry moved over beside her. "All right, Hannah?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah. Sure, Harry," she lied.
"Don't worry," he told her with a confident grin. "You'll do great! Really. You'll see, once play begins, everything else just fades away."
Hannah smiled, just a bit less pale now. "Thanks, Captain," she said, meaning it.
"Now, I know it's important for us to win, but also, remember our bet. If we win, you all get a teacher as your servant for three whole months. Whether you chose someone as a punishment or because you like them, that's up to you," he reminded them all.
"D-Do you really think we can win, Harry?" Hannah Abbot asked.
"Yes, really. I´m certain of it," Harry assured her. "I mean, let's be real, okay? Can any of you really see Snape on a broom? Or Flitwick?" Harry asked, grinning.
That caused even the Slytherins to laugh.
"Right," Harry then said, his voice serious. "Pretty comical, yes. But, don't forget the teachers also have Professor McGonnagal and Madam Hooch...so let's not go getting cocky, either, all right?"
They all turned toward the door as a loud cheering erupted. "Well, I think it's time to go, team," Harry said. "Remember, fly out when they call your name, then join the formation for the introductory lap."
Harry grinned when he heard George Weasley's magically enhanced voice begin to speak. "Good day, all! I'm George Weasley, of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Hogsmeade, your delightful commentator for this match. And, what a match it will be! Student pitted against Faculty in a first ever Quidditch showdown!" That elicited a huge round of cheering from one and all.
"Right then! Let's start by introducing those playing today. I think we'll begin with the
Student Team. If you please, give it up for the Captain and Seeker, Harry Potter!"
Harry kicked his Firebolt off the ground upon hearing his name, he flew out of the lockers, up, and slowly around the field, waving to the crowd.
"Next, let's hear it for the Keeper, Didrick Didly!" George proclaimed, the cheering increasing once more as Didrick flew out to join Harry in formation.
"Now, on to the Beaters, eh? The Beaters are Ron Weasley! And, Rupert Bangor!" George announced.
Ron and Rupert flew out side-by-side, then up to join the Student Team formation. Ron grinned madly at Harry, who could do nothing but grin back.
"Finally, I give you the Student Team's Chasers! Hannah Abbot! Patrick Heech! And Lazarus Lazibee!" George boomed enthusiastically.
The three Chasers flew out to complete the formation, which then flew one slow lap around the pitch before landing neatly upon the field in their proper positions.
"Nice bit of flying there, don't you think? The Student Team!" George encouraged, and Harry and his Team could do nothing but smile at the thunderous ovation. The cheering subsided after a bit, and George tactfully began again.
"And, now...for a rare treat, I bring you the Faculty Team!" George announced. Harry peered over to where the Faculty Team's locker entrance would be, waiting.
"First, may I introduce you to the Team's Captain and Seeker, Professor Minerva McGonnagal!" George thundered dramatically.
McGonnagal shot out quickly, then cleverly spiraled up to assume first position for the formation, leading the lap for the Faculty Team.
"Then, our favorite Potion Master, as well as Keeper, Professor Severus Snape!" George said.
Snape flew out, steady but performing none of Minerva's aerobatics on his serviceable yet somewhat ancient Cleansweep to join beside McGonnagal.
"Now, the First Ladies of Bludgerdom, please put your hands together for Beaters Madam Xiomara Hooch and Professor Batilda Bat!" George announced cleverly.
Madam Hooch, in her amber flying goggles, and Professor Bat flew out as a pair, both mixing up their positions until they joined the formation.
"Way to go, Mum!" Amelia screamed, stamping her feet in approval.
"Finally, the point makers of the Faculty Team, Chasers Professor Sylvia Sprout, Madame Poppy Pomfrey and Professor Victor Vector! Give 'em a cheer, you slovenly lot!" George urged in a loud voice.
The three Chasers whooshed out, line abreast, then snaked their way up to join the formation, completed their lap, and land down on the field to assume their assigned positions. Harry couldn't keep the grin off his face as Professor McGonnagal alighted just opposite him.
"So, ready for three months of service, Professor?" Harry challenged, happy to be competing against McGonnagal.
"In your dreams, Mr. Potter," she replied with an equally determined grin of her own. Harry laughed, excited.
"All right, gather round you lot!" Fred commanded as he approached the center of the pitch wearing a white and black judge robe.
"Now, let's hear it for our judge, hero, and all-around fun guy, Fred Weasley! Woo! Go on, Fred!" George proclaimed, pumping his fist into the air.
"Silly prat," Fred muttered as came towards them all, in his judges robes. "Now, now, Madame Hooch, you needn't worry," he said as he looked upon Xiomara´s pale face. "These are mine, not yours." Madam Hooch breathed again.
"Ah yes...now, where were we?" Fred asked. "Right! Yes, come on now, Captains...make with the shaking of hands already!" Fred grinned almost indecently.
McGonnagal and Harry each offered the other their hand, and shook.
"Aw, isn't that nice?" Fred gushed, which earned him a furious glare from Professor McGonnagal. "Right then. Mount your brooms, and let's have a nice clean match!" Fred continued. "Now, you know how this works. I blow my whistle and the games on, right? Okay, now wait for it. Three, two, one...GO!"
George didn't miss a beat, and ambled right into his commentary. "Heech fields the Quaffle nicely---sorry, Professor Sprout---and the students start the game! Heech over to Abbot, Abbot to Lazibee, then back to Abbot once more! Ooh, nice move, Hannah! Look, it's Abbot over to Heech, and...he scores! Students are now up ten to nothing."
"Still feeling confident, great Grandmother?" Harry asked, bumping into Minerva as they climbed, both looking for the elusive Snitch.
"Don't call me that," McGonnagal chided him. "What are you talking about, Potter?"
"I mean, it's got to be a bit embarrassing to know that we're ahead just after our first run of the game," Harry answered, before he went back to looking for the Snitch.
There came a loud cheering, and McGonnagal quipped to him, as she joined by him again a moment later. "Mr. Potter, I would suggest you listen to Mr. Weasley."
Harry frowned, saying nothing as he divided his time between looking for the Snitch, and George's commentary.
"Sprout over to Pomfrey, then back to Sprout. Sprout jets it to Vector...ooh, nice one, Professor V!" Professor Vector had tossed the Quaffle before himself, then spun his broom sharply around to swat the Quaffle bracingly with the tail of his broom at the Student's right-most hoop. "Oh, the Keeper, Didly hasn't a chance, and Vector scores. Match is ten up now!"
"You were saying, Mr. Potter?" McGonnagal asked, smirking. Harry chose not to answer, and just continued looking determinedly for the Snitch.
After a half an hour's time, the score stood at 120 to 50 in favor of the Student Team. The combination of Abbot, Heech, and Lazibee was too much for poor Professor Snape, who'd evidently spent too many years off of his broom to be of much help to his team.
It was then, just as the Faculty Chasers were gearing up for another scoring run, when Harry spotted the Golden Snitch! The tiny, glittering winged sphere was hovering just beside the viewing stands to the right of the Student's goal hoops. Without hesitation, he tilted his trusty Firebolt over, and streaked down after his quarry.
"Oh, look! POTTER'S SEEN THE SNITCH!" George roared. "Not to be outdone, ah...there she is! MCGONNAGAL DIVES IN PURSUIT...BUT DOESN'T STAND A CHANCE! THERE! HE'S NICKED IT GOOD AND PROPER! THAT'S THE GAME! STUDENTS WIN 270 TO 50!"
Harry held the struggling Snitch up in his hand, showing it to one and all. He then landed and upon doing so, was mobbed by the Student team (well, with the exception of the Slytherins, who did have the good grace to tell him 'good job' at least). The crowd cheered loudly for many a minute, thrilled by the finely played match.
Harry looked at his team gathered around him. "Great game, everyone of you!" he told them, meaning it. "Well, that goes to show you just what we're capable of, eh?" The others grinned proudly, and chuckled. "Now, in addition to winning bragging rights and all that, I believe we've won the bet as well. So..." He paused a moment, then continued. "As Captain, I want the first choice of teachers," Harry said.
"Of course," Ron said. The others nodded, the Slytherins last of all, though.
"I choose McGonnagal," Harry decided.
"Right. I choose Madam Hooch then," Ron then said.
"Ooh, I chose Professor Sprout," Hannah Abbot declared, her cheeks flushed on her excited pale face.
"Right. Then Pomfrey is mine," Patrick Heech said.
"Cool. I chose Vector...he's always giving me extra Arithmancy homework," Rupert Bangor said just a bit too smugly.
"Can't believe it...no one's chosen Snape? Well, in that case, he's mine! He's going to be wearing Gryffindor colors for the next three months, and that's a fact," Didrick Didly announced.
"I'll choose Professor Bat," Lazarus Lazibee said, then looked at Harry oddly a moment. "Is she really a vampire?"
Harry confirmed Lazibee's guesses, but then noticed Professor McGonnagal walking slowly over toward them.
"I suppose you've all chosen your victims, haven't you?" McGonnagal asked glumly.
Harry nodded, which caused McGonnagal to grimace sourly. "Go on, then. All of you, go and talk with the teachers you've chosen," he told the team, who moved past him over to the group of weary, rather glum-looking faculty members.
"Now, Mr. Potter...let me guess," McGonnagal said. "You've chosen me, haven't you?"
"Oh, yeah," Harry said, grinning. He noticed her expression. "C'mon, Professor...it won't be all that bad. We'll meet the Three Broomsticks next Saturday afternoon. Don't be late." Harry gave her a smile, then whistling to himself, he put his Firebolt over his shoulder, and headed back up to the castle and the inevitable victory celebration awaiting him...