Chapter 50 Team Work
Professor Scrimgeour from Hogwarts gathered Aurors in the office inside the stadium and lectured them what he had found after the long-term inspection of the cursed imported broomsticks. They surrounded a round table where the cherry twig and the rosewood broomstick were set.
Ron whispered to Harry, "Blimey, is that Victor Krum's model?"
"Yeah, the same cursed broomstick as the one I found at Hagrid's hut." Harry nodded towards the broomstick on the table. "Mr. Murray will mount the same broom at the opening game ceremony the day after tomorrow."
Scrimgeour pulled out his wand and conjured a model of the human body. He set it on the broomstick and let it hover in the air. "Now I'll operate by remote control to let the dummy perform like a professional player. See what will happen."
The dummy player turned itself into the opened window and flew out of the office to the stadium. They followed it and went out of there, too. Soon they noticed the unusual movement. The dummy started zig-zagging in the air and falling down into the ground.
Ron couldn't stand just gazing at it and shouted, "Do something, professor!"
Scrimgeour swished his wand with a blank look and chanted incantation. Then the dummy was on fire and slipped down to the ground. The rosewood broomstick remained in the waist level in the air. Robards pulled out his wand chanting spells. A jet of water shot from his wand and extinguished the fire. A charred body was left on the ground.
Scrimgeour spoke, "The same thing will happen, if Harpies players use the new broomsticks or Mr. Murray tries the Victor Krum's model. Nobody guess which one is cursed and when the curse will be activated."
All the Aurors fell silent at his words, which sent a chill through them all.
Harry asked, "Does it mean one of them will operate from the spot in the stadium?"
"Yes, it will likely to happen." Scrimgeour conjured a waterproof paper and wrapped the broomstick.
Harry had discussed the plan with Williamson and Robards on their way back to their office.
"We should postpone the match till the cursed broomsticks will be found." Harry suggested.
Robards didn't respond. He frowned and was lost in thought for a while. Finally he spoke, "I talked about the postponement with Mr. Murray of Department of Magical Games and Sports. But he said no. We can't let the audience down. Most of them have already bought tickets for the two matches."
They shared the same opinion that Lestrange's inner circle had prevented other high-performance broomsticks from spreading in British market. Scrimgeour was waiting for the arrival of the Holyhead Harpies new broomsticks. He would break the curse cast on them as soon as they would be delivered.
"Potter, tell us the plot, again." Robards asked.
Harry explained the plot he had been thinking after he and Dara came back from St. Govan's Chapel. Robards paced the locker room restlessly. Harry waited for his answer patiently. Finally he permitted him to execute the operation.
Two days passed since then. The new broomsticks hadn't been delivered to the stadium of Harpies yet. If they weren't delivered, they would have used Firebolts. The match day came. The stadium was filled to capacity. Some players of Harpies were seen among them. Ginny must have been there with the other Weasley members. The stadium was wrapped by fervor of audiences. Harry gathered the team mates and Malfoy in the locker room to tell about the operation.
Ron groaned, "Do you mean that Black Forest Company had a cozy relationship with them?"
Harry nodded, "Firebolts had problem that it tended to quiver when a witch used it. That was caused by goblin's curse. The company wanted to hide the fact being afraid the rumor would spread all over the world. They had cursed all the high-performance broom sticks imported since Voldemort held political power. I guess Lestrange took advantage of the weak point of the company, took bribe from them."
George cut in, "Hey, Malfoy, have you heard about the rumor from your father?"
Malfoy raised his brows and said, "How could I know? My father displeased Dark Lord at that time. All we could do was how to survive the war. Potter, why did you call me here? Can I play the opening game?" He loosened his collar and muttered, "It's hot here. The temperature in the stadium is rising. I doubt the owner of Harpies pay enough money for the wizards who perform air-conditioning charm."
"Harry, explain. Why Malfoy is here?" Seamus asked, too.
Harry started explaining, "We'll change the plan. Actually, I never play Seeker in the game. Sato and Malfoy will drink Polyjuice Potions in turn to be me. Malfoy will play in the first half of the match. Sato will play the latter till he catches the golden Snitch. I'll join the team to watch ominous changes. Some of them will show up in the stadium to inspect the spot preparing for the crime."
Naoto Sato whistled and said, "Wow, am I going to be you? I'm honored to be in disguise."
Malfoy didn't hide his disgust, "Potter, I won't drink Polyjuice. I can't stand tasting you!"
Harry glared at Malfoy and said, "It's about time to pay me your life debt, Malfoy. Will you be pleased with inviting them into you Manor, again? I don't think so. I remember your pale face at..."
"Alright, alright. I'll do it, Potter. You don't have to go much further!" Malfoy cut Harry's words and grumbled, "How many times do I have to pay back?"
He finished the outline of the plan and asked, "Do you have any questions?"
George was opposed to him at first, "I can't accept this. I admit Naoto's ability, but Malfoy?"
Ron seconded his brother, "Is there any better way, Harry? We shouldn't cheat Quidditch fans. They bought tickets to see you in the match."
Harry tried continuing calmly as he saw Dean and Seamus showed a sign of interrupting, "I know what you mean but listen. Please follow me. If they have a plan to kill me, they will lead me into a trap during this match."
Malfoy startled, "Wait! I still haven't heard anything about the risk part. You have no right to command me to expose myself to danger!"
George shrugged and said, "See? He has no gut. Ron is right. You'd better play. We'll protect you."
"Draco will play. It's a command. We can't disobey an order of a leader. Potter's plan is our superior's order." Zabini said persuasively, which surprised the rest of all there.
Seeing nobody showed objection, Harry said, "Thank you, Zabini." He reached up the top of his head, grabbed threads of hair and pulled. He pulled out a flask of mud from inside his robes and dropped the hair into the muddy liquid. Smoke went up from the surface and it turned clear and bright gold. He poured the liquid into each small glass and handed out to Sato and Malfoy.
Sato set the stopper on the glass and got excited and said, "I can't wait. I'm ready whenever you want to retreat, Mr. Malfoy."
They began taking off his robes to change into Quidditch uniform. Malfoy showed his disgust before he gulped it down. Harry started pinpointing the areas where Aurors were stationed in the stadium. "If you sense anything weird, shoot red sparks into the air. Referees know it." He pulled over the Invisibility Cloak and opened the door.
Then a familiar voice welcomed them. Lee Jordan was grinning at them, "Hello, Aurors! Would you mind giving us some comments before the game starts? Hey, Harry! Everyone is eager to listen to your determination about the match," Lee found Malfoy in disguise behind Zabini.
Malfoy was taking off his glasses and looked dissatisfied and complained to Zabini. Invisible Harry worried if Malfoy would treat Lee unfriendly.
But George tactfully took a step forward, "Lee! Ask me anything. Harry needs to concentrate now. You know, he is the best! We can't lose this match." He grinned widely at Lee.
"Alright, George. Do you have confidence to win this game? Oliver won't take any pity on you."
"Of course, we do. But we show him no mercy, either, Seamus?" he swung his Beater bat in the air.
Seamus reacted the same way as George. He swung the bat and said, "We've known him for years. We know his tendency where to fly away."
Lee ended the interview with "Okay, guys. Fight for the victory. Listeners are eager to wait for the dramatic report from the stadium." Lee and the radio staffs went back to their linking station.
After Mr Murray's opening ceremony, the players flew away to the pitch one by one. Mr Murray agreed with Robards and suspended his demonstration for the Bulgarian officers. Harry hurried to the spot in the stadium. The blue and golden flags of Puddlemere United were waved near him. Then familiar bushy hair passed by him. It was Hermione.
She mumbled, "I left Ron's message at home." She started fumbling for something in her beaded bag.
Harry took a step closer to her and whispered, "Hey, Hermione, it's me."
"What? Harry? It can't be..." she turned around to his voice.
"Shh! Don't speak aloud my name."
"Oh, I got it. Well," she watched around her to be sure nobody noticed their conversation and got closer to him, "I wonder where Weasleys got seats. I lost Ron's note." She pulled out her wand and cast Muffiliarto. "I was late for work. I was supposed to join them. What are you doing here, Harry? I can see all players of Auror's Team in the pitch." She squinted at the players flying in the air and said, "I thought it was you whose hair is obviously jet-black and he's wearing spectacles..." Then she looked convinced and said, "That means he drank Plolyjuice…who is he?"
"He is Malfoy. Listen, Hermione. I need you. Lestrange and his followers must be hiding somewhere in the stadium. Team mates know it. Williamson and Dawlish are watching Ginny and her family. They'll be targeted. All spectators may be targeted."
The music started. Fourteen players took up positions in the air.
"I'm so excited to do the commentary for the match! We can hear screams for Oliver Wood and Benji Williams. And we can't forget Harry Potter!" Lee's comment resounded in the stadium.
The spectators around them began standing up. Hermione continued, "Are they going to attack you during the match?"
"Maybe. We suspect they're seeing this match among the spectators. They'll send the cursed broomsticks back to Holyhead Harpies till the next match."
Hermione gasped and kept her mouth shut. She seemed to think deeply. Then she spoke, "So will you let Harpies players use their old broomsticks under the pretense of using Hayabusa?"
Her words had him think of the other plan. "Right!" He grabbed her arms and led her to the seats where Weasleys settled. Hermione, dragged by invisible Harry, looked like she was pushing aside the spectacles, raising her left arm up in the air. When he found long red hair among them, he got closer behind Ginny and whispered, "Ginny, it's me. Don't say aloud my name and don't turn around to see me. Just listen."
Ginny jerked up but she didn't turn around and said, "Okay. I'm listening."
Seeing Hermione settled next to Arthur Weasley who was beaming at her, Harry continued, "The new broomsticks haven't been delivered yet. Tell Gwenog to use the old broomsticks you've used. We'll work on them to make the culprits believe they're Hayabusa."
"So we're targeted, aren't we?" She whispered back.
Then Puddlemere United supporters rose to their feet in applause. Puddlemere United seemed to score the points. Harry squinted through the Invisibility Cloak at the pitch. A Bludger shot by George was flying to Seamus. Harry answered, "Yes, you are."
"I'll tell Gwenog. So who is the guy pretending you?"
"I can't tell you now. Keep supporting our team." Then he left there and descended the stairs to the bottom to have a talk with the senior Aurors.
Dawlish and Williamson were patrolling the ground. They sometimes looked up the seats to make sure any strange things hadn't happened.
Harry approached them and asked, "Has the stadium been protected by charms, sir?"
Williamson cast Muffiliarto and answered, "Yes, Potter. If they want to penetrate here, they have to pass the entrance gate. All gates were checked. We haven't found any questionable spectators yet. They have to hold out their wands at the gate. We catch the feature of Lestrange's wand. So even if he tries sneaking here, it's almost impossible. Thanks to the old legendry map you and Malfoy brought in the Auror Headquarters, we can confirm the place where the crime is committed. The problem is, without catching the suspects, we can't have their wands attached with the potion powder Malfoy invented."
Dawlish followed Williamson, "But at least, from this year, all wands of school age children in Britain will be connected with the map."
"Yeah, it's an awesome idea, Potter. In the future, we'll be able to hold the damage to a minimum at the scene of the crime." Williamson agreed.
Harry nodded to the senior Aurors' thoughts, remembering Dumbledore's effort to prevent Tom Riddle from committing felony. Even the smallest bud of crime must be picked up in the earlier time. The tragedy will happen when people keep their eyes close. The past scenes of dueling with Voldemort were recalled in his mind. Voldemort had a deep attachment to the wand's power. He had done anything to complete the evil ambition, even using the other's wand. Then Harry looked around the stadium filled with jostling crowd of excited supporters. Lestrange might have been there carrying the other's wand. He must be looking for a chance to attack him in disguise. Harry hurried to the bench where Sato and the other reserve trainees were standing by.
The Puddlemere United Chasers were shooting a Quaffle sweepingly. Auror's Team Chasers weren't so bad, sometimes Eurig made an admirable shot against Oliver. Both Benji and Malfoy in disguise hadn't caught any sign of a golden Snitch. Now Quaffle was shot to Ron. Ron tried saving it but he failed.
Lee spoke at a mike, "Ed Moor showed off his excellent full speed!"
An excited cry of joy arose from the audience. Harry was proud of his old Gryffindor team mate saved so many times. He could see Oliver gestured towards his team mates to praise their move. George was yelling something to Seamus. Harry guessed they wouldn't be easy on Oliver's team next. George's attempt seemed to be successful in preventing Puddlemere United Chasers from scoring more. The Bludgers shot from his bat flew wildly to the opponent Chasers. Seamus confined their scoring by sending them back skillfully. Since then they didn't allow Puddlemere United to score more. Finally referee whistled and told them the end of the first half of the game. Harry saw Malfoy was at the head of the team to the bench. It was about time Polyjuice Potions would wear off. Malfoy vanished behind the door of the locker room in a flurry. Sato followed him, too.
Meanwhile, Invisible Harry took a step closer to Ron and talked to him, "Did you notice any troubles were brewing during the game?"
"No, I didn't. It was lucky for us that Benji couldn't find the Snitch."
"Yeah, it was. I guess Sato will be a good match for him."
The door of the locker room burst open, Malfoy came out with Sato in disguise. Invisible Harry sat down on the edge of the bench. The referee blew a blast on his whistle, the second half of the game started. Seven brooms of Auror's team soared up higher into the air. Harry was carried away by a sudden impulse to fly up with them. He gave a small sigh and regretted it instantly when Malfoy noticed it.
"I was amazed by you again." Malfoy spoke to nobody. But Harry sensed he tried talking to him. Malfoy continued, "I didn't imagine I could play again. I can't believe I'm breathing here." Then he kept silent. Till the end of the match, Harry didn't hear words from the old rival any more.
"Puddlemere United scored ninety to Auror's Team. Eurig scored five times, it was amazing to see his outstanding play. Beaters of Auror's Team are full of energy! Watch out, Oliver!" Lee Jordan shouted at a mike happily.
As Lee said, George and Seamus hit the Bludgers in sequence. Harry admired their team work. Puddlemere United Chasers were blocked the space to the goal posts completely. Then Benji Williams dived suddenly. Sato noticed the move instantly and followed him. Two Seekers hurtled towards the golden Snitch; Beaters of both teams seemed to have forgotten beating Bludgers and watched them.
Oliver shouted, "Come on, Ed, Peter, Brendan! Shoot a Quaffle!"
Three Puddlemere United Chasers moved fast. Eurig was incited by Oliver's words and played in defense, too. Dean and Zabini responded. Harry and Malfoy kept watching the offensive and defensive battle in the air. Benji and Sato were speeding towards the ground and one of their hands reached the small golden fluttering ball. Harry got delighted to see it was Sato's. Sato fell off his old Silver Arrow and rolled on the ground with the force of speed, with crunching noise in front of Auror's Team bench. Malfoy next to him, muttered, "Ouch..," he made a face.
"Potter got the Snitch! Auror's Team had won by two hundred points to one hundred and ninety. What a close match!" Lee Jordan's voice was resounded in the stadium.
Then an enthusiastic supporter in blue and gold T-shirts climbed over the fence and broke into the pitch. He pulled out a wand and aimed at Sato. Harry got alert and took off his Invisibility Cloak and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
Ron dashed to the spot immediately after he landed on the ground with a wand in his right hand, "What the hell!"
There was a stir in the spectators. Reporters were providing flash lights from the stands. Robards and Sturgis were jogging towards them. While Aurors captured the culprit, Robards told Harry, "The next match will be postponed."
The front page of the Daily Prophet was the picture of two Harrys. After Kingsley set up the new press control, reporters didn't write overreacted criticism against the Ministry. But at the bottom of the page they ended with a quotation, "It is clear that Harry Potter won't betray Quidditch fans at the next match against Holyhead Harpies."
Arthur Weasley put aside the newspaper and sipped a cup of Hawaiian coffee, "Well, where should I begin?" He stood up and pulled out his wand and cast expanding charm.
Then the small rusty metal box became greater in size. He slid it open.
Ron peeped into it and asked, "How did you collect these carbon fibers?"
"From Muggle used tennis and badminton rackets. Not so many of them but, we can do magic to multiply them. The guy named Kaito, who made Hayabusa, sent me this manual. " pointed a sheet of paper on the desk and swished his wand.
Thin and black materials were beat and turned into thinner carbon leaves. He levitated them slowly and laid each leaf on the surface of the old broomstick. Hermione helped him with settling the leaf on it, too.
"Ron, don't snort closer. It can't settle there!" Hermione cautioned in whisper, seeing him get closer to the broomstick,
They heard voices outside of the office room and the door was opened. Scrimgeour entered with Ginny and Harry.
"The new products were delivered and they are under inspection now. Whether they're cursed or not, this attempt will prove of use someday," said Harry.
"Where did you find them?" Ron asked.
"Stadium cleaners found them this morning. We suspect some insiders here are Lestrange's followers."
Scrimgeour tried removing the curse on each new broomstick but they couldn't get conviction that they were safe for players to use. Arthur and Hermione finished the work and the old Firebolts Harpies had used turned into new products by appearances.
The culprit they captured on the first match day confessed the truth after drinking Veritaserum. He was one of Lestrange's followers. Without Harry's disarming spell, Sato couldn't escape the killing curse.
"I checked the goblin's curse as well. The result of it turned to be positive. So if witches use Firebolts, they will feel instability that wizards won't feel at all." Scrimgeour continued, "But I tested the carbon fiber together. With the material, the condition will get much better."
Arthur grinned wide, "I've never imagined that my long-cherished hobby, collecting Muggle junk would be useful."
Harry had never thought that he would play against Ginny in the opening game. Mr. Weasley and George entered the locker room. They came to him and forced him to wear Shield Jacket.
Arthur beamed at him, "Since George and Fred started exploring Defence Against the Dark Arts products, I've been an onlooker but I've been itching to join them."
He frowned at the jacket and said, "Is it effective?"
"We've tested most of the offensive spells except Unforgivable Curses. Harpies players put them, too," George answered confidently.
Robards entered, "Don't mind mission. Play your game. We'll do our duty."
Harry nodded and grabbed his Firebolt. He got out of the locker room with his team mates. A golden talon on a dark green flag was fluttering in the cloudy sky. Next to it, the gold letter, "M" was embroidered on a dark red flag which was a little smaller than Harpies's. On the lower right, there were letters "Quibblers".
"I heard from Luna that her father made the flag for the Auror Headquarters. He must be regretting what he did to us when we visited Luna while we were hunting Horcruxes." Ron stood next to Harry and mounted on the broom. It was Hayabusa the craftsman sent as a demonstration model.
Lee Jordan's vigorous voice filled the stadium, "We're happy to be back to the Holyhead Harpies Stadium! The game has been postponed till now but the time has come! Our patience will be paid finally! At the first match, well…we can't say much about it, Kingsley is listening, ahem, I'm sorry Minister. Okay, we got the list of the starting line-up. Today's special Harpies players are Valmai Morgan and a rookie, Ginevra Weasley. I heard Ginny's scoring average is rising up. She'll catch up with Morgan at the end of this season."
The spectators shouted, "Morgan! Morgan!" Then three dark green robes moved diagonally through the pitch with full speed. They were mesmerized by the quick move of three chasers. Harry chased Ginny's figure with his eyes. He reconfirmed his feeling towards her. If something terrible thing happens, he would protect her from anything with his all might.
"This is the first and final match between Harpies and Auror's Team! We're all lucky to watch this historical opening game. Now, they're off! Show us your excellent acrobatic catch, Harry!"
Lee Jorden spoke at a microphone enthusiastically.
Team play of Harpies Chasers was far superior to Puddlemere United Chasers. Harry felt scoring from Harpies would be harder for Auror's Team. He positioned near Ron in the air to encourage him to save. The scarlet Quaffle was coming and going among three Chasers at full speed. George and Seamus were hitting the two black Bludgers consecutively but none of them hit the mark. Harpies had got fifty points already. Auror's Team didn't score. Though he couldn't stop admiring Ginny's move, he was mortified at a zero.
"Watch out, Ron!" shouted Harry. The sixth Quaffle was shot straight to the center.
Ron barely saved it and threw it back wildly. Eurig caught it and dived to the ground. Harry got Eurig's intention instantly. Morgan and Ginny, followed him together and dived, too.
He glanced up at the Beaters and yelled out, "Hit a Bludger at Harpies!"
Seamus and George shouted something and hit the Bludgers downwards. Harry wondered if George felt sorry for his sister. The two black Bludgers chased the two and one of them found its mark. Hit on the head of her broomstick, Morgan fell and turned a somersault on the ground. Ginny barely escaped from it. She soared up into the air high with Eurig together. Watching over Eurig's first attempt was saved by the Harpies Keeper of strong physique, Harry soared around the gold post level perimeter around Harpies position. Harry hoped he would find a Snitch now. He thought ending the game quickly would prevent Lestrange and his followers from attacking players.
Lee Jordan's voice resonated in the air, "Morgan's broomstick was broken. Gwenog called a time-out. Now a substitute broomstick was carried. Morgan doesn't look injured. What a tough woman! The game will start in five minutes."
The referee blew a blast on his whistle, Morgan soared up in the air. She started zig-zagging and dived to the ground again. The acrobatic move looked like she became a Seeker suddenly. Harry felt something went wrong. He looked around the stadium frantically. Near the gate, he caught the man among the spectators. A hooded wizard fixed his eyes on Morgan and his lips were muttering continuously. Harry sped passing by the box seat where Kingsley was seated and pulled out his wand.
"I think Harry Potter has seen something Harpies Seeker hasn't, oh no, Harry, you can't use your wand to catch a Snitch!" Lee spluttered the mike.
Harry aimed at the hooded wizard and bellowed, "Petrificus Totalus!"
The man's body got rigid and swayed slowly. The two young witches screamed with fear and he fell back. Aurors fought their way across and hurried to the man.
Seeing them carry the culprit to the back seat, Harry shouted to Ginny who was watching him near the goal post, "Call a time-out, Ginny. Morgan's substitute broom was cursed."
Ginny tried to reply. Just then Harry saw the golden glitter of a Snitch next to her. He jerked up on his Firebolt and hurtled towards her.
Ginny realized what he saw and shouted, "Mary, come on! Hurry!"
Mary Griffiths, the Holyhead Harpies Seeker was on his tail. The Holyhead Harpies supporters stood up one after another and waved dark green flags, screaming at two Seekers. The referee was at a loss in the air, couldn't decide whether he should wait or call a time-out. Griffiths gave a shrill cry behind Harry. He forgot his mission for a moment. He enjoyed a pure excitement, flying like a seagull. Trailing the route of the glittering golden ball, he felt like he could reach the ceiling of the heaven. He stretched his right arm and got it. A sudden vision revived in his mind. A boy was laughing in father's arms, he was grasping a small winged ball… Getting back to the pitch, he wondered who the boy was.
"Harry Potter got the Snitch! Auror's Team won!" Lee's voice reverberated through the pitch in Wales.
Aurors couldn't capture Lestrange. But they caught his followers. The background of the incident was revealed and the president of Black Company was arrested and a new president was installed. The new representative announced that Black Company would work in close cooperation with the craftsmen in Japan. According to Ginny, they admitted the goblin's curse on Firebolt and evaluated highly Kaito's new Hayabusa model.
Another worrisome thing was solved by an unexpected outcome. Dara Cadwagan announced that she was going out with Dean Thomas.
When the male trainees got together in Grimmauld Place, Dean said, "I've been on the lookout for the chance. But it wasn't easy because Dara has been madly in love with Harry."
Harry broke into a cold sweat and looked back to Ginny. She was very beautiful even when she got angry. The vacuum in his consciousness prevented him from casting Protego himself, which incurred her Bat-Boggy hex upon him.
Ron muttered to see Harry's predicament, "I sympathize you, Harry. You could beat Voldemort but you couldn't defend yourself against my sister."
A/N: The experience at House Cup 2015 on one community inspired me with thinking of the title. I'll dedicate this chapter to my fellow gryffies.
I'm planning to write one or two more chapters. Thank you for following this story, folks! Please leave your comments below. :)
