Conversation Begins:
Aphrodite: Are all doors and possible entrances are closed?
Production team member: Yes.
Aphrodite: Did you make sure Loki's not in the building?
Security team members: Yes madam. The whole building was checked.
Aphrodite: Okay. We do not want him to know she will be here. Oh, dear readers. Welcome back to this story. We are sorry, but there is no show today. We are preparing the studio for a special visit. So, keep reading the chapter. I will see you next time.
The conversation's over.
I do not own anything. All characters and all rights belong to J.K. Rowling. *
M for mature topics just to be sure *
A God with a different shot
By Try Another Time
"The match continues as Marcus, the captain of Slytherin tries to score another ten points for his team. Marcus evades the defense of the crimson team and he approaches the area where Oliver Wood is being chased by a Bludger." Lee says as the match continues. "Marcus is inside the scoring area and throws the Quaffle."
The sphere flies through the air in the direction of one of the hoops.
Oliver sees this and thinks about which one is more important right now. Avoid being hurt by Bludger or try to prevent your opponent from scoring again. "Damnit!" Thinks Oliver as he continues to evade the Bludger that is following him.
"It seems that Gryffindor's captain has given up on defending and leaves the way open for Slytherin to score another 10 points. The game is tie." Lee says as the game continues. Suddenly his eyes focus on the entrance of Gryffindor's team.
A single person appears with his broom in his right hand and a bat in his left hand.
"What is this? Are my eyes imagining it? Harry Potter has entered the field." Lee says, which causes the eyes of many of those present to focus on him.
Many of the adults look at the boy with curiosity and disbelief.
"Is he the replacement for the injured beater?"
"We know that his magic is strong, but his body does not seem to be suitable to replace that position."
"What can a boy that size do?"
The thoughts of several people focused on the idea that Harry is not suitable for the position of a beater, but none knew how prepared the boy was.
Point of view, Harry.
"It's time." Harry thought as he takes his broom and began flying to take his position.
The game was still going on, so Harry had to adapt quickly. From his position, he was able to see Parvati flying at full speed while being followed by Slytherin's seeker. On the other hand, Angelica struggled to maintain possession over the Quaffle. Oliver had managed to evade the Bludger which had been following him, allowing him to return to protect the hoops from possible any other Slytherin player.
"Harry!" Fred said as he approached.
"Fred," Harry said without taking his eyes off his surroundings.
"How's George?" Asked the twin eager to know about his brother.
"He's fine. So, keep your head in the game. I'll need your help for my strategies." Harry said.
"Oh, you seemed ready to crush these snakes," Fred said with remarkable emotion.
"You already know that. Now let's begin." Harry said.
It was time to hunt some snakes.
Point of view, Lee Jordan.
"And the game continues with Harry Potter replacing George Weasley. Angelica Jones passes the Quaffle to one of her teammates as the seekers of both teams continue to attempt to capture the unattainable Golden Snitch. Just look at the speed of these young wizards." Lee comments.
Around the stands, the Golden Snitch continues to evade the attempts of Parvati and the other seeker. Spectators could only duck in reaction to such dangerous pursuit.
As this is happening the fight for the Quaffle continued as Angelica and her other companions continued to try to evade Slytherin's defense, but these snakes refused to let them through.
Slytherin's captain laughed at the annoyance in the eyes of his adversaries
But everything changed in an instant when a single Bludger hit Slytherin's captain with such speed that no one saw it coming. Marcus instantly fell to the ground completely unconscious.
"What is this? Where did that Bludger come from?" Lee asked as he looked everywhere before focusing on Harry and Fred Weasley whom smiled. The plan had worked perfectly.
Moments before.
"I understand, but are you sure you'll be able to do it?" Fred asked.
"Fred, I've been physically preparing for more difficult things for years. Even if I seem weak or unfit for this position you have to believe in me." Harry said as he stretched out his arm and practiced with the bat.
"Ok. I will trust you this time. There's one coming this way." Fred said as he pointed one of the Bludgers moving towards his direction. Fred moved to attract the Bludger and make it speed up. This strategy continues for a few more moments which causes the Bludger to gain momentum.
While being chased by the Bludger, Fred flights straight towards Harry.
Point of view, Harry.
"That's it. Come closer." Harry thought as he waited for the Bludger to be in the place he wanted it. "I just have to swing just like with my sword." His eyes looked for a second at the Slytherin's captain location. "I hope you like my gift."
In what would be a pretty risky move, Fred dives before colliding with Harry leaving the path open for the young Potter and the flying sphere which continued its course towards him. Harry without losing a second hits the Bludger with all his might paying attention to the direction in which he is redirecting its course. The bat receives several cracks due to the force of the impact.
In a matter of moments, the Bludger was redirected to the location of the Slytherin captain and the result was what was expected.
"Don't worry this is just the beginning." Harry thought. "Oliver! I expect you to let me go wild with these plays for the rest of the game. These snakes are going to pray and hope to never see me in a Quidditch game ever again." Harry screamed as looked at his captain.
Oliver looks at Harry and sees his eyes showing an unwavering determination. He still could not understand how such a young boy could possess such strength, but he was glad he was not the one who would get a Bludger sent his way. "Show them what you're capable of, Potter," Oliver replied.
"Fred. You heard him. It's counterattack time." Harry said as he turns his sight towards the Slytherin players.
"Let's do it, Harry," Fred said while looking for the remaining Bludger.
This was Quidditch and although the wounds could be quite severe, everyone who entered the field had to be prepared to face the consequences. This was the beginning of Gryffindor's counterattack.
Moments later.
Slytherin's captain awoke while feeling disoriented. Looking around he could only see the sand on the floor of the Quidditch court and several pieces of wood. After looking up, Marcus was able to see how the game continues to rage on.
"It seems that the Slytherin captain has awakened, but perhaps he is too late to help his team which has seen many troubles. Griffindor currently has 60 points while Slytherin only has 30 points." Lee said.
"60 points!? How long have I been on the ground? Why didn't anyone come and woke me up?" Marcus wondered before seeing the status of several of his team members. Several breathed with difficulty and some seemed close to fainting.
Marcus had not been awake for the brutal hunt Harry and Fred had carried out with the rest of Slytherin's team. If anybody thought before that the boy was unable to play as a beater, now they wished he had never entered the game. Harry had hit the Bludgers with such force that several bats had been broken into pieces during the time that Marcus had been knocked unconscious. These blows caused the Bludgers' speed to increase which prevented Slytherin from planning and regrouping to defend their side of the court.
The game had become a battlefield and viewers could not decide whether to feel sorry or excited to see Slytherin's players struggling to evade the severe impacts that could be caused by the Bludgers.
But even worse for him, it seemed that the chase for the Snitch was about to end.
Point of view, Parvati.
Parvati and the Slytherin seeker flew at full speed while chasing the golden Snitch for what could be the last time of this game. After several moments when they came close to catching the winged ball, the Snitch had changed its flight pattern once again, but this time its direction was upwards. Both players ascended regardless of the barrier that prevented the Snitch from escaping the playing field.
"You must be completely crazy. Flying against me will be your end." Slytherin's seeker said while trying to get Parvati out of the way. The seeker was much bigger than Parvati and his body crashed into her, but it was ineffective against her.
Parvati's mind had focused entirely on catching the Snitch and the fact that someone was trying to take her out was achieving nothing. Although this could also be because of the good physical condition that the young woman possessed. "I'm almost got you, infernal sphere." Parvati thought while extending her hand forward.
Slytherin's seeker lashed out at Parvati once again, but she completely ignored the blow. "What the hell are you?" Shouted the seeker as he continued to try to take out the young woman. His bigger body was slowing him down when compared to Parvati.
"Just a little more," Parvati said while feeling how her fingers almost reach the Snitch.
"Don't think I'll let you do it!" Screamed the guy once more while trying to catch it himself.
In the midst of this situation, the Snitch continued upwards before changing its pattern again and beginning to veer to the left as it felt that the barrier was just in front of it.
"I won't let you get away this time!" Parvati said as she continues to pursue the Snitch.
The new flight pattern forced both players to make a drastic decision which led to them flying upside down while slightly touching the barrier around the field. A false move and they would be in trouble because leaving the playing field leads to foul play.
Spectators admired in amazement as both seekers grazed the barrier alongside the Snitch and started to fly down towards the stands. Several of the spectators moved away from the possible area in which they would both crash if they did not turn at the right time.
Point of view: the stands.
"Come on, Parvati. I know you can do it." Padma said as she watched her sister doing her best.
"Parvati you can do it!" Neville screamed. As a Quidditch fan, he could not deny the excitement he was feeling at the moment.
"This is your moment. Don't let it get away!" Susan said. Her heart was beating at full speed.
Each member of the group couldn't deny the emotions they felt after such an enjoyable game. Harry's arrival had been somewhat impressive, but Parvati was the one who had been pushing on since the start of the game while trying to catch the Snitch. Knocking out a player out of the game, evading multiple Bludgers, and now enduring the rough plays of Slytherin's seeker without showing any sign of pain. This match had started with her and it would end with her.
Gryffindor's pitch stands could be heard as viewers shouted the young lady's name while in the Slytherin's pitch stands they shouted the name of their own seeker.
The excitement among viewers was so palpable that it would go down as one of the best moments of the year for students and staff.
Harry's point of view.
"Parvati." Harry tried to talk to Parvati mentally.
"Not now. I need to catch this damn winged ball." Parvati replied.
"Parvati you are on your way to crash into the roof of the pitch stand and at that speed, you will not stop there. The broom will not survive that impact and you will fall into the floor. If necessary, forget the Snitch and avoid crashing." Harry said.
"Trust me, this sphere will not defeat me, and I will not end up in the infirmary. I assure you that, dear." Parvati responds.
Before Harry can think of anything else his body reacts to the danger that is coming towards him. Harry moved his bat to block the Bludger heading his way. The sphere hits the bat and Harry could feel the whole impact running through his right arm. After a few moments, Harry redirected the Bludger to another location.
"Harry, are you, all right?" Fred asked as he approaches his partner.
"Don't worry. The Bludger wasn't fast enough to take me off guard." Harry said before he focused on Parvati once again.
"The game isn't over yet. Don't get distracted," Fred said.
"No, I'm sure it's about to end. She'll finish it." Harry said.
"And with a few minutes left in the game, the attention of much of the audience focuses on the seekers of both teams who are trying to catch the Snitch. Just look how fast they fall! We can only be sure of something, between these two players only the one with the most guts will catch the Snitch this afternoon." Comment Lee Jordan.
Back to Parvati.
Time seemed to move slow down for the young woman as she focused on catching the Snitch. As she descended, the young woman extended her arm as much as she could as she tried to catch the Snitch. It would have been a shorter hunt if she had been able to jump out of her broom and throw herself into the Snitch, but that went against the rules. If she wanted to catch the Snitch, she was obliged to do it while her broom was attached to her.
Parvati looked beside her for a few moments and saw the fear in her opponent's eyes. They were falling at full speed and there was no way he would catch the Snitch before he touched the ground if he continues.
"It's funny how we are feeling differently at a moment like this, even if we're both human and have physically similar ages." Parvati thought as she looked at the Snitch once again. Both training and preparing for what she would face in the future had made her change. Not being afraid of such a fall was unusual, but in Parvati's case, she felt calm. Her hand kept trying to catch the sphere as the distance between the stands and them became shorter with every second.
Slytherin's seeker did the same thing but his eyes showed how afraid he was at the moment.
"You can feel it, the hands of death, or maybe the fear of ending up badly wounded in a bed in the infirmary. Come on, we both know you do not have the guts. You're not willing to cross that line." Parvati said. The young woman decided to challenge him to cross the no-comeback line which she had already crossed. "Are you ready to die? Do you think you'll be able to catch the Snitch before hitting the roof of the pitch stand? Can you raise your broom before you crash? Are you able to survive that impact? What about the fall after the first impact?" Her voice took on a more adult and stern tone which scares the boy.
Parvati's words rumbled inside the boy's mind for several seconds. His body shuddered. His heart beat faster than ever and within seconds he decided. Many other humans would have made the same choice in such a situation.
Point of view, Lee Jordan.
"It can't be. Ladies and gentlemen, a few meters away from colliding with the pitch stand, Slytherin's seeker has given up. I cannot believe it. Parvati Patil is close to colliding with the stands." Jordan commented.
Back to Parvati.
"And with that out of the way, it's just you and me." Parvati thought. Her eyes looked beyond the Snitch and focused on the area where she could crash. The seats had to be empty, but there was still the roof that covered the spectators from the sun. "Harry, I think you'd better be ready to catch me."
"... You're crazy," Harry said as he watched as his fiancée's trajectory did not change and was still going towards the pitch stand.
"I know, but I can't stop now. I must admit, it has been an exciting afternoon. Besides, I won't forgive myself if I fail to catch the Snitch." Parvati admitted.
Without saying or thinking anything else, Parvati continued on while putting her hopes on Harry. The question was: would he reach the place on time?
Viewers' point of view.
From the other stands, spectators watched as a young lady with only eleven years pierced the roof of the pitch stand in her pursuit of the golden Snitch without being able to produce a single word. Their eyes were unable to see if the young woman was able to catch the Snitch during her dangerous action. Pieces of cloth, wood, and the remains of a broken broom fell alongside her. It seems the impact with the wood inside the roof had shattered the broom.
Almost all players stopped moving. Not even a Bludger could draw their attention in such a moment.
Parvati's body fell and spectators were unable to move from their places, but one person was already on the move.
Leaving his original location and flying as fast as his broom allowed him Harry went to catch his reckless fiancée.
The next few moments were the most horrifying for viewers as they pray for the best.
Parvati's point of view.
The young woman closed her eyes as she fell. In her mind, she was sure that he would arrive on time or else use this to force him to take care of her. This wouldn't kill her; she was too resistant, but it would hurt like hell.
In the midst of her thoughts, which paid no attention to the terrible situation she was in, Parvati felt how someone caught her and prevented her from a painful fate.
"Hey beautiful, do you want to open your eyes for me?" A voice asked.
"Nope. I want to enjoy this moment a little longer." Parvati said.
"Idiot, stop playing around and get this over with. We all know you've got it in your hands." Hermione demanded mentally. The other girls said similar things.
"Damn all of you. I can't have this." Parvati opened her eyes and saw how Harry carry her in his arms. "You're on time." A smile formed on her face.
"Don't do something like this again," Harry said.
"I promise nothing." Parvati raised her right arm upwards before opening her hand and showing the golden Snitch thus ending this amazing game.
Lee Jordan's point of view.
"My eyes can't believe this. Ladies, gentlemen, and all the spectators present, Parvati Patil has captured the Golden Snitch. Madam Hooch approaches the players to confirm with her own eyes." Lee Jordan waits for the signal and Madam Hooch uses her whistle to confirm the end of the match. "What an exciting match we have had this day, the final score is Slytherin with 30 points and Gryffindor with 90 points. This match has had many exciting moments, but we must all admit that the best players of the day have been Parvati Patil and Angelica Johnson. Both have been key players in securing the crimson team's victory. On the other hand, let us give a round of applause to all the players who have done their best during this match. I'm Lee Jordan and I hope we'll meet at the next game."
Moments later, infirmary.
Gryffindor's team met with George Weasley to celebrate the team's victory and heal their wounds.
"Be quiet and take a seat." One of the nurses said.
"Sorry, but we still can't believe we won," Angelica said.
"You cannot believe that you won and us nurses cannot believe that you can still celebrate with such wounds." Another one of the nurses said. "Seriously, how can your team's seeker stand up after that crash?" She says as she points to Parvati.
"I'm stronger than I look," Parvati says.
"You went through the ceiling and we're sure you collided with several of the wooden beams that make it. How fast do you think you fell?" Ask Madame Pomfrey.
"I don't remember, but I'm sure I'll push my broom to the limit," Parvati admitted.
"Lie down!" Pomfrey orders.
"But- " Parvati tries to say something, but Pomfrey looks at her coldly. "All right."
"And you Mr. Potter, I don't appreciate you causing the wounds of all those players," Pomfrey says as she points to the other side of the infirmary where almost every member of Slytherin's team is lying on the beds.
"It's Quidditch and they are the reason why I played today," Harry says.
"Mr. Potter, in all my years I've never seen a Quidditch player be able to break a bat while using it to hit a Bludger. What you did was not normal, and I have several questions, but for the time being, I will ask you to leave the infirmary and allow me to do my job." Pomfrey said as she confirmed that he had no injuries.
Harry looked at his team members for a few seconds before accepting. "I'll see you when you're done."
"I'll see you later and please take the remains of my broom to Neville. I'm sure he can fix it." Parvati said.
"See you at the party." And like that Harry left but before completely exiting the room he turns towards the Slytherin team members with a smile. "I'll see you guys at the next game." He said in a low voice which caused them fear.
That day Slytherin's team members pray to a deity in which they believed in to prevent Harry Potter from replacing the position of one of the Weasley brothers.
Back on the Quidditch court.
Snape walked inside Quidditch's court as he picked up some of the chunks of bats that Harry had smashed throughout the game.
"These are normal bats, able to withstand pretty strong blows but the..." Words couldn't come out of Snape's mouth. His astonishment at seeing that the boy was not only good with magic but also physically strong did not end. "What kind of life have you led all these eleven years?"
The teacher's questions kept forming, but one took on more importance among all:
"Will you be ready to face Voldemort when he gets back?"
Only a god could answer such a question.
London, a Muggle bar.
In one of London's many bars, one Muggle spent the afternoon drinking alcohol while enjoying his conversation with a certain god.
Hermione's father and A.S. discussed several things without paying attention to other mortals around them.
"Then is it harder to get to heaven?" Asked Mr. Granger.
"That's right. The requirements for anybody to be allowed into heaven are more complicated than what you think. If I have to explain it in a few words, it's like an immigration case in which a full investigation of your whole life is done and every mistake is properly analyzed to confirm that you haven't done things that condemn you for all eternity." Explained to the god while taking a sip of his drink. "I love some good cold beer."
"What things can condemn you?" Granger asked.
"Guess." The god said.
"Killing someone?"
"Depends who that person was. It doesn't condemn you to hell directly, but it sends you into limbo immediately. In limbo, you must pay penance based on your motives for killing that person. In the case of an innocent, it's more complicated, and chances of going straight to hell increase."
"I understand, raping someone?"
"Hell. Do not ask about the punishment. It's horrible."
"What about those who start a war?"
The god looked at his friend curiously. "Do you ask because of what happened in World War II?"
"Yes... my father died in the war. In Berlin to be precise but you already know that. Sometimes I blame the government for having begun such a conflict."
"They are not guilty of what happened and believe me, compared to other worlds this war began for completely different reasons. You don't know everything that happened in that conflict or all the effects it had on the world."
"Do you know the truth as to why no one can enter the remains of Berlin?" Asked the mortal. It had been a mystery that attracted the attention of many people. A place in which many soldiers died, and no citizen or enemy soldier survive.
The god sighed. "I gave this world many things, but like in other worlds I have created, mortals create things that they should never have created. The Berlin of your world was destroyed because of the creations of the scientists under Hitler's orders very different from other worlds. What they created is something you don't want to see."
"How terrible can it be?"
"You remember Japan surrendered after the United States used the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. The atomic bomb is a children's game compared to what the Nazis created."
"..." Mr. Granger sat in silence while thinking before speaking again. "I've been thinking about all this for a while, but I think it's time for me to ask you this. Have you trained my daughter and those youngsters because of a new war that is coming?"
The god smiled. "I like that about you and the parents of those children. All of you understand that all of this will not last for long. This happiness and peace will not last. The next war will be the last and most important in this world. Muggles, wizards, demi-humans, and every being that exists in this world will be forced to face that conflict. I am preparing them because I see everything, and the future that is approaching is a hard one to face if the world is not united. I did not create this world without considering everything that could happen. I am always attentive to what is happening and once in a while I have encouraged certain people and creatures to act for the greater good."
"Will Hermione be all right?" Asked the worried father.
"Your daughter is strong, and I assure you that she will not fall on any battlefield. None of those children will fall, although they will face rather difficult challenges."
"How much time do we have left before it all starts?"
"I can't tell you that. That date is always changing. Now it is one, but in the next 30 seconds, it can be another. You better not think about it and go on living your life the way you have done so far. After all, I know why you called me today."
Hermione's father looked at him for a few seconds before he smiled. "You really are a god. She told me this morning. She's pregnant again."
"I know and I'll tell you this because we're friends, is a boy this time. Congratulations."
"Thank you, but one more question, will it be the same as with Hermione? Magic?"
"I can't tell you everything. That is going to be a surprise, but do not worry, everything will be fine. Just keep living the way you always have. Remember what your father said before he left that afternoon."
"Live in the present and do not fear the tomorrow because as long as you don't give up everything will be fine. I always remember his words." Mr. Granger admitted as he pulled a watch out of his pocket. The clock was old, but it still worked. "Jen and I have thought of calling it Richard if he's a boy like his grandfather, but if it was female, we were going to call her Vivian like her grandmother."
"They're both good names and who knows maybe he won't be the last child you have," God said.
"I don't think it will happen, but I'll keep that in mind. A toast, to my first son."
"To Richard Granger," A.S. said while picking up his drink.
Both men drank before continuing to talk about different things.
"Hey, can you tell me who's going to win the next World Cup?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Don't abuse my trust, Granger." The god answered.
Neither of the people present paid attention to what both men discussed for several hours. It was as if they were not there or could not hear any of it.
As that was happening, in other parts of the world other plans were still in motion.
Some would benefit the world while others would become the different causes behind the last war in this world.
The clock for the third world war can't be stopped.
*Author's Notes: Thank you for reading the story and following me all this time. I am sorry. I haven't updated this in so long, but I haven't had time and had a writer's block. It's not easy to write and know which ideas to use or which you shouldn't. My plan is to write another 2-3 chapters of this story by Friday this week. So, let's hope everything goes well. I hope you're all right during this crisis. Author out. *
