Quidditch

We had entered into November and the weather had started to turn really cold. The mountains around the school had become icy grey and the lake looked like chilled steel. And every morning, you'd see frost on the ground. In the upstairs windows, we'd see Hagrid defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch Pitch (which looked cool as it was an oval pitch with three hoops on either side and towers in the colours of the different Houses in between the stands) all bundled in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves and huge beaver skin boots.

By the way, I sent a letter to mom about what happened on Hallowe'en night, needing to let her know what happened and the circumstances with Hermione. And her response was one of telling me how I'm starting to become more like an Alexander after taking on the Troll and that I became the better person for moving past my annoyance from Hermione to save her life.

Anyway, the Quidditch season has now started. On the upcoming Saturday, Harry would play his first match after all of his training. And the match is Gryffindor against Slytherin. And if our team wins, they'd go into second place in the House Championship.

I was just so excited to see Harry play since Wood wanted to keep Harry as the team's secret weapon, but the knowledge of him being Seeker leaked somehow, and since people know, I saw that it was eating Harry up, looking nervous as people would either tell him he'd be brilliant or that they'd run around holding a mattress underneath him.

And when it came to Hermione, she ended up being a pretty good friend actually. She lessened her bossy and know it all behaviour a lot and would help out Harry and Ron with their homework and proofread mine as I didn't really need that much help at all. She even lent Harry that Quidditch book to help calm his nerves for the upcoming match and the last minute training he got. She was also more relaxed when it came to breaking the rules and was nicer for it.

In fact, the day before the match, all four of us were out in the freezing courtyard during break and Hermione had conjured a bright blue flame which can be carried around in a jam jar. We all stood with our backs up to it getting warm when we saw Snape crossing the yard, and what was odd was that he was limping. Ever since Hallowe'en, I would occasionally catch a glimpse of him limping, and the only reason I could think of for him to be limping is that he got an injury. And since he headed to the third floor, he must've gotten to that corridor with the three headed dog and got injured. But that would mean he was after what was under the trapdoor.

To our misfortune though as we moved to block the flame from view, our expressions caught Snape's eye and he limped to us,

"What's that you've got there, Potter?" Snape snapped. Harry shows him the book.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school. Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor." Snape snatched it from his hands and limped away. I snarled.

"He made that up." I muttered, just so fed up with his petty behavior towards Harry.

"Wonder what's wrong with his leg?" Harry asked as we watched Snape limp away.

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him." Ron said bitterly.

"Ditto." I agreed.

Later that evening, we hung out in the Common Room, doing some Charms homework. Hermione helped Harry and Ron, though not letting them copy her stuff, reasoning being 'how will you learn?' and I just did it with little help.

Harry eventually decided to go ask Snape if he could get the book back. Of course, we wished him luck.

"Why aren't you getting Hermione's help?" Ron asked me as I just about finished the homework.

"Because I actually read the books and I have a really good memory." I explained, making him remember that I already told him about this.

Shortly after, Harry came back, but he didn't have the book with him and he was sprinting in.

"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned as to why he's like this. He came to us and in a low whisper, he explained that he saw Filch bandaging up Snape's leg which was bloody and mangled. I knew it!

"This means that he was trying to get past that three headed dog at Hallowe'en. He's after what it's guarding and he must've let the Troll in as a diversion." I said, revealing my thoughts to everyone. And Hermione's eyes widened.

"No… he wouldn't. I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe." She said in disbelief.

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something." Ron snapped.

"Yeah, Matt's right. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. Just what is he after?" Harry said. That thought has been in my mind until we all went to bed, preparing for tomorrow.

The next morning rolled around and it was bright and cold. The Great Hall itself was full of the smell of fried sausages and also excited chatter from everyone, excited for the Quidditch match. But Harry was so anxious that he hardly ate his breakfast.

"You've got to eat some breakfast." Ron told him.

"I don't want anything." He muttered.

"Just a bit of toast." Hermione wheeled.

"I'm not hungry."

"Harry, you're a Seeker. You need strength as you're the most important member of the team. Now eat your breakfast, or I'll perform the Leg Locker curse on you." I threatened him and that thankfully made him eat his breakfast.

Once eleven o'clock came, all of us students and teachers headed to the Quidditch Pitch. A lot of us had binoculars and we got in the stands, with almost all the staff seated in the various towers. There was one that was black and white, meaning that it was where Lee Jordan acts as the Commentator. Me, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Seamus and Dean got into one of the stands where Gryffindors are placed.

Eventually, after a short wait, with Hooch standing in the middle of the pitch as the referee, both the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams came out and walked to the middle where Hooch was.

"Now I want a nice fair game, all of you." She loudly told the teams over the cheers from the entire crowd, including me. She then said something to them and the team members got on their brooms and once Hooch blew her whistle, all of them, including Hooch flew up in the air, with the Bludgers and Snitch in the air with Hooch throwing the Quaffle in the air.

"COME ON!" I roared, hoping for our team to score first. I didn't even listen to Lee Jordan's comments as I just focused on the match. Angelina Johnson manages to grab the Quaffle immediately, she then flew a bit, avoiding Slytherin Beaters and Chasers before passing the ball to Alicia Spinnet but then as she threw the ball, Flint (the Troll spawn Slytherin Captain) grabbed it and flew like some obnoxious bird.

Come on guys!

Flint then tried to score but Wood thankfully blocked the Quaffle and tossed the ball to Katie Bell, who flew a bit until a stinking Slytherin Beater hit a Bludger at the back of her head! Git! Adrien Pucey then grabbed the Quaffle. Come guys, do something! Thankfully, Fred and George hit the other Bludger towards him to block him, which allowed Angelina to grab the Quaffle, able to avoid a Bludger so smoothly and then SHE SCORES!

"YES!" I cheered so loud that Hermione had to clasp her ears closed. A lot of the Gryffindors cheered and all of Slytherin moaned.

"Budge up there, move along." A certain voice caught our attention. We saw Hagrid come over to us and we all squeezed together to give him enough space.

"Bin watchin' from me hut. But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?" He asked us with binoculars around his neck.

"Not even a glimpse. Harry hasn't done much at all." I replied.

"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'" Hagrid noted, looking through his binoculars up to where Harry was, above the pitch, looking everywhere for the Snitch. Then a Bludger flew towards him but he dodged it in time with one of the twins chasing after it. He then hit it towards Flint.

Somehow, Slytherin got their hands on the Quaffle with Pucey, who dodged both Bludgers from the twins and even Katie going after him. I then heard Lee mention 'Snitch' which made Pucey stupidly drop the Quaffle, looking over his shoulder seeing a golden flash. It was small, but visible enough that I saw the Snitch fly at a fast pace.

Harry immediately flew his Nimbus to the Snitch, with Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs being neck and neck with him and as Harry made a burst of speed, THAT STUPID OAF FLINT BLOCKED HIM ON PURPOSE! He threw Harry off course.

"FOUL!" All of us Gryffindors screamed at the top of our lungs. Hooch rightfully barked angrily at Flint and she ordered for a free shot at the goalposts for our team. Naturally, this elongates the game as the Snitch is now out of everyone's sight.

I heard Dean Thomas yell something about a red card, must be so used to the Muggle sport called football. Anyway, Alicia makes the penalty and then the game continues with our team in possession of the Quaffle. But my attention was suddenly now on Harry as his broom suddenly started to act up. It's as though it's trying to throw him off. But brooms don't do that! Unless…. Someone's jinxing it! I was too concerned for Harry to acknowledge the first score Slytherin made.

"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing. If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom… but he can't have…." Hagrid mumbled. Harry was now the centre of attention of many in the stands as he was holding on for his life due to the broom acting as though it was trying to throw him off by rolling around. But then it jerked, making Harry tumble and now hold onto the broom with one hand!

"Harry!" I yelled in concern. I heard Seamus and Hagrid talk about what is going on. And then when Hagrid mentioned Dark Magic, Hermione seized Hagrid's binoculars and looked through them at Harry, and then to the towers.

"What?" I asked her, wondering what she's looking for.

"I knew it. Snape, look." She said, handing the binoculars to me. I looked through them to where Snape is and I saw that he was entirely focused on Harry, muttering non stop under his breath. But I also saw Quirrell uncharacteristically starting hard at Harry with a frown.

"What do we do?" I asked, handing the binoculars to Ron for him to get a look.

"Leave it to me." Hermione said before disappearing into the crowd, clearly planning to do something.

"Why that no good, slimy little…" Ron started to mutter angrily as the twins hovered below Harry so that they could catch him if he fell. I kept my eyes on Snape, and even Quirrell just in case. I managed to grab the binoculars back to get a clearer look and that was when I noticed a bright blue flame on Snape's robes. Nicely done, Hermione. Snape then noticed the flame and tried to put it out, shoving someone into Quirrell. I looked back at Harry and now his broom was perfectly fine and so he got back on it.

"Neville, you can look!" Ron told the round-faced boy, who has been crying into Hagrid's jacket for a bit. And then Harry suddenly sped to the ground and he clasped his hand to his mouth as though he's going to throw up. He got on the ground on his hands and knees and then something gold came out of his mouth and into his hand!

"HE'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" I yelled as loud as I could at the same time as Harry yelled that he caught it.

Flint tried to argue against it but he was rightfully ignored as we all cheered that Gryffindor had won one hundred and seventy points against Slytherin's sixty. We all cheered in utter victory as the Slytherins all moaned in rightful defeat.

After the celebration, we met up with Harry and we all went with Hagrid to his hut and then we sat at the table as Hagrid was making tea.

"It was Snape. We all saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you." Ron explained. I don't know…. I think Quirrell is equally as suspect since he stared hard at Harry. And performing a curse doesn't have to be verbally said, it can be done non verbally. I know because I looked up on performing spells.

"Rubbish. Why would Snape do somethin' like that?" Hagrid immediately disagreed with that idea. We all then looked at each other, wondering what to tell him and then Harry looked back at him.

"We found out something about him. He tried to get past that three headed dog at Hallowe'en. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding." Harry stated. It made Hagrid instantly drop the teapot, which splattered boiling water a bit.

"How do you know about Fluffy?" He asked in seriousness.

"Are you saying that the dog is yours?!" I asked.

"Yeah, he's mine. Bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-" He started to explain but stopped himself, clearly preventing himself from slipping something.

"Yes?" Harry asked eagerly, though Hagrid wouldn't budge.

"Now, don't ask me any more. That's top secret, that is." He said.

"But Snape's trying to steal it."

"Rubbish. Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort" Hagrid shook his head, not believing it in the slightest.

"So why did he just try and kill Harry?" Hermione cried out.

"I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!" Hermione continued.

"I'm telling yeh, yer wrong! I don't know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn't try an' kill a student! Now listen to me, all four of yeh, yer meddlin' in things that don't concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel-" Hagrid hotly said and when he mentioned the last name, I was shocked.

"What did you just say?!" I asked loudly as I could swear I heard that name, but I didn't know how. Hagrid just looked so furious at himself for slipping.