Once the tears had begun, Y/N couldn't stop them. He didn't sob, all in all he kept himself together quite well, but his voice was shaky and the tears flowed freely with no sign of stopping anytime soon.

They'd failed. Failed Hagrid. Failed Buckbeak. And now he was going to pay for Malfoy's stupidity. Just like that a magnificent and innocent creature put to slaughter because of some pale faced nobody.

But he wasn't a nobody. As much as Y/N hated to admit it, his family was one of the most powerfully influential across the entire wizarding world. It made him sick. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to hurt Lucius or Draco Malfoy more.

'There will be an appeal,' said Hermione to Y/N. 'There always is. We may be able to get them to overturn the sentence.'

'The appeal will be run by the head of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, and I guarantee they've heard everything Lucius had to say during the trial. Wouldn't even be surprised if some galleons had changed hands to ensure a vote was unanimous,' said Y/N bitterly as he stared into the fire.

'You did everything you could, Y/N,' said Ginny, leaning forward. 'Both of you did. And Luna will tell you the same. We were there during all of those late nights spent looking through books and old records. I could have sworn you didn't even sleep some nights. Then you both got right back to it the next day.'

'And you'll have our help this time,' said Ron fiercely as Harry nodded. 'We let other things get in the way. Less important things. Let us help this time, you two have enough with your lessons and stuff anyway. Ginny's right, I've heard how late you've been coming to bed and how early you've been getting up, Y/N. You need a rest and something else off your plate.'

Y/N opened his mouth to argue, but Hermione wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him in against her.

'He's right,' she whispered. 'I can see it too. Please rest? For me?'

Y/N gave a sigh, and nodded.

'We should go and see him,' said Harry absent-mindedly as he moved to get up.

'We can't,' said Hermione at once, she still hadn't released Y/N. 'The security has been upped since the party and you don't have the cloak.'

'Since the party?' asked Harry as Ron looked between the three of them curiously.

Hermione clapped her free hand to her mouth.

'It's fine,' said Y/N, extricating himself from her grip and sitting up. 'If they're to know then they should know sooner rather than later.' and he recounted the aftermath of the party and about Sirius Black entering the Common Room.

'What!?' bellowed Ron the moment Y/N had mentioned he'd been looking for Scabbers.

'Shhhh,' hissed Y/N, glancing around as a couple of people looked around curiously. 'Not so loud. No one else knows. Dumbledore hasn't said a word yet. Neville got a stern telling off but that was on the pre-tense of someone else reporting it. He doesn't know Black used it,' Y/N finished recounting his story and by the end of it, Ron and Harry were staring open mouthed.

'So Blacks not after me?' asked Harry slowly.

'He's after Scabbers,' said Ron just as slowly.

'And we think he's still alive,' said Y/N, 'and so does Black. We were going to ask you to borrow the Marauder's map. But, well…'

'If you'd have said something, I wouldn't have gone,' said Harry at once.

'And if I'd have known you were going to get the map confiscated, I'd have said something,' said Y/N. 'No point worrying about it now. Scabbers can't have gone far. Or at least I doubt he has. Besides, it doesn't work on animals so we don't know if it would have anyway.'

'If you knew it didn't work on animals, why did you want it?' asked Ron.

'Scabbers is twelve years old, Ron. The world's oldest recorded rat is 7. I appreciate both you and Percy probably looked after him, but their average lifespan is two to three years. No amount of good care pushes something that far along.'

'I never thought of that…' said Ron, suddenly looking nervous. 'You think there's something up with him?'

'Black does. And that's what worries me. Whether Black was telling me the truth or not is one thing, but he knew about Scabbers. And it's a pretty poor attempt at a lie if he wasn't after him. If you get caught in a situation like that, you hardly say you're rat catching.'

'He let his guard drop once Y/N had brought up Scabbers being gone as well, didn't he?' said Hermione and Y/N nodded.

'Swore he wasn't after Harry. Even mentioned being your Godfather,' said Y/N and Harry's face tightened.

'Well how are we going to see Hagrid?' he asked. 'We need to, he'll be heart-broken.'

'Without your cloak we're going to have to keep it to classes,' said Y/N. 'I'm not good enough at the disillusionment charm to trust myself casting and reversing it five times.'

'Five?' asked Ron.

'Ginny has been with us during all of our research and is also a good friend of Hagrid's. I trust she'd want to come with us?' said Y/N, turning towards the red-head who was nodding. 'So we can't all just sneak down, if we get caught-' Y/N breathed a shaky sigh, thinking of what his mother would do.

'Point taken,' said Ron. 'We'll need to try and catch him during Care of Magical Creatures then. Hope he runs a lesson like the Salamanders again.'

()()()()()()

Luckily, their wish came true in their very next Care of Magical Creatures lesson. The lesson itself hadn't been particularly entertaining, mostly revision of their previous work on the Flobberworms but it had given the quartet plenty of time to ask Hagrid what had happened.

As the lesson finished, Hagrid began escorting them up towards the castle, but he seemed distant, disconnected from the world.

'S'all my fault. Got all tongue-tied. They was all sittin' there in black robes an' I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' all them dates yeh looked up fer me,' said Hagrid, with a gesture to Y/N and Hermione. 'An' then Lucius Malfoy stood up an' said his bit, and the Committee jus' did exac'ly what he told 'em...'

'Then that doesn't make it your fault, Hagrid. Sounds like it was rigged from the start,' growled Y/N, who was staring at the back of the pale blonde Slytherin boy.

'There's still the appeal!' said Ron fiercely. 'And you've got me, Harry and Ginny helping as well as these two. We'll get them to see reason!'

'S'no good, Ron,' said Hagrid sadly as they reached the castle steps. 'That Committee's in Lucius Malfoy's pocket. I'm jus' gonna make sure the rest o' Beaky's time is the happiest he's ever had. I owe him that…'

Hagrid turned around and hurried back off towards his cabin, burying his face in his handkerchief as he went, and Y/N had to fight the urge to chase after him.

'Look at him blubber!'

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were stood just inside the entrance to the castle and had been listening.

'Have you ever seen something so pathetic-?'

'Immobulus,' snarled Y/N.

There was so much anger, so much hatred in the word's Y/N spoke that Malfoy may as well have been frozen in time. Even Crabbe and Goyle were knocked a couple of steps backward, which cleared the way for Hermione.

Before Y/N could do anything, she'd detached her hand from his and closed the gap between her and Malfoy. She reeled back and smacked him across the face with all of her might. Y/N wasn't sure whether it was Hermione's power or his own shock that caused the freezing charm to fail, but Malfoy certainly unfroze as he staggered backwards.

'Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul evil-'

'Colloshoo,' said Y/N, pointing his wand first at Crabbe and then at Goyle. Both of their shoes stuck to the floor. They each tried to struggle to detach themselves but to no avail. Y/N strode up now alongside Hermione. 'One more? For good luck?'

Hermione nodded savagely and Y/N raised his wand again.

'Immobulus. It'll be over shortly, Draco'

Hermione strode forward and smacked him once again. This time however, Draco was frozen in place. His eyes twitched, his lip quivered, but he did not and could not move.

'Let this be a lesson. My last one to you, Malfoy,' said Y/N. 'You know as well as I do that both me and Hermione are more powerful than you. I don't care how influential your father is. Insult me, her, or anyone else I know within earshot of me, and this will seem like child's play. I'm not in the mood for you on a good day. Never mind right now.'

Y/N felt a hand land on his shoulder and heard Harry's voice.

'Come on, before a teacher comes by.'

Y/N seized Hermione's hand and allowed Harry to steer him away. They climbed part way up the marble staircase before Y/N allowed his focus on the freezing charm to drop and he heard Malfoy stagger behind them.

'I love you,' said Y/N, turning towards Hermione who was still breathing heavily. She let out one long sigh.

'I love you too,' she said with a half-smile. 'I appreciate you backing me up there. Loathsome little cockroach. You two had best beat him in Quidditch. I can't stand the thought of Slytherin winning.'

'We're late for Charms,' said Ron a little bemused, and he and Harry began hurrying off up the corridor whilst Y/N yanked Hermione into a cupboard, kissed her, and then threw the chain of the time-turner over both their necks.

The rest of the day passed by fairly uneventfully. They were both very distracted during their Arithmancy lesson and then again during Professor Flitwick's Cheering Charm class. Hermione even looked like she was drifting off to sleep at one point, but Y/N gave her a gentle nudge awake and she refocused.

That afternoon brought in a different surprise for Y/N, however. He'd been sitting in the Common Room, idly scrawling away in some of his homework- he should have been in a private lesson with Remus, but they were in the heart of the Full Moon cycle -when he felt a burning in his pocket. He flicked open his journal to Hermione and read.

'Where are you?'

Y/N pulled out his quill and wrote.

'Common Room, why? Everything okay?'

He did not receive a response through the journal. His response instead came through the sight of his bushy-haired girlfriend climbing through the portrait hole and striding over towards him. She sat herself in his lap and threw her arms around him, burying her face into his neck. Y/N put down his quill and wrapped his arms around her rocking her gently side to side.

It was a few minutes before Hermione spoke again and she took another deep sigh before she did so.

'You and your mum were right. Load of rubbish. She said my mind was hopelessly mundane, that she knew from the moment I arrived I don't have what the "noble art of Divination" requires. Trying to tell Harry about the Grim again. Every single lesson or time we start something new. It's ridiculous.'

Y/N kept rocking her slightly, running a hand gently through her hair. He wasn't sure what had gotten into Hermione today, but she seemed ready to snap at anyone. She let herself relax into his grip as she recounted the events of the lesson to him.

They'd moved onto crystal gazing and Trelawney had set them all the challenge of attempting to see their future in the orb. After claiming that she had "been told" despite it being her class to teach. Hermione had spent it growing increasingly frustrated at both the lack of Y/N being there and at the amount of work she could have been doing instead. Once Trelawney began on the grim again, Hermione had gotten frustrated and Trelawney had made her comment.

'I'm not going back,' finished Hermione, her face still buried in Y/N's neck. 'It's a load of rubbish, and I don't want to take it if you aren't there.'

'Would you want to even if I was there?'

'Well, probably not, but if you liked it-'

'I don't,' said Y/N flatly. 'We'll let mum know after our next Transfiguration class. She'll probably be delighted to hear it.'

'Reckon you can help me with cheering charms? I kept zoning out during Flitwick's lesson. I was too tired.'

'I can, another time,' said Y/N. 'For now, no work. Boyfriend's orders.'

Hermione made a noise of protest but did not move to stop Y/N and instead simply held onto him and allowed him to continue rocking her, whilst running a hand through her bushy brown hair.

()()()()()()

The next few weeks persisted in a haze for Y/N and Hermione. When they weren't in lesson, they were revising. The workload was beginning to pile up for Hermione, even with Divination off her plate, and this in turn meant Y/N was by her side trying to help her with the bits he could. He left Muggle Studies to her as he had proved more of a hindrance than a help. He was also abusing the time turner a bit as Wood was attempting to drag him down to the Quidditch pitch every evening.

And much as he had warned earlier, Remus was now simply allowing Y/N to batter spells against his shield, around half of which would break through. Then finally, the week before the Quidditch match against Slytherin, Remus called a halt to their lesson.

'You've done it, Y/N,' he said simply. 'There is nothing more that I can teach you. You're pushing against my barrier, breaking it, finding my weak points, and using your past experience to strengthen and empower your spells. You've learnt in months what takes other wizards years. I am very proud of you.'

'Thank you, sir,' said Y/N sincerely. 'I've been so grateful for these lessons. They've taught me so much.'

'You've been a good student. And in many ways a good friend and study partner. I've learnt some tricks from you as well, Y/N. Perhaps in time you will come to recognise them.'

This gave Y/N pause. What could he have taught Remus? He didn't have time to think on it however, as Remus now reached into a draw under his desk and pulled out a long, wrapped box,

'I asked Minerva about getting you something like this. Not only did she approve, but she told me your birthday was coming up. It's a little bit early, but here.' and Remus held out the box to him.

Y/N hadn't even realised his birthday was approaching but now that he thought about it-

'Oh yeah, it's the day before the match,' said Y/N. 'In the mix of lessons, exams and the Quidditch final, I completely forgot.'

'You'll be flying in this one, won't you?' asked Remus and Y/N nodded.

'Katie is sitting it out. It was my deal with her to make sure she didn't lose her confidence. Wood has had me training almost every night.'

'I look forward to seeing you in action. Your mother praises your flying skills almost endlessly. She's very proud of you.'

Y/N felt himself getting hot and decided to drag the subject away from that.

'Are you sure, Professor?' he asked, nodding at the box. 'You didn't have to-'

'I know I didn't. But it is a useful tool, one I think you will find will save your life should the need arise.'

Y/N took the box and Hermione came over curiously to investigate. He unwrapped the small bow that had been tied on the top and lifted the lid.

Inside was a leather wrist strap with a small hole in the centre and what looked like two glove like fingers.

'It's a wand holster,' said Remus, stepping forward and helping Y/N put it on. 'All you need to do is tuck your wand down the slot-' Remus held out his hand, Y/N passed his wand across and Remus slid into the hole in the leather. It slid away until there came a quiet click. 'Then, simply press the two gloved fingers inwards-' Y/N did so and his wand shot out of the end and straight into his outstretched hand.

'It's wonderful,' said Y/N. He stepped forward and hugged Remus around the waist. Remus froze for half a second, and then lowered his arms and wrapped them around Y/N. 'I love it Remus. Thank you,' said Y/N once he'd pulled away, looking down at his new holster.

'I'm leaving his training in your capable hands, Hermione. Do not let him start slacking off,' said Remus, turning to her with a smile which she returned.

'Don't worry, Professor. I'll make sure he keeps on top of it.'

Remus nodded appreciatively and then turned back to Y/N.

'This is hardly goodbye. I am of course still your Defence teacher, but I still wish you all the best Y/N and good luck going forward. I know you'll do great things.'

'And I'll make sure to let everyone know who trained me when I do,' said Y/N.

It was a rather bittersweet farewell to the lessons he had enjoyed so much. But he'd known it had to happen and he was grateful for the gift from Remus. He'd have to try and weasel when his birthday was out of his mum.

The rest of the week however then became the waiting game for Y/N. Both for his birthday and for the match against Slytherin. The first of which to arrive, was of course, his birthday.

He awoke a little bit earlier than usual that morning with a faint beating in his heart. He was excited. For the first time, he was genuinely excited about his birthday. He had been before of course, but with only one present it was kind of over and done. Not that he was complaining, but it did mean that they were short-lived.

He slipped out of bed and almost trod on a wrapped box resting by the side of it. He looked around and saw Ves perched on the stand with her head under her wing. He wandered over to her and stroked her plumage, so she raised her eyes to look at him.

'Did you bring this in?' he asked, nodding to the package, and Ves gave a hoot of acknowledgement. 'Thanks girl. You want to come down?'

She did not respond, but instead hopped off the stand onto his outstretched arm and plodded slowly up it, coming to rest on his shoulder. Y/N squatted down, so he didn't disturb her, scooped up the package and slipped out of the Dormitory.

He'd barely stepped foot into the Common Room when a wave of brown flashed across his eyes, and something hit him hard around the waist.

'Happy birthday!'

'Good morning to you too,' said Y/N, beaming down at his girlfriend. 'Caught me off guard a bit there.'

'We only just got down here ourselves,' said Ginny as she stepped over and one-arm hugged Y/N around Hermione. 'Bit lucky to be honest. Let him sit down, Hermione, you can crawl all over him on the sofa.'

Hermione pouted but released Y/N and together the three of them settled in by the fire.

'Here,' said Ginny, passing across two wrapped parcels. 'From me and Luna. She was insistent that she got you something. Really values having you two as friends.'

'That's very kind of her,' said Y/N, taking the two parcels. 'Let me know when her birthday is so I can return the favour.'

He took the top present off. It was a lovely ocean blue with a ruby red bow on top and tucked in the ribbon was a custom card. He pulled it out and read.

"Dear Y/N,

I don't know who or where I'd be without your help. You didn't know me. You knew nothing about me, and yet still you helped me. You've helped me get over my insecurities. Helped me catch up on my schoolwork and even saved my life. You're more than just my friend. Or my best friend. You are my…

Love from Ginny."

Y/N opened the box. Inside was a small bracelet. It was made up of rounded black plastic beads except for 7, lined up alongside each other. Y/N span it around and read-

'Brother'

'Oh Gin…' said Y/N, holding it up to show Hermione and then wrapping it around his wrist. 'I love it. Thank you.'

Ginny got up and hugged him. There was a lot of emotion in the hug, Y/N could feel it. Ginny was alright with emotion, better than her siblings, but she still struggled sometimes. "Growing up with 6 brothers does that to you" was her excuse. But moments like this told Y/N everything he needed to know.

'Now open Luna's,' said Ginny, her voice shaking. 'She was really proud of it.'

Y/N unwrapped this box and found inside an ear clip. It was simply a small metal clasp that you just placed on the outside of your ear. And dangling from the end of it was a metal quaffle.

'So much jewellery,' smirked Y/N as he fastened it to his ear. It pinched a bit at first, but then almost as if someone was pumping air into it, it seemed to separate from his ear to the point where he couldn't really feel it. He reached up to touch it, but it was definitely still there.

'Well one more from me I'm afraid,' said Hermione, holding out her beautifully wrapped box, 'But at least I'm adding to one I got you before.'

Y/N took it and unwrapped it and found inside another ring for the gyroscope around his neck. The last one. He turned it over in his hand and this time, he could read the inscription himself.

'Know that my heart is yours. And always will be. I love you.'

'She was super embarrassed when she wrote it. Thought it'd be the first-time you guys said it. She was tearing her hair out,' said Ginny. 'Then over the last month or two she's been really giggly about it'

'I wanted to tell you properly. This felt easier than doing it. But then I went and ruined it at the shack and-' but her sentence was cut off as Y/N kissed her. She froze for a second before melting back into the kiss and wrapping her arms around him.

'Can I open my eyes yet?' asked Ginny a few seconds later.

'Guess so,' said Hermione begrudgingly as the two pulled away from each other. Y/N fastened the ring to the last slot on his gyroscope and stared fondly down at it.

'I love you,' he said, raising his eyes back to Hermione.

'I love you too.'

Y/N now turned his attention onto the last present, the one that had been waiting next to his bed. He unwrapped it and out fell a set of Quidditch robes. They looked just like ordinary Quidditch robes. He picked up the note that had fallen out with them and read.

'Dear Y/N,

Happy birthday. I meant to give these to you last year, but with the cup being called off it became pointless. These robes are resistant to most forms of weather, they will not get too cold, nor too warm and will repel rain, snow, and sleet. They also manoeuvre around based on airflow to allow path of least resistance and finally. They used to be mine.

Beat Slytherin, Win it for us.

Please.

Mum'

'I'll crush them mum. I'll show them all. This match is ours.'

It was a quiet birthday otherwise for Y/N, but he wasn't going to complain about that. He spent the majority of lessons half zoned in whilst thinking about the match the following day. Then after lessons, he took Hermione down to the grounds for a fly around on his Nimbus. He didn't fly too high or too close to the wall. He didn't feel like fighting Dementors right now. And they rounded it off by landing on the far side of the lake and slowly walking back hand in hand.

Quiet though it was, to Y/N it was perfect. Especially before the following day.

He went to bed that night with his heart racing. So much so that he didn't think he'd be able to fall asleep. The lack of noise from Harry's bed told him that he was in the same situation, but he did not disturb him and eventually, after a few hours of tossing and turning, sleep found him.

Only for him to be shaken awake what felt like minutes later.

'Hey Y/N.'

'What is it, Harry?' said Y/N blearily as he looked around. 'What's going on?'

'Over here, out the window. It's the Grim.'

'Oh for-'

'Just look would you?' said Harry impatiently.

Y/N got to his feet and moved over to the window.

'There's nothing there, Harry.'

'Over there, by the forest.'

Y/N followed his pointing finger and felt his stomach lurch.

There, by the outskirts of the forest, was a shaggy black dog. It looked huge. And walking alongside it was a small orange speck.

'Please don't tell me that's who I think it is,' said Y/N.

'What is Crookshanks doing with the Grim?' asked Harry.

'My guess is as good as yours, mate,' said Y/N.

'They seem to be good buddies,' said Harry as the two slunk across the grounds side-by-side.

'Yeah, but isn't the Grim meant to be an omen of death unique to you? If that's what it is, then why can me and Crookshanks see it? I think it's just a dog, Harry. Come on, we need to get some sleep.'

Harry nodded, but Y/N could tell he wasn't convinced. He watched the duo of animals for another few seconds before they disappeared into the treeline and then moved back over to his bed.

Y/N didn't really manage more than what felt like a couple of minutes anyway before his internal clock awoke him. He scooped up his broom and robes before making his way downstairs. He settled into his usual armchair and began levitating owl treats around the room for Ves who had remained in there since the following day, making sure all of Gryffindor house paid attention to her.

'Figured you wouldn't be able to sleep,' said a voice a few moments later as Hermione arrived in the Common Room.

'What if I mess it up?' said Y/N. 'What if we lose whilst I'm out there? If I got cost Gryffindor the cup then-' but he was silenced as Hermione squeezed onto the chair alongside him and pulled him into a hug. He kept waving his wand, idly levitating treats for Ves, until he was able to speak again. 'Sorry. Just a lot of pressure.'

'I know,' said Hermione. 'But you aren't alone. You have 6 other teammates out there with you and well over half the school cheering you on. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff would sooner see a Gryffindor win than a Slytherin one. You've been practicing for months for this. If anything, you're the most prepared because all of your practice has been for playing Slytherin.'

'I hope you're right,' said Y/N. 'I really do. I can't lose to Malfoy.'

Before long, Ginny and Harry had both come down to join them. Ron followed not long after, to all of their surprise.

'Weird to see you up this early,' said Y/N as he appeared.

'Figured you'd all be up already, and that you and Harry would be stressing yourselves out,' he shrugged. 'Figured someone else to help distract you won't hurt.'

The five of them made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. It was mostly empty this early, but Y/N spied a very familiar stuffed lion sitting at the Gryffindor table and moved down to sit across from her.

'Morning Luna,' he said as he sat down. He tried to make his voice sound cheery, but it merely came out strained. 'Harry, Ron, this is Luna Lovegood. A good friend of ours. Luna, this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.'

Luna smiled happily around at all of them and then looked back at Y/N.

'You're wearing it?'

'Hmmm? Oh, yeah of course,' said Y/N as he flicked the quaffle dangling from the end of the ear clip. 'Why wouldn't I be?'

'Most people don't like the gifts I get them,' said Luna. 'They think they're a bit weird.'

'Well, I love it,' said Y/N. 'It means a lot, Luna. You're a good friend.'

Luna smiled warmly at this and Y/N felt himself getting slightly hot. Especially when he saw that Ginny was mirroring the smile.

'Come on, eat something,' said Hermione pushing a small plate of toast towards him as Ron did the same to Harry.

'Don't reckon I've got the stomach for it,' said Harry.

They managed probably a whole piece of toast between both of them before the rest of the team arrived. Wood gave them all the reminder of where they stood. Slytherin were 200 points ahead. Meaning they had to win by at least 210. This meant Harry catching the snitch was important, but the chasers had to do their part too. They need to ensure that they were at least 60 points ahead as much as possible.

At one point, Cho Chang called over wishing Harry good luck. Y/N saw Harry go bright red, but he didn't have the stomach to mock him right now. That would be a job for later, if they won.

Even Katie wasn't eating much despite her not even playing in the match. She was as nervous as the rest of them. Finally, Wood ordered them all down to the pitch. Together, the team and gathering of friends made their way down. The rest of the team stepped inside the changing rooms whilst Y/N and Harry turned to their friends.

'You've got this,' said Ron immediately.

Hermione stepped forward and hugged Y/N before pulling back and pulling him into a kiss.

'I know you can do this. Both of you,' she added as she looked at Harry.

'We'll be cheering you on,' said Ginny reassuringly.

'I really would enjoy seeing Slytherin lose,' said Luna. 'I'll be sure to cheer as hard as I can.'

Y/N and Harry looked between their friends, then at each other and nodded. Without a word, they both turned and stepped inside.

Y/N slid on his Quidditch Robes. They felt a bit roomy, probably because they'd belonged to his mother, but just as he thought this, almost as though the air had been sucked out, the clothes sucked inwards and wrapped around his body now fitting him snugly. He could move without resistance, but they didn't feel baggy.

He slipped his collected jewellery from his friends on. Ginny's bracelet. Hermione's necklace and ring and Remus' holster which he stored his wand in. He'd take any form of reassurance at this point. Then, the team gathered on the benches awaiting Wood's pre-match pep talk.

But he couldn't manage anything. And eventually just settled on 'Let's go.'

The seven of them stepped out onto the pitch to tumultuous applause. The cheers of the three houses were so much so that Y/N could barely hear the boos of the Slytherins in the stands. The Slytherin team were already gathered next to Madam Hooch.

'And here are the Gryffindor's!' called Lee Jordan, who was commentating as per usual. 'Potter, L/N, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley and Wood. L/N is of course a reserve for Gryffindor, but his flying is on par with all of the other chasers-'

But Y/N had zoned the rest of the commentating out. They had come to a stop in front of the opposing team and his eyes were locked on Malfoy.

'Captains. Shake hands,' said Madam Hooch.

Wood and Flint reached out and grasped each other's hands. Each with a mutual look of hatred.

'Mount your brooms. Three, two, one-'

The whistle sounded and Y/N kicked off from the ground, he soared high into the air and sped off after Alicia who had scooped up the Quaffle first. His nerves were leaving him as the wind rushed past. Now it was just him and the match. No going back.

Alicia was making a mad charge for the Slytherin goal posts, but Warrington was faster. He sped up alongside her and snatched the quaffle out of her hands, spinning his broom around before charging off towards Wood.

Y/N knew Warrington's general tactics. He was so large he figured anyone coming towards him would simply be batted off. This left him blind from below. Not to mention he always underestimated the strength of Gryffindor's female players so gripped the Quaffle lightly, believing his body could do the rest.

Y/N sped along beneath him and then pulled hard on his broom and came rocketing upwards, he scooped straight under Warrington, knocking him off course. Warrington had to grab his broom to stop himself falling off which in turn allowed Y/N to grab the Quaffle and twist off.

'A beautiful tackle from L/N of Gryffindor!' Lee Jordan was shouting. 'Really showing Warrington that brute strength isn't everything.'

But his mind zoned back into the match. Both of Slytherin's other chasers were barrelling towards him. He let them. Neither would pull off, Slytherin enjoyed playing chicken. As they got closer, he tucked and rolled under his broom. Dropping the Quaffle to Angelina who was waiting below. Both Slytherin chasers crossed and soared clean over him as Angelina sped off and Y/N righted himself.

Angelina sped forward, ducked around Slytherin's keeper, and threw the Quaffle straight through the central hoop.

Y/N breathed a sigh as Angelina thrust her fist in the air in celebration. A moment later however and he joined the stands in a noise of outrage as Marcus Flint crashed into her, almost sending her off her broom.

'Sorry, didn't see her,' he said with a very forced and fake shrug.

A moment later however and his face had changed and was covered in blood as Fred threw his beater bat at him.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle and awarded a penalty to both sides. Y/N was chosen to take Gryffindor's whilst Flint took Slytherins.

Y/N was up first, he flew forward and steadied himself. Only him and Bletchley. Bletchley was stupid, easy to feint and slow to react. He sped forward, towards the right hoop. Bletchley swerved to intercept him, and Y/N threw it hard left. It soared straight through the left goal post with no interruption as the stands exploded into noise.

Next up was Flint. He soared forward to take Slytherin's shot, and they all waited with bated breath…

But Wood did not disappoint them. He waited until Flint had released the Quaffle before urging his broom forward and scooping it out of the air. As the stands exploded into cheers once again.

Play was back on. Angelina threw the Quaffle to Y/N who sped back off up the pitch towards the Slytherin posts. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a speck of green speeding towards him.

'Montague, going for the intercept,' he thought. He urged his broom vertically upwards and streaked straight off. He watched the speck of green speed straight past where he had been earlier as he threw the Quaffle to Alicia who had been waiting for him.

'Like clockwork Montague,' called Y/N as he looked down at the furious face of the Slytherin chaser. 'Maybe you should tell Flint to change the team next time, or you all become predictable.'

Y/N had been too distracted in his gloating, which means he didn't see the bludger come spiralling towards him. It clipped his shoulder and back hard and he could have sworn he felt something bend inwards.

Madam Hooch's whistle sounds.

'Penalty to Gryffindor for an unprovoked attack on one of their chasers!'

Whilst Angelina flew forward to take Gryffindor's penalty, Y/N lowered himself slightly and pressed his wand holster. His wand came soaring out of the end and he pointed it at his back.

'Come on, you've never worked before-' Y/N focused on his pain, his anger at Malfoy, his desire to bring this home for Gryffindor. '-Episkey.'

He felt the bone snap into place. It was a horrible feeling at first, but was replaced by relief once the pain was gone. Which turned into elation as he saw Angelina sink the penalty. Gryffindor were now 30 points ahead. Y/N tucked his wand away back into his holster and sped back down.

The match did not improve. The Gryffindor's were playing their heart out and Y/N's knowledge of the Slytherin team meant he was speeding past and outmanoeuvring them with ease. But it was difficult to out manoeuvrer three chasers, each twice your size, when they all collapsed in on him. Penalties were awarded left and right.

Finally, they managed it. After a goal from Y/N the score board read Gryffindor 70 – 10 Slytherin. Y/N didn't need to look at Harry to know that he was now scanning the pitch endlessly, searching for the small golden ball. The gasp of air that came a moment later however, told him what he needed to know. He span around to see Harry speeding off towards the ground and Malfoy trying to keep up. Then he watched Malfoy ready himself, legs bent inwards.

'He's going to jump.'

Y/N pressed his holster and his wand slipped out.

'Protego!'

Just as Malfoy made to leap to Harry's broom, a barrier appeared between them. Malfoy seemed to hit it and go spiralling off. But Harry hadn't noticed. His eyes were locked ahead. Y/N looked around quickly, but all eyes were on Harry, even Madam Hooch's. His stunt had gone unnoticed.

Harry span around the outskirts of the stands, almost colliding with the ground, and then a split second later rose high into the air the snitch clutched in his hand.

Y/N began spinning his broom around and around in circles as he watched the rest of the team speed off towards Harry. They'd done it! They'd won it. A split second later and he felt something collide hard with the side of him.

'What did you do, L/N?!' snarled Malfoy. 'Magic is banned in Quidditch!'

'I didn't do anything,' said Y/N. 'Looks like you just messed up. Teaches you for trying to grab his broom. Sounds a lot like karma, Draco. Now if you'll excuse me, we have a cup to collect.'

Y/N span his broom downwards and landed alongside his fellow chasers, who both hugged him screaming loudly. Together, they watched as Harry was carried towards where Dumbledore was holding the Quidditch cup then he felt himself yanked backwards and into several pairs of arms.

'You did it!' squealed Hermione. 'You were brilliant!'

'I've never seen anything like that!' said Ginny happily. 'Slytherin didn't stand a chance!'

'You both did excellently,' said Luna happily looking towards where Wood and Harry now stood. The other three turned to watch as Dumbledore passed the trophy off to Wood, who in turn passed it to Harry.

Harry raised it high above his head and the gathered supporters exploded into noise once again.

'Some of the best flying I've ever seen.'

Y/N turned to see Remus standing there beaming down at him.

'You truly are gifted when it comes to this sport, Y/N. I hope to see you play again in the future.'

They all stood there watching Harry be born off out of the stands and back up towards the castle with smiles across their faces. Harry spotted them and beckoned happily to them, but they simply smiled and waved. They'd join them later, once they weren't likely to get trampled.

'You did it.'

This time, Minerva had made her way over. Y/N detached himself from Hermione's grip and hugged her. Minerva beamed down at him with a look of intense pride.

'I knew you would. I knew you could.'

'The robes and practice helped,' said Y/N, 'but so did Harry. It's lucky he's such a good seeker.'

'Him catching the snitch would have meant nothing if not for your success as a chaser, Y/N. And as a wizard. I didn't know you could produce such a strong shield charm.'

Y/N felt his heart skip a beat, he looked slowly into his mother's face. There was an underlying hint of disapproval, but she simply shook her head.

'Mr Malfoy was going to cheat. And I must admit the moment I saw it I grew quite angry. As both your head of house and your mother, I will choose to let that one slide.'

'You just like seeing the cup in your office.'

'Do you want me to disqualify you and therefore the team from the match?'

'No no no,' said Y/N quickly, 'was only joking!'

Minerva laughed and then released him.

'Come on now, Gryffindor will be celebrating heartily tonight, and I don't think any of you want to miss it. Not after you flew so well.'

Together, Hermione, Y/N, Ginny, and Luna made their way back inside. Luna left them part way to head off towards Ravenclaw tower and Hermione wrapped herself around Y/N's arm.

The party lasted much later than the previous one. And it was 2 in the morning before Y/N even managed to get out of the congratulations and back pats long enough to say goodnight to Hermione and slip away to his dorm.

He got changed into his pyjamas and collapsed onto his bed. The adrenaline had worn off many hours ago and now he simply felt tired and drained. He closed his eyes. And his last thought as sleep came rolling in to greet him:

'You know, maybe Quidditch isn't as boring as I thought it was.'