Back to the Future

by Sirius1

In the year 1998, life is dangerous for young Harry Potter. In his final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with Lord Voldemort watching over the world, Harry learns new forms of hardship. However, a very special someone arrives who is ab

9. Back to the Future (9): New acquaintance...

Let's see … oh yeah. Those of you who haven't should definitely see the film Gladiator. You know, with Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Derek Jacobi etc. Superb stuff.  This part is dedicated to; let's see … Mina, for making a great cameo and for generally being a nice gal, and Twilight and Silence, who's been here since the beginning.

Back to the Future (9): New acquaintances

There was an instant, horrific silence. Harry and Seamus just stood staring at James, as though worried for his sanity. After what seemed like an eternity, Seamus spoke.

    'Dead?' he echoed hollowly. James nodded solemnly.

    'Dead. Voldemort sent this note,' he said, without thinking. However, neither Harry nor Seamus noticed. Harry put his hand out and took the note.

Potter,

Miss de l'Entrecôte is dead. I'm waiting …

Seamus swore loudly. James merely bowed his head, and Harry sat down on his bed, still clutching the letter, breathing hard.

    'It's me he wants,' he said slowly. 'I need to go …' Seamus started.

    'Harry – that's ridiculous. You'd be playing right into his hands. You can't go. We need you here.'

    'No,' said Harry vehemently. 'He's doing all this for a reason. If I go to him, he'll stop hurting all the people close to me.'

    'You won't,' said James quietly.

    'I can and I will!' said Harry, standing up. 'You can't stop me!'

    'It's not a case of stopping you,' said James, standing up so his face was inches from Harry's, his blue eyes penetrating Harry's green ones. 'You won't go alone.' Harry looked at him for a few minutes, thinking hard. He could face Voldemort … surely … that was a downright lie. What had happened last time? Hermione had almost been killed. And she would have died if it hadn't have been for certain ancient magic. He couldn't face Voldemort in this state – he would be a danger to others …

    'All right,' he said, somewhat reluctantly. 'I suppose it would be kind of suicidal. But we need to plan some sort of strategy. Look what happened after the Triwizard Tournament – I was taken completely by surprise.' He shuddered; both James and Seamus knew the images of that evening would never fully leave his mind. 'Look at it this way. Voldemort is hell-bent on regaining power, so we have to work together to try and stop him. There's no way I can face him alone just yet; I've not even finished school. But if we can all work together, we'll have more of a chance. What do you think?'

    'You're right,' James replied. 'I think we need to get Dumbledore to assemble all the members of the Order.' Harry nodded mutely. Seamus, however, looked perplexed.

    'Order?' said Seamus blankly.

    'The Order of the Phoenix,' James replied.

*

    'This is unbelievable. Unbelievable. I can't believe we're finally going to Hogwarts.'

    'Dumbledore requested us, and you know perfectly well why. The Dark Lord is regaining strength. All Phoenix members will be there in someway or another.'

    'Aurors – Phoenix members – we have busy lives really, don't we, sis?'

    'Very. Come on. It's time to Apparate. Now, remember. You'll be put with the student body, and I'll be made an apprentice staff member – Dumbledore wants to keep our presence as subtle as possible.'

    'Fair enough. Come on then.'

Two silent figures, dressed in robes of pure white, left the shadowy hill with a small pop.

*

    'Dumbledore called a meeting of the Phoenix in our fifth year,' Harry recalled. 'I had no idea that Remus and Sirius were a part of it.'

    'We joined together – yes, Peter as well – in our sixth year. This was years before people knew about our Animagus abilities, of course.'

    'James,' said Seamus. 'You're not very good at impersonating Neville, you do realise that, don't you?' James grinned.

    'Oh dear. Harry's told you, I perceive?' Seamus nodded. 'Well, we never expected it to last very long amongst his close friends anyway. Nice to meet you, Seamus. Anyway, back to the matter in hand. How many members of Phoenix are there now?'

    'A large group of Aurors,' Harry began. 'Dumbledore's a member – obviously – as are Sirius, Remus, Mundungus, Arabella, Snape, Hagrid, McGonagall – well, all the staff, really. There are a few people from the foreign schools, too. Oh, and some of the students here. Me, Hermione, Ron. It's quite a widespread organisation.'

    'I think Dumbledore will call a meeting, and, if I remember rightly, he'll post a number of Phoenix members around the school.'

    'How do you know?'

    'When Jenny died – that is, Peter's girlfriend – Dumbledore called together all of the Phoenix members. About three Aurors were hidden in the seventh year.'

    'How could they be Aurors at such a young age?' Seamus asked.

    'Well, strictly speaking, they wouldn't have to be at the actual age for seventh years. They could be a year older. Eighteen or nineteen. But not always. There is a system whereby students can opt – this isn't at Hogwarts – either to, in their fifth year, go on with all of their general subjects, or focus on one in particular. People who focus directly on Defence Against the Dark Arts, for example, can become Aurors within a couple of years. There's no age limit. And Aurors are in great demand now, as they were when I was at school. We need all the help we can get.' Harry and Seamus nodded mutely, when there was a knock on the door. It was Hermione.

    'Harry, Seamus, J – Neville,' she said. 'There's –'

    'His name's James,' Seamus pointed out, grinning. Hermione smiled.

    'I see. Anyway, Dumbledore has instructed everyone to go to the Great Hall. He needs to address the school at dinner…'

*

    'Miss Donna de l'Entrecôte was just sixteen years old,' said Dumbledore sadly, the usual bright light in his blue eyes out. 'She was good, and kind, and innocent, and met her demise purely because she walked across the path of Lord Voldemort. I have said this a number of times within the past few years, and I will say it again. You must remember these people who have died, simply from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You must remember what happens to innocent bystanders of these Dark times. Remember that they have suffered for an unjust cause. Remember.' 

He sat down and glanced to the Gryffindors, all of who were sitting noticeably subdued in their places. Harry suddenly realised how the Hufflepuffs must have felt at the end of his fourth year. Dumbledore spoke a few more words of comfort before standing up again.

    'As many of you well know, we must work together if we are to prevent Lord Voldemort from seizing power. Hostility between friends is a far worse incident than hostility between enemies. Now, bearing this in mind, I would like to introduce you all to two new members of our school community.' He glanced to the back of the Hall, the door to the Entrance Hall. 'I would like you all to welcome –' He raised his hand, and the doors at the back of the Hall flew open. There were a number of gasps, and an immediate scraping of chairs by people attempting to get a better look at the two newcomers.

Two of the most beautiful girls James had ever seen had just entered the Great Hall. They were both of about average height, though one was slightly taller than the other. It took James only seconds to register the fact that practically every single boy in the Hall was standing transfixed at the two girls who had entered.

    'Veela,' he muttered softly, glancing around the table. Ron was literally goggling at the girl nearest to them, the smaller one. She had long, light brown hair, with a slightly reddish tint, and James could see as she moved closer that her eyes were a greenish-grey colour. She was winking flirtatiously at a number of boys around her, and seemed completely unperturbed by being stared at in such a scrutinizing manner. Then again, James reminded himself, she was probably used to the attention. She was dressed in a cream-coloured sleeveless robe, which came to an elegant rest at her ankles, that had a long cut branching out from the middle of her shoulders to her bellybutton like a wide river being condensed into a paper-thin line. Atop this a clear, silky, material, which looked to James like water, covered the robe, with small pearls and diamonds dotting it, its sleeves very medieval-looking, growing as they reached her wrists.

James looked around again. Hermione was glaring from Ron to the smaller girl and back to Ron again. She seemed less than satisfied as did, James realised, almost the whole female population of Hogwarts. Jealousy and spite were etched in more than one gaze.

Dean, too, looked in nothing less than a trance. He was gazing longingly at the taller girl, who passed their table and winked at James. She seemed slightly disconcerted at his lack of reaction. This allowed him to get a good look at her, however. She too had long hair, flowing gracefully down her back. It was a rare shade of blonde, almost like the colour of honey. Her eyes were a mixture of Harry's green and James blue colour, and with a beautiful and curly hairdo, a lot of wicks of hairs alongside her face and on her shoulders that were free. She was wearing a kind of dark coat or jacket; all the edges of which seemed to be some intricate form of embroidery, somewhat of a

Gordian knot. On her sleeves, she had a large golden, orange, and yellow layer that seemed to be woven with many symbols or jewels. Under all of this, she was wearing a plain pale blue dress with a wide low-cut v-neck, which resembled an icicle dripping down, to the middle of her cleavage.

James wondered for a few minutes why exactly it was that Veela didn't affect him. He was just wondering whether he was the only one when he was tapped on the shoulder.

    'They're creating quite a stir.' It was Harry. James grinned.

    'Like father like son, eh? Wonder why they don't affect us …'

    'I think I know,' Harry replied, as the two Veela passed the Slytherin table, looking interestedly at Malfoy. He merely shrugged before retaking his seat. He wasn't affected either.

    'You have to be … I dunno. Painstakingly handsome? Tell me.'

    'Think about it. When you see Veela, they're meant to be the most beautiful creatures that walk the earth. But – what if you have a conflicting opinion?' James nodded, catching on to what Harry was saying.

   'I see what you're getting at. I think Lily's the most beautiful girl in the world, therefore Veela don't affect me, and you –' He lowered his voice. 'You think the same about Hermione, right?' Harry nodded glumly.

    'Precisely. So, anyone who's not affected is already in love. Or has been,' he added, glancing at the amused faces seated around the High Table. James was just about to reply, when there was a sudden change in the smaller Veela's expression. As she was glancing around the Hall, still grinning widely, her eyes came to rest on a spot on the Gryffindor table just a few feet from James' left.

Rarely had James seen such a dramatic change in the pallor of a person's skin in such a short space of time. The Veela stumbled backwards; almost knocking her companion into the Ravenclaw table, though privately James was sure a number of Ravenclaws would not have been particularly upset by this. He stared to his left, and saw Seamus sitting down, looking at the girl intently. He didn't seem to be enchanted by her either, as he had some description of disappointment etched into his face. James could see that their eyes were clearly locked, and was about to ask Seamus something when Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat. Somehow, he had the impression that talking to Seamus would not have broken his eye contact with the Veela.

Dumbledore stood, and beamed around at his students. 'Welcome,' he said kindly, smiling to the two girls. He turned back to the Hall. 'Today, I need to introduce you all to two new members of our school community. Miss Flora and Miss Marie Déesse. Miss Déesse senior –' Flora gave a little curtsy. 'Will be joining Professor Snape as an assistant …' A number of moans greeted this pronouncement, from the Gryffindor table in particular. Snape looked as though he'd just been told that he had to adopt Harry. Flora sat down behind Dumbledore.

    'Miss Marie Déesse, however,' Dumbledore went on. 'Will be joining the student body of the school.' At this statement, all of the boys in the Hall started paying rapt attention. 'Therefore,' Dumbledore went on, as Marie winked at Draco Malfoy. 'She must be Sorted.' He nodded to Professor Flitwick, who proceeded to bring the ragged hat into the Hall. When all eyes were on it, the usual rip appeared in the brim.

'You know, it takes a while for me,

To write songs I'll remember.

You'll have to do without this time:

Come back in September.'

There was rapturous applause as the hat bowed to the four house tables and then lay motionless. Marie walked forward, looking slightly nervous. She placed the hat on her head. James looked round and saw, with amusement, that with the exception of three other people, every boy in the Hall was watching Marie with great anticipation. Some students were even freeing up spaces next to them. James looked to Harry, who was engaging in conversation with Hermione, Draco Malfoy, who was merely looking bored, and Seamus, who still had that funny look on his face. He glanced back to the hat, which suddenly bellowed 'Gryffindor!' at the top of its voice. James was sure he had imagined it afterwards, but felt sure he had seen a flicker of something akin to panic cross Marie's face.

It soon disappeared, however, as the shouts and cheers from the Gryffindor table drowned out the boos and hisses from the other three. Marie, still smiling, walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down in the only available seat – right between James and Harry. She looked a little nervous, as she kept shooting glances at her sister, but, after a few minutes, everybody else went back to their dinner (Dumbledore had had it sent up). Marie looked around and suddenly caught Seamus' eye.

    'I'm not hungry,' he said loudly, standing up and promptly leaving the hall. Marie looked at him disappointedly before turning to James. She started.

    'Harry Potter,' she said breathlessly, and there was a hint of a French accent in her voice. 'Such an honour it is to meet you.' James, fighting back laughter, could tell that she was not impressed with his lack of reaction to her charms. He held out his hand.

    'Neville Longbottom, a pleasure to meet you,' he said, grinning, kissing her fingers. 'These are my friends – Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas and – until about five seconds ago – Seamus Finnigan. Nice to meet you.' Marie looked a little sheepish.

    'Sorry,' she said. 'A pleasure to meet you. And you as well, Harry.' She turned to Harry and pecked him once on each cheek. Harry grinned, and returned the gesture. Nobody noticed Hermione scowling.

    'I am so sorry,' Marie continued. 'It is just that you look so alike – it is almost in'uman.' James smiled.

    'A slightly awry Potions experiment,' he said, and proceeded to explain to Marie what had happened.

    'I see,' she said. 'So – you are stuck looking like Harry's father, yes?' James nodded.

    'Yes.'

Presently, most of the seventh year Gryffindors had been introduced to Marie (as well as a number of students from other houses). She seemed very friendly, though continued to shoot concerned glances to where Seamus had been sitting and to her sister. Flora, meanwhile, was engaged in enthusiastic conversation with Professor Snape. Despite his earlier expression, he now looked delighted to finally be able to talk to someone about his work, and didn't seem affected at all by her Veela powers.

Most of the students were not so lucky, however. Marie was able to talk rationally to James, Harry and the girls, but if she attempted to talk to anybody else, Ron in particular, she ended up speaking essentially to robots. Draco Malfoy did walk past at one point, and James noticed Flora, up on the High Table, taking a distinct interest in him.

    'Have you been to England before?' James asked curiously.

    'Yes,' Marie replied. 'Our mother is English – she brings us 'ere very often.' She smiled again and looked intently at James. He could tell she was attempting to use her Veela powers.

    'No,' said James grinning. 'Don't think so.' Marie looked disappointed for a minute, but decided there was little point.

    'So,' she said. 'Who is the lucky girl?' James hesitated. He noticed Hermione glancing at him amusedly and gave her a pleading look. She threw an extremely ugly look at Ron, who was now gaping open-mouthed at Flora, and nodded.

    'Hermione,' he said, sighing with relief. Marie looked satisfied, however.

    'I can see why,' she said. 'You two make a perfect couple.' Hermione grinned sheepishly.

    'We haven't been going out long,' she said, smiling at James. 'Not long at all, in fact …'

    'I'm sure you will be very 'appy,' said Marie, flashing them a pearly-white smile. James and Hermione exchanged another amused look, looking to Ron, whose mouth was half-open in what looked like a drunken stupor. Marie started speaking to Parvati, and Hermione began to laugh.

    'What?' James asked.

    'Oh – it's just – funny situation, I suppose. Funny situation ...'

*

Snape stood, amazed.

    'Ve – very good, Po – Longbottom. How –?' He glanced around the spotless Potions dungeon, looking very faint. James sat on the front desk, smiling innocently.

    'Miss Granger showed me some cleaning spells, Professor,' he said, with the air of a baby angel. 'She's clever, sir.' At these words, a slight sneer broke out across Snape's face.

    'I see,' he said venomously. 'These are not your skills. Well, Longbottom, whilst you're here … how about an impromptu test?' It wasn't a question. Snape swept across the dungeon, and disappeared for a few minutes into his office. He emerged, some minutes later, holding a large desk. James flashed him another innocent smile as he stepped forward.

    'Here you are, Longbottom. Transform this into a –' Before he had even finished his sentence, a small vending machine stood before him. James merely shrugged and helped himself to a pumpkin pie from the machine. Snape looked very ill. He looked up, and James could see his lip shaking.

    'Very – very good. Now, defeat this Boggart,' he said, looking James straight in the eye with his own glittering black ones.

    'Are you sure?' James asked softly. 'You might not like what you see.' Snape had obviously realised this, and he answered by merely opening the front of the desk. James knew what the Boggart would transform into. And Snape knew as well. Lily.

And suddenly, the room was filled with two presences. The first was a petrified-looking Lily Evans, and the second was a Dementor. James saw the look of absolute horror cross Snape's features. James flashed him a twisted smile before saying, 'Remember this? Expecto Patronum!' The dazzling, silver lion appeared, and charged at the Dementor. Snape sat down a desk, clutching his heart. James muttered a few words, and the visions disappeared. He walked over to Snape, a cruel smile playing about his lips. He bent lower, and put his mouth close to Snape's ear.

    'We all know whom that Patronus belongs to, don't we?' he whispered. He pulled back to see a final look of both realisation and fear cross Snape's features, before he exhaled loudly and slumped down onto the desk. 

*

The Gryffindor Quidditch team were particularly subdued the next morning at breakfast. Even some of the Slytherins looked glum.

    'Donna was really popular,' Hermione explained to James. 'She used to make all us girls laugh, using her charms on wastes of space like this one.' She jerked her head in Ron's direction. 'Some people never change,' she said, shaking her head. As if on cue, Ron turned to stare at the two Déesse sisters, who had just entered the Great Hall.

    'Never mind,' said Harry, over James' shoulder. He looked unusually happy at the sisters' arrival, and James was sure he knew why. 'He'll get over it.'

    'He'd better,' said Hermione. 'Anyway, I need to ask Professor McGonagall something. Be right back.' James followed her retreating back as it crossed the Hall and passed Professor Snape, who looked distinctly pale. James caught his eye and smiled.

    'Snape knows,' he said to Harry, without looking away from Snape. He turned. 'Snape knows,' he repeated. He was amazed to see Harry looking unsurprised.

    'I know,' Harry replied. 'I saw his face when you came in. Snape's no poker player. Don't worry about it. He's probably too scared to tell anyone anyway.' James smiled.

    'No. Anyway, you seem very happy. Something to do with a certain Mr. Weasley not being in love?' Harry nodded. James smiled at him kindly. 'I think she'll work it out eventually.' He checked his watch. 'It's ten to eleven, Harry. Time to go, I think …'

*

    'Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome the Gryffindor Quidditch team!!' Colin Creevey's deep voice rang out around the Quidditch Stadium. Seven scarlet blurs entered the pitch, and Colin took up his microphone. 'Put your hands together for – Finnigan, Creevey, Woods, Weasley, McDonald, making his first appearance for the team, Longbottom aaaand … Potter!' There was rapturous applause from three-quarters of the crowd. 'And now,' Colin continued, rather less enthusiastically. 'The Slytherin team. Malfoy – and a few other people.' Colin's indifferent approach caused most of the stadium to shout with laughter. The Slytherins, however, looked furious. As Harry cast a glance around, he noticed Malfoy looking daggers at Colin, but softening slightly when Flora waved to him.

The players moved into position. The Slytherins, in their green robes, looked as though they'd just been force-fed Hagrid's rock cakes. They didn't look happy as Madam Hooch blew her whistle to start the match.

'And they're off. Roberts dives for the Quaffle – but Longbottom beats him to it! Longbottom with the Quaffle – good Lord, look at him fly – he's approaching the Slytherin goals – Keeper Davies comes to meet him – Longbottom scores!! Surely a new record!' Harry stood in midair, astounded. James could fly well. He certainly hadn't flown that well at practice. He caught James' eye as James did an exaggerated celebration and gave him a thumbs-up. His thoughts were abruptly pushed from his mind, however, as a Bludger swooped towards him, with Dennis Creevey not far behind.

    'All right, Harry?' he yelled as he whizzed past. Harry grinned, and strained both his ears and eyes to listen to Colin and search for the Golden Snitch.

    'And – Slytherin in possession now – yes, Slytherin Chaser Marx approaching the – a wonderful interception by Weasley. She has the Quaffle now – plays a nice pass to McDonald. McDonald comes inside – dodges a Bludger – nice spin – she's being caught fast by Sintisan – she's still going, and – oh, and beautiful pass to Longbottom. She executed that move to perfection. Longbottom, now, approaching the goals – Davies comes out to meet him – and – FOUL!!' James, inches from scoring, was thrown unexpectedly from his broom. Malfoy had smashed right into him. There were screams from three quarters of the crowd, who all stood up as one to see what had happened.

James knew what to do. Very slowly, he pulled out his wand – he never played Quidditch without it – and muttered, 'Accio Firebolt!' It did the trick. Harry's old broom came soaring after James and, just a few feet from the ground; it caught him. He breathed a huge sigh of relief, and there was a great cheer from the crowd, but James couldn't hear. He pelted up the pitch as fast as he could towards Malfoy, who was still clutching the Quaffle. Malfoy saw James just in time, but his pass was a weak one.

    'Longbottom makes the interception – and – he scores! Gryffindor lead by twenty to nil!' James turned; grinning, and the noise of the crowd met his ears at last. It seemed almost like being back home – it was so frighteningly familiar. Three-quarters of the crowd spurring him on, their voices joined in one colossal sound. One quarter of the crowd hissing and booing, their voices being drowned out by the cheers. And a commentator who, whether inadvertent or not, was blatantly biased in his favour. James suddenly glimpsed something in the uppermost rows that made him grin again – a large, shaggy black dog. Sirius was here.

The game continued, though Harry still saw no sign of the Snitch. He was just considering calling time out when it started. At first it was just a few drops of the end of his nose, but soon all fourteen players and the referee were soaked to the skin. The storm came quicker than anyone could have expected. Harry and James, both wearers of glasses, performed the water-repelling charm on their spectacles to allow improved vision. But soon the storm had taken over. Strokes of lightning adorned the heavens, as the rain lashed the roof of the stadium. James noticed many students conjuring umbrellas, though others weren't so lucky.

    'Lovely day for a Quidditch game, eh?' said Ron cheerfully in the stands. He was soaked to the skin, but it hadn't dampened his spirits. Hermione made a noise of irritation. She was still angry at the way he had behaved around the Veela.

    'Neville sure has improved,' Dean observed, as a soaking-wet James put the Quaffle through the Slytherin goalposts once more. 'What's the score?'

    'We're killing them,' Ron said enthusiastically. 'But it's getting darker – Harry won't be able to see the Snitch soon.' Dean nodded. High above them, Harry was still circling the game like a hawk, desperately searching for the Snitch. According to Colin, Gryffindor were a hundred and thirty points up – but that would be useless unless Harry got the Snitch. He looked harder, squinting through the rain as green and scarlet blurs whooshed past him. He could still just about hear Colin's commentary over the thunder – James had just scored his ninth goal.

    'He is good. Longbottom, I mean.'

    'I 'ad noticed. 'E is very nice, you know. But in love also.'

    'Oh?'

    'Yes. With 'ermione Granger. She too is kind, and extremely clever. Everyone but Neville needs 'er 'elp, I am thinking.'

    'Dear, your accent is becoming slightly more distinctive. You'd never pass for an Englishwoman.' Marie Déesse pouted.

    'Maybe so, dear sister. I know you are perfect, of course.' Flora smiled widely, attracting a number of boys' around her attentions. 

    'I already have my sights set on someone,' she said huskily, glancing up at Draco Malfoy.

    'Draco Malfoy?' her sister giggled. 'You devil.' Flora grinned mischievously. Her sister laughed, but suddenly sobered, as another scarlet figure zoomed passed, holding a small bat.

    'He is here,' she said sadly. 'I knew it was 'im.'

    'The Irish boy?' Flora inquired. Marie nodded.

    'I knew it was all a mistake. I wish I 'ad never met him.'

    'Of course you do,' said her sister, sounding disbelieving. 'Longbottom scores again,' she added, tactfully changing the subject. 'He is certainly on form. Ten goals now, is that?'

Harry's heart stopped. The Snitch was fluttering its wings right down next to the Slytherin goalposts. He dived, and saw Malfoy do the same. But he was miles ahead. He swooped lower, gaining on the Snitch every second. He stretched out his hand – he was barely inches – and – Madam Pomfrey's whistle rang out around the stadium once again. She looked livid. The Slytherin goalkeeper, Davies, had caught the Snitch, and thrown it off into the storm.

    'Foul!' she screamed. 'I've never seen anything like – penalty to Gryffindor!' There were shouts of anger from three-quarters of the crowd. The Slytherins, however, looked delighted.

    'THOSE DIRTY CHEATING SCUM!!' Colin screamed, 'FILTHY, NO-GOOD, DON'T DESERVE TO –'

    'Creevey,' said Professor McGonagall warningly, who was watching him.

    'BUT DIDN'T YOU SEE WHAT HE DID?!' Colin bellowed. At this, three-quarters of the crowd cheered and nodded their heads. Professor McGonagall said something quietly to Colin.

   'All right, so after that – disgusting – Snitchnip by the Slytherin Keeper, Longbottom slots the Quaffle away, no problem. Play continues …'  

Harry, far above the stadium, knew it was futile to try and overturn the decision. He had encountered the Slytherin's cheating methods ad nauseam in the past, and they no longer surprised him. He contented himself with searching again for the Snitch. Not a sign. Until …

    'Harry!' James shouted. 'Look behind you!' Harry turned, and almost laughed out loud with relief. Davies' plan had failed. He reached out his hand, and grasped the cold, smooth surface of the Golden Snitch, the wings beating helplessly in his hand.

And suddenly, the volume was increased. Harry felt three speeding blurs crash into him. First Seamus, grinning like a madman, then Dennis, shouting, 'You're the greatest! We're the greatest!' and finally James, looking at Harry with pride written all over his face. The three were joined shortly by Ginny, Natalie and Jenny, who merely beamed widely, each of them kissing Harry on the cheek.

The team, tangled together in a many-armed hug, floated down to the ground. Colin was still bellowing 'GRYFFINDOR WIN! GRYFFINDOR WIN!!' and the crowd were going wild. Wave after wave of crimson supporters flew onto the pitch, and soon the whole team had been lifted onto their shoulders. At the back of the crowd, James noticed Ron, Hermione, Professor Lupin, and a very familiar black dog, smiling at them. He stood up, his arm around Harry's, and raised his fist into the air. There was another gigantic cheer, as the crowd drowned the noise of the storm.

Harry noticed, with a grin, Malfoy land nearby, looking furious and embarrassed at the same time. Malfoy looked at him and made an unfriendly gesture. Harry merely replied by holding up six fingers. Six games against      Slytherin – six victories.

*

The party in the Gryffindor common room went on into the night. Harry and James made a short excursion to Hogsmeade to fetch food, and it was as though Gryffindor had already won the Quidditch Cup. Harry also noticed, with a slight grin, that a lot more people were now paying attention to James. He noticed at least four girls approach him and tell him in husky voices how impressed they were. James merely shrugged his way out of it – it reassured Harry to know how much his father really loved his mother.

    'A star, Harry, is what you are,' James said, smiling. 'Wonderful. I bet you always wished I could have seen you play?' Harry nodded. 'You never expected to play alongside me though, did you?' Harry shook his head, and James embraced him again.

    'It's good to be here, Harry,' he said. 'It's good to be here.'

Eventually, Professor McGonagall turned up. Although James convinced her to have a Butterbeer, she soon began shepherding people back to their dormitories.

    'Excellent flying today, Potter, Longbottom,' she said, when she passed them. 'You really are both most capable. Good night.'

    'Night miss,' they said simultaneously. Professor McGonagall laughed and left the room, taking with her a bottle of Butterbeer.

*

    'You were fantastic today, lads,' said Ron, grinning at James, Harry and Seamus. The four had returned to the common room to get ready for bed. 'Bloody brilliant. I wish I could fly as well as you …'

    'Yeah,' said Harry, smiling contentedly. Anyway, I'm –' He was cut off at this point, however, as Hermione came through the door, looking out of breath from running. She burst into the dorm, emitting a shriek of protest from Ron, who was dressed in just his Chudley Cannons underwear.

    'Hermione!' he shrieked. 'What the –?' Hermione overrode him, however.

    'James,' she said desperately. 'I was just coming back from the kitchens when I saw Dumbledore talking to someone.'

    'Who?' James asked, looking slightly alarmed at Hermione's manner.

    'It's Neville,' she said breathlessly. 'He's back …'

Finished. Joy.

OK, sorry this took a while to get up. I've been busy with, er, things.

Now, before the actual thanks section, I have a few people to thank. First and foremost, the wonderful ~*Snow Angel*~ for beta-ing this chapter and allowing me to exploit her character. Secondly to Mina for letting me use her as a character too. The Veela sisters. Both girls are assured of, well, nothing. I can do what I like. Heh.

OK. Now, as I had more reviews than I expected for part eight, I've had to cut down on the comments somewhat. But don't worry – I still love you all:

HGW (The first of 113. Nice one. Love you, HGW.), The House (You're a star. Nothing else to it. Ciao), ldjkasfjdaslk (Donna is a girl who is dead. Cheers!), Hallie_U (Cheers Hal, mi amigo{?}. GCSE's are no fun, you're right. Love you.), Kelzery (I was joking, dear. You're a die-hard H/H. Love you, Kelly. Thanks.), Mayleesa (Thanks a lot. H/H is fun, I agree), Czarina of the Pink Squirrels (Sometimes I wonder of the sanity of my reviewers. 'Pimple' is a fantastic word. Leave it alone *g*. Cheers.), Cat Samwise (Very avid H/H support there. I can stop stories whenever I like. It's easy. Thanks a lot.), Good old … gah … young Lizzy/Tygrestick (Can I ask? Where did that pseudonym come from? Hmm … I was reading DD again the other day. Hilarious stuff. You'd like all 'hot guys around 14 to call you "Lizzy", eh? Well, I pass two out of three … thanks L/T; love you.), ~*~silverstreak~*~ (Argh. Too late, sorry. But ta for the offer. Thanks a lot.), the great Calder Lynch (Your favourite story? *Goes pale* {that's my version of blushing, so to speak}. Thanks Calder; love you as well.), Kaitlyn (Thanks a lot.), H/H rule (Very subtle. Thanks a lot.), Renee (Will do … or will I? Thanks a lot.), Professor Unicorn (Will do. Thanks again!), the fantastic someone2 (You won't? Oh, what a terrible shame. Still. Thanks anyway, s2. Still love you.), the superlative seraphim (All right; I'm no expert. This Megan girl – yes, only one person got that, I think. Look at the bottom. Thanks. Love you.), the marvellous illusions2525 (Still going, still going. Thanks, illusions. Love you.), *Ice Lily* (I thought a romance subplot might attract attention – I was right! Thanks a lot.), Katana (Very subtle. Cheers.), Tasha (Thanks for your kind comments. Love you, Tasha.), Jeanne (Why do I cut at the best parts? I'm evil is why. Thanks a lot.), the simply supoib Twilight and Silence (Rosemary is your name, I perceive? No? It's Rosethimble? I didn't see that coming. Anyway, sorry about not being able to beat {I'm in good hands}. I still love you, T&S. Thanks.), the intelligent Hank Riddle (That review scared me somewhat. Still, thanks a lot anyway Hank. My dad translated that Spanish for me. *Chuckles* Very good. Ciao.), SilverTone (*Pallor of skin goes immensely white* That's the nicest review out of the lot. Thank you so much. You really inspire me to write more. Love you!), Lita of Jupiter (It's nicer on Saturn at this time of year. Vote registered. Thanks again; love you.), Prongs has Beatles (He does? Hmm … 'Hey Prongs' *Shakes head* Just doesn't have the same ring. 'The Ballad of Prongs and Yoko'? No, no, I don't think so. Thanks a lot.), *Magic* (I guess I wanted an original idea. Thanks a lot.), the fantastical Mladybug3 (That story cheered me up. Sine Qua Non is better than this, I agree. Arabella's a genius. Thanks for all your usual witty comments. Love you still, and glad to see you voting H/D. Ciao.), Cassy (Sorry to hear about your Spanish test. Better luck next time. Subtle vote registered. Thanks a lot!), Tygerlily (Thanks a lot!), Jadeite Z (Another loyal reviewer. Love you, JZ. Glad to see you using links, too. Ciao.), *Magic* (Again? Thanks Magic. Love you!), Me (Nice and original. Great poem! Thanks.), The genuinely nice gal Tiger Lily (For being so nice I think maybe I should let every one of those votes count. Yes. I will. I think you're a sweetie too. Thanks a lot. *Sniffs* You're all … too kind. Love you, TL. Ciao.) ;-) (Poor old Ronniekins … I still like him. Thanks a lot. Ciao.), lala (Yes, it is rather absurd. But I feel I owe you people thanks. You're all so marvelous. Thanks a lot!), Eternal Angel {x8} (8 reviews? You're so kind… MWPP is Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Thanks for all those, EA. Love you.), Laila (Refer to Werewolf if it's Chimaeras you're after. *G* FB is great. Thanks, Laila. Love you.), ker-rin (Very subtle vote. Cheers.), saturnova (Thanks very much. I might make it H/H – we'll see. Ciao.), Ambrosia (Going AQAP. Thanks a lot.), herm (Glad to hear it. Thank you!), the great Jenn (Thanks again, J. Only one person got the Megan bit, as I said before. Love you.), the insane French Hermione/Sirius shipper Rachel Granger-Gryffindor (Flattery is a terrible thing. Complimenting is not {and yes, there is a difference}. Thanks again, Rachel. Love you.), rebecca (Well, Herm had other things to think about in this part… thanks a lot, Rebecca. Ciao.), fiona (Yes, someone sensible at last. But you didn't even vote, dear. No 'the', 'a' or 'love' anywhere in there. Thanks anyway.), the terribly wondrous, marvelous, superlative-draining gumdrop (Quite an intro. Yes, I've heeded your great advice. Kim is now my beta-reader for this as are you for JPatW. Thanks again, Nadia. Love you.), Arabella Figg (Probably the second nicest review I received. And the threesome suggestion *looks annoyed* Why weren't you around at the start of the fic? *G*, thanks a lot, Arabella. Love you.), Kate (I don't watch TOTP. It's bad for my, er, ears. And we get Neighbours, so you aren't the only sufferers. Thanks a lot, Kate. Ciao.), SuperSayiaJin (Hmmmm. No. Thanks anyway.), mixednuts (All I have to say is thank you very much, and that boys grow! Yes! Incredible, no?! Right, that's my outburst for the day. Cheers.), CalorSolChica (The best story? Pfft. Check some of my links in chapter 8. Thanks a lot anyway, though. Love you.), Nice (x2) (Thanks a lot!), TicTac (Thanks v. much. Ciao.), Heraclas (Thanks a lot J.), Little Witch (I don't take offence. If the TS is as long as the fic it means lots of lovely people like yourself have reviewed the fic. Thanks a lot, LW. Love you.), Rufus (Fantastic poem. Superb. And in the books, I think this much romance will occur between the trio: 0. JKR can't risk upsetting half of her fans. Loved the poem … you get six … teen votes for that. Ciao Rufus. Love you.), SweetySwee (Mwahahaha. I seemed to have converted a lot of people to H/H with this story. Perhaps I'm upsetting the fanfic balance? Nah. Cheers, SS.), Celeste Riddle (Draco might come into a bit more – Flora has taken definite interest in him *g*. Thanks a lot.), Patrick (Goes even paler. A real book? Me? Well, maybe in a few years … thanks a lot, Patrick. Thanks a lot.), Roarke (No, I haven't forgotten Werewolf. Thanks a lot. Ciao.), Lilliana Rivas (Nice pseud. Maybe I will … in the future. Thanks a lot!), Cedric* luvr (How could I? It's quite easy to stop a fic, you know. Going AQAP. Thanks very much.), Ashleigh (Nah, I'm not really. I just have a fertile imagination. I'm doing the same thing with Herm and James that I do with James and Lily in Werewolf. Sort of. Anyways, thanks a lot!), *Magic* (This name is familiar. Thanks again!), Roarke (I'm trying to shorten it – not having much luck. Cheers.), the long-word loving LongLongHair (Thanks a lot for the interesting comments, LLH. *G* Have you scared your friends yet with your knowledge of ridiculously long words? Thanks a lot. Love you.), Hank Riddle (Again. Thanks a lot, Hank. Ciao.), Krazzie Krys (Thanks a lot. Mice awards, eh? Those Golden Toads™ will never know what hit them. Thanks again!), Florencia (Another great review. Thanks a lot, Florencia. Love you.), Slytherin Supporter (Thanks.), laure (You should vote for them then. 'Pimple', remember? Thanks a lot …), Elizabeth (Will do. Cheers.), Griff (Nice vote. Thanks a lot.), Draconia (Nice name. Thank you very much.), Zybenkizzashanta (*Sighs* It means: A deluded human who practices Divination or forecasting by means of phenomena, interpretation of acts, or other manifestations related to the following animate of inanimate objects and appearances: bids, oracles, Bible, ghosts, crystal gazing, shadows, air appearances, birth stars, meteors, winds, sacrificial appearances, entrails of humans and fishes, fire, red-hot irons, altar smoke, mice, grain picking by rooster, snakes, herbs, fountains, water, wands, dough, meal, barley, salt, lead, dice, arrows, hatchet balance, sieve, ring suspension, random dots, precious stones, pebbles, pebble heaps, mirrors, ash, writing, dreams, palmistry, nail rays, finger rays, numbers, book passages, name letterings, laughing manners, ventriloquism, circle walking, wax, susceptibility to hidden springs, wine, and shoulder blades ... interesting, no? Thanks a lot!), lee-anne (Will do. Thanks a lot!), Chantel Hedwig  Slyterin {Slytherin?} (More? OK, if you insist. Thanks a lot.), *Magic* (Thanks again!), Malfoy's Best Friend (Oh, come on now. That was pitiful. You must be subtle. Thanks anyways though.), Sara (Will do. Thanks again, Sara. Love you.), PixyChick (Thanks for all those very well hidden votes. *G* Thanks a lot, PC. Love you as well.), Blondie (Thanks a lot! Ciao), the nasty stalking Chinook (Put it this way: it takes a while. Looking forward to your trip to Angleterre still? Thanks Adrienne, love you.), Lavander (Thanks once again, Lavander. Love you.), Hermione Gulliver (Thanks a lot, HG. Love you!), Nickzchick (I'm promising nowt. And Ron – I don't know. People hate him more than I'd anticipated. Thanks a lot, NC. Ciao.), LongLongHair {again} (Yes, the trivia is just for you. Thanks again!), Paparazzi (Hermione/Voldie? Grr … you should have been around at the start, too! *G* Vote registered. Thanks a lot!), Jae-san (Oh, you make me chuckle. I know where you got that from now – Friends! You little spiky devil you. Ciao for now.), Rufus (How informative.), sOmeOnESpeCIaL (You find plugs confusing? Never mind. Thanks a lot anyway!), HGW {again} (You know perfectly well how stupid that question is. The next part is up now, obviously! Still, thanks again, HGW. Still love you), ~*Snow Angel*~ (Enjoy your cameo, did you? Flora the flirting Veela – has a nice ring, no? Déesse – that's just supoib. *G* Love you, Kim. Thanks!),  Mayleesa (Thank you very much.), harry's girl 3 (He's got three girls on the go? Bad Harry. Nice vote. Thanks a lot!), SEEKER_2000 (Merci beaucoup. Au revoir!), Tonallan (Vote didn't count. Not subtle enough. Thanks anyway. Ciao.), the fantastique Naomi (Glad to hear it. Thanks a lot, Naomi. Love you.), Sugar Quill (Nearly there … thanks a lot!), the insane, sunflower-seed eating, Seamus adoring, cameo presence Mina (Ooh, I saw your kind comment on the hpwfa *nods*. You're Marie Déesse, for the moment. Care to look it up? *G* Thanks, Mina. Love you.), Athanasia Salazar (Nice pseud. Will do. Thanks a lot), the last, and my personal favourite because it means I've finished … tamako (Definite H/H? You should vote for them in that case. Thanks for being the last person and allowing me to conclude this still INHUMAN PRACTICE!!! Ciao.).

So there we go. Finished. Some trivia for LongLongHair:

Thanks section: 1797 words

Whole thing: 7373 words

Percentage: A mere 24%. That's been cut down nicely.

Right then. So that's part 9, children. Thanks again to Mina and ~*Snow Angel*~ for their cameos.

I love you all, yes I do.

Ciao