A

A/N I'm sure a number of you are wondering when I am going to get to the Match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. After all it took me five chapters just to get through September and two more to get to Halloween. Well This Chapter is one of the more Pivotal chapters of all for the Quidditch Match between Gryffindor and Slytherin is the Subject of THIS CHAPTER.

Chapter 8 Quidditch

The next morning Amy went down to breakfast and underwent her usual two week old battle to comfortably eat. After she finished eating she went up toward the Staff Table where the professors were eating away. Her target was Professor Finch-Fletchley the Transfiguration Professor her first class of the day.

"Professor, would you mind if I'm a little late for class I want to ask Madame Pomfrey something in the Infirmary?" Amy asked.

"What are you planning on asking her about?" Hermione asked.

"My cast," Amy said.

"Sure go ahead," Hermione said.

Amy then headed for the Hospital Wing with Hannah in tow. Madame Pomfrey was in her office pouring a Potion when they walked in. A Brownish haired boy was sitting on a bench in an examining room.

"Oh Miss Potter, take a seat I will be right with you," Madame Pomfrey said as she looked up. She then carried the goblet of potion into the room where the Brownish haired boy was.

"There that should make you feel all better Mr. Flint," Madame Pomfrey said.

"Thanks Madame Pomfrey, You mind giving me a pass I'm late for Charms," he said.

"Sure," Madame Pomfrey said.

HE then headed on out. He stopped in front of Amy and Hannah.

"You're Amy Potter aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes I am," Amy said. "You are?"

"Oh I'm Marcus Flint Jr. I'm the keeper for my team. Snape told me how he is going to referee our match."

"Which would be," Amy said.

"The one coming up here this month Gryffindor Sly," Marcus started to say.

"Get lost you creep," Amy said when she realized what house he was in.

"I have to get to class as it is," Marcus said.

Madame Pomfrey then called Amy into the examination room and used a spell to check the condition of Amy's arm.

"Your arm looks to be in good shape Miss Potter. Just go easy on it for a couple weeks at this point. I will be taking your cast off. To be honest I was going to have you come in after you got done with classes for the day," Madame Pomfrey said.

"Will I be okay at practice we have a match in two weeks?" Amy wondered.

"Oh Lord a Quidditch Player. Why am I not surprised. Nasty sport. If it wasn't for those ruddy Bludgers it wouldn't be that bad," Madame Pomfrey complained. "What position do you play?"

"Keeper," Amy said. "I'm a fairly good Keeper at that."

Madame Pomfrey just sighed and walked away after magically removing her cast. Amy and Hannah then headed for transfiguration. Hermione simply made note of their arrival and up at her desk gave them the idea of what the transfiguration entailed. She then told them that if necessary they could make up lost time either over lunch or after dinner. Amy decided on After dinner practice schedule permitting. She made it through her classes eventually arriving at Potions.

"Miss Potter, how is your arm doing?" Snape wondered.

"I had it checked this morning and she took the time to remove my cast so it's easier to work now," Amy said. "I hear you are refereeing the Gryffindor Slytherin Match weekend after next."

"Ah yes I am," Snape said. "You think Gryffindor will be ready?"
"We will be. Josh did drills mainly during the two weeks I was laid up because of my arm," Amy said. "The question is will Slytherin be ready?"

"I'm sure Higgins will make sure the team will be ready," Snape said.

"Professor, wouldn't your refereeing the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin almost cause bias since you are the head of one of the houses competing?" Rachel asked.

"That is hard to say Miss Ricards. Dan York is commentating the match and he is a Gryffindor so he would be biased towards his house," Snape replied.

AS Amy and Hannah worked away at their potion they kept an eye on what Snape was doing. At one point he walked by and saw the slightly off color potion.

"The color looks to be a little off. I think it needs a few more spider abdomens," Snape said.

"Thanks Professor," Amy said as she added the additional abdomens one at a time until the color was where it should be.

Man something is up with Snape. Why would he act so pleasant towards Amy. Might have something to do with the match coming up.

Eventually class came toward conclusion and Snape walked among the Classes checking color and viscosity. After he looked at the potion he would give two numbers. One was the group grade and the other was a number of points. Both Amy and Hannah made note that he took points from a few potions for them being off including points from Slytherin. Amy and Hannah's netted then close to full marks and thirty points for Gryffindor. After class they headed for Harry's office.

"Hello girls," Harry said. "How did class go today?"

"Something seemed off with Professor Snape," Hannah said before describing his behavior in class.

"You are right that is not typical behavior for Snape. I doubt there is much I can do about it," Harry said as Josh walked into the classroom

"Professor, you have any idea when we will be able to restart Practice?" Josh asked as he walked from the classroom door to the office door.

"Well I have my cast off if that is a help," Amy said.

"Good. I have a ton of homework tonight so we will restart practice tomorrow after dinner and probably run it nightly so long as Madame Conway will let us use the field that much," Josh said.

"We have some extra work to do for Transfiguration tonight as it is," Hannah informed them both.

Once they left Amy thought of something.

"Bathroom or Astronomy Tower?" She inquired.

"Bathroom," Hannah said figuring out what Amy had up her sleeves.

They then walked along heading for a particular bathroom. Eventually they pushed open the door to see Myrtle and Ritala playing checkers on the other side.

"Oh hi Amy, Hannah," Myrtle said.

"What's up Myrtle?" Hannah asked.

"Oh not much really we just figured we would hang out here. Rumor has it that Snape might have a Girlfriend," Ritala said. "At least that is what I heard from Debano who heard from Friar de Baldi who heard it supposedly from Warino who had picked it up from a Conversation Baron Von Rastinov was having with Peeves."

"Very interesting," Hannah said. It could explain a few things about why Snape was acting the way he was in class today. "Any clue as to who this mysterious girlfriend is?"

"It's a rumor after all so he might not have a girlfriend. I know one thing if I was still alive I wouldn't date that git," Myrtle said just as the waterworks were starting up.

"Uh oh," Hannah said.

Thankfully Hannah and Amy managed to block the door off with towels and a charm Frank had taught Amy that blocked water.

"God how many charms like that do you know?" Ritala inquired.

"I know a few. I had Frank teach them to me since Myrtle spends a lot of time with me," Amy said.

"Let's hope if you ever get stuck with detention that you get a cleaning assignment since you would have it easy," Hannah said.

"Most cleaning assignments for Detention specify that you have to do it without magic," Amy said. "My dad explained it to me over the summer."

"Nuts," Hannah said. "You realize we will probably end up with detention after we dung bomb Snape's Classroom."

"Yeah but that move is months away," Amy said. "I want it nice and hot when we do it."

"Yeah but wouldn't the smell be worse when it's hot," Ritala said.

"That's the idea," Amy said.

That night Amy and Hannah took their time eating dinner then heading for the Transfiguration Classroom Hermione was working away in her office when they entered.

"You two eat yet I could conjure up some sandwiches," Hermione said.

"We came here from dinner," Hannah supplied.

The Two girls then went to work on the transfiguration.

"Man Wish I had known this transfiguration prior to that party. It would have really mystified the guests," Hannah said.

"Which party was this Miss Williams?" Hermione asked as she walked over from her office.

"That Birthday Party we went to last month. The Minister himself gave Hannah authorization to do a couple basic transfigurations at my cousin's tenth birthday party," Amy said. "She used the dowel into a needle one except she used a matchstick."

"I see, Wasn't that a muggle birthday party?" Hermione wondered.

"IF it hadn't been for permission from the Minister himself I wouldn't have done even the one transfiguration," Hannah said.

"I see," Hermione said.

By the time they got done it was late so they went back to Gryffindor passed through the Common Room and up to their dorm room. Melanie though noticed what they were up to and followed them inside.

"Melanie, a person would think you were trying to kiss up to my dad through me the way you sort of like to hang out in here," Amy said.

"Your dad has nothing to do with it Amy. I'd probably do this even if your dad wasn't on the faculty. Besides you and your bunch tend to spend a lot of time at Hagrid's," Melanie said.

"We go there after classes on Friday for Tea. Besides Hagrid is an old family friend. He has been since shortly before my dad came here. Wouldn't surprise me if my Grandma and Grandpa Potter knew him back when they were here," Amy said.

"Could be Hagrid has been here a long time," Melanie said. "I see your arm is now plaster free."

"Yeah we went to Transfiguration late so I could get it off. Prof. Finch-Fletchley authorized it.

Melanie ended up hanging with them until about quarter of ten when she went to check the Common Room. The next day Amy managed to get by until Practice when she went early and changed into her Robes. Hannah also changed into a multicolored pair of robes that she had bought in Hogsmeade.

"OK Gang, we've basically had a couple weeks off so we have to get back in the groove. Unfortunately we will be practicing nightly to make up for lost time," Josh said that night in the locker room.

"Josh, for the record in case no one else is aware but I have confirmed evidence that Professor Snape is refereeing the match," Amy said.

"Who did you here it from?" Josh asked.

"Initially a player on their team but I managed to get confirmation from the git's mouth himself," Amy said.

"Thanks for the warning. This will give me a chance to protest it before the match. Heads of House are not allowed to referee a match where their house is playing. IT's in the rules. Amy has Madame Pomfrey given you clearance to play?"

"She wants me to go easy on it for a couple weeks but let's face it Josh we have to practice if we don't want to either postpone or forfeit the match," Amy said.

"Hate to say it Josh but the rookie has a point," Davis said.

"Davis, just remember Amy has connections of the highest kind in part due to her parentage. I'd be careful calling her a rookie," Josh said.

The next day Amy worked her way through her classes. When it came time to go to Potions she got a little worried. She managed to make it though. They had a real complex potion planned that day which required most of the time period. Just as the bell was ringing at the end of class Amy was heading for the door with Hannah.

"Miss Potter, you mind sticking around a little?" Snape asked.

"Sure," Amy said.

"McGonagall told me how Mr. Arnold was protesting my intent to ref the game between our houses," Snape said.

"I don't know much about that Professor. I did mention during a team meeting about how you were figuring on doing it. I figured my teammates deserved to know," Amy said.

"That makes sense," Snape said.

The next morning Amy and her roommates woke up to find an owl at the window. Erica opened the window and let the owl in. The enclosed note was addressed to Amy

Miss Potter

Let your team captain know that despite his protest Snape will still be refereeing the match next Saturday.

MFJ

"Who do you think it's from?" Emily wondered.

"It's from a Slytherin," Amy said. "A somewhat friendly Slytherin but a Slytherin none the less," Amy said.

"Which Slytherin is that?" Tonya wondered.

"Marcus Flint Jr. HE is the Slytherin Keeper," Amy said.

"Why would a member of Slytherin's team slip this kind of info to a Gryffindor?" Hannah wondered.

"Beats me," Amy responded.

Amy continued to ponder the question all through class that day and through the rest of the week. Friday Amy, Emily, Hannah, and Geoff were on their way to Hagrid's for tea after dropping off their books in the tower when Amy saw Flint walking by. He collided with Amy and in the aftermath of the spill which thankfully was onto a fairly soft carpeted area slipped a small book into Amy's left robe pocket. Melanie happened to be nearby,"

"Thirty Points from," she started to say.

"Mel, I'm ok it was simply an accident," Amy said as she helped her opponent get up.

"Thanks Amy," Marcus said.

They then headed for Hagrid's.

"Everything going well?" Hagrid asked after Fang gave Amy the requisite facial lick.

"Yeah it's going good Hagrid. I'd slip home except I have practice this weekend. If I do slip home next weekend it won't be until late due to the Quidditch Game. Which basically means I probably won't slip home that weekend," Amy said.

"How often will you have practice?" Hagrid wondered.

"Daily since we lost so much time during the two weeks I was incapacitated because of my arm," Amy said.

"Well let's just hope you will be able to pull off a pretty good upset," Hagrid said.

"It all depends on how good Slytherin's keeper is," Geoff said. "After all you could have the worst chasers around if your Keeper can barely block the goal area you might as well not have a team. I hear it's called the Chudley Cannons Principle. Yet if you have a First Class Keeper and a fast Seeker then you have a possibly championship team since the Keeper would keep the other team from scoring and if your team's Seeker catches the snitch then boom you're in great shape."

"Why I remember the Quidditch World Cup of '94. Ireland vs. Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Seeker was a real git named Viktor Krum. A Ministry Official made a foolish bet against a couple of Hogwarts Students on the end result. The bet was that Ireland would win but Krum would catch the snitch. I'm not sure if those two took divination nor do I care but sure enough they won the bet. The Ministry Official eventually ended up in Azkaban for being a Death Eater," Hagrid said.

"Very interesting," Amy said not realizing that it was Potter/Weasley family history. Emily didn't pick up on that fact either.

After Dinner was of course Quidditch Practice. Carla and Amy were in the girls portion of the locker room changing into Robes when Carla saw the small book sticking out of Amy's pocket.

"Amy, what's that book in your pocket?" Carla wondered.

"What book?" Amy asked.

"The one in your pocket silly. The one I was asking you about," Carla said.

"I didn't realize it was there," Amy said as she took it out. The title read The Slytherin House Quidditch Strategy Guide and Play Book.

"I didn't realize those sleazeoids had their own play book for Quidditch. I wonder why Gryffindor doesn't have one," Carla said.

"Carla, you realize that Gryffindor has access to pretty much anything Slytherin might do. Josh could have a field day with this. Afterwards I'll quietly return to it's rightful owner. I think I know who that might be," Amy said.

They then headed for the outer area where the team conducted it's strategy sessions.

"Josh, this was slipped into the pocket of my robes when I was on my way to Hagrid's this afternoon. I didn't realize it until a couple minutes ago while changing into my Quidditch Robes. Carla pointed out how I had a book in my pocket," Amy said.

"Amy, this could prove useful. It's rumored that Slytherin tends to use illegal moves in their strategy. I'll look this over tonight and see if it has anything that might be helpful. Hopefully who ever it belongs to had marked what moves Higgins has planned to use against our team," Josh said.

The next day Amy was working on some homework when Josh walked over.

"Amy, that book you had managed to get ahold of. IT contains a lot of useful information. It looks like Higgins had a lot of illegal stuff planned against Gryffindor. I sent a coded owl to McGonagall, Conway, and your dad. WE will need to keep our eyes peeled next Saturday just in case.

As the team was heading for the Pitch later Higgins walked over and he was steamed.

"OK Arnold, where is it?" Higgins asked.

"Where is what Higgins?" Josh asked.

"I happen to be missing a very important book which I will need for the upcoming game. I asked every single one of my players if they knew anything and they claim to know nothing about it's disappearance. This of course means that Gryffindor probably has it," Higgins said.

"Well none of my team has it what ever it is. Besides who knows what nasty things it would have on it being a Slytherin Book," Josh said.

"Arnold, if I find out that you are lying to me I'll make sure that you pay dearly," Higgins said.

Higgins then stormed off back towards the castle.

"Very interesting. Figures Flint would slip me the team captains own copy of the book. No wonder it has so much useful information," Amy said.

"Information which is currently enroute via owl to the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic," Josh said.

Gryffindor practiced hard for the upcoming game. Amy knew of course that her mother had sent Owl's Galore out to Percy, Charlie, Bill, Ron, Fred and George, her Grandparents, along with Lynda Malfoy. Saturday soon came and her private cheering party which was mainly parents with no cousins in attendance showed up. The only cousin to make an appearance was which surprised her Abigale Dursley. Tom's Squib cousin was also in attendance.

"OK gang, everything is pretty much in place. Amy, when I go to Walk up and shake Higgins hand stick close. Maybe we will luck out and Flint will see it and reciprocate.

"Ah a nice clear day for the Opening Quidditch Match of the Season. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Generally the match between these two rivals is the Most talked about match of the year. Let's meet the Gryffindor Team right now. Connor, Emmons, Margolis, Vernon, Blackwell, Arnold, and Potter. Now for the Slytherin Team. Boldegard, Higgs, Nygma, Windelan, Pucey, Higgins, and Flint. The Match is being refereed by Professor Severus Snape and overseen today by Roderick Gamble of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic," Dan York said.

"OK teams, lets keep it clean, I won't hesitate to take points away for unsportsmanlike conduct no matter which team it is," Snape said. "Captains to the center."

As planned Amy flanked Josh for the opening handshake. Amy could see that Flint was hesitant but eventually flanked Higgins.

"Well Amy, let's hope the best team wins," Marcus said.

"Agreed," Amy said. "Let's also hope for a fair game."

"Mount your Brooms," Snape called out. "Three Two One Bleat."

They then took to their brooms. Amy headed for the Gryffindor goal where she had to do a quick block which she then threw toward Davis.

"Ah what a nice block by the Gryffindor Keeper Amy Potter daughter of Hogwarts Assistant Headmaster Harry Potter. Davis has the Quaffle, HE passes to Emmons, who sends it to Blackwell Who narrowly gets it past Flint. The Score is Gryffindor 10 Slytherin 0," Dan said.

Ten minutes later Higgins decides to undergo his first foul of the game. He attempted to seize the tail of Theo Connors Broom.

"Ref calls a Penalty against Slytherin for Blagging," Snape called. "Gryffindor is awarded one Penalty Shot."

Tom Blackwell took the shot and made it past Marcus by throwing it through the far right post while Marcus was protecting the far left post.

"Successful Penalty Shot for Gryffindor Chaser Tom Blackwell. Gryffindor currently leads 60-10," Dan said.

Higgins didn't wait long to try another foul. This Time he hit a Bludger right toward Hannah who was at the edge of the Crowd. Then while Snape and the Ministry official were occupied he slipped in a quick swipe at Theo's Broom with his Club.

"Ref calls two Penalties against Slytherin one for Bumphing and one for illegal club use," Snape called after the game was restarted luckily Hannah was able to use a smaller version of a beaters stick to hit the Bludger out of the way towards Ricardo Higgs one of the Slytherin Beaters scoring a hit which nearly knocked him off his broom. "Gryffindor awarded three Penalty Shots."

Carla, Tom, and Vernon each took a Penalty shot with two going in.

"The score is currently Gryffindor Eighty Slytherin 10," Dan said.

After another half hour of play by this time the score was Gryffindor 140, Slytherin 30 Higgins made one more attempt at a foul. This time he went right towards Josh on his broom with the intent to Collide. Just as he was getting ready to actually Collide though Snape blew his whistle.

"Ref calls a Penalty against Slytherin for Blathing and hereby ejects Slytherin Captain Leroy Higgins. Gryffindor awarded one Penalty Shot," Snape announced.

Two Minutes later Theo Connor underwent what Slytherin Seeker Nathan Boldegard thought was simply a Wronski Fient and end followed Theo only for Theo to put one hand out and catch the Snitch.

"Ladies and Gentlemen along with certain ejected team captains The Final Score Gryffindor Three Hundred Slytherin Thirty," Dan called out.

Amy was soon surrounded by her fellow Gryffindors and Family when Marcus flew over.

"Amy, that was a great game. I think you are probably the best Keeper at Hogwarts," Marcus said. "Not even the imfamous Hawkshead Formation can intimidate you."

"Does Higgins always play dirty like that?" Amy wondered.

"Generally. God was it close in the end. Gryffindor could easily have lost if Nathan hadn't been such a dunce," Marcus said.

Fairly soon everyone in Gryffindor was in the Great Hall for a small victory Party that Amy's family had put together. Abigale was standing off to one side.

"Whoa your school is so neat Amy. When Lynda invited me to come to a Quidditch Game I had no idea what she was talking about. I almost wish I could come here next year except my dad suggested I apply to a boarding school in Wales," Abigale said as she walked toward Amy.

"Abigale, I doubt you have anything to worry about," Amy said as her fellow first years walked up.

"Amy, who is your friend?" Roger asked.

"She isn't really a friend Roger she is my cousin Abigale on my dad's side. Don't worry she one of us," Amy said hoping Abigale didn't pick up on what she had said. "Abigale, these are my classmates. Hannah of course you know, the others are Geoffrey Adams who is sort of my boyfriend, Jason Andrewson, Roger Faulkner, Jim Fitzgerald, Erica Fleming, My cousin Emily Johnson, Hillary Lewis, Tonya Mains, Nigel Nelson, Julie Watkins, Justin Wilson, and Carleen Wood."

"I don't know what Amy meant by my being one of you but I'm a mere Muggle who through fate is knowledgeable of your world," Abigale said.

"What I think Amy meant was you were one of use meaning your one of the good guys," Hannah said though she knew that Abigale wasn't a mere Muggle.

Lynda soon walked up.

"Abigale, I hate to interrupt but we need to hurry if we're going to catch our Portkey back to my house in time for your dad to pick you up," Lynda said.

"Thanks Lynda," Abigale said before she turned and headed off. Amy simply sat down and sighed.

"Something up Pumpkin?" Harry wondered as he walked over.

"Just wondering how we will work it so that Abigale and Joshua will get here safely next year without Dudley wondering what is up," Amy said. "Her first trip to the Wizarding World and she doesn't realize that if she had been a mere Muggle it would have looked completely different."

"I know but eventually she will realize her destiny," Harry said.