CHAPTER 8
~Phoenix at Quidditch~
Moments flew by and still Professor Kasender hadn't returned. Harry was starting to feel slightly worried. Why wasn't she back yet? Then, as though right on queue, leaves rustled at the mouth of the forest and out came a figure—Professor Kasender. She was staggering and she was panting as though she had been running away from something. Her normally neat, blond hair was in tangles and leaves were trapped between knots of hair. Her robes were torn and her face was filthy.
She ran straight towards Harry, panting. Harry moved out of the way just in time before getting knocked over. He watched as Kasender ran through the corridors and out of sight.
Wonder what happened, Harry thought as he too, started to make his way back to the Gryffindor Tower. When he got into his dormitory, Ron and the others were still asleep. Harry decided that he was just going to tell Ron tomorrow about what he had just witnessed.
~~~
As Harry made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning, he thought about the strange event that happened last night. He couldn't wait to tell Ron and Hermione about it. He reached the Gryffindor table where Ron was eating away and Hermione was reading the wizard paper, Daily Prophet. He sat down and the owls swooped through the windows in search for their owners. Hedwig flew above Harry and released its letter and it landed on his lap, making him drop his toast. Hedwig landed smoothly beside his orange juice and started to drink it. Harry opened the letter:
Dear Mr Potter,
Your first Quidditch match will take place on Thursday, 11:00. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Please be sure to train your team well before this time. Good luck.
Professor M. McGonagall
"First match in two days," Harry said aloud.
"Versing who?"
"Slytherin," Harry answered.
"Well, make sure you beat him like last time Harry--" Ron said.
"Of course he will, Ron! He's got a Firebolt and Malfoy has a Nimbus 2001! He'll look silly beside him!" Hermione laughed.
"Yeah, you're right. Listen, Harry, can I come to the training? I've really missed Quidditch…" said Ron.
"Yeah sure…I've got something to tell you two as well…" and Harry was off telling both of them about his trip to the library, seeing Professor Kasender run into the forest and seeing her emerge from it.
"…then she ran towards me and I just got out of the way before she knocked me over." Harry finished.
Both Ron and Hermione's jaws were dropped.
"What did she do?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know, I couldn't see from where I was standing."
"Think we should ask her?" Ron said.
"No," Harry said flatly. "cause then I'll have to explain why I was out wondering in the dead of the night,"
"Oh yeah…"
"Look, I think we better get our books, I don't want to be late for Potions," Hermione said.
"Wonder how it would be like if for a day, we were the teachers…" Ron said, his lips twitching to a wicked smile. "I'd take a hundred points from Slytherin and give Snape detention for a whole month."
~~~
Harry sent owls to his team that afternoon, informing them of the training session that he had planned for the evening. As seven o'clock came, Harry made his way down to the Quidditch pitch, his newly polished Firebolt over his shoulder and Ron trotting along beside him. It was cold and chilly outside in the grounds and the evenly-cut grass shone black under the moonlight. The Forbidden Forest swayed gently in the breeze, looking innocent. Harry and Ron made their way across the pitch where his team was waiting for him.
"I'll sit in the stands and watch," said Ron.
"Okay."
Now Quidditch, though it looked exciting and fun, was far from easy. There were four balls and seven players. Three Chasers throw the Quaffle (a red, slightly squashy sort of ball) to each other, while they try to shoot it through three big hoops. Gryffindor's three Chasers were Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet.
The Keeper tries to prevent these goals, flying around the goal posts. Since Oliver Wood, their last Gryffindor Captain and Keeper had left, Harry had found a new sixth year boy to fill in for his place. His name was Brett Featrepp and Harry thought that he was the best man for the job.
Then there were the Bludgers. Two black, heavy balls which fly around the field trying to knock players off their broomsticks. The two Beaters, each carrying a club, hit these balls aiming for the people on the opposite team. The two Gryffindor Beaters are none other than the red-haired Weasley twins.
The last ball was called the Golden Snitch. This ball was the size of a walnut and was very fast. It was like a golden ball with tiny little wings which flap endlessly. Harry's position was called the Seeker and his job was to try and capture the Snitch and when the Snitch does get caught, it not only ends the whole game, but it also wins the team an extra one hundred and fifty points.
"And here's the new captain!" Fred Weasley yelled while George and the others whistled and clapped. Harry grinned and started explaining the new moves he thought of in class today while he was bored. As soon he was finished, the seven of them rose high into the air. And as Harry kicked the ground and rose along with his team, he felt the only too familiar excitement rush through him. With the wind on his hair, the feeling of freedom, and the ground below him, he felt like nothing could go wrong. It was almost like hearing the song of the rainbow phoenix all over again…
Harry shook his head trying to forget about the phoenix. He was worried that it might show up during their match which might cause them to lose the game. No, he couldn't let that happen. He forced his mind back into reality and he flew expertly in and out of his team mates seeking for the Snitch. He saw the familiar glint of gold and went for it. Soon, he caught it and he let it go again.
An hour later, Harry called it off for the night. He flew over to Ron who was waiting patiently for him on the seats.
"Excellent! You were really excellent!" Ron said happily. "Slytherin haven't got a chance!"
And Harry laughed too, feeling a great feeling of contentment wash over him. Ron was right, Slytherin haven't got a chance against the best team in the school.
~~~
As Harry awoke on Thursday morning, he wondered why he felt so excited. Then he remembered that it was the day of the match. He quickly got up and ran down the spiral staircases that led to the Gryffindor Common Room. Sure enough he found Ron and Hermione sitting in front of the huge, warm fire. Ron turned and smiled.
"Morning!" he said. "Can't wait 'till the match starts…we still have about forty five minutes. Wanna go down to breakfast?"
"Yeah, might as well," said Harry. But he didn't feel hungry. Right now, his stomach was full—full of butterflies.
All the same, the three of them made their way down and as they passed though the doors, loud applause greeted them. His team were already sitting at the table, their plates in front of them full but stayed untouched.
"C'mon Harry, you have to eat something," Hermione said. "I'm fine…just--just a bit nervous," Harry smiled weakly.
Forty five minutes flew by so fast and Harry heard himself saying, "Changing rooms, team."
One by one, his team stood up and headed for the changing rooms. They changed rather quietly and soon all of them were standing up, dressed in their warm scarlet and gold robes. They headed out into the pitch and Harry saw the rest of the school seating themselves.
Madam Hooch, a woman with short, grey hair and yellow eyes like a hawk came to meet them. She was refereeing the match as usual.
"Captains, shake hands," she said. Harry looked at the drawling face of Draco Malfoy, his face even paler than usual but with the same menace in his eyes.
And so they shook hands—or rather, gripped each other's hands while glaring at each other's eyes.
"On the count of three," said Madam Hooch. "One…two…three!" The shrill sound of her silver whistle mixed with the almighty roar of the school filled the air and Harry rose up…up….and up. He felt his feet leaving the ground and the familiar excitement was back. The butterflies that were once in his stomach left, leaving no trace of nervousness. He felt the breeze whip his hair back, along with his robes.
"And it's Slytherin in possession," the Weasley twin's friend, Lee Jordan was the commentator, like always. "Thomas passes the Quaffle to Richards—Richards heading for the goal—ouch! Nice Bludger work there by Fred Weasley--that must've hurt—hope it did—sorry Professor…" Professor McGonagall was keeping a close watch on Lee while he was commentating.
"Gryffindor back in possession—Spinnet passes to Johnson—back to Spinnet—passes to Bell—c'mon Katie—she's heading for the goal--she aims—and she scores! Ten-zero, to Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor end of the pitch exploded with cheers while the Slytherin end booed and scowled. Harry was flying in and out of the players in search for the Snitch—at the same time making sure the Bludgers didn't hit him…
"Gryffindor in possession again--it's Bell—no, Slytherin possession, it's Richards—back to Spinnet—Bell—Johnson—Thomas—Thomas heading for the goal—new Gryffindor Keeper looking good there—c'mon Brett, save this one---Thomas aiming--he shoots—misses--Brett's saved it! I don't believe it! Excellent work there, by Brett Featrepp saving a Slytherin goal!"
Malfoy was tailing Harry closely. He followed him wherever he went, making sure he didn't get the Snitch first.
"It's Slytherin in possession now—Thomas has the Quaffle again—heading for the goal—Spinnet's blocked him—Gryffindor back in possession—WHY YOU LITTLE--!"
Troy Goldwing, the Slytherin Beater was swinging his club around dangerously and as a result, Alicia Spinnet received a heavy blow on the head. She screamed and fell off her broom.
Out of nowhere, a Bludger zoomed heavily past Harry's ear causing him to twirl in mid-air in order to miss having a broken face. As his broomstick slowed down, it happened. First he saw the Snitch glinting near the stands and then he saw Professor Kasender wave at him, smiling. It wasn't everyday that a teacher waved at him during a game. He raced towards the stands, his eyes fixed on the Snitch. Malfoy was behind him, levelling with him. As he got closer, a song filled his head.
The phoenix's song, Harry realised. For a moment he felt happy and satisfied…he was drifting off again…and then…No! Not now! You have to get the Snitch! Harry barked privately to himself. He was getting closer and closer…the world seemed to have frozen…it was only him now…him and the song…
His hands closed around the tiny Snitch, its puny wings beating uselessly against his palm. But still, the song hadn't stopped…it kept going…and again it was losing its volume…Harry started to slip off his broomstick…see your parents again.
At these words, Harry screamed a high pitched scream and was plunged into total darkness.
