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Disclaimer- It all belongs to JK Rowling except for the plot and some characters.

Harry Potter and The Return of the Dark Lord

Chapter 8- Quidditch

          The next week saw the start of October.  This meant Quidditch.  October 1st saw the Quidditch try-outs and the search for a new team captain, as Oliver Wood could not play anymore, though he would be over-seeing them.

          Eight people turned up for the part of keeper including Ron and Seamus Finnigan from the 5th year.  A first year had to be dragged away by Madame Hooch as he wouldn't stop screaming, 'Why can't I play?  Harry Potter was seeker in his first year!'

          In the stands sat Ginny, Hermione, Nicole, Nathalie and Dudley who had decided not to try –out for the team.  (He was in the first year but because of his age he could have tried out.)  Luci was also trying out as a 7th year also decided to try-out for reserve seeker but he was no match for Luci and her new Whirlwind 3000.  The new broomstick was not much better than Harry's Firebolt, but it was still very impressive.

          After putting the eight players through vigorous tasks, Harry and the rest of the team decided that Ron would be the best player, as he passed each task with flying colours, literally! He was over the moon as he was presented with his new, scarlet Quiditch robes. The team then took a break for lunch and after they would vote for a new Captain.

Just before they sat down to vote, Harry whispered to Ron not to vote for him. When Ron asked why, Harry told him that what had happened before the previous summer, he didn't think he could handle it. Fred and George also overheard Harry and they thought it would be best if they voted for someone else on the team. Once the team got the results, they were read aloud. Harry received 3 votes and the remaining 4 were for Katie Bell. Katie was delighted! Of the 3 chasers, she was the best player but she was quite and shy and so she did not always get the glory she deserved. Their 1st match was against Hufflepuff 2 weeks later.     

On the day of the match, the team gathered in the changing rooms to put on their Quiditch robes. Katie as about to give them some pre-match advice when Luci stumbled into the room followed by Oliver who had assigned himself as Gryffindor's trainer. They both looked rather hot and flustered. Harry and Ron smiled to themselves, as both of them knew they liked each other and would meet in the Trophy Room often.

" Okay team!" said Katie " This is the best team Hogwarts has ever seen!"

"WHAT!" cried Oliver " I was the best keeper!"

" Whatever!" said Katie " We know we can win easily but, try not to score too much as the Hufflepuff team has lost a very good player, Cedric. Have a good time.  OK! Lets GO!"

Lee Jordan introduced the team as they flew out with their scarlet robes billowing out behind them. 
On the other side of the pitch were the Hufflepuff team wearing their canary yellow robes.

          "On my whistle!  3!  2!  1!  Go!"  And the players kicked off the ground.  The referee was Viktor Krum as he had left Bulgaria to help Dumbledore with defeating Voldermort.

          The Quaffle was taken by Angelina, who passed it to Alicia, who scored.  The crowed cheered as the chasers gave each other high fives.  Half an hour later the score was 50-20 to Gryffindor and Harry was very bored as there was no sight of the snitch.  He desperately wanted to try out the Wronski Feint as he was in front of Viktor Krum, but he did not want to injure the Hufflepuff seeker. 

          Suddenly Harry saw a glint of gold over towards the Hufflepuff goalposts.  The other seeker was closer but seemed not to notice.  Harry raced towards the goal and just as he sped off the other seeker noticed the snitch and raced towards it.

          Harry was behind the other seeker but caught up quickly he was up against a Nimbus 2000.  The snitch dived and the two seekers followed into a dive neck and neck.  Just before they hit the ground Harry pulled out with the snitch caught in his hand.  The other seeker pulled out when the crowd realised Harry had the snitch and the crowd went wild.

          Ass he landed on the ground the rest of his team surrounded him cheering like crazy, "Well done Harry!" cried Katie.  In the changing room the rest of the team congratulated him on such a spectacular dive.  In the common room, the Gryffindors celebrated with food Fred and George had took from the kitchens and a few pranks of theirs and Nathalie's.  The three of them had become best friends, as they were all interested in pranks.  The party ended when McGonagall arrived in her nightgown telling them all to go to bed.