CHAPTER 14: FUN AND GAMES
The next morning, when Harry woke up, it was still dark outside. It was just 5:15. Arry lethargically awoke Ron and the two slipped out to the Gryffindor commons. There, the duo met up with Madeline and Hermione. Harry had remembered to bring the Invisibility Cloak. The four friends sat on the floor near a staircase to discuss the last-minute game plan. They hid underneath the invisibility cloak and spoke in whispers.
"Got the coins, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry extracted about 8 coins from his pocket and showed them to Hermione.
"Excellent. Now, you're going to throw them at him?" Ron sounded excited.
"Right. And I've got my trusty Firebolt." Harry held up his broom and showed his friends.
"And you 'ave got zee steek?" Madeline inquired.
"Yes. I have." Harry pulled out a twig. He was planning on poking Malfoy from behind and then flying backwards quickly.
"Should be great fun. Good luck, Harry!" Hermione leaned over and kissed Harry lightly on the cheek. She blushed, then smiled a tiny smile. She climbed out from under the cloak and her footsteps could be heard walking down the corridor.
"Good job, mate!" Ron grinned from ear to ear, teasing Harry playfully.
Madeline simply smiled and muttered, "She said she was going to do eet but I din seenk she would."
"Oh come, now, it's not a big deal! Just go!" Harry was laughing. He bid his remaining friends farewell and mounted his Firebolt. He carefully placed the Invisibility Cloak over him and draped it about him. Instead of flying high in the air, Harry opted to zoom quickly along just a few feet above the ground. He feared that someone would see him from underneath. As Harry zipped through the hallways, he smiled to think of the confused Malfoy, grabbing the air, trying to find Harry. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted. He slowed down and continued at a snail's pace and with caution.
Directly in front of his stood Draco Malfoy. He looked quite angry. Malfoy checked his watch, sighed, and tapped his foot impatiently.
Harry kicked off the ground silently and carefully circled around Malfoy until he was directly above and behind him. Harry charily lifted the edge of the blanket, holding a coin in one hand. As Malfoy took a wary step in the opposite direction, Harry hurled a coin at Malfoy.
The coin was right on target. Malfoy, wielding his wand, was hit square upon the back of the head with the small golden bit. He whirled around, and Harry zoomed to his left. Once again, Harry wound up behind Malfoy.
Malfoy extended his arms and reached blindly into the air, waving his arms furiously.
"Potter!" Malfoy screamed, sounding fuming mad.
Harry pulled out the twig and gently poked Malfoy in the back. At the same time as Malfoy was spinning around wildly, Harry was flying backwards very quickly.
"Potter!" Malfoy shrieked again.
Harry kicked off the ground and floated approximately seven feet above the ground. He soared gently to his right, and moaned in a low, masked voice:
"Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis is noooooooooot Potter!" Harry could hardly disguise his laughter.
Malfoy was exasperated. "All right then, I'll humour you." Malfoy shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Who are you?"
Harry hadn't thought of a fake name. "I'm - er - I'm the ghost of John McMaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaltooooooooon!" Harry bit his lip.
"John McMalton?" Malfoy sniffed disbelievingly. "Mm hmm. Nice, Potter, nice. I know it's you. Don't you think this is all rather childish?"
Harry tucked his legs up on the broomstick and hoped that the darkness that lingered in the hallways of the school would hide him. Harry flew directly above Malfoy and dropped the rest of his coins directly on his head. Then he flew to the side and down and narrowly missed being seen by Malfoy.
"Feel my wrath!" Harry hissed maliciously. He hurled the twig like a javelin and it hit Malfoy in the leg like a spike.
"Owww!" Malfoy yelled. He picked up the twig and narrowed his eyes directly at where Harry was floating. Just to be safe, Harry moved to his left.
Without another word, Malfoy walked out of the area. He shook his head, almost in disbelief. Harry waited until Malfoy was a good bit down the hallway. Then Harry then did the stupidest thing he could have done.
He landed his broom and removed the Invisibility Cloak. He smoothed his messy hair.
Malfoy whirled around. His gaze met Harry's. Malfoy's eyes were laughing, and Harry's were groaning.
"Ha!" Malfoy sprinted towards Harry.
Harry covered himself desperately and kicked off the ground, but to no avail. Before he could get high enough, Malfoy jumped and grabbed Harry's revealed foot, which had remained uncovered in Harry's frantic attempt to hide himself. Malfoy yanked Harry's foot down.
"Hope you brought your wand, Potter. I challenged you to a duel, and that is exactly what we're going to do." Malfoy struggled to bring Harry down.
Harry kicked Malfoy's hand with his other foot. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth and gathered all of his strength. Harry flew towards the Gryffindor commons at full speed. He peeked over his shoulder to see Malfoy running in vain after him. Harry reached the Gryffindor portrait hole, far ahead of Malfoy. He tapped the portrait, as the kindly old woman in the picture was asleep.
"Boogleberry!" Harry whispered. He didn't want Malfoy to hear the new password. The portrait hole opened, and Harry continued into the Gryffindor commons. It was still early and most of the Gryffindor students were not awake. However, Harry was relieved to see his three friends in a group. Harry landed silently beside them. When he uncovered himself, Hermione let out a slight surprised shriek.
"Oh, Harry, it's just you! Thank goodness." Hermione clutched her chest.
"'Arry, 'ow did eet go?" Madeline stared at Harry expectantly.
"All right, I suppose. That is until I was incredibly stupid and uncovered myself right in front of him." Harry shrugged. He explained the whole incident to his friends.
At breakfast, Malfoy kept staring over to the Gryffindor table. He was speaking to a group of Slytherins and they laughed periodically. They all stared at Harry, who kept slipping lower and lower into his chair.
Harry was approached by Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall halfway through breakfast. They pulled him away from the table. Harry's heart was racing. Was he in trouble? Again?
Fortunately for Harry, the teachers merely wanted to discuss the year's Quidditch season.
"Harry! We would like you to consider being the Gryffindor team captain." Professor McGonagall smiled kindly.
Harry's eyes widened and he nearly fell over. "Honestly? Oh, I'd be honored!" Harry was in shock. He was in awe. He was incredibly happy. Until -
"Oh! And we've got you a new keeper! Colin Creevey!" Madam Hooch was animated as she broke the news to Harry.
Harry blinked. He cleared his throat. "May I ask why you would make Colin Creevey a keeper? He's - well - he's rather clumsy, in my opinion."
Madam Hooch explained. "Well, you see, (it's actually a rather poignant story) Colin made a joke about a Ravenclaw. So an angry mob of Ravenclaw students were eagerly hurling objects at him. When I broke up the fight, I noticed that Colin had a natural knack for deflecting the objects being thrown at him. So we tested him out and found he'll make a wonderful Keeper." Madam Hooch snapped her fingers to punctuate her enthusiasm.
Harry decided that if he was going to be Quidditch captain, he needed to get on the good side of the referee and be nice to all of his team members.
He forced happiness.
"Sounds smashing. I'm sure it'll turn out swimmingly." Harry grinned a toothy smile.
"Oh, and of course. The entire team roster." Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and pulled out a parchment. She peered out from under her spectacles to read the writing upon it.
"Gryffindor team captain: That's you, Harry Potter. Gryffindor team Keeper: Colin Creevey, fourth year. Gryffindor team chasers: Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet. Gryffindor team beaters" Professor McGonagall winced, "Fred and George Weasley. And the Gryffindor team seeker: That's you again, Harry Potter." The professor rolled up the parchment and smiled. "Much luck with the season, Harry. Since you're the captain, you'll need to organize a practice schedule, round up your team members, and start training for the season. See you in transfiguration, then."
"And I'll see you in flying." Madam Hooch grinned politely and walked away with Professor McGonagall.
Harry headed back to the table. He couldn't believe it. Him, the Gryffindor captain! But - Harry nearly groaned - Colin Creevey! His keeper! Good grief. Oh well, Harry thought, if all else fails, he knew that the Slytherin keeper was not very good either. Malfoy's Quidditch team possessed a second-year student whose father most likely paid his way onto the team. Harry had seen the boy, a blubbering, plump idiot and poor excuse for a boy, and knew that he couldn't deflect for beans. Harry chuckled. Malfoy certainly had his work cut out for him.
As Harry reflected on the mornings events, he was reminded that his life in the near future wouldn't be easy, but this morning, it had been all fun and games.