Chapter 7- The Search Begins, Harry and Oliver Race, and Harry has a little fun on his Firebolt
Flint and his team were flying around the field, acting like they were preparing to start a match. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff teams were standing on opposite sides of the field, waiting for instructions. Oliver thought that this was going to be a search party to remember as the teams bickered and argued with each other.
"Everyone, come over here please!" Wood yelled. "Come on, yes, we're working together today! Over here please!" Once everyone was in the center of the field and on the ground, Wood talked about the snitch missing and how they needed to find it in order to play tomorrow. "That means," said Wood with a sideways glance at Flint, "that we all need to work together to find the Snitch. This isn't a Quiddich match, so don't be competitive! I know it's going to be hard, but we're going to need to stick together if anyone wants to see a match tomorrow, okay? Here's what we'll do: Ravenclaws search the north end of the grounds, Hufflepuffs search the east, and Slytherin west. My team, stick around for a second. If you find the Snitch, send up a smoke cloud and I'll get there as quick as I can. Okay, off you go! Let's find that snitch!"
The teams mounted and took off, only speaking to their fellow teammates, towards their section of the grounds to search. Wood then spoke to his team about the seriousness of finding the snitch.
"If we don't find it, we don't play. I know you guys don't see how a few days makes a difference, but that just gives Slytherin more time to screw something else up. So--"
"Oliver, we know. You can stop. What, you think we don't want to play?" George said sarcastically.
"George! This is no joke! If you had seen Malfoy with that box…well….let's just say you wouldn't be joking either. Alright, we're searching around the field and where the box was dropped, so Harry, you go high and search all around. Fred, George, you can circle in and out of the field, so that leaves Alicia and Kaite. You two can fly around the middle of the grounds where the other teams aren't searching, and close to the castle as well."
"Wood, what are you going to do?" asked Harry.
"I'll fly high with you. Alright everyone, good luck! And don't forget your smoke cloud if you find it!" Oliver took off with Harry close behind. Their brooms accelerated faster than anyone's as they soared above the field. They searched by themselves for awhile and then Wood whistled to Harry. He turned his broom around and flew over, and pulled in beside Oliver, like a parking spot. They saw Marcus Flint in the distance, a mere dot, but they could make him out because of the way he flew. They were making jokes about his stupid flying style and his crooked teeth, when they suddenly saw a puff of smoke floating over the Slytherin team.
"Come with me, Harry! I wonder if they seriously found it…" They accelerated to top speed in about 20 seconds, and could just make out the entire Slytherin team laughing their butts off at them.
"Nice one, Flint. Maybe we should shove that wand of yours up your nose- it would be very attractive against those crooked teeth of yours."
"Well Potter, I'm not sure, but I think we were laughing because you guys went right past the Snitch when we sent up smoke."
"You really think I'm going to believe that Flint?" With that Harry turned, with Wood close behind, and yelled, "Oliver! Ten galleons you can't beat me to the field!"
"You're on! Three, two, one, GO!" Wood went on one. Harry was far behind until Wood had to swerve to avoid hitting Katie, who hadn't been paying attention, and that gave Harry a chance to dive and pick up some speed. They were neck and neck the rest of the way, until Wood suddenly dove to the ground. He was about three feet from hitting when he pulled back up, giving him a huge advantage. Harry did the same, but way too late. Wood jumped off by the wall and turned around. "Somebody owes me 10 galleons! That was some great flying though, Potter, I've got to admit!"
"Thanks Wood, but there's just one thing. You never shook on our bet, so I don't think I owe you any 10 Galleons!" Harry laughed, but then stopped and listened. He had heard a faint buzzing beside his left ear, and slowly turned around.. High above, glistening in the sunlight, was the Snitch!
"Oliver! LOOK! There it is!" Harry jumped on his broom and sped off, not taking his eyes off the small glint of gold, and followed the Snitch up to the highest goal post, around, and back down inside the field. This was where Harry felt at home on his Firebolt, and was able to concentrate on just one thing- that small, gold, buzzing object thirty feet in front of him. Harry was catching up to it, if he only had a little more room, the wall was closing in, 20 feet from the Snitch , fifteen feet, the wall was getting closer by the second, he was going to risk it, 10 feet. Harry pulled up, but so did the Snitch! What was up with this? He'd never seen the ball act like this before. He did an awkward swerve as the ball once again completely changed direction, but he was getting closer. He could see Wood out of the corner of his eye, flying high above, cheering him on. Harry pulled up once again, five feet. He could just barely reach it, closer, closer, another dive, three feet, he slid his hands off the broom and jumped. He felt a round little ball hit his hand as he landed on his feet and picked up his Firebolt.