The weather was starting to heat up now. The twinkling snow that had once
festively decorated Hogwarts had melted, and fresh green grass was poking
through the slush. However, the sky was still overcast. The students came
down for Breakfast on the Wednesday before Good Friday. Many were leaving
that day, and so were trying to stock up on a hearty breakfast before their
trip. For the umpteenth time, Harry, Hermione and Ron were staying behind,
along with Ginny and of course Sirius, Anya and Remus.
When the departing students had left, the remaining pupils were given free range of the school. Harry and Ron pushed for a 'friendly' game of Quidditch against the girls, and being the kind, sweet girlfriends they were, Hermione and Ginny agreed, albeit half-heartedly. But these girls are the smartest witches in their respective grades, so of course, they had a plan.
"Harry d'you reckon we could play with more people on each team. Say.5 on 5?" Ginny asked sweetly. Harry and Ron looked toward each other, scoffing.
"Oh, you want to ask your friends to play?" Ron questioned, with a hint of sarcasm. Hermione bit back the response she was going to give.
"Yeah, I know some people who would love to play against you two!" She answered.
"Fine with me!" both boys answered, thinking they would go and ask Seamus and Dean if they wanted to play. And maybe Ernie from Hufflepuff.
"Ok, meet you in 20 by the Quidditch pitch then," Hermione said. She and Ginny casually walked away until they were out of sight of the boys. The raced up to Anya's chambers, and knocked breathlessly on the door. She answered with a book in her hand, and a biscuit held by her teeth. She smiled as best should could and ushered them inside. The 4 original players met at the Quidditch pitch in the afore-mentioned, 20 minutes. Harry and Ron had recruited Dean, Seamus and a 6th year Ravenclaw - Honey Martin. She was the Keeper for the team, and Ron considered himself lucky that Dean was dating her. Hermione and Ginny turned up with Anya, Remus and a Gryffindor Chaser - Muffin Fraser. Sirius had volunteered to referee.
"Oh no, they can't play!" Ron said when he saw the two professors trekking down to the pitch. Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Why ever not dear Ron?" she questioned innocently.
"Because, they're old and have more experience!" Ron blustered out. Anya looked a bit put-off by the old remark, but let it slide.
"You have Harry! He's brilliant!" Ginny added her 2 cents worth. Harry looked pleased at her compliment, and Ron elbowed him.
"But it's not fair!" Honey whined. Seamus and Dean looked just as pissed, but didn't say anything. Remus, the voice of reason stepped in.
"Look, Anya and I haven't sat on a broomstick to play Quidditch practically since we finished Hogwarts. And we have Shooting Stars, almost the slowest brooms around. I think the odds are balanced," he reasoned. Harry's team agreed begrudgingly that it was fair. The team captains (Ron and Hermione) shook hands.
"I hope this doesn't end in disaster!" Ginny whispered before she and Harry separated in the air. Sirius conjured the chest of Quidditch balls, and standing a metre away, pointed his wand at the box, allowing the balls to roam free. The Snitch and the Bludgers immediately took off, while the Quaffle remained to be thrown into the air by the umpire. Grabbing the large red ball, Sirius stood in the middle of Hermione and Ron.
"Let's keep this game clean! Anya!" He cautioned
"Of course Ref Sirius!" Anya called down sweetly. Sirius was more worried about his safety then anyone else's. Throwing the ball into the air, the game started. Harry was playing Seeker for Team One (Sirius was so creative with the names), and Anya had the same position on Team Two. Hermione was the Keeper, Muffin and Ginny were acting as Chasers and Remus was a Beater. On Team One, Ron had the distinguished job of Keeper, Honey and Seamus were Chasers and Dean was a Beater. The teams were pretty evenly matched in skill. Anya and Remus, once skilled and agile players were a little rusty, but still lethal, while Harry of course was Harry. Ron actually proved to be a very decent Keeper as well.
About 2 minutes into the game, Sirius called a time. He gathered all the players to the ground.
"I've noticed that with two bludgers out there, it's getting a little..bloody," he cast a look at Seamus who was holding his slightly bleeding nose, but still grinning eagerly.
"I'm going to withdraw one of the bludgers," Sirius wove his wand and summoned the bludger. It flew past him, and landed in the box. Sirius quickly strapped on the restraints.
"Ok, everyone back on their brooms!" He blew his whistle again, and play resumed. Harry and Anya were both keeping their eyes busy, searching for the Snitch. Anya thought she saw it once, but she realised it was just the glint off Sirius's gold watch. Rolling her eyes, she swept her gaze across the pitch. Muffin and Ginny had play of the Quaffle and were passing it back and forth quite skilfully. Reaching the goal posts, Ginny threw a clean shot into the hoops that Ron couldn't stop.
"40:30 to Team Two!" Sirius roared, and Team Two cheered. The play went on for quite some time, and Ginny and Muffin proved to be both very valuable players. Almost every shot went in, even with Ron trying his best.
"100:90 Team One!" This time Ron and Honey cheered extremely loudly, Seamus taking a shot at goal while Hermione pouted. However, she still managed to stop the goal.
About 2 hours into the game, Anya finally caught sight of the snitch, and from the looks of it, so did Harry. They both dove to the spot just above Sirius's ear where the Snitch was hovering languidly. Anya reached out her hand to grab the Snitch at the same time as Harry's arm shot out in front of her, effectively grabbing the snitch and knocking her off her broom in one fell sweep. She fell onto Sirius (the snitch was next to his ear) and together they fell the 7 feet to the ground. Luckily the grass was soft and cushioned their fall, but still Anya knew she would be sore in the morning. And she could taste blood. Anya went to move her hand until she realised Sirius was lying on it. He didn't look happy.
"Sirius, could you please get off my arm?" she said grumpily.
"Certainly, if you wouldn't mind withdrawing you knee from my groinal area!" he retorted. Anya quickly shifted the position of her legs and wedged her arm out from under Sirius. Raising it to her mouth, she could feel the blood on her lips. She ran her tongue over her teeth. They were all there. But she could feel a gash on her lip, she must have bitten it on her graceful decent. Harry, who had been happily flying around with the Snitch turned to look behind him when he heard cries from Honey and Ginny, who had seen the fall. All the players urged their broomsticks toward the entangled mess of bodies on the ground, and they all managed to land neatly.
"Are you two Ok?" Remus asked cautiously. Sirius raised an eyebrow and Anya narrowed her eyes at him. He got the message and extended an arm to help Anya up. She accepted, and he pulled her to her feet. Shaking herself off, she looked back to the ground.
"Tempting as it is, I'm not going to kick you while you're down," she said sarcastically before she and Remus each grabbed and arm and heaved Sirius to his feet.
"I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to knock you," Harry had been filled in on what happened by Honey and Ginny who had seen the action take place. He was obviously quite upset at himself. "It's ok Harry, we know you didn't mean to. Accidents happen," Anya reassured him. He didn't look convinced.
"But you're hurt!" he protested.
"I bit my lip, I'll live!" Anya smiled, which was rather scary considering her teeth were fairly bloody.
"Speak for yourself," Sirius groaned, massaging his arm.
"Ohhh poor baby," Anya cooed. He shot her a dirty look, but she smiled sweetly.
"Are you going to be alright? Do you want me to get Madame Pomfrey?" Harry asked worriedly. Sirius looked alarmed.
"No, don't worry. I'll be fine, please. Harry don't worry, I know it was an accident!" Sirius reassured Harry, who looked like he still felt responsible.
"Harry, I demand you stop apologising. It is my birthright as your godmother to ask you to do this," Anya said, teasing but still meaning it.
"Ok, but I am truly sorry," Harry added the last bit even after both his godparents shot him looks. He smiled sheepishly. Sirius rotated his arm to assess the damage to his arms. His right elbow was deeply grazed and was splintered with wood from the broomstick.
"Ouch," Honey murmured. Remus and Anya cast worried looks over Sirius.
"Maybe you should see Poppy," Anya said cautiously. Sirius shook his head vehemently.
"Fine, but at the least then you should see Portia," Remus told him.
"Gladly," Sirius said, waggling his eyebrows. Seeing the unamused expression on Remus' face, he stopped.
"Right, well we better head up then!" Anya half-ordered. When the students started following behind her, she turned abruptly.
"You lot don't have to come!" she said, surprised they'd actually followed them. A look of surprise flashed over the player's faces.
"But you've been injured?" Hermione said, like it was a question. Anya's eyebrows shot up.
"Just because I'm a klutz doesn't mean you should stop your games!" she smiled at them.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"I thought we were the ones meant to worry about you," Anya gestured to herself and Sirius.
"Don't worry your scruffy little head!" she teased, giving his mop of hair a ruffle, a gesture hated by most teenage boys.
When the departing students had left, the remaining pupils were given free range of the school. Harry and Ron pushed for a 'friendly' game of Quidditch against the girls, and being the kind, sweet girlfriends they were, Hermione and Ginny agreed, albeit half-heartedly. But these girls are the smartest witches in their respective grades, so of course, they had a plan.
"Harry d'you reckon we could play with more people on each team. Say.5 on 5?" Ginny asked sweetly. Harry and Ron looked toward each other, scoffing.
"Oh, you want to ask your friends to play?" Ron questioned, with a hint of sarcasm. Hermione bit back the response she was going to give.
"Yeah, I know some people who would love to play against you two!" She answered.
"Fine with me!" both boys answered, thinking they would go and ask Seamus and Dean if they wanted to play. And maybe Ernie from Hufflepuff.
"Ok, meet you in 20 by the Quidditch pitch then," Hermione said. She and Ginny casually walked away until they were out of sight of the boys. The raced up to Anya's chambers, and knocked breathlessly on the door. She answered with a book in her hand, and a biscuit held by her teeth. She smiled as best should could and ushered them inside. The 4 original players met at the Quidditch pitch in the afore-mentioned, 20 minutes. Harry and Ron had recruited Dean, Seamus and a 6th year Ravenclaw - Honey Martin. She was the Keeper for the team, and Ron considered himself lucky that Dean was dating her. Hermione and Ginny turned up with Anya, Remus and a Gryffindor Chaser - Muffin Fraser. Sirius had volunteered to referee.
"Oh no, they can't play!" Ron said when he saw the two professors trekking down to the pitch. Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Why ever not dear Ron?" she questioned innocently.
"Because, they're old and have more experience!" Ron blustered out. Anya looked a bit put-off by the old remark, but let it slide.
"You have Harry! He's brilliant!" Ginny added her 2 cents worth. Harry looked pleased at her compliment, and Ron elbowed him.
"But it's not fair!" Honey whined. Seamus and Dean looked just as pissed, but didn't say anything. Remus, the voice of reason stepped in.
"Look, Anya and I haven't sat on a broomstick to play Quidditch practically since we finished Hogwarts. And we have Shooting Stars, almost the slowest brooms around. I think the odds are balanced," he reasoned. Harry's team agreed begrudgingly that it was fair. The team captains (Ron and Hermione) shook hands.
"I hope this doesn't end in disaster!" Ginny whispered before she and Harry separated in the air. Sirius conjured the chest of Quidditch balls, and standing a metre away, pointed his wand at the box, allowing the balls to roam free. The Snitch and the Bludgers immediately took off, while the Quaffle remained to be thrown into the air by the umpire. Grabbing the large red ball, Sirius stood in the middle of Hermione and Ron.
"Let's keep this game clean! Anya!" He cautioned
"Of course Ref Sirius!" Anya called down sweetly. Sirius was more worried about his safety then anyone else's. Throwing the ball into the air, the game started. Harry was playing Seeker for Team One (Sirius was so creative with the names), and Anya had the same position on Team Two. Hermione was the Keeper, Muffin and Ginny were acting as Chasers and Remus was a Beater. On Team One, Ron had the distinguished job of Keeper, Honey and Seamus were Chasers and Dean was a Beater. The teams were pretty evenly matched in skill. Anya and Remus, once skilled and agile players were a little rusty, but still lethal, while Harry of course was Harry. Ron actually proved to be a very decent Keeper as well.
About 2 minutes into the game, Sirius called a time. He gathered all the players to the ground.
"I've noticed that with two bludgers out there, it's getting a little..bloody," he cast a look at Seamus who was holding his slightly bleeding nose, but still grinning eagerly.
"I'm going to withdraw one of the bludgers," Sirius wove his wand and summoned the bludger. It flew past him, and landed in the box. Sirius quickly strapped on the restraints.
"Ok, everyone back on their brooms!" He blew his whistle again, and play resumed. Harry and Anya were both keeping their eyes busy, searching for the Snitch. Anya thought she saw it once, but she realised it was just the glint off Sirius's gold watch. Rolling her eyes, she swept her gaze across the pitch. Muffin and Ginny had play of the Quaffle and were passing it back and forth quite skilfully. Reaching the goal posts, Ginny threw a clean shot into the hoops that Ron couldn't stop.
"40:30 to Team Two!" Sirius roared, and Team Two cheered. The play went on for quite some time, and Ginny and Muffin proved to be both very valuable players. Almost every shot went in, even with Ron trying his best.
"100:90 Team One!" This time Ron and Honey cheered extremely loudly, Seamus taking a shot at goal while Hermione pouted. However, she still managed to stop the goal.
About 2 hours into the game, Anya finally caught sight of the snitch, and from the looks of it, so did Harry. They both dove to the spot just above Sirius's ear where the Snitch was hovering languidly. Anya reached out her hand to grab the Snitch at the same time as Harry's arm shot out in front of her, effectively grabbing the snitch and knocking her off her broom in one fell sweep. She fell onto Sirius (the snitch was next to his ear) and together they fell the 7 feet to the ground. Luckily the grass was soft and cushioned their fall, but still Anya knew she would be sore in the morning. And she could taste blood. Anya went to move her hand until she realised Sirius was lying on it. He didn't look happy.
"Sirius, could you please get off my arm?" she said grumpily.
"Certainly, if you wouldn't mind withdrawing you knee from my groinal area!" he retorted. Anya quickly shifted the position of her legs and wedged her arm out from under Sirius. Raising it to her mouth, she could feel the blood on her lips. She ran her tongue over her teeth. They were all there. But she could feel a gash on her lip, she must have bitten it on her graceful decent. Harry, who had been happily flying around with the Snitch turned to look behind him when he heard cries from Honey and Ginny, who had seen the fall. All the players urged their broomsticks toward the entangled mess of bodies on the ground, and they all managed to land neatly.
"Are you two Ok?" Remus asked cautiously. Sirius raised an eyebrow and Anya narrowed her eyes at him. He got the message and extended an arm to help Anya up. She accepted, and he pulled her to her feet. Shaking herself off, she looked back to the ground.
"Tempting as it is, I'm not going to kick you while you're down," she said sarcastically before she and Remus each grabbed and arm and heaved Sirius to his feet.
"I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to knock you," Harry had been filled in on what happened by Honey and Ginny who had seen the action take place. He was obviously quite upset at himself. "It's ok Harry, we know you didn't mean to. Accidents happen," Anya reassured him. He didn't look convinced.
"But you're hurt!" he protested.
"I bit my lip, I'll live!" Anya smiled, which was rather scary considering her teeth were fairly bloody.
"Speak for yourself," Sirius groaned, massaging his arm.
"Ohhh poor baby," Anya cooed. He shot her a dirty look, but she smiled sweetly.
"Are you going to be alright? Do you want me to get Madame Pomfrey?" Harry asked worriedly. Sirius looked alarmed.
"No, don't worry. I'll be fine, please. Harry don't worry, I know it was an accident!" Sirius reassured Harry, who looked like he still felt responsible.
"Harry, I demand you stop apologising. It is my birthright as your godmother to ask you to do this," Anya said, teasing but still meaning it.
"Ok, but I am truly sorry," Harry added the last bit even after both his godparents shot him looks. He smiled sheepishly. Sirius rotated his arm to assess the damage to his arms. His right elbow was deeply grazed and was splintered with wood from the broomstick.
"Ouch," Honey murmured. Remus and Anya cast worried looks over Sirius.
"Maybe you should see Poppy," Anya said cautiously. Sirius shook his head vehemently.
"Fine, but at the least then you should see Portia," Remus told him.
"Gladly," Sirius said, waggling his eyebrows. Seeing the unamused expression on Remus' face, he stopped.
"Right, well we better head up then!" Anya half-ordered. When the students started following behind her, she turned abruptly.
"You lot don't have to come!" she said, surprised they'd actually followed them. A look of surprise flashed over the player's faces.
"But you've been injured?" Hermione said, like it was a question. Anya's eyebrows shot up.
"Just because I'm a klutz doesn't mean you should stop your games!" she smiled at them.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked.
"I thought we were the ones meant to worry about you," Anya gestured to herself and Sirius.
"Don't worry your scruffy little head!" she teased, giving his mop of hair a ruffle, a gesture hated by most teenage boys.