{Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World was created by J.K. Rowling and rights are owned by, but not limited to, Warner Brothers and Scholastic Books. I, therefore own no parts of this except for Andromeda McGee and Wyvern, who are twisted figments of my own imagination.}
Chapter 31
To The Death
**"You think I guessed wrong, that's what's so funny! I switched glasses when your back was turned! Ha, ha you fool! You've fallen victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is "Never get involved in a land war in Asia," but the only slightly less well known is this- "Never go in against a Sicilian, when death is on the line!" Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha h-!" (Falls over dead) Vizzini, The Princess Bride**
Snape billowed down the halls to the Quidditch pitch, broomstick resting against his shoulder. It was a Nimbus 2002, one of the new models and souped up with a few of his own spells. He figured that it was probably illegal but as long as no one else knew about it, he was fine. He noticed a figure approaching him.
"Severus, just the man I wanted to see. I need a word with you."
"Fine, what do you want, Lucius? I have a Quidditch match."
Lucius Malfoy narrowed his cold, grey eyes. "I know. The Master requires the potions he requested."
"They are in my lab. The password is Atropa belladonna."
"Very well, the Master shall be please. He also instructed me to give you this," he handed Snape a letter embossed with the Dark Mark and disappeared toward the laboratory.
Snape broke the seal and scanned the contents. His face tightened into a scowl before he finished. What the hell was this? "Use the Quidditch match as a diversion. Keep it going as long as possible. We need time to get everything set up." Set up for what? No one had bothered to tell him the plans, probably on purpose. It was most likely a good thing he didn't know. All his Master had wanted was a large collection of potent sleeping potions. He swore to himself, envisioning what could occur. There was no way to prevent this. If he was right, the plan was almost flawless as far as he could tell. He would have to go along with it; there was a Quidditch match to play. He hoped Malfoy knew what he was attempting to do.
He approached the pitch, finding the men's locker room devoid of occupants. Black and Lupin were lat, as usual. He found his Quidditch robes hanging on a hook and changed into the full uniform. He had missed playing the game. The Slytherin team had been one of the best. It had been the elder Crabbe and Goyle as beaters, Malfoy, Macnair, and Nott as Chasers, Lestrange as Keeper, and himself as Seeker. Of course, it didn't help that all of them had turned out to become Death Eaters. Where were they now? He knew Malfoy was being a philanthropist and worked on the governor's board, while, of course, still maintaining Malfoy Manor's dark arts defense system. Crabbe and Goyle both worked in some low level Ministry position, neither with enough brains to get farther. Macnair was an executioner, Nott had disappeared, and Lestrange had been in Azkaban until a few months ago. And he had become a professor to a bunch sniveling brats. What had changed them from a bunch of Quidditch obsessed young adults to the dark dreary life of working for an evil overlord? He shook his head, entering the main room to wait for the rest of the team.
Andy, being the morning person that she is, was already there, though her Quidditch over robes were thrown in a heap in the corner along with the boots. Snape decided that her current intent was to become the world's first living origami sculpture, as she was folding herself into many unique shapes. He watched closely as she stretched, leaning against the far wall with arms crossed over his chest.
"Good morning, Sev," she noticed him as one of her stretches brought her to face him.
"You make me sick, McGee."
"What, because I can fold myself in half?" She demonstrated, easily doing so.
"Yes."
"You're just jealous because you can't do it."
"No, not at all. Human bodies were not created to be used as modeling clay."
"Sure," Andy slid into a full split, giving Snape all the more reason to wince. She then proceeded to lower her upper body to the floor, arms outstretched in front of her.
"People are not meant to bend in that direction either."
"Why not?"
"They just aren't"
Andy laughed as she drew herself standing. She bent over backward, hands touching the floor. "It's not that difficult. Have you ever tried it?"
"Some," he admitted. "You make it look way too god damn easy."
She flipped herself back up, brushing a spec of dust off her loose black pants. "Its harder than you think. It took me months to get back to be able to do that. It still hurts for the most part." She leaned over the other direction, placing both palms flat on the floor without bending her knees.
"And why, pray tell, do you choose to purposely inflict pain on yourself?"
She came back to stand upright. "Because in the end it's for my own good and I feel wonderful when I'm done," she paused. "Except for my right shoulder which does not like me today for some reason." She began to rub it with her palm. "You want to do me a favor and help?" Snape came up behind her and began to knead her back, neck, and shoulders. Andy arched under his strong fingers.
"You're like a little dog getting its ears scratched."
"Just remember, I do attack."
"I've learned."
"Yeah, I suppose you have. Thanks, Sev," she sighed contentedly. Snape stopped the massage, hearing footsteps just outside the room. Andy heard the same thing and dropped back to the floor in a stretch. The Slytherin returned to his earlier position and glared at her for being able to tie herself in knots.
"You still should not be able to do that."
Madame Hooch stepped briskly into the room followed closely by Professors Vector and Sinistra; all three of them immaculately dressed in the black Quidditch robes. "Where are Black and Lupin?"
Andy shrugged, rising off the floor. "Probably late, Sirius was never a morning person."
"So you don't know?"
"Not at all," she looked over to Snape. "Hey, Sev, go check to locker room."
"No."
"You are the only male here, you know," she noticed his dark expression. "Fine, I'll do it." The diminutive Gryffindor stalked down the hall to the other room and threw open the door. Remus was completely dressed and lacing up a tall boot. Sirius, on the other hand, hadn't gotten much farther than boxers and a black tee-shirt. "Great, you two are alive. Hooch wants us out there for a pre-game talk. And Sirius, put some pants on." Andy sped away, leaving the two men slightly shocked.
Sirius quickly pulled on the missing garment along with his boots. "Hey, that's the first thing she's said to me that wasn't sarcastic or depressing."
"It wasn't exactly a good thing, Padfoot."
"No, but it is an improvement."
Andy had thrown on her Quidditch robes and boots by the time the other men had entered the room. "I told you they were coming."
"Alright, let's get down to business. We have a Quidditch match to play. All of you are the best that we have to offer. We've trained hard and our skills probably rival a semi-professional team. Yes, I know we could get better, but for now we'll do with what we've got. Does everyone remember the attack plan?" Six heads nodded an affirmative. "Good. I want all of you to remember one important thing: it doesn't matter how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose."
"Wait a second," Octavia Vector spoke up. "Haven't you got that backwards?"
"No, I haven't. The people out there don't expect much from us. They think of a professor as a decrepit old hag or a sagging gnome. We are going to show them something that they'll never forget, that will change their ideas of this school's faculty. We are honestly some of the best Quidditch players you will find that aren't already professional. Any of you could have been professionals. I know our beaters almost were and I was for a few years. The rest of you should have been. The Gryffindors stand no chance against us. We are going to win this."
"So you're saying we can play how ever we want to?"
Hooch nodded her spiked head. "As long as no one gets grievously injured or killed and the tactics at least look legal or can be proved through loop holes, yes you can." She looked at the clock on the wall. "It's almost time. Let's go get 'em!"! Seven players with seven brooms walked proudly onto the Quidditch pitch.
"The Hogwarts' faculty team shows great promise this year. Lead by Madame Hooch as Chaser, as well as Professors Vector and Sinistra completing the threesome, Beaters Professors Black and McGee, Keeper Professor Lupin, and Seeker Professor Snape!" There was some reaction, namely from the Slytherins going for Professor Snape, as the professors lifted into the air. "And here comes the Gryffindor team! The Lions have been a nearly unstoppable combination this season! Lead by the illustrious Angelina Johnson as Chaser with the stunning Alicia Spinnet and breath-taking Katie Bell filling out the trio. Those three have got to be the loveliest…"
"LEE!"
"Sorry, professor. Fred and George Weasley are back for their last year as the team's most superb Beaters, who skills are unmatched as far as we know."
Some where out on the field both Andy and Sirius snorted in disbelief. Lee Jordan hadn't seen anything yet.
"The Gryffindor's new Keeper, Ron Weasley has improved greatly over the season and here's the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever seen, Harry Potter!" The crowd went wild, roaring and cheering for the Gryffindors. Well, most of the crowd. The Faculty team held the Slytherins complete support since they firmly opposed anything the dealt with Gryffindor.
Dumbledore was refereeing the match and started it off with a handshake between the two captains.
"And the Quaffle is up! The professors take control. Vector to Sinistra, Sinistra to Hooch and back to Vector! It's moving so fast I can barely see it! Score! 10-0, professors in the lead! Gryffindor takes possession, all three gorgeous Chasers making their way down the field at top speed! The Quaffle's going…going…it's a miraculous save by Professor Lupin!"
Remus had managed to somehow flip backwards and caught the Quaffle just before it had entered one of the goals. He chucked it easily across the field to one of the Chasers.
Harry watched over the crowd, emerald eyes searching for a golden glint in the sunlight. Across the field, he saw Professor Snape doing the same thing. He had never expected the greasy ex-Potions Master to play Quidditch, but obviously he did.
"Harry, duck! Bludger!" Harry leaned forward, feeling his hair ruffle as the homicidal ball zipped past his head. "Sorry, Harry!" George shouted as he sped after the Bludger. "The professors are giving us bloody hell!"
Harry saw his godfather easily aiming the Bludgers at the Gryffindor Chasers. Sirius reached out too far and somersaulted off his broom. He swore to himself, remembering that Andy still wasn't talking to him. It hit his mind like a sledgehammer; a sliver of doubt if she would be there to catch him…
Andy saw her teammate plummet toward the ground and rocketed forward with as must speed as her broom could muster. She caught Sirius on the back of her broomstick. He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his head over her shoulder.
"I thought you would forget about me."
"I'm not that cruel. I just want to make your life miserable, not to let you die."
"Andy, we need to talk."
"We are talking." She felt uncomfortable with him so close to her. His breath was hot on her cheek and she could feel where his hands held her tightly. Why did he have to be there? Maybe it would have been better to let him fall.
"You know exactly what I mean."
"Fine, I'll give you two minutes after the match. We have a game to play."
"Thanks, Andy," he kissed her on the cheek before he climbed back to his own broom. Andy had stiffened under his touch. She currently trusted his as far as she could throw him, which wasn't very far, unless she resorted to magic.
Using the Beater's display as a distraction, the three Chasers had managed to score another seven times on top of the 60-0 score that they had already accomplished. The Gryffindors called a timeout.
"What the hell is going on?" Angelina Johnson was livid.
"Well, um…" Harry started. He had been too bust looking for the Snitch to pay attention elsewhere.
"They're better than we are," Fred hazarded a guess.
"Lupin hasn't let a shot in yet," Alicia spoke up.
"We've tried every tactic we know," Katie added. "We've tried speed, feinting, looping, and everything else and nothing works!"
"They've got to be doing something illegal!" Ron complained. "I've tried to block the goals, but they keep getting them past and I don't know how."
"And their Beaters are something else. They're as bad as hellhounds!" George finished.
"Fine. That's enough. Here's our new plan. Harry, find the Snitch as fast as you can. I don't care what the points are. This match just needs to end soon." The Gryffindors remounted their brooms.
Harry scanned the sky, hoping the Golden Snitch would appear as soon as possible. He watched as Madame Hooch scored another goal. Poor Ron. He didn't want to be in his position. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a glint of gold down by the professors' goal posts.
"Potter looks like he's seen the Snitch! Professor Snape's close on his tail, but the Nimbus 2002 is no match for a Firebolt, folks. He's going for it! Wait a sec, Professor Vector's scored! That's 150-0! Potter's got the Snitch! It's a tied game! 150-150!"
Both teams did a victory lap around the stadium. The entire crowd cheered. Flags waved, banners rippled, people waved and clapped. The gathering began to disperse as both teams entered their separate locker rooms.
"Hey, Andy! Wait up!"
Andy stood by the entrance to the locker rooms, arms crossed over her chest. "You have two minutes, Sirius, starting now." She depressed a button on her watch.
He paused for a moment, collecting any loose thoughts. "I…wanted to apologize…I was wrong to have ever thought that you would have sided with the Dark Lord. I'm sorry, Andy, I really am."
She looked at him, not knowing if he was truly serious. "I'm sorry that you ever doubted me as well. I thought you would have known me well enough to realize that in the first place."
"I didn't think."
"Damn right you didn't!"
"Look, I apologize. I know I can't take back what I did, but I can try to make it up to you."
"You can try. It wouldn't work, but you can try. You can't heal the wounds you gave me. Only time can do that."
"I told you I was sorry."
"Sorry doesn't cut it, Sirius. It's the beginning. You don't know the pain you caused me."
"No, I don't know the pain I caused you. All I know it that you are hurt and I want to make it better."
"I accept your apology."
"Thanks, Andy."
"Don't thank me. It's going to take a while to rebuild what we had. You're going to have to regain my trust."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Go right ahead."
"What is it between you and Snape?"
She smiled. Sirius hadn't changed. He still was protective of 'his' girl. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Sirius did a very impressive impression of fish out of water. At least she hadn't said they were together or anything. That had to count for something.
Andy's watch beeped. "That's your two minutes." She turned away from him and walked down the hall. Madame Hooch was just beginning a post game discussion.
"Team, I want to congratulate you. That was most excellent match. It would have better if there had been a clear winner, but a tie is better than nothing. Thank you. I know I enjoyed myself immensely. I hope the rest of you did as well." There was some nodding of heads. "Great! Now, as for a celebration, I propose we get cleared up and go over to the Three Broomsticks. Is that fine by everyone?"
"Sure."
"Yes."
"Uh-huh."
Some just nodded, not having the energy to do much else.
"Let's meet back here in twenty minutes. That should give everyone enough time to shower and get fixed up."
The team separated into the different locker rooms. It only took Andy a few minutes to take a shower and pull on a clean pair of robes with her sandals. She returned to the room to find Snape just leaving. "You aren't leaving, Sev."
He spun around slowly to face her. She saw the look of defeat in his eyes. "Yes, I am. I don't do parties."
She walked up to him, looking him in the eye. "It's not your fault. He's a Potter. You did the best you could do."
"It wasn't enough."
"Yes, it was. Don't be so hard on yourself."
That was like telling him not to be sarcastic or to all of the sudden fly to moon. "I was beaten by my enemy's son! Do you know how that feels?"
"No, I don't, but I do know that kicking yourself for it is not going to do you any good at all. He's just a boy. It was probably a streak of dumb luck."
"You're insulting a fellow Gryffindor."
"No, I'm trying to convince you to just let it go so you don't go and do something stupid because of it, like drink yourself into a stupor."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea."
"Good, so you're coming."
"No, I am not."
"You just said that you want to get roaring drunk, so what better place than the Three Broomsticks? They've got the best selection in this part of the U.K."
"You do have a point, though the team would be happier if I wasn't there."
"No, they wouldn't. We'd miss you."
"McGee, if you haven't noticed most people tend to stay away from me."
"I don't."
"Well aren't you special," he snapped irritably. "You don't care any way. You have Black. I heard him apologize to you."
"Just because he apologized doesn't mean things are back to the way they were. I still don't trust him and he knows it. And yes, I do care. You are coming."
"No."
"Oh, yes you are. I'll drag you there."
"Why would you feel the need to do something like that?"
"Because our Chasers will be together in one group, Sirius and Remus in another, I'd be alone if you weren't there and unfortunately, I happen to like you, despite what you think."
"How do you know what I think? All the sudden you're psychic, are you?"
"No, I'm just a Gryffindor."
A drink was starting to sound like a very good idea. "I'll go, but not for you. You're giving me a headache enough to really need one."
"See? I knew I could persuade you to go."
"Leave me alone, McGee."
"No, I don't think so. You need to learn how to get along with people."
Snape simply glared.
{Author's Note: This was a long, difficult chapter to write, but it was fun. It was written on a four hour car ride in our new Saturn VUE. It's amusing actually. I finally got my driving permit the day after we got it, except my dad won't let me drive it yet. Damn. The chapter title (To The Death) is not paired with the wrong quote, for those of you who know the movie. I was taking the first part of the quote and am planning on using the rest of it for the next chapter. I know Andy's still being a bitch to Sirius, but she'll be forced to be civil soon enough. Next chapter thing get even more interesting and you get to see the beginning of what my Death Eaters are planning. Insert Evil Laughter Here! Be scared, be very scared! Here's a question: would any you want a sequel to go along with this?
LilyPotter: I have never read the story you said that this sounds like. I can assure you what is here is mine and mine alone. I am very involved in acting and theater. I spent two weeks over the summer at an acting camp doing Shakespeare, but I am more of a musical person. We saw Jekyll and Hyde when it came near us. It kicked ass! In chorus last year we did a medley from Secret Garden. I think this chapter answers your question.
Hikahi: The fake dating thing came from my beta. I was stuck a while ago and asked for ideas, so she wrote that part. It happened to work. That's okay. I find things like that extremely amusing as well. What's wrong with my Monty Python plot bunnies?
VMorticia: The reason I choose to warn people about that is namely because at two in the morning, I tend to be a bit more dazed than I normally am. One of my best friends and I have had conversations until around that time in the morning, that usually turn out to be very incoherent. One time, we went from talking about Harry Potter, to physics, to Monty Python and then to Robin Hood: Men in Tights all within the span of a few hours. It was pretty bad. Snape refuses to explain why he broke up with his last girl friend, but I have a feeling it was because she did not appreciate the subtle science of potion making.
Iggie: Alright, I can't spell. I don't care. I'll fix things eventually.
Peace, Love, and Chocolate, Nataly Ravenlock}
