Chapter Four
School rather dragged on for the next couple of weeks. The teachers demanded an awful lot of work from the fifth years because of the upcoming O.W.L.s at the end of term and especially Professor Snape didn't look as if he was intending to give a single O.W.L. to any of the Gryffindors.
His treatment of Samantha made Harry even more curious about who she was and where she came from.
Though the Slytherins seemed to have forgotten about the incident with Neville Longbottom in the first Potions lesson, Snape gave them enough other reasons to detest Samantha.
The new girl now did never try again to help any Gryffindor in schoolwork though she seemed to be extremely bright. She seemed to be extraordinarily talented concerning Potions, but Snape always found a reason to criticize her and to take points off his own house. It had become quite regular that Samantha cost her house around five to fifteen points a double Potions lesson and though Malfoy usually gained twice as much for them, her fellow housemates ignored her during lessons and at meals as a punishment.
Over his harsh treatment for Samantha Lewis, Snape often even forgot taking points off from Harry or Hermione, and even poor Neville was not bullied that often anymore.
Much to Harry's relief, Quidditch practice sessions started again at the beginning of October. It had been discussed by the teacher's body whether it was secure to start the Quidditch Tournament between the houses this year after all that had happened since the Triwizard Tournament.
The Daily Prophet nearly everyday now printed stories of Death Eater activity throughout the country. So far, nobody had been reported dead, but a couple of witches and wizards who had been fighting Voldemort when he had been in power last time had been attacked or simply vanished.
Despite all those bad news, Dumbledore had decided that the Quidditch games should be held as planned though the training sessions of the houses were to be watched by Professor Hooch and the head of the houses.
Oliver Wood, former Gryffindor keeper and team captain, had left school last year and now Fred and George had become team captains.
Professor McGonagall had offered this position to Harry, but he had refused it saying this was too much responsibility for him and that he couldn't afford the time. Harry had not admitted it, but deep down inside he was convinced that he would have been the worse choice compared to the twins. They at least saw it with a certain kind of humour which Oliver had always lacked. And they knew a lot more about tactics than anybody would have suggested.
So they had taken up practice again at the beginning of October after the twins had held several try outs for new team members.
Gryffindor team needed a new keeper as a substitute for Oliver Wood, who was found in Terence Balting, a second-year who did extremely well on a broom for a muggle-born. His reflexes were nearly as well as Wood's had been and he had hardly had any training so far.
The team also was one chaser short for Katie Bell had been in Oliver Wood's year as well and the twins chose their very own brother Ron for that position. Nobody reproached them with favouring their own brother for everybody knew that Ron was a good flyer and that he understood the intentions of his brothers better than anybody else. Maybe he even was the only one who knew what was going on in their minds. Besides, there was hardly anybody else applying as a chaser, so the team welcomed Ron with open arms.
The morning their first training session was about to start, Harry and Ron wanted to leave Gryffindor common room two hours before breakfast when Hermione came running down the stairs.
"Wait you two, I've forgotten to give you something!"
They turned around and waited for her.
"Well Harry, you could have reminded me of it."
"Reminded you of what Hermione?"
"Well, on the train on our first day I told you I wanted to give you your birthday present at school, but I totally forgot. I'm so sorry."
"Hermione, I'm thankful that you remind it, but now is not the right time. We have to go to the practice session, I've hardly had any sleep last night, and maybe you have realized that it's raining outside, so I'm not in the best mood. Maybe later?"
"But it could be useful.
As you know, I've spent my holiday with Victor Krum in Bulgaria", as she mentioned that name, Ron started to roll his eyes and grimaced, "and I have asked him what present could be useful for somebody who loves playing Quidditch above all else. And when Ron joined the team, I wrote an owl to Victor asking him to get me another one for him as an early Christmas present."
She pulled two parcels out from behind her back and handed them over to the boys.
"Happy birthday Harry, well, Happy early Christmas Ron!"
Harry curiously opened the package, remembering that a week ago, an owl had delivered a large package to Hermione who had hidden it with a smile on her face. She had refused to answer whom this package was from and what it contained, though Harry and Ron had tried to find out eagerly.
When he pulled out what was in the package, he found a set of Quidditch training robes. They were black and didn't look very spectacular, but when he checked the information sheet that came along with them, he saw that those robes were enchanted against water and wind. They kept the carrier dry and unharmed by the coldness of the wind even in winter.
Harry looked at Ron just to find out that he had the same robes like he did and was staring at them in disbelief.
"But Hermione, they're from the official sponsor of the Bulgarian National Team, they must have cost a fortune!"
"Don't mind. Bulgaria is a lot cheaper than England concerning shopping, really, they weren't as expensive as you imagine. And I thought that it was a good idea."
Ron beamed at her.
"Hermione, that was the best idea you've had for ages, and that means something because you normally only have great ideas! Thank you so much!"
He suddenly hugged Hermione and gave her a kiss on the cheek. As if realizing what this looked like, he drew back from her and blushed.
Harry smiled at this but then hugged Hermione as well, thanking her for this present.
"There's nothing I can add to what Ron has just said. An idea that really proves how good you are in thinking. Thanks so much!"
"You're perfectly welcome. And now off to training, I don't want to be told off by Fred and George because the two of you are late."
Harry and Ron turned around and left the common room.
"Well Harry, now we really have to think about an ingenious Christmas present for Hermione."
"That's more than right Ron."
The new robes held everything they promised. Though the rest of the team was soaking wet and freezing at the end of the session, Harry and Ron only had to dry their hair to look as if they had just left bed.
"Those robes are great, you know that? If it rains during a match, you can wear them underneath your team robes and won't be harmed by the weather. I really envy you." Fred smiled at his brother and at Harry. "I wish I had a friend like Hermione, but instead I end up with a twin brother who tries his newest inventions on myself despite every promise made in the past."
Fred and George were still making plans for their joke shop and the night before, George had handed out toffees that had turned his twin's head to the shape and size of a pumpkin. It had been hard work to convince Madam Pomfrey to change it back without telling a teacher about it.
"Well Fred, Halloween decoration is important and Percy unfortunately was not at hand."
"But you could have taken anybody but me. Remember, we swore never to try a charm on each other."
"It was just too seductive."
Fred threw his wet towel at his twin brother and swore, though nobody in the changing room believed him to be serious. Everybody knew he would pay his twin back and everything would be in order. But their regular quarrels had become a very amusing part of every day life.
When they left the changing rooms, Fred and George were already sticking their heads together and discussed new ideas.
Practice sessions were now held two times a week because Gryffindor's fist match against Ravenclaw was scheduled for October 31st, the morning before the Halloween feast.
The team was doing extremely well. Ron easily fitted himself into the moves they had trained the last year and Fred's and George's new tactics promised to become a success.
Terence was about to become the best keeper their team had ever had, the regular training had only improved his natural reflexes and he could read the moves of an attacking team better than expected.
The morning of their first match, Harry came early into the Great Hall though he was not really hungry. He never had ha big appetite before a Quidditch match, and fortunately this year there was no Oliver Wood who would force him to eat something. He just sat on the Gryffindor table in front of his tea and watched the excitement in the eyes of his team mates. Fred and George went over their tactics for the last time, Angelina, Ron and Alicia tried to follow their explanations. Only Terence looked quite nervous, his face bearing a slight shade of green.
"Don't worry Terence, you'll do just fine. You're the best keeper we've ever had and that means something because Oliver was really good. Just don't get over-excited."
Terence looked back at Harry.
"That's what everybody's been telling me, but I can't help it. I'm nervous as hell."
"That will fade away as soon as the game has started, believe me."
Harry gave Terence a short smile which the other returned.
"Just try to catch the Snitch as fast as possible before they knock me out or something."
"I will do my very best."
They laughed and rose, heading towards the Quidditch pitch. The rest of the school would follow them in about half an hour.
When they had put their scarlet robes on, Ron and Harry didn't wear their training robes underneath for the weather was extremely fine and even quite warm, Fred and George rose from their seats.
Fred spoke.
"Team, in the memory of our former captain Oliver Wood who was very good in making encouraging speeches before a match, we wanted to tell you a couple of things."
His voice turned into a nearly perfect imitation of Oliver, lost somewhere between trying to encourage and crying out for help.
"This year's cup has our name on it, I can feel that. We need to win it for I will stay only for another year and I won't leave without this cup. We know we have the best team, so chasers, I know you will score as many goals as are possible for human beings, keeper, I expect you to hold every shot at your goals and seeker, I know you will catch the snitch the first time you see it. That's it team, onto the pitch!"
Everyone in the room started giggling except from Terence who looked up at Fred in sheer panic. Seeing this gaze, Fred burst out laughing.
"Don't mind Terence, I've only been kidding. You didn't know Oliver so you might have gotten that wrong, it was how he would have tried to encourage us. I know you will do fine out there. Just try to keep as many shots as possible and leave the rest to us."
He patted Terence on the back and the team rose and left onto the pitch.
"And here comes Gryffindor team!"
Lee Jordan's voice was magnified magically and resounded across the pitch. As usual, he was doing the commentary on the match. Ravenclaw team was already standing on the pitch and Terry Boot, the new Ravenclaw captain who had taken over for Cho Chang went over to Fred and shook hands with him.
Madam Hooch was standing next to them, her whistle in her hand.
"Captains, I want a fair match. Mount your brooms. On my whistle!"
She blew the whistle and the teams rose up into the air. Harry rose higher than the others on his Firebolt and checked over the pitch for a sign of the snitch. When his eyes crossed the stands, he could make out Hermione sitting in the back row of Gryffindor stands. First he was surprised by this, but then he could make out the huge black dog that was sitting next to her. So Sirius had come to watch his match.
"Ravenclaw in possession. They're heading for Gryffindor goal, now…wait he didn't score but passed the Quaffle to his team mate, Miller throws and…incredible save by the new Gryffindor keeper Terence Balting!" Harry could hear Lee's commentary over the cheers of the crowds but lost it as he rose higher into the air. He tried to focus only on the snitch and on Steve Masters, the Ravenclaw seeker. But Steve was flying aimlessly across the pitch, obviously seeing nothing as well. When Harry came back into earshot, he could witness the second scoring of his own team.
"Alicia now in possession, she throws and – SCORES! Twenty – Zero for Gryffindor!"
Harry grinned. So his team was in the lead and Terence had done a good job so far. Out of the corner of his eye he saw something glitter at the base of one of the Ravenclaw goalposts, but just as he tried to dive the sparkle had disappeared again. Ravenclaw now was in possession again and headed for the Gryffindor goalposts, but they could not get behind Terence. Instead, Ron now took the Quaffle and initiated an attack that led to Gryffindor's third goal.
At that moment, Steve dived. Harry saw it as well, the snitch was sparkling in the middle of the pitch, just above the grass. Harry hurried behind Steve, trying to catch up which was not that difficult for he was flying the better broom. The crowd seemed to be holding their breath as both seekers headed towards the ground at immense speed. Harry stretched out his left hand, tried to catch the snitch, but pulled his broom up again the moment he realized that he could not get close enough.
When he looked down he saw that Steve had managed to pull up his broom as well and was now trying to regain control and that the snitch has vanished again. The stands were cheering at that spectacular move.
"The game continues as none of the seekers has managed to catch the snitch…and here Alicia scores the fifty-zero for Gryffindor!"
Harry flew around in circles across the pitch and tried to find the snitch again, but for what seemed like ages, he could not detect anything.
The score was now one-hundred to ten (Ravenclaw had scored on a penalty after George had nearly thrown a Ravenclaw beater off his broom without a bludger being involved) when the snitch reappeared on the pitch. It flew beside the Gryffindor goalpost and Steven didn't seem to notice it. Harry sped out for it and could hardly dodge a bludger set towards him by a Ravenclaw beater. He realized that Steve was speeding behind him, but he would never be able to catch up with the Firebolt. Harry took his left hand off his broom, stretched it out and…too late he realized that he would collide with the goalpost if he kept speeding towards it like that, but he could not slow down anymore. He grabbed his hand around the snitch, pulled his broom upwards and performed a spectacular back-summersault-looping through the loop as he tried to prevent from crashing against the goalpost.
When he had gained control over his flight again, he opened his fingers and presented the snitch, whose tiny wings flapped against his palm. The stands, who had held their breath for the last seconds, burst out into loud cheers except for the Slytherins who hissed and booed.
"Potter has got the snitch! The game is over! Gryffindor beats Ravenclaw two-hundred-fifty to ten!"
Harry landed on the pitch and soon was surrounded by his team mates who all congratulated and hugged him.
"Harry that was just great!"
"How come you never told us you could do that…!"
"Wow, if that move had gone wrong..."
Harry beamed at Terence who was standing back shyly. "Great performance Terence. Only one goal against us, and that was a penalty! Best choice for a keeper we could have made!"
"Well, if you don't count the seeker that has gone lost in our goal, then you're right Harry." Ron beamed at his friend.
Terry smiled and the Gryffindors headed for the changing rooms. On their way both Harry and Ron received their congratulation hugs from Hermione who also told them that Snuffles would be waiting in Lupin's office after the match.
So Harry changed as fast as he could and he and Ron headed back towards the castle. They knocked on Lupin's door and Hermione opened. Inside, Lupin and Sirius were sitting at Lupin's desk, a large amount of Butterbeer bottles placed in front of them. Lupin addressed Harry.
"Normally, I'm neither allowed to favour one house nor to hand out alcohol to my students, but as today at the feast you will be served Butterbeer as well, I thought I could make an exception. And as far as the favouring is concerned…well I would never dare to contradict Sirius' opinion."
He winked and Harry went over to Sirius who beamed at him and looked extremely proud.
"You know Harry, up to today I thought that James was the best flyer I've ever seen, but I'm sure he would have crashed into the goalpost if he had tried that move. You've surely inherited his talent and by now have even become better."
Harry laughed out.
"You know, if I've consciously tried that move, I would be in the hospital wing right now. I've just tried to save my neck up there."
He sat down and all of them helped themselves to some Butterbeer. Soon they were chatting excitedly about the game. After an hour, Harry, Ron and Hermione left for Lupin had to take Sirius back to the passage before joining the preparations for the feast. They promised Sirius to visit him during the Hogsmeade weekend the fortnight after and left for their dormitory.
As they opened the portrait hole, unmistakeable party sounds drove towards them.
"Hey, where have you been, we've already missed you!", George shouted, handing out toffees to them. "No jokes, promise. Not after such a glorious victory." The three joined into the celebration and only half an hour before the official start of the feast they returned to their dormitories to change robes.