Sorry for the wait between the last chapter and this one, there are some things happening in my life that I'm not entirely happy with, right now. One of our dogs will probably be put to sleep at the end of this month. We've had him since before I was born and I'm very attached to him so it's very upsetting to know that he won't be around much longer. I must also admit that for Christmas I got an absolutely amazing present and so most of the time between the last update and this one I've been playing Kingdom Hearts (an absolutely brilliant, gorgeous, amazing game – have any of you played it?) and spending time with Bazz (our dog), completely neglecting my writing in the process. ;; I'm bad. This is only the first part of this chapter, by the way, I need to tease the last half out since it's being a little unco-operative.

I'd also like to explain something to a few of you. A lot of the reviews lately have been complaining about the way the story is going – that it's too dark, too light-hearted, that Ron shouldn't be in it and that Hermione should die, that Neville is annoying and so on. Part of the reason that I stopped writing this fic for such a long period was because I got so stressed out trying to cater for everyone reviewing the story and keeping the original plot at the same time that I started to hate the fic. I dreaded working on it, because inevitably it just led to more and more frustration. I'm sorry if you don't like the way that this fic is going, but from now on I won't be doing anything that is asked of me unless it was already planned or for very, very good reasons, which I can't really see happening. I realise that you want to see this fic go a certain way, but if it isn't heading in the direction that you'd like there is something you can do that will save you, myself and all the other readers a lot of frustration – just stop reading. It isn't that hard, really, and if you aren't interested enough in the fic to stick it out and be patient then there isn't any real use in you reading it anyway.

Having said that, for those of you who do plan to continue reading, I would like you to welcome my new beta-reader, Laura. She did a brilliant job on the last chapter, and to tell the truth I'm amazed that she'd even consider spending time beta-ing this fic. Lucky me, eh? ^^ This chapter is unedited however. I would have sent it to Laura first for editing but I think you've all waited long enough so when I get the beta-d part of this chapter I'll upload it. The beta-d version of the last chapter will be uploaded today too, so if you want see if you can find the corrections. ^^

Chapter Forty-Five

Before heading out onto the Quidditch field Harry went to his room to collect his broom and Quidditch balls. It had been a while since he had been able to practice by himself without any interruptions, and he was looking forward to it. As he was heading through the courtyard to the field he bumped into a man he hadn't seen before. Muttering an apology, Harry continued on his way until a voice from behind him spoke up.

"In a bit of a hurry to practice aren't we, Harry?"

Harry stopped and turned, disbelief making him blink once or twice to make sure that the person standing just in front of the man he had bumped into was actually there.

"Wood?"

Oliver grinned. "In the flesh."

* * *

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked. Oliver had introduced Harry to the man he had bumped into, saying that he was a 'business colleague', and refused to explain further until all three of them were seated on the benches around the Quidditch field.

"Came to see you actually, Harry," Wood said, grinning from ear to ear. Harry blinked.

"Why?"

"I think perhaps Mr Flydehawk should explain that, since it was his idea."

Wood's colleague nodded, and then began to talk at a very, very fast rate.

"I'm a talent scout of sorts you could say, Mr Potter, and I must say that I am absolutely delighted to meet you by the way, Oliver has told me all sorts of things – but that's beside the point. I usually keep a watch around Diagon Alley for up-and-coming Quidditch talent, seemed to have hit a dry spot a few months ago, was almost ready to give up and resign in fact. Then who should come along but my old friend Judge Mantros with a group of people from court? They put this kid on a broom and sent out a snitch and, well, I've never seen anything like it, simply amazing I must say. Had no idea who the kid was, of course, and Mantros wouldn't say a word – privacy laws and all that, you know. Seemed I'd hit a dead end, and then I went to match Oliver was playing in with the Surrey Scythes, and we got to talking afterwards. He started telling me all about this absolutely brilliant seeker that had been on his team at Hogwarts, and by that time I was desperate enough to have a look and so he showed me a memory of one of the matches he had played  -- very much obliged, by the way, Wood – and it was the same kid! Made him tell me who he was, of course, and talked to Dumbledore, pulled a few strings – and here we are!' He gave a huge smile as he finished, bouncing around on the seat like a child.

"Er…did you get any of that, Harry? He talks fast when he's excited," Wood said, apparently not having understood half of it himself.

"Most of it, I think," Harry said. "I still don't understand why you're here, though – I mean, what's the point? I'm still in school."

"Victor Krum was still in school when he joined the Bulgarian Quidditch team, Harry," Oliver reminded him. "Professor Dumbledore and the other teachers wouldn't even consider letting you play on a team until you've finished school anyway. That's not why we're here, though."

"Why are you here, then, and why didn't someone tell me that you'd be coming?" Harry asked, getting a little frustrated.

"No-one told you they were coming because they weren't supposed to until next week," Professor Snape said. He had come up behind the three and they had been so involved in their discussion that they hadn't even noticed his presence. All three jumped, and Oliver's expression rapidly changed to one of horror. No doubt he hadn't expected ever to have to face Professor Snape's patented 'You've-Done-Something-I-Consider-Unforgivable' glare, and Flydehawk was doing a very good impression of an ice cube under the heat of Severus' glare.

"Er…yes, well…can't blame a guy for getting a little impatient and turning up early, can you?" Flydehawk said, struggling not to be affected by the on-going glare. It wasn't working.

"I believe the appointment was in five days after the Quidditch match when you'd had time to watch Mr Potter on a broom. An hour, perhaps two hours before the specified time might have been acceptable as 'turning up early', Mr Flydehawk. Five days before the appointed time would perhaps be more appropriately referred to as 'rescheduling the meeting altogether'," Professor Snape snarled, clearly not found of the exuberant man before him. "Since you are here, perhaps an audience with Headmaster Dumbledore might be in order." With that Severus turned and stalked away, completely certain that the group would follow. They did.