"I'm not here for Harry or Aidan. I'm here to make sure Fred and George beat the crap out of Malfoy," Ron said as he and Hermione filed into the stands surrounding the Quidditch pitch. It was the first match of the season and well into November and Ron was still mad at Harry and Aidan. Hermione had figured it out by now though, and she was rather stuck in the middle.

            "Ron, please just make up with them. They're our friends. You want to see Gryffindor win, don't you?" Hermione said somewhat pleadingly.

            "Of course I do. But right now I'd rather see us win by Fred and George hitting a Bludger into Malfoy's oversized head than to see Aidan score ten goals and Harry out-flying Malfoy."

            "Ron, please. They're really good Quidditch players, you have to be happy for them. You weren't jealous when Harry made the team in first year, were you?"

            "Sort of, but that was different. Harry's a Seeker. I wanted to be Chaser."

            "Ron, I'm sure you'll make the team next year."

            "I wanted to make the team this year," he pouted.

            "Scared, O'Reilly?" Katie Bell asked as the Gryffindor team stood in the locker room, waiting to enter the playing area.

            "Just a bit," Aidan said. He was experiencing the familiar sensation of worms in his stomach.

            "Well, just watch out for this team. Keep your head. They play dirty."

            "That's real reassuring."

            "You're welcome," Katie said, missing the sarcasm.

            The twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was commentating. This year would be his last year, so there was no doubt that he would make it count.

            "Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the season: Slytherin versus Gryffindor! And here comes the Gryffindor team, Weasley, Bell, Weasley, Johnson, Walsh, O'Reilly, and Potter! There are two new additions to this fantastic Gryffindor team, this year, Walsh, the Keeper, and O'Reilly, the new chaser. Watch out, I doubt the Slytherin Keeper's going to be able to block O'Reilly that easily, he's a natural. Here comes Slytherin now. Flint, Warrington, Montague, Derrick, Bole, Neal, and Malfoy. This is going to be one hell of a match!"

            "Language, Jordan," Professor McGonagall warned.

            "Sorry, Professor. The captains will meet in the middle of the field with Madame Hooch to begin the game."

            "I want a nice, fair game, from all of you," Madame Hooch said to the fourteen players on the field. Flint was eyeing Katie with increasing dislike. "Now, captains, shake hands." Katie grasped the Slytherin captain's hand and let go quickly. "Mount your brooms."

            Aidan mounted his Nimbus Two-Thousand-One with jumpy nerves. He knew people were counting on him to score. He just couldn't let his team down. He faintly heard Harry say "Good Luck" from somewhere up above him. Before Aidan could even have time to think, the whistle blew and Angelina had taken the Quaffle.

            "Johnson with the Quaffle—over to Bell who passes it to O'Reilly—O'Reilly with a nice swerve and the pass to—no! it's intercepted by Montague. Montague tearing up the field—the pass to Warrington. Warrington headed toward the Gryffindor goal posts—OUCH!—nice Bludger work by a Weasley, Quaffle intercepted by O'Reilly—NO FAIR! FOUL ON FLINT! COME ON MADAME HOOCH!"

            Flint had grabbed onto Aidan's broom and was attempting to climb it. Madame Hooch blew her whistle. "Foul! Deliberate attempt to sabotage the Gryffindor Chaser. Foul to Gryffindor!"

            The Gryffindor side of the stadium erupted into cheers. "O'Reilly to take the penalty shot! Come on, Aidan! YES! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! HE SCORES! GRYFFINDOR LEADING TEN-ZERO!" Aidan took a victory lap around the pitch. He soared close enough to the stands to be able to clap someone's hands. The Gryffindors were cheering maniacally. "Flint with the Quaffle. He passes it off to Warrington. Now to Montague. Yes, it's intercepted by Bell. Bell racing toward the Slytherin Keeper, Neal. Come on, Katie. ARGH! YOU DIRTY, CHEATING—"
            "JORDAN!"

            "Bell will take the penalty shot after that rude display of nasty sportsmanship by the Slytherin Beater, Derrick. She soars forward, pump fake, SHE SCORES! Gryffindor leading twenty-zero. What a great play, O'Reilly has brought that play onto the team, if I'm not mistaken."

            Meanwhile, Harry was floating twenty feet above the game, searching for the Snitch. He had spotted it a few times, but Malfoy had made sure that he lost it by knocking him over in the air. This time, after being tired of getting knocked, he decided he would do the knocking. He went into a spectacular dive. Malfoy had seen him and went after, certain he had seen the Snitch. Harry dove closer and closer to the ground. Malfoy was gaining on him. It's working, he thought.

            Malfoy was now elbow to elbow with him. Harry had his arm stretched out just before he was to hit the ground, not aiming for anything. Almost faster than sound, Harry pulled out of his dive, empty-handed, except for the fact that Malfoy had hit the ground with full force and nothing to show for it. Madame Hooch's whistle blew. There was no foul but Malfoy needed medical attention.

            "I don't believe it! Harry Potter has just performed the Wronski Feint! He's bought himself a few extra seconds to search for the Snitch!"

            Harry soared back up into the air. He surveyed the game, searching with all his might to find the Snitch before Malfoy was flying again. And then, he saw it. Glittering just feet away from the Slytherin Keeper was the Snitch. Madame Hooch hadn't blown her whistle yet though, so he would have to follow it. Harry edged his way closer to the goal posts, trying not to attract attention to himself. He was careful to keep his eye on the golden ball. It was like music to his ears when Madame Hooch had blown her whistle once more.

            Malfoy was flying again, staying as close to Harry as possible, but Harry put on a burst of speed and dove with hand outstretched toward the posts. This time it was the real Snitch and it was the best feeling when he had it enclosed in his hands. Madame Hooch's whistle blew for the final time and Harry raised his hands in triumph.

            The Gryffindor team had flown to him and there was a huddle in the sky. "Harry Potter catches the Snitch! Gryffindor wins one-hundred and eighty to ten!" Lee yelled.

            "Great job, Aidan," Harry said as the two flew to the ground.

            "I could say the same about you," Aidan replied.

            "Did you score the other goal?"

            "Yeah, it was a desperation shot though, there was a Bludger coming straight at my head."

            "Oh, you really must be pretty good, then."

            "And you doubted me?" Aidan said with a sarcastic smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~

            Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Leigh met Harry and Aidan outside the locker rooms. Leigh hugged Aidan tightly saying something about his head and a Bludger. Ginny embraced Harry tightly also. "That was the best match you've ever played. I didn't know you could do the Wronski Feint."

            "Neither did I," Harry answered. The six walked back to the castle in high spirits. Ron pulled Harry and Aidan aside when they got near the entrance hall. Aidan kissed Leigh goodbye and Harry told Ginny that they would meet in the common room. "I think I know where this is going, Ron."

            "And where do you think it's going, Harry?"

            "I'll just listen, I've been through this before."

            "Aidan, I'm sorry I crapped out on you. You really are a great Chaser. Harry, I'm sorry I fought with you. I should support my friends, even if I am a bit jealous."

            "A bit!?" Harry exclaimed. "You were more than a bit jealous!"

            "Hey! I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

            "Yeah," Aidan said. "It's okay, Ron. I forgive you. Everyone has the right to act like a half-ass sometimes."

            Ron glared at him.

            "I'm just kidding!"

            "Okay, now that we're back on speaking terms," Harry said, putting an arm around each of his friends' shoulders. "I think there's a party in the common room that's in need of our attention."

~*~*~*~*~*~

            Somewhere, deep in the forests of Germany, Lord Voldemort was hiding in a cave, waiting for the perfect moment to seize what would soon belong to him. Wormtail had been bringing him news for the past five months of what was happening in the wizarding world. He had even managed to sneak into Hogwarts for two days as a rat.

            Wormtail was in Dumbledore's office the day Aidan was adopted.

            "So, the old fool Dumbledore thinks that a mere Muggle can be a critical line of defence between that school and Lord Voldemort. Just wait until I prove him wrong. That Muggle he's converted is nothing more than lucky. I'll show him. Wormtail!"

            "Yes, master?" Wormtail answered trembling.

            "Have you confirmed the alliance of the dementor's?"

            "Yes, master. They are awaiting our arrival at Azkaban any day now, sir."

            "Excellent. And the giants?"

            "We are still waiting, master. It seems that Dumbledore has sent envoys there as well."

            "I see. Crucio!" In an instant, Wormtail was on the ground, writhing in pain. Voldemort had performed the Cruciatus Curse on him. He was being tortured.

            "I wanted you to feel what it is like to me every time I am not pleased. Do not disappoint me again, Wormtail. I want you to do everything you can to get the giants on the Dark Side."

            "Y-yes, m-m-master," Wormtail whimpered. "I will n-not disappoint you a-again."

            "Make sure that you don't. Hogwarts will be mine this time, and that crooked-nose old man will not stand in my way." He laughed evilly, so that his cave rang. "Make me proud, Wormtail, and you shall be rewarded."

~*~*~*~*~*~

            A frost swept over the grounds as the winter holidays approached. Slytherin had beaten Ravenclaw in the last Quidditch match which put Slytherin and Gryffindor neck-and-neck for first place. Gryffindor was up by just a hair.

            Everyone was in much better spirits now that Ron had ended the fight. Ginny had given up with the brain-cells cracks because now that Ron was dating Hermione, he was becoming somewhat more mature. At least he was studying more.

            End-of-term exams came in a whirlwind of confusion. Harry had almost forgotten to study if Ginny hadn't reminded him that he was taking his O.W.L.s this year. Harry was staying at Hogwarts as always during the holidays, as were Ron and Ginny. Hermione was going home.

            Aidan met with Leigh in the library the day before the holidays began. They were going to exchange addresses so that they could keep in touch over Christmas. Leigh happened to live rather close to where Aidan lived now, and pointed out that they would be able to visit each other too.

            "I'll miss you," Aidan whispered. Madam Pince was eyeing them with complete dislike.

            "Oh, but we'll see each other. I'll miss you when we're not together."

            "I'll miss you more."

            "Yeah. I want you to meet my parents, after Christmas."

            "That would be great. You can meet mine too. They're the greatest."

            "Well, you're a good influence on them."

            "Excuse me, if you are going to talk, take it outside, this is a library!" Madame Pince said, swooping over like a hawk. Leigh giggled.

            "Come on, Aidan. Who needs a library? We've got a whole castle!" Aidan laughed too. Leigh was the kind of spontaneous person who could make him feel good all over.

She pulled him all through the castle, up what seemed like the thousandth staircase, and through six doors hidden behind tapestries. He found himself in a beautiful circular room. There were golden framed paintings adorning the walls and a few comfortable-looking pieces of furniture around the whole room. There was a marble fireplace at the far end of the room and a chandelier hung from the ceiling. "It took me four years to memorise how to get here," Leigh said. "It's my favourite place in the castle. I think I'm the only person who knows about it. I come up here to think."

            "It's excellent. You know, you're just perfect."

"I know," Leigh said smiling mischievously. "As I was saying before Pincer so rudely interrupted me, I think your parents would have to be the greatest to adopt you. You're a good influence."

"Oh, I am? I think they were great before they adopted me, they were just looking for someone to share it with."

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Sorry I haven't been posting as much. I have a lot going on. Basketball season has started and we were in Wayne Town {Guess where that is!} last weekend and got smoked by four club teams. We're just a school team so it's understandable. I hope you like my story. It would be great to get a few more reviews before I get the next chapter up. Thanks Julianne-Petals, I'm glad you at least like my story! Tootles, I'll be back.