Chapter Sixteen

The Match

It seemed like ages, but Christmas holiday had finally arrived. As in the past, Ron and Hermione stayed at school with Harry. On Christmas Day, they awoke to a pleasant surprise in their dormitory.

"Hermione, what are you doing in here!" Ron exclaimed

"Happy Christmas to you too," she replied in a stern tone.

"Sorry, but you startled me."

"It's ok," she said.

"Happy Christmas Hermione," Harry said rubbing his eyes.

"Happy Christmas Harry."

Harry cleared his throat loudly to get Ron to speak up.

"Oh," he said after he finally got the message. "Happy Christmas Hermione,"

"Same to you," she said shortly. "Come on, get a move on. You've got presents to open."

Harry and Ron gathered their gifts and carried them to the common room to join Hermione in unwrapping their presents. Harry received, yet again, a sweater from Mrs. Weasley(this one was bright scarlet), some candy from Ron, an updated broomstick servicing kit especially for his Firebolt from Sirius, and a book about preparing yourself for the O.W.L'S.(Ordinary Wizarding Levels).

Around noon they went down to eat lunch along with the rest on the school.

The Great Hall looked more festive than ever. The four house tables were loaded with so many decoration that it looked like they could collapse at any minute.

Halfway through the meal, Harry noticed the absence of Professor Salia from the teachers table.

After lunch, the students went their separate ways. Some of the Gryffindors decided to hold a snowball fight. Professor Dumbledore volunteers to monitor the students. He even participated a little himself!

After an exhausting two hour game, they called it a draw, and went back to the castle to de-thaw. They ate dinner, then everyone went to bed. It had been a wonderful Christmas.

All week, Harry had been waiting for the Quidditch match against Slytherin. It was the most important match ever. Gryffindor was tied with Slytherin in House Points. Whoever won the match would win the House Cup.

The day of the match had arrived. Harry, as usual, skipped breakfast. On his way to the field, Neville stopped him.

"Harry," Neville said.

"Yeah Neville."

"I need to ask you a favor."

"Sure," Harry said, eager to help.

"Well, know how much being Quidditch Captain means to you, and this being the biggest match of the year."

"So."

"So, I want you to take over for the match."

"You mean, be captain?"

"Yes, that is, if you want to."

"Okay," Harry told him, trying not to sound to eager.

After all the players had went to the locker rooms and changed into their Quidditch attire, Harry stood up, cleared his throat, and said.

"Okay everyone. Neville asked me to take over for today."

This was greeted with a round of applause.

"Now, we aren't quite sure who the Slytherin captain is, but more likely than now it's Malfoy. Fred and George, I want you aiming at him at all times."

The twins nodded.

"Angelina, Alicia, and Katie, just keep doing what you've been doing."

They nodded as well.

"And Neville."

At this, Neville sat up straight and gave Harry his full attention.

"Neville, just guard the hoops. Now let's go get them!" Harry said, and led the team to the pitch.

"Here we are at the biggest Quidditch game of the season, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin! I'm your commentator Lee Jordan." He said as the teams stepped onto the field. "Our referee today is Madame Hooch."

Madame Hooch stepped onto the pitch and asked the captains to shake hands. As he had expected, Malfoy was the Slytherin captain. Obviously, Neville had already told Madame Hooch about the switch on captains because she didn't object when Harry, with a look of disgust on his face, stepped forward to reluctantly shake Draco's hand. After the quick hand shake, Madame Hooch said, "Let's play Quidditch!" and threw the Quaffle on the air.

"And they're off!" Lee said with excitement. "Spinet to Bell. Bell to Johnson, GRYFFINDOR SCORES!!!!!"

The crowd supporting Gryffindor, which was practically the entire school since everyone hated Slytherin, erupted with cheers, applause, and other displays of excitement.

"Slytherin's captain Draco Malfoy doesn't look at all pleased with his teams performance," Lee Jordan commentated.

As the game continued, Malfoy became less and less happy with his team. The score was 120-110 with Gryffindor ahead when it happened.

The snitch was just a few feet from his head when Malfoy reamed Harry from behind. Harry lost his balance and fell. Faster and faster until...

Why are Ron and Hermione crying? Harry wondered subconsciously. He sat up, put on his glasses, and saw why. Both of his legs were in casts and his hands were bandaged. He had a horrible headache, and his scar hurt like never before.

"Who-what happened?" he asked aloud.

Suddenly Ron and Hermione, who were crying on each other's shoulders, sat up and ran over to Harry's bedside.

"Oh Harry! You're alright!" Hermione said, still crying and throwing her arms around him.

"What happened?" he said again.

"Well, after Malfoy ran into you, " Ron told him, "you fell."

"You just kept falling faster and faster." Hermione interrupted.

"But on the way down you grabbed the snitch," Ron told him.

"It was almost like it wanted you to catch it. It looked like it flew into your hand." Hermione told him.

"Anyway," Ron started again, "right before you hit the ground, you slowed down. Like you had...

"Airbrakes."

"Yeah, air brakes or something. Thanks Hermione."

"When you hit," started Hermione.

"Professor Salia ran over to try to take you into the forest. Dumbledore had a look of sheer horror on his face. Somehow he got in front of her, took you, and brought you here. We didn't know if you were going to make it or not. You've been unconscious for a week."

"I have!" Harry said with astonishment.

"Dumbledore's called off al Quidditch until further notice." Ron told him.

"He has?"

"Yeah. I wonder why Salia wanted to take you into the forest? Ron said curiously.

"About that," Harry said. " Every since my Firebolt was stolen, my scar has hurt around Professor Salia."

"And," Hermione said, "hasn't it always hurt in that class?"

"Yes, but not like this."

"What do you think is causing it?"

"Well, I don't think Professor Salia is who we think she is."

Ron chimed in now, "By that you mean?"

"Remember how during our first lesson how she told Malfoy that she knew things about his family that would make him run for his like or something?"

"Yeah," Hermione and Ron said.

"Well, she's supposedly from America right?"

"Right."

"So how could she know things about Malfoy's family?"

"Oh my gosh! I just thought of something!" Hermione squealed. "Who was the only person unaccounted for when the Durmstang students left?"

"I dunno." Ron told her.

"Karakoff!"

" She's right!" Harry exclaimed.

"And what was Karakoff?"

"A Death Eater!"

"Precisely."

'So you're saying that Karakoff is Professor Salia?" Ron asked.

"Well, not exactly." Hermione corrected him.

"Well then, what are you saying?"

"Well, I'm not sure yet, so I'm not going to tell you anything."

"Fine, but remember when Salia tries to kidnap Harry again, you wouldn't help save him."

"It's okay Ron," Harry said to him. "We shouldn't accuse Salia without absolutely sure about her."

"Well, Harry, you need your rest," Hermione told him.

"I've been asleep for a week Hermione!" Harry said,

"Well, Madame Pomphry says you might be able to go back to class tomorrow."

"Okay, well I better get some rest then. Thanks for visiting me."

"What are friends for?" Ron said. "Bye Harry."

"Yeah. bye," Hermione told him.

"Bye," Harry said, and he drifted to sleep.