The Quidditch Match

Excitement hung in the air two days later. The first Quidditch game of the year was about to begin. Slytherin versus Gryffindor. The team was nervous as they entered the locker room, none so much as Harry. It was his first game as captain and he had worked for days on the lineups and plays. He had decided on the ranks that morning. Nikolas Duncan and Draco would be the two beaters, Franklin Perry, Ryne Herald and Jonathan Grisseler were going to be the three chasers. Rachel Harrison was the only Slytherin Keeper and, of course, Harry was the Seeker. There were four replacement players, all of them ready to take their brooms if need be. Jackson, the new manager, struggled with the brooms and Harry's play notebook until he found a spell to help. He couldn't put a spell on the brooms, illegal in any place, so he slung them on a pack attached to his back.

Harry went over the plays before the game, but everyone was too nervous to notice. They walked silently to the field and waited for Madame Hooch to announce the start of the game. Striding up the field with his team in tow was the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, Ron Weasley. Stone-faced, the two adversaries shook hands and mounted their brooms. On Madame Hooch's whistle, the game started. Harry rose above the game, trying to spot the Firebolt. The players became mere specks on the field and all Harry could hear was Lee Jordan's, the announcer, voice.

"And Gryffindor has possession of the ball, look at her go. Ohhhh. taken by Herald of Slytherin. They form a tricky triangle position with Herald in the lead, and he throws! Goal! Ten points to Slytherin! The Quaffle is thrown up again and once more, Slytherin takes the ball. This time Perry has possession and, what's that? Gryffindor Captain Ron Weasley looks as if he's spotted the Golden Snitch. He's going into a dive." Lee Jordan yelled. Harry, startled, looked toward Ron. He was ten feet below Harry and, with a look of intense concentration, dove behind Harry. Tempted, Harry turned to follow, but noticed a glint of gold in the opposite direction. Grinning, Harry and his Firebolt tore in the other direction. Harry couldn't hear the announcing anymore, all he could hear was the wind in his ears. It whistled past as the gold glint took shape. It was the Snitch! Ron had finally caught on and was coming toward Harry at breakneck speed. Harry barley saw Draco above him, swinging his bat before a Bludger raced toward Ron. Ron dove to avoid it and came back up too late. Harry grasped the gleaming prize in his hand and held it up so Madame Hooch could see it. Lee Jordan, a bit disappointed, gave the final announcement.

"It's all over. Slytherin wins, 160 to 0!" Half of the crowd cheered. Harry held in his hand the riches of Captain. He had won his first game as leader. Nikolas and the others were waiting in the showers for him. They gave him a warm applause as he changed into his robes. The sun was setting and it would be time for him to finish his homework.

"Good job, Harry," Draco said as they walked into the common room.

"Thanks, Draco," Harry said confused once more by his attitude. He was met with more applause in the common room. There was a banner proclaiming the Quidditch team's excellence hanging over a table filled with sweets. Professor Snape sat in a chair, chaperoning.

"Well done, Harry," Snape called out to the boys. Harry nodded.

"Thank you, Sir," he answered and headed for the food. A pretty face greeted him.

"That was amazing, Harry. I knew you wouldn't fall for Ron's tricks," Anya exclaimed, hugging Harry. Draco sidled up to Harry.

"Isn't there a Hogsmeade visit coming up next week, Harry?" he whispered in his ear. Harry turned red, but he couldn't back down.

"Anya?" Harry said quietly.

"Yes, Harry?" she asked, laughing at the commotion around them. Harry didn't even notice.

"There's a Hogsmeade trip coming up soon and I was.uhhh," Harry crossed his fingers behind his back, " Would you.er.comewithmetotheHogsmeadevisit?" Harry, expecting to have to repeat himself, took a breath.

"Of course, Harry," Anya smiled and kissed him on the cheek. If possible, Harry turned redder. Harry turned just in time to see Draco smirk.

"Great," Harry told her, trying to sound nonchalant. It didn't work. He sat with Anya on the couch closest to the fire. The talk around them turned to the game and Harry's wonderful win. Harry didn't care. All he could see or hear was Anya. The heat of the fire flushed her cheeks and her hair flowed around her face. She couldn't have looked better to Harry. Even when she dressed up for the Christmas Ball the past year. Harry was shamed to admit that he had to have Draco ask her for him. Luckily, Anya thought it was sweet and agreed in a heartbeat. Now Harry had to wait another excruciatingly long week to take her to Hogsmeade.