A/N: The twenty-sixth chapter of my HP/ST:TNG crossover-fic. I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated for almost a month!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling. Star Trek belongs to Paramount Pictures and, of course, Gene Roddenberry (R.I.P.), The Great Bird of the Galaxy. And all other trademarks aren't mine, but just used in the story. Lynn is all mine.

26. Of bludgers and Veritechs

"BLUDGER INBOUND!!!" called Harry from his broom. He, Ron, Wesley, Lynn and Malfoy were on the holodeck playing a game of Quidditch against Riker, Walsh, Geordi, Data, Worf and Troi. Harry was of course seeker, Lynn and Wesley were beaters, Ron the keeper, and Malfoy was one of the chasers. Riker and Walsh were two of the chasers, Geordi and Data the beaters, Worf the keeper and Troi the seeker. Their teams were completed with some holographic players. In the holographic stands sat amongst others Hermione, Picard, Dr Crusher, Reno, Guinan, O'Brien and Keiko.

"I got it!" called Wesley, and smacked another bludger towards it, reflecting it's course towards Worf. Worf saw the bludger coming, and didn't quite know what do to. For a second or so he seemed determined to stare it down, but avoided it at the last second. Unfortunately it went into one of the hoops.

"Another ten points for the junior team!" announced Hermione. "The standings are 40-30 for the juniors." Worf swore quietly in Klingon. "Still it is a surprisingly even game between the junior and the seniors."

"Will must get a real complex out being called 'senior'," said Dr Crusher to Picard, a light smile on her face. Picard couldn't help but grin.

"I'm still not sure how this sport works," said Keiko.

"Well, you see it's like this..." said O'Brien launching into an explanation of the sport.  Now suddenly Troi dived. Harry followed. When they had almost reached the field Troi pulled up and Harry did the same, just barely scraping the ground.

"It's looks like Troi just pulled a Wonky feint on Potter!" announced Hermione.

"WRONSKY FEINT!!!" bellowed Ron from his broom.

"Sorry honey..." said Hermione. Some people in the stands laughed. Malfoy and the holographic junior chasers made a offence towards the seniors goals. "Malfoys going for a score..." Suddenly Malfoy just dropped the quaffle. Riker and Walsh didn't have a clue what happened, and just looked down. One of the juniors holographic chasers caught the quaffle and flew under Riker and Walsh. They turned around just in time to see the quaffle be thrown back to Malfoy, who took all his strength an hurled it toward one of the hoops. But Worf managed to stop it. Although, a second later his efforts were in vain as one of the juniors holographic chasers caught it and threw it into another hoop. Worf growled in anger. Riker however laughed at the maneuver Malfoy and the holograms had pulled.

"Well I'll be..." he said.

"Death to the opposition!" growled Worf.

"Now that's a bit harsh, Lieutenant," said Walsh. "After all, it's just a game!"

They continued on playing a while, keeping it pretty even. The seniors where surprisingly good. Soon the score was 70-50 for the juniors. Harry watched as Lynn and Wesley shot beat the bludgers in between them and Geordi and Data, who immediately shot them back towards Lynn and Wesley. The whole thing resemble a Tennis game more than a Tennis game. Harry laughed. Suddenly he heard familiar sound, a faint flutter of wings. He looked to his right. The snitch was about 20 feet away from him. He sat of towards it. The snitch immediately started flying away at great speed, but Harry pursued it. Troi saw this and sat of toward the snitch too. They were approaching it from opposite sides, and it was just a question of catching it first. They passed each other quickly, both reaching for the snitch, feeling that they were both so close that their fingers touched. When they had passed each other the looked towards their hands. Troi found that her hand was empty.

"Harry Potter caught the snitch! The juniors win!" Hermione announced. Harry held up the hand in which he had the snitch. The crowd cheered and clapped. Troi flew up beside Harry.

"I nearly had it," said Troi, smiling.

"I know," said Harry, smiling too. "Good game, nicely played." He reached out a hand towards Troi, who shook it.

"No time for a rematch then?" she said. Harry laughed.

After the team had landed they ended the program. The winning team was congratulated by the crowd and the opposing team. Then they started exiting the holodeck. Harry noticed that Worf stood still. He went up to him.

"You okay, Worf?" said Harry.

"The game was...not a proper use of my talents..." said Worf, seemingly irritated over having lost.

"You would have preferred something a bit more combat-like?" said Harry.

"Yes, I would have," said Worf. "Team sports is not my strongest skill."

"Well, you did good considering that you'd never played the sport before," said Harry. He started walking towards the door, where the last of the crowd had just exited. Suddenly he stopped and turned towards Worf. "You know what, I know something you may like... It's combat, but a bit different than sword fighting."

"What is it exactly?" said Worf, interested.

"Have you ever heard of a Veritech?" said Harry.

"You know where Harry is?" said Lynn.

"Yeah, he called me and said he and Worf were going to do something on the holodeck," said Ron.

"Do what?" said Lynn.

"I dunno," something called 'Veritech combat'," said Ron.

"Whoa whoa whoa, hold on there, 'Veritech'?" said Lynn.

"Yeah. You know what it is?" said Ron.

"Ever heard of 'Macross'?" said Lynn.

Harry and Worf stood before two Veritechs. Worf had learned that a Veritech was a combat jet plane which could change into two modes, GERWALK, which basically looked like a plane with arms and legs, and Battroid which looked like a giant robot. Right now they were in the Battroid mode, holding a gunpod, the Veritechs main weapon. A gunpod was basically a machine gun, but a damn effective one at such.

"One VF-1J Valkyrie and one VF-1S Valkyrie," said Harry. "What do you think?"

"Impressive design," said Worf, in awe of the giant Veritechs in front of him. "These were combat machines in your time?"

"Technically, no," said Harry. "They're from a Japanese animated TV-show called 'Super Dimensional Fortress Macross'. But the design is really well thought out and realistic, so they would function in real life if someone took the time and money to build them. Which one would you like to operate?" Worf studied the Veritechs, and then nodded to the VF-1S.

"That one," said Worf. "It is a warriors machine."

"Interesting that you chose that one," said Harry. "The first man which that Veritech belonged to was very honourable and proud."

"What happened to him?" said Worf.

"He got hit, but was to proud to say that he was injured," said Harry. "When he finally collapsed it was to late, he had just lost to much blood. He died."

"You make him sound almost Klingon," said Worf. "And I suppose you are right. Considering that it is only natural that I chose that one."

"That and the paint scheme is cool, huh?" said Harry, smiling.

"That too," said Worf. "Shall we go a match?"

"Certainly," said Harry. "I've programmed the computer to explain the controls for you once you're seated in the cockpit."

"Good," said Worf. "I trust that the safety protocols are offline?"

"Yes, I wouldn't want to get in trouble with Dr Crusher," said Harry. "Let's go." They each went to the elevators leading up to the top of the Veritechs and went up. They entered their cockpits. As soon as they were seated the instructions started.

"Whoa...this is one coooool room..." said Ron. He and Wesley was standing on a bridge with consoles and computer screens. The whole thing had a large window looking out into space.

"What? The bridge of the Enterprise is much cleaner and-" started Wesley.

"This is supposed to be the 21st century, Wes," said Ron. "I expect things to were a bit different."

"Yeah, I guess your right," said Wesley. He walked up to a console in front of the window. "It's a great view though." He looked out, seeing the long ship stretch out in front of him. In the distance in space he could see Saturn. "But...I just don't get it. When did you have time to write this program? It's very detailed."

"Well, there's one thing you should know about Lynn," said Ron and walked up to Wesley. "She's an otaku."

"A what?" said Wesley.

"An anime-nut, a fan of Japanese animation and Manga comics," said Ron. "She managed to get Harry into it somewhat also, but mostly it's her and Hermione. Hermione's not nearly as big of an otaku though. I'm mostly just confused by it all." He looked at his watch. "Where are those girls?"

"Speak of the Devil..." said Hermione, stepping onto the bridge. She was wearing a dark green uniform, with yellow stripes and a light purple neck, and instead of pants she had a white skirt. Lynn entered behind her, wearing the same kind of outfit, except her uniform and skirt were white with dark blue stripes and a yellow neck.

"What are those outfits?" said Ron.

"Mine is the uniform of Misa Hayase, the main heroine of Macross," said Lynn.

"And mine is worn by Claudia LaSalle, Misa's friend," said Hermione.

"Well, you both look....great!" said Wesley honestly. The girls walked up to them.

"Yeah...but I find it disturbing that you look good in green..." said Ron.

"Oh, come on!" said Hermione. "Like I'd join Slytherin...!"

"Well, you have been very friendly with Malfoy..." said Ron. Wesley leaned towards Lynn.

"Which Malfoy are they...?" he said quietly.

"Draco," said Lynn.

"Just checking..." said Wesley. Hermione was about to get angry at Ron for him implicating that she had something going on with Draco, when a beeping sound was heard.

"Beep beep beep, beep beep beep? What is that?" said Ron. Lynn walked over to a console.

"It's from the Prometheus, two Veritechs are about to launch," said Lynn. She saw that Hermione a slightly puzzled look upon her face. "What?"

"Um...Lynn, they never showed detailed close-ups of the consoles on the show..." said Hermione.

"Your point being...?" said Lynn.

"Um...never mind..." said Hermione.

The Veritechs were in position on the Prometheus' deck, ready to be launched.

"Skull One ready for launch," said Worf. His jet launched from the aircraft carrier.

"Vermilion One ready for launch," said Harry. The jet zoomed forwards along the deck and then lifted off. Harry couldn't help but grin at the adrenaline rush he felt.

'I don't care if it's only a simulation, this feels great!' he thought.

"Perhaps a test against enemies first?" said Harry over the com.

"Agreed," said Worf.

"Good," said Harry. "Computer, start set combat test difficulty to-"

"Vermilion One, what do you think you're doing?" said a voice over the com.

"Eh?" said Harry. "Who's that?" An image appeared on the console in front of Harry. It showed Lynn on the bridge of the Macross, a big smile on her face.

"Sorry, Harry. I've always wanted to say that," said Lynn.

"What, give Hikaru Ichijo a scolding?" said Harry.

"Well, yeah..." said Lynn. "Always have wanted to be Misa, I guess." She grinned. Now Wesley popped his head into the screen.

"Hey, Harry," said Wesley. "Who are you talking about?"

"Hey Wes," said Harry. "Hikaru Ichijo is the lead male character of Macross, and Misa Hayase is the main female character. I suppose they've explained what Macross is."

"We've tried," said Hermione, who popped up on another part of Harry's screen in her separate transmission. "It's not easy to get into it, you know."

"Yeah, I suppose it isn't," said Harry. "Well, you ladies look great in those uniforms."

"Hey!" said Ron and Wesley in unison.

"Calm down guys, I'm just giving the ladies a compliment," said Harry.

"Perhaps you and Worf should get on with your little tournament?" said Hermione.

"Good idea," said Harry.

"Well, what do you know," said Lynn. "It would seem as if a force of about...oh, 50 Zentradi pods are in front of you. Happy hunting boys."

"Roger, Gunsight One," said Harry.

A/N: I cannot explain how sorry I am to have kept you waiting for so long for the next chapter. It is unforgivable. My life should rightfully belong to you to do as you wish with. Instead I may just hope that I may be forgive, so that I can complete the story once and for all in a proper fashion.

Much of my delay has been because of school. And it has been because I have been ill. But a large part has been because of my infatuation with a certain girl in my presence. Love do strange things with you, including forgetting where your responsibilities lie. In the end I just came to that point where I realised that it would never work out between us. We are just a bit to different. Hopefully I will have more luck in my upcoming College studies. Although I must say that it was fun while it lasted. The experiences I earned in this six-month endeavour have been worth the time, and it has been the first time I have truly loved a girl. I will use my experiences in my fics, although with different endings than the real thing. So now I can devote my free time to what I love the most, my DS9  and Macross DVD:s, my family and my writing.

The title of the chapter is of course a reference to the book "Of mice and men", eve thought the chapter and the book have very little in common.

This chapter was written as the first part of two chapters which are just meant to be fun and imaginative. The whole Macross thing is in because Macross is a big thing of what I am, it's what I grew up with. And as I have finally had the chance to se the original version of the series I realise just how truly great it is, raking it the third best TV-series ever, and the best Anime sci-fi series ever.

And yes, I admit that I am somewhat of an Otaku. If there's an anime worth seeing, it's a good chance I've seen it. Oh, by the way, see Cowboy Bebop, fantastic series!

The review comments on the last chapter were only by my cousin. He did however point out that I did not explain the name of the shuttle Harry was assigned to in Chapter 24. The name of it, Van Fanel, is that of the main male character in Escaflowne, another fantastic anime series.

And don't worry, the ending of this fic will be well done, not just something cooked up to end the fic. Will they get home? Read on to find out...    ;)