Disclaimer--Nothing here belongs to me. Most of this scene is from PoA and belongs to JKR, who is a MUCH more accomplished writer than me. They're for the love of the craft and intended only as flattery.
Author's Notes--Don't get too used to double posts...*winks*
*************
Professor Lupin might have missed the first match of the season-a match Ginny would rather forget-but when Ginny and Lee walked out to the stands anticipating the Ravenclaw-Gryffindor match, Professor Lupin went with them. Ginny had tried to convince Hermione to come along as well, but she'd insisted on watching the match from Hagrid's hut instead.
"You picked a great match to see, Professor," said Lee, who was nearly as delighted with his company as Ginny. "Harry Potter is the most dynamic Seeker Hogwarts has seen in generations...and Cho Chang is pretty good, too. And we're going to see a Firebolt in action-even Percy Weasley's excited enough to bet on Gryffindor to win."
Lupin suppressed a smile, "Now, Lee, if I thought a student was betting, I'd be forced to do something-I have responsibilities as a teacher, you know."
"Uh...right...but Percy wouldn't bet money, Professor...he's a Prefect."
"Yes," Lupin agreed, the smile struggling to rise to the surface in spite of his best efforts. "I believe he may have mentioned it once or twice."
Professor McGonagall was already so focused on the Pitch, she scarcely noticed the three of them cramming into the stands beside her.
The Ravenclaw team walked out first, scattering across the pitch like a flock of bluebirds. Ravenclaw greeted them so enthusiastically the world seemed to vibrate with the sound. The applause for Gryffindor was even louder, if such a thing was possible. They drifted into position, their fluttering red robes making Ginny think of cardinals. Harry was immediately recognizable, even at a distance-her heart began to flutter before she'd even realized who she was looking at.
His whole stance changed, making her heart stop-somehow she knew he was looking at Cho Chang. Ginny looked at her too, and immediately wished she hadn't-she looked so pretty with her skin and robes gleaming Ravenclaw bronze and blue and her long, silky black hair sparking like a raven's wing...Ginny looked hastily away, her eyes damp from the sudden fierceness of the previously mild wind. The weathered tips of Professor Lupin's fingers touched her hand.
"They're off," Lee said, nearly before some of the team members' feet left the ground. "The big excitement this match is the Firebolt Harry Potter is flying for Gryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship--"
"Jordan," Professor McGonagall interjected dryly from the other side of Lee, "would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?"
Ginny grinned. From Lupin's muffled cough, he was going to enjoy the joint commentary as much as Ginny usally did.
"Right you are Professor-just giving a bit of background information-the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and--"
"Jordan!"
"Okay, okay, Gryffindor in possession, Katie Bell of Gryffindor heading for goal..."
Harry, on the other hand, wasn't heading much of anywhere. He seemed to be hovering in mid-air, momentarily distracted by Cho Chang. Cho seemed to think his distraction ought to be encouraged, and Ginny had to admit-reluctantly-there was something impressive about her flamboyant interference in Harry's laps of the pitch.
Ginny and Lupin were both on their feet, but she couldn't hear their shouts over Lee's bellow through the megaphone.
"Jordan, would you please verbalize your commentary!" McGonagall snapped, but she was on her feet, too, the Gryffindor rosette on her tartan hat visibly askew.
"Oh, right...Bell's beat the Keeper, Gryffindor scores! Is that better, Professor?"
McGonagall made a sound that might have been a laugh and cuffed Lee across the arm. Lupin looked at Ginny and winked.
"Harry's seen the Snitch!" Ginny shouted, pointing.
"And Potter dives for the Snitch!" Lee relayed grandly as Cho swooped after him with a grace that made Ginny feel awkward and plain.
Harry spiraled out of the way of a last-minute Bludger, eliciting a mass groan from Gyffindor and a burst of applause from Ravenclaw. "Nice use of the Bludger," Lee said, the words gaining enthusiasm as George retaliated by cracking the other Bludger at the Beater. "Gryffindor leads by eighty points to zero, and look at that Firebolt go! Potter's really putting it through its paces now, see it turn-Chang's Comet is just no match for it, the Firebolt's precision balance is really noticeable in these long--"
"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!"
Ginny and Lupin both developed a sudden urge to cough, and nearly missed the next goal by Ravenclaw. "If only Ravenclaw had missed," Ginny muttered darkly under breath as they quickly made two more. "Is Wood asleep?"
For a split second, Ginny thought Harry was trying to knock the Ravenclaw Chaser out of the sky by falling on him, then she realized he was accelerating toward the Gryffindor goal post at breakneck speed-and Cho dropped into his path. Going too quickly to stop, Harry swerved wildly. Ginny didn't know whether to admire his reflexes or mourn his apparent chivalry toward Cho. Wood, on the other hand, wasn't so conflicted. "HARRY! THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN! KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!"
At first Ginny was a little taken aback by his bloodthirsty approach, but as the minutes sped by and Cho continued to stick to Harry like frog brains stuck to the Potions room ceiling-something Luna had discovered relatively early in their first year-she found herself agreeing with him.
As if sensing her mounting impatience, Harry dove. Ginny craned her head, wondering if he'd seen the Snitch, Cho pelted after him, and Harry pulled sharply upward. Ginny shouted, whistling her support of Harry's strategy.
"Just like James," Lupin breathed as Harry rocketed toward the Ravenclaw end. "He really is just like James."
"Oh!" Cho screamed, pointing downward.
"What does she think she's--" Ginny started sharply, and stopped as she caught sight of three looming figures, their faces swallowed by shadows in the depths of their hoods, their long black robes making her stomach lurch. "Dementors? But--"
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted from the field.
Ginny started, nearly tumbling over the back of the bench.
A magnificent silver-white stage erupted from the tip of his wand, charging at the Dementors, who seemed to be stumbling backward.
"You taught him that!" Ginny accused Professor Lupin, delighted.
Lupin was already halfway down the stands, but Ginny wasn't far behind as Madam Hooch's whistle sounded. "And Gryffindor wins the match!" Lee shouted behind them.
The entire school was trying to get close to Harry...which made it easier for Ginny and Professor Lupin to reach the dementors.
"Well...that explains why I didn't feel them," Ginny said dryly, surveying the tangle of robes and Slytherins.
"Indeed," Lupin said grimly. "I'm afraid it was a very stupid stunt, though. Someone could have been badly hurt. Could you run and get Professor McGonagall?"
"Sure thing," Ginny said.
Professor McGonagall met her before she reached the stands, already on her way. "I take it Lupin's discovered something about the fake dementors, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny nodded, only slightly amazed.
"Where are they then?"
"Over there," Ginny said, pointing. "I'll show you--"
"No, that won't be necessary," McGonagall assured her.
Ginny stared after her for a moment, a little taken aback. Then headed off to tell Hermione and Hagrid what they were sure to have missed.
Author's Notes--Don't get too used to double posts...*winks*
*************
Professor Lupin might have missed the first match of the season-a match Ginny would rather forget-but when Ginny and Lee walked out to the stands anticipating the Ravenclaw-Gryffindor match, Professor Lupin went with them. Ginny had tried to convince Hermione to come along as well, but she'd insisted on watching the match from Hagrid's hut instead.
"You picked a great match to see, Professor," said Lee, who was nearly as delighted with his company as Ginny. "Harry Potter is the most dynamic Seeker Hogwarts has seen in generations...and Cho Chang is pretty good, too. And we're going to see a Firebolt in action-even Percy Weasley's excited enough to bet on Gryffindor to win."
Lupin suppressed a smile, "Now, Lee, if I thought a student was betting, I'd be forced to do something-I have responsibilities as a teacher, you know."
"Uh...right...but Percy wouldn't bet money, Professor...he's a Prefect."
"Yes," Lupin agreed, the smile struggling to rise to the surface in spite of his best efforts. "I believe he may have mentioned it once or twice."
Professor McGonagall was already so focused on the Pitch, she scarcely noticed the three of them cramming into the stands beside her.
The Ravenclaw team walked out first, scattering across the pitch like a flock of bluebirds. Ravenclaw greeted them so enthusiastically the world seemed to vibrate with the sound. The applause for Gryffindor was even louder, if such a thing was possible. They drifted into position, their fluttering red robes making Ginny think of cardinals. Harry was immediately recognizable, even at a distance-her heart began to flutter before she'd even realized who she was looking at.
His whole stance changed, making her heart stop-somehow she knew he was looking at Cho Chang. Ginny looked at her too, and immediately wished she hadn't-she looked so pretty with her skin and robes gleaming Ravenclaw bronze and blue and her long, silky black hair sparking like a raven's wing...Ginny looked hastily away, her eyes damp from the sudden fierceness of the previously mild wind. The weathered tips of Professor Lupin's fingers touched her hand.
"They're off," Lee said, nearly before some of the team members' feet left the ground. "The big excitement this match is the Firebolt Harry Potter is flying for Gryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship--"
"Jordan," Professor McGonagall interjected dryly from the other side of Lee, "would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?"
Ginny grinned. From Lupin's muffled cough, he was going to enjoy the joint commentary as much as Ginny usally did.
"Right you are Professor-just giving a bit of background information-the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and--"
"Jordan!"
"Okay, okay, Gryffindor in possession, Katie Bell of Gryffindor heading for goal..."
Harry, on the other hand, wasn't heading much of anywhere. He seemed to be hovering in mid-air, momentarily distracted by Cho Chang. Cho seemed to think his distraction ought to be encouraged, and Ginny had to admit-reluctantly-there was something impressive about her flamboyant interference in Harry's laps of the pitch.
Ginny and Lupin were both on their feet, but she couldn't hear their shouts over Lee's bellow through the megaphone.
"Jordan, would you please verbalize your commentary!" McGonagall snapped, but she was on her feet, too, the Gryffindor rosette on her tartan hat visibly askew.
"Oh, right...Bell's beat the Keeper, Gryffindor scores! Is that better, Professor?"
McGonagall made a sound that might have been a laugh and cuffed Lee across the arm. Lupin looked at Ginny and winked.
"Harry's seen the Snitch!" Ginny shouted, pointing.
"And Potter dives for the Snitch!" Lee relayed grandly as Cho swooped after him with a grace that made Ginny feel awkward and plain.
Harry spiraled out of the way of a last-minute Bludger, eliciting a mass groan from Gyffindor and a burst of applause from Ravenclaw. "Nice use of the Bludger," Lee said, the words gaining enthusiasm as George retaliated by cracking the other Bludger at the Beater. "Gryffindor leads by eighty points to zero, and look at that Firebolt go! Potter's really putting it through its paces now, see it turn-Chang's Comet is just no match for it, the Firebolt's precision balance is really noticeable in these long--"
"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!"
Ginny and Lupin both developed a sudden urge to cough, and nearly missed the next goal by Ravenclaw. "If only Ravenclaw had missed," Ginny muttered darkly under breath as they quickly made two more. "Is Wood asleep?"
For a split second, Ginny thought Harry was trying to knock the Ravenclaw Chaser out of the sky by falling on him, then she realized he was accelerating toward the Gryffindor goal post at breakneck speed-and Cho dropped into his path. Going too quickly to stop, Harry swerved wildly. Ginny didn't know whether to admire his reflexes or mourn his apparent chivalry toward Cho. Wood, on the other hand, wasn't so conflicted. "HARRY! THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN! KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!"
At first Ginny was a little taken aback by his bloodthirsty approach, but as the minutes sped by and Cho continued to stick to Harry like frog brains stuck to the Potions room ceiling-something Luna had discovered relatively early in their first year-she found herself agreeing with him.
As if sensing her mounting impatience, Harry dove. Ginny craned her head, wondering if he'd seen the Snitch, Cho pelted after him, and Harry pulled sharply upward. Ginny shouted, whistling her support of Harry's strategy.
"Just like James," Lupin breathed as Harry rocketed toward the Ravenclaw end. "He really is just like James."
"Oh!" Cho screamed, pointing downward.
"What does she think she's--" Ginny started sharply, and stopped as she caught sight of three looming figures, their faces swallowed by shadows in the depths of their hoods, their long black robes making her stomach lurch. "Dementors? But--"
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted from the field.
Ginny started, nearly tumbling over the back of the bench.
A magnificent silver-white stage erupted from the tip of his wand, charging at the Dementors, who seemed to be stumbling backward.
"You taught him that!" Ginny accused Professor Lupin, delighted.
Lupin was already halfway down the stands, but Ginny wasn't far behind as Madam Hooch's whistle sounded. "And Gryffindor wins the match!" Lee shouted behind them.
The entire school was trying to get close to Harry...which made it easier for Ginny and Professor Lupin to reach the dementors.
"Well...that explains why I didn't feel them," Ginny said dryly, surveying the tangle of robes and Slytherins.
"Indeed," Lupin said grimly. "I'm afraid it was a very stupid stunt, though. Someone could have been badly hurt. Could you run and get Professor McGonagall?"
"Sure thing," Ginny said.
Professor McGonagall met her before she reached the stands, already on her way. "I take it Lupin's discovered something about the fake dementors, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny nodded, only slightly amazed.
"Where are they then?"
"Over there," Ginny said, pointing. "I'll show you--"
"No, that won't be necessary," McGonagall assured her.
Ginny stared after her for a moment, a little taken aback. Then headed off to tell Hermione and Hagrid what they were sure to have missed.