Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- Chapter 29
Ron didn't have such a joyous birthday. The news of Witberg School being attacked was issued in the paper of March 1st and, so, Ron was feeling as depressed and worried as the others. Harry and Hermione tried to cheer him up, after all he shouldn't be sad on his birthday, but without any luck. They, themselves, were too upset and worried about the future.
The paper also brought news of their Potions teacher. As much as the Ministry had tried to hide it, the news of Severus Snape being arrested and taken to Azkaban was all over the newspapers. It was amazing, Harry thought, of what reporters could find out in such a short time. The arrest had only taken place the night before.
"So what are we going to do for a Potions teacher?" Hermione asked looking worried. Her fears were put to rest as they entered the Dungeons and saw Mrs. Figg at the head of the classroom. Mrs. Figg managed a smile at the class before ordering them to just practise past potions for their exam. She sat listlessly at the desk, aimlessly writing notes. Harry, Ron and Hermione managed to squeeze around a cauldron together. In normal lessons they weren't allowed more than two people to a cauldron, but Mrs. Figg didn't seem to care, or she didn't mind. Harry chose an easy potion to do. One that they had learned in their first year, so they didn't have to do much work or need to focus too much.
"They say he was the one who started the raids and stuff. They don't know exactly what Snape has done." Hermione whispered to them.
"I always knew he was no good." Ron whispered back.
"But, it just doesn't sound like Snape." Harry muttered, glancing up at the front desk at their supply teacher.
"Are you kidding? It sounds exactly like Snape!" Hissed Ron.
"Aside from the fact that he hates anyone who isn't in Slytherin and that he hates me with a passion, it just doesn't sound like he would do that. I just can't see him as a Death Eater." Harry said under his breath as he poured some chopped alligator eyes into the cauldron.
"Hello? Harry? He IS a Death Eater. Remember? You saw the Dark Mark on his arm last year!" Ron said a little louder than he had initially intended. Neville and Lavender looked their way. Ron ducked his head down as Hermione shushed him. They worked in silence after that, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
* * *
Two weeks later Harry found himself surveying the Quidditch pitch from above yet again. Harry pulled his broomstick around and rose up and up, higher and higher, into the air, listening as the wind rushed past his ears. He looked below him. Here it was: the last Quidditch game. The one that determined all; Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Harry scanned the field. He saw Malfoy hovering on the other side of the field, slightly higher than Harry was. Ron was flying to and fro in front of the hoops; Fred and George were talking to the Slytherin Beaters, trying to psyche them out and Angelina, Katie and Alicia were waiting alertly for the Quaffle to be released. Harry saw the flash of gold as the Snitch was released and saw the two black balls being set away. He heard the shrill whistle being blown and the red ball thrown up. Harry took a deep breath and the game began.
Harry rose higher so he wasn't in the way of the game and he saw Malfoy do the same. Harry ducked as a Bludger came speeding for his head.
"Sorry, Harry!" Bellowed Fred and he sped forward and, with a grunt, sent the Bludger speeding towards the Slytherin Chaser carrying the Quaffle. Harry scanned the pitch for the glint of gold, but didn't see it. He heard Jordan yelling something about "an interference! What kind of f***ing refereeing is this?" before the microphone was pulled from his grasp. Lee Jordan got the microphone back after a minute and began commentating again.
"Bell takes the Quaffle and- wow! Excellent pass by Bell around Alexei to Johnson. Smooth pass from Johnson to Spinnet and she puts it in! 10 points for Gryffindor!" Harry grinned as he saw his fellow team-mates circling around triumphantly until the Quaffle was released again.
"And Alexei catches the Quaffle, passes it to Higgs, who shoots and- MISSES! Way to work Ron! Gryffindor sure is relieved you got that cool new broom-"
"Jordan!" Professor Sinistra (sp?), who was covering for McGonagall since she wasn't feeling well, shouted.
"Sorry. Sheesh, all the Professor's are the same. Er, sorry Professor! The Quaffle is passed back to Higgs who shoots-no wait- he passes it to Alexei who shoots- but look! Weasley was hit by a Bludger and wasn't able to save it. 10 points to Slytherin! Where are the Gryffindor Beaters when you need them." Harry watched in concern as Ron hovered for a few seconds, apparently stunned. He had got the Bludger right in the back of the head. Harry was relieved when Ron shook his head to a time out from George. It meant Ron was okay.
Harry watched as the game got dirtier and dirtier. Both sides had given up on the rules long ago. Only Harry and Malfoy remained untouched and unharmed. They were both smart enough to stay out of and above the hazard of the game. Harry watched as Alicia was almost pushed off her broomstick by Higgs. This was called for a seventh penalty shot for Gryffindor. Harry then watched as Fred got so angry with Higgs for trying to hurt Alicia that he his Higgs to the head with his Beater's club. This called for Slytherin's fifth penalty shot against Gryffindor. Harry wasn't sure how much longer the game could go on for. His team-mates were getting hurt, tired and frustrated. He began flying around, straining his eyes harder than ever to catch sight of the golden Snitch. Malfoy seemed to realise the same thing and was desperately hunting. Harry pulled his Firebolt to a halt as he saw the Snitch. He pelted towards it only to realise that a Bludger was heading for the Snitch as well. Harry did a quick evaluation and came to the conclusion that the Bludger would reach the Snitch before he did so it would be folly to try for the Snitch. Harry pulled up and narrowly missed hitting the Bludger. He saw the Snitch flitter off somewhere else. He desperately followed the movement and saw the Snitch heading downwards. The only problem was that Malfoy had seen the Snitch after his attempt at catching it and was hot on the Snitch's trail as well. Harry leaned close to the handle of his broomstick and propelled himself forward. He and Malfoy were coming from two different directions, heading towards the ground. He stayed alert, making sure there were no stray Bludgers around and that he and Malfoy wouldn't crash into each other or the ground. As they reached ground level they both levelled their broomsticks out and drew side by side. Harry urged his Firebolt to go faster and slowly he drew ahead. The Snitch was only a few metres ahead and Harry stretched himself flat on the broomstick. He heard the roaring of the crowd and Jordan shouting excitedly in the microphone. Then he did it. His fingers brushed against the golden, winged ball and he slowly closed his fist over it. They had done it. They had one the Quidditch House Cup. Harry pulled his broomstick to a complete stop. His team-mates rained down around him. He felt himself being hugged and his hand being shaken. Harry caught Ron's eye through the crowd as they were being congratulated and they shared the same thought. *It doesn't get any better than this*.
*;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~*
Happy to tell you all that I should have this fic completed in only a few days. It has to be finished in 10 days, but it'll be finished before then. Definitely. hehe. Happy reading!
Ron didn't have such a joyous birthday. The news of Witberg School being attacked was issued in the paper of March 1st and, so, Ron was feeling as depressed and worried as the others. Harry and Hermione tried to cheer him up, after all he shouldn't be sad on his birthday, but without any luck. They, themselves, were too upset and worried about the future.
The paper also brought news of their Potions teacher. As much as the Ministry had tried to hide it, the news of Severus Snape being arrested and taken to Azkaban was all over the newspapers. It was amazing, Harry thought, of what reporters could find out in such a short time. The arrest had only taken place the night before.
"So what are we going to do for a Potions teacher?" Hermione asked looking worried. Her fears were put to rest as they entered the Dungeons and saw Mrs. Figg at the head of the classroom. Mrs. Figg managed a smile at the class before ordering them to just practise past potions for their exam. She sat listlessly at the desk, aimlessly writing notes. Harry, Ron and Hermione managed to squeeze around a cauldron together. In normal lessons they weren't allowed more than two people to a cauldron, but Mrs. Figg didn't seem to care, or she didn't mind. Harry chose an easy potion to do. One that they had learned in their first year, so they didn't have to do much work or need to focus too much.
"They say he was the one who started the raids and stuff. They don't know exactly what Snape has done." Hermione whispered to them.
"I always knew he was no good." Ron whispered back.
"But, it just doesn't sound like Snape." Harry muttered, glancing up at the front desk at their supply teacher.
"Are you kidding? It sounds exactly like Snape!" Hissed Ron.
"Aside from the fact that he hates anyone who isn't in Slytherin and that he hates me with a passion, it just doesn't sound like he would do that. I just can't see him as a Death Eater." Harry said under his breath as he poured some chopped alligator eyes into the cauldron.
"Hello? Harry? He IS a Death Eater. Remember? You saw the Dark Mark on his arm last year!" Ron said a little louder than he had initially intended. Neville and Lavender looked their way. Ron ducked his head down as Hermione shushed him. They worked in silence after that, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
* * *
Two weeks later Harry found himself surveying the Quidditch pitch from above yet again. Harry pulled his broomstick around and rose up and up, higher and higher, into the air, listening as the wind rushed past his ears. He looked below him. Here it was: the last Quidditch game. The one that determined all; Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Harry scanned the field. He saw Malfoy hovering on the other side of the field, slightly higher than Harry was. Ron was flying to and fro in front of the hoops; Fred and George were talking to the Slytherin Beaters, trying to psyche them out and Angelina, Katie and Alicia were waiting alertly for the Quaffle to be released. Harry saw the flash of gold as the Snitch was released and saw the two black balls being set away. He heard the shrill whistle being blown and the red ball thrown up. Harry took a deep breath and the game began.
Harry rose higher so he wasn't in the way of the game and he saw Malfoy do the same. Harry ducked as a Bludger came speeding for his head.
"Sorry, Harry!" Bellowed Fred and he sped forward and, with a grunt, sent the Bludger speeding towards the Slytherin Chaser carrying the Quaffle. Harry scanned the pitch for the glint of gold, but didn't see it. He heard Jordan yelling something about "an interference! What kind of f***ing refereeing is this?" before the microphone was pulled from his grasp. Lee Jordan got the microphone back after a minute and began commentating again.
"Bell takes the Quaffle and- wow! Excellent pass by Bell around Alexei to Johnson. Smooth pass from Johnson to Spinnet and she puts it in! 10 points for Gryffindor!" Harry grinned as he saw his fellow team-mates circling around triumphantly until the Quaffle was released again.
"And Alexei catches the Quaffle, passes it to Higgs, who shoots and- MISSES! Way to work Ron! Gryffindor sure is relieved you got that cool new broom-"
"Jordan!" Professor Sinistra (sp?), who was covering for McGonagall since she wasn't feeling well, shouted.
"Sorry. Sheesh, all the Professor's are the same. Er, sorry Professor! The Quaffle is passed back to Higgs who shoots-no wait- he passes it to Alexei who shoots- but look! Weasley was hit by a Bludger and wasn't able to save it. 10 points to Slytherin! Where are the Gryffindor Beaters when you need them." Harry watched in concern as Ron hovered for a few seconds, apparently stunned. He had got the Bludger right in the back of the head. Harry was relieved when Ron shook his head to a time out from George. It meant Ron was okay.
Harry watched as the game got dirtier and dirtier. Both sides had given up on the rules long ago. Only Harry and Malfoy remained untouched and unharmed. They were both smart enough to stay out of and above the hazard of the game. Harry watched as Alicia was almost pushed off her broomstick by Higgs. This was called for a seventh penalty shot for Gryffindor. Harry then watched as Fred got so angry with Higgs for trying to hurt Alicia that he his Higgs to the head with his Beater's club. This called for Slytherin's fifth penalty shot against Gryffindor. Harry wasn't sure how much longer the game could go on for. His team-mates were getting hurt, tired and frustrated. He began flying around, straining his eyes harder than ever to catch sight of the golden Snitch. Malfoy seemed to realise the same thing and was desperately hunting. Harry pulled his Firebolt to a halt as he saw the Snitch. He pelted towards it only to realise that a Bludger was heading for the Snitch as well. Harry did a quick evaluation and came to the conclusion that the Bludger would reach the Snitch before he did so it would be folly to try for the Snitch. Harry pulled up and narrowly missed hitting the Bludger. He saw the Snitch flitter off somewhere else. He desperately followed the movement and saw the Snitch heading downwards. The only problem was that Malfoy had seen the Snitch after his attempt at catching it and was hot on the Snitch's trail as well. Harry leaned close to the handle of his broomstick and propelled himself forward. He and Malfoy were coming from two different directions, heading towards the ground. He stayed alert, making sure there were no stray Bludgers around and that he and Malfoy wouldn't crash into each other or the ground. As they reached ground level they both levelled their broomsticks out and drew side by side. Harry urged his Firebolt to go faster and slowly he drew ahead. The Snitch was only a few metres ahead and Harry stretched himself flat on the broomstick. He heard the roaring of the crowd and Jordan shouting excitedly in the microphone. Then he did it. His fingers brushed against the golden, winged ball and he slowly closed his fist over it. They had done it. They had one the Quidditch House Cup. Harry pulled his broomstick to a complete stop. His team-mates rained down around him. He felt himself being hugged and his hand being shaken. Harry caught Ron's eye through the crowd as they were being congratulated and they shared the same thought. *It doesn't get any better than this*.
*;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~;~*
Happy to tell you all that I should have this fic completed in only a few days. It has to be finished in 10 days, but it'll be finished before then. Definitely. hehe. Happy reading!