If Wishes Were Snitches
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Chapter 6 A Snitch is Snatched
Harry and Luna sped toward the snitch, weaving between Fred and Neville, following the snitch on an erratic course around the field. The snitch whirled out of reach and seemed to disappear altogether.
"Where did it go?"Harry pulled up on his broom and scanned the field, squinting in the sun. His brow was damp with sweat. His breathing hitched.
"Quiet! Listen. Over there, behind Neville."
Neville's mouth hung open as Luna and Harry flew at him full speed. Luna peeled off and went left. Harry bore down straight on but at the last second dove and went below. As he pulled up he saw Luna reach out and pluck the snitch out of the air. She smiled and slowed to a halt. Cheers went up among her teammates. Harry grinned and felt oddly proud. "Way to go Luna!"
Ron flew over to the cluster around Luna."What happened Harry? She caught it? Tell me you let her!" Ron's frantic gaze alternated between Harry and Luna. His ears were bright red.
"Of course not! She was brilliant. Ron, she could hear the snitch. I've never seen anything like it. She is a natural seeker."
"Let's start again. Harry, figure out how she is doing it and then do it faster."
"Do it faster?" Harry muttered as he remounted his broom and kicked off. This time Harry swept the field alone listening for the faint hum and looking for the flash of gold. Luna slowly circled the field high above. No sign of the snitch. He rose up high and tried to spot the snitch. Still no sign.
Harry sighed and tilted his face up to the morning sun which slanted across his face. He felt so contented, his body pleasantly tired from time outside and his friends around. Luna pulled up and smiled at him.
"You look happy. I don't think I see you look happy very often."
Harry felt his heart do an odd flip above his belly. "I feel happy Luna, I feel young today, most days I feel so old and tired. I just wish . . . "
"Wish what?" She looked over at him with her large unblinking stare.
"Well I don't know, I just wish things could stay like this. Uncomplicated. No Voldemort." Harry tightened his grip on his broom and took a deep breath. He looked over at Luna and gave a wry smile.
"Harry, if wishes were snitches Hufflepuff would win the cup." Luna said, then continued. "Are you familiar with the classic existential debate in Peter Pan? You know . . . where Wendy and the Lost Boys are forced to choose between joining the Pirates and walking the plank?" Luna looked at Harry intently.
He loosened his tight grip on his broom and allowed himself to be diverted from his moment of self pity. "Go on."He grinned.
"Well, for Wendy the choice is easy. She walks the plank because she has faith that there is another option. She turns away from what she knows is wrong and takes the choice that seems doomed because she believes in something . . . or rather someone. And she was right, wasn't she? Peter Pan was there. Harry I believe in you . . . I believe in what we are doing. Things won't be uncomplicated, but we can do what is right."
"Luna, "Harry wasn't sure what he was going to say and had no time to formulate a response before Ron's magically amplified voice boomed.
"HARRY. YOU ARE THE SEEKER, NOT THE CHATTERER. STOP CHATTING. START SEEKING. THE SNITCH WON'T FIND ITSELF!" Ron removed his wand from his throat and pocketed it again.
Harry rolled his eyes and waved over at Ron. "Duty calls." He said to Luna then flew off across the field to appease Ron's captaining sensibilities. He continued to think about what Luna had said, and the funny fluttery way he was feeling around her. His gaze frequently sought her out. It was funny, he thought, how comfortable he felt with Luna. He could say anything to her and she, in her own offbeat way, made him feel better.
They played up to lunch time then Ron cajoled them to return for drills. Charlie and Bill begged off and went on Order business and the twins reluctantly headed to the library to begin make-up work. Harry, Luna, Neville, Ron and Ginny continued to play. As the afternoon wore on there was still no sign of Hermione.
"I'm starting to get worried." Ron finally announced over a water break.
Harry pushed his hair back and took another sip of his water. He looked around at the others and nodded. "We better go find her."
Neville paled and looked nervously at Harry. "Find her? Why? What do you think has happened?"
Ron answered. "I'm sure she's fine, probably just stopped in the library to check on her books, you know, make sure they summered well. But I'm not going to be the one to answer Mum at dinner." He did a falsetto imitation of his mother. "Ron, where has Hermione got off to? I baked her favorite Brussel sprouts!" His voice returned to its normal pitch. "Well Mum, Hermione slugged Percykins then we decided to spy on him because we suspect the wanker may have sinister motives for returning to Hogwarts. Now she's missing, but don't worry, he probably has her tied up in his closet, and you know Percy, I'm sure the knots are perfect square knots. Please pass the carrots."
"Rescue mission." Ginny rubbed her hands together and giggled. The five of them looked over at Hogwarts looming in the golden afternoon sun and began to plan.