Thanks again for all the support. I just wanted to update before I left for
the evening. I'm off for a night at the Bowling Alley.
Happy Reading
Nothing is My Own. Read and Review
************************************************************************
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Quidditch Tournament
The day had finally arrived, and it couldn't have been better weather. It was the first time since last spring the entire school would be gathered outside to play the most popular magical sport of Quidditch. Harry's Firebolt sat at the end of his bed, fresh polished and groomed. This was his first game as the captain of the Gryffindor team.
Ron and his robes sat freshly pressed on the chairs next to their beds. It had the potential to be a perfect day, except Harry Potter couldn't get the feeling of dread out of his head.
It seemed too perfect, too innocent. If he had learned anything since he had become part of the magical world is was nothing was as simple as it appeared.
"Morning Harry, are you ready for the big day?" Ron asked as he started to dress in the Quidditch robes.
"Honestly, not really," Harry admitted adjusting his glasses over his eyes.
Ron nodded as he pulled his shirt over his head, "worried how Cho is going to react when we beat her team? She'll probably put some evil curse on you, since she's in leagues with you know who."
Harry was tired of fighting with Ron. Every single time Ron could get a comment about Cho's guilt in, he did, and Harry had decided just to ignore his ignorance. Harry started putting his Quidditch robes on as well.
"Hurry up Harry. Ginny is probably already waiting for us down in the common room," Ron rushed as he adjusted his elbow pads.
The two boys rushed quickly down the stairs into the common room, where they met up with the rest of the Gryffindor team. All of them had looks of nervousness etched on their faces.
Breakfast in the Great Hall was quiet, unusually quiet. The four teams ate very little as they eyed each other. All the worries and fears that had existed in Harry's mind before he had went to sleep were gone, only to be replaced with new worries. Nobody in the history of Hogwarts had played four Quidditch games in two days.
The rules were simple, each team played each other one time, the top two teams would play in a final match and decided the Quidditch cup champions.
The first match of the day was between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The Gyrffindors and Hufflepuffs would be able to watch the game. This gave the advantage of knowing your opponent. Afterwards the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors would match up against each other. After lunch, the Hufflepuffs would face the Slytherins.
The next day of the tournament would be the Gryffindors would face Slytherin first that morning followed by the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws. The match after lunch was the the match Harry most dreaded, the Gryffindors versus the Ravenclaws. The top two teams would then play one final game.
Depending how long each match took, would determine if the schedule need altering.
The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams took their seats in the rafters and almost seemed to hold their breath as the two Quidditch teams approached. Cho's eyes met Harry's. He had a mixed feeling of wanting her to win, but at the same time wanting to see the Ravenclaws lose against the Slytherins.
Draco sneered at Cho mouthing what Harry made out as "scar-head lover."
"Now, I want a good clean game," Madame Hooch announced.
"And their off," shouted Seamus Finnigan from the announcers booth, he had taken over Lee Jordan's position, since he had graduated.
The Ravenclaws took the early lead as the Ravenclaw chasers handle the Quaffle.
"Wow, that was a narrow miss. Crabb nearly took off Corner's head with that bludger!" Seamus shrieked.
Malfoy was eyeing Cho dangerously as the two seekers circling the pitch.
"I swear if Malfoy tried anything," Harry hissed, causing Ginny to smirk.
"Corner scores another goal, Ravenclaws lead Slythering 30 to 10," Seamus announced.
"GO MICHAEL!" Ginny yelled as she received a look from Ron.
Goyle nodded at Malfoy and then slammed a bludger straight at Cho.
"That's a cheap shot if I've ever seen one, BOO!" Seamus cried over the loud speaker followed by the famous McGonagall warning.
Cho dodged easily out of the way, since Goyle wasn't a very good shot.
"There's the snitch," Ginny cried, pointing it out to Harry.
She wasn't the only one to spot it, because moments later Seamus cried out again.
"The two seekers have spotted the snitch. Another wonderful block by Keebler, he really knows his blocks."
Harry was on his feet as Cho and Draco rounded the corner. Malfoy a foot or so in front of her with his Nimbus 2001.
"Malfoy will choke he always does," Ron cried rising next to Harry and Ginny.
"I thought you weren't routing for Cho?" Ginny accused, but Ron didn't answer.
"The two seekers are neck and neck, it looks like Malfoy has a better position to catch the snitch."
"CHO! GET AHEAD OF HIM!" Harry screamed.
"Another goal for Slytherin," Seamus announced.
Cho inched closer and closer trying her best to reach the golden ball before Malfoy did.
"DIRTY BASTARD!" Seamus swore, as McGonagall wrestled the mic away from him.
"But professor!."
Malfoy had slammed his handle into the lower part of Cho's broom causing her to go into a tail spin.
"Malfoy has caught the snitch, Slytherins win," Seamus said flatly.
Cho landed on the ground looking like she was ready to kill someone.
"It was a legal move Harry," Ginny conceded.
Harry narrowed his eyes as he watched Malfoy parade around the pitch with his golden ball, "just wait until you face me ferret face."
The Gryffindor team quickly made their way to their locker rooms to grab their brooms. They entered the crowed stadium.
"Remember, a good clean game," Madame Hooch lectured again before tossing the quaffle into the air.
"And their off, the Gryffindors seem to be taking the early advantage," Seamus began.
The Hufflepuff seeker was tagging Harry as they circled the stadium. The strategy in this game was simple. Gain as many points as possible to help them in their standing in the tournment. Using this logic, Harry decided to stale the other seeker, letting Gryffindor build-up a good lead. It didn't take long before Gyrffindor had built up a solid lead of seventy points to twenty. He immediately began scanning the pitch for the shiny golden ball. The young Hufflepuff seeker didn't even have time to respond when Harry broke into a quick dive towards the middle of the pitch.
"Holy Merlin! Harry Potter has caught the snitch, this has to be some kind of record!" Seamus cried as the Gryffindors erupted into applause.
"Harry! That was amazing!" Pavarti bellowed rushing up to him to engulf him in a hug.
Ron joined in, "zero to sixty in four seconds flat!"
"It isn't going to be that easy the rest of the tournament, I just got lucky," Harry said quickly as he saw Malfoy give him a hatefully look.
Lunch definitely wasn't quite, as the house tables were chatting about the morning matches.
"Did you see Harry, I didn't even know he was going after the snitch until he caught it!" Seamus exclaimed.
"We have the best seeker, there is no way we're going to lose," Pavarti said boastfully.
Hermione didn't look so confident as she ate silently.
"Hermione, is something wrong?" Harry asked noticing her expression.
Hermione sighed, "I just have a feeling."
"Oh Hermione, don't worry. We aren't going to lose the Quidditch cup," Ron said happily rubbing his chin, "I think I need to shave."
"Shave what?" Hermione retorted.
Ron looked at her, "well excuse me, sorry I don't have as much facial hair as your precious Krum. Damn boy has a caterpillar growing above his eyes."
"Why do you have such a problem with Vitor?" Hermione hissed.
"I don't have a problem with him, I just think he's a prat," Ron confessed.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she rose from her seat, "it's obvious what your problem is. If you don't want me visiting Victor this summer, quite being an idiot and give me a reason not to."
She stormed out of the Great Hall with a face to match Ron's hair.
"Well, I guess she told you," Ginny laughed.
"Oh shut-up Ginny," Ron hissed, staring at the doors Hermione had just walked though, "what do you think she meant by give her a reason?"
Harry almost had to chuckle, at how clueless Ron truly was sometimes.
The Great Hall started to clear out, and Cho ran by Harry with the rest of the Ravenclaw team.
"Good game this morning, but you won't have it that easy tomorrow," she teased.
Harry smiled, "I'm counting on it, don't worry. I'll get Malfoy back for that cheap shot."
"You better," Cho warned, give him a quick kiss on the cheek. She ran off with the rest of her team, probably to get a good seat for the afternoon match.
Michael slipped at note to Ginny, and she took it discretely.
"What is he giving you a letter for?" Ron said catching the exchange.
Ginny turned up her nose, "none of your business."
"Please tell me your not dating him again," Ron pleaded.
Ginny narrowed her eyes, "so what if I am."
Harry turned around to finish the rest of his lunch, there was no point in rushing. He already knew the results of the afternoon match, and Hufflepuffs didn't have a chance.
Harry was right, the Slytherins had pulverized the Hufflepuffs with a staggering 210 to 40 victory. The news caused Harry stomach to ach, because that meant the Slytherins had defeated two of their three opponents.
Had it not been for Hermione, Harry would have spent the entire night thinking about Quidditch and nothing else. Lucky for him, Hermione always had her ears up and her attention ready.
"Harry, I need to talk to you," she said urgently as soon as he entered the common room.
"I think someone is planning something?" Hermione revealed.
Harry's eyes widened, "who?"
Hermione bit her lip, "I don't know. I'm not even sure something is going to happen. I just have a bad feeling."
"Hermione, it isn't like you to get upset over a feeling," Harry said looking at her worriedly.
She shook her head, "I know. It just doesn't make any sense. The teachers barely let us outside all term, now the entire school is out around the grounds. Doesn't it seem odd?"
"Not really, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick charmed the grounds. It's perfectly safe," he assured her.
"And Dementors never show up in muggle neighborhoods," Hermione reminded him. "All I'm saying is watch yourself out there. Don't go out on the pitch without your wand."
"You think Voldemort is going to attack during the tournaments?" Harry insisted.
"Would it be all that surprising? What is the one place he could attack to bring him back to the level of power he had before his fall," Hermione said with a look on her face.
"Hermione, don't worry. Voldemort would never attack Hogwarts with Dumbledore here," Harry said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Hermione bit her lip, "he has before or have you already forgotten about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"No, I haven't forgotten. I'll keep my eyes open, but I think your worrying over nothing," Harry continued.
She nodded, but looked unconvinced.
The Gryffindors had already begun the victory celebration, bragging foolishly that the Quidditch cup was in the bag.
"THREE CHEERS FOR THE GREATEST SEEKER IN GRYFFINDOR HISTORY!" Seamus yelled, spotting Harry.
"YEA!" the crowd agreed.
Harry forced a smile, but realized that the celebration was very premature. They had only won one game, and the two toughest challengers were still to come.
"Not in the mood to celebrate Potter?" Pavarti asked coming up behind Harry.
"I just think it's a bit early to celebrate," he confessed, taking a seat on the couch in front of the fireplace.
Pavarti took a seat next him and sighed, "I'm worried about the Ravenclaw game."
"They do look pretty tough this year," Harry mumbled.
"That wasn't exactly what I was worried about," Pavarti said softly.
Harry knew what was coming next.
"I'm worried about how your relationship with Cho is going to affect your seeking abilities," she said bluntly.
"Me and Cho have already talk about it. You don't have anything to worry about," Harry assured her.
She forced a smile, "I'd feel a lot better about the game if you had decided to date me instead of her."
"Just promise me you won't kill her with a blundger out of spite. You're a much better shot that Goyle," Harry said lightly.
Pavarti leaned her head back, "I can make no promises."
"Should I warn her?" Harry asked.
Pavarti shrugged, "I would be lying if I said the thought of Cho falling off her broom and smacking a ground wasn't appeasing."
Harry chuckled, "you sure like to say what's on your mind."
"Of course, don't see any reason not to. You already know I'm obsessed with you," she continued, in a tone that could have been taken either seriously or joking.
Harry thought about what he wanted to say, "Cho is a sweet girl if you got to know her."
"I'm sure she is, but she better have you pretty smitten," Pavarti said causally.
"What?" Harry asked confused.
Pavarti smiled, "well, she won't be here next year. No competition."
Harry couldn't help but laugh.
Happy Reading
Nothing is My Own. Read and Review
************************************************************************
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Quidditch Tournament
The day had finally arrived, and it couldn't have been better weather. It was the first time since last spring the entire school would be gathered outside to play the most popular magical sport of Quidditch. Harry's Firebolt sat at the end of his bed, fresh polished and groomed. This was his first game as the captain of the Gryffindor team.
Ron and his robes sat freshly pressed on the chairs next to their beds. It had the potential to be a perfect day, except Harry Potter couldn't get the feeling of dread out of his head.
It seemed too perfect, too innocent. If he had learned anything since he had become part of the magical world is was nothing was as simple as it appeared.
"Morning Harry, are you ready for the big day?" Ron asked as he started to dress in the Quidditch robes.
"Honestly, not really," Harry admitted adjusting his glasses over his eyes.
Ron nodded as he pulled his shirt over his head, "worried how Cho is going to react when we beat her team? She'll probably put some evil curse on you, since she's in leagues with you know who."
Harry was tired of fighting with Ron. Every single time Ron could get a comment about Cho's guilt in, he did, and Harry had decided just to ignore his ignorance. Harry started putting his Quidditch robes on as well.
"Hurry up Harry. Ginny is probably already waiting for us down in the common room," Ron rushed as he adjusted his elbow pads.
The two boys rushed quickly down the stairs into the common room, where they met up with the rest of the Gryffindor team. All of them had looks of nervousness etched on their faces.
Breakfast in the Great Hall was quiet, unusually quiet. The four teams ate very little as they eyed each other. All the worries and fears that had existed in Harry's mind before he had went to sleep were gone, only to be replaced with new worries. Nobody in the history of Hogwarts had played four Quidditch games in two days.
The rules were simple, each team played each other one time, the top two teams would play in a final match and decided the Quidditch cup champions.
The first match of the day was between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The Gyrffindors and Hufflepuffs would be able to watch the game. This gave the advantage of knowing your opponent. Afterwards the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors would match up against each other. After lunch, the Hufflepuffs would face the Slytherins.
The next day of the tournament would be the Gryffindors would face Slytherin first that morning followed by the Hufflepuffs and the Ravenclaws. The match after lunch was the the match Harry most dreaded, the Gryffindors versus the Ravenclaws. The top two teams would then play one final game.
Depending how long each match took, would determine if the schedule need altering.
The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams took their seats in the rafters and almost seemed to hold their breath as the two Quidditch teams approached. Cho's eyes met Harry's. He had a mixed feeling of wanting her to win, but at the same time wanting to see the Ravenclaws lose against the Slytherins.
Draco sneered at Cho mouthing what Harry made out as "scar-head lover."
"Now, I want a good clean game," Madame Hooch announced.
"And their off," shouted Seamus Finnigan from the announcers booth, he had taken over Lee Jordan's position, since he had graduated.
The Ravenclaws took the early lead as the Ravenclaw chasers handle the Quaffle.
"Wow, that was a narrow miss. Crabb nearly took off Corner's head with that bludger!" Seamus shrieked.
Malfoy was eyeing Cho dangerously as the two seekers circling the pitch.
"I swear if Malfoy tried anything," Harry hissed, causing Ginny to smirk.
"Corner scores another goal, Ravenclaws lead Slythering 30 to 10," Seamus announced.
"GO MICHAEL!" Ginny yelled as she received a look from Ron.
Goyle nodded at Malfoy and then slammed a bludger straight at Cho.
"That's a cheap shot if I've ever seen one, BOO!" Seamus cried over the loud speaker followed by the famous McGonagall warning.
Cho dodged easily out of the way, since Goyle wasn't a very good shot.
"There's the snitch," Ginny cried, pointing it out to Harry.
She wasn't the only one to spot it, because moments later Seamus cried out again.
"The two seekers have spotted the snitch. Another wonderful block by Keebler, he really knows his blocks."
Harry was on his feet as Cho and Draco rounded the corner. Malfoy a foot or so in front of her with his Nimbus 2001.
"Malfoy will choke he always does," Ron cried rising next to Harry and Ginny.
"I thought you weren't routing for Cho?" Ginny accused, but Ron didn't answer.
"The two seekers are neck and neck, it looks like Malfoy has a better position to catch the snitch."
"CHO! GET AHEAD OF HIM!" Harry screamed.
"Another goal for Slytherin," Seamus announced.
Cho inched closer and closer trying her best to reach the golden ball before Malfoy did.
"DIRTY BASTARD!" Seamus swore, as McGonagall wrestled the mic away from him.
"But professor!."
Malfoy had slammed his handle into the lower part of Cho's broom causing her to go into a tail spin.
"Malfoy has caught the snitch, Slytherins win," Seamus said flatly.
Cho landed on the ground looking like she was ready to kill someone.
"It was a legal move Harry," Ginny conceded.
Harry narrowed his eyes as he watched Malfoy parade around the pitch with his golden ball, "just wait until you face me ferret face."
The Gryffindor team quickly made their way to their locker rooms to grab their brooms. They entered the crowed stadium.
"Remember, a good clean game," Madame Hooch lectured again before tossing the quaffle into the air.
"And their off, the Gryffindors seem to be taking the early advantage," Seamus began.
The Hufflepuff seeker was tagging Harry as they circled the stadium. The strategy in this game was simple. Gain as many points as possible to help them in their standing in the tournment. Using this logic, Harry decided to stale the other seeker, letting Gryffindor build-up a good lead. It didn't take long before Gyrffindor had built up a solid lead of seventy points to twenty. He immediately began scanning the pitch for the shiny golden ball. The young Hufflepuff seeker didn't even have time to respond when Harry broke into a quick dive towards the middle of the pitch.
"Holy Merlin! Harry Potter has caught the snitch, this has to be some kind of record!" Seamus cried as the Gryffindors erupted into applause.
"Harry! That was amazing!" Pavarti bellowed rushing up to him to engulf him in a hug.
Ron joined in, "zero to sixty in four seconds flat!"
"It isn't going to be that easy the rest of the tournament, I just got lucky," Harry said quickly as he saw Malfoy give him a hatefully look.
Lunch definitely wasn't quite, as the house tables were chatting about the morning matches.
"Did you see Harry, I didn't even know he was going after the snitch until he caught it!" Seamus exclaimed.
"We have the best seeker, there is no way we're going to lose," Pavarti said boastfully.
Hermione didn't look so confident as she ate silently.
"Hermione, is something wrong?" Harry asked noticing her expression.
Hermione sighed, "I just have a feeling."
"Oh Hermione, don't worry. We aren't going to lose the Quidditch cup," Ron said happily rubbing his chin, "I think I need to shave."
"Shave what?" Hermione retorted.
Ron looked at her, "well excuse me, sorry I don't have as much facial hair as your precious Krum. Damn boy has a caterpillar growing above his eyes."
"Why do you have such a problem with Vitor?" Hermione hissed.
"I don't have a problem with him, I just think he's a prat," Ron confessed.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she rose from her seat, "it's obvious what your problem is. If you don't want me visiting Victor this summer, quite being an idiot and give me a reason not to."
She stormed out of the Great Hall with a face to match Ron's hair.
"Well, I guess she told you," Ginny laughed.
"Oh shut-up Ginny," Ron hissed, staring at the doors Hermione had just walked though, "what do you think she meant by give her a reason?"
Harry almost had to chuckle, at how clueless Ron truly was sometimes.
The Great Hall started to clear out, and Cho ran by Harry with the rest of the Ravenclaw team.
"Good game this morning, but you won't have it that easy tomorrow," she teased.
Harry smiled, "I'm counting on it, don't worry. I'll get Malfoy back for that cheap shot."
"You better," Cho warned, give him a quick kiss on the cheek. She ran off with the rest of her team, probably to get a good seat for the afternoon match.
Michael slipped at note to Ginny, and she took it discretely.
"What is he giving you a letter for?" Ron said catching the exchange.
Ginny turned up her nose, "none of your business."
"Please tell me your not dating him again," Ron pleaded.
Ginny narrowed her eyes, "so what if I am."
Harry turned around to finish the rest of his lunch, there was no point in rushing. He already knew the results of the afternoon match, and Hufflepuffs didn't have a chance.
Harry was right, the Slytherins had pulverized the Hufflepuffs with a staggering 210 to 40 victory. The news caused Harry stomach to ach, because that meant the Slytherins had defeated two of their three opponents.
Had it not been for Hermione, Harry would have spent the entire night thinking about Quidditch and nothing else. Lucky for him, Hermione always had her ears up and her attention ready.
"Harry, I need to talk to you," she said urgently as soon as he entered the common room.
"I think someone is planning something?" Hermione revealed.
Harry's eyes widened, "who?"
Hermione bit her lip, "I don't know. I'm not even sure something is going to happen. I just have a bad feeling."
"Hermione, it isn't like you to get upset over a feeling," Harry said looking at her worriedly.
She shook her head, "I know. It just doesn't make any sense. The teachers barely let us outside all term, now the entire school is out around the grounds. Doesn't it seem odd?"
"Not really, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flitwick charmed the grounds. It's perfectly safe," he assured her.
"And Dementors never show up in muggle neighborhoods," Hermione reminded him. "All I'm saying is watch yourself out there. Don't go out on the pitch without your wand."
"You think Voldemort is going to attack during the tournaments?" Harry insisted.
"Would it be all that surprising? What is the one place he could attack to bring him back to the level of power he had before his fall," Hermione said with a look on her face.
"Hermione, don't worry. Voldemort would never attack Hogwarts with Dumbledore here," Harry said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Hermione bit her lip, "he has before or have you already forgotten about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"No, I haven't forgotten. I'll keep my eyes open, but I think your worrying over nothing," Harry continued.
She nodded, but looked unconvinced.
The Gryffindors had already begun the victory celebration, bragging foolishly that the Quidditch cup was in the bag.
"THREE CHEERS FOR THE GREATEST SEEKER IN GRYFFINDOR HISTORY!" Seamus yelled, spotting Harry.
"YEA!" the crowd agreed.
Harry forced a smile, but realized that the celebration was very premature. They had only won one game, and the two toughest challengers were still to come.
"Not in the mood to celebrate Potter?" Pavarti asked coming up behind Harry.
"I just think it's a bit early to celebrate," he confessed, taking a seat on the couch in front of the fireplace.
Pavarti took a seat next him and sighed, "I'm worried about the Ravenclaw game."
"They do look pretty tough this year," Harry mumbled.
"That wasn't exactly what I was worried about," Pavarti said softly.
Harry knew what was coming next.
"I'm worried about how your relationship with Cho is going to affect your seeking abilities," she said bluntly.
"Me and Cho have already talk about it. You don't have anything to worry about," Harry assured her.
She forced a smile, "I'd feel a lot better about the game if you had decided to date me instead of her."
"Just promise me you won't kill her with a blundger out of spite. You're a much better shot that Goyle," Harry said lightly.
Pavarti leaned her head back, "I can make no promises."
"Should I warn her?" Harry asked.
Pavarti shrugged, "I would be lying if I said the thought of Cho falling off her broom and smacking a ground wasn't appeasing."
Harry chuckled, "you sure like to say what's on your mind."
"Of course, don't see any reason not to. You already know I'm obsessed with you," she continued, in a tone that could have been taken either seriously or joking.
Harry thought about what he wanted to say, "Cho is a sweet girl if you got to know her."
"I'm sure she is, but she better have you pretty smitten," Pavarti said causally.
"What?" Harry asked confused.
Pavarti smiled, "well, she won't be here next year. No competition."
Harry couldn't help but laugh.