Chapter 10
Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw

The environment of Hogwarts changed immensely once Dumbledore had returned. Everyone became joyous once again and forgot about everything that had to do with Voldemort. They forgot about their fear, alarm, and fright. Everyone except for Harry.

His Aurorship loomed over him like a lead weight that seemed to grow heavier and heavier by the day. Soon it was November and Harry was not getting anywhere with his training sessions, or so he thought. Tonks always encouraged him and said that for a first timer he was getting along well with the spells she taught him. Somehow, Harry thought that untrue.

* * *

The morning of the 11th soon was upon Harry. His nervousness for the match had subsided, at least for a little bit. Ron was already up as his bunk remained empty. Grunting, Harry managed to drag himself out of bed. He yawned luxuriously and stood up, stretching. Sleepily, Harry changed into his clothes and walked down the stairs to the common room where a small group had gathered. They clapped and cheered as he walked through the common room. "You can do it, Harry!" Lavendar Brown and Parvati Patil told him happily as he exited through the portrait hole and down to breakfast.

* * *

Excitement filled the air at the Gryffindor table as well as the common room. Harry found Ron and Hermione to sit down to eat. Soon enough, the familiar fluttering of flying owls filled the air. Harry looked up to see an eagle owl headed straight towards him with a Daily Prophet newspaper attached to his leg. A great horned owl came for Hermione with a newspaper as well. Harry counted out three Knuts and placed them inside the leather pouch attached to the owl's leg. Hermione did the same and the owls took off. Not bothering to read the headlines, Harry poured himself some juice and took two pieces of toast off of the plate in the center of the table.

"Oh no! Harry, look at this!" Hermione exclaimed, seizing his Daily Prophet and pointing to the main story: Puddlemere United Reserve Keeper Critical In St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. She read off of her copy, "Reserve Keeper Oliver Wood for the Puddlemere United Quidditch team was attacked Friday evening by an unknown supporter of You- Know-Who preceding a team practice. He will be kept under tight security in the Critical Care Center of St. Mungo's until further notice. Aurors are on the scene. See pages three through five for further information."

"Wood?" Ron exclaimed. "Why would they go after a Quidditch team?"

"Haven't you noticed Voldemort's supporters' sporadic attacks?" Hermione asked. "He no longer cares who they are attacking, or why. His attacks are getting more frequent and more reckless. The thing is that we can't afford any more attacks. There is an Auror shortage as it is. Lord Voldemort's supporters don't care if they get caught anymore, as they will just escape from Azkaban all over again. The dementors are now under Voldemort's control." The trio fell into an awkward pause. "What do you say, Harry?" Hermione asked him.

The teenage wizard took a deep breath. "I say I'm going to go play the best Quidditch I have in my entire life and then ask Dumbledore if I can go visit Wood. I haven't seen him in a while and I want to tell him that I have been named Quidditch Captain this year."

* * *

"Captains, shake hands," Madam Hooch told Harry and Cho at the beginning of the match. Awkwardly, Harry walked up to Cho. Her sleek black hair was pulled back in a ponytail and it nearly reached her waist. She smiled at him as their hands met and wished him good luck. He could merely grunt in reply. "Take your positions!" Madam Hooch yelled to the rest of the teams as Harry and Cho mounted their broomsticks and flew above their respective team. The whistle blew and they were off. As Lee Jordan had graduated from Hogwarts the year before, Harry wasn't sure who would be commentator. He flew around leisurely as he listened for a voice to fill the stadium.

Sure enough, a mouse-like voice took over the entire field. "Harry Potter's Gryffindor team of Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Katie Bell, Zachary Lyons, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Harry Potter himself have taken the lead! Harry, I hope you know I'm your biggest fan!"

Harry slapped himself on the face. It was Colin Creevey. Sure enough, flashes were directed at Harry. "CREEVEY! Put away that camera and pay attention to the match! These spectators want to know what's happening!"

"Sorry, Professor, ma'am. I'll just give the camera to Dennis, then..."

Groaning, Harry shot for the opposite end of the field to avoid the constant flashes of the Creevey brothers' camera. He could hear the Slytherins jeering at him. He started to pay closer attention to the game. They were already ahead 20-10, but Harry could tell that Lyons was causing difficulty for his Chasers, so he flew down to sort things out while the game still continued. "You guys still remember the Three Chaser Weave?" he called out.

"Yes," Ginny called back.

"We've tried that, Harry, but it only works with three Chasers, though, Harry, not two."

"Zachary, you remember the Three Chaser Weave?" Harry dodged a Bludger.

"Watch it, Harry!" Seamus called out as he chased after it.

"Well, Zachary? Do you remember it?" He was trying to keep an eye on everything at once and it wasn't working. "Timeout!" he yelled out and motioned to Madam Hooch who blew her whistle and everyone flew to the sidelines. "Zachary, please answer my question."

"Yeah, Lyons. Answer Harry's question," Ron said, coming to his best friend's aid. Still, Zachary said nothing.

"Zachary, if you don't cooperate with the team, or me, you're out," Harry said as patiently as he could. "You saw how many people went out for the Chaser positions. It won't be hard to replace you. So now do you remember the Three Chaser Weave or not?"

"Yes," Lyons muttered.

"Good. Now, Katie, Ginny, and Zachary use the Weave for most of your offensive plays from now on. It has been our most damaging play in practice, and I just know you'll be able to use it to our advantage out here on the field. We're tied up now, so I'll catch the Snitch as soon as I see it, OK? If I have a chance, I will keep an eye on the rest of the game and if I see possible improvement I'll take another timeout. Now let's get out there and win this match!"

* * *

Ravenclaw kept right on Gryffindor's tail when it came to scoring. Harry had to admit, Cho had done a great job polishing her rookies to be conditioned and ready. He circled the stadium like a vulture trying to spot the Snitch. Cho had not been right on his tail, something that surprised Harry. By Ron's standards, her broom was still "ancient". He hadn't spotted the Snitch yet, so he flew over to Ron's goalposts where his redheaded friend was keeping watch.

"How's it going, Ron?" Harry called out.

"Pretty well. I'm glad I got rid of those playing jitters from last year," he said as he made yet another spectacular save. "Makes things easier, doesn't it?" Effortlessly, Ron threw the Quaffle half way down the field to Ginny.

"Yes, that it does. Keep up the good work, Ron."

Ten minutes later, there still wasn't any sign of the Snitch. Cho apparently hadn't seen it either, as she flew around goalposts and the stands aimlessly. He tried his best to ignore the commentary, something he hadn't listened to since early on in the game. The Slytherins still jeered at him, and had started imitating Colin every time Harry passed by on his broomstick. Harry tried his best to fly faster every time he grew closer to the Slytherin stands, but sarcastic comments like "Potter, I'm your biggest fan" followed him no matter what his speed.

Harry looked down upon his team, where he was pleased to see that Lyons had finally started to behave with the team as a whole and the rest of the team appeared to be flawless.

A glint of gold caught Harry's eye. He followed it to the ground and as it zigzagged throughout the game. Cho was hot on his tail. The Snitch was just within his reach, if only he could extend his arm a bit longer... Soon, he had lost it again and continued with his search high above the other players.

* * *

Cho was diving. Panicked, Harry hastily urged his broomstick on. "Come on, faster!" he encouraged, begging and pleading with it. She would get to it first; he was on the opposite side of the field...she would get to it first... At that moment, a familiar glint of gold caught Harry's eye from his right. He stopped and turned around. Sure enough, Cho had stopped diving and headed straight for the real Snitch. She had been trying to divert Harry's attention in order to catch the Snitch for herself. Harry then saw that she had the advantage; she had less distance to travel. What are you talking about? Harry then asked himself. You're the one with the Firebolt, remember? He shot straight for it as fast as he could. It darted out of sight, but Harry could still see it. Cho, however, did not see where it had gone. Hesitantly, she followed Harry, who dove. The Snitch was on the ground, and Harry could taste the glory of another win.

"Come on, Harry! You can beat her!" Colin yelled madly into the megaphone, forgetting his neutral position as commentator. The entire crowd got to its feet. Although Cho had the older broom, her flying ability made up for it. She was neck and neck with him as the Snitch grew nearer. Harry knew he would have to either pull up from the dive quickly to lose her from his tail or simply bat her hand away. He could just hear Oliver Wood saying, "Harry, this isn't the time to be a gentleman!" With a final burst of speed, Harry closed in on the tiny golden ball with fluttering wings. He grappled it and toppled off of his broomstick. Cho rammed right into him on the ground. Harry sat up and held the Snitch high. The crowd roared. Gryffindor had won.