Harry Potter and the Princesses for Magic
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, and I don't own any other things that I mentioned in the previous disclaimers. Oh, and for Chapter 3, I think I forgot to write a disclaimer (or did I write it on the bottom? I'm not sure.....). In that disclaimer, I meant to say that I didn't own the Thunderbird that belongs to Ford. Yeah, that's it.
Author's Note: Hello reader/readers, and welcome to 2004!!!!!! Sorry, I just love saying that it's 2004!!!!!. Anyway, where did we leave off? Oh, the Princesses had their ball and an attack of Death Eaters crashed their party. This chapter is about, as you can see, the first Quidditch game of the year, and let me tell you now, Glory gets a bit heated up, and so does the Quidditch pitch! (You'll have to read the chapter to understand it, so PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!). Oh, and PLEASE no flames, not for 2004!!!! Enjoy!
Chapter 10
First Quidditch Game of the Year
A couple of weeks after the ball, the Hogwarts Quidditch season would start. The Gryffindor Quidditch team ran themselves ragged so they would be ready for that first official day playing on the field. Harry woke up the morning of the Quidditch game, feeling like he was going to vomit. He was so incredibly nervous for that day's game, Gryffindor against Slytherin, for it would seem like it was his fault if the Gryffindors lost. Would he really want to be the cause of their grief for Gryffindor's defeat in Quidditch?
He got dressed, trembling as Quidditch tips spun in his head, and stumbled downstairs to breakfast. In the Great Hall, he saw Hermione, Ron and Joy seated at the table. Joy was wearing the hair band Harry had given her. She seemed very calm at breakfast, despite the big event taking place that morning. She slapped on some butter and jam on toast and munched it all up, while the other Gryffindor players weren't feeling too well to eat. Ron didn't eat much either.
While Harry was poking at the sausage on his plate with his fork, Princess Glory entered the Great Hall with her friends behind her. She had a dreadfully anxious look drenched all over her face. Princess Joy, worried for her sister, approached Glory to see what was the matter.
"What's wrong?" asked Joy, looking at Glory worriedly.
"I don't know," mumbled Glory with a lost and puzzled expression. "I feel like I forgot something."
"Don't worry!" encouraged Joy, patting Glory on the shoulder. "It's not as if you have classes today. It's Saturday! It's the week-end, so relax. Just relax!"
"I guess I should," sighed Glory, but quickly turned to Joy. "Why aren't you worried? You've got a Quidditch game today, haven't you?"
"I know, but there's nothing for me to worry about! I'll just do my best and if we don't win, it's not the end of the world. It would only be the game that would be lost, not our lives!"
"You're so right," said Glory. "I wish I was more calm like you. I think I'll-"
Suddenly, Princess Glory sped off to the washroom like lightening with blown-up cheeks and her hand over her mouth. Her friends rushed after her as she burst out of the doors of the Great Hall.
Princess Joy, in a sympathetic sigh, walked back to the Gryffindor table, shaking her head. She plopped down on the seat, took some bacon from the bowl in the middle of the table and slapped it on her plate.
"She's nervous, isn't she?" asked Hermione.
"Yes she is, and for no real reason at that too. She feels as if she forgot something and now she's all tense over it. She does this all the time!"
"Speaking of time, we have to get ready soon," said Harry as he looked at his watch. Fifteen minutes after that, he called out to the Quidditch players at the table. "Gryffindor Quidditch players, let's get to the changing rooms!"
At his announcement, all Gryffindor Quidditch players reluctantly left the table and the Great Hall. Harry went to the Gryffindor Quidditch changing room, as Gryffindor players went with him as well.
The Gryffindor team quickly got themselves together in their changing room, getting ready for the game. Harry nicely and professionally polished his Stella Velocita 29 for the game. It would be his first time playing an official game flying on it, and he hoped, or more likely, he prayed that it would do him good.
It was a bit hard though, to polish with his sweaty hands. Harry's hands were soaked with sweat, there was a lump in his throat and he was full of anxiety. He was the Gryffindor Quidditch captain, and the Gryffindor seeker. He had two incredibly important jobs that had a massive effect on their game. Harry went through all the strategies with his team and reminded himself of them too. Ron was very nervous, while Joy seemed to be very calm and cheerful, the only one to have a smile in the changing room.
"All of you try to remember the strategies we went over, okay?" reminded Harry to the team. "And remember, cover your opposite opponent."
As soon as they were ready, they got their brooms, went on the platform and were getting ready to fly out into the field. Though suddenly, before they became absolutely ready to fly out, someone called out to the team. Harry looked in the direction the call was coming from, and in that direction he recognized Oliver Wood, the former Gryffindor Quidditch captain who taught Harry how to play Quidditch. The handsome young man, wearing a casual wizard robe and a sporty smile on his face, approached the team quickly.
"Hey, Gryffindor team!" said Oliver in his Scottish accent.
"Hi, Oliver!" greeted Harry, thankful that someone who knew about the pressures of being captain was there. "How are you?"
"Great! Eh, I hope you all have a great game. Ah, it's so wonderful to see the Quidditch field again. Princess Joy, you're on the Gryffindor team?"
"Yep!" she answered perkily. "I'm Beater."
"Well if I was captain, I'd be sure glad to have you on my team."
"Oliver, what are you doing these days since you've finished at Hogwarts?" asked Ron.
"I'm helping Mr. Bagman now, kind of like a page for him. I'm also coaching a junior Quidditch league in my hometown, and I play for my local Quidditch team. In a few months, they'll have try-outs for Scotland's Quidditch team, and I think I might try out."
"That's great, Oliver!"
"Thanks! Now, Harry," said Oliver, turning to Harry, "just try to do your best. I'm routing for you. See you all later!"
After assuring this, he ran off into the stands. The Gryffindor team, now completely ready, waited for their call. From the stands, they could hear Lee Jordan, as volunteer announcer, starting off the game in a greeting.
"Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season!" shouted Lee Jordan. "Today, it's the Slytherin team verses the Gryffindor team! "Before we start, I'd like to introduce the teams and mention a few new players on each team. New on the Gryffindor team, Her Royal Highness Princess Joy and Ginny Weasley as Beaters, and Danielle Ringum, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas as Chasers! As well, the new Quidditch captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team is none other than our famous hero, Harry Potter! Now I am pleased to present to you, the Gryffindor Quidditch team of this year!"
At that call, the Gryffindor Quidditch team flew out into the field, and a roar of cheers from the stands were echoed into the field from those supporting the Gryffindor, and a roar of boos came from around the pitch from those opposing them. Harry's new broom sliced through the air like a hot knife through butter, though he was still in complete control. Knowing that his broom functioned properly, Harry became just slightly soothed.
"New on the Slytherin team," continued Lee Jordan, "Richard Merendez, Donald Stickwell and Joe Roverbite for Chasers! As well, the new captain is the Slytherin seeker, Draco Malfoy! And now, here comes the Slytherin Quidditch team!"
Draco Malfoy, sitting proudly on his broom, and his team flew to the middle of the field, hovering face-to-face with the opposing team. Many boos and cheers filled the Quidditch field, from those voting for the Slytherins and those against them (and might I add, there were more who were against them).
As both teams were hovering opposite sides of each other way up above the middle of the Quidditch field, Malfoy gave an evil smile at Harry.
"Come on! You know you can't beat us, Potter," snickered Malfoy. "You're better off quitting while you can."
"I think you're the one who should be quitting, Malfoy," chuckled Harry back to Malfoy. "Your record proves it well. You've never won a game against me since you joined the Slytherin team!"
Malfoy burned in anger at the "comeback" from Harry. Malfoy, very frustrated, turned his view to the staff bleachers. There, in the front of the special stands for the staff and visiting guests of Hogwarts, was Princess Glory, looking extremely grim and obligated, making it obvious that she didn't want to be there. Harry already knew that she didn't like Quidditch, and it was easy to recognize it too by looking at her. Malfoy, nonetheless, waved at the uncomfortable princess, and she waved back with a forced smile.
"Mme. Hooche is coming out to the field," announced Lee Jordan, as Mme Hooche in referee robes walked into the field with the chest of Quidditch balls under her arm. "She is carrying the case with Quidditch balls, and she will release them once she blows the whistle."
"Remember all of you, I don't want a dirty, barbaric game this morning," she reminded all the players, and then she began to count down. "On your mark... Get set... Go!"
She gave a long blow out of the whistle, and immediately the Bludgers, the Quaffle and the Golden Snitch were released into the air. All the Chasers covered their Slytherin opponents opposite of them. Dean Thomas flew in front of his Slytherin opponent, snatched the Quaffle, flew across the field and threw it into one of the Slytherin hoops.
"Dean Thomas scores!" shouted Lee Jordan. "Great goal, Dean. Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Yes! thought Harry to himself. Ten points for Gryffindor were added to the scoreboard. Harry was at the start of becoming somewhat relaxed, now that he knew his plan was working, and the fact that they had scored 10 points.
Harry, his heart pounding, started looking around trying to find the Snitch. He saw a spot of gold hovering near the Gryffindor hoops, and at this glance, Harry flew quickly to the little sparkle. Malfoy spotted Harry going after the Snitch, and realizing it would be a good idea to follow him, flew after Harry and caught up to him. Malfoy ruggedly pushed Harry to get to the Snitch, but Harry caught up closer to the Snitch again (kudos to his new broom).
"Malfoy has pushed Potter away from him, yet Potter still caught up," called Lee. "This may be with the help of his new broom, the Stella Velocita 29, which is from the makers of Princess Joy's broom too, the Stella Velocita 31. Made by fine Italian broom craftsmanship -"
"Lee Jordan, please don't get off topic!" scolded Professor McGonagoll.
"All right, Professor McGonagoll!"
The Snitch turned in another direction and flew away. Both Malfoy and Harry, who were so close to the Snitch, had lost sight of the golden ball.
"Oh no!" called out Lee Jordan. "Both Seekers have lost track of the Golden Snitch. Remember folks, and this is to all of you 1st years who are just learning about the game too, the Snitch is worth a 150 points, and once one of the Seekers has caught it, that team immediately gains the points and finishes the game. The Golden Snitch was actually invited by-"
"Lee Jordan!" shouted Professor Flitwick. "The students get enough lecturing during school. Please get on with the game!"
"Of course, Professor Flitwick. I'll do my best!"
Harry was trying to catch a glimpse of the Golden Snitch, while keeping an eye on Malfoy. Malfoy could try and bump Harry once again if he wasn't careful, and he might steal the Snitch, if that was ever to happen!
"Seamus Finnigan has the Quaffle. He's flying to the Slytherin goals - he shoots - he scores! Another ten points to Gryffindor."
Harry, with a feeling of 'yahoo!', was still trying to look for the Golden Snitch. He couldn't see the little ball at all. Malfoy, like usual, was spying on Harry, watching until Harry would go for the ball and then follow him. During his hopeless search, Harry watched Ginny and Joy hit the Bludgers away from the players. His friends were pretty good Beaters, maybe as good as Fred and George.
"Richard Merendez has taken possession of the Quaffle. He's flying to Ron Weasley. Will he score? He shoots the Quaffle.... and Ron Weasley catches it. Good catch, Ron!"
Soon after he tried to get a goal, Crabbe, one of the Slytherin Beaters, turned his broom, flew straight between Joy and Ron and stole the Bludger away from them (surprisingly, he and Goyle could actually balance on a broom!). Once he had the Bludger, he knocked it with his Beater's club at Ron. He ducked, just as Richard Merendez shot the Quaffle which went into the hoop.
"Richard Merendez scores a despicable goal into the Gryffindor hoops. You filthy little- Oops! Sorry, Professor McGonagoll. Just remembered what you were saying before. Ten points to Slytherin, unfortunately."
Damnit! thought Harry to himself angrily. Is this what Malfoy's teaching his team? Well if so, we'll be in for a rough game.
Ten points were given to the Slytherin team on the scoreboard. Because of the duck Ron made that let the Quaffle in the Gryffindor hoops, the Slytherins started to sing "Weasley is Our King", which made Ron quite angry.
Harry looked around the field, still trying to find the Golden Snitch. He could see from the corner of his eye Malfoy watching him like a hawk. While he was flying around trying to find it, Donald Stickwell thought it was a good idea to throw the Quaffle at Harry.
"Donald Stickwell's going to make a goa- Wait, he's not. He's going close to Harry. He's going to hit Harry with the Quaffle! Look out, Harry!"
Harry stopped looking for the Snitch once he heard Lee's call. He looked behind him to see a Quaffle flying straight at him, and ducked as quickly as possible.
"That was a close call," muttered Harry to himself, a bit angry the Slytherins would play more ruthlessly than he though. "What a loser! Can't that Stickwell leave the beating to the Beaters and use the Quaffle to make a stupid goal?"
"You filthy, Slytherin scoundrels!" shouted Professor McGonagoll in rage.
Harry, who was trying to fly as far away from the Quaffle and Donald Stickwell as he could, ducked below all the Quidditch players. Just as he turned his head, he saw the tiny mischievous ball of gold hovering above his left shoulder. The Snitch zoomed away, while Harry Potter quickly got on its trail. Malfoy spotted Harry and the Snitch, and flew to them. Malfoy managed to catch up with Harry, as they raced to get the Snitch.
"You have no chance at this, Potter!" said Malfoy with an evil grin.
"Sorry, that's not going to happen," commented Harry. "I think you're just predicting your own future."
The two Seekers were neck-and-neck as they glided around the field. Princess Joy and Ginny were still keeping the Bludgers out of the players' ways. Out of nowhere, Goyle knocked the Bludger out of Joy and Ginny's reach with the club, to hit it right at Harry. Luckily, Harry had taken a quick glance and had seen it coming, and with fast dive he escaped the Bludger.
From Harry's duck, both him and Malfoy lost track of the Snitch. Harry found the Snitch underneath him, and finding it, he tried to go after the troublesome Snitch, with a small distance from arm's reach to catch it. Joy, who gave a disgusted look at Goyle, tried to hit the Bludger away from them all, but unfortunately, the Bludger came back. Both Ginny and Joy hit the Bludger hard, but the Beaters on the Slytherin team had already gotten hold of the other Bludger, and were trying to hit it at a player on the Gryffindor team. Goyle tried to hit Danielle Ringum, one of the Gryffindor Chasers, but thankfully Ginny hit it away just in time. To the Slytherin team's luck, one of the other Bludgers had sped back into the field, and with his massive club, Goyle knocked the Bludger at Danielle. With a hard hit from the Bludger on her shoulder, Danielle fell to the ground in pain, with her broom still in one hand and her other hand clutching her injured shoulder.
"Oh no!" shouted Lee. "Gregory Goyle, one of the Slytherin Beaters, has knocked Danielle Ringum, a Gryffindor Chaser, to the ground with a Bludger!"
"Rotten, cheating Slytherins!" squeaked Professor Flitwick with a shaking fist (which Harry very much agreed).
"Penalty!" shouted Madame Hooche. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Madame Pomfrey and two assistants rushed to the field at Danielle's aid. As her two assistants held up Danielle, Madame Pomfrey gave Danielle a sip of a potion and did a spell to mend Danielle's shoulder. Less than a minute after, Danielle stood up perfectly well, and after Madame Pomfrey told her to take it easy, her and her assistants whisked away.
"Everyone, Danielle Ringum is okay!" announced Lee Jordan. "Danielle is back in the game."
Danielle got back on her broom and flew up above the Quidditch pitch (away from the Beaters and Bludgers). By Danielle's luck and Goyle's misfortunate (which he deserved), the Bludger that had hit Danielle was now flying towards Goyle, and then-
"Goyle has been hit by the same Bludger he used to hit Danielle!" stated Lee. "Will Madame Pomfrey help him? Nope, I think not! Hey, that's fine by me. Goyle's back on his broom now, however he's not too steady. Hopefully - well, maybe not 'hopefully' - he can make it through the game."
After Lee Jordan had said this statement, he made a cough which sounded very much like 'loser'.
"Lee Jordan, you better not be fooling around with this game," scowled Professor Snape.
"I'll try not to, Professor Snape."
Harry, racing as much as he could on that Stella Velocita 29, was still following the Snitch during the whole entire incident. Meanwhile, Danielle had thrown the Quaffle and had scored a goal.
"Another ten points to Gryffindor! It seems like Gryffindor is in the lead with 40 points and Slytherin with 10. Wait! Now it's 50 points to Gryffindor! Go, team!"
The Gryffindors in the stands were cheering very loudly at that moment, while all the Slytherins were still going on with their boos. Harry, despite the fact that he was trying to catch up to the Snitch for the longest time (even though the broom was agile, that Snitch was hard to catch), felt very proud that his team was winning, and that he had done well as coach.
Donald Stickwell, sick and tired of the Gryffindors winning, stole the Quaffle from one of the Gryffindor Chasers, and with a massive throw, had scored a goal.
"Donald Stickwell has scored a goal for Slytherin. Ten points to Slytherin!"
Flying on his broom, Harry felt someone soaring above him, and as he looked up, he spotted Malfoy, still racing for the Golden Snitch. Malfoy nodded his head upwards, his eyes watching Crabbe. Harry couldn't tell what the peculiar gesture meant, but sure figured it out when he looked up to see Crabbe way up high and was ready to hit a Bludger at Harry.
"Vincent Crabbe is going to hit a Bludger at Harry!" shouted Lee Jordan, as gasps from the crowd mumbling around the pitch.
Harry flew away as the Snitch soared in another direction. Harry followed the Snitch where he was leveled with the spectators in the stands, right in front of the staff stands. Crabbe, with a massive whack of his club, hit the Bludger hard that was heading towards Harry. Harry quickly dodged the Bludger to his own safety. But instead of hitting him, the Bludger hit someone in the staff's stands. Everyone, including the players, looked to see who was hit.
"My goodness!" shouted Lee Jordan, who was very close to being hit. "The Bludger has hit Princess Glory very badly. Ow! That must really, really hurt! Uh oh, she doesn't look too happy."
Princess Glory throbbed with pain as she held a hand on top of the large, red lump on her forehead, but it wasn't tears or whimpers that she expressed. She was raging mad, grinding her teeth, clenching her fist and her face turning red in hot anger.
No one could really believe what they had just seen. Watching Glory in throbbing pain, all spectators felt incredibly sorry for the Princess. Malfoy was in complete shock, his jaw almost reaching his broom. Harry had remembered hearing that Glory had been hit by Bludgers during Quidditch, but now felt very sorry for her, now that he'd seen it. Though he felt sorry for her, he was almost somewhat scared, considering the literally "murderous" glare Glory had. Joy, who was looking at Glory sympathetically and felt deeply sorry for her sister, and the rest of the Quidditch players (Gryffindors and Slytherins) and all spectators, looked angrily at Crabbe.
Crabbe, who seemed very frightened at the moment, flew close to Princess Glory, probably to excuse himself.
"Uh...Your Royal Highness?" asked Crabbe in his low, stupid voice. "Are you...like...okay?"
Princess Glory looked up, even angrier than ever, and pulled him towards her by his chubby neck.
"DO I LOOK OKAY???" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Uh...."
"I SAID, DO I LOOK OKAY?!?!?!?"
"Uh....no?"
"EXACTLY, BECAUSE I AM NOT OKAY! YOU, WERE SUPPOSED TO LOOK AFTER THE BLUDGER! YOU, WERE SUPPOSED TO DEFEND THE PLAYERS! BUT, NO! YOU DECIDE TO PLAY 'HIT THE BLUDGER AT HARRY' AND INSTEAD HIT ME!!!!!"
"I'm like really, really sorry, Princess!"
"WELL SOMETIMES SORRY ISN'T ENOUGH!!!!"
Glory, with her clenched fist, gave Crabbe the hardest punch downwards that Harry had ever seen. Crabbe fell rapidly to the ground, where it seemed as if he was crying.
"That hurt!" he sobbed.
Glory apparated with a magnificent swirling flame to the pitch to where he had landed. Crabbe screamed at the sight of her, as she started pulverizing him badly, and even swearing too! The whole entire crowd was in shock. A group of professors came to the rescue and had to pull her off Crabbe, who was screaming and crying like a baby with a bloody nose, bruises and broken jaw. They both had to be brought to the Hospital Wing, with Crabbe carried on a stretcher.
Harry never knew, whatsoever, not in a million years, that Glory could explode the way she did (and that incident didn't even compare to the catfight Joy and her had at their birthday ball). Joy's cheeks became rosy with embarrassment, and she tried to avoid center-field throughout the game.
Even if the Slytherin team had only one Beater, the game had to go on. Harry, trying to forget the scene he'd seen and go on with the game, turned his head around, down and up, and he spotted the Golden Snitch hovering above his head. In a quick grab, he caught the ball and held it tight. He could feel the patter of the wings on his Quidditch glove, with the warm refreshing feeling in his breath from triumph and the bitter ice of worry quickly melting off his shoulders.
"Harry Potter has caught the Snitch!" announced Lee. "Gryffindor 200 points, Slytherin 20. Gryffindor wins!"
All the Gryffindors cheered away as Harry was glorified. He felt so incredibly proud that his first time as Quidditch captain was a complete success. His team had won!!
Once all the Quidditch players had changed and everything was put away (with a round of cheers and 'hip-hip-hurrays' for Harry), Harry (still blushing with happiness) hurried to the Hospital Wing to go see Glory. Entering the Infirmary, he spotted Glory in a hospital bed, surrounded by Ron, Hermione, Joy and her little group (Ron and Joy had arrived from the changing rooms before Harry did). Glory was holding a large ice pack on the lump on her head, while her face was still red with anger. Harry rushed over to the bedside and said a quick greeting to everyone. Harry enquired to Glory about the incident at the game, looking at the horridly mad expression on her face.
"What happened during the game?" asked Harry to Glory as he stood around the hospital bed. "I've never seen you so angry."
"Long story," she answered through gritted teeth, trying to calm down. "If only that Slytherin Beater wouldn't have been fooling around!"
"I didn't mean to hit you, Princess Glory!" wailed Crabbe as he lay in bed with slings, bandages and casts all over him, and with Madame Pomfrey taking care of him.
"But you meant to hit Harry, didn't you?"
"How did you get so angry?" asked Harry curiously.
"I think it's time they knew," said Joy to Glory.
"Vicky, Ruth, Lucy and Tiffany already know," responded Glory. "The three of them should know as well."
Joy, still rosy-cheeked with embarrassment, turned to Hermione, Harry and Ron.
"You see, guys," started Joy, "Glory has a very short-temper. It runs in the family, on the Dumbledore side, although Glory is the most short-tempered. I'm not so hot-headed, because I take after my mother's side of the family who are quite calm. Nono Albus, who is the best at controlling the anger, invented a pill that stops rages like these to occur during the day. The reason why Glory felt that she was forgetting something was because she forgot to take the pill."
"Exactly!" said Glory.
"Wow.....I never knew that," said Hermione.
"You all didn't," admitted Joy. "We should have told you sooner."
"And here's the pill you forgot to take this morning," said Madame Pomfrey, handing her a glass of water and a small, green and yellow-striped pill. Glory, with her free hand, swallowed the pill, gulped down the water and laid back to rest. "Now make sure you take those pills every single day," reminded Madame Pomfrey. "We don't want any more accidents occurring, like this one..."
The nurse looked again at Crabbe, who was in absolute discomfort and pain.
"Is everything all right?" called out Malfoy as he entered the Infirmary.
"Everything is all right now," answered Madame Pomfrey. "Princess Glory has already taken her pill, and Mr. Crabbe over there is being taken care of."
"So that's what you were worrying about today?" asked Malfoy.
"You mean, you know about it?" questioned Ron.
"Of course I do! I think I should know things like this about my girlfriend!"
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Joy were all scowling at Malfoy. They knew he was the one who told his team to hit the Bludgers and Quaffle.
"What was with you telling your teammates to hit the Quidditch balls at our team, Malfoy?" questioned Joy.
"What?" asked Glory.
"You heard me. He was the one who told his team to knock the balls at us!"
"Is this true?" questioned Glory to Malfoy.
"Of course it isn't, sweetheart," denied Malfoy. "I would never do anything that you wouldn't like."
"Let's see," said Glory, who turned to Crabbe. "Crabbe, did Malfoy tell the Slytherin team to throw the balls at your opponents?"
"Sure he did!" responded Crabbe. "That was our main strategy!"
"Crabbe, why'd you have to go and tell them?" scolded Malfoy.
"I don't know," sighed Crabbe. "I'm not as smart as you."
"You're not as smart as anyone, Crabbe!" commented Glory.
"Hey!" said Joy. "You're supposed to be cooling down, remember?"
"Well it takes the pill a while to have effect. Even so, I cannot believe you!" shouted Glory to Malfoy. "How dare you go and create a strategy like that? I'm sure the professors will here about this, including the headmaster!"
"But we had to win this season!" said Malfoy in excuses.
"No buts! I'm sick and tired of you making these disgusting and ruthless plans! If you really want to be my boyfriend, then smarten up!"
"Fine," said Malfoy reluctantly. "I'll try and behave better."
"Good!"
"May we come in?" asked Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagoll, who were standing patiently at the door.
"Why of course!" said Madame Pomfrey. "Come in, come in."
Dumbledore and McGonagoll walked into the room and hurried to Glory's side. As both stood beside Glory's bedside, McGonagoll scowled at Malfoy and Crabbe and turned to Glory.
"Is everything all right?" asked McGonagoll to Glory.
"Everything's fine now," said Glory. "I took my pill. I forgot to take it this morning."
"You better keep track of when you take them," reminded Professor McGonagoll. "Hopefully, we won't let this happen again."
"And if you do become angry, please try and remain calm," suggested Professor Dumbledore gently. "I'm just hoping parents don't complain about the incident. A good trick that often makes me calm is to keep a pouch of sherbet lemon handy. If I feel a bit angry, I take one. The sweetness soothes the mind and takes away the anger."
"I'm not too sure about sherbet lemon," said Glory. "I prefer mini-syrup-centered chocolate maple leafs. I quite like those."
Professor McGonagoll nodded in agreement to this suggestion, and then turned to Malfoy with a distasteful mood on her face.
"As for you, Draco Malfoy, I'm absolutely ashamed of you! How dare you tell your new team to act out an awful strategy like that? And don't bother giving me excuses. I heard everything all of you said when standing at the doors. Because of your despicable behaviour, you will have a month's detention."
"Fine," said Malfoy.
"I'm not finished, Mr. Malfoy. 30 points will be taken from Slytherin House and the Slytherin Quidditch team will be disqualified from the Hogwarts Quidditch games."
"What? That can't be! That's not fair!"
"It's not fair of you to act like such a scoundrel!" stated McGonagoll. "Now off you go to your common room, and that goes for the rest of you too."
As all of them were dismissed, Malfoy looked at all of them with his lip curled up.
"I hate Quidditch," he mumbled to himself.
"And so do I!" agreed Glory, putting the ice patch back on her pump.
*****
The next day, all the students were talking about the Quidditch game. Everyone in Gryffindor, and even students from other houses, congratulated Harry on his excellent work of leading his team to victory. Of course, it wasn't just the Gryffindors who had certain overwhelmed reactions to the previous day's Quidditch match. The Slytherins were shocked at the Quidditch team's loss, and their loss of points too. They however, could not be angrier at the fact that they had no chance of winning the Quidditch Cup that year, and were disgusted with the whole Slytherin team, especially Malfoy.
Even so, no doubt the most talk was about the temper tantrum Glory had. No classroom was silent because of the gossip of the incident. Joy was very disappointed that the school would fond over such a thing, and Glory was said to be quite furious (even though Harry knew she had to stay calm).
No matter how Glory had raged or beaten up Crabbe (who was still in the Hospital Wing), how Gryffindor won or how Slytherin played the game, it could not match up to the most surprising, shocking and horrifying event that happened the day after the game. Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking to Divinations from Charms (Joy took another way to Divinations with Lavender and Parvati, and even though Hermione was walking with them, she would soon separate with them to go to her History of Magic class). Hermione was working on a crossword puzzle that Professor Flitwick had given her, because she had finished her work earlier than the rest of the class.
"I've done all of them except one," stated Hermione, looking at the crossword held in her hand. "I think I know this one, but it's in the corner of my mind. Please tell me, any of you, what is the name of the casket, also known as a tomb, which ancient Egyptian mummies were put in and were then cursed by Egyptian wizards? I know there's a specific name for it, but what is it?"
"We've already told you that we don't know!" said Ron. "Probably Joy will know."
"I wish I knew what it was," sighed Hermione.
"It's sarcophagus, dear."
A mysterious voice was heard behind them, and all four of them looked around them to see from who, and where, this mysterious voice came from. There was no one there in the hallway, except for them at that moment despite the moving of classes, some torches and a statue of Glory in armour from her battle that summer which was put up at their birthdays.
"Who said that?" asked Harry.
"I of course!" said the statue of Glory shockingly, as the stone lips moved to form a gentle smile.
"Oh," said Hermione, who had never seen a talking or moving statue before. "W-what was it you said again?"
"It's sarcophagus. See," said the statue as it pointed its stone sword to the empty squares, "it fits perfectly. S-A-R-C-O-P-H-A-G-U-S."
"Of course!" exclaimed Hermione. "I knew I already knew it. Thank you so much."
"It was my pleasure, Hermione."
As not to confuse the reader, this wasn't the surprising incident that took the school by storm. How it could, I would not know, nor would I think anyone would think that as so breathtaking. It was what happened in the next class they (and by 'they', meaning those attending Divinations and that wouldn't include Hermione, though I think she would have found it interesting to be in that class for that day) - To continue, it was what happened in the next class they were going to, Divinations, where the surprising event would take place.
Just a few corridors downward, they arrived at the stairs to the Divinations classroom, where Hermione split with them to go to History of Magic. Both Ron and Harry went up the spiraling tower to the steamy café-like room, where Professor Hib-Gimmons, the balding substitute teacher with giant spectacles, was looking confusingly at a Divinations book. Both boys took a seat next to Joy, who had already saved a table for them near the windows.
The class started at the sound of the bell. Professor Hib-Gimmons, while taking confusing glances at the Divinations book, was teaching the class about what to do when someone have a serious prediction. Just by picturing the substitute teacher as he glared at the Divinations book (unfortunately, Professor Trelawney left him no instructions, and just told him to speak on behalf of his 'Inner Eye'), anyone could tell he was confused and out-of-place, and he probably didn't understand it even more than the students (though most of the students thought that Professor Trelawney never knew what she was talking about either).
Unfortunately, Glory wasn't there to explain everything clearly to the class. They were told that she was having a high fever in the morning, and wasn't well enough to go to classes that day. Not even Joy, though how brilliant she was, could explain clearly to the class what he was saying, for she couldn't understand what he was talking about in the first place.
In the middle of the confusing and boring class, a phenomenal warm and unfamiliar breeze filled the room, which was very much unlike the steam in the room and November temperature. No one could tell what this breeze was, or where it was coming from for that matter. At the discomfort of the perplexing heat, everyone was pulling their collars, rolling up their sleeves and untightening their robes.
"Is it hot in here or what?" complained Dean Thomas.
"Can't you put on a fan or something?" suggested Neville.
"Everyone calm down and use your Innered Eyes to picture a cold and breezy place," implied the puzzled Mr. Hib-Gimmons.
"Isn't it 'Inner Eye'?" asked Parvati.
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Man, who made that reek!?!" complained Seamus Finnigan.
"I will not tolerate these rude complains in this classroom!"
Harry, who was also quite uncomfortable by the heat, looked around to find some source of coolness. Being that he was at a table close to the windows, he looked out the nearest window, and saw some gray clouds around the grounds.
"What's that?" asked many of the students, who were watching Harry stare out the window in horror.
"Everybody, look at the Quidditch field!" shouted Ron as he stood next to Harry.
Everyone rushed to the windows to see what was the matter. Harry, his chest full of the heat of an overwhelming confusion and horror, stared blankly at the Quidditch field, with flames and smoke everywhere and was ablaze with furious heat. The Quidditch pitch was on fire, it's hoops burnt, grass black and stands aflame.
Author's Note: Dundundun........ Hope you liked it. Next chapter is called "Strange Figures". Basically, it becomes Christmas, and when the gang is trying out Ron's new present, they end up hearing a very important conversation by 'strange figures'. It's super cool! (i hope!). PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! It's 2004!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, and I don't own any other things that I mentioned in the previous disclaimers. Oh, and for Chapter 3, I think I forgot to write a disclaimer (or did I write it on the bottom? I'm not sure.....). In that disclaimer, I meant to say that I didn't own the Thunderbird that belongs to Ford. Yeah, that's it.
Author's Note: Hello reader/readers, and welcome to 2004!!!!!! Sorry, I just love saying that it's 2004!!!!!. Anyway, where did we leave off? Oh, the Princesses had their ball and an attack of Death Eaters crashed their party. This chapter is about, as you can see, the first Quidditch game of the year, and let me tell you now, Glory gets a bit heated up, and so does the Quidditch pitch! (You'll have to read the chapter to understand it, so PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!). Oh, and PLEASE no flames, not for 2004!!!! Enjoy!
Chapter 10
First Quidditch Game of the Year
A couple of weeks after the ball, the Hogwarts Quidditch season would start. The Gryffindor Quidditch team ran themselves ragged so they would be ready for that first official day playing on the field. Harry woke up the morning of the Quidditch game, feeling like he was going to vomit. He was so incredibly nervous for that day's game, Gryffindor against Slytherin, for it would seem like it was his fault if the Gryffindors lost. Would he really want to be the cause of their grief for Gryffindor's defeat in Quidditch?
He got dressed, trembling as Quidditch tips spun in his head, and stumbled downstairs to breakfast. In the Great Hall, he saw Hermione, Ron and Joy seated at the table. Joy was wearing the hair band Harry had given her. She seemed very calm at breakfast, despite the big event taking place that morning. She slapped on some butter and jam on toast and munched it all up, while the other Gryffindor players weren't feeling too well to eat. Ron didn't eat much either.
While Harry was poking at the sausage on his plate with his fork, Princess Glory entered the Great Hall with her friends behind her. She had a dreadfully anxious look drenched all over her face. Princess Joy, worried for her sister, approached Glory to see what was the matter.
"What's wrong?" asked Joy, looking at Glory worriedly.
"I don't know," mumbled Glory with a lost and puzzled expression. "I feel like I forgot something."
"Don't worry!" encouraged Joy, patting Glory on the shoulder. "It's not as if you have classes today. It's Saturday! It's the week-end, so relax. Just relax!"
"I guess I should," sighed Glory, but quickly turned to Joy. "Why aren't you worried? You've got a Quidditch game today, haven't you?"
"I know, but there's nothing for me to worry about! I'll just do my best and if we don't win, it's not the end of the world. It would only be the game that would be lost, not our lives!"
"You're so right," said Glory. "I wish I was more calm like you. I think I'll-"
Suddenly, Princess Glory sped off to the washroom like lightening with blown-up cheeks and her hand over her mouth. Her friends rushed after her as she burst out of the doors of the Great Hall.
Princess Joy, in a sympathetic sigh, walked back to the Gryffindor table, shaking her head. She plopped down on the seat, took some bacon from the bowl in the middle of the table and slapped it on her plate.
"She's nervous, isn't she?" asked Hermione.
"Yes she is, and for no real reason at that too. She feels as if she forgot something and now she's all tense over it. She does this all the time!"
"Speaking of time, we have to get ready soon," said Harry as he looked at his watch. Fifteen minutes after that, he called out to the Quidditch players at the table. "Gryffindor Quidditch players, let's get to the changing rooms!"
At his announcement, all Gryffindor Quidditch players reluctantly left the table and the Great Hall. Harry went to the Gryffindor Quidditch changing room, as Gryffindor players went with him as well.
The Gryffindor team quickly got themselves together in their changing room, getting ready for the game. Harry nicely and professionally polished his Stella Velocita 29 for the game. It would be his first time playing an official game flying on it, and he hoped, or more likely, he prayed that it would do him good.
It was a bit hard though, to polish with his sweaty hands. Harry's hands were soaked with sweat, there was a lump in his throat and he was full of anxiety. He was the Gryffindor Quidditch captain, and the Gryffindor seeker. He had two incredibly important jobs that had a massive effect on their game. Harry went through all the strategies with his team and reminded himself of them too. Ron was very nervous, while Joy seemed to be very calm and cheerful, the only one to have a smile in the changing room.
"All of you try to remember the strategies we went over, okay?" reminded Harry to the team. "And remember, cover your opposite opponent."
As soon as they were ready, they got their brooms, went on the platform and were getting ready to fly out into the field. Though suddenly, before they became absolutely ready to fly out, someone called out to the team. Harry looked in the direction the call was coming from, and in that direction he recognized Oliver Wood, the former Gryffindor Quidditch captain who taught Harry how to play Quidditch. The handsome young man, wearing a casual wizard robe and a sporty smile on his face, approached the team quickly.
"Hey, Gryffindor team!" said Oliver in his Scottish accent.
"Hi, Oliver!" greeted Harry, thankful that someone who knew about the pressures of being captain was there. "How are you?"
"Great! Eh, I hope you all have a great game. Ah, it's so wonderful to see the Quidditch field again. Princess Joy, you're on the Gryffindor team?"
"Yep!" she answered perkily. "I'm Beater."
"Well if I was captain, I'd be sure glad to have you on my team."
"Oliver, what are you doing these days since you've finished at Hogwarts?" asked Ron.
"I'm helping Mr. Bagman now, kind of like a page for him. I'm also coaching a junior Quidditch league in my hometown, and I play for my local Quidditch team. In a few months, they'll have try-outs for Scotland's Quidditch team, and I think I might try out."
"That's great, Oliver!"
"Thanks! Now, Harry," said Oliver, turning to Harry, "just try to do your best. I'm routing for you. See you all later!"
After assuring this, he ran off into the stands. The Gryffindor team, now completely ready, waited for their call. From the stands, they could hear Lee Jordan, as volunteer announcer, starting off the game in a greeting.
"Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season!" shouted Lee Jordan. "Today, it's the Slytherin team verses the Gryffindor team! "Before we start, I'd like to introduce the teams and mention a few new players on each team. New on the Gryffindor team, Her Royal Highness Princess Joy and Ginny Weasley as Beaters, and Danielle Ringum, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas as Chasers! As well, the new Quidditch captain for the Gryffindor Quidditch team is none other than our famous hero, Harry Potter! Now I am pleased to present to you, the Gryffindor Quidditch team of this year!"
At that call, the Gryffindor Quidditch team flew out into the field, and a roar of cheers from the stands were echoed into the field from those supporting the Gryffindor, and a roar of boos came from around the pitch from those opposing them. Harry's new broom sliced through the air like a hot knife through butter, though he was still in complete control. Knowing that his broom functioned properly, Harry became just slightly soothed.
"New on the Slytherin team," continued Lee Jordan, "Richard Merendez, Donald Stickwell and Joe Roverbite for Chasers! As well, the new captain is the Slytherin seeker, Draco Malfoy! And now, here comes the Slytherin Quidditch team!"
Draco Malfoy, sitting proudly on his broom, and his team flew to the middle of the field, hovering face-to-face with the opposing team. Many boos and cheers filled the Quidditch field, from those voting for the Slytherins and those against them (and might I add, there were more who were against them).
As both teams were hovering opposite sides of each other way up above the middle of the Quidditch field, Malfoy gave an evil smile at Harry.
"Come on! You know you can't beat us, Potter," snickered Malfoy. "You're better off quitting while you can."
"I think you're the one who should be quitting, Malfoy," chuckled Harry back to Malfoy. "Your record proves it well. You've never won a game against me since you joined the Slytherin team!"
Malfoy burned in anger at the "comeback" from Harry. Malfoy, very frustrated, turned his view to the staff bleachers. There, in the front of the special stands for the staff and visiting guests of Hogwarts, was Princess Glory, looking extremely grim and obligated, making it obvious that she didn't want to be there. Harry already knew that she didn't like Quidditch, and it was easy to recognize it too by looking at her. Malfoy, nonetheless, waved at the uncomfortable princess, and she waved back with a forced smile.
"Mme. Hooche is coming out to the field," announced Lee Jordan, as Mme Hooche in referee robes walked into the field with the chest of Quidditch balls under her arm. "She is carrying the case with Quidditch balls, and she will release them once she blows the whistle."
"Remember all of you, I don't want a dirty, barbaric game this morning," she reminded all the players, and then she began to count down. "On your mark... Get set... Go!"
She gave a long blow out of the whistle, and immediately the Bludgers, the Quaffle and the Golden Snitch were released into the air. All the Chasers covered their Slytherin opponents opposite of them. Dean Thomas flew in front of his Slytherin opponent, snatched the Quaffle, flew across the field and threw it into one of the Slytherin hoops.
"Dean Thomas scores!" shouted Lee Jordan. "Great goal, Dean. Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Yes! thought Harry to himself. Ten points for Gryffindor were added to the scoreboard. Harry was at the start of becoming somewhat relaxed, now that he knew his plan was working, and the fact that they had scored 10 points.
Harry, his heart pounding, started looking around trying to find the Snitch. He saw a spot of gold hovering near the Gryffindor hoops, and at this glance, Harry flew quickly to the little sparkle. Malfoy spotted Harry going after the Snitch, and realizing it would be a good idea to follow him, flew after Harry and caught up to him. Malfoy ruggedly pushed Harry to get to the Snitch, but Harry caught up closer to the Snitch again (kudos to his new broom).
"Malfoy has pushed Potter away from him, yet Potter still caught up," called Lee. "This may be with the help of his new broom, the Stella Velocita 29, which is from the makers of Princess Joy's broom too, the Stella Velocita 31. Made by fine Italian broom craftsmanship -"
"Lee Jordan, please don't get off topic!" scolded Professor McGonagoll.
"All right, Professor McGonagoll!"
The Snitch turned in another direction and flew away. Both Malfoy and Harry, who were so close to the Snitch, had lost sight of the golden ball.
"Oh no!" called out Lee Jordan. "Both Seekers have lost track of the Golden Snitch. Remember folks, and this is to all of you 1st years who are just learning about the game too, the Snitch is worth a 150 points, and once one of the Seekers has caught it, that team immediately gains the points and finishes the game. The Golden Snitch was actually invited by-"
"Lee Jordan!" shouted Professor Flitwick. "The students get enough lecturing during school. Please get on with the game!"
"Of course, Professor Flitwick. I'll do my best!"
Harry was trying to catch a glimpse of the Golden Snitch, while keeping an eye on Malfoy. Malfoy could try and bump Harry once again if he wasn't careful, and he might steal the Snitch, if that was ever to happen!
"Seamus Finnigan has the Quaffle. He's flying to the Slytherin goals - he shoots - he scores! Another ten points to Gryffindor."
Harry, with a feeling of 'yahoo!', was still trying to look for the Golden Snitch. He couldn't see the little ball at all. Malfoy, like usual, was spying on Harry, watching until Harry would go for the ball and then follow him. During his hopeless search, Harry watched Ginny and Joy hit the Bludgers away from the players. His friends were pretty good Beaters, maybe as good as Fred and George.
"Richard Merendez has taken possession of the Quaffle. He's flying to Ron Weasley. Will he score? He shoots the Quaffle.... and Ron Weasley catches it. Good catch, Ron!"
Soon after he tried to get a goal, Crabbe, one of the Slytherin Beaters, turned his broom, flew straight between Joy and Ron and stole the Bludger away from them (surprisingly, he and Goyle could actually balance on a broom!). Once he had the Bludger, he knocked it with his Beater's club at Ron. He ducked, just as Richard Merendez shot the Quaffle which went into the hoop.
"Richard Merendez scores a despicable goal into the Gryffindor hoops. You filthy little- Oops! Sorry, Professor McGonagoll. Just remembered what you were saying before. Ten points to Slytherin, unfortunately."
Damnit! thought Harry to himself angrily. Is this what Malfoy's teaching his team? Well if so, we'll be in for a rough game.
Ten points were given to the Slytherin team on the scoreboard. Because of the duck Ron made that let the Quaffle in the Gryffindor hoops, the Slytherins started to sing "Weasley is Our King", which made Ron quite angry.
Harry looked around the field, still trying to find the Golden Snitch. He could see from the corner of his eye Malfoy watching him like a hawk. While he was flying around trying to find it, Donald Stickwell thought it was a good idea to throw the Quaffle at Harry.
"Donald Stickwell's going to make a goa- Wait, he's not. He's going close to Harry. He's going to hit Harry with the Quaffle! Look out, Harry!"
Harry stopped looking for the Snitch once he heard Lee's call. He looked behind him to see a Quaffle flying straight at him, and ducked as quickly as possible.
"That was a close call," muttered Harry to himself, a bit angry the Slytherins would play more ruthlessly than he though. "What a loser! Can't that Stickwell leave the beating to the Beaters and use the Quaffle to make a stupid goal?"
"You filthy, Slytherin scoundrels!" shouted Professor McGonagoll in rage.
Harry, who was trying to fly as far away from the Quaffle and Donald Stickwell as he could, ducked below all the Quidditch players. Just as he turned his head, he saw the tiny mischievous ball of gold hovering above his left shoulder. The Snitch zoomed away, while Harry Potter quickly got on its trail. Malfoy spotted Harry and the Snitch, and flew to them. Malfoy managed to catch up with Harry, as they raced to get the Snitch.
"You have no chance at this, Potter!" said Malfoy with an evil grin.
"Sorry, that's not going to happen," commented Harry. "I think you're just predicting your own future."
The two Seekers were neck-and-neck as they glided around the field. Princess Joy and Ginny were still keeping the Bludgers out of the players' ways. Out of nowhere, Goyle knocked the Bludger out of Joy and Ginny's reach with the club, to hit it right at Harry. Luckily, Harry had taken a quick glance and had seen it coming, and with fast dive he escaped the Bludger.
From Harry's duck, both him and Malfoy lost track of the Snitch. Harry found the Snitch underneath him, and finding it, he tried to go after the troublesome Snitch, with a small distance from arm's reach to catch it. Joy, who gave a disgusted look at Goyle, tried to hit the Bludger away from them all, but unfortunately, the Bludger came back. Both Ginny and Joy hit the Bludger hard, but the Beaters on the Slytherin team had already gotten hold of the other Bludger, and were trying to hit it at a player on the Gryffindor team. Goyle tried to hit Danielle Ringum, one of the Gryffindor Chasers, but thankfully Ginny hit it away just in time. To the Slytherin team's luck, one of the other Bludgers had sped back into the field, and with his massive club, Goyle knocked the Bludger at Danielle. With a hard hit from the Bludger on her shoulder, Danielle fell to the ground in pain, with her broom still in one hand and her other hand clutching her injured shoulder.
"Oh no!" shouted Lee. "Gregory Goyle, one of the Slytherin Beaters, has knocked Danielle Ringum, a Gryffindor Chaser, to the ground with a Bludger!"
"Rotten, cheating Slytherins!" squeaked Professor Flitwick with a shaking fist (which Harry very much agreed).
"Penalty!" shouted Madame Hooche. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Madame Pomfrey and two assistants rushed to the field at Danielle's aid. As her two assistants held up Danielle, Madame Pomfrey gave Danielle a sip of a potion and did a spell to mend Danielle's shoulder. Less than a minute after, Danielle stood up perfectly well, and after Madame Pomfrey told her to take it easy, her and her assistants whisked away.
"Everyone, Danielle Ringum is okay!" announced Lee Jordan. "Danielle is back in the game."
Danielle got back on her broom and flew up above the Quidditch pitch (away from the Beaters and Bludgers). By Danielle's luck and Goyle's misfortunate (which he deserved), the Bludger that had hit Danielle was now flying towards Goyle, and then-
"Goyle has been hit by the same Bludger he used to hit Danielle!" stated Lee. "Will Madame Pomfrey help him? Nope, I think not! Hey, that's fine by me. Goyle's back on his broom now, however he's not too steady. Hopefully - well, maybe not 'hopefully' - he can make it through the game."
After Lee Jordan had said this statement, he made a cough which sounded very much like 'loser'.
"Lee Jordan, you better not be fooling around with this game," scowled Professor Snape.
"I'll try not to, Professor Snape."
Harry, racing as much as he could on that Stella Velocita 29, was still following the Snitch during the whole entire incident. Meanwhile, Danielle had thrown the Quaffle and had scored a goal.
"Another ten points to Gryffindor! It seems like Gryffindor is in the lead with 40 points and Slytherin with 10. Wait! Now it's 50 points to Gryffindor! Go, team!"
The Gryffindors in the stands were cheering very loudly at that moment, while all the Slytherins were still going on with their boos. Harry, despite the fact that he was trying to catch up to the Snitch for the longest time (even though the broom was agile, that Snitch was hard to catch), felt very proud that his team was winning, and that he had done well as coach.
Donald Stickwell, sick and tired of the Gryffindors winning, stole the Quaffle from one of the Gryffindor Chasers, and with a massive throw, had scored a goal.
"Donald Stickwell has scored a goal for Slytherin. Ten points to Slytherin!"
Flying on his broom, Harry felt someone soaring above him, and as he looked up, he spotted Malfoy, still racing for the Golden Snitch. Malfoy nodded his head upwards, his eyes watching Crabbe. Harry couldn't tell what the peculiar gesture meant, but sure figured it out when he looked up to see Crabbe way up high and was ready to hit a Bludger at Harry.
"Vincent Crabbe is going to hit a Bludger at Harry!" shouted Lee Jordan, as gasps from the crowd mumbling around the pitch.
Harry flew away as the Snitch soared in another direction. Harry followed the Snitch where he was leveled with the spectators in the stands, right in front of the staff stands. Crabbe, with a massive whack of his club, hit the Bludger hard that was heading towards Harry. Harry quickly dodged the Bludger to his own safety. But instead of hitting him, the Bludger hit someone in the staff's stands. Everyone, including the players, looked to see who was hit.
"My goodness!" shouted Lee Jordan, who was very close to being hit. "The Bludger has hit Princess Glory very badly. Ow! That must really, really hurt! Uh oh, she doesn't look too happy."
Princess Glory throbbed with pain as she held a hand on top of the large, red lump on her forehead, but it wasn't tears or whimpers that she expressed. She was raging mad, grinding her teeth, clenching her fist and her face turning red in hot anger.
No one could really believe what they had just seen. Watching Glory in throbbing pain, all spectators felt incredibly sorry for the Princess. Malfoy was in complete shock, his jaw almost reaching his broom. Harry had remembered hearing that Glory had been hit by Bludgers during Quidditch, but now felt very sorry for her, now that he'd seen it. Though he felt sorry for her, he was almost somewhat scared, considering the literally "murderous" glare Glory had. Joy, who was looking at Glory sympathetically and felt deeply sorry for her sister, and the rest of the Quidditch players (Gryffindors and Slytherins) and all spectators, looked angrily at Crabbe.
Crabbe, who seemed very frightened at the moment, flew close to Princess Glory, probably to excuse himself.
"Uh...Your Royal Highness?" asked Crabbe in his low, stupid voice. "Are you...like...okay?"
Princess Glory looked up, even angrier than ever, and pulled him towards her by his chubby neck.
"DO I LOOK OKAY???" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Uh...."
"I SAID, DO I LOOK OKAY?!?!?!?"
"Uh....no?"
"EXACTLY, BECAUSE I AM NOT OKAY! YOU, WERE SUPPOSED TO LOOK AFTER THE BLUDGER! YOU, WERE SUPPOSED TO DEFEND THE PLAYERS! BUT, NO! YOU DECIDE TO PLAY 'HIT THE BLUDGER AT HARRY' AND INSTEAD HIT ME!!!!!"
"I'm like really, really sorry, Princess!"
"WELL SOMETIMES SORRY ISN'T ENOUGH!!!!"
Glory, with her clenched fist, gave Crabbe the hardest punch downwards that Harry had ever seen. Crabbe fell rapidly to the ground, where it seemed as if he was crying.
"That hurt!" he sobbed.
Glory apparated with a magnificent swirling flame to the pitch to where he had landed. Crabbe screamed at the sight of her, as she started pulverizing him badly, and even swearing too! The whole entire crowd was in shock. A group of professors came to the rescue and had to pull her off Crabbe, who was screaming and crying like a baby with a bloody nose, bruises and broken jaw. They both had to be brought to the Hospital Wing, with Crabbe carried on a stretcher.
Harry never knew, whatsoever, not in a million years, that Glory could explode the way she did (and that incident didn't even compare to the catfight Joy and her had at their birthday ball). Joy's cheeks became rosy with embarrassment, and she tried to avoid center-field throughout the game.
Even if the Slytherin team had only one Beater, the game had to go on. Harry, trying to forget the scene he'd seen and go on with the game, turned his head around, down and up, and he spotted the Golden Snitch hovering above his head. In a quick grab, he caught the ball and held it tight. He could feel the patter of the wings on his Quidditch glove, with the warm refreshing feeling in his breath from triumph and the bitter ice of worry quickly melting off his shoulders.
"Harry Potter has caught the Snitch!" announced Lee. "Gryffindor 200 points, Slytherin 20. Gryffindor wins!"
All the Gryffindors cheered away as Harry was glorified. He felt so incredibly proud that his first time as Quidditch captain was a complete success. His team had won!!
Once all the Quidditch players had changed and everything was put away (with a round of cheers and 'hip-hip-hurrays' for Harry), Harry (still blushing with happiness) hurried to the Hospital Wing to go see Glory. Entering the Infirmary, he spotted Glory in a hospital bed, surrounded by Ron, Hermione, Joy and her little group (Ron and Joy had arrived from the changing rooms before Harry did). Glory was holding a large ice pack on the lump on her head, while her face was still red with anger. Harry rushed over to the bedside and said a quick greeting to everyone. Harry enquired to Glory about the incident at the game, looking at the horridly mad expression on her face.
"What happened during the game?" asked Harry to Glory as he stood around the hospital bed. "I've never seen you so angry."
"Long story," she answered through gritted teeth, trying to calm down. "If only that Slytherin Beater wouldn't have been fooling around!"
"I didn't mean to hit you, Princess Glory!" wailed Crabbe as he lay in bed with slings, bandages and casts all over him, and with Madame Pomfrey taking care of him.
"But you meant to hit Harry, didn't you?"
"How did you get so angry?" asked Harry curiously.
"I think it's time they knew," said Joy to Glory.
"Vicky, Ruth, Lucy and Tiffany already know," responded Glory. "The three of them should know as well."
Joy, still rosy-cheeked with embarrassment, turned to Hermione, Harry and Ron.
"You see, guys," started Joy, "Glory has a very short-temper. It runs in the family, on the Dumbledore side, although Glory is the most short-tempered. I'm not so hot-headed, because I take after my mother's side of the family who are quite calm. Nono Albus, who is the best at controlling the anger, invented a pill that stops rages like these to occur during the day. The reason why Glory felt that she was forgetting something was because she forgot to take the pill."
"Exactly!" said Glory.
"Wow.....I never knew that," said Hermione.
"You all didn't," admitted Joy. "We should have told you sooner."
"And here's the pill you forgot to take this morning," said Madame Pomfrey, handing her a glass of water and a small, green and yellow-striped pill. Glory, with her free hand, swallowed the pill, gulped down the water and laid back to rest. "Now make sure you take those pills every single day," reminded Madame Pomfrey. "We don't want any more accidents occurring, like this one..."
The nurse looked again at Crabbe, who was in absolute discomfort and pain.
"Is everything all right?" called out Malfoy as he entered the Infirmary.
"Everything is all right now," answered Madame Pomfrey. "Princess Glory has already taken her pill, and Mr. Crabbe over there is being taken care of."
"So that's what you were worrying about today?" asked Malfoy.
"You mean, you know about it?" questioned Ron.
"Of course I do! I think I should know things like this about my girlfriend!"
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Joy were all scowling at Malfoy. They knew he was the one who told his team to hit the Bludgers and Quaffle.
"What was with you telling your teammates to hit the Quidditch balls at our team, Malfoy?" questioned Joy.
"What?" asked Glory.
"You heard me. He was the one who told his team to knock the balls at us!"
"Is this true?" questioned Glory to Malfoy.
"Of course it isn't, sweetheart," denied Malfoy. "I would never do anything that you wouldn't like."
"Let's see," said Glory, who turned to Crabbe. "Crabbe, did Malfoy tell the Slytherin team to throw the balls at your opponents?"
"Sure he did!" responded Crabbe. "That was our main strategy!"
"Crabbe, why'd you have to go and tell them?" scolded Malfoy.
"I don't know," sighed Crabbe. "I'm not as smart as you."
"You're not as smart as anyone, Crabbe!" commented Glory.
"Hey!" said Joy. "You're supposed to be cooling down, remember?"
"Well it takes the pill a while to have effect. Even so, I cannot believe you!" shouted Glory to Malfoy. "How dare you go and create a strategy like that? I'm sure the professors will here about this, including the headmaster!"
"But we had to win this season!" said Malfoy in excuses.
"No buts! I'm sick and tired of you making these disgusting and ruthless plans! If you really want to be my boyfriend, then smarten up!"
"Fine," said Malfoy reluctantly. "I'll try and behave better."
"Good!"
"May we come in?" asked Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagoll, who were standing patiently at the door.
"Why of course!" said Madame Pomfrey. "Come in, come in."
Dumbledore and McGonagoll walked into the room and hurried to Glory's side. As both stood beside Glory's bedside, McGonagoll scowled at Malfoy and Crabbe and turned to Glory.
"Is everything all right?" asked McGonagoll to Glory.
"Everything's fine now," said Glory. "I took my pill. I forgot to take it this morning."
"You better keep track of when you take them," reminded Professor McGonagoll. "Hopefully, we won't let this happen again."
"And if you do become angry, please try and remain calm," suggested Professor Dumbledore gently. "I'm just hoping parents don't complain about the incident. A good trick that often makes me calm is to keep a pouch of sherbet lemon handy. If I feel a bit angry, I take one. The sweetness soothes the mind and takes away the anger."
"I'm not too sure about sherbet lemon," said Glory. "I prefer mini-syrup-centered chocolate maple leafs. I quite like those."
Professor McGonagoll nodded in agreement to this suggestion, and then turned to Malfoy with a distasteful mood on her face.
"As for you, Draco Malfoy, I'm absolutely ashamed of you! How dare you tell your new team to act out an awful strategy like that? And don't bother giving me excuses. I heard everything all of you said when standing at the doors. Because of your despicable behaviour, you will have a month's detention."
"Fine," said Malfoy.
"I'm not finished, Mr. Malfoy. 30 points will be taken from Slytherin House and the Slytherin Quidditch team will be disqualified from the Hogwarts Quidditch games."
"What? That can't be! That's not fair!"
"It's not fair of you to act like such a scoundrel!" stated McGonagoll. "Now off you go to your common room, and that goes for the rest of you too."
As all of them were dismissed, Malfoy looked at all of them with his lip curled up.
"I hate Quidditch," he mumbled to himself.
"And so do I!" agreed Glory, putting the ice patch back on her pump.
*****
The next day, all the students were talking about the Quidditch game. Everyone in Gryffindor, and even students from other houses, congratulated Harry on his excellent work of leading his team to victory. Of course, it wasn't just the Gryffindors who had certain overwhelmed reactions to the previous day's Quidditch match. The Slytherins were shocked at the Quidditch team's loss, and their loss of points too. They however, could not be angrier at the fact that they had no chance of winning the Quidditch Cup that year, and were disgusted with the whole Slytherin team, especially Malfoy.
Even so, no doubt the most talk was about the temper tantrum Glory had. No classroom was silent because of the gossip of the incident. Joy was very disappointed that the school would fond over such a thing, and Glory was said to be quite furious (even though Harry knew she had to stay calm).
No matter how Glory had raged or beaten up Crabbe (who was still in the Hospital Wing), how Gryffindor won or how Slytherin played the game, it could not match up to the most surprising, shocking and horrifying event that happened the day after the game. Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking to Divinations from Charms (Joy took another way to Divinations with Lavender and Parvati, and even though Hermione was walking with them, she would soon separate with them to go to her History of Magic class). Hermione was working on a crossword puzzle that Professor Flitwick had given her, because she had finished her work earlier than the rest of the class.
"I've done all of them except one," stated Hermione, looking at the crossword held in her hand. "I think I know this one, but it's in the corner of my mind. Please tell me, any of you, what is the name of the casket, also known as a tomb, which ancient Egyptian mummies were put in and were then cursed by Egyptian wizards? I know there's a specific name for it, but what is it?"
"We've already told you that we don't know!" said Ron. "Probably Joy will know."
"I wish I knew what it was," sighed Hermione.
"It's sarcophagus, dear."
A mysterious voice was heard behind them, and all four of them looked around them to see from who, and where, this mysterious voice came from. There was no one there in the hallway, except for them at that moment despite the moving of classes, some torches and a statue of Glory in armour from her battle that summer which was put up at their birthdays.
"Who said that?" asked Harry.
"I of course!" said the statue of Glory shockingly, as the stone lips moved to form a gentle smile.
"Oh," said Hermione, who had never seen a talking or moving statue before. "W-what was it you said again?"
"It's sarcophagus. See," said the statue as it pointed its stone sword to the empty squares, "it fits perfectly. S-A-R-C-O-P-H-A-G-U-S."
"Of course!" exclaimed Hermione. "I knew I already knew it. Thank you so much."
"It was my pleasure, Hermione."
As not to confuse the reader, this wasn't the surprising incident that took the school by storm. How it could, I would not know, nor would I think anyone would think that as so breathtaking. It was what happened in the next class they (and by 'they', meaning those attending Divinations and that wouldn't include Hermione, though I think she would have found it interesting to be in that class for that day) - To continue, it was what happened in the next class they were going to, Divinations, where the surprising event would take place.
Just a few corridors downward, they arrived at the stairs to the Divinations classroom, where Hermione split with them to go to History of Magic. Both Ron and Harry went up the spiraling tower to the steamy café-like room, where Professor Hib-Gimmons, the balding substitute teacher with giant spectacles, was looking confusingly at a Divinations book. Both boys took a seat next to Joy, who had already saved a table for them near the windows.
The class started at the sound of the bell. Professor Hib-Gimmons, while taking confusing glances at the Divinations book, was teaching the class about what to do when someone have a serious prediction. Just by picturing the substitute teacher as he glared at the Divinations book (unfortunately, Professor Trelawney left him no instructions, and just told him to speak on behalf of his 'Inner Eye'), anyone could tell he was confused and out-of-place, and he probably didn't understand it even more than the students (though most of the students thought that Professor Trelawney never knew what she was talking about either).
Unfortunately, Glory wasn't there to explain everything clearly to the class. They were told that she was having a high fever in the morning, and wasn't well enough to go to classes that day. Not even Joy, though how brilliant she was, could explain clearly to the class what he was saying, for she couldn't understand what he was talking about in the first place.
In the middle of the confusing and boring class, a phenomenal warm and unfamiliar breeze filled the room, which was very much unlike the steam in the room and November temperature. No one could tell what this breeze was, or where it was coming from for that matter. At the discomfort of the perplexing heat, everyone was pulling their collars, rolling up their sleeves and untightening their robes.
"Is it hot in here or what?" complained Dean Thomas.
"Can't you put on a fan or something?" suggested Neville.
"Everyone calm down and use your Innered Eyes to picture a cold and breezy place," implied the puzzled Mr. Hib-Gimmons.
"Isn't it 'Inner Eye'?" asked Parvati.
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Man, who made that reek!?!" complained Seamus Finnigan.
"I will not tolerate these rude complains in this classroom!"
Harry, who was also quite uncomfortable by the heat, looked around to find some source of coolness. Being that he was at a table close to the windows, he looked out the nearest window, and saw some gray clouds around the grounds.
"What's that?" asked many of the students, who were watching Harry stare out the window in horror.
"Everybody, look at the Quidditch field!" shouted Ron as he stood next to Harry.
Everyone rushed to the windows to see what was the matter. Harry, his chest full of the heat of an overwhelming confusion and horror, stared blankly at the Quidditch field, with flames and smoke everywhere and was ablaze with furious heat. The Quidditch pitch was on fire, it's hoops burnt, grass black and stands aflame.
Author's Note: Dundundun........ Hope you liked it. Next chapter is called "Strange Figures". Basically, it becomes Christmas, and when the gang is trying out Ron's new present, they end up hearing a very important conversation by 'strange figures'. It's super cool! (i hope!). PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! It's 2004!!!!!!