Chapter 18: Saturday

Withersball was like nothing Harry had ever done before. His riding skills were not brilliant, and he kept dropping the Kaffle from his stick. It had to be thrown quite strongly to get it go anywhere – if a player didn't use enough force, it flew off of its own accord. As well as attacking Rudolf's goal, Harry also had to try and get the Snicker – which was not easy as Lizzy was a much better flyer. He was glad when she finally caught it and Madam Hooch called them back down to the ground. The score was 25-12 to Rudolf and Lizzy. Then they practised shooting and defending for an hour, before playing another short game which Harry and Ron won 24-6. Madam Hooch dismissed the class, telling them that anyone who wanted could play in the game the next day.

After the break, Harry went to Spell Creation, where they worked on the theory, and after that to Herbology, where Professor Potts succeeded in getting all of the students drenched from head to toe with some potion perched on top of the greenhouse door.

The final period was assembly in the dining hall. Professor Confessus gave out notices and everyone participated in a 'mind-building' exercise. Then each student reported what they had achieved that week, before the Headmaster dismissed them for an early end-of-school.

Harry slept in on Saturday morning, waking at a quarter to ten to find Rudolf and Ron changing into sports clothes.

"W-what's happening?" Harry asked.

"Ve are getting ready for Vittersball," replied Rudolf. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah, of course," said Harry, nodding as he climbed out of bed.  He got into his own sports robes and then went to the pitches with his roommates. On the way they were joined by Lizzy.

"Are you playing Withersball?" she asked them. "You're all really good. Harry, have you had breakfast?"

Harry shook his head, and immediately started to feel hungry. He conjured up a chocolate bar with his wand and started to eat.

"It von't fill you," said Rudolf. "It vill disappear soon."

"I know," replied Harry. "I'll eat probably after the match."

There were exactly ten students in total: Harry, Ron, Lizzy, Rudolf, Max Shimpling, George Ollerton, Lyra Macmillan, Sam Mesalla, Pegasus Equiner and Alex Ramsbottom. Hannah and her second-year friend Tessa Robinson were watching with some of the teachers from the pavilion.

"Is everyone who's coming here?" asked Madam Hooch.

"I think so," said Pegasus Equiner. His voice was strong and sporty. "James Taylor won't be playing: he's hurt his leg."

"OK, then," said Madam Hooch. "Go and get your sticks and horses." 

Everyone jogged round the pitch to the stables. Most students seemed to have their own special horse, so Harry ended up with the pony he'd had yesterday. Her name was Pinpin, Harry had discovered. When everyone was on a horse, Pegasus came round with sticks – Harry's was longer that the rest and had a larger net. "You can be Catcher," explained the third-year.

Everyone warmed up by flying their horses around the pitch, then came back down to the centre to be sorted into teams. Pegasus and Alex Ramsbottom were chosen as captains by Madam Hooch and began to pick.

"Potter," said Pegasus first, and Harry rode beside him and his handsome palomino Abraxan stallion.

"George," called Alex, and he also rode out.

"Sam," said Pegasus. The active looking wizard trotted forwards on his horse.

"Lizzy," chose Alex with a smile.

"The German – sorry, I've forgotten your name," said Pegasus. Rudolf walked forwards and told him.

Next, Alex chose Max and Pegasus chose Tessa. Ron walked forwards towards Alex, and grinned at Harry. "Prepare to lose!"

"I don't think it's worth bothering, really," Harry replied.

The two sets of players rode into their positions on the pitch: Harry was halfway between the goal and the centre circle. At a blast on Madam Hooch's whistle, the players, horses and balls all took off into the air.

Harry could tell that Pegasus Equiner was an expert. Without even passing once to his Attack partner Sam Mesalla, he was past George Ollerton and Max Shimpling, the opponent's Attack, Lizzy, their Catcher, and Ron, one of their Defence. He looked like he was about to score past Alex Ramsbottom when he dummied and passed to Sam, sending her tumbling sideways on her brown horse. Sam scored easily – 1-0.

Harry was so enthralled at Pegasus' many brilliant moves that he forgot to try and catch the Snicker when it came close. He suddenly remembered and lunged for it – he missed, but caught the Kaffle, which he threw straight past Ron into the goal – 2-0. "I'm ready to lose," he said sarcastically.

Pegasus nearly scored when Madam Hooch called for a penalty – Max had ridden his horse straight into Rudolf's. Pegasus gave the Kaffle to Harry, who shot forwards – and scored again! Maybe he was better at Withersball than he thought.

The other side's first goal came when George scored after Rudolf and Tessa left the goal wide open. Harry streaked up the pitch to try and stop him, but Pinpin wasn't quite fast enough – 3-1.

Pegasus himself scored for the first time a minute later, and soon made two more: 6-1. Harry had a brief scare when he saw Lizzy streaking towards the Snicker, but she didn't make it. Sam scored again, but so did Max – twice. A bit of excellent defending from Ron stopped Pegasus and Harry three times each, and Lizzy and George each scored to make it seven goals to five.

Harry had the Kaffle within scoring range once more when Pegasus shouted "POTTER!" He turned to see the Snicker just six feet behind him, dropped the Kaffle, stretched out his stick – and caught it! They had won the first chukka 22-5.

Their luck continued into the next chukka. They scored fifteen goals and let in just three, and when Harry caught the Snicker a second time, the team where in jubilation. "We're forty-four points ahead!" yelled Pegasus. "Keep it up!"

But they didn't. Harry and the Defence failed to get the Kaffle to Pegasus and Sam, and mistakes by Rudolf and Tessa proved costly. They let in sixteen goals and didn't score a single one – which wasn't surprising, as Pegasus only touched the ball once. But it didn't matter, as Harry caught the Snicker again to lose the chukka but win the match. The final score was 67-24 and Harry dismounted happily. He led Pinpin back to the stable and into her stall – and in the straw at the bottom he found a trapdoor.