Chapter 5- Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff
By the end of the week, Harry was allowed to return to his bedroom. The security was obvious all around Hogwarts. Wizards were constantly patrolling outside of the castle. The sky was full of Hippogriff riders. No student was allowed on the corridors after 9 o'clock and teachers accompanied by unknown wizards were making sure of that. Also, there was a rumor that Giants had been sighted but nobody confirmed it.
Soon, Fred and George decided that team training wasn't going very good and doubled the number of practices. Two weeks before the first game, a Hogsmeade visit was announced. It would take place in a week on Saturday, under very strict security conditions. Fred and George decided that the Gryffindor team should practice during the visit, while everyone was away, because during the rest of the week, there was always some Slytherin around, spying.
- But wait! Harry had said the evening Fred had presented the plan. Wouldn't it be weird if all the team would stay behind?
- You're right, Harry...answered Fred thinking.
- Why don't we go to Hogsmeade and return before the others!
- Brilliant! That's what we're going to do!
They had decided to meet round 11 back at Hogwarts. Saturday arrived in a flash and everyone was looking forward to leaving the school. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Helena walked together through the rows of Aurors who were eyeing them with suspicion. Soon, they reached Hogsmeade. Harry looked around suddenly, as if realizing something.
- What? asked Ron. What did you see?
- I'm not sure... It was pretty strange...
- As usual...
- I've suddenly realized the...tactical advantages of the village!
Ron looked at him bewildered.
- Harry, I know strange things are happening to you but don't you think you're overreacting a bit?
- No... Look!
Ron, Hermione and Helena looked around and then Harry explained:
- See the forest? It's in front of the castle. Hogsmeade is at the left of both. The lake is at the middle. There are two roads from Hogsmeade. One that leads to Hogwarts, the other one leads to one side of the Forbidden Forest.
Ron's eyes had widened. Hermione was looking at Harry as if he were some kind of unknown creature. And Helena reached her hand to feel his forehead. Harry frowned and said:
- Ok, I know it' strange but I suddenly felt these things... It was like a vision!
- Harry, if you ask me, you need to get some glasses for that Inner Eye of yours. said Ron.
Laughing, he headed for the Three Broomsticks. Hermione and Helena followed him, dragging Harry with them while he tried to explain how someone could conquer Hogwarts.
In the Three Broomsticks, they ordered four Butterbears and sat at a table waiting for the moment when they had to leave for the practice. As they were talking about Malfoy's unfortunate situation, the door opened. Ron's eyes widened as he said:
- Charlie? What are you doing here?
- Ron! How are you?
- I'm fine, thanks! You still didn't answer my question.
- Well, Dumbledore's given me a mission.
- A mission? What kind of mission?
- Sorry, but that's a secret. Harry! How are you? I heard you've got yourself into a little mess...as usual...
Harry smiled and said:
- Yeah, well, "Mess" is my middle name...
- Actually James is your middle name, whispered someone from behind. Harry jumped and turned around. It was Lupin.
- Professor Lupin!
- Hello Harry.
- Professor...You said...
- Yes, James is your middle name.
Harry looked at him for a moment and then smiled.
- Professor, Charlie, I want you to meet Helena, my girlfriend. Helena, these are Professor Remus Lupin and Charlie Weasley, Ron's brother.
After the usual handshakes, they all sat down at a table. Harry had to tell them everything about the night Voldemort had come to get him and about his "shifts" into the other world. And the, round 11, Harry said:
- Well, I guess it's time for us to go.
- What? Why? asked Charlie amazed.
- We've got quidditch training!
- Why now?
- Because all the Slytherin spies are here...
- Oh...Hey, I thought you were playing Hufflepuff!
- We are, but the Slytherin still send the spies...
- Oh... Ok! Send Norbert my greetings!
- What? You know about Norbert?
- Of course! I was the one who brought it for Hagrid...
- So that's where he's got it from... I should've known...
Then Harry, Ron, Helena and Hermione said good-bye and left the tavern. As soon as they were out, Ron asked:
- What do you think Charlie's mission is?
- Dunno...but we'd better hurry. It's almost 11.
As they entered the grounds, a carriage went past them. An old man was standing at its window and he turned his head to see Harry. Harry looked puzzled at him and then advanced towards the quidditch field. Soon they were there. Fred, George and the others had already arrived and Harry summoned the broomsticks for him, Helena and Ron and they took off.
The training went well, and Fred and George were confident that beating the Hufflepuffs would be no problem.
The week before the game passed quickly and without any particular incident. Harry had found out that the old man he had seen Saturday was a great psychologist who was going to take care of Malfoy.
Friday evening, the team held a short council and discussed the final tactics, and then they all went to bed. Harry stood for a moment, looking at the moonlight coming through the curtains of his four-poster and the slowly fell asleep... and he was again on his broom. He approached Azkhaban again. And again he entered the same great hall. Voldemort was there and the High Priest was already in front of him. Harry approached the throne. Voldemort said:
- Your man has failed, High Priest... there was a subtle danger in his tone. Harry froze.
- He's our man, wizard. Anyway, it's not my fault!
- We'll see whose fault it is...
- The boy is progressing faster that anyone would have ever thought! But next time, he won't stand a chance.
- Let's hope so, High Priest
The High Priest disappeared in a flash of blinding light, and then Harry saw Crouch and Wormtail appear through the back door. Wormtail kneed before Voldemort, but Crouch only said:
- We've got him.
An evil grin appeared on Voldemort's face, making it more ugly than usual.
- Bring him in!
Crouch disappeared for a moment behind the door and then returned with two other wizards holding a third. The third wizard was bound tightly and Harry couldn't see his face.
- Untie him!
Crouch whispered something. The cords around the wizard untied and Harry recognized Snape.
- You... You failed! I have no need for incompetence!
- I'm sorry, master. Please forgive me... I'll try to do better next time...
Voldemort smiled:
- No matter... There is still time... CRUCIO!!!
Snape was suddenly lifted from the ground and began to twist madly in the air. Screams filled the hall, and Harry fell down, clutching his scar and trying not to scream, in spite of the intense pain. As the great hall dissolved, Harry saw something that made his stomach curl. Voldemort's hand, stretched and holding his wand, was dark and rotten like the hand of a dementor.
Harry stood up in his bed, panting. He removed a sweat drop that was nearing his eye, and then he slowly got up and descended to the common room. He felt Helena wake up and this time, he was waiting for her. As she approached, he said:
- There's going to be another attempt... But not if I can help it... Snape was the one. I'm sure this time.
- He does have a dark aura...
- I've seen Voldemort torture him for failing to kill me! He has to be the one.
Helena looked at him for a moment. Regret was in her eyes, regret that she couldn't do anything to help. Then she did the least she could do. She hugged him tightly, and then kissed him.
The next morning, round 5 o'clock, Harry and Helena were still in the common room talking. Harry suggested a short flying session and Helena agreed. So Harry summoned their brooms and they exited Hogwarts through the window of Gryffindor tower. The morning air was wonderful, and Harry felt much better. Soon, a Hippogriff rider approached them and asked them to return to their tower. Harry thought for a moment that his Firebolt would be faster than the Hipogriff, but then decided it's best not to cross a fully-trained Auror and returned to the common room, shortly followed by Helena.
Soon, the others woke up and the common room filled. After the events of last night, Harry had almost forgotten the Quidditch mach. But now he remembered as everyone was wishing him luck. Soon the Gryffindor Quidditch team went down to breakfast and was greeted by a wave of applause and cheers. They ate hastily and then headed for the Quidditch field. The time of the match had arrived.
Harry changed. He could hear the roar of the crowd. Soon, the others changed too, and the gathered around Fred and George. Fred said:
- Ok, team, this is our first match in this new formulae and I just want to say... Go get them!
- YEAH!!! screamed the others and then they heard Lee Jordan say:
- And, ladies and gentlemen, students and teachers, wizards and witches, welcome to the first game of the annual Hogwarts Quidditch Championship!
- Get to the point Jordan!
- Yes professor. And now I give you the best team Hogwarts has had in quite a few years, the Gryffindor team!
The Gryffindor quidditch team appeared on the field in the roar of the crowd.
- And, facing the Unbeatables, Hufflepuff!!!
- JORDAN!!!
- Sorry professor... And here's Professor Alastor Moody, who will be our referee today!
Silence. And then a Hippogriff landed softly onto the field, and Mad-Eye Moody stepped down from it. He had a broom in his hand and his magical eye was scanning each member of the two teams. Suddenly the stadium erupted with applause. Moody kind of smiled and then growled:
- Team captains, shake hands. Fred and George shook hands with John Blackthorne, a dark-haired handsome looking Hufflepuff who had replaced Cedric Diggory. And then Moody growled:
- Mount your brooms.
A shrilling sound and then they were off:
- And see Potter fly! Oh my god, that Firebolt is something indeed. As you all probably know, the Gryffindor team is playing in a new formation due to the departure of key member of the team. And...DID YOU SEE THAT??? Fantastic dive by the Gryffindor keeper, Ron Weasley! And there goes Creevy, throws the Quaffle to Toda, and look at her fly! Dodges a Bludger, nice loop, passes back to Creevy and Creevy scores! 10-0 for Gryffindor! Hufflepuff doesn't lose the time and here goes... But wait! Potter dives! Blackthorne follows and they approach the ground rapidly.
Everyone was looking for the Snitch as Harry was approaching the ground fast. Harry's heart was beating faster that it had ever had. He had to succeed!
- Only a few meters left, and Potter doesn't seem to want to give up. Blackthorne is has almost reached him, 5 meters left, 4, 3, 2 and Potter pulls out of the dive spectacularly and....OOOHHHHH!!!! Blackthorne doesn't... But where's the Snitch?
Apprehension dawned upon the spectators and Jordan, after a short pause said:
- That was a Wronski Feint! Extraordinary!
The Gryffindor stands erupted again with applause. Harry was now high above the ground, waving and grinning. Fortunately, Blackthorne escaped only with a pretty nasty bruise on his shoulder and with his whole arm scratched. Moody approached Harry and told him:
- Potter, I know this is perfectly legal, but don't try it again...
- No professor... At least not with this guy...
- And as the referee returns after having a little chat with the Gyffindor Seeker... But wait. It seems that Jones, one of the Gryffindor chasers has scored during Potter's Wronski Feint! It's now 20-0 for Gryffindor! And the match continues! Hufflepuff has got the Quaffle through Holmes, Holmes loops a Bludger, nice shot there by Fred Weasley, and approaches the Gryffindor keeper and, in the last moment, passes the Quaffle to Susan Bones who scores!
20-10 to Gryffindor!
The match continued for about an hour, and the Snitch refused to appear. Harry was beginning to get bored of circling around the field. The score was 60-40 for Gryffindor. And then he sensed it. The Snitch was behind him, at the other end of the field. Harry pulled his broom upwards and then turned around. And indeed there it was. Blackthorne was already heading towards it. But Harry was closer. He flattened himself to the broom and sped forward.
- And there goes Potter! The Snitch is there this time, and Blackthorne has already seen it but he can not beat a Firebolt and Potter catches the Snitch without any problem.
The stadium exploded. Gryffindors sped towards the field to congratulate the team. Harry hugged Helena, who had scored two goals. Fred and George came quickly over to him:
- Harry, you're brilliant! That Wronski Feint... Just as we had planned! Let's hope it will work with Malfoy too...
Harry grinned back to them and then they all went to the common room to celebrate. Harry looked back to the field before entering the school and realized that life isn't so miserable. "Let Voldemort come for me! I will be ready!" and with these words, he followed a radiant Helena to the common room.
By the end of the week, Harry was allowed to return to his bedroom. The security was obvious all around Hogwarts. Wizards were constantly patrolling outside of the castle. The sky was full of Hippogriff riders. No student was allowed on the corridors after 9 o'clock and teachers accompanied by unknown wizards were making sure of that. Also, there was a rumor that Giants had been sighted but nobody confirmed it.
Soon, Fred and George decided that team training wasn't going very good and doubled the number of practices. Two weeks before the first game, a Hogsmeade visit was announced. It would take place in a week on Saturday, under very strict security conditions. Fred and George decided that the Gryffindor team should practice during the visit, while everyone was away, because during the rest of the week, there was always some Slytherin around, spying.
- But wait! Harry had said the evening Fred had presented the plan. Wouldn't it be weird if all the team would stay behind?
- You're right, Harry...answered Fred thinking.
- Why don't we go to Hogsmeade and return before the others!
- Brilliant! That's what we're going to do!
They had decided to meet round 11 back at Hogwarts. Saturday arrived in a flash and everyone was looking forward to leaving the school. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Helena walked together through the rows of Aurors who were eyeing them with suspicion. Soon, they reached Hogsmeade. Harry looked around suddenly, as if realizing something.
- What? asked Ron. What did you see?
- I'm not sure... It was pretty strange...
- As usual...
- I've suddenly realized the...tactical advantages of the village!
Ron looked at him bewildered.
- Harry, I know strange things are happening to you but don't you think you're overreacting a bit?
- No... Look!
Ron, Hermione and Helena looked around and then Harry explained:
- See the forest? It's in front of the castle. Hogsmeade is at the left of both. The lake is at the middle. There are two roads from Hogsmeade. One that leads to Hogwarts, the other one leads to one side of the Forbidden Forest.
Ron's eyes had widened. Hermione was looking at Harry as if he were some kind of unknown creature. And Helena reached her hand to feel his forehead. Harry frowned and said:
- Ok, I know it' strange but I suddenly felt these things... It was like a vision!
- Harry, if you ask me, you need to get some glasses for that Inner Eye of yours. said Ron.
Laughing, he headed for the Three Broomsticks. Hermione and Helena followed him, dragging Harry with them while he tried to explain how someone could conquer Hogwarts.
In the Three Broomsticks, they ordered four Butterbears and sat at a table waiting for the moment when they had to leave for the practice. As they were talking about Malfoy's unfortunate situation, the door opened. Ron's eyes widened as he said:
- Charlie? What are you doing here?
- Ron! How are you?
- I'm fine, thanks! You still didn't answer my question.
- Well, Dumbledore's given me a mission.
- A mission? What kind of mission?
- Sorry, but that's a secret. Harry! How are you? I heard you've got yourself into a little mess...as usual...
Harry smiled and said:
- Yeah, well, "Mess" is my middle name...
- Actually James is your middle name, whispered someone from behind. Harry jumped and turned around. It was Lupin.
- Professor Lupin!
- Hello Harry.
- Professor...You said...
- Yes, James is your middle name.
Harry looked at him for a moment and then smiled.
- Professor, Charlie, I want you to meet Helena, my girlfriend. Helena, these are Professor Remus Lupin and Charlie Weasley, Ron's brother.
After the usual handshakes, they all sat down at a table. Harry had to tell them everything about the night Voldemort had come to get him and about his "shifts" into the other world. And the, round 11, Harry said:
- Well, I guess it's time for us to go.
- What? Why? asked Charlie amazed.
- We've got quidditch training!
- Why now?
- Because all the Slytherin spies are here...
- Oh...Hey, I thought you were playing Hufflepuff!
- We are, but the Slytherin still send the spies...
- Oh... Ok! Send Norbert my greetings!
- What? You know about Norbert?
- Of course! I was the one who brought it for Hagrid...
- So that's where he's got it from... I should've known...
Then Harry, Ron, Helena and Hermione said good-bye and left the tavern. As soon as they were out, Ron asked:
- What do you think Charlie's mission is?
- Dunno...but we'd better hurry. It's almost 11.
As they entered the grounds, a carriage went past them. An old man was standing at its window and he turned his head to see Harry. Harry looked puzzled at him and then advanced towards the quidditch field. Soon they were there. Fred, George and the others had already arrived and Harry summoned the broomsticks for him, Helena and Ron and they took off.
The training went well, and Fred and George were confident that beating the Hufflepuffs would be no problem.
The week before the game passed quickly and without any particular incident. Harry had found out that the old man he had seen Saturday was a great psychologist who was going to take care of Malfoy.
Friday evening, the team held a short council and discussed the final tactics, and then they all went to bed. Harry stood for a moment, looking at the moonlight coming through the curtains of his four-poster and the slowly fell asleep... and he was again on his broom. He approached Azkhaban again. And again he entered the same great hall. Voldemort was there and the High Priest was already in front of him. Harry approached the throne. Voldemort said:
- Your man has failed, High Priest... there was a subtle danger in his tone. Harry froze.
- He's our man, wizard. Anyway, it's not my fault!
- We'll see whose fault it is...
- The boy is progressing faster that anyone would have ever thought! But next time, he won't stand a chance.
- Let's hope so, High Priest
The High Priest disappeared in a flash of blinding light, and then Harry saw Crouch and Wormtail appear through the back door. Wormtail kneed before Voldemort, but Crouch only said:
- We've got him.
An evil grin appeared on Voldemort's face, making it more ugly than usual.
- Bring him in!
Crouch disappeared for a moment behind the door and then returned with two other wizards holding a third. The third wizard was bound tightly and Harry couldn't see his face.
- Untie him!
Crouch whispered something. The cords around the wizard untied and Harry recognized Snape.
- You... You failed! I have no need for incompetence!
- I'm sorry, master. Please forgive me... I'll try to do better next time...
Voldemort smiled:
- No matter... There is still time... CRUCIO!!!
Snape was suddenly lifted from the ground and began to twist madly in the air. Screams filled the hall, and Harry fell down, clutching his scar and trying not to scream, in spite of the intense pain. As the great hall dissolved, Harry saw something that made his stomach curl. Voldemort's hand, stretched and holding his wand, was dark and rotten like the hand of a dementor.
Harry stood up in his bed, panting. He removed a sweat drop that was nearing his eye, and then he slowly got up and descended to the common room. He felt Helena wake up and this time, he was waiting for her. As she approached, he said:
- There's going to be another attempt... But not if I can help it... Snape was the one. I'm sure this time.
- He does have a dark aura...
- I've seen Voldemort torture him for failing to kill me! He has to be the one.
Helena looked at him for a moment. Regret was in her eyes, regret that she couldn't do anything to help. Then she did the least she could do. She hugged him tightly, and then kissed him.
The next morning, round 5 o'clock, Harry and Helena were still in the common room talking. Harry suggested a short flying session and Helena agreed. So Harry summoned their brooms and they exited Hogwarts through the window of Gryffindor tower. The morning air was wonderful, and Harry felt much better. Soon, a Hippogriff rider approached them and asked them to return to their tower. Harry thought for a moment that his Firebolt would be faster than the Hipogriff, but then decided it's best not to cross a fully-trained Auror and returned to the common room, shortly followed by Helena.
Soon, the others woke up and the common room filled. After the events of last night, Harry had almost forgotten the Quidditch mach. But now he remembered as everyone was wishing him luck. Soon the Gryffindor Quidditch team went down to breakfast and was greeted by a wave of applause and cheers. They ate hastily and then headed for the Quidditch field. The time of the match had arrived.
Harry changed. He could hear the roar of the crowd. Soon, the others changed too, and the gathered around Fred and George. Fred said:
- Ok, team, this is our first match in this new formulae and I just want to say... Go get them!
- YEAH!!! screamed the others and then they heard Lee Jordan say:
- And, ladies and gentlemen, students and teachers, wizards and witches, welcome to the first game of the annual Hogwarts Quidditch Championship!
- Get to the point Jordan!
- Yes professor. And now I give you the best team Hogwarts has had in quite a few years, the Gryffindor team!
The Gryffindor quidditch team appeared on the field in the roar of the crowd.
- And, facing the Unbeatables, Hufflepuff!!!
- JORDAN!!!
- Sorry professor... And here's Professor Alastor Moody, who will be our referee today!
Silence. And then a Hippogriff landed softly onto the field, and Mad-Eye Moody stepped down from it. He had a broom in his hand and his magical eye was scanning each member of the two teams. Suddenly the stadium erupted with applause. Moody kind of smiled and then growled:
- Team captains, shake hands. Fred and George shook hands with John Blackthorne, a dark-haired handsome looking Hufflepuff who had replaced Cedric Diggory. And then Moody growled:
- Mount your brooms.
A shrilling sound and then they were off:
- And see Potter fly! Oh my god, that Firebolt is something indeed. As you all probably know, the Gryffindor team is playing in a new formation due to the departure of key member of the team. And...DID YOU SEE THAT??? Fantastic dive by the Gryffindor keeper, Ron Weasley! And there goes Creevy, throws the Quaffle to Toda, and look at her fly! Dodges a Bludger, nice loop, passes back to Creevy and Creevy scores! 10-0 for Gryffindor! Hufflepuff doesn't lose the time and here goes... But wait! Potter dives! Blackthorne follows and they approach the ground rapidly.
Everyone was looking for the Snitch as Harry was approaching the ground fast. Harry's heart was beating faster that it had ever had. He had to succeed!
- Only a few meters left, and Potter doesn't seem to want to give up. Blackthorne is has almost reached him, 5 meters left, 4, 3, 2 and Potter pulls out of the dive spectacularly and....OOOHHHHH!!!! Blackthorne doesn't... But where's the Snitch?
Apprehension dawned upon the spectators and Jordan, after a short pause said:
- That was a Wronski Feint! Extraordinary!
The Gryffindor stands erupted again with applause. Harry was now high above the ground, waving and grinning. Fortunately, Blackthorne escaped only with a pretty nasty bruise on his shoulder and with his whole arm scratched. Moody approached Harry and told him:
- Potter, I know this is perfectly legal, but don't try it again...
- No professor... At least not with this guy...
- And as the referee returns after having a little chat with the Gyffindor Seeker... But wait. It seems that Jones, one of the Gryffindor chasers has scored during Potter's Wronski Feint! It's now 20-0 for Gryffindor! And the match continues! Hufflepuff has got the Quaffle through Holmes, Holmes loops a Bludger, nice shot there by Fred Weasley, and approaches the Gryffindor keeper and, in the last moment, passes the Quaffle to Susan Bones who scores!
20-10 to Gryffindor!
The match continued for about an hour, and the Snitch refused to appear. Harry was beginning to get bored of circling around the field. The score was 60-40 for Gryffindor. And then he sensed it. The Snitch was behind him, at the other end of the field. Harry pulled his broom upwards and then turned around. And indeed there it was. Blackthorne was already heading towards it. But Harry was closer. He flattened himself to the broom and sped forward.
- And there goes Potter! The Snitch is there this time, and Blackthorne has already seen it but he can not beat a Firebolt and Potter catches the Snitch without any problem.
The stadium exploded. Gryffindors sped towards the field to congratulate the team. Harry hugged Helena, who had scored two goals. Fred and George came quickly over to him:
- Harry, you're brilliant! That Wronski Feint... Just as we had planned! Let's hope it will work with Malfoy too...
Harry grinned back to them and then they all went to the common room to celebrate. Harry looked back to the field before entering the school and realized that life isn't so miserable. "Let Voldemort come for me! I will be ready!" and with these words, he followed a radiant Helena to the common room.