Chapter 9- The Quidditch Final
Dawn found Harry trying hard not to sleep. Round 6 o'clock, Madam Pomfrey arrived. She checked Harry and discovered he was fine, so she let him return to Gryffindor tower. There he found Ron, Helena and Hermione sitting in front of the fire. The all jumped as he entered. - Harry? What are you doing here? - Madam Pomfrey released me...Listen, I've had another dream! - Another.... - Yes. And this one was worse than the others. Ron's eyes widened, and Hermione started to shiver. Helena said: - Why worse? - Voldemort is going to attack Hogwarts. - WHAT??? they all screamed at the same time. - Don't scream... hissed Harry. - When, how, with what? - I'm not sure... I only know he mentioned Cyclops, and someone or something called Nagini... And... There was someone there with him... - Someone? - Yes... And that someone called Voldemort... father. Ron succeeded to catch Hermione as her legs refused to hold her. Helena hugged Harry and then the all sat down in armchairs. Hermione succeeded to fix them some tea. - You know what you have to do Harry, don't you? - Go to Dumbledore... - Yes... and you'd better do it fast! - Yeah... But it's too early now. Round 9... The few hours that separated them from 9 o'clock passed as if they were centuries. Finally, round 9 o'clock, Harry and the others descended to the Great Hall. They sat at Gryffindor table. Five minutes later, Dumbledore appeared through a back door. Harry went straight to him and said: - Professor, I have to tell you something very important! The smile on Dumbledore's face faded. He looked around and then said: - Ok, Harry, follow me. Harry followed Dumbledore through the corridors of Hogwarts until they reached the Gargoyle guarding his office. - Cherrypie! The Gargoyle jumped aside and they slowly advanced on the staircase up to the office. As soon as they entered, Fawkes came and sat on Harry's shoulder. - Hello, Fawkes... Harry said, touching his feathers. Dumbledore told Harry to sit down and then took a seat himself in front of him. - Ok, Harry, what is it? - Professor, do you remember how last year I've had those dreams with Voldemort? - Yes... - Well I've had another one... And this time, he was talking about gathering his forces and preparing an attack against Hogwarts... Dumbledore frowned and then said: - Yes, well, I half expected that after we caught Mr. Crouch... And what did he say? - Well, I only understood something about a Sky Fortress... - Yes, it is the residence of the King of Cyclops. It isn't exactly a cloud fortress, but it is placed on one of the highest peaks of the Himalayan mountains... - Oh...he also talked about a "special team"... and about a surprise attack... And then there was something else... - Yes, Harry? - He talked about Nagini...I don't know what that is. And the Death-Eater who received command over its forces... he called Voldemort....well...father. Color left Dumbledore's cheeks. He looked away and then said: - Nagini... I haven't heard of her for a long time... Nagini is the queen of Basilisks. She was always faithful to the family of Salazar Slytherin. She's the one who gave them the gift of Parseltongue. As for Voldemort's son...it's true. Voldemort has a son and an heir. Nobody knows where he was kept until this day and especially who his mother is... But... there's something else... Dumbledore sat up and approached the window. He looked outside and then turned his head towards Harry. He seemed to think hard for a moment and then went over to a small wardrobe. He opened it and extracted something from it... Something that Harry recognized as being a Pensieve. - Harry, come here, Dumbledore said. Harry walked over to him. Dumbledore touched the silvery liquid inside the Pensieve with the tip of his wand and it started to move... Soon it stopped. - Dive in...Dumbledore said. Harry grabbed the edge of the Pensieve and swung himself forward into it...... And was transported at the bottom of the familiar staircase that lead to professor Trelawne's class-room. Harry looked around not being sure what he had to do or see there. And then he noticed someone approach. It was an old man... It was Dumbledore! Harry realized. Dumbledore started to climb the ladder. Harry followed him closely. As they entered the class- room, a wave of heat greeted them. And there, on a chair was professor Trelawny standing in front of a boy...a boy Harry knew...maybe too well. It was Tom Riddle. As they entered, he turned his head and said: - Professor Dumbledore! Look at professor Trelawny! Harry looked at her and realized she had to be in some sort of trance... not much unlike the one she had been the day she had predicted Voldemort's return... Suddenly, she opened her mouth and said: - The long awaited heir of Gryffindor, the Homo Cerebelum is coming. The only one who stands in his way is the heir of his ancestor's arch-enemy, Salazar Slytherin. The wheel of time spins forward... Harry stood there for a moment not knowing what to do. And then the room became a blur and Harry found himself in Dumbledore's office again. - Professor.... - Harry, do you remember what I've told you about the prediction professor Trelawny made? - Yes that it would be....the second....So this one was the first? - Yes, Harry. - Um...Professor? What is a "Homo Cerebelum"? - Hmmm... You know that we belong to the race Homo Sapiens? - Yes... - Well, the Homo Cerebelum is... a new race. A better one. Harry's eyes widened. - What do you mean, professor? - I mean that... You belong to a new race, Harry. One that nobody fully understands yet. One that has immense powers. Harry, are you familiar with the theory that says that we only control 10% of our brain? - Yes... - Well, wizards can actually control up to 35% of their brain. And you... you will be able to control it 100%....... Harry couldn't believe what Dumbledore was saying. He shook his head and then said: - No, how can this be? - Simple... It's in your blood. You are the heir of Gryffindor, through the blood of your father! And your mother... She was a very clever woman. Incredibly clever. You have inherited these two qualities from them and now... Dumbledore had a dreamily expression on his face. Soon he said: - You know Harry, nobody could have expected you will progress so fast... It's ironic... - What is ironic, professor? - Mariko-San was sent here to kill you. But in fact, somehow, it seems she helped you! She influenced you somehow, and now your transformation is almost complete... - Professor... One more question... What is the Order of the Phoenix? Dumbledore smiled: - After Sybill's prediction I thought it is best if I gather a group of Wizards capable enough to protect the heir of Gryffindor when he arrives. Of course, it had to be a secret, so that Voldemort wouldn't find out about it. Your parents were part of the Order. Harry, did you ever wonder why Voldemort came for you? - Yes... So it was because I'm the... Homo Cerebelum? - Yes. But there's something here to be said... He didn't succeed. And I don't think he will ever succeed. He's a bit...old for that. What I think is that his son is the dangerous one... Watch out for his son, Harry! Harry looked at Dumbledore. His aura of power, the one he had had in the night Voldemort had returned to power, appeared again. - Thank you, professor... - No problem, Dumbledore answered opening the door. Harry slowly stepped out of his office. That evening, at dinner, Dumbledore stood up after making sure everyone was in the Hall, and said: - Pupils of Hogwarts! As you surely know, Lord Voldemort is back. And this time he has gathered an army. At this very moment, Lord Voldemort's army is preparing to attack Hogwarts. Some people screamed, a lot gasped and a few laughed. - This is no laughing matter and I am not joking! Now, I have talked to the ministry and we have decided that you should all remain here for the time being. Loud protests echoed around the hall, especially from the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables but they soon died out. - I assure you that there is no danger whatsoever at this time. Within a week from now, a large army sent by the ministry will build its camp in front of the castle. Hippogriff riders will constantly patrol above the castle. Also, our allies will assure the perimeter defense. By our allies I mean the Giants! Silence. Everyone, with just a few exceptions, was looking at Dumbledore as if he had gone mad. - This summer, Dumbledore continued, our brave Groundkeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher has succeeded to locate the remnants of the Giant kin and cut a deal with them. They have arrived secretly to Hogwarts and have guarded its grounds since the beginning of this year. The minister has been informed of the deal and has agreed to give the Giants another chance.
Dumbledore looked around the hall. Most of the Hufflepuffs seemed shocked. The Slytherins seemed rather untrusting. Only the Ravenclaws and the Gryffindors were convinced by Dumbledore's words. - I expect you all to concentrate on the studies in spite of the dark times ahead. I also wish to remind you that the Slytherin Seeker, Mr. Malfoy is back on the team. The games Ravenclaw-Slytherin and Hufflepuff-Slytherin will take place in the next two Saturdays. Good night. As Dumbledore left the Great Hall, a deep silence descended upon the four tables. And then Harry, followed by Helena, Hermione and Ron stood up and slowly walked out of the hall, strangely attracting everyone's attention. The following weeks, Harry found it very hard for him to concentrate on studying for his O.W.L.'s while he was scanning the surroundings in search for Voldemort. But, as Dumbledore had said, the danger was not yet imminent. Quidditch training began again, after the two matches. Slytherin crushed Ravenclaw with 270-110 and flattened Hufflepuff with 360-190. Still, the incredibly high scores were not a result of the value of the Chasers, but mainly the result of the incompetence of the Seekers, mainly Malfoy's. Unfortunately, his lack of talent was doubled by a great imagination at inventing new ways of committing a foul. He somehow succeeded to render Cho unconscious and only in her absence he caught the Snitch. Weeks passed. Soon, one month was left till the O.W.L.'s. And the day of the great final arrived. Round nine, all Gryffindor Quidditch team members, left the Hall accompanied by the cheers of most of the school except the Slytherins. After getting dressed, Harry sat down in front of Fred and George who had some last-minute tactics to discuss. "It's going to be fine..." he thought. And then, the room began to blur, while he slipped into the familiar trance. He only heard Ron scream: "Oh my god, he's getting into the trance again!!! Not now!!!" and then he found himself facing his mother for the third time that year. Harry looked around desperately, and then said: - No, not now! - Harry! What happened? - I've got to get out of here! The match is about to begin! - What? What match? - The Quidditch Final! How do I get out of here? - Well, you should know that... Harry looked desperately around again. And then his eyes fell on the third door, the very solid one. It was now open. And behind it, Harry saw a big, round hall. Its walls were made of something solid and gray, and the floor was reddish. Harry slowly approached the Hall and entered it. Suddenly he looked around and realized that the door was gone. He turned around and almost screamed. In front of him he saw...himself. - Hello Harry! the clone said. Harry was speechless. - Well, how do I look? Silence. Harry concentrated. And he realized he had to beat the clone. He didn't want to remain there, and for that he had to beat the clone. But how could he attack and beat...himself? Then he somehow knew what Fred and George had done. The match had to start, so they were going to use the reserve Seeker, Margaret Hayes. But unfortunately, Margaret had suffered a peculiar accident that morning. So they had to use Kristy Ovington. But Kristy was a Chaser. And they were going to loose. Anger flooded him. He raised his hand and said: - Petrificus Totalus! - Invisibilis! answered the clone. And it disappeared. Harry was taken aback by this. He looked around and then a curse appeared out of nowhere. He succeeded to dodge it and then was hit by the next one. For a few moments he wobbled around the hall under the influence of the Jelly-Legs curse until he succeeded to muttered the counter-curse. But the delay had given the clone enough time to change its position. Five minutes passed. Harry was hopeless. Because of the Invisibility charm, he couldn't do anything to the clone. He started running around the room. And then he realized! He had to use his powers! Still running, He scanned the hall with his mind. It worked. He felt the clone somewhere in the middle. - Paralisio! He felt one of the clone's arms drop helplessly. So it worked... - Amovere Effectus! To Harry's surprise, the dispel effects spell worked. The clone appeared again. - Why do you attack me? - Shut up and fight like a man! - Vis Orbis! - Praesidium! The sphere hit the shield. Harry concentrated. But the sphere was too powerful. The shield began to crack. Thin energy beams reached Harry's face cutting deep into his flesh. Soon, Harry couldn't hold the shield anymore, and the sphere hit him. To his surprise, though, it didn't kill him. He succeeded to get up. His clothes were burned in several places and the cuts on his face, arms and body were bleeding freely. The clone was smiling. - So, do you still want to fight me? - Pathetic, answered Harry disgusted. Vis Orbis! His sphere was larger. - Praesidium, screamed the clone. But the shield didn't hold. In the last moment, Harry heard the clone say: "Velocis!" The haste spell worked, and the clone succeeded to dodge the sphere. - Not bad, Harry... it said. Transformo! Suddenly, in its hands appeared a sword. -What? Harry said. What did you transfigure? - You'll have to figure that out yourself... Pellis Lapidis! Suddenly, the clone's skin transformed. It went slightly gray, and clearly solid. The stoneskin charm had worked. The clone charged at Harry with the sword. Harry didn't know what to do in the first moment, but then he screamed: "Expelliarmus!" and the sword jumped out of the clone's hands. Still, its skin was made of stone. The clone jumped at Harry and hit him hard in the face with the fist. Harry heard some bones crack, as he was thrown back by the force of the blow. Bleeding, he rose to his feet. The pain in his cheek was almost unbearable. The clone smiled evilly: - Does that hurt, Harry? Why do you fight it? Why do you want to fight? - To get out of here I have to beat you, to get rid of you! You are the one who keeps bringing me here! I don't want this! I didn't ask for this! So you have to go away, and let me live my life!!! - If you really think so... Crucio!!! The already familiar pain of the cruciatus curse shot through Harry like lightning. Some minutes passed, and then the clone dropped its hand: - What's the matter, Harry? Lost your will to fight? You know, Malfoy's heading for the Snitch right now... Harry looked at the clone. A strange wave of calm flooded him. With it came also the realization of the purpose of this final test. "Why do you want to fight it?" he remembered. "Why do I want to fight it? Why don't I accept it... Like Ron said, I shouldn't fight it back, I should try to fulfill my purpose in life." And he sat down. The clone looked at him with a despising look and said: - What? You don't want to fight anymore? You give up? Is that it? - I don't have to fight you, do I? - Now you do!!! The clone's face went red as its rage erupted. - AVADA KEDAVRA!!! it screamed. But Harry was strangely calm. The green light hit him...and then it went away. He looked at the clone. Rage was still obvious on its face. Then, Harry closed his eyes and entered the mind of the clone. Gently, he removed the rage. And when he opened his eyes, the clone was gone. He had accepted his mission. He had succeeded in the final and most difficult task. Acceptance. And then the room began to blur, and Harry woke up in the small tent where the Gryffindor dressing rooms were. Hermione was near him. The roar of the crowd filled his ears as he slowly sat up, grabbed his broom and headed for the exit towards the field. Harry appeared on the field and looked up. There, on her broom, he saw Kristy Ovington. A Bludger was heading straight towards her. She barely succeeded to duck one of the Slytherin beaters and then the Bludger hit her in the shoulder. Everyone gasped as she fell towards the grass of the field. But Harry was there. He closed his eyes and with the hand of his mind, he gently brought Kristy to the ground. Silence laid down upon the field. Harry looked up. The score was 30-0 for the Slytherins. He smiled. And then he heard Ron and Helena talk, in spite of the distance. - Look at him! Oh my god, he seems so...I don't know...powerful! Ron said. - You're telling me? His aura has changed... I'm almost scared! answered Helena. - Don't be, said Harry in her mind. He mounted his broom and kicked off the ground. The match started again. - After the return of the Gryffindor Seeker, said Jordan, the match continues! And there goes Creevy, throws the Quaffle to Toda and... she fails to catch it but...somehow she got it and is now heading towards the Slytherin goal post! Toda, nice dodge and... Gryffindor scores!!! Harry was standing on his broom somewhere over the field, smiling. Suddenly he dived. - And there goes Potter!!! Unnoticed by anyone, Jones scores and it's 30-20 for Gryffindor, but Potter seems to have seen the Snitch and is now diving followed closely by Malfoy! Potter dodges a Bludger and approaches the field fast! - It's a trick!!! someone screamed and then, Harry pulled out of the dive. But Malfoy didn't. With a low thud, he hit the earth. The Wronski Feint had worked again. Madam Pomfrey appeared soon on the field, and after receiving first aid, Malfoy got back on his broom, still looking severely shaken. Harry was floating somewhere above the field, smiling, as the match began again. Soon, the Gryffindors had recovered and Colin scored twice. Unfortunately, one of the Slytherin Chasers, Jessica Helwig, got into a frenzy scoring three times. The score was 60-40 for Slytherin. But then, with Harry's help, Sandra Jones scored twice and Helena once. The score was 60-60. Harry hastily counted in his head the points they had. After the match with Hufflepuff, 170 plus 160 from the one with Ravenclaw that was 330. The Slytherins had the exact same amount of points. And then he felt it. The Snitch was somewhere at the bottom of the Slytherin goal posts. Harry turned his broom and dived. But Malfoy, who, after the accident, only flew low, was almost there. If Malfoy caught the Snitch, it would be all over. The Slytherins would win. Harry heard Jordan say: - And Malfoy is almost there! The match seems lost for Gryffindor. And indeed it is, because Potter, for some unknown reason, stopped trying! Go, Potter! Go Harry! You can do it! The crowd was roaring like a mad Dragon. Fred screamed: - HARRY, WHY DID YOU STOP?!?!?!!! And then, with a surprised look on his face, Malfoy hit the goal post with his head, and Harry Lifted his arm, holding a small, golden thing that was fluttering madly with its wings. For a moment, everyone was silent. And then Jordan bellowed: - POTTER SOMEHOW CATCHES THE SNITCH AND GRYFFINDOR WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Moody whistled short and the game was over. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Harry slowly descended upon the field and soon disappeared under a small mountain of bodies. And then the stadium literally erupted. Thousands of firecrackers exploded with a short swish of Fred's wand. The whole Quidditch pitch was filled with red and golden sparks. And above the field, a great red lion with a golden mane appeared. The lion floated for a few minutes and the it exploded into seven pieces, each of them a hologram of the players. Meanwhile, the Gryffindor team members had gathered near a small podium that someone had conjured upon the field. The whole stadium went quiet as Dumbledore appeared on the field, holding the Quidditch cup in his hands. He advanced towards the podium and after reaching it, he said: - For a great game, for a great show, and last but not least to a great team I present the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup! Well done, Gryffindor! The stadium erupted again, as Harry lifted the heavy, golden cup. And as he was lifted by the team and carried to the common room, he forgot all his troubles, and everything that was to come.
Dawn found Harry trying hard not to sleep. Round 6 o'clock, Madam Pomfrey arrived. She checked Harry and discovered he was fine, so she let him return to Gryffindor tower. There he found Ron, Helena and Hermione sitting in front of the fire. The all jumped as he entered. - Harry? What are you doing here? - Madam Pomfrey released me...Listen, I've had another dream! - Another.... - Yes. And this one was worse than the others. Ron's eyes widened, and Hermione started to shiver. Helena said: - Why worse? - Voldemort is going to attack Hogwarts. - WHAT??? they all screamed at the same time. - Don't scream... hissed Harry. - When, how, with what? - I'm not sure... I only know he mentioned Cyclops, and someone or something called Nagini... And... There was someone there with him... - Someone? - Yes... And that someone called Voldemort... father. Ron succeeded to catch Hermione as her legs refused to hold her. Helena hugged Harry and then the all sat down in armchairs. Hermione succeeded to fix them some tea. - You know what you have to do Harry, don't you? - Go to Dumbledore... - Yes... and you'd better do it fast! - Yeah... But it's too early now. Round 9... The few hours that separated them from 9 o'clock passed as if they were centuries. Finally, round 9 o'clock, Harry and the others descended to the Great Hall. They sat at Gryffindor table. Five minutes later, Dumbledore appeared through a back door. Harry went straight to him and said: - Professor, I have to tell you something very important! The smile on Dumbledore's face faded. He looked around and then said: - Ok, Harry, follow me. Harry followed Dumbledore through the corridors of Hogwarts until they reached the Gargoyle guarding his office. - Cherrypie! The Gargoyle jumped aside and they slowly advanced on the staircase up to the office. As soon as they entered, Fawkes came and sat on Harry's shoulder. - Hello, Fawkes... Harry said, touching his feathers. Dumbledore told Harry to sit down and then took a seat himself in front of him. - Ok, Harry, what is it? - Professor, do you remember how last year I've had those dreams with Voldemort? - Yes... - Well I've had another one... And this time, he was talking about gathering his forces and preparing an attack against Hogwarts... Dumbledore frowned and then said: - Yes, well, I half expected that after we caught Mr. Crouch... And what did he say? - Well, I only understood something about a Sky Fortress... - Yes, it is the residence of the King of Cyclops. It isn't exactly a cloud fortress, but it is placed on one of the highest peaks of the Himalayan mountains... - Oh...he also talked about a "special team"... and about a surprise attack... And then there was something else... - Yes, Harry? - He talked about Nagini...I don't know what that is. And the Death-Eater who received command over its forces... he called Voldemort....well...father. Color left Dumbledore's cheeks. He looked away and then said: - Nagini... I haven't heard of her for a long time... Nagini is the queen of Basilisks. She was always faithful to the family of Salazar Slytherin. She's the one who gave them the gift of Parseltongue. As for Voldemort's son...it's true. Voldemort has a son and an heir. Nobody knows where he was kept until this day and especially who his mother is... But... there's something else... Dumbledore sat up and approached the window. He looked outside and then turned his head towards Harry. He seemed to think hard for a moment and then went over to a small wardrobe. He opened it and extracted something from it... Something that Harry recognized as being a Pensieve. - Harry, come here, Dumbledore said. Harry walked over to him. Dumbledore touched the silvery liquid inside the Pensieve with the tip of his wand and it started to move... Soon it stopped. - Dive in...Dumbledore said. Harry grabbed the edge of the Pensieve and swung himself forward into it...... And was transported at the bottom of the familiar staircase that lead to professor Trelawne's class-room. Harry looked around not being sure what he had to do or see there. And then he noticed someone approach. It was an old man... It was Dumbledore! Harry realized. Dumbledore started to climb the ladder. Harry followed him closely. As they entered the class- room, a wave of heat greeted them. And there, on a chair was professor Trelawny standing in front of a boy...a boy Harry knew...maybe too well. It was Tom Riddle. As they entered, he turned his head and said: - Professor Dumbledore! Look at professor Trelawny! Harry looked at her and realized she had to be in some sort of trance... not much unlike the one she had been the day she had predicted Voldemort's return... Suddenly, she opened her mouth and said: - The long awaited heir of Gryffindor, the Homo Cerebelum is coming. The only one who stands in his way is the heir of his ancestor's arch-enemy, Salazar Slytherin. The wheel of time spins forward... Harry stood there for a moment not knowing what to do. And then the room became a blur and Harry found himself in Dumbledore's office again. - Professor.... - Harry, do you remember what I've told you about the prediction professor Trelawny made? - Yes that it would be....the second....So this one was the first? - Yes, Harry. - Um...Professor? What is a "Homo Cerebelum"? - Hmmm... You know that we belong to the race Homo Sapiens? - Yes... - Well, the Homo Cerebelum is... a new race. A better one. Harry's eyes widened. - What do you mean, professor? - I mean that... You belong to a new race, Harry. One that nobody fully understands yet. One that has immense powers. Harry, are you familiar with the theory that says that we only control 10% of our brain? - Yes... - Well, wizards can actually control up to 35% of their brain. And you... you will be able to control it 100%....... Harry couldn't believe what Dumbledore was saying. He shook his head and then said: - No, how can this be? - Simple... It's in your blood. You are the heir of Gryffindor, through the blood of your father! And your mother... She was a very clever woman. Incredibly clever. You have inherited these two qualities from them and now... Dumbledore had a dreamily expression on his face. Soon he said: - You know Harry, nobody could have expected you will progress so fast... It's ironic... - What is ironic, professor? - Mariko-San was sent here to kill you. But in fact, somehow, it seems she helped you! She influenced you somehow, and now your transformation is almost complete... - Professor... One more question... What is the Order of the Phoenix? Dumbledore smiled: - After Sybill's prediction I thought it is best if I gather a group of Wizards capable enough to protect the heir of Gryffindor when he arrives. Of course, it had to be a secret, so that Voldemort wouldn't find out about it. Your parents were part of the Order. Harry, did you ever wonder why Voldemort came for you? - Yes... So it was because I'm the... Homo Cerebelum? - Yes. But there's something here to be said... He didn't succeed. And I don't think he will ever succeed. He's a bit...old for that. What I think is that his son is the dangerous one... Watch out for his son, Harry! Harry looked at Dumbledore. His aura of power, the one he had had in the night Voldemort had returned to power, appeared again. - Thank you, professor... - No problem, Dumbledore answered opening the door. Harry slowly stepped out of his office. That evening, at dinner, Dumbledore stood up after making sure everyone was in the Hall, and said: - Pupils of Hogwarts! As you surely know, Lord Voldemort is back. And this time he has gathered an army. At this very moment, Lord Voldemort's army is preparing to attack Hogwarts. Some people screamed, a lot gasped and a few laughed. - This is no laughing matter and I am not joking! Now, I have talked to the ministry and we have decided that you should all remain here for the time being. Loud protests echoed around the hall, especially from the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables but they soon died out. - I assure you that there is no danger whatsoever at this time. Within a week from now, a large army sent by the ministry will build its camp in front of the castle. Hippogriff riders will constantly patrol above the castle. Also, our allies will assure the perimeter defense. By our allies I mean the Giants! Silence. Everyone, with just a few exceptions, was looking at Dumbledore as if he had gone mad. - This summer, Dumbledore continued, our brave Groundkeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher has succeeded to locate the remnants of the Giant kin and cut a deal with them. They have arrived secretly to Hogwarts and have guarded its grounds since the beginning of this year. The minister has been informed of the deal and has agreed to give the Giants another chance.
Dumbledore looked around the hall. Most of the Hufflepuffs seemed shocked. The Slytherins seemed rather untrusting. Only the Ravenclaws and the Gryffindors were convinced by Dumbledore's words. - I expect you all to concentrate on the studies in spite of the dark times ahead. I also wish to remind you that the Slytherin Seeker, Mr. Malfoy is back on the team. The games Ravenclaw-Slytherin and Hufflepuff-Slytherin will take place in the next two Saturdays. Good night. As Dumbledore left the Great Hall, a deep silence descended upon the four tables. And then Harry, followed by Helena, Hermione and Ron stood up and slowly walked out of the hall, strangely attracting everyone's attention. The following weeks, Harry found it very hard for him to concentrate on studying for his O.W.L.'s while he was scanning the surroundings in search for Voldemort. But, as Dumbledore had said, the danger was not yet imminent. Quidditch training began again, after the two matches. Slytherin crushed Ravenclaw with 270-110 and flattened Hufflepuff with 360-190. Still, the incredibly high scores were not a result of the value of the Chasers, but mainly the result of the incompetence of the Seekers, mainly Malfoy's. Unfortunately, his lack of talent was doubled by a great imagination at inventing new ways of committing a foul. He somehow succeeded to render Cho unconscious and only in her absence he caught the Snitch. Weeks passed. Soon, one month was left till the O.W.L.'s. And the day of the great final arrived. Round nine, all Gryffindor Quidditch team members, left the Hall accompanied by the cheers of most of the school except the Slytherins. After getting dressed, Harry sat down in front of Fred and George who had some last-minute tactics to discuss. "It's going to be fine..." he thought. And then, the room began to blur, while he slipped into the familiar trance. He only heard Ron scream: "Oh my god, he's getting into the trance again!!! Not now!!!" and then he found himself facing his mother for the third time that year. Harry looked around desperately, and then said: - No, not now! - Harry! What happened? - I've got to get out of here! The match is about to begin! - What? What match? - The Quidditch Final! How do I get out of here? - Well, you should know that... Harry looked desperately around again. And then his eyes fell on the third door, the very solid one. It was now open. And behind it, Harry saw a big, round hall. Its walls were made of something solid and gray, and the floor was reddish. Harry slowly approached the Hall and entered it. Suddenly he looked around and realized that the door was gone. He turned around and almost screamed. In front of him he saw...himself. - Hello Harry! the clone said. Harry was speechless. - Well, how do I look? Silence. Harry concentrated. And he realized he had to beat the clone. He didn't want to remain there, and for that he had to beat the clone. But how could he attack and beat...himself? Then he somehow knew what Fred and George had done. The match had to start, so they were going to use the reserve Seeker, Margaret Hayes. But unfortunately, Margaret had suffered a peculiar accident that morning. So they had to use Kristy Ovington. But Kristy was a Chaser. And they were going to loose. Anger flooded him. He raised his hand and said: - Petrificus Totalus! - Invisibilis! answered the clone. And it disappeared. Harry was taken aback by this. He looked around and then a curse appeared out of nowhere. He succeeded to dodge it and then was hit by the next one. For a few moments he wobbled around the hall under the influence of the Jelly-Legs curse until he succeeded to muttered the counter-curse. But the delay had given the clone enough time to change its position. Five minutes passed. Harry was hopeless. Because of the Invisibility charm, he couldn't do anything to the clone. He started running around the room. And then he realized! He had to use his powers! Still running, He scanned the hall with his mind. It worked. He felt the clone somewhere in the middle. - Paralisio! He felt one of the clone's arms drop helplessly. So it worked... - Amovere Effectus! To Harry's surprise, the dispel effects spell worked. The clone appeared again. - Why do you attack me? - Shut up and fight like a man! - Vis Orbis! - Praesidium! The sphere hit the shield. Harry concentrated. But the sphere was too powerful. The shield began to crack. Thin energy beams reached Harry's face cutting deep into his flesh. Soon, Harry couldn't hold the shield anymore, and the sphere hit him. To his surprise, though, it didn't kill him. He succeeded to get up. His clothes were burned in several places and the cuts on his face, arms and body were bleeding freely. The clone was smiling. - So, do you still want to fight me? - Pathetic, answered Harry disgusted. Vis Orbis! His sphere was larger. - Praesidium, screamed the clone. But the shield didn't hold. In the last moment, Harry heard the clone say: "Velocis!" The haste spell worked, and the clone succeeded to dodge the sphere. - Not bad, Harry... it said. Transformo! Suddenly, in its hands appeared a sword. -What? Harry said. What did you transfigure? - You'll have to figure that out yourself... Pellis Lapidis! Suddenly, the clone's skin transformed. It went slightly gray, and clearly solid. The stoneskin charm had worked. The clone charged at Harry with the sword. Harry didn't know what to do in the first moment, but then he screamed: "Expelliarmus!" and the sword jumped out of the clone's hands. Still, its skin was made of stone. The clone jumped at Harry and hit him hard in the face with the fist. Harry heard some bones crack, as he was thrown back by the force of the blow. Bleeding, he rose to his feet. The pain in his cheek was almost unbearable. The clone smiled evilly: - Does that hurt, Harry? Why do you fight it? Why do you want to fight? - To get out of here I have to beat you, to get rid of you! You are the one who keeps bringing me here! I don't want this! I didn't ask for this! So you have to go away, and let me live my life!!! - If you really think so... Crucio!!! The already familiar pain of the cruciatus curse shot through Harry like lightning. Some minutes passed, and then the clone dropped its hand: - What's the matter, Harry? Lost your will to fight? You know, Malfoy's heading for the Snitch right now... Harry looked at the clone. A strange wave of calm flooded him. With it came also the realization of the purpose of this final test. "Why do you want to fight it?" he remembered. "Why do I want to fight it? Why don't I accept it... Like Ron said, I shouldn't fight it back, I should try to fulfill my purpose in life." And he sat down. The clone looked at him with a despising look and said: - What? You don't want to fight anymore? You give up? Is that it? - I don't have to fight you, do I? - Now you do!!! The clone's face went red as its rage erupted. - AVADA KEDAVRA!!! it screamed. But Harry was strangely calm. The green light hit him...and then it went away. He looked at the clone. Rage was still obvious on its face. Then, Harry closed his eyes and entered the mind of the clone. Gently, he removed the rage. And when he opened his eyes, the clone was gone. He had accepted his mission. He had succeeded in the final and most difficult task. Acceptance. And then the room began to blur, and Harry woke up in the small tent where the Gryffindor dressing rooms were. Hermione was near him. The roar of the crowd filled his ears as he slowly sat up, grabbed his broom and headed for the exit towards the field. Harry appeared on the field and looked up. There, on her broom, he saw Kristy Ovington. A Bludger was heading straight towards her. She barely succeeded to duck one of the Slytherin beaters and then the Bludger hit her in the shoulder. Everyone gasped as she fell towards the grass of the field. But Harry was there. He closed his eyes and with the hand of his mind, he gently brought Kristy to the ground. Silence laid down upon the field. Harry looked up. The score was 30-0 for the Slytherins. He smiled. And then he heard Ron and Helena talk, in spite of the distance. - Look at him! Oh my god, he seems so...I don't know...powerful! Ron said. - You're telling me? His aura has changed... I'm almost scared! answered Helena. - Don't be, said Harry in her mind. He mounted his broom and kicked off the ground. The match started again. - After the return of the Gryffindor Seeker, said Jordan, the match continues! And there goes Creevy, throws the Quaffle to Toda and... she fails to catch it but...somehow she got it and is now heading towards the Slytherin goal post! Toda, nice dodge and... Gryffindor scores!!! Harry was standing on his broom somewhere over the field, smiling. Suddenly he dived. - And there goes Potter!!! Unnoticed by anyone, Jones scores and it's 30-20 for Gryffindor, but Potter seems to have seen the Snitch and is now diving followed closely by Malfoy! Potter dodges a Bludger and approaches the field fast! - It's a trick!!! someone screamed and then, Harry pulled out of the dive. But Malfoy didn't. With a low thud, he hit the earth. The Wronski Feint had worked again. Madam Pomfrey appeared soon on the field, and after receiving first aid, Malfoy got back on his broom, still looking severely shaken. Harry was floating somewhere above the field, smiling, as the match began again. Soon, the Gryffindors had recovered and Colin scored twice. Unfortunately, one of the Slytherin Chasers, Jessica Helwig, got into a frenzy scoring three times. The score was 60-40 for Slytherin. But then, with Harry's help, Sandra Jones scored twice and Helena once. The score was 60-60. Harry hastily counted in his head the points they had. After the match with Hufflepuff, 170 plus 160 from the one with Ravenclaw that was 330. The Slytherins had the exact same amount of points. And then he felt it. The Snitch was somewhere at the bottom of the Slytherin goal posts. Harry turned his broom and dived. But Malfoy, who, after the accident, only flew low, was almost there. If Malfoy caught the Snitch, it would be all over. The Slytherins would win. Harry heard Jordan say: - And Malfoy is almost there! The match seems lost for Gryffindor. And indeed it is, because Potter, for some unknown reason, stopped trying! Go, Potter! Go Harry! You can do it! The crowd was roaring like a mad Dragon. Fred screamed: - HARRY, WHY DID YOU STOP?!?!?!!! And then, with a surprised look on his face, Malfoy hit the goal post with his head, and Harry Lifted his arm, holding a small, golden thing that was fluttering madly with its wings. For a moment, everyone was silent. And then Jordan bellowed: - POTTER SOMEHOW CATCHES THE SNITCH AND GRYFFINDOR WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Moody whistled short and the game was over. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Harry slowly descended upon the field and soon disappeared under a small mountain of bodies. And then the stadium literally erupted. Thousands of firecrackers exploded with a short swish of Fred's wand. The whole Quidditch pitch was filled with red and golden sparks. And above the field, a great red lion with a golden mane appeared. The lion floated for a few minutes and the it exploded into seven pieces, each of them a hologram of the players. Meanwhile, the Gryffindor team members had gathered near a small podium that someone had conjured upon the field. The whole stadium went quiet as Dumbledore appeared on the field, holding the Quidditch cup in his hands. He advanced towards the podium and after reaching it, he said: - For a great game, for a great show, and last but not least to a great team I present the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup! Well done, Gryffindor! The stadium erupted again, as Harry lifted the heavy, golden cup. And as he was lifted by the team and carried to the common room, he forgot all his troubles, and everything that was to come.