(8)First Game Of The Season

Oliver Wood looked over his team one last time. AHH! Fred's jacket was twisted! It's twisted! Oliver worried about the least little thing before any game! He cast a dark look as Fred fixed his uniform. "Alright!" Oliver had to have his speech first! "We have a big game ahead of us! Harry, watch out for Malfoy because he recently got his own Firebolt!" Oliver warned. "Now all of you get out there & make me proud......as you always do!" The Gryfindor team mounted their brooms & headed out over the Pitch.

Madam Hooch brought out the balls. First, the Snitch was released. It flew to Draco & then Harry & then disappeared out of sight. Next were the Bludgers. Madam Hooch picked out the Quaffle last & glanced up to the two teams. "Now I want a good game.....from all of you!" She threw out the Quaffle The game was on!

"Anglina steals the Quaffle from Marcus & heads down the Pitch!" Lee Jordans began his commentating. "Oooohhhh & a nasty hit by a Bludger! Anglena spins out of control & drops the Quaffle which Marcus catches! He races back down the Pitch! He shoots----oh & a nice save by our dear Oliver Wood, as usua----!"

"LEE JORDANS!!!!" Mcgonagall warned him about taking sides!

Marcus glared at Oliver who smiled sweetly back. Marcus went redder than a salmon!

"Sorry ma'am!" Lee Jordans went on commentating. "Katie catches the Quaffle & heads to the Slytherins! She shoots & scores! Yes! Ten points to Gryfindor!"

Marcus mouthed "I'm gonna kill you, Oliver!" & sped off after the Quaffle! Oliver just laughed & spun his broom in a little loop!

Harry & Draco were circling the Pitch, looking for the Snitch. They kept an even distance between each other & kept eyeing each other closely. Too closely for Draco, who didn't notice the glint of gold fly past him. Harry charged straight for him!

"What are you doing, Potter?!" Draco shrieked as he tried to get out of the way!

"Getting the Snitch!" Harry retorted. "You didn't notice, did you?" Harry swerved to the left at the last minute.

"Wha---?" Draco got reoriented & sped after Harry. They dived behind the stands towards the Snitch. Harry was ahead & pulled up at the last minute to misdirect Draco. The Snitch disappeared into the stands. Harry & Draco headed up to the sky, keeping the space of the Pitch between them. Draco caught sight of the Snitch near the ground, beside the Ravenclaw stands & dived for it.

Harry dived for Draco & slammed him into the sides. "If I can't get it, no one will!" Harry threatened as he scanned around for the Snitch. It was heading up to the sky. Harry flew after it but, without warning, the Snitch suddenly dived into the game. It sat on the ground dead center. To get to it, Harry would have to dive through the speeding players. Draco, however, was already near the ground at the Ravenclaw stands & headed for the Snitch. Harry dived straight down for it. "Fred, MOVE!" he ordered as one of the Weasley twins flew by under him.

"George!" he hollered back!

"Whatever!" Harry complained. Draco was closing in on the Snitch! Harry urged his Firebolt faster. Both of them landed on the Snitch at the same time; Draco was on top & Harry under him was holding the Snitch!

Draco looked around. "Give it here, Potter!" he shoved him harder into the ground. "Before Madam Hooch sees!"

"Never!" Harry popped the Snitch into his mouth. With both hands free, he managed to punch Draco in the face, breaking his nose. Draco rolled off in pain as Harry jumped up & held out the Snitch. Madam Hooch blew her whistle.

"Harry Potter catches the Snitch & earns 150 points for Gryfindor!" Lee Jordans yelled into his microphone. "Gryfndor wins!"

Draco jumped up. "I'll get you for thi---!" Harry had shoved the Snitch into Draco's mouth, wings fluttering helplessly on his lips! The Gryfindors roared with laughter & the noise of Ravenclaw & Hufflepuff doubling up in laughter joined them!

"Don't give me that look, Draco!" Harry laughed as he mounted his broom. "After all, you asked for it! Literally asked for it!" Harry flew away to his team that was waiting for him.

"Good one, Harry!" Fred laughed. "Just look at Draco standing there!"

"I see something even better!" Harry nodded in Collin Creevey's direction. For once, he was glad that the kid was into photography! "What a picture that'll be for the Daily Prophet!" Harry laughed.

Harry, Ron & Hermione stayed up late that night discussing the game. "That was hysterical!" Ron laughed. "Can't wait to get that Daily Prophet with Draco's picture in it!"

"Neither can I!" Harry laughed. "Well," he stretched out. "I'm going to bed!" He headed up to the dorm, smiling to himself.