(6)Quidditch Time

"What happened to you?" Harry asked as he, Ron & Neville entered the portrait that evening to find Merida sitting in the common room. "Mcgonagall was pretty upset when you didn't show & then Snape came & said you wouldn't be coming?"

"Filch!" She told them the whole story. ".....& now," Merida finished. "Father is basically holding Mrs. Norris hostage!" She held up the old cat. Neville snarled, baring his fangs! "Hey, Nev'!" Merida laughed. "At least she gets along with Crookshanks!" Merida had taken over the responsibility of Crookshanks after Hermione died.

"So Filch is going to Azka---wait a minute!" Ron started. "Yes! He's going to Azkaban! We'll be able to sneak out whenever!"

"Don't bet on it!" Merida said glumly. "Father is now watching out for us! We'll be having detentions on the spot!"

Harry groaned! "Snape ruins EVERYTHING!!! As usual!"

"But what about him?" Neville asked. "When they come for Filch tomorrow, won't they try to get Snape?"

"The aurors will disguise him for tomorrow," said Merida. "just in case!"

"I can't believe it!" Harry said. "Filch! A Death Eater!" He sighed. "Well, I'm going to bed! Quidditch starts up tomorrow!"

"Oh Harry?" Merida started. "Percy's case is taken care of! Perhaps we could ask Dumbledore about the Prophecy tomorrow before the game?"

"Good idea!" Harry said. "Goodnight!"

First thing the next morning, Harry & Merida entered Dumbledore's office with the book of Prophecies.

"Sir," Harry began. "I was wondering if you knew about this!" Harry showed him the Prophecy. "Does it concern me, somehow?"

Dumbledore read it over, several times & each time, he became more & more concerned about something. Finally, he spoke. "No Harry! I don't think you're directly involved. But, it might still affect you!" Dumbledore glanced at Harry & then Merida. "I must study this further before I can say exactly what it means!" he added in a tone of finality. Harry & Merida nodded & headed for the door.

"You will be able to tell us soon, right?" Harry asked.

"Perhaps!" said Dumbledore. "Now, off to your game!"

It was the first game of the season! All Gryfindors lined, ready to fly out & waited for Oliver's usual speech! "Alright!" Oliver smiled to his "favourite" team! "It's my last year with you!" Harry rolled his eyes to the ceiling! Oliver Wood was a good man, not to mention his popularity among the ladies! It was just his incessant babbling of becoming a star! Harry smiled in spite of himself! "Now," Oliver's voice brought him back to attention! "let's get out there & have some fun!"

The Gryfindors mounted their brooms & flew out over the Pitch as the Slytherings rose to join them. Madam Hooch released the Bludgers & Snitch & picked up the Quaffle. She threw it up to them & the game began!

"Katie catches the Quaffle & races to the Slythering's Keeper!" Lee Jordans began commentating. "She scores! Yes! 10 points to Gryfindor!" Harry flew off to the side & began scanning around for the Snitch as Lee Jordans continued, with the occasional warning from Mcgonagal! Harry glanced down & watched the game for a moment. "....& a nice save by Oliver Woods, our dear Gryfin--!"

"LEE JORDANS!!" Mcgonagall cut in! "WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE OVER?!?!"

"Sorry ma'am!" Lee Jordans yelped! "Ooooo! & a nice score there! It's now Gryfindor 20 to Slythering 10!"

Whoa! Slythering has a score?! Harry looked around for Draco, then he remembered that he had a new Slythering Seeker to watch out for! He noticed Sara Andrews already diving for the Snitch! Harry yet out a yelp & sped after her! As if sensing both Seekers closing in on it, the Snitch disappeared under the Slythering stands. Sara lost it but Harry knew this little trick all to well. He dived under the stands after the Snitch.

"Another score for Gryfindor!" Lee Jordans yelled poetically into his microphone. Mcgonagall bit her lip!

Harry & Snitch shot straight up from under the Slythering stands with Sara Andrews in hot pursuit! The Snitch headed for the sky. Finally, it reached its three hundred feet radius & dived back into the game, Harry close behind. Sara wasn't as good at dives, so she fell behind a bit as she turned herself around. Harry was getting closer to the Snitch. He put his hand out to catch it as the ground came speedily closer to him. He was just about to snatch it but some spell knocked him from his broom! Harry plummeted to the ground as his broom went spinning out from under him!

Snape caught Harry with the Wingaurdium Leviosa charm. Drop him! came a voice by the Imperius charm! Drop him now! Who do you prefer dead? Harry Potter or you daughter?

Snape glowered! Harry was still far up, so he released him. "Legillimus, Dumbledore!" he conntacted the Headmaster. Take care of Potter! I've an Imperious Curse to fight off!

Harry was falling fast to the ground! Again, he was yanked sharply out of his fall by the Wingaurdium Leviosa, this time sent by Dumbledore. Harry floated softly to the ground like a feather. The Gryfindor team surrounded him instantly!

"Are you alright?"

"What happened?"

"Are you hurt?"

"Slythering won!"

"Saved your broom, Harry!"

Harry looked around & saw Oliver Wood carrying his Firebolt. "Thanks!" Harry took back his broom. "What happened?"

"I don't know!" said Fred. "Snape & Dumbledore saved you! Where is Dumbledore going?"

Dumbledore was following Snape who was headed for the forest. "Severus, where are you going?"

"She's in there!" Snape answered. "Whoever it was that tried to use the Imperius on me! Albus, she threatened to kill Merida!"

"Merida is in the hospital wi---!" Dumbledore began.

"What?!" Snape panicked.

"WITH Harry, who's just getting a few scratches treated!" Dumbledore finished. "Let's go see her! You can't find anything in the Dark Forest with the evening approaching! I'll have the aurors stand guard for tonight & we'll come back first thing in the morning."

Snape & Dumbledore reached the hospital door at the same time Harry & Merida came out. "We're fine!" said Merida. "Look on the bright side, father! At long last, your House finally won!" She laughed & Harry couldn't help joining in!

Snape glowered. "I'll kill you both, myself if you don't stop that!" he muttered, not really meaning it, of course!

"Almost 7 whole years & your House won, once!" Harry laughed. "but only once!"

"Alright, stop now!" Dumbledore said. "You two had best get to your dorms!"