Chapter 5 Professional Quidditch

Mysterious Deaths Leave Police Baffled

The deaths of the Dursley family in their Privet Drive house has left police baffled. Mr and Mrs Dursley were found with their 18-year-old son in the living room of their family home. While murder is suspected the police cannot rule out accidental death. The coroner who examined their bodies has been unable to find any cause of death, stating that they all seem to be in perfect health (other than being extremely overweight in the case of the father and son) except for the fact that they are all dead. The only thing notable is that they all have looks of horror on their faces. While no poison has been detected it is suspected that an unknown or untraceable poison has been used. The police are still looking for any clues or witness but so far have not found anything. Anyone who saw any suspicious activity has been asked to come forward.

Harry dropped his copy of the Times he had been reading over breakfast on the table with a satisfied smirk. No one would know that they were dead because few wizards read muggle newspapers. His only worry was that Dumbledore would read the article and suspect him but Harry thought that Dumbledore was too busy with the war and running the school to have time to read muggle newspapers. He knew that Arabella Figg had left Privet Drive after he had bought his own apartment because she was no longer needed to watch him so she probably wouldn't even know that they had died. They'll probably give up the investigation soon anyway, after they find absolutely no information and leave it unsolved. Harry finished his coffee and went to have a long shower.

It was mid afternoon when Harry apperated to the Quidditch pitch that had temporarily been built on a deserted moor just outside of London and went to the Magpies change rooms. The captain Charles Howard was retiring at the end of season and having never won a premiership before he was very keen to win so there was a hopeful, determination in his speech.

'We have an excellent team this year and if we put in a good season we can do really well. We are capable of winning this tournament if we play our best. We need to start that today by getting a good win. We a playing the Cannons today and you may think they are easy beats but never under estimate anyone. They are capable of beating us today if we don't play well so don't let them. We must win today if we want to hold our heads up with pride.' With a glare at the team, as if to say don't you dare lose this, he led the way out of the change rooms.

The team flew out with Harry coming out last. Even after 7 years of flying Harry never stopped enjoying it. It was the only time he truly felt free and happy. As they came out into the stadium the commentator's voice boomed out.

'And now, ladies and gentlemen, kindly welcome – the Montrose Magpies! I give you – Howard! Donnelly! Smith! Collins! Troy! Peters! Aaaaaaaand – Potter!' The game started quickly and Harry soon tuned out the commentators voice as he flew high above the ground trying to spot the snitch. The scores were getting higher, with the Magpies slightly in the lead when Harry saw the Cannons seeker George Powell make a sudden dive. Harry quickly followed, trying to spot the snitch but unable to. He saw the ground rushing up towards him and at the last second he pulled up, his toes touching the ground. He turned to see Powell rising up without the snitch and realised that he had been faking and hadn't really seen the snitch. Harry had just started to rise up when a he felt a bludger smash into his back. He started to fall before he managed to catch onto his broom; luckily he was still half on his broom. Harry gritted his teeth against the pain and pulled himself back on when a sudden flash of gold in front of his face caught his attention. He reached out and had just grabbed the snitch just before Powell came smashing into him. This was too much and Harry fell of his broom, seeing stars in front of his eyes. He seemed to fall forever but was suddenly jerked onto a broom. Collins, one of the beaters had caught him. The rest of the team crowded round congratulating and hugging him and each other but the scene faded and Harry found himself falling into black oblivion.