Mortalitas

by Phoenix Blizzard

Post OotP. With Voldemort openly acknowledged and an imminent attack on the Hogwarts Express, Dumbledore splits his students into groups and sets the task for them to get to Hogwarts - no magic allowed... Trouble follows Harry and his group...

5. Part V

*Phew* I wasn't sure if I'd get this finished in time. I totally forgot I was going away for Easter! I only got back about 4 hours ago and went straight to the computer to write this chapter so definitely it's not beta'd and all the mistakes are mine.

This chapter is actually longer than I intended it to be, mainly because the Quidditch scene demanded loads of attention!

Thanks for all the reviews! Keep 'em coming!

Thank You's: athenakitty, Tristan Cole Purple Range ('of fics that are written with obvious potential, so take it as a compliment' I think I will take that as a compliment. Your review made me go back and check a few things. Saskia is only from this fic, she was bought in that Australian magic shop in Part I. I suppose a lot of things are just thrown in (snake magic) and so on but it's more of an introduction to the story than anything really important.), GoddessMoonLady (You know, I wasn't *planning* on writing the Quidditch game, but I did for you!), Grinners (Ulterior motive for Dumbledore going? Might have been, it was just easier to write one person going with Harry than a whole guard. And of course, something for Harry. They can see he isn't doing well with lots of people around him.), siriusblack (nice to know I'm converting people to reading different things ^-^), borne-shadow-childe (you might be right indeed…), Death (Saskia, gona be you're favourite snake? I'm touched! I took your suggestion and used it, very sensible idea. Normally I don't like piercings either, but sometimes (eyebrow piercings) I think look all right.) RilieDeAnnPotter5569.

Next update: Friday 30th April … or so…

Disclaimer: Was never mine, is not mine, will never be mine – except
for the plot ^-^

"spoken"

'thought'

~parseltongue~

//~Mind-link conversation between Saskia and Harry~//

:: Part V ::

[ 19th August 1996 ]

~ Ssso while you're going out to a rather open pitch to watch ballsss and broomsssticksss, leaving yourssself open to hexesss and ssspellsss? ~ Saskia hissed from her position on Harry's bed; Ron had already left for breakfast.

~ Yesss, sssoundsss about right Sasss ~ Harry hissed back. ~ And there is no way I can do any magic there without being caught. But the opennesss isss a pain. Hmmm, I need sssomething to act asss a ssshield. ~ Saskia hissed her agreement.

~ I wouldn't recommend conjuring sssomething new up, the othersss might get suspicious ~

~ Ssso I need sssomething that I wear everyday and won't caussse much fusss ~ Harry stared at his reflection in the mirror. ~ Messsing with the amulet'sss magic wouldn't be a good idea, nor would the sssnake pendant … perhaps one of my eyebrow piercingsss? ~

~ A good idea, young massster ~

~ Will you forever call me young massster? And never Harry? ~

~ If you wisssh, I could call you Harry, but you are my massster, I live to ssserve you only ~

~ And I am honoured but perhapsss you might sssometimesss call me Harry ~

~ I will try, … Harry ~

Harry grinned over at his beloved snake. Removing the metallic green/blue piercing, he tapped the wand twice muttering "contego". Gold light emerged from the tip of his wand and encased the piercing, weaving it's magic into the object, to protect, shield and defend.

~ All set ~ Harry hissed, replacing the piercing and petting Saskia before he left the room.

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

Harry closed his eyes and felt like he was floating. The match had not started yet, but Harry was alive and part of the air. It had been so long since he had last flown and he knew the next time he was alone, flight would be his. He was truly himself on a broom and that was something he never wanted to be taken away from him again.

Bill, Charlie and Remus sat in front of, Fred and George to the side, and the formed Gryffindor chasers were behind them. Everyone else was scattered about them.

As the commentator announced the away team first, the Kenmare Kestrels flew onto the pitch, their emerald-green robes fluttering in the winds. Their leprechaun mascots flew high into the sky, spelling out their teams name.

"AND NOW, WE WELCOME THE HOME TEAM PUDDLEMERE UNITED."

As Wood's name was called, the people around former Gryffindor team covered their ears as they exploded into cheers. Harry smiled in satisfaction at the Keeper's startled face, which changed to amazement and then a broad grin.

"AND AS WE BEGIN THIS FRIENDLY GAME BETWEEN THE KENMARE KESTRELS AND PUDDLEMERE UNITED, CHASER HIBBERS OF UNITED TAKES THE QUAFFLE AND IS STRAIGHT AWAY KNOCK BY A BLUDGER FROM BEATER THOMS OF THE KESTRELS – OH YES CHASER GREEN OF THE KESTRELS FLIES STRAIGHT TO KEEPER WOOD OF UNITED, WILL THIS BE AN EARLY GOAL OR WILL KEEPER WOOD SAVE – SPECTACULAR SAVE THERE, QUAFFLE BACK TO HIBBERS-"

Harry found that he enjoyed watching Quidditch matches as much as he loved the thrill of participating in them. This game was like the World Cup and yet nothing like watching the ones at Hogwarts. 'Prob'ly to do with the level of professionalism involved in this game.'

The atmosphere was totally different; the leprechauns kept sending messages to the players and fans of the Kenmare Kestrels and flying around the stands. The Puddlemere United fans would then break `into song #Beat Back Those Bludgers, Boys, and Chuck That Quaffle Here#. It was definitely nothing like the Hogwarts games.

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

Beside the Weasley twins a girl and her friends were watching the game, or more specifically, Keeper Wood. As the twins, Harry, Angelina, Katie and Alicia shouted, "Yeah! Go Ollie!" as he made another spectacular save, the girls paid them more attention.

"Excuse me," the one nearest Fred said, "Do you know him? Oliver Wood?" She asked, pointing to the keeper.

"Yep." Fred said.

"We played on the same team as him-" George said.

"-At Hogwarts-" Fred said.

"-Cracking Keeper."

The girls gasped. "You played alongside him?" The twins nodded.

"Wow, does that mean you also played with Harry Potter too?" Another girl asked.

"Yeah, even saved him from a few Bludgers from time to time," Fred said proudly.

A chorus of "Oh, you're so lucky!" started up.

Finally, one of the girls stopped chorusing and asked, "Does that mean you could get us their autographs?"

"Autographs?" The twins repeated looking at each other, their faces spreading into that same evil grin.

"Well, my dears, we might be able to do that."

"You might be lucky enough to actually get to meet Ollie in person if you stick with us." George said.

As the girls started giggling and screaming at another stunning save the twins bent low whispering to themselves.

"So," Fred said, leaning over to the girls once more, "have you any parchment on you?"

"Parchment? Um." The girls started searching for it in their bags. "Here," one of them said, thrusting the parchment at him.

"And a quill?" George asked. A quill was pressed into their hands.

"Would you like Harry's autograph now?" Fred asked innocently.

With the girls giggling once more the twins were about to get Harry's attention when Charlie turned around eyeing them suspiciously. "Alright Charlie?" They said grinning. Their brother turned away grinning in amusement, waiting to hear how Harry would react.

"Hey Harry," Fred said, loud enough for the girls next to him to hear. "These lovely girls here want your autograph, mate."

Harry turned to look at his friends, taking in the evil grins, the parchment, quill, the girls and Bill and Charlie's stiff backs. He knew the elder Weasley's were waiting for his reaction and the twins were fully expecting Harry to try and back out.

'I'm going to kill them! Hmmm, I wonder if I can somehow prank them in front of everyone,' Harry mused to himself.

"I would have thought that Oliver was a much more interesting person to have his autograph," Harry said mildly.

"Yeah, but they want your autograph too Harry," George said.

"Come on, Harry," Bill encouraged, "You can't disappointed your fans."

George draped an arm around Harry's shoulder saying, "Fame is a fickle thing Harry." Fred, George and Harry burst into laughter.

"Lockhart was a pompous idiot but I guess you're right, I can't disappoint my fans," Harry said. He looked over the girls who were staring at him with wide-eyes. "Anything in particular you'd like me to right?"

One of them, staring directly into his eyes said rather dreamily, "Just your floo address." Laughter broke out from all those in hearing range. Then they all came up with suggestions, some that were downright funny.

In the end, Harry just wrote:

'To my new friends at the Quidditch game have a great day drooling over Oliver keep away from Bludgers because they hurt, apologies for having to be next to Fred and George (watch your food-they might have snuck in some Canary Creams) Harry Potter. Ps: My floo address for most of the year is Hogwarts.' The girls giggled of the parchment and Harry rolled his eyes.

By the third hour of the match, the girls (Cynthia, Leo, Flick, Kelly and Willow) had been introduced to the rest of the Hogwarts group. They had gone to Starlights, a small all-girl magic school in Devon.

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

As the fourth hour of the game came to an end, the announced shouted, "AND BOTH TEAMS ARE SIGNALLING A REST. SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE WILL RESUME IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES. STAY IN YOUR SEATS AS THE BREAK-PLAY COMES INTO ACTION. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW THE BREAK-PLAY, IT IS A TRADITION THAT HAPPENS WHENEVER THE TEAMS TAKE A BREAK IN A MATCH AND FIFTEEN LUCKY PEOPLE GET TO PLAY ALONGSIDE THE PLAYERS. THOSE LUCKY FEW WILL BE ANOUNCED SHORTLY BY SIT NUMBER."

"Break-play?" Harry heard Hermione repeat. "I've never heard of that happening." Cynthia and Willow seconded that.

"It only happens in a friendly game." Bill said.

"Friendly games are more relaxed," Charlie said, "Normally, breaks aren't allowed, but they are here."

"Friendly games are normally over five hours long because that's when breaks and break-play can enter the game," Fred added.

"Which means, that the teams will most likely prolong the game to allow the break-play." George said.

"A bonus for Quidditch scouts because they can look for new talent," Remus added on.

"Wow," Leo said, "I definitely want to have a go!"

"Anything to do with a certain Puddlemere United keeper?" Harry asked innocently. Laughter.

"AND NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE RULES OF BREAK-PLAY! TWELVE CHASERS, FOUR KEEPERS, EIGHT BEATERS, FOUR SEEKERS, TWO REFEREES, TWO QUAFFLES, FOUR BLUDGERS AND ONE SNITCH! POINTS ARE STILL ADDED TO THE TEAMS, TWO FOR A QUAFFLE IN THE HOOPS, ONE FOR A PENALTY SHOT, ONE FOR A SPECTACULAR MOVE, AND 50 POINTS FOR CAPTURING THE GOLDEN SNITCH. THE GAME LASTS FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES AND THE SNITCH CAN BE CAUGHT AS MANY TIMES IN THOSE PRECIOUS MINUTES.

"AND FROM THE KENMARE KESTRELS FANS! SEAT NUMBERS 4, 67, 439, 982, 984, 62, AND 556! COME ON DOWN!" The commentator paused as the seven Kestrel fans made their way onto the pitch to decide their positions with the emerald-green clad players.

"AND FROM THE PUDDLEMERE UNITED FANS! SEAT NUMBERS 35, 306, 782, 223, 333, 1 AND 119! COME ON DOWN!"

"Harry! That's you! 119" The Weasley's shouted, clapping him as he made his way down to the pitch.

Oliver threw an arm around Harry's shoulder as he neared the group of Puddlemere United. "Up for a game of quidditch Harry?"

"Oh you betcha Oliver." Harry replied.

The team coach called for attention, "Right, how many of you have ever played a game of Quidditch? All of you, good. Now, anyone have any specialist skills?" The man pointed to those with their hands up and motioned them to speak.

Harry said, "I'm more of a seeker, but I'm told I'd make a fair beater." Oliver flashed him a big grin.

Overhead, the commentator announced the seat number for second referee.

Michael Pike, the seeker for the team, walked over to Harry as Oliver walked over to his co-keeper. "So how good a seeker are you?"

"I'm ok I guess, I've only lost one game ever in the three seasons I've played at Hogwarts." Harry replied.

"Hogwarts, eh?" The man grinned, and shouted over to Wood, "Oi! Oliver! You seen this kid play before?"

"Of course I have, he was on my team. And don't let him fool you, Harry is one of the best there is!" Oliver called back.

Pike and Harry discussed some of the catches they had both used while the others around them discussed strategies. "Ok, everyone, I need your names so Jeff Whisp (the announcer) knows what to call you. We'll start with the chasers, then the beaters, keeper and finally the seeker."

The man wrote down:

'Chasers: Paul Hudson, Beth Tse, and Greg Clearater.

Beaters: Todd James, Peter Kings.

Keeper: Gracie Tyler.

Seeker: Harry Potter.'

The man looked up as he finished writing Harry's name. "Bloody hell, boy! That's not something to joke about."

"I wasn't," Harry replied.

"Sorry coach," Oliver said, "I should have said that it was Harry."

The man looked at the two of them and then laughed, "Well bless my soul and call me Harry Potter, Harry Potter! Playing a Break-Play with us, will wonders never cease?"

Most people laughed and the co-players nervously went up to Harry and started to chat to him. Harry just smiled and acted very cheerful, he was going to get to play Quidditch again!

"Hey Harry," Oliver said as the players handed their co-players a set of their navy-blue Quidditch robes to play in and keep. "I thought you said you wouldn't be able to come, and yet you're here with Angelina, Katie, Alicia, Fred, George, Dumbledore, Lupin, McGonagall, Hermione, Ron, the Weasley, erm, anyone else I missed?"

Harry chuckled, "I just know when to say things. I told Fred and George that you playing this Friday and they insisted on coming with mean, and it kind of went from there." Harry finished clasping the robe together and reached for the shin guards and half-gloves. "We thought it would be a nice surprise."

"And trust me, it was!" Oliver replied. Clapping Harry on the shoulder, he walked over to Gracie Tyler, his co-keeper and handed her the new AirFlyer700. Harry turned and saw Michael Pike heading in his direction with an AirFlyer700 too.

"Ollie says you're used to a Firebolt." Harry nodded, "The AirFlyer700 is almost just as fast. It will feel different, but just get used to it as we do the honorary three laps of the pitch to start with, ok?"

"Sure thing." Harry replied. As they moved to exit to the pitch Harry leaned over, and asked, "Is it a lot different playing with double the players?"

Pike grinned at him, "To tell you the truth, this is my first Break-Play too."

"Well, guess we'll have to find out together then," Harry replied and returned the grin.

At the green wand sparks, the Puddlemere United players flew into the stadium and flew around the pitch as the Kenmare Kestrels joined them in the air. To the Quidditch fans, the pitch was filled with navy-blue and emerald-green blurs as they raced around. Two yellow clad people were flying with them, the referees.

"AND WHAT A TREAT WE HAVE FOR YOU ALL TODAY, FANS! FOR THE KENMARE KESTRELS WE HAVE: BEN BLAKE, MATT BLAKE AND ROB FOREST FOR THE CO-CHASERS! JAMES MASTER AND STEVE GOODY FOR THE CO-BEATERS! ANGELA CROWE AS CO-KEEPER AND LEITITIA HOURS AS CO-SEEKER!

"FOR PUDDLEMERE UNITED WE HAVE: PAUL HUDSON, BETH TSE AND GREG CLEARATER FOR THE CO-CHASERS! TODD JAMES AND PETER KINGS FOR THE CO-BEATERS! GRACIE TYLER AS CO-KEEPER! AND AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE IT IS TO ANNOUNCE THE CO-SEEKER AS NONE OTHER THATN HARRY POTTER!"

"Did he have to?" Harry said to himself as he flew by Pike's side.

"Not one for being recognised?" Pike asked.

"Not really."

The twenty-eight players formed a circle around the two referees as the balls were released.

"THE BLUDGERS AND SNITCH ARE IN MOTION – AND THE QUAFFLES FOLLOW! AND THEY'RE OFF!"

Harry started to tune the commentator out as he started to search for the snitch. Harry felt the wind rush at his side and looked to see a girl in emerald-green robes smiling at him, "Leititia Hours."

"Harry Potter." He grinned as he shook the out-stretched hand.

"Hey, you two!" A voice called from above. "Let's play hide and seek!" Harry recognised the Kestrel Seeker Eddie Whizbees flying next to Michael Pike.

"We're playing," Harry said, and flew high above them. He couldn't believe he was finally playing again. Even if it was the standard Quidditch game he was used to, it was fun!

Harry grinned. He had seen the snitch already; it was straight below him down a drop of about fifty feet. Plunging into a dive, Harry barely heard the commentator exclaim "THE SNITCH IS ALREADY IN SIGHT!" or the cheers from the stands and his team-mates.

The AirFlyer700 certainly wasn't his Firebolt, but it was a good broom there was no doubt about it. It was almost as fast as his broom, but it was better for braking and sharp turns. Hearing the familiar 'whoosh' of a bludger, Harry started spiralling downwards and pulled up sharply, barely a foot from the ground, the snitch firmly in his grasp.

"AND THE SNITCH IS CAUGHT BY CO-SEEKER POTTER FOR PUDDLEMERE! 50-2 TO UNITED!" The Kestrels had taken advantage of Gracie Tyler's attention being on Harry and had scored a goal.

"Nice one Harry!" Pike said as he flew by.

"You certainly know how to make an entrance!" Leititia said as he flew by his side once more.

Harry grinned at her, "Why thank you!"

"Wanna play in style?" She said, also grinning.

"Oh, only if you insist" Harry said lightly. "Let's make this even more fun!"

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

"AND IT'S THE FINAL MINUTE OF BREAK-PLAY. KESTRELS 257, UNITED 313! THE PLAYERS ARE CERTAINLY MAKING THIS FUN FOR ALL TO SEE, ESPECIALLY THE SEEKERS! PIKE, WHIZBEES, POTTER AND HOURS ARE CATCHING THAT SNITCH WITH LOTS OF STYLE AND SPIRIT! AND CHASER HIBBERS AND CO-CHASERS HUDSON AND TSE ARE HEADING TO THE KESTRELS HOOPS – AND BLIMEY! CHASERS MURPHY AND O'CONNEL AND CO-CHASERS BLAKE AND FOREST ARE HEADING TO THE UNITED HOOPS!

HUDSON DUCKS THE BLUDGER SENT BY GOODY, PASSES TO HIBBERS – IT'S MURPHY, PASSES TO FOREST – GO TSE! KEEPER ORCHARDS BLOCKS, QUAFFLE BACK IN HIBBERS POSSESION – IT'S BACK TO BLAKE, PASSES TO O'CONNEL, FOREST TO SHOOT! WHAT WAS THAT? POTTER, HOURS, PIKE AND WHIZBEES DIVE THREW THE SCORING ZONE FOLLOWING THE SNITCH, BLOCKING THE SHOT – WHERE'S THE SNITCH? OH, POTTER WAS FEINTING!

HUDSON, HIBBERS AND TSE PREPARE TO SHOOT AGAIN! SCORE! THAT'S 315-257 TO UNITED! ALL FOUR SEEKERS STILL SEARCHING FOR THE SNITCH IN THE FINAL 30 SECONDS. HOURS LOOPS BACK, SHE'S GOT THE SNITCH! MAKE THAT 307 POINTS FOR THE KESTRELS! BOTH QUAFFLES IN POSSESION OF UNITED! PIKE JUMPS OF HIS BROOM – CLEARATER SHOOTS, AND SCORES! 317-257 TO UNITED! – PIKE'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH! 367 TO UNITED NOW!

ALL TWELVE CHASERS HEADING TO THE HOOPS, THE BEATERS ARE SENDING THOSE BLUDGERS ALL OVER THE PITCH TO STOP THE CHASERS FROM SCORING. KEEPERS WOOD, TYLER, ARROWS AND CROWE ARE FLYING AROUND THOSE HOOPS! FINAL FIVE SECONDS! BLAKE SCORES! SAVE BY WOOD! MURPHY RETAKES THE QUAFFLE – HUDSON SHOOTS! MISSES! SAVED BY ARROWS! - THE SEEKERS ARE GOING FOR THE SNITCH FOR THE FINAL TIME! POTTER GETS IT!

AND TIMES UP! FINAL SCORE, KENMARE KESTRELS 259, PUDDLEMERE UNITED 417!"

The players all flew one lap around the pitch and then the Kestrels flew to allow Puddlemere to fly an honorary lap. Then, all the co-players took to the air again for a lap as Jeff Whisp, the commentator, announced their names again.

"AND THE CO-PLAYERS RETURN TO THEIR SEATS! THE SCORES FROM BREAK-PLAY ARE NOW ADDED TO THE GAME. PUDDLEMERE UNITED 607, KENMARE KESTRELS 499! AND THE MATCH RESUMES ONCE MORE!"

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

Harry flopped onto his bed back at Grimmauld Place, the final score of the Quidditch match was 657 to Puddlemere United and 649 to the Kenmare Kestrels. Seeker Whizbees of the Kestrels caught the snitch not long after the chasers for United scored five more goals. The thrill of flying still in his senses. He was about to speak to Saskia when Ron walked in, got changed and went to bed. The youngest Weasley son wasn't talking to Harry for whatever reason, one that Harry sincerely hoped wasn't jealousy that he didn't get to play in Break-Play and Harry did. It certainly wasn't his fault, just the luck of the draw, indeed, everyone was shocked to see Harry at the game, they didn't somehow manage to draw Harry's number so he could play.

As Ron's breathing settled out, Harry curled up next to his beloved serpent; the only living things that knew him almost better than he knew himself.

She curled around him and listened to Harry as he retold her the exhilaration of flying, personally flying was high on her to-do list, but she loved Harry and she loved to hear him so happy.

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

[ 20th August 1996 ]

Harry woke up the next morning a bit disorientated. He didn't remember going to sleep, just reading from 'The Advanced Guide to Magic' .

~ Yesss, massster Harry ~ Saskia hissed when he told her ~ I woke up during the night after hearing a loud thud. It ssseemed that you fell asssleep reading ~ she hissed in amusement.

~ Well, I sssuppossse I was very tired from that game ~ Harry hissed back and went down to breakfast.

~ * ~ = ~ * ~

Harry stared at the letter that had just materialised in mid air in front of him. Looking around, he noticed Ron, Hermione and Ginny also had the same letters.

"Ah," Lupin said, "I see you have the letters. Why not open them?" The man prompted them.

Carefully, Harry opened the letter and read it through, and then he re-read it.

'Dear Mr Potter,

It has come to our attention that with the rise of Lord Voldemort again that it might not be safe for all the students to board the Hogwarts Express, therefore for your own safety you will be making our own way to Hogwarts in a group of four people.

This letter will act as a portkey, and activate at precisely one o'clock.

You will then arrive at your designated location; a map, muggle compass and two muggle tents will be provided for you and your groups use.

As you are not back at Hogwarts yet and not of age, magic is nor permitted.

Good luck,

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry'

"Oh my God!" Hermione said.

"He's going to attack the train?" Harry asked quietly.

Lupin sighed, "It appears he did plan a strike against the train."

Bill said, "Not to worry though, all students in fourth year and up are being sent those letters. You're all going to find yourselves in fours and only Dumbledore and the Heads of Houses know where your locations are."

"What about the younger students?" Ginny asked.

"Some are portkeying, some the Knight Bus, and others are flooing," Charlie replied.

"Who chose the groups?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore, it was a spell to put you with the people you work best with, so there's no doubt about who you're with Harry," Lupin said cheerfully, "After all the things you, Ron and Hermione have done, who else could you be expected to be paired up with?"

//~ That may have been true last year, but truthfully, us working together best now? I hardly think so, I've changed too much ~// Harry hissed to Saskia.

//~ You never know who it will be until you go. You might find yourssself in a group of three new people that you don't really know. That way, you might be more comfortable around them, like you were with Oliver Wood and at the Quidditch game yesssterday ~//

//~ Thanksss Sasss, you alwaysss sssay the right thingsss ~//

//~ Of courssse I do! ~//

And so Harry sat back and listened to Lupin and the rest as they explained more about the plans. They would have eleven days to get to Hogwarts, which should be possible. And strictly no magic! The ones that were already seventeen could use their magic but no one else.

However, Harry still had the serpent amulet charmed to stay attached to the bottom left of his shirt meaning he could do magic without being detected. Hopefully, trouble didn't follow him too much in his trek to Hogwarts, the muggle way.