Chapter 13

Gryffindor v Slytherin

You could always tell when a big Quidditch match was coming up, just as you could when there was a local football derby. The tension in the corridors reaches its maximum and every student openly shows their loyalty by parading their teams colours around their necks.

The Gyrffindor versus Slytherin match was always the worst. There was such a passion of hatred between the sides that neither was willing to back down and resulted in a tenfold increase in the number of detentions handed out. Even Evi was forced to hand out several detentions to fighting house members.

As captain of the Gryffindor team, it was Harry's duty to not allow any Slytherin acts go without retaliation. When the Slytherin team sent sink bombs into the Gryffindor common room, pixies were sent to the Slytherin causing much damage. Every act or lesson became a match between the Gryffindors and Slytherins to see which side was better than the others. The further up the school years you went, the worse these acts became. The little first years busied themselves fist fighting and having nothing more than bruises and warnings to show for them selves. However, Harry's year was far worse, even worse then the year 7's. And the simple cause of this was the constant fight between Harry and Draco. Neither of them would ever back down on a fight to the point when it was escalating out of control. Something had to be done before someone gets hurt.

One evening, when Harry was accompanying Hermione on her prefect duties, they came across Malfoy, and Millicent also on prefect duties. Harry still couldn't believe that Malfoy was prefect for Slytherin house.

"Out my way, Potter," Malfoy demanded.

"Not this time Malfoy," Harry said defiantly. Malfoy took a step towards Harry so they were face to face. Harry remained still, undeterred.

"Move, or else," Malfoy warned.

"Or else what? You'll cry for your bodyguards because you're too chicken shit to do it yourself," Harry replied.

Malfoy shoved Harry, and Harry instantly reacted by grabbing Malfoy's arm and punching him hard in the stomach with the other. Harry assumed Malfoy would curl up with the pain since he's not really used to getting his hands dirty. But he was wrong. Malfoy didn't even seem to notice that Harry had hit him as he was too busy punching Harry in the face. So a fight ensued, with Hermione and Millicent watching from the sidelines. Neither of them particularly wanted to fight, so instead routed on their friend.

Harry and Malfoy broke away for a moment, and both instantly going into a fighting defensive position with their hands held up to protect their faces but hand clenched in fists posed for the prefect jab. They continued to beat the crap out of each other, to the point when they were both bleeding. Realising, how much trouble they would be in, Hermione and Millicent tried to get the boys to break it up, but nothing worked, they seemed intent on killing each other.

"Harry please!"

"Draco, lets go!" they both pleaded. But it was like they couldn't' hear them and they continued to inflict blow after blow. The fight seemed to be going on forever, until the girls heard a much welcomed voice.

"Oi!" Evi shouted running toward the boys. She tried to get them to break apart with the help of Hagrid, who found it easier than she did being able to pick the boys up with little effort. However, he wasn't quick enough to stop a stray punch landing on Evi's stomach. Both of them felt themselves being lifted off the floor by Hagrid, and broke away. Malfoy and Harry struggled to loosen Hagrid's grip on them, but he had tight hold of their robes and he was not going to let go. Evi on the other hand, was leaning against the wall holding her stomach breathing heavily.

"Professor, wot shud I do with em?" Hagrid asked Evi.

"Take them to Dumbledore," she said in agony.

"shoor fing," Hagrid said walking off with Harry and Malfoy still lifted off the ground.

"Are you alright, miss?" Millicent asked.

"Leave me alone," Evi said angrily, and stormed off down the corridor the best she could with her hand still clutching her stomach.

Hagrid placed them down in front of the gargoyle entrance to Dumbledore's office.

"Erry rops," Hagrid said and the door swirled open. Malfoy and Harry still refused to take their eyes off each other. Both seemed to be waiting for the opportune moment to strike at each other again. They were breathing heavily and covered in cuts that were pouring with blood. Hagrid dragged them up the stairs and into Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was sitting at his desk and seemed very surprised to see Hagrid with these two students.

"Orry to disturb yu, professor, but me an Professor Demencha found ese too boys fighting the corridor. I ad ta pull em apart befure tay wud stop."

"Where is Professor Dementia?" Dumbledore asked, probably expecting her to be right behind them.

"She was injured by one of these two while trying to spilt them up," Hagrid informed the headmaster.

Harry was in complete shock, he hadn't realised that Evi was hit. Harry looked over to Malfoy, and found he had a similar expression on his face. They were so involved in fighting each other that they didn't realise that they had actually punched a member of the staff!

Harry didn't dare look at the expression on Dumbledore's face; he could tell that he was furious with them both.

"Draco, Harry, sit down," Dumbledore calmly said. Harry swallowed hard. He had really done it this time. "You can leave Hagrid. But would you please check that Professor Dementia is alright?"

"Of course Professor," Hagrid said and he left the room. There was a deafening silence as Dumbledore simply sat there continuing with what he was doing before they came in. Both of them seemed to know how much trouble they were in. No amount of detentions would be enough to punish them. It would have to be instant expulsion.

Dumbledore suddenly rose out of his seat, causing both Harry and Draco to jump, thinking his punishment was far worse than expulsion.

"You are both fifth years, and because of that fact, I expected more from both of you." Harry hung his head in shame. "Fighting each other is one thing, but striking a member of staff is another."

"I didn't realise he had hit her," Harry said defending himself.

"It wasn't me!" Draco said defensively.

"Well it certainly wasn't me!" Harry argued back.

"Enough!" Dumbledore said raising his voice to a level neither of them thought he ever would and instantly ceasing their argument. "I do not care who actually threw the punch, it is simply enough that you put Miss Dementia in that position in the first place. For this, your punishment must be grave. As this argument probably started because of Quidditch, both of you will forfeit the next Quidditch match."

"Sir, no!"

"I can't miss that match!" they argued.

"Sir I am Gryffindor's Captain," Harry said.

"And I am Slytherin's Seeker. We cannot miss that match," Malfoy said ardently.

"I am aware what positions you play in the team, and that is why I have chosen this punishment. It is the one thing that both of you miss the most."

"But Sir..." Malfoy tried to argue.

"You are dismissed. I will escort you down to Madam Pomfrey to have your wounds cleaned," Dumbledore said opening the door to his office for them. The reluctantly followed, completely gutted about missing the most important match of the year!

Madam Pomfrey did not want another incident, so ensured that Harry and Malfoy were seen separately and kept apart at all times.

Evi was in there too, even though she did not want anything that Madam Pomfrey offered, even chocolate! Hagrid had insisted that she see Madam Pomfrey, to check that she was OK.

"Miss can't I have some chocolate, I'm dying here!" Malfoy complained while lying on one of the hospital beds.

"Oh, don't be so melodramatic Mr Malfoy. You only have cuts and bruises. No more than you both deserve, I dare say," she said continuing to fuss over Evi.

Harry looked down at his hands, which were red raw with open wounds right down to the knuckles. It just shows how hard he was hitting Malfoy, and a horrible thought came across his mind. What is it was him who hit Evi? He would never forgive himself for hitting her. The fight got out of hand Harry had to admit. For five years both of them had been desperate to take a shot at each other, and for five years the tension had been building until it exploded tonight.

"Miss..." Malfoy cried, and Harry rolled his eyes when he heard Malfoy pretending to throw up.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Harry heard Evi say in a serious tone of voice. He turned to Malfoy's bed, and saw what Evi was talking about. Malfoy had thrown up blood. The curtain was instantly pulled round while they all fussed over him.

Another nurse cleaned up Harry's wounded and was instructed not to use any sort of magic to heal them quicker. Both of them were to suffer the wounds as a reminder. He was ushered out of the hospital wing and back to Gryffindor common room where he was greeted with a standing ovation.

Normally Harry would not have minded that, but he may have hit Evi, and actually really hurt Malfoy. Even though hurting Malfoy was his intention, seeing him throw up blood worried him. He pushed past everyone and went into the dormitory and slammed the door shut behind him. Everyone in the common room stood dumbfounded at his reaction.

"Was it something we said?"

It didn't take long for the facts of last night to get lost in the rumour mill, and soon people were saying that Harry had killed Malfoy with a machete. It was not the reputation Harry wanted, but part of it was true. He and Malfoy did fight, and it did look like he won. That was the only consolation he could find. It made him feel physically sick thinking about how he could have hit Evi.

He decided the best thing to do would be to apologise to her, but that was more difficult than it sounds. She was avoiding him and what's more, she never left Snapes sight either, so there was no way to talk to her.

He was sitting at lunch the next day, still feeling pretty sorry for himself, and still trying to find the courage to tell him team that he cannot participate in the Quidditch match tomorrow. Both sides will be a player down, and someone else will have to be seeker instead. He was sitting there stirring his porridge round and round when he sensed a presence standing over him. It was Professor McGonagall.

"Morning Professor," Harry said.

"Mr Potter, this is for you," and she handed him a scroll.

"What's this?" he said forgetting his manners.

"A notice of detention," she told me.

"But I've already been punished!" Harry cried.

"Not by me you haven't," she said and returned back to the teachers table. He looked up to see Snape smirking.

"I don't believe this!" Harry said slamming the scroll on the table, making everyone in the immediate area looked at him, and then return back to their conversations. "Why do I get detention and Malfoy doesn't?" Harry complained.

"Because you don't have three broken ribs and a punctured lung," Hermione added in a whispering tone.

"That's not the point! I'm already missing the match, why punish me further?" Harry argued.

"Because, she has to make an example of you," Ron added.

"Ron's right. If she didn't punish you herself, students would question her authority. She has to make sure that this doesn't happen again," Hermione said reinforcing Ron's point.

"'cause that makes me feel a whole lot better," Harry said sarcastically.

"What do you want us to say Harry? That you were right, because you weren't. All you've got to show for it is two black eyes and a broken hand," Hermione said angrily.

"And don't worry Harry, we'll manage against Slytherin. I mean, even if we do lose, we are still 30 points ahead them in the league," Ron said trying to see the bright side of it. Harry, not particularly in the mood for being cheered up, glared at them, got up and left. Hermione and Ron looked at each other.

"We weren't much help were we?" Ron said to Hermione.

"Not really," Hermione said picking up the scroll Harry had left behind and opened it. "And this isn't going to help," she said after reading it and handing it to Ron.

"His detention's during the Quidditch match," Ron said reading it as well. "Do you want to tell him or should I?" Ron said placing the scroll in the middle of the table.

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDIN' ME!" Harry screamed when Ron told him the bad news. Hermione and Ron had drawn straws to see who would tell him. Ron had lost. Harry picked up one of the books on the table in the empty common room and threw it across the room. Ron instinctively ducked, although it was nowhere near him.

"I'm so sorry Harry. You are going to have to spend the match with Professor Binns," Ron told him.

"Professor Binns? The only teacher not interested in Quidditch apart from what he reads in books. This is just going from bad to worse," Harry said slumping down hard into one of the comfortable chairs.

"It's not that bad if you think about it," Ron said. Harry just glared at him. "Seriously. If you had to watch on the sidelines, imagine how hard that would be. It would be easier for you if you can't see or hear what's happening at the match."

"This sucks," Harry simply.

"Yeah, I know mate. But you brought this on yourself," Ron said.

"Heard Malfoy came out of the hospital wing today," Harry said trying to calm himself down by changing the subject slightly.

"Yeah, he looks just like you; two black eyes and bruised hands," Ron pointed out.

"Yeah, but everyone feels sorry for him, and he does not have detention."

"Not everyone Harry, only the Slytherins. Even Snape is somewhat annoyed at him," Ron added.

"Really?" Harry said cheering up a little.

"Yeah, apparently he didn't mind that Malfoy attacked you, but does mind that Malfoy could have hit a teacher. And everyone in Gryffindor loves seeing Malfoy with black eyes." That cheered Harry up a bit.

"Thanks Ron," Harry said to Ron.

"You're welcome. Hermione wanted me to tell you to look on the bright side; you can now concentrate on your homework," Ron added.

Harry looked at Ron and they both burst into hysterics. Trust Hermione to find the educational value of detention.

The day of the match arrived, and Harry was torn apart inside. He had told his team about missing the match, and only Ron tried to be supportive. The rest were concerned that this could lose Gryffindor the cup.

Harry was seated in the corner of the Gryffindor common room, hiding himself behind the large history book propped up to conceal him. But he knew how much he was hated by some of the Gryffindors for this. They felt that Harry was letting the side down and with one man down on the pitch, they felt that the game could be lost and all their hard work running up to the match was wasted.

Ron and Hermione came and sat beside him. Ron was fully dressed in his Quidditch gear and the rest of the team were waiting for him.

"Good luck, Ron," Harry said sadly.

"Any advice?" Ron asked looking to Harry for support.

"Don't let the Quaffle past you," Harry joked.

"Ha ha," Ron said smiling, "It's good to see that razor sharp wit is still with you."

"Thanks. Oh, by the way, tell Katie to fly as high as she can to get the best view of the pitch. That way she'll find the snitch faster," Harry advised.

"Sure thing Captain. See you after the game," Ron said leaving the common room.

"Have fun Hermione," Harry said when they were alone. She leaned over the table and softly kissed him. She got up and left without saying a word. So Harry was alone in the common room on the biggest match day of the year, and had detention with Professor Binns. This was bad!

Harry made his way to Professor Binns classroom on the sixth floor. There was one consolation as Professor Binns detentions were always easy. He just let you get on with homework that you had instead of giving you some dreadful task to complete. Professor Grimalkin had given the class extra homework this week, probably in preparation of the Quidditch match. She was like that. Knowing everyone will be too busy concentrating on the match to do homework, she will be able to give everyone detention. Well, Harry was determined not to be added to her list. He was going to do this homework now he had the chance. It was a difficult homework too; how to spot a vampire and avoid them. They hadn't been taught much in the lesson, so Harry had to borrow a book out the library, but every time you opened it bats flew out and it stunk of garlic.

"Welcome Mr Potter," Professor Binns said cheerfully as Harry entered his room. What has he got to be cheery about, Harry thought to himself and gave a grunt as an acknowledgment.

"Good day for the match don't you think?" Binns said looking out of the top window he had levitated to.

"I suppose," Harry said sadly.

"I never really understood the fascination or the rules at that matter of Quidditch," Binns admitted, as he floated back down to floor.

"Mr Potter, would be so kind as to teach me. I might find the game more enjoyable if I understand the physics to the game, not just the history," Binns asked. Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. A professor was asking him to explain the rules of Quidditch! Maybe this detention wasn't going to be so bad after all. Harry put his Defence Against the Dark Arts homework to one side and Binns closed the windows so Harry couldn't hear the match going on outside.

Harry sat with the professor first explaining the rules of the game to him, and using little stick men Binns had created to show him. The figures were charmed so they could fly and explain a rule to Professor Binns. Professor Binns seemed quite excited by the subject and Harry's enthusiasm showed as he then when on to show Binns the various complex moves preformed by the chasers, seekers, beaters and keepers. Harry used the stick men again to visualise the move for Binns. At the end, Binns was very clear about the physics behind the sport. Binns levitated to the top window and watched the match for a while. Harry was so desperate he just had to ask.

"What's the score?" he asked.

"I shouldn't really..." Binns said.

"Please Professor," Harry pleaded.

"Slytherin 30, Gryffindor 200," he informed him with a smile on his face. Harry smiled too. "Ha!" Professor Binns shouted.

"What is it Professor?" Harry enquired.

"You should see the look on Professor Grimalkin's face," he said giddily. He cleared his throat to compose himself. Harry smiled even more now. He was glad they were winning, and that Grimalkin didn't like it! After and hour longer, and actually starting on Grimalkin's essay, Professor Binns came down from the top window.

"You should probably be getting back to your common room."

"You mean the game is finished, who won?" Harry asked.

"You'll find out when you go back to your common room along with the rest of Gryffindor," Binns said cryptically.

"But Professor..." Harry begged.

"Your detention is complete. I will inform Professor McGonagall. Good day Mr Potter."

Harry ran out of his classroom and up the stairs to the Griffindor common room. As he entered, he couldn't hear the usually screams of joy when they had won a match. 'Oh no, they lost!' Harry thought to himself. He quickly found Ron, who surprisingly had a smile on his face.

"What happened? We didn't win did we?"

"No, we didn't win." Harry looked upset. "We drew, 210 points each." Harry looked up.

"How?"

"We were leading all the way through," Katie interrupted, "and they just couldn't get the ball past Ron he was great, but..." Katie seemed reluctant to go on.

"But..." Harry urged her.

"But I couldn't find the Snitch. But Derrick could. He caught the snitch, thus drawing the game," she said holding her head in shame.

"But the important thing is we didn't lose. And by the sounds of it, you kicked their asses. It was just dumb luck that they caught the snitch first," Harry said trying to cheer them up. It worked. The Gryffindors were not really celebrating but congratulating themselves on a match well played well into the night.