Parseltounge

"Speech"

Thoughts/Telepathy

/flashback/

Map writing

Chapter 10

Quidditch

The fist quidditch game of the season was Slytherin verses Gryffindor on the second weekend in November. The week before the match Marcus Flint impatiently asked Harry when his broom would arrive. Harry told him it would arrive in time for the game. The Friday before the game arrived four eagle owls flew in carrying a long package toward the Slytherin table. They landed between the between the quartet and their two lions.

Kira smiled and helped Harry untie the owls from the package. Harry took the note and read it out loud, "Harry, use this well and bring victory to Slytherin, your father and mother."

The owls flew off and the six students tore the paper away to reveal a nimbus 2000. Neville said, "Wicked, this is the top of the line broom on the market."

"I know," Harry breathed in surprise. I was expecting father to send one of our shooting stars.

Kira nodded. Marcus Flint called, "Potter, make sure you get a feel for that broom by Sunday!" The entire table was quite excited about Harry and his broom. A nimbus 2000 almost guaranteed Slytherin victory on Sunday.

Harry called back down the table, "Sure thing."

Kira sighed, "Do you think I can convince father to buy me one if I make next year's team?"

Blaise and Draco hid their snickers, only every once in awhile would Kira get jealous of Harry. If it had to do with quidditch it happened more often. Both heirs loved the sport and could play every position very well. Harry was a top notch seeker and Kira was the best chaser Blaise or Draco had ever seen.

"If you make next year's team, I guarantee they will buy you a new broom," Harry said reassuringly. He knew it wasn't so much the new broom, but rather the fact that she had to wait a year to play for the house team. He remembered the quartet's plan to join the team together their second year, he wound up on the team early, but that didn't mean they couldn't be on the team together next year.

"Wonderful," she said brightly, "why don't you go practice after History, before Transfiguration?"

"I think I will and I would love for all of you to come with me," Harry said as he included the two lions in his invitation. The five students nodded to him.

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During every free period of the day Harry went out to the quidditch pitch to fly. He instantly noticed the superior handling of the nimbus compared to his shooting star. During the forty or so minutes between History and Transfiguration, Harry practiced chasing and catching the snitch only. After Transfiguration Harry chased the snitch while Blaise and Draco whacked Bludgers at him. Kira raided the kitchen and the quartet ate a quick lunch before potions.

That evening Harry flew against Terrence Higgs in practice. Marcus told them that whoever was able to catch the snitch fastest and the most times that night would fly first string on Sunday. Wilhelm Bole was told to send Bludgers at Harry during practice while Zachary Derrick was to send Bludgers at Terrence. Practice was intense as Flint, Montague, and Warrington all bore down on Bletchy as he defended the goal without the aid of beaters. Harry and Terrence zoomed around the pitch, avoiding Bludgers and searching for the snitch. Thrice Harry maneuvered himself so that the Bludger flew past and hit the chaser with the Quaffle. He also caught the snitch seven times compared to Terrence's once. Marcus told Terrence he was back up seeker. The seventh year shook his head but acquiesced because he understood the Slytherin way.

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Saturday morning found Kira and Harry sparring in the Chamber of Secrets. They had decided the night before to spend most of the day in the chamber, since there was no practice due to Gryffindor having the pitch all day. The quartet and adopted lions snuck up to the kitchens, using the Hufflepuff passage, for breakfast and lunch. Marcus Flint had agreed with Harry that he should stay out of sight for the day. They didn't want to give a chance to the Gryffindors to sabotage the youngest seeker in a century.

Blaise and Draco watched the heirs spar, remembering a time when their skill had been needed. /The four wizarding children were enjoying the bright summer sun at a nearby muggle park. A boy about two years older than them and his baby sister waved to them. Blaise and Draco were surprised when the heirs called out, "Hi Brandon! Hi Loretta!" Brandon and Loretta joined them on the swings. For a time the six kids just had fun. This was the first time Blaise and Draco had the opportunity to interact with muggles and it was a pleasant experience. The pleasantness was soon shattered as a loud rude voice called out. "Hey infants get off the swing!" The voice belonged to a boy of about thirteen years with short black hair and brown eyes. He was standing with four other boys who were about the same age. Brandon stood up and said, "Go away we were here first." "Oh yeah?" said the black haired boy. He then punched Brandon. Blaise and Draco both reached for their practice wands while Loretta cried, "Leave him alone." The heirs didn't grab wands or say anything. Instead they leapt from their swings and began punching, kicking and elbowing the older boys. The heirs were quite talented even then because they were able to incapacitate all five boys rather easily./

Hermione and Neville had never witnessed the heirs and their martial arts. To say they were impressed would be an understatement. Hermione told them their moves reminded her of a movie and soon the topic of different movies came up. The six youths hung out, studied, and talked about all sorts of subjects as the day progressed. They headed up to dinner later that evening. They were pleased to discover that the serpent house had kept quiet about the whereabouts of the six first years.

The dark heirs invoked their mystic sight as they joined their housemates. They told the rest of the table to avoid eating the mashed potatoes and drinking the pumpkin juice because both were laced with laxative potions. Flint nodded to them and soon the entire team was safe from attempted sabotage. After a surprisingly uneventful dinner both Slytherin and Gryffindor teams retired early. The Gryffindor beaters were trying to figure out how their 'prank' had been unsuccessful. They knew at least half of the snakes had taken mashed potatoes and pumpkin juice, yet none of them had run out with the shits.

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Sunday morning dawned clear, bright and cold. Harry and Kira were up before the sun sparring and then Harry sat to meditate until breakfast. He ate lightly, but very health conscious. The team left breakfast slightly early and he headed to the locker rooms with them. In the locker rooms Flint gave his threatening speech and told everyone to remember the Slytherin way... We win no matter what!

The entire school turned out for the first game in spite of the chill. Surprisingly there were a few guests. Severus greeted Jasmine and Peter Pettigrew with a nod as they entered the teacher box. Peter just nodded in return. The weakest marauder had always been intimidated by Snape. Jasmine simply smiled and then sat down with her husband behind her former colleague and directly in front of her replacement.

Lucius Malfoy entered the box a moment later and smirked at Severus. He strode to his former housemate and said, "Why, hello Severus, it is quite good to see you so well after all these years."

"Thank you Lucius," replied Severus silkily as Lucius sat down. "It has been entirely too long a time since last we enjoyed a quidditch game together. How are Narcissa and Selene?"

"They are both well. How are Draco, Blaise, Harry and Kira faring?"

"All four students are doing remarkably well," Severus said as he raised an eyebrow. "As you can see Mr. Potter is doing better than well, he is the youngest seeker in a century."

"I will have to congratulate him on his position; I know how badly he wanted to join the team next year."

"I will escort you to the Slytherin common room to speak with him and your son after the game should we miss speaking on the pitch."

"That would be most helpful Severus."

Further conversation was cut off as Lee Jordan's voice filled the stands. "Welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season. Today's match is Gryffindor verses Slytherin. And now for the Gryffindor team Wood, Weasley, Weasley, Johnson, Spinnet, Bell and this year's seeker Harris." Three fourths of the stands clapped and cheered. The last quarter booed. "This year's Slytherin team has Bletchly, Bole, Derrick, Flint, Warrington, Montague, and the youngest seeker in a century Harry Potter." The serpent house erupted in cheers. The combined boos from the other three houses wasn't enough to drown their excitement.

Both teams circled around the pitch once before landing on opposite sides of Madame Hooch. She said, "I want a clean game gentlemen, ladies. Wood, Flint shake hands." The two captains shook hands. It was a minor contest of strength. The twelve youths then began to hover in air. "Release the snitch," commanded Madame Hooch. Harry and Daniel Harris watched the little golden ball fly off. "Release the Bludgers on my first whistle; I'll release the Quaffle on the second." She blew her whistle once and the Bludgers flew toward the center of the field. She threw the Quaffle up as she blew her whistle again.

Both teams instantly went into action. Alicia Spinnet grabbed the Quaffle first. Lee's voice began to call out the moves of each team. The game began in earnest, with the Gryffindor chasers quickly taking control of the game. They had three goals before Slytherin made its first goal.

Harry flew high and began to search for the snitch. About fifteen minutes into the game he heard Lee Jordan say, "Flint scores bringing Slytherin up thirty to Gryffindor's seventy."

Harry spotted a glint of gold near the base of the Hufflepuff stands and dove for it. He sensed a curse moments before it latched onto his broom. Suddenly he was jerked out of his dive. His broom bucked and spun. He gripped the broom tightly and thought Kira, someone is cursing my broom! Help me!

While he struggled to maintain his grip he heard her respond I'm tracing the spell now. In the Slytherin stands Kira invoked her mystic sight and looked at Harry's broom. She witnessed two new spells, light violet, begin to wrestle with the dark muddied crimson of the curse. All three strands lead back to the teachers' stand. The curse was directly linked to Professor Quirrell while Professor Snape and Uncle Lucius were countering it. Kira noticed Peter and Jasmine sitting just behind them.

Severus and Lucius recognized the effects of a curse as soon as Harry's broom jerked. Lucius acted a second before Severus in chanting a counter curse. Lucius was furious at the audacity of whoever was cursing the broom. Severus was terrified; he remembered the dark lord's warning well and did not intend to fail in protecting Potter. Peter and Jasmine noticed Malfoy and Snape's chant. Jasmine quickly identified it as a counter curse. Peter looked across the pitch and somehow felt drawn to the blue eyes of the dark heiress.

Hermione gripped Neville's arm, "We have to help him."

Neville squeaked, "How?"

"Find out who is cursing his broom." Both Gryffindors searched the stands. They weren't the only ones looking for the source of the curse from the Gryffindor stands.

Lee Jordan's voice rang out, "Potter loses control of his broom, well that's what happens when a first year plays out of his league."

Kira focused all her mental will on sending a concise thought to Peter's mind. She felt a minor connection form and forced the thought to transmit. Distract the turban wearing professor behind you.

Peter felt pressure in his mind. Just as it became unbearable the voice of the dark heiress invaded his mind with a clear directive. He glanced back at Quirrell and saw the concentration etched in the man's face. He was starring unblinkingly at Harry. He pointed his wand at the man's robes and whispered, "Incendio." The blue flames danced up Quirrell's robe causing the man to jump up in panic.

The moment his concentration was broken, Malfoy and Snape's counter curse broke the spell. There was momentary confusion in the teachers' box as Quirrell stamped out the flames. Harry's broom plummeted four meters before he regained control. During his decent he spotted the snitch.

The broom easily enter a controlled dive as Harry pursued the snitch. It was hovering near the Gryffindor goalposts. Daniel saw what he was going after and took chase from halfway across the pitch. Lee's voice called out, "Potter has spotted the snitch. Come on Harris; beat that slimy snake to the snitch."

"Mr. Jordan," said Professor McGonagall.

"Sorry professor, Potter has the lead on Harris. The snitch has both seekers climbing. Come on Harris!"

Harry concentrated on the fluttering golden ball. He remembered the first time he beat his uncle in a one on one snitch game. He remembered the exhilaration and pride. The snitch zoomed down and Harry followed. He skimmed the ground and reached out both hands as his legs guided the broom. The snitch fluttered as his hands trapped it. He acrobatically rolled off his broom, using his martial arts training to flow with the fall. He flipped up from his fall and held the snitch up high for all to see.

"Slytherin wins 230-70, hey when did Slytherin score more goals?"

The Slytherin stands went wild. The house of serpents boiled out of their stands and onto the pitch. They heartily began to congratulate the team. The snitch's catch had to have been the most spectacular catch any of them had ever seen. Marcus whispered to Harry that feinting his broom was out of control was a brilliant tactic, but next time check with him first. Harry just nodded; Flint's father may be a Death Eater, but that didn't mean he could be trusted.

Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy made their way through the throng of student bodies. The serpents moved back as they realized who was walking among them. Professor Snape leaned down a bit toward Harry and asked, "Mr. Potter may I have a word with you?"

Harry cheekily said, "Only if Hermione and Neville can join the celebration in the common room." His adrenaline was still quite high and he was speaking a bit out of character.

"They have been adopted by my house so I see no reason to prevent them from joining the celebration," Severus replied.

"Thanks Professor," he then turned toward Kira, "I'll see you later, make sure Hermione and Neville join us for the celebration." Kira nodded and Harry turned back toward Severus. "Lead the way sir."

Severus swept off the pitch, Harry followed in his wake. He was aware of Lucius walking behind him and smirked over his shoulder. The three Slytherins made their way down into the dungeons. Severus led them to his office. Harry and Lucius entered after him. Lucius closed the door and cast silencing spells about the room.

Severus looked at Harry. "Mr. Potter, what happened out there?"

Harry gave him a grim smirk, "Actually you could probably tell me better since you and uncle Lucius were casting a counter curse against Professor Quirrell's curse."

Lucius chuckled slightly, "The young lord has you there old friend. Although," he turned his gray eyes on Harry, "we didn't know Quirrell was the one casting the curse on your broom."

Harry glanced at Lucius, "Well now you do and that brings up the question of why. Why was he trying to kill me?"

"I'm afraid we do not have an answer," replied Severus.

Harry shrugged, "In that case I'll ask Blaise, Draco, Kira, Hermione, and Neville to help keep an eye on him. Maybe we can figure something out by watching him."

"Good idea Harry," said Lucius. "It is especially useful to observe your enemy if he doesn't think you are doing so. Be sure to act like none of you suspect anything." Harry nodded. "And Harry, I also wanted to congratulate you on a well played game."

"Thank you uncle Lucius," he then turned back toward Severus. "If there is nothing else sir..."

"Enjoy the party, it will after all be in you honor," said Severus in his patented sarcastic way.

Harry nodded, "Good night professor. Goodnight Uncle Lucius, I'll give your regards to Draco."

"Goodnight Harry, and thank you." replied Lucius as Harry left.

Severus glanced at his old friend after Harry left. "You seem to know Mr. Potter rather well."

"Yes I do. He and Kira spent a lot of time at the manor as they grew up. The have become as much Narcissa and my niece and nephew as Bellatrix's brood."

"I'm surprised our lord kept Potter and his own daughter a secret all these years."

Lucius raised one eyebrow elegantly, "Our Lord doesn't trust all of his Death Eaters equally. There are only a select few he trusts with the safety of his family, and we have family of our own. Surely you can understand his desire for caution."

"Of course," Severus kept his voice even, his face blank. He knew Lucius would never outright say that Voldemort suspected Severus of being a double agent, but he could easily read the veiled message.

"Well old friend, I must take my leave. Please let me know when the next Slytherin game is, perhaps Narcissa and I will come enjoy it."

"Certainly, it has been very good seeing you again. If you wish you may use the Floo connection in my room."

"Thank you Severus."

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Review responses:

Shadowface Here's another... yeah I'm doing better than I planned

Jadzania You're welcome, and thanks for reviewing.

Jean-Claude Iscarot I think Hermione could have done well in Slytherin and while Neville isn't sneaky or ambitious enough(yet) that has a lot to do with who raised him. The weasel trio will get theirs, although I'm not entirely sure what to do to them (Yet) if you have any ideas send them my way... if I use them I'll give you credit .

Sirius will show up, but he's going to be kind of an enigma in this first installment of the AU world.

Kage Mirai Thank you. I like toying with the Dumbledore is an A—idea. I had a few Freddy nightmares myself when I was little so I can relate... although after watching Freddy v Jason I don't know if I would ever find him that terrifying again. Dumbledore is slowly but surely earning himself a very server punishment. Hope you enjoyed this update.