The Seeker: Harry James Potter

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters

Chapter Five: The Press and the European Championships

As Harry stepped into the press room, reporters rapidly fired questions at Harry. Photographers took pictures of him and television studios gave the audience something to cheer about. Harry went to the team's table. He saw Mr. Jones and Mr. Reynolds, the manager, seated at the centre of the table. They were answering questions from the reporters. Harry took a seat beside team captain, Richard, and Alex, who was quite dazed. The press looked at Harry and immediately, reporters raised their hands. Richard motioned Harry to pick one of the reporters. He looked at the wave of reporters and picked a man in the far left corner. He asked, "Mr. Potter, after today's game, do you think you will start for the Tornadoes in the European Championships?"

Harry rose and eyebrow and thought for a moment before replying, "I hope that I would, because it might get Aidan frustrated." Aidan Lynch seeing that Harry decided to be humorous added, "I will get frustrated and plan to keep my position as the number one Seeker in the club."

Another reporter was picked, this time a woman. She asked, "What will we expect from the England vs Ireland game, which is still under negotiations by both countries' Ministry of Magical Sports and Games?"

Harry replied, "Plenty of action packed drama. Now, if you excuse me, I have to hit the showers before I return to the Ministry of Magic." He stood up and reached the doorway when one reported stopped him.

"Mr. Potter, one last question please. Is it true that the rumors that you and Miss Cho Chang are getting married in a month's time?" Harry looked at her and shoo his head. He left the press room leaving the wave of reporters and his teammates. He entered the team's changing room and showered before leaving for the Ministry of Magic. He entered his office only to find Cho speaking to the Minister of Sports and Magical Games of the Republic of Ireland. He saw down on his desk and started signing the documents. At twelve o' clock, they left for lunch.

Harry saw Ron and Hermione seated at the far end of the cafeteria, arguing about something. He sat down beside Hermione and he heard her saying, "Honestly, Ron. He's our best friend. You don't need to be sore just because he has defeated your favorite team in Quidditch. He opened his mouth to argue but he saw Harry and decided to keep quiet. Cho sat down, unaware that they were bickering and asked, "How was the game?"

Ron was furious and yelled, "HOW WAS THE GAME?!! I'LL TELL YOU!! IT STINKS!!" and he left the cafeteria pushing several people who were in his way. Cho asked, "What's up with him?" Harry and Hermione shrugged "Don't know him."

It was raining heavily. Richard and his team were in the changing rooms in Paris, home to the French league's defending champions, Quiberon Quafflepunchers. Harry looked at his grim and determined team. Mr. Reynolds has once again chosen him to start the game, ahead of Aidan Lynch. Harry smiled as Richard started giving the pep talk, "Alright team. It's a different thing here. They are much tougher than the Cannons. They're Seeker, Harry, is actually Jacques Garros. He's the national Seeker and he's very good at feinting, not that you can't feint or anything. It's a pity we didn't play France in the semi finals of the World Cup. So let's give it all we've got. Let's go!"

They flew out into the rain. Harry whispered, "Impervius!" at his glasses before placing them back on. He looked at the crowd and wondered whether Ron was there, or not. He waved at Hermione and Cho before flying to the centre. The referee, a stout Scotsman was walking onto the pitch with a Quidditch case. He released the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch before requesting the captains to shake hands. He threw the Quaffle and the game began.

"It's Alicia Spinnet of Tornadoes with the ball, nice reverse pass to Stevens. He parries the Quaffle and punches it towards Kohler. Nice duck from Kohler. Shoots, but nice save from the Quafflepuncher's Keeper," the announcer announced. Harry scanned the pitch for the Golden Snitch but he could not see it. He suddenly saw Garros pummel to the ground at 180 miles and hour but Harry decided that it was a Wronski Feint and decided to ignore it. The score was still love all and Harry decided to make things interesting. He looped around the two Beaters and motioned Alex and Michael to blast the two Bludgers straight at the Beaters. Being distracted, the Beaters were unaware of the Bludgers coming at them and they were hit square on the back. They both fell a hundred feet onto the pitch and boos and jeers were heard from the Quiberon's spectators while cheers were heard from the Tutshill fans.

The Quafflepuncher's captain appealed for foul but the referee turned down his appeal. There was no rule stating that the opposing team cannot eliminate the team's Beaters by using Bludgers. By now, the score line was Tornadoes 90 Quafflepunchers 20. Harry decided to do a Wronski Feint and began diving down the pitch at a hundred miles and hour stretching out his hands. Garros thought that Harry had seen the Golden Snitch and followed him. Harry was so convincing that the opposing team's fans began cheering for their Seeker to catch the Golden Snitch. In the last second, Harry pulled up, allowing Garros to slam onto the hard Quidditch pitch. With only four players remaining, Harry caught the Golden Snitch when the led by 270 to 30. Soon, the score increased to 420 and the Tutshill fans cheered.

Richard rubbed his hair as Harry landed onto the ground. The team hugged him and he waved towards the crowds.

Sorry, no romance scenes on this chapter. I promise there will be in future chapters. Harry will be proposing to Cho on the ninth or tenth chapter so do continue reading. Please review once again.