(4)Close Call

Harry was up & ready before Merida had time to remember what the sweet words "sleep" & "dreams" meant! Just her luck marrying a Quidditch addict! Harry was outside in the early morning flying his Firebolt & practicing with a spare Snitch he borrowed from Oliver, while his new broom, Firebolt Golden Ed., stood ready by the bedstand. Unfortunatly, it just happened to be Merida's side. She tripped all over it as she got out of bed.

"Harry!" Merida whispered as she picked herself up, stepping on something long & soft. A tail?

"Mrreowww!" yowled Crookshanks, fleeing for the door.

"Oh Crooks! I'm sorry!" Merida sighed. Crookshanks hissed at her as he backed up into the wall. Basically, the Snape Manor had been turned into a zoo. A Keazle-cat, a toad, a hippogryf, a unicorn, TWO owls, a house-elf & of course, anything Merida decided to be! Good thing it was a large place. Merida threw on a coat over her slip & headed outside.

Harry was begining to worry he wouldn't be able to play. It had been a while since he last saw the Snitch & he couldn't find it anywhere. Glancing down, he saw Merida waving at him. He flew down, doing dives & loops on his way. "Morning Meri!" Harry hopped off his broom.

"Well, if you consider tripping over Quidditch brooms & accidently abusing a Keazle as a good morning, then it's fine!" Merida laughed as she touched finger to nose as if pushing up some glasses, much the same way Harry did. It was amazing how mates tend to copy each other. "Show off!" she teased, drawing close to Harry.

"Yeah!" Harry sighed, picking her up & carrying her back in. "You like it!"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right! "I love you!"

"Love you too!" Harry pulled her into a long kiss. Merida held him there & began feeling his back.

The doorbell rang!

"Of course!" Harry grumbled, pulling away. "You'd think the phrase "young newlyweds" would mean something anymore!" Harry marched to the door & yanked it open. "Ron! You're dead!"

"Uh---why?" the red-head stepped back in fear.

"No reason!" Harry smiled sweetly.

"Ummm, OK!" Ron gulped. "You ready?"

"He's been ready since yesterday afternoon!" Merida said. "Come in for some breakfast & then we'll go!"

It was an indoor arena, twice the size of Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch. The players were twice as fast & the stands full. Merida sat with Ginny, Ron & Mr. & Mrs. Weasley while Harry hurried to the change rooms to find Oliver. Two teams wer just finishing & then Oliver's Team, The Fire Hazards, would be up against The Lightenings. Harry was in his element here!

"Nervous Harry?" Oliver asked as he waited at the door, broom in hand.

"N-N-No!" Harry lied.

"Yeah, same here!" Oliver laughed.

"If only Umbridge could see this!" said Harry.

"Poor Umbridge!" Oliver teased & both laughed. "Let's go!"

"And our next two teams take position!" a strangly familiar voice said. "The Lightenings, Captained by Scott Dawson goes against The Fire Hazards, Captained by Oliver Wood. Seekers for the respective teams are Matthew Ormrod & Harold James Potter!"

Harry leaned over to Oliver. "Is that.....Lee Jordans?!"

"Yup!" Oliver soared into the air, the team following. "Watch out for Matt, Harry!" Oliver called as he flew to his position.

It was a fast game. Ron's & Merida's heads were twisting back & forth trying to keep tract. Eventually, Ron gave up & closed his eyes to just listen to Lee's commenting. It made more sense! He'd wait for when the Snitch was sighted before watching the game again.

Twenty minutes passed. Both teams were tied at 10 goals. Ron popped his eyes open as the crowd suddenly roared. The Snitch was spotted. The trouble was, to spot the two Seekers going after it! Harry & Matthew were high above the game, tiny specks against the cieling.

"Do you see them?" Merida asked loudly.

"No!" Ron yelled over the noise.

"There's Harry!" Ginny pointed. "& he doesn't look good!"

Harry came spiraling down at a much-to-fast rate, his broom spinning out of control.

"Oh dear God!" Merida whispered, paniced. "Not this!" She closed her eyes. I knew this would happen! I just knew it!

"HARRY!" Ron shrieked at him, even though he knew it was useless. Merida kept silent, turning her silver engagment ring & gold wedding band around on her finger.

Everyone in the stands screamed again as Mrs. Weasley was saying, "Oh dear!"

"How bad is it?" Merida fixed her eyes firmly on Mrs. Weasley, not wanting to see anything else.

"He's hit the ground!" Mrs. Weasly answered.

"Hey! He's moving!" Ginny peered through the binochulars. "& he's got it!"

"Harry Potter catches the Snitch yet again!" Lee Jordans yelled. It was wierd not to her McGonagall reprimanding him! "The Fire Hazards win! However, it ppears there may be some trouble on the Pitch!" Lee went on to comment on the crahs landing & how bad it was.

Merida went flying down the stairs, Ron & Ginny hot on her heels. Mr. & Mrs. Weasly followed close behind. Harry had to be carried out in a stretcher. He had two broken ribs & a lot of bruises. The handle of the broom had speared his left side as well.

"HARRY! Don't ever scare me like that again!" Merida scolded. "I thought you were going to die! I thought I'd lose you! I told you these Professional Games were different from Hogwarts!" Harry moaned softly. He looked like he was near death. "Harry?" Merida panicked, leaning over him. Harry suddenly grinned wickedly & quickly kissed her cheek. "WHY YOU-------!!" Merida fumed, pushing away. "I thought I just told you not to scare me again!!" Merlin sakes! What is it with Marauders & their pranks?!?!

Harry forced a laugh, in spite of himself. Merida rolled her eyes & stormed out. "Meri? Merida wait! Oh, come on!" Harry giggled.

"She's pregnant, remember?" Mrs. Weasley said. "It's a hormonal thing!"

"Of course it is!" Harry agreed.

"Now, let's get you fixed up!" Mrs. Weasly said.