Chapter Twelve:
Firebolt
Rain pelted heavily against the windows of Hogwarts School, blurring the outside for anyone looking out. Despite the nasty weather, the students filed out of the school, cloaked in rainwear and sporting umbrellas. It was Sunday, and Sunday was the day of Quidditch Matches. Through the cold rain, they marched to the Pitch, filing down the rows of stands to watch the game.
Professor Flitwick created a barrier between the students and the rain with a shielding charm, hoping that would brighten the students' spirits. This seemed to evoke more talking from the large group, and they eagerly watched the field, anxious for the game to being.
Up in the stands, above the students sat the teachers each clustered in-groups according to House. They seemed just as eager to see the game as the students did. McGonagall sat beside Dumbledore, smiling as she watched the Gryffindor team walk out onto the field, receiving cheers from their House.
"Look at them," she said, watching the team mount their brooms. "They look so confident."
Dumbledore grinned.
"They do, don't they?"
Suddenly, one of the players caught his eye – huddled away from the rest of the team, talking. Squinting, he noticed the flaming red hair and bespectacled characteristics of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
"Look down there, Minerva." he said as he pointed out the two.
"Oh," McGonagall said as she spotted who the two boys were. "What in the world are they doing?"
Dumbledore glanced over at her.
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"Potter and Weasley! Potter's not even close to being healed from his reaction to the Algorith Sap he got on him in Herbology!"
"Algorith Sap?"
"Oh Albus! Don't you even pay attention to me anymore?"
Dumbledore sighed.
"I've had a lot on my mind lately, Minerva." he replied. "This is one of my only enjoyable activities." There was a silence as McGonagall listened. "Those Dementors are fighting to get into our school."
"Oh dear!" McGonagall said, putting a hand to her mouth. "They aren't still –"
Suddenly, someone bumped into her, shoving past. She was about to glare at the person when she saw who it was.
"Excuse me," came the voice of Lucius Malfoy as he gave her piercing stare.
McGonagall humphed and turned to Dumbledore.
"What is he doing here?" she hissed in his ear.
Dumbledore gave her a sigh.
"I can't stop parents from coming to see their children play Quidditch, Minerva." he replied as he looked out onto the field. The Slytherin team was making their entrance, zooming out onto the field as the crowd cheered, with some boos from the other Houses.
"Ah, there's my boy." Lucius said with a satisfied smile.
Dumbledore looked up to see Malfoy doing a lap around the Pitch, waving to the Slytherins as he did a zigzagging maneuver Dumbledore recognized as the Woollongong Shimmy.
"Someone's been reading Quidditch Through the Ages." he muttered to McGonagall who nodded. "Despite the fact that he's nothing but trouble, he's a pretty good player." he added.
Lucius turned to Snape and grinned.
"Look at that." he said with satisfaction. "That's my boy."
Snape nodded, not looking too interested. He caught McGonagall's glance and looked away.
Suddenly, she turned to Dumbledore.
"When is Wood getting here?"
"Hm?" Dumbledore replied, caught a little off guard, then raised his eyebrows, remembering. "Oh – yes. He should be here soon. I got an owl from him saying he'd be a little late because of...something."
McGonagall frowned.
"Something?" she pressed on, determined to get some information from Dumbledore, but he just chuckled and crossed his arms.
"I can't tell you what it is, Minerva. It would spoil the surprise."
She shrugged and turned back to the field. Madame Hooch had stepped up to the central circle already, placing the chest holding the four Quidditch balls on the grass. She looked up at the stands where Dumbledore was and smiled. Dumbledore returned the smile and got up from his seat.
"I don't care, Harry." Ron said as he mounted his broom, watching Harry scratch at a boil on his wrist. "You hurt her feelings, and that makes you in the wrong."
Harry groaned as he gave up stopping the itching.
"Ron – can't you cut me some slack?"
"No," Ron replied as he glanced over at him. "Because I know she won't be cutting you any. You have to solve this the right way. You may think I'm completely ignorant when it comes to girls, but I have more experience than you think. I've lived with Ginny for the past...well..."
Harry cut him off.
"Look, I know I was wrong. But, I'm just –"
Suddenly someone wearing foliage green robes zoomed past them, causing their hair and robes to flap in the wind. Harry frowned.
"Look at him!" he said angrily. "He thinks he's so great. Flirting with my girlfriend!"
Ron rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.
"Harry," he started. "You have to get over that. You know – if Hermione really likes you, she won't flirt with anyone else. Especially not Malfoy."
Harry nodded.
"I know. But, they were calling each other by their first names!"
Ron shrugged.
"Doesn't everybody?" he said before he kicked off into the air, leaving Harry alone on the field.
Harry groaned in anger, kicking off after him. He knew there was something going on that everybody else didn't see. Why did Malfoy call Hermione by anything other than Mudblood?
The chilly breeze caught his hair as he soared around the Pitch, watching everybody in the stands nice and warm beneath a canopy of fog that seemed to have been conjured to keep the rain off them. He wasn't in the mood to play. There was too much on his mind, but then again, he could use his anger while he played. There was so much he could do – and get away with...
Suddenly he was shook from his thoughts as Dumbledore's voice echoed around the stadium.
"Welcome students of Hogwarts!" he said as Harry spotted him standing at the announcer's podium. "I'm afraid that the weather is nasty, but that doesn't mean that we can't have an awesome game."
This aroused cheers from every House. This made Harry smile slightly.
"I'm going to give over the podium to our stand-in announcer, Dean Thomas."
Harry smiled. He had been a good friend with Dean ever since the previous year when Seamus had gone against Harry, calling him crazy and a liar like the Daily Prophet was. He sighed and whipped his broom around in the air, brushing his hair out of his face.
"Good afternoon, Hogwarts!" he said enthusiastically. "I hope you're all ready for a good show!"
Ron stopped in the air beside Harry and groaned.
"Can he get any more cheesy?" he called over to Harry, getting a grin.
"If Madame Hooch will step up to the center of the Pitch, we can begin."
Ron nodded to Harry and soared off to the scoring area, prepared to block any of the attempts from Slytherin. Harry moved to the center of the field, watching as Malfoy did the same. Malfoy looked up at him and grinned.
Harry looked away. He couldn't stand watching Malfoy be so happy when he was so down.
Madame Hooch looked up at every player, prepared to release the balls.
"Alright!" she called to them. "I want a clean game. No fouling – if you can help it. I'll be taking away points for it this time, Crabbe."
Crabbe snickered as he looked over at Goyle.
Opening the chest, Madame Hooch stepped away as she watched the Bludgers zoom off into the air, circling the Pitch before going their separate ways. The Snitch rose into the air and circled around Malfoy. Harry glared at him as Malfoy watched the Snitch glint past him and zoom off into the air, disappearing from view.
With the Quaffle in hand, Hooch looked up at all of them.
"Ready?" she asked before putting the whistle in her mouth. Then, with a blow of the whistle, she threw the leather ball into the air.
"And they're off! Bell has the Quaffle, closely pursued by the Slytherin Chasers. They're on her tail and oh!"
Harry watched as the Quaffle slipped from her grasp as a Bludger hit her in the stomach.
She fell against her broom and continued to soar around the Pitch as the Slytherin Chaser caught the ball and zoomed off towards the goal posts.
"Not a good start!" Dean said through the enchanted podium.
Harry groaned as he watched Malfoy lingering nearby. He hadn't moved much since the ball was thrown up and seemed to be taking his time – scanning the entire field.
Suddenly, he looked up, catching his eye.
"What's the matter, Potter?" he called to Harry as rain started to pick up. "Too cold for you?"
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Harry spat back.
"You haven't moved much." Malfoy called back as he did a circle in the air.
Harry frowned.
"You haven't either," he said as he urged his broom forward, getting closer to Malfoy.
"Wha' in the world is he doin'?" Hagrid asked as he looked through his binoculars.
Hermione rested her chin on her fist as she looked up.
"What's the matter, Hagrid?" she asked glumly.
Hagrid frowned down at her.
"Wha's the matter wi' you, 'Ermione? Aren' you watchin' the game?"
Hermione shrugged.
"Why should I?"
Hagrid chuckled.
"You certainly seem down," he said as he turned back to the Pitch. "'Arry looks like he's talkin' to Malfoy!"
This caught Hermione's attention and she looked up to see that Hagrid was right. "What is he doing?" she asked herself as she got up and leaned over the barrier keeping her from falling down to the field below. "He's moving closer to Draco!"
Hagrid lowered his binoculars and glanced down at her.
"Draco?" he asked curiously.
Hermione wasn't paying attention.
"Look! Why isn't he looking for the Snitch? Doesn't he want to win?"
Hagrid shrugged.
"I though' you didn' wan' teh watch the game." he said with sarcasm and Hermione frowned up at him. "Looks like he's shoutin' or somethin'."
"You're so stupid – Malfoy!" Harry yelled at Malfoy. "You think you're so cool, making moves on Hermione!"
Malfoy sneered.
"Moves on Hermione, huh? You call working on a project together making moves?"
Harry lunged at Malfoy, but Malfoy ducked and Harry found himself facing air. Turning around, he saw Malfoy grinning.
"You're challenging me?" he said as Harry turned his Firebolt around.
"Yeah. That's right!" Harry said as the rain got harder.
Malfoy started laughing as a Bludger passed by him.
"You've picked the wrong day, Potter."
Harry started after Malfoy, but Malfoy was too fast for him and started zooming away around the pitch, the colorful stands filled with cheering students passing by beneath his feet.
Harry was too busy chasing Malfoy, ready to pound him that he didn't see the Bludger coming towards him and it whizzed past him, inches from his face. This seemed to bring him back to the game and he slowed, watching what was going on.
"And there's another score for Gryffindor!" Dean shouted as the crowd cheered.
At least we're getting points, he thought to himself as he watched Ron give him thumbs up.
Malfoy stopped beside him, grinning.
"What's the matter, Potter? Too fast for you, huh?"
Suddenly the two of them looked up, as the stands seemed to shake with a gasp. Harry spotted a Bludger coming towards him and he did a Sloth Grip Roll to avoid it. When he looked up, it appeared Malfoy had done the same because another Bludger was coming at him from the other side. The crowd went silent as the two Bludgers collided in midair and emitted a loud boom.
"Oh!" McGonagall cried as she watched the two Bludgers splinter off in opposite directions, one of them partly shattered and the other dented horribly, sending it zooming in awkward circles.
Dumbledore was just as shocked. All his time as a Headmaster, he'd never seen something like that in a Quidditch match.
"Would you look at that!" said somebody behind him and Dumbledore turned to see the tall figure of a former Hogwarts student.
"Oliver!" he said as he got up, Wood moving to a seat beside him. "You came just as the action was getting good."
"I see." Wood said as he sat down. "Isn't that Harry out there?"
McGonagall turned towards him.
"If you're referring to the one who almost got decapitated by two Bludgers, yes."
Wood grinned.
"That was a Sloth Grip Roll, wasn't it?" he said in a pleased tone. "I taught him that one."
Dumbledore grinned, unaware that Lucius was glaring at them.
"Holy crap, Potter!" Malfoy called as he heard a crack of thunder. "This is getting dangerous!"
Harry shot him a glare.
"What's the matter, Malfoy? Don't you thrive off of danger?"
This got a frown from Malfoy. "Shut up, Potter." he called as he looked over the Pitch.
Harry turned away from him, wanting to get the game over with sooner rather than later. It was getting icy cold and the rain was freezing. He had to find the Snitch.
Suddenly, Malfoy dove towards the ground. Harry caught this and followed though not as fast. Malfoy's robes whipped out behind him and he reached out his hand as he got closer to the ground.
Then Harry spotted it. The Snitch. Malfoy was going to get it.
But he couldn't let that happen. Suddenly, he leaped from his broom and raced towards the Snitch with an outstretched hand. But, instead of catching the Snitch, he caught Malfoy's broom. Malfoy was caught off guard and shoved at Harry who clung to his Nimbus 2001.
"What the hell are you doing Potter?" he yelled as he watched the Snitch zigzag just out of reach. "Get off!"
Harry was shoved once again and the broom shaft was too wet to hold onto, so he lost his grip and fell. But, his Firebolt was just below him and he caught it, racing after Malfoy. He had to get that Snitch!
But Malfoy had lost it. The Snitch zoomed off to the left and Harry followed it as fast as his Firebolt would take him. Reaching out his hand, he felt the Snitch in his fingers and –
Suddenly a loud boom startled him and he lost the Snitch.
"No!" he said as the tiny golden ball flitted off into the rain, hidden from view.
Malfoy shoved into him.
"What was that, Potter?" he said as he got a shove back from Harry. "Lunging at me now?"
Harry gritted his teeth as he zoomed on, searching once again for the Snitch. The thick sheets of rain that pelted him made his glasses blurry and he had to squint to see. Then, something smacked into him. He felt himself forced backwards to the tail of his broom as a Bludger, the shattered one, caught his shoulder and ripped open his robes.
The crowd gasped as he clung to the tail of his Firebolt, hoping he didn't lose his grip.
Slowly, he pulled himself back onto his broom and gripped the handle.
Malfoy was out of sight now and he had no idea where the Snitch was.
Then he spotted it. It was just up ahead. He urged his broom on and reached out his hand –
"Harry Potter catches the Snitch!" came Dean's voice over the roar of the Gryffindors.
Harry did a lap around the Pitch with the Snitch in his hand, waving it at his House as he passed.
After Madame Hooch had grabbed all the balls out of the air, she instructed the Gryffindor team to wait before heading to the changing room.
"You have a surprise guest," she said and Harry grinned.
"I all forgot!" he said as he looked over at Ron who smiled.
Looking up at the stairs leading into the stands, Harry watched as the figure of a tall, brown-haired person descended. As the light caught his face, Harry saw that it was none other than Oliver Wood, his old Quidditch captain.
"Wood!" he cried as he rushed forward to meet him.
Wood smiled as he saw Harry. The rest of the team lingered behind.
"Harry!" he said as he shook Harry's hand. "I'm glad to see you."
"Same here!" Harry replied, glad to see his old friend again.
Katie Bell stepped forward and wrapped Wood in a huge hug. Wood grinned as he returned it.
"Hello, Katie." he said as he looked down at her.
"Oh, Oliver!" she said as she finally let him go. Harry grinned as Katie admired Wood's figure. He'd always had a feeling Katie had liked him. "I'm so glad you're back! I really missed you!"
Wood smiled.
"Well, I'm glad at least two people are glad to see me." he said as he looked at the rest of the team.
Suddenly someone appeared on the stairs. Harry looked over to see that it was Hermione.
At first, she stopped when she saw everyone assembled there around Wood, then she caught Harry's gaze and looked down at her feet.
"I...uh...I'm glad you're not hurt." she said quietly after a moment of silence.
Harry held his gaze, not knowing what to say.
Wood looked from Harry to Hermione, then back again. A look of dawning appeared on his face and he nodded to Harry.
"I guess I'll be going up to the castle now," he said as he turned to Dumbledore who had descended the stairs behind Hermione. "I'll see you guys later."
Harry nodded. "Are you going to be here a while?" he asked as Wood started towards the castle.
"Yeah. For a week." he called over his shoulder.
This made Harry a little happier. At least Wood would be there for a week and he could talk to him about Quidditch.
When he turned back to the stairs, Hermione was gone. He looked all around as the rest of the Quidditch team left towards the locker rooms, but he couldn't see her. Sighing, he tried to flatten his messy hair, finding that this reminded him of how Hermione used to try to tame it and he felt tears stinging his eyes.
Walking up the stairs, he made his way to the top box, overlooking the whole Pitch. It was completely deserted and he sat down on the nearest bench, resting his face in his hands.
Looking up, he spotted the sunset through his tears and felt like he'd never be happy again.
Firebolt
Rain pelted heavily against the windows of Hogwarts School, blurring the outside for anyone looking out. Despite the nasty weather, the students filed out of the school, cloaked in rainwear and sporting umbrellas. It was Sunday, and Sunday was the day of Quidditch Matches. Through the cold rain, they marched to the Pitch, filing down the rows of stands to watch the game.
Professor Flitwick created a barrier between the students and the rain with a shielding charm, hoping that would brighten the students' spirits. This seemed to evoke more talking from the large group, and they eagerly watched the field, anxious for the game to being.
Up in the stands, above the students sat the teachers each clustered in-groups according to House. They seemed just as eager to see the game as the students did. McGonagall sat beside Dumbledore, smiling as she watched the Gryffindor team walk out onto the field, receiving cheers from their House.
"Look at them," she said, watching the team mount their brooms. "They look so confident."
Dumbledore grinned.
"They do, don't they?"
Suddenly, one of the players caught his eye – huddled away from the rest of the team, talking. Squinting, he noticed the flaming red hair and bespectacled characteristics of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
"Look down there, Minerva." he said as he pointed out the two.
"Oh," McGonagall said as she spotted who the two boys were. "What in the world are they doing?"
Dumbledore glanced over at her.
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"Potter and Weasley! Potter's not even close to being healed from his reaction to the Algorith Sap he got on him in Herbology!"
"Algorith Sap?"
"Oh Albus! Don't you even pay attention to me anymore?"
Dumbledore sighed.
"I've had a lot on my mind lately, Minerva." he replied. "This is one of my only enjoyable activities." There was a silence as McGonagall listened. "Those Dementors are fighting to get into our school."
"Oh dear!" McGonagall said, putting a hand to her mouth. "They aren't still –"
Suddenly, someone bumped into her, shoving past. She was about to glare at the person when she saw who it was.
"Excuse me," came the voice of Lucius Malfoy as he gave her piercing stare.
McGonagall humphed and turned to Dumbledore.
"What is he doing here?" she hissed in his ear.
Dumbledore gave her a sigh.
"I can't stop parents from coming to see their children play Quidditch, Minerva." he replied as he looked out onto the field. The Slytherin team was making their entrance, zooming out onto the field as the crowd cheered, with some boos from the other Houses.
"Ah, there's my boy." Lucius said with a satisfied smile.
Dumbledore looked up to see Malfoy doing a lap around the Pitch, waving to the Slytherins as he did a zigzagging maneuver Dumbledore recognized as the Woollongong Shimmy.
"Someone's been reading Quidditch Through the Ages." he muttered to McGonagall who nodded. "Despite the fact that he's nothing but trouble, he's a pretty good player." he added.
Lucius turned to Snape and grinned.
"Look at that." he said with satisfaction. "That's my boy."
Snape nodded, not looking too interested. He caught McGonagall's glance and looked away.
Suddenly, she turned to Dumbledore.
"When is Wood getting here?"
"Hm?" Dumbledore replied, caught a little off guard, then raised his eyebrows, remembering. "Oh – yes. He should be here soon. I got an owl from him saying he'd be a little late because of...something."
McGonagall frowned.
"Something?" she pressed on, determined to get some information from Dumbledore, but he just chuckled and crossed his arms.
"I can't tell you what it is, Minerva. It would spoil the surprise."
She shrugged and turned back to the field. Madame Hooch had stepped up to the central circle already, placing the chest holding the four Quidditch balls on the grass. She looked up at the stands where Dumbledore was and smiled. Dumbledore returned the smile and got up from his seat.
"I don't care, Harry." Ron said as he mounted his broom, watching Harry scratch at a boil on his wrist. "You hurt her feelings, and that makes you in the wrong."
Harry groaned as he gave up stopping the itching.
"Ron – can't you cut me some slack?"
"No," Ron replied as he glanced over at him. "Because I know she won't be cutting you any. You have to solve this the right way. You may think I'm completely ignorant when it comes to girls, but I have more experience than you think. I've lived with Ginny for the past...well..."
Harry cut him off.
"Look, I know I was wrong. But, I'm just –"
Suddenly someone wearing foliage green robes zoomed past them, causing their hair and robes to flap in the wind. Harry frowned.
"Look at him!" he said angrily. "He thinks he's so great. Flirting with my girlfriend!"
Ron rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.
"Harry," he started. "You have to get over that. You know – if Hermione really likes you, she won't flirt with anyone else. Especially not Malfoy."
Harry nodded.
"I know. But, they were calling each other by their first names!"
Ron shrugged.
"Doesn't everybody?" he said before he kicked off into the air, leaving Harry alone on the field.
Harry groaned in anger, kicking off after him. He knew there was something going on that everybody else didn't see. Why did Malfoy call Hermione by anything other than Mudblood?
The chilly breeze caught his hair as he soared around the Pitch, watching everybody in the stands nice and warm beneath a canopy of fog that seemed to have been conjured to keep the rain off them. He wasn't in the mood to play. There was too much on his mind, but then again, he could use his anger while he played. There was so much he could do – and get away with...
Suddenly he was shook from his thoughts as Dumbledore's voice echoed around the stadium.
"Welcome students of Hogwarts!" he said as Harry spotted him standing at the announcer's podium. "I'm afraid that the weather is nasty, but that doesn't mean that we can't have an awesome game."
This aroused cheers from every House. This made Harry smile slightly.
"I'm going to give over the podium to our stand-in announcer, Dean Thomas."
Harry smiled. He had been a good friend with Dean ever since the previous year when Seamus had gone against Harry, calling him crazy and a liar like the Daily Prophet was. He sighed and whipped his broom around in the air, brushing his hair out of his face.
"Good afternoon, Hogwarts!" he said enthusiastically. "I hope you're all ready for a good show!"
Ron stopped in the air beside Harry and groaned.
"Can he get any more cheesy?" he called over to Harry, getting a grin.
"If Madame Hooch will step up to the center of the Pitch, we can begin."
Ron nodded to Harry and soared off to the scoring area, prepared to block any of the attempts from Slytherin. Harry moved to the center of the field, watching as Malfoy did the same. Malfoy looked up at him and grinned.
Harry looked away. He couldn't stand watching Malfoy be so happy when he was so down.
Madame Hooch looked up at every player, prepared to release the balls.
"Alright!" she called to them. "I want a clean game. No fouling – if you can help it. I'll be taking away points for it this time, Crabbe."
Crabbe snickered as he looked over at Goyle.
Opening the chest, Madame Hooch stepped away as she watched the Bludgers zoom off into the air, circling the Pitch before going their separate ways. The Snitch rose into the air and circled around Malfoy. Harry glared at him as Malfoy watched the Snitch glint past him and zoom off into the air, disappearing from view.
With the Quaffle in hand, Hooch looked up at all of them.
"Ready?" she asked before putting the whistle in her mouth. Then, with a blow of the whistle, she threw the leather ball into the air.
"And they're off! Bell has the Quaffle, closely pursued by the Slytherin Chasers. They're on her tail and oh!"
Harry watched as the Quaffle slipped from her grasp as a Bludger hit her in the stomach.
She fell against her broom and continued to soar around the Pitch as the Slytherin Chaser caught the ball and zoomed off towards the goal posts.
"Not a good start!" Dean said through the enchanted podium.
Harry groaned as he watched Malfoy lingering nearby. He hadn't moved much since the ball was thrown up and seemed to be taking his time – scanning the entire field.
Suddenly, he looked up, catching his eye.
"What's the matter, Potter?" he called to Harry as rain started to pick up. "Too cold for you?"
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Harry spat back.
"You haven't moved much." Malfoy called back as he did a circle in the air.
Harry frowned.
"You haven't either," he said as he urged his broom forward, getting closer to Malfoy.
"Wha' in the world is he doin'?" Hagrid asked as he looked through his binoculars.
Hermione rested her chin on her fist as she looked up.
"What's the matter, Hagrid?" she asked glumly.
Hagrid frowned down at her.
"Wha's the matter wi' you, 'Ermione? Aren' you watchin' the game?"
Hermione shrugged.
"Why should I?"
Hagrid chuckled.
"You certainly seem down," he said as he turned back to the Pitch. "'Arry looks like he's talkin' to Malfoy!"
This caught Hermione's attention and she looked up to see that Hagrid was right. "What is he doing?" she asked herself as she got up and leaned over the barrier keeping her from falling down to the field below. "He's moving closer to Draco!"
Hagrid lowered his binoculars and glanced down at her.
"Draco?" he asked curiously.
Hermione wasn't paying attention.
"Look! Why isn't he looking for the Snitch? Doesn't he want to win?"
Hagrid shrugged.
"I though' you didn' wan' teh watch the game." he said with sarcasm and Hermione frowned up at him. "Looks like he's shoutin' or somethin'."
"You're so stupid – Malfoy!" Harry yelled at Malfoy. "You think you're so cool, making moves on Hermione!"
Malfoy sneered.
"Moves on Hermione, huh? You call working on a project together making moves?"
Harry lunged at Malfoy, but Malfoy ducked and Harry found himself facing air. Turning around, he saw Malfoy grinning.
"You're challenging me?" he said as Harry turned his Firebolt around.
"Yeah. That's right!" Harry said as the rain got harder.
Malfoy started laughing as a Bludger passed by him.
"You've picked the wrong day, Potter."
Harry started after Malfoy, but Malfoy was too fast for him and started zooming away around the pitch, the colorful stands filled with cheering students passing by beneath his feet.
Harry was too busy chasing Malfoy, ready to pound him that he didn't see the Bludger coming towards him and it whizzed past him, inches from his face. This seemed to bring him back to the game and he slowed, watching what was going on.
"And there's another score for Gryffindor!" Dean shouted as the crowd cheered.
At least we're getting points, he thought to himself as he watched Ron give him thumbs up.
Malfoy stopped beside him, grinning.
"What's the matter, Potter? Too fast for you, huh?"
Suddenly the two of them looked up, as the stands seemed to shake with a gasp. Harry spotted a Bludger coming towards him and he did a Sloth Grip Roll to avoid it. When he looked up, it appeared Malfoy had done the same because another Bludger was coming at him from the other side. The crowd went silent as the two Bludgers collided in midair and emitted a loud boom.
"Oh!" McGonagall cried as she watched the two Bludgers splinter off in opposite directions, one of them partly shattered and the other dented horribly, sending it zooming in awkward circles.
Dumbledore was just as shocked. All his time as a Headmaster, he'd never seen something like that in a Quidditch match.
"Would you look at that!" said somebody behind him and Dumbledore turned to see the tall figure of a former Hogwarts student.
"Oliver!" he said as he got up, Wood moving to a seat beside him. "You came just as the action was getting good."
"I see." Wood said as he sat down. "Isn't that Harry out there?"
McGonagall turned towards him.
"If you're referring to the one who almost got decapitated by two Bludgers, yes."
Wood grinned.
"That was a Sloth Grip Roll, wasn't it?" he said in a pleased tone. "I taught him that one."
Dumbledore grinned, unaware that Lucius was glaring at them.
"Holy crap, Potter!" Malfoy called as he heard a crack of thunder. "This is getting dangerous!"
Harry shot him a glare.
"What's the matter, Malfoy? Don't you thrive off of danger?"
This got a frown from Malfoy. "Shut up, Potter." he called as he looked over the Pitch.
Harry turned away from him, wanting to get the game over with sooner rather than later. It was getting icy cold and the rain was freezing. He had to find the Snitch.
Suddenly, Malfoy dove towards the ground. Harry caught this and followed though not as fast. Malfoy's robes whipped out behind him and he reached out his hand as he got closer to the ground.
Then Harry spotted it. The Snitch. Malfoy was going to get it.
But he couldn't let that happen. Suddenly, he leaped from his broom and raced towards the Snitch with an outstretched hand. But, instead of catching the Snitch, he caught Malfoy's broom. Malfoy was caught off guard and shoved at Harry who clung to his Nimbus 2001.
"What the hell are you doing Potter?" he yelled as he watched the Snitch zigzag just out of reach. "Get off!"
Harry was shoved once again and the broom shaft was too wet to hold onto, so he lost his grip and fell. But, his Firebolt was just below him and he caught it, racing after Malfoy. He had to get that Snitch!
But Malfoy had lost it. The Snitch zoomed off to the left and Harry followed it as fast as his Firebolt would take him. Reaching out his hand, he felt the Snitch in his fingers and –
Suddenly a loud boom startled him and he lost the Snitch.
"No!" he said as the tiny golden ball flitted off into the rain, hidden from view.
Malfoy shoved into him.
"What was that, Potter?" he said as he got a shove back from Harry. "Lunging at me now?"
Harry gritted his teeth as he zoomed on, searching once again for the Snitch. The thick sheets of rain that pelted him made his glasses blurry and he had to squint to see. Then, something smacked into him. He felt himself forced backwards to the tail of his broom as a Bludger, the shattered one, caught his shoulder and ripped open his robes.
The crowd gasped as he clung to the tail of his Firebolt, hoping he didn't lose his grip.
Slowly, he pulled himself back onto his broom and gripped the handle.
Malfoy was out of sight now and he had no idea where the Snitch was.
Then he spotted it. It was just up ahead. He urged his broom on and reached out his hand –
"Harry Potter catches the Snitch!" came Dean's voice over the roar of the Gryffindors.
Harry did a lap around the Pitch with the Snitch in his hand, waving it at his House as he passed.
After Madame Hooch had grabbed all the balls out of the air, she instructed the Gryffindor team to wait before heading to the changing room.
"You have a surprise guest," she said and Harry grinned.
"I all forgot!" he said as he looked over at Ron who smiled.
Looking up at the stairs leading into the stands, Harry watched as the figure of a tall, brown-haired person descended. As the light caught his face, Harry saw that it was none other than Oliver Wood, his old Quidditch captain.
"Wood!" he cried as he rushed forward to meet him.
Wood smiled as he saw Harry. The rest of the team lingered behind.
"Harry!" he said as he shook Harry's hand. "I'm glad to see you."
"Same here!" Harry replied, glad to see his old friend again.
Katie Bell stepped forward and wrapped Wood in a huge hug. Wood grinned as he returned it.
"Hello, Katie." he said as he looked down at her.
"Oh, Oliver!" she said as she finally let him go. Harry grinned as Katie admired Wood's figure. He'd always had a feeling Katie had liked him. "I'm so glad you're back! I really missed you!"
Wood smiled.
"Well, I'm glad at least two people are glad to see me." he said as he looked at the rest of the team.
Suddenly someone appeared on the stairs. Harry looked over to see that it was Hermione.
At first, she stopped when she saw everyone assembled there around Wood, then she caught Harry's gaze and looked down at her feet.
"I...uh...I'm glad you're not hurt." she said quietly after a moment of silence.
Harry held his gaze, not knowing what to say.
Wood looked from Harry to Hermione, then back again. A look of dawning appeared on his face and he nodded to Harry.
"I guess I'll be going up to the castle now," he said as he turned to Dumbledore who had descended the stairs behind Hermione. "I'll see you guys later."
Harry nodded. "Are you going to be here a while?" he asked as Wood started towards the castle.
"Yeah. For a week." he called over his shoulder.
This made Harry a little happier. At least Wood would be there for a week and he could talk to him about Quidditch.
When he turned back to the stairs, Hermione was gone. He looked all around as the rest of the Quidditch team left towards the locker rooms, but he couldn't see her. Sighing, he tried to flatten his messy hair, finding that this reminded him of how Hermione used to try to tame it and he felt tears stinging his eyes.
Walking up the stairs, he made his way to the top box, overlooking the whole Pitch. It was completely deserted and he sat down on the nearest bench, resting his face in his hands.
Looking up, he spotted the sunset through his tears and felt like he'd never be happy again.