Chapter 31 – Quidditch, quidditch, quidditch.

Harry stared out the window of the change rooms at the growing crowd outside. It was a dull day and looked like it would start raining at some point. He snorted with laughter for a moment. It was just typical. Even the rain was sympathising with his mood at the moment. His stomach gave a loud gurgle and he suddenly wished that he had eaten something at breakfast instead of moping. He could hear the cheers and screams of the crowd already. There would be no chance of anything to eat before the match. He sighed, putting his head in his hands.

"My, don't you look happy this morning" a cheerful voice whispered in his ear. His head shot up and he found himself gazing into Megan's dark, grey eyes.

He forced a smile, but it soon faltered and he gave up. She tutted and sat beside him.

"I saw what happened with Ron and Hermione. Don't worry about it. They'll get over it" she said, rubbing a hand across his shoulder in consolation.

He shrugged, and looked out the window again. The darkening sky had just begun to sprinkle rain. His stomach rumbled loudly and he sighed harshly. Today really wasn't his day.

Megan chuckled and he looked at her sharply. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cauldron cake.

"Can't have you falling off your broomstick now can we?" she said, winking. She handed him the cake, bent low to kiss him softly on the lips then headed towards the door. When she got to the doorway, she turned and smiled.

"Good luck out there" she said, then turned and headed back out towards the stands. Harry looked over at the other side of the change rooms where Ron and the others had gathered and were discussing the game plan. He sighed once more, before biting into the cauldron cake and making his way over to the rest of the team. As he swallowed the first bite of cake, he felt a slight tingling sensation running through him.

As Harry approached the team, they turned to look at him. Ron had been in the middle of talking and was annoyed that the attention had been taken away from him. He glared at Harry, but was startled when Harry grinned back.

"Come on everybody" Harry exclaimed. "Let's get out there and kick 'em off their brooms!"

Harry grinned manically as Ron turned bright red with anger.

"In case you didn't notice Harry, I am the captain of the team and we are going through the game plan first" he said through gritted teeth.

Harry waved his hand dismissively through the air.

"Chasers chase, beaters beat, keepers keep, seekers seek. There's your game plan, now lets get out there" Harry said, flipping his broom over his shoulder and heading towards the door. Ron grabbed him just as he was about to go through.

"What is the matter with you Harry?" he hissed. His eyes widened for a moment before he spoke again.

"Are you drunk?" He asked, disgust evident in his voice.

Harry snorted with laughter. "Course not Ron. You worry too much" he said, pulling Ron into a one handed hug, then marching outside, leaving the entire team wondering what on earth was going on, and Ron bright faced with anger.

"Come on then" he said to the rest of the team, and scowled as he followed Harry outside.

As Harry mounted his broom and took off into the air, an overwhelming feeling of joy overcame him. He remembered how he felt the first time he had flown a broomstick. The feeling that he had now was just as intense, and he through back his head and yelled as he directed his broom in a circle around the pitch.

He was unaware of the looks he was receiving from the other players below him. Unaware of the teachers, who were frantically discussing his outburst and trying to figure out if he was under the imperious curse, and blissfully unaware of the chaos his outburst was causing for the students in the stands. All he could concentrate on was the wind flying through his hair, and the amazing feeling inside him.

In the stands, Hermione, Ginny and Megan watched in amazement at Harry's antics.

"What on Earth is he doing?" Hermione demanded.

Ginny was speechless, but Megan replied softly.

"He's flying"

A small smile played on her lips as she watched him looping around the stands, yelling at the top of his lungs.

Madame Hooch stepped up into the middle of the pitch and blew her whistle for the attention of the players. The Ravenclaws and Griffindors both came to a halt and the crowd hushed as the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Captains shook hands. The whistle then blew again and they took off into the sky.

From the stands, Ginny and Hermione were watching Harry intently, but he seemed to have calmed down from his previous episode and was searching for the snitch intently, with Cho Chang following a few metres behind.

The game ended after only 15 minutes. Harry caught the snitch and the Gryffindors won 190 to 10. The Gryffindors in the stands cheered as the Gryffindor team flew back to the ground.

Hermione, Ginny and Megan made their way out of the stands to congratulate their friends, but Megan stopped when she saw the Ravenclaw seeker swoop down on Harry and embrace him warmly.

Hermione and Ginny continued on their way to Harry and Ron, embracing both warmly and chatting excitedly about the party that was to ensue. No one noticed as Megan slipped quietly back to the castle.

The celebration in the common room lasted into the early hours of the morning, when both Hermione and Professor McGonagall demanded that the students retire for the night. Harry crawled into bed, feeling more tired than he had ever felt in his life, and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.