MIDDLE OF OCTOBER
Harry shivered nervously as he stood in the flashy dressing room in Bulgaria. Here he was, nineteen and starting his first ever quidditch match for England's national team. Harry's blue robes glittered as he clutched his broomstick. Shane saw the nervousness written all over his face. He laughed.
"Calm down Harry, it's not the Cup!" He chuckled. Harry shook his head. He had to catch the snitch...he had to do it. Harry's mind flashed to the people in the stands. Sirius would be there, after being gone again for three months. Harry smiled to himself as he thought of Meagan and Christy who had traveled with the team...with Harry for this big event. Harry's quidditch debut. His other friends would be there too. Ron and Hermione. Ron was married now. He and Lavendar had eloped, much to the dismay of their family and friends. Harry and Meagan were getting to that point in their lives. Everything was going so smoothly. Harry had been happy and healthy and there had been no word of Voldemort, though, everyone knew he was gaining power. Harry smiled again as he remembered what Meagan had said to him on their one year anniversary, the week before.
"It doesn't matter if he comes back Harry, we have each other and we'll keep each other safe." She had said softly when Harry had abruptly brought up the topic of Voldemort. Harry quickly flashed back to reality. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the second string there in their team track suits, uniforms underneath, in case they had to sub in. Harry wasn't going to leave this game on a stretcher. Just then, the heavy doors opened. The stands were filled as the announcer called out their names.
"Danny Davini, Lexy Macra, Edmund Tashi, Shamus Laderdane, Sean Murphy, Shane O'Connely aaand Harry Potter!" Harry zoomed out of the dressing room and circled the stadium, behind Shane. He watched as the second string hurried to the bench. Then, Harry's eyes zoomed the stands. He smiled when he saw Meagan and Christy, waving to him. He gave a quick wave and went back to the game. The referee, a short, fat man with very little hair and a sloppy mustache, came out on his broom. He released the bludgers, then the snitch and finally, he released the quaffle. Players zoomed all around as the game began.
Fifteen minutes into the game, Harry was still zooming around the pitch, looking for the snitch. England and Bulgaria were tied...that put even more pressure on Harry. He glanced back and smiled coyly. The Bulgarian seeker, Dashway Levitz was following him. Harry smiled and dove. As he suspected, Levitz was fool enough to think Harry saw the snitch. Thing was, halfway through his dive, Harry did see the snitch. It was to his far left. He devised a plan and continued on with his Wronski Feint. Not even a foot from the ground, Harry pulled a sharp left. He had done just what he had been hoping for, overdone the turn. Levitz was heading straight for the ground while Harry was reaching his arm out. The Bulgarian beaters saw that their seeker was going to crash and that Harry was going to get the snitch, so they hit both bludgers towards him. Just as Harry's fingers wrapped around the struggling golden ball and the whistle was blown, he was hit by the bludgers, one after the other. There was a groan from the ground as Harry got the bludgers in the stomach and the side. He toppled off his broom and onto the grass, inches below. Harry's team mates and the Mediwizards were rushing towards him. No one was even looking at Levitz, who was laying in a tangled heap on the ground. Harry felt someone slapping his face. He opened his eyes and everything swam in and out of focus. Harry blinked a couple of times, trying to get his contacts back in place. After a minute, Harry could see perfectly. Shane was standing over Harry, smiling, as was the rest of the team.
"Great catch!" Danny boy breathed, red in the face from flying around so fast. Harry gave a weary smile before he was lifted off the ground. Shane and Sean had Harry under the arms and slung his arms around their shoulders. Harry could feel jabs of pain in his stomach and side, but that didn't matter. He was listening to the roar of the crowd as the announcer yelled over and over again 'Potter got the snitch! Potter got the snitch!'. Harry smiled feebly as he was escorted off the pitch. The second string did a lap of the pitch to keep the cheers going while the Bulgarians fought with the referee, saying that the catch shouldn't have counted since their player crashed before Harry's caught the snitch. The referee shook his head and walked away. Harry groaned out of pain as he was set on the bench in the dressing room. He was gasping for breath. The Mediwizards stripped him of his jersey and were checking his stomach and side. An oxygen mask was held over Harry's mouth while he tried to catch his breath. Livid bruises were forming, but Harry didn't care, his hand was wrapped firmly around the struggling gold ball. Just then, a man made his way through the mess of players. He was smiling broadly as he saw Harry, who was pushing the oxygen mask away.
"I got - it!" Harry smiled, holding up his fist. Tim was smiling as he nodded.
"It was an excellent catch Harry. We just went up three points in the rankings. Top of the charts." He laughed. Harry smiled wearily and flinched as his side was poked at. Time turned to the team physicians.
"Will he be alright?" He asked seriously. The midewizard gave a nod.
"We'll wrap him up and I'd say bed rest for a few days. Can return to practice in a week." He said in a rumbly voice. Tim gave a nod.
"Hear that Harry? Stay off your feet!" He laughed. Tim winked at Harry and then went on to congratulate the rest of the team. Harry flinched as bandages were wrapped around his middle. He hastily stood, gripping the door of his locker to balance. He stripped off all his padding and his uniform and pulled on his track pants, shirt and jacket. Harry slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and hobbled out of the locker room with Shane. They had a muggle airplane to catch in two hours and they didn't particularly want to miss it. Harry smiled wearily as he stepped outside. There were seven limousines parked there. Two players to each. Harry and Shane made their way towards one when Harry heard a great yelling behind him. He turned around and smiled as Meagan, Christy and Sirius made their way over. Close behind, was Anna. They all climbed into the limo. Meagan was trying to force Harry's shirt up, wanting to see his injury.
"Megs - I'm fine!" Harry flinched as he struggled with the blonde. Shane was laughing hysterically. Harry smiled as he saw Sirius bouncing Christy on his knee. The little girl had just turned four and had colorful ribbons in her hair to celebrate the occasion. Slowly, she fell asleep in Sirius's arms. He smiled happily at the situation.
Harry and Sirius said goodbye at the airport. Sirius was catching a portkey to France for reasons unknown to Harry. Shane, Harry and Meagan handed their tickets to the stewardess, as well as Christy's. They all made their way onto the plane, with the rest of the team. They got a lot of looks from muggles, who asked them if they had just participated in something called the 'Olympics'. Shane had no idea what the muggles were talking about, as his family was all wizards.
"Um...yeah, yeah...we're track and field." Harry told an elderly woman who kept asking him. As the plane started to take off, Christy pushed her face into Harry's chest. Her torso was twisted around in her seat. It was apparent the she didn't like flying. Meagan smiled as Harry rested a hand on Christy's head in a comforting sort of way. The real problems came when they hit turbulence. Christy started to cry and Meagan couldn't get her to stop. Harry quickly solved the problem. He made sure no muggles were looking while he removed the game snitch from his bag. He held it firmly and Christy watched with wide eyes as the little golden wings flapped. After a few minutes, it was clear sailing and Harry tucked the golden ball safely in his bag. He slipped his headphones on as Meagan rested her head on his shoulder. Shane was asleep, his fingers laced with Anna's. Eventually, Christy fell asleep too. Harry was the only one awake by the time the sky's were dark. He smiled to himself and drummed his fingers on the armrest in beat to the music. He didn't feel any pain from his stomach or side. Probably because the bandages had a medication in them that numbed the skin. Harry smiled as he looked at Meagan, who had lifted her own armrest and her head was resting on Harry's lap. He pushed a stray piece of golden hair from her cheek. She was so beautiful. Harry sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder. For once, things were going the way he wanted. For once, Harry wasn't worrying about what may come, he was concentrating on where he was now...
Harry sighed as he stepped into his airy apartment. For some reason, the windows were open and wind was billowing in. Shane stepped in behind him and hurried to close the windows. Anna groggily made her way to Shane's room and Meagan laced her fingers with Harry's as she shut the door. They had dropped a very sleepy Christy off at Meagan's Aunt and Uncle's. Shane shivered as he picked up his duffle bag.
"No midnight romps champ. You're supposed to take it easy!" He joked, very well knowing that Harry and Meagan still hadn't reached that level in their relationship. Harry rolled his eyes as Shane disappeared into his bedroom. Harry and Meagan went into Harry's room. Harry dropped his duffle bag and peeled off his tracksuit. Meagan hurried over and began examining his tensor wrapped stomach. Harry laughed and pushed her off while he went into the bathroom. Harry was standing in front of the mirror, his head tilted bag and a finger tip resting on his eye. Meagan came in at this point. She watched as Harry removed the contacts and splashed a solution into his eyes. After a moment, he blinked and slipped his glasses back on. Meagan smiled and grabbed a brush. She kissed Harry's bare neck and then returned to her bedroom. Harry sighed and opened the medicine cabinet. He removed a pill bottle and took some muggle medication called 'Advil' for the pain. He chased then with a slurp of water from the tap and returned to his bedroom. Meagan was slipped out of her skirt. She blushed and climbed under the covers.
"I've seen you in your knickers before!" Harry laughed as he closed the door. Meagan smiled and pulled the blankets back so Harry could climb in. He did just that, wrapping his arms around his beautiful girlfriend. Meagan smiled happily as Harry put his glasses on the nightstand and clicked off the lamp. They just lay there, enjoying each other in their perfect world. Harry didn't know he was in for the shock of his life in just a short period of time.
1 WEEK LATER
Harry shivered in the sweaty locker room of the Quidditch team's gym. Only a couple people had arrived to practice so far...there would be more in not time. Harry peeled off his blue sweater and t-shirt and searched for his sleeveless work out shirt and black shorts. Harry's stomach and side were still tightly wrapped with a tensor bandage, which would be removed before warm ups. He pulled on his shimmering shorts and shirt and shut his locker, after grabbing his trainers. Harry tightened the laces and ran his hands through his hair. Adjusting once again for a few hours without his glasses. He didn't like the contacts much, but they were easier than his foggy glasses. Harry's dog tags clanked against his chest as he made his way into the hall. Instead of going through the gym door, he headed in the opposite direction to the 'Med Room'. Harry knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in!" Someone called. Harry turned the doorknob and pushed the door forward. He poked his head inside and smiled at Tim, who motioned for him to come in. Harry did, and sat down on the sick bed. He lifted his shirt and allowed one of the Mediwizards to unwrap the tensor bandages. Tim watched carefully. Once the bandages were gone, the Mediwizard poke Harry here and there, getting rid of the bruises. A few minutes later, you couldn't even tell Harry had been injured. He stood and shook hands with the Mediwizard and then turned to Tim.
"Stick to the light stuff for today. Don't push it." Tim said protectively. Harry rolled his eyes and gave a nod. He then left the 'Med Room' and headed down the hall to the gym. He pushed the door open and stepped into the musky room. There were only a few others there. Sean, Danny, Edmund and Aaron. Harry greeted them all with simple 'Hey's and Hi's' and then made his way over to the leg press. He concentrated all his energy and began this day, like so many before it, with a plate full of exercise.
Harry sighed as he threw his duffle bag over his shoulder. It had been a hard practice and he was thoroughly exhausted. Harry leaned against his locker, waiting for Shane so they could catch the bus together.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Shane asked, looking at his waiting friend.
"Knitting a sweater...waiting you prat!" Harry laughed. Shane shook his head.
"I have to head to the college. Remember? I was sick last week and didn't get to hand in my term paper to Milver." He said, as if it were obvious. Harry sighed.
"Right...alright, I'm going out for dinner with Megs so I guess I'll see you later." He said wearily. Shane gave a nod and watched as Harry disappeared through the main door. Harry trudged down the hall, feeling stupid. How could he have forgotten about the term paper. Harry glanced at his watch. That little chat with Shane had cost him dearly. He had missed the number 7 bus.
"I'll go down Jefferson, then turn onto Moro and head down to Beagle where I can catch the 18." Harry muttered, figuring out the streets in his head. He sighed and exited the building. It was well hidden from muggles but a ways away from the main road. Harry trudged along the gravel path for about fifteen minutes and appeared in a circle of bushes. He pulled out his wand and muttered something. The bushes moved away and Harry appeared on a side street. He hurried onto the sidewalk, not glancing back as the bushes closed behind him. Harry tightened his grip on his duffle bag as he made his way down the street. He waved and smiled to a couple of vendors he new by name and food type. Meagan would have freaked if she knew Harry had a chalupa every Friday after practice. Harry laughed to himself as he thought about it. He was usually really good about what he ate...diet soda instead of regular. Low fat sour cream instead of vitamin enriched. It was good to have a treat sometimes. Harry sighed as he turned onto Moro. For some reason, the usually busy street, was, well, empty. As Harry slowly progressed, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. This was weird...too weird. Harry had reached the second block by the time he had decided to take a different route. He quickly turned around, but someone grabbed Harry by the back of the jacket and pulled him to the ground. Harry was still wearing his contacts and they shifted awkwardly in his eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust them. But, someone had performed a binding charm and Harry's legs and arms were tied together with an invisible rope. He was being pulled down a damp alley. Something came smashing down on Harry's head and he was knocked unconscious.
A/N: I decided to give you an extra chapter for the update because I just realized that this story is almost ending and I want to finish posting this story by this week. I start school again next week and I'm not going to have too much time. So expect this story to finish by friday or maybe even earlier.