The Deciding Match

Harry didn't want to go down to the Quidditch pitch. His final match would be against his sister, and he knew what he had to do. But as he carried his broom down to the changing rooms he hoped this would be the last time they would compete.

"Well, Harry, here is our chance to beat the infamous Sarah at last. I know we can do it," Ron assured Harry seeing his down face. Harry tried to nod. At least Ron seemed to be feeling up to the match. Ron decided it best not to ask Harry about his sorrow as that might distract him worse from the game.

Harry barely noticed anything as he put on his Quidditch robes. But as he walked out on the field the noise was like a blast to his ears. Everyone was cheering as the two teams headed out onto the field. It seemed like forever before he reached the middle of the pitch. As he shook his sister's hand, she grinned and gave him a competitive, penetrating stare. He mounted his broom and rose above the stadium. Madam Hooch blew the whistle, and he was off. He would not let Sarah get in the way he thought to himself determinedly. He circled the stadium three times before slowing down. He noticed that Sarah didn't follow him like Draco had, but she was keeping one eye on him.

"And Gryffindor's in the lead twenty to ten. And Ron blocks another throw from Zabini. And Weasley heads down to the Slytherin goalposts. She throws to Grace and she... misses! Blocked by Bletchley," commentated Hardy. Harry circled once again, but the Snitch was nowhere to be seen. He also noted that Sarah had not made a sudden move, yet. The game went on for thirty minutes with barely either team scoring. But Slytherin was in the lead by twenty points. Harry was starting to get anxious. At one time, his sister quickly maneuvered to the other side of the pitch. Harry followed her; but either she was faking it, or she had lost the Snitch. Finally the Gryffindors scored again; it was thirty to forty. Harry moved to Ron's side of the field while Sarah moved to her side, and they watched and waited.

"And Weasley's really going to try to make this good. She throws to Creevey who is guarded by Grace, and he heads to the Slytherin goalposts. Will he do it... HE WILL! And that ties up the game..." And at that moment Harry spotted the Snitch. It was almost directly in the center of the field. But at the same time Sarah saw it, and the both of them charged for it. Harry really needed this win. He had his hand outstretched, as did she. All the sound faded. Even the thought of her reaching it first faded. All he knew was to grab it. And then CRASH. His hand had closed on something, but they had hit so hard they knocked each other off their brooms. He reached for his Firebolt, but it was too late; he was falling, and he saw the Slytherin Seeker falling with him. And with a thud he landed on his back as she also hit the ground next to him on her side. Harry was thankful he hadn't been very high up when he fell off. He then realized his hand was still clenched on something. He could feel the smooth metal of the snitch, but he also felt skin. He looked across at his hand, and Sarah was doing the same. People were gathering around them now. Their hands were intertwined, and the Snitch was between them. Sarah seemed to think this was funny, for she was laughing as she loosened her hand from his a little so she could see the Snitch. Harry looked back towards the sky. He smiled hysterically. They just couldn't beat each other he thought. His ears began to open to the murmurings around them. "Who caught it?" one person was saying. "Who wins?" said some others. And some yelled, "They tied!" Harry wasn't sure himself. He sat up, and saw Professor McGonagall and Snape approaching. They looked at Harry and Sarah for a moment. And then they began to whisper with the other witnesses. Harry could make out a few words, "The scores were tied... Has this happened before?... Is their anything in the rule book about this?" And then Colin Creevey ran up still dressed in his Quidditch robes. He snapped five or six photos before someone pushed him away. Now Harry was blind. No one seemed to know what to do. Harry was sure that the teachers were reviewing every rulebook and "calling" every official they knew. Harry and Sarah finally gave the Snitch over to Madam Hooch.

"Did you do that on purpose?" asked Draco coming over.

"Well, I didn't," Harry said.

"Nor did I. I was trying to beat him to it, but..." she still thought the situation was funny. Fifteen minutes passed before Madam Hooch came out in front of the crowds.

"After much discussion with other referees, we have found that this play has never happened. And since it is the Final, we've decided not to call a rematch. Slytherin and Gryffindor have tied! They will both be awarded Quidditch Cups." Despite Harry's enthusiasm, several students were complaining about having to share the title. And others still wanted a rematch saying that there is no true winner, but as Harry saw it, there was no true loser.

The party in the Gryffindor common room was filled more with arguments than cheer. But one person Harry was happy for was Hermione. Now that she had confessed her secrets, she was paying her usual attention to Ron and Harry. She was happy for them even if they did tie.

The next morning, Harry got his subscription to the Daily Prophet. He spit out his pumpkin juice as he saw him and his sister on the front page.

Harry Potter and Sarah Evans Make New Quidditch Record

"For the first time ever in Quidditch history, two people have caught the Snitch at the same time. During the Quidditch Final at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, both teams were tied when the Gryffindor Seeker, Potter, and the Slytherin Seeker, Evans, both spotted the Snitch from opposite sides of the field. They headed down the pitch, and upon catching the golden ball, they crashed and fell a short ways to the ground where Mr. Creevey photographed them in the picture above in which they seem quite stunned."

Harry took another look at the picture. They were sitting on the ground with the Snitch in their hands. She looked rather happy, and Harry was stunned but also smiling. There were several spectators' feet moving around them as the two Seekers occasionally moved their mouths for a few quick words and laughs.

"Every rulebook was reviewed, and nowhere is there a rule for such an event. The National Quidditch Association, however, is adding a chapter in case this event should happen again, but for now Gryffindor and Slytherin will have to share the Quidditch Cup."

Harry smiled as he finished the article. It was hard to believe they had set a record. He looked over at the Slytherin table and noticed that she too was reading an article in the newspaper, and he knew it was the same one he had just finished. She glanced up at him, and then looked back down at the paper. She was also amused while reading it.

"Wow, Harry! This means you'll be in the record books!" said Ron after he read the paper over Harry's shoulder. Harry turned back to the picture of him and Sarah.

"Yeah," he replied smiling. And then another letter was dropped in his lap by a Tawny owl. He picked it up. It was very formal with loopy letters on the front. He opened it.

"Wow, look! It's from the NQA, Harry!" Ron said amazed. Harry read through the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We would like to interest you in a career of Quidditch. Enclosed is a brochure of all the teams in Europe, and a list of all the requirements you need to fulfill your Quidditch dreams.

Sincerely,

Head of the National Quidditch Association

Mark Steinberg

Harry eagerly pulled out both brochures and looked through them with wide eyes.

"Whoa! Look at all this!" Ron exclaimed. Harry was so excited, he didn't even think to answer. But he did look behind him and saw that Sarah, too, had received some brochures. She looked up at him with the widest smile he ever seen her wear. Harry was also relieved to see Ron back to his usual self. It was nice to see him smiling again. And the rest of that day went on as happily as it had started.