Chapter Summary: Harry's longtime nemesis was getting too much on his nerves and as there's a limit to everything, Draco finally got what he deserved!
"Shut your big mouth, Potty, before it's too late," Malfoy warned, taking out his wand.
But Harry was too fast for him. He took out his wand in a flash, and in a fraction of a second, Draco had toppled off his seat and was lying on the floor clutching his head, which was now shaped as a giant football minus his hair.
"Here's a gift for your over inflated ego,
Muffin," Harry spat.
And this is just the start. The mysterious scheming continues in the background as Gryffindor tryouts are poached by the Slytherins… what happens next? Read to find out!

A/N: :Looks sheepish: Oh well! Stupid phone line was dead because of some restructuring and I was stuck with nothing but to slam my phone repeatedly. Kinda nice hobby :heh:

This part concludes the current chapter but not the growing animosity between Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter… well folks, they will be at it all along the fic but H/G shippers would be a little more than happy or very angry after reading this one. Quoting my best friend Buck, "why couldn't they have just snogged?" They will! But not very soon

Well, I hope the next update does not take a lot of time.

This chapter was brought to you by my friends Nini and Buck.

BuckNC: This is still my favorite chapter. And for the millionth time, why couldn't they have just snogged. AGGHHH! Enjoy!

Nymph: Oooh, I still love your reaction Buck!

And the writer also wants to announce that she's a dunder-head. Yes, you heard it right "A la DUNDER-HEAD." You would ask, "Why?" I would say because I forgot my brother like cousin's birthday:squirms:

Shame to me, that I depend on technology too much. Birthday reminder's site – anyone? Because of the temporary demise of my phone-line, I wasn't able to get the notification and clearly forgot THE day on 12th Aug. He turned 20 – The first step to real-manhood. :grins: And I didn't remember! The poor bloke waited for the whole day for hearing from his sister—but to no avail!

I did remembered, but when I was almost half asleep on 16th Aug! OO Oh the shame! SMS did save the day but still I just wanted to make it public :winks: and wish him a "Belated Happy Birthday" and trillions of happy returns of the day.

I dedicate this chapter to one of my best friends, who is more than a brother and confidante: Omair.

Thanks to all those who have posted their reviews:HAaaaR, Dracolover2008, Raiining, critic101, Omair, sierra and Sponge Hearts. – much appreciate it!

HAaaaR, Thanks for showing up. :winks: Thanks for liking the story.

Dracolover2008, Thanks for your support. You don't know how much I appreciate it. Reviews are life-blood for every writer and people who do, just make my day—so thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Raiining, Thank you for the review! And you are right, I sure do need to dive a little deep but I've tried and tell me with the future chapters, what you thought because there will be many descriptive chapters coming up, in which I've done quite a lot of experimenting.

critic101, :blushes: Thank you for your feedback! Other houses siding with Potter was a sign of camaraderie and Harry deserves it.

Omair, Thanks bro! And after that long tirade above: Again thanks for dropping by and informing the readers about my absence. And you got it. The voice does not belong to Voldemort or Draco - Yes this is a clue. :smiles: The other houses siding together was simple camaraderie, as critic101 already guessed.

Sierra , Oh yes, Harry deserves some support for sure. I'm sorry – but the voice does not belong to Draco and I'm not misleading you. If it would have been him – it would have been just too obvious and it's not. Thanks for being one of the regular reviewers, I love hearing from you.

Sponge Hearts, Hey Bubbly! So good to see you back here again, and not a problem of not reviewing. I know how PC can be so unpredictable, as I've suffered a load to know more than enough. (Read A/N) and thank you for always taking out the time to review. The mystery person is not reviled in hpn as well. It will be revealed a little late. Probably in chapter 23 or 24.

A Special Note for Boyko Motav: After coming online after a long time and getting your email, really made my day today! Thank you very much for all the compliments. And I will be continuing with the story.


- CHAPTER 10 - Muffin Potty (Part II) -

Harry had discussed the Quidditch tryouts with Katie in detail, but he wasn't sure about the speech to encourage his team-mates. Katie had very easily delegated the responsibility to him and it had seemed all right to do so in the beginning, but when the final moment was near, he wasn't sure about speaking what Oliver had advised him in his foot long letter or to speak whatever rubbish that came into his mind.

"Harry, let's get going, mate!" Ron hollered from behind the changing booth.

"Coming," he said, fastening his Quidditch gear.

Harry and Ron made their way to the Quidditch pitch. Katie was waiting for him along with the tryout students. Harry felt a calming sensation seep over him by looking at the familiar hoops and stands.

There was quite a turnout for the tryouts. Officially they were looking for two Chasers, but Harry knew that Ginny would easily be the next Chaser for the team, bringing the selection to one Chaser short.

"Seamus, you are trying out too?" asked Ron amazed, after spotting him in the small group.

"Yeah! I practiced meself to death in holidays," Seamus said sheepishly.

"Why is Dean not trying out?" asked Harry, remembering him to be an athletics fan.

"He said he's got more important things to do," said Seamus, looking unsure.

Euan Abercrombie, Tara Johnson, Ryan Brad, Seamus Finnegan and Ginny Weasley were standing in a group, chatting with the current team-mates, while the Captains, Harry and Katie waited for their Beaters-Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirk-to show up.

"Where are those stupid fools!" Katie Bell asked impatiently.

"I specifically reminded them, but they are still making us late," said Harry, shaking his head.

After another five minutes, they saw two bungling figures staggering towards them.

"Sorry, Captain... er... Captains," said Andrew looking uncomfortable.

"I'm no 'Captain,' call me Harry,"

"Yes, Katie-" Katie interjected.

"-as others do," Harry finished.

"What took you so long?" Katie continued indignantly.

"Umm, got lost on the way," Jack supplied feebly. Harry looked at them in disbelief and Ron didn't even try to hide his snort.

Harry nudged Katie to break the news to Tara and Ryan that they were not allowed to play because of the first-year rule.

"But he was selected on his first year," said Tara Johnson, pointing her finger at Harry and stomping her foot.

"You are Angelina's sister, aren't you?" asked Harry, smiling at her.

"Yes," Tara said blushing, realizing late that it wasn't nice to point finger at others.

"Well now we know where to look next year. But you have to understand that there were some special circumstances in my case. You two are already aware of the wizarding community situation and how there is still a tussle going on. So we have to follow the official rules more than ever. You don't want more parents complaining about Hogwarts standards, do you?" Harry asked them politely.

"Well, no," they almost said in unison.

"So cheer up, try out next year, all right?" Katie said encouragingly.

"Alright."

"Fine," they said and started for the school grounds, their heads bowed.

"Ahh, it's so sad, looking at their long faces," said Katie.

"Yeah," said Harry, looking after the two small figures.

"Speech time," Katie whispered in his ear, while he scowled at her.

"All right everyone, you all know why we are here." This seemed too dramatic even for a tryout, so he skipped beating about the bush and went straight to the point. "As we will only be selecting the Chasers, we'll begin the play with Quaffle alone. With half an hour interval, the Bludgers will be released one after the other. Beaters will enter the play when the first Bludger is released. The finalists will be chosen on the basis of their performance and scored goals."

He continued with a pause, "Ginny, Seamus and Euan, you three will be playing as a team today, whereas Katie and I will act as the opposing team Chasers to block your path. This is not going to be too difficult, as you will only have two Chasers to block you rather than three and the Bludgers come quite late in the game, giving you free reign to goal and also no Seeker hovering over your heads. But obviously there will be Ron, the Keeper, to stop your goals."

"Any questions?" asked Katie, but there were none.

"Mount your brooms, and get into your respective positions," Harry said, hitting off from the ground on his Firebolt.

Katie released the Quaffle and started following the three tryout Chasers along with Harry.

Ginny was playing very nicely in spite of her Cleansweep. Seamus was doing a good job too on his Nimbus 2000. Euan was only lacking in weight as he was easily thrown off balance by a light shove.

Ron was completely in form and didn't let pass a single goal in the first half hour.

Ginny in frustration yelled at him, "Budge up, Ron, it's only a tryout!"

Ron only grinned evilly in response. At that exact moment Harry bumped into Seamus to snatch the Quaffle but wasn't ready for Ginny to come crashing towards him headlong. He dropped the Quaffle because of the sudden attack, and became entwined with Ginny in the process. Her blouse-lace got stuck into Harry's broom compass.

Harry yelled, "Continue with the game, we'll soon join you."

Harry wasn't able to see the mischievous grin on Ron's face at their disposition. They had to get down to the pitch to untangle.

"I'm so sorry," said Ginny looking embarrassed and trying her best to untie the lace but to no avail.

Harry's stomach was filled with all kinds of butterflies and what not. Suddenly, he felt as if his guts had evaporated and there was nothing left except air... Ginny so close... She looks so beautiful when she gets embarrassed, all red and blushing, just like her hair... Harry wasn't helping her untie the laces from his broom but was staring intently at her.

Say something, bonehead, or the moment will pass! he thought, the clogs of his brain crashing together to come up with something.

"Err... Ginny..." he started.

"Yes, Harry," she answered politely, realizing belatedly that Harry was paying too much attention to her.

Harry was edging close to her and seeing no resistance, was just about to kiss her when a spell hit him straight at the back. On the next blink of an eye he was lying on the ground, stiff as a board.

In the next second, Ginny muttered the counter curse and Harry straightened up to see Draco Malfoy sauntering towards him with his cronies in tow.

"How lovey dovey, Potter!" Draco said smirking.

"None of your business!" Harry retorted angrily.

Scrupulosa!" Draco yelled.

"Protego!" incanted Harry, the shield protected him from being hit fully.

"Cruc-"

"Obscurio!" Harry yelled again, before Draco could finish his spell.

The whole Gryffindor team came down to laugh their heads off at Draco's clumsiness, because due to the spell, he was swaggering about the Quidditch pitch cross-eyed.

"Oh what a beautiful sight," said Ron, wiping a tear.

Ginny got over the awkward moment that couldn't transpire and was smiling at the scene as well. Ron's eyes were twinkling more than ever.

As if their laughter aggravated the very air; like a bad omen, the entire Slytherin Quidditch team sashayed in the pitch, all dressed up in their Quidditch gear.

"What are they doing here?" Ron enquired incredulously to nobody in particular.

"I booked the pitch for tryouts; they have no right to be here," said Katie angrily.

"Let's get ready for some trouble," said Ron, folding his arms.

"Hello, Potter," said Warrington, showing his crooked teeth.

"It's still our time at the pitch, because we have booked it. So, why are you here? Because our presumed match is not due till next month," Harry said in his collected voice.

"The thing is, Potter... we've got special permission from Professor Snape that we can use the pitch... just right about now!" he said, snorting on Harry's face.

"Oh buzz off, Warrington!" said Ron threateningly, but Harry restrained him from taking another step.

"What's the excuse this time, Warrington? Who are you training now?" Katie said, pouting at him.

"Well, our new team Captain has some important strategies to discuss, and we also have to train our new Chaser, Malcolm Baddock," Warrington answered.

By that time, Malfoy had come back to his senses and came sprinting towards them boiling in rage. "You've made a grave mistake, Potter! You don't know what I can do to you!" he said menacingly, pointing his wand at him.

"I'm getting scared now, Malfoy. Look! One of my eye-lash is twitching in fear," said Harry, looking straight at Draco levelly.

Malfoy scoffed, lowering his wand, while Warrington took his cue and announced, "Meet our new Captain, Potter, Draco Malfoy."

Harry gave Draco a killer smile. "This is such a good news; congratulation Muffin-man! Let's hope I'll meet you on our first match?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow.

Draco raised his wand at Harry yet again. However, he knew that he couldn't use the Unforgivables in front of all these students; therefore, he delayed his retaliation with a smirk. "See you then, Potty!"

"Muffin!" Harry acknowledged with a smirk of his own and turned to his team-mates.

"As you've got special permission, Malfoy, why don't use it well?" Katie quipped sarcastically.

"Let's get going, mates," Ron said ushering all of them to their changing room. On their way, Katie informed Harry that Seamus was the only one who was able to goal before they were disturbed by the Slytherins.

The decision was not that difficult, the Captains, along with the team members, unanimously selected Seamus and Ginny as their new Chasers.

Euan was a complete sport, as he didn't mind at all. "I know I'm a little light for a Chaser; I could've been the Seeker, but Harry is brilliant as it is," he said, smiling at him.

The team was set and Harry was all geared up for their coming match. As his departing speech after many nudges from Katie he said, "All right team, we have been winning the Quidditch Cup since last two seasons, and obviously we want to do it again, but it is not possible without the total team effort. I know I can't expect you to only concentrate on Quidditch because we all have our studies to think about too. However, we can be the best team ever, if we only practice," he paused for a moment and heard Andrew and Jack groan.

"Katie and I will be conducting practice sessions three times a week because we have already been delayed and we only have a month to get in shape. I know some of you are cursing me under your breath, and I was one of you not long ago. Still, I know now what Oliver and Angelina went through to assemble all the plus points of the team." He surveyed his team-mates, whose faces were set. "Let's meet tomorrow, same time, for the first practice of the season," Harry finished.

"Yeah, let's practice tough and hard, and kick some Slytherin butt!" Ron roared.

"Hear, hear," they all said in unison.

-x-

With October came Lupin and Harry's Advanced Training classes. Lupin was more than over-whelmed to return to Hogwarts.

With Harry's advanced classes, he was also almost badgered to death for starting the DA meetings earlier than he had expected. So he had to relent and make time for them as well, and was completely flabbergasted to find that almost everyone wanted to join in except, of course, the Slytherins-the rumor had it that they were already getting training from Malfoy and some of the seventh-year students.

To solve this dilemma, Dumbledore and Lupin came to his rescue and whoever wanted to join the DA classes were scheduled to be taught by either Professor Lupin or Flitwick in preliminary defense. In the case of the advanced classes, which included their first DA members of the last term except Marietta Edgecombe, Harry would be teaching them, along with Lupin, the first-hand techniques to uphold their safety.

The days wore on and Harry was exhausted more than ever because he not only had to plan Quidditch practices with Katie and DA meetings, but also had to work hard for his sixth year, preparing for the N.E.W.Ts and the unexpected tasks ahead. His sleep wasn't restful either, as he kept on dreaming about that unknown place with thick walls, and the white shimmering light with the sweet voice continued to tickle his curiosity.

-x.X.x-

In the Next Chapter: A fast paced Quidditch match – Do I need to say more?