Chapter 10: Quidditch
Harry found the next few weeks to be easy, his classes were going smoothly, and Voldemort was lying relatively low. The Quidditch season was about to begin and Harry still didn't know about his position as Seeker; neither did Ginny; they were both nervous. Finally, during dinner Friday evening, Professor McGonagal came to see Harry.
"You'll be pleased to know that not only is the restriction that Umbridge woman put on you revoked, but also that you're the new Gryfindor Team Captain," she said. Harry had forgotten that now that the other members of the team had graduated, he was the most experienced on the team.
"There you go, Harry! No doubt you're Seeker again, now!" Ron cheered. Harry looked at Ginny; what were they going to do?
"Don't worry Harry, I'll just be a Chaser," she said. Harry was relieved, but now he had to form the rest of his team. They needed two more Chasers and two Beaters. He decided to hold the tryouts that very evening. The word was quickly passed down the Gryfindor table for the tryouts directly after dinner, everyone looked like they wanted to try out.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny headed to the Quidditch pitch before the other students arrived.
"I can't wait to see everybody try out; are you going to, Hermione?" Ginny asked. Ron actually laughed out loud.
"Hermione? Play Quidditch? I'd die!" Ron said between laughs. Hermione got the look of resolve on her face like she had gotten in the Common Room.
"Harry: broom," was all she said, Harry quickly handed her his broom. She mounted it, looking terrified, and flew around the pitch. She steadily got faster and faster, eventually becoming nothing more than a blur. Hermione turned out to be a magnificent flyer, swooping and diving with ease. She landed, slightly out of breath from the excitement.
"I think I'll try for Chaser," she said. Ron could only stare, Harry laughed.
The group looked up at the doors of Hogwarts; the students were coming, broom in hand. It was clear that there were students from every year except first year; Harry had no idea how he was going to pick.
"Ok," he said when they formed around him, "first, we'll have tryouts for Beaters. So anyone interested in playing as a Beater mount your brooms," just over half the group mounted their brooms, Seamus, Neville, and Dean among them. Harry put everybody in groups of two, handing each of them a club. He then let out a Bludger to each pair, seeing how they handled it. It soon became obvious that many of the hopefuls had never had any experience with Quidditch. Students were dropping one by one, each of them heading to the hospital wing.
"Good try, try out next year!" Harry said to each of them as they passed.
Before long, only Seamus and Neville remained. Neville looked both mortified and thrilled all at once.
"Congratulations Neville and Seamus, you're our new Beaters!" Harry announced.
"I knew you could do it, Neville," Ginny said, giving him a quick hug. Neville turned a dark shade of pink, but Ginny didn't seem to notice.
"Now it's time for the tryouts for Chaser," Harry said. Hermione mounted one of the school brooms she had gotten and slowly raised in the air along with the remaining students. Harry placed Ron at one goal post and Ginny at the other. Each person had to throw fifteen Quaffles at the goal posts; those who scored the most were going to be the Chasers. Ginny turned out to be a good a Keeper as Ron, Harry realized. As each student tried Harry became less confident in finding two good Chasers. Most of them couldn't even get one Quaffle past, and those who did only managed one or two. Lavender shocked everyone after she scored an amazing thirteen Quaffles. Hermione followed suit, also getting thirteen.
"Lavender and Hermione, you're our new Chasers!" Harry said, completely shocked.
"What is it with girls being Chasers?" Ron asked.
"Must be in their genes," Harry said. At Ron's confused look he added, "Never mind…Muggle thing."
"Harry! Harry! I did it! Did you see?" Hermione dashed into Harry's arms, "I did it!"
"I'm so proud of you, Hermione. I never knew you were such a good player!"
"Me neither," she said, giggling. "Just like you!"
Harry and the group headed back to Gryfindor tower, it was getting late, and they still had a party to throw for the new members of the team.
"It's weird how all of you are sixth years," Ginny said, "I'm totally outnumbered!"
"Don't worry, Gin, we'll take good care of you," Ron said, ruffling Ginny's hair.
The first Quidditch match was set to be the next weekend against Slytherin. Until then Harry was steadily progressing in Occlumency; Hermione's idea had worked. Harry could now defend himself against Snape for hours at a time.
"About time, Potter. Finally, we can begin Legilimency," Snape said. "We will begin next class; you're dismissed."
Harry raced back to Gryfindor Tower, eager to tell the news.
"Harry, that's wonderful!" Hermione said. "I can't wait for you to tell me all about it," she said.
Before long, it was Saturday, and the Quidditch match was upon them. Harry woke up early, as usual. Ron was already awake, as was Neville and Seamus. They all smiled nervously at one another.
"I guess I'm not the only one who's nervous," Neville said.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll all do great," Harry said, but not even convincing himself. They had had only three practices during the past week, how were they going to beat Slytherin? The boys made their way down to the Common Room; Lavender, Hermione, and Ginny were waiting. Without saying anything, the team went to the Great Hall. Slowly the room filled with students, excited for the match. Many of the students stopped to admire Harry's Phoenix, like they had for the Firebolt. Hermione and Lavender, whose brooms were both borrowed from the school, looked particularly ratty next to Harry's. Ernie from Hufflepuff made his way to the table with one of his friends, they both had their brooms.
"Hermione, Lavender, we both equally share our distaste for the Slytherins; for this reason my friend and I are proudly lending our brooms to you for the match," Ernie said pompously, holding out two Nimbus 2000s. "They're rather outdated, but still fine brooms," he added.
"Why? Don't you want to beat us for the Cup?" Lavender asked.
"Of course! But I'd rather face you than Slytherin, and besides, we're like family!" he said, reminding the group of what McGonagal had said. Ernie and his friend gave them one last wish for good luck then returned to their table.
"That was awfully nice of them," Hermione said.
"Just make sure to win the match so it wasn't for nothing," said Harry.
The team walked down to the pitch; Harry, resembling Wood, was checking weather conditions. The team changed into their Quidditch robes, and waited for Harry to make a speech.
"Um…I don't really care if we don't win," the team laughed, they knew he was lying, "Ok, I do, but just try hard and I'm sure we'll do fine…ready?" They nodded, and the team headed out onto the pitch. Roars from the crowd from all the Houses except Slytherin greeted them. As they got to the center of the field, Harry saw that the new Captain for Slytherin was none other than Malfoy. His team consisted of nothing other than large students, most of which Harry didn't know except Crabbe and Goyle, playing as Beaters.
"Captains, shake hands," Madame Hooch said. Harry and Malfoy gripped each other's hands as tightly as they could before letting go. "Now, on my whistle, then!" The whistle blew and they were off. Dean Thomas was providing the commentary.
"They're off! Take a look at Potter's broom, a Phoenix! Hot off the market, it far surpasses any other broom available,"
"Dean, commentate on the game…" Professor McGonagal could be heard saying.
"Right you are professor! Ok, Slytherin in possession of the Quaffle…" Harry began circling the pitch, searching for the Snitch; Malfoy was near the opposite goal posts, also looking for it.
"Frillet from Slytherin still in possession, wow! Nice Bludger work from newcomer Longbottom! There are many new faces on the team this year: Longbottom, Finnegan, Granger, and Brown, all of who are most likely skilled in the game. Brown has the Quaffle; she passes to Weasley, who passes to Granger. Oh! That had to hurt! Granger gets a Bludger to the chest! The Quaffle is recovered by Brown…she shoots and scores! Gryfindor leads 10-0! Frillet has the Quaffle, he passes to Jones…they're heading up the pitch; where are those Gryfindor beaters? Weasley and Granger make a daring attempt to capture the Quaffle, and it pays off…the Quaffle goes to Brown; Brown is alone, she's getting to the goal posts! This is it! Brown scores again! 20-0 for Gryfindor!" Harry hadn't seen a hint of the Snitch yet, but he was thrilled with how well his team was doing. "Slytherin has the Quaffle, wait, Granger steals it! Now that was a foul!" Harry looked down at the game; Malfoy had apparently rammed into Hermione in order to block her shot. Harry raced down to the scene.
"I'm fine, Madame Hooch," Hermione was saying, clutching her side.
"That was a foul! You have to call that!" Harry yelled. He turned his broom towards Malfoy, who was laughing at the success of his maneuver. Madame Hooch blew her whistle, and Hermione took her penalty shot.
"Granger scores! Gryfindor is stealing this game with a 30-0 lead over Slytherin! Ok, Slytherin once again has possession of the Quaffle, Frillet passes to Jones...intercepted! Weasley is heading up the pitch with the Quaffle…Goyle sends a Bludger her way, but she dodges…another Bludger is sent by Crabbe…c'mon Ginny, dodge it!" Harry heard a moan from the crowd. "Weasley's going to need some help with that nose at the end of this game!" Harry suddenly saw a glint of gold from halfway across the field; it looked as if Malfoy had seen it as well. He urged his broom forward; Malfoy was ahead of him. The Snitch took off, heading down. "Potter and Malfoy have seen the Snitch!" Dean roared. Harry went into a dive, Malfoy was right next to him.
"Move it, Potter!" he screamed, trying to knock Harry off his broom. The Snitch was racing in all directions; Harry was having trouble keeping up. The Snitch was heading straight up and abruptly took another dive, and Harry knowing it was the only way he could get there first, jumped from his broom. In the split second Malfoy took to maneuver his broom downward, Harry had managed to grab the Snitch. Harry was now in a freefall; all he could hear was the wind. Out of nowhere, Seamus swooped in and caught Harry well before he hit the ground.
"THAT'S IT! GRYFINDOR WINS 180-0! Potter made a spectacular leap and wins the match for Gryfindor!" The stadium erupted in cheers. Harry and Seamus retrieved Harry's broom, and headed for the ground.
"Thanks, Seamus!" Harry yelled over the crowd.
"That's what teammates are for, Captain!" Seamus said, grinning from ear to ear. The rest of the team joined them on the ground; Hermione was smiling widely.
"We won! We won!" she said, she suddenly clutched her side. Harry looked at her in alarm, "It's fine, Harry…"
"Let me see that," he said. Harry lifted her shirt to see her side and gasped when he saw a large gash across her abdomen. "Is this from Malfoy's broom?" Hermione nodded. "I'm going to murder him!" Furious, Harry stomped to Malfoy. "You dirty son of a b-"
"That's quite enough, Mr. Potter," Madame Hooch said. "Go rejoin your team, I'll deal with Mr. Malfoy," Harry went back to Hermione, who was beginning to look pale.
"I think a trip to the hospital wing is in order," she said before passing out.