Ch 24 Game Time

Harry led his team out onto the pitch, confidently moving towards the Slytherin players. Harry noted that the wind had picked up, and added that to his list of concerns.

He approached Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin captain, and shook his hand. For the first time in Harry's memory the Slytherin didn't try to break his hand, and that if anything scared Harry the most. When Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the balls were released, the Slytherins let the Gryffindor team have the ball, bowing and letting it go.

"What's going on Harry?" Ron asked as he shot towards their goal post.

"I have no idea, mate." Harry replied, but decided to keep an extra close watch on Draco.

As Ginny swooped and grabbed the Quaffle, Harry rocketed to the top of the pitch, scanning the scene below him. Harry zoned out, all of his being focused on finding the snitch. He was looking intently across the pitch, hoping to see a glint of gold, when he happened to catch a bit of the announcer's voice through the wind:

"Gryffindor's Ginny Weasley scores her 9th goal, bringing the total Gryffindor point total to 100 while Slytherin sits at…"

Harry didn't catch the rest of the comment but he scarcely noticed because at that moment a throb went through his head. At first Harry thought it was his scar, but he soon realized that it was more of a dull pulsing all around his head, and didn't no whether to be relieved or not.

His head got worse and Harry tried to tune it out, but to little avail. The game went on and Slytherin closed the gap between the two teams. Now it was anyone's guess as to who would win, this heated Quidditch match. Then, as abruptly and surprisingly as it had started, the Slytherin's good behavior ended, and there good manners became broken rules left right and center. This, while providing penalty shots, confused the Gryffindor players and put them off their game, allowing Slytherin to get ahead.

Harry's increasingly aching head was now filled with this fact and his mission to find the snitch.

Finally Harry couldn't take it anymore and signaled to Madam Hooch to call a time-out.

"What's the score?" Harry called to Ron as they landed.

"190-110" Ron replied, looking sad.

"We were doing so well!" Ginny said, pounding her fist into her other hand.

"Ok" Harry said "we can do this. They tried to shake us by switching tactics mid game…"

"They succeeded" Ron cut in.

"Quiet!" Harry ordered "Let's get this game under control, and let's start with stopping the next goal and getting two of our own, K? Now all we need to do is get Ron to knock the ball to Ginny who will pass down to Alex, who will pass back and score. Oh, and beaters, kill Malfoy."

Harry led his team back to the air, and watched the plan he had just outlined preformed perfectly. He cheered when the team scored again and laughed when Malfoy was knocked to the ground by a bludger.

Harry's head, which had become less painful on the ground, was now throbbing painfully. Harry began to wonder about the snitch, which hadn't shown itself to either player as yet. Then Harry noticed a glitter of gold above him and slightly to his left. He rocketed forward and snatched the snitch.

"Victory to Gryffindor!" Shouted the commentator as the stands erupted in cheers. The cheers only quieted when a curse flew through the air, narrowly missing Ginny, and Professor McGonagall hastened to investigate.

As Harry landed his broom, his head pounding, he closed his eyes. He opened them minutes later, with his back on the ground, Madam Pomfrey leaning over him.

"I was afraid of this" She said "That blow to the head is acting up. I'm pleased to say that this is nothing serious, but I'm afraid that I must ground you for the next month."

These words were greeted with either protests or offense from Harry's team. Harry was about to join the protestors but when he took a look at Madam Pomfrey's eyes he regretfully agreed. Getting up and trudging back to the locker room.

"Well" Harry announced to the empty room "At least it will give me time to learn about the defenses."

But that was little condolence as he went to take his shower, the joy of Victoria completely gone from his mind.

A/N: Sorry about the delay, but homework started and other stuff, ya know how it is (and if you don't pretend you do). Hope you all had a nice new years and an easy start to school/work or whatever. I'll see about getting the next chapter out. As always thanks for the reviews and keep them coming. Good day, eh?