Chapter 18

Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

The day came much sooner then Nia had anticipated. With a quick run through the night before and a sharp and forceful warning to sleep well or else; Nia felt awake and ready on Saturday. No sooner did she wake up did Lily come calling from the bathroom.

"So you're finally awake," Lily commented.

"Yes I am. And I see that you are completely prepared for today. Even more then me, Evans," Nia smiled. "Are all the houses this punctual for their teams early morning practice?"

"Haha, I just wanted to be there for you," Lily gave a look.

"And James," Nia finished as she got up and grabbed her clothes for today.

"No, of course not for James," she spoke his name with malice. "I don't care about that foul pig for a boy anyways."

"So why take the time to fight with him and insult him? If he's that foul you'd think Lily Evans would ignore him."

"Have you ever tried to ignore James Potter! It's practically impossible—"

"Because he's head over heals with you," now Nia was done changing and began heading for the bathroom.

"Why would he be head over heals for ME?" Lily asked.

"Because you're Lily Evans… he's perfect match and Love at First Site."

"Gross," Lily grimaced.

"Stop being so cruel," Lily glared.

"Drop the subject Naomi. My romantic life has nothing to do with you," she responded.

"Uh Oh, looks like little Nia DuBois hit a sore spot! You like him!" Nia smiled from ear to ear in accusing pleasure.

"I said drop it!" And Lily stomped off.

"Wow, someone's not an early riser," Nia shook her head and kept going for the bathroom.

"So you ready?" Sirius questioned. James looked a little distressed and Sirius was in quite a good mood; which, by the way, was an extremely rare thing to see when Sirius had to wake up so early. Especially when Sirius had to wake up so early on the weekend. The rest of the team, other then Dawson, looked amazingly tired.

"I thought Dawson said to go to bed early, not stay up till we drop…" Nia whispered to Lily.

"Well, they sure look like they're about to drop," Lily smiled.

"So, are you ready or what Nia?" Sirius question again.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just hope I'll be okay once I get up into the air," Nia looked worried at her last comment.

"Trust us, you'll be fine," Longbottom nodded.

"And anyways, if you fall off, one of us will catch you," James smiled. Lily and Sirius punched him in the arm, while Dawson smacked him in the back of the head.

"Thanks," Nia stated nervously.

The practice was brutal and the amount of effort it took Nia surprised her. She used to be able to do this kind of thing with no effort at all! But time had passed with her not once picking up a broom. She was out of practice and shape.

They had done so many things that eventually Dawson began to make up warm ups and different exercises. They had decided to start some ground warm ups after 45 minutes. They did passed the ball, ran laps, did push ups, etc for about 30 an hour. Nia was fading and quick…

"Daw… Daws…" Nia paused in effort to catch her breath. After a couple deep breaths and sitting down, she continued. "Dawson, we have to stop." She paused again. "If I don't I won't be able to play. I'm not built for physical stress like this, not anymore at least." That's when she just laid out on that very spot and relaxed.

Nia had already closed her eyes and began to rest when Dawson started to talk. "Okay, I have to agree with Nia, even I feel a little warn out. So sit down and relax. There's 20 minutes until the game, 5 minutes ahead of time we'll stretch and then head to the change rooms before everyone starts to arrive…"

Dawson had obviously continued, but Nia had completely fallen asleep by the time he was finished.

"Nia, Nia! Wake up, we have to stretch," someone was softly shaking Nia awake.

"Just five more minutes…" She groaned.

"I wish we had five more minutes. Come on, up you come," Nia slowly opened her eyes to see that Sirius was helping her up. Arm on his shoulders, they began to walk to the change rooms.

"I'll get her to stretch in the room. She has to wake up first," she heard Sirius say.

"Do I have to get up," she whined while rubbing her eyes.

"Yes, yes you do. We have to play in a few minutes," he replied softly. She heard a door open and felt a seat underneath her. Nia yawned, arms stretched out, legs to toes extended as long as possible.

"Okay, tell me what to do," she smiled tiredly. She saw Sirius shake his head with a grin on his face. They sat on the floor and stretched for what seemed like hours.

"Hey, you be careful out there; alright? I don't want to have to choose between catching you or letting you drop," he teased.

"Well, you better catch me, or I'll come back to haunt you," she raised an eyebrow, smiling as well.

"So, does that mean your going to fall just so that I'll catch you?" He questioned.

"No, I'll fall because I'll be scared out of my shoes," Nia noticed his expression drop a little. "Or maybe I'll fall for some unknown reason." They both smiled at that like that.

The rest of the team walked in at that very second. "You two ready?" Dawson asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Nia looked skeptical.

"Today's match, Slytherin vs. Gryffindor, is rumored to be the biggest one this year. It may only be the final match, but it'll be a Grande finale –"

"Just introduce the players, Marcus," everyone heard Professor McGonagall over the microphone.

"Yes sir… I mean madam. Alright, the first out today are the Gryffindors, who just finished an early morning practice. As always, Captain and Keeper Riley Dawson, is first to walk out. Fallowed by our houses greatest Seeker in years, James Potter. Next up are the Gryffindor Chasers, Allyson Bell, Sirius Black who's covering for Finnigin and… wait a minute! There's Naomi DuBois, the new girl from Beauxbatons! Looks like she's covering for Derek Marshall! Well, this must have happened last minute.

"Right then, the Gryffindor beaters are up next. It looks like Longbottom and Johnson seem to be in top health. The boys look ready to beat alright!

"Look, Slytherin has already started onto the pitch! In the lead is Flint, Captain and Keeper. Behind him is Seeker Lucius Malfoy. Lestrange, Bulstrode and Bole are all in top form as they prepare to play some Quidditch. The chasers seem to be eyeing DuBois though… I wonder why? Behind them are Crabbe and Goyle, the infamous hard head beaters of the Slytherin team.

"The Captains are now heading over to Madame Hooch for the pre-game speech." Marcus quieted to listen in to the usual add on of Madame Hooch.

"Alright, I want a fair game. No cheating, effort to kill or any other of the things you two are famous for. I want this to be a clean game! Now, shake hands," she looked sternly at Dawson and Flint.

The two boys eyed each other dangerously as they shook hands.

"Watch your back Dawson. Or better yet, watch DuBois," he smirked in a malicious whisper.

"Don't you dare touch her Flint," Dawson glared in return, only to tighten his grip. Before they knew it, Madame Hooch was speaking again.

"Alright, mount your brooms!" She bellowed to the teams. Putting her whistle to her lips… she blew to start.

"Alright, everyone's in the air now. Looks like they're moving quickly too. Potter seems to be fully on the ball this time around, this game is very important after all. Malfoy isn't far behind… Wait, it looks like DuBois has the ball and is heading for the goals! She passes to Black and goes far ahead. She seems to be diving a little… Black passes to Bell. Bell is throwing the ball down… wait! There's DuBois! She's got the ball! She's surprised Flint with her quick entry; she throws and… SHE SCORE'S! 10 points to Gryffindor! Obviously the team made a good choice. DuBois can go!

"Flint retrieves the ball and passes to Lestrange who passes to Bole who passes it back. Lestrange passes to Bulstrode who passes to Bole… they heading for the goals and quick! OW! Longbottom just hit the bludgers at Bole! Bole's hit and he drops the ball. Bell retrieves the ball and heads back to the Slytherin Goals. AND ANOTHER HIT BY THE BLUDGER! It seems Goyle aimed the bludgers and hit Bell right in the center of the back. She's lost the ball! But, wait! Black grabs it and passes it too… oh and Lestrange intervenes! The ball is with the Slytherin's now!"

"Be quicker next time, DuBois!" Dawson yelled from the goal post.

"Why don't you imagine yourself in my shoes, you lazy ingrate! I haven't played a proper sport in years and suddenly you decide I'm going to play for you! I'm still weak, two weeks or not! Now shut your trap you twit! I have a game to play!" Nia yelled in response.

"Did I just hear right! DuBois has only been back on the field for two weeks? Incredible! Just Amazing!" Marcus Belby threw his hands up in the air to give a dramatic, yet non existent, effect.

"Back to the game Belby," Professor Flitwick looked at his student sternly.

"Yes sir! Alright, it looks as if the Slytherins have scored a goal. It's a tie at 10-10 and the Captains don't seem to be very happy with that. Oh well, what can they do but smack the ball away… right? Either way, Bulstrode has the ball now and… wait a second! It seems James Potter has spotted something! And by the looks of his speed it's the snitch! That was quick; it looks like they want to be off the field asap… Malfoy isn't far behind Potter now. But wait! Crabbe has just sent a bludgers reeling toward Potter! Potter swerves out of the way and… WHAT THE HELL!"

"Watch your tongue!" Professor McGonagall smacked Belby for that one.

"Ouch! Sorry… Okay, right. It seems that Johnson was quick on his broom as well. While the bludgers was heading for Potter, Johnson sat at the ready and just smacked it at the unsuspecting Malfoy! Malfoy is currently regaining his composer, but it seems in this little incident, Potter has lost sight of the snitch. He doesn't exactly seem all that happy about it either…

"No goals have been… forgetting that! Black just scored! 10 points to Gryffindor! The score is now 20-10 Gryffindor. Our teams seem to be almost fighting over the quaffle; James and Malfoy are currently busy searching for the snitch with what looks like pure conviction. Now this is something! The quaffle has just been taken… intervened several times only to drop into the patient hands of DuBois. DuBois makes a quick pass to her Bell. It now looks like their doing some sort of criss cross formation… I'm getting dizzy just looking at it! It seems that Flint is having the same reaction! He looks dizzy and confused and… Goal! The score is now 30-10 Gryff… Holy shit!"

"Language!" Flitwick snapped.

"Right sir… Well, sorry for my lateness, but it seems Potter is chasing the snitch and Malfoy has just noticed due to my announcement! Dammit!"

"BELBY!" The two Professor's yelled in perfect synch.

"I should have kept my mouth shut…" He moaned. "Wait! It seems Gryffindors' hard work has paid off! JAMES POTTER HAS JUST CAUGHT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR!" All of the Gryffindor supporters began to chant at the top of their lungs. It seemed that Marcus Belby was right after all. The Gryffindor's hard work had paid off, but for a crucial price… the energy.

The team had no energy at all to bask in their victory; all they did was head back to the house and sit around talking with butterbeer while the others partied their lives away that night. The reason being… The Gryffindor's had just won the Quidditch cup!