Harry Potter and the Dark Lord

Chapter 43: Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff

Summary: Set in Harry's sixth year. He encounters far more than he ever could have expected, but he does not have to go through it alone. An old friend returns to help him. Harry's defeat of Voldemort rests on him getting The Scepter of Light and Dark, something that would allow Voldemort to destroy the world if he can get the whole thing. Voldemort's powers are getting stronger and Harry has more than one encounter with him.

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This Chapter: A Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff

Now...on with the story!


"That was amazing Harry." said Ginny after they landed and Harry had changed back.

"Thanks." said Harry, then yawned. "I'm going to bed."

Harry climbed the spiral staircase and went into his dormitory. He changed into pajamas and got into bed, falling asleep instantly.

"Draco, make sure he is properly placed for me. I will not tolerate failure." said a high, cold voice.

"Yes, Master." said a voice that was unmistakably Draco Malfoy's.

His scar began to throb.

Harry opened his eyes to find his hands pressed to his scar. He looked around the dormitory. Luckily, he hadn't woken anyone up. He rolled over and went back to sleep.

When Harry woke up the next morning, he decided not to tell anyone about his dream. He was supposed to be blocking them out, after all and he didn't want Hermione or Sirius to yell at him about Occlumency.

The first two weeks of November passed by quickly, filled with classes and Quidditch practice. All too soon it was time for the first Quidditch match of the season: Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. The morning of the match was sunny and bright. Harry tried to get his fellow teammates to eat, but to no avail. Eventually, he gave up and herded them to the locker rooms to get changed. They quickly changed and grouped together in the boys' half of the locker rooms.

"Well, I'm not much of a speech maker. Just go out there and do your best. That's all I can ask. Let's go." said Harry.

The team shouldered their brooms and walked out onto the pitch. On the opposite side of the pitch, the Hufflepuff team was walking out to meet them. Madam Hooch stood in the circle in the middle of the grassy field waiting for them with the chest of balls.

"Captains, shake hands." ordered Madam Hooch. Harry shook the hand of the Hufflepuff captain, a tall, blonde boy. Madam Hooch released the Bludgers, then the Snitch. The two teams mounted their brooms and rose into the air.

"Madam Hooch had released the Bludgers and the Snitch. The Quaffle is released, and the game begins!" shouted the new commentator, Dean Thomas.

Harry blocked out the commentary as he scanned the field for the Snitch. Across the field from him, the Hufflepuff Seeker was doing the same. About twenty minutes later, he spotted a glimmer of gold. He tore after it, but it turned out to be the sunlight hitting a Hufflepuff Chaser's watch. About fifteen minutes later, he spotted the tiny golden ball hovering near the middle goalpost on the Gryffindor side.

Harry flew slowly and casually towards Ron, hoping the other Seeker would think that he was just going over to talk to Ron and not catch onto his trick. Unfortunately, the other Seeker caught sight of the Snitch too, and began speeding towards it.

Harry put on a burst of speed and began urging his Firebolt to go faster. His Firebolt was no match for the other Seeker's broom and Harry caught the Snitch well before the other Seeker was even close to it.

"The Snitch is caught by Gryffindor Seeker Harry Potter, making their total score 270 to Hufflepuff's 20. They'll be partying in the Gryffindor Common Room tonight!" yelled Dean. Harry flew to the ground and met his team.

"Dean's right, party in the Common Room!" shouted Harry to his team. Someone had already snuck down to the kitchens because the Common Room was full of food when the team arrived.

The party lasted until past midnight, when McGonagall came in a told them if they didn't got to bed, she would give them all detention for a month. Harry gratefully went to bed. He hadn't been able to escape from all of his extremely happy fellow Gryffindors. The next few weeks passed by quickly.

Harry was dreading the holidays, when he would be stuck in the castle for two weeks, until one week before the start of break, Sirius told him not to sign up to stay in the castle. When Harry asked why, Sirius just said it was a surprise. Harry waited anxiously for the end of the week, when they were to leave for Christmas break and he would find out the surprise.


Next Chapter: A Christmas Suprise