Magical Origins
Year 3: The Finals
The whole castle didn't sleep as they waited for the news if Sirius Black had been captured. The teachers return to inform the students he has yet again manage to escape.
This caused everyone in the castle to question how Black had been able to slip in and out of the castle without being seen.
This also caused Ron Weasley to grow an enormous ego. He kept telling a story of how he was a tragic victim of a near-death experience. Ron would tell anyone who would listen how he survived a near murder from Sirius Black.
Harry got bored with Ron's tale as quick as he told it. Harry knew at once Ron was being dramatic and was making a scene of something that wasn't as big. Harry also doubted it was Sirius, but rather Peter Pettigrew, who somehow knew Black was approaching the tower. He must have panicked and woken Ron up to get everyone on alert. Harry's suspicion only grew when Ron couldn't say how Sirius Black managed to escape.
Harry felt sorry for Neville, who had fallen into disgrace. After it was revealed, he had not only written the Gryffindor Tower passwords down but also left them lying around. He was in deep trouble. He lost his remainder trips to Hogsmeade as well as earning detention. Professor McGonagall's fury could be almost physically felt by all.
Two days after Black's "break-in," Neville received the worse thing he could get from home. A howler.
The Gryffindor trio, who had been friends for a long time, had also come undone.
Lily was still furious with Hermione and refused to hear a word in her own defense. Lily was also upset with Ron, for calling her a mudblood. Ron was upset with Hermione for her cat allegedly eating Scabbers.
Everything had fallen upside down for them.
Hermione no longer showed off in class. She sat quietly in the corner with her head down. It wasn't hard to figure out why. No one could tolerate her any longer. Despite her protests that she did the right thing, no one was buying it. Many simply believed Hermione Granger was merely jealous of Harry, and she was getting back at Lily for upstaging her in Potions.
While Lily was no longer able to fry her, that didn't stop nearly everyone in the school from sending her hateful glares.
But that didn't do anything to ease Lily's foul mood.
This caused everyone to steer a clear from her worried they'd be trampled – or more accurately, charred to a crisp – while Lily was on the warpath. It was clear who she wanted to take it out on, but she wasn't allowed to touch.
Today was an important one for everyone. The third Quidditch Match of the Season was underway.
Gryffindor had irritatingly jumped to first place with six hundred and thirty points. If Slytherin wanted to secure their place get in the Finals, they only needed twenty points or more to face Gryffindor.
Who would enter third and fourth, would depend on the final third match. Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff.
Slytherin's odds showed them to be in favor of taking home the win. Not only did they have a significant lead in the points margin, but they had one of the best teams to win. All the Slytherin team had to do was expand their already sizeable lead, and the Cup was as good as theirs. This was something the school knew, and it looks like Slytherin was going for the win.
In the beginning, there had been many in Slytherin who questioned Harry's decision to allow girls on the team. Now they were taking it back. Never before has a team had a high chance to win the Cup with a large number of points alone.
Two years ago, Ravenclaw only had a twenty point lead. This helped them win the Cup, but no team in history has ever had a significant edge over a hundred.
Harry led his team through the air.
The Hufflepuff's only real strategy was to slow the Slytherins down. Ravenclaw was clearly out of the Finals. They only had three hundred and twenty points. Hufflepuff, if they wanted to be in the finals, then they needed to score over four hundred points to their already two hundred and twenty points. This also meant that Slytherin would have to be scoreless.
Harry said nothing as he lines up with the rest of his team. Hufflepuff was beaten, and they already knew it. Even if they did win the match, they were out. Harry had assembled the best team Slytherin had in centuries.
"I want a nice clean game, from all of you." Madam Hooch said as everyone was lined up. "Captains, shake hands."
Harry said nothing as he shakes hands with Cedric Diggory.
"The bludgers are up, followed by the Golden Snitch. Madam Hooch releases the Quaffle and the game beings!" Lee Jordan shouted.
Harry was the first to grab the Quaffle and zips between the Hufflepuff players. The Keeper moves to block him, but Harry already releases and scored. The gong sound echoed throughout the pitch.
"Potter scores!" Lee Jordan called; he sounded disappointed.
Harry high fives Blaise as he passes him.
"Let's go, Slytherin! Let's go, Slytherin!" The Slytherin chanted. Nothing could dampen their spirits. They knew this year they were going to win the Cup.
The game went underway, and Slytherin just kept scoring. After nearly thirty minutes of playing, the score was two hundred and twenty to twenty.
The Slytherins in the stands were screaming themselves hoarse. They had won, that was clear. If Tracy Davis caught the Snitch, then they would win the cup by seer points alone.
Daphne manages to save a goal when suddenly, Cedric Diggory went into a dive. Tracy saw what he was doing and took off after him. Tracy Davis was on the other end of the pitch and still had a long way to go. Cedric Diggory was closer, and he pulls up out of his dive with the Snitch in his hands.
The final score was two hundred and twenty to a hundred and seventy.
Tracy pulls up from her dive, looking frustrated. Her teammates flew up to her.
"I'm sorry, I tried…" Tracy began.
"Don't worry about it," Harry said as he grabs the back of her head, bringing her gaze to his. With a minuscule smile on his face to comfort her. "Luck is always a part of the game. Diggory just had better luck. It doesn't matter that he caught the Snitch, we still won."
"Attention!" Dumbledore said in a magnified voice. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor players had flown on the pitch and were in position as was Hufflepuff. "Well done to all of you. That was a beautiful well-played game. Now the finals will take place in exactly two weeks. The current standings are…" Dumbledore said as he pulls out a parchment. "In Fourth Place with Three Hundred and Twenty Points, Ravenclaw!"
Everyone clapped for Ravenclaw as they applaud themselves; they did not have a good season having lost all their games.
"In Third Place, with Three Hundred and Ninety points, Hufflepuff!" Hufflepuff cheered, they usually finished last, but this year, they did better than usual.
"In second place, and earning the rights to participate in the Finals, with six hundred and thirty points, Gryffindor!"
Gryffindor cheered themselves hoarse.
"Yes, well done, Gryffindor. That means your opponents are Slytherin, who have the current points of…" Dumbledore said as he looks down at the parchment. "Eight hundred and thirty points."
The House of Slytherin roared in delight. Everyone Slytherin jumped upon his or her feet and was dancing around with all dignity forgotten. Their screams and shouts dwarf the other houses.
It had to be a record. No one, not one team has ever had such a massive lead into the finals.
"Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!"
"Yes, well done, Slytherin. Good luck to you all." Dumbledore said with a smile.
The Slytherins all rushed to the field and hosted their Quidditch team up in the air.
"Let's go, Slytherin!" Everyone shouted as they dance around the pitch.
Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw clapped, knowing that Harry Potter and the House of Slytherin dominated the pitch in style.
All dignity had been forgotten. It felt as if they had already won the Cup. Many in the House of Slytherin were glad Harry Potter joined their house, as they have never had a better Quidditch Captain.
The road to the Finals was a tough one. Added that it was between two houses that had a long feud with one another. Both sides were seeking to improve their odds. Many in Gryffindor and in the school, did not believe they had a chance to win. Sure they could win the match, but they needed to have sixty points lead to win the Cup; and the way Slytherin has been playing all season, that didn't seem likely.
This also caused tension between the two houses. Worse than it'd ever been.
The Quidditch team members were targets to attacks in an attempt to put them out of the match. It was also a time when house points and detentions would be given out like candy by the Professors.
Alicia Spinnet was ambushed in the library by a couple of sixth years Slytherin's.
Daphne herself was ambushed by several Gryffindor's.
As the days passed, things became very intense.
It wasn't just the Quidditch players at odds with each other. Both Houses were growing tense with each other. Duels soon erupted in the corridors between the two houses resulting in a lot of students serving detention. As well as staying in the Healer Wing. Never before had Madam Pomfrey been so busy.
It also didn't take long for Percy Weasley and Artemis to get into their own confrontation.
The two were shouting at each for in the middle of the Entrance Hall.
It didn't take long, but Artemis unleashed her fury upon Percy, who crumbled under her dueling skills.
Professor McGonagall had to yell at Percy for his behavior. Snape had a smug look on his face when he was supposed to be punishing Artemis. All he told her was not to do that again in front of others.
Not one Slytherin would dare approach, Lily.
She would walk around with a smirk on her face if she did see the Slytherins.
Memories of her burning their housemates last year was fresh on their mind when they passed her by.
Harry also had trouble with Wood, as Wood would book the pitch almost every day, all day. Harry went straight to Professor McGonagall about how Wood was hogging the pitch by not allowed Slytherin to practice. The one thing about Professor McGonagall was that even though she was a supporter of Gryffindor, she was also fair.
Professor McGonagall put Wood straight, saying that Slytherin had the right to practice as well.
Wood complains loudly, saying that Harry had a Firebolt and didn't need the practice.
Harry counter by saying Lily had a Firebolt as well.
In the end, the two teams were given three days each with Sunday being an off day.
So the two trained their teams to the best of their ability.
The day finally arrived, and everyone was excited. Everyone expected Slytherin to win.
"Remember, Lily, you can only catch the Snitch when we're sixty points up…" Wood said for the hundredth time.
"I know," Lily said as she puts on her Quidditch robes. She was tired of Wood repeatedly telling her the same thing.
This was going to be a tough match.
"Last time we played Slytherin, things didn't go well. Lily, did you figure out your Dementor problem?" Wood asks.
"Yeah," Lily said slowly as she went back to her Patronus.
The Gryffindors said nothing as they took to the air.
Lily looked around and notice immediately that Slytherin was all wearing green and screaming themselves hoarse. They believed they'd already won the Cup.
Lily didn't blame them, they had a two hundred point lead over Gryffindor and Harry was playing like a pro. The Gryffindors were all cheering their team on, hoping for the greatest upset in Hogwarts Quidditch history.
"Today, we have a special guest to watch the match! Everyone, please welcome the Department Head of Magical Games and Sports, Ludo Bagman." Lee Jordan shouted.
"Thank you, and welcome everyone to the '94 Hogwarts Quidditch Finals. I got a real treat for the player who is the MVP of the game." Bagman said as he holds up two tickets in his hands for all to see. "Two tickets to take someone of your choosing to the 16th Quidditch World Cup this Summer!"
Everyone started talking loudly.
"Good luck to you all and may the best team win." Bagman said as he sits down.
"Alright, starting with the Slytherins, Team Captain, and Chaser… Harry Potter. Joining him as chasers are Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. The team beaters are Lucian Bole and Peregrine Derrick. Keeper is Daphne Greengrass, and the team Seeker is Tracy Davis." Lee Jordan shouted.
Harry stops when he notices some familiar faces in the stands.
"You came?" Harry asks in surprise as he stops short.
Olivia Wynter had a smile on her face. Samuel Wynter also looked happy.
"It's an important day, we wouldn't miss it," Olivia said happily.
"Artemis is here… do you want-?"
"Afraid not. She's not allowed up here, even if she is family." Samuel said.
"We'll talk later after the match," Olivia chirped.
Harry said nothing more as he turns and rejoins his team.
"Gryffindor Team Captain and Keeper are Olivier Wood. Following him as the team, Chasers are Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell. The team Beaters are twins Fred and George Weasley. Following them is the youngest Seeker in a Century, Liliana Morris!" Lee Jordan shouted.
The scarlet team flew around the pitch as the emerald team got into position.
"I want a clean game from all of you." Madam Hooch said as she looks at the two teams.
"For Gryffindor to win the Cup, they need to have sixty points over Slytherin to win. Will Gryffindor pull the upset of the century and win, or will the Serpents walk away with the win?" Lee Jordan said.
Slytherin was cheering themselves hoarse as they kept screaming at their team to win.
"Madam Hooch releases the Bludgers followed by the Golden Snitch. Remember, the Golden Snitch is worth a hundred and fifty points. She releases the Quaffle, and the game begins!"
Gryffindor, instead of going for the Quaffle they broke and retreated to their side of the pitch as Harry grabs it. Harry stops short only to pull back as a Bludger fired by one of the Weasley twins tried to knock him off.
Harry paused as he looks at the Gryffindor formation. It seems they knew he was going to outfly them. Instead, they seem to have set up a net to counter his speed.
Another bludger was fired at him, and this time, Bole arrived in front of him to fire it back.
"Guys, Wing Formation," Harry shouted.
They nod their heads and attack as a single group. It was a risky gamble, as it left the Keeper Unguarded if Gryffindor manages to steal the Quaffle. However, it was a powerful attack as it forces the Gryffindors to meet them head-on.
Harry hid behind Blaise, unable to go as fast as he wanted to. He would burst out before Wood realized which Ring he was targeting.
Blaise and Draco held out their arms and grabs Bell and Spinnet, forcing them away from the pocket and away from Harry as they tried to dive into him. Bole's shoulder tackles Angelina Johnson; being careful not to hit her with his club, and pushes her away from Harry.
It was at that moment, Harry burst out and went for the lower left.
Wood saw it too late, and a loud gong was heard as Harry brings his hand up in triumph.
Wood quickly passes to Angelina Johnson, and she takes off before Slytherin could recover.
By the time Slytherin realized it, Angelina was pulling ahead.
Harry immediately shots forward and rams into Angelina Johnson, trying to steal the Quaffle.
Once again, Angelina was forced to the outside to avoid Harry. This put her in a bad position as she was unable to attack the goalposts like she wanted.
Angelina pulls back her arm, but Harry finally knocks the Quaffle out of her hands and takes it. Angelina Johnson shot off before turning around, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Harry ducks an approaching bludger and takes off, pushing his Firebolt to the max. To the rest of the players, he was like a blur before he pulls back his arm and releases it. Wood moves to stop him, but the gong sound was heard the second time.
Harry raised his arm in triumph as he scores again.
Gryffindor grits its teeth as this time the three chasers sped off together, Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet passing the Quaffle back and forth with each other while Katie Bell trailing behind them.
Harry took off and got in between Spinnet and Johnson, forcing them to cease passing as Spinnet had the Quaffle. Harry rams into Spinnet to pushing her away from the center. Spinnet grits her teeth and moves to the side, avoiding Harry, but he kept on her.
Spinnet rams herself into Harry to get some room, but Harry rams back, forcing the fifth year to struggle to get back into position.
Just as they reach the goal, Spinnet throws the Quaffle behind her; Harry turns to see who was behind him as Katie Bell grabs the Quaffle and throws it into the lower the ring.
Daphne moves to grab the Quaffle, but Katie Bell had scored.
Lily was high above the match, keeping an eye on the snitch as well as Davis. The game was turning into one of speed rather than teamwork. Harry was the fastest player on the pitch and kept on the attack and forcing the Chasers into a bad position.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the Snitch floating near Gryffindor Posts. If Davis saw it, she'd have the advantage since she was considerably closer than Lily was.
Lily instead went into a dive.
Tracy did not follow. Instead, she kept looking around, and to Lily's horror, she spotted the Snitch and took off after it.
Lily pulls up from her dive and immediately turned back after Davis. Lily had speed on her side and was quick to catch up.
The Snitch flew near the out of bounds area as Davis had her hands outstretched to the Snitch.
Lily rams into Tracy and smacks her hand down.
Davis said nothing as she stayed on course and tried to reach the Snitch. Again Lily smacks her hand.
The Snitch suddenly gave a sharp turn that Lily rams herself into Davis before turning. Davis went out of the bounds area as Madam Hooch blew her whistle.
"Slytherin Seeker out of bounds! Gryffindor Penalty!" She shouted. Slytherin groans as Gryffindor cheers.
During the confusion, the Snitch had vanished completely.
Thankfully for Gryffindor, Katie Bell had stepped up and manage to prevent the loss of any more points as the score was led into a back to an even dozen.
Lily returns to the sky and looks down.
Half an hour later, and the game was leaning back into Slytherin's favor, though. Within thirty minutes, the game was at a hundred and forty to eighty.
Lily sighs, knowing with how Slytherin was playing, they were never going to get the lead they needed. Harry was a demon in the air. He was relentless during the entire match. He scored most of Slytherin's goals as well as he had the most steals as well as the most assists.
Lily said nothing as she looks around.
Then she spotted it. The Snitch.
Knowing full well they were never going to get the lead, Lily takes off, Tracy did not follow believing it to be another feint. She spotted the flicker of gold and takes off after the Snitch.
Lily pulls up her dive with the Snitch in her hands.
"Gryffindor Wins!" Madam Hooch shouted as she blew her whistle.
The Gryffindors groaned in disappointment.
They won the match… but they lost the Cup.
Slytherin cheered itself hoarse, it was a hard fight, but they still came out on top.
"Why did you catch the Snitch?" Wood asks as he flew up to Lily.
"We were never going to outscore them, Wood. It's better than being completely dominated. Had we continue, Slytherin would have slowly pulled ahead with a large lead. We should win the match instead of losing both the match and the cup." Lily said.
Wood nods his head grudgingly at her reasons.
The final score was two hundred and thirty to a hundred and forty.
Gryffindor won the match, but they lost the Cup.
"Attention!" Dumbledore shouted in an enhance voice. "A well-played game all of you. Be proud of today. The Winner of the Match is Gryffindor!" The school gave polite applause to the Gryffindor Quidditch team. "However, the Winner of the '94 Hogwarts Quidditch Finals is… Slytherin!"
At that moment, Harry's teammates lifted him in the air.
Dumbledore hands the trophy to Harry as he lifts it in the air.
"And finally, the match MVP is… Mister Harry Potter… with over eleven goals and thirteen steals as well as over fourteen assists!" Dumbledore shouted.
Ludo Bagman presents the two tickets to Harry as he grabs them and holds up the Quidditch Cup up in the air.
Harry lands on the ground and notices Lily walking away. She had a small smile on her face, showing she was proud of him but also disappointed. Harry quickly moves through the crowd and towards her.
Everyone was silent.
Harry Potter and Liliana Morris were faced to face.
Harry lifts up his World Cup Ticket, and she takes it.
Harry then embraces Lily as she hugs him back.
Harry and Lily said nothing as he presents her with the trophy, and they lift it up in the air.
Many students were stunned, but they clapped none the less. Both having a broad smile on their faces.
All they knew was the party was going to be intense for both houses.
Author Notes: I know I put the 16th Quidditch World Cup when the books stated it was the 422nd. If you do the math of the years, you would have realized J.K. Rowling made a terrible mistake in her years of the Quidditch World Cup. She stated it takes place every four years since the year 1473. If this were true, then it would have been the 130th World Cup. The exact start date would have been the year 310 AD if it was to be the 422nd. Instead, I put the Quidditch World Cup starting time the same as FIFA's World Cup, which was in 1930. This makes the Quidditch World Cup the 16th in 1994. Like FIFA, The Quidditch World Cup happens every four years.
