"Weasley has the Quaffle, she passes to Rose, Rose to Patil, back to Weasley. Goal!" Dean was calling the first Quidditch game of the year. "It is now ten to nil for Gryffindor. Finnegan sends the Bludger towards Bingham of Hufflepuff. Oh, poor bloke couldn't move out of the way fast enough, he loses the Quaffle and Rose recovers it."
Harry circled high above the pitch watching for the Golden Snitch. He was listening to Dean to keep track on how well his team was doing. After just ten minutes his team was leading forty to nothing. Harry noticed Hufflepuff's Seeker Tebbs on the other side of the pitch and he smiled to himself. Harry knew that all the other Seekers were smart enough to not follow him closely after last years incident with Cho Chang, they also didn't want a beating like Malfoy received.
"Bingham with the Quaffle now, he passes to Jagger, Jagger dodges a Bludger from Longbottom. Rose rams into Jagger he passes off to Newell, Newell makes a move to goal. Weasley is waiting, remember that name folks, Ronald Weasley, he could be playing in the World League next year. Newell fakes a shot on goal but passes to Bingham, Bingham sends a scorching fast shot to the left ring but Weasley kicks it clear, his sister catches the Quaffle and heads up the pitch." Harry laughed to himself as he listened to Dean announce the game.
Two hours later Harry could tell that Dean was beginning to get tired as he was only saying the important words.
"Weasley pass Rose, Rose shoots, goal." Dean was trying his hardest to stay awake but occasionally he needed a jolt from Professor McGonagall. Bingham to Newell, Newell to Jagger, Weasley stills the Quaffle."
Harry didn't hear anymore as he saw the Snitch fly in front of his face. He sped off after it and was soon joined by Tebbs in a close race for the Snitch. Harry looked as if he knew what the Snitch was going to do next. He was pulling away from Tebbs not because of speed but because Tebbs began trying to predict what the Snitch would do and then have to correct his mistake. Harry, however, was getting closer and closer to the Snitch and knew he would catch it any second now. When Harry's hand was within inches of the Snitch it made a sharp turn to the left and Harry followed it, still close to grabbing it. Harry then saw a Bludger heading straight for him, with Tebbs right behind him and not wanting the game to continue for much longer Harry firmly placed his feet on the pegs of his broom and kicked. The result was amazing.
When Harry kicked his legs against the foot pegs it resulted in him jumping off of his broom and over the Bludger. His Firebolt continued moving forward as Harry sailed through the air. Harry reached his right hand out as far as he could, he felt the tiny wings begin hitting his fingers. Harry closed his fingers around the Snitch as he fell back down to his broom. He placed his feet back on the pegs of his broom and joined his team in celebration.
"Gryffindor wins the match 300 to 120 over Hufflepuff." Dean said as enthusiastically as he could. The Gryffindor team landed as a group in the center of the pitch celebrating as the rest of the Gryffindor house rushed on to the field to join in the celebration. Harry was greeted by numerous shouts of congratulations and questions about how he made that jump.
After what felt like two more hours on the Quidditch pitch Harry and his team made it to their locker room where they changed and listened to Harry give an after match speech. The team finally made it back to the Gryffindor common room to find that most of the Gryffindor's had been to tired to celebrate and went to bed. Ron sleepily mumbled that they all go to bed as well and Harry quickly agreed. As the Quidditch team and Hermione began walking up the stairs to the dorms the portrait hole opened and Professor McGonagall walked into the common room.
"Mr. Potter, will youfollow me please." Professor McGonagall asked.
Without answering Harry handed Ron his broom and followed Professor McGonagall out the portrait hole. Professor McGonagall lead him to her office and closed the door behind them. Harry then saw that Professor Dumbledore was in the office as well.
"Sit." Professor McGonagall said coolly. Once the Harry took his seat she began to speak. "First, congratulations on your win, Harry. Next, I have brought you here to discuss Voldemort and the war."
"You see, Harry." Professor Dumbledore began to speak. "We have every reason to believe that Tom will attack very near Christmas, we don't believe he will attack the school again. We think he will once again attempt you to draw you away from here using one of your friends."
"How do you know what he is planning? And why do you think he is going to try to draw me away?" Harry asked. Professor Dumbledore smiled before he answered.
"Harry, you know that the Order has spies against Tom. We have reliable sources, and we think he will use someone to draw you away because he learned how dangerous attacking Hogwarts can be. We just want you to be ready for the possibility, Harry."
"Ok, I can understand that. But why tell me now?" Harry asked his Headmaster. "Why not wait until tomorrow morning, why is this so important?"
"Very clever, Harry." Albus answered with a sad smile. "Claustrum was invaded tonight, some Death Eaters were freed."
"Which ones?" Harry asked leaning forward.
"Malfoy and Pettigrew, the others were left there by Tom." Dumbledore replied.
"But, how? I though Claustrum was supposed to be better and more secure than Azkaban." Harry said as he began getting angry.
"I know Harry, please remember that Tom has many followers and is very powerful." Dumbledore attempted to keep Harry calm. "With the release of Malfoy and Pettigrew he has freed two people that know better than most what will draw you away from here."
"I see." Harry answered calmly. "Professor, I know you don't want me to go chasing after Tom if he attacks, but that is what I will have to do. If we ever want this war to end I have to destroy him, I have accepted that now. When the time comes, I will chase him and I will fight him."
"Harry, I know you will. Just remember, you have many friends that will fight beside you no matter what." Professor Dumbledore spoke as Harry stood to leave. "You don't have to fight alone."
"We are all with you, Harry." Professor McGonagall said with a small smile.
Harry walked slowly through the corridors back to the Gryffindor tower when he heard someone approaching from in front of him. Harry instinctively tried to pull his invisibility cloak over him when he realized he didn't have it. Then he remembered he hadn't been doing anything wrong and continued walking.
"A bit late for a stroll isn't it, Mr. Potter?" Snape spoke as he approached.
"I was just leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Sir." Harry tried to remain calm.
"Yes, I know. I have just, returned." Snape said quietly.
"Returned from where?" Harry asked inquisitively.
"Claustrum, Professor Dumbledore sent me to see if it were true." Snape answered. "Be prepared, Potter. Voldemort can attack at anytime."
Harry had thought about ignoring Snape's last comment and continue walking but then he realized that Snape wasn't being his normal self.
"Thank you, sir. I will be prepared." Harry said to his least favorite teacher.
"Mr. Potter, may I speak with you in here?" Snape asked politely.
"Yes, Sir." Harry answered cautiously. As Harry followed his Potions teacher into the empty classroom he took his wand out of his robes and firmly held onto it.
"Mr. Potter." Snape began as they entered the room. "I would like to apologize to you. While it is true, I detest your father and see many of the same qualities in you, you are not him. Since last year you have shown that you truly aren't attempting to get through life just by being a Potter. You actually applied yourself and have become the best student in Hogwarts. I am sorry I have been so callous to you and your friends over the last six years, most of it was hatred of your father and his friends. The rest of it was an act. If Voldemort's followers knew I was on friendly terms with you, I wouldn't have been a very good spy anymore. Don't expect to see me change much more than I already have though."
Harry was dumbfounded, he just received an apology from Snape. A rather Snape like apology, I hate your father but I'm sorry, but it was an apology. Harry didn't know how to react. Finally he was able to mutter the only thing he could think of.
"Thank you, Sir."
Harry then left the room and continued making his way to the Gryffindor tower. Along the way he caught a couple third year Ravenclaws and told them to return to their dorm or face detention. He also caught Peeves trying to put Mrs. Norris high up on a statue of a giant. Harry was tempted to let him do it but then thought better of it, apparently Peeves would listen to those in authority because he apologized to Harry as he set Mrs. Norris back on the ground. She promptly ran in the opposite direction, probably to get Mr. Filch. By the time Harry reached the portrait of the Fat Lady he was exhausted.
"Excuse me. Excuse me!" Harry woke the Fat Lady up. "Quidditch Cup." Half asleep the Fat Ladies portrait swung open and Harry entered the common room. He expected his friends to be long asleep but all three of them were talking in front of the fire. Harry spent the next twenty minutes explaining what he had been told by all of the Professors. To Harry's amusement his friends had a much harder time grasping that Snape apologized than Malfoy and Pettigrew escaped.
The four talked late into the night and eventually fell asleep in the common room.