Chapter 16

The moment I came walking down the stairs, I saw everyone but Harry was still asleep. Probably because no one had received any sleep the night before. Soon, everyone would be awake and heading down to the stadium for the final match of the season. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. This would be the match that decided who won the Quidditch House Cup. I figured Harry was suffering from pre-match nerves, so I walked up to him and greeted brightly, "Hiya Harry."

My attempt didn't yield a response, so I lightly pushed on his shoulder and said, "Harry."

Harry jumped in surprise at my sudden appearance. Sitting next to him, I asked, "You ready for the match?"

He simply nodded. My twin sense kicked in and informed me something was bugging him, so I asked, "What's on your mind?"

There was a slight pause and then Harry replied, "I saw Peter Pettigrew on the map."

I thought he was joking at first, but the look on his face said otherwise. "That's impossible! Peter's dead!"

"I know. So, I went to investigate and there was nothing there."

"Nothing?"

Harry nodded. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. The map must have lied."

"That map doesn't lie. Is he here now?"

"I don't know."

"Well, check it now!"

"I can't."

"Well, why not?"

Uh-oh. Harry turned away, which meant something happened. "What happened, Harry?"

After taking a deep breath, he replied, "Snape and Lupin caught me and Lupin took the map. He even knew what it was and scolded me for not turning it in because if Black found it, he could have found us."

"So there's no way to get it back, then?"

Harry shook his head. "Damn, this bites royal Hippogriff. I didn't get to use it to its full potential."

I was a tad bit disappointed. That map was the most brilliant invention. But how could it show someone dead roaming the halls of Hogwarts? Just then, Rachel came down the steps, reminding me that we needed to get ready for the match. After giving Harry the look that said we'll-tell-them-late, I ran upstairs and changed into my sweater and Quidditch pants. My entire uniform was downstairs in the locker room. Before I knew it, the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team was sitting before Wood, who was reminding us that in order to win the cup, Harry had to wait to catch the Snitch until we were more than fifty points ahead. That meant extra work on the Keeper and the Chasers part. Once Wood had drilled the prospect into our heads, we flew out onto the pitch and heard the roar of the Gryffindors and the hiss of the Slytherins. The match would be starting soon. Rachel, Katie and I agreed that if they were to pass the Quaffle a long distance, then it would be to me. After all, my Firebolt could reach it faster than everyone else's. Soon, we all took our positions. Wood headed to the goal posts. Fred and George took the outer rim of our half with Harry flying above. In the middle was Katie and on either side of her were Rachel and me. Madam Hooch released the Bludgers and the Snitch. Once they were in the air, she held the Quaffle. After giving her speech, she threw the Quaffle in the air and I raced forward, catching it before the others. And so, the match began.

The Quaffle bounced between me, Rachel and Katie until Katie threw it long. I leant forward, sped up and caught it just in time to throw it through the middle ring. Ten to zero. The Gryffindors roared in glory as the Slytherins took possession. Fred and George worked hard to aim the Bludgers at the Slytherin Chasers, normally hitting their mark, but the Chasers passed the Quaffle too often to catch the person in possession. I flew at Flint, but as I was about to push him off, of course, he kicked my broom and sent me flying in a different direction. I quickly got back in control just in time to see Wood block the Quaffle and pass it off to Rachel. Rachel looked at me and nodded, telling me that it was time to try out a move we've been practicing. Passing the Quaffle off to me, I flew in front with her behind. As we flew to the post, I went to throw, but instead of aiming at the posts, I tossed it up and dived. Looking up, I saw Rachel catch and throw it through the hoop. Another ten points! Just four more goals and Harry was free to catch the Snitch.

After two more goals by Katie and me, we were up forty to zero when they scored. We worked hard to get back our lead and soon enough, I scored two more and Rachel one and now, harry was free. As Fred, George, Katie, Rachel, Wood and I did our best to prevent the Slytherins from scoring, I saw Harry and Malfoy diving. Before I could see who caught it, a Bludger hit me in the side of the head and everything went black.

---oOo---

Once I woke up, I saw I was in the Hospital Wing with both Fred and George sitting by my bedside. Once they came into clear view, I shot up and asked, "Who won?"

"What? No hi?" smiled Fred.

"Oh come on, TELL ME!"

"All in good time. First, we owe an explanation as to why you are here," stated George, looking a little apologetic.

"Yeah, you see, Mr. Intelligent here was aiming to hit Malfoy with a Bludger, but aimed it too high and caught you instead," explained Fred.

I looked over at George, who replied sheepishly, "Sorry mate."

"Now then, we are going to make it up to you by busting you out of here. Now, hurry up before Madam Pomfrey catches us."

Luckily I was still in my Quidditch robes, so together, we snuck out of the Hospital Wing. As I followed them, I kept pestering them about the outcome of the match. Their answers were always the same. "You'll see." I was getting a bit impatient with them, but I knew they did everything for a reason. Finally, we arrived outside the portrait of Sir Cadogen to get into the Common Room. Fred and George said the password in unison, causing the portrait to swing open and allow us passage. The moment I walked in, I was hoisted onto Seamus and Dean's shoulders and carried the rest of the way in. The Common Room was in an uproar and Fred announced as he and George led the way in, "We bring you the one!"

"The only!" continued George.

"ELLIOT POTTER!" they finished in unison. The Gryffindors shouted in triumph as Seamus and Dean let me down. Rachel and Harry pushed their way forward with Ron, Hermione and Amanda in tow. With a smile, Rachel shouted, "WE WON!"

"WE DID!?" I screamed back.

"Yeah, didn't Fred and George tell you that?" asked Amanda.

I shook my head. I saw Amanda shoot an angry glare at Fred, who disappeared in an instant. We celebrated the victory for the rest of the afternoon and well into the evening. Amanda and Fred had another row after Fred jokingly made fun of me when George knocked me off my broom. I knew it was all in good fun and wasn't harmed by it, but Amanda said I was lucky to still be here and finally, they said their "Piss offs" and Fred and George went to bed. Once the twins were gone, I asked Amanda, "What is with you and Fred all of a sudden?"

"It doesn't concern you."

I was about to disagree when Ron asked, "So, can we take a look at the Marauders Map and watch to see what other people are doing?"

Both Harry's and my faces fell. It was now or never. It was that moment when harry explained Peter's appearance on the map and losing the map to Lupin. "Well, the map must have been lying, then," said Amanda.

"That map doesn't lie! It just can't!" I argued.

"And how do you know that?" asked Rachel.

"Fred and George used it for years and NEVER got caught! It just can't lie!"

"Then how do you explain his appearance on the map?" asked Ron.

I bit my lip. I had an idea, but I was sure they would SOMEHOW prove me wrong. "Well, out with it," urged Amanda.

"Maybe…he faked his death and turned himself into an animal or something?"

Ron, Rachel and Harry burst into laughter. "WHAT!"

"There's a better chance Sirius Black is innocent than there is Peter Pettigrew is alive!" laughed Rachel.

"Well, maybe Elliot's right," replied Hermione.

I did a double take, as did everyone else. "Did you just agree with Elliot?" asked Amanda.

"I'm just saying it is possible. Plus, it's easy enough to check. All Animagi have to register their name and animal."

"Really?" I asked.

"Oh HONESTLY! Weren't you paying attention during that class?"

"Well, I heard about transforming into an animal and my mind wondered," I replied.

Hermione groaned as she stood up. "Well, I'll check the registry tomorrow. Goodnight."

After she went off to bed, we went on to talk about the match until Percy ordered us to bed. Reluctantly, we obeyed and headed to our respected dorms. That night, all I could think about Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black.

TBC…

Please R&R!