Chapter Eight.
Harry sat in the Gryffindor changing rooms before the match. When he had posted the line-up last night there had been quite a lot of arguing mainly with McLaggan, who was still angry about not being starting keeper.
Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
Team sheet
Keeper – R. Weasley
Chaser – G. Weasley
Chaser – D. Robbins
Chaser – D. Thomas
Beater – R. Coote
Beater – J. Peakes
Seeker – H. Potter (C)
Reserve keeper – C. McLaggan
Dismissed from team: Chaser – K. Bell (V.C.)
The rest of the team were already out in the tunnel as he grabbed his broom and walked out of the room, just as Luna started the announcements. She had taken over after Lee Jordan had left last year after Fred and George's rather theatrical exit. The only unfortunate part of Luna's commentary was that she was unfortunately joined by Zacharias Smith; who had been even more vocal in his opinion of Harry since Ginny had hexed him on the train.
-HP\KB-
"Welcome everyone to the first Quidditch match of the year Gryffindor vs Slytherin!" shouted out Luna who was wearing her lion hat in support of Gryffindor again.
Katie sat next to Professor McGonagall beside the pair of commentators. She was not happy to not be playing, but she had to sit out… Dumbledore's orders.
"And now for the team-sheets." Said Zach, who was acting as pompous as ever. "On the Slytherin team we have… Zambini, Parkinson, Vaisely, Davis, Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy as captain." He droned out over the loudspeaker. "And for the Gryffindor team." He continued with a smirk. "Weasley, Weasley, Robbins, Thomas, Coote, Peakes, and Potter as Captain."
Harry walked out onto the pitch calmly towards Madam Hooch who was already standing next to Malfoy at the centre of the pitch. After they shook hands, while trying to break each other's fingers, Harry shot up above the assembled players as Madam Hooch released the snitch and the Bludgers. "Now I want a nice clean game from all of you." She said as she picked up the Quaffle.
'Not bloody likely' thought Harry.
Once the chasers began to play for the ball and the beaters started circling, Harry flew up higher and began to look for the snitch.
Malfoy began tailing Harry, attempting to mock him about Katie being pregnant, in his usual mocking tone. The snow that was blanketing the pitch was also proving to be a pain, as it was hankering his ability to see the snitch. Harry was about to swerve around and punch Malfoy after a particularly vile comment about Katie being some form of streetwalker to want to sleep with Harry, but he was distracted by an announcement from the commentary box. "Oh! And that's a nasty smack of the bludger for the Gryffindor Keeper." Shouted out Zacharias, who himself couldn't sound more pleased. "And that's another goal for Slytherin leaving then to lead the game 90-50!"
Harry looked down to see Ron sprawled out on the snow covered sandpit at the bottom of the goalposts. He struggled to his feet and was helped off the pitch by two third years. Harry was turning back to look at the chasers, as Peakes struck a bludger right at Malfoy, but unfortunately it just skimmed the tail of his broom. But just then he saw a flash of gold and thundered down the pitch at the snitch. He grasped the tiny golden ball in his hand and the Gryffindor section of the stands erupted in cheers and applause, before Luna and Zach could even report what had happened, Madam Hooch blew her whistle calling the match to a close. Then he looked up at the stands, and flew towards the teacher stand where Luna and Katie were sitting next to Professor McGonagall. Harry remembered a story Lupin and Sirius had told him about his parents. As he drew level with the stands he stood up on his broom, precariously balancing over the deadly drop to the ground below; he then bowed and handed the newly caught snitch to Katie, before he sat back down and going over to kiss her, before he flew off to join the rest of the team on their way back into the changing room.
-HP\KB-
To say Katie was elated would have been an understatement. As she met up with Harry so they could make their way down to Hogsmead. She felt happy again. After the article the day before Harry was still rather anxious about Katy making the trip but she insisted that she would be fine.
"Honestly Harry I'm fine. If you're going to be like this all time, I'll have Ron lock you in your dorm until Junior here is born." She threatened as he punched his arm light-heartedly. "We're going to get through this alright, and no dork lord is going to do anything to me or Junior here, okay?" she asked
Harry simply nodded and smiled. In reality he couldn't disagree more with Katie, but he thought it would be better not to intentionally upset her today, she seemed really happy for the first time since the article came out in the paper. "Well I know this is meant to be a date but I'm going to have to schive off and buy your Christmas present… So do you mind hanging out with Leanne for a while?" He asked.
Katie seemed to dull a bit but smiled again and nodded heading over to Leanne, who had been chatting with Hermione and Luna. She was obviously disappointed, but as usual, being male Harry was clueless.
-HP\KB-
Harry wandered around the shops for what seemed like hours trying to figure out what to get Katie. He had almost given up hope when he came to across a beaten down looking shop, with a weird looking sign on it.
As he entered the shop he saw the opposite of what was displayed on the outside. Cases of Jewellery, rare spell books, and other curiosities were lined up neatly along the walls and in the various displays around the store.
Behind the counter stood a black witch with her eyes trained on Harry. Her hair was matted together worse than Hermione's although it looked like it had been it dread locks at some point. "Well, Harry Pattur is you going to just stand there all day or are you looking to buy something? Hmmm…" she asked Harry in a thick Jamaican accent. It threw Harry slightly. "My name is Tia; you are in my shop looking for a gift for your pretty gurlfrien'. Do not be alarmed Mr Pattur I have the true sight, I saw this conversation take place some months ago. Although you seem a good bit happier now then you did then." She said coming out from behind the counter. "Now what can I do you for Mister Pattur?"
"Um… Well I was…" Harry began before Tia cut him off.
"Come on Mister Pattur, use your words… I don't have all day" she said, tapping her foot impatiently. "Now I have some nice jewellery ova here… and since I already which one you gonna pick, let's not waste time…" she said waving her wand. A small blue pillow with a necklace on it appeared on the counter. The necklace itself was a simple heart shaped locket made from a highly polished black rock type material, with a snitch on it, but instead of the snitch being gold, it was made up of a small delicately placed emerald, and the wings were dotted, with tiny flecks of sapphire.
"How much?" asked Harry as Tia rounded the counter again.
"Twelve Galleons, when you are ready Mister Pattur." Said Tia, as she placed the necklace in a small wooden box, before covering it in brown paper. Harry reluctantly handed over the money, as it was nearly all the money he had until he visited Gringotts again. "Thank you for your custom Mister Pattur. I look forward to seeing what happens in your future. I hope you can weather the storm that stands before you, for all our sakes…" she said before bowing and going in behind a beaded curtain.
Harry stared at the doorway for a while before he exited the shop, and heading off in the direction of the three broomsticks in search of Katie. Also think he would have Professor Flitwick put a strong shield charm on the locket before giving it to his girlfriend.
-HP\KB-
A/N: This just a short filler chapter before the big event that comes next, which most of you should be able to guess.
Also I know Tia Dalma is not from Harry Potter, but she's such a fun character to play around with, raging sea goddess that she is. As Always, post your comments, general thoughts questions and criticisms in the reviews. I love hearing what you guys think of the story.
And finally this is the last of the pre-written chapters, so uploading my be a bit slower from now on, sorry.
Until next time
- Slygrifflepuffclaw.