Author's notes: I'm sorry this story took ages... I got very important exam coming and now I've done with it... Please continue to enjoy my story. ^^

Chapter 8: Quidditch

Zak gulped. This is it. He never played Quidditch before and he's afraid he would mess up. He wanted to bail. But Fiskerton blocked him from his attempt.

"Fisk! I don't know how to play! Why don't you substitute me?" he asked nervously. Fiskerton shook his head and wagged his finger.

"Come on Fisk, please—"

"Zak, you're on!" called Harry.

Zak's face turned into a frown. "Wish me best luck..." he sighed. Carrying his broom, he walked to the field which was bigger and taller than he expected. The field was as big as a normal soccer field. The only difference was the audience seats. The seats were built as tall as a skyscraper, surrounding the whole field. Thousands of people act as spectators for the upcoming game, as it would be quite interesting and exciting like before.

Zak walked towards his team which was doing warm-ups so that they won't get unnecessary cramps. "This place looks just like... soccer," he said to Harry.

"It resemblances Muggle soccer, but with flying brooms, flying balls and flying players," he replied.

"Flying... I'm going to catch a..."

"Golden snitch. It's a tinier golden ball with wings."

"Oh. So I just focus on that right?"

"Yes. But be careful of the bludgers."

"What?"

"...And now we have the team from Gryffindor!" announced the host of the game. Gryffindor's supporters were cheering like mad. They kept chanting 'Go Gryffindor' or 'Gryffindor rocks'.

"That fast?" Zak was astounded.

"Get on your broom, kid!" Ron ordered. Zak did what he was told. But he couldn't make the broom fly.

"How should I start this thing again?" he uttered to himself. The game had started and his teammates were already in the air. He was the only one who couldn't fly and he was embarrassed. The crowd started to mock him. Fiskerton, Komodo, Zon and Hermione who were at the spectator seats were the only ones who didn't mock him. Fiskerton kept raising his arms in the sky, signaling at Zak to fly. Zon flapped her wings, in attempt to help him but Hermione forbid her. If Zon do that, Zak would be disqualified.

"Zak! Say 'INFERIUS'!" she yelled at him.

"That's it! Why didn't I think about it?" Zak slapped his head.

On the other hand, Malfoy was chasing the Golden Snitch. He sneered as he watched Zak humiliate himself in front of thousands. "Serves him right for messing with ME!" he continued to chase the snitch. They flew around the whole field and passed by Zak who was still incapable of flying. "LOSER!" he yelled at Zak.

"I'll show you who's a loser. INFERIUS!" As soon as Zak chanted the magic word, the broom was alive. It floated mid-air, but it wasn't moving. "Aww man, how am I gonna' move this thing?"

"Focus and think about which direction you want it to fly!" Hermione gave another tip on steering brooms.

"Ok... think... I want to go straight—" The broom seemed like heard his command and slashed through the sky like a torpedo in Zak's desired direction. "WHOA! SLOW DOWN!"

The broom kept on flying towards the spectators. There would be a huge collision crash if Zak don't make a turn soon. The crowd screamed in fear but gave a loud cheer when Zak made a sharp turn to the left in time.

"Phew..." Hermione swiped the perspiration from her face. "Your brother just loves 'surprise' people with his... talents..." Fiskerton nodded in agreement.

"Now, broom, let's get the snitch," Zak muttered. He was on Malfoy's tail as both of them were chasing the same object. Even for such a small ball, it was pretty fast. Malfoy was tired chasing the snitch. It took him ages to get that single object. But he was still quite a distance from it. And with a weirdo chasing him, he was more agitated. He sworn to win this round for Slytherin and humiliate Gryffindor.

That ball is as fast as a rocket. But I'm faster. Zak focused his thoughts of steering the broom faster. Not for long he was in the lead chasing the snitch, right before Malfoy. This time Malfoy was pissed off. He will not let a brat win him. Ever. In his twisted mind, he thought of a nasty plot to ruin Zak once and for all.

Zak was only a few feet behind the snitch. He stretched his hand to reach for it. Almost there. I'm going to get it. I'm gonna' get that Golden Snitch. The battle cries never ceased, on either side; Gryffindor's supporters roared louder as Zak was going to capture the snitch. Just as he was going to catch the ball, the crowd screamed in fear. Finally did he notice a larger spherical object flying behind him, faster than any other thing on the field.

It was a bludger, the ball that Harry tried to warn him about.

"What the—" Zak couldn't get the ball off his tail. Wherever he went, the ball followed. It was troublesome when you have to chase something and end up being the one pursued. The snitch was so close this time. He could reach it. But the bludger was always in the mood of hitting him off the broom and into a hospital. He doesn't want to be hospitalized. That would be dreadful. And his mother's nagging would start blaring in his ears. It would be very irritating. He knew his mother would be overprotective sometimes and might not let him continue with this case anymore. Then all his hard work would be wasted. He won't want that to happen.

"HARRY!" Zak yelled. "How could I get this thing off my tail?"

"Keep on flying! I'll be right there soon!" Harry replied.

As Zak was busying getting the bludger off his trail, Malfoy had overtook him and was in the lead chasing the snitch. He sneered silently.

"Something's not right," said Hermione. "A bludger shouldn't be chasing the same person every time. Unless..." she watched Malfoy reaching the snitch faster than others. "Malfoy..."

Zak kept on flying; and the iron ball kept on followed. It seemed to go on forever. Suddenly Harry appeared behind Zak and tried to lure the bludger to him. But it was useless as the bludger continued following its 'prey'. Even Harry was out of ideas. The only way is to wear out the bludger before Zak does. But the ball of iron knew no meaning of tired.

"I hate this ball!" Zak ignored the bludger and resumed on chasing the snitch. Soon, Zak was on Malfoy's left, chasing the snitch with him. To bail Zak, Malfoy attempted to bang Zak with his broom. But he failed as Zak's quick reflexes enabled him to dodge quickly. Instead Malfoy was out of the course of chasing the snitch, leaving Zak the only one pursuing the snitch.

This time I'll get it for sure!

He stretched his hand once more. The snitch was close at hand. He almost got it.

Suddenly, Malfoy reappeared and collided with Zak. Both of them, and the Golden Snitch, crash landed on the grassy filed beneath them. The crowd turned from cheering to gasping, and lastly silence. Fiskerton, Komodo, Zon and Hermione stared in horror as the two competitors crashed on the field.

"ZAK!" yelled the ones who were concerned of Zak's safety.

On the field, the two brooms were releasing smoke. Malfoy lied on the field, groaning in pain. His head was bleeding but not very serious. Zak was a few feet from him, bruises all over him. Harry quickly landed on the field and rushed to Zak.

"Zak! Are you okay?"

"... snitch..." Zak was injured but conscious. "Ouch..." his voice was soft, but Harry was able to hear him.

"Don't speak, Zak. You're injured. We'll get you to the nurse."

"Snitch..." he repeated. His right hand was clenched into a fist. With Harry's help, Zak stood up slowly. "I... snitch..."

"Don't think about that yet. Right now we must get you to the nurse. You can catch a Golden Snitch next time. You still have plenty of chances."

"No... nurse..." he didn't budge. Instead he raised his hand in the air and opened his fist. Right on his palm was the tiny golden object he desired of. Its wings flapped gently and circled his hand.

It was the Golden Snitch. Zak did it.

"The Golden Snitch!" The crowd cheered in madness.

"...And now I pronounce the winner of this game is none other than Gryffindor!"