Quidditch

Chapter Eleven

Hey guys, how's it going? It's been a while huh? Well, I got some good news. I got my driver's license! I am so happy about that. I also have more of The Final Chapter on the brain, so look for that one soon!

I had never heard of Quidditch until I came to Hogwarts. That was understandable seeing as how Muggles would have no idea what that word meant. After Harry's first practice with the team, he described it to us pretty well. By the sound of things, Quidditch was a mix between basketball and baseball. It sounded like my kind of game to tell you the truth. I couldn't wait to see Harry fly either; Oliver told me he was pretty good.

"Harry, you need to eat." Hermione told him the morning of the game.

"She's right Harry, you'll need your strength today. "I said as he tried to eat breakfast. "Need some energy in order to win."

"But I'm not hungry," he continued to play with the food on his plate. "And if I do, I have a feeling that I will chuck it back up as soon I step out onto the field."

"OK, I didn't need to hear that," I said. "You could have kept that to yourself. But seriously, you are going to be fine. Oh, good morning, Professor Snape."

"Good morning," he said. "Good luck today, Mr. Potter. But then again seeing as how you managed to go up against a fully grown troll a simple game of Quidditch should be no problem. Even if it is against my own house." Snape continued on out the Great Hall with a little limp.

"That explains the blood I saw," Harry stated.

"What blood?" I asked.

"Listen, I have a feeling that Snape let the troll in last night to make a diversion to get passed the three-headed dog, but he got himself bitten. That's why he's limping."

"That's a pretty steep assumption there, Harry," I told him. "Are you sure?"

"I saw him sneak off when Dumbledore told us to go to the common room. He was headed to the third floor,"

"Whatever you say, Harry," I went back to my eggs and bacon.

A loud squawk entered the hall. Hedwig flew directly in our direction carrying a really large package on her leg. She dropped it, and the wrapped mail landed with a thud on the table.

"Early for mail isn't it?" Hermione asked.

"What do you think it is?" Ron wondered. I rolled my eyes.

"Gee, Ron, I wonder what this broom shaped package is?" Boys were idiots.

"Let's open it," Harry declared. We each took an end and ripped off the brown paper. There, lying before us was a brand new Nimbus 2000.

"Whoa," Both Harry and Ron gaped. "Who would have gotten this for me? First years aren't meant to have brooms."

"I guess this is an exception," I answered. "We can't have you flying on one of those nasty school brooms can we?"

"This is going to be an awesome game," Harry smiled.

"Shouldn't you be heading down to the pitch already?" I asked. "I just saw Oliver heading out."

"I suppose," Harry stood. "I'll be seeing you. Don't get too bored now."

"We won't," I said. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Harry headed towards the stadium.

"What do you think?" I asked a few moments later. "Should we go down and cheer on our team?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Ron announced. "Hermione?"

"DO I have to?" She asked. "I'm not a Quidditch fan, and I have that essay Professor McGonagall assigned us."

"Hermione, that essay isn't due for another week, you'll be fine," I assured her. "Please come with us. It will be fun."

"Yeah, Hermione please?" Ron and I gave her the puppy pout.

"Fine," she sighed. "I still don't know what is so great about Quidditch and sports for that matter. Intelligence is just as important."

"We need a way to blow off some steam," I answered. "And if we don't leave now there won't be any good seats left."

"Fine, fine, fine," Hermione got to her feet. "Let's go if you two are so determined to leave."

"Yes," Ron and I high-fived as the three of us went down with the other students, who were just as excited to see the first game of the season.

The stands were up high so we could see every angle of the match. Exactly how high up, I wouldn't know. Each side held a different house, their colors shining brightly.

"This is going to be so exciting," I was practically jumping up and down in my seat. "Hm, I might have to try out next year."

"You think you might make it?" Ron asked. "Two Potter's on the same team. How much fun would that be?"

"So much fun," I said. "Oh look, there they are." The Gryffindor Quidditch team flew through the air in all directions right before they joined the opposing slimy, Slytherin team in the middle of the field.

"Hello, everyone and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season. Today's match, Slytherin versus Gryffindor!" A fellow Gryffindor, Lee Jordan announced over the entire field. We all cheered. From what I could see, the two captains shook hands and Madame Hooch launched the balls into the air. The game had begun.

Players from each team darted through the sky at amazing speeds. How no one managed to hit each other was beyond me. There were some close calls though. I wasn't even paying attention when Gryffindor made the first shot within the first minute of the game. This game was going to be a piece of cake. All Harry had to do was catch the Snitch and we would be home free.

"And another ten points for Gryffindor," Lee's voice rang over the spectators.

"See, Hermione, is this as bad as you thought it would be?" I asked her.

"I still don't see the point," she said. "All you have to do is fly around and make sure you don't get smacked in the face by a really fast moving ball that is speeding right towards you. Big whoop."

Ron and I both gasped. She couldn't mean it.

"And then we're playing the Slytherins and you know they will play dirty," she went on. "There, oh my goodness, do you think Oliver is alright?"

The captain of the opposing team was Marcus Flint. He really needed to go to the dentist by the way. Hermione should set him up an appointment with her parents. Honestly, they were gross. He stole one of his team mate's bats and struck the bludger which headed right to Oliver. The ball smacked him right in the chest. Oliver was out of the game.

"No, that means our hoops are wide open," I exclaimed. "And then they can-score. Dang it! They're on the board!"

"It's still early," Ron stated. "I don't think Harry or the other Seeker even spotted the Snitch yet."

"We better win," I huffed. "I don't want to go into class tomorrow and have Malfoy rubbing it in our faces. He's such a prat."

"He's just jealous that he isn't on the Slytherin team. He's probably not even good enough to be on the team. Oh, I think Harry saw the Snitch. What's wrong with his broom?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked searching the sky. "Holy crap, it's like he's riding a bucking bronco."

"A what?" Ron asked.

"Never mind," I shook my head at him. "What do you think is wrong?"

"It's Professor Snape," Hermione gasped. "He's jinxing the broom. Look," she handed me her binoculars.

"That butthead," I spoke in a whisper. "I know he doesn't like Harry, but jinxing the broom is a bit ridiculous."

"What should we do?" Ron wondered.

"Leave it to me. I have an idea," Hermione dashed off down through the stands.

"What do you think she's going to do?" I wondered keeping an eye one Harry. "Nothing too rash I hope. After the troll thing, I have a feeling that she would be on thin ice. Oh my god, he's going to fall! Hurry up, Hermione!"

Harry was now hanging from his broom while it thrashed around in the air hundreds of feet from the ground. I had no idea how Harry was managing to hold on for that long. He wasn't that strong, there was no way he could hold on like that forever. Sooner or later his arms were going to give out. Hermione needed to hurry her butt up.

"Wait, his broom stopped moving around," Ron shouted. "Way to go, Hermione. I wonder what she did."

"Glad to be friends with her now huh?" I asked. "Feel stupid for treating her like crap?"

"Let's not talk about that right now. Oh, Harry's going for the Snitch. Go Harry!"

"Come on, Harry!" I hollered.

Once Harry was back on his broom, he darted towards the Slytherin Seeker with great speed. The other kid was playing dirty just like the rest of his team mates. Harry then began to fight back, about time too. Whatever it took to win right? They were both heading straight towards the ground. There was no doubt in my mind that they were going to crash. Why wasn't Harry pulling up? The other Seeker did, what was going through his head? Just when I thought Harry was about to hit the grass head on, Harry surprised me and pulled up. It was pretty amazing.

"What is he doing?" I asked watching Harry stand on his broomstick. "How is he not falling? He has no balance at all."

"Don't ask me," Ron said. "Oh, that was a nasty fall."

"Is he alright?" I asked. "I can't tell since someone took my binoculars."

"He's standing up. Wait, it looks like he is going throw up," he explained.

"What?" I yanked the spectacles from his neck and stared at my brother. "Wait a minute. He caught the Snitch!" I cheered. "Well, nearly swallowed it, but got it nonetheless."

"He caught the Snitch," Lee's voice exclaimed over the stadium. "Harry Potter receives 150 points for catching the Snitch. Gryffindor wins!"

Tossing my hands into the air, I gave a loud cheer. We won the first match! Ha, take that Slytherin!

HermioneandMarcus- Thanks. That makes me feel happier. I'm having a good weekend.

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Thank you!