Chapter 31 Quidditch Cup
"Welcome witches and wizards to the first game of the 247th annual Hogwarts Quidditch Tournament." Remus said into the microphone. The crowd erupted into applause. "Today we will witness Gryffindor play Hufflepuff. The victor will advance in the tournament and play the winner of next week's game between Ravenclaw and Slytherin! And the two winners will compete against each other in exactly a fortnight from tonight, April 4th." Remus said as he watched the two teams line the field. He waved to Gan Chang, and he waved back, though he looked nervous.
"And they are off! Robert Flaneb takes the quaffle and passes it to Henry Grant, he passes it to Flaneb. An incoming bludger almost hits Flaneb, but Lucy hits it away. Grant now has the quaffle and scores. Ten points to Gryffindor!" Remus announces. The game continues and Gryffindor crushes Hufflepuff before halftime - 70-0.
"Welcome back! The snitches and seekers have been released and, Hufflepuff chaser, Emma Simon, just made a ring past Keeper, John Popke. 10 points to Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff is not giving up yet folks." Remus said. He looked to his right and saw Lily sitting alone.
"Where's Severus?" Remus asked while watching the game.
"He didn't want to come today. He said why would I care to watch Gryffindor play a silly game like quidditch?" Lily said and gave a small sigh. "Even though we never missed a game together."
"That was a bit rude." Remus said. "Hufflepuff scores another 10 points!" He suddenly screamed into the microphone. "Pardon me, Lily."
"It's alright. He's been acting differently ever since that awful Valentine's day prank. Did he talk to you about it at all?" Lily asked.
"What? No. Not at all." Remus lied "Hufflepuff Keeper blocks Flaneb's throw."
"Sometimes I wish that we would have stayed dating." Lily said.
"You should tell him about it, I think he'd listen." Remus said while looking her in the eyes.
"Remus, look!" Peter screamed. Remus turned his attention to Gan Chang who held the golden snitch in his fist.
"Gan Chang has caught the golden snitch, Gryffindor wins and advances in the tournament!" Remus announced. He turned to his right again to Lily, but she was gone.
The 11th of April was the second match of the tournament, Slytherin Vs Ravenclaw. James, Sirius, and Peter sat in the seats next to the announcing table. Gan Chang, holding a sign that said Jennifer Wegner with blue hearts drawn around it, and the remainder of Gryffindor team sat behind Remus. Lily and Severus were absent.
"I hope Ravenclaw wins today." Sirius stated.
"Yeah, but Slytherin plays dirty." James said.
"And the players have lined up and the game has begun!" Remus announced. They watched as the blue and green players zoomed through the air.
"Chaser, Victoria passes Ravenclaw keeper, Yolanda Greatcle, and scores 10 points for Slytherin." Remus announced.
James and Sirius booed as they ate their popcorn. The game continued and the audience witnessed very dirty moves by the Slytherin team. For example, Victoria and the other chasers used Ravenclaw players heads as objects to ricochet the quaffle off of, the Slytherin beaters would aim the flying bludgers for sensitive body parts on the male Ravenclaw players. But they weren't penalized because Professor Malfoy was the referee.
By 3/4ths the way through, Ravenclaw was down 160 points from Slytherin but the seekers, Crystal and Jennifer were still chasing the snitch. Crystal would violently bang into Jennifer's broom, sending her spiraling out of control, but she would always regain control and reenter the pursuit.
"She's going to kill my girlfriend!" Gan screamed.
Just then, they watched as Jennifer gave a mighty push into the enormous Crystal and the beast went tumbling to the ground. Jennifer leaned into her broom to get it going a bit faster and finally was able to reach the snitch.
"Jennifer has the golden snitch and has gained 150 points to Ravenclaw. Unfortunately for Ravenclaw, Slytherin still wins 160 to 150." Remus announced, disappointed. The entire Gryffindor team and some Ravenclaw fans booed. Tthe Slytherin team pompously flew around the stadium.
"Be sure to return next week when the last match of the year between Slytherin and Gryffindor will play for the Quidditch cup." Remus yelled over the boos.
The week leading up to the finals were very tense. The entire school was segregated on two sides: Slytherin Vs everyone else. Fights between seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins broke out almost everyday in the great hall. Finally Friday the eighteenth was here and Remus noticed how Gan and Flaneb were as nervous as they ever were before. He wished them and the rest of the Gryffindor team good luck and took their seats in the stands.
Remus saw Severus sitting across the field in the Slytherin section and Lily sat alone next to Peter, James, and Sirius. Most parents of the players were at the game.
"Good Evening everyone! I hope you brought your rain gear because it's about to storm - and I don't just mean from watching the game." Remus's attempt with a pun was answered with complete awkward silence. "Anyway, welcome to the Hogwarts' Quidditch Cup between Gryffindor and Slytherin. May the game begin." Remus announced.
He commented as he watched a vicious game ensue in the middle of a thunderstorm. Both Flaneb and Victoria made 20 points for their teams. Lucy was trying her hardest defending his teammates from wild bludgers. Slytherin and Gryffindor were able to remained tied for the entire first half of the game - it seemed as if as soon as one chaser would score, an opposing chaser would also score.
"Midway through the game and Slytherin and Gryffindor are still tied 100-100. No. Slytherin just scored. 110-100. No, again. 110-110." Remus said in confusion. "Ladies and gentlemen, this rarely happens in Quidditch history! Let's see if a seeker can break this tie finally." Remus said as he watched Gan and Crystal scaned the pouring rain for the golden snitch like hawks. Meanwhile, very angry remainder of the teams battled for points back and forth.
As Flaneb and the other chasers were making their way across the field, Gan flew fast right in front of the v of Gryffindors, causing them to violently hault.
"Sorry, I spotted it down here." Gan called over his shoulder. Crystal heard and saw this and swooshed and chased Gan and the snitch in the middle of the main game's action. Crystal suddenly reached in front of him and took hold of Gan's broomstick.
"What are you doing?" Gan yelled.
"Winning." Crystal said sinisterly and she violently yanked Gans' broomstick from under him. Gan fell to the ground and heard a crack from his arm. Crystal laughed and snapped the broomstick in half, unbeknownst to him, she was headed straight for two players who were looking for revenge, and crashed with them. They crashed to the ground and Victoria joined them in a fist fight.
"Oh my, ladies and gentlemen, Crystal has just collided with John Potke, Robert Flaneb, and Victoria Winter. They all crashed to the ground in a massive pileup. And now their fighting!" Remus said in disbelief. Madame Pooch and Pomphrey ran to the pile of students and Gan and gave a signal to Professor Mcgonagall who was sitting next to Remus.
She took over the microphone and announced. "The game is over. Ladies and gentlemen please remain calm and in your seats."
"But who won Professor?" Remus asked.
She glared at him and said into the microphone. "Neither team won. The loss is unanimous between teams. The cup will not be awarded this year due to the most unsportsmanlike conduct I have ever seen."
Later that night, Remus, Sirius, James, and Peter went to the hospital to visit the injured players. Robert had a concussion and a missing tooth, John had a cracked rib and a mean black eye, Crystal had a broken arm and a broken leg, and Victoria was whining and wailing for a scratch and bruise. Gan was fast asleep with his injuries.
"This is all your fault, Crystal!" Robert screamed across the hospital room. "Ah, my head!" he winned as he grabbed his head.
"I was just trying to win, just like you, Flaneb!" Crystal screamed back.
"You could have killed us all!" John said as he grabbed his rib. Peter, Sirius, James, and Remus exchanged a look.
"You're all fine! Me, on the other hand. . ." Victoria whinned.
"You're such a little girl, Victoria! Want me to give you a real injury?" Flaneb said as he stood up. John followed his lead and Victoria got to her feet. Crystal even grabbed a crutch and stood as well.
"Everyone should just calm down!" Remus said as he grabbed his wand.
"What are you going to do about it, Lupin?" Victoria asked as he drew his wand.
Just then the doors bursted open and Mcgonagall and Hooch entered. Professor took one look at the standing boys and screamed. "Everyone back in your beds, Now!" The boys and girls limped back to their beds and Remus, James, Sirius, and Peter awkwardly sat down.
"Never in my 35 years have I ever seen such a disgraceful game of quidditch!" the professor snipped. "Ms. Verrio, you took the broom from Mr. Chang mid flight causing him to fall. You are hereby suspended from Quidditch for your entire 6th year!"
"But mam!" Crystal said. She gave him the death eye and she shut up.
"As for you two," Mcgonagall said as she turned to Flaneb and John "After seeing this occur you dare to tackle her to the ground? Do you know how much you could have been hurt? What an immature response! Detention for both of you for an entire week!" There was silence for a long time before Hooch turned to a smiling Victoria.
"Don't you think we've forgotten about you! I saw how you joined Crystal in her brawl with Flaneb and Potke! Fighting in the middle of a match! The immaturity! Detention for you as well." Hooch said. The two furious women turned to exit, their high heels stomping on the ground loudly.
"Goodnight. Oh and I don't think this is a good time to visit Gan. Mr. Lupin, Pettigrew, Potter, and Black return to the Gryffindor dorms at once!" Professor Mcgonagall said. They obeyed and left. Mcgonagall who was still staring at the boys in the infirmary said "Immature twits" and slammed the door.