Chapter 29 – Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
Submitted Thur 25 Aug 2011
Spoiler Alert: Chapter 28 was submitted on tuesday so if you have not read any chapters since the weekend you may want to check out Chapter 28. I appreciate those that reviewed last week. I'd really like to know which chapter was your favourite and which was your least favourite. Enjoy.
The fourth Saturday of October brought the first Quidditch match of the season. The event was highly anticipated by the school as it was the first match in over a year. While the Slytherin ranks were much smaller than in years past they still fielded a team made up mostly of Fifth through Seventh Years. Harry didn't believe it until he saw it but Draco had been replaced as Seeker. The new Seeker was a Third Year by the name of Hunter Floyd that he'd never met. He watched as the young boy streaked across the sky during warm ups and imagined that the young boy might just be the next great Seeker to watch in coming years. He wasn't as skilled as Harry had been at his age but he was the only Seeker younger that sixteen to break the lineup of one of the school's clubs.
Ginny surprised Harry when she asked, "What do you think our chances are?" Ginny had barely said a word to Harry during practises and they had rarely sat near each other for more than a month. Harry had thought she'd warm back up to him weeks ago but he'd begun to grow scared a week before when a few blokes from her year had begun to pay attention to her.
"We should win barring a fluke."
"Ron's really done well as Captain. Somehow he's even got the Beaters to improve. They were utter crap a few weeks ago," she said matter of factly. "Good luck Harry. Get the snitch quick if you can so it doesn't look like we are running up the score." With that she surprised him with a tight hug and and peck on the cheek and she took off.
It wasn't long before Harry was taking position opposite of Hunter and Ron was shaking hands with the Slytherin Beater. Madam Hooch eyed the Gryffindors and Slytherins closely and announced, "I'll be officiating this match tight so don't be foolish. Any intentional fouls and you shall be out of the match. Understood?" Moments later the whistle was blown and the snitch had already disappeared. Dean had come up with the quaffle and he immediately passed it to Ginny. She darted to the Slytherin goal and made the first score without fuss.
Moments later another goal was added on a takeaway made by Ginny from a young Slytherin Chaser. She was dominating the pitch in a way that was rarely seen. She had the Slytherin Captain Urquhart yelling to his fellow Chasers, "Ignore the others, I'll watch'm. You two double on her and don't let her touch the quaffle." Zabini and Vaisey did as they were told but it only slowed her down slightly.
Harry searched and searched for the snitch to no avail but he was briefly distracted when he heard the crowd erupt into "Weasley is Our King." He looked down to find Ron toss the Quaffle back out to one of his Chasers. He nearly fell off his broom laughing once the quaffle was safely away from the goal because Ron immediately turned to his side and got sick near the goal. The response was a garbled mixture of "Ewww..." from those in the crowd that had witnessed it."
Tobias Turner, the Ravenclaw Announcer, made light of it, "...And the Slytherins are in trouble now. The Gryffindors are undefeated when Ron Weasley's breakfast finds its way onto the Pitch." A fellow Ravenclaw tried to correct Tobias quietly but the crowd was treated to his reply, "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story, Mate." He was lucky he couldn't see the looks on the faces of many of his Housemates. Such things weren't said by Ravenclaws.
Harry was brought back to the match by the Slytherin Seeker. Hunter blazed by Harry with such ferocity that Harry was convinced the young boy had seen the snitch. He cursed himself for letting himself get distracted by what was going on below. Moments later he'd caught up to Hunter and tried to look past him for what he knew must be the snitch. The young boy must have felt Harry on his tail because he would block Harry at each attempt to pass him. Harry was the better flyer but flying in a straight line made it difficult to get position on any flyer with any talent at all. Harry worried that if he didn't get a break soon he'd miss out on the snitch.
And a break is what he got – a bludger came out of nowhere and hit the young Slytherin square on the elbow. Harry heard a sickening snap and a yelp from the young boy.
The boy slowed immediately and began to drop gradually to the ground on his broom. Harry looked past the boy for the snitch but never saw it. He finally gave up and began to gain altitude so he could begin the search anew. "Hunter looks hurt but he's taking to the air again," announced Tobias from the stands.
Meanwhile Ginny and Dean were teaming up to fill the Slytherin goal with quaffles. Dean was now free to move easily with Ginny double-teamed. The team had become a formidable duo anyway after hours of practise. Ginny was clearly the more skilled player but Dean had become such a student of the game that even with only modest skill he'd learned to use position and Ginny's immense talents to his advantage. Even now Dean was flying effortlessly while Urquhart pushed and huffed to get around him. The score showed the advantage. Gryffindors led the Slytherins 150-10 at the two hour mark.
Harry kept his eye out for the snitch and was finally rewarded. Unfortunately, the Slytherin Seeker saw Harry make his move and he caught sight of the snitch as well. Harry was surprised at the young boy as he shot toward the snitch with amazing speed – his right arm hanging by his side. Harry knew from experience that the boy had to be in a tremendous amount of pain. The two met near the snitch and Harry fought to keep position. They were within inches of the snitch when Harry was able to manoeuvre so that the boys good arm was away from the snitch. Harry now had the advantage. Harry reached and so did Hunter.
This time the snitch was caught. The boy leaned into Harry with his right shoulder so he could get into position. Hunter had neither hand on his broom but was flying at full speed fearlessly. He reached for the snitch and he nearly had it but gasped in pain as his broken arm leaned into Harry. His broom lost control and he went into a tailspin. Harry caught the snitch effortlessly and looked for the boy. Thankfully he'd regained control of the broom before he reached the ground.
The cheers around the pitch were deafening. There was a loud group behind Ron's goal singing "Weasley is our King" and there was another group singing the Gryffindor fight song as it stormed the field. Harry made it a point to land near Hunter Floyd, the Slytherin Seeker. The young Seeker was shocked when Harry offered his hand and said, "Good game, Hunter. I think you'd have had that snitch if you hadn't caught that bludger. You keep it up and you're going to win a lot of matches for Slytherin." The Slytherin seeker had already prepared a snappy comeback for the Gryffindor Seeker when he saw him land but the kind words were so unexpected that his only reply was, "Thanks."
Ron had made it a point to mention in his speech before the match to try to shake the hands of the Slytherins and be gracious...win or lose. This had been encouraged very forcefully by the Headmistress. He saw that for the most part the Slytherins responded well to the attempt at sportsmanship. Only a few Slytherins, namely the Beater, Millicent Bulstrode, acted rudely. For the most part the Slytherins at worst acted neutrally.
Once the Gryffindor team had made it to the clubhouse the group was all hugs and celebration. No-one had honestly expected to lose. Actually, the efforts of the Slytherin Seeker had taken them by surprise. Harry was happy to have come out with a win because he knew that Hunter had kept up with him most of the match. As much flying as Harry had done to get himself back in Quidditch shape, he'd still have to do more. He didn't feel bad with his performance – Hunter had just taken him by surprise.
Harry turned around when he saw Ginny's face light up. "You don't mind if I come in do you?" he now heard the familiar voice of Gwenog Jones. Ginny ran to the Harpies Beater and crushed the young witch with a hug. "Oi, Ginny, how can such a tiny witch be so strong?"
"Six brothers."
Harry got back to changing as the girls chatted. "I didn't think you'd be able to make it. What happened?"
"This morning's practise was cancelled. You all flew well today." She gestured to the young Beater that had connected with Hunter, "Excellent connection with that Seeker, by the way. That might have won you lot the Match." The young Beater stood tall and had a smile on his face as he walked out of the clubhouse for the after-party in the Tower. Harry was nearly finished changing when Gwenog finally turned round on him, "No love for me Harry?" she asked with a crooked smile. She then gave him a hug and whispered, "I've heard you two have been a bit rocky...you ok?" He nodded and she raised her eyebrows, "I'll be at the party. Let's talk."
Harry was soon out the door and made his way to the castle. When he got there he was met by a room full of Gryffindors and the smell of Butterbeer. Hermione began what was a long line of hugs from young witches. All of them congratulated him and a few of them made subtle hints that they wouldn't be against a walk if he wanted some time alone. One Fifth Year witch even made a not-so-subtle invitation to meet him in an alcove on the Third Floor which was met by a dark look from Ginny from across the room.
He finally made it his way past the Gauntlet of well wishers and Quidditch groupies and put his Quidditch gear away upstairs in his chest. When he returned to the party he was immediately cornered by Gwenog, "Come with me." They found the quietest corner of the cornerless room and she immediately began to grill him, "Why are the two of you not talking?" "Why haven't you just given in?" "Have you tried to talk to explain to her how you feel?"
Harry answered each of her questions as best as he could and he couldn't tell if she was more impressed or shocked. "So, you don't want to?" She lifted up one of his arms and pretended to look under it. She then pretended to look in his mouth, "You are a bloke, right? Most blokes can't keep their hands off a young witch like Ginny."
Gwenog noticed Ginny coming down the steps, "Well, Harry, you need to talk to her. You have her wound up more tightly than the bristle side of a broom." Harry nodded and she gave him a quick hug good night before meeting her mate at the bottom of the steps. Harry didn't bother to move. He watched as the Gryffindor House celebrated. Ron was pantomiming with his hands a move that Ginny had made on an unfortunate Slytherin. Dean and Seamus were chatting up a few of the witches from Sixth Year and Dean looked to be making some progress with a fetching young witch with blue eyes. The young Beater Felix was sitting with his teammate Jimmy Peakes and several Fourth Year witches were listening to him tell about how he happened to catch the Slytherin Seeker off guard. Harry breathed a sigh of happiness that for once the only thing the Gryffindors had to worry about were bludgers and quaffles and snitches. Even Hermione had put down her books for the night and had joined in on the fun – she was whispering in the corner with Ginny and Gwenog.
How did Gwenog avoid the assault of young witches asking for autographs? Harry watched as a young witch bravely but carefully walked up to the Beater and before the question could be asked the witch would pull a signed picture out of her robes. Having the forethought that this would be a regular occurrence, a group picture was arranged by Hermione and a promise was given that all in the picture would get a signed copy within the week.
It wasn't long before two young Gryffindors carried in a crate full of Butterbeer and other party treats with a sign affixed to it. One of the First Years read the parchment, "Congratulations Gryffindors. Use the contents wisely. Make sure the bottle of Ogden's Best makes it to my good friend Harry. -G" The parchment caught fire the moment it was read aloud and the boy dropped it out of instinct. Immediately witches and wizards lined up for Butterbeers and snacks.
Before Harry knew it, Madeline had walked up to him and handed him his bottle of firewhiskey. "Brilliant match," was all she could stammer out.
Harry took the bottle, "Thanks." He looked up at her as she stood awkwardly holding a Butterbeer. He gestured for her to sit and she immediately took him up on the offer.
"I never thanked you for coming to get us." She fidgeted in her chair, "My Mum would have killed me if she found out I'd walked into the Forest. She'd have killed me a second time if she found out you had to come get me."
"It'll be our secret then. We can't have you all dead and everything. Especially twice," Harry grinned. Ginny and the girls were still laughing near the stairs and they kept looking over at him. Madeline looked as if she wanted to ask something, "Were you afraid?" She gave Harry a curious look, "My Mum used to tell me stories of how you'd fought Voldemort and I'd have been scared to death. But," she seemed worried he'd get upset with her, "you didn't seem scared at all when the Centaurs brought us to you. By the look on your face you'd have taken them all on. Could you have beaten them?"
Harry considered the young girl. He'd have laughed at such a ludicrous question had it come from one of the boys but he knew this was no dumb girl. He'd been impressed with her intelligence before. She sipped her Butterbeer but waited patiently for the answer. "Accio Glass," Harry said quietly, and a small tumbler levitated out of the crate and into his hand. He uncorked the bottle of Ogden's and poured himself two fingers much like he'd seen Aberforth do in the past. He tilted his head at the young brunette who still waited patiently.
"No," Harry finally replied, "I don't know if there is a wizard alive that could have faced down six dozen Centaurs. But I had to get you back safe."
"But what if they'd have killed you? You weren't afraid of dying?" she asked. Her face showed a combination of awe and concern.
Harry took a small sip of the firewhiskey. He had to do everything he could not to cough as the whiskey burned his throat. He was buying time. Hoarsely, her responded, "Your Mum would have killed me if I didn't bring you back. Better the Centaurs than her."
By then, others had noticed the open bottle of firewhiskey. Harry wouldn't offer any unless the wizard was of age. Madeline soon left him to his mates and he sipped slowly from his tumbler while the others were more liberal with the contents of the bottle. Soon, Ron, Seamus and a couple of the Seventh Year Boys were sitting snoggered while Harry was just beginning to feel light headed. He'd nursed his first glass and he was now working on his second. Loud conversation was going on all around him over the Quidditch World Cup of all things.
He stood up and walked to the girls sitting on the steps to the boy's dorms. Gwenog gave him a small smile and Ginny moved to make room, "Going up?" When he nodded she stood up to make way. When she did he took her into a hug and gave her a soft but meaningful kiss. Gently he whispered, "I love you Ginny. I'm just not ready for that. When I am ready I do want it to be with you." When he backed away from her she was blushing and almost went weak at the knees. She pulled him back close again and breathed in his ear, "I love you too. Let's talk later."
As he walked up the steps to his flat he heard one of the girls whisper, "Finally!"