As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 40 Quidditch Aftermath
"Hey Potter I hear you made a good catch." The first string seeker called from the medical room.
"It was nothing special, I'm sure you would have caught it quicker. I was a little surprised at what it takes to draw a foul though." Harry replied downplaying his part.
"Little rough for you?" one of the seekers said slapping him on the shoulder.
Harry shook his head saying, "Not really, it's like playing Slytherin every game though."
"Hey watch that!" One of the beaters yelled out good naturedly.
Harry looked close at the player who spoke before saying, "I don't remember playing against you."
"You didn't I graduated about two years before you were a firsty. I take it the Slytherin Gryffindor match is still one to watch."
Harry didn't reply but the expression on his face had the near by players laughing.
"So much for third string duty and not playing eh Harry," the coach said as he walked around the room talking with each player.
"Whatever you want coach. I'm just another player." Harry replied.
"What I want is you to study the playbook there were several instances of your fellow players signaling different things to you that you missed. You got lucky today and that won't win every game. Teamwork wins games. And start a training regiment, you are too scrawny for this level of play." Peaco said without a smile.
"Right coach," Harry replied knowing Peaco was right. But he also knew being able to walk off the pitch at Hogwarts and onto Bodmin Moor's pitch and win without a day of practice with his team was a noteworthy achievement.
"Well done everyone, we've picked up a position in the rankings and might actually make the championship game if things continue." Daniel said as he entered the room.
"Don't look that far ahead everyone or it will never happen. We've got a hard game coming up next against Puddlemere United." The coach said smiling slightly at Harry and seeing his eyes sparkle added. "Don't get your hopes up. If Watson is up to it to he'd be seeker that game but you might want to study that playbook just in case."
"Is everyone ready for visitors?" Daniel asked and not hearing a word of complaint opened the locker room door saying, "Come on in."
Hermione was the first one through the door moving quickly over to Harry and enveloping him in a hug as her guards took up positions on either side of them. The reporters right behind her followed them over the photographer taking a picture of Hermione hugging her husband. "Hey I want a copy of that." Harry said speaking up.
The photographer nodded making a note in a little book he carried.
"Mr. Potter how was your first game?" one reporter called out.
Harry looked over at Daniel and seeing him nod replied, "It was a good game I'm glad I was able to help the team. There is still a lot for me to learn. I suspect when the coach gets me alone I will find out the team covered up a number of errors I made today. So I want to thank them because without their help I wouldn't have been successful."
The reporters were starting to crowd around when suddenly the goblin guards moved and two large pikes appeared in their hands driving the reporters back with. "Mrs. Potter please." Daniel said motioning to the guards.
"I am sorry Mr. Crosman but they are charged with insuring my safety and I will not interfere with that." Turning to kiss Harry she added, "I will wait over in the corner until you are done." Then she left him taking her guards with her.
With them out of the way the reporters crowded around Harry despite his best efforts to insure the rest of the team received full recognition for they part in the victory. After half an hour Daniel intervened saying, "I am sure that asking the same question ten times is more than enough," causing them to slowly head to the door grumbling all the way.
"Thanks." Harry said gratefully looking up.
"Not a problem Harry that was a good move mentioning the team effort."
"It was a team effort, I've tried to play seeker with less than stellar beaters and it's next to impossible. Great Chasers and Keeper can make up for a poor seeker, but the reverse doesn't work. Just look at the results from the last World Cup. Krum couldn't overcome the Irish Chasers. Every victory is a team victory."
"I may quote you on that." Daniel said looking around the room and seeing nods of agreement from the other team members.
"Feel free, it's the truth and the last world cup proved it." Harry reiterated watching Daniel nod and move away.
Hermione had watched the interviews from her corner noting how every reporter in the club house was focused on Harry. She'd glanced at his teammates as he did his best to deflect all the credit to them catching their slight nods of approval to each other. After the reporters had left she approached the team captain passing him the snitch Harry had given her saying, "I don't know what the procedure is with this. At Hogwarts we just put it back in play the next game."
"Hang on to that Harry deserves it as a memento of his first professional catch."
"Thanks." Harry said looking up from his seat where he was changing out of his uniform. "I'm sorry about all the reporters' attention. I didn't deserve it. I got lucky this thing showed up closer to me than the other team's seeker. The rest of the team did a better job today than I did."
"Don't worry about it Harry I'll make sure the rest of the team is aware of you feelings."
"Thanks. Now if you don't mind my wife and I have to get back to school." Harry said standing up in his normal robes.
"About that do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Not at all."
"How did you end up married to such a beautiful woman and become a full professor at Hogwarts all before you became of age?"
"I am not sure, our marriage just happened and I think the professorship was because they needed the help and knew we needed private quarters." Harry said shrugging not noticing the twinkle in Hermione's eyes when he mentioned the marriage.
Five minutes later the port key landed them at the Hogwarts gate where they were met by the rest of their guard detail. A puzzled look from Hermione brought the reply, "The game was broadcast on the Wizarding Wireless Network and word spread quickly when you were put in as seeker Mr. Potter. I felt have the full complement of guards was best to insure the Ambassador's safety when you enter the castle."
"Are you expecting trouble?" Hermione asked.
Sigtug hesitated for a moment then said, "Yes, your house elf suggested the extra guards actually, something concerning Slytherins."
"Ah then it might be best if you concentrated on Hermione. Let them take you to our rooms love I will deal with the Slytherins."
"Harry." Hermione said in a warning tone signaling her displeasure at his directions.
"Hermione I'm still a professor. If things get too rough I'll just do a little impromptu training."
They approached the entryway to the main hall to find it filled with students lined up in two opposing rows. It was obvious by the sounds at the other end that the other professors arrived at the same time as Harry and Hermione.
"If you do not return to your common room immediately I will have the entire house of Gryffindor spending the next week cleaning this castle." Harry heard Snape's voice call out. Noting that only one side was being challenged Harry spoke up saying, "That also applies to the Slytherins" as he cast a cold glare over those assembled in opposition to the Gryffindor's and their friends.
"That won't be necessary Potter I don't need you meddling in something that does not concern you."
In a surprisingly sugary voice Harry replied, "Professor Snape, I was merely offering my assistance to a fellow Professor. I'm sure you realize something like this requires both parties to bring it to this stage. If either one had carried on about their business this would not have happened."
Professor Snape's reply was cutoff when the voice of Dumbledore rose about the babble seemingly without effort. "I believe that is a wise observation. Now if everyone would go to their common rooms I'm sure there is no need for disciplinary action on any house."
"But we just wanted to congratulate Harry on his win." Ginny Weasley's voice said in the sudden silence that followed Dumbledore's words.
"You will be able to do that tomorrow. Right now it's best for everyone to return to their common rooms." Dumbledore said firmly causing a mass exodus form the entry hall. While Dumbledore's comment the crowd rapidly thinned and Sigtug escorted Hermione through the hall heading towards their rooms while Harry turned to face Dumbledore and Snape who were approaching him.
"Potter your assistance was unneeded and uncalled for. That confrontation was instigated by the Gryffindors."
Harry just inclined his head towards the other professor choosing to turn and face Dumbledore rather than reply. "Professor Potter I believe we have things to discuss." Dumbledore said formally.
"If you would like I have a few minutes free." Harry offered.
"Let us adjourn to my office then." Dumbledore said turning and leading the way.
Harry noted that Professor Snape joined them as they made their way to the Headmaster office. Once past the Phoenix guarding his door and up the revolving stair Harry took a seat and waited for Dumbledore to start in. "Lemon drop?" Dumbledore said habitually.
"No thanks."
"Harry I can't believe you have taken advantage of my kind nature to the extent you have." Dumbledore said as he sat back in his chair resting his arms on the chair while bringing his palms together in a move that resembled praying.
"I don't believe I have. I am merely exercising the my rights now that I am of age."
"You insolent brat, Not only did you flout the rules for Professional Quidditch, you also put everyone at that stadium in danger." Snape sputtered.
As Harry stood awaiting an answer from Dumbledore without looking at Snape it caused Snape to announce in an oily voice, "I can only hope this escapade will be enough to get you removed from the teaching staff and kicked out of Hogwarts!"
"Have you nothing to say about that Potter?" Snape added after a few moments silence.
When several more moments went by without Harry responding Dumbledore asked, "Have you any comments Harry?"
"No Headmaster I was waiting for you reply to my statement?"
"And what about Professor Snape's comments?"
"I was under the impression this meeting was between you and I. I did not consider an uninvited death eater's belittling remarks worthy of comment." Harry said forcing himself to keep a level tone. While watching Snape react out of the corner of his eye.
Snape was reaching for his wand when Dumbledore looked at him saying, "Perhaps Severus it might be a good idea for Harry and I to have this discussion alone."
"Headmaster I must protest this student should spend the rest of his time here in detention at the very least."
Harry looked at Dumbledore raising an eyebrow. Dumbledore looked at Snape with a weary look but in a strong voice asked, "Must I repeat myself again Severus?"
A cowed Severus Snape replied, "No Headmaster I will be in the dungeon's should you need me," before leaving the headmaster's office.
Once he was gone Dumbledore looked at Harry asking, "Was it necessary to bait him like that?"
Harry fought the instant reply of 'he started it,' choosing instead to say, "His comments were not helpful to the discussion."
Dumbledore nodded from his seat letting the silence stretch as he looked over the individual in front of him. Hermione's influence was obvious in the just concluded confrontation. Last year Harry would have had his wand out facing Snape after the first comment. Dumbledore had known from the first mention of Harry as the Montrose Magpies' seeker there was nothing he could do. The moment Snape protested Harry's playing for Gryffindor this outcome had been decided he had hoped it wouldn't occur until the next year when Harry turned 17 but by Wizarding law everything was legal. "I take it your contract only involves weekend games." Dumbledore said.
"We'd just finalized things today Professor. My intention was to notify you upon our return. Unfortunately their backup was injured and when the starting seeker went down I was obliged to step in. As for my contract among other stipulations there is one that I am only available on Wednesdays and weekends. I can adjust that but it will affect my compensation."
"Very well I hope your current class grades will not be slipping due to this."
Harry smiled saying, "I doubt your concern is at the level of my wife's. I don't mean to belittle your influence Headmaster but she is a harder task master when it comes to grades than you will ever be."
"Good, Let me know when you are playing next I have always enjoyed a good Quidditch game." Dumbledore said before waiving his hand and opening the door to his office allowing Harry to leave.
Harry walked out the door smiling at how quickly the Headmaster managed to change his position once it was pointed out he had no options left.