This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter universe, which are trademarked by J.K. Rowling. I do not claim ownership of these characters nor the locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, etc. that are Rowling's creations. This work also includes Pokémon, which belong to the Pokémon Company, and I again claim no ownership of these characters.

I thank both Rowling and the Pokémon Company for the universes they have created that allows me to do something like this for my own entertainment and, hopefully, the entertainment of the readers.

As always happened when things changed at Hogwarts there was a period of high tension before, inevitably, things returned to some form of normality. In this case Dumbledore leaving the school turned out to be mostly symbolic, the Board of Governors appointing Professor McGonagall as interim Headmistress for the rest of the year with the effect that the school functioned pretty much as normal. Umbridge seemed to have decided the DA had been punished enough, reverting back to simply being a horrible and useless teacher, and the tension between the DA and Marietta Edgecombe settled into mutual dislike.

For a brief moment everything was quiet, but that was before Quidditch returned to the school agenda. And this time there was a lot more riding on it than simple bragging rights.

The final game of the season was Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw and, given Marietta's role in ratting out the majority of the Gryffindor team, and Cho being the Ravenclaw Seeker, there was more at stake than just the Quidditch Cup.

There was some complicated mathematics behind just how much Ravenclaw needed to win by in order to win the Quidditch Cup, having lost to Slytherin earlier in the year, but Angelina was adamant that it didn't matter. There was a way for Gryffindor to lose and still retain the Quidditch Cup too but Angelina wasn't going to accept anything less than victory.

"We're the best team in this school," she told them during yet another tough and gruelling practice session. "Even without out first choice Beaters the cup is ours."

Harry wished he was as confident. Ginny had come on leaps and bounds since her inclusion in the team, her Haunter honestly one of the better Beaters in the school, but with Andrew Kirke and his Gligar on the field it was like they were playing with only six Pokémon.

Not that that bothered the mass of Gryffindor students who were confidently predicting another convincing Gryffindor win. Every single student dressed in red and gold was happy and excited on the morning of the match, with two very obvious exceptions.

"Can you believe it," Fred grouched as he sat at the Gryffindor table at breakfast, George at his side. "Our last ever Hogwarts Quidditch match and we don't even get to play."

"And whose fault is that," Angelina snapped. Fred wisely chose not to respond.

"Don't worry, Fred," Ginny told him. "We'll make sure we win and keep the Quidditch Cup in McGonagall's office." It was very confident from someone playing in only their second ever match. Angelina nodded approvingly.

"Good girl," she said. "That's precisely the attitude we should take onto the pitch. Now come on, we need to get down to the stadium." They said their goodbyes to Fred and George, as well as Hermione and Lee Jordan who had been sitting with them.

The Gryffindors applauded their exit.

"Alright everyone, listen up," Angelina said as they gathered in the changing room, quickly pulling on their Quidditch uniforms as the stands above them started to fill up. "Ravenclaw are good, we know this. If it weren't for Chang being so hit and miss this season they'd have beaten Slytherin. We must be prepared for anything they can throw at us because if they have it they'll use it. Weasley, Kirke, they'll probably target you. Don't panic, stay calm, you're good enough to take them." Ginny nodded firmly. Kirke swallowed.

"Weasley, keep doing what you've been doing in practice. Don't take unnecessary risks, stay solid, let the Chasers do the attacking." Ron nodded.

Angelina turned to Harry.

"Potter, this is all on you," she told him. "We don't know which version of Chang we're going to be facing today so we've got to assume it's the good one that got her on the team in the first place. Just remember what she did to us. Focus on it, use it, and make sure she gets what she deserves."

Angelina couldn't have said anything worse if she tried. Harry started to feel queazy, a sensation that had nothing to do with nerves, and wished for some miracle that he'd get to play against virtually anyone else.

Angelina stood before them.

"Ready?" She said, looking down at them. "Then lets go." The rest of the team hurried to fall into line behind their captain, Harry taking his usual spot at the end.

As she passed, Ginny grabbed his arm.

"Forget it's Cho," she told him, her voice low and urgent. "Don't think about who you're playing. Just pretend it's just another Quidditch match." Harry nodded as Ginny walked away, taking her place in line behind Ron. Andrew Kirke, standing between them, gave Harry a weird look.

"Okay team," Angelina said. "Here we go." And she led them out onto the pitch.

The crowd cheered their arrival as they stepped out into the sunlight, the Gryffindors especially exuberant as they waved red and gold banners and shouted louder than the boos that came from the Slytherin end. Harry had been in a championship match once before, back when they had won it in his third year, but this time was different. Last time they had been playing Slytherin and the other three houses had thrown their full support behind the Gryffindor team. This time the crowd applauded just as loudly as the Ravenclaw team walked out onto the field, led by their captain Roger Davis.

"Captains, shake hands," Madam Hooch instructed and Roger Davis and Angelina stared at each other, hands clenched tight, before they let go and Davis moved up the line. As he shook hands with the various members of the Ravenclaw team Harry steeled himself and when Cho reached him he purposefully stared over her shoulder as he clasped her hand for only the briefest of moments.

"Release your Pokémon," Madam Hooch instructed and Harry did, gratefully jumping into his hot air balloon and putting distance between himself and the Ravenclaws as Talonflame fluttered before him.

"On my whistle. Three, two, one," and the game begun.

"Welcome to the final match of the season, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!" The familiar voice of Lee Jordan resonated around the stadium. "It's all to play for so brace yourselves, things are about to get technical." He cleared his throat.

"To win the Quidditch Cup Ravenclaw must win by at least fifty points," he announced. "If they win by exactly fifty it'll be a tie with Slytherin decided by points scored, meaning Ravenclaw would need over two hundred and twenty points. A Ravenclaw win between fifty and twenty points would hand the cup to Slytherin and Gryffindor will retain the trophy provided they lose by no more than twenty and score at least two hundred points." Lee took a breath.

"If you got all that then you must be a Ravenclaw cause I've got it written down here and I'm still confused. Anyway, we can figure that out later. Angelina Johnson's Lopunny has the Quaffle and Gryffindor are on the attack."

It was a high quality game of Quidditch between two teams that were technically better than any other in the school. The three Gryffindor chasers were playing some great stuff and it was reflected in Lee's commentary.

'Great vision by Lopunny', he'd say. 'So agile that Hitmonlee', 'Hitmontop! So adaptable!', and occasionally he'd throw out some praise for Ron or Ginny who were more than holding their own in the match.

The only problem was that the Ravenclaws were playing just as well and they were getting contributions from all six Pokémon actively involved in the game. Meanwhile Kirke's Gligar was watching the game pass by. It was making a huge difference.

"Accurate Hydro Pump there by Feraligatr on Lopunny and Heliolisk is through. Goal! Ravenclaw lead by one hundred and twenty to eighty!"

The score was racking up, the snitch nowhere to be seen, and Harry was starting to get worried. He had full faith in Talonflame, even against an opponent like Swellow Harry knew he could win, but if the lead kept growing it soon wouldn't matter. If Ravenclaw were more than one hundred and seventy points ahead Harry could not catch the snitch.

He was distracted by Madam Hooch's whistle.

"Time out, Gryffindor!" She announced and, surprised, Harry started to lower himself to the ground. Meanwhile Lee Jordan was busy explaining what was happening.

"Angelina Johnson calls a timeout with the scores one hundred and seventy to one hundred and ten in Ravenclaw's favour," he announced. "There is still no sign of the snitch but this is bad news for Slytherin. They can only win now if Ravenclaw are victorious by thirty or forty points, meaning it's most likely that we are watching the next Quidditch champions right now. A lot depends on the Seekers, Potter against Chang, but still anything can happen."

Harry quietly pondered the irony of the fact that Slytherin now needed Harry to catch the snitch in order to win the Quidditch Cup as he reached the ground and climbed out of the balloon, walking over to where Angelina was impatiently waiting for him.

"Take your time, Potter," she snapped. "It's not like we're on a timer or anything." Harry scowled.

"I'm here," he said. "It's you that's wasting time now." Angelina did not deign to respond, instead turning to the rest of the team.

"We're down," she said. "Ravenclaw are playing well and we have our backs against the wall. The snitch is staying hidden, all of which means we have a battle on our hands. We need to buckle down and fight. It can't be long now until the snitch appears but they know that too meaning they're going to come out faster, stronger and with more purpose than ever before. We need to hold them back, keep the score down, and leave the rest to Potter." Her eyes narrowed. "Potter, are you listening?"

"Of course I'm listening," Harry snapped back. "Believe it or not I know how to play Quidditch."

"I don't doubt your ability I doubt your effort," Angelina challenged. Harry was startled.

"The snitch hasn't appeared yet," he complained.

"Good thing too," retorted Angelina. "I doubt you'd catch it with that attitude. Do you even care about winning?"

"Of course I care," Harry replied.

"Do you?" Angelina continued. "It doesn't look like it. Is this just a game to you, Potter? Something you do in your free time? I see more passion in the Hufflepuffs than in you." Now Harry was angry.

"You think I don't care?" Harry asked in disbelief. "I care just as much as you do, more even. You think I don't want to win, let Ravenclaw or Slytherin get the cup? No! I want to win and as long as I remain at Hogwarts the Quidditch Cup is staying in McGonagall's office!"

Harry hadn't noticed the crowd grow quiet as his voice rose in volume. Not until he was finished, panting heavily, did he realise the whole school was listening. Angelina was watching him with a satisfied expression on her face.

"That's time," Madam Hooch announced, approaching the Gryffindor team and speaking to Angelina. "Are you ready?"

There was a smirk on Angelina's face as she turned back to stare at Harry, Harry meeting her gaze steadily. There was still anger in him, anger at what she'd said and anger at the way she'd manipulated him, but otherwise his attention was focused.

He nodded.

When the game restarted the players attacked with renewed vigour, spurred on by a crowd just as hyped by Harry's outburst as he was. The players clashed below and Harry, floating high above them, kept his eyes firmly focused on the battle in front of him. No longer was he distracted by his situation with Cho, he was back to how he should be. Right here, right now, the game was the most important thing in the world and Harry would not lose.

Time passed and the crowd calmed but Harry's focus did not waver, even as Ravenclaw's lead continued to grow. And so when the snitch finally appeared he was ready for it.

"Talonflame, go!" Harry commanded, Talonflame soaring off, glad to finally be doing something after so long waiting for action. Across the pitch Cho's Swellow did the same.

"Talonflame, Ember!" Talonflame shot out a trail of burning embers into Swellow's path, distracting it just enough to allow Talonflame to nip in and snatch up the snitch. He turned back to Harry.

"Talonflame! Look out!" Harry's warning came just in time as a moment later a blast of water shot through the air, clipping Talonflame's wing as he swerved to avoid it. "Behind you!"

Ravenclaw's second Beater, a ferocious looking Fearow, was closing in. Beak aimed straight at Talonflame Fearow started to spin, picking up speed in a dangerous Drill Peck attack.

"Dive!" Harry instructed, Talonflame plummeting to the ground on his command as Fearow went flying over him. "Get in amongst the other players!"

Harry's plan worked. Fearow, not willing to risk injuring its teammates, pulled up short as Talonflame reached ground level, slaloming between the Chasers who continued to play even as all attention turned to the Snitch.

Talonflame had to come up eventually, Swellow and Fearow lurking high above between him and the Gryffindor pole, but Harry didn't even have a chance to figure out a way past them before Talonflame looped around the Ravenclaw team's Heliolisk and was met solidly with Feraligatr's Aqua Tail attack.

"Talonflame!" Harry cried out as his Pokémon went flying, tumbling to the ground as the Snitch fell from his grasp. Swellow swooped.

"Talonflame, quick, pull yourself together!" Harry shouted but it was no use as Swellow deftly plucked the Snitch off the grass and flew off in the direction of the Ravenclaw pole.

"Talonflame, quick!" Harry shouted and Talonflame righted himself. Before he could take off, however, the hulking form of Feraligatr loomed over him.

"Gligar!" Andrew Kirke's Gligar, virtually unnoticeable for most of the match, threw himself at Feraligatr, wrapping his claws and stinger around the water type's face so he was completely blinded. Harry wasted no time.

"Flame Charge, Talonflame!" He instructed and Talonflame shot off, his body surrounded by fire as he flew off after the Snitch. Up above Ginny's Haunter was doing all he could to slow Swellow down, having to take on Fearow too as the Beater tried to guide her Seeker home.

"Talonflame, Fire Blast!"

All three battling Pokémon flinched away from the intense heat as Talonflame finally caught up with the battle. He headed straight for Swellow, eyes fixed on the ring clasped in her talons, and reached out to grab it. At the last moment Swellow realised what was happening and strengthened her grip, the two Pokémon caught in a stalemate as they fought for dominance.

"Talonflame, go down!" Harry instructed and Talonflame dived, forcing Swellow to come down with him. Feraligatr was free once more, Gligar lying in a heap on the ground, but he dared not attack while his own Seeker was in the firing line.

Down and down they flew, never deviating as they headed straight for the ground below. It was a test of nerve, of who would pull up first, and it was a test Talonflame won, soaring across the ground as Swellow reluctantly relinquished her hold on the Snitch, flying off in the other direction to avoid crashing into the ground.

But it wasn't over yet. Fearow had followed the two diving Pokémon and now that they'd separated was haring after Talonflame. A Hydro Pump from Feraligatr went flying by, Talonflame twisting and turning to avoid the water type's most powerful attacks.

"Come on, Talonflame! Try to get to me!" Harry encouraged but it was clear Talonflame had his talons full avoiding Fearow's snapping beak and Feraligatr's devastating Hydro Pumps. He needed help.

And so help came.

"Haunter, Hypnosis!" Harry barely heard Ginny's voice all the way down on the field below but he did see the effect. As Fearow took another snap at Talonflame, the fire and flying type veering away to avoid her, Haunter appeared in his place. Fearow neither expected nor was ready for the attack and her eyes drooped. She flew straight through Haunter's incorporeal body and crashed to the ground, fast asleep.

Talonflame took advantage, flying up into the air and deftly dodging another Hydro Pump, the Gryffindor pole in sight.

Wham!

No less than ten feet from the pole Talonflame was almost knocked clean out of the sky as Swellow, having waited patiently for him to emerge, struck Talonflame with a vicious Aerial Ace.

"Get the Snitch, Swellow!" Cho's voice carried over from the Ravenclaw end and Swellow dove after Talonflame. Seeing his opponent bearing down on him Talonflame quickly adjusted his body to shield the Snitch. Instead Swellow grabbed hold of him, her sharp talons scrabbling at his body as she tried to pull the Snitch from his grasp.

"Flame Charge!" Harry shouted and fire erupted around Talonflame's body, immediately causing Swellow to flinch back as Talonflame pulled himself free. He soared across the pitch, dodging Feraligatr's Hydro Pump, before turning for one more attempt to get home.

"Swellow!" The cry echoed across the Quidditch pitch, louder than anything that had gone before, and Harry felt his stomach drop. As Talonflame turned to head back to the Gryffindor pole Swellow rose into his path, a fierce expression on her face. And from the wild strength Swellow was emanating and the burned feathers that scattered her plumage Harry could work out what had happened. Guts had activated.

Cho had called out an attack, an Aerial Ace, and Harry knew he needed to act fast. You couldn't dodge Aerial Ace. You needed to fight fire with fire.

"Flame Charge!"

The connection was fierce and for a moment it looked equal, though Harry could immediately tell that it wasn't. Swellow blew past after only a brief moment, sending Talonflame tumbling, but importantly he still had the Snitch. Swellow flew in for another attack.

"Talonflame, use Razor Wind!" As Swellow approached Talonflame flapped his wings powerfully, causing distortions in the air and forcing Swellow to slow down and weave her way through, by which time Talonflame had used Agility and was gone.

But Swellow knew Agility too and Talonflame couldn't get far before Swellow intercepted him, forcing him to change direction and move away from his goal.

"Talonflame, use Fire Blast!" Another Fire Blast barely bought Talonflame a second, the Guts ability leaving Swellow with little appreciation of physical discomfort as she flew dangerously close to the flames and Talonflame was forced to turn once more.

Meanwhile Harry was thinking. How could he get Talonflame back safely? Swellow was too strong to be taken on one on one and too fast to simply outfly. The only way left was to cause a distraction.

"Talonflame, dive!" Harry instructed and again Talonflame flew towards the ground, getting in amongst the Chasers who still played on. Harry had no idea what the score was now, could only hope they hadn't fallen too far behind, as Talonflame slalomed through the Chasers.

"Gatr!" Talonflame's resistance was nearly ended as a vicious set of teeth just missed him, Feraligatr's attack even pulling out a couple of tail feathers as Talonflame passed. Harry grit his teeth. This was too dangerous.

He'd been in a situation similar to this before. Back then it had been Vigoroth he'd needed to shrug off and he'd used the bulk of Wood's Snorlax to do it. Only Wood's Snorlax was no longer there and his replacement, Ron's Machoke, was not only less bulky but weak to Swellow's flying type attacks, as was most of the rest of the team. He wouldn't buy much time.

"Talonflame, behind Machoke!" Harry instructed. It wasn't great but it was all he had and maybe, just maybe, he'd gain just enough time to end this. Talonflame swooped across the field, easily outpacing the attacking Ravenclaw Chasers, with Swellow on his tail, and swerved behind Machoke.

Swellow struck Machoke with incredible force, pinning him back against the middle of his three goalposts before rising up to follow Talonflame. But Machoke was quicker, reaching out to pull Swellow into a tight embrace despite the hit and giving Talonflame a precious few seconds to head home.

"Quick Talonflame!" Harry shouted urgently. The whole stadium was shouting with him, half urging Talonflame onwards while the other half complained at the obvious violation Machoke was committing. Time seemed to slow down.

Talonflame flew towards Harry, determination in his eyes even as his body started to fail him. In the distance, far below, Feraligatr took aim. A blast of water shot forth, flying straight up at Talonflame, and Harry realised with horror that Talonflame would not reach him in time.

"Shadow Ball!"

A ball of ghostly energy shot out of nowhere, the user of the attack materialising into being between Talonflame and Feraligatr and taking his attack head on. Haunter's Shadow Ball and Feraligatr's Hydro Pump fought for dominance, rippling the air before they exploded.

And out of the smoke flew Talonflame, soaring the last few feet to Harry and dropping the Snitch onto the Gryffindor pole.

The stands erupted. For a moment Harry worried that he'd been too late, that Ravenclaw had won or even that he'd somehow handed the title to Slytherin.

But the banners flying below were red and gold.

"Gryffindor win the match! Gryffindor win the match!" Lee Jordan was yelling, the final confirmation Harry needed before his face broke into a grin. "Gryffindor win! Final score; three hundred and fifty to three hundred and thirty! What a game! What a battle! What a win!"

Harry grinned as Talonflame alighted on his arm, looking exhausted but pleased. Across the field Harry spotted Cho in a very similar position, yet the mood couldn't be more different. Swellow was perched on the edge of the balloon, hanging her head in disappointment that was echoed in her trainer. Without the wild look in her eye Swellow looked thoroughly bedraggled, her feathers burnt and sticking up at odd angles. Cho was talking to her, soft words of encouragement, Harry guessed, and Harry felt terrible that he had piled more misery upon her.

Yet, as Ginny had said, he couldn't do everything and the least he could do was his best for the people he could.

And speaking of Ginny, the red head was the first one to throw her arms around him once he'd finally touched down on solid ground. She was immediately joined by Ron, thumping him hard on the back, and then Angelina who was in floods of tears, clinging to Harry as though he had just saved her life. Alicia and Katie followed and even Andrew Kirke, his Gligar clinging to his back, crosseyed but happy, before the team were called into the centre of the pitch to receive their trophy.

They shook hands with their opponents, the Ravenclaws bitterly disappointed but gracious in defeat, before they took centre stage, their Pokémon standing with them. Professor McGonagall, beaming with pride even as she dabbed away the tears with her tartan scarf, handed the Quidditch Cup to Angelina who lifted it triumphantly into the air.

Times were tough, the year had been full of disappointments, but in this moment Harry felt on top of the world. He would never forget this feeling.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for the late upload.

First of all I'd like to clarify my position on Meganium. I do not hate it. I think it's actually a decent Pokémon. I just don't think it stands out in the same way a lot of the other starters do.

On that note thanks for those who reviewed the last chapter. To Tmriddle's question about Ginny's Vulpix I would say that Vulpix has actually already evolved, only it hasn't been mentioned since Harry wasn't around to see it happen. It occurred sometime after the Yule Ball but before the last task in Harry's fourth year so you can understand how it managed to fly under the radar. Don't worry though, you will see Ninetales at some point.

To those of you who answered the question of the day thank you for sharing. Even though I said I was a Ravenclaw I would add that my second house would probably be Hufflepuff, due to my sense of fair play. Also I was very interested to note that there were no Slytherins, which I expected there to be a few of.

The reviews brought up a couple of very interesting questions for me to use in this chapter but I've decided to save them for later and instead ask a question much more along the same theme as what has happened in this chapter.

QOTD: If you were at Hogwarts, would you play Quidditch? If so, what position would you play?

For me I would definitely play Quidditch. I'm a little uneasy with heights but I love sports in general and I assume after going to flying classes I'd get used to it enough to overcome the fear. If I were to play I'd probably be a Chaser. I don't really like the limelight so playing the position where I'm working with a couple of my teammates would be ideal (And I'm not anywhere near violent enough to be a Beater).

So, what do you think? Would you play Quidditch? Would you even enjoy watching it or would you find it boring? Let me know in the reviews.