I do not own…
Chapter Forty: The final match & O.W.L exams
When the Easter holiday had passed it was the Quidditch final between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Vanessa was trying her best to ease Harry getting all the burden as Oliver was starting again. He stopped when he saw that look on her face again. The only thing they needed to do is get more than fifty points. When that happens then Harry could get the Snitch.
The tension between the two teams was very high. The Slytherin have been trying to sabotage the Gryffindor teams. They knew to stay away from Vanessa as Hunter and Lucas had threatened them. Harry had gotten the worst of it as some Slytherins would try and stick out their leg and try to trip him. Crabbe and Goyle kept popping up wherever he went, but would slouch away when they saw him surrounded by people. Wood and Vanessa had given instructions that Harry should be accompanied everywhere since it's obvious that the Slytherin team is trying to put him out of action. Everyone in the Gryffindor House agreed to this challenge.
On the day of the actual match, the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall the next day to enormous applause. Both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were applauding them too. The Slytherin (minus Hunter, Dawn, Mal, Axe, Maggiel and Marius) table hissed loudly as they passed. Vanessa pointed Harry towards Draco Malfoy and they saw that he looked even paler. After breakfast Wood hurried them off to the field before anyone else had finished.
"Good luck, Harry!" Cho said
Harry felt himself blushing.
When they got to the locker room to change into their scarlet robes. Once they were done they walked out onto the field to a tidal wave of noise. Three-quarters of the crowd were wearing scarlet rosettes waving scarlet flags with the Gryffindor lion up them, or brandishing banners with slogans like "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "LIONS FOR THE CUP!" Where the Slytherins were, only two hundred people were wearing green" the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row wearing green like everyone else, and a very grim smile.
"And here are the Gryffindors!" Lee Jordan yelled as the commentator. "Potter, Potter, Bell. Johnson, Weasley, Weasley and Wood. Widely acknowledged as the best team Hogwarts has seen in a good few years…" A few Slytherins boo at the sound of that. "And here comes the Slytherin team, led by Captain Flint. He's made some changes in the lineup and seems to be going for size rather than skill…"
The Slytherins boo again while Harry and Vanessa looked at the team and thought Lee had a point. Draco was easily the smallest person on the Slytherin team; the rest of them were enormous.
"Captains, shake hands!" Madam Hooch said
Flint and Wood approached each other and grasped each other's hand very tightly. Pretty much trying to break each other's hands off.
"Mount your brooms!" Madam Hooch said "Three...two...one…"
Once the whistle was blown the crowded roar in excitement as fourteen brooms rose into the air. Harry flew around and noticed that Draco was on his tail, trying to search for the Snitch before he did.
"And it's Gryffindor in possession, Vanessa Potter of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goalposts, looking good, Vanessa! Argh, no...Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing up the field-WHAM!- nice Bludger work there by Geroge Weasley, Warrington drops the Quaffle, it's caught by….Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina...nice swerve around Montague...duck Angelina, that's a Bludger! -SHE SCORES! TEN-ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"
Angelina celebrated but was nearly thrown from her broom as Marcus Flint smashed into her.
"Sorry!" Flint smirked, "Sorry, didn't see her."
This made Fred chucked his Beater's club at the back of Flint's head. It made Flint mashed his nose into the handle of his broom, making him bleed. Sadly this only made Madam Hooch give Slytherin a penalty shot. Thankfully the other Slytherin Chaser missed. Vanessa got the Quaffle again and was able to score. Twenty points to Zero. After that the Quaffle kept going back and forth between the two teams. Montague, a Slytherin Chaser, had swerved in front of Katie, who had the Quaffle, and tried to seize it. He grabbed her head, making Katie cartwheeled in the air. She managed to stay on her broom, but she ended up dropping the Quaffle. Madam Hooch saw this and blew her whistle as she soared over to Montague and began shouting at him. A minute later, Katie had put another penalty past the Slytherin Keeper. Now it's Thirty-Zero. With Harry, he was jolted with excitement at how his team was winning but didn't forget the task at hand. He knew that Draco was still tailing him in case he saw the Snitch first. When he made a fake speed towards something Draco followed. A Bludger came streaking past Harry's right ear. He saw that it was hit by Lucas Malfoy. Then another Bludger grazed his elbow. This one was hit by the other Beater Bole, who was closing in. Harry saw that Lucas and Bole zoomed towards him and raised their clubs up. He turned the Firebolt upward at the last second, and Lucas and Bole collided with a sickening crunch.
"Ha haaa!" Jordan yelled "Too bad, boys! You'll need to get up earlier than that to beat a Firebolt! And it's Gryffindor in possession again, as Johnson takes the Quaffle...Flint alongside her...poke him in the eye, Angelina!...it was a joke, Professor, it was a joke...oh no...Flint in possession, Flint flying toward the Gryffindor goalposts, come on now, Wood, save….!"
But Flint had scored. Lee had swore so badly that Professor McGonagall tried to tug the magical megaphone away from him. It was turning into the dirtiest game ever. Slytherin did everything they could without Madam Hooch noticing to cheat or harm the Gryffindor players. Bole hit Katie with his club, trying to say he'd thought she was a Bludger. Then George elbowed Bole in the face in retaliation. Madam Hooch awarded both teams penalties. Wood was able to pull off another spectacular save, while Vanessa scored another ten points. Now it was Forty to ten.
Later Katie scored and they ended up to Fifty points for them. Fred and George stayed close to her in case the Slytherins were thinking of revenge. Lucas and Bole took advantage of this and tried to aim both Bludgers at Wood. They both hit him in the stomach but he was able to stay on his broom. Madam Hooch saw this too and blew her whistle again.
"YOU DO NOT ATTACK THE KEEPER UNLESS THE QUAFFLE IS WITHIN THE SCORING AREA!" She shrieked "Gryffindor penalty!"
Angelina got them another score. It was Sixty-ten. Fred was able to pelted a Bludger at Warrington, knocking the Quaffle out of his hands. Vanessa caught it and put it through the Slytherin goal. Seventy to ten. She gave Harry the signal that now it was time to seize the Snitch. Harry looked around until he spotted it. The Snitch was sparkling twenty feet above him. Harry sped up and stretched out his hand but suddenly the Firebolt was slowing down. He looked around and saw that Draco had thrown himself forward and grabbed hold of the Firebolt's tail. Harry tried to kick his hand away but he couldn't reach him. This made Harry lose sight of the Snitch but Madam Hooch saw this and gave Gryffindor another Penalty.
"YOU CHEATING SCUM!" Lee Jordan howled into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall's reach. "YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B-"
McGonagall didn't even bother to tell him off. She actually looked at Draco and scolded him furiously. Vanessa took Gryffindor penalty and scored them eighty points to ten. Then Angelina got the Quaffle and Harry saw that every Slytherin player (minus Draco) was trying to block her. Harry wheeled the Firebolt around, bent so low he was laying along the handle and kicked it forward. Like a bullet, he shot towards the Slytherins. They scattered as the Firebolt zoomed towards them and Angelina's way was clear. She scored them Ninety points to ten. After that Harry looked for the Snitch again and what he saw made his heart stand still. Malfoy was diving, a look of triumph on his face, and there, a few feet above the grass below was the Snitch. Harry urged his broom. He was gaining on Malfoy. He had to flattened himself to the broom handle as Lucas and Bole sent a Bludger at him again. Now he was at Malfoy's ankles...he was level…
Harry threw himself forward, taking both hands off his broom. He knocked Malfoy's arm out of the way and…
"YES!"
He pulled out of his dive, his hand in the air, and the stadium exploded. Harry soared above the crowd, an old ringing in his ears. The tiny golden ball was held tight in his fist, beating its wings hopelessly against his fingers. Wood sped towards him, half-blinded by tears; he seized Harry around the neck and sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder. Harry felt two large thumps as Fred and Geroge hit them, then Angelina's, Vanessa's and Katie's voices, "We've won the Cup! We've won the Cup!" They tangled together in a many-armed hug, the Gryffindor team sank, yelling hoarsely, back to earth.
Wave upon wave of crimson supporters was pouring over the barriers onto the field. Hands were raining down on their backs. Harry had a confused impression of noise and bodies pressing in on him. Then he and the rest of the team were hoisted onto the shoulders of the crowd. Thrust into the light he saw Hagrid, plastered with crimson rosette…"Yeh beat 'em, Harry, yeh beat 'em! Wait till I tell Buckbeak!"
There was Percy. Jumping up and down like a maniac, all dignity forgotten. Professor McGonagall was sobbing even harder than Wood, wiping her eyes with an enormous Gryffindor flag, there, fighting their way towards them were both Harry's and Vanessa's friends. Dude, who was dressed up like a lion and in Carlos's arms, barked excitedly with Pickett cheering on his head. Everyone beamed as the team was borne toward the stand, where Dumbledore stood waiting with the enormous Quidditch Cup. Wood passed Harry the Cup and he lifted it into the air.
Another party was hosted in the Gryfinndor common room and everyone partied harder than before. When it had calmed down Vanessa had chanted guitar that someone had and sang the only song that seemed appropriate for this moment. Everyone had gathered around in a circle and listened.
Vanessa voice 'I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through"
The twins, Lee, Jay and Malcom placed an arm around each shoulder and kneeled next to Vanessa and sang the next verse.
Jay, Fred, George, Malcom and Lee voices "And we just go on and on and on, and on"
Everyone in Gryffindor sings along. 'We are the champions,
My friends
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the Champion
Of the world"
Vanessa sang 'I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame
And fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge
Before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose'
Everyone sang "And we just go on, and on, and on, and on
We are the champions,
My friends
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end
"We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the Champion
Of the world'
Vanessa sings 'We are the champions,
My friends
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end, oh'
Everyone sings "We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the Champions"
.
.
.
The Gryffindor's winning hype of the Quidditch Cup has lasted at least a week. The weather seemed to be celebrating as it has been nothing but good weather. Sadly no one could enjoy it as exams were nearly upon them. While June was near the fifth years, they had to be studying non-stop as they were doing their O.W.L's soon. For the sixth and seventh years they were taking their N.E.W.T.s. During her study session Harry had managed to pass along a message to Vanessa about Buckbeak's appeal. It was set for the day they finished their exams.
The next day the fifth years received their examination schedules and details of the procedure for O.W.L's during their next Transfiguration lesson.
"As you can see." McGonagall said to the class while they copied down the dates and times of their exams from the blackboard. "Your O.W.L's are spread over two successive weeks. You will sit the theory exams in the mornings and the practice in the afternoons. Your practical Astronomy examination will, of course, take place at night. Now, I must warn you that the most stringent Anti-Cheating Charms have been applied to your examination papers. Auto-Answer Quills are banned from the examination hall, as are Remembralls, Detachable Cribbing Cuffs, and Self-Correcting Ink. Every year, I am afraid to say, seems to harbor at least one student who thinks that he or she can get around the Wizarding Examinations Authority's rules. I can only hope that there is nobody in Gryffindor. Now that doesn't mean that none of you should do your best, you have your own futures to think about."
"Professor, when will we find out our results?" Evie asked, hand in the air.
"An owl will be sent to you some time in July." McGonagall said
Their first exam, Theory of Charms, was scheduled for Monday morning. So Vanessa and her friends had all gathered around to test themselves. Around dinner time everyone was a bit nervous to eat, especially when they saw the examiners arriving. The next day none of the fifth years talked very much at breakfast. When it was over the fifth and seventh years milled around in the entrance hall while the other students went off to lessons. Then, at half-past nine, they were called forward class by class to reenter the Great Hall. Desks were now arranged exactly in four rows where Professor McGonagall stood facing them. Once everyone had sat down she began to talk.
"You may begin." She said
She turned over an enormous hourglass on the desk beside her, on which were also spare quills, ink bottles and rolls of parchment. Vanessa turned over her paper and her heart was thumping fast. She looked down at the first question: a) Give the incantation, and b) describe the wand movement required to make objects fly…
A memory of a club soaring high into the air and landed loudly on the thick skull of a troll. She smiled as she bent over the papar and began writing.
Once the first exam was done they left to eat lunch before they were trooped off into the small chamber beside the Great hall, where they were to wait until called for their practical examination. Small groups of students were called forward in alphabetical order. It wasn't long till Professor Flitwick called the P', Vanessa stood up when her name was called upon and walked in the room. Professor Flitwick had pointed Vanessa towards what looked like the very oldest and baldest examiner, sitting behind a small table in a far corner. Vanessa thought that the whole test went rather well as she did a few charms that she knew very well. For Tuesday it was their Transfiguration exam. They first did the written exam before doing the actual spells. On Wednesday they had their Herbology exam and their Defense Against the Dark Arts exam on Thursday. Vanessa was sure that she had passed with high marks. On Friday she, Hunter and Rain had Ancient Runes exams. The others were able to relax a little during the Weekend. But on Sunday they all study for their Potions exam on Monday. Some people were able to calm down when they saw that Snape wasn't gonna be in the room. Tuesday was their Care of Magical Creatures exam and Wednesday was for their exams for Astronomy. Their final exam was History of Magic but it didn't start until the afternoon. So Vanessa, Hunter and their friends all relaxed outside in the courtyard. There they saw Harry and his friends coming out and finished with one of their exams. Then they saw Cornelius Fudge walking through the grounds, nervous looking and sweating. He saw Harry and Vanessa and walked over towards them.
"Oh, hello there." He said "Just finished your exams and O. I expect? Nearly finished?"
"Yes." Harry said
"I'm here on an unpleasant mission, Harry. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad hippogriff. As I needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, I was asked to step in." He said
"Does that mean the appeal's already happened?" Ron asked
"No, no, it's scheduled for this afternoon." Fudge said
"Then you might not have to witness an execution at all!" Ron said "The hippogriff might get off!"
Before Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle doors behind him. One was so ancient he appeared to be withering before their very eyes; the other was tall and strapping, with a thin black mustache. Harry gathered that they were representatives of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, because the very old wizard squinted towards Hagrid's cabin and said in a feeble voice, "Dear, dear, I'm getting too old for this...Two o'clock, isn't it, Fudge?"
The black-mustached man was fingering something in his belt; Harry looked and saw that he was running one broad thumb along and saw that he was running one broad thumb along the blade of a shining axe. Vanessa glared at the sight of it. She wanted to say something but Hunter placed a hand around her shoulder to hold her back. Even Ron wanted to say something but Hermione nudged him and pulled him and Harry away from them.
"Come on, love, we should get going." Hunter said "Let's go, guys."
He took his girlfriend by the hand and led her and the others away.
"Did you see the look that man had when was caressing his blade?" Vanessa hissed
"He and my mom should get together if he likes killing animals too." Carlos scoffed
"Is there any way we can stop this?" Evie asked
"Well...how long do you think the exams will last?" Jay asked
"An hour or two, maybe." Dawn said "This is History of Magic so who knows."
"Damn, same here too." Jay sighed "Well what I was thinking is if one of us got done early maybe we could...sneak Buckbeak away."
"Hagrid will get in trouble if Fudge sees that Buckbeaks is gone." Rain said
"Unless he somehow disappears after Fudges sees him." Hunter said