They had missed the train and now they were staring at the car which had brought them to the station. "Ron, you do know how to drive, right?", Harry asked him.
"Yes, I do but I don't know if it will hold. I know for a fact that the charms which are worked in the body can go haywire if something goes wrong with it. It is not inscribed with runes but charmed."
"Which means that driving it is a risk which we must take. Do you know how to make it fly?"
Ron grinned, "It is easy. Just push a button and it will take to skies."
"And do you think it can fly all the way to Hogwarts?"
"I suppose but I'd rather not. Do we have another way to go to Hogwarts?"
"No,we don't" Harry groaned, "We released our pets to fly ahead of us or we could have informed the school and the elves won't listen to me."
"I just wish there was some way to help us stranded wizards,", said Ron, "If we did any mischief, we will end up being expelled."
"Stranded?", Harry mused, "That is a brilliant idea, Ron."
"What do you mean, mate?", Ron asked him.
"Come along", he said and they walked out of the parking where the car was.
When they were on the road, Harry pulled out his wand.
"Harry, we will be expelled if you did any magic", said Ron, panicked.
Harry ignored him, taking his wand in his right hand, he held it out to the curb.
"BANG!" A few seconds later, a purple monstrosity seemed to jump out of shadows on the road. Its arrival was so violent that they jumped back to avoid being hit.
"What…", Ron started to ask and then closed his mouth.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus", said a bloke stepping out of the bus, "transport for the stranded witches and wizards. I am Stan Shunpike and I am your conductor for today."
The conductor managed to say all that with an even face as if he were monologuing.
Harry climbed in the bus quickly followed by Ron, "Pick up our trunks and bring them aboard."
The monstrosity of a bus was triple decker and bigger than average buses on the road. On the lowest lever were several beds and it looked and the upper levels were decked with chairs. Harry climbed to the top with Ron and sat on a chair at the front.
The conductor had followed them, "Where'ou goin'?
"Hogwarts", Harry said, "And we don't want a tooth brush or hot chocolate."
"That will be 5 Galleo…", the conductor stopped speaking as he looked at Harry's forehead and saw the faint outline of the lightning scar, "You are Harry Potter".
He glared at him, "Yes, I am. Why don't you shout about it and tell everyone?"
He pulled the money from his money pouch and handed it to him, "Here you go and now please don't disturb us till we have reached Hogwarts."
As the conductor left, Ron asked him, "What is this?"
"It is a bus service run by the Ministry for witches and wizards who are stranded or are disabled or too old to Apparate or use the floo. If you are stranded somewhere with no means of transport, grab your wand in right hand, stick it out and it will come to you. Sirius told me once they did some very funny pranks on a ride from Hogwarts to the Leaky Cauldron."
"I haven't ever heard about it", Ron grumbled.
"Because your parents never needed it, I guess."
They watched as the bus wove its way through the London roads, even tight alleys and the driver seemed to drive recklessly. He would weave in and out of traffic, never slowing down and yet always avoiding an accident.
"Do you think he will crash?", Ron asked apprehensively as an entire farm house jumped out of the way of the bus.
"No Ron, this bus won't crash. You can think it is going to crash but it will always avoid anything that comes in its way. That is part of the charm of the bus."
"Can this bus go anywhere?", Ron asked.
"As long as it is on land", said the conductor who had come up.
"Hey Harry, I always wanted to meet you", said the conductor enthusiastically, "We get famous people on the bus every now and then."
Harry realised there was no getting out of this without sounding rude and he was not about to exercise his upper- class snobbery on him.
"Say, what can you tell us about this bus?", Harry asked him trying to sound curious.
"This bus can go anywhere as long as it is on land. Can't go over the sea", he said, "We were somewhere in Manchester when you flagged us. Can't believe I am meeting you."
"Look, can you please stop making a big deal out of it?", Harry said politely, "I don't like people fawning over me."
"Alright Harry", said the conductor standing up, "Next stop is Hogwarts. I will get your trunks down."
When they got off the bus, they found themselves in front of the gates of the school. Hagrid was at the gate and when he saw them, he exclaimed, "Harry! Word is that you got lost."
"How are you, Hagrid?", Harry asked him, "And who said I was lost?"
"Dumbledore got an owl from someone on the train that said you were lost", Hagrid explained, "He has sent people to look for you."
"I guess we should go and find him then", said Harry, "Are you off to fetch the students from the Station?"
"Yes", he said, "They are about to arrive."
They had hardly reached the double doors when a drawl reached his ears, "Breaking the rules like your father, Potter- Black?"
Harry turned to Severus Snape, "With due respect Professor, it is not your concern as to how a student arrives at the school. It is nowhere written that one has to take the train to the school."
Severus's drawl continued, "Of course you'd think that you are better than others to arrive by yourself with your sidekick."
He leaned to Harry's eye level and said in a menacing voice, "If I find you stepping out of the line even once this year, you'll find yourself expelled, Potter- Black. I don't care who you have got behind you."
"That is enough Severus", said Minerva McGonagall tersely as she had just arrived, "Albus wants these two in the great hall before others arrive."
As she led them to the Great Hall, she said nothing to them but a terse word, "You two were very reckless and should have been punished but Albus thinks otherwise."
When they entered the Great Hall, it was vacant except for the teachers along with the Headmaster who was sitting in his throne like chair with that twinkle in his eyes. As they entered, he beckoned them forward, "I sincerely hope there is a good reason that you were not on the train."
"Someone had closed the barrier on the station", Harry said, "We had just about reached the station and were entering when the barrier closed and we could not enter."
"Why you didn't an owl to the school?"
"We had let them fly ahead of ourselves. We even debated about flying a car here."
Dumbledore shuddered, "Thank Merlin that you got the idea to take the Knight Bus. I assume you enjoyed the ride."
Harry shuddered, "I won't take it again on wand point, Headmaster."
Dumbledore chuckled, "Since no rules were broken there will be no punishment for you both. Take your seat. Others will arrive soon."
It was an hour before others started to arrive in the castle and on the head of the crowd were Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger.
"Potter- Black! What idiocy did you get up to without me?", Neville said grabbing him in a hug, "Gran was waiting for you at the station and you didn't appear. Then we learn that you both never got on the train. And Hagrid told me that you were already here and you came on the Knight Bus. I had to elbow Malfoy and his cronies out of the way to get on the first carriage."
Harry bear hugged his god brother, "It just happened. Ron was thinking about taking Sirius's flying car to the school."
Neville grinned, "Next time, we will do just that."
"And Sirius will never let us hear the end of it", Harry said.
As they talked, McGonagall led the first years into the Great Hall to be sorted.
A moment of agony came for Harry when a student came for sorting with an old-fashioned camera in his hand. He was tiny wisp of a child and awfully thin. When Professor McGonagall called his name, "Colin Creevey", he bounded towards the stool with enthusiasm. The way the boy was looking at everything with unrestrained enthusiasm, it made Harry realise that Colin was a muggle born who had never heard of the magical world before and that he had not done anything special like reading ahead but was allowing things to overwhelm him. The hat took seconds to sort him into "Gryffindor" before the boy bounded up and sat on the bench across from Harry, "Hi, I am Colin Creevey. You are Harry Potter, right? I have heard a lot about you."
Harry groaned internally, "Colin, don't believe everything that you hear."
Another sorting which caught his eye was a girl. She was about average height, pale blond hair, wearing butterbeer cork necklace, radishes in her ear and had a look of perpetual loss on her face as if she had no idea where she was or why she was anywhere.
Ron whispered from his side, "That's Luna Lovegood. She used to live near us in Ottery St. Catchpole. Her dad runs the Quibbler."
Soon it was time for the last student to be sorted.
"Ginevra Weasley", said Professor McGonagall and the Weasley girl walked to the stool.
The hat sat for almost a minute and pondered. "Another Weasley! How many of you are out there? I don't believe I have sorted a Weasley girl for quite sometime. Now where to send you? You have the loyalty of a Hufflepuff but a sense of bravery within. I think I will send you to Hufflepuff."
Ginny mentally screamed, "Don't you dare, or I will set you on fire. Send me to Gryffindor."
The hat chuckled, "And there is the Gryffindor trait of Weasleys. I send you to GRYFFINDOR."
When the sorting came to an end Dumbledore stood, "Welcome to our new students and welcome back to our returning students. Before the feast starts, let me give some notices. The Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. Some of our older students too would do well to remember that. The list of banned items has reached to 272 items and can be seen outside Mr. Filch's office. He has also reminded me for perhaps the 1000th time that all magic is forbidden in the corridors between classes. Anyone desirous of playing for their house Quidditch team can give their names to their head of house. Now an important announcement, this year we have a new Professor for Defence. Please welcome Gilderoy Lockhart."
There was a lot of applause from the young witches, but Harry only frowned at the blond-haired teacher who looked phony to him. Even his smile kind of looked artificial to him and he wondered how in the world Teen Witch Weekly gave it the award of most beautiful smile. However, at that moment food appeared and Harry momentarily forgot Gilderoy Lockhart.
After they were done with food, Dumbledore stood up again, "Before you all trot to your warm, comfortable beds I have another announcement."
He let the anticipation build in the Great Hall before he spoke again, "This year, Professor McGonagall in consultation with all head of houses have decided to start night Quidditch at Hogwarts."
There was a lot of murmuring in the Great Hall and Harry looked at the twins incredulously. He knew that Dumbledore had known about each of their acts during the last year, but it appeared that he had liked the idea of night Quidditch a bit too much.
"This tournament will be unofficial and anyone who wants to play can register your names with Madam head of houses will brief you about the rules for this tournament in a house assembly tomorrow after your classes."
Harry had no idea how terrible Gilderoy Lockhart was going to be for the school but it became apparent in their first class with them.
The class room which was dark and dingy in the previous year was altered to the likeliness of its new occupant. The walls were brightly lit, portraits of Gilderoy Lockhart were adorned on all the walls and it made it look like it was a shrine dedicated to the ponce.
Harry, Neville and Ron decided to stay at back of the class however, most of the girls were sitting at the front and Harry perfectly knew why.
After everyone had taken their seats and the girls were whispering among themselves as to what the class was going to be like, he came into the classroom from the office door attached to the classroom. He had bright shiny wavy hair which swayed as he strutted like a peacock and gave that crooked smile showing all his teeth. He looked like as if he had just spent minutes before the vanity and worked on his looks.
Neville said in undertone, "Anyone who can ask him what hair styling product he uses will get 10 Galleons from me."
Harry snickered, "Does it even look real?"
"What do you mean?", Ron asked.
"Well, I live with Sirius Black. I haven't seen a more fashionable bloke than him and this ponce can't hold a candle to him. He is also very careful about his hair and probably uses more hair conditioning products than all the witches combined at Hogwarts and his hair can't stay in place like this ponce's does. It is like he has a wig on or something."
They snickered while Lockhart was addressing the class, "So, I am Gilderoy Lockhart, the honorary member of the Defence Against the Dark Arts League and winner of Most Charming Smile by Witch Weekly for five weeks in a row. Before we start today's lesson, I would like to give a test to see how many of you have read my books."
Harry frowned and he was liking him less and less with every moment. When the test parchment came, Harry took one look at it and groaned. He had never seen anyone who was so self-obsessed as Gilderoy Lockhart, and he lived with Sirius Orion Black. It wasn't a test but how much do you know about Gilderoy questionnaire.
Harry decided not to write the test and following his cue, none of the other boys did. After Lockhart had collected their tests, he started the lecture.
He brought a cage to the front of class which was covered with cloth, lengthwise and asked mysteriously, "Can anyone tell me what is in this cage?"
Everyone gave different answers and he kept laughing and telling no when at last he lifted the cloth.
"Cornish Pixies", said Seamus Finnigan in amusement.
"Laughing are you, Mr. Finnigan? Let's see you laugh after I turn these loose."
Before anyone could stop the idiot, he had opened the cage and the pixies started buzzing around the classroom, harassing people, tearing pages out of books, trying to vandalise things. Students were panicked and trying to run away when Harry shouted, "Do something Professor."
Lockhart was still smiling that stupid smile of his, "Of course, I will catch them in a minute."
He waved his wand and said some gibberish, but nothing happened. Lockhart tried to run into his office when a pixie turned its attention to him and Harry, who was already infuriated with him, sent a tripping hex at him.
"Oww!" he yelled as he was planted face first on the solid floor. Before Lockhart could move again, the pixies picked him up by the scruff of his robes and hoisted him in the air.
It turns out that it was a poor moment because Neville had also pulled out his wand at the same time as Hermione. Harry, Hermione, and Neville cast the immobilizing charm which stunned all of the pixies and they started dropping on the floor with loud thudding noise. Lockhart took a dive to the floor for a second time.
"Fred, George", Harry faced the twins, "I have a proposition for you."
"A proposition? Is it another prank war, Harrikins?"
Harry shook his head, "No, it is very early to start a prank war. What I want is your help to harass Lockhart as much as you can."
"And why do you think we should do that?", Fred asked.
"Because he looks like a fraud to me", Harry said, "He is an idiot and he doesn't even know the basic things about Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"He is an idiot but it still does not mean that we will harass a teacher", George said, "We don't need another detention too soon."
"Well, if you both are not going to be of any help to me then I am afraid I will have to ask Sirius and Remus. I am sure they will have some ideas."
"Harry, do a favour to us and please don't involve them", they said, "Sirius and Remus have told us that they will give their secrets to us if we can prove ourselves to them."
Harry chuckled, "Alright, so I take it that you are going to do it?"
"Consider it done, Harrikins."
"It has been here for many years. Ever since it was stolen, it has been kept here. The man who stole it never got the chance to use it or to remove sent by Godric were after him and searched every nook and cranny for him. It was important for him to get it back because it was part of a set. The Goblins had forged it for him with another artefact and one without another was pretty useless. We cornered the man who had it, but he buried it behind a lot of enchantments which we cannot break."
"But why can't you break those enchantments?", asked the first wizard.
"It is not that we haven't tried. We did but we ran into dead ends everywhere. We even lost many people to those enchantments because those enchantments are powered by blood magic and only, he or his descendants could remove it. With time, most of us even forgot about it. Then the other artefact went missing and has not been seen since. Without the other artefact, this one is useless and that is the only reason that we even tell you about its existence. So, unless one of you is descended from him, you both won't be able to remove it."
The second wizard smirked, "In an unbroken line of succession, I am the 19th descendant of Phillips of Sumeria who had the bitter quarrel with Godric. I am fairly acquainted with the type of protections that he could have employed. Rest easy that I'll be able to remove them."
"If you are sure wizard, then about 10 kilometres north-west, there is a cave which looks uninhabited. Inside that cave is a string of tests that you will have to face before you will get to the prize which is kept for you. Before you go, I would like to be paid for my services", said the tribal wizard and watched as a pouch containing 1000 Galleons was tossed towards him.
After the tribal wizard had departed, the first turned to second, "What will you have me do while you try to defy death and whatnot in trying to retrieve it? Is it even worth it now that we know what dangers are associated with it?"
"We have worked entire life for this moment and I am not going to get cold feet at least now. I know you can't enter that place with me for the blood-based protections will kill you, but I want you to accompany me to the cave and if I don't return in 48 hours, seal the cave and leave. If something happens to me, abandon this quest and try to live an honest life."
"Nothing will happen to you", the first said vehemently, "You are going to get it and we are going to do what we have always wanted."
"Potter- Black, what do you think of our esteemed Professor of DADA?", Daphne asked Harry.
They were sitting in the Library. As like last year, Tracy was on the lookout and the ward device was on the table between them. Neville was there sitting between them but not contributing anything to the communication. Since they had a day of classes, it was time to see what they thought of the new teacher.
"Oh Daphne! I am very pleased with this choice of a teacher", Harry chirped happily.
Daphne looked shocked, "I didn't expect you of all people to say that Harry. How can that flimsy, phony pathetic excuse of a wizard impress you? I am repulsed at you. I. I…"
Harry started chuckling with Neville and when they were able to control their laughter, Neville said, "Wonder boy here hates him more than you. He is just saying this to rile you up."
Daphne's eyes slanted and she said in a low growl, "Is that so, Potter- Black? You want me to test those charms my mother taught me?"
The grin on Harry's face immediately vanished, "Anything but that!What is the general response about him among girls?"
She shuddered, "Every freaking girl has gone mental over that ponce. They think as if he is Merlin incarnate."
"I know. You know while coming to the school, I tried to read a few of his works but they don't tally up."
"What do you mean?", she asked suspiciously.
Neville cleared his throat in elaborate display as if he were starting to say something, "In his book Dancing with the Banshees, he says that he fought with the Banshee in June of 86. The thing is that in Gadding with Ghouls too, he fought with the Ghoul in June, 86. Unless he can be in two places at once, he is lying."
"But someone would have noticed. Don't you think?"
"That is what intrigues me. In the meantime, I need to list up all the details of his exploits, but I just don't have the energy."
"Don't even think about asking me to do this onerous research, Potter- Black", she said tersely.
"Well, I am not. I just need your help", he said, "I need you to ask Lord Greengrass if he can find the truth behind these adventures. I mean there must be hundreds of witnesses, but we haven't read about any."
"Let me get this correct. You want my father to go about and ask if there are any witnesses?", she asked incredulously.
"Yes", he replied, "But I won't be angry if you refuse. I mean he has contacts everywhere. I could have asked Sirius, but I don't want to make think there is something fishy going on."
"I will see what I can do", she said, "But in the meantime what should we do with him?"
"You don't need to do anything", he said, "We will start harassing him soon. And if you can, ask as many questions of him. Try to get him to make mistakes."
"And what do you hope to get by it?", she asked him.
"May be nothing or may be something."
"So, what are other plans this year?", she asked him.
"What do you mean?"
"Well Lord Black's heir is bound to have some plans which we mere mortals can't think of. I mean what about domination in the school?"
"That is an ongoing plan, Daph", Harry said mysteriously.
That afternoon, they had the house assembly where everyone of the Gryffindor house was assembled. Professor McGonagall was ready with her instructions and the expressions on her face were enough to scare off the younger students. It looked like as if she had come from battling a horde of magical creatures and still carried her anger from it.
"The tournament has been started as an attempt to foster friendship among the competition will be strictly friendly and anyone who is caught showing any form of hostility will be banned forever. It is not necessary, but it will be encouraged that the participating students from different houses form a team. The school will supply brooms to those who cannot afford them if it is found that they have the skill to play. The matches will take place on Saturday nights every week weather permitting. There will be no prizes but you do this for your pleasure. Like all Quidditch matches, there will be spectators in these matches and Madam Hooch will act as the referee. The competition is closed to first years though and there will be no exceptions. Another rule which has been sought to be enforced is that no student will be allowed to use racing broom in this competition because it is argued that using those brooms gives you unfair advantage. Anyone who is warned for their behaviour more than three times will be banned for the whole year. Captains will be announced after we can see how many students are willing to take part in it. Are the rules clear to you all?"
When they all nodded, she continued, "Another thing. If anyone participating in these matches is found to be slacking in his work or misses three assignments in a row, then he will be taken off the team effective immediately and won't be allowed to be on the team for the rest of the year. Participate if you can balance things without too much stress. Now are there any questions?"
Oliver Wood raised his hand, "Professor, if someone has a racing broom and he can't use it then what they can do?"
"The school has a stack of new brooms which were purchased last year and Madam Hooch has assured us that those brooms are in the perfect condition to be used."
"Who will enforce the punishments?", Harry asked, "I mean it can happen that a teacher would maliciously give detention to a student as much as they can just to get them banned from this."
She curtly said, "It was discussed in the staff meeting and it has been agreed that if any such instance comes up and any professor recommends for a student to be banned, the complaint shall be examined by a panel consisting of Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout. They will decide if the complaint holds any substance."
"Professor, do we need to buy Quidditch robes?", Ron asked.
"There is no need to buy a Quidditch robe for this Mr. Weasley", she said, "Since we can expect mixed teams therefore you can wear your everyday clothes to these matches."
It was apparent to everyone that they this was well thought out and it was promising to be exciting. There were details to be worked out however. The logistical details alone were worth a headache. Then there was the issue of providing lights for the stadium during the nights for it was supposed to be night Quidditch. It was however thought favourable that the matches would happen on a Saturday night so there won't be any disturbances. Many people wanted to play on the Quidditch team but there was no vacant place on the team. Maybe with the tournament, others would get a chance to showcase their talent to everyone.
Oliver was thinking about the implications this could cause. Night Quidditch could give him some options in case any of his players were not ready for a match. This promised to be exciting and he sure was going to play. The last year they had played it in a lacklustre environment, but this could be different. What he was interested about was how they planned to provide for light in the night.
"Travistor". Lord Black summoned his faithful elf who appeared wordlessly.
The elf bowed low to Arcturus, "Master called for Travistor?"
"Yes Travistor", he said, "Have you found the house elf Dobby?"
"No master. Travistor is still looking for him. Travistor cannot go to places where he is not welcome."
"Find him soon, Travistor", Lord Black said, "I feel it in my old bones that something awful is going to happen if we cannot find him. What of Hadrian? Have you been keeping an eye on him?"
"Yes Lord Black. Young master is at Hoggywarts and living with Master Neville and the Wheezys. Master had missed the train and take the big bus to Hogwarts."
"What?", Lord Black exclaimed, "How could he miss the train?"
"The barrier be closing, master", the elf explained, "Travistor sensing elf magic at the barrier. Someone wanted to stop young master."
"It is more important to find the house elf Dobby as soon as you can", Arcturus said urgently, "Now you will only look for the elf Dobby and no one else. You don't need to shadow Hadrian. Find Dobby and find him soon."
As the elf Disapparated, Arcturus walked to the floo fireplace and threw a pinch of floo powder in the fireplace, "Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts."
A minute later, he found Albus Dumbledore looking at him, with an expression of surprise on his face, "Lord Black, it is a pleasant surprise. I was trying to contact you, but you left no floo address and owls cannot find you."
"What happened, Albus?"
"Your heir Hadrian had missed the train when coming to school and took the Knight Bus. He arrived here without any incident but I am suspicious about the barrier closing down on him. How could it happen? There is no precedent of it."
"My house elf who was tailing Hadrian at that time detected a house elf's magic at the barrier. I guess there is someone who wanted to stop him from coming to school. You need to keep a close eye on him, Dumbledore. There is someone out to hurt him."
Dumbledore nodded, "That may be, Lord Black but not on my watch. I will make sure that young Harry does not get into any trouble."
"In case you need me, you can reach me at "House of Black, Bulgaria" but don't share the floo address with anyone. I will also ask Sirius and Remus to drop everything and return to London."
Dumbledore nodded, "That will be convenient, Lord Black."
As Arcturus disconnected the call, he raised his voice and intoned loudly, "Kreacher".
The house elf appeared, bowing very low to him, "Master calls?"
"Kreacher, you will tail Hadrian at all hours without his knowing. You will keep an eye on him and report about his activities to me, but you are forbidden from contacting him by any means. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Lord Black", the elf said bowing low to him.
"You can go now", Arcturus said dismissing him.
The next morning found Harry sitting at the Gryffindor table with Adrian Pucey and the Gryffindor Quidditch team, "Hey Adrian, how were your holidays?"
"Eventful but not as much as yours, I guess", said Adrian, "I saw where you and Neville Longbottom participated in the International Under-14 world championship. I am amazed that no one ever found out."
Harry grinned, "Well, I learned from the best."
"Adrian, when is Flint going to hold the trials?", Oliver Wood asked.
"Next week", Adrian said, "Provided Malfoy does not buy his place in the team."
"What do you mean?", Harry asked.
"Malfoy has offered to buy a Nimbus 2001 to every member of the Slytherin team if we let him on the team as a seeker."
"What!", Harry exclaimed, "That is outrageous."
"Not if you consider the tricks that Lucius Malfoy daily employs", said Adrian shaking his head, "I just wish there was someway that we could refuse him a place on the team."
Harry grinned, "Oh that is easy. Just play along with me."
"What..."
Adrian didn't get to finish his sentence before Harry started shouting, "What do you mean Slytherin can wipe the floor with Gryffindor in Quidditch if Malfoy was your seeker?"
"Potter-Black..."
Harry kept shouting, "Did you forget the humiliating defeat that you suffered at our hands, Pucey?"
By now Adrian was getting in on where this was going, "I am sure we can defeat Gryffindor with Malfoy as our Seeker, Potter-Black."
"You think Malfoy can defeat me?", Harry asked incredulously.
"Potter-Black, I can defeat you", shouted Malfoy, standing from his seat.
"In your dreams", Harry shouting before turning to Oliver, "And how can you just sit there and listen to him prattle, Wood?"
Wood stood, "Pucey, on behalf of Gryffindor House, I challenge House Slytherin to an impromptu match in an hour at the Quidditch pitch."
"Mr. Wood, you can't simply challenge a team for a Quidditch match", said Severus Snape in his slow drawl, vitriol dripping from his words.
"Oh, don't be a spoil sport Severus", chimed in Gilderoy Lockhart, "This is just a friendly match between friends. There is no harm in a friendly match. If no one is willing, I will act as the referee. I was a Quidditch player myself at a time before I started fighting the dark forces."
Severus's lips curled in distaste and Harry also cringed. The only thing that would be worse would-be Lockhart being the referee on the match but there was no way they could back down from the charade now.
"That will be very impressive, Gilderoy. I am sure the students will get to learn a thing or two about quidditch from a person such as you."
Dumbledore then turned to the Great Hall, "There will be a Quidditch match in the Stadium an hour from now between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The match will be played on school brooms and the captains are free to select teams to their liking."
Harry was aghast that Dumbledore actually praised Lockhart for his quidditch skills until he realised that Dumbledore had been smirking. It was the smirk that he had reserved for when he was planning something devilish to happen. It appeared to Harry that Dumbledore actually wanted Lockhart to be the referee just to show his true colours to the world.