Chapter 17 The Quidditch Match
The next week after the teacher's meeting with the Princess of Love passed relatively quickly in any case there weren't any more reports of incidents with the garrison but the students were however weary of incidents, the tensions were however still noticeable but they were contained. There was only one downsize and that was the new sweets regime now imposed, the idea of honey been used as the only sweetener had actually been extended and to be frank after a week the students grew tired of products made only with honey or rather many grew tired of sweet things in general. However at the next course with professor Zecora she had given the announcement to bring as many of the honey based sweets or fruits to class if they didn't want to eat them.
"What do you think professor Zecora wants with those honey sweets and fruits she asked us to bring to class?" Harry commented.
"Probably she likes honey based sweets, however to be honest I didn't saw her to eat much of them. And to be honest I also grew tired of it too." Ron said as he placed a small honey muffin in a paper wrap as they were going towards the third floor in the DADA class, they were common with the other houses, upon entering each took their seats noticing the cage covered with a blue cover on the teacher's desk.
"Wonder what is under that cover." Dean asked.
"Today's lesson." The zebra said with a small smirk appearing right next to the student who asked the question before going towards the desk.
"Today we start with creatures of this world, many would seem common to you but some might need more attention to be paid." The zebra said adjusting her robe as the cage started to move startling the students.
"It isn't something dangerous in there I hope?" Justin asked.
"No danger, only annoying." Zecora called removing the cover to show the content of the cage whom Twilight recognized, for her it was no surprise to see 4 parasprites, she only knows very well how annoying those things are and how much trouble they could do in large numbers.
"Equis multi color flies?" Seamus said unimpressed.
"A change in the naming you must do the real name for them is parasprites. Innocent they look to be a pet but when multiply they become a pest." Zecora said.
"Local knowledge is known that tales of vanished crops and harvests consumed. Even one let loose and you are doomed. The lesson for today is to show you what they do and you demonstrate how you deal with them cakes and apples on the table here now and wands up." She ordered as the students complied as each place something they took from the great hall before going back to their seats to have their wands ready, in the next moment Zecora opened the cage for the parasprites to fly out and in just in seconds the food on the table was eaten quickly by them in mere seconds.
"Blimey they are like locusts." Ron commented.
"Continue to observe." Zecora ordered as the parasprites started to separately fly around the room playing around the students, on their tables and on their books some nuzzling the hands of the students or wanting to nuzzle their faces, play with their hair or their robes, parchment and quills and so on, in a sense they looked cute and much less trouble then Cornish Pixies but they were annoying even in small numbers and the annoyance was growing as more were popping up.
"Those aren't dangerous at all." Hannah asked.
"Yeah, but they are annoying as flies." Draco commented whooshing one before one spit something and out came another parasprite and the number grew to 12 in a few minutes.
"This is grows." Parvati commented feeling like she lost her appetite completely for lunch.
"Worst is when they multiply unchecked. Like I said they look like to be pets, but too many and they become pests." Zecora said.
"Professor, today's lesson is to literally catch them?" Padma asked.
"Five points to Ravenclaw for giving the answer. Today's lesson is you to think of spells and charms to stop and round them up. No killing or torture curse however are to be used." Zecora declared as each student now were trying to use one or two spells.
"Immobulus." Hermione casted a spell to immobilize 2 of them.
"Glacious!" Draco casted on the ones on his desk, freezing two who were eating a muffin.
"Hey you." Ron called as he lured one with an apple.
"Petrificus Totalus." He said petrifying the creature.
"Aresto Momentum." Harry conjured and stopped one in midair before catching them and so on till each student use a spell or two to catch them and get them back in the cage Goyle and Bulstoad even used the imperious curse when no one noticed. It was true the exercise was a bit harder than expected because they multiply fast but in the end all were caught, after making some spells to check for any strays left around the hour was nearly finished but with a cage where the initial 4 turned into more than 27 occupants. Of course one can't deny this lessons wasn't messy when they multiply fast.
"There is no way I will let those things around my house." Daphne commented.
"They are nice looking but it is only a façade. They are a nightmare probably when they are a swarm." Susan said.
"Well done, this was I have to declare a test for me to see what you would use against them. The different spells and methods you used are good however there is one weakness that is to know about them." Zecora declared moving near a gramophone and started to play parade music and the creatures started to dance around.
"They like music?" Lavander asked.
"Oh I know the music tames the beast, in this case they could be allured with it." Hermione said.
"Indeed Miss Granger some say that only having a trombone and it is enough to get rid of them by luring them away to where they belong." Zecora said.
"I rather prefer to use spells especially on those." Draco said.
"Each way is a good way if it works but even unconventional one could say non-magical methods could do." Zecora said as the bell rang.
"Class dismissed next time we will talk about other creatures from around." She said as the students started to leave.
"Well another interesting lessons one could say, at least those parasprites weren't like Cornish Pixies from our second year when released at first." Ron said.
"What happened during that lesson?" Twilight asked.
"In our second year Lockheart had their first lesson with Cornish Pixies and the problem was she let them loose and made a mess around everything. It was unpleasant." Hermione said.
"Hermione fancied Lockheart despite that he was a fraud." Harry said.
"How unfortunate." Twilight said before she remembered something.
"By the way Harry I wish to ask you how are the quidditch training?"
"The next one will be this Saturday are you interested in the next match? The next one will be Raveclaw against Hufflepuff."
"I am more interested in the training for the match during the exchange program I believe one should not be unprepared." Twilight said.
"You think that they will have well trained teams?" Ron asked.
"Well just think if local Pegasus came by and they are intelligent like us I am sure they had trained to try to beat the teams at Hogwarts."
"Don't you think you are too worried, I am sure we can take them out." Ron said.
"Don't overlook the possibility Ron, besides Twilight is surely right in this situation when they saw our first match they surely had trained and who knows maybe they had watched the training of every team so far. It could be possible especially that one can't see them when hidden in the clouds." Hermione said.
"Can't argue with this logic now, main question is if they had trained hard up until now and if they had spied on every team, we can't overlook this now." Harry said.
"I am more thinking about unpleasant surprises that might come from them rather than how the match would proceed." Ron said.
"At the moment Ron let's focus on passing the midterms if we get high scores we will not have to take the main ones." Harry said as they went for their next lesson.
The month had literally passed without much trouble at Hogwarts, Twilight, Hermione and Harry were among the ones who had studied the hardest for the midterm exams that came and they passed with high scores the ones at Charms, DADA, Transfigurations and Care for Magical Creatures. For Harry he was lucky that he will have potions midterms after the winter holydays. By all accounts even Ron had done very well alongside others in their year meaning that they had escaped the main NEWT's that comes at the end of the year. The thing they had to declare was that everything went well; the only thing to take now into account after the end of November and the beginning of December after passing the exams they had to now focus on the literal exchange program, which for Twilight was looking forwards to she had to try for a bit to restrain her enthusiasm.
The first thing that they had to make was preparing for the quidditch match that was coming and each team from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin had to in one weekend before the official match practice one at the time at the pitch and Madam Hooch had to supervise all of them and announce when the next team would follow. They of course had to take in consideration that the weather was affirming itself since by all accounts, cold and snow (whom in the wizard/human areas let it come alone and natural) was beginning to fall, leaving a white blanket on the ground. And with it came the time for the match nearly every member of each team was starting to talk about it, teams from all houses were speaking about this and also saying their views with the others.
"I really am still thinking about how we will do against their teams."
"They will surely not use brooms they have wings. This will be a down size for us."
"They can't have managed to train like we did till now, unless they were told in advance or they spied on us."
Harry in most part was trying his best to keep the Gryffindor team up alongside the other captains in their respective teams, something that will boost moral however is the news that they will be accompanied by a group of at least 5 to 10 supporters who were among the students who have signed up for the exchange program from each house. However there was also the side task that had to be assessed and that was the situation with the garrison. He alongside Ron, Hermione and other members of the DA had tasked Colin and Dennis to make another assessment; they were joined now by others like Justin Finch Fletchley from Hufflepuff and another muggle born from Ravenclaw they were also helped by Seamus and Dean Thomas and to a surprise they find out that a fourth year slytherin who kept the fact that he was muggle born a secret.
"Well officially we can't say the situation is better, but it could have been worst if we haven't done anything so far." Colin said.
"Are there still any risks about those tensions still?" Harry asked.
"The good news is the new regulations are working and somehow some of the tensions had subsided and the fact that there are no new ones coming around to bolster security is a good sign. However TB-6 is still doing some things independently without consultation from the other 2 and from the faculty." Dennis said.
"Which still could be a problem there if you ask me, who knows what could happen later if he keeps doing things like that." Justin said.
"I wrote to my dad to ask about situations like this and according to him mistreatment of soldiers in the army could result in mutiny, which is of course the case with organic soldiers in muggle militaries." Seamus said.
"That maybe but the fact that we neglected giving them memory wipes I wouldn't rule this event out." Ron said.
"Their programming does not include hurting people." Dennis said.
"You never know that, besides don't we have the case with Burny?" Ron asked remembering the now troublesome veteran droid who had his circuits fried during the battle last year, he was literally engulfed in flames and he still has scorch marks all over. The main problem however was the fact that some of his circuits were damaged and has the tendency of holding grudges when some student from any house could cross him. He is literally sabotaging their meals when offended with some joke or another, just yesterday Ravenclaw had a live chicken let loose at their table and it was also another case with Hufflepuff when they had received a live rabbit alongside a literal living badger that started to run loose on the table and around the hall.
"That is the only one of the veterans I wish to be rid off." Justin said.
"At least we got some good news that there weren't any troublesome incidents. Well at least for the moment that is." Dean Thomas commented.
"Yeah for the situation among the robot garrison, problem will be native incidents now." Harry said.
"The worst case of all now is for the new ones to provoke them; hopefully it will not be the case especially during the program and starting with the match tomorrow." Seamus said.
"That will be something that we can't afford now." Hermione said.
"I still wonder how we are going to get there and back quick as was the agreement declared." Ron said.
"Surely in the way our teachers returned from the meeting a month ago." Harry said.
"I saw how, it seemed quite fine, although I wouldn't rule out hiccups in this regard, those coming from the one who makes the portals." Justin said.
"I know that and I saw the creature from what we heard he is some spirit of chaos and would try to cause troubles for us. Question is what kind of trouble he would make." Ron said.
"I don't think I want to know what twisted prank he would do." Harry explained.
"For me if he ever meets Fred and George I am sure they will get along great. Trouble is however they will also make more troubles and chaos too."
"Anyways I believe that we should take some precautions, from what I know each supporter of each team is now allowed in the potion's class to make antidotes and healing potions just in case someone has some hidden agenda. Maybe you should also go and prepare some, Tracy Davis and Daphne Greengrass had already started to make some." Hermione said.
"Already I have to practice potions for the midterm NEWTS anyways." Harry said as they went towards the potion's class in the dungeons where they found Twilight at her cauldron making a healing potion. Aside from her there were only 2 slytherin girls, Tracy Davis and Daphne Greengrass.
"Hey Twilight, preparing the potions we might need if accidents happen?" Seamus asked of course all in their year know that Twilight was among the ones who were very good in potions one could say to Snape's frustration sometimes.
"Let's just say I am doing this mainly out of the passion of learning." Twilight said.
"Look who talks, you made at least 7 different potions already, aside from the ones for healing. And you nearly used all the bottles you had so far." Tracy commented.
"Really?" Ron asked before noticing the vials that were on the table, it was either healing potions, antidotes for poisons both common and uncommon and so forth not to mention an Edurus potion.
"Still saved some times. At least we have a sufficient enough supply for all possibilities tomorrow for all the teams and for the day after tomorrow." Tracy said.
"Wow with your effort we wouldn't have to worry now." Dean Thomas said.
"Don't be negligent now we must do some potions at least to exercises for our midterms." Hermione said.
"Agreed on that." Harry said before turning to the slytherin students. "Where is professor Snape by the way?"
"In his own office, making a potion he believes he might need in those two days." Daphne said finishing her wiggenwell potion and then filling her vial.
"What kind of potion is Professor Snape doing?" Hermione asked.
"Didn't said, but it is one that takes nearly a month to make, it must have been finished by now probably." Tracy said.
"Wonder what kind it is?" Ron said.
"Let's work on our potions first for now." Hermione said.
"Hey, Harry if you want I can help you with it." Twilight said.
"I would really appreciate that Twilight." Harry said with a smile as the group started to do their potions for the day. And during that time Twilight had helped Harry with his potion making, by all accounts Harry had improved himself during the years and that was also thanks to Professor Slughorn last year but also thanks to the potion's club that was created, in most cases he really did improved. Twilight however gave him some advice and proposed him to take as many notes on every different potions he had made so far. The time he spent with her really was having a good effect on him and on her. Near dinner they had created enough potions they needed both for the future days and the midterm exams. Of course Professor Snape had eventually come after at least an hour to inspect the potions and also supervise the rest they were making. It was a bit stressing but they had managed to pull everything off till near dinner time.
"For some of you it is I admit a good improvement I hope you will pass the midterms well, if not we shall meet at the NEWT's." Snape said as the students left but not knowing that his suspicious gaze was on Twilight as they left.
"I don't want to imagine how the equestrians will fare when Snape will teach them potions when the education part will come." Ron said.
"I wonder however how their potion's teacher is compared to Professor Snape." Harry said.
"I am sure we will enjoy there." Twilight said.
"Besides, we will surely enjoy this program." Hermione said.
"Really wonder however if there will be thick heads among them too." Ron said as they went towards the great hall and then to the tower.
In the meantime
"This is troubling now, their match is tomorrow. And we do nothing?" Cruel Deed commented to Mislead.
"Keep calm there, I told you how I instructed Smooth Talk and Snake Tongue to do, haven't I?"
"Yes during their visit but not in the regard to this 'Quidditch' game, what do you intend to do?"
"Nothing simpler, I will be there among the crowd near where the balls will be. Besides you had told me about the bludgers, those balls that are nearly like cannon balls and is supposed to kick the players off the broom." Mislead said.
"Where do you want to go with this?"
"Well, making them a bit more deadly so that could cause injures it could make some things." Mislead with a smirk tracking the Pegasus attention.
"So you want to say that we could rig the balls so the players could be injured?"
"Now you got this but it will be their players, small trouble with them could stop the rest of the program making some of them wearier of coming the next day. And this includes the ponies too."
"Do you think this could work?"
"Well let's just say this is plan A, the instructions I gave the others as well as you some time ago are the contingency plans. You do remember what must be done during their courses in the exchange program do you."
"Of course I do."
"Wonderful, then you can also join me, you might have a big resentment for them but I wouldn't pass an opportunity to watch some odd wizard sports of the humans." Mislead said.
The next day
Hogwarts was bustling again with activity, of course the quidditch teams had to go to the pitch to get their gear and brooms up, they were of course accompanied by the others who will be their supporters for this match. What is to know is the fact that there was a degree of nervousness among both players and supporters as Madam Hooch alongside Snape, McGonagall, Sprout, Dumbledore and Flitwik were in the now snow covered field. The one who will fill in for Dumbledore for the day was professor Burgbage. There is no way he will let anything bad happen to his students.
"I don't know if I should be excited or fearful of how to get there or what to expect when we get there." Ron said.
"Not the only one." Dean Thomas said.
"Try to keep cool heads." Harry said trying to calm them.
"Wonder sometimes if having ice 'needles' now will be beneficial here." Dean whispered.
"Are there other rumors regarding Harry now?" Ron asked.
"Aside from this and trying to be a night paladin I don't know."
"Try to not say anything now at this moment around him." Ron said.
"When is that creature coming anyways?" Asked Maya, the Ravenclaw Seeker looking at her watch.
"Try to keep yourself patient and please try that when we arrive there to behave, we can't allow ourselves to humiliate our school." McGonagall said before the 2 security chiefs and Zecora came on the pitch along several robots.
"Aah I see that the spirit of Chaos is late as it was supposed to be." The zebra said.
"I do believe that we should suspect something off from him." Snape said before Hannah noticed the emblem on a slytherin chaser moving around the robe.
"Hey what is happening with your crest?" She said tracking the attention of the seeker who noticed that the little serpent was moving around his robe before stopping back in its place.
"I believe it arrived." Dumbledore said before out from the towers of the pitch the draconiqus came out.
"Well, well hope every team is ready for the match." Discord said with a playful tone.
'Oh Discord.' Twilight said in her mind rolling her eyes.
"As I said never underestimate Discord the Spirit of Chaos, because who knows what the intents could be." Zecora said.
"I would advice in this case at least an escort of 8." Proposed a security droid.
"I don't think we have the time now." Discord said opening one portal to the pitch where the match will be held.
"This is where the teachers and the headmaster will be some of the best places, just across where the princesses are." Discord said before opening another in what were the changing rooms.
"Here is for the teams and their supporters." He said.
"This is where I will go, Potter with me, we carry the box with the balls." Said Madam Hooch as Harry went to take the crate where the quaffles, bludgers and golden snitch were. "All of you follow us in." Ordered Madam Hooch as all the teams went in the portal and of course with some droids going in too before the security chiefs turned to the draconiqus.
"One small warning, we will not approve of funny business." Declared one of the security chiefs.
"I wouldn't dream of that, besides if you want to make sure of that, I shall let you know they will return here at the pitch." Discord said before closing the portal.
"We have to keep our eyes on him, I am sure he is not too trusting." Said the other security chief.
At the match
"Wow, this is wicked." Ron commented seeing the number of spectators, everything was literally full of spectators from ponies, dragons, hippogriffs as well as changelings and griffins.
"I really wonder why they gathered so much." Hermione said.
"From what I heard this event was organized at the initiative of one of the princesses." Padma said.
"Something still seems off." Hermione started.
"Always suspicious are we?" Discord came startling her with a Sherlock Holmes hat and magnifying glass.
"It is true that one of the princesses had initiated this, the title of princess of Friendship should mean something." Discord said.
"Well if Royals are watching we really have to do our best." Dean Thomas said with a bit of nervousness.
"Never in history did you play quidditch before a princess or a queen?" Twilight asked.
"Never our teams." Ernie said.
"I really wonder who is the princess of Friendship, do you think is the one in pink near that white unicorn?" Colin asked pointing as he watched through his binoculars.
"I see the celestial sisters there but I believe the one who is near them is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza the sovereign of the Crystal Empire, Professor Zecora told us about her during our lesson regarding the local leaders and sovereigns." Hermione said.
"Great deduction say what some would want your really are bright." Discord said somehow making her suspicious.
"Hey Potter maybe you will meet your patron after the match." Said a member from the slytherin team while Harry only looked, and it was true he recognized Princess Luna in the royal box and from what he could tell her gaze went towards him directly and somehow it felt like she was keen seeing him closer and wants to say good luck.
"Let's wait for the message." Twilight called before Princess Celestia came up front as Spike started to make the announcement via microphone.
"Welcome to the first Quiditch Match of Equestria, this game is played by the wizard humans who came especially as part for this program of activity starting from today. The match shall be played by the teams of the Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the houses are Gryffindor." Spike declared as the red and golden flag of Gryffindor with the Lion was unveiled "Slytherin" the flag of green and silver with the Serpent was unveiled "Hufflepuff" the black and yellow colors and the badger was unveiled "and Ravenclaw" the flag of silver and blue with the eagle was unveiled on one side. "Those teams shall play against the teams created for this event, the teams that will compete with each one of them will be the Pegasus of the Royal Guard." He announced as the Pegasus of the royal guards came "the Wonderbolts themselves." The wonderbolts where Rainbow Dash was playing as seeker came with capes for this event with their symbols "Alongside the cadets." A group of young cadets appeared "and last but not least the team of the school of Friendship." Spike announced as Gallus, Silverstream and Smolder came with their own capes bearing the colors and symbols of the school alongside others to supplement.
"And here comes her Royal Highness Princess Celestia." Spike declared going to a corner as the sovereign came in her usual regal attire.
"Welcome my loyal subjects and friends. Today we will witness a new Game that I hope will catch on and mark a new chapter in establishing new friendships. The scoring of this game shall be the following: the red ball known as the quaffle when passed through one of the 3 hoops at the end of each side of the pitch will represent 10 points for the team who marks the goal. Catching the small ball known as the Golden Snitch will not only gain one 150 points but will also finish a game. Do not worry about falling since the pitch was enchanted so that one will land safely. Also so that every team will have a go it will be with a time limit of 3 and a half hours, with a special final match at the end. I shall give back to Spike to announce the rest." She said as the dragon came back.
"The first teams that will compete shall be." Spike called before looking for an envelope while the board was showing the teams "The Friendship Team playing against….." The other board came with the crest of "Hufflepuff." Spike called as Hufflepuff went in while the Friendship team came at the center, Gallus who was the captain came before the Hufflepuff captain and shook hands/claws in respect before Hufflepuff mounted on their brooms while the other team flapped their wings to fly up in the air while madam Hooch came in the center with the box to open it.
"Alright everyone they expects a fair game so give them a fair game." She called before she let go of the bludgers and the Snitch up in the air and then throwing the quaffle to announce the start of the game.
"And they are off, the Hufflpuff chaser has the quaffle for now he is approaching the loops, he throws but, auch he is hit by a bludger and is disorientated, Smolder takes it and passes it to Silverstream, he is going for the other's loop. Their keeper is trying to intervene but Silverstream doges and scores the first 10 points." Spike narrated.
The game went on for an hour and it seems that the team from the school of friendship had scored 3 goals in total before the Hufflepuff's team experience was starting to assert itself it seemed that the team had wanted to literally let them have a taste before starting seriously and they had started to catch up by scoring 12 goals, the keeper a girl named Tara was actually a very skilled one. However the team was in luck due to the fact that the Golden Snitch had literally came before him and was now moving towards it, the other seeker had also got wind of it and was moving towards it. Gallus was however not going to lose his first game and so he persevere as fast as he could with all his strength and he eventually pushed hard the other seeker away as he went after the little ball, with his final strength he literally jumped himself towards it till
ZDRANG
He crashed to the ground before trying to get back on his feet; of course he felt something in his mouth before everyone from the Hufflepuff to his own team went to him.
"Gallus are you alright?" Smolder asked before the griffon started coughing and spitting out the golden snitch in his talon.
"Gallus, you did it." The dragon said before the griffon showed to the crowd.
"Gallus got the snitch, the score is 140 to Hufflepuff against the now 180 for team Friendship, second team wins this round."
"Hey nice one for first timers." Said the Hufflepuff captain.
"You aren't mad that we beat you?"
"Hufflepuff's aren't with confrontation or holding grudges, you won fare and square." He said as he held up his hand and Gallus accepted it.
"You had proven still to be more experience, despite that good game." Gallus said with a smile.
"Now the next team." Spike called as the board started to before the crest of the teams came.
"Slytherin against the Pegasus of the Royal Guards." He announced.
"Ooh this is something I want to see now." Ron said with interest.
"Good luck there." Tracy said to their team as they mounted their brooms of course the captain had already a strategy.
"How are we going to proceed?" Asked Jack a slytherin chaser.
"Here is what we will do, we will make sure we give them a hard game, we will not be like the hufflepuffs we shall break a few bones if we have to." Said their captain before the royal guard team came before them, shaking their hand/hoof before they started.
"Slytherin has the quaffle." Spike announced as the slytherin had the ball and was going towards the loops scoring a goal.
"Our team will not give them a nice time, believe me." Tracy said.
"I don't doubt that." Harry said as they were watching waiting for their turn.
"Ooh Syltherin had marked another goal very cunningly I would add, it proves this team has lots of tricks in them." Spike announced.
The tribunes
"Those serpents." Shining Armor muttered not too pleased in how they play, he admits they do things tactically but also dirty.
"I admit that they do have cunning and inventiveness, one has to agree the serpent fits their as their house symbol." Cadence said as she watched.
"Hope the Gryffindors will come soon enough." He commented while on the other side where the heads of the houses and the headmaster were watching in satisfaction.
"For some who barely discovered the game they are doing quite well." Professor Sprout said.
"It is however off how this could be unless they watched us." Snape said with suspicion.
"I do have to agree with Severus on this. The main question is however why did they have to make an event like this so public with so many spectators I can already tell many of them are not teachers and students. I do admit that even at our pitch they come from New Hogsmead and the other places from around, and yet having Royals who are said to be also magical deities and the most powerful magic users here is giving some thoughts." McGonagall said before she turned to Dumbledore who was also thoughtful.
"Those remarks are well founded, we need to be careful and attentive in this situation, besides you heard what princess Cadenza said regarding a group which is making troubles around due to misinformation they spread about us. They hope those events that will be hold will clarify things." Dumbledore said.
"I wonder if that would be the case and if that would be the result." Professor Flitwick said very thoughtful.
"I believe we can expect many things to be off at this moment on this planet." Snape said as he was looking, in an hour the situation was in essence pretty balanced since the score was quite tight. The score with the royal guards was 140 and slytherins were at 90. By all accounts things were going normally, with the exception that slytherins sometimes had managed get the blugers into the players and at least two had managed to be drop to the ground. Then at the next moment Draco noticed the golden snitch and went after it, the slytherin beaters immediately saw this aspect and prepared themselves to counter the other team's seeker. And of course the royal guard seeker noticed that he was going after the snitch and went immediately after it. However he couldn't go too far since a bludger was thrown at him that immediately threw him backwards while Draco was going as close he could towards the golden snitch but he didn't managed to come closer, so he with a jump upfront and…
"YEAH!" Draco called as he managed to catch it and to show it.
"Slytherin caught the snitch, Slytherin win!" Spike declared as the score was declared with slytherin at 240 against the royal guards to 170(due to the goals during the chase). "Slytherin I have to say do deserve the principals of cunning and resourcefulness with this win."
"That's not fair." Shining Armor said angry but he couldn't do anything now the game was won by them.
"YEAH THAT IS RIGHT WE DID IT!" Called the captain ecstatic this wasn't quite very good seen, not even by Draco. The captain of the team a white Pegasus came along the rest of the team in the center.
"Good game serpents." He said with a bit of bitterness.
"Not too bad yourselves you were ahead of us, but the noble house of Slytherin has a reputation to keep." The captain said.
"We saw." Said another Pegasus although he doubt this is keeping the reputation of the house intact by how the captain acted, each team landed on the pitch after shaking their hands/hoofs they went to their own team's place, one aspect to know was the fact that both were tired, the slytherin captain was still however noisy with this achievement to the annoyance of others around.
"Who beat the guards, we beat the guards."
"Alright we don't need you to make a big fuss now; we don't know what else comes." Daphne said trying to calm him, of course the ice queen of slytherin say what you want she is always keeping herself a level head.
"Ooh, give it a break Greengrass." Commented Pansy.
"And it's purely stupid to make a show now." Twilight said, in a sense she was more upset that her brother didn't have the wish he hoped, although the royal guards did showed they could be very good they were for Celestia's sake, ahead with several goals.
"Nearly wished they would have lost." Ron whispered to Harry, by all accounts they knew of the new captain and to be honest with the change of heart Draco has he would be a somehow a better captain for Quidditch somehow.
"Now who will follow? Us probably." Seamus asked.
"I don't think so." Twilight said.
"Now the next teams." Spike announced before the screen started and showed the new symbols.
"Ravenclaw against the Wonderbolt cadets."
"Good luck there." Padma said as the ravenclaw team went to the pitch.
"Well the training is really paying off." Thunderlane said from the other side of the pitch.
"Too bad we had to use supplies that had been literally stolen from their shops." Silver Zoom said.
"It wasn't us who did it besides High Winds went to compensate them by giving several gemstones as payment for the equipment." Fleetfoot said.
"Anyways we should be more focused when we have to go with the Gryffindors." Rainbow Dash said.
"Still I believe we wouldn't have needed a forth team, seriously Hufflepuff was easy to beat, well they might have a very good keeper at the loops but still." Silver Zoom commented.
"We have to respect the arrangement besides Hufflepuff are the warm up for the others. All the teams that had been trained so far had to be placed according to the abilities they have." Spitfire said.
"Yeah after watching the training sessions of each team from the clouds as well as watching the last match they had before this one. This time it was really spying." Surprise commented.
"Well if we haven't known about this game before we had to watch them. Besides we can't allow Mislead to make trouble now, although I wouldn't rule out trying after the scene with the Slytherin Captain." Rainbow Dash said.
"You might not believe this but Mislead is watching in the tribunes concealed among the other spectators." High Winds said as he came in startling the Pegasus.
"H-he is here?!" Rainbow Dash asked shocked.
"I saw him, Cruel Deed or the others are not with him however but I do believe that he has something up his sleeve."
"I wonder what, I wouldn't rule out the thought of rigging one of the bludgers or both of them to attack the players more violently so to break their bones worst then the slytherins." Thunderlane said.
"Well it is still worrisome but we can't concentrate on watching him at this moment we have to focus on the match." Spitfire said as she went to watch their team playing against Ravenclaw and it was obvious that they were even better then Huffleupff the match barely started that they scored already 50 goals against 20 for their cadets and Ravenclaw was only getting better, their chasers were very good while the cadet beaters were very zealot in countering them. After some time the cadets had gained the upper hand due to the fact that their seeker whom Rainbow Dash thought was second in speed to her seems to have seen the golden snitch and was now trying to go after it. The ravenclaw seeker was also going after it and it seems to be about to go after it, however a bludger was sent from them towards their seeker who had to break contact. Another bludger however hit the other seeker and fell down in that moment Rainbow Dash jumped in, (all in all been part of the Wonderbolts the senior ones were allowed to come in to take their place) had managed to get the golden snitch in her mouth before a crowd of admirers.
"The wonderbolt seeker caught the snitch, the numbers are 160 points Ravenclaw to now 180 for the Cadets. The Cadets win, despite losing the house of the eagle had managed to gain a very high score they do deserve to be among the fliers." Spike announced.
"Nice flight never imagined someone without wings will fly this good." Said Soarin the captain of the Cadets.
"Well we are Ravenclaw, our crest should mean something."
"By facing us I believe you got your wings fully." Soarin said shaking hand/hoof as captains have to do at the beginning and the end.
"Well our timing is very good the match didn't took many hours as expected, we are considering a 20 minute break, stay tune to what will come next." Spike announced as the Ravenclaws went back at the rooms where the teams were alongside their supporters who had their own stand and their robots who went to help madam Hooch.
"So far so good one has to say." Hannah said although very thoughtful.
"So far so good? They surely watched our training; it is too obvious each team was created to compete." Said Blaze Zabini.
"Can't argue with that, it is too obvious now." Padma said.
"What do we do in this case?" Ginny asked.
"We have to be very careful."
"I believe you will have some troubles there Potter, you saw their seeker? She is fast as hell." Draco said.
"I hate to admit it but he is right Harry, with them having a seeker like her who leaves a rainbow trail behind it is very troubling." Dean Thomas said.
"Well I can't say we will be able to win but, maybe if we ensure we get as many goals as we can, we might have a chance. We have to think of a strategy." Harry said as Tracy and Daphne went out from the dressing room only to find to their right a stand with apple products sold by an earth pony, it was literally Applejack the one who was selling them.
"Come and get your apple treats." She called as the two slytherin girls went to her.
"Good day are you selling?" Tracy asked.
"Sure do what I can do for you. You are surely with the teams from what I know." Applejack said noticing the emblem of Slytherin house.
"First can we try one of the apple tarts?" Asked Tracy.
"Of course, the guest teams are allowed to take some for free." She said as Tracy and Daphne took a tart each and tried.
"Hmm, those are fantastic." Tracy said.
"It is really a difference from the honey cakes we had for desserts back at Hogwarts." Daphne said.
"You only have honey based sweets at your school?" Applejack asked.
"Didn't had so much before, problem is we got once a transport by train of beehives which were full and we have an excess of honey now. We had too much honey for a time." Daphne said.
"Didn't you sell some of it?"
"We tried, many aren't interested I got a jar with me right now." Tracy said pulling out a honey jar.
"You can give that to me and I will give some of those. My sister-in-law and other ponies I know would try some recipes with honey." Applejack said.
"Thank you." Tracy and Daphne said giving their jars as the pony placed a plate full with apple cakes for their team.
"Call the others I can give it to them too."
"Thanks you." Daphne said before a thought came to mind.
"By the way, as a matter of interest, who are the Wonderbolts we know they are made up of Pegasus ponies and are acrobats but what do they do?"
"They fly mostly in formation, many ponies like them I am not that much a fan to be honest actually. But why do you need to ask?"
"Just out of curiosity, wait here we will call the others." Daphne said as they went back to the dressing room.
"Hey guys get a load of this." Daphne called.
"From where do you have those and how did you get those?" Asked Dean Thomas.
"You can buy some yourself, an orange earth pony was selling those, you can give some things we had in excess, of course we didn't asked if they accept galleons or silver sickles." Tracy said.
"We are going there right now." Seamus said.
"By the way Gryffindors if you are interested in knowing against whom you are playing with it is a bunch of acrobats who usually fly in formation."
"From where did you have this information?" Twilight asked.
"Let's just say that ponies have the tendency of been naïve. We asked the one who was selling those and she told us." Daphne said.
"Well somehow we got some knowledge now but not much to go with." Ron said.
"But we still know that their seeker is fast as hell, it will really be difficult." Dean Thomas said.
"We have to do our best. The chasers must try to score as many goals as possible while I search for the golden snitch." Harry said.
"What adventure we have." Dean commented rolling his eyes there is one aspect to declare, it will be rough to score so many goals especially if they compete against the best fliers around this kingdom and if they also watched their training it will be arduous.
"Let's be glad it isn't Death Eaters we have to deal with now." Ginny said trying to give more confidence in them before the announcement came.
"And now it is time for the fourth round, it shall be one and only Wonderbolts." Spike called as the Pegasus came out in their formation in a dramatic way. "They shall compete against the fourth team of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Gryffindor!"
"That's our cue." Ginny said as the team went out in the field holding their brooms tight.
In the meantime
"Can't wait for Gryffindor to play." Said a droid.
"Me too." Said his colleagues who were guarding the entrance to room where the balls were kept.
BOOM
"What was that?" Asked the first one turning to where he heard it.
"Go and check out." He said his colleague as he left, not too long after a snowball hit him in the head.
"Urgh, what-" Another one came from the opposite direction.
"Alright you ask for it." He declared as he left to check not knowing that 2 ponies now sneaked in.
"Well time to spice things up." Mislead said as he casted a power up spell, he didn't had to guess what bludgers are.
"This should juice things up now for the lions." Said the unicorn with a devious smile as he placed an over powering spell on the bludgers.
"This will surely cause some unpleasant things to those players. But do you think it will be enough, especially after the fact that the ponies especially the Pegasus really like this game." Cruel Deed said hating to admit that he also enjoys it.
"It shall, you don't need to worry now we need to leave." Mislead said before looking out in the field seeing that the players were coming while Madam Hooch sent 2 robots and 3 students after the box and were coming towards them.
"Are the guards who were here coming?"
"They are coming for the box."
"Time to leave." He ordered as the 2 ponies left the room before their guards came back and before Madam Hooch and the students came.
"Time for the final match." Madam Hooch said.
"Can't believe we had been fooled." Commented a droid.
"What happened?" Madam Hooch asked.
"We believe someone placed a trick on us, we heard a boom from somewhere and I went to check out and found nothing."
"I was attacked with snowballs and went to see who is doing this and found no one." He said as Madam Hooch looked at the other 2.
"You others have seen something entering?" She asked.
"Negative madam Hooch." Said the other droids.
"We don't have time for this anyways take the box we have to prepare for the fourth round."
"By the way madam Hooch, how many rounds to this match there is?" Asked Colin.
"There is a fifth round from what I know whom from what I know Princess Mi Amore Cadenza would announce." Said the teacher as the droids and students took up the box as they went in the center of the pitch. The teams were there already facing one another, after shaking hands/hoofs they went up in the air waiting for the game to start again.
"Prepare for the match." Madam Hooch said looking at each team before the droids let the bludgers up while Madam Hooch threw the quaffle up the first one who had caught it was Dean Thomas.
"Gryffindor has the quaffle." Spike said starting to narrate the match, the first two goals were delivered by Gryffindor before the Wonderbolts started to score their own, however Gryffindor was doing its best to score as many goals as possible and was noticed by the Wonderbolts who were now doing their best to score goals.
"Boy they are good." Thunderlane said.
"Not so much good as they trying to get as many points as possible." Rainbow Dash said while looking at the score, so far Gryffindor was at 110 to them at 50.
"They are afraid I will get the golden snitch."
"It was surely obvious when you went in to replace Swift Winds." Surprise said.
"Well it was either that or they would have lost."
"It wouldn't have mattered if Ravenclaw would have won."
"No time for this now, try to get the snitch." Fleetfoot said.
"It's harder than you think it is." Rainbow Dash commented as she was searching for it, by all accounts she really did wonder how one could catch a ball this small that flies so fast. For her it was however a good exercise for her speed, of course the Gryffindor team was indeed doing a good job in scoring as many goals as they can while Harry was looking for the snitch and for one moment he thought he had seen it as he went after it, Rainbow Dash of course noticed that he had probably seen it as she went behind him. In the meantime the Gryffindor beaters had get a bludger against a chaser who had the quaffle while their own chaser took it to mark another goal.
"I can't deny that this game is really rough but it is indeed exciting." Celestia said as she looked with interest.
"Indeed, what is the most exciting of the teams is this one to be honest." Luna said as she watched the Gryffindor team members especially their captain who was searching for the snitch.
"I do believe that this game is more about skill of flying and to be honest for some who are not naturally having the ability to fly some of them do have a lot of skill." Luna said.
"Gryffindor really is taking precaution in case they lose this round. It is a good tactic I have to say." Shining Armor said.
"This is not even the final round, the final round will be much more interesting, they will exhaust themselves." Cadence said.
"They don't know that the final round will mean the combination of all the teams into one, by taking players from all of them to fill specific roles. Really wonder how that will work out." Shining Armor said as he continued to watch before noticing the bludgers were somehow starting to go much faster than before one would say their behavior was becoming ecstatic as they went after the Gryffindor players.
"What the-" Ron asked as he avoided a bludger who was ready to hit him and went into a tribune making a hole before going back again.
"Oh God!" Dean Thomas shouted barely managing to avoid another one that went into the chaser of the opposite team getting him to the ground.
"What was that?" Ginny asked as Demelza dogged the bludger herself although it was close to been hit this of course tracked Harry's attention
"Guys we got a problem." Jimmy Peakes one of their beaters called as Harry raised his hand to call a small break, which was granted.
"What is going on?"
"Look." He presented his bat which was now broken. "The bludgers are overpowered; some spell must have been placed on them."
"What do we do then, do we request an inquiry?" Ron asked.
"Wish we had this luxury now, but we can't. It will not be honorable in their view." Harry said.
"So what do we do?" Dean Thomas said.
"Try to mark as many scores as you can, try to avoid hitting the other players we can't risk them have serious injuries so tragedies would happen.
"What if we lose then, now we have a good score?" Jimmy said.
"Like Harry said it will not be honorable especially in front of royals now." Ron said.
"Besides from what I know there is a fifth and final round, with some small details the princess of the Crystal Empire would declare. We will keep to the pace we do for now. Try your best to doge the bludgers." Harry said as the team acknowledged and resumed the game. Of course the Wonderbolts had also noticed the problem that was after they were trying to prevent bludgers from hitting them only when they had to not to mention the fact that at least two of their beater's clubs had also broke.
"Something had happen with those balls." Thunderlane said.
"Somepony must have spelled them, they are overpowered. It happened even to them to have their maces broken."
"Must have been Mislead." Spitfire said.
"We can't stop now we have to go on." Rainbow Dash said as they continued to play but did not managing to score other goals due to the effort of the Gryffindor chasers. After a time Rainbow Dash and Harry saw the snitch and they started to dive bomb towards it, creating a Sonic-Rainboom which nearly blinded Harry but was still moving towards the snitch as they went close to the ground however the Pegasus went into him and both crashed on the ground. This time they noticed a panting Rainbow Dash with the golden snitch in his mouth.
"A big Sonic Rainboom and Rainbow Dash caught the snitch. The score is Gryffindor at 210 and the Wonderbolts at 210. It is a draw!" Spike announced.
"A draw?" Ron asked.
"This didn't happen before." Dean said stunned.
"Nice game." Rainbow Dash said to Harry.
"Thanks, you too, didn't expect one to be this fast, although I did expect this would have happened." Harry said with a smile.
"Now dear spectators it is time for a special announcement to be made by their highnesses." Spike declared as she let Celestia and Cadence.
"I have to declare that this game had been indeed one of the most thrilling, each team that had played had shown their principals and talents. However, the final round shall be the one who will finalized it and, in this final round all teams shall merge, the best players shall form a single team, when one is down a member of the other teams shall take its place, based on the task of the players." Princess Celestia said before leaving Cadence to declare her announcement.
"The teams are merging?" Tracy asked.
"Wouldn't this cause issues?" Neville asked stunned by that news.
"It surely will." Said Draco before Princess Cadence came on the podium.
"As Princess of the Crystal Empire and as one of the organizers of the match the team who will be the best will go home with a special prize." Cadence said as two guards came with something covered with a purple cover. Removing the cover it revealed a cup made of pure white crystal with crystal markings on the margins and a place that is meant to place the coat of arms of the winning team. "A Crystal Cup where the coat of arms of the teams placed together, the final match shall take place after a 30 minutes break." She announced as all the spectators will be waiting with enthusiasm while the Gryffindor team went back to the other teams who now were thinking what to do now.
"What do we do now, merging the teams?" Neville asked.
"We never played as one; each team has its specifics." Said Maya.
"They surely are playing with us and I don't mean the game." Said the slytherin captain.
"So what can we do?" Ron asked before Twilight came with the answer.
"If we stay and think we can do next. Hufflepuff was mostly on the defensive on the first round they have the best keeper, Ravenclaw was always on the attack they have the fastest brooms and chasers, Slytherin has the most aggressive beaters and Gryffindor has you Harry despite not catching the snitch now you can try to catch it in the next round."
"It will be hard if their seeker is still there, you saw how fast it is." Harry said.
"Well you might have been able to do something in this regard." Greengrass said looking through her binoculars.
"What do you mean by that?" Ron asked.
"Their seeker seem to have been tired, this so called Sonic Rain boom as it is called must have taken a lot of stamina from her. Not to mention the fact that the crash was quite heavy against the ground so this is a plus if she pushes herself to play again."
"Right we only need to form the team but also to keep watch on them." Harry said.
"We can help with that." Justin called as he and Luna Lovegood and Seamus came.
"We had sneaked around using the disillusionment charm and managed to gather some information, according to them it seems that this move used by their seeker Rainbow Dash is indeed exhausting and from what we found out it seems they already had some of the teams ready. The keeper is from the Friendship team, the chasers are from the Wonderbolt cadets and the beaters are from Royal Guards while the seeker is from the Wonderbolts proper." Justin said.
"Twilight's proposal of the teams is the most viable, since they also did the same." Luna said.
"It's the only possibility we can still compete." Susan said.
"And the only way to win that cup." Draco said, by all accounts he knew everyone wanted to have that cup as the bell to announce the restart of the game came.
"That is our cue." Harry declared as they started to move in, but not before the slytherin captain whispered a command to his beaters who will play now. The now combined Hogwarts team was formed by Harry the Gryffindor seeker, the Hufflepuff keeper, the Slytherin beaters and the Ravenclaw chasers while the equestrian team was formed by Rainbow Dash from the Wonderbolts as the seeker, the chasers from the wonderbolt cadets, the beaters from the Royal Guard and the keeper from the friendship team. As the teams met each player shook hands/hoofs/claws before going into the air. Madam Hooch then threw the quaffle up for the game to begin.
"The Equestrian team has the quaffle they are going towards the loops, the chasers are ready to score, they throw-ooh the Hogwarts keeper stopped it, the chasers from Ravenclaw now have it." Spike narrated as the match was on but the keeper from the other team stopped it just in time.
"The equestrian team has the first 10 points." Spike declared, however the game continued and the Hogwarts team had managed to score after a time 3 goals. At the same time however 2 ponies were watching.
"Shouldn't that spell kick in already? They were overpowered when the Gryffindor was playing but not much." Cruel Deed asked.
"The spell needs time what was at first were the first stages." Mislead said as he watched.
"The one of the chasers have the quaffle, she is going for the loops-OOH- that must hurt." Spike called as a bludger literally threw the blue coated player off the broomstick but luckily she was stopped midair before reaching the ground been now levitated within an aura of magic going safely down, however the hit was way too big for her stay on her feet, the Ravenclaw supporters and 2 droids went to help the player.
"One of them is down, a new player is awaited." Spike declared.
"Go Dean, no time to wait." Ron said as Dean Thomas run and mounted up on his broom to go in the air.
"The replacement is one from Gryffindor." Spike announced as the match continued, Dean managing to score another goal while avoiding the bludgers.
"They seem worst now." Dean commented before Goyle went to direct the bludger towards one of the rival players, it hit one of their chasers probably breaking a bone literally. The match continued as Harry noticed that their seeker is indeed tired but it might not be this long. He has to find the snitch quickly.
"I should have taken the advice of the others I really should have taken a break." Rainbow Dash said.
"Goyle take that side, we will intercept their seeker before going for it." Said the second slytherin beater as Goyle complied going into position and waiting for the bludgers to come, one of them came and Goyle hit it hard to direct it towards Rainbow Dash but the problem is however…
TRONC
It was intercepted by one from the royal guards who had literally intercepted it with his body, the bludger hit him hard in his right shoulder.
"ARGH!" He said in pain as he fell down luckily he was caught or more rather landed on the broom of one of the chasers from Ravenclaw who had to get it down to the ground before been taken up by a medical team.
"Damn it." Golye commented, the match this time wasn't that smooth as before, the spell Mislead placed on the bludgers now kicked off and was going after the players.
TRONC
Another player from the Hogwarts team, the second chaser from Ravenclaw was down and was replaced by one from Slytherin.
TRONC
The second beater from Slythering was hit and thrown off the broom landing on the broom of Dean who now caught him by the neck
"Hey, you want to strangle me?!" He commented.
"No, trying to stay alive, down!" He called as Dean barely managed to avoid the bludger as he led him to the ground before been replaced by one from Ravenclaw.
"Come on where is the snitch." Harry said as he was looking for the snitch, luckily it came before him at last as he went after it he however was noticed by Rainbow Dash who dive bombed towards it, been near Harry now whom now he had to use his cunningness to distract her attention, and so he decided push her with his broom just when he noticed he was approaching a margin of wood forcing the Pegasus to pull up to avoid it.
"Cunning I have to say." Rainbow Dash said as she continued to go after him trying to now recover the advance she had been always behind him as she was trying to force herself towards the snitch.
"Not this time." Said Goyle as he saw a bludger coming and this time with one powerful hit that broke his bat he directed his bludger towards the Pegasus but went directly into a wooden support pillar from one of the stands making the cover of it to fall down towards the two competitors. Harry had noticed that and this time trying to catch the snitch he literally jumped towards it as the cover went down this time losing control of his broom, his idea made him to literally fall on the ground of the pitch and to roll 4 times before his face hit the ground.
"The Hogwarts seeker fell!" Spike announced as everyone was now looking to see what had happened as he was not moving. Harry heavily opening his eyes looked to his hand in his long red cape and noticed he caught the snitch by one of his wings, grabbing the main body of the gall fast to be in his grip with his heavy force now due to exhaustion he lifted his hand up.
"HE GOT THE SNITCH!" Spike called as everyone from ponies to creatures and wizards went ecstatic starting to clap their hands or their hooves.
"The score is 200 to 140 in this round. Now we will have the announcement from Princess Celestia herself." Spike announced before noticing a bludger going after the wizard.
"Rogue bludger!" Dean called before Harry jumped away from it before landing near him like a cannon ball and before going back again as he tried to hit him again but before something could happen an aura of energy engulfed it canceling all the magic in it forcing it to drop down like a simple ball. Harry noticed the one who did it, she had the main blue as the night sky, it was the night princess herself.
"I do believe this was not part of the game I apologies for this." Luna said.
"Let's just say I am used to something like this actually. Not the first time." Harry said as the rest of the wizards took the other bludger that was still berserk although with great difficulty as Colin was literally dragged by it.
"L-little help here." Colin called as Luna canceled the magic on the other managing to close it back in the box.
"Don't worry their magic is now dormant, it will reactivate after a day." Luna said while the other teams came out.
"Well the only thing we can say is you really played well. I guess you watched us before this match." Harry said.
"How else could we know more about this game, but hay everything was played fair, great game." Said Gallus.
"Rough but one can't deny it's awesome." Rainbow Dash said before turning to Harry.
"By the way, you own me a rematch some day."
"As you wish Rainbow Hair." Harry said as each captain shook hands/hooves before Princess Celestia and Cadence came in.
"And now without further, interruptions the final counting is next the teams of Equestria is 880 points and Hogwarts is 950. Hogwarts had won the game." Celestia declared as all started to cheer before Cadence came with the cup who now had the Hogwarts crest with all the houses and colors on it.
"I wish all the captains and teams who had won to come here." Cadence said as the captains and their teams came to make an official picture, the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams were standing straight while the Ravencalw and Hufflpuff were knelt near as the captains were standing straight holding their hands on the cup.
"I hereby present the crystal cup to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for their good conduct and fair play as well as presenting a great game." She declared with a smile to them and they returned the gesture. Things went well before a certain spirit of chaos came out from a Ravenclaw cape.
"Well, well this one was a great game isn't it?"
"How were you in my cape?" Maya asked.
"You will all learn my good friend, for now." Discord said as he snapped his fingers to bring their teachers near them.
"Well this form is quicker then apparitions I have to say." Professor Flitwick said.
"Not when it is done by him!" Snape pointed at the prank loving draconiquus.
"How I love when he is like that." He said before opening a portal to the hall of Hogwarts.
"This shall take you back to school, tomorrow we will have classes how I thrilling." Discord said as the supporters went first followed by the teams, the droid escort and the teachers before the portal was closed.
Back at Hogwarts
"A great addition to the trophy room." Zecora commented as the Crystal cup was placed on a place of honor. As in the halls there was a big sense of celebration among all the houses, truth be told ever student was expecting something off to happen and there was for some a degree of uncertainty. However when the ones send came back with a cup made of crystal and the teams and the supporters told them of everything including showing them pictures the atmosphere turned into one of pure celebration with the Hogwarts orchestra playing and nearly all going into dancing either in the great hall or the common rooms. And for the first time it seems like the old rivalries were fully forgotten to Twilight's delight.
"I believe there is more symbolism with the Crystal cup." Dumbledore asked the zebra teacher.
"Indeed, whoever wins something like this; in good grace of the Crystal Empire one will be blessed."
"It is a good aspect than, our teams really managed to overcome any prejudice and honored the school properly." Professor McGonagall said although there was a thought that was bothering them a bit.
"On this we can all be proud." Dumbledore said however some thought were still bothering him. "I shall go to my office to solve something, excuse me for now." He said as he was leaving while his students and some of the teachers were joining the celebrations, they of course couldn't celebrate for too long their victory due to tomorrow's program but they all intent to have the best time.
"This is sweet victory like honey with sugar." Commented Colin as he was eating a doughnut with jam.
"Don't say anything about honey now; I want a break from honey based stuff." Lavander said.
"Yet you have to agree this was the best quidditch game ever I will always cherish this." Ron said feeling great pride for been the first in his family to ever play quidditch before Royalty.
"I wonder still how will be tomorrow with their lessons." Hermione said.
"Take a break Hermione." Ron said before Twilight turning to Harry who was still quite.
"Hey Harry don't you enjoy the celebrations? It is our victory." Twilight asked.
"I am enjoying them Twilight. I was wondering how Wood would think of the team now."
"Who is Wood?"
"Oliver Wood was the quidditch captain of the Gryffindor team during our first to third year." Ron said.
"He introduced me to Quidditch I really wonder how he will be finding out that we competed before monarchs." Harry said.
"I believe he might be very proud about the team now." Twilight said.
"Proud on one side and shocked on the other, he surely never imagined our team will eventually have to literally play together with Slytherin. On that news he would faint for sure." Ron commented without bad intent even he was shocked by how the final round must be played.
"Those equestrians really have a way to bring some together." The red haired said with a laugh that died suddenly.
"One can't deny that." Seamus said.
"Potter!" Professor Snape called from behind Harry who turned to the potions master.
"The Headmaster would want you to go to his office, you can return to the celebrations later." He said and Harry not wanting to be confrontational or to provoke him node.
"Right away Professor." He said as he got on his feet to exit the great hall with Snape behind him.
"What do you think it is about?" Twilight asked.
"We will find out soon." Hermione said as they watched their friend exiting the hall.
The Headmaster's Office
"So it seems this program has more intentions then educational ones." Harry said after Dumbledore and McGonagall had relayed to him what they had been informed when the heads of the houses were discussing the program.
"Indeed and it was obvious after seeing how many people were watching, it was as if it was a regional if not a global quidditch match." McGonagall said.
"Not to mention the fact that the one who came up with this idea was absent, the task fall on the shoulders of ruler of the Crystal Empire. This could only mean one thing and that is internal problems." Snape said.
"Dean Thomas had informed me that bludgers seemed to have been rigged with some over powering spell when Gryffindor had played and during the last round." Harry said.
"That was surely the act of this group Princess Cadenza had warned about, their leader from what we believe is a unicorn who is mad to gain power but not through magical means, but through manipulation." Dumbledore said.
"Are those people really that dangerous?" Harry asked.
"If they managed to spread misinformation so far and wide that formed some groups to attack us, then yes, they must, otherwise they wouldn't have brought so many spectators." Snape said.
"So this program, what was today and what is tomorrow made by the princesses is to try to debunk those lies that had been spread." Harry said.
"This plan is made by the Princess of Friendship, however she out of anyone else should realize this plan could have hiccups." Said professor Snape.
"And I agree with Severus on this, with such people no matter if human or not, magical or not when it comes to those kind of things. They could do anything and it is problematic due to the politics that we face now, it is unfortunate to say that some in the ministry considered different measures and contingencies if any incidents happen." Dumbledore said.
"But there weren't incidents during the match sir, with the exception of the overpowered bludgers."
"And luckily the princess of the Night whom some gossip you are becoming her paladin had stopped them. So at least we know probably the royal family isn't having anything with what is happening." Snape said.
"So there could be incidents during the activities tomorrow."
"That is a pure certainty, however in our case it could be another." McGonagall said as the three initial security chiefs with the field commander came in.
"You summoned us Headmaster?" Asked YB-6 who seemed to now becoming tamer.
"Can you show us again the order you had received." Dumbledore asked politely as TG-20 unrolled a parchment.
By order of the Governors to the Garrison
Despite the good will of the activities that are to be done in the nearby lands we can't rule out incidents that could happen and because of this any kind of attack that could happen in any settlement must represent a possible incidents or attack to the group of students that will go on this program in those days. The garrison has in this case the duty to send at least a squad to a maximum of 15(to avoid much intimidation) in order to ensure the security, the said squad is not allowed to attack friendly locals. They enter in the category to be defended along with the students however if there is any provocation on them they have permission to respond.
Signed: the board of governors
"I believe the princess of Friendship is in a real tight spot now without realizing." Harry said.
"A tight spot that could become tighter, her well intentions could easily turn against her with such people now lurking in the shadow and poisoning their minds. If there is an insidious plot they plan I believe this activity could easily backfire." McGonagall said.
"What should I do then?" Harry asked.
"The head boys and girls from Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were already informed you as a prefect must inform yours." Snape said.
"And also Potter you alongside the other prefects, head boys and girls who will be there will have to watch out for devious activities. As shall we since we will question some of them." McGonagall said.
"Without disrespect but how could this be possible?"
"Severus brewed a full batch of Veritaserum to make sure possible agents of this group are found." Dumbledore said showing him 2 vials with the truth potion, you better give them to Miss Granger and Mister Weasely."
"Very well sir." Harry said taking the 2 vials. "What else should we do?"
"Only keep your eyes open for anything that might be suspicious. If we prevent incidents we can in one way or the other be of help to the ones who fight against this group, whoever it might be." Dumbledore said before gesturing that he was free to go. Exiting the office he went back towards the great hall, on the way he noticed Luna watching the statue of the Nightmare.
"Hey Luna." Harry said tracking her attention.
"Do you greet me or the Monarch of the night?" Luna said as the strange girl turned to him in a dreamy way.
"I thought I was the only one who was coming near this." Harry said looking at it although he now met some hours ago and saw how the true princess was, calculated but also calm and very kind, not at all ferocious or cruel. In a sense Harry, Luna might be among the ones who would come around this statue often, someone else like Padma the Head Girl of Ravenclaw it will surely not be the case.
"Misunderstandings can create monsters and tragedies and so is the feeling of jealousy of staying in the shadows. Her story is tragic one as is for me as well. But one who stays in the shadows could see things others might not want to see or cannot see." Luna said touching the front leg of the statue.
"What is exactly you see in her when we all saw her in flesh?"
"I saw someone that you can associate with, having a past that you would want to forget about, even your fame that is becoming overwhelming." Luna said turning to him.
"A good affirmation, I wonder if she thinks the same way."
"During your brief conversation with her during Nightmare Night it was already obvious she thinks that way. It is no wonder she wanted to meet you, as is her duty to oversaw the calm night and find out who has to struggle. I believe it will soon come the time when she will mark her paladin especially that the decision was already made." Luna said as Harry watched the statue, the last sentence he barely heard before turning to where Luna was only to find her vanished. Harry then turned to the statue of Nightmare Moon but thought of the lunar princess.
"Your Highness, what do you from us and from me? In a sense I wish we had a statue of your true self, in a sense I felt calm when you protected me from the bludgers. But what you want from me?" Harry said before someone else came.
"Potter hope you don't start to dream with your eyes open." Harry turned around to see the Slytherin Head Girl Daphne Greengrass.
"Sorry I was only deep in thoughts." He said with a calm voice.
"I saw." Daphne said looking at the statue, "We might be in rival houses but let me tell you one thing. Been cold and calculated doesn't mean to be cold as ice and find solace in some strange deity that for now we have the representation of the bad side." She said.
"It's just that sometimes some could finds solace in the story of one who would wish to forget some events."
"Well Professor Dumbledore I heard would like to have the statues of the royal sisters now at Hogwarts. And I do admit their Queen of the Night is less intimidating then the Nightmare before us. At least it will not be so much gloom around." She said as the sun was setting.
"I believe I should then go back to the Great Hall." Harry said.
"One more thing." Daphne said going into the pocket of her robe to pull out another vial with the same potion he is suppose to get to Ron and Hermione.
"Professor Dumbledore already told me to give Veritaserum to our Head Boy and Girl."
"This one is for you Potter to have it on you as a failsafe, just in case Weasely botches it and spills it."
"How come you have a reserve?"
"In some situations anyone must have some backup especially if the situation isn't that rosy where we must go." She said before going towards the great hall while he was following her shortly. When the celebrations in the Great Hall the celebrations had literally moved in the common rooms for a time, during those events Harry had to call Ron and Hermione alongside Twilight to relay the information Dumbledore had given to him.
"So it's possible that we have to take precautions tomorrow especially if there is a group that is having devious plans." Ron said.
"Problem will be identifying the trouble makers and seriously using veritaserum will be quite obvious when they will start to say every secret they might have in them." Hermione said.
"Is veritaserum this powerful?" Twilight asked.
"Ooh it is, Umbrige used it extensively when she was around. Despite not been allowed." Ron said pocketing the vial, good thing all the bottles have labels on them.
"In essence one single drop is enough for one to tell every secret one has." Harry said.
"Be that placed in one's drink or a tart." Ron said pulling out an apple tart to eat.
"From where do you have that tart?" Hermione said.
"There was a pony who was selling apple based sweet during the match, many went to take it. Me as well along our supporters for the team, had to give 3 galleons for a full plate but at least it's different from the honey based treats we had for over a month." Ron said before Hermione tried to say something.
"Anyways if this is the situation then we should try our best not just to represent Hogwarts but to somehow show others that there is no threat to them." Twilight said.
"Anyone agrees to that, but the problem is we can't guarantee in the cases when we are provoked." Ron said.
"We still have to try to not be confrontational." Harry said.
"Ooh it will not be a problem for some, but for others I wouldn't rule this thing out." Ron said and Twilight knew who he was referring to.
"I don't think Daphne and Tracy will allow incidents from their house to happen." Twilight said.
"Twilight I might not have the same prejudices I had in the past about Slytherin, but the problem is that Greengrass is part of the moderates and the grey who defended Hogwarts against Riddle, they will be a problem but this doesn't mean there aren't still hot heads in there who would try to show off." Ron said.
"In any case our task is clear, we have to prevent unwanted events while there. Especially from us, can't allow ourselves to be seen badly." Harry said.
"Especially when this rogue group, will try to make us look bad in one way or the other so as to provoke them to continue the attacks." Harry said.
"Can't argue with that, but what could they do, from what I saw they can't be that problematic from what I saw today." Ron said.
This chapter was longer than the other one but I hope you enjoyed it, please continue to read and review.