Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan took their seats, and next to them sat the rest of Gryffindor from their year. The place was getting cramped really fast, as the whole 2nd year from Gryffindor decided to support their housemate, Ron.
Dean may not be too fond of him, but the youngest Weasley boy improved his behaviour around Hermione. The dark-skinned Gryffindor looked around and found Hermione sitting in the area for parents, next to Crabbe and Goyle and in front of a blonde man.
Seamus elbowed Dean, "so, you think you already understand Quidditch?".
Dean was about the answer when the Gryffindors started to clap and whistle. When Seamus and Dean turned to see what was happening, they saw Lee Jordan walking to the commentator's seat.
Dean rolled his eyes and said, "I know enough Quidditch to tell you that he sucks at commenting".
Seamus chuckled, "well, that is not too difficult."
"Oh, would you mind doing it? I have never seen a Quidditch game before!" said Colin Creeve enthusiastically, who appeared in front of them.
"Ah... Sure, why not? It could be fun. Seamus, you want to tag?" asked Thomas to his friend.
"Why me? You just need one person to do it".
"Well, I was thinking of trying to do it as it was football. You know, they normally have a commentator, and the other giving more technical analysis."
The eyes of calling opened wide and shone, "that would be amazing!"
Seamus saw the tiny kid, and even when he tried to say no, his answer was, "sure".
The Irish student turned to his friend and said, "man, he looked like a little cat for a moment". Dean only nodded.
After that, Colin sat close to them. Dean cleared his throat and started his try of commenting.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this beautiful day in Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. Today the first game of the season, the lions of Gryffindor go against the snakes of Slytherin."
"I am accompanied by my great friend Seamus Finnigan."
Seamus only turned to Dean, but he realized that Colin and Dean were looking at him like they were waiting for him.
Finnigan does know about football, but he prefers Quidditch. In fact, he enjoys playing football but not watching it like his father. This is due to his father being a rather passionate fanatic of Shamrock.
"Ah, hello, everyone? I am Seamus Finnigan, and I will be helping in the analysis."
Colin smiled and turned to the pitch.
"Today, we have the debut of two players. Draco Malfoy for the Slytherins and the Gryffindors, the youngest Weasley boy. We are watching history, first time in three years with three Weasleys playing for Gryffindor," said Dean.
"Something to say about the game, Seamus? What can we wait to happen?" asked Dean.
"Well. The Gryffindors have to check on Draco, who uses a Nimbus 2001. The rest of the Slytherins use a Pro PeroPeronchino, so their speed will depend on the riders."
"It seems like a disadvantage, especially when the Gryffindor team does not have the fastest brooms."
"If Gryffindor wants to win, they need a good attacking plan", said Seamus, sincerely forgetting about the whole commentator thing.
"True", said Dean thinking that Seamus had entered his analyst persona.
In the middle of the pitch were the two teams. And finally, the game started.
"And the Quaffle fly free!" screamed Dean, letting them know the game had started. Colin smiled at the phrase. Behind them were some other Gryffindors who heard him yell that.
Dean then started to narrate the game. "Alicia Spinet has the quaffle and flies directly to the Slytherin loops, but she is stopped by two Slytherins in the name of Adrian and Draco. She passes it to her back, and Katie has it, but Adrian is again in front of her. They are making wall passes while the three Slytherin chasers are just stopping them from continuing. Oh, Katie made a long pass close to the loops; Angelina is going for the ball! Slytherin Keeper catches the quaffle!"
"That was a clever move. They worked for the small space to create the opportunity". Commented Seamus.
"Keeper Bletchley pass it short to Draco, who moves and passes it quickly to Adrian. He moves down and to the left wing. A Bludger goes his way, but their beater saves him and sends the bludger to Alicia. She blocked it with her forearm."
"If it wasn't for the gloves, she may have received a very nasty injury right there". Intervened Seamus.
"Careful! Draco has the Quaffle and is going to the Gryffindor's loops at full speed; he is going to shoot… Oliver saved it".
The Gryffindors were about to clap, but the quaffle was still in play.
"Flint recovered the Quaffle; HE SCORES! He shot to the opposite side of Oliver, and now it is 10-0 for Slytherin." Dean said.
"The whole team were daydreaming; nobody went for the quaffle. Ron Weasley was close, but he did not move at all", said Seamus.
"Was the debutant Gryffindor seeker that near?" asked Dean to his fist as if it was a microphone. Then he moved his fist close to Seamus.
"A seeker can touch and move the Quaffle; the only problem is that they can't score. Only the Chasers and the Keepers can". Answered the Irish boy.
"Talking about the positions and the debuts. I guess we should be giving the lineups and their positions. Because the local commentator has forgotten about it and only refers to the Slytherin students with rude comments". Said Dean.
"A fanboy, through and through".
"Gryffindor lineup. In the loops, Oliver Wood. Beaters, Fred and George Weasley. Which is which? I don't know. Chasers, the Charlie's angels, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet. Seeker, the debutant Ron Weasley".
"Charlie's Angels?" asked Seamus with an eyebrow up.
"You don't like it? I mean, I don't know any other known women trio", said Dean. Seamus and Colin smiled.
Dean continues commenting, "and for Slytherin, I will say it after this because Gryffindor is attacking again. Katie has the quaffle and two Slytherins at her side. She passed the ball to her back, and Angelina got it. She flies through the centre down for the Slytherin loops. Draco is giving her chase… Uff that have to her in the ego!"
"That's a problem with the fast brooms. He went full speed, but she just stopped; he couldn't stop fast enough", said Seamus.
"The ball is with Alicia, who shoots and fails. It went to the metal," Dean said.
"Second wasted opportunity for Gryffindor. "Seamus said, shaking his head.
"Slytherin team has the Quaffle, but they don't seem like wanting to go for another goal." Said Dean
"Which should not be the case. If Ron finds the snitch, that will give them 150 points to Gryffindor, ending the game." Commented Seamus.
"I guess I can give the Slytherin lineup now. As a Keeper, M. Bletchley, I can't remember his first name. Sorry, I don't have their full names." Dean said. He turned to see Seamus and Colin, and both just shrugged. Unknown to him, there were more listeners behind him.
Dean continues saying the lineup of Slytherin. "As beaters, we have Derrick and the perfect Gemma Farley."
"Prefect, not perfect. And didn't you just say that you don't have their full names?" asked Seamus.
"Nope, I said it right. Just look at her; she is perfect. I mean, she is also a Slytherin 6th-year prefect. And why wouldn't I know her name? She is by far the most popular girl in Hogwarts. A survey made to the student males in the school back me up". Answered Dean with a smile. The survey was a lie, and he was only playing with his tiny audience. The problem was that those who heard him really believed him.
"The game seems very stale," Seamus said to break the small silence.
"Time to hear about our patron." Both Colin and Seamus turned to see Dean right away.
"This game is presented by, Creevey milk delivery. Fresh milk to your front door! Creevey milk delivery."
Colin laughed at the mention of his father's job.
Dean then continued. "Well, I guess I can continue with the Slytherin lineup. Chasers, we have Adrian and the Slytherin debutant Draco Malfoy. You are not going to ask me why I know my friend's full name, right?"
"I don't know. Did he also get the top in a girl's survey?" asked Seamus with a smirked
"Don't know. I didn't get surveyed on those", answered Dean with a shrug. Some snickers were heard, and then he continued.
"Capitan of the Slytherin team, Flint. And the star of the Slytherin team, the boy-who-lived, the thunder snake, Harry Suzuki!"
"Yea!" Said Colin. Seamus and Dean only smiled.
"Another bludger hit a Gryffindor chaser. This time was Katie." Said Dean to come back to the game.
"Those were good reflexes by the Slytherin captain. He saw the bludger and moved away in time. Angelina didn't have the reflexes or the time", commented Seamus.
"The ball is with Adrian, who is flying really fast and shoots but goes to the metal. Draco recovers it, and it's a goaaaal! With an almost identical play!" said Dean.
"The chasers were busy checking Katie Bell that they didn't pose any kind of resistance", said Seamus while shaking his head.
"Slytherin 20, Gryffindors 0", Dean said. "The game started again right away. It seems that Wood doesn't want to waste time."
The crowd started to cheer.
Seamus looked at the top of the pitch, "it seems that Ron is for the snitch. But Suzuki either has not seen the snitch, has not noticed Ron or doesn't care."
"Katie has the quaffle, and she passes it to Angelina. A bludger is in her way, but Ron punches it. Very chivalrous of him," Dean commented.
"Ron really is showing his teamwork", said Seamus.
"Angelina continues with the quaffle, close to the left loop. Adrian stole the ball from behind", Dean said.
"Short passes between Adrian and Flint. Flint makes a side pass to Draco, who's flying to the loops at max speed. Ouch, a direct hit on the back", Dean grimaced at the hit.
"The Bludger was recovered by Alicia. And they continue the attack; a long pass to Angelina, intercepted by Flint. What a speed he has!"
"The Pro PeroPeronchino broom really is amazing!" commented Seamus
"They really are. Oh, Slytherin again at the attack, Flint at the right loop, Oliver goes after him, a pass, and they score again! Now all the chasers had a goal. Slytherin 30, Gyphindor 0." Screamed Dean.
"A great pass to the opposite side. Adrian was alone. An easy goal for him", Seamus said while shaking his head.
"It seems that Oliver is getting angry. He is yelling instructions", Dean pointed out.
"Obviously. Nobody is defending. Even the seeker, Ron, got yelled at", said Seamus.
"The game restarts. Oliver passes the ball to Angelina. She is being pinched by Adrian and Draco. She passes down. Katie!, Shoots and scores!" screamed Dean. The students around started to cry while celebrating. Colin also started to scream and jump.
"A shot very difficult to stop. Too close to the metal, too far from the keeper", said Seamus.
"Slytherin 30, Gryphindor 10", commented Dean. "Seamus, do you think they can reverse the scores?" asked Dean.
"It is too soon to say something. The game can be for anyone, as the snitch was not spotted." Seamus answered.
"Very true. The game starts again. Bletchley makes a short pass to Draco, who flies full speed. Angelina goes for him, and he passes it to Flint, who stops and sends the ball to the back."
"A peculiar way to play it", said Seamus. "They could attack; he was alone but decided to go back.
"Long pass to Draco missed, and the ball is with Angelina. She is going to the centre of the pitch. A bludger to the arm! Slytherin with the quaffle. Draco has it and is followed by Katie, who punches the ball from his gasp. Recovered by Adrian, he is stopped by Alicia, and now Katie also arrives. Pass to Flint. Slytherin scores! Oliver tried to intercept the quaffle but couldn't react in time. Flint just pushed it to the loops!"
"Slytherin are in the lead with great precision. Good teamwork", Seamus said while leaning in his seat.
Some students started to yell at the Gryffindor players, "What are you doing?!"
"Slytherin 40, Gryffindor 10", said Dean.
Flint flew back to take her defensive position and made a small sign to Harry, who only nodded.
"They don't seem to have a defensive strategy", commented Dean.
"Last year, Gryffindor only lost to Slytherin. And they won against Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff by scoring more points. They have a great offence and a solid team as long as they have the quaffle." Seamus thought aloud.
"It seems that Slytherins realized that, and they are playing to control the quaffle. Although, I have another theory that I will share later as the Gryffindor team is attacking," Dean commented.
"Katie with the ball; she passes it to Angelina, who is followed by Flint and Draco. They avoid that nasty bludger. A pass back to Alice, but it was intercepted by Adrian. He trowed the ball to the front, and Harry grabbed it! Is he going to shoot? No, he passes it to the left side, Draco arrives, and he scores!" yelled Dean.
Harry and Draco celebrated the goal hitting their own chest and then fist bumping.
The Gryffindor team and the students around yelled for a fault. The referee only motioned with her hands that the goal was valid.
Dean turned to Seamus, "Seamus, was that a fault?" Colin also turned to see him.
"As I said before, the seekers can move the quaffle, but they can not score. The uses of the seeker as another Chaser are not new, but not very common. They normally only try to search for the snitch". Answered Seamus.
"Playing by the book, it seems. Slytherin are passing over the Gryffindor, 50 to 10". Dean concluded.
"It seems that Oliver did not like the decision", commented Seamus.
"The game restarts. Oliver passes it to Katie. She continues with the quaffle. She moves away from that bludger; she has Angelina to her left and Alice behind down. It seems that Ron also wants to help and goes to the front up. She pass-no she continues with the ball; she is with Flint to her left, and now she passes it. Angelina with the quaffle, she shoots but fails. The ball was recovered by Katie and is a GOOAL!" Dean said.
Angelina started to yell at her teammates some encouraging words.
"Gryffindor 20, Slytherin 50. The game started right away; a long pass to Suzuki near the loops, he passes it to Flint, and he scores!" Dean said enthusiastically, as he already knew the new Slytherin playing style.
"That was fast. Slytherin 60, Gryffindor 20," Seamus said.
Some students asked for a fault again.
"Could they have done something?" Asked Dean.
"Hardly. Maybe if the Gryffindor had better brooms, at least the same as Draco. Because they will still be slower than Flint", said Seamus.
"The game restarted. Angelina goes and passes it but is intercepted by Draco. He goes for the loops, FAULT!" yelled Dean. "Ron grabbed Draco's broom. It's going to be a penalty for Slytherin."
"They are getting desperate. That Blagging was way too obvious", commented Seamus.
Draco flew back, glaring at Ron. Then he turned and saw the stands. His father looked serious, but his mother looked worried.
"While the yelling of the players happen, could you explain what's a Blagging?" asked Dean
"Essentially, grabbing the opponent's broom tail", answered Seamus
Flint took the quaffle and flew up.
"It seems that Flint is getting ready to move the ball", said Dean.
The Gryffindor students started to make a noise.
Dean looked around and smiled, "And the fans are making their game, distracting the opponent. Like Ron, who is also yelling something at Flint".
Madam Hooch used her whistle.
"Flint flies at max speed. Oliver is taunting him. Flint shoots, and SCORE! Oliver did everything he could, but it was too fast, too far from him," said Dean.
"The force in that throw. If you were hit by it, it would have hurt even more than a bludger", said Seamus.
"Slytherin 70, Gryffindor 20." Announce Dean.
"Oliver asked for a time-out", said Seamus.
"Hopefully, the Gryffindors can bring a new tactic because, at this rate, it won't matter if Ron catches the Snitch", Dean said.
"You said that you knew Slytherin style. What is it?" Colin asked Dean.
"Right, you stopped because the Gryffindor attacked and scored", said Seamus.
"Well, I guess they are playing in counterattack. Basically, they stay at the back, leaving the opponent to have the ball, they do that to lure them to their side of the pitch, but then they will attack really fast while their opponents don't have any defence on their side. It's a strategy with a well-timed attack", declared Dean.
Seamus turned to see the Gryffindor team, who made a small circle with Oliver wood saying something. "Hopefully, Oliver realized that".
"By the looks of his hands, I could even bet he is giving instructions about it. Seamus you are our Quidditch expert. What would you do if you were the Gryffindor captain?" said Dean.
"Open the field. Slytherin is using Parkin's Pincer to defend, so it would be easy to lure them to one side of the pitch. Keeping one chaser on the other side", said Seamus.
"Care to explain about the Parkin's Pincer?" asked Dean.
Seamus leaned to the front as the teams returned to the air. "It's when you form a pincer with two chasers on each side. Although normally, the third chaser would appear on the front and take the quaffle", said Seamus.
"Well, maybe Slytherin is just using a normal pincer. Either way, the game restarted now. The big difference seems to be that Ron is flying around actively, looking for the snitch, surely", said Dean.
"The snitch will secure the victory with the 150 points you get", said Seamus.
"Is that a good strategy? Let your seeker win the game while you defend?" asked Dean.
"It doesn't work normally. Chudley Cannons are an example that a good seeker is nothing without a good team that can back you up", answered Seamus.
"Angelina with the ball; she passes it to Alice but is intercepted by Draco, who trow it to his captain. Full speed to the loops aaand an AMAZING GOAL!" yelled Dean.
"He threw the ball from his back and dived down; Oliver didn't see the quaffle and dived down too. What a beautiful goal", explained Dean.
"Beautiful, indeed. The Slytherin captain is showing why he is the captain." Said, Seamus.
The local announcer said something against Flint and the Slytherins, calling them cheaters.
"Slytherin 80, Gryffindor 20", said Dean.
"The score may not reflect the good play of Gryffindor. Yes, they have the quaffle and make more passes, but their defence is atrocious. The beaters had not helped in the slightest. And Slytherin did their homework. They have exploited the defence problem, playing by the rules, making passes outside the scoring area in a very brilliant way", said Seamus while shaking his head.
"Flint again with the quaffle. He is at full speed, Angelina and Alice are trying to pincer him, and Katie goes after him. He passes the ball down to Adrian; he shoots, and Oliver gets the ball! The referee whistled a foul", said Dean.
Professor McGonagall corrected the local commentator as he said that Madam Hooch was only helping the Slytherins.
"The Gryffindor's chasers tried the Parkin's Pincer. The problem is that the quaffle was not at play when they collided. It is a difficult decision. Some referees could have let them play as long as the quaffle was stolen." Explained Seamus.
"Another penalty for Slytherin. Flint is going to take the quaffle again." Dean said. "the referee used her whistle, and Flint started to fly full speed, aaaand, he Scored again! The ball passed close to the metal of the loop! Slytherin 90, Gryffindor 20".
"A powerful shot!" said Seamus.
"The quaffle is again at play. Oh, what is it? Suzuki is moving. Did he see the snitch?" asked Dean.
"I don't know. Maybe it is another strategy; I saw the Slytherin captain making a sign to him", said Seamus.
"Maybe he wants to end the game", said Dean. "30 minutes have passed, and the snitch has not been spotted".
"A very different way of playing by the Slytherins. At this time, the game would have ended with Suzuki catching the snitch", said Seamus.
"Very true. The ball is at play. Angelina with the quaffle but lost it right away. She may be injured by the bludgers that hit her previously", said Dean.
"Adrian passed it to Draco but was intercepted by Ron. He passes it to Katie; she is in the scoring area, and Goaaal! Katie wants to show that Gryffindor is still alive", yelled Dean. "Gryffindor 30, Slytherin 90."
"An excellent play. Maybe Ron should consider being in another position", said Seamus.
"Bletchley pass the ball to Flint. Pass to Adrian, he flights high and passes to the back, again with Flint. He passes back to Bletchley. He made a long pass to Suzuki-no; Draco has the quaffle and goes full speed to the loops. He got hit with a bludger but continued without letting go of the quaffle. He flies up at top speed and SCORES!" said Dean. "Oliver touched the quaffle but was unable to stop the ball".
Draco celebrated the goal with Derrick and Gemma. Then he turned to see his father. He was clapping with what looked to be a smile. In front of him, Vincent, Gregory, and Hermione were also celebrating.
"Ron is chasing after Harry. The snitch was spotted!" yelled Seamus.
The whole stadium started to cheer for the seekers.
"Honestly, I can not see it, so I hope they are not just feinting", said Dean.
"Me neither, but that makes the seekers' position special. Only a talented or a very trained eye can spot the snitch", said Seamus.
"The game restarts. Katie, with the quaffle, passes it to Alice. Alice with Angelina, who is flying slower. She continues with the ball until Adrian appears in front of her. She passes it back to Angelina. A bludger barely dodged. She passes it to Katie but is intercepted by Flint. He decided to move around and pass it back to his keeper".
"Careful. Harry is going behind the Gryffindor loops", said Seamus.
"The quaffle to Draco, and he flies to the right wing. A bludger is sent at his back, and the seekers are in front of him. The snitch passed close to him. Harry and Draco dodge each other, OW! Ron received the bludger directly to the face! Is he alright?" asked worried Dean.
"Suzuki got the snitch! The game is over. Slytherin 250, Gryffindor 30." Said Seamus
"What a match! And the Slytherin team is going to celebrate. All of the Slytherin players are in the centre of the pitch. Suzuki has his hand rise with the golden snitch, and the rest of the team have their fist up, pointing at the snitch". Commented Dean.
"It was a very fantastic game. I truly believed that the Slytherin gameplay was perfectly played. A total victory, not only by catching the snitch but also by their chasers with those 100 points. Their keeper allowed only 30 points. And their beaters who left almost all the Gryffindor students with injuries, except for Oliver and Katie", said Seamus.
"Very true. Well, thank you for hearing us, and hope you enjoyed the game as we did", said Dean.
"Wow, you really have a talent for this! Why don't you apply for the commentator position?" asked Colin.
"Well, I don't really know how they chose them," answered Dean
"The headmaster chose them", said Seamus.
"Well, you should go and ask", said a voice behind them. Neville was the one who spoke, "I really enjoyed hearing you".
"Thanks, Nev!" said Dean.
"Nev?" Neville asked with his eyes wide open.
Dean shrugged, "You don't like it?"
"No, I mean, yeah, I like it", answered Neville.
The four Gryffindors started to abandon the place and Dean. Colin said, "I should go back and get my camera. I want to check if I can take a picture with Harry and the rest of the Slytherin team".
Seamus and Dean only chuckle. The idea of a Gryffindor student wanting to take a picture with the team that beat them in Quidditch doesn't sound normal.
Little did they know that would be the last time they would speak with him for a long time.
