Chapter 63: The Greatest Show
Harry stood at the center of the Quidditch pitch, looking around at the stands and the castle in the background. It was the day of the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff match and Harry was eager for it to begin. The sun was just crawling over the horizon and the grounds were quiet and serene. He could hear the forest just beyond the pitch, could smell the pines and the water of the Black Lake. He closed his eyes and just lived within the moment.
"Enjoying the morning?" Harry turned his head to see Cedric striding from the Hufflepuff locker room.
"I couldn't really sleep," Harry said.
"Me either," Cedric said. "I always like coming out here early in the morning. It's quiet, like the whole earth is still. I needed this before the match. I've had a lot of big games but this… this one feels different."
"I know what you mean," Harry said. "It's not just the Cup, or the rubber match of our rivalry or anything. It feels different. I've never had a game this big played against someone I liked this much. It'd be different if it was Malfoy but with you…"
"Agreed," Cedric smiled. "You've really come a long way since our first match and you've pushed me along the way. I'm glad for every single moment."
"Me too. You're a great friend, a real credit to your house. You could have claimed the win back in November but you didn't. That's the Hufflepuffiest move in the history of Hufflepuff."
"Loyal and true," Cedric stood straighter. "That's what we Puffs do."
Harry laughed with Cedric. He couldn't help but feel like Cedric had become a bit of big brother to him over the years. Someone Harry very much wanted to aspire to become as he grew older.
"Come on," Cedric said. "You look a little cold and I'm sure Hermione is wondering where you got to."
"She has a way to know where I am," Harry said, thinking of the map. "Though I am a little bit cold."
"Harry," Cedric called to him. Harry turned to the chestnut-haired boy. "Good luck today."
"Same to you, Cedric," Harry smiled and wandered back up to the tower.
Stepping through the portrait hole, he saw Hermione with a book open in her lap, the Marauder's Map sitting next to her.
"Did you have a nice morning?" She asked, nonchalantly.
"It was nice," Harry said. "Got me to focus my thoughts and get ready for today."
"Not that you have anything to worry about," Hermione said. "You fly wonderfully; I am sure you'll be great whether you win or lose."
"There's no way I'll lose," Harry said. Hermione lifted her head from her book, her eyes surprised. "Even if Cedric catches the Snitch; even if our team gets obliterated, I'll get to come back here, cuddle up with the beautiful, brilliant witch that I love so, so very much."
"Keep talking like that," Hermione set down her book and pulled Harry in a warm hug.. "And you'll never make it to the pitch."
Hermione grinned mischievously as she kissed him fiercely, pushing him back onto the sofa.
"Alright," a voice that Harry recognized as Wood's broke him out of his euphoria. "I need my star seeker focused on the game."
Harry separated from Hermione in annoyance. Hermione, to her credit just smiled bashfully.
"To be continued," she pecked him on the lips and pushed him upright.
"Just be clear, ladies" Katie said to her teammates with a smile. "We're supposed to go for the big red ball. The smaller one is our seeker's face."
Harry blushed profusely at Katie's joke and was quickly surrounded by the other chasers.
"It's okay, Harry," Alicia hugged him from one side. "We're all just jealous. We'd love to have a boy sweep us off our feet the way you have Hermione."
Alicia glanced meaningfully at the twins who were in the corner advertising their latest products. Angelina, meanwhile, was whispering something to Hermione, causing her to blush.
"Cone on," Wood called out to his team. "Let's win that cup."
As the team finished putting on his pads and slid his jersey over his head, he heard the steady drumming of feet as the stands started to fill. He looked around the locker room to see his other teammates. Fred and George were hunched over at the entrance to the pitch while the chasers were helping one another pin their hair back to keep it out of their faces. As Harry locked eyes with Wood, he saw the determination and ferocity in his eyes that Wood only got on gameday.
"Alright team," Wood said. "Fred! George! What are you doing?"
"Nothing," the twins said, trying to sound innocent as they straightened up from the exit onto the pitch. They joined the rest of the squad
"This is my last game here for this school, for this team. We've had so many trials and so many challenges but I can tell you without a doubt this is the best team I've ever been a part of. It has been my honor to be your captain for the last three years. Wherever I go next, I will think fondly of you all.
"One last time," Wood put his hand in the middle. "For Gryffindor."
The rest of the team put their hand in.
"For Gryffindor!" They shouted just as Lee Jordan's voice started to introduce the Hufflepuff team. Since it was the Cup match, they decided to introduce the teams instead of letting them come out all at once. As the cheers died down, Harry shouldered his broom and took up his spot at the end of the line.
"Now introducing the Gryffindor team," Lee's voice rang out again.
"In his last game, Keeper Oliver Wood!" Wood flew out of the locker room.
"Next we have the Terror Twins, Beaters extraordinaire Fred and George Weasley!" Fred and George high-fived and flew out, weaving in and out with one another.
"Introducing the Trio of Trouble, Chasers Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet."
Angelina led the chasers out with Katie and Alicia flanking her, forming a bit of an arrowhead as they took a lap around the pitch.
"Last we have the Defeater of Dementors, scourge to Dark Lords, capturer of hearts-"
"-Jordan!" McGonagall's voice cut him off.
"-Youngest Seeker in a Century," Lee continued on as if he didn't hear her. "Harry POTTER!"
Harry decided to do something different for his entrance. He threw his Firebolt out onto the pitch and ran out on foot. As he reached the broom, he shouted "up!" and mounted the broom midstride. Behind him, he saw two fireworks shoot off. The fireworks took the shape of lions, one red, the other gold, complete with a lion's roar.
"Your latest creations?" Harry asked as he flew by them.
"You know it!" George said. "Had to send Wood off in style, you know?"
Harry laughed and shot off toward teacher's section. In that section, he saw someone he wasn't expecting to see, standing next to Professor Lupin and Tonks.
"Sirius!" Harry stopped in front of the man beaming as bright as the sun. "You made it!"
"Of course, Prongslet!" Sirius shouted with Lupin. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world! That was quite the entrance by the way!"
Just behind Sirius, he saw the section filled with a group of wizards he had never seen before, each wearing a different-colored robe with a logo on it.
"They're forming up," Sirius pointed. "You better go. I'll catch up with you later!"
"You okay, Harry?" Wood asked as Harry flew toward him.
"Brilliant," Harry beamed. "Who are those guys?"
Wood followed Harry's finger to the stands.
"Oh those?" Wood answered with a chuckle. "They're scouts from different professional teams, probably some international."
"Scouts?"
"Yeah. They come to the big games, usually in the spring. Hopefully Puddlemore is one of them; I'm hoping to catch on with them after school."
"I know you'll be great," Harry said as he flew away into his position.
"Are you ready to play, finally?" Cedric jokingly said.
"I didn't come to play; I came to win," Harry tried his hardest to glare at the Hufflepuff boy. "So let's play."
Harry held his serious face for as long as possible. Before long, cracks appeared on his face and the two leaned on their brooms, shaking in laughter.
"You ready?" Madam Hooch seemed unnerved by the two seekers. Cedric shook off his laughter and shook Wood's hand. Harry could feel his broom vibrating in his hands, as if the Firebolt itself was filled with the same adrenalin coursing through Harry's veins. Madam Hooch let the Snitch go first, followed by the Bludgers and as the Quaffle was released, Harry leaned forward to accelerate right toward Cedric. Cedric had the same idea and both seekers rocketed toward the other.
Harry pulled up at the last minute as Cedric dove in a move that almost looked choreographed. Putting on some speed, Harry dove toward the Hufflepuff chaser who was marking Katie as she was heading in for the first scoring attempt. From the above, Cedric did the same thing to Katie, causing her to drop the Quaffle in fright.
Harry locked eyes with Fred, nodded and whirled around, advancing on Cedric. He heard the crack of Fred's bat alerting him that their set play was being implemented. Cedric saw Harry coming and turned to meet him head-on. That's when Harry swerved and Cedric saw the Bludger hot on his tail. Harry only saw his rival's eyes widen for a moment as Harry pulled up and corkscrewed his way toward the Gryffindor supporters and began searching for the Snitch.
"Well played," Cedric pulled up next to him. "I nearly got unseated by the Bludger. Were I flying anything but a Firebolt, I would have."
"That was the idea," Harry said. "Though I wasn't expecting you to charge Katie; that's my move."
"Where do you think I learned it?" Cedric said.
"That's just cru-Oh!" Harry stopped mid-sentence and dove for the turf. The wind whistling in his ears, whipping his hair and robes around. He was just nearing the ground when he pulled up hard and used the speed to accelerate across the pitch. He could feel Cedric marking him from above. Harry tried to rise, only to be blocked by Cedric. Cedric matched Harry move-for-move as Harry now saw that he was effectively hemmed in.
A crack of a bat echoed and Harry heard a Bludger coming his way. With his upward mobility constrained, he only had the option of rolling at the last moment, watching the grey ball impact the wooden stands near the Slytherin section. That's when Harry had an idea. Flattening to the handle of his broom, he pushed the broom to its highest speed. Once again, Cedric matched him as the end of the pitch was coming up quickly.
"Hit the brakes, they'll fly right by," Harry quoted his favorite pilot. Pulling back hard, Harry came to a sudden stop, pushing off the ground to get back above the pitch once Cedric flew by him.
He didn't have much time to relax as the Hufflepuff beaters each sent a Bludger his way, making him roll twice to avoid them. By that time, Cedric had recovered and was once again marking him.
"Thought I had you," Cedric said. "I knew you were feinting so I thought I could keep you pinned."
"You almost did," Harry said. "Well coached Beaters, by the way. Though I think ours are better."
Harry finished talking and dove, allowing the Bludger that George sent his way to go just beyond him. Cedric wasn't able to juke in time and took the full brunt of the impact to his shoulder. Wincing in pain, Cedric chose to initiate a dive next. Harry knew Hermione would kill him but he couldn't resist this one. He dove after Cedric and inverted, pulling up underneath him.
"Having fun?" Harry cheerfully asked the Hufflepuff seeker. Harry then slowly rolled out from underneath Cedric and took up the space above the fifth year 'Puff. Harry could swear he heard Cedric laugh before he flattened to the broom. Matching him, the two Seekers sped through the pitch in a perfect formation.
On and on the two seekers traded spots until Harry finally spotted the glint of gold. Right above the teacher's stands, where the scouts assembled, the Snitch was floating. Whirling around, Harry pushed his broom to its absolute limit. He saw Cedric do the same. Neck-and-neck the two advanced toward the Snitch where the scouts all started to move away, afraid of the missiles headed their way.
Shoulder-to-shoulder Cedric and Harry advanced. Harry knew Cedric had the advantage of longer arms and Harry needed to be a head forward to stand a chance. Making his chest flush with the broom handle, Harry rolled above Cedric and used the move to add spin to his advance. Within reach, he took a hand off his broom, reached out and snagged the Snitch just millimeters in from the nearest scout's hat and Cedric's outstretched fingers.
The stadium went quiet and then exploded just as Harry righted himself and displayed the Snitch for the whole school to see. He looked down and realized he had lost track of the score, so enthralled with his matchup against Cedric.
The scoreboard read: Gryffindor 300, Hufflepuff 90. As he finished his lap, he came back to the center of the pitch where the rest of his team was floating. Slowing to a stop, the team all hugged in midair.
"We won! We won! We won!" Katie shouted over and over. Wood was crying tears of joy while the twins once again set off more fireworks. When his feet touched the ground, Harry looked around at the other students. Everyone in Gryffindor had their wands drawn and was lighting off red and gold sparks into the air. The team basked in the glory for a moment before breaking up. True to a Hufflepuff, Cedric had his team lined up and lead them through the Gryffindor team to shake hands in congratulations.
"Well done, Harry," Cedric smiled brightly. "The rubber match goes to you. Can't wait to do it again next year."
"I wasn't sure I'd get there," Harry said. "You gave me everything I could handle. It's been an honor, Cedric."
"Honor is mine," Cedric said. "You've grown so much and pushed me to grow as well."
"Can't wait for next year," Harry smiled while over the boy's shoulder he saw the two faces he desperately wanted to see.
"Go get her, loverboy," Cedric moved behind Harry and pushed him onward. Harry took the push and ran toward Hermione who jumped into his arms and kissed him.
"Wow," Hermione said. "You're sweaty. Not that I expected anything else. Did you really have to perform so many death-defying stunts?"
"Just like Lily," Sirius said. "Honestly it's scary sometimes."
"You're telling me," Harry said, causing Hermione to smack him in the chest.
"You fly very, very well Prongslet," Sirius said. "I think you caught a few of the scouts eyes, if I read their reactions correctly, not that it matters considering the only eyes you care about catching are hers."
Hermione blushed crimson and hid her face in Harry's kit.
"Harry!" Wood waved him toward the winner's podium which Dumbledore had conjured.
"Go on," Hermione gave him and encouraging nudge before whispering in his ear. "We'll celebrate later."
A blushing Harry approached the podium. As he got close, Neville and Dean picked him up on their shoulders and raised him onto the podium to general cheers from the Gryffindor supporters.
"Well done, Gryffindor!" Dumbledore smiled warmly at the team. "You have persevered and struggled through three matches and your work has paid off. For the third year running, you are the Quidditch Cup Champions of Hogwarts."
Dumbledore handed the shiny gold trophy off to McGonagall who tearfully gave it to Wood. Wood stood in the center of the podium and lifted the trophy, causing the crowd to cheer once again.
Later that night, the common room was alive cheers and conversation. The twins arrived with drinks and all matter of snacks, adding to the festive atmosphere. Once again, the twins shot off their indoor-safe fireworks and the ensuing party was legendary, worthy to be included to Hogwarts: A History. The Twins, however, were not able to admire their handiwork, as their heads were pulled down by Alicia and Angelina, respectively for a kiss.
"There that's better," Angelina said.
"So When," Alicia said with a smile
"Are you guys," Angelina picked up the thread.
"Going to take us on a date," they finished together, making the twins gape at them using their trick against them. Fred, the ever more eloquent twin broke the silence.
"Uh…" He said.
"Next Saturday?" Angelina finished. "Hogsmeade? Why that sounds wonderful."
"Oh-kay," George said with wide eyes.
"Where's the reboot on these things," Lee Jordan said running his hands along George in the process of finding some sort of button.
"Oh it's right here," Katie came up behind Lee and kissed him too, putting him in the same state. "See you Saturday, Lee."
Harry gave the girls a thumbs up as they walked away with satisfied smirks.
"Got tired of waiting?" Harry asked.
"So tired," Katie said with an exaggerated smile. "Be glad your boy didn't take so long."
"Oh I don't know," Luna piped up in her airy tone. "The wrackspurts were heavy on Harry all of last year while Hermione had very few. My guess is she had to wait a whole year or more."
Hermione smiled and ducked her chin at Luna's speech, confirming what she said was true.
"It's true," Hermione said. "I had a crush on Harry since the troll attack first year and admitted that it moved beyond that second year. After I awoke from being petrified, I knew things changed for Harry."
"And then Paris happened and we couldn't ignore our feelings anymore," Harry added.
"Ooh!" The three chasers gathered around Hermione, silently encouraging her to tell the story. Even Luna leaned in with Parvati and Lavender, eager to hear the story again. Hermione told them about the Eifel Tower and their almost kiss being interrupted, though she did not mention it was Flamel. Her story finished with Harry kissing her on the balcony of the hotel.
"Girrrlll," Angelina cooed. "That is incredibly romantic! I'd love to have a boy do something half as romantic. You're so lucky."
"I feel really lucky," Hermione squeezed Harry's leg as she spoke. Harry blushed at the loving looks every girl was giving him. Well… everyone except Luna who had a look on her face Harry couldn't describe. It was something akin to joy and reverence.
Looking for an excuse to escape the attention from the ladies, Harry stood and dipped his hand into his pocket. Harry walked up and tapped Wood on the shoulder. The common room quieted down as Harry began his approach.
"Since it was your last game," he said to his captain. "I wanted you to have this."
Harry held out the Snitch from the game.
"You're sure?" Wood said, tears in his eyes. Harry nodded aggressively and pushed the Snitch into Wood's hands. Wood broke for good and pulled Harry into a hug. Before long, the other members of the team slammed into one another, sharing the last hug they would ever share as a team. The thought brought a tear to Harry's eye.
"Excuse me?" The team pulled apart to see Colin Creevey standing in the middle of the common room, nervously fidgeting with something rectangular in his hands.
"What do you have there, Colin?" Harry finally took pity on the boy and asked.
"Well," Colin paled at being the center of attention. "Since this is your last year as a team, I thought Wood might like this."
He turned the frame around to reveal a picture of the team lifting the Quidditch cup.
"Colin," Harry was speechless. "You have it already framed?"
"Yeah, I do," Colin said. "I brewed the potion last night because I knew we would need it tonight. Had the frame ready and everything. Professor McGonagall helped me speed up the drying process."
"Wow," Wood took the picture from Colin. "This is an incredible picture and even better gift. Thank you, Colin, for taking pictures of us the last two years."
Wood stood up and displayed the picture for all to see.
"This has been an incredible team to be a part of," Wood said. "And we couldn't have done it without your support."
Wood held the photo up as the tower exploded in a new set of cheers.
"Can you make a few more copies?" Harry leaned into Colin, pressing a few gold coins into the boys' hand.
"They're already drying," Colin said. "Wait until you see the one I got of you catching the Snitch…"
"I look forward to it," Harry smiled. "Thank you for what you did for Wood; he really, really appreciates it. You're a credit to our house."
"I just take pictures," Colin said, quietly, turning his head down to stare at his foot that was rubbing a hole in the carpet. "I don't defeat trolls, or snakes or werewolves. I don't win Quidditch matches. I'm just an annoying boy who can take pictures."
"Stop," Harry put his hand up. "First of all, Gryffindors aren't brave because they go looking for trouble. They're only brave when they have to be. Standing in front of the entire house and showing your photo to everyone takes great courage. Don't put yourself down because you're actually a really cool guy."
"Thanks, Harry," Colin dropped his head at all the compliments Harry hefted on him. "You're even greater than the history books make you out to be."
"Glad to be your friend, Colin," Harry smiled. Just beyond, he saw Colin's friends in the corner. "Now I think your friends are looking for you."
"Catch you later, Harry," Colin scurried away.
"Alright, Star Seeker," Hermione grabbed him from behind. "You did well, as I knew you would."
"I seem to recall you said we'd celebrate?" Harry asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Well I know just the place," Hermione grinned devilishly. She kissed him hard and then moved to the portrait hole. She stopped long enough to look over her shoulder. "You coming?"
Quicker than any time during the match, Harry hurried behind her, ignoring the joyous laughter of the common room as the portrait closed behind him.
"Catch me if you can!" Hermione took off in a sprint, Harry hot on her heels.
(A/N: Happy New Year to everyone. I personally am rearing and ready to go. I've got the end of this fiction all framed out. Hope you're all doing well.
In this chapter, we have a Futurama reference (I didn't come to play, I am to win; so let's play) and a Lion King quote (Only brave when I have to be)