The Eighth Weasley

Chapter 10 - The Quidditch Match

"Take a bit of toast, mate. Go on," said Y/N, watching Harry poke at his bacon with his fork.
"Y/N's right, Harry," said Hermione, "You're gonna need your strength today."
"I'm not hungry," said Harry.

"Good luck today, Mr Potter," said a voice from behind Harry and Hermione - Ron and Y/N were sitting opposite them.
It was Professor Snape.
"Then again, now that you've proven yourself against a troll," he continued, "a little game of Quidditch should be easy work for you. Even if it is against Slytherin."
With that, he walked away - and he seemed to be limping.
"That explains the blood," said Harry.
"Blood?" asked Hermione, sharing a look with the twins.
"Listen," whispered Harry, bending low, so that nobody else would hear him, "Last night, I'm guessing Snape let the troll in as a diversion, so he could try and get past that three-headed dog. But he got himself bitten. That's why he's limping"

"But why would anyone go near that dog?" asked Ron.
"The day I was at Gringotts, Hagrid took something out of one of the vaults. Said it was Hogwarts business, very secret." said Harry.
"So you're saying..." started Hermione.
"That's what the dog's guarding," said Harry, "That's what Snape wants."
Y/N was impressed with Harry for figuring all this out. She was about to say something, when the untimely screeching of an owl interrupted her. It was quite odd, since the mail usually arrived a little later. Anyway, it was Hedwig - and she was carrying a broom-shaped parcel. She dropped it into Harry's hands, and there was no denying that it was indeed a broom.

"Bit early for mail, isn't it?" said Hermione.
"But I- I never get mail," said Harry.
"Let's open it," said Ron, too excited to wait any longer.
The four of them untied the neatly knotted strings that held the brown paper to the broom. Impatiently, they tore away the paper wrap, to see a gorgeous, brand-new broomstick.
"It's a broomstick," said Harry in awe.
"That's not just a broomstick, Harry," said Y/N enthusiastically, "It's a Nimbus 2000!"
"But who-" started Harry, before his eyes landed on none other than Professor McGonagall, who was stroking Hedwig.
Harry smiled gratefully at her.

**********

The crowd cheered loudly, as the Gryffindor Quidditch team flew onto the pitch. Oliver was right in front, followed by Harry, Fred, George, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell and Peter.
"Hello, and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season. Today's game - Slytherin versus Gryffindor!" shouted Lee Jordan into the microphone.
Y/N and Ron knew him quite well, for he was one of Fred and George's closest friends, and had come over quite a few times. Ron, Y/N and Hermione cheered with the rest of Gryffindor. Harry took his position opposite the Slytherin Seeker, and above the rest of the teams.
"The players take their positions as Madam Hooch steps out onto the field to begin the game," said Lee.
Madam Hooch said something to the teams, before kicking open the chest of balls.
"The Bludgers are up," said Lee, "followed by the Golden Snitch. Remember, the Snitch is worth 150 points. The Seeker who catches the Snitch ends the game."
Madam Hooch walked to the chest once again, and tossed the Quaffle into the air.

"The Quaffle is released, and the game begins! And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive too-"
"JORDAN!" shouted Professor McGonagall sternly.
"Sorry, Professor. Anyway, Johnson's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Peter Pevensie, back to Johnson and - no, Slytherin have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and Gryffindor take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by Slytherin - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off towards the goalposts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goalposts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDOR SCORE!"

The Gryffindor stands erupted in applause. Meanwhile, Hagrid made his way through the crowd towards Ron, Y/N and Hermione.
"Bin watchin' from me hut," said Hagrid, once he had reached them, "but it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"
"Nope," said Ron, "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."
"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'," said Hagrid.

It had been a few minutes, and Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied at 20 points, when Lee was saying, "Slytherin in possession, Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys and Chaser Bell and speeds towards the- wait a moment - was that the Snitch?"
Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear. Harry zoomed through the air towards Pucey, squinting to see the Snitch. But when he was about halfway there, his broom started to jolt wildly, and Harry struggled to hold on, as it did loops and twists and turns.
"What's going on with Harry's broomstick?" exclaimed Hagrid.
"It's Snape," said Hermione to Ron and Y/N, after looking through her binoculars, "He's jinxing the broom!"
"Jinxing the broom? What do we do?" asked Y/N.
"Leave it to me," said Hermione, before scurrying off into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Harry had been tossed off his broom, and was only holding onto it with one arm, though he soon got his other arm onto it. But Ron and Y/N were presently more focused on the teachers' stand, where Snape's robes had somehow caught on fire.
"Hermione," thought Y/N, and she smiled.
Even though that girl could be irritating at times, she was the brightest witch in first year. Somehow, Harry had gotten back on his broom, and was after the Snitch again. He was neck and neck with the Slytherin Seeker, Terence Higgs. The two were butting shoulders - both able to keep pace with the other. After a sharp dive, Harry was in the lead, only a foot off the ground. He stood on his broomstick and reached out to catch the Snitch - it was right in front of him. But one step too far led to him falling off, and tumbling on the ground. He got up quickly, but seemed to be gagging.

"Looks like he's gonna be sick," said Hagrid.
But Harry just coughed something out and caught it in his hand.
"He's got the Snitch!" exclaimed Lee, "Harry Potter receives 150 points for catching the Snitch!"
"Gryffindor wins!" called out Madam Hooch, blowing her whistle.
Harry held the Snitch up, as the Gryffindor stands applauded thunderously.
"Go, go, Gryffindor! Go, go, Gryffindor!" the house chanted repeatedly.
Harry beamed proudly.

**********

"Nonsense," said Hagrid, "Why would Snape put a curse on Harry's broom?"
"Who knows?" said Harry, "Why was he trying to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween?"
"Who told you about Fluffy?" asked Hagrid.
"Fluffy?" said Y/N, "That thing has a name?"
"Well, of course he's got a name," said Hagrid, "He's mine. I bought him off an Irish feller I met down at the pub last year. The  I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"
"Yes?" asked Harry eagerly.
"Shouldn't have said that," muttered Hagrid, "No more questions. Don't ask any more questions. That's top secret, that is."

"But, Hagrid, whatever Fluffy's guarding, Snape's trying to steal it!" said Harry.
"Codswallop," said Hagrid, "Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher."
"Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one," said Hermione, "I've read all about them. You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking."
"Exactly," said Harry.

"Now you listen to me," said Hagrid, after sighing, "all four of you. You're meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous. What that dog is guarding is strictly between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
"Nicholas Flamel?" said Harry.
"I shouldn't have said that," muttered Hagrid, walking off, "I should not have said that. I shouldn't have said that."
"Nicholas Flamel," said Harry, "Who's Nicholas Flamel?"
"I dunno," said Hermione.