Percy Jackson and the Mirror of Erised

29) The Quidditch Match

I stood with my friends in the stands, waiting for Quiditch to start. I couldn't wait to see the game I was going to get to play in action, instead of just practice.

We held up one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined to support Harry. A surprise for him. It said 'Potter for President' and I had drawn a Gryffindor lion beneath it. Hermione had performed a difficult charm and the paint was now changing colors.

I could see the nervousness on Harry's face. A skill I had picked up while watching people in class and home. Trying to figure out their emotions.

Harry's knees probably felt like jelly.

After some discussion on the field, everyone mounted on their brooms. After a shrill whistle from Hooch, the fifteen brooms rose into the air, and the game had started.

"And the quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor — what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too—"

"JORDAN!"

"Sorry, Professor."

Lee Jordan, a friend of the Weasleys and Stolls, was doing the commentary. And he was doing great, in my opinion. But Professor McGonagall was now watching him closely.

"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve — back to Johnson and — no, the Slytherins 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 the Gryffindors take the Quaffle — that's Chaser Katie Bell Of Gryffindor there, nice five 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 the Slytherins — that's Luke Castellan speeding off towards the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger — sent his way by Fred or George Weasley (it had been George), 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 goal posts are ahead — come on, now, Angelina — Keeper Bletchley dives — misses — GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"

The stands erupted with cheers from Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Gryffindors alike, while Slytherins howled and moaned.

"Budge up there, move along."

"Hagrid!"

Ron and Hermione squealed together so Hagrid could sit with us.

"Bin watchin' from me hut," Hagrid said, patting the binoculars on his neck, "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"

"Nope," Ron said. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."

"Keep outta trouble, though, that's something'," Hagrid said, pulling on his binoculars and peering up at Harry.

I looked up at him, silently begging for him to find the golden Snitch. That's the only player I haven't seen in action yet. But he didn't seem to see anything.

"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan announced, "Chaser Castellan ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds towards the — wait a moment — was that the Snitch?"

I had seen it. The tiny golden ball buzzing beside Luke's ear.

Harry dove for it. The Slytherin Seeker, Terrence Higgs, had also seen the ball. The two Seekers hurtled towards the Snitch together, being watched by all of the other players.

Harry was faster than Higgs. He stuck out his arm and just as he was about to grasp onto the Snitch, Marcus Flint slammed into him. My friend went spinning, off course and hanging on to his broom for fear life.