Labelled Caustic

Chp 17: Shooting Fouls

**********

"We'll have an easy ride out there today, no doubt their Slytherin, their defense is not particularly good for obvious reasons. Though don't let your guard down alright!" Harry said in his most peppy voice he could muster. He was Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and he was just beefing them a tad.

He looked around at all of them who seemed to be chattering away excitedly and quickly ushered them out towards the Quidditch pitch.

"We have the Gryffindor team flying out first! Keeper Dean Thomas leads the motley crew of the Creevey brothers as Beaters, Natalie MacDonald, Ron Weasley and Kathleena Riel as Chasers and of course Seeker, Harry Potter!" Seamus boomed to the crowd as Professor McGonagall and many of the students cheered them on though several Slytherins were jeering them as they passed.

"Slytherin finally crawling out from the cracks, missing their effeminate Captain Draco Malfoy-" Snape gave a growl from behind him and Seamus just continued without any further spiteful comment.

"-Graham Pritchard as Chasers and replacement seeker Derek B- What the hell is going on!" Seamus suddenly thundered and he turned to Professor Dumbledore for an answer.

Dumbledore gave a little smile and his eyes glinted. "He's allowed to play," was the only thing he said and he looked over to Professor Snape and McGonagall who were having a staring match. Both of them throwing dirty looks to one another. Dumbledore had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling at the sight of both of them.

"Erm, well then, with Slytherins actual seeker-"

"Is that your obvious reason Harry?" Kathleena asked as she flew away.

"Did you bloody know that Malfoy was coming back to play?" Ron roared over to his sister in the Gryffindor stands. She looked astounded that he was back and her mouth was opening and closing like a goldfish.

The Slytherin stand erupted in cheers at having Draco Malfoy back but there were some that refused to acknowledge him and just sat down, talking amongst themselves. They would rather Gryffindor win than have blasted Malfoy play in the game. Of course they were the children of Death Eaters themselves and they prided themselves on it but now, the stupid dream team and that silly little girl had managed to kill the Dark Lord and with the aid of one of their own at that. They were smart enough not to try anything though, Dumbledore was present and he probably had wards placed around. None of them would risk a cell in Azkaban for that imbecile. He would have his comeuppance. So they sat there with disgust etched across their faces.

"Welcome back then Malfoy," Harry said dryly knowing that it would be ridiculous to just question what was happening.

"Good to be back to see you lose Potter," Draco smirked and flew off whilst waiting for Madam Hooch's command.

He kept his eyes straight but the minute he past Ginny he had to have a glance at her, this was after all part of the reason he came back to play. When he passed the teacher's stand with Seamus in it giving commentary his mother waved to him. Narcissa had come to see him play and to have a chat with Dumbledore and Professor Snape thereafter.

"Alright teams! Gather!" Madam Hooch called out and blew her whistle. The teams assembled and both team captains stared at each other with amusement and mockery. "I want a good game understand!" Madam Hooch said looking at both of them with an eyebrow cocked up.

"The balls are finally released! The snitch has quickly disappeared and the Quaffle is in possession of the Slytherins!" Seamus continued with his running commentary.

The crowds in the stands were cheering to see who would score, and Slytherin managed to score the first goal.

Ginny looked over to Draco who was looking handsome in his Quidditch robes. Then again he always looked good but the thing was she didn't know whether to feel terribly ecstatic to see him here or really angry for not telling her that he was coming and the feelings of his betrayal of sorts. She stood there rooted to the ground whilst Hermione bounced on the balls of her feet shouting her encouragement with the rest of the Gryffindors. Ginny looked over at her best friend who threw Harry her best smiles as he whizzed past her. She decided to enjoy the game for the mean time and she would deal with the situation later.

A few minutes later Gryffindor tied up the game with Slytherin and the ferocity of it intensified.

"Foul! That blimp Bulstrode just skinned MacDonald! You-" Seamus swore under his breath but everyone managed to hear it. Professor McGonagall pulled his ear and Snape set beside him looking daggers at him. Seamus looked apologetic and swallowed and continued on with his commentary.

"Gryffindor gets hold of the Quaffle, Ron passes it to Kathleena and the Creevey brothers hit an ace bludger onto Montague who was about to skin her and Kathy passes it to MacDonald and - Oh! No Score! Baddock has popped it off its course and now Slytherin are in possession and it gets intercepted by Ron Weasley! Go Gryffindor! Oh no, intercepted by Pritchard who swerves and looks like they have their Hawkshead formation into play. A bludger is heading straight for him but ah, blimp woman Bulstrode has gotten it out of the way and Slytherin scores; leading the game!

Snape let the insult against one of his students slide and was happy to shoot McGonagall a superior smirk.

"Foul against Gryffindor! A bloody foul! You arrogant-"

Finnigan went on a tirade of swear words that made Professor McGonagall blush furiously and she tried to pull the magical microphone away from him but couldn't and settled on giving him a detention instead and muttering about why she ever gave him the privilege of doing this. Snape and McGonagall both shot him angry looks and he shot his head down and apologised before going on with the game.

"Penalty to Gryffindor for blagging from the Slytherin team!" Madam Hooch growled.

"Come on Gryffindor! And there it goes!" There was a cheer from the Slytherin stands as Baddock had blocked the shot and the game was still being led by Slytherin.

Harry and Draco were circling the pitch looking around for the snitch, but not even a wing was in sight! Draco decided to have a little fun.

"Draco delves down, does he spot the snitch? Harry has gone on following him and they dive lower and going as fast as their brooms can but where is the snitch?" Seamus asked and everybody was looking over trying to catch a glance. This gave the Slytherins a chance to score a goal much to the Gryffindor's chagrin.

They continued diving until Draco finally pulled up as they were nearing the ground. Harry's eyes widened, why that bugger had tricked him, he pulled up steeply before he could break a body part of his and flew upwards. It was quite an adrenaline rush actually and he could see Draco grinning from ear to ear, his face flushed.

"A feint from Malfoy and Slytherin managed to score a goal. Cheap shot really!" Seamus hissed but Malfoy who was around flew up to where he was and gave him a nonchalant shrug and flew off. He was rather enjoying himself actually. Feeling carefree and not having to worry if his father would hear of this, it was turning out to be the best game he ever played in and Slytherin was actually leading!

"Bloody hell! Foul from the Gryffindor team for blatching! What is the world coming to?" he muttered indignantly.

Seamus eyes continued to widen and he was practically shouting out his commentary! This was one of the longest games yet! The snitch was still no where to be found and there were so many fouls going on that Madam Hooch was getting rather tired.

"Montague intentionally blurting! And what the argh!-" Seamus screamed as a bludger was coming towards him and he ducked down as well as both the professors beside him. Collin though had managed to catch up to it and knocked the bludger out of its course, which was on its way to giving Seamus a concussion.

"What in blue blazes! Bumphing and from who else but that blimp Bulstrode!" Seamus breathed and he was rather angry and Professor McGonagall was shaking a fist at her. Snape though looked indifferent and looked calm but his eyes told a different story. Millicent was definitely getting a detention whether she liked it or not!

"Where is the bloody snitch?" Seamus' boomed. By now everyone including the professors were so wrapped up in the game that they didn't really care he was swearing.

Ginny almost forgot about everything when she saw Draco and her heart gave an involuntary flutter. She looked at him and saw that he looked really happy and she frowned at this. She didn't know what to feel toward this and what to think of it. So she just went on watching the game. Hermione was positively trembling with excitement! "Go Ron! Go Harry!" she cheered.

Ginny looked around and felt eyes on her and she tried to look around to see whom it belonged to. Then her brandy eyes caught hold of silvery blue boring into her and a breath caught in her chest. Suddenly he was speeding up towards her and she began to panic.

'What the hell is he doing?' her thoughts screaming bloody blue murder.

"Erm Ginny?" Hermione called looking rather white herself. Draco looked as if he was going to ram into the stands.

"Draco speeds up and he looks like he is going to boost himself into the stands, the prat. Harry is no where near him and he's going down. Malfoy is diving down as fast as he can and Harry Potter is trying to catch up to him. The snitch! The snitch is near Malfoy, and oh no. Slytherin might actually win the game. Come on Harry!" Seamus was jumping off his seat and everyone peered down once more to see who would win. Seamus was almost going belligerent as Draco homed in on the snitch.

"Harry get your ass down there! He's getting there; they are both near it; and-" a loud groan was issued out.

"Malfoy gets the snitch and Slytherin wins," Seamus growled and dropped the microphone as he exhaled noisily, dejected. Professor McGonagall flopped back looking scandalised. Snape on the other hand had a broad smirk but he didn't do anything to rub it in McGonagall's face but instead just got up abruptly and left the stands with Narcissa and Dumbledore.

The crowds departed and the Gryffindor team skulked away towards the changing rooms. Harry, being a good sportsman congratulated Draco quietly and flew off down with Ron. Hermione was already down on the pitch and looped her arms with both of theirs. Ginny watched them for awhile and was about to turn away when she heard a whoosh. She turned and she gave a shriek as Draco came hurtling towards her once more and she closed her eyes.

The next thing she knew was that she was on his broom and she clung onto him for dear life.

"Come fly with me, lets fly, lets fly away," Draco sang quietly into her hair as he grinned stupidly.

Ginny looked up at him with a quirked eyebrow looking rather surprised.

"Muggle music," he explained, this gave her an even more astounded look on her face and he chuckled. Before she could retaliate though she buried her face in his robes and gripped at him tightly as they swooped down.

**********