Of Deer and Flowers

Chapter Fifteen

Quidditch

May 23,

Dear Jane,

You won't believe this! The last Quidditch match of the season is almost here, and Ravenclaw has a chance at the cup!

It all depends on the margins of the win if Slytherin catches the Snitch it is nearly impossible that they won't win the cup. However if Gryffindor wins by one hundred-fifty points, then it's ours. Gryffindor's lost to both us and Hufflepuff, but if they beat Slytherin . . .

It was a warm day near the end of May and James was in a panic. He wasn't the only one. The Gryffindor team's Captain and Seeker Edmund Davis was all but throwing a fit. "One hundred and fifty points, got it!" he said. "We have to score one hundred and fifty points before I can catch the Snitch. Otherwise Slytherin'll get the cup."

"Don't worry Captain!" Eric Landers said, " 'tween Isabel, James, and me we'll get you your points!"

"Team ready?" a voice called from the entrance to the lockers. Standing and straitening their robes the Gryffindor team made their way out on to the field.

James stood and watched as the team captains shook hands. A Ravenclaw fifth year he didn't know was doing the commentary "Gryffindor Captain Davis looks rather tense this morning along with the rest of the team. Chase Landers has been with us for quite some time, but Isabel Heart and James Potter are new this year. Question is how will the rookies face off against Slytherin?

"Beaters Jones and Gryff look ready to kill the other team, whilst the Gryffindor Keeper Alexander Reed seems calm as always."

James took a deep breath and let it out. In truth he'd rather be playing Seeker, but he had also been a chaser reserve when they had bumped him up to his current position. Davis had promised to help James train to take over though. And a guarantee to eventually play seeker was good enough for the moment. He'd get to fly today, and just then that was all that counted.

"The Slytherin team however seems unusually cocky this morning. Seeker Lawancky and the Beaters Earic and Kent seem full of energy this morning, while Chasers Johnson, Marks, and Avery are just the opposite. They look as though they should still be in bed.

"This is the last year for Captain and Keeper Derrick Rose, and the question on everybody's mind is . . . will he take the cup, or will the Gryffindor underdogs come through to pull off a win?"

James slowly rose in the air keeping an eye on the chest in which the Quidditch Balls were kept. "And we're off. Gryffindor is in possession of the Quaffle! Heart passes to Potter who returns it to Heart. Passed to Landers . . . and back to Potter who passes it to . . . intercepted by Avery of the Slytherin Team.

"Avery takes it down the field and passes it to Zachary Marks. Marks passes to Johnson. Johnson tosses the Quaffle to . . . and the Quaffle's taken back by Potter."

"Gryffindor is again in possession and . . . ohhhh . . . nasty play by the Slytherin beater!"

James dropped the Quaffle in an attempt to avoid a Bludger. As he rolled over on his broom he felt its passing ruffle his hair.

"Potter seems to be alright . . .yes . . . he's back on his broom. Potter did however drop the Quaffle, which is back in Slytherin hands. And Avery takes the Quaffle . . . the Slytherin Chasers are indeed awake this morning folks . . . Avery's flying strait down the field . . . a pass to Johnson who returns it . . . Avery shoots and . . . Excellent save by Gryffindor Keeper Alexander Reed.

"The Slytherin Chasers are doing well today, but Reed is just to fast. Gryffindor is back in possession . . . Heart passes to Landers . . . back to Heart . . . passed to Potter who dodges a Bludger . . . back to Landers who shoots . . . And Gryffindor Scores!"

James flew as he never had before. Catch, Pass, and Don't Drop were the only thought that floated through his mind. Except for the score, he paid little attention to anything else. Time passed slowly the Gryffindor team working fast and hard for the hundred-fifty points they needed to keep Slytherin from the cup. Once Slytherin Seeker Lawancky spotted the Snitch and only both Bludgers sent from opposite sides of the field kept him from it. Julie Gryff and Ryan Jones's names were shouted in praise for about fifteen minutes after that one. Three hours and forty-five minutes after the start of the game when James's stomach was just beginning to rumble for lunch Davis pulled off a spectacular Wokinski feint.

"Wow what a play by the Gryffindor Seeker! Landers takes the Quaffle from Marks and speeds down the field. By the way is any one else hungry?"

"MATHEWS!"

"Sorry Professor! Passes to Heart who passes to Potter . . . Potter at the goal post now, he shoots . . . And scores! One hundred-eighty to thirty with Gryffindor in the lead! Slytherin in possession of the Quaffle . . . Wait . . .!"

Something gold flew past James's ear and high above him he saw Davis go into a dive.

"Edmund Davis Gryffindor seeker seems to have spotted the Snich!"

James looked away just in time to catch the Quaffle.

"Davis dives closely followed by Lawancky . . . ohhhh . . . nice try by Gryffindor Beater Julie Gryff, but her Bludger just b arely missed the Slytherin Seeker, Too bad.

"Davis and Lawancky are neck and neck . . . He's got it!!!!! Edmund Davis has caught the Snich!!!! Gryffindor wins Three hundred-thirty to thirty! WHAT A GAME!!!"

James sighed with relief. They had allowed Ravenclaw to win the cup. Up in the stands he could see various students jumping around for joy.