Nessu Fanni

The next day when Harry woke up, he didn't remember what day it was. He went down into the common room and went to the Great Hall with Neville. Even though Neville wasn't that talkative, he seemed strangely more silent than usual. This forced Harry to think. Just because Malfoy and I are both against Seamus doesn't mean that we're friends. Right. Civil, just be civil. We're still enemies. Harry hoped that he was right. Everything was too weird for Malfoy and him to be friends.

As soon as Harry and Neville entered the Great Hall, they made their way over toward Hermione. Harry didn't even glance at Ron or Malfoy. Hermione moved over so Harry could fit beside her, while Neville sat across from her.

Harry didn't notice exactly what he was eating. He was constantly trying to figure out Seamus. What had happened to Seamus to make him this way?

When Harry, Hermione and Neville got up to leave the Great Hall, they were stopped at the door.

"Good luck on the game today, Potter," greeted Malfoy.

Oh, the Quidditch game. How could I forget? thought Harry.

"Even if you catch the snitch, Longbottom will let so many Quaffles in that Slytherin will win anyway. No worries." Malfoy turned and headed to the Slytherin dungeons. Flanking him on either side were Crabbe and Goyle, his loyal bodyguards. Like father like son, Harry thought.

"Come on, Harry!" yelled Hermione, bringing him out of his thoughts. He had apparently been staring in their direction for a while.

Hermione tugged on Harry's arm and led him towards the Grand staircase.

"We need to get ready for our Quidditch game," she said as she bolted up the stairs. "Despite what Malfoy thinks, we're ready for this match. No worries from us. Now grab your Firebolt and I'll meet you in the Quidditch Pitch."

Hermione seemed very excited. As soon as Harry made it to the Portrait Hole, Hermione bounded past him.

Harry quickly ran up to his dormitory and grabbed his Firebolt and Quidditch robes. Harry and Neville went down to the Quidditch Pitch.

"You'll be okay, Neville," Harry assured him.

Neville mumbled an agreement and they didn't speak until they met the rest of the team.

* * *

When most of the team was ready, Harry decided that he must say something before the game had begun. Even though he felt like Hermione had already said it before, he realized that no one else had heard it but Neville.

Harry gave a slight cough and then a louder one. Everyone in the changing room turned their heads to Harry. Harry decided to keep it short. He didn't want to turn into another Oliver.

"I know that we can win this," Harry said confidently. "We've been practicing hard and Slytherin doesn't stand a chance." He smiled broadly as everyone stood up and cheered.

The whole team bolted out of the room with Harry following them. As the Quidditch captain, Harry felt that he had a lot to live up to. He didn't want to screw this up. He didn't feel as confident as his short speech made him sound. As he stepped onto the Pitch, everything changed. He was no longer uneasy about his confidence. He only knew that he had one objective of this game: to catch the golden snitch. High in the stands, Harry could hear the commentator introducing the teams.

"My name is Lee Jordan and I will be commentating today's Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor!" Lee Jordan sounded very enthusiastic, but had a slight cough. Harry hoped that he would be able to last the match. He had a feeling that Lee would be doing a lot of shouting.

"It's the first Quidditch match this year and the start of an excellent Quidditch season!" Lee announced. Everyone in the stands cheered, showing off their house colours. Like usual, most of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs cheered in favour of Gryffindor winning. However, the Slytherins put up a big fight for who could cheer louder. The Slytherins' House spirit did not waver.

"Here comes the Gryffindor Team!" Lee announced, pointing to Harry and his teammates.

"Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Seamus Finnigan, Katie Bell, Hermione Granger and Lavender Brown!" shouted Lee as players made their way to the middle of the Pitch. Harry's insides were twisting and turning, out of his control. He thought he could handle his nerves at first, but now he had to face Malfoy and Ron.

Lee Jordan tried to introduce the Slytherin Quidditch team, but the 'boo's' from the Gryffindors drowned him out. He didn't seem to be trying to be heard either.

Harry saw Malfoy, Goyle and Ron walking towards him, brooms in hand. Harry didn't notice Madam Hooch until she spoke. He was too focused on the three Slytherins in front of him.

"Mount your brooms. I want a fair game," she said looking at Harry. "You know the consequences," she said, glaring at Malfoy.

Madam Hooch nodded at each of the captains. They reluctantly shook hands, a ritual that always must be performed before the game begins. Harry turned from Malfoy and looked at his teammates as the whistle was blown. He nodded his head and took off from the ground. The rest of the team followed suit. Harry could hear Lee Jordan begin to commentate the game.

"Parkinson takes the Quaffle passing it to Bulstrode. She dodges a Bludger sent by Ginny Weasley."

After that, Harry didn't bother to listen to Lee anymore. He was 100% concentrated on finding the snitch before Malfoy did. They both seemed to be flying everywhere together. Malfoy seemed to be following Harry, afraid that Harry would find the snitch first.

Suddenly, something broke his concentration. A Bludger was soaring very fast at something 15 feet higher than Harry. Something that was Hermione Granger. It hit her square in the back and she fell. Time stood still for a moment as Harry tried to see where the Bludger came from. Only Ron was where it had taken off. Ron! How could he do this to Hermione? Harry thought. Time accelerated and Harry flew down to Hermione, as did Madam Hooch and Katie Bell.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, knowing that she wouldn't answer him. She was unconscious.

"Harry, she'll be all right. Madam Pomfrey will fix her up," said Katie confidently.

"But her replacement was Ron. I didn't think of it until now," mumbled Harry.

Madam Hooch walked over to Harry and didn't waste her time with any comforting words.

"If you don't have a replacement, Gryffindor will have to forfeit," she said sternly.

Who can we put in? wondered Harry. He instantly had a thought and sent Katie to get Colin Creevey. He did fairly well in the tryouts and would have to do for this game.

Colin walked onto the Quidditch Pitch five minutes later, wearing some spare Quidditch robes left in the change room.

"Thanks for coming, Colin," said Harry.

Colin nodded and mounted his broom. Harry did the same, soaring into the air again.

Down on the ground, Madam Hooch blew her whistle.

"Ten points from Slytherin." Madam Hooch decided. That brought Slytherin to twenty points and Gryffindor still with ten.

Madam Hooch blew the whistle once more to continue the game. The three Chasers worked well together and scored three more goals in the next ten minutes.

"That brings the score to 40 - 20 for Gryffindor!" announced Lee Jordan, followed by cheers from the Gryffindors.

Harry flew around for five more minutes, before he saw a glint of gold. The snitch was hiding behind one of the ringed goal posts. He burst at the top of his speed to the goal post. His Firebolt seemed to know just how much Harry needed to get there. He flew faster than he ever did before. However, Malfoy noticed this and flew to the snitch as well. Somehow, Malfoy got there first. Harry knew that the game was lost. If Malfoy gets the snitch - he thought, but his thought was interrupted. His eyes widened and a smile formed as he saw Malfoy grab for the snitch and miss! Harry zoomed off again, noticing the snitch fly straight up as it escaped Malfoy's grasp.

This time, Malfoy was nowhere to be seen, probably too confused to find the snitch. The snitch was two inches away from Harry's grasp and he reached as far as he could. Suddenly, a Bludger shot at Harry. He didn't have enough time to dart out of the way. Thankfully, Ginny beat it out of the way and Harry could continue to find the snitch.

"Where did that come from?" Harry asked her.

"Surprisingly, Seamus," answered Ginny. She was actually surprised, but Harry was not. Harry thanked her and flew off again in search of the snitch.

For a third time, Harry caught sight of the snitch. It was at the corner of the pitch, almost touching the ground. Harry flew once again at top speed to the other end of the pitch. He grabbed it triumphantly and flew right into the wall at full speed.