Harry Potter and the Shadows of the Watchgate

----------------------------------------------------------------
-*~| CHAPTER 11 - To Vanquish the Serpent |~*-
----------------------------------------------------------------

Harry was back again at that place where nothing existed except pure shimmering white light.... Again, the colors were pulsing all around him, and this time he could hear someone humming:

Let those who rest more deeply sleep,
Let those awake their vigils keep....

With each spoken word, the colors around him changed. He tried to glimpse something, anything, but could see nothing except the white light. When he became restless and started shifting, the humming voice faltered for a little bit, but the voice still kept on humming the song or incantation, whatever it was, over and over again.

And Harry again realized that the voice was very familiar, so familiar that he couldn't put his finger on it.

"What do you think you are doing?" the same voice brandished.

Harry was quite taken aback by the authoritative tone of the voice. He felt as though being caught while unscrupulously snooping around that he involuntarily flipped as if in air. With that the scene changed--yet again a smoky snake was charging at him, baring its fangs and this time it was able to sting him on his forehead--just where his scar was.

He felt no pain but a strange sensation seeped through his body, like actual venom was passing through his veins; he writhed in an unknown agony and woke up clutching his scar. Somehow, he knew that the mixing up of these dreams wasn't a good sign; this was no prediction but a feeling he couldn't explain.

He tossed around in his bed for a comfortable position, burying his face in his pillow, willing himself to sleep but to no avail. His scar wasn't hurting anymore and he wondered what woke him up if it wasn't the scar.

After many minutes of relentless tossing around and no appearance of sleep, he got up seeing the first rays of sunshine flitting through the window.

He got off the bed and pulled his jumper over him because of the chilly weather. He was pulling on his socks when his gaze fixed on his faintly gleaming Firebolt near the window. His stomach did a somersault when he remembered that today was the first Quidditch match of the season against Slytherin. That's why he was all hyped up last night and had slept late. Was this the reason behind seeing that dream again? And who that voice belonged to? It sounded so familiar...

He suddenly had the urge to talk to somebody and he had almost opened the side drawer to get the mirror that Lupin had given him but he realized that he didn't want to disturb him so early in the morning. So instead, he caught up on his homework which was bloating out of proportion.

When it was all rise and shine, he nudged Ron and Seamus awake from their slumber. When Ron saw him through his groggy eyes, he bolted upright so fast that his head hit the canopy of the four-poster bed.

"Oww," Ron yowled painfully.

"Oh c'mon, Ron! The match hasn't even started yet," Harry said playfully.

Harry knew that this time it was different, not because he was the Co-Captain but because Ron was playing even above Wood's standards and their Chasers were more than just fit; their team had everything except for a glitch called Andrew and Jack. The players had to save themselves from the Bludgers because the Beaters were either too absorbed in other things on the field--picking their noses or beating the Bludgers towards their own team-mates--rather than towards the opposing team. Oh how Harry sorely missed the twins and their brilliant beating!

He had a wistful expression on his face and Ron could read it right through, while coming from the bath. "Thinking about the blundering gits?" he asked, snickering and throwing his towel at him.

Harry made a face and answered, "You are there to save us, aren't you, Weasley King?" He threw back the towel on Ron's bed.

"Oi!" said Ron warningly and raced down with Harry to the common room where Ginny and Hermione were waiting for them.

Hermione raised an eyebrow and Ginny smiled, amused at the two boys crashing down the steps.

"All set for the match?" asked Hermione.

Harry was going to answer, "Yes," when he heard a crash and was knocked down beneath a heap comprising of Andrew and Jack. They were all arms and legs and Harry was squirming to get free.

Everyone burst out laughing--seeing the Gryffindor Captain, Mister Boy-Who-Lived, trampled by two lumbering figures.

"Gerroff!" he yelled from somewhere beneath.

"Sorry, boss!" said Jack, accentuating it with a goofy grin.

Harry straightened up and almost howled at them, "What are you two trying to prove? And I'm no 'boss', I'm simply Harry!"

"Sorry, Harry," Jack said earnestly, straightening his robes.

"Just slipped," Andrew interjected hopefully.

Harry just rolled his eyes in indignation, clearly saying, 'Oh why me?'

Hermione was still chortling with laughter, while Ron and Ginny eyed her reprovingly.

"Well, Hermione, we'll be okay," said Harry, answering her belatedly, which produced another fit of giggles from her.

"What are we going to do, mate?" asked Ron, ruffling his hair absent-mindedly.

"I miss Fred and George," said Ginny longingly, putting Harry's thoughts into words.

"We have practiced a lot; let's just hope that no Bludger smacks my head," said Harry, expecting the worst.

"Then we'll surely be doomed!" Ron said whistling, as an after thought he added, "And Merlin save us from the tweedleedum and tweedleedoo!"

-*-

Breakfast was a quiet affair and everyone was waiting in anticipation for the first Quidditch match. All the Gryffindors were wearing red and gold mufflers and many Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were cheering the Gryffindors too.

Harry felt a pang when he saw Cho wearing the Gryffindor muffler and his gaze was followed by Ginny, because of which he somehow felt ashamed.

He wasn't really hungry, so he just ate a piece of toast, and by looking at the worried faces of his team-mates, he completely lost his appetite. The only players who were eating like pigs were Andrew and Jack--they were eating like there was no tomorrow.

Katie gave him a worried look to which he only shrugged.

I hope they don't throw up, Harry thought optimistically.

-*-

They all got ready for the match in the changing room. Everyone was eyeing everybody else and exceptionally long stares were reserved for Andrew and Jack a.k.a tweedleedum and tweedleedoo.

Katie was smiling faintly towards Harry, encouraging him for a speech but he shook his head and pointed at her to have a go. They were all standing before the entrance, waiting for a cue from Madam Hooch.

"Okay, Gryffindors. After long and hard practices we have reached the first step towards the Quidditch Cup. And I know that there is a lot of pressure for maintaining the winning streak. But, Harry and I have decided that we'll never sink low to any foul play, just because we want to win. We will win with all the right moves, following all the rules, if not, no matter, because winning is not everything. However, I'm confident that with our team effort, we'll be able to hit another high," Katie finished looking in the eyes of the team members and Harry could almost feel their face set and their grips tighten on their broomsticks with determination.

"Let's get this over with," said Harry and they all exchanged a group high-five, with cries of, "Yeah," and, "Let's do this!" they all headed for the Quidditch pitch at the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle.

"Welcome! Students and respected professors, to the first Quidditch match of the season! And, what a fine day for a match! There is no wind as the air stands still with freezing coldness. The match between two opponents from so many years before that even Professor Binns is not sure about the exact dates: Slytherin versus Gryffindor. Let's hear it for the teams!"

Both the teams rushed out of their respective entrances towards the pitch.

"Look, it's Dean commentating!" Seamus said, pointing towards the high stands, while Dean smiled and waved to all of them.

"So this is the important thing he was doing," Harry concluded.

Madam Hooch, as usual, was standing in the center of the pitch. "Now, I want a nice and clean game, boys and girls!" she warned them all. "So watch your backs!"

With a pause she continued, "Captains shake hands."

This was the moment Harry was most dreading. Harry could almost hear many intakes of breaths as both the team Captains drew nearer to each other. Katie had already swore roughly at Malfoy and told him that she'd spend a day with Giant Squid in the lake instead of shaking hands with that pointy-faced git. So even if he hated Malfoy more, he wasn't able to sway Katie and had to give in.

Draco was smirking so hard that his eyes were not even visible and Harry was not going to be the first one to relent.

"C'mon, boys, we don't have all day!" Madam Hooch barked at them.

"After you, Potter," Draco said with a facsimile, but Harry didn't budge.

"Let's not waste time, Malfoy, or are you scared now?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow.

"In your dreams, Potter!" Draco sneered and before Madam Hooch could scold them again, they shook hands so briefly that their hands barely touched.

"Mount your brooms," Madam Hooch ordered. They all did so and with the sound of the whistle and a round of applause, fourteen broomsticks shot into the air.

"They are OFF! And a very spanking--"

"Thomas!" warned Professor McGonagall. As always, she was watching over the commentating.

"Sorry, Professor.... A very thrilling match right here, people. And the Quaffle is released and... Baddock lunges for the Quaffle but misses. Some excellent moves there, Bell; she's now in possession."

Harry was hovering around the pitch but no glint of gold was visible. He groaned involuntarily seeing Malfoy following him closely.

As the Quaffle was passed from player to player, Harry noticed that from the onset of the game, a difference was evident in the Slytherin team. Their Chasers were bumping and shoving more than usual and as they were going, a penalty seemed to be in order very soon.

"Weasley in possession and she is streaking so nicely towards the goal posts... Come on, Ginny!" Dean egged Ginny on, while Bletchley, the Slytherin Keeper looked murderous.

"She ducks, shoots... and SCORES!"

The crowd went wild on the first goal and Harry could hear the Gryffindors screaming in approval; they started waving a banner showing a huge lion swallowing a giant snake.

"Gryffindor: ten to zero," Dean announced happily.

Harry whooped with joy; however, ducked at the right time as a Bludger just zoomed past him brushing his sleeve.

"Pucey is at it again, closely followed by Finnigan. Go, GO, Seamus, knock him off his broom!"

"THOMAS!" yelled Professor McGonagall warningly.

"Erm... Finnigan successfully passes the Quaffle to Bell but... Oh no, a Bludger knocked the Quaffle from her hand to Warrington, shot by... uh... Sloper?" At this point Dean's voice had bewilderment written all over it.

"Warrington's heading for the goal posts and it's time for Ron Weasley, circling the hoops like an over-obsessive hen, to show his true colors."

The crowd screamed more wildly as Ron was able to save the goal and smirk in return, while Warrington showed him his fists.

"A sign of professional Quidditch right here people, as we see the Hawkshead Attacking Formation by the Gryffindor Chasers."

All the three Chasers came together in a tight group. Seamus was in the lead, heading for the goal posts, while Ginny and Katie flew close by. Bletchley was circling the hoops, not sure what to expect as Seamus passed the Quaffle to Katie and she arched like she was about to throw it towards the right hoop, Bletchley calculated wrongly and Katie in a flash passed the Quaffle to Seamus, who made for the middle hoop and scored successfully.

"Gryffindor scores again, GO SEAMUS!" Dean almost danced about the stand. "And it's Gryffindor: twenty to zero."

From the looks of it, the match was going in Gryffindor's favor because Ron hadn't allowed a single goal to the Slytherins. It was like he was back with a vengeance.

"Baddock's heading for the goal posts as Crabbe and Goyle band with him. What are they trying to do? Oh no, I smell trouble!"

There was an audible groan from the audience as Crabbe and Goyle both shot Bludgers at Ron at the same time from opposite sides, so that he was almost sandwiched between them. He was knocked backwards from his broom and if his grip hadn't been tight enough on his broomstick, he would have fallen straight towards the ground.

"FOUL, FOUL,FOUL!" screamed Dean, jumping around the stand.

"Penalty!" cried Madam Hooch.

"Thomas, continue with the commentating, will you!" warned Professor McGonagall, staring worriedly at Ron's heaving body.

"But, Professor, that was BRUTAL!" Dean complained.

"Anyways with that foul play, Slytherins finally score," said Dean, accusingly. "So, it's ten to twenty to Gryffindor."

A timeout was called by Harry and in the frenzy of flying towards Ron along his team-mates; he didn't notice that Malfoy was streaking wildly towards something. As Madam Hooch accepted his timeout, Malfoy caught the Snitch and was showing it off to the public with an evil grin on his face.

A sudden hush soaked the entire Quidditch pitch, and it seemed that nobody was present and if there had been any frogs in the pitch, they would have clearly heard their croaking in the abrupt silence that followed.

"I CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" yelled Malfoy, looking ecstatic.

"But, Mr. Malfoy, the timeout was already called; the game was in recess," Madam Hooch said in a calm voice.

"So what? I caught the Snitch, didn't I? And that means that the game is over," Malfoy said with a blank stare.

"I think I'm not getting through to you, Mr. Malfoy! The game was in recess, so, even if you catch the Snitch thousand times in a timeout, it wouldn't matter!" Madam Hooch bristled, getting all perked up.

Harry sighed in relief. Oh boy! That was too close!

Draco Malfoy on the other hand, let go of the Snitch and started cursing so loudly that Madam Hooch gave the Slytherins another penalty, which shut Malfoy up for good.

The crowd settled down with relief that the game was indeed, not over. Harry noticed a very bushy-haired bobbing up and down in the Gryffindor stands in concern. He didn't know that Hermione was either getting all worked up over Ron getting hurt or the match in dwindles.

In the meantime, Ron was examined by Madam Pomfrey, who was pursing her lips so tight that they seemed white. "Quidditch! I tell you..." she was muttering.

Ron just had some bruises which were healed by the Matron in a jiffy.

Before resuming the game, Harry had a little chat with Katie and his team-mates by getting a cue from the Slytherins, as they were all huddled in a corner of the pitch conspiring something.

"That was so close, Harry! What were you thinking?" asked Ron horrified.

"Looking after your butt, Ronniekins!" retorted Harry, producing a very red faced Ron.

"Jack, Andrew, try to shoot the Bludgers towards Slytherin for a change, will you? And I know I was lousy, so I'll keep a better lookout."

Harry was interrupted by Katie, "No, you weren't, Harry. Look at the Slytherins though, it seems that they will be using some of their non-professional tactics, so beware," Katie warned everybody, finishing with a smile of camaraderie.

The game resumed with a thunder of applause from the crowd. As Madam Hooch had called two penalties, Katie was chosen for the first and Seamus for the second, they both succeeded, making the Gryffindors lead with thirty points.

As Dean pointed out, the Slytherins were definitely getting more desperate by the moment as they kept on bungling through the game.

"Ouch! Tough luck there, Pucey! As he's hit by Kirke's first successful Bludger," Dean announced happily.

It had been one and a half hour to the game and Gryffindor was still leading thirty to seventy. The audience was completely hooked, as they ooohed and aaahed at the right places and moves.

"Bell in possession, as she veers around Warrington and Crabbe heading for the goal posts and ducks just in time from the Bludger sent by Goyle and passes along to Weasley, who in turn heads for the right hoop but shoots to the left and SCORES! Oh how brilliant! She was feinting. Gryffindors lead: thirty to eighty," Dean said in an over-excited voice.

Harry was scanning the ground for the Snitch. "Oh come out already!" he muttered desperately, as this time he was ready for it.

On his next scan, he saw Malfoy again getting all excited and diving for the ground. Harry followed suit but he couldn't see the Snitch.

"The Seekers have seen the Snitch and are now battling to catch it first. GO, Harry! Make Gryffindors proud!!!" Dean yelled over the excited chattering.

As Harry came nearer to the ground he saw a glint of gold not in front of Malfoy but on the other side of the pitch. "Damn you, Malfoy!" he yelled, as he swerved his Firebolt to the left with difficulty as he was flying very near to the ground.

"Ooooh that was a difficult maneuver, but Potter swiftly veers around for another point... But what is he doing?" Dean exclaimed as the audience got to their feet and many students pressed their Omnioculars to their eyes for a better look.

"Potter has seen the Snitch! Malfoy git was only feinting!" Dean shouted and Professor McGonagall was so absorbed in the game that she didn't even yell, "THOMAS" for a change.

As Malfoy realized that his ploy of distraction has backfired, he raced after Harry increasing his speed rapidly.

Harry had already covered half the distance and was leaning on his broomstick to increase the speed even more. The game stood stock still, as all the players abandoned their posts and were observing the Seekers, except Crabbe and Goyle who sent the Bludgers flying towards Harry, one of which only grazed him, but the second one hit his right shoulder squarely.

Harry howled in pain but still didn't lessen his speed.

"That was so unfair!" Dean bellowed. "Even with that, the Gryffindor Captain is narrowing down towards the Snitch, as it flutters some paces away from him," Dean announced excitedly.

And within a few heartbeats, Harry held out his left hand for catching the Snitch, closely followed by Malfoy, who was huffing and breathing hard to get past Harry; however, Harry was too quick for him.

The Snitch fluttered just past his fingers mocking him; Firebolt got the better side of the Snitch, and with a sigh of relief Harry enclosed the golden fluttering ball in his left hand as he headed for the ground by navigating the broomstick with his legs, unsupported--as his right hand was in no condition to hold anything.

The Gryffindor supporters cheered, jumped and yelled with triumph; however obviously the Slytherins were doing the opposite, heading for the school, heads bowed and scowling.

Harry's fellow Gryffindors made for him in a wave of robes and broomsticks and he was almost swallowed by their hulking figures, hugging him tightly. Harry felt contented after a long time. However, just before being completely swallowed by his team-mates, he saw a very familiar face in the nearest stand.... It can't be! he thought. That can't be Sirius!

"Gryffindor Captain saves the day! And Gryffindor WINS by two hundred points," Dean danced around the stand cheering while the thundering applause almost buried his voice.

"Harry! I knew you could do it," Ron said supporting Harry on his shoulder with the help of Andrew and Jack. Harry saw that there was no Sirius in the nearest stand.

What is wrong with me? Why am I seeing things? he thought, while he was carried around the pitch by his team-mates, quite proudly. Madam Pomfrey reached them in between their circulation and demanded that Harry was handed over to her for healing.

As it turned out, his shoulder joint was dislocated, however, Madam Pomfrey did a nifty spell and healed it, only leaving a little swelling and pain, for which he was ordered to take Strengthening Potion for three days.

"See you all in the dormitory," Harry said to his team-mates and headed for the Hospital Wing for his health potion, still in his Quidditch gear, wondering what was wrong with his sight.

~*~