A Different Kind of Scar

Harry awoke Saturday morning in a rather cheerful mood. He whipped up some breakfast for himself and packed is French International Quidditch Team uniform into his bag. He took is Firebolt and headed toward the stadium. His team would be playing the Spanish International Quidditch Team today. Spain's offense was ranked first in the polls. Ron's going to be in for a long day, Harry thought to himself as he got dressed right next to Ron. Ron looked more nervous today than he did during there first game. He was doing his best to hide it, but Harry knew it was still bothering him.

"You ready for the game?" Harry turned and asked Ron.

"Yea, of course. Why?" Ron said looking at Harry. Harry shrugged.

"I don't know," he said, "I mean you look kind of nervous and jittery." Harry pointed out hoping Ron wouldn't get to mad.

"Well I am. Aren't you?" Ron replied.

"Not really."

"Well you're not the keeper," Ron pointed out looking a little annoyed.

"Good point, Ron. Very good point," Harry said thinking that Ron was right. Being the opposing keeper of the Spanish team must be nerve racking. They are the best offensive team in the league and that should keep the keeper very busy. Just then the coach came into the locker room to give his usual pep talk.

"Ok, team! Listen up! This game is going to be won by defense. If we don't play defense, we don't win. It is that simple. So, Harry will need a quick catch of the snitch today, because if they get up over 150 points, there won't be any coming back," he looked sternly at Harry. Harry nodded in agreement. "Ron, we will need exceptional keeping from you today, and our beaters need to hit the bludgers with great precision. Everyone got that? Ok, let's get out there and win this match!" The team shouted as they got up to go out onto the pitch. Harry was just leaving when the coach called him to stay behind. The other kept going, as Harry walked toward coach with a confused look on his face.

Coach realized this and said, "Don't worry; you're not in trouble, Harry." Harry let out a slight sigh. "You know we don't have team captain, Harry? Well I never give the captain position before the first game. I watch the first game and give it to who I think will be the most consistent player of the year for us. This year I think that is going to be you, so that is why I am making you captain of the team. This is the first time I've ever made a rookie a captain, but I think you can handle the pressure. You play like you've been in the league for decades. Well, anyway here you go." He handed Harry a ribbon that he would tie around his arm to signal he was the captain. "Now, go out there and warm-up with the rest of the team!" Harry hurried out of the locker rooms. As he warmed up he got many compliments from his teammates.

"Congratulations, Harry," said Ron beaming with excitement.

"Great job, Harry," said Thomas Blew.

"I always knew you had it in you, Harry!" Gregory Hicks said to him, patting him on the back.

The voice of the announcer quickly filled the stadium. "France finally has a captain going into there second game of the season. It is Harry Potter, their rookie seeker. Not many rookies have ever been captain before, but if anyone could handle the pressure, I know it is Harry Potter."

The two teams warmed up for the next half an hour as the stadium filled up. Fans of all ages poured in from all of the gates. The stadium was filled by the time the game was about to start. The two captain came out to the center of the pitch shook hands and listened to the referee tell them the rules. Harry flew back into his starting position after a brief huddle with the rest of his team. The referee blew the whistle and threw the quaffle into the air.

The announcer's voice filled the stadium again. "Hicks has the quaffle first for France. He dodges a Spanish defender and fakes a shot! He passes to Fisher, who is right next to the goal for an easy score! France up 10 to 0 after ten seconds of play! Jackie Sinto receives the quaffle and heads down the pitch. Wow, that was close! The bludger was about two inches from her head. Sinto shoots and... she scores!" Cheers erupted as the fans could tell that this game was going to be close already.

"Fisher with the ball, she passes to Blew, Blew back to Fisher. Fisher with the shot... goal! Fisher has two quick goals here, in the early stages of the match. Goal! Santo Garcia has just scored a quick goal to even the score for Spain. Ouch! Fisher is hit by a bludger that was absolutely devastated by Freddy Garcia, Santo's older brother. Ark Klaywuk steals the quaffle and scores to put Spain up by 10. Three quick turnovers lead to three more goals by Klaywuk, Garcia, and Klaywuk. Spain now leads 60 to 20. Blew has the quaffle and he shoots... score! France is now down only 30. Klaywuk drops the quaffle from being hit by a bludger. Sinto picks it up and scores. What an unlucky break for France! The French beaters are playing outstanding. Guy Storm and Ricky Winterborn are hitting the bludger on target today. It is still not helping as Garcia puts in two quick goals for Spain. The score is now 90 to 30 in favor of Spain."

The crowd who was mostly for France, since is was a home game, was quieter than ever. Only a few cheers from Spanish fans could be heard here and there.

"Garcia scores! Blew with the quaffle he gives it to Fisher who... scores! 100 to 40 is now the score. Garcia adds another quick goal, followed up by another right away by Klaywuk. Sinto steals the quaffle and scores! She steals it again! And she scores again! Wow, what play by Sinto. The score is now 140 to 40. Sinto shoots... blocked by Weasley! What a block! And there is another spectacular save by Weasley! He is really getting into the groove. Blew scores! Wow what a- Fisher scores! That was an impressive play by Fish- she scores again! France is now on an offensive rampage! Hicks now with a goal! And he steals it back and scores again! The crowd is going wild as the score has gone from 140 to 40 to 140 to 90. Ronald Weasley makes yet another save! Hicks down the pitch; he dodges a bludger and... scores! France is only down 40 points. What a come back by the France. Harry Potter and Shikla Norva, the Spanish seeker, are flying furiously around the stadium looking for any sign of the snitch."

A whistle from the referee blew loudly. She signaled a foul on Gregory Hicks. Jackie Sinto took the penalty shot and made it with ease.

"Well after that foul, Spain leads by 50," the announcer continued, "Spain still in possession. Santo Garcia has just scored again to increase the lead even more. Hicks with the quaffle, he passes to Fisher. Fisher is on the move. She can really motor. She shoots and scores! What a shot by Fisher. Garcia has the quaffle for Spain. He tries a pass to Klaywuk, but it is intercepted by Blew. Blew motors up the pitch. He passes to Hicks, who shoots...score! The lead is back at 40 points for Spain."

Harry circled the stadium at a fast pace looking all over for the pitch. He tried to listen to the announcer over the loud system, but the fans yells were much louder. He had a hard time concentrating on the game at some points. Every now and then he heard the announcer yell something into the speakers. He knew someone had done something amazing. He tried to encourage his teammates as much as he could as he whizzed by them on his Firebolt. As Harry circled past Ron for what he thought was the zillionth time, he saw it. The snitch was at the far end of the pitch right next to the goalposts. He looked at Shikla, she hadn't seen it yet. He acted casual for another few moments getting closer to it, then put on a burst of speed toward the snitch.

The announcer's voice filled the stadium once again. "Fisher get the quaffle she passes to- Harry Potter is streaking towards the opposite end of the pitch! He rises up, and Shikla is following. He goes outside the stadium, around the goalposts and dives toward the ground. He is at top speed on his Firebolt. Shikla Norva the Spanish seeker is far behind Potter. She is one of the few professional woman seekers in the league- Harry Potter has got the snitch in his grasp! France has won! France has won! What a game! France seemed sure to lose with the Spanish offense playing well but with Potter's catch of the snitch they still managed to win. France has won of a final score of 310 to 260. They just pulled out their second win of the young season. France now 2-0 on the year will go on a road trip for a week. They have three games within that week, against China, Mongolia, and India. After that they have a week and a half to get ready for a home game against Iceland. We hope you join us next week for you weekly quidditch match ups. Goodbye," the announcer's voice left the intercom system. The fans cheered the French team all the way off the field. The team carried Harry off the field. They knew if he wouldn't have got the snitch as soon as he did, they would have lost. He might have still caught it but they would have been down by more than 150 points.

In the locker room Harry and Ron got dressed and listened to their coach's speech about the game. They both did their press conference {which they should get used to because they'll always have one} and left to go home.

Harry and Ron decided to take a bus home. Harry sat next to the window, gazing out it and not saying anything the whole way home. Ron wanted to help him, but he knew Harry was thinking about what he was going to do. Ron was about to say something when he thought against it. Ron thought it might be better to leave Harry alone. Harry was still trying to think of what to do. He liked Angelina, but he didn't know if it would help him with Hermione. Harry got home and made some supper for himself. He ate in silence as Ron watched him. Ron got sick of the silence and flicked his wand. A television appeared before them. Ron switched it to Quidditch TV. Ron sat there watching high lights of their game today and other games that day.

"Japan lost to China today," he said to Harry trying to cheer him up. That should move us up in the polls.

"Yea, probably," Harry said back casually.

"Alright that was a big upset and you didn't care. I've been quiet long enough. Tell me what's bugging you," Ron said looking at Harry. Harry woke up suddenly. He really hadn't noticed his actions lately.

"Well you know what it is. It's Angelina and Hermione," he replied looking more confused than ever.

"Well I already told you what I thought. I think if you have fun with Angelina, go for it. I mean you have nothing to lose. You have a good time with her and that is a good thing and if you end up forgetting about Hermione then that's even better. Unless you don't want to forget about Hermione that is," Ron said looking at Harry.

"I don't know what I want. I know I like Angelina and I know she could make me forget about Hermione. I have a good time with Angelina but what if it doesn't make me forget Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Well, just leave it at you have fun with Angelina. Go out with her and see if it makes you forget about Hermione. Like I said, if it does, then good for you," Ron replied looking at the TV. They talked for another hour, about anything and everything. After that Ron yawned and looked at Harry. He got up and began to walk out of the room.

"Well, I'm going to go. See you, Harry," Ron called back over his shoulder.

"Bye, Ron," Harry said to him as he left. Harry sat at the table thinking about all the things he talked about with Ron. Then he caught himself thinking about Angelina. He had been thinking about her more and more lately. He decided to call her and ask her if she wanted to go out tonight. When she said yes, Harry had a smile a mile wide. Angelina also said that Fred, George, Katie, and Alicia were going as well.

They six of them went out to a fancy restaurant. They talked about many things, especially Harry and his quidditch performance. Harry was glad when the food came; he didn't like talking about himself that much. After their dinner, they went to a dance club. Fred and Katie, George and Alicia, and Harry and Angelina and Harry partnered up. Harry loved the feelings when he was next to Angelina.

"So, Harry, did you think about my question?" she asked him as they danced. Harry had forgotten about it, but he didn't want to tell her that.

"Yes," he said quietly.

"Well, what is your answer?" she looked him directly in the eye. She had asked him the question on the phone a few days ago. She had asked them if they were a couple.

"Yes," he repeated even softer than the first. A smile spread across her face more quickly than he could have ever imagined. She gave him a hug she was so happy.

"Hey do you want to get out of here, go for a walk or something?" he asked her while dancing.

"Yea, that'd be fine," she said as he led her off the dance floor and out of the club. They walked around stopping for ice cream. After the ice cream they got back to Harry's house and invited the rest of the group to join them. Harry called Ron, who was over in a heartbeat. They seven friends laughed and talked all night. One by one they fell asleep at Harry's house.

When it was just Harry left, he went upstairs. He took a long shower and changed into some more comfortable clothes. He then went back downstairs, and lay on the only couch that wasn't occupied. He knew he wouldn't be able to fall asleep for a long while that night, his thoughts were on Angelina, not Hermione.

Harry awoke the next morning before everyone else. He glanced at the clock. It was ten-thirty. The plane he was taking to China with the French Quidditch team was leaving at four. He woke up Ron so he could pack as well.

"Thanks for waking me up. I probably would have over slept and would have missed the plane," he said in between yawns. "I'll be back after I'm done packing." He turned and walked out of the house, towards his own. Harry let the rest of the group sleep. He made breakfast for himself and was about to start on making lunch for everyone when they woke up when Fred walked in.

"Hello, Harry," he said, "sleep well?"

"Yea," Harry lied, "How about you?"

"Great! That couch is comfy. So you and Angelina... are you a couple?" he asked lowering his voice.

"Well, yea, I suppose," Harry replied. Thinking about Angelina made Harry smile.

"That's good to hear. She likes you a lot, you know?" Fred said. They both turned their heads as George walked through the kitchen door.

"Hey, George! Guess what!" yelled Fred.

"What?" replied George.

"Harry and Angelina are a couple!" called Fred.

"Really? That is cool," said George. Harry was a little mad that Fred had already told George, but it faded when Angelina walked into the room.

"Hey, guys, Katie, Alicia, and I are leaving," she said as she walked over to give Harry a kiss. Everyone said bye as they three of them left.

"Yea, I think we should be heading out, too, Fred," George said looking at his twin brother. They both said bye to Harry left for their houses. Harry cleaned up the kitchen then went upstairs to pack. He packed his uniform, snacks, and extra clothes for the trip coming up. Ron came back over to pick up Harry and the two of them left for the airport. As they were boarding there flight, Harry had an empty seat next to him. He then noticed half the plane was empty. The coach saw his look of confusion and came over to him.

"The plane is empty because we always take a private jet. Only difference this time will be that our Semi-Pro team is coming with us for the trip," the coach said walking past him into the next cabin. Harry's heart jumped, maybe Angelina is coming. Just at that moment she sat right next to him. Harry jumped.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she said.

"It's all right," he laughed. Having her there made him feel better about the trip. He knew he had to keep his mind on quidditch though as well. These games coming up could be crucial. As the plane took off, Harry Potter fell back into his seat, feeling safer now that Angelina was right next to him.