Harry Potter and the Prince of the Enchanted Forest

Chapter 6: In Which a Quidditch Match Leads to Disaster

Harry and Ron heard even more about Magic Theory from Hermione in the coming weeks. The next week she was talking to them about the biological reasons why wizards were different. "It was so amazing! It's just the way the Force was described in Star Wars Episode I."

To Hermione's surprise, both her friends looked at her in confusion. "Come on, surely you are familiar with the Star Wars movies. It was an impressive achievement, even for outside the wizard world!"

"I've seen bits of them on television," Harry answered. "They look brilliant, but the Dursleys won't even let Dudley see them. Said they'll fill his mind with ridiculous notions about space. Tight minded, they are you know."

"Moo-vee?" Ron asked.

"Muggle entertainment," Hermione answered. "Like television shows, only hours longer. You really should see Star Wars, both of you. My parents love it. It's a Muggle's interpretation of wizards in space, and they hit it right on the nose." She then went into a technical description, which Harry didn't understand a word of.

But it didn't stop there. Hermione analyzed every spell they studied from then on. She almost took the fun out of their first Hogsmead visit by surveying every magical object in Zonko's, trying to discover what made them tick. She wanted every single detail, ever so often asking for Daystar's input about her reasoning. Daystar kept warning her that she was sounding more and more like Telemain, but Hermione didn't seem to mind.

From his response to Harry's owl, Sirius seemed quite impressed with Daystar. He didn't know too much about Gwydoben, but what he had heard was good. He told Harry that he felt the boy was in good hands with Daystar.

Lessons were certain more interesting. Most teachers would allow the students to bring their pets in, except for Professor Binns (who said they were too much of a distraction) and Snape. Morwen's kittens were enough for him to stand. Yet, every lesson in Potions now had some kind of argument between Daystar and Snape. It was always interesting to watch. Daystar always seemed cool, but Snape nearly went blue in the face every time, trying to make the prince crack. Daystar liked playing Snape's game by continually calling their argumentative moments "rounds of devil's advocate."

Harry kept trying to talk to Hedwig, but she wouldn't say much. Harry wasn't sure she liked being on speaking terms with him. Pigwidgeon still wouldn't stop talking, and Ron wasn't any closer to deciphering her conversations. It seemed like they weren't the only ones having trouble with familiar communication. Harry noticed once at breakfast that Goyle was having problems with Wachoo. Wachoo was still leaping all over the place, yowling at the top of his lungs, and now that Goyle could understand him it seemed to him the kitten was making a big deal out of nothing.

"Make him shut up," Draco growled.

Goyle picked the cat up by the scruff of its neck and shouted, "If Draco and I told you once, we told you a thousand times. There is no such thing as your stupid Society of Wizards!"

Daystar choked on his orange juice. Everybody else in the hall burst out laughing, but Daystar looked horrified. He walked over to the Slytherin table and politely asked to talk to the cat for a little while. Draco looked intimidated and didn't say a word. Still, he wouldn't take his eyes off Daystar until he went into a private room and talked to the kitten. What they discussed, Harry never knew, but Wachoo seemed somewhat calmer after that. Draco still asserted that the kitten was mental, though.

Morwen's lessons grew more helpful as they were interesting. She taught the class her sleeve spell next, which took two class periods to cover. Harry liked not having to fumble inside his robes for his wand. Now he could just reach into his sleeve and retrieve it, and he could never tell it was in there when he carried it. He knew that would be an ideal place for the Marauder's Map if he had to use it again, or to carry treats from Honeydukes and Zonko's. He just needed to make sure he didn't take too much, or the spell wouldn't work quite as well. She also displayed several magical instruments to carry along in case of emergency, like a bundle that always filled with food, or a lamp that would only light the path one needs to take.

Alicia's methods of coaching Quidditch remained simply over-encouragement. Still, Harry's moves were improving. After a few weeks, he didn't feel quite as nauseous or disoriented when practice was over. It wouldn't be long until--

"The first Quidditch match is this afternoon," Hermione announced to Daystar at breakfast.

"Ah, 'How beautiful are the feet which bring good news!'" Daystar knelt down to Hermione's feet. "Your ankles have wings, don't they Hermes?"

Hermione just playfully hit him on the head. "Cut that out!"

Harry ate his breakfast quickly, anxious to get out on the Quidditch field. Before Harry left to get his scarlet robes on, Daystar gave him a pat on the back. "Good luck, Harry." As Harry moved on, Daystar shouted, "GO GRYFFINDOR!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Everybody looked at him oddly. Daystar promptly stopped. "I guess it's a British thing."

Ron, Hermione, and Daystar took their places in the Gryffindor stands. To most of Gryffindor's surprise, two teachers joined them.

"Hi Morwen, Telemain," Daystar nodded.

"Afternoon, Daystar," Morwen smiled.

"Salutations, Hermione," Telemain said shaking her hand. Then turning to Ron, he said, "I beg your pardon, but I do not believe I have made your acquaintance. I am Telemain, Professor of Magic Theory in the Honors Curriculum."

"Ron Weasley," Ron answered. "Hermione talks loads about your class. Wish I could take it."

"Well, if Magic Theory interests you, I will be pleased to enlighten you privately."

"I might take you up on that," Ron nodded, lying through his teeth.

"So, tell us more about Quidditch," Morwen inquired. "I've only heard scanty details."

Ron and Hermione explained the sport together, and the others listened intently.

"I see," Daystar nodded. "I think I got it. The object of the game is to catch the Snitch!"

"Well, not really," Ron tried to explain.

"Well, it ends the game, doesn't it? And it earns the most points, doesn't it? The team that catches the Snitch wins!"

Ron and Hermione looked at each other. They saw a professional game last summer, and the opposite was true. At the Quidditch World Cup, Viktor Krum caught the Snitch, but his team lost by ten points. Ireland, the opposing team, made too many Quaffle goals. They tried to tell Daystar about this, but he was already talking to Morwen and Telemain.

"Listen, Seeker is Harry's position. Just watch him. The rest of the game won't matter."

"I do not believe I shall be able to attend this entire event," Telemain said solemnly. "The mere thought of observing the aerial contraptions engaged in such a complex function is enough to make my stomach regurgitate at the memento of unpalatable experiences."

"What's he saying?" Ron muttered.

"He probably won't be able to watch the entire game because it will surely make him sick," Morwen answered. "Don't be ridiculous, dear! These students know what they're doing, and they enjoy it."

"The entire prospect sound completely horrid," Telemain growled. "I can not believe that someone actually contrived using broomsticks in this intricate competition!"

"You must excuse him," Morwen whispered to Hermione and Ron. "Telemain is somewhat uncomfortable with flying broomsticks."

"I gathered," Ron muttered

Meanwhile, Alicia encouraged the Gryffindors with a pep talk, like Oliver used to do. First, she called the whole team into a huddle. "Oliver always said we are the best team in all the school. After all I have seen these past few weeks, I have no reason to doubt him. We are the greatest! We can beat Ravenclaw! Don't forget, we're not just playing for the Quidditch Cup, we're playing for Cedric, bless his soul! We're playing for the honor of our school! We're playing against You-Know-Who! We'll show him who's boss! We'll show him you don't mess with Hogwarts!"

Harry wasn't sure he liked this pep talk. He didn't necessarily want this season to be constantly linked to Cedric's death. That would be too morbid.

"OK everyone, put your hands into the center of the circle. That's it. Now, one, two, three, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GRYFFINDOOOOOOOOOOOR!" Nobody really knew she would break into that, so the team's cue was a little off and less enthusiastic. "Let's do this!"

About this time, Harry heard Lee Jordan's voice magnified through the stadium. "Welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw! Please make welcome the Gryffindor team!" The team took the field as Lee announced their names. Harry looked up in the stands to see his friends cheering him on as before. Ravenclaw came onto the field. Harry's stomach did that familiar lurch as he saw Cho Chang. She smiled at him, but it seemed a little forced. Surely she didn't think--

"Before we begin the game, Professor Dumbledore has a special announcement."

Harry looked up into the teacher's stands. This was new. Dumbledore stood before the voice magnifier and looked straight at Harry. "Players, students, faculty, distinguished guests, it gives me great joy to declare this year's Quidditch season open. I am proud of all of you for wanting to continue this tradition in the face of adversity. However, I think it is only appropriate to think of the tragedy of last year. Let us take a moment to remember Cedric Diggory, former Hufflepuff Quidditch Seeker and Captain, Prefect, Triwizard Champion, and friend to many. Before the game, let us pause for a minute of silence."

All players on both Quidditch teams bowed their heads. Harry remembered the horrible moment when he saw his friend die, so suddenly right before his eyes. Harry only liked him a little. They seemed to be rivals at everything, in Quidditch, in the tournament, in their relationships. Harry looked at Cho again to see she had burst into tears. As she wiped the tears from her eyes, she looked at Harry again--and glared. Harry's heart sank. She did blame him partially for Cedric's death. And how he had hoped he would have been able to get to know her better now, to comfort her.

"Thank you," Dumbledore finally announced. "Now, let the game begin!"

"Davies, Spinnet, shake hands," Hooch ordered. The captains did so.

"Hey Cho!" Harry mustered the courage to whisper. When she look up, that courage immediately oozed out. He somehow managed to mouth, "Good luck." She flashed him a mischievous grin.

"All players, mount your brooms! Kick off on my whistle. Three, two, one--"

"Tweeeeeeeeeet!"

The brooms soared into the air, and the balls were released. Harry flew out to a safe distance. First, he'll use all his maneuvers to get Cho off his back. Then he'll look for the Snitch. He did his moves as strategically as he could. He tried them all: the corkscrew, the pendulum, and the mix-matcher to name a few. Many of the students were confused as to what he was doing.

"Harry seems to have gone off the deep end. He's doing complex moves only professionals attempt, and he's evidently not paying attention to the game," Lee commented.

"You're doing a commentary of this match, Jordan, not a review!" Professor McGonagall barked.

"But this is serious, Professor. See, there's a Bludger heading right for him, and he doesn't seem to care!"

At the word "Bludger," Harry first noticed a black ball heading right toward his face. Luckily, George hit it out of the way before it could hit Harry. Harry nodded in thanks and flew on. The Weasley brothers flew pretty close to him from there on, probably remembering last time Harry had trouble with Bludgers.

Harry observed from the right side of the field. Cho looked sufficiently addled, and the teams were tied ten to ten. It was time to look for the Snitch.

As Harry surveyed the field, he saw Fred and George over his shoulder. They sneezed simultaneously and wiped their noses in unison. Harry chucked at their "twinness" showing through, but then it got more serious. They would not stop sneezing. Of course, it wasn't in unison, and they seemed to be getting more severe. Harry promptly flew over to them.

"You guys alright?"

"We're--achoo!--fide," Fred answered.

"It's judst--achoo!--the dadder--achoo!--in da schood--achoo!" George added.

"Looks like the Weasleys are having are having a allergy attack," Lee commented. "Wait a minute, you guys never get allergy attacks! You're not allergic to anything!"

"Personal comments later, Jordan!" Professor McGonagall warned.

"Well, if you're sure you're ok," Harry said. He started trying to fly away, but his broom wouldn't go. He looked to see if someone had grabbed onto his broom, like Draco did once, but no one was around. Harry kept trying to kick, but the broom only went a few inches forward. Then, it started to droop. Harry pulled it up quickly to keep from falling. He saw that Fred and George were having the same problems, added with the discomfort of never-ending sneezing.

And then, Harry felt it again. The invisible rope pulling out of his soul, the singeing pain in his scar. This time, it was even worse. Harry felt weak and disoriented. What could be doing this? He squinted down into the field below. He saw a long, polished staff glowing fiercely and poking out from beneath the Hufflepuff stands, but who was holding it Harry couldn't tell. All he could see was a blur. Whatever it is, maybe his patronus could ward it off. Harry grabbed his wand.

"Expecto patro--" Harry started to cry, but the silvery jet from his wand was drawn toward the staff. "Oh no!"

As he spoke, the Golden Snitch flew up to his ear, and as soon as it came, it began to drop like a rock. Harry abruptly caught the ball before it could fall.

"HARRY POTTER'S GOT THE SNI--" Lee voice suddenly went dead. Harry could see him arguing with Professor McGonagall that he didn't break the modifier, and other teachers were tapping it with their wands.

Wait, there was another charm. Morwen used it on the train. It came to him like lightning.

"Argelfraster!"

Nothing happened.

"Argelfraster!"

Still nothing. The horrible pulling feeling was getting worse. Harry could see the staff's magic was starting to affect the rest of the Quidditch players and many in the stands. Ron was also going through a serious sneezing attack. Daystar was on the edge of the stands, searching the grounds.

Harry knew this charm had to work. He kept swishing and flicking his wand, screaming, "Argelfraster!" at the staff, all the while cradling the Snitch and trying to stay in the air. More and more, it seemed like a losing battle.

"I can't see anything!" Daystar cried in frustration. "I don't see any wizards anywhere!"

"Look--achoo!--behide--achoo!--youd," Ron answered.

"Not what I meant."

"What is going on?" Hermione asked Telemain, and he told her in magical technical talk.

"I give up," Daystar cried throwing up his hands. To everyone's amazement, Daystar drew his sword.

"What are doing?" Seamus cried.

"Quickly, give me a spell!"

"What spell?" Hermione asked.

"Any spell! Just direct it toward the sword, please."

"Alohomora!" Hermione chanted. Nothing opened, but somehow Daystar's sword glowed just a little brighter.

"Lumos," Ron managed to say.

"Riddikulus!" Neville tried.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Seamus tried.

Nearly all the Gryffindors in the stands submitted a spell. Some other houses got the idea and directed spells toward the sword from across the way. Even some of the teachers chimed in. As they continued to add spells, Daystar muttered a draconian spell:

"Power of fire, wind, and earth,

Turn the spell back to its birth.

Raise this spell to shield our skin,

By the power that's within!"

Then Daystar made a pushing motion around the hilt of his sword. A bright light issued from the blade and flooded the stadium.

Harry felt a rush of relief and the pain go away. He still felt very weak, but at least he could land safely. As soon as he reached the ground, he toppled off his broom. Fred and George did the same. Everything was blurry.

"Harry! Harry! Are you alright?" Before he understood what was happening, Cho was at Harry's side and actually holding his hand.

Harry tried to reply, but all that came out was a groan. "How are you?" he finally muttered.

"OK, I guess. How's the--" But then she saw it in his hand. She picked up the Snitch, which weakly ruffled its wings. "Oh, poor thing!" Harry managed to reach up and prod the Snitch with his wand, but it was no use. The Snitch drooped its wings and ceased to move. It was gone.