Bludgers, Broomsticks, Snitches and ...Snape?

Disclaimer - All characters, places, spells etc remain the property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Publishing. The Quidditch concepts and terms used in this fic are from 'Quidditch Through the Ages' by J.K.Rowling

Chapter 1 : "A Special Announcement"

Harry had been in a peaceful sleep until a loud shout, followed by laughter came from the other side of the dormitory. He sat up and reached for his glasses to find Seamus disentangling himself from his huge Kenmare Kestrels poster that had obviously fallen on top of him while he had been asleep, and Ron, half dressed, holding his stomach laughing.

"Thanks for the wake up call," Harry said, grinning.

"Damn poster! I should have known that extra Sticking Sap Solution that Fred gave me was no good!"

Laughing along with Ron Harry jumped out of bed and got dressed. Another Monday had begun.

Five minutes later they arrived down in the common room to find a group of people milling around the notice board on the far wall.

"What's going on?" Ron asked Ginny as she passed by.

"Notice, everyone has to be in the Great hall just before class this morning, some special announcement," she replied shrugging.

Harry and Ron looked curiously at the notice together and left for breakfast.

They found Hermione already at the Gryffindor table tucking into eggs and toast with the Daily Prophet propped up by her glass.

"There you two are!" she exclaimed as they both approached and sat down opposite her at the table. "I thought you would be here before now seeing as there is a special announcement this morning."

"It says JUST before class Hermione!" Ron said quickly, reaching across for the Pumpkin juice.

"Well, I can see you've started the day well," Hermione sniffed.

"So what do you think this special announcement is all about?" Harry asked hastily before a full-blown argument started.

"No idea," said Hermione in her normal tone again. "Must be something important though." She looked up at the staff table where all the teachers were assembled. "I mean to gather the whole school together. Maybe a change to subjects or about the exams - Oh no! I hope they're not brought forward, I haven't even got my notes colour coded yet!"

They spent the next 15 minutes eating breakfast and discussing various ideas on what the special announcement could be, each one getting more ridiculous than the last until Professor Dumbledore finally stood and signaled for silence.

"Good morning to you all," he said cheerfully. "I trust that you have all enjoyed your breakfast before heading off to classes for this morning. Now, as you know there is a special announcement to be given. The teachers, prefects and myself have recently been discussing the need for a school activity for some lighthearted fun that we can all enjoy. It is therefore my pleasure to announce that in two weeks, on the Saturday, there will be a special Quidditch match held."

Ron and Hermione immediately looked at Harry, who dropped his fork on his plate in puzzlement.

"However this match will be slightly different to the usual," continued Dumbledore after all the muttering and whispers had died down. "This will be our first student/teacher Quidditch match! There will be one team made up of you, the students, and one team of us," he said waving a hand toward the staff table. "Now, as you know we have some very fine Quidditch players amongst us, so therefore, to try to even the playing field for us, less practiced staff, only one person from each house team is to play, as well as 3 other students who are not usually involved but would like to give it a go. Once you have decided your team please post the list in the entrance hall, where the staff list will also be posted. The sooner you are organised the sooner you can begin to train your new team. Now classes!"

The students moved noisily out into the entrance hall all talking excitedly about the coming match. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed.

"Well, what do you think mate?" said Ron to Harry, punching him jovially in the arm.

**********

That morning there was much deliberation amongst the students as to who to put forward for the team, as well as many jokes that began to circulate concerning certain teachers and their Quidditch skills.

Harry spent most of his time in the morning daydreaming different scenarios of teacher/student mid air tackles. That was until during Transfiguration class when the thought of McGonagall whizzing around on her broomstick, battling a bludger while she tried to keep her pointed hat on straight overcame him and he burst out laughing, completely forgetting where he was. After McGonagall set him an essay to write, as to why Transfiguration was a serious business and not a laughing matter, he thought he had better try to keep his mind on his work. He already had too much homework piling up as it was without extra.

That evening, after dinner, all the Gryffindor students piled into the common room to discuss their pick for the team. Harry stood by the fire. He was all set to put Oliver forward - he was the most experienced and Captain of the team after all. Five minutes later, however, Harry found himself the firm favourite.

"What any Quidditch team needs is a good Seeker and you're the best there is," said Oliver firmly. "I've spoken to the other Captains and they all agree - well except for Slytherin but who cares about them!"

"Yeah, I bet Malfoy didn't like that!" laughed George.

After a vote it was decided and Harry became the first official member of the student team. By Tuesday evening the student list was posted up reading:

Hogwarts Student Team

Keeper - Markus Flint

Chasers - Cho Chang

Susan Bones

Derek Allan

Beaters - Seamus Finnigan

Terry Wilkes

Seeker - Harry Potter

(COME ONE, COME ALL AND WATCH

THE MIGHTY TEACHERS FALL!!!)