Bludgers, Broomsticks, Snitches and ...Snape?

Chapter 2: "Seeker in the Staff Room"

"So, when do you start practice as a team?" asked Ron Wednesday morning as the three of them were following the rest of the Gryffindor 3^rd years down to the dungeons for Potions class.

"Tomorrow evening," answered Harry as they stopped just outside the door to the dungeon, "we're meeting to talk tactics."

"You don't have the staff list yet, it would be good to know who you are up against, what if it's Snape! Exclaimed Ron. "Imagine, with his complete lack of skill as well as the fact that you could really mess with him and not get into trouble for it - it would be great!"

"What's that Weasley?" came a cold voice from behind them. Ron spun around and found himself looking directly at a towering Snape in the doorway.

"Err... I was, I was just..." stammered Ron.

"I'd be careful, you may just find a Bludger being directed into the stands next Saturday - pure accident of course - due to our ah...lack of skill did you say?" said Snape in a deadly quiet voice. "Ten points from Gryffindor."

Snape pointed them into the room. Harry, Ron and Hermione took their usual seats up the back and before long were brewing another complicated potion that Snape had set them.

So Snape was on the team, thought Harry as he added the dried newt eyes to his bubbling potion. Let's just hope Seamus' aim is good! He went to read the next instruction from the book but was interrupted by the sound of sniggering coming from the table just across from where he was.

Harry looked up and there, across the room, was Malfoy maliciously dangling something above Neville's cauldron. Neville was at the store cupboard and completely oblivious to the impending disaster Harry was sure Malfoy had in store. Before Harry knew what he was doing he lept across the room and shoved Malfoy's arm away. Unfortunately Malfoy seized the opportunity and executed a spectacular, but fake, fall against the table and knocked his cauldron to the floor. Potion splattered everywhere. Snape emerged a moment later.

"How did this happen?" he asked looking at Malfoy through his greasy black hair.

"It was Potter sir, he attacked me for no reason and pushed me against the desk. I was just minding my own business..."

"You were not!" said Harry enraged, "you were putting something into Neville's potion, I saw you!"

Neville, who had returned from the store cupboard, looked startled and slowly backed away from his cauldron. Snape glanced at Neville's potion with a slight smirk on his face.

"Longbottom's potion looks as it always does Potter. I'm sure if Malfoy had added anything it would only serve as an improvement, and since Longbottom's potion still looks like a useless waste of time I can only assume Malfoy is telling the truth."

"Yeah he didn't add it as I stopped him before he could!" said Harry even louder his voice shaking with anger.

Snape raised his eyebrows somewhat triumphant. "So Malfoy is telling the truth, you did push him into the desk. Thank you for clearing that up for me Potter. Malfoy go and assist Goyle - Potter can clean this up."

Malfoy turned away smirking.

" Twenty points from Gryffindor Potter and you have detention with me tonight,

6 o'clock sharp. Now get this mess cleaned up!"

Harry was still fuming at dinnertime. He stabbed a potato with his fork scowling while Ron continued his tirade on Snape. Just before 6 o'clock he left Ron and Hermione with their chocolate pudding and custard and headed off for his detention. He spent the next 3 hours in the gloomy dungeon under Snape's ever-humourless presence.

"So," said Snape unexpectedly at 8 o'clock, "I see our famous Harry Potter has secured his position on the student Quidditch team, can't miss an opportunity to be in the limelight can you potter?"

Harry kept his head down determined not to give Snape the satisfaction of getting to him.

"You'd better be careful, that big inflated head of yours is an easy target for a stray Bludger," Snape sneered at him.

**********

Thursday morning arrived. Harry, Ron and Hermione finished breakfast and started to walk back up to Gryffindor tower when Hermione suddenly grabbed Harry's arm.

"Harry over here," she said dragging Harry across the entrance hall with Ron following behind. Over at the notice board there was a large group of students clustered around talking and laughing. As they approached some of them moved aside and Harry got a look at what they were all so interested in.

HOGWARTS STAFF TEAM

Keeper - Professor Dumbledore

Chasers - Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Lupin

Beaters - Professor Hooch, Professor Sinistra

Seeker - Professor Snape

"Seeker!" exclaimed Harry loudly making everyone look round at him.

Ron continued to stare at the notice and then a smile started to spread over his face.

"This is even better Harry! Snape's got no chance and you can legitimately smack him to the ground!"

"Ron!" said Hermione sharply.

Ron spun around at once expecting Snape to be standing there again, but all he found was Hermione scowling.

"When your chasing a snitch Hermione, anything can happen!" said Ron, folding his arms across his chest looking smug.

"It's only supposed to be for fun," she said, but she looked slightly worried as she glanced as Harry.

"Yeah, like Snape isn't going to take every chance he can to send Harry to a bloody death," Ron continued.

"I thought he was going to be Beater the way he was carrying on last night," said Harry scowling. "Why's he changed his mind all of a sudden?"

"Hello Harry," came a voice from behind them. They turned to find Professor Lupin walking towards them smiling. "Ah! I see you've seen your competition then," he said pointing to the notice. "Not a bad team hey? It's been a few years since Quidditch days for us but with a bit of practice I'm sure we'll put up a decent fight - well for a few minutes at least!" he added winking.

Harry continued to look at him without answering and Lupin seemed to catch on.

"Yes, Professor Snape as Seeker, it's an interesting choice isn't it?" he said watching Harry closely. "I wouldn't have minded the challenge but Professor Snape beat me to it." He continued to look at Harry with a faint look of concern. "Just remember it's all for fun Harry. Well, see you three in class this afternoon," and he walked away still frowning slightly.

"Yeah, it's all for fun all right!" said Ron as Snape emerged from the Great Hall.