Golf Balls

Golf Balls

Harry looked up at the large dent that had appeared in the ceiling of the Gryffindor common room, then back down at the small square of Astroturf they had set up in front of the fireplace.

'You know Ron,' he said eventually, 'you're the only person I now who is idiotic enough, or at least uncoordinated enough, to hit a golf ball straight up.'

'I reckon we should take a point off for that,' returned Ginny, looking up from where she was nursing the bump on her brother's head.

'True, Hermione, take a point off'f Ron's score would you?'

The bushy haired girl sighed, took up her quill and put a neat cross through a mark on Ron's column. Then she went back to her books.

Really, those three could be so immature at times.

Harry was now standing over his red headed friend. 'Hey Ron, seriously mate, are you alright? How many fingers am I holding up?'

Ron Weasley squinted up from his prone position, trying to focus on what he assumed was Harry. Problem was the world seemed to keep jumping around of its own accord; he wished it would stop.

'Umm, six?'

Harry looked at where three digits were shooting up from his palm. 'Uhh, Ron; human beings only have four fingers and a thumb on each hand, and I'm only holding up one hand. How, in the name of all things magical, could I be holding up six fingers?'

'As you said,' replied the still dazed Ron, '"magical". Lots of interesting things can happen with "magical".'

'I vote we keep him away from the clubs for awhile.'

Ginny nodded her agreement. With that Harry reached down and picked up a small white golf ball, and carefully placed it and its tee on the Astroturf. Then he picked up the titanium driver that was lying on the couch.

'You know; Uncle Vernon's going to be really pissed when he realizes this is missing.'

'Vernon?' questioned Ginny. 'Is he the one that you said looks like a baby killer whale?'

'No, that's Dudley, Uncle Vernon's larger.'

'Wow.'

Harry hefted the driver and took a couple of experimental swings. Then he took a pinch of floo powder from the paper bag they had resting on the table, and threw it into the fire. The flames burned green.

'Slytherin common room!'

The driver swung back...

Swish!

Whap!

The golf ball shot off its tee, flew through the air, and disappeared into the green flames with a short sizzle. Harry leapt forward, grabbing a length of piping off the floor, and stuck it into the flames. He put his eye up to the end and peered through. On the other end was the Slytherin common room. Around its darkened interior sprawled a number of people, large bumps forming on their heads, or nursing bruised limbs. As he watched Draco Malfoy slowly collapsed onto the floor, eyes crossing.

'Brilliant!' exclaimed Harry. 'I got Malfoy!'

Ginny jumped forward, snatching away the tube. 'Give me a look! Oh yeah, nice shot Harry! Hermione, notch another one up for Harry.'

The girl sighed and put another dash in Harry's column. Ginny pulled the pipe out of the fire and it faded from green back to more natural fiery colours.

'You know Ginny, you really should be studying for your OWLs,' put in Hermione.

'Harry,' said Ginny, ignoring Hermione, 'I think we're running out of targets.'

'You're right.' said Harry. 'We've hit most of Slytherin. Thing is, where to now?'

Ginny looked thoughtful for a second. 'I know.'

She pulled another golf ball out of the box and placed it on the tee. She threw a pinch of floo powder into the fire. Made a few practice swings, then...

Swish!

Whap!

'Malfoy Manor!'