Professor Dovahkiin - Volume 1 Chapter 38 Ch. 38 Bludger

Saturday, November 7th, 1992

Harry woke early, well before sunrise. But he laid in his bed, thinking about the upcoming Quidditch match.

Harry could readily admit he was nervous. One cause for worry was what Wood would say and do if Gryffindor lost to Slytherin. Another thing that had Harry’s stomach-churning was the thought of facing another Seeker with the faster broom money can buy.

He wanted to beat Malfoy so bad, he was terrified of being out-played by the blonde.

While Malfoy wasn’t the big annoying shite that he was last year, he was still an annoying shite.

Despite his nerves, Harry actually welcomed the thought of the Quidditch match.

The past few weeks have been wreaked havoc on Harry’s emotions. From learning a bit about his family name to his talk with Professor Dovahkiin. The more Harry learned about the Potter family, the prouder he became. That probably contributed to the vast amount of embarrassment Harry felt when Professor Dovahkiin hinted at Harry nearly ruining a trap for the Philosopher’s Stone.

When the sun finally rose above the horizon, Harry climbed out of bed and got dressed. He found Hermione waiting on him in the Gryffindor Common room.

They shared a smile as Harry walked to the waiting girl. The pair silently made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Harry was grateful for Hermione’s presence. She was the one that suggested they search the library of information on his family. Hermione even found the book containing an old version of the Potter family tree.

Walking into the Great Hall, Harry quickly took note of the mixed atmosphere. The Gryffindor team was huddled together at an empty section of the table, looking uptight and rigid.

This was a stark contrast to the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, which were much more talkative and energetic. Several of the Hufflepuffs could be overheard talking about the upcoming Quidditch match but, Professor Dovahkiin was being mentioned by several groups.

“They’re hoping Professor Dovahkiin will show for breakfast,” Hermione told Harry.

“I know. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind talking to him myself,” Harry said.

Harry mostly wanted to thank Professor Dovahkiin for actually listening to him, and he also wanted to talk to the professor about why Harry was hearing that voice. He didn’t doubt Professor Dovahkiin knew what was happening. The man was seemed to know everything!

Harry was pulled from his thoughts by an insistent Hermione.

“Come on, you need to eat,” Hermione urged as she tugged on Harry’s arm. Harry let himself be dragged to the Gryffindor table and found a seat near his teammates.

After breakfast, Harry and Hermione returned to the Common Room. They were joined by Ron once he returned from the Great Hall. They spent their time quietly talking.

As ten o’clock approached, the whole school started to make its way down to the Quidditch stadium. Many of the students carrying banners intended to be displayed during the game.

There was a steady breeze outside, and the grey clouds promised rain soon.

Hermione and Ron wished Harry luck before leaving Harry to find seats to watch the match.

Once the team was dressed in their Quidditch robes, they sat down to listen to Wood’s pep talk.

“Slytherin has better brooms than us,” Wood began. “No point denying it. But we’ve got better people on our brooms.”

Wood continued his pep talk with small interruptions from George or Fred for comedic relief. Harry just took it in until Wood clenched his fist and raised his voice.

“And we’re going to make them rue the day they let that little bit of slime, Malfoy, buy his way onto their team!”

With his chest heaving, Wood turned to face Harry. “It’ll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying, Harry, because we’ve got to win today, we’ve got to!”

“No pressure, Harry,” Fred said with a smirk.

“Just our hopes and dreams riding on your shoulders, Harry,” George said with a wink.

Stepping out of the locker room, Harry was hit with a roar of cheers and noise. Moving into position, Harry ignored the crowd and focused on the game about to begin. Harry was in his element.

Ignoring Wood and Flint talking with Madam Hooch, Harry focused on his opponent, Malfoy. Harry was determined to beat Malfoy, fair, and square.

A bit of jealousy hit Harry as he watched Malfoy mount his broom with more confidence than he had a right to. Malfoy’s smirk only contributed to Harry’s determination.

“On my whistle,” Madam Hooch roared over the noise. “Three… two… one…”

At the sound of the whistle, Harry kicked off the ground hard and quickly soared into the air, high above everyone else. Looking down at the fast-moving players, Harry turned away and began searching for any hint of the Snitch. The faster Harry caught the Golden Snitch, the more it would prove money can’t buy everything.

Harry was attempting to systematically inspect the pitch for any sign of the Snitch when Malfoy joined him in the air.

“Just give up, Scarhead. You don’t stand a chance,” Malfoy gloated.

Harry only had enough time to register Malfoy’s taunt, when a deep black Bludger came soaring toward him. Harry felt his hair ruffled by the Bludger as he threw himself against his broom to avoid it.

“That was a close one, Harry!” Fred called out as he streaked past Harry.

Malfoy quickly retreated with a Gryffindor Beater nearby. Guess Malfoy isn’t as dumb as he seems.

Harry watched as Fred drew back the wooden club and whacked the Bludger away from Harry and towards a yelping Malfoy. Fred’s taunt at the retreating Slytherin died in this throat, as they watched the Bludger make a wide arc away from Malfoy and fly towards Harry.

Fred only paused for a moment before he drew back his club and smacked the charging Bludger with all his strength. The red-head gave a deep frown as he watched the Bludger change course a second time.

George quickly flew in and knocked the Bludger towards a Slytherin Chaser when it finished another arc back towards Harry!

Fred and George were quickly occupied with deflecting the Bludger away from Harry. Each time the twins would strike the rogue Bludger, it would travel less and less before returning to a path towards Harry.

“Someone’s tampered with this Bludger,” Fred shouted out.

“Bet you that someone is green and scaly,” George shouted back.

With the Gryffindor Beaters focused on protecting Harry, the Slytherins were pushing the rest of the Gryffindors to their limit. Playing against a team with better brooms is bad enough, being out-numbered was taking a toll on the team’s morale.

The grey clouds finally delivered on their promise, as a light rain began. Harry knew this couldn’t continue. The Slytherin team was scoring three goals for every one Gryffindor made. Worse, Harry would never be able to spot the Snitch with Fred and George hovering around him.

Harry was about to do something reckless when he spotted a golden blur below him. The Snitch!

Harry dived straight for the golden blur, and out of the protection of the Weasley twins.

Harry rolled hard to the left at the warning shouted by one of the Beaters, and the crazed Bludger zoomed by Harry’s head.

Seeming to be aware of its pursuit, the Golden Snitch began to zigzag as it raced towards the ground.

Harry glanced over his shoulder at the sound of whipping cloth growing louder behind him. Malfoy was moving in fast, and his eyes were fixed on the fleeing Snitch.

Harry grimaced and bore down harder on his Nimbus 2000. He would be damned if he let Malfoy catch the Snitch!

As Harry inched closer to the Snitch, he heard the telltale whoosh of the Bludger close behind him. Even worse than the cursed Bludger, Malfoy was slowly moving up alongside him!

As the ground was racing up to meet them, a sharp turn by the Snitch nearly caused Malfoy to crash into the pitch.

With the ground only a few feet below him, Harry was only encouraged. This severely reduced the area the Snitch could escape!

Now, with a bit more room to work with, Harry pushed himself to the end of his broom and extended his arm as far out as he could reach. The fleeing Snitch was just at the tips of his fingers!

“HARRY!”

*****************

(Dovahkiin)

Aurora loudly gasped as she grabbed my arm. Her shocked gasp was duplicated by the majority of the spectators.

I can’t say that I blame them. Harry was sent into an uncontrolled tumble across the pitch after the Bludger brutally smashed into him.

Harry was on the other side of the field from where Aurora and I are sitting, but my vision allowed me to catch everything. Harry’s elbow is definitely shattered, and I’m sure he has a mouth full of grass as well.

I looked towards Aurora and wrapped a comforting arm around her.

The students sitting below us suddenly went berserk in celebration. It wasn’t just the Gryffindors, but the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were cheering just as loudly.

Guess they loved the thought of a better-equipped team being beaten.

Harry Potter could be seen sitting up, cradling one arm to his chest, and his other held high in the sky. The golden glint of the Snitch visible through his fingers.

Aurora and I stood and began to clap.

I must say, after watching my first Quidditch match, it is rather enjoyable. It is the fastest-paced sport I’ve ever witnessed, and the physical aspect adds to the excitement. I like it.

Down on the pitch, a lilac robed buffoon was leading the charge toward the downed Gryffindor.

I thought of stepping in and healing Harry’s arm for a moment before I discarded the idea. This will probably serve Harry better in the future.

The Bludger targeting only Harry was clear for all to see. There isn’t a single staff member that wouldn’t have investigated the Bludger if a time-out was called.

Yet, Harry took it upon himself to try and finish the game. Spending the night in the medical ward regrowing the bones in his arm will be a good lesson.

Hell, it would be better if Lockhart didn’t vanish the bones in Harry’s arm! That actually stopped the pain. Having Harry feel the additional agony of being moved to the medical ward would only further cement the lesson into his head.

Well, at least Harry will get to talk to Dobby again.

I wonder how Harry’s going to react after Dobby gives his spiel about only trying to protect Harry from the Chamber of Secrets? Oh man, that’s going to be hilarious!