The Last Slytherin - Chapter 53

As the whole school began to talk about Neal’s selection in National Team, meanwhile, Harry just woke up and found himself in a hospital bed. In front of him, Hermoine, Ron, and Twin Weasleys stood looking at him in worry.

Harry sat up suddenly and asked, “what happened?”. Fred replied, “you fell off. Must’ve been fifty feet”. Harry then asked, “but what about the match?”. As they became silent, he sighed, “I guess Wood gave up on it”.

George replied, “no. Dumbledore declared them as winners. Can’t do anything about it. They already had 160 lead by the time you fell off”. Harry almost screamed, “what? How can he do this? That’s unfair”.

Fred sighed, “honestly, we don’t have a chance against Slytherin if we don’t catch the snitch”. Harry asked him in a fury, “are you talking about Neal? What sort of Gryffindors will back out from a difficult challenge”. Hermoine scolded, “just because we’re Gryffindors, that doesn’t mean we should be reckless, Harry”.

Harry looked down and apologized, “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I should have caught the snitch quickly”. While Fred then consoled him, “no, Harry, it isn’t your fault”, Ron said, “uh, Harry. You should know something. While you’re falling, your broom kinda fell on Whomping Willow.

You know how it is. It doesn’t like to get hit. He took out a few broken parts of Nimbus 2000 and placed it in front of Harry.

As November is going to end, the heavy rains continued and every Quidditch match is being played in such horrible weather. But it has nothing to do with Neal as the Slytherin team continuously won their matches by a little margin as Malfoy wasn’t able to catch the snitch once even after recovering, disappointing the teammates and his father.

During the December first week where they played their last match against Gryffindor before finals, Slytherin lost the match as Neal’s effectiveness dropped a little bit and Harry caught the snitch quickly.

Two weeks before Christmas, as everyone went to the Hogsmeade weekend trip, Neal stayed telling the rest that he has work to do. Then, he went to Snape’s office and asked, “Professor, six months are over, right?”.

Snape nodded, “yes, the potion was brewed successfully a couple of weeks ago”. He walked to his cabinet and opened a drawer and took out a vial that has molten gold color liquid inside it.

While handing it over to him, Snape said, “Although you did great in concocting this advanced potion in your 2nd year, I must still warn you. Only use one or two drops on every use. I don’t want you to turn out reckless like Potter”.

Neal smiled while taking the vial, “don’t worry, Professor. This isn’t for me. I asked for someone else”.

On the day of Quidditch finals, as everyone is waiting for Neal, he entered the dressing room and apologized, “I’m sorry. I was late”.

Draco asked, “what took you so long?”. Neal then took out five vials that have purple-colored liquid in it, “everyone, drink this potion”. Flint took the vial and observed it, “what is it?”. Draco was surprised and got excited, “Neal, it’s the same potion you gave me in the first year, right?”.

One of the beaters then said, “I know it. It’s the Wit Sharpening potion. Did Professor Snape give it to you?”. Draco scoffed, “what are you saying? He knew how to make one. Why would he ask the Professor?”.

Neal replied, “I was the one who made it. It’s an improvised version. It will last for half a day at the very least. Actually, I don’t want to depend on potions to win the match but the circumstances forced me”.

Draco then joked, “c’mon. We’re Slytherins. Why do we have to play fair and square, anyway? Not to mention, it is against the rules to use a potion. Wait a second. You have only five vials. But we’re seven”. Neal replied, “These five are for the rest. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you, Draco”.

As the rest of the team mixed the potion in a pumpkin juice and drank it, Neal took out the vial with molten gold liquid and mixed two drops in it and gave it to Malfoy, “drink it”. As he drank it, Malfoy frowned, “I don’t feel anything”. Neal smiled, “the golden snitch will be yours today, Draco. You will understand, later”.

Although they felt Neal’s words, a bit mysterious, they put that thought away as Madam Hooch whistled. Hearing it, they enter the stadium full of students cheering. Everyone looked at the clear sky and nodded with a smile on their faces.

Fifteen minutes after the match started, as the Slytherins were cheering loudly, Gryffindors’ stand was full of depression. The commentator announced, “and Slytherin scores a goal again. It seems the Slytherin team is in a top form today. Not just Neal Slytherin is scoring but also everyone from the team is doing their job well to bring out a lead of 90-0.

While Malfoy’s looking around for the snitch as the game is going on, he saw golden snitch right beside him while it’s flying. He extended his arm and immediately caught the golden snitch. The commentator screamed, “and Draco Malfoy caught the golden snitch. Today is a very lucky day for him to catch the snitch without even chasing after it. Slytherin defeated Gryffindor with an outstanding score of 240-0”.

Neal sighed while everyone else is celebrating. He mumbled, “there’s no joy beating them like this. but anyway, others also used Impervius charm to repel water when the match is on a rainy day. Not to mention, I didn’t score much today. Just three goals”.

After thanking him for making the team win the Winter Cup, Flint and the other three quit the team making Neal, the new captain. As Christmas vacation started, Neal and Tracey returned to their home together.

On Christmas day, as Neal and Tracey are unpacking gifts from their friends, he saw an unfamiliar package. As Neal is reading the letter attached to it seriously, Tracey asked, “what happened?”. Neal replied, “There isn’t anything important in the letter. Just casual Christmas wishes”.

Tracey then said, “let’s open the gift now”. As both of them opened the package, they were surprised to see a broomstick inside it”. Tracey was amazed, “wow, isn’t that Firebolt? Who in the world sent you such an expensive gift?”. He looked at the letter once again, “not sure”.

While Neal and others are enjoying Christmas with their family, Harry, on the other hand, was also surprised to see a Firebolt as a Christmas gift sent by an anonymous person which improved his mood a lot.

Later, he visited Hagrid along with Ron and Hermoine, who sacrificed their holidays for him. When they reached Hagrid’s hut, they heard him sobbing.

Harry asked, “are they gonna fire you?”. Hagrid gave them the notice Ministry sent to him instead. As they read it, He said, “They are gonna kill Buckbeak”. Ron replied, “c’mon. Hagrid. It only says the matter will be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. The hearing will take place on April 20th. You can put up a strong defense”.

Hagrid replied, “you don’t know that Disposal committee. They work for Lucius Malfoy. Poor Buckbeak”. Then, Hermoine said, “there’s a way fo saving it but I’m not sure it will work”. While the three of them looked at her, she said, “Neal”.

Hearing her suggestion made Ron go mad, “What! Are you crazy?”. Hermoine then said, “first listen to me carefully. Hagrid, I remember you telling me Neal loves animals very much and he’s also Malfoy’s best friend.

So, if you could ask him, you know maybe he can request Draco’s father about it. Moreover, you also have an Ok relationship with him. Just calm down and think about it for a while.

Meanwhile, at Durmstrang Institute, Karkaroff is smiling while reading the letter. He clutched it with happiness, “yes, the Triwizard tournament is finally being approved by the Ministry”.