Astra

XXXII - The Quidditch Cup

ASTRA WAS SURPRISED in the morning when Luna came to the Gryffindor table with four matching lion hats that roared every so often. 

"Here, I made one for you and Lee, so that you can be matching as commentators, and then this is for Hermione and one for me." She put on the hat to demonstrate. Astra gratefully accepted the gift and showed it to Lee, who was quite excited to put on a hat that roared.

When the Gryffindor team came to the Great Hall, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff where cheering while Slytherin hissed and made booing sounds.

Astra and Lee went out to the commentator's stand with their lion hats, Astra looking across the pitch to find Hermione, Ron, and Luna all cheering together. 

The team walked out onto the field to a tidal wave of noise. Three quarters of the crowd was wearing scarlet rosettes, waving scarlet flags with the Gryffindor lion upon them, or brandishing banners with slogans like "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "LIONS FOR THE CUP". Behind the Slytherin goal posts, however, two hundred people were wearing green; the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row, wearing green like everyone else, and a very grim smile.

Everyone had chosen sides, wearing either red and gold or green and silver. Everyone except Astra Black. Everyone, even the Slytherins were surprised to see her where a green sweater in addition to the roaring lion and a red and gold scarf. The truth was that even though it was the biggest game ever, Regulus forced her to put on the Slytherin sweater, just to give him a bit of pride, and after much reluctance, she did. However, the lion and scarf brought out her true team. Lee almost had a heart attack when he saw the outfit, but eventually came around.

"And here are the Gryffindors!" yelled Lee Jordan. Astra took off from there, "Potter, Bell, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley, and Wood. Widely acknowledged as the best team Hogwarts has seen in a good few years --"

Their comments were drowned by a tide of 'boos' from the Slytherin end and one especially loud voice said, "Thought you were supporting us!"

Astra grabbed the mic and yelled for clarification, "I may be wearing green but I'm with the lions!" and at that moment, her lion hat roared, allowing the Gryffindor side of the stadium to cheer loudly.

"And here come the Slytherin team, led by Captain Flint. He's made some changes in the lineup and seems to be going for size rather than skill --" said Lee.

More boos from the Slytherin crowd. 

"Captains, shake hands!" said Madam Hooch.

Flint and Wood approached each other and grasped each other's hand very tightly; it looked as though each was trying to break the other's fingers.

"Mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch. "Three...two...one..."

The sound of her whistle was lost in the roar from the crowd as fourteen brooms rose into the air. 

"And it's Gryffindor in possession, Alicia Spinner of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goal posts, looking good, Alicia!"

"Argh, no -- Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing UP the field -- WHAM! -- nice Bludger work there by one of the Weasleys, sorry it's hard to tell from here!"

"Warrington drops the Quaffle, it's caught by -- Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina -- nice swerve around Montague -- "

"ANGELINA DUCK!"

"SHE SCORES! TEN-ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"

Angelina punched the air as she soared around the end of the field; the sea of scarlet below was screaming its delight.