The Headmaster's Only Mistake

A Different Midnight Duel

His classmates, except for Weasley, cheered loudly when he returned, but his victory was short lived when a sharp, "POTTER!" was heard throughout the whole pitch.

···

Harry turned to see his godfather marching up to him, a hard expression set on his face. Harry tried to form his own features into those of a scared child, who feared the expulsion that had been threatened by Madame Hooch.

All of his classmates looked between him and the professor with worried looks on their faces while Ron looked triumphant.

"Oh, Potter...are you alright...you could have broken your neck...how did you think this was a good idea...weren't you warned against this?" Severus continued to fuss over him before giving him a stern look. "Rolanda comes and asks me to supervise you, make sure no one gets on a broom, and I come outside and see this? Do you know how dangerous that is? You are in big trouble, Mr. Potter. Come with me."

Harry hung his head in what would appear to be submission to others, but was actually just him trying to hide his smirk.

They marched into the castle with Severus berating him for being so impulsive. They finally reached the dungeons where the potions professor tugged on the torch before punching in the combination to the common room.

Professor Snape cast the modified Patronus Charm and a soft, white doe came bounding out, dancing around the room before stopping in front of his caster.

"Go to Marcus Flint and tell him to come to the common room now." The doe nodded and sprang off.

A few minutes later, the patronus returned, glowing faintly, and the far-away voice of Marcus Flint came from its mouth. "Yes sir, I'll be right there." It sounded like he was on a phone or the radio.

They waited silently for two minutes before Marcus Flint burst into the room, red faced and panting.

"Sorry, sir, I was out by the lake." Flint said as he collapsed into an armchair, evening out his breaths.

"That's quite alright, Flint. Now, I am under the impression you have not yet found a new seeker for the team?"

"Uh, no sir."

"Mr. Potter has caught this figurine," he showed the fifth year the small toy, "from an over-fifty-foot dive. He didn't even scratch himself. Timothy Barrington couldn't have done it. If you wish to continue winning the quidditch house cup, I advise you to take him in." It didn't sound like a suggestion to Harry, more like an order, but he understood why. He was going against Aunt Minnie. The two were always very competitive when it came between their houses, and Uncle Sev had been beating her for at least five years, he wasn't going to let go of that streak.

Flint looked at his head of house in surprise, then looked at Harry skeptically, finally turned to the small figurine, as if seeing if it would be truly difficult to catch. He was silent for a few minutes before nodding.

"Well Potter, practice schedules will be posted on the notice board, make sure you're not late. Out first match is against Gryffindork and I refuse to lose to them." Marcus stood up, nodding at the professor and patting Harry on the back before leaving the common room and heading back to the lake.

Severus turned to Harry with a bright smile. "Congratulations, but you must understand that this cannot go unpunished. Thirty points from Slytherin. Now go to the Hospital Wing and give the figurine back to Mr. Green. I don't doubt he'll start to panic once he realizes it is gone. I'll talk with Remus and Sirius about getting you a broom"

Harry giggled giddily, he couldn't wait to get back on a broom, and more specifically, get back into quidditch.

"Thank you so much!" Harry exclaimed, hugging the man. Uncle Severus hugged him back before reminding him that Damian Green was probably having a panic attack at the moment, which sent Harry flying up the stair and to the Hospital Wing.