𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝 {𝐇. 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫}

8

The morning  of the first Quidditch match dawned very bright and cold. The Great Hall was full of the delicious smell of fried sausages and the cheerful chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match.

"You've got to eat some breakfast, the both of you."

"I don't want anything."

"Just a bit of toast," wheedled Hermione.

"I'm not hungry."

Harry and Johnny felt terrible. In an hour's time they'd be walking onto the field.

"Harry, you need your strength," said Seamus Finnigan. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team. Same with you Johnny, though you might be on the opposite team, still don't want to see my friends hurt."

"Thanks, Seamus," said Harry and Johnny in unison, watching Seamus pile ketchup on his sausages.

"May the best man win," Johnny smirked half-heartedly at his best friend as they went to opposite changing rooms,

By eleven o'clock the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars. The seats might be raised high in the air, but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes.

Flint cleared his throat for silence.

"Okay, men," he said.

"And women," said Elizabeth and Rose Royce.

"And women," Flint agreed. "This game is all about how bad you want it, it's about grit. It's about HEART. The difference between winning and losing is how far you're willing to go! Your HUNGER will be tested on the field! Your DESIRE to win, will determine the outcome of the game! We keep on fighting even if the odds are stacked against us! They don't know that we have the heart, the courage and the will to make things happen! We will destroy everything that comes in our way, BECAUSE WE WERE BORN TO WIN, WE WERE BORN TO DOMINATE! We might be the underdogs, we might be the "weaker" team. But one thing is for sure: When we step on the field we FIGHT. We fight for ourselves and WE FIGHT for each other! YOU WILL NEVER PLAY THIS EXACT GAME AGAIN IN YOUR LIFE!! YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TODAY IN YOUR LIFE! WE ARE A FAMILY! AND WE WILL WIN!"

The snakes all roared in agreement, grabbing their respective brooms as they marched out of the changing rooms.

"Right. It's time. Good luck, all of you."

Johnny followed Rose and Xander Royce out of the locker room and, hoping his knees weren't going to give way, walked onto the field to loud cheers.

Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand.

"Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you," she said, once they were all gathered around her. Johnny noticed that she seemed to be speaking particularly to his Slytherin team mates. Out of the corner of Johnny's eye he saw the fluttering banner high above, flashing Potter for President over the crowd. His jaw clenched.

"Mount your brooms, please."

Johnny clambered onto his Nimbus Two Thousand, smirking slightly at Harry who had a nervous look on his face.

Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.

Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off.

"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor -- what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too--"

"JORDAN!"