The Enemy of my Enemy

The Ultimate Birthday Gift

Teddie looked around as she reached the front row of the Slytherin stands. One end of the Quidditch stadium was covered in red and gold, while the other was a sea of green and silver. Just like every game, the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had taken sides, too.

Mason and Astoria stood with Teddie in the Slytherin stands, deciding to support Slytherin, as per usual, and were waving silver and green flags that trailed green and silver tendrils and smoke with each wave.

Teddie, meanwhile, had her banner, which she had spread out between herself, Blaise, and Daphne, and was holding over the side of the stands. The stadium burst into roars of cheers and applause as the two teams trudged out from their changing rooms, sometimes a boo punctured the celebration, but most often than not it was drowned out.

In the centre of the field stood Madam Hooch. At her feet was the black rectangular box that held the Bludgers, the Quaffle, and the Golden Snitch.

"Captains, shake hands," Hooch called.

From where she stood, Teddie could see Theo and Harry approach one another. They may not have been friends, but they were allies. This game, however, there was no room for an alliance. They were competing against one another, whether they liked it or not.

"Mount your booms!" Madam Hooch called. "One the whistle... three... two..." the shrill sound cut through the air, and both teams shot off into the skies.

Teddie jumped up and down, waving her banner and screaming, as Theo and Harry rose the highest out of the two teams, looped around the pitch, and then hovered in the air.

"Well, there they go, and I think we're all surprised to see the team that Potter's pit together this year. Many thought, given Ronald Weasley's patchy performance as Keeper last year, that he might be off the team, but of course, a close personal friendship with the Captain does help..."

Instinctively, Teddie gripped the stand in front of her. She knew that voice, the one that was coming from the commentator's box.

"Who would put him on the commentary?" Blaise asked.

"Should have cursed him last year when we had the chance," said Daphne.

Marlene, who was sitting behind them, frowned, and leaned forward. "Who you talking about?" she asked.

"Zacharias Smith," said Teddie. "The commentator. He's a Hufflepuff that could easily pass for a Slytherin."

"I know him," said Judy. "The only reason he is in Hufflepuff is because he was a distant relation of Helga."

"Seriously?"

Judy shrugged. "I guess it depends on what you read," she said. "But, I do agree that he could pass for a Slytherin. He's also very pompous. I understand the sentiment about wanting to curse him. If you want, I could lure him to a dark corridor."

Teddie sniggered. "As entertaining as the sounds, it plays into the whole 'don't let the other houses assume the worst about you' that Professor Snape wants us to avoid," she said.

"Oh!" Judy whined. "Why do you have to remind us of all the time?"

Teddie reached over and patted her hand.

"Oh, and here comes Slytherin's first attempt on goal, it's Urquhart streaking down the pitch and -"

The whole Slytherin stand held their breath. The opposite side of the pitch broke into cheers, as the Slytherin's booed from their seats.

"- Weasley saves it, well, he's bound to get luck sometimes, I suppose..."

The game progressed. Within half an hour, Gryffindor had managed to score sixty points, while Slytherin were still at zero.