Fury Little Problem {A Harry Potter Fanfic}

Chapter Nineteen: One Step Closer

High above the Quidditch pitch, Harry sat searching for any sign of the elusive Golden Snitch. In the final weeks leading up to the Third Task, it was decided that the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff rematch would take place on the day before the task. Finding replacements was easy enough, as all of the previous year's Hufflepuff team was still in school, meaning that the only player who needed a replacement was Wood. After meeting with the rest of the team, it was decided that a full tryout wasn't necessary and Ron was chosen to fill in for the graduated Keeper.

The match was just as competitive as it was last year, but with the maze drawing near, neither team wanted to risk their champion getting injured right before the close of the tournament. Both teams managed to keep it fairly even, with the score never straying for from a 20 to 30 point lead.

A movement to Harry's right caught his attention, alerting him to the approach of his opponent Seeker and fellow champion Cedric.

"Not a bad match 'eh Harry?!" He shouted over the roar of the crowd below. Even though the game was an unofficial one, all of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff had turned up, with some of Ravenclaw and the visiting school deciding to make an appearance. Slytherin however, was noticeably absent.

"Yeah! Looks like it's down to you and me!"

"And this time, there won't be any dispute when I out fly you." The smile on Cedric's face told Harry that he was only slightly joking, causing a similar grin to sprout onto his own face.

"That confident are we?"

Before the conversation could continue, a quick flash of gold flew between the two, resulting in both of them rocketing off after the Snitch.

As their race continued, Harry was immediately hit with a sense of déjà vu, as the tiny ball was darting upwards into the clouds much it had during the previous match. The only differences this time was Harry's broom, the clearer weather and the lack of Dementors.

Almost as fast as it had flown past them, it changed direction and began a nosedive down back towards the pitch. Both Harry and Cedric forced their brooms forward in an effort to grab it before it decided to change directions again. At first they were evened up but ever so slowly, Harry began to pull ahead until he was able to clasp his fingers around the Snitch about 50 feet from the ground.

Holding up his prize, his ears were met by the deafening cheers from the Gryffindor section as well as a few smatterings from elsewhere. He searched the crowd for two particular individuals, and was fortunate enough to find them sitting together.

Looking up proudly at him were Hermione and Fleur. Though it was initially a rough start due to their preconceived notions, the two were slowly making their way to becoming friends. At least at this point they were at least friendly with each other, but he had figured that it would be a while before they progressed much further than that.

A gasp from the Hufflepuff section alerted Harry to something being wrong. Searching around, he saw Cedric flying some feet above him, apparently losing control of his broom. Flashbacks to Harry's first year when his broom had once acted the same gave Harry the presence of mind t act quickly.

Shortly after he had noticed, Cedric lost his fight for control and was cast off of his broom and began tumbling towards the ground some 40 feet below. Thinking quickly, Harry willed his broom forward in an effort to try and catch the older boy. What he didn't account for was the weight imbalance that the feat would cause, which led to both harry and Cedric to fall about 10 feet to the ground once Harry had intercepted him.

Moments after their landing, Hermione, Fleur, and Cedric's girlfriend Cho Chang came running out onto the field to check on him.

"Cedric!"