The Simple House of Duffrey

(21) A Kinney Family Holiday

The last few classes of the year blew past for everyone that didn't need them. The time was best taken up for those who needed the remedial help with their failed exams to move ahead. Sam had even signed up for the Potions time knowing that she didn't have to take it. Rather I think she was really bothered by not being able to make a perfect potion from ingredients she knew so well. On everyone else's mind was the House Cup and points.

Since exams had ended for most there was now some unhappy pranks being held against both houses no doubt fueled by many students Hogsmeade trip to Zonko's. Stephen had come to class painted with a green face which I rightfully recognized as probably Parker's contribution. I helped him find the extra cleaning draught to get rid of it faster. In return, the Gryffindor emblems on the team's gear were all enchanted to bark like dogs when worn so they too had to have useless magic removed.

Most of the pranks were thanks to soon to be graduating students and since no one was harmed there weren't any punishments given, except for the occasional scolding. The Inn at Hogsmeade on the other hand we heard had been filling up with out of town family and friends come to watch their kids first or final Quidditch game. When the day nay the hour finally came, both of our guys were nowhere to be seen.

Sam and I made our way down to the Quidditch fields which were in an uproar. About a third of the attendees of all sorts of ages had yet to be seated. The game started in under thirty minutes so Sam and I headed to sit between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff banner stands. An honest looking vendor was selling house pennant flags. Sam and I each bought a Gryffindor red banner. I also gave an extra few silver sickles for the only Slytherin one he had left. I quietly rolled it up and stashed it inside of my inner pocket.

Surrounding us sat a large wizarding family and two Hogsmeade locals, along with some students. As the last of the field was cleared and seats filled. The sound of an enchanted voice came over the large stadium. I recognized it even without seeing his face though its likely he had already done other games that I had not attended. David Searle, a very talkative Ravenclaw from my Astronomy class had been chosen as announcer this year. It was usually his voice that kept me from sleeping in class though the roar of full stands would accomplish that as well.

"Welcome one and all to the Hogwarts yearly championship" He began after the teacher cast a 'Sonus' charm on his voicebox. "For those of you noticing our special flags today. This game marks the 125th championship played between Slytherin and Gryffindor!" With that each house stands let out a mighty roar. Over in the Slytherin section I saw that buttons featuring a barking lion had been sold out amongst the crowd. I wasn't in the mood to see those anytime again.

"Remember no spelling from the stands spectators and let's keep our fouls count low players." The crowd fell into a loud uproar again as each team came out onto the pitch. The captains carried each side of the chest which held the magic balls used in the game. "Alright our captains have agreed for Slytherin to have the ball first, players are taking their places, and THE BALLS ARE RELEASED!"

"There goes the snitch already into right field. Smitts is certainly going after that one... Did you know the history of the Snitch is perhaps the most interesting of all the Quidditch balls, 1269 in Kent...Oof, fine!" with that David had been smacked hard on the back of the head by Slytherin's house-head. Given David's pension to diatribe his opinions as well as facts it was better to keep him focused. The first few scores were easy against Gryffindor who had an unhappy Keeper. It seems he may have been given a 'Troll' score on one of his exams but that was only a rumor. Slytherin was now attempting to copy the curve shot that a certain friend of mine used but they were getting mixed results.

Much of the game calls were sounded out by those who jeered or cheered at penalties. I noticed that the same beater tried the leg shot again at Parker to which his own captain, Nancy Cartwit, berated him. The referee almost lobbed a penalty for Nancy hitting him with his own mallet. Meanwhile Stephen holding his breath had missed the upper ring allowing Parker to score. He shouted something at him that we in the stands couldn't hear. It was likely he too was angered by the fouls since his face was sharp.