Alohomora

7)Gryffindor Pride

(QUIDDITCH MATCH)

November started bringing the cold weather along. The black lake froze over and the corridors were full off icy wind. The school awoke to a white covering of frost each morning, causing many students to suffer with colds.

The first saturday of the month, was to be the day of the first Quidditch match of the year. I was excited too finally watch the game. Harry had been training more often and Hermione Ron and I sometimes watched. If he flew as well as he did at practice, Gryffindor would be the winners of the Quidditch cup next year. Hermione and i helped him keep up with his homework so he could focus on the match. 

The night before the match i was sat in the common room with Ron and Hermione. Harry had gone to attempt to get a confiscated book back from Snape. Fred and George Weasley were running around the common room, getting everyone in the mood for the match by saying how they were going to flatten Slytherin. Harry returned some time later empty handed. "you will never guess what just happened"he said in a low whisper, taking a seat.  "Filch was in Snapes classroom with him. Snapes leg was covererd in blood and something had bitten him, he was talking about the three headed dog, i went to leave but he saw me and shouted at me to leave". This statement lead to a short silence. "you know what this means, he tried to get past the dog at Halloween!he let the troll in to create a diversion!"said Harry excitedly. Hermione wore a look of shock on her face. "i know he isnt very nice but he is a teacher!he wouldnt try and steal something Dumbledore was trying to keep safe"she replied. "you think all teachers are saints or something?I agree with Harry but what is the dog guarding?" asked Ron.  None of us could think of an answer. Harry left for bed soon after, wanting to get enough rest ready for the match tomorrow. Hermione and I were left to think of a theory, but she didn't believe Snape would be stealing it, so she dropped the conversation quickly.

The next morning, the common room was bright with the sound of excited chatter, everyone showing their Gryffindor pride. We went down for breakfast, trying to get Harry to eat, but i could tell he was nervous. Seamus didn't help matters by reminding Harry that seekers are always the most likely to get hurt.

At 11 o clock, the school had filled the stands. Each stand a sea of blue, green, red and yellow. Most people were cheering on Gryffindor. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Seamus, Dean and I got seats in the top row, hoping this would give us a better view. Once we were all in place, we got out a banner we made to support Harry. It read Potter for President and Dean had drawn a lion on it. The crowd waited paitently, chanting "Gryffindor" and "Slytherin" until finally the teams made their way out onto the pitch, either side of Madam Hooch. The players mounter their brooms, everyone eagerly waiting for the match to start. The whistle sounded and fifteen broom shot into the air. 

"And the quaffle is taken by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor" "Passed to Alicia Spinnet" "Slytherin have taken the quaffle" "Gryffindor score!" Lee Jordan's commentry was drowned out by cheers and boos from the crowd. Harry was hovering around, looking out for the snitch. I had never seen people fly so quickly. Hagrid soon joined us to get a better view. Fred and George zoomed around, violently knocking bludgers to the opposite end of the pitch.

"Slytherin in possesion" "wait, was that the snitch?" The crowd quietened.Then Harry saw it. But so did Slytheri seeker Terence Higgs. They raced towards the snitch. The crowd captivated, praying for their chosen favourite team. Harry started to overtake Higgs. It seemed like it was a Gryffindor victory But just as Harry was about to clutch the Snitch, Marcus Flint, Slytherin Captain, knocked Harry off course. Angry yells filled the stadium causing Madam Hooch to shout at Flint. Play resumed and Harry had lost sight of the snitch. I hadn't realised i had been biting my nails. Dean was shouting about giving out red cards. Nobody had any idea what he was talking about.

"Flint nearly kills Gryffindor seeker" "Gryffindor in possession" Harry was dodging bludgers when his broom started to zig zag around the pitch. "Slytherin in possession" "Slytherin score" Hagrid was watching Harry though a pair of binoculars. "it looks like Harry's lost control of his broom, but he can't have done" muttered Hagrid. Other people had started to notice the change in Harry's flying, pointing up at him. Suddenly he was jerked off the broom, hanging on for dear life with his hands. "did something happen when Flint knocked him?" asked Seamus, whos eyes were glued to Harry. "no, only dark magic coulddo that to his broom" replied Hagrid. Hermione gasped. "look at Snape". I looked through a ppair of binoculars  to see Snapes eyes fixed on Harry, muttereing non stop. "hes jinxing the broom!"cried Hermione. "what should we do?" asked Ron. Hermione hurried away, leaving our attention to go back to Harry. The Weasley twins were desperately trying to help Harry back onto his broom but were failing. During this time, Flint managed to score another 5 times for Slytherin. "hurry up Hermione" said Ron. Then Harry regained control of his broom. "you can look now Nevillle" i said, patting his shoulder. Harry was speeding towards the ground and it looked like he was about to be sick when someonething shiny fell into his hands.  He waved the snitch in the air. The stands were going wild. Expect the Slytherin end. Flint was arguing that Harry hadnt caught it properly, but as no rules were broken, Gryffindor had won!

After the match, we went to Hagrid's hut. Ron was trying to explain about Snapes Jinx but Hagrid wouldnt believe a word. "but he tried to get past the three headed dog at Halloween and it bit him, he is trying to steal whatever its guarding!" said Harry. Hagrid went red. "how do you know about Fluffy?"he grunted. "Fluffy?!" questioned Ron. "yeah, bough' him off a Greek chap, leant him to Dumbledore to guard the-" Hagrid stopped. "yes.."said Harry. "dont ask me anymore"Hagrid replied. "Snape is trying to steal it!"cried Harry, but Hagrid still wouldnt take it."now listen to me, yeh meddlin in things you shouldnt its dangerous, forget fluffy and whats its guarding thats between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel" "Aha!" said Harry. "theres someone called Nicholas Flamel involved is there?" asked Harry. Hagrid looked furious.

With this new information, we were determind to find out who Flamel was and what Fluffy was guarding.