It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 45

Dan looked over his shoulder, "Don't worry Emma, they're old hands at this."

"I know that, Dan, but the Snitch is right over there . . . " Emma pointed toward the far goal posts.  "Don't they see it?"

"Good Lord, Emma,"  Tom gasped, spotting the golden, winged ball.  "You should be a Seeker, with your eyesight!"

"I just happened to see the sun glint off of it while everyone else was watching Fred and George get after Sirius and Remus," Emma shot back, but she was grinning.

"OY!  HARRY!!!"  Dan jumped up and yelled, waving his arms, trying to attract Harry's attention.

"Oh, no you don't, Daniel Radcliffe!!" Emma shouted at him, as she stood and put two fingers to her lips, producing an earsplitting whistle which drew the attention of not only Draco and Harry, but literally everyone in the stands and in the air. 

She pointed toward the goal post and then flapped her arms.  Draco and Harry both looked down and saw the tiny golden orb flitting through one of the scoring hoops, just behind Ron, who was keeper at that end of the Pitch, Bill being Keeper for the other team. 

Both immediately put their brooms into a dive, racing to intercept the Snitch as it circled around the goal posts.   Draco had the advantage, being closer to that end of the pitch, but suddenly the Snitch seemed to sense their approach and took off, streaking toward the ground and heading around the edge of the field.  Emma squealed in fright, as the two pulled out of their downward trajectory and tore off after the Snitch. 

Meanwhile, the twins and Sirius and Remus continued their Beater duties by trying to keep Angelina, Alicia, Ginny or Tonks from scoring.  The score was tied, so whoever got the Snitch would have bragging rights until the next family tournament.

All of the grandchildren were screaming for Harry, while the professors, and the Malfoys were cheering Draco.  Tom, Rupert and Dan were adding their voices as Harry and Draco drew even, hands outstretched, bumping each other to try and get an advantage.  

The Snitch suddenly changed course and flew straight up and it caught both of them off guard, but Draco reacted just a fraction of a second quicker and gained on the fleeing gold, winged ball, with Harry coming up beside him.  With a lunge, Draco's fingers closed over the Snitch and he did a barrel roll to bring his broom around, heading to where Emma was jumping up and down cheering and smiling when Draco flew over to show her the Snitch.

"That wasn't cheating, whistling like that, was it?"  Emma asked, sheepishly.

"Merlin, no!  There are worse ways to bend the rules and/or cheat than someone giving you a heads up on where the Snitch is flying," laughed Draco.  "I'll be right back."  He turned and headed down to join the throng of adults and children milling around on the grass at the center of the pitch.

"Good catch, there, Draco," Harry remarked, sticking out his hand to shake Draco's.  "Next time, however, we'll bring our own brooms, then I'll give you a real challenge."

"Oh, well, that would be refreshing, Potter!" smirked Draco, then he threw his arm  around Harry's shoulder, as they walked toward the stands.  "Truthfully, it was a close thing, my legs are killing me . . . I'm getting too old for this!"

Harry roared with laughter, as he shouldered the school broom and walked away with his friend.

X X X

Lunch was a lively affair, with the retelling of the races and the Quidditch match to Hagrid, Professors Sprout and Trelawney and Madam Pomfrey.  Also, the naming of the unicorn foal was announced, much to the delight of the children, who insisted they be taken to see the little colt after lunch.