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THERE WAS AN EXCITED BUZZ SETTLING AROUND THE CASTLE towards the end of November because of the first Gryffindor game of the season. Harry seemed to be nervous with all these expectations placed onto his shoulders but Athena told him that his father would be proud of him no matter the outcome.
Of course she could place money on the fact that he would be brilliant. He had the blood of James Potter running through his veins and if this wasn't enough to prove that he was a good quidditch player, Athena didn't know what was.
The quidditch games usually took place on a Saturday and Athena never failed to attend every one. It was one of the few pieces of entertainment that the school provided for teachers. As Athena found herself walking the castle bored on many occasions, she often looked forward to match days.
However this one was the best one yet because Harry would be playing. She'd even got down to the pitch earlier than usual to find a good seat right at the front of the teachers stands. She ended up sitting next to Professor Sprout as her sister was busy marking and Sybil would never leave her tower for quidditch (too much energy around).
McGonagall seemed very excited about Harry playing this time, she seemed sure that Gryffindor were in with the chance of a win this time since their team was in good shape.
Athena had high hopes too but she didn't like the fact that they were playing against the Slytherins. The Slytherin quidditch team were notorious for playing more dirty than any other team in order to win. This was mainly because of their annoying captain Marcus Flint who Athena was glad she didn't have to teach anymore as he was in fifth year.
However she was still sure that Gryffindor were in with a really good chance (even if Slytherin had beaten them the year before). She couldn't go through another period of Snape being smug about his team winning. Snape being smug was one of the worst things that Athena could possibly imagine.
McGonagall was sat at the front of the teachers stand next to a boy called Lee Jordan. Lee was in third year and was very close friends with the Weasley twins. He was just as humorous, chaotic and troublesome but he made a great quidditch commentator.
He was a lot different to Remus at this job. Remus had always been sarcastic and pretended to be unenthusiastic about the game which was the exact opposite to Lee. It was evident that Lee loved the sport however he often went off topic and (just like Remus) often accidentally swore which landed him in trouble with McGonagall many times.
"Look, they're coming out!" Sprout beamed in excitement and Athena looked out onto the pitch to see the team in scarlet robes walking to meet those in emerald next to the figure of Madame Hooch.
Madame Hooch blew her whistle which made a sharp sound across the pitch as the fifteen brooms rose high up into the air. The game had started and Lee's voice burst out over the pitch.
"The quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor, what an excellent chaser that girl is and rather attractive too—"
"JORDAN"
"Sorry Professor"
Athena laughed lightly at this as her eyes moved to Harry. He was currently circling the top of the pitch above the rest of the game keeping his eye out for the snitch. Athena always thought that this was one of the more difficult positions (not that she'd particularly like to try any of them) since the snitch was so small.
"And she's belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's last year— back to Johnson and— no Slytherin have taken the quaffle, Slytherins captain Marcus Flint gains the quaffle and off he goes— Flint flying like an eagle up there— he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor keeper Wood"
Athena let out a sigh of relief as the quaffle was hit away from the goal posts by Wood who had soared in right at the last moment. She heard Snape let out a small scoff behind her making the moment even better.
"Now chaser Eleanor Lupin with the quaffle there (another new find from Wood, lovely girl) nice dive around Flint there and a swift pass to Spinnet who— OUCH— that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a bludger"
Athena took that moment to stare at Elle Lupin who was now darting around the other side of the pitch to intercept the Slytherins. She moved with considerate speed on an expensive looking broom. She doubted her uncle would be able to afford that, not that she was thinking about him.
"Quaffle taken by Slytherin— that's Adrian Pucey speeding off towards the goal posts but he's blocked by a second bludger— sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which— nice play by the Gryffindor beater ,anyway, and Lupin back in possession of the quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes— she's really flying— dodges a speeding bludger— the goalposts are ahead— come on now Elle! Keeper Bletchley dives— misses— GRYFFINDOR SCORE!
Athena almost jumped to her feet in happiness as she clapped her hands and cheered loudly. Turning, she saw Snape was scowling at her. Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.
Turning back to Harry, she saw that he was gliding over the game squinting around for some sign of the snitch. After Elle had scored, Harry had done a couple of loop-the-loops to show his excitement causing Athena to laugh lightly.
Now the boy was back to staring around for the snitch. At some point a bludger came pelting his way and Athena had to close her eyes out of instinct. However only a second later, Fred Weasley went speeding after it and beat the bludger ferociously towards Marcus Flint.
"Slytherin in possession" Lee Jordan was saying, "chaser Pucey ducks two bludgers, two Weasleys and chaser Lupin and speeds towards the– wait a moment— was that the snitch?"
This comment caused a murmur throughout the stands. Athena's eyes darted around to try and see where Jordan was looking. Adrian Pucey dropped the quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold which had passed his left ear.
It seemed that Harry had seen it too which caused Athena's heart to soar in elation. He dived downwards after the streak of gold. Slytherin seeker Terence Higgs had seen it too. Neck and neck they hurtled towards the snitch— and all the chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in mid-air to watch.
Harry was faster than Higgs, he put on an extra spurt of speed and Athena didn't even have time to gasp as Flint dived in front of Harry to stop him. There was a roar of rage, Harry's broom had span out of place causing Harry to grip on for dear life.
Athena felt as though she couldn't watch anymore, her heart was pounding as she worried for Harry however he seemed to regain control of the broom rather quickly.
"Foul!" All the Gryffindors screamed. Madame Hooch blew her whistle and Flint had to fly back towards the ground. Madame Hooch spoke angrily to the boy and then ordered a free shot at the goalposts for Gryffindor however in all the confusion, the snitch was gone again.
"So after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating—"
"Jordan" McGonagall warned,
"I mean after that open and revolting foul" Jordan continued, obviously finding it difficult not picking sides.
"Jordan, I'm warning you"
"All right, all right Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor seeker which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor taken by Spinnet who puts it away no trouble and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession"
Athena was now only watching Harry and relying on Jordan to give her the run down for the rest of the action. She was making sure no bludgers flew his way or anymore stray Slytherin players, not that she'd be able to do anything if they did.
However as he dodged another bludger, Athena watched his broom gave a sudden lurch. Harry gripped onto it more tightly and Athena frowned at it in confusion and concern.
It seemed as though Harry's broom was actually trying to throw him off which she was sure was not something that Nimbus 2000s were supposed to do. Harry's broom looked as though it was completely out of control, Harry was trying to direct it but to no success and Athena looked around in panic for someone else to notice.
However no one else had noticed. Lee Jordan was still commenting as though Harry was not wildly zig-zagging through the air.
"Slytherin in possession— Flint with the quaffle— passes Spinnet— passes Lupin— hit hard in the face by a bludger hope it broke his nose (only joking Professor) Slytherin score, oh no"
The Slytherins were now cheering and not paying any attention to Harry whose broom was now edging further and further into the sky. It was jerking and twitching with every second moment and Athena was more than terrified that he was going to fall straight off.
However soon enough, people had noticed. They pointed at Harry all over the stands and Athena could see why. His broom had started to roll over and over with him only managing to hold on. Athena was staring in horror trying to figure out what was going on.
Suddenly she let out a loud cry along with many others in the stands, Harry's broom gave a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.
Athena looked around to the stands, scanning the crowds to see if anyone had their wands out. She was sure that this was clear sabotage, someone must be cursing his broom. There was no other explanation to why his brook would react like this.
She found her eyes skating over the Slytherin stands however (although a lot of them were laughing) there seemed to be no wands pointing in Harry's direction.
The whole crowd were on their feet, including Athena who had both hands clasped over her mouth in complete shock. The Weasleys were now flying up trying to pull Harry onto their brooms, but it was no good. Every time they got near him, the broom would jump higher still. The twins dropped lower and circled around him, obviously hoping to catch him if he fell.
In all the panic, Marcus Flint had seized the quaffle and scored five times without anyone noticing. However Athena didn't care about that anymore, she didn't care about the match, she only cared about Harry's safety.
All of a sudden, Athena heard a loud yell behind her. She turned to see that Snape was standing up and staring at his robes.
"What are you doing?" Athena asked,
"They were... fire" Snape frowned and Athena turned back around with a small and angered scoff.
However in the time that she'd turned away, Harry had managed to clamber back onto his broom. She let out a large sigh of relief and sat back down, still clutching at her rapidly beating heart.
As Harry got control of his broom again, Athena saw Harry fall into a swift dive. All eyes followed him as he darted down with his hand outstretched. However at the last moment, he slapped his hand over his mouth as though he was going to be sick.
Athena stared in more confusion as Harry fell forwards onto the pitch on all fours and coughed. To her amazement, something gold fell out onto his hand.
"I've got the snitch!" He shouted and Athena beamed immediately, jumping to her feet and clapping wildly.
He began to wave it above his head as the crowd started to realise what had happened.
"GRYFFINDOR WIN!" Lee Jordan cried in jubilation. That was when the crowds erupted into cheers.
Athena cheered more than she had done in a while as she saw Harry get hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates as he waved the snitch into the air. She saw him again like she knew she always would. She saw James.
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A/n
Words - 2093
Published - 12th April 2021
Only had one lesson today
but I'm exhausted