"You really miss it, don't you?" Hermione said from the seat next to his, laying a hand on his arm.
"I do love to play, but it really isn't the end of the world," Harry told her, turning to look her in the face. "I wish I could be going out there today, but it's more than just that. I mean, last year I was banned from Quidditch by Umbridge. It was terrible but not entirely unexpected. She hates me. What's Ron's excuse? We're supposed to be friends, and he just chucked me off the team without good reason. How am I supposed to feel about that?"
"I'm sure he'll come around soon, Harry," she said comfortingly. "He's just been under a lot of stress with this game. I'll bet he apologizes to you by the end of the night." She paused a moment then added, "Assuming they win, of course."
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "If we lose he'll probably blame it on me and get even angrier."
Hermione just patted his arm in a comforting gesture but didn't disagree with him. "Well nobody else will blame you, Harry."
"I certainly hope not," Harry returned.
"No worries there, Harry," Neville piped in from across the table. "We all know that you'd be out there if you could. Ron's just a stubborn git sometimes."
"Well said, Neville," Harry said with a straight face. "It's great to have such good friends by my side."
They left for the pitch shortly after that to get good seats. It was still a weird and depressing experience for Harry, walking into the stands rather than the changing rooms at the pitch on the day of a Gryffindor match. This was the third match in a row with him acting as spectator rather than player. It was also the third time ever, since he had been named the seeker before the first game in his first year.
At least for the last two games he could direct his enmity at Umbridge whom he absolutely detested. Now he only had his supposed best friend to thank for his current situation. The thought only brought on a renewed bout of anger at Ron. Harry wanted to be out on the field with them, and it was only Ron's stupidity that was keeping him on the sidelines.
After a short time, the announcer's voice drifted across the pitch. "Good afternoon everybody. This is Adam Cleary, taking over the announcing job from Lee Jordan who graduated last year. This is shaping up to be a great game, much like the one we saw last week between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. The most shocking news going into the game is the absence of Harry Potter from Gryffindor's ranks.
"Potter was just recently reinstated on the team after missing the final two games last year because he was banned by Umbridge." A chorus of boos followed her name. "Yes, yes, I think it's safe to say that we were all happy to see her gone. Potter was put back on the team in his seeker spot at the beginning of the term, but team captain Ron Weasley kicked him off after refusing to show up to one of the practices two weeks ago. I've heard from sources in Gryffindor that Weasley scheduled the practice during one of the classes that Potter is teaching this year and demanded that Potter cancel the class or be kicked off the team.
"Needless to say Potter chose his class over Quidditch. I'm not sure of the wisdom of Weasley's decision. Potter has only ever lost one game that he's played in, and in all fairness he was attacked by Dementors during that game. One has to wonder whether the power of the captaincy has gone to Weasley's head. If Gryffindor loses this game, I wouldn't be surprised if he's asked to resign from the captain's spot.
"Gryffindor and Slytherin share a legendary rivalry, so this game promises to be heated and hard fought. Here comes the Slytherin team now with Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Harper, Baddock, Triers, and captain Draco Malfoy." The announcement was met with boos from three-fourths of the stadium. Loud cheers rang out from the green and silver clad members of Slytherin.
"And now we have the starting Gryffindor team with Weasley, Kirke, Sloper, Bell, Owens, Torrent, and captain Ron Weasley." The Slytherins' boos were drowned out by the cheering ringing throughout the rest of the stadium. "And the teams are stationed in the center of the pitch. Captains Weasley and Malfoy are shaking hands. Madame Hooch has released the snitch, and she is about to toss the quaffle up. We are underway!"
"Katie Bell of Gryffindor has snatched the quaffle and is streaking towards the Slytherin goalposts. She ducks a bludger shot at her by Crabbe and passes off to Owens. Owens grabs the quaffle and ducks under an opposing chaser. She is approaching Nott in the goal. She makes a move to the left, Nott moves to intercept, but Owens fires a rocket to teammate Bell who easily puts the ball through the right hoop. Ten-nothing to Gryffindor."
The game started off in Gryffindor's favor. Katie and Stephanie were working great as a team. Nate was noticeably nervous and was taking awhile to get into the swing of the game. The Slytherins' taunts were not helping his nerves any, nor were the repeated attempts by Crabbe and Goyle to unseat him off his broom. Ron managed to stop the first couple shots on goal, and soon enough Gryffindor was leading 30-0.
The good fortune was not meant to last, however. As expected, Malfoy was pulling out all the stops in an effort to defeat Gryffindor. Their beaters and chasers were often taking cheap shots at Gryffindor's chasers and seeker when Madame Hooch was not looking. Malfoy hung around Ron as Harper streaked toward the goal with the quaffle. Harry could only imagine what Malfoy was saying to Ron in order to distract him, but he couldn't fault the strategy, aside from the fact that it was unsportsmanlike. Ron took himself out of the play as he dove and over committed himself on Harper's fake. The score was now 30-10.
....
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