Chapter - 67 : High Stakes and Hard Falls

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Most of us first years stood and moved down towards the Quidditch pitch together. We climbed the steps into the Slytherin stands, huddled together against the chilly wind that was blowing through the grounds. We claimed seats as close to the middle of the stands as possible. I sat between Tracey and Lily, the other's scattered around us.

I looked around at the stands. The Gryffindor section was a mass of red and gold. In fact, red and gold dominated the stadium, aside from our block of silver and green. Most of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs seemed to be siding with Gryffindor, which wasn't terribly surprising. I noticed a few people in other houses had donned green and silver, but some particularly equality-minded people were wearing green and red, so that they looked like walking Christmas decorations.

Madam Hooch stepped out onto the field then, clad in black and white striped robes. She was refereeing.

"And here we are folks, the first game of the season is about to begin, Gryffindor v Slytherin! And here come our teams!"

From one side of the stadium came the Gryffindor team, clad in scarlet robes. From the other side came Slytherin in emerald green. I saw Harry looking incredibly small among the other players, clutching his broom nervously.

The teams gathered around Madam Hooch. She said something to them that couldn't be heard from as far away as we were sitting. I watched as Wood stepped forwards to shake hands with the Slytherin captain.

Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.

Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off. "And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too-"

"JORDAN!"

"Sorry, Professor."

The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.

"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin 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 and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle – that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins – that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward 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 Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes – she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goal posts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"

Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins. Even I joined in on the moans. To my surprise, I was really getting into it, leaping and screaming with Daphne and Tracey, cheering on our Chasers.

I nearly screamed as a Bludger came pelting for Harry. He dodged it at the last second and Fred Weasley came streaking after it.

"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?"

A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear.

Harry had seen the Snitch and so had the Seeker Terrence Higgs had too. They both dove for it. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch -all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch. I rose up from my set with the other Slytherins, all of us waiting on pins and needles to see what would happen.

WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below. Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose, and Harry's broom spun off course, Harry holding on for dear life.

"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors.

Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.

"Harry," I muttered worriedly, hoping he hadn't been hurt. Flint was no lightweight, getting hit by him going full speed had to smart.

Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.

"So, after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating-"

"Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall.

"I mean, after that open and revolting foul-"

"Jordan, I'm warning you-"

"Alright, alright. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession."

It was as Harry dodged another Bludger, which went spinning dangerously past his head, that it happened. His broom gave a sudden, frightening lurch. For a split second, I thought he was going to fall. He gripped the broom tightly with both his hands and knees. I watched worriedly.

"Hang on Harry," I pleaded. No one else seemed to have noticed. Luckily for me I'd spent most of the game watching Harry and listening to the commentary on what was happening to keep informed on what everyone else was doing.

"Slytherin in possession - Flint with the Quaffle - passes Spinnet - passes Bell - hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose - only joking, Professor - Slytherins score - Ah no..."

Suddenly, people were pointing up at Harry all over the stands. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. Then the whole crowd gasped. Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.