Harry Potter and the Grim Truth

It was nearly six in the morning when Harry was woken up by the sudden bright light flashing him in the eye-- the sun had risen already. But he was aware after a moment- it wasn’t the sun that woke him, but actually Hydrus, who had been poking him in the leg. 

“What?”

"Hello, snake," he hissed, almost casually.

Harry rubbed his eyes and took a moment to squint at him. He didn’t have his glasses on, but something was very off. He couldn’t remember the last time Hydrus hissed in any way except superiorly; Especially not since last year. "What are you doing? You're being weird. Stop doing whatever you're doing. It's weird." 

"I am not weird. You are ssimply the weird one. I may behave however I wisssh." Hydrus hissed back, sounding offended, and the superiority returned.

"I didn't mean it like that and I know you know it. No- I want you to tell you to tell me if you let Sirius into the common room."

Hydrus didn't answer at first, slithering past his curtain and around Harry to rest on his pillow. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem-- but years had passed since Harry had first gotten him, and Hydrus was now larger than ever before. Then, after getting comfortable, he answered, "I did. He didn't--"

"I'm done listening to you," said Harry at once, turning over the face the wall. 

Hydrus hissed in indignance, but Harry ignored him. "No, no, go back to your convict friend, I'm sure he's got somewhere you can sleep." 

"Rude," hissed Hydrus, curling up and wrapping himself around Harry's neck, who scoffed. "Better than helping someone attack my friend."

Harry knew he wasn't asleep, but Hydrus was very silent after he said that.

It was in the middle of that afternoon's History of Magic lesson that Hermione told Ron, Padma, and Lisa about Buckbeak losing the case.

"I spoke with Malfoy-- er, Draco, I mean, last period in Transfiguration, and he said his dad frightened the Committee into it. He also said you already knew, Harry," Hermione said, taking a soggy letter out her bag. The words were hard to read. “I also got... this, from Hagrid.”

Dear Hermione, we lost. I'm allowed to bring him back to Hogwarts. Execution date to be fixed. Beaky enjoyed London. I won't forget all the help you gave.
Hagrid

"They can't-- that's not-- oh!" Padma stammered, just as her ink bottle spilled over her hand. Professor Binns had them working on practice essays, and he allowed the class to talk, when he noticed that they were dong so anyway.

"I've already told Ron-- he doesn't want to talk about it, but he's said he'll help." Hermione said, looking ahead with a reddening face, where Ron was sitting with some of the other Gryffindor boys. She looked back at the letter before burying her head in her hands, a very poor attempt to hide that she was wiping her eyes.

"What are we going to do?"

"We're going to make sure Buckbeak doesn't get executed," Harry said. "There's still the appeal, right? We're all gonna help this time."

The safety measures put in place since the second break in had made it impossible to visit Hagrid in the evening, leaving them to only talk to him during their Care for Magical Creatures lessons. He still seemed numb at the verdict.

"S'all my fault, ya'know. Got all tongue tied. They was sittin' there, in them black robes and I kep' droppin' me notes and forgettin' them dates you looked up fer me, 'Mione. An' then Lucius Malfoy came up an' said his bit and the Committee did exactly what he told 'em..."

"I'm sorry, Hagrid. I tried to convince my father to leave it be, but he was determined," Draco said, brushing hair out of his face. He'd been leaving it wild ever since he and Harry had snuck out, and it was now apparent since that he’d been growing it out.

"We're all going to be working on it! We still have the appeal!" Ron swore.

They were walking back up to the castle with the rest of the class. Far ahead, probably at the front, Runcorn was giggling back and forth with Spinks, Greengrass, and another girl, Tracey Davis. They looked back every now and then, giggling even more.

"S'no good, Ron," Hagrid denied sadly as they reached the castle steps.

"He's right." Draco agreed lowly. “Father's got the Committee in his pocket, and he doesn't try to hide it. I'll keep trying to convince him otherwise... it's..." 

"I'm gonna make sure the rest o' Beaky's time is the best he's had.” said Hagrid, as Draco trailed off. “I owe 'im that much."

Hagrid turned around in a hurry, rushing back for his cabin, his face buried in a handkerchief.

"Look at him! Ooh, Kathy, I told you it was a good idea to stay behind!"

Runcorn, Spinks, and Greengrass had been just before the castle doors, laughing with themselves.

"I've never seen a professor so pathetic! Really, what do you gits see in him? It's a wonder he hasn't gotten sacked as Groundskeeper!" said Runcorn, making Davis laugh to the point she doubled over and her eyes began to water. Greengrass was giggling behind her hands and Spinks was laughing so hard her face was red.

"Runcorn, what's your issue? This doesn't even have anything to do with you," Draco snapped, and her back straightened. It was clear that was the last thing she expected.

"Me? What's my issue? What's your issue? You weren't like this before we started Hogwarts, but then you meet stupid little Potter and you're an entirely different person! "

"Well maybe I've come to my senses. I don't--" Draco started, but Hermione cut him off, pushing him to the side, walking straight for Runcorn.

"Oh? If it isn't the Mudblood-lover! What do you think you're going to do, tell me about some stupid thing they love?" Runcorn mocked, and suddenly, Hermione's fist lunged for her face; It all happened in a matter of seconds.

Runcorn fell back, knocking into Greengrass and Spinks; Davis had stepped out of the way, gaping as she wiped her eyes. Runcorn's nose was bloody and it looked like she'd ran into a brick wall at full force.

"Don't call Hagrid pathetic, and don't you ever say that word again, you vile, whiny little --"

"Hermione-- hold on a moment--" Harry tried, going to pull her back. Ron followed suit. Lisa was jumping in her spot, howling with laughter with a finger pointed at Runcorn, Padma looked utterly bewildered, and Draco had never looked more amused.

"Meli! We'll-- we'll get you back for this, blood-traitor! Come on, Meli, let's get you to Madam Pomfrey, quickly," Greengrass said quickly, getting to her feet. Spinks brandished her wand, but she was tripping over her own feet when Davis dragged her away, as Hermione's arm wind back again. 

"Hermione! Calm down!" Ron said, although he looked rather impressed.

"Harry, I want to see you holding that Quidditch Cup with your shoe on Runcorn's head, you hear me?" Hermione said sharply, turning her head so fast it almost looked like it snapped. "Knock her off her broom or something! You better win, because I cannot stand her! She is such a --"

"Mione!” Padma gasped, now smiling broadly. “Ooh, brilliant, I needed that laugh. Um, but I think- I think we're due in Charms class. And Draco, don't you have a Potions class to get to?" 

"You're late!" said Professor Flitwick when Harry opened the door-- he didn’t think four minutes was too late, but he guessed they did miss something . "Come along now, quickly, wands out-- we're experimenting with Cheering Charms today, and we've already divided into pairs--"

Padma quickly found Luna, who was alone, and Harry and Ron took a desk at the back of the class. Lisa went ahead to work with Amanda, as-- Hermione had suddenly disappeared. 

“Where’d Hermione go?” wondered Ron, pulling out her textbook. “Thought she was right behind us.”

“She was,” Harry nodded. He thought she walked in with them- he could’ve sworn she did, too, until she was suddenly gone. “She probably went to the bathroom, or something.”

Only, she didn’t show up all class.

"Ooh, she's missed out! I feel even happier!" Lisa said, spinning in circles. She knocked into Padma, bursting into laughter. The Cheering Charms had left the class feeling rather joyful as they left for lunch. It seemed it left more of an effect on Lisa than anyone else; she had been waving at every new person she saw cheerfully, but it had gotten to the point where she couldn’t remember who she’d seen and who she hadn’t.

However, Hermione wasn't at lunch. By time the Cheering charms begun to wear off, they were all getting a bit worried.

"You don't think Runcorn and her bunch have done something, do you?" Padma wondered as they rushed upstairs. She, Lisa, and Harry would be going to check the Ravenclaw common room, seeing as Hermione had begun to pop up there more often. Ron would be going to check the Gryffindor common room, and Draco and Luna went to check the Library.

Passing the security trolls and muttering the password so quickly they had to repeat it, they scrambled into the common room. 

Hermione had been sitting at one of the desks, fast asleep and drooling on her Arithmancy textbook.

"How does she even get in here?" Padma mumbled, and Lisa shrugged. Harry went to Hermione's side, shaking her awake.

"Wh-- what? No, I'm not-- huh?" Hermione woke with a start, jumping and looking around wildly. "How'd I get here? Nevermind that-- what time is it? Am I late to class? Do I have detention? What lesson have we got now?"

"Divination, I think- but it's twenty minutes away," Harry said, checking his pocket watch. "Did you sleep through Charms on accident? Wait, how did you even--"

"What? Oh, no- did I really?" Hermione jumped again, springing out of her chair and sending books flying off the desk. " I slept through Charms ? You're kidding!"

Harry shook his head, "You were right behind us, I wouldn't know how you got here."

"Oh, no, no, no!" Hermione wailed, her voice squeaky as she stumbled to pick up the fallen books. "Was Professor Flitwick angry? Am- am I expelled ? Stupid Runcorn! I was thinking about her and I thought I'd go-- oh, I can’t even remember! Wait, where's my Potions essay? Where's my wand?"

"Hermione, you need to calm down." Lisa said tiredly, making herself comfortable in an armchair. "You're making it out to be the end of the world. But, like, it's one class. Aaand, your wand is right behind your ear. Speaking of classes-- you've got waay  too many. You've got, like, the same number of classes as Harry, but he's got a Ti-- mmh!"

Padma had swiftly put her hand over Lisa's mouth, grinning unconvincingly. "She got hit in the face with one-too-many Cheering Charms-- ooh, and y'see that? She's asleep,"

True to her word, Lisa had passed out. They'd certainly have to tell Professor Flitwick of this the next time they work on Cheering Charms.

Hermione looked at Harry for a moment, before something occurred to her. "Cheering Charms? Ooh- I bet those are on our exam!" She squealed, rummaging the mess that was her workspace for her bag. "I need to go and say sorry to Professor Flitwick! I'll see you in Divination!"

She had met with them at the foot of the ladder to the Divination classroom twenty minutes later, and her face was a dark red.

"I can't believe it! I missed Cheering Charms! And I was right earlier! Professor Flitwick hinted they might be on the exams!"

Climbing the ladder, they arrived at the dim, stuffy room earlier than normal. Glowing on every little table was a crystal ball filled with pearly white mist. Lisa, now very awake, insisted she sit by Harry, and Padma had just been following her. Draco looked rather appalled at having to share a table with Ron and Hermione, dragging the little chair he sat in closer to the table Harry sat at. 

"I thought we weren't gonna do crystal balls until next term," muttered Ron from the other table, casting a wary eye for Professor Trelawney. He looked rather pleased when Draco moved away.

"Don't start complaining, it means we don't have to do anymore palmistry." Hermione snapped, still rubbing her eyes tiredly. "I'm starting to think she's an actual lunatic that's drunk at all hours of the day."

"As long as I don't have to see her staring at my hands pitifully, I'll never complain," said Harry.

"Good day to you all!" said Professor Trelawney, sounding misty as ever, making her usual dramatic entrance from the shadows. Padma's face looked somewhere between shock and disgust when she saw Parvati and Lavender jumping with excitement. 

"Sometimes I wonder what effects that Lavender has on her," she muttered, and Lisa snorted.

"I have decided to introduce the crystal ball a little earlier than I planned..." Professor Trelawney said, her back to the fire as she gazed around. "But the fates have informed me that your examination in June will concern the Orb more than anticipated, and I am anxious to give you sufficient practice."

It was at that moment that Hermione snorted, some kind of amusement on her face.

"Oh, you don't say, Professor? I believe the fates have informed you that you're the one who sets the exam-- oh my! What an amazing prediction!" She said with mock excitement, not bothering to lower her voice, and anyone who heard couldn't hold back quiet chuckles. It was hard to tell if Professor Trelawney had heard, but it would've been more shocking if she hadn't. Nonetheless, she continued as if she didn't.

"Crystal-gazing is a refined art," she said in a tone that reminded Harry of Luna, who was across the classroom, sat with Neville and staring more wide-eyed than normal out a window. "I do not expect any of you to See when you first peer into the Orb's infinite depths. We shall start by practicing relaxing the conscious mind and external eyes--" Ron sniggered uncontrollably, and Padma had buried her head in her cloak. "--so as to clear the Inner Eye and the superconscious. Perhaps, if we are so lucky, some of you will See before the end of class."

And with that, class had begun. Harry felt very, very stupid, staring confusedly at the crystal ball, struggling to keep his mind empty. His headache, which hadn’t bothered him for the most part in nearly a month now-- had returned at full force, and with every perfume-filled breath he took, it got worse. Who would've thought Occlumency- even though he'd have to clear his mind for that too- was easier than crystal-gazing? He had an easier time clearing his mind when working on it than he was now. However, it didn't help that Lisa was making odd noises to entertain herself and Padma was tapping the crystal ball with her nail every now and then.

"See anything? Anything at all?" Harry asked after a quarter of an hour's crystal-gazing.

"Yeah, I have-- it's going to be foggy all week." Padma said boredly, retracting her hand when the crystal ball clinked a bit too loudly.

"This is ridiculous! We've done nothing but this for however long it's been, and I've run out of noises to make! How does a girl run out of noises to make, huh?" Lisa whispered sharply, and she took a purposeful tumble off her chair.

Professor Trelawney drew near.

"Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?" She asked over the clanking of her bangles.

"I don't need help," Ron said, louder than he might've intended, "It doesn't even take Astronomy to guess that there's going to be a bloody load of fog tonight. Maybe we ought to into a real classroom-- this one’s got a barmy dragonfly."

Although small, it seemed that was the breaking point for Hermione, as she burst out laughing. She wasn't the only one, however. Hermione's laughter seemed to set off a chain reaction-- Lisa had begun laughing, Harry was trying to keep his laughter silent, Padma had buried her head in her robes once again, and Draco was grinning ear to ear, his lip twitching. Even across the classroom, Luna laughed harder than anyone else.

"Now, really!" said Professor Trelawney as everyone's heads turned their way. Parvati looked shocked at her sister's behaviour, if not all of them, and Lavender looked as if she'd been robbed. "You are destroying the clairvoyant vibrations!"

Professor Trelawney approached the table closest-- unfortunately, the one Harry, Padma, and Lisa were sat at-- and peered into the crystal ball. Harry scoffed. He didn't have to be a Seer to know what was about to happen.

"There is something here!" Professor Trelawney whispered, and her face lowered in a menacing way, the crystal ball reflecting twice in her huge glasses. 

"Another death omen, Professor?" Harry asked, trying to not roll his eyes.

"Oh, yes, my dear..." Trelawney breathed, gazing up at him. "It is here, plainer than ever before... stalking towards you, growing ever closer..."

"Oh for God's sake!" Hermione shrieked before Professor Trelawney could even finish her sentence. "You are ridiculous! Your class is ridiculous! Harry does not 'have the Grim!'"

Professor Trelawney raised her eyes to Hermione. Parvati was whispering back and forth with Lavender before Padma turned her head, giving Parvati a look that made her stop. Professor Trelawney stood up, eyeing Hermione with what was certainly anger.

"I am sorry to say that from the moment you arrived in this class, my dear, it was apparent that you have not what the noble art of Divination requires. I--"

"Good!" said Hermione sharply. "I have never been happier to leave a classroom in my life! I've never been happier to quit a class! Good riddance! "

She stomped away, yanking her bag along with her, to the entire class's amazement. Kicking the trap door open and climbing out of sight.

Suddenly, Lisa, bearing a very large grin, knocked the crystal ball off the table and grabbed her own bag.

"Professor Flitwick said I can switch out Divination for Literature-- a class I’ll actually need. It wasn't fun here and I'm glad I can leave." She took a long look at Trelawney and got a large smile. “I think you’re crazy, ma’am.”

Cheerfully, she made her way to the trapdoor and dropped down without bothering to grab the ladder. Many stood up to see if she had fallen or reached for it at the last second, but Harry and Padma weren't included. Unlike Harry, however, Padma looked some kind of confused, her brows furrowed. She turned to stare at the table, biting her lip and muttering, "I told her not to do Literature- she doesn't even like Literature... she said she'd do art..."

It took the class a few minutes to settle down again. Professor Trelawney had forgotten all about the Grim, turning from Harry and Padma's table, breathing heavily as she tugged on her shawl.

"Oooooh!" squealed Lavender, practically jumping. "Ooooh, Professor Trelawney, I've just remembered! You saw both of them leaving, didn't you? Didn't you? 'Around Easter, two of our number will leave us forever!' You said it ages ago, ma'am!"

Professor Trelawney gave her a kind smile.

"Yes, my dear, I did indeed foresee those girls leaving us... I hoped I may have been wrong.... The Inner Eye can be a burden, certainly..."

Lavender and Parvati looked so thoroughly impressed that they moved over to let Professor Trelawney join their table instead.

"I would've made it three leaving, but I can't just leave my favourite person alone," Draco said, taking in Lisa's spot and staring at Harry.

"You are actually such a best friend stealer." Padma said, and her eyes squinted threateningly. “At this point, just date him, you bloody--"

Harry snorted, staring at the ring. It was certainly some kind of way to go about it. To his own surprise, he took a glance at the crystal ball, which had come to a standstill from rolling across the floor. Nothing had appeared in it. He doubted Trelawney had really seen the Grim. And if she did-- well, it'd better wait until after the Quidditch final.

The Easter holidays were anything but relaxing. The third years practically had piles of homework; Hermione and Harry especially. She could be seen popping into the Ravenclaw common room to pick out random books because she "didn't want to walk all the way to the Library," and it got to the point where nobody was surprised to see she somehow got in. Lisa had gone back home this year, but she'd already sent two letters complaining about the workload.

"Who would call this a holiday?" Padma whined, dropping her quill as she finally finished her Charms work. "We don't have exams, like, anytime soon! What's the point of giving us all this work?"

"You're starting to sound like Lisa," Harry said, yawning.

"Am not! You're starting to sound like Lisa! Do you know how many times you've yawned in the last five minutes? Better yet- do you know how many times I've woken you up in the past hour? Seven! Seven times! Seriously, you and Hermione need to drop some classes! How many do you have, twelve? Thirteen?"

"Eleven," Harry corrected.

"Still." Padma emphasised. "Honestly, we should’ve gone and studied with Luna and Neville. This is so boring-- atleast they’d make it interesting."

It was only in the very few passing moments where there was enough homework they’d done that any of them could open thick books of laws and Hippogriffs. Ron was most regularly seen with one of these right beside his ink bottle, peeking over whenever he got too bored of writing. 

Harry had stopped showing up to Quidditch practice entirely, and for once, Etta actually had something to say about it. Whenever she wasn't applying hair potions or having one of the team members help her practice her blocking, she was pressing them about their skills.

The final match-- Ravenclaw versus Slytherin-- would be taking place the first Saturday when Easter Holidays ended. Slytherin was leading by two-hundred points, and Etta wouldn't let anyone catch her not carrying her broomstick; It became a common sight to see her semi-scolding a team member about how they needed to win the Cup. She was on Harry's case the most, telling him about how he can't skip practice because he had the most important role, and all that-- he stopped listening after the first few times. It wasn’t as if they would be playing any mini-matches before then... and it’s not like it really mattered then, anyway. He supposed, by time of the match that mattered, Slytherin-- who did have a mini-match-- would be up maybe thirty points if Runcorn caught the snitch...

Etta wasn't the only one who wanted the win, however-- the entire House wanted it. Nobody could remember the last time Ravenclaw had won the Cup, thanks to Slytherin's ongoing winning streak and the fact that Gryffindor won for a few years beforehand thanks to the 'legendary Charlie Weasley'(one of Ron's older brothers, Harry didn't keep count). Whenever Runcorn saw Harry, she'd make faces and pretend to be holding the Snitch in her fingers, though she stopped doing it when he threatened to give her another bloody nose. Apparently, empty threats did work. 

Outside of that, however, there were a number of fights that actually did end up happening. Including one where a Ravenclaw casted a bat-bogey hex on an older Slytherin after getting hit with a stinging jinx, resulting in bats being stuck up the Slytherin's nostrils. Spinks and Greengrass had been particularly busy, pushing Harry in the halls and pointing out the smallest of faults he made. Although it wasn't much of a bother, because Padma and Lisa(who had returned after just the first week) had been loaded with insults of their own before he could turn to face them.

The days passed in a blur, before Easter break had ended and the night before the match had arrived. It was, without a doubt, the busiest of times. Hermione had been unfortunate enough to need a book for Transfiguration and found herself trapped, as the stairway out had suddenly been an entire crowd away. At some point, she'd dragged Harry off into a corner and started rambling off about everything that annoyed her at that very moment. Which was quite a lot of things.

"-- and I just wanted the book, but now I can't even hear myself speaking, and goodness , I have never been more tired in my life! Are we going to have to take exams for every class? They can't make us, right? Or can they? Ooh, I just can’t hide it from you any more-- I took your Time-Turner!"

Harry had been holding his breath, and a lot of what she said came out sounding muffled. All he caught was that she’d had his Time-Turner-- somehow. 

“You what?”

She took the chain from underneath her jumper and held it up, glistening golden in the light. 

“I just-- you were sleeping, and I saw it, and I was just going to use it for a day or two, but then it was so helpful--"

“I thought I lost it,” Harry muttered, staring at- his - Time-Turner. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared... but he’d missed out on very valuable sleep without it... and multiple classes, in which he'd gotten a fair few detentions... he tried to remind himself they were in the same situation, but he was suddenly reminded of one large difference as he heard Etta shout--

"Teaam! Bed, now!"

Hermione hummed, blinking madly as Harry stared at her. 

"Give it," he whispered.

"I--"

"It's mine!"

"But- we can share--"

"Mione--"

"Alright, fine!"

Though his sleep wasn't as peaceful as he thought it'd be. At first he dreamed that he overslept and that Etta was angrier than ever, screaming about how Cho fell off her broom and broke her neck trying to play in his place. And then his dream changed abruptly, and he imagined that all of Slytherin team had arrived to the match riding-- dragons? In some unfortunate accident, he'd been burned to a crisp by a spurt of flames-- he didn't get the time to see whose dragon was the source, but he'd be able to guess who-- and then, he'd turned into a puff of smoke, perfectly alright. The ground disappeared from beneath him, and for a near moment, it felt like he was really falling, but then he woke, his head hitting the bottom of the bunk above his.

It hurt, but it atleast told him he wasn't dreaming. It was a minute or two before everything began to make sense-- the match hadn't begun, not yet; He was safe in bed. And as if Slytherin would be allowed to play the game using dragons. Really- as if they'd be able to find a dragon that wouldn't toast them before they even got close. He was certain that being annoying translated over to whatever language dragons spoke. 

Harry's ears were ringing and he was freezing. He thought to cast a warming charm-- do something good for himself, maybe go back to sleep, but the view from the window caught his eye. He supposed... if he just got a better look, it’d make him forget about his dream.

The grounds-- from the view outside the window, atleast-- were peaceful and silent. Not a single sharp wind made the treetops of the Forbidden Forest shake, and even the Whomping Willow was still, almost in an innocent way. If he hadn't know any better, he'd dare say the weather for the match would be perfect. He’d only just spotted something, as he turned to go back to bed-- some kind of creature was making it's way across the lawn. He had never rushed so fast to pick up his glasses that he'd put them on his face wrong. If it just so happened to be the Grim... if even possible-- why'd it have to come right before the match, of all times? So, maybe, he was scared... of the possibility...

But as the grounds were suddenly clear, it was when Harry realised; It was just Crookshanks and Hydrus, making their way along the edge of the forest. It was easy to recognise them, but he could've sworn....

He squinted, pressing his nose against the glass. They'd stopped moving at a point where the shadows slightly covered them. And right then-- a large, shaggy black dog emerged just before them, moving stealthily across the lawn, Crookshanks and Hydrus at it's side. It... couldn't be a Grim, surely, if they were able to see it, right? Harry was just imagining things. Rubbing his eyes, he went for the bathroom, splashing water in his face when he got there.

"You're not dying. The 'Grim' isn't a death omen. It's not even real. Pull yourself together." He told himself. Brown-green eyes stared back into his own. For moment, he thought his reflection did something, but it was in the same position as he when he looked back.

When he'd gotten back to the dorm and looked out the window, Crookshanks, Hydrus, and the dog were nowhere to be seen. Maybe it was just Padma, and she’d recognised them... She was a wolf, wasn't she? Wolves were probably larger than normal dogs. And she did go out often enough...

When morning arrived, Harry and the rest of the Ravenclaw team entered the Great Hall to a booming applause. The Slytherin table made rude faces or mock hissing noises as they walked past. He could ignore them easily, but for some reason, Harry, who lived for the applause of others, couldn't shake the bad feeling in his chest, which still remained from the night before. He didn't know what it was, but something wasn't right, and it threw him off entirely. Not even the discreet smile Draco sent his way made him feel better.

Etta spent the entirety of breakfast insisting they all eat a whole plate minimum, though she only ate half of her own. Then she rushed them out of the halls before anyone else finished eating so they could see just what the weather conditions were. As they exited the Great Hall, there was an astounding applause once more.

"Good luck, Harry!" Cho called above the crowd, and Harry's face went red-- he knew she was pretty, but he'd hardly ever seen her outside of practice. He had to hold back his laughter when he saw Draco glaring at her as if she'd committed a felony.

"No wind-- sun's real bright, so all of you make sure you're careful about that-- ground's not muddy, so we'll have a good kickoff..."

Etta muttered to herself off and on for a few moments, checking her wristwatch every now and then. The instant she saw the doors open in the distance, she quickly ordered them all to the locker rooms.

Nobody said a word as they changed into their dark blue robes. Harry was wondering if they were all anxious like he was.

Etta took a breath before gathering their attention.

"I would... like to... apologise, for the way I've been acting these past two weeks. I've been... very irrational and... all that. I just-- I want this to be the year Ravenclaw wins the Cup. Ravenclaw hasn't won since... well, as far as I can remember, since before James Potter was on the Gryffindor's team. And then I think there was a bit before that..."

"We're the best team so far, we're not losing today," Penelope said, pulling on her shoe. "No rain, no lightning, perfect weather. And if we lose, I have to give Flint a kiss. Stupid Doris thinks she's got these brilliant ideas and comes up with the 'best' bets.... Trust me, I will be determined to not lose."

"We get'cha, Etsy. None of us want to lose today." Edward said simply, and he slapped her on the back. "Now put on your kneepads and stop moping!"

They walked out onto the field and the stands grew so loud it was almost deafening. Most of the crowd had been dressed in varying shades of blue, waving blue flags or waving banners with all kinds of different phrases. However, there was a segment behind the Slytherin goalposts where just about all of Slytherin House had been decked out in green, a silver serpent upon their flags. Professor Snape sat in the middle of the front row, wearing green along with the rest of them, with a dark smile on his face. It was anything but pleasing for more reasons than one.

"Aaand the Ravenclaws!" yelled Lee Jordan, acting as commentator per usual. "We've got Captain Crocker, followed by Davies, O'Farrely, Green, Malerr, Clearwater, and Potter! Widely acknowledged as the best team Ravenclaw's had in a good while--"

Lee's comments had become nearly unintelligible underneath a thundering cheer from the stands. Harry had covered his ears and they were still ringing when the crowd had quieted down.

"And heeeere's- the Slytherins! Led by Captain Flint and joined by Warrington, Malfoy, Derrick, Bole, Bletchley, and Runcorn! Er- he's definitely got a team and he doesn't seem to know what skill is--"

The Slytherin crowd had booed him until it was all anyone could hear. Harry, though, couldn't deny that Lee had a point. A few of the team members looked more brute than they did brains, and Draco and Runcorn were simply the outliers of the bunch unless you counted troll-faced Flint, who was admittedly skinny. And it was more because of brute from most of the team, rather than talent, that they won as much as they did.

"Captains, shake hands!" Madam Hooch yelled, shushing the Slytherin crowd.

Flint and Etta met in the middle, Etta bearing a semi-warm smile, Flint with a crooked, toothy grin, and it looked as if their hands were quivering, trying to break the other's fingers.

"On your brooms!" said Madam Hooch. "Three-- two-- one!"

The sound of her whistle fell silent against the roars of the crowd as fourteen brooms rose up. Almost all of Harry's nerves had melted away, replaced by pure excitement and anticipation. He'd nearly forgotten why he felt so horrible in the first place-- flying always had that sort of affect on him. Runcorn just couldn't keep up with him, especially not now, when he'd taken to spinning circles above the stadium to calm himself.

"Ravenclaw in possession, Penelope Clearwater with the Quaffle, straight for the Slytherin goalposts-- so good so far-- argh, no!- Quaffle intercepted by Warrington-- Warrington of Slytherin speeding down the field-- OOH!-- quick Bludger shot by Davies sends Warrington and the Quaffle off track, aaand - its caught by Malerr! Ravenclaw back in possession-- near miss steal by Malfoy-- dodges a Bludger with ease..! HE SCORES! TEN-ZERO TO RAVENCLAW!"

Penelope whooped and did a sharp spin on her broom; The crowd, save for the Slytherins, were screaming in delight.

"AAAH! OW!"

Penelope had nearly fallen off her broom as Flint went flying at bullet-speed, smashing into her. 

"Sorry!" He shouted unconvincingly. "Sorry, didn't see her!"

Moments later, a Beater's club went flying across the stadium, hitting the back of Flint's head. His face smashed into his broom as he narrowly avoided going flying from the somersault he did, and his nose was bloody.

"Now that will do!" Madam Hooch shrieked, "Penalty shot to Ravenclaw for an unprovoked attack on their Chaser-- penalty shot to Slytherin for aimed shot on their Chaser!"

"He earned it!" Etta screamed, and Harry realised it was her who threw the bat, as Danial flew forward to snag the penalty.

"There goes Green!" yelled Lee, disrupting the silence that had overtaken the crowd. "HE'S DONE IT! HE BEAT THE KEEPER! TWENTY-ZERO TO RAVENCLAW!"

Harry took a moment to watch Flint, whose green robes were taking on a faint shade of scarlet down the front, flew forward to take Slytherin's penalty. Etta was staring at him, her lips in such a thin line she almost looked like Professor McGonagall.

"As everyone knows; Etsy's the best Keeper Ravenclaw's had pretty much all century!" Lee Jordan told the crowd whilst Flint awaited Madam Hooch's whistle. "Ooh-- very difficult to get one up on her, difficult indeed, quick as a Bludger-- HA! AND ETSY'S SAVED IT!"

Taking a breath, Harry gazed around for the Snitch, though he kept an ear out for all of Lee's commentary. If he had to managed anything, it'd have to be that he'd be the one to catch the Snitch, and it'd have to be after Ravenclaw was up seventy or eighty points, atleast. And, maybe, he’d have to stall Runcorn, but he doubted she’d find the Snitch on her own...

"Green of Ravenclaw in possession-- oh- no, Malfoy of Slytherin in possession-- ooh! Clearwater steals the Quaffle, rushing up the field-- ooh, takes a short cut- Clearwater makes the shot from there-- let's see-- OOH, MISS! SHE MAKES IT! THIRTY-ZERO!"

It was at that moment that Adrian Pucey, one of Slytherin's Chasers, flew infront of Penelope and cut her off abruptly. She'd already made the shot, but he reached for her scalp instead of blocking the Quaffle. Penelope let out a sharp squeal and a foot ended up where no one would've wanted it-- Pucey was able to keep steady, though his face made it seem his dignity were in shreds. 

Madam Hooch's whistle blew again as she soared up to Pucey, shouting at him. Just a minute later, Penelope had gotten a penalty past Slytherin's Keeper.

"FORTY-ZERO! TAKE THAT, YOU--"

"Jordan, if you don't--"

"I'm only telling the truth, Professor!"

Flint had been rather vulgar, shouting profanities at Draco, clearly annoyed that Penelope got a shot in when he had the Quaffle before she did. Harry turned his head, but turned it back when he saw it-- a flash of gold, fluttering just above Etta. He couldn't catch it yet, though-- but if Runcorn caught sight of it....

He'd had a brilliant idea. Pulling on a look of mock concentration, Harry took a sharp right and made a mad-dash for Slytherin's end of the field. And fortunately, it worked just as he hoped. Runcorn was after him in a flash, lacking just a narrow bit, believing Harry had actually seen the Snitch over there.

WHOOSH .

A Bludger went flying past Harry's right ear, sent his way by Derrick, one of Slytherin's Beaters. And then again--

WHOOSH .

A second Bludger just barely grazed Harry's knee. Bole, the second Beater, was gaining on him.

Harry couldn't help the smirk that appeared on his face. Bole and Derrick had been on either side of him, clubs raised--

In an instant, Harry did one of his stupider moves, but maybe he’d get lucky; he did a sharp spin, closing his eyes-- he'd learned the hard way that watching the world spin in a blur was nauseating-- and waiting until the Firebolt was steadily upside-down-- he'd only just managed to hang on as he gained speed. In an instant, Bole and Derrick collided with a sickening crunch, and Runcorn just barely avoided smashing into them.

"Ha-haa!" Lee Jordan cheered as the Beaters lurched in opposition directions, moaning in pain as they clutched their heads. "Too bad, boys! You'll need to do better than that to crash a Firebolt ! Malfoy of Slytherin in possession-- OH! Malerr steals the Quaffle, Flint right behind him-- kick his face, Steve!-- only kidding, Professor, swear-- agh- Flint in possession, flying for the Ravenclaw goalposts! Come on now, Etsy..!"

But Etta hadn't saved the shot; She got hit by it headfirst, infact, cursing loudly as it bounced into the goal, but Slytherin's end had erupted louder than she screamed. Lee swore so badly that Professor McGonagall tried to take the magical megaphone from his hands.

"Sorry, Professor, sorry! Won't happen again, really! Ahem-- Ravenclaw in the lead, forty to ten, and they're in possession--"

What initially started as an adrenaline-rush had very quickly turned into the foulest game Harry had ever gotten to play in. The Slytherins had taken to any means necessary to get the Quaffle, and Flint hadn't bothered to try hiding the fact that his own team was making him more angry than the opposing. On the other hand, however, the Ravenclaws were getting off their game more and more; Bole had hit Danial with his club, insisting he thought it was a Bludger he was hitting. Roger sent a real Bludger Bole's way whilst he was being scolded by Flint. Both teams got a penalty, only Slytherin's shot wasn't aimed for Etta's face, and she easily sent the Quaffle flying the other way, making the score fifty to ten when Steve scored.

The Snitch was gone, and Runcorn was following Harry as he sped back and forth on the field. By time he’d find the Snitch, the team ‘ll probably have scored atleast twice... Penelope was the one who made the shot, scoring it just over Flint's head. Roger and Edward were flying circles around the field, searching for a Bludger, and that was when Bole and Derrick took the chance to send both Bludgers Etta's way. A Bludger of them hit her foot and the second one slammed into her stomach. She double over, rolling in the air, one hand over her stomach and the other clutching her boom for dear life.

Madam Hooch was beside herself.

"YOU DO NOT ATTACK THE KEEPER UNLESS THE QUAFFLE IS WITHIN RANGE OF THE SCORING AREA!" she shrieked at Bole and Derrick. "Ravenclaw penalty!"

Danial scored, bringing the score to sixty-ten. Moments later, Roger sent a Bludger flying Draco's way, causing him and the Quaffle to go flying; Penelope caught it and sped away before anyone could blink, shooting it through the Slytherin goalposts. Seventy-ten.

The Ravenclaw crowd had nearly screamed itself hoarse-- they were sixty points ahead of Slytherin. If Harry caught the Snitch, they'd have the cup.

No matter how used to it he may have been, Harry couldn't shake the unsettling feeling as hundreds of eyes followed him, far above the game, and Runcorn, who was just within reach. And then he saw it. The Snitch was shining a near twenty feet above him.

He dashed upwards, and the wind, paired with the screaming crowd, was ringing in his ears so loudly he felt deaf; He reached out his arm, but for some reason, the Firebolt had lost speed immediately.

He looked around, a mixture of confused and horrified until he spotted the cause. Runcorn had steadied herself out on her broom, standing on both her feet, holding the back of the Firebolt's tail with all her might.

"You're-- not-- getting-- that stupid-- thing!"

Harry would've kicked her in the face if he could, but his foot couldn't reach. She was tugging on the broom enough that he couldn't get anywhere, nor could he hit her. By time he tried to stand and reach for the Snitch, it had been gone. If not for the auto-break system the Firebolt had, he would've gone flying when she finally let go.

Runcorn had the most triumphant of faces, even as Madam Hooch shot up towards her. "Down on your broom, girl! Penalty-- Penalty to Ravenclaw! Why, I've never seen such a foul move! When this has ended, you have a week's detention, young lady!"

"You cheating rat!" Lee Jordan screamed into the megaphone. "You filthy, cheating little b--"

Professor McGonagall made no move to tell him off; She was too busy shaking her finger in Runcorn's direction, furiously shouting profanities in a thicker accent than ever, and her hat had fallen off, nowhere to be seen.

Penelope went to take the penalty, but had been so enraged that the hit the Slytherin Keeper's face instead. The more concentration the team lost, the more ecstatic the Slytherins were.

"Thanks, Malfoy!" Runcorn shouted, and Draco looked back at her with an unreadable look on his face. "I did that to save you! I'll remember to let you hit the castle next time!"

"Slytherin in possession, Flint of Slytherin heading for goal-- Flint scores..." Lee spoke blankly, "Seventy-twenty, Ravenclaw in the lead...."

Harry had taken on tactics he hadn't planned on ever having to use, but Runcorn had forced his hand. He was blocking her constantly, dodging Bludgers and leading them her way-- once, he'd snatched one of the Beater's bats and sent it her way properly-- and he'd even gone as far as to "accidently" knock into her and send her flying into one of the stands. It worked better than he thought it would, because Slytherin had only gotten one penalty-- about ten less than they had earned, at this point.

"Danial Green gets the Quaffle! Come on, Danny, COME ON!"

Harry took just a glance. Most of Slytherin team had been streaking up to pitch towards Danial, including the Keeper, attempting to block him--

Harry had never seen a better opportunity; he ducked down, bending low enough to look as if he were taking a dive-- Runcorn chased after him, just as he planned; And he took on a spurt of speed, right before he would've went crashing into the Slytherins and passing through the thinnest gap he could between the Slytherins and Danial. Runcorn didn't manage to do the same. The impact of hitting over half of her team members sent Runcorn soaring, scrambling to get to her broom whilst she rolled in the grass. Danial made the shot with ease, and Lee was screaming with excitement; "HE SCORES! RAVENCLAW LEADS EIGHTY POINTS TO TWENTY!"

But then, Harry saw it-- Runcorn had gotten back on her broom in an instant, making a mad-dash for a tiny, fluttering speck of gold that was unmistakeably the Snitch, a few feet above the ground and just a few dozen yards from her. Harry had never kicked off a spot mid-air so fast in his life. The world became a multi-coloured blur as he bent down, flattening himself to the Firebolt's handle-- he was close, but Runcorn was closer, just a foot ahead.

And then, in seconds, he gained on her. And he was ahead. But she did it again-- she grabbed the back of the Firebolt, forcing him to a standstill. Though what she hadn't anticipated was for Harry to throw himself forward, an arm extended-- the world was spinning as he landed in the grass, but when there was an extra weight in his hand, he was able to ignore the pain in his back. 

“YES!”

Throwing up his arm, the crowd burst out, louder than any of the previous times they did so, as the tiny golden ball was weakly fluttering it's wings against his palm.

Etta was the first to reach him, pulling him off the ground and spinning him in a circle or two, her eyes filled with tears. Roger, Danial, and Edward were next, jumping off their brooms before they had even touched the ground, running towards them and piling on them. 

Harry could hear Penelope's squeals, even from the other side of the field, "We won, we won, we won!" Steve was with her, and suddenly, she'd pulled him in for a kiss that lasted atleast ten seconds before retracting herself, screaming loudly. He began shouting too; "I called it! I CALLED IT! She likes me!"

In an instant, waves of people dressed in blue had passed the barriers and found their way to the field. Shortly after, Harry, as well as the rest of the team, had been hoisted onto the shoulders of people in the crowd. Hagrid, easily the first to stand out, bore blue rosette on blue rosette. "Yeh beat 'em, Harry, y'did it! Wait 'til I tell Beaky!"

There was Percy, jumping up and down with Oliver Wood, who was looking happier than he'd ever looked; The Weasley twins had Luna and Ginny up on their shoulders, Luna clapping and Ginny screaming and cheering enough for both of them. Professor Flitwick had been on a floating pedestal, and his eyes were teary as he wiped his face with a blue-and-bronze flag bearing the Ravenclaw eagle that was twice the size as he.

He could barely make out his friends fighting their way through the crowd, and when they reached him, it seemed none of them had a thing to say. Lisa forced him to the ground and kissed his cheek about three times before squishing their faces together, screaming, "Look at him! My best friend! Mine!" And Padma and Ron heaved him up on their shoulders once Lisa finally let him go. Hermione was cheering and clapping, jumping on her feet. Even Draco had broken himself from the fuming, muttering crowd of Slytherins and made his way over.

The screaming crowd only got louder-- if even possible-- as they approached Dumbledore, who stood in the stands, holding the enormous Quidditch Cup.

If only a dementor had gathered the courage today... as Etta, her face dripping with mascara and tears, passed the Cup to Harry; As he lifted it into the air with both arms, he felt he could've produced a Patronus unlike any the world had ever seen.