Chapter 25
Chapter 25
‘Hello everyone.’ Looking around the room, Voldy sees all his Death Eaters waiting silently for him. ‘Today we are going out.’
Everyone looks concerned but follows along. As they walk Voldy casts a glamour reverting himself to look like Tom again. Once he is outside, Voldy pulls out a long rope. Everyone grabs hold and waits a moment before the portkey activates.
Looking around several people are confused.
‘My Lord? Are we at the Puddlemere stadium?’ Dolohov asks.
‘Yes we are. I have a meeting with the coach, at which time whoever of you wish to can play a pick up game with the team. Call it a skirmish if you will. I have been informed the rest of you will have access to refreshments. Enjoy.’
Voldy walks off the field in search of the coach’s office. Several members immediately alter their appearances to avoid another arrest. The team flys out and looks down at the gathered group.
‘Who are we playing against?’
Mulciber, Avery and Travers volunteer for chasers, Crabbe and Goyle volunteer for beaters, Dolohov becomes keeper and Rabastion agrees to be seeker. The newly formed team is escorted to the locker room to get ready for the skirmish. They are given practice robes and new brooms to use. Thunderbolt for seeker, Nimbus 2002s for chasers and keepers and the latest Cleansweeps models for beaters. Each broom tailored to the position perfectly.
The remaining group are led to the players box, looking around everyone marvels at the comfortable seating available, various drink choices muggle, wizarding, alcoholic and non. There is also a variety of snacks to choose from as well as instruction on ordering anything else that is desired. Many settle in and begin placing bets on who will win.
*.*
Voldy enters the coaches office.
‘Ah, right on time, Tom. What did you want to discuss?’
‘Have you considered a summer camp for owls students (1-5 years) to give more students a chance to learn the basics of the game?’
‘Considered? Sure. Can I find the capital? Or staff? Depends I suppose. Why do you ask?’
‘I want to propose a trial run for this coming summer. And I want to include incoming 1st years, give them a chance to learn flying before entering Hogwarts. Give all the children a chance to interact before the sorting.’
‘What about the children who are not athletically inclined?’
‘Jr coaching, referee, announcer. Researching rules or team stats, even popular plays.’
‘Alright, I can see how this can be helpful in teaching the children possible career ideas. Funding?’
‘I’m sure I can find several who are willing to assist in funding this endeavor.’
Voldy looks out the window and sees Avery with the Quaffle weaving and diving around his opponents narrowly avoiding a Bludger as he lines up his shot, the opposing keeper fails to defend his goal.’
‘I wonder what the score is out there?’
‘60 Puddlemere-120 visitors,’ the coach answers before thinking about it.
‘How did you?’
Coach taps his desk and the scoreboard rises from the corner.
‘That’s handy. Do you often observe skirmishes from your office?’
‘No, but sometimes paperwork must get done.’
‘True.’
‘So you have discussed OWLS students are you not trying to offer anything for NEWTS students?’
‘Actually I was thinking they could be team leaders. Obviously there will not be as many needed but they can run group activities or monitor flying to watch for injuries. Sometimes just having something fun to do in the summer can help students enjoy their summers.’
‘You have really thought this all through. If you can guarantee funding I will pitch this to the team owner. See if we can get this planned before the coming summer.’
‘Alright let's go see how our charitable donors are faring against your professional team.’
‘Lead the way.’
The massive scoreboard flashes 80 puddlemere - 170 visitors. Looking out across the field Voldy sees Rabastian and his opponent neck and neck chasing their target across the field. Both hands are outstretched as they fight to get closer. Pulling up nearly simultaneously both men streak higher and higher. Before dropping into a dive that moves in a bit of a corkscrew. Suddenly the puddlemere seeker lets out an excited yell. Both men level off and decrease speed. The new score is 230 puddlemere - 220 visitors.
‘Your team is impressive. They should come for another skirmish sometime.’
‘I will let them know you said that.’
Once everyone is cleaned up after the match and gathered in the players box, Voldy gets everyone's attention.
‘The main reason we are here is to relax, I am pleased to see that many of you have done just that. There is a bit of ulterior motive, I'm afraid.’
Many people look confused.
‘I am hoping to start something next summer and I need charitable donations to begin the process. For a few weeks in the summer there can be a summer camp for children to learn more specifics about this game we all love so much. I have proposed many concepts and I’m hoping we can put this all in motion as soon as possible.’
By the time they leave the coach is astounded by the money offered, assuming his bosses agree there should be nothing to stop this from happening on schedule.
*.*
Blaise browses the library looking for something to relax with.
‘Hey Blaise.’
Looking up he sees Cho Chang.
‘Hi.’
She is looking nice today, but her perfume is a little strong. She suddenly steps closer to him, and he almost wants to hold his breath.
‘I was wondering if you were seeing anyone.’
‘No.’ Blaise says firmly, suddenly he just wants to get away from her, maybe then the air will smell better.
‘Would you like to go for a walk with me? We can talk, or not, if you prefer…’
‘I'm not interested,’ Blaise turns away from her, abandoning his search.
As he leaves the library he sees Hermione struggling with too many books. A smile forms slowly.
‘Hey Hermione. Can I help with that?’
Before she answers he takes the majority of the books from her arms.
‘Blaise? Thank you.’
‘Where are you headed? And what are you researching?’
‘I was going to drop these off in my dorm. I'm not sure what I'm researching yet, just learning more about how different things react or how to alter potions for a desired effect.’
‘That sounds fascinating. Mind if I join you in researching that? I have always been interested in variations caused by altering potions.’
‘That would be lovely.’
The two walked side by side until they reached the tower discussing the properties of fresh ingredients vs. dried ones.
*.*
‘Thank you again for monitoring the mail this term. Is there anything I need to be aware of?’
‘Um actually I think I may have forgotten to check the mail recently so nothing has gone through for any of the students.’
‘You were supposed to keep an eye on things.’
‘I know and I'm sorry.’
Furiously, Dumbledore looks through the mail. Separating them into piles.
‘Send these out destroy the rest. I'm not sure what the board is looking for but they have been around recently.’
Barely suppressing his anger, Dumbledore storms out. Now is not the time to deal with incompetence.
As soon as Albus slammed the door Moody knew he would be punished, he wasn't sure but it was coming. Lowering his head, Moody gathered the mail and began doing as instructed.
*.*
Ron is frustrated that he hasn't heard back from his mother. Looking through his stuff he found one more dose but he has to be sure Neville doesn't interfere this time. Ron sees Harry sitting alone at breakfast.
‘Harry?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Wanna go out to the pitch for some training?’
‘Maybe this afternoon? I have to finish this Charms project this morning.’
‘Do you have notes from Transfiguration? I lost mine.’
Harry begins to look through his bag and Ron quickly pours the vial over Harry's food before hiding it again.
‘Right here, I need them back by lunch OK?’
‘Yeah sure. I will be done with them by then.’ Ron watches Harry eat some more of his food. ‘I'm heading out to the pitch. Come join me if you change your mind.’
‘Alright.’ Harry says as they leave the hall, both head in different directions.
*.*
Harry walks into the library and sits down with Daphne.
‘Morning, Harry.’
‘Morning, Daph. We are working on Charms right?’
‘That's the plan.’
The pair begin discussing the assignment while they search for books on the topic. When they sit down again Harry looks around.
‘Did you lose something?’
‘I'm not sure.’ Harry begins working on his assignment in silence.
Daphne is confused by Harry suddenly becoming quiet but focuses on her essay. Harry has completed about half his assignment when he starts to look around again.
‘What's up?’ Her question startles Harry.
‘I'm supposed to be…’
‘Supposed to be, where?’
Harry shakes his head and begins to pack up his stuff.
‘Harry? Where are you supposed to be?’
Harry doesn't respond as he stands. Without a look at her he walks away.
*.*
‘Daphne, is everything alright?’ Hermione joins her in the library not knowing Harry just left.
‘I'm not sure. Harry and I were working on our charms essays together but then he started acting weird. He left without even telling me why.’
‘He has been acting strange lately. I will try to talk to him later and see if I can find out what's going on.’
‘Thanks Hermione.’
When Hermione approaches Harry later that day he completely ignores her, focusing on his chess game with Ron.
*.*