ProFifthYear3

The next morning Harry awakened while most of Gryffindor was still sound asleep and a bright full moon danced in the sky. Harry wondered about the whereabouts of Remus Lupin, a prior Dark Arts professor and friend of his family, as he got dressed in his practice clothes and crept down to the Great Hall to grab some breakfast. As he entered the hall, Katie Bell, the new team captain, was already discussing defense tactics with the team who groggily nodded in assent to his instructions. The group greeted Harry as he approached.

�We�ve got to win this one, especially considering all the parents and everyone will be here for the first match on Visiting Weekend�we have to win the cup!� Katie�s words harnassed the same enthusiasm Oliver Wood�s once had and echoed in the rather silent hall. Oliver Wood had been the team captain since Harry had joined Hogwarts; but since graduation Oliver was onto bigger and better things, like the Puddlemore, United Reserve Team.

�Visiting Weekend?� Harry asked.

�All the parents and everyone are coming to Hogwarts for a visit and to see the opening Quidditch game. Where have you been?� Alicia yawned.

�It�s a new thing that Dumbledore has started�there�ll be the game day on Friday and a ball on Saturday.�

�I think since everything has happened with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Mentioned, he wants to assure the families that their children are safe at Hogwarts.�

�Oh,� Harry responded. He merely wished he had parents who would be visiting him on that weekend� someone, anyone...He was almost sad that the Dursley�s hated everything magical, at least they would have been someone.

The team soon left the comforts of the Great Hall for the Quidditch field where to their surprise, Slytherin was already practicing on the field. �What gives!� Katie became so incensed that she took to her broom and had it in mind to knock the Slytherin team captain off his broom. Mid-air he hesitated as she spotted Professor Yardley. At her side was Draco Malfoy grinning from ear to ear.

�Why is the professor helping them!� Harry asked George Weasley.

�When she was here at Hogwarts, she was seeker for Slytherin�In fact, she began the Slytherin�s winning streak.�

�Looks like George has done his homework. He�s beginning to sound like Percy.� George wrestled Fred to the ground.

�A Slytherin?� Harry was surprised.

�We don�t stand a chance if she�s training THEM.� Fred added. High above their heads the Slytherin team surrounded Katie.

�We reserved this field for morning practice,� Katie pleaded her case.

�Well, if that�s the case, we�ll quickly wrap things up here and get out of your way.� There were looks of surprise from the Slytherin team followed by groans and whining. �Just allow Malfoy and I to have another go at the snitch. Is that okay with you, Miss. Bell?�

�Fair enough.� Katie returned to the Gryffindors and updated them with details. The other Slytherins returned to the ground while Professor Yardley raced Draco Malfoy for the snitch. Harry was impressed with her flying technique.

Malfoy glanced around for the golden snitch. Spotting it out of the corner of his eye, he flew in that direction in a flash. Professor Yardley trailed by an arm�s length. She had not the desire to capture the snitch; as she was rather determined to test Malfoy�s concentration. She spun circles around him causing him to lose sight of the object and grow increasingly dizzy. Malfoy lost control of his broom, almost smacking headfirst into one of the 50ft high goal posts.

Even the bystanders on the ground held their breath, for impact at those high speeds would certainly break most of the bones in one�s body and who knew how long it would take for recovery. Professor grabbed a hold of Malfoy�s broom and steadied it.

�You okay?� she asked Malfoy who looked as if he were going to toss his breakfast. �Why don�t we call it a day. Good hustle.� Malfoy was more than eager to head in leaving the retrireview of the snitch to the professor. The professor instructed the Slytherin�s to leave the Quidditch case as the Slytherin�s headed into breakfast.

Harry wondered why she hadn�t obtained the snitch as of yet. She hovered above the Gryffindors.

�I have a bit of time to spare, if you�d allow me.� The team nodded in assent. �So, Potter�step up�Let�s see what you�re made of?� She stated in a healthy sportive jest. This picked his spirits up a bit; Harry mounted his broom and set off. The team released the bludgers and followed suit.

Professor Yardley still all smiles pointed just left of Harry where he immediately spotted the snitch. It whizzed by the ear of Fred or was it George? Harry ducked nearly missing the path of the bludger. Professor Yardley was now at his side. �Is that the fastest you can go?� She asked.

�Just warming up,� Harry�s face brightened as they sped off at breakneck speed in the direction of the snitch. She managed to loop around Harry so the snitch was a few centimeters from her arm, but she swatted at the thing and it disappeared. Harry believed that she must be enjoying the practice as much as he did.

No one realized how quickly pre-dawn had changed into morning or the small crowd of students who had gathered to watch, until Professors Snape and McGonagall appeared on the field. Even Dumbledore was spotted watching the practice with his binoculars. The old wizard chuckled as he waved at him before closing the window.

�Does anyone have the time?� Katie inquired.

�What�s the matter?� asked Fred.

�Twenty past eight�oh no�� replied Angelina. Fred shrugged and sped off towards his brother.

�It can�t be.� Alicia furrowed her brow.

�Look at Professor McGonagall�she doesn�t look pleased one bit.� Angelina pointed at the small figures staring up from down below. �Master class transfiguration began thirty minutes ago.�

Harry realized that he was quite late for potions when the snitch flew below Harry and the professor.

�Go ahead�we�d best be heading in now.� Harry dove for the snitch before joining the Gryffindor pack who stood before Prof McGonagall awaiting their punishments. By the time Harry reached the ground, Professor McGonagall was heading towards the castle with her Transfiguration students. Was she finally show favoritism to her own house? He assumed that she was pleased at the prospects of Gryffindor winning the house cup and to dole out points to so many members would ruin their chances; but perhaps not.

Professor Yardley returned the snitch to the box and closed the case.

�Potter, if you�re late to my class ever again I will fail you�understood?� Snape seethed in anger.

�Yes, sir.�

There was no doubt Snape was serious about his threat. In his four years at Hogwarts, Professor Snape held such an unfounded distaste for him, yet the professor had saved his life on a few occasions. Before heading inside Harry smiled at Professor Yardley who nodded in return.

�I know I need not go into a tirade about your duties as a professor, to remind you that your primary focus is to seeing that these students get an education.� Snape was infuriated by Yardley�s indifference towards him.

�Rest assured, I know I need not hear it from you. Good day, Severus.�

Continued in Chapter Four...