Quidditch match! Quidditch match! Finally its the Quidditch match! Its the big day, the day Slytherins will be brought to judgement. Calm down Katerina, you're behaving like a two year old who just figured out that her parents had bought her a new doll. But well who am I kidding exactly? I'm excited so I may as well show it. 

I received my broom yesterday through mail. Mom and Dad bought me a Moontrimmer. Designed with a slim ash handle and the ability to fly higher than other brooms (and remain controllable), these brooms were a revolution in broomstick design, and were in great demand by Quidditch players. I couldn't thank them enough. Like literally. 

After a quick breakfast, Wood summoned us and we went to the pitch earlier. The whole atmosphere was buzzing with a competitive spirit and most Slytherins could be seen betting with Gryffindors. Usual Quidditch routine. 

Wood took me aside to give some last minute advice, "the object of the game is to score more points than your opponents. Each goal is worth ten points and catching the Snitch is worth one-hundred fifty points. The game ends when the Snitch is caught or an agreement is reached between the captains of both teams (though I don't see the latter happening ever). Keep an eye out for the Quaffle and try to score as much as possible. If Harry catches the Snitch earlier it's a double bonus. If not... Anyways just be very alert." 

I saluted, "Aye Aye Captain." 

It made him crack a smile, "you know the tactics, right? You are quite good at Woollongong Shimmy (Chasers fly in a zig-zag motion to confuse opposing Chasers) so I'll expect you to use that often." 

Fred called up, "don't scare her, Oli. She'll do good." 

He nodded and then all of us went off to the lockers to change into our Quidditch uniforms consisting of a cape, fingerless gloves, shin and arm guards. The colours are based on the colours of the respective house. The Gryffindor Quidditch team's uniform is scarlet and gold and the Slytherin Quidditch team's is green and silver. 

After all of us were settled, Wood began his speech. 

"We know Oliver's speech by heart. We were on the team last year," the twins whispered to me. 

"Shut up, you two. This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it," he snapped back. 

There is one thing quite common in Gryffindors: they all have extraordinarily sharp ears. Then the captain turned towards Harry, "it'll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying, Harry, because we've got to win today, we've got to." 

Now that's a bit exaggerating. Die trying is quite a strong statement to give to a 12 year old Seeker. He sure has intense priorities. 

***

Anyhow all of us assembled on the pitch. The whole school was gathered. Loud cheers erupted accompanied by catcalls from Slytherins. 

The commentator, Lee Jordan, was spirited from anticipation, "and here come the Gryffindors! The Lions of Quidditch! Oliver Wood upfront with his absolutely amazing team. Compatible Chasers, highly qualified Beaters, excellent Keeper and what's more the youngest Seeker in the history of Hogwarts! Give them a loud cheer, fellows!" 

After us the Slytherins emerged. Jordan gave their intro somewhat less heartedly. Oh but I don't blame him. When it comes to Gryffindor versus Slytherin it turns into an all out war. We took our position and waited for Madam Hooch to blow the whistle. And... We're off. 

Catch the Quaffle and score. This was the only command that my mind was processing at the moment. Me, Angelina and Katie had spent the whole night discussing techniques but due to the uncalled for rain and the dominance of the Slytherin Chasers we were facing a blowout. 

On the other hand Harry was relentlessly pursued by a rogue Bludger, so Oliver Wood called for a time-out. However, Harry agreed to play on, telling the Weasley twins to stop flying around him so he could pursue the Snitch. 

When Harry spotted the Snitch, Malfoy cheated (as expected) and a foul was declared. I wanted to smack his face clean off. However I caught the Quaffle. Come on Katerina, score. However I knew it was difficult being followed by all the opponent Chasers therefore I used the Porskoff Ploy flying high upward (my Moontrimmer gave me an advantage) then I threw the Quaffle at Katie who had seen my signal and was waiting directly below. 

Come on Katie score it. But the Quaffle was snatched again. This time we used the Hawkeshead Attacking Formation in which all three of us flew in a triangle forcing the opponent Chasers apart. 

"And Johnson takes the Quaffle!" Jordan's voice echoed, "and it's a score! A great comeback for Gryffindors." 

Uh oh... Bludger aimed right at my face and is whizzing towards me full speed. There was only one thing I could do despite the fact that it was dangerous. I hung upside down on my broomstick to avoid it. Just don't let go. I suck at balancing myself mostly. Thank God the Bludger passed and I flung myself back in position. 

When the action resumed Harry was struck on the elbow by a Bludger, which broke his right arm. Despite this, when he spotted the Snitch he was able to chase after it and grasp it in his left hand, winning the match for Gryffindor. 

"And Gryffindor wins the match!" The crowd erupted from cheers. All of us swooped low and landed. And the next second we were gathered round Harry. 

"You okay?" I asked. 

He shrugged, "I guess." 

It struck me that how actually brave he was, he was more glad on the fact that we had won rather than the fact that his arm was broken. Poor Harry. 

"Come let's get you to the Hospital Wing," the twins spoke. 

But before we could take him to Madam Pomfrey, an unbeatable obstacle loomed towards us in the shape of Gilderoy Lockhart. "Fantastic move indeed, Harry," he spoke, "and no worries my boy I can fix your arm in barely a second or two. That's it. Give me your arm. It will be good as new quite soon." 

Don't, Harry, for the love of God, don't do this. He probably doesn't know anything about Healing charms. 

Lockhart lifted his wand. 

"Oh dear," the twins mumbled. 

And I agree, we have absolutely no idea what is gonna happen to poor Harry Potter. 

He flicked his wand and a loud crack was heard. Sickening. We had shut our eyes. When we opened them again, Harry was gaping at Lockhart with his mouth dropped open in either surprise or anger. 

I looked down at his arm and the only reaction I had was, "heaven forbid." His arm was reduced to something close to a deflated rubber balloon. Oh no. 

"It doesn't usually happen," Lockhart began justifying his act, "I just... I don't know why it... You better go to the infirmary, boy. It never happens, you know." 

Ah well he should know what I think right now, "oh so you mean your spells never go wrong? And it's just on Harry that the Healing charm got screwed up?" 

He looked at me uncomfortably, "yes, yes; precisely that's what I wanted to say." 

Oh really? I don't think so, "one word of advice, Professor. It's loads better to stay out of matters that don't concern you. And I'm sure if you follow this advice you'd be able to avoid facing a lot of humiliation in front of large crowds." 

His face turned slightly red, "ah but you don't mean it that way, Miss Weasley, do you?" 

I smiled sarcastically, "you really want me to put that more simply?" 

But I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Wood, "it's okay, Kat. Let him be." 

I sighed. I was so enjoying this little banter. But well Captain's orders, "fine. I'm going to see Harry." Wood nodded and I left.

***

When I reached the Hospital Wing there was much hustle bustle. Madam Pomfrey was yelling at the Gryffindors to leave as it seemed the whole house was gathered here. She came towards me, "Katerina Weasley, I'd appreciate if you come see him after a while. I have to get these bunch of kids out of here." 

Okay. I'll wait. I spotted Fred and George among the crowd and when they caught my eye I gestured them to follow me outside. They obliged. Soon as we were out of the noise, I asked, "what happened to his arm?" 

They replied, "Lockhart removed all his bones." 

What? That bad? 

"Are they going to come back or something? Or will he have to live with a rubbery arm forever?" 

They shook their head, "of course not. Madam Pomfrey works miracles. She gave him some Skele-Gro, it's potion for regrowing bones. Don't worry he'll be good in a week." 

Okay... But I do feel sorry for him though. 

"And hey," Fred spoke up as if he just remembered something, "the way you snapped at Lockhart was awesome as hell." 

Oh, that wasn't a problem at all. 

"Set the arrogant swollen head right in his place," George added. 

But the arrogant swollen head is not letting go that easy. He needs a serious treatment to cure him of his pathetic self obsessing disease. And I'm planning to think on it. I'm sure I'll think of a brilliant cure in next to no time.

***