“Good luck today, Harry,” Hermione said, smiling at Harry over the breakfast table. It was the day of the Gryffindor versus Slytherin quidditch House Cup match.

Harry had began joining the older Slytherin boys every week for their casual quidditch matches and Flint had been so impressed with Harry’s flying that he had decided Harry would be a stand-in for the next game, meaning if any player was injured Harry would step in.

Harry was stunned when Flint offered him the role, but Lucas (who played keeper) clapped him on the back and accepted on Harry’s behalf before he had a chance to speak.

His heart felt so full as they divided into teams again and began another practice game. As soon as the wind was rushing in his ears again, he was grateful Lucas had said yes to Flint’s offer.

Although Harry expected the Gryffindor's to be outraged a first year had made it on the team, Ron seemed to be delighted for him, and even Neville seemed to have forgotten the Parcel tongue fact about Harry and sprung back to normal as they talked about quidditch manoeuvres and tactics.

“I probably won’t even be on the pitch.” Harry shrugged, snapping out of his memory. He tried to convince himself he had no reason to be nervous.

“I wish you were the seeker for Gryffindor,” Ron mused. “Ours is Stacy Conrad, a sixth year, but everyone knows she’s a much better as a chaser…”

Harry began to say that wished he was on the Gryffindor team too but found that he couldn’t get the words out. Training with the Slytherins had been strange at first but then he had begun to look forward to each practice and the feeling he felt while being a part of their team. He had grown used to their company; he even began to enjoy being called ‘Firstie’.

It was the first time Harry had hesitated to yearn to be in Gryffindor. It felt strange, as if he was betraying his friends by enjoying time in Slytherin.

“Would you be mad at me if I said I’m hoping Gryffindor will win?” Ron asked hesitantly after Harry’s lack of response.

Harry smiled softly at his friend. “Of course not. I’d be a bit worried about you, if Ron Weasley started cheering for Slytherin.” He teased.

“We’d have to send him to St Mungo’s.” Harry turned to see Ron’s brothers Fred and George heading their way, beaters bats in hand.

“Hiya Harry,” Fred said before ruffling Ron’s hair, which resulted in an annoyed grunt from the younger Weasley.

“Nice uniform,” George chimed. At least Harry thought it was George.

“Erm. Thanks.” Harry replied.

“We’ll see you out there.” Fred grinned widely. “If you’re on the pitch, we’ll try not to send too many bludgers your way.”

“Not making any promises though.” George winked and without another word they left the small group of friends.

Harry gulped and gnawed on his bottom lip, picturing a bludger knocking him off his broom.

“Don’t worry about them,” Ron said, nudging Harry’s side gently. “They’re all talk. They’re mega competitive but they’d never hurt anyone on purpose.”

Harry nodded slowly but he wasn’t quite convinced.

He noticed the other quidditch players, clothed in red, following Fred and George out of The Great Hall. Then he noticed some members of his own team all in green uniform matching his own, waving him over. Lucas (who played Chaser) and Zach (who played Beater) were among them.

“I better get going.” Harry said, taking one last sip of his pumpkin juice.

His friends wished him a final good luck and he went to join his teammates. Flint called them to go get warmed up outside.

Lucas fell into step beside him on their way to the grounds. “Why do you always sit with them?” He asked Harry suddenly.

Harry shrugged. He was getting bored of this question, his similar discussion with Snape crossing his mind.

“They’re my friends.” He replied simply.

“But they’re Gryffindors.” Zach said with a shudder, appearing on his other side, beater bat in hand.

“I know. They’re still my friends.” Harry repeated sullenly, shuffling his feet along the floor.

“I know the other firsties were jerks to you, but you could always sit with us you know?” Lucas said casually.

“You …wouldn’t mind?” Harry asked, unconvinced. Why would they want to sit with Harry, a first year? Aren’t they already embarrassed to have him in their dorm?

“Anything is better than seeing you sat with Gryffindors.” Zach laughed loudly. “You do know they’re our rivals, right?”

Harry’s heart fell, of course that was why they were offering.

“Of course, we wouldn’t mind.” Lucas says ignores Zach’s comment. Zach’s name was called by another teammate until it was just Harry and Lucas trailing behind. “We’re mates now.” Lucas stated, matter-of-factly.

Harry couldn’t help but stare at the older Gryffindor in shock. It seemed too good to be true, had Lucas just called them…mates? His head spun with the thought, but he felt his heart fall again, as a possibility crossed his mind.

“Did …Snape put you up to this?” Harry asked hesitantly, dreading the answer, but he needed to know.

Lucas snorted loudly in response. “Of course not.” Harry didn’t laugh so Lucas grew serious, he grabbed Harry’s arm softly before continuing. “Harry, we wouldn’t invite you to our practises if we didn’t want you around. You know that, right?” He assures. “You don’t see that little snot Malfoy at our Thursday night practises, do you? Or on the house team?”

Harry couldn’t help a small grin appearing on his face. “I guess not.” He shrugged.

“Sit wherever you want, but just wanted you to know you’re welcome to sit with us too.” Lucas said, his words firm and certain.

“Thanks.” Harry wasn’t sure he could say much more, embarrassingly he felt his throat was a little tight with emotion. Luckily Lucas didn’t mind the short answer and smiled softly before they followed the other Slytherins out into the field for the warm-up.

---

“The Quaffle has been taken by the Slytherin’s – looks like Chaser Lucas Moore is speeding towards the goal posts, but he’s blocked by a bludger – sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can’t tell which- nice play by the Gryffindor beater, anyway, and Johnson is back in possession of the quaffle, a clear field ahead …”

It’s hard not to feel the excitement running through your veins as you watch the Quidditch House Cup match. The cheering in the crowds, the loud commentary by a Gryffindor called Lee Jordan, all eyes were on the players speeding around the pitch above them. He was sat by the side-lines of the pitch along with a few other stand-in players, and nearby to Madam Pomphrey - the medi-witch - who would be there in case anyone became injured.

Harry noticed Professor Snape in the teacher's stands, his face gave nothing away as usual but Harry had heard from the other Slytherin's that all the house leaders took the House Cup very seriously, and Snape was highly competitive. He sat among the other teachers, including Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Quirrell and even Hagrid had made an appearance.

Both teams had scored only once each so far, it was a tense match. Harry hadn’t noticed the golden snitch yet, but he was sure it would probably be easier to spot if he were in the air.

It seemed much more intense than when Harry had taken part in their practise games and in the casual games on a Thursday evening. Maybe it was the house rivalry that made Gryffindor and Slytherin games particularly competitive. Or maybe these house games were always intense, Harry didn’t know.

“Angelina Johnson is speeding towards the goal posts- come on, Angelina – she dodges a bludger – Slytherin keeper Snyde dives and – he intercepts! Slytherin have the quaffle again! But wait- is that the golden snitch? -”

Harry had also noticed the flash of gold towards the right of the pitch but with Lee Jordan’s commentary both seekers had sped quickly to catch it. Harry watched Slytherin seeker Terrance Higgs reach at the same time as Gryffindor seeker Stacy Conrad, it was neck and neck.

The snitch rose and fell as both players chased it round the pitch, all eyes on them. It began to suddenly dive, and Harry held his breath as he watched both players hurtle towards the ground at a scarily fast pace. Stacy conrad then suddenly pulled her broom up, panicked as if she had just noticed the ground getting closer and closer.

Unfortunately, the Slytherin Seeker Terrance Higgs wasn’t so lucky. While the snitch easily recovered from the fast speeds to the ground and then vanished, Higgs went hurtling into the ground, his broom snapped and Higg’s body flipped, and he landed on the ground with an audible thump.

Madam Hooch sounded her whistle to pause the game, as the crowd murmured loudly, Harry also noticed Snape step down from the stands and made his way to Higg’s who was groaning loudly in pain.

Harry’s heart was racing as he watched Snape levitate Higgs to the side-lines. Despite not knowing the boy except seeing him in practises, he was scared for the older boy and hoped he was okay.

Harry didn’t have much time to worry though, as Higgs’ broom was suddenly shoved in his hand roughly and he looked up to see Flint, the Slytherin captain.

“You’re up, firstie. Just catch the snitch, okay?” He said and then gave him a firm shove forward.

Harry panicked; he didn’t think he’d have to be on the field today! He pictured Higgs curled in pain on his side, and he was an experienced player- how was Harry supposed to survive this game? Hadn’t Ron mentioned people had died in quidditch before? Why did he ever agree to this? Why did anyone think he could do this?

“Try not to topple off your broom, Potty!” Harry heard Draco call, he only knew it was him by his distinct voice, his vision had gone blurry. His heart started pounding so loud he could hear the blood rush in his ears. The crowd was shouting loudly, and his palms were clammy as the gripped the broom Flint had given him.

“Potter.”

Harry pushed through the fog of panic that had clouded his mind to realise it was his head of house standing in front of him. How had he got to Harry’s side so fast? Harry blinked, checking his mind wasn’t tricks on him.

“Sir- “Harry stuttered but he hadn’t realised his breathing became laboured. Why did he ever think he would be brave enough? He was kidding himself into having the bravery of a Gryffindor.

“Breathe.” A hand landed heavily on his shoulder; Harry flinched slightly before realising it wasn’t hurting him. Instead, it felt comforting to have that reassuring touch that this was real, and the fog began to clear around him.

Snape had bent his knees slightly and was staring at Harry intently, his hand steadily on his shoulder, grounding Harry’s anxiety until he could take some shaky breaths.

Snape raised his eyebrows slightly at Harry, in a way to ask if Harry was okay. After a second, Harry hesitantly nodded. It was such a subtle exchange, but it made Harry feel like he could breathe again, like there was someone watching out for him.

It was an unfamiliar feeling, but a welcome one.

“Good luck, Harry.” Snape murmured and soon Harry was guided onto the pitch by Flint and a whistle was ringing in Harry’s ears as the crowd roared once more. Flint rushed into the sky and Harry hooked his leg over his broom before following his captain into the sky.

He didn’t even have chance to realise his Head of House had called him Harry and not Potter.

“And we’re back! It’s still neck and neck! After Higg’s has been sent to the hospital wing after a rather spectacular summersault into the ground, Slytherin has a new seeker – first year Harry Potter! Interesting play by Flint to put a first year on the pitch, will it pay off, I wonder? - ” Lee Jordan’s commentary continued. The crowd looked so small from this high in the air, Harry grinned, his nerves melting away as he concentrated on the game he was now a part of.

“- Speaking of the Slytherin captain, he’s got the quaffle! But Katie Bell is following close behind – a bludger heads their way – Flint dodges it – but he drops the quaffle! Johnson grabs it, and is flying towards the goal posts – she’s a brilliant flyer – great form – wait, what is the Slytherin seeker doing? - ”

Just as Harry had began to relax into the match and while Lee Jordan’s commentary rang throughout the pitch, Harry’s broom had begun to buck and shake. It was tossing him left, right and centre, as if trying to throw him off!

Harry gripped it hard, but the broom seemed to have become possessed, as it continued to throw him around viscously. He yelped in panic, they were so high in the air that if Harry fell now, he’d be in worse shape than Higgs.

Harry’s strength was getting weaker – his hands were slipping – and one particularly harsh buck of his broom sent his body falling off the side – leaving him dangling in the air.

The crowd was shouting but as suddenly as it began – it ended. And Harry’s broom stilled, and he was able to heave himself back on his broom.

He saw Lucas staring his way, a concerned expression on his face from the opposite side of the pitch. Harry sent a shaky smile back, attempting to show he was ok, but he though it was just as much to convince himself.

He looked down at the crowd, but he couldn’t see any familiar faces from so far away, he didn’t know what just happened with his broom but a glint of gold didn’t give him chance to worry as he darted his broom towards the snitch before the Gryffindor seeker noticed.

“Looks like Potter recovers just as Gryffindor gains control of the quaffle again – but what’s he doing now – oh, he’s spotted the golden snitch!” Lee Jordan shouts.

Air rushes past Harry’s ears as he dives for the snitch, he had done this so many times at practices- this was no different, right?

He forgot about the crowd, about Lee Jordan’s commentary, about his strange broom’s activity, and focused all his energy on the small, winged ball. He also forgot about the Gryffindor seeker who had suddenly appeared beside him, they were now close to the ground and she dove for the snitch. But Harry was faster, he leaned forward and his hand curled quickly around the golden ball before he promptly fell off his broom and landing softly on the ground. He couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh as he held the snitch up to show the crowd and it responded by erupting into cheers.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle “Slytherin wins!”

The other Slytherin players landed at Harry’s side, grins lining their face as they cheered in glee. Lucas and Zach come to his side to help him up which Harry gratefully accepted, but before he knew it- he was lifted into the air onto their shoulders, as everyone chanted and cheered.

“You did it, firstie!” Lucas cheered.

Harry couldn’t explain the joy he felt in that moment. He felt proud of himself, excited to win but most of all he felt an overwhelming feeling of being a part of something – being a part of a team. It was a high Harry never wanted to come down from.

He looked around to see the Slytherins all cheering, some had come down from the stands to celebrate and congratulate the team. Then he caught the gaze of familiar black eyes – his head of house. Was that pride in his eyes?

He smiled hesitantly at his potions master, and he thought he saw Snape smile back, only for a second. But maybe he had imagined it. That seemed most likely - it definitely didn’t seem like a very ‘Snape’ thing to do.