Harry Potter and the Fight For Freedom

The day of November first arrived quickly for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
“Excited for today’s game Harry?” Seamus asked sitting down next to Ginny at the Gryffindor table.
Harry looked across the table over at Seamus.
“You bet I am Seamus, I always am,” Harry said smiling.
Harry finished his breakfast quickly and headed down to the Quidditch pitch with the rest of the team.
“Okay now I want you guys to play the best you can today. We know what the Slytherin team has been up to and we know how to turn their strategies against them. If you play today like you guys have played during practice we will have no problem at all beating Slytherin. Now lets go, it’s time to play,” Harry said picking up his broom.

Loud roars filled the stadium as the Gryffindor team flew out onto the pitch and joined the Slytherin Team, who were already up in the air.
“And welcome to the first Quidditch match or the year, Slytherin versus Gryffindor,” came the Irish voice of Seamus Finnegan.
Madame Hooch walked out onto the pitch and opened the crate releasing the two Bludgers, followed by the Golden Snitch. She picked up the Quaffle and threw it up into the air.
“And the players are off, Vaisey in possession, they approach the goal, Vaisey shoots and it is saved by Weasley,” Seamus said. A loud roar from Luna’s lion hat, sounded through the stadium. “Hawksworth in possession, passes to Weasley, Daunton, back to Weasley. Weasley shoots and scores, ten to zero for Gryffindor.” Applause and cheering filled the stadium as the Slytherin keeper passed the Quaffle back to Vaisey.

Half an hour later the score stood at ninety to eighty for Gryffindor.
“Daunton approaches the Slytherin goal, shoots, oh no Slytherin keeper saves,” Seamus said.
It was then that Harry saw the glint of gold hovering about twenty feet above the ground, near the Gryffindor goal posts. Harry tightened his grip on his boor and took off towards that end of the pitch.
“It looks as if Potter has spotted the snitch,” Seamus said causing many of the spectators in the stands to stand up focusing closely on the Gryffindor or seeker.
Not long after Seamus said that Harry had spotted the snitch did Malfoy come up beside Harry.
“Not this time Potter,” Malfoy said ramming into Harry attempting to throw him from his broom.
Harry ignored him and stretched out his hand as Malfoy did the same. Just a few more feet, Harry thought to himself as he stretched some more. Seconds later Harrys’ hand closed around the snitch. The moment he grabbed it two came and hit him on his right side. The impact from the Bludgers threw Harry from his broom and into one of the goal posts that were only a few feet away.
“Harry Potter has caught the snitch, earning Gryffindor hundred and fifty points. Gryffindor wins, two hundred and forty to eighty,” Seamus said loudly above the roars of the stadium.
The stadium quieted down as they noticed the Gryffindor seeker and captain lying motion less on the ground. Ron descended from his post and rushed to Harry.
“Harry!” Ron said shaking him gently.
“Don’t shake him Ron,” Professor Lupin said making his way through the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams, with Professor McGonagall right behind him.
“All of you leave. Go get changed,” McGonagall ordered to the teams. Ron got up and followed the team. “Not you Mr. Weasley, you and Miss. Weasley may stay.”
”Harry!” Hermione exclaimed when she saw him.
Miss. Granger please back away so we can bring him up to the hospital wing,” McGonagall said.
Hermione shook her head and remained kneeling beside him holding his hand. McGonagall looked towards Ron and Ron nodded his head knowing what it was the Professor was asking him to do. He approached Hermione and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Come on Hermione,” he said gently.
Hermione looked at Ron and then back down at Harry and sighed as the tears that had welled up in her eyes fell onto Harry’s unconscious body. She reluctantly stood up with help from Ron and followed Professor Lupin and Professor McGonagall, who were levitating Harry’s body, back up to the caste with Ginny and Ron.


Harry woke up a few hours later to find Hermione’s head resting on his bed. He tried to shift himself into a more comfortable position, but sharp pain shot through his right side. He let out a gasp and placed a hand on the spot that hurt. Harry’s movement caused Hermione to stir and wake up.
“Oh you’re awake,” she said her voice full of relief.
Harry looked at her tear stained face and saw her eyes fill with relief.
“What happened?” he asked.
Hermione took a deep breath, “ Well you caught the snitch, then two Bludgers hit you, sending you flying into the goal posts,” Hermione said shakily.
The color drained from her face as the moment replayed in her head and tears filled her eyes again and started to fall down her face. Harry raised his hand and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“You know I think I liked it better when I didn’t know,” Harry said with a small smile.
Hermione smiled, “Yeah probably. You suffered four broken ribs and you broke you right arm. Madame Pomfrey says you were lucky you didn’t break your back,”
“So do I have to spend the night here?” he asked lowering his hand back down on to the bed.
“I’m afraid so Mr. Potter, you’ll probably be good to go by tomorrow afternoon,” Madam Pomfrey said coming out of her office. “For now Miss. Granger, you should go to supper and leave Mr. Potter to rest.
Hermione kissed him and left the hospital wing after saying goodbye.
“Here, drink this Mr. Potter,” Madame Pomfrey said handing him a sickly yellow colored potion. “It’ll ease the pain.”
Harry drank it down in one gulp and made a face of disgust once Madame Pomfrey turned her back. He had done his best to refrain from spraying it allover the place like he did in his second yer when growing back his bones in his arm.
Harry was let out of the hospital wing the next afternoon just like Madame Pomfrey said. He headed slowly down to the great hall where he fond Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Seamus.
“Hiya Harry,” Ginny said as Harry approached them. Harry,” Ron said scooting over to make room for him to sit down.
“Hey guys, Merlin I’m glad to be out of there. Though Madam Pomfrey said I have to take it easy for the next week and that includes flying,” Harry said grimly.
“Don’t matter, you don’t need to fly to tell us what to do,” Ron said smiling.


November flew by fast for the trio. They were constantly working on homework, paying more attention than ever in classes and Harry, Ron and Ginny still managed to do Quidditch. The second match of the year was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw won the game by a long shot, two hundred and ninety to fifty. December arrived just as quickly as November disappeared. One morning, Hector arrived with the other morning post owls, with the regular treats and letter saying hi. Though this particular day the letter said more.
“Hey Hermione are you here?” Ron asked waving his hand in front of her face.
“Ron what are you doing?” Ginny said approaching the table holding Seamus’ hand.
Of all the guys Ginny dated this was the one Ron took the easiest. Given that Seamus and Ron were friends, Ron didn’t have much against Seamus. Though nothing still hadn’t changed, he was still the over protective brother.
“Yeah I’m here Ron, get you hand out of my face,” Hermione snapped roughly pushing his hand away. “Harry what were your plans for Christmas this year?” she asked picking up her fork.
“Err… the usual, stay at the Weasley’s,” Harry said.
“No offense Ron, Ginny, but Harry, my parents have invited you to spend Christmas with us this year, as kinda the chance to get to really meet my parents,” Hermione said. “What do think Harry?”
“That sounds great, but I don’t t like the idea of blowing off the Weasley’s like that,” he said looking towards Ron.
“Oh never mind us, go with Hermione, I insist,” Ginny said.
“Yeah I agree Harry, go, we can always write,” Ron said picking up a piece of toast.
Harry thought for a moment. He didn’t want to push the Weasley’s away like that, yet the idea of spending Christmas with the Granger’s did sound inviting. He looked onto Hermione’s hopeful eyes and then decided.
“All right Hermione, I’ll spend Christmas with you.”
Hermione smiled a leaned over the table and kissed Harry, causing some nearby first years to get skirmish.