Flint made the announcement as they were suiting up for the game. 'Our Head of House will be acting as referee for this match.'
'Excellent,' said Terry Higgs. 'There's no way we can lose now.'
'As if we would against the Puffies anyway,' said Draco. He was Chaser in today's match as Rufford was in the Hospital Wing, afflicted with an unidentifiable curse of some kind.
'Don't be so cocky, Malfoy,' Flint growled. 'It's attitudes like that what'll lose us the game. You do your best on the field no matter who we play, or I'll have Wilkes come in instead. Got it?'
'Yeah,' Draco said, rolling his eyes.
'What's that?' Flint barked.
'I said, Yes, Captain! Heard you loud and clear!'
Harry turned his face into the sleeve of his robes to hide his snicker. Malfoy gave him a cheeky grin while twirling a finger near his ear, and Harry nearly lost it. Thankfully, after giving Draco a scowl, Flint had turned to lambasting the beaters now, and didn't see them.
'I can't believe I get to be in the game today,' Draco murmured to Harry as both of them began lacing up their boots. 'My Father's come to see me play.'
'Yeah?' Harry said, interested despite himself. Lucius Malfoy was something of a legend in Slytherin, and the upper years were always vying for his favor in getting placements after graduating, especially in the Ministry. And Harry knew, from the long-ago dress down with Snape, that Draco's father could be rather hard on him. He hoped Draco did well today, for both their sakes. 'How about your Mum?'
'Mother couldn't make it. She has some charity event she's running,' Draco added with a wrinkled nose. 'She's always doing stuff like that.'
Harry finished with his boots and started on the elbow pads, the last to be applied before he put on his gloves. 'My aunt was like that, always some society thing or another.'
'Was?' Draco asked with a lifted eyebrow. 'She's dead?'
Draco snickered. He started putting on his gloves, the green leather ones Harry had gotten him for Christmas. 'Thanks for these. They fit very well.'
'You're welcome.' Harry hadn't received anything in return, but that didn't matter to him. He was glad Draco liked the gift.
'One more thing,' Flint growled loudly over everyone's conversations. 'Listen up. The Puffies beat Ravenclaw last fall, and lost to Gryffindor last month, so we don't want them getting a bunch of points they can use to get close to us in Final scoring. You Beaters keep on their Chasers; I'll take any points they score out of your hides. And Potter, I want you to catch that bloody snitch as soon as possible. Got it?'
Harry nodded. 'Yes, Captain.'
'Good. All right, you lot. Time to mount up!'
Just like last time, Harry's stomach did a tumble and flip as he neared the door of the locker room. He could do this. He could. And with Snape as referee, he wouldn't have to worry so much about Quirrell trying to hex his broom.
Probably.
As one, the team got on their brooms and flew out of the dressing room, Flint first, then their Chasers, then the other Beater, the Keeper, and then Harry, the Seeker at the end.
Three-quarters
