12/28/2001

 

Quidditch Pitch

 

The Quidditch Pitch at Hogwarts is quite impressive; it looks as if it could seat the whole school, and more.

 

Hundreds of seats are raised in stands around the stadium, which are positioned very high so that the spectators may view the game at its full potential.  At both ends of the field are tall, golden poles; three to each end, with hoops attached to the ends of them.  Usually the field is empty, except for the case when the houses of Hogwarts may be playing against each other, or a team may be practicing.  Below the airborne pitch is a well kept field of green grass.  A distance away from here lays the Forbidden Forest and the castle, which is more easily accessible.

 

 

It's rather late in the evening to be practicing, the sky overhead already growing black, but in order to prepare for the first game of the season, curfews must be broken to get a few more hours of play in. Not only that, but it was the only time that the Slytherin team could reserve the pitch. Draco Malfoy circles the field, just above the practice game, out of the way as the team's chasers repeatedly dodge the bludgers that the beaters knock in their direction while they try to score on the keeper. He barks out an order every once and a while, makes a snide remark on their failings, but doesn't seem to be doing much more than observing for the evening. It's getting to dark to see the snitch. Soon, it'll be too dark to spot the bludgers as well. "All right!" He leans forwards and places his weight against the end of his broomstick, whooshing past the others and heading for the pitch to land. "That's enough for today. You two!" Who cares what the beaters' names are, he just points them out. "Round up the bludgers. Bring the quaffle down. When you've done that, you can go shower. We're finished for the evening." The other members of the team start landing all around the pitch, the chasers and keepers being the first to leave while the beaters struggle with getting the bludgers back to the box. Draco sighs and sticks behind to wait patiently. The joys of being captain. -.- "Come on. You two can sure handle them on the field. This should be easy for you." -.-

 

Luckily Harry sticks to Wood's training schedules. The Butt crack of Dawn. Sure it's irritating, but that means the Gryffindors get the pitch before the Slytherins think about it. So being late in the evening, Harry's heading down to the pitch to get in just a bit of flying practice on his own. He doesn't really need it, but it helps him think and hopefully he can forget things for a bit while up in the air. The unmistakable noise from the pitch can only mean one thing. Draco's running his mouth. Great. He was hoping the pitch would be deserted at this hour; unfortunately this doesn't seem to be the case.

 

It certainly isn't the case. All that's needed is the Hufflepuff Seeker and they'd have a full set of them. And where is Cho in all this? Well, believe it or not she was sitting up in the stands, rather inconspicuous in the shadows of the boxes. She's pretty small, and with the cloak she's wearing, it was probably easy to miss her in the shadows. She was *gasp* spying!? No! She was /watching/! There's a difference! Though the Slytherins might not think so. Hoping to catch Draco before he went back inside to ask him a few questions about the potion. When they started to pack up and land, she got down from her seat and from the stands, heading over to where he is, she doesn't notice Harry though, as her eyes are directed at one Seeker only right now. "Draco? Can I talk to you for a minute?" she calls out as soon as she’s in hearing range. She's not trying to sneak up on him, after all.

 

Finally, the beaters manage to get control of the bludgers, not that it took very long to subdue them. They trot over to the open box, already holding the quaffle and snitch, pushing the bludgers into their designated spots and then locking them into place. The two black balls furiously struggle against the bonds, causing the box to jump around until the lid winds up slamming down on them, sending the thing into silence. The beaters take a moment to catch their breath before leaving, but on the way to the showers off the pitch, they give a wave, one pointing out Cho coming up from behind, to their captain, who turns his head in order to look back over his shoulder with a bored blink. The box slamming shut obviously drowned out Cho's calls; it's a good thing his teammates noticed. Once she's close enough, though, "Something wrong?" 'WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION?' is more like what Draco's expression seems to say, but its severity is a bit more toned down more to 'Do you have a problem or something?' and not that of concern. No. He'd never be concerned about anyone but himself. u.u In most cases.

 

Harry was about to turn right back for the castle and just come back later until he hears Cho calling out to Malfoy. Here Potter, have a little lemon juice in that wound why don't you? His Firebolt is shouldered as he slips behind the stands. Hopefully he can keep a low profile, bide his time until the two of you leave and he can get on with practicing. But on second thought, he honestly doesn't think he can stomach to just stand by while Malfoy of all people speaks with Cho.

 

Cho didn't call out again, even if it was obvious that he didn't hear her. She continued toward him until one of his teammates pointed her out. At the look he's giving her, she shows no sign of surprise. It's not like she expects him to really be concerned about her. That's the whole reason she enlisted his help in the first place! Since the Slytherin team are for the most part gone, she says rather clearly, "I heard you had the pitch right now, and I needed to ask you about that potion. It's working perfectly, but I need to inquire of if it is safe to use it at the same time as other potions. I don't suppose Professor Snape warned about any clashings?"

 

You might as well get up off the field and practice, Harry. At least that way, you won't have to hear the two talk. In fact, if you go high enough, you won't even have to see them. If you're going to do that, though, please go high enough where the oxygen thins and stay there. ^.^ Cho earns a wrinkling of the nose for an expression. What in hell is she? Some sort of junkie? Is she planning on drinking poison, then using the sleeping potion in order to get a good nights rest in order not to suffer? "..." Perhaps, his imagination is working over time. Why should he care, anyways? It's none of his business, after all. "I remember looking something like that up. Apparently it can be taken well with other potions, 'cept for another sleeping one, but surely that's understandable." Otherwise, you're a moron. Draco shifts a little, in order to see past Cho at that little bit of movement which is a familiar individual ducking behind the stands. He gets an idea, and thumps the box innocently and 'accidentally' with his toe while moving, the lid opening, then banging shut again, as the bludgers react furiously. Gee, with that being knocked around, as the noise echoes through the pitch, it's liable to... wait. Too late. Through the crack, as the lid creaks open, again, the golden snitch escapes to freedom, whizzing out of the box and into the air. Just like he wanted. Come be a darling and help catch it, Potter. Maybe he can innocently knock you off your broomstick, too.

 

Harry's hand tightens on his broom and he fights the urge to kick a few things. No Malfoy, he'll not oblige you by flying up into oxygen thinned air, but getting out of possible earshot sounds like a ruddy good idea. The Firebolt is placed in a ready position and he mounts, kicking off into the air immediately. Within seconds he's up, circling a goal post when a glint of gold goes zipping past. Malfoy, you prat.

 

... Cho is /not/ a junkie! She's just taking precautions incase she happens to get hurt in the course of the Quidditch season (which is /extremely/ likely) and Madam Pomfrey decides to shove a pain remedy or some other such down her throat. She'd rather not explain why she's suddenly breaking out in hives from a perfectly harmless potion. She's nodding quickly. "Of course. It would be silly to use two at the same time." Even an idiot knows that, and no matter how little you think of her, she's not an idiot. But then... he kicks the box. Cho glances down, and starts as the Snitch breaks out and flies away. She follows it with her eyes and sees.... Harry. Her eyes go back to Draco and she gives him a rather odd look, one of those, 'was he there long?' looks, but what she says is, "We better catch that before it gets too far." She's going to have to get her broom though.

 

Ohohoho. Just indulge him for a bit, Harry. He mounts the Nimbus 2001, not really concerned for the snitch, with a return look at Cho. One of the 'I have no idea, I just noticed him' variety, leaving out the part that he just nudged the box in order to play a bit of a nasty prank. "Better go get your broomstick, then. I'll go see if I can get it." Not 'I'll go help Potter', because he won't be helping the Boy-Who-Lived at all, he'll be attempting to knock him off his Firebolt in any way possible that can seem like an 'accident'. Draco kicks off from the ground, soaring up into the air above the pitch with a bit of a smirk. "Since we're going to have to catch it, anyways, up for a little friendly competition, Potter? You did come out here to practice, didn't you?" Turning in the air and nearing the goalposts with a bit nasty smirk. He did this on purpose and he's just letting you know.

 

The snitch zigzags around the field, flitting from one end to the other, then up into the air, back down again, circling past the goalposts and practically disappearing into the night as it darts away once more.

 

Harry is way ahead of you on that Cho. He doesn't want to explain to Madam Hooch why a snitch is missing, not that it's his bloody fault. At any rate this does give him something to do. Thanks for the affirmation of what he suspected Malfoy. He calls out with a jeer, "Your mother rides a vacuum cleaner. Sod off Malfoy!" That tossed out into the air, he dives in a spiral pattern through the air, racing off after the snitch. Care to follow him, or are you afraid that your broom won't be able to keep up with his?

 

Sick, sadistic, trouble making, blonde brat. Ahem. Not that Cho would ever think such mean thoughts. She ducks into the broomshed and goes to where the Ravenclaw brooms are specifically kept. It doesn't take her long to find hers, and she doesn't even go outside before she mounts it, and when exits the shed she's already in the air, ducking down to avoid the top of the door frame. She pauses for a second to hover and get an eye on the two fellow Seekers, and try to catch a glimpse of the snitch while she's at it. She's following them not long after, but no where near at the speed they could manage. Comet 260 certainly doesn't look like much compared to a Nimbus 2001 and a Firebolt. ... How long /was/ he there? she silently asks herself.

 

He's not even going to say what YOUR mother rides, snake-kissin' muggle-lover! "We shall see, Potter." >.< As Harry takes off after the snitch, he darts off after him, his robes of green and silver fluttering behind him, his hands, covered by the dark leather gloves, gripping tightly onto his broom. Draco pulls up from behind and zooms after the other seeker, nipping at his heels.  Meaning that he's seriously pushing the Nimbus to keep up. Not truly intent on making any fancy moves nor does it really matter if the snitch is caught, he purposely steers the tip of his broom to swipe the back of Harry's as he attempts to pass with a sneering remark. "Why don't you go home and cry to Weasley? It's rude to listen in on other people's conversations, you know."

 

The snitch dashes about the field happily. Looks like it doesn't really feel like being caught, tonight, because it zips away from the two rival seekers off towards Cho, then up into the air again.

 

Harry doesn't bother to look back over his shoulder, he knows Malfoy's hot on his broomtail. He keeps his gaze focused on finding that snitch as the Slytherin git is fully intending on making the most of this 'practice'. "Why on earth would I want to cry to Ron? Shouldn't you be pigging out with Crabbe and Goyle?" He frowns as the snitch flits merrily about, dive-bombing after it takes off towards Cho. Luckily the rapid descent prevents Malfoy from swiping at the tail of his broom. Harry has no time to offer a rebuttal about listening in on conversations as he has to pull sharply out of his dive to avoid colliding with a certain other Seeker. As he pulls upwards, his eyes dart continuously about for the snitch. He could easily just take off back towards the castle but once a Seeker, always a Seeker huh? You can't just let the bloody thing fly loose.

 

Fast little bugger. Cho speeds up to try and intercept it as it starts in her direction, but it's swift movement upward cause her to not come close. If it had kept moving at the same direction she would have been right on it in a few more seconds. As it is she's forced to turn too sharply for her Comet to effectively manage, so it's lucky that Harry was able to dodge out of the way, because she wouldn't have been able to. "Sorry, Harry!" She calls out, silently hoping that he isn't too upset. Their conversation the other night did work wonders for her, and she's rather hoping the forming friendship isn't threatened. She's moving after the Gryffindor (not at the same speed though, obviously), keeping an eye out for the Snitch as she tails him (at a distance).

 

He can allow the thing to fly loose! ^_^ That’s where Draco and Harry, once again, differ. While Potter probably feels obligation and attachment, there is about none at all with Draco, especially when he more or less has something else in mind. However. Goddamn. There's one attempt foiled. He narrowly dodges around Cho, steering his broom to circle around before firing upwards after Harry once more, his grip on the broom tightening once more. "Why aren't I? For starters, I don't 'pig out'. Obviously because I have manners, Potter. Unlike you. How long were you standing there, listening, hmmm?" He jeers, and with Cho trailing behind, hopefully she doesn't catch a damn word of it.

 

The sky darkens and the golden snitch continues sailing upwards, then off in the direction of the castle, off the blackened pitch whose boundaries are hardly visible. The snitch seems to be able to tell where the edges are during the day, but in the evening, that's different. That's also why the snitch isn't supposed to be out past sunset. It soars away from the field entirely and heads right for the forbidden forest, slamming in through a few trees, leaves that fall in protest marking its entrance. Well. There goes the fun!

 

Harry isn't upset at Cho, never. It's probably not possible for him to be upset with her. He would call out a 'No Problem' at Cho, but he's racing along at breakneck speeds to a) find the snitch and b) hopefully keep Malfoy from knocking him about. The blonde boy's jeers and verbal stabs are ignored for the most part in the chase for the snitch. Thankfully while on the broom and chasing the snitch he can block out the verbal assaults better than he can on the ground. Up here has a better focus and mental block. The wind whistles in his ears as he stays on the trail of the snitch as it starts flitting towards the castle and then... a most ungentlemanly phrase that he more than likely heard from one of the Weasley's enters his mind as the snitch sails into the Forbidden Forest. Reaching the forest's edge, he pulls his broom up short, hovering several feet off the ground. Well.. now what are we supposed to do?

 

Since the speed of her broom is proportionally lacking to keep up with the other two, she is well out of earshot of the verbal jabs. Besides, the wind rushing by her ears certainly drowns out a lot of the sound. Perhaps she heard a word or two, but nothing that she could piece together into a coherent sentence. Cho continues after them, notices the snitch fly into the Forbidden Forest. This is where she has a chance to catch up with the two of them, pulling to a hovering halt next to Harry. She's the only person here who's never been /in/ the Forest at all... And guess what she says, "Well, this could certainly be interesting. I bet no Seeker ever had to track down a Snitch in a forest at this hour." At with all the trees their speed advantage would certainly be nullified... She's actually smiling at the thought!

 

Isn't it obvious? We go back to the castle and tell them that the wonderful Harry Potter couldn't catch the snitch, so it's now currently lost in the Forbidden Forest. Watch Gryffindor lose 100 more points. Draco follows until the edge and screeches to a dead halt, much like how one would stop in hockey, just before the trees, on the other side of the Gryffindor seeker. It doesn't take him long to make a brilliant analysis of the situation. Even though he didn't see it go in, as he was more preoccupied with taunts and trying to figure out ways to knock Potter off his broom, making a few simply observations, such as Harry stopping at the edge, some leaves fluttering down, looking as though they were smashed into, head-on, by a small object, tells him that the snitch has left the pitch. And the school grounds, for that matter. He pales at Cho's words, if it's possible to go any more white then he already happens to be, eyes blue eyes widening with a hint of fear and horror at the very thought. "You have got to be joking. We can't go in there!" The memories of his first year come flooding back to him, seeing Voldemort drinking Unicorn blood, then hovering towards them is an experience he does not have any desire to repeat. "We don't have anyone coming with us! What if something happens? The forest is forbidden for a reason, you know." What he wants is that big, dumb lug, Hagrid, with his crossbow. Just call him a chicken or something and he'll go, in other words.

 

(OOC Insert)

 

Draco says, "Eyes blue eyes! Yay me! Blue eyes. u.u"

 

Cho thought you said Blue eyes blue for a second there and brain-froze. @.@

 

Harry SPLUTTERS

 

Draco dies. And then sings! "Brue eyes, bruuueeeeeeeEEEEEEeeeEEEEEEEeEEeee. o/~ ~.~"

 

Cho falls off her broom from the trauma.

 

Draco is Nakago's little brother. c_C

 

(End OOC Insert)

 

Harry flashes a tight, grim smile at Cho, "This is going to be pleasant." No really, that wasn't sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Least this time I can avoid spiders the size of elephants on my broom." Don't ask. He might elaborate for you later. "You might want to stay out here Cho. Fine, Malfoy, you stay out here with Cho. I'll go in there to get it." There, he's calling you a chicken in so many words Draco. He's afraid of the inhabitants of the Forest, he's been in there twice, and perhaps the Centaurs or even the wild Weasley car can give him a hand should he run into trouble. Maybe having to face off against Voldemort on a yearly basis is a bad thing, it's starting to dull his sense of fear a bit. "I'm going in after it." Without even waiting to see or hear a response from either of you, his wand is out as he dismounts his broom. The Firebolt is gripped in one hand, the wand in the other, "Lumos." With the light of his wand, he steps into the forest, looking cautiously around him.

 

"We can't just leave it in there, Draco. You were the last one at the Pitch, you're the one they'd likely blame." So she's worried about him losing points? Well, that's the way it's said, not as a jab, honest. But then Harry goes and has to be all noble, "Stay out here?!" Cho calls out with a little bit of frustration. She has no intention of sitting on her broom while Harry goes in there after the Snitch. Now, don't get her wrong, she's not the brave type, and she certainly would rather avoid physical conflict, but she's not going to just sit there and hope that he comes back in one piece. Besides, she rather likes the idea that she might be able to rely on her wonderful maneuverability and small size, and then have the less-than-theirs speed hindering her. She pulls out her wand and holds it with her thumb and forefinger, the remaining fingers wrapped around her broom, and flies into the forest, flanking Harry cautiously. "You coming, Draco?"

 

._. Now he feels like a sissy, not that he wasn't in the first place. Dropping off his broom and landing beside it, he casts a wary glance into the forest where Potter entered and now Cho has chosen to follow. Not one who desires to repeat frightening mistakes, Draco hesitates a little at the outskirts debating that and how he can't lose his pride over something like this. That seems to be enough, because he quickly trots in after the other two seekers. "Are you absolutely insane, Potter? Don't you remember what happened in first year? Are you really that eager for it to happen, again?" Urg. He's beginning to sound concerned. But the only problem is, Draco's concerned. About his safety and about the fact that if Potter dies, although it would make him rather happy, he'd lose his rival and main focus of torment. He'd have to find out targets to pick on and that's just no fun at all!

 

Harry doesn't mean to be brave, he just can't help it. It's in his bloodline, along with idiocy. Don't the two go hand in hand anyway? His Godfather might be inclined to agree with that. Speaking of which, this little venture hopefully won't reach his ears. "Let's stick close together, it's safer that way." Yes Malfoy, he's including you in that. He may not like you, but he doesn't want anything to befall you out here. He shakes his head back at Malfoy, "Of course I remember, quite clearly, and I think it's safe to assume that Voldemort is NOT lurking about here in the Forest. If he were out here, you'd know." Basically because he'd be down on the ground, in a fit, clawing at his scar. "Just stay on guard Malfoy, keep your wand out. This is your fault after all." His wand is held over his head, to help better shine the light around him. Where did that snitch get off to anyway?

 

Cho glances towards Harry as he says all this, looking rather odd for a moment as he says Voldemort's name, but at least he's not in the forest, something that he certainly seems very sure of. It certainly wouldn't be a good thing if he were. She nods, smiling lightly as she says, "I can see why they made you Captain, Harry." He certainly takes charge, even if this isn't exactly your normal Quidditch pratice. She's never been in the forest before, and it certainly sounds like the two of them had some bad experiences here. Her eyes flit back towards the Slytherin for a few moments, but she says nothing to him. The look she gives isn't nasty though, quite the contrary. In fact, he probably hates the brief sympathetic look far more than he would a nasty one.

 

He winces, probably like Ron would, at hearing Harry use the name of the Dark Lord out loud. Can't you just say 'You-Know-Who' or 'What's-His-Nuts-That-Keeps-Trying-To-Kill-Me-And-He's-One-Ugly-Bitch' or something? Is it that difficult? Even Lucius Malfoy won't refer to his master by the proper name. And... and... don't look at him like that! -.- Draco schools his expression into that of distaste and irritation of the current situation, a little bit of boredom showing here and there, but he sticks close, his hand reaching under the robes to pull out his own wand, holding it ready with a slightly shaking hand. Though his face can be turned into a perfect mask, he can't just push away the fear entirely. So there's probably no Voldemort hiding anywhere, but there are other things in the forest. Like werewolves, and probably stuff that he never would of dreamed of. Not even in his nightmares. "You don't need to tell me twice to stay on guard, Potter." But as for it being his fault, he gives an indignant 'hmph'.

 

Harry's ears redden in response to Cho's commentary, ".. err.." Truth be told, he was the most logical choice with the majority of the team graduating.. and erhm, great, now he's going all modest. (Which isn't a bad thing.) ".. It's nothing, really." Without glancing back at Malfoy, he just says, "Then don't give me a reason to remind you." He does shift his gaze to make sure Cho's sticking close. And NO he's going to keep referring to Captain Buggernuts by his proper name. Dumbledore always said being afraid of Voldemort's name only increases the fear of the serpent man thing.

 

Nothing... Riiiiight. Cho just smiles at the modesty, but returns her eyes to the forest, looking up towards the trees mainly, scanning for signs of movement or flickers of gold. They can stay alert about the impending doom that will no doubt befall them (Hey, this is /Harry/ they're with after all) and she's going to keep an eye out for the thing they've come in here to risk their necks for. And if those two continue to bicker like that, they might just /attract/ monsters and other nasties of the forest this way.

 

He wouldn't be at all surprised if the monsters just flocked in this direction just because Potter happens to be here, not due to their bickering. His expression grows a tad more irritated than before. As much as he'd like to sock the other boy, right here, then leave him to be eaten by the first thing that comes along, that would reduce the number, not to mention the safety. As a coward, having as many people around him as possible is much better than fighting back. Besides, he can always just deal with it and deck Potter for his insolence once they get out. Draco looks about the trees, not exactly for the snitch, but for anything that just may be waiting to jump out at them from the shadows. >.> <.<

 

But the snitch is found before anything of the demonic, evil, 'I'm going to eat you for dinner' variety finds them. It glitters up ahead through the trees, flashing gold as what light that manages to get through reflects off it. The thing probably went crashing through the trees and wound up getting itself stuck.

 

Harry doesn't mean to bicker, Malfoy keeps starting it and he feels obliged to finish. Please keep your attention on the imminent doom at hand kids. The name of Potter is synonymous with trouble. This is going to prove to be an interesting evening, now isn't it? The sight of the snitch is caught out of the corner of his eye, he mounts his broom, "You two stay here!" He's going to go after the darn thing, and then we can get out of here. He kicks off, spurring his broom after the little golden ball.

 

Cho spots the fleck of gold about the exact same time as Harry does, but his 'Stay here' stops her before she takes off towards it. What? Wasn't he the one who said they should stay close to each other? Aren't they /all/ Seekers here? ... But then again, this is rather close quarters and all three of them flying after it would likely be more of a danger to each other than catching the snitch effectively, so her hands loosen from around her broom and she sighs distantly. "Do you think he was listening in earlier?" She asks softly, not looking back at Draco, trying to keep her eyes on Harry and the snitch /and/ the forest at the same time. And she's still worried about that? She could probably just say that she was working on a side project for Madam Pomfrey and got Draco's help as a good potion's student.

 

"I have no idea. I only just noticed him" Draco admits, momentarily allowing his attention to stray away from the trees towards Harry, whom has obviously located the snitch, judging by how he hops on his broom, issues a command and is then gone. Thank god. That means that they can get out of here. But as quickly as he looks away, he is certainly fast to look back again. Until they're out of here, they are still in possible danger. He rubs his arm a little with the wand-hand. Is it just him or has it just gotten a little bit chilly here? Nevermind that it's the dead of winter, but with so much shielding them from the wind and cold, it should at least be a little warmer than it feels...

 

And what Harry comes face to face with a group of Dementors, who emerge from the trees, the one in the lead clutching the golden object in a decaying hand, its wings struggling in a futile attempt to escape. The temperature in the forest plummets; even the trees seem to lean away from them. It's certainly not the weather, Draco! It isn't long before the first group of dementors is joined by a second, who lunge out from the shadows for the pair whom Harry has left behind, their hands, like claws reaching out for them, a horrible screeching noise sounding out the assault.

 

Ehehe.. so Harry did suggest we stick together.. As for listening in, well he didn't hear too much and it's none of his business anyway. It's not like he has any claim anywhere. His focus on the snitch is disrupted immediately by the chill that creeps from the inside on out. Following the chill almost immediately come those familiar screams of terror that only he can hear, surging through his ears. As the appearance of the Dementors has caught him completely off guard, he's able to keep his wits about him enough to keep from plummeting to the ground. With a shaking hand, he aims his wand in the direction of the Dementors. His eyes shut tightly as he forces happy thoughts.. ".. Y.. you two.. think of the happiest thing you can.."

 

Ehehe.. so Harry did suggest we stick together.. As for listening in, well he didn't hear too much and it's none of his business anyway. It's not like he has any claim anywhere. His focus on the snitch is disrupted immediately by the chill that creeps from the inside on out. Following the chill almost immediately come those familiar screams of terror that only he can hear, surging through his ears. As the appearance of the Dementors has caught him completely off guard, he's able to keep his wits about him enough to keep from plummeting to the ground. With a shaking hand, he aims his wand in the direction of the Dementors. His eyes shut tightly as he forces happy thoughts.. ".. Y.. you two.. think of the happiest thing you can.."

 

Oh. No. The chill in the air sends cold shivers down her spine and back and while she doesn't have the horrible flashes that Harry suffers from, Cho feels as if her throat is collapsing and she can't really breathe. A soft scretch escapes from a tight throat and she starts to stumble away from the group coming near them. Her seven and a half inch wand and broom manage to stay in her hand by the mere fact that she's holding onto them for dear life (her knuckles are even turning white as Draco's pale face). ... What was that, Harry? The voice of the young Gryffindor Seeker seems to wake her up and she tries to do that. Happy thought... happy thought... And as one might guess, the happy thought involves a certain fellow Seeker who is /not/ in this forest (sorry, boys).

 

Any color that was left in Draco's face immediately drains the moment the cloaked figures come from the shadows, their hands outstretched. Potter's words manage to reach him, though, piercing through the beginnings of fear... "We're about to die and all you can say is to think HAPPY THOUGHTS?!" He splutters, but as the dementors close in and the fear becomes hysterical, the blonde Slytherin is willing to try anything. He thinks... but what would make him happy? Is there anything that does make Draco, honestly, happy? Well. Certainly not dying here, tonight, in this forest would definitely make him happy. Humiliating Potter makes him happy, too. But it's not enough, for although he doesn't hear terrified screams, what does exist there smushes his happy thoughts dead. And then, he finds it, and he latches onto it. He's got a happy thought! He's going to pass out! WHAT NOW?

 

The Dementors make a point to circle the group of seekers, closing in on them while the 'leader' seems to hang back a bit, the snitch still clutched in his hand. They talk amongst themselves in their odd language, but from the sounds of it, it can't be of any good. Some reach their hands of rotted flesh up for the dark hoods, while others reach out to snag whatever they can to hold the three. Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they attempt to perform the Dementor's Kiss on you? Dementors. Dementors. o/~

 

Harry doesn't mind that at all. It's not something he expects. Just focus on the happiest thing you can muster. He swallows again, trying to force the invading happy sucking chill out of his system. His green eyes open halfway, eyeing the Dementors as he continues to hold his wand out, aiming, "Keep thinking happy thoughts and say this with me.. Expecto Patronum!!" He's not expecting it to work for either of you, but he can hope it at least helps drive these creatures back. Once again, he forcefully bellows out, "Expecto Patronum!!!" A silvery cloud in the shape of a stag erupts from the end of his wand, charging in the direction of the Dementors.

 

"..Expecto Patronum.." Cho manages in a weak voice at the same time Harry says it, still trying to move away from them as best she can, but well, if they're circling them, then it certainly isn't making for much success. Nothing erupts from her wand, not a spark of silver, but that's only to be expected. She's never done this particular spell before, and only really seen it a few times. (A certain Quidditch match comes to mind. That stag certainly looks familiar! -- Probably does to Draco too, heh.) Most likely, the first thing the Dementors will get their grubby little hands on will be either her broom, or her robe. She likely won't be scaring any of them away with her measly, non-existant Expecto Patronum.

 

Now, you want him to start screaming nonsense, too?! What the hell is a spell going to do to chase these things off? Is it going to be like that one which was fired at him in the Quidditch match? Just a malformed puff of smoke?! Oh god, oh god, oh god. Draco lifts his wand with a shaking hand, eyes wide with fear. "Expecto Patronum..." He manages to get out, voice sounding strangled, but nothing seems to happen. The tip of his wand just shakes, as does his hand. "...Expecto..." He can't even finish it, his happy thought is dissolving, it's being taken away from him, drained.

 

The Dementors cry out, some immediately dashing back into the shadows where relative safety lies, others lingering, though stepping backwards, casting looks at one another. The Patronus, although it is only one, plus the chants from the other two, succeed in instilling a feeling of threat in the creatures of darkness. They back away further, then disperse all at once, fleeing in every direction. The last to leave being the leader, who throws the snitch away and vanishes into the trees.

 

Harry forces his legs into action, sidling in front of the two of you, wand still out as he tries to keep his Patronus working. As the Dementors flee, the silvery stag dissolves and it's all Harry can do to keep from collapsing onto the ground.. Time to forget that snitch; it'll fly back out on its own. He wants out of here so he can collapse properly then crawl his way inside for more chocolate than any kid should be eating. "... Let's get out of here.. before they try to come back." Draco, any other time and he would LOVE that expression on your face, but as his own mirrors that, he's not going to laugh. He closes his eyes briefly as the screams ringing in his ears fade out.

 

"..." Cho stands there, grasping her broom and her wand so tightly it's a wonder they don't snap. They probably would if she was much stronger than she is. "...Those are... disgusting... horrible creatures..." And they are quite lucky to be fully intact, she doesn't mind thinking! She glances at Harry and her expression changes for a second as she almost argues. They really should get the snitch after all.... It's only the right and... ...But she really doesn't want that cold feeling to come back, so the protests never form, instead she asks, "Everyone's all right though?" before she looks towards Draco, showing that the question is for both. Her own expression isn't far from theirs, but if she puts some concern in them forward, it helps push away the cold, dark, empty feelings that the Dementors were invoking.

 

He's alright. He's shaking, but at least Draco's in one piece and that's all that matters... to him. He wraps an arm around the top of his broomstick to hold it, using his now free hand to steady the other which shakes with the wand. He wants to leave, to get out of here, that's for sure, but he'd almost prefer to gather his nerves once again, the images in his head fading away into nothingness. "It'll probably be better if we fly out..." Whether straight up through the leaf 'canopy' of sorts, or straight through the forest, itself. Since the Dementors travel on foot, it'd probably be harder for them to catch up, right?

 

Harry feels like he could throw up and never be happy again. At least he's no longer passing out cold around those foul things. ".. Dumbledore's not going to be happy about this.. m'fine.. we have to get out of here and back inside.." He nods at Malfoy, good thing we've all got our brooms. "Good idea Malfoy." Shakily he mounts his broom again, waiting for the two of you to mount and kick off your own brooms. Just in case the Dementors come back, despite the strong possibility he's too weak now to pull off another Patronus right now.

 

Cho nods at the idea. She'd much rather fly her broom than try to walk after all. Walking is much slower, and her legs feel like rubber. She says nothing at all this time, and for once she's not even /managing/ a smile. She throws a leg over it and kicks off and upwards a few feet before she weaves her way around the trees and towards the exit. She /could/ go faster (even with her Comet), but she's not willing to push her luck tonight. Legs felt like rubber, well, that's nothing compared to her arms. Her hands are clutching like claws of death, but her arms are another matter all together.