Chapter 2: Rendering the Imaginative Mind
As Moony and I descended down the slate stairs, unexpecing silence filled the tight space between us. I examined Moony's face, he looked like he was nervous because he was sweating uncontrollably and his upper lip was quivering fiercely. What was he hiding from me? Why couldn't he tell me? I thought I was his best friend. Something was definitely lingering inside that prestigous mind of his.
"Moony." I said as we got to the base of the stairs, Moony looked at me with his feverish eyes, that's when it hit me. Full moon tonight. I should explain something, Moony is a werewolf, every full moon he traps himself in the shrieking shack so he can't hurt anyone but himself.
"What?" He answered, I had realized I had called his name a moment ago.
"Nothing." I dropped what I was about to ask since I already found the answer on my own. We entered the Great Hall, which always had four long mahogany tables that represent each of the four Hogwarts founders: Helga Hufflepuff , Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor. We caught a glimpse of James and Peter, we swiftly took our spots on either side of the table. At the back were two staff tables on either side with a golden phoenix podium in the center-front. There was a golden throne in the center between the tables for our headmaster Albus Dumbledore, he had a dark gray beard that went past his frail looking shoulders. He wore his normal silk sky blue cloak and oval shaped glasses. I had recently noticed small wrinkles forming on his forehead. He was discussing something that looked quite important with our new Transfiguration teacher Professor McGonagall, she had chestnut hair that was pinned up into a bun, she also wore black framed square glasses that always look like they will slide off her nose.
"What was with you this morning, mate?" James whispered in my ear, at first I looked at him like I was under a Confundus Charm but then I realized this morning I had given him a sour attitude.
"Oh sorry mate, lack of sleep did a number on my brain this morning." I explained, hiding my true emotion. He shrugged and turned to Peter, who had his famished face on. Moony, was tapping his fingers restlessly against the table. The chatter of the students reverberated off the Great Hall walls causing the sound to amplify ten times. Soon Dumbledore had turned his attention away from McGonagall and cleared his throat, it was enough to silence the room.
"Good morning, hope you all have had a pleasant morning. I would like to annouce that Gryffindor will be playing Slytherin this evening. I wish the best of luck for both teams and now you may satisify your morning hunger. Enjoy." He said with a flick of the wrist, causing silver goblets and plates to appear for each of us. Platters of every known morning food had appeared on the tables before us. Wormtail's eyes lit up in such magnificent amazement it was as if he had never seen such a delight in his life. We stuffed ourselves with various muffins and crumpets.
The Quidditch field consisted of six giant golden rings, three for each team to have it's keeper defend. There are four positions in Quidditch. The beater are the ones who protect the other team mates from the malevoent attack of the remorseless bludgers. The two Chasers are the people that pass the quaffle up and down the field and try to throw it through the other teams rings, with each score the team gains ten points. The seeker has the most difficult and important task, to find the golden snitch, the snitch is a small golden ball that has feathery wings, it is lightning fast and easy to miss. If you catch the snitch your team earns 150 points. Unfortunately that is my duty, to catch the little thing while avoiding bludgers. Challenging? I believe so. Though I have yet to be injured worse than just minor cuts and bruises.
My team consisted of me as Seeker, Prongs as Beater, short but powerful Tyler Winston as Chaser, cute but aggressive Daniella Johnson also as Chaser, tomboy Jasmine Bell as Keeper and friendly but forcefulTucker Brady as Gryffindor Captain. We made our way to the field with our mismatched brooms and determined faces. It was beautiful tonight, not quite windy or drought causing dry.. just right. The Slytherins stifled their laughters as we approached especially Slytherin Captain Lucius Malfoy, who hid his laughter quite well behind his girlishly long bleach blonde hair.
"Now I want a good clean match." said Madame Hooch, the Quidditch coach, blowing her whistle and releasing the Quaffle, Bludger and snitch from captivity after each player rised into the air. The bludger of course went after me, they always have. I looked around in my search for that little bugger. At first there was no such luck, I began to patrol the boundaries of the field, flying as high as my Cleansweep would allow. I then saw a small reflection and realized at once it was the snitch a few yards below. I forced my broom to swiftly descend so I can capture the snitch. The Slytherin Seeker, Marcus Knight, was about as focused as a two year old. Therefore, I had the upper hand in catching the bugger. Our score was currently 40-80 with Slytherin winning so far. I was too focused to notice though. I followed the darting golden ball around the field constantly extending my hand in hopes of grasping it. It acted as if it was taunting me by causing me to fly in circles. That was it, my impatience got the better of me and I, with great celerity, flew toward the ball. When it was only a few feet from me, I slowly stood up and jumped at it with great force. After I had done so, I had finally realized that my broom wouldn't rescue me and I was doomed. Luckily I had the snitch embezzled in my hand. The ground then broke my fall. My vision went blurry and blacked out completely.