There were only four words that I was dreading now. And Hermione said them on Saturday morning when she was trying to get me up. "Flying lessons start Thursday," she said, and I sat bot upright in bed. Flying lessons? On Thursday? The ones where Quirrell mistakes Neville for Harry, and Harry gets picked for the Quidditch team. Woah, sorry, getting ahead of myself. There was still a whole five days before Thursday. I decided not to care about people's broomstick stories. I talked to Hermione mostly, but she would have read Quidditch Through the Ages by Thursday. But Neville and Harry, like me, had never been on broomsticks in our lives.
"Don't you think all this Quidditch hype is just that?" I asked them.
"Quidditch isn't just hype!" Neville told me.
"I think it is," Harry said. "I mean, what can be so extraordinary about speeding around on a broomstick?"
"Exactly!" I said. "It's just some idiots flying around on broomsticks."
"Don't let Ron hear you say that," Harry said. "He's already had a fight with Dean Thomas about football. Ron doesn't see what's so good about it. What's more, is that Ron tried to make the players in the poster move."
"I think somebody's a bit obsessed..."
**
"Are you listening to Hermione?" I asked. Thursday morning, breakfast. Hermione was droning on, similar to Professor Binns, about flying tips from Quidditch Through the Ages.
"Nope," Ron said, looking up as the post came in. Hermione was upset when it did, because she had to finish her lecture, and Neville was too, because he had been listening to it. However, Neville received a package from his Gran. A barn owl landed in front of him, and he rippd open the package excitedly. I knew what it was.
"What is that?" Harry asked.
"It's a Remembrall!" Neville said. "Gran knows I forget things. This tells you if there's something you've forgotten to do. Look, you hold it tight like this, and if it turns red...." he trailed off as the smoke inside of the glass ball turned red.
"You've forgotten something," I finished.
Neville screwed his face up, trying to remember what he'd forgotten when the Three Musketeers came by, and snatched the ball from his hands. I pulled Harry and Ron down before they could get up.
"What's going on?" Professor McGonagall asked, rushing over to the table.
"Malfoy's got my Remembrall, Professor," Neville said, almost crying. Did he have to be such a wimp right now?
Malfoy quickly dropped the ball before he got in trouble. "Just looking," he said, and he walked off with Crabbe and Goyle following closely behind.
"Harry and Neville," I said suddenly.
"What?" they asked.
"I don't think you should go to the flying class," I said.
"Why not?" Ron said.
"I have a feeling something bad is going to happen."
"Oh, that's ridiculous Sally," Ron said. "It's a flying class. What could possibly go wrong?"
Everything, I thought to myself, although I decided not to say it.
**
At three-thirty that afternoon, internally kicking myself as I did, I walked down to the grounds with the other Gryffindor first years. It was a fine day, a bit breezy, but not too windy. We were heading down to a smooth lawn area opposite the forbidden forest. The Slytherins were already there when we got there. Twenty broomsticks were lined neatly on the grass in four rows of five. Slytherins had already taken the back two rows, so we had to take the first two rows.
Madam Hooch had short, gray hair, and her eyes were yellow: almost as if they were a hawks eyes. She barked at us to stand by a broom, and then she blew her whistle. My broomstick had twigs sticking out at odd angles, and the handle was splintering. I hoped to God that there was a cushioning charm.
"Stick out your right hand over the broom and say say 'UP!'" Madam Hooch called at us. I did as she said, thinking that mine wouldn't go up first time. I was wrong. Only three brooms went up straight away: mine, Harry's and Draco Malfoy's. I swear, he is the most rotten boy that ever walked the planet. Except perhaps Tom Riddle...
When everybody had their brooms in their hands, which took about five minutes, Madam Hooch showed us how to mount our brooms. I got it right (and the broom did have a cushioning charm on it!!!). When she told Malfoy that he'd been doing it wrong for years, and all the Gryffindor's got very excited, she went back up the front and blew her whistle again for our attention.
"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," Madam Hooch said. I exchanged a glance with Hermione, who had raised her eyebrows. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forwards slightly."
I shut my eyes, knowing what was coming. I kept them close as Madam Hooch started counting down. "Come back, boy!" Madam Hooch shouted, and I opened my eyes to see Neville jerking around in the air. Neville slipped off his broom and hit the ground. There was a nasty crack as his wrist broke, and he burst into tears. Nobody rushed over, too shocked to do anything. I caught Harry looking at me weirdly, and didn't hear Madam Hooch say not to go on the brooms.
"Did you see his face, the great lump?" Malfoy laughed as soon as they were out of earshot. The other Slytherins joined in with the laughter.
"Shut up Malfoy!" I snapped. "It wasn't his fault."
"Are we sticking up for Longbottom?" Pansy Parkinson sneered.
"I suppose you don't understand the concept of friendship," I said, slowly as Malfoy darted towards a glistening orb on the grass.
I kicked myself internally.
"Look!" Malfoy shouted. "It's the stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."
"Give it here Malfoy," Harry said. Everybody stopped talking and started to watch.
"Don't start a fight Harry," I whispered to him. He nodded slowly. Yeah, he was going to start a fight. Malfoy smiled nastily.
"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to collect.... How about up a tree?" He got on his broomstick and kicked off hard. He flew until he was hovering level with the top branches of an oak. "Come and get it, Potter!" I rolled my eyes. Why the last names again?
Harry kicked off on his broom as Hermione and I both shouted 'NO!' He didn't listen to us.
He really was a natural flier. He was excellent. A few of the Gryffindors 'whooped' and Harry whirled around to face Malfoy in mid-air. Malfoy was shocked, stunned, and upset.
"Give it here!" Harry called. "Or I'll knock you off that broom!"
"I'd like to see you try Potter," Malfoy spat. He tried sneering, but a smile broke out on my face as I realised he was worried.
Harry grabbed his broom and shot at Malfoy, like a javelin. Malfoy dodged it, and Harry made a sharp turn before facing Malfoy again.
"OI MALFOY!" I called. I knew Harry was supposed to say it, but I really wanted to. And, I wasn't even supposed to be there anyway. "There's no Crabbe and Goyle up there to save your neck now, is there?"
Malfoy looked worried, and then turned back to face Harry. "Catch it if you can, Potter."
Malfoy threw the Remembrall high into the air, and flew back down to the ground in almost the same second. I quickly got on my broom and rose up into the air as Harry flew after the orb. I must admit, sheepishly, that I was scared of what Malfoy would do. I have read books one to five. I looked up just in time to see Harry catch the ball in his hand, and fly back down to where cheers were awaiting him. I flew down too.
As people were cheering him, I looked over towards the castle, and saw Professor McGonagall storming towards us.
"HARRY POTTER!" Her voice thundered across the grounds. Finally, somebody who was clear in who they wanted.
I was happy know, because Gryffindor was getting a seeker, but the rest of the Gryffindor's faces fell, and they were immediately nervous.
"Never, in all my time at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said as she rushed towards them. She was almost speechless, and her nostrils started flaring. "How dare you? You might have broken your neck!"
"It wasn't his fault Professor," Parvati Patil said.
"Be quiet Miss Patil."
"But Malfoy - " Ron started.
"That's enough Mr Weasley. Potter, follow me, now."
I take back the being clear thing.
I looked over to see Malfoy's triumphant face as they left.
"Hehe," Malfoy laughed. "Looks like Potter isn't going to be here tomorrow."
"I wouldn't be so sure," I told him. "I have a feeling he isn't going to be in trouble."
"Like you know anything," Malfoy said. "Who are you again?"
I rolled my eyes as Madam Hooch rejoined the class.
**
"You're. Joking." That was Ron's reaction to Harry being accepted onto the Quidditch team. It was dinner time, and the Great Hall was packed with students.
"Congratulations Harry," I said.
"Thanks Sally," he said.
"Seeker?" Ron asked, almost speechless. "But first years never make the house teams."
"You must be the youngest player in a century," I said.
"Yeah," Harry said as he shovelled pie into his mouth. I started eating my own pie. Ron was still speechless, so he just gaped at Harry.
"I start training next week," Harry said. "Don't tell anyone though... Wood wants to keep it a secret."
Ah yes, Oliver Wood. Fifth year, Gryffindor, House Quidditch Captain.
Fred and George Weasley, Ron's older twin brothers, spotted the three of us and came over. They sat on either side of Ron, while I was sitting next to Harry.
"Well done," one of them said, I think it was George. I couldn't tell the difference. "Wood told us."
"We're on the team too," the other continued. "Beaters."
"We are soo going to win that Quidditch cup this year!"
"We haven't won since Charlie left, but this years team is going to be brilliant! You must be good, Harry."
"Yeah, Wood was almost skipping when he told us!"
"We'd better go though. Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school."
"Bet it's the one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we found in our first week. See you guys." The twins got up and left, and less than a minute later, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle showed up. Oh the joys of boarding school.
"Having a last meal, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "When are you getting the train back to the muggles?"
"You're a lot braver now you're back on the ground," Harry said.
"Yeah," I agreed. "Now that you've got your little friends with you."
There is nothing little at all about Crabbe and Goyle excpet their brains. Peanut sized I swear.
"I'd take you on any time on my own," said Malfoy defensively. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only – no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"
"Of course he has," Ron said, wheeling around. I hit myself over the head. I was over kicking myself internally. "I'm his second... who's yours?"
Malfoy made a show of sizing up Crabbe and Goyle. "Crabbe," he said, deciding Crabbe was bigger. "Midnight, all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room, that's always unlocked." He walked away with his robes billowing behind him.
"What's a wizard's duel?" Harry asked. "And what do you mean, second?"
"A second's there to take over if you die," I explained.
"But people only die in proper duels!" Ron rushed to patch up as Harry turned pale. "You know, with real wizards... The most you and Malfoy'll be able to do is send sparks at each other."
"Ron has a point," I said. "Neither of you know enough magic to do any real damage. I bet he expected you to refuse anyway."
"And, what do I do if I wave my wand and nothing happens?"
"Throw it away and punch him on the nose," Ron said. Although I was expecting it, I still laughed.
"Excuse me," Hermione interrupted. Ron jumped: she was standing behind him. Harry and I both groaned the same groan.
"Can't a person eat in peace in this place?" Rong asked.
"I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying-" Hermione said, ignoring Ron.
"Bet you could," Ron said sarcastically.
"-and you musn't go wandering around the school at night. Think of all the points you'll lose Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. It's really very selfish of you."
"And, Hermione, it's really none of your business," I said.
"Goodbye," Harry and Ron said at the same time, and she stalked off.
"She has a point though," I said after she left.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't think you should go."
"Is this some sort of woman instinct?" Harry asked.
"Harry, haven't you learnt to trust my instincts yet? Ron, do you remember what I said during the sorting? And Harry, in Potions last week? And this morning at breakfast?"
They thought for a moment.
"We're still going," Harry said, a few moments later. "Are you coming?"
OMIGOSH!!!!!! Over 2500 words w/out the authors note!!! Wi-5!!
Anyways, a huge big thanks to
RaindropsOnTheRooftop - Thanks for always being one of the first to review my stories/chapters. You always keep an open mind, and you don't judge until you read. Thanks for being a great friend.
and
If I Had My Way -i would rule- - Thanks for being the person I don't know that reviews. You give such great reviews, and good advice. Hope you liked this chapter!
To the rest of you - Please review. I like reviews. They come as emails, and I love emails. They brighten up my day.
Love you all heaps..
Gabi xx
