Chapter 4: Quidditch and Friends

Thanks to my beta, darrelldeam, for all his help in making this easier to read for you, my readers. All mistakes are still my own. I've added things, so there might be mistakes.

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It was the day before the first Quidditch match and Harry was nervous. Very nervous. He was sitting at the Gryffindor table with his best friend Hermione and some of the boys from his dorm. They had been trying to cheer him up for over twenty minutes now. Soon it would be time for the first-year study group to meet and they were hoping to get him out of his funk before then. They had tried everything they could think of, but the poor boy would not snap out of it. So, they all sat and grumped about that.

Millie came in and noted the long faces and with a smirk she made her way to them. She knew what was going on. She nudged Neville over, so she could sit directly across from Harry. "So, little firsty, all nervous about tomorrow, huh?" she teased lightly, putting her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her hands.

"Millie, that's not nice," Hermione scolded, then blushed when Millie turned to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Careful, Hermione, your mum is showing," Millie warned and then turned to Harry and smiled. "Don't look so scared. The pitch is for kids, yeah. There's loads of spells on it to make sure you're okay if something happens. Tell your friend Millie what's got you so uptight."

"Everyone's gonna be watching me," Harry said, raising his pale face and looking at his oldest friend. "They're all gonna be counting on me to win the game." The poor kid had never felt so much pressure in his life.

"Kinda full of yourself there, yeah? Why do you think they'll only be watching you? Sure, you can stop the game by catching the snitch, but there are other players that'll be making scores too. Silly little firsty, always thinking you're so special," she teased with a smile showing she was just joking and reached over and messed with the dark-haired boy's hair, just because she knew it would get a reaction.

"Oi, leave off will ya? How many times do I have to tell ya?" Harry snapped and tried once more to straighten his hair.

Millie just smiled and shrugged her shoulders causing the young man in front of her to glare. "So, tell me about your study group. I heard you have some tough ones, yeah," she suggested now that his mind was off Quidditch maybe she could keep it off for a few more minutes.

"Well…" Hermione started, and then stopped when Millie looked at her again with the raised eyebrow. She blushed and waved her hand to Harry indicating he should answer.

"Yeah, we've got a lot of kids that are really struggling. Hermione helps them a lot. So, do some of the smarter ones. Let's see we've got; Sally Anne Perks, Megan Jones, Leanne Smarts, Wayne Hopkins from Hufflepuff. They're pretty okay, class wise, but we're all getting better at working together and learning loads more. Then there's me, Hermione, Neville, Lavender, and Dean from Gryffindor. Neville's really smart when it comes to plants and we're trying to figure out a way we can bring that to his potions. Hey, maybe you can help Millie?" he asked, while Neville looked at her with pleading eyes. The whole group was concerned with how bad the sandy-haired boy was doing in that class.

"Sure, I can drop by and lend a hand. I'm not much good with Potions, but I should be able to help a firsty, yeah." She smiled at the pudgy boy and then looked back at Harry.

"That'd be great," Harry said, beaming a smile her way. Even Hermione and the other student who was scary smart (in Potions) were hard-pressed in helping Neville get over his fear of Snape. "Oh, umm, okay we only have two people from Ravenclaw; Michael Corner and Sue Li and they are almost as scary as Hermione. They don't need a study group, but you've seen them in the mornings when we work out and they heard about the group and decided to tag along."

Harry dropped his voice and leaned closer to Millie and motioned her closer as well. When she complied he said, "We've got Vincent Crabbe, Greg Goyle, Tracey Davis and sometimes Daphne Greengrass, but only one of their House knows. Darren Falster, he's a sixth year, he makes sure they get to and from the group without trouble," he whispered and then leaned back in his seat when he was done.

She knew Falster, he was in the morning jogging group, nice guy, if a bit pompous. Millie shot him and his friends a proud smile. "You guys did really good, yeah. Are you using that classroom I showed you?" This time she looked at Hermione to let her know she could answer if she wanted.

Hermione nodded quickly. "Oh, it's a great place. We sit in the students' chairs and take turns pretending to be the teacher. You might not think it but Cra… I mean one of the bigger kids is really good at Charms. He does better than me. So, we all take turns and tutor what we're good at. If it wasn't for Harry, I'm sure we would all fail Defense this year." She gave a one-armed hug to her best friend, who blushed to the roots of his hair.

Millie looked at her watch and noted the time. She reached over and ruffled Harry's hair again, making the kids around them laugh. "Well, my job here is done. Harry is not moping, and all his friends are laughing at him, now I've got to run. You guys should get to your study group, yeah. Buck up, Harry, you'll be fine tomorrow." And with that she got up and left the Great Hall.

"She might as well be your big sister, the way she carries on with you," Dean said with a smirk.

"Oh, is that what big sisters do? Embarrass their little brothers?" Harry asked, perking up and running that happy thought through his mind. All his life he wanted family, and it made him feel good inside to think he finally got what he had prayed for during those long day in his cupboard. Hermione was also in that group, but to have someone older, who could look out for him, well that was just priceless.

"Oh yeah," the other boy confirmed. "Mine goes out of her way to make me blush. I really miss her. I'm glad I'll be seeing everyone at Christmas."

"Yeah, Millie said she is staying for Christmas this year, so it won't be just me and the Weasleys in the dorms." Making what Dean said just that much truer. "I know just what I'm getting her for a present, as well. If I tell you, can you tell me if you think she'd like it?" Harry asked Dean since he had an older sister.

"Sure, mate, glad to help," the darker boy said, clapping his friend on the back, knowing that Millie would like almost anything Harry bought her.

The five friends got up and gathered their books to go and meet the rest their study group. Now that Harry was distracted from the game tomorrow he got down to studying.

The next morning dawned bright and early. The sky was perfect, only the occasional fluffy cloud played across its expansive blue horizon. The air was warm, but Harry knew that higher up it would be cooler, so he made sure to put on an extra jumper under his Quidditch gear.

All the first year Gryffindor's were settling around Harry, making sure his mood didn't sink into a funk again. They coaxed him into eating some porridge and toast. Soon enough Oliver Wood, the team captain, came by and collected Harry. The dark-haired boy left to a chorus of "Good luck, Harry/Potter", and "Be careful, Harry", from his and other tables, bar Slytherin, though he did receive a nod from Crabbe.

The rest of the gang got up too, and headed to the bleachers. Millie and her friends joined the firsties, because they wanted to share their Omnioculars. Hermione and Dean had a sign that wanted to vote Harry Potter for President. President of what, it didn't say.

The game was going strong, but Slytherin, under their captain's orders, was cheating and playing rough. Harry was getting desperate to find the snitch and end the game. His team was getting hurt and he wanted to stop that. Suddenly his broom bucked and almost threw him off. He grabbed on tighter as it continued to try and dismount him.

Millie, who had been checking on him at that moment, noticed and her brow furrowed. She continued to watch as it appeared he was losing control. She then turned her Omnioculars to the teachers, knowing that very few of the students could curse a broom. She saw both Quirrell and Snape muttering under their breaths. She never noticed that Hermione was gone until she saw a bushy head sneak up under Snape and set his robes on fire. She watched as Snape jumped up and knocked Quirrell down.

She then turned her view to Harry and noted that he was now in a dive, and now seemed in full control. When Harry caught the snitch in his mouth, of all things, winning the game, she gathered up the firsties and made her way to the field. They met a flustered Hermione on the way.

"Oh, Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked, throwing herself at her best friend.

Harry pulled her close and muttered that he was only scared, but not physically hurt. Millie gathered them up in a hug of her own. But when Hermione started to tell about Snape, she shook her head and motioned her to be quiet for now.

Wood and Flint were arguing with Madam Hooch about whether or not Harry's catch was a valid one. When the Flying Instructor said it was, Gryffindor cheered and carried the team away to celebrate.

It was a few hours into the celebration that found a tired Harry, surrounded by Hermione, Millie and Neville. Discussing what happened with Harry's broom. They settled in a quiet corner of the room, just outside of the partiers. Harry looked exhausted, but beyond happy that they had won. Now, he was watching bemused as his two female friends were debating on who was trying to kill him, which made his mood plummet from the joy of winning his first game.

"It was Professor Snape," Hermione said with finality, folding her arms mulishly in the belief that she was correct, and her older friend was wrong.

"It could've been Quirrell," Millie rebutted mildly, again. They had been discussing this for a few minutes now.

"But… I saw him; he was muttering under his breath and not breaking his sight from Harry. I've read all about these types of curses and you can't break eye contact," the resident bookworm argued back.

"Yeah, but I saw both of them doing that, yeah. So, we really can't know. Besides, remember what I told you your first week here? Quirrell's changed a lot since he came back. He was a great teacher when he did Muggle Studies. Now he is all jumpy and stuttering. People don't change like that unless something drastic has happened to them. And if it was vampires like he says, do you really think he would come back to teach about them?" Millie asked, hoping that the kids would think about it and not just jump to conclusions.

"Well, he might, but I see your point. Do you think he is faking?" Hermione whispered.

"Well, it's possible, but what I'm trying to say is that we just can't be sure. When you set Snape on fire, he knocked Quirrell over, breaking both their concentration. By the way, next time you tell me what you're planning, yeah" Millie chastised, she didn't want the smartest girl of her year to get expelled for harming a teacher.

"Sorry, Millie, I panicked," Hermione said with a blush. She wasn't used to having friends yet. Even though it had been months now that she had these guys, years of being friendless would take a little longer to get over. Millie had been a great help, she had talked to her about her bossiness. She didn't tell her to stop, just convinced her to be more suggestive and not downright telling people to do their homework. And if they didn't want to, well it really wasn't Hermione's place to tell them what to do.

"I'm just glad it's over. But, why would someone want to do that? I mean, I know Snape hates me, but I would never have thought he'd try and kill me. And I've done nothing to Quirrell," Harry asked with huge confused eyes. Today had terrified him, knowing that an adult was trying to kill him. Well, he always felt if given the chance his uncle would do him in.

The girls got up and hugged the trembling young boy.

"Don't you worry, Harry; we've got your back. We'll tell the rest of the study group to keep an eye on both of them…" Neville stated and then tapered off when Millie interrupted.

"And then you'll come find me or a Professor, yeah. You little firsties aren't equipped enough to handle an adult," she stated firmly, glaring at all three of them, making sure they knew she meant what she said. They all nodded and started talking about good things that happened in the game. Hermione, who was never big on sports, pulled out a book and just half-heartedly listened.

The next day Hagrid invited Harry and Hermione to tea to discuss yesterday's events. Neville tagged along. They told him what they thought, leaving Millie out for now, not wanting to get their friend in trouble. They just said an older student.

"Balderdash," the gentle half-giant said when they had finished, "Professors Snape and Quirrell are respected teachers. They wouldn't try and kill a student. Why they're working to protect the st… I shouldn't a said that," Hagrid said, rubbing the back of his head, making his hair messier than before.

"There's something to protect in the castle? Does this have to do with the three-headed dog I heard about?" Harry said perking up. Ever since he heard the Weasley twins making plans, he wanted to know why there was a large three-headed dog in the castle. Since he became Millie's friend, she had talked him out of leaving the common room after curfew. Which was good, because now that he thought about it, Malfoy was probably setting him up to get caught when he challenged him to a duel.

"'ow do ya know about Fluffy? Yer not sneaking 'round the castle, are ye?" Hagrid asked, his beetle eyes narrowing on Harry.

"Nah, the twins told me, well not exactly, but they were talking about how to get around the Cerberus on the third floor. I had to look up what a Cerberus was, and let me tell you I'm not going anywhere near one," Harry defended himself with an indignant look, his two friends nodding in agreement.

"Good, ya leave that to the professors and stay outta stuff that don't concern ya. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel… I shouldn't a said that."

"Don't worry, Hagrid, I have enough issues with someone trying to kill me," Harry said as he patted the tall man on the arm. They drank the tea from the large cups and tried to eat the rock cakes, but soon gave it up as a lost cause. After talking for about an hour the kids took their leave and headed back to the castle.

"We should ask Millie about Nicholas Flamel," Harry suggested as he discreetly dropped his rock cakes into some bushes as he walked past them. Hermione nodded her head in agreement.

"Why?" Neville asked with a tilt of his head, dropping his own rock cakes in the same manner. "I thought you told Hagrid you were going to leave it alone."

Harry shrugged and asked, "What if the reason someone is trying to kill me is because they think I know what… Fluffy is guarding? And that I might try and stop whoever it is."

"That's stupid, Harry, why would they think that?" Neville argued back, stopping and turning to his friend.

"Because, I'm the Boy-Who-Lived, remember? I'm supposed to know all sorts of things I've never even heard of. Don't worry, I just want to know who he is. That and it'll give Millie a clue as to what's going on."

Neville could see his point, so he nodded, and the kids started walking again.

A few hours later, in the common room, they finally found Millie. They waved her over and told her what Hagrid told them.

"Nicholas Flamel, huh? Yeah, I know who he is, and I have a pretty good idea what's on the third floor now. But, I'm not telling you firsties. You leave it to me and my mates, we'll figure it out. We've got years more experience than you, yeah," she said with a wink and a nudge. "I don't see how it relates to your broom going wonky though. But, like I said you leave it to me and just enjoy yourselves with your friends."

The three first-years bobbed their heads and decided to let someone older handle it for now. They would get involved only if they had to. It was good to have people to rely on, it was a new experience for all three of them, but a good one.