Catching Snitches

Chapter Four

In the summer of 1990, Haden contracted a severe case of dragon pox that left her bedridden for six months. As a result, she had been unable to attend what would have initially been her first year of Hogwarts and instead, she was left to the tender (re: unforgiving) mercies of her tutor, pseudo uncle Remus Lupin. Under his guidance, however, Haden flourished as a witch, regardless of the fact that she could barely speak and spent most of her time in bed with her head in books, fictional or otherwise. As such, Haden's Hogwarts education has become very different to the standard fourth year's.

As a fourth year, she attends the sixth year level Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms and Transfiguration classes, the fifth year level Potions and Herbology classes and the standard fourth year lessons for everything else, Ancient Runes and Arithmency included. She's already sat her O.W.L exams for her three wanded subjects and intends to sit her Potions and Herbology O.W.L exams at the end of this school year, but for the time being, she is elbow deep in textbooks, nestled in an out of the way corner of the library's Transfiguration section, determined to see that she receives an O+ for what is her latest Transfiguration essay.

"I was unaware that Hogwarts taught human transfiguration to fourth years."

Haden glances up, not particularly surprised to find Viktor stood across the table from her, a textbook under his arm. He is surprisingly free of the giggling gaggle of fan girls that have taken to following him around as though lost puppies, but Haden has long ago learned that those not taught the same way as she herself have a very bizarre approach to showing interest.

"They do not," she answers, "I am simply in sixth year classes. I was able to test into third year when I was a firstie, so human transfiguration it is."

Viktor nods his acknowledgement. "I will leave you to your studies then."

"You are welcome to sit, if you wish," Haden offers, hesitant despite herself. Viktor gives her a happy smile though and that eradicates any nerves she has. He sits across from her without fuss, opens his book about dragons and for a while they sit in silence, the only sound between them the turn of pages and the scratch of quill on parchment. Her magic is once again wild beneath her skin and her heart tattoos an imprint into her ribcage. It takes all of her control not to allow her hands to shake and not for the first time, she wonders at the effect this wizard - still a boy, albeit barely - has on her mind, body and magic. It's disconcerting, certainly, but at the same time, it is an undeniable thrill.

"How do you like Hogwarts?" She queries, hand flexed to ease up the muscle cramps she can feel forming.

"It is not like Durmstrang," The Bulgarian answers, "Our school is very strict inside and outside of the classroom. We are not used to the freedoms we are given here. Durmstrang is also a castle, but it is smaller than Hogwarts. I have become lost many times here."

Haden bites back her chuckle, but cannot hold back her smile. "That's okay. I've been here for three years and I still get lost. Some seventh years do to."

He chuckles in reply, turns a page in his textbook and asks, "Will you be watching the first task?"

Haden honestly doesn't know. In history, the first task has always been the one in which the champions are forced to face up against a dangerous magical creature of some sort. She's never been one for gratuitous violence and she's certain the first task is exactly that, but she thinks it's only right for her to go and support the competitors.

"I have not yet decided," she answers. "Are you nervous?"

"I am very nervous," he answers, "Dragons are dangerous enemies."

Haden jerks reflexively and her quill scratches a jagged line of ink into her margin. She hardly pays that heed though. ? "A what?"

"A dragon," he repeats and a grimace pulls at his lips, "We are to face one during the first task."

"I have informed the Hogwarts champion," he answers, "The Beauxbatons Champion was already aware."

Haden swears violently in Welsh. He probably doesn't understand what she's saying, but by the amused smile that pulls at his lips, Viktor can probably get the gist of it by the expression on her face, furious as it may be. He doesn't call her out on her language, however, for which she is grateful.

Haden is absolutely astounded that three different schools and their respective governments have actually agreed to pit three seventeen year olds up against dragons, of all things. They're all mad! Trained dragon handlers are one thing, but school students? It's asking for trouble and everyone knows it.

"Adults are mental," she says frankly.

"You will receive no protests from me," Viktor answers, "Do you know any facts of dragons?"

Haden remembers her first year and the trouble she, Ron and Hermione had had with Hagrid and his baby dragon, Norbert. The three of them aren't nearly as close as they were back then. It comes as a result of their differing social statuses, infinitely more obvious as they've grown older. Haden is certain, though, that if she was ever in need of sidekicks to smuggle another baby dragon out of Hogwarts, neither would hesitate to offer their aid.

"I know a baby dragon's teeth are poisonous," she answers, "And mighty ugly too. I don't know much more than that. I did not take Care of Magical Creatures."

"That is more than this book has told me," Viktor admits, "But unfortunately, I am to go up against a nesting mother."

Haden blanches. Nesting dragons are legendary, one of those general knowledge things all children raised in the magical world simply know, all as a result of exposure to magical culture. Nesting dragons are the most dangerous kind of dragon, fiercely territorial, maternally protective and agog with different hormones, opposing instincts and such things. To cross one's path is to take your own life into your hands.

Now she really knows that the adults running this circus are round the bend.

"That's terrible," she declares, "What were they thinking?" What follows is a rapid-fire rant in Welsh that Viktor doesn't even pretend to understand, but when she's finally out of steam, she slumps into her seat, heedless of what people would say if they saw her in such an undignified position. "Mental. honestly! Dragons!"

"Perhaps we should speak of something different?"

Haden would prefer to brood about dragons some more - for Merlin's sake! Dragons! - but she also wants to spend more time with the famous seeker, barmy as such a notion may be. "Okay," she agrees, "What would you wish to talk about?"

"What is your favourite subject?"

"Charms and Transfiguration," she answers, "Ancient Runes very close behind though. I like learning." She usually spends her free time learning new spells for the sake of it, varying from a variety of subjects, purely due to the fact that she loves the feeling of accomplishment she receives when she masters a new one. "What about you?"

"I enjoy Charms, Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts," he answers, "I am good at magic."

Viktor doesn't say it boastfully. Rather, he says it so matter-of-fact, it's almost as though he speaks of the weather and not for the first time, she wonders about this strange wizard who has walked into her life and seems intent to stay in it. She has grown rather fond of him, she thinks, but there is a huge different between affection and a love enough to last a lifetime. She wonders if she'll ever know what that feels like. If she does, she wonders if it will be with Viktor. She kind of hopes so.

Author's note: Whether your a wizard or a witch, the opposite gender will always seem like an alien species. Let's hope Haden will soon get to understand this particular wizard better than she does now.

Drop me a review and tell me your thoughts. Do you like the glimpse into Haden's past? What about the interaction between our protagonist and her current crush? Should I work harder on developing Viktor's character? Let me know where I went wrong and how I may improve. I appreciate such reviews very much.

-t