Chapter 4 – Skill vs. Status

The second-year Gryffindors were about to have their first defense lesson with Gilderoy Lockhart. Professor Lockhart gave his students a questionnaire. It'd have been a good idea except that all questions were about him. Honestly, it's a defense class. What's the point of knowing your teacher's favorite color or what his ideal birthday gift would be? As Professor Lockhart checked the answers, he was disappointed only one student (Hermione Granger) got all answers right and that (aside from her) only Harry correctly answered that his favorite color was lilac and his ideal birthday gift would be peace between muggles and wizards. (Albeit Lockhart wouldn't say no to a bottle of Ogden's firewhisky) "Ten points to Gryffindor for Miss Granger." Lockhart declared and then brought a covered cage, saying it contained dangerous creatures. The students were excited until Lockhart revealed Cornish pixies. Some students scoffed at the idea of cornish pixies being dangerous and Lockhart decided to prove his point by releasing the pixies and daring the students to stop them. Some of those pixies even took Neville Longbottom to the ceiling. Lockhart then tried to stop the pixies by chanting "Peskipiksi Pesternomi!" but it did nothing to them or anything else. One of the pixies then stole his wand and threw it away. "Ten points to whoever stops them." He quickly announced before running away. However, before he actually left, he heard Harry shouting "Immobilus!" Daring to look back, he saw Harry immobilizing the Cornish pixies. "Congratulations, Harry Potter!" Lockhart complimented. "You earned Gryffindor ten points."

Later on, the students were commenting on the class. "How pathetic." Ron said. "Lockhart couldn't even save us from those pixies."

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded him. "Professor Lockhart was just testing us. He certainly could have stopped them considering everything he's done."

"Everything he says he's done, Hermione." Harry argued. "He even lost his wand to a pixie. What kind of wizard lets that happen?"

"It was part of the test." Hermione stubbornly argued.

"No wizard would deliberately lose his wand just for that." Dean Thomas argued. Harry was about to voice his agreement to Dean's opinion but Oliver Wood then showed up and dragged him for Quidditch training. The other second years soon followed. Harry was soon reunited with his teammates. "Potter, this is your last chance." McLaggen stated. "Quit now and you'll spare yourself the humiliation of losing."

"If you're brave enough to face it, so I am." Harry replied. As they approached the Quidditch field, they noticed Colin Creevey and his camera. "Colin?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Do you know this spy, Potter?" Oliver Wood asked. "Is he a Slytherin?"

"Colin Creevey is a first year Gryffindor and Slytherin doesn't need spies." Harry replied. "Their team is coming in person."

Looking at where Harry pointed, Oliver Wood did notice the Slytherin Quidditch Team arriving. "What're you doing here?" Wood asked. "The Gryffindor Quidditch Team has booked the field for practice. You have no right to be here."

In response the Slytherin Quidditch Team Captain showed a document signed by Professor Snape giving them permission to use the field given their new Seeker's need to practice. "As you can see, Wood," The Slytherin Quidditch team captain arrogantly said. "Professor Snape gave us permission to use the field now so, please leave before we tell him you're spying on us."

"Not so fast." They heard the firm voice of Professor McGonagall, who wanted to see Harry training but, unlike Wood, didn't like Quidditch to wake up as early as Wood did. "Once a team books the field, it cannot be overrun by anyone other than the flying instructor, the Headmaster or me. The last time I checked, Professor Snape met neither requirement, so his permission is no good. I'll have a word with him and, if he tells me he did not sign anything allowing the Slytherin Quidditch team to use the field for a time originally booked for Gryffindor, I'll dock several points from Slytherin and consider assigning detentions. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Professor McGonagall." The Slytherins reluctantly answered and then started leaving.

"I bet Lucius Malfoy did not expect this when he donated those "Nimbus 2001" to Slytherin team." Professor McGonagall commented after the Slytherins left.

"Malfoy paid for those broomsticks?" Ron asked in a mix of shock and anger.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley." She answered. "And right before his son was made Seeker but I'm sure it was a coincidence. Just as I'm sure Lucius Malfoy was under the Imperius while he took orders from You-Know-Who."

"No fair." Ron protested.

"Don't worry, Mr. Weasley." She replied. "The Slytherins are in for a big surprise."

Later on, while the students and the faculty were at the Great Hall for lunch, Headmaster Dumbledore made an announcement. "Attention, students. Following the example of generosity set by Hogwarts Governor Lucius Malfoy, who donated seven "Nimbus 2001" to the Slytherin Quidditch team, other donators decided to give "Nimbus 2001" broomsticks to the school's other Quidditch teams." All students except the Slytherins applauded. "I knew we shouldn't have accepted your father's offer." A member of the Slytherin Quidditch team mumbled to Draco.

"So that's what Professor McGonagall meant when she said that about those slimy snakes having a surprise!" Ron exclaimed in joy.

"You don't seem surprised, Harry." Hermione commented.

"Uncle Sirius might have said something about being a donator for Gryffindor." Harry simply answered.

"Serves those snakes right." Ron said in approval. "If they can have donated broomsticks, so can we."

Cormac McLaggen then approached Harry. "So, that's how you made it into the team, Potter? You're no better than Malfoy."

"What're you talking about, McLaggen?" Harry asked in confusion.

"You only got into the team because of these broomsticks." McLaggen accused.

"Shut up, McLaggen." Wood intervened. "I'd never let anyone buy his way into the team like that. Especially one who'd need bribery to be chosen over a lousy player such as yourself."

McLaggen then drew a wand at Harry. "Admit you bribed your way into the team or I'll hex you!" He threatened.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr. McLaggen." Professor McGonagall stated. "And detention!"

"But…"

"Do you want it to be fifty points, Mr. McLaggen?" She angrily asked. He hung his head.

After that, the second year Gryffindors had a Transfiguration lesson where they were taught how to turn animals into objects. Ronald Weasley found it a miracle he didn't turn a furry animal into a furry cup.

When it was time for that year's Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch game, Harry found three pleasant surprises waiting for him. "Mum? Dad? Sirius?"

"Hello, Prongslet." Sirius greeted. "You didn't think I'd miss my godson's first Quidditch game. Did you? Well, I know I couldn't be sure about Vernon and Petunia before inviting them since they're just your Uncle and Aunt…"

"My parents!" Harry corrected.

"Whatever." Sirius replied. "Your real father, James Potter, would break into the commentator's booth to narrate the game, which reminds of something important. Bye."

"So, Harrykins, are you having fun?" Petunia started asking after Sirius left. "Any troubles?"

"Mum, I've already told you." An embarrassed Harry answered.

"In letters, son." Vernon replied. "It's not the same for your mother."

"Mum, Dad, I'm glad to see you both here but my team is waiting for me." Harry said while glad to have an excuse to get away from all that smothering.

After that talk to their (adopted) son, Vernon and Petunia Dursley took seats near someone they already knew. "Groundskeeper Hagrid?" Vernon asked in surprise.

"No need to be so formal, Dursley." Hagrid replied. "You may call me 'Hagrid'. He then noticed an empty space near them. "Where's Sirius? I thought he came with the both of you."

"Sirius said something about what James Potter would do if he were around and then…" It hit Vernon. "Hagrid, do you believe Sirius would…"

"Attention, ladies and gentlemen." They heard Sirius announcing. "And also slimy snakes. Today we'll see my godson and his team show a bunch of lousy cheats who's the boss."

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" Professor McGonagall angrily shouted. "GET OUT OF THIS BOOTH IMMEDIATELY OR I'LL MAKE YOU SERVE DETENTION WITH PROFESSOR BINNS AND YOU'LL HAVE TO LISTEN TO A WHOLE HOUR OF HIS LECTURING!"

Sirius quickly stormed out. "And what did you do with Mr. Jordan, Mr. Black?"

"Jordan?" Sirius asked in temporary confusion. "Oh, you mean the student who was supposed to be there? He ran away upon seeing me."

Minerva McGonagall moaned in frustration. "I'll find him. You try to stay out of trouble."

"Do you really think I can, Minnie?" Sirius jokingly asked.

"It's Professor McGonagall for you, Mr. Black." Minerva sternly answered.

After that, he joined Vernon and Petunia among the spectators. "Did you hear me?" He eagerly asked. "Was my announcement impressive?"

"Great!" Vernon sarcastically answered. "Now I'm a wizard hooligan's friend. What else might go wrong?"

"At least the Statute of Secrecy will keep our neighbors from learning about it." Petunia said to consulate her husband. Vernon was comforted by that. The game then started. Letting Lucius Malfoy buy his son's way into the team was then proven a mistake as Draco failed to notice the Golden Snitch flying right next to him. When Harry zoomed towards it, Draco thought Harry would attack him and flew away. Harry then caught the Snitch and won the game faster than Cormac McLaggen would have won last year's Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff game if he bothered to do his job instead of telling his teammates how to do theirs. The whole Gryffindor House was celebrating except for Cormac McLaggen, who could be heard mumbling something about 'Beginner's Luck'.

Draco Malfoy's teammates all agreed on one thing: finding a new Seeker to replace him even if it meant losing the new broomsticks. Meanwhile, Gryffindor's party victory had their mood dampened by Gilderoy Lockhart claiming Harry wouldn't have won so quickly if not for his tips. Harry then restored that mood by claiming "That's right. He said what he'd do and I avoided doing it. That's how I won." Everyone laughed. Even Lockhart forced himself to laugh. "Harry Potter, there's no shame in taking advice from more experienced wizards."

"There is when said experience is no more than mere fallacy." Harry replied.

Please review. Thanks to D.J. Scales for suggesting the title.