Disclaimer: Nothing but OCs belong to me, the rest belongs to the one and only J.K. Rowling. Enjoy! :)
Word Count: 3,098
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The four Hogwarts students walked up to a crowded trophy case and Hermione picked out a shiny plaque with the name "James Potter".
"Woah! Harry, you never told me your father was a seeker too!" Ron cried.
"I didn't know." Harry shrugged.
"Hey, Skylar?" Hermione called out the redhead.
"Yeah?"
"Is your dad Jonathan Wolf?"
"Erm...yeah." Skylar didn't correct Hermione. She didn't want to drop the bomb on her new friends about her dead parents.
"Did you know he was a chaser?" The brainy brunette inquired.
"Yeah, he played for the English National Quidditch team." Skylar answered nonchalantly.
"That's pretty cool." Harry replied.
"Yeah." Skylar's voice was nearly a whisper. Harry was jolted off balance by the stairs' movement.
"What's happening?" Harry yelped, grabbing onto the banister for balance.
"The staircases change, remember?" Hermione reminded him.
"Hey, let's go this way." Harry motioned towards the corridor ahead of them.
"Quick," Ron motioned for the three wizards to follow him, "Before the staircase moves again." Skylar looked around the hallway anxiously.
"Does anyone else feel like we're not supposed to be here?" She whispered.
"We aren't, this is the third floor," Hermione whispered back, "It's forbidden!"
"Let's go then," Harry hissed, the other three first years following him out. Before they could get to the door, they were interrupted by the hissing of a ginger cat.
"Filch's cat!" Hermione gasped.
"Run, quick! Let's hide behind that door!" Harry whispered. Skylar tried to open the large door, but it wouldn't budge.
"It's locked!" She hissed anxiously.
"That's it! We're done for!" Ron said dramatically.
"Oh! Move over!" Hermione whipped out her vine covered wand. "Alohomora!" Skylar heard the lock clicking and the door opened slightly.
"Get in!" She pushed Hermione and the boys in before closing the door behind her.
"Alohomora?" Ron hissed indignantly.
"Standard Book of Spells-" Hermione started.
"Chapter 7," Skylar added. The four friends hushed each other and quieted down as they heard footsteps rounding the corner.
"Anyone in here, my sweet?" Filch cooed to the orange feline. He glared into the shadows and scanned the area. Finding no one there, he felt satisfied to leave. "Come on," He left, the cat padding softly behind him.
"Whew." Skylar let out a breath.
"That was a close one." Ron chuckled nervously. "It's a good thing he thought the door was locked."
"It was locked." Hermione reminded him.
"And for good reason," Harry replied shakily. The other three turned to see what he was staring at and came face to face with a three-headed canine. The dog, which was previously asleep, blinked its eyes sleepily before staring at the four students. It got up on all fours and lunged at the children. They screamed before running out and slamming the door shut behind them.
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"What do they think they're doing?" Ron complained, "Keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?"
"You don't use your eyes, do you?" Hermione shook her head, "Didn't you see what it was standing on?"
"I wasn't looking at its feet!" Ron argued with the brunette, "I was a bit preoccupied with its heads. Or maybe you didn't notice...the three!"
"It was standing on a trap door," Hermione explained, "It wasn't there by accident. Its guarding something."
"Guarding something?" Harry asked, scratching the back of his neck nervously.
"That's right," Hermione nodded, "Now, if you two don't mind, I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get killed, or worse…" She warned Skylar and the two boys, "Expelled." She then turned back around and walked to the dormitory, books in hand.
"She needs to sort out her priorities." Ron nudged his friends jokingly.
"Hey," Harry turned to Skylar, "Did you notice the trap door?" Skylar nodded as the three walked down the hallway. "Why didn't you say anything?" Skylar shrugged in response.
"I guess...I didn't think it was that important." She replied quietly, "Anyways, Hermione told you guys about it, so it doesn't matter." They were quiet the rest of the way as they dropped Ron off in the Common Room and left to meet Oliver in the field.
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Oliver was carrying a large wooden chest with two locks. Skylar and Harry followed closely behind, each with a broom in hand. Oliver set the heavy box down onto the plush grass.
"Quidditch is easy enough to understand." Oliver explained, "Each team has seven players. Three Chasers, two Beaters, one Keeper, and a Seeker," He looked between Harry and Skylar, "That's you two. Now, normally Quidditch teams only have one Seeker, maybe another to pitch in if the other is hurt or can't play for some reason." He kicked at the grass with his foot. "But you two are both very valuable to our team." He faced Skylar and Harry. "And when another spot opens up, one of you will fill it and you won't have to switch off every game." He opened the box to reveal a large red ball in the middle, three round indents in it. Separated by the large red ball, two brown balls were held down with chains. A Hogwarts crest on the center of the lid indicated a small compartment.
"There are three kinds of balls," Oliver gestured to the open box, "This one's a Quaffle." He tossed the large red ball to Harry. He gripped the strange ball and turned it over in his hands. "The Chasers handle the Quaffle and try to put it through one of those three hoops," Oliver pointed to three hoops high up in the air, supported by long, wooden poles. Each hoop were positioned at different heights. The three hoops were reflected on the other side of the field. "The Keeper, that's me," Oliver pointed towards himself proudly, "Defends the hoops. With me so far?" Skylar nodded in understanding.
"I think so," Harry answered the older boy. He regarded the two chained balls with curiosity. The balls seemed to be struggling against the chains as if they were alive. "What are those?" Oliver took out two clubs and handed one to each first year.
"You better take this," He warned each student. He unlocked the chains on one of the balls, and they flew straight up into the air. "Careful now, it's coming back," The fifth year warned the two. As the ball came plummeting back down, Harry whacked it with the wooden club, sending it flying right back into the air.
"Potter, you'd make a fair Beater." Oliver clapped Harry on the back, facing away from the returning ball. Before the leather sphere could hit either of the dark-haired boys, Skylar lifted her club and whacked it into the air.
"Oh yeah," Oliver cringed, "I forgot about that...persistent, they are." The ball came back down, hitting Oliver square in the chest when he held out his arms to catch it, tackling the ball to the ground before forcing it back into the box. Harry helped hold the ball down while Oliver chained the ball up.
"What was that?" Harry asked, wiping his brow.
"Bludgers. Nasty little buggers. But you are a Seeker. The only thing I want you to worry about is this." Oliver opened the compartment with the Hogwarts crest and pulled out a small golden sphere. "The Golden Snitch." Oliver handed the miniscule ball to Harry, who cupped it in his hands.
"I like this ball." He joked, staring between the Snitch and the Bludger.
"Eh, you do now. But it's wicked fast and damn near impossible to see."
"What do I do with it?" Harry rolled the metal ball between his thumb and forefinger.
"You catch it," Oliver explained, "Before the other team's Seeker." He pointed at the ball, "You catch this, the game's over." Harry tossed the ball to his best friend. Skylar regarded the shining Snitch with interest.
"You catch this, Wolf, and we win." Oliver pointed at the Snitch in Skylar's hand. The Snitch unfurled thin golden wings, much to Skylar's delight and surprise.
"Wow…" She whispered in awe.
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Skylar sat beside Harry, staring in front of her at the white plume. The dwarfed professor stood at the front of the classroom, explaining how to magically levitate objects.
"One of a wizard's most rudimental skill is levitation, or the ability to make objects fly. Do you all have your feathers?" Professor Flitwick gaged the students in the room. Happy with the answer, he continued, "Good. Now don't forget the nice wrist movement we've been practicing. Hum! The 'Swish and Flick'." Flitwick demonstrated. "Everyone, the 'Swish and Flick'. Good! Oh, and annunciate! Wingardium Leviosa. Off you go then!"
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Skylar pointed her wand at the feather, watching in awe as it rose all the way to the ceiling before floating back down as she released the spell. Harry copied the spell, getting halfway to the ceiling before falling back down.
"Wingardium Leviosar!" Ron shouted angrily at his speckled feather. Hermione placed her hand on his wand arm.
"No, stop stop stop! You're going to take someone's eye out!" Ron rolled his eyes at the brunette. "Besides, you're saying it wrong. It's Levi-o-sa, not Leviosar."
"You do it then if you're so clever," Ron scowled, "Go on then!"
"Wingardium Leviosa." Hermione repeated the wand movement and watched as the brown and white feather rose gracefully into the air, a mirror image of Skylar's own fluffy feather.
"Oh! Well done!" Professor Flitwick clapped. "See here everyone, Miss Granger's done it!" The professor had a silly grin on his face. "Ho ho! Splendid!" Skylar sighed as she lazily twirled her wand in her fingers, effectively twirling the feather suspended near the ceiling. Of course the professor didn't notice her. Apparently someone had though, for she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She scanned the crowd of students until her blue eyes met a pair of grey ones. Skylar grimaced. She was staring into the eyes of none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Hey, teach me?" Harry nudged Skylar, staring at the feather twirling near the ceiling. She walked him through the spell until he could finally float his own feather to the ceiling.
"Wingard-Leviosa, Wingard-Leviosa!" Seamus struggled to recite the spell through his thick accent. The feather blew into a million black particles, covering Seamus' face in soot, as well as the papers on the table. Harry raised his soot-covered hand, gaining the attention of Flitwick.
"I think we're going to need another feather over here, professor."
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Harry and Skylar walked arm in arm, Ron keeping up the pace on Harry's right. The three reviewed the events of their Charms class with Flitwick. Ron was still a bit frustrated with a certain brunette brainiac for both correcting and humiliating him in front of his fellow first year Slytherins and Gryffindors.
" 'It's Levi-o-sa, not Leviosar'," Ron mocked, "She's a nightmare, honestly! It's no wonder she hasn't got any friends!" He shook his head angrily. Harry and Skylar watched a tearful brunette rush past them, clutching her books against her chest tightly.
"I think she heard you." Harry sighed.
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The Great Hall had been carefully decorated for the current holiday; Halloween. In place of the normal floating candles, intricate Jack-o-lanterns sat suspended in the air, beneath the starry projection. The centerpiece candles were surrounded with leaves of red, orange, and gold, along with miniature pumpkins and decorative squashes. An orange glow surrounded each flame, the golden red color matching the tablecloths on each piece of furniture. Small leaves were strewn along the tables, weaving between the cream-colored ceramic plates. The Hall was flooded with students and teachers, all participating in the great Halloween Feast. Harry spoke to his housemates through mouthfuls of butternut squash and other Halloween-themed delicacies.
Harry and Ron sat at the Gryffindor table across from Neville. Skylar had excused herself from the festivities to comfort Hermione in the bathroom, although the boys weren't aware of it.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry looked around the Hall. He already knew Skylar was in the bathroom, but she hadn't mentioned anything about Hermione.
"Parvati Patil said she wouldn't come out of the girl's bathroom." Neville replied sadly, "She said she's been in there all afternoon crying." Harry glared at Ron as Professor Quirrell ran into the Hall, a frantic look on his face.
"Troll in the dungeon! Troll in the dungeon!" Quirrell shouted, panting through the dialogue. "Thought you ought to know." He shakily placed his hand on the wall for support. Students began panicking; screaming and rushing out of the Hall.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore acquired the attention of all the students in the Great Hall. "Everyone will please not panic!" He addressed the nervous students, "Now prefects, please escort your house to the dormitories. Teachers will follow me to the dungeon." A certain redhead Prefect gathered the Gryffindors in a single-file line, leading them to the common room through the crowded corridors.
"Gryffindors, keep up, please, and stay alert!" He surveyed the students with hawk eyes.
"How could a troll get in?" Harry whispered to his friend.
"Not on its own," Ron replied, "Trolls are really stupid. Probably people playing jokes." He thought of the twins momentarily. "What?" He noticed Harry stopping in his tracks as the other Gryffindors passed the two first years.
"Hermione and Skylar!" Harry gasped, wide-eyed, "They don't know!" The two boys rushed towards the dungeon, flattening themselves against the wall when they spotted a huge shadow in front of them.
"I think the troll's left the dungeon." Ron said, wiping his brow.
"It's going into the girl's bathroom." Harry gasped, realizing two of his friends were there.
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Skylar put a freckled arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"He doesn't know what he's talking about," She assured the sobbing brunette, "Anyone would be lucky to be friends with you." She wiped a tear from her friend's cheek. "I mean, we're friends, aren't we?" She stared into the chocolate brown orbs, tears welling up in her own eyes.
"Of course!" Hermione answered through sobs, "It just…"
"It hurt, didn't it?" Skylar whispered, grasping Hermione's hand in both of hers. "I know, I'm very sensitive as well," She noticed Hermione looking away and quickly added, "It isn't a bad thing, really."
"I suppose…" The brunette shook wavy locks from her face.
"No one understands their friends like we do." Skylar smiled at Hermione. She helped the brunette up, and they walked out of the empty stall. Skylar and Hermione shared a smile before looking up, only to meet the gaze of a large-eared, giant green-grey skinned creature.
"Is that a…" Skylar's voice shook.
"Troll?" Hermione squeaked nervously. The girls clutched each other's hands as Harry and Ron came rushing into the girl's bathroom.
"Guys, move!" Harry shouted as the troll began to bring his club down on the unsuspecting students. Skylar shoved Hermione under the sinks, following her as the troll smashed half of the sinks with his giant club. Skylar and Hermione quickly scrambled out from underneath the remaining sinks, running back to the far wall as the troll smashed the wooden stalls with the club.
"Help!" Hermione shrieked, standing behind the protective redhead. Skylar held her arms out defensively, placing herself between the troll and the brunette. Skylar was timid around others, but she would gladly protect her new friends from any dangers they may face. Ron picked up a fist-sized piece of wood from the rubble and threw it at the ugly creature.
"Hey, pea brain!" He shouted, throwing more stones at the troll in an attempt to divert its attention from the girls. He and Harry threw more wood at the troll, who simply shook his head and glared at the girls. Harry grabbed onto the club as the troll lowered it behind his back, swinging himself up onto the troll's thick neck. He stuck his wand into the troll's nose as the troll lifted him into the air and swung his club at the boy in his fist.
"Do something!" Harry shrieked, dodging the blow narrowly.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Anything!" Harry replied, dodging another blow, "Hurry!" Ron pulled out his wand and pointed it at the beast.
" 'Swish and Flick!' " Hermione reminded Ron from behind Skylar. The troll raised the club above its head, prepared to bring it down on Harry.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron shouted, mimicking the wand movement perfectly. The club hovered over the troll's head as he brought his empty hand down near Harry. The troll looked around confused, until it saw the club suspended above his head. Its eyes widened as the club came plummeting down, hitting him on the head with a thunk. Harry barely moved out of the way as the troll crashed down, apparently unconscious.
"Is it...dead?" Hermione approached the troll with uncertainty.
"I don't think so…" Skylar regarded the ugly creature with a grimace.
"Nope, it's just knocked out." Harry answered, pulling his wand from the troll's nose. Strands of mucus clung to the wand. "Ugh, troll boogies." He said with a disgusted expression. Professor McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell ran into the bathroom, shocked expressions written all over their stern features.
"My goodness!" McGonagall exclaimed, "Explain yourselves, both of you!" She demanded, glaring at the two boys.
"It was my fault, Professor McGonagall." Hermione stepped out from behind Skylar.
"Miss Granger?" McGonagall looked very surprised.
" I went looking for the troll I've read about them and I thought I could handle it. But I was wrong. If Harry and Ron hadn't come and found me… I'd probably be dead." She smiled at the two boys. Harry looked down at Snape's leg, noticing the bloody gash on his calf. Snape met his eyes and pulled the black robes over his legs.
"Be that as it may, it was an extremely foolish thing to do." McGonagall stared down at the boys through her spectacles. "I would have expected more rational behavior on your part and am very disappointed in you Miss. Granger. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your serious lack of judgement." Hermione nodded in understanding. McGonagall then turned to regard the boys. "As for you two gentle I just hope you realize how fortunate you are. Not many first year students could take on a fully grown mountain troll and live to tell the tale. Five points will be awarded to each of you, for sheer dumb luck." The professor looked at Skylar. "I trust you had nothing to do with this, Miss Wolf?"
"No!" Hermione quickly replied, "She just came in here to use the bathroom...she just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." McGonagall nodded, satisfied with the answer.
"Perhaps you ought to go," Quirrell warned the students, "It might wake up."