Harry Potter Fan Fiction
A Bet to Fallon
First Year
Chapter Seven - Bet One - Won.
Zander Fallon hovers invisibly in the air, masked by a Disillusionment charm as he anxiously watches his sister soar over and under and around, trying desperately to save Neville Long bottom - and ruin her future in the process. His eyes narrow with worry when she speeds up, headed straight for one of the Hogwarts castle's main Towers. He sighs in relief as she jerks to a halt and gently floats to the ground, Longbottom in tow, successfully rescuing the poor boy from an insanely defective broomstick.
Beside him, Draco Malfoy snorts in derision. Zander glances at his friend, wary of what he might say - he still doesn't know why he was going to have to save the hero of the Wizarding World, but Zander has his suspicions…
"What a complete and utter idiot, what wizard can't control a broom?" Draco mutters to himself, loud enough for Zander to hear. Zander groans, knowing that this can't end well. A small shining object catches both Slytherins' attentions, and Draco moves to pick it up.
"What have you got there, Malfoy?" a voice asks, and both Slytherins turn to see Harry Potter and his friends approaching. Draco sneers and Zander stays silent, watching and waiting for the inevitable.
Zander sighs as he watches Draco fly off the mark, Longbottom's Remembrall in hand. His earlier suspicions confirmed, Zander turns to watch Harry Potter mount his broom and tentatively lurch into the air. Zander smiles slightly as the boy quickly gains control of the vehicle, already a natural.
He is going to win his bet for sure.
"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find," Draco sneers, tossing the Remembrall up into the air and catching it again. "How about on the roof?"
And with that Draco soars away, Potter not far behind. Zander uses the shrieking of Weasley and Granger to follow alongside Potter, quietly and out of sight. Zander watches as Draco throws the Remembrall with all his might, only to have Potter chase after it.
Zander ignores Draco's smirk and zips past the other Slytherin, intent on chasing Potter. Zander speeds up, once again coming alongside the Boy-Who-Lived as he ducks and weaves around the school, arm outstretched ready to catch the falling ball. Zander watches as Potter swipes at the ball, fingers grasping right outside Professor McGonagall's window. Zander watches as Potter catches the Remembrall, overbalances and starts falling. Finally, knowing it is time, Zander moves.
Harry Potter is furious at Malfoy - how dare he run off with poor Neville's property? Harry speeds up, reaching for the glinting Remembrall, fingers wide to catch it.
Nearly there…. Nearly there….
Harry lunges, leaning forward to snatch the ball right out of the air and spinning to aoid collision with one of Hogwarts' many windows. Harry grins as he feels the Remembrall make contact with him palm - he caught it!
That triumph is short-lived as Harry feels himself overbalance and start to fall. The boy closes his eyes, waiting for the lurching feeling in his stomach telling him he was going to die…
But it never comes. Instead, a strange, warm presence pushes Harry's shoulder slightly, spinning him full circle and seating him back on his broom, safe and sound. Harry blinks, looking first at his broom, and then at the ball in his hand. He grins; the propulsion of his fall must've kept him on his broom, spinning him round instead of plunging him the his death.
Harry carefully flies one-handed back to the pitch where his classmates are cheering and shouting . He lands amidst his friends with the ball in his hand, laughing and grinning along with Ron and the others. Harry glances to the side and grins at Malfoy, who looks angry and sullen, disappointed that his prank failed.
"Mr. Potter!"
Harry looks over to see Professor McGonagall storming towards the class, hair faintly askew. His heart drops - they'd been warned to stay on the ground…
"Come with me," The professor says sternly, waiting barely a second before turning and marching him back towards the castle. Harry sees pitying looks from his fellow Gryffindors and a smug smirk from Malfoy as he is wheeled around and into the school.
Before disappearing into the castle, Harry spies a lone Slytherin watching him. It's that creepy Fallon bloke - the one who made a bet against Ron. He's standing to the side, eyes piercing, hair a mess and a faint smile on his worn face. He looks exhausted. Harry shrugs, it's probably because he was worried about his sister flying after Neville.
Harry forgets about the Fallons, their heroics and their bets and McGonagall leads him inside alone.
As Harry Potter is led inside, Zander turns and marches towards the class. His eyes flash with muted frustration, and Alex watches with growing amusement.
"Draco," he says softly, waiting for his friend to heed him. It doesn't take long and the other Slytherin is trotting towards him with a smirk.
"Why did you do that? Someone could have been killed." Zander says lowly, raising an eyebrow at his friend. Draco brushes the comment away with a wave of his hand.
"You yourself said he was a good flyer, Zander. Do you doubt your own betting?"
Zander remains silent, eyeing Draco coolly. He knows the boy is stubborn, knows that a Malfoy will never apologise. Zander opts to have words with him later, stress the importance of his actions in private. Instead the Fallons turn to each other, subtly checking for injuries.
Alex notes a worry line creasing her brother's forehead and sighs, knowing that he is worried for her. She smiles, shaking her head slightly to let him know that she is fine. Zander's eyes narrow, before widening as Zander nods, reassured.
The Fallons have survived another day, and as they link pinkie fingers, watching their classmates mill about uncertainly, they know that this is only the beginning.
Zander and Alex watch as Harry enters the Great Hall with his friends, chatting excitedly. Zander smirks; he knows what they are talking about. A quick glance in his sister's direction tell Zander that she knows as well.
Zander continues to eyes Harry Potter and his friends throughout their meal. Potter doesn't appear to be suffering from any injuries, and the Weasley boy looks over the moon. Zander smirks and follows when they leave their table.
"Potter, hey Potter!" Zander calls, walking up to the group with his hands in his pockets. He smirks at Weasley, who flushes red and starts muttering under his breath. Zander ignores him and turns to the leader of their group.
"Congratulations, Potter. Seeker, isn't it?" Zander smiles, hand outstretched. Potter takes it warily and nods, pulling his hand away as quickly as could be deemed polite. Zander smirks again.
"Oh, and Weasley? I told you so,"
With that, Zander turns on heel and walks back towards the Great Hall and his sister, leaving Ronald Weasley spluttering in outrage, and Harry Potter laughing at him.
AN ~
HAPPY HOLIDAYS YOU GUYS!
I'M EARLY THIS WEEK, YAY!
I'm really excited about what's coming next in the story - Halloween and that troll will be in the not-too-distant future, guys! I'm also looking forward to spending time with my - admittedly rather large - extended family over the Christmas weekend.
And so, until next week,
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Have a nice holiday!
Have a good night!
See you all next week!
Zanchev
