-1 SLIP OF THE TONGUE
HOGWARTS - SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 5TH - 2019 A.D.
FIRST QUIDDITCH MATCH OF THE SEASON - GRYFFINDOR VS. SLYTHERIN
'Albus and Aurora spent a lot of time together over the next few days. They were spotted by several people entering and exiting the Room of Requirement, spending time in the Library and occasionally eating breakfast together. This obviously did not sit well with James or his friends. However, James had more important business to attend to and not matter how much sleep he had lost due to his own bad dreams, he wasn't going to let Slytherin win against Gryffindor in the first match of the season.'
The Quidditch pitch stands was filling up extremely quickly with the students from each of the houses. All of them dressed in the supporting colours, some with their faces painted while others were sporting huge banners. The teachers had begun taking there places in the various boxes around the pitch.
'Quidditch had always played a major part of the Hogwarts lifestyle and it had only become more competitive. Especially since the Department of Magical Games and Sports had allowed professional teams to come to the Hogwarts games and scout players with talent. There was usually someone from the Hollyhead Harpies or Puddlemere United in the stands for the final in May.'
Albus took his place in the Gryffindor stand awaiting the arrival of the players. Across from his he could see Lynx, Aurora and the rest of the Ravenclaw team already in position. Some of them were holding notepads and quills, ready to jot down anything worth remembering from the match.
'Most of the students were also quite interested to see what it would be like to have duel commentators. However, I don't think anyone was expecting the show that the Bobs put on for us that day. Everyone seemed to have forgotten, except for the Bobs of course, about the humiliating 70-480 defeat that Hufflepuff had suffered at the hands of Gryffindor last year. They had held a grudge against James, the snitch snatcher, Potter for a very long time and now, it was time for payback.'
Sitting a few seats in front of the headmaster, with Professor Arken to the right and Professor Longbottom to there left, the Bobs were ready to begin they're own unique style of match commentary. They quickly checked that each others microphones were working, talked quickly for a second then began.
"Good afternoon, I'm Bob Lawson. -"
"And I'm Bob Little and it's a wonderful day for Quidditch." The Bobs said grabbing the attention of most of the students. They were correct. The skies were clear and the wind had died down early on that morning. Perfect for flying.
"Indeed it is Bob, welcome one and all to the very first match of the season, Gryffindor Vs. Slytherin."
"Yes these two Goliaths have a history of showing some serious talent and determination to win."
"And not doubt Mr. Potter is looking to make this year his fifth consecutive Quidditch cup victory -"
"Or will Slytherin put a stop to that possibility early on. -"
"We'll find out soon enough Bob."
"Abso-bloody-lutly Bob." They said with perfect, back and forth timing.
Suddenly half the pitch erupted into cheers as the Slytherin team marched onto the field. Professor Parkinson began cheering and clapping wildly.
"And here comes the Slytherins led out by Captain and Keeper Eleanor Zabini, followed by Seeker Scorpius Malfoy. Chasers, Marsdon, Davis and Baddock. And finally the Beaters Oken and Varrick." Bob one reported.
All the girls in the stands immediately erupted into high pitch screams at the very mention of Dimitry Varrik. The fifth year had transferred from Durmstrang after his father got a job at the Ministry. Within hours of his arrival, half the woman in Hogwarts were planning there weddings with him. Albus remembered how much unwanted attention his cousin Victorie got when she attended Hogwarts simply because of the fraction of Veela she had in her. It must be a nightmare of a fifteen year old, half Veela, that has only spent a year in this country. His father had been appointed to the Department for the regulation and control of Magical creatures and because he was married to a Veela he had an extensive knowledge of all magical animals.
Apparently the post had been offered the a strange friend of Harry Potter, but she declined because she doing very important research somewhere in the Amazon.
"Our Dumstrang cousin has been the subject of quite a lot of criticism because of his Quidditch tactics Bob." Bob one said.
"Indeed he has Bob, but causing the female players to become flustered and fall of their brooms is not considered cheating." Bob two retorted.
"Let's just hope that Miss Wealsey and Miss Clynner are able to resist his Quote: Dreamy eyes, blissful scent and wicked smile. God he's gorgeous!…hair…smile…angel…ahh…oh god he's looking over here! End Quote." Bob one said reading the quote from a small scrap of parchment.
Albus giggled at the commentary and was very happy to see that Aurora didn't seem the slightest bit affected by Varricks Veela charm. Lynx didn't appear all that interested either, she seemed far more concerned with the Quidditch tactics the two teams were going to use. However, the rest of the women in the Ravenclaw stands were in danger from falling onto the field after going slightly week at the knees.
"And here come the Lions led out by Captain and Chaser Amy Clynner, follower by Seeker James Sirius Potter -" The Bobs cover the microphones with their hands and whisper "Wanker!" in unison. "Beaters Fred Weasley and David Johnson, Keeper Ryan Finnigan and Chasers Elton Marsh and Rose Weasley." The Bobs continued as the crowed cheered the arrival of the Gryffindor team.
Albus noticed that James wasn't his normal showboating self and seemed more professional. Usually he would lap up as much attention from the crowed as humanly possible but he really didn't seem all that bothered today. Rose was, as usual, flushing bright red.
The Gryffindor's mounted their brooms and got into position as Madam Hooch walked into the centre of the field. "Alright, you all know the rules and you know what will happen if you break them. Captains shake hands." Zabini and Clynner drifted towards each other and quickly shook hands. They shot straight back to there starting positions as Madam Hooch unlocked the case containing the Quidditch balls.
"A friendly reminder to both teams, what happens on the pitch -"
"Stays on the pitch." Bob two finished.
She flicked her wand and immediately the two Bludgers shot into the air. A second flick and the Golden Snitch took to the air, whizzing left and right.
"The Bludgers are up followed by the snitch." Bob one said just as Madam Hooch threw the Quaffle into the air. "The Quaffles up! It's Quidditch Time!" Both Bobs shouted.
Both teams suddenly bolted for the Quaffle. Scorpius shot high into the air searching for the snitch while James mimicked his movement on the other side of the field. Fred Weasley was the first to score a hit on a Bludger sending it flying towards Marsdon. He saw in coming and dive bombed out of the way.
Rose had intercepted the Quaffle and was now being pursued at high-speed by Baddock and Davis. Suddenly Varrick shot past her and Rose temporarily lost her eye sight allowing Davis to punch the Quaffle out of her hand. Baddock scooped it up and began charging for the Gryffindor goal posts.
"Miss Weasley looks a bit flustered don't you think Bob?"
"I do think so Bob, the Slytherin not-so-secret weapon is works it's magic again!"
Rose swore at her self for being affected by Varrick's Veela aura and immediately bolting at him. Baddock and Davis were passing the Quaffle between each other while Varrick provided cover from them. Suddenly Clynner cut across from the left, ramming Davis out of the way and allowing Rose to get in the middle of the uncompleted pass. She snatched the Quaffle out of the air, wheeled around and shot towards the Slytherin hoops.
After some quick passing between Rose and Elton, she managed to dodge the Slytherin counterattack and score sending Gryffindor into the lead.
"10 Points to Gryffindor by way of Rose Weasley!"
"She certainly turned nothing into something there Bob!"
"Shame she couldn't do that in her potions class Bob!" The Bobs laughed to each other.
Rose looked scandalized and shot daggers at both Bobs.
"Wait a second Bob! Scorpius is on the move!" Bob one interrupted causing all the Gryffindor players to search the sky for him. "He's really jetting!"
"Only a beautiful woman or a golden snitch can make a man move like that and I think it's the latter!" Bob two said.
They were right, about ten feet in front of Scorpius was the elusive winged golden ball, doing it's very best to escape him. James bolted in the same direction.
His Lightning Bolt broom was faster then Scorpius's Nimbus X5 and the two were quickly at loggerheads for the snitch. Scorpius and James were ramming each other as hard as they could, each trying to break the others chance of catching the prize.
Scorpius elbowed James in the face causing him to faultier and break of pursuit. Much of the crowed boo and hissed but Madam Hooch let it slide. The crowed moaned in unison. James Potter wasn't usually beaten that easily.
"That was a hard but fair challenge Bob."
"Yeah I couldn't see nothing wrong with that Bob."
Suddenly Scorpius smashed in the face but the hard leather of a Quidditch boot. He was dazed but managed not to fall from his broom. He did however come to a rough landing on the ground. A whistle was blown.
"That on the other hand wasn't!" Bob one reported.
The match had been stopped as Madam Hooch landed next to Scorpius who was trying to get up off the floor. Blood was trickling from a large cut on his forehead. Zabini came to rest right next to Scorpius and began helping him up. Malfoy was finding it difficult not to wobble. "Who hit me?" He mumbled clutching the wound on his head.
"That bitch!" Zabini said as she began charging at Rose Weasley.
Madam Hooch stepped in front of both girls in an attempt to keep them from ripping each other apart.
"That was dirty hit you fouling bitch!" She yelled trying to force her way passed Madam Hooch.
"Tell your bloody ferret not to foul my cousin then!" Rose growled back.
"Ooww, it's kicking off!" Bob one said extremely interested in the possible cat fight.
"Let's all try to remain calm Bob!" Bob two said with equal interest.
From the sound of their voices the Bobs wanted to see the two girls fight it out more than they wanted to see the match continued.
Down on the field all the players from both teams had joined the shouting match. Eleanor and Rose were still trying desperately to destroy each other. God knows what would have happened if they had wands.
Varrick stepped in front of both of them grabbing their attention instantly. "Ladies, please calm down." He said softly.
"Okay." Both Rose and Eleanor said instantly. They're expressions of pure bloodlust had turned into an absent dreamy gaze.
"10 Point penalty awarded to Slytherin. That was a deliberate foul Miss Weasley, don't think I didn't see it!" Madam Hooch said forcefully.
"Huh?" Rose was suddenly broken out of her hypnotised state. She had ignored every word Madam Hooch had said. In fact she had completely forgotten that they were in the middle of a Quidditch game.
"Everyone back in the air. Now!" Madam Hooch yelled.
Scorpius shook the cobwebs from his head and mounted his broom.
"I think the Weasley's should come with a warning label Bob."
"Handle with care? -"
"Highly unstable? -"
"Hazardous to your health." Both Bobs laughed causing Rose's fury to boil over. She pointed at both the Bobs and made a gesture of cutting her own throat.
"I think that was a threat Bob."
"Either that or she wants us to have a shave Bob."
Madam Hooch returned to the air and blew her whistle re-starting the match. The two teams were almost perfectly matched except for a certain red headed third year.
Rose's blind anger caused her to miss several shots at the goal hoops, which only served to feed her rage. Now even her own team mates were afraid of her. Albus shock his head as he watched her. Maybe the Bobs were right, a warning label couldn't hurt.
The Slytherin's were taking full advantage of both Rose's temper and Varricks Veela powers, scoring several goals and bringing the score to 70-10. Rose had stopped in mid air and was now doing some kind of breathing exercise in an attempt to bring her blood pressure down.
"There they go again!" Bob ones voice reigned out over the stadium and sure enough Scorpius and James were again battling each other for the snitch.
"Scorpius isn't giving him an inch Bob!"
"It's amazing that even after taking a nasty hit from the scary red head, the Lions are still finding it hard to deal with this young man!"
The Potter/Malfoy fight for the snitch was in full swing. The two were ramming, punching, elbowing and doing anything else that might cause the other to slow. Neither of them was going to lose sight of the winged ball again.
The Golden Snitch suddenly dive-bombed towards the ground. Scorpius and James gave chase, getting every ouch of speed from their brooms that they could.
"They're really going!" Bob one said fully immersed in the fight for the snitch.
"Could this be a Wronski Fient or just a head to head battle!" Bob two said standing from his seat so that he didn't lose sight of the two seekers.
"More like a nasty stain on the ground unless they pull up!"
Neither one was pulling up. They were indeed about to slam, head on, straight into the ground if they didn't change course. The snitch suddenly banked right. The two seekers pulled up only feet from the ground. James shot right, cutting across Scorpius and causing him to lose his balance. James capitalised the gap that had been opened up between them and darted for the snitch.
He spiralled into a barrel roll and with his outstretched arm, snatched the snitch out of the air!
"Potter has caught the snitch!" Bob one shouted causing the entire stadium to erupt in cheers.
James quickly came to rest of the ground holding the captured snitch high in the air for all to see. His exhaustion had disappeared due to the complete euphoria of victory.
"Gryffindor win!" Bob two shouted.
Albus noted that it was quite odd for the Bobs to be happy about Gryffindor winning.
"Excellent match Bob!"
"Yes it was! What did you think of Mr. Potters flying abilities Bob?"
"I must admit I wasn't as impressed as in previous years Bob."
"Agreed Bob, He did seem to be lacking that style and flare that he usually shows."
"He did indeed seem a bit less energetic today Bob."
"Well I suppose that's what happens when you stay up all night with Miss Clearwater -" Bob one said absently.
The entire stadium went silent and put an eye on James Sirius Potter. His grin of victory had faded instantly and the colour had drained from his face.
"…Err…I mean Rockworth." Bob one pathetically attempted to correct.
Now lots of eyes had moved over to Clair Rockworths face. She was shocked and motionless. Eyes then moved over to the Ravenclaw stands where Sarah Clearwater had turned as red as a tomato and was desperately trying to hide her face. A few feet away Lynx was grinning sadistically.
There was a horrible wail of despair as Clair burst into tears and ran from the stadium. Sarah quickly slipped away through the Raveclaws. James looked over to see the Bobs sporting an equal mischievous smiles. Vengeance was Sweet!
"Anyway, thank you for joining us. Final scores 160-70 Gryffindor victory. Join us again at the end of the month for the Hufflepuff Vs. Ravenclaw match. I've been Bob Lawson."
"And I've been Bob Little. Good Day. Good Play."
The Bobs exited the stadium quickly, which was probably a good thing considering that James was already planning to have them killed at some point in the near future. His attention was temporarily pulled away from the Bobs however as he spotted Aurora and Albus talking merrily to each other and heading back to the castle. James's anger had now reach the same level as Roses. He immediately forgot the fact that he had just been publicly humiliated and that he was still in his filthy Quidditch gear and stormed after Albus and Aurora.
James had almost caught up with Albus and Aurora as they made they're way down the corridor towards the Room of Requirement. He was about to shout out when suddenly a beautiful blond girl with rage in her eyes stepped out in front of him. Before James could move, speak or duck, Clair Rockworth had slapped him across the face so hard that the sound caused Albus and Aurora to stop and turn around.
"You pig!" She screamed, obviously caught somewhere between breaking down in tears and ripping him apart. "You told me you were getting an early night so you could be rested for the Quidditch match!"
"Clair, I can explain but I just have to talk to my brother -" James attempted explanation was cut short by another woman's voice from behind him.
"You lying bastard!" Sarah Clearwater hissed right before laying a hard punch straight into James mouth, splitting his lip. James almost fell backwards into Clair but managed to steady himself. "You said you had dumped her!"
"He would never dump me for you! You jumped up little slag!" Clair screamed now trying to get past James to attack Sarah.
"Well, you obviously aren't satisfying him or he obviously wouldn't have come to me!" Sarah laughed wildly, knowing she was causing Clair to become even more unstable.
James tried desperately to stop the two girls from getting into a fully fledged wrestling match. As he did he noticed Albus and Aurora giggle at the scene and then enter the newly materialised door.
James swore, knowing he wouldn't be able to get in unless he knew exactly what kind of room they had asked for.
He excepted defeat on the matter of his brother and began attempting to settle the two blood thirsty girls that were still thrashing towards each other.
"Girls please lets talk about this!" He yelled but they weren't listening. Clair was still trying to grab a hold of Sarah's hair in an attempt to rip the beautiful brown locks from her head.
"Maybe you should try harder to please him next time you frigid bitch!" Sarah growled.
"What just cos I don't drop my knickers and open my legs for the first bloke that comes along you slut!" Clair screamed back.
"We didn't sleep together Clair I promise!" James pleaded.
Sarah's anger was suddenly redirected to James. "Didn't mind me sucking you cock though did you!" She yelled.
Clair burst into tears again but continued to trash and charge at Sarah. By now the argument in the corridor had drawn a number of spectators. They were all either laughing, whispering or hating one of the three parties in front. In the back of the crowd the Bobs had begun taking begs on who would win the fight between Clair and Sarah.
"YOU SAID I WOULD BE YOUR FIRST!" Clair screamed in agony.
"You will be! I didn't shag her I promise!" James begged.
"Not yet!" Sarah laughed.
Clair was now like a wild animal. It was taking every bit of strength James had to hold her back.
It was over an hour later that James collapsed on the Gryffindor common room sofa. There were empty Butterbeer bottles and banners lying all over the place. James had missed the post match celebrations completely. He had bruises and claw marks all over him. The two girls had obviously turned their anger towards him at some point.
'I wish I could say that that was the only time James philandering got him into trouble, unfortunately it just wasn't so. But then again nobody forced him to become a Hogwarts playboy.'
A few minutes later Rose came down from the girls dorms and sat next to James. She, unlike James, was showered and changed. She saw his busted up face and knew instantly what had happened.
"So…any luck with Al?" She asked trying to suppress the smile on her face.
"No, I was…delayed." He said angrily.
"I never would have guessed." She smirked. "You can't treat women like that and not expect to get some blow back!"
"Blow back wasn't the problem." James murmured.
"That's disgusting James!" Rose yelped.
"Oh come on Rosy, women think about it more than men do!" James argued.
"Yes, but we don't carry on with all the boys in the school at the same time!" She shot back.
James wanted to retort, but he was far more angry about Albus's interactions with the daughter of the man that almost murdered his father. He wanted his brother to stay away from her or at the very least to know exactly what they were up to.
"Are you sure he won't talk to you Rosy?" James sighed.
"Every time I ask he just shrugs me off saying that she is "Helping Him" and if I persist we get into a big fight!" Rose exclaimed. "I don't like fighting with him! Especially when he has such a short fuse!"
"Maybe you could get Hugo to ask him." James suggested.
"James, I don't like him hanging around with her anymore then you do but my little brother is going to get the exact same response that I got!" She sighed. "I take it your attempts at spying aren't going well?"
"No…I swear that bitch is psychic or something! She always knows when I'm there!" James spat.
"Well I dare say that her father has taught her a trick or two." Rose said sounding worried.
"Exactly! She dangerous! I've tried to tell the teachers but they wont listen! I mean am I the only one that realizes his nightmares started as soon as he started talking to her!" James shouted. The very thought of it was getting him worked up now and he had began pacing the common room.
"I'm worried about him too James!" Rose stated.
"If only I had the cloak!" James wished. "Dad got it in his first year! I'm in my fifth! It's not fair!" James complained.
"Are you seriously telling me you wouldn't use that cloak to prank people and cause mischief if you had it?" Rose asked sceptically.
"Of course I would! I'm named after two Marauders for crying out loud! It's implied! It's my duty!" James said proudly.
"Really." Rose said with raised eyebrows.
"But I would also use it to help my family!" James pleaded to her as if the cloak was hers to give.
"I know James."
"His nightmares are getting worse! Hammings told me, he screams in sleep! He won't drink his dreamless sleep draft! It's her I know it is!" James said with both anger and concern. He was terrified for his brother.
"I KNOW JAMES!" Rose screamed. She was just as concerned. The thought of it alone was upsetting her.
There was a long silence between them as James continued to pace left to right. He thought for a second. He checked the common room to make sure that they were alone. They were. "Rosy, can I tell you something?" He asked, almost sounding afraid.
"Of course." She seemed almost hurt that he had to ask.
He hesitated and took a breath. "I'm having nightmares as well."
Rose's face dropped in utter disbelief but not because he hadn't told her earlier. James saw the look and knew instantly why she was shocked.
"Your having them too aren't you!" He said completely stunned.
She nodded, unable to speak.
"When did your's start?" He had to know.
"About a week ago." She admitted quietly.
"When was your last one?" He shot back.
"Two days ago." She said.
"So was mine!… was she in it?" He asked darkly.
"What?" The question had caught Rose off guard.
"Was Aurora in your nightmare Rose!" James had actually taken hold of Rose's shoulders and was trying to shake the answer out of her.
"No! It was Sco…" Rose broke off. James tried to look her in the eye but she was desperately avoiding his gaze. After a few second she spoke. "It was Scorpius."
"Malfoy?!…was he hurting you?!" James demanded.
"No he was just…I don't know!…" Rose stood and walked over to the nearest window. She couldn't look him in the eye. She suddenly realised what James had asked and looked at him with an intense gaze. "She was in your wasn't she?"
"Yeah…she was…she was torturing dad!" James said with terror in his voice.
"James…" Rose started to try and comfort him but she was cut off.
"She has something to do with this Rosy, I know it in my gut! We have to find out what her and Albus are doing!" He was steadfast and nothing was going to change that. "If she is hurting him, I swear I will bury that bitch!" He hissed.
"I want to know too James! I really do, but like you said she can spot us coming from a mile away! Your right, we need the cloak!" James looked momentarily surprised by Rose's sudden enthusiasm towards spying. Then suddenly, as if someone had hit him on the head with an Idea Hammer the answer came to him.
"What we really need is a master of this kind of work. We need truly sneaky, devious and cunning operator." James said as a grin appeared on his face. "And I think I know just the one!"
"What you gonna pay me?" Scorpius asked causing James to get annoyed instantly.
"Pay?!" He demanded.
"Yeah Potter, pay! My talents in espionage aren't free you know." He said calmly.
James and Rose had found Scorpius in the great hall having a late dinner. Luckily he hadn't been surrounded by any of his usual Slytherin entourage, probably due to his failed attempt to catch the snitch. He was alone, reading the evening Prophet when James and Rose had approached him.
"And I just so happen to be in need of one of those new Rickman Broom Master servicing kits. Only came out last week, I'm surprised you don't have one already Potter." He added turning back to the paper.
"And how much will that cost?" James asked threw gritted teeth.
"50 nuggets" He said simply.
"50 Galleons!" James exclaimed completely scandalized. "Are you taking the piss?!"
"High prices for high quality." Scorpius summed up. "The Potters aren't exactly poor now are they James? In fact -" Scorpius flipped through a few pages of the Evening Prophet until he found what he was looking for. "Ah, according to the Prophet Rich List, the Potters are holding firm as the seventh richest family in wizarding Europe. So I'm sure you won't have any trouble affording it." He smirked showing them the list.
"Why don't you just ask your father to get it for you?" Rose asked, slightly uncomfortable.
"Well considering that talking to me is one of my fathers most hated duties…and I too loath talking to him, asking him to buy me things really doesn't go down so well. That and the Malfoy fortune isn't exactly what it used to be." He said openly.
Rose was taken back by his honesty, but James wasn't impressed.
"Well, can't say I'm surprised. Your old man did have to buy his way out of quite a lot of trouble!" James scowled.
"Indeed he did." Scorpius stated without any emotion. This honesty actually stunned Rose into silence and surprised James quite a bit too. It was no secret that the Malfoy's had spent a lot of money to purchase they're 'get out of jail free cards' and although they hadn't put a foot out of line since, they still weren't trusted. "Everything can be bought Potter. Hence the you trying to purchase my spying services."
James was desperately searching for a retort to that one but came up short.
"What I suggest is that you pay me 25 now and 25 when I deliver the information." Scorpius proposed.
"And if you can't find out what they are up to?" James asked sceptically.
"That won't happen." Scorpius reassured them. "But…in the unlikely event that it does, you'll get a full refund."
After a few seconds of thinking James pulled out a small money bag from his back pocket. He counted out 25 Galleons and placed them on the table next to Scorpius who pocketed them quickly. James wasn't happy to be handing over cash to a Malfoy but under the circumstances it was a necessary evil.
"Have the rest waiting for me." He said proudly as James exited the hall. "Is there something else you wanted Rose?" Scorpius asked suggestively.
After a few seconds Rose realized that she was still standing next to him and hadn't answered his question.
"I erm…I'm sorry about your head." She said quickly. The large cut she had given him on his forehead was a lot smaller after it had already been taken care off by Madam Pomfrey and would probably have vanished all together in a few days. It didn't seem to be bother Scorpius in the slightest.
"No apologies necessary Rose, what happens on the field, stays on the field." He said warmly.
"Well, I just -" She was cut off.
"Besides…your cute when your angry." Scorpius said smiling at her.
Rose's facial skin went as red as her hair. She seemed to want to escape the room but had forgotten where the exit was. She moves left then right a few times before realizing that it was the very large double doors, that had temporarily vanished behind her. She attempted to smile back but it just ended up looking like someone had shoved a particularly smiley and ugly creepy crawly in front of her face.
She left as quickly as possible, leaving Scorpius to grin to himself in satisfaction.
