A/N: I'M BACK! I have noticed that I mentioned Harry, Ron and Hermione are looking for the Stone when in the books they are not told about Nicolas Flamel until this chapter when they talk to Hagrid. I apologise for this mistake and I have gone back and edited those sections. The reference is in chapter six and so I have made the necessary changes. Please take a look if you have the time. Also, I have posted my twitter account onto my profile. Whenever I post a new chapter, or if I won't be able to update for whatever reason I will post something on there. I want you guys to be as up to date as possible. And lastly, thank you so much to everyone who is still sticking with this story. I realise that my updates have not been as regular as I had hoped but that is what happens during exam weeks. That's all over now though so the updates should be regular again. A special thank you to TheShulesLovinPsycho, dillydirl, dancerengland, SuperSyster, MissMonoque999, AnneO'Nemus, larissaRaven, scubatrex, zeynep sevim mete, PlainJainJaida, Luke21, Elyon Cedar, lucksby92, everything-is-black-and-white, Bluebox345, RevanKnight25, rubenruben44, KitsuneTurner, EchoL4, Morgan Lovegood, Thorandan92 and the guest reviewers. I really appreciate your support and feedback.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Rhona and some elements of the plot.
Chapter 7 - Quidditch.
November began the same way it always had - wet and windy, with the promise of colder days to come.
It also brought the Quidditch season - a fact I had been constantly reminded of by Harry's near-obsessive re-reading of Quidditch through the Ages, and Ron's endless stream of knowledge regarding statistics and all other manner of expert anecdotes.
The day before Harry's first match, Harry, Ron, myself and Hermione (who had become very close with the boys after the troll incident) were to be found out in the courtyard, huddled around a jar of blue flames. We were just warming our hands when Snape limped across the courtyard. His head snapped in our direction and something about the general guilty air first years exude in his presence must have caused him to come over.
I lowered my head. I had been unable to meet his eye since that night in Albus' office and though I hated myself for it, I felt for some reason...ashamed.
"What's that you've got there Potter?" It was that blasted Quidditch book. "Library books are not to be taken outside the school. Give it to me." Harry did and Snape limped away again.
"He just made that rule up." Harry murmured.
I bit my lip. Actually he hadn't made it up. It was instated by a Headmistress 180 years ago who had had a particular fondness for books. After an unfortunate incident involving a Disarming spell and the Black Lake, all library books were carefully monitored.
"I wonder what's wrong with his leg?" Harry said.
My eyes widened. This was not something I could allow them to speculate on. "It was probably just a spilled potion or something." I said quickly. Harry and Ron looked convinced but Hermione wasn't so sure. She chose not to comment however.
"Whatever it is, I hope it's really hurting him," Ron muttered, bitterly.
I couldn't quite bring myself to agree.
That evening I was sat in the Gryffindor common room with Ron and Hermione (Harry had gone to retrieve his Quidditch book from Snape), and I was doing the boys' homework. Hermione had told them that they should do it themselves ('How will you learn?' she had said) but I had no such qualms.
Having been able to complete my homework in a matter of minutes, I would then move onto Harry's, then if I had time Ron's. Harry had been eternally grateful as his time was taken up mostly by last minute Quidditch practises.
Although I found the homework - an essay for Charms on the theory of Locking and Unlocking charms - my eyes could not help but dance across the page and at one point I felt my eyes drift closed. Last night had brought yet another nightmare. This time it was of a shipwreck. I had drowned at sea. It did not escape my notice that all my dreams so far had involved the elements. Was my mind or magic trying to tell me something?
Suddenly, Harry burst through the portrait hole. He was panting, as though he had been sprinting a considerable distance.
"Did you get it?" Ron asked as Harry sat down next to me, "What's the matter?"
In a low whisper, Harry told us. "I went to the staff room and Snape was in there with Filch. He was showing Filch his leg," I felt a growing sense of dread and wanted nothing more than to silence and Obliviate Harry right then. "And Snape said something about not being able to watch all three heads at once. What else could he be talking about if not the dog?!" He looked round at us all with wide, eager eyes.
"Harry…" I began, but what could I say? There was nothing I could do.
"He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him - he's after whatever it's guarding! And I bet my broomstick that he let that troll in, to create a diversion."
"Harry!" I half-shouted. When he looked at me I carried on slightly quieter. "We have no proof of that. For all we know he could have been near the dog on Dumbledore's orders!"
"She's right," Hermione agreed.
"Honestly, you two think all teachers are saints or something." Ron snapped. "I'm with Harry. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"
Harry and Hermione both shrugged. I sighed before standing. "You can both finish your own homeworks tonight. I'm going to bed."
I left them both, my head reeling. How was I going to convince them both that Snape wasn't the bad guy? Harder still, how would I stop them from looking for the Stone?
The next morning dawned cold but bright. We were sat in the Great Hall, filling ourselves on the usual array of sausages, bacon and in my case plenty of ketchup. I looked up to see Harry staring dejectedly at his plate of eggs.
"Harry, you've got to eat," I sighed.
"I don't want anything," he replied, tonelessly.
"Just a bit of toast," coaxed Hermione.
"I'm not hungry."
"Honestly Harry," I said, "Do I have to come over there and force it down your throat? You have to eat, so eat."
"She's right," Seamus Finnegan a fellow Gryffindor added. "Seekers are always the ones who get nobbled by the other team."
"Thanks, Seamus." Harry replied dryly.
I saw Seamus piling ketchup onto his sausages and nodded to him approvingly. That boy had his heart in the right place. He smiled back at me before we both looked at Harry, eyebrows raised expectantly. Groaning, he picked up his fork and began to shovel his eggs in.
"Have you decided if you're going to the game yet Rhona?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. Being around that many people whizzing around in the air doesn't sound particularly fun. Besides I don't even like Quidditch."
I heard gasps behind me and the Weasley twins slid onto the bench, one on each side of me.
"What was that we heard?" the one on my left started.
"Does somebody not like Quidditch?" the other continued in an equally shocked tone.
"I think we need to do something about this, George." Fred - I presume - said.
"I agree, Fred."
I stood. "No, boys I appreciate that you love it and everything but I've just never really seen the appeal. I'm sorry."
"But you've never been to a match, have you?" Neville asked.
I looked at him eyes wide. The boy was right, of course, if you considered my supposed childhood in a Muggle orphanage. I saw no way out. I nodded, "Yes, I suppose you are right, Neville."
The twins grinned, "That's settled then-" they said together.
"-you're going to the game." Fred finished.
"You can stand with me, Rhona." Ron added.
I sighed and plopped myself down on the bench. I looked at Harry's plate of eggs, which he had stopped eating while I was distracted. "If you're not going to eat I will."
Wordlessly, he pushed the plate towards me and I dug in.
The Quidditch pitch was just as imposing as I remembered it. Tall spectator stands decorated in house colours rose high into the sky. Many were already filling, students preferring the lower seats in an attempt to avoid the chilly breeze which was beginning to whip around the pitch.
I tucked myself further into the scarf I had borrowed from Hermione and grudgingly began to ascend the steps with my two friends. When we reached the top we found Neville already there waiting.
In moments, the Gryffindor and Slytherin Quidditch teams were emerging from their respective changing rooms. The stands erupted into cheers and I found myself joining in, my arms waving wildly above my head. Seamus and Dean, who had followed us up, held a banner high up with the words Potter for President flashing on it. I knew it would make Harry smile.
The two captains shook hands and both teams mounted their brooms. With a blow of Madam Hooch's whistle, all fifteen brooms shot into the air along with the Quaffle, Bludgers and Snitch.
Lee Jordan, a third year, began the commentary, his voice ringing out across the pitch. "And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent chaser that girl is, and rather attractive too -"
"JORDAN!" Minerva yelled.
"Sorry, Professor. And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, Slytherin have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - and he's going to sc - no, stopped by an excellent save by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and Gryffindor take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by Slytherin - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off towards the goalposts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goalposts are ahead - come on now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"
The whole of Gryffindor began cheering, myself included, while Slytherin booed.
"Budge up, move along." A gruff voice came from further down the bench and then Hagrid was right beside us.
He greeted Hermione and Ron, before glancing in my direction. He did a double take.
"Well, who's this then?" he asked, frowning.
"I'm Rhona. Rhona Webb."
"Rhona eh? I knew someone once with that name. Great girl she was." He winked at me. My eyes widened. Did he know? If so, how?
"Was?" Ron asked. "What happened to her?"
"She died," Hagrid answered without taking his eyes off me. His eyes were growing watery and my face softened.
"Hagrid," I said, wanting to get him away. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about a sick owl I noticed in the Owlery the other day?" I raised my eyebrows, trying to convey to him my plan.
He nodded. "'Course, come on." he beckoned for me to follow him. We pushed our way through people until we reached the stairs. After descending for a bit we stopped.
Hagrid turned to me. "'Ello." he smiled.
I grinned back and leapt forward, jumping into Hagrid's arms. "It's good to see you again, Hagrid." I mumbled into his moleskin overcoat.
"You too, little one." I smiled. Hagrid had never seemed all that aware of just how old I actually am.
I pulled away. "How did you know it was me?"
"I saw yeh at the feast, thought I knew yeh from somewhere so I asked Dumbledore next time I see'd him and he tells me the whole story."
"Well, now you know then."
"Yeah. I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything you're going through. It must be awful."
I sighed. "I'm not going to lie, it is hard. When I found out about...everything I was broken. I can't believe it all went so bad so quickly. When I died I thought it was for a reason. I don't know if Sirius told you but I stepped in front of that curse. It was aiming for Fabian Prewett. Except now I find out that he died a few months later anyway. And I can't stop thinking 'what if I hadn't gotten hit? What if I'd have just let Fabian die?' He was a dead man anyway and I could have saved them. I could have saved Lily and James!" I was crying again now.
"Hey, shush. What you did was honourable, Rhona, and brave. Yeh could say Fabian jus' died anyway but he took down two of them Death Eaters first and he got to spend a few more months with his nephews. I know you woulda' wanted to save James an' Lily, but You-Know-Who was defeated."
"I know. I'm sorry, that was unreasonable of me." I wiped away my tears.
"Yer allowed to be a bit unreasonable." he smiled sadly.
"Thank you."
"We should be getting back now."
"Yeah," I nodded and we began climbing up the wooden stairs.
Just as we were about to reach the top of the steps, Hermione came charging down them and ran right into me. I caught her and held myself steady on the railing. She looked shocked but distracted, as if she had somewhere else to be and her mind was there already, waiting for her body to catch up.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
She shrugged my hands off her shoulders before shouting, "Harry! Falling!"
With nothing more said she continued her descent, running so fast I thought she would fall for sure. However, the meaning of Hermione's words became suddenly relevant in the forefront of my mind and I raced up to the top of the tower. I pushed my way forward where I found Ron chewing the sleeve of his cloak with worry.
"What's happening!" I yelled.
"Harry's gonna fall! Hermione said something about a jinx and it's Snape. He's doing it - look." He shoved the binoculars into my hands and I pointed them towards the teacher's stand.
Indeed, Snape was there, muttering under his breath, eyes fixed on Harry. He presented all the marks of a wizard performing a jinx but when I took into consideration the information Albus had given me, the facts simply did not add up. It had to be someone else. I scanned the crowds some more. Aha! There was Quirrell, displaying all the same signs as Snape.
My hand crept towards my wand, discreetly so Ron wouldn't notice, but just as I pulled it from my pocket my attention was pulled towards Albus, who had released a small burst of power, just enough to get my attention. He was shaking his head. He wanted me to wait, to let Harry fall. Was he crazy?
I growled in frustration and raked my hands through my hair. I had to save him. Hermione was going after the wrong person and Harry's broom was climbing higher and higher.
"Come on, Hermione." Ron muttered.
Still using the binoculars, I saw Hermione's head emerge behind a row of teacher's. She ran along, accidentally barging into Quirrell as she made her way to Snape, effectively breaking his concentration. I could have wept with joy. Bless that girl, and bless her moment of clumsiness.
She reached Snape and bright blue flames erupted by his feet. It took him some time to notice the fire but once he did he leapt up and began to extinguish it.
I turned the binoculars to where Harry was climbing back onto his broom. He was going to be okay. I couldn't help the grin which was splitting across my face.
"Neville you can look now." Ron said. Neville had been crying into Hagrid's jacket behind us since we had arrived.
Harry began speeding towards the ground. Had he seen the Snitch? Abruptly, he clapped his hand over his mouth and began to choke and hit the pitch on all fours. He retched and a gold fluttering Snitch fell into his waiting hands.
"I've caught the Snitch!" he cried.
The effect was instant. The Gryffindor stands erupted into cheers and howls of victory, joined soon by the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. The Slytherins booed loudly, but were drowned out by the winners.
Ron and I exited the stands, throwing promises to visit Hagrid in a bit over our shoulders. We ran across the pitch and collided with Harry and Hermione.
"Hermione," I exclaimed. "You are incredible! I could kiss you!"
She blushed. "It was nothing..."
"Nothing?" Ron said, "How was that nothing? You saved Harry's life and managed to set fire to old Snape."
I bit my lip. "That was pretty dangerous..."
"Who cares!" Ron cried. "He tried to kill Harry!"
I kept quiet.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione began fussing. She held his arms out, felt his ribs, squinted at his eyes.
He pushed her back gently. "I'm fine, Hermione. Honestly. Just a little shaken up."
"Well," I said. "We promised we'd go to Hagrid's after we found you. I'm sure he could brew you a good cup of tea."
Hagrid certainly could. As soon as we arrived at his hut, he sat us down in his large comfy arm chairs and put his old iron kettle over the fire.
"What happened up there, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
"I don't know," Harry frowned. "One moment, I was fine, circling over the game like Wood told me. The next, my broom was jumping around wildly and I could barely hang on."
"It was Snape," Ron explained. "We all saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid, who apparently hadn't been nearly as aware of events in the stands as I would have thought. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"
We all exchanged looks. I tried to show that this was a bad idea but part of me wanted Hagrid to know as I was certain he would take the same side as me. Harry made up his mind.
"I found out something about him." He began. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Hallowe'en. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding."
Hagrid dropped the teapot.
"You see?" I blurted. "He finds the whole idea just as absurd as I do, don't you Hagrid?"
Hagrid ignored me. "How do you know about Fluffy?" he asked Harry.
"Fluffy?" I was glad to see I wasn't the only one to find the name ridiculous.
"Yeah - he's mine - bought him off a Greek chappie I met down the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the -"
I was suddenly overcome with a strong 'coughing fit'. Hagrid seemed to get the hint.
"Don't ask me anymore. That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's going to steal it." Harry urged.
"Nonsense." Hagrid said gruffly. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothing of the sort."
Hermione looked as though she were about to argue the point but I interrupted her. "Hagrid's right Hermione."
"You've changed your tune," argued Ron. "You were quite prepared to believe it was Snape when we first suspected him. What's gotten into you?"
"Maybe I've grown up and no longer believe that just because someone appears to be a right asshole they are suddenly capable of theft and murder."
Hermione gasped at my language but simply muttered, "I know a jinx when I see one-"
"I'm telling you, you're wrong!" Hagrid said hotly. "I don't know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all of yeh," he sent me a stern look. "Yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog and you forget what it's guardin'. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel -"
"Aha!" cried Harry, at the same time I shouted "Hagrid!"
Hagrid looked furious with himself. "I think it's time yeh were gettin' back."
Harry, Ron and Hermione all stood but I stayed seated. "I was wondering if I could take a look at that 'owl' we spoke about earlier?"
"'Course."
I smiled, "You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up in a bit."
Once they had gone, I turned on Hagrid. "What the hell were you thinking?! Telling them! You do realise that now all they are going to do is hunt for Flamel, and once they find him they'll try and save the Stone."
"I'm sorry, Rhona. Really I am." His eyes filled with regret. "I just got carried away."
"Look, it's...alright. Nothing to be done about it now. Just, if they come by again don't tell them anything. Send them away if you have to."
Hagrid nodded.
"Alright, well I'd better be going. I've got to give an old man a piece of my mind."
Albus' office was empty when I arrived. I sat myself down behind his desk and contented myself to waiting. He would be along soon no doubt. A few moments after sitting, Fawkes the Phoenix flew in through the open window. He landed on my outstretched arm and chirped a greeting.
"Hello, long time no see, eh?" Fawkes nudged his head into my neck in response.
"Where's the old man?" I asked.
The phoenix pointed his beak towards the door.
"I know he's gone but I was after something a little more specific than that." I laughed. "You know, sometimes I wish you could speak. I think you'd have some pretty interesting things to say."
The door to the office opened and Albus entered. He looked mildly surprised to see me, though really he should have been expecting it.
"Rhona," he sighed tiredly. "If you have come to scold me for my irresponsible behaviour when I chose not to save Harry, save your breath. Minerva has already done so."
"It was stupid, Albus."
"Perhaps," he agreed. "However, I happened to know that Miss Granger was on her way to save the day."
"No!" I shouted. Fawkes startled but remained on my arm. "You didn't know that. Hermione was going after the wrong man. You had no way of knowing she would knock Quirrell down like she did!"
His eyebrows raised. "Ah, so it was him. I did wonder."
"You're telling me you didn't know?"
"No, I did not."
"You're crazy." I muttered. Albus simply rocked on his heels in response. "What would you have done if Hermione hadn't knocked him over? Would you have let Harry fall?"
He scoffed. "Of course not. I would have intervened had the situation gotten more desperate."
"More desperate? How much more desperate could it have gotten? He was hanging off his broom, about to fall to his death."
"My dear Rhona, for all your wisdom you do tend to get too attached to people. For a moment, separate yourself from your emotions. Stop thinking of Harry as Lily and James' son and think instead like a General. I know you can, you've done it before. Now, tell me, honestly, if what I did was the right thing or merely reckless. Tell me that nothing was to be gained from waiting."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. He was right. Not only did we certify the identity of the man after the Stone - and, it seemed, Harry - but we also saw how far Quirrell was willing to go to get the job done. Whatever that job was.
"You're right." I sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Not at all, dear."
"So what's the plan."
"We play the long game. This will no doubt not be the last time Harry is in danger and we cannot rush in without thinking. For one, we cannot reveal the truth about you. Also, I find it is better to be in possession of all the facts before forming an offensive. For example, who does Quirrell work for?"
"I agree. Quirrell certainly can't be in this for himself. He is neither ambitious nor brave enough to attempt this without some...persuasion. So the real question is, who would want both the Stone and Harry Potter? We find the answer to that and we find a way to get at Quirrell."
"Indeed." Albus fell silent, deep in thought. I waited for him to speak again but when he remained inside his thoughts, I stood, stroked Fawkes goodbye and left his office, closing the door behind me with a soft thud.
