~At Hogwarts~
Amirielle was digging into some roasted potatoes. Fred was dozing into the kidney pie he had a great helping of. Amirielle lightly kicked him under the table and he jerked awake. "What?" He asked her. She pointed over his shoulder. He turned around and jumped. Oliver Wood stood behind him.
"Sorry, mate," Oliver said clapping Fred on the back.
"Don't go sneaking up behind me like that," Fred said and Amirielle grinned.
"So when are we going to have seeker try-outs?" Angelina asked as she sat down next to Fred.
"As soon as Madame Hooch has her annual first year flying class," Oliver said, "We get the field first."
"Of course, we do mate," George said with a laugh, "Hoochy loves you."
"George if you say that again I will be forced to throw you down a very deep hole," Oliver said and started walking towards the other end of the table. As Oliver left Harry and Ron came in. Harry looked very offended about something.
"Hey Harry," Amirielle said, "What's got your knickers in a twist?"
"Ignore her Harry she is in a playful mood," Fred said and glared at Amirielle. Amirielle in turned took a huge bite of potatoes and winked at her friend.
"In all seriousness though, what's bothering you?" Amirielle asked.
"Professor Snape," Harry muttered, "He acted like all I could do is be famous, you know. He started bombarding me with questions and all I was doing was taking notes on the speech he was giving…"
"Oh oh oh, let me guess it was the whole bottle fame, brew glory, put a stopper in death spiel," Amirielle said.
"Yeah, then all of a sudden he started asking me all kinds of questions like what a bezoar was. I didn't know but Hermione did so I told him to ask her and he took a point off Gryffindor. Then Neville blew up his cauldron and he blamed me and took another point off!" Harry said. Amirielle hid a grin behind her hand. It seemed like Snivillus found a new scapegoat.
"Ha," Fred said, "Mir, How many point did he take off you the first day?"
"Three from me and two from both of you for defending me and one from Lee for laughing at the two of you," Amirielle said tacking up the numbers, "That's a total of eight house points."
"I thought he hated me," Harry said, "He must loathe you."
"To tell you the truth it has nothing to do with either of us," Amirielle said. Harry furrowed his brow.
"Why is that?" Harry asked.
"Well, you know how my dad and your dad went to school together…" Amirielle started.
"Yeah your dad said something to that effect at the station," Harry said.
"Well, so did Snape. Snape wasn't exactly popular," Amirielle continued, "Our dad's were, so there is some animosity. Snape is the type to hold a grudge."
"That seems to make more sense then him just hating me because of this boy-who-lived stuff," Harry said.
"Well you no what helps me when he is making me angry?" Amirielle whispered, "I picture him covered in boils."
Harry laughed at that and looked at his watch, "Well I have to go to Hagrid's for tea. Thanks for the advice."
"Anytime," Amirielle smiled and Harry left for Hagrid's.
"Is all of that true?" Fred asked, "Or were you just making it up to make the kid feel better."
"Every bit of it," Amirielle said, "My dad and Harr…"
"Your not gossiping about your old man at the lunch table are you?" a voice said from behind Amirielle. Amirielle turned around to see Sirius standing behind her.
"Dad what are you doing here?" Amirielle asked jumping up and giving her father a big hug.
"Well I have some business with Dumbledore and I knew it was lunch time so I thought I would come say hello to my only child," Sirius said, "I didn't know she would be sitting here talking about me."
"Dad, you can't be serious," She said and then covered her mouth, "I mean, I mean…"
"You know very well I am Sirius," Sirius replied and Amirielle rolled her eyes and Fred snorted juice out of his nose.
"Mr. Black I thought you would have better jokes then that," He said after regaining his composure.
"Well Fred I can never resist doing that. It is not something I'm proud of," Sirius said mockingly putting his hand over his heart.
"Dad, didn't you say you had business with Dumbledore," Amirielle inquired.
"Well, I've enjoyed your company but I must be going," Sirius said, "I love you, Mir."
"Love you, too Dad," Amirielle said and Sirius waved and left the Great Hall. As Sirius walked towards Dumbledore's office a flood of memories hit him. Memories of his days in Hogwarts flooded every corridor. He walked towards Dumbledore's office. When he was finally in front of the stone gargoyles he sighed. Remembering his and James's first trip to Dumbledore's office, grinning he said the password and mounted the stairs. He went in after knocking politely at the door. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk waiting for Sirius.
"So it is good to see an old student again Sirius. How are you today? I take it you saw Amirielle," Dumbledore said. Sirius smiled.
"I'm good, Albus, and yes I did stop by to see how she was doing," Sirius said.
"I take it Amirielle's wellbeing is not why you are here?" Dumbledore said.
"No, I am a bit worried about her at the moment but that is not the exact reason for my visit," Sirius replied, "I wanted to talk to you about Harry's living arrangements."
"Sirius, we've been over this ten times. Every year since James and Lily's death, I have told you it is for the good of Harry's well being that he lives with his aunt and uncle," Dumbledore replied evenly.
"You have told me that but you have never explained why," Sirius told him, "Do you honestly expect me to believe that Harry would be safer around Muggles then around one of the lead Aurors at the Ministry?"
"Sirius, tell me, do you believe that Voldemort is gone for good?" Dumbledore asked in all seriousness.
"You know I don't Albus which is why I think Harry should be where I can protect him." Sirius replied.
"Well, there are enchantments around Harry's aunt's house that can only be there if there is a blood relative. As much as you love the boy, he is where I can keep him safest," Dumbledore told him.
"So the answer is still no?" Sirius asked.
"That is correct," Dumbledore replied, "But he can come over for the holidays and during the last half of the summer but he must still see his aunt's house as his home. I'm truly sorry Sirius."
"You know I won't give up," Sirius said.
"Do you honestly think I expected you too?"
"Looks like I have to go break the news to Amirielle," Sirius said, "I'll be seeing you Albus."
"Goodbye Sirius," Dumbledore said, "It does and old man good to see his students really grow up."
"I have no idea what you mean by that Albus but thank you," Sirius said and he left the room. Looking at his watch he assessed that Amirielle would be just getting out of lunch and if he was lucky he could find her and tell her before her next class. He headed back in the direction of the Great Hall. He arrived just as the blonde left enter the corridor. He signaled to her to come over.
"So?" Amirielle asked.
"No go blue bear I'm sorry," Sirius said.
"Bullocks!" Amirielle said and Sirius gave her and even look, "I mean golly gee that's horrible."
"There just isn't no way. The Blacks aren't related to the Potters in the slightest. Which is surprising seeing as how they are two pureblood families," Sirius muttered.
"Wait dad, I'm not a Black," Amirielle said.
"What do you mean of course you are," Sirius exclaimed.
"Not biologically! Well not one-hundred percent Black anyway. Did you think to check my paternal biological side?" Amirielle said.
"No," Sirius said with a smile, "You are brilliant Mir."
"I know," Amirielle said, "You know they have all those books on Pureblood lineage in the library maybe I'll be able to find something."
"You check your sources and I'll check mine," Sirius replied, "How does that sound.
"Like a great idea!" Amirielle said, "I'm going to go to class. After Arithmancy I have a free period and I'll go to library and start researching."
"You do that and I'll do my thing," Sirius said.
"I'll have to go to class," Amirielle said, "I'll write okay."
"Love you blue bear," Sirius said and Amirielle stuck her tongue out.
"Love you too dad," She said and Sirius gave her a kiss on the forehead and she rushed off to class. Sirius couldn't truly believe how much Amirielle had grown up.
~In the Common Room a Few Days Later~
"It must be time for the firsties first flying class with Hooch," Alicia said to Amirielle. She waited for her friend to reply but Amirielle was immersed in a book. Sighing she continued to watch the first years clamber up to the notice board.
"They have it with the Slytherins," Angelina said, "What do you think about that Mir?"
"That's very good Ange," Amirielle replied not paying a bit of attention. The other girls laughed. Typical Amirielle, focused to the point of ignoring the entire world around her.
"And then I killed him and stuffed him into a meat grinder," Angelina said.
"You did what?" Amirielle said looking up from her book.
"Hello, it's nice to see you're back on planet earth," Alicia told her through the giggles.
"I'm sorry but I feel a breakthrough coming along," Amirielle said as Fred George and Lee showed up.
"Guess what!" George told them.
"What?" Angelina asked.
"It looks like Oliver pulled some strings and got McGonagall and Hooch to let us watch the firsties flying lessons, show off and give em' pointers," Fred said and Amirielle's face lit up.
"That is great I am so happy to be able to get in the air for a little while!" Amirielle replied setting her tomb, Ye Olde Family Trees, next to her. She had been through several similar books and this was the first one she had found the Malfoy's full lineage in. It traced back so far though that it looked like it was going to be forever before she found anything.
"Yeah, we're lucky to 'cause they are learning with the Slytherins," George said.
"I don't know what we would do if Oliver wasn't Hooch's favorite," Alicia replied.
"Yeah and she wants your truly there to run down the Gryffindor Teams stats and nicknames, Terrible Twins, Triple A Threat and so on," Lee said.
"And how did you weasel in that little deal, because we all know you have no nicknames for us," Angelina scolded.
"Oliver isn't Hooch's only favorite!" Lee said and the six descended into laughter.
~The Next Day on the Quidditch Pitch~
Oliver, Alicia, Angelina, Amirielle, Lee and the Twins were standing beside Madame Hooch. Fred was marveling over Amirielle's Nimbus.
"Why didn't you tell us about this beauty during one of our one-hundred and one conversations about the upcoming season?" Fred asked.
"It just slipped my mind," Amirielle lied. In all honestly she hadn't said anything about it because she wasn't the bragging type.
"Slipped your mind… well…" Fred said.
"They're coming act professional," Oliver muttered. Fred and George saluted him and Lee and the girls laughed. Fred handed Amirielle back her broom and she grinned. Her bright blue Quidditch gear shone in the light and her hair was pulled back in a neat pony tail, as was Alicia and Angelina's. The little first years rounded the stairs and stopped a few feet away from the team and Madame Hooch. The team had helped Madame Hooch set up twenty broomsticks in a straight line they had also gotten the balls out of the cellar. Hooch looked at the students as the stood there. Amirielle winked in Harry and Ron's direction.
"Welcome to your first flying lesson," Hooch started, "Today we have a special treat. None of the other houses got this opportunity so you better be glad. Standing beside me are members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team as well as our commentator for the games. I will let him introduce himself and the team."
"Hello, I'm Lee Jordan, I am the commentator for all the Quidditch games we have here at Hogwarts and I am probably the only person at Hogwarts who doesn't play Quidditch but who knows as much as there is to know about it. Beside me is Oliver Wood, who plays Keeper for Gryffindor, he has a record of ninety-five saves on average per season. Next to him is Angelina Johnson, who is one of our Chasers, she made a total of five hundred and ten points last year. That is sixty times through a hoop if you were wondering. Next to her is Alicia Spinnet, she play reserve Chaser last year, in the one game she played she scored six times. The blonde next to her is Amirielle Black, our other Chaser; she currently holds the record for most points scored in her first season. Last year she scored a total of eight hundred and seventy points, which is eighty-seven times past the various team's keepers. As for Fred and George Weasley, our Beaters, they have kept every one on the team from being knocked-off by their brooms more then once in their debut on the team. Needless to say our Chasers and Keeper are lucky to have Fred and George on the team," Lee said practically all in one breath. Amirielle marveled at that particular ability which obviously helped him in his ability to commentate.
"Although many of you probably have questions about how Quidditch is played we are here today to learn the basics of flying," Madame Hooch said, "Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick. You six go ahead and place yours on the ground. I want you to demonstrate how to get them into the air."
"Yes Madame," The team said and quickly placed their respective brooms on the ground.
"Alright, now watch as the Gryffindor team calls their brooms to them," Madame Hooch nodded and simultaneously the six teenagers held the hands out and in unison said, "UP!" They all quickly flew into their owners hands. Amirielle smiled and looked expectantly and Madame Hooch. She smiled at her and turned to the first years, "Now I want you to try. Put your hands out and say 'Up!'"
"UP!" everyone said and Amirielle smiled to see Harry's broom zoom into his hand. Eventually everyone got their brooms up and in their hands. Then Madame Hooch had the team walk around and show the others how to properly hold their broomstick so they wouldn't fall off. Amirielle went over to Harry and Ron and stood between them.
"If I know anything about the Weasley family you probably already know how to do this, Ron but go ahead and show me," Ron quickly complied and Amirielle smiled and looked over to Harry who was also gripping his broom near to perfection, "Move your left hand up just a small amount and you've got it Harry," She told him demonstrating. Madame Hooch walked by and nodded at the three of them. She then proceeded to where Angelina was standing next to the Malfoy boy who was not listening to her. Madame Hooch the proceeded to tell him he had been doing it wrong for years. Amirielle watched as her younger companions dissolved into laughter, "You don't like him very much do you?" she asked the two.
"Not at all," Harry said still laughing. Amirielle wondered if they would like her if she had been raised by er birth parents. She quickly shook out of her reverie as Madame Hooch blew her whistle.
"Now one of the older students is going to go up into the air a few feet and demonstrate how to come back down. Then the whole team is going to go up while you all try," Madame Hooch said, "Now Amirielle I know you have been dieing to get that Nimbus of yours up into the air. Please go up about ten feet and back down." Amirielle smiled and softly pushed off the ground quickly rising ten feet. Then as Madame Hooch explained what she was doing she slowly went back and landed safely on the ground, "Now you six go up ten feet and stay there," All six of them did, "Now I want the rest of you to push off the ground firmly and come back down. Don't go any higher then the older students."
Amirielle watched as they pushed off. One boy, who seemed a little on the awkward side, rose up twenty feet and going higher but before any of the others had time to stop him the boy had slipped and was quickly falling to the ground. He landed with a sickening crunch and the others all landed safely on the ground. Madame Hooch called for Wood, muttering something about a broken ankle and she had Oliver helping him to the Hospital Wing. Before following them Madame Hooch yelled, "None of you is to move while we take this boy to the Hospital Wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.'"
No sooner was she out of sight than the Slytherins started making fun of the boy. Amirielle walked over to where the other older students were standing.
"Madame Hooch is gone," Fred was saying.
"Uh huh," Amirielle said.
"We are surrounded by first years with broomsticks. How many do you think will be up in the air before Hooch comes back?" Fred said, "I'm thinking at least five."
"No more then two!" Amirielle told him.
"Wanna bet?" Fred asked, "I'll do you potions homework for a week if you win you do my history if I win."
"Sure but no coaxing," Amirielle said and the two shook on it. They turned to see Draco Malfoy fly into the air. Soon Harry followed him. Amirielle watched mildly worried. She knew Harry was a natural but she wouldn't be able to live with her self if he got hurt. Gritting her teeth he watched as Harry soared towards Malfoy who ducked just in time. She marveled at Harry's quick about-face. Then she watched as Malfoy threw a small object in the air. Watching in wonder as Harry dived for it, catching it just in time to pull out of the dive. She stood in shock, as did the rest of her team and Lee. Then they were drug out of their aforementioned shock by the sound of McGonagall's voice.
"HARRY POTTER," she yelled. Amirielle watched as his spirits fell. She was afraid that he had gotten himself in trouble, "Never… in all my days at Hogwarts… how dare you… might have broken your neck…"
Various first years tried to stick up for their friend and Amirielle herself was about to speak up as well when McGonagall motioned at the six of them and Harry to follow her. They followed her and eventually crossed paths with Oliver, who she also told to follow her. They eventually got to an empty classroom.
"Mr. Jordan you may go on and prepare for your next class," she said and Amirielle was positive that those of them with broomsticks were going tot get punished for not stopping Harry. Then McGonagall did something unexpected, "Wood, it seems we have found you a seeker."
Amirielle smiled as did the rest of the team, "Are you serious, Professor?" Oliver was asking.
"Absolutely ask any of your team mates, he is a natural," She said and Amirielle smiled, "Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?"
Harry nodded and Amirielle piped in, "He caught that thing in his hand after a fifty-foot dive."
"Didn't even scratch himself, Charlie Weasley couldn't have done it," Professor McGonagall explained. Fred and George laughed at this.
"I wouldn't tell him that Professor he would try just to prove you wrong," George said.
"I wouldn't doubt that," Professor McGonagall replied, "I shall speak with Professor Dumbledore and see if he can bend the first-year rule. Heaven knows with the team we have we need a better seeker then we had last year. Flattened in that last match against Slytherin we were. I couldn't look Severus Snape in the face for weeks. I want to hear you are training hard or I may change my mind about punishing you."
She smiled and dismissed the seven of them. When they were well on their way Amirielle gave Harry a high-five, "Your dad would have been proud Harry. He was an excellent Quidditch player himself."
"He was?" Harry asked.
"Yeah he played Chaser," Amirielle said, "Still you're the perfect build for a seeker."
"He sure is," Oliver said, "Good thing we have the pitch first thing next week. We are going to have to teach him the rules."
"Youngest player in a century, he is," Amirielle said with a smile.
