Chapter 10! Here it is! Please R&R Thanks, CodeRomance
A week later Harry and the group were eating breakfast in the Great Hall, talking about homework and classes they had that day.
"We have our first flying lesson today!" Ron grinned happily.
"We do?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, all the first years learn how to fly so that way come second year if they want to try out for quidditch they'll know how to fly!" Ron said waving his hands around. He was very animated about it.
Ginny was excited too. She couldn't wait to show her brothers that she could fly. She was talking to Harry about it.
…they don't even know I can fly. I mean I've been sneaking out at night since I was 5 to play because they wouldn't let me. They were like, "She's a girl, what does she know about quidditch." I swear my brothers are so thick sometimes. Just wait until I show them!
I'm sure you're great! Can't wait to see you! You'll be able to teach me a few things. Harry smiled at the thought.
"Oh no," Ron looked at their schedule. "We have double Potions with Slytherin and our flying lesson is with them." Ron groaned. "I hate Slytherins."
"Yes, well at least you like flying." Hermione stated quietly to Ron. "I most certainly do not and am not looking forward to it one bit."
"You'll do fine." Ginny smiled reassuringly, "I'll help you if you need it."
"Right, Ginny! You, who've never even been on a broom, are going to help Hermione." Ron said scathingly.
Ginny just smiled while Harry snickered at Ron's "thickness."
Neville groaned, "Don't worry, Hermione, I've never been on a broom because Gran wouldn't let me. She always thought I would get hurt. She's probably right. I'm pretty clumsy."
"No worries, Neville, I'll help you, too!" Ron smiled again.
Harry and Ginny just looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They all finished up breakfast and headed to their first class, Defense Against the Dark Arts.
The class was pretty interesting over all. Quirrell seemed to be scared of everything and the whole classroom reeked of garlic. Hagrid said that Quirrell had encountered a vampire while he was in Romania and he feared it was coming back to get him. That was why the room smelled of garlic.
He has enough garlic in the class to hold off any vampires, that's for sure, Harry said to Ginny at the end of class.
He sure does, Ginny murmured, Come on though we have to get to Potions, else we'll get a detention from Snape.
Ug, don't want that! Harry grumbled and they rushed after Ron, Hermione and Neville, down to the dungeons. As they came into class they noticed that Malfoy and the other Slytherins were already there. Ron glared at them and sat down. Hermione and the others followed suit. They all got their supplies out and waited for class to begin. It was their first Potions lesson and they were not looking forward to it in the least. Malfoy and his cronies kept whispering and point in Harry's direction. Once the whole class had arrived but Snape had yet to appear, Malfoy decided to say something that everyone could hear.
"I heard that Potter has been giving money to the Weasel just so he can get on. His whole family is sooo poor it's no wonder him and his sister cling madly to Potter." Malfoy said to his cronies and anyone who would listen. Most of the Slytherins snickered.
Ron stood up, his fists clenched. He was very sensitive about money. Harry held him back. Ginny was also up in a flash, Harry warned her, Ginny, we'll get in trouble! Hermione was the one that surprised them all. She was up so fast and out of her seat before anyone could stop her. She marched her way over to Malfoy.
"Shut. Up. Malfoy!" she snarled. She pulled out her wand. "Because if you don't I will hex you into oblivion!"
Malfoy laughed. "You don't even know any hexes, Mudblood!" He snickered some more. "You're just as pitiful as the rest of your friends. Mudblood Granger seems to have attached herself to them." He taunted as he nodded over to Harry, who was still holding onto Ron and Ginny, and Neville. "Then again the Potters and Weasleys always were filthy traitors." He looked at Neville, "Longbottom there is so scared he's about to wet his trousers." His friends and he laughed.
Hermione shook her head and sighed. "You leave me no choice. Insecto." She murmured to Malfoy pointing her wand at him. All the sudden Malfoy's head grew rather large feelers and started to scuttle on the ground. When he attempted to scream and shout at Hermione to take off whatever it was she put on him, no sound came out. The whole class burst out laughing, with the exception of the Slytherins, who looked on in horror.
Hermione smiled to herself and walked back over to her friends. She had just sat down when Snape walked in the room. "What is the meaning of this?" He bellowed, pointing at Malfoy, who was crawling on the floor, scurrying about like an insect. Malfoy looked up and attempted to speak, but still no sound came out. The class was trying not to laugh. Hermione and her friends were sitting there, trying to stay composed.
Snape looked around, trying to determine who had managed to pull of this jinx. "Granger! Do you know how Malfoy came to be in this state?" he asked her sharply.
Hermione shook her head and murmured with as much serenity as she could muster while looking Snape in the eye, "No, sir, I'm afraid I don't."
Snape tried to stare her down. One of the Slytherins shouted out, "She did it, sir!" Snape looked over at the Slytherins. The rest of the class didn't say a word. Snape looked back at Hermione. He knew he couldn't prove it, but thought to see if he could get it out of her. "Ms. Granger, if you would please stand up."
Hermione stood up as she was told. "Now tell me the truth. Did you or did you not jinx Malfoy into becoming an insect?" Snape snarled.
"No sir, I did not." Again Hermione looked him in the eye.
"Fine!" He looked around the room. "One point from everyone in the room for the disruption of my class." He growled at them. "Malfoy! Get to the Hospital Wing!" He barked. He then looked at Harry as Malfoy scurried out of the room, "Ah it seems we have our very own celebrity in the class." He smiled cruelly and the Slytherins snickered behind their hands. He looked away from Harry for a moment before starting in on his speech. "You are all here to learn the slight science and precise art of potion-making. As there is not much wand movement in this class, I would ask you to put them away. Many of you won't understand nor appreciate the magic of potion-making or the delicately simmering cauldron with its glistening fumes." He said in barely a whisper. "I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper of death-if you aren't a bunch of dunderheads that I usually have to teach." (Note: most of this came from SS pg: 137. American version. Sorry but it was hard to come up with my own stuff, plus I really like what he says here.)
"Please copy the notes that I have on the board and then get out your cauldrons. We are going to see how well you can follow directions!" He snarled. The rest of class was tortuous. By the end of class Gryffindor had lost 30 points, all because Snape obviously doesn't like Harry or his friends. Luckily nobody had to serve a detention and they didn't have to deal with Malfoy the whole of class. It was lunch now and so they all headed to the Great Hall to eat.
I'm starved! Ron said to Hermione.
You're always hungry! She giggled.
How do you know that, you've only known me a week! Ron protested.
Ron! Hermione groaned. You are so dense sometimes. We share memories, you idiot! Besides this whole week you're always going on about how you're hungry!
Oh! Ron grinned sheepishly. They all sat down at the table. Neville was talking to Harry about something that they had done in Herbology while Ginny was talking to the twins who had just come in to the Hall.
They all started to gobble down food so they could get out to the grounds for their first flying lesson. Just before they could get out of the Hall, the post came. Neville got an owl from his Gran.
"Oh look!" Neville exclaimed excitingly, "Gran's got me a Remembrall." He turned the white ball around in his hand and showed it to his friends.
"Cool, Neville, what's it do?" asked Ron.
"Well, it's supposed to help me by telling me if I forget stuff." Neville smiled, "And you guys know how I always forget things!"
His friends laughed. "So what does it do to remind you?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I hope it doesn't do anything harmful." Ron said nervously.
"Na…it's just supposed to turn red if I forgot something," Neville smiled happily. "It could really come in handy."
Ginny looked down at it, "Um, Neville, have you forgotten anything today?"
"Why?"
"Because, your Remembrall is red," Hermione pointed at it. Neville looked at it. His face fell.
"Oh," he though hard for a minute, "What could I have forgotten?"
"I don't know," Harry said. "Think on it." Just then Malfoy and his cronies came up from the Slytherin table.
"What's that, Longbottom?" Malfoy snatched it out of Neville's hand.
"Hey, give that back, Malfoy." Neville yelled.
"Or what…you'll hex me!" Malfoy sneered.
"No but I will." Hermione said quietly as she got out of her seat.
Malfoy looked at her in horror. "What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall asked as she came up behind Malfoy.
"Granger threatened me, Professor." Malfoy griped.
McGonagall looked at Hermione. "Is this true, Ms. Granger?" Hermione nodded.
"I expected better of you, especially you, Ms. Granger."
"But Professor, Malfoy wouldn't give Neville his Remembrall back." Hermione reasoned.
McGonagall looked at Malfoy, who still had the Remembrall in his hands. He looked at his hands. Damn, he thought.
"Mr. Malfoy, 20 points for taking what does not belong to you and Ms. Granger 10 points for threatening someone." McGonagall said.
"But, Professor!" Malfoy complained.
"If you, but Professor, one more time, Mr. Malfoy, it will be a detention." McGonagall said sternly. "Now give Mr. Longbottom his Remembrall back."
Malfoy shut up and handed Neville his Remembrall. He and his cronies stalked out of the Hall. McGonagall looked at her students. "Ms. Granger, 10 points for your courage and for standing up for what is right." She gave them a half smile and turned away and headed for the entrance.
Hermione turned and glared at Ron, "See I told you McGonagall was nice!"
Ron blushed and shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. Hermione just glared some more. "Well can we go out to the grounds now? Our first flying lesson is to begin soon."
Harry looked at Ginny, who shrugged. "Sure why not," she murmured. She looked at Neville.
"Yeah, come on," Neville sighed, "I'll figure out what I forgot, later."
So the group got up and headed for the grounds. When they arrived, brooms were lying side by side on the ground and there was a group of students standing around. Madam Hooch, the flying instructor descended upon them.
"Alright everyone, listen up." She called to the Slytherins and Gryffindors. "I want you all to pick a broom and stand by it. When you have found a broom I would like you all to stick your hand over the broom and say "up" on my command. ON MY COMMAND, MR MALFOY!" She yelled as Malfoy's broom flew into his hand. "Five points from Slytherin for not listening." Harry and his friends snickered. Malfoy glared at Madam Hooch. "Now, UP" She commanded. Everyone shouted up. Harry's, Ginny's and Ron's brooms all flew into their hands. Hermione's and Neville's however just twisted around a bit and stayed on the ground. Madam Hooch walked around helped anyone who was having problems. When everyone had their broom in their hand she commanded them to mount their brooms. They all mounted their brooms and Madam Hooch inspected everyone's grip. She commented on how Harry had it almost perfect while Malfoy had been doing it wrong for years. Harry grinned when he heard that. Ginny smiled as well.
Who would have thought, Draco Malfoy, not Mr. Perfect! Ginny giggled.
Harry laughed, Yeah, I know. He looked over at Malfoy and smirked.
"Now that you all are mounted on your broom, when I say "now" I want everyone to lift up into the ground and hover a few inches above the ground. A FEW INCHES ONLY!" Madam Hooch yelled to the group to emphasize that she would not tolerate anyone who disobeyed orders. "Now!" she shouted and everyone kicked off the ground and into the air, hovering only a few inches from the ground. All except Neville, that is. Neville shot up into the air and started to swerve and pull this way and that. "Mr. Longbottom, please come down here!" shouted Madam Hooch.
"I don't know how, ma'am." Neville called down frightened. Just then the broom jerked and Neville went flying away toward the school. "Haaaaaaaaaaa, help!"
Harry didn't even think twice, he was up in the air and flying after Neville before Madam Hooch could do anything.
Harry! What are you doing! Shouted Ginny in his head. You're going to get hurt or expelled!
Well I don't care, I have to help Neville! He shouted back, even if that means I get expelled.
Ginny started to tremble with fear. She knew that Harry didn't know how to fly and she was afraid he was going to get hurt. Please be careful,she called up to him. She looked at how well he seemed to be handling the broom.
I will Ginny, Harry said calmly, and then he shot after Neville.
"Neville!" he shouted. "Hold on!"
"Harry, please help!" Neville screamed. He was no up and over the school. All of the sudden Neville's broom started to jerk and wobble, trying to swing Neville off. "I can't hold on for much longer!"
Harry flew faster toward Neville. When he was just a few feet away, Neville's broom gave a last jerk and Neville lost his grip and fell. "Neville!" Harry flew down past the broom, which seemed to just hover in mid air, and flew straight for Neville. Madam Hooch was now in the air, but she was too far away to do anything. Harry was only a few inches from Neville, so he grabbed Neville's robes and pulled. They were only 15 feet from the ground. Just then as Harry started to heave Neville up and then pull up on his broom so he wouldn't crash on the ground, Neville's Remembrall fell from Neville's robes. Harry swung Neville around him and on the back of the broom. "Hold on tight!" he shouted to him and Harry dove after the Remembrall, falling slowly toward the ground. Ten feet, five feet…
Harry! Ginny screamed, both out loud and in his head. Harry grabbed the Remembrall and pulled up sharply from the ground. Neville had a death grip on Harry. Harry landed and whispered to Neville, "You can let go now, you're on the ground." Neville loosed his grip on Harry and slid off the broom to the ground.
Ginny was the first one to reach them. "Don't you ever do that again!" she shouted at him before pulling him into a hug. She didn't let go of him after that. The rest of the Gryffindors all crowed around them.
"Well done, Harry," Ron grinned. Hermione punched him in the arm. "Hey, what was that for?"
You shouldn't encourage him! Reprimanded Hermione.
Ron grinned sheepishly. But you have to admit that it was pretty awesome.
Hermione huffed, maybe, a bit. Ron smiled slightly.
"Mr. Potter!" a voice called from the path. Harry and the Gryffindors looked around to find Professor McGonagall. They all groaned. Harry was sure to get expelled now. "Please come with me. We have some…things…to discuss."
"You're in for it now," Madam Hooch growled. Malfoy and his cronies laughed, while Harry's friends all looked worried.
Harry half smiled at them. "Don't worry it will be ok," he said and followed Professor McGonagall up the lawn and into the school. They walked along several hallways until they came to a stop outside Flitwick's office. McGonagall poked her head thru the door.
"I'm sorry, Professor," she said, "But would it be possible to borrow Wood for a moment?"
Professor Flitwick looked confused, but nodded his head, "Yes of course, Minerva." Someone called Wood got up and followed McGonagall out.
"Follow me, you two." She murmured. Wood gave her a strange look, and then looked at Harry, who shrugged. "In here," she ushered them into her office. "Close the door." Harry closed the door. "Both of you have a seat."
"Professor, I'm not in trouble, am I?" asked the boy named Wood.
McGonagall gave a slight smile. "No, Mr. Wood, you're not." She looked at Harry, who gulped. "Wood, I have found you a seeker."
The fifth year boy looked shocked and then gleefully happy all at once. "Really?"
"Yes, Harry, this is Oliver Wood, Gryffindor's Quidditch captain. "Wood, this is Harry Potter."
Oliver started at Harry for a moment. He narrowed his eyes at Harry and looked him over from head to toe. "Hmmm, he is the right build and size for this. Harry, have you ever seen a game of Quidditch played before?"
Harry shook his head, "No, but my friend Ron gave me a book called Quidditch Through the Ages. It's bloody brilliant!" Harry grinned
"Language Mr. Potter." McGonagall said sternly, but the effect was ruined because she was smiling slightly.
"Great, so you know what quidditch is?" asked Wood.
"Yes, Ron has told me all about it. There's a Keeper, 3 Chasers, 2 Beaters, and a Seeker. There's a quaffle that is thrown between the Chasers and they try to score through the goals on either ends of the field while the Keeper protects the goals. There are 2 bludgers that the beaters hit with bats at the other players. Then the Seeker has to try and catch the golden snitch before the other team's Seeker. The snitch is really small and worth one hundred and fifty points." Harry smiled looking rather pleased with himself for knowing all that.
"Excellent! And you know how to fly?" Wood asked practically jumping out of his seat.
"Well that's the best part Wood," McGonagall tried to hide a smile. "Potter, here is a natural it seems. First time on a broom today, isn't that right, Potter?"
Harry nodded.
"Well, Wood, if you has seen Harry pull out of a 50 foot dive after saving a boy about his size and then catching a Remembrall 5 feet off the ground with the boy on the back of your broom and coming out of it without a scratch, you'd want him for the team!"
"Bloody hell!" Wood gasped in delight. "You're not serious, Professor?"
"Would I kid about something like this, Wood?" Oliver shook his head, "I swear, not even Charlie Weasley could have pulled that off, and he was the best Seeker we've had since, well, since, James." McGonagall finished quietly. But Harry wasn't listening.
Ginny you are never going to believe this! Harry exclaimed
What Harry? That McGonagall wants you for the quidditch team! Of course I can believe it. You were awesome out here, saving Neville and all that! Ginny laughed.
Ginny! How did you know all that? Harry asked shocked.
Oh what, I don't know. I can't hear McGonagall talking, but I do sometimes know what you're thinking and right now that's what you're thinking so it's not hard to pick up! Ginny smiled.
Oh, well, I suppose that's, well weird. Harry shrugged, slightly confused at how this was working.
"Hmm, Mr. Potter?" Harry looked up at McGonagall. "I will talk to the headmaster and see if we can get you a broom, since first years aren't allowed a one. For now you will the schools brooms. Wood, when is the first practice?"
"Well, I had scheduled it for tomorrow," Wood said.
"Good, Potter, you will join the team at practice. A new broom should be here by the end of the week." She looked at them. "Well off you go." She shooed them out the door. "Oh and Mr. Potter?" Harry looked back, "Please try and keep this quiet. I would like to see the Slytherins faces at the first game of the match!" Harry grinned.
Harry was still grinning when he came through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room. There was a whole crowd of people waiting for him.
"Harry!" squealed Ginny.
You didn't tell them all did you? Harry asked.
No, no I thought you would want to!
Yes I do, and McGonagall wants to keep it quiet so the Gryffindors will need to keep it quiet as well. I just can't wait until we see Malfoy's face when he finds out I wasn't expelled! Harry smirked.
Yeah that's going to be classic! Ginny gurgled.
"Attention everyone," Harry shouted over the excitement. "I have an announcement to make." There was a hushed silence that fell over the crowd. "I am not being expelled, but am going to be the youngest quidditch player in over a century!" The whole room shouted in triumph. "But keep in mind, this is to stay in this room only. None of the other houses are to be told. McGonagall's orders." Everyone laughed and started to disperse. Fred and George came up to congratulate him.
"Well done mate!" they said in unison.
"I'm Beater 1," Fred said.
"And I'm Beater 2," George said, "Nice to meet you Seeker uno."
Harry laughed and made his way over to Ron and Neville. Hermione and Ginny were talking in the corner. "Hey mate, you're not mad are you?"
Ron laughed. "Mad? No, a bit jealous, but, I can wait my turn!" he smiled. "I've been riding a broom for years, you started today. I'll have plenty of chances!"
Harry looked at Neville. "How are you doing."
Neville smiled slightly. "I'm ok, thanks to you."
Harry grinned and pulled Neville into a hug. "Well I couldn't let you fall or get hurt could I?" Neville grinned and they pulled back, both red in the face.
"Well I guess we should head down to dinner." Harry nodded toward the portrait door.
"Yeah," Ron said. Coming Hermione.
Yes, Hermione pulled Ginny toward the boys. You sure you're ok?
Ron looked at Hermione and smiled slightly. Yeah, I'm ok. He's my friend, and while I might be a little jealous, I understand.
Ok, Hermione smiled and pulled everyone out the door and into the hall. They all headed down to dinner much happier then they had before.
End of Chapter 10…
About time I'm done uh? Sorry it took so long! Just been really busy and then a bit of writers block. Hope you like and please review. CodeRomance