GREAT THINGS

Chapter 10:

The morning after halloween had the entire castle in uproar. Word quickly got out that a first year Ravenclaw had been brutalised by the troll and that it was all the fault of her housemates for leaving her in a leg-lock in the dungeons. The outrage that resulted from this had most of Hogwarts ready to do battle with any Ravenclaw they encountered.

Things didn't simmer down until Dumbledore announced Mandy Brocklehurst had been expelled, Morag MacDougal was suspended and the rest of the culprits would all be facing weeks of detention. Even so, the remaining Ravenclaw students found themselves subjected to glares from all three of the other houses, even Slytherin (although who really knew how much was for show). To not notice a first year girl was missing - let alone the horrid bullying in the first place - was truly scandalous. The clever house was left feeling rather ashamed under the universal derision of their fellow students and the disappointment of their head of house.

Harry, for his part, was feeling equally awful. Despite the reassurance of his friends, he felt highly ashamed for not thinking of Hermione Granger in the great exodus from the hall. He insisted upon making amends as soon as possible, extracting promises from all his friends to visit the poor girl as soon as they had the chance.

"I'm going after breakfast," Harry informed his fellow Gryffindors. "Who's coming?"

"Not all of you," George Weasley interrupted them, sliding onto the bench next to Harry. "Madam Pomfrey will never let you all in."

"Go in little groups," Fred chimed in with a nod. "The poor little firstie will probably be overwhelmed if you come at once anyway."

Harry looked around at the others somewhat plaintively, waiting for a volunteer to come with him. Neville soon offered, remembering the pleasant girl who'd helped find Trevor on the train all those weeks ago. The others all looked a little awkward.

"We'll go later, Harry," Ron said. "Really, we will! It's just… if she's all beat up and bruised I don't think she'd want us all there right now."

"I'll go," Anthony said from behind them, drawing their attention. "I- I should go."

"No," Harry said, glaring at his friend. "No Ravenclaws."

Anthony stared at him, hurt evident in his expression, but Harry stubbornly glared back. Without a word, Anthony turned and quietly went back to his own table.

Harry wolfed down the rest of his breakfast in silence, trying to quell the guilt he kept feeling. Realistically he knew he hadn't been involved, but he still felt like he ought to have done something. Anything. Soon he was up and off with Neville obediently following after him. As they exited the hall they bumped directly into Daphne Greengrass, nearly knocking the girl over. Recovering her poise quickly, she soon assessed the cause of their urgency.

"Dragging Longbottom off to see Granger, are you?"

"Yep," Harry said, then brightened with an idea. "And you're coming, too."

"I am not," Daphne said, startled.

"Yes, you are. You met her on the train, remember? And then while we were waiting to be sorted? She stood next to you."

"That doesn't mean I liked her, Harry. She…" Daphne curled up her nose. "She talks."

Harry assessed his friend soberly. Under is gaze, she immediately began looking uncomfortable.

"Daphne," Harry said, staring directly into her eyes. "It's the right thing to do."

Silence reigned for a moment before the Slytherin girl sighed.

"Alright Harry, you persuasive git. Let's get on with it."

The odd trio made their way through the halls at a more sedate pace than Harry would have liked, but Daphne had never been one to be rushed. Her calmness was one of her most positive features, one Harry usually admired greatly. Today, though, he was struggling not to snap at her.

It made little difference in the end as the hospital wing was yet to open for visitors when they finally did arrive. Madam Pomfrey was uninterested in accepting casual visitors before a reasonable hour and kept them waiting rather deliberately. Finally, she opened the door and looked down at the three. She didn't seem to be impressed.

"Just the three of you?" Madam Pomfrey asked, "Very well. A small number should be okay. You can visit for ten minutes. Don't rile her!"

They all nodded obediently as they stepped in and around the matron. Seeing the one occupied bed at the other end of the room, they quickly made their way over to their year mate.

"Hello Hermione," Harry said quietly.

The girl looked at them in surprise. She looked utterly awful. Her hair was wilder than it had ever been and a nasty bruise ran up the length of her face. Her left leg was exposed and immobile on the bed, still clearly recovering from the break. Madam Pomfrey could do wonders, but she couldn't work miracles.

"What… what are you doing here?"

"How are you feeling, Granger?" Daphne asked in her best polite voice.

"Um… better, thank you," she said quietly.

"Are- are you okay?" Neville asked.

Hermione smiled a little at Neville's anxious question. Then she nodded.

"Um… you look well," Harry said, then winced at his own awkwardness.

Hermione looked at him, perplexed.

"Is Anthony outside? I'd like to see him," she said.

Harry went dark red.

"I told him not to come," he mumbled. "Shall I tell him to come at lunch?"

"Yes please," Hermione said, looking at him sadly.

Harry made awkward noises as he began to flounder. He felt Neville's steadying hand on his back, stopping him from panicking. He couldn't do right for doing wrong! What should he do? What was he to-

Harry's thoughts cleared. What would Mister Ollivander do? That's how he'd fix this. He'd think like his guardian. And his guardian would… his guardian would observe.

Harry looked at Hermione carefully, unknowingly taking on his mentor's eerie stare. She looked sad. She looked lonely. Now, why would she be acting surprised that they'd visited? Did she think they hadn't known she was hurt? No, she must have known that the news would spread around the castle. Maybe she thought they'd never noticed the bullying? No, again, she must have known they'd seen. But in class and at meals she aways looked at Harry with such hurt, such betrayal. Which meant she did know he'd seen. And it meant that she thought…

"I'm sorry you thought we didn't care," Harry said quietly. "We did, I promise. I'm so so sorry you felt alone."

There was silence for a moment as Hermione stared at him.

"W-what?" She finally said.

"We did care. We all did. What they were doing was rotten, but none of us could figure out how to do anything about it," Harry continued.

She blinked before shaking herself and responding.

"Um, it's alright I guess. I'm okay," Hermione said.

Neville and Daphne had gained looks of understanding now.

"W-we did care, Hermione," Neville said. "You were so nice on the train. I didn't like that it was all a-awful for you here."

"Brocklehurst got expelled," Daphne told her. "MacDougal is suspended and the rest have detention."

Hermione looked lost for a moment, before smiling a little and giving a firm nod.

"Good," she said.

Daphne sized her up for a few moments before speaking again.

"The Weasley twins will be all over the Ravenclaw prefects for the next few weeks, as will many of the others, but if there's ever anything in particular you'd like to accomplish and you need a little help, do let me know."

Hermione's calm smile had a slight edge to it that Harry couldn't recognise. Girls were confusing, he decided.

The remainder of the visit was slightly awkward, but Hermione was calm and full of forgiveness, not accusations. She extracted promises from the two boys to deliver class notes for the next few days and she and Daphne made awkward small talk. The two girls still had very little in common. Soon, Madam Pomfrey arrived and shooed them away as they called goodbyes. As the nurse whisked them through the doors, they came face to face with Susan and Hannah who were just about to knock.

"We brought sweets," Hannah squeaked as Susan nodded earnestly.

Harry waved at them as Madam Pomfrey hustled the Hufflepuff pair through to see her patient.

"I need to go apologise to Anthony," Harry said quietly, leaving the other two behind.

It was not a great day.

o

Anthony forgave him quickly, of course. Harry's apology had been heartfelt and insightful, leaving no other recourse but a return to regular friendship. He did go and see Hermione at lunchtime and spent longer with her than any of the others had. Anthony's tentative friendship was the strongest Hermione had so far at Hogwarts and Madam Pomfrey clearly saw the calm Ravenclaw boy as acceptable company for her patient.

Hermione herself was the topic of conversation throughout the castle that day. She would not have appreciated the pity, but she would have been pleased to know that everyone agreed she was inordinately clever. The teachers, especially, were deeply saddened by what had happened.

When she was finally released from the hospital wing a few days later - arms full of class notes provided by Harry, Neville and Anthony - she was subjected to much the same treatment as Harry himself used to receive. Stares and whispers followed her down every corridor. Although her face was still pale and shaken from her ordeal, something had clearly changed in her as she calmly ignored it all and walked with her head held high. Her poise and dignity were solid enough to earn admiration from even Daphne. Hermione Granger was shaken, bruised, and still reeling, but no one would dare think she was intimidated.

Harry made attempts to keep up contact with the Ravenclaw girl. She was clearly lonely and in need of friends and he had a large circle of those to share. She was polite to him and smiled when they spoke, but her first friendship seemed to be forming with Anthony. The other boy had nothing but praise for her resilience when Harry spoke to him about her and the two were building a close bond. Harry didn't mind. She seemed amicable to the idea of his friendship on a casual level and it was probably better for her that her closest friend was in the same house as herself. As the weeks passed and the gossip died down, it was rare to see Anthony and Hermione without one another, often with Terry Boot trailing after them.

"It's weird," Harry said to Ron in the boys dorm one day. "I barely talk to him these days. I've known Anthony and the girls since we were little, but I sometimes think just being in other houses means we start to drift apart."

"Anthony still likes you," Ron said, confused. "You guys are still friends."

"I know, but it's… different."

"Maybe having houses based on personalities isn't such a great thing," Dean offered.

Ron, Seamus and Neville looked scandalised. Harry looked thoughtful.

"It does isolate us, doesn't it," he agreed. "I wonder if adults have friends from other houses?"

"My gran does," Neville offered, then looked uncertain. "Or at least, she has acquaintances from other houses. I don't know if she really likes anyone!"

"Me mam doesn't know many witches these days," Seamus says. "The only ones she talks to are her old school friends, 'n' they were all Gryffindors too."

Ron shrugged when they looked to him.

"Dunno, my dad's at the ministry all the time and my mum is home with us."

"I'll ask Mister Ollivander when I write to him," Harry said, getting up. "But for now I'm going to go see the Puffs."

Hanging out with Hannah, Susan and Sally Ann Perks, Harry offered the same question.

"That's ridiculous," Hannah said. "My mum knows people from all sorts of backgrounds! So does Susan's aunt."

"And we're not drifting apart, are we Harry," Susan pointed out. "We don't look down on you just because you weren't chosen for the superior house of Hufflepuff."

"Well, we don't look down on you much," Hannah said with a sly grin.

Harry threw his quill at her.

"Maybe it's a Hufflepuff thing," Susan said. "We're supposed to be the friendly ones, right? And loyal, too. That probably makes it easier to be friends with people."

"That makes sense," said Hannah.

Sally Ann stayed quiet, as per usual. Harry found himself liking her more and more.

"Anyway, Harry," said Hannah. "You really don't have time to be worrying about this right now. Your first ever quidditch game is this weekend. Gryffindor versus Slytherin!"

Harry's stomach turned at Hannah's comment. Quidditch. That. He absolutely loved flying and catching the snitch was a fun challenge, but now that his first game was coming up he was inordinately nervous. What if he didn't get it? What would the other Gryffindors think? Would they all hate him? The possibility was starting to occupy more and more of his thoughts. There was nothing he could do, though. The game was approaching fast and Wood seemed so darn certain that Harry was a good seeker. He could hardly back out now!

o

Dear Harry,

As always, it was a pleasure to hear from you, child. I'm pleased that you are doing well in your studies and that you have made such fine friends. That said, I am terribly sorry to hear about the troubles young Miss Granger was having, especially given their tragic ending. She is a bright girl, her wand fitting proved that much. I expect to hear of great accomplishments from her in the coming years.

To answer your question about future acquaintances, I must tell you that a great many adults do not choose to socialise with those who differ from them in personality. When you join the world as an adult yourself you will meet many a witch and wizard who chooses not to befriend anyone they have not shared a Hogwarts house with. That, unfortunately, is the way of many close-minded individuals. On the other side, there are also adults like Mrs Abbott and your friend Susan's aunt who have friends from all backgrounds. Others, too, keep varied acquaintances out of necessity for business or politics.

I cannot advise you if you should allow yourself to drift apart from your old friends. It is up to you and you alone to decide whose company you will keep, and whose influence you'll allow to shape you towards adulthood.

Finally, to quidditch. You have joined the team voluntarily, and I'm afraid that obligates you to try your best. If your best is to step aside and let braver souls take on this challenge, then that is again your choice. However, I think I know you well enough to encourage you to trust yourself and fly with your teammates. I believe your mind will enjoy the thrill of the game and your nerves will soon vanish in the action. Have faith in your talents, child, and know that I do, too.

Your guardian,

Garrick Ollivander

"I had a letter from my guardian today," Harry said, sipping his tea. "He had some excellent advice for the quidditch game."

"Oh? Was it something you were concerned about?" Professor Quirrell asked, raising a brow.

"A little. I've been rather nervous."

"Perfectly natural, Harry. It's your first game so of course you want to do well for your house!"

Harry smiled and took another sip. Professor Quirrell had invited him for tea. Just him alone! Harry couldn't help but feel special. He loved and admired Mister Ollivander, of course, but there was something wonderful about receiving so much praise and attention. He was beginning to crave it constantly.

"Oliver Wood says I'm amazing," he confided, blushing a little as he boasted. "He thinks I'm faster than Charlie Weasley was!"

"Oh, that's very high praise," said Quirrell indulgently. "I saw Mister Weasley play quite a few times while he was here and he was very good. You must be quite something on that broom!"

"Are you coming to the game?"

"Of course, Harry! I wouldn't miss it."

Harry felt a wonderful warmth engulf him. They made pleasant chit chat for a further half hour and Harry tried his best to absorb every piece of advice he was given. Professor Quirrell, it seemed, thought he needn't worry so much about maintaining all his close friendships. He thought it was natural to drift apart and make new friends. Harry still felt uncertain, but he did resolve to stop worrying about it so much.

o

"Okay folks, this is it."

"The big one."

"The one we've all been waiting for."

Oliver Wood glared daggers at the Weasley twins as everyone else tried not to laugh. As Oliver continued with his speech, Fred winked at Harry. The young seeker was a very obvious bundle of nerves and lightening his mood seemed to be the twins' exclusive aim until the game started.

"It's time," Oliver was saying, wrapping up. "Good luck, all of you."

Harry gulped as the world around him became clear again. Gripping his broom tightly, he walked down the passage with the twins flanking him on either side. Above them he could hear the roaring sound of hundreds of excited students waiting for the game to start. Over the top of that he could hear the twins' friend Lee, who was commentating the match.

"Don't worry Harry, it'll be fine," George said, ruffling his hair.

"And if you freak out, we'll just send a bludger at you," Fred offered.

"Then you won't be worrying about anything!"

Harry stared at them as the pair mounted their brooms. A nudge from Wood had him doing the same thing. Lee's voice then became clear.

"And for Gryffindor we have Wood, Spinnet, Johnson, Bell, Weasley, Weasley, aaaand Potter!"

It was only autopilot that had Harry kicking off in time and joining the team for their lap of the pitch. The roar of the crowd was deafening, but as he flew he found himself calming. The thrill of flying quickly overtook all his nerves and he sped round the pitch with a giant grin. A shrieking blur of students that he identified as his friends all stuck their hands out as he passed and he managed to brush his fingers against each of them.

Pulling up in the position Wood had directed him to, he watched as the balls were released and the two captains shook hands. He steeled his nerves again as he watched their glares. This was not going to be a friendly match. Seconds later though, Hooch blew her whistle and Harry was instantly lost in the excitement of the game.

"And we're off! First game of the season and Flint has the quaffle already. Passes to Pucey who passes it back and- yes, a steal by Johnson! That girl is quite the flyer. She passes it straight to Bell who ducks a bludger and sends it to Spinnet. Spinnet, Bell, Spinnet, Johnson- Johnson aims and- NO, blocked by Bletchley. Better luck next time, Angie! Bletchley gets the quaffle to Flint who ducks a bludger and passes to Pummell. Pummell passes to Pucey who- oooh, that's gotta hurt. Weasley gets him with a well aimed bludger and Spinnet steals the quaffle. She's back at the other end, come on now Alicia… she takes aim and GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"

The red and gold side of the stadium erupted in cheers. Above it all, Harry tried to tune most of the commentary out and scanned constantly for the snitch. He could see Higgs doing much the same and kept one eye on his reactions, looking for any sign he'd spotted it. He tried a few false dives, luring Higgs to follow him. It.. kind of worked. He mostly tried to keep out of the way, looking for the snitch. Wood hadn't want him to be targeted by the Slytherin beaters before he even had a chance.

Below him, the match continued with Gryffindor slowly gaining a lead. Twenty minutes into the game, they still led by 20 points. It was good, but not nearly good enough to keep them safe if Higgs spotted the snitch.

"Bletchley saves another one from Bell and gets the quaffle to Flint. Take the slimy git out, Fred! Sorry, Professor McGonagall."

Harry sniggered, catching a little of Lee's commentary. He was guessing it was only going to get more biased as the game continued. He did another couple of loops around the stadium, watching for the snitch. He was already well beyond his usual catch time in practice, but there was a lot more going on now and a lot more distractions for the snitch to hide behind. Luckily for him, Higgs wasn't any faster.

About thirty five minutes into the game, Harry got his first glimpse of gold. It was hovering near the teachers stand, just above the crowd. Better yet, it was closer to him than Higgs.

Wasting no time, Harry dove towards it, flattening himself to his broom.

"He's spotted it! Potter's spotted the snitch! He dives and Higgs follows, but I think he's too far away to catch up now. He's nearly here, he's right above us and- no! Potter gets clipped by a bludger and spins!"

Harry fought back control of the broom quickly and turned to continue pursuit, but the snitch had vanished into the crowd of students. Higgs, too, had lost sight in the commotion and they both hovered over the stands for the next ten minutes, waiting for it to show itself again.

"Sorry Harry," Fred called as he swooped over him. "Didn't get there in time to block it."

Harry waved him off. He kept up his search, methodically scanning the whole area. He knew how tricky the snitch could be and didn't expect it to reappear anywhere near where they'd lost it. Sure enough, minutes later he spotted it again. It had emerged from the bottom of one of the stands and was hovering a few mere centimetres off the ground, right against the wall. It was going to be trickier this time as Higgs was far closer and Harry didn't want to give the game away.

He continued to do ambling loops along the edge of the stands, pretending to be scanning while slowly getting closer. Higgs couldn't see the snitch over the edge of the stand from his angle, but that would change fast it he saw Harry diving for it. Slowly, slowly. Finally, he was just about equal with Higgs when the other seeker moved forward slightly and caught sight of the golden ball.

Neither waited a second longer and they both dove directly for it. They were neck and neck! Harry could hear Higgs breathing next to him and was already concerned. The other boy had the longer arms and at this point, that was what it would come down to. With only milliseconds to decide, Harry pulled a tiny bit higher to give himself room to flip if the snitch changed direction.

His instinct proved right as the snitch dropped quickly and shot off, skimming the grass. Harry did an instant forward summersault with his broom and was off chasing it again while Higgs still had to wheel himself around. The snitch was moving fast, but Harry slowly gained on it. In the centre of the pitch it shot up into the air at a steep angle with Harry following immediately after. He gained, metre by metre, until it was nearly in his grasp. He caught sight of a bludger out of the corner of his eye but this time the twins were there. He was perhaps a hundred and fifty metres in the air when he felt the edge of its little wing brush his fingers and lunged forward, grabbing it just in time before it dipped off.

"He's done it!" he heard Lee shout. "Harry Potter has caught the snitch! GRYFFINDOR WIN!"

The Gryffindors screamed in glee, jumping up and down as Harry made his way back to earth. He landed in the middle of his team mates and was immediately engulfed in a hug by a sobbing Oliver Wood. Behind them, he could see the Gryffindors pouring onto the pitch with his friends at the front.

"You did it Harry," Ron shouted. "You did it!"

Neville, Dean and Seamus pushed Oliver off onto the chaser girls and grabbed Harry by the shoulders, jumping around in circles.

"You got it, you got it! We won, we won!"

Harry laughed, caught up in the moment before a commotion behind him drew his attention. There was shouting and shrieking that sounded far less pleasant than the celebrating Gryffindors around him.

"Watch out, it's loose," someone yelled.

"Stop it!"

"Duck!"

Harry turned around just in time to see a bludger travelling at full speed directly towards him before it impacted, straight to his chest. His lungs exploded in agony and everything went black.

o

After the noise of the quidditch pitch, it felt strange to wake to absolute silence. Harry lay with his eyes closed for a few minutes, wondering if he'd died. That would certainly be unfortunate. Eventually, the quiet sound of a page turning caught his attention and he opened his eyes.

He was in the hospital wing, in the same bed that Hermione had lain in. He was under a crisp white blanket and his lungs felt… peculiar. Not injured, just odd. Next to the bed sat Professor Quirrell who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow as he closed the book he was reading.

"Feel better?"

"Er, I guess so, sir. What happened?"

"You got hit by a bludger," Quirrell said in an oddly amused voice. "Don't worry, you'd already caught the snitch and won the game. You're Gryffindor's little champion."

"A bludger?"

"Yes, the darned thing got free and appeared not to be very fond of you. Professor Dumbledore was most unimpressed. He's checking it now for foul play."

Harry blinked and frowned, trying to remember what had happened. It came back slowly, finishing with the terrifying memory of the bludger flying straight at him. He carefully brought his arms up and began pressing and poking his chest, trying to check if he was okay.

"You're quite well, Harry. Madam Pomfrey fixed your rib quickly and used a bruise reducing salve on you. It will just feel a little odd for the next few hours while your magic checks you out."

"Oh, thank you, sir," said Harry. "Where is Madam Pomfrey?"

"She had to step out for a few minutes," Quirrell said mildly. "Now, Harry, tell me how it felt. Was it terrifying?"

Harry looked at him in confusion.

"Um, I guess. Wh-"

Harry broke off at the doors to the hospital wing burst open and Professor Snape rushed in, his robes flying about him. Spotting them, he slowed and stared directly at Professor Quirrell with a dangerous look on his face. Professor Quirrell looked back at him, entirely unfazed.

"Are you checking up on Mister Potter, Severus? How very noble of you."

Snape startled at this, but kept glaring at Professor Quirrell.

"Or perhaps it's me you're checking up on," Quirrell said, standing up. "My, you are diligent, Severus."

He turned and nodded at Harry.

"Do try not to have any more… accidents, Mister Potter."

He walked calmly out, nodding at Snape as he went past. Professor Snape watched him leave before turning to give Harry an assessing glance. He nodded, without speaking, and left after Professor Quirrell. And then, Harry was alone.

"What in Merlin's name was that all about?" he asked the empty room.

o

The dialogue of Oliver's speech is from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

900 followers! That's amazing. Thank you all so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.