CHAPTER 11: THE JETSTREAM INFERNO
Sakura's prophetic dreams often scored her great marks in Divination, but made Trelawney envious.
Once she finished pestering Syaoran, she paced past Sakura's desk many times, giving her an evil glare. This day's class was especially tedious. More often than usual, Draco was seeing Sakura instead of the globe, since that was whom he stared at most of time. For homework Trelawney had assigned for them to read Unfogging the Future, Chapters 15-20 and then for them to write an essay on the debate behind Palm Reading versus Tarot cards.
Syaoran groaned, glaring into his predictably dim globe. He impulsively hoped that his penetrative that gaze would cause the ball to shatter. However, something strange appeared into view. There he and Sakura stood, his arms around her, contented smiles plastered on their faces.
Syaoran blinked and hurriedly rubbed his eyes. He could still see them holding each other, looking happy. He couldn't help but grin sheepishly. Was it his imagination, or was this a real vision?
Before he could think it through, the image faded away and a more horrifying image replaced it. He saw the pale, pointed face of a woman, framed by a mess of wild black hair. Her sharp amethyst eyes glowed as she stood cackling madly above the body of an injured teenage girl. The girl lay, crying and writhing in pain. The woman's shadow fell across the girl's struggling form, her large, green eyes wide with terror. Syaoran gasped audibly, and the image quickly dissipated.
'Dears,' began Madam Trelawney suddenly, 'I hope you have seen your futures today, and that they are bright ones...well, most of you.' From the corner of her eye she shot piercing glances at Harry and Syaoran.
Harry rolled his eyes at this while Syaoran lifted himself to his feet shakily, shocked by the grisly image which had appeared before him.
'But now, class is over. You may leave now. May the stars'good graces be with you all.'
Syaoran stumbled out of the room, shaken by the vision.
Crabbe, chomping on candy that was hidden in his pockets, glanced over at Syaoran stomping along by a far corner. He crept over to his spot and gave him what he thought was a friendly, but hard, punch in the shoulder. 'Hey you! Whadduya think you're doin'alone?' the thick oaf grunted.
'Go away, Crabbe!' Syaoran shoved him away and bolted down the hall. As he sped away he could hear echoes of Crabbe and Goyle snarling, threatening things behind him and shouting 'What's up with you?' But he didn't care. Nothing but what he had seen seemed to matter now. Who was the terrifying woman who tortured Sakura in his vision?
At last he had arrived at his dormitory. He had intended to grab his next books for his Astronomy lesson with Madam Sinistra, when a large, grey barn owl, speckled with black and white patches tapped on his window. The owl seemed to be struggling to stay in mid-air as it held onto the load it carried. Hesitantly, Syaoran walked over and opened it. The owl fluttered into the room, and dropped a rolled up parchment and a large package before him.
'What the...?'
Puzzled, Syaoran unravelled the parchment. It was written neatly in Chinese characters. He recognized the strokes in writing instantly.
Dearest Xiao Lang, It has been a while since we have seen you! We miss you dearly, and we never thought we would be saying this. We know how often we shun you but we love you, little brother! How has it been at Hogwarts? Have you met Harry Potter? Does he have that scar like in the pictures? Did you know that father used to go to this school? As you already know, father lived in England so of course this was the only school he would go to. Father would be so proud! We understand you were in so much trouble after you, uh "used" the Unforgivable Curse. Mother is very upset. Everyone thinks you are guilty, however we don't! We know you wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone Love Always, Sheifa and Fanren P.S. We sent you a little present that might just give you some help!
P.P.S. Those Howlers sure are weird. We saw mother sending you one. Why put such a horrible thing in a red envelope?Syaoran pushed the letter aside and looked at the large, bulky package. He carefully unwrapped it, leaving bits of paper strewn across the floor. A look of disbelief swept across his face. A broom, not just any broom, but a professional flying broom like he had never seen. Sleek, russet-coloured bristles tipped it like flames, while the handle was delicately carved, smoothly polished ebony. On it, the words shimmered in fine blazing gold print: JetStream Inferno. This was the newest model, even newer than the Firebolt! In fact, he knew no one had heard of it. Some of the newest brooms came out first in China and Japan, so Britain would not get it for at least another year.
Syaoran stared in awe. He knew Harry Potter had the Firebolt, but he could defeat Potter with a JetStream Inferno, right?He was neither a good flier, nor Seeker all together. He wondered if this broom could make any difference. Instantly he recalled that Montague had wanted them to have a meet for practice that afternoon. Quickly, Syaoran tucked away the new broom under his bed.
After each gathered their copies of The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Sakura dashed through the halls, up a couple of stairs to DADA. Mizuki grinned at them as they entered the room. She stood before the blackboard and a model of some sort of figure covered with satin cloth.
The three, feeling inquisitive, all seated themselves down at some available desks. Other students eyed the figure curiously.
'Now...I see you are all quite interested of what this might be.' Her long gingery hair swayed as she nodded her head at the cloaked figure. Suddenly she whipped off the cloth and revealed a strange statue of a small elf-like creature.
'Can anyone tell me what this is?' Mizuki smiled, looking around the room expecting to see someone raise their hand.
A single hand shot up. It was all too obvious who it was and everyone else just groaned.
'Ah, Miss Granger.'
'It's an Erkling!' Hermione answered stridently, a confident look on her face.
'Yes, thank you. Now, can anyone tell me anything about the Erkling?' Kaho looked around only to see many dull and drowsy looking faces. Again, only one hand rose. 'Hermione?'
'The Erkling is commonly found in Germany. It's high-pitched laugh allows it to lure unsuspecting children which it…er…has a bit of a taste for. '
Mizuki shook her head disappointedly. 'Yes, Hermione. The Erkling looks small, but is still quite monstrous. I am surprised. I believe we covered this just last week. This is unacceptable. I expected more class participation. Well, everyone turn to page 242 in your textbooks, titled, Erklings: Regulation and Control. We will be having a test quite soon, as Dumbledore announced recently. The test will review zombies, vampires and Kappas from last year, in addition to Erklings. On Monday, we will have a test on the Unforgivable Curses, since it was postponed a while back. However, it seems no one has studied or bothered to pay attention. Therefore, I expect a seven-page essay on Erklings and Defence by Wednesday. No excuses.'
Many low groans and whines coursed through the classroom as they opened their books and turned to the instructed page.
'Lame,' mumbled Ron as he flipped from 240 to 242.
Hermione gave him a scathing look. She clearly thought there were amble opportunities to study.
When DADA was over, many of the students came out upset and grumpy.
'I can't believe that Mizuki! Utter rubbish! Vampires? I can't believe we have a test on them, too. I've completely forgotten how you're supposed to detect one,' groaned Ron as he stomped through the halls.
'Well, I know her. She is very nice,' said Sakura shortly, as she walked alongside the trio.
Harry shook his head in disagreement. 'Yeah, well, I still say Lupin was the best teacher we've ever had. And he went over vampires well enough.'
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'You're just being silly. If you spent time studying, like me—'
'Sorry, Hermione,' Ron shot back with a slight smirk, 'we don't live in the library like you do.'
Hermione shot him a glare. 'You are simply hopeless. And you wonder why you fail, then? Don't come crying to me when you do.'
'Why would I come to you?' spat Ron, walking quicker still. 'Your solution for everything involves a book! Sorry...but you can't find all the world's answers in a book!'
Sakura and Harry shared tense glances. When they had first started going out, Ron had simply chosen not to argue back, smitten with Hermione. But lately, they had slipped back into old habits, with Harry and Sakura awkwardly caught in the line of fire.
'Um, we're going to, um, Herbology now,' Harry began uncomfortably giving Sakura a slight glance. 'Catch up when you can.'
At that moment Sakura and Harry dashed off, trying to escape the bickering couple.
'Well, I suppose that one aspect in their lives hasn't changed,' Sakura looked back uneasily.
'Yeah,' sighed Harry, 'you got that one right.'
Soon they had arrived at the Herbology Greenhouse. This one was split with Ravenclaws.
Professor Sprout stood proudly with a strange new plant. Sakura stared at the outlandish fern and sighed. 'If this one is anything like the baby Mandrakes, then I quit. That one gave me headaches for weeks.'
Syaoran's Astronomy class had finished. Deciding that they should cut class for a well-needed practice session, Snape gave the Slytherin Quidditch team permission to skip Transfiguration.
Syaoran marched through the halls. Beside him were six of the other large and foul-looking members of the Slytherin Quidditch team. Many fifth-year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs parted to make way for the 'filthy scumbags'.
'So,' began Syaoran, feeling slightly uncomfortable, as he was the smallest on the team.
'So nothing!' snapped Montague as he glared at Syaoran. 'You better be good today! Frankly, you're bloody awful! I don't know why anyone chose you of all people!'
'Yeah,' snapped another, 'we would have been better off with that Parkinson girl!'
Syaoran looked down at his feet in shame. 'I-I have a new broom,' he croaked, knowing his voice was squeakier than usual.
Montague rolled his yellow eyes in disgust. 'Yeah, who in the world has heard of a JetStream Inferno? I bet it's just your own crappy old broom that you covered up with some Disguising Charm.'
Syaoran bit his lip looking around nervously at the other members. 'B- But...'
'No! I don't wanna hear any more crap from you, Li. I just want us to win. '
Hastily, Montague stomped away and the others followed after him, glancing back only to give Syaoran harsh glares. Syaoran reluctantly followed as they proceeded to the Quidditch pitch.
Stacks of textbooks fell to the ground.
'No! N-Not a JetStream Inferno!' Cho gasped and then ran to find the nearest Gryffindor. She hightailed around the corner only to find none other than the still arguing Granger and Weasley.
'OH! SO THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT! YOU THINK THAT I'M AN IDIOT! WELL, FINE!' hollered Ron, folding his arms in anger.
'I NEVER SAID THAT! I SAID YOU WERE IGNORANT! IT DOESN'T MEAN I THINK YOU ARE STUPID! READ A DAMN BOOK AND MAYBE YOU'D ACTUALLY LEARN SOMETHING!' Hermione shouted back.
'SEE? SEE? THERE YOU GO AGAIN, MOCKING MY INTELLIGENCE!' Ron retorted, putting his hands on his hips.
Cho blinked, uncertain if this was a good time to interrupt. 'Um...excuse me?'
'WHAT?' they both roared.
'Um. Well, it's about the Slytherin boy, the Li-kid,' began Cho anxiously.
'Oh, this better be good,' started Ron, entirely uninterested in yet another Li-related discussion.
'Well...he's got a new broom. The JetStream Inferno! It's the newest broom!'
Ron looked at her sceptically. 'No, the Firebolt is the newest. What on Earth is a JetStream Inferno?'
Cho shook her head. 'No, the JetStream Inferno is! You see, some of the newest brooms come out in China and Japan. Since Syaoran lives there, he would get it first! Trust me, I know what I am talking about!'
Ron and Hermione nodded. Cho was an ace at Quidditch, and prized Seeker for Ravenclaw. She had to know.
'Then we better tell Harry!' said Ron, ready to go find him.
'Yes! Oh, no, that's right! Herbology class! We'll be late!'
Hermione ran off behind him as if they had completely forgotten that they had just been arguing.
It was not long before Ron and Hermione ran into the greenhouse, huffing and dragging their books along with them.
'Harry! Harry!' Ron panted.
'Excuse me!' a loud voice snapped. 'Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger! You are late! How dare you come running in here like that interrupting my class?'
Ron paused, looking quite solemn. Hermione blushing, gave an embarrassed sigh.
'Sorry, Professor. We both are,' Hermione said on the behalf of both of them.
'Yes, well "sorry"does not change anything, does it? Five points from Gryffindor, each! Now get to a spot and do try to catch up!' she said hastily turning her attention to the class, quickly adding, 'By the way, I suggest you ask your fellow students for their notes, so you can at least copy them. You will be having a test on this.'
Hermione smacked her forehead as she muttered under her breath.
'Okay, well, back to Gillyweed. This is a very advanced plant for your year, but I suppose it won't hurt to learn some things about it. Now as you can see, I and I alone will be handling this plant...'
Hermione placed herself between Harry and Sakura. Ron took a spot beside Harry and, feeling bored, looked down at the sheet of parchment that sat before his spot.
'Harry...' he whispered, 'you won't believe it, but that Li—'
'Harry, can you pass me a quill?' Hermione whispered, tapping him gently on the shoulder.
'Sure,' Harry whispered back, beginning to pass her a quill from the centre of the table.
Ron groaned impatiently, 'Harry,'
Harry turned to look at Ron, but shocked by a sudden grunt, he dropped the quill. 'Yes?'
'Harry? The quill?' Hermione put her hands on her hips, looking impatient.
'Oh, sorry Herm—'
'Harry! Are you listening?'
'Yes Ron? What is—'
'Excuse me!' Professor Sprout bellowed, sounding quite aggravated.
Ron, Harry and Hermione looked up suddenly.
'You were late enough already, and talking does not help. Now be quiet and, please, pay attention!'
Ron groaned and turned his attention back to the parchment.
Soon, Herbology was over and it was straight to Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures. The Gryffindors stood outside, waiting for Hagrid to come outside with the creature and for the Slytherins to arrive. Harry envisioned the entire class in his mind. It would begin with the typical rounds. Stand outside as Hagrid brought out some potentially life threatening creature of some sort, which he believed to be 'cute' and 'harmless'. Then he would tell some brief words about it, while everyone else would stand way back in sheer terror of the monstrosity.
However, it was –
'Unicorns?' Sakura gasped. She remembered going to Hagrid's hut around Christmas time and Eriol had kindly introduced her to one while trying to convince her to attend the Yule ball.
'A-Are you sure it's really a unicorn? Maybe it's secretly a flesh-eating, fire-breathing donkey or something covered with a Concealment Charm,' Ron snickered.
Harry took off his glasses and cleaned them with his shirt, deciding he had witnessed an illusion. 'Or maybe it's something like a Boggart except the opposite. It takes the form of what you'd most want to see instead of your worst fear.'
'Yes...but do we all want to see unicorns? If it is anything like a Boggart, we'd see different things,' Hermione pointed out matter-of-factly. 'Besides, we had Flobberworms in our third year so it's not entirely impossible.'
In the distance, they could overhear the droning Slytherins whining about Hagrid.
'I'm telling you guys. One of these days, Father will put that giant brainless mammoth out of business!' a familiar voice drawled.
'Well, I know one thing. If it's something that bites, scratches, stings, kicks, burns or causes any pain, I am so quitting his classes!' Pansy Parkinson shouted as she and her posse shared insults.
Millicent Bulstrode grinned, her yellow teeth apparent. 'I don't even know why that bozo is even teaching Care of Magical Creatures. He should be one of the creatures!'
Howls and chortles sounded from the set of the now arriving fourth year Slytherins.
'Bout time yeh arrived. We've probably bin waitin' for at least 15 minutes,' said Hagrid gruffly as he ambled over to where the Slytherins were.
'Oh, sorry,' said a boy sarcastically, smirking as he rolled his pale eyes. 'Too bad we hadn't come sooner. At least this way we had at least fifteen minutes longer to live!'
Many of the Slytherins snickered at the comment.
'Can it!' yelled Harry as he glared daggers at the perpetrator, Draco Malfoy.
'All righ', enough, enough!' Hagrid refereed as he gave Harry a grateful look and sighed. 'Now, today I will be tryin'a new and in my opinion, borin'creature. Unicorns.'
Several students groaned, while some squealed with excitement.
'Boring? What's so boring about them?' Lavender Brown gave Hagrid a puzzled look. It was obvious that Hagrid's idea of an interesting creature was something possessing a pain inflicting body part or some odd feature.
Hagrid lead the girls first to the pearly white, deep ebony and bluish- platinum coloured unicorns reminding them that the unicorns 'prefer females'.
Draco kept muttering 'pathetic' as he loomed in a corner and stared at Sakura.
Sakura, feeling his steady gaze, shrunk slightly, blushing with embarrassment as she tried to distract herself by petting the unicorn. Once she had done this and admired its pearlescent horn, she made herself comfortable in a corner while Draco in the opposite corner gave her a flirtatious wink. This made her even more unnerved so she went to join Hermione elsewhere.
Now airborne, Syaoran opened his eyes as he looked nervously at the ground below him. He had to have been hovering at least twenty metres in the steep, summer air.
'Okay, Li,' snorted Montague as he looked at him from his location. 'Let's see if your alleged "new broom" makes you any more competent than you were before. But most likely, you're still utter crap.'
'Yeah,' Syaoran groused as he stared straight into his captain's bloodshot eyes. 'Let's just see...'
Suddenly Syaoran had bolted off, higher and higher into the air. The winds whirled past him, howling at his gained speed. He could feel himself feeling lighter, almost weightless, as he spun craftily into the heavens. Syaoran never felt this way on a broom, the speed and thrill almost too incredible for words. His grip firmly on the handle, he steered the broom skilfully into a swift ark in the sky, followed by steep dives as he then reared himself up again. This was his broom.
The other Slytherins stared in stunned disbelief as Syaoran zoomed past them like hellfire, soaring to seemingly impossible feats. Syaoran's chestnut hair blew past his face. For once in a long while, he was smiling— almost laughing. He was actually having fun!
Montague nearly fell off his broom as he hovered in midair, gaping at his Seeker. This broom was unbelievable! It seemed to have all brooms in one: the agility and acceleration of the Firebolt, the ease of the Cleansweep, the quick but smooth turns of the Comet, and even the reliability of the old Oakshaft 79.
And best of all, it did not take a great Seeker to fly. The real question was if this broom and its rider had what it took to defeat the Famous Potter.
Syaoran enjoyed the satisfaction from seeing his pathetic team captain gawking, slack-jawed. He could just envision the day when he would be dashing through the air, befuddling the Gryffindors. He laughed louder as he imagined the look of horror on their usually smug faces. He would show them all; he would prove that he wasn't some idiot doomed to embarrassment. He would show Snape, Malfoy, Potter, Weasley, Cho and everyone who had mistreated him. He would especially show Sakura. He would show this pathetic Hogwarts that he was better than all of them.
Deep from the shadows, a boy gasped in shock. Stumbling, he ran off away from the Quidditch pitch. He ran faster, gasping and tripping, still astonished. He did not stop until he made it to the entrance of Hogwarts.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Sakura strolled up to the entrance as Neville tagged along behind them.
'I tell ya...' grunted Ron as he shook his head.
'One of these days, something so bad will happen to that Malfoy,' Harry groaned angrily. 'Can you believe what he said about Hagrid? That idiot!'
'Yeah...and that despicable prank he pulled on him while he was showing us how to heal the wounds of a sick unicorn...I'll never forget that!'
'Oh, don't think about that...think about the fact that we have Hogsmeade to look forward to tomorrow,' interrupted Hermione.
'Oh, yeah,' Ron sighed, 'Butterbeer...Bertie-Bott's Every Flavour Beans...Fizzing Whizbees...the Joke Shop...ah, and who could forget Exploding Snap.'
'Oh right, I promised Malfoy I would go with him.' Sakura choked, grimacing.
'Foul! How could you sink so low?' Ron exclaimed in revulsion.
'Yeah, that's true. It doesn't really matter who you go out with unless you like them, but... Malfoy? ' Harry shook his head, disgusted.
Ron nodded. 'That vile creature from the depths of Hell! You sure you're not still possessed by something, Sakura?'
Hermione gave him a disapproving glance. She didn't find his 'joke'too funny.
'What? I thought you fancied that Li kid?' Neville shouted in devastation. 'The Daily Prophet said...'
'You read that rubbish? Don't you know that everything that Skeeter woman writes are all lies?' Ron interrupted, giving him a weird look.
'Oh —that reminds me—what were you trying to tell me in Herbology?' said Harry as he froze in his spot.
'Blimey! I forgot!' Ron groaned. 'I tried to tell you, but Hermione interrupted us.'
'Well it's your fault, Ron. Was it really important that you told him there and then?' Hermione snapped.
'Yes, because I forgot what Cho said, stupid!'
'Oh, don't start that again!' Sakura shouted, knowing Ron had certainly gone too far, and definitely not desirous of an escalation to their arguing.
Neville quickly nudged their shoulders as he noticed Lee Jordan running up to them.
'Harry,' he wheezed, before stopping in front of him and bending over to catch his breath.
'Lee?' Harry gave him a questioning look. 'What's up?'
'T-The... Slytherin Seeker...he-he's got a new broom!' Lee panted, now standing up.
'A Firebolt?' Harry gasped.
Lee shook his head, 'No, something else.'
'Oh, wait...now I remember,' Ron chuckled. 'Yeah, Harry, he's got a new broom. JetStream something, I reckon it was called. JetStream Inferno? '
'Mmhm, yes Ron, that's what she said,' Hermione reassured him.
'So that's what it's called, eh?' Lee said, beginning to look serious.
'What? But there is no such thing!' Harry shouted. Harry had quite recalled reading all about the latest models, having borrowed Hermione's copy of Broomsticks and Bits and near memorizing his ownWhich Broom.
'Oh!' Sakura gasped. 'I heard of it before, when I went to Kotou Takinou last summer.'
'Wha?' Neville scratched his head in confusion.
'It's like a Diagon Alley, except in Japan.'
She remembered. 'I saw it in a window display. It was about 1000 galleons.'
Ron knitted his eyebrows. 'That's bloody unfair,'he muttered.
'A few models come out first in Asian countries. That's probably why Cho Chang would know,' Sakura explained.
Harry felt a cold rush. 'This can't be good.'
'Well,' Hermione bit her lip, trying to sound comforting, 'It's the person that makes the Seeker, not the broom.'
'This is Quidditch, Hermione. The broom does matter,' Ron avowed, cleverly. If anyone knew Quidditch, it was Ron.
'B-But, it can't be all that good. Firebolt still is one of the best. It's only a couple years old,' Harry began trying to regain his confidence.
'But Harry, it's faster than your Firebolt, no doubt, so...,'Lee began sounding unusually unnerved. 'We're in trouble.'
They stood for a moment in silence, unsure of what to say next.
'HA!' someone said from behind them.
They all whirled around.
'What? Malfoy? What are you doing there?' Harry snapped.
'Oh, just listening to your little problems,' Draco sneered, his usual two cronies chortling behind him.
'H-How much did you hear?' Neville croaked, also surprised.
'Enough to know that you little Gryffin-dorks are losing the tournament,' Draco snickered, his pale eyes flashing maliciously.
No one responded. Ron clenched his fists while Harry gritted his teeth.
'Well, then. I suppose this means a certain victory for us Slytherins,' Draco continued. 'I'm not really fond of Li, but he's got you scared, Potter. The best part is, you're not so tough when your broom isn't up to standard. So, best wishes, and "break a leg", Potty –literally!'
And he and his crew sauntered off, shoving past them.
'So, as I said...one of these days, something so bad will happen to that Malfoy,' Harry grumbled scowling after him.
'Oh, but he's right, isn't he? We will lose,' Neville panicked.
'A victory for Slytherins...we can't let it happen...' Lee said dejectedly. 'No one beats us, not our Harry!'
'I think we should get to the Great Hall. We've got to get to bed early, since we've got Hogsmeade tomorrow,' said Hermione, changing the subject.
'Yeah, don't worry, Harry. We'll work something out,' Ron said worriedly.
But Sakura worried silently to herself. Syaoran was representing Slytherin, their opposing House. Draco's taunts were also not comforting. What if they did win? But an even more unsettling thing tugged at her conscience. Who would she support?