AN: Hi everyone, I'm a day late, but it's an improvement on last time! I'm not going to waffle on, but thank for all the reviews, follows, favs and for just generally reading! Lala x
UPDATE (24/12/15): MERRY CHRISTMAS! This is my little present to you all, so I hope you enjoy it. Season's greetings to you all, for whatever you may be celebrating at the moment, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, or a completely different celebration. Love to you all, and the next update will probably be early in the New Year. Lala xxx
Dudley took the book, sat down, and took a deep breath.
Chapter Ten – Halloween
Malfoy … one.
"Idiots."
In … Ron.
"Or both." muttered Remus.
"Or … further clues.
"So then you devote all your time to finding more."
Neither … dog again.
"At least someone was sensible."
Hermione … bonus.
Many of the gryffindors snorted. She was still rather bossy, but she had got considerably better.
All they … week later.
Harry couldn't hold back a smile.
As the … of the parcel.
"Oooh, what did it say?"
Harry … and Goyle.
"Bloody Slytherins butting their noses in where they're not wanted."
Malfoy … broomstick,"
"Well, duh."
he … it.
"Of course." sighed Hermione, smiling.
"It's … by twig."
Narcissa glared at her son. The Weasleys may not have always been her favourite family, but a Malfoy was dignified and showed respect to others, they did not make idle jabs at another wizard, blood traitor or not.
Harry's first thought was that a swarm of bees had entered the hall, but he soon realised that the low, humming sound was all the Weasley kids growling.
Before … squeaked.
Tonks laughed. "When aren't they arguing?"
"Potters … model is it?"
"Bet he loved that." Ginny smirked.
Malfoy glared at her from across the hall.
"A Nimbus … much good."
"I'm so glad you're more relaxed now, 'Mione."
Hermione … the top.
Many of the Quidditch enthusiasts seemed to have a glazed look in their eyes.
As seven … high.
Many people reached for their quills, adding to their lists.
Too eager … touch.
There was a few sighs of appreciation for the broomstick, but many felt that the firebolt was far better, and those who had tried out Harry's broom had no doubt. Despite this, Harry couldn't help but feel nostalgic for his old broom. That damned tree!
"Hey, … glinting.
The entirety of what was left of Oliver's Quidditch team groaned.
Harry laughed at the confused look on Dudley's face. "If you had gone through the training sessions that followed Oliver's eyes glinting, you would groan too!"
The twins shuddered. "Wood could be dangerous."
Remus grinned. "Wood was a lot like James. He would get that 'glint' as well, and then he was brutal."
"I … a week."
"Those were the days we only had practice three times a week." Alicia sighed longingly.
He … balls.
Dudley read faster, wanting to find out about this mysterious sport.
"Right … quickly.
Arthur was excited at the prospect of interrogating Harry and his family over dinner.
"Now … Harry's face.
Mrs Weasley and Petunia blanched. Amelia looked worried.
"Do you not have anyone supervising these sessions, Minerva?" she asked.
"They would need to deal with more than a single Bludger on the pitch, Madame Bones." She replied stiffly.
Harry … air
"Not bad Harry," said Fred,
"You'd make a fair beater." finished George
— it zoomed … head open."
"Optimistic as ever."
"Don't … themselves."
Fred and George puffed their chests out proudly, much to the amusement of those around them.
Wood … always win.
"Not in the Bulgaria and Ireland match!" shouted a previously surly Seamus Finnigan. "Ireland won, even though Bulgaria caught the snitch."
Fred and George glowered at the memory of their lost winnings.
That's … problem.
"You're brilliant, Potter." piped up Angelina Johnson.
"As long as there aren't any dementors!" added Ron mischievously.
Harry smiled at Lupin. "I can deal with them now."
"I know."
"Hang on," said Dudley slowly. "Aren't they those things that you said attacked us over the summer? You told Dad…"
"That they would have sucked out your soul? Yep, that's them."
"They attacked you while playing Quidditch? But…"
Harry smiled at his aunt's concern. "I'm fine, Aunt Petunia. I'm sure you'll hear all about it."
Amelia was having another concerned conversation with Professor McGonagall – She really should put more effort into looking into what happened at this school.
"We … single one,
Charlie was suitably amazed.
and … chasing dragons."
"Hmm. And we need a match to prove that, definitely."
"I do wish you did something a little closer to home, dear, and it's so dangerous…"
Charlie only rolled his eyes.
Perhaps … about this.
"Me." They both said at the same time, much to the amusement of the rest of the Gryffindors.
She … the desktop.
"It's always harder the first time."
Seamus … hat.
Seamus blushed, but everyone just seemed to find it funny.
"I knew those hats were good for something."
Ron, … like a windmill.
Flitwick grimaced.
"You're … snarled.
"I wouldn't make a challenge that you're not certain you can win."
Hermione … their heads.
"Of course it did." sighed Ron
"Oh, … the class.
"Not that Harry helped when he overheard and managed to perform the charm a few minutes after I did…"
Harry looked sheepish.
"It's no … was in tears.
Professor McGonagall glared, as did Molly.
"Really, Mr. Weasley."
"I … friends."
Hermione looked sad at the memory. It was true that Harry and Ron had been her first proper friends, but she hadn't need the fact pointed out at her.
Many people were muttering about Ron's lack of tact.
Hermione … all afternoon.
"You poor thing."
On … minds.
Harry winced.
"Thanks, guys." muttered Hermione.
A … banquet.
"Oh, I love Halloween at Hogwarts." said a third year hufflepuff to his friends.
Harry looked downcast again, Halloween seemed to be a constantly significant date in his life, and he sometimes just wanted the opportunity to mourn his parents. He realised that he had never even seen their graves, and resolved to ask Remus at the next chance he got.
Harry … terror on his face.
Many of those who had not been there for the event leaned forwards, and Lupin narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
Everyone … ought to know."
"What?" squeaked Mrs. Weasley in horror.
Umbridge smirked, she may not be having the desired effect in regards to the Potter boy, but she may be able to shed some light on Dumbledore's darker side.
He … element.
"Of course."
"Follow … joke."
"He would never go that far, right?"
They … her?"
Hermione laughed.
"She … from view.
That blasted boy saw everything! Snape thought.
"What's … to clean.
"Eww."
And … lock it in."
"So that was your idea, Harry" Hermione said, playfully.
Harry looked sheepish.
"Good … walls as it went.
Everyone held their breath.
"Confuse … open with terror.
"Not a good time."
The shouting … to escape.
Mrs. Weasley whimpered, and Ron rolled his eyes, saying "I'm right here, Mum."
Harry … very stupid:
"That phrase seems to sum up your life, Mr Potter." sighed Professor McGonagall.
He … Leviosa!"
The hall groaned.
"Hey!"
The … owner's head.
The twins were amazed. "Well done, Ron."
The … heart.
"Cowardly –"
Snape … Harry's mind.
"Really, Harry?!"
"What … down.
There was a scattering of tense laughter.
Then … about them."
Hermione cringed. She didn't think her professors' reactions were going to be good.
"Miss Granger?"
"I – I don't really have anything to say, Professor. I shouldn't have lied, but –"
Hermione trailed off.
Dudley kept reading, wanting to know what happened next.
Ron dropped … arrived."
"Well, at least that part was true."
Harry … You may go."
"Only five, Professor?"
They … them.
"That was how you became friends? By knocking out at mountain troll?"
"Could you not have made friends in a more normal way, Harry?"
"I became friends with Ron over a train car full of food and Hagrid when he knocked the door down and told me about my parents' murder, Aunt Petunia. Other than that, I hadn't had much practise."
Everyone looked at each other.
"So," said Dudley, "who wants to read?"
Lee Jordan spoke up. "Hey, why not? Pass it over, then."
The gryffindors all passed the book down the table to the celebrated Quidditch commentator, who looked down at the chapter title and smiled widely.
"Chapter eleven – Quidditch"
AN: Thanks again everyone, especially to lilly-flower15 and Cassandra30 who have both reviewed every chapter so far. Thanks guys! Lala x
