THE TRUTH REVEALED
CHAPTER 14
DISCLAIMER: All recognizeable portions, or the parts in bold, are Joanne K. Rowling's work, all the credit goes to her. I am not making any money or profit off of this work except as my pleasure in doing it, and all characters belong to JK Rowling.
"The next chapter is entitled 'Quidditch'," started Professor Sprout.
Harry didn't know which was worse-people telling him he'd be awesome or people telling him they'd be running around underneath him holding a mattress.
Several people erupted into giggles; if you didn't like the attention, neither one would be very likeable.
what with all the last-minute Quidditch practice Wood was making them do.
"I have heard other complaints over the years about fanatical Captains scheduling Quidditch practice too often for the players to get any homework done," commented Professor McGonagall.
She had also lent him Quidditch Through the Ages, which turned out to be a very interesting read.
"Ron, remember when Snape took that book away, and five points, just because 'books aren't allowed out of the castle' or whatever nonsense?" Harry said, as realization hit him. "I never did get the book back, I had to check another copy out of the library. Maybe we'll find out if that rule is true, and I might get the book back. Unless he just deposited it in the library again, which I think he did."
"Mate, when did you get so bloody smart?" Ron asked in amazment.
"When Umbridge forced a book of my detailed life to be read," Harry answered bitterly
And she had conjured up a bright blue fire that could be scooped up and carried around in a jam jar.
"That's second year level magic!" gasped one of the sixth years at their table.
"Well when has Hermione shown magic of our year? It's always one above at least," retorted Ron.
Harry noticed at once that Snape was limping.
"Limping? Why would Snape be limping?" and other such queries were heard throughout the Hall.
-they were sure it wouldn't be allowed.
"Of course it is allowed, because you are allowed to practice magic," McGonagall said.
He hadn't seen the fire, but seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway.
"That Snape," sighed Neville. "I'm glad he left the Hall."
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," Snape said.
"He's just made that rule up!" Seamus cried.
"Yes of course, Mr Finnegan. I shall speak to Professor Snape later," McGonagall said absently.
But by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway.
McGonagall sighed, but there was really nothing she could do.
Hermione sighed, and coughed. It sounded like the word "boys" was hidden in it, but Harry wasn't sure.
-and a horrible scene met his eyes.
The older students moaned and sat back; Harry and his friends were well known for trouble, but generally survived, and claimed the House Cup too.
"Blasted thing," Snape was saying. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?"
Many people gasped. Was Snape trying to get through whatever was hidden under the trapdoor?
"I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, as a diversion!"
"You owe me your broomstick, Harry," Ron said seriously.
"I can't, Ron," Harry mock-whined. "That broomstick got smashed up by the Whomping Willow, and my Firebolt wasn't what I bet that time. We can't go back in time either-we don't have a Ti-"
"Watch it, Harry!" Hermione hissed.
"Right," Harry rolled his eyes. "Anyway, you didn't take the bet, so leave me be!"
Neville was snoring loudly,
"I didn't know I snored," Neville said.
"Oh guys-you too, Neville-what happens when we read about," Harry lowered his voice to a whisper, "Neville's parents? I know you don't want everybody to know about that Neville-but what can we do?"
Neville gasped and went white.
"Remember Harry, we're gonna alter the books a bit so our secrets dont get out-that can be a part of it," Hermione said confidently. "We just need to get hold of the copy McGonagall reads from. Actually, it may be as easy as asking the Room of Requirement for an altered copy, and we can skim through the parts we need, see the alterations..."
"Your a livesaver Hermione! What would we do without you?"
"You'd be dead, like I said..." Hermione said. "Now I want to listen to the books."
Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which-
"Lee!" George gasped in mock shock, "Of course you can tell us apart!"
"Not up in the air," Lee Jordan said reasonably. I can barely tell you apart on the ground right now, I certainly can't when you're a hundred feet up in the air!"
"Well now, we can't have that! We'll teach you the secret later," Fred said.
Once he caught sight of a flash of gold, but it was just one of the Weasley's wristwatches.
"George," said Fred at the same time that George said "Fred."
"Both," Harry interrupted. "I said 'one of' because I couldn't tell which, and it happened again later, but it might have been different both times, and...it's hard when dealing with identical twins! Just don't wear your wristwatches on the pitch anymore, okay?"
"Sure! We only do that anyway to confuse the other team's Seeker."
"Thanks."
FOUL!
The Gryffindors yelled it at the same time as Sprout did-they had all gotten so absorbed in the match it was as if they were watching it all over again. Of course, only the fifth, sixth, and seventh years had seen it (the rest had graduated) but the younger years had seen other matches and knew what the commentary meant.
"Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure,
"Have I ever told you that I love your commentary?" Harry asked.
"No, but you have now," Lee said.
He had his eyes fixed on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath.
The whole Hall gasped as one, and even a few mellow Slytherins felt rebellious-the rest just applauded Snape for nearly killing Potter.
Bright blue flames shot from her wand to the hem of Snape's robes.
"Whoa, Hermione! You set fire to a teacher!" Ron said. He'd never found out what Hermione had done, now he had he was impressed.
Sprout discreetly skipped over Neville crying into Hagrid's jacket, she knew she wouldn't want that sort of fact publicized about her.
Hagrid looked furious with himself.
Hagrid looked guilty.
"It's none of your fault, Hagrid-you simply slipped up. Everyone does at some point," Dumbledore said.
"Chapter's done, anyway," Sprout announced, snapping the book shut. "Lets have a little break, say thirty minutes?"
The crowd left the Hall, but Harry walked up the Headmaster and asked to rejoin the Quidditch team.
"Of course, Harry!"
"Thank you, sir."
Author's Note:
I am going to post once a week, (did I say that already...?) even if I get a chapter done earlier in the week. Next chapter, Quidditch practice and the alteration of the books' content!