A/N: Sorry this took so long. Really, I am. I've been busy, and I've got homework past my eyeballs! I'm doing 4-5 hours every night, so sorry if chapters are slow. This one's long, if that makes up for it. *hopeful smile*
This chapter goes out to Kneazle – YEAH! In honour of her new story For Better or Worse!!! *plug plug*
ff.net is down!!! I can't put any personal comments!!! I'm so sorry!!!! I promise when ff.net is up I'll put them in!!!
Well, with no further ado, on with the show!
Seventh Sphere
By Amanda H (aka Niffler)
Shouldn't Be Surprised
The following Thursday a Quidditch match had been scheduled between Griffindor and Ravenclaw. Harry woke up early and went down to breakfast with the rest of the team. Fred and George (beaters of course) joked happily through the early meal, managing to spill a glass of pumpkin juice all over Angelina Johnson (chaser), to her intense dislike. However, Harry noticed, she still managed to 'kiss' and make up with Fred on the way out.
Everyone darted back to their dorms to get their Quidditch robes and then they headed out to the change rooms. On the way out other students had begun to mill around the halls. They wished the team luck as they left.
Ron (keeper) yawned loudly as they entered the change rooms. The boys and girls separated and changed then met back in the main room.
"Well," Harry began, folding his hands nervously in front of him as he stood facing the Griffindor team, "this is our first game of the year." He began the customary speech he was so used to hearing rather than giving. "Oliver Wood was a great captain, and I know I could never fill his shoes, but I'm willing to give you my best. I hope you'll do the same for me." He bit his lip nervously, a habit he had picked up from Hermione. Alicia Spinnet (chaser) tapped the end of her broom on the ground impatiently.
"Don't think that just because we're playing Ravenclaw, they aren't a good team. And don't slack off just because this is the first game! Every game counts! Every win goes towards the championship! We need to fight hard and try 110%. Because if we start loosing now, that sets a really bad precedent for the rest of the year." He continued, now getting very into his speech.
"Harry!" Ron moaned loudly. "You're reminding me too much of Hermione for early in the morning." He groaned. Harry blushed and pulled out the play board instead. He began to draw moving diagrams on with his wand and explain new plays.
About an hour later Harry pushed the board back into its place. George poked Alicia, trying to wake her. She stirred briefly and moaned, but refused to wake up. George leaned over her sleeping form and whispered something in her ear. She sat bolt upright, her cheeks red with embarrassment. She grinned nervously at the team and stood, dusting off her robes.
"Alright!" Harry announced, much more confidently than he felt. "Let's go!" The team, clad in their scarlet uniforms, marched out onto the waiting field. As they came into view the crowd erupted into cheers. Harry smiled as he walked over to Madame Hooch. She motioned for the two captains to come forward. Harry stepped forward from Griffindor and a Chinese student stepped forward from the Ravenclaw team. The quickly shook hands and mounted their brooms with the rest of their teams.
Madame Hooch raised the whistle to her mouth and blew. The shrill whistle was barely audible above the shouts from the crowd. 14 brooms soared in the air.
"And Ravenclaw immediately takes possession of the Quaffle. Melissa Cordon heads for the Griffindor goal posts, she's really flying! She takes aim and OW! She collides with a bludger hit by Fred Weasley. Griffindor back with possession of the ball." Lee Jordan commentated from his normal seat, overshadowed by McGonagal, monitoring the appropriateness of his broadcast.
Hermione sat alone near the top of the bleachers. She watched the game with vague interested, more focusing on Harry. He flew high in the air, scanning the field for the golden snitch. He looked so graceful and at ease, flying up there.
She stole a glance at Ron who was staring down the Ravenclaw chaser advancing on the goal. She threw it and Ron dove. Hermione winced as he took a hard hit in the stomach, but deflected the ball to Alicia, who took off down the court. Hermione returned her attention to Harry, soaring high above the field.
"Spinnet for Griffindor with the Quaffle. She dodges a bludger, shoots and SCORES!!!!!! 10 – 0 Griffindor!" Lee cheered.
"Draco, are you sure you don't mind sitting over here with the Griffindors?" Ginny asked for what was probably the hundredth time since Draco agreed to sit with the Griffindors.
"No Ginny! I don't mind." He replied exasperatedly. "Really!" He said, trying to look convincing. She frowned.
"Alright if you're sure." She said.
"I'm sure. Most Slytherin aren't exactly overjoyed to see me right now anyway." He replied, solemnly. Mme. Hooch blew her whistle and the game began with a cheer.
"There are so many people here." Ginny thought. "It must be the whole school. That would explain all the mixed emotions. Oh! It's really giving me a headache. And my stomach feels queasy." She gulped back a mouthful of bile. "Augh! I feel sick!" She glanced over at Draco who was avidly watching the game. She pressed her lips together and pushed back the urge to throw up.
"I didn't eat anything different." She thought. Her head pounded, emotions flooding her mind. She winced. "Why did I agree to come to Quidditch game? I don't even like Quidditch! And I know being around a lot of people gives me a headache! I've never felt this sick before." She rubbed her temples lightly with her fingertips, but it didn't help. She felt an awful taste in her mouth and turned to Draco, still watching the game.
Her head began to spin and his image doubled before her eyes. She tugged weakly on his sleeve.
"Draco?" She murmured. He turned to face her. He looked closer at her pale face. Her eyes were out of focus, and she was beginning to turn green.
"What's the matter Ginny?" He asked, concerned.
"I feel really sick. I think I'm going to throw up." She mumbled as the world did another loop.
"You look terrible." Draco commented.
"Thanks." She murmured unappreciatively.
"Come on, let's get you to the hospital wing." He stood and Ginny tried, but her knees buckled underneath her and she began to fall. Draco caught her and she put her arm over his shoulder.
Carefully they began to weave their way out of the bleachers, Ginny delicately balanced against Draco's shoulder. As they finally reached the ground an enormous cheer erupted from the crowd as a goal was scored and Ginny doubled over, holding her stomach.
"Ginny?" Draco asked as she turned an interesting shade of green.
"Ummmm!" She mumbled frantically, moving towards a garbage can. She reached it and promptly threw up.
Hermione watched as Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw chaser, gave up her own search for the snitch and began tailing Harry. She scowled to herself.
"Stupid Cho Chang." She thought angrily. "Can't she just leave Harry alone?" She frowned at the girl tailing Harry.
Suddenly Harry pitched into a long drive. The crowd gasped as Harry hurtled towards the ground, closely followed by Cho.
'It looks like Potter has seen the snitch!" Lee yelled. "Chang is giving him a run for his money. He may have started first, but she was closer to the ground." He paused. "It's going to be close!"
Hermione gasped as Harry plummeted straight for the ground. Suddenly, just as he was about to crash, he pulled up heavily, sending his broom rocketing back into the air. Unfortunately, Cho wasn't so lucky. She was sent hurtling into the ground. Fred and George gave a whoop of endorsement and patted Harry on the back.
"Oooooh! I wish he wouldn't do that!" Hermione gasped, her heart beating loudly in her chest. Mme. Hooch gave a shrill blast on her whistle and the players stopped, hovering in mid-air, while someone mended Cho's bloody nose and broken wrist.
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes as Cho hopped back on her broom and zoomed into the air. Mme. Hooch blew her whistle again and the game continued. This time Cho kept her distance from Harry, circling the far end of the field.
Draco held Ginny's shoulders as she threw up into the trashcan. Several passing students looked at them oddly, raising their eyebrows. Draco sneered menacingly at them, sending them scuttling on their way.
Finally Ginny lifted her head wearily and looked a Draco.
"I feel a bit better now. But not much." She replied weakly, her face pale and her hair tussled.
"Come on." Draco said, draping her arm over his shoulder, half holding her up. "You'd better get to the hospital wing now." He insisted. The two managed a few steps forward until Ginny stumbled, her legs giving way underneath her. Draco moved quickly to catch her, but only succeeded in catching her head and slowly her fall to the ground.
Gently he laid her head down and moved to look at her face. She was breathing lightly, but her eyes were closed.
"Ginny." He called. She didn't move. "Ginny!" He repeated louder. Still nothing. "Ginny!" He called, patting her cheek with his hand. She began to stir, her eyes momentarily fluttering open. She groaned weakly.
"Can you get up?" He asked her. Her eyes fluttered again as she shook her head once. Draco sighed to himself and got to his knees. Slowly he pushed his arms under her. Then scooped her up into his arms. Carefully supporting her head he stood up and began walking towards the castle, his strong arms carrying the semi-conscious Ginny.
Ginny drifted in and out of consciousness. She was vaguely aware of Draco scooping her up in his arms. Then she was back in a world of mist. It swirled around her, blinding her with its brightness. It kept changing colours.
It was blue. The colour was accompanied by a low wail and the sound of a child crying. Ginny felt such sadness; she ached inside. The mist abruptly shifted to red. Someone screamed in anger and other indistinguishable voices yelled at each other. Ginny was boiling with anger. She clenched her fists in hatred.
Now it was yellow. Light laughter filled the air and a gentle voice soothed her aching head. She sighed peacefully.
Suddenly a glowing sphere appeared in front of her. It's vibrant red colour stood out against the yellow mist. Inside it and reddish-pink mist seemed to swirl, contouring the sphere with light and shadow. She reached for it.
Her eyes fluttered open again and she saw they were now in the castle. The stone ceiling was visible overhead. Something flickered in the corner of her eye. She sat bolt upright in Draco's arms. He stumbled, unaware of her consciousness.
Just a meter ahead of them was the sphere. It was hovering in mid-air, glowing brightly. All the queasiness left her stomach and her headache disappeared.
"Whoa! Wait a second Ginny!" Draco cautioned, setting her feet on the ground, though still holding her shoulders incase she were to fall again. "Are you alright?" He asked hesitantly, peering into her face.
"Can't you see it?" She asked, expectantly, glancing at him over her shoulder then fixing her gaze straight ahead on the sphere.
"See what Ginny? Come on, you really don't look well. We should go to the hospital wing immediately." He advised, trying to ignore the colour rising back into her cheeks. Her eyes gleamed.
"But can't you see it?" She asked, almost hysterically. "Right ahead, that glowing ball!" She exclaimed, shrugging off his arms and advancing forward.
"Ginny." He cautioned, following her the few steps. "What is going on?" He asked confused, trying to look her in the eye, but she was still staring fixedly ahead in a trance-like state. She reached out her hand, stepping forward again.
"Ginny?" He asked again, worried and slightly afraid. She closed her hand around something in mid-air.
"Got it!" She exclaimed triumphantly.
"What?" Draco asked, still confused.
"Can't you see it?" She asked, glancing nervously from him to her hand. She twisted her hand, wrenching the object from its resting place and held it out to him.
"This!" She proclaimed, holding the ball of swirled red mist out to him. He gasped.
"Oh My God Ginny! What is that?! And how did you get it?" He asked, amazed, reaching out to touch it. She immediately pulled it away.
"I don't know what it is." She answered, gazing at it curiously. "But as soon as I saw it my headache, and queasiness went away." She explained, still gazing at its infinite depths.
"I think Mme. Pomfry is out of the question now. We'd better go straight to Professor Dumbledoor." Draco advised, wrapping one arm over Ginny's shoulders, guiding her down the hallway.
A glimmer of gold flashed in the corner of Harry's eye. He whirled around. Hovering in mid-air, just a few feet above the ground was the snitch. His eyes sparked as he scanned the field for Cho. She was circling high above the Ravenclaw goal, much father than Harry from the snitch.
He ducked quickly as a bludger whizzed passed his head. George zoomed by after it.
"Sorry Harry!" He called over his shoulder as he took a huge swing, sending the ball hurtling towards a Ravenclaw beater. Harry looked down for the snitch again. It was still there. He bent low against his broom and dove for it.
Hermione watched as George yelled something to Harry, then Harry bent into a low dive.
"Not again!" She moaned, her heart leaping into her throat.
"Spinnet to Bell, Bell back to Spinnet! Oh! And it looks like Potter's seen the snitch! He bends into a sharp dive heading straight for the field!" Lee yelled, standing to get a better view. "Chang's not falling for it! She remains circling the Ravenclaw posts! Oh! Wait! I think it really is the snitch! This might be it folks!" Lee yelled. The crowd stood to get a better look at Harry zooming towards the ground. Hermione bit her lip hard. Suddenly there was an agonizing thud.
"Ow! Potter's knocked off his broom by a bludger! Of all the stupid, ------- things for those cheating, ------- to do!" McGonagal glared at him. "Sorry Professor." He apologized. "Well, Mason knocks Harry off his broom in a cowardly attempt stop him from reaching the snitch."
"It was a legal move." McGonagal corrected sternly.
"Yes well . . ." Lee replied. "Luckily Harry was only a few metres from ground. Pomfry is heading out onto the field to look at him now." He continued.
Hermione watched nervously from the stands as Harry shrugged off Mme Pomfry's help, standing on his own and brushing off his maroon Quidditch robes. Ron zoomed down from the goal posts to see if he was all right. Apparently reassured, he flew back to the posts as Harry stiffly picked up his broom and once again took to the air.
"Urgh!" Hermione sighed unhappily as the game recommenced and Harry once again circled the field, looking for the snitch. "Will that boy never learn? He is not indestructible!" She bit her lip, watching him with growing concern.
Draco knocked on the stone gargoyle with his free hand. His other arm was still wrapped around Ginny's waist as she gazed intently at the sphere in her hand. Her face had regained most its colour and she was turning the sphere over questioningly. Draco muttered to himself, something about being stupid and forgetting to ask for the password. Ginny looked up at him.
"The password is Lemon Gum Drops." She said matter-of-factly. He looked at her in surprise.
"How did you know that?"
"I've heard Hermione, Harry and Ron talking about it. At least, that's the last password I heard. Try it." She suggested. Draco shrugged and nodded. He turned to face the gargoyle's hard face again.
"Lemon Gum Drops." He stated. It jumped aside, leaving the passage open. Ginny smiled.
"Alright, let's go." Draco said, urging her on, up the dark, single file staircase.
They soon reached the heavy wooden door at the top of the staircase. Draco looked to Ginny who nodded, and knocked on the door.
"Yes, please come in." Dumbledoor called politely from the interior. Draco pushed the door open. He and Ginny stepped into the light of his office. Dumbledoor smiled at them.
"Ah yes! I was expecting you sometime soon." He glanced at his watch. "Though not this soon." He muttered pensively, tapping it gently and holding the device up to his ear. Ginny and Draco exchanged puzzled looks.
"Oh well, it is of no consequence!" He shrugged, looking up at them again. His glance darted down to the sphere in Ginny's hand, then back up to her face. "I see you have found your sphere." He stated with a smile.
"What?" Ginny asked, quite confused.
"Please, come sit." Dumbledoor encouraged, motioning to the three chairs opposite his desk. The two moved quickly to the chairs and sat down beside each other. They continued to regard the Professor with questioning looks.
"I see you would like some answers." He said, shuffling the papers on his desk and stuffing several into drawers. "Very well." He looked up at them smiling indulgently. "I am going to tell you a very serious, and very true story, and I ask you not to interrupt until I am finished." The two nodded solemnly.
Dumbledoor proceeded to repeat his explanation of the legend of the spheres. Ginny listened, horror and fear flashing in her eyes. Draco listened with a resolved face. He stared at his hands and nodded occasionally. Finally the Head Master finished. They sat in silence for several seconds, absorbing the information. It was Ginny who spoke first.
"So, I've had one of these spheres in my head, my whole life. And now I have to use it to fight evil?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes." Dumbledoor answered earnestly. Ginny ran her hands over the sphere in her lap, lost in thought. She could sense the triumph and air of foreboding Dumbledoor was portraying. She could also sense that Draco was nervous and worried.
"I take it, Mr. Malfoy, that you have heard this tale before?" Dumbledoor asked, watching the sullen boy with parent-like concern.
"Yes." He mumbled. The two waited for him to continue. "I have heard it before. From my father." He replied. "Voldemort has the sphere. The one that was thrust into another realm. He discovered a way to bring it out. That is why he has the amount of power that he does." He explained. Ginny looked to Dumbledoor, her eyes wide in astonishment.
"Yes, I know that Draco." The Head Master responded. Ginny opened and closed her mouth several times. Dumbledoor nodded.
"That is who you must fight Ginny. The evil that must be defeated." Dumbledoor explained. Ginny gaped at him.
"But . . . but . . ." She stumbled. "But that's Harry's job!" She exclaimed without thinking. Draco rolled his eyes in contempt. Dumbledoor smiled.
"Mr. Potter also has a sphere." He answered. This time Draco also looked up in astonishment.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Draco muttered to himself. "The Amazing Potter would have a sphere." Dumbledoor gazed at him sternly.
"There is no need to be judgmental Draco." He reprimanded sternly.
"Wait! Wait!" Ginny interrupted raising her hands. "I'm the one with the sphere!" She said, holding it up. "So may I ask questions first?" She asked, annoyed. They both nodded, Draco grudgingly.
"Alright." She sighed, fingering the sphere again. "What are the different elements? To the psyche I mean. And which one do I have?" Dumbledoor sighed and folded his hands.
"I cannot tell you the elements of the other spheres." He replied. "I can tell you that you have that Sphere of Emotions." He proclaimed. Ginny smiled, watching the swirls of light and shadow play inside the glowing orb.
"You also said each sphere gives the holder a power. What goes with my sphere?" She asked, gaining confidence.
"The Sphere of Emotions' power is empathy." She stared at him questioningly. "Empathy is the power to sense what others are feeling. Emotions and such." He explained. Realization dawned on Ginny and Draco's faces.
"So, you mean that's why Ginny's been able to sense everyone's emotions?" Draco asked, leaning forward. Ginny frowned at his interruption, but said nothing.
"Yes." Dumbledoor answered.
"Well, at least I know I'm not loosing my mind!" Ginny grinned. Draco smirked.
"Virginia," Dumbledoor began. The two looked up at him again. "I am afraid this is more serious than you think. You have no choice but to accept the sphere and the responsibilities that come with it. You will have to rise to the challenge of combating the Dark Lord. Though this may not be for some time, since spheres can be discovered very far apart. You will have to keep it with you at all times, as well as live with sensing emotions." Both Ginny and Draco's faces darkened. Draco gently placed his hand over hers on the arm of the chair.
"I see." She paused. "And I have no choice?"
The game had been going on for more than an hour now. Everyone was beginning to tire and Harry was under more pressure than ever to catch the snitch. He scanned the field, searching for any glimmer of gold. Nothing was in sight. As he flew above the Griffindor goal posts Ron yelled up to him.
"Any sign of the snitch?"
"No! Sorry Ron!" Harry yelled back.
"Just keep looking!" Ron replied, hurriedly turning his attention back to the game.
Suddenly he spotted it. It was hovering near the middle of the field above the players. Cho was closer. Harry gulped down a nervous lump in his throat and tried to casually make his way closer to the snitch.
He pretended to scan the field, still searching, while keeping a close watch on the snitch from the corner of his eye. Cho turned on her broom and noticed him. Then she noticed the snitch.
She was still closer and Harry watched as she bent down close to her broom and flew towards it. Harry also leaned down as far as he could go and sped towards it on his Firebolt.
It was neck and neck. The entire game had stopped to watch the two seekers race from opposite ends of the pitch towards the snitch hovering in mid-air. The crowd stood on the bleachers, craning their necks to get a better look.
Harry bent down farther, leaning right against his broom. He was almost there. He reached out his hand. Suddenly he felt the flutter of wings and he clamped his hand down hard, stopping his broom. Cho nearly crashed into him as she closed her hand over his. The crowd gasped, not know which one actually had the snitch.
Cho smiled at him and removed her hand from his. Harry grinned back and held his hand in the air for affirmation of the Griffindor victory! Fred and George flew up behind him and patted him heartily on the back. Ron flew up just after them along with the chasers to congratulate each other.
Hermione bit her lip as Harry and Cho raced for the snitch. It was neck and neck! They arrived at almost the same moment. Hermione watched as Harry's hand closed around the snitch and Cho's closed around his. She grinded her teeth together.
"Can't she just leave him alone?" She thought angrily, watching as Cho flashed Harry a glowing smile. "She's already told him she's not interested!" Just then Harry held up the snitch in victory and she joined in the crowd in jumping and cheering. The Griffindor team began a victory lap, Harry still holding the snitch.
Suddenly, a sickening crack split the cheers. Everyone froze in place as the crack was followed by the bleachers creaking beneath them. Then they began to slant down and to one side. Students slid across the wooden boards. Hermione screamed as a second year crashed into her causing her to slide towards to edge, more than a two-story drop!
A deafening crack split through the cheers from the stands. The team halted their lap and turned to the bleachers, which were creaking loudly and slanting to one side. Harry and Ron stared as one of the key support beams to one of the bleachers toppled over. A scream stood out in Harry's ear above all the others. He gasped as he looked up to see Hermione sliding towards the edge.
Ron bent low against his broom and took off to the bleachers, Harry close on his tail. The two headed for the base of the bleacher where the support had collapsed. McGonagal was trying to get as many students off as possible, but was failing in the chaos. Several other teachers were trying to magic the support back into place, but with the bits of the shattered 'structure' charms floating around along with the magical wards all around Hogwarts, this was impossible. Ron jumped down, throwing his broom to the ground.
"Hey! Wait! You can't go over there!" Professor Flitwick yelled to Ron as he ran up to the broken beam. He effortlessly lifted it in the air to the astonishment of everyone. He then thrust the end of the beam where it was supposed to go and pushed up, leveling off the bleacher. He positioned the huge wooden support between his shoulder blades and held it with his arms.
"Ron?" Harry asked, amazed.
"I'm fine Harry! Easy as pie!" He grinned. Really, he didn't seem to be having any trouble at all. Teachers began to crowd around him.
"I'm going to go find Hermione!" Harry yelled, hopping back on his broom.
"Yeah! Go!" Ron yelled back, trying failingly to fend off the teachers.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Hermione screamed as she slid towards the edge. Unable to stop herself she fell over, but managed to grab the edge of the bleacher with her fingertips. She just barely held on, her feet and body dangling over the huge drop.
Harry scanned the people remaining on the bleachers. McGonagal was having more success in herding them off to safety now, but he couldn't see Hermione anywhere. Suddenly he spotted her. She was dangling over the edge of the bleacher. He quickly swerved his broom and flew around beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her onto the front of the broom.
"Eeeeek!" She screamed in surprise. He leaned towards her ear.
"Don't worry, it's only me." He whispered. Shivers coursed up and down her spine and she shivered. Hermione relaxed a bit and turned to look back at him, accidentally looking down in the process.
"Eek!" She gasped, her body stiffening. Harry smiled, edging closer to her and holding her tighter with his spare hand.
"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you." He whispered again. She leaned back into him as he slowly took them back to earth.
Harry landed the broom and the two hopped off, rushing over to where Ron was now surrounded by a crowd of teachers, trying in vain to fend off the students. Harry and Hermione pushed their way to the front. Ron was standing there, underneath the pillar, just as Harry had left him. A few tiny beads of sweat were beginning to form on his forehead, but otherwise, he looked perfectly normal.
"Hey Harry! Hermione! I guess you managed to find her?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Yes." Harry answered, giving Ron and warning glare.
"Great! Want to take over for a bit while they finish getting all the students off?" He grinned happily.
"Sure Ron! We'll just lay down underneath it and hold it up with a pile of bodies!" Hermione replied sarcastically. Ron laughed. Suddenly his whole expression changed and his eyes focused on something just in front of him.
"Ron?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Look Harry! I think it's a sphere!" He murmured quietly.
"What?" Hermione asked, glancing around.
"A sphere. It's right here in front of me!" He exclaimed in a harsh whisper. "It's steal blue and round, same size as yours!" He described.
"Well!? Grab it!" Hermione instructed.
"Gee I'd love too!" He replied sarcastically. "With which hand?" He asked. She smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry. Hang on, I'll check how McGonagal's coming!" She replied, darting off towards the front of the bleacher.
"You alright Ron?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Yeah." Ron replied, shifting the weight of the support beam. Off to the side Harry saw Snape watching them with interest.
"Don't look now, but Snape's watching us." Harry whispered. Ron glanced briefly over his shoulder. Snape turned quickly away, appearing to tend to some students.
"You're right. I wonder what his problem is." Ron wondered aloud. Just then Hermione arrived back slightly out of breath.
"Yup. They're almost done. Just a minute or two more." She informed them. Ron nodded. They waited in silence until McGonagal jogged over to them. Her bun had come loosed and her face was red.
"Alright Mr. Weasley!" She puffed. "I don't know how you are able to do this, but everyone has cleared the bleachers. You may put the support down now." Ron nodded and slowly stepped out from under the beam, holding it with only his hands. Everyone stepped back several meters. Then, Ron dropped the beam and jumped back as far as he could. The huge wooden log fell to the ground with a loud thud. Everyone paused as the bleacher continued to creak, then suddenly in one huge crash of wood, metal and magic, the entire section of bleachers tumbled to the ground.
The students gapped at the wreckage. McGonagal took a deep breath then turned to Ron. He was just standing, having fallen after his jump, and brushing off his dusty robes. Something cool and hard rested in the palm of his hand. He had managed to grab the sphere out of the air before jumping clear of the falling stands.
"Mr. Weasley I believe you just saved these students' lives." McGonagal said, astonished. Ron blushed.
"No problem, nothing really." He muttered, hiding the sphere behind his back.
"We owe you a dept of gratitude and I'm sure the Head Master will want to speak with you immediately." She said, smiling.
"For one reason or another." Ron muttered under his breath.
"You should go there now and speak to him." She instructed. Ron nodded. She turned her attention back to the crowd of students. Hermione and Harry ran up beside Ron. Their robes were covered with white dust and Hermione's hair fell in loose strands around her face. Harry's black hair was speckled with white debris and Ron was filthy.
"Way to go Ron!" Hermione cried, hugging him. "You saved our lives!" Ron blushed again.
"Really, it was nothing." He mumbled again. Harry beamed at him.
"Come on, we should get to Dumbledoor's." Ron suggested. "He'll want to talk to me for one reason or another." He grinned, holding out the sphere to his astonished friends.
"Oh My God Ron! You got it!" Hermione cried, looking at the steal blue sphere. It reminded her of the 'steely' muggle marbles.
"Yeah, I grabbed it before I jumped out." He replied, as they walked into the castle, towards Dumbledoor's office.
"Good job Ron!" Harry congratulated. "I wonder what it'll be." He mused as they climbed a long staircase.
"I don't know." Ron frowned and Hermione bit her lip. They walked in silence to the stone gargoyle where Harry murmured the password (Lemon Gum Drops) and they continued up.
Once they were closer to the top the three could hear voices from inside. When they reached the door Ron held out a hand as Harry went to knock and put his ear to the door.
"I see. And I have no choice?"
"Ginny?" Ron thought, puzzled. He straightened and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Dumbledoor called questioningly. Ron burst into the room closely followed by Harry and Hermione. They stopped dead in the doorway, staring at the scene in front of them.
"Ron?" Ginny asked in amazement.
"Ginny?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Malfoy." Ron snarled, gritting his teeth.