I used the translator for Scotland and Northern Ireland accents, so I may be wrong. I can't find one for Wales though, only the language. Also, I'm not British, only trying to do a British accent, so forgive me if it's not correct. English is not my first language. Also, I tried to get other countries accents, but I apologize if I'm not very good with it.
My special thank yous to Lovesbugsalot, Yoloswagsann, CrystalTinyFalcon and guests for their continuous reviews and support. Especially CrystalTinyFalcon and guests.
Declaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Narnia, or any other anime/manga and book works mentioned.
Chapter 14: Quidditch
As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaver skin boots.
The Quidditch season had begun and on Saturday, Gryffindor would be playing Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the house championship.
Peter was let out on the 2nd of November, after Madam Pomfrey cleared him. After what had happened with Arthur's howler in the hospital wing, Peter found himself more often times then not with Ivan and Edmund, sometimes joined by Theodore and Blaise, but Blaise was often with Draco and his goons, who still stayed away from Ivan.
The day before Harry's first Quidditch match the six of them were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and Hermione had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar, which Ivan found quite nice and made one of his own after asking her to teach him the spell. They were standing with their backs to each lamp, getting warm, when Snape crossed the yard. Harry, Peter, Ivan, and Edmund noticed at once that Snape was limping. The children moved closer together to block each of their fires from view; they were sure it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, something about their guilty faces caught Snape's eye. He limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway, as Edmund had lost favor with him on the first day, but he seemed to only be weary of Ivan.
"What's that you've got there, Potter?" he asked.
It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."
"But the courtyard is still school territory isn't it?" asked Edmund.
"Da," smiled Ivan.
"No it's not," snapped Snape. "I'll be taking this book."
"So what you're saying is that we could only read inside the castle and not on grounds?" asked Edmund.
"Don't get smart with me, Pevensie."
"Or what? You'll take off points?"
"Detention!" snapped Snape. "With me tonight, Pevensie."
Edmund smiled. "Wow, you hold yourself so high to only give detention and not take off points."
"2 weeks, Pevensie." And he walked off.
Edmund's smiled dropped.
"Wow, you really annoyed him," said Ron.
"Yeah, well he annoys me more," said Edmund. "I wish we could teach him a lesson and make him see. Oh, if only…" Peter put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll ask Peeves if there's anything he could do," he said.
"Thanks."
"Wonder what's wrong with his leg?" said Harry, looking at Snape's retreating form and not noticing that Edmund, Ivan, and Peter shared a worried look with each other.
"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly.
"Da," smiled Ivan. "Would you excuse us for a moment please." He took the lamp into his hand and led Peter and Edmund off. "We have to see Professor Von da." And they were off.
"Something's strange about them," said Hermione.
"Yeah, I kind of have to agree," said Ron. "There is something strange about them."
"Really?' asked Harry. "I hadn't noticed, with everything going on."
"I've noticed it ever since our sorting," said Hermione. "Didn't you find it strange that almost all of the ghosts seemed to know the Kirkland family, but there's no records of them? And there's that 'betrayal' Peter and Ivan keeps bring up. Not to mention Peter's uncle and family members. Just think about it, Alistair was able to apparate inside Hogwarts! That shouldn't be possible!"
"Well," said Harry, think back to what happened during the train ride here.
"I also heard a rumor from the Slytherin table saying something about the seal on the letters sent to them. One of the letters had a crest the looked similar to the British royal family while the other one looked like the Soviet Union's! The Soviet Union! Do you know what kinds of dark people and magic are at play there!"
"Er, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," shrugged Ron.
"Yeah," said Harry. "I mean, they are friends after all, and they have helped us out quite a bit. As strange as that sounds. So I'm sure it's fine."
"Alright," said Hermione. "But I think it's best you start paying better attention to your surrounds from now on, Harry. There is a reason Ivan said things to Alistair in Russian. He's hiding something. They are hiding something."
Ivan, Edmund, and Peter entered Von's classroom to find the alchemist all by himself, working on something.
"Von," said Ivan. "We need to talk."
"Alright," said Von, stopping on what he was doing. "What is it?"
"Did Snape go to the 3rd Corridor and met the three-headed dog on Halloween?" asked Edmund.
"Yes," said Von. "He went to see if anyone got past. It was an order from Albus."
Edmund and Peter sighed. "That's a relief," he said.
"So he can be trusted after all," said Peter.
"Big Brother said we could trust him da," said Ivan.
"But that doesn't mean we have to like him," said Edmund.
"Come on," said Peter. "We'd better get back to class."
And the children left just as students came into the classroom for their next period.
That evening while Ivan was writing his letter to Arthur and signing and reading over his paperwork, Edmund made his way to Snape's classroom for his detention with the man.
"Evening Professor," he said.
"Pevensie," said Snape, as Edmund came closer and took a seat in one of the desks at the front of the class. "Don't sit boy! I did not give you permission!"
"Okay, okay," said Edmund, standing up. "So, what am I suppose to do?"
"Clean up this entire room. I want it spotless when I get back, Pevensie."
"Or what?" smirked Edmund, crossing his arms. "You'll take points away from Slytherin? Or more detention?"
Snape glared back at him. "Or I'll take away points from Gryffindor for your insolence."
The smile dropped from Edmund's face. "You can't do that," he said.
"Try me, boy," he said, before turning away.
"Is your grudge really that hard to live down? How childish."
Snape stopped walking and turned around. "What are you talking about, Pevensie?" he asked. "What grudge could I possible have against Potter?"
Edmund narrowed his eyes. He'd hit the jackpot without even having to ask for Arthur's help. "I don't know Professor," he said. "But I'm sure you do. And I'm sure you are also well aware of the fact that Harry's life so far has not been easily."
"And why should I care if his life so far was easy or not?" asked Snape.
"I don't know," Edmund shrugged. "Why should you?"
Snape looked confused. "You're not making sense, Pevensie," he said. "What do you really want?"
"I just want to know," said Edmund. "Why must you be so unfair to other houses? Especially Gryffindors."
"That… is none of your business, Pevesie. Now get to work." And he turned to leave.
"And where are you going Professor?" asked Edmund.
"None of your business, Pevensie! Now get working!"
Edmund smirked. "Too many heads for you?" he asked.
Snape stopped and turned back to Edmund, getting in his face. "I don't know what you're talking about boy," he said. "Now get to work. I want this place spotless by the time I get back! And there's still more work to be done, so get going." He turned around and walked out. "Spotless!"
Ivan was working on his paperwork while Draco came up to him, his goons behind him.
"Da?" Ivan turned to them.
"What is all of that?" asked Draco.
"Work da," said Ivan. "It's family stuff."
"Family stuff?"
"Da," said Ivan. "My father is dead and so, I am the head of the family."
Draco sniggered. "Funny," he said. "I didn't know you have a father-"
"Da. How else would I be here?"
"-considering my father wasn't able to find anything on your family," Draco finished.
"Oh, you looked?" asked Ivan.
Draco slapped some papers down on Ivan's desk. "Yeah, I looked," said Draco. "And I couldn't find anything on you, Ivan Stravinsky. But I found something for Edmund Pevensie and Peter Kirkland. Pevensie's family and history seems believable, but yours and Kirkland's are quite questionable. So tell me, Stravinsky. Who are you?"
Ivan looked into Draco's eyes. "I see you don't fear me anymore," he stated. "It is because you are starting to come to your senses?" He touched Draco's face and held it steadily in his hand.
The two stared into each other's eyes for a moment before Draco slapped Ivan's cold hands away. "Don't touch me, you flit," he sneered. "You were only a kid found in the snow and raised by the Kirklands, weren't you?"
Ivan's face brightened and he looked up. "So you are starting to remember me!" he said.
"What are you talking about, you giant freak?! Oh, whatever. You're mad anyways." And he turned away.
"Ivan," Theodore came up to him. "Were you really adopted?"
"Hmm. I guess. But my sister still married into the family anyways." And he returned to his work after storing away the papers Draco had slapped on his desk.
Edmund tiered returned that night to find Ivan in a very happy mood and Draco in a very bad mood and wondered what had happened.
The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together next to a window, Hermione checking they're Charms homework for them. She would never let them copy ("How will you learn?")- Which Peter agreed, but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway.
Peter though, was writing out his letter of explanations to Arthur.
Harry felt restless. He wanted Quidditch Through the Ages back, to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow. Getting up, he told Peter, Ron and Hermione he was going to ask Snape if he could have it.
"Better you than me," Ron and Hermione said together.
"I'll come with you," said Peter, putting away his letter under his books.
Harry nodded and together they made their way down to the staff room.
Once they were got the door, Hermione stumbled to Peter's books and pulled out his letter.
"What are you doing?" asked Ron.
"I'm just looking," said Hermione, reading the letter.
"You shouldn't be doing this, Hermione," said Ron. "It's wrong."
"I just want to know what he's writing. Besides, if it's not something bad, than I'll forget about it. But I just want to know more about his family." Hermione seemed confused the farther she read the letter. "Ron, I think he's reporting to his father concerning what had happened to us on Halloween. Look." She handed the letter to Ron, who read it.
"He's apologizing for being too reckless and says that he'll be more careful next time," said Ron, summarizing the letter. "What's wrong with that? He's only assuring his family that he'll be more careful from now on- what are you doing?"
"Looking for that letter with the British Royal crest on it," said Hermione. "Ah, found it." She held up the envelope that contained Wendy's latest letter. "It really is the crest. 'I will maintain' hah?" She took out the letter that was inside.
"Hermione," said Ron, stopping her from reading it. "Just drop it already. Why do you want to know about Peter's family so much? I bet the seal is on there only because his father works in the government."
"But even so, that should only apply to Parlamental orders, government stuff, or if a member of the Royal family uses it. And besides, the saying is different."
"Thats because they're not the royal family!"
"Then why-?"
"They're coming back, Hermione!"
The two quickly stuffed Peter's letters back to where they were and pretended to be studying, but Peter had seen it all and had not like it one bit. Prophase he should start writing the letter in a different language now. He just hoped that Arthur's enchantments worked and that they didn't read Wendy's letter.
Harry knocked on the staff room door. There was no answer. The children looked at each other and Harry knocked again. Nothing.
"Should we open it?" asked Harry.
Peter shrugged, so Harry pushed the door ajar and both of them peered inside - and a horrible scene met their eyes. Snape and Filch were inside, alone. Snape was holding his robes above his knees. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Snape bandages.
"Blasted thing," Snape was saying. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?" Harry tried to shut the door quietly, but - "POTTER!" Snape's face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes quickly to hide his leg.
Harry gulped. "I just wondered if I could have my book back."
"GET OUT! OUT!"
Both Peter and Harry left, before Snape could take any more points from Gryffindor. They sprinted back upstairs.
"Did you get it?" Ron asked as the two joined them. "What's the matter?"
In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen. "You know what this means?" he finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him - he's after whatever it's guarding! And Id bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"
Hermione's eyes were wide. "No - he wouldn't," she said. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."
"I have to agree with Hermione-," Peter spoke up.
"Honestly, you two. You think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"
"I think we should just leave this alone, guys," said Peter. "We're just kids."
"We should just tell one of the Professors," said Hermione. "They'll surely do something about it."
Harry and Ron looked at each other doubtfully. "No," said Harry. "I highly doubt they'll believe us. I mean, he is a teacher after all."
"Still," said Peter. "I think we should just stay out if this. I feel as though this is something we should not be messing with." He picked up his books. "Anyways, I'll be upstairs if you need me." And he walked up to his dorm room.
"Think he saw us?" Ron whispered to Hermione.
"Saw you what?" Harry asked.
"Hermione decided to go through Peter's letters."
"I only wanted to know!" Hermione defended herself. "Besides, you said so yourself Ron. Peter's family is full of Slytherin blood and bread. What if his family is in league with You-Know-Who and was sent here to befriend you and later turn on you, Harry."
"That can't be!" said Harry. "Peter's not like that." But he was beginning to have doubts.
"Better safe then sorry, Harry," said Hermione.
Unnoticed to them, Peter had not gone up up yet and had heard everything.
He shook his head. "Uncle Dylan was right," he whispered, his eyes sad as he though of Harry's doubtful face. "It's always the women." And he walked up stairs to continue writing his letter of explanation to Arthur and start Jon his reply to Wendy's.
Snape limped up to Albus' office.
"Aw, Severus," said Albus. "What brings you here, my boy?"
"I have something to report," he said.
"Oh? What is it?"
"It's about one of those children," he said. "Edmund Pevensie. He knows that I went to see the dog, and I'm sure that if he know, the others are bound to know as well."
"Hmm," said Albus. "That is a problem… I wonder how they knew…?"
"You mean, you don't know Headmaster?"
"No. I've tried to look, but whenever I do, Ivan Stravinsky always seemed to be able to find me and somehow stop me from looking. He's almost always with Pevensie, so I'm always blocked from them. Even if I wasn't, it's still hard to for me to noticed anything out of place. That boy doesn't seem to know much. As for Peter Kirkland, it seems something else is keeping him away from my reach, and I don't doubt it if it was Alistair. That man, despite how he appears, does care a lot for his family. Also, it seems that the castle are hiding the children's coordinates from me as well. I can't even look into their minds no matter how hard I tried. Something is always in the way."
"I see," said Snape. "That is quite suspicious. You don't think-?"
"No," Albus shook his head. "I do not think so. But I am not sure about Mr. Stravinsky though. He seems to be giving off a very dark and dangerous aura."
"And what of Pevensie and Kirkland?"
"I'm not sure about Mr. Pevensie," said Albus. "But Peter... After what happened in the hospital wing, I thought he may be of the clear. But after what Miss Granger said... I think he may also be a danger to us. Prophase even Alistair is a danger..."
"Shall I continue to observe them then?"
Albus nodded his head. "Yes," he said. "You do that. And I'll see if I could get anything more out of Alistair should he next visit."
Snape nodded his head and left.
Alistair was sitting in the Union House livingroom, drinking and hiding from Arthur's notice, when both he and Arthur, who was at Parliament, felt it.
"Damn. He's gettin' tay nosy..."
"Alistair, where are you going? I have cookies."
"Don't soond sae much loch Oliver, Dylan!"
"But... It's only cookies, brother, not cupcakes... And I tried a new recipe too..."
"That's okay, Dylan. We'll eat it," said Michelle, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder as she, Seamus, Eustace, and Lucy came to stand behind him, a smile on their faces.
"And to think, he'd only just came back..."
The next morning dawned very bright and cold. The Great Hall was full of the delicious smell of fried sausages and the cheerful chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match. "You've got to eat some breakfast," said Ron.
"Yeah," agreed Peter. "It's never good to go to war, or do anything, on an empty stomach unless you absolutely have to. Trust me."
"I don't want anything."
Peter sighed and looked to Ivan for help, but he just shook his head from his place at the Slytherin table and went back to talking with Theo and Edmund.
"Just a bit of toast," wheedled Hermione.
"I'm not hungry." Harry felt terrible. In an hour's time he'd be walking onto the field.
"Harry, you need your strength," said Seamus Finnigan. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team."
"Thanks, Seamus," said Harry, watching Seamus pile ketchup on his sausages.
By eleven o'clock the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars. The seats might be raised high in the air, but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes. Peter, Ron and Hermione joined Neville, Seamus, and Dean on the West Ham fan up in the top row. As a surprise for Harry, they had painted a large banner on one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined. It said Potter for President, and Dean, who was good at drawing, had done a large Gryffindor lion underneath. Hermione had performed a tricky little charm so that the paint flashed different colors. Peter wished he could take a picture of that and send it to Arthur. He even asked Dean if he could help him draw the picture before Christmas break.
On the other side sat Ivan and Edmund. Peter wished he could sit with them and not get weird looks or have the two be called a traitor and maybe bullied. Though Peter wasn't as worried for Ivan as he was for Edmund in that regard though. After all, Ivan had been put through worse.
Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand. "Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you," she said, once all the players were gathered around her. She seemed to be speaking particularly to the Slytherin Captain, Marcus Flint, a sixth year. "Mount your brooms, please." Everyone got on their booms and Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle. Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too -"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, Professor."
The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.
"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goal posts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"
Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.
"This game is interesting da," said Ivan, a full bloom smile on his face. "I should try out…"
"Ivan," said Edmund. "Please. You can spill all the blood later, surely."
Ivan shrugged. "True. Maybe I could get into another fight with little Alfie da. My hands have been too clean lately, and my pipe is very much missed da…"
"Budge up there, move along."
"Hagrid!" Ron and Hermione squeezed together to give Hagrid enough space to join them.
"Bin watchin' from me hut," said Hagrid, patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck, "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"
"Nope," said Ron. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."
"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'," said Hagrid, raising his binoculars and peering skyward at the speck that was Harry.
"Yeah," agreed Peter, also looking up and seeing everything.
Way up above them, Harry was gliding over the game, squinting about for some sign of the Snitch.
"Oh, I hope Ivan can keep his pipe down," Peter muttered, looking over to where Ivan and Edmund were sitting only to see Ivan's mad smile that let him chilled and he hugged himself. "Ahh, why did it have to be in the winter?"
When Angelina had scored, Harry had done a couple of loop-the-loops to let off his feelings. Now he was back to staring around for the Snitch. Once he caught sight of a flash of gold, but it was just a reflection from one of the Weasleys' wristwatches, and once a Bludger decided to come pelting his way, more like a cannonball than anything, but Harry dodged it and Fred Weasley came chasing after it and beat it furiously toward Marcus Flint.
"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?"
A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear. In a great rush of excitement, Harry dived downward after the streak of gold. Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch -all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch. Harry was faster than Higgs - he could see the little round ball, wings fluttering, darting up ahead - - he put on an extra spurt of speed - WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below - Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose, and Harry's broom spun off course, Harry holding on for dear life.
"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors and Edmund, getting looks from most of his housemates.
Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
Down in the stands, Dean Thomas was yelling, "Send him off, ref! Red card!"
"Yeah!" Peter agreed.
"This isn't football, guys," said Ron.
"Oh, right," said Peter. "Damn."
Hagrid, however, was on the two boys side side. "They oughta change the rules," he said. Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air."
Peter nodded in agreement.
Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides. "So - after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating-"
"Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul-"
"Jordan, I'm warning you -"
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession."
"I knew there was a reason I liked that guy," said Edmund, a smile on his face as he shook his head from what Lee had said.
Over their many games of footy throughout the months, the guys had bonded. Edmund had become quite close to the Weasley twin and Lee Jordan while the other Gryffindors and Slytherins found some common grounds in their rivalry. Draco still refused to play despite what Blaise told him, only came to watch and badmouth the Gryffindors, which got Ron very angry and he really wanted to kick the ball toward Draco, but his teammates held him back.
They had also started on trying to play with magic as well, but mostly by accident though. One time, Ivan was so annoyed by Draco, he almost froze the entire field when he kicked the ball from the goal, pass Draco's shock face, and to Peter, who stopped it midfield. Peter had sent a letter to Arthur and asked him to send more balls for each of them to practice control on after Ron also got angry enough to turn the field into a desert had someone not put out the blazing fire.
"Uh," said Ivan, looking up.
"What's happening?" asked Edmund. "Why's it acting like that?"
Ivan looked toward the teacher's stand. "Da," he smiled. "Such darkness."
Edmund looked at Ivan in confusion before looking to where he was looking.
Lee was still commentating. "Slytherin in possession - Flint with the Quaffle - passes Spinnet - passes Bell - hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose - only joking, Professor - Slytherins score - A no..."
The Slytherins were cheering. No one seemed to have noticed that Harry's broom was behaving strangely. It was carrying- him slowly higher, away from the game, jerking and twitching as it went.
"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing," Hagrid mumbled. He stared through his binoculars. "If I didn' know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom... but he can't have..."
Peter seemed worry and looked to where he saw Ivan and Edmund was looking to.
Suddenly, people were pointing up at Harry all over the stands. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. Then the whole crowd gasped. Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.
"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus whispered.
"Can't have," Hagrid said, his voice shaking. "Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic - no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand."
At these words, Hermione seized Hagrid's binoculars, but instead of looking up at Harry, she started looking frantically at the crowd.
"What are you doing?" moaned Ron, gray-faced.
"I knew it," Hermione gasped, "Snape - look."
Peter turned to her as Ron grabbed the binoculars. Snape was in the middle of the stands opposite them. He had his eyes fixed on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath.
"He's doing something - jinxing the broom," said Hermione.
"Uh, guys-"
"What should we do?"
"Leave it to me."
Before Ron could say another word, Hermione had disappeared.
"Hermione, wait!" Peter ran after her.
Ron turned the binoculars back on Harry. His broom was vibrating so hard, it was almost impossible for him to hang on much longer. The whole crowd was on its feet, watching, terrified, as the Weasleys flew up to try and pull Harry safely onto one of their brooms, but it was no good - every time they got near him, the broom would jump higher still. They dropped lower and circled beneath him, obviously hoping to catch him if he fell. Marcus Flint seized the Quaffle and scored five times without anyone noticing.
"Ivan, isn't there anything you can do?" asked Edmund.
"Da. But if I do that, I would be giving myself away, so net," said Ivan. "I am just going to watch da."
Edmund looked stressed.
"Do not worry so much, Edmund," said Ivan. "It seems someone is already on it da."
"Hah?" Edmund looked to where Ivan was looking only to find Peter and Hermione missing from the stands. Edmund quickly stood up, hands on his head, but Ivan pulled him down quickly. "That Peter-!" He turned to Ivan. "Didn't Arthur say-"
"Da," said Ivan, not taking his eyes off the interesting game. "But his father's blood runs strong."
"Come on, Hermione," Ron muttered desperately.
Hermione had fought her way across to the stand where Snape stood, and was now racing along the row behind him; she didn't even stop to say sorry as she knocked Professor Quirrell headfirst into the row in front.
"Hermione wait!" Peter called after her, avoiding people as he went. "Stop! Don't-!"
But it was too late. Reaching Snape, Hermione crouched down, pulled out her wand, and whispered a few, well-chosen words. Bright blue flames shot from her wand onto the hem of Snape's robes.
It took perhaps thirty seconds for Snape to realize that he was on fire. A sudden yelp told her she had done her job. Scooping the fire off him into a little jar in her pocket, she scrambled back along the row - Snape would never know what had happened.
It was enough. Up in the air, Harry was suddenly able to clamber back on to his broom.
"Neville, you can look!" Ron said. Neville had been sobbing into Hagrid's jacket for the last five minutes. Harry was speeding toward the ground when the crowd saw him clap his hand to his mouth as though he was about to be sick - he hit the field on all fours - coughed - and something gold fell into his hand.
"I've got the Snitch!" he shouted, waving it above his head, and the game ended in complete confusion.
"He didn't catch it, he nearly swallowed it," Flint was still howling twenty minutes later, but it made no difference - Harry hadn't broken any rules and Lee Jordan was still happily shouting the results - Gryffindor had won by one hundred and seventy points to sixty.
Harry heard none of this, though. He was being made a cup of strong tea back in Hagrid's hut, with Peter, Edmund, Ivan, Ron and Hermione.
"It was Snape," Ron was explaining, "Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid, who hadn't heard a word of what had gone on next to him in the stands. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"
The children looked at one another, wondering what to tell him. Harry decided on the truth.
"I found out something about him," he told Hagrid. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding."
Hagrid dropped the teapot. "How do you know about Fluffy?" he said.
"Fluffy?"
"Only one name?" asked Ivan. "He has three heads da. They each have a name da. Hercules gave them each a name, last I remembered."
"Hercules?" asked Peter. "They're Greece's? Is that why you were...?"
Ivan nodded his head.
"Well, I did bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year," said Hagrid. "He said he had too many, but never told me they had names, so I gave him the name 'Fluffy'. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"
"Yes?" said Harry eagerly.
"Now, don't ask me anymore," said Hagrid gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's trying to steal it."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid again. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."
"So why did he just try and kill Harry?" cried Hermione. The afternoon's events certainly seemed to have changed her mind about Snape. "I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!"
"But that can also be true for counter curses," said Edmund.
"Why would Snape help Harry?" asked Ron.
"Yeah, he's been at odds with me since-"
"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid hotly. "I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all three of yeh - yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel -"
"Aha!" said Harry, "so there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?"
Hagrid looked furious with himself and told the children to leave and not to meddle into this, its dangerous.
"It doesn't look like they'll leave this alone," sighed Edmund, walking back to the Slytherin dormitory.
"Da," agreed Ivan. "And Peter will be in it as well. Hopefully, Big Brother will not be too furious and look past it…"
Over in London, at the Kirkland household, Arthur sneezed into his newspaper.
"Are you getting sick, Arthur?" asked Michelle.
"No," said Arthur. "I think someone's just talking about me behind my back."
"Who isn't talking about you behind your back, you eyebrow bastard. Last I remembered, you said everyone was plotting your dismay at one time or another. Even me."
Arthur glared at her retreating form.