THE QUIDDITCH MATCH
Much to Harry's annoyance, Percy had been appointed the duty of following him around the corridors. After Black had entered the castle, every teacher had kept an extra eye out for the Potter boy. Professor McGonagall had told Harry of the dangers of Sirius Black and why he was at the school. McGonagall was originally going to ask Harry to give up on Quidditch training, but after some debate, she agreed to let him continue under the supervision of a teacher. Madam Hooch had volunteered. She was Hogwarts Flying instructor and a Quidditch referee. She had short, grey hair and yellow eyes like a hawk, which was usually hidden behind goggles. She was a firm believer in fair game and wanted to grand the Gryffindors their chance at winning that year.
Just as the Gryffindor Quidditch team had gotten their moves against the Slytherins in order, the match was re-scheduled. All due to an injury to their seekers arm. Draco Malfoy had milked his injury for weeks, long after it had healed. Everyone on the team was angry, but none as angry as Oliver Wood. It was his very last chance to win the cup as he left Hogwarts after the summer. He spat and cursed in front of the others.
"Don't worry Oliver. Calm down!" Fred half yelled to his friend, looking alarmed at the outburst. "We'll still win!" he added. Oliver calmed down for the moment. He started to work on a plan to beat Hufflepuff instead.
After their training, Harry was already late for his Dark Arts class. He ran to the classroom, only stopping outside to catch his breath. "Sorry I'm late, Professor Lup…" Harry said as he walked in. He stopped talking when he noticed Snape staring at him from the teacher's desk.
"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter. Sit down," Snape angrily said. "Ten points from Gryffindor," he added much to the annoyance of every Gryffindor in the classroom. Harry stood still, looking around the room for Daisy. Seeing her sitting next to Hermione and Ron in the back of the room, he walked over there. "Where's Lupin?" he whispered to Daisy. She turned to look at him. Red eyes stared back at Harry, "he's too ill to teach today." Her voice was rusty. Sounding as if she had cried. Hermione immediately put her hand on her shoulder, showing support. They thought she was upset because of her father's health, but it was something else too. She did not correct them as she was instructed not to say anything.
Full moons were painful for her father, but for her too. Despite her lack of lycanthropy, the moons were affecting her almost as much as it did her father. Pains, aches and weakness was something the young girl were very familiar with. On top of that she had to deal with her father's transformation. Not the moment he turned into a werewolf, but the hours before and after. At home in their small cottage in the middle of nowhere, she used to tend to his cuts and bruises. At Hogwarts, Madam Pomfrey would heal his injuries.
"Are you alright, Daisy?" Harry whispered. He had noticed her staring off into the distance, lost in thoughts. She nodded.
"Potter, keep quit and follow the lesson. One more interruption and Gryffindor loses 40 points," Professor Snape hissed. A few Gryffindors gasped and gave Harry a 'don't you dare' look before turning back to the teacher. Harry, Ron and Hermione all stiffened at the threat.
"Today we will discuss werewolves," said Snape. Hermione was about to argue the fact that the class was not that far in the curriculum, but Ron hushed her quietly. "Weasley, 40 points off Gryffindor," Snape said in an evil tone. "Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four," he instructed. Everyone did as they were told. Daisy stared at the pages, soaking in the information. She knew it all already.
"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" Professor Snape asked, looking around. Everyone sat in motionless silence, everyone except Hermione. She had her hand shot straight into the air.
"Anyone?" Snape asked, ignoring the now bouncing girl. He flashed a twisted smile. One of the students, known as Parvati, told him that they hadn't gotten as far as werewolves yet.
"Silence!" snarled Snape. "Well, well, well. I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognise a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are…" He turned around, leaving his robes swirling in the gust of wind. Daisy sat with her mouth hanging open, not believing he had said that in class. She could feel anger boil inside of her.
"Please sir," said Hermione. Both Harry and Ron winced, knowing what would come next. "The werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf…" she was cut off by an offensive comment from Snape. Hermione now sat completely still on her chair, wet-eyed.
Later in the class, Snape made a negative comment about werewolves and openly discussed ways to kill them. Daisy suddenly stood up, "with all due respect, Sir. Not all werewolves are not bad creatures. People just misunderstand them!" She was shaking with pure anger. Snape was taken aback by her sudden outburst and so was the rest of the class. After all she was still new at the school and they had only seen her as a happy student.
"Detention, Lupin," Snape said silkily. No one made a sound. Daisy took her books and left the classroom in frustration. Harry was about to chase after her, when Ron took hold of his arm, preventing him from leaving.
No one spoke in the rest of the lesson. They made notes on werewolves from the textbook, while Snape prowled up and down the rows of desks, examining the work they had been doing with Professor Lupin. He occasionally commented on the bad teaching of the Professor and just how many mistakes the students had in their notes on already covered themes.
The bell rang at last, but Snape held them back. "You will each write an essay, to be handed in to me, on the ways you recognise and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment on the subject, no later than Monday morning," he said satisfied, staring at the horrific looks on his students faces. The class was dismissed and every hurried out the door.
Daisy skipped the following classes that day. She had been allowed by Dumbledore to hide in his office. He had a soft spot for the young girl. Him knowing of her father's condition made him very understanding of her behaviour. Albus had quickly caught onto the pain and suffering the girl went through each full moon. When she was younger and the pain had gotten really bad, McGonagall had insisted on the girl staying in her office. That way she could keep an eye on her. Acting like a mother, she would soothe her with kind words, cuddles and tea. Despite the pain, Daisy loved being mothered by Minerva.
The next morning, Harry woke earlier than usual. The weather was angrily attacking everything outside. Loud thunder rumbled over the castle as the strong wind hit the walls causing Harry to stay awake. Realising that it was impossible to go back to sleep, Harry left the dormitory on tiptoes.
The sound of the storm was louder in the common room than in the sleeping area. Harry thought of the upcoming Quidditch match. Wood had warned him of Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuffs seeker. He was a fifth year student and a lot stronger than Harry. In weather like storms, being little like Harry was not an advantage as it usually was in the games. Cedric being bigger gave him the advantage against the strong wind as he was less likely to be blown away.
Harry spent the morning relaxing in front of the fireplace, occasionally getting up to prevent Crookshanks from entering the boy's dormitory. He dreaded waking Ron so early just because Hermione's cat was after Scabbers, Ron's rat. He eventually ended up petting the cat in order to keep it still.
"Catching feelings for the half-Kneazle, Harry?" Daisy asked as she sat down next to him. Harry jumped and looked terrified. He had not heard her walk into the common room.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people!" he whispered loudly. Crookshanks abandoned Harry and went to get attention from Daisy.
"You shouldn't be daydreaming so hard, Harry," she whispered with a smile. Harry let out a small laugh. They enjoyed the dancing flames from the fireplace and spoke no more.
Once the sun had appeared and it was around breakfast time, Harry and Daisy left the common room. The halls were still empty and painfully silent. Daisy went to check up on her father, leaving Harry to find his own way to the Great Hall.
He sat down and ate a portion of porridge. Once the bowl was empty, his teammates showed up. They all sat down and talked about the match while eating the food provided.
"Are you not hungry, Wood?" Harry asked. Oliver was moving the spoon around his porridge but did not eat any. "It's going to be a tough game," he said, not answering Harry's question. One of the female players, Alicia, tried to calm Wood's nerves.
Like any other Quidditch match, the entire school had showed up. Most were hiding under giant umbrellas from the rain. Once dressed appropriately in their red suits, the Gryffindor team walked towards the stadium. The wind was so strong that they were staggering sideways. A feeling of defeat fell over the team, but they continued on like true Gryffindors. Harry's glasses were being splattered with rain. "How on earth am I going to catch the Snitch like this?" he muttered to himself.
The opposite team, the Hufflepuffs, were approaching the field from the other side. They were all wearing bright yellow robes. The captains walked up to each together and shook hands. Diggory smiled at Wood. Oliver looked as if he was ready to give up and head back inside.
"Mount your brooms," Madam Hooch yelled over the thunderstorm. Harry pushed himself onto his Nimbus Two Thousand. Rolanda Hooch signalled for the game to start with a whistle.
Harry flew up into the sky in seconds. The wind made it difficult to keep steady in the air. The rain got worse, and Harry could not even see his own nose. He lost track of time and place as everything blended together in muddy colours. Barely avoiding the others, Harry hoped for a time out. Perfectly timed, Madam Hooch's whistle was heard. Every player landed on the ground and walked to their teams.
"I called for time out!" Wood roared, gathering his teammates under a giant umbrella. Harry took of his glasses and wiped them hurriedly in an attempt to see what was going on.
"What's the score?" someone asked. "We're fifty points up," said Wood, "but unless we get the Snitch soon, we'll be playing into the night."
Harry told them about his glasses, waving them around in frustration. Hermione turned up at that moment, somewhat dry under er cloak.
"I've got an idea," she said taking the glasses. "Impervius!" she said, tapping them with her wand. She then explained that they would be repel the water. Harry thanked her and a smile found its way onto his face.
The game started again. Harry was full of determination. He was still soaking wet, but at least he could see.
In the stands stood Ron, Daisy and Hermione cheering on Harry, "go Harry!". They could hardly see or hear anything. They hoped that some of their cheering could be heard by the players. The Gryffindors needed a win that day.
Harry saw Cedric moving towards him, then he noticed a tiny golden speck of light. The Snitch. Harry turned his broom around and chased after it. Inches away, he felt a cold sensation overtake his body. The distant sounds of cheering disappeared. He felt awfully weak as he noticed a group of cloaked figures beneath him. Suddenly he lost control of his broom.
Down at the stands people gasped at the sight of Dementors that far onto school grounds. Dumbledore stood up clearly boiling with anger. He spoke a word with the teachers around him before walking out of sight. Daisy felt a cold sensation surge through her body. All sounds disappeared even the ones coming from Hermione right next to her. Hermione was waving a hand in front of her eyes, no reaction.
Harry and Daisy heard a pleading scream that grew louder and louder.
"Don't kill him…" Daisy mumbled.
Harry fell from the sky at an alarming speed. Dumbledore appeared on the field, holding his wand in the air. Harry's body slowed down, but it still hit the ground with a loud bang. Onlookers grimaced, some turned away and others stood with their mouths hanging open. Hermione shook Daisy back to reality. Ron, Hermione and Daisy all ran towards their fallen friend.
By the time they had reached the spot Harry had fallen, Dumbledore was already in the middle of transporting him to the castle. They worriedly followed them as did the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
"I thought he was dead for sure!" one of the Quidditch players exclaimed. They were all cramped into a small area in the infirmary. "That was bloody awful!" Ron said, looking down at his friend. Harry finally opened his eyes after his fall. He looked confused around, remembering nothing. Harry tried to sit up but was held back by Hermione and Daisy.
"Take it easy," Daisy said. After sitting up for a moment Harry started to remember. The match, the Dementors, the screams. He paled at the memory.
"Harry! How are you feeling?" Fred asked. He was covered in mud from head to toes.
"What happened?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer. Fred was quick to explain what had happened. Everyone scrunched up their noses at the mention of the Dementors and the fall. It had been traumatising to watch.
"What about the match? We didn't lose… Did we?" Harry asked suddenly realising that no one had mentioned it. Hermione stepped in, telling him that it was not his fault that they lost. The Hufflepuffs seeker had caught the Snitch at the same time as Harry had fallen. Cedric had argued for a re-match, but even Wood had told him that they had won fairly. A devastating feeling rushed over Harry. He already felt awful from the fall, knowing they had lost made it all worse.
Madam Pomfrey had asked the students to give Harry some peace. Ron, Hermione and Daisy stayed put. Someone had to drag them out of there if they wanted them to leave. Daisy sat on the edge of Harry's bed, sketching on a piece of parchment. She tuned out the conversation between Ron, Hermione and Harry. The full moon still had an effect on her.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, sitting down on the edge of Harry's bed as well. She looked at Daisy with a polite smile. Harry stared confused at them.
"I'm good, I'm good," she said nervously. Since starting at Hogwarts, she had trouble hiding her issues. At home it was only her and Remus. No need to hide her peculiarities. Even around Dumbledore, she had no need to pretend everything was fine.
"Did something happen to you too?" Harry asked with a tilted head. He was still a bit out of it. Harry had grown protective of the girl especially when it came to Draco Malfoy. Despite her being the daughter of a teacher, he had helped her become a part of their little friend group.
Daisy just smiled nervously at the three. "She went white as a ghost and spaced out when you fell - and mumbled don't kill him," Hermione explained. Ron stared at her in surprise. He had been so caught up in Harry falling to what he thought would be his death. Ron had not noticed anything but that.
"Again?" Harry whispered. Daisy looked guiltily at her friends. Internally debating with herself whether to play it off like usual or come clean. She nervously played with the sleeves of her soaked robe, peeling off some of her nail polish in the process.
"Please don't ask again," she mumbled. A few tears fell from her eyes, "I do not want to lose my only friends."
Ron and Hermione both gave her a sympathetic look while Harry told her nothing could make him leave. Daisy's cheeks turned bright red, and she tried to hide her face in the collar of her shirt.
"I've always had dreams that are not mine…" she began. "And ever since the Dementor on the train, I've been seeing things," she said the last bit so fast that only Hermione really heard all words. Ron, who had heard nothing but gibberish, looked puzzled at her. Harry was trying to put the pieces together in his mind. The similarities in her behaviour were made Harry think back to the event in Lupin's office. He thought about the possibility that it could be connected or somehow had been the same.
Daisy flipped the parchment so they could see her drawing. It pictured a woman with thick, dark coloured hair that reached her shoulders. Her eyes were filled with kindness even though it was just pen on paper.
"She looks so familiar. I just can't place it," Daisy said. Harry's jaw dropped and tears filled his eyes. "That's my mother!" he exclaimed. Both Hermione and Ron looked surprised at the two.
"I heard her scream when you fell, and I kept seeing her face. She looked so… protective," Daisy admitted. Everyone was lost for words. All just staring at the drawing. Harry was so taken aback that he felt sick to his stomach. He too had heard the screams. Realising that it was his mother screaming for someone to spare a life made Harry very upset.
"I heard them too…" Harry cried into the arms of Hermione.