After the incident with the troll, the group kept a watchful eye on each other from that point forward. With them now being in November, the weather began to turn cold. Harry had begun preparing in earnest for his quidditch debut. His first match was that coming Saturday: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Harry was extremely nervous for his first real game. By now, the news of his appointment to the team had spread throughout the school. Everyone was abuzz, some with excitement to see the famous Harry Potter in a quidditch game. Others, especially the Slytherins, were discussing how he 'cheated' his way onto the team.
The day before his match, Harry and his friends sat in the freezing courtyard. While Neville sat beside Daphne, discussing the intricacies of Herbology, Hermione was going over everything she learned about quidditch from Quidditch through the Ages. She had hoped an intellectual discussion would help calm him down, but due to some of the facts they learned within the book, it only made him more nervous. Their day was going well until Malfoy decided to make an appearance.
"Still here, Potter?" He spat. "I'm surprised they haven't chucked you out on your arse." The blond sneered at the group, then spotted Daphne sitting beside Neville. "Still haven't learned your proper place, Daphne."
"Proper place?" Daphne asked, raising an eyebrow, "And what on earth could you mean by that?"
"You should be with your own kind, not shacking up with a family as pathetic as the Longbottoms," Malfoy said as his eyes flicked to Neville, who was now standing due to the insult to his family.
Daphne grabbed Neville's arm and stood as well. "Draco…" she stepped in front of Neville, "I'm sure you father has filled your head with idiotic nonsense like your family being so much better than everyone else, but I'd like to remind you…." She put her hands on her hips. "Both the Greengrass and Longbottom families have a much longer magical history than yours. So, in terms of a proper wizarding family, I'd say the Longbottom family definitely trumps the Malfoy family. Now run along. You and your toadies are making the air around here smell like a troll."
Crabbe and Goyle moved as if they were going to lunge at her. Harry and Neville's wands were instantly in their hands, but before anything happened, the cool stern voice of Severus Snape spoke up. "What's going on here?" he said as he walked up between the two groups. He spotted the wands in Harry and Neville's hands. He sighed, knowing Malfoy had been insulting them once again. He was at his wits end with this boy; he just couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"Professor…" Malfoy said with a smirk on his face, "My companions and I were just passing by and they started insulting us."
Severus raised an eyebrow. The boy was clearly unaware he had heard more than half the conversation. "Really now?" He glanced over to Harry and Neville, who looked offended, "Please enlighten me. What insults did they use exactly?"
Malfoy had started to stammer; he hadn't thought that far ahead. He assumed the teacher would immediately take his side. "I…I….uh…they…" he continued to stammer.
Daphne then stepped forward. "Sir, Malfoy actually started in on us first." With her arms crossed, she continued, "The four of us were sitting here minding our own business when he and his friends walked up and began insulting the Longbottom family. I simply reminded Malfoy of how his family lineage was of far less standing than the Longbottom's and that's when you arrived, sir."
Severus' eyes snapped to Draco's. "Malfoy, I believe we discussed your pension for throwing your…breeding…in others' faces. How many more detentions must I give you before the message sinks in?" Severus was now standing in front of the mouthy blond, glaring down at him.
"But…sir, I…" Malfoy stammered.
"Silence!" Severus snapped. "You and your friends will join me in detention for the next week. Five points from Slytherin from each of you. I assure you, by the end of the year, Malfoy, you will learn to keep that insipid mouth of yours closed." Severus said, glaring down at the boy.
Draco had been dancing on his last nerve for a while now. The Malfoy patriarch had drilled so much arrogance and prejudice into the child, he was finding it hard to correct the mistake he made last time. In his last life, he had given the boy far too much free reign that caused the boy to get involved with Voldemort.
He was attempting to help the boy develop a mind of his own and not to blindly follow everything his father told him. However, his attempts at disciplining the brat had been unsuccessful so far.
"Yes sir," Draco said, looking down.
"Return to the dungeons this instant." He stood there pointing toward the castle.
The boys sulked off and Severus turned to the others. "As for you two," he looked at Harry and Neville, "I understand you have been insulted, but I will not abide the idea of you using magic to get even." His eyed their wands.
"Professor," Hermione had now stepped forward, "Harry and Neville only drew their wands when Crabbe and Goyle almost lunged at Daphne. As per Hogwarts rules, sir, they were in the right," she said boldly.
Severus looked down and gave off a smirk. He couldn't help but chuckle since the girl before reminded him of how Lily used to be in school. "Very well, Granger." He noticed the book in her hand. "Looking up quidditch facts, I see. Nervous, Harry?"
"A little," Harry replied nervously.
"No need to worry. I'm sure you will do fine," Neville said.
"Your friend is right, Harry. Just focus on the game. Granger, might I speak with you for a moment?" Severus said, looking at the young girl.
"Yes, sir," she said and followed Severus to the other side of the courtyard. "Am I in trouble, sir?" she asked when they had made it a good distance from the others.
"No, not at all, child. I have a request for you." He looked down at the young girl. "Tomorrow, during the match, should you notice any attempts at magic being used against Harry while he's flying, I'd like you to make your way to the teacher's stands and set my cloak on fire," he said, bringing up the incident that had occurred in his last life.
"But sir….why?" she asked, looking extremely confused.
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I have reason to believe one of my fellow teachers has some ill will toward Harry. Should they attempt to harm him during the match, if you were to set my cloak on fire, it would provide me with an opportunity to make a commotion and distract them."
"But what if you get burned, sir?" she asked, looking worried at the idea of harming a teacher.
"Don't worry about that, child. I assure you I can handle any flames you dish out," he said. "Can I count on you?" he asked.
The girl nodded. "Yes, sir. I'll do as you ask."
"Excellent. You may return to the others, but please keep this between us," he told her. The girl nodded and headed back to her friends. Severus sighed, thinking about how he treated these children in the past. The mere memory of how he used to speak and treat the children sickened him a bit. After years of adjusting his attitude and his treatment toward the students, his past actions reminded him of what kind of a person he used to be. And he hated it.
The next day, Harry was in the locker rooms, preparing for his first match. Wood was giving a speech about how this team was the best they had had in years. The fifth year boy seemed absolutely determined to win the Quidditch cup this year. Harry was nervous and he could feel the little bit of breakfast he ate that morning churning inside his stomach.
He followed his fellow members out onto the field where the referee, Madam Hooch, waited for them. After being given a stern warning to keep the game 'clean', Harry had noticed Madam Hooch was looking at the Slytherin captain Markus Flint when she said that. The boy in question reminded Harry of the troll he saw on Halloween night. After Madam Hooch gave them permission to mount their brooms, she blew her whistle and fifteen brooms kicked off and rose into the air.
The game was immediately underway with Gryffindor getting the quaffle first. After multiple exchanges of the ball, some through less than honorable methods by the Slytherin team, Gryffindor made the first score. Harry, excited by his team's score, did a few loops in celebration before returning to his search for the snitch. Harry was following Wood's instruction and staying out of the way. This was the best method to keep him from becoming a target of Beaters and Bludgers.
Harry was listening to the commentary when a bludger zoomed past, barely missing him. Fred Weasley chased after the bludger after checking on Harry. But before Harry could react, he spotted the snitch. A shimmer of gold was flying past the group of Chasers. The Slytherin seeker spotted it too, and the two boys sped off after it.
Harry was clearly faster than the Slytherin with his new Nimbus, seeing the glittering ball zooming in front of them. Harry put on a sudden burst of speed in an attempt to quickly catch the snitch, but out of nowhere Marcus Flint rammed into Harry, causing him to spin off course. Harry had held on for dear life until his broom suddenly came back under his control.
Slytherin earned themselves a penalty for that stunt. The Gryffindor stands were booing Flint as he flew by, passing Harry once again with a smirk. Harry glared at the jerk when suddenly the Slytherin captain's broom veered around and darted toward Harry. However, Flint looked shocked by this. Harry saw it and dodged, but Flint's broom swerved back around and charged at him once again.
Madam Hooch had flown up to scold Flint, but was shocked when the boy's broom spun around her and continued to charge for Harry. Flint was screaming. It was clear he wasn't in control of his broom.
In the teacher stands, Severus grimaced. Damn you, Quirrell, he thought. And began muttering a counter curse under his breath, not taking his eyes off Flint. Miss Granger, I could use your assistance.
Hermione had been watching the game intently through a pair of binoculars as Professor Snape had asked. She scowled when she saw Flint block Harry from the snitch, nearly causing Harry to fall off his broom. She was thinking of a good method to get back at him later when she noticed the Slytherin captain's broom acting against his will. Her eyes widened at witnessing Flint's broom repeatedly swerve and charge at Harry. This is what Professor Snape meant! She thought as she thrust her binoculars in Neville's hands and turned, sprinting away towards the teacher stands as Professor Snape requested.
Meanwhile, on the quidditch field, the other Slytherins were trying to assist their captain while the Gryffindors were trying to help Harry. Flint's broom dodged any attempt to intercept him, and continued to attempt to charge Harry. Harry continued to dodge the attempts, but was getting increasingly nervous as they did not stop.
Hermione had snuck underneath the teacher's stands and found what she was looking for. She recognized Professor Snape's shoes from under the stands. Noticing Snape had made sure a portion of his cloak was easily within her reach, she tip-toed forward and drew her wand. She gently poked Professor Snape's foot to inform him she was about to do as he asked and he tapped his foot in response. " Inflamarae," she said, and a small flame shot from her wand and ignited the hem of the Potion Master's cloak. With her job done, Hermione quietly fled from under the stands.
Severus had been using his counter curse to keep the broom Flint was on from going too crazy. However, he was unable to completely return the broom to the control of its rider. He had continued to mutter when he felt a jab on his foot. He knew that meant Hermione was there to do as he requested. He tapped his foot in response, giving her permission. Severus kept his eyes on the wild broom until the blaze from the cloak caught Professor Flitwick's attention.
"Severus, you're on fire!" the small wizard cried.
Severus immediately broke his eye contact and stood, abruptly knocking over a few of the other Professors in the process, including Quirrell. He stomped out the flames and looked up to find the game had resumed now Flint was in control of his broom again. He let out an exhausted sigh. I swear I'd murder him right now if I could get away with it, he thought to himself.
Harry had been preparing to dodge Flint again when Slytherin's broom suddenly stopped. Harry blinked for a moment as he watched the older boy let out a look of relief. At that moment, Harry spotted the shimmering gold of the snitch near the stand behind the Slytherin captain. Harry leaned forward on his Nimbus and darted toward Flint, who let out a scream, thinking Harry now lost control of his broom. Harry suddenly swerved around him and flew off after the snitch.
The Slytherin Seeker followed after him as the game resumed. Flint, however, was a bit of a nervous wreck to participate fully. Harry was flying at top speed, only a few feet away from the snitch, the other seeker right on his tail. The snitch suddenly dropped and began speeding straight down. Harry dived and the Slytherin followed. They were diving straight down and the ground was getting closer and closer. The Slytherin seeker suddenly pulled out of the dive while Harry continued forward. Just before the ground could swallow him, the snitch suddenly darted in another direction.
Harry immediately pulled up on the front of his broom while using his feet to push the back of it down. This maneuver quickly leveled Harry's broom but put him in a strange position. His feet were now on the broom and he didn't see a way to return to a seated position. Instead, Harry decided to mimic something he saw on TV once in elementary school and stood up on the broom. He was now broom surfing.
Harry managed his balance fine. Being of small slim stature, it wasn't hard. The snitch was floating just in front of him and Harry reached out his arm to get it. The tips of his fingers were millimeters from the tiny golden ball. Harry scooted his right foot forward just an inch, but this action caused the balance he had to shift and sent Harry lurching forward.
Harry tumbled forward. Fortunately, he was only a few inches above the ground. He rolled a few times before he stopped and managed to get up onto his knees. For a moment he seemed fine but then he appeared as if he was trying to throw up. After four gagging motions, something golden shot out of his mouth into his hand.
Harry's eyes widened as he held the snitch above his head. "I GOT IT!!!" he shouted.
The stands erupted in cheers, all but the Slytherin section. The Slytherin beaters were helping a terrified Flint off his broom while the other chasers and the Slytherin seeker were complaining to Madam Hooch that Harry didn't actually catch the snitch. 'Nearly swallowing it doesn't count as catching' was their protest. Madam Hooch, however, told them there was no rule broken and the commentator Lee Jordan shouted the score to all, declaring Gryffindor the winners.
Harry's team was celebrating, having hoisted the young boy and were tossing him up and down cheering. Afterwards, the teams went to the locker rooms to change. Later, Harry came out and was met by his friends who were waiting to congratulate him. Hermione hugged Harry hard, crying a bit from worry. Harry reassured her he was fine and hugged her back. After Hermione was calmed down, she began to tell them about what happened.
"You lit Uncle Sev's cloak on fire!" Harry said in an angry whisper.
"Shhhhhh…" Hermione said to quiet him. "I only did what he told me to do."
"Wait. Professor Snape told you to?" Daphne asked.
"Yes. Yesterday he asked me to watch the game closely and if I saw anything that looked like someone was trying to harm you, I was to go and set his cloak on fire," Hermione said.
"But why?" Neville asked.
"He said he believed one of the teachers may be targeting Harry," Hermione whispered as others passed them.
"But what for?" Daphne asked as she began to ponder the possibilities.
"I'm not sure, but that would explain a few things, like the troll incident," Harry said. "Maybe the same teacher let the troll in that night."
Daphne's face scrunched up a bit as she began to think hard. Then her face lit up as she suddenly thought of something. "That's it! The three headed dog!" she said a bit too loud and was immediately shushed by the others.
"But why would anyone go near that dog?" Neville asked. "It's got three heads and it's huge!"
"How do you know about Fluffy?" came the voice of the gamekeeper Hagrid from behind them.
The children whipped around. They hadn't even noticed the large man was behind them because they were so wrapped up in their conversation. "Fluffy?" Hermione asked sarcastically. "That thing has a name?"
"Yeah. He's mine. I bought him off a Greek fellow I met in the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the…." Hagrid realized quickly he was saying too much.
"Yes?" Harry asked. "Guard what?"
"No more questions. Don't ask me anything else," Hagrid said gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."
"But one of the teachers tried to kill Harry by knocking him off his broom," Hermione cried. "And that troll nearly killed all of us, too."
"That's not righ'," Hagrid said. "No Hogwarts teacher would try to kill a student."
"That may not have been his intention with the troll but I'm certain someone let the troll in to try to get past that three headed dog," Daphne said.
"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" the large man said, becoming a bit agitated. "I have no idea why that boy's broom kept charging at Harry but no teacher here would try an' kill a student. Now, listen to me, all four of yeh. Yer meddlin' in things that ought not be meddled in. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin'. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel." Hagrid froze, realizing he once again said too much. "I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that," he said as he fumbled off toward his hut.
"Nicolas Flamel?" Hermione said to herself. She was sure she had heard that name before.
Up Next: The Holidays begin and Harry and his friends receive a surprise.