When the weekend finally arrived Penny was pleased. Having spent most of her time in the library with Hermione she felt taking a tour of the castle grounds was overdue. She had not enjoyed her detention with Lockhart even though it had finished early. Lockhart had written and signed many letters before she had even started addressing the envelopes but she had soon caught up as she barely had to glance at the address before writing it. Lockhart had given her one of his annoying smiles and a signed photograph of himself for 'being such a good sport'. Tempted though she was to burn the photo in the candles that lit the desk she reflected on how good a gift it would make for Hermione or Ginny and pocketed it.
Having eaten breakfast on the Saturday morning, Penny saw Ron and Hermione heading out of the Great Hall. Scraping out the last of her porridge she grabbed an extra slice of toast and headed off after them. Taking in the view of the lake she followed their distant forms across the grounds, groaning as she saw them approaching the Quidditch Stadium. High in the sky she could see flecks of red darting this way and that. Watching them she felt a small sense of nausea and looked away.
Finally reaching the stadium Penny frowned at the opposite stand, where a boy named Colin sat, clicking his camera away. Penny had seen him following Harry around all week like a ridiculous shadow. Ascending into the stands Penny joined Hermione and Ron on the top floor.
'Morning Hermione' Penny said looking straight past Ron.
'Morning Persephone' Hermione said not removing her nose from 'Voyages with Vampires'.
'PENNY' Penny replied insistent before sitting and pulling a face at the players on their brooms. 'You wouldn't catch me zooming around on one of those oversized twigs' she continued shuddering. Hermione smiled behind her book as she answered.
'Me neither, it's far too high up' Hermione agreed. In between them Ron frowned.
'What's wrong with the two of you?' He cut in angrily 'Quidditch is the best sport in the world!' He insisted.
'It's the ONLY sport in YOUR world' retorted Penny, smirking as she heard Hermione chuckle. As Ron opened his mouth to argue, his ears flashing red he became distracted by a commotion down on the pitch. In their emerald robes, Penny groaned as she realised her own house team had arrived. Knowing too well the rivalry between the two teams; Penny, Ron and Hermione rushed down to join them.
By the time they reached the two teams, Draco could be seen sneering at the Gryffindors, smugness all over his face. Ron's eyes went wide as he examined the Slytherin team's shiny new brooms.
'At least nobody on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in' Hermione piped up, making Draco furiously spit out the word 'Mudblood'. Although Harry and Hermione looked blank at the phrase, Penny had heard it muttered in the Slytherin common room. Ron raised his snapped wand at Draco and got hit with his recoiling curse. Penny watched as Hermione and Ron rushed to his side, disgusted when he puked up a mouthful of slugs. Looking back at the Slytherins Penny saw Draco on his knees shaking with laughter.
'Amused are we Malfoy?' Penny glared down at him, drawing out her wand. Draco immediately stopped laughing on hearing her voice. Getting to his feet, he staggered backwards to hide behind his team captain. The huge boy sneered at the small girl looking at the blonde boy hiding behind him in amusement.
'Shouldn't you be having your head dunked down a toilet ickle girl?' The massive boy gaffed as Penny approached him, using his large hand to shove her face down into the dirt. Picking herself up Penny span on the spot, the anger dancing behind her eyes.
'Flipendo!' She shouted, the force of her spell knocking the sixth year off his feet. Unarmed, the whole of the Slytherin team started to retreat, running as Penny continued to shower them with spells 'Furnunculus! Flipendo! Petrificus totalus!'
'PENNY!' Hermione shouted. Penny stopped hexing the running boys and turned back to see Hermione and Harry trying to support a puking Ron. Penny approached warily, not wanting to be showered in slugs.
'Wow Harry! Can you turn him round Harry? Can you hold him still?' The small boy Colin was squeaking. Pointing her wand, Colin's camera went flying across the pitch landing with sickening crunch. Colin froze for a second before running to retrieve his beloved camera. Finding it in pieces he began to sob. Sensing the Gryffindors glares Penny rolled her eyes before following him. Seeing her approach Colin squeaked and shielded the remains of his camera from her outstretched wand.
'How am I meant to fix it if you're in the bloody way?' Scorned Penny. Slowly letting the camera go Penny muttered 'Reparo' before following the disappearing figures of Harry, Ron and Hermione. They seemed to be heading towards a shabby hut on the edge of the grounds. Reaching it Harry knocked quickly. On opening Penny recognised the giant Hagrid that had brought them across the lake.
Once sat inside Ron retreated to a barrel to throw up and Hagrid put his huge kettle on the fire making them all some tea. Turning to Penny he smiled down at her.
'Ah this must be little Persephone' he said.
'PENNY' retorted Penny stiffly before adding 'And I am NOT little, you are just ridiculously oversized.' She finished scowling at him as he chuckled.
'Who did Ron try to curse anyway?' Hagrid asked as Ron heaved into the barrel again.
'Malfoy' Harry answered 'He called Hermione something…I don't know what it meant'
'A mudblood' Penny injected 'It's been used in the Slytherin common room' she said in response to the others' questioning looks.
'What does it mean?' Asked Hermione
'It means dirty blood' Ron called from inside the barrel 'Some families like the Malfoys like to think they are better than others because they are pureblood, with only magical blood in their families, rather than Muggle parents like yourself.' He finished before retching again.
'Well you can see what they mean can't you?' Said Penny, flinching under the glares she was given. 'I don't mean…Hear me out' She went on quickly. 'I mean, say when two white parents have a black child or something like that. It's hard to explain to stupid people but it is perfectly nature, just rare' She finished.
Harry and Hermione seemed to understand her point but Ron and Hagrid still looked confused. Getting to her feet she stood in front of Hermione, taking her hands in hers.
'If anything, it makes you more special' Penny said smiling broadly at her. Behind her Hagrid's face was struggling between confusion and bemusement as he watched the pair. Ron removed himself from the barrel and squeezing between the two of them, separated them as he sat down on the sofa besides Hermione. Clearing his throat Hagrid spoke.
'Besides they haven't invented a spell yet that Hermione can't do!' He said in his booming voice.
'Exactly' said Penny, Hermione's face breaking into a small smug smile 'Mudblood and Proud!' Hagrid looked at Ron who still looked very sick.
'Its kinda better you didn't hex Malfoy, not worth getting into trouble for' Hagrid said cautiously 'Malfoy Senior is a very powerful man.' Penny shifted sheepishly as Hermione fixed her with a stern stare. Noticing this Hagrid raised his busy eyebrow at Penny 'What?' He asked.
'Penny may have bombarded the whole of the Slytherin team with hexes' Harry answered, sniggering a bit at the memory of the looks on the faces of the fleeing team.
'Penny' Hagrid groaned gently 'It's not worth getting into fights, you'll end up getting yourself expelled. Nothing worse than seeing your wand snapped before your eyes believe me' Hagrid said, pulling a pained face. Penny sensed his pain and looked up at him questioningly.
'You were expelled?' she asked, scanning his face as he nodded slowly 'Why?' Hagrid stood up quickly, busily tiding up the untouched mugs. 'Why Hagrid?' Penny insisted.
'Nothing important' Hagrid said moving quickly into the kitchen.
'You are lying' Penny stated simply to his retreating back. Although she pressed him when he returned he ignored her questions. As much as she could sense his powerful emotions, she couldn't grasp any of the images that flickered rapidly through his thoughts. He seemed to insist on trying to focus his mind on an image of a pumpkin, much to Penny's frustration.
Thanking him for the tea, the four of them headed back up to the castle. Upon entrance to the Great Hall, Penny was immediately pulled aside by Professor Snape who looked down on her with his eerie eyes. Even as smart retorts formed in her head, Penny resisted the urge to utter them. Out of all the teachers she had, McGonagall and himself were the only two she felt unable to risk it with.
'So you thought it clever to attempt to duel with unarmed opponents?' He asked mockingly. Penny glared at him, trying to control the annoyance building in her. 'Well, as much as I am sure you will pay for it when they are in fact armed, it is my duty as your Head of House to punish you according to the school rules as well' He stated drawing out a handwritten note. 'You will spend the next three weekends assisting Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing so you can see the damage the misuse of spells can cause' He said, smirking as she took the note before walking off, his black cloak billowing behind him.
Looking down at the note Penny saw she was expected to be at the Hospital Wing from seven in the morning both Saturdays and Sundays. In the first week she had managed to end up with detention twice.
Penny groaned.