I made a change in Chapter 4 about people calling Aurora 'Rory'. I had originally meant to put James, but apparently put Sirius, and that was a mistake on my part. I'm also trying a new way of doing the reading, to hopefully make it a little easier to understand where you are in the book. Let me know what you think please.
CHAPTER ELEVEN Quidditch
"YES!" James hollered. He jumped up and started doing a jig. "I've been waiting for this"
"I'm excited to read about it as well," Lily smiled. Quidditch might not be her favorite thing, but she did enjoy flying, and it was obviously something that her daughter loved, and she would support her no matter what.
As they entered November
. . .
they would move up into second place in the house championship.
"They are going to win," Barty said, drawing a short glare from Regulus and Severus, before Regulus sighed and nodded.
"Probably," Regulus said, "Aurora sounds amazing on a broom."
"Oh she is," Fred promised.
Luna giggled, and Ginny snorted. "You would know," they said.
"So would Cedric," Amice added.
"Stop it!" Sirius complained. "I don't need to hear this about my daughter!"
"Remus, please continue," Aurora said, looking threateningly at Fred to keep him from continuing.
Hardly anyone had seen Aurora play . . . running around underneath her holding a mattress.
"Probably could've used it," Ron and Neville mumbled, causing James and Lily to shoot them a dark look.
It was really lucky that Aurora now had Hermione as a friend. . . . which turned out to be a very interesting read.
"It really is an interesting book," Lily agreed.
"You find something about Quidditch interesting," James exclaimed.
"I find all books interesting," Lily replied. "And figuring out different ways that I could use to make your life miserable used to be one of my favorite pastimes."
"You wound me Lily-Flower!"
Lily leaned over and gave him a swift kiss, "I'm sure you'll get over it."
Aurora learned that there were seven hundred ways of committing a Quidditch foul . . . referees had been known to vanish and turn up months later in the Sahara Desert.
"How many times have you almost died playing Quidditch Ro?" Amice asked slyly.
"Hey! Those were not the fault of the game, but outside interference!" Aurora defended. "I don't ask for people to try and kill me, or maim."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO KILL YOU!" Lily, Alice, Molly and Andromeda all shouted.
Aurora looked to her friends for a moment, before putting her face in her hands heaving a giant sigh. "They explain," she mumbled, pointing to the book currently in Remus' hand.
Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules . . . they were sure it wouldn't be allowed.
"It's a gray area in the rules because while you aren't allowed to cast outside of classes, if it is a portable spell you may use it," Flitwick said. "I'm assuming though that you did not cast this in class, but as there is no proof, I will just say well done Miss Granger, that is excellent charms work."
Hermione blushed and murmured a thank you.
Unfortunately, something about their guilty faces caught Snape's eye.
. . .
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor, from each of you."
"Severus Tobias Snape!" Lily shouted, "That is not a rule and you know it. Furthermore taking 15 points from Gryffindor for that is beyond excessive."
Severus looked down shamefully.
"He's just made that rule up," Aurora muttered angrily as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"
"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly.
"While I understand that you are coming from a place of unfairness," Fabian said.
"You should never wish for someone to be in pain," Gideon finished.
The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Aurora, Neville, Ron, and Hermione sat together next to a window. Hermione was checking Aurora and Ron's Charms homework for them. Aurora would never ask to copy, and Hermione would never let them ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway.
"That's a good way to do it," Columba praised. "She's not doing your work for you, she's just editing what you've already written."
Aurora was very good with the practical side of charms and transfiguration, but when it came to theory, and to homework, everything seemed to get jumbled in her head and she had a hard time putting things down on parchment in any way that made sense.
Aurora felt restless. She wanted Quidditch Through the Ages back, to take her mind off her nerves about tomorrow. Why should she be afraid of Snape?
"Because he's a mentally abusive ass hole," Neville muttered softly. Luna placed her hand on his knee and leaned her head on his shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Getting up, she told Ron and Hermione she was going to ask Snape if she could have it back.
. . .
Snape and Filch were inside, alone.
The Marauders gasped dramatically.
Snape was holding his robes above his knees.
"We didn't know you swung that way Snivvy," Peter laughed.
Aurora snapped her head towards the rat, "What did we say about calling him that!"
"I am not a poof," Severus snarled.
"And you!" Aurora turned her glare on Severus, "we don't judge others or use derogatory terms to describe another person. My god you would think you would have learned that lesson in your fifth year!"
Severus glared back at her until she mentioned his fifth year then he turned his glare to the ground.
"Ro," Fred said, reaching out to his girlfriend, trying to calm her down.
"NO!" she whirled on Fred. "I'm tired of all the bullying and the pranking and fighting and the war! IT GETS US NOWHERE! All it does is keep repeating the same cycle and I'm tired of it!"
Sirius got up from his seat and went over to Aurora, who seemed to be bleeding magic, the area around her was so thick with it. "It'll be ok Rory," he said, pulling her into a hug. "That's why you're here."
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. She had missed hugs from Sirius so much. He was also the only person other than Cedric who was allowed to call her Rory. "Thank you daddy," she whispered as she let go of him and sat back down next to Fred.
"Anytime kiddo," he whispered back, trying to subtly wipe the tears from his eyes.
"Now that we know that there will be no more name calling, shall we continue," Amelia said. She was worried about Aurora after that outburst, she had had too much burden placed on her at far too young an age.
One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Snape bandages.
. . .
"I just wondered if I could have my book back."
"Already got caught, might as well try what you were there for huh Aurora," Regulus laughed.
"GET OUT! OUT! "
. . .
And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"
"Should have taken that bet," Ron grumbled, crossing his arms moodily.
Hermione's eyes were wide.
. . .
you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron.
"I was cured of that rather quickly."
"I'm with Aurora. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"
Aurora went to bed with her head buzzing with the same question. Lavender was snoring loudly, but Aurora couldn't sleep.
. . .
everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match.
"Slytherin versus Gryffindor is always a good match," Barty announced. "A little brutal at times, but always the best match to watch." Several of the others nodded in agreement.
"You've got to eat some breakfast."
. . .
"I'm not hungry."
"First game jitters," James sighed.
"They happen to all of us," Sirius agreed.
Aurora felt terrible. In an hour's time she'd be walking onto the field.
"Aurora, you need your strength," said Seamus Finnigan. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team."
"Wonderful advice there," Frank scoffed.
"Thanks, Seamus," said Aurora,
. . .
Then Hermione had performed a tricky little charm so that the paint flashed different colors.
"Thank you guys," James and Lily smiled at Ron, Hermione and Neville. It warmed their hearts to know that their daughter had such good friends.
Aurora had a surprise waiting for her outside the locker rooms. Cedric was waiting for her. Forgetting for a moment how awkward she had been around him since finding out that he had a girlfriend, Aurora threw her arms around him in a big hug. "What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, although very happy to see him.
"Nothing new there huh Ray," Amice laughed.
Hugging her back tightly, "I just want, um, just wanted to wish you good luck in your first game."
Pulling away when she heard George clear his throat, sticking his head out of the locker room to remind Aurora to hurry up. "Thank you Ced."
"You're going to great today Rory," Cedric said, ruffling her hair a little, making it even messier than normal, she was going to have to redo her plait again.
"I hope so," Aurora replied, softly, looking down. "Everyone keeps saying that I'm going to fall off my broom."
"They wouldn't have bent the rule to allow you on the team if people didn't think you were going to do awesome." He paused, looking over his shoulder, as if he heard someone say his name. "If you ever need any help though, feel free to ask me. I'm seeker for Hufflepuff."
"Thank you," Aurora sighed, giving Cedric another hug. She felt safe wrapped in his arms.
James and Sirius huffed, displeased. While Fred wrapped his arm around Aurora, pulling her close to him. "Do I make you feel safe too?" he questioned.
"Of course." Aurora replied, sad that he even felt the need to ask. "Only person safer was Sirius."
Fred just nodded, a soft smile on his face. There was no getting between a daughter and her daddy.
"Let's go Cedric, Marietta is waiting for us," a pretty girl with long, shiny dark hair, and Ravenclaw robes yelled, coming closer to the two. "The little firstie needs to get ready for her game." There was nothing rude about the words that she said, but her tone of voice was very off putting, and something about the girl rubbed Aurora that wrong way.
"I take it that's the girlfriend?" Marlene and Narcissa both asked.
"That's the cow," Amice confirmed.
"AMICE!" Aurora scolded.
"Sorry, sorry," Amice said sheepishly. "I meant that's Cho."
"I'm coming Cho," Cedric said. "Good luck again Rory." He then turned around and grabbed the girl's hand, her name apparently Cho, and lacing their fingers together they walked away - this must be his girlfriend.
Putting Cedric, and Cho, and her feelings aside, she quickly undid her hair, and walked into the locker room.
In the locker room, Aurora and the rest of the team were changing
. . .
"The big one," said Fred Weasley.
The Fred in the room spoke at the same time as Remus read the line.
"The one we've all been waiting for," said George.
Aurora said George's line.
"We know Oliver's speech by heart," Fred
. . .
Aurora followed Fred and George out of the locker room and, hoping her knees weren't going to give way, walked onto the field to loud cheers. Fred reached back, grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze.
"Had to get her attention back on you after Cedric stopped by huh Fred," Fabian and Gideon teased their nephew.
He just scowled at them in response. He didn't want to let them know that he spent Aurora's first two and a half years trying to get her to look at him instead of 'Pretty Boy' Diggory, then a year and a half pining over her while she dated him. He then spent most of her fifth year helping her heal from his death.
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 they were all gathered around her.
The Gryffindors snorted.
"Hey!" Regulus shouted, "We play fair!"
"Maybe in this time, but in the future? It's a race for the other seeker to get the snitch before a Slytherin player plays dirty," informed Blaise.
Aurora noticed that she seemed to be speaking particularly to the Slytherin Captain, . . . Her heart skipped. She felt braver. She had people that believed in her, and thought that she could do this. It was such a foreign feeling to her.
James, Lily and Sirius sighed once again at how Aurora had no one with her as she grew up to tell her that they believed in her and that she could do anything she set her mind to. Lily was also mentally cursing out her sister for making her daughter feel that way.
"Mount your brooms, please."
. . .
They were off.
"How much does someone want to bet that something is going to go wrong," Ted asked.
"That's a fool's bet," Lucius drawled. "It is already apparent that Aurora has horrendous luck."
"I bet that even if something goes wrong, Rory still catches the snitch," Sirius said, full confidence in his goddaughter.
Barty looked at Aurora for a moment. "Five galleons." He and Sirius shook on it, giving their galleons to Andromeda to hold.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor
. . .
closely watched by Professor McGonagall.
"She watches closely over Moony too," James laughed.
"Sometimes people need to be reminded to behave," McGonagall smiled.
"And she's really belting along up there, . . . GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"
The Gryffindors in the room all cheer. Those from the future laughing at the antics of everyone else in the room.
Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air,
. . .
"We don't want you attacked before you have to be."
"That's a good strategy," James and Sirius said.
"Especially as this is your first game ever, never having even seen the sport before outside of team practice," Regulus added.
When Angelina had scored,
. . .
Aurora dodged it and Fred Weasley came chasing after it.
"How did you know it was him?" Xenophilius asked.
"I told you, their magic feels different," Aurora answered.
"But in such a fast paced game?" Amos wondered, very curious.
Aurora shrugged. She couldn't really explain it. Fred had just always felt different to her.
"All right there, Aurora?" he had time to yell
. . .
she put on an extra spurt of speed — WHAM!
Remus yelled the word, causing many of those in the room to jump.
A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below
. . .
the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
"I see what you mean about playing dirty," Regulus said, frowning. There were better ways to stop the chase for the snitch than to foul the other player.
Down in the stands, Dean Thomas was yelling, "Send him off, ref! Red card!"
. . .
Flint coulda knocked Aurora outta the air."
"That's a good idea," Lily stated. She did not like hearing about her daughter being almost thrown from her broom because of a foul.
Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.
. . .
"Jordan, I'm warning you—"
"Aww, come on Minnie, he's just telling it like it is," Sirius whined.
"Not like Moony," James joked. "He's always so unbiased."
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker,
. . .
She gripped the broom tightly with both her hands and knees. She'd never felt anything like that.
"And that would be the something going wrong," Ted sighed. He had really hoped that he would be wrong about that one.
It happened again.
. . .
making violent swishing movements that almost unseated her.
Lily let out a whimper, before clutching onto James' hand once more.
Lee was still commentating.
. . .
Aurora's broom had given a wild jerk and Aurora swung off it. She was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.
Everyone leaned forward in their seats, all their attention on Remus, who was picking up the pace as he read, his fear leaking through.
"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked her?" Neville whispered.
. . .
"He's doing something — jinxing the broom," said Hermione.
"What if he's doing a counter curse?" Lily asked, hope in her voice. "They would look the same." She desperately wanted to believe that her former best friend would never try to kill a child, but especially her child, no matter how much he might have hated said child's father.
"What should we do?"
. . .
Marcus Flint seized the Quaffle and scored five times without anyone noticing.
All the Slytherins in the room frowned. There was wanting to win and then there was being unsportsmanlike, and Flint had crossed that line again, in just this one game.
"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.
Aurora winked at Alastor, knowing that with that one sentence the man had figured it out. Alastor winked back, and sat back in his seat, arms crossed, looking as gruff as ever, though as he still had his eye and leg, and was missing a lot of his scars that he would receive in the next couple years of the war, he wasn't as imposing as his future self.
Reaching Snape, she crouched down,
. . .
Snape would never know what had happened.
"I know now," Snape drawled, sounding so much like his future self that all the time travelers started.
"Can ghosts travel through time too," Ron whispered in Aurora's ear.
It was enough. Up in the air, Aurora was suddenly able to clamber back on to her broom.
"Neville, you can look!" Ron said. Neville had been sobbing into Hagrid's jacket for the last five minutes.
"I was so worried about her," Neville muttered.
"We all were," Frank said, soothing his son, who appeared to be distressed even now just hearing about it.
Aurora was speeding toward the ground
. . .
the game ended in complete confusion.
"YES!" James, Sirius, Regulus and Lily all shouted. The others in the room applauded, amazed at the win, and the fact that she hung on to her broom through all that as well.
"She didn't catch it, she nearly swallowed it," Flint was still howling twenty minutes later, but it made no difference — Aurora 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. Aurora heard none of this, though.
Ron, Hermione and Neville were ushering her to Hagrid's hut. On their way, Cedric stopped them, Cho still with him, Amice on his other side, "Well done up there Rory."
Aurora smiled, "Thanks Ced. Wasn't sure how much longer I could hold on though."
"Guess you might have needed one of those mattresses then," Cho chimed in, her voice almost sickly sweet.
Cedric blushed, "Right, Cho, this is Aurora. Rory, this is Cho Chang. She's a second year Ravenclaw."
Despite how jealous the idea of Cedric and Cho as boyfriend and girlfriend made Aurora feel, she would still like to get to know this girl, for if Cedric saw something in her, she couldn't be a bad person. "It's nice to meet you Cho," Aurora said, sticking her hand to the other girl.
"You are far too nice of a person," Marlene said.
"She really is," Amice agreed. "Cho is an absolute cow."
"She's really not that bad once," Aurora defended.
"Yea well after…" Amice trailed off.
"She was hurting," Aurora whispered.
"You were hurting more," Amice grumbled.
Cho looked confused for a moment, before her smile became more genuine, and she shook Aurora's hand. "It's nice to meet you too. Cedric talks about you a lot."
Aurora blushed up to her ears, "He's a great friend."
"Anyway, let me know if you want to go flying together sometime," Cedric said, smiling widely. "It looked like you four were headed someplace, so we'll catch you later."
As they walked away, Amice joining the four of them, Hermione was staring at Aurora as if she had never seen her before. "I knew Cedric was a friend of yours, but you were just flirting with the school's 'Golden Boy' in front of his girlfriend!" Amice started laughing loudly, she really didn't like Cho, and thought she was all wrong for her brother, but she was nice enough at times, as long as you didn't interrupt her time with Cedric.
Aurora tried to hide the blush that was now spreading down her chest by undoing her hair. "I wasn't flirting with him," she tried to deny, causing Amice to giggle more, "beside's I'm only eleven, and he's fourteen. He wouldn't be interested in me at all."
"Exactly, she's only eleven. No boys!" James huffed. Sirius was nodding his head in agreement enthusiastically. Lily, Marlene and Remus smiled at the two of them.
She sped up to walk next to Neville, laying her head on his shoulder as they walked, and he wrapped a comforting arm around her.
They finally arrived at the hut, and soon enough she was being made a cup of strong tea back in Hagrid's hut, with Ron and Hermione.
"It was Snape," Ron was explaining,
. . .
"How do you know about Fluffy?" he said.
"Fluffy?" Pandora asked, while the professors all groaned, "Oh, Hagrid."
"Fluffy?"
. . .
Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!"
"A counter-curse is the same way," Lily pointed out.
Hermione sighed, "The book didn't mention counter-curses. Ro told me later, and showed me in one of her books."
"And we might not have suspected him as much if Ro hadn't gotten control over her broom once he noticed the fire," Neville added.
"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid hotly.
. . .
Hagrid looked furious with himself.
Dumbledore just chuckled.
"That's that chapter," Remus said.
Columba held out her hand, "May I read next?"
Remus passed it over to her and she read, "Chapter 12: The Mirror of Erised."
Aurora looked at her parents before shifting her gaze back to Columba. "You are probably the best person to read this chapter," she muttered.