Chapter 9: What a Horrible Day to Have a Curse
It was the morning of the Quidditch tryouts, as Naruto and Hermione went to the Quidditch pitch to go support their friends as Harry and Ginny were leading the tryouts and Ron was trying out, along with many others. Harry tried to get everyone's attention, but they were still yammering away until Ginny decided to get everyone's attention, which they were now silent of course. "All right. This morning I'll be putting you all through a few drills to assess your strengths. But know this: Just because you made the team last year does not guarantee you a spot this year. Is that clear?" Harry stated. Ron was really nervous about this, until Cormac McLaggen pulled up to the boy. "No hard feelings, Weasley, alright?" Cormac said. "Hard feelings?" Ron asked. "I'll be going out for Keeper as well. Nothing personal," Cormac stated. Ron raised an eyebrow, "Really? Strapping guy like you, you've got a Beater's build, don't you think? Keeper needs to be agile, quick -"
Cormac proved his point when he crushed a fly quickly. "I like my chances. Say...think you could introduce me to your friend Granger? Wouldn't mind getting on a first name basis, know what I mean?" Ron smirked, "Sorry to burst your bubble Cormac, but my friend is already taken, if you look up at the stands." Ron points to the stands, as Cormac sees that Naruto and Hermione were there. Cormac seethed and walked away, as Naruto showed a peace sign to Ron and Hermione smiled, waving at her friend. Soon the tryouts begin and lets just say it was a disaster for the people who wanted to try out, though there were a few promising people there. "All right. Cormac. Ron. It's down to you two for Keeper. We'll decide it with a shootout. Demelza, you'll bring the Quaffle up against Cormac. Ginny, you'll take on Ron," Harry said. Cormac complained of course and there was an argument between him and Ginny to the point where Harry had to end this petty argument.
Luckily actions spoke louder than words, as Ron eventually got the position of keeper, while Cormac didn't. Naruto, Harry, and Hermione cheered for him, but they weren't the only ones who were cheering for Ron. Lavender along with pretty much everyone else cheered for Ron, as they found Cormac to be a pompous egotistical asshat. Everybody congratulated Ron, while Cormac seethed. "That was amazing Ron," Naruto said going up to his friend. "Thanks mate, I'm surprised you didn't try out for the team," Ron stated, as Naruto chuckled. "Well to be fair, I'm not really interested in playing as sports isn't really my thing," Naruto stated, as the others nodded, figuring it was reasonable.
"Well now that tryouts are over, you guys want to come by the cabin, I can make you guys breakfast," Naruto offered, as the others nodded. Soon they arrived at the cabin and Naruto prepared a victory breakfast. It was an English breakfast, which consisted of the usual meals one would find in a traditional English breakfast. "Alright breakfast is served, dig in guys," Naruto said, as they nodded. They took a bite and immediately they enjoyed it, as they kept eating. "Bloody hell mate, this tastes amazing, you should be a chef," Ron stated, as Naruto and the others chuckled. After breakfast, the four spent time in the cabin and were talking about stuff. Ron told the group about what Cormac said and needless to say Naruto and Hermione were disgusted by the guy. "I can't believe that piece of shit is in the Slug Club," Naruto stated, as Harry nodded. Harry went through the book of the Half-Blood Prince and found an unusual spell. "Hey guys, do you know this spell?" Harry said, pointing at the underlined spell. "Let's see: Sectumsempra. For Enemies. No Harry, we haven't," Naruto stated. "I don't know Harry, if someone were to have made this spell meant for enemies, then clearly it's dangerous," Hermione stated, as the others agreed. The four began to ponder about the identity of the Half-Blood Prince, as this book is getting rather intriguing.
Timeskip
The four were at Hogsmeade village and as they were walking, they talked about this whole Half-Blood Prince situation. "For weeks you carry around this book, practically sleep with it... and you have no desire to find out who The Half-Blood Prince is?" Hermione asked. "I didn't say I wasn't curious. And, by the way, I don't sleep with it." Harry stated. Ron snorted, as Harry glared at him. "I don't know about you Harry, but lately you have been so invested in that book as if it were your day job. It's like you're trying to shut us out," Naruto stated. Harry was shocked, "Nonsense! There's no way I would-"
Before he could finish, Hagrid calls them. "Hey you four!" he shouted, as the four turned to him. Hagrid emerges out of the trees, beard crusted in white, looking like a crazed Father Christmas. Behind him, deep in the woods, Aurors- can be seen. Hermione eyes them briefly, then nods to the pulsating burlap bag Hagrid clutches in his fist. "What's in the bag?" Naruto asked. "Stinksap. Burn the whiskers right off yer chin. Trees 'ere are drippin' with it," Hagrid explained. "Stinksap? You're not sick, are you?" Hermione asked, sounding worried. Hagrid shook his head, "Actually it's for Aragog. You remember Aragog?" he asked. Ron grimaces as he remembers that giant spider that almost sent his horde of spiders to rip apart him, Naruto, Harry, and Fang during the second year. Hagrid explains that Aragog was sick, so that's why he got that sap. After saying his goodbyes, Hagrid left the four, as they continued talking. Ron and Naruto noticed that Hermione was staring at the Aurors. "Is there something wrong?" Naruto asked.
"The Aurors. I know they're here to protect us, but... somehow I don't feel any safer," she stated. "I can't blame you, sometimes even the Aurors aren't enough to stop what is coming," Naruto stated, as he too believes that something doesn't feel right with the Aurors being here. Soon the four decided to go to the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer and as they were drinking, they were greeted by some friends. Ron notices that Ginny was with Dean, as the two were snogging. "There's no way," he said, sounding shocked. "Well congrats to them," Harry said, as he was happy Ginny found someone. Ron shook his head in disbelief, but he figured that it was his sister, she could date whomever she wanted. Just then, Slughorn came by greeting them. "Ah Harry, m'boy. Good to see you, and good to see you here as well, Naruto!" Both boys nodded, "Good to see you here as well, sir," they said in unison.
"So what brings you here, sir?" Harry asked. Slughorn explained how he and this pub go way back, and the two laughed at that story, while Naruto and the others just smiled, but didn't make any comment. "Listen, m'boy. In the old days, I used to throw together the occasional supper and invite a select student or two. Would you be game?" Slughorn offered. "I'd consider it an honor, sir," Harry said. "You two are also welcome, Uzumaki and Granger," he said. The two nodded, as Slughorn began to leave. "Brilliant. Look for my owl. Oh and good to see you, Wallenby," Slughorn said, as Ron's jaw dropped looking scandalized. Naruto snickered at the poor redhead, as Ron mutters shut up. "What was all that about?" Ron asked Harry. "Dumbledore asked me to... get to know him," Harry stated. "Get to know him?" Naruto asked, raising an eyebrow. "Dunno. But it must be important. Otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't ask." The three boys heard a slam and it came from Hermione, who seemed to have also chugged the blond's tankard of butterbeer, after she drank her own. "Uh Hermione…you've got a little…" Naruto said pointing at the brunette's upper lip. She blushed and immediately without a thought, she flicks her tongue up, wipes it clean.
The four left the pub, as Harry and Ron were walking together, Naruto was helping a rather tipsy Hermione. "You're 'hic' such a sweet boyfriend, you 'hic' now," she said, looking rather pink in the center of the face, as she was blushing but looking pretty happy, almost as if she were a drunk female from some anime. "I know, I know, just drape your arm around my shoulder. Don't want you to fall, you know?" Naruto stated. Hermione softly smiled and nodded, as she did what she was told. Harry and Ron snickered at the two, as it was a pretty funny sight to see a drunk Hermione. As they were walking, they noticed Katie Bell and her friend Leanne having some sort of argument. "Katie. You don't know what it could be!" Leanne yelled. The two were fighting over what appears to be a slender package. All of a sudden blood curdling scream was heard from Leanne, as Katie dropped to the floor. Leanne turns to the four who looked pretty shocked. "I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!" she cried out, when Katie thrashed violently moving from left to right. Soon she was raised up to the sky, hair dancing violently in the wind, her face remains eerily placid. It looked like something out of The Exorcist. Everybody was horrified by what they saw and soon Katie fell to the ground. But luckily Naruto rushed quickly and managed to catch her before she got injured. He laid her down to the ground, as he looked at the others.
"Somebody call for help!" he ordered, and luckily Hagrid arrived. "Get back! All of ya!" he ordered, as he went to check on the girl, whose face looked like it was twitching due to all the thrashing. Harry noticed the ripped package and went to check on it. "Don't touch that! It could be cursed," Naruto said, going to the group. "Don' go touchin' tha' but by the wrappin's. Unnerstan'?" Hagrid ordered. Hagrid nods darkly to the package in the snow. Harry kneels. Poking through the paper is an ornate opal necklace. Taking off his scarf he carefully enfolds the package and rises. Then, along with the others, he watches Hagrid lumber off, Katie cradled in his arms. In seconds they are swallowed by the snow. The only sound is the roar of the wind. Yup, what a horrible day to have a curse.
Note: Hey guys, so I just saw some comments on whether Sasuke will join the group in year 7. I'll just say that I'm debating on if he should or shouldn't join the group, as I haven't planned out year 7. Oh and to answer the question on if Killer Bee will be in this story, we'll see. But anyways hope you guys like this chapter and feel free to review.
