Harry Potter and the Moral Dilemma Chapter 6
Tricks, Treats, and Quaffles.
A few weeks after Harry's Pumpkin juice bath the Great Hall once again started to take on the smell of pumpkin but for a different reason as Halloween was approaching. One day while most of the eligible students were in the village Harry and his crew were in the common room hanging with Lucy.
"You know it's interesting last year I was looking for just the right props so I could take Gayle trick or treating around our neighborhood and I was going as a witch yet I couldn't find just the right nose or something good to make a wart out of," Lucy said.
"Trick or Treating?" Leslie asked. "What is that? I grew up in an area that was mostly other witches and Wizards."
"It's something Muggles do for Halloween. They dress up in Costumes and try to get candy from other Muggles. I used to do it myself before I came to Hogwarts," Hermione said.
"If you were going to do it again this year you wouldn't need to worry about noses and warts," Ron pointed out.
"I know Ron but it wouldn't seem like a costume since I am a witch. I doubt our neighbors would understand if I said I was going as a Muggle," Lucy said.
"I doubt they would even know what a Muggle was," Harry called from a corner as he was working on Strategy for the upcoming Quidditch Match against Slytherin House. The only occupants of the room right then were his bunch. Hermione, Lucy, Leslie, Ron, and the Creevey brothers on couches in one corner and Harry in a nearby corner working on his strategy and Plays. Ginny was off getting a routine examination in the hospital wing.
Peeves eventually tried to slip in.
"Peeves, you have anything good planned for Halloween?" Leslie asked.
"Not telling, you'll just have to wait until then," Peeves said.
"Peeves after the baby is born and Ginny and I get married I'd rather you didn't pull your antics in our house," Harry said.
Peeves insured that Harry got a raspberry for that one.
A short while later Ginny came through the Portrait hole with Moaning Myrtle behind her. Lucy having not met Myrtle was a little frightened.
"Ginny, who is that behind you?" she asked.
"Oh this is Myrtle. You know that one girls bathroom that is always out of order," Ginny mentioned. "Well Myrtle is generally in there. She travels elsewhere though when she feels like it."
"This room has most of the students here who I think of as true friends," Myrtle said. "I never even try to visit the other common rooms."
"Maybe you should then you could make a few other true friends," Colin said.
"Ginny, how did your exam go?" Harry asked having abandoned his strategy session to walk over towards the rest of the group.
"Everything is normal. Our kid will be one of the best around when he or she starts here Eleven years from now," Ginny said as she wrapped her arms around Harry. "Which would seem weird our kid would be starting at Hogwarts right after my tenth year reunion."
"You think Dumbledore would still be headmaster when that happens?" Leslie asked
"Who knows," Ginny said.
"Ginny, how often would I be allowed to visit your house next summer?" Myrtle asked.
"We'll have to see, Myrtle," Ginny said.
"Well don't count on my visiting for a while," Lucy said.
"Lucy, There are ways to sneak between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade only most of them are a little risky," Hermione said.
"Ginny, by chance did Madame Pomfrey determine whether it is a boy of girl in there?" Dennis asked.
"No she didn't and I asked Professor Trelawney Only she went pretty tight lipped which had me worried," Ginny said referring to the Divination professor.
"Most people ignore her as it is. Even Dumbledore doesn't have much faith in her abilities," Harry said. "She can see into the future though. After all Hermione used to take that class."
"She predicated my leaving that class," Hermione said. "Beginning of the year and I didn't quit her class until close to the end of the year."
"Ouch, what class does she teach since I don't think I have her?" Lucy asked.
"Divination, Classes like that Arithmancy, Hagrid's class, and Muggle Studies are electives and you don't have to take them but can decide to," Leslie said.
"I think I'll stay away from her class," Lucy said.
"Too bad she didn't predict that one shower Peeves gave Harry," Dennis said.
"It added a bit to the humor his not knowing," Leslie pointed out.
At that moment a school owl arrived and dropped it's cargo in front of Lucy.
Lucy
Hermione wrote us about how you feel left out whenever she and her friends go into Hogsmeade because you can't join them. I'm going to write Professor Dumbledore and ask him if he can slightly bend the rules in your case. Glad to hear you are taking part in sports there even if I know nothing about what Quidditch is. If possible try to send me a picture of you at some point. Gayle ,misses you but she is going to go trick or treating with some of her friends from school. You would have made a real pretty witch last year if you hadn't been so worried about going the way normal people look at witches.
Your loving mother
"Well I wonder if she will be successful at all," Hermione said.
"I hope so. When would the next one be?" Lucy asked.
"Not until close to Christmas. At least officially. Because my house is there I have permission to go whenever I wish. Maybe Professor Dumbledore will let you go on non-official weekends since I can take anyone I wish. I'll just come up with some excuse why I need you to accompany me," Harry said. "Shouldn't be too difficult since some changes will be necessary to get the nursery set up."
"Harry, my mom sent me an owl yesterday and She is going to handle setting up the Nursery," Ginny explained.
"So long as she didn't inform Dumbledore then it would still be a viable excuse," Harry said.
By the time the others got back a few hours later Harry had a first rate plan for the first Quidditch Match of the Season. He then called the primary team together to go over the strategy.
Fairly soon it was Halloween. Harry arranged a Special Hunted House at his place in Hogsmeade the night before opening it to anyone at Hogwarts even first and second years. The Actual Day was a Huge Feast.
"Lucy, you will find that the Halloween Feast is one of the best of the year," Hermione informed her cousin during the feast.
At that moment the Caretaker Mr. Filch walked into the Great hall.
"Something up Argus?" Prof. Dumbledore asked.
"Has anyone seen that Blasted poltergeist Peeves?" the caretaker asked.
"The latest anyone had seen Peeves was a couple days before.
"I heard through some sources that Peeves was thinking of giving some Muggles a hard time for Halloween. In which case he could be just about anywhere," Baron Ludwig Von Rastinov better known as the Bloody Baron said. "Personally I don't care where he is so long as it isn't here." Anyone looking at the Bloody Baron would notice the silvery blood going down his body which is now he got his nickname.
"I pray he doesn't do anything too nasty to the Muggles," Lucy said.
"Amen," came from one of the first year Ravenclaws.
"It figures a Mudblood would be worried about a pile of Muggles unless it was one of the Weasleys," Malfoy called out. "If we had a decent Headmaster that wouldn't be a problem since there wouldn't be any Mudbloods here."
"Draco, hush unless you want to lose points for Slytherin," a Slytherin girl declared.
"Melanie, any points I lose I'd gain back probably in triplicate in Potions," Malfoy said.
"How can Malfoy be so cruel to me when he hardly knows me?" Lucy asked at the Gryffindor Table.
"He isn't being cruel to you in particular. He or rather his father feels that the only people who should come here are those born into the old wizarding families. If your family isn't like his then he tries to be as cruel as he can. The Malfoys are a fairly wealthy wizarding family so poor wizarding families aren't worth much to him. His family is and old pure blood family so half breeds and Muggle born wizards also aren't worth much," Harry explained. "In fact his father used to sit on Hogwarts Board of Governors but was sacked simply because he was against Dumbledore."
"Yeah he especially likes to pick on Ginny and I because our family is poor. Yet Ginny prior to returning for this year made out well Her books are in good shape and her robes are even in real good shape," Ron said. "Not only that but our dad is a big proponent of protecting the Muggles."
"So basically your family is everything Malfoy's isn't," Lucy said.
"Yeah it is," Ginny said.
"Ron, Ginny, let me just say this if I had to choose a wizarding family to be a part of I'd probably choose your family over a big bunch of braggarts like Malfoys," Lucy said.
"You go Lucy," Parvati Patil said.
"I agree," Lavender said.
At that moment the Hogwarts Ghosts started going amongst the tables darting in and out as the Entertainment started. Off in one corner was a Ghost Band that Harry hadn't seen in a few years. The Ghosts darting amongst the tables in an out almost in sync with the music.
"For the record the Quidditch Season starts in Two weeks. The first game of the season is Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. One time I really embarrassed them good during a match," Harry said.
"What did you do?" Lucy asked.
"I grabbed the Snitch when it was floating right over their Seeker when he didn't even realize it was there," Harry said.
"Who was their Seeker?" Dennis asked.
"Malfoy," Harry responded.
"Ron, you commentating the Season Opener?" Neville asked.
"No I'm not. Either Eleanor Branston or Orla Quirke both of whom are fourth years will. Eleanor is in Hufflepuff and Orla in Ravenclaw. Prof. McGonagall and Madame Hooch decided that it would be best to have the commentator not be a resident of one of the houses competing so as to eliminate bias during the competition. Oh well I get my fair share of the other matches Let see I have the Ravenclaw Hufflepuff Match and The Ravenclaw Slytherin Match. For sure Orla will get the Hufflepuff Slytherin Match and Eleanor the Gryffindor Ravenclaw Match. I think Orla is also doing the Hufflepuff Gryffindor Match. Which means logistically that Eleanor should get the Gryffindor Slytherin Match. Madame Hooch hasn't delivered the Commentator Schedules to us yet," Ron said.
Right then Myrtle came up through a first years Chocolate Frog scaring her big time.
"Kelly, Myrtle is harmless," Lucy said. "She hangs out with my bunch a lot."
"Which is interesting when you consider your bunch is mostly older residents," Kelly said.
"I like spending time with my cousin after all I have more in common with her then anyone else in my family. Besides Kelly most of my bunch are either sixth or seventh year students. Once they graduate I'll have time to develop friendships with the younger students," Lucy informed her roommate.
A short while later Lucy was sitting alone in the Common Room while most of her bunch were at the Library. Kelly walked over.
"Care to talk?" Kelly asked.
"If you want," Lucy said.
"Lucy, I have more respect for you then you realize after all you managed to make the Quidditch team and not as a reserve player which is what you were gunning for," Kelly said.
"I know. I didn't even expect to be a Chaser. I was kind of hoping to someday tell my kids that I played relief for Harry Potter. Oh well at least I can say I played alongside not only Harry Potter but his wife," Lucy said. "Besides the brooms used for Quidditch matches are better then a normal broom."
"I know. It's too bad we can't have our own brooms until next year," Kelly said. "My older brother has a Nimbus 2002 that he said I could use. He recently bought a Cleansweep Fourteen which is just about equal to an early model Firebolt."
"That could be a factor if anyone uses one against us since Harry uses an early model Firebolt. He keeps it well maintained though. He recommended everyone on the team procure a broomstick maintenance kit. I haven't yet since I'm not allowed my own broom," Lucy said. "The Quidditch Brooms for those who don't have one are mostly Cleansweep Tens which are about equal to a Nimbus 2000."
"Does anyone on the team have a Nimbus 2000 or later model?" Kelly asked.
"Not anymore," Lucy said. "Harry used to but lost it in battle his third year. His Firebolt I think replaced it."
"You mean Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup with a Firebolt," Kelly exclaimed.
"You bet. In fact he used his Firebolt during the Triwizard Tournament at least according to my cousin he did," Lucy said.
The following Week was extremely busy for the Quidditch team with Nightly Two hour practices and Eleven O'clock Curfews. The day before the season opener Madame Hooch came around distributing the schedules of who was commentating what matches. Sure enough as Ron had suspected Eleanor was doing the Gryffindor, Slytherin Match. The next day Breakfast was extra Big. The Gryffindor Slytherin Match was billed as one of the biggest matches of the season. Which was pretty accurate of course.
"Welcome Hogwarts Students to the Opening Quidditch Match for this year. Today's Lineup is Gryffindor against Slytherin. Both are exceptional teams and should be tough to beat. I'm your commentator Eleanor Branston. The Referee today is Madam Hooch. Let's now bring out the Gryffindor Lions: McIntyre in the Goal Area, Weasley, Dennis Creevey, Collins, on the Quaffle, Colin Creevey and McDonald on the Clubs and Finally Potter. Now for the Slytherin Serpents: Tanner in the Goal area, Franklin, Reynor, and Goyle on the Quaffle, Baddock and Pritchard on the Clubs and finally Malfoy.
"Captains to the Center," Madam Hooch called.
Harry held his hand out to shake it but Draco Malfoy refused to shake it instead he commented with his usual sneer.
"Potter, your going down."
"OK Mount your Brooms On my Mark. Three… Two… One," Madam Hooch said before blowing her whistle.
"They are off. Gryffindor possession Dennis Creevey to Weasley to Collins back to Weasley, Past Tanner Gryffindor Scores.
Harry meanwhile was keeping an eye peeled for the Snitch figuring on making Malfoy eat his words. As he swerved around he noticed Goyle try to send the Quaffle past McIntyre only for it to end up getting blocked. Ginny quickly intercepted it and sent it to Dennis who passed it to Lucy. He also noticed how Colin was covering a lot of territory on a small broom since Natalie was sticking close to Ginny.
"Natalie, Ginny should be OK this game since It's still early. Help Colin," Harry called out
Natalie on that call covered more area but still stuck to within a minutes flying time of Ginny just in case a Bludger got past her. The Score had just reached sixty to thirty Gryffindor when Harry spotted the Snitch coming over the Horizon hovering near Ginny.
"Time to Fly," He joked as he leaned over enough to send his broom to three quarters acceleration. Malfoy though noticed what he was doing and tried to move in for the Kill. Harry positioned himself as he slowed down placed a hand out when the Snitch suddenly zoomed away. He rechecked just as Ginny sent the Quaffle past Tanner.
"Gryffindor Scores on that goal by Ginny Weasley. But where did the Snitch disappear to. Looks like a stalemate as Potter and Malfoy look like they are getting ready to go head to head," Eleanor roared.
Harry noticed the Snitch heading toward the Slytherin Goal area just as he noticed a Bludger heading toward Ginny. Harry once again moved into position for a possible intercept. First though he was going to see if he could block the Bludger. He was successful as the Bludger got him in the back just as the Snitch hovered near him. He reached out and turned enough and this time he caught it.
"Unbelievable after taking a Bludger hit meant for his fiancée Harry Potter catches the Golden Snitch. The Final Score Gryffindor 220 Slytherin 30.
Harry landed right below and Ginny and Natalie came in for a landing around him.
"Pretty Brave move Harry but I was almost there," Natalie said. "I had Ginny well covered."
"I know. At one point you were covering her so closely that Colin had Ninety percent of the field to cover while you covered the area where Ginny was flying. It's the Matches against Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw that you or Colin will need to keep close to her."
Madame Pomfrey meanwhile looked Harry over.
"You took a pretty bad hit back there," she said.
"I know but I didn't want Ginny to get hit and it was heading straight for her. Be glad that my taking that hit didn't cause us to lose," Harry said.
"Malfoy probably figured you would get injured a lot worse then you were and would be out of the match so he could catch it at his leisure. If you hadn't caught it and He did we would have been up the creek," Ginny said.
"He was wrong though," Harry said. After all they lost by 190 points.
The rest of the team had arrived by then. The Slytherins were already in the locker room.
"You know Harry, you look good in those robes," Prof. Blankwood said as he approached.
"Thanks they were a birthday present. Who knows I might have another Banner for my house at the end of the Year. Possibly two more," Harry said.
"Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall arrived right after that.
"How is he Poppy?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"He is in reasonably good shape. His back will be sore for a while but he will survive Minerva," Madam Hooch said.
Professor McGonagall then had Ginny and Lucy help Harry back to the Tower. This was a Challenge since while Ginny was about the same height as Harry Lucy was a head taller.
"God Lucy you could have Played Basketball," Harry commented as they reached the Portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Blatherskite," Lucy said. Of course Harry wasn't sure if Lucy was doing more then just giving the password to access the tower.
The Portrait Hole then opened and Dean Thomas Helped Harry Over the Hole. Dean then took the time to help Harry over to a couch. Ginny quickly sat down next to him. A small Party was starting up much to the Chagrin of the Prefect a fifth year student who was trying to study. Before they knew it Professor McGonagall was there herself.
"I'm not surprised a celebration is going on," she said. "Ginny, you doing good. No complications?"
"Not a one professor. Between Harry and Natalie I survived all right. I have a feeling and Madam Pomfrey agrees that the real challenge will be the other games since I will be farther along at that point," Ginny said.
"Have any of your professors given you a hard time about your work due to my restrictions?"
"Well Your class isn't too hard, Flitwick's doesn't seem to be a problem, Binns is mainly reading, Astronomy isn't a problem, Blankwood excuses me from most practicum's. Divination isn't a problem since the level of magic used there isn't a challenge. Hagrid assigned me papers for his class since he tends to use dangerous creatures, and Muggle Studies is almost a joke," Ginny said.
"What about Potions?" McGonagall inquired.
"Snape has been well Snape. Half his potions I really shouldn't be doing and yet he insists on my doing them. I'm lucky he hasn't taken a ton of points away from Gryffindor. The only thing I haven't done is complain to Professor Dumbledore but I'm only a little sure of where his office is," Ginny said.
"Ginny, I happen to know exactly where Dumbledore's office is," Harry said.
"You would Harry," Ginny said. "God if I could drop his class I would have done it long ago."
"I'll talk to Snape about your problems in his class. We will get things worked out. Your right in your condition you shouldn't be doing a lot of potions. I just wish there was a class you could substitute for Potions but I'm not sure there is," Prof. McGonagall said.
As Professor McGonagall was getting ready to leave Kelly called her over.
"Professor, if you aren't busy I'd like to discuss the homework with you I'm having a tad of trouble with it," Kelly said as she walked toward the Professor.
"Meet me outside my office in Ten Minutes Kelly," Professor McGonagall said.
"IF I lived in a different house then Gryffindor I don't know If I'd feel safe talking to McGonagall about problems with another professor," Lucy said.
"Normally I wouldn't bash a professor to their face let along to another professor but Professor McGonagall is the Deputy Headmistress on top of her duties as head of Gryffindor and professor of Transfiguration. In other words she is of higher importance then say Prof. Sinistra," Ginny said. "Or even Snape."
"IS there anyone who likes Snape?" Lucy asked.
"I doubt it unless you live in Slytherin. He does tend to favor them," the prefect said.
"Lucy one particular five minute Quidditch Match that I remember Snape referred," Harry said. "I think I'm going to head for bed."
"Here let me help you upstairs," The prefect said as he got up from the table he had been working at.
Harry was soon laying on his Four Poster heading off to sleep. Of course his back made it a challenge.