Harry Potter and the Moral Dilemma
Chapter 12
Detroit vs. Baltimore
A/N Think NFL to figure out the Title.
AS February worked it way into March Harry noticed one thing that seemed constantly strange. That being Ashley's presence. She even attended classes Showing up for Potions, History, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, She went with Hermione to Arithmancy and study of Ancient Runes. One day in Charms he noticed She was going through the motions.
"For the record Harry if anyone asks I simply tell people I'm a Squib when they notice me unable to make magic work with my pretend wand," Ashley said. "Hagrid got me a long enough straight twig and I carved it in his cabin one weekend. The only thing different about my wand is it lacks a core."
"Why are you hanging around every day?" Hermione wondered.
"Preparation for the kind of life I will be living after Ron and I get married. It would help if I had a clue about magic," Ashley said.
"You don't get enough of a clue being at the Weasley's house?" Hermione commented.
"I live in Surrey about 25km from Little Whinging not real close to Ron," Ashley said.
"Isn't that near where you live?" Ron asked Harry.
"Near the Dursleys actually," Harry said "Since my home on Record is in Hogsmeade now."
"Who are they?" Ashley wondered.
"They give Muggles a bad rep you don't want to know them. They are my late mother's family. My Aunt Petunia was her sister," Harry said. "That's why I have my place in Hogsmeade so I don't have to deal with them."
"Seven points from Gryffindor for talking about something other then the lesson at hand," Flitwick squeaked out from the front of the classroom.
In the common room that Night Ashley noticed the pile of paper that Ginny had in front of her
"Whoa Ginny you writing a book of something?" She joked.
"Actually I am. It's a term paper to replace potions in my schedule due to my condition," Ginny said.
"God potions seems like a fun class even if mine only work maybe slightly better then Neville's even if Snape is the biggest grouch in the whole school," Ashley commented.
"Cut it out Kline," Neville called out.
Ashley stuck her tongue out at Neville. The one prefect a girl ignored Ashley's move since she wasn't really a resident of Gryffindor.
Harry during all this was off to one side working on his Quidditch moves for the next game Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw.
The following Saturday Gryffindor had the field reserved for Practice.
"Rhonda, try to keep the goals behind you at all times, Colin, Natalie, make sure you cover the field at all times especially on game day since well It hasn't been decided yet if Ginny will play or not. Warren, be ready just in case Madame Pomfrey doesn't clear Ginny to play. WE are lucky and it looks like the Hufflepuff game will be after the baby is born but it's not a proven fact. For that reason I haven't made a determination on what the lineup will be against Hufflepuff. Dennis, you and Lucy be ready regardless of whether Ginny plays. Jan, you Miquel, Frank, and Wendy need to be ready just in case we run into trouble and have to dip into the reserves."
"Hey like no sweat Amigo, I'll be ready anytime you say those Ravens will wish they were enchilada meat when I'm done with them," Miquel said.
"That's assuming you make it in the game," Jan commented.
"Miquel, I bet you will have a spot on the team next year somewhere," Colin commented.
They then headed for the field, Madame Hooch and Madame Pomfrey were on hand to monitor the progress as was Ron and his two co-commentators, Ashley was also on hand since she had never actually seen Quidditch played just the collection of Chudley Cannons posters on the walls and ceiling of Ron's room at the Burrow. Soon as the Starting lineup took off Madame Hooch released the balls. Ashley had gotten her hand on the Quaffle and threw it towards Ginny who managed to be able to catch it. The Bludgers meanwhile headed off and targeted the team. One Bludger seemed almost glued to Ginny but Natalie quickly launched it out of the way towards Miquel who was trying to do the job of two chasers, Frank though Beat it off him toward Lucy who managed to dodge it only for it to hit Wendy square in the eye. Madame Hooch immediately stopped practice.
"Wendy you all right?" Harry wondered after he landed. Wendy had trouble landing.
"My vision is real cloudy in the one eye. I don't know what happened," Wendy admitted.
"Your mom won't put anything about this in the Daily Prophet will she?" Ginny asked since Wendy's mother was a reporter for the Daily Prophet named Rita Skeeter a reporter known more for spreading gossip then just reporting the facts.
"I'll let her know about my eye but I'll try to get her to keep it out of the paper," Wendy promised.
"We really should have your eye looked at by an eye doctor," Madame Pomfrey said as she lead Wendy off.
"WE better hope nothing happens to Harry before the Game otherwise we are up the creek without a paddle," Ashley commented since Wendy was the reserve seeker.
"For a squib you have a point," Jan said.
Practice went on right up until the dinner bell rang.
"Colin, lead the team to dinner. I'm going up to the hospital wing to check on Wendy," Harry announced.
Ginny, Ron, and Ashley joined him for the trip.
"She is off grounds getting it checked. Ginny, I spoke with Madame Hooch and you are still cleared to practice but I suggest you consider not playing during the actual games. At least not against Ravenclaw," Madame Pomfrey said.
"And give Warren the satisfaction yeah right," Ginny said.
They then headed for dinner sitting down at the Gryffindor table. Just as Harry was putting some Ham on his plate Warren approached.
"Harry, what's the scoop as far as the team goes?" Warren wondered.
"Wendy's status is unknown and right now it looks like Ginny might not be cleared medically against Ravenclaw. She is still cleared to practice but I have a feeling that Madame Pomfrey is considering taking her out of the line-up against Ravenclaw," Harry reported.
"IF Ginny is unable to play Miquel and I were talking on the way into the Castle after practice and I think we should give him a chance," Warren said. "I want to play pretty badly but not if it means Ginny is unable to play."
That night Harry was working on studying for the dreaded NEWTS while everyone else was doing general work and Ashley was glancing at a chapter on Shrinking potions from the Hogwarts Book of Potionry. Miguel at one point got up from his Herbology Essay he was working on with a few other first years and walked over to where Ginny was working on her Term Paper since her other homework was taken care of.
"Mike, Good luck against Ravenclaw," Ginny said.
"Perdon Amiga?" Miquel wondered.
"I haven't told Harry yet but after dinner I pulled myself from the starting lineup against Ravenclaw. Part of it is because of what happened to Wendy," Ginny said. "Considering the reputation her mother has I'm surprised the Sorting Hat put Wendy in Gryffindor."
"Ginny, just because they say one bad apple spoils the bunch and the apple never falls far from the tree we can't just lump Wendy in with her mother since Wendy obviously wasn't spoiled by her being the daughter of Rita Skeeter. IF the Sorting Hat put Wendy in Gryffindor it obviously had a reason," Miquel said.
"Mike, you sure you're in the right house. You seem rather full of wisdom which is predominate amongst Ravenclaws not Gryffindors," Ginny wondered.
"I do have a supply of wisdom mainly from my mom, but I also have pretty much every quality that Godric Gryffindor looked at: Daring, Nerves of Steel, and I'm one of the most Chivalrous in my hometown Amiga," Miquel said. "I think the Sorting Hat had to flip the proverbial Sickle to determine where to place me."
"Well you do a good job keeping it at bay," Ginny commented.
"Gracias Ginny," Miguel said before returning to his seat over with the other first years.
"Your welcome I think," Ginny said since she didn't know Spanish.
A couple days later Ginny sat down next to Harry at breakfast.
"Harry, I already told Miquel but I'm taking myself out of the line-up against the Ravens. Depending on how I feel after the baby is born will determine whether I play against Hufflepuff," Ginny said.
"Ginny, I will miss you in the skies but it is probably just as well since we really can't spare a Beater just to protect you and cover the rest of the field," Harry said.
"We saw that against Slytherin. Five out of the last six years you had Malfoy to deal with while playing against Slytherin at Quidditch. I don't know how you could handle it," Ginny said.
"Believe me it wasn't always easy," Harry said. "I'll have to do some real maneuvering to work my strategies and plays around Miquel's strengths. I only had plays planned for You figuring in your condition and for Warren. Thankfully I have plenty of time."
"I'll help on that end if you want," Ginny said. "During practice I can watch and get an idea of his strengths."
"He definitely has some hidden strengths," Harry said. "Even with the fact he is flying a used Cleansweep."
"Well It's not like I can easily afford a new Broom. All the decent brooms like the Nimbus 2000 the Nimbus 2001 and the Firebolt series are expensive," Miquel said as he joined them.
"Miquel, if possible I will support you as Team Captain next year," Ginny said.
"Hold on Amiga, Tres Problemas with your idea. Problema Uno I will only be a second year in my first year of true eligibility. Problema dos I am part of an exchange program with the Madrid Academy where I am actually registered as a student and as such won't be here. Problema Tres I don't want the position," Miguel said in his bilingual way.
Ginny simply rolled her eyes. She knew convincing Miquel to become team captain would be a challenge. She then noticed a familiar face with an eye patch walk by.
"Wendy, how is your eye?" Ginny wondered.
"It will be a few days. I went to a Muggle Doctor so it wasn't magically fixed. For some reason all the better eye doctors are muggles," Wendy said.
"At least you should be ready for Ravenclaw it is coming up," Harry commented.
"Yeah but not for over a bit yet," Wendy said.
"April 1st," Harry said.
"I only hope I'll be able to manage," Wendy commented "Assuming I end up in the line-up. What does the lineup currently look like?"
"Me, Rhonda, Dennis and Colin, Lucy, Miquel, and Natalie," Harry responded.
"Ginny, what's up did Pomfrey pull you from the line-up?" Wendy asked.
"No I pulled myself," Ginny said. "I figured it would be the thing to do for the safety of my baby if nothing else."
"Probably a good move Ginny."
Ginny spent a good portion of time working on her term paper when she wasn't busy with her day to day school work. Finally she woke up to find a real nice Day and she glanced at her calendar to find it was April 1st. She glanced over to find Leslie was half asleep.
"Hey Leslie, there is a Dementor leaning over you," Ginny said.
"A Dementor, what where. Don't let it kiss me," Leslie said in a panic.
"April Fools you gullible excuse for a witch," Ginny said.
"Vocalous takeous Awayous," Leslie said after picking up her wand. Ginny instantly went silent.
"God I should use that on Snape sometime," Leslie figured after she used a voice removal curse on Ginny in revenge.
At Breakfast Ashley noticed how silent Ginny was.
"Hey Ginny did a cat get your tongue or something?" Ashley wondered after noticing how quiet Ginny was. Ginny mouthed the word Leslie. Ginny was kind of glad it was the weekend so she wouldn't end up spending class time as a mute. On her way back to Gryffindor Tower after Breakfast she ended up tripping over a big bump in the rug and fell forwards. Thankfully Sir Nick was on hand.
"Wouldn't want the little one to get crushed," Sir Nick said.
"Thanks Sir Nick. You think Peeves is behind this one?" Ginny wondered using her wand to write the words in the air.
"Without a bloody doubt he was," Sir Nick said. "Last time I saw him he was trying to tease the Fat Lady at the entrance to the tower. What happened to your voice."
"A friend of mine used a voice removal curse on me for causing her to panic," Ginny wrote in the air.
Fairly Soon it was time for the Match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Eleanor was sitting in the Commentators Booth. Ashley took the time to sit with Ron and the others. Joining them was an Asian looking girl named Cho Chang a former Ravenclaw Student who had graduated the previous year.
"Man Ginny sure is quiet," Cho commented.
"She has been like that all day," Kelly commented.
"Harry is a first rate seeker. He beat me lets see three times in four years," Cho said.
"You played Quidditch," Kelly noted.
"I was a seeker like Harry," Cho said. "I think he used to have a crush on me before he realized his feelings for the Silent One."
"Mount your Brooms everyone, Three two One," Madame Hooch said before blowing her whistle.
"Gryffindor possession, Dennis Creevey to Collins to Rodriquez back to Collins. Dennis Creevey is zooming by past a Bludger sent towards him by Brocklehurst Oh no Ravenclaw Possession," Eleanor called out.
"Go Ravens," Cho called out. Leslie wondered if she should use the voice removal curse on Cho. Ginny of course used her wand to send up huge words that said Go Gryffindor.
"Expelliarmus," someone called out and Ginny's wand went flying.
"Looks like a small skirmish among houses in the stands as Gryffindor with a 3 goal lead prepares for another goal. Collins is moving into position and throws it. Block by Boot," Eleanor called out.
Harry meanwhile was zooming along looking for the golden snitch when he saw Ginny's wand come a little close to a Bludger. He then zoomed over and retrieved it. Natalie helped by knocking the Bludger away. For some weird reason the Snitch happened to come zooming by right then and Harry reached up and just started to place his hand around it when it zoomed away.
"Cashews," Harry said.
"Better luck next time Captain Potter," Natalie said as she flew off after the Bludgers. Harry of course turned a little Pink. He then kicked his broom into full speed and zoomed off after the Snitch. Fairly soon the Score was 80-60 Ravenclaw when Harry felt a small something fly up his right sleeve he placed his left hand in his robe over the shoulder hole and soon as it was in place he grabbed ahold of it and pulled his arm out.
"Unbelievable. After a strange move by the Snitch Potter caught it. Final Score Gryffindor Lions 230 points Ravenclaw 80," Eleanor called out.
A short time later the gang was on the ground gathered around.
"Ginny, I believe this is yours," Harry said handing Ginny her wand. He then took his own wand out and cast a quick spell.
"Vocalous Returnigum," Harry said aiming his own wand at Ginny.
"So nice to have my voice back," Ginny said.
Leslie was a little annoyed that Harry had restored Ginny's voice.
"Remind me to teach you all how to block Vocalous takeous Awayous," Professor Flitwick said as he walked by.
"Professor, how is it Ginny was able to form words in the air when I had her cursed?" Leslie wondered though she knew she would be admitting guilt in asking her question.
"That's easy Miss Lowdy. A person inflicted by the voice removal curse ends up moving their voice to their wand. All you ended up doing was making it more interesting since Ginny's shout of Go Gryffindor ended up in huge letters everyone could see," Professor Flitwick said. "Nice game by the way Mr. Potter."
"Thanks Professor Flitwick. Your new seeker isn't bad. I wouldn't mind a game of three on three against her sometime," Harry said.
Closing A/N This is the first Chapter posted after the whole Chaptering bit started up. Also the next chapter will be numbered either Chapter 13, Chapter 14, or Chapter 13(14). Please in any reviews let me know which you prefer. Also let me know how the typesize is since I had a couple complaints about the type size among my reviews.