Chapter 4: Winter Surprises
November came with much ado for every house needed a new player or players on their team- Gryffindor needed a new captain, keeper, and chaser; Slytherin need a new captain and beater; Ravenclaw a new chaser, and Hufflepuff a new seeker. Harry felt slightly guilty for Hufflepuff's new position open as it had slightly been his fault for Cedric Diggory's (The Hufflepuff's old seeker) death a few months prior. Ron auditioned for the new keeper position and made it; Julia Ferdonson, a 4th year, was proclaimed the new chaser, and Katie Bell the new captain. Mary Sue Danskin threw a fit after she found this out; apparently she had tried out as well. She hadn't made it, mainly because she couldn't make or block a goal. After all this was done, it was time for another Hogsmeade trip.
Hogsmeade was good as usual, Butterbeers warmed them up in The Three Broomsticks, which was more crowded then usual. After the Hogsmeade trip, something curious happened in Divination. Near the end of a lesson Ron spotted a door near the back of the room, and all were curious why the need for a door was there. But they soon found out.
It was Sunday morning, a beautiful morning, and all were awake in the Gryffindor common room. An announcement was made magically that all-5th years-of every house- was to report to McGonall's office. They all do so, dead curious, and found they were going to find out about the door in the Divination room.
McGonall opened the door to oohs and ahhs. A long hall lay in front of them, covered in purple velvet. They marched forward, and as the last person in the line walked past the door, it closed and McGonall had to light a torch, it supplying a rather large pool of light. All could see, and as far as they could tell, real four-leaf clovers, and horseshoes. They got to the end of the hall and reached a dead-end or so they thought. McGonall muttered something and the wall slid open to reveal a magnificent room.
Everyone took seats, Harry, Ron and Hermione sitting on stools near the back, unluckily sitting next to Draco Malfoy and his cronies. The presentation then began as soon as McGonall put out the torch.
The fireplace in front of them burst alive with purple and black fire, reveling a purple banner with large black letters stating:
Welcome to the house of Seventhorns.
Underneath these words was picture of a black velvet cat, its yellow eyes piercing at them all.
Someone, possibly 17, on a wide crescent staircase surrounding the fire spoke.
"This is the house of Seventhorns. It has been hidden from the other students of Hogwarts ever since it's founders death."
Someone else, about a year younger, also on the staircase, continued.
"The founder of this house, Vanessa Seventhorns, was very superstitious, and believed that the house must be hidden after her death. She was told so in a dream."
The girl that they had seen twice- once on the train once in the halls- was also on the stairs. Harry could see Draco blush in even in the dim light as the spotlight turned on her. She spoke.
"The House of Seventhorns has 35 members, five new ones added each year. All of us are possible seers, all though all of us are very superstitious."
Harry began to wonder why Lavender and Parvati weren't put in the house of Seventhorns. But then it came to him- that weren't possible seers.
Another one on the staircase spoke. This one was 14 years of age.
"You're currently in a invisible tower. It has been invisible for thousands of years, using a difficult spell to master."
A third year on the staircase spoke her voice rather small.
"All are sorted before they come here. They get a special letter which tells them were to go once they get here. We don't even take the train."
A second-year spoke up.
"The house of Seventhorns has been a secret of Hogwarts for thousands of years."
Finally, a scared-looking eleven-year-old spoke.
"We have finally decided to reveal ourselves."
All of the students in the house of Seventhorns then said in unison:
"Welcome to the house of Seventhorns!"
The fire let out an anguished cry and then extinguished, the lights going on as everyone clapped.
Professor Treneway then stood up.
"I'm the head of this house, as you may have guessed. We do have a Qudditich team, and they'd like to introduce themselves."
Everyone clapped yet again.
"First of the all, the captain and keeper, Roger McHealy!"
Everyone clapped as he came down the stairs. He was the first one who spoke.
"Please hold all your applause until the end. Our two beaters, Aquarius Riverson and Robert Evasion! Our three chasers, Tara Smith, Rachel Everson, and Timothy O'Henry! And, finally, our seeker, Magenta Kingly!"
Everyone clapped as Magenta came down, finishing the team. Magenta was the girl they'd seen twice before they'd came here.
Treneway spoke again: "I'd like you all to greet the members of the house of Seventhorns. Refreshments will be served in a few minutes, prepared by the house elves."
Hermione seemed very distressed at these words.
"Gosh, they have never seen the rest of the school, and the House Elves still work for them!" Hermione exclaimed, and Harry and Ron rolled their eyes.
"Hi, I'm Magenta," said Magenta Kingly, as she bravely went up and introduced herself to Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
"Ron Weasly," Ron said.
"Hermione Granger."
"Harry Potter."
She gave a slight smile to them all before she turned to see Draco, who was close behind her.
"And who are you?" She asked Draco politely.
"Draco Malfoy," He said slowly, almost as if trying to get his name right, "and this is Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle."
The Harry-techi walked away, sustaining giggles. They meet up with Timothy O'Henry, a fifth-year, and soon Harry and Ron were indulged in talks about Qudditich. Hermione went off and met Emma Anderson, another fifth-year, who, amazingly, like Hermione, believed the House Elves were treated unfairly. Soon refreshments were served (punch and a few snacks) and the fifth-years all said good-bye to the house of Seventhorns.
~*~*~*~
The next week, on November 23rd, the Seventhornses' joined the school. They were greeted with much excitement and applause; for, as Dean Thomas put it, "there sure ain't much happening around this school this time." How wrong he was.
After it all had settled in, and at least one person had mistaken Prof. Snape's name for Snap, a fierce blizzard came upon. It had been the day before the people signing-up were meant to go home (Draco Malfoy included). There were groans, but the teachers, even though it was a boarding school, decided to call a snow-day anyway. This made everyone happy, even Hermione, because they got a three-day weekend (Friday was the day of the blizzard) added to there all-ready long vacation. On Saturday, the more than half of the school went home, but not before a Hogsmeade trip.
The Hogsmeade trip was scheduled to be on Friday, but had to be changed to Saturday. Everyone excepted nothing to happen. How wrong they were.
The Death-eaters soon evaded Honeydukes, killed 8 people, hurt 2, and then ran off with some stone or other. Among those killed were Cho Chang and Julia Materson, both on the Ravenclaw team. They had to find replacements, even amongst the mourning.
The Christmas that year was not a happy one. Everyone seemed gloomy due to the deaths, and very few presents were bought or given. Everyone had seemed to lost sprit, the realization of Voldemort's return hitting them were it hurt.
January was surprisingly crisp, and on January 15th, the first Qudditich match was held. Seventhorns beat Hufflepuff 180-20, and soon, too soon it seemed, the match of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor began.
Slytherin had beat Ravenclaw in the previous week- 150-60. Basically, if Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw wouldn't be moving up, unless they beat the Seventhorns. In the shortest match Harry had ever played in his life, Gryffindor won, 150-0.
"I swear they let out the snitch before the game even began!" Ron exclaimed.
Just before the next match of Gryffindor vs. Slytherin began, an announcement was made.
"We have a new teacher with us today, her name is Prof. Delocour. She will be teaching French. The course is optional."
Over half the boys in the school signed up for the course.
Katie Bell was making the Gryffindor team practice vigorously; less than Wood luckily.
"All right team," Katie Bell said to the team one evening, "The match agasint Slytherin is tomorrow. I want you all up at 6' o clock A.M to practice."
They all groaned.
~*~*~*~
"Soon the Order of the Phoenix will be complete, and then I will be the most powerful wizard to ever live!"
"Yes, my lord."
~*~*~*~
A/N: I apologize deeply for taking so long with this chapter. I'm failing science and some other subjects, my computer crashed, and I didn't have MS Word until March 10th, 2001. My brother is taking up most of the time on the computer, as he has become addicted to RCT & Starcraft. I have also become addicted to RCT, napster & neopets. I apologize more than words could say. I'm sorry, this story will keep going, also long as I can sit down and write.
Sorry that this chapter was a bit rushed. I'll work harder next time. J
Review please? No flames!
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K Rowling except for what I own.