First, I'm sorry it took me soooooooooooo long to finish this. I've got a sinus infection--lots of coughing and a stuffy nose. I promise to get part thirteen up as quick as I can, but it may take a few days! Bare with me!
Chapter Twelve
Tryouts
Harry, oddly enough, slept very soundly and peacefully that night, untroubled by dreams, nightmares, or fears. He woke the next morning feeling rested and relaxed for a change, ready to start a new day.
Harry glanced at his watch (which he'd repaired over the summer while he was bored) to discover it was only five thirty in the morning. He thought of going back to bed, then shrugged to himself. He was hungry anyway. He did, however, decide against waking Ron; the last thing Ron needed was a few more concusions. Dumbledore would probably address the entire school once they were at breakfast anyway.
Harry pulled on his black robes, then put his hat on. He dusted himself off, then hurried on down to breakfast. Only a few students were there, and those few looked extraordinarily sleepy. Harry took a seat next to Hermione. He hadn't been able to tell Ron and she about last night, as it was nearly ten o'clock when he got in, and they'd both been asleep.
"Morning, Hermione," said Harry, taking a few sips of pumpkin juice.
"Good morning, Harry," said Hermione cheerfully. "Sleep good last night?"
"Yeah," Harry said through his bacon. The House-Elves seemed to serve bacon a lot lately, he thought suddenly. "You?"
"Yes," Hermione responded after swallowing. "Well enough. I had some Arithmancy to do, though, so I stayed up late in my dorm studying. How was practice?"
"Good, good," said Harry as he swallowed a piece of his egg. "It was after practice that got me."
"What d'you mean?" Hermione peered at Harry curiously.
"Wait till Ron comes," Harry said, "he'll want to hear too." Then it suddenly struck him that he hadn't read his letter from Sirius. "And Snuffles sent me an owl sometime last week. I forgot about it."
"What'd he say?" Hermione whispered after a furtive glance around. They were the only occupants of the Gryffindor table.
"Dunno. Haven't read it yet," Harry said. Hermione goggled at him.
"You got the letter a week ago," she muttered slowly, "and you haven't read it yet?"
"A lot's been happening, Hermi."
They lapsed into silence. After Harry finished breakfast, he decided just to sit at the table for a while; he didn't feel like going back to the Gryffindor tower for his books just yet. He laid his head on his crossed arms and closed his eyes, thinking.
"Students, please report to the Great Hall now," boomed Professor McGonagall's voice throughout the halls. Harry's head snapped up. "Thank you."
Harry noticed Dumbledore walk to his seat at the staff table, once more looking weary. Professors Snape and McGonagall walked in a moment later, also looking rather tired. The rest of the table was already occupied by the other teachers. A few of them looked ragged; Professors Tallow and Trins were the only two who looked remotely rested.
Soon, students began to file into the Great Hall, rubbing their eyes sleepily. Ron appeared a moment later, yawning as he sat down in between Harry and Hermione.
"Wha's all 'is abou'?" he muttered as he yawned again. His red hair was dishelved, and his robes were crinkled.
"We'll soon find out, won't we?" Hermione said, half angrily.
"Wha's wrong with you, 'Ermi?" Ron said, trying to snap at her but failing miserably.
There was the use of the name, "'Ermi" again, Harry thought.
"Nothing - " Hermione started to say, but Dumbledore stepped up at that moment, offering a smile to his students.
"Good morning, everyone," he said with a half sigh. "Our security has just been tightened. We're placing an invisible wall around the Quidditch pitch, a gaurd against all spells. The first two Quidditch games, Ravenclaw versus Slytherin and Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, will be next week, and there will not be another game until winter. You are not to leave the castle unless accompanied by a professor. Anyone caught is subject to detention for quite a while.
"As I've said before, I hate taking these precautions" - he took a deep breath - "but they are necessary. Someone entered the grounds last night and attempted to attack one of our students. We did not find anyone, nor was anyone injured, but we must be cautious from now on. Remember, the Halloween Ball is five weeks from now."
Dumbledore slowly walked back to his chair and continued eating breakfast as though nothing had happened. Though he'd mentioned no names, everyone was staring pointedly at Harry, including Ron and Hermione. Harry shrugged, then headed back to the Gryffindor tower to get his Defense Against the Dark Arts books.
As Harry reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, a voice startled him.
"So, Potter, heard you almost got killed last night." It was Malfoy. "Pity you didn't. Then all these extra precautions wouldn't be in effect."
"Yeah they would, and you know it," Harry said, keeping his cool as he mentally counted to ten. "If whatever it was out there had killed me, the precautions would be ten times worse. Think before you speak."
Malfoy stared at Harry as though he were growing two heads. Harry was about to tell Malfoy to scram when the pale boy stepped forward, so that he was nearly nose to nose with Harry.
"You'd best watch yourself, Potter," he said softly, "or you'll find yourself worse than dead."
He turned to leave.
"Was that a threat, Mr. Malfoy?"
Professor Tallow had walked around the corner Malfoy was about to turn, causing Malfoy to stop dead. Malfoy shook his head slowly.
"Because it sounded an awful lot like one to me," Tallow continued, stepping towards Malfoy. "Now here's one for you: If you break one rule - going outside without teacher supervision, backmouthing a teacher, I don't care - you'll be expelled faster than you can whisper Lumos."
"And you'd better watch yourself, Tallow," hissed Malfoy, "not many know what you used to be."
Tallow flinched slightly as Malfoy brushed by him, then followed after the Slytherin boy's retreating figure. Harry blinked, wondering what he'd just witnessed.
"Urdai are an extinct race of dark magical creatures," said Professor Tallow, pacing back in forth in front of his fifth year Gryffindor class. "The Urdai were about four feet tall, bred of the Gnomes and the Dwarves and a little of something else altogether."
Ron raised his hand.
"Mr. Weasley?" Tallow inquired, gesturing to Ron.
"When you say Gnome, you don't mean garden gnomes, do you?" Ron asked, brow furrowed.
"No," said Tallow. "These kinds of Gnomes are like what Muggles always thought real Gnomes were: Three feet tall, gnarled facial features, and very, very irritable creatures. First thing you say to offend 'em, they're on top of you, beating you with their fists. Dwarves are much gentler folk, about the same height. Urdai are a mix of these races, and something else, though we're not quite sure what."
He stopped pacing suddenly, and peered curiously at them.
"Anyone know when the last Urdai were seen?" he asked. Hermione's hand shot up. "Miss Granger?"
"During You-Know-Who's days, about thirty years ago," said Hermione. "You-Know-Who was using them to murder people mercilessly, until they altogether disappeared."
"That is correct," said Tallow. "Five points to Gryffindor. There have been several rumors of their return, or of one or two that did not die thirty years ago, but these rumors are not confirmed, and, I believe, completely ridiculous."
"Now," he continued slowly, "does anyone know where the last Urdai was rumored to be?"
Lavender Brown's and Hermione's hands shot up.
"Miss Brown?"
"London," said Lavender.
"Yes. It was reported by an anonomous Ministry official. No homework over the weekend."
There were a few sighs of relief.
"You can talk till the bell rings," said Tallow.
"When are you going to show us Snuffle's letter?" Ron demanded as soon as these words had left the Professors mouth.
"I'd say tonight, but tryouts for Keeper are tonight, maybe after them?" Harry said slowly.
Ron looked doubtful, but Hermione nudged his ribcage, so they both agreed.
"Ron, why don't you try out for Keeper?" Harry asked, fiddling with his wand.
Ron shook his head.
"I'm not a Keeper," he said. "Chaser, sure, Beater, sure, but Keeper? No way. Quaffles hurt when they're hurled at you by a seventh year."
Harry chuckled, imagining Kirk Joseph's small frame being pelted by Quaffles.
"Hermione, how about you - "
"No way," said Hermione firmly. "I can't even fly well enough to save my life, let alone to play Quidditch. Leave me to my book studies."
Harry smirked at her for a moment, then returned his attention to his wand. After a moment he was forced to stop twirling his wand around his fingertips, though; scarlet sparks shot out the end and burnt his hand, causing him to yelp.
"Harry, you might want to stop playing with your wand like that," Tallow cautioned softly; "there was a man in America who killed himself twirling his wand around."
"How?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"He Avada Kedavra'ed himself on accident."
"All right, here's the deal Kirk," said Fred, patting the young Gryffindor's back. "McGonagall said you could try out as long as you maintain your good grades. So DON'T SCREW UP!"
Kirk grinned and nodded.
"Katie, Kirk, get up there and show Kirk here what he's up against," said George. Katie Bell and Kirk nodded, then flew way up in the air.
"Here's the Quaffle Katie!" Fred shouted, hurling the red ball up to the Chaser. "Harry, you and George go up there and see how could he is."
Harry nodded, then climbed onto his Firebolt and shot up into the sky after Kirk and Katie. Harry settled down a few yards above the three hoops Kirk was guarding and watched him. Kirk was focusing, watching Katie as she raced in, clutching the Quaffle under her left arm. She swirved back and forth, attempting to confuse the first year; Kirk did not waver, however. He followed her movement until she was forced to shoot, and he easily knocked the ball away with his elbow, not even flinching as the ball hit him hard.
Harry's eyes widened, and he glanced over at George. George was open-mouthed. Katie Bell was probably their second best Chaser, and she'd been blocked by a first year.
"Angie, get up there," Fred said to Angelina Johnson. She nodded and took off. "You two work a play you'd use in a game."
They nodded, then Katie retrieved the Quaffle and darted out back to the other end of the field. Katie raced in on one side, Angelina on the other; once Katie was a foot from Kirk's left side, she tossed the Quaffle over him to Angelina. Angelina thought she had an empty hoop, but when she tried to put the Quaffle in, Kirk's foot was there, and the Quaffle fell to the ground.
That, in Harry's opinion, settled it. Kirk was going to be their new Keeper. He HAD to be. He was nearly perfect.
"Kirk," said George after landing and having a private chat with Fred, "welcome to the team."
Kirk grinned as they shook his hand and hugged him.
"Quidditch cup, here we come!" Fred declared.
***
Harry pushed the first and third valves down on his trumpet and buzzed into it. A low-pitched sound came out of it, and Harry played the note for a moment longer than he thought was necessary. He finally stopped, breathing heavily.
"It's very good," said a voice from behind him. He glanced around. Ginny Weasley was standing on the Quidditch field, smiling up at him. Harry had found that he was very self-conscious of his trumpet-playing, and therefore found it easier to practice at the Quidditch pitch - it had a barrier against spells, so teachers didn't have to be with him while he was there.
"Thanks," he said, smiling back. "Did you sign up for band?"
Ginny nodded, bringing out a large case.
"I've played the clarinet for a few years anyway, so Professor Trins put me on the bass clarinet," she said. "I came here to practice so that no teacher could here me."
"Great minds must think alike," Harry said with a laugh. Ginny grinned again, then moved to leave the pitch. "No, it's okay. You can practice here. I was nearly finished anyway."
"Why don't we...why don't we practice together?" Ginny squeaked, her cheeks slightly pink.
"Okay," Harry replied softly, smiling again.
Ginny nodded and climbed a the few steps up into the stands to where Harry sat. She put the large case down next to her as she sat down above him a level, and opened it carefully. Inside were three long black pieces, resembling a saxaphone very much. (A/N: Gees, I've put quite a few in here lately, haven't I? Anyway, if I got the bass clarinet part wrong, bare with me; no one in our band plays the bass yet. We're looking for a bass player though)
She put the very long instrument together, then took out a piece of wood and attached it to what Ron had called a mouthpiece. Then she took a metal ring out (ligature, Ron said) and fastened it around the small piece of wood. Harry watched curiously as she put a metal rod on the end of the bass clarinet and propped it against the ground. She put her mouth around the mouthpiece and blew; a very low sound came out of the bell softly.
"I didn't know you played the clarinet," Harry said as she took her mouth off the mouthpiece.
Ginny shrugged.
"It was just a 'silly hobbie,' my mum said," she muttered. "But with the band, I guess it's not so silly now, is it?"
"Guess not," Harry said. "Are you keyed in Bb?"
"Yes."
"Okay, play C#."
Ginny nodded, repositioned her fingers and blew softly. Harry pushed all three valves down and buzzed. The same low sound came out of his, though a lot higher than hers; however, it sounded badly out of tune.
Harry pushed out his small slide until the waves stopped and the sound was in tune.
They broke off together.
"What music d'you have?" Harry asked.
"Encanto and Semper Fidelus," said Ginny, taking out two sheets of music.
Harry peered curiously at Semper Fidelus; he'd only recieved Encanto. Encanto itself was very challenging, but Semper Fidelus looked ten times harder.
"Erm, how about Encanto?" Harry said.
"Okay."
Harry and Ginny packed up their instruments a few hours later, Ginny having taught Harry a lot he hadn't known. Ginny didn't play the trumpet, of course, but she knew a lot about music. By the time they were done, Harry could play the first line of Semper Fidelus.
Professor Trins picked them up at the Quidditch pitch's exit, and escorted them to the castle. He bid them farewell as they reached the steps to the Entrance Hall, and walked off towards Hagrid's cabin.
"When d'you reckon we'll play first?" Harry asked as they walked into the Entrance Hall.
"I'd say we'll have a Christmas concert, maybe the night of the Christmas Ball," Ginny said. "And I know we're marching every Quidditch game, except for the players that are in band. Well, not really marching, just playing out on the field for the audience before the game begins, then playing when either team scores. Very painful for you, I imagine, when we have to play when Slytherin scores."
Harry grimaced as they walked through the deserted Great Hall. Of course, it was nearly eleven o'clock by now, so everyone was in their common room by now. Harry and Ginny walked in silence until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, at which point Ginny muttered, "Filepina."
The Fat Lady swung open after waking herself up, muttering angrily about band students "coming in at all hours." Harry and Ginny walked by the sofas, then Ginny bid Harry goodnight and left.
"Where the hell have you and my sister been?"
Harry spun slowly around. Ron was sitting in the chair by the fire, staring at Harry with a cold look in his eyes. Harry was taken aback by Ron's look, but shrugged as he sat down across from Ron.
"Practicing for band," he said slowly. "Why?"
"Why? Why?" Ron spluttered, "I'll tell you why! You were out for three hours with my little sister, doing who knows what!"
"Ron, we were practicing our instruments," Harry said slowly, unsure if Ron had heard him correctly. "Nothing more."
"Why didn't you get me?"
"I don't like people listening to me."
"Then why did you let Ginny practice with you?"
Harry stared at Ron for a moment. Why HAD he let Ginny stay? He WAS very self-conscious.... He forced a shrug.
"Dunno," he said. "She said she was like me, didn't like people to hear her...and I was at the Quidditch pitch, the only place we could practice without teachers or students listening...so I figured it'd be selfish of me to hog the pitch, so I let her stay."
Ron's eyes glinted dangerously, then he dropped the coldness.
"All right, but don't mess with my sister, Harry," he said easily. "Let's get some sleep."
On top of Quidditch practice and homework was now band practice; Trins was working the people who'd be playing at the game next week furiously, and they were starting to sound like a group. Trins had started them on simple pieces like one called Legend, then bumped them up to harder ones like Encanto. Now they were working on a challenging American piece, "Louie, Louie," which was a nice, fiery piece to get the crowd motivated. Trins had decided to split them into two sections for the game - Gryffindors and Ravenclaw to play when Gryffindor scored, and Slytherins and Hufflepuff to play when Hufflepuff scored.
On the Friday morning before the game that afternoon, Professor Trins called them together to practice one last time.
"First," he told them, "I just want to apologize for pushing you guys so hard. We should've started in a nice, easy book with simple pieces, but we've got the games to play, so I had to do that. And one more thing, Tari will direct section two, and I'll take section one."
The Hufflepuff-players were section two, and the Gryffindor-players were section one. Harry was rather glad he'd have Professor Trins; that way Malfoy would be stuck with the much-stricter Professor Tari.
The whole band was actually comprised of about sixty students. Some had been playing for a while, like Ginny, but most of them had started like Harry and Ron. Kirk sat next to Harry, and Harry discovered that Kirk's style of play was very, very loud. That was, of course, good for playing outside, but once they were in the band room Kirk's style wouldn't be the best in the world. Harry ignored it, however, and when they were in the common room he'd even silence Kirk's trumpet with a Silencing Charm.
Finally it was gametime. The Gryffindor team was in their locker area, changing into Fred and George's new robes. Kirk was particularly excited; Harry imagined he must've been like this his first game. After they changed, Fred and George got them together for their pep-talk.
"Okay," said Fred, "we're not using Oliver's speech, no matter how much any of you liked it."
"We came up with out own," George explained. "Take it away, Fred."
"Okay, firstly, Harry, don't catch the Snitch till we've seen what Kirkie can do," said Fred.
"Yeah," George agreed. "Let him face a few shots before you catch it if you can. Unless the other Seeker goes for the Snitch before you do. By the way, who is the new Seeker for Hufflepuff?"
Harry felt a stab of anguish, but maintained his composure.
"I think it's Hannah Abbot," Harry said slowly.
Katie Bell nodded.
"She is," she agreed.
"All right," said Fred. "Don't let her tail you like Chang does, but stick close to her. Don't let her get the snitch before you."
"Okay, break!"
They walked out onto the pitch, not nervous at all. Dumbledore himself was referring the game, so the two teams gathered around him.
"Mount your brooms," he said. He took a silver whistle in his mouth and blew. Harry darted off. Hannah Abbot didn't appear remotely interested in following him, so he just hovered around, listening to Lee Jordan's commentary.
"Hufflepuff takes the Quaffle down the field," he said.
Harry then stopped listening, deciding on circling around intently instead. He could watch Kirk that way as well. He flew towards the Gryffindor goal posts, watching Kirk.
"Gryffindor steals the pass! Katie passes it to Angelina, who snaps it over to Alicia, a quick move to the left, then passes back to Katie, and they score! Gryffindor lead ten to nothing! Hufflepuff in possession. Hufflepuff's team is surprisingly mainly comprised of second years. Their captain is now Hannah Abbot, a fifth year, and three memebers of their team - two Chasers and a Beater - are second years! Amazing, isn't it? Back to the game, though. Kevin Whitby takes it down the field, passes to Laura Madley. The young ones are really speeding down the court today! Madley passes back to Whitby, takes the Quaffle down the field - oh! Whitby breaks free of the group of players with an amazing speed burst, fakes left, then right, shot! GREAT SAVE JOSEPH!"
Kirk grinned as he heard his dad's trademark call ("GREAT SAVE JOSEPH!") from the commentator. This was the life.
"Now Gryffindor takes the Quaffle," Lee continued excitedly. "Still no action for our beloved Seekers in this game, but I have the feeling there will be soon."
He's seen the Snitch, Harry thought instantly, glancing towards Hannah Abbot. She apparently hadn't seen whatever Lee had, however; she was doing loop-the-loops in the air near her Keeper. Harry continued circling the field, suinting through the air. Mist had fallen on the field, layers of fog that clouded his vision; he could now barely make out the goalpost he was but ten yards away from.
"Well..." Lee's voice sounded a bit shocked. "I can't exactly see the match at the moment...too much fog.... I'll try, though. I think that's Katie who's got the Quaffle right now...she passes to a little red dot...no! wait! that's Angelina...pass back to Alicia...shot.... Blocked easily by the Hufflepuff Keeper. Er...taken by Whitby...he passes way on down to Madley...boy, the young ones are putting on a show here today!" The mist parted slightly, so Lee could see a bit better. "Madley races in! Last minute pass to Whitby! SHOT! Kicked away by Joseph, but picked up again by Madley! Madley with a shot, save Joseph! Whitby picks it up, passes to Madley, Madley passes back, shot, score! Laura Madley puts the Quaffle by Joseph, a first goal against the young Keeper. Ten all.
"Alicia picks up the Quaffle and takes it down the field. Oh! Madley intercepts the pass! She's all alone, racing towards Joseph! Fakes left, then right, then shot! SAVE JOSEPH! Joseph throws the Quaffle as hard as he can towards Katie! Katie, shot! SCORES! Twenty to ten, Gryffindor. Madley takes it on down the field - oh! Bludger darts at her and near knocks her off her broom; she recovers and flies on, passing it to Whitby. Whitby throws the Quaffle hard as he can towards Joseph! Joseph's knocked clean off his broom, but somehow manages to hang on with his hand! No goal, and a penalty to Gryffindor taken by - Joseph? How can a Keeper take a penalty? Anyway...Joseph takes the Quaffle and speeds down the field, takes a hard shot and scores! Thirty to ten Gryffindor."
Harry had spotted a golden glint of light in the far corner of the field. Hannah hadn't seen it; she was still flying around aimlessly. Harry thought hard for a moment, thinking; Kirk had made a few saves, but were those few enough for Fred and George? He decided they would have to live with it, because he might not see the Snitch again for some time.... He dove after the glint of gold in a hurry.
"Gryffindor Seeker Harry Potter goes into a massive dive!" Lee Jordan shrieked. "He's diving, diving, diving! He's going to hit the ground! NO! HE PULLS UP LAST MINUTE WITH THE SNITCH CLASPED IN HIS HAND!"
Harry flew to the ground softly, cleaning his glasses; the mist was all over them. Harry wiped them dry, then walked over to the rest of the team. They were cheering happily, raising Kirk on their shoulders.
"Great dive, Harry!" Fred shouted.
"Yeah! I didn't think you'd seen it!" George nodded.
"And our Keeper's a big boy now!" Angelina declared, ruffling Kirk's hair.
"Only two wins to go!" Fred said loudly.
"To the common room!" George shouted, his hand outstretched. The team cheered again, then they lifted Harry up on their shoulders as well, and carried he and Kirk to the Gryffindor common room, singing merrily and loudly as they walked.
Much later that night, Harry pulled his scarlet Quidditch robes off and placed them in the Gryffindor team locker room for safekeeping. It was at least midnight now, and the locker room was very quiet. Harry ran his finger along his scar absentmindedly as he walked back towards his common room, wondering to himself. The castle was very quiet as well now, the sounds of a party all but gone. Harry swore he heard faint music playing in the distance...like an organ...distant and spooky. Harry quickened his pace. A hand touching his shoulder caused him to start. He whirled to see Dumbledore standing there, smiling down at him. But the smile looked a bit forced and tight, as though Dumbledore was worried of something.
"A word if you would, Harry," he said soflty. Harry nodded, then followed the old man as he led him towards - towards where? This wasn't the way to Dumbledore's office, was it? Harry glanced around uneasily, and as he did so, he saw a man. He did a double take.
"Professor Dumbledore?" he said slowly to the man. The man turned, and smiled warmly at Harry. "There's another...another you right here..."
Dumbledore frowned at Harry, then walked forward slowly. Harry turned towards the other Dumbledore, who had turned to face Harry. The second Dumbledore appeared at Harry's other side, and stared at his other form for a moment, a bewildered look on his face. Harry blinked, and the first Dumbledore was gone. The second Dumbledore, obviously the real Dumbledore, grabbed Harry's shoulders.
"Who was that?" he asked Harry immediately.
"You..." Harry managed to say in utter shock.
"No, it wasn't me," Dumbledore said softly. "Oh no. Go to your common room immediately, Harry. Do nothing else."
Harry nodded, then wandered off to his dorm, wondering if he'd been seeing things....
Chapter Twelve
Tryouts
Harry, oddly enough, slept very soundly and peacefully that night, untroubled by dreams, nightmares, or fears. He woke the next morning feeling rested and relaxed for a change, ready to start a new day.
Harry glanced at his watch (which he'd repaired over the summer while he was bored) to discover it was only five thirty in the morning. He thought of going back to bed, then shrugged to himself. He was hungry anyway. He did, however, decide against waking Ron; the last thing Ron needed was a few more concusions. Dumbledore would probably address the entire school once they were at breakfast anyway.
Harry pulled on his black robes, then put his hat on. He dusted himself off, then hurried on down to breakfast. Only a few students were there, and those few looked extraordinarily sleepy. Harry took a seat next to Hermione. He hadn't been able to tell Ron and she about last night, as it was nearly ten o'clock when he got in, and they'd both been asleep.
"Morning, Hermione," said Harry, taking a few sips of pumpkin juice.
"Good morning, Harry," said Hermione cheerfully. "Sleep good last night?"
"Yeah," Harry said through his bacon. The House-Elves seemed to serve bacon a lot lately, he thought suddenly. "You?"
"Yes," Hermione responded after swallowing. "Well enough. I had some Arithmancy to do, though, so I stayed up late in my dorm studying. How was practice?"
"Good, good," said Harry as he swallowed a piece of his egg. "It was after practice that got me."
"What d'you mean?" Hermione peered at Harry curiously.
"Wait till Ron comes," Harry said, "he'll want to hear too." Then it suddenly struck him that he hadn't read his letter from Sirius. "And Snuffles sent me an owl sometime last week. I forgot about it."
"What'd he say?" Hermione whispered after a furtive glance around. They were the only occupants of the Gryffindor table.
"Dunno. Haven't read it yet," Harry said. Hermione goggled at him.
"You got the letter a week ago," she muttered slowly, "and you haven't read it yet?"
"A lot's been happening, Hermi."
They lapsed into silence. After Harry finished breakfast, he decided just to sit at the table for a while; he didn't feel like going back to the Gryffindor tower for his books just yet. He laid his head on his crossed arms and closed his eyes, thinking.
"Students, please report to the Great Hall now," boomed Professor McGonagall's voice throughout the halls. Harry's head snapped up. "Thank you."
Harry noticed Dumbledore walk to his seat at the staff table, once more looking weary. Professors Snape and McGonagall walked in a moment later, also looking rather tired. The rest of the table was already occupied by the other teachers. A few of them looked ragged; Professors Tallow and Trins were the only two who looked remotely rested.
Soon, students began to file into the Great Hall, rubbing their eyes sleepily. Ron appeared a moment later, yawning as he sat down in between Harry and Hermione.
"Wha's all 'is abou'?" he muttered as he yawned again. His red hair was dishelved, and his robes were crinkled.
"We'll soon find out, won't we?" Hermione said, half angrily.
"Wha's wrong with you, 'Ermi?" Ron said, trying to snap at her but failing miserably.
There was the use of the name, "'Ermi" again, Harry thought.
"Nothing - " Hermione started to say, but Dumbledore stepped up at that moment, offering a smile to his students.
"Good morning, everyone," he said with a half sigh. "Our security has just been tightened. We're placing an invisible wall around the Quidditch pitch, a gaurd against all spells. The first two Quidditch games, Ravenclaw versus Slytherin and Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, will be next week, and there will not be another game until winter. You are not to leave the castle unless accompanied by a professor. Anyone caught is subject to detention for quite a while.
"As I've said before, I hate taking these precautions" - he took a deep breath - "but they are necessary. Someone entered the grounds last night and attempted to attack one of our students. We did not find anyone, nor was anyone injured, but we must be cautious from now on. Remember, the Halloween Ball is five weeks from now."
Dumbledore slowly walked back to his chair and continued eating breakfast as though nothing had happened. Though he'd mentioned no names, everyone was staring pointedly at Harry, including Ron and Hermione. Harry shrugged, then headed back to the Gryffindor tower to get his Defense Against the Dark Arts books.
As Harry reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, a voice startled him.
"So, Potter, heard you almost got killed last night." It was Malfoy. "Pity you didn't. Then all these extra precautions wouldn't be in effect."
"Yeah they would, and you know it," Harry said, keeping his cool as he mentally counted to ten. "If whatever it was out there had killed me, the precautions would be ten times worse. Think before you speak."
Malfoy stared at Harry as though he were growing two heads. Harry was about to tell Malfoy to scram when the pale boy stepped forward, so that he was nearly nose to nose with Harry.
"You'd best watch yourself, Potter," he said softly, "or you'll find yourself worse than dead."
He turned to leave.
"Was that a threat, Mr. Malfoy?"
Professor Tallow had walked around the corner Malfoy was about to turn, causing Malfoy to stop dead. Malfoy shook his head slowly.
"Because it sounded an awful lot like one to me," Tallow continued, stepping towards Malfoy. "Now here's one for you: If you break one rule - going outside without teacher supervision, backmouthing a teacher, I don't care - you'll be expelled faster than you can whisper Lumos."
"And you'd better watch yourself, Tallow," hissed Malfoy, "not many know what you used to be."
Tallow flinched slightly as Malfoy brushed by him, then followed after the Slytherin boy's retreating figure. Harry blinked, wondering what he'd just witnessed.
"Urdai are an extinct race of dark magical creatures," said Professor Tallow, pacing back in forth in front of his fifth year Gryffindor class. "The Urdai were about four feet tall, bred of the Gnomes and the Dwarves and a little of something else altogether."
Ron raised his hand.
"Mr. Weasley?" Tallow inquired, gesturing to Ron.
"When you say Gnome, you don't mean garden gnomes, do you?" Ron asked, brow furrowed.
"No," said Tallow. "These kinds of Gnomes are like what Muggles always thought real Gnomes were: Three feet tall, gnarled facial features, and very, very irritable creatures. First thing you say to offend 'em, they're on top of you, beating you with their fists. Dwarves are much gentler folk, about the same height. Urdai are a mix of these races, and something else, though we're not quite sure what."
He stopped pacing suddenly, and peered curiously at them.
"Anyone know when the last Urdai were seen?" he asked. Hermione's hand shot up. "Miss Granger?"
"During You-Know-Who's days, about thirty years ago," said Hermione. "You-Know-Who was using them to murder people mercilessly, until they altogether disappeared."
"That is correct," said Tallow. "Five points to Gryffindor. There have been several rumors of their return, or of one or two that did not die thirty years ago, but these rumors are not confirmed, and, I believe, completely ridiculous."
"Now," he continued slowly, "does anyone know where the last Urdai was rumored to be?"
Lavender Brown's and Hermione's hands shot up.
"Miss Brown?"
"London," said Lavender.
"Yes. It was reported by an anonomous Ministry official. No homework over the weekend."
There were a few sighs of relief.
"You can talk till the bell rings," said Tallow.
"When are you going to show us Snuffle's letter?" Ron demanded as soon as these words had left the Professors mouth.
"I'd say tonight, but tryouts for Keeper are tonight, maybe after them?" Harry said slowly.
Ron looked doubtful, but Hermione nudged his ribcage, so they both agreed.
"Ron, why don't you try out for Keeper?" Harry asked, fiddling with his wand.
Ron shook his head.
"I'm not a Keeper," he said. "Chaser, sure, Beater, sure, but Keeper? No way. Quaffles hurt when they're hurled at you by a seventh year."
Harry chuckled, imagining Kirk Joseph's small frame being pelted by Quaffles.
"Hermione, how about you - "
"No way," said Hermione firmly. "I can't even fly well enough to save my life, let alone to play Quidditch. Leave me to my book studies."
Harry smirked at her for a moment, then returned his attention to his wand. After a moment he was forced to stop twirling his wand around his fingertips, though; scarlet sparks shot out the end and burnt his hand, causing him to yelp.
"Harry, you might want to stop playing with your wand like that," Tallow cautioned softly; "there was a man in America who killed himself twirling his wand around."
"How?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"He Avada Kedavra'ed himself on accident."
"All right, here's the deal Kirk," said Fred, patting the young Gryffindor's back. "McGonagall said you could try out as long as you maintain your good grades. So DON'T SCREW UP!"
Kirk grinned and nodded.
"Katie, Kirk, get up there and show Kirk here what he's up against," said George. Katie Bell and Kirk nodded, then flew way up in the air.
"Here's the Quaffle Katie!" Fred shouted, hurling the red ball up to the Chaser. "Harry, you and George go up there and see how could he is."
Harry nodded, then climbed onto his Firebolt and shot up into the sky after Kirk and Katie. Harry settled down a few yards above the three hoops Kirk was guarding and watched him. Kirk was focusing, watching Katie as she raced in, clutching the Quaffle under her left arm. She swirved back and forth, attempting to confuse the first year; Kirk did not waver, however. He followed her movement until she was forced to shoot, and he easily knocked the ball away with his elbow, not even flinching as the ball hit him hard.
Harry's eyes widened, and he glanced over at George. George was open-mouthed. Katie Bell was probably their second best Chaser, and she'd been blocked by a first year.
"Angie, get up there," Fred said to Angelina Johnson. She nodded and took off. "You two work a play you'd use in a game."
They nodded, then Katie retrieved the Quaffle and darted out back to the other end of the field. Katie raced in on one side, Angelina on the other; once Katie was a foot from Kirk's left side, she tossed the Quaffle over him to Angelina. Angelina thought she had an empty hoop, but when she tried to put the Quaffle in, Kirk's foot was there, and the Quaffle fell to the ground.
That, in Harry's opinion, settled it. Kirk was going to be their new Keeper. He HAD to be. He was nearly perfect.
"Kirk," said George after landing and having a private chat with Fred, "welcome to the team."
Kirk grinned as they shook his hand and hugged him.
"Quidditch cup, here we come!" Fred declared.
***
Harry pushed the first and third valves down on his trumpet and buzzed into it. A low-pitched sound came out of it, and Harry played the note for a moment longer than he thought was necessary. He finally stopped, breathing heavily.
"It's very good," said a voice from behind him. He glanced around. Ginny Weasley was standing on the Quidditch field, smiling up at him. Harry had found that he was very self-conscious of his trumpet-playing, and therefore found it easier to practice at the Quidditch pitch - it had a barrier against spells, so teachers didn't have to be with him while he was there.
"Thanks," he said, smiling back. "Did you sign up for band?"
Ginny nodded, bringing out a large case.
"I've played the clarinet for a few years anyway, so Professor Trins put me on the bass clarinet," she said. "I came here to practice so that no teacher could here me."
"Great minds must think alike," Harry said with a laugh. Ginny grinned again, then moved to leave the pitch. "No, it's okay. You can practice here. I was nearly finished anyway."
"Why don't we...why don't we practice together?" Ginny squeaked, her cheeks slightly pink.
"Okay," Harry replied softly, smiling again.
Ginny nodded and climbed a the few steps up into the stands to where Harry sat. She put the large case down next to her as she sat down above him a level, and opened it carefully. Inside were three long black pieces, resembling a saxaphone very much. (A/N: Gees, I've put quite a few in here lately, haven't I? Anyway, if I got the bass clarinet part wrong, bare with me; no one in our band plays the bass yet. We're looking for a bass player though)
She put the very long instrument together, then took out a piece of wood and attached it to what Ron had called a mouthpiece. Then she took a metal ring out (ligature, Ron said) and fastened it around the small piece of wood. Harry watched curiously as she put a metal rod on the end of the bass clarinet and propped it against the ground. She put her mouth around the mouthpiece and blew; a very low sound came out of the bell softly.
"I didn't know you played the clarinet," Harry said as she took her mouth off the mouthpiece.
Ginny shrugged.
"It was just a 'silly hobbie,' my mum said," she muttered. "But with the band, I guess it's not so silly now, is it?"
"Guess not," Harry said. "Are you keyed in Bb?"
"Yes."
"Okay, play C#."
Ginny nodded, repositioned her fingers and blew softly. Harry pushed all three valves down and buzzed. The same low sound came out of his, though a lot higher than hers; however, it sounded badly out of tune.
Harry pushed out his small slide until the waves stopped and the sound was in tune.
They broke off together.
"What music d'you have?" Harry asked.
"Encanto and Semper Fidelus," said Ginny, taking out two sheets of music.
Harry peered curiously at Semper Fidelus; he'd only recieved Encanto. Encanto itself was very challenging, but Semper Fidelus looked ten times harder.
"Erm, how about Encanto?" Harry said.
"Okay."
Harry and Ginny packed up their instruments a few hours later, Ginny having taught Harry a lot he hadn't known. Ginny didn't play the trumpet, of course, but she knew a lot about music. By the time they were done, Harry could play the first line of Semper Fidelus.
Professor Trins picked them up at the Quidditch pitch's exit, and escorted them to the castle. He bid them farewell as they reached the steps to the Entrance Hall, and walked off towards Hagrid's cabin.
"When d'you reckon we'll play first?" Harry asked as they walked into the Entrance Hall.
"I'd say we'll have a Christmas concert, maybe the night of the Christmas Ball," Ginny said. "And I know we're marching every Quidditch game, except for the players that are in band. Well, not really marching, just playing out on the field for the audience before the game begins, then playing when either team scores. Very painful for you, I imagine, when we have to play when Slytherin scores."
Harry grimaced as they walked through the deserted Great Hall. Of course, it was nearly eleven o'clock by now, so everyone was in their common room by now. Harry and Ginny walked in silence until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, at which point Ginny muttered, "Filepina."
The Fat Lady swung open after waking herself up, muttering angrily about band students "coming in at all hours." Harry and Ginny walked by the sofas, then Ginny bid Harry goodnight and left.
"Where the hell have you and my sister been?"
Harry spun slowly around. Ron was sitting in the chair by the fire, staring at Harry with a cold look in his eyes. Harry was taken aback by Ron's look, but shrugged as he sat down across from Ron.
"Practicing for band," he said slowly. "Why?"
"Why? Why?" Ron spluttered, "I'll tell you why! You were out for three hours with my little sister, doing who knows what!"
"Ron, we were practicing our instruments," Harry said slowly, unsure if Ron had heard him correctly. "Nothing more."
"Why didn't you get me?"
"I don't like people listening to me."
"Then why did you let Ginny practice with you?"
Harry stared at Ron for a moment. Why HAD he let Ginny stay? He WAS very self-conscious.... He forced a shrug.
"Dunno," he said. "She said she was like me, didn't like people to hear her...and I was at the Quidditch pitch, the only place we could practice without teachers or students listening...so I figured it'd be selfish of me to hog the pitch, so I let her stay."
Ron's eyes glinted dangerously, then he dropped the coldness.
"All right, but don't mess with my sister, Harry," he said easily. "Let's get some sleep."
On top of Quidditch practice and homework was now band practice; Trins was working the people who'd be playing at the game next week furiously, and they were starting to sound like a group. Trins had started them on simple pieces like one called Legend, then bumped them up to harder ones like Encanto. Now they were working on a challenging American piece, "Louie, Louie," which was a nice, fiery piece to get the crowd motivated. Trins had decided to split them into two sections for the game - Gryffindors and Ravenclaw to play when Gryffindor scored, and Slytherins and Hufflepuff to play when Hufflepuff scored.
On the Friday morning before the game that afternoon, Professor Trins called them together to practice one last time.
"First," he told them, "I just want to apologize for pushing you guys so hard. We should've started in a nice, easy book with simple pieces, but we've got the games to play, so I had to do that. And one more thing, Tari will direct section two, and I'll take section one."
The Hufflepuff-players were section two, and the Gryffindor-players were section one. Harry was rather glad he'd have Professor Trins; that way Malfoy would be stuck with the much-stricter Professor Tari.
The whole band was actually comprised of about sixty students. Some had been playing for a while, like Ginny, but most of them had started like Harry and Ron. Kirk sat next to Harry, and Harry discovered that Kirk's style of play was very, very loud. That was, of course, good for playing outside, but once they were in the band room Kirk's style wouldn't be the best in the world. Harry ignored it, however, and when they were in the common room he'd even silence Kirk's trumpet with a Silencing Charm.
Finally it was gametime. The Gryffindor team was in their locker area, changing into Fred and George's new robes. Kirk was particularly excited; Harry imagined he must've been like this his first game. After they changed, Fred and George got them together for their pep-talk.
"Okay," said Fred, "we're not using Oliver's speech, no matter how much any of you liked it."
"We came up with out own," George explained. "Take it away, Fred."
"Okay, firstly, Harry, don't catch the Snitch till we've seen what Kirkie can do," said Fred.
"Yeah," George agreed. "Let him face a few shots before you catch it if you can. Unless the other Seeker goes for the Snitch before you do. By the way, who is the new Seeker for Hufflepuff?"
Harry felt a stab of anguish, but maintained his composure.
"I think it's Hannah Abbot," Harry said slowly.
Katie Bell nodded.
"She is," she agreed.
"All right," said Fred. "Don't let her tail you like Chang does, but stick close to her. Don't let her get the snitch before you."
"Okay, break!"
They walked out onto the pitch, not nervous at all. Dumbledore himself was referring the game, so the two teams gathered around him.
"Mount your brooms," he said. He took a silver whistle in his mouth and blew. Harry darted off. Hannah Abbot didn't appear remotely interested in following him, so he just hovered around, listening to Lee Jordan's commentary.
"Hufflepuff takes the Quaffle down the field," he said.
Harry then stopped listening, deciding on circling around intently instead. He could watch Kirk that way as well. He flew towards the Gryffindor goal posts, watching Kirk.
"Gryffindor steals the pass! Katie passes it to Angelina, who snaps it over to Alicia, a quick move to the left, then passes back to Katie, and they score! Gryffindor lead ten to nothing! Hufflepuff in possession. Hufflepuff's team is surprisingly mainly comprised of second years. Their captain is now Hannah Abbot, a fifth year, and three memebers of their team - two Chasers and a Beater - are second years! Amazing, isn't it? Back to the game, though. Kevin Whitby takes it down the field, passes to Laura Madley. The young ones are really speeding down the court today! Madley passes back to Whitby, takes the Quaffle down the field - oh! Whitby breaks free of the group of players with an amazing speed burst, fakes left, then right, shot! GREAT SAVE JOSEPH!"
Kirk grinned as he heard his dad's trademark call ("GREAT SAVE JOSEPH!") from the commentator. This was the life.
"Now Gryffindor takes the Quaffle," Lee continued excitedly. "Still no action for our beloved Seekers in this game, but I have the feeling there will be soon."
He's seen the Snitch, Harry thought instantly, glancing towards Hannah Abbot. She apparently hadn't seen whatever Lee had, however; she was doing loop-the-loops in the air near her Keeper. Harry continued circling the field, suinting through the air. Mist had fallen on the field, layers of fog that clouded his vision; he could now barely make out the goalpost he was but ten yards away from.
"Well..." Lee's voice sounded a bit shocked. "I can't exactly see the match at the moment...too much fog.... I'll try, though. I think that's Katie who's got the Quaffle right now...she passes to a little red dot...no! wait! that's Angelina...pass back to Alicia...shot.... Blocked easily by the Hufflepuff Keeper. Er...taken by Whitby...he passes way on down to Madley...boy, the young ones are putting on a show here today!" The mist parted slightly, so Lee could see a bit better. "Madley races in! Last minute pass to Whitby! SHOT! Kicked away by Joseph, but picked up again by Madley! Madley with a shot, save Joseph! Whitby picks it up, passes to Madley, Madley passes back, shot, score! Laura Madley puts the Quaffle by Joseph, a first goal against the young Keeper. Ten all.
"Alicia picks up the Quaffle and takes it down the field. Oh! Madley intercepts the pass! She's all alone, racing towards Joseph! Fakes left, then right, then shot! SAVE JOSEPH! Joseph throws the Quaffle as hard as he can towards Katie! Katie, shot! SCORES! Twenty to ten, Gryffindor. Madley takes it on down the field - oh! Bludger darts at her and near knocks her off her broom; she recovers and flies on, passing it to Whitby. Whitby throws the Quaffle hard as he can towards Joseph! Joseph's knocked clean off his broom, but somehow manages to hang on with his hand! No goal, and a penalty to Gryffindor taken by - Joseph? How can a Keeper take a penalty? Anyway...Joseph takes the Quaffle and speeds down the field, takes a hard shot and scores! Thirty to ten Gryffindor."
Harry had spotted a golden glint of light in the far corner of the field. Hannah hadn't seen it; she was still flying around aimlessly. Harry thought hard for a moment, thinking; Kirk had made a few saves, but were those few enough for Fred and George? He decided they would have to live with it, because he might not see the Snitch again for some time.... He dove after the glint of gold in a hurry.
"Gryffindor Seeker Harry Potter goes into a massive dive!" Lee Jordan shrieked. "He's diving, diving, diving! He's going to hit the ground! NO! HE PULLS UP LAST MINUTE WITH THE SNITCH CLASPED IN HIS HAND!"
Harry flew to the ground softly, cleaning his glasses; the mist was all over them. Harry wiped them dry, then walked over to the rest of the team. They were cheering happily, raising Kirk on their shoulders.
"Great dive, Harry!" Fred shouted.
"Yeah! I didn't think you'd seen it!" George nodded.
"And our Keeper's a big boy now!" Angelina declared, ruffling Kirk's hair.
"Only two wins to go!" Fred said loudly.
"To the common room!" George shouted, his hand outstretched. The team cheered again, then they lifted Harry up on their shoulders as well, and carried he and Kirk to the Gryffindor common room, singing merrily and loudly as they walked.
Much later that night, Harry pulled his scarlet Quidditch robes off and placed them in the Gryffindor team locker room for safekeeping. It was at least midnight now, and the locker room was very quiet. Harry ran his finger along his scar absentmindedly as he walked back towards his common room, wondering to himself. The castle was very quiet as well now, the sounds of a party all but gone. Harry swore he heard faint music playing in the distance...like an organ...distant and spooky. Harry quickened his pace. A hand touching his shoulder caused him to start. He whirled to see Dumbledore standing there, smiling down at him. But the smile looked a bit forced and tight, as though Dumbledore was worried of something.
"A word if you would, Harry," he said soflty. Harry nodded, then followed the old man as he led him towards - towards where? This wasn't the way to Dumbledore's office, was it? Harry glanced around uneasily, and as he did so, he saw a man. He did a double take.
"Professor Dumbledore?" he said slowly to the man. The man turned, and smiled warmly at Harry. "There's another...another you right here..."
Dumbledore frowned at Harry, then walked forward slowly. Harry turned towards the other Dumbledore, who had turned to face Harry. The second Dumbledore appeared at Harry's other side, and stared at his other form for a moment, a bewildered look on his face. Harry blinked, and the first Dumbledore was gone. The second Dumbledore, obviously the real Dumbledore, grabbed Harry's shoulders.
"Who was that?" he asked Harry immediately.
"You..." Harry managed to say in utter shock.
"No, it wasn't me," Dumbledore said softly. "Oh no. Go to your common room immediately, Harry. Do nothing else."
Harry nodded, then wandered off to his dorm, wondering if he'd been seeing things....