Amy's Time at Hogwarts
Chapter 3 Stealth in action along with a touch of Quidditch
Amy returned to the Common Room that night to find a small owl waiting at the window. She opened it and it started to dance in front of her.
"Pig you clown," Amy said recognizing her Uncle Ron's owl. She saw that Pig had a note around his small chest.
Amy
Meet your mother, Ashley, and I at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow at noon. Tell no one of our meeting and come alone.
Ron.
Amy slipped her note into the pocket of her robe and wrote a quick reply that she would have to sneak out and if she was real late figure she got caught. She then took out a copy of Quidditch Through The Ages that she had gotten as a Christmas Present when she was nine. As she came to Page 41 she could sense that her light had decreased. She looked up to find the Fifth Year from earlier.
"So Josh is it. S'Up?" Amy inquired.
"I mainly wanted to ask you a few questions about Quidditch?" Josh said.
"You the House Captain have questions for me," Amy said.
"Well I heard your dad was a first rate Seeker and your mom played chaser. I figured the skills had to have rubbed off a little," Josh said.
"My dad was the 2nd best seeker Gryffindor has had in recent memory. The best was my Uncle Charlie Weasley. My uncles Fred and George were described by Carly Wood's dad as a pair of Human Bludgers. My mom played Chaser briefly her sixth year. She started against Slytherin, took herself out of the line-up for the Ravenclaw match and was on reserve for the final against Hufflepuff but didn't make it in. She had hoped to play her seventh year but the new captain cut her," Amy replied. "I played Keeper for my school in the Little League Circuit and was better then decent."
"I spoke with Madam Conway today and got authorization to run a couple tryout sessions tomorrow for 2nd-7th years. Only problem is we are short a person for keeper. My main question for you is whether you are available from 12:45 to 3:00 tomorrow afternoon to help out. You most likely won't make the team but God I could certainly use the assistance," Josh said borderline on pleading.
"Here is the thing Josh my Aunt Ashley and Uncle Ron are coming up from Kent tomorrow and I had planned on spending the afternoon with them. I don't get a chance to see them very often so I really can't cancel out," Amy said. Interesting thing is I'm just barely lying. They obviously are coming up and I probably will end up spending the afternoon with them. IT just won't be on the grounds.
"Tomorrow is the best day so I can get practice going early," Josh said. "Couldn't you reschedule your visit for Sunday?"
"Their coming up just for the day that's the hard part otherwise I would," Amy said. "Tell you what Josh, Maybe I can at least do it part of the time. I'll be meeting up with them about noon and maybe I can talk them into watching for a few minutes at some point."
"See what you can do," Josh said. "If you show you show."
That night Amy slipped downstairs about 3:15 AM to slip her Uncle Ron's note into the Gryffindor Fireplace.
"Amy, what are you up?" The house elf asked.
"Oh Nothing," Amy said. "Thanks for covering me up that night I fell asleep studying."
"No problem Amy. I didn't want you to feel or catch cold. Your father did me a real service one time and I owe him a lot," the house elf said.
Amy slipped the note into the fireplace when Dobby wasn't looking. She spent the first part of that morning in the library working on a paper for Charms and about 10:45 Myrtle arrived.
"Oh good. I was hoping you would be on time. I need you to show me the route to that one passage that the caretaker doesn't know about. It's time critical," Amy said in a low whisper
Myrtle took her right to the passage. Within seconds of arriving Amy was through the entrance and Myrtle did her best impression of a Girl just hanging out Whistling away in case anyone shontered along.
It was a long walk and Amy wasted a few minutes at the junction where it split and went in two different directions. She took the Straight route into Honeydukes since it was closer to the Three Broomsticks then the house was. When she walked in she saw Two red heads and a reddish blond at a table towards the back. Amy headed their way.
"Mom, how long will this take?" Amy asked as she sat down.
"Got a big date or something Amy?" the reddish blond asked.
"Not exactly Ashley. Last night the Quidditch Captain asked me to help out during a brief tryout session this afternoon. I promised him I would come if I could but that I was going to be spending the afternoon with my aunt and uncle from Kent. I just didn't say where I would be spending the afternoon," Amy replied.
"What time do you have to be there?" Ginny wondered.
"The tryout session is from 12:45 to 3:00," Amy said as four plates of food were delivered.
"How did you come here?" Ron asked after the server was out of earshot.
"I used a secret passage that went to Honeydukes. I figured it would be quicker approaching from there then approaching via the house," Amy said.
"So your father slipped you the info on that passage," Ginny said.
"According to Myrtle Dad informed Frank Connolly of the other six. HE slipped the data to me in a private session in his office. In fact he had Myrtle deliver me. The piece of parchment no longer exists. I used an incendiary charm on it in Myrtle's bathroom," Amy said.
"Which sink did you use?" Ron wondered.
"The non functioning one that had a snake on one tap," Amy said. "Of course I didn't know it was non functioning until after the fact."
"The Chamber Entrance," Ginny commented. "The sink you used conceals the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. It takes a parselmouth to open it. You might not have that ability."
"I probably won't know until I get into a situation where I could try," Amy said.
They finished about 12:45.
"Amy, if you want you can Floo Powder back from the house," Ginny suggested.
"Yeah but if Josh notices I'm there without at least Ron and Ashley what would I tell him. I commented how I might see if they wanted to come and watch," Ashley mentioned.
"We'll be along. WE might use my broom to get there. I took the time to buy one rated for Passenger use," Ron said.
Amy took the time to use the Floo Powder to travel to the Common Room thankfully arriving when it was empty. She then headed for the Quidditch Field.
"You're a first year aren't you?" Madam Conway a Dark Haired Witch with her hair hanging down wondered.
"Yes I am. I'm here to assist," Amy said picking up a Cleansweep 14 and Mounting it.
"Amy, Cover the Far goal," Josh called out.
"OK Josh," Amy called out.
For the next couple hours Amy was the target for a good number of Quaffles. Finally at the end of the Two hour tryout session a lone player reached up and grabbed the Snitch which had been released so the seeker could practice.
"Amy, you did pretty good. I kept track and you blocked seventy five maybe eighty percent of the shots sent at you. When you said you were better then decent I figured you could maybe block fifty five possibly sixty percent of shots sent at you. I was able to negotiate another tryout session for Wednesday Night after dinner. If possible I'd like you to attend that one as well," Josh said.
"I'll see what happens," Amy said as she headed toward Ron, Ashley, Ginny, and Harry.
"Amy, I have a feeling that anyone from the other houses are probably quaking in their robes," Harry said.
"Dad, I was simply helping out. It's not like I was trying for the team," Amy said. "Josh's guess as to my ability would be a real bad day in the Goal area for me."
"Amy, I can see you playing for the National Team some day. If not the Chudley Cannons," Harry said.
"After that show today I'm probably assured a spot on next years team," Amy said.
"Amy, I've watched a few keepers in my time starting with Carly's dad and you were better then just about all of them today," Harry said.
They then headed for the Castle. Geoff was walking through the Entrance Hall when they arrived.
"Amy, I was wondering where you were," Geoff said.
"I had some things to do," Amy said. "Geoff, this is my mom and my Aunt Ashley and Uncle Ron. This is Geoff Adams the cutest boy in the first year. Thankfully he is a Gryffindor."
"Geoff, are you a lucky owner of the Hogwarts Guides?" Ginny asked.
"Yes I am. The Potionry Guide is really helping me get through that class even if Prof. Snape doesn't actually use it in class. Prof. Finch-Fletchley though does assign stuff in the Transfiguration Guide," Geoff replied.
"That's nice to hear. I worked hard on those books," Ginny said. "In fact the Potionry Guide was originally intended to be a term paper my sixth year since I was given a medical exemption over Christmas that year because of Amy from taking the class. The success of that lead to me taking out my first five years of transfiguration notes and along with some research right here in Hogwarts Library and extensive discussions with McGonagall I wrote the Transfiguration Guide.
Ginny, Ron, and Ashley were still there at dinner. AS Josh was walking in a voice from the Slytherin Table was heard.
"Hey Arnold I see you finally have a halfway decent Keeper. You still won't win the cup though," it called out.
"Higgins, don't count your chocolate frog cards yet. Besides she was simply doing me a favor," Josh called out at a decent volume.
"Who was that loudmouth?" Ashley wondered.
"Leroy Higgins the Slytherin Team captain. He's a beater like me but spends more time beating his mouth off," Josh responded.
That night Amy was curled up with her History of Magic book when Josh walked over and dropped a piece of parchment over a picture of Ulrik the Horrible. Amy took a look at it.
Gryffindor Preliminary Roster
Arnold, Joshua ; Beater, 5th Year Capt.
Blackwell, Tom; Chaser, 4th Year
Connor. Theo; Seeker, 3rd Year
Emmons, Carla; Chaser, 7th Year
Margolis, Steven; Beater, 2nd Year
Potter, Amy L.; Keeper, 1st Year *
Vernon, Davis; Chaser, 4th Year
* Exemption needed.
Once the Common Room was most of the way empty Amy walked up to Josh.
"Josh, are you thinking of talking my dad and McGonagall into giving me a place on the team this year?" Amy asked him.
"I'm considering it. Heck all along I was thinking of giving you a spot on the team. Theo is a well built seeker. IF they were to list the 10 Best Seekers in Gryffindor history in descending order. Your Uncle Charlie would probably be first, your dad second, and Theo third," Josh said.
"So having me help out was a way of giving me a tryout without it looking like I was trying out," Amy said.
"Possibly," Josh said.
Amy had a lot on her mind as she drifted off to sleep that night. The next day she awoke about six.
"Great, Breakfast doesn't start until seven and I really should finish unpacking but I don't want to wake up the others. Maybe I'm lucky and there is a certain cute guy in the Common Room.
Amy then put her Bathrobe on, walked down, and picked up her wand.
"Lumos."
The common room was empty except for A Ghost with Dark Hair and glasses.
"Myrtle, you certainly know how to show up at just the right time. I woke up and it was too early for breakfast so I figured on coming down here and seeing if there was anyone to talk to," Amy said.
"Like Geoff," Myrtle said in a teasing tone.
Amy started to reply when Dan York a 3rd year walked down the boys staircase.
"I didn't figure anyone would be up," he commented.
"I was hoping someone would be up to chat with," Amy said.
"Enjoying Hogwarts so far?" Dan asked her.
"Actually I am. I wasn't sure I would enjoy it after McGonagall sent my dad that owl. Yet I normally just catch a glance of him at meals and other then that unless He sends for me the only time I see him is in class," Amy replied. "Heck coming here I had a list of two houses I wanted to live in. During the sorting it got whittled down to one."
"What houses?" Dan asked.
"Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. After Sarah Demenkus was sorted into Ravenclaw I had whittled it down to just that house since she was my best friend before we came here," Amy said.
"You didn't see yourself in Gryffindor because of your dad huh," Dan said.
"Heck at one point she was wondering if it was too late to apply to Beauxbatons," Myrtle commented. Amy gave Myrtle a glance that said IF Looks Could Kill Again.
"You can ignore Myrtle if you want," Amy said.
I generally don't associate with the Ghost population of Hogwarts. I prefer the living," Dan said.
At that moment Gina Ray a Pixie thin sixth year and Henry Timmins a seventh year walked down their respective staircases. Both were wearing prefect badges.
"I didn't figure I would see a first year up already," Gina commented.
"I didn't feel like waking my room up unpacking anything that wasn't already unpacked. Myrtle was already here when I arrived. Dan came down right afterwards," Amy said.
"Had some insomnia problems last night huh?" Gina asked.
"Not last night. My second night I did though. I tried studying down here only I fell back asleep. Dobby one of the house elves covered me up though," Amy said.
"You better hope none of the professors find out," Henry commented.
"My dad already knows. I told him already besides Dobby had mentioned it which is how I found out which House Elf it was," Amy informed them.
After a while other students started waking up and heading down. Amy then went back upstairs and changed into her normal work robes. After that She headed for breakfast. Just as she was sitting down to breakfast a Filibuster's Firework went off on her chair.
This will obviously be one of those days
She looked around to see if anyone was laughing but didn't see that event.
Well finding out who did it obviously won't be easy.
After Breakfast was over Alex headed for her room in the Tower. Hannah was stretched out on her four poster.
So what chu got planned today?" Hannah asked her.
"Well to start with I'm going to unpack then I might go outside and walk around possibly visit Hagrid," Amy said.
"Amy, next time you sneak off to Hogsmeade could you stop by Honeydukes and bring me back some Chocolate Frogs and some Every Flavor Beans?" Hannah requested.
"It might be Christmas before I go home again. Last time I was at home was in July before I went to my grandparents," Amy said since she wasn't supposed to let anyone know about the tunnel that lead right to Honeydukes.
"Amy, I know you sneaked out of Hogwarts yesterday to go there. I don't think anyone else knows though," Hannah told her.
"Now where did you get that idea?" Amy asked her.
I have my ways," Hannah responded.
During the exchange Amy had opened her trunk, removed a few things from it, and started to put them away.
"Things have been busy," Hannah said. "I probably should get the rest of my things unpacked as well."
Amy set one of her last packages of Canary Creams on her bed.
"Whoa, I had some custard creams on the train coming here," Hannah commented
"Hannah, your better off not touching this brand of Custard Creams. My Uncles Fred and George Weasley have a joke shop in Diagon Alley and this brand is out of their shop. These are actually Canary Creams. I gave a package of these to that stupid Slytherin Boldegard," Amy warned her. "You eat one of these and you will sprout feathers instantly."
"Why did you do that?" Hannah wondered.
"She was trying to steal some food Carly and I had just bought on the train so I gave her a box of Canary Creams. Boy was she mad after that," Amy said.
"I can imagine," Hannah commented.
After Amy finished unpacking her trunk she helped Hannah with her own stuff.
"Hannah, what do your parents do for a living?" Amy wondered so as to get to know her friend.
"My mom is a computer programmer and my dad is a Member of Parliament," Hannah said.
"Hannah, what you just said makes no sense," Amy said.
"My parents are what you would call Muggles," Hannah said.
After Hannah's stuff was all unpacked Amy noticed Hannah heading for the shower. Amy meanwhile had written a note and just as she finished Myrtle happened to show up so Amy sent it off with her. Hannah was a little annoyed when she returned from the shower.
"I'm really in a bind Amy," Hannah said.
"Why what's wrong?" Amy asked her.
"I can't seem to find an electrical outlet to plug my hairdryer into," Hannah said.
"The only wizard I know of who even has an electrical plug is my Grandfather Weasley he collects them. Those of us who reside in the Magical World don't even use Electricity we don't need it," Amy said.
Amy then used one of her favorite charms on Hannah's hair so it was quickly dried. By this time it was lunchtime so she went to lunch. Myrtle was waiting for her at the Gryffindor table.
"Soon as you eat lunch go over to your dad's office," Myrtle whispered to her.
"Thanks Myrtle, I'll look for you in your bathroom when I get done," Amy whispered back.
Soon as she was done eating she headed for her dad's office. HE was waiting for her.
"Your note said that there was something amiss," Harry said.
"Dad, one of my classmates knows I had slipped out to Hogsmeade yesterday. She didn't say how she knew. Unless she is a very good liar she didn't use an invisibility cloak," Amy reported.
"How do you figure that?" Harry inquired a little concerned about what his daughter had just reported to him.
"She is muggle born," Amy said. "Also I didn't see any evidence of her possessing a cloak while I helped her unpack her trunk. Neither of us had a chance before now to fully unpack."
"Which of your classmates was it?" Harry asked.
"Hannah Williams a Gryffindor First year," Amy said. "So what's next."
"To Start out I will send Hedwig to a contact of mine at the Ministry so a very discrete investigation can be conducted. Then we need someone who is sneaky enough not Myrtle though to keep an eye on Hannah," Harry said. "Sneaky and trustworthy?"
"What about the Caretaker?" Amy suggested.
"Amy, I didn't tell him about the tunnel so you would be able to use it if needed. If we bring Frank in on this it would mean revealing the existence of the tunnel. If only I had the Marauders Map still except I turned it over to my contact at the Ministry so they would know about the tunnels including the one that leads to our house," Harry said. "The Marauders Map was originally your grandfather Potter's."
"Where did he get it?" Amy wondered.
"He Sirius, Remus, and a guy named Peter Pettigrew developed it when they were here. At some point it was confiscated and eventually was snagged by Fred and George. My third year it was given to me by them so I could sneak into Hogsmeade my third year. I lacked permission so I had to be sneaky," Harry said as he started to write a letter on a piece of parchment.
"What use would this map be?" Amy wondered.
"It lets you know where people are. Using it you could make sure that nobody was in the vicinity when you were sneaking out," Harry said.
"I'll figure something out. Dad, why is Myrtle not an option?" Amy wondered.
"Because She will be sticking close to you during the day," Harry said. "Especially until we figure out who put that Filibuster's Firework on your chair at breakfast today."
"About the only time I can think of that Myrtle doesn't show up right away between classes is my potions class I don't think she care's too much for the Dungeons," Amy informed him.
"Well the Dungeons are the Bloody Baron's primary Territory. He is the Slytherin Ghost and it's said that he is the only one who can control Peeves," Harry said.
"The first night Melanie threatened to send some guy named Baron Von Rastinov after Peeves," Amy said.
"AH Yes Baron Ludwig Von Rastinov the Bloody Baron Himself. The ones I trust the most are Sir Nicholas, Friar Antonio di Baldi better known as the Fat Friar He is a Hufflepuff Ghost, and of course Myrtle," Harry said. "Amy, try to keep Myrtle close by at all times when inside the castle. Also be careful when outside the castle, Try to have someone with you when you are out there."
"Should I return to the common room after I stop by Myrtle's bathroom before I go out to Hagrid's since I was thinking of going out there before the whole situation with Hannah came up?"
"Might not be a bad idea. It's almost too bad Sarah is in Ravenclaw since I could have her assist you," Harry said.
They then left right then. Amy heading for Myrtle's toilet and Harry to the Owlery to fetch Hedwig.
"Well what's the scoop?" Myrtle wondered after Amy had the door closed.
"My dad is sending an owl to the Ministry to check on one of my classmates. She somehow found out I had gone to Hogsmeade yesterday. You might not get much time in here since my dad wants you close by me when I'm inside the castle," Amy said.
"Does this include when you are in potions?" Myrtle queried.
"I mentioned how you don't tend to hang out in the dungeons waiting for me," Amy said. "From here I have to go to the Common Room to get somebody since he doesn't want me outside the Castle alone. I'll probably snag Geoff. I trust him."
"Where you going that you need Geoff?" Myrtle wondered.
"Hagrid's," Amy responded as she held the door for Myrtle. Geoff happened to be a little ways down the hall talking to a couple guys.
"Geoff, would you believe I was on my way to the Common Room to look for you," Amy said.
"Oh boy," Geoff said. "What do you have up your sleeves?"
"Well I was figuring on going out and visiting Hagrid and my dad doesn't want me leaving the castle alone so I was going to see if you wanted to join me," Amy said.
"I don't know Amy I still have some studying for tomorrow to do also Hagrid is kind of scary and his dog definitely is," Geoff said. "Besides does Moaning Myrtle have to be with us?"
"Inside the Castle yes. My dad's orders Outside the castle no," Amy said. "Also she doesn't like to be called Moaning Myrtle. Just Myrtle will do."
"For a little while at least I'll accompany you," Geoff said. "If I decide to sneak back early he can always walk you back."
Myrtle accompanied them to the front doors and Geoff and Amy headed off. As they were passing the Greenhouses Professor Sprout the Herbology Professor stuck her head out of one of them.
"Afternoon Professor Sprout," Amy said.
"Any chance you two could give me a hand getting a few things ready for tomorrow's classes?" she inquired.
"Sure no problem Professor. IF it doesn't take long we can visit Hagrid when we get done," Amy said.
"OK tomorrow we are going to start planting some Wolfsbane plants. I want to place a small tub of compost a few trays a couple stacks of pots and a few containers of seed at each station. Part of each groups job once we plant them will be to check their plants at some point everyday and tend them if needed. I know it means coming out here most days on your own time but gardening isn't something that can be done in small amounts. You have to really stick with it," Professor Sprout said.
"It takes my mom and I forever to de-gnome the garden at home," Amy commented.
It took about an hour to get everything set up which of course included Amy taking the time to try out a small tray with some of the seeds. She carefully marked the tray with her name. She then carefully watered the soil. After that they went right to Hagrid's.
"I saw you heading this way earlier wondered when you would make it out here," Hagrid said after they were inside.
"We got sidetracked by Professor Sprout. She was setting up for tomorrow's class and requested some assistance. We are going to have probably fifteen minutes half an hour of homework a day after tomorrow. WE are planting Wolfsbane tomorrow and we have to check them and if needed tend them daily. I'll probably spend most of class tomorrow reading since I took the time to do a small tray after we were set up," Amy said.
"Amy, did Quidditch come up at all when you spoke with your dad After all at least one house seems to think you are on the team," Geoff pointed out.
"I'm not on the team yet. Besides we don't know that Madame Conway will let me play being that I'm a first year," Amy said.
"I doubt she could do anything about it if a decision was made higher up," Hagrid pointed out.
"Hagrid, my dad back in May said that he wasn't going to give me any special breaks because of who I am. As my head of house he probably wouldn't have a problem with it since he would want the best team he could get in order to win the Quidditch Cup and as my dad he would probably be glad I was able to make the team but as the Deputy Headmaster he would probably look at it as a special break," Amy said. "I thought about all this last night."
"McGonagall used to be the Head of House for Gryffindor even if she has to show impartiality because of her position now it wouldn't surprise me if she overrides any veto that either Madame Conway or your father throws down," Hagrid said.
"We have no proof of this though," Amy pointed out.
"True but you never know," Hagrid said.
Amy and Geoff stayed until dinner. The next morning Amy was sitting at breakfast about to spear a plump fried sausage with her fork when the path to the Sausage was blocked.
"Morning Hedwig," Amy said. Amy then noticed the note on Hedwig's leg. She could see the Emblem of the Ministry of Magic along one corner. Since it was addressed to her dad Amy looked around only he hadn't arrived for breakfast. She looked around and saw the Fat Friar floating by.
"Friar, could you get Professor Potter for me?" Amy requested of him.
"Certainly Miss," Friar di Baldi said as he floated off.
"How come you didn't send me?" Myrtle wondered.
"My dad's orders for you to stick close by," Amy said.
Ten minutes later Harry showed up walking right to where Amy was seated.
"Something up?" Harry wondered.
"A letter from the Ministry of Magic. Addressed to you," Amy said.
BRITISH MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Mr. FIDIUS VIDULOUS MINISTER
OFFICE of INTERNATIONAL MAGICAL COOPERATION
Dear Prof. Potter
So far we have found no evidence of your student Miss Hannah Williams as being connected at all with Dark Wizards. I have no clue as to how Miss Williams could have found out what Amy did. Have Miss Williams tested for any special abilities that could be of use. Even with the fact that You Know Who is no longer a threat Dark Wizards are still a problem. Also I'd like you to assemble a Field Trip of no more then Twenty Students from your classes to watch the Ministry in Action.
Sincerely
Percy
"Amy, if you were assembling the field trip who would you choose?" Harry asked her.
"Geoff Adams, Sarah Demenkus, Erica Fleming, Emily Johnson, Hillary Lewis, Tonya Mains, Nigel Nelson, Julie Watkins, Hannah Williams, Justin Wilson, Carleen Wood, Myrtle, Geoff could provide the other names," Amy said since she didn't really know the other first year boys in his dorm.
"Jim Fitzgerald, Jason Andrewson, Roger Faulkner," Geoff said. "Ah Amy, isn't Sarah Demenkus a Ravenclaw?"
"We were best friends before coming here," Amy said. "I wanted a chance to spend time with her.
"I'll talk to Professor McGonagall and see if she will agree to the fieldtrip. If she does we might be able to use the Hogwarts Express but we might have to use the Knight Bus," Harry said.
"My vote is for the Train," Amy said.
"Ditto," Hannah said as she sat down.
"Hannah, you don't even know what we were talking about," Amy said.
"I figured it was something good," Hannah said.
"Hannah, Meet me in my office at 230 this afternoon," Harry said.
"Prof. I have class at that time with Snape of all people," Hannah said.
"I know," Harry said. "I have the power to get you excused from class though."
Harry then headed off.
"Amy, you didn't tell him about our conversation yesterday did you?" Hannah asked at a whisper.
"Actually I did. I felt I had to," Amy said also at a whisper.
"Did he tell anyone else?" Hannah wondered.
"Just a contact of his at the Ministry," Amy said.
Hannah practically fainted into her cereal bowl at the mention of The Ministry.
Amy worked to avoid Hannah the rest of the day sitting as far from her as possible. After Potions she was walking around on the 2nd Floor talking about her favorite candies to Myrtle when she passed a Gargoyle just as she mentioned Canary Creams. The Gargoyle moved out of the way. Amy found a staircase and walked up it finding a door.
"Miss Potter, do you require any assistance?" a voice asked.
"No I sort of stumbled onto the entrance to your stairway," Amy said.
"Oh could you give your father a message for me while you are here," the voice said.
"Sure," Amy said.
"Then Come in," the voice said as the Door opened to reveal the Headmistress herself Minerva McGonagall.
"Earlier today your father mentioned your uncle's invitation for a small group of students to visit the Ministry of Magic on a Field Trip," McGonagall said.
"Yes I saw the message," Amy said.
"I spoke with Minister Vidulous and the Field trip is laid on for a week from next Monday. Your group which appears to consist of 1st Year Gryffindors will leave Sunday at 9am on the Hogwarts Express for London. The Ministry will put your group up in appropriate accommodations. Monday and Tuesday you will be busy with the Ministry, Wednesday will be spent sightseeing and Thursday you will leave about 9am from Kings Cross Station to return to Hogwarts," McGonagall said.
"I did have one Ravenclaw on my selected list. My dad let me choose the lucky no more then twenty," Amy said.
Amy then headed downstairs where she found Myrtle waiting on the corridor side of the Gargoyle.
"Where did you disappear to?" Myrtle wondered.
"Would you believe I was talking to McGonagall. Come on I have one more stop I absolutely positively have to make before we go to the Common Room," Amy said as she headed for her dad's office. Myrtle followed her close behind. When they reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom and looked over towards Harry's office They saw a sign that said Testing in Progress Do Not Disturb.
"Oh man that is still going on," Amy said. She then left a note on the blackboard.
DAD
Meet me in M A's room soon as you are done with the testing.
ALP
Amy and Myrtle then went to Myrtle's bathroom where Amy started on a paper for Charms. She was just getting out her copy of A Hogwarts Guide to Beginning and Intermediate Transfiguration when she noticed a door opening a crack and Hannah entered.
"Amy, your dad is free now he wanted me to bring you and Myrtle back to his office," Hannah said.
"How did you know where to find us?" Amy asked her.
"In this case he told me that M A was Myrtle Anderson as in the ghost Myrtle. He also told me that her room was the girls bathroom that was generally out of order. Yet I tend to see Myrtle hanging around where ever you are," Hannah said.
"Myrtle is my bodyguard when I'm inside the castle," Amy said.
"Since when?" Hannah wondered.
"At first it was just temporary until Amy knew her way around Hogwarts but it's more permanent now," Myrtle said.
"Amy, how come you did so little work in Herbology today?" Hannah wondered.
"Because I did some yesterday. Geoff and I were headed for the gamekeeper's cottage yesterday and Sprout had us assist with the setup so I decided to do a run through on today's work," Amy informed her. They continued talking quietly the rest of the way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom.
Harry was sitting in his chair at the front of the class.
"Amy, nice note you left," Harry said. "Something up?"
Amy then passed on the information about the field trip.
"Amy, I figured out how Hannah found out you had slipped out to Hogsmeade," Harry said.
"What did you find out Dad?" Amy wondered.
"Hannah has the capability to protect others amongst her magical abilities. She will need a fair amount of training though. I already sent word to the Head of the Order of the Phoenix. Hannah was sent to Hogwarts for a reason even though she didn't necessarily have to come here," Harry said. "This came from the head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad via Owl while you all were in Charms."
"Why was she sent to Hogwarts?" Amy wanted to know so she could figure out whether to trust Hannah or not.
"To protect you," Hannah said. "I didn't realize you were the one I was to protect until I sensed you sneaking out of Hogwarts to go to Hogsmeade. Amy, because of your birth you are in Danger. There are Dark Wizards some who are more powerful then even Lord Voldemort who would love to see you eliminated. Originally Your dad was going to run me through some tests as your Uncle Percy recommended then when he got the OWL from the MLES he canceled the testing and started my training instead."
"Hannah will be training every day for probably a couple hours at least after class with weekends off. When you are at practice or during games she will work the perimeter in special robes," Harry said.
"Dad, what will I do for a broom?" Amy wondered.
"For now use one of the better school brooms. I think there may be a couple Firebolt 3's in the Broom Shed. Long term I don't know," Harry said. "Madame Conway, McGonagall and I haven't discussed it yet."
"Professor, if Amy goes on the Ministry Field trip it will be necessary for me to accompany her," Hannah said.
"Hannah, most the students going are First year Gryffindor Students yourself included. One girl Sarah Demenkus is a Ravenclaw but Amy has known her for a long time in fact they were best friends prior to Hogwarts," Harry said.
"Well that solves the problem of what I would do for protection on the fieldtrip," Amy said.
"I'll arrange it with Myrtle to work out which of us will protect you when," Hannah said.
"Well At night and during Herbology you are the obvious choice Hannah since you are there as it is. Also during Potions you would be a good choice," Amy said.
"Why is that?" Hannah wondered
"I generally stay well away from the dungeons," Myrtle said.
"Almost understandable," Hannah said. "If Snape's class wasn't in them I'd never go down there either."
Amy was glad that she could trust Hannah. The next day she spent the day in class and Hannah joined her while she checked and tended her plants. Amy was a little nervous the next morning though.
"Amy, calm down so Tryouts for the team are tonight. I don't see why you are so tense," Geoff said.
"I don't want to ruin my chance by performing poorly tonight," Amy said.
"Amy, I thought you were concerned just in whether you would be allowed to play," Geoff said. "After all you mentioned that in Hagrid's hut on Sunday."
"I spoke briefly with my dad about something on Monday after classes were over for the day and he mentioned how a body guard for me will be covering the perimeter of the field when I'm at practice and during games," Amy said. "Sounds like my dad is going to let me play. WE still haven't figured out the broom situation long term though. He was going to discuss the situation with McGonagall and Madame Conway."
Amy kept close to her security crew during the day and when she headed for the Quidditch stadium for tryouts Madame Conway was waiting.
"Miss Potter, when was the last time you spoke with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" she wondered.
"I spoke briefly with him this afternoon after 2 periods of Potions Class," Amy said. "My last real conversation with him was on Monday when he recommended I use a school broom for now."
"That's right he is the head of your house," Madame Conway realized.
"He is also my father," Amy said.
"I see," the flying instructor realized.
Amy then walked over to the broom shed and looked around for a halfway decent broom finally locating a slightly beat up Nimbus 2002 among the school's brooms that she figured would work. She then placed a charm on it that would permit her to easily pick it up but would prevent others from picking it up. In a separate section were stored brooms belonging to students. Amy kind of wished her broom was over in that area. Soon as she left the broom shed she headed for the field. Josh was waiting when she returned.
"OK you have the goal on the left as we look on from this point," Josh said. "I spoke to your dad briefly on Monday about you playing on the team even though you are a first year."
"I spoke to him Monday late Afternoon and he seemed ok with it," Amy informed him. "In fact he was planning on discussing what I would do for a broom long term with McGonagall and Conway."
"The meeting is right after Tryouts tonight I was informed in case I wanted to be there. You Myrtle and Hannah don't need to attend. I will let you know what happens," Josh said.
Amy headed for the Goal area and Flew around doing as good as she did over the weekend. Afterwards Myrtle went stealth mode and Hannah walked Amy back to the Castle. Amy was so tired from her extended flying that she went right to bed.
The next morning she woke up to find a face looking down on her from right under the canopy of her four poster.
"Morning Myrtle," She yawned. "How did the meeting go last night."
"I'm not telling," Myrtle said. "Oh and Professor Sinistra is a little upset with you."
"Crud what did I do fall asleep and miss Astronomy. Well they shouldn't have scheduled that class at midnight," Amy complained.
