Chapter Seven
Half way through potions class Professor Snape had succeeded in berating every Gryffindor while praising each Slytherin, even Crabbe who had fallen asleep and set his hair on fire. Snape was in such a good mood he practically floated around the room.
While Professor Snape was demonstrating a particularly difficult decanting the door to his office and living quarters creaked open. From within the creepy depths of that room Veronica materialized wearing nothing but several large black scarves tied strategically around her body and a black leather mini skirt. Her pale shoulders, stomach and legs seemed to hover as separate entities as she walked barefoot across the stone floor. The ever present cold of the room had a remarkable effect on her body, in turn affecting Snape and the majority of the boys in the room.
Professor Snape's usual steady hands shook so much the potion he was brewing mixed incorrectly causing a cloud of dense grey fog to emerge from the cauldron. This only added to Veronica's mystique. She walked confidently up to the professor and whispered gently into his ear. As much as it sickened Harry to watch he couldn't help but wonder what she was saying. With a peck on his cheek she left the dungeon classroom to go upstairs.
Once Veronica was gone, Professor Snape didn't acknowledge that she had even been there, despite whisperings and curious looks from his students. Were it not for the tell-tale lipstick on the professor's face and lingering fog, Harry would have preferred to think he'd imagined the whole event.
"Mr. Potter." Snape came to inspect the draught Harry had been preparing and planted himself eye to eye. "Your calming potion is too thick," he said hardly a glance in the cauldron. He dropped his voice even lower. "What do you know about Miss Veritas, Potter?"
"Veronica? Nothing really, except that she's been friends with Genevieve for a dozen or so years in Colorado." Harry was unsure what Snape wanted and got no clues as the line of questioning was suddenly dropped when the contents of Neville's cauldron exploded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, that's Veronica." Hermione sighed to her friends after they escaped the confines of the dungeon. "She seems...interesting." Hermione proceeded cautiously, ensuring no one was close enough to over hear her. "I always figured that Professor Snape was mean because he was lonely, but what we just saw blows that theory."
"You would think he would lighten up now that he's gettin' some." Ron snickered, and Hermione hit him hard in the shoulder for his uncouth comment.
"That may not be what happened." She protested.
"If you can give me another probable reason why a half naked women was in Snape's room I'd love to hear it."
Hermione racked her brain trying to come up with something but eventually gave up with an "ewe, I don't want to think about this anymore." Eager to change the subject she added, "Haven't you two got Divination next?"
"We gave it up, Professor Trelawney was beginning to get on my nerves and besides I decided what I'm going to focus my studies on." Ron said proudly. Hermione was impressed.
"Really, what is that?"
"Quidditch tryouts."
"Oh, honestly." Hermione openly displayed her disapproval before going to the library to study.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All the practice Ron and Harry had put themselves through over the summer really shone through during tryouts on Thursday. Ron was trying for one of the open beater positions, and the competition was fierce. Four at a time, those wanting the place flew around the pitch batting around both bludgers at each other. Occasionally Angelina, who was now captain and therefore running the show, charmed balloons to float through the pitch. These represented chasers and the seeker who were to be protected at all times. Ron saved his chasers without fail and managed to knock a seventh year off his broom who was also trying out. During the last thirty seconds of his turn both bludgers attacked Ron one right after the other. He knocked one to the other side of the field but barely maneuvered out of the path of the second one which consequently rammed the golden balloon representing the seeker. The balloon and Ron sank to the ground near the incumbent team.
"Thanks a lot Ron." Harry teased pointing to the crumpled balloon seeker.
"Doesn't look too bad." Ron turned from the balloon to Harry. "About like your arm after Lockhart was through with it."
"Don't remind me." Harry moaned, thinking of the deboning that had occurred mere steps from that spot. "Seriously, you were really good out there!" Both Ron and Harry held their breaths as Angelina approached them.
"Well, Weasley." She stopped to consider her clipboard for the sole purpose of adding dramatic pause. "Welcome to the team."
Congratulations poured from every Gryffindor who heard the announcement. Harry was content to stand back to let his friend drink in all the glory and praise he deserved. Even through breakfast the next morning people were patting Ron on the back and wishing him good luck, especially for the first match in three weeks against Slytherin.
"Is it supposed to surprise us that Potter's shadow made the team." Draco drawled from behind them. "No matter. Thirty seconds into the game you'll be right next to Harry's shadow, on the ground where you belong." Malfoy got in Ron's face, hoping to provoke a fight. Ron however displayed incredible restraint by not punching Malfoy in the jaw.
"Malfoy. You're definitely not up to your normal standards this morning. I was depending on you to come up with something more creative than that." Ron had been emboldened by his last encounter with Malfoy and continued. "If anyone was to accuse me of getting on the team by some other means than talent it shouldn't be someone who had to bribe their way onto a losing team." Malfoy was ready to spit nails.
"Well." He began but was cut short by Veronica.
"Is there a Draco Malfoy in here?" Veronica was standing in the shadow of the doorway, dressed in a black velvet robe.
"Over here!" Draco called toward her. "We'll finish this later," he whispered to Ron before shoving Gryffindors out of his way to the dungeons.
After that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students approached Ron to congratulate him for standing up to Malfoy in addition to making the team. Nothing, not even the bloody nose he got during Quidditch practice on Saturday, could dampen his spirits through the weekend. Monday, however was a different story.
********************
"So what's going on in the world today?" Ron asked Hermione who was staring blankly at the morning issue of the Daily Prophet. Hermione's eyes rose slowly from the parchment to Harry and Ron sitting across from her plate of untouched eggs and bacon.
"Rita Skeeter is back."
Ron choked on his pumpkin juice and Harry dropped his fork. Sure enough on the front page of the prophet was a large picture of Rita Skeeter in bejeweled glasses, sporting an even tan, with her quick quotes quill poised and ready. The headline, "Rita Skeeter, Prodigal Reporter Returns from Sabbatical" flashed halfway down the page. The article, written by her, explained that she'd just needed a year to relax and set her priorities in order, as a result she would start slow covering social events before diving in to hard hitting journalism.
"No doubt so she can dig up dirt on unsuspecting party goers." Ron said spitefully.
"Wait, it continues on page 6." Hermione ruffled through the pages until she found the continuation. "You won't believe this."
"What is it?" The boys chorused, hardly thinking it could more unbelievable. Hermione read aloud from the paper.
"In tribute to my special fans at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry my first story will be about one of their most beloved teachers. Severus Snape can now be stricken from the registry of eligible bachelors. In a private ceremony before school resumed this year he tied the knot with Veronica Veritas, a strikingly beautiful American witch. She candidly told this reporter it was "love at first bite". Why has it been kept a secret for so long you ask.Severus himself answered that question. "I wasn't ready to share her with the world just yet." This adorable, yet reclusive couple have no intentions of throwing a reception, nor will they be able to honeymoon until Christmas break. Best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape."
"You're kidding, please tell me you made that up." Ron pushed his plate away no longer able to enjoy breakfast.
"I think it's sweet" intoned Hermione.
"Perfectly devilish if you ask me." Sirius Black was standing over Hermione's shoulder skimming the page. "They really are birds of a feather, oh wait, bats don't have feathers." He laughed at his own joke for a moment before inviting Neville to join the other three. "Are you all ready for your three o'clock class?" Neville seemed most eager.
"Oh yes. My Granny says this is the opportunity of a lifetime."
"It will be if Genevieve makes it back in time." Sirius said looking straight at each face in turn.
"Where's she gone?" Harry voiced the same concern the others held in their faces.
"I'm not sure. She just left three days ago, leaving a note that said she'd try to be back in time and some instructions in case she wasn't. You haven't heard from her have you?" The four of them shook their heads. "She has always been impetuous, running off with no notice. Usually for a good reason, but still."
Sirius scanned the room, replaced the worry on his face with his usual smile, then excused himself from the Gryffindor table. He walked up to the teachers table where he gave Snape a hearty congratulatory handshake.
"So where is the lucky lady?" Sirius asked Snape.
"Sleeping, had a late night."
"You dog." Sirius interrupted slyly, causing Snape to blush a brilliant red. "We'll practically be brothers in law if Genevieve and I ever get around to it. Can I buy you a drink?" Snape brushed off Sirius' camaraderie with a piercing stare, snapping the figurative olive branch Sirius offered in half before stomping on it, tossing it into the fire and dumping the ashes down the sink. "All right, I can catch a hint." Sirius backed away slowly, trying not to show his relief that Snape had refused his company.
***********************
"Most Honored High Lady of the Island, I humbly come before you and beg for an audience." Genevieve was kneeling with her hands on the floor, her head bowed. Around her palm trees lined a gilded throne room, tigers roamed free and ghosts stopped to watch.
"Genevieve." The voice speaking to her from the solid gold throne was bold and powerful while maintaining feminine grace. "We have known each other a long time, but even this doesn't prevent me from being disappointed in you."
"My Lady, I apologize if my actions have caused you grief." A long, contemplative pause followed.
"My friend." Genevieve looked up as the softness of the voice speaking to her bid her rise. The High Lady of Kalla Island was blindingly beautiful. The tips of her thick auburn hair gently caressed the floor as she stepped forward. Shimmering amethyst robes covered her body from neck to foot. "I am glad you have come." Genevieve approached the High Lady respectfully, catching a quick glance of Morgain hiding behind a tree in her peripheral vision.
"How may I help you?" Genevieve offered knowing it was easiest to get what she wanted if she helped the High Lady with her problem.
"We are having some difficulty controlling the population of certain magical creatures. If you could help, I would be most grateful."
"I am sure if we work together, your dilemma can be solved quickly."
************************
During transfiguration Professor McGonagall continued her lecture on apparition, part one of six describing the proper force of mind needed to project the destination. Developing these skills involved a lot of meditation and brain work. McGonagall dimmed the lights and added a taste of softness to her voice.
"I want you to blank out your thoughts, think about nothing, and just experience the room for a moment." This sounded more like something Professor Trelawney would say and everyone exchanged furtive glances. "Now close your eyes and imagine the space around you in which you experience the world. In your minds eye, make that space glow as your notice the air touching your skin, accompanying each breath in your lungs. Heighten your senses by paying close attention to each one. Very good. Now imagine that glow condensing until it solidifies. That part of you can now see very clearly where you want to go and how it can get there with a thought. Now, let it go there."
Harry could feel the hair on the back of his neck prickle and assumed some of his classmates felt the same thing based on the 'oooh' that floated ominously from their collective lips.
"We will undergo variations of this exercise every Monday from now until the end of the school year." McGonagall's voice was back to normal. "I suggest you wear your most comfortable cloaks on those days. Please read and summarize pages 42-87 in your apparating manual by Wednesday's class. I expect at least 22 inches. Class dismissed."
*********************
"That was really relaxing," said Seamus Finnigan to his fellow Gryffindor's on the way to care of magical creatures.
"Relaxing!" Hermione was obviously the opposite. "How is it possible to not think about anything? Even thinking about, thinking about nothing is something so it is impossible." The others just shook their heads, knowing Hermione was over analyzing again but lacked the nerve to tell her so.
Down by the forest Hagrid's hut was eclipsed by an enormous tent. Hagrid stood outside with his hands across his chest eager to begin, though his pupils could not hide their apprehension.
"What we have here is a rare treat." The half giant's face sparkled. "Please follow me and take care to stay behind the chalk line." Everyone walked single file through the tent flaps, the gasps of those going in first made Harry nervous, but Neville was ready to run away.
"It should be alright Neville." Hermione said holding his hand and pulling him gently forward. "Hagrid wouldn't put us in danger." Neville wasn't buying it and no one could blame him. Sure, the gentle man would never purposely expose them to peril but then again he raised a colony of giant spiders for fun. Harry poked his head inside and was blown away by what he saw. He pulled his eyes away for a moment to reassure Neville still outside.
"It's amazing Neville, come see." Only then did Neville allow himself to be lead inside. Amazing didn't begin to describe what was hiding in that tent. A chalk line had been drawn about ten feet into the enclosure. Beyond it were several felled logs piled haphazardly out of which grew luscious sweet smelling flowers of every color. Flittering around the foliage like golden golf balls with beaks were nearly fifty Snidgets. Their wings fluttered so fast each bird looked like it was suspended in mid air by two blurs. Some lazily went from flower to flower taking long drinks. Others darted around, not surprisingly similar to their snitch counterparts. One close to Harry was sleeping on a branch, its wings carefully tucked on each side.
Hagrid lectured on the Snidgets original introduction to quidditch and subsequent replacement with the magically charmed golden snitch due to creature rights activists. As most of the class had already read 'Quidditch through the ages' they spent the hour pointing out the snidgets' antics to their friends.
"These particular Golden Snidgets have been donated for study, rehabilitation and possible release into the wild." Hagrid continued, though ignored all inquiries as to who could have donated them. When class was over no one wanted to leave except for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville who were excited and anxious for their special class.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Authors Note: Yes, I know that our 3 favorite chasers would have graduated by now, but they were just so cute when they begged to stay I kept them around on the condition they retake their NEWT's in hopes of getting better scores now that the twins aren't there to distract them.
Half way through potions class Professor Snape had succeeded in berating every Gryffindor while praising each Slytherin, even Crabbe who had fallen asleep and set his hair on fire. Snape was in such a good mood he practically floated around the room.
While Professor Snape was demonstrating a particularly difficult decanting the door to his office and living quarters creaked open. From within the creepy depths of that room Veronica materialized wearing nothing but several large black scarves tied strategically around her body and a black leather mini skirt. Her pale shoulders, stomach and legs seemed to hover as separate entities as she walked barefoot across the stone floor. The ever present cold of the room had a remarkable effect on her body, in turn affecting Snape and the majority of the boys in the room.
Professor Snape's usual steady hands shook so much the potion he was brewing mixed incorrectly causing a cloud of dense grey fog to emerge from the cauldron. This only added to Veronica's mystique. She walked confidently up to the professor and whispered gently into his ear. As much as it sickened Harry to watch he couldn't help but wonder what she was saying. With a peck on his cheek she left the dungeon classroom to go upstairs.
Once Veronica was gone, Professor Snape didn't acknowledge that she had even been there, despite whisperings and curious looks from his students. Were it not for the tell-tale lipstick on the professor's face and lingering fog, Harry would have preferred to think he'd imagined the whole event.
"Mr. Potter." Snape came to inspect the draught Harry had been preparing and planted himself eye to eye. "Your calming potion is too thick," he said hardly a glance in the cauldron. He dropped his voice even lower. "What do you know about Miss Veritas, Potter?"
"Veronica? Nothing really, except that she's been friends with Genevieve for a dozen or so years in Colorado." Harry was unsure what Snape wanted and got no clues as the line of questioning was suddenly dropped when the contents of Neville's cauldron exploded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, that's Veronica." Hermione sighed to her friends after they escaped the confines of the dungeon. "She seems...interesting." Hermione proceeded cautiously, ensuring no one was close enough to over hear her. "I always figured that Professor Snape was mean because he was lonely, but what we just saw blows that theory."
"You would think he would lighten up now that he's gettin' some." Ron snickered, and Hermione hit him hard in the shoulder for his uncouth comment.
"That may not be what happened." She protested.
"If you can give me another probable reason why a half naked women was in Snape's room I'd love to hear it."
Hermione racked her brain trying to come up with something but eventually gave up with an "ewe, I don't want to think about this anymore." Eager to change the subject she added, "Haven't you two got Divination next?"
"We gave it up, Professor Trelawney was beginning to get on my nerves and besides I decided what I'm going to focus my studies on." Ron said proudly. Hermione was impressed.
"Really, what is that?"
"Quidditch tryouts."
"Oh, honestly." Hermione openly displayed her disapproval before going to the library to study.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All the practice Ron and Harry had put themselves through over the summer really shone through during tryouts on Thursday. Ron was trying for one of the open beater positions, and the competition was fierce. Four at a time, those wanting the place flew around the pitch batting around both bludgers at each other. Occasionally Angelina, who was now captain and therefore running the show, charmed balloons to float through the pitch. These represented chasers and the seeker who were to be protected at all times. Ron saved his chasers without fail and managed to knock a seventh year off his broom who was also trying out. During the last thirty seconds of his turn both bludgers attacked Ron one right after the other. He knocked one to the other side of the field but barely maneuvered out of the path of the second one which consequently rammed the golden balloon representing the seeker. The balloon and Ron sank to the ground near the incumbent team.
"Thanks a lot Ron." Harry teased pointing to the crumpled balloon seeker.
"Doesn't look too bad." Ron turned from the balloon to Harry. "About like your arm after Lockhart was through with it."
"Don't remind me." Harry moaned, thinking of the deboning that had occurred mere steps from that spot. "Seriously, you were really good out there!" Both Ron and Harry held their breaths as Angelina approached them.
"Well, Weasley." She stopped to consider her clipboard for the sole purpose of adding dramatic pause. "Welcome to the team."
Congratulations poured from every Gryffindor who heard the announcement. Harry was content to stand back to let his friend drink in all the glory and praise he deserved. Even through breakfast the next morning people were patting Ron on the back and wishing him good luck, especially for the first match in three weeks against Slytherin.
"Is it supposed to surprise us that Potter's shadow made the team." Draco drawled from behind them. "No matter. Thirty seconds into the game you'll be right next to Harry's shadow, on the ground where you belong." Malfoy got in Ron's face, hoping to provoke a fight. Ron however displayed incredible restraint by not punching Malfoy in the jaw.
"Malfoy. You're definitely not up to your normal standards this morning. I was depending on you to come up with something more creative than that." Ron had been emboldened by his last encounter with Malfoy and continued. "If anyone was to accuse me of getting on the team by some other means than talent it shouldn't be someone who had to bribe their way onto a losing team." Malfoy was ready to spit nails.
"Well." He began but was cut short by Veronica.
"Is there a Draco Malfoy in here?" Veronica was standing in the shadow of the doorway, dressed in a black velvet robe.
"Over here!" Draco called toward her. "We'll finish this later," he whispered to Ron before shoving Gryffindors out of his way to the dungeons.
After that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students approached Ron to congratulate him for standing up to Malfoy in addition to making the team. Nothing, not even the bloody nose he got during Quidditch practice on Saturday, could dampen his spirits through the weekend. Monday, however was a different story.
********************
"So what's going on in the world today?" Ron asked Hermione who was staring blankly at the morning issue of the Daily Prophet. Hermione's eyes rose slowly from the parchment to Harry and Ron sitting across from her plate of untouched eggs and bacon.
"Rita Skeeter is back."
Ron choked on his pumpkin juice and Harry dropped his fork. Sure enough on the front page of the prophet was a large picture of Rita Skeeter in bejeweled glasses, sporting an even tan, with her quick quotes quill poised and ready. The headline, "Rita Skeeter, Prodigal Reporter Returns from Sabbatical" flashed halfway down the page. The article, written by her, explained that she'd just needed a year to relax and set her priorities in order, as a result she would start slow covering social events before diving in to hard hitting journalism.
"No doubt so she can dig up dirt on unsuspecting party goers." Ron said spitefully.
"Wait, it continues on page 6." Hermione ruffled through the pages until she found the continuation. "You won't believe this."
"What is it?" The boys chorused, hardly thinking it could more unbelievable. Hermione read aloud from the paper.
"In tribute to my special fans at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry my first story will be about one of their most beloved teachers. Severus Snape can now be stricken from the registry of eligible bachelors. In a private ceremony before school resumed this year he tied the knot with Veronica Veritas, a strikingly beautiful American witch. She candidly told this reporter it was "love at first bite". Why has it been kept a secret for so long you ask.Severus himself answered that question. "I wasn't ready to share her with the world just yet." This adorable, yet reclusive couple have no intentions of throwing a reception, nor will they be able to honeymoon until Christmas break. Best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape."
"You're kidding, please tell me you made that up." Ron pushed his plate away no longer able to enjoy breakfast.
"I think it's sweet" intoned Hermione.
"Perfectly devilish if you ask me." Sirius Black was standing over Hermione's shoulder skimming the page. "They really are birds of a feather, oh wait, bats don't have feathers." He laughed at his own joke for a moment before inviting Neville to join the other three. "Are you all ready for your three o'clock class?" Neville seemed most eager.
"Oh yes. My Granny says this is the opportunity of a lifetime."
"It will be if Genevieve makes it back in time." Sirius said looking straight at each face in turn.
"Where's she gone?" Harry voiced the same concern the others held in their faces.
"I'm not sure. She just left three days ago, leaving a note that said she'd try to be back in time and some instructions in case she wasn't. You haven't heard from her have you?" The four of them shook their heads. "She has always been impetuous, running off with no notice. Usually for a good reason, but still."
Sirius scanned the room, replaced the worry on his face with his usual smile, then excused himself from the Gryffindor table. He walked up to the teachers table where he gave Snape a hearty congratulatory handshake.
"So where is the lucky lady?" Sirius asked Snape.
"Sleeping, had a late night."
"You dog." Sirius interrupted slyly, causing Snape to blush a brilliant red. "We'll practically be brothers in law if Genevieve and I ever get around to it. Can I buy you a drink?" Snape brushed off Sirius' camaraderie with a piercing stare, snapping the figurative olive branch Sirius offered in half before stomping on it, tossing it into the fire and dumping the ashes down the sink. "All right, I can catch a hint." Sirius backed away slowly, trying not to show his relief that Snape had refused his company.
***********************
"Most Honored High Lady of the Island, I humbly come before you and beg for an audience." Genevieve was kneeling with her hands on the floor, her head bowed. Around her palm trees lined a gilded throne room, tigers roamed free and ghosts stopped to watch.
"Genevieve." The voice speaking to her from the solid gold throne was bold and powerful while maintaining feminine grace. "We have known each other a long time, but even this doesn't prevent me from being disappointed in you."
"My Lady, I apologize if my actions have caused you grief." A long, contemplative pause followed.
"My friend." Genevieve looked up as the softness of the voice speaking to her bid her rise. The High Lady of Kalla Island was blindingly beautiful. The tips of her thick auburn hair gently caressed the floor as she stepped forward. Shimmering amethyst robes covered her body from neck to foot. "I am glad you have come." Genevieve approached the High Lady respectfully, catching a quick glance of Morgain hiding behind a tree in her peripheral vision.
"How may I help you?" Genevieve offered knowing it was easiest to get what she wanted if she helped the High Lady with her problem.
"We are having some difficulty controlling the population of certain magical creatures. If you could help, I would be most grateful."
"I am sure if we work together, your dilemma can be solved quickly."
************************
During transfiguration Professor McGonagall continued her lecture on apparition, part one of six describing the proper force of mind needed to project the destination. Developing these skills involved a lot of meditation and brain work. McGonagall dimmed the lights and added a taste of softness to her voice.
"I want you to blank out your thoughts, think about nothing, and just experience the room for a moment." This sounded more like something Professor Trelawney would say and everyone exchanged furtive glances. "Now close your eyes and imagine the space around you in which you experience the world. In your minds eye, make that space glow as your notice the air touching your skin, accompanying each breath in your lungs. Heighten your senses by paying close attention to each one. Very good. Now imagine that glow condensing until it solidifies. That part of you can now see very clearly where you want to go and how it can get there with a thought. Now, let it go there."
Harry could feel the hair on the back of his neck prickle and assumed some of his classmates felt the same thing based on the 'oooh' that floated ominously from their collective lips.
"We will undergo variations of this exercise every Monday from now until the end of the school year." McGonagall's voice was back to normal. "I suggest you wear your most comfortable cloaks on those days. Please read and summarize pages 42-87 in your apparating manual by Wednesday's class. I expect at least 22 inches. Class dismissed."
*********************
"That was really relaxing," said Seamus Finnigan to his fellow Gryffindor's on the way to care of magical creatures.
"Relaxing!" Hermione was obviously the opposite. "How is it possible to not think about anything? Even thinking about, thinking about nothing is something so it is impossible." The others just shook their heads, knowing Hermione was over analyzing again but lacked the nerve to tell her so.
Down by the forest Hagrid's hut was eclipsed by an enormous tent. Hagrid stood outside with his hands across his chest eager to begin, though his pupils could not hide their apprehension.
"What we have here is a rare treat." The half giant's face sparkled. "Please follow me and take care to stay behind the chalk line." Everyone walked single file through the tent flaps, the gasps of those going in first made Harry nervous, but Neville was ready to run away.
"It should be alright Neville." Hermione said holding his hand and pulling him gently forward. "Hagrid wouldn't put us in danger." Neville wasn't buying it and no one could blame him. Sure, the gentle man would never purposely expose them to peril but then again he raised a colony of giant spiders for fun. Harry poked his head inside and was blown away by what he saw. He pulled his eyes away for a moment to reassure Neville still outside.
"It's amazing Neville, come see." Only then did Neville allow himself to be lead inside. Amazing didn't begin to describe what was hiding in that tent. A chalk line had been drawn about ten feet into the enclosure. Beyond it were several felled logs piled haphazardly out of which grew luscious sweet smelling flowers of every color. Flittering around the foliage like golden golf balls with beaks were nearly fifty Snidgets. Their wings fluttered so fast each bird looked like it was suspended in mid air by two blurs. Some lazily went from flower to flower taking long drinks. Others darted around, not surprisingly similar to their snitch counterparts. One close to Harry was sleeping on a branch, its wings carefully tucked on each side.
Hagrid lectured on the Snidgets original introduction to quidditch and subsequent replacement with the magically charmed golden snitch due to creature rights activists. As most of the class had already read 'Quidditch through the ages' they spent the hour pointing out the snidgets' antics to their friends.
"These particular Golden Snidgets have been donated for study, rehabilitation and possible release into the wild." Hagrid continued, though ignored all inquiries as to who could have donated them. When class was over no one wanted to leave except for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville who were excited and anxious for their special class.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Authors Note: Yes, I know that our 3 favorite chasers would have graduated by now, but they were just so cute when they begged to stay I kept them around on the condition they retake their NEWT's in hopes of getting better scores now that the twins aren't there to distract them.