Chapter Fifteen

The Other Table

Danny Nelson ate a hearty breakfast, trying to get geared up for the game ahead. She had quickly gotten in the habit of eating with the team. Even though she wasn't particularly fond of the captain, Amadeus Longbottom, she got along fairly well with the rest of the team. Casper Wyatt, at least, came from a similar background as hers; old money with personal tutors until the time they had entered school. Amadeus was something else, though, and from a family that didn't particularly care for him… it was evident in everything he did and from the whitening of his knuckles anytime he received Owl Post. Still, he was a passable student and a very brutal Beater; not afraid to swing the bat at any show of weakness from the other team. Just the sort that would get the job done and the game won, Danny thought, which probably explained why he had been voted captain by the other players.

"They don't have a chance this year, really, but I still don't think we should take any risks," Amadeus was saying, stuffing his face. "What I want to see is a nice long game and a humiliating defeat. I want them to realize just how impossible it's going to be for them to catch up on points this year. Potter's gone now and it's time for us to break that stupid winning streak of theirs. I think it's time we try the blockade we've been practicing. Considering that old Firebolt Weasley's on, she shouldn't have much luck maneuvering around it."

"It might not be as easy as you think," Danny said calmly, looking over at the others. "From what I understand, Weasley's going to be on a Skymaster today. You may be better off sticking with the normal line of attack."

"There goes Miss Expert-at-Everything Nelson again. You just do your job and get that Snitch."

"I will, provided you do your job, Captain. If I get knocked down while you have Casper playing chase the Seeker, I will hold you personally responsible, Longbottom."

"Oh please, Nelson, just who do you think you are? You're nothing around here, and if you want to get anywhere in this school, you had better learn which arse you should kiss."

"Oh please, Longbottom," Danny said in the same mocking tone that he had used, "considering your entire family capital is less than my monthly allowance, I suggest you rethink who it is you are kissing up to. If this team wants to win, it had better start catering to the one person who can get the points to make it happen," she said, getting up. "See you on the field, Wyatt, Baylor, Starlings… scumbag." She smiled sweetly and then hurried to catch up with Brittle who had just left the Ravenclaw table.

"Taylor! Wait up!" Danny called out. Taylor paused, letting her catch up. "Where are the other two?"

"Still eating, but Corey wants to talk to you about study time," Taylor said. Danny knew he was talking about the forest sparring matches. "The group thing we did at Sagittari's might be every week so we need to find another time."

"Hrm. Sunday nights?" Danny suggested.

"I got a double Monday mornings."

"Tuesday?"

"They've got an early class."

"Friday then! It'll have to be!" Danny said. "I have to unwind somehow, you know. Especially after dealing with Longbottom all week."

"There's one problem with Friday, though," Taylor said. "Snape's on forest patrols on Fridays."

"Well, not all night. We'll just find out when he's typically there, then go out after that," Danny suggested. Taylor gave her one of those looks that told her he didn't think it was a good idea. "Are you going to the Quidditch match?"

"Of course, I am. The others would be disappointed if I didn't go. You know how Corey is… he keeps hoping for overtime," Taylor chuckled.

"I guess that means you're rooting for Gryffindors, eh?" Danny asked with a frown. Taylor looked uncomfortable.

"You've got to understand, Danny, we had all sorts of problems with some Slytherin students last year, especially Longbottom. In fact, you're the only one I've really known, outside the ones that were always bullying Corey around."

"Bullying Corey around?" she inquired.

"Long story, really," Taylor said. Danny sighed and nodded. She knew from experience Amadeus wasn't easy to deal with. "I'll root for you next game though, if you want… just don't tell Doug. His sister is the Hufflepuff Seeker." Danny grinned at him.

"Danny! Taylor!" The two of them looked around to see Corey and Doug running up.

"Hey Corey, did the Slytherin students really bully you around last year?" Danny asked. Taylor suddenly realized he might have worded that a bit more diplomatically.

"Hell no! Nobody bullies me around. I might have had a spat with Malfoy and his cronies now and then, but I always managed to come out on top," Corey said indignantly.

"You fought with Draco?" Danny asked with a frown..

"It was nothing, I tell you," Corey said defensively.

"What about the pig incident?" Doug reminded him.

"Pig incident?" Danny asked. The three of them then went into an account of when Corey had arranged to meet Draco to talk his way into a 'truce' and ended up being fed a Fibberous potion. But as the tale went on, a dark look grew in Corey's face that Danny had never seen before.

"You know, except for getting kicked out of sparring for the year, I never did get punished for that," he said softly. "That's when everyone got called in the school because there'd been more attacks…I didn't find out until the next day that my mum, father, and brother had been killed during the first wave on Christmas Eve."

Taylor and Doug also grew quiet, while Danny, who had never heard of what had happened before, looked uncomfortable. It did explain how distant Corey was at times. Even among his housemates he was sometimes aloof.

"You all right, Corey?" Doug asked after a moment. "At least, you have so much going for you now… popular, first and second in your classes, and super adopted parents."

"Oh sure," Corey said with a weak smile looking at Doug. "I'm pretty happy all around, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. Come on, let's head to the pitch."

"So Danny, what do you think our chances are of having a real long game today?" Doug grinned with a wink. "It would be nice to get out on the pitch once this season."

"Oh, no. I'm not going to play a long game just to give you guys a break on the pitch, you had your chance at tryouts, same as anyone. I take my Quidditch very seriously," Danny said.

"You take everything very seriously! Even our study time," Corey protested. "Don't you ever just want to hang loose and relax a bit? Let your guard down and have some fun?"

"I do relax at our study time, but I have a lot more fun when I'm winning," Danny grinned.

"I'd have more fun if I were playing," Corey complained. "Too bad something didn't happen and one of the Beaters didn't drop out."

"Watch out, there, Corey, don't hex your own team with bad vibes," Taylor teased him. "You'll get your chance next year."

"Hey look, Corey, there's Harry over there talking to Ginny. Let's go say hi," Doug suggested.

"Harry Potter?" Danny asked with surprise.

"Sure, he's a mate of mine," Corey boasted. "Come on, Danny."

The four of them walked over and Ginny looked up and waved. Harry turned and smiled at them. Danny tried not to stare, but it was hard to do, knowing that she was in the presence of one of the most famous wizards in the world. And so young! Not that bad looking either…

"Hi Harry, hi Ginny. Harry, this is the new Slytherin seeker, Danny Nelson, she's a good friend of ours," Corey said.

"Ah, yes, Ginny's been telling me about you. She says you're really good," he said to Danny, shaking her hand. "Should be a good game today."

"Thank you, sir," Danny said. "It's nice to have a challenge for a change," she added, and politely shook Ginny's hand as well.

"Good luck," Ginny told her with a smile.

"To you as well. It'll be an honor beating you," Danny grinned. "I'd better be getting over to the others. See you later," she said and hurried across to the Slytherin gate.

"Confident, isn't she?" Harry chuckled. "How did you three end up friends with a Slytherin?"

"We met her over the summer. She wasn't Sorted then," Corey shrugged. "She's a bit bossy, but she's alright, really."

"She's also a good sport, and really patient," Taylor chimed in.

"Yeah, and she has the coolest eyes, doesn't she?" Doug put in. Corey and Taylor rolled their eyes. There didn't seem to be a witch in school that Doug didn't think was cute in some way.

Danny took her place with the rest of the team, her Nimbus 2xPro in hand, exchanging good lucks with Lisa, Liam, Casper, Roger, and Janders while purposefully ignoring the captain. Amadeus didn't appear to notice… he wasn't wishing anyone anything as he mounted his broom and waited for the gates to open.

A stream of light came as they did and the team flew over the Pitch. Danny did a full triple twist maneuver as she passed the Slytherin box, receiving an appreciative applause from those within. She had worked hard to learn those tricky stunts, so why not show off a little? Diving towards the median she took her position, passing Ginny on the way and watching as everyone else moved to take theirs.

Madame Hooch released the balls, and Danny tried to follow the Snitch's movements as it sped out of range, trying to get a feel for its direction. The Quaffle was then thrown and chaos ensued, followed by one of the Gryffindor Chasers coming out with the ball and heading towards Janders. That was when the Bludgers came back within range and Amadeus rose up to meet one, launching it over at their key Chaser. The game was aflight!

Danny's keen eyes scanned not only for the Snitch but also the players themselves, trying to spot their inherent weaknesses and strengths. The Gryffindors' strongest players appeared to be the seventh years Malor and Creevy, the Beaters, and Ginny, as the Seeker. The Slytherin team definitely had better balance, for they had only added third year Janders Box and Danny herself. Their weakness, if any, was the Keeper. As Corey had warned, Ginny was on a better broom this game, one of equal quality to Danny's own. It may even be a bit faster, although not made for as tight of maneuvers as Danny's was.

Danny ducked an incoming Bludger and smoothly flew out of the way as Casper came barreling past to get it. Danny then moved to get closer to Casper after he smacked the Bludger at the Chasers. Ginny watched her movements warily while still keeping an eye out for the Snitch.

"If you're going to do this plan of Longbottom's, I suggest you try and take out their Beaters first," Danny told Casper. "Otherwise, you are going to be sitting ducks for an attack, not to mention that you'll leave me vulnerable," she said, circling around and taking a higher position. As Casper flew higher to track down another Bludger. Danny noticed that Longbottom had an eye on their tête-à-tête and barked something at Casper as they soared near the rings. Amadeus had better not mess this up, she muttered to herself.

"Another score for Gryffindor as they dodge another Bludger onslaught leaving the top ring open, and now the score is 20-0! Baylor now has the Quaffle and is coming up fast…" Taylor's voice rang out just as Roger passed Danny on his way to the goal. The twins, escorting him on either side, suddenly split up to cover the lower and upper rings. As Roger threw it towards the lower ring, the Keeper moved down towards it, but at the last moment Lisa passed it to her brother, who threw it into the top ring.

Danny was nodding appreciatively at the play when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Maneuvering her broom slightly as if she were just moving out of the way of the Chasers, she suddenly kicked into high speed, dipping just below the oncoming Chasers as they moved up field. Where did the damn thing go? She saw it just a minute ago…getting eye contact with the Snitch again, she was suddenly aware of Ginny closing in just above her. Veering upwards into a spiral, she cut across the other girl's path, forcing Ginny to slow down to keep from hitting her. Danny reversed and sped downwards across the Snitch's path, straightening just as a Bludger came in and nearly took off her head.

Danny growled softly at the close call, leaning forward to follow the Snitch's unpredictable movements just as Roger and Casper dove in front of Ginny. Frustrated at being slowed down again, Ginny climbed up above them. But by that time, the Gryffindors' two Beaters had become aware of their attempts to slow Ginny down and both Bludgers were smacked back at Danny. Just as she reached her hand to grab the Snitch, one of the Bludgers smacked into her arm, causing her to wince in pain as she heard an unpleasant bone-splitting noise just above the elbow.

Furious at being hit, Danny shouted at Casper and he broke the blockade to meet the Bludger. Following her orders, he smacked the ball hard into Creevy, who had just moved to get to the other ball. Creevy had turned to face the other way, and the ball hit the back of his shoulder blade with such a crushing blow that Creevy lost his grip and fell off his broom, falling down towards the pitch below. Ginny, who had pulled up short when he had gotten hit had lost sight of the Snitch, which had come around 180 and was flying right towards Danny. After a quick glance at the scoreboard, Danny made a grab with her good arm, twisting the broom around to make the catch. The crowds around her broke into a roar as she guided the broom around with her injured arm, the game ending 190-30.

As the team landed behind the gate, Danny knew Longbottom was far from happy, but at that point she didn't really care as she joined the rest of her teammates and congratulated Casper on a job well done. Professor Snape was one of the first to arrive to congratulate them, but it was apparent he noticed the tension between the two.

Even so, he seemed to dismiss it, suggesting that Danny go to the hospital wing to have her arm looked at. In fact, her arm had already visibly started to swell, and Lisa Starling offered to walk her up. Lisa was third year student, a pale blonde girl and Liam's twin sister. She was quick to get Danny away from the crowd and down the hallway.

"Don't tell me, Amadeus is mad at you undermining his authority again," Lisa said the moment they were alone. "What did you do to make him angry? Liam and I had the Quaffle the entire time during that last jaunt. Well, almost the entire time, anyway."

"Amadeus missed one of the Bludgers, so I told Casper to guard. He's just ticked because Casper listens to me and not him. Look, Lisa, I'm not in this to get my arm busted every time Longbottom wants to try a new technique. Captain or no captain, I'm not going to let him ruin our chances this year with the cup."

"All right, but don't expect Liam and me to get in the middle of this one. Longbottom's got some pretty powerful friends, and not just in the school either," Lisa said.

"Afraid, I'm sure," Danny replied as they went into the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfrey was busy with the whimpering Colin when they came in, so Danny sat quietly and waited. Ginny, back in normal robes, had arrived to assist and came over to check on Danny.

"It's going to be a minute, Danny. Creevy took quite a bad fall. Can I see your arm? It's okay, I have a first aid license," Ginny explained. "I just need to see how bad it is."

"Be my guest," Danny shrugged, rolling up her arm. It was very swollen and purple and was definitely a nasty break, obvious from the contour of her arm. Inhaling sharply she looked at her with new concern.

"Good grief, aren't you in pain?" Ginny gasped.

"Yes," Danny admitted. In fact, it was excruciatingly painful, but she certainly wasn't going to start screaming about it. Creevy was doing enough wailing for the both of them. Ginny, convinced she must be in shock, quickly got her settled in bed. That was when Professor Craw came through with a steaming goblet for Creevy. A moment later, Pomfrey was over at her side and blinking at her arm.

"Good heavens, doesn't that hurt?"

"Yes… no, not really," Danny amended quickly when she saw who was stepping into the room.

Her father had just entered, accompanied by Professor Snape. Byron Nelson was a tall, burly, imposing man in a Muggle-style suit… a partner in a large Muggle banking company. He had dark hair and a finely trimmed beard that had always reminded Danny of a picture of a king she had once seen on a cigar box. Professor Craw had paused thoughtfully and looked between them from where she stood at the foot of Creevy's bed.

"Good game, Nelson. A fine win, although I am not sure I care much for your Beaters," her father said. "You need to work on that."

"Oh, I am, sir," Danny assured him.

"And you're still top in your schoolwork?"

"Most of them, sir," Danny admitted slowly. "I'll work on that too," she promised.

"Danny's doing very well in all of her classes, actually," Jennifer intervened, "not that it's important at the moment, of course. But don't worry, Madame Pomfrey will having her feeling better in no time," she told her father. Nelson didn't seem to be paying much attention.

"If that's a pain killer, I don't want it, thank you," Danny said evenly. "Just reset it, please." Before Madame Pomfrey could argue, Craw grabbed the nurse's arm and suggested something in her ear.

"Very well, Miss Nelson. I'll need to put you to sleep for a bit to relieve the pressure," she said. Danny nodded to her father who nodded back before he followed Professor Snape out. That was when Danny was handed the Sleeping Potion. Sighing with relief, Danny took the potion gratefully.

"How's Creevy?" Danny asked quietly after she finished it. "Is he going to be okay?"

"Not to worry, dear, he'll be quite all right," Madam Pomfrey assured her as she drifted off to sleep.

When Danny awoke the next day, her arm, although very weak, was in working order, and under some protest from Madame Pomfrey, Danny insisted on going back to class. After making several promises not to overextend the use of her arm over the next few days, Pomfrey finally let her go.

Danny stopped off in her dorm room to get her books and immediately went back into her normal routine. After her Items class on Wednesday (they were starting on different enchantments for small boxes, something that Professor Craw was giving them generous leeway with), Professor Craw suggested that she might want to sit out sparring club to give her arm more time to recover. Slightly frustrated, Danny agreed. Well, at least she would have her Friday night sparring with the boys.

Mealtimes had become increasingly problematic, for Longbottom was still angry at her for what had happened at the game. At least they had won, Danny thought irritably. Danny thought Amadeus was definitely taking this power trip of his too far, wondering if she should go to her cousin for help. No, that would be admitting that there was a problem with school, and she knew how to watch her backside. Casper had taken to sitting beside her, accompanied by several fans that had been hovering near him ever since that fateful game.

By Friday evening, Casper had even more fans that usual, because word came out that Creevy's parents, alarmed by the severity of the broken collarbone, had decided to pull him out of Quidditch permanently.

"It's a good thing this happened during our game with Gryffindor and not one of the others, if you ask me," said Nora Dain, a first year student. "Now that Corey Willowby's been picked to be the new Beater, I'd think Snape would be at bit at odds on which team to support."

"Corey Willowby's the new Beater?" Danny asked.

"Yes, Ginny Weasley told the newspaper staff this morning, so I guess it's official. They're going to be in dire straits starting a new player this late in the season, though, and he's only got a week before the next Gryffindor game too," Nora said.

"That is going to be a laugh. He doesn't even own his own broom yet," Amadeus sneered with amusement. "I can see him out there on one of those old school brooms, pathetic."

"I'm sure they'll get him a new broom," Danny said, rolling her eyes.

"They probably won't have enough money to get him a real broom now. You heard about the Craw vault, didn't you? There's a big property lawsuit over it," Amadeus said.

"Amadeus, you really need to stop trying to profess knowledge on something you know nothing about. Namely, money," Danny replied.

"That is it. I am sick of you insulting me all the time, Nelson!" Amadeus growled.

"And exactly what do you plan to do about it?" Danny challenged him.

"Good evening," said someone coming up behind Danny.

"Good evening, Professor."

"Good evening, Professor Snape."

"Perhaps someone could explain why I am sensing an unusual amount of tension coming from this section of the table the last few days?" Snape inquired.

"Just a healthy inner team dispute, Professor. It keeps us sharp in between games," Danny replied evenly. Snape's eyes flicked down at her for a moment, then over at Amadeus, watching the boy's flashing eyes until Amadeus finally looked down at the table.

"Perhaps it would be better to find a solution to this dispute before it becomes unhealthy? I know I for one would be quite disappointed for us to lose our leading edge this year," Severus suggested.

"I'll do my best sir," Danny agreed. Amadeus passed her a dirty look for speaking first, then looked back over at Snape.

"I'm sure we can get things back under control sir," Amadeus agreed.

Danny nodded with determination. If this team was to survive, she was certain that she was the one who would have to end up in control. Snape nodded to them, his expression not giving them any clues on whether or not he was content with their replies as he walked out of the room.

Relieved that the day was over, Danny slipped into the Dark Forest a half an hour past midnight. She had no lantern or light to betray her presence, walking parallel to the path but not on it. At last she found their normal meeting spot, and within moments, the three boys joined her.

"Hi guys!"

"Hi, Danny."

"Good evening, Danny."

"Good to see you, who's going first?" Doug wanted to know.

"Why don't you go, Corey? Maybe it'll make you feel better," Taylor suggested. Danny frowned at the other boy.

"Why, what's wrong, Corey?" Danny asked.

"I really don't want to talk about it at the moment," Corey said. "Let's just spar, huh?"

"Wait a minute, my owl isn't done checking the area yet," Taylor protested.

"Oh, come on, nobody's found us yet and we've been doing this over a month now," Doug said.

"Better safe than sorry. Don't turn on any lights until he gets back," Taylor insisted. He really didn't want to get caught doing this. Every week, he had gotten more and more paranoid that they were going to get caught.

"Okay, we'll wait. Then how about you and I go first, Danny?" Corey suggested. "Maybe they're right, maybe it'll help me clear my mind."

"I know the feeling," Danny agreed. "Sounds good to me." Just then, Taylor's owl Rigel came down, flapping its wings and making a fuss, winking one eye than the next.

"There's someone about! Two someone's I think," Taylor hissed. "We'd better go."

"No, don't be silly, they're probably not anywhere near us," Corey said. "Hang here for a bit, and I'll go check it out."

"I'll go with you," Danny said. "They're probably along the trail. Come on," she insisted and then dropped on her belly into the brush.

"Hang on!" Corey hissed and scrambled after her. He quickly found after crawling a few paces that he was at a severe disadvantage. He stared in surprise at the fox crouched beside him. Bloody fantastic, Corey thought in annoyance, another thing she can do that I can't. A blue light appeared coming from the path deeper into the forest, coming closer towards the edge. It was then that he saw the last two people he wanted to see at that moment… his parents.

"I know it's bothering him. It has been all week, but he left so quickly after dinner that I couldn't catch up. You know how he is," Jennifer said, walking with her arm in his.

"Well, I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunity this weekend," Severus replied.

"I wouldn't count on that. I have to meet Vallid and Bill at the bank tomorrow, remember? Just what we need right now… what's wrong?" Jennifer asked when he paused.

"My chain is going off again," Severus said, pulling out his wand.

Eyes widening, Corey suddenly cast the deafness spell on him and the fox, closing his eyes and grabbing Danny to cover hers, trying to keep her from squirming. Jennifer pulled out her wand as well, casting the Reveal Enemy spell. Nothing appeared.

"Whatever it was, it is gone now," Severus said.

"It was probably just a centaur," Jennifer suggested.

"No, they would have shown themselves if they had seen me," Severus said. "It's best we get back anyhow. Remus will be out soon and the Dark Forest has been getting more dangerous by the day. Perhaps it's time we considered you taking a break from these patrols."

In the darkness Corey risked a peek, but he saw they were lingering and quickly shut them again.

"Don't you dare try to stop me. I'll come out here on my own if you do," Jennifer threatened.

"Jennifer…"

"It's bad enough that you don't want me riding Ruby anymore. I can't Apparate. My magic is going haywire and my spells sometimes fizzle. And I'm sick of being trapped in the castle all the time! Next thing you know, I'll need half a dozen armed Aurors escorting me through chimneys before Christmas."

"Hmm, now there's an idea."

"Severus! I have to help my father; you can't possibly expect me to stay here. And I am certainly not going to stand by and let Malfoy get a hold of all of those cursed items," Jennifer said. Severus sighed and nodded.

"Let's finish getting your cloak ready for tomorrow then, since it's getting late," Severus said, walking further down the path.

"Too late to catch up on our homework?" Jennifer inquired slyly.

"I did not say that," Severus said almost defensively.

Corey risked another peek to see them finally moving away and let go of the fox, and released them from the deafness spell. What in the world were they talking about for so long, he wondered with annoyance. But a moment later, he forgot about his parents as Danny took shape again and smacked him hard across the face.

"What did you do that for?" Corey whispered, rubbing it.

"Why did you cover my eyes and mess up my hearing for?" she hissed back.

"So they wouldn't find us," Corey explained, crawling backwards.

"Oh, that makes a lot of sense," Danny said with irritation. She should have bit his hand when she had the chance. Doug and Taylor breathed a sigh of their relief at their return.

"Boy are we glad to see you, we thought something might have happened!" Taylor said.

"It almost did, Snape and Craw were out on patrol. I think they're heading back now," Corey said.

"Are you going to explain to me why you did what you did?" Danny asked.

"Oh, Snape has a necklace that can tell if people are watching or listening. If I hadn't, he wouldn't have stopped looking until he found us," Corey explained. "By the way, why didn't you tell us you were an Animagus?"

"Animagus, you're an Animagus, Danny?" Taylor said with surprise. "And you never told us?"

"A girl has to have some secrets," Danny said with a grin. "Come on Corey, time to dance," she said, pulling out her wand.