Chapter Three:
As the weeks went by, Quidditch season came sooner than expected. On one fine morning, Dumbledore gave an announcement before breakfast began. "I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Callista Krumgold," He said. The other students began to clap and cheer. Only those who sat around her, heard Gryffin's sharp intake of breath. The new teacher rose and gave a small curtsy, and said with a gentle smile; "I'm sure it will be a pleasure working with you all. I have a lot of work ready for you, though I promise it will be fun." Gryffin jumped up and ran from the great hall. Draco looked surprised and watched as she flew by him. "What's with her?" Ron asked Aslin, who shrugged and got up and walked over to Professor McGonagall. "Something is going on," Hermione stated. "Maybe, maybe not," Harry said. "If there is, I don't think you'll get it out of either of them." "Well, they shouldn't keep whatever it is from us! We're their friends!" she exclaimed. "Ix nay on the ubject say," Ron said as Aslin came back to the table. "McGonagall is going to go find Gryffin and talk to her," She told them. Hermione looked at Aslin suspiciously and asked, "So what's going on?" "Nothing, just drop it. Please?" They looked from one to another and shrugged, letting the subject go for the time being.
After breakfast had finished, Fred and George ambushed Harry and Aslin. "Come on, we've booked the Quidditch field for the whole day, we have to practice," Fred said. "Where's Gryffin?" Aslin asked. "She's been out there flying around since she ran out on breakfast. McGonagall had to fly up there to talk to her," George replied. "Oh, she's really upset," Aslin said quietly. "Why?" Harry asked Aslin. "It would be better to ask her yourself. She's touchy about people asking things behind her back," Aslin said. "Oh, I see," Harry answered. "Come on! Let's get started!" Gryffin yelled from her broom as she began to descend. "Okay, first game is next week against Slytherin, we all have to be in top shape," Aslin began. Katie Bell, a chaser asked., "So, um, who's the captain?" "Both Aslin and I," Gryffin said. "For now anyway." With that, all seven players mounted their brooms and began to play. After Harry had caught the Golden Snitch over what seemed like a thousand times, and the chasers had made over a million goals and the keeper had blocked over a zillion goals, they quit for the day. "I don't think my arms have ever been so tired!" George complained, the bludgers had given him and Fred a run for their money. "You need all the practice you can get, Weasley," Draco smirked. "Oh bugger off, Malfoy!" Fred said disdainfully. "Where's the mudblood? And you're idiot brother?" He asked. "None of your business. Why don't you go bother your friends?" Harry snapped. "Ooh, touchy, touchy," Draco said calmly. "Really I don't care, I'm only here to see Gryffin." "Well, she doesn't want to see you!" Aslin said pushing to the front of the group. "Aslin, no fighting," Gryffin admonished, as she joined the group. She had been putting away the brooms and Quidditch balls, when she heard Draco's voice. Now what? She had thought. "Draco, what do you want?" She asked, almost as if she were bored. "You guys can go on ahead, I'll be there in a bit." "Are you sure?" Aslin asked, giving Gryffin a meaningful look. "I'll be fine," Gryffin assured her. "Alright, as long as you say so," Aslin said as she an the others turned and left. "What," Gryffin asked Draco. "Is so important that you have to bother me?" "That new teacher," He began. "Is she really who I think she is?" Gryffin sighed. "Yes, McGonagall informed me that she is my mother." "Oh," Draco said, looking down at the ground. "She looks different from the last time I saw her." Without realizing it, Draco and Gryffin were walking side-by-side towards the gardens. "When was the last time you saw her?" Gryffin asked. "Some time before she disappeared. You were really upset at the time," He commented. Gryffin remembered back to that day, it was back when she and Draco had been friends. But that was a long time ago, a lifetime, it seemed. *** "Gryffin, wake up sweetie," Gryffin's aunt said gently. "What?" Gryffin had mumbled, her voice was thick with sleep. She had opened her eyes, the light from the hall shone into her room. Her aunt sat next to her on the bed, and her brothers peered in the door. "Boys, come on in here. I have some sad news for you," her aunt said. Both Gryffin's brothers came in and sat on the bed. "Is it about daddy?" Gryffin asked in her innocent voice, after all, she was only six, too young to actually understand what had happened. "Children," her aunt adressed them. "Your father has died... early this morning, an hour ago... I believe. Your mother came to get me, she had to go to Azkaban, so she coud bear witness ...to his funeral. She asked me to watch you until she got back." "When will she be back?" Gryffin's eldest brother asked with tears running down his face. "I'm afraid I don't know. Now, you have some options, go back to sleep and wake up later, or get up now, have breakfast and do something fun?" she said to them. The boys chose to eat breakfast, Gryffin shook her head and laid back down in her bed. Her aunt kissed her forehead, and she quietly left the room. After they had left, Gryffin laid thinking about what her aunt had told just told her. Daddy's dead? She thought sadly. Though she had been closer to her mother, her father's death was a shock. Her father was a figure of authority, he had been tall and foreboding, yet gentle in his own way. Gryffin began to cry, a rare thing for her, and eventually cried herself to sleep. *** "Gryffin? Why are you crying?" Draco asked gently. He would never admit that he had feelings for her, never, not until he died. "I'm sorry," Gryffin said as she wiped away her tears. "I-I was thinking of that morning. When my father died." "Oh, I'm sorry I brought the subject up," Draco apologized. "Look at us!" Gryffin exclaimed with a tenuous laugh. "Yesterday, we were trying to kill each other, now, here we are, talking like normal people!" "Well, we were feiends once,maybe we still can be?" Draco asked hopefully. "I mean, if we get over all our differences." "Like the fact you're stubborn, pig-headed and power-hungry?" Gryffin said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Hey! When did we get to the rose garden?" Gryffin asked, as she and Draco sat on a bench in the garden. "Sometime while you were still in your daydream," Draco replied. "And if I'm stubborn, pig-headed and power-hungry. You're stubborn as a mule, pig-headed and too powerful for your own good!" "I guess the stubborn and pig-headed part is why we hate each other," Gryffin answered thoughtfully, glad that she and Draco weren't fighting, for once. "No, what makes us hate each other, is that I would use the power and you won't," he countered. "That is true, but what would you use it for? Good or evil?" Gryffin asked. "Not everything our fathers and Voldemort talked about, was-is right." "You have a point, Draco said," but where's the sense in going against them? I mean, why fight what you know is going to happen?" "I DON"T know anything is going to happen! Voldemort is powerful, but that doesn't mean he will get his way! And it would be nice to live without fear of being killed!" Gryffin exclaimed. "Why are you so afraid of death?" Draco asked quietly. "I am not afraid of death, I'm making a point," Gryffin replied through her clenched teeth. "Yet, you use that as all your points!" Draco lashed out. "Well, maybe it's a good point!" Gryffin retorted. "I have to get back, or else they'll think you killed me." "They wouldn't think that. They would know you killed me!" Draco said. Gryffin laughed, because she knew it was too true. "Are we friends again?" Draco asked, holding out his hand for Gryffin to shake. "Well, let's just try to act civil," she said accepting his hand. "But, please, don't go around telling everyone my past. I'd rather they not know." "Alright." As Gryffin and Draco walked back to the castle, she realized that he still had her hand, when they came out of the gardens, Gryffin pulled her hand away and said: "Race you to the doors!" With that, her and Draco were off, of course, having a head start, she beat him. *** "I can't believe you left them alone!" Hermione exclaimed after Harry and Aslin told her about Draco. "Well, the worst she do would be to kill him," Ron said. "And that would be a favor to us." "But what about him killing her?" Hermione asked. "He wouldn't get close enough to her," Aslin said. After they had came back, she had flopped onto a couch and was still in the same position. "What are you so worried about?" Harry asked Hermione. "I...well...I don't know," she sputtered. "There you go, you're fretting over nothing," Ron told her. "If anything," Aslin said, rising. "They're talking about the new teacher- Oops." "What's 'Oops'?"Hermione demanded. Looking away, Aslin answered, "Oh, nothing, I burped!" "If it were 'nothing', then you could tell us," she reasoned. "Well, fine,darnit. I can't stand keeping it any longer! But you have to swear not to tell a soul!" Aslin said. "We won't," The three said in unison, their curiosity rising. "The new teacher, Miss Krumgold......" "Yes?????," they asked, waiting. ".....is Gryffin's mother.Gryffin and Draco used to be best friends, they live right next door to each other," Aslin told them, and gulped. "Gryffin will kill me if she finds this out!" She muttered under her breath. "What?!" Hermione exclaimed. "Draco and Gryffin? Best friends?" This was more than she had expected. Ron added, "They hate each other!" "They didn't used to," Aslin said wearily, hitting herself upside the head. "I really shouldn't have opened my mouth! Sheesh, i need a good slap!" "But this is amazing," Harry said. "Two people who hate each other so much, used to be friends? Why did they stop being friends?" "Yeah, and imagine anyone as nice as Gryffin being friends with Draco!," Ron said incredulously. "Because nosy people broke them up. Actually because of, well, certain differences," Asln said, trying to choose her words carefully. "What differences?" Hermione asked, hopeful that she might find out the story about Gryffin. But just then, the portrait door opened, and Gryffin walked in, unharmed, but winded. "Are you okay?" Aslin asked, confused. "I'm fine, I raced Draco to the castle doors," Gryffin replied and flopped on a chair. A black cat streaked down the stairs, and jumped onto Gryffin's lap The others looked at her as if she were a new species, it was all too much to take in. "Hello Thoughtful," Gryffin crooned and Aslin laughed nervously. "What?" Gryffin demanded indignantly. "You practically hate people, yet look at how you act with animals! It's like you're two different persons!" remarked her best friend, Aslin. "Well..." Gryffin began thoughtfully. "maybe I am." She picked up her purring cat, and walked up to her room. As Hermione watched Aslin and Gryffin, a thought popped in her head. "Aslin," She said grabbing her arm. "Come with me." "Help! I'm being abducted by an alien!" Aslin cried in mock horror as Hermione drug her off. *** After Gryffin left the gathering of friends and went up to her room, she thought about the times before and the times now. If, she thought. If I claimed the powers that I learned from my father and Voldemort. Where would I be now? Curled up on a couch down in the Slytherin common room, trading stories with Draco? But since I haven't let myself claim those powers, I'm in Gryffindor with Aslin, Harry, Hermione and Ron. She laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling, Thoughful curled up beside her. And what about Draco? He went from bully to my friend so quick I'm still dizzy. It never occured to me that he missed my mother also. Hell! She was more of a mother to him than his own was, no wonder he missed her! As Gryffin lay there, her mind whirling with thought, her eyes began to close and her thoughts became less jumbled. She was soon asleep. *** "Where are you dragging me?" Aslin asked. Hermione answered, "The library, no one will be likely to overhear us." "Oh, okay. What will someone overhear?" Aslin asked, starting to get very confused. "Well, you are going to tell me everything you know about Gryffin," Aslin planted her feet into the stone floor of the castle. "No. I'm not betraying her like that." "It's not betraying her! It's just letting someone else in on the secret," Hermione argued. "I won't tell you ALL the story, just most of it. But if you tell Harry, Ron, or anyone else, I will personally see to it, that you die a terrible death!" Aslin threatened, her face completely blank. "Fine," Hermione said simply and pulled her into the library. *** "D'ya think we should follow them?" Ron asked Harry. "No. Let them talk, I'd rather Gryffin tell me everything, then learn it from someone else," Harry replied. "True. Well, then, let's do SOMETHING to keep my mind off of it," Ron suggested. "Exploding snap? Wizard Chess?" "Wizard Chess. That way I can feel better than you at something," Ron said grinning as he went to get his chess set. "You're on," Harry said as they began to play. *** The next day began as usual, the students went to their classes and studied. Harry, Ron and Hermione were eager to begin Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Aslin and Gryffin were filled with trepidation. All the students had arrived early and were milling about in the classroom, Ron, Harry and Hermione had chosen seats at the front of the class. Gryffin and Aslin were right behind them. "Oh! You're all here already?" Professor Krumgold asked, almost astonished that the students had arrived on time. "We got here a little early," Hermione explained. She looked at the teacher critically. This is Gryffin's mother? They look nothing alike! Then she remembered that Aslin had said Gryffin took after her father. When Aslin looked at Hermione, she could sense what she was thinking. Sheesh, I'm glad I didn't tell her about Voldemort and the rest of Gryffin's powers. As it is, Gryffin will kill me, but I'd be much more dead if I told about that! "I've Professor Snape was kind enough to tell me what you have learned in the past years. I believe you are very far behind on spells and curses. We will begin to learn about them shortly, but first I want to see how well you remembered what you've learned," She told them. "Oi! I remember everything!" Ron protested silently to Harry. Harry nodded in agreement. Professor Krumgold had them line up, she then brought forth all of the dark creatures they had learned about, she extracted all they learned from their memories. When it came to be Neville's turn, he began to get really nervous, he was shaking all over. Professor Krumgold, leaned down and whispered into his ear, "I know you can do, so does the rest of the class, the question is, do YOU think you can do?" At his uncertain nod, the professor stepped back and let Neville have the floor. To his, and the rest of the classes, surprised, he did everything he was supoosed, withour messing up once! After Neville had his turn, class was over. On the way to lunch, all the Gryffindor's were talking about Neville. "So, you finally learned to do a few simple things," Draco said, pretending to applaud. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Leave him alone Malfoy!" She snapped. Aslin sighed, why, why, why was the year going this way? Why were there so may fights with Draco? She sighed again and said: "Gryffin stayed behind to talk to Professor Krumgold. You might find her there." "Thank you," Draco said to Aslin, who gave a small smile and left. Draco followed Aslin's advice and went to look for Gryffin. He found her talking to Professor Krumgold, like Aslin had said. "How long has your mother been missing?" Professor Krumgold asked gently. "Nine years," Gryffin said remorsely. "That's a long time. How old were you when she left?" "I was six. My brothers and I had received news that our father had died early that morning. My mother had gone to see to his funeral, but she never returned home," Gryffin replied. "Ah, I'm sorry for your loss. It must be hard not having your parents around. I had a husband and daughter once," Krumgold said. "He didn't think I was fit to be a mother so he took her and left." "I'm sorry," Gryffin said. She was really sad because she had hoped her mother would recognize her. "Ahem," Draco cleared his throat. "Uh, Gryffin? Can we talk?" He asked. Gryffin shrugged. "I guess. Thanks for listening to me, Professor." "It was nothing," Krumgold waved her hand as if to emphize nothing. Gryffin laughed. "See you later." Draco took Gryffin's arm as soon as she had shut the door. "What?" She asked. "I, uh, wanted to talk to you," Draco said lamely. "What about? You don't speak to your enemy without good reasoning. What is it?" Gryffin asked rather harshly. "I don't hate you," Draco commented quietly. "You don't hate me? Ha! That'a a laugh!" Before Draco could protest further, Aslin came around the corner. "Sorry to butt in on your conversation, but I came up with a plan for Quidditch," She said. "Oh, okay. See you later, Draco," Gryffin said with a wave as she walked off. "I can't believe you're talking to him now!" Aslin burst out as soon as they were out of earshot. "Hey, bug off, he used to be my best friend," Gryffin said. Aslin gave her a look, "You don't realize it, do you?" "What?" Gryffin looked at her blankly. They turned another gray stone corner, and headed up a flight of stairs. The paintings all said or waved hello. "He likes you!" Aslin declared. "No way! He does not!" Gryffin argued. "Oh yes he does, trust me, I know these things," Aslin said as they walked down the corridor to the Gryffindor common room. "He does? I can't believe that, I mean after all these years of hating one another, he likes me? Winged Horse," Gryffin said to the Fat Lady's portrait. "Have a nice day, girls!" she called after them. "Oh well," Gryffin sighed. "Hey Aslin, look!" Parvati said coming up to her. "I found another picture of Jace." "Aw, he's so cute!" Aslin exclaimed staring at his picture. "How you all can get so into that band, is beyond me," Gryffin said disgustedly. "You don't like guys?" Lavender said, blinking fiercely. How could any sane girl not like Magick 'n' Mystery? "I like guys...just, not like that!" Gryffin retorted. "Yeah, unfortunately for her, a guy likes her," Aslin said. "Oh really?" Parvati said. "Who?" "Yeah who?" Lavender echoed. "No one!" Gryffin snapped and gave Aslin a warning glare. "Oh fine, I was just joking," Aslin apologized to the two girls, who shook their heads and went off, talking about the band. "I wish you wouldn't open your mouth like that," Gryffin said pointedly at Aslin. "Sorry, I just kinda slipped out, I won't happen again, I swear," Aslin said to Gryffin. "Good," Gryffin said, suddenly smiling, she never could stay mad at Aslin. "Come on, let's go get some sleep. *** The days began to go by quickly, and before anyone knew it, it was the day of the Quidditch game. "I'm so nervous!" Aslin exclaimed as the Gryffindoe team headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. "Don't worry," Harry said reassuringly. "We'll smash Slytherin. I'm sure of it." "You're very confident," Gryffin said to Harry without turning around. "Actually I'm trying to cure my own jitters!" The team laughed, which seemed to do them good, they arrived at the Hall and sat down for a quick breakfast. "You'll never win!" One of the Slytherin players called. Gryffin glared at the table and they all seemed to shrink in fear. "Why do they have to shout out cruel things like that?" Katie asked as she sipped her pumpkin juice. "Because it makes them feel better," Gryffin explained. "You see, we make them feel inferior on the field, because, well, they are. So by shouting out cruel comments, that makes them feel superior. Got that?" "Yeah," Katie said with small laugh. Gryffin looked at her watch and shoved the rest of her toast in hr mouth and washed it down with her juice. "Alright," she said looking around at the other players. "Let's go out there and do our best, Harry, I want you to get the Snitch before Draco ever sees it, understand?" She was trying to act stern, but she kept smiling. "Aye, aye ma'am!" Harry said. "Then let's do it!" said Aslin. The team hurried outside and into their part of the arena, where they put on their Quidditch robes, and began waiting anxiously for thegame to begin. Gryffin peeked out at the stands. "Wow," She breathed. "It's quite different being on this side of the game." Aslin peeked out next to her. "Yeah it is," she said. "In a moments time," came the voice of Lee Jordan, the commentator of the game, and Fred and George's best friend. "We will begin our game of Quidditch, but first, we have to thank our sponsor. Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans has been a proud sponsor of Hogwarts since it first opened. Okay, now time for the game. I'm proud to introduce the Gryffindor team, Nightwind, Bell, Spinnet, Bards, Weasley, Weasley aaaand Potter!" The crowd (those who were going for Gryffindor) began to cheer loudly, though through the cheers, you could hear the 'boo's' from the Slytherin supporters. "And here is the Slytherin team: Bletchley, Flint, Montague, Pucey, Bole, Derrick, aaaand Malfoy!" Lee announced. The Slytherin's cheered as loudly as they could. "Alright!" Madam Hooch called. "Captains, shake hands!" Gryffin and Marcus Flint shook hands. Gryffin gave him an evil grin, he look surprised. "On my whistle," Hooch said as she started to throw up the quaffle, the red ball the chaser's played with. "Go!" She yelled and blew her whistle, tossing the quaffle into the air. "And the quaffle is caught by Bards, what a catch it was, she passes the ball to Bell, who flies foward and passes it back to Bards. Ooh, that was almost bad. Bole tried to hit a bludger at Bards, but it was stopped by a Weasley, never can tell which..." The game was fierce, After a few minutes, Harry had noticed Draco following him, both were looking for the Snitch. "And...Goal! by Bards, that makes the score twenty to zero. Spinnet has the ball, oh no, the ball is taken by Flint, Flint heads towards the Gryffindor goal, he shoots, and it's blocked by Nightwind, and what a block that was!" Gryffin was watching the game with strict attention. She was not going to miss a goal. "And the ball is now in the hands of Bards, she's streaking towards the Slytherin end, can this girl fly or what? Ooh she's hit, but still going. That's it Weasley! Get him!" Lee cried, one of the Weasley brothers was going after the beater who hit Aslin. "And Derrick is out of the game! That's a foul toward Gryffindor, there, and Flint is taking it, will he make it? No! Blocked by Nightwind again!" Forty to nothing here, folks," Lee said. Harry saw a glimmer at the far end of the field. He looked back, Draco was still there. Can I shake him off? Harry thought hopefully. He began to do loop-de-loops, and Draco, on his less superior broom, soon fell behind, and Harry raced towards the end of the field. "Unless Potter is faking, I do believe he's seen the Snitch!" said an ecstatic Lee. Draco looked up, still dizzy from the loop-de-loops, and saw Harry heading towards the end of the field. Flint passed by Draco and yelled, "Get that Snitch!" then he was off after Alicia Spinnet, who was in possesion of the Quaffle. "And Spinnet puts that Quaffle away! Bletchley didn't even have a chance to block it. Montague has the ball, it's knocked out of his hands by a bludger, that was a nice hit by... George Weasley," said Lee. George and Fred were protecting their teammates as well as they could. Harry, had just missed the Snitch, by the time he got to the other end of th field, it was gone and Malfoy was chasing after him. Harry thought quickly, he shot downward towards the ground, Draco followd him. Before he actually hit the ground, Harry pulled up sharply. Draco, was not as lucky, he crashed into the ground. Dazed he stood back up, his nose was bleeding, and a side of his face was all scaratched up, but he still got back on his broom to continue playing. "Potter demonstrated good use of the Wronski Feint there, Malfoy sure is showing the side effects," Lee commented. The score was now one hundred to forty. Gryffindor was playing their best game yet, and Gryffin wasn't let a single ball past her. "And Bell has the ball, she passes to Bards, Bards passes to Spinnet, wow, these girls are good," Lee said, his voice showed how impressed he was. "Spinnet passes to Bell, look at that turn!" Bole had shot a bludger over at Katie, and she had turned her broom in the nick of time, sending the bludger flying past her. She then flew towards the goal posts, passing the Quaffle between Aslin and Alicia, until the Slytherin Keeper was so confused. Aslin had the ball, and neatly threw it through the goal, scoring more points for Gryffindor. "And now it's one hundred and ten to- was that the Snitch?" Lee said, watching the Golden Snitch fly past the commentator's stand, Harry and Draco were right behind it. Harry put on a burst of speed, and caught the Snitch as Alicia made another goal. "And the game is over! Potter caught the Snitch, which makes the score two hundred and eighty to sixty. Let's give and hand to our players, and I think Madam Pomfrey should see to Malfoy," Lee said, as Malfoy landed and fell off his broom. *** When the Gryffindor team arrived in their Common room, there was a party going on full scale. Lee had gotten the food. and Dean Thomas had made a very nice banner. "Good job, Harry!" Ron said as he stuffed pastries in his mouth. Hermione came over and gave Harry, Aslin and Gryffin hugs. "You were amazing!" She said to Gryffin. "I think she's the best Keeper, since..." Fred trailed off, thinking. "Ever!" George said happily. "Here Gryffin, have a tart," Lee said innocently. Gryffin looked dubiously at the yellow cream tart. "I may be named after a bird, but I don't want to turn into one." "Darnit!" Lee said as he set the Canary Cream back down. "I'm going to bed, if I hear any noise, I will personally murder the noisemaker!" Gryffin announced, glaring at the Weasley twins and Lee. They crossed their hearts and tried to look innocent. Gryffin laughed and went to bed. Aslin followed shortly, talking with Parvati and Lavender about Magick 'n' Mystery, Hermione trailed forlornly behind. "That was a smashing game!" Dennis Creevy said to Harry, who mumbled thanks and hurried over to Ron. "You all were amazing!" Ron exclaimed. "You did a good job on beating up Malfoy!" "Yeah, well," Harry started to say, but was interrupted by a yawn. "I didn't mean for him to slam into the ground, but oh well. I'm off to bed." "I'll come too," Ron said. Harry noticed that Dean, Seamus and Neville followed them up. "That was a great game, Harry," Neville said as the boys changed into their bed clothes. "Yeah," Harry mumbled sleepily. Soon, all five boys, were tucked into bed, fast asleep. Harry was dreaming about Quidditch, Ron was dreaming about finally joining the Quidditch team, and who knows what the other three were dreaming about.
As the weeks went by, Quidditch season came sooner than expected. On one fine morning, Dumbledore gave an announcement before breakfast began. "I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Callista Krumgold," He said. The other students began to clap and cheer. Only those who sat around her, heard Gryffin's sharp intake of breath. The new teacher rose and gave a small curtsy, and said with a gentle smile; "I'm sure it will be a pleasure working with you all. I have a lot of work ready for you, though I promise it will be fun." Gryffin jumped up and ran from the great hall. Draco looked surprised and watched as she flew by him. "What's with her?" Ron asked Aslin, who shrugged and got up and walked over to Professor McGonagall. "Something is going on," Hermione stated. "Maybe, maybe not," Harry said. "If there is, I don't think you'll get it out of either of them." "Well, they shouldn't keep whatever it is from us! We're their friends!" she exclaimed. "Ix nay on the ubject say," Ron said as Aslin came back to the table. "McGonagall is going to go find Gryffin and talk to her," She told them. Hermione looked at Aslin suspiciously and asked, "So what's going on?" "Nothing, just drop it. Please?" They looked from one to another and shrugged, letting the subject go for the time being.
After breakfast had finished, Fred and George ambushed Harry and Aslin. "Come on, we've booked the Quidditch field for the whole day, we have to practice," Fred said. "Where's Gryffin?" Aslin asked. "She's been out there flying around since she ran out on breakfast. McGonagall had to fly up there to talk to her," George replied. "Oh, she's really upset," Aslin said quietly. "Why?" Harry asked Aslin. "It would be better to ask her yourself. She's touchy about people asking things behind her back," Aslin said. "Oh, I see," Harry answered. "Come on! Let's get started!" Gryffin yelled from her broom as she began to descend. "Okay, first game is next week against Slytherin, we all have to be in top shape," Aslin began. Katie Bell, a chaser asked., "So, um, who's the captain?" "Both Aslin and I," Gryffin said. "For now anyway." With that, all seven players mounted their brooms and began to play. After Harry had caught the Golden Snitch over what seemed like a thousand times, and the chasers had made over a million goals and the keeper had blocked over a zillion goals, they quit for the day. "I don't think my arms have ever been so tired!" George complained, the bludgers had given him and Fred a run for their money. "You need all the practice you can get, Weasley," Draco smirked. "Oh bugger off, Malfoy!" Fred said disdainfully. "Where's the mudblood? And you're idiot brother?" He asked. "None of your business. Why don't you go bother your friends?" Harry snapped. "Ooh, touchy, touchy," Draco said calmly. "Really I don't care, I'm only here to see Gryffin." "Well, she doesn't want to see you!" Aslin said pushing to the front of the group. "Aslin, no fighting," Gryffin admonished, as she joined the group. She had been putting away the brooms and Quidditch balls, when she heard Draco's voice. Now what? She had thought. "Draco, what do you want?" She asked, almost as if she were bored. "You guys can go on ahead, I'll be there in a bit." "Are you sure?" Aslin asked, giving Gryffin a meaningful look. "I'll be fine," Gryffin assured her. "Alright, as long as you say so," Aslin said as she an the others turned and left. "What," Gryffin asked Draco. "Is so important that you have to bother me?" "That new teacher," He began. "Is she really who I think she is?" Gryffin sighed. "Yes, McGonagall informed me that she is my mother." "Oh," Draco said, looking down at the ground. "She looks different from the last time I saw her." Without realizing it, Draco and Gryffin were walking side-by-side towards the gardens. "When was the last time you saw her?" Gryffin asked. "Some time before she disappeared. You were really upset at the time," He commented. Gryffin remembered back to that day, it was back when she and Draco had been friends. But that was a long time ago, a lifetime, it seemed. *** "Gryffin, wake up sweetie," Gryffin's aunt said gently. "What?" Gryffin had mumbled, her voice was thick with sleep. She had opened her eyes, the light from the hall shone into her room. Her aunt sat next to her on the bed, and her brothers peered in the door. "Boys, come on in here. I have some sad news for you," her aunt said. Both Gryffin's brothers came in and sat on the bed. "Is it about daddy?" Gryffin asked in her innocent voice, after all, she was only six, too young to actually understand what had happened. "Children," her aunt adressed them. "Your father has died... early this morning, an hour ago... I believe. Your mother came to get me, she had to go to Azkaban, so she coud bear witness ...to his funeral. She asked me to watch you until she got back." "When will she be back?" Gryffin's eldest brother asked with tears running down his face. "I'm afraid I don't know. Now, you have some options, go back to sleep and wake up later, or get up now, have breakfast and do something fun?" she said to them. The boys chose to eat breakfast, Gryffin shook her head and laid back down in her bed. Her aunt kissed her forehead, and she quietly left the room. After they had left, Gryffin laid thinking about what her aunt had told just told her. Daddy's dead? She thought sadly. Though she had been closer to her mother, her father's death was a shock. Her father was a figure of authority, he had been tall and foreboding, yet gentle in his own way. Gryffin began to cry, a rare thing for her, and eventually cried herself to sleep. *** "Gryffin? Why are you crying?" Draco asked gently. He would never admit that he had feelings for her, never, not until he died. "I'm sorry," Gryffin said as she wiped away her tears. "I-I was thinking of that morning. When my father died." "Oh, I'm sorry I brought the subject up," Draco apologized. "Look at us!" Gryffin exclaimed with a tenuous laugh. "Yesterday, we were trying to kill each other, now, here we are, talking like normal people!" "Well, we were feiends once,maybe we still can be?" Draco asked hopefully. "I mean, if we get over all our differences." "Like the fact you're stubborn, pig-headed and power-hungry?" Gryffin said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Hey! When did we get to the rose garden?" Gryffin asked, as she and Draco sat on a bench in the garden. "Sometime while you were still in your daydream," Draco replied. "And if I'm stubborn, pig-headed and power-hungry. You're stubborn as a mule, pig-headed and too powerful for your own good!" "I guess the stubborn and pig-headed part is why we hate each other," Gryffin answered thoughtfully, glad that she and Draco weren't fighting, for once. "No, what makes us hate each other, is that I would use the power and you won't," he countered. "That is true, but what would you use it for? Good or evil?" Gryffin asked. "Not everything our fathers and Voldemort talked about, was-is right." "You have a point, Draco said," but where's the sense in going against them? I mean, why fight what you know is going to happen?" "I DON"T know anything is going to happen! Voldemort is powerful, but that doesn't mean he will get his way! And it would be nice to live without fear of being killed!" Gryffin exclaimed. "Why are you so afraid of death?" Draco asked quietly. "I am not afraid of death, I'm making a point," Gryffin replied through her clenched teeth. "Yet, you use that as all your points!" Draco lashed out. "Well, maybe it's a good point!" Gryffin retorted. "I have to get back, or else they'll think you killed me." "They wouldn't think that. They would know you killed me!" Draco said. Gryffin laughed, because she knew it was too true. "Are we friends again?" Draco asked, holding out his hand for Gryffin to shake. "Well, let's just try to act civil," she said accepting his hand. "But, please, don't go around telling everyone my past. I'd rather they not know." "Alright." As Gryffin and Draco walked back to the castle, she realized that he still had her hand, when they came out of the gardens, Gryffin pulled her hand away and said: "Race you to the doors!" With that, her and Draco were off, of course, having a head start, she beat him. *** "I can't believe you left them alone!" Hermione exclaimed after Harry and Aslin told her about Draco. "Well, the worst she do would be to kill him," Ron said. "And that would be a favor to us." "But what about him killing her?" Hermione asked. "He wouldn't get close enough to her," Aslin said. After they had came back, she had flopped onto a couch and was still in the same position. "What are you so worried about?" Harry asked Hermione. "I...well...I don't know," she sputtered. "There you go, you're fretting over nothing," Ron told her. "If anything," Aslin said, rising. "They're talking about the new teacher- Oops." "What's 'Oops'?"Hermione demanded. Looking away, Aslin answered, "Oh, nothing, I burped!" "If it were 'nothing', then you could tell us," she reasoned. "Well, fine,darnit. I can't stand keeping it any longer! But you have to swear not to tell a soul!" Aslin said. "We won't," The three said in unison, their curiosity rising. "The new teacher, Miss Krumgold......" "Yes?????," they asked, waiting. ".....is Gryffin's mother.Gryffin and Draco used to be best friends, they live right next door to each other," Aslin told them, and gulped. "Gryffin will kill me if she finds this out!" She muttered under her breath. "What?!" Hermione exclaimed. "Draco and Gryffin? Best friends?" This was more than she had expected. Ron added, "They hate each other!" "They didn't used to," Aslin said wearily, hitting herself upside the head. "I really shouldn't have opened my mouth! Sheesh, i need a good slap!" "But this is amazing," Harry said. "Two people who hate each other so much, used to be friends? Why did they stop being friends?" "Yeah, and imagine anyone as nice as Gryffin being friends with Draco!," Ron said incredulously. "Because nosy people broke them up. Actually because of, well, certain differences," Asln said, trying to choose her words carefully. "What differences?" Hermione asked, hopeful that she might find out the story about Gryffin. But just then, the portrait door opened, and Gryffin walked in, unharmed, but winded. "Are you okay?" Aslin asked, confused. "I'm fine, I raced Draco to the castle doors," Gryffin replied and flopped on a chair. A black cat streaked down the stairs, and jumped onto Gryffin's lap The others looked at her as if she were a new species, it was all too much to take in. "Hello Thoughtful," Gryffin crooned and Aslin laughed nervously. "What?" Gryffin demanded indignantly. "You practically hate people, yet look at how you act with animals! It's like you're two different persons!" remarked her best friend, Aslin. "Well..." Gryffin began thoughtfully. "maybe I am." She picked up her purring cat, and walked up to her room. As Hermione watched Aslin and Gryffin, a thought popped in her head. "Aslin," She said grabbing her arm. "Come with me." "Help! I'm being abducted by an alien!" Aslin cried in mock horror as Hermione drug her off. *** After Gryffin left the gathering of friends and went up to her room, she thought about the times before and the times now. If, she thought. If I claimed the powers that I learned from my father and Voldemort. Where would I be now? Curled up on a couch down in the Slytherin common room, trading stories with Draco? But since I haven't let myself claim those powers, I'm in Gryffindor with Aslin, Harry, Hermione and Ron. She laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling, Thoughful curled up beside her. And what about Draco? He went from bully to my friend so quick I'm still dizzy. It never occured to me that he missed my mother also. Hell! She was more of a mother to him than his own was, no wonder he missed her! As Gryffin lay there, her mind whirling with thought, her eyes began to close and her thoughts became less jumbled. She was soon asleep. *** "Where are you dragging me?" Aslin asked. Hermione answered, "The library, no one will be likely to overhear us." "Oh, okay. What will someone overhear?" Aslin asked, starting to get very confused. "Well, you are going to tell me everything you know about Gryffin," Aslin planted her feet into the stone floor of the castle. "No. I'm not betraying her like that." "It's not betraying her! It's just letting someone else in on the secret," Hermione argued. "I won't tell you ALL the story, just most of it. But if you tell Harry, Ron, or anyone else, I will personally see to it, that you die a terrible death!" Aslin threatened, her face completely blank. "Fine," Hermione said simply and pulled her into the library. *** "D'ya think we should follow them?" Ron asked Harry. "No. Let them talk, I'd rather Gryffin tell me everything, then learn it from someone else," Harry replied. "True. Well, then, let's do SOMETHING to keep my mind off of it," Ron suggested. "Exploding snap? Wizard Chess?" "Wizard Chess. That way I can feel better than you at something," Ron said grinning as he went to get his chess set. "You're on," Harry said as they began to play. *** The next day began as usual, the students went to their classes and studied. Harry, Ron and Hermione were eager to begin Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Aslin and Gryffin were filled with trepidation. All the students had arrived early and were milling about in the classroom, Ron, Harry and Hermione had chosen seats at the front of the class. Gryffin and Aslin were right behind them. "Oh! You're all here already?" Professor Krumgold asked, almost astonished that the students had arrived on time. "We got here a little early," Hermione explained. She looked at the teacher critically. This is Gryffin's mother? They look nothing alike! Then she remembered that Aslin had said Gryffin took after her father. When Aslin looked at Hermione, she could sense what she was thinking. Sheesh, I'm glad I didn't tell her about Voldemort and the rest of Gryffin's powers. As it is, Gryffin will kill me, but I'd be much more dead if I told about that! "I've Professor Snape was kind enough to tell me what you have learned in the past years. I believe you are very far behind on spells and curses. We will begin to learn about them shortly, but first I want to see how well you remembered what you've learned," She told them. "Oi! I remember everything!" Ron protested silently to Harry. Harry nodded in agreement. Professor Krumgold had them line up, she then brought forth all of the dark creatures they had learned about, she extracted all they learned from their memories. When it came to be Neville's turn, he began to get really nervous, he was shaking all over. Professor Krumgold, leaned down and whispered into his ear, "I know you can do, so does the rest of the class, the question is, do YOU think you can do?" At his uncertain nod, the professor stepped back and let Neville have the floor. To his, and the rest of the classes, surprised, he did everything he was supoosed, withour messing up once! After Neville had his turn, class was over. On the way to lunch, all the Gryffindor's were talking about Neville. "So, you finally learned to do a few simple things," Draco said, pretending to applaud. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Leave him alone Malfoy!" She snapped. Aslin sighed, why, why, why was the year going this way? Why were there so may fights with Draco? She sighed again and said: "Gryffin stayed behind to talk to Professor Krumgold. You might find her there." "Thank you," Draco said to Aslin, who gave a small smile and left. Draco followed Aslin's advice and went to look for Gryffin. He found her talking to Professor Krumgold, like Aslin had said. "How long has your mother been missing?" Professor Krumgold asked gently. "Nine years," Gryffin said remorsely. "That's a long time. How old were you when she left?" "I was six. My brothers and I had received news that our father had died early that morning. My mother had gone to see to his funeral, but she never returned home," Gryffin replied. "Ah, I'm sorry for your loss. It must be hard not having your parents around. I had a husband and daughter once," Krumgold said. "He didn't think I was fit to be a mother so he took her and left." "I'm sorry," Gryffin said. She was really sad because she had hoped her mother would recognize her. "Ahem," Draco cleared his throat. "Uh, Gryffin? Can we talk?" He asked. Gryffin shrugged. "I guess. Thanks for listening to me, Professor." "It was nothing," Krumgold waved her hand as if to emphize nothing. Gryffin laughed. "See you later." Draco took Gryffin's arm as soon as she had shut the door. "What?" She asked. "I, uh, wanted to talk to you," Draco said lamely. "What about? You don't speak to your enemy without good reasoning. What is it?" Gryffin asked rather harshly. "I don't hate you," Draco commented quietly. "You don't hate me? Ha! That'a a laugh!" Before Draco could protest further, Aslin came around the corner. "Sorry to butt in on your conversation, but I came up with a plan for Quidditch," She said. "Oh, okay. See you later, Draco," Gryffin said with a wave as she walked off. "I can't believe you're talking to him now!" Aslin burst out as soon as they were out of earshot. "Hey, bug off, he used to be my best friend," Gryffin said. Aslin gave her a look, "You don't realize it, do you?" "What?" Gryffin looked at her blankly. They turned another gray stone corner, and headed up a flight of stairs. The paintings all said or waved hello. "He likes you!" Aslin declared. "No way! He does not!" Gryffin argued. "Oh yes he does, trust me, I know these things," Aslin said as they walked down the corridor to the Gryffindor common room. "He does? I can't believe that, I mean after all these years of hating one another, he likes me? Winged Horse," Gryffin said to the Fat Lady's portrait. "Have a nice day, girls!" she called after them. "Oh well," Gryffin sighed. "Hey Aslin, look!" Parvati said coming up to her. "I found another picture of Jace." "Aw, he's so cute!" Aslin exclaimed staring at his picture. "How you all can get so into that band, is beyond me," Gryffin said disgustedly. "You don't like guys?" Lavender said, blinking fiercely. How could any sane girl not like Magick 'n' Mystery? "I like guys...just, not like that!" Gryffin retorted. "Yeah, unfortunately for her, a guy likes her," Aslin said. "Oh really?" Parvati said. "Who?" "Yeah who?" Lavender echoed. "No one!" Gryffin snapped and gave Aslin a warning glare. "Oh fine, I was just joking," Aslin apologized to the two girls, who shook their heads and went off, talking about the band. "I wish you wouldn't open your mouth like that," Gryffin said pointedly at Aslin. "Sorry, I just kinda slipped out, I won't happen again, I swear," Aslin said to Gryffin. "Good," Gryffin said, suddenly smiling, she never could stay mad at Aslin. "Come on, let's go get some sleep. *** The days began to go by quickly, and before anyone knew it, it was the day of the Quidditch game. "I'm so nervous!" Aslin exclaimed as the Gryffindoe team headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. "Don't worry," Harry said reassuringly. "We'll smash Slytherin. I'm sure of it." "You're very confident," Gryffin said to Harry without turning around. "Actually I'm trying to cure my own jitters!" The team laughed, which seemed to do them good, they arrived at the Hall and sat down for a quick breakfast. "You'll never win!" One of the Slytherin players called. Gryffin glared at the table and they all seemed to shrink in fear. "Why do they have to shout out cruel things like that?" Katie asked as she sipped her pumpkin juice. "Because it makes them feel better," Gryffin explained. "You see, we make them feel inferior on the field, because, well, they are. So by shouting out cruel comments, that makes them feel superior. Got that?" "Yeah," Katie said with small laugh. Gryffin looked at her watch and shoved the rest of her toast in hr mouth and washed it down with her juice. "Alright," she said looking around at the other players. "Let's go out there and do our best, Harry, I want you to get the Snitch before Draco ever sees it, understand?" She was trying to act stern, but she kept smiling. "Aye, aye ma'am!" Harry said. "Then let's do it!" said Aslin. The team hurried outside and into their part of the arena, where they put on their Quidditch robes, and began waiting anxiously for thegame to begin. Gryffin peeked out at the stands. "Wow," She breathed. "It's quite different being on this side of the game." Aslin peeked out next to her. "Yeah it is," she said. "In a moments time," came the voice of Lee Jordan, the commentator of the game, and Fred and George's best friend. "We will begin our game of Quidditch, but first, we have to thank our sponsor. Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans has been a proud sponsor of Hogwarts since it first opened. Okay, now time for the game. I'm proud to introduce the Gryffindor team, Nightwind, Bell, Spinnet, Bards, Weasley, Weasley aaaand Potter!" The crowd (those who were going for Gryffindor) began to cheer loudly, though through the cheers, you could hear the 'boo's' from the Slytherin supporters. "And here is the Slytherin team: Bletchley, Flint, Montague, Pucey, Bole, Derrick, aaaand Malfoy!" Lee announced. The Slytherin's cheered as loudly as they could. "Alright!" Madam Hooch called. "Captains, shake hands!" Gryffin and Marcus Flint shook hands. Gryffin gave him an evil grin, he look surprised. "On my whistle," Hooch said as she started to throw up the quaffle, the red ball the chaser's played with. "Go!" She yelled and blew her whistle, tossing the quaffle into the air. "And the quaffle is caught by Bards, what a catch it was, she passes the ball to Bell, who flies foward and passes it back to Bards. Ooh, that was almost bad. Bole tried to hit a bludger at Bards, but it was stopped by a Weasley, never can tell which..." The game was fierce, After a few minutes, Harry had noticed Draco following him, both were looking for the Snitch. "And...Goal! by Bards, that makes the score twenty to zero. Spinnet has the ball, oh no, the ball is taken by Flint, Flint heads towards the Gryffindor goal, he shoots, and it's blocked by Nightwind, and what a block that was!" Gryffin was watching the game with strict attention. She was not going to miss a goal. "And the ball is now in the hands of Bards, she's streaking towards the Slytherin end, can this girl fly or what? Ooh she's hit, but still going. That's it Weasley! Get him!" Lee cried, one of the Weasley brothers was going after the beater who hit Aslin. "And Derrick is out of the game! That's a foul toward Gryffindor, there, and Flint is taking it, will he make it? No! Blocked by Nightwind again!" Forty to nothing here, folks," Lee said. Harry saw a glimmer at the far end of the field. He looked back, Draco was still there. Can I shake him off? Harry thought hopefully. He began to do loop-de-loops, and Draco, on his less superior broom, soon fell behind, and Harry raced towards the end of the field. "Unless Potter is faking, I do believe he's seen the Snitch!" said an ecstatic Lee. Draco looked up, still dizzy from the loop-de-loops, and saw Harry heading towards the end of the field. Flint passed by Draco and yelled, "Get that Snitch!" then he was off after Alicia Spinnet, who was in possesion of the Quaffle. "And Spinnet puts that Quaffle away! Bletchley didn't even have a chance to block it. Montague has the ball, it's knocked out of his hands by a bludger, that was a nice hit by... George Weasley," said Lee. George and Fred were protecting their teammates as well as they could. Harry, had just missed the Snitch, by the time he got to the other end of th field, it was gone and Malfoy was chasing after him. Harry thought quickly, he shot downward towards the ground, Draco followd him. Before he actually hit the ground, Harry pulled up sharply. Draco, was not as lucky, he crashed into the ground. Dazed he stood back up, his nose was bleeding, and a side of his face was all scaratched up, but he still got back on his broom to continue playing. "Potter demonstrated good use of the Wronski Feint there, Malfoy sure is showing the side effects," Lee commented. The score was now one hundred to forty. Gryffindor was playing their best game yet, and Gryffin wasn't let a single ball past her. "And Bell has the ball, she passes to Bards, Bards passes to Spinnet, wow, these girls are good," Lee said, his voice showed how impressed he was. "Spinnet passes to Bell, look at that turn!" Bole had shot a bludger over at Katie, and she had turned her broom in the nick of time, sending the bludger flying past her. She then flew towards the goal posts, passing the Quaffle between Aslin and Alicia, until the Slytherin Keeper was so confused. Aslin had the ball, and neatly threw it through the goal, scoring more points for Gryffindor. "And now it's one hundred and ten to- was that the Snitch?" Lee said, watching the Golden Snitch fly past the commentator's stand, Harry and Draco were right behind it. Harry put on a burst of speed, and caught the Snitch as Alicia made another goal. "And the game is over! Potter caught the Snitch, which makes the score two hundred and eighty to sixty. Let's give and hand to our players, and I think Madam Pomfrey should see to Malfoy," Lee said, as Malfoy landed and fell off his broom. *** When the Gryffindor team arrived in their Common room, there was a party going on full scale. Lee had gotten the food. and Dean Thomas had made a very nice banner. "Good job, Harry!" Ron said as he stuffed pastries in his mouth. Hermione came over and gave Harry, Aslin and Gryffin hugs. "You were amazing!" She said to Gryffin. "I think she's the best Keeper, since..." Fred trailed off, thinking. "Ever!" George said happily. "Here Gryffin, have a tart," Lee said innocently. Gryffin looked dubiously at the yellow cream tart. "I may be named after a bird, but I don't want to turn into one." "Darnit!" Lee said as he set the Canary Cream back down. "I'm going to bed, if I hear any noise, I will personally murder the noisemaker!" Gryffin announced, glaring at the Weasley twins and Lee. They crossed their hearts and tried to look innocent. Gryffin laughed and went to bed. Aslin followed shortly, talking with Parvati and Lavender about Magick 'n' Mystery, Hermione trailed forlornly behind. "That was a smashing game!" Dennis Creevy said to Harry, who mumbled thanks and hurried over to Ron. "You all were amazing!" Ron exclaimed. "You did a good job on beating up Malfoy!" "Yeah, well," Harry started to say, but was interrupted by a yawn. "I didn't mean for him to slam into the ground, but oh well. I'm off to bed." "I'll come too," Ron said. Harry noticed that Dean, Seamus and Neville followed them up. "That was a great game, Harry," Neville said as the boys changed into their bed clothes. "Yeah," Harry mumbled sleepily. Soon, all five boys, were tucked into bed, fast asleep. Harry was dreaming about Quidditch, Ron was dreaming about finally joining the Quidditch team, and who knows what the other three were dreaming about.