Chapter 8
The Trials Begin
The next two weeks were filled with tests and quizzes the likes of which Joseph wasn't prepared for. Joseph was a smart student but when it came to magic he just didn't seem to be able to get the big things. BJ on the other hand was able to get good marks with out even studying. He just seemed to have the ability to do what ever he wanted to do and also do it well. In other words he could have his cake and eat it too. Louis also seemed to be good at what ever he did, well there was an exception he could do wizard stuff good, but when it came to Muggle stuff he was obviously horrible at it. During the Muggle studies final Louis couldn't add, subtract, figure out how to operate a T.V. remote, and he also had trouble with the Muggle history section of the test. During the test he kept asking BJ and Joseph when the French Revolution took place and what happened at the storming of the Bestige. Joseph always told him the right answers but BJ liked to say it was wrong and Louis would always believe BJ over Joseph. And course Louis failed the test, he blamed BJ but BJ told him the same thing he told everyone who wondered why he told them the wrong answers, "You chose to listen to me." Joseph secretly hoped that BJ would get a taste of his own medicine but whom was he kidding, everyone knew BJ was too good to let something like that happen to him. Also during the weeks leading up to vacation Joseph has been attending meeting about the trials. He found out a lot of new information he didn't know. He received the Official rulebook to Wizards Trials. The rules are stated out in this order: Each team must have seven members. Four or less teams may face off in a Race A Race is when a course is picked out, and each team starts at a designated spot and moves through the course by completing obstacles, with every obstacle you complete you may move on to the next. Once every obstacle has been completed the race is over and the team that crosses the designated finish line wins. Each course must have at least 6 obstacles in a course. The team that completes all the obstacles and crosses the finish line first receives 100 points to their house. The second place team receives 75 points to their house, the third place team receives 50 points, and the fourth place team receives 25 points. At the end of the year a tournament is held in three round. The first round all four teams participate, at the end of the end of the round the team with the lowest amount of points is eliminated and my not participate in the next round. In the next round there are three teams, and the team with the least amount of points is eliminated and my not participate in the final round. In the final round there is only two teams, the team with the most points at the end of the round is declared the winner. The tournament takes place over the second to last weekend in May. The Teams that participate in the tournaments revive points each round depending on what place their team finishes in. First place in all rounds receives 3 points, second place receives 2, third place receives 1 point and forth place receives 0 points. The point system is always in effect except in the first round where the forth place team is eliminated. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout in force all rules. Studying the rules was Joseph job over the break was to memorize the rulebook so he could not make any mistakes. The first match is on the week after they come back, so Joseph wanted to be prepared for anything.
So finally Christmas break came and everyone was excited. Especially Joseph, his Mom is coming to London. Joseph and his mom are going to tour England with Josh and his parents. "It is going to be fun," said Joseph as him and BJ sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts express, speeding back to London. "So what are you going to do BJ?" asked Joseph. "Well my dad and I are going to golf a whole bunch, it doesn't snow where I live so I am able to play golf all year long, and I also and going to try to find some other wizards who play Quidditch so I can practice with them." BJ said as he glanced out at the moving landscape. " It's funny isn't it? How when we first came to Hogwarts the land was green and mountainous, now it is just white all around." Joseph looked out the window to see what BJ was talking about. "Wow!" Joseph said. The landscape was covered in snow and incredibly white. Joseph didn't know what to say besides, "Wow!" The magic world was really amazing when it came down to it. "I've seen better." Said a strangely familiar voice. Both BJ and Joseph turned around to see who was speaking. It was Josh. Joseph just sat there shocked to see Josh coming to him. "Where.why.when" Joseph managed to get out. BJ just turned back to the window. To him Josh wasn't that big of a deal, just another macho guy. "Well I just wanted to see my old friend Joseph again," Josh said. Josh took a seat next to Joseph. "What's the real reason you came Josh?" BJ said sarcastically. A fake smile came over Josh. "No I really came to spend time with Joseph," Joshes unconvincing tone was getting worse. "Sure you are, which one of your women ditched you? Was it the blond one, what's her name.oh well they are all the same, easy on the eyes but no neural stimulation. Or was it the brunette who seems nice but every time she looks back you when you walk away from her she is checking the size of your wallet." BJ said. He got up and walked to the door. "Hey Oliver I am going to find the Quidditch team and see how it is going." He walked out with out even looking back. "Whatever." Josh said. "How is it going Joseph?" "I guess ok, but I don't know why BJ just said what he did." Joseph responded. "How are things with you?" "Good." Josh leaned back into the seat. "BJ is just mad at me cause I get all the women, it happens to all the guys who hang around me." Josh had a smug smile on his face. Joseph just smiled and bit his lip. The truth was Josh only had two or three women that he hung around, BJ had tons of women who wanted to be more then friends but he just kept things normal because he isn't ready to have that type of relationship. "So how are Jessica and Emily doing?" Joseph asked out of courtesy. "They are doing good, Jessica is getting perfect marks in her classes. Emily is practicing up for the trials. She is the second year on the Gryffindor Trial team. So do you know any women?" Josh said. Typical Josh always wanting a competition, but one he could win. Joseph knew girls around the school, but he wasn't good at making friends with girls, like Josh and BJ. "Well I have been studying lately and haven't had much time to be socializing with anyone girl or boy." Joseph hoped Josh didn't see through his lie. "I have work to do Oliver but I never do it and I still pass." Josh, saw right through it. "So where is your parents going to pick us up when we get to the platform?" Joseph asked. "Somewhere in the front, but Joseph you are avoiding the issue at hand, why don't you have any friends that are girls?" Josh wasn't going to let Joseph off without a good excuse, but Josh never would get the answer he wanted. Josh wanted to hear Joseph say, "You are better then me Josh at everything I am always number two to you." Joseph would never say that unless he was under some curse. "I don't know why Josh," Joseph said with a sigh. "I guess I just don't care." "Man Joseph, you need to stop trying to be so smart and let everything slip. Once you stop trying to be yourself, you will realize that you are so much cooler then you are now." Josh said without hesitation. Joseph sat there in disbelief of what he just heard. "Stop being yourself," is what Joseph heard. That's a pretty hard to except from someone you considered to be a good friend. "Well I'll think about Josh." Joseph managed to get out. "I mean Joseph you are sort of sad," Josh continued. "Always hanging out with BJ and the other guy." "Louis." Joseph interrupted "Yea, whatever. The point is that you need to find more.cooler people to hang out with." Josh shifted in his seat. Joseph sat in his seat not knowing what to respond with. "Joseph are you ok?" Josh aid breaking the silence that the room was filled with. "Maybe you just haven't reached the level that I have Joseph, one day you will be as advanced as me." A smug smile spread itself across Joshes face. KNOCK-KNOCK. Someone was knocking on the door, just in time in Joseph's opinion. "Come in." Josh said. The door opened and a witch pushing a cart full of all sorts of goodies and snacks on it. "Want anything to eat boys?" The witch said through her toothless grin. "I'll have the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans." Josh said, pointing to a small bag of what looked like candy beans, but were colored all sorts of mysterious colors. The lady handed Josh a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "You see Joseph the amazing thing about the beans is that there is almost every flavor of something in these bean. They are almost like a roller coaster, spectacular highs and disgusting lows." Josh picked out a single white bean that had yellow polka dots on it. "A danger to mortal men, but I shall take the risk." Josh popped the bean into his mouth. His face lit up with delight, "Wow I think that was one of those rare Rainbow flavored beans, tastes like a party on my mouth and everyone is invited. You want one Joe?" Josh extended the bag to Joseph. Joseph reached his hand over into the bag and drew out a flame color bean. "Bottoms up," Joseph said as he swallowed the bean. Instantly is face contorted into discomfort and his eyes started to water. "Water.water." Joseph said in a raspy voice. Josh just started to laugh, "It will wear off Joe, and I guess you aren't up to the task of temping fate like me." Joseph just continued to grab his throat and massage it. Joseph lied back against the seat and looked out the window. Joseph watched the snow covered landscape pass by and his eyes began to get heavy. Joseph closed his eyes and let reality drift away.
Soon the train made it to platform 9 ¾. Joseph and Josh left the train to meet their parents. The greeting was met with much love and happiness. Stories of the first half of school were told over lunch in Brussels, thanks to foo powder. The next couple of weeks pasted in no time at all. England was very beautiful and had a lot of things to do in it. But Joseph favorite part of vacation was the homecoming to the U.S.A. For some reason Joseph felt like crying when he arrived home. Joseph really didn't count himself patriotic at all but when he saw the American flag waving outside his neighbor's house he never felt prouder. The rest of Joseph vacation was spent with his mom. They talked about the school and how weird his Professors are. Also Joseph inquired about his dad but as usual his Mom just smiled and said, "I'll tell you another day." An answer that Joseph hardly wanted to hear but accepted it. Joseph received many letters from BJ and Louis. BJ was relaxing his life away and enjoying the moment. Louis on the other hand was still at Hogwarts. He has nine siblings so he decided not to come home for Christmas. Joseph thought Louis's parents didn't want him to come home for the break, but accepted Louis's answer. Joseph also received letters from the Trial team saying what he needed to study up on for the first practice race. All the races were practice for the tournament at the end of the year. Most of the stuff they wanted Joseph to study was about spells that could stun small creatures. Joseph didn't understand why they wanted him to learn stun spells but he would try to. Of course he couldn't practice the spells at home the Congress of Magic would fine him money if he practice magic out of school. So Joseph just studied the trivia questions they wanted him to know. For Christmas Joseph and his mom traveled to visit his relatives. None of his relatives lived in the same state as Joseph so him and his mom never told them about his Wizard ability. Mrs. Masa just came up with excuses every time someone called for Joseph. The excuses were wearing thin but now that Joseph was back he could visit them and put a stop to the wondering. Christmas past quickly too and before Joseph knew it he had to go back to Hogwarts. The farewell at platform 9 ¾ was an emotional one. Both Mrs. Masa and Mrs. Thompson cried. Mr. Thompson just told them to stay out of trouble. So the journey to Hogwarts began again. Josh quickly ditched Joseph and found some women friends to talk too. Joseph searched around for BJ but didn't find him. Joseph went to the normal compartment, sat down, and closed his eyes to go into a sleep. "The ones who hold the key will never know they do." A thundering voice said. Joseph looked around; he wasn't in the train any more. The landscape was much different, just blackness all around, he was floating in this strange place. "What?" screamed Joseph into the darkness. "Does thy soul know what it shall hold?" The Thundering voice answered back. "I." Joseph didn't know what he should say or what the voice meant. "Chaos hold the doom, the sword holds the truth and the sages hold the keys." The darkness around Joseph started to fade away and it was replaced with green grass, huge trees, and many people. "Do thy children bear thy bourdon? Will the sky fall to your hatred or will the world be one again?" Joseph looked around at the vast forest he was surround in. The trees were huge and colorful. The people ran wild, playing, talking, and having fun. Then the mood changed, the sky changed from blue to red. The people of the land looked upwards and stopped doing what they were doing. Then Joseph saw something terrible. Fireballs, green fireballs fell out of the sky and smashed into the land. Trees were destroyed, the land was torn up, and these fireballs were crushing people. The land turned into a living hell. "Does thy see the past? Witness the future of your world if thy doesn't find the key of thy soul." The world started to fade from view again and back into darkness. Joseph floated in the darkness seeing the images of the destruction playing through his mind. "WAKE UP!!" Joseph woke up from his sleep to see Josh standing over him. "Dang Joe, I was trying to wake you up for at least five minutes." "Huh, ok." Joseph said dazed. "Are we at the school?" "Yea, I came in here to change into my robe, I didn't think anyone one was in here. When I saw you, you were sweating and talking in your sleep." "Oh, maybe I should get dressed." "Joe, what were you dreaming about?" Joseph could see the dream so clearly, but didn't want to tell Josh. "It was about how Professor Carroll was yelling at me once in class." Joseph lied. "Well we should get changed so we don't get in trouble." Josh pulled his robe out of his bag. Joseph quickly followed suit. They both changed into their robes and exited the train. Hogwarts looked the same as it had before they left. They had a huge feast to welcome back the students to Hogwarts. BJ, Joseph, and Louis all told stories about their vacations. The food was good and the mood in the room was of happiness. But Joseph couldn't enjoy himself. The dream was so real and so scary he felt like he had more then a dream maybe something signaling the end.
Despite the re-welcoming party, everything was still the same. Professor Carroll was as mean as he was before and Professor Krum assigned as much homework as before. Joseph felt worn out by the end of the day but he still had to practice up for the trials. He found out that the spells they wanted him to learn were harder to learn then he could have imagined. Still he was looking forward to the first practice race of the season (The only non-practice race was the tournament at the end of the year.) The night before the race a special meeting was held in the Ravenclaw common room. The 7th year member of the team, Percy Stevenson, was concerned that Joseph wouldn't be ready for the race, and that they would lose points. It seems that Percy's worry was justified because the years since the Trials were held Gryffindor won the Tournament all times. All Joseph could do was reassure Percy that he was a capable of at least casting the spells he had been working on once. It didn't reassure Percy but it would have to do. That night Joseph had trouble sleeping; he tossed and turned several times. "What if I mess up and screw up everything for the team?" Joseph thought, "They will be pissed at me." Joseph rolled around for an hour before he finally settled down and fell asleep. Joseph awoke early the next morning, exhausted from sleep depravation. But still feeling excited. The whole Trial team had breakfast in one of the basements. Percy thought that if they eat together as at team they would do better over all. Joseph could hardly eat his breakfast because of the excitement, but he shoveled it down because he knew he would be hungry later on. "The strategy is simple we need to get ahead early and stay ahead," Percy said with his mouth full of food. "Remember should be an easy match, it is only on the school grounds so we should be familiar with our surroundings." "Wait a minute aren't all the Races going to be held on Hogwarts?" Joseph said inquisitively. "Nope only one Race, the others are held in different exotic locations around the world. Usually the Professors hold a meeting and decide where we should go and tell us a week before the Race. The tournament location is kept secret 'till the day of the tournament." Answered Heather. She moved her hand through her black hair. "Sounds bazaar." Joseph replied and he gulped down the last scope of his cereal. "Ok is everyone ready to go?" Percy said. "Check your wands," the group pulled out their wands and inspected them carefully. Joseph's wand shined in the glow of the room. "Perfect," he muttered to himself.
The Ravenclaw team strode across the field to the designated starting point. The sky was bright orange, a new morning had come and what it shall bring nobody knew. The other teams where lined up next to the stadium. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout were standing in front of two yellow, eight feet poles that stuck up out of the ground. The poles were exactly 20 feet across from each other. "A magical barrier," Mariano whispered to Joseph. "Once the Race starts you have to cross through the poles to start and when you are finishing." "How do they make sure you complete all the obstacles?" Joseph asked. "At every obstacle is a little gem that is given to you after you have solved the puzzle," Mariano wiped the sweet from his forehead. "In fact the gem's are color coded, the teams have different color gems, green for Slytherin, red for Gryffindor, yellow for Hufflepuff, and blue for us Ravenclaw." "Why do they different colors for each team?" "I guess they just don't want teams stealing form each other." "Ok all teams are here, it's time to officially begin the Race," exclaimed Professor Flitwick. "Team 7th years line up your team in a straight line, in descending order starting with 7th years and down to first years." The mass of people standing at the starting line moved around lost in the chaos that Professor Flitwick brought with his announcement. "Joe, over here," it was Jim the 5th year member of the team. He was signaling to Joseph to get into his position in the line. Joseph rushed into his position quickly not wanting to angry Jim. Joseph looked around at the other lines. He could see some other first years he noticed from around the school. Emily was standing across from Mariano in the Gryffindor line. She had her blond hair in a bun. She was really quite pretty; Joseph couldn't take his eyes off of her. "Ready to go Joe," Joseph came back to reality to see Mariano staring at him. "Yea as much as I am ever going to be," Joseph looked straight ahead at Mariano. Joseph needed to concentrate if he was going to get through this without screwing up his team. "Teams ready?" Professor Sprout asked The 7th years on each team nodded their head in answer to the question. "Ok then.Ready," Joseph bent forward. "Set." Joseph griped the wand in his hand. "GOOOOOOOOO," Professor Sprout shot off a flare from her wand to signal the beginning for the race. The Ravenclaw team moved in perfect unison across the field. Hufflepuff seemed to have trouble and quickly lost pace with the other teams. Joseph wondered where they were heading, but his question was quickly answered as he saw a signpost standing out of the ground pointing right. The team moved in the direction of the sign. Joseph could see up ahead, four post box shaped objects sticking up from the ground. The teams approached the box that was colored their color. Josephs' team approached the blue colored box. On top of the box was a card that said, "3rd, 4th, and 5th years may open the box." Oliver, Heather, and Jim walked forward and assumed their role. Joseph looked over at the other teams. Gryffindor was the only other team that had made it to their box. Jim opened the box and pulled out a blue card and a pen and ink, the card had writing on it. "What does the sky hold that the ocean will never?" Jim read out loud. The three put their heads together and discussed the question before Jim wrote an answer on the page. Jim handed Heather the card and she slipped it back into the box. The box started to have convulsions. It shook and shacked for at least ten seconds before it stopped. Oliver reached back into it and pulled out a small, shiny, blue stone. Also he pulled out another card, "Next obstacle resides in the green house." Oliver read this card to the group. "What was the answer?" Mariano asked as the team started to move off again.
" The stars, of course." Jim answered. "Hurry up Joe Gryffindor is right behind us." Percy voice yelled from the front of the line. The team entered the Greenhouse, the plants and tress growing in the greenhouse seemed to get bigger during the vacation, perhaps it did, but most of the stuff in the greenhouse is replanted all through out the year. The second task was like the first but this time it was 7th and 6th year members. The Gryffindor team was a few seconds behind them on answering the question but they were catching up and it was important that Ravenclaw didn't give up the lead. As the Ravenclaw team made there way through the next three obstacles Joseph hadn't done any of the obstacles and was feeling quite useless. But on another note he had been getting good exercise. A heavy sweat had broken over Joseph during the course of the race; showing just how out of shape he really was. Gryffindor fell behind during the 3rd obstacle and Ravenclaw had a large lead as they approached the last obstacle. A huge sign spread across the sky let Joseph know that he would finally be used. The sign held huge red letters that said, "2nd and 1st years may enter." Joseph look under the sign to see a door. It's just a door standing up nothing but the same scenery of the landscape behind it. "Well Mariano, maybe you should go first," Joseph said trying to hide the nervousness in his voice. "Oh thanks Joe I'll just walk through the magical door that leads to who knows where, why don't you go in there first after all you're a first year." Mariano said in the same nervous tone Joseph had. "But the sign says 2nd year on it first so go ahead." "Will you two hurry up Gryffindor isn't that far behind," Percy shouted at them. Mariano looked at Joseph and nodded his head. Mariano walked up to the door breathed in slowly and then opened the door handle. Mariano quickly walked in, fallowed closely by Joseph. The door must have been a magical portal because they were in a small room. The walls were covered in blue bricks, there was a small table in the middle of the room, and on the other side of the room was another door that Joseph figured was the exit to the room. Mariano and Joseph walked to the table. On the table was a card and two feathers. Mariano picked up the card and read what was on the card out load, "Both feathers must reach the roof of the building to unlock the other door, then you must race to the finish line for your place in line." Joseph scratched his chin, "Well lets get this show on the road." Mariano and Joseph pulled out their wands and took aim at there respective feathers. "Wingardium Leviosa," They both shouted at the top of their lungs. Mariano's feather graceful lifted to the roof. One of the two locks on the door disappeared when the feather hit the roof. Joseph's feather on the other hand barley lifted up at all. "Wave your wand more." Mariano instructed Joseph "Wingardium Leviosa," Joseph said again but this time waving his arms a little faster. "No, no its Windardium Leviosa," Mariano accented on the Leviosa. "Wingardium Leviosa," Joseph said this time accenting the Leviosa. "Keep at it Joseph you just need one good blast." "Wingardium Leviosa, Wingardium Leviosa, Wingardium Leviosa." Joseph franticly said as time pasted ever faster. "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!!" Joseph wand shot out a blast of magic so fast it knocked Joseph on his back. The feather shot up faster then he had fallen back. The second lock on the door disappeared. Joseph got up and joined a running Mariano to the door. They opened the door to see it lead them exactly same spot they entered "Finally you two finish, lets go we are losing now," Percy said as he sped of towards the finish line. Joseph and Mariano fallowed the team and ran as fast as they could in robes. Joseph looked ahead to see the finish line but also the back for the Gryffindor team as they crossed it. Ravenclaw finished within seconds of the Gryffindor team. "Bloody Hell," exclaimed Percy as the Gryffindor team celebrated the win. "What the heck were you two doing in there?" Percy zoned all his angry on Mariano and Joseph. "It was me," Joseph raised his hand "What happened Joe, we were so far ahead and you blew it." Percy had a scowl on his face. "I am sorry," Joseph said with his head down. "Sorry! Sorry isn't going to get us the points back we lost. Just.damn it." Percy shook his head and walked away. "It's ok Joseph you did the best you could, it was the Gryffindor team is just good, the second year member Emily Mcguffry is damn good. So don't feel to bad." Mariano said trying to make Joseph feel better. But it did work, Joseph just stood there feeling like an idiot. "How could I be so stupid?" Joseph thought as he walked away from the field. Joseph looked over at the Gryffindor team; they were celebrating their victory by hugging each other and congratulating Emily and another girl Joseph had seen once in his life. Joseph turned away; know it was his fault that his team wasn't celebrating. Joseph just continued his long walk back to the common room.
Next, Chapter 9: Lady Of The Lake
The Trials Begin
The next two weeks were filled with tests and quizzes the likes of which Joseph wasn't prepared for. Joseph was a smart student but when it came to magic he just didn't seem to be able to get the big things. BJ on the other hand was able to get good marks with out even studying. He just seemed to have the ability to do what ever he wanted to do and also do it well. In other words he could have his cake and eat it too. Louis also seemed to be good at what ever he did, well there was an exception he could do wizard stuff good, but when it came to Muggle stuff he was obviously horrible at it. During the Muggle studies final Louis couldn't add, subtract, figure out how to operate a T.V. remote, and he also had trouble with the Muggle history section of the test. During the test he kept asking BJ and Joseph when the French Revolution took place and what happened at the storming of the Bestige. Joseph always told him the right answers but BJ liked to say it was wrong and Louis would always believe BJ over Joseph. And course Louis failed the test, he blamed BJ but BJ told him the same thing he told everyone who wondered why he told them the wrong answers, "You chose to listen to me." Joseph secretly hoped that BJ would get a taste of his own medicine but whom was he kidding, everyone knew BJ was too good to let something like that happen to him. Also during the weeks leading up to vacation Joseph has been attending meeting about the trials. He found out a lot of new information he didn't know. He received the Official rulebook to Wizards Trials. The rules are stated out in this order: Each team must have seven members. Four or less teams may face off in a Race A Race is when a course is picked out, and each team starts at a designated spot and moves through the course by completing obstacles, with every obstacle you complete you may move on to the next. Once every obstacle has been completed the race is over and the team that crosses the designated finish line wins. Each course must have at least 6 obstacles in a course. The team that completes all the obstacles and crosses the finish line first receives 100 points to their house. The second place team receives 75 points to their house, the third place team receives 50 points, and the fourth place team receives 25 points. At the end of the year a tournament is held in three round. The first round all four teams participate, at the end of the end of the round the team with the lowest amount of points is eliminated and my not participate in the next round. In the next round there are three teams, and the team with the least amount of points is eliminated and my not participate in the final round. In the final round there is only two teams, the team with the most points at the end of the round is declared the winner. The tournament takes place over the second to last weekend in May. The Teams that participate in the tournaments revive points each round depending on what place their team finishes in. First place in all rounds receives 3 points, second place receives 2, third place receives 1 point and forth place receives 0 points. The point system is always in effect except in the first round where the forth place team is eliminated. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout in force all rules. Studying the rules was Joseph job over the break was to memorize the rulebook so he could not make any mistakes. The first match is on the week after they come back, so Joseph wanted to be prepared for anything.
So finally Christmas break came and everyone was excited. Especially Joseph, his Mom is coming to London. Joseph and his mom are going to tour England with Josh and his parents. "It is going to be fun," said Joseph as him and BJ sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts express, speeding back to London. "So what are you going to do BJ?" asked Joseph. "Well my dad and I are going to golf a whole bunch, it doesn't snow where I live so I am able to play golf all year long, and I also and going to try to find some other wizards who play Quidditch so I can practice with them." BJ said as he glanced out at the moving landscape. " It's funny isn't it? How when we first came to Hogwarts the land was green and mountainous, now it is just white all around." Joseph looked out the window to see what BJ was talking about. "Wow!" Joseph said. The landscape was covered in snow and incredibly white. Joseph didn't know what to say besides, "Wow!" The magic world was really amazing when it came down to it. "I've seen better." Said a strangely familiar voice. Both BJ and Joseph turned around to see who was speaking. It was Josh. Joseph just sat there shocked to see Josh coming to him. "Where.why.when" Joseph managed to get out. BJ just turned back to the window. To him Josh wasn't that big of a deal, just another macho guy. "Well I just wanted to see my old friend Joseph again," Josh said. Josh took a seat next to Joseph. "What's the real reason you came Josh?" BJ said sarcastically. A fake smile came over Josh. "No I really came to spend time with Joseph," Joshes unconvincing tone was getting worse. "Sure you are, which one of your women ditched you? Was it the blond one, what's her name.oh well they are all the same, easy on the eyes but no neural stimulation. Or was it the brunette who seems nice but every time she looks back you when you walk away from her she is checking the size of your wallet." BJ said. He got up and walked to the door. "Hey Oliver I am going to find the Quidditch team and see how it is going." He walked out with out even looking back. "Whatever." Josh said. "How is it going Joseph?" "I guess ok, but I don't know why BJ just said what he did." Joseph responded. "How are things with you?" "Good." Josh leaned back into the seat. "BJ is just mad at me cause I get all the women, it happens to all the guys who hang around me." Josh had a smug smile on his face. Joseph just smiled and bit his lip. The truth was Josh only had two or three women that he hung around, BJ had tons of women who wanted to be more then friends but he just kept things normal because he isn't ready to have that type of relationship. "So how are Jessica and Emily doing?" Joseph asked out of courtesy. "They are doing good, Jessica is getting perfect marks in her classes. Emily is practicing up for the trials. She is the second year on the Gryffindor Trial team. So do you know any women?" Josh said. Typical Josh always wanting a competition, but one he could win. Joseph knew girls around the school, but he wasn't good at making friends with girls, like Josh and BJ. "Well I have been studying lately and haven't had much time to be socializing with anyone girl or boy." Joseph hoped Josh didn't see through his lie. "I have work to do Oliver but I never do it and I still pass." Josh, saw right through it. "So where is your parents going to pick us up when we get to the platform?" Joseph asked. "Somewhere in the front, but Joseph you are avoiding the issue at hand, why don't you have any friends that are girls?" Josh wasn't going to let Joseph off without a good excuse, but Josh never would get the answer he wanted. Josh wanted to hear Joseph say, "You are better then me Josh at everything I am always number two to you." Joseph would never say that unless he was under some curse. "I don't know why Josh," Joseph said with a sigh. "I guess I just don't care." "Man Joseph, you need to stop trying to be so smart and let everything slip. Once you stop trying to be yourself, you will realize that you are so much cooler then you are now." Josh said without hesitation. Joseph sat there in disbelief of what he just heard. "Stop being yourself," is what Joseph heard. That's a pretty hard to except from someone you considered to be a good friend. "Well I'll think about Josh." Joseph managed to get out. "I mean Joseph you are sort of sad," Josh continued. "Always hanging out with BJ and the other guy." "Louis." Joseph interrupted "Yea, whatever. The point is that you need to find more.cooler people to hang out with." Josh shifted in his seat. Joseph sat in his seat not knowing what to respond with. "Joseph are you ok?" Josh aid breaking the silence that the room was filled with. "Maybe you just haven't reached the level that I have Joseph, one day you will be as advanced as me." A smug smile spread itself across Joshes face. KNOCK-KNOCK. Someone was knocking on the door, just in time in Joseph's opinion. "Come in." Josh said. The door opened and a witch pushing a cart full of all sorts of goodies and snacks on it. "Want anything to eat boys?" The witch said through her toothless grin. "I'll have the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans." Josh said, pointing to a small bag of what looked like candy beans, but were colored all sorts of mysterious colors. The lady handed Josh a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "You see Joseph the amazing thing about the beans is that there is almost every flavor of something in these bean. They are almost like a roller coaster, spectacular highs and disgusting lows." Josh picked out a single white bean that had yellow polka dots on it. "A danger to mortal men, but I shall take the risk." Josh popped the bean into his mouth. His face lit up with delight, "Wow I think that was one of those rare Rainbow flavored beans, tastes like a party on my mouth and everyone is invited. You want one Joe?" Josh extended the bag to Joseph. Joseph reached his hand over into the bag and drew out a flame color bean. "Bottoms up," Joseph said as he swallowed the bean. Instantly is face contorted into discomfort and his eyes started to water. "Water.water." Joseph said in a raspy voice. Josh just started to laugh, "It will wear off Joe, and I guess you aren't up to the task of temping fate like me." Joseph just continued to grab his throat and massage it. Joseph lied back against the seat and looked out the window. Joseph watched the snow covered landscape pass by and his eyes began to get heavy. Joseph closed his eyes and let reality drift away.
Soon the train made it to platform 9 ¾. Joseph and Josh left the train to meet their parents. The greeting was met with much love and happiness. Stories of the first half of school were told over lunch in Brussels, thanks to foo powder. The next couple of weeks pasted in no time at all. England was very beautiful and had a lot of things to do in it. But Joseph favorite part of vacation was the homecoming to the U.S.A. For some reason Joseph felt like crying when he arrived home. Joseph really didn't count himself patriotic at all but when he saw the American flag waving outside his neighbor's house he never felt prouder. The rest of Joseph vacation was spent with his mom. They talked about the school and how weird his Professors are. Also Joseph inquired about his dad but as usual his Mom just smiled and said, "I'll tell you another day." An answer that Joseph hardly wanted to hear but accepted it. Joseph received many letters from BJ and Louis. BJ was relaxing his life away and enjoying the moment. Louis on the other hand was still at Hogwarts. He has nine siblings so he decided not to come home for Christmas. Joseph thought Louis's parents didn't want him to come home for the break, but accepted Louis's answer. Joseph also received letters from the Trial team saying what he needed to study up on for the first practice race. All the races were practice for the tournament at the end of the year. Most of the stuff they wanted Joseph to study was about spells that could stun small creatures. Joseph didn't understand why they wanted him to learn stun spells but he would try to. Of course he couldn't practice the spells at home the Congress of Magic would fine him money if he practice magic out of school. So Joseph just studied the trivia questions they wanted him to know. For Christmas Joseph and his mom traveled to visit his relatives. None of his relatives lived in the same state as Joseph so him and his mom never told them about his Wizard ability. Mrs. Masa just came up with excuses every time someone called for Joseph. The excuses were wearing thin but now that Joseph was back he could visit them and put a stop to the wondering. Christmas past quickly too and before Joseph knew it he had to go back to Hogwarts. The farewell at platform 9 ¾ was an emotional one. Both Mrs. Masa and Mrs. Thompson cried. Mr. Thompson just told them to stay out of trouble. So the journey to Hogwarts began again. Josh quickly ditched Joseph and found some women friends to talk too. Joseph searched around for BJ but didn't find him. Joseph went to the normal compartment, sat down, and closed his eyes to go into a sleep. "The ones who hold the key will never know they do." A thundering voice said. Joseph looked around; he wasn't in the train any more. The landscape was much different, just blackness all around, he was floating in this strange place. "What?" screamed Joseph into the darkness. "Does thy soul know what it shall hold?" The Thundering voice answered back. "I." Joseph didn't know what he should say or what the voice meant. "Chaos hold the doom, the sword holds the truth and the sages hold the keys." The darkness around Joseph started to fade away and it was replaced with green grass, huge trees, and many people. "Do thy children bear thy bourdon? Will the sky fall to your hatred or will the world be one again?" Joseph looked around at the vast forest he was surround in. The trees were huge and colorful. The people ran wild, playing, talking, and having fun. Then the mood changed, the sky changed from blue to red. The people of the land looked upwards and stopped doing what they were doing. Then Joseph saw something terrible. Fireballs, green fireballs fell out of the sky and smashed into the land. Trees were destroyed, the land was torn up, and these fireballs were crushing people. The land turned into a living hell. "Does thy see the past? Witness the future of your world if thy doesn't find the key of thy soul." The world started to fade from view again and back into darkness. Joseph floated in the darkness seeing the images of the destruction playing through his mind. "WAKE UP!!" Joseph woke up from his sleep to see Josh standing over him. "Dang Joe, I was trying to wake you up for at least five minutes." "Huh, ok." Joseph said dazed. "Are we at the school?" "Yea, I came in here to change into my robe, I didn't think anyone one was in here. When I saw you, you were sweating and talking in your sleep." "Oh, maybe I should get dressed." "Joe, what were you dreaming about?" Joseph could see the dream so clearly, but didn't want to tell Josh. "It was about how Professor Carroll was yelling at me once in class." Joseph lied. "Well we should get changed so we don't get in trouble." Josh pulled his robe out of his bag. Joseph quickly followed suit. They both changed into their robes and exited the train. Hogwarts looked the same as it had before they left. They had a huge feast to welcome back the students to Hogwarts. BJ, Joseph, and Louis all told stories about their vacations. The food was good and the mood in the room was of happiness. But Joseph couldn't enjoy himself. The dream was so real and so scary he felt like he had more then a dream maybe something signaling the end.
Despite the re-welcoming party, everything was still the same. Professor Carroll was as mean as he was before and Professor Krum assigned as much homework as before. Joseph felt worn out by the end of the day but he still had to practice up for the trials. He found out that the spells they wanted him to learn were harder to learn then he could have imagined. Still he was looking forward to the first practice race of the season (The only non-practice race was the tournament at the end of the year.) The night before the race a special meeting was held in the Ravenclaw common room. The 7th year member of the team, Percy Stevenson, was concerned that Joseph wouldn't be ready for the race, and that they would lose points. It seems that Percy's worry was justified because the years since the Trials were held Gryffindor won the Tournament all times. All Joseph could do was reassure Percy that he was a capable of at least casting the spells he had been working on once. It didn't reassure Percy but it would have to do. That night Joseph had trouble sleeping; he tossed and turned several times. "What if I mess up and screw up everything for the team?" Joseph thought, "They will be pissed at me." Joseph rolled around for an hour before he finally settled down and fell asleep. Joseph awoke early the next morning, exhausted from sleep depravation. But still feeling excited. The whole Trial team had breakfast in one of the basements. Percy thought that if they eat together as at team they would do better over all. Joseph could hardly eat his breakfast because of the excitement, but he shoveled it down because he knew he would be hungry later on. "The strategy is simple we need to get ahead early and stay ahead," Percy said with his mouth full of food. "Remember should be an easy match, it is only on the school grounds so we should be familiar with our surroundings." "Wait a minute aren't all the Races going to be held on Hogwarts?" Joseph said inquisitively. "Nope only one Race, the others are held in different exotic locations around the world. Usually the Professors hold a meeting and decide where we should go and tell us a week before the Race. The tournament location is kept secret 'till the day of the tournament." Answered Heather. She moved her hand through her black hair. "Sounds bazaar." Joseph replied and he gulped down the last scope of his cereal. "Ok is everyone ready to go?" Percy said. "Check your wands," the group pulled out their wands and inspected them carefully. Joseph's wand shined in the glow of the room. "Perfect," he muttered to himself.
The Ravenclaw team strode across the field to the designated starting point. The sky was bright orange, a new morning had come and what it shall bring nobody knew. The other teams where lined up next to the stadium. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout were standing in front of two yellow, eight feet poles that stuck up out of the ground. The poles were exactly 20 feet across from each other. "A magical barrier," Mariano whispered to Joseph. "Once the Race starts you have to cross through the poles to start and when you are finishing." "How do they make sure you complete all the obstacles?" Joseph asked. "At every obstacle is a little gem that is given to you after you have solved the puzzle," Mariano wiped the sweet from his forehead. "In fact the gem's are color coded, the teams have different color gems, green for Slytherin, red for Gryffindor, yellow for Hufflepuff, and blue for us Ravenclaw." "Why do they different colors for each team?" "I guess they just don't want teams stealing form each other." "Ok all teams are here, it's time to officially begin the Race," exclaimed Professor Flitwick. "Team 7th years line up your team in a straight line, in descending order starting with 7th years and down to first years." The mass of people standing at the starting line moved around lost in the chaos that Professor Flitwick brought with his announcement. "Joe, over here," it was Jim the 5th year member of the team. He was signaling to Joseph to get into his position in the line. Joseph rushed into his position quickly not wanting to angry Jim. Joseph looked around at the other lines. He could see some other first years he noticed from around the school. Emily was standing across from Mariano in the Gryffindor line. She had her blond hair in a bun. She was really quite pretty; Joseph couldn't take his eyes off of her. "Ready to go Joe," Joseph came back to reality to see Mariano staring at him. "Yea as much as I am ever going to be," Joseph looked straight ahead at Mariano. Joseph needed to concentrate if he was going to get through this without screwing up his team. "Teams ready?" Professor Sprout asked The 7th years on each team nodded their head in answer to the question. "Ok then.Ready," Joseph bent forward. "Set." Joseph griped the wand in his hand. "GOOOOOOOOO," Professor Sprout shot off a flare from her wand to signal the beginning for the race. The Ravenclaw team moved in perfect unison across the field. Hufflepuff seemed to have trouble and quickly lost pace with the other teams. Joseph wondered where they were heading, but his question was quickly answered as he saw a signpost standing out of the ground pointing right. The team moved in the direction of the sign. Joseph could see up ahead, four post box shaped objects sticking up from the ground. The teams approached the box that was colored their color. Josephs' team approached the blue colored box. On top of the box was a card that said, "3rd, 4th, and 5th years may open the box." Oliver, Heather, and Jim walked forward and assumed their role. Joseph looked over at the other teams. Gryffindor was the only other team that had made it to their box. Jim opened the box and pulled out a blue card and a pen and ink, the card had writing on it. "What does the sky hold that the ocean will never?" Jim read out loud. The three put their heads together and discussed the question before Jim wrote an answer on the page. Jim handed Heather the card and she slipped it back into the box. The box started to have convulsions. It shook and shacked for at least ten seconds before it stopped. Oliver reached back into it and pulled out a small, shiny, blue stone. Also he pulled out another card, "Next obstacle resides in the green house." Oliver read this card to the group. "What was the answer?" Mariano asked as the team started to move off again.
" The stars, of course." Jim answered. "Hurry up Joe Gryffindor is right behind us." Percy voice yelled from the front of the line. The team entered the Greenhouse, the plants and tress growing in the greenhouse seemed to get bigger during the vacation, perhaps it did, but most of the stuff in the greenhouse is replanted all through out the year. The second task was like the first but this time it was 7th and 6th year members. The Gryffindor team was a few seconds behind them on answering the question but they were catching up and it was important that Ravenclaw didn't give up the lead. As the Ravenclaw team made there way through the next three obstacles Joseph hadn't done any of the obstacles and was feeling quite useless. But on another note he had been getting good exercise. A heavy sweat had broken over Joseph during the course of the race; showing just how out of shape he really was. Gryffindor fell behind during the 3rd obstacle and Ravenclaw had a large lead as they approached the last obstacle. A huge sign spread across the sky let Joseph know that he would finally be used. The sign held huge red letters that said, "2nd and 1st years may enter." Joseph look under the sign to see a door. It's just a door standing up nothing but the same scenery of the landscape behind it. "Well Mariano, maybe you should go first," Joseph said trying to hide the nervousness in his voice. "Oh thanks Joe I'll just walk through the magical door that leads to who knows where, why don't you go in there first after all you're a first year." Mariano said in the same nervous tone Joseph had. "But the sign says 2nd year on it first so go ahead." "Will you two hurry up Gryffindor isn't that far behind," Percy shouted at them. Mariano looked at Joseph and nodded his head. Mariano walked up to the door breathed in slowly and then opened the door handle. Mariano quickly walked in, fallowed closely by Joseph. The door must have been a magical portal because they were in a small room. The walls were covered in blue bricks, there was a small table in the middle of the room, and on the other side of the room was another door that Joseph figured was the exit to the room. Mariano and Joseph walked to the table. On the table was a card and two feathers. Mariano picked up the card and read what was on the card out load, "Both feathers must reach the roof of the building to unlock the other door, then you must race to the finish line for your place in line." Joseph scratched his chin, "Well lets get this show on the road." Mariano and Joseph pulled out their wands and took aim at there respective feathers. "Wingardium Leviosa," They both shouted at the top of their lungs. Mariano's feather graceful lifted to the roof. One of the two locks on the door disappeared when the feather hit the roof. Joseph's feather on the other hand barley lifted up at all. "Wave your wand more." Mariano instructed Joseph "Wingardium Leviosa," Joseph said again but this time waving his arms a little faster. "No, no its Windardium Leviosa," Mariano accented on the Leviosa. "Wingardium Leviosa," Joseph said this time accenting the Leviosa. "Keep at it Joseph you just need one good blast." "Wingardium Leviosa, Wingardium Leviosa, Wingardium Leviosa." Joseph franticly said as time pasted ever faster. "WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!!" Joseph wand shot out a blast of magic so fast it knocked Joseph on his back. The feather shot up faster then he had fallen back. The second lock on the door disappeared. Joseph got up and joined a running Mariano to the door. They opened the door to see it lead them exactly same spot they entered "Finally you two finish, lets go we are losing now," Percy said as he sped of towards the finish line. Joseph and Mariano fallowed the team and ran as fast as they could in robes. Joseph looked ahead to see the finish line but also the back for the Gryffindor team as they crossed it. Ravenclaw finished within seconds of the Gryffindor team. "Bloody Hell," exclaimed Percy as the Gryffindor team celebrated the win. "What the heck were you two doing in there?" Percy zoned all his angry on Mariano and Joseph. "It was me," Joseph raised his hand "What happened Joe, we were so far ahead and you blew it." Percy had a scowl on his face. "I am sorry," Joseph said with his head down. "Sorry! Sorry isn't going to get us the points back we lost. Just.damn it." Percy shook his head and walked away. "It's ok Joseph you did the best you could, it was the Gryffindor team is just good, the second year member Emily Mcguffry is damn good. So don't feel to bad." Mariano said trying to make Joseph feel better. But it did work, Joseph just stood there feeling like an idiot. "How could I be so stupid?" Joseph thought as he walked away from the field. Joseph looked over at the Gryffindor team; they were celebrating their victory by hugging each other and congratulating Emily and another girl Joseph had seen once in his life. Joseph turned away; know it was his fault that his team wasn't celebrating. Joseph just continued his long walk back to the common room.
Next, Chapter 9: Lady Of The Lake