Chapter Seven:

Of Floating Pumpkins and Bludgers

Halloween wasn't the only thing coming up for Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team; their first match was as well. They had held try outs for a new keeper, and found a first year who could almost replace Oliver Wood, former keeper and team captain. The night before the match, Angelina Johnson ordered the team to bed early, as she was the new captain. Harry was glad for the early bedtime; all the research he had been doing at the library was tiring. Ron had started joking about how Hermione had probably cast a studying curse on him, he laughed. Hermione didn't find it that funny.

Harry had been taking Lupin's advice, and Sara's. He had been avoiding Jessica as much as he could, but he couldn't help the feeling of wanting to see her. There was something about her that drew him to her. He couldn't believe she was dangerous, maybe a little mysterious, but that was something he liked about her. He decided to arrange a meeting with her after the Quidditch match, despite the warnings he had been given.

Angelina woke the team up for an early breakfast, and then they headed to the locker room. She went over the game plan in a Wood-like fashion, before wishing everyone luck and going out to the field. The team waited for Madame Hooch to give the signal before mounting their brooms, Ravenclaw did the same. The snitch was released, and the game began. Harry had forgotten how good Cho Chang was, especially with the loss of her boyfriend, Cedric, she seemed to be flying at her best. Gryffindor scored. Cho stayed as close to Harry as she could, she knew that was her only way of beating the firebolt.  Harry tried his hardest to concentrate on the match; it was hard since Cho was his crush. She looked prettier than he could remember. He felt bad think like that, because Cedric kept popping back into his head. Focus, he told himself as Gryffindor scored again.

Wind was whipping around him, nearly knocking his glasses off, he pulled them tight, and continued searching for the snitch. Ravenclaw scored. Harry ducked a bludger. "Watch it Harry!" shouted George as he hit another one in the direction of the Ravenclaw keeper. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a golden flash near the Gryffindor goal posts. He flew in the opposite direction to throw Cho off, it worked. In a flash, he flew the other way. The wind came faster and faster, Harry's already messy hair flew into his face and eyes, he brushed it away, Cho was already after him and closing in. He got closer to the goal posts, and the snitch took off. He followed it, sensing Cho very close behind him. He had to get there first. He heard the screaming of all the Gryffindors as he closed in on the golden snitch "Come on Harry!" were the things they were yelling. He closed his eyes willing his broom to fly faster, then felt his hand close around the small, cold fluttering ball. The crowd exploded.

Harry landed as the Gryffindors flooded the field. Ron, Hermione and Jessica were the first to reach him. They were overflowing with joy and excitement. Jessica pulled Harry into a congratulatory hug. He hugged her back; the look on Hermione's face shocked him. She looked disgusted. She turned and pushed through the crowd, leaving Harry, Ron and Jessica all very confused.

*~*~*~*~*

"So, you said you wanted to talk," Jessica said, she and Harry sat down on the grass under the shade of a tree. He nodded.

"I really wanted to apologize for how rude I've been lately, I've kind of been ignoring you, and I feel bad," he told her. She smiled at him.

"I thought you were angry with me," She said, "I thought maybe Hermione had said something." Harry was taken aback.

"What do you mean?" he asked uncertainly. She sighed.

"She warned me to stay away from you, said she knew something about me that would ruin my friendship with all of you. I thought she was being really childish, but I took heed to her warning, and truth be told, I've kind of been avoiding you, too," She laughed. Harry didn't see what was funny.

"Hermione has been threatening you?" He asked.

"Oh, Harry," Jessica realized her mistake, "Harry it's nothing really. Don't worry about it." But he wouldn't listen.

"No, why? Why would she do that?" He demanded, more so to himself than anyone else.

"Harry, don't worry about it. It's nothing I can't handle," Jessica said, putting her hand on his arm. His stopped and looked at her. They all had to be wrong. She could never be dangerous. Her sister maybe, but not her. She smiled gently. He smiled back.

"Have you ever been flying?" He asked suddenly. She was surprised by his question.

"That came from nowhere, but no I haven't," she answered, "Why?"

"Would you like to? On my firebolt?" He asked.

"Uh… sure, why not?" she smiled. He took her hand and helped her up.

The sun was setting when they took off; she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist as the firebolt flew higher and higher. "How fast can this thing go?" she asked, Harry smiled wickedly and the broom flew faster until it reached top speed. Jessica was screaming and laughing at the same time. They slowed down over the lake, and floated idly watching the sun's last rays desperately grasping the sky, and then fade away, bringing on the night and the diamond stars.

"It's so beautiful," she gasped. He turned and smiled at her.

"We better be going in, Dumbledore doesn't like anyone, me especially wandering around at night," Harry told her, "With what's going on right now." Jessica agreed. Harry locked up the broom shed the two went back to the school, Jessica's arm linked through his.

*~*~*~*~*

Halloween descended on the school with a wave of decorations, sweets, and costumes. Harry dressed up as the Phantom Of the Opera; Ron was James Bond, Hermione chose to dress up as Marie Antoinette, looking elegant in a flowing gown (she made Ron stumble over his words whenever he tried to talk to her), Jessica dressed up as the Geek Goddess Artemis. She looked beautiful with her golden hair pulled up on her head, little ringlets hanging around her face. She took Harry's breath away. "You look wonderful," he told her and offered his arm. She gladly took it, ignoring a cruel glare from Hermione.

The Great Hall was decorated with live bats flying around the ceiling, which looked of the night sky, floating pumpkins, and the castles ghosts who flew around, popping out of random places scaring students. The food was spectacular. And after everyone was done eating, Dumbledore waved his hand, and the tables were pushed again the wall. Music filled the hall, and everyone danced. Though while dancing with Jessica, Harry felt someone staring at him. Sara was dancing with Draco, but she was glaring at Harry.

Harry felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned to see Dumbledore. "Do you mind, Mr. Potter, if I cut in? I would like to dance with my granddaughter," He said with a smile. Harry happily handed her over and went to get a drink.

"You two look quite happy," Lupin said. Harry smiled at him. "Harry do you even remember what Padfoot and I asked you to do?' He asked.

"Professor Lupin, I do, yes. But I think you two are wrong, about Jessica, not her sister," Harry told him, "She's not like her at all, and I trust her." Lupin narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything. "I know what I'm doing and I can take care of myself," Harry continued.

"That you can, as we all have seen, but Harry, please. If you won't listen to us, then at least promise me you will be careful," He pleaded.

"Why is it every thinks I'm being reckless? I'm being careful!" Harry exclaimed. Lupin nodded.

"I know, but Padfoot and I are worried, you can't blame us for worrying, especially in times like these," He said. Harry agreed. "And I didn't come to talk to you solely about Jessica, There has been an attack, Harry." Harry waited for him to continue, but he didn't.

"An attack? On who?" He asked. Lupin took in a deep breath.

"Your Aunt and Uncle were attacked in their home earlier tonight," He told him, "Harry they're okay, they were just really shaken up and…" He trailed off seeing the look on Harry's face.

"Why do you suppose Voldemort went after them?" Harry asked.

"Harry, we're not entirely sure that the attack was made by Voldemort or any of his deatheaters, it just doesn't fit something he would do," Lupin said.

"Why? Because he didn't kill them?" Harry's mind was whirling.

"Padfoot and I think it best that we talk to Dumbledore and have extra guard put around the school, for your safety. Who ever has been send us those threatening letters, if Voldemort isn't behind it, might be the one who attacked your family, and could very well be coming here soon."