The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter Ten

Tea and Quidditch

Despite the hectic first week, Yuery felt he was settling into the new school rather well. He was to have his first quidditch lesson this afternoon, and his lessons were going well. He hadn't seen much of his Dad the last couple of days but knew he was still around because he had been at meals and talked to him after classes a few times. His Dad was still annoyed with him after the flying lesson, but hadn't said much else so Yuery assumed the matter was dropped.

So far, none of the teachers had singled him out either, all but Professor Binns had even agreed to use his proper name. Yuery supposed, being a ghost, perhaps Binns was not really aware enough to refer to him as a name different than the one on the official rolls. Apparently, the Headmaster insisted everyone's names remain exactly as they were listed when they were enrolled as infants.

At lunchtime Yuery received an invitation to afternoon tea with Hagrid down at his cottage. Yuery decided to go, but to take Ron with him. He thought about inviting Draco as well, but his free period and Draco's free period were not the same, Draco's last class was in the two-hour block before dinner whereas Yuery had that block free of classes, but Draco had a break just after lunch that Yuery did not. Likewise, Ron had yet to warm to Hermione and Yuery didn't want to cause another argument between the two. Hermione preferred to use her free period in the library anyway.

He just needed to be sure to finish his meeting before he was meant to be at quidditch practice, which was scheduled for an hour before dinner, therefore he had roughly a half hour to visit with the giant. Ron seemed excited over the idea. So, after they dropped off their school bags in the dorms the boys made their way down to the cottage.

Hagrid met them with warms smiles, terrible baking, and a large dog. He asked how their first week had gone, and then added that he had heard about Yuery being added to the team. "Yer Dad was on the team of course, when he was in school." Hagrid said with a smile. "I knew him and yer Mom. She used to come around to visit sometimes, would stay for tea… but she never cared for cakes."

"I thought your Mom and Dad lived far away?" Ron asked.

"I'm pretty sure he means my birth parents." Yuery said with a smile. "My Mom and Dad both went to school together too, but only Primary. After that Dad was super busy and Mom was too but in different places for a couple of years."

"I would love to hear more about yer other Mom and Dad. They seem like good people." Hagrid offered. "I can tell you more about James and Lily if you would like as well."

"Sure. Dad didn't know much about them except my first mom died saving me as a baby. That's when I got the scar." Yuery said pointing to his forehead. "Dad came and took me away to a safe place and then he and Mom got married. Then Maes came along, then the girls. William and I got a new mom, and everyone just stopped talking about before, except when we ask questions."

"Oh, so William had a different mom too?" Ron asked, having already heard a bit about Yuery's family.

"Yeah, she died when we were little. William was still a baby. He's like me and doesn't really remember a different mom." Yuery said with a smile. "We have pictures though."

"Your Dad seems nice." Ron offered. "I've seen him around the school. When kids ask him questions, he's always nice when he answers them. Is it true your country is sealed away so visitors can't come in?"

"Not unless they're invited, no. We had wizards magically seal the borders to avoid a war with the country next to us because they wanted to have all magic punished and Yeye called them idiots and ended our treaty with them." Yuery said easily. He couldn't remember if he was allowed to mention alchemists, but Hagrid made it easy by asking if they had a problem with them too. Yuery shrugged with a frown and added. "Yeah, they did, that was part of the problem is Dad and Yeye are both alchemists and Creta didn't like that. They said its evil like magic. No one else really agreed with them and now they don't trade with Aurago or Drachma either. They never traded with Xing it's too far."

"You know a lot about it." Ron said wide eyed. "I know you said your Dad works for the government, but my Dad does too, and I don't know that much about what's happening."

"I must know things. Firstly, it's part of my lessons in school. Secondly, I am the heir. I must know how things work."

"Anyway, I'm glad you boys are settling in well. You can come by whenever you have the time. Invite yer Dad down for a bit too Yuery. I'd like to talk to him some more." Hagrid said as they were getting ready to leave. "I met him and his brother before when they were here."

"I know, Dad said you helped Uncle Al back then. He said you seemed nice enough usually." Yuery said with a smile. "I'll pass on the message."

Ron headed back up to the school then and Yuery toward the Pitch where Oliver Wood was waiting for him. Before they could begin, Professor McGonagall and Yuery's Dad arrived on the Pitch both were frowning. They both looked frustrated, which Yuery assumed meant bad things for him."Good afternoon Yuery. We have an issue we need to discuss."

"Okay?" Yuery asked with a frown.

"There is no discussion." Dad frowned and crossed his arms. "You are not joining the quidditch team Yuery. I will not have you rewarded for bad behavior. I will also not have you playing an advanced sport when you have not been properly trained on the equipment. No matter what they are saying about you being a natural at it."

"As I said, we are having a discussion about the issue." McGonagall added and ignored his father's glare. "I do agree that you need further training on a broom. We will revisit the possibility of you joining the team in a few weeks." Instead of responding, Dad lead Yuery from the pitch toward the castle.

"I hear you had tea with Hagrid this afternoon." Dad said as soon as they were close.

"Yeah, he invited me over. I had Ron go with me. He invited you to join us next time." Yuery said. Dad nodded and lead Yuery further away from the castle closer to the lake where they could speak freely. "So, I can't join the team then?"

"It isn't a discussion. I said no and I meant it." Dad sighed. "Don't let me hear that you joined after I returned home either or I can and will return to bring you home. I do not want you flying around with the dangers around here."

"Fine." Yuery said with a pout. It was pointless to try to change his mind at the moment, but it was also possible after a few weeks training he might be able to talk his father into it. Not if he pushed it now though.

"Snape tells me you have decided to downplay your knowledge during lessons." Dad said as they walk slowly around the grounds.

"I am in most of them. You said to keep my head down. My written work is normal, but I decided it was best not to call attention to myself often in class." Yuery reasoned.

"Good job." Dad nodded. "Next time you are meeting with an adult I would prefer to be informed before you go. There is someone in these walls who is a threat, I'm sure of it."

"Who?" Yuery asked. He didn't like the idea. He was already half convinced his Dad would say Dumbledore, but then there was also Quirrell who felt weird, and then there was the matter of the rat, who he meant to bring up again.

"Quirrell is a problem. He's deep into something dark, it seeps off him. Dumbledore will continue to watch you closely. I have heard rumors that he considered refusing to allow us to return to Amestris at the end of the term, so avoid him if possible. There's something else…a presence on the edges that I can't pin down…I may ask your aunt to visit after I leave to see what she can find." Dad said thoughtfully. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere just yet. Just…stay clear of Quirrell and Dumbledore, especially. Avoid any of the teachers, if possible, they are all loyal to the Headmaster as far as I can tell, Snape has proven himself loyal to us, but he cannot show his hand this early. We need to find what we came here to find."

"Dad…Ron's pet rat. It feels odd." Yuery said, deciding now was the time to bring it up.

"Odd how?"

"Like it's a person…but not. Like more than a rat but less than a man." Yuery frowned thinking about it, trying to decide the best way to explain it. "It's almost like it used to be a person, but the person part is faded and hard to access now."

"Where is it now?" Dad asked with a frown.

"I don't know. It's usually with Ron but sometimes he takes it and leaves it up in our dorms. Around dinner he usually brings it along though so he can sneak it table scraps." Yuery shrugged. "Are you going to look at it."

"Hmm. Dinner would be an inconvenient attempt, with so many other people around. I have gotten better over the years but I'm not Ling… perhaps I can invite you and your friends around for tea. Do you think he'd bring it then?"

"Probably. He seems to take it everywhere with him." Yuery said. "Dad, Quirrell feels weird too, like there's something around him…I cannot place it."

"Dark magic. That's what you're feeling from him, he has done something so bad recently that the damage is fresh and strong. I do not know what he has done, but I want you to remain far away from him. Promise me, even if he tries to call you into a private meeting or detention you will avoid him. Do not go. Even if your head of house grows angry with you, simply refuse." Dad said. "The same with the Headmaster. I want to know immediately if either man tries to meet you alone."

"Okay Dad. I will." Yuery said. They continue in silence until they reach the castle. "It's okay I went to tea with Hagrid though?"

"Yes, he is safe. A bit dim I think but safe." Dad agreed. "He wouldn't be the first person I allowed around you that I would describe like that either."

Yuery and his dad parted ways in the front hall, after Dad informed him he was also grounded so Yuery was in a fairly grouchy mood when he found his friends in the library.

"Wait I thought you had practice?" Ron asked when Yuery flopped down next to him.

"I'm in trouble with Dad over the other day. He also is unhappy with my performance in classes." Yuery summarized.

"Why? How did he punish you?" Ron asked .

"I am not allowed to join the Quidditch team after all." Yuery said, "I am also am not allowed to visit with my friends over winter break and he wrote my Mom… remember how that boy in third year got the yelling letter? I'm glad Mom can't do that because it's not going to be good. Dad's trying to be calm because we're here, Mom won't have that problem."

"It's called a Howler." Neville said with a shudder. "I wish my Gram couldn't. Thank you again for sticking up for me, Draco said that's why you were up there."

"I'm sure Draco had a lot to say didn't he? Did he tell you that he was making fun of you and that's why Yuery had to stick up for you?" Ron frowned angrily.

"Yes, actually. He apologized. He said that he was in a foul mood but that didn't make it right." Neville shrugged. "He hasn't been mean to me other than that Ron."

"Still, I think he should have gotten into trouble too." Ron huffed.

"I did." Draco said as he looked up from his book, annoyed about being talked about as if he wasn't there. "Yuery refused to turn me in, but I went to Professor Snape and told him myself. I have detention after classes for the rest of the month."

"He apologized, he took responsibility for his behavior. Let's just let it go." Hermione offered diplomatically. Draco scoffed and gathered his books as he told the others he would see them later, Neville jumping up to join him.

"I can't believe Neville forgave Malfoy so easily, after hearing he was making fun of him and everything." Ron said as he watched the other boys leave.

"Why shouldn't he? Draco said he was sorry and he meant it." Yuery said with a shrug. "People can be mean sometimes, I did tell him off for what he said."

"Yeah, but Slytherins-"

"See, that doesn't help anything." Yuery scowled. "We've been here a week, and we are all meant to be rivals because of the House we are in? Why?"

"Look, I don't know if your schools had Houses, but here at Hogwarts the Houses have always determined how it goes. We are placed based on what kind of people we are." Ron shrugged. "Everyone says Slytherin is for Dark Wizards."

"That's just stupid. First of all, that wasn't even on the list of things that weird hat said about the houses. Secondly, how can they just decide what kind of person you are after setting a magic hat on you for a couple of seconds." Yuery frowned. "My old school had different tracks, but people aren't divided by them. It is just where your talents lie, and from what that hat said it sounded like the Houses are meant to be like that." Ron frowned back but didn't think there was a counter argument, Yuery nodded before followed the others out, Hermione whispering to Ron behind him.