.::*Woo, I'm workin' fast. Yay for me.*::.
.::*Sheila! Michelle! You're introduced!*::.
Chapter 14 - New Faces
Halloween arrived before anyone knew it. The first Quidditch match was only a day away and the Gryffindor team couldn't wait. It would be against Ravenclaw so they had prepared well. Ada, Fred, and George shared an intense conversation about the upcoming game while they enjoyed their Halloween feast.
"Ravenclaw's gonna be tough," Fred warned as he glanced over Ada's shoulder at Emily sitting at the Ravenclaw table.
"Oh, please. They have a great team, I'll give them that. And I know when I'm outdone. Emily's a fantastic keeper, better than me. But remember, we've got Harry," Ada contradicted.
"They've got Cho," reminded George.
"Yeah, and don't start me on her shaky technique. She's got brilliant potential and speed but she's not determined enough. It's only a silly game to her," Ada added.
At that moment, Oliver walked up with two girls.
"Michelle," he said to the curly-haired blond, "these are your teammates. That's Ada your captain and keeper, Fred and George the beaters, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell and Alicia Spinner are chasers, and Harry the seeker. He's just over there. Everyone, this is Michelle. She's a sixth year transfer from Beauxbatons, although she's not French, and she's your reserve beater."
Michelle smiled nervously as she glanced at the new faces. Ada stood.
"Welcome to Hogwarts and my team, Michelle," she said politely as she extended her arm to shake hands.
"Thanks. I'm excited to be on it," Michelle responded as she eased up a little.
"Have a seat and join us," Ada said, leaning over the table to nudge Fred to make room.
Michelle sat down awkwardly in the space provided Ada returned to her seat and looked at George sitting next to her. She smiled and gently pushed up on the bottom of his chin as he stared at Michelle.
"Don't stare, Romeo," she whispered to him.
George blinked and looked back at Oliver.
"Now," Oliver started again, "I've already introduced the Ravenclaw team to their new chaser so they would have time to practise with her. Sheila, this is the Gryffindor team. You'll be playing against them tomorrow."
Sheila was a fifth year donning long, straight black hair. Her green and hazel eyes twinkled with interest as she met the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Ada noticed she kept glanced back at the Slytherin table. Sheila, remembering where she was, spoke up, "It's nice to meet you. I'm from Durmstrang. My mum moved here to work at the Ministry of Magic in the Reserve and Protection of Magical Creatures Department. We've been around everywhere it seems. So far, I fancy Hogwarts the most."
Fred leaned over and whispered to Ada, "She's a jabbering one, isn't she?"
Ada smiled and nudged his arm. "It's nice to meet you, Sheila. I'm looking forward to playing against you. Chaser you say?" Sheila nodded as she looked away from the Slytherin table. "Well, since I'm the keeper, I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other." Sheila smiled as Ada talked.
"Well, why don't you join your house table now so you'll have time to eat," Oliver recommended.
Sheila said goodbye and joined the members of the Ravenclaw team at their house table. Oliver stayed behind.
"That Sheila is a fantastic chaser. If her teammates allow her the quaffle, you're in for a workout, Ada," Oliver warned.
"Well, as I said before, I'm looking forward to it," Ada responded.
***
After dinner, Ada, Fred, George, and Michelle walked to the common room.
"So where have you been staying until now?" Ada asked Michelle.
"Oh, erm, some quarters reserved for guests. Professor Dumbledore said they used to be used as prefect dormitories. He didn't say why they were abandoned as that, though."
"Fred, George, did you know about those quarters?"
"Well, there's always been one area where we could never get into. The passwords on the map never worked," Fred informed her.
"Map?" Michelle asked curiously.
"Now, you've done it," George muttered under his breath. His face suddenly lit up with realisation. "Well, now that she knows, she might as well join in on our pranks."
"Yeah, and I found the map when I was digging through your trunk fifth year. I figured out how to work it after you told me it was a gag from Zonko's and you still wouldn't let me go with you for the longest time," Ada reminded him.
"George didn't fancy you anymore than a friend, that's all. I was more than willing to take you and Emily sneaking through dark passageways. It would've set the mood nicely," Fred chuckled.
Michelle caught the hint about George liking her. She felt her cheeks get warm.
"You may have been able to pull that off on Emily back then, but I was taken," Ada snapped back.
George only stared at Michelle as they walked.
"Codswhallop. You wished you were taken. Besides, I would've only tried to move onto Emily. And I bet it would still work now. Taken...well, I guess you might as well have been. Oliver this, Oliver that."
"Mr. Wood? You like him?" Michelle's head shot up.
"Ha. More than like. We've known each other ever since I can remember. He graduated two years ago. He's truly brilliant. Fantastic."
Fred and George rolled their eyes. "Pipe up about him. He's not what he seems, the swiz," Fred commanded.
"Swiz? Please. I know Oliver better than you do." Ada cleared her throat.
"What's that mean? Have you been sneaking off to the bathrooms too?" George laughed.
Fred's ears got red. "Piss off, George."
Michelle chuckled as she listened to the three bicker all the way to Gryffindor Tower.
In the common room, Ada showed Michelle around.
"This is the common room. oh, the excitement. The fire never goes out. New students, particularly firsties, are utterly amazed but it's nothing special, really. Go up the stairs there and to the right is the girls' dormitory. Opposing it, is obviously the boys'. A word of caution...always lock the door when you leave. Last year, Alicia forgot twice and Ginny Weasley, once. Three times we had to clean up the syrup and cockroach clusters. We thanked Fred and George for that. Oh, and keep your personals well hidden, too."
Michelle laughed. She remembered her time at Beauxbatons. "I used to do that sort of thing to the boys at my old school. Great fun, it was."
"Well," Ada smiled widely and winked at Fred and George, "it seems I have a partner now."
Michelle smiled. She never thought she'd be making friends this quickly, considering--
Her thoughts were interrupted.
"Come on, then. I'll show you your bed," Ada gestured toward the stairs as she spoke, "So whom have you met so far?"
"Well, there's you and the Weasleys. Well, not the other two. I've only been told about them. Hermione Granger helped me with my schedule. Oliver, obviously. Erm...Harry Potter, Colin Creevy, and Draco Malfoy."
"Ah. You've met Mr. Malfoy."
"Charming but a bit rude."
"Oh, you don't know the half of it." Ada opened the heavy door. "You're that last bed there, next to mine, by the window," Ada pointed out.
Looking at the area around Ada's bed, Michelle laughed, "Quite the Quidditch fan, I see."
"Indeed I am. So how'd your tryouts go? Well, obviously well since you're on the team, but what did you think of them?"
"I certainly could've done better. I'm a rather obsessive fan of Quidditch myself."
"We'll get along wonderfully then."
Ada walked over to her nightstand and retrieved two books with her notebook wedged between them. Michelle made herself comfortable on her bed and stared out the window at the stars. Ada noticed.
"Beautiful, aye?" I love astronomy. Partly because I was forced to study it as a child. Mum said it could come in handy when I least expected."
"You too?" Michelle answered, half dazed.
Ada looked at her quizzically. "You're parents made you study astronomy?"
Michelle shook her head, "My dad. Mum was..." Michelle choked back tears. "Mum was killed after she was forced to join Vol-- You-Know-Who. A few weeks before her death, my dad had been watching the stars a lot. I remember the night before it happened. He told me he'd always be there for me no matter what happened."
Ada studied her intently.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this. I never open up this much to someone I just met." She wiped her face on the sleeve of her cloak.
"I'm fine with it. I expect to be good friends with you anyhow. I'm sorry to leave you like this but I have an appointment with Oliver. I'll be back in about an hour or so. We can talk more if you'd like."
"Thank you," Michelle nodded and looked back at the sky.
***
Ada yawned. She had been waiting for Oliver for fifteen minutes now. She had made herself comfortable at his desk when Harry burst in. Ada looked up.
"Here you are! Come on! Hurry!" Harry yelled, running back out.
Ada quickly followed him. He led her to the Quidditch Pitch. In the center of the field, someone was laying perfectly still. Ada rushed over, Harry right behind her. When she saw who it was, Ada frantically tried to stir him.
"Oliver! Oliver, please! Wake up!" She turned to Harry. "Get Dumbledore, Pompfrey, anyone!"
"Ron's finding Dumbledore. Hermione, Madame Pompfrey," he assured her.
Ada moved Oliver head into her lap and looked around for any sign of a clue. She spotted a bludger a few feet from her. It wasn't moving. A Comet 260 lay beside Oliver. That's not his broom, she thought. Ada clutched Oliver's hand and stroked his hair nervously. Harry knelt beside her.
"He's going to be fine. He just had an accident with the bludger," he said.
Ada shook her head as her hand stopped moving on the side of Oliver's head. "There's a welt the size of my fist on his head, the bludger isn't moving, that's not his broom. This was not an accident."
"But what could've happened then?"
Ada shook her head, "Where are they?"
A few moments had passed and four figures bustled onto the field. Rom and Hermione were out of breath and Madame Pompfrey looked shocked. Professor Dumbledore was blank other than the glint of worry behind his eyes.
"What happened? Oh dear..." Madame Pompfrey bent down to Ada's level. Ada looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"We, Ron, Hermione, and I, were walking just outside the Pitch there when we saw someone flying. We couldn't make out who it was. We supposed it was Wood since he has the keys to the gate. I needed to ask him about one of my plays for tomorrow so we came onto the field but he was on the ground. I went to find Ada, Rom for Professor Dumbledore, and Hermione for you."
Madame Pompfrey noticed the bludger. "Well, we'll take him to the Hospital Wing. He won't be able to referee tomorrow's game, I'm afraid. He will, however, be just fine."
Professor Dumbledore looked at Ada with his piercing eyes.
"Ada, is there something you'd like to say?" he asked gently.
Ada, eyes watering, answered, "This wasn't an accident. Oliver's broom isn't a Comet 260 and the bludger is still. Bludgers aren't still unless they're made that way."
Harry had run off the field and under the bleachers to get a stretcher. When he returned, Ada helped Madame Pompfrey lift Oliver onto the stretcher. Madame Pompfrey kept assuring everyone he'd be fine while Hermione comforted Ada. Ron pulled Harry aside while Dumbledore spoke with the others.
"I bet you anything this was Malfoy. You've overheard the stuff he plans. This is right up his alley. He's got it in for Ada about something," Ron whispered, "You should tell Dumbledore."
"I did. Yesterday, remember? I said I had to talk to someone while we were in the library. That's where I went. I never expected this. Not even from Malfoy. I didn't think he'd have the nerve. I'm worried about her, Ron. Something's not right."
Hermione interrupted them, "Come on. I don't think Ada should be alone tonight," she said.
Harry and Ron looked back at Ada.
"I'll be there in a few moments," Ada called after Madame Pompfrey and Professor Dumbledore as they levitated Oliver off the field on the stretcher. She walked over to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Thanks, you three. I appreciate your help," she added.
"Anytime," Ron said with a weak smile.
"Is our practise still on for tomorrow morning?" Harry asked, trying to get Ada's mind off of the current situation.
"Harry! Ada's just been through something horrible. It's no time to talk about Quidditch. Really, Harry," scolded Hermione.
Harry shuffled his feet. "Well, she doesn't need to be thinking about something horrible, now, does she? I'm trying to get her mind off of it. Really, Hermione."
Hermione glared. Ada smiled and wiped her face on her robe. "It's alright, Hermione. Quidditch is fine anytime for me. Yes, Harry. Five to six AM. Here. Walk with me and we can talk about that play you were wondering about."
Harry nodded and followed Ada. They were soon fully immersed in a conversation.
"How can they do that? After what happened? It's mad!"
"Hermione..." Ron said as he cupped her cheek, "shut up."
Hermione opened her mouth to disagree but Ron kissed her. She didn't object.
***
"So then Angelina will score and then Katie and Alicia will distract Ravenclaw for you to capture the Snitch. Ravenclaw's so good, they're predictable," Ada finished as her and Harry reached the castle.
"What if..." Harry felt his face get hot, "Cho isn't distracted?"
Ada smiled, "Then, you can't get distracted."
The doors opened and they walked in.
"Well, I'm off to the Hospital Wing. Thanks, again, Harry," Ada waved as she kept walking.
"Er...Ada, wait," Harry stopped her. She looked at him. "I think...I think Malfoy could've done it." There was a short silence before Ada spoke.
"That passed through my mind as well."
Not knowing what else to say or how to phrase it, Harry nodded and said goodbye to Ada. As she walked off, he thought to himself while he waited for Ron and Hermione.
***
Ada pulled a chair over to Oliver's bed and sat down. Madame Pompfrey entered with a basin, wash cloth, and some sort of medicine.
"Are you planning on staying the night here, Ms. Alucinor?" she asked, caringly.
"Er...well...maybe. What's that?" Ada pointed at the medicine.
"Oh, just a little potion."
Madame Pompfrey poured the contents of the bottle into the basin and dipped the cloth in it. "If you could please dab this on his forehead every half hour, I have a mandatory staff meeting to attend," she instructed.
"Yes, of course," Ada answered, taking the cloth.
"Thank you. I'll leave you to it then. I'll be back in about an hour."
Madame Pompfrey left and Ada was left alone, staring at Oliver's nearly lifeless body. As she dabbed the cloth on his forehead, she began to feel tired. Not now, Malfoy, she thought. The feeling stopped instantly but Ada didn't notice Malfoy had obeyed her so willingly. She was too worried about Oliver to care.
When Madame Pompfrey returned, looking very stressed, she gathered some things from her office and told Ada she's be out for the night.
"Keep on with the potion and cloth for about another hour or so. I'll be back in the morning," she informed.
Ada agreed and was once again left alone with her thoughts. After the hour was up, Ada put down the cloth next to the basin and stared at Oliver. "Why would Malfoy want to hurt him? He's of no use to him," she whispered softly to herself.
The night went on and Ada stayed with Oliver although he showed no sign of waking. The Hospital Wind was cold at night. Ada shivered as she watched the shadows in the room dance across the walls, floor, and ceiling. Ada got a sinking feeling as if everything was moving away from her. She glanced around and scooted closer to Oliver's bed. She brought her knees to her chin and wrapped her arms around her legs. She looked at her watch. Three o' clock in the morning. Ada closed her eyes, hoping to get some sleep before Quidditch practise.
***
Ada awoke when she felt warmth on her cheek. Groggily, she rubbed her eyes and stretched.
"Morning," Oliver smiled, taking his hand off her cheek.
Ada smiled widely and threw herself on him. "Oh, I was so worried! When did you wake up?"
Laughing, Oliver peeled himself away from Ada. "A few minutes ago," he said.
Ada remembered Quidditch. "Shit. What time is it?" she exclaimed, looking at her watch, "I've only been asleep for an hour and a half! Great..."
"I would've let you sleep but I knew you'd want to make the practise."
"Thanks. I've got to get ready. Before I go...erm...what happened yesterday?"
"Well...er...I remember I was walking on the field..."
"That's it? Hmm...So you didn't see anyone?"
Oliver shook his head, "Not that I can remember. Anyway, I'm gonna get ready for your practise, too. I promised you I'd make it to all of them."
"No, stay here. You just woke up."
"I'm fine. I have a slight headache but I'm fine. Don't worry."
Ada shrugged and sighed. "Alright then. Let's go."
As Ada and Oliver walked out of the Hospital Wing, Harry was walking towards them. He saw Oliver and smiled. "Good to see you're feeling better," he said.
"Thanks, Harry. Ready for today's game?" Oliver asked, patting Harry on the back.
"Ready as I'll ever be. I'm looking forward to practise, too."
Ada and Oliver smiled. "Good man," Ada said, "Are the others awake?"
"Fred and George just woke up. They were stumbling into the Great Hall with Michelle and Angelina. Katie and Alicia were getting ready when I left."
"Great then. I'll meet you two in the Great Hall in..." Ada looked at her watch, "ten minutes."
Harry and Oliver agreed and Ada headed for Gryffindor Tower. She tried to focus on her upcoming practise but she couldn't. The sinking feeling returned and her mind refused to focus on anything but Oliver and Malfoy. Ada understood why she couldn't get Oliver out of her thoughts, but Malfoy? She didn't understand the sinking feeling, either. She wouldn't be able to think of anything today but Quidditch. She had to focus. Ignore it, she said to herself. Just ignore it.
