Chapter 7 ~ The Discovery

It was the next day and Harry, Ron and, the new posse member, Anistasia, were sitting at the Gryffindor table. Hermione walked up with a stack of papers in her hand.

"Gryffindor Fifth Year Schedules," Hermione announced as she passed them out.

Harry grabbed one and looked at it.

MON, WED, FRI

8:30 – 10:30 ~ Potions w/ Slytherin

10:30 – 12 ~ Horticulture w/ Hufflepuff

12 – 1 ~ Lunch

1 – 2:30 ~ Flying w/ Slytherin

2:30 – 4 ~ DADA w/ Slytherin

4 – 5:30 ~ Transfiguration w/ Ravenclaw

5:30 – 7 ~ Dinner

7 – 9:30 ~ Free Period

TUES, THURS, SAT

8 – 10:30 ~ Care of Magical Creatures w/ Ravenclaw

10:30 – 12 ~ Spells w/ Ravenclaw

12 – 1 ~ Lunch

1 – 2:30 ~ Arithmancy w/ Hufflepuff

2:30 – 4 ~ Muggle Studies w/ Slytherin

4 – 5:30 ~ Divination w/ Ravenclaw

5:30 – 7 ~ Dinner

7 – 9:30 ~Astronomy w/ Slytherin

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Anistasia hurried off to their first class: Potions.

"I wonder what this new potions master is like," Hermione asked as they made their way down the corridors.

Anistasia nodded as they walked into the classroom. They took a seat as Professor Wall began class.

"Welcome to your fifth year at Hogwarts," Professor Wall began in a loud voice, "This year in Potions, all of the things that you have learned in the past four years – all of the basics – will come back to haunt you as you bring them together to bottle fame, brew glory and stopper death. At the end of this year, you will take the Ordinary Wizarding Levels, also known as O.W.L's. That is why, during the course of this year, I will pound these potions into your head until you know them like the tip of your wand."

Anistasia looked over at Hermione; she looked scared.

"The O.W.L's," she mumbled as though she were in a state of shock, "I totally forgot…"

Anistasia raised her eyebrows and shook her head as she turned back to Professor Wall.

"I will tell you now," she continued, "This year will not be easy nor will I be nice. The first four years were slack, I am sure, compared to what you will be doing this year. I will require from you more work, longer reports, hours of study, frequent tests and pop quizzes and satisfactory behavior if you are to pass this class."

Harry and Ron groaned a bit. She talked a bit more about what is happening this year and then shooed them all off to Horticulture. Professor Sprout welcomed them more warmly than Wall had, talked about the O.W.L's just a tiny bit, their requirements for the class and then answered any questions anyone had. Class ended quickly and everyone was off to lunch.

 "So, how are you liking your first day here," Hermione asked Anistasia.

"I am really enjoying it," she replied, "Everything seems so much nicer than Durmstrang. I love the history behind the school, too."

"Have you read Hogwarts a History," Hermione asked.

"Hermione, don't start," Ron begged.

"Of course. It was the first book I picked up when I discovered that I was coming here."

"You are a sharp girl."

Anistasia blushed a little at Ron's comment, "Well, I…tell me, is there really a Chamber of Secrets?"

Harry nodded, "Oh, yeah. It was opened three years ago by Ron's sister under the orders of Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, who preserved himself in a diary. I went in the chamber to fight the monster after Tom had taken Ginny hostage."

Anistasia laughed, "Come on, now. Tell me the truth."

Ron's expression dropped, "It is the truth. My sister had opened the Chamber of Secrets under the orders of Tom Riddle. She released the Basilisk upon the school. Hermione was petrified by it. Then, being completely controlled by Riddle, Ginny wrote a note saying, "Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever" on the wall outside Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Harry and I knew where the entrance to the chamber was, so we went there, though, we had no idea how to open it. The entrance was in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. There was a snake engraved on one of the faucets and Harry spoke Parseltongue to it. The chamber opened and we both went down into it. It was Harry who truly saved the day and killed the serpent."

Anistasia looked at Ron in awe, "Oh, my, I thought you were just kidding! Forgive me for doubting you!"

"Its okay," Ron replied.

By this time, the four of them had already been in the Great Hall having lunch. Hermione took another look at her schedule.

"Man, we have two classes in a row with Slytherin," she exclaimed.

"At least we only see them once tomorrow and that is at the very end of the day."

The bell rang and they started towards the Pitch.

"Hey, I have to get something from the room," Anistasia said, "I will be down there soon."

"Yeah…I have to go see Madam Hooch," Harry said, "I will see you guys in Flying."

Hermione and Ron nodded. The two of them made their way to the field. Harry was already there.

"Dude, where's your broom," Ron asked.

"I have been calling it several times…I have no idea," Harry replied.

"Let me try," Hermione said, "Accio Thunderclap!"

Soon, there was a swooshing noise and a long yell as the broom and an addition came towards them. Harry and Ron split and the broom and its occupant landed.

"What in the bloody hell is wrong with this damn thing," Anistasia exclaimed as she stood and looked at her broom.

"That's your broom," Harry asked.

"Yes," Anistasia replied.

Harry sighed, "Sorry, Ani. I was trying to call my broom to me, but I guess I called yours instead. Hey, do you play Quidditch?"

"Yes."

"Any good?"

"I was named the Rookie MVP at Durmstrang in my second year."

"Ever play Keeper?"

"That's my position."

"Are you interested for a position on the Gryffindor team," Harry asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, you'll have to show me what you've got, but I am sure you'll probably get the position on a broom like that."

Harry called his broom and it came to him. Malfoy spotted the broom and walked over to him, carrying his Nimbus 2001.

"So, Potter's got himself a new broom, has he? Too bad you don't have a Quidditch team to go with it," Malfoy taunted.

"Shove it, Malfoy," Ron said, "I can recall on several occasions when he beat you to the Snitch, so if I were you, I would be practicing instead of running my useless mouth."

"Speaking of mouths, it looks like Weasley grew one over the summer. Where did you get the new robes? Donation from Potter?"

"Actually, I should be thanking you for the robes, seeing as how your father scared away all of the Ministry workers. Now my dad and brother are being paid double because of your father's handy work."

Before Draco could answer, they were interrupted by Madam Hooch's shrill call.

"Come," she called, "Gather round. I am sure that you have been welcomed already on several occasions though, I would like to welcome you back once again. In this class, there will be no O.W.L's and no end-of-year exam. You will, of course, be tested on some things that I will teach you. Today, I will allow you to take it easy and fly around for the period. Take to the air!"

Harry and Ani did as she said while Hermione and Ron got a broom. The day couldn't go by any slower for Harry. He was ready to tell the team about his discovery. When dinner finally rolled around, he was about to burst.

"Attention Gryffindor Quidditch Team," Harry yelled to the Gryffindor table, "There will be a mandatory meeting regarding our plans for this year directly after dinner in the Common Room."

Harry sat beside Ani and they talked about plans for the Quidditch season.

"The Chasers on my team at Durmstrang unleashed the Hawkshed Attacking Formation all the time," Ani explained, "It was extremely effective."

Harry nodded, "I haven't seen that played very much here…"

Harry and Ani finished dinner. The two of them walked up to the Common Room. Soon, the other Quidditch players filed in.

"Alright, Harry. Give us the scoop," George demanded.

"Yeah, what's so important that you have to call a meeting on the first day of classes," Angelina Johnson asked.

"Quiet, quiet," Harry ordered, "I want to introduce to you a candidate for our new Keeper, Anistasia Willow."

"She any good," Fred asked.

"From what she tells me. Rookie MVP in her second year ---"

"No, no," Fred interrupted, "You heard me all wrong. How is she in bed?"

The team laughed, including Anistasia.

"Dude, shut up," Harry said, going red; he had been trying to get Anistasia to find him interesting and Fred was not about to ruin it for him now, "All of you grab your Quidditch Robes and meet Ani and I at the Pitch."

Ani and Harry flew down to the Pitch and began warming up. The team soon followed.

"Alright," Harry yelled as he began the trial practice, "I am going to release the Quaffle and the Bludgers. Fred and George: beat those Bludgers to a leathery pulp. Angelina, lead the Chasers and go for goals as much as possible. Have good technique. Ani, keep the Chasers from scoring at any cost. The more danger you put yourself into, the better you look and the more willing you're going to be to do it in the game. I will be watching from all angles. After the practice, we will have a vote to see if we want Anistasia on the team. Ready? Take to the air!"

They did as Harry ordered as he released the balls. He kicked off and joined his team in the sky. He watched as each Chaser tried to formulate a plan to get the Quaffle past Ani. Nothing seemed to work. Ani shot left and right and successfully blocked every Quaffle as she dodged the Bludgers. After an hour, Harry called the team down to the center of the field.

"Alright, here's a recap of the hour," Harry began, "Weasley twins: great job with those Bludgers, though we've got to work on that back swing. Angelina, Katie and Alicia: nice job as well. Angelina, you made three shots, Katie, you made five and Alicia, you made two. That is ten shots in all which, equals one hundred points. Not bad at all. Ani, you blocked about one hundred twenty five shots. I find that extremely amazing. Well, you have all seen her perform and now, it is time to vote. All in favor of Ani being our new Keeper?"

Harry raised his hand. Fred and George followed. Then Katie and Angelina lead by Alicia.

"It is unanimous. Anistasia Marie Willow, welcome to the team!"

"Harry, Harry, you need to have her go through the initiation ceremony before you allow her in," George said, "Its only tradition…"

"You are nuts," Katie replied.

The team began to walk into the locker room, debating about the ceremony. Harry turned to Anistasia and smiled.

"Congratulations and, again, welcome to the team. I have to go see McGonagall, so, if you will excuse me for leaving you with these weirdoes ---"

"Say no more, m'lord, and be off with thou," Ani replied, smiling.

Harry flew off to the Owlery and Anistasia made her way into the locker room.