Chapter 6
Joining the Team
"Are we going to the field today?"
"Of course. Don't we always?"
"Unless you have work."
"Well, yeah."
Ginny and Cadence talked in whispers the next day during class about what had happened when Ginny was off doing homework. Cadence told her everything, and at first Ginny hadn't understood. Then she had flushed and told her she was fortunate.
"He's a special boy," Ginny told her. "He's smart, he's got a lot going for him, but he keeps to himself far too much. He definitely needs someone to break him out of that. You're lucky it was you."
When Ginny told her this, a warmth unlike she had ever known crept over her heart and she was smiling the rest of the class, thinking about Harry.
Somehow they had managed to hold their tongues through Snape's class and not talk excitedly to each other as much as they wanted to. They had held it off until Charms class, and then spit out everything to each other.
"I can't believe he asked you to kiss him, that's so Harry," Ginny had exclaimed.
"What do you mean, 'so Harry?' "
"Harry's not very forceful, he's gentle and caring. He would ask so you wouldn't get offended or something," she replied, turned away, but then out of the corner of her eye, she watched Cadence turn crimson and a dreamy smile spread across her face.
The rest of the class they wrote small notes to each other and paid attention at the same time, learning the Appearance Altering Charm. They were trying out new hair colors, styles, and lengths, and then going back.
"I wonder what Harry would think if you approached him as a redhead," Ginny said, waiting for her expression.
Cadence's eyes widened. "He wouldn't even recognize me!"
"What about me as a blonde?" Ginny asked, flipping her short bright hair over her shoulder.
"Ha! That would be so cute," Cadence laughed. "I think your skin is too pale, it'd look off."
Ginny laughed at her, pointing her wand at her and turning her into a redhead.
"GINNY WEASLEY!" Cadence screamed. "What did you do?"
"Don't worry, Miss Cartwright," Professor Flitwick broke in. "The affects of this charm are temporary. You'll be blonde again by the end of lunch."
She smiled at the professor and thanked him for the information. She then stuck her tongue out at Cadence, turning her into a brunette.
"This ought to be fun," Ginny commented as the bell rang for lunch a few minutes later.
The entire class walked out with some kind of change to their appearance, and the girls laughed at how everyone reacted as they walked down the hall. No one recognized them.
They entered the Great Hall, chuckling to themselves, and talking about how they were going to meet later on at the Quidditch field and hoped that the weather would stay nice. For some reason, Cadence had not seen Harry that morning at breakfast. She didn't see him sitting at the Gryffindor table at lunch either.
She frowned, sitting next to Ginny across from Ron. She leaned over the table. "Say, Ron, have you seen Harry anywhere?"
Ron opened his Herbology book and pulled out some parchment to begin working. "Actually, after last class, he disappeared, I'm not sure where he went off to." Ron lifted his head up to look at Cadence and jumped back forcefully. "What. in the world?"
She smiled and opened her mouth to answer. "Charms?" came a voice above her.
Cadence looked up and found Harry standing over her. "Did you learn the Appearance Altering Charm? I can't imagine why else you'd have red hair."
She smiled at him lovingly and nodded. "Yep."
Yep?!
"May I have a seat?" he asked after a few seconds of silence. Ginny slid down automatically and let Harry sit in between her and Cadence.
"Where were you this morning?" she blurted out before she had a chance to say much more.
"Oh." he smiled and shook his head. "I was with Professor McGonagall. We were discussing Quidditch."
Cadence lit up like a lamp. "I can't wait to watch the Quidditch games!" she exclaimed. "When does the season start?"
"November 1, usually. But this year it will start a week later, mostly because we only have four players right now. We need three more people."
"Is that why you had to talk to McGonagall?" she asked.
"Yes. Our only problem is Malfoy is Captain of the Slytherin team, and we're playing them first. To top it off, I still need to find two Chasers and a Beater."
"How do you choose players?"
"Usually McGonagall does, but if I find someone I think can handle the job, I request them to her and she talks to them about it," he answered.
She chewed on the inside of her cheeks and turned back to her own homework. "What are you doing after class today?" she inquired.
He shrugged. "Probably nothing. Later on tonight I have to practice." He looked up at her and smiled wistfully. "Did you want to see me?"
"They're pathetic."
"Absolutely."
"Completely."
"I can't believe she would care for someone like Potter," Draco spat during lunch as he watched Cadence and Harry talk to each other. He sat and fumed for a few more seconds and then stood up to walk over.
"I might be able to come out to the Quidditch field tonight after class," Harry whispered to Cadence.
"That would be great," she said, her guard suddenly dropping enough to put her hand over his on the table.
Harry looked down at their hands joined together and then back up at Cadence. He smiled and opened his mouth to speak. He was cut off by an unbelievably evil voice above them.
"She wants your hand off of her homework, Potter."
Harry looked up at Draco, shooting him daggers. "What purpose do you have at this table Malfoy?"
"I'm coming over here to save Cadence, here," he said, stepping toward her.
"I don't need saving," she shot at him. "I'm fine here."
"Are you really, Cadence?" Draco asked in a low tone.
"Beat it, Malfoy," Ron suddenly said, standing up.
Draco stared between him and Harry, who was now on his feet. He was still clutching Cadence's hand in his own. She looked as though she were trembling in fear. Draco didn't miss the gentle squeeze Harry gave her hand every so often. Ginny, seated now closer on Cadence's left, was sending sharp glances toward Draco as well.
"Oh, Potter, the cavalry's all here. I bet you feel right at home now, with your precious followers."
Harry said nothing except a quiet, "Malfoy, leave before there's trouble."
"From who? You?" he turned before Harry could answer and knelt by Cadence. "Don't worry about Potter, my dear, he only wants to reel you in on his little game of tricks, lies, and deceit. Don't fall for someone as sneaky as this one."
Harry turned red, but said nothing. He kept a firm hold on Cadence's hand.
"Why don't we have a chat with Dumbledore?" Draco asked, leaning closer, raising his hand. "It's obvious you're in the wrong house my dear," he said, letting his hand rest on her neck. Cadence trembled vigorously.
Harry then let go of her hand, stepping forward and shoving Draco forcefully. "Don't you ever touch her," he said in a low, threatening tone that no one had heard come from him before.
"Why? Afraid she'll like it?" he sneered.
"Don't ever touch her, Malfoy. EVER."
Draco made no indication that he heard the pure and unadulterated hatred in Harry's voice. "Are you afraid that she'll not want to put up with any of your ridiculous games and be with someone who would care for her?"
"You care for no one but yourself, Malfoy. If I see your hands on her once more." he started.
"You care for nothing but your fame," he shot at him. "I would gladly love that girl more than you ever could."
Harry stepped toward Draco and pulled out his wand. "I'll have you out of her way so fast, Malfoy, you won't know what hit you."
"Perhaps someone else could change that for all of us, right Cadence?" Draco raised his voice. "You've already had someone change things for you, right?"
Cadence's entire face went white, and with it, her bright red hair turned pale blonde again. She stood up, walked straight over to Draco and smacked him so hard across the face that he stumbled backwards. She looked at Harry, tears streaming down her cheeks, and fled the Great Hall.
"What is going on here?" screamed Professor McGonagall, dashing from the Head Table to the middle of the hall. Professor Snape and Hagrid followed her swiftly. "Is there a problem, gentleman?"
"No, Professor," Harry said quietly. "Draco and I had a bit of a spat, but there's something that's more worth my time seeing to than this petty brawl," and with that, he sped off after Cadence.
Draco straightened, still clutching his face. "Cadence Cartwright deserves to be expelled! She marked me!"
Professor McGonagall said nothing. She pursed her lips together and stared at Draco through her spectacles. "I don't doubt that she marked you, Mr. Malfoy, but I do however, doubt whatever your story is as to why. Twenty points will be taken from Slytherin, for whatever mischief you caused."
Draco's mouth dropped open. "But, Professor! I assure you! Those Gryffindor beasts started this!"
Professor Snape cleared his throat from behind McGonagall. "Minerva, I assure you he's telling the truth. I oppose the twenty points you are deducting from my house."
McGonagall turned quickly on her heel and said in a quiet voice, "Severus, I assure you, twenty points is more than fair. I have never known this boy to tell a true story."
"Minerva."
"Severus, that is it."
She grabbed Draco by the arm and walked out of the Great Hall with him. "You and I are going to go have a talk with Dumbledore."
"But. Professor."
"Silence from you!"
Harry ran up the stairs where he knew Cadence had gone, screaming 'Amare cadere' as he blasted through the portrait hole, and ran up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
"Cadence!" he called, but heard nothing. He walked over to where he knew her bed was, but she was not there. "Cadence, where are you?"
Suddenly something clicked in his brain and he fled the dorms. He ran back out the portrait hole and out of the castle toward the Forbidden Forest.
It took a while, but he finally made it to the Clearing where he had brought Cadence the night before. She was sitting in the grass, staring out at the unicorns. He approached her slowly and she made no indication that she knew he was there. Yet, she spoke.
"I can't believe so many people know, Harry," she whispered.
Harry found it hard to answer, his throat didn't want to work. But soon, he croaked out, "Know what?"
She didn't answer. "At first, I thought it was secret. I thought no one knew. He of all people. to use it against me."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Again, she continued. "I just. I thought it was all behind me. but somehow, everyone knew my name. Everyone except you, Harry. I didn't know why, but I think I know now. How could he, how could he? Why does he. why did he touch me like he did?"
Harry said nothing, stepping forward to her. He was more confused than ever, but all he knew was he wanted to be as close to Cadence as possible. He sat down next to her and stared into her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Now isn't the time to tell you, Harry," she whispered. "I just don't want Draco around me ever again."
"That won't be a problem," he whispered back to her. "Not as long as I'm with you."
Cadence felt a tear creep down her cheek, and finally she lowered her head and looked up at Harry with all the love in her heart. He was surprised that she felt the same way about him that he did her. It was a relief to him as well as scary to see the desperate look on her face.
"Will that be forever, Harry?"
Harry was taken aback by the question, but knew exactly how to answer it. He was nowhere near a master at what he was about to do, but he had done it once before, and knew it would answer her question.
He tilted his head and leaned in to kiss Cadence. She accepted his lips with much compassion, and knew that he meant forever.
What he couldn't understand was that if she wanted him with her forever, why couldn't he know the true meaning behind her past?
He was now more than ever determined to find out.
"Harry, she'll hate you!"
"Please, Ron! You have to help me!"
"Ask her."
"I can't," Harry shot.
"She'll be upset if you go sneaking around behind her back, trying to figure out her history, just ask her!" Ron yelled back.
The sixth year Gryffindors were in History of Magic after lunch, and Harry had been given a stern lecture by Professor McGonagall, not to mention ten points had been taken from Gryffindor. He felt terrible for Cadence more than anything. She had suddenly gone from happy to depressed and he hated it. Even he could not cheer her up. However, in the past few days her overall malaise seemed to be drifting, and he couldn't hasten, no matter what he did.
Yet he had promised himself he was going to find out what happened to Cadence, at any cost. He asked Ron for help that day, but surprisingly, Ron had adamantly refused.
"I want no part in this. You need to ask her yourself," he had responded.
How could he ask her when she didn't want him in on it yet? He needed to know, it was driving him absolutely crazy.
"Come on, Ron, please, will you help me?"
"No!" Ron yelled with finality, and turned back to his studies.
Harry pulled out his wand and shot from it, a piece of paper that had the writing that said 'Please, help me!' on it.
Ron pulled out his own wand; shooting the floating paper and making it turn to dust. He shook his head and turned back to his work.
Harry bit the insides of his cheeks as he stared at his hands. He needed help, he needed guidance, he needed to find out what Cadence Cartwright was all about. How was he going to do it alone?
He decided that Ron was going to be no help, and instead went searching on his own. He spent all of his time during lunch in the library, looking up anything he could of Cadence's last name, and even went to the Hogwarts Family Tree book. Still, he found nothing. He knew that her parents had once lived in London and had gone to Hogwarts, but there was nothing on any Cartwright that he could see.
He gave up after lunch was over, remembering that he had to meet Cadence after classes on the pitch. He didn't want it to seem like he had been doing anything he shouldn't have been.
Cadence rushed out to the field with Ginny, armed with practice Quidditch balls and their brooms. She was in the mood to get some frustration off of her chest, and to do that, she had to play serious Quidditch. Ginny was up for it.
After throwing up the 'Quaffle,' Cadence flew up as quickly as she could after it, and got to it half a second before Ginny did. She grabbed it, zooming down the field, and throwing it through the nearest hoop. Ginny barely had a chance to blink.
"Holy cricket," she gasped.
"What?" Cadence asked, flying up beside her.
"Where did you learn to play like that?"
Cadence shrugged. "Well, my father has been teaching me since I could fly a broomstick properly. Why, is that any good?"
"Is that any good?" Ginny laughed. "Why."
"It's great," finished a voice from below them.
"What is it with you and sneaking up on people?" Ginny called down. Cadence looked and saw Ron and Harry standing below them, shielding their eyes as they gazed upward.
Cadence smiled and flew down to greet the boys. "Hello, Harry, Ron."
Ron was not speaking. His mouth was hanging open. "I've never seen anyone besides Harry fly that well before."
Cadence frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
She smiled. "Where's Hermione?" she asked suddenly, trying to ease the tension she felt at that moment.
"Studying in the library, we're meeting up later," Ron answered as if he hadn't even heard the question.
"What position do you play?" Harry asked finally, snapping back to life.
"Uh. well. I." she began. She had only wanted to play a game, and now she felt as though like she had been flashing her talent.
"She's a Chaser," Ginny answered for her, seeing the way her friend faltered.
"A Chaser? Are you serious?" Harry exclaimed excitedly.
Ginny nodded. "Yes, she is."
"Well. I."
"What if you were on the Quidditch team, Cadence?" Ron piped up out of nowhere, as if reading his friend's thoughts.
"The Gryffindor Quidditch team? Well. I don't know," Cadence said, surprised it had been brought up.
Harry stared at her, not sure what to expect. If she could be on the Quidditch team with them, they would have a chance of winning the Cup again. Not only that, but it would give him an excuse to be around her more often.
"Please?" he whispered.
That was all it took for Cadence's mouth to close, a solemn look to pass over her face, and her head to nod forward. "Sure," she whispered after a second.
Harry's green eyes fluttered with enthusiasm and hope. "This is great! I have to go talk to McGonagall right away! You'll come with me, won't you?" he asked, taking her hand.
"I have no choice," she muttered when he didn't wait for an answer and dragged her along for the haul.
They were up in McGonagall's quarters within a matter of minutes. Her stern head shot up and she gazed over her spectacles at the two running crazily.
"What in the world are you careening about so carelessly for, Mr. Potter?" she asked.
"I've found a Chaser!" he exclaimed happily.
It was as if a light had suddenly been turned on in McGonagall's normally somber face. She gave half a smile. "So you have. Miss Cartwright, how much training have you had?"
"My father has been training me for almost ten years," she whispered.
McGonagall looked at Harry, obviously impressed. "Well, I don't see why she shouldn't, if she's as good as you say she is, Potter. Do you want to be on the team, my dear?"
With the expectant look that McGonagall was giving her, and the pleading one she was getting from Harry, she couldn't say no. Besides, she had always dreamed of putting to use her extensive skills in Quidditch.
"I would love to," she whispered.
After discussing when practices were, and when Cadence would be fitted for her Quidditch robes, she stormed out of McGonagall's quarters and tried to get back to her room before Harry could catch up to her. However, she was not quick enough.
"Cadence!" she heard behind her. "Cadence! Hold on a bit, please!"
She ignored his cries and blasted through the portrait hole. She almost made it through the common room before Harry grabbed her arm.
"What is the matter? I thought you were happy!"
"Happy?" Cadence asked, ripping her arm from Harry's grasp. "Of course I'm happy! I'm on the Gryffindor Quidditch team! Why shouldn't I be happy?"
"Then why are you running from me?" Harry asked, stepping closer.
"I. I didn't want to make it out to be a big deal, and that's what it seems like it's become," she whispered in confession, staying rooted in one spot.
"Didn't want to make what out to be a big deal?" he asked, venturing to get closer to her.
She still didn't stir. "The fact that I've been training so long. I just wanted to get out of here and vent my frustration, I didn't want to make a huge deal out of how long I've been doing this, and if I'm even all that good. I think it's great that I'm on the team. but I don't want it to be known that I've been trained at home for as long as I can remember."
Now they were getting somewhere. Harry took her hands gingerly. "And why not?"
She said nothing. Her dark brown eyes drifted from their conjoined hands up Harry's body, paused longingly on his lips, and then back up to his eyes. "I. I."
Before she could answer, Harry was bringing his head down to meet her lips. She felt his graze hers before the portrait hole flew open and startled, the two flew apart.
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were standing there, staring at the two. "Well. what's going on?"
Harry cleared his throat and looked sideways at Cadence. She said nothing, smiled pleasantly at the three, and turned for the dorms. Before Harry could say anything, Ginny sighed and ran after Cadence.
Joining the Team
"Are we going to the field today?"
"Of course. Don't we always?"
"Unless you have work."
"Well, yeah."
Ginny and Cadence talked in whispers the next day during class about what had happened when Ginny was off doing homework. Cadence told her everything, and at first Ginny hadn't understood. Then she had flushed and told her she was fortunate.
"He's a special boy," Ginny told her. "He's smart, he's got a lot going for him, but he keeps to himself far too much. He definitely needs someone to break him out of that. You're lucky it was you."
When Ginny told her this, a warmth unlike she had ever known crept over her heart and she was smiling the rest of the class, thinking about Harry.
Somehow they had managed to hold their tongues through Snape's class and not talk excitedly to each other as much as they wanted to. They had held it off until Charms class, and then spit out everything to each other.
"I can't believe he asked you to kiss him, that's so Harry," Ginny had exclaimed.
"What do you mean, 'so Harry?' "
"Harry's not very forceful, he's gentle and caring. He would ask so you wouldn't get offended or something," she replied, turned away, but then out of the corner of her eye, she watched Cadence turn crimson and a dreamy smile spread across her face.
The rest of the class they wrote small notes to each other and paid attention at the same time, learning the Appearance Altering Charm. They were trying out new hair colors, styles, and lengths, and then going back.
"I wonder what Harry would think if you approached him as a redhead," Ginny said, waiting for her expression.
Cadence's eyes widened. "He wouldn't even recognize me!"
"What about me as a blonde?" Ginny asked, flipping her short bright hair over her shoulder.
"Ha! That would be so cute," Cadence laughed. "I think your skin is too pale, it'd look off."
Ginny laughed at her, pointing her wand at her and turning her into a redhead.
"GINNY WEASLEY!" Cadence screamed. "What did you do?"
"Don't worry, Miss Cartwright," Professor Flitwick broke in. "The affects of this charm are temporary. You'll be blonde again by the end of lunch."
She smiled at the professor and thanked him for the information. She then stuck her tongue out at Cadence, turning her into a brunette.
"This ought to be fun," Ginny commented as the bell rang for lunch a few minutes later.
The entire class walked out with some kind of change to their appearance, and the girls laughed at how everyone reacted as they walked down the hall. No one recognized them.
They entered the Great Hall, chuckling to themselves, and talking about how they were going to meet later on at the Quidditch field and hoped that the weather would stay nice. For some reason, Cadence had not seen Harry that morning at breakfast. She didn't see him sitting at the Gryffindor table at lunch either.
She frowned, sitting next to Ginny across from Ron. She leaned over the table. "Say, Ron, have you seen Harry anywhere?"
Ron opened his Herbology book and pulled out some parchment to begin working. "Actually, after last class, he disappeared, I'm not sure where he went off to." Ron lifted his head up to look at Cadence and jumped back forcefully. "What. in the world?"
She smiled and opened her mouth to answer. "Charms?" came a voice above her.
Cadence looked up and found Harry standing over her. "Did you learn the Appearance Altering Charm? I can't imagine why else you'd have red hair."
She smiled at him lovingly and nodded. "Yep."
Yep?!
"May I have a seat?" he asked after a few seconds of silence. Ginny slid down automatically and let Harry sit in between her and Cadence.
"Where were you this morning?" she blurted out before she had a chance to say much more.
"Oh." he smiled and shook his head. "I was with Professor McGonagall. We were discussing Quidditch."
Cadence lit up like a lamp. "I can't wait to watch the Quidditch games!" she exclaimed. "When does the season start?"
"November 1, usually. But this year it will start a week later, mostly because we only have four players right now. We need three more people."
"Is that why you had to talk to McGonagall?" she asked.
"Yes. Our only problem is Malfoy is Captain of the Slytherin team, and we're playing them first. To top it off, I still need to find two Chasers and a Beater."
"How do you choose players?"
"Usually McGonagall does, but if I find someone I think can handle the job, I request them to her and she talks to them about it," he answered.
She chewed on the inside of her cheeks and turned back to her own homework. "What are you doing after class today?" she inquired.
He shrugged. "Probably nothing. Later on tonight I have to practice." He looked up at her and smiled wistfully. "Did you want to see me?"
"They're pathetic."
"Absolutely."
"Completely."
"I can't believe she would care for someone like Potter," Draco spat during lunch as he watched Cadence and Harry talk to each other. He sat and fumed for a few more seconds and then stood up to walk over.
"I might be able to come out to the Quidditch field tonight after class," Harry whispered to Cadence.
"That would be great," she said, her guard suddenly dropping enough to put her hand over his on the table.
Harry looked down at their hands joined together and then back up at Cadence. He smiled and opened his mouth to speak. He was cut off by an unbelievably evil voice above them.
"She wants your hand off of her homework, Potter."
Harry looked up at Draco, shooting him daggers. "What purpose do you have at this table Malfoy?"
"I'm coming over here to save Cadence, here," he said, stepping toward her.
"I don't need saving," she shot at him. "I'm fine here."
"Are you really, Cadence?" Draco asked in a low tone.
"Beat it, Malfoy," Ron suddenly said, standing up.
Draco stared between him and Harry, who was now on his feet. He was still clutching Cadence's hand in his own. She looked as though she were trembling in fear. Draco didn't miss the gentle squeeze Harry gave her hand every so often. Ginny, seated now closer on Cadence's left, was sending sharp glances toward Draco as well.
"Oh, Potter, the cavalry's all here. I bet you feel right at home now, with your precious followers."
Harry said nothing except a quiet, "Malfoy, leave before there's trouble."
"From who? You?" he turned before Harry could answer and knelt by Cadence. "Don't worry about Potter, my dear, he only wants to reel you in on his little game of tricks, lies, and deceit. Don't fall for someone as sneaky as this one."
Harry turned red, but said nothing. He kept a firm hold on Cadence's hand.
"Why don't we have a chat with Dumbledore?" Draco asked, leaning closer, raising his hand. "It's obvious you're in the wrong house my dear," he said, letting his hand rest on her neck. Cadence trembled vigorously.
Harry then let go of her hand, stepping forward and shoving Draco forcefully. "Don't you ever touch her," he said in a low, threatening tone that no one had heard come from him before.
"Why? Afraid she'll like it?" he sneered.
"Don't ever touch her, Malfoy. EVER."
Draco made no indication that he heard the pure and unadulterated hatred in Harry's voice. "Are you afraid that she'll not want to put up with any of your ridiculous games and be with someone who would care for her?"
"You care for no one but yourself, Malfoy. If I see your hands on her once more." he started.
"You care for nothing but your fame," he shot at him. "I would gladly love that girl more than you ever could."
Harry stepped toward Draco and pulled out his wand. "I'll have you out of her way so fast, Malfoy, you won't know what hit you."
"Perhaps someone else could change that for all of us, right Cadence?" Draco raised his voice. "You've already had someone change things for you, right?"
Cadence's entire face went white, and with it, her bright red hair turned pale blonde again. She stood up, walked straight over to Draco and smacked him so hard across the face that he stumbled backwards. She looked at Harry, tears streaming down her cheeks, and fled the Great Hall.
"What is going on here?" screamed Professor McGonagall, dashing from the Head Table to the middle of the hall. Professor Snape and Hagrid followed her swiftly. "Is there a problem, gentleman?"
"No, Professor," Harry said quietly. "Draco and I had a bit of a spat, but there's something that's more worth my time seeing to than this petty brawl," and with that, he sped off after Cadence.
Draco straightened, still clutching his face. "Cadence Cartwright deserves to be expelled! She marked me!"
Professor McGonagall said nothing. She pursed her lips together and stared at Draco through her spectacles. "I don't doubt that she marked you, Mr. Malfoy, but I do however, doubt whatever your story is as to why. Twenty points will be taken from Slytherin, for whatever mischief you caused."
Draco's mouth dropped open. "But, Professor! I assure you! Those Gryffindor beasts started this!"
Professor Snape cleared his throat from behind McGonagall. "Minerva, I assure you he's telling the truth. I oppose the twenty points you are deducting from my house."
McGonagall turned quickly on her heel and said in a quiet voice, "Severus, I assure you, twenty points is more than fair. I have never known this boy to tell a true story."
"Minerva."
"Severus, that is it."
She grabbed Draco by the arm and walked out of the Great Hall with him. "You and I are going to go have a talk with Dumbledore."
"But. Professor."
"Silence from you!"
Harry ran up the stairs where he knew Cadence had gone, screaming 'Amare cadere' as he blasted through the portrait hole, and ran up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
"Cadence!" he called, but heard nothing. He walked over to where he knew her bed was, but she was not there. "Cadence, where are you?"
Suddenly something clicked in his brain and he fled the dorms. He ran back out the portrait hole and out of the castle toward the Forbidden Forest.
It took a while, but he finally made it to the Clearing where he had brought Cadence the night before. She was sitting in the grass, staring out at the unicorns. He approached her slowly and she made no indication that she knew he was there. Yet, she spoke.
"I can't believe so many people know, Harry," she whispered.
Harry found it hard to answer, his throat didn't want to work. But soon, he croaked out, "Know what?"
She didn't answer. "At first, I thought it was secret. I thought no one knew. He of all people. to use it against me."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Again, she continued. "I just. I thought it was all behind me. but somehow, everyone knew my name. Everyone except you, Harry. I didn't know why, but I think I know now. How could he, how could he? Why does he. why did he touch me like he did?"
Harry said nothing, stepping forward to her. He was more confused than ever, but all he knew was he wanted to be as close to Cadence as possible. He sat down next to her and stared into her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Now isn't the time to tell you, Harry," she whispered. "I just don't want Draco around me ever again."
"That won't be a problem," he whispered back to her. "Not as long as I'm with you."
Cadence felt a tear creep down her cheek, and finally she lowered her head and looked up at Harry with all the love in her heart. He was surprised that she felt the same way about him that he did her. It was a relief to him as well as scary to see the desperate look on her face.
"Will that be forever, Harry?"
Harry was taken aback by the question, but knew exactly how to answer it. He was nowhere near a master at what he was about to do, but he had done it once before, and knew it would answer her question.
He tilted his head and leaned in to kiss Cadence. She accepted his lips with much compassion, and knew that he meant forever.
What he couldn't understand was that if she wanted him with her forever, why couldn't he know the true meaning behind her past?
He was now more than ever determined to find out.
"Harry, she'll hate you!"
"Please, Ron! You have to help me!"
"Ask her."
"I can't," Harry shot.
"She'll be upset if you go sneaking around behind her back, trying to figure out her history, just ask her!" Ron yelled back.
The sixth year Gryffindors were in History of Magic after lunch, and Harry had been given a stern lecture by Professor McGonagall, not to mention ten points had been taken from Gryffindor. He felt terrible for Cadence more than anything. She had suddenly gone from happy to depressed and he hated it. Even he could not cheer her up. However, in the past few days her overall malaise seemed to be drifting, and he couldn't hasten, no matter what he did.
Yet he had promised himself he was going to find out what happened to Cadence, at any cost. He asked Ron for help that day, but surprisingly, Ron had adamantly refused.
"I want no part in this. You need to ask her yourself," he had responded.
How could he ask her when she didn't want him in on it yet? He needed to know, it was driving him absolutely crazy.
"Come on, Ron, please, will you help me?"
"No!" Ron yelled with finality, and turned back to his studies.
Harry pulled out his wand and shot from it, a piece of paper that had the writing that said 'Please, help me!' on it.
Ron pulled out his own wand; shooting the floating paper and making it turn to dust. He shook his head and turned back to his work.
Harry bit the insides of his cheeks as he stared at his hands. He needed help, he needed guidance, he needed to find out what Cadence Cartwright was all about. How was he going to do it alone?
He decided that Ron was going to be no help, and instead went searching on his own. He spent all of his time during lunch in the library, looking up anything he could of Cadence's last name, and even went to the Hogwarts Family Tree book. Still, he found nothing. He knew that her parents had once lived in London and had gone to Hogwarts, but there was nothing on any Cartwright that he could see.
He gave up after lunch was over, remembering that he had to meet Cadence after classes on the pitch. He didn't want it to seem like he had been doing anything he shouldn't have been.
Cadence rushed out to the field with Ginny, armed with practice Quidditch balls and their brooms. She was in the mood to get some frustration off of her chest, and to do that, she had to play serious Quidditch. Ginny was up for it.
After throwing up the 'Quaffle,' Cadence flew up as quickly as she could after it, and got to it half a second before Ginny did. She grabbed it, zooming down the field, and throwing it through the nearest hoop. Ginny barely had a chance to blink.
"Holy cricket," she gasped.
"What?" Cadence asked, flying up beside her.
"Where did you learn to play like that?"
Cadence shrugged. "Well, my father has been teaching me since I could fly a broomstick properly. Why, is that any good?"
"Is that any good?" Ginny laughed. "Why."
"It's great," finished a voice from below them.
"What is it with you and sneaking up on people?" Ginny called down. Cadence looked and saw Ron and Harry standing below them, shielding their eyes as they gazed upward.
Cadence smiled and flew down to greet the boys. "Hello, Harry, Ron."
Ron was not speaking. His mouth was hanging open. "I've never seen anyone besides Harry fly that well before."
Cadence frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
She smiled. "Where's Hermione?" she asked suddenly, trying to ease the tension she felt at that moment.
"Studying in the library, we're meeting up later," Ron answered as if he hadn't even heard the question.
"What position do you play?" Harry asked finally, snapping back to life.
"Uh. well. I." she began. She had only wanted to play a game, and now she felt as though like she had been flashing her talent.
"She's a Chaser," Ginny answered for her, seeing the way her friend faltered.
"A Chaser? Are you serious?" Harry exclaimed excitedly.
Ginny nodded. "Yes, she is."
"Well. I."
"What if you were on the Quidditch team, Cadence?" Ron piped up out of nowhere, as if reading his friend's thoughts.
"The Gryffindor Quidditch team? Well. I don't know," Cadence said, surprised it had been brought up.
Harry stared at her, not sure what to expect. If she could be on the Quidditch team with them, they would have a chance of winning the Cup again. Not only that, but it would give him an excuse to be around her more often.
"Please?" he whispered.
That was all it took for Cadence's mouth to close, a solemn look to pass over her face, and her head to nod forward. "Sure," she whispered after a second.
Harry's green eyes fluttered with enthusiasm and hope. "This is great! I have to go talk to McGonagall right away! You'll come with me, won't you?" he asked, taking her hand.
"I have no choice," she muttered when he didn't wait for an answer and dragged her along for the haul.
They were up in McGonagall's quarters within a matter of minutes. Her stern head shot up and she gazed over her spectacles at the two running crazily.
"What in the world are you careening about so carelessly for, Mr. Potter?" she asked.
"I've found a Chaser!" he exclaimed happily.
It was as if a light had suddenly been turned on in McGonagall's normally somber face. She gave half a smile. "So you have. Miss Cartwright, how much training have you had?"
"My father has been training me for almost ten years," she whispered.
McGonagall looked at Harry, obviously impressed. "Well, I don't see why she shouldn't, if she's as good as you say she is, Potter. Do you want to be on the team, my dear?"
With the expectant look that McGonagall was giving her, and the pleading one she was getting from Harry, she couldn't say no. Besides, she had always dreamed of putting to use her extensive skills in Quidditch.
"I would love to," she whispered.
After discussing when practices were, and when Cadence would be fitted for her Quidditch robes, she stormed out of McGonagall's quarters and tried to get back to her room before Harry could catch up to her. However, she was not quick enough.
"Cadence!" she heard behind her. "Cadence! Hold on a bit, please!"
She ignored his cries and blasted through the portrait hole. She almost made it through the common room before Harry grabbed her arm.
"What is the matter? I thought you were happy!"
"Happy?" Cadence asked, ripping her arm from Harry's grasp. "Of course I'm happy! I'm on the Gryffindor Quidditch team! Why shouldn't I be happy?"
"Then why are you running from me?" Harry asked, stepping closer.
"I. I didn't want to make it out to be a big deal, and that's what it seems like it's become," she whispered in confession, staying rooted in one spot.
"Didn't want to make what out to be a big deal?" he asked, venturing to get closer to her.
She still didn't stir. "The fact that I've been training so long. I just wanted to get out of here and vent my frustration, I didn't want to make a huge deal out of how long I've been doing this, and if I'm even all that good. I think it's great that I'm on the team. but I don't want it to be known that I've been trained at home for as long as I can remember."
Now they were getting somewhere. Harry took her hands gingerly. "And why not?"
She said nothing. Her dark brown eyes drifted from their conjoined hands up Harry's body, paused longingly on his lips, and then back up to his eyes. "I. I."
Before she could answer, Harry was bringing his head down to meet her lips. She felt his graze hers before the portrait hole flew open and startled, the two flew apart.
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were standing there, staring at the two. "Well. what's going on?"
Harry cleared his throat and looked sideways at Cadence. She said nothing, smiled pleasantly at the three, and turned for the dorms. Before Harry could say anything, Ginny sighed and ran after Cadence.