AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay this is set like thirty seconds after the end of the
last chapter, so there's nothing missing. Sorry if there was some
confusion. Harry fell down and now they're talking.
"What is it Harry?"
"You okay?"
"I think I busted my ankle."
They helped Harry up to the Tower but he refused to go to the Hospital. "If Madam Pomfrey sees me she'll never let me go to the game tomorrow."
When they got to the Tower Harry took off his left sock and shoe. Hermione inspected it. "This doesn't look good, Harry. You shouldn't be walking on this. It will be even more swollen by tomorrow."
"Can't you do anything?" The thought of how bad Malfoy would get if he missed the match was unbearable, if he didn't play but Gryffindor won anyway the torturing taunts would be worse than if he played and lost.
"I've gotta play tomorrow, Hermione."
"I'll see what I can do but I don't know how much I can help. If I fix your foot well enough tonight but not completely, you'll have to go to Madam Pomfrey after the match tomorrow."
"I will, just see what you can do for the foot now."
"I think it's sprained and there might be a fracture." Hermione used the best healing charms she knew it was still sore but it was better. "In the morning do you want me to numb it or leave it how it is now? I can't guarantee it will feel any better, though. But I did get rid of the fracture."
"It'll be fine. Thanks."
"I might have some more of that sleeping draft left that I made last week. Do you want it? You need sleep and it might be hard if you're foot is sore."
"Sure."
Hermione went upstairs and brought Harry back a vial of a bluish liquid. "You might want to drink this upstairs. It works fast."
"Thanks again, Hermione."
"Your welcome."
Harry made his way up to his room, put on his pajamas, and drank the vial as he climbed into his bed. He stared up at the canopy a few seconds before sleep claimed him.
In the morning, when Harry woke, the first thing he was aware of was the pain in his foot. It took him a minute to remember the fall and that he had a game to play. He got dressed and because of the soreness of the foot and the bulk of the bandage he limped on his way down the stairs.
He ate a little of his breakfast. The team went out to the locker room and put on their scarlet robes.
"We've finally got a game this year with our full team. Now, all we've got to do is play how we've been practicing and we'll be great. We've just got to use the strategies we practiced and we can win this." Instead of pacing as was usual when Harry spoke to them before the match he was sitting down. "Everyone is here, right?"
Renata whispered something to George.
George raised his hand. "I'm not sure I'm here."
Fred added him, "Me neither, Harry."
"Stop messing around or you can both hand your clubs to Renata and you can sit in the stands," Harry told them, trying not to laugh.
The twins put their clubs over their hearts and gave fake sighs of despair.
Harry shook his head. "Okay everyone, let's get out there and give it our all!" The six followed him outside.
Outside the door Hermione pulled Harry aside. She took out her wand and muttered a spell over his foot. "There, it should be numb for a while. Good luck!" She raced off to where Ron had saved a seat in the stands.
Harry ran to catch up with the others. He shook hands with Draco Malfoy rather harder than necessary, shuddering at having to touch the vile slime, and then he got ready to launch into the air as Madam Hooch blew her whistle.
Harry rose into the air and immediately opened his eyes and kept them peeled for the Snitch.
"For the first time all year we have the entire Gryffindor team playing. In case anyone forgot, Renata Delano's correct position on the team is Keeper. And look the Quaffle is heading for the hoop and.whoa! Folks that's a long throw! It's nearly at the other end of the field! And.Chaser Katie Bell catches it and scores! Ten points to Gryffindor," Lee was running the last Quiditch commentary he ever would for Hogwarts. He really threw himself into it. "The Gryffindor Chasers seem to be using an interesting strategy: the girls are circling the Slytherin Chasers and passing the Quaffle back and forward, over and under them. Gryffindor scores again! Good job Alicia! Good job girls! The score is now 20 to 0 in Gryffindor's favor. Slytherin now in possession. Chaser Blaise Zabini attempts to score and once again the Quaffle is blocked by Renata Delano and sent whizzing back over the field, Angelina catches it and she scores! 30 to 0 Gryffindor still in the lead. Wow what an arm on Renata. Somebody get this girl on a Cricket team. Okay everyone still there seems to be no sign of the Snitch."
Despite the steady pain in his leg Harry couldn't help doing a few loops when he looked at the score, "Malfoy! Looks like our team's kickin' your can!"
"Really, Scarhead? We'll see about that!" Malfoy flew downward to avoid an oncoming Bludger. Harry wasn't so lucky. He flew upwards to avoid it and was struck in his left foot. Trying to keep the broom steady and rub his foot at the same time Harry looked to where the Quaffle was. Renata was giving another extensive throw but this time the Slytherin Chasers were ready and one of them caught it before Katie did. Harry let go of his foot and, while keeping his eye out for any glint of gold passing through the air, made his way over to Madam Hooch. "Time-out!" He turned and called to his teammates, "Everyone on the ground!" He waited 'til they were all there. "Okay everyone great job so far. Fifty to ten isn't it?"
Renata gave a slight pout. "I still can't figure out how they got the Quaffle passed me."
"It's okay, Renata. But they've picked up on the fact that you always give the long throws." He grinned. "Unfortunately they aren't as stupid as we'd like to think they are. You've got to vary it with some short ones. Otherwise they'll keep getting the Quaffle." Harry shifted the weight off his sore foot. "No one here's seen that pesky Snitch by any chance have they?"
Madam Hooch blew the whistle for them to come back. Renata called to the twins, "Plan B!"
"Anyway great job so far, keep it up!" Harry shouted. They took off. As Harry looked to the stands he noticed Ron, Hermione, Dean, and Seamus holding up a banner that read, "GO GRYFFINDOR LIONS!" He saw Hagrid sitting with them. Harry's leg was now extremely sore but he kept his eyes open.
He heard Lee announce the score, "Another spectacular shot by the Gryffindor Chasers! 60 points to 10 points. Things are really heating up folks but that elusive Snitch is nowhere insight. Unless of course one of you out there has seen it? And another brilliant block by Renata, and what's this? No long throw! She threw it to Fred! Wait-can a Beater handle Quaffle? Well Madam Hooch isn't calling it so and Fred hits the Quaffle with his club to Alicia Spinnet and she scores again! 70 to 10." At last Harry caught a glint of gold. The Snitch was right over by the Slytherin hoops. Harry started diving toward it and he was hit! But it wasn't a Bludger. Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Seeker, has taken Millicent Bulstrode's club and he just hit Harry in the stomach!
"Foul! Foul! FOUL!" All of the Gryffindors as well as many Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were screaming the word. Harry took a moment to catch his breath and was then outraged that he'd lost sight of the Snitch.
Madam Hooch called the Slytherin team over and started reprimanding them for such atrocious behavior. She told Draco Malfoy that if he tried another stunt like that she would remove him from the game for endangering players.
Katie took a foul shot for Gryffindor and made it. Lee's commentary showed how mad he was.
"After that open and outright bit of disgusting cheating-"
"Jordan." McGonagall warned in a dangerous voice.
"Fine, after Malfoy nearly kills Harry the game resumes and Katie takes a penalty shot for Gryffindor. Game carries on."
Harry spied around and saw something gold-ish fall near Draco Malfoy. Almost too late did Harry realize that Malfoy dropped a Galleon to make Harry think it was the Snitch. Meanwhile Harry watched Malfoy streak off in the other direction. Harry put a spurt of speed on his broom and was gaining on Malfoy every second. He became dimly aware of Lee Jordan telling everyone that the Snitch appeared to have been sighted. The pain in Harry's foot had been growing steadily.
Harry saw the Snitch, and a faster way to get there. He had the Snitch in his hand and then his broom was rammed by Malfoy. His grip on the Snitch remained tight but he lost control of the broom and started going down.
Harry shouted, "I've got the Snitch! I've got it!" But he didn't have control of his broom; between the excruciating pain in his foot and being rammed by Malfoy, keeping control had been a difficult task. He was plummeting fast. With a deathlike grip on the Snitch he hit the ground.
When Harry woke he was surrounded by the familiar white linens and the scent of medicine. He looked and saw a fresh bandage on his leg, that is, a blurry fresh bandage as his glasses had been removed.
He reached for where he knew his glasses would be and a hand came out to stop him. "Oh no you don't, mister. You lie down and go back to sleep."
"Renata?"
"Yeah, it's me," she said gruffly.
"What are you doing here?"
"Madam Pomfrey refused to let three of us stay in here while you were asleep so Ron, Hermione, and I have been taking hour long shifts. It's eight o'clock. Do you know how long it took them to pry that Snitch from your hand? Ages."
"Really?"
"At least twenty minutes anyway."
"We won, right?"
"Of course, you should have seen Malfoy! He was steaming. Honestly."
"But he was right."
"Whaddaya mean 'he was right'?"
"He said I was going to end up falling off my broom, hitting the ground and not moving."
"Then technically speaking he only got one out of three. You did fall off your broom but you didn't hit the ground and your obviously moving again."
"Why didn't I hit the ground?"
She grinned, "When you started shouting we all raced toward you to congratulate you, then we found out you needed a hand instead. Between Fred, George and I we managed to pretty much catch you and keep you from having your face plastered all over the Quiditch field."
"I bet Fred and George have got a party going in the common room. You can go back if you want, probably be less boring than being stuck here."
"Nah, my shift ends in a few minutes anyway and Hermione will come in. Then Ron, then me again; although I hope you'll be asleep by then. Besides, I'm not bored. You've got to rest and let that foot properly heal this time."
"With Madam Pomfrey? The foot will be fine by morning."
"Okay. Did you know the whole team came up here when you were brought up? Wanted to make sure you were okay. Problem was Madam Pomfrey didn't know how your foot could be hurt so bad from just a Bludger and she had to drag the story out of Hermione. All seven of us waited around 'til Madam Pomfrey said we had to go, but I guess that's 7 counting you. Well, 9. Ron and Hermione were in here too."
"The whole team showed up?"
"Yep. Here comes Hermione."
Hermione came over and gave Harry a hug. "Are you okay?"
"I'm always okay."
Renata stood up to leave, "Bye, Hermione, I'll see you back in the common room." She turned to Harry. "Kid, you've got some amazing luck; it's nice to see that your brains aren't plastered over the Quiditch field. It'd just be too messy to clean up. See you in the morning, and get some rest."
"Where does she get off calling me 'kid'? She isn't older than me, is she?"
"I don't know. She never said when her birthday was. She's just being herself, you know. How do you feel? I explained to Madam Pomfrey about which spells I used before because some are dangerous if they get mixed."
"Thanks. And I saw the banner you guys made for the team. That was nice."
"Your welcome. We would have all been here when you woke-up but-"
"I know. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let you all stay."
"Can you believe it? You get to go to California. That will be fascinating."
"It should be interesting to say the least." They continued to talk until Harry fell asleep.
Harry woke to find Ron sitting in the chair next to his bed. When he saw that Harry was awake he handed him a pastry.
"Fred and George wanted me to bring it to you."
"Not hexed right?"
"Not this time. That was awesome! You totally cut off Malfoy and got to the Snitch first. That was low! Him hitting you in the gut like that." Ron shook his head.
"How stupid did I look when I was falling?"
"Well you started shouting that you had the Snitch, so the Slytherin team was disgusted with Malfoy. They were all screaming at him. Then Malfoy saw you falling and so did the Gryffindors, the Gryffindors were coming over to congratulate you but then they realized you were falling. Renata and the twins reached the ground first and between the three of them they caught you, broom and all. We weren't quite sure why you fell though."
"It was Malfoy, and my foot. He rammed my broom when I got the Snitch and I lost control and by then my foot was real sore. It was sore because I fell yesterday but then today my foot got slammed with a Bludger."
"Ouch."
Just then there was a knock at the door and Renata and Hermione came in. "Hey. We just wanted to come say goodnight. Because any minute now I'm sure Madam Pomfrey is going to come in and say we've all got to leave."
Almost as if on cue, Madam Pomfrey appeared. "Out! I told you all you come back in and say goodnight. You have so, out!"
"Bye, Harry, see you in the morning."
"Bye, Harry."
"Get some rest," Renata tossed a book at him.
"See you all in the morning."
"Out!" Madam Pomfrey shooed the three of them out the door. Soon she brought Harry a goblet of an icy looking orange liquid. "Drink up. Drink all of it, Mister Potter. Miss Granger did an excellent job healing the bone fracture last night but that Bludger gave you another one. And those muscles you twisted in your ankle didn't have the proper time to heal. Drink this and it will help."
She watched as he drank the goblet of icy liquid and put on his pajamas. It wasn't long before he fell sound asleep.
About midmorning the next day he was allowed to leave, but told to stay off the foot as much as possible and he was given crutches.
He found Ron, Hermione, and Renata waiting in Gryffindor Tower. They watched with mild amusement as Harry hobbled over.
"Feeling any better?"
"A bit."
At lunch Dumbledore stood and made announcement. "Everyone please meet back in the Great Hall at eight o'clock tonight for an important announcement.
That night after dinner everyone remained in Great Hall. Dumbledore rose, "I would like the Gryffindor and Slytherin Quiditch teams to come up to the front please." The fourteen players came up to the front. Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled. "It appears there is a Quiditch Cup that needs awarding. Under normal circumstances this would have been awarded at the field yesterday." He took out the Cup and handed it to Harry. He raised it over his head and listened to the cheers. The Cup was then passed along the line of Gryffindor players. Dumbledore made the teams shake hands and Malfoy gave Harry a look of pure venom.
Dumbledore raised his hand for silence. "Now, as you were told earlier this year the winners of the Quiditch Cup will be going to the United States for a match against the Angels Magical Academy of Wizards and Witches. I'm sure many of you are disappointed that you will not be able to see the game. Well, I have good news. Sign up sheets will be going around for anyone who would like to go and cheer our school on. But spaces are limited so sign up soon! Remember there are only seventeen free spaces. Please see the Head of your House if you are interested."
Harry and the others joined the people leaving and thronging in the corridor. He couldn't find Ron and Hermione.
"They're over by McGonagall signing up to go with us."
"Oh."
They waited for them to come back.
"It's astonishing how many people are interested in going. Dean was there, Seamus, and Lee. Over by Professor Sprout were Justin, Ernie, and Hannah. And Susan was considering it too. Near Professor Flitwick were Cho and that Terry boy with a couple of others. I don't know who they were."
"Even some Slytherins are coming," Ron said in disgust. He looked to where Draco Malfoy, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle, were standing by Snape. He turned back and looked to where McGonagall was, "Look, Harry! That fourth year and his brother who are always bugging you are signing up. So is Ginny and I guess that girl is one of her classmates."
They started heading back to Gryffindor Tower. "So, does anyone know which teachers are going?"
"Dumbledore for sure and I guess the Head of the House of the winning team."
"But McGonagall is the Deputy Headmistress, I don't think she can go. When Dumbledore isn't here she's supposed to run the school."
"Well then who'll go?"
"Maybe Hagrid?"
"I just hope it's not Snape."
"If it's Snape-"
"I don't think it will be."
"Why's that?"
"Because there are tons of teachers who aren't the Heads of another house. Professor Vector, Hagrid, my mom, I guess not Professor Binns, but Professor Trelawny-"
"Not her," groaned Harry. "The trip would be spoiled if she went. She'd try to predict the outcome of the match and then she'd say I was going to die."
Dean and Seamus came into the common room. "I can't believe she won't tell us," complained Dean.
"She's being completely unfair," agreed Seamus.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"McGonagall. More people signed up than there are places for and she won't tell us whether or not we can go."
Ron started dealing out cards for Exploding Snap. "Sit down. So when did she say you'll know?"
"Tomorrow at the earliest."
"When's the trip?"
"25th I think."
"We get there, we play, and then we get to go home the next day. That will be it isn't it?"
"Are you kidding? We get to miss a week of class."
"A week!"
"Sure, my old school was great. I loved it there. We can get there the first day; have a few days to practice before the game and then we can go sightseeing. Then we leave. I'm going to go talk to my mom. I'll see you all later."
They spent a while talking about the trip before they all finally went to bed.
The next day, after classes, the Gryffindor team met in the lockers. "I know I said if we won you could have the day off but I really need to talk to all of you. There's only 11 days until we leave for California and we need to come up with a practice schedule."
"But we don't know what our schedule will be when we get there."
"No, but we can come up with a schedule until then."
Renata insisted that they only put practice three or four times a week on the schedule. She explained to Angelina, "Well, you know in a week he'll increase it to four and five times a week anyway so we might as well start out with less."
The next day the list of the students going on the trip with the Quiditch team appeared. From Gryffindor would be: Q Harry Potter, Q Fred Weasly, Q George Weasly, Q Renata Delano, Q Angelina Johnson, Q Alicia Spinnet, Q Katie Bell, Ronald Weasly, Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lee Jordan, Ginny Weasly, and Clare Orwell. From Ravenclaw Cho Chang, Terry Boot, and Ashley Farnell would go. Hufflepuffs would be Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot. Slytherins going would be Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Pansy Parkingson.
Renata's logic with the Quiditch practice proved right. Harry, growing tense in anticipation for the game had moved it practice to six times a week (the only reason it wasn't seven was so everyone would have at least one night to do their homework) and the practice was twice as long. In addition, the teachers seemed to be piling up the work.
Finals were coming up as well as the O.W.L.s for the fifth years and the N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests) for the seventh years.
Hermione was studying at least as much as Harry was playing Quiditch. "Well, the tests are almost as soon as we get back!"
Four days before they were all supposed to leave things reached breaking point.
"Harry, this is the longest practice ever! We've been out here so many hours already, when're we gonna stop?"
"Not yet."
An hour later, Harry was still saying, "Not yet." Finally the team was fed up. The team was complaining loudly.
At last things got to the limit. "Look, Harry," Renata said. "We've been out here for hours. We know how to play. We know what to do, and we know the game plans. Let's go in."
"No. The match is barely a few days away, we've got to practice."
Now Renata was obviously working very hard to keep her voice level. "We've got four days before we leave and time after we get there. I don't care what you say and I'm going into the castle now." Her tone was icy and dangerous. "Anyone else who wants to come can come with me."
They all started toward the castle, except Harry. He stayed back, dumbstruck. Renata turned around and came back. He opened his mouth to say something to her.
"No, Harry, no. Don't you dare say a word to me or anyone else on the team. You better shape up and get yourself in control or you won't have a team to play with you when we go to California. Or, better yet, I'll talk to Dumbledore and tell him the team has quit. Then he can call in the Slytherins and they can go in our place. You want that? I don't think so but I'm beginning to think its possible. No, don't answer. Think it over. Don't speak a single word to me until you can be reasonable."
For two days after that the Gryffindor team wouldn't step on the field or say a word to him. After the team had missed practice twice like that, Harry went to talk to Renata.
"Look, I give in. You didn't talk to Dumbledore right?"
"Not yet I haven't."
"Don't."
"I'll think about it."
"We all leave tomorrow you don't have time to think."
"Just keep your mouth shut or I'll go right to Dumbledore right now and tell him the team won't play."
He instantly shut his mouth.
"Thank you. Now look, I'm going to talk to the rest of the team and tell them that if you apologize they should agree to play and practice. But I'm drawing up the practice schedules from now on. Or at least for the rest of the year, anyway. We are going to practice when we get there, but not the whole time. I plan to hang out with my friends. It has been nearly a year since I've seen them. And California is a great place; there are tons of great sites for everyone to see. They are going and they will have fun. You will have fun too, whether you want to or not. Not just going to play Quiditch. Deal?"
"This from little miss I-get-up-at-quarter-to-six-every-morning-to- play-Quiditch?" Harry asked Renata sarcastically.
"Do you know what? I'm sure Dean or Seamus or any other Gryffindor coming with us to my old school would love to take your place at the big game. Trust me, keep up that attitude and I will arrange for one of them to take your place. Or take my place and I'll take yours. So is it a deal or what?"
"All right. You win. I'll apologize and then you talk to them."
"No, sit down. They aren't on speaking terms with you right now. Let me talk to them first and then you apologize. And by the way, I always win."
Feeling miserable, Harry waited until Renata came back from talking to each of the Quiditch players. Finally, Harry got so bored with waiting that he went upstairs and started packing. They would be traveling on a Muggle plane and on a Muggle bus so they had been provided with a set of Muggle clothes, the first Harry had owned since going to the Dursleys' that actually fit. The teachers had also given each of them a half-sized trunk; they didn't need their schoolbooks and it would be a waste of space for each of them to bring their big trunks with them.
He packed his robes and his Defense Against the Dark Arts book. He thought back to when he and Neville were in the hospital and remembered his suspicions that something would happen at the game. He packed his Transfiguration book as well, just in case. Then he added his Invisibility Cloak he left the Marauder's Map behind because it was only of any use at Hogwarts.
When everything he needed was packed he went back downstairs and found Renata waiting, looking out a window.
"There are six people down here waiting for apologies."
"Six? There are only five of them."
"Ahem."
"Oh. Sorry, I was really out of line the other day."
"Thank you, now go apologize to everyone else."
Harry went and made his apologies to the others. Eventually they were convinced that he would lighten up. After which, he wondered for a moment; when had he started doing as someone told him to? He couldn't exactly figure it out but he decided that it was only when someone else was right that he listened to them, it had nothing to do with the fact that Renata had controlled the team so easily.
When he was done he joined Renata, Ron, and Hermione. "Is everyone packed?"
"Yep."
"What do you girls have to wear tomorrow? I got stuck with grey slacks, a button up blue shirt and a jacket," Ron said in mild disgust.
Harry told him, "At least we didn't get stuck with ties."
"That's true."
"You guys are lucky. I've got to wear a skirt. A plaid skirt with a blouse," Renata said as if the words burned her tongue.
"That's what I'm wearing, too," Hermione said. "What's wrong with that?"
"Back home, when I wasn't at school, I was always in jeans or, if I was in water a swimsuit, but my friends heard me time and time again say I would not wear a skirt. I despise skirts. Trust me, they'll laugh and laugh."
"But if they are your friends why should they laugh?"
"They are my friends. but, you mark my words now, they'll be laughing when they see me. But it'll be great it to see them all again, just the same." She wouldn't say anything else about them. "You've just got to meet them," said shaking her head. " 'Night all. We've got an early start in the morning. We've got to take the train from Hogsmeade to the Kings Cross, then a bus from there to the airport and from there it's a seven hour flight to New Jersey, then after that it's another five hours to California, plus driving time to the school. It'll be a long day of traveling."
Hermione said, "You're right. Twelve hours in air time alone."
"So let's all get some rest, shall we?"
"Yeah. It's early rise tomorrow."
The next morning, at six o'clock Harry's entire dormitory was awake. All four of them were going on the trip after all. They were soon down in the Great Hall eating a quick meal with the others going on the trip and those seeing them off.
The twenty-four students going on the trip, as well as Dumbledore, and Delano (filling in, in place of the House Head for the trip) all made their way down to the train station at Hogsmeade. A Muggle parent of one of the students would meet them at the airport.
They got on the Hogwarts Express, but it took them in the opposite direction from usual. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata found a compartment to themselves and settled down. The train ride lasted was shorter than usual (the train speed had been doubled at least and they got out and went a short way to the airport in a Muggle bus.
As Harry and Ron looked around it was interesting to see the boys in slacks and the girls in skirts, instead of everyone being in plain black wizard robes.
At the airport they all checked in their luggage without any trouble. Harry was interested to see how passports would be handled. It was then he discovered that the Muggle parent who had met them at the airport owned the small private plane that he hired out and that they would be taking the United States.
He got them out of the airport with little trouble from any of the security guards. Harry and Ron sat in side-by-side seats and in the row behind them sat Hermione and Renata. Hermione was well accustomed to flying and Renata had flown once or twice before, but Harry and Ron became nauseous, although they weren't the only ones to become so.
They were slightly envious that Hermione and Renata could just sit there talking without turning green or needing to use airsick bags.
During the layover in Jersey they stopped and ate in at a Nathan's Hotdog's at the Newark airport while the plane refueled. Harry and Hermione both nearly laughed out loud when he realized that Dumbledore was wearing an emerald green suit with a lavender tie and matching socks.
They continued on with the next five hours of flight (this time more enjoyable thanks to a charm Hermione suddenly remembered that she and Renata then administered to any of their airsick companions. Draco Malfoy was paler than usual and tinged with green. Apparently flight didn't agree with him but he refused to let Hermione or Renata perform a charm to keep him from being sick again and as a result was completely miserable.
This greatly improved Harry and Ron's spirits. Now Hermione and Renata sat in the row across from them and they happily talked most of the flight.
"So what's it like there?"
"You'll all just have to wait and see."
"At least tell us what the Headmaster is like."
"She is not a Headmaster. She's a Headmistress."
They pelted her with questions she refused to answer.
"So what are your friends like?"
"You'll just have to meet them."
They grew tired of this response, so Renata started replying differently.
"What about the teachers?"
"I don't know."
"What about the school?"
"I don't know."
"What color is your hair?" By now Harry and the others were all thoroughly exhausted of this answer and just wanted her to say something other than "I don't know."
After a moment's thought and a look at her hair, she replied, "Purple."
"What is it Harry?"
"You okay?"
"I think I busted my ankle."
They helped Harry up to the Tower but he refused to go to the Hospital. "If Madam Pomfrey sees me she'll never let me go to the game tomorrow."
When they got to the Tower Harry took off his left sock and shoe. Hermione inspected it. "This doesn't look good, Harry. You shouldn't be walking on this. It will be even more swollen by tomorrow."
"Can't you do anything?" The thought of how bad Malfoy would get if he missed the match was unbearable, if he didn't play but Gryffindor won anyway the torturing taunts would be worse than if he played and lost.
"I've gotta play tomorrow, Hermione."
"I'll see what I can do but I don't know how much I can help. If I fix your foot well enough tonight but not completely, you'll have to go to Madam Pomfrey after the match tomorrow."
"I will, just see what you can do for the foot now."
"I think it's sprained and there might be a fracture." Hermione used the best healing charms she knew it was still sore but it was better. "In the morning do you want me to numb it or leave it how it is now? I can't guarantee it will feel any better, though. But I did get rid of the fracture."
"It'll be fine. Thanks."
"I might have some more of that sleeping draft left that I made last week. Do you want it? You need sleep and it might be hard if you're foot is sore."
"Sure."
Hermione went upstairs and brought Harry back a vial of a bluish liquid. "You might want to drink this upstairs. It works fast."
"Thanks again, Hermione."
"Your welcome."
Harry made his way up to his room, put on his pajamas, and drank the vial as he climbed into his bed. He stared up at the canopy a few seconds before sleep claimed him.
In the morning, when Harry woke, the first thing he was aware of was the pain in his foot. It took him a minute to remember the fall and that he had a game to play. He got dressed and because of the soreness of the foot and the bulk of the bandage he limped on his way down the stairs.
He ate a little of his breakfast. The team went out to the locker room and put on their scarlet robes.
"We've finally got a game this year with our full team. Now, all we've got to do is play how we've been practicing and we'll be great. We've just got to use the strategies we practiced and we can win this." Instead of pacing as was usual when Harry spoke to them before the match he was sitting down. "Everyone is here, right?"
Renata whispered something to George.
George raised his hand. "I'm not sure I'm here."
Fred added him, "Me neither, Harry."
"Stop messing around or you can both hand your clubs to Renata and you can sit in the stands," Harry told them, trying not to laugh.
The twins put their clubs over their hearts and gave fake sighs of despair.
Harry shook his head. "Okay everyone, let's get out there and give it our all!" The six followed him outside.
Outside the door Hermione pulled Harry aside. She took out her wand and muttered a spell over his foot. "There, it should be numb for a while. Good luck!" She raced off to where Ron had saved a seat in the stands.
Harry ran to catch up with the others. He shook hands with Draco Malfoy rather harder than necessary, shuddering at having to touch the vile slime, and then he got ready to launch into the air as Madam Hooch blew her whistle.
Harry rose into the air and immediately opened his eyes and kept them peeled for the Snitch.
"For the first time all year we have the entire Gryffindor team playing. In case anyone forgot, Renata Delano's correct position on the team is Keeper. And look the Quaffle is heading for the hoop and.whoa! Folks that's a long throw! It's nearly at the other end of the field! And.Chaser Katie Bell catches it and scores! Ten points to Gryffindor," Lee was running the last Quiditch commentary he ever would for Hogwarts. He really threw himself into it. "The Gryffindor Chasers seem to be using an interesting strategy: the girls are circling the Slytherin Chasers and passing the Quaffle back and forward, over and under them. Gryffindor scores again! Good job Alicia! Good job girls! The score is now 20 to 0 in Gryffindor's favor. Slytherin now in possession. Chaser Blaise Zabini attempts to score and once again the Quaffle is blocked by Renata Delano and sent whizzing back over the field, Angelina catches it and she scores! 30 to 0 Gryffindor still in the lead. Wow what an arm on Renata. Somebody get this girl on a Cricket team. Okay everyone still there seems to be no sign of the Snitch."
Despite the steady pain in his leg Harry couldn't help doing a few loops when he looked at the score, "Malfoy! Looks like our team's kickin' your can!"
"Really, Scarhead? We'll see about that!" Malfoy flew downward to avoid an oncoming Bludger. Harry wasn't so lucky. He flew upwards to avoid it and was struck in his left foot. Trying to keep the broom steady and rub his foot at the same time Harry looked to where the Quaffle was. Renata was giving another extensive throw but this time the Slytherin Chasers were ready and one of them caught it before Katie did. Harry let go of his foot and, while keeping his eye out for any glint of gold passing through the air, made his way over to Madam Hooch. "Time-out!" He turned and called to his teammates, "Everyone on the ground!" He waited 'til they were all there. "Okay everyone great job so far. Fifty to ten isn't it?"
Renata gave a slight pout. "I still can't figure out how they got the Quaffle passed me."
"It's okay, Renata. But they've picked up on the fact that you always give the long throws." He grinned. "Unfortunately they aren't as stupid as we'd like to think they are. You've got to vary it with some short ones. Otherwise they'll keep getting the Quaffle." Harry shifted the weight off his sore foot. "No one here's seen that pesky Snitch by any chance have they?"
Madam Hooch blew the whistle for them to come back. Renata called to the twins, "Plan B!"
"Anyway great job so far, keep it up!" Harry shouted. They took off. As Harry looked to the stands he noticed Ron, Hermione, Dean, and Seamus holding up a banner that read, "GO GRYFFINDOR LIONS!" He saw Hagrid sitting with them. Harry's leg was now extremely sore but he kept his eyes open.
He heard Lee announce the score, "Another spectacular shot by the Gryffindor Chasers! 60 points to 10 points. Things are really heating up folks but that elusive Snitch is nowhere insight. Unless of course one of you out there has seen it? And another brilliant block by Renata, and what's this? No long throw! She threw it to Fred! Wait-can a Beater handle Quaffle? Well Madam Hooch isn't calling it so and Fred hits the Quaffle with his club to Alicia Spinnet and she scores again! 70 to 10." At last Harry caught a glint of gold. The Snitch was right over by the Slytherin hoops. Harry started diving toward it and he was hit! But it wasn't a Bludger. Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Seeker, has taken Millicent Bulstrode's club and he just hit Harry in the stomach!
"Foul! Foul! FOUL!" All of the Gryffindors as well as many Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were screaming the word. Harry took a moment to catch his breath and was then outraged that he'd lost sight of the Snitch.
Madam Hooch called the Slytherin team over and started reprimanding them for such atrocious behavior. She told Draco Malfoy that if he tried another stunt like that she would remove him from the game for endangering players.
Katie took a foul shot for Gryffindor and made it. Lee's commentary showed how mad he was.
"After that open and outright bit of disgusting cheating-"
"Jordan." McGonagall warned in a dangerous voice.
"Fine, after Malfoy nearly kills Harry the game resumes and Katie takes a penalty shot for Gryffindor. Game carries on."
Harry spied around and saw something gold-ish fall near Draco Malfoy. Almost too late did Harry realize that Malfoy dropped a Galleon to make Harry think it was the Snitch. Meanwhile Harry watched Malfoy streak off in the other direction. Harry put a spurt of speed on his broom and was gaining on Malfoy every second. He became dimly aware of Lee Jordan telling everyone that the Snitch appeared to have been sighted. The pain in Harry's foot had been growing steadily.
Harry saw the Snitch, and a faster way to get there. He had the Snitch in his hand and then his broom was rammed by Malfoy. His grip on the Snitch remained tight but he lost control of the broom and started going down.
Harry shouted, "I've got the Snitch! I've got it!" But he didn't have control of his broom; between the excruciating pain in his foot and being rammed by Malfoy, keeping control had been a difficult task. He was plummeting fast. With a deathlike grip on the Snitch he hit the ground.
When Harry woke he was surrounded by the familiar white linens and the scent of medicine. He looked and saw a fresh bandage on his leg, that is, a blurry fresh bandage as his glasses had been removed.
He reached for where he knew his glasses would be and a hand came out to stop him. "Oh no you don't, mister. You lie down and go back to sleep."
"Renata?"
"Yeah, it's me," she said gruffly.
"What are you doing here?"
"Madam Pomfrey refused to let three of us stay in here while you were asleep so Ron, Hermione, and I have been taking hour long shifts. It's eight o'clock. Do you know how long it took them to pry that Snitch from your hand? Ages."
"Really?"
"At least twenty minutes anyway."
"We won, right?"
"Of course, you should have seen Malfoy! He was steaming. Honestly."
"But he was right."
"Whaddaya mean 'he was right'?"
"He said I was going to end up falling off my broom, hitting the ground and not moving."
"Then technically speaking he only got one out of three. You did fall off your broom but you didn't hit the ground and your obviously moving again."
"Why didn't I hit the ground?"
She grinned, "When you started shouting we all raced toward you to congratulate you, then we found out you needed a hand instead. Between Fred, George and I we managed to pretty much catch you and keep you from having your face plastered all over the Quiditch field."
"I bet Fred and George have got a party going in the common room. You can go back if you want, probably be less boring than being stuck here."
"Nah, my shift ends in a few minutes anyway and Hermione will come in. Then Ron, then me again; although I hope you'll be asleep by then. Besides, I'm not bored. You've got to rest and let that foot properly heal this time."
"With Madam Pomfrey? The foot will be fine by morning."
"Okay. Did you know the whole team came up here when you were brought up? Wanted to make sure you were okay. Problem was Madam Pomfrey didn't know how your foot could be hurt so bad from just a Bludger and she had to drag the story out of Hermione. All seven of us waited around 'til Madam Pomfrey said we had to go, but I guess that's 7 counting you. Well, 9. Ron and Hermione were in here too."
"The whole team showed up?"
"Yep. Here comes Hermione."
Hermione came over and gave Harry a hug. "Are you okay?"
"I'm always okay."
Renata stood up to leave, "Bye, Hermione, I'll see you back in the common room." She turned to Harry. "Kid, you've got some amazing luck; it's nice to see that your brains aren't plastered over the Quiditch field. It'd just be too messy to clean up. See you in the morning, and get some rest."
"Where does she get off calling me 'kid'? She isn't older than me, is she?"
"I don't know. She never said when her birthday was. She's just being herself, you know. How do you feel? I explained to Madam Pomfrey about which spells I used before because some are dangerous if they get mixed."
"Thanks. And I saw the banner you guys made for the team. That was nice."
"Your welcome. We would have all been here when you woke-up but-"
"I know. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let you all stay."
"Can you believe it? You get to go to California. That will be fascinating."
"It should be interesting to say the least." They continued to talk until Harry fell asleep.
Harry woke to find Ron sitting in the chair next to his bed. When he saw that Harry was awake he handed him a pastry.
"Fred and George wanted me to bring it to you."
"Not hexed right?"
"Not this time. That was awesome! You totally cut off Malfoy and got to the Snitch first. That was low! Him hitting you in the gut like that." Ron shook his head.
"How stupid did I look when I was falling?"
"Well you started shouting that you had the Snitch, so the Slytherin team was disgusted with Malfoy. They were all screaming at him. Then Malfoy saw you falling and so did the Gryffindors, the Gryffindors were coming over to congratulate you but then they realized you were falling. Renata and the twins reached the ground first and between the three of them they caught you, broom and all. We weren't quite sure why you fell though."
"It was Malfoy, and my foot. He rammed my broom when I got the Snitch and I lost control and by then my foot was real sore. It was sore because I fell yesterday but then today my foot got slammed with a Bludger."
"Ouch."
Just then there was a knock at the door and Renata and Hermione came in. "Hey. We just wanted to come say goodnight. Because any minute now I'm sure Madam Pomfrey is going to come in and say we've all got to leave."
Almost as if on cue, Madam Pomfrey appeared. "Out! I told you all you come back in and say goodnight. You have so, out!"
"Bye, Harry, see you in the morning."
"Bye, Harry."
"Get some rest," Renata tossed a book at him.
"See you all in the morning."
"Out!" Madam Pomfrey shooed the three of them out the door. Soon she brought Harry a goblet of an icy looking orange liquid. "Drink up. Drink all of it, Mister Potter. Miss Granger did an excellent job healing the bone fracture last night but that Bludger gave you another one. And those muscles you twisted in your ankle didn't have the proper time to heal. Drink this and it will help."
She watched as he drank the goblet of icy liquid and put on his pajamas. It wasn't long before he fell sound asleep.
About midmorning the next day he was allowed to leave, but told to stay off the foot as much as possible and he was given crutches.
He found Ron, Hermione, and Renata waiting in Gryffindor Tower. They watched with mild amusement as Harry hobbled over.
"Feeling any better?"
"A bit."
At lunch Dumbledore stood and made announcement. "Everyone please meet back in the Great Hall at eight o'clock tonight for an important announcement.
That night after dinner everyone remained in Great Hall. Dumbledore rose, "I would like the Gryffindor and Slytherin Quiditch teams to come up to the front please." The fourteen players came up to the front. Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled. "It appears there is a Quiditch Cup that needs awarding. Under normal circumstances this would have been awarded at the field yesterday." He took out the Cup and handed it to Harry. He raised it over his head and listened to the cheers. The Cup was then passed along the line of Gryffindor players. Dumbledore made the teams shake hands and Malfoy gave Harry a look of pure venom.
Dumbledore raised his hand for silence. "Now, as you were told earlier this year the winners of the Quiditch Cup will be going to the United States for a match against the Angels Magical Academy of Wizards and Witches. I'm sure many of you are disappointed that you will not be able to see the game. Well, I have good news. Sign up sheets will be going around for anyone who would like to go and cheer our school on. But spaces are limited so sign up soon! Remember there are only seventeen free spaces. Please see the Head of your House if you are interested."
Harry and the others joined the people leaving and thronging in the corridor. He couldn't find Ron and Hermione.
"They're over by McGonagall signing up to go with us."
"Oh."
They waited for them to come back.
"It's astonishing how many people are interested in going. Dean was there, Seamus, and Lee. Over by Professor Sprout were Justin, Ernie, and Hannah. And Susan was considering it too. Near Professor Flitwick were Cho and that Terry boy with a couple of others. I don't know who they were."
"Even some Slytherins are coming," Ron said in disgust. He looked to where Draco Malfoy, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle, were standing by Snape. He turned back and looked to where McGonagall was, "Look, Harry! That fourth year and his brother who are always bugging you are signing up. So is Ginny and I guess that girl is one of her classmates."
They started heading back to Gryffindor Tower. "So, does anyone know which teachers are going?"
"Dumbledore for sure and I guess the Head of the House of the winning team."
"But McGonagall is the Deputy Headmistress, I don't think she can go. When Dumbledore isn't here she's supposed to run the school."
"Well then who'll go?"
"Maybe Hagrid?"
"I just hope it's not Snape."
"If it's Snape-"
"I don't think it will be."
"Why's that?"
"Because there are tons of teachers who aren't the Heads of another house. Professor Vector, Hagrid, my mom, I guess not Professor Binns, but Professor Trelawny-"
"Not her," groaned Harry. "The trip would be spoiled if she went. She'd try to predict the outcome of the match and then she'd say I was going to die."
Dean and Seamus came into the common room. "I can't believe she won't tell us," complained Dean.
"She's being completely unfair," agreed Seamus.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"McGonagall. More people signed up than there are places for and she won't tell us whether or not we can go."
Ron started dealing out cards for Exploding Snap. "Sit down. So when did she say you'll know?"
"Tomorrow at the earliest."
"When's the trip?"
"25th I think."
"We get there, we play, and then we get to go home the next day. That will be it isn't it?"
"Are you kidding? We get to miss a week of class."
"A week!"
"Sure, my old school was great. I loved it there. We can get there the first day; have a few days to practice before the game and then we can go sightseeing. Then we leave. I'm going to go talk to my mom. I'll see you all later."
They spent a while talking about the trip before they all finally went to bed.
The next day, after classes, the Gryffindor team met in the lockers. "I know I said if we won you could have the day off but I really need to talk to all of you. There's only 11 days until we leave for California and we need to come up with a practice schedule."
"But we don't know what our schedule will be when we get there."
"No, but we can come up with a schedule until then."
Renata insisted that they only put practice three or four times a week on the schedule. She explained to Angelina, "Well, you know in a week he'll increase it to four and five times a week anyway so we might as well start out with less."
The next day the list of the students going on the trip with the Quiditch team appeared. From Gryffindor would be: Q Harry Potter, Q Fred Weasly, Q George Weasly, Q Renata Delano, Q Angelina Johnson, Q Alicia Spinnet, Q Katie Bell, Ronald Weasly, Hermione Granger, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lee Jordan, Ginny Weasly, and Clare Orwell. From Ravenclaw Cho Chang, Terry Boot, and Ashley Farnell would go. Hufflepuffs would be Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot. Slytherins going would be Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Pansy Parkingson.
Renata's logic with the Quiditch practice proved right. Harry, growing tense in anticipation for the game had moved it practice to six times a week (the only reason it wasn't seven was so everyone would have at least one night to do their homework) and the practice was twice as long. In addition, the teachers seemed to be piling up the work.
Finals were coming up as well as the O.W.L.s for the fifth years and the N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests) for the seventh years.
Hermione was studying at least as much as Harry was playing Quiditch. "Well, the tests are almost as soon as we get back!"
Four days before they were all supposed to leave things reached breaking point.
"Harry, this is the longest practice ever! We've been out here so many hours already, when're we gonna stop?"
"Not yet."
An hour later, Harry was still saying, "Not yet." Finally the team was fed up. The team was complaining loudly.
At last things got to the limit. "Look, Harry," Renata said. "We've been out here for hours. We know how to play. We know what to do, and we know the game plans. Let's go in."
"No. The match is barely a few days away, we've got to practice."
Now Renata was obviously working very hard to keep her voice level. "We've got four days before we leave and time after we get there. I don't care what you say and I'm going into the castle now." Her tone was icy and dangerous. "Anyone else who wants to come can come with me."
They all started toward the castle, except Harry. He stayed back, dumbstruck. Renata turned around and came back. He opened his mouth to say something to her.
"No, Harry, no. Don't you dare say a word to me or anyone else on the team. You better shape up and get yourself in control or you won't have a team to play with you when we go to California. Or, better yet, I'll talk to Dumbledore and tell him the team has quit. Then he can call in the Slytherins and they can go in our place. You want that? I don't think so but I'm beginning to think its possible. No, don't answer. Think it over. Don't speak a single word to me until you can be reasonable."
For two days after that the Gryffindor team wouldn't step on the field or say a word to him. After the team had missed practice twice like that, Harry went to talk to Renata.
"Look, I give in. You didn't talk to Dumbledore right?"
"Not yet I haven't."
"Don't."
"I'll think about it."
"We all leave tomorrow you don't have time to think."
"Just keep your mouth shut or I'll go right to Dumbledore right now and tell him the team won't play."
He instantly shut his mouth.
"Thank you. Now look, I'm going to talk to the rest of the team and tell them that if you apologize they should agree to play and practice. But I'm drawing up the practice schedules from now on. Or at least for the rest of the year, anyway. We are going to practice when we get there, but not the whole time. I plan to hang out with my friends. It has been nearly a year since I've seen them. And California is a great place; there are tons of great sites for everyone to see. They are going and they will have fun. You will have fun too, whether you want to or not. Not just going to play Quiditch. Deal?"
"This from little miss I-get-up-at-quarter-to-six-every-morning-to- play-Quiditch?" Harry asked Renata sarcastically.
"Do you know what? I'm sure Dean or Seamus or any other Gryffindor coming with us to my old school would love to take your place at the big game. Trust me, keep up that attitude and I will arrange for one of them to take your place. Or take my place and I'll take yours. So is it a deal or what?"
"All right. You win. I'll apologize and then you talk to them."
"No, sit down. They aren't on speaking terms with you right now. Let me talk to them first and then you apologize. And by the way, I always win."
Feeling miserable, Harry waited until Renata came back from talking to each of the Quiditch players. Finally, Harry got so bored with waiting that he went upstairs and started packing. They would be traveling on a Muggle plane and on a Muggle bus so they had been provided with a set of Muggle clothes, the first Harry had owned since going to the Dursleys' that actually fit. The teachers had also given each of them a half-sized trunk; they didn't need their schoolbooks and it would be a waste of space for each of them to bring their big trunks with them.
He packed his robes and his Defense Against the Dark Arts book. He thought back to when he and Neville were in the hospital and remembered his suspicions that something would happen at the game. He packed his Transfiguration book as well, just in case. Then he added his Invisibility Cloak he left the Marauder's Map behind because it was only of any use at Hogwarts.
When everything he needed was packed he went back downstairs and found Renata waiting, looking out a window.
"There are six people down here waiting for apologies."
"Six? There are only five of them."
"Ahem."
"Oh. Sorry, I was really out of line the other day."
"Thank you, now go apologize to everyone else."
Harry went and made his apologies to the others. Eventually they were convinced that he would lighten up. After which, he wondered for a moment; when had he started doing as someone told him to? He couldn't exactly figure it out but he decided that it was only when someone else was right that he listened to them, it had nothing to do with the fact that Renata had controlled the team so easily.
When he was done he joined Renata, Ron, and Hermione. "Is everyone packed?"
"Yep."
"What do you girls have to wear tomorrow? I got stuck with grey slacks, a button up blue shirt and a jacket," Ron said in mild disgust.
Harry told him, "At least we didn't get stuck with ties."
"That's true."
"You guys are lucky. I've got to wear a skirt. A plaid skirt with a blouse," Renata said as if the words burned her tongue.
"That's what I'm wearing, too," Hermione said. "What's wrong with that?"
"Back home, when I wasn't at school, I was always in jeans or, if I was in water a swimsuit, but my friends heard me time and time again say I would not wear a skirt. I despise skirts. Trust me, they'll laugh and laugh."
"But if they are your friends why should they laugh?"
"They are my friends. but, you mark my words now, they'll be laughing when they see me. But it'll be great it to see them all again, just the same." She wouldn't say anything else about them. "You've just got to meet them," said shaking her head. " 'Night all. We've got an early start in the morning. We've got to take the train from Hogsmeade to the Kings Cross, then a bus from there to the airport and from there it's a seven hour flight to New Jersey, then after that it's another five hours to California, plus driving time to the school. It'll be a long day of traveling."
Hermione said, "You're right. Twelve hours in air time alone."
"So let's all get some rest, shall we?"
"Yeah. It's early rise tomorrow."
The next morning, at six o'clock Harry's entire dormitory was awake. All four of them were going on the trip after all. They were soon down in the Great Hall eating a quick meal with the others going on the trip and those seeing them off.
The twenty-four students going on the trip, as well as Dumbledore, and Delano (filling in, in place of the House Head for the trip) all made their way down to the train station at Hogsmeade. A Muggle parent of one of the students would meet them at the airport.
They got on the Hogwarts Express, but it took them in the opposite direction from usual. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata found a compartment to themselves and settled down. The train ride lasted was shorter than usual (the train speed had been doubled at least and they got out and went a short way to the airport in a Muggle bus.
As Harry and Ron looked around it was interesting to see the boys in slacks and the girls in skirts, instead of everyone being in plain black wizard robes.
At the airport they all checked in their luggage without any trouble. Harry was interested to see how passports would be handled. It was then he discovered that the Muggle parent who had met them at the airport owned the small private plane that he hired out and that they would be taking the United States.
He got them out of the airport with little trouble from any of the security guards. Harry and Ron sat in side-by-side seats and in the row behind them sat Hermione and Renata. Hermione was well accustomed to flying and Renata had flown once or twice before, but Harry and Ron became nauseous, although they weren't the only ones to become so.
They were slightly envious that Hermione and Renata could just sit there talking without turning green or needing to use airsick bags.
During the layover in Jersey they stopped and ate in at a Nathan's Hotdog's at the Newark airport while the plane refueled. Harry and Hermione both nearly laughed out loud when he realized that Dumbledore was wearing an emerald green suit with a lavender tie and matching socks.
They continued on with the next five hours of flight (this time more enjoyable thanks to a charm Hermione suddenly remembered that she and Renata then administered to any of their airsick companions. Draco Malfoy was paler than usual and tinged with green. Apparently flight didn't agree with him but he refused to let Hermione or Renata perform a charm to keep him from being sick again and as a result was completely miserable.
This greatly improved Harry and Ron's spirits. Now Hermione and Renata sat in the row across from them and they happily talked most of the flight.
"So what's it like there?"
"You'll all just have to wait and see."
"At least tell us what the Headmaster is like."
"She is not a Headmaster. She's a Headmistress."
They pelted her with questions she refused to answer.
"So what are your friends like?"
"You'll just have to meet them."
They grew tired of this response, so Renata started replying differently.
"What about the teachers?"
"I don't know."
"What about the school?"
"I don't know."
"What color is your hair?" By now Harry and the others were all thoroughly exhausted of this answer and just wanted her to say something other than "I don't know."
After a moment's thought and a look at her hair, she replied, "Purple."