Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff
Harry didn't understand what was happening, so many problems were everywhere. There's Hermione, and Ron, and Jenna, and Voldemort, and Malfoy, and Snape, and Harry's scar, and Occlumency, and Sirius, and Lupin, and now everything was really starting to build up.
Harry didn't know what to do anymore, except ride his broom. Quidditch seemed to be the one thing to fully calm Harry, to let all of his worries and problems away.
Harry ran to his dorm, grabbed his broom and a golden snitch, and mounted it as soon as he was out of the castle. The ghosts didn't even have time to ask questions, for Harry was already on his broom and in the air.
Quidditch season was now in Harry's midst and he loved the smell in the air. Harry took out the little golden snitch that his father once used out from his pocket and let it fly out of his hands. Harry gave the snitch a couple minutes to hide before setting out for it.
Harry flew around every inch of the school when something gold caught his eye; the snitch was flying close to the lake. Harry dashed to the snitch and caught it feeling its golden wings beating against his hand trying to break free. Harry then let the snitch go again and waited a couple of minutes before finding it by the west corridor. Harry continued to do this until sunset when he landed and went back into the school, all his worries suddenly rushing to his head.
Harry went to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry saw that Hermione was sitting with Neville, and Ron was over at the Hufflepuff table with Hannah. Jenna was still nowhere in sight. Is she in trouble? Is Malfoy lying? Should I go look for her? I don't know where to look…
Harry thought to himself as he grabbed a roll from the Gryffindor table and headed back out of the Great Hall. Harry was making his way down the third floor hall, and as he turned the corner, he saw a girl with brown hair mumbling something to a picture as it swung open as to let her in.
"JENNA!" Harry yelled as he ran for the Hufflepuff common room. "JENNA WAIT!"
Jenna shook her head and she went inside letting the picture close behind her. Harry ran forward and touched the picture.
"Password?" Asked a very intelligent looking old man in a black suit and a top hat.
"Err…" Harry began but then thought it no use when an idea sprung in his head. Harry ran over to the closest window to see what part of the school he was at. He then ran back out of the school and mounted his broom once more and took flight. He looked around as darkness was closing around him. Harry controlled the Firebolt to go to the window he had looked out of earlier. Harry then flew up to the right where the Hufflepuff common room was bound to be. Harry peered through the windows, but Jenna was nowhere in sight. Harry then flew up a little more and saw four-poster beds, much like the ones that were in his dorm. Harry saw an almost deserted dorm, for there was one girl lying on a bed with her face in her pillow.
Harry reached out his hand and banged his fist on the window. Why is Jenna crying? Harry wondered. Jenna looked up, her eyes bloodshot, and Harry could see a huge scratch down the side of her face. Harry looked concerning at Jenna and motioned for her to open the window.
Jenna just stared at Harry as though any move she made, she would get hurt. Harry banged on the window once more, but Jenna now put her face back in her pillow. Harry sat outside in the cold for what seemed like hours before he gave up and went back inside.
"Harry Potter!" Came a familiar voice. "Harry Potter is here! Dobby has waited to be seeing you, but Dobby not aloud for Harry Potter is not to be disturbed."
Harry turned to face Dobby and saw he was wearing much of the things that Hermione has been making all year. Behind Dobby crept a familiar little house elf.
"Penelope? What are you doing here?" Harry wondered.
"Penelope misses her master. Dumbledore brought Penelope to her master. Penelope is helping out here with Dobby only till Christmas. Penelope doesn't dare pick up any hat, scarf, or glove. Penelope loves her master. Penelope is sorry for coming to her master." Penelope bowed her head down to Harry. Harry, liking to see her, ran up to her and gave her a hug.
"Don't be sorry Pen, I'm glad you came here." Harry smiled. Penelope's enormous blue eyes became glazed looking as she looked lost for words.
"Dobby likes Harry Potter's house elf. Dobby has to keep close eye on her." Dobby then ran forward to Harry and whispered in his ear. "Dobby really really likes Harry Potter's elf. Penelope very loyal to her master. Penelope lucky to have you Harry Potter." Dobby then backed away and stood next to Penelope once more.
"Er… well it was nice seeing you two again, but I got… er… I got to go." Harry said. "But I'll see you round." And with that Harry nodded up his head to the two elfs and turned around and left them to go back to the kitchen.
Harry bustled through the halls, as the image of Jenna arose in him. What happened to her? Where did she get that gash down the side of her face? Harry wondered.
Harry made his way to the fat lady portrait.
"Basilisk." Harry muttered while the fat lady picture swung aside revealing a hole, which lead to the Gryffindor common room. Harry climbed through and saw that there were few who were still up. Harry saw that Hermione was one, and was sitting in a corner fast asleep inside a book.
Remembering what he had witnessed earlier, Harry had no means to go and wake her to let her continue with her studies. Instead, Harry went right up to his dorm.
Harry saw that Ron's four-poster was unoccupied, but Neville, Seamus, and Dean were all fast asleep in their beds. Wanting to talk to Sirius, Harry made for his trunk at the foot of his bed. Right when he was about to open it he heard Seamus let out a stiffed snore, which made Harry jump back. Harry then thought it best to wait until tomorrow when no one was around to take out his mirror and talk to Sirius.
Harry then leapt into his pajamas and dived into his sheets as he cleared his mind and fell asleep.
"Jenna!" Harry yelled as he made his way for breakfast. "Jenna!" Harry yelled again, why isn't she turning around? Harry wondered. Harry then made one last attempt to get Jenna's attention. "JENNA!"
Jenna came to a sudden halt and looked like she took in a deep breath. Harry ran to catch up with her.
"Jenna what's wrong? Where were you? What happened to your face? Why did you ignore me last night?" Harry had a million questions
"Harry I can't do this." Jenna spoke softly.
"Do what? Jenna what's wrong." Harry made to grasp her hand. Jenna pulled away.
"Harry I don't want to hurt you, please, it's better if you don't see me anymore." Jenna started walking away, but Harry grasped her shoulder.
"Is there something I need to know?" Harry pleaded. Jenna looked into Harry's eyes and Harry could see her eyes start to glisten.
"Harry please, please just let me alone. Trust me it's better this way." Jenna tried to get out from within Harry's firm grip on her shoulder.
"You take off, get hurt, and expect me to just leave you alone? Jenna please, let me help you, I can see you don't want to leave me so why are you fighting it?" Harry reasoned still not lightening his grip.
"I can't have your help. Just leave me alone." Jenna tore away from Harry and ran down to the Great Hall.
Harry's arm still extended to where Jenna just was, he could feel pain sear through him. This time the pain wasn't in his scar, instead, it was a pain that felt like someone was taking a chainsaw to his heart, and splitting it in two. This pain rose through him and Harry began to breath heavily. Looking at the walls and pictures for an answer, none came. Harry turned to make back for the Gryffindor common room.
"Morning Harry." Ron smiled as he bumped into Harry on the spiral staircase that leads to their dormitory. Harry felt he couldn't answer, not with the feeling he was going to break down at any word he spoke, so Harry just sped past Ron as though nothing was wrong and burst through the door into his dorm. Seamus and Dean's beds were empty, but Neville was sitting on his staring at his plant on his bedside table.
"Hiya Harry." Neville greeted as he dropped a book on the floor. Feeling he could do nothing else, Harry just nodded in a greeting way to Neville. "I have Herbology tomorrow, I can't wait for the lesson, you're missing out on a lot this year, Harry. Professor Sprout is helping me take care of my plant." Harry shrugged in response to this and wanted nothing more but for Neville to disappear. Neville must have gotten the drift because he stopped asking Harry questions and quickly made his way out of the dorm.
Harry then collapsed over his bed. He wiped his eyes and reached for his trunk. Harry took out his two-way mirror and looked longingly to see Sirius's face.
"Harry—" Sirius began.
"What did I do wrong? Should I have bothered her last night? Was I too forward? Should I give her time? Does she still like me? What was she warning me about?" Harry was asking every question that popped into his brain. Sirius just sat there attentively with the look of I'm-here-for-you-when-you're-ready look. He is such a good Godfather. When Harry was finished and shut his eyes Sirius began to respond to this.
"Now Harry, you know I don't get into your love life, but when I heard of Jenna's disappearance I began to get curious so I stuck around." Sirius started.
"But she said she didn't want to hurt me, what does she mean by that? She's hurting me by leaving me!" Harry shouted.
"That may not be true. Harry, I think you should take her advice." Sirius tried to comfort.
"But Sirius, I've never felt so strong for a girl before, I gave her my heart, and now, now I wish I hadn't." Harry looked up and then rubbed his eyes.
"But Harry, maybe she's just not ready for commitment." As Sirius said this, Harry could feel warmth spread through him.
"But Sirius, it's so sudden… where do you think she could have gone? Where did she get that mark on her face?" Harry wondered.
"I don't know Harry, I wish I had an answer, but I just don't. Maybe, she had an interview with new parents, and-and something happened, but Harry, I just don't know." Sirius tried to advise.
"What should I do?" Harry wondered. There was a pause of silence, and Harry could see Sirius in deep thought.
"Well I could never figure out girls, but maybe you should give it a week and then confide in her. She may need time, if it is about her parents, then maybe it's just hard to get over their deaths." Sirius tried to explain.
"But she knows she can relate to me with that! I mean I just lost you!" Harry said.
"Yes, but you're talking to me right now, even in death. Harry she can't do that." Sirius tried to find a reason.
"But Sirius, I never told her about the mirror, and how I can talk to you. So for all she knows is I can't interact with you." Harry said recalling memories with Jenna.
"But girls, are different Harry. Maybe she really needs you now, maybe she needs a week, maybe she just needs a hug, I don't know. Talk to Ron, he's with Hannah right? Well he could talk to Hannah about Jenna to see what's going on, until then Harry, just be friendly." Sirius advised.
"But Ron and I, we, we don't talk much since we got hooked up with girls." Harry said.
"But he's your best friend Harry." Sirius pointed out. "Even when James or I became involved with girls we were still close. Harry, just talk to Ron. You are on the same Quidditch team, you sleep in the same dorm, and you're in the same classes."
"Quidditch! There's a match today between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw! Sirius, thanks so much, you're the best Godfather I could ever hope for." Harry smiled.
"I'm always here Harry, now go get to that match!" Sirius said excitedly as his face disappeared from the mirror as Harry put it back into its hiding space. He then made for the door and out to the Quidditch field.
Harry saw Ron in the stands by Hannah with the Hufflepuffs as he made his way toward the Quidditch field. Harry ran up to join him.
"Hey Harry." Ron smiled. "Cheering for Hufflepuffs today are we?"
"Yea." Harry mumbled. "Ron can I talk to you for a sec?" Ron nodded and joined Harry away from Hannah.
"What's up?" Ron asked.
"Well, Jenna dumped me—" Harry began.
"Oh man, I'm sorry mate…" Ron comforted.
"Well, that's not it. She's acting strange you know? I mean she was gone yesterday, and comes back with a gash down her cheek. Then she tells me she doesn't want to hurt me anymore. Sirius thinks that it has to do something with her getting an interview with new parents but… well anyways I was wondering if you could talk to Hannah and find out if there's anything wrong with Jenna for me?" Harry said.
"Sure, yea, I mean I hope there's nothing severely wrong with Jenna." Ron replied.
"Yea, thanks. Well I'll be seeing you." Harry made to go down the stands.
"Hey Harry." Ron shouted back after him.
"Yea?" Harry stopped in his tracks and turned around.
"Want to join Hannah and me for this game? I mean if you're going to cheer for the Hufflepuffs, why not sit with em ey?" Ron joked.
"Alright." Harry smiled and went to join Hannah and Ron along with the other Hufflepuff's in the black and yellow stands.
Within ten minutes Lee's voice sounded over the stands as the Ravenclaw team emerged from the locker rooms on their broomsticks dressed in royal blue. Cheers spread through the crowd from all of the supporting fans. A couple people in Harry's stand booed them. Then at the other side of the field came out the Hufflepuff team dressed in vibrant yellow robes. Harry's stand cheered loudly and Harry joined them. Harry could see Jenna flying in the middle of her team row as they circled the field. She looked determined and fearless.
The teams made their way to the ground around the starting circle.
"I want a clean match! I'm in no mood to be sending anyone to the hospital wing today! Captains' shake hands. Alright mount your brooms!" Madam Hooch's voice sounded the field as the teammates all mounted their brooms. Madam Hooch then released the two bludgers and they began to fly around the field like crazy. Then the golden snitch was released and Harry saw it disappear and reappear by the Ravenclaw goal posts. Jenna noticed this too because Harry could see her eyes focusing in that direction. Finally Madam Hooch took the Quaffle into her hands and threw it up in the air to start the game.
All the team members kicked up from the ground.
"And the Quaffle goes to Ravenclaw in the hands of Beckham, he dives under a bludger and passes onto Logan. Logan takes the Quaffle, and ooo that's got to hurt folks." Lee commented as another bludger came and slammed right into Logan's face.
"Quaffle is now in Hufflepuff's possession, as Ardent takes the Quaffle up the right side and yes she scores!"
Harry's eyes now darted toward Jenna. Ravenclaw's seeker was right by her; both of their eyes were darting all over the field. Harry too looked for the snitch, for Harry liked to see if he could find it before the two seekers in the game could. Harry then saw Jenna dive to the ground, with the Ravenclaw seeker tailing her move.
Harry raced his eyes forward and saw a little golden snitch flying 10 yards away from where Jenna was.
"Come on Jenna, just a little faster." Harry mumbled under his breath; the stand that Harry was in was now cheering. Harry saw Jenna reach out her hand and grab for the snitch, but all too soon she looked dizzy and fell right off her broom and hit the ground. Harry's scar then burned for a couple seconds making Harry's eyes leave the game, and when he looked back up he saw the Ravenclaw seeker, Hellmann, take the snitch and hold it high.
"And Hellmann takes the snitch winning 150 points for his team. Ravenclaw wins!" Lee shouted. "Final score- Hufflepuff 60, Ravenclaw 170."
"What happened to Jenna?" Hannah asked panicky.
"I don't know, but she wasn't too far from the ground, she shouldn't be hurt too bad." Harry explained as the stands cleared out. Harry too made his way to the ground and over to the continually growing crowd around where Jenna had fallen. Madam Pompfrey emerged through a path made by the students to take Jenna to the hospital wing; she was on a conjured stretcher.
"Come on." Harry could hear Hannah say as she led Ron and Harry out of the crowd. "I'm going to go find out what happened. I'll see you later Ron. Bye Harry." Hannah pecked Ron on the cheek and followed the stretcher up to the hospital wing.
"Okay something is really up with Jenna lately." Harry said after a couple moments of silence between him and Ron. Harry decided not to tell him about his scar, for it was only minor pain for a couple seconds.
"Yea, first she disappears, then she shows up with a gash on her face and dumps you, and now she faints off her broom as she's about to catch the snitch!" Ron analyzed.
"Yea, come on, let's go get some lunch." Harry suggested as he made for Hogwarts. Ron followed looking happy at the thought of food.
"Only one more week of school and then Christmas break!" Said Ron excitedly as he reached for a hamburger and fries.
"Yea, I wonder how much homework the teachers will give us this year, being NEWTs and all." Harry wondered.
"Oh don't remind me about the bad part of Christmas break! I can't wait to get all my presents! You don't think Hannah is expecting me to get her anything do you?" Ron speculated.
"Probably, we have another Hogsmeade visit next weekend, get her something then." Harry suggested.
"Oh man, I don't have much money left, maybe I could get some from Fred and George. I'm going to try some of their snacks in their Skiving Snack Box this week. Get out of a couple classes." Ron said in thought.
"Yea well at least you don't have to put up with Snape this year! He's horrible, loathing me at every constant second. I'm surprised I even made his class! Dumbledore probably stepped in on that one." Harry complained.
"Yea, I'm so lucky not to have Snape this year. I pity you, Harry. But you don't have Herbology this year do you? We're doing these stupid plants, mimbulus something. You know that plant that Neville is obsessed with." Ron said.
"Oh yea, he just told me this morning how interesting the lessons were, and how much I was missing out on." Harry laughed.
"Missing out! Ha! That's a laugh! Anyways how are your Occlumency lessons going? Able to free you mind." Ron asked as he made a hummmmm sound.
"I think so, but Dumbledore is just going so in depth with things now. I haven't been able to feel Voldemort's presence for over a month now. I can't believe I'm actually going a whole month without my head pounding against itself." Harry smiled.
"Yea well that's good to hear. Hey, where's Hermione? Has she been in a better mood lately?" Ron wondered.
"Oh I don't know, was she at the game?"
"I didn't see her, she's probably at the library tutoring some stupid freak." Ron laughed. Then Harry remembered what he witnessed seeing only yesterday.
"Yea…" Harry decided not to tell Ron about Hermione and the first year either. "Well I got a two foot essay for Snape and I haven't started it yet. I'll see you round."
"Alright, bye Harry." Ron said.
"Later Ron."
Author's note: sorry this chappie took FOREVER but I've been rereading the fifth book and watching the movies to get a flow of the writing, um.. I also have midterms coming next week so I wont probably be able to update for a week or so. But now the climax is going to start within the next couple of chapters. Christmas is coming for Harry, and an unexpected surprise involving you-know-who. Ne who, please review! Hehe and once again im very sorry this took so long to update.