Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Mark Ridgers wandered through the empty hallways bored. He certainly did not want to stay in the company of Draco Malfoy. He decided to get out his broom and practice some flying techniques. As far as the school was concerned nobody except for the Gryffindor House, knew who the new Quidditch team members were. Fortunately the snow had not fallen yet and Mark flew around the Quidditch pitch, avoiding imaginary obstacles and shooting goals. In the distance he could see Draco Malfoy in his Quidditch robes heading for the field. Fortunately Mark had not received his uniform yet. Malfoy flew up into the air to join him.
"So you can fly Ridgers," sneered Malfoy, the snitch in his hand.
"Better than you than you think, Malfoy," Mark retorted. Draco's eyebrow arched as he decided to give Mark a run for his money.
"So you say, how about a little challenge then?" Mark swallowed hard and nodded.
Draco held up the snitch, and let it go watching it till it disappeared out of sight.
"First one to catch it wins a gallon from the loser," he challenged Mark. Mark was not used to chasing the Snitch but he was determined to try. He hopped on his broom and soared up in the air, his eyes darting around the arena. Draco joined him in the air,
managing to shove Mark slightly off his broom. They circled the field, yet there was still no sign of the snitch. Then Mark saw a flicker of gold. Not wanting Draco to see it he pretended just to be flying along looking. As soon as he gained some distance, he took off towards it. Draco realised what was happening and chased him. Unfortunately Draco's broom was much faster than Mark's and he caught up quickly, deliberately bumping into him. Mark pulled his broom hard left as he raced to get out of Malfoy's reach. His arm out stretched ready to catch the snitch. He glanced back to see that Draco had taken out his wand. He quickly dipped and braked, allowing Draco to fly past him. He then soared towards the ground gathering speed as Draco lost sight of the snitch. He pulled up just in time, snatching the snitch moments before Draco realized it was right next to him. Mark let out a yell of excitement while Draco muttered a curse causing him to fall to the ground with a thud.
"I don't believe it, it is not even the new school term, and I have a Quidditch casualty," Madam Promfery said in a huff. She lifted to the lids of Mark's eyes, but he was out cold.
"What happened Mr. Malfoy?" she asked accusingly. Draco put on his innocent face.
"We were just practicing and he fell of his broom, tried to pull some trick or something," Malfoy lied. The nurse looked at him a moment and decided not to make and issue out of it. Maybe Mr Ridgers did fall, who would know?
Malfoy left the hospital wing feeling really pleased. Maybe Ridgers would not remember that he caught the snitch. He began to think about Hermione,
'Where did that mudblood go for Christmas now that her parents are dead, maybe I should write to Ginny and find out,' he thought deviously.
* * * * * * * * * *
Harry leaned back in his chair, his stomach full of the tasty dinner he had just eaten. It was wonderful staying with the Weasley's. Ron and Harry decided it was time to have a chat with Ginny seeming that Hermione could not get anything out of her. They found her lying on her bed reading a book later that evening. She looked up surprised to see her brother and Harry walking in. Ginny quickly sat up and straightened her skirt. Harry looked around the room, it was a typical girls room for the most part but he was fascinated. What caught his eye was a book lying on Ginny's desk. It was a muggle scrapbook not unlike ones he had used at school. On the cover where his initials H.P.
Harry had always known that Ginny had a crush on him, although this year he thought that it was over, with Ginny dating Neville and all. He leaned against the window, watching Ron who had sat down next to Ginny. Harry had warned him to use a brotherly approach or else he would upset her and they would never find out anything.
"Ginny, about the other night at school, I am sorry if I upset you," Ron said apologetically. Ginny nodded but said nothing. Ron looked at Harry, his eyes pleading for him to intervene and ask the questions. Harry took over somewhat grudgingly.
"Ginny the thing is we don't want Neville to hurt you-"
"But it wasn't Neville I was meeting," Ginny interrupted.
"You are seeing him though," Ron chipped in. Ginny looked rather exasperated.
"What ever gave you that idea?" she asked confused.
Ron and Harry looked at each other, knowing the worst might come true.
"Then you were meeting Draco Malfoy weren't you?" Ron demanded.
Ginny lowered her head and nodded.
"But that night at the lake, it was Neville we saw?" Ron croaked.
Ginny nodded.
"Yes you saw Neville, who had seen me sneak out, and after my first year, he wanted to make sure I was not up to anything," Ginny explained.
"He knows about what happened with Tom Riddle?" asked Harry surprised.
"Well we are friends you know," said Ginny with a tone that sounded like Hermione.
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Then why are you meeting with Draco Malfoy?" asked Harry and Ron in unison.
* * * * * * * * *
Hermione had just finished purchasing three books as Snape suddenly put his hand on her shoulder.
"We should go," he told urgent tone yet softly. Hermione looked up at him confused, but then followed her gaze. Outside ominous black clouds were developing. The wind was up sending leaves and dust flying. People held onto their bags and tightened their coats.
Hermione sensed trouble, something dark was brewing in the corner of her mind, but she could yet interpret it. She allowed Severus to carry the rest of their shopping as they hurried towards the bus stop. But Severus managed to wave down a taxi.
"I think this would be safer," was his only comment.
They rode home in silence, Snape staring out ahead of him, and Hermione aimlessly played with the buttons on her jacket. Her connection was still there, the scars transcribing the forbidding ill winds that were still to come.