Quest of the Seekers: Elements of Transformation
Year One at Hogwarts
Chapter 5: Tyler's First Matches of the Season
The day of the Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch match had come. Tyler went to the pitch and got a seat next to his three friends. When the topic of whom they were going to root for came up they all decided to root for whomever they wanted and it would be okay with the others. A Slytherin seventh year was commentating the match. When the Gryffindor team started pulling in he showed little enthusiasm announcing them.
"Here is Gryffindor. We have the chasers: Captain Potter, Black, Herald, the Beaters: Berkeley and Villar along with Keeper Thompson and the Seeker Rayne."
Cheers came from the Gryffindors in the stand as well as from Jacke. Brad and Reggie were also cheering too but Tyler was more into the names of the first two players who got onto the pitch.
"Wait! Aren't those two guys part of the Marauders?"
Jacke then spoke. "Yeah, the one with the glasses is James Potter and the one with the great hair is Sirius Black. The other marauders are Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. They're in my house in seventh year. They've spoken to me a couple of times and they seem great and funny too."
"Really? Because they're the ones that Severus warned my about."
Tyler quickly told them the warning he received at the welcome feast. After that, Jacke started telling Tyler the things that the two of them told him.
"Well Potter and Black told me that Snape is a greasy haired bully who they call 'Snivellus'. Says that he's a dark arts oddball and can hex you in the instant you turn your back."
"Well he isn't! He could go a little far in the insults but he can be a great guy. He's watched over me the whole time I've been here like a big brother."
Brad to break this little exchange. "Look guys, lets not argue whose wrong and right just when the match is about to start. Right, Reggie?"
"Of course. Listen, the two of you are arguing about the sides of the people in your own houses and its natural to side with them but you guys are friends and if the other says that one's okay then give him the benefit of the doubt."
Reggie's words seemed to have the desired effect because it made looks of understanding appear in Tyler and Jacke's faces just as the match began. During the match, the topic of the roster for next year's teams made it's way to the foursome's mouths.
"The Ravenclaw team will be short a seeker and beater so I'll have a chance to tryout for one."
"Well Reggie, I heard that the Hufflepuff team is going to lose its seeker come the next school year too. Maybe I'll try to play quidditch. This sport seems fun and I did play soccer and other stuff."
"Soccer?, Oh the foot game, right?" All three seemed lost in Brad's presence. They didn't seem interested in a game that was all about kicking a ball to the goal instead of flying to it with bludgers trying to knock you down and a time limit.
"Never mind. What about your team, Jacke? Will there be any openings?"
"The two marauders will leave next year and so will the seeker. I absolutely am set to get on the team. Tyler, are you going for the team? I know for a fact that the seeker on the slytherin team will leave too."
Tyler didn't answer because he was observing the match. The score was tied 200-200 each and the two seekers were neck and neck going for the snitch. Jacke soon stopped demanding an answer because he too became mesmerized by the action on the pitch. Brad and Reggie stared at the action as if their eyes were being pulled by the snitch. The golden snitch zoomed through the Slytherin end of the field and pulled into a dive in the exact middle of the pitch. The four young wizards were so into the action that they didn't realize that they weren't sitting down anymore. The two opposing seekers had their hands outstretched and reached for the snitch as they headed toward the ground like comets until...
"Rayne has caught the snitch! This brings it to Slytherin 200, Gryffindor 350! They win the match." The commentator showed the smallest enthusiasm while still being a good announcer making it evident that he was disappointed.
The Gryffindors were all hopping up and down like rabbits and cheering so loudly that it was hard to hear even yourself. Jacke seemed lost as he cheered and screamed along with his fellow house friends and ran to Gryffindor Tower to celebrate. Brad and Reggie were also cheering at the victory of Gryffindor but didn't try to cheer too much. It seemed they wanted to respect Tyler's feelings and didn't want it to look like they were badgering his house and himself. However, Tyler surprised them with polite cheering and clapping for the well-played game. Tyler felt that it was a good game and Gryffindor deserved to celebrate for a hard played victory and that his house team should be proud that they played a good game. The Slytherin team looked a little less willing to congratulate their opponents and just headed for their changing rooms. Tyler decided to head to his common room and said goodbye to his friends. .
He caught up with Matt Carroway on the way. Matt seemed to be walking carefully like a werewolf during a full moon would pounce any minute.
"Hey Matt. That was an eventful game wasn't it. I have never seen such a close match like that one before."
"Yeah, it was the best. It's a shame that we didn't win."
"But it was a good game anyway. The team should be proud for playing their hardest, shouldn't it?"
"Normally yes, but since they lost to Potter's little group they aren't seeing it that way. Severus just told me how they couldn't believe they lost to Potter in their very last match against them."
"Well, I guess they do have a right to be angry if you but it like that. By the way, why were you walking that way? You look like you're running from zombies or something."
"Well, while I was talking to Severus he warned me that Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew all go out and try to play some pranks while excitement from one of their matches is still fresh. He said to be careful around these corridors to the common room because that's their main spots. You know the 6 paintings on the left wing to the common room?"
"Yeah, but I fail to see the point of this."
"The marauders jinxed the paintings to call Severus names and tease him whenever he crosses so he doesn't use it anymore. They keep talking about his hair or his hook nose. So you better watch where you're going. I'm heading the long way since it's the safest. I'll see you in the common room."
Tyler walked on thinking that Severus might've exaggerated a little about the Marauders. Jacke had told him that they seemed like nice people. He went onward to the common room and would have turned to the corridor that led to it but he fell with a whack on the floor. Tyler realized he must've tripped on a wire until he heard voices.
"Look Prongs. It isn't Snivelly or any of his pals. It's a small Slytherin runt."
"Easy there Padfoot. If it's just a first year then we should reset the jinx to catch them when they're done sulking about losing the match. I did promise myself to limit to them so I could show Lily that I'm not a total idiot. I can't go and bully a little kid."
Tyler got up and began feeling a little rage. He saw that it was the four marauders who set up this prank. "What's the big idea?! I was just walking to my common room and I get hit with a trip jinx. Snipiero!" His countercharm eliminated the jinx. "Are you mad?!"
"Wow! You sure know you're spells there, kid."
"Moony! Don't give him a pat on the back. This proves that he knows Snivelly, doesn't it Prongs?"
The plump one cut him off with the sight that he was having second thoughts and hesitation doing just that. "Look guys. It's just a small kid and he's just passing. Let's just let him go then we could try and get Snivelly."
Tyler looked at the plump teen and couldn't believe his ears or eyes. Severus had told him that all the marauders never said no when it came to pranking people. But here was one who asked to let him go and another who actually talked to him like he was a new face around here. The one called Moony then spoke.
"Yeah guys. Peter is right. Pranking Snape is one thing but going after innocent little kids is going a little too far."
"C'mon Wormtail, Moony. We have to show these slytherin guys not to cross anyone and the younger the age, the quicker they get the message. Padfoot lets reset the trap."
Tyler however stepped in front of them and extended his arms to block their way.
"Leave Severus alone, boys! Just stop pranking him, understand that Black. What about you Potter?"
James and Sirius looked like they've been slapped. However Remus caught their shoulders. Peter stayed right behind them.
"Look guys. We don't want to be in trouble over this. I mean, what will happen if Lily finds out you ganged up on a first year. Your date will be ruined and you could forget about her looking at you in a whole new light." After saying this, Remus let James go but still held Sirius.
James seemed to have just had cold water thrown at him and moved his hand that have been reaching for his wand. Sirius seemed that he wasn't going to back down. Peter let out a whimper before he started talking. Unknown to the marauders, however, Tyler had his wand ready in his hand.
"C'mon Sirius, the kid doesn't know what he's doing. Let's just head back to the tower and celebrate with the others."
Tyler shouted which seemed to cancel out whatever Peter was going to say to his enraged friend.
"Listen. I could stand up for myself. I appreciate your help Pettigrew and even yours Lupin but I could take care of myself." This was the time Regulus spoke of. The time where he would show himself that he could defend himself without Severus always protecting him.
Then Sirius broke free of his friend's grip and pulled out his wand at Tyler. "No one talks to me or any of us like that especially not a small Slytherin twerp. Why don't you wash out that dirty mouth of yours or better yet let me. Scourgify!"
But Tyler took his wand into view and yelled. "Protego!" The spell bounced away from Tyler's shield out of sight. Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin looked on at the heavy panting Sirius. James looked ready to step in if anything drastic happened.
"Sirius! You can't just hex a little kid like that. You could have gotten in serious trouble, again!"
"Come on Moony, He blocked it so I cant be in trouble about anything and McGonagall can't argue with that because he's okay so no proof." He started to pant less. "I just lost myself, okay. I'm sorry, kid," he said like he felt like spitting.
Then a voice rang out startling everyone and made heads turn. "It's not okay with me, Black!" It was Severus. He also had his wand drawn. "Leave Solemn alone and deal with me if you can have enough foolish gryffindor courage to do that."
"You bet Snivellus!" Then there was another voice calling out. It was Jacke's voice.
"Guys! Are you there? I heard your voices down here and..."
He came into view and was shocked at the scene in front of him. Tyler spoke out to his friend. "Jacke! Why are you here?"
"I was just looking for the seventh year Gryffindors because they're wanted in the common room."
Peter spoke up. "I'll be right there. What about you guys? Remus? James? Sirius?"
"Okay Peter, I'll follow you back now. James?...Sirius?"
James and Sirius started slowly but not ever taking their eyes off Severus or Tyler and headed out with their fellow marauders. Severus pulled Tyler to his side.
"Tyler! Have you gone insane? Didn't anyone tell you that the marauders hit these sets of corridors?"
"Yeah but I was heading to the common room and this way was the closest. Why should I worry about pranksters who were harmless?"
"What do you mean harmless pranksters? Where did you get that from?"
"Jacke Walker told me that they aren't as horrible as some people think."
"Of course he said that! He's a Gryffindor. Honestly, have you learned nothing? You can't be friends with guys like that."
"His advice wasn't all inaccurate. Peter did try to get me out of it and Remus did treat me like I wasn't a target for them. Potter does seem a little hot headed and especially Regulus' brother. But Jacke was my friend before we were even sorted into our houses, as were Brad and Reggie. I mean...Severus if you had your best friend and yourself sorted into different houses and you still were the same people would that seriously change what you like about each other?"
Severus was stuck speechless at these words, until he scoffed. "It's hard to be mad at you. You do know that don't know that don't you." He was smiling after he finished.
They both started to walk on back to the common room oblivious to the fact that Regulus and Matt were watching from separate places in silence.
Author's Notes Well there is the end of chapter 5. This chapter took the longest for me to write. I hope you enjoyed this one. Coming up is chapter 6: "Wizard duels before Christmas" This is where Tyler battles to save a muggleborn from being picked on and before the Christmas rush at that.
Year One at Hogwarts
Chapter 5: Tyler's First Matches of the Season
The day of the Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch match had come. Tyler went to the pitch and got a seat next to his three friends. When the topic of whom they were going to root for came up they all decided to root for whomever they wanted and it would be okay with the others. A Slytherin seventh year was commentating the match. When the Gryffindor team started pulling in he showed little enthusiasm announcing them.
"Here is Gryffindor. We have the chasers: Captain Potter, Black, Herald, the Beaters: Berkeley and Villar along with Keeper Thompson and the Seeker Rayne."
Cheers came from the Gryffindors in the stand as well as from Jacke. Brad and Reggie were also cheering too but Tyler was more into the names of the first two players who got onto the pitch.
"Wait! Aren't those two guys part of the Marauders?"
Jacke then spoke. "Yeah, the one with the glasses is James Potter and the one with the great hair is Sirius Black. The other marauders are Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. They're in my house in seventh year. They've spoken to me a couple of times and they seem great and funny too."
"Really? Because they're the ones that Severus warned my about."
Tyler quickly told them the warning he received at the welcome feast. After that, Jacke started telling Tyler the things that the two of them told him.
"Well Potter and Black told me that Snape is a greasy haired bully who they call 'Snivellus'. Says that he's a dark arts oddball and can hex you in the instant you turn your back."
"Well he isn't! He could go a little far in the insults but he can be a great guy. He's watched over me the whole time I've been here like a big brother."
Brad to break this little exchange. "Look guys, lets not argue whose wrong and right just when the match is about to start. Right, Reggie?"
"Of course. Listen, the two of you are arguing about the sides of the people in your own houses and its natural to side with them but you guys are friends and if the other says that one's okay then give him the benefit of the doubt."
Reggie's words seemed to have the desired effect because it made looks of understanding appear in Tyler and Jacke's faces just as the match began. During the match, the topic of the roster for next year's teams made it's way to the foursome's mouths.
"The Ravenclaw team will be short a seeker and beater so I'll have a chance to tryout for one."
"Well Reggie, I heard that the Hufflepuff team is going to lose its seeker come the next school year too. Maybe I'll try to play quidditch. This sport seems fun and I did play soccer and other stuff."
"Soccer?, Oh the foot game, right?" All three seemed lost in Brad's presence. They didn't seem interested in a game that was all about kicking a ball to the goal instead of flying to it with bludgers trying to knock you down and a time limit.
"Never mind. What about your team, Jacke? Will there be any openings?"
"The two marauders will leave next year and so will the seeker. I absolutely am set to get on the team. Tyler, are you going for the team? I know for a fact that the seeker on the slytherin team will leave too."
Tyler didn't answer because he was observing the match. The score was tied 200-200 each and the two seekers were neck and neck going for the snitch. Jacke soon stopped demanding an answer because he too became mesmerized by the action on the pitch. Brad and Reggie stared at the action as if their eyes were being pulled by the snitch. The golden snitch zoomed through the Slytherin end of the field and pulled into a dive in the exact middle of the pitch. The four young wizards were so into the action that they didn't realize that they weren't sitting down anymore. The two opposing seekers had their hands outstretched and reached for the snitch as they headed toward the ground like comets until...
"Rayne has caught the snitch! This brings it to Slytherin 200, Gryffindor 350! They win the match." The commentator showed the smallest enthusiasm while still being a good announcer making it evident that he was disappointed.
The Gryffindors were all hopping up and down like rabbits and cheering so loudly that it was hard to hear even yourself. Jacke seemed lost as he cheered and screamed along with his fellow house friends and ran to Gryffindor Tower to celebrate. Brad and Reggie were also cheering at the victory of Gryffindor but didn't try to cheer too much. It seemed they wanted to respect Tyler's feelings and didn't want it to look like they were badgering his house and himself. However, Tyler surprised them with polite cheering and clapping for the well-played game. Tyler felt that it was a good game and Gryffindor deserved to celebrate for a hard played victory and that his house team should be proud that they played a good game. The Slytherin team looked a little less willing to congratulate their opponents and just headed for their changing rooms. Tyler decided to head to his common room and said goodbye to his friends. .
He caught up with Matt Carroway on the way. Matt seemed to be walking carefully like a werewolf during a full moon would pounce any minute.
"Hey Matt. That was an eventful game wasn't it. I have never seen such a close match like that one before."
"Yeah, it was the best. It's a shame that we didn't win."
"But it was a good game anyway. The team should be proud for playing their hardest, shouldn't it?"
"Normally yes, but since they lost to Potter's little group they aren't seeing it that way. Severus just told me how they couldn't believe they lost to Potter in their very last match against them."
"Well, I guess they do have a right to be angry if you but it like that. By the way, why were you walking that way? You look like you're running from zombies or something."
"Well, while I was talking to Severus he warned me that Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew all go out and try to play some pranks while excitement from one of their matches is still fresh. He said to be careful around these corridors to the common room because that's their main spots. You know the 6 paintings on the left wing to the common room?"
"Yeah, but I fail to see the point of this."
"The marauders jinxed the paintings to call Severus names and tease him whenever he crosses so he doesn't use it anymore. They keep talking about his hair or his hook nose. So you better watch where you're going. I'm heading the long way since it's the safest. I'll see you in the common room."
Tyler walked on thinking that Severus might've exaggerated a little about the Marauders. Jacke had told him that they seemed like nice people. He went onward to the common room and would have turned to the corridor that led to it but he fell with a whack on the floor. Tyler realized he must've tripped on a wire until he heard voices.
"Look Prongs. It isn't Snivelly or any of his pals. It's a small Slytherin runt."
"Easy there Padfoot. If it's just a first year then we should reset the jinx to catch them when they're done sulking about losing the match. I did promise myself to limit to them so I could show Lily that I'm not a total idiot. I can't go and bully a little kid."
Tyler got up and began feeling a little rage. He saw that it was the four marauders who set up this prank. "What's the big idea?! I was just walking to my common room and I get hit with a trip jinx. Snipiero!" His countercharm eliminated the jinx. "Are you mad?!"
"Wow! You sure know you're spells there, kid."
"Moony! Don't give him a pat on the back. This proves that he knows Snivelly, doesn't it Prongs?"
The plump one cut him off with the sight that he was having second thoughts and hesitation doing just that. "Look guys. It's just a small kid and he's just passing. Let's just let him go then we could try and get Snivelly."
Tyler looked at the plump teen and couldn't believe his ears or eyes. Severus had told him that all the marauders never said no when it came to pranking people. But here was one who asked to let him go and another who actually talked to him like he was a new face around here. The one called Moony then spoke.
"Yeah guys. Peter is right. Pranking Snape is one thing but going after innocent little kids is going a little too far."
"C'mon Wormtail, Moony. We have to show these slytherin guys not to cross anyone and the younger the age, the quicker they get the message. Padfoot lets reset the trap."
Tyler however stepped in front of them and extended his arms to block their way.
"Leave Severus alone, boys! Just stop pranking him, understand that Black. What about you Potter?"
James and Sirius looked like they've been slapped. However Remus caught their shoulders. Peter stayed right behind them.
"Look guys. We don't want to be in trouble over this. I mean, what will happen if Lily finds out you ganged up on a first year. Your date will be ruined and you could forget about her looking at you in a whole new light." After saying this, Remus let James go but still held Sirius.
James seemed to have just had cold water thrown at him and moved his hand that have been reaching for his wand. Sirius seemed that he wasn't going to back down. Peter let out a whimper before he started talking. Unknown to the marauders, however, Tyler had his wand ready in his hand.
"C'mon Sirius, the kid doesn't know what he's doing. Let's just head back to the tower and celebrate with the others."
Tyler shouted which seemed to cancel out whatever Peter was going to say to his enraged friend.
"Listen. I could stand up for myself. I appreciate your help Pettigrew and even yours Lupin but I could take care of myself." This was the time Regulus spoke of. The time where he would show himself that he could defend himself without Severus always protecting him.
Then Sirius broke free of his friend's grip and pulled out his wand at Tyler. "No one talks to me or any of us like that especially not a small Slytherin twerp. Why don't you wash out that dirty mouth of yours or better yet let me. Scourgify!"
But Tyler took his wand into view and yelled. "Protego!" The spell bounced away from Tyler's shield out of sight. Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin looked on at the heavy panting Sirius. James looked ready to step in if anything drastic happened.
"Sirius! You can't just hex a little kid like that. You could have gotten in serious trouble, again!"
"Come on Moony, He blocked it so I cant be in trouble about anything and McGonagall can't argue with that because he's okay so no proof." He started to pant less. "I just lost myself, okay. I'm sorry, kid," he said like he felt like spitting.
Then a voice rang out startling everyone and made heads turn. "It's not okay with me, Black!" It was Severus. He also had his wand drawn. "Leave Solemn alone and deal with me if you can have enough foolish gryffindor courage to do that."
"You bet Snivellus!" Then there was another voice calling out. It was Jacke's voice.
"Guys! Are you there? I heard your voices down here and..."
He came into view and was shocked at the scene in front of him. Tyler spoke out to his friend. "Jacke! Why are you here?"
"I was just looking for the seventh year Gryffindors because they're wanted in the common room."
Peter spoke up. "I'll be right there. What about you guys? Remus? James? Sirius?"
"Okay Peter, I'll follow you back now. James?...Sirius?"
James and Sirius started slowly but not ever taking their eyes off Severus or Tyler and headed out with their fellow marauders. Severus pulled Tyler to his side.
"Tyler! Have you gone insane? Didn't anyone tell you that the marauders hit these sets of corridors?"
"Yeah but I was heading to the common room and this way was the closest. Why should I worry about pranksters who were harmless?"
"What do you mean harmless pranksters? Where did you get that from?"
"Jacke Walker told me that they aren't as horrible as some people think."
"Of course he said that! He's a Gryffindor. Honestly, have you learned nothing? You can't be friends with guys like that."
"His advice wasn't all inaccurate. Peter did try to get me out of it and Remus did treat me like I wasn't a target for them. Potter does seem a little hot headed and especially Regulus' brother. But Jacke was my friend before we were even sorted into our houses, as were Brad and Reggie. I mean...Severus if you had your best friend and yourself sorted into different houses and you still were the same people would that seriously change what you like about each other?"
Severus was stuck speechless at these words, until he scoffed. "It's hard to be mad at you. You do know that don't know that don't you." He was smiling after he finished.
They both started to walk on back to the common room oblivious to the fact that Regulus and Matt were watching from separate places in silence.
Author's Notes Well there is the end of chapter 5. This chapter took the longest for me to write. I hope you enjoyed this one. Coming up is chapter 6: "Wizard duels before Christmas" This is where Tyler battles to save a muggleborn from being picked on and before the Christmas rush at that.