A/N: Like my letter to you all below, I have been true to my word and gotten you this chapter by Saturday night actually. I'm rather disappointed that it's not anything like my previously written and deleted chapter.....I couldn't remember the exact way I wrote it. However, it did come out in a little bit of a different way, and also flowed out of my head a little easier....Rachel's turningg out differently than I meant her to. I hope this is good enough for you. If you're really confused right now, just read the following note, which I wrote on Wednesday I believe! It's been a year since I started this story...wow. Enjoy the chapter!
PLEASE READ.......IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT YOU KNOW THIS!!!!!!
Hello to all my readers! I have missed you guys so much. Last I wrote was during Christmas break! Okay, here's the deal. I have had a hard time recently in school or I would have updated. Also I tried to update like three weeks ago, I had the whole chapter written and everything! And then my dumb computer deleted it when I was uploading...and then I came up on finals. So I hope to get something to you by Sunday....which is my birthday! And I will be (drumroll please!)....16!!!!!!
I hope you guys forgive me. I've been sick all semester, they don't know yet what is wrong with me but I fell behind in school! But anyways, I will update soon, within the next few days hopefully! When I put in a new chapter I will delete this entry, but I wanted to let you know that I wasn't dead! I also kind of wrote this to make sure that I can upload the chapters okay and all!
Please tune back in soon for more "Harry Potter and the Heir of Merlin"!!!!
P.S. The third movie comes out next Friday!!!!! I'm sooooo excited! It looks terrific...and I can't wait to see what Alfonso Cuaron did with it! Anyways, hope you guys enjoy it!!!! Bye!
Chapter 23: Rachel and Roscoe Semoris
The next day saw Ron and Harry with nothing to do but visit Hermione and maybe play a bit of Quidditch. Cornelius Fudge was coming to inspect Hogwarts to see if it needed any changes or renovations made, so Dumbledore had cancelled classes for the day to allow the teachers to meet with Fudge in conferences and such.
After waking up fairly early for them on a day off from classes, Harry and Ron went to grab a bit of breakfast from Dobby, which consisted of the remains of Hermione's large birthday cake and butterbeer. Full of cake and such, they went upstairs to the hospital wing to visit Hermione, who unfortunately for them was still fast asleep. At Harry's insistence, they scribbled a note to her telling that they'd been there and would be back later to visit. Then, at Ron's insistence, he and Harry went back to the dorms and grabbed their broomsticks to get in some Quidditch practice. Ron was going out for the team. Try-outs had been cancelled when Hermione had fallen ill and Harry couldn't be there to help decide on replacements.
When the boys reached the Quidditch pitch, they found Ginny and her friend from Ravenclaw, Rachel, already up in the air practicing.
"Ginny, you're going to have to be more alert if you want to be a Keeper...Gryffindor won't win a single game if you don't keep on top of things!" Rachel called, after Ginny had missed a particularly easy shot.
"I'm just so nervous, I can hardly keep my broom steady...try-outs are tomorrow!" Ginny fretted.
"Then don't be nervous," Harry advised, as he and Ron mounted their brooms and swooped towards the girls.
"Oh hello, Harry, Ron. You've met Rachel, right? She was at Hermione's party last night. Rachel-- Rachel," she nudged her friend, who was looking with open interest at Ron, who was turning red to the ears from her obvious attention. "This is Harry, and this is my brother, Ron. They're both fifth years."
"So, this is Ron? I've heard so much about you from Ginny. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," she said, without taking her eyes off of him.
Harry looked at Ginny incredulously, and then they both turned away from each other afraid that they would burst out laughing at Ron's red face.
"And Harry Potter....a pleasure to meet you officially. I've heard you are excellent on the Quidditch pitch. Maybe you should give Ginny here a few pointers....she's too nervous about the try-outs honestly!" Rachel added, extending her hand for Harry to shake. Then she turned back to look at Ron.
"Harry, I am bit nervous! Could you coach me a bit?" Ginny said with a nod and a wink towards the two teenagers back staring at each other.
"Sure. Rachel do you think you could help Ron practice? He trying out as well and--" Harry was cut off by Rachel.
"Say no more Harry. It would be my pleasure!" And with that, she sped off down to the other side of the pitch, calling Ron to follow. Ron turned to look at Harry and Ginny, flashed them a grin and said, "Thanks guys!", before speeding off after Rachel.
Harry and Ginny slapped a high-five and went off to practice.
About two hours later, after Harry bid Ginny goodbye and dragged Ron away from Rachel, he and Ron were heading back to the dormitories to change so they could go to lunch and visit Hermione. As they were about to round a corner, Ron babbling on about Rachel and such, when Harry threw out an arm, catching Ron in the chest.
"What the hell was that--" Ron began, but was silenced immediately by Harry shushing him. Harry cocked his ear towards the corner, where both boys heard three voices arguing. Ron peered around the corner and pulled back quickly.
"It's Dumbledore, Fudge and some other guy, but--"Ron whispered, but cut off yet again by Harry. They listened intently.
"I don't see why you believe Professor Sprout incapable of performing her duties as Herbology teacher. She seems to teach it quite well and all the students love her. I believe your proposal to dismiss her is completely unfounded," Dumbledore's voice said.
"Be that as it may, Headmaster, Cornelius here thinks it is for the best, don't you sir?" an especially oily voice said. The man's voice seemed to slither around his words.
"Yes Roscoe, I do," the minister said. But he didn't sound like himself. His voice sounded, hollow, almost haunted.
"The minister also thinks that there are a few other changes to be made around here-- in the staff, the rules. You can be sure that we will be visiting again soon," said the slithery voice.
"Hogwarts will be ready, Mr. Semoris. I also look forward to having a private conference with Cornelius upon seeing him at our next visit," said Dumbledore's voice calmly.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Dumbledore. Ever since the events of last summer, with the Death Eaters' appearance at the Quidditch World Cup, the minister isn't allowed anywhere without an escort. Security measures, I'm sure you understand. Good day, Headmaster," the oily voice said again.
"Good day Cornelius, Mr. Semoris." With that the boys heard Dumbledore's footsteps approaching and they quickly backed away and began strolling as though they were just coming around the bend.
"Good afternoon, Professor," Ron said as they passed.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore replied.
As they turned the corner, Roscoe Semoris and Cornelius Fudge were coming towards them, Fudge a step or two behind Semoris.
"Good afternoon Minister," Harry said jovially to the rotund little man. But Fudge, who usually was friendly, almost fatherly towards Harry, passed by him without a glimmer of recgonition in his eyes. His face was wan and tired looking, and he carried himself differently than Harry remembered....almost mechanically, as if he were just going throuh the motions of living. Just then Harry caught Roscoe Semoris's eye, and a hot, sharp pain flared in his scar.
"Ow!" he cried, slapping his hand against his forehead. "It's my scar. It's burning..."
Ron was still looking concernedly over his shoulder. "Who's Roscoe Semoris?"
"Dunno," replied Harry, still rubbing his scar.
"Well, what do you think is wrong with Fudge?" Ron asked.
"Roscoe Semoris," Harry said gravely.
A/N: Well there you go, my first update since Christmas. I hope you enjoyed it....enjoy the third movie on Friday as well. Don't forget to review! I'm 16 in three and a half hours! Reviews would be nice for my birthday (so would a car, but hey! Reviews work too!)