Chapter 3; Quidditch anyone?
The days began to pass and it seemed as if Daisy had always been there. She still said and did things that the others thought odd but they were just part of Daisy. She still didn't seem happy in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Professor Blanc didn't seem to notice.
Midway through the second week a notice appeared in the common room.
It read: Quidditch tryouts this Friday! Gryffindor house has the following spots to fill: Captain Keeper Chaser Alternates will also be consider from those who tryout.
"Wow, I've got to tryout. I'd love to play keeper!" said Daisy.
"Oh not you too!" said Hermione.
Ron and Harry smiled. "With all three of us at tryouts Hermione won't have anything to do," said Ron.
"Won't you tryout too?" Daisy asked.
"I'm not much of a flyer," said Hermione, "but I'll be there to cheer for you. Hey look!" she continued, "Hogsmeade weekend too!"
"Good," said Ron "we can celebrate my making the team!"
"Confident, eh?" asked Daisy.
"Sure! I've been playing with Fred and George, all summer. I can keep up with anyone else who tries out!"
**************************** On Friday morning everyone in Gryffindor was excited. It seemed like everyone was going out for the Quidditch team. And anyone who wasn't was waiting for the chance to get out of the castle for a while.
Harry wasn't really paying attention in class when Professor McGonagall called his name.
"Potter!" She repeated. "I said I would like to see you after class."
"Oh, right Professor." Harry answered.
When class was over he went to McGonagall's desks. "Yes, Professor?"
"Potter, I want you to consider captaining the Quidditch team." Professor McGonagall said as the rest of the class left.
"But, shouldn't one of the older students get first crack?" Harry asked a little confused.
"To tell the truth Harry I wondered the same thing. But Fred and George Weasley were quite insistent. They think you should do."
********************************** "What's up Harry?" Ron asked as he joined the others waiting outside.
"McGonagall just asked me to captain the Quidditch team. She said it was Fred and George's idea." Harry answered.
"Wow!" said Hermione "that's great!"
"Yeah," laughed Ron before he turned to Daisy and said, "told you I was on the team for sure!" ************************ As the day went on Daisy seemed a little upset.
"Daisy are you ok?" Hermione asked and the end of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Yeah, why?"
"You just seem quite, well more so than usual," Hermione answered.
"Yeah," said Ron "you forgot to give Professor Blanc an attitude today."
"Can you guys wait for me outside? I need to talk to the professor," she asked.
"Sure Daze but Ron didn't mean you had to go torment the guy after class." Harry joked.
"Very funny," she said. "Just wait please?"
Once again they over heard wait was said.
"Hey, Guy? Could I talk to for a minute?" Daisy said.
"Sure."
"I'm going out for Quidditch today."
"Good," he said a little distracted.
"I thought you should know," she said. Then she seemed to hesitate before asking, "have you heard anything about my dad?"
"No not yet," Blanc said. "They should have met up about two days ago."
"Right, thanks. Umm... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've been so horrible in class."
"Don't worry about it Daze," he said sounding happy. "But don't think I'm going to go easy on you, just because . . ."
"I know I know. And I'm not going easy on you either!" Daisy said just as cheerfully. "And hey at least I'll ace the gypsy stuff. What are we doing next?"
"Giants." He said with a laugh.
"Great see ya later, Professor!"
Harry and the other couldn't believe how much happier Daisy was.
"What do we after lunch?" she asked excitedly.
Harry double-checked his schedule and groaned. "Double Divinations." He answered.
"Great! Does Professor Trewlany seem to have too many bats in her belfry or is that just me?" Daisy asked.
"No it's not you. She's a coot!" Ron answered.
"Well I hope guys have fun. I'll think of you while I'm in Arthimacy!" said Hermione.
********************************** Daisy sat in Divinations a round table by the window with Harry and Ron, who looked as if their dog just died.
"Oh, cheer up you two." She said. "It's not that bad. You know she really does know what she's talking about."
"You're wasting your time on them!" said Lavender Brown from a near by table. "They've never had any respect for Professor Trewlany's gifts."
"Oh, she's not gifted. Anyone could do what she does," said Daisy she pushed up her glasses, which had begun to slip down her sweaty nose. "She just knows the mechanics really well."
Lavender turned back around in her seat. "What'd I say?" Daisy whispered to Harry.
"Professor Trewlany is Lavender's favorite teacher," he answered.
"Oh, well . . ." Daisy began but just then Professor Trewlany entered.
She floated in moth-like. "Good afternoon my dears! Today we are going to begin with the study of the cards."
She handed each set of students a deck of tarot card. "Does anyone know anything about tarot cards?"
Daisy's hand shot up. "She can be as bad as Hermione," Ron whispered.
"Only in Divinations," Harry whispered back.
Ignoring her friends' stifled giggles Daisy answered, "Tarot cards were first used about 3500 years ago. No one is really sure where. They were brought to Muggle attention about 1500 years ago, and are the bases of other card games like poker. Oh and you should never buy your own deck. They work better when someone gives you one."
"Very good Miss Dumbledore. If with you all turn to page 519 of Un-fogging the Future you can find a basic chart of meanings and simple dealing patterns."
Daisy didn't touch her book but began shuffling the cards and gave the boys time to read the basics.
"Aren't going to join us?" Ron asked.
"Shush, I'm shuffling." Daisy answered with a smile.
"Sorry," said Ron.
"I think she a bit ahead of us," said Harry, "Look." He pointed to a section of the book. "Have the subject of the reading shuffle the cards. This connects them to the deck allowing for a more accurate reading," Harry read aloud.
Daisy put the deck in front of the boys and said, "who wants to do my reading?"
"You go ahead, mate. At least you read the book," Ron said sitting back to watch.
"Okay," Harry began to deal according to the picture. "Let's see you got 'the Tower' that means a challenge. A ten of swords, a betrayal. And The King of swords, a powerful man. So you'll have to deal with the betrayal of a powerful man. Right?"
Daisy had gone very white. "I don't know. With a three-card reading it's hard to be precise."
Daisy had read both Harry and Ron's future. She told Ron he would soon have a great triumph. They all agreed it was probably about Quidditch tryouts.
"You know the cards focus on what you're thinking." Daisy told them.
For Harry, he got a romantic reading.
"Ah two of hearts romance Harry." She said teasing him. "And the king of hearts. That must be you."
"There are no hearts in there!" Harry said. "Cup, pentacles, wands and swords. No hearts!"
"Aw, poor Harry. Look, you're all red," Daisy teased. She went on to tell him that a great love would come and go before and another love came to stay.
They met up with Hermione after class and spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and joking. None of them could remember being in a better mood.
****************************** At four o'clock they headed down to the Quidditch pitch. Every Gryffindor came down to either tryout or watch their friends. "Good luck guys." Hermione called as se headed to the stands.
"Hey Harry over here!" Called Katie Bell one of chasers already on the team.
"Good luck you guys!" Harry said. And he left a very nervous Ron and Daisy standing there gripping their brooms tightly.
"Ok guys what's going on?" Harry asked as he joined the others.
"Did McGonagall talk to you, Harry?" asked George.
"Yeah," he answered.
"Well?" asked Fred.
"You all really want me to be captain?" he asked looking at his four old teammates.
"Absolutely, you've been on the team almost as long as we have. And you know all of Wood's old lectures as well as us, and besides, none of us will be left next year. You'd be captain then anyway!" said an excited Katie.
"Right, ok so how do we run the tryouts?" Harry asked.
"You tell us, cap'n." Said George.
"Ok" Harry said. "We should probably see who want to play what."
"You're the boss!" said George to the group.
Harry smiled. "Right then." He called to the others waiting on the field. "We want you all to split up! Keepers down bye the posts, Chasers center field!"
Harry watched as his classmates listened to his directions. He saw Ron and Daisy reluctantly split up. Ron was now standing with his sister Ginny and Dean Thomas at center field. Daisy went down by goal posts to wait her turn to show their stuff. They started off playing around a bit but were enough to see who to cut first. Harry asked the other senior plays to watch and help pick. After an hour they had cut the number of player in half. Both Ron and Daisy were still on the field. Soon there were about eight people left.
"Well, I think we know our pool of alternates," said Alicia Spinnet panting as the team member came together again.
"Yeah, now we just have to figure who's gonna be on team!" said George.
"I think maybe a scrimmage without the snitch." Harry said. "George and Alicia on one team, Fred and Katie on the other. I'll watch. You guys pick your teams. I'll make sub calls and you guys can lead you team. We know everyone out there has talent let's see that they can be part of team!"
Daisy and Ron were on Fred's team. Ginny and Dean were on George's. Harry thought that for a soccer fan Dean was a very good Quidditch player. He also though it was going to be hard to chose between his friends and do what was best for the team. Luckily he didn't have to.
Ron was like madman! He really wanted on the team. He scored 40 points on his own and assisted for the other twenty. "Ron!" Fred called after one assist. "Why didn't you take that shot?"
"Well, Michel had a better shot." He answered.
Right then everyone, except Ron, knew he had gotten the open Chaser spot.
Daisy was great too. She didn't let a single shot pass. Ginny came closest to scoring on her. Harry assumed Ginny had been practicing with her brothers too. It was unbelievable. Ginny had come up fast almost faked Daisy out but she did this crazy 360 spin and hit the ball directly to one of her team members. Anyone who thought that last part was luck just had to look at her face to know she was in complete the entire time.
The new Quidditch team was set.
"Wow!" said Hermione as she joined her friends on the field. They were waiting for the official announcement from the senior players, but everyone was expecting the same results.
"I'm so nervous." Ron said. Now that he was just waiting for word his adrenaline had drained away, so did the color in his face.
"You're in. No worries!" said Daisy.
"Easy for you to say! Do think I should have taken that shot?" he asked
"No," Hermione answered firmly. "You were right. Michel did have a better shot."
"I think that's why your in, Ron." Daisy said wiping the sweat off her forehead. "You made a good team play. That's important."
"So is winning." Ron shot back.
"Didn't we?" Daisy smiled.
Harry, Fred, George, Alicia, and Katie came out of their huddle and announced the finial decision. In a loud voice Harry called across the field. "It was tough decision but the new positions are decided. Alternates will come from last group of players on the field but the team positions go to Ron Weasley and Daisy Dumbledore!" *************
The next morning the four friends were sitting at breakfast in the great hall. The girls were chattering happily. Harry and Ron were trying to figure out how many dungbombs to buy when Professor Blanc came over.
"Daisy, I thought you might like to read this." He said handing her an un- opened letter he had just got in the post.
"It's from Mom! 'Only time to write one letter.'" She read aloud. "'Please make sure everyone knows we found each other and we're safe!' Oh thank goodness. 'Can't say specifics but we've got a new lead. Will write to Alstor next. Our love to the kids!'"
Daisy sat there for a second and smiled. Her friends realized for the first time just how much she kept inside, how much she kept from them.
"Thanks," Daisy said handing back the letter. "You didn't have to let me read it first, but thanks."
"Well I knew you knew they we're alright. You just needed to see for yourself. I'll go tell Allen now." And Professor Blanc walked down the table to Allen.
"So how long 'till we leave?" Daisy asked.
********* Twenty minutes later they were walking through Hogsmeade. They went to the joke shop, and Honeydukes, and wandered around for a while until Ron said, "I'm hungry. Any one up for the Three Broomsticks?"
When they entered the pub pretty Madam Rosemerita came over and hugged Daisy. "Daisy, child, took your time coming. I've seen you wandering all around town!"
"Sorry... "
"And you know I've been so worried. To think your mother moved you all the way here and just leaves you two there!"
"Sorry," Daisy said again. "But we're in school. She didn't leave us."
By this time Madam Rosemerita had steered them to a table. "Running around after that husband of hers. Probably haven't heard from either of them!"
"Actually Aunt Ro, we got word this morning. They're fine. And doing good working against Voldermort."
"Yes dear, of course. But still! What would you all like?" she asked turning to the others.
"Do you have any of your stew?" Daisy asked before anyone else answered.
Madam Rosemarita smiled. "One for everyone you think?"
"And butterbeer please." Daisy answered.
As Madame Rosemarita walked away Hermione leaned towards Daisy and asked, "'Aunt Ro?'"
Daisy smiled, "Yeah. She's my mom's sister. Give me enough time and I can find a relative anywhere! Or at least a family friend. Why do think travel is so easy for my family?"
********* After lunch they went up to see Hagrid and spent the afternoon at tea with him trying to find out details about his summer trip. "It ain't nothing any of you have to worry about!" was about the only thing they could get him to say.
That, or questions about their summers. "Hermione, how was that Krum fellow?" or "Ron, didn't brothers tell me you did this?" On the whole though they spent most of the time laughing.
"Ah, it was good to laugh like that today!" Hagrid said as he walked them back to the castle. "Don't remember the last time I heard people laughin' like that."
"That's because no one is laughing like that." Harry said. "People don't seem to be I don't know, quite as relaxed."
"They shouldn't be, Harry. Not yet anyhow." Hagrid said. "There is still a lot of work to be done. But people are startin' to come around."
As they entered the great hall Ron stopped Daisy just outside and said, "You know we really did laugh a lot more today. I think that was because of you. When you smile it's contagious." Then he went to catch up with Harry and Hermione. *********
Hagrid was right, everyone else did start to lighten up. It was almost the old Hogwarts, almost like there was no world outside Hogwarts, no Voldemort. Lessons went on, as did Quidditch practice, and social lives. That last part became very obvious one afternoon in early October when Daisy came running into the common room.
"Where's Hermione?" she asked as soon as she saw Harry and Ron sitting alone in a corner near the girls stairs. "Oh, and Harry here, from Cho." And she handed him a folded paper.
"Umm, upstairs writing a letter why?" Harry responded as he took his letter.
But Daisy didn't answer she headed for the girls so fast she smacked into Hermione at the bottom as she came down.
"Like I said before, weird girl." said Ron with a sort of smile.
"Ouch! Daisy? What is the matter?" Hermione said.
"Hermione, quick tell me the first time Victor kissed you, did you know you liked him or just liked the kiss?" Daisy asked almost in one breath.
"What? I don't know. That was three months ago! Why?"
Daisy leaned close and began "Well when I was in the library just now..." her voice went so low only Hermione could here but Hermione was loud enough for the both of them.
"He did what!? Why that slimy, good-for-nothing, what do you do?"
"I slapped him. But he isn't the problem. The problem is, I think I liked it."
Hermione was dumbfounded. "What's up?" Harry asked, half forgetting the letter in his hand amidst his friend's drama.
Hermione turned to the boys and, with a look of shock still on her face said, "Draco Malfoy just kissed Daisy! And she thinks she liked it!"
Hermione slow sat down in an empty chair while Daisy flopped down in the one that completed the small circle. Her friends all sat staring at her.
"Well I didn't ask him to!" was the only thing she could say in her own defense.
"Malfoy..." Harry said.
"Oh, Daisy!" Hermione said.
"Malfoy?" Harry repeated.
"Maybe he was just, I don't know." Hermione tried again.
"Draco Malfoy?" was Harry's attempt. "It couldn't be someone else?"
"No, it wasn't some one else! I know who kissed me! I'm going to my room." and Daisy disappeared up the near by stairs.
"Malfoy?" Harry repeated again.
Ron just sat there. Hermione decided to change the subject. "Harry what's that in your hand?"
"Oh, I forgot, it's from Cho." But as he open the letter he still muttered "I can't believe it! Malfoy!"
The days began to pass and it seemed as if Daisy had always been there. She still said and did things that the others thought odd but they were just part of Daisy. She still didn't seem happy in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Professor Blanc didn't seem to notice.
Midway through the second week a notice appeared in the common room.
It read: Quidditch tryouts this Friday! Gryffindor house has the following spots to fill: Captain Keeper Chaser Alternates will also be consider from those who tryout.
"Wow, I've got to tryout. I'd love to play keeper!" said Daisy.
"Oh not you too!" said Hermione.
Ron and Harry smiled. "With all three of us at tryouts Hermione won't have anything to do," said Ron.
"Won't you tryout too?" Daisy asked.
"I'm not much of a flyer," said Hermione, "but I'll be there to cheer for you. Hey look!" she continued, "Hogsmeade weekend too!"
"Good," said Ron "we can celebrate my making the team!"
"Confident, eh?" asked Daisy.
"Sure! I've been playing with Fred and George, all summer. I can keep up with anyone else who tries out!"
**************************** On Friday morning everyone in Gryffindor was excited. It seemed like everyone was going out for the Quidditch team. And anyone who wasn't was waiting for the chance to get out of the castle for a while.
Harry wasn't really paying attention in class when Professor McGonagall called his name.
"Potter!" She repeated. "I said I would like to see you after class."
"Oh, right Professor." Harry answered.
When class was over he went to McGonagall's desks. "Yes, Professor?"
"Potter, I want you to consider captaining the Quidditch team." Professor McGonagall said as the rest of the class left.
"But, shouldn't one of the older students get first crack?" Harry asked a little confused.
"To tell the truth Harry I wondered the same thing. But Fred and George Weasley were quite insistent. They think you should do."
********************************** "What's up Harry?" Ron asked as he joined the others waiting outside.
"McGonagall just asked me to captain the Quidditch team. She said it was Fred and George's idea." Harry answered.
"Wow!" said Hermione "that's great!"
"Yeah," laughed Ron before he turned to Daisy and said, "told you I was on the team for sure!" ************************ As the day went on Daisy seemed a little upset.
"Daisy are you ok?" Hermione asked and the end of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Yeah, why?"
"You just seem quite, well more so than usual," Hermione answered.
"Yeah," said Ron "you forgot to give Professor Blanc an attitude today."
"Can you guys wait for me outside? I need to talk to the professor," she asked.
"Sure Daze but Ron didn't mean you had to go torment the guy after class." Harry joked.
"Very funny," she said. "Just wait please?"
Once again they over heard wait was said.
"Hey, Guy? Could I talk to for a minute?" Daisy said.
"Sure."
"I'm going out for Quidditch today."
"Good," he said a little distracted.
"I thought you should know," she said. Then she seemed to hesitate before asking, "have you heard anything about my dad?"
"No not yet," Blanc said. "They should have met up about two days ago."
"Right, thanks. Umm... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've been so horrible in class."
"Don't worry about it Daze," he said sounding happy. "But don't think I'm going to go easy on you, just because . . ."
"I know I know. And I'm not going easy on you either!" Daisy said just as cheerfully. "And hey at least I'll ace the gypsy stuff. What are we doing next?"
"Giants." He said with a laugh.
"Great see ya later, Professor!"
Harry and the other couldn't believe how much happier Daisy was.
"What do we after lunch?" she asked excitedly.
Harry double-checked his schedule and groaned. "Double Divinations." He answered.
"Great! Does Professor Trewlany seem to have too many bats in her belfry or is that just me?" Daisy asked.
"No it's not you. She's a coot!" Ron answered.
"Well I hope guys have fun. I'll think of you while I'm in Arthimacy!" said Hermione.
********************************** Daisy sat in Divinations a round table by the window with Harry and Ron, who looked as if their dog just died.
"Oh, cheer up you two." She said. "It's not that bad. You know she really does know what she's talking about."
"You're wasting your time on them!" said Lavender Brown from a near by table. "They've never had any respect for Professor Trewlany's gifts."
"Oh, she's not gifted. Anyone could do what she does," said Daisy she pushed up her glasses, which had begun to slip down her sweaty nose. "She just knows the mechanics really well."
Lavender turned back around in her seat. "What'd I say?" Daisy whispered to Harry.
"Professor Trewlany is Lavender's favorite teacher," he answered.
"Oh, well . . ." Daisy began but just then Professor Trewlany entered.
She floated in moth-like. "Good afternoon my dears! Today we are going to begin with the study of the cards."
She handed each set of students a deck of tarot card. "Does anyone know anything about tarot cards?"
Daisy's hand shot up. "She can be as bad as Hermione," Ron whispered.
"Only in Divinations," Harry whispered back.
Ignoring her friends' stifled giggles Daisy answered, "Tarot cards were first used about 3500 years ago. No one is really sure where. They were brought to Muggle attention about 1500 years ago, and are the bases of other card games like poker. Oh and you should never buy your own deck. They work better when someone gives you one."
"Very good Miss Dumbledore. If with you all turn to page 519 of Un-fogging the Future you can find a basic chart of meanings and simple dealing patterns."
Daisy didn't touch her book but began shuffling the cards and gave the boys time to read the basics.
"Aren't going to join us?" Ron asked.
"Shush, I'm shuffling." Daisy answered with a smile.
"Sorry," said Ron.
"I think she a bit ahead of us," said Harry, "Look." He pointed to a section of the book. "Have the subject of the reading shuffle the cards. This connects them to the deck allowing for a more accurate reading," Harry read aloud.
Daisy put the deck in front of the boys and said, "who wants to do my reading?"
"You go ahead, mate. At least you read the book," Ron said sitting back to watch.
"Okay," Harry began to deal according to the picture. "Let's see you got 'the Tower' that means a challenge. A ten of swords, a betrayal. And The King of swords, a powerful man. So you'll have to deal with the betrayal of a powerful man. Right?"
Daisy had gone very white. "I don't know. With a three-card reading it's hard to be precise."
Daisy had read both Harry and Ron's future. She told Ron he would soon have a great triumph. They all agreed it was probably about Quidditch tryouts.
"You know the cards focus on what you're thinking." Daisy told them.
For Harry, he got a romantic reading.
"Ah two of hearts romance Harry." She said teasing him. "And the king of hearts. That must be you."
"There are no hearts in there!" Harry said. "Cup, pentacles, wands and swords. No hearts!"
"Aw, poor Harry. Look, you're all red," Daisy teased. She went on to tell him that a great love would come and go before and another love came to stay.
They met up with Hermione after class and spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and joking. None of them could remember being in a better mood.
****************************** At four o'clock they headed down to the Quidditch pitch. Every Gryffindor came down to either tryout or watch their friends. "Good luck guys." Hermione called as se headed to the stands.
"Hey Harry over here!" Called Katie Bell one of chasers already on the team.
"Good luck you guys!" Harry said. And he left a very nervous Ron and Daisy standing there gripping their brooms tightly.
"Ok guys what's going on?" Harry asked as he joined the others.
"Did McGonagall talk to you, Harry?" asked George.
"Yeah," he answered.
"Well?" asked Fred.
"You all really want me to be captain?" he asked looking at his four old teammates.
"Absolutely, you've been on the team almost as long as we have. And you know all of Wood's old lectures as well as us, and besides, none of us will be left next year. You'd be captain then anyway!" said an excited Katie.
"Right, ok so how do we run the tryouts?" Harry asked.
"You tell us, cap'n." Said George.
"Ok" Harry said. "We should probably see who want to play what."
"You're the boss!" said George to the group.
Harry smiled. "Right then." He called to the others waiting on the field. "We want you all to split up! Keepers down bye the posts, Chasers center field!"
Harry watched as his classmates listened to his directions. He saw Ron and Daisy reluctantly split up. Ron was now standing with his sister Ginny and Dean Thomas at center field. Daisy went down by goal posts to wait her turn to show their stuff. They started off playing around a bit but were enough to see who to cut first. Harry asked the other senior plays to watch and help pick. After an hour they had cut the number of player in half. Both Ron and Daisy were still on the field. Soon there were about eight people left.
"Well, I think we know our pool of alternates," said Alicia Spinnet panting as the team member came together again.
"Yeah, now we just have to figure who's gonna be on team!" said George.
"I think maybe a scrimmage without the snitch." Harry said. "George and Alicia on one team, Fred and Katie on the other. I'll watch. You guys pick your teams. I'll make sub calls and you guys can lead you team. We know everyone out there has talent let's see that they can be part of team!"
Daisy and Ron were on Fred's team. Ginny and Dean were on George's. Harry thought that for a soccer fan Dean was a very good Quidditch player. He also though it was going to be hard to chose between his friends and do what was best for the team. Luckily he didn't have to.
Ron was like madman! He really wanted on the team. He scored 40 points on his own and assisted for the other twenty. "Ron!" Fred called after one assist. "Why didn't you take that shot?"
"Well, Michel had a better shot." He answered.
Right then everyone, except Ron, knew he had gotten the open Chaser spot.
Daisy was great too. She didn't let a single shot pass. Ginny came closest to scoring on her. Harry assumed Ginny had been practicing with her brothers too. It was unbelievable. Ginny had come up fast almost faked Daisy out but she did this crazy 360 spin and hit the ball directly to one of her team members. Anyone who thought that last part was luck just had to look at her face to know she was in complete the entire time.
The new Quidditch team was set.
"Wow!" said Hermione as she joined her friends on the field. They were waiting for the official announcement from the senior players, but everyone was expecting the same results.
"I'm so nervous." Ron said. Now that he was just waiting for word his adrenaline had drained away, so did the color in his face.
"You're in. No worries!" said Daisy.
"Easy for you to say! Do think I should have taken that shot?" he asked
"No," Hermione answered firmly. "You were right. Michel did have a better shot."
"I think that's why your in, Ron." Daisy said wiping the sweat off her forehead. "You made a good team play. That's important."
"So is winning." Ron shot back.
"Didn't we?" Daisy smiled.
Harry, Fred, George, Alicia, and Katie came out of their huddle and announced the finial decision. In a loud voice Harry called across the field. "It was tough decision but the new positions are decided. Alternates will come from last group of players on the field but the team positions go to Ron Weasley and Daisy Dumbledore!" *************
The next morning the four friends were sitting at breakfast in the great hall. The girls were chattering happily. Harry and Ron were trying to figure out how many dungbombs to buy when Professor Blanc came over.
"Daisy, I thought you might like to read this." He said handing her an un- opened letter he had just got in the post.
"It's from Mom! 'Only time to write one letter.'" She read aloud. "'Please make sure everyone knows we found each other and we're safe!' Oh thank goodness. 'Can't say specifics but we've got a new lead. Will write to Alstor next. Our love to the kids!'"
Daisy sat there for a second and smiled. Her friends realized for the first time just how much she kept inside, how much she kept from them.
"Thanks," Daisy said handing back the letter. "You didn't have to let me read it first, but thanks."
"Well I knew you knew they we're alright. You just needed to see for yourself. I'll go tell Allen now." And Professor Blanc walked down the table to Allen.
"So how long 'till we leave?" Daisy asked.
********* Twenty minutes later they were walking through Hogsmeade. They went to the joke shop, and Honeydukes, and wandered around for a while until Ron said, "I'm hungry. Any one up for the Three Broomsticks?"
When they entered the pub pretty Madam Rosemerita came over and hugged Daisy. "Daisy, child, took your time coming. I've seen you wandering all around town!"
"Sorry... "
"And you know I've been so worried. To think your mother moved you all the way here and just leaves you two there!"
"Sorry," Daisy said again. "But we're in school. She didn't leave us."
By this time Madam Rosemerita had steered them to a table. "Running around after that husband of hers. Probably haven't heard from either of them!"
"Actually Aunt Ro, we got word this morning. They're fine. And doing good working against Voldermort."
"Yes dear, of course. But still! What would you all like?" she asked turning to the others.
"Do you have any of your stew?" Daisy asked before anyone else answered.
Madam Rosemarita smiled. "One for everyone you think?"
"And butterbeer please." Daisy answered.
As Madame Rosemarita walked away Hermione leaned towards Daisy and asked, "'Aunt Ro?'"
Daisy smiled, "Yeah. She's my mom's sister. Give me enough time and I can find a relative anywhere! Or at least a family friend. Why do think travel is so easy for my family?"
********* After lunch they went up to see Hagrid and spent the afternoon at tea with him trying to find out details about his summer trip. "It ain't nothing any of you have to worry about!" was about the only thing they could get him to say.
That, or questions about their summers. "Hermione, how was that Krum fellow?" or "Ron, didn't brothers tell me you did this?" On the whole though they spent most of the time laughing.
"Ah, it was good to laugh like that today!" Hagrid said as he walked them back to the castle. "Don't remember the last time I heard people laughin' like that."
"That's because no one is laughing like that." Harry said. "People don't seem to be I don't know, quite as relaxed."
"They shouldn't be, Harry. Not yet anyhow." Hagrid said. "There is still a lot of work to be done. But people are startin' to come around."
As they entered the great hall Ron stopped Daisy just outside and said, "You know we really did laugh a lot more today. I think that was because of you. When you smile it's contagious." Then he went to catch up with Harry and Hermione. *********
Hagrid was right, everyone else did start to lighten up. It was almost the old Hogwarts, almost like there was no world outside Hogwarts, no Voldemort. Lessons went on, as did Quidditch practice, and social lives. That last part became very obvious one afternoon in early October when Daisy came running into the common room.
"Where's Hermione?" she asked as soon as she saw Harry and Ron sitting alone in a corner near the girls stairs. "Oh, and Harry here, from Cho." And she handed him a folded paper.
"Umm, upstairs writing a letter why?" Harry responded as he took his letter.
But Daisy didn't answer she headed for the girls so fast she smacked into Hermione at the bottom as she came down.
"Like I said before, weird girl." said Ron with a sort of smile.
"Ouch! Daisy? What is the matter?" Hermione said.
"Hermione, quick tell me the first time Victor kissed you, did you know you liked him or just liked the kiss?" Daisy asked almost in one breath.
"What? I don't know. That was three months ago! Why?"
Daisy leaned close and began "Well when I was in the library just now..." her voice went so low only Hermione could here but Hermione was loud enough for the both of them.
"He did what!? Why that slimy, good-for-nothing, what do you do?"
"I slapped him. But he isn't the problem. The problem is, I think I liked it."
Hermione was dumbfounded. "What's up?" Harry asked, half forgetting the letter in his hand amidst his friend's drama.
Hermione turned to the boys and, with a look of shock still on her face said, "Draco Malfoy just kissed Daisy! And she thinks she liked it!"
Hermione slow sat down in an empty chair while Daisy flopped down in the one that completed the small circle. Her friends all sat staring at her.
"Well I didn't ask him to!" was the only thing she could say in her own defense.
"Malfoy..." Harry said.
"Oh, Daisy!" Hermione said.
"Malfoy?" Harry repeated.
"Maybe he was just, I don't know." Hermione tried again.
"Draco Malfoy?" was Harry's attempt. "It couldn't be someone else?"
"No, it wasn't some one else! I know who kissed me! I'm going to my room." and Daisy disappeared up the near by stairs.
"Malfoy?" Harry repeated again.
Ron just sat there. Hermione decided to change the subject. "Harry what's that in your hand?"
"Oh, I forgot, it's from Cho." But as he open the letter he still muttered "I can't believe it! Malfoy!"