Chapter 31
The Quidditch Final Arrives
Professor McGonnagal's birthday celebration was still all the buzz---even three weeks later---as the Gryffindors headed down to the dungeons for their next Potions class. To Harry and the others surprise, Professor Snape looked as if he'd just been attacked to them...his face pale and his brow pinched as if he were in agony. He seemed to be moving in a jerky sort of fashion as well, and he grit his teeth frequently, muttering under his breath to himself. Finally, he seemed to pull himself together, and began the lesson...
"Today, students," he began, his voice horrible to even listen to, as it was so pained and grating. Then, he startled the assembled class as he grimaced, clutching his neck, a terrifying expression lighting his pale, pasty face. He hissed once, he then roared aloud, bracing himself against his lecturn to stay upright, "Everyone of you! OUT! NOW!"
The students looked at their professor with a mix of horror, surprise, and confusion. "Did. You. Not. Hear. Me? Get! Out!" Snape croaked painfully, just before collapsing over his desk, tossing potion ingredients, cauldrons and flasks to the floor with a crash. The student dashed for the door with screams and shouts.
"Stop! You three! Granger. Weasley. Hsss, Potter! G-Go to D-Dumbledore," Snape nearly screamed. "T-Tell him...I'm losing control. Of myself. Don't just s-stand there, P-Potter...GO!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione turned and dashed off toward Dumbledore´s office. They were forced to pause, panting, as they encountered the stone phoenix statue that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office proper.
"I can't remember...what´s the password?" Harry asked, grasping for the information.
"Oh, Harry, I don't know!" Hermione whimpered, her brown eyes troubled and fearful.
Harry was thankful when Professor Bat appeared from around the corner. "Mr. Potter? Is something the matter?" she asked in a mysterious voice, her Transylvanian accent coming through, looking surprised at seeing them there.
"Sorry, Professor, but we've no time!" Harry told her. "We simply must see the Headmaster! Immediately! What is the password?"
Professor Bat's skin paled, but she provided what was needed. She addressed the stone phoenix, and proclaimed, "Hogwarts!" and the guardian began to slowly revolve, allowing the trio and Professor Bat to ride up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
Once past the dark paneled wooden door, Harry felt his heart leap. Dumbledore looked up from behind his desk, an eagle quill poised in his hand.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry called out, rushing to his desk. "You've got to come quick! It's Snape! He's got all weird on us, telling us we had get you now, and...oh, yes, to tell you that he says he´s losing control...whatever that means."
Dumbledore said nothing for a moment, "It is...I suppose, inevitable. Come," he declared in a weary voice, gathering up his robes, and rushing past them out his office, Harry and the others running hard to keep up. They all headed straight down to the dungeons.
"Oh, this...this is all my fault," Professor Bat cried softly, when they had arrived in the Potions classroom. She sighed, and thumped down into the nearest seat.
"Professor? Whatever do you mean? Your fault?" Harry asked, a bit perplexed.
Bat closed her heavily lidded eyes a moment, then looked over to Harry. "It's bound to come out now, I suppose. But, I expected nothing less, really. You see, Mr. Potter...I am a vampire," she said. She grimaced as she saw the look of fear and loathing appear on Ron and Hermione's faces.
"No, no! Do not be frightened, children. I am not a dangerous one," she added quickly, in an attempt to be reassuring. "Much like Professor Lupin, I am no danger to anyone...just so long as I take my potion." She then got to her feet and began to pace back and forth. "It all started when Professor Dumbledore requested that Professor Snape brew me the potion I require. I had been taking it as directed, once a night since I've been here. But, one night, Severus...er, I mean to say, Professor Snape, came calling when I had---sadly enough--- forgotten to take my potion." She then turned her back to them a few moments, her shoulders shaking for a moment or two.
"I'm afraid I made the mistake of falling for your Potions Master, children. I, that is, we...oh, dear...we two did 'adult' things that night," she said quietly, blushing furiously, so that the trio had no problem whatsoever figuring out what Snape and Bat had been doing.
"Eew," Ron said quietly, disgust written all over his face. Hermione, tears streaming down her face, glowered furiously at him, then thumped him soundly with her elbow. Harry hid his grin by turning away.
"That night, that very special night, I did what I had promised myself I'd never do again. I'm afraid that I lost control of myself, and bit Severus." Professor Bat put her face into her hands and wept a moment. Harry found it hard not to feel for the poor professor, vampire though she might be.
"Ah, so that´s why Professor Snape's become so afraid of the sun," Hermione observed between sniffs, wiping at her eyes.
"Yes, I should of known you of all people would discover my secret, Miss Granger," Bat said. "As well as now...my poor, poor Severus' secret as well."
"No!" Ron then protested, his eyes huge. "You mean Snape's a vampire then? Aw, great..."
"That's Professor Snape, Mr. Weasley," Professor Dumbledore kindly corrected.
"Oh, it´s all still so new for him. He isn´t able to control himself as much as I can yet."
A light came on in Harry's head then. "So, Professor Snape lost control of himself, well, to his vampiric urges, I mean," Harry said. Professor Bat, still sniffing pitifully, simply nodded.
"So that's why he told everyone to get out then. So he couldn't bite anyone when he finally was unable to control himself any longer," Harry said.
"Yes, Mr. Potter...Harry. Severus was trying to save you all. So brave, so noble," Professor Bat said, before breaking down once again, crying.
"Now, now, Batilda," soothed Dumbledore, moving over to comfort his weeping Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"Blimey! You mean to tell me he was trying to save us then?" Ron said, amazed. "Snape?"
Professor Bat retrieved a lacy handkerchief and blew her nose loudly. "Oh, please...all of you! Please don´t tell anyone about what you know... about me or poor Severus," Professor Bat pleaded.
"Don't worry, Professor. We won´t," Harry promised, moving over to pat her hand, hoping to comfort her a bit.
The following day, Harry led his fellow teammates---oh, as well as Amelia and Mariah--- down to the Quidditch pitch for yet another grueling practice session.
"All right," Harry said, still sweaty after their just completed practice. "It's what we've been waiting for all season: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. The game is next Sunday afternoon, and we plan to win it!" The others cheered.
"Now, to the Slytherins. For those of you who don't already know it...Malfoy's their new Captain," Harry informed them, grimacing. Everyone groaned or growled angrily.
"I know, I know," soothed Harry. "But he's taking the traditional Slytherin approach, going for size instead of skill---"
"---or brains!" Dean Thomas threw in, his voice laden with sarcasm. That prompted a round of laughter at the Slytherin's expense.
"Right. But, for all that, they're still pretty good. They got themselves three decent players on the whole team, the rest are just muscle. Hate to be the one to say it...but, one of 'em is Malfoy, the weasel. Ron, Dean...be sure you direct every free Bludger you two can manage toward him."
"With pleasure, Harry!" Ron assured him, cracking his knuckles savagely, his lips thinning at the thought of pelting Malfoy off his broom during the match.
"That's the way. Now, then next bloke to watch out for is Lazurus Lazibee. He's a troll-like seventh year, and a right decent chaser despite that. But we don´t need to worry 'bout him...he can't match you three...even on a good day," he said to the three girls, who smiled back at him winningly.
"All he'll be seeing is the tails of our brooms, Harry!" Ginny promised, Kitty and Hermione nodding in agreement.
"Now, finally, there's Rupert Bangor," Harry told them. Erek made a face, and Ginny stuck out her tongue as if she'd just eaten soemthing very foul indeed. "I know, he's no one's favorite, believe you me. But, he took over from Crabbe, when McGonnagal banned him this seaons after what he and his mates tried to do to me last year. The problem with Bangor is that he's so dim he can't seem to very often tell the difference between a Bludger and someone's head...on anyone's team. So, remember to watch out for him, and stand clear, all right? He's not that great of a flier, so you shouldn't have any trouble avoiding him. The rest of the Slytherins are--- let's face it---pretty pathetic---strong, but pathetic---but determined to beat us no matter what it takes."
"The Cup is nearly ours, mates...let's just do our jobs right and win this one for Harry!" Ron called out, which prompted the rest to cheer enthusiastically.
"Don't forget now, team...as usual, we end our practice by putting on a Hogwarts Sisters CD and we then guess which song, from which album, and who is singing it. Harry then opened the magical CD player (it was Mariah's) and inserted the disk. The locker room was filled with the rich tunes of the Hogwarts Sisters.
"I got it!" Kitty called out after a while. "The song's 'Part of Your World', the album is 'Disney Hits Part One' and Tabby is the one singing!"
"Give that girl a gold star," Harry said, smiling at Kitty, who clasped her hands over her head and shook them as if she'd just won a boxing match or something.
"But, Harry...what does this got to do with Quidditch?" Mariah asked, confused, looking over from where she was sitting with Amelia.
"Oh. Well, nothing really," Harry confessed. "But we like to keep our minds on something other than Quidditch, you see...to calm our nerves, you know."
As they all were headed back up toward the castle as the sun began to set, they saw Professors Snape and Bat, strolling out toward the grounds of Hogwarts. "Good evening, Professors," Hermione said politely, nodding to the two. Professor Snape nodded quickly, but said nothing, continuing to walk. Professor Bat looked over to them a moment, giving Harry, Hermione, and Ron a special look. She then looked up into the darkening skies, stating, "Good evening, children. Do run along now. We have to be going." She then looked over at Snape, who nodded somewhat moodily, and then--- much to all of their surprise---both of them transformed into bats, and flew off towards Hogsmeade.
"I don't know about any of you...but, that I think that could be considered creepy. Very creepy," Mariah offered, shuddering...and not from the chill in the air either.
The Quidditch Final Arrives
Professor McGonnagal's birthday celebration was still all the buzz---even three weeks later---as the Gryffindors headed down to the dungeons for their next Potions class. To Harry and the others surprise, Professor Snape looked as if he'd just been attacked to them...his face pale and his brow pinched as if he were in agony. He seemed to be moving in a jerky sort of fashion as well, and he grit his teeth frequently, muttering under his breath to himself. Finally, he seemed to pull himself together, and began the lesson...
"Today, students," he began, his voice horrible to even listen to, as it was so pained and grating. Then, he startled the assembled class as he grimaced, clutching his neck, a terrifying expression lighting his pale, pasty face. He hissed once, he then roared aloud, bracing himself against his lecturn to stay upright, "Everyone of you! OUT! NOW!"
The students looked at their professor with a mix of horror, surprise, and confusion. "Did. You. Not. Hear. Me? Get! Out!" Snape croaked painfully, just before collapsing over his desk, tossing potion ingredients, cauldrons and flasks to the floor with a crash. The student dashed for the door with screams and shouts.
"Stop! You three! Granger. Weasley. Hsss, Potter! G-Go to D-Dumbledore," Snape nearly screamed. "T-Tell him...I'm losing control. Of myself. Don't just s-stand there, P-Potter...GO!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione turned and dashed off toward Dumbledore´s office. They were forced to pause, panting, as they encountered the stone phoenix statue that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office proper.
"I can't remember...what´s the password?" Harry asked, grasping for the information.
"Oh, Harry, I don't know!" Hermione whimpered, her brown eyes troubled and fearful.
Harry was thankful when Professor Bat appeared from around the corner. "Mr. Potter? Is something the matter?" she asked in a mysterious voice, her Transylvanian accent coming through, looking surprised at seeing them there.
"Sorry, Professor, but we've no time!" Harry told her. "We simply must see the Headmaster! Immediately! What is the password?"
Professor Bat's skin paled, but she provided what was needed. She addressed the stone phoenix, and proclaimed, "Hogwarts!" and the guardian began to slowly revolve, allowing the trio and Professor Bat to ride up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
Once past the dark paneled wooden door, Harry felt his heart leap. Dumbledore looked up from behind his desk, an eagle quill poised in his hand.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Harry called out, rushing to his desk. "You've got to come quick! It's Snape! He's got all weird on us, telling us we had get you now, and...oh, yes, to tell you that he says he´s losing control...whatever that means."
Dumbledore said nothing for a moment, "It is...I suppose, inevitable. Come," he declared in a weary voice, gathering up his robes, and rushing past them out his office, Harry and the others running hard to keep up. They all headed straight down to the dungeons.
"Oh, this...this is all my fault," Professor Bat cried softly, when they had arrived in the Potions classroom. She sighed, and thumped down into the nearest seat.
"Professor? Whatever do you mean? Your fault?" Harry asked, a bit perplexed.
Bat closed her heavily lidded eyes a moment, then looked over to Harry. "It's bound to come out now, I suppose. But, I expected nothing less, really. You see, Mr. Potter...I am a vampire," she said. She grimaced as she saw the look of fear and loathing appear on Ron and Hermione's faces.
"No, no! Do not be frightened, children. I am not a dangerous one," she added quickly, in an attempt to be reassuring. "Much like Professor Lupin, I am no danger to anyone...just so long as I take my potion." She then got to her feet and began to pace back and forth. "It all started when Professor Dumbledore requested that Professor Snape brew me the potion I require. I had been taking it as directed, once a night since I've been here. But, one night, Severus...er, I mean to say, Professor Snape, came calling when I had---sadly enough--- forgotten to take my potion." She then turned her back to them a few moments, her shoulders shaking for a moment or two.
"I'm afraid I made the mistake of falling for your Potions Master, children. I, that is, we...oh, dear...we two did 'adult' things that night," she said quietly, blushing furiously, so that the trio had no problem whatsoever figuring out what Snape and Bat had been doing.
"Eew," Ron said quietly, disgust written all over his face. Hermione, tears streaming down her face, glowered furiously at him, then thumped him soundly with her elbow. Harry hid his grin by turning away.
"That night, that very special night, I did what I had promised myself I'd never do again. I'm afraid that I lost control of myself, and bit Severus." Professor Bat put her face into her hands and wept a moment. Harry found it hard not to feel for the poor professor, vampire though she might be.
"Ah, so that´s why Professor Snape's become so afraid of the sun," Hermione observed between sniffs, wiping at her eyes.
"Yes, I should of known you of all people would discover my secret, Miss Granger," Bat said. "As well as now...my poor, poor Severus' secret as well."
"No!" Ron then protested, his eyes huge. "You mean Snape's a vampire then? Aw, great..."
"That's Professor Snape, Mr. Weasley," Professor Dumbledore kindly corrected.
"Oh, it´s all still so new for him. He isn´t able to control himself as much as I can yet."
A light came on in Harry's head then. "So, Professor Snape lost control of himself, well, to his vampiric urges, I mean," Harry said. Professor Bat, still sniffing pitifully, simply nodded.
"So that's why he told everyone to get out then. So he couldn't bite anyone when he finally was unable to control himself any longer," Harry said.
"Yes, Mr. Potter...Harry. Severus was trying to save you all. So brave, so noble," Professor Bat said, before breaking down once again, crying.
"Now, now, Batilda," soothed Dumbledore, moving over to comfort his weeping Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"Blimey! You mean to tell me he was trying to save us then?" Ron said, amazed. "Snape?"
Professor Bat retrieved a lacy handkerchief and blew her nose loudly. "Oh, please...all of you! Please don´t tell anyone about what you know... about me or poor Severus," Professor Bat pleaded.
"Don't worry, Professor. We won´t," Harry promised, moving over to pat her hand, hoping to comfort her a bit.
The following day, Harry led his fellow teammates---oh, as well as Amelia and Mariah--- down to the Quidditch pitch for yet another grueling practice session.
"All right," Harry said, still sweaty after their just completed practice. "It's what we've been waiting for all season: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. The game is next Sunday afternoon, and we plan to win it!" The others cheered.
"Now, to the Slytherins. For those of you who don't already know it...Malfoy's their new Captain," Harry informed them, grimacing. Everyone groaned or growled angrily.
"I know, I know," soothed Harry. "But he's taking the traditional Slytherin approach, going for size instead of skill---"
"---or brains!" Dean Thomas threw in, his voice laden with sarcasm. That prompted a round of laughter at the Slytherin's expense.
"Right. But, for all that, they're still pretty good. They got themselves three decent players on the whole team, the rest are just muscle. Hate to be the one to say it...but, one of 'em is Malfoy, the weasel. Ron, Dean...be sure you direct every free Bludger you two can manage toward him."
"With pleasure, Harry!" Ron assured him, cracking his knuckles savagely, his lips thinning at the thought of pelting Malfoy off his broom during the match.
"That's the way. Now, then next bloke to watch out for is Lazurus Lazibee. He's a troll-like seventh year, and a right decent chaser despite that. But we don´t need to worry 'bout him...he can't match you three...even on a good day," he said to the three girls, who smiled back at him winningly.
"All he'll be seeing is the tails of our brooms, Harry!" Ginny promised, Kitty and Hermione nodding in agreement.
"Now, finally, there's Rupert Bangor," Harry told them. Erek made a face, and Ginny stuck out her tongue as if she'd just eaten soemthing very foul indeed. "I know, he's no one's favorite, believe you me. But, he took over from Crabbe, when McGonnagal banned him this seaons after what he and his mates tried to do to me last year. The problem with Bangor is that he's so dim he can't seem to very often tell the difference between a Bludger and someone's head...on anyone's team. So, remember to watch out for him, and stand clear, all right? He's not that great of a flier, so you shouldn't have any trouble avoiding him. The rest of the Slytherins are--- let's face it---pretty pathetic---strong, but pathetic---but determined to beat us no matter what it takes."
"The Cup is nearly ours, mates...let's just do our jobs right and win this one for Harry!" Ron called out, which prompted the rest to cheer enthusiastically.
"Don't forget now, team...as usual, we end our practice by putting on a Hogwarts Sisters CD and we then guess which song, from which album, and who is singing it. Harry then opened the magical CD player (it was Mariah's) and inserted the disk. The locker room was filled with the rich tunes of the Hogwarts Sisters.
"I got it!" Kitty called out after a while. "The song's 'Part of Your World', the album is 'Disney Hits Part One' and Tabby is the one singing!"
"Give that girl a gold star," Harry said, smiling at Kitty, who clasped her hands over her head and shook them as if she'd just won a boxing match or something.
"But, Harry...what does this got to do with Quidditch?" Mariah asked, confused, looking over from where she was sitting with Amelia.
"Oh. Well, nothing really," Harry confessed. "But we like to keep our minds on something other than Quidditch, you see...to calm our nerves, you know."
As they all were headed back up toward the castle as the sun began to set, they saw Professors Snape and Bat, strolling out toward the grounds of Hogwarts. "Good evening, Professors," Hermione said politely, nodding to the two. Professor Snape nodded quickly, but said nothing, continuing to walk. Professor Bat looked over to them a moment, giving Harry, Hermione, and Ron a special look. She then looked up into the darkening skies, stating, "Good evening, children. Do run along now. We have to be going." She then looked over at Snape, who nodded somewhat moodily, and then--- much to all of their surprise---both of them transformed into bats, and flew off towards Hogsmeade.
"I don't know about any of you...but, that I think that could be considered creepy. Very creepy," Mariah offered, shuddering...and not from the chill in the air either.