Chapter Seven - Quidditch Tryouts
"HOW DARE YOU! FIGHTING WITH OTHER STUDENTS LIKE THAT! THE BOTH OF YOU SHOULD BE EXPELLED!" came the voice of Mrs. Weasley echoing through the common room. Harry was sure it would wake up all of Gryffindor house, if not the whole school. The few people in the common turned and stared, some snickering. The letter continued, "YOU ARE A PREFECT RONALD WEASLEY! YOU SHOULD BE SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER STUDENTS! AND YOU TOO, HARRY! I AM ASHAMED OF THE PAIR OF YOU! AND I AM WARNING YOU NOW THAT IF I EVER HEAR YOU BEHAVED IN THIS WAY AGAIN I WILL PERSONALLY COME TO HOGWARTS AND MAKE YOU REGRET THE DAY YOU WERE BORN."
Harry sat with his head in his hands, a feeling of guilt and regret sweeping over him. Mrs. Weasley had never yelled directly at him; she always aimed it at the group of them, but this time he supposed he had pushed it a bit too far, making him feel even more guilty. When he lifted his head, he saw Hermione looking at them with that 'You deserved it' look. He threw aside his books, unable to do any work.
"I'm going to bed," he mumbled before climbing the dormitory stairs. Ron, now in a sullen mood and apparently deciding it was time to go to bed too, followed silently behind.
Harry fell back into his bed, not bothering to change. It was a while before he fell asleep, the sound of Mrs. Weasley's magnified voice still echoing through his head.
Harry and Ron were especially careful to not cause trouble in any way since the arrival of the howler. Ron had even taken to doing his homework when it was assigned and Harry was able to contain himself during Potions when Malfoy was sending snide comments his way.
Soon Saturday was upon them and Quidditch tryouts were being held for the Gryffindor team. Harry had hung a notice in the common room, telling everyone who wished to join the team the time and date of tryouts and open positions. They needed two chasers and Harry wanted some reserves, too, for next year or just in case one of the team players were banned or injured (which was not all that uncommon when you attended Hogwarts). From what he heard of the students talking with each other, he expected a rather large outcome and that he got.
As he crossed the grounds to the pitch with Ron and the rest of the Gryffindor team, he saw no less than a dozen students standing with brooms and talking animatedly. Harry hadn't thought of what he was going to do for tryouts. Ron must have noticed that Harry didn't know what to do because he took charge.
"Hey, you lot! Get into groups according to what position you want! Chasers. Beaters. Keeper. And Seeker," he pointed to a different spot for each position.
As they all took their spots, Harry asked Ron in a whisper, "Now what should we do with them?"
"We'll have each of them take a turn and take notes. See who's best," Ron said.
Harry turned to the awaiting group. There were six trying for Chaser: Parvati Patil, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Colin Creevey, some first year that Harry didn't know, and Aira. Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke were the only two trying for reserve beaters. Dennis Creevey was hopping around excitedly in the seeker group with Euan Abercrombie. Two of the three trying for Keeper were people Harry had heard Angelina talk about trying for the team the year before, Vicky Frobisher and Geoffrey Hooper. The other was third year, Natalie McDonald. Harry turned back to the team.
"Sloper and Kirke are automatics. They're the only two that showed up for beater. Angelina said Hooper is a whiner and Quidditch is at the bottom of Frobisher's list," Harry whispered.
"We better have them try, though. So they don't get mad," Ginny said.
"Let's try chaser's first. I'll keep and the rest of you take notes on how they do. Then we'll see the rest after. Chasers are most important right now," Ron said.
Harry nodded as Ron took off on his broom for the goalposts. He said loudly to the group, "We're going to try Chasers first. One at a time. The rest of you can sit and wait. Parvati, you first. Ron is going to be keeping."
Harry zoomed into the air and hovered above them watching. Since Ron's confidence was boosted with the last match of the previous year, he was a much better keeper. He decided on ten to fifteen minutes to each player to try.
"Okay. We'll have the results posted up in the common room tomorrow morning," Harry announced when all of the chasers had tried. It turned out to be not too bad. He thought Gryffindor's team would be really good this year. At least, no worse than any other year.
"Now we'll try the keepers and seekers. Harry'll let the snitch out a few times for you while me and Gin will try scoring on each keeper," Ron said.
"Sloper, Kirke, you two are going to practice with a Bludger. Keep it away from the players. Now that Fred and George are back, you two will be our reserve beaters," Harry said.
Both of them looked very pleased and were very enthusiastic when playing as a result. Fred and George returned and helped with the keepers. Harry was busy with the trying seekers. He stopped every few minutes to see how the keepers were doing and he thought he liked Natalie McDonald best.
Harry was surprised a bit when he saw that Dennis Creevey was a really good flyer. He had the right build for a seeker, too, and he caught the snitch in fairly good time. Euan really hadn't a chance against him. After the third catch of the snitch, Harry called tryouts to a halt. It was late into the night by this time and all were becoming drained.
"That's all, then. We'll have the results in the common room, tomorrow," Harry announced.
They all made their way back up to the common room exhaustedly. Harry and Ron sat at a table, comparing notes on each player. They had been at it for only a few minutes when Euan Abercrombie sidled over.
"Look, I'm really much better than that. I swear. I was just nervous," he explained.
Then the first year chaser came over and began sucking up. Ron shook his head.
"Let's go up to our dormitory, Harry," he suggested. Harry followed him up the stairs but soon left there too as Dean and Seamus began bugging them.
"Go ahead up in our dormitory," Fred said.
"Yeah, we have our own as we are the only eighth years," George smiled.
"Thanks," Harry said, making his way up the stairs and having to shake off Dennis and Colin Creevey along the way.
They spent a long while talking over the players. It was an easy choice for reserves but chasers were a bit more difficult to decide.
"Aira is a definite. She's really good," Harry said.
"Yeah, I liked her for the team," Ron said, "That first year, Graham Leonard, was good, too."
"Too small, yet. He wouldn't be very good against Slytherin or even Ravenclaw. They'd flatten him," Harry said.
"Guess so," Ron agreed, "Am I right in saying Seamus is out?"
"Oh yeah. And Parvati," Harry said. Seamus could barely keep on his broom and his Quaffle handling was almost as terrible as Pavarti's, though at least she could stay on her broom.
"So it's between Dean and Colin," Ron said, "Colin has aim but no speed and Dean has speed and no aim. This is going to be a tough one."
"I think aim is important to have," Harry said.
"Yes but you need to go fast or they'll take the Quaffle right from you. And Colin is a bit obnoxious," Ron said.
"No good having a player who can't score, though," Harry said.
"Harry, you can teach someone better aim, but speed isn't something you can learn," Ron pointed out, "Besides Colin is too small."
"That's a good point. Why don't we keep him on as reserve along with that first year," Harry suggested.
"Okay then we have Ginny, Aira, and Dean as chasers, Dennis is reserve seeker, and Natalie as reserve keeper. Those other two that tried for keeper annoyed the hell out of me," Ron said.
"And Sloper and Kirke are reserve beaters," Harry said.
Ron took a piece of parchment and wrote down who made it on the team. Harry looked over and smirked.
"So do we put it up tonight or make them all wait until morning?" he asked.
"That's cruel," Ron said, smirking, "Let's do it.'
"I don't know if that's a good idea. They're all crowded on the stairs, waiting," Fred and George entered the room, "They may attack."
Harry put the paper in his pocket and made his way down the stairs with the group of them following and asking questions. He pinned the paper to the notice board and hurried away from it as they crowded towards it.
"I made it!" Graham, the first year shouted.
"Me too!" Dennis exclaimed..
Harry saw Parvati and Vicky glaring at him and he hurried up to his dormitory, not wanting to deal with them. Ron followed quickly as their gaze fell upon him. Harry was pulling on his pajamas when Seamus entered, looking livid. Ron threw a glance at him.
"Er-- Sorry you didn't make it, Seamus," Harry said.
"I never should have expected to," he said through gritted teeth, "I thought we made up about that fight last year, Harry. But apparently you like to hold things against people."
"That isn't true!" Harry exclaimed.
"Whatever you say," Seamus muttered.
"Come on, Seamus. You know you weren't good," Ron said.
"Whatever," he muttered, pulling his hangings shut.
"Doesn't matter. He'll get over it. He won't be the only one to be mad at me, I can guarantee," Harry said in an undertone to Ron.
Harry was thankful the next morning that Voldemort had not interrupted his dreams, once again. He hadn't done so since his second day back and Harry was glad. He had enough to worry about at the moment with classes and Quidditch.
He pulled on his robes and made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, running into Whitley on the way and smiling at the sight of her. He accompanied her down to the Great Hall. And when she was about to sit at the Slytherin table, he held her back.
"Er- do you want to come sit with me for breakfast, today?" he asked.
She cast a nervous glance at the Gryffindors at the table and then an even more nervous glance to the Slytherin table.
"I promise they won't bite," Harry said.
"I don't mind the Gryffindors," she said, "It's my brother and his friends. They won't like it much if I sit there. Actually, come to think of it that way, all the more reason to."
"Don't I have a little to do with it?" he joked.
"No, not really," she replied grinning.
She sat beside Harry at the table and he felt very happy. Hermione arrived and sat across from them.
"Morning, Harry. Whitley," she said happily. Harry waited for a reaction from Whitley like Cho's. He thought maybe all girls acted like she did and was glad when she only smiled and said hello back.
"So, what are you planning for the DA tonight?" Hermione asked, "I saw you pouring over those books a few nights ago."
"I thought we could learn some of this stuff," he pulled out a piece of parchment from his robes, "You probably know some of it. Only basic healing."
"Oh, Harry! This will be really good! But it's really advanced. I don't think many will be able to," Hermione said.
"I've been practicing at it the past few days. It would be good to learn to do it, in case anyone ever gets hurt," Harry said.
"This is going to take months of practice," Whitley said, "I'm definitely up to it."
"Hey, Harry. First Hogsmeade trip is in a few weeks. Weekend of Halloween," Ron said, approaching the table, "Oh, Whitley, hi."
"Hi," she said.
"So first Hogsmeade trip is for Halloween weekend," she said looking toward Harry.
"Yes, I think I'm going to ask Millicent Bullstrode to come with me," he said, mocking a dreamy-love look. Whitley nudged him in the ribs playfully. He grinned and asked, "Would you like to go with me?"
"Only if Vincent Crabbe turns me down," she said, joking back at him. Harry laughed. He liked being able to joke around with Whitley like she was a friend, yet have more with her than just that.
Harry spent the rest of the day in the library pouring over books and trying to catch up with homework. By the time dinner came, he was nearly finished. He looked longingly out the window. They wouldn't have many more nice days and he would have liked to have been outside enjoying it. He swore to himself that from then on he would do it on time, although a small voice in the back of his head laughed at that.
The DA meeting was a great success and Harry was surprised at how well they were doing with the basic healing Charms. Hermione was by far the best of everyone; she helped Harry teach a great deal. Professor Green wasn't there; she had only told Harry she was going on Order business and she wouldn't make it to the meeting. Whitley was able to come this one, and half of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team came in late. With every DA meeting, they all improved. Harry was thoroughly happy with everyone's progress.
As September was coming to a close, bad news was increasing. Harry had noticed in the Daily Prophet, that the number of Death Eater sightings, small attacks, and mysterious deaths were becoming larger and larger with every issue. He dreaded looking at the paper every morning.
Once, a small gray owl, carrying a black envelope soared in through a window during dinner. All of the students watched it with looks of horror etched into their faces. It landed in front of a second year Gryffindor, seated a few seats away from Harry. Before even opening the letter, the small girl burst into tears. Professor McGonagall was making her way from the staff table as the girl opened the letter with trembling hands. Upon opening the letter, her cries became hysterical. Professor McGonagall put a comforting arm around her.
"I'm sorry Emmeline, dear," she said softly and led her from the staring students in the Great Hall.
"What was that?" Dean Thomas asked, looking puzzled.
Harry didn't know either, though he had his suspicions. He listened anyway.
"It's a death letter," Neville said quietly.
"When someone is killed in an attack by a dark wizard, they are sent out to the family members," Ron said.
Hogwarts atmosphere was beginning to get a bit depressing. Dumbledore had made his Occlumency lessons longer and more difficult. And Harry was surprisingly doing well with them. Students were always talking about the new reports in the Daily Prophet and DA members were taking the meetings very seriously. They wanted to learn as much as they could before they had to face whatever was out there.
After one of the meetings, Harry walked Whitley down to her common room in the dungeons, managing to shake Aira off. She had taken to following him everywhere. As Harry and Whitley walked down, they talked about the meeting and Harry told her that they would be working on healing until Christmas and then he was going to start working on advanced curses. She seemed very interested and wanted to be at the next meeting badly.
"You can come for the end of it, now it's extended till ten, if you aren't too tired," Harry said.
"I will," she said as they arrived at the entrance.
"Well, Good night," Harry said.
"Night, Harry," she said.
She brushed her lips to his cheek quickly before disappearing into her common room. Harry walked away smiling. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the five boys following him until one of sniffed. Harry pulled out his wand swiftly and wheeled around.
"Careful, Potter. You might put an eye out with that thing," Malfoy drawled.
For once, Malfoy was not the leader of the group. He, Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise Zabini were flanked around a stringy looking boy, Theodore Nott, Whitley's brother. He held his wand to Harry's face. Harry became suddenly nervous. He felt like a trapped rat, but he didn't show it at all.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Potter?" Nott spat at Harry, "That is my sister, Potter. Even she, the blood-traitor that she is, is too good for you. I am giving you fair warning, now. Break it off."
Harry didn't answer; he wasn't going to lie and say he would and he wasn't stupid enough to tell them off with one of him and five of them. He only stood glowering at them.
"You aren't scared. Are you, Potter?" Malfoy sneered.
This time he couldn't keep his mouth shut, "Of what? A scrawny rat, a weasel, two apes, and a jackass?"
"Cr--" was all Nott got out of the spell he was about to use.
"Expelliarmus!" Snape had just rounded the corner and reacted quickly on what he saw. The wands flew out of everyone's hands and zoomed to his. Harry had never been so happy to see Snape.
"What is going on down here?" Snape snarled.
"Potter was out of bounds sir. It's past curfew. I was coming to stop him, seeing as I am a prefect. I asked them to come with me in case he started a fight. And as you can see, he has," Malfoy lied, putting on an innocent look.
"That is a lie. And I am allowed out until ten on Wednesdays and Sundays because of the DA," Harry said in a forced calm voice. It wouldn't do to shout at Snape.
Snape narrowed his eyes towards Harry but said nothing. He was obviously contemplating something. He threw the wands back to the Slytherins but kept Harry's.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for provoking a fight," Snape said, "You five, get back to your common room. Potter, with me."
Harry followed soundlessly, not really caring what trouble he was in. He had done nothing wrong, really. Snape took Harry to his office and motioned for him to sit.
"What were you doing in the dungeons?" he asked icily.
"I was going back to Gryffindor common room. I had a DA meeting," he explained.
"The DA meeting place is nowhere near the dungeons. Do not lie to me," Snape snapped.
"I walked one of the members to their common room," Harry said.
Realization seemed to dawn over Snape's face and he said, "Potter, I do not want to see you down in these dungeons alone ever. It's your business who you are friends with. I do not care. But do not act foolish. You know what each and everyone of those boys could be. Now leave my sight."
Harry got to his feet, a bit surprised at Snape's tone. He left the room and Snape followed until he was out of the dungeons and hissed before Harry left, "I am not a babysitter. Next time you will be left alone."
Harry still had the same hate for the greasy haired and it made it worse that he had came and helped Harry. He rolled his eyes in disgust. Harry told Ron, Hermione, and Aira who was sitting with them, when he reached the common room. Ron and Hermione both looked worried but said nothing.
"Damn it!" Aira swore when she heard.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Oh I wanted to date a boy from Slytherin. And I don't want to have trouble like this from them," she said.
Hermione stared at her a moment, as though she knew who it was Aira wanted to date and didn't really like it. She shook her head and turned back to Ron and Harry.
"You're not going anywhere alone," Ron was saying.
"Snape was right. But I don't think he thought they were attacking you because of Whitley. Their parents are all Death Eaters, so naturally that would be a reason they were after you," Hermione said.
"I am so sick of being Harry Potter. I can't even walk a friend to their common room without being attacked, for Christ's sake. You guys want to tell me what it's like to have a normal life?" Harry sighed.
"Yes, Harry, our lives our very normal. You are the only one who has a difficult life, the only one with problems," Ron said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Don't talk about what you don't know," Harry said coldly, getting to his feet, "I think I'll go to bed."
"HOW DARE YOU! FIGHTING WITH OTHER STUDENTS LIKE THAT! THE BOTH OF YOU SHOULD BE EXPELLED!" came the voice of Mrs. Weasley echoing through the common room. Harry was sure it would wake up all of Gryffindor house, if not the whole school. The few people in the common turned and stared, some snickering. The letter continued, "YOU ARE A PREFECT RONALD WEASLEY! YOU SHOULD BE SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER STUDENTS! AND YOU TOO, HARRY! I AM ASHAMED OF THE PAIR OF YOU! AND I AM WARNING YOU NOW THAT IF I EVER HEAR YOU BEHAVED IN THIS WAY AGAIN I WILL PERSONALLY COME TO HOGWARTS AND MAKE YOU REGRET THE DAY YOU WERE BORN."
Harry sat with his head in his hands, a feeling of guilt and regret sweeping over him. Mrs. Weasley had never yelled directly at him; she always aimed it at the group of them, but this time he supposed he had pushed it a bit too far, making him feel even more guilty. When he lifted his head, he saw Hermione looking at them with that 'You deserved it' look. He threw aside his books, unable to do any work.
"I'm going to bed," he mumbled before climbing the dormitory stairs. Ron, now in a sullen mood and apparently deciding it was time to go to bed too, followed silently behind.
Harry fell back into his bed, not bothering to change. It was a while before he fell asleep, the sound of Mrs. Weasley's magnified voice still echoing through his head.
Harry and Ron were especially careful to not cause trouble in any way since the arrival of the howler. Ron had even taken to doing his homework when it was assigned and Harry was able to contain himself during Potions when Malfoy was sending snide comments his way.
Soon Saturday was upon them and Quidditch tryouts were being held for the Gryffindor team. Harry had hung a notice in the common room, telling everyone who wished to join the team the time and date of tryouts and open positions. They needed two chasers and Harry wanted some reserves, too, for next year or just in case one of the team players were banned or injured (which was not all that uncommon when you attended Hogwarts). From what he heard of the students talking with each other, he expected a rather large outcome and that he got.
As he crossed the grounds to the pitch with Ron and the rest of the Gryffindor team, he saw no less than a dozen students standing with brooms and talking animatedly. Harry hadn't thought of what he was going to do for tryouts. Ron must have noticed that Harry didn't know what to do because he took charge.
"Hey, you lot! Get into groups according to what position you want! Chasers. Beaters. Keeper. And Seeker," he pointed to a different spot for each position.
As they all took their spots, Harry asked Ron in a whisper, "Now what should we do with them?"
"We'll have each of them take a turn and take notes. See who's best," Ron said.
Harry turned to the awaiting group. There were six trying for Chaser: Parvati Patil, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Colin Creevey, some first year that Harry didn't know, and Aira. Jack Sloper and Andrew Kirke were the only two trying for reserve beaters. Dennis Creevey was hopping around excitedly in the seeker group with Euan Abercrombie. Two of the three trying for Keeper were people Harry had heard Angelina talk about trying for the team the year before, Vicky Frobisher and Geoffrey Hooper. The other was third year, Natalie McDonald. Harry turned back to the team.
"Sloper and Kirke are automatics. They're the only two that showed up for beater. Angelina said Hooper is a whiner and Quidditch is at the bottom of Frobisher's list," Harry whispered.
"We better have them try, though. So they don't get mad," Ginny said.
"Let's try chaser's first. I'll keep and the rest of you take notes on how they do. Then we'll see the rest after. Chasers are most important right now," Ron said.
Harry nodded as Ron took off on his broom for the goalposts. He said loudly to the group, "We're going to try Chasers first. One at a time. The rest of you can sit and wait. Parvati, you first. Ron is going to be keeping."
Harry zoomed into the air and hovered above them watching. Since Ron's confidence was boosted with the last match of the previous year, he was a much better keeper. He decided on ten to fifteen minutes to each player to try.
"Okay. We'll have the results posted up in the common room tomorrow morning," Harry announced when all of the chasers had tried. It turned out to be not too bad. He thought Gryffindor's team would be really good this year. At least, no worse than any other year.
"Now we'll try the keepers and seekers. Harry'll let the snitch out a few times for you while me and Gin will try scoring on each keeper," Ron said.
"Sloper, Kirke, you two are going to practice with a Bludger. Keep it away from the players. Now that Fred and George are back, you two will be our reserve beaters," Harry said.
Both of them looked very pleased and were very enthusiastic when playing as a result. Fred and George returned and helped with the keepers. Harry was busy with the trying seekers. He stopped every few minutes to see how the keepers were doing and he thought he liked Natalie McDonald best.
Harry was surprised a bit when he saw that Dennis Creevey was a really good flyer. He had the right build for a seeker, too, and he caught the snitch in fairly good time. Euan really hadn't a chance against him. After the third catch of the snitch, Harry called tryouts to a halt. It was late into the night by this time and all were becoming drained.
"That's all, then. We'll have the results in the common room, tomorrow," Harry announced.
They all made their way back up to the common room exhaustedly. Harry and Ron sat at a table, comparing notes on each player. They had been at it for only a few minutes when Euan Abercrombie sidled over.
"Look, I'm really much better than that. I swear. I was just nervous," he explained.
Then the first year chaser came over and began sucking up. Ron shook his head.
"Let's go up to our dormitory, Harry," he suggested. Harry followed him up the stairs but soon left there too as Dean and Seamus began bugging them.
"Go ahead up in our dormitory," Fred said.
"Yeah, we have our own as we are the only eighth years," George smiled.
"Thanks," Harry said, making his way up the stairs and having to shake off Dennis and Colin Creevey along the way.
They spent a long while talking over the players. It was an easy choice for reserves but chasers were a bit more difficult to decide.
"Aira is a definite. She's really good," Harry said.
"Yeah, I liked her for the team," Ron said, "That first year, Graham Leonard, was good, too."
"Too small, yet. He wouldn't be very good against Slytherin or even Ravenclaw. They'd flatten him," Harry said.
"Guess so," Ron agreed, "Am I right in saying Seamus is out?"
"Oh yeah. And Parvati," Harry said. Seamus could barely keep on his broom and his Quaffle handling was almost as terrible as Pavarti's, though at least she could stay on her broom.
"So it's between Dean and Colin," Ron said, "Colin has aim but no speed and Dean has speed and no aim. This is going to be a tough one."
"I think aim is important to have," Harry said.
"Yes but you need to go fast or they'll take the Quaffle right from you. And Colin is a bit obnoxious," Ron said.
"No good having a player who can't score, though," Harry said.
"Harry, you can teach someone better aim, but speed isn't something you can learn," Ron pointed out, "Besides Colin is too small."
"That's a good point. Why don't we keep him on as reserve along with that first year," Harry suggested.
"Okay then we have Ginny, Aira, and Dean as chasers, Dennis is reserve seeker, and Natalie as reserve keeper. Those other two that tried for keeper annoyed the hell out of me," Ron said.
"And Sloper and Kirke are reserve beaters," Harry said.
Ron took a piece of parchment and wrote down who made it on the team. Harry looked over and smirked.
"So do we put it up tonight or make them all wait until morning?" he asked.
"That's cruel," Ron said, smirking, "Let's do it.'
"I don't know if that's a good idea. They're all crowded on the stairs, waiting," Fred and George entered the room, "They may attack."
Harry put the paper in his pocket and made his way down the stairs with the group of them following and asking questions. He pinned the paper to the notice board and hurried away from it as they crowded towards it.
"I made it!" Graham, the first year shouted.
"Me too!" Dennis exclaimed..
Harry saw Parvati and Vicky glaring at him and he hurried up to his dormitory, not wanting to deal with them. Ron followed quickly as their gaze fell upon him. Harry was pulling on his pajamas when Seamus entered, looking livid. Ron threw a glance at him.
"Er-- Sorry you didn't make it, Seamus," Harry said.
"I never should have expected to," he said through gritted teeth, "I thought we made up about that fight last year, Harry. But apparently you like to hold things against people."
"That isn't true!" Harry exclaimed.
"Whatever you say," Seamus muttered.
"Come on, Seamus. You know you weren't good," Ron said.
"Whatever," he muttered, pulling his hangings shut.
"Doesn't matter. He'll get over it. He won't be the only one to be mad at me, I can guarantee," Harry said in an undertone to Ron.
Harry was thankful the next morning that Voldemort had not interrupted his dreams, once again. He hadn't done so since his second day back and Harry was glad. He had enough to worry about at the moment with classes and Quidditch.
He pulled on his robes and made his way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, running into Whitley on the way and smiling at the sight of her. He accompanied her down to the Great Hall. And when she was about to sit at the Slytherin table, he held her back.
"Er- do you want to come sit with me for breakfast, today?" he asked.
She cast a nervous glance at the Gryffindors at the table and then an even more nervous glance to the Slytherin table.
"I promise they won't bite," Harry said.
"I don't mind the Gryffindors," she said, "It's my brother and his friends. They won't like it much if I sit there. Actually, come to think of it that way, all the more reason to."
"Don't I have a little to do with it?" he joked.
"No, not really," she replied grinning.
She sat beside Harry at the table and he felt very happy. Hermione arrived and sat across from them.
"Morning, Harry. Whitley," she said happily. Harry waited for a reaction from Whitley like Cho's. He thought maybe all girls acted like she did and was glad when she only smiled and said hello back.
"So, what are you planning for the DA tonight?" Hermione asked, "I saw you pouring over those books a few nights ago."
"I thought we could learn some of this stuff," he pulled out a piece of parchment from his robes, "You probably know some of it. Only basic healing."
"Oh, Harry! This will be really good! But it's really advanced. I don't think many will be able to," Hermione said.
"I've been practicing at it the past few days. It would be good to learn to do it, in case anyone ever gets hurt," Harry said.
"This is going to take months of practice," Whitley said, "I'm definitely up to it."
"Hey, Harry. First Hogsmeade trip is in a few weeks. Weekend of Halloween," Ron said, approaching the table, "Oh, Whitley, hi."
"Hi," she said.
"So first Hogsmeade trip is for Halloween weekend," she said looking toward Harry.
"Yes, I think I'm going to ask Millicent Bullstrode to come with me," he said, mocking a dreamy-love look. Whitley nudged him in the ribs playfully. He grinned and asked, "Would you like to go with me?"
"Only if Vincent Crabbe turns me down," she said, joking back at him. Harry laughed. He liked being able to joke around with Whitley like she was a friend, yet have more with her than just that.
Harry spent the rest of the day in the library pouring over books and trying to catch up with homework. By the time dinner came, he was nearly finished. He looked longingly out the window. They wouldn't have many more nice days and he would have liked to have been outside enjoying it. He swore to himself that from then on he would do it on time, although a small voice in the back of his head laughed at that.
The DA meeting was a great success and Harry was surprised at how well they were doing with the basic healing Charms. Hermione was by far the best of everyone; she helped Harry teach a great deal. Professor Green wasn't there; she had only told Harry she was going on Order business and she wouldn't make it to the meeting. Whitley was able to come this one, and half of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team came in late. With every DA meeting, they all improved. Harry was thoroughly happy with everyone's progress.
As September was coming to a close, bad news was increasing. Harry had noticed in the Daily Prophet, that the number of Death Eater sightings, small attacks, and mysterious deaths were becoming larger and larger with every issue. He dreaded looking at the paper every morning.
Once, a small gray owl, carrying a black envelope soared in through a window during dinner. All of the students watched it with looks of horror etched into their faces. It landed in front of a second year Gryffindor, seated a few seats away from Harry. Before even opening the letter, the small girl burst into tears. Professor McGonagall was making her way from the staff table as the girl opened the letter with trembling hands. Upon opening the letter, her cries became hysterical. Professor McGonagall put a comforting arm around her.
"I'm sorry Emmeline, dear," she said softly and led her from the staring students in the Great Hall.
"What was that?" Dean Thomas asked, looking puzzled.
Harry didn't know either, though he had his suspicions. He listened anyway.
"It's a death letter," Neville said quietly.
"When someone is killed in an attack by a dark wizard, they are sent out to the family members," Ron said.
Hogwarts atmosphere was beginning to get a bit depressing. Dumbledore had made his Occlumency lessons longer and more difficult. And Harry was surprisingly doing well with them. Students were always talking about the new reports in the Daily Prophet and DA members were taking the meetings very seriously. They wanted to learn as much as they could before they had to face whatever was out there.
After one of the meetings, Harry walked Whitley down to her common room in the dungeons, managing to shake Aira off. She had taken to following him everywhere. As Harry and Whitley walked down, they talked about the meeting and Harry told her that they would be working on healing until Christmas and then he was going to start working on advanced curses. She seemed very interested and wanted to be at the next meeting badly.
"You can come for the end of it, now it's extended till ten, if you aren't too tired," Harry said.
"I will," she said as they arrived at the entrance.
"Well, Good night," Harry said.
"Night, Harry," she said.
She brushed her lips to his cheek quickly before disappearing into her common room. Harry walked away smiling. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the five boys following him until one of sniffed. Harry pulled out his wand swiftly and wheeled around.
"Careful, Potter. You might put an eye out with that thing," Malfoy drawled.
For once, Malfoy was not the leader of the group. He, Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise Zabini were flanked around a stringy looking boy, Theodore Nott, Whitley's brother. He held his wand to Harry's face. Harry became suddenly nervous. He felt like a trapped rat, but he didn't show it at all.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Potter?" Nott spat at Harry, "That is my sister, Potter. Even she, the blood-traitor that she is, is too good for you. I am giving you fair warning, now. Break it off."
Harry didn't answer; he wasn't going to lie and say he would and he wasn't stupid enough to tell them off with one of him and five of them. He only stood glowering at them.
"You aren't scared. Are you, Potter?" Malfoy sneered.
This time he couldn't keep his mouth shut, "Of what? A scrawny rat, a weasel, two apes, and a jackass?"
"Cr--" was all Nott got out of the spell he was about to use.
"Expelliarmus!" Snape had just rounded the corner and reacted quickly on what he saw. The wands flew out of everyone's hands and zoomed to his. Harry had never been so happy to see Snape.
"What is going on down here?" Snape snarled.
"Potter was out of bounds sir. It's past curfew. I was coming to stop him, seeing as I am a prefect. I asked them to come with me in case he started a fight. And as you can see, he has," Malfoy lied, putting on an innocent look.
"That is a lie. And I am allowed out until ten on Wednesdays and Sundays because of the DA," Harry said in a forced calm voice. It wouldn't do to shout at Snape.
Snape narrowed his eyes towards Harry but said nothing. He was obviously contemplating something. He threw the wands back to the Slytherins but kept Harry's.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for provoking a fight," Snape said, "You five, get back to your common room. Potter, with me."
Harry followed soundlessly, not really caring what trouble he was in. He had done nothing wrong, really. Snape took Harry to his office and motioned for him to sit.
"What were you doing in the dungeons?" he asked icily.
"I was going back to Gryffindor common room. I had a DA meeting," he explained.
"The DA meeting place is nowhere near the dungeons. Do not lie to me," Snape snapped.
"I walked one of the members to their common room," Harry said.
Realization seemed to dawn over Snape's face and he said, "Potter, I do not want to see you down in these dungeons alone ever. It's your business who you are friends with. I do not care. But do not act foolish. You know what each and everyone of those boys could be. Now leave my sight."
Harry got to his feet, a bit surprised at Snape's tone. He left the room and Snape followed until he was out of the dungeons and hissed before Harry left, "I am not a babysitter. Next time you will be left alone."
Harry still had the same hate for the greasy haired and it made it worse that he had came and helped Harry. He rolled his eyes in disgust. Harry told Ron, Hermione, and Aira who was sitting with them, when he reached the common room. Ron and Hermione both looked worried but said nothing.
"Damn it!" Aira swore when she heard.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Oh I wanted to date a boy from Slytherin. And I don't want to have trouble like this from them," she said.
Hermione stared at her a moment, as though she knew who it was Aira wanted to date and didn't really like it. She shook her head and turned back to Ron and Harry.
"You're not going anywhere alone," Ron was saying.
"Snape was right. But I don't think he thought they were attacking you because of Whitley. Their parents are all Death Eaters, so naturally that would be a reason they were after you," Hermione said.
"I am so sick of being Harry Potter. I can't even walk a friend to their common room without being attacked, for Christ's sake. You guys want to tell me what it's like to have a normal life?" Harry sighed.
"Yes, Harry, our lives our very normal. You are the only one who has a difficult life, the only one with problems," Ron said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Don't talk about what you don't know," Harry said coldly, getting to his feet, "I think I'll go to bed."