CHAPTER 17
Harry entered the castle in low spirits one Monday evening after a whole hour's quidditch training. He couldn't stop himself thinking about what he had dreamt about Voldermort the week before. He didn't take his usual route to the Gryffindor common room. Ron had gone to the owlery to find Pigwidgeon and Harry was left alone to wander the castle freely. He soon found himself not by the portrait of the fat lady, but in a corridor he did not recognise. It was very shabby and needed to be refurbished. The paint was flaking off the walls and at the end of the corridor there was a room. Harry edged towards it, not quite sure what he would find, but when he opened it, it was empty except for one small wooden chair, above which was the notice: 'Ravendor.' The parchment was yellowing and looked as though it had been there, nailed to the wall for at least 10 years. He walked towards it, and read the notice. 'Welcome to Ravendor! The club for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw first years. We meet every Saturday at 5-o clock if you want to join us.' Harry had no idea such a club ever existed. Neither did he have any idea such a room existed. Filch can't have known about this or he would have repainted the wall, torn down the notice and removed the chair. He crossed the room and felt his foot sink into one of the floorboards. Pulling out his foot, he looked down. There was a loose floorboard, just like the one under his bed in Privet Drive. His heart was pounding in his throat. He was about to reveal something else that happened probably even before he was born. He pulled out the floorboard and felt around. He was half expecting it to be empty, but he was in luck. Pulling out a stack of brown folders Harry sat down on the wooden floor, and read through them.
Most of the parchments were very similar. The weeks notice, Who had joined the club. He scanned the list and four names at once glared out at him. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Petigrew, and James Potter. Harry's heart gave another jolt. He stared at the names. There was the same small sentence by each one. 'Fired last Saturday.' Harry smiled and put the folders back under the loose floorboard. While doing so, he felt something else. A scrunched up piece of paper. He pulled it out and unravelled the ball. It was slightly brownish, but Harry could still see a distinct picture of a snitch with the letters L.E under it. The exact same piece of parchment Harry had seen his father with at school, when he had seen him in Snape's pensive. He stared at it for so long his eyes watered. Then he stuffed it into his pocket and ran up to the Gryffindor common room.
"You mean you found this under a floorboard in a room that they held a club called Ravendor in, more than 20 years ago?" Said Hermione, frowning and looking disbelieving. She was sitting in the common room surrounded by homework and looking with interest at the parchment. "And you saw this in the pensive?" She continued holding up the parchment.
"Yes." Said Harry for the third time. "Do you know what the letters stand for?"
"Lily Evans of course." Came a voice from behind him. Harry turned. Ingrid was watching the conversation with interest. Her long dark red hair covering one of her large mahogany eyes.
"Really?" Said Harry. "How do you know that?"
Ingrid shrugged. "I guessed." She said. "Well I wanted to talk to you anyway. Here." She pushed her hair off her face and held out a letter. "It's Dad's reply. He wrote you a letter in there as well." She rummaged in the envelope and brought out another piece of parchment.
Harry took them and read the first one. Dear Ingrid,
I was very surprised to hear that Harry Potter was at Hogwarts School. Of course, my memory isn't quite as good as it was, but of course I remember Harry from when he was a baby. I would be delighted to meet him and have included a letter in the envelope for him. I hope you and Andrew are having a good time at school.
Love Dad.
Harry took the other letter and began reading that one too.
Dear Harry,
As you probably will have gathered, Ingrid wrote to me, telling me about how you found out about your mother and I. Of course, I hadn't completely forgotten you, but the death of your parents certainly wiped out a great deal of my memories. But I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that you were in the same school house as Ingrid and Andrew. I would very much like to meet you, maybe in the Christmas holidays? Write and tell me the plans, (or through Ingrid if you prefer).
Samuel Evans.
"Thanks," said Harry handing Ingrid the first letter.
"So can you meet us at Christmas?" She asked excitedly.
"I dunno," said Harry. "I normally stay at Hogwarts."
"But you're coming to Grimmauld Place." Said Ron staggering through the entrance to the common room.
"Shhhh!" Hissed Hermione, but too late.
"Oh!" Said Ingrid. "That's where the Order of the Phoenix is!"
Harry looked around nervously, but it was just He, Ron, Hermione and Ingrid. "Er, yeah it is. How did you know that?"
"Kingsley Shakklebolt's always there." Said Ingrid
"How'd you know about Kingsley - " Began Ron.
"William." Said Ingrid shortly. "Kingsley's his uncle. He's the new beater on the Quidditch team." She added when Hermione looked confused.
"Yeah," said Harry. "Well that's where I'll be."
"That's great!" Said Ingrid happily. "We'll visit you. William invited Andrew and me to stay with him for Christmas anyway, and he's going to visit his uncle, so we'll go with him." She smiled proudly. "I'll write and tell Dad." She dashed off up the stairs.
Colin Creevy and Ginny came in through the portrait. "Hi." Said Ginny, watching Ingrid vanish from view. "She's very chatty isn't she?"
"Hi." Said Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Hello Harry," grinned Colin. "Have you seen Dennis?"
"Oh, I saw him on my way up from the owlery." Said Ron. "He was with Peeves."
"Oh, right." Said Colin looking disappointed. "You know, sometimes I think he's rather have the poltergeist as a brother." He left the common room.
"What's that Harry?" Asked Ginny looking at the drawing of the snitch.
"Oh, just something I found." Said Harry. "I think I'll go to bed."
"Yeah, me too." Said Ron yawning, and the pair of them headed upstairs.
The weeks past and the late November weather started kicking in. He and Ron were starting to dread their almost constant Quidditch practises. Katie Bell didn't seem to mind the rain as much as her team mates did. "There's no need to complain!" She said brightly as the team huddled inside the changing rooms, rain pouring down outside. "I've made these!" She smiled and held up a stack of what looked like large pieces of sticky back plastic.
"What are they?" Asked William Shakklebolt, who was another who was quite happy to play Quidditch in the pouring rain.
"They're like raincoats but they're completely clear so no one will know your even wearing one." She added as Ginny and Emily opened their mouths to protest. Katie handed them out to the grumbling team who reluctantly pulled them on.
"Er, Katie," said Dennis. "I think you've given me the wrong one." His own coat was so long for him it tripped him up when we tried to walk.
"It's awful!" Moaned Emily, adjusting it to try and make it look better.
"I'm not wearing it." Groaned Ginny throwing her own down on the floor.
"Fine!" Snapped Katie. "But don't blame me when your robes are so wet you can't even stay on your brooms!" So it turned out that only Katie and William wore the raincoats and it turned out, that they were the only ones not shivering on their brooms or squeezing water out of their robes.
"We've got a match next week." Said Katie. "First week of December." Against Slytherin."
"Great." Moaned Ginny and Emily. "We've got loads of work to do at the moment, now it's our OWL year."
"Well that's not my fault." Snapped Katie. "Do you see me complaining and I've got my NEWTs!" She stormed out of the changing room in a very bad mood.
Harry and Ron soon found out that it wasn't only the fifth and seventh years who had the most homework, their load was a strong competitor. They still managed to cram in enough time to visit Hagrid though.
"Ah, it's you again." He said when Harry and Ron visited him for the fourth time that week after Quidditch. "I've already had your sister," he nodded at Ron. "An' her friend up 'ere to see me after Quidditch yesterday."
"Who Luna?" Said Ron jaw dropping open.
"Nah, the one with the blond hair, Emily, that's it."
"Did you know about Luna practically living in the forest?" Harry asked Hagrid.
"Er, yeah I did. Well I'm not goin' te stop 'er. I've told the centaurs not to attack 'er, she can see the thestrals anyway so it's not too dangerous."
"Oh yeah," Ron began. "Do you know why I can't see thestrals now, because Luna said - "
"No, I don't actually." Said Hagrid thoughtfully.
"So, he might still be alive?" Said Harry, a candle of hope lighting up inside him.
"I dunno 'bout that." Said Hagrid. "Yer could ask old Luna."
"Yeah," I think I will. Said Harry, not even pausing to say goodbye, he dashed out of Hagrid's cabin, closely followed by Ron.
The pair of them ran all the way into the castle, barely pausing for breath. As a result, they crashed headlong into Hermione who was making her way through the gaggle of students in the entrance hall. "What?" She asked them frowning.
"We – need – to – find – Luna" Panted Harry.
"Well you've found me." Came a voice. Harry turned. It was Luna Lovegood, standing on tiptoes to try and get a look at the notice board the students were looking at.
"Next Hogsmeade weekend." Said A sixth year Ravenclaw irritably as Luna poked her in the back to find out what the notice board said.
"Er, Luna," began Harry. "Do you think you could tell me, about, er - "
"Your godfather?" Smiled Luna.
Harry didn't even bother asking her how she knew this. "Yeah." He said.
Luna walked over to an empty corner; Harry, Ron and Hermione followed her. "Yes, I can tell you." She smiled. "I know exactly why you two she gazed at Ron and Hermione with her large saucepan like eyes. "Can't see them."
"Well, why?" Harry asked desperately, getting rather impatient with her laid back attitude.
Luna looked at him for a moment. "Well put it this way. Could you see the thestrals in your first year?"
"No." Said Harry. "But I hadn't seen anyone-"
"Really?" Smiled Luna, gazing into his jet green eyes with her large blue ones. "Are you sure?"
"Well, I couldn't see them so-"Began Harry.
"Well you two can't see them." Said Luna looking at Hermione and Ron.
"So," said Hermione quietly. "You can only see them if you've seen certain people die?"
Luna smiled mysteriously. "I can't really tell you that." She said. "But you," she drew her eyes to Harry again. "You couldn't see them in your first year, and you won't have remembered it but you saw two people die."
"My parents." Said Harry quietly, and Luna left them. Harry thought about this. It was true. He hadn't been able to see the thestrals in his first year when he had seen his parents been murdered by Voldermort. Or maybe he hadn't actually seen it.
"It's odd isn't it." Said Hermione as though she knew exactly what Harry was thinking.
The next few days past just as the last had done. December brought frost and light snow, but at least the rain had stopped. Professor McGonnagal was to be seen either helping the other teachers decorate the castle for Christmas, or dashing round with a roll of parchment and a pen, taking down the names of students who would be staying at school for Christmas. It gave Harry a wonderful feeling to know he wouldn't be signing the list. The only people Harry had seen put their names down so far were Crabbe, Goyle and Luna Lovegood. "Why are you staying?" Harry asked her as she signed her name on the parchment and handed the quill back to Professor McGonnagal.
"Daddy's staying." Said Luna, looking over at her father who was helping Professor Flitwick with the decorations. "Good luck with Quidditch," she said to Ron and Harry as they headed upstairs to the common room. Uncharacteristically, Harry had almost forgotten about this. It was the match between Slytherin and Gryffindor tomorrow.
"You're going down Potter." Hissed Malfoy whenever they past in the corridor.
"Yeah," I know. Said Harry irritably the third time Malfoy had said this. "That's how the game's played isn't it?"
Harry could hardly sleep at all that night. And judging by the absent snores from Ron's bed. Neither could he. Ron had suddenly improved at Quidditch. Katie was delighted, as he never let any more goals in. Harry couldn't help feeling suspicious though. Eventually he fell asleep because he woke up to dim morning sunlight.
"Come on!" Grumbled Katie as Ron and Harry helped themselves to breakfast. "We need to have a quick practise, get used to the weather. It's quite frosty, so the ground's good for kicking off, but it's quite cold so wear your scarves. When eventually, they arrived at the quidditch pitch, the rest of the team were already there, waiting impatiently for them.
They only managed to fit in five minutes practise before the Slytherins arrived with a large banner that read 'We Believe in Weasley'.
"Oh not this year as well!" Snapped Katie upon seeing it. "That was last years joke!" Ron however did not seem too bothered by this. "You'll be Ok Ron." Said Katie. "Just ignore them."
When the rows of seats were crammed with spectators, Madam Hooch hurried onto the pitch with a microphone. "Welcome to the second match of the season between Slytherin and Gryffindor. We have two new commentators for this term, who will be changing after Christmas, due to certain circumstances. Please welcome Ingrid and Andrew Evans!"
Harry grinned. He didn't know Ingrid and her twin brother had got the job of commentating for this match. Everyone applauded them. Harry looked down at Madam Hooch who was mounting her broom. "Captains shake Hands!" She barked. They did so. Derrick Boot glaring at Katie as she tried to free her hand from his firm grip. "Three...Two...One!" Shouted Madam Hooch and the game began.
"They're flying!" Came Ingrid's happy voice from below. "Crabbe's just sent a bludger over at... Emily I think. Yes. Oh Well done! She missed it! No, Andrew let me finished." Hissed Ingrid. "And Ginny's got the quaffle, she's just passed it to Emily. Come on Emily...Yes! She's scored!"
Harry looked over. Derrick Boot was looking furious. "And Dennis Creevy has just sent a bludger at Malfoy. Oops. I hope he's OK." Harry looked down. Malfoy was glaring up at Dennis and shaking his fist. "I think he's Ok." Came Ingrid's voice from the stands. It was then that Harry saw the snitch. It was right behind Malfoy. If he turned, Slytherin would win. Harry zoomed towards it but too late, it had gone. "And Ron's saved his fourth goal!" Yelled Ingrid Happily. "So you Slytherins can shut up!" The Slytherins were singing a new Weasley song desperately, but the words had no affect on Ron whatsoever. "Well done Ron!" Harry heard a flutter of wings. The snitch! It was right by his hand. He stretched out for it but – something flew straight into him. It was Malfoy. Harry turned upside down on his broom. He heard screams from the stands. He forced his broom to turn. "He's OK!" Came Ingrid's voice.
"Penalty to Slytherin!" Came Andrew's voice. Malfoy was glaring at Harry. The snitch had gone, but at least Malfoy hadn't caught it.
"Ron saves yet another goal!" Yelled Ingrid.
"And Katie Bell scores!" Yelled Andrew. "Watch out Harry!" Harry turned, a bludger, sent by Goyle came speeding at him. He dodged it just in time.
"Ow!" Came a deep grunt from behind him. Goyle had sent a bludger at William Shakklebolt and Dennis Creevy had whacked Goyle on the head with his club.
"PENALTY TO GRYFFINDOR!" Came Madam Hooch's voice as she blew the whistle and flew over to Goyle to make sure he was alright. A lump was rising on his head where Dennis' club had hit him. "If you abuse the use of your club once more I'll be speaking to McGonnagal!" Madam Hooch said to Dennis.
The game continued. And for the third time, Harry saw the snitch. It was shimmering near the stands. He could see many hands reaching out to try and touch it; "It so pretty!" Came Ingrid's voice and Harry could tell that she too was admiring it. Harry flew into a dive. Malfoy, seeing what Harry was doing followed. Harry was gaining speed by the minute. He was almost there; he stretched out his hand, and... "He's caught the snitch!" Yelled Ingrid and Andrew together.
Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Gryffindor win!" She said through the microphone. Harry landed his broom and he and his team mates were at once surrounded by students. "Excellent" "Well done" "You were great!" Came the many voices surrounding them.
They went up to the Gryffindor common room to find that there was already a Gryffindor victory party-taking place. There were banners attached to all of the walls, many of which featured Harry, butterbeer, and many other party snacks, someone had also set off some more Weasley's Wildfire wizard bangs. The fireworks danced round the common room to shrieks and yells from Gryffindor onlookers.
Harry entered the castle in low spirits one Monday evening after a whole hour's quidditch training. He couldn't stop himself thinking about what he had dreamt about Voldermort the week before. He didn't take his usual route to the Gryffindor common room. Ron had gone to the owlery to find Pigwidgeon and Harry was left alone to wander the castle freely. He soon found himself not by the portrait of the fat lady, but in a corridor he did not recognise. It was very shabby and needed to be refurbished. The paint was flaking off the walls and at the end of the corridor there was a room. Harry edged towards it, not quite sure what he would find, but when he opened it, it was empty except for one small wooden chair, above which was the notice: 'Ravendor.' The parchment was yellowing and looked as though it had been there, nailed to the wall for at least 10 years. He walked towards it, and read the notice. 'Welcome to Ravendor! The club for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw first years. We meet every Saturday at 5-o clock if you want to join us.' Harry had no idea such a club ever existed. Neither did he have any idea such a room existed. Filch can't have known about this or he would have repainted the wall, torn down the notice and removed the chair. He crossed the room and felt his foot sink into one of the floorboards. Pulling out his foot, he looked down. There was a loose floorboard, just like the one under his bed in Privet Drive. His heart was pounding in his throat. He was about to reveal something else that happened probably even before he was born. He pulled out the floorboard and felt around. He was half expecting it to be empty, but he was in luck. Pulling out a stack of brown folders Harry sat down on the wooden floor, and read through them.
Most of the parchments were very similar. The weeks notice, Who had joined the club. He scanned the list and four names at once glared out at him. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Petigrew, and James Potter. Harry's heart gave another jolt. He stared at the names. There was the same small sentence by each one. 'Fired last Saturday.' Harry smiled and put the folders back under the loose floorboard. While doing so, he felt something else. A scrunched up piece of paper. He pulled it out and unravelled the ball. It was slightly brownish, but Harry could still see a distinct picture of a snitch with the letters L.E under it. The exact same piece of parchment Harry had seen his father with at school, when he had seen him in Snape's pensive. He stared at it for so long his eyes watered. Then he stuffed it into his pocket and ran up to the Gryffindor common room.
"You mean you found this under a floorboard in a room that they held a club called Ravendor in, more than 20 years ago?" Said Hermione, frowning and looking disbelieving. She was sitting in the common room surrounded by homework and looking with interest at the parchment. "And you saw this in the pensive?" She continued holding up the parchment.
"Yes." Said Harry for the third time. "Do you know what the letters stand for?"
"Lily Evans of course." Came a voice from behind him. Harry turned. Ingrid was watching the conversation with interest. Her long dark red hair covering one of her large mahogany eyes.
"Really?" Said Harry. "How do you know that?"
Ingrid shrugged. "I guessed." She said. "Well I wanted to talk to you anyway. Here." She pushed her hair off her face and held out a letter. "It's Dad's reply. He wrote you a letter in there as well." She rummaged in the envelope and brought out another piece of parchment.
Harry took them and read the first one. Dear Ingrid,
I was very surprised to hear that Harry Potter was at Hogwarts School. Of course, my memory isn't quite as good as it was, but of course I remember Harry from when he was a baby. I would be delighted to meet him and have included a letter in the envelope for him. I hope you and Andrew are having a good time at school.
Love Dad.
Harry took the other letter and began reading that one too.
Dear Harry,
As you probably will have gathered, Ingrid wrote to me, telling me about how you found out about your mother and I. Of course, I hadn't completely forgotten you, but the death of your parents certainly wiped out a great deal of my memories. But I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that you were in the same school house as Ingrid and Andrew. I would very much like to meet you, maybe in the Christmas holidays? Write and tell me the plans, (or through Ingrid if you prefer).
Samuel Evans.
"Thanks," said Harry handing Ingrid the first letter.
"So can you meet us at Christmas?" She asked excitedly.
"I dunno," said Harry. "I normally stay at Hogwarts."
"But you're coming to Grimmauld Place." Said Ron staggering through the entrance to the common room.
"Shhhh!" Hissed Hermione, but too late.
"Oh!" Said Ingrid. "That's where the Order of the Phoenix is!"
Harry looked around nervously, but it was just He, Ron, Hermione and Ingrid. "Er, yeah it is. How did you know that?"
"Kingsley Shakklebolt's always there." Said Ingrid
"How'd you know about Kingsley - " Began Ron.
"William." Said Ingrid shortly. "Kingsley's his uncle. He's the new beater on the Quidditch team." She added when Hermione looked confused.
"Yeah," said Harry. "Well that's where I'll be."
"That's great!" Said Ingrid happily. "We'll visit you. William invited Andrew and me to stay with him for Christmas anyway, and he's going to visit his uncle, so we'll go with him." She smiled proudly. "I'll write and tell Dad." She dashed off up the stairs.
Colin Creevy and Ginny came in through the portrait. "Hi." Said Ginny, watching Ingrid vanish from view. "She's very chatty isn't she?"
"Hi." Said Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Hello Harry," grinned Colin. "Have you seen Dennis?"
"Oh, I saw him on my way up from the owlery." Said Ron. "He was with Peeves."
"Oh, right." Said Colin looking disappointed. "You know, sometimes I think he's rather have the poltergeist as a brother." He left the common room.
"What's that Harry?" Asked Ginny looking at the drawing of the snitch.
"Oh, just something I found." Said Harry. "I think I'll go to bed."
"Yeah, me too." Said Ron yawning, and the pair of them headed upstairs.
The weeks past and the late November weather started kicking in. He and Ron were starting to dread their almost constant Quidditch practises. Katie Bell didn't seem to mind the rain as much as her team mates did. "There's no need to complain!" She said brightly as the team huddled inside the changing rooms, rain pouring down outside. "I've made these!" She smiled and held up a stack of what looked like large pieces of sticky back plastic.
"What are they?" Asked William Shakklebolt, who was another who was quite happy to play Quidditch in the pouring rain.
"They're like raincoats but they're completely clear so no one will know your even wearing one." She added as Ginny and Emily opened their mouths to protest. Katie handed them out to the grumbling team who reluctantly pulled them on.
"Er, Katie," said Dennis. "I think you've given me the wrong one." His own coat was so long for him it tripped him up when we tried to walk.
"It's awful!" Moaned Emily, adjusting it to try and make it look better.
"I'm not wearing it." Groaned Ginny throwing her own down on the floor.
"Fine!" Snapped Katie. "But don't blame me when your robes are so wet you can't even stay on your brooms!" So it turned out that only Katie and William wore the raincoats and it turned out, that they were the only ones not shivering on their brooms or squeezing water out of their robes.
"We've got a match next week." Said Katie. "First week of December." Against Slytherin."
"Great." Moaned Ginny and Emily. "We've got loads of work to do at the moment, now it's our OWL year."
"Well that's not my fault." Snapped Katie. "Do you see me complaining and I've got my NEWTs!" She stormed out of the changing room in a very bad mood.
Harry and Ron soon found out that it wasn't only the fifth and seventh years who had the most homework, their load was a strong competitor. They still managed to cram in enough time to visit Hagrid though.
"Ah, it's you again." He said when Harry and Ron visited him for the fourth time that week after Quidditch. "I've already had your sister," he nodded at Ron. "An' her friend up 'ere to see me after Quidditch yesterday."
"Who Luna?" Said Ron jaw dropping open.
"Nah, the one with the blond hair, Emily, that's it."
"Did you know about Luna practically living in the forest?" Harry asked Hagrid.
"Er, yeah I did. Well I'm not goin' te stop 'er. I've told the centaurs not to attack 'er, she can see the thestrals anyway so it's not too dangerous."
"Oh yeah," Ron began. "Do you know why I can't see thestrals now, because Luna said - "
"No, I don't actually." Said Hagrid thoughtfully.
"So, he might still be alive?" Said Harry, a candle of hope lighting up inside him.
"I dunno 'bout that." Said Hagrid. "Yer could ask old Luna."
"Yeah," I think I will. Said Harry, not even pausing to say goodbye, he dashed out of Hagrid's cabin, closely followed by Ron.
The pair of them ran all the way into the castle, barely pausing for breath. As a result, they crashed headlong into Hermione who was making her way through the gaggle of students in the entrance hall. "What?" She asked them frowning.
"We – need – to – find – Luna" Panted Harry.
"Well you've found me." Came a voice. Harry turned. It was Luna Lovegood, standing on tiptoes to try and get a look at the notice board the students were looking at.
"Next Hogsmeade weekend." Said A sixth year Ravenclaw irritably as Luna poked her in the back to find out what the notice board said.
"Er, Luna," began Harry. "Do you think you could tell me, about, er - "
"Your godfather?" Smiled Luna.
Harry didn't even bother asking her how she knew this. "Yeah." He said.
Luna walked over to an empty corner; Harry, Ron and Hermione followed her. "Yes, I can tell you." She smiled. "I know exactly why you two she gazed at Ron and Hermione with her large saucepan like eyes. "Can't see them."
"Well, why?" Harry asked desperately, getting rather impatient with her laid back attitude.
Luna looked at him for a moment. "Well put it this way. Could you see the thestrals in your first year?"
"No." Said Harry. "But I hadn't seen anyone-"
"Really?" Smiled Luna, gazing into his jet green eyes with her large blue ones. "Are you sure?"
"Well, I couldn't see them so-"Began Harry.
"Well you two can't see them." Said Luna looking at Hermione and Ron.
"So," said Hermione quietly. "You can only see them if you've seen certain people die?"
Luna smiled mysteriously. "I can't really tell you that." She said. "But you," she drew her eyes to Harry again. "You couldn't see them in your first year, and you won't have remembered it but you saw two people die."
"My parents." Said Harry quietly, and Luna left them. Harry thought about this. It was true. He hadn't been able to see the thestrals in his first year when he had seen his parents been murdered by Voldermort. Or maybe he hadn't actually seen it.
"It's odd isn't it." Said Hermione as though she knew exactly what Harry was thinking.
The next few days past just as the last had done. December brought frost and light snow, but at least the rain had stopped. Professor McGonnagal was to be seen either helping the other teachers decorate the castle for Christmas, or dashing round with a roll of parchment and a pen, taking down the names of students who would be staying at school for Christmas. It gave Harry a wonderful feeling to know he wouldn't be signing the list. The only people Harry had seen put their names down so far were Crabbe, Goyle and Luna Lovegood. "Why are you staying?" Harry asked her as she signed her name on the parchment and handed the quill back to Professor McGonnagal.
"Daddy's staying." Said Luna, looking over at her father who was helping Professor Flitwick with the decorations. "Good luck with Quidditch," she said to Ron and Harry as they headed upstairs to the common room. Uncharacteristically, Harry had almost forgotten about this. It was the match between Slytherin and Gryffindor tomorrow.
"You're going down Potter." Hissed Malfoy whenever they past in the corridor.
"Yeah," I know. Said Harry irritably the third time Malfoy had said this. "That's how the game's played isn't it?"
Harry could hardly sleep at all that night. And judging by the absent snores from Ron's bed. Neither could he. Ron had suddenly improved at Quidditch. Katie was delighted, as he never let any more goals in. Harry couldn't help feeling suspicious though. Eventually he fell asleep because he woke up to dim morning sunlight.
"Come on!" Grumbled Katie as Ron and Harry helped themselves to breakfast. "We need to have a quick practise, get used to the weather. It's quite frosty, so the ground's good for kicking off, but it's quite cold so wear your scarves. When eventually, they arrived at the quidditch pitch, the rest of the team were already there, waiting impatiently for them.
They only managed to fit in five minutes practise before the Slytherins arrived with a large banner that read 'We Believe in Weasley'.
"Oh not this year as well!" Snapped Katie upon seeing it. "That was last years joke!" Ron however did not seem too bothered by this. "You'll be Ok Ron." Said Katie. "Just ignore them."
When the rows of seats were crammed with spectators, Madam Hooch hurried onto the pitch with a microphone. "Welcome to the second match of the season between Slytherin and Gryffindor. We have two new commentators for this term, who will be changing after Christmas, due to certain circumstances. Please welcome Ingrid and Andrew Evans!"
Harry grinned. He didn't know Ingrid and her twin brother had got the job of commentating for this match. Everyone applauded them. Harry looked down at Madam Hooch who was mounting her broom. "Captains shake Hands!" She barked. They did so. Derrick Boot glaring at Katie as she tried to free her hand from his firm grip. "Three...Two...One!" Shouted Madam Hooch and the game began.
"They're flying!" Came Ingrid's happy voice from below. "Crabbe's just sent a bludger over at... Emily I think. Yes. Oh Well done! She missed it! No, Andrew let me finished." Hissed Ingrid. "And Ginny's got the quaffle, she's just passed it to Emily. Come on Emily...Yes! She's scored!"
Harry looked over. Derrick Boot was looking furious. "And Dennis Creevy has just sent a bludger at Malfoy. Oops. I hope he's OK." Harry looked down. Malfoy was glaring up at Dennis and shaking his fist. "I think he's Ok." Came Ingrid's voice from the stands. It was then that Harry saw the snitch. It was right behind Malfoy. If he turned, Slytherin would win. Harry zoomed towards it but too late, it had gone. "And Ron's saved his fourth goal!" Yelled Ingrid Happily. "So you Slytherins can shut up!" The Slytherins were singing a new Weasley song desperately, but the words had no affect on Ron whatsoever. "Well done Ron!" Harry heard a flutter of wings. The snitch! It was right by his hand. He stretched out for it but – something flew straight into him. It was Malfoy. Harry turned upside down on his broom. He heard screams from the stands. He forced his broom to turn. "He's OK!" Came Ingrid's voice.
"Penalty to Slytherin!" Came Andrew's voice. Malfoy was glaring at Harry. The snitch had gone, but at least Malfoy hadn't caught it.
"Ron saves yet another goal!" Yelled Ingrid.
"And Katie Bell scores!" Yelled Andrew. "Watch out Harry!" Harry turned, a bludger, sent by Goyle came speeding at him. He dodged it just in time.
"Ow!" Came a deep grunt from behind him. Goyle had sent a bludger at William Shakklebolt and Dennis Creevy had whacked Goyle on the head with his club.
"PENALTY TO GRYFFINDOR!" Came Madam Hooch's voice as she blew the whistle and flew over to Goyle to make sure he was alright. A lump was rising on his head where Dennis' club had hit him. "If you abuse the use of your club once more I'll be speaking to McGonnagal!" Madam Hooch said to Dennis.
The game continued. And for the third time, Harry saw the snitch. It was shimmering near the stands. He could see many hands reaching out to try and touch it; "It so pretty!" Came Ingrid's voice and Harry could tell that she too was admiring it. Harry flew into a dive. Malfoy, seeing what Harry was doing followed. Harry was gaining speed by the minute. He was almost there; he stretched out his hand, and... "He's caught the snitch!" Yelled Ingrid and Andrew together.
Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Gryffindor win!" She said through the microphone. Harry landed his broom and he and his team mates were at once surrounded by students. "Excellent" "Well done" "You were great!" Came the many voices surrounding them.
They went up to the Gryffindor common room to find that there was already a Gryffindor victory party-taking place. There were banners attached to all of the walls, many of which featured Harry, butterbeer, and many other party snacks, someone had also set off some more Weasley's Wildfire wizard bangs. The fireworks danced round the common room to shrieks and yells from Gryffindor onlookers.