Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Sorry it's been so long since the last update and sorry this chapter is so short. Don't hate me, please. I've been hit by a major attack of writer's block and plot bunnies at the same time. Writer's block for the stories I'm already working on, and tons of ideas for new stories.
I noticed an error. In chapter 10, it says that Ginny is a prefect. In chapter 45 it says Ginny is not a Prefect. I think not being a Prefect suits her character better, but I think for this chapter (and especially 10), she needs to be a Prefect so I'm making her one. Ginny, I dub thee Prefect! I'll correct chapter 45 later. Enjoy, sorry this is short.
Replies:
Anonymous—Yeah, cliffhanger. I'm terrible about that. Thanks, I love that ship.
BlackBishop—Never seen love actually. I'm trying to keep the action level up now but with the last match I wrote I failed miserably to keep things interesting.
Phoenixdreams—Cruel writing device isn't it? Build, build, build, SMASH. It's gone. I hope this is up to par, a bit difficult in the writing of it (hence the short chapter and long time between updates)
Oxi-Nu—Thanks
Bookbug—Thanks. Yeah, I've been a little lacking in including classes. I'm trying some plotting with Snape's character and in the other Potter fic I'm working on Hagrid is dead so it's kind of easy to forget about him. He might be coming back to the picture soon. Breaking up fights maybe?
Dnd4ever—Exactly!
Kraegy001—hehe. Thanks.
Katie Lupin Black—Thanks
SpacyRicochet—Yeah, I originally didn't have this match earlier in the story because I couldn't decide who should win, then I decided that nobody should get the house cup. Maybe this is subconsciously symbolic (I hate symbols!) of the bigger war and struggle. I don't know really yet.
Feltons-babe90099—hehe. I didn't want Slytherin to beat Gryffindor, but I didn't want Slytherin to win either. It might be somewhat obvious but I may have a bigger plan, I'm not exactly sure yet. I don't know anything 'til it's written. Thanks.
Anonymously—Thanks, yeah, sorry about that. Writer's block since I last updated.
Spiffycool—Hehe. Very energetic review. Hyper? I am, well, I was earlier but I was at a dance so now I'm tired. You'll get your explanation, maybe kind of . *evil grin*
Hrei-siesn—Thanks, here it is.
Athenakitty—Yes a big fight. I don't know what you mean about hiding. Yes Dumbledore is canceling the match. You'll find out why in this chapter.
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CHAPTER 63: On the Pitch
If the Headmaster hadn't silently put a very potent mute charm over the stadium at that moment, the din would have erupted even louder than before. The students were outraged.
Dumbledore's eyes passed over the stadium and almost every student felt as though it were him or herself that Dumbledore was looking at. "Your behavior this week has not gone unnoticed. It was disgraceful. I thought Hogwarts students were better behaved than this. I thought you particular students were all better behaved than this; you are growing up during troubled times, but you were always still most of you fine people. I thought all of you knew not to let a little friendly competition go too far. I thought you had higher standards than this for yourselves. Apparently I thought wrong."
Harry knew that voice; he dreaded that voice. It was worse than Dumbledore's angry voice, it was his disappointed voice. Harry shuffled his feet and stared at the ground. He couldn't remember doing anything particularly wrong this week other than generally joining in on the Slytherin bashing that had gone around, but he knew that Dumbledore saw them all equal in this crime of hate against one another.
"Let's just go over the events of the week, shall we? Putting banners up around the school to support your house and your team, that's fine, that's acceptable; that shows good house spirit. Putting up banners that are derogatory to another house, or painting the walls of the school itself, that is not acceptable. Hexing or otherwise harmfully altering another person's food or drink at meals is not acceptable. Attacking another student is not acceptable; attacking for no reason, and especially when you outnumber the victim is despicable, detestable, and outrageously unjust. Right now there are 2-dozen students in the hospital wing with various injuries, inflictions, and ailments. Some of them have painful boils, one of them has their legs back to front, another has golden antlers coming out his head that are so heavy he cannot at the moment left his head without aid or possibly breaking his neck. These are a few of the things that I have seen around the school. There are almost a dozen Slytherins up there; 7 Gryffindors; 3 Hufflepuffs, and 3 Ravenclaws. Quiditch has been canceled. Not only will there be no match today, but all practices for the remainder of term have been canceled unless I deem the houses healed enough to earn back the privilege. The goal posts will be removed. Anyone feeling the need to exercise or relieve some energy may run track around the pitch. Furthermore there will be assigned seating at meals until further notice and you will not be divided up by houses. If things do not begin to improve rapidly, drastic measures will be taken."
Harry noted the tinge of anger and sourness that crept into the usually jovial voice. He stood there in shock, integrating the houses? He'd be eating with Slytherins! Well, that just wasn't going to happen. He'd go eat in the kitchen with Dobby before letting that happen.
"I want the hostilities between houses to stop. I would like all of the Prefects, Quiditch captains, the Head Boy, and the Head Girl to come to my office within the hour. Be prepared for more changes in the upcoming days. They will be necessary if Hogwarts is to survive the civil war it is undergoing at the moment."
Dumbledore walked out of the stadium standing tall, and removed the mute spell.
Ginny nudged Harry in the ribs. "I think that's us."
"Yeah," said Ron.
"Better be going," Harry said.
"Not before we find Hermione," added Ron.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny found Hermione as they entered the castle.
"Oh, good. I was looking for the three of you," she gasped.
"We were looking for you. We've got to get to that meeting." The four of them trotted off and met the other Prefects, Quiditch captains, and Heads on the stairs that led to Dumbledore's office.
"Anybody know the password?" asked a Hufflepuff Prefect, 5th year.
"His newest one is ton-tongue toffee," Harry offered. The gargoyle jumped aside and allowed them all access.
Harry was the first inside and his eyes widened. Dumbledore was not alone.
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Thanks. I hope you review and keep reading. Sorry about the semi-cliffhanger again. I know who's in Dumbledore's office, so this time I know what's going on (kind of). So that's a good thing, right?