Alternate Reality: Simply Slytherin
Chapter Eleven
Sunday morning dawned with impatient words and quite a bit of shoving. Harry smacked his lips together and forced his eyes open. Weren't there wards on his door? Two blurry forms were talking about quidditch and trying to pull the blankets back from his head.
"Ge' away…"Harry muttered, pulling his pillow over his head.
"Harry, wake up! The quidditch tryouts are in ten minutes! Wake UP!" Morag had finally managed to pull the blankets from his grasp and he was unceremoniously dumped onto the dungeon floor.
"What? Quidditch? Oh no!" Harry threw his feet over the edge of his bed and started dressing in whatever his friends threw at him. A piece of toast was jammed into his mouth and he was dragged through the door and common room trying to put his shoes on straight.
Outside there was a small group of people crowded together on the quidditch pitch. As they got closer Harry could make out Draco's platinum blonde hair and several other students from different years that he didn't know. Stopping at the back of the group he could hear Marcus Flint's voice carry over various groups of whispering.
"Potter, so glad you could make it. Now, as I was saying, since there are eight of you, there will be two groups of four. The two who catch the snitch will face off in a mock game with the rest of the team. Understood? All right then, the first group is Avery, Capulet, Jasmine Macnair, Perks, and Potter. The second group is Zachary Macnair, Malfoy, Moon, Parkinson, and Zabini. Well then, let's get to it. First group in the air!"
The four students each rose into the air and waited until the snitch was released. Then delayed even more time while Flint counted to ten and released them to find the snitch, sending the bludgers loose as well. Harry soared high above the playing field and was slightly annoyed to find Avery tailing him. Deciding it was time to have some fun with the hurtling Bludgers Harry tore through the air, relishing in the wind as it blasted into his face with full force. Soon enough a Bludger was tailing after the pair, Avery to absorbed in trying to find the snitch that he was sure Potter had seen, didn't see it until…
WHAM. With a sickening crunch Avery's broom spun out of control and Harry made a sharp turn to watch him clutch a broken arm to his chest as he rapidly descended. A commotion brought his gaze up to see the other Slytherins crowing with amusement. Avery, having been disqualified, slung his comet two-sixty over his shoulder and tromped off to the infirmary, scowling into the air at Harry every few steps.
Smirking, Harry turned his school broom around and went back to his post among the clouds to continue his observation. Jasmine Capulet turned out to be the only real competition. With a temporary truce the pair pretended to both sight the Snitch and barreled toward each other the other two mock Seekers on their tale. Suddenly they both pulled out of their mock chicken game, and watched in amusement, as the two would be Seekers collided and quickly sank back to the earth and limped off to the infirmary.
Harry, still wary of the two bludgers that were still on both their tales, kept to the right shoulder of Jasmine Capulet and scanned the field for a glimmer of flying gold.
They kept at it for several more minutes when without warning Jasmine took off with a burst of flying speed and Harry trailed after her, dodging and swerving away from the two flying pieces of leather. Catching sight of the snitch Harry flattened himself against the rickety old broom and tore after it, blinking away the wetness in his eyes. The seekers were neck and neck, clutching their brooms to their chests, hands out stretched in desperation. Harry noted that they would never catch the snitch this way and recklessly veered into the other speeding broom. Jasmine let out a yelp of surprise, quickly changing directions to avoid a collision.
After giving him a particularly dirty look Jasmine swung her broom up higher to look for the snitch again. Harry, relieved that he had bought more time, dodged the persistent Bludgers and flew off to the other side of the field, amused when the older Slytherin tailed him. This amusement quickly bled into annoyance when he made random feints and she glued herself to his left, blocking off any way he could get by. Finally, fed up with the tactic, Harry aligned himself up with a speeding Bludger and let her come up behind him, oblivious to the speeding missile until with a start she realised Harry had once again dodged to the side. Turning her broom around to follow him and block him off she gave a strangled cry of surprise and pain as a Bludger connected with her stomach.
This apparently was enough of distraction because Harry was soon speeding toward the other side of the field and the other Slytherins applauded as he came back with the snitch. Jasmine grimaced but shook his hand anyway before hobbling over to the benches to sit for a while.
The other team went up next and Harry watched as Blaise Zabini's older brother, Frances, made mincemeat out of the other three players before catching the snitch. Scowling, Harry mounted his broom, not at all pleased that the other boy had managed to end the game so quickly. Marcus looked ecstatic.
"Now that we've narrowed it down to two players, this final match will decide who is the new Seeker, and who will stand double. Whenever, yes? What is it, Potter?"
"Er, I thought this was just to decide who was going to be the reserve seeker?"
Marcus gave a nasty smile. "I've changed my mind. Terrence was no where near as good as the two of you. Whoever wins next will be the Seeker and whoever loses will be the reserve until Terrence can compete for it. Any other stupid questions? All right, let's get to it then."
The rest of the quidditch team was divided equally with the reserve and normal players each making up two teams. Everyone air born, Jasmine released the Quaffle, the two Bludgers still in play. The snitch was also released and everyone zoomed around for a few moments before with a shout Marcus put the game into play.
Harry watched for a few moments from his place above everyone else, zooming out of the way whenever a Bludger was directed after him. The older Zabini was floating lazily at the other end of the field, eyeing both the Bludgers, Harry, and keeping an eye out for the snitch himself.
Pulling his broom up to circle around the field Harry caught a glint of gold and checking his opponent to find him otherwise occupied with a Bludger he tore after it. The wind whistled past his face brining tears to his eyes. Stretching out a hand he snatched it out of the air and grinned as he descended.
Back on the ground Marcus and the rest of the assembled Slytherins cheered as Harry was announced their newest Seeker. He grinned a bit sheepishly and breathed a silent breath of relief when the crowd finally let him go put the school broom away.
Changing his school robes Harry started to feel the reality seep into his bones and by the time he reached his two friends in the library he was grinning ear to ear.
"I did it!" said Harry, taking a seat across from his friends. "I'm to be the new Seeker!"
Hermione looked up from the book she was reading with a frown on her face. "What about that Higgs boy? I thought you were trying out for the reserve position?"
"I was, but Marcus couldn't pass up the chance to have both Zabini and myself on his team. He said when Terrence get's well enough, he's welcome to try and get his position back, but I don't think that will be a problem. I heard he'll be leaving the infirmary with a gimpy leg." Harry grinned despite Hermione's chastising.
"Wicked, do you know that you'll be the youngest quidditch player in a century?" Morag was leaning over her propped up elbows with a light in her eyes that only came when she was talking about Quidditch. "They usually don't let First Years have a broom, let alone play." She had a very approving look on her face.
"Yeah, about that broom thing. Are you going to use a school broom?" Theo looked skeptical.
Harry shrugged, "I guess, I suppose I'll just have to use diversion tactics and things like that. Like what I did today with that Bludger."
"You did what!" Hermione looked shocked.
"Yeah, it was so cool how you planned that out, I can't believe Avery didn't see it. You really should have been there, Granger."
Hermione sniffed. "But that's barbaric! I can't believe you would do such a thing, Harry, is he all right?"
"He's fine, I saw him in the hallway talking to professor Quirrel on the way here. Honestly, Hermione, you make it sound as if I'd personally beat him with a stick!"
Hermione opened her mouth to say something but Theo cut her off, "Granger's found something about Flamel, haven't you?"
Harry grinned as Morag gave Theo a wink.
"Well, er. Yes, yes I have." Picking up a heavy book she opened and started flipping pages. "I couldn't find it in the Magical Stones section but then I remembered this." She pointed to a page triumphantly, flipping the book around for Harry to read.
"Nicolas Flamel is noted for his advanced work in Alchemy. He is also the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone.The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Sorcerer's Stone, also known as the Philosopher's Stone. It is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The stone will transfer any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixer of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.
There have been many reports of the Sorcerer's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle (six hundred and fifty-eight).
"So that's what that big dog is hiding." Said Morag when Harry had finished reading it.
"Dumbledore must have taken it to keep safe. Hogwarts is one of the most protected structures in the world you know." Hermione had taken her book back and they all sat in thoughtful silence.
"Ok, so now that we know what it is. What should we do?" Harry asked.
"No wonder the professor wants it. Pure gold and immortality. Who wouldn't want it?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Morag, Snape wouldn't steal it." Theo was worrying his bottom lip, staring off into space but Hermione was adamant. "The Headmaster wouldn't let a man like that work here, with students. He must trust professor Snape. We're not looking close enough. There must be someone else who is trying to steal it."
"Then why was he running toward the third floor Halloween night? And that limp he's got now, too. He must be after it." Morag argued. "Someone must've let that troll in as a distraction."
"Maybe he saw the distraction for what it was. Maybe he was trying to catch whoever was REALLY after the stone."
Harry shrugged. He still hadn't told them about his suspicions of who had landed him in the hospital wing. He vainly tried to argue his head of house out of the guilty chair but it was getting harder with each bit of evidence that Morag was coming up with.
"It can't be him!" Hermione said desperately. "He's a professor!" She sat back with a huff of frustration, her arms folded across her chest. She turned away from them and looked at Harry. "Well, who do you believe?"
"I really want to believe you, Hermione, but…I still haven't told you something about that time in the hallway. Right before I passed out…I saw black robes, and shoes. I'm sure they were the professor's. I don't want to believe it, but the evidence isn't in his favour." All three of his friends sat in stunned silence.
"But why would he…he hit you like that? I mean…" Theo paled significantly. "I know he hated your father, but…Harry, do you think it's safe? He's your Head of House…oh Merlin…"
Morag seemed to have caught on because she abruptly sat up straighter and shuffled her homework papers in front of her. "Then it's settled. You're not to be alone with him. Until we can be sure of his innocence."
Hermione frowned thoughtfully but agreed nonetheless. "Even if it isn't professor Snape, someone does have it out for you."
Since then Harry had always had an escort no matter where he went. It was infuriating at times but in a way he understood their point. Professor simply could not be trusted until proven otherwise. Until then they kept up their research of the Sorcerer's Stone and Nicolas Flamel. Even the most recent of Potions Magazines had articles pertaining to the stones that had been found and researched and mysteriously lost or destroyed.
Two weeks later the rescheduled quidditch match was set to play and Harry woke with a feeling of doom in his stomach. During breakfast he picked at his food and tried his best to ignore the various comments that followed him everywhere he went. Most were encouraging and congratulatory, while other insisted that they would be ready with a mattress to catch him when he fell.
"Come on, Harry, you have to eat." Hermione scolded, motioning toward his meager lunch.
"No, Hermione, I'm fine." Harry insisted, happy that his other two friends had long ago given up on badgering him about it.
"But you don't eat enough as it is!" She said exasperated. "At least eat this apple."
"No, now just leave me alone." Harry ignored the proffered apple and moved what lunch he had around his plate. He had spent the last couple days reading up on every known quidditch book ever written in history. Or at least the ones kept in the library, and that was close enough. But despite his efforts the nervous feeling only seemed to get worse. An hour later his hands shook slightly as he donned his green and sliver Slytherin robes (Gryffindor would be wearing their customary scarlet ones) and took his usual broom from the broom closet. Nervously running a hand through his already messy hair he lined up with the rest of the team behind the door leading out onto the field.
He could hear the people entering the stands and find their seats. All the voices swam together in his mind and he rubbed his stomach nervously.
"All right, you know the routine. Harry, you'll circle above the game like you've been doing, try to stay out of the way and if you can, wait to catch the snitch until it's obvious we're ahead. Careful though, the Gryffie's new seeker has a superior broom and can out fly you as well as out-maneuver.
"Adrian, remember the tactics we've been going over, and watch out for that Bell girl, she's new and has some talent and combined with that Johnson girl, we're going to have a hard time of it. Don't mind Spinnet, she's good but her main use is passing, that's where the bludgers come in…"
As Flint continued to remind each player of his or her role and specific moves they had gone over during practice Harry leaned against the wall and tried to ignore his anxiety. Soon enough they mounted their brooms and left the confines of the team strategy room.
The Slytherins whistled and cheered until, with the arrival of he Gryffindor team, the tremendous yelling and screaming by the other houses drowned out the noise. Flint and his other teammates ignored it but Harry could feel what courage had carried him that far begin to ebb away.
After Madam Hooch's customary speech to Flint about playing fare and no dirty tricks the game was on!
Lee Jordan was commentating again and covered every movement over the megaphone. Harry and the Gryffindor seeker, Matthew Cauldahan each went about their own way of finding the snitch, keeping an ear perked for the commentating.
"…And its Spinnet with the Quaffle she's going to make it- NO! Slytherin in possession, Flint passes to Pucey, now it's back to Flint, Angelina Johnson tries a running feint, here comes Spinnet again, the Slytheirn beaters have cut her off, dirty little…Sorry professor, Flint drops the Quaffle, excellent work by the Weasley twins! It's Gryffindor in possession again, and Katie Bell SCORES!"
Harry looked down to see the stands erupting in noise, the Slytherins giving them dirty looks and scowling.
"Marcus Flint is tearing up the air up there, passes to Avery, Avery dodges the Weasley twins, and Spinnet, Avery passes to Pucey, Ouch! Pucey hit with a Bludger, Gryffindor recovers the Quaffle. Pucey's still in the game, Spinnet passes to Johnson, Johnson to Bell, wow and excellent triad pass pulled off by the Gryffindor team, Flint makes a steal but it headed off by a Weasley, the Quaffle is, wait! Where's the Quaffle?"
Harry glanced at each player who likewise were looking around in puzzlement. Suddenly a swift movement caught his attention and he grinned as Pucey made the first Slytherin score.
"All right, all right, Slytherin scores. Now it's back to Johnson, but she was headed off by- wait, is that the snitch?"
In a flash Harry had turned his broom and tore after the glint of gold. He was vaguely aware of Lee's commentating as it followed the two seekers' race.
"Potter's ahead by lengths! Cauldahan will need a miracle and prayer to catch up now, Potter's almost there. Incidentally Potter is the youngest player in a century, and seems to have real talent on the broom. Pity he isn't Gryffindor, but wow, look at him go!"
Harry's eyes were slightly watering with the break neck speed but the snitch was almost within arm's reach. Stretching his fingers out he caught a swift movement on his right and quickly retracted his arms, wincing when a Bludger connected with exposed rib cage. He felt himself hit severely off course and fought to gain control of his broom again. When he stopped spinning he glanced up at a smirking Weasley twin and scowled. He had been so close!
Gathering his wits he went back to his usual place and started searching for the snitch once more, inwardly fuming.
"After that excellent hit by the Gryffindor beater, not sure who that it was up there, now it's Alicia Spinnet with the Quaffle she passes to Johnson…"
The game continued the same way for another hour, until Slytherin and Gryffindor were tied with points and Harry caught site of the snitch fluttering down by the teacher's stands. Clutching his broom tightly he raced after it, barely registering that Cauldahan was tailing him closely.
He was only a foot away from victory when for the second time that afternoon he felt his broom give a lurch. But as Harry noticed, dismayed, there was a severe lack of Bludger involved. Matthew Cauldahan hadn't noticed and raced ahead and clutched the Snitch in victory. Harry might've howled in frustration if he wasn't busy trying to get his broom back under control.
Instead of going where he directed it, the Comet 79 lurched and bucked, all the while drifting up higher until it was almost out of site of the playing field. The handle was slick with the combined wetness of mist and his own sweaty palms. Even as he began to feel his eyes water at the effort he gave a yelp of surprise when he was unseated. Somewhere in the back of his mind he was aware of a crescendo of voices below him rise and fall with each failed attempt to re mount his broom.
His heart nearly lept into his throat and he forcefully gulped it back down. Now was not the time to panic! He could hear the shouts of his fellow team mates but they seemed farther than those of the Gryffindor players as they tried to duck close and grab his legs, yelling for him to let go. But what if they missed?! Didn't anyone think of that possibility? Harry sighed raggedly. After a few more failed attempts at re-seating himself on his broom he felt it give a horrible shake and he felt one of his grips loosen and fall away. This was getting ridiculous.
"Oi, Fred! Come in from the left and I'll come from the right, grab his legs!" a blur of red hair caught his attention as it barreled toward him, and glancing over his left shoulder he saw the other Weasley coming at him, a determined glint in his eye. Harry's face lost all colour.
The Weasley twins didn't in any way resemble their younger brother or their other brother, the prefect. What was his name? Peter? Pernipy? Anyway, the point was, if Harry was small for his age, the Weasley twins were large and stocky for theirs. Not that they were anywhere near Crabbe and Goyle of course, those two were in a league of their own.
It happened very quickly. The one moment Harry was entertaining visions of himself in the hospital wing, smashed flat by two Gryffindor Beaters, the next his ears were filled with a whooshing sound and an unfamiliar sense of vertigo. Cracking open an eye he didn't know he had closed he grimaced at the sight of both twins careening into each other full force. They shook it off however, each putting an amazing burst of speed into their brooms to try and chase down Harry's lunatic broom.
And then, just as quickly as it had happened, it stopped. Harry, breathing heavily from the strain of trying to cling to his broom despight everything it had put him through, looked around wildly before coming to the realisation that his broom wasn't moving. It was hovering, several hundred feet above the ground, harmless as a fly. Gently at first Harry swung his legs from side to side, before finally giving one final heave and scrambling on top.
The Weasley twins who had come to a screeching stop a little ahead of him, came back slowly.
"All right there, Potter?" One asked as he tried to fix his twisted uniform.
"Yes, thanks." He replied, wondering what had gone wrong. On a sudden impulse he glanced at the Potions Master in the teachers stands and was surprised to see him watching professor Quirrel. Strange.
All in all the whole match ended in absolute chaos.
"But his broom was faulty, the game didn't end on fair grounds!" Marcus Flint was still ranting fifteen minutes after Madam Pomfrey had deigned Harry healthy enough to evade a hospital wing visit. He could have smirked at Flint's whining tone if he hadn't agreed, but Hooch was adamant.
"Gryffindor's win stands, Flint, now run along before I dock points!" She marched by Harry, his lips drawn into a thin line.
Flint sulked by a few minutes later, his face taunt with a mix of aggravation and anger. "Good try, Potter, see about getting a new broom." With that he stalked by into the changing rooms, the rest of the team falling in line behind him. No one looked happy.
Harry grimaced. Maybe he would just change in the lavatory inside. Abruptly he realised how cowed he sounded and standing up a bit straighter he took a breath and was about to head in when-
"HARRY! Wait up!" Turning he cocked a brow at his three friends rushing at him, Theo in the lead. Coming to a stop before him Harry gave them all a minute to catch their breaths.
"We…have…to…tell…you something…"
"Couldn't this wait until after a shower and change of clothes?" He asked pointedly. Sweet Merlin, did they run all the way from the stands?
"Sorry, but we had to tell you," started Hermione in between gasps for fresh air.
"Tell me what?" Pressed Harry, shifting uneasily.
"Your broom, it's not faulty, Snape was cursing it." Hermione said in a rush. Harry blinked once. Then he blinked again.
His stomach seemed to twist in a knot and his throat tightened. "What?" He asked a bit weakly.
"Someone was cursing it." Theo corrected, finally having regained his composure. Harry watched as the other boy brushed lint off his robes. Purebloods.
"But we SAW him!" Morag said vehemently. "When you're broom went mad I took Theo's binoculars and I saw Snape muttering under his breath, his eyes never leaving you. Now I don't know about you, but if anything, Quirrel has at least been able to explain what a curse is and how to perform one! Snape was doing everything, non stop muttering, and keen attention, everything!" She insisted.
"We saw our Head. Of. House. possibly working the counter curse. Honestly, Morag, when did House loyalty mean next to nothing to you." Theo sounded mildly disgusted.
To her credit Morag didn't outright hex Theo, but her cheeks flushed angrily and she poked his chest with each word as she stated quite clearly, "When the whole HOUSE decided to attack a FELLOW house MEMBER in the CORRIDOR." Finished she backed away and turned on Harry.
"We've got to be real careful now, Harry, now that we're sure it's the professor and all. He must know you know he's after the stone, or sees you as a threat." Hermione nodded to Morag's assessment.
"Beautiful." Stated Harry, still stunned. The professor didn't really want him dead did he? Harry wished there was evidence to the contrary but even Theo's defense seemed awfully flimsy.
Theo cleared his throat loudly. "Don't mind her, Harry, she's wrong. What would the professor possibly want the stone for? Potion ingredients if anything, and besides, do you think that the Headmaster would let him work here if he didn't trust him and all that rot?"
"That's just it!" Morag interrupted. "The Headmaster is Gryffindor, who know who he might trust!"
"Oh shut it, the both of you." Harry said, his arms crossed. "I for one agree with Theo, but Morag has strong evidence, so we'll wait on it. Now hold off, I need to put my broom away, get a shower, and change. We'll talk later, in the library."
The three nodded and moved as a unit toward the school. Harry was about to turn and leave himself when he saw two figures moving away from the stands and toward his direction. Ducking behind the shed he slowed his breathing and waited for the footsteps to pass.
But they didn't. Instead the two figures were talking in low voices just around the corner. Leaning toward them a bit Harry strained to make out the words.
"Don't think I'm not watching you." Harry unconsciously flinched away from the professor's deadly calm voice.
"W-what-t-ever d-do you mean, S-Se-Severus?" Harry might have fallen over in shock. QUIRREL?!
A sharp snap later Harry realised his Head of House had just smacked his Defense professor. Holding his breath completely he tried to bury himself into the back of the shed and closed his eyes.
…Don't see me. Don't see me. Don't see me. PLEASE don't find a reason to come over here…If he could have Harry would have tried to stop his ears from hearing the ongoing conversation but the two voices continued.
"Don't lie to me, Quirrel, I know what you're doing and if you in any way value your pathetic life I would advise you to reconsider your options. Or you will need more than Dumbledore to protect you," Professor Snape hissed.
And with that they were both gone. Harry expelled a deep whoosh of air, filling his lungs while trying to make sure his legs didn't wobble everywhere.
What was THAT about? Harry wondered dazedly, putting his broom away. Maybe there was more to this. Maybe Snape wasn't trying to kill him. What had Snape said? 'I know what you're doing' did that mean Quirrel was up to something? Nervous, stuttering, superstitious Quirrel?…Weird.
Finishing a shower in the now empty Slytherin team showers, Harry dressed and returned to Hogwarts. He had about three hours until Dinner, leaving plenty of time to meet up with his friends and discuss the day's events. He wasn't, of course, expecting to run into Avery and Draco Malfoy in a deserted hallway, both with wands at the ready, and neither particularly willing to talk things over first.
Apologies
SO sorry about the long wait! I started it and then for the longest time I couldn't help but haltingly stumble through the rest of the chapter. When I reached what I had planned to be the end, I decided I hated and rewrote all of it except for the opening scene. Ergh. Anyway, I rewrote it and couldn't figure out how to end properly, so, taking the chance that I utterly botched it, I've decided to go ahead with what I've done and see how you all like it. Cheers!
Charlie Quill
REVIEWS
Nate: Actually, you might consider re reading the books, Hagrid sits at the farthest end of the table, nearest to the Gryffindors. Third year he sits there as an actual professor. And so sorry for not spelling Gryffindor correctly, soon after I realised it I tried to fix it, but I guess I haven't got around to actually uploading the fixed chapters. Sorry about that.
May Liza: Well, I agree with you about the Weasley's, but while their relationship won't be the same as in the books, there will be one. Eventually. Don't worry.
Spectra2: Wow, thanks. Sorry it's taken SO long!
Kaaera: cackle Thanks! One of my fav parts to write actually
Blip-dragon: Welcome, and thank YOU for your review.
Starangel2106: Unerved Do you like it now? How about now? Now? Hehe, no pressure. How about now?
Tati1: Welcome, and thanks for your review. Sorry about the long update time.
Avemtilla: Hehe. Fluffy Snape? I don't think that's psychologically possible -
HecateDeMort: As always, thank you.
Fluffylittledragon: Oh boy, I'm gathering quite the collection of gold stars. Whee for me!
Skittish: Thanks!
Amy: I didn't say I was going to stop, just considering. I've been playing around with it, fixing mistakes and such. So, who knows!
Shadowface: Thanks! I'm trying to update, really! I am.
Padawan Jan-AQ: Yep, Harry just isn't Harry without quidditch!