A/N: I've never realized how hard it is to write Quidditch scenes. I kept running out of vocabulary. Anyway. I've been rereading the OotP and I came across the following sentence:

'I think I'll try out for Chaser instead. Angelina and Alicia are leaving next year.'

It didn't say Katie is leaving. But we always assume Katie's in the same year. Has it mentioned anywhere else in the book that Katie is in their year or is she a year below? I was wondering. It doesn't affect my story in any case. Katie would have left regardless.

I have gone back and edited the Prologue and Chapter One. Don't ask why, except I thought I'd tidy some things up. I am a bit of a perfectionist. There was some uncanon-ness about Snape and I fixed up the mixed up 'exiting' scene with Professor Northrop.

However I have not fixed up my extremely pitiful mistake in forgetting that CHO CHANG HAS LEFT THE DAMN SCHOOL. Anyway I have fixed that. The Ravenclaw seeker, so you are not confused, is called Abbie Cavanagh.

On with the next chapter...

Dark Mark's Daughter

---

Chapter Four – Butterfingers and Pink Iced Buns

---

Ginny awoke the next morning to find the dormitory completely abandoned. There were only three four-poster beds in this room, which was slightly smaller than the other dormitories. However, their room looked over the Quidditch pitch, which served as just as plentiful entertainment as another two roommates. It delighted Amelia especially, who would sit by the window every Wednesday evening eating her mother's homemade biscuits while claiming to watch the Hufflepuffs fall off their broomsticks. Ginny and Fia knew that she was much more enthralled to a particular Hufflepuff chaser, Zacharias Smith.

Fia was convinced that the Sorting Hat had made an obvious mistake by putting Zacharias Smith in Hufflepuff, as the members of that house were supposed to be good-spirited and friendly. Ginny had then suggested that maybe he wasn't cunning enough to be in Slytherin, not brave enough to be in Gryffindor, and not smart enough to be in Ravenclaw; therefore, thick. Amelia had stated that maybe Zacharias really was 'a very nice guy' and that they just hadn't bothered to get to know him properly.

Ginny changed into her quidditch robes, thinking half wonderingly and half annoyed about why Fia and Amelia had both left without waking her. She received her answer only a moment later. The door swung open, revealing a red-faced Amelia. For all Ginny thought, steam could be billowing from her friend's ears and she wouldn't be surprised.

Amelia was already wearing her quidditch robes, and seemed to have been halfway through attaching her shin pads. 'It's not like it's our fault!' Amelia said angrily, storming across the room to her bed and sitting down, where she continued to tie the cords of her right shin pad, then, realizing that it was actually her left shin pad, began to switch them around.

'What's our fault?'

'Oh, that we're going to lose. It's entirely our fault the Ravenclaw seeker got herself thrown in the hospital wing!'

'Who said that?'

'No one said that. That's just how Fia seems to point the blame.' She said, sighing and covering her face with her hands. 'She just threw Andrew's textbook at Jack because he tried to cheer her up. His nose will look like a bludger by the end of the day.'

'Such a temper that girl has, doesn't she?' the mirror beside Fia's bed said as Ginny went to tie her hair back. 'Last night she threw her hairbrush at me.'

'We better go down now, or Ron'll see the end of us.' Ginny said, and they both left the dormitory, jogging down the several staircases, Ginny jumping over the vanishing step—

'Ouch!' Ginny peered behind her. Amelia had foolishly forgotten about the vanishing step, and was now struggling to pull her foot back out of the lodge. A nearby painting of a skinny witch braiding her hair was giggling delightedly, her nose scrunched up and pointing at Amelia.

Ginny gave Amelia a hand, who was able to dislodge her ankle from the gap between the two stairs, and they both continued toward the Great Hall, Amelia walking a bit slower, and seeming to be making sure she didn't get fooled by any more of the castle's tricks. Ginny had heard countless of times Amelia's rants stating that the castle had a personal grudge against her.

'Hi Ginny!'

Luna was sitting alone at the Gryffindor table, her blonde hair thrown up in an incredibly messy do, which Ginny assumed Luna considered a hairstyle. It wouldn't have made much of a difference whether Luna sat at the Ravenclaw or the Gryffindor table, as both were close to empty, however, seeing Luna was in Ravenclaw, it was questionable on why she was sitting where she was.

'Hi Luna. We can't wait here, we're already running late.' Ginny said, grabbing a bread roll. 'Are you watching the match?'

'Oh? Of course, Ravenclaw has much an advantage now doesn't it? Now that they get to wait an extra game.' Luna pondered.

Amelia was gathering as much breakfast as possible into her pockets, but didn't seem as if she had much of a clue of what exactly she was collecting. She was instead eyeing Luna quite unsurely out of the corner of her eye, one eyebrow raised inquisitively.

'I guess they do.' Ginny said. 'Amelia hurry up... Amelia! You don't need all of that! You can't possible eat that in time before the match! And you can't play with your pockets full of doughnuts anyway!'

Amelia simply shrugged her shoulders, and followed Ginny back out the way they had entered.

The stands were already full, of not only Gryffindors and Slytherins, but Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws too. Gryffindor's were waving their red and gold scarves in the air, creating a sea of scarlet waves. The Slytherins weren't so encouraging towards their team. The majority were sitting down, their scarves tied around their necks, and wearing gloomy looks as if unappreciative of having had to wake up so early.

'Looks like it's gunna bucket down any second now.' Andrew said, peering up at the grey and unwelcoming sky. Next to him sat Jack, who had an ice pack held over his nose. His eyes were smaller than usual, and his face was overcome with dullness.

Ron was muttering to Harry about something under his breath, next to them stood Hermione, and in the corner stood Fia, leaning against one of the wooden beams holding up the stands, her face automatically warning people to not even talk to her.

Amelia turned back around to face Ginny, rolling her eyes. Ginny only sighed. She did agree with Amelia on the point that Fia was definitely overreacting about something so small as a Quidditch game.

'Even though we're going to lose—'

'Ron!'

'Even though Slytherin has such an advantage that we'll probably lose—'

'Ron!'

'Okay, let's just try our best and there's a smidgen of a chance we might win, but don't get your hopes up, because we'll probably—'

'Win.' Hermione said sharply, before Ron could finish his sentence.

'Hermione, I know you're trying to think positively,' Ron said, sarcasm ringing in his voice. 'But, we're just not going to win.'

'We haven't won a game for the past two years running.' Harry said gloomily, which made Hermione cluck her tongue in annoyance.

'Look at us.' Ron said, peering around at everyone. 'There's me, the captain, who only stands half a chance of defending the goal each time the quaffle comes near me. There's Andrew and Jack, who don't seem to be able to distinguish the difference between a bludger and someone's head.' Andrew and Jack scowled at Ron for this. 'There's our chasers, who... well they aren't that bad, but the Slytherins are probably much better.' Amelia looked down at her feet in shame, Ginny tossed her head back and didn't meet Ron's eyes, and Fia glared at him so dangerously she looked as if she were about to murder him there on the spot. 'There's Harry. I mean, he's the only person on this team who doesn't need any improvement.' Harry scratched the back of his head.

Hermione, who was staring at Ron furiously, checked her watch. 'It's about time for you to go on. I'll be making my way to the stands, in that case.' She turned to leave, then turned back around for a moment. 'No dirty play.'

Ron scowled at the back of her head. 'Who does she think she is? I'm the captain of this team, not her. And I say, you can play as dirty as you like. It's not like they won't do the same. Now let's go.'

'Fia!' Ginny grabbed Fia's arm to stop her storming ahead. 'Just... be careful of bludgers...' she said, then, with warning by the look on Fia's face, added, 'Well, I have a feeling Malfoy's going to be trying to get me back for something in potions.' Fia glared at her, appearing scandalized, and creased her brow.

'Why are you warning me? Wouldn't it make more sense for him to knock you off your broom? Or do you think you're too good to worry?' she said bluntly, then stormed off ahead.

'Welcome to today's match. As of recently, Gryffindor's match against Ravenclaw has been postponed, and today they will be playing Slytherin! Introducing the Gryffindor team – Weasley, Weasley, Rivero, Bell, Kirke, Sloper and POTTER!' The Gryffindor stands burst into applause, and like usual, they cheered loudest at Harry's name. 'And the Slytherin team, Malfoy, Fullerton, Crabbe, Goyle and... I forgot those two chasers' names.'

The weather did not look promising. Like Jack had said, it looked as if it would rain any second. Ginny didn't like the idea of playing a game in the rain. The team was already clumsy enough without rain blocking their vision.

'Mount your brooms, and on my whistle...'

The icy air clawed at Ginny's skin as she kicked off the ground and shot upwards. The sleeves of her robes ruffled, and she noticed that the higher she got, the foggier it got. Amelia had shot forward and taken the Quaffle, but hadn't passed to Fia like she was supposed to. Instead she seemed determined to take the Quaffle to the other end and score by herself.

'Amelia Bell started with the Quaffle, and still has the Quaffle. What's she doing? Amelia pass the Quaffle! Fullerton's coming up behind you!' Ginny watched as Fullerton swerved up beside Amelia and grabbed the Quaffle. 'And Fullerton takes the Quaffle! Too bad, Amelia! Professor, what do you expect me to do? I had to warn her! What? I'm not interfering!'

Ginny flew after Fullerton, the icy wind attacking her face, but her broom just wasn't fast enough, and she was too light to fight the wind's force, and with a tumultuous roar from the Slytherin stands, Seamus announced that Slytherin was leading by ten points.

'Ron Weasley passes the Quaffle. And Ginny Weasley takes it, passes it to Bell, Bell passes it to... Bell doesn't pass it! Amelia Bell is heading towards the goal hoops! Ah, the keeper takes it!'

'Amelia what the bloody hell are you doing?' Ron shouted from his own three goal hoops. 'You're supposed to pass to Fia!'

But Amelia swerved around to face the opposite direction, then swam through the air towards Hambley, who now had the Quaffle.

Twenty minutes later, Slytherin was leading by seventy points, and Fia and Amelia were still refusing to pass to each other. The Slytherins were chanting as their chaser made their way down the field to score a goal.

'Ginny Weasley has the Quaffle, and she's ducked Gertrod and she's passed it to Bell! Bell misses it and Hambley takes it! Amelia what are you doing?!'

Ginny could see exactly why Amelia had missed the Quaffle. Fia and Amelia did not seem occupied with the game at all, but rather were passing death glares between each other, both trying to prove one another the better Quidditch player.

Ten minutes later, Slytherin were leading by ninety points. Ginny could see Harry peering around frantically for the snitch.

'FIA AND AMELIA! IF WE LOSE THIS GAME IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT!' Ron yelled furiously across the pitch, which made both Gertrod and Fullerton laugh.

'And Hambley has the Quaffle! And... by Merlin! Fia Rivero's taken the Quaffle off Horace Hambley! And she's flying in the opposite direction! Ha! Slytherin, take that! Fullerton's coming up behind Rivero! Fia watch it!' But Seamus snorted with laughter into the microphone.

The stands all burst into laughter, all except for the Slytherins, who were yelling insults across to the Gryffindor team. Amelia had pulled out a bun from her pocket as Fullerton had gotten ready to tackle, and he was now wiping pink icing off his face furiously.

'And she's just got the Keeper left in her way! Rivero scores! And the score is ninety-ten to Slytherin!'

A quick smile passed between Fia and Amelia, but faltered almost immediately, and both Ginny and Amelia followed Gertrod, who was now taking the Quaffle to the other end.

Though Amelia's food incident had earned Gryffindor a goal, their luck did not last. Slytherin were leading by one hundred and fifty points within another twenty minutes, and neither Malfoy nor Harry had seen any sign of the snitch.

Jack was growing extremely restless, swinging his beater bat as he waited for the game to resume between goals. It was clear that he felt like swinging his bat across his own head rather than continue with this game. Both he and Andrew had decided it was safer to pass the bludgers between the Slytherin beaters, Crabbe and Goyle, instead of risking knocking out one of their own players. Crabbe and Goyle, too thick to figure out their scheme, hit them back proudly, complimenting each other every time they hit one of the bludgers successfully.

'Vincent what the hell are you doing? Would you mind dealing with Weasley instead of playing childish games with the opposition as if they're your best friends?'

Ginny glanced upwards, assuming that any second a bludger was going to be sent in her direction. But surely Malfoy wasn't going to knock her off her broomstick. After all, she was definitely not the best player on the team, and she wouldn't be a major loss.

And then she saw it, a dash of black, heading towards the goal hoops, and within seconds, Ron was lying sprawled across the ground, fifty feet below. She watched as Professor Flitwick and Madam Pomfrey hurried out from their stand and conjured stretchers, then turned her attention back to the game.

'And Hambley has the Quaffle and is heading towards the goal hoops. Oh no, he's going to score for sure!'

However Fia had already pulled out her wand, and, hiding it behind her robes, with her back towards Madam Hooch, muttered, 'Subtermanus'. For a second it hadn't seemed to do anything, however, a moment later it was clear what the charm had caused.

'And Hambley drops the Quaffle! Ducks to grab it... and it slips out of his hands!' Again the stands burst into laughter, and Ginny joined in. It was rather hilarious watching the beefy, large-jawed chaser dip and swerve trying to keep the Quaffle in his grasp. 'And Bell takes the Quaffle, passes it to Rivero,'

'And Fia Rivero has the Quaffle. Rivero passes to Bell, who passes to Weasley. Fullerton comes up beside Weasley! But Weasley's let go of the Quaffle! Bell takes it. Bell... Bell scores! And it's one hundred and sixty to twenty Slytherin's way!'

'Weasley, I saw that.'

Ginny glanced back behind her, still heading towards the abandoned Gryffindor goal hoops after Fullerton, who had the Quaffle held underneath his arm. Draco Malfoy was following her, smirking. 'Malfoy, go and find the snitch like you're supposed to.'

'I was going to let her pass. But I saw that dirty little trick, so I had to reconsider.'

'What are you talking about, Malfoy?'

'You know what I'm talking about. Your friend's clever joke. I could, of course, tell Hooch, and we'd receive a penalty, however, I prefer to have a bit more fun out of it.'

'What—' Ginny turned around, quite close to batting him across the head with her broomstick, but he had gone. She saw him mutter something to Goyle, then head towards the opposite goal hoops to linger and observe his order taking place.

Another dash of black somersaulted across the pitch, and many were surprised that Goyle had made such an impressive hit.

'Slytherin beater Goyle sends a bludger towards the Gryffindor end and—' Seamus was not the only observer to open his mouth in protest. 'Professor! That's dirty play, that is!'

But even Ginny knew that it was not against the rules, and perfectly allowed. That's what bludgers were for, after all, and as long as a Slytherin player hadn't physically and brutally knocked Fia off her broom, it was allowed.

She watched angrily as Fia, like Ron had just before, fell towards the ground. This time, Professor Flitwick was able to slow her down before she hit the grass. Another stretcher was conjured, and Fia was taken out of sight.

Gertrod had the Quaffle now, and after laughing heartily over Fia's fall with Fullerton. Hambley, however, did not seem in the mood to laugh. He was more concerned over his inability to hold the Quaffle.

'Gertrod has the Quaffle! And he passes it to Fullerton. Fullerton... Fullerton shows off how absolutely wonderful he thinks he is... Sorry Professor... unfortunately no one quite agrees with him. Sorry, Professor. And... Slytherin scores. One hundred and seventy to twenty. I don't need to tell you who's winning. And, Merlin! Malfoy's seen the snitch!'

Ginny took the Quaffle, and ignoring the fact that everyone was more occupied with the sighting of the snitch, dodged Fullerton, who was, unlike most Slytherins, scrawny, with big ears and an overbite. He looked rather like a rat.

Harry had overtaken Malfoy now, which cost him an elbow in his chest from the sneering and determined Slytherin seeker.

The Slytherin keeper was staring in awe at the snitch's pass, and it was not hard to throw the Quaffle through the hoop...

'POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH!'

Those who had figured out that Potter having caught the snitch had brought the score to one hundred and seventy points per team, were sighing and swearing. Both Gryffindors and Slytherins complained that they were out of luck.

However, over the swarm of the observers conversations, some were leaning over the railing, shouting out towards Madam Hooch.

'Ginny Weasley scored a goal, Madam Hooch!'

'Ma'am! Gryffindor won! Ginny scored at the last second!'

'Madam Hooch, that red-head girl scored for Gryffindor!'

Ginny herself, followed by Amelia, flew back down to where Madam Hooch was standing, surrounded by several Gryffindors, including Seamus, and a short but plump Slytherin, who was shaking his head.

'Madam Hooch! Ginny did score a goal! At the very last second, just as the snitch was caught!' Amelia said, nearly tripping over her broomstick in her hurry to get off. 'She did, really she did. I'm not lying. Professor, professor!' For Amelia had just spied Professor McGonogall making her way across the grass.

'Yes, Miss Bell, I have already heard it from at least fifty people from Gryffindor. I do not need to hear it again.'

Amelia shut her mouth just as soon as she had opened it, and dragged her broom rather carelessly back to the rest of the team.

'Did you?' Harry asked. His glasses were askew and cracked, and dirt covered half of his face.

'Yes. But it was just as you caught the snitch so I'm not sure if it went through on time.' Ginny said.

Harry grinned, causing Ginny to blush profusely, grab Amelia's arm and turn around immediately so that he didn't notice when he looked back up.

'Ginny, is it true you scored a goal during the last few seconds of the game?'

Ginny turned to face the speaker. Professor Dumbledore's eyes glittered through his half moon spectacles, and he was smiling.

'Y-yes.' Ginny said, surprised at being addressed by the headmaster, who had not spoken to her since the second year.

'Then I have every reason to believe her, Rolanda.' Dumbledore said, turning back towards Madam Hooch, who nodded cheerfully. 'So that would mean, Gryffindor wins, one hundred and eighty to one hundred and seventy.'

'Don't think you'll be so lucky next time, Weasley.' Malfoy said, who was standing next to Madam Hooch. His cheeks were flushed after the trail of the snitch, mixed with his horror at Gryffindor having won. 'We all know that no one in your team can fly to save their lives! You couldn't beat a walking dragon in a race.'

'Well it would depend on what type of dragon. If it was a Curly-Eared Swirlump then she would have no chance of winning!' Both Ginny and Malfoy turned to see Luna treading across the grass delicately, as if she was walking on ice. 'I'm making sure I don't step on any Fripsies.'

'On any what?' Amelia questioned distastefully, again raising one thin eyebrow.

'Fripsies. They live in the grass, and if you step on one, they'll bite you. Sometimes they'll even rip your toe off. They're quite grumpy little things, you know.'

'What are fritsies? If such things as frishties existed, then Bell here would have no toes left. Why, last year, she tripped over her own broom in mid-air, and spent a week in the hospital wing. Didn't you know? Well I'm sure that would squash a good many frixies.' Malfoy sneered, which made tilt her head to the side as if considering what he'd just said. Amelia, meanwhile, had gone pink.

Ginny thought Malfoy had a fair point. Amelia tripped over almost everything. However, she also had the firm opinion that there wasn't even a point discussing fripsies, as Luna had an extremely vivid imagination and was making creatures up all the time.

'As I was saying, don't think you'll get away with any more victories.' Malfoy said bluntly. 'I'll knock you off your broom next. It's not hard to knock a Weasley off their broomstick.' He laughed. 'Knocking you off a broom might knock some sense into you.' he added to Luna. 'As for, you, you must be an expert at falling off a broom by now. You've probably got some fancy stunts to go with it.'

Amelia was blushing furiously now. She had her eyes fixed on a group of people dressed in yellow and black, and Ginny tightened her grip on her broomstick. He had just mocked Amelia in front of the whole Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff Quidditch team, who must have come down to practice now the field was empty. The Slytherins, like usual, were laughing in monotone, and some Hufflepuffs were even snickering. This, and Ron and Fia both having been knocked off their brooms by Malfoy's order, made Ginny do what she did next.

Raising her broom over her shoulder, she swung it over her head, and slammed it right into the side of Draco Malfoy's face.

---

Madam Pomfrey had healed his bruised face in seconds. While waiting in the hospital wing for Madam Pomfrey to return from the back room with 'Bruise Riddance' ointment, he hadn't even poked fun at Fia Rivero and Ron Weasley, both of whom were lying stiffly in bed. Fia had chucked a Bertie Botts bean at his face, and Ron had tried to say something, but had found it too painful for his jaw, yet Draco had just slumped over to a seat in the corner and waited, without a word.

Now Draco was pulling out parchment and his Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook, preparing to write an essay on defense jinxes. The side of his face where the ointment had been applied was still cold. Blaise Zambini, after congratulating him for losing, was now lying over his bed reading a comic book he had received that morning from his uncle, called 'The Adventures of Bonnie and Appletoe'. Every now and again he would crack up with laughter.

Draco did not see much point in a comic book if the people inside them were just going to move around in all the boxes and squares. He thought it quite pointless, and could not understand how Blaise could understand what was happening.

Draco emptied his bag over his bed, and picked up the first quill he saw, then made his way back to the desk the four boys shared between each other, or rather, the desk they were supposed to share. Draco had made it quite clear that the desk was property of his.

There are hundreds of different defense jinxes. However, many are not in use today. In fact, many are illegal today, since Bregundle Hooptank (Minister for Magic 1910-1914), banned the use of ancient magic as a mean of defense in 1913. It was never fully understood why he banned this, and was voted out of his position by the magical population, who held the opinion that he was simply stupid.

Draco looked down at his quill. He frowned. It was the quill Weasley had told him was ugly. He did not understand this. It was of the most expensive brand of quills, Starfrem, and in his opinion, they were all of brilliant make. But without another thought on them, he ruthlessly threw the quill across the room, missing the bin by an inch.

'What are you throwing that away for, mate?' Blaise asked, looking up at him. 'They're bloody expensive, they are. Lord, you don't have any consideration for what people give you, do you?'

Draco ignored this comment, picked up another quill, this time a peacock blue one, and continued to write his essay, though half his mind still lingered on the question of why Ginny's opinion on his personal belongings even mattered to him. He was sure that it was extremely unusual for him to even give a second thought of a girl's opinion. In fact, he didn't believe they should have opinions, as they always caused argument anyway.

'Hah!' Blaise broke into unstoppable laughter again, causing Draco's brow to quiver in frustration. 'Draco, this is bloody hilarious, mate! The guy who wrote this is a bloody legend!'

---

Oh dear. That was a bit long, that was. Ah well, I hope it was... umm... attention-keeping. Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson next chapter, for Ginny. That means more Professor Northrop. Draco is currently... stuck behind a writers block. He'll get out soon.

zuvalupa – Thank you :) huggles Yeah, I thought so too. Except I do get paranoid that if I don't bring it in soon people are going to go 'oh stuff this fanfiction' :P

Anaili – The quill scene... is important ;) She was gone a long time however I'm not going to tell you why :P

Faint Hate – Amelia is supposed to be funny so I'm glad you like her. I guess she's just supposed to be silly. She's very clumsy and she's not the best at charms. Ah Cho... what a stupid stupid mistake I made.

jennifer – No, Amelia isn't a liar. She just likes to exaggerate things. Haha listen to me talking about the characters as if they're real...

Miss75 – I'm sorry it was short. But I guess this chapter makes up for it completely.

lily-evans – Oh don't put that pressure on me! :P No, it's okay. I hope my quidditch scene's not too bad. I personally hate it... but that's just me. There is a reason for the name of the story.

foxxyrodriguez – First of all, thank you for your constructive criticism. Hah well my storyline is original. What I have planned anyway. I can compliment myself on that. Stuck-up vulture? That made me laugh! Yes she is speaking about Voldemort. Now you can go and imagine Voldemort tap dancing tap tap tap. Well I can't do anything about the boomslang, then, can I? :P How is that clever? How can Amelia be clever making Ginny's eyes heavier? Thank you :)