Another very important chapter, hope you enjoy it
Chapter 17
The next quidditch match, Ravenclaw verses Slytherin was to happen over the weekend. After the disappearance of Dolohov last quidditch match the security was high and it seemed as though everyone was expecting something to happen…
"It'd be stupid to act now everyone's expecting it though," Sirius said as they found seats in the stands behind a gaggle of Ravenclaw supporters.
"Not necessarily…" Remus said thoughtfully. "If they want to create fear by this it's perfect."
Madam Opkins blew her whistle and the players soared into the air. "Wish you didn't have to be in second year to be on the team," James said jealously as Janet Eckles took possession of the quaffle and passed in on to Fred Lemerk.
Isaac Hubbert of Slytherin had just sent a bludger at Fred, narrowly missing him. Fred quickly passed the quaffle back to Janet who aimed at Slytherin sixth year Keeper Alan Nott's left goal post. Alan caught the quaffle easily and the match continued in a similar fashion until the score was thirty ten to Slytherin.
Eckles was back in possession of the quaffle, she was streaking over to the goal post, narrowly missing a bludger she chose to pass the red ball to fellow chaser Zoë Shakklebolt who caught it and threw it straight through the Slytherins' middle hoop. There was one problem though… Alan Nott wasn't there to stop it. In fact, he wasn't anywhere to be seen. A broomstick was hovering in mid air by the right goal post as though suspended there. Madam Opkins blew her whistle. What everyone feared had indeed happened and panic rose at once amongst the stands.
"Could everyone please go straight to your house common rooms." Professor McGonnagal's magnified voice bellowed. "Do not wander alone, go straight inside and remain in your common rooms for the time being."
"Let's go." Remus said but none of the students seemed too inclined to leave. Most of them were looking around frantically for Nott, some looking nervous, others excited and the close friends of Slytherin Alan Nott were close to hysterical.
"House common rooms. Now." Professor McGonnagal said again.
There was a great deal of noise as the students stood up and headed towards the castle. Sirius, James, Remus and Peter deliberately took a path close near where Dumbledore and McGonnagal were examining the broomstick.
"I don't understand what could have made it float there…" McGonnagal said quietly.
"Minerva, that is little concern of mine. We need to find this boy. That's two of our students so far… The ministry is already questioning me about it."
"You don't think a hurling hex was placed upon the broom do you?" McGonnagal said suddenly.
"We shall find out before long Minerva. But after we have registered the students I must write to the ministry. No doubt they will see the need to investigate matters."
Professor McGonnagal said nothing for a while then took out her purple microphone again. "Sturgis Podmore don't think I can't see you and Mr Judson hiding in the stands. Gryffindor common room, now. Potter, Black, Pettigrew and Lupin, go!"
The atmosphere of the Gryffindor common room had never been so tense. Some people were voicing feelings of sympathy for Nott while others were quoting 'at least it's a Slytherin.' After about ten minutes Professor McGonnagal arrived, looking slightly out of breath.
"There is no need for you to fear." She announced. "The ministry has arrived and the school is being thoroughly examined. I am here merely to warn you against the dangers you will be bound to face in the current danger of the wizarding world. Be prepared, be armed and be ready to fight when you need to. This… this is Gryffindor's greatest trait, bravery." She glanced around at them. "It is also my regret to inform you that all further quidditch matches this year are to be cancelled until its possible return in September. That is all." With that she swept from the common room leaving a rather confused crowd of Gryffindors.
Gradually one by one, the Gryffindors went up to bed leaving only a few in the common room by around midnight; James, Sirius, Peter and Remus amongst them. They had been talking about the events of the day. They were sitting sprawled in armchairs by the fire at ease until very suddenly there was a scream. Then more screams coming from the grounds. They hurried over to the window where there were already several other students peering out in awe.
"What's going on?" James asked a seventh year prefect.
"I have no idea," the prefect said slightly nervously thrusting open the window. Down on the grounds were people, teachers, waving their arms frantically, ministry members trying to restore calm and students, either hiding behind bushes or standing by the doors leading into the entrance hall, staring transfixed at the sky.
There was a powerful green light seeping across the sea of green beneath the window. The light was coming from the sky… Looking up in horror they saw a vast green skull, serpent creeping out of its mouth. It loomed high above them. There were several ministry members shouting spells at it and nothing happened until Dumbledore send a vast red jet of light into the air and the giant skull shattered into millions of tiny green pieces, which dissolved into the night sky like fireworks. Dumbledore's wand fell to the ground. He didn't pick it up, he remained standing, staring up at where the skull had been. His face was sunken and he was looking around despairingly "It's over." They heard him telling the closest ministry member. "Alan Nott has been killed."