CHAPTER EIGHT: THE WITCHES OF MONTMORENCY
"Silence!" Professor Snape's voice cut through the classroom. The room fell silent and Harry put down his stirring spoon. It had been a week since they had done the Revealing Potion, and after making the final touches the potion was supposed to be ready.
"By now," the Potions Master began, pacing back and forth along his desk, "the revealing potion should be completed and have gone through the required rest."
Harry looked at his and Dean's potion. Well it looked like it was meant to at least.
"A representative from each group will come forward with their potion for testing one at a time … we'll start with the front row. Miss Parkinson and Mr. Malfoy?"
Harry watched Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson squabble over who would test the potion, "Just do it Pansy stop being an idiot."
"I can't!" Pansy whispered furiously. "I took a potion this morning for my … just do it Draco!"
Pansy had gone bright red and Malfoy stood up with his potion, looking a little irritated. He placed it on Snape's desk as Snape pulled out a simple black knife with a sharp point. "Prick your finger Mr. Malfoy, one drop of blood into the potion will do."
Malfoy took up the knife easily and slit his finger without making a sound or showing any sign of discomfort. A drop of rich, red blood slid down the tip of Malfoy's pale finger and made a small splash into the potion. It began to sizzle as if it had just been over-boiled.
Snape raised his eyebrows, "Who knows what this means?"
Ernie Macmillan's hand flew into the air and Snape rolled his eyes, "It means that Malfoy has a spell on him! If he didn't there would be no change to the potion when the blood enters."
"Correct. And now we must wait a few minutes to find out what spell Mr. Malfoy is under. Most likely a simple protection or tracking spell from his parents. Miss Parkinson, be ready to look it up – the colour the potion turns will give it away."
Another four couples went up with their potions. Three proved negative, and one potion was done incorrectly – much to Professor Snape's anger. By the time Snape reached the back row, Malfoy's potion had finally taken on a colour. The previous clear potion was now an insipid, baby blue. Pansy Parkinson began flicking through her text book. Professor Snape had not noticed the change in the potion.
"Potter. Thomas. Quickly!"
"Are you gonna do it Harry?" Dean asked.
"Yeah alright," Harry said.
He walked up to Snape's desk at the front and took the knife from a cleansing water bowl. He looked away as he pricked his finger over his potion and kept in a hiss as it slit his skin. The blood fell down his finger and into the potion.
It sizzled.
"Of course," Harry heard Malfoy mutter nastily. He had moved back to his desk to help Pansy find the matching colour in their text book.
"I can't find the colour Professor," Pansy said frowning. "Can you have a look at the Potion and tell us what it is."
But Snape was busy with the two Ravenclaw girls who's Potion had just bubbled over because they had both put blood in it. "Go to the back room Miss Parkinson, there's a book on the bottom shelf entitled, Amors Coleres. Look in there! … You stupid girls! You single-celled twits!"
As Harry's Potion continued to sizzle away he began to feel a bit nauseous. There was a spell on him? Who had put it on? What was it? Hopefully it was just a protection spell that Dumbledore had put on, like Snape had suggested for Malfoy.
Harry looked down at his potion, concerned. It began to change colour to ... insipid, baby blue. "Shit," Harry said softly. He was under the same spell as Malfoy. Whatever it was.
Professor Snape pounced, "Five points from-" Snape looked down at Harry's potion and grimaced. He then looked over at Malfoy's.
"Parkinson!" Snape snapped. "Give me that book! It's just a protection spell."
"No it's not sir! I just found the blue section. They're memory spells!" she said.
"I do believe I am the potion's master here. Give me that book! Now!" Snape bellowed.
"But here are the light blues! Oh no, Draco! The light blues are obliviating spells!"
The strongest kind of memory charms. Harry gulped and Snape pulled out his wand at Pansy but Malfoy marched forward, "Give me that book!" He snatched it out of Pansy's hands.
"Mr. Malfoy if you do not give me that book this instance-"
Malfoy slammed the book shut and threw it on the table. He looked at Harry with disdain. "Well what do you know Potter, we do have something in common. We've both been Stalwart Obliviated."
"The Cow was right to be concerned," Hermione said to Harry, referring to Pansy Parkinson in a hushed voice over dinner in the Great Hall.
The news that both Harry and Malfoy were under the same memory spell had spread like wildfire and the whole school now knew. Harry refused to look at the Slytherin table.
"The obliviation spell is shocking as it is … I mean it's not like those little ones … obliviation erases your entire memory. Remember Lockhart?" Hermione said.
"But Harry's mind isn't mash like Lockhart's is?" Ron said.
"No … it's arguably worse than that. Because unlike a normal obliviation spell, the Stalwart Obliviation spell is specifically used to erase one thing. A memory of a certain person or a certain incident or even a certain period in your life. It means that you walk around in ignorance of something that was once a very important part of your life … possibly. And ignorance is so dangerous. But, if your mind is completely obliviated, over time it can be repaired. In a couple of years Lockhart will probably be alright. Stalwart is incredibly difficult to perform too, so whoever did it was definitely powerful. And I mean powerful … I mean as powerful as Dumbledore. Anyone can scream obliviate and mess up a mind."
"But no one is as powerful as Dumbledore!" Ron said.
"Exactly. So whoever did the spell to you Harry …"
"Probably did it to Malfoy as well," Harry said. "At about the same time, even. I'd guess?"
"And …" Hermione sighed.
"It was probably Dumbledore. You're right. It would've happened ages ago otherwise one of you would've noticed that I'd forgotten something. And no one knew where I was except for him," Harry said.
"You're wrong," Ron shook his head.
"Look Ron," Hermione began. "All the evidence-"
"No Hermione! I mean Harry's wrong about no one knowing where he was when he was with his Uncle and Aunt."
"Well who else knew?" Hermione asked.
A cold wave of dread ran through Harry, "The attempted kidnapping…"
"Exactly. Don't know about this "attempted" stuff either. I think it might've worked and that's what was obliviated from your mind – the time with your kidnapper so you wouldn't remember! The kidnapper must still be out there … and I think we know who it is." Ron looked over at Malfoy. "Lucius Malfoy must've!"
"But if it was Lucius Malfoy, why would Dumbledore obliviate Draco?" Harry asked.
"I dunno," Ron said. "Maybe he was worried he'd say something? Little kids have loose tongues."
"Maybe…" said Harry. "What do you think Hermione?"
"I don't know Harry," said Hermione. "I don't think Lucius Malfoy would be bothered to steal you without Voldemort's support – but who knows? I think you need to speak with Dumbledore and Ron and I will look up stuff about this spell."
"We can't!" Ron said.
"Why not?" Hermione asked.
"We're leaving for the Quidditch Tournament tomorrow morning!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fine!" she snapped. "I'll look it up, and you can speak to Dumbledore when you get back Harry."
Harry did not sleep well that night. He had been kidnapped. He didn't know how he knew it was true, but he was positive that it was. He felt a bit dirty at the idea. Contaminated. And the longer he spent thinking about it the more he was sure it was true. At one stage, very early in the morning when straining his mind to remember something … anything … an image flew into his head. A clock. A big grandfather clock with inscriptions that he couldn't read because it was in a different language. He was looking up at it with awe and a little fear.
Harry sat up quickly. He had seen that clock recently. He knew he had he just couldn't remember where. At that exact moment Ron let out a huge honking snore and directly after, Harry's alarm clock began bleeping and Harry watched as Ron fell out of bed in shock.
Ron's eyes flew open. He looked over to Harry from the floor and gave him a big grin. "Ready for some Quidditch?"
Harry laughed and pulled the covers off – his mind temporarily distracted.
They dressed quickly and pulled out their overnight bags which they had packed the previous night. They went down to breakfast and saw the rest of the team there waiting. They were taking the Hogwarts Express to London and then Ministry cars from Kings Cross. Everyone was very excited. Except for Malfoy who skulked near Miss Snape and didn't say a word.
Their supervision came in the form of Miss Snape, Madam Hooch (who would also be umpiring), Kingsley Shacklebolt and a Vietnamese woman whom Harry had never met, but guessed must be an Auror too. To everybody but Harry and Ron, this seemed a little severe. Two Aurors? But the protection was necessary if Harry was to play in the tournament. On top of this, Harry was positive he heard the laugh of the German Brethren woman in the bushes.
They all climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express and Kingsley Shacklebolt winked at Harry when he passed. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Katie Bell all went in the same carriage and sat down together.
"This is going to be so much fun! A whole weekend of Quidditch and no homework!" Katie exclaimed.
"I know! I hope we win! I heard Miss Snape saying something about Morocco if we win!" Ginny piped up.
"Morocco?" Ron said. "Hermione will be green!"
"It'll be good to meet other wizards our age too," said Harry.
"Hmm … gotta be careful with that actually," Katie said.
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Well, the other schools are a lot smaller than Hogwarts. More exclusive too … the other schools in Britain are mainly for the families who don't want to send their kids to Hogwarts. And we all know what kind of people wish they weren't at Hogwarts."
"Slytherins," Ron said nodding his head knowingly. "Of course, there are some parents who just don't want their kids going to co-ed schools. So they send them to one of the private schools."
"And the very religious too," said Ginny. "Catholic and Protestant schools tend to keep to themselves. There are only a couple of them."
"How many schools are there in Britain all up?" asked Harry.
"Hmm … about forty," said Katie. "But some only have like, fifty students. Hogwarts is the biggest by far."
"How big is the place we're going to? How big is Montmorency Secondary College for Witches?" asked Harry.
"About a quarter of the size of Hogwarts … about two hundred students. Their brother school, Desmond School for Wizards has about one hundred," said Katie. "But they have really good facilities. It's a rich kid's school."
"Oh," said Harry. "How do you know all this?"
"My brother works in the Education Department at the Ministry."
"Fair enough. I need to go to the loos, be back in a sec," Harry got up and walked out of the train apartment.
He walked down the apartments towards the toilets. Miss Snape was standing at the door to one of the back apartments talking to Shacklebolt who was having trouble keeping his eyes on Miss Snape's face. She had worn a low cut top today. Harry smirked and wondered if that was Miss Snape's design. She didn't seem the flirty type though.
Before he reached Miss Snape he came across Malfoy who was sitting in an apartment by himself, looking out at the rapidly changing scenery. He looked tired and worn out. Harry wasn't sure what possessed him, but he opened the door. Malfoy didn't look up, "Salima, I told you I don't want to talk about-" he turned around to see Harry. "Oh," Malfoy's face quickly pulled up its usual stony hardness.
"Hi … um … how are you?" Harry tried.
Malfoy raised his eyebrows mockingly. "Don't make small chit-chat with me Potter; we're way beyond that communal, cordial, crap. If you want to talk about the Revealing Potion just come out and say it."
Harry had not come in with the Revealing Potion in mind. But now that he was here, it seemed like a good idea … and a good excuse for his niceties. He sat down opposite Malfoy and felt his adverse companion's eyes on him the whole time. "Yeah alright," said Harry.
Malfoy was the embodiment of intimidation. He didn't need to be saying anything or doing anything and one still felt threatened.
"Well Potter," Malfoy said his face still stony and expressionless. "Have any theories?"
"Um…" said Harry. He didn't think Ron's idea that Lucius Malfoy was behind it would go down well, and he didn't wish to explain the whole kidnapping issue to him. "I think it might have been Dumbledore."
Malfoy looked surprised. "Perhaps. Do you think they're connected?"
"What's connected?" Harry asked.
Malfoy rolled his eyes, "The fact we've both been Stalwarted you imbecile."
"Oh," Harry flushed. "Hermione thinks so…"
"What do you think?" Malfoy asked, smirking.
Harry looked up at Malfoy, his temper running short. Malfoy clearly knew something Harry didn't. "Why don't you tell me what you think?"
Malfoy looked down, "Well the Mudblood's more likely to be right than you or the Weasel."
"Don't. Call. Them. That."
Malfoy looked up, amused. "Well what are they then?"
"They're people. Better people than you'll ever be."
"Spoken like a true, ignorant Gryffindor," Malfoy drawled. "Now get out, I have reading to do."
"Why are you like that," Harry asked.
"Like what Potter?"
"Vindictive. Tell me does it get lonely up on that very prestigious mantle that is reserved for assholes and bigots? How does it feel to not feel?"
Malfoy's face twisted in fury, "Don't you dare act like you know me. You know nothing about me."
"I know everything about you Malfoy," Harry said. He was goading Malfoy, he wasn't sure why, but it was proving successful – Malfoy was turning a pale shade of green. "You're arrogant. You're rude. You're selfish. You care more about your own hide than-"
Before Harry knew what was happening Malfoy walked out on him and headed up the carriage. "What are you … ? Don't walk away from me Malfoy!"
Malfoy kept stalking up the carriage towards the toilets. Miss Snape saw Malfoy, "Draco darling, what's wrong?" But Malfoy kept walking into the male toilets. Harry chased after him. "Harry! What's going on?" Miss Snape persisted. But he ran in after Malfoy and closed the door behind him. Malfoy had run into one of two cubicles and by the sound of it – was being dreadfully sick. Harry opened the door and saw Malfoy's white hands shaking in front of him as the toilet flushed. He was ghostly pale. Harry was shocked. They'd been throwing cutting remarks at each other for years and Malfoy had never seemed to care before.
"Shit Malfoy, what's wrong?" Malfoy said nothing. "Malfoy I'm sorry about what I-"
"No you're not," Malfoy muttered.
Well, no. He wasn't.
"What's going on? Why are you sick?" Harry asked.
"He's calling me," Malfoy said in a small voice.
"Voldemort?" Harry said. "I'll get Miss Snape-"
"Don't bother Potter, she can't stop it."
Harry squatted down, "H-how long has this been going on?"
"Since Father got out of Azkaban."
Harry sat down. "How long will it last?"
"You're a fickle swine, aren't you?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"One minute you're yelling at me the next you're attempting to comfort me in a train shit box 'cause for once we're on the same page with who the enemy is."
Harry said nothing.
"Or maybe," Malfoy said quietly, still very pale. "You really do have a hero-complex."
Still, Harry said nothing. They both just sat there. Malfoy looking straight ahead, trying to control his jagged breathing and Harry – just there.
"An hour or so," Malfoy said quietly.
"Pardon?"
"That's how long it will last. But it's not so bad after a few minutes."
"Doe-does the … tattoo hurt?" Harry asked tentatively.
"Not as much as when it got put on. Absolutely fabulous day was that one."
"I'll bet," said Harry. He fidgeted with his hands nervously.
"What?" asked Malfoy.
"Nothing," Harry said quickly.
"You're twittering away like mad, what do you want to ask me?"
"I'm not twittering!" declared Harry.
"Right-o."
"I mean … I just wanted to … didyouwanttheDarkMark?"
Harry expected Malfoy to go off again, but the complete opposite happened. He turned to Harry his face not kind, but for once, not cruel. "No one really wants it," he said in a small voice, very unlike what Harry was used to. "Bit ironic really. The Dark Lord gave me the most rearing speech I'd ever heard about how strong I was for taking the mark … but I took it out of weakness. Because I was scared of what they'd do if I said no."
"What would they do?" Harry asked.
Malfoy looked away from Harry. "He'd make me join him."
"Through Imperious?"
"No. Too much effort. Not enough fun."
"How?"
He looked back at Harry, "What's it like living in the muggle world?"
Harry frowned, "It depends. I didn't have it so great but there are plenty of muggles out there who are as happy as Larry."
"Did they really lock you in a closet?"
Harry looked down and nodded slowly.
"Don't blame them I would too," Malfoy said this with a smile in his voice.
"We're all the same and no one knows it," said Harry.
"I wouldn't say that," Malfoy said. "But I guess we aren't as different to the muggles as we thought."
Harry nodded his head again, "They have guns-"
"We have wands," said Malfoy.
"They have soccer."
"We have Quidditch."
"They have cars."
"We have Portkeys."
"There are billions of them."
"There are … thousands of us."
"If Voldemort wins, do you think he'll stop with the wizarding world?" asked Harry.
"Not a chance," said Malfoy.
Harry sighed and they sat in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until the bathroom door suddenly swung open. It was Ron.
"Harry! Where've you been! You must've taken the biggest dump in-" Ron saw Harry on the floor with Malfoy. "What's goin' on!" He ran forward and pulled Harry to his feet and pulled his wand out on Malfoy. "What are you doing to him!"
"Ron!" Harry snatched his wand out of his hand. "Malfoy was sick."
"Oh," Ron looked down at him suspiciously. "What are you sick from?"
Malfoy leapt to his feet. He was still a bit pale (by his standards) but there was more colour in him now. "Weasels," he spat out viciously and marched through the door without a backward glance.
"Bastard!" Ron exclaimed. "God, I need to go to the toilet."
Harry laughed, "Then go, I'll meet you at the front apartment with the girls."
"Okay."
Harry walked out into the main carriage hall and found a wand in his face. Malfoy's wand.
"Who's fickle now?" Harry joked.
"If you tell anyone that we had a conversation that didn't end with blood-shed, I'll hex the fucking shit out of you."
"What?" said Harry. "And have people think I don't despise you? Wouldn't dream of it."
Malfoy lowered his wand and looked at him earnestly. Harry was confused.
"Harry," Malfoy said. "Don't try and save me."
Montmorency was not what Harry had expected. He had been expecting a smaller version of Hogwarts. But the building itself was about the same size as Hogwarts Castle. And modern. Some one had put a lot of effort into it. The building had a spell on it much like Grimmauld Place did – but not quite as severe. It was amazing watching it come out from in-between a pizza and clothing shop.
"If there are only two hundred kids," Andrew Kirke said. "Why do they need such a bloody great building?"
"Rich kids, Kirke," Miss Snape said. "C'mon it's getting dark."
They walked up the steps and into an enormous carpeted entrance. A woman who reminded Harry of Rita Skeeter sat behind a huge desk. Miss Snape approached her and they began talking.
"This joint is nice," commented Ron.
Harry looked on the wall at the pictures directly closest to him. Pictures of the Head Girl and Prefects were there.
Katie followed Harry's gaze. "I know her!" Katie exclaimed.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"The Head Girl, Melanie Baird. Her father works in the Litigating Department. She's a right bitch."
Harry laughed and looked at three prefects below Head Girl Melanie Baird of Darebin House. There was Prefect Natalie Morgan of Yarra House, Prefect Amellia Fitzsimons of Plenty House and Prefect Leah Kernahan of Diamond House.
"That's Tony Kernahan's daughter," Katie said pointing at the picture of the white-blonde headed Leah. "She's pretty," Katie commented absent mindedly.
"Tony Kernahan? You mean that guy running for Minister of Magic?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I heard she went here."
"Whoa!" said Andrew Kirke coming up from behind them. "She's hot! Hope she's on their Quidditch Team."
"She is Kirke," Miss Snape said from behind them, holding up a list of all the players. "She's their captain. And Katie, you're ours."
Katie beamed.
"Who do we play first Miss Snape?" Ginny asked.
"Xavier at 10.30am. They've given us directions to the dining room, c'mon; the other schools are already here."
They followed Miss Snape down the hallways. In Hogwarts halls you'll find suits of armor and countless paintings. In Montmorency, there were trophies and academic achievements from various students over the walls.
"So you know," Miss Snape said while they were walking. "We have been assigned a certain area of the castle for sleeping. And that area, along with the Dining Room and Quidditch Area is the only place we are permitted. Please do not go anywhere else or we may be disqualified from the competition."
"That's a little harsh," said Terry Boot.
"It's their school, their rules." Miss Snape stopped outside two large white doors with gold knockers. "No talking, no whispering, eat quietly, if you don't like something for God sake don't spit it out. Eat it anyway. These people are the epitome of class and refinery and verbal cruelty. Be careful; remember what we're here for."
Ron nodded, "Kicking ass."
"Yes Mr. Weasley," Miss Snape said. "Before we sit down, a student will be required to make a short welcoming speech – Monty style." Miss Snape looked over at Malfoy.
Malfoy rolled his eyes, "Whatever."
Miss Snape turned away and opened the doors. Harry gasped as they slowly walked in. The floor was white marble and the walls were like a giant wooden tapestry. In a word - beautiful. The set up was the same as Hogwarts with the staff at the front and the four house tables alongside each other. Each table had been glazed their respective house colour. The only room left was at the blue table. No one was making a sound. In fact, Harry wondered if anyone was even breathing. Miss Snape stepped forward and Harry noticed she was the only teacher or Auror that had come into the hall from their group. She walked to the front and took a seat at the remaining spot on the staff table. Once seated, every eye in the room turned back to them. Most eyes of which, were on Harry. Malfoy stepped forward and muttered softly to the group, "Follow me and don't sit down 'till I've finished talking."
They followed Malfoy as he walked towards the blue table with his usual arrogant air, once all were standing in front of a spot on the table Malfoy stepped out from them slightly, "We give thanks to Headmistress Baxter," Malfoy began in his fluent, but disdainful voice. "For allowing us a temporary home in your fine school. We hope to not inconvenience you, and wish Montmorency Quidditch Team the best of luck for the tournament tomorrow. I, Draco Malfoy, speak on behalf of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when I say we are most grateful for your kindness." With that Malfoy gave a little bow.
Harry had never heard such crap in his life and when he looked over at Miss Snape he could see her stifling a snicker. But Headmistress Baxter, a stern looking woman with wild red hair looked pleased and nodded her head. Malfoy sat down and the rest of the team followed suit. Headmistress Baxter stood up from her chair which reminded Harry of the ones he'd seen royalty sitting in at crowning ceremonies.
"Thank you Hogwarts," came the raspy voice of the Headmistress. "And thank you again to all the other schools for their kind words. And now, we eat."
The grand doors swung open and house-elves with white tea cosies on came out holding trays of the finest food Harry had ever seen. And it all looked disgusting. Still, no one spoke.
Harry looked over to Ron and Ron looked side to side, checking to see if anyone was looking at him. He lifted his hand up to head and mouthed 'crazy' while spinning his finger around his temple.
Harry nodded his head in agreement and eyed the food … eh, maybe I'll stick to the bread.
"This is a really nice pitch," said third-year Nathan Frost.
"Look at all the room around it," said Terry Boot. "You could fit another two pitches!"
"Yeah, but those other grass areas are used as recreation spots for the students. They don't have a lake or a forest or anything," said Miss Snape.
The grass on the Quidditch Pitch was perfect length, perfect hardness and a healthy green colour. The stands were set up differently to the way Hogwarts was. There were two house stands on the left, and two on the right.
Harry looked at the house tapestries on their respective stands. Darebin House was red and what looked like a Grindylow on their flag. Plenty House was green and they had a crocodile. Harry thought both of these animals seemed like very odd choices.
On the other side of the stands was Yarra House who was yellow and they had a great big black bat on their flag. And the last house was Diamond, and they had … Harry gasped … a Thestral?
"Hey look at that flag!" Harry said. "Their House animal is a Thestral!"
"Okay that's just freaky," said Katie.
"I reckon," said Ron.
"Okay everyone," said Miss Snape. "We have to go up to the stands, we don't play until 10.30. The first game is at 9.00, Montmorency and Desmond." Miss Snape led them up to the Plenty stands. Coming out from that entrance was the Montmorency Quidditch Team. Miss Snape kept walking but everyone else stopped, intrigued. They wore black robes with the school crest on the left breast. The all-girl team was separated in little groups, and the first three girls came towards them first.
"Hey Casey," said one of the girls holding a firebolt. "I'll give you twenty Galleons if you knock three people off their brooms by the end of the match. And I mean knocked off … I want flat faced on the ground."
"Can do," said a dark haired girl smiling.
"You're a psycho Casey," said a girl that Harry recognised as the Plenty Prefect. "You shouldn't encourage her Kate."
Kate snorted, "Please, Desmond can't play Quidditch for shit. We'll need some form of entertainment." All three girls laughed at this and walked past them without even looking their way. Then two more girls approached them.
"You're wrong Kristin!" a red headed girl said sounding very frustrated. Harry recognised this girl too, as the Yarra House prefect. She had a beater club in her hand and so did the girl with her.
"Oh big surprise, you think I'm wrong," said the girl that could only be Kristin. "Leave me alone and go deduct some house points or something, Nat."
"You're so rude," Natalie Morgan said. "I'm not letting you copy my Potions homework."
"Well you're not copying my Defense Against the Dark Arts homework."
They both stood stock still their hands on their hips, staring at each other. Then Kristin looked side to side, "Do you think we could get some dip and bikkies before we start?"
"Probably," said Natalie. "Let's go now."
And they walked off as if they hadn't even been fighting.
The remaining girls came towards them, "Where they going, we start in ten minutes?"
"I'm not sure – oi Leah," shouted one of the girls. Leah Kernahan came running up to them. "Isn't that your Dad? What's he doing here?"
"He likes watching me play," said Leah. And at last they were spotted. "Oh," said Leah. "You're the Hogwarts team, right?"
"Yeah," said Ginny.
"We heard you've got a good team," said Leah. "We look forward to playing you guys if you win your pool, good luck."
"Thanks," said Ginny.
Leah looked at the rest of their team waiting for them say something. But the girls were looking at them a little suspiciously and the boys all had their mouths wide open.
"Are you a Veela?" Ron asked all of sudden.
The girls behind Leah erupted into laughter and Leah went a little red. "No … um …"
Harry thought this was a good question actually. He was thinking along the same lines. Leah was very pretty.
The girls behind Leah were practically on the ground now and Ron's ears looked like they'd been baking in the sun for three weeks.
"We need to go now, good luck with tournament," said Leah, and she lead the rest of her team off who were still in hysterics.
"Well that was bit rude," said Katie.
"Where's Miss Snape?" Ginny asked.
"She's already up the top, let's go."
Montmorency annihilated Desmond in fifteen minutes. Leah, who was the seeker, was a good flier and she caught the snitch very quickly. The girl Kate lost twenty Galleons as well; three boys had been brutally knocked off their brooms and fallen at least sixty feet to the ground by the black-haired chaser. But Harry was most impressed with the two biscuit-eating beaters. They kept all the Desmond players away from their chasers for the entire game and the Desmond beaters didn't even touch the bludgers.
As a result of the quick defeat, their match had been pushed forward to 10.00 and they were coming out of the change rooms in their Quidditch robes. The robes were grey and had the Hogwarts coat of arms on their left breast.
"Alright guys," said Miss Snape. "No pressure or anything, but if you don't win I'm not bringing you back to Hogwarts and you'll have to finish your education here."
"Oh God, please don't," said Terry Boot. "I mean, it looks nice but it's like being in Gringotts or something."
Miss Snape laughed, "There's nothing to worry about. You're the best team."
"I dunno, Montmorency were reall- oh yeah, best team here are we … whoo hoo!" said Zacharias Smith to many glares.
"Alright, get out there and kick some Xavier buttocks."
They walked out on to the pitch, except for the reserves that stayed in the bunker with Miss Snape.
"Melanie Baird here and welcome to the second match of the tournament," said the voice over. "A bit chilly but otherwise good Quidditch conditions. And now we have Hogwarts and Xavier, and the players are …"
Melanie Baird read out the players names for Xavier and Harry looked up at the stands to the crowd. The entire school was out watching, as well as the other teams. Harry was nervous.
"Potter," Harry looked behind him and saw Malfoy looking at him. "Watch out for your opponent. Bradley Scott his name is. He's a fag. He'll try and put you off by feeling you up and stuff."
Harry choked, "You're kidding right?"
Malfoy laughed, "No."
"How do you know?"
"He's tried it on me a few times. Old family friends. I don't invite him over anymore. I'd like to think I'm a tolerant person but I draw the line at molestation." Malfoy smirked.
"You? Tolerant?""
Malfoy put his hand over his heart dramatically, "You cut me."
"And the Hogwarts team is," said Melanie Baird. "Captain and chaser, Katie Bell. Chasers Terry Boot and Draco Malfoy. Beaters, Raymond Weiners and Grace Buchanan. Keeper, Nathan Frost and seeker, Harry Potter. Reserves are Zacharias Smith, Andrew Kirke, Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley. And we're just about to start, folks."
Harry eyed Bradley Scott who was smirking at him lustfully. This was going to be a long match.
A/N: Apologies all 'round for the very late chapter. We had serious computer issues … over five thousand viruses. This chapter isn't actually finished, but some of my darling reviewers were getting distressed so I decided to post it anyway. Review my lovelies!
Thanks to Charcoal, MinorMistake99, rainingslash, GavinChaos, Jennifer Hollis, trombonechica, sswimmygurl, Gosse, RobbieManda, kakite, fhippogriff, Nattles, prttyinpnk and sirius009.
