Year six: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Price
By: Fred and George Weasley are MY Kings
Chapter 9: Quidditch in October
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!
FIRSTLY REVIEWS:
Benwa: Sorry about the price of the Bindlstrike…I'll admit was a stupid mistake. I think I corrected myself in the other chapters, so at least I caught it. Secondly I am a chick, and hoped you like the story regardless of the money issue. As far as comparing galleons to pounds… that didn't really work for me considering I'm American, and couldn't even honestly say that I have seen a pound much less know how much their worth. Thanks for reviewing!
Slayer of the evil penguins: Thanks for reviewing! You rock.
Chapter 9: Quidditch in October
Harry, however, did not go back to Potions class. Instead, he looked through Sirius's scrapbook. He found himself smiling as he scanned through the pictures and felt closer to Sirius than he had since his death last year. He was a bit surprised that Sirius left him this, but it was a pleasant surprise. Inside the scrapbook there was a letter from Sirius. It read:
Dear Harry,
I left this for you and you only in my will, so if you are reading this I am gone, for whatever reason. I realize that this must be hard on you no matter what the circumstances may have been surrounding my death, but just know that I am probably better off then I am now, wasting away in the very place I hate. Its hell, this old house with my mother's constant shrieking and Kreacher's mumbling… I probably wouldn't have come out sane if I had been put through it much longer. I decided to leave this for you the night you came via floo powder to ask Lupin and I about your father.
Tonight when you asked about James, it made me realize just how much you really never saw of James or Lily, and it's such a terrible loss. They were two of the best people that ever lived and don't let any filthy scum like Snape tell you any different. I filled out this shellpensive, it's a pensive on paper, with the best memories I had of your father and mother, and a few funny ones just about Hogwarts in general. I hope you'll look at them and enjoy yourself.
For whatever reason I died, I know that your going to be crushed and either assume the blame or blame it upon someone else. As long as I died doing something brave and great, I really don't give a rat's arse whom is put to blame if any is fairly taken or given. It's depressing just writing this letter, but I don't think death will be all that bad. The worst of it will be not watching over you, Ron and Hermione. Hopefully by the time you receive this, Voldemort is already dead and you are already married with kids. But if this is not the case, please know Harry that I truly did love you like my own son. You were James and Lily's son, and I never once forgot it, but to me you were more than just a Godson.
Well I have to go quickly update my will and leave it so that you receive this. I know it isn't much, but it really is all I have left to offer. The key to my vault in Gringotts is in the back of the book. There isn't much in there, either…but there may be a few things of interest that cannot be safely listed in this letter, since I do not know who's hands it will fall into first. Harry, please be careful, and do not blame anyone, including yourself, for my death. Remember, we cannot control what happens to us in life, but we can always control how we react. Take care, and visit the Gringotts safe.
Padfoot
Harry felt himself feeling quite relieved. He had wanted so badly to just talk to Sirius one last time and felt like this, even though Harry had no way of responding, was his wish. Harry was also slightly intrigued at the contents of Sirius vault at Gringotts, but had no idea when he would next get the opportunity to get there especially considering that the Goblins were no longer there. He quickly found the Gringotts safe key and what he presumed to be the shellpensive in the very back of Sirius's scrapbook. The shellpensive was a dark purple, the color of regal royality and was blank. It appeared to be somewhat pasted on the back cover of the scrapbook, meaning Harry only could see one side. He anxiously glanced at his watch, found that he had about five minutes before classes ended for the day, and decided against looking into Sirius's shell pensive. He stood, put the vault key back into the scrapbook, took the book up to his dormitory, and put in his trunk.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
The month of October began with gusting winds and rainstorms, and continued throughout the week, much to Ron and Harry's disgust who both had quidditch practice nearly every evening. Quittditch tryouts were to be held the next week, and Ginny was seen at the breakfast table obsessing over whether or not the weather would continue. "I'll never have a chance if it raining!" she exclaimed when Harry had tried to assure her that she would do fine.
Harry then continued eating, while Ron muttered, "You just can't talk to her when she gets like this." Harry smirked as he watched her nervously eat her food. He couldn't believe she was so worked up when the tryouts were still a week away. Harry was distracted by his thoughts as the owl post began to be delivered. Ginny received a letter, as Hermione got another issue of the Daily Prophet.
"Great it's from mum," Ginny said sarcastically as she tore the letter open and began reading. Harry chuckled at her tone. "Well, really she sends me post about nearly every three days… I like hearing from her and all but really it's too much." Ginny stated after she noticed Harry's chuckle. Ron, however, turned his attention to Hermione's post rather than his sister's. "Anything good in the Prophet?" He asked her as he poured himself more pumpkin juice.
"No, not really. Just some news about Gringotts and people not being able to retrieve their savings."
Harry listened disappointed. He really needed to get into Sirius's vault still. He hadn't told Ron and Hermione about his and Dumbledore's chat and found himself not really wanting to. He still trusted his friends with his life, but he felt as if Sirius's letter and scrapbook were just too personal. Neville had walked in earlier in the week and found Harry in the dormitory just as he was about to enter a memory. Harry, through quite an odd turn of events, ended up showing Neville a picture of his parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, back in their school days. Neville had been really touched that Harry offered to give him the picture. Neville excitedly took it and thanked Harry countless times.
Harry was jerked back into reality as Colin Creevy sat down beside him. Normally, Harry would've made an excuse to leave immediately, but this year Colin had seemed indifferent to Harry. In fact, he had approached Harry the same day Harry had received Sirius's scrapbook and apologize for being 'a stupid git.' Harry was pleasant, and ever since he and Colin had gotten long great. "Hey, everyone. Did you hear about Draco Malfoy's broom accident?" Colin asked everyone has he helped himself to some food.
Ginny looked up from her letter and responded with, "No, what happened?" Her voice was higher than normal and her ears were a bright pink. It seemed as though everyone's attention was now focused on Colin. He seemed unaware of this as he said, "Well, it was really crazy. I saw it, you know. Well that new broom he has, the Bindlstrike… It went biserk! They were at Quidditch practice, and well he feel about two hundred feet. I am not sure how he is." Colin finished and Ginny stood and left, Ron's eyes following her. "If she is going to the hospital wing…" Ron muttered under his breath to Harry as everyone else was questioning Colin.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Tryout (for both the beater position and one chaser position) night quickly approached and before anyone knew it the night had arrived. Harry and Ron had both helped Ginny practice, and both thought Ginny stood a great chance at making the team. The weather had greatly improved, and so had Ginny's nerves as she began to gain some confidence in her abilities.
Harry and Ron both arrived on time, knowing they'd catch hell fromKatie if they didn't. The turn out of Gryffindors was amazing. Harry had no idea how many people were interested in the Beater positions. The most shocking applicant for the position was Lavender Brown. Harry had no idea she was even interested in Quidditch, and couldn't help thinking she wasn't the type. In fact, Harry even voiced his opinion about this to her and she replied, "Well, I guess I am full of surprises then… I have always loved quidditch, but only wanted to be the Beater position… Since Fred and George were so great at it I never thought I would get a chance to even prove myself, but I guess we'll see now. I am so excited. I'll absolutely die if any of those second years beat me out."
Probably even more shocking than Lavender trying out, was the fact that she was very good. Lavender was fast and could swing the bat with force that Harry didn't even know she had. Ginny's tryout was great as well.Elizabeth Conners, a fourth year,was also very comparable to Lavender; both were fast, light, and able toveer the bludgers off to different paths with mighty force. Lavender andElizabeth were easily the best two, so it came to nobody's surprise when they were selected for the team Beaters
Chaser was another matter completely. There were about five or six that tried out and most happened to be about fourth and fifth years. There were only about two who had any talent: Frank Conners (who was Elizabeth Conner's brother) and Ginny. They easily made the team. Needless to say, Ginny was radiant by the end of the night.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Harry was looking forward to the game versus Ravenclaw, but his good spirits were always dragged down whenever Mondays came around, for Mondays meant Potion class. This Monday was no different and as Harry entered the classroom he felt Professor Snape's loathing eyes fix on him. Harry had felt sorry for Snape before in the previous year, but now Harry felt only hatred. It was Snape who had stopped teaching him Occulmency, which could have prevented Sirius's death. But what got Harry even more upset was that Snape seemed to feel no guilt or remorse for his own actions. Snape disgusted Harry. Harry was now going to start practicing Occulmency next week with Professor Hall.
"You will be making cheering potion today. This is a highly dangerous potion and may cause an explosion if improperly prepared. You have been warned... begin. It must be finished by the end of the hour," Snape said as class began.
Harry quickly turned to his notes where he had recorded the ingredients for the cheering potion, which was a mood-altering potion, the previous class period. Harry began to add his measurements carefully following each instructions and trying to ignore Snape who was peering over his shoulder. In the silence of the room only the cauldrons bubbling could be heard. Harry had decided early on that he was going to spite Snape by merely making no mistakes and Harry had to admit that he was doing a splendid job of it. Let's see him give bad marks this year, the arse, Harry thought arrogantly as he added perfectly chopped Liverpool to his cauldron.
After many explosions had erupted near the front of the room, Harry gathered up his potion in his flask and set it on Snape's desk with a blank look. "Mr. Potter, it seems you can actually brew potions. Great achievement after five years of fruitless practicing," Snape said with a sneer. Malfoy, who was standing behind Harry, snickered along with his fellow Slytherin cronies. Harry noticed that Blaise Zabbini and Pansy Parkinson didn't join in like they normally did. Harry didn't care. Snape was going to learn very quickly that Harry had also learned other things in the five years of "fruitless" practicing.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
With the Quidditch match the next day, Harry quickly went down to the library to finish up his Protection and Use of magic homework and found Luna in there like normal. "Hey, Luna" he said as he greeted her and sat down.
"Hello," she replied as she looked up and smiled. He still hadn't said anything about her family's death but Harry knew somehow that she knew he knew about it.
"Listen, I …err… heard about your dad, cousin, and grandma and I am really sorry about it." Harry said awkwardly.
Luna just nodded and looked as though she was about to cry and Harry instinctively put his hand on her hand without even thinking. "You'll see them again, remember the veil, Luna?" He said, hoping to give her the same comfort she had given him when Sirius died. Luna again just nodded and seemed to regain her composure. "I just don't know why he killed them, why?" she asked desperately looking up at Harry.
"I don't know… but we are going to find out. Me, Ron, and Hermione… we think it connects to a dream that I had. We think… We know Voldemort had a reason for attacking, and we are going to find out why."
Luna looked at him, slightly confused but didn't ask any questions. She seemed to brighten up and the tears vanished from her eyes. Instead she looked down at where Harry's hand was still resting on hers and flushed. Harry lifted it up fast, realizing what he was doing and also flushed. Harry heard a chuckle to his left to see Blaise Zabbini smiling at him and Luna, obvious aware of what had just taken place. She gave them a small wave, which Harry and Luna returned.
"Oh, great," Luna muttered.
"What?" Harry asked.
"She is going to be relentless." Luna said cheering up a bit more.
"What do you mean?"
"Blaise… I can't wait to hear her poke fun at me," Luna said as she stuck a tongue out at Blaise who returned the gesture.
"I didn't know you two were friends," Harry said in wonderment.
"Yup, she's pretty cool. Even if she is a Slytherin." Harry stopped and wondered…Did Luna and Blaise being friends have anything to do with Blaise not joining in with the Slytherins at laughing at him in Potions?
"So are you ready to lose to Ravenclaw tomorrow?" Luna asked playfully, back to herself.
"Oh just you wait and see! We are going to kill ravenclaw. I thought you supported Gryffindor."
"That was last year… things have changed," Harry understood all to well. Things HAD changed. "Besides John Aaroen a great player."
"Is that the great first year?"
"Yup. Everyone can't wait till you two come head to head… You're both like the only two people to play as first years inabout fifty years."
"Well, like I said, we'll see tomorrow." Harry said with a smile.
"Well you might. I am not planning on going."
"What? Why not?"
"Don't feel like it." Luna shrugged. Harry couldn't help feel disappointed, why he was so disappointed, he couldn't tell you.
"Well, I think you should," Harry said as he set his homework up.
"We'll see," Luna said indifferently as she lifted a book up to hide her face but Harry could've sworn he saw a smile cross her face.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
The next morning the weather was a bit chilly but otherwise ideal for a good game of quidditch. Harry and Ron awoke early, and headed down to the Great Hall to grab some breakfast before the opening game of the season. Ron's nerves were a bit on edge, as were Ginny and Lavender's, who were both already awake and trying to eat what breakfast they could manage to actually swallow. Harry was also a little bit nervous but for another reason than that of his ability to play quidditch. This game would be the first time that he would be forced to be with his old crush Cho Chang. He knew he was over her, but couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy as he remembered what had took place on their date, if that's what you even could call it, last year.
Harry was also slightly looking forward to the game just as much as he was dreading it. He wanted to see what all the talk about the first year John Aaroen was all about. According to every Ravenclaw you talked to he was the best keeper they had even seen, and made the legendary Gryffindor, Oliver Wood, look bad. Making Oliver Wood pale in comparison was not a little achievement whatsoever especially considering the kid was just a first year, which made Harry even respect the kid even more.
Harry began to eat, as the other three team members tried. "You guys will all do great," Harry said with enthusiasm, "We practiced so hard, we all know what we're doing." They all just nodded, but only Ron seemed comforted by Harry's words.
Soon it was time to head to the locker rooms and change into their quidditch robes. Lavender could be seen doing some sort of breathing exercise in effort to calm her nerves, Ginny was unusually quiet, and Ron appeared to be in deep thought. The rest of the team members were all quiet as well, leaving the locker room stale with silence. They headed out to the pitch and Harry's heart soared as the roar from the crowd greeted the Gryffindor Team. Ravenclaw entered at the same moment and fourteen players positioned themselves, ready to lift of the ground. Madame Hooch set free the Bludgers and gold snitch and with a blow of her whistle, tossed the Quaffle in the air as the fourteen players spontaneously rose. The game had begun.
Harry quickly scanned the field for any hint of spinning gold. Finding none, he searched around the stadium well aware of Cho keeping her distance and searching for the snitch. She certainly had learned since last time after following him. Harry listened carefully tothe commentary.
"Bell has the quaffle and is speeding towards the keeper… oh and what a magnificent job to stop the bludger by Ginny Weasely, those Weasley's you know the whole lot are great quidditch players… oh yes sorry professor, I won't get sidetracked. So yes, Bell still has the quaffle and… what a magnificent throw at the Ravenclaw keeper. And it's…. Blocked! Amazing save by Aaroen, that kid does have moves. At first I thought Ravenclaws were just bragging…. Oh right, sidetracked… Sorry Professor! Well now Ravenclaw has possession." Ravenclaw ended up scoring two times on Ron, giving Ravenclaw a twenty-point lead. Gryffindor managed to come back after a lucky goal, making the score 10-20. The game was fast paced but the keepers kept mostly everything out of the goals. Harry knew it was up to him to catch the snitch and win this. Cho seemed to have the same realization as she speed around the stadium.
Then Harry saw it, ten feet below him and made a dive for it. Out of nowhere a bludger came hurtiling at him, making him pull out of his dive in order to avoid it. The snitch was gone. Fuming, Harry soared up and saw Cho go into a dive. With some panic, Harry flung himself forward urging his broom to go faster. They were neck in neck now with the snitch getting closer to the ground. It was only about 9 feet ahead of them and Harry quickly pulled forward. Another bludger was flung at them, but it narrowly missed Harry and made Cho swerve, giving Harry a definite lead in the dive. Seconds later his hand enclosed the tiny, gold ball. Madame Hooch's whistle sounded, signaling the end of the game. The Gryffindor cheers were echoing throughout the entire stadium, everyone knowing that they were now the favorites for the quidditch cup.
The scarlet team all engulfed Harry with hugs. "We beat them in thirty minutes!" Lavender said, excitement bursting in her voice. Harry saw the disappointment in the Ravenclaw team members face as they all landed to the ground. John Aaroen, however, came over and congratulated the Gryffndor team. He was short and skinny for an eleven year old and his blonde hair hung slightly shaggy over his ears. "Great game," he said with a bright smile. He then went on to congratulate Ron for his spectacular save and Harry for his grand flying. And with that the younger boy bounded off with his disappointed teammates.
Ron was glowing for the rest of the day after John Aaroen's complements and he even seemed to be much more happy in general. Gryffindor held a huge party in the common room, which unfortunately wasn't the same without Fred and George, but they all managed to have fun just the same. Hermione talked the houseelves into(Dobby in particular) lending the Gryffindors some food and butterbeer, and together with some music, the party lasted much longer than it normally would have any other year.
Harry and Neville retired early, leaving everyone else still celebrating the victory. Harry retrieved the picture book to scan it quickly before he went to bed and resolved to visit a memory tomorrow. As he closed the book and put it back in his trunk Harry thought about the great victory he had managed to grab for his team. Lying down and waiting for sleep to claim him, he turned on his side and thought with a smile, I wonder if Luna was there to see us stomp Ravenclaw?
A/N: Okay so in Chapter 9 we have lots of quidditch, which like I said before I think I messed up on. We have Sirius's letter in the scrapbook, quidditch tryouts (Lavender isn't all that she appears to be), Harry gives Neville a picture (so nice, huh?) We learn that Colin Creevy is less annoying (thank goodness), and that Malfoy fell of the Bindlstrike (haha sucker) and is still in the hospital wing. We have Harry actually doing good in potions, to spite Snape, then we have Harry and Luna's touching moment. Oh and there's Blaise Zabbini. I just sort of threw her in there to have a good slytherin, cause I mean come on not all of them would be evil. Besides I think JKR said we would meet a good Slytherin. Okay well that's it hope you enjoyed.
REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
ANY COMMENTS SUGGESTIONS QUESTIONS IDEAS OR COMPLAINTS? If so, share!
Next Chapter: Sirius's Memory! YAY!