The Difference One Choice Makes
31st October 1992
Half an hour later…
Jennifer took her seat at the Ravenclaw table next to Rose Snape, Mandy Brocklehurst and a long blonde haired First Year girl named Luna Lovegood who Jennifer had become fast friends with after she and Rose had stopped a few of the older Ravenclaw's from hiding her books and shoes out of spite.
As the last of the students made their way into the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast, the Ilvermorny Students joined the Ravenclaw's at their table showing their school unity by sitting together while the Castelobruxo students and the Mahoutokoro students found places at the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables respectively.
The visiting staff meanwhile were seated at the high table along with the Minister For Magic Cornelius Fudge, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation Bartemius Crouch Sr as well as two Members of the Hogwarts Board of Governors Lucius Malfoy and the elderly Tiberius Ogden who was conversing with Dumbledore about something that the students could not hear.
"Daddy told me that Mahoutokoro students practice martial arts along with some of the oldest known Asian magic" said Luna in a soft almost dreamlike voice.
Looking at the peculiar appearance of the young Ravenclaw girl, Jennifer could see why some students bullied her for her appearance owing to the necklace of corks hanging around her neck and her radish earrings.
Jennifer however looked at Luna's appearance with fondness. The fact that it was just Luna being her natural self was what Jennifer liked the most about her as well as her refusal to change herself even after everything she had endured from their fellow students.
As her Mother would say, everyone is their own person with their own unique personality.
After a few minutes, Dumbledore stood up and walked around to the podium in front of the staff table followed by Barty Crouch Sr.
"To our visiting schools… welcome to Hogwarts where we will give you many opportunities to expand your knowledge of all forms of magic and hopefully form strong bonds of friendship along the way… but more on that after our succulent feast" said Dumbledore loudly before he walked back to his chair as applause could be heard around the Great Hall.
As Dumbledore moved away from the podium Barty Crouch Sr started to translate Dumbledore's speech into the appropriate languages for the Castelobruxo and Mahoutokoro students who applauded his speech in turn.
Once he was finished and had retaken his seat at the high table the House tables were full of food from all over the world including sushi, seafood, stews and kebabs catered to the students from the visiting schools.
Always wanting to try new things Jennifer helped herself to a Columbian chicken and vegetable stew which after tasting it she found she rather enjoyed it.
Later that night…
"Do you think we'll get to have any lessons with these foreign schools?" said Lacey as she sat on her bed eagerly chatting with her roommates.
"I hope so… I've always wanted to learn Ancient Incan magic, but it's so hard to find books on the subject" said Euphemia.
"My Eldest Brother Bill had a pen friend who went to Castelobruxo… he wanted to go and visit him in Peru for a few weeks but Mum and Dad couldn't afford to pay for it… so his friend got angry and sent Bill a cursed hat which made his ears shrivel up" said Ginny.
"Shame they couldn't afford to send him there… I'd have loved to go to Peru" said Lucy.
Ginny sighed.
"Yeah… my Dad doesn't earn much at the Ministry, and Mum is a housewife, so we can't really afford things like holidays… the last time they went away was when they took me to see my Brother Charlie in Romania for Christmas" said Ginny with a hint of embarrassment.
She glanced around the room expecting teasing words to come from her room mates about her Family's lack of wealth but felt relieved when none came.
"Bill and Charlie send Dad some money every month which helps… but I reckon I'll be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas with my Brothers this year… Mum and Dad are off to visit Bill in Egypt for Christmas" said Ginny sounding a little disappointed that she would not get to spend Christmas Day at home with her Family which with the exception of last year was what their Family usually did.
"Mum and Dad are being a bit cagey about what we're doing for Christmas… almost like they're hiding something" said Lacey.
3rd November 1992
"And introducing the unchanged Gryffindor side that were so close to winning the Quidditch Cup last year, here to start this years league season which also features teams from our guest schools… Captain Oliver Wood playing as Keeper, the best pair of Beaters this school has ever seen in the Weasley Twin's Fred and George, the youngest Quidditch player in Hogwarts history and record holder for the fastest Snitch ever caught in a school match after five minutes Harrison Potter playing as Seeker, and our magnificent trio of Chasers in Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and the lovely Angelina Johnson! shouted Lee Jordan as the Gryffindor Quidditch team completed their customary lap around the pitch and came to a halt in the centre of the pitch opposite the Slytherin team.
"Don't fall off your broom Potty" sneered Lucan Malfoy.
"And introducing Hogwarts least favourite Quidditch Team, I hope they all showered first to rid themselves of the slime!" shouted Lee to roars and jeers from most of the students.
"Finish the announcements properly Jordan!" shouted Professor Mcgonagall from beside him.
"Captain Marcus Flint, Michael Montague and Cassius Warrington playing as Chasers, Adrian Pucey and David Avery as Beaters, Myles Bletchley as the Keeper and the first player in Hogwarts history to buy his way onto a Quidditch team as he has no talen-!" shouted Lee.
"JORDAN!" roared Professor Mcgonagall angrily cutting him off.
"No real talent to speak of… is Lucan Malfoy playing at Seeker, I doubt he'd give Potter any trouble in this match though, even with that brand new Nimbus, I bet Potter could even beat him on one of those ancient Shooting Star school broomsticks!" shouted Lee to more cheers and jeers from most of the crowd, loving the banter and insults Lee Jordan was hurling at the Slytherins.
Harry smirked when he saw Lucan scowl.
"Try not to ruin the broom Daddy bought for you Malfoy, he might not buy you another one" said Harry mockingly.
Lucan glared at him for several seconds before Madam Hooch started the game by releasing the balls.
"WOW… it looks like the Slytherins are trying to compensate for their lack of talent by playing even more dirty than usual as Warrington fouls Johnson to give Gryffindor an early penalty!" shouted Lee as Warrington shoulder barged Angelina with so much force that she almost fell off of her broom causing Madam Hooch to award a penalty to Gryffindor.
Harry kept his eye out for the Snitch as Angelina scored the penalty putting Gryffindor 10-0 up after barely a minute.
"Bell passes the Quaffle to Spinnet who dodges Pucey's Bludger… she soars up the pitch going solo… bearing down on the Slytherin hoops Spinnet shoots… AND SCORES, THAT'S ANOTHER TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR BRINGING THE SCORE UP TO TWENTY TO ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!" shouted Lee as Alicia high fived Angelina following her goal.
Half an hour later…
Though Gryffindor got themselves an early lead at the start of the game they had been pegged back severely in the last twenty minutes now trailing Slytherin by ninety to thirty.
Harry meanwhile kept up his search for the Snitch hoping to end the match quickly as Lucan flew up to him.
"Alright Potty" said Lucan laughing.
Harry sarcastically laughed.
"I guess Lee Jordan was right about you being talentless Malfoy" said Harry.
Lucan snarled.
Suddenly the snitch appeared right next to Lucan's ear but in his arrogance, he failed to see it.
It was lucky for Harry that Lucan did not see it as no Seeker in the world would fail to catch a Snitch floating by their head if they saw it.
Maybe it was divine luck that a Bludger soared past Harry towards Lucan who instinctively ducked to avoid it while the Snitch shot backwards away from them.
Taking his chance Harry soared towards Lucan flying right past him after the retreating Snitch before Lucan turned his broom around and chased after Harry.
About two seconds later Lucan caught up with him owing to his Nimbus 2001's superior speed and the two chased after the Snitch as it darted for the edge of the stadium.
He and Lucan were still flying side by side elbowing each other after a good few minutes during which they must have covered more than half of the stadium wall when a Bludger whizzed past the tail end of Harry's broom hitting the wall.
Harry glanced to the side to see one Adrian Pucey flying level with them twenty feet from them readying his bat to hit another Bludger as he and Lucan fought each other for speed.
Harry noticed Pucey getting close to another Bludger knowing that this was his chance to take Lucan out of the match.
"This better work" thought Harry as Pucey hit the Bludger towards them.
Once the Bludger was a mere five feet away from them Harry quickly pulled his broom up.
Lucan glanced at him in confusion seconds before the Bludger slammed into his chest knocking him off of his broom into the stadium wall with a scream that could be heard around the stadium.
"CAN YOU BELIEVE IT… PUCEY TAKES OUT HIS OWN SEEKER WITH A BLUDGER, SOMEONE BUY HIM SOME GLASSES SO HE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIS PLAYERS AND HIS OPPONENTS!" shouted Lee with great amusement which was shared by nearly everyone in the stadium.
Harry lowered his broom and caught up with the Snitch as it turned left and shot towards the centre of the pitch.
Harry quickly reached his right hand out towards the Snitch preparing to seize it in his hand.
As his hand closed around the golden ball sealing the win for Gryffindor, he felt someone barge into his right hand side as something hard smashed into his wrist with the pain causing him to fall sideways off of his broom crashing to the floor.
Shouts of anger were heard from most of the students and the rest of the Gryffindor team as Harry groaned in pain at his obviously broken wrist and impact-related bruises.
"YOU DIRTY LITTLE CHEAT PUCEY!" roared Lee while Professor Mcgonagall who normally would have interrupted Lee's bad language was instead shaking her fist in equal anger at the blatant foul on the Gryffindor Seeker.
With a lot of pain, Harry pulled the Snitch out of his damaged hand and held it up in the air with his left hand.
"POTTER'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH… PUCEY MIGHT HAVE FOULED HIM BUT HE STILL GOT THE SNITCH, GRYFFINDOR CRUSH SLYTHERIN BY A FINAL SCORE OF 190 TO 100!" shouted Lee.
The rest of the Gryffindor team flew down to meet him along while Neville, Ron, Hermione, Janet, Euphemia, Edward, Cassiopeia and Jennifer also came running over to check on him while Professor Lockhart and Hagrid trailed behind them.
"Are you okay Harry?!" shouted Edward being the first of the non-Quidditch players to reach his Brother.
Harry winced.
"No… I think my arm is broken" said Harry in a pained voice as Professor Lockhart dropped down next to him.
"Not to worry Mr Potter, I can fix your arm straight away" said Professor Lockhart.
Harry shook his head.
"No, take me to Madam Pomfrey" said Harry.
"The Boy doesn't know what he's saying" said Professor Lockhart.
"Please Professor, take me up to Madam Pomfrey, I would rather she sorted it out than you" said Harry.
"Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit" said Professor Lockhart pulling up Harry's sleeve causing him to wince.
"The Boy wants to go to Madam Pomfrey Professor… so take him to her" said Hagrid harshly as Professor Lockhart pulled his wand out.
Upon noticing the stern look on Hagrid's face, Professor Lockhart gave a nervous laugh before putting his wand away.
"Come on then Mr Potter" said Professor Lockhart trying to help Harry to his feet though in his incompetence he took Harry's broken arm by mistake which caused Harry to cry out in pain.
"Not his broken arm you ruddy fool!" bellowed Hagrid before pushing Professor Lockhart to the side causing him to land in a heap on the floor.
He picked Harry up in his arms with no effort at all and started carrying him towards the stadium exit while Edward picked up Harry's Nimbus and followed Hagrid followed by the others bar Professor Lockhart who was still lying on the ground looking flustered.
After a few seconds, Harry convinced Hagrid that he could walk and the large man put him back on his feet. As he left the stadium he felt relieved that since his Parent's were both working today so they were not here to see him get his arm broken or fall off of his broomstick.
4th November 1992
Harry, now sporting a sling on his broken right arm took his seat in one of the large towers with the rest of his Gryffindor teammates. While Harry had wanted to watch Ravenclaw's match against the Quidditch team from Mahoutokoro School of Magic with his friends, Wood had insisted that the entire Gryffindor team sit together.
He has in fact arranged for seats in one of the towers telling them that it would be good for them to observe how each team plays, especially the foreign school teams so they could analyse how best to play against them.
Harry found himself at the end of the row next to Katie Bell who turned to him.
"How's your arm?" said Katie.
Harry turned to her and managed a nervous smile.
"Better now… Madam Pomfrey said I should have this sling off by tomorrow afternoon" said Harry.
"Flirting are we Potter?" said Fred teasingly from his place behind them.
"She's single you know?" said George teasingly which made Harry and Katie both turn red.
"Stop it Boys" said Alicia though she herself cracked a smile as did Angelina.
Thankfully that was enough to end the Twin's teasing before Wood brought their attention back to the game as the Mahoutokoro Quidditch team flew around the pitch in formation using their wands to conjure sparkly firework Thunderbirds and dragons to follow them making it look like they were being chased.
Cheers erupted around the stadium as the sparkly animals chased after the Mahoutokoro students while the Ravenclaw Quidditch team looked on in shock and in some cases envy.
"It looks like these Mahoutokoro students certainly know how to show off… let's just hope they can play Quidditch as well as they can cast transfiguration!" shouted Lee Jordan.
Not long after the match had started Harry and the others watched in shock and awe as the Mahoutokoro team worked the Quaffle and Bludgers with precision to every advantage they could get and Mahoutokoro were leading Ravenclaw by sixty to thirty after fifteen minutes which felt more like five minutes to the crowd.
"These will be tough to beat" said Katie in shock as two of the Mahoutokoro Chasers worked a two versus one against the Fourth Year Ravenclaw Keeper Sarah Fawcett which resulted in another goal for Mahoutokoro.
"You'll have your work cut out for you Oliver" said George to Wood who was watching the match with intense focus.
The match carried on for another ten minutes before the Mahoutokoro Seeker caught the Snitch ending the match at two hundred and sixty to ninety in favour of Mahoutokoro.
"How on earth are we going to beat them?" said Harry in shock as the Mahoutokoro conjured even more sparkly Thunderbirds and dragons with their wands in celebration of their victory.
28th November 1992
"Asked anyone to the Ball yet Eddy?" said Cassiopeia using the teasing childhood nickname she had for Edward as they walked along the corridor towards their Transfiguration lesson having just come from one of their lessons with one of the Ilvermorny Teachers who had taught them a good bit about the Native American magic they teach at Ilvermorny.
Edward scowled slightly at her nickname for him before shaking his head.
"Not yet no… don't know who to ask" said Edward.
What the two of them were referring too was the upcoming Yule Ball which would take place on Christmas Day night which could be attended by Fourth Years and above with anyone below Fourth Year only being able to attend if they had a date who was old enough to attend.
Four days had passed since Professor Snape had announced it at the end of their double Potions lesson saying that he expected each of his Slytherin's to show their house unity by attending the ball together.
"What about you?" said Edward.
Cassiopeia let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Nearly every boy in Slytherin is scared of asking me, because of Father no doubt" said Cassiopeia.
"What about me?" said Edward not exactly thinking his words through.
Cassiopeia froze and stopped dead in her tracks as did Edward.
After nearly twenty seconds she turned to Edward shock written all over her face.
"That was possibly the worst attempt at asking me to the Ball I ever heard… and in case you've forgotten… we are Cousins, what do you think people are going to say?" said Cassiopeia in shock.
Edward sighed as they resumed walking to their next lesson.
"Just a suggestion… that if we can't find anyone to go with then we should just go together, we're Cousins like you said so I'm sure we can trust each other, what's the harm?" said Edward.
"And you can't find yourself a date… Merlin Edward, what about Andrea, she looks like she wants to jump you sometimes, and that Ravenclaw Edgecombe in the year below us watches you in the Great Hall sometimes, surely either of them will do" said Cassiopeia in slight surprise.
Edward shook his head.
"Andrea's nice… but she's just a friend… and I don't even know Marietta Edgecombe, I've never once spoken to her, not even a hello in the corridor" said Edward warily.
"Jennifer Pucey?" said Cassiopeia testily.
"She's going out with Cassius remember, has been since the summer" said Edward finding it surprising that his Cousin would not remember that her friend and housemate had been dating Cassius Warrington since the summer.
"Linda Rosier?" said Cassiopeia.
Edward made a face of slight disgust.
"No thanks… I can't stand to hear her talk about blood purity and muggle-borns" said Edward in disgust.
He held his hand up to Cassiopeia silently telling her to stop suggesting possible Yule Ball dates.
"I'm surprised Flint hasn't asked you yet, he practically undresses you with his eyes every time he sees you" said Edward distastefully.
Cassiopeia retched.
"Not in a million years… hey, why not ask Myranda, no doubt she'd say yes, I could even put in a good word for you if you wanted" said Cassiopeia.
Edward sighed at Cassiopeia's suggestion that he ask her friend Myranda Vaisey who happened to be one of the most popular girls in their year.
"Myranda would never go with me, she was probably the first person asked to the ball and no doubt is now already taken" said Edward.
Cassiopeia sighed as they stopped walking for a moment.
"Tell you what Eddy… if you ask Myranda after Transfiguration and she turns you down I'll go to the ball with you… deal?" said Cassiopeia.
"Deal… now let's keep walking, the bell will be ringing in a minute" said Edward.
21st December 1992
"It won't be the same without you there with us" said Harry as he walked into the Great Hall pulling his packed trunk and empty owl cage having let Hedwig fly off home last night.
"I wish you were coming back with us" said Euphemia pulling her own trunk and empty owl cage into the hall with her.
Edward who was walking with them let out a sigh.
"And it'll feel weird being here instead of back home for Christmas… but I'll have plenty of things to occupy my time here… be back to normal next year though" said Edward guiding his younger siblings towards the Slytherin table where everyone was enjoying their breakfast with the younger students sat with their trunks behind them ready to catch the train back to Kings Cross after breakfast.
"Not too sure we'd be welcome there Eddy" said Harry using Cassiopeia's nickname for his Brother to try and tease him.
Edward chuckled.
"Not scared of a few snakes are you Harry… besides, you're with me so they won't do anything" said Edward amusedly.
As the three siblings sat down with Cassiopeia and some of hers and Edward's friends Harry and Euphemia felt a few eyes on them most of which were slightly distasteful looks on Harry from the Slytherin Quidditch team.
"I have to admit Potter… your Brother is kind of cute, cuter than you actually" said the teasing voice of the dark brown haired Fourth Year Myranda Vaisey who was sat next to a smirking Cassiopeia.
Harry turned a little bit red at the older Girls words as he helped himself to some scrambled eggs.
"Calling blood traitors cute now Vaisey, you should be ashamed of yourself" called out Lucan Malfoy who was walking towards them no doubt seeking to cause trouble for Harry and Euphemia.
Myranda Vaisey turned to Cassiopeia.
"Your brother sounds jealous, shame he got his Mother's looks otherwise people might call him cute… given that she has a face like a Hippogryph's backside" said Myranda Vaisey turning to Lucan again who snarled.
"Don't insult my Mother" snarled Lucan.
"Sorry Lukie-poo… perhaps you would prefer it if I said she had a face like an ageing ferret instead" said Myranda Vaisey with stinging wit that resulted in plenty of laughter.
Lucan scowled at the mention of the name his Mother called him, knowing that Cassiopeia had probably told her best friend the nickname that he despised.
Cassiopeia smirked at Lucan's face.
"Run along now Lukie-poo, you are not wanted here" said Cassiopeia mockingly.
Euphemia smirked as Lucan walked away from them back towards his own seat.
"Bye-bye Lukie-poo" Euphemia called out which resulted in more laughter from around the Great Hall.
Even after she heard Professor Snape call out from the table that he was deducting ten points from Gryffindor for her taunt Euphemia felt it was well worth it.
25th December 1992
"You are meant to hold my arm… I am your date after all" said Edward who was dressed in dark green dress robes which he had purchased from Madam Malkins during the summer.
He was walking towards the doors of the Great Hall with his date who was wearing an expensive floor-length ball gown which was silver and dark grey in colour.
"Just because I agreed to this… doesn't mean we have to act like a couple" hissed Cassiopeia.
"Still, it makes us look like fools if you don't have my arm… people are more likely to notice that way" said Edward as they walked through the doors into the Great Hall where the magnificent sight before them stunned them.
The hall was filled with large circular tables adorned with plates, cutlery, crystal glasses and empty pitchers. The floor was covered in white snow-like material as fairy lights illuminated the room. At the top of the hall there was a long rectangular table for the Staff and Ministry Officials attending the ball as well as any Guests the Staff had invited including Lily Snape who was sat next to her Husband. Completing the decorations were large Christmas trees that like the rest of the hall were bathed in a thin layer of artificial snow.
Once the shock had died down Cassiopeia reluctantly took his arm.
"I can imagine the look on my harpy Stepmother's face if she saw me right now… how dare you lower yourself by associating with Blood Traitors, your Father would be disgusted" said Cassiopeia quietly mimicking her Stepmother Ursula's voice for the second part of her speech.
"See… now we're having fun, better me than someone like Flint" said Edward as they walked into the hall spotting some of their fellow housemates at one of the large twelve-seater tables in the middle of the Great Hall.
Cassiopeia rolled her eyes at him.
"Fair point" said Cassiopeia sarcastically as they sat down at the table with some of the other Slytherin Fifth Years.
"Is that Professor Snape's Wife?" said the blonde-haired Jennifer Pucey looking up at the high table where Professor Snape and Lily were talking to each other and to Professor Flitwick.
The dark blonde haired Linda Rosier scoffed.
"Just a shame Professor Snape disgraced himself and his family by marrying a Mudblood" said Linda Rosier harshly getting some noises of agreement from around the table.
"Why Rosier… did you want him to marry you instead, I'm not sure he likes blondes" said Edward mockingly.
Linda Rosier turned to him and glared at him for several moments before turning away choosing not to start an argument at the table.
Later that night…
As Edward and Cassiopeia made their way out of the Great Hall at close to midnight having thoroughly enjoyed the ball itself, Cassiopeia turned to Edward still holding onto his arm as he guided her towards the stairs.
"You sure you don't want me to put in a good word with Myranda for you, it's not like Darren's going to ask her out any time soon" said Cassiopeia.
She had been referring to how Myranda Vaisey's Yule Ball date Darren Petrie was hiding a secret only known to a few people including Edward and Cassiopeia. The secret was of course that he preferred Wizards instead of Witches though fear of discrimination against him forced him to keep his preferences a secret.
"And why would Myranda go out with me?" said Edward sarcastically.
"Why wouldn't she go out with you, she does ask about you sometimes… perhaps I should tell her that you asked me about her" said Cassiopeia.
"Don't" said Edward quickly.
As they approached the stairs leading down in the direction of the dungeons Cassiopeia smirked.
"Now might be your chance… at least talk to her" said Cassiopeia.
Myranda Vaisey was walking back towards the dungeons on her own as Darren Petrie had left the ball over an hour ago when he started feeling tired.
"Hey Myranda… over here!" Cassiopeia called out to her friend.
Myranda turned to face them and quickly made her way back towards them.
As she reached them Cassiopeia let go of Edward's arm and pushed him towards Myranda.
"Get going you idiot, take her arm and walk her back like a good boy" said Cassiopeia snarkily.
Myranda giggled and took his arm when it was offered to her.
"And what about you?" said Myranda glancing at Cassiopeia who gave them a little bit of space.
"I think he's had enough of locking arms with me for tonight… especially when he'd much rather do it with someone else" said Cassiopeia teasingly.
Edward let out a small groan as the three walked back to the Slytherin Common Room.