The Difference One Choice Makes
12th July 1994
Edward Henry Potter
Ordinary Wizarding Level Results
Grade Criteria:
- O = Outstanding
- EE = Exceeds Expectations
- A = Acceptable
- P = Poor
- D = Dreadful
- T = Troll
Edward Henry Potter has achieved the following:
Defence Against The Dark Arts – O
Charms – O
Transfiguration – O
Herbology – EE
Potions – O
History Of Magic – EE
Astronomy – EE
Ancient Runes – O
Arithmancy – EE
Edward looked down at the Owl Grade Sheet in his hands with a proud look on his face at his academic success.
He was sat around the table at Potter Manor eating breakfast with his parents and siblings as well as Druella Black who had shown up for breakfast this morning, knowing that Edward would be receiving his Owl results today.
"How did you do?" said Harry curiously.
Edward handed the sheet to Harry and his Brother congratulated him before passing the sheet to Euphemia.
After a few minutes, everyone around the table had read his grade sheet and had congratulated him on his results in their own individual ways before they all returned to their breakfast.
18th July 1994
"This sure beats a Falmouth Falcons game" said Narcissa dryly as she held onto James's arm as they walked through the bustling campsite.
Though it was only just after 11 in the morning, the campsite they were staying in for the 422nd Quidditch World Cup Final between Ireland and Bulgaria was a lively affair with hundreds of wizards and witches either socializing outside their tents or walking around in between the tents. The tents themselves were in varying degrees of splendour and extravagance ranging from shabby grey tents to palace shaped tents.
The two had arrived on the campsite yesterday afternoon along with their children, Frank, Neville and Frank Jr Longbottom, the Lupin's the Tonks's and Sirius, Amelia, their children, and Susan and Jamie Bones.
"This is the World Cup Final, a far cry from a simple league match, even if it is the Falcons" said James.
They passed by one of the tents before Narcissa pulled him back slightly as three children around 7 years of age ran past them laughing as they did.
As they continued walking through the tents, James heard a familiar voice calling out to him.
"James!"
James and Narcissa turned to see Arthur Weasley sat outside a shabby looking tent cooking some bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and sausages on a small campfire.
Arthur Weasley stood as tall as James and was at least 44 years old with short ginger hair like his children and small thin glasses perched on his nose while he was dressed in an assortment of muggle clothes including a thick coat and hat.
"Arthur" said James as he and Narcissa walked towards Arthur.
While he and Narcissa were not particularly close with Arthur Weasley, they did know him a little bit due to Euphemia and Ginny spending a few days at each other's houses every now and then during each summer.
"Mr Weasley" said Narcissa.
Arthur tilted his pan slightly showing off the food.
"Fancy a bite to eat?" said Arthur.
"Thanks" said James.
"There are some spare stools over there" said Arthur gesturing his head to where a few stools were leaning against the left-hand side of his tent.
James got a stool each for himself and Narcissa before placing them near the fire.
"Cup of tea?" said Arthur as James and Narcissa sat down.
"Please" said Narcissa.
Arthur placed the frying pan on the makeshift grill tray above his campfire where it continued to fry its contents and turned around to grab his kettle.
"Still got enough water left for at least three cups… Ron, Josh and Ginny should be back with some more water soon" said Arthur.
"When did you get here?" said James.
"About half 7 this morning, you?" said Arthur as he got three mugs from the small box of cutlery, bowls, plates and mugs from just inside his tent.
"Since yesterday afternoon" said Narcissa.
Arthur poked his head through the tent flaps and shouted for Fred to put the kettle on for them.
"Bill and Charlie have come back home for the rest of the summer… it's nice for kids to see them again" said Arthur as he placed some sausages and an egg on a plate for Narcissa and handed it to her along with some cutlery.
"Thank you… and it must be nice to have all the kids back home" said Narcissa.
She used her wand to conjure a small table in front of her and James and placed her plate down on it.
"It is yes, the kids haven't seen their older Brothers since we all went to Egypt last year" said Arthur.
"I heard Percy got a job in the Ministry" said James politely as Arthur handed him a plate with some bacon, two sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and a fried egg along with some cutlery.
Arthur nodded with a slightly proud look on his face.
"Yes, he started last week, got a job working as assistant to Barty Crouch in the Department of International Magical Coorporation… how do you take your tea by the way?" said Arthur as he refilled his frying pan with some more food for the others while Fred shouted out that the kettle had been boiled from inside the tent.
"Very milky with one sugar please Arthur" said James setting his plate down next to Narcissa's.
"Two sugars please Mr Weasley" said Narcissa.
Arthur excused himself and walked back into the tent.
James and Narcissa ate their food in silence before Arthur emerged from the tent with three mugs of tea in his hands.
"He was Head Boy last year if I remember correctly, a good student as well, not too sociable though" said Narcissa accepting the cup of tea from Arthur.
Arthur nodded as he sat back down on the stool opposite them.
"Yes, he got his Newt's last week, Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations marks on all nine of them" said Arthur sipping his own tea.
"You and Mrs Weasley must be very proud of him… and working with someone like Crouch no less" said Narcissa politely as she sipped her tea.
Arthur sighed.
"Molly and I are very proud of him, he's very proud of his job and he works very hard… listen, there's something you ought to know... before Percy gets here" said Arthur with a hint of regret in his voice for the last part.
Narcissa nodded in understanding.
"He's one of them isn't he… who believes Fudge's lies about me" said Narcissa testily.
Arthur sighed and nodded.
"Yes… I tried to talk him round but he won't listen, said Fudge wouldn't make accusations like that unless they were accurate… mind you if those accusations are true I'd eat my hat" said Arthur sipping his tea.
"It's just accusations, he doesn't dare say anything to either of us" said Narcissa flatly.
"How did Fred and George do on their Owls by the way?" said James changing the subject.
Arthur sighed.
"Not well… only three apiece, Molly wanted them to work harder so they could get jobs in the Ministry, but they just keep talking about opening a joke shop… been making these joke products all summer" said Arthur with a hint of regret in his voice.
"And what do you think about that?" said Narcissa testily.
Arthur shrugged his shoulders.
"If they want to run a joke shop then I'm all for it… some of these things they made are quite good… how did Edward do on his Owls?" said Arthur.
"Very good, got a mix of Exceeds Expectations and Outstandings on all of them" said Narcissa proudly.
"He always seemed like he was a smart young man" said Arthur.
James and Narcissa remained by the campfire for another two hours with Bill, Charlie and Percy Weasley joining them around the campfire along with Sirius, Amelia, Barty Crouch Sr and Ludo Bagman though the latter two did not stay for longer than ten minutes or so.
Later that evening…
"These are our seats!" said Janet Spinnet's Aunt and Alicia Spinnet's 38-year-old Mother Phoebe Spinnet nee Woodman led them along a row of seats around halfway up the enormous stadium.
Hermione and Janet sat down in two of the seats along with Janet's Parents Damian and Angela Spinnet, Janet's Sister Mary-Anne, her Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Kieran and her Cousin's Alicia and Adrian Spinnet.
Seconds after they had sat down, they saw the Ireland National Team fly past them shooting off into the sky dressed in shiny green and silver Quidditch robes, each of them sporting a brand new Firebolt broomstick.
"There's Troy!" shouted the 38-year-old blonde-haired Kieran Spinnet pointing at some of the Irish Players.
"And Mullet and Moran!" shouted Adrian Spinnet excitedly.
The Ireland Players used their wands to conjure up a large sparkly green and gold Leprechaun in the sky which started to dance as chants of "IRELAND, IRELAND!" started to ring around the stadium.
"HERE COME THE BULGARIANS!" Hermione heard someone shout from the seats below them as seven players dressed in red and black robes and riding brand new Firebolt brooms like the Irish shot through the large Leprechaun blasting it into smithereens.
They flew right through the Irish Players causing them to dart out of the way before flying around the stadium.
"Who's that?!" shouted Hermione pointing at the Bulgarian Player at the front who was doing a few tricks on his broomstick.
"Hermione, that's the best Seeker in the world!" shouted Janet excitedly.
As the Bulgarian Players flew up the side of the stadium, thousands of boards started to turn over revealing a moving picture of the 17-year-old Bulgarian Seeker Viktor Krum who flew around the stadium as more boards were turned over.
Cheers erupted around the stadium for the next few minutes until the joyful voice of Ludo Bagman, who was serving as Commentator for the match announced that the mascots were about to make their way onto the stadium field.
Hermione and Janet looked down at the pitch where the Bulgarian and Irish delegations were getting ready to bring out their mascots.
The Irish were the first to bring their mascots out which Hermione recognised as Leprechauns which ran around the stadium throwing handfuls of Leprechaun Gold high into the stands.
Alicia chuckled as her younger Brother Adrian tried to catch and pocket as much of it as he could.
"It's Leprechaun Gold, there's no point catching any of it because it will disappear in an hour or so" said Alicia amusedly.
Adrian scowled and threw the Leprechaun Gold back towards the pitch.
"What are those?" said Hermione curiously as a dozen blonde-haired women dressed in sparkly silver dresses made their way onto the pitch with cheers erupting from around the stadium.
"Veela" said Janet's 40-year-old blonde-haired Father Damian Spinnet.
Veela were visions of pure beauty with glowing white skin and sleek shiny blonde hair that shone brighter than stars in the already brightly lit stadium.
Hermione and Janet started laughing as the Veela and Leprechauns suddenly got into a fight as they tried to outdo one another.
A fight that only ended when the Veela chased the Leprechauns off of the pitch with fireballs.
Once the mascots left the pitch and the players flew into position high above the ground, Cornelius Fudge announced the beginning of the 422nd Quidditch World Cup Final from his private box in the middle of the stadium
Hermione leaned forwards in her seat to watch the match with excitement.
By the end of the near hour-long match, Ireland had run out 200-170 winners despite the young highly rated Bulgarian Keeper Viktor Krum catching the Snitch when he realised there was no possible way for Bulgaria to win the match.
1st September 1994
"Thanks Dad" said John Lupin who was trying to contain his excitement as Remus lifted his trunk up onto the train.
He gave Remus a tight hug which was returned by his Father before he let go of him, allowing John to be swept into a hug by his Mother who had a proud look on her face.
"Work hard, be good… and remember that we love you" said Julia Lupin softly, kissing his forehead as she held him tight to her chest.
John managed an embarrassed smile at his Mother's affection before she finally let go of him.
She let Remus place his arm around her shoulders as John followed Lacey onto the train before she led him along the carriage until they came to a halt outside a compartment containing Euphemia, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood and Lucy Mclaggen.
One and a half hours later…
"I might not be that into Quidditch… but the whole atmosphere of the World Cup was incredible, the match was quite good as well" said Hermione.
She was sat in the compartment with Janet, Harry, Neville and Ron who were all talking eagerly about their time at the World Cup.
"We went down the day before the match and it was fantastic" said Harry.
"We got there the morning of the match… I still can't believe Dad got us tickets in the Minister's private box" said Ron who was watching his miniature figure of Bulgarian Seeker Viktor Krum fly around the compartment.
"How did he manage that?" said Neville curiously.
Ron caught his flying Krum miniature figure.
"I think it was that Ludo Bagman who sorted us out with the tickets, Dad helped him out with something a few months ago I think… it's just a shame that the Malfoy's were in the same compartment as the Minister's guests" said Ron.
They continued talking about the Quidditch Cup for another five minutes or so before Harry, Neville and Ron went to the compartment door to get some sweets from the Trolley Lady.
As Harry was paying for the jelly slugs he had asked for with Ron and Neville already back in their seats with their own sweets, he heard a familiar voice from behind the Trolley Lady.
"A packet of Drooble's and a chocolate frog please" said Katie who was stood behind the Trolley Lady with Leanne Porter and Sally Harrison.
She glanced at Harry.
"Hey Harry" said Katie softly.
"Hi" said Harry nervously.
"You good?" said Katie.
Harry nodded.
"Yeah… good summer?" said Harry.
Katie turned around and glared at Leanne and Sally who were giggling from behind her.
"Yeah… I'll see you later okay?" said Katie softly as she got her sweets from the Trolley Lady.
She sent him one last smile before going back to her own compartment.
A few minutes later…
Katie was leaning against the window in the compartment she was sharing with Leanne, Sally and the Fifth Year female Prefect Ellie Duggan chewing on a piece of her Droobles Wizarding Gum watching her three friends giggling amongst themselves and the odd glances that they were sending her way were starting to annoy her.
"What are you giggling about?" said Katie frostily.
The three girls turned to her with teasing smirks on their faces.
"What?" said Katie sitting up slightly.
"You and Potter?" said the long blonde haired Ellie Duggan.
Katie rolled her eyes.
"What about me and Harry?" said Katie flatly.
The shoulder-length black-haired Leanne Porter smirked.
"We were just talking about how he has a massive crush on you" said Leanne Porter teasingly.
Katie sighed.
"We're friends that's all" said Katie in a slightly bored tone.
The three girls giggled.
"Of course, it's not like Potter would ever stand a chance with you, compared to someone like Roger Davies, or even Mclaggen" said the short brown haired Sally Harrison with a slightly haughty voice that angered Katie slightly and caused uncomfortable looks from Leanne and Ellie.
"I'd sooner run naked through the Great Hall than go out with Mclaggen, and Davies might be decent enough to look at, but he's a right prat" said Katie, voice laced with disinterest.
"Who would you rather go out with then… Mclaggen or Potter?" said Sally quickly.
Katie glared at her friend.
"Choose one… someone smart and confident like Mclaggen, or a boy who can't even control his nerves when you say hello to him?" said Sally.
"Drop it Sally" said Ellie.
"The jokes over" said Leanne.
"No comment" said Katie icily.
Sally smirked.
"And what would you say if I asked Potter out?" said Sally trying to wind Katie up.
Katie took her gum out of her mouth and pressed it hard against the front of Sally's blouse making the girl gasp in shock.
"I doubt Harry would ever go out with you… he doesn't like the stuck up one's" said Katie harshly before she got up and walked out of the compartment.
Later that evening…
John was buzzing with excitement as he walked followed Professor Mcgonagall up between two of the House Tables along with the rest of the First Years towards where the Sorting Hat and stool were waiting for them.
Walking next to John was the short blonde haired First Year Dennis Creevey who was wearing Hagrid's large moleskin coat having fallen into the Black Lake and subsequently pushed back into the boat he was sharing with John and another First Year Boy by the giant squid.
As he walked past the Gryffindor table he caught the eye of Lacey who sent him a small smile from her seat in between Euphemia and Ginny.
As they approached the stool and Sorting Hat there was an empty seat up at the staff table, presumably for a new teacher while Lily Snape was sat next to her Husband watching the First Years with a warm smile on her face, perhaps remembering her Sorting from her youth.
"Now when I call your name, you will sit down on the stool and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your House's" said Professor Mcgonagall clearly.
She unrolled her parchment scroll and picked the Sorting Hat up in her other hand.
"Abercrombie, Ashley" said Professor Mcgonagall.
John watched as a young girl with a black ponytail made her way up to the stool and sat down where Professor Mcgonagall placed the hat on her head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat called out.
John gave a little bit of applause as Ashley Abercrombie hopped down from the stool and went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table.
He watched as students were sorted into each House left, right and centre before his turn finally came.
"Lupin, John" said Professor Mcgonagall.
He glanced up at Professor Mcgonagall who sent him a small smile as he made his way forwards, sitting down on the stool and feeling the Sorting Hat get placed on his head.
After several seconds of the Hat probing his mind he was sorted into his house.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table applauded as Professor Mcgonagall removed the Hat from his head allowing him to go and join his new housemates.
Fifteen minutes later…
Seconds after Mr Filch had removed the stool and Sorting Hat from the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood up and walked around to the podium in front of the staff table.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts… now before we settle down to our delicious feast I have a few announcements to make… firstly I am saddened to inform you that the Quidditch Cup will not be taking place this year!" said Dumbledore.
Noises of displeasure could be heard around the Great Hall.
Jennifer glanced at Cho who looked equally as disappointed as her at the fact that they would not get to play Quidditch this year.
After several seconds Dumbledore called for silence once again.
"This is due to an event which will be hosted right here at Hogwarts that will last for the entire year… the Tri-Wizard Tournament!" said Dumbledore.
"Your joking!" Jennifer heard Fred Weasley shout as noises of excitement rang out throughout the Great Hall.
Dumbledore waited for the noise to die down.
"Yes, this will be the first time that the Tri-Wizard Tournament has taken place in over two hundred years… this is only due to the hard work and dedication of the Department of Magical Sports and Games to make the tournament safe… now for those of you who do not know, the Tri-Wizard Tournament features three schools for a series of magical contests, from each school a single student is selected to compete, and once selected you cannot turn back… now our competing schools, who are the Durmstrang Institute and the Beaxbaton's Academy Of Magic will be arriving on Halloween night, but we'll go into more detail about that before Halloween… however, due to the danger of tasks involved, the teachers and the members of the Ministry Of Magic have agreed that only students who are of age will be allowed to enter!" said Dumbledore.
Noises of anger and disappointment could be heard throughout the hall as well as comments about the decision being unfair and/or rubbish.
"This is for your own safety and that the level of skill and magical knowledge require to successfully complete the tasks is too advanced for anyone under Sixth Year!" said Dumbledore as angry shouts started to be heard around the hall.
"That's not fair!" shouted George Weasley.
"That's rubbish, it's rubbish!" shouted Fred Weasley.
"You don't know what you're doing!" shouted George.
"SILENCE!" shouted Dumbledore.
The entire Hall fell silent as it was not often that they heard Dumbledore shout like that.
"These rules are final, and the representative for each school will be decided by an impartial judge… now that that's out of the way I am delighted to announce the appointments of two new Members of Staff this year… firstly I am delighted to announce that Professor Lily Snape will be taking over as your History Of Magic Professor after Professor Binns made the decision to move on into the great unknown, welcome Professor Snape!" said Dumbledore gesturing his hand to Professor Lily Snape who stood up with a soft smile on her face as the hall descended into applause from most of the students.
The only students who did not applaud their new History Of Magic Professor were a large number of Slytherins as well as a few other students scattered around the other House tables who believed in Pureblood elitism and snobbery making their negative opinions about a Muggleborn teaching at Hogwarts known.
Dumbledore waited for the applause to die down and the new Professor Snape to take her seat once again before glancing at the still empty chair in between Professor's Mcgonagall and Flitwick.
"And as for our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teach-!" said Dumbledore before the Great Hall doors opened with a bang, making most of the students jump.
All of the students turned to face the entrance as a lone figure made its way into the Great Hall.
The figure was around six feet tall dressed in a large hooded brown overcoat hiding their face. What was slightly strange was that the figure was limping with his metal prosthetic left leg, using a large brown cane/staff to aid in his walking as he or she made their way towards Dumbledore.
The figure lowered his hood revealing a large balding man in his late 60's with thinning greying blonde hair. What was most unusual about the man was that a large chunk of his nose was missing and that he had a large prosthetic eye attached by a leather strap around his head.
Alex looked at the man before coming to a realisation as Dumbledore shook the man's knarly looking hand.
"Bloody hell… that's Mad-Eye Moody" said Ron in shock.
"Alastor Moody, the Auror?" said Hermione in a mixture of shock and curiosity.
"Auror?" said Dean Thomas in slight confusion.
"A dark wizard catcher, he was one of the best" said Harry in shock at seeing the legendary ex-Auror that his Parents spoke so highly of.
"Half the cells in Azkaban are full thanks to him" said Neville in shock and awe.
"He's supposed to be as mad as a hatter these days" said Ron in awe and respect.
Dumbledore turned to face the students once again.
"Allow me to introduce you to our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody, good luck Professor!" said Dumbledore.
Dumbledore, Hagrid as well as a small handful of students clapped their hands in applause but most of the students did not react the same way they did when welcoming Professor Lily Snape minutes before.
Moody went and sat down in his seat with his mechanical eye whizzing around the Great Hall.
"Let the feast begin!" said Dumbledore proudly, causing food to appear on the tables beginning the Welcoming Feast.
Edward helped himself to a nice steak and some chips before Myranda traced her hand up his arm.
"So… you going to put your name in?" said Myranda.
Edward turned to her.
"Why… do you want to see me compete?" said Edward.
Myranda removed her hand from his arm before filling her plate with a chicken salad.
"Maybe… it wouldn't be so bad if you did compete though, you'd get to enjoy all of the benefits of being a Tri-Wizard Champion, and everything else it might bring you in the future" said Myranda softly as she took a bite from her chicken salad.
Of course, she wanted him to use the tournament to increase his own standing in the Wizarding Community.
Edward shrugged his shoulders as he cut into his steak.
"Maybe I will… maybe I won't, got until Halloween to decide" said Edward.
The rest of the feast was abuzz with excitement about the Tri-Wizard Tournament from all four House Tables as well as excited chatter about the foreign visiting schools.
Later that night…
"AND THE WINNER OF THE TRI-WIZARD TOURNAMENT… HARRISON POTTER!" Dumbledore called out to raucous cheers from around what looked like the School Quidditch Stadium.
Harry found himself stood in the centre with his arms extended and a wide grin on his face as he soaked up the applause, cheers and excitement from his victory in the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
As chants of "POTTER, POTTER!" and "HARRY, HARRY!" rang out from around the stadium Harry felt a hand on his shoulder making him turn around.
Katie Bell was stood behind him with a wicked smirk on her face as she placed her arms on his shoulders.
"Kiss me… Champ" said Katie in a sultry voice.
Harry gulped and pressed his lips against hers before everything went black.
The frame and drapes of his four-poster bed came into view.
Even though the darkness of the dormitory room would have made it easy to stay asleep until the morning as his five roommates were proving.
Harry took a few deep breaths trying to relive the dream inside of his head but with no success.
What he would give to even have even a part of that dream come true.
Of course he liked Katie, what was not to like about her. She was smart, funny and very pretty, and they both played Quidditch together which disappointed Harry slightly when Dumbledore announced that the Quidditch Cup was cancelled for this year as it meant that they would not be spending time together on the Quidditch pitch.
The fact that they joined the Quidditch team at the same time and did not share that close bond with their older teammates that the others did with each other made them form an even closer friendship with each other.
Katie might not have been as girly as some of the other girls Harry knew but he liked her slightly tomboyish personality and appearance.
Whenever he saw her out of uniform she was usually sporting a hoodie and jeans as opposed to skirts or dresses while wearing little makeup. Her entire look made Harry think she was even more pretty to look at compared to other girls.
That kiss on the cheek after they won the Quidditch Cup last year and the subsequent celebrations where she got him to down a large goblet of butterbeer during the wild celebration party in the Gryffindor Common Room that night.
As he laid in bed trying desperately to go back to sleep he found it difficult as Katie was a constant presence in his mind as well as that dream which kept him from relaxing enough to go back to sleep.