Halloween, Quidditch, and the lead up to Christmas: Chapter 7
For Harry, the next few weeks of school were much the same. Classes were getting progressively difficult; however, Harry was managing it with his holiday notes and careful study regimen. Harry now had Quidditch training to add onto his busy timetable. Training with the team turned out to be one of Harry's favourite activities. The twins especially made practice easy, with the two jokers constantly taking the micky out of Wood's captainship. Wood wasn't one to sit back and take it either, dishing out his own comebacks to the twin's sass and cheekiness. Soon the weeks turned to months, and the end of October was fast approaching. Hagrid had started to grow giant pumpkins for the Halloween Feast, and professor Flitwick charmed a number of bats to fly around the Great Hall. On Halloween day, Flitwick set about teaching the class the levitation charm, 'Wingadium Leviosa'. Harry and Hermione had no problems with the charm, levitating a feather within 10 minutes. The friendly competition between the two of them fuelled their learning, seeing which of them could achieve a spell first. Ron and Alec on the other hand were struggling, as were the rest of the class. Seamus had managed to somehow explode his feather, sending Flitwick flying in a jump of fright.
Harry and Hermione had decided to help their friends since the two of them had completed the task so early. "You need a bit more of a flick at the end of the wand movement Alec, just like this…Wingardium Leviosa." Harry was explaining to Alec how his wand movement wasn't quite right.
"Right…flick at the end…gotcha. Alright, here goes nothing…Wingadium Leviosa!" Alec flicked the end of his wand, his assigned feather managing to rise a few feet in the air before softly landing back down.
"Brilliant Alec! Well done." Harry congratulated him with a light slap on the back in a very Ron move.
On the other side of Harry, Hermione was trying to teach Ron how to perform the charm. "You need to pronounce the spell a bit clearer, put a bit more emphasis on the gar in Wingardium, understand?" Hermione instructed the redhead.
"I think I do. Emphasis on the gar, right. Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron called out. Gradually but surely the boys feather rose off the ground a few feet, before landing softly on the bench in front of him, "Thanks Hermione! You're brilliant!"
Hermione had lit up like a cherry tomato as Ron piled his praise onto her. "It was nothing, really Ron. You almost had it, you just needed a little bit of help."
"Oh! Well done you four! 10 points to each of you for achieving the charm, and another 10 for you Mr Potter and Miss Granger, for helping your friends!" Flitwick's voice announced to the classroom as he clapped his hands in delight.
The lesson was much more subdued from there on. The foursome practiced the charm multiple times, getting their feathers to rise higher and higher. Even Ron was getting a handle on it, trying to race Harry to the top of the ceiling and back down again. It wasn't long until the lesson was called to a halt and the students were sent on their way to their next class. The foursome continued on through the day, working in transfiguration, DADA, potions and history of magic. Soon, it was time for the Halloween feast, and the group of first years made their way down to the Great Hall to stuff themselves full. Before they could make it to the Great Hall however, Malfoy and his pack of goons collided with the foursome, spoiling for a fight.
"Well well well, if it isn't the blood traitors." Malfoy sneered as he tried to look down his nose at them, even with Ron being a good couple inches taller.
"Oh, go shove it Malfoy, don't you have to go suck up to your father again." Alec retorted.
Malfoy turned a shade red in embarrassment before he lashed out in retaliation. "Laugh all you want Henderson, but just you wait until us purebloods are back in control, then all you filthy blood traitors will regret crossing us. And you especially Granger…you filthy mudblood!"
Before anyone could say anything, both Ron and Alec lunged at the young Slytherin, trying to grab hold of anything they could. Harry had to hold on to dear life to stop them from beating the snot out of the horrible little cretin.
"You'll pay for that Malfoy!" Ron shouted in anger.
"How bloody dare you, you racist little shit!" Alec hurled at him.
Sensing the anger and danger in the air, the three Slytherins departed for the Great Hall, smirking at their successful mission of antagonizing the Gryffindor's.
"That little bloody prick, who does he think he is" Alec snarled, as Harry let go of him and Ron.
"I'm sorry, but what exactly did Malfoy call Hermione?" Harry asked.
"It's a terribly disgusting slur for someone whose Muggleborn, disgusting prejudice." Ron explained, fury in his eyes.
"Hey…speaking of Hermione, where is she?" Alec asked the two boys. The brown, bushy haired witch had managed to slip away whilst the boys were busy arguing with Malfoy.
Harry's gut sunk as he realised Hermione had disappeared. "I don't know, but we should go find her."
The three boys started to make their way away from the hall, traveling down the hallways trying to find Hermione. That was until Professor Snape appeared out of no where like a bat appearing from an alcove. "And where…do you three think you're going?" Snape cocked an eyebrow as a sneer crossed his face.
"Professor Snape, Sir. Sorry but our friend Hermione. She…ran off. Draco Malfoy called her a…a…mudblood." Harry cringed a little under the wrathful eye of Snape.
The potion masters nose crinkled as Harry explained their situation. "That's a rather extreme accusation Mr Potter. But that does not matter. The headmaster wishes for the feast to start immediately, so I ask that you three find yourselves in the great hall, immediately."
"But sir! She'll miss the feast." Ron exclaimed.
Snape sneered harder at the youngest Weasley boy. "If Miss Granger is not back by the time the food arrives, you three may go and find her, Mr Weasley. But not any sooner, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." the three boys responded in unison.
Being dismissed from their mission to find their friend, the three boys made their way into the hall and sat down next to their friends at the Gryffindor table. They chatted amongst themselves as they waited for the food, the uneasy feeling of missing one of their numbers weighing on them. Bats swarmed around the hall, swooping unsuspecting students and staff alike, causing screeches to echo out occasionally. As soon as Dumbledore had announced the feast to begin, the cries of surprise replaced the ones of fear, as food appeared in front of the hungry students who diligently went about piling their plates sky high. Before anyone could begin to enjoy their meals, the DADA professor, Quirrell, came screaming into the hall, yelling about a troll in the castle.
"TROLLLLLL! TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS! TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!" Quirrell yelled out, "Just thought you should know." Quirrell's body collapsed like a sack of bricks as his body legs gave out.
All hell broke loose as students started to scream in fear. Prefects tried to restore order around them as their various heads of houses descended down into the mass of panicking students to restore order. After a few moments of chaos, an echoing bang from the head table brought silence back to the hall. Dumbledore stood up from the table, his wand in hand and a stern expression on his face as power radiated from him in waves.
"SILENCE! Prefects, please take your students back to their common rooms, staff, with me to the dungeons." The headmaster instructed.
The three Gryffindor boys started to follow Percy out of the hall and towards Gryffindor tower, when Harry suddenly remembered that Hermione was missing. Grabbing a hold on Ron's arm, Harry tugged his best mates back and into an alcove. "Guys! Hermione doesn't know about the troll!" Harry hissed.
"Blimey! She could get squished." Ron added
"We need to find her…now!" Harry instructed the two.
Ron and Alec nodded their heads in agreement, whipping out their wands at the ready. Ducking back out of the alcove, Harry took the lead, wand in hand as he scanned the hallways and corners for either students, teachers or a troll. Their luck soon ran out though, as around one corner they found themselves face to face with the giant mountain troll that had wondered into the castle. They braced themselves flush against the wall, peering around the corner as they watched him enter a girl's bathroom. Silently, the three boys made their way down the hall, passing the door to the lavatory. However, before they passed, they heard a blood curdling scream emit itself from the room.
"Shit! That sounds like Hermione!" Alec cursed.
Ron's face blanched. "We gotta save her!"
The boys looked at each other and nodded, trying to put on the bravest face their could. Harry counted them down to three before they burst into the bathroom, screaming at the top of their lungs a high pitched, prepubescent war cry. Huddled under a sink in the very furthest corner was a shaking Hermione, her arms wrapped around her knees as her screams only just barely masked her sobs. The boys stepped into action immediately, knowing their friend was in immediate danger. Their war cry had gained the trolls attention, the great big, ruddy hairless head turning towards them for only a moment before Hermione's cries drew its attention again. With the trolls back once more turned towards the boys, Harry launched forward and latched onto the trolls back. The beast tried fruitlessly to extract Harry from its back, shaking and waving its hands behind its back. Making a rash decision, Harry decided to shove his wand up the troll's nose, extracting a squelching sound alongside the trolls cries of pain. As Harry distracted the troll, Alec shot stinging hexes at its thick, magic resistant hide, only causing to confuse and distract it. This allowed Ron to quickly duck under the troll and drag Hermione out by her arm. The still shell-shocked Hermione resisted at first, bashing her fists against Ron's arm before she finally realised who it was. Leaping into his arms, Ron grunted as he shifted to take the bushy haired witch's weight. In any other situation he'd be blushing, but at that moment he had a job to do.
As Ron and Hermione made their way to safety on the other side of the bathroom, Harry called out for help. "RON! LIFT HIS CLUB! LIFT HIS CLUB!" Harry yelled at his friend.
"What! How?" Ron shouted back, his arm slipping Hermione onto the ground.
"WITH THE LEVITATION SPELL!"
"What! Bollocks! You're bloody mad!" Ron cried out as a chunk of marble flew past his head., "Shite! Alright! Wingardum Leviosa!" With a flick of his wand, Ron aimed his spell at the troll's club.
As the troll lined its club up for a swing at the now exposed Alec, its club slowly lifted itself into the air. The troll stared curiously as its belonging began to float away. As the club hovered over the troll's head, Ron suddenly cancelled the spell, causing the wooden oaken club to fall onto the troll's head. The loud clunk echoed across the room as the troll started to sway from side to side before landing with a thud. It took all of Harry's Quidditch skills to jump off at the right time and land safely away from the crashing troll. Harry landed with a bit of a crash in front of his friends, who helped pick him up as he went to collect his wand from the troll's nose. Cringing a little, Harry squirmed as troll boogers splashed onto his robes.
Just as the group of friends were congratulating themselves, a number of teachers, headed by Professor Dumbledore, barged straight into the bathroom. "What is the meaning of this! Mr Potter, Miss Granger, Mr Weasley, Mr Henderson! I hope you have a very good explanation for your actions!" Professor McGonagall snapped at them.
Harry bristled a little at his head of house's snappy words. "Professor… Hermione's been missing since the start of the feast after an…incident at the hall doors. Professor Snape gave us permission to seek her out once the food had arrived, but unfortunately Professor Quirrell came running in with news of the troll." Harry explained.
"Yeah, and we couldn't just leave our friend to get hurt, Hermione had no idea what was coming. We only just managed to get to her before the ruddy thing took a swing at her." Ron added.
"It was bloody lucky that we managed to get her out, another few minutes, strewth maybe even seconds, and Hermione would've been cactus!" Alec concluded.
Dumbledore's eyebrows came together in concern as his eyes lost their twinkle. "Severus, is this true?"
"Indeed headmaster, I did allow the three boys to find their friend, after the feast had begun. However, I did not give them permission to run off after trolls and almost get themselves killed like dunderheads." Snape glared at them.
"Be it as they may, the boys did save their friend, and did a valiant job of taking down the troll, wouldn't you agree headmaster?" Flitwick added.
The troubled look on Dumbledore's face settled into an almost passive neutrality. "It would seem so Fillius, Minerva, they're your lions, it is your decision."
Minerva scowled at the foursome, before letting out a sigh. "Boys, what you did was highly irresponsible…but incredibly brave. 10 points to each of you." The boys puffed up their chests in pride as their head of house rewarded them for their efforts, "Now, Miss Granger, why did you flee tonight?"
"Draco Malfoy…he…he called me a M-Mudblood." Hermione stammered out. Ron, sensing the girl's distress, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in to his side.
A number of the teachers gasped at the revelation as McGonagall turned towards Snape. "Severus, you cannot allow this to go unpunished! That is blatant racism!"
"I will investigate…the young Malfoy boy. If indeed he did commit the crime, he will be punished." Snape reassured McGonagall, his scowl turning into an almost disgusted sneer.
"Well, if that is all sorted for tonight, I suggest you four go back up to your dorm and eat. I'm sure you're all very hungry." Dumbledore told the young students, his usual twinkle back in his clear blue eyes.
"Thank you, professor, we will." Harry spoke up.
The teachers made their way out of the bathrooms, the students hot on their heels. As Harry and his friends made their way back to Gryffindor tower, Harry started to think about why a troll was let in. It all had to do with what was underneath the trap door. Something valuable had to be hidden there. Obviously, Hagrid knew something about it, maybe he added protection to it. Then it struck him, who loves animals more than any other teacher or staff at Hogwarts…Hagrid! The three-headed dog must have belonged to Hagrid at some point. The only question now is what on earth was being guarded down there.
Reaching Gryffindor Tower, Harry enjoyed a very subdued Halloween dinner with his friends, and discussed what he had thought about on his way up. "It makes sense if you think about it, Hagrid is bonkers about animals, always goin' on about getting a dragon." Ron told them.
"So, what do you reckon the dog's guarding then? A weapon? A Relic? Gold?" Alec added.
Hermione bit her lip in thought as she rolled her ideas around in her head. "It wouldn't be a weapon, or gold. It's got to be a Relic. Hogwarts has plenty of them already, although none as valuable as to guard it."
"I think we need to question Hagrid a bit more, how about we go down tomorrow at some point and question him." Harry suggested. The others all nodded their heads in agreement. "So, it's settled, get information from Hagrid, help protect the stone."
"Woah woah woah." Ron shot his hands up, "who said anything about protecting the bloody thing."
"Come on Ron, where's that Gryffindor courage?" Alec teased.
"I think it disappeared when that troll took a swing at me." Ron told him, "I mean, did you see the size of that bloody thing!"
"Ron! Language!" Hermione, who was still thoroughly attached to Ron's side, scolded.
The foursome continued to discuss ideas as to what might be worth guarding. Eventually they finished up their dinner and went up to bed for the night. Changing into his night clothes, Harry sat at the dorm desk and began to dictate a letter to his sister.
Dear Rose, my lovely sister,
Happy Halloween, I hope you and the oldies did something fun tonight. I know I certainly did. That boy Malfoy I told you about, well he insulted Hermione with one of the worse words in the wizarding world. Made her run off to the bathrooms and all the poor thing. Anyway, Snape pilled us up into the Hall, said we could find her after the food appeared, but before we could old Quirrell came barging in saying there's a troll in the dungeons. So, we all panic and Dumbledore sent us off but Ron, Alec and I knew that Hermione was in danger, so we went to find her. Bish Bash Bosh we ended up knocking out a fulling grown mountain troll and earnt 30 points in the process. Oh, and Hermione's fine.
Anyway, how are things back at home, is my future wife missing me still? Tell her I said hello and that I'll write her another letter soon. Also lay off her, she told me that you're teasing her about her crush on me. I don't know what you said but she was very upset.
Anyway, I better wrap things up, big week ahead, first Quidditch game soon, I'll let you know how it all goes. Still need to find myself a broom, I'll probably use a school room, Oh well.
Anyway, take care dear sister,
Love you with all my heart,
Your big brother,
Harry, aka Ginny Weasley's future husband
Finishing the final touches, Harry let the ink dry before he wrapped up the letter and strapped it to Hedwig's leg, sending her out into the night. Hopping into bed, the young Potter shut is eyes and let sleep take him over as he dreamt of the nights events and what could possibly await him in the future.
The next morning, Harry and his friends made their way down to Hagrid's hut early in the morning. They had decided the night before that they needed to question the half giant over his knowledge of what was hidden in the trap door. Making their way down the hill to Hagrid's, they spied the game keeper tending to his garden with Fang roaming around him,
"'Ullo you lot! What yeh doin' down 'ere this time of mornin'."
Harry just grinned as he waved. "Do we need an excuse to see our favourite member of staff."
Hagrid's face blushed with embarrassment. "Ah, shucks you lot, yeh mighty special you four."
"Thanks Hagrid! We know we are!" Ron joked. Hermione clipped Ron around the ear for the comment, trying to hide the smirk on her face.
Hagrid finished up tending to his garden before he offered the foursome inside for a cup of tea. "You lot wan' a cuppa then?"
"We'd love one Hagrid." Hermione answered.
Leading the four first years in, Hagrid set about getting a pot of tea on the go. Setting the hot pot of tea and a plate of rock cakes on the table, the group of friends helped themselves to Hagrid's tea, politely ignoring the granite like cakes, except for Harry.
"So 'arry, you ready for Quidditch then?" Hagrid asked.
Harry took a bite out of his rock cake…or at least tried too…before responding to Hagrid. "Guess so, kinda nervous but I'm confident."
Alec gave his friend a friendly slap on the back, half in comfort, half to help him swallow the sliver of rock cake Harry managed to bite off. "Mate, you're going to kill it on the pitch, no doubt about it."
"Yeah Harry, there's no way Slytherin stands a chance." Ron added,
Harry grunted in response to his friends as he took a sip of his tea. "So, Hagrid, what do you think about the other night?" Hermione asked.
"I think it was brave of yeh three boys to grab Hermione like tha', whoever was the fool to bring a blimey troll into the castle in the firs' place is ruddy well stupid." Hagrid told them.
"Do you think someone was trying to grab whatever's up on the third floor." Harry asked.
"Who knows! And besides, tha's none of yeh business." Hagrid's voice turned defensive.
"Yeah besides, how could they get past that massive dog." Ron added.
Hagrid looked taken aback by Ron's comment and took a big gulp of his tea. "How'd you lot find out 'bout Fluffy?"
"So that's what it's called, funny name for a beast like that." Ron said.
"Nah, fluffy's a lovely little thing, once you know 'ow to calm 'er, just need to sing her a song…I shouldna said tha'." Hagrid paled.
"So, what's she guarding Hagrid." Alec asked.
Hagrid got up and started to clean up. "Tha's none of yeh concern, what's down there is between Professor Dumbledore and his friend Nicholas Flamel…I shouldna said tha'…I should not 'ave said tha'." Hagrid rubbed his face with his giant hands before he started shoving the four students out of his hut. "Alright yeh lot I think it's time yeh be getting' back to the castle." Hagrid quickly shooed them back up to the castle, his giant hands pushing the foursome out of the door, before he shut it with a bang.
For the next few days, Harry and his friends tried in vain to find any reference on who Nicholas Flamel was or how he was connected. For everyone else in the castle however, the events of Halloween were soon forgotten as Quidditch fever swept the castle. The first match of the year, Gryffindor versus Slytherin was due to take place in early November. Wood had increased Quidditch practice to four times a week, sometimes getting up as early as 5 AM for practice. Harry finally realised what the twins meant when they talked about Wood's Quidditch madness. He found himself flying in gale force winds and blinding rain for some of his practice matches, and it was expected that the game would have bad weather as well.
That's why, on the morning of the Quidditch match, Harry looked distraught about flying today. The tree tops were blowing almost sideways as the wind swept the grounds. Harry was still yet to buy his own broom, as such, he had to use one of the school brooms. Making his way down to the Great Hall, Harry sought out his friends, finding them all huddled around a rectangular package.
"Harry! Over here mate! You've got a package!" Ron called out to him.
Curiosity got the better of Harry as he ran to find out who'd sent him a package. Reaching his friends, he took the long, thin parcel in his hands and started to tear at the wrappings.
"Bloody hell mate!" Ron exclaimed.
Ron certainly summed it up well. Sitting in front of Harry was a brand-new broom. And not just any broom. A Nimbus 2000.
"Who sent this!?" Harry asked no one in particular.
His question was solved when Ron passed him a letter. "It came with this mate."
Mr Potter,
Inside is your new Nimbus 2000,
Use it well,
Professor McGonagall
Harry couldn't believe his luck; his head of house had brought him one of the best brooms on the market. Harry picked it up in his hands and studied the beautiful piece of magical engineering, its smooth wooden edges, the well-trimmed twigs on its back, the perfect weight and balance of the broom. It was a perfect broom. Harry looked around for his head of house but couldn't spot her anywhere. He guessed she had staff duties to perform. Gently laying the broom back in the middle of the table, Harry began to slowly pile some food onto his plate, his sense of nervousness gone now replaced by the hope that came with the broom. As he dug into his breakfast, Wood and the rest of the team came sauntering over.
"Blimey Harry, where'd you get the broom!" George exclaimed.
"McGonagall sent it, pretty fantastic hey." Harry answered.
Katie Bell, one of the triumvirate chasers, came sauntering up to inspect the broom. "With you on that thing, there's no way we can lose today."
"We all need to do our best today, not just Harry, remember that folks." Wood told them all.
"Yeah yeah Wood, just admit it, we've got this in the bag." Fred smirked alongside his twin.
Wood rolled his eyes as he let a smirk set on his face for a moment before his sternness reappeared. "Alright yes I suppose we do have a fairly good chance of winning, but don't go celebrating yet!"
The team all sat down at their respective places and enjoyed their own breakfast, as Ron and the twins chatted to Harry. Eventually Alec and Hermione joined their friends at the table, discussing the latest event. "Bloody hell mate, if that's not favouritism then I'm a donkey's arse." Alec exclaimed.
Hermione spluttered a bit of her tea at that statement. "Alec, that doesn't even make any sense, what are you talking about."
"It's an Aussie thing, don't worry about it" Alec reassured her.
"You lot are bloody mental you know that." Ron snorted.
Alec shoved a thumb over his shoulder. "Not as mental as those Slytherin mob, just look at them over there."
The Slytherins were preparing themselves in their typical fashion, by riling up their opposition, the Gryffindor's. Their rather rude hand gestures and snide remarks were doing nothing but getting the blood pumping in the veins of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Before long, Wood roused them from their meals and beckoned them on to the Quidditch pitch. Walking down as a team, Harry was surrounded by his friends who formed a sort of honour guard around the new broom which would hopefully win his team the game.
Splitting off at the changing rooms, Ron, Hermione and Alec all made their way to the stands to find a seat to see from, leaving Harry to get changed and ready for the game.
"Alright team, we've got one of the best teams we've ever had, there is no way we're losing today! Weasley's, keep the bludgers well away from us, and hit those bloody snakes. Katie, Angelina, Alicia, get your arses into gear and score us some goals. Harry, get us that snitch! That's your main priority, don't worry about anything else, just get that bloody snitch." Wood told them all as he wrapped up his speech.
"Well said Oliver!" George cheered.
"Hear hear!" Fred added.
"Alright you lot, get out there, let's go win us some Quidditch!" Wood exclaimed one last time.
Making their way onto the field, Harry looked around at the crowd. In the Gryffindor stands, his friends had erected a massive 'Potter for prime minister' Banner, with a charmed Gryffindor lion and all. Feeling touched by his friend's confidence and support, Harry steeled himself for the coming match.
Madam Hooch stood in the middle of the pitch, the Slytherin captain already at her side, as they waited for Wood to join them. "Alright everyone, I want a nice, clean match. Understood?"
The slab of man meat that was Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain, bore a striking resemblance to the troll Harry and his friends had just defeated the other night. Finally, Wood and Flint both shook hands, both of them trying to break the others hand. Getting into position, Harry's heart started to race in thought of what was about to happen. Mounting his broom, Harry waited for the whistle to blow. Suddenly, Madam Hooch's whistle blew through the noise of the crowd, and 14 brooms were straight up into the air. Harry went straight to searching for the snitch, circling around the pitch and listening to Lee Jordan, a third year and George and Fred's friend, commentate the match.
"And they're off! The Gryffindor Slytherin match is a go!" He called out over the crowd.
"Spinnet takes the Quaffle and heads straight for the goals, passing it to Johnson, an absolute smashing chaser with a smashing arse if I do say so myself!"
"Mr Jordan!" McGonagall interrupted.
"Sorry Professor, just stating the facts…anyway, Johnson passes it to Bell, who goes in for the goals and SCORES FOR GRYFFINDOR, GRYFFINDOR LEADING BY 10!"
Harry pumped his fist in the air in celebration of the first goal before going straight back to seeking. It was at this time that Marcus Flint decided to ram himself into Harry in an effort to dislodge him from his broom. Harry hung on for dear life as he steadied himself and flew back into air.
"THAT RUDDY WANKER! WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS…!" Lee shouted out,
"MR JORDAN!"
"Sorry Professor, anyway the human troll…"
"Jordan…"
"The Slytherin Captain who happens to look troll like…"
"Mr Jordan! Last warning!"
"Fine…fine…the Slytherin captain barges into Potter and almost knocks him off and kills him, but I'm sure that could have happened to anyone. Anyway, Spinnet has taken the penalty for Gryffindor and scored another goal, 20/0 Gryffindor's way!"
Harry continued to scan the pitch, looking up and down for the snitch. In the time that he was searching, Gryffindor had scored another 3 goals, whilst Slytherin caught up with 4 of their own.
"It's currently 50/40 Gryffindor's way, Slytherin is sneaking up fast." Lee commentated.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Harry's broom begun to rock back and forth and side to side, completely out of control. Harry tried to bring it back under control but failed completely, slipping off his broom at one stage and trying desperately to get back up.
"What on earth is going on with Potter, he better get his act together soon before the Slytherins catch the snitch." Lee's voice rung out.
Meanwhile in the stand, Harry's friends were frantically panicking over his broom. Hagrid, who had joined them a while back, had commentated that it looked as though Harry's broom had been jinxed.
"Blimey! 'arry's broom's been jinxed it 'as."
"Oh no! what can we do!" Hermione cried out.
Alec peered his eyes across the crowd, searching for something. "Try and search for whoever's casting it!"
Picking up her binoculars, Hermione started to scan the crowd, stopping when she saw Professor Snape muttering whilst keeping eye contact.
"It's Snape! Here take a look." Hermione said, passing her binoculars to Ron,
Ron looked murderous as he peered through the crowd. "The sneaky little prick! He's trying to kill Harry!"
"Here, give us a look then." Alec asked, receiving the binoculars from Ron, "Hang on a moment, So's Quirrell, they're both doing the same thing, so obviously one of them is jinxing and the other counter jinxing!"
"Bloody hell, which one is it!" Ron added.
"It doesn't matter! We need to distract them, I'll be back!" Hermione called over her shoulder.
She rushed off out of the stands and straight for the staff seating, making her way through the stadium innards, eventually making her way to the structure below the staff seats. Conjuring a small blue flame, Hermione set it down on Quirrell's robes, making sure to get away as quickly as possible. Soon after her departure, cries came out over the staff seating as professors rushed to put out their colleague's predicament.
Meanwhile up in the air, whilst Harry was struggling with his broom, Slytherin were now up another 30 points, 50/70 Slytherin's way. Harry felt his broom come back into his control, and soon after he mounted it once more to speed away looking for the snitch. He didn't have to wait long, as a small golden orb flew straight past his head and towards the Slytherin goals. Flying straight towards it, Harry made a beeline for it. Unfortunately for Harry, the Slytherin seeker had also caught on to the snitch and was hightailing towards it…and Harry. The two seekers battled it off in mid-air as both players knocked back and forth into each other. Soon however, Harry's superior broom payed off as he skimmed across the ground, standing up on his broom in order to catch the snitch. Reaching for it, Harry managed to wrap his fingers tightly around it, before he crashed straight into the ground.
The crowd grimaced as they watched Harry flip arse over teakettle, landing flat on his back. As Harry stat up from his crash landing, he took on the face of someone who was about to be sick. Cupping his hands in front of his mouth, Harry let out an almighty gag, spitting the golden snitch out of his mouth and onto his hands,
"AND HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS 200/70!" Lee celebrated as the crowd burst into cheering.
Within moments, the Gryffindor Quidditch team swarmed on Harry, picking him up and carrying him on their shoulders, chanting Harry's name as they made their way through the crowd of well-wishers and celebrates who wished to congratulate the young seeker. Eventually they made their way to Gryffindor Tower, where a full flung celebration was already on the way. One of the fifth years had managed to procure butterbeer from Hogsmeade, the village near Hogwarts. Harry had never tasted anything better when the cool butterscotch fizziness of the drink touched his lips.
"THREE CHEERS FOR POTTER!" Someone called out.
"HIP HIP, HOORAY, HIP HIP, HOORAY! HIP HIP, HOORAY!" The crowd cheered on.
"HERE'S TO POTTER, YOUNGEST SEEKER IN A CENTURY!" Someone else called out.
"TO POTTER!" The crowd replied.
Harry turned a nice shade of pink as his embarrassment set in. The twins let him down from their shoulders and he sought out his friends from the crowd. Finding them off in a corner of the room, Harry sat down with his friends to discuss the game.
Alec was the first to see him, giving Harry a face splitting grin. "Far out Harry, that was a brilliant catch mate."
"Blimey Harry, we thought you were done for when your broom got jinxed!" Ron told him,
"My broom? Jinxed? What happened?" The revelation that his broom was jinxed startled Harry.
Hermione bit her lip in nervousness. "Someone was jinxing your broom Harry; we don't know if it was Quirrell or…Snape."
"Snape! Why would Snape want to jinx my broom?" Harry asked.
"We don't know Harry, but it could be either of them, we don't know yet." Hermione added, "The real question though is why would Quirrell jinx you?"
"Maybe he thinks Harry's going to take his job, you know how good Harry is in defence." Ron snorted.
"Maybe, or maybe he's after whatever that dog is guarding." Alec suggested.
Harry's eyebrow rose a fraction. "Poor stuttering Quirrell? Maybe…we can always keep an eye on him."
"So, we'll watch Quirrell then, and I suggest we find out what exactly is hidden under that trapdoor." Hermione instructed.
The four friends nodded in agreement as they went back to the party to enjoy themselves. Harry slept well that night, knowing that he did a fantastic job in his game today. He'd sent a letter to Rose and Ginny about the day's events, including the part about his broom getting jinxed. He hoped he didn't worry the girls to much, fearing that his sister might just get a tad over protective.
Drifting off to sleep, Harry couldn't help but wonder who was behind the jinxing, whether it had been Quirrell or maybe really Snape. Harry hoped it wasn't Snape, he was a good teacher…to him at least. Harry couldn't help but wonder however, if the old potions master did have it in for him. He pushed those thoughts aside and thought about the match instead, reliving the experience of catching his very first, of many, snitches.
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For Rose, the weeks in Ottery Saint Catchpole began to slow down as the winter finally set in. The leaves had long since fallen, creating clumps of brightly coloured mulch to slowly sweat. Steadily but surely, Rose and Juni had added to the flower garden along the side of the house, Rose having chosen an array of coloured rose's to honour the name her mother gave her. Juni was very touched at the sentiment, and took Rose up into her arms when Rose had told her. The two had a good cry before they straightened themselves out and got to work.
What kept Rose from going insane however were the letters from Harry. Without her brother, Rose was slowly deteriorating into a grumpy, sour mood. It didn't help when Harry's letter detailing the incidents of his first Quidditch match got to her. Rose's heart had almost collapsed when she heard that Harry's broom was jinxed and was almost hurt. It got her thinking about the dream she had on her birthday however, the one about Quirrell. It made her think whether it really was Quirrell who had been out to hurt her brother. She made a mental note to ask Harry about it.
Today though, Rose was heading out to Diagon Alley with Ginny, Molly and Juni in order to do some Christmas shopping before the crowds set in. The only Christmas shopping Rose had ever done was with Harry and Aunt Petunia, when their aunt had taken them to the local supermarket to buy the food for the Christmas feast her and Harry would have to make, without every tasting it.
After her usual morning routine, Rose flooed over to the Burrow with Juni in tow, excited about getting to do some proper girly shopping.
As she stumbled out of the fireplace, Rose found herself being swept up into Ginny's arms. "Ready to go shopping Rose!"
"All set, know what you're getting that brother of mine?" Rose waggled her eyebrows at Ginny as she pulled back.
"Oh…not really…. I was thinking you could give me a hand." Ginny blushed as she bit her lip.
Rose just rolled her eyes. "Of course, I'll help you, my brother is notoriously hard to shop for."
Throwing powder into the fireplace, the two friends lined up to go off to the wizarding mall, their parent and grandmother close behind. They went their separate ways after Molly gave Ginny some money to buy gifts with, a very modest amount that made Ginny blush in embarrassment. They stopped in at Madam Malkin's to grab Molly a new hat from Rose, and a pair of slippers from Ginny. Rose suggested that they get something Muggle for Arthur, knowing full well he loved his muggle technology. As such, they decided to hold off getting a present for him until they went into the village back home. Next, they grabbed things for Ginny's brothers, grabbing a stack of chocolate frogs and a book on the Chudley Cannons for Ron. Joke items and a new potion making set for the twins. A Diary and new quill case for Percy, a set of new dragonhide gloves and a burn resistant watch for Charlie, and lastly a book on curse breaking and a wand holster for Bill. Next, they went off to grab things for Rose's family. They grabbed a book on magical sports for Alex and a set of ruby studded earrings for Juni, both from Rose. Ginny felt a little uncomfortable buying for muggles, so Rose suggested that she grab some things for them in town instead.
All that was left was Harry's now. Rose had decided the grab him a broom maintenance kit, and a book on curses and counter curses, since Quirrell was apparently a shocking teacher, that and she feared for her brother's life. He could never be too careful. Ginny on the other hand had no idea what to get Harry. His birthday present set the standard and she didn't want to disappoint.
"Well, how about you get him another book about defence, or maybe transfiguration?" Rose suggested.
"But he's probably going to get lots of books already." Ginny countered.
"Alright, well why don't we have a look through the alley and find something he'll like."
The two friends agreed and went off down the mall to find a present for Harry. They stopped in and out of certain shops, including the model shop that Ginny had gotten his birthday present from. Ginny briefly thought about going and getting Harry another model, but thought better of it. Eventually they arrived outside of a magical photography shop, which could turn muggle photos into wizard photos and vice versa, along with develop magical photos. Stepping inside with Rose, they were automatically drawn to the beautiful leather-bound photo-album that stood proudly on the counter. Bordered with a gold outline, the album had room for hundreds of photos, muggle and magical alike. Ginny new instantly that she wanted to get it for Harry, however she knew she couldn't just give it to him bare.
"Um excuse me. How much is the photo album there?" Ginny asked the old witch behind the counter, who was currently having a little snooze.
The old witch startled a bit, placing a hand over her heart before she smiled softly at Ginny. "Bless my stars! Oh…10 Galleons dear."
Counting the money she had left, Ginny laid 10 Galleons onto the counter to purchase it. "I'll take it please, and how much is it to develop and charm the photographs?"
"3 knuts per photo dear, and it only take half an hour to do about 50." The Shoppe keep explained.
Nodding her head in understanding, Ginny made her purchase and walked back out with Rose. "I could go grab some photos from your Gran and from mum, they've been snapping photos ever since you two got here."
"Sounds like a great idea, Harry doesn't have his own album, only mum and dads." Rose beamed at her friend.
"Shall we go find Mum and your Gran then?"
"Not yet, I want to grab one last thing before we head off."
Making their way back down the alley, they stopped in front of an old jewellers, whose windows were full of exotic looking rings and pendants of different designs and colours. Walking in, the two girls were greeted by an older gentleman in a muggle suit. "Good morning girls, how may I help you?" The man asked with a smile.
Rose stepped up to the counter, smiling up at the jeweller. "Hello, I'm looking for pendant necklace for my brother, something preferably with emerald."
"I see, and what is your relationship like with your brother?" the jeweller queried.
"He saved my life when we were little, I have a very strong relationship with my brother, he means the world to me." Rose answered.
"How very noble, I can suggest a pendant for you, it's called a lionheart. Here let me show you."
The jeweller made his way around the counter and towards the necklace and pendant section. Opening up the display, he pulled out two pendants, one silver one gold. The pendants themselves were excellently crafted, a lion made up most of the design, however a heart shaped hole sat in the middle of the lion, where its heart would sit.
"It's a very Gryffindor symbol…is your brother in Gryffindor?" the jeweller asked.
"Yes, he's a first year there, it's my turn next year." Rose replied.
"Very good! Anyway, the pendant is 40 galleons, and if you want an emerald that will be an extra 50, with it personally cut by myself. The pendant itself will be charmed with rust resisting, dirt resisting and anti-theft charms, all very useful and included in the full price." The jeweller informed Rose.
"Brilliant, I'll pay the lot today thanks." Rose shifted through her charmed money bag and retrieved the required galleons onto the counter.
"Oh ho! Very good miss, I'll go cut that for you right now, won't be a tick." The jeweller's eyes went as wide as saucers as he saw Rose plop her coins on the counter. Grabbing them up and cashing them into his register, the jeweller quickly rushed off to complete Rose's order.
Meanwhile, Ginny and Rose had a look around at the various pieces of jewellery that inhabited the store. "See anything you like Ginny?" Rose asked as she came up alongside Ginny.
"I like these rings, they're quite nice." Ginny pointed out the various silver and golden rings in the display.
Rose snickered a little as she realised what Ginny was pointing to. "Ah…Ginny, those are wedding bands."
"Oh…um…right…"
"Are you getting idea's Miss Weasley, or should I say Mrs Potter."
"Oh, shush you, just because you're dying for a sister doesn't mean you can force me to marry that lovely brother of yours."
"Oh, but I don't have to force you to do anything, mark my words, in less than 10 years from now my brother will propose to you."
Ginny's eyebrow rose a fraction. "Oh yeah, wanna make a bet."
"Damn right I do." Rose's smile was downright feral.
"You're on Potter, what's the bet."
Rose pulled out a galleon from her purse and held it in her fingers. "Five galleons to whoever is right. If he proposes in less than 10 years, I win, if it's more, you win." Rose told her friend.
"Deal! Wait…are you already suggesting he's going to want to marry me!" Ginny flustered. Inside her, some part of her purred with delight at the thought.
"Ginny my dear, whether you like it or not, you're both head over heels for each other, one day you'll both be brave enough and old enough to make that decision to actually snog and fall in love."
Ginny blushed deep red, and was about to retort when the jeweller came back with the finished product. "There you go miss, all done and finished." The jeweller handed the pendent over to Rose, who took it with a smile.
"Brilliant, It's simply brilliant. I'll make sure to come back for all my jewellery needs." Rose answered.
"Why thank you miss, would you like it gift wrapped?"
"No no, that's okay, I've got special paper at home for him. Thanks a lot for everything today." Rose thanked the jeweller with a smile.
"You're quite welcome miss, I look forward to next time." the jeweller farewelled Rose and Ginny as they made their way out of the shop.
The two girls found their respective Mother and Grandmother outside of Flourish and Botts bookstore, standing with their arms full of bags of shopping. Once they'd decided that they had all done enough shopping for today, the group of ladies made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. Both of the older matriarchs refused to tell their girls what they bought, stating that the two younger girls had to wait and see. Flooing back to the Burrow, the two girls enjoyed a lovely lunch prepared by Molly before Rose and Juni made their way back home.
The next few days were busy with preparations for Christmas. On the Friday, the 20th of December, Harry and the other boys would be coming home for Christmas Holidays. Rose and her grandmother would go off with the two Weasley girls to fetch the boys early in the morning. Thus, when Rose woke up on the 20th, her heart raced with excitement at seeing her brother again. They had been away from each other for almost over three months, the longest they had ever been away from each other, the only time they'd truly been away from each other since Harry started primary school. More importantly though, this would be the first proper Christmas they would have, as all the other Christmases were nothing more than them preparing the Christmas meals throughout the day and sitting and watching as the rest of the Dursleys opened their presents. This year however, the two Potters were with people who loved them, and would spoil them rotten for lack of a better term.
Jumping out of bed to get ready, Rose bounded into the bathroom to have a quick shower before she went downstairs to have a quick breakfast with her family. "Morning Grandma, Grandpa." Rose beamed as she took a seat next to her Grandmother.
"Good morning sweetheart, ready to get your brother." Juni smiled as she leaned over to press a kiss to Rose's cheek.
Rose blushed and grinned as she nodded her head. "All set Gran, I'm so excited to see him again! I've missed him so much."
"I'm sure he'll be happy to see you too darling." Alex placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Rose as he ruffled her hair.
After batting her grandfather away, Rose set her hair straight again and smiled at Alex as she lightly smacked his arm before digging into her own food.
Finishing up their breakfast, the Evans plus Rose made their way out to Alex's old Chevrolet Impala, ready to go grab Harry and the other Weasley boys, accompanied by Molly and Ginny. Once again, Arthur was at work and couldn't come grab the boys with her. Arriving at the burrow at roughly 9 o'clock, the Evans and one Potter were greeted by the two Weasley girls as they made their way outside to hop into Arthurs old Ford Anglia.
"Good morning Juniper, all set to grab our boys?" Molly gave her friend a fond smile as she helped Ginny into the car.
"All set Molly! I'll see you in London!" Juni's smile was devilish as she revved the engine of the Impala like a speed demon. Alex rolled his eyes from the passenger seat as he petted his wife's knee.
The two cars set off across the country, arriving at about midday, thanks to the 'upgrades' that Arthur made to the Anglia, and Juni's speed demon driving. The train wouldn't arrive for another half hour, so the two families sat and enjoyed a nice cup of tea and coffee at a station café before finally making their way to platform 9 ¾ to pick up the boys. Rose bounced up and down on her feet as she stood on the platform, waiting for the train to arrive. She didn't have to wait long, before the beautiful scarlet Hogwarts Express chuffed into the station. Moments later, students began to swarm out of the train, although not as many that were here on the first day of term.
Rose and Ginny looked for their brothers in the crowd, before spotting a cluster of four redheads and one jet-black mop in the crowd. Rose dashed forwards, pushing parents and students alike aside as she ran for her brother. Spotting Rose, Harry put down his trunk and rushed forward to greet his sister, bounding into each-other's arms with a crash that sent Harry stumbling backwards. Gaining his footing back, Harry spun Rose around and around as the two siblings embraced and giggled like mad.
Harry slowly slowed them down until he could finally put Rose back onto her own two feet. "I take it you missed me then." Harry chuckled as he rested his head against Rose's, "It's good to see you Rosey, I've missed you."
"I'm so glad you're home, of course I've missed you prat!" Rose's tears were slowly streaming down her face as her sobs became more intermittent.
Laying a soft kiss to his sisters temple, Harry stayed there glued to Rose for a moment before finally unwrapping himself from her embrace. "Come on, let's go find the others."
Wrapping an arm around Rose, Harry and his sister went off to find their grandparents. It didn't take them long to spot Juni, Alex and the Weasleys, who were standing off to the side, letting the siblings embrace. Harry's grandparents beamed at him as he strode forward with his luggage, putting it down to greet both his Grandparents.
"Hello Grandma, hello Grandpa, it's good to see you both, did you miss me?" Harry's smile was radiant as he embraced his guardians, feeling their love for him soak back up into his body.
"I think Rose has missed you most, but yes your grandmother and I did miss you. I've missed having a football partner, Rose is bit uncoordinated, aren't you love." Alex ruffled Rose's hair as he ribbed her football skills.
Juni in return whacked her husband on the arm as she scathed him. "Alexander! That's your granddaughter you're talking about."
"Only joking dear." Alex rubbed his arm as he sent a wink to his grandchildren, receiving a wink back from Harry as Rose just glared half-heartedly at her grandfather.
Satisfied her husband had learnt his lesson, Juni rushed forward to wrap Harry up into a tight embrace. "Oh, Harry dear, it's so good to have you home. You and Rose are going to have such a Lovely Christmas!"
"It's good to be back don't worry Gran, and I can hardly wait." Harry replied.
By this point, Hermione and Alec had made their way across to the Evans and Weasleys. "Oh, Grandma, Grandpa, Rose, I'd like you to meet Ron and I's new friends. This is Alec Henderson, and this is Hermione Granger." Harry told them, pointing to his friends respectively.
"Pleased to meet you both, Harry's told us a lot about you both in his letters." Juni greeted with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs Evans, Harry's told us a lot about you as well." Hermione greeted back with a smile.
"G'day Mrs Evans, Mr Evans, nice to meet you both." Alec greeted as well.
As Harry's friends introduced themselves, two people, a middle-aged man and woman, in plain muggle clothing came up behind them. The older man placed his hands on Hermione's shoulders, startling her until she turned around and broke into a toothy grin. "Daddy! Mum!"
The older man, who turned out to be Hermione's father, chuckled as Hermione jumped up into her arms. Breaking the embrace, Hermione gave her mother a tight hug before she turned back to her friends and their family. "This is my mum and dad. Mum, Dad, these are my friends, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Alec Henderson, Harry's sister and Grandparents and Ron's family."
"Jean Granger, pleased to meet you." Hermione's mother introduced herself with a smile.
"Richard Granger, pleasure to meet you all." Hermione's father waved in greeting.
Molly smiled back and stepped forward to shake Jean's hand. "Lovely to meet you both, would you care to join us for Christmas at all? You're more than welcome."
"We'd love to, I know Hermione would love to see her friends during Christmas holidays." Richard answered.
"Excellent, well we'll send an owl to you tomorrow to arrange the details." Molly explained
Nodding their heads in understanding, all eyes turned to the well-groomed brown-haired, brown eyed man that stood behind Alec. Much like Hermione's father, the man placed his hands-on Alec's shoulders, startling him. "How ya goin' young fella."
"Strike a light old man! Scare me half to death why don't you!" Alec jumped a bit as he turned around to face his dad, "Meet my friends, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger."
Alec's father gave everyone a broad smile as he shook their hands. "Lennox Henderson, at your service. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Molly flushed a bit as she made the connection with Lennox's name. "Oh…Mr Henderson! As in Commonwealth minister for magic Henderson?"
"Right in one Mrs Weasley. However, today I'm just a father here to collect his son, as obnoxious as he may be." Alec snorted as he thumped his father in the gut, "Alec has written home about you three. It's a pleasure to meet you at last."
Harry, Ron and Hermione all greeted the elder Henderson. Rose, who'd taken a spot slightly behind Harry, eyed the younger Henderson with a friendly glint in her eye, earning herself a smirk and a wink back from Alec when she was caught.
Clearing his throat, Lennox turned his eyes back towards the Potter siblings, giving them both a melancholy smile. "My, you both do look so much like your parents. I knew them you know, well your father really."
"You…you knew our parents?" Harry enquired.
"I did indeed, I was a year above your parents and their friends. Your father and his friends were quite well known, even to the older years." Lennox told them with a chuckle.
"That's…fantastic! Please…you must come for Christmas!" Rose told him, bouncing up and down on her feet.
"I'd be honoured, and I'm sure Alec will want to see his friends as well." Lennox said looking over at his son,
"Damn right, might go insane if it's just me and this old lug for Christmas again." Alec grinned as he poked his father in the gut again.
Lennox grimaced a bit as he flicked his sons' ear. "Alright young buck, easy on your old man. I'm no spring chicken."
The two Potters chuckled at the obvious love between the father and son. Harry looked around the crowd when he spotted a certain redhead he was on the lookout for. Standing next to her mother was Ginny Weasley, slightly red in her cheeks, turning even deeper when their eyes connected. The fluttering in Harrys heart returned when he made eye contact with the youngest Weasley. Making his way over to her to greet her, Harry took a deep breath as he approached her.
"Hello Ginny, a-are you glad to have your brothers' home?" Harry found himself surprised at his stuttering. He thought he'd gotten over that by now.
Ginny suddenly found the floor very interesting as she cast her eyes down. "Oh…yeah…sure."
"Hey listen…" Harry rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, "I appreciated those letters you sent me over the school term, they were nice to read."
Ginny looked up to smile at Harry as their eyes locked again. "You're welcome Harry…I…I liked getting letters from you as well. Especially since I don't get any from my brothers!" She said the last part loud enough for her brothers to hear.
"Hey? What did we do now?" Ron blanched a little.
"You lot never write home; I've gotten more letters from Harry then all of you combined." Ginny scolded.
"Oh, come on little Gin Gin." George started.
"Yeah little Gininkins, give us a break, we were busy." Fred added.
"And besides, I think you'd prefer letters from Harry then any of us." George finished.
"That's not the point!" Ginny blushed furiously, glaring at the twins for using the pets names she hated.
Ron gave Harry a questioning eye, causing Harry to blush before he shrugged. Harry, deciding to take the heat off Ginny, wrapped an arm around Ginny, causing the girl to stiffen in embarrassment.
"Nwah, Gin, you saying you don't want my letters?" Harry asked her in a surprisingly playful tone.
The three Weasley boys froze as they eyed Harry with worry. Nobody called Ginny, Gin, unless they had a death wish. However, Ginny merely shrugged and relaxed at his touch. "You know I prefer your letters, Mister Potter." Ginny purred at Harry, causing him to blush as she surprised herself at her boldness. "Your life is so much more exciting than any of my brothers."
"Hey! I'm with Harry for almost everything, so my life is just as exciting!" Ron argued.
"And we're the practical jokers." The twins said in unison.
Ginny just rolled her eyes at her brother's arguments, knowing full well that her brothers knew the real reason why she liked Harry's letters more. Eventually everyone wrapped up their conversations and made their way back to their cars. The four families bade everyone farewell, Ginny and Harry exchanged blushing eye connections as they separated and got into their respective cars. Rose soon joined him in the back, cuddling up to him as she shut her eyes, her head lolling around on his shoulder.
Rose let out a soft sigh as her eyes fluttered up to Harry's. "So, I noticed you and Ginny seem much more comfortable around each other. Did my little suggestion help?"
"You mean writing letters? Yeah, I'd like to think so." Harry chuckled.
"Well I'm glad, have you gotten her a present yet by the way?" Rose asked.
Harry blanched a little. "No not yet, I was thinking I might pop into Diagon Alley with you to get presents."
"That sounds like a good plan, maybe we can do that tomorrow. I think most of the shops will be open." Rose replied.
"I think so, otherwise we can always go Monday, although it'll probably be hectic."
"True that. Hey, who was that brunette friend of yours by the way?"
Harry smirked a little. "Hermione? You know who she is, I've written to you about her before."
"No not Hermione, Alec, your other friend."
"Oh! Alec! What about him?"
Rose blushed a little as she bit down on her lip. "He's rather cute don't you think."
"You know I don't roll that way sis. But, is my little Rosey getting a crush on my mate?" Harry teased.
"Well that would make both of us since you're head over heels with Ginny." Rose teased back.
"Touché. Alec's a good bloke though. A bit thick at times but I'm sure you'd just say that's all boys. He's definitely a Gryffindor. Can't believe that our fathers knew each other though. Small world isn't it?" Harry said
"That it is. Maybe we can get some stories from him, and some names from that photo album of mums." Rose added.
Harry grunted an affirmative as he too closed his eyes. Before long, the two siblings let sleep overtake them as their grandparents drove through the country, all the way back to Ottery St Catchpole…home.