Chapter 6: Quidditch Practice
The weekend arrived and Harry was glad for it, everyone was exhausted after a week of concentrating following a summer of idleness. He was particularly looking forward to a lie in, unfortunately Oliver Wood had other ideas. At approximately stupid o'clock in the morning, just after the sun had risen, Harry was rudely awakened by the Gryffindor quidditch captain shaking him violently. Harry batted at the hands grabbing at him before he knew what was going on.
"Quidditch practice," said the burley sixth former seeing Harry was awake, "get up, get dressed, get to the pitch, you've got 5 minutes." He was gone before Harry had a chance to respond.
Harry sat in his bed for a moment shell shocked. Looking around the room he caught Neville's eye who shrugged at him bemused. It was early, but the sky was bright and the dawn chorus was at full volume. Once Harry's brain had caught up with the moment he climbed out of bed and quickly found his quidditch robes.
"If Ron asks, could you tell him I've got quidditch practice," he asked Neville who nodded his agreement.
Harry grabbed his broomstick, dashed out of their room, down the stairs, out of the common room, through the castle and across the grounds and arrived at the quidditch pitch to join a collection of yawning, grumbling Gryffindors who looked distinctly unamused with Wood's early morning wake up call. Wood noting Harry's arrival began a long, fanatical speech about their training regime, tactics, strengths, weaknesses and possibly many more things but by the 40 minute mark Harry, along with the rest of the team had zoned out. In fact it looked like George had actually nodded of on Alicia Spinnet's shoulder.
"Right, all clear?" asked Oliver, "Any questions?"
Alicia shrugged her shoulder and George's head fell suddenly forward waking him up and catching Wood's eye. Wood looked incensed and started to rant at George when Katie, Angelina and Alicia all stood up causing him to pause for a moment.
"I guess we should go practice that new formation then," Katie suggested innocently, and the three chasers strode confidently out onto the pitch. Harry scurried to join them, swiftly followed by the others.
It was a gloriously fresh day and the earlier mist had mostly cleared under the bright morning sun. Following the older girls' example he hopped on his broom and pushed off quickly rising through the air feeling the breeze on his face. Man he'd missed this; more than learning magic, more than the castle, more than quidditch even, just the simple pleasure of flying. He wondered idly whether the sensation was similar with muggle flying methods, hang-gliding and the like, he couldn't imagine it as he soared effortlessly around the field robes whipping around him.
Harry spotted Hermione and Ron in the stands and also, to his embarrassment, Colin Creevey with his camera clicking away. He waved in acknowledgment to Ron and Hermione before he joined the rest of the team as they ran through some warm up slaloms between the goal posts and each other. After a few minutes flying Harry was ready to forgive wood the perversely early start. They gathered around Wood for further instructions when they all saw a troop of green robes striding onto the pitch broomsticks on shoulders.
Wood was furious. "What the bloody hell do they think they're doing? I've booked the pitch!" He shot towards the ground to confront them, the rest of the team following behind.
"Get out of here Flint," he said rudely, "this is our practice time."
The Slytherin captain smirked waving a piece of paper at Oliver. "Special permission from Professor Snape. We need to train our new seeker."
Oliver scowled as he read the note. It was blatantly unfair but there was nothing they could do about it and they all knew it. "New seeker." Wood spat out.
From behind the row of six smug, Slytherin boys strode none other than Draco Malfoy. He stood in stark contrast to the rest of the team who were older and clearly chosen in part for their brute strength.
"Draco Malfoy, our new seeker." introduced Flint.
"As in Lucius Malfoy's son?" queried Fred.
"The very same," Flint answered pleasantly, "Funny you should mention Draco's father," he continued, "he's so supportive of our endeavors he's provided the whole team with new brooms to better align with our talents." The whole Slytherin team were grinning broadly, each causally flashing the Nimbus 2001 logo on their new shiny broomsticks.
Ron and Hermione weren't ones to be left out and joined the unexpected gathering on the quidditch field.
"What's happening?" Ron asked taking in the new brooms and Malfoy.
"We were just admiring the brooms my father has bought our team," Malfoy informed him.
"Your team?"
"Oh of course you missed that bit, I'm the new seeker." Malfoy preened.
Ron laughed in incredulity, "yeah right."
The Gryffindor team snorted at Ron's response so perfectly encapsulating their feelings on the matter.
"I don't know what you're laughing at," said Malfoy angrily, "The nimbus 2001 is so far ahead of your brooms you'll look ridiculous trying to play against us." The Slytherins grinned in anticipation.
This time it was Hermione who snorted in disbelief. "I doubt it," she sniffed, "nobody on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way on. They have talent."
Malfoy was fuming, "What would you know you filthy mudblood." He snarled at Hermione.
In an instant the Gryffindors pounced. Fred, George and Angelina lunged at Malfoy shouting furiously. Katie, Alicia and Oliver tried to hold them back attempting to reason with them while Harry moved across Hermione in an effort to shield her from whatever had just happened. Even a couple of the Slytherins looked uncomfortable and seemed to step back from the group trying to dissociate themselves from the young Malfoy.
It was Ron however than made it through the melee to Malfoy. "Eat slugs," he roared angrily pointing his wand. There was a loud bang and a flash of light struck Malfoy in the stomach. Everyone froze staring at Ron's outstretched wand and the hunched over Draco Malfoy. Malfoy charged forward pointing his wand at Ron, but instead of a curse, out of his mouth came a stream of slimy slugs. Malfoy's eyes went wide in horror as he proceeded to wretch, more slugs dribbled out and everyone took several steps back in disgust.
Colin Creevey was in his element, he'd followed a little behind Ron and Hermione and was now rapidly taking photo after photo of the Malfoy slug fountain. Fred and George were doubled over with laughter, leaning on each other for support and the rest of the team didn't seem remotely sorry either. Oliver, however encouraged the Gryffindor's quickly back to the castle realising there would be more trouble once the momentary shock wore off. They left the Slytherins to deal with their slug puking seeker and went to grab showers and breakfast.
"We need to go and tell someone now," Hermione urged. "If Malfoy gets his side of the story across to Snape you are done for, and probably the rest of us too if he can." Ron paled in realisation. "Not that I don't appreciate your defense." she added hastily at Ron's despairing face.
Harry agreed with Hermione, the mudblood insult was clearly bad based on the reaction, but he doubted the teachers would condone the type of retaliation delivered by Ron. He glanced at his friend worriedly, trying to think his way through the problem. Malfoy could very well get Ron expelled he realised, Lucius Malfoy seemed to have some clout and would not take kindly to his son being embarrassed. What would serve them best, he pondered; remorse, defense, mitigation, evidence? He thought back through everything he'd learnt from Amelia Bones about building a case and proving innocence or guilt.
"Someone need to go and alert Madam Pomfrey," Harry told the team reluctantly, "we've got to look like we've tried to help." Oliver was on his side immediately, he would do whatever it takes to protect his team even if it meant throwing Ron to the dragons. In the end it was Katie Bell that volunteered to go to the medical wing to tell her about the accident. "Be as vague as you can," Harry suggested, "just let her know Malfoy is puking slugs and may need her help." Katie left immediately on her mission.
"I think we should go to McGonagall." Harry said decidedly to Ron and Hermione. The rest of the Gryffindor team whistled at the boldness of the suggestion then sidled off taking Colin with them, they had absolutely no intention of coming in McGonagall's sights.
Ron spluttered in protest.
"No, hear me out," he continued, "Ron you need to look absolutely distraught, convinced you've actually hurt Malfoy unintentionally and you want McGonagall's help to fix him and make sure he's OK, you need to be really worried about Malfoy, not about getting in trouble. The fact we've alerted Pomfrey and gone there so quick should be points in our favour." That would cover remorse thought Harry.
Ron tried to interrupt but Harry shushed him and they kept marching, now towards McGonagall's office.
"Hermione, you and I need to present the facts." Hermione nodded relieved she wasn't going to be asked to lie or act. "Emphasize Malfoys taunts and insults especially mudblood. Then we need to focus on the fact that Ron didn't actually use any known hex's or jinx's, right?" he briefly looked for corroboration, "Eat slugs isn't some spell I've not heard of is it?" Seeing the others agree with him he carried on, "so it would be like accidental magic, maybe combined with a faulty wand," Harry added feeling inspired. "Your wand's second hand, the unicorn hair is poking out, isn't it? I'll mention to McGonagall that it's been playing up to make the accident more plausible and show there was no intent to hurt Malfoy, just angry shouting." That should cover defense and mitigation, Harry continued through the list in his head.
Harry looked at Hermione to see if she was on board, "it makes sense" she agreed nervously chewing on her lip. Ron also seemed on board by now and was following along.
"We need to make sure we all seem mostly concerned about Malfoy, even as we make our excuses. We'll suggest she talks to the rest of the Gryffindor quidditch team, and maybe those two Slytherins for further proof."
"What Slytherins?" Ron asked appalled.
"Two of the Slytherins looked disgusted with Malfoy," Hermione explained, "even before he was puking slugs." she'd noticed them as well. "It should be easy enough to find out their names, and if they will speak against Malfoy that would be good for us." Hermione was very much seeing the value in Harry's plan. That's the evidence sorted, Harry ticked it off in his head.
"I think it's our best shot. There's no way Malfoy won't play this for all it's worth so hoping it will go away won't work. We absolutely have to get in first." Harry concluded grimly.
They slowed as they approached McGonagall's office. Ron was now a sickly shade of green beneath his freckles but he nodded at them both and together they approached the door.
"Ready to rant and rave with anguished remorse," Harry murmured to Ron. He nodded and Harry knocked loudly, urgently and repeatedly on McGonagall's door. Hermione nudged Ron, and he quickly grasped his part and started shouting desperately for their Head of House.
"What in the world is going on out here?" McGonagall appeared in the doorway, lips thin with irritation.
"Professor I'm so sorry. I'm so scared, you've got to help. It's Malfoy! I didn't mean to but he so sick. We've sent for Madam Pomfrey, but you've got to help him." Ron was spectacular, and to give McGonagall her due, thought Harry, as they rushed towards the medical wing, she's gone to assist before she's started shouting at us. Between the three of them they managed to hit upon several the points Harry mentioned, while maintaining their concern for Malfoy's wellbeing, as they headed towards the ward. Even better was the fact that Madam Pomfrey herself told McGonagall about Katie Bell's early call for help which sped up Malfoy's treatment. Indeed it seemed Malfoy would be fine in a few hours once the stomach settling potion had had a chance to fully work, much to everyone's great relief.
With McGonagall now sure of Malfoy's recovery she led her three lions back to her office to get to the bottom of the drama. Harry, Ron and Hermione each played their parts to perfection even in the face of McGonagall's barely contained anger. She was aghast at Malfoy's use of mudblood and apologised profusely to Hermione for having experienced such prejudice and was incredulous at their insistence that Ron hadn't actually hexed Malfoy, it just happened. When Harry innocently suggested the damaged wand might be why the magic had happened without a spell being cast the Deputy Headmistress doubtfully inspected Ron's wand. She pursed her lips in concern when she saw the shimmering white of unicorn hair glistening at the base of the wand. All on all she was quite unsure what to make of the situation.
"When you point your wand at someone that is an aggressive act and you must be prepared to deal with the consequences," McGonagall told them sternly. "Saying I didn't mean to or I'm sorry, won't take back what you've done. A student cursing another student can't go unpunished intended or not." Their heads drooped, though they knew they wouldn't escape scot free. "That being said you did the right thing seeking help quickly. Mr Weasley, 20 points from Gryffindor for injuring another student through carelessness and a week of detentions with me." Then turning to Hermione she said, "Don't mistake me Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy is very much at fault too and will be punished accordingly. Such appalling language and prejudice is not tolerated at this school, I hope you can feel assured of that." She looked at Hermione kindness and concern clearly written on her usually severe face. Hermione nodded back self-consciously. "Alright, you can consider this matter closed, you may all go and enjoy your weekend. Except you Mr Weasley," she added as they all rushed for the door. He turned back fearfully. "We need to figure out what to do about your wand, I cannot allow a student to be waving around such a dangerous object, you're lucky nothing worse has happened." Ron returned to the chair at McGonagall's desk resigned as Harry and Hermione gratefully escaped the office.
By lunchtime Ron was being hailed a hero by many in Gryffindor and beyond and the great moment was immortalised in the common room by several moving photographs of Malfoy as he helplessly regurgitated slugs.