It had been a while, a very long while, since he had been here. But he hadn't forgotten. Had always been wondering when he would come back.
'Of course it'd be after today' muttered Y/N as the wind whipped through his hair. He readied his wand, waiting, listening. There it was again, the slithering noise. Much like the one he'd heard in the forest.
'Lumos!' his wand tip ignited and he watched the hem of the cloak whip away behind the nearby trees. He broke into a sprint after it, his wand held high. He regularly cast sparks after the retreating figure, aiming for the robe, but they all seemed to ricochet off as if hitting some invisible barrier. So he simply kept running, hopping over the roots and through the leaves.
There, approaching in the distance were the now familiar walls of Hogwarts castle, then, for the first time ever he saw something. Along the outskirts, a flash of red, almost like fire and something fluttering down. He doubled his approach, he had to know.
'Hell yes I do! In the same way I defy yours Bellatrix! Stupefy!'
There it was again, that same voice. But he'd never heard that incantation before.
'You will not take Y/N!'
He'd always suspected, and his mum had even told him as such, but the moment he heard that line, he knew.
'Dad!' Y/N called and he sprinted towards the wall where he'd seen the fire. There was more of the cloak now, he'd normally lost sight of it by this point but he was following and gaining and then he heard that same voice from the year before. That same high, cold voice.
'My faithful Death Eaters, my loyal Death Eaters. Couldn't even stop one man from getting a child away from me?'
'Not this time Voldemort,' grunted Y/N as he followed the cloak closely. He burst through the trees into a small clearing just as there was a blinding flash of green light…
And he jumped awake again.
He felt the anger bubble in his stomach. So long. He'd had to wait so long to get the dream again. Finally it had reappeared, he'd made so much progress and yet still, he had not been able to stop it, to see, to know.
He threw himself out of bed and marched down into the Gryffindor common room. It was still pitch-black outside but he didn't care. He couldn't be in that room anymore. He sat himself down on the floor of the common room and closed his eyes, trying desperately to remember or picture anything he could.
His dad's voice came swimming back into his mind.
'You will not take Y/N!'
'Dad,' he heard his voice shake as he said it. His weakness didn't help his situation, he was angry, he didn't want to be sad. His anger was rising. He could feel it rippling through him and almost felt as though it was travelling out, wrapping around things, pulsing. It felt almost like his sense.
He could see pieces of furniture, the curtains, they were all swimming across his vision.
'Y/N!'
His eyes snapped open, and several dull thuds echoed around the room. He turned to his eyes towards the speaker and saw Ron watching him from the stairs.
'What the bloody hell was that?' Ron asked, watching him
'What was what?'
'The furniture, the curtains.'
'What about them?' Y/N asked, looking around at them.
'They were floating.'
'What?'
'You were sitting there, spaced out and all the furniture was just floating. Not much, just slightly off the ground. I thought you were doing it.'
'No I-' but Y/N stopped as he thought back to how he'd been feeling, seeing the things in his mind, interacting with them. 'I don't know,' he finished. 'It's just been a long day. What are you doing up anyway?'
'I heard you muttering something in your sleep. Then you got up and came down here. I thought I'd come check to make sure you were okay.'
'Thanks Ron,' muttered Y/N as he looked down at the floor. 'I do appreciate that. You head back up to sleep, I'll speak to you about it another time yeah?'
Ron nodded and opened his mouth to say something but then seemed to second guess and he turned to walk away.
'Hold on, Ron.' He stopped and turned to face him again. 'Sorry about earlier. I know you're capable mate, and I know if your wand was working you'd of had my back. I didn't mean or want to take the credit.'
Ron smiled and nodded.
'I know mate, once my wands back to fighting strength we take them together, yeah? I owe them for the last year.'
'I dare say they won't stop and you'll probably owe them for this year too. But of course mate, next time we get them together.'
Ron smiled and nodded appreciatively before making his way back upstairs.
It had been such a small thing, Ron just going out of his way to check on his friend, but it left Y/N feeling elated. He'd always thought it'd be Hermione he had to go to, or Harry, but Ron appearing to support him had been unexpected. But a welcome unexpected.
He felt a pulse in his head and felt something warm against his chest. He took his journal out his pocket and flicked it open, surprised. He read the message inside.
'Don't suppose you're still awake?'
Y/N paused for a second as he read it. He didn't even know what time it was, but the fact Hermione was even asking him was new.
'Common room.'
He closed the journal and settled himself down on one of the sofas. A few moments later and he heard the door to the girl's dormitory creep open and Hermione stepped inside. She smiled sleepily at him as she wandered over and sat down next to him. She immediately wrapped her arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder.
He didn't mind this anymore. It was weird, to an external eye they may as well be together, and yet they weren't. But things like this just felt so natural with her.
'What's up?' he asked her after a while.
'Earlier,' she said sniffily. 'I feel so stupid for it, I know you said not to worry but-'
'You want to stay down here with me tonight?'
Hermione froze as Y/N asked her and then she nodded her head slowly. He pulled one of the cushions over and placed it on his lap much like the previous year and Hermione rested her head on it.
'Good night Y/N,' she said as she closed her eyes.
'Good night 'Mione,' he said as he began running a hand through her hair. Before long, Y/N felt his eyes drooping and the two fell asleep.
()()()()()()
Much of the next few days were spent simply trying to get by. Y/N hadn't had the dream again, but it didn't mean it wasn't on his mind, at least whilst lying in his dormitory. Most of his time travelling through the corridors was spent keeping an eye out for Harry, who had almost begged both him and Ron to help him spot whenever Lockhart or Colin Creevey were nearby.
The first week had been so stressful for the quartet that they made a plan to go and visit Hagrid on Saturday just to make sure they didn't need to deal with anyone in the common room causing any more trouble.
Y/N awoke Saturday and slid out of his four-poster. Neville, Dean and Seamus were already gone, but surprisingly so was Harry.
'Ron, up and at 'em,' Y/N called flicking his wand and causing the curtains around Ron's bed to fly open. Ron groaned and lazily threw a pillow. It missed by miles. Y/N made his way over to Harry's bed and saw a note resting on the bedside table. He picked it up.
'Wood came to get me, Quidditch Practice.'
'Where's Harry?' said Ron groggily.
'Quidditch practice,' said Y/N, folding up the note and tucking it away. 'Wood got to him before we could.'
The two boys got ready and headed down to the common room where they met up with Hermione, and together they made their way down to the Great Hall.
'Doesn't look like they're back yet,' said Ron, his eyes wandering up and down the Gryffindor table.
'Should we just grab and head down to the pitch?' asked Hermione.
'Might as well,' said Y/N. 'Worst case we intercept him halfway.'
They scooped up a couple of stacks of toast and made their way down towards the Quidditch pitch. They wandered up to the stands and took their seats. The pitch was empty.
'Reckon we missed them?' asked Ron as they settled themselves down. Y/N closed his eyes and focused.
'Nope,' he said as he reopened them. 'Harry's Nimbus is still in the changing room. They must be wrapping up.'
'Since when could you feel brooms?' asked Hermione, looking curious.
'The charm on a Nimbus is intense, it's one of the best brooms in the world. But I've been alongside worse. It doesn't knock me faint cause I've felt Harry's cloak last year but it's a strong enchantment.'
'So how does it work then?' asked Ron. 'Do you feel everything? Or do you need to look for it?'
'Depends on the nature of it to be honest,' said Y/N, thinking as he spoke. 'Easiest metaphor is it's like I live in a house. I can open the door and go looking, find certain items and kind of direct where I'm looking. Hence how I can find Harry's broom but don't get bothered by anything in the castle. But then there are a few that just sort of, kick the door down.'
'Like Harry's cloak?' asked Ron and Y/N nodded.
'Originally it was the diary mum gave me, cause it was super high-end magic and I had never really seen any. It's hard to go from nothing to top end magic, but they don't really bother me anymore. I still get a blip whenever we use it but it's more like a notice. But Harry's cloak still gets me. Don't know what's enchanting that thing but it's ridiculous.'
'So for standard magical items you can just sort of go looking for them?' said Hermione and he nodded again.
'I don't find them if I don't go looking, they've mostly blended into the background now cause I'm used to much stronger items. But if I want to go looking I can.'
'That's so cool,' said Ron impressed, but Y/N just shrugged.
'Mum said my Dad could do it too, apparently it's a family thing. There's not really anyone I can ask to help me learn, but this is just what I've got so far.'
'It's probably good it doesn't pick up every item,' said Hermione as the Gryffindor team exited their changing room. 'I imagine it would get overwhelming if you felt everything.'
'Don't think I'd be able to function,' he responded as Ron got to his feet.
'Aren't you finished yet?' he called down to Harry.
'Haven't even started,' Harry called back, looking up at them. 'Wood's been teaching us new moves.'
They watched as the team all mounted their brooms and kicked off. They started off fairly slow but before long, Harry and the Weasley twins were tearing across the outside of the stadium. Y/N heard a familiar clicking and looked across the stands to see Colin with his camera held up to his face.
'Swear he has a tracker on Harry or something,' said Y/N, pointing at Colin. 'Always seems to be able to find us no matter where we are. Caught us in a bathroom on Tuesday.'
Harry had apparently seen Colin too as he span his broomstick around and soared away from him just as Wood flew up to speak to them. They spoke in the air for a few moments before they all took towards the floor, Wood seemed to shout something but Y/N couldn't make it out.
He could however see the group of green robed people making their way onto the pitch.
'Sometimes I wonder if one of the conditions to make it into Slytherin is to just always be where you aren't wanted,' said Y/N, looking down at the green robed figures.
'Should we go down?' said Ron, looking partially worried, partially annoyed.
'Give it a minute.' but as they watched the rest of the Gryffindor team landed around the conversation seemed to be getting more intense. Y/N sighed.
'Come on then,' he said as he got to his feet. 'Let's find out what's going on.' Ron sped ahead of them as Y/N lagged behind a bit. Hermione noticed and slowed to walk alongside him.
'You okay?' she asked.
'I've got a very bad feeling about what's about to happen,' he said as they descended down into the pitch. They wandered across and met up with the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams. Y/N felt his stomach lurch as in the mass of burly troll like figures was a short pale faced boy.
'What's happening?' Ron asked Harry. 'Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?'
'I'm the new Slytherin seeker, Weasley,' said Malfoy, a smug sneer creeping across his face. 'Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought for our team.'
Ron gazed open mouthed at the brooms. Y/N could feel the magic on them, it wasn't that much stronger than the enchantment on the Nimbus 2000.
'Good, aren't they?' said Malfoy smoothly. 'But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives, I expect a museum would bid for them.'
All of the Slytherin team began howling with laughter but Hermione stepped forward.
'At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent.'
Malfoy's face faltered. Y/N stepped forward.
'No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood.'
Malfoy went flying. He soared backwards, in between all the Slytherin team who staggered backwards. Y/N threw his wand to the side after casting his spell and sprinted at the pale faced boy who had only just landed. He heard something being shouted behind him but he didn't care.
He grabbed Malfoy by the front of his robes and punched him full in the face.
'Don't you ever. DARE. Use that word in my presence again. Do you understand me?' yelled Y/N into his face.
Malfoy was blubbering, his hands flailing wildly trying to push him off. Y/N felt something grab the back of his robes and drag him off Malfoy. A moment later and there was a bang and a flash of green. Marcus Flint threw Y/N back towards the Gryffindor team snarling.
'Professor Snape will hear about this one.'
'Let him. Let him know the filth that leaves his favourite students mouth.'
Y/N turned away to see Hermione and Harry knelt down next to Ron. The twins gave him approving nods as he wandered back, but his eyes were unfocused and his blood was boiling. As he approached, he watched Ron throw up a couple of slugs onto the grass.
'What happened to him?' Y/N asked as he approached.
'He turned to curse Flint off you,' said Harry as he heaved Ron up. 'Come on. We'd best get him to Hagrid's, it's closest.'
''Mione, grab my wand for me,' said Y/N as he scooped up Ron's other arm, and together they lead him towards the exit.
Colin began speeding towards them, camera held high, but backed away at the look on their faces and allowed them to pass. Shortly after, Hermione caught up and they made their way across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut.
'Nearly there Ron,' panted Harry as they got closer. 'You'll be alright in a minute.'
They were almost on top of it when the door flew open and Gilderoy Lockhart wandered out. It took Y/N a second to register, he almost wanted to just hex Lockhart out the way. But Harry dragged Ron out of sight and Hermione grabbed Y/N's arm, wheeling him away.
'It's a simple matter if you know what you're doing!' Lockhart was saying loudly to Hagrid. 'If you need help, you know where I am! I'll let you have a copy of my book. I'm surprised you haven't already got one. I'll sign one tonight and send it over. Well, goodbye!' And he strode away toward the castle.
Y/N stepped out the moment he'd turned around and made his way to Hagrid's hut, knocking on the door. Hagrid opened it looking irritable but brightened once he saw Y/N.
'Hiya Y/N!' He said brightly. 'Was wonderin' when I'd see you lot. Where are the others?'
'Behind me,' said Y/N stepping inside as Hermione came into view, followed by Harry supporting Ron 'We'll need tea please, Hagrid.'
Hagrid helped see Ron inside and gave him a bucket. Harry and Hermione took seats, both of them watching Y/N who was pacing back and forth seething.
'Thought you mighta bin Professor Lockhart back again,' Hagrid said, looking at them all. 'Better out than in. Get 'em all up, Ron.'
'What did Lockhart want with you, Hagrid?' Harry asked as he scratched Fang's ears.
'Givin' me advice on gettin' kelpies out of a well,' growled Hagrid, moving a half-plucked rooster off his scrubbed table and setting down the teapot. 'Like I don' know. An' bangin' on about some banshee he banished. If one word of it was true, I'll eat my kettle.'
Harry smiled appreciatively but asked, 'Why did they even hire him?'
'He was the on'y man for the job,' said Hagrid, offering them a plate of treacle toffee while Ron coughed into his basin. 'An' I mean the on'y one. Gettin' very difficult ter find anyone fer the Dark Arts job. People aren't too keen ter take it on, see. They're startin' ter think it's jinxed. No one's lasted long fer a while now. So tell me,' said Hagrid, jerking his head at Ron. 'Who was he tryin' ter curse?'
'Malfoy called Hermione something, it must have been bad cause Y/N almost broke his nose,' said Harry.
'He called her Mudblood, Hagrid,' said Y/N finally turning to face them. Hagrid looked outraged.
'He didn'?' he said, looking at Hermione.
'He did,' she responded, 'but I don't know what it means. Obviously its bad but-'
'It's a disgusting term,' said Y/N as Ron continued coughing. 'It's used to describe people from muggle families. It basically means dirty blood. I've only ever heard one other person use it. Voldemort called my mother it last year when me and Harry ran into him, and Malfoy spat it out as if it was nothing.'
'There are some wizards, like Malfoy's family, who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood,' said Ron as he recovered a little. 'I mean, the rest of us know it doesn't make any difference at all. Look at Neville Longbottom, he's pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up,' Ron disappeared into the bucket.
'Hermione's the best damn witch Hogwarts has seen in years,' growled Y/N, looking at her fondly. 'He has no right to use words like that when his family are such filth.' Hermione blushed deep purple.
'It's a disgusting thing to call someone,' said Ron, wiping his sweaty brow with a shaking hand. 'Dirty blood. Common blood. It's ridiculous. Most wizards these days are half-blood anyway. If we hadn't married muggles, we'd've died out.'
'Well, I don' blame yeh fer tryin' ter punchin' 'im, Y/N,' said Hagrid. 'Bu' it's a dangerous thin' to threaten Lucius Malfoy's boy. Yer wanna' be careful.'
'Anyone who feels like they have the right to use a word like that deserves what they get, Hagrid. Maybe I did overreact, but I should hope it's taught him his lesson.'
'Y/N,' came Hermione's voice, very quietly. He turned his eyes on her and she patted half of her chair, she'd pressed herself against the side so he could squeeze on with her. Y/N took a deep breath and sat down on the half of the chair she'd made for him.
'Harry,' said Hagrid abruptly, as though struck by a sudden thought. 'Gotta bone ter pick with yeh. I've heard you've bin givin' out signed photos. How come I haven't got one?'
Harry, who had previously looked as though he was wrestling with his own mouth, wrenched it open.
'I have not been giving out signed photos,' he said hotly. 'If Lockhart's still spreading that around-'
But he was interrupted as Hagrid started laughing.
'I'm on'y jokin',' he said, patting Harry genially on the back and sending him face first into the table. Y/N looked on, full of jealousy. 'I knew yeh hadn't really. I told Lockhart yeh didn' need teh. Yer more famous than him without tryin.'
'He'd hate that,' said Hermione somewhat bitterly as Harry sat up, rubbing his chin.
'Think he did,' said Hagrid. 'An' then I told him I'd never read one o' his books an' he decided ter go. Treacle toffee, Ron?' he added as Ron's face reappeared out of the bucket, but Ron simply shook his head.
'Come an' see what I've bin growin',' Hagrid added, getting to his feet. Harry and Ron got up to follow. Y/N didn't want to move, he was still seething, but he saw the look in Hermione's eyes and, with a sigh, got to his feet.
Hagrid took them out through the backdoor and showed them his pumpkin patch. They were huge, each rivalled a large boulder.
'Gettin' on well aren't they?' Hagrid asked happily. 'Fer the Halloween feast, should be big enough by then.'
'What have you been feeding them?' asked Harry.
'He hasn't,' said Y/N smirking. Hagrid glanced around quickly before nodding.
'I've bin givin 'em, y'know, a bit of help,' and he pointed across to his pink umbrella leaning against the side of the door frame. They all knew Hagrid wasn't meant to use magic, he'd been expelled during his own time at Hogwarts, but he always refused to answer their questions as to why.
'An engorgement charm?' asked Hermione with a face that seemed a perfect 50-50 between disappointed and amused. 'You've done a good job on them.'
'That's what yer sister said,' said Hagrid, looking to Ron. 'Met her jus' yesterday,' Hagrid looked sideways at Harry, his beard twitching. 'Said she was jus' lookin' round the grounds, but I reckon she was hopin' she might run inter someone else at my house,' he winked at Harry. 'If yeh ask me, she wouldn' say no ter a signed-'
'Shut up,' said Harry as Y/N and Ron snorted with laughter, the latter sending a spray of slugs forward towards Hagrid's pumpkins which caused Hagrid to push him back into the cabin.
They spent the rest of the morning chatting with Hagrid, and then headed back up to the castle for lunch. Y/N had mostly calmed down by this point, the residual anger was mostly just at everything Malfoy had done previously and feeling partially responsible whenever Ron spat up a slug. It had been Y/N that Ron had been trying to defend after all.
But as they crossed the threshold into the Entrance Hall, Professor McGonagall swept towards them.
'There you are, Potter, Weasley. You will both do your detentions this evening.'
'What're we doing, Professor?' said Ron.
'You will be polishing the silver in the trophy room with Mr Filch,' said Professor McGonagall. 'And no magic, Weasley, elbow grease.' Ron groaned
'And you, Potter, will be helping Professor Lockhart answer his fan mail,' said Professor McGonagall.
'Professor, can't I go and do the trophy room, too?' said Harry desperately.
'Certainly not,' said Professor McGonagall, raising her eyebrows. 'Professor Lockhart requested you particularly. Eight o'clock sharp, both of you. Y/N, a word if you please.'
Harry and Ron slouched off into the Great Hall, but Hermione looked torn between following them and Y/N. Professor McGonagall looked at her before saying 'This involves you too, Miss Granger, so you're welcome to follow along.' Together, they followed McGonagall back to her office where she closed the door and asked them to sit.
'First of all,' she said, turning towards Y/N, looking stern. 'I have heard from both Professor Snape and Marcus Flint that you punched Draco Malfoy today Y/N, is that true?'
'Yes,' growled Y/N.
'And what, possessed you to do such a thing?'
'He called 'Mione a mudblood,' Y/N spat. McGonagall looked shocked and turned her eyes onto Hermione, who nodded to confirm Y/N's story.
'Well, be that as it may Y/N, it was still an attack on another student. 10 points from Gryffindor.' Y/N grunted. 'And second, I believe I asked you for any updates you have on Gilderoy Lockhart. What have you found out so far?'
Hermione launched into an explanation of their first lesson as Y/N sat there, his blood boiling again. He'd had points taken cause Malfoy had used that damned word. He could hear him laughing already.
'I don't blame you for what you did, Y/N,' came McGonagall's voice, snapping him out of his thoughts. 'However, I don't believe it was right. There are ways to settle our disagreements that aren't muggle brawling.'
'Deducting House Points won't teach him,' said Y/N.
'Neither will punching him. Mr Malfoy does it to get the rise out of you. The more you rise, the more he'll do it.'
'So what am I meant to do? Just let him use the word?'
'Don't let it phase you. You know what Miss Granger is capable of as we all do, and you know where his family comes from. They strive on making people like Miss Granger feel smaller than them.'
Y/N grunted again and McGonagall simply shook her head.
'Thank you for the update Hermione,' she said with a nod to Hermione. 'Keep me posted, but if that's the way he's starting his year I'm not holding my breath. You two had best head down to lunch before you miss it.'
Hermione stood up and so did Y/N, he followed her out of the office and moved with her on autopilot. It wasn't until he heard Hermione say 'Wattlebird' that he realised they weren't heading down to the Great Hall at all.
'What the-?' he asked but she simply grabbed his hand and dragged him through the portrait hole and over to a nearby desk. She pushed him down into a chair and span one of the others around placing it next to his. She sat down and pulled out a book.
He shook his head, smiling in spite of himself, and then leant into her so they could read it together.
They were in the common room reading for just under an hour when the portrait hole behind them swung open and in walked the twins. They were chatting amongst themselves but made a beeline for Y/N once they saw him.
'Hiya Y/N!' said George brightly.
Y/N looked at them with a mix of suspicion and apprehension.
'Oh come now,' said Fred. 'Always expecting the worst,'
'We just came to ask if you wanted to give flying a go,' said George. 'You promised you would after we got Harry.'
'Suppose I did,' said Y/N. 'Don't have a broom though. I'll need to borrow a school one.'
'You can borrow mine,' said Fred beaming. 'Come on,' and he scooped up Y/N and dragged him out the portrait hole. A moment later and Hermione was pushed forward next to him to looking bemused.
'Guess I'm being dragged into this too?' she asked as Fred and George frog marched them down the stairs.
'If we don't bring you then Y/N will have an excuse to get away early,' said George.
'And we've managed to convince Alicia and Katie to play as well as Wood to keep. Told them we've seen you might be good material,' said Fred, 'so we want to give you a proper hazing.'
They passed Harry and Ron leaving the Great Hall as they reached the Entrance Hall.
'Harry!' beamed Fred, dragging Y/N along with him. 'Do me a favour, go grab your Nimbus then join us at the pitch. We're giving Y/N his turn.' Harry's face turned from one of partial despair into excitement.
'I left it on the pitch after what happened earlier, I imagine it got moved to the changing rooms so let's go,' he said and they joined the procession down to the pitch. Y/N and Hermione looked at each other and sighed.
'Right then L/N,' said Oliver Wood as he looked Y/N up and down. 'You've got the build for it, and the twins say you've got a knack for getting through nooks and crannies. We've managed to get Angelina on board too so it's going to be two aside. You and Alicia vs Angelina and Katie. I'll be keeping.'
Y/N nodded and followed Wood's pointing finger to Alicia. He moved over to introduce himself.
'Hi! You must be Alicia?' he asked, holding out his hand. She nodded as she took it.
'Alicia Spinnet, and you're Y/N L/N aren't you? McGonagall's son?'
'The very same,' said Y/N.
'I'm not surprised to see you here then,' she said, beaming. Y/N felt confused.
'What do you mean?'
'You don't know?' she asked looking shocked. 'Your mum was an ex-Quidditch pro, pretty sure there's a trophy for her in the trophy room.'
'I honestly had no idea,' said Y/N, genuinely surprised. 'I'll have to ask her about that.'
They chatted for a few more moments, then after a brief introduction to Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson they took to the pitch. Y/N mounted Fred's Cleansweep and began flying around the pitch. It took him a moment to get used to it, but once he was it wasn't that much different to the car. The response time was good and it was easier to fit through narrow gaps. He saw the twins, Ron, Harry and Hermione watching from the stands and he sped towards them.
He weaved in amongst the towers along the outskirts of the pitch and sped over the tops of their heads, hearing their whoops of appreciation as he did so and he span his broom back towards the hovering chasers and keeper who were all smiling.
'Impressive L/N,' called Wood, 'now, let's see how you handle Gryffindors finest,' he pointed his wand at the red ball all the way down on the floor of the pitch below them and it shot up towards them. Angelina took it first, following their rules she had to reach the halfway point then double back and take the shot. She sped off towards the marking line.
Alicia moved to cut in but was blocked by Katie swerving in front and around her, Alicia got knocked off course and swerved away but Y/N was unimpeded, he swept in and reached out for the Quaffle. Angelina grabbed her broom and rolled under it, now hanging from the underside.
Y/N placed his other hand back on his broom and pushed down, he curved straight downwards into a loop-de-loop and snatched the Quaffle from her hands as he did so. He finished the loop and span the broom towards the halfway point, the Quaffle now clutched under his arm.
Angelina span round to follow him, but not before Katie moved to block. Y/N feigned left and once she moved to follow, he jerked his entire body right. He skirted around her, crossed the halfway line and threw the Quaffle to Alicia. She caught it and sped off up the pitch towards Wood, Y/N hot on her heels.
He saw Angelina flying straight across towards Alicia and he took a leaf out of Katie's book. He sped towards her, his eyes locked on her. Angelina saw him approaching and pushed forward, it wasn't until Y/N was only a few feet away that she pulled back and Y/N cut across her path.
'Playing chicken?' she called angrily, but Y/N could see the smile on her face.
'It worked didn't it?' he asked.
'Let's wait to see with Katie first,' Angelina smirked.
Y/N span around. He'd completely forgotten about Katie who was now beelining it for Alicia. He knew he wouldn't catch up in time, but no sooner had he been about to chase when Alicia went into a dive. Katie sped straight across where Alicia had been before and Alicia pulled back up. She weaved her way up through the air, feinted out Wood and threw the Quaffle straight through one of the undefended hoops.
Y/N could hear the cheers from the stand and now it was his turn to smirk at Angelina. She held his gaze for a few moments before laughing.
'It's not over yet Y/N, don't get cocky.'
The match continued in a very back and forth manner. Around a half an hour or so later, Wood blew his whistle and ordered them all down to the floor. Y/N landed and Alicia did not long after.
'That was impressive for someone so fresh on a broom,' she said, high-fiving Y/N. 'We gave them a run for their money.'
'You did more than that,' said Katie as she, Angelina and Wood walked over to join them. 'You beat us, it was close but you scored 7 where we got 5.'
'I'm sure you were just taking it easy on the new guy,' said Y/N modestly, but Angelina shook her head.
'Thought I was going to have to at first, but after that little round of chicken I knew what I was dealing with. I played my heart out, so did Katie. You two worked like clockwork.'
'Our team is pretty set L/N,' said Wood. 'We're the best Gryffindor have and have seen in a long time, and these three ladies are a well-oiled machine, but I'd be a fool to ignore the talent you displayed today. How would you like on as a reserve chaser? Someone can't make it or wants a rest and you're in.'
'Sure,' said Y/N. 'I'll need a lot more practice. Doubt I should be in the first house match-'
'You get any more practice and you'll be putting us out of a job,' said Alicia as the trio and twins joined them. 'For the fact that that was your first proper time on a broom, you not only contested us, who have been doing this for years, but we beat Katie and Angelina.'
Y/N felt himself blushing, and it didn't help when he saw Hermione give him a little thumbs up as well.
'Just let me know when practices are yeah?' he muttered somewhat sheepishly as Wood beamed at him. 'I'm happy to help if you need me.' the Gryffindor team cheered as the twins clapped him on the back.
'Told you he'd be good,' said George smugly.
'Here, Y/N, let us measure you really quick. Need to get you some team robes,' said Fred and Y/N was dragged off towards the Gryffindor changing rooms. He held his hand out to Hermione whilst calling to Harry and Ron.
'Meet you inside!'
Hermione jogged forward and grabbed his hand, allowing him to drag her along with him and the twins into the changing room. Wood followed excitedly.
George and Fred danced around Y/N measuring his chest, arms and waist as Wood talked tactics the entire time. Y/N had heard stories from Harry as to how into his strategy Wood could get, but this was something else.
'What are the brooms Malfoy's got?' asked Y/N as Wood had a lull in his speech.
'Nimbus two thousand and ones,' said Fred from behind him. 'Next stage up from Harry's.'
'I know which broom I'm getting then.' Wood's mouth fell open in shock. 'If Malfoy wants it, then I want to show him up on it. His broom won't be as cool or sleek if I'm riding it.'
The twins laughed appreciatively from behind him, but Wood's eyes had lit up.
'Could one of ours borrow it if you aren't on?' he asked excitedly. 'A chaser on a Nimbus two thousand and one would be brilliant.'
'Course,' said Y/N, 'as long as I get it back obviously.'
Before too long, the twins had finished their inspection and Y/N turned to Hermione.
'I believe, Fred allowing of course, I offered you a ride on a broomstick once I'd had my training.' Hermione's face turned into one of slight worry, but Y/N stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. 'We'll go at your speed and pace. Too fast or too high tell me and I'll fix it straight away.'
She nodded and gave a quiet 'okay' before getting to her feet. Y/N turned to Fred who spoke at once.
'One condition. I want a go on the Nimbus when you get it.'
'Of course mate,' laughed Y/N, 'and yes both of you can too,' he added, seeing Oliver and George both open their mouths to speak. He scooped up Fred's broom and made his way back out to the Quidditch pitch with Hermione. He mounted the broom and she clambered on behind him.
'Is this okay?' she asked as she wrapped her arms around his waist and Y/N nodded. He kicked off lightly and hovered a few inches off the ground. Hermione let out a shaky sigh but said nothing.
Y/N began slowly moving off around the pitch, just doing circuits of it and chatting with Hermione about anything he could think of. It took a while for her responses to stop being shaky and single words but before too long she was responding fully and she sounded calmer.
This was good, cause it had meant she hadn't noticed that Y/N had been steadily taking them higher and higher, and they were now level with the smallest of the three goal posts.
'Woah,' said Hermione, looking down before her arms tightened around him. 'I didn't realise we'd gotten this high up.'
'Take your time,' said Y/N, slowing the broom down and floating gently along. 'Don't have to rush anything.'
'Can we not go any higher?' she asked. 'I don't mind faster, but not higher.'
'Of course,' he urged the broom forward ever so slightly and before long they were soaring leisurely around the pitch, maintaining their height. Y/N felt Hermione's grip around his waist steadily loosen and before long she was laughing as the wind whipped through her hair.
Y/N pushed the broom down and they landed. Hermione hugged him.
'Thanks Y/N. I don't think I'm ever going to get over heights, but I at least know I'm safe with you.'
'You always will be, 'Mione,' he said and together they wandered back to where Fred and George were stood watching.
They spent much of the rest of that evening simply chatting in the common room. Hermione even challenged Y/N to a match of Wizard Chess once Ron and Harry had left for their detentions. She never challenged him when Ron was present cause he kept trying to give them both advice.
As the evening wore on, Hermione grew more and more tired but kept putting off going to bed whenever Y/N told her to. Eventually, after she fell asleep on the chess board sending her pieces scattering, Y/N managed to convince her to head up.
'Night Y/N,' she yawned as she opened the door to the girl's dormitory. 'Thank you again for today.'
'You don't have to thank me Mione, good night.' And with a wave, she was gone. Y/N settled himself down on the sofa and opened a book to wait for Harry and Ron, he had a feeling both would need to vent once they got back.
Harry was first to arrive back and Y/N immediately knew it was a good thing that he'd stayed up. Harry was pale and looked worried. He even started when Y/N called out to him.
'What happened mate? You didn't see Lockhart get that kind of fan mail did you?' said Y/N.
'What? No,' said Harry distracted. 'Where's Ron?'
'Not back yet,' said Y/N.
'Let's wait for him, save explaining it twice,' Harry settled down seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Around half an hour of idle chatter later and Ron arrived, nursing his arm and smelling strongly of polish.
'My muscles have all seized up,' he groaned as he joined Y/N on the sofa. 'Fourteen times Filch made me buff that Quidditch cup before he was satisfied, and then I puked slugs onto a Special Award for Services to the School. How was Lockhart?' he asked Harry.
Despite it only being the three of them, Harry lowered his voice to a whisper and told them about his detention. Beginning with him simply answering fan mail for Lockhart and Lockhart ranting about himself and ending with a mysterious, disembodied voice that apparently only he had heard. And what it had said.
'Come... come to me... Let me rip you… Let me tear you... Let me kill you...'
'And Lockhart said he couldn't hear it?' said Ron once Harry had finished. He didn't look like he believed it. To be honest, neither did Y/N.
'Reckon he was lying,' Harry asked them and Y/N bit his lip.
'Well, someone would have had to at least open the door if they were in the room. And them being outside it should have been muffled. But you said you heard it clear?'
Harry nodded.
'I don't like it,' said Y/N. 'Hearing voices is an odd phenomenon. Hearing one say that is cause for alarm, but it could just as well have been Peeves.'
'Surely they can't have been in the room though? Unless they'd been there all detention,' said Ron.
'Lockhart would have heard it too,' said Harry.
'Weird thing to lie about if he did…' said Y/N.
'I know,' said Harry as he rubbed his eyes. 'I don't get what caused it.'
'Hogwarts hates giving us dull moments,' said Ron matter of factly. 'I dare say we'll find out soon enough.'
And Y/N laughed a bitter laugh. Not because he thought it was a joke, but because he knew Ron was right.
