Chapter 22
Mr. Potter is my student, not yours
Amelia's POV
"Is that spell mad?" I think as I see the one woman I know is ruining Fudge and his opportunity to be the best he can be appear in front of the Great Hall doors. Her horrid pink shirt, cardigan and skirt are a terrible contrast to the brown stone of the Great Hall and her smile proves how little she already thinks of those around her.
Cornelius on the other hand seems pleased with her appearance and I think: "Don't tell me she's already influencing him? She'll ruin all of his amazing plans. Wait, Voldemort is gone, so does that mean Cornelius won't continue his plans?" I hope not as they really held valor and watch as Cornelius beckons her over.
Umbridge's POV
"I don't know what Cornelius is doing here, but at least I'll be able to bring some discipline into this horrid place. It sure is high time the Ministry gets some say in the ways of Hogwarts." I think as I walk past the many horrid students to sit next to Cornelius, forcing me to sit next to that blasted Metamorphmagus, Tonks.
Holding back a sneer that shows my disgust of the Blood-traitor, I feel fury fueling me as the girl sniffs and turns her back on me as she stands up, motioning her parents to follow her. I follow her with a furious gaze and see her sitting with a large group at the Gryffindor table that shocks me as I see some of its members.
Lucius Malfoy, a high-ranked and deeply respected Pureblood and his wife and son sit next to mass-murderer Sirius Black and that filthy half-breed werewolf Remus Lupin, who have the Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter, the boy himself looking strangely happy, while apparently sitting in what appears to be a wheelchair.
The Diggorys are also part of the group and so are quite a few members of that low-ranked Blood-traitor family, the Weasleys. There is also a girl in the group that has bushy hair and is obviously a filthy, magic stealing Mudblood. The girl herself is sitting opposite of the Potter lad and seems deep in conversation with him.
I wonder why this entire group is together, why the Malfoys would lower themselves to sit with the Weasleys and more importantly why International Quidditch Star Viktor Krum is easily sitting close to the Tri-Wizard Tournament meddler Harry Potter with the boy's head on his shoulder and his arm around the brat no less.
I look at Cornelius, but he doesn't seem to see anything wrong with the group, not even when I motion for them with my eyes and simply asks: "Who will read next?" And an elder girl with quite the tan, black hair reaching her shoulders and brown eyes says: "I would, Minister, I want to know what happened to Harry's broom."
Instantly Black seems worried, making me wonder why as he is a mass-murderer, who – as far as I was told – was out to kill the only living heir of the Potter fortune left and the brat's just not worth any worry whatsoever, seeing all the trouble he caused this year and he asks: "What do you mean? What happened to my son's broom?"
"SON?" I ask shocked, wondering who in their right mind would allow such an action to take place and Cornelius says: "Yes, Dolorus, Sirius Black has been proven innocent and Remus Lupin has werewolf adopted Mr. Potter. As he and Mr. Black are now mated, that makes Mr. Black Mr. Potter's official mother."
This shocks me senseless and, hoping to make sure Cornelius can win some ground with the Most Noble and Most Ancient Line of Potter, do I say: "But Cornelius, that means Lupin and Black are both committing crimes. Think of the legalization laws I so delicately put up. Potter doesn't have to put up with having –."
But Potter interrupts me, his voice making me furious as he sounds as if he believes he has a right to be angry at me after all he has caused our poor Ministry and asks: "Having what? Having a family? Having a father that's proud of me? Having a mother that dearly loves me? Having parents that care and worry about me?"
I glare at the insolent brat, daring him to interrupt me again and Cornelius kindly says: "Dolorus, it's better if you just sit back and observe everyone. A lot has happened these last four days." I nod at the man, determined to make sure he stays on the right track – my track – and the young girl goes over to the owl stand.
Angelina's POV
"I cannot believe that woman! She knows nothing about HaHHHarry, Mr. Black or professor Lupin, so who does she think she is, judging them like that? Who is she anyway?" I think, trying to ignore my anger as I can clearly remember the worry I felt, seeing Harry so helpless on his broom and feeling curious about that again, do I start to read.
Quidditch
As they … versus Slytherin.
This makes hundreds of shouts and cheers rise into the air and the Slytherins and Gryffindors seem the loudest of all, Viktor Krum only coming second due to him being alone, even if he's shouting in perfect Bulgarian. I smile at the enthusiasm of the schools, but then that same irritating hem hem is heard and everyone stops.
I glare at the woman, who smiles self-appreciatively and she says: "Much better. Continue, dear." Her tone sounding as if she did me a favor, which in turn worsens my glare and I spat: "Thank you, but I was enjoying that interruption." The woman looks taken aback and I read on, determined not to let her ruin this reading again.
If Gryffindor … out somehow,
Harry snickers and the woman glares, but Remus and Sirius glare back at her, their combined anger worse than hers and Ron asks: "How did it leak out?" And Harry answers: "Fred and George were playing with a single Bludger after one of the training sessions and I had grabbed a reserve Beater's bat and taught them how to play Mooch.
A Fourth year saw us and believed me to be the Reserve Beater, but then his friend told him the team was still without Seeker. They saw my speed and instantly told everyone I had made the team." Everyone laughs, while the woman tries to silence the hall with her glare. I shake my head at her boring, annoying attitude and read on.
and Harry … a mattress.
"Why was the first bad?" Creevey asks, which makes him be on the receiving end of the woman's glare and Harry says: "I knew people only thought I would be brilliant because I was the Boy-Who-Lived. I didn't want them hating me if I played bad." The boy nods, while I feel a new wave of anger for the Dursleys.
I shake my head and think: "I'm angry now, but we're only a single book into the story that is Harry's life. Won't things get worse the longer he stays living there?" This makes fear grow inside of me as those Dursleys have, at one point, pushed Harry into wanting to kill himself. I look at my surrogate little brother and read on.
It was … them do. But her being his friend also had a downside.
This makes me look at the story strange and Hermione asks: "What was wrong with being friends?" But Harry says: "It's not the friendship, Hermione, it's –." He gulps as if trying to pick his words and says: "Your need to be the best in everything. Angelina, just read." I nod, already having a small hunch and do as requested.
Hermione was a brilliant witch, but Harry had already seen how she acted around those that rivaled her in talent. He had hoped that having someone with the same powerful magical core would help him slowly reveal more of his power and talent, but she spat at everyone she saw as competition to her reputation as Top-student.
Harry feared this would make her hate or go against him if he showed her what he could really do and how it was constantly easy for him to be as good as her in class. Now, more than before, it seemed crucial that he held back or he would lose one friend to jealousy and the friend feeling inferior and the other to anger for not being the best.
Harry looks down and says: "I'm really sorry I thought." But Ron and Hermione have walked around the table and hug their best friend tightly, both muttering their own apologies. "I don't want you to hold back for me, mate. Just teach me to be as good as you." Ron says and Harry smiles at him in obvious gratitude.
They then both look at Hermione, who looks down and shudders shortly before she says: "I've always been scared of not being the best, Harry, because my books and studies have meant the world to me since I was five. But you're my brother and I don't want you to hurt yourself or hold yourself back for me. I want you to be the best you can."
Harry smiles and says: "Thanks guys, I'll try. But I'll need help not to hold back anymore. It's become second nature for me." And the two chorus: "Count on us, brother." Before hugging him again, all of us smiling at the group, Sirius and Remus the most as they must feel very happy that their son overcame another obstacle in his life.
I then see the weird, annoying woman write something down on a notepad she suddenly conjured and by the look on her face, I have a bad feeling for Ron and Hermione. I then smile at the sight of the tight-knit family, knowing that Arthur Weasley, Sirius and Remus will all stand behind the three of them and read on.
Of course Hermione being their friend also had a major advantage and that was Ron trying harder not to annoy others with his complaints about things. Apparently, she was an amazing person to argue with and her arguments quite helped Ron to grow in his need to fight for himself and his beliefs, thus making him grow as an individual, but Harry had the idea this could one day grow into more. She had also lent him(Harry) Quidditch Through … interesting read.
Now Hermione snickers softly and Sirius and Remus seem to understand why as their grins broaden along with hers as she says: "Madame Pince told me you were the one who lent this book more often than anyone else in the last two decades. She told me the last person to borrow that book so many times a year was your dad."
Harry smiles, but then the woman says: "From now on, interruptions of the readings." And I interrupt her as I spat: "Are greatly appreciated if they can unleash the same strengths in emotions as these books or if they teach us more about each other. Thank you." The woman glares at me, but I ignore it and read on.
Harry learned … jam jar.
The teachers and many elder students look shocked and professor Flitwick says: "Mss. Granger, conjuring fires is Third years magic." The girl blushes and says: "Well, I kind of bought The Standard Book of Spells, grade 1,2 & 3 when I went to Diagon Alley for the first time. And I asked Mrs. Weasley to do the same for me this year."
The teachers look proud yet surprised at the younger girl, but the spiteful look on the strange woman's face shows me she thinks as much off Muggleborns as Malfoy. Again she writes something down on her notepad and I shake my head, hoping that she won't be a long-termed visitor to this reading as she already annoys me before I read on.
They were … be allowed.
"While spells in the hallways aren't allowed, some courtyards are free from this rule and certain situations, such as cold winters, do make us bend the rules, if only to provide the students with warmth." Professor Flitwick tells the trio and they shrug, but still smile at our Charms teacher over this newfound knowledge.
Then the writing of the woman on her notepad annoys me to no end and, having reached my limit of patience with her, do I ask: "Sorry to ask, but it's obvious you have been taking negative notes on all that's happened the last twenty minutes and that while barely anyone here knows you anyway. So who are you?"
The woman looks at me as if she would rather swallow a lemon than answer my question, but the Minister doesn't seem to notice this as he says: "My apologies, Mss. Johnson, I should have introduced her when she came in. Students and guests, this is my Senior Undersecretary, Dolores Jane Umbridge."
The woman smiles triumphantly, as if such a title is the highest honor any woman could wish for, but I think: "And she couldn't have just said so when she came in here?" Instead I ask: "Thank you for the introduction, Minister. But what part of her function allows her to make decisions about what happens at Hogwarts?
After all, Madam Bones explained us about the bond between the Ministry, Hogwarts and the Board of Governors only days ago, plus she was the only one being against the interruptions that have been going on since we started this book and if we had been against it, would it not have been the decision of the teachers and not her?
She works for you, so what say does she have over Hogwarts?" The woman glares at me, but I don't let it face me as Wood's crazy Let's keep training glare is much more threatening and because her pink cloths just don't make me take her seriously and so keep my eyes on the Minister, a lazy but interested look on my face.
Then the Minister says: "You are absolutely right, Mss. Johnson. Dolores, I know you like reading in silence, but we are in a school and these are books that easily get you caught up with the story line. Interruptions are things that have already become common with this story." The woman sniffs and I shake my head as I read on.
Unfortunately, something … from Gryffindor."
"Severus, honestly?" Professor McGonagall asks cynically, while some of the students now glare at the Head of Slytherin House and that woman smirks at him and Madame Pince says: "Yeah, if I recall correctly you took a total of 235 books from my library outside to read and study." The man looks embarrassed, but Umbridge says:
"I believe Professor Snape was just trying to show that students should respect authority and be careful with school property." But the teachers glare at her and Madame Pince says: "Dolores Umbridge, your total was 245 books, most of them about ancient, forgotten laws." The woman huffs, I snicker and read on.
"He's just … Ron bitterly.
"Mr. Weasley, we do not –." Umbridge says, her tone sounding as if Ron is five instead of fourteen, but I spat: "You're not a teacher, you don't work here and you don't know us, so – with all due respect to the Ministry and the Minister – SHUT UP!" I shout, completely sick of her stupid judgment and believes she can tell us what to do.
The woman looks deeply shocked and I turn to her sitting partner and say: "Again, with all due respect to the Ministry, but I stand with what I said." The Minister nods and while the woman looks at him shocked, do I turn my back to the woman, hoping that I can ignore her as long as I don't have to see her and do I read on.
The Gryffindor … answers anyway. And it helped Harry with his grammar, which was mostly his reason for letting her check it. He always told her to just check for grammar and was glad she never asked why.
Harry felt … of Snape?
He had after all been working on his Potions behind the man's back on his bed and he had even made a deal with the owner of the apothecary. For every new product the man marketed, he would have to send him one of his own made Potions and he got a dozen samples of it for free in return.
Harry was now the proud owner of just about all the man's products and even wicked Potions ingredients like Manticore tailbone, wing scales and teeth to disgusting things like Hippogriff liver and the spit of an Accromantula (whatever that was).
Everyone looks shocked and Harry says: "Yeah, I kind of send a letter off with Hedwig to the Trunk store and apothecary and bought myself those things. I just made the deal with the apothecary owner and got the written word of the Trunk store owner he would only use my vault to get the money my new trunk was worth.
I got a resizable trunk that I managed to fit into my own and it's filled with all that stuff, together with an extra room where I can make the more delicate and long-lasting potions. I just don't tell anyone, because of my reputation – and because I first wanted to understand why Professor Snape was so against me."
Everyone nods, but then Umbridge again coughs in that disgusting manner and with a sickening sweet voice she says: "Going behind a teacher's back is a really disrespectful action, Mr. Potter, and working on potions without supervision could very well make you a danger to your fellow students. You must be punished."
She then turns to the teachers and while I cannot believe how blind she seems to the furious glares of those sitting around Harry or the disgusting way the teachers are looking at her, does she say: "I do hope the Ministry can be assured this will be handled accordingly. Detention for a week or two and perhaps the taking of certain privileges."
But before my fellow students and I can start to protest and just when Remus has stood up furiously, does Professor McGonagall – her voice sounding too casual for my liking – ask: "I'm sorry to ask, Mss. Umbridge, but what part of Hogwarts or its students fall under your supervision? I do believe Mr. Potter is my student, not yours."
The woman looks shocked and Remus sits back with a satisfied smile, while I hear Katie ,who had gone to sit at my end of the table when I started reading together with Alicia, ask the other girl: "And she was brought here, why exactly?" And to my great displeasure the woman seems to have heard my surrogate sister as she says:
"I can tell you exactly why, young girl, as it's become quite clear to me during this reading. This school is filled with half-breeds, liars, meddlers of important events and disrespectful and arrogant students. It is obvious I was send here to rebuke you all and bring peace and order into this catastrophe that should be a proper school."
But then Mr. Diggory stands up and says: "As member of the Board of Governors, would I like to remind you of the treaty, Mss. Umbridge, that was created in 1829 and that clearly states that no High official of the Ministry is to ever have a say over Hogwarts, unless this say goes through the acceptance and actions of the Board of Governors.
And I personally feel that Hogwarts – as it currently is – is the best school for my son and that I can be proud of him to go there. So I will not let you make a single change and your high function here – means nothing." The woman seems absolutely shocked silenced and I sigh, relieved to finally be rid of her for a while as I read on.
Getting up … his knees.
Again older students start to gag and make funny faces, to the confusion of almost all those of Fourth year and lower and before Umbridge can make another irritating move, does Fred ask: "Oh please, as if Snape and Filch would still be here if they did things like that. As if Snape would even want Filch for stuff like that.
I mean it's Filch." And students, who get what is written laugh, while the Fourth years now seem slightly aware and laugh along nervously, or tell Third years and lower that they don't want to know as the students ask them what was so funny. I shake my head at the twins' antics, glad for the mood breaker and read on.
One of … it's guarding!
"I repeat Fred's words. If Snape was after that, why would he still be here?" Harry says quickly and instantly I realize Snape was not what Harry back then thought. He then turns to the teacher, who has his mouth slightly open, as if to defend himself against this accusation and now has shock hidden behind his usual mask and says:
"I'm sorry for the rest of the book, sir, but you really made yourself look guilty and while Hermione and I tried, were we unsuccessful in convincing ourselves – and Ron – that you were not after the item."
The man nods and I wonder what on earth could be going on. Then Ron asks: "What do you mean you and Hermione?" Harry shrugs and says: "I was, perhaps, a slight bit doubtful of it all after the match." The boy nods, before turning his head away and while it's obvious he tries to think back to that day, do I read on.
And I'd … the field.
"Wow, you're now just like me." Sirius smiles at the boy, making Umbridge scowl and Harry asks: "Really mum?" Sirius nods and says: "Your father ate like a horse when it was his first match, but me? They had to stick me to my seat with a sticking charm just to get me to take a single glass of orange juice and a few bites of cereal."
Harry smiles at his mum and asks: "And were you like that for every start of the season?" Sirius nods and says: "It did wear off after a few years and by the time we were in 6th was the charm unnecessary, but I never ate more than two slices of bread – which almost came out halfway through the match." We all laugh and I read on.
"Harry, you … his sausages. Harry felt nausea come up and quickly convinced Ron to switch his sausages for Ron's ritual morning glass of water and an apple.
"Still think it was a lousy trade." Ron snickers, his mind obviously slightly attentive as his eyes hold a slightly glazed look to them and Harry asks: "Hey, at least I ate something, didn't I?" Before suddenly his plate is filled with slices of apple, pear, pineapple and treacle tart pieces. He looks shocked and Sirius says:
"And you better eat all of it, young man. We have to get that stomach to grow back to its rightful length and for that you need small, but healthy meals every now and again. So eat up." Harry smiles at his mum and starts munching slowly as I read on, remembering the long list I saw Madam Pomfrey hold earlier and hoping it will shrink.
By eleven … different colors.
"You were already trying Coloring spells, Mss. Granger?" Professor McGonagall asks, while many of the O.W.L. year students already start to look at her and while I remember my own struggles with it, does Hermione say: "I wanted to help Harry and read something about color spells in my Third years text, so I tried it out as Dean went along."
To this Ron says: "Hermione, it might sound stupid, but even I remember that passage in the book and it said that coloring spells are an advanced form of Transfiguration, not necessarily required to practice until O.W.L.s. It's one of the standard spells they'll test us on." The girl blushes, while many look shocked and I read on.
Meanwhile, in … her hand. Now Harry knew for sure her eagle like eyes would come in handy, but he still wondered why his guts was telling him something would happen.
The last time that had happened his uncle had introduced him to that painful string with balls and seeing what happened on Halloween and all he has discovered about the Magical World so far, Harry had a bad feeling about it.
"Now, now, Mr. Potter." Umbridge says in that voice that I now despise beyond anything and she goes on: "Surely a necklace or bracelet can't be painful." But Fudge whispers: "Dolores, it wasn't a necklace or bracelet. Mr. Potter's adoptive uncle forced an item of sexual innuendo on him at age eight."
The woman looks shocked and then she says: "Well, that just goes to show what nature lies with –" "DON'T YOU DARE, YOU DISGUSTING BITCH!" Remus shouts, shocking everyone as he shoots up and glares at the woman like I have never seen before. The Umbridge woman tries to say: "How dare you ta–."
But Remus interrupts her and says: "I know you hate half-breeds and whatnot, but you have NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER to judge my son without even taking the chance to get to know him. SO SHUT UP, YOU TOAD-FACED HAG!" Everyone looks shocked, while I can slightly understand his anger to the woman.
This mostly because of her hatred for his kind and because of his protectiveness for his cub and the woman, this time, seems too shocked to bring up a good retort. Not wanting her to recover and speak more bad words about those I care about, as Harry is currently being reassured by Sirius and Viktor that he is not like that, do I read on.
"Now, I … Professor McGonagall.
"What do you have with explicit commentators, Minerva?" Sirius asks, showing with his kind smile that what happened last chapter seems forgiven and he says: "First Remus, who always supported James and me no matter who we played against and now the best friend of your own Beaters, who are also pranksters?"
The woman sends a stern glare his way, making him cower slightly and he says: "No matter how old you get, if you grow up at Hogwarts with McGonagall as Head of House, her patented glare will scare you into your eighties." The Hall laughs, the woman's glare changes into a proud smirk and I happily read on.
"And she's … the Slytherins.
The same is heard in the Great Hall, while the moans of the Slytherins seem less intense than they were back then and I don't hear a single insult to me or my team, like some of the older students had done that day. I smile at their team play and sportsmanship and think: "Could Harry's words really affect us all so badly?"
Instead I try to remember all Harry has said, except for all he has told us about those Atomic Bombs, as that still gives me the creeps. Then suddenly I realize that is exactly what Purebloods try to do and what endangers us so. Deciding to try and find a way we can slowly but surely show ourselves to the Muggle world, I read on.
"Budge up … join them.
"Hey, a change of perspective." Lee says and Luna speaks up: "I wonder why." I wonder the same and look at the three in person. Hagrid seems as confused as the rest of us, but by the shared looks of Ron and Hermione, do I get the feeling they know what happened. They then turn back to me and I realize they won't spill and thus read on.
"Bin watchin' … to be."
This makes Sirius smile and he says: "Thanks for the strategy, Wood. It really keeps my little boy safe." But the look now shared between Ron, Hermione and Harry says different and I dread as I remember the fear of when I saw Harry hanging down from his broom – the poor, small eleven year old, dangling on a single hand.
I shudder, knowing I will soon find out how he felt and think: "Why on earth did I chose this chapter to read?" And instantly I know how Oliver felt when he read about that Three headed monster. I shake my head, my Gryffindor courage making me determined to see this chapter through, even if I'm already scared at what I'll read and read on.
When Angelina … the Snitch?"
Now the tension in the room grows, the Bulgarians obviously wondering how the boyfriend of their fellow schoolmate experienced his first match and even the Slytherins lose their dignity for a few minutes to lean forward, all wanting to know how the best Seeker in Hogwarts reacted to this and how it felt to him to play this match.
I myself worry as the moment that Harry's broom was cursed and that he was almost dangling off of it while the twins had tried to catch him gets closer and closer and I greatly wonder how Sirius and Remus will react to this, seeing their amazing, worried reactions to the Cerberus and the troll. I take a deep breath and read on.
A murmur … to watch.
Now I hit myself on the head, but no one complains about this as it had been the first time the whole school would see Harry Potter in action as Seeker; it had interested and entranced everyone and I have to admit, the way he sat on his broom did – and still does – get me worried as it makes me fear he will fall off if tries to make a dive.
Knowing the boy to be an expert when it comes to diving, I can't help but worry over him when he does try it, but every time he does so, I feel myself catching my breath, before he startles and impresses me with his amazing talent. This thought makes me smile – as that is just so Harry – and I read on.
Harry was … dear life. He felt exactly like he did when he was stuck on the cafeteria roof and his uncle was waiting for him at the parking lot and for just a single minute, while he made another spin, he almost saw his uncle's furious face glaring up at him again – then he saw it was Percy, who was glaring at Flint and not him and he got the broom back under control.
Everyone smiles, glad the Prefect seemed so worried for his fellow Lion and had been so angry at the boy's situation. Percy smiles too, obviously glad that he had been able to help Harry focus on his surroundings and Sirius says: "Ah, that takes me back. Remember when Harry was four months old, Remy? Remember?"
Everyone seems interested and while I personally feel glad for a chance not to think about what will happen later in the book, does Harry ask: "What happened then?" Sirius smiles and says: "You were invited over at the Weasleys and Molly and Lily had left you with Ron in the magical playpen with Percy as supervisor.
Well, Ron was really interested in this toy you were playing with and he had yet to learn how to ask, so he pulled, you let go in shock and fell over, about to fall off the small platform you were playing on. I tell you, Remus and I had just entered and before we could even gasp, Percy had you in his arms and was berating Ron while comforting you.
He adored you back then and I guess part of him must have remembered that if he was as angry at that match as when I told you about." Harry and Percy smile at each other and Percy says: "I do remember keeping someone from falling by help of one of my siblings, but I always thought it was the twins and Ron or something."
The man nods and says: "I can understand that, what with you being only 4 and those 2 not even being 6 months old and all. Still Lily and I were so glad you had captured Harry so fast, we both convinced Remus to give you a chocolate bar he wanted to give Harry. And of course you were only too happy to share with your brother and new friend."
Everyone smiles and one of the twins says: "Yeah, Percy was really the greatest out of all our older brothers." And then the other growls: "Until that woman tried to ruin him that is." The redhead looks down, but then the two chorus: "But no one breaks a Weasley." And they smile and hug Percy tightly as I read the chapter.
"Foul!" screamed … frightening lurch.
Now I gulp, the memory of that poor frail little body dangling with one hand on the bucking broom coming back to me and Sirius asks: "Oh Merlin, this is what you were talking about, isn't it? When you said you wanted to know what happened to my baby's broom?" I nod and he, Remus and Viktor instantly grab hold of the boy,
Who in return grabs hold of his dad's hand, kisses Viktor on his cheek before he lies his head on his mum's shoulder. The actions are comforting and obviously meant as a reminder the boy is right there and alright, but this doesn't seem to be very comforting as the three only grab onto the boy tighter and I worriedly read on.
For a … him off.
"Not good, not GOOD!" Collin Creevey shouts and I can't help but agree with him, already feeling terrified for the poor boy and just about the entire hall is now either sitting closer, trying to listen in the hope of hearing that Harry will be alright or trying to seak comfort with each other, like the younger years are doing.
Taking comfort – no matter how small – in the fact that the boy in question is almost being hugged to death by his worried parents and boyfriend I take a gulp to get rid of the constriction blocking my airways as my own worries are mounting yet again – just like they did three years ago on that pitch – and read on.
But Nimbus … still commentating.
"You mean NO ONE noticed what was happening to my BABY? WHY THE HELL NOT?" Sirius shouts worriedly and while those that were there that day now look down in shame, does Umbridge say: "Mr. Black, control yourself. You are unsettling –." But Remus, sounding furious and worried, shouts: "I SAID SHUT IT, YOU HAG!"
Before he gently pulls Harry out of his wheelchair and onto his lap and, while using one arm to support his son's legs, does he softly start to growl, obviously showing how worried he and his werewolf side are about the safety of his cub. I then suddenly wonder what caused Harry's broom to stop moving like that and read on.
"Slytherin in … the stands.
"ABOUT BLOODY TIME!" Remus and Sirius shout furiously and Sirius cuddles close against Remus, almost fusing together with the man, if only to grab onto Harry and hold him tightly – and that while most of Harry is still held tightly by Remus, while Krum is on Remus' other side and is softly massaging Harry's legs.
The students of Fourth year and higher look down ashamed, but Harry says: "Mum, dad, you really can't blame them. They expected me to do some amazing stunt and the game was really exciting. No one – not even the two of you – could have predicted that I, their famous hero, would be attacked during such a crowded event."
The two nod, while many look at him, obviously shocked he doesn't blame them and then Oliver, who has clear guilt in his eyes, stands up and says: "That might excuse the teachers and spectators, Harry, but not us. We were your teammates and we had that strategy of you staying out of trouble until you saw the Snitch."
He then motions for the rest of us, Alicia and Katie hugging one another close as he says: "You were also the youngest of the team and the youngest student to ever play. We should have paid more attention to you." To which Harry snorts: "Yeah, and lose the game." But Oliver shocks me and says: "Rather the game than my little brother."
Harry looks at the boy with tears in his eyes and with such shock and emotion that I can't help but feel sorry for the young boy as it's plain obvious he still has to get used to the fact he is loved and cared for. He smiles at our old Team Captain, tears being softly wiped away by Viktor and nods, obviously too emotional to say anything,
But Wood understands and while I have never felt more proud of any of my team mates, not even when we pulled off an amazing new stunt, when we got together for new strategies or last year when we finally won the Quidditch Finals for Gryffindor, do I know that all six of us consider Harry our little brother and I continue the chapter.
His broom … off it.
Now the sweet sense of homeyness and the comfort of knowing that I have my teammates – my surrogate family – close to me is replaced by pure fear and everyone of the Gryffindors who weren't there that year scream in pure fear, the elder years quickly rushing to the First to Third years and comforting them.
Then McGonagall stands up and says: "I believe, seeing Mr. Potter's current position and the need of his family being close, it will be better if we change the seating a little." And next to me a large red lounging seat with resizable arm rests and back rest and with soft cushioned pins all over the back rest and seating area.
I look at the sofa and see that it is exactly the right size for the small family, without hurting Harry's injuries, which the family of four instantly responds to, Viktor rolling the wheelchair and Remus carrying Harry over. They slightly heighten the back rest and then Remus and Sirius sit down, before lying their son down on their laps.
Harry tries to get up and sit with the two, but when he hisses in pain over trying to move his legs, do they hold him back and Remus, softly massaging his legs, says: "You've just had a full physical and had your wounds reshow themselves. Then you had two very dangerous and emotionally frustrating chapters being read.
After this we want you to take some rest and you lying like this gives us both the comfort you are here and okay." The boy nods and I see him smile at his guardians, obviously over the moon that they care so much for him to still be worried over this, before McGonagall conjures all kind of sofas, chairs, poufs and couches.
Many students quickly take place in seats, some students sitting with other Houses and Viktor conjures a single chair of the same design as the sofa next to the first one made on the side where Sirius sits with Harry's head and shoulder in his lap and sits down, softly stroking Harry's hair – obviously wanting to be as close to him as his parents.
I smile and then see a simple, metal, resizable chair standing behind me. I lounge against the back, grab the book and while trying to show off a comfortable air, do I worry deeply for how the event must have frightened my little brother. And with a sigh as I sincerely hope we will soon find out what saved him, do I continue reading.
He was … "Snape – look."
Now I have wide eyes and then, before the Weasley twins can dash at the man or Wood is even halfway out of his seat, does Harry raise his hand high, his finger raised and says: "Just want to point out that – no matter what we say or think during this book – Professor Snape would not still have his job if what we thought was true."
The students seem confused and then I realize what he's talking about. Some Gryffindors seem to have realized the same and it lessens the furious glares send the man's way as they see the logic of the young boy – while Snape is shocked the boy would stand up for him. And while proud of the boy's character, do I read on.
Ron grabbed … said Hermione.
"Remember what I said." Harry says, his hand still in the air as some of the more stubborn Gryffindors try to stand up or glare at the man and this makes Sirius grumble and he softly pets Harry's hair. But then I suddenly notice something and while Harry's words of before were strong, they now seemed a little tired.
I look at the sofa and see that Harry has trouble keeping his eyes open, his arm only halfway up and his eyes drooping every now and again. I look at him and then see that the way Sirius pets him would even get me asleep. I smile at this sight, glad to know that the man is trying to help his son through the harder chapters and read on.
"What should …he fell. Harry himself was terrified, trying not to think to the part of his mind that told him he should just let go, that he was unloved, useless and stupid and a freak either way and that the world was better off without him.
He wanted to stay in this world and while the vibrating and the voice in his head, telling him of how he would see his parents again were hard to keep control over, did he keep his eyes on the twins, Oliver and Ron, fighting the words with the fact he now had friends, trying to think of Erica and how she would hate him forever if he did give up.
It was all that kept him from dropping – from indeed letting go.
Everyone's shocked and Sirius asks: "You weren't even scared?" Harry shakes his head and says: "Most of the time I get in dangerous situations, I get reminded of Erica and what she would do if I let myself get killed. It's also then that that stupid voice I've had since the November incident would come up and fighting that makes it impossible for me to focus on my fear. If I did I would lose the battle and I would die."
Everyone looks shocked at the amazingly logical, yet simple way Harry phrased it, but Sirius, Remus and I are freaked out with the way he said it – as if he was commenting on the weather being nice. I shake my head and think: "Having the urge to kill yourself at age six. What did those monsters do?" I shake my head and simply read on.
Marcus Flint … anyone noticing.
"EXCUSE ME!" Half of Gryffindor and most of Hufflepuff shouts and while even Snape now has a furious glare on his face, proving that the man does not condone of this, does Lee spat: "He better be glad he didn't get any points for that. I do, after all, keep an eye on the scoring and control it. If I had to award points then –."
But nothing escapes his throat except a growl, proving how angry he is that a fellow player can sink that low in their need to score and Sirius mutters: "And I thought Slytherin played cheap when we played them. They at least had a reason.""Which was?" Oliver asks and I can tell by his face he needs something to distract himself.
Sirius shrugs and says: "Snape was also on their team and he and my friends and me had such a rivalry one of us was in the Hospital wing at least every week. After Fourth year that slowed down and we started using Quidditch to show him our resentment of him. The other Snakes didn't take that, so our games were heavily bad, to say the least."
The students nod and the 2 men share a furious look, but then seem to read each other's minds as they both nod and the combined fury with which they glare at the book makes me gulp as I just know that these two men will work together to get back at Flint, something that actually makes me feel sorry for the ex-student before I continue reading.
"Come on … in front.
Now I stop and wonder why that is mentioned. Then suddenly I realize Quirrell mysteriously vanished right after Harry's rumored adventure at the end of the year and wonder what the man has to do with this – as it's obvious he has something to do with that adventure. I shrug, not knowing or currently caring and just read on.
Reaching Snape … Snape's robes.
The whole Hall gasps as one and while some of the Hufflepuffs look at the girl as if she's lost it, does Hermione look straight at said teacher and says: "Professor Snape, I'm really sorry I did that, but all I wanted was to cause you to be distracted. I could only think of two ways and the other was levitating you out of your seat."
The man nods and says: "I can understand and accept your apology, if in return I can expect a new robe to replace that one. It was my best robe to brew dangerous potions with and took me four years of savings to buy." Hermione nods in acceptance, sagging a little in obvious relief and then McGonagall speaks up and says:
"I am very glad you didn't use your other idea, Mss. Granger, as that could have very well killed Professor Snape, with how high the Teacher stands really are." The girl blanches and Ron and Neville, who went to sit with her, quickly start comforting her, while I see Harry look thoughtful about something and read on.
It took … his hand.
Total silence. Silence so thick I am actually unable to read another word as it almost chokes me up. No one can believe what just happened and Sirius asks: "You – you caught the Snitch – in – in your mouth?" But Harry doesn't answer and that bitch hem hems, but Sirius just looks down and sees something that makes his smile lovingly.
I look down from the man's face to the seating and see Harry, with his hands under his head, one arm around Sirius' leg and with his legs crawled up to his chest, his feet leaning against Remus' right leg, fast asleep, while it's obvious that the legs weren't moved by themselves as Remus has his arms wrapped around the legs himself.
"Falling asleep during an important reading. Really Cornelius, that boy has –." The terrible woman says, her voice filled with self-pride that just makes me hate her even more, but this time my entire team and I stand up and hiss: "Shut it, you hag." None of us wanting to wake the boy, but all of us now officially hating that rotten woman.
Flitwick then returns Remus the sound-proof sleeping bag they used earlier and together with Viktor's help, do the two men slowly lift Harry and nudge him into the sleeping bag, both of them very careful not to move his legs too much. They lie him down again and Harry turns in his sleep, making us worried the movement woke him.
But then suddenly Harry's hand shoots out like a razor wind and grabs onto Sirius' shirt, moaning half-sleepily and somehow pulls himself closer to the man. Sirius smiles lovingly down at his son and softly grabs the hand, while his other strokes the boy's hair. I smile at the family, feel relieved that Harry is still asleep and then again read on.
"I've got …this, though.
"Why not?" Fleur asks and before some other students, who I remember had been shouting that score over and over again with Lee can speak, does Fred say: "You know, I remember Harry hurrying to the boys changing rooms and remember him locking the door, but when we waited ten minutes and then opened the door ourselves, he was gone.
There were strange wet spots near the showers though and we could tell they had nothing to do with the shower being awry or something." Now Sirius and Remus look at their son worried and Remus mutters: "I do not want to know how he must have felt before that voice made him forget his fear." And we all nod in agreement before I read on.
He was … and Hermione. Harry was ever so grateful for Hagrid on this and felt amazingly bad as he had not added Hagrid to his list of people for which he should stay alive.
Hagrid shrugs and then Hermione says: "And here we get it." Everyone looks at her and she says: "This is where we start to discover about the story title and sadly enough we constantly blame Professor Snape for it." The students nod and Professor Snape asks: "Did you have good reasons behind this, Mss. Granger?"
Hermione shrugs uncomfortably, obviously still feeling guilty for the earlier mentioned incident and says: "It was mostly your obvious hatred for Harry and that whole attack just now." The man nods, regret shining in his eyes and I know he will treat the boy a whole lot better now. I smile at this fact and happily read on.
"It was … I saw him!
Harry thought this through and then suddenly realized something; something that made him slightly doubt this theory. If Harry had indeed been killed by that broom accident, all the First years, no matter how insignificant it would sound, would instantly point to Snape, because of his obvious dislike for Harry.
And Snape was a lot, but he wasn't a Slytherin for nothing. If he really wanted Harry dead, he would not do it at an event where he could be so publically caught in the act. But then – who would hate Harry enough to want him dead? Not being able to come up with a name, he decided to see if Ron and Hermione would think of the same – and maybe come up with a name.
Everyone looks shocked and Snape is even white with shock as he realized that – no matter how badly he treated the young sleeping boy – Harry was still mentally supportive of him and defending him. I shake my head at his nobility as that is something I have always seen as one of Harry's finest traits and read on.
"I'm tellin' … Nicolas Flamel –"
This makes almost the entire hall look up, some of the Ravens starting to whisper together about the name, while Hagrid hits himself on the head and then suddenly Moody asks: "Just a minute, who of the teachers knew Nicholas Flamel was involved?" And when none of the teachers raise their hands, the ex-Auror growls and Hermione gasps.
We all look at her and while her face is a mask of shock, does a fury I have never seen before grow in her eyes as she says: "Dumbledore told Hagrid that on purpose. Hagrid's amazing, but he can't hold a secret to save his life, especially not to Harry. Dumbledore planned for Harry to hear of Flamel. He planned it all."
The two look at each other shocked, having obviously not been expecting this twist in the whole scenario, while I suddenly remember something Ron said to the Headmaster during the Fourth book reading. "Years ago, Hermione, Harry and I suspected you had orchestrated the whole thing concerning the Stone."
I know now that this is what the girl is talking about, but wonder what the Stone is, even if it's obvious that the three of them thought this after the whole adventure itself and then Ron, Neville and Hermione move their seat to the other side of the family sofa – as I now dubbed it. They all glare at the Great Hall doors and I read on.
"Aha!" said … with himself.
"At least now you won't have to any longer, Hagrid. You were played from the start and so were Harry and the rest of us. We were all played and it was all for that retched –." But this time Hermione seems unable to utter the word I just thought and while I feel amazed at how detailed the spell actually is working, do I say:
"I guess the title's unable to be said, but not thought." The girl looks at me, together with some of the teachers who are apparently aware of this whole thing and I say: "I remember what Ron said before he accused Dumbledore of orchestrating all that happened this year. I was able to think of that word, but apparently we can't say it."
The girl nods, but I can tell she won't answer the question I want answered – about what a stone could have to do with all this and then Remus, who first looks at Harry worriedly before he turns to the three kids sitting next to his sofa says: "I guess you'll be trying to find out about Flamel now?" Ron nods and says:
"Yeah, but only to find out what that dog was guarding. We didn't want to get close to it again, we just wanted to know what the heck was going on and if it had any link to the attack on our buddy." The man nods and smiles at the red head, obviously very relieved that they didn't want to get involved, while many look at Harry worried.
