The news of the escaped Death Eaters and Sirius Black's death swept through the school like wildfire, becoming the sole topic of conversation in the corridors. Teachers and students alike conversed in urgent whispers, discussing everything from where the Death Eaters could be to Fudge's ignorance. Much to Harry's, Ron's, and Hermione's indignation, almost everyone was relieved about Sirius's death, chatting about as much as they did everything else. Rumours were flying on the true nature of their escape; many thought Dumbledore was to be trusted about the ghosts, but others bought the Ministry's theory on aid from Lucius Malfoy. Draco Malfoy was beside himself with glee, abusing his prefect powers more than ever and strutting about the school as if it was his private property. Danny didn't think it was possible for any kid to be worse than Dash, but watching as he roamed the school with the other ghosts, Malfoy definitely was.
With permission from Harry, Danny told Sam and Tucker about Sirius Black and the battle in the Department of Mysteries. He left out the prophecy; as Harry had seemed reluctant to tell him, he didn't think he should repeat it to anyone just yet. Sam had heard about Sirius from Hermione, but was still shocked all the same.
"This Fudge guy's brainless," Tucker said, "And you guys complain I don't listen!"
Danny and Harry's sparring sessions continued. Harry rarely spoke anything other than the incantations anymore, but there seemed to be far more intensity in his attacks. It was as if he was using their lessons as a vent for all his frustration at everyone's discussions about Sirius. Danny was starting to find it difficult to defend himself and get in his own attacks, but he too was working harder than before. He couldn't be sure how Skulker had gotten involved with the Death Eaters, but he had his suspicions, and trying to get them to make sense was pretty frustrating itself. Along with their duelling, Tucker's and Ron's debates on who among Danny and Harry was superior intensified.
Everyone had doubled their efforts in Defence Against the Dark Arts, where they were still working on the Blade Charm. Harry was still the only one who had mastered La Verdadera Destreza, but sabre had become as easy as reading for most. Ron and Seamus were beyond question the best at épée, beating everyone in practice.
"Well done!" Lupin exclaimed after a day of sabre matches, "Well done, indeed! Ten points to Gryffindor for everyone! I must tell you, this is by far the best sixth year class I have! Now, I've talked with Dumbledore about the Duelling club, and with help from Professor Flitwick, I've set it up. However," and at this point he turned serious, almost reluctant, "The, er – full moon is soon, and I will be – in disposed next week and as such the first meeting will be postponed," there was a great deal of disappointment spread among the class, "Your lessons will be taken by Professor Snape –" shouts of objection followed this, "– but depending on how things work out, the real Alastor Moody may take over after this next lesson on the days where I...well, you know what I mean," everyone started to relax after hearing this.
"So close to a Snape-free year," Ron sighed as they filed out of the classroom.
"He hasn't changed at all this year," Hermione said.
"Really? With me out of his class I thought he'd throw a celebration," Harry said, "You're sure there's no change?"
"Well...he does seem a – a bit happier," the last part she told them extremely fast. Harry said nothing in reply.
----
"These Quidditch games are pretty cool," Tucker said as he turned off the wizard's wireless, "And I don't even need Ron to tell me what eveyone's doing anymore!" they were all in Tucker's room.
"The Quidditch season for the school's coming up soon," Danny said, "Harry, Ron, and Ginny have practice and try-outs tonight, they said we could come."
"Danny, you hate sports," Sam said from over her latest book, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.
"I hate the sports in our world," Danny said, "This one sounds cool. Why don't you come with us? I know you hate sports too, but this isn't any sport."
"Sounds a lot like soccer," she turned the page nonchalantly.
"Come on! Technically it's not condoning anything popular, since we're not wizards and this isn't our to normal soccer it does sound kind of exciting. All right, I'll go."
"Great," Danny smiled, "That's all three of us."
"Yeah. I wish my camera would work, though. Ron's supposed to be kind of lame, and pics of missed goals would make great blackmail and party material."
----
"Everyone here?" Katie yelled. The sun was slowly sinking below the hills and the air was a bit chilly, but it was still fair conditions for Quidditch practice. The Gryffindor team was standing in the middle of the field, Danny watching from the stadium and Sam and Tucker under the Cloak.
"Im tired of wearing this thing," Tucker mutterd, "I wish I could just go invisible!"
"You're crushing my foot," Sam said dryly.
"Well, nice to see everyone back," they heard Katie say, "With that Umbridge woman gone we've got Harry back, and Ginny's filling in one of the empty Chaser spots, so we'll only need one more to get a full team. Ron, if you'd go and get everyone," Ron set down his broom and ran off to the locker rooms. Several people came out onto the field, including Seamus Finnigan.
"Hey, Harry!" he called; Harry waved back, interested. Seamus had described his antics on a broom in vivid detail their first year, but this would be the first time he'd actually see him flying.
"This everyone?" Katie asked, a bit disappointed; there were only five people; "Well, let's get started. First up!"
The try-outs went by fairly well. The people trying out took turns practicing with the entire team. It felt wonderful to be back on his Firebolt again after his ban last year, and the lack of practice during that time had done nothing to diminish his abilities. Ginny had been pretty good as Seeker, but Harry was astonished at her Chasing ability. She outflew everyone who tried out and gave Katie a run for her money. Fred and George's replacements, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper, definitely made things go differently; twice they'd almost whacked Harry in the head on accident while trying to hit a Bludger, Sloper almost crushed Ginny's leg, and Kirke knocked one Bludger right towards where Danny and the others were watching; Danny just barely phased himself and the others through the Bludger without arousing suspicion. Ron was still having trouble Keeping, though he had improved somewhat from last year.
"Where's the fantastic screw-ups!?" Tucker said a bit too loudly.
"Shut it," Sam and Danny both muttered.
Of the five who tried out for the position of third Chaser, Harry thought Seamus did the best. His broom was a bit old, but he was extremely fast and could handle the Quaffle well. Fourth year Thomas Ziegler was good at capturing the Quaffle, but had a hard time throwing and controlling his broom. The two third years weren't that good, and the seventh year was terrible, crashing into Kirke three times and missing the goal by several feet everytime he threw the ball.
"Now this guy I could get good blackmail on," Tucker commented.
After the sun was almost completely gone and Madam Hooch came out demanding that they come inside at once, the team flew back down to the ground. Seamus was quickly announced the new Chaser, and as the team led him back up to the Gryffindor common room, the four slightly disappointed Gryffindors behind them, Harry felt as if all the frustrations caused by the Prophet's article had fallen away. After the team had cleared out, Danny, Sam and Tucker made their way back to their rooms.
"Didn't we say that was gonna be great?" Danny said. He'd found it one of the most exciting things he'd ever watched.
"It was alright," Sam shrugged, pulling the Cloak off herself and Tucker as they came into Danny's room, "Better than watching Dash get frightened by your ghost-dog."
"That was sweet!" Tucker exclaimed, "I can't wait for their first game! Who're they against?"
"Ravenclaw. It's on the..." Danny fell silent, and suddenly very serious.
"What?" Sam asked him. He took the Marauder's Map from off the dresser and looked over it. By this time of night the students weren't allowed to roam the corridors at night, prefects aside. The Gryffindor team was making their way back to their common room, but down a few levels, towards one of the dungeons, was a ribbon labelled "Draco Malfoy," all alone.
"What's he up to?" Danny murmered to himself.
"He's a prefect, isn't he?" Sam said.
"He's probably trying to get the Gryffindor team in trouble," Tucker guessed.
"Then why's he going to a dungeon?" no one could answer that.