Chapter Nine- The Grim Defeat

All four houses were sent back to the Great Hall while the castle was searched. However, Alice already knew that Sirius Black was already gone, so he wouldn't be found. Professor Dumbledore waved his wand and several hundred purple sleeping bags appeared. At the same time the four long tables flew to the side of the room. He turned to the students and began to speak. "I'm leaving the head boy and girl in charge. Sleep well."

Hermione, Ron, Jasper, Harry, and Alice all went to get sleeping bags. "Do you think Black is still in the castle?" asked Ron.

"No, I know that he's not," Alice said firmly.

"How do you know that, Ali?"

"I just do, Harry. Sirius Black just might be innocent of what he was accused of. I can't tell you anything that might change my plan."

"How did he get in anyway?"

"He could've flown in."

"Ron, the castle is protected by more than walls you know. There are all sorts of enchantments you can't Apparate in here. I like to see the disguise that could fool those dementors. Am I the only one that has read Hogwarts, A History?"

Percy's voice drowned out Hermione's. "The lights are going out now. I want no more talking. Everyone in their sleeping bags now!"

The candles went out and the hall quieted down. The sky had so many stars in the night sky. Harry thought he was camping. Alice on the other hand thought it was one of her worst nightmares. She did love to look at the stars in the night sky. She was glad that the ghost made a mystical silvery light. She was silently looking through her visions, so she would know that Sirius Black was safe.

Once every hour, teacher would come into the hall again to check if everything was quiet. It wasn't until three in the morning that most of the students had finally fallen asleep that Professor Dumbledore came in. He walked towards Percy. "Any sign of him Professor?" Percy asked in a whisper.

"No. All is well here?"

"Everything is under control."

The next morning the fat lady's canvas has been taken down, and replaced with the portrait of Sir Cadogan. No one was happy about this. Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duels and the other half thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords. He changed the passwords at least twice a day. After a lot of complaints he was only allowed to change them once a week.

Before the change for Sir Cadogan Seamus Finnigan angrily said, "He's a complete lunatic. Can't we get anyone else?"

"None of the other pictures wanted the job. Frightened of what happened to the Fat lady. Sir Cadogan was the only one brave enough to volunteer," said Percy.

One day after Transfiguration Professor McGonagall held Alice and Harry after class. Professor McGonagall knew that her goddaughter knew what she wanted to tell them. "Mr. Potter it's time that you knew, but Sirius Black…"

"I know he's after me. I heard Ron's dad telling his mum. Mr. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic."

"I see, well in that case I don't think that it is a good idea that you and Ms. Potter are practicing Quidditch in the evenings. The pitch is out in the open. Ms. Potter only has her teammates, and you Potter…"

Once again Harry interrupted Professor McGonagall. "Gryffindor has its first match on Saturday, Alice has to train."

"I see, well I guess that I can have Madam Hooch oversee her training sessions. I would like to see us win the Quidditch cup."

The first Quidditch match grew nearer the weather worsened. The team trained harder than ever. On the last practice before Saturday's match Oliver Wood gave some news that was unwelcomed. "We're not playing Slytherin! Flint's just been to see me, and his excuse is that his Seeker's arm is still injured. They don't want to play in this weather. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."

"Hufflepuff's tactics are different from Slytherin. I'm playing against the new Captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory?"

"I'm afraid so, Alice."

The day of the match arrived with the winds howling and the rain coming down harder than ever. Alice had gotten up early mostly because she was too nervous to sleep. She sat on the red couch in front of the fire to try herself down. The thunder got louder has it became morning. Jasper came down into the common room to see if Alice was okay. He had felt something radiating off of her. He knew that she was nervous for today's match. He had come down to help her calm down. He sat next to her as he sent her a wave of calm. "Are you okay, Ali?"

"I think so Jazz."

"Come on let's go down to the Great Hall for breakfast. I know that it's early, but I think it might be a good idea to get some food in your stomach before the match."

As they entered the Great Hall, Alice was shivering slightly. Alice and Jasper sat down at the Gryffindor table and began to eat. They were eating alone until the rest of the team came down to eat. The nerves slowly went away, but they lingered in Alice's stomach. "Alice, are you okay?"

"I'm better than I was this morning, Alicia."

The match started around noon. The thunder has gotten louder as the day pressed on. With all of the wind and rain Alice knew that it would be harder for her to control her broom. She could barely hear Lee Jordon's commentary over the howling wind. She had no idea what the score was. She singled Oliver to call for a timeout. When the team landed they huddled under a tent. She learned what the score was.

Ten minutes later play resumed. After another five or so minutes some uninvited visitors showed up. Alice and Cedric were still looking for the Snitch in the rain. All of a sudden she was falling towards the ground. The crowd around the Quidditch pitch began screaming. Professor Dumbledore slowed her down until she landed softly on a stretcher.

Please Review! The poll will be up for a while, so please go on it and state your opinions. What do you think? I know that skipped some things, but I have a reason. Will Alice learn what happened after she passed out?