Chapter 10

Now, normally I enjoyed going to Defense Against the Darks Arts, but today…well, why don't I just explain it to you. Today, we all sat around, smiling and talking excitedly in the classroom when the doors burst open. I for sure thought it was Lupin, but when I turned, I was shocked to see that it was none other than Professor Snape. He walked past us, flicking his wand to shut the blinds to the windows. Clearly he liked a dark classroom. Once he reached the front, he pulled down the projector screen and turned to the class, stating in his monotone voice, "Turn to page 394."

As Snape began to walk towards the projector in the back, Harry leant over and asked as he passed, "Excuse me, sir, but... where's Professor Lupin?"

"That's not really your concern, is it, Potter? Suffice it to say, your Professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present time. Page 394."

As Snape walked off, me and Ron began to flip through our books to the page. I glanced at the empty desk in front of us and the empty seat next to Harry. Where were Rachel, Amanda and Hermione? Clearly, Snape wasn't happy that I had turned to my page yet and flicked his wand, causing both Ron's and my book to flip to the open page. Ron stared down at the book and asked, "Werewolves?"

Suddenly, Hermione's voice shrilled, "But, sir, we've only just begun learning about Red Caps and Hinkypunks. We're not meant to start nocturnal beasts for weeks!"

"Quiet!" shouted Harry.

Then I noticed Rachel and Amanda were sitting in front of us. Ron turned to Harry and asked, "When did they come in? Did you see them come in?"

Harry shook his head. Ron looked at me and I replied, "No!"

Suddenly, Snape asked, "Now. Which of you can tell me the difference between an Animagus and a werewolf?"

As we stared mutely at a slide of an attacking werewolf, I could see Hermione waiting desperately for someone to respond to Snape's question. After no one raised their hands, Hermione raised hers. Of course, Snape ignored hers and stated, "No one? How... disappointing."

Then, Hermione stated, "Please, sir, an Animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice in the matter. Furthermore, the werewolf actively hunts humans and responds only to the call of its own kind…"

Suddenly, I heard Malfoy imitate a werewolves' howl. I rolled my eyes as Snape replied, "Quiet, Malfoy! Though one must admit to feeling your pain. That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger. Tell me. Are you incapable of restraining yourself? Or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?"

Ron turned to me and muttered, "He's got a point, you know."

I hit him hard in the ribs, causing him to look away in pain as Snape shouted, "Five points from Gryffindor! As an antidote to your ignorance, I prescribe two rolls of parchment on the werewolf by Monday morning, with particular emphasis placed on recognizing it."

Everyone moaned in agony. I then spoke up, "But sir, it's Quidditch tomorrow!"

"Then you had better get it done, Miss Potter. Broken limbs will not be excused."

Finally, class was over and I smiled at Hermione. "Forget it, Elliot, I'm not writing your essay for you…though I guess I could write out an outline for you."

"Hermione, you are a life saver!" I smiled as we headed towards our next class. For the rest of the day, we went to our other classes, me completely ignoring the lesson and focusing my attention on the match tomorrow. It was the night before and while I studied the outline Hermione had so generously made for me, I glanced out the window and saw storm clouds rolling our way.

---oOo---

The weather for the match couldn't have gotten any worse. Lightning bolts flew form the sky, one striking one of the golden Quidditch rings. The clouds bloomed with an icy blue light. Far below in the stands, I could see a flood of umbrellas. Someone must have let go because one flew into the sky near where we were playing. It was us Gryffindors against Ravenclaw, seeing as how Malfoy was still unfit to play. And the weather just got worse from there. Rachel, Katie and I had a hard time passing the Quaffle from one another and throwing them at the rings. At least I didn't have Harry's job. He had to find the Snitch in this weather. Then, I saw a gleam of red fly into the sky. It was Harry chasing the Snitch. At least he could see. I had just received the Quaffle and was heading towards the hoops when I spotted a black dog in the stands watching. It seemed a bit weird until I felt an icy presence. Looking down, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat. Dementors. Dementors flooding the Quidditch pitch. I froze in place and watched as some of them flew into the air…towards Harry! I couldn't believe it! I then watched as suddenly, Harry fell from his broom and started heading back towards Earth. I quickly passed the Quaffle off to Rachel and went as fast as I could towards Harry. I managed to get under him just in time, but when I caught him, I lost my balance and fell as well. Harry was already unconscious but once I hit the ground, everything went black.

---oOo---

The moment I woke up, I was in the Hospital Wing. The last time I was here from a Quidditch incident was last year. I looked down and saw my arm was in a sling. The moment I sat up, Rachel and Amanda came into view. Rachel was still in her Quidditch uniform, as was I and the rest of the team. Amanda still was dressed head to toe in red and gold. "Elliot! You're alright!" sighed Rachel.

"How's Harry?"

But they didn't answer. Slowly, I slid my feet over the side of the bed, much to Rachel and Amanda's protests and walked over to where everyone else was huddled. Lying on the bed was Harry, still unconscious. "How is he?" I asked Fred and George.

They both shrugged. Ron, who was standing in front of them, then proceeded to state, "Looks a bit peaky, doesn't he?"

"Peaky? What d'you expect him to look like? He fell fifty feet," stated Fred.

"Yeah, c'mon, Ron. We'll walk you off the Astronomy Tower and see how you come out looking," replied George.

"I wouldn't protest to that as long as I get to push him," I muttered.

Then, Harry's voice from the bed said, "Probably a right sight better than he normally does."

We all laughed as Harry opened his eyes and focused on us. "How're you feeling?" asked Hermione.

As he slowly sat up, using his arms to support himself, he replied, "Brilliant."

"You both gave us a right good scare, mates," stated Fred to both of us as Amanda snuggled herself under his arm.

"What happened?" he asked.

"You fell off your broom! Then Elliot tried to catch you, but she lost her balance and fell too," explained Ron.

I smirked as Harry looked at me. He then replied sarcastically, "Really? I meant the match. Who won?"

There was an uncomfortable silence. I didn't even know the answer to that one. Hermione slowly backed a step and said, "No one blames you, Harry. The Dementors aren't meant to come on the grounds. Dumbledore was furious. After he saved both of you, he sent them straight off."

That only meant that Ravenclaw won the match. Damn. Harry nodded grimly as he stared at the rain lashing against the window. I felt exactly the same way he did. Then, Ron took a step forward, carrying a blanket bundled over something. I looked over as he said, "There's something else you should both know. Your Nimbuses…when it blew away...Harry's sort of landed in the Whomping Willow while Elliot's smashed into on of the observation towers. And well..."

He then proceeded to open the sheet to reveal broken splintered wood and twisted twigs. That meant we had no more brooms. I hung my head low and turned to look out at he rain. Great! Not only do I have a broken arm and we lost the match, but we didn't have any bloody brooms!

---oOo---

That next day, Harry and I went to visit Lupin. We just wanted to make sure he was feeling alright. The moment we arrived, he suggested we walked outside. He wanted the fresh air that he had been denied because of his sickness. So we walked with him out to the lake. Fall was rolling off and winter was rolling in. I could tell because it was already getting cold. Once we reached the shoreline of the lake, Lupin said, "I'm sorry about your brooms. There's no chance of fixing them?"

We shook our heads. Our Nimbus 2000s were finished. They were such great brooms. Lupin sighed as we saw Hedwig flying towards us. If only those stupid Dementors hadn't shown up. And as if Harry had read my mind, he asked, "Why do they affect us so, Professor? I mean more than everyone else..."

"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory, until a person is left with nothing but his worst experiences. You're not weak, Harry. Nor you, Elliot. The Dementors affect you two the most because there are true horrors in your pasts. Horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine. You have nothing to be ashamed of.

Sure we didn't! Then, I finally muttered, "I'm scared, Professor."

"I'd consider you a fool if you weren't, Elliot."

I really was. I wasn't fooling around. Then the idea occurred to me. "We need to learn how to fight them. You could teach us, Professor. You made that Dementors on the train go away..."

"I don't pretend to be an expert, Elliot. But yes, I can teach you. Both of you. Perhaps after the holiday, though. For now, though, I need to rest. I'm feeling... tired."

We both turned and silently thanked Lupin. He didn't look too good. I don't blame him. He was sick and probably found out about that horrid assignment Snape had given to us. But unlike most teachers, I wasn't going to push him. Because I respected him. He knew my parents and was almost like a father towards me. For once, I hoped he would stay at Hogwarts as a teacher. Together, we watched as Hedwig flew around us. This would be one of the most beautiful sights I would lay eyes on for a long time.

TBC…

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