Hey I'm back! Thanks for the reviews!
Okay three things before we get to the main event.
First off, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Second, I'm using the opportunity to test a new talk to text program I developed that let's the computer- or my phone in this case- read the emotions in a person's voice via inflection- which are the words in parentheses- switch between multiple people, and deal with my thick accent.
Third, I have someone for ya to meet.
Howdy Y'all! (excited) I'm Tawnya, Ava's fiancée. I'm 18...
Me: And three months younger. (Teasingly)
Tawnya: Not my fault. (annoyed)Anyway, I'm five foot two...
Me: With the most gorgeous blue eyes. (dreamily)
Tawnya: I like yours too Hun.(Nicely) I have blonde hair...
Me: As soft as cornsilk. (dreamily)
Tawnya: Quit interrupting else they won't get the story. (annoyed)
Me: No promises. (brightly)
Tawnya: Anyway, unlike some I actually look my age. (teasingly)
Me: HEY! I can't help that my mother stunted my growth! (angry)
Tawnya: Sorry Dear. (dejectedly) I love you just fine the way you are. (assuringly)
Me: No worries. I'm not even really mad at her anymore since it let me meet you. (lovingly) Plus I'm the perfect size for spooning.
Tawnya: True. Anyway, I have a fifty-five inch bust...
Me: My favorite pillows. (dreamily)
Tawnya: Dontcha think that's abit too much info for the web? (questioningly)
Me: Says the girl who just announced her bust size. (pointedly) But I wouldn't have ya any other way.
Tawnya: Touché, and me neither. (resigned)
I should be glad you didn't say anything about how we're seated at the moment. (relieved)
Me: What? (mischievously) That I'm in your lap or that we're na...
Tawnya: Don't you have a story to put out? (hurriedly)
Me: No fun. (pouting) But you're right love.
That said...
Both: Enjoy!
(TNPS)
"You need to eat something Harry," Hermione told her nervous friend across from her.
"She's right mate," Ron said at his place at Harry's right.
"Is something wrong Harry," Nanoha asked as she, Fate, and Tracey walked up and sat next to Hermione.
"I think he's nervous about playing against the Pink Terror and the Lightning Bringer," Neville stated next to Ron, causing the two mages to frown slightly at the nicknames.
"I have no idea how those or the Troll rumors got started, even if they are true," Nanoha complained.
"Well your Divine Buster was not exactly subtle," Fate reminded her, "It shook half the school. But what is wrong Harry?"
Before Harry could answer, Snape walked up. "Good luck today Potter. But then again, after fighting a Troll a little game of Quidditch should be child's play." He gave a light smirk at the two mages. "Even if it is against the Takamachi Terrors of Slytherin."
Snape limped away with a light, rhythmic thumping.
"So that explains the blood," Harry said, remembering the state of Snape's leg Halloween Night.
"Blood?" Nanoha asked. "When did he notice," Nanoha sent to Fate as Harry leaned in.
"Snape-Sensei's pantsleg was ripped badly in the bathroom on Halloween," Fate told her.
"Oh."
The mages stopped their telepathy as Harry began. "Look you three," he said, looking, at Nanoha, Fate, and Tracey, "You might not like this, but I'm guessing that Snape let the troll in on Halloween so that he could try to get passed the Ceberus; but he made a mistake and got himself bitten, hence the limping."
Nanoha shook her head. "Listen Harry," she said carefully, "I understand that you do not really like Snape, but that is no reason to simply accuse him of stealing something."
Ron shook his head. "But the bite..."
"Could have been because he went to check on it," Fate stated.
Nanoha looked the Gryffindores in the eye. "Trust me; I have my ways of knowing these things," she said, tapping her head for emphasis.
"Not to be rude," Tracey said, "but does that mean you're an Empath or something? Is that your ability?"
Nanoha and Fate immediately realized that they had not told Tracey, Daphnae or Draco about Nanoha's Spatial Awareness; It wasn't that they did not trust them, the Troll incident proved that they could, but the subject had just not come up.
Still, Nanoha had noticed her Spatial Awareness did help in that area, and Nanoha had the habit of never telling anyone what she was fully capable of, which was why she'd worked so hard to improve herself or make new spells. Not even Fate knew everything, which in this case was the two new systems she was currently developing for Raging Heart.
"Partly," the combat mage said, "It is but a side effect of my main ability."
Tracey nodded.
"So Harry," Fate said, changing the subject, "Are you seriously worried about playing us in Quidditch?"
Harry shook his head. "Just the game in general."
(TNPS)
Nanoha and Fate were in the locker room with the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team, their tan Nimbus 2000 broom in hand. The dull roar of the crowded stadium was just barely audible.
After Fate had put the rest of the team in the Hospital Wing, the players had treated the two younger players with utmost respect. Of course, that was before Flint had read them the riot act for trying to attack someone who had been right. The burly boy had apologized profusely after Nanoha and Fate visited him in the Hospital Wing the next day.
All seven players were clothed in green cotton shirts and pants that allowed for full range of movement. Over the shirt was a silver chest plate with a green stenciled cobra with a fully spread hood, with silver sholderpads, elbowpads, and bracers. Covering the legs were kneepads and shinguards, again stenciled with the green cobra.
The armor's thickness varied from player to player. The Seeker, Higgs, had the thinnest, with about an eighth of inch on the chestplate and pads, the Seeker relying mostly on speed and the Beaters to keep out of trouble, though they could take a few bludger hits and knock a few away with the bracers if needed. The Keeper, Nott in this case, had the third most with a quarter of an inch on the chestplate, enough to protect him from the quaffle and a few bludgers. Nanoha and Fate had the second at a full half inch since they dealt with the bludgers the most as the Beaters. Finally, Pucey, Montague, and Flint had the thickest armor as the Chasers at five eighths of an inch.
"Think Harry's okay," Fate asked in Japanese, the two having not spoken with their teammates outside of practice since their fights.
Nanoha quickly scanned for their friend in the locker room next to them, which was just within her range. Like they were, Harry was at the end of the line since he was the newest player. She could sense his heart racing, meaning he was nervous.
Just as she was about to tell Fate, she sensed Wood go to him, his lips move. "Nervous Harry?"
Nanoha barely caught.
Harry nodded.
"Don't worry; I felt the same way before my first game."
Harry looked at him in nervous curiosity. "What happened?"
Wood blinked, looking ahead of him. "I, uh, don't really remember." he admitted. "I took a bludger to the head two minutes in. Woke up in the Hospital Wing a week later."
Harry turned forward, breathing heavily.
Nanoha wished that she could talk to Harry Telepathically, but he didn't know about it yet.
"That idiot," she remarked in Japanese.
"What is it?" Fate asked.
"Wood noticed Harry was nervous and tried to comfort Harry by saying that he was his first game. Harry asked what happened and Wood said he couldn't remember because he got knocked out with a bludger for a week."
Fate snorted. "What an idiot."
"Anything interesting," Flint asked from in front of them, being the only player on decent terms with the two mages.
"I heard from Harry that Wood had got knocked out by a bludger his first game." Nanoha told him. The boy had grown quite fond of the two first years, and not just because they were the best beaters he'd seen since the Weasley Twins.
Flint winced. "I didn't mean to hit him in the head. He moved on me."
Just then, they heard the commentator, Lee Jordan's voice fill the stadium. "Welcome everyone to the first Quidditch game of the season; today's game, Slytherin versus Gryffindore! And here come the LIONS!"
Nanoha and Fate could hear the crowd roar as the Gryffindore Quidditch team flew out of the locker room as Lee announced their names "The superb Keeper and Captain Oliver Wood!"
Nanoha felt Wood leave the locker room, and thought she saw a red and gold blur move passed their own entrance.
"The Human Bludgers Fred and Geo-o-orge Weasley."
Nanoha felt the twins fist bump before flying off, waving their red wood, brass bound bats.
"The three beautiful Chasers , A.K.A. the Three Vixens Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnette."
Not for the first time, the name Alicia brought the two mages mind to the golden haired girl currently at their home in Uminari.
"I hope she wakes," Fate thought for what seemed the billionth time.
"She will Fate," Nanoha assured her. She missed the girl as much as Fate and Precia did, feeling some kind of connection with the comatose girl that she couldn't describe; the same connection she shared with Fate.
Their thoughts about Fate's original was interrupted as Jordan announced, "And last but not least, the Youngest Seeker in a Century, the Boy Who Lived, HARRY POTTER!"
The thought that the stadium could not get any louder was proved wrong as the crowd roared their approval.
"Well at least Harry is popular," Nanoha joked as she tightened her grip on her Nimbus. Like Fate's and Harry's, the handle was a light red oak, with the letters 'Nimbus 2000 inscribed on the tip. Gold wire held the streamlined golden oak twigs that made the tail, before swooping into a metal footrest about a quarter inch thick.
"I think it'll be just as loud for you two," Flint said as Jordan continued.
"And now the Slytherin Vipers!
"First are the Three Cobras, the Chasers Adrian Pucey, Trevor Montague, and the Captain Marcus Flint!
Pucey, Montague and Flint, rocketed out of the room, soon lost to Nanoha's senses in the sky.
"The Keeper Gregory 'Stone Wall' Nott!"
Before taking off Nott asked the two Mages, "No hard feelings?"
Nanoha shook her head. Montague and Pucey had been the real leaders of their altercation.
Nott smiled, then proceeded out onto the pitch, the crowd roaring again.
"Seeker Terrance 'Snake Eyes' Higgs!"
Higgs burst from the locker room like a bullet from a gun.
Nanoha and Fate tightened their grip on their sixteen inch green wood Bats, bound in silver on the handle with a two inch band an inch from.
"And now, intro-o-o-ducing..."
"Ready Nanoha," Fate asked.
Nanoha simply nodded.
"The Youngest Beaters in a Century, The Girl Who was Shielded..."
"I really need to ask about that title," Nanoha said as Jordan continued.
"...And her dear sister..."
"Got that right," Fate said, giving Nanoha.
a quick sisterly kiss on the cheek since her hands were full.
"The Two Terrors of Slytherin, 'The Pink Terror', and 'Lightning Bringer' NANOHA AND FATE TAKAMACHI!"
Nanoha and Fate blasted out of the room and into the sky as the crowd cheered themselves hoarse. The two mages flew a quick lap around the field, grinning and waving as they passed over their friends in the Gryffindore seats.
Nanoha grinned as she turned her broom into a steep, corkscrew climb, the crowd cheering. It was a great day for flying: the sky was clear, the air crisp and warm, the wind light...all in all, it was beautiful.
Nanoha and Fate completed their lap around the four story stadium, ending just above the center ring on either side of the three Viper Chasers, Fate on the left side next to Pucey- who looked very nervous being next to the one who electrocuted him, while Nanoha was on the right next to Montague, who avoided making eye contact.
"Initiate radar Master?" Raging Heart asked.
"No," Nanoha replied, "Using Spatial Awareness is already too much."
"And now Madam Hootch steps out onto the field to begin the game."
Madam Hootch stood beneath them, the Quidditch chest on her left side, her broom, a nice silver colored one Nanoha and Fate noticed, floating on her right.
About twenty feet in front of her, hovering on his tan Cleansweep was George, his bat resting on his right shoulder. "Think you can keep up Nanoha-san," he asked brightly.
Nanoha grinned, giving a few quick swipes with her bat in her right hand. "We will see!" she chirped as Madam Hootch looked up at them.
"I want a nice, clean game," she called up.
At their nods, Madam Hootch kicked open the chest.
Nanoha kept an eye on the iron bludgers as they flew upwards as Jordan announced, "The bludgers are up, followed by the Golden Snitch."
Nanoha grinned lightly as the Snitch flew a quick circle around her head before going behind her to circle Higgs behind and above her before moving to do the same with Harry as Jordan continued for the benefit of the muggleborn first year, "The Snitch is worth 150 points. The Seeker that catches the Snitch, ends the game."
Hootch mounted her broom, purple quaffle in hand and her whistle at her lips.
Nanoha tightened her grip on her bat once more as she sent Fate, "Ready Fate?"
"As ever."
"Good luck," she said to George, who grinned as Madam Hootch lowered her arm before chucking the quaffle high into the air, the ball rushing passed them.
"The quaffle is up..." Jordan commented and as the ball reached its apex Madam Hootch blew her whistle, sending the players into a flurry of activity, the crowd roaring.
"AND THE GAME BEGINS!"
Nanoha shot upwards, banking right towards a bludger headed for the Slytherin side as Jordan commented, "The quaffle is snatched by Johnson, a jolly good Chaser and mighty attractive too..."
"Jordan!"
Nanoha grinned as she heard McGonagal-Sensei's annoyed voice.
As the Chasers were now out of range she listen to his commentary as she caught up to the bludger, "Sorry Professor," he said, though he didn't sound sorry in the least, "Johnson passes to Spinnette, to Bell..."
Nanoha managed to catch the bludger, using minute taps with the bat to keep it under control as she flew upwards getting in position for an ideal shot.
"Oooh interception by Montague...passes to Flint...to Pucey..."
"Nanoha!" came Fate's cry, "Can't the other!"
Nanoha took a quick look around. Seeing Fred in his red and gold uniform, a red rampant lion on his gold armor, winding up for a shot about three hundred feet to the left and a hundred above the chasers.
Too far away she quickly located Fate about three hundred feet ahead of the Chasers, looking for the bludger herself.
Calculating quickly Nanoha sent, "Six o'clock. Angels One o five." just as Fate shot forward.
"DUCK!" the blonde shouted.
Nanoha ignored the commentary as Fate skimmed over the top of Flint's head bringing the bat swinging to meet the bludger with a crack that sent the bludger speeding away.
"Thanks Fate-san," Flint called behind just before Katie sneaked in and stole the quaffle.
""An excellent steal by Bell, after I must admit a superb save by Fate Takamachi," Jordan commented as Katie reversed coarse and sped towards the Slytherin goals.
Nanoha shook her head as she took the bludger she held higher. "See if you can get the other bludger Fate. I'll take care of this side."
"Right."
"Bell passes to Johnson, to Spinnette...who dodges Montague with a barrel roll.
Oh...looks like Nanoha has a bludger, can she match her sister's performance?"
Nanoha groaned mentally at that, but after taking careful aim in front of her brought her right arm back and smashed it against the bludger.
"And the Pink Terror unleashes her first bludger, but it's going to miss..."
Nanoha had to sigh at that only to smile lightly as the bludger hit the rear of Spinnette's broom, causing her to fumble the quaffle, which was snapped up by Flint.
"An excellent play by Nanoha Takamachi," Jordan said and Nanoha flew off to get the bludger again.
"Many people wonder how in the world two first years could be the Beaters, but half missed the fight Nanoha had with Flint-"
"Jordan," McGonagal interjected.
"Just abit of history Professor. Of course the other half missed Fate beating up the other four of her team-"
"Jordan..." said a little more sternly.
"And then the rumors that Nanoha physically wrestled the troll to a standstill."
"JORDAN!"
"Alright alright. Back to the game... Bell gets the quaffle, passes to Spinnette...pass to Johnson, Johnson shoots... GRYFFINDORE SCORES!"
Nanoha sighed as she got the bludger with the crowd cheering. "How on Earth did people find out that I physically fought the troll?" she complained to Fate.
"No idea. I know none of our friends would say anything."
"Yeah," Nanoha agreed, noticing Flint getting ahead of the chasers, "Ready to try that little trick?"
"Hai!"
Nanoha rocketed forwards, moving the bludger in front of her. Thanks to her superior broom, it wasn't long before she pulled up beside Flint.
"That time huh," he said as Fate pulled up on his other side.
Nanoha grinned before whacking the bludger to Fate, who knocked it back. The two mages continued to pass the bludger between them as they sped down the field.
"What are they doing?"
Jordan got his answer as they neared the goals. Fate passed the bludger to Nanoha, who smashed it at Wood. Wood ducked the bludger as Flint threw the quaffle, the purple ball sailing through the just vacated hoop.
"Slytherin scores with an excellent team play," Jordan stated as Nanoha and Fate gave Flint a thumbs up. "Didn't expect that since the Beaters put the team in the Hospital Wing a few days ago."
"Jordan."
"Right Professor. Johnson gets the quaffle..."
Nanoha streaked back toward the Slytherin side of the pitch, looking for the bludger. As the teachers' stand passed about thirty feet underneath her, she sensed magic being performed, both good and evil... a curse and its counter.
Concentrating, Nanoha felt the counter curse coming from Snape, and the curse itself was being cast by Quierill.
Both men were looking at the same spot. Nanoha followed their gaze...And saw Harry's broom bucking everywhich way.
"Harry!" Looking back toward the Gryffindore side of the pitch, Nanoha saw the Gryffindore Chasers moving ahead of her own teammates at just the right hieght.
Getting an idea, Nanoha streaked off. Catching a bludger, she then turned arround, flying towards the teachers' stand as fast as she was able.
The other's had noticed Harry now, who was dangling from his broom, both his hands hanging on for dear life.
Seeing Spinnette get close to where Nanoha needed her Nanoha was still too far away to make it... At least as she was now. Hiding her watch in front of her, she began typing. She had reduced her limiter by 20% for the game. Now, she reduced it by another 10.
As her increased power hit her, the youngest Ace of Aces wound up and smashed the bludger as hard as she could.
The iron ball was a mere blurr as it sped towards its target. Spinnette saw it coming and ducked underneath...just as Nanoha planned.
Not being stoped by Spinnette, the iron sphere continued on its path...right into the teacher's box.
There was a great commotion as the teachers threw themselves out the bludgers path and knocking Quierill down, though Nanoha noticed Snape's robes catch fire.
Nanoha turnedand saw Harry swing himself back onto his broom before shooting downwards. Nanoha followed him as he sped after the Snitch, pulling up just above the ground climbing up onto the handle of his broom.
Nanoha sighed as Harry inched along the shaft. Higgs was too far away, and she couldn't get another bludger. Then Harry suddenly pitched forward, crashing onto the grass.
"Do you think he's ok," Fate asked, pulling up alomg side of her.
Harry convulsed several times before coughing up a gold sphere.
"Harry Potter has caught the Snitch! GRYFFINDORE WINS!"
As the crowd began to chant, "Fly, Fly Gryffindore," Fate said, "I wonder what the others will say about Quierill jinxing Harry's broom?"
(TNPS)
"Impossible," Hagrid said as he, Nanoha, Fate, and their friends were walking down to his hut, "Why would Snape curse Harry's broom?"
"Wht was he trying to get passed the three headed dog on Halloween," Harry countered before Nanoha could defend Snape. The Gryffindors had started talking before Nanoha could tell them about Quierill.
"How'd ja kna 'bout Fluffy?"
"Fluffy," Nanoha squeaked.
"That thing has a name," Draco asked.
"A'cerse 'ees mine. Bought 'im en de pub last yer. Den I lent ' ta Dumbledore to guard...No mar questions please. Beats me why ya dink Snape was cursin' Harry."
"Hagrid," Hermione said, "I know a spell when I see one; You have to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking."
"Niether was Quierill," Nanoha told them, "Why do you think I timed that bludger to hit the teachers' box?"
"You're not saying that Quierill was cursing Harry," Ron said, "He's the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He'd probably helped Dumbledore with whatever Fluffy's guarding.
Before any of the four Slytherins could defend their Head, Hagrid turned to face them, causing them to stop. "Now listen here. Alla ya. Yer medlin in thin's dat ought not be meddled in. Whate'er dat dog is guarding is strictly between Dumbledore, and Nicholus Flamel."
"Nicholus Flamel?" Nanoha asked.
'Why does that name sound familiar," she sent to Fate as Hagrid berated himself.
"No idea."
(TNPS)
Later that night, the two mages were sitting in their bed, taking over a voice link through Bardiche.
"Sorry Nanoha," the girl on the other line said, "I don't know who he is off the top of my head, but I'll look through the arcives."
"Thanks Suzuka," Nanoha told her vampire friend. "Send us a text if you find anything."
(TNPS)
And done, finally. Hope ya'll like it.
Tawnya: I did but I guess I'm bias.
I'll say. Anyway, Christmas is next chapter, which'll be out either before or after our honeymoon.
Tawnya: Which I'm so looking forward to.
Me: Me too hun.
Both: See ya next time!