Catch the snitch
(A few days later)
Draco couldn't be happier when he left the hospital wing. He was finally released from a terrible burden: Pomfrey. Dumbledore had adviced him to go to class immediately, to make up arrears.
Draco looked at his schedule and saw that he had 'Care of magical Creatures' now. The hallway was empty when he left it, the lessons had already started. He ran over the grounds to Hagrid's hut, where the other Slytherins and Gryffindors stood.
"Today we're goin' to study a new creature an'...Well look who's there!" he heard Hagrid say.
The whole group turned around to see Draco. The Gryffindors kept their distance, but the Slytherins ran to him and started to fire questions at him. Pansy even wanted to give him a hug, but draco pushed her away and said, colder than he had meant to : "Don't."
It looked like Pansy was going to burst into tears and the whole group became silent. Blaise Zabini stepped forward an angrily said: "Hate the Slytherins all of a sudden, Draco?"
Draco turned to Zabini and his eyes got a dark expression.
"I don't think I asked for your opinion, Zabini." he sneered, "Back off!"
Blaise looked at the ground and took a step back.
'Sometimes you have to be very firm to keep those Slytherins under control' Draco thought and he was pleases to see that he had regained his leadership.
Apparently, Hagrid hadn't noticed the whole threatening-scene, he just went on with his lesson: "As I said, we have a new crea'ure today."
He went to a box and took out a fuzzy beast. Harry and Ron had to put a hand on their mouths, trying not to laugh.
"Who can tell me wha' this is?" Hagrid asked.
To no one's surprise, Hermione raised her hand.
"Yeah, 'ermione?"
"It's a Jarvey. It can be found in Britain, Ireland and North America. It's one of the few magical creatures that can talk. True conversation, however, is beyond the wit of the Jarvey, which tends to confine itself to short and often rude phrases in an almost constant stream. Jarveys live mostly below ground, where they pursue gnomes, though they will also eat moles, rats and voles. Muggles often confuse it with an overgrown ferret."
When she said those last words, Harry and Ron burst out laughing. Draco sighed and rolled his eyes. When were they going to forget what had happened in the fourth year? Hermione nudged Harry and Ron in their stomach, trying to make them stop, while Hagrid said: "Very good 'ermione, ten points to Gryffindor. Now, pair up and take a Jarvey."
While the students took out their beast, Hagrid called Harry and Draco. He took the boys a few meters away from the group and said: "You two have to work toge'her. Dumbledore sai' it would improve yer 'friendship'."
Draco sighed and Harry moaned. They left Hagrid without a word and went to the box, taking out a Jarvey.
"Every'un, take a buh'et with food and try to feed'em." Hagrid said, while he kept a watching eye on Harry and Draco.They both worked in silence until Ron came. "Hey Ron," Harry said, "Don't you have to help Hermione with the feeding?"
"Nope, she chased me away after I got bit by that stupid ferret for the fifth time. How's yours doing?"
"Which one?" Harry asked laughing and he turned back to the Jarvey. Before he knew what was going on, he was grabbed by his robes.
"Do you think that's funny, Potter?" Draco bit.
"Let go of me, Malfoy!" Harry yelled, trying to release himself and inside wondering how Malfoy had become so strong.
" Famous Harry Potter! Can't even free himself from my grip," Draco sneered, "And you think you can defeat Voldemort?"
"Drop dead, Malfoy! Harry sneered back.
Suddenly, they were pulled apart and lifted by their collars. Hagrid held them both a few inches above the ground when he said: "Yer both goin' to apologize, now!"
The boys looked at each other in disgust, then they both murmured: "Sorry."
Hagrid released them and, when he was sure that those two wouldn't finish each other off, he said to the group: "The lesson is over, you can go." To Harry and Draco he said: "You two have to stay here for the training."
Hermione went to Draco, who was staring unhappy to the ground. "Calm down." She whispered to him, so that Harry couldn't hear her.
Draco looked up, and when he saw who it was he relaxed a bit. "How can I calm down when Scarhead is in the neighbourhood?"
"Don't call him that," Hermione said, a bit prickly, "You may hate him, but he's still my friend."
Draco took a deep breath and said: "Sorry."
"If it's any comfort to you, I'll go talk to him too."
The young Slytherin smiled when he saw the serious expression on Hermione's face.
"Thanks," he said, "But don't expect from me to be friends with him, not so soon at least. He is and stays a Gryffindor, after all."
"I'm a Gryffindor too, in case you didn't know." Hermione said, smiling.
"I know," Draco replied, "But you're a Gryffindor with Slytherin traits."
"Is that so?" Hermione chuckled.
"Yes, Miss-know-it-all, you're as cunning as me if you get a chance to earn housepoints" Draco smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, then he looked over her shoulder.
"I think Weasley is dying to go to lunch, if you see his expression. Or maybe it's because I can kiss you whenever I want and he can't..."
"Stop it, Draco," Hermione grinned, "I'll see you later, you just enjoy your wonderful 'training' with Harry." She ran to Ron, leaving Draco behind with Harry.
When Hermione and Ron headed to the castle, the crossed the path of Dumbledore, Lupin Sirius and Snape, who were going to Hagrid's hut.
In the meanwhile, Hagrid started to unload a large quantity of trunks and boxes with training material.
"Is everything ready, Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked, when he arrived.
"Yeah, professor."
"Good, then we can begin our training. Remus, Sirius, you may begin." Dumbledore said. Sirius, Lupin and Snape went to the boys.
"Professor Snape?!" Harry asked, bewildered.
"Yes Potter, I'll be accompagnying you when you go to Voldemort."
Harry had to restrain himself from moaning and went to his Godfather.
"I'm glad that you'll accompagnie us." Draco whispered to Snape.
"Did you really think that I would let you go to Voldemort, unprotected, with that bunch of Good-for-nothing-Gryffindors?" Snape whispered back.
Draco grinned and shook his head.
"Severus!" Dumbledore called, "Come here. The boy must be trained an you're not helping by holding a tea break."
Snape went to Dumbledore and glared at him.
"Don't give me that look Severus, you're way too young to be a grinch like that." Dumbledore said, smiling. Then he summoned two chairs from out of nowhere and took a seat.
"Lemon drop?" he asked Snape. When he saw Snape glaring again, he chuckled and said: "Alright, not then."
"Harry, Draco, the first thing that we're going to do, is test your speed." Sirius said. He went to a box and took out a Snitch.
"Let's see how quickly you can catch the Snitch...without a broom!" Sirius grinned, "And of course without the use of your wand. I'll know when you put a spell on the Snitch. Ok, ready? Set! Go!"
He released the Snitch and Draco and Harry went after it.
"I'll bet you for a galleon that Harry will catch it first. What do you think, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled.
"I'll take the bet, Albus." Snape replied dryly.
To someone who didn't know what was going on, the scene of Harry and Draco chasing the Snitch was hilarious. Neither of them wanted to lose, so the more tricks they used, the better : Harry was leading the first five seconds, when Draco grabbed one of his legs and Harry fell with his face in the mud. Not checking if Potter was alright, Draco raced after the Snitch. Before he knew what was going on, he was hit by a stick in his neck and he fell in the mud too. Harry laughed out loud and wanted to pass Draco, but his foot got stuck under a loose root of a tree and he fell right on top of Draco.
"Get off me, Potter!" Draco yelled.
"I'm trying, Malfoy! Damn, I'm stuck!" Harry shouted back.
Draco freed his right hand and took his wand.
"Don't you dare...!" Harry shouted, but he was too late.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco yelled and he pointed his wand to Harry's face.
Harry was blasted from Draco and flew a few metres in the air, landing in a tree. Draco didn't wait for Harry to come down and ran to the snitch that was a few metres away from him. He took a large jump and his fingers closed around the Snitch. What Draco hadn't seen was, that the Snitch had been hovering above a huge puddle. He fell in the middle of the puddle and was covered with a thick layer of mud.
'Damn, my new robes' he thought.
He looked around and saw that Harry still sat in the tree, high above the ground.
"Euhm Malfoy, a little help would be useful." Harry said.
"Potter, stop playing a muggle, you're a wizard. And wizards use something that's called a wand." Draco said sarcastically.
"I know!" Harry sneered, "But it's hard to use it when it lies at the bottom of the tree! So, I repeat, a little help would be useful."
"Who said I was going to help you?" Draco grinned.
Harry lost his patience. "Throw my damn wand, ferret boy!" he yelled.
"Hey scarhead!" Draco yelled back, "I don't think you understand our little situation here. You're the tree-hugger and I'm the one who can give you your wand. So, a little respect please!"
Harry took a deep breath to calm himself down, then said: "Dear Malfoy, could you give me my wand, please?"
"That'll do for the moment." Draco smiled and he threw Harry's wand up in the tree.
Harry put a Wingardium Charm on himself and jumped. He fell as slow as a feather on the ground, then brought himself back to his feet.
Draco tried, unsuccesfully, to wipe away the mud.
Harry grinned and said: "Hey Malfoy, who's a mudblood now?"
"Oh, put a sock in it Potter." Draco said annoyed, as he started to walk back to Hagrids hut.
Ron and Hermione both dropped the foodpackages they had brought for Harry and Draco, when they saw the boys walking towards them. One was covered with sticks and leaves and the other one tried to chase away the flies that were attracted by the stench of the mud.
Dumbledore rose from his seat with a smile and asked: "Which one of you two monsters caught the Snitch?"
Draco smiled and pulled the Snitch out of his pocket. Snape's upper lip curled up in a vicious smile too.
"I'm afraid you owe me a galleon, Dumbledore." he said.
"Of course Severus, I'll give it to you when you drop by for tea." Dumbledore said with a smile, making Snape's smile fade again. Then he adressed himself to Harry and Draco: "Boys, I think it's for the best to end today's training. You're free this afternoon. Tomorrow's lessons will be cancelled for you, you'll have all day to train and get ready. We're going to attack the day after tomorrow. You're dismissed."
The boys sighed in relief, took their foodpackage and started to walk towards the castle. Hermione kept a safe distance from Draco.
"Sorry," she grinned, "But your smell is killing me!"
When Ron looked at the couple a few metres further, he was pleased to see that Hermione didn't touch Draco for once.
(A few days later)
Draco couldn't be happier when he left the hospital wing. He was finally released from a terrible burden: Pomfrey. Dumbledore had adviced him to go to class immediately, to make up arrears.
Draco looked at his schedule and saw that he had 'Care of magical Creatures' now. The hallway was empty when he left it, the lessons had already started. He ran over the grounds to Hagrid's hut, where the other Slytherins and Gryffindors stood.
"Today we're goin' to study a new creature an'...Well look who's there!" he heard Hagrid say.
The whole group turned around to see Draco. The Gryffindors kept their distance, but the Slytherins ran to him and started to fire questions at him. Pansy even wanted to give him a hug, but draco pushed her away and said, colder than he had meant to : "Don't."
It looked like Pansy was going to burst into tears and the whole group became silent. Blaise Zabini stepped forward an angrily said: "Hate the Slytherins all of a sudden, Draco?"
Draco turned to Zabini and his eyes got a dark expression.
"I don't think I asked for your opinion, Zabini." he sneered, "Back off!"
Blaise looked at the ground and took a step back.
'Sometimes you have to be very firm to keep those Slytherins under control' Draco thought and he was pleases to see that he had regained his leadership.
Apparently, Hagrid hadn't noticed the whole threatening-scene, he just went on with his lesson: "As I said, we have a new crea'ure today."
He went to a box and took out a fuzzy beast. Harry and Ron had to put a hand on their mouths, trying not to laugh.
"Who can tell me wha' this is?" Hagrid asked.
To no one's surprise, Hermione raised her hand.
"Yeah, 'ermione?"
"It's a Jarvey. It can be found in Britain, Ireland and North America. It's one of the few magical creatures that can talk. True conversation, however, is beyond the wit of the Jarvey, which tends to confine itself to short and often rude phrases in an almost constant stream. Jarveys live mostly below ground, where they pursue gnomes, though they will also eat moles, rats and voles. Muggles often confuse it with an overgrown ferret."
When she said those last words, Harry and Ron burst out laughing. Draco sighed and rolled his eyes. When were they going to forget what had happened in the fourth year? Hermione nudged Harry and Ron in their stomach, trying to make them stop, while Hagrid said: "Very good 'ermione, ten points to Gryffindor. Now, pair up and take a Jarvey."
While the students took out their beast, Hagrid called Harry and Draco. He took the boys a few meters away from the group and said: "You two have to work toge'her. Dumbledore sai' it would improve yer 'friendship'."
Draco sighed and Harry moaned. They left Hagrid without a word and went to the box, taking out a Jarvey.
"Every'un, take a buh'et with food and try to feed'em." Hagrid said, while he kept a watching eye on Harry and Draco.They both worked in silence until Ron came. "Hey Ron," Harry said, "Don't you have to help Hermione with the feeding?"
"Nope, she chased me away after I got bit by that stupid ferret for the fifth time. How's yours doing?"
"Which one?" Harry asked laughing and he turned back to the Jarvey. Before he knew what was going on, he was grabbed by his robes.
"Do you think that's funny, Potter?" Draco bit.
"Let go of me, Malfoy!" Harry yelled, trying to release himself and inside wondering how Malfoy had become so strong.
" Famous Harry Potter! Can't even free himself from my grip," Draco sneered, "And you think you can defeat Voldemort?"
"Drop dead, Malfoy! Harry sneered back.
Suddenly, they were pulled apart and lifted by their collars. Hagrid held them both a few inches above the ground when he said: "Yer both goin' to apologize, now!"
The boys looked at each other in disgust, then they both murmured: "Sorry."
Hagrid released them and, when he was sure that those two wouldn't finish each other off, he said to the group: "The lesson is over, you can go." To Harry and Draco he said: "You two have to stay here for the training."
Hermione went to Draco, who was staring unhappy to the ground. "Calm down." She whispered to him, so that Harry couldn't hear her.
Draco looked up, and when he saw who it was he relaxed a bit. "How can I calm down when Scarhead is in the neighbourhood?"
"Don't call him that," Hermione said, a bit prickly, "You may hate him, but he's still my friend."
Draco took a deep breath and said: "Sorry."
"If it's any comfort to you, I'll go talk to him too."
The young Slytherin smiled when he saw the serious expression on Hermione's face.
"Thanks," he said, "But don't expect from me to be friends with him, not so soon at least. He is and stays a Gryffindor, after all."
"I'm a Gryffindor too, in case you didn't know." Hermione said, smiling.
"I know," Draco replied, "But you're a Gryffindor with Slytherin traits."
"Is that so?" Hermione chuckled.
"Yes, Miss-know-it-all, you're as cunning as me if you get a chance to earn housepoints" Draco smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, then he looked over her shoulder.
"I think Weasley is dying to go to lunch, if you see his expression. Or maybe it's because I can kiss you whenever I want and he can't..."
"Stop it, Draco," Hermione grinned, "I'll see you later, you just enjoy your wonderful 'training' with Harry." She ran to Ron, leaving Draco behind with Harry.
When Hermione and Ron headed to the castle, the crossed the path of Dumbledore, Lupin Sirius and Snape, who were going to Hagrid's hut.
In the meanwhile, Hagrid started to unload a large quantity of trunks and boxes with training material.
"Is everything ready, Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked, when he arrived.
"Yeah, professor."
"Good, then we can begin our training. Remus, Sirius, you may begin." Dumbledore said. Sirius, Lupin and Snape went to the boys.
"Professor Snape?!" Harry asked, bewildered.
"Yes Potter, I'll be accompagnying you when you go to Voldemort."
Harry had to restrain himself from moaning and went to his Godfather.
"I'm glad that you'll accompagnie us." Draco whispered to Snape.
"Did you really think that I would let you go to Voldemort, unprotected, with that bunch of Good-for-nothing-Gryffindors?" Snape whispered back.
Draco grinned and shook his head.
"Severus!" Dumbledore called, "Come here. The boy must be trained an you're not helping by holding a tea break."
Snape went to Dumbledore and glared at him.
"Don't give me that look Severus, you're way too young to be a grinch like that." Dumbledore said, smiling. Then he summoned two chairs from out of nowhere and took a seat.
"Lemon drop?" he asked Snape. When he saw Snape glaring again, he chuckled and said: "Alright, not then."
"Harry, Draco, the first thing that we're going to do, is test your speed." Sirius said. He went to a box and took out a Snitch.
"Let's see how quickly you can catch the Snitch...without a broom!" Sirius grinned, "And of course without the use of your wand. I'll know when you put a spell on the Snitch. Ok, ready? Set! Go!"
He released the Snitch and Draco and Harry went after it.
"I'll bet you for a galleon that Harry will catch it first. What do you think, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled.
"I'll take the bet, Albus." Snape replied dryly.
To someone who didn't know what was going on, the scene of Harry and Draco chasing the Snitch was hilarious. Neither of them wanted to lose, so the more tricks they used, the better : Harry was leading the first five seconds, when Draco grabbed one of his legs and Harry fell with his face in the mud. Not checking if Potter was alright, Draco raced after the Snitch. Before he knew what was going on, he was hit by a stick in his neck and he fell in the mud too. Harry laughed out loud and wanted to pass Draco, but his foot got stuck under a loose root of a tree and he fell right on top of Draco.
"Get off me, Potter!" Draco yelled.
"I'm trying, Malfoy! Damn, I'm stuck!" Harry shouted back.
Draco freed his right hand and took his wand.
"Don't you dare...!" Harry shouted, but he was too late.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco yelled and he pointed his wand to Harry's face.
Harry was blasted from Draco and flew a few metres in the air, landing in a tree. Draco didn't wait for Harry to come down and ran to the snitch that was a few metres away from him. He took a large jump and his fingers closed around the Snitch. What Draco hadn't seen was, that the Snitch had been hovering above a huge puddle. He fell in the middle of the puddle and was covered with a thick layer of mud.
'Damn, my new robes' he thought.
He looked around and saw that Harry still sat in the tree, high above the ground.
"Euhm Malfoy, a little help would be useful." Harry said.
"Potter, stop playing a muggle, you're a wizard. And wizards use something that's called a wand." Draco said sarcastically.
"I know!" Harry sneered, "But it's hard to use it when it lies at the bottom of the tree! So, I repeat, a little help would be useful."
"Who said I was going to help you?" Draco grinned.
Harry lost his patience. "Throw my damn wand, ferret boy!" he yelled.
"Hey scarhead!" Draco yelled back, "I don't think you understand our little situation here. You're the tree-hugger and I'm the one who can give you your wand. So, a little respect please!"
Harry took a deep breath to calm himself down, then said: "Dear Malfoy, could you give me my wand, please?"
"That'll do for the moment." Draco smiled and he threw Harry's wand up in the tree.
Harry put a Wingardium Charm on himself and jumped. He fell as slow as a feather on the ground, then brought himself back to his feet.
Draco tried, unsuccesfully, to wipe away the mud.
Harry grinned and said: "Hey Malfoy, who's a mudblood now?"
"Oh, put a sock in it Potter." Draco said annoyed, as he started to walk back to Hagrids hut.
Ron and Hermione both dropped the foodpackages they had brought for Harry and Draco, when they saw the boys walking towards them. One was covered with sticks and leaves and the other one tried to chase away the flies that were attracted by the stench of the mud.
Dumbledore rose from his seat with a smile and asked: "Which one of you two monsters caught the Snitch?"
Draco smiled and pulled the Snitch out of his pocket. Snape's upper lip curled up in a vicious smile too.
"I'm afraid you owe me a galleon, Dumbledore." he said.
"Of course Severus, I'll give it to you when you drop by for tea." Dumbledore said with a smile, making Snape's smile fade again. Then he adressed himself to Harry and Draco: "Boys, I think it's for the best to end today's training. You're free this afternoon. Tomorrow's lessons will be cancelled for you, you'll have all day to train and get ready. We're going to attack the day after tomorrow. You're dismissed."
The boys sighed in relief, took their foodpackage and started to walk towards the castle. Hermione kept a safe distance from Draco.
"Sorry," she grinned, "But your smell is killing me!"
When Ron looked at the couple a few metres further, he was pleased to see that Hermione didn't touch Draco for once.