Chapter 13 – The Sickness
The Earth Chasers were so good that despite Genna catching the snitch, the Fire House won by only ten points. Genna had no doubts her team would be facing the Earth team in the final match. After changing and leaving the lockers, she was still thinking on how to adjust their training in order to be ready for the last game at the end of the year while at the same time preparing for the game against Air that was two months away when someone next to her cleared his throat. Taken by surprise, Genna looked up and saw a tiny man with huge glasses. She looked around and saw Marcus, Mathiew and Audrey making their way towards her.
"Miss Hudon?" asked the man with a whiny voice.
"Yes?" she said uncertainly.
"I am Henry McNeil, recruiter for the Harpies," he said with a strong British accent. "I was wondering if I could take you to dinner tonight."
Genna hesitated. She really wanted to go but she was extremely wary of strangers, especially since the repeated warnings from the Headmaster.
"Of course, Mrs Potter has told us you may want to take someone with you," he suggested.
"Yes," she answered with a smile. "I would love to meet with you. I will have to ask permission from the Headmaster, of course."
"Oh! Yes," said the man. "Should he grant it, maybe we could meet at six? I do not know Leandry very well. Where would you suggest we meet?"
"The Dragon Inn would be a good place," she suggested, remembering the Headmaster suggesting the Inn as being a safe place.
"Perfect. I will meet you there at six. See you in a short while, Miss Hudon."
And he left, making his way back towards Leandry.
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It turned out Mr McNeil had been the real deal and the next Friday, Genna portkeyed to England for the tryouts, which were held on the Saturday afternoon. Genna was happy about those arrangements as she had been worried about jet lag and the fact she seemed always very tired lately, for a reason she could not quite explain.
After a good night sleep at Grimmauld Place, Harry woke her up late on Saturday morning to escort her to the Harpies' pitch.
"Nervous?" asked Harry, before Apparating them.
"A little," answered Genna, putting her hand on his arm.
They arrived on the grounds surrounding the pitch and began making their way to the entrance. Genna was happy to see it was a lot warmer than Leandry and it cheered her spirit considerably.
"Harry, I was wondering: do you know why they are actually asking me for a try-out? I mean I'm really happy about it and all, but I would have thought they usually don't recruit outside of Britain," said Genna.
Harry chuckled, amused.
"You're right," he said. "They usually don't recruit outside of Britain but you, Genna, are a winner. They could not go wrong with you. After all, you beat both Krum and I, and Gwenog saw it all."
He reset Genna's broom and equipment bag to his other shoulder.
"To be totally honest, they would be stupid not let you tryout," he added. "Haven't you received any offers from the Canadian teams, yet?"
"Some have talked to me a little before Christmas but with what happened during the vacation, they think I'm poisonous," answered Genna with a sigh. "You know, while the papers had a field day with our arrest, none of them said a word about us being cleared of all charges."
"It sounds familiar," said Harry sarcastically. "They were very quick to throw stones at me before the war. I think, in a way, it should show you that they are worried enough to feel you're a threat. That's probably why the papers didn't set the record straight; they are probably controlled by her."
"Makes sense," said Genna with a shrug. "I'm glad we're locked away at St. Leandre. At least, people there are somewhat nicer."
"But not by much, are they?"
"No, not by much."
"I remember that even some of my dorm mates believed the newspapers when I was at Hogwarts even if we had been sharing the same dorm for four years."
"My dorm mates and my House are okay, really. The problem is the Water House. They are the one spreading the nasty rumours. And Earth and Air don't know what to make of them, even if Marcus is in Air."
"Well, at least, you've got your friends," said Harry with a smile. "I know I would never have made it without mine."
"Yeah. However, I still don't know what they can do to help. Heck, I don't even know what I'm supposed to do myself!"
"Don't worry," said Harry, opening the stadium entrance door for her. "You'll know when the time comes."
"Thanks," said Genna with a smile.
Harry gave her the bag and her broom, and balancing it precariously on her shoulder, Genna made her way to the changing room. A few minutes later, she was in the air with three other girls who were trying out for Seeker as well.
"Now, the tryout will be very easy," said Gwenog. "We will release a snitch and, while we practice, you need to catch it. We will make a few trials until we're satisfied."
"Now, close your eyes," commanded Gwenog.
Genna closed her eyes and heard the snitch take flight.
"Okay now, on your broom and you'll go on my mark. Mark!"
Genna kicked off the ground and began to hover over the pitch. A few minutes into the tryout, she began to feel crowded as one of the other candidates seemed to be following her every move, never leaving her side for very long. One of the other Seekers continuously tried to lure the others into feints, which did not impress Genna in the slightest. The third girl was very serious about her game and Genna could see a very decent rival in her.
After an hour of playing, while the second girl tried to pull the first one, who had left Genna's side about fifteen minutes earlier, into a feint, Genna saw the snitch on the opposite side of the field. Not only did she have the entire field of players to cross, she now had three Seekers to fool.
Slowly, she went around the pitch in an arc, trying to keep her eyes on the golden ball as best she could. Once she was past the two first Seekers, she accelerated to the full speed of her broom and sprinted towards ball. The third girl, who finally spotted the snitch, also sprinted towards it from her own position. But Genna simply had the fastest broom and caught the snitch a few moments before the other girl could reach it.
The referee blew the whistle and Genna flew to Gwenog with the others. Gwenog made them try another two times before dismissing the first two Seekers. Genna had caught the snitch one other time while the third girl caught it once. They had been at it for over four hours now and Genna, still feeling out of sorts, was getting tired. However, Gwenog was not done with them yet as she released the snitch again for them to catch. Now that she was no longer distracted by the antics of the two first players, Genna saw the snitch almost at once and caught it before the other girl realised what she was doing.
"Okay, enough for today," said Gwenog, calling for a halt. "We'll start again tomorrow at eleven. Genna, we expect you to be here also."
"Yes, M'am," answered Genna with a nod.
"Good! And call me Gwenog. See you all tomorrow."
Ginny walked to her as they were making their way to the lockers.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"No," answered Genna. "I've been under the weather for the past few days. I'm just very tired."
"Then let's go to the Burrow for dinner. We'll see what my mum can do for you," said Ginny with a grin.
"She won't mind?"
"No, not at all," said Ginny with a laugh. "My mum always complains that we don't go often enough. And you being under the weather, like you said, would only give her someone to fuss over, which will make her happy."
"Okay," said Genna before, entering the changing room.
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"You're not sleeping?" asked Ginny at Genna's opened door.
"No," said Genna, who was sitting on the bed, lost in her thoughts.
She had finished the tryouts earlier in the day and she was more tired than ever. She did not know what the decision would be, but she did catch the snitch more often than any of the other girls who had tried out with her. Now, she just wished she could be home resting with Marcus.
"It is strange to be here without Marcus," she said to the petite red-headed.
"I can only image," said Ginny, walking into the room and sitting on the bed. "I heard things are not easy at home."
"No, they're not," said Genna. "Can you believe we were accused of abusing Marcus' little sister?"
"Sadly, yes I can," said Ginny. "It's an attack on your character so nobody would believe you or help you if you needed it."
"They don't care who they hurt in the process, do they?"
"No, they really don't," said Ginny. "You know, I wanted to let you know that after this season, I'll be retiring from Quidditch also."
"What?! Why?" asked Genna surprised.
"I – I want to begin a family," she answered. "Harry and I spoke about it and we think it's time. I'll miss the game, that's for sure, but I'll still have the Sundays at the Burrow."
"Are you sure?" asked Genna.
"Yes, I am," answered Ginny without hesitation. "However, I have to admit, I am scared out of my wits," she added with a chuckle.
"Why?"
"Oh, you know, the brand new thing called being a mum," said Ginny lightly. "I've never tried that before and I don't know if I'll be good at it."
"I think you'll be fine," said Genna, laughing. "You know, I've got to fight a vampire and I've never done that before either but everybody says I'll be fine. I guess a couple of kids versus a vampire shouldn't be relatively hard, wouldn't you think? And since everybody says I'll be fine, I guess you'll be too."
"Well, when you look at it that way, I should have no problem at all, now should I?"
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"So, how did it go?" asked Audrey as soon as Genna arrived by portkey in the Teachers' Lounge.
"Okay, I think," answered Genna.
She was so bone-tired that she just wanted to collapse.
"Genna, are you okay?" asked Marcus, worried, putting his hand on her forehead.
"I'm okay," she answered. "Just very tired."
Marcus took her bag and broom without replying. He knew she wasn't fine but he didn't want to discuss it with her with all their friends and Genna's teammates around.
"So, did you get it?" asked Mathiew.
"I don't know," answered Genna, leaning on Marcus. "I'll know by Friday.
"Guys, I'm very tired. Would you mind if I go take a nap before dinner?"
"That's okay," said Audrey with a smile. "We have class anyway."
"Thanks."
Marcus followed her out of the Teachers' Lounge and was about to walk in the Fire House Common Room direction when Genna stopped him.
"Marcus, our room," she simply said.
Marcus frowned and took her luggage to their room. As soon as they arrived, Genna laid down on the bed.
"Genna," he said gently, sitting on the bed next to her. "I'm beginning to worry about you."
"You shouldn't," she said with a tired smile.
"No, I should," he protested gently. "Every time you get this tired, I can barely feel you through our ring. Genna, I want to run a diagnostic on you."
"Of course, my favourite Healer," she said, closing her eyes.
Marcus took his wand and stone, and began examining her. Everything seemed normal until she felt asleep. Something was out of place but Marcus could not put his finger on what. It worried him as he usually had no problem finding what was wrong with people. He would have to recommend she spend the night in the infirmary. After a few minutes of more diagnostic, he picked up his bag and went to class to let her rest.
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"Okay, I'll do it," had said Genna with an amused smile. "But I'm fine, I'm telling you."
Marcus had sighed with relief when Genna had agreed to spend the night at the infirmary. Nurse Feelgood had also seen that something was wrong but like Marcus, she could not pinpoint what the problem was.
The next morning, Marcus woke up early and, sitting in the infirmary next to Genna's bed, wrote letters to all the Healers he knew, explaining Genna's symptoms. Marcus had just finished writing his memo to Healer Troovus when Fawkes flew in.
"Fawkes!" he said with a happy smile.
The phoenix landed on his desk, next to the drying parchment and Marcus scratched his head affectionately.
"How have you been?" he asked. "I'm sorry I haven't gone to see you this week. There were so much going on."
"What happened?" asked Genna, startling him.
"Hi, Love," said Marcus with a smile.
"Have you stayed up all night?"
"No," he answered. "I was up early. But it is quite late. Classes will begin in about 15 minutes."
"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked. "I've got to attend class, too."
"That's okay," said Marcus with a smile. "Nobody would hold it against you. You are, after all, one of the best students in seventh year."
"I know but I don't want to fall behind."
"Well, if you change into your uniform, I'll have the house-elves bring you some breakfast."
"Okay."
Marcus looked at Fawkes and scratched his head again. The phoenix offered him his leg.
"You want to take the message to Healer Troovus?"
Fawkes emitted one of his cries and Marcus tied the scroll to his leg.
"Thank you, Fawkes. I'll owe you when you come back."
Fawkes emitted another cry and flew away.
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"So, what happened while I was gone?" asked Genna at lunch.
Genna was getting tired again but she was a lot better today than the day before.
"My parents were formally charged on Friday," answered Marcus quietly.
"How did Amanda take it?"
"She's of the Fire House," answered Marcus with a chuckle. "I think she is taking it better than me. I think we also may be able to remove her block by the end of the week. She's a lot calmer and a lot happier. Actually, she has been hanging out with people her own age instead of us. I'm quiet relief, really. As much as I like to have her with us, she needs to hang out with kids her own age."
"Will she need to testify?"
"I don't think so," answered Marcus hesitantly. "The Headmaster just extracted some more of her memories and the Council seems to think it would be sufficient. They are giving themselves two weeks to review what was provided to them."
"Have you seen them, the memories?"
"No. The Headmaster told me he didn't want to make a murderer out of me."
"That bad?"
"I think so."
"Marcus, I was wondering if we can talk about what we'll do once we've graduated," said Genna hesitantly, after a few moments of eating in silence.
"What do you mean?"
"Well... You know my tryout with the Harpies went very well and not a whole lot of teams around here have approached me. Actually, to tell you the truth, none did," she added sadly.
Marcus took her hands in his and turned her towards him as much as the bench they were sitting on would allow.
"Genna, listen to me and listen very carefully," he said gently, caressing her hands. "I love you. I have loved you since I first saw you almost seven years ago. And because I love you so much, I will follow you wherever you end up going. After all, there are hospitals in every country where there are Quidditch teams, and if you happened to lend in a place where there is no hospital, I'll just open my own practice. So don't worry about it, I will follow you."
"What about Amanda, Marcus? She will have a say in this too," asked Genna, looking at their linked hands.
"I think if we were to go to Cuba, she may not like it. But if we go to England, I think she would be thrilled. Besides, if she wants to, she can still attend St. Leandre and there are such things as portkeys if she wants to visit her friends during the summer time."
"Well, I would feel more comfortable if we speak to her about it," said Genna.
"As soon as you get your answer, we will," said Marcus with a reassuring smile. "But honestly, I hope you get it because I would love to work at St. Mungo's."
"You know, it's nice to talk about the future because with the prophecies hanging over our heads, I don't even know if I have one," said Genna sadly.
"Hey, love, don't think that way," said Marcus. "I really think we do have a future and that everything will work out just fine."
Genna gave him a small smile before going back to her lunch.
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Genna was still very tired the following Friday but things seemed to be getting better. She had woken up early and gone to fly around the pitch for half an hour before changing for breakfast.
She was greeted by an unusual amount of activities at the table where she usually sat with Audrey, Marcus and Mathiew. A number of students had gathered there and were looking at something on the table.
"What's going on?" she asked at one of the students at the back of the crowd.
"She's here!" he warned the others instead of answering.
The crowd parted and Genna could see a scroll with the Harpies' seal sitting on the table next to Audrey who was fending off a student's hand. Genna looked at it nervously for a few seconds before looking around for Marcus.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Open it," encouraged one of the gathered students.
"Not before Marcus gets here, dimwit!" said Audrey.
In fact, Genna did not want to open it in front of this crowd at all. She wanted to seek the privacy of her guest room and open it only with Marcus by her side. Audrey seemed to have sensed it somehow because she took the scroll and stood up.
"Come with me," she said, taking her hand and walking towards the Great Hall exit.
Thankfully, the other students were so surprised by their sudden departure that they did not follow. As soon as they were in the Entrance Hall, Audrey turned to her and trusted the scroll in her hand.
"Go find him, and come and tell us once you're ready," she said.
"Thanks," said Genna, gratefully. "If you see Marcus before me, can you send him to our room?"
"I will but you should send him a patronus, you know."
"Oh! Good idea."
Genna casted her patronus and send it after Marcus. When she arrived at their guest room, he was already there.
"I... I wanted to share this with only you," she said, showing him the scroll.
He sat on the bed and she sat next to him. Slowly, she broke the seal and opened the scroll.
Dear Genna,
It is with great pleasure that we would like to offer you the position of Seeker for the upcoming Quidditch season...
Genna let the scroll fall on the bed and looked at Marcus with shiny eyes.
"I'm in," she whispered, not believing what she had just read.
"And you doubted that?" asked Marcus, grinning. "Of course you're in! What else does it say?"
Genna took the scroll.
... We would appreciate if you would provide us with your intent concerning our offer by Friday February 20. Should you be interested, our agent will meet with you to negotiate a contract.
We hope to see you soon in the Holyhead Harpy uniform.
Yours truly
Gwenog Jones.
P.S. Ginny says hi.
Genna rolled the scroll and looked at Marcus still smiling.
"I think we have to discuss this with Amanda before I send a response and we let the rest of the school know," said Genna.
"We'll talk to her after class," said Marcus.
His stomach growled.
"Breakfast?" she asked, grinning.
"Yeah!" he answered.
Hand in hand, they made their way to the Great Hall.
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"Wow! You never told me you had a room like this."
Marcus has just brought Amanda to the guest room he shared with Genna most weekends.
"We didn't tell a lot of people because we don't want to create problems," said Marcus.
"So why are you telling me today?"
"Because Genna and I want to talk to you about something rather important," he answered. "She should be here any minute now."
Amanda had just taken a seat on the bed when Genna arrived.
"Hi," said Genna with a smile. "Sorry, I'm late."
"You're not late," said Amanda.
Genna came to sit next to her and Marcus pulled a chair next to the bed.
"Marcus, why are you so serious?" asked Amanda alarmed. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," said Marcus with a laugh. "You did nothing wrong. In fact, before we talk to you, I'm going to remove your blocks."
Amanda beamed at him. The blocks had been installed just before the Holidays and had only been removed in certain classes when she had to use magic. Amanda had felt out of sorts not being able to feel her magic, but she hadn't complained. She understood why she had to have them even if she didn't like them.
"I think despite the fact the trial is not over, you're now dealing better with what is going on. However, I want you to promise me one thing."
"Okay."
"If things get too hectic and you think you may slip, I want you to come to us," he said. "It does not mean we will put blocks on you again but we can show you how to diffuse the situation, even when it is overwhelming. Okay?"
"Okay," answered Amanda with a nod.
Marcus took his wand and silently passed it along Amanda's head. As soon as the block was lifted, she beamed a smile at him.
"Better?" asked Marcus also smiling.
"Much better."
"Okay. Now, for what we want to talk to you about," said Marcus, putting his wand away. "You know I want to file for your custody as soon as I can, right?"
"Yes," she said slowly.
"Well, the first important thing we never talked about is whether or not you want to come and live with us, or if you would rather go live with someone else, one of our uncles or aunts perhaps."
"I'd rather live with you," she said quietly. "I don't really trust anyone else, really," she added, looking at her hands.
And at that moment, she really looked like any other twelve-year-old Marcus knew and he smiled at her.
"Then, that's settled. Now, the other thing we wanted to know is if you are okay with Genna living with us."
"Are you going to get married?" she asked excited.
"Well, we're engaged so yes, we will. But we haven't set a date yet," answered Marcus. "So I take it you're okay with Genna?"
"Yes," she said, grinning.
"Now, the last thing we want to know is if you would be okay if we moved to England once the school year is over."
"England?" she asked surprised.
"Yeah," answered Marcus.
"What about school?"
"Well, you can choose to remain here at St. Leandre or go to Hogwarts, if you want to."
"Do I have to choose now?"
"No, you don't."
"Would I be able to visit my friends?"
"Yes, you will."
Amanda remained quiet a few seconds more, thinking.
"Will I get to meet Harry Potter?"
"Yes, you will," answered Marcus with a laugh. "But you would get to meet him even if we were not going to England."
"I think... I think I would like it," she said. "But why would we move there?"
"Well, Genna has received an offer to go play for the Holyhead Harpies."
Amanda squeaked with delight and jumped towards Genna to hug her.
"Will I get to see you play?" she asked.
"Well, we'll see how it is going to work with school," answered Genna. "But I'm pretty sure that if you continue to do good, it can be arranged."
"Oh! That would be so much fun! I can't wait."
The next morning, Genna went to the Headmaster's office with her response in hand. A few minutes later, her response was on its way to England.