Chapter 8: Quidditch and Dementors

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series. :(

Pyxis

It's been two days since that boggart incident and I've been practicing the Patronus Charm every spare time I get. I've been in the library, the only place I could practice without being disturbed, for hours and have failed yet again (not even a bloody light comes out of my wand!) and I resorted to bumping my head to my copy of Unfogging the Future.

"Hey, Isis. I know Divination is hard. But don't hit your head on that book." Hermione said from behind me.

"Oh. Hey, 'Mione. You're here again?"

"I need to return some books." She placed a lot of textbooks on my table. "Are you done there? It's almost lunch." I got up and packed my books in my bag.

"Yeah. Come on, I'll help you return that."

"Hey Harry, Ron." I greeted the two who are already eating. Harry greeted me back while Ron just nodded.

"Have you heard? Alicia's dropping out." Harry said.

"What!?" We exclaimed causing the others to look at us. We sat down, muttering apologies.

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"She needs to be home. But she's fine. She says thank you, Isis. She left this morning and she just got to say goodbye to us."

"Who's going to be your chaser?" Ron asked.

"We're looking. But still no luck."

"Can I join?" They're eyes all turned to me.

"You know how to play Quidditch?"

"You know how to ride a broom?"

Hermione hit Ron's head with a book. "Flying Lessons is mandatory for all first years, Ronald."

"I didn't know that applies to every school." He rubbed his head.

I just laughed at their antics and explained that I do know how to ride a broom and would've been in the Quidditch team of our house if there was a slot.

"That's good. Oh there's Oliver. Oliver!" The Quidditch captain made his way to us with Fred and George behind him.

"Harry. I still haven't found someone to play for Alicia. We need to start practicing." He said almost desperately.

"Don't fret, captain." Fred said.

"We'll find someone." George continued.

"Oliver." Harry called to him

"What?" He snapped.

"I found someone." He perked up at this.

"Really? Who?" He said shaking Harry.

"Isis." Fred and George squeezed themselves to my sides, pushing Hermione away.

"Hey, stop doing that!" I scolded, referring to them always pushing whoever is seated beside me to take their place. But that was blatantly ignored.

"Really?" They both asked.

"Yes. But I don't have a good aim. I only had bits of practice last year."

"That's alright. We have training. Katie and Angelina will teach you. We'll all help you. Are you up for it?" He said a little too fast.

"Sure." Fred and George put their arms around my shoulder and began talking about how excited practice will be. I just smiled. This is so exciting.

It's already 10 minutes before 6 in the evening and I have to meet with Professor Dumbledore. But I can't pass the common room without anyone seeing me. I sighed and got up my bed. I'll just have to go fast.

I went out the dormitory and looked at the people in the common room. Ron's there with Harry and there's Katie. I don't know the rest. I just casually walked out and to my surprise, nobody noticed me. Harry and Ron must still be stuck in that Divination homework.

I went to the Headmaster's office.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"It's fine. Please, take a seat." I sat beside where Fawkes is.

"I am very concerned about the things you know, Ms. Steller."

"I don't plan on telling anyone. And what's the prophecy you told me before? About me arriving here?" He smiled.

"I'm afraid telling you the contents of the prophecy may meddle with future events. I know that you know that." I sighed and nodded.

"Ms. Steller, the only thing we can do right now, is to prevent what you already know from falling into the wrong hands."

"What do you plan then, Professor?"

"I suggest you learn Occlumency. Do you know what's that?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what that is, sir."

"Occlumency is the art of magically closing one's mind against external penetration, Pyxis. It involves clearing one's mind – making it "blank and empty – in order to prevent a Legilimens from perceiving one's emotions or thoughts."

"So it's like establishing a wall around your mind, while a Legilimens tries to go through it?"

"Correct. Clearing one's mind is just basic Occlumency. It's more advanced level involves suppressing only the thoughts, emotions, and memories, that would contradict whatever it is an Occlumens wishes a Legilimens to believe; hence, it is not obvious that Occlumency is being used even if the person is lying."

"That's brilliant! When do we start?"

"Tonight, if possible. Mr. Malfoy is being taught by Professor Snape now."

"Why does he need to learn too?"

"I'm afraid he's in danger since..."

I gasped.

"Since he met me! Oh professor, what have I done? Can't you just Obliviate him? That way he'll be safer."

"Ah, but I think he wouldn't like that. He seemed very eager in learning too. Begin clearing your mind. We'll start in 10 minutes."

The next ten minutes were like the longest in my life. I cleared my mind and began setting little mental barriers to avoid letting out emotions or information. Professor Dumbledore went back exactly 10 minutes later.

"Ready?" I nodded. He pointed his wand at me and said 'Legillimens'.

Memories came rushing in my brain fast. It's from my childhood. Being with my dad. My first day at school. Playing with my brothers. Then that day—that horrible day. I tried shutting my mind but I can't. I ended up seeing it again.

I was back at the chair again. I noticed that there are tears in my eyes. I quickly wiped it away.

"I'm sorry Professor. I lost concentration. Let's do it again."

"It's alright, Pyxis." He pointed his wand at me again.

The process repeated 2 more times until I managed to block his Legillimency completely. By that time, I was already feel very tired.

"Is that fine, Professor?" I asked him. I looked at him and he was staring with a look of confusion and a hint of awe.

"Is there something wrong, sir?"

"No. You did very fine for your 1st time. Quite a record I must say."

"Really?"

"Yes. It usually takes a lot of practice to block someone like that."

"Oh. Maybe because I don't usually open up to others. My mind doesn't really want to share." I suggested.

"You better rest. You have Quidditch practice tomorrow. We'll just continue this same time next week. Keep practicing." I didn't bother asking how he knew about the Quidditch practice and just went to back to the dormitory. I fell asleep once my head met the pillow.

The next afternoon, after a very excellent Transfiguration classes in which Hermione managed to turn her matchstick into a needle and I half transformed mine; And an exciting Ancient Runes class, where we had a surprise quiz, I proceeded to the our Quidditch practice.

I'm currently at the Quidditch locker rooms with the others. Oliver is giving us the pep talk of the century about how it is his last chance to win the Quidditch cup.

Full of determination, we started practicing. Katie and Angelina were training me real hard, but it was all worth it. It was a little hard since I used a Nimbus 2001 on my first try and I'm using a Cleansweep I borrowed from now. But after 2 matches, I can fly and aim at the same time. They said I'm a natural flyer. Oliver was so impressed that he increased the days of our practice to three days a week and in much longer hours. That limited everyone's time for studying. But we all thought, we can and we will do it for the cup.

Well, I know Gryffindor will win. But that was when Alicia was here. I am now having doubts because I can easily change what happens if I don't score the same points Alicia did in the books.

The morning before Halloween, all are excited. It's our first Hogsmeade weekend. Professor Dumbledore already told me that I could go to Hogsmeade.

"Remember, visiting Hogsmeade is a privilege. If anyone of you behaves inappropriately, the privilege shall not be extended." The rest of the students went out excitedly.

"Professor, can't you just-"

"Potter. You know the rules. No permission slip, no visiting Hogsmeade."

"But-"

"I'm sorry, Potter. Rules are rules." She left after that. Hermione and Ron looked at disappointed.

"Don't worry guys. I'll keep him company."

"What? Isis, you don't need to do that." Harry said pushing me slightly to Hermione and Ron.

"No. I don't. But I want to. I can always go next time." I reasoned out to him. "Bye Ron, 'Mione. Enjoy." I waved at them and they waved back before leaving.

We walked to the bridge outside the courtyard and bumped to Professor Lupin.

"No Hogsmeade eh, Harry, Pyxis?" He said and stood there beside us.

"Yeah. But Isis just stayed with me."

"That's very kind of you, Pyxis." Professor said smiling at me.

"It's nothing. And you can just call me Isis, professor."

"Pyxis is a very unique name. A constellation, I believe." I nodded. Then Aquila swooped down beside me.

"Hello, Aquila." I greeted the eagle owl.

"Aquila, very suitable name. I can see that you're very fond of constellations, Pyxis." I laughed and got the letter from Aquila.

"Can't shut up about it, especially when I was in primary school." I gave the letter a once over.

"I've got to reply to this letter." The two nodded.

"I'll keep him company until you come back." I got Aquila and went to the common room. The letter was from Professor Dumbledore telling me that my next lesson is from Professor Snape. I had 5 days of practice from Professor and he told me that I am already very good. He recommended that I take advanced Occlumency lessons from Professor Snape.

I sent my letter to him and went back to the bridge. I saw Harry and Professor Lupin talking, looking below the bridge. It looked nothing serious, so I crept behind the two and jumped high so my landing would make a very loud noise. The two jumped, making me laugh loudly.

"Sorry, I just can't pass the opportunity."

"That's almost the same thing you said on your first day." Harry said, disbelievingly.

"Oh, do tell, Pyxis." Professor said, laughing. I recounted the tale of how I pranked them and by the end of my story, all of us are laughing so hard.

"Ron's reaction was the funniest." When our laughter died down, Professor turned a bit serious.

"You know, Pyxis, you remind me of someone." He looks like he's in a daze. His look far away, as if he's looking at his memories.

"Who, professor?" He blinked a few times, returning to reality.

"A close friend. But that's a story for another day." We had a fairly good chat with Professor Lupin until the it's time for Lunch. He said his goodbyes and said his good luck for the upcoming Quidditch match with the Slytherins.

Harry and I just spent the rest of our day playing exploding snap in the common room. We were so bored that I managed to make Harry do some of his homework to make use of our time. I went to our dormitory and practiced the Patronus charm. I was not disappointed this time. I managed to produce a incorporeal patronus! I realised that I was up there for hours because Harry actually finished all his homework by the time I went back down. When Ron and Hermione came back, it was time for the Halloween feast and we all went to the Great Hall.

"And the Post Office, about hundreds of owls in coloured shelves. Depends on how fast you want your letter to go."

"And Honeydukes, a lot of sweets!"

"But it gets a little boring after a while. Right, Ron?" Hermione said. Obviously to make Harry feel better.

He just smiled and we all started eating. There was so much food! The sweets are so delicious I had second helpings of everything.

.-.-.-..-…/.-..-..-../-.-..-..-…-/-…-…-.-.-.-

Third Person

The next weeks were full of Quidditch practice. The Gryffindor team had 5 days of practice a week and luckily for Pyxis, Professor Dumbledore postponed her additional Occlumency classes to after the holidays. She and Harry only have a day to finish their homework and to study; Ron once said that he's afraid that the three of them, including Hermione, would break down any moment. Hermione has a more subjects than the rest of them so she's the last to leave the common room, sometimes Pyxis is with her when they aren't out late for practice.

One Tuesday night the Quidditch team all came back very late and they all just fell asleep in the common room, their brooms scattered around. Fred was sitting on the sofa with his head on the arm rest, Pyxis was sleeping with her head on his lap and just halfway laid down and George was on the floor with his head on Pyxis' lap. Harry was laid down on the floor; Katie and Angelina were on the other sofa leaning on each other; and Oliver occupied one of the armchairs.

Professor Mcgonagall just chose to come in the next morning and was very shocked at the state of her Quidditch team. Some of the other Gryffindors including Hermione, Dean, and Seamus was one of the few who saw the sleeping team and how Professor Mcgonagall woke them up. They all laughed when the head of their house cancelled their practice for today giving their captain a fright.

"So tired." Pyxis mumbled as they were walking to the Great hall for breakfast. They all sat down and started eating silently. Even the Weasley twins were too tired to talk causing the other houses to stare at them. They are usually the noisiest even in the mornings. After eating, Pyxis took the opportunity to take a nap before classes started.

"What happened to your practice yesterday?" Ron asked them

"Oliver made us play 8 matches yesterday. Or was it 9? I don't even remember." Harry yawned and took a bite out of his toast.

"Yeah. You should have seen Isis." Fred told them.

"Almost fell asleep on her broom." George said nodding.

"She is sleeping. Luckily her aims are very good." Harry said.

"Or Oliver would have made us stayed longer." The twins said in unison.

"Well you can't blame her. She just started." Hermione said to them.

"Even we haven't trained like that before." Then their loud bell rang signalling the start of their morning classes.

.-.-.-..-…/.-..-..-../-.-..-..-…-/-…-…-.-.-.-

Draco

We were eating breakfast in the Great Hall and I couldn't stop staring at Raine. She looks so tired and she's awfully quiet. One thing about her is she's always hyped up in the mornings.

"Hey, Draco." I heard Blaise call from beside me.

"What?" I snapped at him.

"Heard they stayed up late at Quidditch practice last night. If you want to know." Oh. So that's why she's so tired. Pyxis was now sleeping on the table.

I sighed. Too bad they're not going against us. Flint said that he'll use my injury as an excuse. I just finished eating and went to our classes. We don't have classes with the Gryffindors today, my Occlumency class was finished and I accepted Professor Snape's offer to train me in Legillimency. It was a very busy week, but it passed faster than I expected.

The next thing I know I am now watching the match of Gryffindor against Hufflepuff. It's raining very hard and the match is barely visible.

We heard the whistle and they all flew up. The Gryffindors were already 50 points; three goals were shot by Raine. She's quite good I must say. For a first timer. But she was having trouble because of her glasses. A few minutes more into the match, Gryffindor called for a time out.

The match was better, in favour of the Gryffindors, after time out ended. But that was until hundreds of dementors swooped in. My eyes quickly scanned the field looking for Raine. I had a hard time finding her because of the rain, but I eventually did. She was with another chaser, flying away from a bunch of dementors. Then someone fell. I wished it wasn't her but Blaise's worried look says otherwise.

"She's really heavily affected by the dementors. I wonder what memories she sees." Blaise whispered to me. I suddenly remembered her story. I didn't answer him and just lead the way to our common room.

"Aren't we going to visit her?" He asked.

"With all the Gryffindors there? No way!"

"Why not?" He asked stopping in front of me.

"You've got to be kidding me, Blaise." He just grinned and dragged me to the hospital wing. Blaise is really crazy.

"Nobody really blames you, Harry. It was an accident."

"Yeah, the dementors just appeared."

I heard voices said. Maybe she's still not awake. I was about to back out but Blaise suddenly pulled me forward causing me to stumble in and for the Gryffindors to notice us.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Weasel spat at me.

"Whoa there, Weasley. We just came to visit our friend." Blaise said with his hands up. They all raised an eyebrow at us since the only patients here are only Potter and Raine. And they already know I hate Potter.

"Who? Isis?" The twins asked.

"Who else?" We both ask them. Then we both went to her. I could feel their stares at us.

"You seriously know her, Malfoy?" Potter asked. They can't really understand in one explanation.

"Yes, Potter. We do know her. Ask her yourself when she wakes up." I told him. I sat on a chair on her left, facing away from them. Blaise sat on her other side.

I just stared at her. She looks so peaceful like this. Like when I saw her sleeping at Diagon Alley. She just have this aura that make me want to stare and stare at her.

"Pssst." I turned to Blaise and he was grinning.

"You're staring again." He whispered. I just glared at him to avoid making noise and he laughed.

"What's so funny, Zabini?" Wood asked him.

"Nothing." He said then continued laughing.

"Quiet, Blaise. You'll wake her up." I told him. He stared at me again then laughed.

"Idiot." I mumbled. Just at that moment, Raine woke up, as I predicted.

"Draco? Blaise? What are you doing here?" She asked when she saw us.

"Visiting you of course. That was quite a fall." Blaise said. She turned around the room.

"What happened?"

"Dementors." Granger said.

"Are you alright? You gave us a fright back there." The twins said standing beside me.

"Think I can go out tonight?" She asked them. They just shrugged.

"Are you two alright now?" Raine nodded immediately.

"It's almost curfew, children, you better get back to your dormitories." The nurse informed us. The Gryffindors said their goodbyes immediately and the nurse closed the curtains separating Potter from Raine then left.

Raine smiled at us.

"Well that was kind of you two, visiting while their still here."

"Anything for you." Blaise said.

"Really guys, thank you." She said sincerely. Blaise grinned and I smiled a little.

"Are you alright, Draco?" She asked looking at me with worry.

"Yes, why?"

"You look pale. Are you sick?" She laid her bandaged left hand to my forehead. Blaise laughed again.

"Yes, he is. Worried sick about you." I saw her blush a little.

"Well don't be. I'm alright now."

"See, Draco? No need to worry now." I glared at Blaise again.

"Ms. Steller. You can go back to your dormitory if you're feeling well." Madam Pomfrey said from outside. She stood up immediately and dragged us out with her. She thanked the nurse quickly, turned to Potter but found him sleeping so we all went out.

"We'll walk you to your portrait." Blaise offered. But she politely turned it down and we said our goodbyes.