"Before we start, our guests should arrive," Sara said.
Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnett, and Oliver Wood appeared. Wood flinched when he saw the face of James Potter stare a hole through him.
"Why does your father look like he wants to set me on fire with his eyes?" Wood asked Harry.
"Because, you said you didn't care that I got flung off my broomstick, as long as I caught the Snitch," Harry said nonchalantly.
"Oh, damn, I forgot about that," Wood said. "But, I didn't mean anything by that."
"That's Wood, he doesn't think when Quidditch is on the line," Angelina said.
"Don't we know it. It's intimidating to face him."
The gorgeous Cho Chang appeared. She moved over and greeted Harry with a hug, and smiled at the group.
"Nice to see you can make it Cho," Harry said.
"Well, I wasn't going to pass up the chance to see you again," Cho said. "And…wow, I heard about Astra. Just when you thought your life didn't have any more twists. Good to see you again, Kara, Sara, Lena."
"Nice to see you again, Cho," Kara said. "Congratulations on last season with the Tornados."
"Oh, we would have done better if someone hadn't taught the Chudley Cannons to actually be competent," Cho said. "Weasley is our king indeed…Ron."
"Hey, Cho," Ron said.
"Right, I believe some introductions are in order," Harry said. "Gideon, roll call."
Introduces had been made.
"And here I thought your bedroom could get crowded sometimes," Cho murmured.
"You would know," Kara teased.
"Right, I would know," Cho said with a grin. "So, our first battle on the Quidditch field."
"Gideon, let's get to it," Ava said.
"Chapter Thirteen," Gideon said. "Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw."
"Oooh, this is going to be fun," Katie said.
"Not as fun as the time the three of us had sixth year," Harry murmrued to Katie and Cho who both grinned.
"I had…a lot to make up for you for how much of a trainwreck I was the year before, "Cho said. "Thankfully, I was able to get it together."
"And getting closure did help later on," Harry told her.
"I'm really looking forward to this one," Astoria said.
"I'm not," Malfoy murmured.
"Oh, that means I'm really looking forward to this one," Frost said with a grin.
All of the evidence points to Crookshanks in doing Scabbers. However, Hermione does not react well to that in all and blows up at Harry before storming off.
"Oh, sweetie, the evidence is all there," Charlotte said.
"And the motive is as well," Ava said.
"I know," Hermione said. "Although now we…well we'll get there later."
"It's way too early in the chapter to be vague," Bellatrix said. "And for you of all people."
"Well, you're an impatient little bint, aren't you, Trixie?" Regulus asked.
"Stifle it, Reggie."
Cho snickered. Seeing two of Voldemort's Death Eaters bicker like five year olds was kind of amusing.
"I'd never thought I'd find Bellatrix Lestrange cute," Angelina murmured.
"Well, that's a word I don't think I would use," Neville said darkly.
Although, she was more normal and less deranged. Well, kind of quirky, but then again, so was Luna, and she wasn't a deranged murdered. As far as Neville knew anyway.
Then again, it was always the one you least expected.
Fred and George try to cheer up Ron regarding Scabbers. Ginny is mortified by their attempts.
"Lads, stop trying," Alicia said.
"Oh, we just wanted to help," George said.
"We're being good big brothers for a change," Fred said.
"Their hearts were in the right place," Percy said. "And it was best for Scabbers to go quick. Because, I doubt he was not going to last much longer."
They celebrate the one time Scabbers bit Goyle.
"A delightful moment," Astoria said.
"Damn rat could have gotten rabies from Goyle," Malfoy said. "Or something. You don't know where he's been."
"I don't think any of us want to know," Zari said.
"No, Tarazi, you really don't."
Harry decides to invite Ron to Quidditch practice and let him fly the Firebolt. Needless to say, this perks Ron's spirits up.
"The path to a Weasley's heart is through Quidditch," Lita said. "Honestly, the fact that more people don't ship your book characters is surprising."
"Especially considering there's so many moments between these two that are shamelessly gay," XS said. "Like during fourth year…spoilers!"
XS got tongue locked.
"Well, that was some creative license at work," Ron said. "And Harry's a good friend. Better than I deserved at times."
"Oh, don't…you have your moments," Astra said. "Although obviously something happened."
"Several somethings," Ron said.
Ron was less bitter about everything than he might have been a few years ago.
Even Madam Hooch is impressed by the Firebolt, and talks fondly about it.
"Wow, that is something," Angelina said. "That Firebolt is a marvel."
"Not as pristine as it would if someone didn't strip it down," Kate said.
"Do you want me to summon McGonagall so you can yell at her some?" Harry asked.
"It wouldn't do any good," Kate said. "She'd just defer to Dumbledore."
"Harsh," Ruby said.
"I don't know, I've gotten the same feeling," Charlotte said. "They keep passing the buck upstairs to Dumbledore."
Wood reminds Hooch of the fact that Harry actually needs the Firebolt to practice.
"Obviously, that's essential," Angelina said with a grin.
"Well, he does need to get the hang of it," Regulus agreed.
"Not the broomstick though, but the person riding it," James said. "Even though I have to admit that Firebolt is a damn good broomstick."
Quidditch Practice goes fine. Amazing even.
"All of our spirits were lifted after that one," Katie said.
"Wood looked like he was going to need a moment alone," Fred said.
"I did not!" Wood said.
"Oh yes you did!" the Chasers and Weasley twins all said in unison.
"Sorry, Wood, you're on your own," Harry said.
Wood put his head in his hands and silently pouted much to the amusement of everyone.
Wood asks Harry if he's sorted out his Dementor problem. Harry says he has although wishing the Patronus will get stronger.
"You're being too hard on yourself," Mia said.
"He wouldn't be Harry if he wasn't," Sara said with a sigh.
"I think you made a lot of progress," Lupin added.
"But, for Harry, he'll always want to do more," Lena said. "Being driven is a good thing in a lot of cases."
"Although, Harry pushes himself to the edge," Kara said.
"Not going to argue," Harry said.
Harry and Ron stay out, practicing with the Firebolt. Madam Hooch has fallen asleep.
"Why do I think this is going to be your fault somehow?" Ruby asked.
"Some security Hogwarts has," Nora said while rolling her eyes.
"Would be easy for a mass murderer to slip inside while she's asleep on the job," Sirius grumbled.
"So, is she another mark on the adults who failed my son list?" Lily asked.
"Not just Harry, she could have caught me in at least three different ways when I fell off my broomstick," Neville said.
"And she's not exactly the best referee, she makes a lot of bad calls," Cho said.
"I can't disagree," Malfoy said.
"Me either," Angelina said.
"Hufflepuff agrees too," Tonks said.
"Why does Dumbledore hire half of these people?" Mick asked.
"I'm not sure we want to know the answer," Sara said.
Hooch tells Harry and Ron off for not waking her and insists that they head back inside.
"Obviously, your fault," Ruby said while rolling her eyes.
"Not the adult who can't bother to stay awake to do her job," Ava said.
"I'm used to getting blamed for the shortcomings of the people around me at this point," Harry said.
"And I hate that you are," Astra said.
Harry and Ron come across Crookshanks who is sneaking around. And Harry swears he saw something else out there tonight.
"Knowing your luck, I wouldn't be surprised," John said grimly.
"Be careful," Sirius said.
"Of you?" Bellatrix asked.
"Yes, Bella, of me!" Sirius yelled.
"Yeah, the sooner we get to the end of this book, the better," Frost said. "His emoness is starting to get on my nerves."
"Starting?" Malfoy asked.
"I killed the people I cared about, betrayed them," Sirius said.
"I'll give you a brownie, that might shut you up," Zari said.
"Been a while since we had to break those out," Lita said.
Sirius took the brownie, although he was still a miffed.
"Careful, Potter, you might get to tutor me if you keep getting this far ahead," Daphne said.
"Good work both of you," Beatrice said. "Although, it feels like your mind's still a million miles away, Harry."
"Hermione still thinks she's right," Harry said.
"Unbelievable," Daphne said.
"You find that hard to believe?"
"No, I was being sarcastic," Daphne said. "On the one hand, she's kind of right…follow me here…Scabbers shouldn't have been here in the first place. Rats aren't on the approved pets list at Hogwarts."
"Percy had him here first," Beatrice said.
"Surprised that a straight arrow like Percy Weasley broke one of the first rules you see about Hogwarts by bringing that rat," Daphne said. "It's amazing that the Weasleys got as many years out of it as they did."
"Well, considering their post owl," Beatrice said. "Still, toads or owls or cats, but not all three."
"Never all three," Daphne said. "Someone tried that one, I heard, and caused chaos."
"HI!" Bellatrix shouted.
"I shouldn't be surprised," Daphne said with a soft sigh. "I really shouldn't be surprised."
"And it was not just all three, wasn't it?" Natalie asked.
"They rule-platched that one later, then," Lena said.
"Oh and for the record, Mum asked Dumbledore for permission," Percy said. "After I begged her until she let me."
"Didn't think you had it in you," George said.
Daphne sighed.
"But, that cat's been targeting that rat since before Granger bought it," Daphne said "It's not like the rat is smart enough to fake its own death to escape."
"Mmm," Hermione murmured.
"Later," Daphne said.
"Right," Hermione agreed.
"And it does have it out for the rat," Lena said. "That's not an ordinary cat."
"Oh, it's obviously not," Kate said.
"Well, better not keep you here too long," Beatrice said. "Quidditch game against Ravenclaw. And Cedric's glad he doesn't have to fly you on that Firebolt. Although he still wants a rematch."
"Always next year," Daphne said. "The minute that Malfoy finds out…I hope Creevey has his camera ready."
"I want that picture framed if he does," Beatrice said with a chuckle. "Good luck out there, Harry."
"Yeah, show them why you're the best," Daphne said.
There had been a bark and Harry turned to see Snuffles standing there wagging his tail.
"Guess, Snuffles wanted to wish you luck too," Beatrice said with a smile.
"Don't give me another fright, okay boy," Harry said while patting Snuffles on the head.
"I don't understand why I'm…." Sirius said. "Nothing about any of this makes sense."
"You aren't subtle," Regulus said. "At all."
"Really does put everything in perspective," Kara told Harry.
"He does seem like a sweet dog," Cho said.
"Although he could use a bath," Astra said.
Peter, Remus, and James laughed.
"Got you there, mate," James said.
Everyone is impressed by Harry's Firebolt.
"As always," Alicia said. "Especially the witches."
"Well, the more things change," XS said with a chuckle.
"I think I'm going to get ill again," Malfoy said.
"That stomach bug returning, isn't it?" Daphne asked him.
"It's kind of precious how you're about to hurl all over again," Frost said.
Penelope Clearwater asks Harry if she could hold the Firebolt.
"So, that's what she's calling it now?" Lita asked.
"You really couldn't help yourself, Spitfire?" Harry asked.
"Well, they're handing us such obvious Innuendo," Lita said.
"Did she?" Sara asked.
"Mmm, what do you think?" Harry asked.
"She's hot," Sara said. "So, I think so."
"Yes, thank you," Percy said. "I don't think I needed to know anything about Harry and my ex-girlfriend."
"Weasley, welcome to my world," Malfoy said. "And be thankful it's not your mother."
"Nah, she's more Lockhart's type, remember?" Kara asked.
Percy paled. That was even worse. Even he considered Lockhart to be quite the joke and he respected all of the teachers. To think of his mother and Lockhart…and the fact his mother would likely be into it…no, no, no, Percy was not going to go down that road.
Percy reveals he has put a bet on the outcome of the match with Penny. Ten galleons to the winner.
"Oh, that's rich," George murmured.
"He would be on us about gambling," Fred said.
"Honestly, you're the last person I expected to do something like that," Daphne said.
"Well, it was all in good fun," Percy said.
Percy reveals in undertone to Harry that he doesn't have ten galleons.
"Okay, really the last person that I expected," Daphne said.
"Don't bet what you don't have," Bellatrix said. "Number one rule."
"Oh, he better be confident enough in Harry to go all in and come out ahead," Wood said.
"Well, with you singing his praises every chance, how couldn't I?" Percy asked.
"So, how were you before this match?" Kara asked Cho.
"Scared," Cho said. "The only time Harry didn't get a snitch was because…."
"Some Hufflepuff supporting Dementors," XS chimed in.
"We don't claim them," Tonks said.
"And I heard about the Firebolt, so that didn't help my nerves any," Cho said. "And I was coming off of a tendon injury in my arm. One of the most common Seeker injuries. So I was kind of gunshy about stretching for the Snitch, so…."
"You were a wreck," Lena summarized.
"Yep," Cho said. "Harry made me nervous…especially those green-eyes."
"He does that to a lot of women," Sara added.
Malfoy makes a snide comment about the Firebolt, saying it's a pity that it doesn't come equipped with a parachute. In case of a Dementor.
"Asshole alert," Frost said.
"Well, we know he's breathing," XS said.
"That's true," Frost said.
"The person who can't even capture the Snitch on top of his head shouldn't be throwing shade at the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever seen," Tonks said.
"And if it wasn't for Hufflepuff supporting Dementors, Dad would have a flawless record," Ruby said.
Harry remarks that it's too bad Malfoy's doesn't have an extra arm. You know, so it could catch the snitch.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team, both past and present howled with laughter.
"Oh, Malfoy, when will you learn your arms are too short to box with God," Sara said.
"Not nearly soon enough," Andromeda said with a smile.
"He brought a knife to a gunfight when trying to get in a battle of wits with the son of Lily Evans and James Potter," Natalie said with a fond smile.
"Damn straight," John said.
Malfoy flushed in anger. He could not believe he opened himself up for such an obvious attack.
Harry prepares to deal with the Quidditch match.
"Here we go," XS said.
"Yay," Astra murmured.
"You used to be so excited for these," John said.
"Every time Harry has a Quidditch Match, something catastrophic happens," Astra said.
"Maybe it won't happen this time?" Mia suggested.
"Well, we can't top Hufflepuff Supporting Dementors," Frost said.
"You're going to run that one into the ground, the lot of you," Tonks said.
"Naturally," Zari said with a grin.
It is here that Harry is introduced to the Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang. Who he finds extremely pretty.
"Aww, I found you extremely dashing as well," Cho said. "Those eyes."
"Mmm, those are deadly weapons," Angelina said.
"So first crush?" Astra asked.
"First one I can remember," Harry said. "Although, I my lovely Chaser trio are extremely pretty. And then there's the lovely Ms. Haywood and I think I started to develop something for our glorious ice cream queen."
"She did for you," Astoria said. "I heard her moaning in her sleep that summer."
"I was not,' Daphne said.
"Yes, you were," Astoria said.
"But, you hadn't quite put it together," Sara said. "Not yet."
"Getting there eventually," Harry said. "Although I was not as refined with everything until I met Kara. But, I had a lot more moments than a certain author would lead you to believe. But, children's book."
"A lot of people would be offended by you referring to the Rowling books as children's books," Mick said. "They did get darker later.
"And lightened from reality, along a few…saucier things taken out," Harry said.
"Oooh, do tell," Sara said.
"Maybe later," Harry said.
"Looks like your son turned out okay, Prongs," Remus said.
"I'd say,' James said. "Not sure how he could pull it off. He's either a legend or legendary insane."
"Little bit of both, maybe," Junior said.
"Of course my son would shatter all expectations," Lily said with a smile.
Harry gets a lurch around the area of his stomach around Cho.
There was amusement from those in the reading group.
"Ah, those teenage hormones," Zari said.
"We've all been there," Sara said.
"And some of us are glad to put that firmly behind us, thank you very much," Tonks said.
"Although some of us are still there," Kate said.
"Shows that even the fearsome Dragon came from humble beginnings," Frost said. "You were adorable."
Lee Jordan gives a background on Firebolts, much to the chagrin of Professor McGonagall.
"It wouldn't be a Quidditch match if Lee didn't rustle her jimmies," Angelina said.
"You put him up to it half of the time," Katie said.
Angelina just grinned.
"Oh, trust me, Katie, Lee doesn't need that much encouragement," Fred said.
"Just like those two don't," Sara said.
Cho, to her credit, keeps a decent pace with Harry despite his Firebolt.
"I think that you were the best Seeker I went up against," Harry said. "No disrespect to Cedric."
"That's high praise indeed," Cho said.
"I'm in the room," Malfoy said.
"As I was saying, she was the best seeker that I ever went up against," Harry said.
"I can see that," Astra said. "Pretty good flying."
Lee gives some more information on Firebolts. And McGonagall asks him whether or not he's being paid to endorse Firebolts.
"Really missed a key opportunity, Firebolt did," Lita said.
"Could have really got a good endorsement if they advertised Harry Potter was flying their broom," Mick agreed.
"Oh, well, that's money left on the table for them," Kate said.
"Lee would have taken the deal if they put it out there," George said. "In a heartbeat."
Cho blocks Harry. And Wood tells him to knock Cho off of her broom if he has to.
"Thanks, Wood, really feeling the love," Cho said.
"It was nothing personal," Wood said.
"Oh, I know," Cho said.
"He would have said the same thing about Malfoy," Katie said.
"And I would have been more willing," Harry said.
"I don't doubt that for a minute," Angelina said with a snicker.
"We'd like to see that," the twins said in unison.
Cho's distraction allowed the Snitch to disappear for the moment.
"Nice play," Nora said.
"Well, that's about the only thing I could do give how Harry's a god in the air," Cho said. "I had to do something to clip his wings."
"He's a god in other ways too," Zari said.
"Not disputing that at all," Cho said.
"Okay, could the Potter circlejerk cool it for a few minutes?" Malfoy asked.
"Eager to see the end, are we, Malfoy?" Sara asked.
"Oooh, I am too," Zari said.
Another race to the Snitch, but Cho gasps at something.
"Here we fucking go," Astra said.
"Just let it play, Honey Badger," Harry told her.
"Another game, another time where someone makes an attempt on Harry's life," Lena said. "I'm with Astra, I don't really like these games all that much."
"I think it might be different this time," James said.
Three cloaked figures appear. Dementors.
"Oooh, that's the same as last time?" Astra asked.
"I almost had a stroke when I saw those idiots on the field," Wood murmured.
"Wait, idiots?" Astra asked.
"Keep reading," Ava said urgently.
They did, all on pins and needles.
One Patronus takes them out of the running.
"That might have been a bit too easy," Severus said.
"Oooh, they didn't," Astra said.
Malfoy squirmed and several eyes fell on him.
And Harry Potter catches the Snitch.
Several loud cheers filled the room.
"Good one," Cho said.
"You made me work for it," Harry said.
The team is pleased about that amazing victory. Harry finds himself the meat in an Angelina, Katie, and Alicia sandwich as the three kiss him.
"Some guys have all of the luck," George joked.
"Well, considering it's Harry, yes," Kara said.
"That was really amazing though," Lily said. "Although I wonder about the Dementors."
"Well, it's kind of obvious what kind of wanker would pull such a trick," John said through narrowed eyes.
"But, let the story confirm it," Zari said.
Everyone is pleased. Especially Percy since he won his bet.
"I was," Percy said. "But, I had total faith in you."
"So what changed?" George asked sharply.
Here, Percy grimaced underneath the accusatory stares of his twin brothers. It was not really Harry, as much as it was he had a lot of misgivings about Dumbledore. Harry just suffered through association.
Lupin comes over and tells Harry that was quite the Patronus he pulled off.
"It was quite the spectacle," Lupin said.
"Showed those faux dementors what for," Lita said.
"Karma bit someone in the worst possible way," XS said.
Harry learns he did not feel a thing because they weren't Dementors.
"Obviously," Alicia said.
"Oooh, I quite like where this is going," Astra commented with a small grin.
Indeed it is Draco Malfoy, along with Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Quidditch Team Captain.
"You are complete tossers," Natalie said.
"Oh, they got everything that was coming to them," Astoria said.
"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," Frost said.
Malfoy just rolled his eyes.
"You should have been banned from Quidditch for that one," Kate fumed.
"Oh, I think we're all in agreement for that," Astra said. "But, I bet he gets a little more than a slap on the wrist."
McGonagall is furious and she says that Professor Dumbledore will be hearing about this.
"If only any of us thought anything would come from that," Sara said.
"I'm sure he must have gotten a stern talking to," Tonks said.
"And pretty much nothing else," Mick said. "Got what was coming to you, you smug little prick."
"Laugh it up, I got cocky," Malfoy said.
"You keep trying and Harry always gets the last laugh," Sara said.
"Showing you brought down to reality serves you right," Frost said.
Harry catches the eye of the Greengrass sisters who laugh. And Harry sees Colin snapping a photo.
"I got a good one of Malfoy falling on his arse," Colin said to Harry.
"I'll pay to have it framed," Harry said. "Did you get his face this morning when he saw the Firebolt?"
Colin flashed Harry a smile and the thumbs out.
"Kodak moment," Colin said with a wistful sigh. "Well, good game, Harry. See you later."
"I think I still have that one somewhere," Harry told them.
"I'd like to see it," Frost said.
"I think we'd all like to see that one," Bellatrix said.
There were many nods in agreement. Malfoy just pouted.
It is party time at the Gryffindor Common Room
"As someone who has crashed a few of those Gryffindor parties, they are amazing," Tonks said.
"Hufflepuff's not half bad either," Katie said.
"Oh, Hufflepuff can get wild," Tonks agreed.
"Pretty good for a house that doesn't exist," Bellatrix said.
"She's still on about that one?" Natalie asked.
"She never stops," Andromeda said.
"Not really surprised," Kara said with a smile.
During the party, Harry turned his attention to Hermione.
"Good game," Hermione said. "Glad you won. That was a cheap trick Malfoy pulled."
"It was," Harry said. "Doubt he gets in trouble for it."
"Well, maybe," Hermione murmured. "I have to get this done before Monday. And I think Ron's made it clear that he doesn't want to talk to me."
"Well, did you ever try and put yourself in his shoes?" Harry asked Hermione.
"I…I think I would be able to concentrate going upstairs with this," Hermione said.
Harry sighed as Hermione turned around.
"All you have to do is apologize and understand," Harry murmured underneath his breath.
"I wouldn't be holding your breath on that one," Kate said.
"Does she ever apologize?" Frost asked.
"Only when she can admit she's wrong," Cho said while slightly rolling her eyes.
There was a bit of friction between Cho and Hermione and while things calmed, there were several parts of Hermione's personality that Cho found frustrating to deal with.
"Okay, maybe I should have," Hermione said.
"It's progress, I guess," Daphne said.
"Yeah, I'm not holding my breath," Ron said. "She keeps acting like Scabbers went on vacation."
"Maybe you should be the one to talk to her," Harry said.
"Why?" Ron asked. "I didn't do anything wrong."
"And she feels like she didn't either," Harry said. "I…."
"Sorry," Ron said. "The look on Malfoy's face though."
Harry's lips twitched into a smile.
"Priceless."
"Really, it was," Astra said.
"We won't be forgetting it for a long time," Frost said.
"Admittedly, that cheered me up," Hermione said. "Made me forget my two friends weren't talking to me for a stupid reason."
"Stupid to you, maybe," Kate said. "But, you could stand to put yourself in someone else's shoes. That's a real problem with you."
"It's done," Harry said.
"Still not right how she refuses to admit she's wrong," Kate said with a sigh.
"Oh, we'll talk about that later," Lita said.
"We really will," Nora agreed.
Professor McGonagall finally cuts the party short at one in the morning and insist they all go to bed.
"Honestly, I'm surprised she cut you off that late," Peter said. "Minnie's getting soft in her old age."
"Maybe it's because we ground on her nerves," Sirius said. "Seriously though, nice one about Malfoy."
The brownie relaxed Sirius somewhat and he was finally coming to terms that he could not be held responsible for this awful thing.
"You lot grinding on her nerves?" Andromeda asked. "Perish the thought."
Time for one of the strange dreams of Harry Potter. In this dream, he's walking around with the Firebolt and a great creature is galloping after him.
"Your dreams are still kind of trippy after all of those years," Zari said.
"But, yet, despite how strange they are, they mean something," Ava said.
"Is that….?" James asked.
"Well, we might find out," Natalie said.
A scream of bloody murder wakes everyone up.
Astra sat bolt upright.
"Now what?" Astra asked.
It's Sirius Black with a knife, according to Ron.
"Bloody hell!" Sirius yelled.
"Great, just when he was calming down," Regulus said while rolling his eyes.
"Well, this doesn't look good," Cho said.
"Oh, it looks extremely incriminating," Ava said.
"But, we…I….oooh bugger me!" Sirius yelled.
Ron protests he's not dreaming.
"I'm not sure why I didn't believe you," Percy said.
"Because you didn't want to face the fact your brother was almost butchered by Sirius Black," Katie said.
Sirius put his head in his hands and whimpered.
"They're going to think Sirius tried to kill Harry," Lily said.
"It's kind of looking that way," Junior said. "I'm sorry, but you're looking worse and worse."
"Don't be," Sirius said.
"It's really hard to defend that, sorry," Peter said.
Sirius looked even more disturbed by his knife-wielding future self.
Percy tries to regain order, and some people think they're carrying on.
"Not the time, guys," Tonks said.
"Yeah, figured it out," George said.
When Ron tells Percy about Black, Percy insists he's having a nightmare.
"It was the stuff of nightmares," Ron said.
"Sorry," Sirius said.
"It looks pretty incriminating," Ava said. "But, we have to keep reading."
"This just gets worse the more we read," Sirius said.
McGonagall comes in and reprimands Percy for the ruckus.
"Of course she does," Kate said.
"Guess you couldn't really get order, could you?" Daphne asked.
"It got worse when we figured out that Ron wasn't dreaming," Percy said.
Ron keeps protesting that it is Black with a knife.
"Listen to him," Natalie said.
"Aren't you on my side?" Sirius asked.
"Your side, yes, but you've obviously gone through the twist if you're threatening a thirteen year old with a knife," Natalie said.
"I don't…there has to be an explanation," James said.
"It doesn't make him look good," Severus said.
McGonagall tries to discount Ron's claims.
"Oooh, Minerva McGonagall disbelieving a student," Astra said. "That hasn't happened before."
She remembered all about the Philosopher's Stone in their first year and how she refused to believe it could be in danger.
"Good thing Minnie's not here," Peter said.
"She really shouldn't be dismissing Ron off hand," Andromeda said. "After what happened on Halloween."
"That would be dear leader failed to do his job," Bellatrix said. "Can't have that."
Percy hated to admit he was agreeing with Bellatrix Lestrange.
Finally, Ron tells her to ask Sir Cadogan. And Cadogan confirms that Black did have them, the entire week's written down on a piece of paper.
"I'm really sorry, Ron," Neville said.
"No, Neville, it's not your fault," Hermione said.
McGonagall asks who was foolish enough to write down the passwords and leave it lying around.
"Great, this has just gotten so much worse," Kara said.
"Blame the students for the failings of the staff yet again," Nora said.
"And the parents weren't informed about this little incident," Charlotte said.
"Dare I ask if you told your mother, Hermione?" Ava asked.
"You know the answer to that," Malfoy said. "She kept her mouth shut, like she always does."
"Your best friend, one of them, almost gets stabbed," Mia said. "And you don't think this is a problem with how safe the school is."
"I'm…" Sirius said.
Bellatrix stuffed another brownie in Sirius's mouth before he could have another guilt trip.
Neville raises his hand.
"Not your fault," Ron assured him.
"It still made me feel like shit," Neville said. "Gran didn't help."
"Oh, yes, the woman you considered could become your boggart," Kate said. "How could we ever forget about her?"
"And that's the chapter," Sara said.
"Boy, that went from happy and joyous to dismal in a hurry," Katie said.
"My life at Hogwarts," Harry said. "The highest of highs and I'm sent crashing down to Earth."
"Well, let's see what else is going to happen," Lily said.
"Thanks for coming," Harry told the Quidditch Team. "And I'll be seeing you all back one more time…and Cho…if you ever want to come back…"
"Hey, I might join this wild ride again later," Cho said. "Good luck with the rest of the book."
The guests all moved on.
"This book is going to be the death of us all," Sirius murmured.
"We got to keep going forward," James said. "Until we learn everything."
"Give everyone the benefit of the doubt," Lily said.
It doesn't look good how Sirius was behaving, not at all.
"I didn't attack Harry as a dog, but I attacked Ron with a knife," Sirius said. "Why?"
"We'll find out soon," Natalie said gently.
"Real soon," Zari said.
Sirius did not know whether or not he could handle the stress.
"At least Black overshadowed me," Malfoy said.
"Trust me, we won't be forgetting about you," Frost said. "And let's go."
"Oooh, next chapter," XS said. "The fallout from this is going to be interesting."
"Quite," Harry said. "Let's read."
To Be Continued.