Chapter 6: Friends and Family
The next week started with an announcement of flying lessons. Harry had been looking forward to flying lessons, but the announcement made him groan; Gryffindor and Slytherin were to learn together. However, the class turned out to be an occasion worth celebration for Harry, as he was selected to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as seeker. He was the youngest seeker in a century.
"Congrats buddy!" A beaming Dudley congratulated Harry in the Great Hall, the next day. "That was a good lesson you taught Malfoy."
"For a moment, I was sure I'd be expelled." answered Harry, after recounting the whole event.
"What about you two?" asked Ron.
"Well, we didn't make it to the starting team, but Dudley and I made the reserves. I am a reserve chaser, and Dudley is a reserve beater." answered Ayesha, "Mary – she is our captain – said Dudley has got just the perfect physique for a beater."
The next few weeks went by in a blur, what with classes, homework and Quidditch practice. Soon it was Halloween morning. Everyone woke to the delicious smell of baking pumpkin wafting through the corridors. Even better, Professor Flitwick had announced in Charms that he thought they were ready to start making objects fly, something they had all been dying to try since they'd seen him make Neville's toad zoom around the classroom.
Professor Flitwick put the class into pairs to practice. Harry's partner was Seamus Finnigan. Ron, however, was to be working with Hermione Granger, much to Ron's annoyance. Ron was in a very bad mood at the end of the class. "It's no wonder no one can stand her," he said to Harry as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, "She's a nightmare, honestly."
Someone knocked into Harry, hurrying past him. It was Hermione. Harry caught a glimpse of her face -– and was startled to see that she was in tears.
"I think she heard you."
"So?" said Ron, but he looked a bit uncomfortable. "She must've noticed she's got no friends."
Hermione did not turn up for the next few classes or lunch. Ron's discomfort increased when Ayesha told them that Hermione was crying in girl's bathroom and wanted to be left alone. Hermione's plight was pushed out of all of their minds once they reached the Great Hall. Everywhere in the Great Hall was beautifully decorated with candles and live fluttering bats. The four students sat at the table to help themselves with the food.
They hadn't properly started dinner, when Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, his turban askew and terror on his face. Everyone stared as he reached Professor Dumbledore's chair; Quirrell slumped against the table, and gasped, "Troll -– in the dungeons -– thought you ought to know." He then sank to the floor in a dead faint.
The whole hall was ordered to leave for their common rooms, where they would be having rest of their barely-started dinner. Harry, Dudley, Ron and Ayesha had hardly reached the door when Ayesha reminded them of Hermione. The four friends dashed towards girl's bathroom to warn her. As so often happens in such situations, they ran out of luck as they came face-to-face with the troll.
Thanks to Ayesha's presence of mind and the boys' courage, they were able to defeat troll. They were cheerfully congratulating each other on their achievement when they heard sudden slamming and loud footsteps. A moment later, Professor McGonagall came bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell bringing up the rear.
All four students were quite sure that they'd receive detention, or worse that they'd be expelled. However, they were saved by Hermione's downright lie that she had come looking for the troll, having read about them. She went on to explain that the four students had come looking for her. This incident resulted in the inclusion of Hermione in their group, which became known in the school as The Famous Five.
--
"Hey Ayesha!" whispered Dudley, "I'm feeling hungry. How about a trip to kitchen?"
"I was about to suggest that," winked Ayesha, "Mary has gone mad, making us practice this hard."
Together, they turned towards the kitchens, about which they had come to know just yesterday; courtesy Fred and George. They cursed their fate when they heard Mrs. Norris foot- … or … paw- … whatever … steps. They rushed to the first classroom they saw, when they heard Filch. As luck would have it, they met Peeves there, who began singing loudly, "Wandering around at midnight, Ickle Firsties."
Ducking under Peeves, they ran for their lives, right to the end of the corridor where they slammed into a door -– and it was locked.
"We are done for! This is the end!" Dudley moaned, looking around.
"Oh, move over," Ayesha snarled, "Alohomora!"
The lock clicked, and the door swung open -– they piled through it, shut it quickly, and pressed their ears against it, listening. Ayesha could hear Filch ordering Peeves to tell him the about them which, to Ayesha's relief, annoyed Peeves and he went off without telling Filch anything. Soon Filch was also out of earshot. Ayesha felt relieved. She turned around to find a pale looking Dudley staring at something behind her back. She followed his line of sight and, for a second, thought she had walked into a nightmare.
They weren't in a room, as she had supposed. They were in a corridor. The forbidden corridor on the third floor. And now they knew why it was forbidden.
They were looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog, a dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor. It had three heads. Three pairs of rolling, mad eyes; three noses, twitching and quivering in their direction; three drooling mouths, saliva hanging in slippery ropes from yellowish fangs.
Dudley groped for the doorknob. Between death and Filch, he would choose Filch any day. They fell backward -– Dudley slammed the door shut, and they ran, they almost flew back down the corridor. They did not stop until they reached the entrance to their common room. They answered the question asked by the eagle sculpture on the door, scrambled into the common room and collapsed, trembling, into chairs.
"What do they think they're doing keeping a thing like that locked up in a school full of innocent, helpless children?" said Dudley finally.
"Didn't you see what it was standing on?" snapped Ayesha.
"The floor?" Dudley suggested. "I wasn't looking at its feet; I was too busy with its heads."
"No, not the floor. It was standing on a trapdoor. It's obviously guarding something." She went silent before adding, "I think this has got a connection with what Hagrid told us that day about Hogwarts being the safest place in the world for something to hide. We should tell others about this, tomorrow."
Dudley and Ayesha filled the other three in on their last night's adventure, the first thing, at breakfast. They all came to the conclusion that whatever the dog is guarding is what Hagrid took out of Gringotts and is either dangerous or valuable or both. They decided to go Hagrid's that day and ask him about it. Except for a brief mention of someone named Nicholas Flamel, the visit with Hagrid was not very productive.
"I think I have heard that name before," said Dudley while returning from Hagrid's hut.
"Where?" asked Hermione, looking hopeful.
"I just can't remember. I think we should ask someone, maybe a Professor --"
"I don't think that's a good idea," said Ron, "I mean you never know who that guy is. We might be giving a hint that we know something we are not supposed to know."
"Right!" said Ayesha, "We should look in the library for him. He seems to be a famous or known personality, especially if Dudley has heard of him."
The coming days were spent in library, but in vain. However, additional trips to library were put off due to the up-coming match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. The fact that Harry was on the Gryffindor team was enough for speculation and rumours to go around the castle.
Ron heard some older Gryffindors debating about Harry's flying abilities and comparing them to James Potter. Some even said they thought he'd be better because Harry had a newer broom.
Dudley, on the other hand, overheard several Slytherins passing rumours among themselves. At the centre of the storm of rumours was Malfoy, of course. He was telling his cohorts that Harry was an idiot, that he was a spoilt brat who got everything he ever wanted 'because of that ugly scar on his head.'
Thanks to Harry's friends, Harry felt confident enough throughout the week before the game; however, on the morning of the actual day, he had butterflies in his stomach and could not eat a thing.
"Bro, you need to eat something." said Dudley with an encouraging smile, but Harry could not make himself to eat anything.
By eleven o'clock, the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand.
In next to no time, she whistled to announce the start of the match, and fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor -– what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too --"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, Professor."
The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall. The match was going on in full swing. Way up above them, Harry was gliding over the game, squinting about for some sign of the Snitch. Moments later, Harry saw a flash of gold passing Slytherin's chaser. In a great rush of excitement he dived downward after the streak of gold. Slytherin's seeker, Terence Higgs, had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch.
WHAM!
A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below -– Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose, and Harry's broom spun off course, Harry holding on for dear life. Gryffindors received a free shot at the goal posts for the foul, but in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
Down in the stands, Dudley was yelling, "Send him off, ref! Red card!"
"What are you talking about, Dudley?" said Ron.
"Red card!" said Dudley furiously. "In soccer you get shown the red card and you're out of the game!"
"But this isn't soccer, Dudley," Ron reminded him. Just then he was nudged in the ribs by Ayesha, who pointed at Harry. Harry's broom was going higher and higher, jerking and twitching. He had, obviously, lost control of his broom. Many people were pointing towards Harry now. Hermione took binoculars from someone sitting beside her and started looking frantically at the crowd.
"I knew it," Hermione gasped, "Snape – look."
All four of them looked at Professor Snape and found him staring at Harry and muttering non-stop under his breath.
"He is jinxing Harry's broom," cried Ayesha.
"I'll go do something." said Hermione and disappeared. She went directly to teacher's stand, behind Professor Snape and set his robes on fire.
It took a minute for him to realise it, but Harry was now able to mount his broom. However, while speeding downward, Harry clasped his hand to his mouth as though he was ill. He hit the ground on all fours, coughed and something fell in his hands. It was snitch and with this, Gryffindor won.
--
The weekend following Harry's first Quidditch match, the five of them were out in the freezing courtyard, and Hermione had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar. They were sitting with their backs to it, getting warm, when Professor Snape crossed the yard. Harry noticed, at once, that Professor Snape was limping. He pointed it out to all of them and immediately got up to follow him.
When he came back, he told all of them what he had heard. Professor Snape had gotten hurt by the three-headed dog. This confirmed their theory of Snape-trying-to-steal-something-the-dog-is-guarding. Just then, Dudley noticed Malfoy across the courtyard bullying someone. He got up saying, "One difference between the muggle and wizard worlds that I would have welcomed the most, would have been the absence of bullies."
"Where are you going?" asked Hermione.
Dudley pointed towards Malfoy, "I hate bullies." With this, he started towards Malfoy, his wand out.
"The Great anti-Bully on his mission," sighed Ayesha but got up to follow Dudley. The remaining three also followed suit. After all, everyone knew about Dudley's temper.
Dudley, upon getting closer to Malfoy, saw that Malfoy's scapegoat this time was none other than Neville. As Dudley watched Malfoy playing with Neville's quill, he heard the hurtful comments being hurled at Neville about how clumsy he is.
"Give that back to Neville, Malfoy." Dudley said, glaring at Malfoy.
Though Malfoy generally avoided one-to-one confrontation with Dudley, he felt stronger at that moment with the presence of his goons – Crabbe and Goyle, as well as few other fellow Slytherins.
"Says who, Dursley," sneered Malfoy.
"Well, then you won't blame me for the results," said Dudley raising his wand.
But Malfoy was too quick for him. "Serpensortia!"
The end of Malfoy's wand exploded. Dudley watched, aghast, as a long, black snake shot out of it, fell heavily onto the floor between them, and raised itself, ready to strike.
There were screams as the small crowd, which had gathered, backed swiftly away, clearing the floor. Then suddenly Dudley heard someone laughing. He turned around to find that it was Ayesha. He was bemused by her reaction. By the looks of it, Malfoy was also baffled. Ron and Hermione also looked confused, whereas Harry, it seemed, still had not noticed the snake.
"Honestly Malfoy! Is that the best you can do?" said Ayesha. With that, Ayesha turned towards the snake and hissed, "Hi. I am Ayesssha. That isss my friend Dudley. You won't harm him, will you?"
To Dudley's shock, the snake nodded. Dudley thought, No … I must be out of my mind. It just swayed. However, it was like bolt from the blue when he saw Harry hissing with… to … whatever … Ayesha.
"I guessss, it sssaid yesss," Harry smiled looking at Ayesha and then again turned to the snake. "Go from here or people might harm you. Sssee you." With that snake slithered away.
Harry and Ayesha smiled at each other and looked up. Whatever they were expecting, what they ended up seeing was not it. They found a pale, very pale, looking Malfoy, with a perfect O formed by his lips. He looked like he had been punched hard in the stomach. When Harry and Ayesha looked around, they noticed the rest of Malfoy's crowd had the same reaction as Malfoy. Neither Harry, nor Ayesha understood the reactions, and were even more confused to see the dumbfounded looks of their own friends.
Finally Ron found his voice. "Why did you not tell us you two are Parselmouths?"
"We are … what?" Harry asked.
"Parselmouth." answered Ayesha coolly, "Parselmouths are people who can talk to snakes. The language is called Parseltongue."
"Oh … yes … I can talk to snakes. I once set a Boa Constrictor free at a zoo," said Harry, and then turned to Dudley, "Remember Dudley!"
Dudley nodded.
It seemed as if Malfoy was suddenly released from a full body-bind curse as he hustled away from five of them. The crowd, including Neville, also starting dispersing, eyeing Harry and Ayesha ominously.
"What's wrong with them?" cried Ayesha, looking helplessly at Hermione. "Why are they behaving as if we are going to curse them? Never … ever … help … someone." she said through gritted teeth, staring at Neville who seemed to be running a race.
"Let's all get out of here." Hermione whispered, "Let's go to the library."
They all went to the library with a heavy silence woven around them. Harry glanced at Ayesha questioningly. She merely shrugged. Upon reaching the library, Hermione chose the farthest corner, where it was easier to talk.
When all were seated around the table, Ayesha exploded, "Now will you tell me what that was all about?"
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other, perhaps deciding how to tell whatever they were to tell. Finally Hermione spoke, "Parseltongue is a very difficult language. Salazar Slytherin was a famous Parselmouth, and that is why Slytherin house has a serpent as its symbol." She continued after a moment, "Well … we don't mean to – er – hurt you … but … well … Parselmouths are considered dark wizards."
"But we are not dark wizards! Even a child can see that." exclaimed Harry, raising his eyebrows.
"No!" snapped Ron, "You are not, but they have got a very dark wizard to relate you two with --"
"And that is?" both Harry and Ayesha asked together.
"You-Know-Who!" whispered Ron and Hermione together.
This last piece of information seemed to have an impact on Harry and Ayesha, even Dudley.
Hermione continued, "They will now associate both of you with You-Know-Who. I don't even want to think about the rumours that will abound." She finished with a shudder.
"But how can they come to that conclusion?" cried Harry. "How can I, after what all happened to my parents, be associated with Voldemort."
Ron and Hermione flinched at the name, but Harry ignored that.
"Maybe they will use their brains." said Dudley after some time. He smiled at Harry, who nodded, and Ayesha, who looked pale. "Are you alright, Ash?"
"Uhh … Yes … I am … er … fine. I will be back in a bit." And before anyone could ask anything, she dashed out of library.
"What happened to her? She was all cool till now." said Ron, staring after her.
"Who, in his or her right mind, would want to be associated in any way with Voldie!" sighed Dudley.
What Hermione had predicted was definitely an under-statement, for by the next morning, the whole castle knew about Harry and Ayesha being Parselmouths. Most of the students looked scared and kept glancing at Harry and Ayesha in fear, one of the two might hex the rest of them at any moment.
While Harry was ignoring all this, Ayesha looked worried or sickened or dismayed … Harry could not place it. Dudley and Ron were trying to cheer them up, whereas Hermione was trying to distract all of them by talking about classes and homework. After some time, Ayesha excused herself, mumbling something about her incomplete Potion's essay.
"Ayesha! … Hey! … Wait!"
Ayesha turned around to find Hermione running towards her.
"Something wrong?" asked Hermione.
"No --" Ayesha drawled, "I have yet to complete my Potion's essay. I don't want another lecture from Snape." Ayesha smiled weakly.
"Will you stop acting?" cried Hermione, "You know you are not very good at that." Seeing the confused and hesitant look on Ayesha's face, Hermione continued, "Listen Ayesha! Ignore the rumours just like Harry does. There is no point brooding over them."
"I am not …"
"Look Ayesha. Those rumours don't make any sense. We all have a knack for gossiping, and that is what they are doing. But we all are with you, regardless of what they say. Okay?"
That seemed to cheer up Ayesha, who smiled at Hermione. "Thanks!"
"Now, why don't we go back and finish our breakfast?"
With that, both of them went back to the Great Hall to finish their breakfasts. Ayesha took her seat and started to eat her incomplete breakfast. She did not notice Hermione nod at other three.
Harry whispered to Ayesha, "Forget the rumours. And see, we have got that much in common."
Ayesha sighed. "We have more than that in common."
--
"I never knew she is that friendly with Padma and Parvati" said Harry, his mouth full with scrambled egg.
"What are you talking about, Bro?" asked Dudley.
"Look!" Harry pointed towards the door of the Great Hall, where Ayesha was talking to Patil twins. She shook hands with them, hugged them and started towards her four friends. She took her seat beside Hermione. Everyone noticed that she was very happy; for the first time since the snake incident.
"What are you beaming at?" asked Ron.
"Guess!" chuckled Ayesha.
"Ah come one Ashey! You can share it with the Patil twins but not us?" asked Dudley, as he smirked at the new nickname he gave Ayesha.
Ayesha laughed. "Well … of course I can share it with Patil twins --" Dudley was now getting impatient. "Okay! Okay! It's Diwali today."
All four were clueless. Harry, Dudley and Ron looked at Hermione and found the same look on her face. They were relieved; if Hermione did not know about it, then it must be something unheard of.
"It's what?" asked Hermione.
Ayesha understood her friend's reaction. "Oh … no no! You wouldn't know about it. It's an Indian festival. Diwali – festival of lights. I love this festival the most." She sighed, "Pity, I won't be able to celebrate it here."
"What is it all about? Diwali, I mean." asked Ron, who looked interested in learning about any occasion to celebrate.
"Well … mm … let me give you a brief idea …. Okay … see … diety Ram was kind of forced to go into exile with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman. On this day, he came back to his kingdom, after defeating a bad king … Ravan. So, this day was celebrated, to welcome him, by lighting diyas; they are small earthen lamps - shallow cups, in which you put oil and a cotton wick and light them. These days, electric lights, candles, and other decorations are also used along with diyas."
"And what do you do on this day?" asked Harry.
Ayesha answered enthusiastically, "Oh it's all fun, you know. Weeks before, people start cleaning their houses, getting them painted and decorated. You buy gifts, sweets and dry fruits for your friends and relatives. On Diwali, you get up early; get ready in all-new clothes; go to your friends' places to give them gifts; wait eagerly for the evening, for that is the most exciting time. In the evening you have Pooja, that means praying to Goddess Lakshmi, and then eat sweets and burn firecrackers, which might go on all night."
Ayesha sighed and smiled weakly. Before anyone could ask her more questions, a school-owl fluttered down and landed in front of Ayesha. There were two parcels. Ayesha tore open the first one. It was from Dumbledore and contained Chocolate Frogs and a card with his wishes. Ayesha turned to look at the teacher's table and Dumbledore smiled at her with his trademark twinkle in his eyes. The second package was from her uncle Rahul, and it contained a snake.
"Hey! I don't think we're allowed snakes in here?" panicked Ron, standing away from the snake.
Again, Ayesha looked at Dumbledore who smiled. Taking it as a cue, Ayesha assured Ron that she will personally go and ask the Headmaster for permission. Soon, she came up with a name for the snake – Nagini. However, for those, who caught a glimpse of snake, the rumours had just been confirmed. Fred and George found it quite funny. They started yelling 'Breakfast time' pointing towards several frightened students. While Ayesha finished her breakfast, others already had formulated a plan to make this Diwali a memorable one for Ayesha.
Ravenclaw Quidditch team had a practice scheduled in the evening. Ayesha wanted to skip the practice, but Dudley persuaded her otherwise. Ayesha could not fathom why. She had not seen the other three since morning, which was again peculiar. To top it all, Dudley went missing during the practice, and when Ayesha questioned Mary about Dudley, she was told that he was not feeling well and that he had left immediately. Ayesha was pondering all this on her way back to Ravenclaw's common room after practice, when she heard someone calling her name. It was Fred.
"Yes Fred?"
"Oh you're still sweating. Just back from practice? I don't know why Mary is making you practice this hard; any kid can deflate the Hufflepuff team this year. They lost their good players when they graduated last year." Fred grinned at Ayesha. "Anyway, Merry Diwali."
"Ha ha ha! It's Happy Diwali Fred, not Merry Diwali. But thanks."
"Okay. Now you go to your room, change into good clothes and meet me in the Charms classroom within five minutes."
"Why?" snapped Ayesha.
"I am thinking of having some fun, so I have brought a troll, and since you have experience fighting with them, you should join us."
"Excuse me?"
"Just follow the instructions." With that, Fred turned around and walked away.
Ayesha went to her room, changed into her new clothes and went to the Charms classroom as instructed. However, she was puzzled to find it all dark. For once, she thought she had been fooled by Fred. How could you believe Fred and follow his instructions. Idiot! Ayesha slapped herself mentally.
Just when she was about to turn back and leave, she heard a loud HAPPY DIWALI, and the room lit up brightly with hundreds of candles. Ayesha turned around to find Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dudley, and the twins smiling brightly at her. The room was beautifully decorated with flowers, candles, and colourful drapes. Her friends all came to her, hugged her and wished her Happy Diwali.
"It's not much --" started Ron.
"It's beautiful." said Ayesha, smiling through her tears.
The rest of the evening was spent enjoying butterbeer, food and sweets that the twins had nicked from the kitchens. Soon it was time to go back to their common-rooms. Ayesha was glowing with joy and thanking everyone profusely.
"Oh come on Ash! We're friends, remember?" said the twins together.
"It wasn't according to your traditions, but I hope it was good." said Hermione smiling at Ayesha.
Ayesha smiled at all of them and murmured so softly that others did not hear, "It was like … being with family."
Okay that was the revised chapter. I hope you like it.
To pronounce the italicised Hindi words use the following: (Omit the word written in bracket, but follow the sound of the whole word till the omitted word)
Diwali: Thi(s)-wa-lee
Ram: R-aa-m
Lakshman: Luck-sh-mon(ey)
Ravan: R-aa-won
Diya: Thi(s)-yaa
Loads of thanks to my beta Scooter. Reviews are as always, welcome.