Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which are trademarked by J. K. Rowling
Dragons at Hogwarts: The Gift
(HP:PoA)
Chapter 4: Start Me Up
Lin and Oliver sat next to each other in a nook of the common room. She looked into his eyes and took his hands in hers.
"Oliver... I... I like you," Lin admitted.
Oliver stared straight back.
"I like you too," he told her.
They moved in closer, erasing the space between them. Their lips were about to touch-
But, instead of kissing her, he started rubbing the top of his head all over her face.
"Oliver?" She said, hair in her mouth. "What... are you... doing?"
He began whining like a dog, bumping her face with his nose.
Suddenly, he stopped, looked up at her and-
"OUCH!"
Everything went dark and there was pain coming from her big toe. She reached into the darkness and eventually felt something fluffy. The fluffy thing began to whine, but this time, she knew what was happening.
"Hector, I already told you that I don't want you biting my feet," she whispered angrily while Hector continued to cry. "Okay, enough whining. I'm getting up."
She opened the bed-curtains and saw that the sun had not yet risen. Len checked the time on the grandfather clock in the corner of the room.
Ugh, two hours before I wanted to wake up, she thought. Might as well send the letter now.
She got ready and quietly left the room with Hector.
"Alright, where is the Owlery," she said, talking to Hector. "West Tower… Let's get going then."
They climbed through the portrait hole, Lin giving Hector a bit of a boost, and tried to find their way to the Owlery. When she reached about thirty minutes of wandering around, Lin finally gave up.
"Where's a prefect? They should be patrolling somewhere near, right?"
"No, but luckily, I'm here."
She jumped with fright. Hector, on the other hand, gave a joyful bark. Lin turned around and saw her Uncle Remus laughing behind her.
"Why does everyone have the sudden interest on scaring me?" she sighed.
"Because you're being too tense and anxious recently. An easy target," he chuckled. "Just relax and take in your surroundings, or you'll always get lost."
"Just show me where the Owlery is," she said smiling. It always amazed her how Uncle Remus would say the most beautiful, but annoying things to teach her lessons.
They began walking through the beautiful, yet lonely corridors. Lin took her uncle's advice and tried to remember every single detail around her, but she quickly gave up as they turned corners and climbed moving staircases. The portraits on the walls were yawning and waking up from their slumber.
"Why are you looking for the Owlery so early in the morning?" Uncle Remus asked, looking skeptical.
"Well, I wrote Eddie a letter, and I planned to send it after classes today… but Hector woke me up early," she told him, giving Hector an annoyed look. She vaguely remembered her dream and started feeling butterflies in her stomach.
"I was actually on my way there as well… Your Mum likes to check on me from time to time," he said. "I think she believes I can't take care of myself."
They got to the Owlery, the floor full of animal and owl droppings, and she shuddered. Hector sniffed around and decided to bark at the owls up too high for him to reach. Lin tip-toed through the room, gagging.
"Still afraid of owls?" Uncle Remus asked, amused.
"I'm not afraid of them, per se. I just find some of their… natural qualities a tad disturbing. I'm completely fine with them when they aren't giving their digestive systems some practice," she told him as she handed him her letter.
They decided to use the same owl since their letters would arrive around the destination. Lin ducked and covered her head with her arms as it flew, just in case the bird made any droppings. This turned out to be a good idea because just then, a familiar screech owl swooped in, dropped a large package at her feet and perched on her arms. He pecked at her hair until she retrieved the post from his leg, and then flew away.
Uncle Remus found this whole ordeal quite entertaining.
"I'm sure you also don't like them pecking at you," he laughed. "Is your mum still breeding owls?"
"Yes and unfortunately, Pica has to be her precious baby," she whined.
Uncle Remus picked up the package and dusted it off while Lin read the letter aloud.
Lin,
I got fan mail from a boy at your school (I thought those days were over!). He said he was the Keeper and Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Remus informed me that you made that House. Congratulations! Anyway, here is your broom for try-outs. Make your old man proud!
Tu Papá
She opened her package and saw the Cleansweep Seven, her trusty broom.
"Lin, you should probably go get ready. Owl posts usually mean that breakfast is currently happening. You might be late to class," he urged her while she began fumbling with the package. "Don't worry, I will take care of your broom. Just get to class. Good luck!"
"Thank you! I hope you have a great first day at teaching, Uncle!" she hollered as she sped off.
She ran to the Great Hall to retrieve her timetable to which Professor McGonagall said, "Are you sure you want to make these changes? It might make your parents a bit upset," but changed it anyway with a flick of her wand. She then hurried to her room, dropped off Hector, picked up her books and fixed her newly messed up hair, and then ran to her first class.
The day turned out not to be the perfect first day Lin expected.
To start, she forgot to read the chapter on bubotubers assigned for Double Herbology during the summer, so she was already behind on the class she was worst at. She also knew no one but Katie Bell, so she stayed around Katie's vicinity, but did not impose herself on her for the whole class time. During the break, she tried to read the chapter that she missed while eating an apple from the fruit bowl since she missed breakfast.
Next, she had Magical Linguistics. The professor was a short, Russian woman nearing her elderly years and had a stern face. Lin took a seat next to a Ravenclaw girl since Katie did not have this class.
"So, today we have new student. Let me introduce myself again, I suppose. My name is Vasilisa Yazyk from Yakutia, Russia. I speak many languages, and will be teaching you to speak Troll this term," she announced. "The foreign student is from Spain. Please give her warm English welcome and ask her questions about her culture. Miss Belinda Arden."
She pointed at Lin, whose face glowed red with embarrassment.
"I was actually born and raised in Devon. I just went to school in Spain because of my father's family traditions," she explained sheepishly.
"Oh, well, that is not as interesting as I thought," she laughed kindly with the rest of the class.
Throughout the class though, the Ravenclaw girl took the professor's words seriously and kept asking her about her former school life. She seemed curious and was probably trying to relieve Lin's nerves, but the professor took notice of their whispers.
"Ahem," she coughed. "I did not mean to talk her now, I meant during your own time."
This cost both Houses two points each.
She ate lunch with Ginny and then headed for Double Divination. It was quite a climb to get there, but she did not get lost because she remembered the map from earlier that morning and some of the turns from her walk to the Owlery. She entered the classroom through a trap door and instantly smelled the burning incense. Fluffy pillows and dimly lit candles scattered the room, creating a mystical atmosphere.
"Hey, Lin! Come sit with me," offered Katie. "You can also just stick with me during the other classes. I can introduce you to my friend Leanne during Transfiguration later this week. We have it with the Hufflepuffs."
Wow, Katie is a really nice girl! Lin thought, Kind of reminds me of Lesley...
"Hush now class," said odd looking witch. Lin checked her timetable to see the professor's name, Sybill Trelawney. "Today we will review what we learned last year. Please look into the crystal balls and broaden your minds."
Lin looked into the ball and saw fog. She couldn't see anything at all.
"Is this what you did last year?" she asked Lin, surprised.
"Yes. And all we ever see is nothing," Katie chuckled.
"Remember class, you must empty your head of mortal worries so you can become intact with your Inner Eye," she emphasized.
This is not what I expected, she thought. Might as well give it a try... Don't think. Just stare at the ball. You are clearing your mind…
"Alright, would anyone like to demonstrate?" she asked the class, tripping on her robes while flitting to the front. "Gaasp! You, my dear, you aura is pulsing! Come, come!"
She was pointing at Lin, and she had no choice but to go forward. She sat on the chair across Professor Trelawney and stared at the foggy orb.
"What do you see?" the professor questioned her. Professor Trelawney stared at her with eyes magnified by her glasses.
Maybe I can pretend I'm watching clouds and think that I see something, she pondered. All I have to do is imagine that I see it, and then give the proper meaning from the books I read at DIMA. That small collection looks like something...
"Er, I see a butter knife? That means reunion."
"Are you sure you don't see a dagger, perhaps?" Professor Trelawney pushed. "A dagger means murder and death."
She stared some more. No, that looks more like a butter knife, if that.
"Sorry, Professor. I don't see a dagger."
"Alright, you may go back to your seat," she said, seeming to give up. "Earlier today, I have predicted the unfortunate demise of one of our students. When I read the tea leaves of poor Mister Potter, I saw the Grim in his cup, poor boy. I see now, the death omens are everywhere!"
They spent the rest of the class learning about Astrology and the meaning of the planets' positions during their birth.
"As homework, give me a brief summary on the planetary movements and how they will affect you during the next month," she announced. "Remember to always use your personal chart as a reference. I want it done next Monday, please."
During dinner, the students from all the rest of the years had heard that the Malfoy boy was scratched by a hippogriff.
Mr. Malfoy will probably try to get Professor Hagrid into trouble, she contemplated. From what I remember, he takes jokes about his family not too lightly, much less being ridiculed like this.
"Did you actually see a butter knife?" Katie asked Lin.
"Er, well it took a lot of imagining and wishful thinking," she said.
"But you came relatively close! I usually have to make something up out of nowhere," Katie told her.
"Don't you see shapes that the fog makes? Just look at a bundle and pretend it makes a familiar object," Lin said.
"That's just it. I see a milky fog. No chance for shapes."
The rest of the week went by a lot smoother. Lin learned different tricks to stay on the professors' good sides. For example, she learned that one should not answer Professor Snape's questions with the phrase "I think" nor did he readily give points to Gryffindor, so it was best if she didn't say anything at all during class. Also, it seemed like Professor Binns, the History of Magic professor who was also a ghost, did not notice if you slept in class, so as long as you read the textbook beforehand, you would do fine for the homework.
She also set up a training session with Alicia Spinnet for Saturday and when the day arrived, she couldn't help but feel a little excited. She and Alicia went to the Quidditch Pitch early in the morning and began the session.
"Have you ever worked with a team before?" Alicia asked.
"Not a serious one. Only when I played with the Weasleys and sometimes in school," Lin told her. "My lessons usually consisted of one-on-ones with a Keeper or another Chaser."
"Well the good thing is that you will be grouped with other chasers and will have to outscore each other, so not much team work is required there," she explained. "Let's see what you got though. How about you try to shoot at the goals while I block and attempt at stealing the Quaffle?"
They went up into the air, Alicia on one side and Lin on the other. They flew towards each other and Alicia threw the ball at Lin, and then circled around to follow her. Lin, trying to defend the ball, tried to jab Alicia with her elbow and push her away. When she got close to the hoops, she aimed, and the Quaffle went through its target. They did this a few times before Alicia called for a break. Alicia seemed to be panting and rubbing her ribs.
"How am I doing?" Lin finally asked.
"You have great aim, and are pretty good at keeping the Quaffle, maybe a little too good," Alicia said. Once she saw Lin's confusion, she decided to explain a little further. "You are a bit aggressive. Oliver will take that into account. Aggressiveness could lead to a lot of fouls."
"Is there something I can do less of?" Lin asked, looking rather abashed.
"Try not to jab at the players so much. Carry the ball closer to your chest so you can feel more secure about it," she advised. "Also, you are a fair flyer, so try not to slam into other players, because you can knock them off their broom, resulting in a foul."
"Thanks," she groaned, feeling even more embarrassed.
They practiced a bit more, Lin tried to correct her mistakes until Alicia believed they had enough.
"You got a bit better! We can practice once more before trials if you want," Alicia offered as they went to go see Madam Hooch.
Madam Hooch put Lin down for tryouts and then Lin and Alicia went off to lunch. They sat with Fred, George, and Lee.
"So how'd the newbie do?" asked George.
"She's pretty good. Just needs a bit more work and she should be fine for tryouts. Needs some help with that aggression though," Alicia said.
"Yeah she has that problem. Needs to work on it off the Pitch too!" teased Fred. This earned him a light slap on the shoulder.
"Why are you supposedly aggressive in the first place?" asked Lee curiously.
"Well when you have a Spanish National Keeper for a father who laughs at you went you can't score, you get a bit… angry," she explained.
"Yeah, but I thought you might have gotten over that by now," said Fred.
"Well… my ex-boyfriend was a Keeper, so there's that,"
"You had a boyfriend?!" exploded Fred and George simultaneously.
"What's wrong with that? She can't have a boyfriend?" asked Alicia.
"Well you don't know her like we do." said George.
"Yeah, she'd rather beat boys up than date them." added Fred.
"Use to! But, that ended up being our problem I guess," she admitted.
"Well that's because no one knows how to handle you," said George.
"'Cept us!" laughed Fred.
"Yeah? Well apparently you're right," Lin said, annoyed.
"Oh come on, we're only joking,"
"Yeah people just gotta get used to you."
"Georgie do you remember what little 3 year old Lin told us when we first met her?"
"Course I do. Freddie."
"Your hair looks like fire!" they both said in unison with squeaky voices.
Alicia and Lee cracked up laughing. Lin couldn't remember that at all but blushed because it seemed completely plausible.
"Apparently you just gotta tap into your three year old self," laughed Lee.
"Well I don't remember my three year old self," chuckled Lin. "And I can't just go around saying 'Lee, your hair looks a bunch of delicious Licorice Wands and Alicia, yours looks like flowing fudge, can we be friends now?'"
"Why thank you! Of course we can," said Lee mimicking a pompous voice.
"See, easy as that," said Fred.
"For you maybe" she laughed.
Fred, George, and Lee finished eating and went to cause mischief, most likely. As they left the two girls behind, Lin felt awkward because they had never talked one on one other than training stuff.
"Those three seem to really like you," Alicia said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah… well I have known Fred and George all my life, as you heard, and I guess Lee has gotten used to me because they always show up while I'm studying telling me crazy stories," she sighed, "and I actually listen."
"Do you get along this well with the other Weasleys?" Alicia asked, chuckling.
"Ron hated me at first actually. Spent most his time with my brother," she laughed. "I mostly hung around Fred, George, and Ginny."
"Oh, ok," Alicia responded. There were a few seconds of silence.
"So… I hope you don't mind me asking, but... why did you decide to focus more on classes? Fred and George said something about it on the Hogwarts Express," Lin asked.
"Well, I actually want to become a wandmaker," Alicia said.
"What?! Are you serious? That is brilliant!"
"Yes, and it takes a lot of work to get there. I was hoping to become Ollivander's assistant for a while before I travel to study wandlore."
"That sounds amazing! And really difficult. No wonder you're working so hard… Would you be able to tell my personality from my wand?"
"Not exactly. I could tell what kind of person that would choose though. What's your wand?"
"Twelve and three-quarter inches, aspen, with a dragon heartstring core?"
"Blimey, it would choose you!" Alicia said laughing.
"What, why? How is that?"
"Well, one day I'll tell you. I think we should go back to the common room and do our homework. I'm sure you have quite a bit since fourth year works students pretty hard. "
They went to the common room and worked. Lin picked up a new habit of eating apples while studying, and grapes while she actually did her work. The fruit bowl had to replenish itself often.
Oliver announced the next day that Quidditch trials were going to happen on Thursday, her birthday. With all the homework that Lin and Alicia had, they couldn't set up another practice session. Lin stressed out the whole week and had to ask the trouble making trio that her ears were off limits. Her father also kept sending her owls with tips and pointers.
Thursday finally rolled around and Lin couldn't concentrate in Double History of Magic in the morning nor Double Potions after lunch. She usually took notes half the time and dozed off the other half in History of Magic, but that day, she was so worked up that she actually stayed awake the whole time. She took the most notes she ever had out of the two weeks. In Potions, she mixed up the antidotes so badly, causing Professor Snape to berate her in front of the whole class. After Potions was over, Lin sped off to the Quidditch pitch and changed into clothes more suitable for the occasion.
"Alright, well today we have twelve Chasers total trying out for one spot. First, let me just say that there is a very low chance that you first years will make it, but thank you for coming out. I will put you into four groups, two of which will face off in the first round, the rest in the second. There will be no Keeper, nor other team members or balls, except the Quaffle. Your team should attempt to score on the opposite goal posts, but the outcome of each match will not reflect your individual chances of making the team. Each round will end when there have been a total of five goals made," explained Oliver. "Any questions?"
Everyone kept silent and looked scared out of their wits, especially the three first years that showed up. Oliver split everyone off into their groups and Lin ended up in the second round with her team made up of sixth and first year boys, as well as herself. Right as she walked to the benches to wait, she looked into the stands and saw some familiar faces. The Weasleys, Lee, Hermione, and Harry were sitting together, while Katie, Alicia, and Angelina were sitting a few rows above them. She knew that the current members of the Quidditch team couldn't root for a specific person that was trying out, but that didn't mean they couldn't say anything about her birthday.
"Happy Birthday, Lin!" yelled Fred.
"We all hope you have a really, REALLY, great day today!" hollered George.
"Remember not to knock anyone off their brooms," shouted Alicia.
The first year on her team gulped and stared at Lin.
"Don't worry, I won't be knocking you off your broom. I can't really say the same for them though," joked Lin sarcastically. The opposing team was looked like it was consisted of older students from fourth year onward.
As the first round went on, Lin noticed that most of the players were being more selfish than helpful to their teams. There was one boy in her year, who, even though a different teammate was clearly open, kept trying to take winning shots but was consistently blocked by an opposer.
"That's McLaggen. Did ya hear that he asked Oliver if he could try out for the other positions as well?" asked the sixth year in her team. "Bloody mental! How does he expect to be Keeper when Oliver is the Keeper and Captain? Argg, and Seeker? Definitely not when we have Harry, the best Seeker in years. No chance he'd be a Beater either."
Lin was making mental notes on the game. Remember to think of the team. Don't knock anyone off their brooms. Keep the Quaffle close to your body. Do not jab at people…
The match ended with McLaggen's team winning by four goals over the team that had two first years. Lin's team and their opposers walked onto the field and went into the air to await the Quaffle. Oliver was walking onto the field when Lin suddenly realized something.
Oh God, Oliver is going to be watching me. A lot of people will see me play for the first time ever, or the first time in a VERY long time, she ranted internally. Wait! I shouldn't think like that. I will probably lose focus…
Oliver blew the whistle and Lin snapped out of her daze. The sixth year in her team quickly grabbed the Quaffle and her team flew straight towards the hoops. The other team was advancing quickly on the sixth year and they began to surround either side of him. He threw the ball at Lin, who caught it.
Bloody hell, can I make it? Yes! She chucked the ball hard and made it into the center hoop. There was a commotion from the stands and Lin's nerves subsided a fraction.
Now the other team had a chance to score and sped off to the other end. Lin zoomed right next to the girl with the Quaffle and forcefully shoved her multiple times.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" squealed Lin, realizing she might cause a penalty.
The girl scoffed at her and threw the Quaffle to another teammate who was being followed by the first year, and scored easily. The first year in Lin's team spent most of his time trying to keep himself in the air rather than playing, so his presence in the game was quickly deteriorating. With Lin's help, the sixth year scored another goal for them and it was a while before the other team scored, for each of them wanted the glory. They finally did make a goal when the first year attacked one of them by constantly trying to slap the Quaffle out, and incidentally making a foul.
There was one more goal left to make and Lin had the ball. She sped off into the posts, but a muscular boy came and cut her off. She tried to swivel around him but he kept intercepting her. She tried to look for the sixth year, but he was being blocked by two players.
"Geroff me you big git!" said Lin as the boy kept crashing in to her.
She felt the Quaffle begin to slip through her arms, and she tried to squeeze it in closer to her body. The boy continued to pursue and smash into her, hindering any chance of solid focus. Suddenly, she saw the first year boy completely open and really close to the posts. She decided to take the chance.
"Gah, catch!" she yelled as she hurled the ball towards him.
The boy caught it and sped towards the goal posts, while the burly boy tried to tail after him. The first year threw the ball at the posts, lost his balance along the process and the Quaffle ended up ricocheting off the rim of a hoop. The large boy caught it and sped off towards the other posts, and as much as Lin and the sixth year tried to get the Quaffle back, the other two players blocked them and the burly boy scored. The round was over.
"Alright everyone, please sit in this section of the bleachers while I think over the results. Angelina, could you come help me?" Oliver said. Angelina came over to him and they went a little ways away and began to whisper.
"I'm really sorry!" said the first year. "I could have made that shot, but I lost control of my broom."
"No, it's fine. I heard the school brooms were pretty bad," Lin told him. The boy looked like he was on the verge of tears. "Hey, you tried your best out there. That's what counts. You were pretty good for your first time at something like this."
Oliver and Angelina walked over to them and Lin's stomach began to clench up.
"So, I've come to a decision. It was a pretty close tie between a few of you, but I chose the person who I think showed the best fit to our team. If everyone could please leave in an orderly fashion while I talk to Miss Belinda Arden. Congratulations Lin."
The other competitors somewhat clapped while she heard shouts of joy from the other side of the field.
I can't believe it… Yeah I think I am going to spew… she thought as her mouth hung open.
The sixth year boy, first year boy, and the girl from the opposing team gave her pats on the shoulders and left with the rest of the participants. Lin went up to Oliver with her gut and head tingling.
"Are you sure you meant me?" she asked him.
"Yep. You showed a lot of dexterity and vigor out there," Oliver said. "You do need some help so I will ask Alicia to help during the first few practices when she isn't studying, but you were the best of the bunch."
"And you didn't just choose me because of Fred or George... or my dad?"
"No," he laughed. "Angelina warned me of that before I even told her anything. And don't worry, the team is much more competent than the first year. I'm sure you will do well here!"
"Blimey… I… I just still can't believe it!"
"Well, it's true! I will hold a meeting later on about practice schedules and games. Till then, you can relax a bit and forget about this," he said. Lin had a feeling he didn't really mean that last part though. "Well, see you around."
Her friends came and congratulated her, and they all went to the common room to celebrate her new role on the team and her birthday with a few sweets and treats that Fred and George managed to sneak in.
Lin got some sweets from Aunt Molly and Uncle Remus gave her chocolate for her birthday. Pica flew in through the window and dropped an envelope with birthday wishes from her mother, brother, and father and a necklace with a small charm of a Catalonian Fireball that her mother found her.
"Not even you can ruin this day," she told Pica as she wrote thank you cards and the Quidditch news to everyone and tied them to his leg. She even let Pica nibble of a few Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. He flew away and Lin put on her new necklace. The party had to be cut early because they had work to do and Lin had Astronomy at midnight, but Lin did everything happily, for this was one of the best days she ever had.
Thank you for reading guys. Also, I had to take a break last week because of exams for school, so thank you for being patient too.