"There, look".
"Where"?
"Next to the tall kid with the red hair".
"Wearing the glasses and the brown skinned girl"?
"Did you see their faces"?
"Did you see their scars"?
Whispers followed Harry and Abby from the moment they left their dorms. Abby had pushed her bangs over to cover her scar but it was still visible. Some people would line up outside classrooms and stand on tip toes just to see them. Harry and Abby were too busy trying to find their classes to pay them any attention, it didn't help when Peeves was constantly around dropping things on your head, big things that hurt or throwing chalk at you from classrooms.
Each class was extremely different from the next. Every Wednesday night they had to study the stars at midnight through their telescopes and learn their names. Three times a week they went out to the green house with the head of Hufflepuff, Professor Sprout. There they learned how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi, and found out what they were used for. The most boring class of all was History of Magic, which was the only class taught by a ghost. Professor Binns had been very old when he fell asleep in front of the staff room fire and got up the next morning to teach, leaving his body behind. Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny wizard that had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the beginning of class he took roll and when he read Abby's name fell off his pile of books. Then he read Harry's, gave an excited squeak and toppled back off the books. Professor McGonagall was a teacher you didn't want to cross. She was strict and clever, and gave them a lecture on how important Transfiguration was.
"Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back". She warned.
Defense Against the Dark Arts wasn't what everyone had been expecting. His classroom smelled like garlic and Abby almost threw up when she entered. It was said he had garlic every where to ward off a vampire he'd met Romania and was afraid he'd come after him one of these days. His turban had a funny smell hanging around it and when Abby asked the twins about it they had insisted it was full of garlic. The class that every Gryffindor hated along with the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, was Potions. The Slytherins enjoyed this subject because the head of their house taught it, Professor Snape. Potions was in one of the dungeons, it was much colder than the rest of the castle but Abby liked the room because it was so dark.
Snape, like Flitwick, started class by taking roll, and like Flitwick, paused at Harry and Abby's names.
"Ah yes", He said softly. "Abby and Harry Potter. Our new celebrities". Draco and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making". He began. His voice was barely above a whisper but they heard every word. Snape, like McGonagall had a gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand waving here, many of you will hardly believe this magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses… I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stop death— if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.
More silence followed his speech, Ron and Harry exchanged dark looks but Abby who was sitting inbetween them was starring at a bottle of what looked like blood on one of the shelves behind Snape's desk.
"Potter"! Snape said suddenly.
"Which one"? Abby asked.
"Mr. Potter". Snape corrected. "What would I get if I added powdered root of an asphodel to an infusion of wormwood"? Harry looked at Abby who had an eyebrow raised, and at Ron who looked just as stumped as he was. Hermione's hand shot up into the air.
"I don't know, sir". Harry said. Snape's lip curled into a sneer.
"Clearly fame isn't everything". He said ignoring Hermione's hand.
"Ms. Potter". Abby's eyes flickered from the bottle of blood to Snape. "Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar"? Abby looked at Snape and seemed to be contemplating whether or not to answer his question.
"I'd find a bezoar in the stomach of a goat, it's a stone that will save you from most poisons". Abby replied, her eyes going back to the bottle of blood. Snape seemed to be shocked, he looked at Harry.
"What is the difference, Mr. Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane"? Hermione stood with her hand held high. Harry looked at Abby whose eyebrows had knitted together and seemed to be deep in thought.
"I don't kn—." Abby interrupted her brother.
"They're the same". She said, Snape's lip curled into an even deeper snarl.
"Why aren't you all copying this down"? He snarled. "And a point will be taken Ms. Potter, I did not ask you, I asked your brother". Abby glared at Snape.
Lunch was after Potions and when they sat down they started on their homework. Seamus sat across from Abby with his wand out and a book in his lap.
"Eye of rabbit, far from home. Turn this water into rum". He looked inside the goblet and shook his head. Abby who was sitting inbetween the twins frowned.
"What is he doing"? She asked the twins, she heard Harry ask Ron the same thing.
"Trying to turn the water into rum". The twins and Ron answered. Ron, however, continued.
"I turned it to tea once—before-." He was interrupted by a flash and a loud boom. Abby jumped and starred wide-eyed at a slightly scorched Seamus, the table broke out into laughter. It quieted down when a bunch of owls flew threw the windows at the top of the walls.
"Mails here". Ron said looking up at the owls. As the owls flew over head, Harry and Abby went back to their work. They never got mail, a letter with a Daily Prophet dropped in front of Ron. He tossed the Prophet to the side and opened the letter. Harry picked up the paper and read the headline:
Gringotts Break-In Latest
Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts
On July 31, widely believed to be to be the work dark
wizards or witches unknown
Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been
taken. The vault that was searched had been in fact
emptied the same day.
Harry passed the paper to Abby, who read it and frowned.
The next day, they had Charms first, Flitwick wanted them to try and levitate a feather.
"It's swish and flick". He said demonstrating with his wand. "And you must say the words Wingardium Leviosa properly". Everyone began and no one was having any luck, Ron sat up and looked and his feather.
"Wingardium Leviosa". He said waving his wand wildly. Hermione sat next to him wide eyed.
"Stop, stop". She said grabbing his arm. "You're going to put someone's eye out. Besides you're saying it wrong, it's Wing-gar-duim Levi-o-sa, not Leviosa". Ron rolled his eyes.
"You do it then you're so clever". He challenged, Hermione rolled up her sleeve and looked at her feather.
"Wingardium Leviosa"! She said flicking her wand. Her feather rose from the desk and hovered a few feet above their head.
"Well done Ms. Granger"! Flitwick praised. "See here everyone she's done it".
"Wingardium Leviosa"! Harry turned to see Abby's feather floating in front of her face. She had a bored look on her face as she made the feather tickle his cheek.
"Well done Ms. Potter"! Flitwick squeaked. "Well done"! Ron frowned and put his head down. Seamus on the other had, turned back to his feather and started to way his wand wildly.
"Wingardium Leviosa, Wingardium Leviosa, Wingardui-." There was a huge boom and a flash. Once again, Seamus sat slightly scorched in his chair, starring at the burnt feather.
"I think we're going to need another feather over here Professor". Harry said softly.
"It's annoying, it's a wonder she doesn't have any friends"! Ron said as he, Harry, Abby, and Seamus walked through the corridor. Someone bumped into Ron and Abby instantly knew it was Hermione, she and Harry were shocked to see she had a tear stained face. Abby handed her bag to Harry,
"I think she heard you". She said to Ron before taking off after Hermione.
Hermione and Abby weren't at dinner, Harry expected Abby was comforting her.
"Where is Abby"? The twins asked noticing that she was not sitting inbetween them.
"Parvati said that she's been in the bathroom with Hermione, whose been in there all day, crying". Neville said. Harry looked at Ron who shrugged, before he could say anything the Great Hall doors busted open.
"TROLL IN THE DUNGEON". Professor Quirrell yelled as he ran down the aisle between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw table. "TROLL IN THE DUNGEON". He yelled stopping halfway down the aisle. Dumbledore rose to his feet and looked at Quirrell over his half moon spectacles.
"Thought you ought to know". He mumbled before sinking to the floor. It was total chaos, everyone except the teachers were screaming. Everyone stood and headed for the door, still screaming.
"SILENCE"! Dumbledore yelled causing everyone to quiet and look at him. "Perfects, lead your houses back to the dormitories. Teachers, follow me, to the dungeons". Everyone scrambled for the doors, once they were out of the great hall Harry sized Ron's arm and pulled him back.
"What"? Ron asked.
"My sister"! Harry hissed. "And Hermione, they don't know". He turned and ran for the girls bathroom. They stopped when they heard the heavy footsteps of the troll,
"I think the troll has left the dungeons". Ron whispered. The troll was at least twelve feet tall, its skin was a dull gray, and it had a lumpy body with a small bald head. It had short thick legs and flat feet. It smelled horrible and held a large wooden club that dragged on the floor because its arms were so long.
"It's going into the girls bathroom". Harry whispered taking off after the troll.
Inside the bathroom, Abby had seen the troll first. She pushed Hermione into one the stalls and hit the ground, pulling Hermione with her. She covered her head and Hermione soon followed as the troll destroyed the top half of the stalls. Pieces of wood fell onto of them and they waited for the next blow. When it didn't come Hermione looked and saw Harry and Ron. Abby had already scrambled out from under the wood and was standing next to her brother.
"Hermione move"! She yelled as the troll began to destroy the stalls completely. Hermione crawled under the sinks and screamed as the troll smashed the one next to her. Abby, Harry, and Ron started to throw pieces of wood at it, but it didn't do much.
"Hey! Pea-brain"! Ron yelled throwing a piece of wood that hit him directly in his face. Harry ran from the troll as it bent over to yell at Ron, he jumped onto its shoulder and held onto its ears. He stuck his wand up the trolls' nose. The troll began to thrash around and finally caught one of Harry's legs and hung him upside down. It swung its club at him but Harry moved out of the clubs path each time.
"Do something"! Harry yelled.
"What"? Ron asked.
"Anything"! Harry yelled dodging the club once more. Ron pulled out his wand and raised it, he looked at Hermione who nodded.
"Swish and flick". She said.
"Wingardium Leviosa"! He yelled. The club flew out of the trolls hand and hovered above his head. It dropped suddenly and made a sickening crack on its owners head. The troll dropped Harry and swayed on the spot, it fell with a huge thud that made the entire room tremble. Harry got to his feet, he was shaking and out of breath, Ron seemed to be in shock and Abby had went to help Hermione.
"Is it dead"? Hermione asked.
"I don't think so". Harry replied. "Just knocked out". He bent forward and pulled his wand out of the trolls' nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue.
"Urgh- troll boogers". Harry said wiping his wand on his robe.
They heard footsteps and soon Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor Quirrell appeared. McGonagall gasped and turned toward Harry, Ron, and Abby.
"Explain yourselves, all three of you". She said, the three in question looked at each other and sighed.
"Well, you see. Um what it is-."
"It's my fault Professor McGonagall". Everyone turned to look at Hermione.
"Ms. Granger"? McGonagall asked.
"I went looking for the troll, I went looking for the troll. I've read about them and thought I could handle it. If Harry, Ron, and Abby hadn't of come looking for me, I'd probably be dead". Harry, Ron, and Abby starred at Hermione in shock. She was lying, to a teacher!
"I am very disappointed in you Ms. Granger, 5 points will be taken away for Gryffindor". Then McGonagall turned to face Harry, Ron, and Abby, "As for you three, 5 points, will be awarded to each of you. For sheer dumb luck". McGonagall turned and left the bathroom, or what was left of the bathroom. Snape turned to leave but his cloak moved and Harry and Abby both saw that his pant leg was ripped and his leg seemed to be bleeding. He quickly covered it and followed McGonagall out, now all they were left with Quirrell.
"B-Better get going, i-i-it m-might wake u-up". He stuttered. As they were leaving they heard the troll growl and Professor Quirrell yelp.
"Thanks for that". Harry said to Hermione, she nodded and smiled.
"But you know, she wouldn't have even been in there if you hadn't insulted her". Abby said to Ron, his ears went pink and he mumbled an apology.
"Thanks for saving us though". Hermione said, Ron shrugged.
"What are friends for"? He asked. Hermione grinned.
The next morning they sat at the Gryffindor table eating breakfast. Harry and Abby were excited because they had been looking forward to the flying lessons. A large brown owl flew over to Neville and dropped a small package in his lap. It was from his grandmother, he opened it excitedly and showed them two glass balls, each around the size of a baseball. They both seemed to be full of white smoke,
"They're Remembralls"! He explained. "Gran knows I forget things—these tell you if you've forgotten something. You hold one tight and if it turns red…..oh…". His face fell as the ball in his right hand turned scarlet. "And the other one goes black if it's something really impor—tant". He fell silent as the ball in his left hand turned black.
"So what have you forgotten"? Ron asked, struggling not to laugh.
"That's the problem. I can't remember what I've forgotten". Neville said sadly.
Finally, after lunch, the Gryffindors headed down to the grounds for their first flying lesson. It was clear and breezy outside and looked like a good day for flying. The Slytherins were already there waiting, and so were twenty broom sticks lying neatly on the ground. Their teacher, Madam Hooch arrived shortly after. She had short gray hair and yellow eyes like a hawk.
"Well, what are you waiting for"? She yelled. "Everyone stand by a broom stick. Come on, hurry up". Once everyone was next to a broom she began to pace inbetween them.
"Stick out your right hand over your broom", She explained still pacing. "And say, UP"!
"UP"! Everyone shouted.
Harry and Abby's brooms jumped into their hands at once, but they were one of the few that did. Hermione's rolled on the ground while Neville's didn't move at all. Ron too was having difficultly.
"Up, up, up, u-." His broom suddenly swung up and hit him straight in the face, Harry and Abby both began to laugh.
"Shut it you two". Ron said still holding his nose. Finally everyone had managed to get their brooms into their hands, even if they had to bend down and pick them up. They mounted them and waited for Madam Hooch to continue her instructions.
"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground hard, keep your broom steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle, three—two-."
Neville suddenly rose into air with out even having to kick off, instantly everyone was yelling his name as he rose higher and higher.
"Mr. Longbottom"! Madam Hooch yelled. Neville hit the castle walls a few times before he dove straight for the group. Everyone scrambled out of his way as he suddenly shot up. His cloak got caught and his broom slipped from his grasp, he hung almost lifelessly, his cloak tore and he fell to the ground with a nasty crack. Madam Hooch made her way over to him, her face as white as his.
"Oh dear, broken wrist". She muttered. "Come get up". She helped Neville up and turned toward the class.
"None of you are to move while I take him to the hospital wing! You are to keep your feet firmly on the ground or you'll be out of Hogwarts faster than you can say 'Quidditch'". She warned before leading Neville toward the school. Out of the corner of her eye, Abby saw Malfoy pick up something.
"Did you see his face? Maybe if the lump had given these a squeeze, he'd remembered to fall on his fat ass". Malfoy said laughing as he juggled the remembralls.
"Give them here Malfoy". Harry and Abby said quietly, everyone stopped talking to watch.
"No, I think I'll leave them somewhere for Longbottom to find". Malfoy mounted his broom. "How bout on the roof"? She asked flying past Harry and Abby.
"Give them HERE"! Abby yelled at him.
"What's the matter Potters"? Malfoy asked about 20 feet above them. "Bit beyond your reach"? Harry and Abby exchanged looks before mounting their brooms.
"Harry, Abby, no way"! Hermione said. "You heard Madam Hooch, no flying".
Abby looked at Hermione before shooting into the air, Harry followed closely behind her.
"What a pair of idiots". Hermione muttered.
Harry and Abby hovered in front of Malfoy, he looked stunned.
"Give them here Malfoy"! Abby yelled.
"Or we'll knock you off your broom"! Harry added.
"Is that so"? Malfoy asked. He took one Remembrall and threw it as hard as he could, Harry shot after it. Then he took the other one and threw it too, Abby took of after it, hoping to catch it before it hit the ground. They both dived for the balls and had to do a forward flip in order to keep from crashing into one of the walls of the school. But they had the Remembralls safely in their hands. They had just landed when their names were suddenly shouted,
"HARRY AND ABBY POTTER"!
McGonagall was heading toward them, Abby's eyes had widened but she stood her ground, Harry looked terrified.
"You two, come with me".
They followed still with their broomsticks and the Remembralls in their hands. Harry seemed to be more worried than Abby, if they got expelled they'd have to go back to the Dursleys and deal with being their cousins' punching bags once more. Both were surprised when she stopped in front of a classroom.
"You wait here". She said sharply. Harry and Abby listened intently as she entered the classroom.
"Professor Quirrell, could I borrow Wood for a moment"? Abby frowned, who was Wood? She came out the classroom with 5th Year student behind her.
"Follow me you three". She said. They followed McGonagall, knowing better than to ask questions, Wood looked curiously at Harry and Abby.
"In here". McGonagall had lead them into an empty classroom. It just so happen Peeves was inside writing bad words on the chalk board.
"Peeves, OUT"! McGonagall barked. Peeves started to curse but left, McGonagall closed the door and turned to face the two boys and girl.
"Harry, Abby, this is Oliver Wood. Wood- I've found your Seekers".
Wood starred at Harry and Abby in delight,
"Are you sure, Professor"? He asked.
"Absolutely". McGonagall replied. "They're naturals. I've never seen any thing like it. Was that your first time on a broom, Potters"?
They nodded, Abby seemed to be piecing it together faster than Harry and she was starring at Wood intently. Wood himself was circling them as if he was a bird of prey.
"Wood's captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team". McGonagall explained.
"They're just built for Seekers too". Wood commented still circling them, but now he was circling them individually. "Light- speedy- we'll have to get them decent brooms though, Professor. A Nimbus Two Thousand or a Cleansweep Seven".
"I shall speak to Dumbledore and see if we can't break the first Year rule about brooms". She smiled at Harry and Abby
"Seekers"? Ron gaped. "But first Years never make the house team, you two must be the youngest players—."
"In a century". Abby and Harry said together. "According to McGonagall". They were heading to their next class as Harry and Abby told Ron what happen. Just then the twins came up and walked next to them.
"Well done Harry, Abby". George started.
"Wood's just told us". Fred finished.
"Fred and George are on the team too, beaters". Ron explained.
"It's our job, too make sure you two don't get bloody up to bad". Fred said smiling.
"Rough game Quidditch. Of course no one has died recently". George said.
"Some have disappeared". Fred said.
"But they'll turn up in a month or two". They finished together. Harry and Abby looked extremely nervous as they made their way across the grounds.
"Oh, go on you two, Quidditch is great". Ron said as Hermione joined them.
"But we've never even played Quidditch". Harry started.
"What if we make fools of ourselves"? Abby asked.
"You won't make fools of yourselves, it's in your blood". Hermione said. Raising an eyebrow, all three followed her into the school. She led them up to a trophy case and pointed toward the bottom. There right in the middle were the names James Potter and Marcy Gray, on two small gold plackets.
"Harry you never told us your father and Abby your mother were Seekers". Ron said.
"We, didn't know". They replied together.
Later that afternoon Harry and Abby followed Wood out to the Quidditch field, he was carrying a large trunk and two short clubs.
"Quidditch, is easy enough to understand," Wood began as he sat the trunk on the ground. He opened it up and took out a bright red ball that was around the size of a soccer ball.
"This is called the Quaffle, there are three Chasers. The Chasers handle the Quaffle and try to put it threw one of the three hoops. The Keeper, that's me, defends the hoops. You with me so far"? He asked tossing the ball to Abby,
"I think so". They replied together, Abby tossed the ball back.
"What are those"? Abby asked nodding toward the two black, shiny, balls that seemed to struggling against there chains.
"You'd better take these". Wood said handing them the clubs, he crouched down and let one of the balls free. It shot up into the sky and seemed to be coming back down very fast. Harry swung his club and hit the ball back into the sky.
"Not bad, Harry, you'd make a fair Beater". Wood looked up into the sky and groaned.
"Oh no". He whispered as the he caught the ball and wrestled it back into its chains.
"What was that"? Harry asked.
"Bludger, nasty little bugger. But you two are my Seekers". Wood said, he opened a small door and brought out two tiny gold balls.
"These," He said handing them to Harry and Abby, are The Golden Snitches".
"I like this ball". Abby said.
"Ah, you like it now, these little buggers are fast and damn near impossible to see. It's the Seekers's jobs to catch them, before the other team catches them. You catch these Potters, and we win".
"It's scary", Ron started as they rounded the corner and headed up the steps. "She's knows more about the two of you than you do". He was referring to the trophy case that Hermione had showed them earlier.
"Who doesn't"? Abby muttered. Suddenly the stair case yanked itself away from the wall and was slowly heading in the opposite direction.
"What's happening"? Ron asked, beginning to panic.
"The stair cases change, remember"? Hermione explained.
"Let's go this way". Harry said as they headed up the steps, they entered a dark dusty corridor that looked as if it hadn't been used in ages.
"Anyone else get the feeling we're not suppose to be here"? Ron asked.
"That's because we're not suppose to be here. This is the third floor corridor, it's off limits to students". Hermione explained, they took a step forward and the lantern behind the stone figure lit up.
"Let's go". Harry said. They turned to leave but were stopped by Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris.
"Filch's cat". Abby whispered.
"RUN"! Harry said turning and shooting down the dark corridor, the lanterns lit as they made their way toward the only door they could find. Harry reached it first, he pulled on the handle but it refused to open,
"It's locked". He said still yanking at the handle.
"Oh move over"! Hermione said pushing Harry out of the way. She withdrew her wand and pointed it at the lock,
"Alohomora"! She whispered, there was a faint click and Hermione rushed inside, followed by Ron, Abby, and Harry. They closed the door and pressed their ears to it to listen. Once they were sure Filch was gone, Ron was the first one to speak.
"Alohomora"? He asked Hermione.
"Standard Book of Spells, chapter seven". She answered, Abby who was facing toward the inside of the room was steadily pulling on her brothers' sleeve.
"What"? He asked turning around. But he saw what, in the middle of the room was an enormous dog. It had three heads and each one was awake, starring at them and letting its thick gluey saliva fall onto the floor. Abby was the first scream, then the others followed. She was the first one out the door and narrowly missed Ron's arm as she slammed it shut just before the three headed dog had a chance to attack.
When they reached the common room, Ron almost exploded.
"What do they think they're doing? Keeping a thing like that locked up in a school". He said as they climbed the steps toward the dorms.
"You don't use your eyes do you? Didn't you see it was standing on something"? Hermione asked.
"I wasn't looking at its feet, I was looking at its head. Or incase you didn't notice, there are THREE"! Ron said.
"It was standing on a trap door, it's guarding something". Hermione said as they stopped in front of the girls dorms.
"Guarding something"? Harry asked.
"That's right, now I'm going to bed, before you three come up with another clever idea to get us killed. Or worse, expelled". Hermione snapped before disappearing into the girls dorms.
"She needs to sort out her priorities". Ron said, Abby and Harry nodded. Sighing Abby followed Hermione.
The next morning when the mail came, Hedwig and Ayrtha were both carrying long packages for Harry and Abby.
"But we never get mail". Harry whispered.
"Let's open them". Ron said, with Ron and Hermione's help they quickly open the packages to find two brand new Nimbus Three Thousands.
"But who-?" Harry asked. Abby nodded to the staff table where Hedwig and Ayrtha had both settled next to Professor McGonagall. They both nodded in thanks and quickly took their brooms up to their dorms, Saturday seemed to be so far away.
Saturday morning dawned bright and cold, the Great Hall, although was warm and there was the delicious smell of fried sausages and the chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match.
"You've got to eat something".
"I'm not hungry". Harry and Abby replied together.
"Ron's right you two, you've got to keep up your strength". Hermione said softly. Suddenly, Snape was behind them.
"Good luck today, Potters. It looks to be a good match, even if it is against, Slytherin". He grimaced at them and limped away.
"That explains the blood". Harry whispered, Abby nodded.
"Blood"? Hermione asked.
"The day we went with Hagrid to Gringotts, he took something out of one of the vaults. Said it was Hogwarts stuff, top secret". Harry started.
"We think Snape was trying to get past the dog because it's guarding whatever Hagrid took from the vault, but he got himself bitten, that's why he limping". Abby finished. They couldn't finish the discussion, because now, it was time for the match.
In the locker room, Harry, Abby and the rest of the team were changing into their scarlet robes. Once they were finished and all sitting on the benches, Wood cleared his throat for silence.
"Okay, men". He started.
"And women". Chaser Angelina Johnson said.
"And women". Wood agreed. "This is it".
"The big one". Fred said smiling.
"The one we've all been waiting for". George said smiling also.
"We know all Oliver's speeches by heart". Fred told Harry and Abby. "We were on the team last Year".
"Shut up, you two". Wood said. "This is the best team Gryffindors had in Years. We're going to win. I know it".
He glared at them as if to say, "Or else".
"Right. It's time".
Harry and Abby followed Wood and stood next to them as they waited for the door to open.
"Scared Potters"? Wood asked.
"A little". Harry replied, Abby didn't say anything.
"Ah, I was just like that before my first game". Wood said.
"What happen"? Harry asked.
"Uh… I don't remember, took a Bludger to the head, two minutes in. Woke up in the hospital a week later". Wood explained, Harry and Abby looked at him horrified. They didn't have time to reply as the door opened up and the team mounted their brooms.
"You ready"? Harry asked Abby.
"As I'll ever be". She replied, and then she stuck her fist out toward him. Harry smiled and gently punched it with his fist. They'd been doing this since they could remember, everytime they got ready to play a sport they always knocked fists. As soon as they were up in the air they both felt as if they had been doing this all their lives. They took their positions above everyone else and waited for Madam Hooch to blow her whistle.
"Now, I want a nice clean game". She yelled. "From all of you". Abby and Harry noticed that she was mainly talking to the Slytherin team. Then she gave a loud blast on her whistle and the game was on.
"And the Quaffle is immediately taken by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor- what an excellent Chaser that girl is, she also very pretty-."
"JORDAN"!
"Sorry, Professor".
The Weasley twin's friend Lee Jordan was doing the commentary, and being closely watched by McGonagall.
"And she's really speeding her way toward the goals, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good friend of Oliver Wood's, back to Johnson—no taken by the Slytherins, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gets the Quaffle and off he goes, he's going to sc-, no a wonderful save by the Gryffindor Keeper, Oliver Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle—Chaser, Katie Bell has the Quaffle, does a nice dive around Flint and-OUCH! That must have hurt, a Bludger to the back of the head. But Angelina takes the Quaffle, she's flying fast toward the Slytherin goal, come on Angelina, the Slytherin Keeper dives, misses, GRYFFINDOR SCORES"!
The Gryffindor crowd busted into cheers, while the Slytherins howled and shouted protests.
"Slytherins in possession". Lee Jordan said. "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell and speeds toward the—wait a moment—are those the Snitches"?
Gasps rang through the crowd as Pucey dropped the Quaffle to look over his shoulder at the two flashes of gold. Harry and Abby saw them, Abby was the first one to react, and she dived and headed straight for them. Slytherin seekers Terence Higgs and Andy Bin had seen them too. Harry and Higgs went after one while Abby and Bin went after the other- all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were suppose to be doing as they hung in mid-air to watch, torn between which pair to watch. Harry and Abby were faster than Higgs and Bin, they could see the little round ball, darting ahead of them- they both sped up and reached out to grab the Snitches when- WHAM!
A roar of rage went echoed from the Gryffindor stands below—Marcus Flint and Pucey had blocked Harry and Abby on purpose, their brooms spun off course nearly throwing Harry and Abby off as they hung of for dear life.
"FOUL"! The Gryffindors below screamed. Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and Pucey then ordered a free shot at the goal pots for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Snitches had disappeared. Down in the stands Dean Thomas was yelling,
"Send him off Ref! Red card"!
"What are you talking about Dean"? Ron asked.
"Red card"! Dean said furiously. "In soccer you get shown a red card and you're out of the game"!
"But this isn't soccer, Dean". Ron reminded him. Hagrid, however, was on Dean's side.
"They oughta change the rules. Flint and Pucey coulda knocked Harry and Abby out of the air. Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.
"So—after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating-."
"Jordan"! McGonagall growled.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul—."
"Jordan, I'm warning you-."
"Alright, alright, Flint and Pucey nearly kill Gryffindors Seekers, which the girl, Abby, I might add, for a first Year is very cute-."
"JORDAN"!
"Okay, so the penalty was taken by Spinnet, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue to play".
Harry and Abby, however had heard none of this, there brooms were acting weird. Lurching forward, and bucking, Harry's looped twice while Abby's spun with out going anywhere.
Finally, people started to point up toward Harry and Abby, their brooms had started to roll over and over. They both were barely managing to hang on, then the whole crowd and the players gasped. Their brooms gave a wild jerk and they were swung off, Harry only holding on with one hand, but Abby had lost her grip and now she only held onto the broom with her legs. They Slytherins were pointing and laughing while the Gryffindors had looks of terror on their faces.
Hermione suddenly snatched Hagrid's binoculars and instead of looking at Harry and Abby, she searched the crowd.
"What are you doing"? Ron asked his eyes still on Harry and Abby.
"I knew it". Hermione whispered. "Snape—look".
Ron grabbed the binoculars, Snape was in the middle of the stands opposite them. His eyes were darting between Harry and Abby and he was muttering nonstop to himself.
"He's doing something—jinxing the brooms". Hermione said.
"What should we do"?
"Leave it to me". Hermione disappeared into the crowd with out another word. Ron returned his gaze to Harry and Abby, their brooms were jumping and jerking so bad it was almost impossible for them to hold on. The whole crowd was on its feet, watching, terrifed as Fred and George flew up to try and pull Harry and Abby onto their brooms. But it was no use, everytime they got close the brooms would jump higher into the sky. Abby had already tried to grab hold of her broom but it would shake everytime her hands got close enough. Ron could tell that her legs were slipping and Harry's hand looked as if it was about to slip off the broom. Soon the twins dropped below them and circled beneath them, hoping to catch them if they fell, both seemed to be talking to them, Ron guessed trying to tell them everything was going to be okay. Abby's broom gave another wild jerk and her left leg slipped from the broom, there were a few shrieks from the crowd.
"Come on Hermione". Ron whispered.
Hermione shoved her way through the crowd until she was able to go under the bleachers, finally after a few seconds of searching she found Snape's cloak. Slowly she drew out her wand and she quietly made her way over. Hermione gently put the tip of her wand on the cloak and whispered as quietly as she could,
"Lacarno Inflamara". A small flame shot from her wand onto Snape's cloak. As she crept away she heard people begin to yell,
"Fire"!
"You're on fire"! There was chaos as Snape stomped on his cloak, just before getting out from under the bleachers Hermione saw Professor Quirrell fall as Snape bumped into him.
When their brooms stopped jerking and bucking, Harry and Abby shared a look before swinging back onto their brooms. The crowd busted into cheers as they sped toward the Snitches.
"GO"! Ron yelled as they flew past him. Both dived and while Abby reached out her hand, Harry clapped his hand over his mouth, as if he was about to be sick. They both hit the ground on all fours, Harry couched and something gold fell into his hands.
"We've got them, we got the Snitches"! They yelled together, and the game ended in complete and total confusion.
"Why would Snape try to kill Harry and Abby"? Hagrid asked as he walked along side Harry, Abby, Ron, and Hermione.
"Well, why was he trying to get past that three headed dog"? Harry asked, Hagrid cast a sidelong glance at them.
"Who told you about Fluffy"?
"Fluffy"? Abby asked.
"That thing has a name"? Ron asked.
"Of course he's got a name, he's mine. I bought him off a Greek chap I met in the pub las' Year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-."
"Yes"? Harry asked eagerly.
"I shouldn't have told ya tha'". Hagrid said. "Don't ask me no more questions, that's top secret, that is".
"But Snape's trying to steal it". Abby protested.
"Snape, is a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothing of the sort". Hagrid stated.
"So why did he just try to kill Harry and Abby"? Hermione cried. The events at the Quidditch match had taken quite a toll on her.
"Snape is a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothing of the sort". Hagrid repeated firmly.
"I know a jinx when I see one, you got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking despite the fact his eyes were darting between Harry and Abby". Hermione protested.
"I'm telling yeh, yer wrong". Hagrid said. "Now, listen to me all four of you. Yer meddling in things that aren't not to be meddled with. You forget that dog and you forget what it's guarding, that's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel-."
"Aha"! Abby said. "So there's someone called Nicholas Flamel involved is, there"?
Hagrid looked furious with himself.
As he walked he walked away he could be heard mumbled about how he shouldn't of told them that, then they all turned to face Hermione.
"Who's Nicholas Flamel"? Harry asked.
"I don't know". Hermione whispered.