I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter, most of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team members, and Arielle Hopson are my OCs.

Direct quotes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are in bold.

Quidditch Brawl

It was a little bit easier to get through Umbridge's boring lessons, now that Dumbledore's Army held regular meetings right under Umbridge's nose. Charlie took satisfaction from the fact that Umbridge was failing to prevent what Fudge had sent her to Hogwarts to do.

Throughout the next few meetings, everyone had gotten the Disarming Spell down pat, and were quickly improving on their Reductor Curses and Impediment Jinxes. They couldn't really set a solid meeting day and time, since there were three separate Quidditch teams to work around. Eventually Hermione came up with a brilliant idea, which she explained to them at the end of their fourth meeting.

"It's a fake Galleon," she informed, handing out the fat coins to each student. "You see the numerals on the side? On a real Galleon, it'd be a serial number, saying when a goblin cast it. These numbers will reflect the date and time of our next meeting. If the date is changed, the coin will grow hot." Hermione pointed over to Charlie. "Charlie will be the one who determines the meeting dates, and she will change her Galleon which in turn will change yours. It's the Protean Charm."

Alicia stared at her in awe. "Isn't that a N.E.W.T. standard?"

Hermione smiled. "It is."

"Ravenclaws," grumbled Ron.

They departed in their usual fashion, with the Golden Quartet leaving last. Charlie studied her coin thoughtfully. "This sort of reminds me of the Death Eaters' scars."

"It's what I thought of," admitted Hermione. "But I figured there was a way to do it without permanently etching our skin."

"Good thing you found it," said Ron, shoving his Galleon into his pocket. "I'd hate to have to explain to my mother where a tattoo came from."

"You ready for our game in a few weeks?" Harry asked his sister.

"I think the real question is are you ready?" returned Charlie with a teasing smile.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, I'm ready to do my best. But do I think we're going to win? No."

"Well, you won't with that attitude," said Hermione in disapproval.

"You guys still have time to prepare for your match," said Ron, kicking at the tiled floor. "We play the Slytherins next week."

"You'll do fine," said Charlie encouragingly.

Ron did not look convinced.

…

The days leading up to the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match were filled with tension, anticipation and excitement. There had not been a Quidditch Cup for over a year and everyone was eager to get back into the game. The Gryffindors and Slytherins battled more than usual, hexing each other in the corridors and throwing verbal barbs left and right.

Ron wasn't taking it well. He would turn green at every threat that was uttered to him by burly Slytherins and his hands would shake whenever Draco insulted his Keeper skills. He was having difficulty brushing off their jeering.

"I don't get it," said Charlie at lunch, three days before the match. When Hermione looked at her curiously, she clarified. "Draco has thrown some comments at Ron before, but never to this extent."

"Ron's on the Gryffindor team now," pointed out Hermione. "If Malfoy can successfully get under his skin and use it to sabotage the match, then you know he'll do it. I think he's redirecting his attention from you, at least when it comes to Quidditch."

"Why?"

"You don't give him the reaction he wants," the bushy-haired girl explained. "He can throw whatever insult he wants and the majority of the time you just brush it off. But Ron's quick to anger, we both know that. If Malfoy can't throw you off your Quidditch game, then he's going to do the next best thing."

"He's going to throw my best friend off of his Quidditch game." Charlie frowned and tore a piece off of her sandwich. "I hope Ron will be able to overcome it."

Hermione peered over her shoulder at the Gryffindor table. Ron was staring at his plate, head ducked, but his hands trembling noticeably as the Slytherins snickered rather obviously at the other side of the Great Hall.

"Somehow, I don't think he will by his first match."

…

October left, taking with it the annoying rainstorms. But November roared in with frost, biting winds and snow, and Charlie wasn't sure which she preferred.

It was the afternoon of the Quidditch match, and Charlie went over to the Gryffindor table in the hopes of soothing her friend's nerves. "Hey," she greeted, squeezing onto the bench beside Ron.

Ron tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. Charlie patted his shoulder. "Don't be nervous, you're going to be fine."

"I doubt that," he said moodily. "I've been useless during the practices."

"You've made some great saves," insisted Charlie. "Remember when you hung from your broom with one hand and kicked the Quaffle all the way through the opposite goal?"

"Accident," admitted Ron morosely. "I fell off my broomstick and accidently kicked the ball as I was flailing to get back on."

"Oh…well, you've done other moves intentionally." Charlie rested a hand on his shoulder when he continued to slump. "Come on, don't let the Snakes get to you."

"Easier said than done," said Ron, stabbing rather forcefully at his steak. "I must have been mental to decide to sign up for the team."

"You're not mental. If anyone is mental, it's me."

This got a small smile from the redhead. Alicia came up and tapped Ron on the shoulder. "We're heading out to the pitch now," she informed.

His face turned a light green as he climbed shakily to his feet. Charlie stood up with him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good luck. Just focus and you'll be fine."

Slightly bewildered by the action, Ron stumbled off in a bit of a daze. Alicia let out a sigh of relief and squeezed Charlie's shoulder. "Thanks for that. He needs a distraction from those stupid badges."

She skipped off, leaving Charlie to blink in confusion. She got up from the Gryffindor table and went to join Hermione. She glanced over her shoulder and scanned the Great Hall in search of the badges Alicia was talking about. Her eyes instantly fell on the Slytherin table, where crown-shaped badges were pinned to almost every emerald robe. Engraved were the words Weasley is our King.

"Ooh," she muttered, sinking beside her friend. "This game is going to get ugly."

Hermione gave a solemn nod. "I don't think Ron will be able to ignore this."

About twenty minutes later the two Ravenclaws meet up with Harry and they set off for the pitch along with a slew of other students. Frost crunched beneath their feet and the sky was a crystal blue. Harry stuck his hands in the pockets of his robes. "What's the lineup for the Slytherin team this year?"

"The new additions are Montague as captain and Chaser, and Crabbe and Goyle as Beaters," answered Charlie. "Which is of course my luck."

They all filed into the stands, and soon the cheering and whistling arose with great enthusiasm. But something new was added to the usual noise—singing. Charlie frowned slightly and glanced over her shoulder, where a collection of Slytherins were singing a song she couldn't quite make out, thanks to the sharp whistling happening beside her.

A few minutes later and the Gryffindors came out onto the pitch, greeted with the usual booing from the Snakes. Charlie noted Ron didn't look so good, and her stomach sunk even further when the Slytherins came out next, all of the team members wearing the badges.

There was no way Ron would miss them now.

Madam Hooch did her usual spiel, then she blew the whistle. The fourteen members took to the air, getting into their positions.

The game started, and Charlie half-listened to Lee's commentary as she watched the match intently. Arielle got her hands on the Quaffle and ducked past Warrington and zoomed past Montague. Crabbe ploughed a Bludger at the girl and it hit its mark. The majority of the crowd groaned when Montague retrieved the Quaffle and made his way for Ron, who didn't seem to be flying steadily.

But George was quick to cut him off with a well-aimed Bludger. The Quaffle was passed along the Chasers, and when Arielle got possession of the Quaffle again Charlie finally made out the words the Slytherins were singing.

"Weasley cannot save a thing
He cannot block a single ring
That's why the Slytherins all sing;
Weasley is our King."

Charlie stiffened, eyes shutting as the Slytherins used all the power in their vocal cords to overcome the cheers, shouting and whistling of the other House members.

"Weasley was born in a bin
He always lets the Quaffle in
Weasley will make sure we win
Weasley is our King."

The song continued the same manner and soon the Slytherins were overpowering the crowd, their cruel words rising in a crescendo with joyful voices that only paused to let out screams of delight when Ron let in a Quaffle.

"Oh, poor Ron," whispered Hermione, hands over her mouth.

Harry shot a glare over his shoulder. "Jerks."

By the end of the game, Gryffindor managed to pull off a win, thanks to Ginny beating Draco by a hair. That quickly soured the Slytherins' mood. Ron hit the ground and slumped off for the changerooms while the other team members lingered to congratulate their Seeker.

Charlie watched with growing annoyance as Draco taunted the twins and Ginny, clearly irked by their loss. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but she knew Draco was using his favourite insult—making digs at the Weasley family.

Ginny managed to keep hold on her temper, but the twins launched themselves at Draco. Alicia, Arielle and Katie managed to get a hold of Fred, but George got a solid punch in, sending Draco sprawling to the ground. Madam Hooch quickly moved to intervene, shouting at the top of her lungs.

Charlie was distracted from the fight when Pansy said loudly from behind her, "Those Weasleys are absolute animals! I can't believe nasty creatures like them are allowed to roam free."

Charlie looked over her shoulder. "Then why aren't you locked in a cage?"

Pansy only smirked. She removed a spare badge from her robe pocket and tossed it to the girl. "Trying to be funny won't make up for the fact that your little boyfriend made a complete idiot out of himself."

Charlie bristled. "He's not my boyfriend," she said. "And you're right. Snarky remarks won't make me feel better. But maybe this will."

With quick fingers she whipped the badge back up to Pansy. It nailed the Snake right in the middle of the forehead, creating an ugly red mark. The surrounding Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws burst into laughter, and Pansy turned purple.

"You disgusting little—"

Charlie did not catch the end of the insult, as Pansy flung herself at her in a full-on tackle. Startled screams sounded when the two girls pitched over the edge of the stands and landed on the field. Neither felt the jarring from the landing, as Pansy was trying to claw at whatever she could hit and Charlie was frantically trying to dislodge the girl.

"Get…off! Ow ow ow ow stop scratching at me like a cat!"

"Stop, cease and desist!" screamed Hooch.

Trying! thought Charlie, blocking a punch from Pansy, who was now digging a knee into her stomach.

"Impedimenta!"

A force knocked the two girls apart and Charlie lay on her back in the grass, staring at the sky. Panting heavily, she could feel something wet on her face and a pain in her right eye. She slowly sat up and noticed Pansy curled up, clutching her nose, where one of her flying fists must have caught her.

Glancing over her shoulder, she quailed under Hooch's fiery gaze and she suddenly remembered that there was a stand full of teachers watching. Though she knew she ought to keep silent, she said, "She started it."

"I did not!" shrieked Pansy, turning her head to glare daggers. "She's mad!"

"I don't care who started it!" snapped Hooch, whose hawk-like gaze darted over to ensure that the Weasley twins were indeed being taken care of by their Head of House. When she caught sight of the furious Transfiguration professor lugging the equally-as-furious twins off, she decided it was safe to redirect her attention. "What's gotten into the lot of you today?"

"The Slytherins are jerks," Charlie said at the same time Pansy hissed, "Potter and her friends should be locked up."

Hooch pointed up to the castle. "The two of you will get back to the castle to see your Head of House," she ordered. "Don't you dare take a detour on the way. Potter, you will go first. Parkinson, you will go with Malfoy when I give the say so."

Charlie got to her feet and sulked off towards the castle, hand pressed over the bleeding cut on her cheek. "Ouch," she grumbled, gingerly moving her fingers across her face. "I think she pulled out some of my hair."

She entered the castle and shuffled down the corridors. She reached the Charms corridor and just as she reached Flitwick's office the tiny professor came scurrying up the corridor. She could see that his lips were in a thin, tight line. With a flick of his wand the office door swung open and Charlie wearily stepped across the threshold.

She sunk into a cushy blue chair as Flitwick sat on his pile of cushions behind his desk. "Explain," he demanded, voice shaking with fury. "Explain what possessed you to behave in such a ghastly manner!"

"Pansy threw the first punch!" protested Charlie, hand lowering from her face. The scratches were shallow and the blood had stopped flowing. Her hand was stained with the red substance that was starting to become very familiar to her.

"But you instigated it. You were clearly seen throwing something at Miss Parkinson."

Oh. Right. "Okay, yeah," she admitted, feeling a twinge of regret. "She insulted me, I insulted her back, she handed me one of those stupid badges with another insult, I threw it at her, and she knocked my butt right out of the stands."

"That is no justification for physically brawling with another student," said Flitwick sharply. "Restraint, Miss Potter, is something I know you have no problems with. If you had ignored Miss Parkinson, none of this would have happened. Do you have any idea what you've—?"

A very familiar cough cut Flitwick off.

Kill me now and get it over with.

Heart freezing in her chest, Charlie slowly looked over her shoulder to see Dolores Umbridge standing in the doorway, dressed in a green tweed jacket and the sickening sweet smile that promised things were about to go horribly for the fifteen-year-old Ravenclaw.

"May I be of any assistance, Professor Flitwick?"

Flitwick gave his head a slight shake. "Thank you, Professor, but I have everything under control." He focussed back on his Eagle, whose green eyes were darting back between him and Umbridge. "Miss Potter, your behaviour tonight was inexcusable. You will be given detention for the rest of the—"

"I don't think detention is enough of a punishment for this girl," interjected Umbridge.

Charlie's eyes narrowed as she kept her gaze on Umbridge, where she could see the hardly-concealed glee behind her smile. Umbridge normally jumped at the chance to get her in detention, so that the scars on her hand could be deepened with the blasted Blood Quill.

"I appreciate your input," said Flitwick in a controlled voice, "but Miss Potter is in my House. I will be the one who decides on the discipline."

"Oh, I would normally agree Filius, but I think this is a case where I will have to interfere, which I have the authority to do." She rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a roll of parchment. She unfurled and started to read. "Educational Decree Number Twenty-five."

"Another one?" asked Flitwick in exasperation.

Umbridge nodded. "Cornelius—I mean, the Minister—sent it to me today. I actually got the idea from you, Filius. I know you had their best interests at heart, but when you overrode me and went to Dumbledore when I wouldn't allow the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to re-form, I knew something had to be done. And it's a good thing, too! Miss Potter just isn't fit to be on any sort of team with her mental troubles."

She cleared her throat, ignoring Flitwick's trembling hands, and read out the decree. "The High Inquisitor will henceforth have supreme authority over all punishments, sanctions and removal of privileges pertaining to the students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter such punishments, sanctions, and removals of privileges as may have been ordered by other staff members. Signed, Cornelius Fudge."

"Are you serious?" demanded Charlie.

"Miss Potter."

Flitwick sounded as if he would like nothing more than to physically knock some sense into her and Charlie quailed under his warning, angry gaze. Umbridge stuck the parchment back into her handbag and smiled. "I am most serious, Miss Potter. I think a ban from Quidditch will do just fine."

"For how long?" asked Charlie, aghast.

"For life. I spoke with Professor McGonagall a bit earlier and the Weasley twins are also banned from Quidditch. All of your broomsticks will be confiscated, and put in my office so that there will be no infringement on my ban. But need not fret, the rest of the Ravenclaw team can continue to play, as can the rest of the Gryffindor team. They hardly seem to be violent or confused. Good day to you both."

She walked out of Flitwick's office. Charlie stared after her for a moment before glancing at Flitwick, who looked as if he were made of stone.

"Sorry," she ventured nervously, partly because she suspected she was only causing further stress with her behaviour, and partly because someone needed to apologize for the tyranny that was Umbridge.

Flitwick blinked and looked at her. "Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

Charlie shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Back to your common room then," he said, his voice tired. "I think it might be best if you stay there for the rest of the night."

Standing, Charlie walked with heavy feet to the Ravenclaw common room. When she entered, she found her Quidditch team and Hermione waiting for her.

"What happened?" asked Tommy sharply.

Charlie made sure to keep her distance. "I got a lifelong ban from Quidditch."

Aurora let loose with her favourite curse words while Tommy punched a pillow. Eliza buried her head in her hands and Danny rubbed her shoulder in comfort.

"This sucks," said Clancy miserably.

"I'm sorry," said Charlie, feeling horrible.

"You should be," snapped Tommy. "Now we have to find a new Seeker before our first game."

"The Gryffindor team has to get new Beaters," informed Charlie. "The Weasley twins are also banned for attacking Draco."

"They won their first game, so they got time to worry about it," said Tommy bitterly.

Eliza sighed wearily, lifting her head. "Stop it, Tommy. Charlie doesn't just attack people for no reason. Parkinson obviously said something nasty and probably got what was coming to her."

"I'm not happy about it," put in Charlie, who had regretted chucking the badge at the Slytherin girl the second it made contact.

"I'm going to bed," muttered Clancy, getting to his feet. "Maybe I'll have a nightmare that's worse than this."

Eliza went over and settled a hand on Charlie's shoulder with a shaky smile. "Don't worry about it. We'll figure it out."

"Somehow," added Tommy, and Aurora smacked him across the shoulder to make him shut up.

Soon only Hermione and Charlie were left in the common room. Charlie dropped down beside her friend and said, "Umbridge has a new decree."

"I figured as much. Professor Flitwick wouldn't have given you a lifelong ban on anything."

"How's Ron?"

Hermione shrugged. "Haven't seen him. He must have gone back to his common room."

Charlie flounced against the square cushions with a frown. "Wonder how he's doing."

…

Around eleven that night, a sharp bellow echoed through Charlie's mind, throwing her out of slumber. She nearly fell out of bed in fright but managed to grab hold of the edge to keep from tipping off. Sitting up, tangled in blankets and having Snowy mew at her in irritation, she answered her brother's summons.

'What?! Do you know what time it is? You can't just wake a girl up like that!'

'Never mind that! I've been worried about Ron, since he didn't show himself after that match. I snuck over to Gryffindor Tower and asked the Fat Lady if she had seen Ron at all. It took some convincing, but she eventually told me that he left about an hour ago and is wandering around outside.'

Concerned, Charlie climbed out of bed. 'We better go look for him. Harry, you start the search and let me know if you find him. Hermione and I will join you shortly.'

'On it.'

Charlie threw her winter cloak over her pajamas. She went over to Hermione and shook her gently. "Hermione," she whispered. "We've got a small situation."

"Wha?" mumbled Hermione, rolling over and squinting at her friend. "Wassamatter?"

"Ron's outside right now. We're going to go look for him. Harry is already out there."

"Oh, honestly—all right, I'm coming."

Charlie retrieved her Invisibility Cloak and the Marauder's Map. She went down to wait for her friend in the common room. Ten minutes later Hermione came down dressed in her winter gear and the two slipped into the corridor. Charlie checked the Marauder's Map to make sure they wouldn't get caught and they left the castle with no trouble.

The night air was frigid and there was a light snowfall. Ducking her head slightly, Charlie followed after Hermione as they wandered across the dark grounds. They did not want to call out Ron's name, for worry that the wind would carry it to the castle and they would be overheard.

The last thing Charlie needed was to get busted by Umbridge.

After a while of searching, Harry found their redheaded friend. 'We're by the greenhouses!'

The girls rushed over and found their male friends. Ron was dressed in his school robes and there was snow in his hair. He didn't seem to be feeling the effects of the cold, his eyes blank and body numb.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione gently, settling a hand on his shoulder.

"No," he said sadly. "I think I ought to resign from the Quidditch team."

"That won't do your teammates any good," said Charlie. "Your brothers have a lifetime ban, as do I."

"This sucks," grumbled Ron, kicking at the frozen ground.

"We better go back," said Harry, wrapping his arms around his torso to fight off the cold. "We're gonna freeze or get busted. Whichever comes first."

"How about we pay a visit instead?"

The three looked over at Hermione, who was staring off into the distance. "Pay a visit to who?" asked Charlie in confusion.

"Hagrid." Hermione pointed towards their friend's cabin, where they could see a light in the window. "He's come back!"