CHAPTER EIGHT

QUIDDITCH FEVER

O

"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the season! What a match we have for you today, folks, what a match-up: Nella Chelic and the Slytherin serpents versus Cheryl Wood and the Gryffindor lions! Always a spectacle."

James's closest friend, Barry Dunbar, was doing the commentary, closely supervised by Professor Longbottom. The Gryffindor and Slytherin teams were walking out onto the field; Albus recognized his brother and cheered the loudest out of the throng of first years that had been forced up to the higher seats by the older students.

"We'll start with the Slytherin team. The line-up here is the same as it was last year, in fact. We've got the Marshall Brothers, Gregor in his seventh year and Mostan in his sixth year, both Chasers, and Phyllis Lasseter, in her fifth year, one of the strongest Chasers we've seen on this field. Then we've got the Lark sisters, Rena, a seventh year, and Aly, a fourth year, both Beaters. Darryl Minuen of his sixth year is their Seeker. More than half the team is related to a teammate, which creates a very strong cohesion: Nella Chelic, the team's Keeper, did a great job putting this team together. It's well recognized that the only thing that stopped them from taking the Cup last year is that dashing blond with the hilarious name: Euan Yodelhop. Slytherin went into that last match of the season knowing that it had to lose by less than a hundred, but Euan Yodelhop caught that Snitch before Slytherin even scored its first goal! Yodelhop will be taking on Hilda Wallace and the Ravenclaws with his Hufflepuffs in just two short weeks.

"And the Gryffindor team! This could also be Gryffindor's year. There's still a lot of hype for Hufflepuff's team, of course, and Slytherin is even stronger than last year, but this is a very experienced line-up Gryffindor's put together, with nearly everyone in their sixth or seventh year! Excepting, of course, for James Potter, the third year Seeker—but small stature is usually desired in a Seeker, so the fact that he hasn't hit puberty yet could potentially be of use—"

James aimed an obscene sign at Barry as the Gryffindors took their place on the field, and Professor Longbottom tried not to laugh as he hit Barry on the arm.

"So, we've got one sixth year chaser, Dominique Weasley, and two seventh year chasers, Harry Lussen and Erika Jordan, no relation to radio personality Lee Jordan, all returning. We've got one returning beater, sixth year Sally Songhorn, famous for that match last year where she almost smashed the pretty face of Euan Yodelhop in half, but he managed to get that Snitch from James Potter even with all that blood streaming from his nose. Sixth year Kieran Dougan joins her and the team this year, and the team insists he's a miracle find. Then, of course, captain Cheryl Wood in her seventh year, daughter of renowned Quidditch Keeper Oliver Wood, who led England to victory during the last Quidditch World Cup in one of the only shutouts in the Cup's history. Boy, does she have a lot to live up to! With these two amazing Keeper Captains, this match might be decided by the Snitch alone; can James Potter beat Darryl Minuen to the chase for the third time in a row?"

According to three-quarters of the crowd, the answer was "Yes." The Quaffle was thrown into the air by Madam Duopold, and the game began.

"There goes Potter on his Sheerer 360, but this year Minuen purchased himself a Sheerer 720, knowing his team's victory might well depend on who gets the Snitch in this first match. Poor Minuen; he's a terrific Seeker, but he had to be born into these years, where there are so many great Seekers to compete with him… Potter, Moon, and Yodelhop. He just failed to catch the Snitch last year in this match, and Slytherin lost by ten points when it could have won by almost three hundred and sealed itself a victory.

"Weasley's got the Quaffle—she gets it to Jordan when she's swarmed by the Marshalls—and Jordan has lost the Quaffle! Goodness, she managed to drop it on a perfect pass when she was standing still. It's picked up, fortunately for Gryffindor, by Lussen—Lussen quails at the first sign of that Bludger and turns away! Realizing his own inadequacy, he passes to Weasley—sorry, Professor Longbottom, but it's the truth—Weasley gets near Chelic—perfect shot! OH, AND PERFECT BLOCK! Nella Chelic remains nearly untouchable…"

The Gryffindors groaned in disappointment as the Quaffle was picked up by one of the Marshall brothers, and soared over to the Gryffindor side rather quickly. Then Cheryl Wood made a spectacular save that was just as good as Chelic's. Barry's commentary couldn't have been more accurate—not a goal was scored in the first ten minutes.

"WHOA! What's going on with the Seekers—from opposite ends of the field, they're barreling towards the center—must be the Snitch!"

James and Minuen seemed to have spotted the Snitch at the same time. It was in the middle of the field, and when they both went for it, they looked to be on a collision course. At the last second, the Snitch turned and shot across the grass slightly above the field; James and Minuen swerved right before impact, and then they were even with each other, racing for the Snitch, which turned and flew directly vertical.

James and Minuen snapped their brooms upward—James's reaction was quicker, and he had a few inches' lead on Minuen and was closing in fast on the Snitch—but Minuen had a better broom, and in some of the tensest seconds of Albus's life, Minuen crept closer and closer, and his arms were longer—

"THAT'S IT—MINUEN'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH, GAME OVER! With a longer arm and a slightly faster broom, Minuen catches up to Potter and swipes the Snitch right out from under him—er, above him! Slytherin wins, one hundred and fifty to zero."

Albus groaned, and pulled at the skin of his face. A loss? James had never lost to Slytherin before!

Eftan was going to be unbearable—Albus had been bragging about how superb a Seeker his brother was.

"I guess we're going to have to root for third place for Gryffindor this year," groaned Roxanne as she hopped down from the stands; Albus and Rose followed close behind her. "There's no way we're beating Hufflepuff; let's just hope that Ravenclaw gets steamrollered by Hufflepuff and then Slytherin so we can beat them and not come in last."

Albus felt a tap on his shoulder, and he already knew who it was: Eftan. The Slytherin had, in a few short weeks of learning the rules of Quidditch, become one of the biggest fanatics Albus had ever seen. He read up on all of the country's teams and picked his favorite, learned most of the rules and, somehow, had already memorized most of the seven hundred different ways of committing a foul.

"Oh, stuff it," grumbled Albus through an irrepressible smile that rose up when he saw Eftan's victorious, toothy grin. Sylvester was shortly behind him, still whooping and hollering to the skies. "If Gryffindor beats Hufflepuff somehow, we could still win the Cup, because I don't think you guys are going to beat Hufflepuff."

"Library?" asked Aidan, appearing out of nowhere dragging Alec. "For our first big batch of weekend homework?"

"Yeah, I think so," said Eftan. "We've got way too much to put off."

"I don't want to go to the library," groaned Alec. "Why'd they have to give us so much work on the weekend of the first Quidditch match?"

"Probably to teach us time-management," said Aidan. "You're coming to the library, you need it way more than any of us."

"I don't need the library, it won't help," said Alec. "I'm doomed to fail everything."

"With that attitude you are," scolded Aidan, and Albus got an image more than ever of a male Rose.

They talked more Quidditch, however, until they reached the library. Eftan's gloating was almost unbearable, and Aidan insisted that Eftan's glee was misplaced, because Hufflepuff had Euan Yodelhop and was thus guaranteed to be the winners of the Quidditch and House Cups for the sixth time in a row—if they did it, that would make more times in a row than Hufflepuff had ever won either Cup in the history of Hogwarts.

"Minuen's got nothing on Yodelhop," Albus agreed. "But James might be able to eke out a victory if he gets lucky… Nothing's set in stone!"

"Minuen just beat James," argued Eftan. "Maybe he'll get lucky."

"All right, work time," said Aidan as they opened the doors to the library. "Hey, wait!" He let the doors close again.

On the doors were signs, notices about the "Defense Association," which was to reform for its ninth year at Hogwarts shortly after Christmas. There were options to join solely the advanced defensive magic instruction, solely the Dueling Club branch, or both.

"That sounds really cool," said Alec. "I want to learn to duel."

"Me, too," said Aidan. "I think I'll sign up for this."

"Can first years learn to duel?" asked Eftan.

Aidan scanned the poster. "Yeah, looks like it—students from any year are welcome. I'll bet they split us up by year, though. They won't have first years dueling seventh years; that would be cruel." He opened the door again. "Well, we'll worry about that when the time gets here. That's all after the holidays. Right now, it's time for some hardcore homework."

Alec heaved a sigh. He was distracted throughout their entire stay at the library, doodling and asking if they were done yet. Aidan worked twice as hard as anyone else, because he was trying to keep Alec focused as they studied and practiced Hovering Charms, but the task seemed impossible for him. Alec just had an aversion to sitting down and working, and Albus had to wonder if Alec would even pass the midyear exams.

O

"They are approaching," said Professor Desulgon. "Your midyear exams! Sneaking closer like a Pogrebin. Don't give into the despair! You'll do fine if you study, if you've been studying all along. Even so, it's still not too late to catch up."

He caught Alec's eye and then continued.

"I expect all of you to perform well. All of you. There's no reason why any of you would not be able to score a more than decent grade if you try your hardest. This won't be a terrible test, I promise. I will be available for extra help on weekends—stop by my office, and if I'm not there, leave me a note and I'll get back to you. Any questions?"

A Ravenclaw in the back raised his hand.

"Yes, Frasier?"

Gadley Frasier cleared his throat and looked around. "I was wondering… this isn't Transfiguration-related, though… What's a mulunctapol?"

The story had apparently spread. Professor Desulgon cleared his throat, too, and swept some wrinkles out of his robe before answering.

"Professor Wilcox has requested," he stated with authority, "in regards to the recent mulunctapol incident at Hogwarts, that the teachers not spread information about the events… during classes."

The room was silent.

"So come see me after class and ask me again," said Professor Desulgon, and he grinned. "Any other questions?"

The class remained silent, so Professor Desulgon told them they had the last few minutes free. Then he walked over to Exo and started talking to him.

"Your father explained some things to me about a few more special circumstances," he said quietly. "Midday Sunday, is it? I realize you may not be able to get the practice you need that weekend; your father's requested that you have an extension on mastering the stick-to-ribbon. I would like you to stay after next Thursday so I can test you without the rest of the class there. Is that acceptable?"

Exo nodded, and turned away with a hint of a smile. Riley was sitting in front of him, and turned around looking scandalized.

O

Dear Albus,

You know I am a level-headed person. I've had a lot of experience in the Auror Office. I've seen things that would curl the toes of the bravest Gryffindors. I've dueled the most dangerous wizard ever to live—if you called it living—twice. And I am freaking out a little bit right now.

I admit, I didn't even know what a mulunctapol was, but when I read your letter, I decided to find out. (I asked your Aunt Hermione, of course. She reprimanded me for not paying attention in History of Magic, because apparently Professor Binns mentioned it.) At the Ministry, there's an ongoing investigation into the matter, and no one at the office looks to be any less worried than I am.

I can't explain anything to you now, but I can maybe try when you come home for Christmas. I may not be there for most of the holiday—I'm still buried in work—but I'll try as hard as I can to be there. In the meantime, I need you to do me a favor: Stay away from the forest's edge. Do not get involved in things that are over your head. If you see any more of these creatures, tell Wilcox or Charlie or Neville or someone immediately, and don't attempt to do anything about it yourself. I wouldn't have listened to this advice when I was younger, but I nearly died several times because of that trait. I'm not asking you to stay out of trouble for your own good—I'm asking you to stay out of trouble because your mother and I are more frightened for the safety of our family than we have been since the days of Gallen Ingot and the Dark Revival. Tell James to stay out of trouble, too, though that might be a lost cause.

Stay safe. Stay smart. And continue your great work in your classes. Your mother and I can't wait to see you when you come home for Christmas break and hear how your exams went. I know you'll make us proud.

Dad

Albus folded the note and tucked it in his pack as he finished his breakfast. He fished out an Owl Treat and handed it to Flibley, who choked it down and ruffled his wings happily but weakly.

"I can't believe it's almost December," said Scott down the table. "Monday's the start of our third to last week, and that last week is just exams anyway."

"You know what I can't believe?" said Riley, and they all knew exactly what he was going to complain about; he still refused to let Exo live in peace. "I can't believe that the headmaster's son can just get a free extension on whatever project he wants. Did you see his smug little grin when he got the extra two days?"

"He really does have a condition, Riley," said Kolby. "Come off it, will you?"

"Why can't I have an extension?" said Riley. "I got a cold last week!"

"A cold doesn't incapacitate you to the hospital wing for the entire afternoon," said Albus.

Riley still didn't seem to understand that nobody else was as annoyed as he was about the "privileges" that Exo got.

"I do wish he'd extend the date for other people who ask," said Scott. "Exo could've just started early."

"His dad's overprotective," said Eben.

Exo joined their table, and the conversation stopped. It turned to the Quidditch match that afternoon: Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff, but nobody expected Ravenclaw to win; not with Euan Yodelhop playing.

"I can't believe we got shut out in that last match," said Jonah. "I mean… my sister's on the reserve squad for the Slytherin team, but I gotta root for my own house."

"I think we should be rooting for Ravenclaw in this match," said Rose. "Gryffindor has a better chance of winning the Cup if the stronger team loses."

"It won't matter if we can't beat Hufflepuff," said Albus. "But maybe we should root for Hufflepuff, because if they slaughter Ravenclaw, then Gryffindor has less of a chance of taking dead last."

He unfolded a fresh piece of parchment, smoothed it out on the table and started to write a response to his father.

Hi Dad,

Just wanted to let you know that, sure, I'll stay away from the forest and out of trouble. Neville said that there's a lot of things going on in the Ministry, and I know a lot of people are worried, so I won't make you any more worried than you already are. I'll keep my head low. I can't speak for James, of course.

James lost the first Quidditch match last week, I don't know if he told you. It's only because the Slytherin Seeker had a better broom. He's really cheesed off about it and gets really annoyed when we bring it up. Maybe he'd like a better broom for Christmas. Could I have a broom, too? I got to ride a Soundsplitter and it was amazing. I'm not asking for a Soundsplitter, but I would like a broom so that maybe I can try out to be on the reserve squad next year. Oh, and my friend Toby wants to know if Mom can get a sponsorship from the Harpies or something and get a Soundsplitter. Toby wants to ride one.

I'll write back again before the holidays, can't wait to see you guys again!

-Albus

"I'm going to go deliver this," said Albus, picking Flibley up by a leg while the bird's eyes rolled around sleepily. "I'll meet you guys down at the match."

O

"Ravenclaw takes the field! There's their Chasers, Finch Jameson and Miles Border of their sixth years and Tyler Emmett in his fourth."

Alec cheered loudly from somewhere nearby; Albus remembered that Tyler Emmett was Alec's fourth-year mentor.

"Their Beaters, Anya Brown and Esperanza Ruiz, are said to be the best pair of Beaters since Madrick 'Mad Rick' Marcelon and Daggett 'Death Bat' Canton of Ravenclaw fame, who went on to play for England. These ferocious females are in their fourth year. Here's Captain and Keeper Hilda Wallace, in her sixth year, and Seeker Kalina Moon in her third!"

Mia Moon of Hufflepuff, the girl with the fascinating eyes that Albus had met on the train, had two sisters on the field: Kalina played for Ravenclaw and Mavis played for Hufflepuff. Either way, she'd have to root against a sister, but she aligned herself with her own House and wore her Hufflepuff colors.

"Here's Hufflepuff! There's the new highly acclaimed recruit Devon Elbiell, looking like he's about to soil himself from the nerves—he's only a second year. His—Sorry, Professor Longbottom, but it's true, don't tell me it's not! His fellow Hufflepuff Chasers are young, too, Skyler Dock in his third year and Eileen Dock in her fourth. These two are cousins, not brother and sister, I know a lot of people get that wrong. The Hufflepuff Beaters are Ike Armstrong, in his sixth year, and Mavis Moon, a fifth year, sister to Kalina Moon on Ravenclaw—then we have the Hufflepuff Keeper, Midna Wallace, sister to keeper Hilda Wallace on Ravenclaw! Battle of the siblings here! And then, of course, cue the screaming and fainting, it's the one and only—and for the other teams' sakes, thank goodness there's only one of him—Euan Yodelhop!"

A head of shining bright blond hair and a smile of flashing white teeth greeted the screaming crowd, where every Hufflepuff and every female were screaming their heads off. Even Madam Duopold followed him with her eyes as she walked onto the field with the suitcase of Quidditch balls, and she was, like, fifty, which was really weird.

"The captains shake hands, and Wallace shakes Yodelhop's hand for quite a longer time than necessary—don't give me that look, Hilda, you made it rather obvious—and Madam Duopold releases the Bludgers and Snitch… She throws the Quaffle in the air, the match has begun! Ravenclaw takes first possession…"

It was a lot less tense when Albus didn't have a particular team to root for or against, but also not as exciting, since the outcome of the match wasn't necessarily as important; it all depended on who won the other matches. If Hufflepuff was to beat Gryffindor, then it would be better if Hufflepuff were to beat Ravenclaw, too, so that Gryffindor wouldn't end up in last. And if Gryffindor were to beat Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and if Hufflepuff were to beat Slytherin, then it would be better for Ravenclaw to win.

Or would it? It was starting to confuse Albus, so he decided to just wait for the results and figure things out afterwards. Besides, everyone seemed to think that Ravenclaw had no chance, so apparently, it didn't matter.

This match lasted much longer than the first. Euan Yodelhop was circling the field looking for the Snitch, and Kalina Moon was watching him. She might have been tailing him, figuring that he would probably find the Snitch before she did, or maybe she was just admiring his tan. Ravenclaw was up for almost the entire match, because their Chasers were playing to their advantage: The Ravenclaw Chasers were much bigger physically than the Hufflepuff Chasers, and they were asserting themselves in blocking and pass interception. The Ravenclaw Beaters were also efficient in forcing the Hufflepuff Chasers off their intended paths, usually confronted shortly afterwards by a Ravenclaw with a grudge. With about twice as many Ravenclaw shots on goal as Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaw led Hufflepuff by a score of one hundred and ten to sixty when Euan Yodelhop finally caught the Snitch and the stands erupted into cheers.

"And Hufflepuff takes the match by a round hundred! Euan Yodelhop remains undefeated in his career at Hogwarts with but two matches remaining! Can he stave off Gryffindor and then Slytherin for the sixth year in a row?"

"I'm gonna punch the handsome right out of his ugly face when we play him!" yelled James.

"Or will the pressure get to him first? Everyone be sure to remind him constantly that he is facing a possibly historic achievement! That's all for the match today, everybody, see you again in late January for when Slytherin takes on Ravenclaw!"

Albus joined Eftan, who looked neither happy nor unhappy; Alec, who looked very unhappy; and Aidan, who looked very happy.

"I just hope Hufflepuff completely obliterates Slytherin in Euan's last game," said Aidan, "so he can shove it in Wilcox's face for picking a Slytherin Head Boy."

"Stuff it, Aethan Maddox is awesome," said Eftan.

Albus wasn't paying attention to the argument. He was staring out at the forest, wondering if he'd see another creature like the first. After all, could he really be sure that Dizzy was the same creature the entire time?