Fate has a funny way of playing with us. I don't own Harry Potter, but I enjoy playing fate with the characters of the series.
Chapter 18: Miss Potter Goes to Hogwarts
It was a bitterly cold February afternoon, merely days before the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff Quidditch match and the Gryffindor team was on the pitch practicing for the match. Hermione had taken her job very seriously for the team and while the weather would usually make training difficult, it was no longer an issue. Even though the wind and drifting snow made things extremely cold the Gryffindor team was toasty warm. All because of a simple extreme warming charm Hermione had found in large book called Extreme Quidditch (Everything a person needs to know about Quidditch to the extreme).
Hermione's eyes swept the Quidditch pitch, watching the actions of the Gryffindor team as she quietly conversed with Madam Hooch. Hermione remembered the first few times when she watched a practice with Madam Hooch; neither woman knew what exactly to talk about. However, as time passed, Hermione and Madam Hooch began a friendship of sorts, based on their common interest.
It seemed that both women were huge Potter fans, although Madam Hooch would never admit it to the general population of Hogwarts.
"I'm truly amazed," Madam Hooch gushed to Hermione. "I am impressed with the improvement you have made in your flying since your first lesson last term."
"I can't take all the credit," Hermione replied, unable to keep the blush off her cheeks. "It was all because of Harry. If it wasn't for him, I probably would completely detest flying."
"So, you don't detest flying now?" Madam Hooch prompted.
"Yes," Hermione replied. "I simply prefer not flying." Madam Hooch let out a cackle of a laugh at Hermione's last statement.
"That Potter boy is a natural," Madam Hooch replied wistfully. "But he is a natural who can explain the process of flying quite well. I wonder if he would be interested in teaching other people who have difficulty getting into the air."
"You mean like a tutor?" Hermione asked her curiosity evident in her tone of voice.
"Exactly," Madam Hooch replied with a grin. "Do you think Harry would be interested?"
"Um, yes I think so," Hermione said while watching Harry make a steep dive on the field. "You'd have to ask him though."
"Of course," Madam Hooch replied while studying Harry's performance. "I really hope Harry gets out of this funk soon," Madam Hooch sighed. "I'd hate to see him not catch the Snitch because he was too preoccupied by something else. Perhaps I should have a word with the boy," Madam Hooch mumbled to herself
"I don't think that will be necessary," Hermione quickly stated. "But I think things will be turning around for Harry very soon. I think he will be in top form for the match on Saturday."
"You sure?" Madam Hooch replied turning her hawk-like eyes on Hermione.
"Yes," Hermione said with more confidence than she felt. She really didn't know if the Potter siblings relationship could be repaired by Saturday but she would be damned if she didn't try.
After a few minutes of silence between the two witches, Hermione noticed Oliver Wood call out some instructions before flying over to where they were sitting.
"Hermione, can I have a word?" Oliver politely asked to Hermione's surprise. It was still a bit unnerving to have the captain of the Quidditch team approach her when she wasn't technically a member.
"Do you need me to do something for you?" Hermione asked as soon as she and Oliver were a good distance from Madam Hooch.
"I'm not really sure if you can help me," Oliver replied not looking at her. Instead Oliver's attention seemed to be focused on the team practice. "As you probably know something is bothering Harry."
Hermione nodded her head in agreement, not wanting to say anything and possibly break Harry's confidentiality. For the second time in less than ten minutes she was going to have to talk about Harry's personal problems.
"I'm just concerned about him," Oliver continued without pausing. "Do you know if there is anything I can do to help Harry out?"
Hermione bit her lip as she weighted what she wanted to say in her mind. As far as she was concerned, Oliver just won himself points by not demanding to know what Harry's problem was. Instead she felt that he really was concerned for Harry the person by trying to lend his help.
"I'm sure Harry will appreciate the concern," Hermione began after several moments of silence. "However, there is not much you can do for him at this point. Harry needs to work this out on his own."
"Did you know about the immature pranks that were being played on Harry?" Oliver asked abruptly catching Hermione by surprise.
"Yes," Hermione winced as she answered. It seemed that Oliver was not crazy about her not doing anything about the pranks. "But Harry didn't want to make a big deal about them. So he just shrugged them off and made me promise not to tell anyone."
"If I had known," Oliver began and Hermione noticed his hands were clenching the rail in front of him very tightly, "I would have put a stop to it. You are a bunch of first years, it's only natural for you not to know who was behind the pranking. We upperclassmen, on the other hand, are all too aware of who are the pranksters of our house."
"Oh," Hermione replied unsure as to what was the proper way to respond to such a statement.
"I know that Longbottom fellow handled the situation and put the twins in their place," Oliver said to Hermione's surprise. "The twins shouldn't bother Harry again between Longbottom's threats and mine. I can tell that Harry is used to handling things all on his own, however, next time something like this happens I would like you to at least try to talk him into coming to me or someone else that could help him out."
"I will," Hermione easily promised.
"Good," Oliver said as he continued to scan the pitch. "Are you sure there isn't anything I can do?"
"Actually," Hermione reconsidered her previous position on Oliver's offer of help, "could you give the team the Friday night off? I know it's your last chance to practice before the match but I think it will be beneficial for everyone to rest and relax that night."
Oliver seemed to consider Hermione's request for a few minutes before finally responding, "Alright, if that's what the team needs."
"It is," Hermione quickly agreed.
"Let's go down to the pitch," Oliver said while holding a hand out for Hermione. I've got a team announcement that you need to hear."
~*~
"I can't believe it!" Harry moaned for the hundredth time that evening. "Snape is going to ref the match. He'll try to kill me and fix the game so Hufflepuff will win."
"You don't know that," Hermione replied with her nose still stuck in the book in front of her.
"Come on, Hermione," Harry continued to pester his friend. "You know that Snape hates me. You see how he treats me unfairly in class. What makes you think that he would act any different on the Quidditch pitch?"
Hermione finally looked up from her book and stared Harry straight in the eyes. "I understand what you are saying, Harry. However, did it occur to you that perhaps more is going on then we know?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked slightly confused at what Hermione was getting at.
"It's simple really," Hermione began in what would soon become known as her 'lecture' voice. "Do you really think Madam Hooch would let Snape ref the match without a good reason for him to do so? Do you really think Madam Hooch, who respects you a lot, would let Snape throw the match? And don't get me started about Professor McGonagall; she's just mad about Quidditch. There is no way she would let Snape do something like that."
"No," Harry said after taking a few moments to ponder what the bushy-haired witch said. "I guess you're right.
"Exactly," Hermione said with a smug smile on her face. After a few minutes of silence, Hermione broke it with a different Quidditch-related question. "So, since you don't have any Quidditch practice the night before the game, do you want to do something together?"
"I guess," Harry replied a bit confused. "Isn't that what we usually do every night?"
"Well, um, I was thinking we could do something a bit different," Hermione said not meeting Harry's eyes.
"What kind of different?" Harry warily asked. It wasn't like Hermione to try to keep something from him.
"I want it to be a surprise," Hermione said in a small voice. "But it will be a good surprise."
"Alright," Harry agreed since he readily trusted his bushy-haired friend.
"Good," Hermione replied with a true smile on her face. "Just one more thing…"
"What?" Harry asked when Hermione's voice trailed off.
"Could I borrow your invisibility cloak on Friday?"
~*~
Lexi was beyond convinced that she was going to get in trouble. Not the kind of trouble she would get in if she accidently ruined some of Aunt Petunia's prize roses or perhaps forgot to hand in a homework assignment. No this trouble was going to be much, much worse.
Oh why did she let Hermione convince her and Sirius to do something so reckless?
It wasn't long after Sirius arrived in her life, that Lexi realized he one of the most reckless, headstrong people that she had ever met. Knowing that, Lexi knew it was a risk to share Hermione's letter with him but Lexi felt like she had to. If there was a chance she could see Harry before the end of term, then she had to take it. And Sirius being who he was, was all for it.
So when Hermione suggested that she come to Hogwarts to talk to Harry, Lexi just couldn't refuse.
But now that she was in a tunnel under the school heading into a secret entrance of Hogwarts, Lexi was nothing but scared. What if she got caught? What was she supposed to say if she got caught?
Oh, don't worry, my godfather the escaped deranged murderer Sirius Black, apparated me to the secret entrance he knew of that lead into Hogwarts. Oh, he's waiting in the part of the tunnel near the Hogsmead sweet shop, Honeydukes, so don't be afraid. He won't be setting off the Dementors who are patrolling the school anytime soon.
Yeah, that would go over good. But Hermione told her not to worry about anything. She would have everything under control and no one would know that she was in Hogwarts other than Hermione and Harry. It was hard for her to just openly trust someone, other than Harry. But since Harry completely trusted the witch, she was giving her a chance.
She was at the end of the tunnel now. There was nowhere to go but into Hogwarts. Taking a deep breath Lexi muttered the password that opened the passage to school, only to find… absolutely nothing.
Lexi slipped out of the passage with a frown on her face before it automatically closed behind her. She had written Hermione specific instructions on where the one-eyed witch was located (since that was the statue that the passageway lead to) however, she never had time to receive a response from Hermione saying that she would be there waiting for her. Crap, this was beginning to turn out exactly how she feared.
"Lexi!" a voice hissed before Lexi had the chance to work herself into a full blown panic.
Lexi cautiously looked around for the girl she knew to be the owner of that voice, yet she just couldn't seem to see Hermione anywhere.
"Hermione?" Lexi whispered as she took a few tentative steps towards the center of the corridor.
Before Lexi knew what hit her, she felt an invisible arm grab her and something going over her head. The next thing Lexi knew she was under a see through cloak of sorts, with Hermione's hand firmly clamped over her mouth. The older witch dragged her to the opposite side of the hall and pulled them firmly against the wall.
As soon after they were pressed against the wall, Hermione's hand still over Lexi's mouth, a pale man in dark robes swept into the corridor. He had stringy, greasy black hair and a hideous hooked nose. Staring at his nose for a few seconds, Lexi idly wondered if that was what Sirius was trying to have her shift her nose into when he asked for the biggest, nastiest nose she could imagine.
"I know someone is here," the man said in cruel drawl. "Show yourself and your punishment will not be that severe. You will only have detention for the rest of your natural life. I will let you enjoy your afterlife in peace."
Hermione had begun inching the two of them silently away from the nasty man while he was speaking. Their backs were still pressed flat against the wall. Lexi couldn't believe that the man was blind enough not to actually see them, they were still merely feet away from him. Yet, the man began reaching out in front of himself as if he were trying to pull something away. He seemed to become angrier each time he came up with nothing.
After about three minutes of inching along, the two witches made it to an intersection between two corridors. Hermione pulled Lexi across the hall quickly and lead them down one of the other hallways. As soon as they were out of the man's vision, Hermione broke out into a run, surprising Lexi as she was dragged behind the older witch.
"Sorry, about that," Hermione whispered after they turned down another corridor. "I don't know how Professor Snape sensed me, but he did. I walked past him near the Entrance Hall and he had been tailing me ever since. Considering I was under an invisibility cloak, I have no idea how he could have done that."
"That was Professor Snape?" Lexi squeaked out her question.
"Oh yes," Hermione said in a brisk business like tone. "That was Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House."
"I don't think I like him very much," Lexi replied.
"Don't worry," Hermione said with a hint of her smile in her voice. "Nobody does."
~*~
"Alright," Hermione said once she closed the door to the classroom, "Harry should be here any minute."
Lexi took in a deep breath as she knew this was her last chance to talk to Hermione alone. Sirius had talked to her several times since she received Hermione's letter and Lexi was well aware that she owed Hermione an apology just as much as she owed one to Harry. There was no better time for Lexi to do so other than the present.
"Hermione," Lexi began unable to meet the older girl's eyes; "I've got to get something off of my chest. Can we talk for a few minutes?"
"Of course," Hermione said in a cheerful voice, "what can I help you with, Lexi?"
Lexi took a few moments to gather her thoughts before she began. While she had mentally gone over this conversation with Hermione several times, she was still nervous.
"I think I need to explain something to you," Lexi began finally meeting Hermione's eyes. "I acted like a jerk when I first met you, while you have been nothing short of wonderful to me. You deserve better and I think you should also know why I've been a complete git."
"Lexi, you don't owe me anything," Hermione quickly began before being cut off by Lexi.
"Yes, I do," Lexi replied. Her conviction in her words was evident in her voice. "All my life it has always been Harry and me. We were each other's only friends and family. We only loved each other and I was always sure nothing could ever become between us."
"Then we found out everything we knew was a lie," Lexi continued as she started to pace back and forth in front of Hermione. "We belonged to a world we knew nothing about and with that everything changed. Harry had to go to Hogwarts and I couldn't be with him for two years. When we first found out about Hogwarts, Harry didn't want to go. He didn't want to leave me behind, but I convinced him he had to go and learn the family business." Lexi and Hermione shared a smile with that last phrase.
"But after he left, I missed him so much," Lexi's voice started to get choked up. "I was all alone and I never realized how much I depended on my brother until he was gone. I was so happy when Harry got Hedwig. We were able to keep in touch even though we wouldn't see each other until the holidays. It felt like I was going to be alright especially after Sirius arrived, but I was a terrible sister."
"I think I disliked you from the first letter Harry wrote to me about you," Lexi said as her voice dropped down to barely more than a whisper. "You were at Hogwarts with Harry and were able to share everything that I wanted to share with my brother." Tears were openly running down Lexi's face at this point in time.
"I was afraid that you were going to take my place in Harry's life," Lexi continued unable to meet Hermione's gaze anymore. "Why would Harry need me? I was his stupid little sister that was too young to go to Hogwarts. He had Hermione Granger, one of the smartest witches in the first-year. I thought Harry wouldn't need me anymore and because of that I started this whole mess."
"I picked a fight with Harry about you and I only did that so he would stop trusting you," Lexi confessed. "When Harry told you about Sirius, I realized that he told you everything just like what he always did with me. I wanted him to stop being friends with you, so you wouldn't replace me. I shouldn't have, I know that now but it was the only thing I could think to do."
"I'm sorry," Lexi said once again looking at Hermione's face since her shameful confession was done. Now she was just waiting for what Hermione had to say about her actions.
"I forgive you, Lexi," Hermione said as she pulled the crying younger witch into a surprising hug. "Although I'm not sure if there is anything I really need to forgive you for. I don't have any brothers or sisters but if our positions were changed, I may have reacted like you did."
"Harry loves you very much," Hermione continued trying to sooth the crying girl, "You have nothing to fear. Nobody will ever take your place in your brother's life." After Lexi cried out all of her tears, the two girls finally pulled away from one another.
"Are you feeling better?" Hermione asked, and Lexi nodded in response not really trusting herself to speak just yet. "I would really like it if you didn't consider me just Harry's friend. I would like to be considered your friend as well," the older witch said much to Lexi's surprise.
"I would like that," Lexi was able to reply without choking up.
"Good," Hermione said. "I will start writing you letters and send them with Hedwig."
"Poor, Hedwig," Lexi countered. "The poor girl won't know what hit her." Both witches cracked up with that remark and Lexi realized how easy it was to be with her new friend.
~*~
"That's a pig's snout!" Hermione cried out in amazement as Lexi showed her some of the transfiguration skills she had been practicing.
"Sirius said his cousin Nymphadora had been able to do that since she was eight," Lexi boasted, her voice sounding odd since the shape of her nose and mouth were altered due to the snout. "He was determined for me to learn that as well. I think he wants me to challenge her one day by seeing which one of us can make the most unique face."
"That is utterly fascinating!" Hermione said as she clapped her hands in applause. "Can Harry possibly be a metamorphmagus as well?"
"I'm not sure," Lexi replied as she changed her face back to normal. "We never really had a chance to see if he could before the, well you know."
"Oh, right," Hermione said before they both paused due to the door of the classroom swinging open.
Just as they previously discussed, Lexi quickly covered herself with the invisibility cloak just in case it wasn't Harry that stumbled upon the unused classroom that they were waiting in. But sure enough, Harry was the person that came through the door.
"Hermione?" Harry said questioningly as he walked into the room and Lexi suddenly felt very nervous again. "I thought I heard talking, you're not here alone, are you?"
"No, Harry I'm not," the busy-haired witch said as she looked over at Lexi's covered form and winked. "But I'll see you in a little bit. I think there are some things you need to work out without me being here." With those final words Hermione swept out of the room, only pausing to pat Harry comfortingly on the shoulder before she left.
"Um, hello?" Harry said a bit nervously and Lexi knew she needed to show herself, regardless to how nervous she felt.
"Hi, Harry," Lexi said as she removed the invisibility cloak. "I'm really sorry," Lexi began as her voice started to choke up. But before the young witch could say anything more Harry had rushed at her and pulled her into a bone breaking hug.
"I'm sorry too," Harry whispered into her ear as both children began to cry. They were not just tears of sorrow and regret. They were also tears of joy and acceptance.
No other words were immediately needed between the two siblings as they held on to each other as if their lives depended on it. Lexi realized that they had never fought before and now they had to muddle their way though making up. Since this was a new experience for the Potter siblings they would have to use it as a learning experience, that's what Lexi's teacher always told her. But Lexi was sure of one thing that they just learned today, the only thing that was important was that they were family, no matter what and they would always have each other to rely on.
~*~
Albus was quite convinced that he was developing a migraine headache. It would be really bad if he was ill the next day, when Merlin knew what would happen on the Quidditch pitch. Since it appeared as though someone had attempted to kill Harry Potter during the previous match, Albus thought it was best if both he and Severus were diligently watching the next match.
That was why, with much vocal complaints from Professor McGonagall and Madam Hooch, he had Serverus acting as referee at the match, and he himself would be sitting in the teacher's box. Hopefully his fears would be put to rest and nothing life threatening would occur this time. However, he was not about to take any chances when it came to Harry Potter.
But why oh why, did the ministry have to pick the night before the next Gryffindor match to be the time where they could add their precious wards to the third-floor corridor? Albus wondered as he tried to massage his temples.
At first Albus thought it wouldn't be too bad when just two people from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement came to ward the corridor to the Dementors' controls. But within five minutes both Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy were in attendance as well. The last person he wanted to know about what may be in the third-floor corridor was the former Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy.
All things considered it went better than expected. Nobody actually wanted to enter the room where the three-headed dog was so no one was aware of the trap door under his feet. Yet, Lucius was still suspicious and was trying to worm-out any information that he could about Fluffy's presence in the school.
Sighing as he took out one of his super sour lemon drops, Albus noticed something else he missed when first entering his office. The school's wards, which were monitored from his office, had been tripped. Walking over to the device in question, Albus began to examine the output results. It appeared that one of his students had made a surprise visit to Hogsmead this evening. Albus rubbed his eyes as he remembered back about his warning to the students about not leaving the school property due to the Dementors.
Fortunately for this student, Albus had neglected to mention the secret passageways in and out of the school to the warden from Azkaban who was in charge of the Dementors. He would have to go down to the passage way to speak to the student in question about how reckless and dangerous their actions were. However, before he could stand up from his chair, there was a soft ding, indicating that the person in question had already passed through the entrance to the secret tunnel again.
Apparently, the person in question was destined to get away with breaking the rules and a chat with the headmaster tonight. It wasn't like Albus had missed anything earth shattering by not investigating this breach in the school protocol.
~*~
"I really don't want to say goodbye," Harry admitted as he hugged Lexi one last time before she entered the tunnel out of the school.
"Me nether," Lexi replied. "I wish I could watch your match tomorrow. But something tells me someone will notice that I don't belong at Hermione's side." Harry merely nodded in agreement to his sister's statement.
"You'll catch the Snitch for me?" Lexi asked in an obvious attempt to stall and give herself a few more minutes with her brother, not that Harry minded.
"Of course," Harry instantly replied. "In fact I'll ask Madam Hooch, if I can keep it and give it to you."
"Really?" Lexi asked her excitement evident in her voice.
"Sure," Harry replied nonchalantly. "I can't make any promises because I don't know if Madam Hooch will let me, but I'll try."
"Thanks, Harry," Lexi leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You'll write me immediately after the match and give me the play-by-play, right?"
"Yes, Lexi," Harry promised.
"Good," Lexi said with a nod. "I'll see you later," Lexi finally said when it was obvious she need to go.
"See, you later," Harry replied squeezing her arm one last time. "Make sure you give Padfoot the cloak."
"Duh," Lexi said with a silly grin on her face as she slipped out of sight.
"Harry, we need to hurry," Hermione said as she suddenly appeared down the corridor. "Professor Snape must have been still patrolling this area. He's on his way here."
Harry knew just as well as Hermione that they would seem really guilty if they were found in front of the one-eyed witch. Actually, if Hermione's theory on Snape being a Legilimens was true than they were screwed; Snape would know exactly what they had done.
As fast as they could, the two Gryffindors raced down the hallway and down a set of stairs, trying to get as far away from Snape as possible. Unfortunately, the set of stairs they were on moved while they were on them. Hogwarts was notorious for staircases that moved of their own free will. The stairs zigged and zagged and stretched until they bended into a weird angle.
"Harry," Hermione started nervously, "Where does this staircase lead to?"
"No, idea," Harry replied. "But I think we're going to find out."
"What?" Hermione asked a bit panicked but Harry couldn't blame her. The stairs moving with them on it had unnerved him too. "Why can't we just go back?"
"Well, Snape is back there," Harry replied.
"Alright, forward it is," Hermione readily replied. The two Gryffindors hurried up the rest of the stairs and entered the corridor, only to meet three of their classmates standing around a closed door that a whole lot of growling was coming from.
"Ronald, Dean, and Seamus!" Hermione cried going instantly into what Harry privately called her bossy tone of voice. "What are the three of you doing?"
"Um, what are you doing?" Ron challenged only to receive a raised eyebrow in response from Hermione. "Fine, Hagrid told me about his pet dog, Fluffy and we wanted to check him out."
"Oh," Hermione replied and Harry knew she was surprised. He had thought they were doing something wrong.
"Why didn't you just go into the room?" Harry asked since he saw Dean trying to peer in the keyhole.
"Well, it's locked," Ron replied, his face turning bright red. "Besides I'm not sure that I want to be face to face with a giant three-headed dog."
"Three-headed dog?" Hermione shrieked as all the boys covered their ears.
"Yeah," Dean replied. "Why else would they make the third-floor corridor off limits?"
"Oh, Merlin," Hermione cried. "We need to find the way out of here. We are out of bounds!"
"Duh," Seamus said with a snicker.
"The staircase changed while we were on it," Harry decided to explain. "We had no idea where it led to."
"Why don't you just go back the way you came from?" Ron challenged.
"Snape is that way," Harry said pointing in the direction that they came from. "And I didn't think he'll be too understanding on why any of us are here."
"By Merlin! If Snape catches you, Harry he'll get you kicked out of the game," Ron yelled. "Why didn't you say something sooner? We've got to get you out of here. We can't let Snape mess with the Quidditch game!"
"Let's just get out of here," Hermione said sneaking glances to see if Snape was going to jump out at them any moment.
"Right," Ron said as he began to lead the group away from the room where the three-headed dog was.
Amazingly, the Gryffindor first years could work together when they had a common goal. Or was that a common enemy?
~*~
A breakfast before a Quidditch match and Harry never seemed to mix well. He always felt too nauseous to eat even though Hermione would be attempting to throw food down his throat. This morning was no different.
"Really, Harry, you need to eat something if you plan on being any use to the team," Hermione began to lecture.
"She's right, Harry," Neville said while taking a seat across from the duo. "Eat up. You still have three more hours before the match begins."
"Don't you mean it's only three more hours until Potter's downfall, Longbottom?" the nasal drawl of Draco Malfoy rang through the air. "I just can't wait to see how good Gryffindor is when there is a fair ref, like Professor Snape, instead of that broom harpy, Madam Hooch."
"Shouldn't you be kissing Snape's butt somewhere where he can hear you do it?" Ron Weasley jumped into the conversation after walking up behind Draco.
"Shut up you stupid weasel!" Draco yelled as his ears turned bright red. Harry, Hermione and Neville couldn't stop themselves from giggling at the pompous blonde's reaction. "You will all be sorry when Gryffindor looses!" Draco proclaimed before he stomped away.
"How stupid was that?" Neville asked with a grin on his face.
"Yeah, tell me about it. Make him eat his words, Potter," Ron said to Harry before walking away.
"What was that all about?" Neville asked a bit confused and Harry couldn't help but agree with him. Even after the events from the night before, Harry couldn't understand why Ron suddenly changed his attitude towards him. It's not like someone would change their attitude toward him because of Quidditch.
"I'll tell you all about it before the match," Hermione promised before she turned her attention back on trying to get Harry to eat.
~*~
"Welcome, Hogwarts, to another exciting game of Quidditch," Lee Jordan's magically amplified voice rang through the stadium. "Today's match will be between the Gryffindor lions and the Hufflepuff badgers."
And with that RolandaHooch turned her attention away from the commentary. It was very unusual for her to be watching a match from the bleachers instead of overseeing it, but when Dumbledore asks you something, he doesn't have to say please.
"I'm so glad you're up here with me and Jordan," Minerva said from her left. "I swear I just may strangle that boy sometime if he commentates on the inappropriate things. I hope you'll prevent me from committing justifiable homicide."
Rolanda chuckled before responding, "Like you don't usually agree with that boy," and Rolanda was treated to seeing the transfiguration professor blush. "But we'll keep that our little secret."
"That all of us in this booth are supporting Gryffindor?" Minerva pressed. "I dare say Pomona would just about die if she learned a former Hufflepuff was rooting for Gryffindor."
"What can I say?" Rolanda shrugged off Minerva's slight jab. "I appreciate the talent of Potter men when it comes to flying. I'd never bet against one."
"Even with a bias referee like Severus?" Minerva asked with a pout on her face.
"Even with Severus as the ref," Rolanda confirmed. "Don't tell me you are still sore that Albus made him the ref?"
"Don't tell me you're not," Minerva replied after sneaking a side look at Jordan to ensure he was fixated with giving out the opening information about the match. "I noticed you joined me up here, instead of joining the Headmaster in the teachers' box."
"I guess I prefer to sit with someone else who will openly enjoy today's game," Rolanda replied. "I know that you volunteered for your job of overseeing the commentary due to the lack of enthusiasm for the sport of Quidditch that occurs in that box."
"Too true," Minerva agreed in the thick Scottish accent.
"And the Snitch as been released," Jordan cried causing both women to turn the attention back down on the pitch before them. "Johnson has the Quaffle…"
"Dear Merlin, please prevent the Weasley twins from doing anything drastic during this match," Minerva said barely loud enough for Rolanda to hear. "I admit that I am fond of those boys and I'm not convinced that Severus wouldn't just kill them out on the pitch and pretend it was an accident."
Rolanda couldn't prevent herself from giggling at her cohort's prayer.
"Oh, shush you!" Minerva said as she began to blush.
"Sorry, sorry," Rolanda apologized as she tried to get her giggling out of control. "But you really don't have anything to worry about. Wood told Potter to get the Snitch as fast as he could. I think it was his way to prevent the twins from aiming a Bludger at Severus if they don't like his call. The faster Potter gets the Snitch the sooner the match will be over and the less likely Severus will make an unjust call."
"I notice you think Severus will be unfair," Minerva pointed out.
"He's just so nasty all the time," Rolanda replied. "I think he just likes making everyone else as miserable as he is. If that's the case, then yeah, he's bound to make some really bad calls."
"Do you think Potter can end this match fast?" Minerva asked with a frown on her face as she studied the match in front of her. "I noticed he's been a bit preoccupied in class. I hope his attention on the Quidditch pitch hasn't been affected."
Rolanda sighed to herself. So, Harry wasn't just acting a bit different in the air. She hoped Hermione came through on whatever she was planning. Harry needed to get that Snitch to prevent possible bloodshed.
"I think Potter will do his best," Rolanda replied to Minerva the most diplomatic answer she could come up with.
"And Snape has called an unjust foul on Gryffindor," Jordan called out. "The Beaters are supposed to aim at the Chaser with the Quaffle."
"JORDAN!" Minerva cried out. "That's Professor Snape or Referee Snape."
Rolanda snickered when she realized Minerva never corrected Jordan about the foul being unjust.
"Sorry, Professor," Jordan replied and Rolanda wasn't sure whether he was addressing Severus or Minerva. "By Merlin, what is Potter doing?"
Rolanda turned her eyes back to the pitch where it looked like Harry was going to run Severus off his boom. Severus kept blowing his whistle at Harry, yet the boy kept coming, closer and closer.
"Of all the things!" Minerva cried out. "I thought Potter would at least be able to keep his temper in check."
But Rolanda saw the one thing that everyone else seemed to be missing with her hawk-like eyes. The Snitch was buzzing around Severus. Harry was merely doing his job the way his captain asked him to. Get the Snitch before anything bad could happen.
"Minerva," Rolanda began, "If the Snitch is in play everyone, including the ref, is supposed to get out of the Seeker's way. Please remember that in case Severus starts flipping out because of this." She wasn't telling Minerva a secret or anything, but she doubt that Severus was aware of that rule.
"You think he already spotted the Snitch?" Minerva asked in a giddy voice.
"I think we're about to find out," Rolanda replied at the same moment that Harry pumped his fist into the air, holding the Snitch. Whatever Hermione did the night before, made all the difference in the world.
"And Potter's caught the Snitch!" Jordan cried out.
"That's a school record," Rolanda added for Jordan's benefit. "The previous record was catching the Snitch after seven minutes and thirty-two seconds of play. It was held by his father, James Potter."
"Oh, yes," Minerva said with a huge smile on her face. "I remember that match. The Seeker 'fell' down a flight of stairs so James had to play Seeker instead of Chaser." Minerva's still held doubt over whether the Seeker fell and broke her leg. Popular opinion at the time was that she was pushed down the stairs, resulting in her broken leg.
"Looks like Potter will be in the record books again," Rolanda continued trying to quickly bring Minerva away from that dangerous subject matter. Even nearly fifteen years later, Minerva didn't want to let it go.
"That's right, folks," Jordan continued. "Potter broke the school record by catching the Snitch in four minutes and seventeen seconds. Looks like Gryffindor is an unstoppable force now that Potter is on the team."
"Oh, by Merlin," Minerva said with her smile slipping away from her face. "Is Severus yelling at Harry?"
"Looks like he's trying to throw the catch out," Rolanda said with distaste in her voice.
"But the catch was legal," Minerva replied. "Just like you said earlier, Rolanda, Albus will put a stop to this."
"I hope that you are right," Rolanda said just before she got the shock of her life. Severus flipped around his broom!
"Are you kiddin' me?" Minerva said trying to repress her laugh. "Did Severus just slip?"
The Potions Professor and part-time Quidditch ref was hanging upside down on his broom. His legs were still clutched around the broom and his hands were hanging on for dear life.
"Should we do something?" Minerva asked at a bit off a loss. Thankfully the broom started to float to the ground before either witch had to do anything. "Did Albus do that?" Minerva asked while scanning the teachers' section for the headmaster.
"No," Rolanda replied with a grin on her face, she knew exactly where Hermione was seated and could see the young witch had her wand pointed at the ref. "That was Miss Granger. Wood asked her to learn some safety charms in case they would be needed. He didn't like almost losing his Seeker to death in the first match. Since Hermione did such a good job then, he asked her to keep up the good work."
"Fifty points to Gryffindor for good teamwork," Minerva said with a grin on her face. Rolanda couldn't help but notice she was ignoring Jordan's comments about Severus's predicament. "Severus is not going to like being rescued by a first year Gryffindor."
"Too bad for Severus," was Rolanda's only reply before she left to meet up with Severus on the pitch. Someone was going to have to act as the buffer between the Gryffindors and the Potions Master.
~*~
Tap tap tap
Lexi Potter was having an amazing dream where she was exploring the ins and outs of Hogwarts Castle with Harry and Hermione. There were so many corridors to explore and rooms that hadn't been used in years. Lexi bet that there were sections of the castle that hadn't been used in centuries and she wanted to find what secrets they held.
Tap tap tap
If only that blasted tapping noise would stop! With that thought, Lexi opened her eyes to find herself in the smallest bedroom in the Dursley household. Oh, how she hated waking up sometimes.
Tap tap tap
Okay, there was that annoying sound again. Scanning her small room she couldn't seem to locate the source of the noise. But it was real. It was what brought her out of her dream world. Getting out of bed and slipping on the pink robe Remus had given her for Christmas, Lexi began to inspect her bedroom further.
Tap tap tap
The window! Whatever was causing that noise was taping on the window. That could only be one thing. Sure enough, as she through back the shade, there was Hedwig with a bundle attached to her leg.
Opening the window carefully so it wouldn't squeak, Lexi let the snowy owl into her bedroom. Hedwig fluttered around the room for a moment before landing on the back of the chair to her desk. Quickly Lexi relieved Hedwig of her burden, Lexi's first letter from Harry of the New Year.
Opening the package Lexi was shocked when a tiny golden winged ball darted out of the parchment wrapping that had trapped it on its journey to her. Harry won the match and sent her the Snitch just as he had promised!
Removing the rest of the package's contents Lexi was surprised to find not one, but two letters. Saving the one she was sure was from Hermione till later, Lexi opened the letter she was convinced was from her brother.
Lexi,
Good news! I won the Quidditch match. I caught the Snitch in four minutes and seventeen seconds. According to Madam Hooch, who kindly let me keep the record breaking Snitch for you, the previous record that I broke was held by our Dad…
~*~
A/N: Several things wrote themselves in this chapter and went in different directions than what I previously planned but I was really happy with where the characters took me. I hope this makes several people happy since the angst is over, and Ron is starting to shape up and show his true colors. You just don't mess with Quidditch in Ron Weasley's book if anyone is curious on why he had a temporary change of heart. Oh, and not to mention Lexi went to Hogwarts. Next chapter will have a bit of a time jump. The end of the year is coming soon!
Big thanks to zephy and swanpride my betas. They work well under pressure this chapter didn't get sent to them till 11:30pm Sunday night and they still turned it around for me to post it today. They deserve a round of applause. Also a big thank you to nyladnam04 and Picky for their assistance, their input makes this a better story. You guys rock! And everyone check out their stories. You can find them all on my Favorite Authors list. Also, I'm working my way through replying to all the reviews. I really enjoying reading all your comments and questions anout the story! Thanks for all the love!
Foria
Next Chapter: I'd Gladly Go to H.A.D.E.S. (Hermione's Annoyingly Daunting Exam Sessions)