A/N: sorry about the delay in getting this chapter out...RL has me in a bit of a bind...we're in overtime at work so it cuts into what i'm doing at times at home and its making things a bit stressful especially as lay off season is just around the corner and we're pushing to get our orders done that we fell behind on:S...but now that i have the time, in which i'm snagging just before bed lol, i thought i'd post the next chapter...so, enjoy:D

Chapter Seven

"Ember Lillian Potter! How many times have I told you to follow the rules? They are there for a reason, young lady! You are so grounded when you get home! Do you understand me? You will listen to your Professors from now one!" Ember whimpered and groaned as her Mum's words poured on amongst the snickers. "I won't have my daughter ignoring the rules, no matter the so called good excuse! Next time tell a Professor! Am I clear?" She sighed in relief as her mother's voice dropped to softer tone, "Here's your father." She giggled when her father excitedly spoke, ignoring the softer grumblings of Mum, "That's my girl! Paddy and I are so proud! Ow! Lily! Ow! Stop hitting me and let go of my ear!" This caused more of an uproar as she blushed bright red with embarrassment as her Mum punished her own husband before everyone's ears, who came back with a sheepish but contrite tone, "Sorry, Em, but you heard your mother. Next time, tell someone, even if it's the Headmaster." Then he tried to hurriedly say, "You should be getting your gift from me and Paddy shortly! Make sure to try it out and show off at practice and the games! Show everyone what you're made of! Ack! Lily! Ow, ow, ow, that's my ear, that hurts! Bye, Em!" The Howler tore itself up as James continued to cry out to his wife, while Ember hid her face in her hands to save her the trouble of seeing everyone laugh at the man's plight.

Several hoots had her looking up as everyone went silent. They dropped a large package before her as all eyes stared. Eagerly, she tore into it only to reveal a very beautiful broom. She couldn't believe it! Dad and Paddy had bought her a broomstick, and not just any broomstick either, the Nimbus 2000.

Ron had voiced her thoughts out loud, "That's not just any broomstick, that's the Nimbus 2000, the fastest broom on the market!" He turned to his friend with hope in his blue eyes, "I'll get a turn, right?"

"Let's go!" She eagerly rushed out to the courtyard with her fellow excited Housemates, especially those on the Quidditch team, so glad they hadn't finished lunch yet.

From across the room were glaring Slytherins, "Let me guess, Potter's the spoiled one, because of who she is."

Harry eyed the fuming witch, wanting to ignore her but in a way it was the truth, though not in this case. Harry didn't care much for flying, though he would be the first to admit it was enjoyable, nor Quidditch. Ember did, much like their father. Their Mum would discourage such actions but in the end she would relent since it was a way for Father and Daughter to bond. Knowing this, he turned back to his meal, "Not for who she is but for what she can do."

Draco eyed his fellow snake, wondering, "And you allow this reputation to grow against you?"

He sniffed, couldn't believe someone as influential and rich as the Potters were allowing their daughter so much freedom without decorum or proper teachings, while letting their son hang back beneath Potter's fame.

"I allow what I allow." It was all Harry had to say before he stood up to leave, meeting up with the Bloody Baron in the Halls.

"Still one of mine, boy?"

Emerald eyed him, "Sir?"

The Slytherin Ghost smirked as he reached out to touch his student, "Do you not know?"

Harry simply titled his head in the direction of the touch, listening to the hissing sounds of the shadows surrounding him, mixing with the calls of his guardians. "The Veil."

"You do know then." The Baron knew this boy would know what he spoke of, death still clung tightly to the tiny spirit, "We kindred honor our bonds and calls, have for centuries."

Harry nodded, murmuring as he stared at nothing but what he could see, "Soon the cold shall breathe."

The Baron watched as his kindred slip away without a sound. He knew what, perhaps, one knew; young Harry had been touched twice and favored. He could only look forward to what would happen in the future. He wondered what path Ember Potter would take should her brother slip further into the darkness that bled around him, this may prove entertaining. He, too, slipped away, floating off to see what trouble his subordinate, Peeves, may have caused, thoughts running wild.

Quidditch Match

Ember was very nervous. Oh, she loved to fly and play Quidditch. What fan didn't? But she had never played with so many people or in front of such a large audience. She knew everyone was counting on her to possibly win or, in the case of the Slytherins as that's who they were facing, fall off her broom. Wish Dad was here.

Later on in the match, she had been glad he wasn't there.

She had been enjoying herself, flying high and fast. She was surveying for the Snitch when it happened. At first she thought she had leaned out too much when her broom jerked. Frowning, she moved to get it under control when it bucked harder, causing her to fall. In a desperate attempt, she flung out her hands, barely making it in time to grab the handle. She fought to hang on until someone could save her or she could gain control. But she knew if something didn't happen soon she would become very intimate with the ground, as had Angelina Johnson and Oliver Wood earlier in the game.

The constant jerking was tiring her out as no one could get close without it getting worse. Her fingers were getting just as sore as she felt them beginning to slip, please, oh please, Harry. Someone, anyone, help me. She glanced down to see if anyone would catch her, should she just give up and let go, when out of the corner of her left eye she noticed a brown blur racing from behind the stands, Hermione?

She only hoped it was the brunette bookworm when the broom suddenly stopped. Releasing a very large breath, along with everyone else, she re-gripped the handle and twisted, hoping her tired body had enough energy to move. Silently, she cheered as she re-mounted her broom, just in time to see a gold object zoom past, the snitch! And thank you, Hermione. I don't know what you did but I'm glad you're my friend.

She pushed quickly to reach the snitch as the Slytherin Seeker moved along side her. She followed the snitch in a downward swing as the other Seeker drifted off, forcing her tired and aching body to prop itself on top her quivering broom. She stretched as far as she could, upsetting the delicate balance and flopping onto hard sand. She choked at the dust and tried clearing her throat. Something stopped her, forcing her to choke and dry heave. Cries of fear and confusion surrounded her as she finally jerked her arms against her ribs, forcing the object out into her hands. Her nose twitched and her mouth grimaced as she glared down at the tiny snitch, its wings closing up, covered in slimy slobber while resting in the palms of her hands, gross! She fought to keep her lunch down as she raised the slimy thing above her head, praying not one drop of slobber fell onto her head or she would be sick.

"Gryffindor Seeker caught the Snitch!"

"Gryffindor wins!"

She grinned brightly as two separate voices cried out, hurrying to drop her arms, eager to hand over the snitch to someone else. She squealed as her teammates rushed over to her, raising her above their shoulders as their House and fellow friends cheered.

A different House all together was fuming. "She didn't even catch it! She practically swallowed it! That can't be fair!"

"Yea, got to break and bend the rules for famous Ember Potter."

Harry ignored their sneers as he silently chuckled. There was one positive thing he could say about his House, well, two actually. Slytherins were constant in their threats and jeers, coming up with interesting complaints. They were also very entertaining when they did such things. But deep down he was a tad bit worried and jealous. Someone else had saved his sister, had come to her rescue. It meant he would not be the only Knight in her life when danger rose to attack. She had friends who seemed to care enough to rescue her. Or perhaps, he just wasn't needed yet.