Chapter 57: Join the team
"Are you serious? – No, don't reply to that. It's getting old," Lucy groaned, "You must be out of your mind! I can't do that! Look for somebody else"
Sirius rubbed her back and gave a laugh. "I don't really need to look. It's a tryout. People who want to join the team would come."
"Then why are you asking me?" Lucy asked with wide eyes.
"I just thought you'd do a good job," Sirius said with a shrug of his shoulders, "You may be dense at times but you really have a good eye. Come on, go to the Seeker tryouts!"
Lucy furrowed her eyebrows at Sirius and bit her lip in thought. Why would he want her to join the team? He was a Beater while James was a Chaser and Captain. The team was already good with the both of them and was way better with their team. Why add an inexperienced player to the mix? She would just ruin their games wouldn't she? Sure, she had a good eye but that wasn't the only thing a Seeker required. A Seeker should also be a good flier, one of the best fliers.
"But why?" Lucy asked.
"Why not?" Sirius asked in turn, "Like I said. You have a really good eye and you're rather small in size –"
"Wow," Lucy interrupted with a roll of her eyes
" – You're small in size and it's easier for you to fly and dodge and basically it's harder for anyone to attack you while you go after the snitch," Sirius ended, ignoring her interruption.
Lucy licked her lip as she began to consider what he was saying. "Okay, I'll give you that but what about flying? You have to be a pretty good flier"
"You are one," Sirius paused, "Fine, I'll teach you every day and night before the tryouts. How about that?"
"I don't want you to waste your time," Lucy blushed
Sirius grinned. "I wouldn't call it wasting. I'd love to see how well you do on the broom"
"Okay, three down. I have another concern," Lucy said, "What about all the Bludgers and the like. Being a Seeker I'm sure they'd do everything in their will power to throw me off so I wouldn't catch the Snitch"
"Do you honestly think I'll let them do that?" Sirius raised a brow, "Like hell I'll let them lay a bloody finger on you"
Lucy's blush deepened, "Alright then. Let's begin those flying lessons now"
"No, no. I will not wear that. I'm sorry but I'm not picking any side," Zoey said to one of her fellow Hufflepuffs who was trying to persuade her into accepting one of the 'Support Cedric Diggory – The Real Hogwarts Champion' badges.
Naturally, Zoey would have been shy at first and would have accepted the badge the moment the Hufflepuff began to pester her but this was the final straw. She was already stressed out over the fact one of her closest friends was joining now her god brother had entered as well and now she's expected to pick a side, who she would root for added to the fact that the game was already known for its many deaths she was not in a shy mood at all.
"He's your housemate, show some support,"
Zoey furrowed her eyebrows. She didn't even know who this boy was and she was a hundred percent sure he didn't know who she was as well. She guessed the only thing they knew about each other was that they were both in Hufflepuff house. Zoey was wondering how she even got into this conversation. It was a lovely night and she didn't want to spend it cooped up in her Common Room so she decided to walk around the halls and such before dinner but before she could even place her hand on the handle this boy had cut in front of her and began to push the badge towards her.
"I'll support him in my own way," Zoey squinted at the badge, "And I don't want to wear something that will bash the Gryffindor contestant"
"This isn't bashing anyone," the boy said.
Zoey raised her brow at the badge as it changed its face and now read 'Potter Stinks'.
"I'm sorry, but I rather not," Zoey pushed the boy slightly to the side and left the Common Room in a rush. Ever since Harry's name came out of the Goblet the Hufflepuffs had turned rather sour towards the Gryffindors for in their eyes they have taken away their 'glory'. When Cedric was chosen the Hufflepuff house had gotten glory, something they don't get very often, but when Potter's name was chosen as well, well that glory was short lived. The good relationship the two houses once shared was on the brink of becoming one that Slytherin shared with Gryffindor.
This glory-fest and support-fest, Zoey did not take part in seeing as majority of her friends were in Gryffindor and that she thought the whole feud was stupid. Both Harry and Cedric were in Hogwarts so why not support them both? She shook her head, it was useless. It was better for not to pick any side like in the Quidditch World Cup. She was not on Team Cedric or Team Harry she was on Team Either or Team Both or Team Neither.
Zoey took a breath of fresh air and thanked the heavens that no Hufflepuff or Gryffindor was in sight. She could not deal with it. She licked her lips and decided to take a visit to the Hospital Wing. She had been spending a lot of her free time in the room assisting Madam Pomfrey and the like. It was her training and many assumed it was hard and complicated but, though true, Zoey found it fun and enjoyed every moment of it.
"Ah, here we are," Zoey said to herself as she stopped in front of the Hospital Wing's doors and pushed them open. She inhaled the scent of medical potions with the small hint of someone sick and entered the room. She let the doors close behind her and she walked down the room looking left and right to see if she knew anyone on the sick beds. To her surprise, she did.
"Hermione?" Zoey asked the moment she caught sight of the brightest girl of her age sitting on the bed, "What are you doing here?"
Hermione's head shot up and looked at Zoey with wide eyes. Zoey's eyes widened in return when she caught sight of Hermione's teeth. "Blimey, Hermione," Zoey breathed out and sat beside the Gryffindor, "what did you do to your teeth?"
"Rude," Hermione laughed, moving a bit farther from the gawking Hufflepuff. Zoey blushed, laughed and apologized when she realized her actions. "Anyway. Madam Pomfrey had to shrink my teeth back to its normal size but I let her shrink it a little bit more," Hermione gave a rather mischievous grin, "No more bucktooth Granger or Beaver Granger. It's now just Hermione Granger"
Zoey smiled at the fourth year. "That's good. No more teasing on that bit but why on earth did she have to shrink them in the first place?" she couldn't help asking.
"Well, long story short," Hermione gave a sigh, "Harry and Malfoy got into a little disagreement and fired a spell at each other but, honestly, they have horrible aim and one of them hit me causing my teeth to grow to an enormous size"
"Those two," Zoey groaned a bit, "Nothing is little when it comes to their 'disagreements'," she paused, "So how long do you have to stay here?"
"Oh, just for the night," Hermione said.
Zoey nodded her head in response and began to swing her legs in silence. Things weren't looking to good on Harry's part. It was almost as if it was his second year all over again, only it seemed much worse than before. The similarities with the situation included people not believing him when he spoke the truth, students shunning him and him being in great peril. Why do bad things keep coming to him? Zoey wondered in despair.
" – So, I'll just return the books tomorrow, okay?"
"Pardon?" Zoey looked at Hermione and just realized that she was talking to her. She apologized.
"The books," Hermione said, "I borrowed a few of your books before school began. Remember?"
Zoey bit her lip and tried to remember. After a few seconds of scanning her memory she finally got what Hermione was saying. "Yeah, alright. Did you find them interesting?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. Your family is very interesting. I can't believe you have books on their history and such. It's very fascinating. I mean, did you know that each Emeraude is born with what they call the 'Emeraude voice' and an 'Emeraude Power'? I can't believe that your family is that powerful. It's unbelievable," Hermione spoke with interest. It appeared that she memorized all the Emeraude books that she had borrowed.
"It's called the 'Emeraude Power'? I thought it was gift?" Zoey asked.
"It has different names but it's the same concept. Every Emeraude is born with a special power or, in your words, gift that no wizard can imagine to have. Like speaking to those who passed or seeing the accurate future. Powers that are almost like the Imperius Curse and the like! It's amazing really," Hermione paused, "But, obviously you must know all this already"
Zoey scratched the back of her head. "Err – not really. I've never read the books"
"You haven't?" Hermione asked with wide eyes, "Why not? Don't you want to know more about your family?" she gasped, "You could have the voice and the gift! You should have them! Which do you have?"
"Well, about knowing more about the family. I don't really know how to answer that," Zoey paused, "The Emeraudes are incredibly powerful, I know that but it's very frightening. Powers that no wizard could imagine. They're practically indestructible if no one knows how to defeat them," she took a breath,
"Also, there are some Emeraudes who are incredibly frightened by their power. They don't know how to control it or what to do with it. It's very scary to have one of those powers. They get so scared that they tend to hide themselves from the public, afraid that they might either harm them or be of use to them. Emeraudes don't like being tools for they don't know their limits," she licked her lips,
"I rather not know about my family in fear I might become more like them. They are incredibly perfect regardless of those who lock themselves away. As for my power… I don't know what it's called"
Hermione stayed quiet as she took what Zoey had said in. Sure, what she said was discussed briefly in the books but she never knew that an Emeraude would be at ease in discussing it, proving that what the books had said was true and it was in the minds of all Emeraudes.
"So, which do you have?" Hermione's curiosity got to best of her, "Describe it to me. I might now what it is"
Zoey blinked her eyes several times as she tried to think of a description. She didn't know why she was even sharing this with Hermione. Not a lot of people knew about her. Echo, Bridgit and the rest of the Weasley's didn't know. She had a faint inkling Harry knew but he didn't say anything about it. She looked Hermione in the eye and saw that the brunette was simply curious and would not judge her. Zoey gave a sigh and began to use awkward hand gestures to get her description straight.
"I don't really know where to begin. I guess I should begin when it began. It started around my fourth year. I just felt this enormous pain in my backside that caused me to collapse on the floor. A mist began to surround me and it scared the bejeebers out of me – don't laugh, Hermione, I'm being serious – anyway, when the mist disappeared I looked at the mirror and turned around to see feathers sprouting out of me! I plucked of one of them and well, mist surrounded me once more and before I knew it the wings were gone," Zoey took a breath,
"I thought I was dreaming when I woke up the next day but every now and again the mist came back and I felt the same pain and the feather – err – wings coming back…. After a while I got used to them and found out I could even fly… That's about it… well, the 'summary' of it all…. Don't see how it's much of a power seeing as regular wizards could fly with a broom and all," Zoey sighed.
She looked back to Hermione and raised a brow at the shock look the girl had given her. At the sight, Zoey figured Hermione knew what her power was and it seemed to be very surprising for her. Something she wasn't expecting. This made Zoey uncomfortable. Was her power something that was unstoppable or was it something that will cause her to lock herself in and push others away from her. Zoey did not know and she was debating if she wanted to know or not. On the plus side if she knew she would know what to do with it but on the downside if she knew then she might seclude herself. On the plus side if she did not know then she had nothing to fear on the downside if she did not know then curiosity might eat her away. Zoey gave furrowed her eyebrows.
"Hermione?" she asked, "Are you feeling alright?"
"What? Oh… yeah," Hermione came out of her trance, "Zoey, err – you don't realize how dangerous this gift of yours is," she paused, "it could kill you"
Zoey gulped. "Way to be blunt, Hermione," she tried to lighten to mood, "No, seeing as I don't even know what my power is, I don't realize how dangerous it is but since it can kill me I'm guessing it is very dangerous," she paused and she felt her lip quiver in fright. Did she really want to know this life threatening power of hers? "What is it?"
Hermione shook her head. "I think it's better if you didn't know"
"I'm going to end up being like those who lock themselves away from the world aren't I?" Zoey asked.
Hermione bit her lip. "Please, Zoey. You've got to understand. There has been records on those books. It said those who had that power have been frightened into seclusion. Gone mad even! It said that those who thought that they could handle it have ended up dead for they tried to save more than one innocent life!"
"Save an innocent life?" Zoey asked, frightened at the information she was receiving, "Hermione, now it's you who has to understand. Bit by bit I'm getting more information on this and even if you stop now, I'm going to find out soon and I think I rather hear it from you."
"Angel's Soul," Hermione said after about five minutes of silent debate, "That's what it's called"
"Angel's So –"
"Please don't interrupt," Hermione pleaded, "I want to get all the information out. Angel's Soul is the name and it is a power that is looked down upon most Emeraudes. It is very powerful but very dangerous. Those with it tend to seclude themselves for they fear that they might use their power while those who don't and use their power tend to die after using it since they don't know their limits," Hermione took a breath,
"Zoey, your power is able to heal any injury or anything that will harm ones health, able to bring those from the brink of death back to full health and if used to its full potential, can bring those who died back to life," Hermione bit her lip, "It can kill you for every feather you lose a part of your soul is gone. That feather you plucked out had a bit of your soul in it. You see, if you were to heal or save others your feathers would fall onto the victim and will bring their health back. So little by little your wings will shrink
"In the books it has a record for those who used their feathers to bring others back to life. It is said that during this process half your feathers will immediately fall onto the person and will continue to fall until the person has taken half of your soul or enough of your soul in order to come back. Same goes with those from the brink of death. They'll take the part of your soul that is needed," Hermione drew in a shaky breath,
"This power is to be scared off by its user. That's why most seclude themselves for in fear that they will use it and lose their life in return," Hermione paused, "Those who had died using it either had not much soul left before they brought someone back to life or saved more than one person. For you see, no matter how much 'soul' or 'feathers' you've saved before bringing someone back from the dead you still could only use it once since it's taking half you soul if –"
"If I wear to save two people," Zoey couldn't help but interrupt, "I will die in their place"
Hermione let out a few tears. "I'm so sorry, Zoey. Please be cautious. I know you're the type to help others but please… please don't give it up….," she sobbed.
"So if I were to heal an open wound…," Zoey trailed off.
"No! Please, don't use the feathers for such trivial injuries!" Hermione cried, frightened of what the selfless Emeraude would do with her new found information.
Zoey slowly nodded her head but her questions kept coming out of her mouth. "What if someone had a bad burn? Or poisoned?"
"Only one feather is needed," Hermione sniffed, "As long as it isn't life threatening. If one were to be poisoned only one feather is needed unless that person was already dying by the time you've reached them"
"You could control the amount you give," Hermione continued, "But when it comes to saving lives and giving lives that's when the feathers take control. You can heal as much injuries as you like since it only takes one feather and if the books are correct you have over hundreds and thousands of them but please, I beg you, be wise in using them!"
"I would, I would," Zoey got up from the bed, "I – I better go. I'm surprised Madam Pomfrey hasn't come to kick me out yet. She must be really busy… I should… I should go get dinner," Zoey said with a rather troubled tone.
"I'm so sorry, Zoey," Hermione couldn't help but say.
"It's okay, really. I'm glad you told me," Zoey smiled and went to the door, "I'll see you around, yea?"
And she left.
Kur-Bang!
The Bludger went as Zoey hit it with all her might. A few days had passed since her knew found information and frankly it just added to her stress levels. The first task of the tournament was drawing nearer and it didn't do well for the Emeraude. She was scared for her friends. She was also scared for her father for Harry had informed her that Sirius would have a talk with him on the Twenty-second of November. She wanted to talk with him too but sadly it would take place in the Gryffindor Tower.
Kur-Bang!
The Bludger went again. Zoey knew that she shouldn't be doing this but, in truth, hitting the Bludgers sky high had helped her keep her mind of things. She had visited Dumbledore once and shared her concerns. The old wizard nodded his head in understanding and suggested several methods the Hufflepuff could do to get her minds of things. On the particular day she had felt rather violent and asked if there was any way she could hit something and not get in trouble. Though slightly surprised at her request, Dumbledore had given her a letter to give to Madam Hooch thus ending with Zoey on her Firebolt hitting Bludgers with an amazing strength.
"I can't believe I was afraid of these," Zoey said with another hit, "They're harmless – Ah!"
She spoke too soon and narrowly avoided being hit by an angry Bludger looking for vengeance. She zoomed away from it before turning around and swinging her bat and hitting it far away. Zoey concluded that this 'near death' experience of hers was a sign to stop and swooped back down to the ground. With a struggle she had placed the Bludgers back into their cases and returned them to Madam Hooch with a thankful smile. She held a firm grip on her broomstick and returned to her dorm.
A few days after Zoey's stress reliever she found herself sitting outdoors with the Daily Prophet in her hand. She had received a warning from Harry saying that what was written about him was utter rubbish and Zoey wanted to take a look at the rubbish herself. After reading Rita Skeeter's article she couldn't help but agree with her god brother. She crumpled the paper and tossed it to the side, saying she would throw it away later. She gave a sigh, brought her knees to her chest and brought her head to her knees. She was getting more and more stressed out. Why was she dealing with such things? She hated it. She felt worse than her OWL years.
"Hey," a voice came. Zoey gloomily looked up and saw Fred grinning down at her and taking his seat beside her. He popped a candy in his mouth. "You're looking a bit troubled. Sickle for your thoughts?"
Zoey gave a smile. "It's nothing," she didn't think it would be wise to share her thoughts just yet, "Just thinking about what has been happening."
"Oh?" Fred mused, "And why's that?"
"I don't really know," Zoey paused, a thought came to her head, "Can you do me a favor?"
Fred raised a brow. "Sure, what is it?"
"Stay away from one of the Beauxbatons girls. The one with blonde hair and is – err – incredibly busty and curvy," Zoey awkwardly said. When the thought of Mary Sue popped in her head she began to feel very protective of Fred. She didn't want him associating himself with her.
"Blonde… busty and curvy… You couldn't be talking about Mary Sue?" Fred looked at her with wide eyes.
"You know her?" Zoey asked with equal surprise.
"You know her?" Fred redirected her question, "She's very popular right now. I'm surprised you haven't heard all the gossip yet. She's live a Veela, that woman… although she doesn't have that same… spark as a Veela would have," Fred paused, "She was all over George the other day"
Zoey made a face. "She was?"
"Yep, she's been flirting with a lot of guys actually. About ten or more from each house and a lot of them Durmstrang men," Fred said in thought, "I don't particularly like her though. So I take your warning."
"What about George?" Zoey asked
"Well, he's always been the 'nicer' part of the twins," Fred stuck his tongue out at her, "But I wouldn't really worry seeing as his eyes are set on Echo"
"Oh that's goo – what?" Zoey's eyes widened to what looked like the size of plates.
Fred moved back a bit. Not really expecting her outburst. "You didn't know?"
"No one told me!"
"No one had to! It's pretty obvious!" Fred said.
Zoey groaned a bit and laid her head on Fred's shoulder. The action as no longer embarrassing for her. He's been with her through and through and frankly she was getting more used to their position and liked the feeling. She felt Fred shift a bit under her and he wrapped his arm around her. Zoey gave an appreciative sigh and played with the pendant around her neck. It was had a pink glow to it. Zoey looked up a bit and saw that Fred was looking at a distance and was still chewing on the candy he popped into his mouth not too long ago.
"What are you eating?" Zoey couldn't help but ask.
"A candy," Fred replied and reached into his pocket pulling out another piece, "Want one?"
Zoey eyed it suspiciously. "This isn't going to make me have uncontrollable coughs is it?"
"It's just caramel," Fred paused, "Coughing Caramel. That's a great idea"
"Brilliant," Zoey rolled her eyes and accepted the treat seeing as Fred was still normal and didn't cough one bit after eating the candy. She popped it into her mouth as well and let the sweetness overtake the remaining stress she had. Zoey truly loved the times she spent with Fred. Most of their moments were light hearted and when they weren't it was usually with Fred comforting her. She really loved him.
Zoey felt her blush crawling on her cheeks.
Love.
Zoey shook her head. She was going to get lost in fantasizing soon. That wouldn't do her god especially if she was with the person who took up most of her fantasies. She moved her head a bit and wrapped her arm around his, she didn't know why at first but didn't let go when Fred didn't push her away. She felt his arm a bit and noted it was rather muscular.
"Beater's touch," Fred smirked, "You like?"
Zoey gave a laugh and smacked his arm. "Whatever. Don't get a big head now"
"A big head… that would be brilliant!" Fred said with glee, "You know, you're coming up with a lot of ideas for the shop. Is there something you're not telling me?"
"And that something should be…?" Zoey asked
"That you, goody-two-shoe-Emeraude actually has a mischievous side?"
"Heh! Like that's possible!" Zoey laughed, "I just have brilliant ideas that's all"
Fred laughed as well and kissed her forehead. His eyes widened the moment his lips touched her and he drew back and saw that Zoey's eyes were wide as well and her cheeks pink. Why had he done that?
"Zoe," Fred began but he didn't really know where he was going.
"George and Lee are coming here," Zoey spoke quickly, stopping Fred from saying anything else, "I think they're looking for you"
Fred looked away from her and saw his twin and best friend approaching them. He shot up from his seat and said a quick goodbye to Zoey. Zoey watched his awkward and nervous gestures before he finally caught up with his friends. George and Lee looked at her and gave a wave, same with Fred though he wasn't really looking. Zoey sheepishly waved in return.
What just happened?
"It's a shame we don't have Quidditch this year," Cedric said with a stretch of his arms. Zoey looked at him curiously.
She had just returned to her Common Room after Fred had left with George and Lee. Whether it was to pull another prank on their fellow classmates or discuss their Joke Shop plans, Zoey did not know. All she knew was that she and Fred had once again encountered a rather awkward place and she didn't know what to make out of it. She tried to distract her thought from him but all she got was Fred's excited cute face when she thought of him planning the Joke shop with his brother. He seemed like a child walking around Honeydukes. No, wait. He looked like a younger Fred taking his first visit to Zonko's and thinking 'I'm going to own a Joke Shop one day'.
"But I thought you were glad that you are in the tournament?" Zoey asked after shaking Fred from her thoughts in the mean time.
"I didn't say anything about the tournament, Zoey. I was talking about Quidditch," Cedric said with a chuckle.
"Oh," Zoey smacked her forehead, "I'm sorry. I'm sorta out of sorts today. So why is it a shame we don't have Quidditch this year?"
"Well, you know we are one Beater short right?" Cedric asked
"Yeah, you told me – err- 'what's-his-name' graduated," Zoey paused, "Sorry, I don't follow. Isn't it good we don't have Quidditch this year since now you don't have to worry about tryouts just yet?"
"That's true but the tryouts are what I was actually looking forward to," Cedric scratched the back of his head.
Zoey raised a brow. "How come?"
"Hmm… well, I was sort of hoping that you'll try out," Cedric smiled.
Zoey stared at him for a while before letting out a laugh.
"Uhuh. Me. Beater. You're joking," Zoey said after calming down from her laugh. She looked back at Cedric and her face fell.
"I'm not joking," Cedric said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You're not? Then you can't be serious!" Zoey exclaimed, her eyebrows knitting together.
"Oh, but I am," Cedric smirked, "Why are you even worried? I do remember you saying that you grew a liking to them murdering balls of fury"
"And you actually believed me! I hate the Bludgers!" Zoey panicked.
"That's a lie," Cedric said, "I saw you the other day. You were doing just fine hitting them so far that it could have founded the entire Black Lake and hit someone at the back of the head with equal force!"
Zoey opened her mouth to say something but soon closed it. She opened it once more but closed it again. She did this action several more times making her look like a fish.
"Just give it a chance. I have a faith in you. I'm sure you'll do great," Cedric smiled, "Come one. Just tryout next year. Please?"
Zoey bit her lip and weighed her options. After five minutes of thinking she gave a sigh. "Just tryout right? I don't have to actually be on the team?"
"Yes, only tryout. Please? For me?"
"Alright," Zoey gave another sigh.
"Promise?"
"Promise"
A rather long chapter for you guys!
I sort of squeezed a lot of events into one chapter. I am hoping to have Zoey and Harry have a moment in the next one so please stay tuned!
First of all I want to apologize in advance if there are any typos that I may have missed!
Anywa, gosh I had a lot to say but now... blank
Okay, I wanna thank all of those who reviewed and the like! I'm so happy when I read your reviews and suggestions.
Also, wHaT's In A pEn-NaMe, the hiccuping candy - I've already had that idea in mind, I was planning to introduce it before the burping one but I also planned the hiccups with Zoey once again being the victim and Echo executing it... OOPS spoiler :P But thanks for the suggestion anyway :D
oh, and who Zoey's going to go with will remain a secret for now :D
Taka: Thanks for the idea! Very much appreciated :) I think I'll go with it and add a bit of my own. Thank you :D
I also bought the DVD! I love it :D
OddSakura: We'll wait and see what Fred will do for Zoey in the end :)
ZoomSkater14: It's okay :D
And once again thank you everyone!
Oh my... I'm so hungry. I haven't had lunch yet. I was too busy updating.
Guurrrgglle
Anyway, bye for now~
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Don't forget to review and the like
Stay tuned for the next one
and
I only own what I own!
