Four Heads Are Better Than One
Year One: Broomsticks and Remembralls
I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who's reviewed or added this to their favourites/alerts, I'm really pleased that you're enjoying it and hope you continue to do so.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
"It's against the rules!"
"Which you've never bent for Slytherin, I suppose?" Filius rolled his eyes and Pomona sighed as raised voices echoed down the corridor.
"What do you think they're arguing about this time?" she asked wearily. Filius frowned.
"Let's see, two Slytherins hexed Percy Weasley; a group of Gryffindors almost blew up the dungeons, Severus managed to get Marcus Flint out of a detention of the basis of Quidditch practice, oh, and the first years had their first flying lesson together. Take your pick." Pomona grimaced.
"Did the flying lesson contain Potter?" Filius nodded. "Then I'm betting on that one." The Ravenclaw's eyes twinkled as the door to the staff room was thrown open to reveal their two colleagues, Severus wearing a thunderous scowl and Minerva looking extremely smug. Filius quickly schooled his expression into one of mild curiosity.
"Do you want to tell us why the two of you are trying to wake the whole castle?" Severus turned to him furiously.
"Minerva has somehow convinced the Headmaster to allow Potter to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team!"
"Told you," Pomona muttered, and Filius had to fight back a smile. Minerva folded her arms defiantly.
"The boy is a natural, Severus. He caught a Remembrall after a fifty foot dive for Merlin's sake."
"That's not the point," Severus growled. "First years are not allowed their own broomsticks and they are not allowed to join their house Quidditch team." Filius coughed loudly.
"Actually Severus, while you are correct about the broomstick rule, nowhere does it state that first years may not join the house team," he pointed out. "Most first years just don't have the required skill, and of course the school brooms are inappropriate for a proper game." Severus glared at him, but Pomona was also frowning.
"You say he caught a Remembrall, Minerva?" Minerva's smirk faded slightly.
"Longbottom, perhaps unsurprisingly, had a bit of an accident," she explained. "While Rolanda was taking him to the hospital wing, Malfoy," here she shot Severus a nasty look, "stole his Remembrall and flew off with it. Potter pursued him, and proceeded to catch it after Malfoy threw it away."
"I heard differently," Severus put in smoothly. "According to Draco, Potter was the first to take flight."
"Of course he was," Minerva said scathingly. "Forgive me, but I think Potter's version of events is the more reliable of the two." Severus ignored her.
"And it still does not alter the fact that you have allowed Potter his own broomstick in clear defiance of long established rules."
"It was the Headmaster's decision," said Minerva loudly."
"Because Albus isn't at all biased."
"You're one to talk; you just don't want Gryffindor to beat Slytherin."
"I assure you Minerva, that I have no fears on that score."
"Why you…"
"Enough!" Filius roared. Minerva and Severus started and glanced round rather sheepishly. It was clear that they had completely forgotten there were other people present. Filius waited until he was sure he had their attention before continuing in a calmer tone.
"Severus, are you really telling me that if you discovered a first year was perfect for the only remaining position on your team, you wouldn't find some way of convincing Albus to bend the rule too?" Severus glowered at the floor but said nothing. Filius turned to Minerva.
"Minerva, I understand your feeling on this matter, but I must ask you to refrain from outright gloating. Severus does not deserve it and it is quite unbecoming." Minerva went slightly pink and glanced at the Slytherin apologetically. Filius smiled approvingly.
"Excellent. Now, can we leave the matter alone?" Severus met Minerva's gaze and nodded curtly. Pomona turned to him with a smile.
"Severus, you're going to need a new Beater and Chaser now that Ryder and Williams have left, aren't you?" Severus made a visible effort to answer normally.
"We did, but Flint has informed me that Bole and Montague have proved themselves adequate." Minerva looked like she was struggling to hold back a comment at this. Pomona shot her a warning look and glanced at Filius.
"Speaking of new players, you need a new Seeker this year too." The tiny wizard nodded.
"Kinnaird's going to be difficult to replace," he said glumly. "He was an excellent Seeker."
"We know," chorused Minerva and Severus. They looked at each other in surprise. The corner of Minerva's mouth twitched upwards and Severus' scowl lightened somewhat. Filius smiled to himself and continued.
"Miss Chang mentioned wanting to try out last year," he said thoughtfully. "I must see if she's still interested." Minerva looked alarmed.
"Cho Chang? The one Rolanda wouldn't stop talking about all last year?" Filius smirked.
"The very same." Minerva and Severus exchanged looks of dismay, and Filius had to fight to keep his smirk from breaking into a broad grin.
Please let me know what you thought.