Chapter Two

Rising from the Fall

The following week descended with an even greater chill, as if winter's icy grasp tightened around the school. The towering mountains encircling the grounds now wore a cloak of grey, their peaks glistening with frost. The once serene lake mirrored the steeliness of the skies above, and its waters transformed into a sheet of numbing coldness. Each morning, the land awoke to a delicate carpet of frost. During this wintry scene, Hagrid's sturdy figure emerged from the vantage point of the upstairs windows, and onlookers could spy the gentle giant toiling diligently on the Quidditch pitch.

Wearing a large moleskin overcoat, he battled the biting air, his attire completed by rabbit-fur gloves that shielded his hands and enormous beaver-skin boots that guarded against the icy ground. Hagrid's task was no ordinary one, he meticulously defrosted broomsticks, his breath visible as a misty exhalation in the frigid air. Meanwhile, a spirited rivalry brewed within the walls of Hogwarts. The eagerly anticipated Quidditch season had commenced, stirring excitement among students and teachers alike. As Saturday drew near, tensions soared, for it marked a pivotal match, Ravenclaw against Slytherin. Victory for Ravenclaw would propel them into first place in the House Championship.

Jugson, donning the blue and bronze Ravenclaw Quidditch robes, strode towards the frost-kissed Quidditch pitch. His stride exuded confidence, and slung casually over his shoulder was the coveted Nimbus Two Thousand, something he couldn't afford but was gifted by someone. By his side walked Bramble, his best friend, a fellow Ravenclaw Chaser, and the team's vice captain. Engrossed in their conversation, the two friends delved deep into the realm of Quidditch, passionately discussing strategies and tactics for their upcoming match.

"I want to try out a new attacking formation today," Jugson announced, a glint of excitement in his voice. "I call it the Flying Raven."

Bramble's eyebrows furrowed in concern as he considered Jugson's proposal. "We're playing against Slytherin next week, Jugson. It's a crucial match, and we just can't expect to learn and perfect a new formation in just a week."

Jugson nodded, understanding the apprehension in Bramble's voice. "I know it sounds ambitious," he admitted, "but Slytherin has become too familiar with our existing moves. We need something fresh, something they have never seen before. We need to go out there and shock them. I need your support on this, Bambs," he finished.

Bramble walked slowly next to Jugson, thinking deeply. Before he eventually gave a little nod. "You're right," he concurred, his voice tinged with a touch of defiance. "I can't bear to see them lifting the house championship trophy once again. If we want to stand a chance against Slytherin, we need to take risks and surprise them."

Jugson grinned, sensing Bramble's growing support. "Exactly! Bramble!" he exclaimed, his excitement mounting. "The Flying Raven has the potential to catch them off guard. It's a formation designed to confuse and outmanoeuvre our opponents. We just have to put in the extra effort during practices and believe in our abilities."

As Jugson and Bramble strolled across the Quidditch pitch, their conversation flowed. The vibrant frost-hit green grass stretched out beneath their feet, leading them towards the heart of the pitch, where a cluster of Ravenclaw players eagerly awaited their arrival. Oliver Jackbuck, the reliable Ravenclaw Keeper, stood tall and confident. Ruby Nightingale and Arthur Felide, the formidable Beaters, were exchanging playful banter. Bella Cooper, the other skilled chaser, along with himself and Bramble, exuded a focused determination. And amidst this talented group stood Zena Gnu, the lone first-year on the team, donning the mantle of the Ravenclaw Seeker. As Jugson's gaze swept across the surroundings, he caught sight of a familiar face seated in the nearby stands.

It was Professor Willow, sporting a Ravenclaw hoodie, a piece of clothing that Jugson had given her during their week at the Leaky Cauldron earlier that summer, as she had been shivering naked in bed. Keeping her promise, Professor Willow had come to witness the Ravenclaw's practice, but it was her radiant presence that truly captivated Jugson's attention. Lost in the ethereal beauty of Professor Willow, with her flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, Jugson momentarily forgot about his ongoing conversation with Bramble. Their words faded into the background as his gaze remained fixed on her, drawn to her enchanting presence. In a serendipitous moment, Professor Willow's eyes met Jugson's, and a faint shiver coursed through her body, stirred by the intensity of his deep purple stare.

"Jugson? Notty!" shouted Bramble, attempting to regain his friend's attention. "Are you alright, buddy? You completely zoned out on me there," Bramble inquired, concern lacing his voice.

Startled by Bramble's words, Jugson's trance was momentarily broken. "Sorry, Bams. I'm good," he hastily responded, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from Professor Willow. He redirected his focus towards the centre of the frigid Quidditch pitch, where his teammates eagerly awaited his arrival. Determinedly, Jugson made his way over to them, prepared to delve into discussions about their training for the day. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Professor Willow continued to lock her gaze onto Jugson, her eyes unwavering and fixed upon him, never once breaking contact.

Jugson approached the team. "Right team, I know it's short notice," he started, taking a deep breath. "But I've devised a new formation for us to practice, I call it the Flying Raven," he finished. And as soon as he did, the rest of the team, apart from Bramble and Gnu, moaned at Jugson. "I know, am sorry. But trust me, please." His gaze then falls upon Gnu, the first-year seeker. "I've spent a lot of time since our last training session analysing you," Jugson began, his tone firm yet encouraging. "And I believe that your manoeuvres lack a certain level of speed and agility. But don't worry, I've devised a plan to address this issue. You must dedicate time to practicing the Potter manoeuvre, the Weasley dive, and the Willow roll. I won't deny that these manoeuvres are challenging, but I have faith in your abilities," Jugson concluded, a spark of confidence evident in his tone.

"Alright, Captain. If you believe I'm ready," Gnu replied, her voice quivering with nervousness. Jugson offered her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, a silent gesture of support. Professor Willow's stern gaze bore into Gnu as she took off to start her manoeuvre training.

"Nightingale, Felide, your new focus should be on defensive work. You must protect Gnu at all costs," Jugson instructed, his voice commanding but filled with trust.

"Understood, boss," Nightingale and Felide chimed in unison, their bats colliding as they took off to face the bludgers head-on.

"Jackbuck, I want you to work on your speed, situational awareness, and distribution. Pair up with the backup Maya, she'll take shots at you," Jugson directed, receiving a nod of understanding from Jackbuck as he flew towards Maya.

"Cooper, Bams, our focus will be on practicing speed turns, seamless passing, evasive manoeuvres against bludgers, and accurate shooting," Jugson concluded as Cooper, Bramble, and himself ascended into the sky, ready to begin their rigorous training session.

For over an hour, the Ravenclaw Quidditch team dedicated themselves to their training regimen. The chasers tirelessly practiced their high-speed turns and skillfully evaded bludgers soaring towards them. Jugson soared higher on his Nimbus, observing his team flying in synchronised harmony beneath him. However, his attention was abruptly diverted when a Slytherin named Leo Lyptus zoomed past him, narrowly avoiding a collision that would have knocked Jugson off his broom. Reacting swiftly, Jugson spun around and positioned himself in front of Lyptus, coming to an abrupt stop.

"Hello, Notts," smirked Lyptus, whose mischievous grin reminded Jugson of a mischievous goblin from Gringotts.

"What brings you here, you little goblin?" sighed Jugson, exasperated by Lyptus's constant antics. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Professor Willow happened to spot the two of them and observe their interaction from a distance.

Lyptus approached Jugson with a sly grin, his voice dripping with mischief. "Do you remember when you intervened and stopped me and Filly from beating up that first-year last Monday? I promised we'd get you back," he taunted, relishing in Jugson's obvious annoyance. Jugson merely nodded, his frustration evident on his face. Sensing an opportunity to humiliate his rival, Lyptus couldn't resist the urge to escalate the situation. With an impish gleam in his eyes, he yelled, his voice carrying through the air. "Well, look behind you!" His triumphant laughter filled the surroundings, drawing attention from those nearby. Caught off guard by the sudden shout, Jugson swiftly turned around, only to find Filly swinging a bat with great force. It connected with Jugson'sface, with, the impact causing blood to spray into the air. The blow sent him reeling, knocking him out cold, as he slowly slipped off his broom. Helpless and unconscious, he began hurtling down towards the frozen Quidditch pitch far below.

Witnessing the scene unfold, Professor Willow's eyes widened with alarm. Reacting swiftly, she leaped to her feet, her wand in her hand. With a resolute expression, she aimed it at Jugson, her voice filled with urgency as she shouted, "Arresto Momentum!" Her spell took effect, slowing Jugson's descent and eventually halting him four feet above the ground. As the motionless body floated in mid-air, Professor Willow hurriedly approached, carefully guiding him down and placing him gently on the floor.

Bramble and Nightingale were the first to reach Jugson's side. They found him unconscious, his injuries causing him to bleed profusely. Nightingale wasted no time, immediately casting the healing spell Episkey to tend to his wounds. Meanwhile, Professor Willow, now making her way from the stands to the pitch, hastened her steps to reach Jugson's side. As the Slytherin players, Leo Lyptus and Otto Filly, touched down near the huddled group of Ravenclaw's surrounding Jugson, their laughter reverberating through the air, Bramble and Jackbuck sprang into action. They sprinted towards the Slytherins, their strides fueled by adrenaline. In a burst of energy, Bramble and Jackbuck tackled Lyptus and Filly to the ground before they could even dismount from their brooms, subduing them and momentarily halting their boisterous laughter.

As Professor Willow rushed to the scene, she witnessed Bramble relentlessly punching Filly in the face without remorse, while Jackbuck forcefully held Lyptus down, his grip constricting around Lyptus's throat. Reacting swiftly, Professor Willow pointed her wand at Bramble and exclaimed, "Flipendo!" The force of her spell propelled Bramble backward, causing him to stagger five feet away from Filly. "Mr. Jackbuck! Release him immediately!" Professor Willow demanded, her voice filled with authority. Reluctantly, Jackbuck released his grip on Lyptus and begrudgingly made his way back to the Ravenclaw team, a hint of frustration evident on his face. Bramble, having regained his composure and risen to his feet, prepared to charge back at Filly.

"Bramble!" Professor Willow's voice echoed through the chaos as she aimed her wand at him once again, halting his advance in its tracks. Bramble stopped, the intensity of the situation sinking in. Sensing the need for a more measured approach, Professor Willow softened her tone but maintained her command. "Mr. Owelet, walk over there, please." Her words directed Filly away from the scene. She then turned her attention back to Bramble. "Bramble, please do as I ask," she appealed, her voice carrying a mix of concern and authority.

Bramble, his body trembling with unbridled rage, struggled to regain control of his emotions. "Yes, Professor Willow," he growled through gritted teeth, his chest heaving with each deep breath. Despite his compliance, his intense gaze remained fixed on Filly, an undeniable fire burning in his eyes. "This! Is! Not! Over!" he shouted at Filly, before slowly making his way back to Jugson.

As the chaotic scene unfolded, Professor Rowan Davies and Professor Emelia Bee quickly approached, having witnessed the attack. Professor Willow, her frustration palpable, turned her attention to Lyptus and Filly, both still sprawled on the ground. "You foolish, reckless boys! What on earth were you thinking?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with untamed anger.

Lyptus and Filly, lying on the floor in the aftermath of Bramble and Jackbuck's attack, seemed oddly unfazed. Filled with a combination of defiance and amusement, Filly responded with a mocking laugh, his face smeared with blood. "It was just an accident, Professor. I was simply passing by, and somehow his head found its way into the path of my bat," he retorted, a smug grin stretching across his face. Beside him, Lyptus joined in the giggling, seemingly finding the situation amusing despite the gravity of their actions.

Enraged by Filly's dismissive comment, Bramble's hand instinctively reached for his wand. However, before he could act, Professor Willow swiftly positioned herself between Bramble and Filly, shaking her head in disapproval. Locking eyes with Bramble, she conveyed a silent message, urging him to restrain himself. Reluctantly, Bramble complied, slowly retracting his wand and returning it to its rightful place. Returning her focus to Lyptus and Filly, Professor Willow's eyes blazed with anger. Her voice thundered through the air as she delivered her punishment, "One hundred points shall be deducted from Slytherin. Each!" The severity of her decision reverberated in her tone, emphasising the consequences of their actions. She continued with unwavering authority, "Furthermore, both of you are hereby banned from participating in any out-of-class activities for the remainder of the school year, including Quidditch." As Professor Bee and Professor Davies reached the scene, the weight of the situation became visible, their expressions reflecting concern. The collective presence of the professors emphasised the gravity of the attack on Jugson, leaving Lyptus and Filly to face the consequences of their reckless behaviour.

Lyptus let out a frustrated moan, attempting to negotiate the punishment. "Professor, we have an important game next week, and the Hogsmeade visit is coming up soon," he pleaded. "Please, just assign us detention instead."

Professor Bee's face contorted with a mix of anger and disbelief. She sternly retorted, "You're incredibly fortunate that we're not expelling you from Hogwarts for your reckless and dangerous actions! You could have caused serious harm or even killed someone!" Her voice carried the weight of the potential consequences they had narrowly avoided.

Professor Davies joined in, his disappointment was evident in his tone. "You both acted in a manner that goes against the values and principles of this school," he admonished. "We will be escorting you directly to Headmistress Professor McGonagall and your Head of House, Professor Drake."

"Follow us immediately!" barked Professor Bee, her voice leaving no room for negotiation. A visibly shaken and pale Lyptus and Filly reluctantly complied, realising the gravity of the situation they now faced.

Professor Willow rushed over to Jugson, who was gradually regaining consciousness due to the amazing spells cast by Nightingale. Concern etched on her face, she anxiously asked, "Jugson, can you hear me?" His attempts to speak were muddled and incoherent, his body drenched in his blood.

"I can't stop the bleeding, Professor Willow, there's too much," Ruby Nightingale said in a shaky voice, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"You did amazing, Ruby," Professor Willow said, giving her a quick embrace before turning to the rest of the team. "Owelet! Jackbuck! Felide! Cooper!" Professor Willow shouted out urgently. "We need to get him to Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing right away! Miss Nightingale, continue your spells as we take him." With determination in her voice, she observed as four Quidditch players swiftly sprang into action, coming to Jugson's aid. Together, they carefully lifted his injured form, cradling him as they hastened towards the hospital wing. Professor Willow's eyes remained fixed on them, as they carried Jugson to the sanctuary of Madam Pomfrey's care.

Several hours had passed, during which Madam Pomfrey administered various spells and potions to treat Jugson's injuries. Now, Professors McGonagall, Willow, and Drake stood at the foot of his bed, engrossed in a serious discussion as Jugson gradually regained consciousness. A warm smile adorned Professor McGonagall's face as she greeted him, saying, "Mr. Notts, welcome back, boy. How are you feeling?"

Confusion laced Jugson's groggy voice as he asked, "What... What happened? Why am I here, Professor?"

"During this afternoon's Quidditch training, you were subjected to an unprovoked attack by two Slytherins," Professor Willow explained to Jugson. "The attack caused you to fall from a great height."

Professor McGonagall interjected, her voice filled with admiration. "Fortunately, Professor Willow acted swiftly and managed to catch you using an arresto momentum spell." She turned towards Professor Willow, a proud smile on her face, and congratulated her by gently rubbing her shoulder.

"And Miss Nightingale's amazing quick thinking and healing spells," Professor Willow quickly added.

"Oh, of course, she was simply amazing, without her quick actions, well, it doesn't bear thinking about." Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement.

Slytherin's head of house, Professor Drake, spoke up, his tone stern. "The two individuals responsible for this despicable attack have faced appropriate consequences," he declared. "They have been stripped of their privileges, including being banned from participating in Quidditch matches and Hogsmeade visits for the entire school year. In addition, Slytherin House has lost two hundred points as a result of their reckless and stupid actions."

Professor McGonagall added with a firm tone, "Furthermore, they have been excluded from all other school activities and trips, and they will serve a three-month detention under the supervision of Professor Drake." She continued, "Their families have been informed of their misconduct, and needless to say, they are angry beyond belief with their behavior."

"Sadly, your broom fell into the forbidden forest and was destroyed," Professor Willow sympathetically informed Jugson, who appeared visibly upset. "I'm sorry, Jugson," she added, her tone filled with empathy.

Jugson started to speak, interrupted by his sorrow. "That was a gift from..." He paused, directing his gaze towards Professor Willow, seeking solace in her presence. "A gift from someone incredibly special to me," he concluded, his voice laced with emotion. Professor Willow offered him a reassuring smile, understanding the significance of the broom to Jugson, as she had bought it for him before the school term. Overwhelmed by a combination of fatigue and distress, Jugson drifted in and out of sleep, his mind drifting between consciousness and the realm of dreams.

"Now, Mr. Notts, we'll let you rest," Professor McGonagall said, her voice filled with compassion, giving Jugson's shoulder a comforting squeeze.

As the trio of professors exited the hospital wing, Professor Willow suddenly stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot to give him the chocolates from his Ravenclaw Quidditch team," she exclaimed. "I'll catch up with you in your office, Headmistress McGonagall," she added, receiving nods of agreement from Professors McGonagall and Drake. They continued down the hallway, engrossed in their conversation. Professor Willow turned back, retracing her steps. Approaching Jugson's bed, she settled herself on the edge and gently clasped his hand. Jugson, with a faint smile on his face, greeted her warmly.

"I knew you couldn't leave without giving me a kiss," Jugson giggled playfully.

A tearful but joyful smile graced Professor Willow's face. "No, no, I couldn't," she replied, her voice filled with tenderness. Leaning down, she bestowed upon him a deep and passionate kiss. Her free hand ventured under the sheets, providing a loving touch to his groin. "After the Quidditch match next week, once you're feeling better, I'm all yours," she whispered to an elated Jugson. "I love you, sweetie," she expressed, showering his radiant face with affectionate kisses.

"I love you more, Holly," Jugson replied as he slowly fell asleep.