"Did you hear? About the troll?"
"No, what?"
"Harry Potter stopped it, knocked it clean out."
"How'd a first year manage that?"
"Have you heard?"
"Yeah, impressive a first year could knock one out huh."
"I mean it is Harry Potter."
"Supposedly he had help, the youngest Weasley."
"Yeah, saved another first year in the process."
The rumors swirling around the castle the next day where...worrying to say the least. At first I had been certain Harry wouldn't due something so stupid, by dinner I wouldn't have been surprised if Harry had taken out ten trolls.
The idiot.
"You okay?" Lisa asked me as I looked at my brother. Worry, anger, fear, and many other conflicting emotions evident on my face.
"He fought a troll, he could have died." I replied, double face palming and shaking my head.
"I mean, maybe it's just a rumor the Gryffindor's cooked up. To make him seem more heroic." Lisa replied, trying to comfort me.
"The proud look on Harry's face says otherwise." I replied. Noticing how every so often, another Gryffindor came down and patted him on the shoulder, congratulating him.
"Yeah, it seam's pretty likely that he did fight the troll." Anthony said thoughtfully. I looked at the pair, feeling helpless.
"He's going to get himself killed." I replied pointedly. Anthony nodded.
"I mean that's usually how Gryffindor's act. With there heart's not there heads" He replied surely, I then sighed.
"He's going to be the death of me. Most likely a heart attack" I replied.
"Well you could go and yell at him." Lisa suggested, and I smirked.
"What do you think I'm doing after dinner. As soon as he done, I'll have...words for him."
Anthony smirked, and Lisa gave a little giggle.
"Kind of like after he was out after curfew." Lisa asked, and I nodded.
"Yes, except much worse."
I kept a close eye on Harry until he stood. Flanked by Ron, and surprisingly Hermione. The trio headed for the exit, and I quickly stood up.
"Have fun." Lisa called out to me, I gave her a glare and she had to hide a laugh, then followed the trio out of the hall.
I caught up to him and grabbed Harry's arm.
"What?" He asked in surprise, when he saw me and the expression on my face he could tell I was...less than pleased. "Sarah." He tried to say, but I cut him off and began to drag him off by the arm. Ron and Hermione shared a nervous glance.
"Wait Sarah..." Ron tried to say.
"You're free to join us." I replied, before finding a empty classroom. I pulled out my wand and whispered "Alohomora" I whispered and the door unlocked. I motioned with my head for Harry to go inside, then did the same to the following Ron and Hermione.
"I need to talk to my brother, as I've said you're free to join." I told the pair, nervously the pair nodded and entered, as I shut the door behind us.
"Sarah, I can explain..." Harry again tried to speak, but my hand motion cut him off.
"I'll make this simple. Did you two?" I asked, looking at Ron then back to Harry. "Fight the troll yesterday?" I asked.
Harry and Ron looked at each other nervously, and I knew everything I needed to know.
"Sarah, if you just knew the whole story." Harry tried to explain. I just shook my head.
"How many time have you put yourself in mortal danger now? And where not even half way through the school year." I said, the anger and worry evident in my voice.
"Sarah..."
"It's my fault." The voice of Hermione stopped me in my tracks, and I turned my sisterly rage away from Harry, and turned to her.
"Your fault?" I asked the girl in pure shock. "But you always follow the rules? How could this be your fault?" I asked.
"It's not, it's mine." This time Ron cut in, and I turned to him.
"But she just said..." I replied, pointing at Hermione. My anger slightly fading as confusion took it's place.
"If you would let us explain, please Sarah." Harry said, and I just sighed and looked at the trio.
"Go ahead." I said tiredly, leaning my back against the wall.
"Like I said, my fault. I...said some hurtful thing's about Hermione yesterday. She overheard me and hid in the girls lavatory." Ron began, and I nodded.
"Yes, Padma told me you were distressed, and you weren't at the feast." I replied, before giving motioning for them to continue.
"She didn't know about the troll so we went to warn her." Harry continued. "We thought we locked it away. But accidently locked it in the lavatory."
"Where she had been crying." I said, again pointing at Hermione, and starting to put the pieces together.
"Yeah, so we barged in. I stuck my wand up it's nose, then Ron knocked it out with it's own club."
"That sounds..."
"Disgusting, it was." Harry confirmed.
"The Professor's then barged in and found us. Hermione took the fall to keep us out of trouble, and then I apologized."
"Hm, and how was this you're fault?" I asked, turning to Hermione.
"I shouldn't have been crying all day, even if what Ron said hurt, I still overreacted." She replied, and I then shook my head.
I took a deep breath, and tried to calm down. Still...
"And why didn't you just tell a Professor about Hermione?" I asked.
"Because they where all heading down to the dungeons to find the troll." Ron replied, but Harry looked down.
"Well, almost all of them." He added darkly, and I looked at him curiously.
"What are you talking about?" I asked Harry, confused.
"Snape didn't go down to the dungeons. He looked was headed to the third floor." Harry told me, and I looked at him in curiously.
"What does that have to so with anything?" I asked him, and he just shrugged.
"You mentioned Professor's. Just thought it was curious." He replied, and I just shook my head.
"Well, seeing as you had no choice, even if it was a stupid choice."
"I mean, you're no stranger to stupid choices Sarah." Hermione told me, and I remembered her warnings about the...incident.
"That was mostly Anthony." I replied dismissively.
"Still, aren't you being just a tiny bit hypocritical." Hermione replied.
"What are you two talking about?" Harry interjected, clearly having no idea what either of us were talking about.
"Oh nothing." I told Harry, then turned back to Hermione. "Still, that was for academic purposes." I added, and Hermione smirked.
"Still stupid." Hermione replied, and Ron and Harry looked back and forth between us in confusion.
"True, it was. "I told her, before turning back to Harry. "Just please, promise me you won't do anything stupid unless you have no choice." I begged, and Harry nodded.
"Of course, as long as you don't do anything stupid either." He replied unsurely.
"Good enough." I said, then made my way to the door, before pausing with my hand on the knob. "One last question?"
"What?" Harry replied.
"When's your first Quidditch match?" I asked.
"The Saturday after next, why?" Harry replied.
"Just so I'm prepared for another possible heart attack." I replied, before opening the door and exiting the room.
"So, how did yelling at Harry go?" Lisa asked me later that night, as me, her, and Anthony sat together the common room doing homework.
"You know how it goes. Harry does something stupid, I scold him, then he tells me the chivalrous purpose of said stupid act, I finally calm down." I replied, as she looked at me curiously.
"What was the supposed, chivalrous purpose?" She asked.
"Remember what Padma said about Hermione at the feast last night." I replied.
"When Padma asked why she'd been crying in the Lavatory all day?" Anthony confirmed, and I nodded.
"Yeah. Supposedly they went to warn her about the troll. She had no clue" I explained, and the pair nodded.
"Still could have gotten a teacher." Lisa replied, as she flipped to her next page of parchment.
"Harry said all of them where down in the dungeons, well almost all of them." I replied, and at that both Lisa and Anthony gave me curious looks.
"Which professor wasn't down there?" Anthony asked.
"Snape." I replied.
"They could have told him." Lisa said, and I shrugged.
"You know how much my brother hates Snape, and how much Snape supposedly hates him." I replied, and the pair nodded.
"I guess, still, think it was rather stupid of him." Anthony said.
"Oh I agree with you, still, we've done some pretty stupid stuff too."
At the mention of the failed experiment Anthony looked embarrassed, while Lisa just shook her head.
"I mean, it was mostly him." She said, looking at Anthony smirking.
"...Point taken." Anthony eventually replied.
The first match of the Quidditch match of the season was less than a week away, and somehow, everyone had figured out about Harry being seeker. As soon as the news had leaked out, Harry had come to me miffed, thinking I had said something. It was only after a passing Roger Davies told him that getting a broom in the middle of breakfast, and Wood booking the practice field three times a week, where dead giveaways of a new seeker that Harry had apologized. Claiming he was under a lot of stress.
I couldn't blame him.
Now that everyone knew, Harry was even more so in the spotlight. Everywhere he went people would congratulate him, or on the Slytherin side, tell him they'd help pay for his funeral.
And that was just Quidditch, on the homework side, the Professor had really decided to go all in. Not that the lessons hadn't become entertaining, but it was a challenge. I couldn't even imagine adding Quidditch practice to all that.
Still, Harry being the youngest seeker in a century was an honor. And everyone was at least somewhat interested.
"So your brother is the Gryffindor seeker? That's the big secret?" Lisa asked me, as me, her, and Anthony sat in the library doing reading's for Charms.
I nodded. "Yeah. I mean, why else would he get a broom? "I asked, and Lisa facepalmed.
"I guess that was a dead giveaway." She replied, disappointed in not figuring it out.
"I mean, it retrospect it was quite obvious." Anthony added. We continued to work, until Terry and Michael found our table.
"Your brother's the Gryffindor seeker?" Terry asked, a mix of awe, and jealously in his voice.
"Yeah." I replied, and the pair just looked at me stunned.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Michael asked.
"Because Harry made me promise not to." I explained, and the pair just shook there heads.
"We'll have to play him, how is are team supposed to prepare if we don't know who there seeker is." Terry said, and I crossed my arms.
"We don't play them until June." I replied, and the pair looked offended.
"But what if..." Michael began to say.
"You're just upset I didn't tell you." I interrupted, smirking.
"Yeah." Michael replied.
"Pretty much." Terry added.
"Well you know now. Like I said, Harry wanted it kept secret. And I can assure you, it wasn't me who leaked it." I replied. The boys, though still looking slightly annoyed, nodded.
"I guess he is your brother." Michael admitted.
"Still, if we had played them first, would you have said anything?" Terry asked.
"I would have, but I would have said so to Harry before he told me. So, either way, I wouldn't have been able to say anything." I replied, and the pair nodded.
"Fair enough." Michael replied, as he and Terry began to head off.
"By the way." Terry said turning around. "Wish him luck, I think most everyone who's not a Slytherin is rooting for him." He added, and I nodded.
"I will." I replied, as the two vanished from view.
We continued working on Charms. When we were finished I stood up.
"Going to check in a book, be right back." I told Anthony and Lisa.
"Well, hurry back, we know how much you love Transfiguration." Lisa replied smirking. I just rolled my eyes and made my way to the library desk.
"Will that be all Severus?" I turned the corner to see Madam Prince talking with Professor Snape, whom seemed to be checking out a book.
"Yes Madam, thank you for the assistance." He replied, then began to stride from the room, with a noticeable limp.
"That man." I heard Madam Prince mutter, I made my way up to the counter and returned the book. Wondering what possibly could have done that to Professor Snape.
I began to make my wake back to our table. A mix of dread at doing Transfiguration, as well as confusion, and even a little concern, for Professor Snape. I was surprised when someone grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, and into the view of Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.
"How in the world, did your brother become seeker?" Draco asked, seething at the thought, while Crabbe and Goyle flanked him as they always did.
I stared at the boy for a moment. He clearly was annoyed, and jealous, that Harry had become a seeker. I didn't know if I should deny I knew, or tell him the truth, but the look in his eyes made me relent. I didn't need another Smith.
"Because McGonagall saw his flying skills when you threw that Remembrall." I replied, and Draco clenched his fists and let out a angry growl.
"How could...how could him deliberately breaking the rules, get him on the Gryffindor team?" He asked himself in fury. I just shrugged.
"I'm not Professor McGonagall." I replied, shrugging.
"I don't get what people see in your brother. He's mediocre at magic, has a giant scar on his head..."
"You don't have to like him, but please don't complain about him to me." I replied, and Draco just shook his head.
"Fine, you answered my question." Draco said, then motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to follow. I breathed a sigh of relief, then made my way back to my table.
"What took you so long?" Anthony asked, and I just shrugged.
"Long line." I lied, not really wanting to get into Draco's rant with them.
"Fair enough. Now let's get started on my mental anguish." I said, looking down at the Transfiguration homework in annoyance.
"Today's the big day." Cho said excitedly at breakfast Saturday morning. She looked over to the Gryffindor and Slytherin table's, and there respective Quidditch teams.
"Who do you think will win?" Marietta asked her, and Cho just shrugged.
"Depends on how her brother." Cho said placing a hand on my shoulder. "Does." She finished.
"How do you think Harry will do?" I asked nervously, Cho shrugged.
"No idea. He's built like a Seeker, he has a excellent broom, but until he's out there, we won't know for sure." Cho said, and I nodded.
"I hope nothing bad happens to him." I replied, and Cho gave me a comforting pat on the back.
"Don't worry. This isn't professional Quidditch. He'll be surrounded by Professors, and Prefect's, and he does have good teammates." She assured me, and I nodded. Though I was still worried.
"You're probably right." I replied, as she turned back to Marietta, and the other second years.
I looked over to the Gryffindor table, and realized however nervous I was, Harry was ten times worse. He looked paler than usual, and wasn't eating anything.
"Look's like he's going to throw up." Lisa commented.
"You think he's okay?" Anthony added. I stood up, and the pair looked at me.
"I'm going to wish him luck." I explained, and began to make my way to the Gryffindor table, before turning back and adding. "and make sure he eats."
"Thanks, Seamus." I heard Harry saying as I approached. When I reached him I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he turned and saw me.
"You'll do fine." I told him. And he nodded, though he didn't look like he believed me."
"I hope." He replied. I looked down at his plate, and saw nothing had been eaten.
"Harry, you are way to old to be playing with your food." I said, Harry gave me a annoyed look. While Hermione spoke.
"We've been trying for the last five minutes." She said, and I shook my head.
"Harry, eat." I ordered him.
"I'm not hungry." He replied, and I shook my head.
"That was not a request." I replied and he rolled his eyes.
"Come on Sarah, don't stress me out further." He pleaded, and I just shook my head.
"Fine, but if you get hurt today, because you didn't have the energy to stay on your broom. Just know your Quidditch bruises will be the least of your worries." I told him warningly. He looked back at me in surprise, but when he saw my stern face he nodded then started eating. I gave him a smile.
"Good luck." I told him.
He replied with a nod with his mouth full. I made my way back to the Ravenclaw table satisfied and sat back down.
"Well, he's eating now." Lisa said, looking over at Harry.
"How did you get through to him?" Anthony asked curiously
"Oh, sisterly persuasion." I replied smirking.
After breakfast we all made our way down to the pitch. Me and Lisa were curious to see what a game of Quidditch actually looked like when played. The most excited however, where Michael and Terry. Who had been waiting for this day all year.
"Finally. I've been waiting to see a Quidditch game for months." Michael said excitedly.
"I know, seems like forever ago that we watched Canada beat Scotland." Terry replied, saying the last part bitterly.
"There are national teams?" Lisa asked, and Anthony nodded.
"Yeah, and there a world cup as well. Every four years. Last year Canada beat Scotland Two Hundred and Seventy, to Two Hundred and Forty" He answered. Me and Lisa shared a look.
"So, like football." Lisa asked, and Anthony looked at her confused.
"A what know?"
"A muggle sport, they have a world cup to, every four years as well." I answered, and he looked at me in intrigue.
"Really? I really should take Muggle studies when I'm able."
We arrived at the pitch, and the whole school seemed to be attending. Michael and Terry had brought some binoculars, and they insisted that the best seats where the highest. Being the experts they where, we followed there lead, and soon where all looking out at the pitch, Madam Hooch stood in the middle, waiting for the teams.
"Look over there." Lisa pointed, and I saw that Ron, Hermione, and the other Gryffindor's where on the other side of the stadium. And hade made a banner out sheets. It read...
"Potter for President." Anthony read, and he turned to me. "What's a President?" He asked me.
"What the Americans call there leader." I told him, and he nodded.
"Ah." He replied. "The Muggle world is full of interesting facts." He added, and me and Lisa looked at each other and shook our heads.
"What do the wizards in America call there leader then?" Lisa asked, and Anthony shrugged.
"I'm not a political expert." He replied.
After a few more minutes the two teams began to make there way onto the field towards Madam Hooch, both houses dawned in House colors. Gryffindor was lead by Oliver Wood, whom Harry had told me about. Slytherin was lead by Marcus Flint, a tall, muscular, dark haired, fifth year.
The two teams gathered, and Madam Hooch spoke to them. Then they mounted there broom's, Madam Hooch blew her whistle, and the teams took off.
"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor — what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too —"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, Professor."
"No way this commentary will be biased." Michael joked, and I nodded.
"Get used to it." We all turned to see Cho, and her friends come up beside us. "Lee Jordan is best friends with two of the Gryffindor seeker's, the Weasley twins specifically, he was notoriously biased last year." She told us.
"Glad I'm rooting for Gryffindor then." I replied.
"It's fine if you're on Gryffindor's side. But when we play them, it get's old quick." She explained. Before turning her head and focusing hard on the match,
We watched the game, and I had to admit it was amazing to watch. Brooms flew back and forth, up and down, and in every direction. Harry, on the other hand, flew as high as possible while doing loops while searching for the snitch. So high I had to borrow Terry's binoculars just to see him.
"I really hope he doesn't fall." I said to no one in particular.
Gryffindor scored first via Angelia Johnson, and most of the crowd cheered, The Slytherin's booed. The first time a bludger came after Harry I held my breath, but he dodged. Everyone waited in anticipation for the snitch to appear...
"Slytherin in possession, Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the — wait a moment — was that the Snitch?" Lee Jordan's comments made everyone pause and looked around, the Snitch.
"There it is!" Terry excitedly shouted, pointing right near Adrian Pucey, a Slytherin Chaser, sure enough there was the Snitch passing right by his left ear, Pucey was so shocked he dropped to Quaffle he had been in possession of.
"Stupid Pucey, his job is Chaser, not seeker. He just cost his team ten points. I mean, everyone else stopped, he could have just thrown it through with ease" Cho said in disapproval. Clearly not a fan of watching bad Quidditch.
Cho's disappointment was quickly replaced by excitement as both Harry, and Terrance Higgs, the Slytherin seeker, both started after the snitch.
Everyone held there breaths, me most of all, as they approached the snitch, Pucey wasn't the only chaser who'd stopped, everyone of them had stopped, and joined the stadium watching the pair of seekers race after the snitch.
Harry began to inch ahead. He was so close...
"He's going to catch it." Cho said. Half excited, half in disbelief.
"Come on Harry." I said, focusing all my attention on him. Time seemed to slow, Harry was inches away. So it was a shock when Marcus Flint rammed into him, and made him lose sight of the snitch, and my heart to skip a few beats. "Harry!" I said terrified.
Harry was only out of control for a few moments, and I breathed a sigh of relief when he regained control. I then glared at Flint, whom was getting yelled at by Madam Hooch.
"That dirty snake." Terry exclaimed.
"He could have knocked Harry off his broom." Michael agreed.
"Not out of character for him" Cho said disdainfully, and I looked at her in worry. "He's always been like that, heck, before games he tries to break fingers during the handshake." She continued, and I looked at the Slytherin in disgust.
"So he's a massive git." I replied, glaring at him while Gryffindor easily scored on penalty shot.
"Basically." She replied.
Everyone not in Slytherin seemed to agree that Flint was nasty, heck Cho even agreed with Lee Jordan's commentary now. Whom was going off about the foul.
"Heck, Lee's commentary is pretty spot on right now." Lisa said, and I agreed whole heartedly.
The game continued, and I had finally calmed down after Harry's incident. Flint scoring caused me to frown, and I was hoping one the Weasley twin's would knock him off his broom. I was so focused on fantasizing about Flint's demise, that I failed notice...
"What's your brother doing? Anthony asked me, I looked around and found Harry. He seemed to be jerking wildly. Cho took a pair of binoculars and frowned.
"Weird, he seems to not be in control." She said, she handed me the pair, and I looked through them. When I saw Harry, he was spinning in place, barely holding on.
"What...what's wrong with his broom?" I asked worriedly, and Cho gave me a concerned look.
"I don't know." She replied, and I looked at her, anger now plastered on my face.
"Was it Flint's hit?!" I asked furiously, but she shook her head.
"No hit could do that to a broom." She replied, motioning to Harry.
Before I could respond, Harry's broom seemed to jerk and I screamed. Harry was hanging on by one hand.
"What...how...someone has to do something." I said desperately, Cho placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"If he falls. Madam Hooch will catch him." She tried assured me. It didn't really work, and I gripped the railing in front of us until my hands were white.
Harry's broom was vibrating crazily. Any second he could fall. I looked at Madam Hooch, and like Cho said, she seemed to be watching the situation closely, looking ready to race under and catch him. The Weasley twins took it a step further, trying to fly up and pull Harry onto there brooms with them, but Harry's broom seemed to fight back, and flew higher with each attempt. When that failed, they both lowered, and circled hoping to catch him as well.
On the field, Marcus Flint, confirmed himself as one of my least favorite people on planet earth, and used my brother's danger and scored five times. Eventually I grabbed ahold of Lisa in pure terror and fear.
"It'll be okay." She said, trying to comfort me. I was so struck by worry, that I couldn't respond, nor watch what was about to happen.
"Look's he's back on his broom." Cho said suddenly. Nervously I looked at Harry, and sure enough Harry was back on his broom.
"What happened?" I asked, stunned, yet relieved.
"The shaking just seemed to stop." Anthony told me, and I nodded, looking back on the pitch with a mix of dread, yet hope.
Yet Harry's next action made the dread overwhelm the hope. He started to dive towards the ground, then looked sick like he was about to throw up, then landed on the ground on all fours.
"Is he sick?" I heard Michael ask worriedly. Harry coughed, and something gold popped out.
"I've got the Snitch!" Harry shouted, holding the snitch high in the air. After a few seconds of total confusion, everyone not in green cheered. Flint rushed over to Madam Hooch, shouting about how he'd not caught it, but swallowed. I took a deep breath.
"He did it. Despite whatever happened to his broom, he won." I said. And Cho looked down at him, impressed.
"He really is a skilled seeker. I see why he made the team, despite only being a first year." She told me.
"Supposedly our father was a great Chaser." I replied, and the girl nodded.
"So it run's in the family." Cho replied, and I shrugged.
"I guess." I replied, and she gave me a smirk.
"Interesting" She said thoughtfully stroking her chin then, without another word, turned left.
I turned back to the pitch and saw that the Gryffindor's had stormed the pitch in celebration. The team gathered around Harry, and the rest of his housemates soon followed. I waited, until finally Harry, along with Ron, and Hermione left the pitch, and seemed to make there way towards Hagrid's.
"Well, I'm going to congratulate Harry," I began, turning to make my way down the stands. "and make sure all his bones are still in working order" I added.
"Well, tell him congratulations for us." Anthony shouted after me.
"I will." I replied.
I made my way down the stands and reached the ground. I made my way through the crowds towards Hagrid's. When I arrived I knocked on the door, and Hagrid once again had to hold back Feng as I entered.
"Hey Sarah." Harry said, as Hagrid closed the door.
"Hey." I told the assorted Gryffindor's.
"Wan' some tea?" Hagrid asked me, I nodded and took a cup before turning to Harry.
"My housemates told me to congratulate you." I began, and Harry smiled.
"Give them my thanks." Harry replied, and I nodded.
"I will." I replied, taking a sip of tea. "Know, you are okay after...what ever happened?" I asked nervously, and Harry nodded.
"I'm fine." Harry replied. I wasn't so sure.
"What happened?" I asked worriedly. Harry shrugged, while Ron, and Hermione all shared a look.
"It was Snape, Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing Harry's broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off him." Ron said. Harry looked like he believed them, while I looked at the pair like they must be joking.
"Rubbish," Hagrid interjected. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?" Hagrid added, and I nodded.
"I'm with Hagrid, why would Snape jinx your broom?" I asked, my voice unconvinced.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all shared a look like they knew something, though were debating whether to share it.
"I found out something about him, He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding." Harry finally spoke. I looked at Harry uncertainly while Hagrid dropped his teacup.
"How do you know about Fluffy?" he asked.
"Fluffy?" Ron asked in clear shock.
"Yeah — he's mine — bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year — I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the —"
"Yes?" Harry relied eagerly. I even gave Hagrid a curious look.
"Now, don't ask me anymore, That's top secret, that is." Hagrid replied, and Harry looked at him begging.
"But Snape's trying to steal it." Harry replied surely.
"Rubbish," Hagrid again replied. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."
"So why did he just try and kill Harry?" Hermione cried, and I looked the girl in shock. She'd never criticized any Professor.
"I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!" She continued.
"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid hotly. "I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all three of yeh — yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel —"
"Aha! so there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?" Harry interjected, and Hagrid looked furious with himself. Harry then turned to me. "You believe us, don't you Sarah?" He asked, and I gave him a uncertain look.
"I don't know..."I began.
"Come on Sarah, You've had to have noticed Snape's limp." Ron told me, and I nodded.
"A limp is not proof of anything." I replied.
"I was skeptical to, but I just saw him cursing Harry, he has to be up to no good." Hermione said surely, and I shuffled my feet.
"Hagrid?" I asked, he was till muttering to himself about how stupid he'd been.
"Yes." He said turning to me.
"How long has Professor Snape worked at Hogwarts?" I asked, and Hagrid looked thoughtfully.
"Over a decade now, I reckon." Hagrid replied, and I turned back to the trio.
"Why would Professor Dumbledore hire a Professor, and keep him for over ten years, if he was a danger to the students?"
"Maybe he just hates Harry, you should see him in our classes. Heck, he stole Harry's book yesterday." Ron said, sure of himself.
"I admit Snape doesn't like Gryffindor's. But to go from house rivalry to murder is quite a jump." I replied.
"Why did Fluffy bite him then?" Harry asked me, crossing his arms.
"Someone has to feed the thing. Dumbledore never said Professor's were barred from the corridor." I replied. None of the Gryffindor's looked convinced.
"He just cursed Harry's broom." Hermione added confidently. And I looked at her unconvinced.
"Maybe he was in shock with what was going on, and forgot to blink." I replied, and the trio looked disappointed.
"Come on Sarah, all of these cant be coincidences?" Harry pleaded, and I just sighed.
"Harry. Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard of all time. He would never allow any Professor to harm a student, especially one that's been here that long. I know you're convinced he hates you, and now he's trying to kill you. But if he was, don't you think Dumbledore would know?" I asked, and the Gryffindor's again shared a glance, not looking convinced.
"Precisely, Professor Dumbledore would never let any of you come to harm, or hire a professor who would hurt yeh." Hagrid said backing me up.
"As for this...Fluffy, and whatever it's guarding. I have no doubt the defenses Dumbledore has in place our adequate." I continued, and Hagrid beamed at me.
"Like i said, no safer place 'n Hogwarts." He added, and I nodded.
"If anyone where to go after...whatever Fluffy's guarding, I have no doubt they would be caught quickly. So, no reason to worry." I finished.
"Righ' yeh are Sarah, righ' yeh tha' anyone would be. " Hagrid said.
"I still think Snape's after that package, whatever it is, and that he just tried to kill me." Harry said, and I shrugged.
"Think what you like. Just don't do anything stupid." I replied, and Hagrid nodded firmly.
"Yeh three should listen ter Sarah here." Hagrid said patting me on the shoulder, and nearly knocking me over. "An' like I told yeh earlier, forget the whole thing, an' forget Nicolas Flamel"
The looks the Gryffindor's were giving us, said they weren't just going to forget about Nicolas Flamel