The rest of the Christmas holiday passed without incident. Most of the time I would either play chess with Penelope, Ron, or occasionally Harry. The only issue was Harry having nightmares about the Mirror, which he refused to share in detail with me.
"I don't want you to have nightmares for my actions." He told me, and no matter how much I wanted to help, he wouldn't budge.
On the positive note, at least in my opinion, I hadn't heard a peep from either Ron or Harry about Nicolas Flamel throughout the entire break, giving me hope that they had given up on this wild goose chase that couldn't result in anything productive.
Finally the last day of break arrived. In a few hours the train would pull into Hogsmeade station, and Anthony, Lisa, and everyone who'd gone home would return, for which I was thankful. I loved Harry, but sometimes it was good to be with people who shared more of your interests.
So when the door to the Common Room swung open, I instantly perked up.
"Well, where back, and she's still alive." Anthony told Lisa, while the girl ran over to me, and hugged me. Lisa looked to be wearing new robes, while Anthony was carrying a thick book with a black cover.
"Sarah! Was Christmas fine? Did we pick out good books? You weren't too lonely were you?" Lisa asked, and I nodded.
"Christmas was wonderful, you all picked out good presents, and no, I wasn't too lonely." I answered in order. She didn't look entirely convinced but let it go. "I like the new robes." I added, noticing they were brand new.
"Oh these." She said looking at them quite proud. "Made with the finest silk." She said, and I couldn't tell if she was be sarcastic, or serious.
"How'd your mother like your schoolwork?" I asked, and Lisa continued to beam.
"Wonderful. My mum was happy with my progress so didn't add any more, and as a reward they promised to take me on vacation over the summer." She said happily, and I smiled.
"Along with the robes." I added, and the girl nodded.
"It's all thanks to you two really." She added thankfully, and I nodded.
"No problem, I'm glad it worked out." I then turned to Anthony "What about you?" I asked.
"My dad was mostly busy at the Ministry, but he made it home for Christmas Dinner. As for gifts I got the regular assortment of books and trinkets. My favorite which was this!" He said holding out the book, which read. Vampires. The misunderstood creature.
"That looks...interesting." I replied, and Anthony nodded eagerly.
"It was, still wish my dad had given me what I always ask for..." He said, and me and Lisa looked at each other.
"What?" I asked.
"To know what his job actually is." He said, and Lisa rolled her eyes.
"The position is literally called a Unspeakable." She said, and Anthony shrugged.
"Doesn't mean I can't try."
Our reunion was interrupted when the door swung open, and Terry and Michael both raced to see who could get to me first.
"You chose the Holyhead Harpies right?" Michael asked me desperately.
"No she didn't, clearly she chose the Appleby Arrows." Terry said right after, both looked at me desperately, and I shrugged.
"...I really haven't got around to either book yet." I admitted, and both looked half disappointed, but half hopeful.
"Well...you're not totally doomed yet." Michael said.
"I know, can you image being a Harpies fan." Terry replied, and the two walked to there dorm, arguing to whole way.
"Those two." Padma said shaking her head as she, Mandy, and Morag walked over. "How was your Christmas?"
"It was good, lot's better the usual. You?"
"Really fun. Parvati had her friend Lavender visit for a day and we all got our nails done, then family visited from Wales."
"Sound like fun." I replied and Padma smirked.
"As fun as hanging with two high strung Gryffindor's can be, you would know all about that." She replied, and I nodded.
"Oh, I do." I replied. "By the way thanks for the gifts. It means a lot." I told the trio.
"No problem." Morag replied.
"Those shoes should automatically fit you no matter the size, they'll grow with you." Mandy added.
"That'll be nice, won't have to worry about small shoes anymore." I replied, thinking back to all the times I'd gotten undersized shoes from the Dursley's.
"Any way's, we need to get everything put back up. See you later." Padma said, as she, Morag, and Mandy headed to the dorm.
"So, other than my wonderful potions book?" Anthony began smirking, and I rolled my eyes. "What'd you get?"
"Lot's of amazing books...yours included. Ron's mom made me a sweater."
"Really?" Lisa asked.
"Yeah, me and Harry are supposedly Honorary Weasleys." I replied.
"That was nice of her." Anthony added, and I nodded.
"It was. Anyways, Hagrid made me and Harry a carved, wooden flute...and someone." I gave both suspicious looks. "Got me this." I said, and held up my hand.
"That's beautiful." Lisa said. "Who got it for you?" She asked, and I looked at her confused.
"My number one suspect was you." I replied, and she returned the confusion.
"But...you said not to get you any jewelry? I didn't." She replied, and I knew by the confusion and surprise on her face that she was telling the truth.
"So it wasn't you..." I replied confused, then turned to Anthony.
"It wasn't me." He said firmly, and I looked at the ring in confusion.
"Then who? "I asked, and both looked at me confused.
"I mean...maybe it was Smith." Lisa said and my face turned from confusion to disgust at the thought. "I mean...we've already discovered that he loves you." Lisa added, and I nearly gagged.
"Never-say-that-again." I replied, as Lisa held back a laugh, while Anthony face was a mix of disgust, yet laughter.
"I don't know whether to laugh of vomit." He said, and I shuddered.
"If it was him...I would throw it away instantly." I said, and Lisa looked at me in fake confusion.
"What...you don't like his choice of engagement ring?" She added, and I turned to walk away. "Sarah...Sarah! Where you going?!" She asked teasingly, and I smirked.
"Away from you before I vomit over those new, silk, robes your parents bought for you." I shouted over my shoulder, and sat down on the couch.
"Not my problem you two don't know a thing about true love." Lisa replied as she sat a in the furthest away from me, and Anthony just sighed.
"I can't tell if she's your best friend, or worst enemy." He said, sitting on the couch and turning to his book on Vampires. Which, despite it's long length, he was already over halfway through.
"She's both." I replied smirking.
"Boys mature slower than girls." Lisa began again. "Sometimes, when a boy likes a girl and doesn't know how to show it, he lashes out." She continued, and I just shook my head.
"Are you sure boys mature slower than girls." I said, and she nodded firmly.
"Yes, why would you think any different." She asked, and I smirked.
"Because if that's the case, you must be a rare exception. Anthony is way more mature than you." I teased, and Lisa faked a frown.
"Hey..." She said with faux hurt.
"I've missed this." Anthony said, not even looking up from his book on Vampires.
"I have too." I said, and, despite the teasing, was truly grateful my housemates where back.
The next day term resumed, and everyone returned to a normal routine. The first major event of term was our game vs Slytherin, which we needed to pull into the lead for the house cup. Cho had started getting nervous again, and I was anxious to see how...desperate Slytherin would be.
I never did get an answer who'd sent me the ring. The only suspects I had was whomever had sent Harry the cloak, and, to my annoyance, Lisa's theory on Smith.
Though it was pretty quickly proven false.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Little Miss Stuck up."
I rolled my eyes at Smith's words, it had only taken him a few hours to track me down alone. Clearly he'd been itching for the chance that was spoiled by Professor Quirrell the last time.
"Did it take you all break to come up with that?" I asked rolling my eyes, and his face went red with fury.
"See...that's exactly what I mean, you put me down because you think you're better than me!" He replied angerly, and I just shook my head.
"You can think whatever you want." I replied, then tried to walk away. But Smith wouldn't allow it.
"Not so fast." He said chasing after me, and I turned around, leaned against the wall, and crossed my arms. "You think I'm going to let you squirm away again. Theirs no stuttering idiot here to save you." He continued, and I frowned at him.
"Say whatever you want about me, but don't go after Professor Quirrell like that." I snapped back.
"Hmph...What's that on your finger?" He asked, and I rolled my eyes.
"Not really your business." I replied, and he smirked.
"Did you buy yourself a ring?" He asked.
"No, someone gave it to me for Christmas." I replied, and Smith frowned.
"Who in their right mind would get you anything, especially something so expensive?" He asked.
"No idea." I replied, and again tried to walk away.
"Wait...you don't know who got it for you?" He asked, realization dawning, and then chuckled loudly. "So you did buy it for yourself?" He asked grinning.
"I-did-not-buy-it." I replied firmly.
"Then who did?" He again asked and, when I didn't answer, his mood seemed to increase even more. "Amazing, you think so highly of yourself. Yet you buy your own jewelry, that's just wonderful." He said, and I felt my cheeks going red.
"Why do you have to such a git?!" I spat at him.
"Not my fault you're a stuck up brat, who has to buy her own jewelry." He replied, and for the first time...he'd really gotten to me.
"I truly hate you." I said, my voice low. Smith just continued laughing.
"The feeling is mutual." He said. "I can't wait to tell everyone about this, how you're so desperate for attention, that you buy a ring for yourself." He said then kneel over laughing.
I wanted to hex him...but after a few quick breaths, I contained myself. I then stormed off without another word and headed back to the Common Room. I found Lisa, and Anthony sitting around, working on History of Magic essay. I sat down on the couch in a fury, and pulled out my own essay.
"Just getting to the library is a challenge with him." I whispered under my breath, and tried to focus on the Werewolf Civil War of 1571.
"Smith already go after you huh?" I looked up and saw Lisa looking at me concern etched on her face.
"How'd yo..."
"Only he could get you this upset." She answered and I made a disgusted face.
"Of course he did. Tracked me just as he was getting out of the Library." I replied furiously.
"Talk about obsessed." Anthony added looking up from his book and giving me a sympathetic expression.
"I just don't get it...I never did anything to him, and then out of nowhere he attacks me, again, and again. It's so...tiring." I said sighing.
"Clearly he's a pureblood who doesn't like being upstaged." Anthony said surely. "Then you come along, and he feels threatened."
"Yeah...I'm such a threat." I said darkly. "I almost hexed him." I admitted, and the pair looked at me concerned.
"What'd he say?" Lisa asked, and I gave a dark chuckle.
"He said that I bought this ring for myself." I said, holding up my hand. "That I was so desperate for attention...that no one would possibly buy me something so nice."
"That piece of..." Anthony began, before taking a deep breath. Both me and Lisa gave startled, yet amused.
"I'd never seen such emotion out of you." I said, and Anthony shrugged.
"You're my friend." He replied simply, and my anger slightly faded.
"That's means a lot." I admitted, and he smiled.
"Maybe we could throw him in the cauldron next time." He joked.
"Yeah, and make it boil slowly. "I added.
Lisa looked back and forth between us. "Wow...my two best friends our plotting murder. I feel so lucky." She said, shaking her head.
"I mean...right and wrong is more a Gryffindor trait."
"And I'm sure we can use put his...end, to some sort of academic achievement." I added, and Lisa just sighed.
"I mean...why would you want to hurt your future husband like that." She said with faux confusion, and I just facepalmed.
"You're just getting worse and worse."
The new term was now a few weeks old, and that meant only one thing.
Quidditch was back, and for this term, we'd be going first.
The nerves around the Common Room were at an all time high, the team knew that a win would put as in first place, while a loss would drop us all the way down to third. Seeing the way Slytherin had lost last time, and how desperate they were...it was going to be a challenge to win.
And Cho was not taking it well.
"We have to win." overheard her telling Marietta at breakfast a few days before the match.
"You will, you did last time." Marietta replied, trying to comfort her, but Cho didn't seem to hear.
"The Slytherin's are going to be really desperate to win, especially after what happened last time they played." She continued, and Marietta seemed at a lost for words.
"Yeah...I mean...you won it for us last time." Marietta finally croaked out.
"After we were down by one forty, and let's be honest, the Slytherin Chasers are even better...our only hope is a quick game. It's all on me." She said desperately.
"Roger's pretty good." Marietta replied.
"The only one who's worth anything, and then they double cover him..."
"Cho on a freak out bend again?" I turned and saw Padma looking at the girl worriedly.
"Yeah." I replied, turning my attention away from Cho.
Padma just sighed as she sat down. "I wish the house cup wasn't so dependent on a sport. It should depend way more on grades."
"We'd win every year then." Anthony said smirking, and Padma shrugged.
"I don't see any problem with that." The girl then grinned before turning to her plate.
"Speaking of grades...who's ready for potions?" Anthony asked, and me and Lisa nodded.
"I'm not just ready for it, I'm excited for it." I replied, and it was true.
Despite the fact the Harry, Ron, and Hermione swore Snape had tried to murder Harry, Potions had turned into my second favorite subject. My experience cooking, as well as the fact that Snape hardly ever said anything to me made it a enjoyable experience. Not to mention the fact that...
"You just want to see Snape go after Smith." Lisa said, and I shrugged.
"I mean...it's a nice bonus. The git deserves it."
It was more true than ever. Ever since the ring incident over a week ago, Smith had gone to every one of his heartmates and share how I was so hated, that I had to buy myself Christmas presents. Thankfully most just ignored him, though a few threw me odd looks in the halls, mostly pity filled.
It only made me dislike the boy that much more.
"One last torture section before the game." We heard Michael say, as he and Terry approached the table.
"You two study?" Padma asked them, and the pair nodded.
"We did, not that it matters. Snape only likes one of us." Terry replied as the boys both grinned at me.
"Like I've said multiple times, ignoring me completely doesn't mean he likes me." I replied.
"Better than open contempt. Speaking of which, who's your lucky partner today?"
For the last couple of months, to test if Snape really was ignoring me, I'd been switching partners every week. And sure enough, whomever I was working with, he mostly ignored. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but after he ignored both Michael, and Terry, when I partnered with them, whom he always went after...I realized that it must be true.
And that made me very popular partner indeed.
"I don't think Mandy's got to go..." Padma said, and I nodded.
"I guess Mandy's got a reprieve this week."
After breakfast we all spent the time before potions doing what we always did, making sure we knew the answer to any question Snape could possibly throw at us. After a few intense hours of study we made our way down to the dungeons. We arrived and saw that the Hufflepuff's were already there, and, to my great joy, Smith was looking miserable, and I couldn't hide my smirk.
Soon enough the door swung open and we all piled into our seat. Mandy took the seat next to me, then Snape entered the room, and began his lecture.
"This week you shall be making Forgetfulness Potion, the instructions are on page number 127. I do hope to see marked..." He was looking right at Smith. "...improvement."
Me and Mandy got to work. Thankfully, like all my housemates, Mandy was quite capable at potion making, and everything was going smoothly.
To complete the potion, students had to keep getting different ingredients from the storage closet at the other end of the classroom. So while I continued brewing, Mandy got everything we needed.
"We need four pounds of Mistletoe Berries." I told her as I lightly stirred.
"Got it." She replied, and got up to head to the supply closet.
Meanwhile, Snape was doing what he did best...terrorizing Smith.
"No, no you foolish boy! You're supposed to stir counter clockwise!" Snape told Smith, and I couldn't help but smile to myself.
"But the book said...Oh." Smith replied, and Snape looked deadly.
"Go get some Lethe River Water." Snape said pointing at the closet. "You and Mr. Macmillan will have to start over." He continued annoyed. With a wave of his wand the potion vanished.
Ernie groaned, and Smith got up and stalked over to the supply closet. Me and Lisa shared a smirk as he passed me, and I turned to my potion. It was the correct color, and boiling perfectly.
I looked up and saw Smith passing me again, I gave him a subtle smirk, and then turned back to my potion. Today couldn't be going any better...
Bump.
Time seemed to freeze. one moment my potion was going perfectly, the next my cauldron was falling over, towards me, and boiling forgetfulness potion fell all over me.
I looked up and saw Smith...he was standing there, a look of anger, surprise, and terror on his face.
The entire room had fallen silent, and I looked down at my hands. They where all red like I'd been burned, and my lap was soaked with water that had just been boiling...and then time seemed to return to normal. I felt a burning sensation on my hands and legs, I felt tears falling down my eyes, and I let out a scream.
"YOU IMBECILE!" Snape roared as he rushed over. It seemed to take all of his will power not to strangle Smith. He looked back and forth between him, and me.
"You two!" He roared at Anthony and Lisa. "Get her to the Hospital wing, quickly!" He demanded, I didn't say anything as my friends grabbed my arms and started to guide me out of the room.
"I...I...didn't...mean..." Smith was sputtering. And I truly couldn't tell if he'd meant to, or if it was an accident.
"YOU ARE LUCKY YOU AREN'T IN SLYTHERIN BOY, BECAUSE IF YOU WERE, YOU'D BE LUCKY IF YOU WERE JUST ON THE TRAIN..."
The door shut behind us, and I turned to Anthony and Lisa. Anthony had a serious expression on his face, and Lisa was a mix of pure anger, while also holding back tears.
After my initial scream, I hadn't spoken. My throat couldn't find words, and my hand and legs where in pure pain...Was I in shock?
"It'll be alright." Lisa was telling me, and I turned to her. "Madam Pomfrey will heal you right up." She assured me. "Right Anthony?" She asked, and he nodded firmly.
"She's one of the best." He replied, his voice shaky.
All I could do in reply was slightly nod. I didn't really know how long it took to get there. I just let Anthony and Lisa lead me through the empty corridors. Eventually bringing me to a long room lined with what beds, what I assumed was the hospital wing.
"Madam Pomfey!" Anthony called out, and in about a second a older looking women dressed in a nurses outfit appeared. When she saw me, she rushed over.
"Mr. Goldstein what happened?" She asked, clearly remembering his parents, When she saw me she looked worried then determined as took me gently by the arm and led me to one of the beds.
"One of our classmates...accidently." Anthony began not believing the accident part. "...spilled a forgetfulness potion on her." He replied
"Professor Snape sent us instantly." Lisa added, and the older witch nodded.
"Thank you both. Head back and tell Professor Snape that I've got her well in hand." She said, and both of them looked at her worriedly, and the older witch sighed. "I'll have her healed up in no time, but having you two stressing her out wont do any good." She told them, and reluctantly they nodded.
"You'll be better in no time." Lisa said.
"Like I said, one of the best." Anthony added, and the two reluctantly walked out the door.
Madam Pomfrey quickly got to work. She gathered a bunch of herbs and potions, then approached me.
"Now dear." She began. "Their are two issues to address. The first are the burns, luckily only first degree. I'll be able to handle that with this." She told me holding up a thick, orange, paste. "The second issue is more difficult you're in shock. The only way to cure that is time, it should only take a few hours if I act quickly. Do you understand?" She asked, and I nodded. "Good, now hold out your hands, and try to hold still."
Madam Pomfrey had applied the orange paste to all my burns, then told me to lay down. I stared at the ceiling for hours, as the burns slowly healed. The whole time...I thought. What had happened? Was it really accidental, or did Smith really burn me in the middle of class? Why was Snape so angry? We'd had other spill accident's, and he'd never seemed to care...
Why was I so special?
Madam Pomfrey was very caring, but also stern. She told me multiple times to get some sleep, yet no matter how many times I closed my eyes, I couldn't.
By the time she let me go, the sun had set, and I headed back to the common room. Thankfully the burns had mostly healed, leaving only a small amount of swelling that would disappear in a couple of days, and the pain was completely gone.
I finally arrived back to the Common Room, and saw that all my year mates were huddled together in the corner.
"Sarah!" Lisa squealed, and ran over to me. She engulfed me in a massive hug.
"Ow." I said as a result of the swelling, and Lisa instantly pulled back.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean..." She said, clearly upset.
"It's fine." I replied, hold up my hand. "Other than slight swelling for a couple of day I'm good as new."
"Are you sure? I mean we could always take you back t..." She said very quickly.
"I'm fine." I again assured her, and she took a deep breath.
"Okay." She said.
I made my way over, and saw that Lisa wasn't the only one with a worried expression on her face. Michael, and Terry were more serious that I'd ever seen them, Mandy looked to have been crying.
"I'm fine guys." I said as I sat down. None looked totally convinced, other than Anthony.
"Madam Pomfrey is the best, you'd be surprised how many times my mum's wanted to take me to her, over Saint Mungo's." He said surely, and I nodded.
"See, Anthony get's it. I'm fine." I again assured them, and everyone seemed to release a collective gasp.
"We've been so worried." Padma said.
"I couldn't stop crying for hours." Mandy admitted, and I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I'm just glad you weren't sitting there." I said, and the girl nodded, while taking a deep breath
I sat down, and after a few seconds of silence, I finally asked what was on my mind.
"What happened?"
"Smith blatantly attacked you in the middle of class." Lisa replied, fury I'd never expected etched in her voice.
"He claimed it was an accident." Anthony added frowning. "Though I don't think his own housemates believed him."
"Snape sure didn't." Michael said, and I looked at him in interest.
"That's another thing? What did Snape do?" I asked, and Michael, Terry, and Lisa shared a smirk. While everyone else looked at each other sternly.
"He was furious. He held back class by half an hour just yelling at Smith. Saying he was a disgrace to his house, to this school, and that he should be expelled." Anthony explained, and I was taken aback.
"All because he spilled something on me?" I asked.
"Because, in his view..."
"And mine." Lisa added, her voice mixed with anger, but also glee at what had happened to Smith.
"Smith attacked you." Anthony finished.
"What happened to him?" I asked, wondering if he'd even be here tomorrow.
"Smith kept claiming that it was an accident...Snape kept trying to get him to admit it wasn't. Finally Snape had enough and dragged him to Professor Sprout. Saying he'd do all in his power to expel Smith." Padma explained.
"He said that to Smith's face?" I asked, and she nodded.
"Yeah, it was awesome." Terry said grinning.
"You really are his favorite." Michael added, and for the first time I didn't dismiss it out of hand...
"I wonder what he would have done if Harry was the one burned." I mused quietly.
"Blame Longbottom for messing something up. Then take points from Gryffindor." Padma answered, and I nodded.
"Yeah, most likely..." I replied, again wondering why in the world Snape seemingly...cared...about me. Yet loathed Harry. "...It makes no sense."
The next day was Saturday, which meant two things. One, I didn't have any classes so didn't have to worry about holding a Quill or my wand with swollen hands. Two, our game against Slytherin was tomorrow, which I was also grateful.
Most of the house was to focused on trying to get Cho to eat, and taking first place in both the Quidditch and house cups, to notice my hands were...larger than usual.
"They should be back to normal by Monday." I assured Lisa when she got a view of them the next morning.
"I hope so..." She said wearily.
We went to breakfast the next morning, everyone wondering if Smith would be there. Sure enough he was... though his face was fixed on his plate, and he had clearly been shunned by his house. Though for Lisa that wasn't enough...
"Let me hex him." She whispered to me angerly, and I held her back.
"No, don't sink to his level..." I replied, and she just looked at him in disgust. "I can't believe he wasn't expelled." She added as we sat down.
"He might as well have...no one's sitting with him." Anthony pointed out, and indeed. His housemates seemed to be avoiding him.
"That's a good start." Lisa said, and shrugged.
"I just hope he leaves me alone." I admitted sighing then eating breakfast.
Thankfully Smith seemed to have gotten the message. He didn't so much as look at our table for the rest of breakfast.
"I wonder what Sprout said to him" Anthony commented as we made our way into the great hall.
"I'm done talking about Smith..." I said tiredly, and the two nodded. "...what are we doing today?" I asked, and the the pair looked at each other.
"No ide..."
"Sarah!" We turned and saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione walking towards us.
"Greeting's brother." I replied, "Ron, Hermione. What are you three up to today?" I asked, and the three shared a look.
"Oh you know, still just looking for Flamel." Harry answered, and I sighed.
"Of course."
"You three are still on that?" Lisa asked, and the trio nodded.
"Yeah...were getting desperate." Harry said, and I grabbed him by the shoulders, and looked him straight in the eyes.
"We are not searching the Ravenclaw library for Flamel." I said sternly, and Harry face fell to disappointment.
"Come on Sarah we co..." Harry began.
"What happened to your hands?" Hermione suddenly asked worriedly, and Harry looked at either shoulder, and he looked horrified.
"What happened?" He asked frantically.
"Potions accident." I answered instantly, before either Lisa or Anthony could say anything. I noticed then glance at each other out of the corner of their eyes, but thankfully not say anything.
"Was it Snape?" Harry asked, half worried half anger.
"No, just a spill. I'll be back to normal by Monday." I answered, and though they didn't look totally convinced, the trio seemed to accept it.
"Well...I'm sorry that happened." Harry said. "Anything I can do to help?" He asked, and my mood improved considerably due to Harry's brotherly affection.
"Don't worry about me." I finally replied. "Just...don't do anything stupid."
"Where still going to look." Ron said, and I shrugged.
"That's fine, just don't...take it to far." I replied, and Harry nodded.
"Where not going to do anything stupid." Hermione assured me, I nodded, then the trio disappeared down the corridor to the Library.
"Why didn't you tell him about Smith?" Anthony asked after they were out of ear shot.
"Because as much as Lisa want to attack Smith, Harry would actually do it." I replied. "And I don't want him to be any more...reckless than he already is." I answered.
"Well...it's your choice. I guess you don't want us to say anything?" Lisa confirmed, and I nodded.
"I would appreciate it."
Lisa and Anthony decided to spend there afternoon working on Lisa's muggle work, however they wouldn't allow me because I was quote on quote recovering.
After spending a hour just sitting there, watching them, I decided I'd rather not spend my Saturday watching paint dry and headed back out into the castle.
I knew Smith wouldn't dare make a move against me today. I decided to head to the Library and see if Harry and the other's had found anything on Flamel, and if they hadn't try and get them to stop, unfortunately Harry and friends were already long gone.
"They where loitering in my library. I don't appreciate it." Madam Prince told me when I asked where they'd gone, and then told me to find a book, or join them in leaving.
I grabbed a book Anthony had recommended for me, Achievements in Charming, found a table in the corner and started to read. It was truly astonishing was magic could do, and I was glad Charm's was a talent of mine. I mean the ability to make car's fly just sounded fun...
"Potter." I looked up and saw Draco standing there, Crabbe and Goyle flanking him. He was holding his copy of the Charm's Essay Professor Flitwick had assigned last week.
"Ah, hello Draco." I replied giving him a nod. "What can I do for you?" I asked.
"You're the best in our year at Charms?" He asked me, and I nodded.
"I think so..."
"Check my essay." He demanded, putting it on the table, and sitting down across from me. His voice leaving no room for discussion.
I grabbed the parchment, not wanting any part in another enemy, and began to scan through it. Though their wasn't much to correct, because it was quite well done.
"I would add a few more sentences about the importance of wrist movement, and you should be good." I told him, handing him the parchment. He nodded, then frowned.
"What happened to your hands?" He asked worriedly, and I looked at him surprised.
"Why do you care?" I replied confused.
"I mean...your hand's were clearly burned..." He said, and I nodded.
"They where." I replied.
"Forgetfulness potion." He said, and I looked at him impressed.
"Yes, spilled some on me." I replied. Turning back to my book.
"I don't believe that." Draco replied, and I looked back up at him frowning.
"What?"
"You're not stupid enough to spill a boiling potion on yourself." He replied firmly. "Someone did that." He inferred, and and I smirked.
"You're very perspective." I said, and he smiled.
"I'm a Malfoy, part of our nature...who did it?" He said the last part with a hint of …anger.
"Again I have to ask, why do you care?"
"...I just want to know who's foolish enough to spill something in Snape's class." Draco replied, though I wasn't entirely convinced he was telling the truth.
"Some idiot Hufflepuff." I answered, and he frowned.
"You're not going to tell me."
"No, that's the best you're going to get." I replied, and he nodded. I again returned to my book, well tried to.
"You ready to lose tomorrow?" He asked, and I looked up again.
"Where not losing." I replied smirking, and Draco did the same.
"I like the confidence...want to bet?" He asked, and I shook my head.
"I don't have any money." I replied quickly.
"You don't have to bet money...how about this. You get fifty Galleons if Ravenclaw wins, but if Slytherin wins, you have to do my Charm's homework for a week."
"I wouldn't help you cheat." I replied firmly, and Draco shrugged.
"Fine, you help me with Charm's homework, make sure I get perfect marks, for two week's worth of assignments." He countered.
I looked at the boy...fifty galleons was a lot. Versus helping him get perfect marks in a class I always got perfect marks in. It was a little to one sided..."
"Why are you doing this?" I asked cautiously, and he shrugged.
"Money's not an issue for me." He answered confidently. "And Charm's is so boring. So really, I'm not worried if I lose, and I gain two weeks off in charms."
"You'd still have to do it, I'd just make sure it was perfect." I replied, and Draco nodded.
"That's fair, is it a deal?" He asked.
"...deal." I replied after a moment of hesitation, and the boy smiled.
"Good, I'll leave you to your book then." Draco then stood, and walked away, with Crabbe and Goyle in tow. I sighed, wondering what'd I'd gotten myself into, then went back to reading my book.
"You'll do fine Cho." I said, trying to comfort her at Breakfast the next morning.
"I hope..." She said, not even looking at me and staring into space, and it confirmed one thing to me.
That I was right to keep my bet with Draco a secret.
The entire table was nervous. We hadn't won the house cup in ten years, mostly due to our abysmal record in Quidditch, and everyone was eager to see us start the season undefeated, and in first place heading into the spring.
Cho, the whole team for that matter, didn't need another reason to feel nervous, not that I was overly concerned if we lost.
If I had to help Draco with homework, so be it.
I turned away from Cho and back to my fellow first years. Everyone looked nervous, and I did not envy the Quidditch team in the slightest.
"How do you think we'll do?" I asked Michael and Terry.
"If our Chaser's can keep up, and we can withstand Slytherins...desperation tactics, we've got a chance." Michael answered, and I nodded.
"Well, hopefully Cho can come through again."
After breakfast we all started to make our way down to the pitch, you could feel the nerves in the air. The Slytherin's looked even more desperate than us, if they lost their seven year house cup streak would most likely be over.
It was going to be a battle.
"Sarah!" I heard Harry call out, and found him in the crowd.
"Hey Harry." I replied.
"Just wanted to let you know where rooting hard for you guys." Harry told me smiling.
"Yeah, smash those Snakes." Ron added. And I nodded.
"We'll try, I assure you." I replied. "Well...I'm going to go join my housemates."
"Of course, see you around." Harry replied, as we both parted into our the sea of our respective housemates.
I reached our regular seats, and most everyone was sitting silently, the entire stadium had an air of nervousness. Both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff seemed to be rooting for us. Gryffindor for obvious reasons, and Hufflepuff because everyone was tired of Slytherin's win streak.
"It's going to be tough." Terry said nervously as we watched the teams take the field.
Lee Jordan was once again commentating, but none of us heard much of what he said, we where to focused on the game, which was not going our way...
On the bright side the Slytherin's weren't cheating. On the other hand, they didn't need to.
Once again, outside of Roger Davis, our Chaser's were thoroughly outmatched, and once again it looked like It would be up to Cho to save the day.
"I don't know why we can't field anyone outside of Roger or Cho." Michael said annoyed as the score reached One hundred to Thirty.
"Hopefully the Snitch appears soon, or we'll be down to much for it to matter." Terry added, the worry in his voice evident.
The game continued to slip out of hand, until the snitch finally appeared with us down Two Hundred and Forty, to Eighty.
"If she catches this and pulls out another miracle she'll be the greatest seeker ever." Padma said, her voice laced with disappointment.
Both Cho and Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs raced for it...this time however no dive was needed. As Higgs broom was faster, and the Snitch was caught. We'd lost Three Hundred and Ninety, to eighty. Over Three Hundred points...
Everyone was silent as we exited the stands. The Slytherin's where celebrating, while most everyone else was bitter, and disappointed. We walked past the first year Slytherin's who were celebrating, and Draco subtly grabbed my arm.
"Three tomorrow in the Library." He told me grinning, and, sighing I nodded.
"I hope you don't tell Harry about this. He...wouldn't be pleased." I replied nervously, and Draco smirked.
"Wouldn't dream of it."