Notice. This Chapter contains some spoilers to the Fantastic Beast Movies, including Secrets of Dumbledore. You have been warned. Enjoy!
The day after the Quidditch game was a rainy, muddy, mess. The entire house was depressed that we had lost, and everyone's attention seemed to turn to our upcoming exams. Cho had taken the loss the hardest, and hadn't spoken unless it was related to school work. However the worst reaction by far, was when I told my friends about my wager...
"You made a bet with Draco Malfoy?!" Anthony seethed worriedly.
I knew I'd have to let my friends know where I would be going after class for the next two weeks, and while I expected some disapproval that I'd dealt with the Slytherin, I was surprised when Anthony was the one to scold me in a worried tone.
"I wanted the Galleons." I defended, and Anthony facepalmed.
"Draco Malfoy is not someone to associate with." He eventually replied firmly, and I was surprised by the sheer...disapproval in his voice.
"Calm down Anthony." Lisa, whom been listening from the couch, finally spoke. Anthony took a few deep breaths.
"Sorry, it's just, I'm surprised you'd be so...reckless." He added, and I looked at him in confusion.
"Doing homework with a classmate is reckless?" I asked, and Anthony shook his head.
"No, doing homework with Draco Malfoy is reckless."
"Why?" I asked confused. "I mean I know Harry hates him, and he think a bit to highly of himself...but aren't you the one who says not all Slytherin's are bad?" I replied confused.
"It's not his house...it's the fact that his family has a...reputation." Anthony eventually replied, and me and Lisa shared a nervous look.
"Reputation?" Lisa asked.
"His family's dark." Anthony replied instantly.
"Dark?" I asked, and Anthony looked around before replying in a whisper.
"His father supposedly served You-Know-Who." He whispered, and I froze at the mention of my parent's murderer.
Draco's father...supposedly served him. Is that why Draco hated Harry? Why would he act so friendly, well friendly for him, toward me? Was it some sort of trick?
"Why would he even associate with me then?" I asked.'
"That's what I'm worried about? If there's anything I've learned, is that a Slytherin always hides there true motivations." Anthony replied.
"But you said not to group all Slytherins together." I said, and Anthony shook his head.
"Hiding motivations is not a inherently bad trait, it's a observation, not a insult."
"What happened to his father?" I asked nervously.
"He claimed to be under the imperius curse." Anthony answered, and me and Lisa shared a confused look.
"The what?" She asked, and Anthony shuddered.
"One of the three unforgivable curses... illegal curses that will get you locked up for life..."
"What are the other two?" Lisa interrupted, and Anthony shuddered, shuffled his feet, and took a deep breath.
"The Torture, and Killing." He finally replied, and both me and Lisa went pale.
"Killing?" Lisa asked horrified, and Anthony nodded.
"It's the curse your brother somehow survived." Anthony replied, nodding to me. "That, along with the fact that You-Know-Who just vanished is the reason he's so famous, why he's the Boy Who Lived"
As Anthony spoke, Me and Lisa both got more and more disturbed, eventually we sat down, and Anthony began to pace to let us digest what we had just heard. After a few minutes of silence, I spoke.
"What's the first one? The one Draco's dad said he was under?" I asked nervously after calming down.
"The imperius is basically mind control, and Draco's father claimed that You-Know-Who used it on him. He was acquitted on all charges." Anthony finished.
There was a long silence. I'd just learned there were spells that let you mind control, torture, and kill someone,
"But he was acquitted. Draco's father was acquitted?" I confirmed, and Anthony nodded, though he didn't look like he believed it.
"Yeah, but lot's of people believed he got away with it. "Anthony replied
"How do you know all this? About Draco's father, and the curses?" Lisa asked, and Anthony shrugged.
"The Pureblood community is small, everyone knows everyone. My dad knows Mr. Malfoy from his job at the Ministry, it's also common knowledge that his father was put on trial." Anthony began.
"That's why Ron must have not trusted him on the train...when his rat bit him" I mused, and Anthony nodded.
"Most likely...As for the unforgivables, research is not all fun and games. Especially when you pull a book off your Mum's shelf that supposed to be for forth years...I was yelled at for an hour." Anthony finished flinching, and I sighed, not really sure what to think...I was silent for a few minutes as I thought.
"First off." I began slowly. "He was acquitted, I have to have faith in the justice system, second, even if he did get away with being a follower of You-Know-Who, that's not Draco's fault. "I replied, and Anthony shrugged.
"No, it wouldn't be his fault." Anthony admitted.
"And all I promised was to help him with Charm's work. Nothing more." I continued, and Anthony again nodded.
"True." He replied.
"I'm not going to go back on my word." I finally decided, and Anthony sighed.
"Fine, just...be careful with Draco. You never know what kind of bigotry his father has raised him on." Anthony said pleading, and I nodded.
"I promise." I replied, and Anthony gave me a satisfied nod. And all of us sat in silence for a moment.
"I'm guessing where to keep this from your brother as well?" Lisa asked, breaking the silence, and I nodded.
"As much as you can, though if Harry or any of the other Gryffindor's see me with Draco in the library, theirs not much I can do." I replied worriedly.
"What are you going to do if Harry does catch you?" Lisa asked, and I shrugged.
"Tell him the truth, that Fifty Galleons was to much to pass up." I replied, and Lisa just shook her head.
"What were you going to do with the Fifty Galleons anyway?" She asked, and I shrugged.
"Something I couldn't have achieved without Fifty Galleons. " I replied, and the girl just shook her head.
"And you say Harry's the reckless one." She chastised.
"I'm not the one sneaking around the castle at night."
At half past two I found my regular place in the library, pulled out the homework that Professor Flitwick had assigned, and started going over it while waiting for Draco.
I had decided not to hold everything Anthony had said against Draco. Sure, he was a smug, full of himself, boy whom had been after Harry since the start of the year, but he wasn't a monster...and I knew all to well how it felt to be hated because of your parents.
Not that the Dursley's hatred of my parent's was anything compared to serving You-Know-Who.
"I'm glad you kept your word." I looked up and saw Draco wearing a smug expression. Crabbe, and Goyle flanking him.
"What makes you think I wouldn't?" I asked as he sat down across from me, and he just shrugged.
"Your brother." He replied, and I looked around nervously. "You still haven't told him?" He asked, noticing by nerves.
"No, personally, I hope he never finds out." I replied, and Draco just shook his head.
"It's not my problem. A bet's a bet. I didn't risk fifty of my galleons for nothing, I expect perfect marks for the next two weeks." He replied firmly, and, sighing, I nodded.
"You will, I just hope I don't have to explain this to an irritate Harry...anyways, how much have you done of yesterday's assignment?"
"None of it." Draco replied, and I just shook my head.
"Then let's get started..."
For the next few minutes, me and Draco went over the assignment. It was a simple worksheet over the Severing Charm, and Draco seemed to be enjoying it a bit to much...
"This is the first time any of the Charm's we've learned have been any fun." He said gleefully, and I cast him a nervous look.
"You wouldn't use it for nefarious purposes? Would you?" I ask, the worry in my voice evident.
"I mean it would be effective..." Draco began with a grin, but when he noticed my terrified expression he frowned. "...Merlin Potter, I'm just joking." He said, and he seemed to be telling the truth.
"Good..."I replied softly, and we continued working, well...when Crabbe and Goyle weren't busy interrupting.
"You done yet Malfoy?" Crabbe whined, and Draco rolled his eyes.
"No Crabbe, and I won't be for a while." Draco snapped in reply.
The two boys had been standing behind Draco...awkwardly. They hadn't spoken a word other than that question, and both looked bored out of there minds.
"Can I ask why you brought them?" I asked in a whisper, and Draco shrugged.
"That's their jobs." He replied, and I looked back and forth between him and the lumbering boys.
"Job?" I asked.
"Yeah. I wouldn't want some noisy Hufflepuff, or annoying Gryffindor bothering me. Their job is to keep the pests away." He replied like it was totally normal to have two bodyguards at age eleven.
"If I may ask..." I began and Draco nodded saying I was allowed. "...What do they get out of it?"
"The privilege of serving a Malfoy." He answered instantly, and his voice said he truly believed that.
"Ah." I eventually replied nodding.
We worked in relative calmness for the next several minutes. Crabbe and Goyle had asked, and been allowed, to find a table in viewing distance, and were now arm wrestling and just generally goofing off.
"They're both idiots." Draco told me smirking, giving them a quick glance.
"Surely they're good at something." I replied, and Draco just looked at me like I was crazy.
"Their best class is Potions, and they only reason they're not the worst at it is because Snape take's certain...liberties."
I wanted to say something about how they'd probably do better if they weren't forced to guard Draco the entire time, but held back. I had to help him for the next two weeks...
"Malfoy!" A unfamiliar voice shouted, and I noticed two Slytherin's making there way over to us. Draco looked back, and seemed to recognize then.
"Pansy, Blaise." He said nodding to the two.
"Nott's looking for you." Blaise, a tall, slender black boy, told Draco.
"I've been looking for you." Pansy interrupted as tried to sit on Draco's lap. Draco replied by rolling his eyes, and bolting from his seat before she could. Pansy landed in his seat unexpectedly, then frowned at Draco.
"Aw, that hurt Draco." She said, exaggerating. Draco just slipped to another chair looking annoyed.
"I told you not to do it." Draco replied, and I realized this was far from the first time Pansy had tried to sit on his lap. Draco then turned to Blaise. "And tell Theo that I'm in the middle of something." He replied, and Blaise looked at him confused, then noticed me and smirked...
"Ah yes...your wager." Blaise said looking at me smirking. After a moment, I turned back to my worksheet and I heard Blaise laugh. "I forgot." He added, and Draco smirked.
"Like I told you, my parent's wanted my Charm's grade up." Draco replied smoothly.
"Of course." Blaise replied.
"Oh yeah, your bet with...the other Potter." Pansy said. I looked at her and she smirked. "I hope she's not as stupid as her brother." She added, I gave the girl an annoyed look, which she returned with a smirk before turning back to Draco. "Honestly Draco, I don't know why you waste your time." She added, and Draco shrugged.
"She's not a lost cause yet." He replied simply, and Pansy sighed.
"Even so...I would have helped you with Charm's without risking fifty Galleons." Pansy whined.
"My parent's wanted my grade up Pansy." Draco replied, and Pansy looked taken aback.
"Don't be so mean Draco." She replied with faux hurt. "We both know where meant to be." She said determinedly, and Draco just rolled his eyes.
"If you say so Pansy." He replied, and Pansy gave a little pout.
"Well, whenever you're done, Theo's in the Common Room." Blaise said then gave me one last...smirk? grabbed the pouting Pansy's hand, and guided her out of the room. When they were out of earshot Draco groaned.
"Pansy." He whispered shaking his head, and now it was my turn to smirk.
"Your housemates are quite...interesting." I replied, and Draco shrugged.
"Blaise is fine, Pansy is fine when she's not...whining." He replied, and I gave a little chuckle.
"If you say so." I replied, then turned back to the assignment. "Where almost done." I informed him. "We wouldn't want to leave this Nott fellow waiting." I said, and Draco nodded.
"Yeah, that's probably for the best." Draco replied, and we both turned to our assignments.
We worked for another ten minutes, and then I checked over Draco's work. Again I was impressed with the work.
He wasn't stupid, that's for sure.
After some minor suggestions, Draco stood, snapped at Crabbe and Goyle to follow, and left the library. For my part, I was quite pleased to be done, and began to pack up. A mix of dread, yet intrigue at the prospect of nine more days of this.
The next two weeks passed slowly. Between helping Draco get perfect marks, doing all my own homework, waiting in anticipation for Harry's next game against Hufflepuff, while at the same time trying to hide the fact I was helping Draco from Harry, it was difficult, though not as much as I expected.
Helping Draco wasn't quite as hard because he already got good marks in Charm's, in fact it seemed he got good marks in everything. The boy was brilliant, a arrogant bully, yet brilliant.
Hiding the fact I was helping Draco from Harry. was also easier than I thought. Harry had constant Quidditch practices after classes. Every time I saw him him drenched and exhausted from the endless rains that had overtaken the castle the last few weeks. And he was usually quick to return to the Gryffindor Common Room, far away from the Library.
After the first day, Draco's housemates hadn't reappeared, other than Crabbe and Goyle, whom had taken to sleeping at a nearby table.
Finally my two weeks of servitude had come to and end. I couldn't help that Draco was rather disappointed as he packed his things up for the final time.
"Well, I kept my word." I said as I looked at the perfect marks Draco had received, then handed it to him.
"You did." He replied and stood up. "We'll have to do this again next year." He added, and I looked at him unsure.
"We'll see..." I replied, and Draco smirked.
"What? You didn't enjoy your time studying with me?" He asked with faux sadness, and I sighed.
"It's not that...I just don't want Harry to get upset, where lucky he didn't figure out this time." I said and Draco laughed.
"You think I care what your brother thinks?" He asked, and I shook my head.
"No, but I do." I replied, and the boy frowned.
"Not my fault he's a..." Draco stopped when he saw my face. "...reckless, Gryffindor. Who doesn't know what's good for him." He finished, and I rolled my eyes.
"Whatever." I replied, though I couldn't totally disagree with the statement.
"It's the truth..." Draco began as he walked over and woke up the drooling Crabbe, and snoring Goyle.
"Wha..."Crabbe said confused.
"Huh." Goyle added, as the two began stir.
"I mean fighting a troll? Mad." Draco continued, and I nodded in agreement.
"Oh I've talked to Harry multiple times about his...heroics." I replied, and Draco smirked.
"You at least have some com..." Draco was interrupted by the rustle of books behind a nearby shelf. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle shared a sinister look. "Who's there?" Draco asked smirking.
Draco then nodded to Crabbe and Goyle, whom moved to block the the other side of the shelf, Draco walked over and looked around the corridor, and a gleeful smirk appeared.
"Well, well, well. Hello Longbottom." Draco said with faux politeness, and and trembling Neville was forced out of the aisle by Crabbe and Goyle.
"What do you want M...Malfoy?" Neville asked, looking back and forth between the three boys in terror, and me half confused, half pleading.
I didn't know what to do...even if I helped Neville we'd still be outnumbered, and outmuscled. Not to mention the fact that I'd have two boys in our year as...threats. I was at a loss trying to come up with something.
All I could do was return a sympathetic expression, and hope Draco would stop.
"Just wondering what your doing in the library? I mean, not like you can do much magic in the first place. "Draco said, and the three boys started the howl with laughter.
"J...just leave me alone Malfoy." Neville begged, and then turned and quickly walked towards the exit. Draco gave a dark chuckle.
"Come on boys, let's make sure Longbottom make's it back to his Common Room."
With that Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle started to follow Neville out of the library.
"I think I'll try the Leg-Locker Curse..." I heard Draco say as the three exited the library and faded out of view.
I sat back down. An uneasy feeling in my stomach that I'd let Draco bully Neville, and done absolutely nothing to help him...
"I'm so glad you're done helping Malfoy." Lisa told me on the was to History of Magic the next day. "It's been so annoying having to listen to Anthony's ramblings alone."
"I wasn't rambling, I was trying to tell you about the recent breakthrough in Goblin Hieroglyphs. Supposedly the ancient Goblins where polytheistic." Anthony replied excitedly. Lisa rolled her eyes, while I gave him a curious look.
"Really?" I asked, and Anthony nodded firmly.
"Yeah, they also think..."
"Please, I had the listen to this the last two weeks, no more." Lisa begged, and I let out a little laugh.
"I've missed this." I said. "Your constant...dialogue."
"When you hear about the ancient King Ragnock's lost tomb for the hundredth time, you get tired of it." Lisa replied, and Anthony shrugged.
"Not my fault you have no taste." He said as we entered the Binn's classroom.
"Anthony, you wouldn't know taste if it smacked you in the face." Lisa replied as we sat down.
Like every History of Magic class, it was a test of endurance not to fall asleep. I knew for a fact that Harry just slept through every class, and I couldn't blame him. Binn's was incredibly boring who never did anything except lecture in a monotone voice. I attempted to stay up and take notes, attempted being the key word.
"The Merpeople Civil War of 1256 ended after King Neres defeat at the Battle of Crystal Depths..." Binn's finally finished, what could have been an epic tale, if he wasn't so boring at telling it. I noticed Anthony wake up Lisa, and Padma do the same for Michael and Terry.
Class was almost over.
"Before you go." We all turned to Binn's, he'd almost never did anything but lecture, so when he did talk directly to you, most payed attention. "As you know, final exams are coming up, and while I shall assign a test, there is also another key component of your final in my class." He began, Michael and Terry looked tired their was interrupted, while other's looked anxious.
"You shall be required to pick a Historical figure of your choice. Then, to the best of your ability, write a detailed essay on said person." Binn's continued. I heard groans under breaths, and saw some annoyed looks at Binn's, whom didn't seem to notice.
"The length shall be no less than five parchment's. It shall be turned in right before your final exam, and will count as half of your exam." Binn's then paused and looked around at the class. "Any questions?"
Anthony's hand shot up.
"Yes Mr..." Binn's began, and I had to hold back a laugh, Binn's didn't even know our names.
"Goldstein sir. What are the permeators for who you choose? How recent is to recent?" He asked.
"If you can show me the person's name in a historical book, I will accept it." He replied, and Anthony nodded.
"Thank you sir." He replied.
Binn's nodded then once again scanned the room again. "Any more?"
No one raised their hand, and Binn's looked satisfied. "Good. Like I said, whenever you find a desired topic, just bring the person's name in a history book, and you will be approved. Dismissed."
We walked out of the class. Lisa with an annoyed expression on her face, Anthony with a thoughtful look, and me just trying to come up with anyone interesting.
"I don't know about you two, but I'm heading to the Library straight away to get started." Anthony said eagerly.
"We better." I added. "It is half of our exam."
"I guess." Lisa replied, an annoyed look on her face. "I wish he could put as much effort into his teaching as his homework." She added, and I nodded.
"Yeah, that would be nice."
"Anyways... who you two thinking about doing?" Lisa asked curiously.
"So many options to choose from." Anthony began excitedly. "I was thinking of either Wendelin the Weird. She deliberately let Muggle witch hunters catch her, maybe the famed Merpeople lover Mirabella Plunkett..." Anthony began, and Lisa let out a sigh.
"Why can't you choose someone more...normal?" She asked, and Anthony gave her a smirk.
"Because that would be boring."
We entered the entrance hall, which was bustling before dinner.
"What about you?" Lisa asked turning to me, and I shrugged.
"I have no ide..."
"Sarah!"
I turned around and saw Harry, along with Ron and Hermione, grouped together in the corner of the hall. They all wore faces of worry, and Harry was motioning for me.
My thoughts immediately shot to Draco and what he'd done to Neville. Did he say something to Harry? How I'd done nothing to stop Draco, to Neville plea...
"Come on." I said to Lisa and Anthony nervously. "Let's see what my dear brother wants."
I noticed Anthony and Lisa share knowing look as I walked over. I noticed Harry was holding something in his hand, while Hermione had a very thick book.
"Yes Harry?" I asked, trying not to show my own nerves.
"Read this." Harry said in a low voice, handing me what was chocolate frog. I gave him a confused look but took it.
"Out loud or..." I said motioning to Lisa and Anthony.
"Do you two promise not to tell anyone?" Ron asked the pair in a quiet voice. The pair shared another look then nodded.
"Sure."
"Yeah."
Harry looked satisfied. "Out loud, just...quietly." He replied. I nodded then turned to the card, and began to read.
"Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald..." I stopped to turn to everyone. "There are other Dark Wizards?" I asked, my voice a mix of horror, yet curiosity.
"You've never heard of Grindelwald?" Anthony asked me frowning, and I shook my head.
"No." I answered.
"Well before You-Know-Who..."
"That's not the important part." Hermione snapped impatiently, interrupting Anthony. I turned and frowned at her.
"I mean, you don't learn about a Dark Wizard everyday." I replied, and Harry sighed.
"Just...keep reading." He quietly begged, and I shrugged.
Fine..." I replied turning back to the card. "...defeated of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flam...oh." I said softly, and turned back to Harry.
"We found him. I knew I'd heard his name somewhere, this is where." Harry explained quiet, yet triumphantly.
I looked at him in concern, yet was at least a little interested. "Okay...so Flamel's a alchemist. What does that mean?" I asked softy, and Harry nodded to Hermione.
"Nicolas Flamel, is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone." She read, and I understood what they were implying.
"This...stone. That's what you think Fluffy's guarding?" I asked, and I noticed both Lisa and Anthony give me confused expressions.
"Who's Fluffy?" Lisa asked, and Harry looked at me confused.
"You haven't told them?" Harry asked, and I shrugged.
"I don't think about all this near as much as you do Harry." I replied truthfully, and Harry sighed, before turning to Anthony and Lisa.
"You guys remember what Dumbledore said about the third floor corridor?" Harry asked, and the two nodded.
"Yeah, I remember him saying something about a most painful death." Anthony mused stroking his chin.
"The reason it's off limits...is because a three headed dog is in there, guarding a trap door." Harry explained, and the two went from curiosity, to realization, to horror.
"That's why you three have been in the library so much, looking for what this dog is guarding?" Lisa asked, her face pale.
"How do you know Flamel is involved?" Anthony asked nervously, and Harry shrugged.
"Hagrid let it slip." He replied.
"I see why Sarah's been so...nervous know. You three are digging where you shouldn't." Lisa accused, and Ron rolled his eyes.
"You don't understand. Someone's trying to steal this stone." He said surely, and both Lisa and Anthony cast him nervous, yet skeptical looks.
"Who?" Anthony asked.
The Gryffindor's looked at each other, unsure if they should say anymore. Until finally Hermione looked around, then spoke.
"Snape." She whispered.
Their was a moment of silence as both Lisa and Anthony digested Harry and friends...theories.
"...What?" Anthony finally asked, getting over his apparent shock.
"Snape is trying to steal the stone." Harry confirmed in a whisper, and both Lisa and Anthony again where taken aback.
"What proof...do you have?" Lisa asked.
"The night the troll got in, we saw Snape heading for the third floor corridor. The next day he was limping, and had been bit." Ron answered.
"Yeah, and during the Gryffindor Slytherin match, Snape tried to kill Harry." Hermione added, and again both Anthony and Lisa were again...silent.
"Kill him?" Anthony asked.
"Supposedly he was staring intently at Harry when his broom was out of control." I explained, and both glanced at me. "I'm not saying I believe it, that's what they told me." I finished motioning to the Gryffindor's.
"It's true. I know a curse when I see one." Hermione defended, and again their was an awkward silence.
"I see why Sarah's been so...nervous about your research." Anthony replied, putting it as delicately as possible.
"I'm not trying to be rude...but you all sound mad." Lisa said much more directly, and even I had to admit, they did.
"It's true." Harry defended fiercely. "Add the fact that Snape's volunteered to ref our next match against Hufflepuff, he's trying to kill me." He said the last part fearfully.
"So...let me get this straight." Anthony began trying to keep a normal expression. "Just because a Professor gets bit by a dog in a school with a dog...and the fact that he was staring at you during a Quidditch game...means Snape is trying to kill you." Anthony replied, trying to show them how ridiculous it sounded.
"Then why does Snape hate me?" Harry asked.
"Because he hates all Gryffindor's." Lisa answered, and Harry gave a sigh before turning to me.
"Come on Sarah. You know this can't all be coincidence." Harry begged, and I shifted uncomfortably.
"Um..."
"You still don't believe us." Hermione said, and I sighed.
"Listen, even if everything you've said is true, which I don't believe. Why not just tell Professor Dumbledore?" I asked.
"What?"
"I mean, if Snape's trying to kill you, Dumbledore would stop him. If he's after this stone, he'd stop him. If your so concerned, just tell him." I said, and the trio glanced at each other.
"We don't know where his office is." Ron replied.
"Okay then, tell your head of house." I replied, and the three looked horrified.
"She'd not believe us, and tell us to stop." Hermione replied, and I shrugged.
"Well if neither Professor McGonagall, or Professor Dumbledore, seem worried. Why should we?" I asked, and the trio struggled to find answered.
"Snape's got them fooled." Harry said eventually, and I sighed.
"Yeah, the greatest wizard of all time is fooled." I replied, and both Anthony and Lisa nodded.
"Listen." Anthony began. "I know Snape's a git to most, especially to your house. But's he not a murderer, Dumbledore wouldn't have hired him if he was. As for this stone...even if it is here, it's not our business. I know you guys are sure of yourselves, heck Granger is the smartest in our year, but...it just doesn't make sense." Anthony finished.
"Fine. Just...keep an eye on Snape at the Quidditch match, see if you still think the same after." Harry said.
"Fine." I replied. "Though nothing's going to happen." I replied, and Harry shrugged.
"You'll see." He replied firmly.
"If your so scared, why play?" Lisa asked, and Harry turned to her determinedly.
"I'm not a coward, and if we win, were in first place. I can't let Gryffindor down, and I can't let the Slytherin's win...speaking of which." Harry turned to me with a suspicious expression. "Neville say's you where sitting with Malfoy in the library?" Harry asked, and Ron and Hermione joined in the suspicious glances.
"Don't tell me your getting to friendly with him? Ron added.
"Of course not." I replied.
"Why where you sitting with him then?" Hermione asked nervously.
"Did he threaten you?" Harry asked, his voice now filled with anger.
"No..." I began and sighed. "I lost a bet on our match with Slytherin, I had to help him in do Charms homework the past two weeks." I admitted.
"Bet...what could possibly make you risk having to help Malfoy?" Ron asked, a disgusted look on his face, and I shrugged.
"Fifty Galleons." I replied, and both the Gryffindor's went from suspicious to surprised.
"That much?" Ron asked in astonishment.
"Yeah." I replied.
"I guess I can't blame you for that..." Harry admitted, and I replied with a nod.
"You didn't help him cheat, did you?" Hermione asked sternly, and I shook my head.
"Of course not, he did all the work himself. You'd think I'd ever help someone cheat?" I asked slightly offended.
"You never know with Malfoy." Hermione replied, and I shrugged.
"Well I didn't." I again confirmed.
"Still, that sounds like hell, dealing with Malfoy with two weeks" Harry said, looking at me worriedly, and I shrugged.
"It was as you would expect." I replied.
Harry nodded. "At least it's over." He told me then looked out the window into the cloudy, wet, evening and groaned.
"I better get going, Wood will have a conniption fit if I don't get to practice in time." He explained. "See you all later." He then started towards the door's and I winced as I heard the rain.
"I need to get this book back to the Common Room." Hermione added holding up the thick book she'd read to us out of. "Come on Ron." She said motioning for him to follow. He did and soon we where all alone.
"That was fun..." Anthony said before turning to me. "I see why you were against their research now." He added, and I nodded.
"Yeah, I told you they had their...theories." I replied, and Lisa shook her head.
"You forgot conspiracy, conspiracy theories." She added, and I had to chuckle, and nodded.
"Yeah, conspiracy theories." I replied. "Honestly...I wish Harry didn't get so obsessed, Draco, Snape, and Flamel, it's a lot to Digest." I admitted, then sighed.
"Well, let's get to the library, we still need to start on those biographies." He reminded us, and Lisa groaned.
"Fine." She replied.
We made our way to the Library, and started to go through books on historical figures. While Anthony was enthralled with most of the books, me and Lisa where less than enthusiastic.
"All these people are boring." Lisa whined, and I nodded.
"Yeah. All I hear when I read most of these is Binn's boring voice. Not to mention that most of them are ancient." I added, and Anthony shrugged.
"I mean, the class is called History of Magic." He replied, and I shrugged.
"I guess I'd rather read about someone more...recent." I replied, and he nodded.
"Well, I'm sure you could find something." He said encouragingly, before turning back to a book titled Best Wizards of the Twelfth Century.
Me and Lisa began to wonder through the Library Aisles. Trying to find someone, anyone that I found interesting. After a while I began getting annoyed.
"There has to be someone interesting..." I said putting my hands in my robe pockets, and I felt something? "What the." I said as I pulled out Dumbledore's chocolate frog. "I guess Harry and friends forgot about this." I said, and reread the back...
"Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald..." I read, and I instantly wondered...I began to back to the table, and Lisa looked at me confused.
"Where are you going?" She asked, and I motioned for her to follow.
"I think I found someone interesting." I replied as we made our way back to our table, when Anthony was deeply focused on his book.
"Anthony?" I asked, and he looked up at me curiously.
"Yeah?"
"Remember earlier, when you mentioned something about Grindelwald." I reminded him curiously, and he nodded.
"Oh yeah. As I was saying, he was the most feared wizard before You-Know-Who. He was more a threat to the continent though, he avoided Britain." Anthony explained. "Why do you ask?"
"I just thought...he'd be a good essay topic." I admitted, and Anthony gave me unsure expression.
"You...want to write your essay on Grindelwald?" He asked me, and I nodded.
"If I'm allowed to." I replied, unsure if Binn's would allow it.
"He should...but Sarah, if you do your essay on him, prepare to read about a lot of dark and horrible things." He warned, and I nodded.
"What kind of things...how do you know?" Lisa asked, now curious like me.
"Branches of my family are from the mainland, I have an Uncle who was alive during Grindelwald's reign, he told me stories." He explained, before turning back to me.
"If I may ask, why Grindelwald?" He asked, and I shrugged.
"He's a lot more of a recent figure, probably would be easier to get information on him, and the fact that there was another Dark Wizard right before You-Know-Who...I don't know, it just sounds interesting." I replied, and Anthony nodded.
"That makes sense." He replied, before thinking for a moment. "I would recommend Global Wizarding World. It goes into great detail about Grindelwald and his campaign. Though I again warn you, it's dark stuff." He warned, and I nodded.
"If it's too much I'll put it down." I replied, as I went off to the G section of the library.
I was wrong about Grindelwald, he wasn't interesting, he was absolutely fascinating. From trying to break the international statue of secrecy, nearly burning down Paris, attempting to steal the 1932 Supreme Mugwump election, to his supposed legendary duel with Dumbledore. He was fascinating, undoability insane, yet fascinating.
Another thing that surprised me was that he was still alive, locked in his own prison, Nurmengard, after his defeat in 1945. It made me wonder what he was like now? Does he regret his actions? What does his logo, A triangle, inside a circle with a line straight through, mean, I couldn't find a hidden meaning anywhere, was it just a random design choice? Did he really believe enslaving the muggle world was for the best...
In fact there where several things I couldn't find about Grindewald. For starters after being expelled from Durmstrang, another Magical School in northern Norway, he disappeared for several years, only returning to attack the Wandmaker Gregorovitch, apparently for no reason?
Still, I was infatuated by Grindelwald. So much so that I'd already read two books on him, and was in the middle of a third. The first was Global Wizarding War, the book Anthony had showed me, the second was titled Magical History of the early Twentieth Century, while the current book was called...
"The Madman's Crusade, a Biography on Gellert Grindelwald." Lisa said and I nearly jumped out of bed. I turned to her with a startled look on my face. "That's the third book you've read on Grindelwald in the past two weeks." She said, a look of concern on her face.
"He's my essay topic." I replied shrugging.
Binn's had let me do Grindelwald, though he didn't seem to know anything about him. Anthony had to explain to me that Ghosts are mostly stuck how they where when they died. Binn's had supposedly died in 1901, a few decades before Grindelwald had made a name for himself.
"Reading a book for and essay is normal, heck three would be normal, but three in two weeks. That's a little extreme." She told me frowning, and again I shrugged.
"He's just so interesting. I mean...he's horrible, but also so interesting." I replied, then turned back to the book. I heard Lisa give a small laugh.
"What?" I asked frowning.
"Just the fact that you and Harry are more alike than you know." She said, and I looked at her curiously.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Just the fact that you both obsess over things. Him it's that stone, Snape, and Draco. You it's Charms, Smith, and Grindelwald." She explained, and I frowned.
"That's not fair...Smith came after me first. Charm's is a class I'm good at, and Grindelwald is a essay topic." I replied instantly.
"It's still an obsession." She replied, and before I could reply she held up her hand. "Not saying it's a bad thing...but still you both get obsessed." She finished.
"My obsession is reading a book for research essay, while his is worrying about what a three headed dog is guarding, not really a fair comparison." I replied, and she shrugged.
"Like I said, It's not a slight, just an observation." She replied, then laid down. "What makes Grindelwald so interesting anyways?" She asked, and I thought for a moment. Why was I so fascinated by Grindelwald?
"...It's hard to explain." I began, as Lisa turned over and looked at me. "I guess it's the fact that he's a dark wizard with no connection to me, to Harry, instead of the emotional rage and sadness I feel when You-Know-Who is brought up...Grindelwald brings out sheer curiosity Why did he do the things he did? What where his plans if he'd won? Did he really think he was doing things...for the greater good? Does that make sense?" I replied, and Lisa nodded.
"I guess.". She replied.
"Then theirs the fact that so much about him is missing...I can't find a single thing about him from when he was expelled from Durmstrang in 1899 to his attack on Gregorovitch in 1909. Ten years where no one knew anything about him. Where was he? What was he up to? Why did he attack Gregorovitch anyway?" I asked eagerly, and Lisa just shook her head.
"Promise me something." She began and I looked at her confused.
"What?" I asked.
Please promise me that you won't take that book down to the pitch tomorrow." She pleased, and I nodded.
"Of course I'm not. Tomorrow my primary focus will be watching Harry be the hero again, and seeing Smith's reaction will be an added bonus." I said the last part smiling at the thought..
"Good, I'm tired of seeing you so obsessed with this assignment." She replied, and before I could respond she closed the curtain to her bed. "Good night."
Today was the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff match. Of course I was rooting for Gryffindor. The possibility of Harry winning and being the hero again, while Smith's house lost made me giddy.
At breakfast I noticed Harry had a glum look on his face, more so than last time...and I remembered his theory about Snape.
"He looks ill." I turned and saw Cho looking at Harry with a worried look "He okay?" She asked turning to me.
"He's nervous because Snape's the ref today." I replied, and at the mention of Snape she scowled.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. Can't believe they'd let him ref, he'll clearly favor Hufflepuff, and try and keep Slytherin in the lead."
"Most Likely." I agreed, then stood up. "I'm going to wish him luck." I added, and she nodded.
I walked over, and like that time placed my hands on Harry's shoulders. "Good luck." I said, he turned to me and tried to smile, tried being the key word.
"Thanks." He replied, and I sighed then leaned down.
"No one is trying to kill you." I whispered, then stood up straight. Harry turned and looked at me skeptically, and I gave him another smile. "You'll do fine." I again tried to assure him, then turned around and walked back to my table.
"He still think Snape's trying to kill him?" Anthony asked in a whisper, and I nodded.
"Yeah." I answered, and Lisa rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry but their entire theory is completely mental." She said, and I nodded.
"It's very far fetched." I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.
Breakfast ended and we made our way down to the pitch. Everyone was wondering if Harry could possibly do it again, if he could put Gryffindor in the lead, if he could once again be the hero...
When we arrived in the stands I noticed that Snape was indeed down on the field. He did not look happy, and everyone had the same thought.
"He's clearly going to favor Hufflepuff." Michael said in a annoyed tone as we sat down.
"Yeah, he want's to keep Slytherin in the lead, I mean, why else would he volunteer to ref?." Terry added.
"You can tell this is a big game, heck is that...Dumbledore?" Lisa said, and sure enough up in the teachers box was the elderly headmaster.
"Does he come to games often?" I asked Cho, whom was sitting a few seats down shook her head.
"Not that I know of, this is the first time."
The game kicked off, and Snape was clearly favoring Hufflepuff. When a blunger that George had thrown got to close, he gave Gryffindor a penalty, and Hufflepuff made the shot.
"That isn't fair." Michael said annoyed.
"No, like I said Snape's Cleary..." But Terry never got to finish what Snape was clearly doing, as Harry dove and shot right by Snape...and held the snitch up in the air. Stunned silence turned into massive cheers as Gryffindor's rushed the filed.
"Amazing...the game didn't even last five minutes." Anthony said.
"Even Dumbledore's congratulating him." Lisa pointed out, and indeed Dumbledore had a hand on Harry's shoulder, and Harry had a massive, relieved smile plastered on his face.
Snape looked furious as he landed nearby, and I couldn't blame him, his house was now in second.
The Gryffindor's lifted Harry onto there shoulders and I knew it would be awhile before they where done with him, so I slowly stood up.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow." I said motioning to the pitch now covered with celebrating Gryffindor's.
"Yeah, probably for the best." Anthony admitted, and we all headed back to the castle.