For the first time since the beginning of term, days began to pass without incident. Everyone was finally over Harry and Ron's adventure in the Ford Angelica, while Draco hadn't spoken to me since I'd called out his blood purity rant, and Sandra and the other first years had finally got the message and were leaving Luna alone, due in large part to the protective bubble me and my year mates had placed around her.
As for Cho and Quidditch, I spent the next couple of day eagerly waiting for my broom to arrive. Every mail session I would tense up in anticipation, sighing in disappointment when no package arrived. Cho didn't help much, taking every chance to remind me that practice started Sunday, and that I was going to be amazing.
It was a lot of pressure...
"You okay?" Anthony asked me quietly as me and him met in the Common room on Friday morning
"Yeah, just...waiting." I replied softly, glancing out the window for any sign of Uric.
Anthony nodded, then quickly looked around to make sure no was listening. "When's your broom showing up?" He asked, his voice barley a whisper.
"Any day now."
"And how are you going to..."
"Hide it from everyone in the Great Hall when it gets here?"
Anthony subtly nodded. "Yeah."
I took a few more quick glances to make sure no one was listening, then turned back to him. "When it get's here I'll pretend the owl had made a mistake, and that it's Cho's."
"She's in on this?" Anthony asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, in fact it was her idea. Anyways, after she takes it, she'll place it in the broom shed, and no one will be any wiser."
Anthony stroked his chin thoughtfully, then nodded. "Sounds good to me, anyways, where's Lisa?"
"looking over her Charm's homework from last night." I replied with a chuckle. "She's convinced she got question nine wrong."
Anthony looked at me with a puzzled expression. "The one about the Bubblegum Charm?"
"Yeah." I replied nodding.
Anthony just shook his head, but before he could comment further a clearly frustrated Lisa came strolling out of the girls Dorms.
"Stupid homework...stupid question...stupid..."
"Lisa." Anthony said, causing her to to look up, irritation pouring from her face.
"What?" She snipped.
"Let me see your homework." Anthony replied shaking his head, Lisa looked back and forth between me and Anthony. Then held her hand out, Anthony swiped the parchment and looked it over. "You got it right." Anthony said after a quick glance.
"Are you sure?" Lisa asked fidgeting her fingers. "The properties of the Charm should be sticky and stretchy, but what if Professor Flitwick wants..."
"It's fine." Anthony assured her, and holding out the parchment. Lisa looked at it, then him with suspicion.
"...Fine." She replied, taking back the parchment, and giving it one last worried glance before turning back to Anthony." You better be right..." She warned, then turned to me, who was holding back a laugh at the whole situation. "And you, stop laughing at my misery."
"Sorry..." I replied rubbing the back of my neck and avoiding eye contact. "You're just so...worked up."
"You would be to if your mother was a Professor at Cambridge." She snapped rolling up the parchment and placing it in her bag. "Even if she doesn't understand magic, she still expects top marks."
"Oh I am well aware..." I replied, shuddering at all the Muggle schoolwork me and Anthony had helped with last year. "Anyways, you ready to get down to breakfast?"
Lisa sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be." She said, giving one last dirty look at her bag, then turning and heading towards the Common Room exit.
The three of us entered the Great Hall and sat down for Breakfast. Luna, whom was now sitting with us during meals, was eating a bowl of pudding while reading the Quibbler intently, while the rest of our year mates were complaining about Snape...again.
"How could the crooked nose git give me an A?" Padma asked while waving a parchment in annoyance.
"You got an A?" Michael asked shaking his head. "He gave me a P because I, Quote on Quote, have chicken scratch for Handwriting...Handwriting!"
"He's such a git." Mandy sighed, before turning to me with a grin. "Well...to most of us."
Everyone turned to me, and I shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you guys."
Before anyone else could respond, owl's wings could be heard flying in as the mail arrived, and my thoughts instantly drifted to my Broom, and I glanced down the table at Cho who nodded.
The next couple of seconds seemed like hours as Mandy got a letter from home, while Michael got a package of sweets...I had just about given up hope for the day when Uric soared down and dropped a envelope on my plate.
"What's that?" Lisa asked as I tore open the envelope, and opened the letter.
"No idea..." I lied, then began reading the parchment.
Miss Sarah Lily Potter
We are delighted that you wish to make a withdrawal from Vault number 687. However, we regret to inform you, that a signature from the vaults primary account holder, Mr. Harry James Potter, is required. Please have him sign his name below, and return this parchment to complete the transaction.
Luggott
I glanced at the letter for several seconds in shock, then looked down to where they wanted Harry to sign, and below that where it specified I was buying a Nimbus 2000
"Sarah?"
Lisa's voice caught my attention, as I quickly looked up to see everyone but Anthony looking at me with confused expressions, while Anthony was a mix of worry and confusion.
"What's wrong?" Mandy asked.
"It looks like she just received shocking unwanted news." I turned to see Luna had finally looked up from the quibbler and was looking straight at me. "The way her face contorted from excitement to shock, and her faced paled." Everyone was now looking at Luna who's face still wore the same neutral expression. "Reminds me of the way Dad looks on boxing day, Wrackspurts are worst then."
With that Luna turned back to the quibbler, and all faces turned back to me.
"What happened?" Lisa asked, now looking horrified.
From the shock of the letter, to Luna's point on explanation of how I was feeling, it took me a second to come up with something, anything, that could get me out of this situation...
"Just a letter from my Aunt and Uncle." I lied, causing everyone to give me skeptical looks.
"But they've never written you before?" Padma asked, causing me to sigh.
"They gave me my Christmas Present early this year." I replied slowly standing.
"What?" Michael asked, still just as lost as everyone but Anthony.
"A paperclip." I replied in a tone that said I didn't want to talk about it any further. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to return a book to the Library."
And with that I strode off, not knowing what to do. Tell Harry and have him ask why I needed a broom? Show Cho the letter and ask for her advice? Maybe ask Professor Flitwick to help me out after all...
I entered the Library, found a secluded corner, sat down, and pulled out the letter. I read it a couple more times, each time getting more angry. Why did I need Harry's permission to pull out money of OUR account? Was it an age thing? I was only a couple minutes younger. Was it a gender thing..."
"The Wizarding World has shown no lack of prejudice." I said gritting my teeth and shaking my head.
Before I could stew any further the bell rang and I sighed. Stuffing the letter deep into my book bag, and deciding to deal with it after potions class.
I walked through the corridors muttering to myself, so much so that I hardly noticed when I ran into Anthony, Lisa, and everyone else at the entrance to the dungeons,
"Sarah." Lisa said, causing me to jump.
"Sorry." I said, trying to fake a smile.
"You okay?" Anthony asked in a worried tone, and I shrugged.
"Fine." I replied, again my tone leaving room for no further discussion, before turning and leading the group into the dungeons and towards the potions classroom.
"Was the letter from your Aunt and Uncle really that bad?" Padma asked placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I sighed. "Padma, I appreciate the concern, but I really don't want to talk about it." I replied, and thankfully, everyone seemed to understand as no one asked anything else.
"Well." Michael said finally breaking the awkward silence. "At least you get to spend the next couple of hours with your favorite Professor."
"Yeah, we know you've been looking forward to it." Terry added as I chuckled.
"I'd say he's the most...neutral Professor I've ever had." I replied, glancing at the door to the potions classroom as we approached. "I mean, he's probably never said more that three sentences to me at any one time."
"Hey, that's better than being called a nitwit for mispronouncing Caxambu Style Borborygmus Potion." Michael replied, causing Terry to grimace.
"Ugh, try saying that five time face."
"Caxambu Style Borborygmus Potion, Caxambu Style Borborygmus Potion,Caxbu Style Borboryg Poion, Caxasa...I give up."
The entire group laughed, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "You two really now how to lighten the mood." I said, giving them pats on the shoulder.
"Well...they have to be good at something." Padma added, causing both to give her fake offended looks.
"Madam that is quite uncalled for." Terry began, then turned to Michael. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"Very much so."
We all conjugated around the potions classroom door, waiting for the Hufflepuff's to arrive and for Potions class to begin. While we waited, Michael and Terry continued to joke around, while being careful that Professor Snape didn't suddenly appear.
While we waited I notice Anthony slowly inch his way towards me, a mix of laughter, yet still worry in his face. When he got close enough he quickly held out his hand, and I quietly snatched a small, torn, piece of parchment, which I quickly looked at.
Is this about?
As soon as I read it I crumpled the parchment, then turned and quickly nodded. Causing him to looked alarmed.
"After class." I mouthed to him, he seemed to understand and nodded.
Finally we heard the Hufflepuff's approaching and the good mood that Michael and Terry had built quickly disappeared as I heard the voice of Zacharias Smith.
"I'm telling you guys, it's never my fault, it's hers. Don't you see the way that Snape treats her compared to everyone else? It's a conspiracy I tell you, a con..."
"Oh goody." Lisa said, folding her arms and rolling her eyes. "As if today can't get any worse."
"Zacharias, please, let it go." Ernie Macmillan replied , clearly annoyed with Smith.
"I will not." Smith replied with a holy than thou tone. "Until I prove to everyone in this school that she's..."
"SHH!" Hannah Abbot suddenly interrupted looking at me, then the potions classroom door. Smith seemed offended, but before he could respond Hannah continued. "How many points did you lose us last time during potions?"
"Uh..." Smith seemed to do the math in his head. "...thirty. But only because..."
"I don't care why you lost points, but you did, so please for the love of Merlin. Shut up." Hannah said, and Smith seemed like he was about to argue back.
"But the injustice..."
"Please Zacharias... for the good of Hufflepuff." Susan Bones begged, and Smith finally nodded.
"Fine."
"That was amazing." Lisa whispered as the Hufflepuff's arrived at the door, and I nodded.
"Incredible."
Unfortunately I couldn't enjoy Smith's scolding any further as the door to the Potions room flew open. I sat in my usual spot. Today Lisa sat next to me. Behind us entered Professor Snape, black robes flowing as usual, as well as the aura that he commanded.
"Before we begin, I will be collecting the essay assigned at the end of last weeks lesson. It should be three full, single spaced pieces of Parchment. If you have done as I instructed, pull out your essay, now."
Their was a rustle of parchment as we all pulled out our essays. I looked at mine, satisfied it would be adequate. Snape began collecting essays, when he collected mine he avoided looking at me, while everyone else was given his signature glare. It was only when he moved over to the Hufflepuff's that we noticed Smith's desk...empty, and his face pale as a ghost.
Me and Lisa shared a mischievous look.
"This is going to be good." Lisa whispered.
"Indeed." I added, as Snape approached Smith.
"Mr Smith, where is your Essay?" Snape asked in a deadly whisper, his lips curling like he had tasted something unpleasant.
"I...I uh...left it in the common room." Smith replied, sinking in his seat and avoiding eye contact.
It was glorious.
Their was a long silence until Snape finally spoke again. "You have three options, go get it and lose twenty points for delaying class, admit you're lying and spend the next three nights in detention, or keep up this charade, bring me back nothing, and spend the next two weeks in detention. Your choice."
There was another long silence, Snape standing over the hunched over form of Smith, arm's folded.
Smith glanced to either side of him, but both Justin and Ernie looked away. And finally Smith sighed, defeated. "I...Forgot." He admitted, and Snape smiled wickedly.
"Then I guess I'll be seeing you the next several days." Snape replied, then swung around and made his way to the front of the room. "Also Mr. Smith, twenty points for lying." Snape finished as he began writing on the chalkboard. Their were some vocal groans from the other Hufflepuff's, while Smith silently seethed.
"Now." Snape began, turning out attention back to the chalkboard. "Today we shall be brewing the Fire Protection Potion. Which, as the name implies, will protect you from most flames." He said, finishing writing down the potion name then turning back to the class. "What are the ingredients for said potion...BROCKLEHURST!"
Mandy nearly fell out of her chair when Snape called her name.
"The potions consists of Bursting Mushrooms, Salamander Blood and, Wartcap Powder, sir." Mandy replied after regaining her composure.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day." Snape sneered as he began to stride around the room, causing everyone he passed to nervously look at the floor. "Now, who can tell the type of flames the potion will not protect you from?" Snape asked, looking coldly around the room. He seemed surprised when Susan Bones raised her hand? "Speak."
"Flames caused by Dark Magic...sir." She answered, and Snape grinned.
"Yes, and not just Dark Magic, the darkest magic. In fact only two spells will be able to break through this potion." Snape then paused as he looked around the room. "Which are?"
I paused for a moment, two dark spells that produced flames, they had to be powerful...and extremely dark, so dark that Snape wouldn't expect us to know...but I swore I had read about something like this.
My Mind flashed to my readings on Grindelwald, to the first book I'd ever read on the man, Global Wizarding War, and of his feats in Paris...
My hand popped into the air, much to the surprise of Professor Snape who raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Protego Diabolica." I replied, remembering what the book had said. The black ring of fire Grindelwald had produced in Paris that had killed dozens, how multiple wizards including Nicolas Flamel had stopped just barley stopped it from spreading.
That had to be one of the spells.
"That's...correct." Snape replied, clearing in shock that I'd known the answer. After a couple second pause he seemed to collect himself. "Ten points to Ravenclaw."
Everyone of my house mates looked at Snape in pleasant shock, sure he never yelled at me, but he rarely, if ever, awarded points to anyone outside of Slytherin. The Hufflepuff's were also shocked, though there reaction was more subdued as they had let the opportunity pass them by.
Smith, however, looked furious.
And It was wonderful.
"Now, can anyone outside of Miss Potter tell us the other spell that this potion will not protect against?" Snape asked, quickly regaining the focus of the entire room. Snape scanned the room, then sighed. "No one?" After another second of silence Snape shook his head. "How disappointing, the other spell is Fiendfyre. Now both these spells are incredibly dark, and illegal. Only expect to hear of them again in your N.E.W.T level defense class. Now then, onto out main topic..."
Snape turned back to the chalkboard. "The Fire Protection Potion, also known as the Ice Potion, is an incredibly useful potion that, as I've already stated, protects the drinker from both normal, and most spell made flames. The instructions to making this potions can be found on page fifty seven of your textbook, I expect a successful brew by the end of class...Begin"
The ruffling of pages signified the beginning of brewing, and soon enough I finishing slicing the bursting mushrooms, while Lisa had just returned from the cupboard with the salamander blood.
"Are they ready to put in?" She asked, I nodded and put them in.
"I need to stir clockwise until blue?" I confirmed. Lisa nodded and I began to slowly stir, making sure everything was as it should.
"So..." Lisa began as I turned to her. "How did you know about that fire spell?"
For a moment I was silent. She knew I read about Grindelwald, but if anyone other than Anthony overheard us... "From reading." I replied, and Lisa folded her arms and frowned.
"Come on Sarah..." Lisa glanced around and saw Snape across the room scolding Ernie and Justin. "...Snape said that spell is only talked about in N.E.W.T defense. It's way above our level."
I sighed as the potion turned blue. Lisa saw and put the salamander blood in as I began to stir counter clockwise. After making sure the potion was on track I turned to Lisa, who was still frowning at me.
"Grindelwald used it." I replied, and Lisa blinked in realization.
"Oh..." She replied, then laughed. "Why so secretive, I mean, both me and Anthony already know about that."
I subtilty motioned over to Smith, who still was fuming, given the fact he had glanced at me hatefully every couple of seconds. "I don't want to give him any...ammunition against me." I replied, remembering the other day when he'd caught me with the book on Grindelwald. "You know how he is."
Lisa gave another light chuckle, then nodded. "He would try and convince the whole school you were the second coming of...You-Know-Who." She said the last part in a whisper.
"I think he already has." I replied, looking down at the now red potion as I added Wartcap Powder I had crushed earlier. "When it's red where done."
Lisa nodded as the two of us made small talk until the potion was done. When it was we called Professor Snape over, as usual he didn't say anything other to me other than. "Correct." Then strode off. Soon enough class was over, and we began to packing our things.
"Goldstein, Boot. I haven't checked your potion yet. Wait quietly while I finish with theirs." Snape ordered, motioning to Susan and Hannah's potion. Terry quietly rolled his eyes, while Anthony nodded towards the door...
"Wait for me." He mouthed, Lisa and I nodded. We left the classroom and stood by the entrance to the dungeons.
"Well, that was fun." Lisa said sarcastically, noticing all the sullen expressions of the others as the passed by. "I mean, for everyone else." She finished in barely a whisper.
"Like I've said a million times, I have no idea why he treats me decent." I replied with a shrug.
"I wish I knew why he..."
"POTTER!"
I groaned as I turned to fact Smith storming over to us. Unlike us, his potions had exploded halfway through class. That, combined with his already sour attitude from earlier, must have boiled over.
I took a deep breath trying to remain calm. "What do you want Smith?" I asked pinching the bridge of my nose, while holding a annoyed Lisa back with my other hand.
"How did you know that curse?" He asked, folding his arms, and I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"That fire spell that only N.E.W.T level students know!" Smith replied, fists shaking in rage. "A fire spell that is dark and illegal!" Smith ranted, before taking a few deep breaths, and smirking. "At least I finally have my proof."
"Proof." I replied raising an eyebrow.
"That you're dark, Potter." He replied pointing an accusing finger. "I mean, how else would you know a spell like that."
"What did you call her?" Lisa asked, taking a couple steps forward before I could speak, as my eyes widened in alarm.
"Lisa it's fine..."
"No it's not." Lisa said while still glaring at Smith. All the while I noticed our House mates, and other Hufflepuff's notice us. "She has done nothing to you, yet you still come after her. Time after time, and I'm sick and tired of it!"
"Lisa..."
"Come after her?" Smith spat back, not allowing me to speak. "I'm simply trying to show the school what she truly is."
"Zacharias." Susan Bones said rushing forward. "Stop this foolishness, your going to lose Hufflepuff..."
"It doesn't matter what I do Bones!" Smith replied turning around in rage. "She in cahoots with Snape, don't you see!"
"Cahoots with Snape?" Lisa asked shaking. "What potion have you been drinking?"
"Enough!" Smith roared, turning back to Lisa while Bones double face palmed. "You stay out of this." He continued pointing at Lisa.
"No I don't think I will." Lisa replied glaring straight back. "Why don't you just keep walking." Lisa finished motioning to the stairs leading up from the dungeon.
"Not until I get the answers I seek. Not until she admits where she learned that spell from...
"Reading a book perhaps, though you don't look like you do much of that."
"Why you..."
Smith had clearly had enough as he pulled out his wand, while Lisa did the same.
"Lisa stop!" I shouted.
"Smith don't!" Susan said at the same time.
It was to late.
"Immobulus!" Lisa shouted.
"Incendio!" Smith roared back.
The two spells roared towards each other in what seemed like slow motion. I saw Susan jump back, while I tried to reach and pull Lisa out of the way, convinced that Smith's stupidity, and Lisa's temper, was about to result in the latter being burned.
"Enough!"
We all turned as the two spells were easily vanished, as the annoyed figure of Professor Snape strode into view, Anthony and Terry behind him. Smith went a few shades paler, while Lisa clasped her arms together nervously. When he reached us he surveyed the scene. Looking at Smith, then Lisa, and finally...me.
"You two." He said, pointing at Lisa, and Smith. "My office, now" He ordered motioning behind him, then looking at the rest of the assembled students. "The rest of you, go." He ordered, before turning and striding back, deeper, into the dungeons.
Smith, now terrified, quickly followed, while Lisa met my eyes.
"You shouldn't have done that." I told her, and she shrugged.
"It's fine." She replied with a shrug. "Besides, he really deserved it." With that Lisa started nervously after Smith and Snape.
As soon as the pair were out of site everyone started disperse. Susan was ranting to Ernie and Hannah about, quote on quote, that idiotic buffoon. While Anthony approached me with a nervous expression.
"I hope she's not in to much trouble." He said, causing me to sigh.
"Yeah, I do too..."
"Anyways, this does give us an opportunity." Anthony said, and I turned to him in confusion.
"Opportunity?"
"That letter you got." Anthony said, and instantly the pit in my stomach returned, I had forgotten about it due to potions and Smith...
"Oh yeah...that." I said in a defeated tone.
"What happened?" He asked quietly, and I shook my head.
"Not here, I want to show Cho and ask her what I should do."
Anthony nodded, then motioned behind us. "Well, I think Lisa going to be busy for a while, now probably the best time if we want to keep this secret."
I nodded. "Let's find Cho."
After a couple of minutes of looking we finally found Cho with Marietta and the rest of the girls in their year in the courtyard. She noticed me, and at first she looked excited, but when she saw the sullen expression on my face, she frowned.
"Where are you going?" Marietta asked frowning, as the rest of her year mates turned towards her.
"I promised to meet Roger." Cho lied smoothly, knowing Roger would cover for her, and seeing as they were already known teammates it made sense.
"You and you Quidditch." Marietta replied shaking her head, before turning back to the rest of the girls as they continued to talk.
The three of us silently made our way out of the courtyard and into an empty corridor.
"Cho..."
"Not here." She replied looking around, then striding towards the door of a unused classroom. " Alohomora." She whispered, causing the door to unlock before motioning us into a dusty room full with knocked over desks. "Peeves." She explained, closing the door behind her. "Know what happened? The look you gave me was worrying..."
"I'll just show you." I replied, pulling out the note from Gringotts, and handing it to her. With every word she read Cho face grew more worried, angry, and confused.
"What? Gringotts has never..." She said, handing me back the note
"What's it say?" Anthony asked, I handed it to him, who's face also went from worry, to a mix of confusion and anger. "I've never heard Gringotts do something like this..." He said as he finished reading and handed it back to me as well.
"What do I do?" I asked turning to Cho, who looked deep in thought.
"I didn't realize this would be so difficult." She replied beginning to pace. "You could tell Harry but, no offence, if you did the whole school would know."
"But I can't buy a broom without his signature..." I replied glaring at the letter, before shoving it back into my book bag. "And I've already told Professor Flitwick I wanted to buy it."
"It's a tricky situation...I could ask my dad to buy a broom." Anthony interjected. "But if I did, both my parent's would ask why as I hate flying..."
"And you'd have to tell them you bought it for Sarah, and they'd tell all the parent's that Sarah Potter had made the team, and we lose our surprise that way." Cho summarized, and Anthony nodded.
"My parents love to gloat I'm your friend..." He replied looking at me and shrugging. "I know you don't think it's a big deal, but you are the Boy-Who-Lived sister."
"And where back at square one." Cho said angerly, her pace quickening. "How are you supposed to be our secret, chaser without a broom!" Cho roared, waving her wand and sending a knocked over desk flying against the wall. After a couple of seconds and some deep breaths Cho calmed down. "I'll talk to Roger and the others on the team hopefully..." Cho suddenly stopped speaking and looked towards the door.
"What in Merlin's name was that?" Came the voice of Pansy Parkinson from the corridor, we all looked at each other, then ducked behind the old teachers desk as the door flew open.
"I could have sworn..." Pansy muttered, looking around the room, then back into the hall. "Are you sure you didn't hear anything Draco? You were walking right by the door."
"I already told you I didn't hear anything Pansy." I heard Draco reply from further down the hall.
"It sounded like something being thrown." Pansy replied, again scanning the room. While both me and Anthony turned to Cho, who was silently cursing herself.
"It was probably just Peeves." Draco replied, as the three of us held our breaths hoping Pansy thought the same thing.
"You're probably right." Pansy finally replied, shutting the door as we heard the pair's footsteps continue down the corridor. "Either that or Potter, Weasel and the Mudblood are up to som..."
We all took a sigh of relief as the voices disappeared down the corridor, as we all stood up.
"That was close." Anthony said, dusting off his robes.
"To close." Cho replied, mentally cursing herself, before turning back to me. "Like I was saying, I'll talk to Roger and the others, see if they can come up with something, if they can't...I guess you'll just have to ask Harry."
I sighed and nodded, not wanting to give away our element of surprise, but at this point seeing no other option. "Should I still show up Sunday night?"
"Yes, in fact that's where will discuss our next options." Cho said, heading to the door and listening to make sure no one was nearby. "Sounds clear." She said opening the door, looking around, and motioning for us to follow. We quickly left the room, as she waved her wand and in relocked. "I'll make sure to say something about Peeves being in the corridor, just in case Parkinson and Malfoy have any second thoughts."
Both me and Anthony nodded, then without another word Cho stormed off, quickly wanting to get away from here, and me, as fast as possible.
"She takes this Quidditch thing way to seriously." Anthony muttered, and I couldn't help but agree.
The two of us quietly made our way to lunch, and found Lisa sitting their poking at her food. "Their you two are." She said as we sat down, as we both turned to her with worried expressions.
"What happened?"
"It's not actually that bad. Snape essentially blamed Smith for starting it." Lisa begin her frown turning to a smile. "Telling him this wasn't the first time he'd been caught messing with his fellow students." Lisa continued mimicking Snape, causing both me and Lisa to smile.
"That must have been wonderful." Anthony replied.
"Oh it was Anthony, it was, anyways Smith's got detention for the next two week's, plus what he already got for not doing his homework, and a note to his parents."
"Well, if anyone deserves that, it's him." I said my voice drenched in satisfaction until I remembered Lisa had also been punished. "But what about you?"
"Ah, just three days." She replied shrugging. "He said I shouldn't have fought back, but that Smith's record was against him."
"How'd Smith take it?" I asked, glancing over to the Hufflepuff table to see Smith sitting alone...again.
"Oh, he tried to argue, but Snape silenced him and warned him one more word would be an additional week." Lisa finished, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Glorious."
"Well deserved." Anthony added.
"Yeah, it was almost like Snape didn't like his favorite be harassed again." Lisa added, turning to me and fluttering her eyebrows.
I just rolled my eyes. "If you say so."
"I mean, come on Sarah, the man treats you like a saint." Lisa continued.
"Yeah, if mostly ignoring you was how saints were treated."
"I mean, compared to how Snape treats the rest of us...yeah that's how he would treat a saint." Lisa said, patting me on the shoulder.
I lightly slapped Lisa's arm
"Ow."
The next couple of days passed at a snails pace. Every second I was hoping for something, a letter from Gringotts explaining their mistake with promise that the broom was on it's way, a promise that nothing like this would ever happen again, anything...
Yet nothing came.
So all I could do was wait. Wait for my first practice without a broom, Wait for Roger and Cho to apologize and kick me off the team, be forced to ask Harry and beg him not to tell anyone, putting him in a horrible situation with Wood and the rest of the Gryffindor team.
It was a horrible feeling.
"You've sure been mopey lately."
I looked up from my book to see Lisa walking over to me. A concerned expression on her face, and once again I cursed the promise I'd made to keep this whole thing a secret.
"I'm just worried about you and these detentions." I replied, half lying. "How bad has Snape been to you?"
"Not as bad as you'd expect." Lisa replied sitting down on the couch next to me. "He mostly just berates Smith's cleaning abilities, clearly Pure Bloods don't know how to do anything on their own."
"I can't believe you have to share detention with Smith." Anthony added, looking up from his own book in the chair across from our couch.
"Snape said it was for, and I quote, learning to work together better. But I think he really just wanted to make Smith suffer even more." Lisa said the last part with a smirk. "Anyways, what are you two reading this fine Sunday morning?"
"Alchemical Duodecimo." Anthony said, holding up his book excitedly. "It's a translation on some ancient Latin charms."
Lisa looked at the book cover in confusion. "And why are you reading...that."
"Because it's interesting. For example did you know that Phillipus von Hohenheim, more calmly known as Paracelsus, and famed alchemist at the time, invented a medicine that cured people through dance."
There was an awkward silence, me and Lisa shared a look, then laughed. "Through dance?"
"Yeah, let me show you, page Three hundred and fifty nine..."
"Were good Anthony." Lisa interjected, making Anthony shrug and turn back to his book. "What about you?"
I smirked and held up the book, causing Lisa to roll her eyes.
"Gellert Grindelwald and the Battle for Power." Lisa read, before turning to me and rolling her eyes. "Really more books about him?"
I shrugged. "It earned me points the other day."
Lisa just shook her head. "Okay no, I'm not spending a Sunday alone while my two best friends sit around reading about a Mad Man, and...well whatever it is you're reading Anthony."
"I already told you it's about..."
"I frankly don't care." Lisa replied, before grabbing both of us and pulling us out of our chairs. "Come on, lets get some breakfast." She said, turning around and leading the way.
"Well that was rud..."
"And put those books away, I don't want people thinking you're both crazy!"
Me and Anthony shared a look, shrugged, put our books away, and followed Lisa out of the common room, and towards the great hall for breakfast.
When we arrived we saw everyone else already well into their meals, chatting merrily. Michael and Terry both going on about who could eat more bacon, Padma trying to stop them from doing so, while Luna sat quietly off to the side, a bowl full of pudding in front of her, and a new copy of the Quibbler in her hands.
"Don't do it. Neither of you." Padma said in a warning tone to Michael and Terry.
"Why not?" Terry asked.
"What's the worst that can happen?" Michael added.
"Both of you in the hospital wings with upset stomachs." Padma replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And I don't want to have to catch you two up again."
"Again?" Terry asked.
"When have you ever had to catch us up?" Michael asked.
Padma began stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Oh, I don't know, maybe last year when you both waited until the last minute to do your Charm's homework..."
"That was one time."
"...Or maybe when you both left your History of Magic essays out side when it rained and had to start over."
"It was an honest mistake."
"...Or finally last week, when both of you forgot about that safety essay Snape assigned us, and I had to stay up till three in the morning helping you two so we wouldn't lose fifty points." Padma finished, as both Terry and Michael had sunken in their seats.
"...Okay maybe you've helped us out."
"Their were a couple of times..."
The sound of Michael and Terry's worried responses were quickly drowned out by the sound of wings fluttering as the mail arrived, and my mood instantly plummeted. Being reminded of what had happened yesterday. I took a quick glance down the table at Cho, and passed her at Roger, both of whom were looking frustrated at the situation.
And somehow I couldn't shake the feeling that it was somehow my fault.
"I wonder if Mum's sent me anything." Mandy said excitedly, clearing expecting something and I couldn't help but envy her excitement, something that until yesterday I too had...
I was snapped out of my self pity by the sound of hooting, and was startled to see Uric had landed in on the table in front of me.
"Uric. You startled me." I said, beginning to pet him, after hall this isn't the first time he'd come around for my leftover scraps...
What was that?
I felt around and noticed a small package wrapped to his wing, so small in fact that nobody else aa\t the table had even noticed it. I quickly untied the parcel and found a envelope, and a small box. Confused, and unsure if this had to do with the...situation I was currently dealing with, I quickly slid both under the table, and read the outside of the envelope.
Try not to let anyone see this package. Find a secluded place to open the package and envelope.
I stared down at the warning, totally lost. Was this even intended for me? Who had sent this? What was it?
"Psst...Sarah." I looked up to see Anthony looking at me out of the corner of his eye, clearly trying to avoid anyone else attention, including Lisa who was looking at the package of makeup that Mandy got with jealousy. "What is that?"
"No idea." I replied shrugging, and letting Anthony have a look at the warning. After reading Anthony shrugged.
"You should do what it says." He advised, and I looked at him with a confused.
"What if it's dangerous?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"It won't be, Hogwarts's wards wouldn't allow anything dangerous though, besides maybe it's from...Gringotts. Maybe they realized their mistake." He said the last part with a shrug, and I looked down at the package.
"But...it can't possibly be a broom." I whispered to myself. Then, without saying another word, slipped both the envelope, and package into my bookbag.
"...I can't believe your mother bought you Matte." Lisa was saying, as I turned to join the conversation that had engulfed the table.
Mandy just shrugged. "I mean, it was my thirteenth birthday, it just took a while for the order to come in."
As Lisa and Mandy went back and forth, Anthony turned to me in total confusion.
"What is Matte?" He asked clearly confused.
"A type of makeup." I replied, and he looked at me with even more confusion, and I realized..."Muggle women put stuff on their face to look prettier." I explained simply, having to hold back a laugh from his expression.
"Oh." Anthony replied, looking at Mandy's Matte Makeup with curiosity. "So is it like a potion?"
I couldn't help my self and let out a chuckle. "I guess...kind of." I replied shrugging. "Like my Aunt or Uncle would ever let me have any."
Anthony gave me a sorrowful look as the conversation between Lisa and Mandy began to wide down. "I just wish my Mum was as forthcoming as yours." Lisa said, standing with a sigh. "Anyways, I need to get to Professor Snape's office."
Both me and Anthony grimaced in sorrow. "Hey, at least today's the last day." Anthony said trying to cheer her up.
"Indeed..." She said, looking bitterly over at Smith who was standing as well before turning to me and Anthony. "I'll see you two later." She finished, before walking out of the great hall towards the dungeons.
I sighed. "Stupid Smith."
"Indeed, but this does give us another opportunity." Anthony replied, causing me to look at him in annoyance.
I sighed. "Why do our all our opportunity's have to involve Lisa being in detention?"
"Because, Cho and Roger made you, and by extension, me keep everything a secret. And in the off chance this package has something to do with it..."
"But, a package this size clearly isn't a...broom." I said the last part in barely a whisper Not to mention the envelope said only to open when no one else was around."
"No, it said to try and not let anyone see you got it." Anthony replied as he began making his way out of the Great Hall. "And I already saw you got it."
I thought for a moment then nodded. "I guess that makes sense, I mean you already know, and maybe you'll know what it is...especially since it can't be a broom."
"...We'll see." Anthony said quietly, making me look at him in confusion.
"But it can't be..."
"Let's just go..." He suggested. "We'll see if my theory is true." After giving him one last confused look, I nodded, and the two of us made our way out of the hall.
We wandered the corridors, looking for somewhere secluded, finally settling on the same abandoned classroom where we had met with Cho a couple days ago.
"Lets make sure no one can find us this time" Anthony said after he shut the door behind us, pulling out his wand and pointing it at the lock. "Colloportus."
The door locked, and Anthony turned back to me. "Well, go ahead."
I nodded then turned to my book bag, taking out the envelope and parcel. I placed the parcel down on one of the desks, then opened the envelope, and reading.
Thank you for shopping with Quality Quidditch Supplies. Inside the Parcel is the brand new Nimbus 2001 broomstick...
"What?" I gasped, rereading the line, then turning to the parcel. "But a broom can't possibly fit...
"...That's what I thought."
Anthony words surprised me as I turned to see him reading the letter over my shoulder. I looked at him in confusion, but he simply motioned to the parchment. "Keep reading."
… Nimbus 2001 broomstick, which has been delivered using anonymous delivery. To make the broom grow to full size, simply tap it with your wand three times and mutter the incantation Engorgio. WARNING DO NOT TAP MORE THAN THREE TIMES. We thank you for shopping with us at Quality Quidditch Supplies.
I reread the letter multiple times, then turned to Anthony who was looking at the parcel with interest. "So I was right..."
"Right about what?" I asked, a mix of excitement and confusion in my voice.
"As the envelope said, you got a Nimbus 2001 broomstick, which as of right now is toy size in this box..."
"Let me see that." I said, quickly opening the parcel. Sure enough inside was a sleek Nimbus 2001. "But..." I said, looking back and forth between the envelope and toy sized broom. "...how?"
"Well, the buyer used anonymous shipping it would seem."
"Anonymous shipping?"
"Anonymous shipping, it's an option that only the very rich use. Basically the buyer pays a massive fee, and the sender puts either a growth or shrinking charm on the item. For example if the buyer wanted a book sent to him in secret, then the sender would make it the size of six or seven books. When delivered no one would be able to tell it was a book, other than the recipient."
I looked down at the broom in amazement. "That's...perfect, I wonder why Cho didn't bring that up when we were discussing how to hide me getting it."
"Like I said, it's really expensive, like...really expensive." Anthony said, emphasizing the word really. "Heck I doubt Cho has ever even heard of it, the only reason I know is my father, given his job, is sent artifacts that no one other than him is meant to know about, not even me."
I nodded, remembering how Anthony's dad was supposedly an unspeakable in the department of mysteries. "Well, let's get down to the broom shed. After where their I'll turn it to it's normal size."
Anthony nodded in agreement, as I closed the parcel and shoved both it and the envelope back into my bag, before beginning the long walk down to the Quidditch pitch, and the broom shed.
"Finally." I said excitedly as we entered the broom shed.
"It wouldn't have taken so long if you hadn't made us avoid everyone in the castle." Anthony said, shutting the door behind us.
"We need to keep this a secret." I replied, motioning to my still toy sized broom. "If anyone saw this..."
"It took an hour to get here." Anthony replied rolling his eyes. "It usually takes ten minutes."
After a moment of thinking I sighed. "Listen, I just want to be careful. I mean, you do realize how much of a pain this whole process had been."
"Very much so." Anthony replied, before motioning to the parcel in my hands. "Well, you best get to it, I'll keep an eye out...just in case."
I gave Anthony a smile "Thank you." He nodded, as I opened the box, and pulled out the Nimbus 2001. Finally I pulled out my wand, and took a deep breath...
"Engorgio." I said, tapping my wand against the broom, and sure enough the broom grew to the size of a toddlers broom, and my smile grew even wider. "Engorgio." I said again, and it grew again, this time about two third the size of what it should be. "Finally Engorgio." I said, and behold, the broom was complete size...and looked amazing.
"Wow." I said, holding the floating broom. "It's...amazing." I said, before turning to Anthony, who was know also looking at the broom in amazement "Thank you for getting me this."
"What?" Anthony replied confused, and I motioned to the broom.
"Thank you, I don't know how you did it, but I'm truly grateful..."
"Sarah, I didn't get you that." He replied and for a moment both of us started each other in confusion.
"...Oh, sorry, I just thought, with your knowledge of anonymous shipping and all that."
"Oh, well, it wasn't...didn't the envelope of parcel have a name?" Anthony asked. I once again looked through both and shook my head.
"No..." I replied looking at the broom in confusion. "But then who sent me this?"
Both of us were once again silent in thought, until Anthony spoke. "Cho and Roger?" He asked, and I nodded.
"Must have been." I replied realizing the pair must have come up with something and were only looking disappointed to keep up this charade. "I mean, what better way to keep me secret, I mean, this must be right up their alley, and if the whole team chipped in, they could have afford anonymous delivery."
Anthony nodded, seemingly accepting my answer. "Probably, I'm sure you can thank them tonight at your first Quidditch practice!" Anthony said the last part gleefully, and I looked out the window of the shed in excitement.
Practice Sunday evening was quickly approaching.
The rest of Sunday afternoon dragged on. Lisa was still in Detention, and both me and Anthony thought it wouldn't be wise to use my broom until practice, when Roger had promised that he would somehow be able to keep my joining of the team a secret.
So I spent the rest of the day catching up on homework, and making sure I wasn't acting to excited. I was surprised at dinner to see Cho and Roger still looked so subdued...but then I remembered how seriously me being kept a secret was.
Those two sure took Quidditch seriously.
Finally, at a quarter till seven, I made my way back down towards the pitch, Anthony wishing me luck, then waited, Finally, five minutes until seven, I saw Roger and Cho leading the rest of the team down to the pitch.
"So you're already here." Cho said, looking around nervously.
"I am." I replied, and Roger nodded.
"Well, before we can discuss anything..." He began then looked to the rest of the team who spread out around the pitch and began to cast a spell...
"Animadverto me non."
"What spell is that?" I asked both Cho and Roger.
"The notice me not Charm." Roger explained. "From now on, no one will wonder where you go during practice unless you tell them."
"What do you mean?" I asked, and Cho stepped forward.
"For example, when your friend Lisa returns from her detention, she will have no thought or desire to know where you are. She'll know your not there, but will think nothing of it."
"Better yet none of the other teams will even wonder why all of us our walking down to the Quidditch Pitch so late at night. No one will care."
"That's...brilliant." I replied, and for the first time since they arrived the two smiled.
"We are the house of wit and learning after all...now on to your situation."
"Situation?" I asked, confused why they were still keeping up the act.
"The note from Gringotts, not being able to buy a broom without your brothers signature?" Roger replied raising an eyebrow and looking back and forth between me and Cho. Cho nodded, while I finally realized...
"It wasn't you..."I replied as the pair looked at me in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" Cho asked, as I ran began heading to the broom shed.
"I got a broom."
After a moment of silence Cho and Roger's somber expressions turned to those of pleasant surprise.
"You do?" Cho asked, and I nodded.
"Yeah, let me show you..."
I led the pair to the broom shed and found my Nimbus 2001 were I had left it. When the two saw I had gotten the newest and most expensive broom on the market...
"This is amazing!" Cho said as she began to look the broom over, while Roger was equally impressed.
"It is." I replied while stroking my chin thoughtfully. "But that still leaves the question, who sent it."
"You don't know?" Roger asked, finally turning away from the sleek black and silver broom.
"No. I thought the team had gotten me it..."I answered and the pair instantly shook their heads.
"No it wasn't us." Roger answered, as the three of us shared glances of confusion.
"Then who..." I again thought, while Roger pulled out his wand.
"Can I look at it for a moment?" He asked, and I nodded. After which he began waving his wand and muttering incantations under his breath. "It's safe." He said, and Cho let out a relived sigh.
"Safe?"
"You don't know who sent it, you never know what their motivations are. Who knows, it could have been cursed?" Roger explained, causing me to look the broom over in worry.
"Cursed?" I asked nervously, until Roger gave me a comforting look.
"It's safe." He replied firmly, and I nodded.
"Well, thank you. Still, if you didn't send it, who did?"
"Who cares." Cho said, once again looking over the broom in excitement. "All I know is, that with you riding the best broom available, our team will have even better chances than we thought."
The pair shared a mischievous smile then turned to me
"Are you ready to get started?" Roger asked.
I nodded eagerly. "Ready as I'll every be."
"Good. First step. Head into the locker room, you'll find a pair of Quidditch robes in there waiting for you. Then grab your broom, and get ready to meet the rest of the team. Any questions?" Roger asked.
"No...captain." I replied, realizing this was finally happening.
"Good, we'll meet on the pitch in ten minutes." Roger finished before turning to Cho. "Let's make sure the others put up the charm correctly."
With that I grabbed my broom and made my way to the Quidditch Locker rooms. As Cho said a blue and bronze Quidditch robe was laid out for me. I quickly changed, and made sure I put it on correctly, then checked myself over in the mirror. I looked...like a Quidditch player.
It was finally happening.
After making sure I was ready, and taking one last look in the mirror, I made my way out onto the pitch, and found Roger, Cho and the rest of the team standing around waiting for me.
"Well, she certainly looks the part." One of the other Quidditch players I hadn't yet met said.
"Yes, but can she back it up?" One of the others asked, giving me a skeptical look before turning to Roger and Cho.
"I assure you Jason, she can." Roger replied before turning back to me, and giving a satisfied nod. "You look ready."
"I am." I assured him, and Cho squealed in delight.
"This is going to be amazing! Just imagine the look on Hufflepuff's face when they see our Potter doing laps around them!"
"One step at a time Cho, first we need to introduce her to the rest of the team." Roger explained, before motioning me closer. I looked at the different faces I'd only ever seen from afar at meals or in the Common room. All of them were boys, and all of them looked older than me, heck all looked older than Cho.
"I'm sure you're all familiar with Sarah Potter." Asked Roger to the assembled group.
"I mean the way Cho's been talking her up, theirs no way we couldn't have."
"Not to mention her brother..."
"Yes, yes, we all know the story. Now, who wants to go first?"
There were some murmured voice before a brown haired, medium sized boy, who hadn't spoken yet, stepped forward with a warm smile. "I'm Jeremy, Jeremy Stretton. Fifth year, as well as the third Chaser."
I took the boys hand. "A pleasure."
"And I'm Grant Page. Keeper, Third year." A red haired boy said stepping forward. I shook his hand as well, then looked to the last two boys.
"I'm Duncan Inglebee, beater." One of them said stepping forward, he was large befitting his position.
"And I'm Jason Samuels, the other beater. Both of us our fourth years."
"A pleasure to meet all of you." I said as I shook the last hand. They all gave me a nod before turning to Roger.
"Well, I don't know about all of you, but I think it's time we get to work." He said the last part with a mischievous smile.
"Agreed." Cho said as she mounted her broom. We all did the same, as my new team mates looked at me curiously.
"Let's see if Roger and Cho were right about you Potter." Jason said, and I smirked.
"Lets."
And with that we all kicked off the ground and into the air, as my first real Quidditch practice begun.