𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍 | 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺

Chapter 13 - Quidditch disturbance

"Another ten points to Gryffindor!"

Betelgeuse was watching the game unfold before her eyes, Slytherin was playing dirty as never before. She was concentrated on Harry when she heard a shout of outrage coming from the stands. She quickly snapped her head and saw Oliver spiral down towards the ground, as a smirking Flint passed back the bat to his beater.

One by one, the Gryffindor players fell while Slytherin managed to score multiple times. Betelgeuse could see from her position in the air Angelina, Katie and Oliver watch the game, shouting against the Slytherins.

She was the only chaser on the team still standing, and the twins flanked her, trying to prevent her fall. She studied the game and decided that the only thing possible was defending the Gryffindor hoops.

A movement ahead caught her attention, Harry was struggling with his broom. She narrowed her eyes when the broom was able to throw off Harry; he was forced to grasp the handle with one hand.

"What the hell is happening?" Fred shouted, whacking a Bludger.

She saw Harry stop struggling with his broom before chasing Terence Higgs, the Slytherin seeker, chase after the snitch. Betelgeuse followed with her eyes the two seekers race side by side, they have dived towards the ground when Flint sent a Bludger their way, nearly knocking Harry off his broom.

"So — after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating—"

"JORDAN!"

"I mean, after that open and revolting foul —"

"Jordan, I'm warning you —"

"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor seeker which could happen to anyone, I'm sure." Lee continued before diverting his eyes from McGonagall, "FOUL! DISGUSTING FOUL!" Lee had abandoned his neutral commentary, he was yelling, trying to prevent McGonagall to snatch the microphone from his hands. "You dirty little cheater!"

Higgs desisted since they were getting too close to the ground, Harry reached his hand out to try to catch the golden ball. Every other player forgot about the game; they were all following the spectacled boy as he neared dangerously the ground.

He went too far, Betelgeuse saw him topple off the broom with a yelp, tumbling to the ground. She sped towards him, she got off the broom in time to see the younger boy clutch his stomach like he was about to be sick. Instead, a pop of gold fell out of his mouth and landed on his hands.

"He's got the snitch! HARRY POTTER RECEIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POINTS FOR CATCHING THE SNITCH!" Lee shouted, shaking Professor McGonagall's shoulders with glee.

"Gryffindor wins," Madam Hooch blew the whistle, signalling the end of the game.

Betelgeuse was still watching Harry with blatant astonishment in her mercury eyes as he raised the Snitch in the air. The crowd and the Gryffindor team cheered in victory, running towards the two.

Betelgeuse spoke, "that was a reckless move, Potter."

The boy flashed her a smile. "I just did what I was told, be courageous, as a true Gryffindor."

Betelgeuse gifted him one of her rare blinding smiles, as they turned to meet the running crowd.

☆☆☆

"So, Bel, uh, tomorrow is Saturday," Fred began, as they were making their way to Transfiguration. They were strangely early for class, so Betelgeuse, Fred and George sat at their usual desk. It was a tight fit, Professor McGonagall had urged them often to split since the desk was for two. They always refused.

"Yes, Fred," she responded as she eyed Professor McGonagall enter the class.

"And we can go to Hogsmeade with a signed permission," George added.

"Yes, George," Betelgeuse gave the same reply to him.

"So, we were wondering, yes —," Fred began, scratching his neck as he sent a glance to his twin.

"— How will you be able to —," George said with a vague tone.

"Come to Hogsmeade since I do not have anyone that can firm my slip?" Betelgeuse finished with an unbothered tone. The twins nodded as they met her eyes. "I have a signed slip," she said flatly.

"How?" George inquired, puzzled.

"My legal guardian signed it at the beginning of the year."

"What? You have a legal guardian?!" Fred asked.

Betelgeuse huffed. "Of course, how could I not?"

"But — who?" George inquired with raised eyebrows. He watched Professor McGonagall try not to eavesdrop, busing herself with stacks of papers on her desk.

"Andromeda Tonks, she is my first cousin once removed. I call her aunt, it is much simpler and Dromeda likes it." She shrugged. Betelgeuse saw Professor McGonagall still in her movement for a millisecond.

The twins were surprised, they had never considered this part of Betelgeuse's life. "But Bel, you don't live with her," Fred replied.

"No, Freddie. Now, can we change the topic? This is becoming tedious," she rebuked stiffly.

Fred understood her discomfort swiftly and did what she asked. "Oi, do you know anyone who can teach me how to play the trumpet?"

Betelgeuse was grateful for the distraction, but she did not understand his question. 

George asked, "why?"

"I just want to wander around the Slytherin Dungeons and annoy the snakes," Fred replied, earning a glare from McGonagall.

"Technically you do not need to know how to play it, Fred," Betelgeuse added carefully.

Fred watched her as if she had revealed a grand secret. "You have opened my eyes, Bel!"

"You will do no such a thing, Mr Weasley!" Professor McGonagall interjected. She eyed them suspiciously and asked, "why are you three so early for my class?"

"Ah yes, Minnie. I wanted to ask permission for the Restricted Section. I would like to write an essay for extra credits on Animagi, after yesterday lecture. I dragged these two with me because if I had not, they would not have shown to the class," Betelgeuse replied smoothly, smiling.

Professor McGonagall watched the girl intently, thinking about how strikingly she reminded of the previous Blacks she had as students. She resembled her father in appearance and countenance, but when she was in the presence of the Weasley twins she was a carbon copy of her uncle in behaviour.

"I will write you a signed permission at the end of the class, Ms Black," professor McGonagall replied, secretly happy that a so brilliant student had an interest in her class.

Betelgeuse nodded. "Thank you, Minnie."

Professor McGonagall did not even try to correct the Black heir. It was useless.

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