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"When I saw you
I fell in love
and you smiled
because you knew."
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"Bad news, Harry." Oliver Wood said one evening. Betelgeuse was sitting in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room, alone, reading Advanced Rune Translation by Yuri Blishen when she overheard the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain address their Seeker.
"I've just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She — er — got a bit shirty with me. Told me I'd got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch first." Wood shook his head in disbelief. Betelgeuse closed the book, leaning back on the comfortable armchair with a smirk.
"Honestly, the way she was yelling at me — you'd think I'd said something terrible. Then I asked her how much longer she was going to keep it —" He screwed up his face and imitated Professor McGonagall's severe voice. "'As long as necessary, Wood' —"
Betelgeuse's smirk widened, "Excellent impression, Wood. Minnie would be proud."
Oliver looked over her with an irritated glare, "We need the Firebolt, Betelgeuse!" He turned his attention again to Harry, "I reckon it's time you ordered a new broom, Harry. There's an order form at the back of Which Broomstick — you could get a Nimbus Two Thousand and One, like Malfoy's got."
"I'm not buying anything Malfoy thinks is good," Harry replied flatly.
Betelgeuse rolled her grey eyes, turning to her book. "How childish."
January faded imperceptibly into February, with no change in the bitterly cold weather. The match against Ravenclaw was drawing nearer and nearer, and Betelgeuse was once more swimming in a sea of assignments, parchments, Quidditch practises, not to mention Prefects' duties.
She felt as if she no longer spent enough time with the twins, being cooped up in the library most of her time. With that in mind, Betelgeuse gathered her things and walked out of the magnificent room. The Black marched towards the Gryffindor Tower, finding herself facing the portrait of the bothersome Sir Cadogan.
"Oddsbodkins," Betelgeuse stated.
An enthusiastic murmur welcomed her in the hearty Gryffindor Common Room. She noticed a compact group of people around Harry Potter and immediately recognised the twins, being the tallest among the people present.
Betelgeuse met the welcoming gaze of Fred; his face held a warm smile, and his eyes gleamed at her. The tall russet-haired teen gestured for her to come closer and took her hand with his outstretched one. Betelgeuse grasped his large warm hand and intertwined their fingers, "What's up?"
Fred grinned, surprised at her unusual colloquialism, forgetting for a moment Betelgeuse had asked him something. He was over the moon. He had truly missed her. While living in the same castle and in the same House, Fred and Betelgeuse had seen very little of each other in recent times. "My serotonin levels," Fred replied, his lips curled upwards. "Also, Harry's got his Firebolt back."
Betelgeuse nodded, then she smirked, "You are so cheesy, Fred."
"No," George interrupted them, "You are both too cheesy. My teeth will rotten!"
"I will hex you, George."
☆☆☆
Ron was devastated after the death of his rat Scabbers.
Betelgeuse truly did not see how such a revolting creature could be missed. And now, with the suspicion that the rat had been Peter Pettigrew, the situation got even more complicated. Because without witness, how could an innocent man prove his estrangement from the heinous crimes ascribed to him?
Fred and George tried to make Ron feel better and see reason. They at least tried.
"Come on, Ron, you were always saying how boring Scabbers was," Fred bracingly commented. "And he's been off-colour for ages; he was wasting away. It was probably better for him to snuff it quickly — one swallow — he probably didn't feel a thing."
"Fred!" Ginny shrieked indignantly.
"All he did was eat and sleep, Ron; you said it yourself," George added. "He bit Goyle for us once!" Ron said miserably. "Remember, Harry?"
"Yeah, that's true," Harry replied.
"His finest hour," Fred remarked, unable to keep a straight face. "Let the scar on Goyle's finger stand as a lasting tribute to his memory. Oh, come on, Ron, get yourself down to Hogsmeade and buy a new rat; what's the point of moaning?"
In a last attempt to comfort Ron, Harry persuaded him to come along to the Gryffindor team's final practice before the Ravenclaw match so that he could have a ride on the Firebolt after they had finished.
Betelgeuse found the whole ordeal an extravagant absurdity.
Madam Hooch, who was still overseeing Gryffindor practices to keep an eye on Harry, was just as impressed with the Firebolt as everyone else had been. She took it in her hands before take-off and gave them the benefit of her professional opinion. She rambled about the improvements in balance and handles of the Firebolt until Wood stated that they needed to begin their practice.
The Gryffindor team gathered around Wood for his final instructions for tomorrow's match. "Harry, I've just found out who Ravenclaw is playing as Seeker. It's Cho Chang. She's a fourth year, and she's pretty good — I really hoped she wouldn't be fit, she's had some problems with injuries —" Wood scowled his displeasure that Cho Chang had made a full recovery, then said, "On the other hand, she rides a Comet Two Sixty, which is going to look like a joke next to the Firebolt." He gave Harry's broom a look of fervent admiration, then said, "Okay, everyone, let's go —"
"Finally," Betelgeuse bluntly stated, mounting her broom, and kicked off from the ground. She saw Harry flying across the field at an impressive speed creating havoc among the team. Betelgeuse decided she did not particularly care about Potter's new Firebolt and went into a perfectly controlled dive, brushing the grassy field before rising thirty, forty, fifty feet into the air again. "Harry, I'm letting the Snitch out!" she heard Wood call from the ground.
It was the best practice ever. Betelgeuse had the opportunity to clear her preoccupied mind soaring around the pitch without worry. The team, inspired by the presence of the Firebolt in their midst, performed their best moves faultlessly, and by the time they hit the ground again, Wood did not have a single criticism to make, which, as George pointed out, was a first. "I can't see what's going to stop us tomorrow!" said Wood. "Not unless — Harry, you've sorted out your Dementor problem, haven't you?"
"Yeah," Harry replied.
"The Dementors won't turn up again, Oliver. Dumbledore'd go ballistic," Fred stated confidently. "Besides, if they show up, Lady Black will dispose of them." He added, throwing an arm over the girl's shoulders.
"I could never leave, you and George, two damsels in distress, to fend for themselves," Betelgeuse responded with an arrogant smirk.
Fred and George pretended to swoon, "Oh, our valiant paladin Black —"
"— come to the rescue of us, unfortunate defenceless maidens!"
"SHUT UP you two! Betelgeuse, don't encourage them!" Wood cried out. "Anyway — good work, everyone. Let's get back to the tower — turn in early —"
Betelgeuse followed her team towards the changing rooms. All of them were chatting happily about the next day match and Harry's Firebolt.
"I'm telling you," Angelina began as the girls left for the castle, "with Harry's Firebolt, there is no chance we'll lose."
"Anything can happen," Katie pointed out.
"What do you foretell, Betelgeuse?" Angelina asked, turning to the grey-eyed witch.
"It may have escaped you, Johnson, but I prefer to stay clear from divinations."
Betelgeuse went down to breakfast the next morning with Angelina, Katie, and Alicia. She saw Potter enter the Great Hall with a flock of boys. "It appears they all believe the Firebolt deserves the guard of honour," The Black hauntingly commented, making the girls snicker.
Fred and George joined Betelgeuse at the Gryffindor table, "Morning Wood!" They shouted simultaneously, bursting into hysterical laughter. Betelgeuse arched an eyebrow, not understanding their inside joke.
Wood was shaking with fury, "EVERYDAY FOR THREE YEARS! IT'S STILL NOT FUNNY!"
Betelgeuse frowned, meeting the gleaming eyes of Fred.
Why are they —
Her eyes widened with realisation, then she let out a pearl of laughter. "Morgana, why did I not notice before?"
"Because, my Bel, your mind was innocent," Fred replied, smirking. Betelgeuse gave the twins an annoyed glare as she heard Wood's treats of murders.
Before she could reply, Ron fell onto the seat next to his older brothers. "Did you see his face?" Ron shouted gleefully, looking back at the Slytherin table. "He can't believe it! This is brilliant!"
Wood, too, was basking in the reflected glory of the Firebolt, having forgotten the twins momentarily. "Put it here, Harry," he said, laying the broom in the middle of the table and carefully turning it so that its name faced upward. People from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were soon coming over to look. Betelgeuse recognised Cedric Diggory and Percy's Ravenclaw girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, among the curious students.
Penelope Clearwater asked if she could actually hold the Firebolt.
"Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!" Percy heartily said as she examined the Firebolt closely. "Penelope and I have got a bet on," he told the team. "Ten Galleons on the outcome of the match!"
Penelope put the Firebolt down again, thanked Harry, and went back to her table.
"Harry, Betelgeuse — make sure you win," said Percy, in an urgent whisper. "I haven't got ten Galleons. Yes, I'm coming, Penny!" And he bustled off to join her in a piece of toast.
"Sure you can manage that broom, Potter?" said a cold, drawling voice. Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe and Goyle right behind him. Betelgeuse eyed him with a steady gaze.
"Yeah, reckon so," Harry replied casually.
"Got plenty of special features, hasn't it?" Draco added, eyes glittering maliciously. "Shame it doesn't come with a parachute — in case you get too near a Dementor." Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. Betelgeuse cast her cousin a warming glance which Draco ignored.
"Pity you can't attach an extra arm to yours, Malfoy," Harry rebuked. "Then it could catch the Snitch for you." The Gryffindor team laughed loudly. Betelgeuse could not prevent her lips to slightly curve upwards. Draco's pale eyes narrowed, and he stalked away.
His technique needs improvements. Potter has won this round.
At a quarter to eleven, the Gryffindor team set off for the locker rooms. The weather could not have been more different from their match against Hufflepuff. It was a clear day with a very light breeze; there would be no visibility problems this time.
They could hear the rest of the school moving into the stadium beyond; Betelgeuse changed her black school robes into her scarlet ones for Quidditch. She detected Wood mumbling to himself as Angelina and Katie sent her determined looks; she nodded to the other two Chasers.
"You know what we've got to do," Wood said as they prepared to leave the locker rooms. "If we lose this match, we're out of the running, just — just fly as you did in practice yesterday, and we'll be okay!"
Fred grinned, standing up next to Oliver and took a hard punch to the Captain's arm, "Knock on wood!" Oliver looked exasperated, even letting George do the same. Betelgeuse regarded him with a firm gaze, "Let us go, Captain." Oliver nodded, patting her on the shoulder.
They walked out onto the field to tumultuous applause.
"Black! I've made the decision to trust you."
Betelgeuse turned to Wood and raised a questioning eyebrow as they kept their eyes on the Ravenclaw team. "An audaciously bold decision, Wood."
"I want you to do it."
Betelgeuse snapped her head towards him, "Wood, I have only performed it once."
"What's the matter?" George asked beside her.
"Wood wants me to do the Inspired Broom-Surfing," Betelgeuse informed the younger twin, taking her position.
"Are you mental, Oliver?!" Fred shouted from her right.
"She is the best chaser Gryffindor has ever had. She is the daughter of Regulus Black, for Merlin's balls, Fred! It will throw them off," Oliver replied with force, gripping his broom.
"If I perish, I will haunt you down," Betelgeuse threatened. Oliver shrugged.
"Wood, Davies, shake hands," Madam Hooch said briskly, and Wood shook hands with the Ravenclaw Captain. "Mount your brooms — on my whistle — three — two — one —"
The pitch was filled to the brim with students, all cheering and screaming. Betelgeuse kicked off into the air, snatched the Quaffle, and zoomed higher and faster, heading towards the Ravenclaw hoops. She flew, flanked by Angelina and Katie, listening to Lee's commentary.
"They're off, and the big excitement this match is the Firebolt that Harry Potter is flying for Gryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship —"
"Jordan, would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?" Professor McGonagall's voice interrupted.
"Right you are, Professor — just giving a bit of background information — the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and —"
"Jordan!"
"Okay, okay, Gryffindor in possession, Betelgeuse Black of Gryffindor heading for goal. Have I ever told you lot what a fine Chaser she is? This is the fifth year for Black on the Gryffindor team. Look at her flying technique — she scores! Betelgeuse Black scores! Ten points for Gryffindor! Beater Fred Weasley swiftly saves Bel — I mean — Black from a nasty Bludger! What a fine man he is! What a fine couple they are! — Alright, the match. Ravenclaw's in possession —"
Betelgeuse glanced over the two girls next to her; they nodded. The Black saw Katie snatch the Quaffle from a Ravenclaw Chaser, zooming for the hoops. Betelgeuse and Angelina followed; Katie threw the Quaffle to Angelina, and they began to pass each other the ball.
Betelgeuse took a deep breath, then hardening her eyes in concentration, she hoisted her legs up and, in a fluid movement, stood up on her broom. She heard the crowd's loud gasps as she flew on her broom between Angelina and Katie. It was a challenging move, as she had to bend her knees and shift her weight to maintain her balance. The Ravenclaws were momentarily stunned, and so Betelgeuse caught the Quaffle with ease and passed it to Katie. They scored.
Lee Jordan went ballistic, "DID YOU SEE IT?! PROFESSOR DID YOU SEE IT?! BETELGEUSE BLACK HAS SUCCESSFULLY DONE BROOM SURFING!"
Betelgeuse flew above George as he whooshed past in pursuit of a Bludger that was aiming for Katie. She saw Harry urge the Firebolt forward as he rounded the Ravenclaw goal posts with Cho Chang.
"Gryffindor leads by eighty points to zero and look at that Firebolt go! Potter's really putting it through its paces now, see it turn — Chang's Comet is just no match for it, the Firebolt's precision — balance is really noticeable in these long —"
"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS TOO? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Ravenclaw was pulling back; they had now scored three goals, which put Gryffindor only fifty points ahead. Betelgeuse was getting agitated, and that was not convenient because, when agitated, she became violent during Quidditch. She circled the Gryffindor's hoops, turning around.
"HARRY, THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN!" Wood roared as Harry swerved to avoid a collision with Chang.
"KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!" Betelgeuse shouted beside her Captain, missing the proud nod Wood sent her.
"Not again!" Angelina yelled, pointing to three Dementors standing on the field. Betelgeuse was ready to speed towards them when Potter whipped out his wand and cast the Patronus charm fending the horrid creatures. It was only seconds later that Harry stopped, holding the Snitch in his hand.
Madam Hooch's whistle sounded. Harry turned around in midair and saw six scarlet blurs bearing down on him; the next moment, the whole team was hugging him so hard he was nearly pulled off his broom.
"That's my boy!" Wood kept yelling. Angelina and Katie had kissed Harry; Fred had him in a tight grip, and Betelgeuse even patted his back, "Well done, Potter."
They all managed to make their way back to the ground. Betelgeuse got off her broom and looked up to see a gaggle of Gryffindor supporters sprinting onto the field, Ron in the lead. Before she knew it, the team had been engulfed by the cheering crowd.
"Yes!" Ron yelled, yanking Harry's arm into the air. "Yes! Yes!"
"Well done, Harry! Betelgeuse!" said Percy, looking delighted. "Ten Galleons to me! Must find Penelope, excuse me —"
"Good for you, Harry!" Seamus Finnigan roared.
"Ruddy brilliant!" Hagrid roared over the heads of the milling Gryffindors.
"That was quite the move, Bel," both Fred and George said, grinning at Betelgeuse. "We're in the league again!"
"Thank you," Betelgeuse replied, smiling. "I could never have done it without you having my back." The twins slung their arms around her shoulders.
"You're making us blush, Bel," George said, pretending to fan himself.
Betelgeuse smirked, "But Georgie dear, red looks so good on you."
"How about a party in the Common Room?" Fred interjected.
☆☆☆
It felt as though they had already won the Quidditch Cup; the party went on all day and well into the night. Fred, George, and Betelgeuse disappeared for a couple of hours and returned with armfuls of bottles of Butterbeer, pumpkin fizz, and several bags full of Honeydukes sweets.
Betelgeuse set an enchanted record player in the middle of the Common Room that blasted Muggle music. Fred handed her a Butterbeer as Betelgeuse casually leaned against the table, watching the other Gryffindors having fun. "Charlie would be proud."
Fred nodded, taking a swing of the bottle. "Let's dance!" He exclaimed, taking her hand, and dragging her behind him where George was juggling butterbeer bottles with Oliver. "I'm so proud!" The Captain yelled as he wiped his eyes. Betelgeuse was slightly surprised that Oliver was crying.
"It's alright, Wood," Fred told him over the music, "Get it all out!"
Betelgeuse began to dance to the rhythm of Piece of My Heart by the Muggle singer Janis Joplin. It was a singular spectacle; the aloof and collected Pureblood singing aloud with Angelina and Alicia. Fred was grinning, hollering and bouncing around wildly as Betelgeuse laughed. She observed him, thinking that he was indeed the sun.
His laugh was scorching like the sunlight in August; his russet hair was a testament to his likeness to the luminous star. Fred, sensing her gaze, sent her a gentle closed-lipped smile.
The Gryffindor party ended only when Professor McGonagall turned up in her tartan dressing gown and hair net at one in the morning to insist that they all go to bed.
Betelgeuse climbed the stairs to the twins' dormitory, still discussing the match with them. She did not bother to exchange her robes for a pyjama; at last, she fell into Fred's bed as he twitched the hangings of his four-poster shut to block out a ray of moonlight.
"Night, Bel," Fred murmured, kissing her hair softly.
"Good morning, Fred," she replied softly, embracing the boy. Seconds later, the pair was already sound asleep.
"AAARRGGHH! NOOO!"
Betelgeuse jolted awake, her hand flying towards her wand as she blinked a couple of time. Fred woke as suddenly as though he'd been hit in the face. "What was that?"
Betelgeuse did not reply as she jumped nimbly out of bed, her tiredness already forgotten. She strode towards the dorm's door, opening it; she descended the stairs with her wand outstretched in front of her.
The Common Room was lit by the glow of the dying fire, still littered with debris from the party. It was deserted. In the middle of it stood Ron, Harry and three other boys.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming, Ron?"
"I'm telling you; I saw him!"
Betelgeuse advanced on the group, never lowering her wand. "Ron," she called, startling the younger students.
"Betelgeuse — Black!" Ron cried out, "Sirius Black! In our dorm with a knife!"
For a couple of moment, Betelgeuse did not reply, then —
"What?" She breathed out, lowering her wand.
"What's all the noise?"
"Professor McGonagall told us to go to bed!" A few of the girls had come down their staircase, pulling on dressing gowns and yawning. Boys, too, were reappearing.
"Excellent, are we carrying on?" Fred asked brightly.
"Everyone back upstairs!" Percy said, hurrying into the Common Room and pinning his Head Boy badge to his pyjamas as he spoke.
"Perce — Sirius Black!" Ron spoke faintly. "In our dormitory! With a knife! Woke me up!"
The common room went very still. "Nonsense!" Percy replied, looking startled. "You had too much to eat, Ron — had a nightmare —"
"Now, really, enough's enough!" Professor McGonagall was back. She slammed the portrait behind her as she entered the Common Room and stared furiously around. "I am delighted that Gryffindor won the match, but this is getting ridiculous! Percy, I expected better of you!"
"I certainly didn't authorise this, Professor!" Percy returned, puffing himself up indignantly. "I was just telling them all to get back to bed! My brother Ron here had a nightmare —"
"IT WASN'T A NIGHTMARE!" Ron yelled. "PROFESSOR, I WOKE UP, AND SIRIUS BLACK WAS STANDING OVER ME, HOLDING A KNIFE!"
Betelgeuse was speechless. How?! Why?! It does not make sense.
Professor McGonagall stared at him. "Don't be ridiculous, Weasley; how could he possibly have gotten through the portrait hole?"
"Ask him!" Ron cried, pointing a shaking finger at the back of Sir Cadogan's picture. "Ask him if he saw —"
Glaring suspiciously at Ron, Professor McGonagall pushed the portrait back open and went outside. The whole Common Room listened with bated breath. "Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?"
"Certainly, good lady!" Sir Cadogan cried. There was a stunned silence, both inside and outside the Common Room. Betelgeuse felt the twins flank her from both sides; Fred took her hand, squeezing it tightly.
"You — you did?" Professor McGonagall asked. "But — but the password!" "He had 'em!" said Sir Cadogan proudly. "Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!"
Betelgeuse held her breath as some students looked her way. "You! Black —" a fourth-year pointed at her. She hardened her stare, advancing on the boy. He looked frightened. "I am not in the mood for your accusations, you half-wit. But for murder, for that, I am evermore unhesitant!" She finished in a deadly calm tone. Fred yanked her back, trying to contain her anger.
Professor McGonagall pulled herself back through the portrait hole to face the stunned crowd. She was white as chalk. "Which person," she said, her voice shaking, "which abysmally foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying around?"
There was utter silence, broken by the smallest of terrified squeaks. Neville Longbottom, trembling from head to fluffy slippered toes, raised his hand slowly into the air.
Betelgeuse shook her head at the senseless boy before heading back to her dormitory.
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