࿔₊°༺★༻࿔₊°
HERMIONE DIDN'T TURN UP for the next class and wasn't seen all afternoon. On their way down to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, Harry and Ron overheard Parvati Patil telling her friend Lavender that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom and wanted to be left alone.
"I told her to stop crying and come out. She's still there..." said Crystal who was walking with Harry as Ron quietly tagged along. She didn't talk to him the whole day and he realized that she was avoiding him.
"I'll go check on her first," said Crystal, Harry nodded as she walked away.
Ron looked still more awkward at this, but a moment later they had entered the Great Hall, where the Halloween decorations put Hermione out of their minds.
Crystal knocked on the door of stall where the sniffling sound came from.
"W-Who's there?" said Hermione sniffling.
"Crystal. You're still crying? Come out, that's enough."
"You don't understand. They all hate me."
"So let them hate you. Do they matter so much to you that you're sitting here, alone and crying while they're sitting with everyone and enjoying the feast outside? Don't let them bother you. You'll get sick if you cry too much, get out,"
Hermione didn't say anything but kept sniffling.
"You're right. I don't understand how you feel. People say I was born with the golden spoon, but still I'm an 'illegitimate' who doesn't even know anything about my father, my position as the heiress is in jeopardy. You were among those girls gossiping about me too. But am I crying? Do I hate you?" Crystal added.
Hermione opened her stall with a shocked face.
"Y-You heard that? That was many days ago.... " said Hermione embarrassed, "Why didn't you tell me if you heard that?"
"And what after that? Does it change anything? I don't want to get in any kind of mess or drama. It's really bothersome not my style. But..." said Crystal looking directly at Hermione, "that doesn't mean I'm weak, I just choose not to bother with them because they don't mean anything to me. So, Hermione, be strong and don't let some words bother you."
"We were just curious about your father... I'm sorry, Crystal, I didn't mean -- "
"Well, doesn't matter now. I'm not here to confront you about past. Come, let's go, please? I'm really starving." said Crystal turning around but something felt off. "Why does it suddenly smell so bad here?"
"It wasn't here earlier," said Hermione.
Just then, a grunting and loud thumping came from outside the bathroom door. It felt like the ground was shaking a little in sync with the steps as if large gaint was walking outside. It stopped right in the front of the door.
Crystal stepped towards the door quietly and cautiously and peeked out, hidden behind it. It was a horrible sight. Twelve feet tall, its skin was a dull, granite gray, its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. The foul smell was coming from it. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long.
She quietly closed the door back, looking pale, and hurried back to Hermione.
"Hermione, listen, we can't go out right now, that thing is standing righ--" before she could finish her sentence the door burst open and it came inside.
Hermione screamed in fear and Crystal took in sharp breath, thinking what to do now, but nothing came to her mind. She seized Hermione's arm and backed up to wall opposite, to keep as far as possible.
"It's a troll, Crystal, not 'that thing'" whispered Hermione, her voice trembling in fear.
"Does it matter what it is called now?" Crystal hissed, not taking her eyes of the troll and searching for any opening to run towards the door with her friend. "We need to reach to the door somehow.... "
A clicking sound came from the door behind the troll.
"What was that sound?" said Crystal shocked at the sound, "Unbelievable! Someone has locked the door! Is this an assassination plan to kill me? Dumbledore said the school was safe!"
Hermione didn't dare look up at troll and said from behind Crystal.
"I don't even have the wand,"
"Wait, I have mine. It's still hard getting used to this magic thing after studing science all my life," Crystal said embarrassed by herself as she quickly rummage her robe's pockets and took out her wand.
She aimed at the door trying to blast it but the troll came in the way, swinging it's club madly. Crystal was successful, yes, but in catching troll's attention to herself.
"Good job, Crystal," she muttered to herself.
The troll swung it's club on them making back up and she tried again. Crystal made up her mind, running won't help, she needed to divert it's attention to something else.... but how? It was swinging the club madly at them.
The troll raised the club again and smashed the sink beside it. Hermione screamed again sliding down the wall behind them, trembling in fear and clutched tightly on Crystal's robes, who was as white as ghost trying to find the right time to fire a body-bind curse on it.
Just in time, the bathroom door burst open again and Harry and Ron ran inside freezing at the sight of Crystal trying to get away from it and Hermione trembling. The troll smashed a sink again.
"Are you guys okay?" Harry asked quickly.
"Of course not! Harry! Weasley! Distract it, do something, we can petrify it!" Crystal yelled and they did as said.
"Confuse it!" Harry said desperately to Ron and seizing a tap, he threw it as hard as he could against the wall.
"Oy, pea-brain!" yelled Ron from the other side of the chamber, and he threw a metal pipe at it. The troll didn't even seem to notice the pipe hitting its shoulder, but it heard the yell and paused again, turning its ugly snout toward Ron instead, giving Harry time to run around it.
"Come on, run, run!" Harry yelled at Hermione, trying to pull her toward the door, but she couldn't move, she was still flat against the wall, her mouth open with terror.
"Hermione! Move!" Crystal pushed her out of the way when the club came towards them. "Run!"
Harry then did something that was both very brave and very stupid: He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll's neck from behind.
The troll couldn't feel Harry hanging there, but even a troll will notice if you stick a long bit of wood up its nose, and Harry's wand had still been in his hand when he'd jumped -- it had gone straight up one of the troll's nostrils.
"Harry! What are the hell you doing! It's dangerous!" Crystal shouted at him horrified.
Howling with pain, the troll twisted and flailed its club, with Harry clinging on for dear life; any second, the troll was going to rip him.
"Do something!" Harry shouted as the troll was swinging him like a rag doll.
"What?" said Ron looking for something to throw again.
"Anything! Crystal! Help!" Harry said in terrified voice as he was swung again.
Hermione instructed Ron to fire the spell.
"Ron! Swish and flick!" said Hermione finally finding her voice.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Crystal shouted when she got the opening, club out of the way.
Ron pulled out his own wand -- following Hermione's instructions: "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The troll freezed with it's club in midair and when Ron's spell hit, the club suddenly flew out of the troll's hand, rose high, high up into the air, turned slowly over -- and dropped, with a sickening crack, onto its owner's head. The troll tumbled and then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.
"Are you hurt?" said Crystal, rushing to where he was dropped, his glasses were cracked.
"I feel like my guts are coming out," Harry muttered, catching his breath.
"Are you both fine?" Crystal asked Ron and Hermione. They nodded.
Ron was standing there with his wand still raised, staring at what he had done. Crystal felt all the energy drain from her body now that the fight was over. She was having a hard time to believe that she was involved in all this.
After the moment of silence when it sank in what they had done, It was Hermione who spoke first.
"Is it -- dead?"
"I don't think so," said Harry, "I think it's just been petrified and knocked out."
He bent down and pulled his wand out of the troll's nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue. Crystal made a digusted face.
"Urgh -- troll boogers."
He wiped it on the troll's trousers, and washed it with the fountain of water leaking from the destroyed tap.
A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made the four of them look up. Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, closely followed by Snape, with Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart.
Snape bent over the troll. Professor McGonagall was looking at Ron, Crystal and Harry.
"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. Harry, with the corner of his eyes glanced at Crystal, who was back with her expression of indifference. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Snape gave Harry and Crystal a swift, piercing look. Harry looked at the floor not knowing what to say.
"I'm sorry to ask this but, may I know what kind of security this school have?" said Crystal, "A troll sneaks in and attacks girls in lavatory -- on top of that someone locked the door to lock us here with this thing."
Harry tugged the hem of her sleeve to stop talking but Crystal pulled her arm.
"Miss Calisto! You are not to speak to your Professors in such manner! You cannot question school's security!" Snape shouted.
"I'm talking as nicely as I can after this. Why would I not question about my safety? It's not only about me but everyone's. Why would I not raise a question on school's security?"
"You don't have much answers in the class but you've got quite a sharp tongue!"
"And that comment was totally unnecessary in the current situation!" Crystal retorted instantly. "Why are you getting defensive?"
Harry, Ron and Hermione were sure she was going to get detention. Crystal was quite bold to argue with a Professor that too Snape. He wouldn't miss a chance to somehow torment her.
"Severus, please refrain yourself from making such remarks. The child is just concerned about her safety." said Professor McGonagall.
She looked at Crystal then continued.
"Miss Calisto, no one can harm you in the school," said Professor McGonagall. "We're here to protect the students but we can only do that when they cooperate with us and follow the rules. You should've been in your dormitories right now."
Then a small voice came out of the shadows.
"Please, Professor McGonagall -- they were looking for me."
"Miss Granger!"
Hermione had managed to get to her feet at last.
"I went looking for the troll because I -- I thought I could deal with it on my own -- you know, because I've read all about them."
Ron dropped his wand. Hermione Granger, telling a downright lie to a teacher?
"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Harry stuck his wand up its nose, Crystal protected me and petrified it and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived."
Harry and Ron tried to look as though this story wasn't new to them. Crystal was about to say something but Hermione quickly gave her a look and this time Harry grabbed her wrist unnoticed by everyone, and mouthed 'be quite'.
"Well -- in that case..." said Professor McGonagall, staring at the three of them, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"
Hermione hung her head. Harry was speechless. Hermione was the last person to do anything against the rules, and here she was, pretending she had, to get them out of trouble.
"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this," said Professor McGonagall. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses."
Hermione left.
Professor McGonagall turned to Harry, Crystal and Ron. "Well, I still say you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain troll. You each win Gryffindor five points. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."
"Excuse me, Professor," said Crystal and Harry panicked, "I'm sorry for my conduct earlier but could you hear me once?"
"Yes?"
"Could you please find the culprit who let the troll in as soon as possible? I suspect there's something more to this... I may sound rude but, I suspect this might be the work of someone who knows this school well or can handle creatures like troll very well, only they can sneak in a troll without anyone noticing.... so maybe one of the Professors or Filch."
"Very well, we'll look into it, you may go,"
"Thank you. Have a good night."
They hurried out of the chamber and didn't speak at all until they had climbed two floors up. It was a relief to be away from the smell of the troll, quite apart from anything else.
"I panicked in the last thinking what you'd request..." said Harry breathing a sigh of relief.
"I didn't say anything wrong, did I?" said Crystal. "Someone locked the door from outside."
"No, but the way you confronted Snape... S
scared me." said Harry and nervously said, "and actually.... we were the ones who locked the door -- to trap the troll inside but we didn't knew you both were there... "
"And here I thought someone was... " Crystal sighed. "Anyways, hope we're safe now,"
"We should have gotten more than fifteen points," Ron grumbled.
"Ten, you mean, once she's taken off Hermione's."
"Good of her to get us out of trouble like that," Ron admitted. "Mind you, we did save her."
"She might not have needed saving if we hadn't locked the thing in with her," Harry reminded him.
"And uselessly ran the stupid mouth to comment on someone." Crystal snarled. Ron had a scowl on his face, "It hurt, right? If you don't have it in you to endure the comments on you, so mind you, don't comment on others, they get hurt too."
"She's a bit harsh but not wrong," Harry whispered to Ron.
They had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Pig snout," they said and entered.
The common room was packed and noisy. Everyone was eating the food that had been sent up. Hermione, however, stood alone by the door, waiting for them.
Crystal patted her shoulder and went inside alone leaving her with the two boys. There was a very embarrassed pause. Then, none of them looking at each other, they all said "Thanks," and "Sorry," and hurried off to get plates.
But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.
𖤍𖤓⌁☍❾¾➵♆△⍎⚔︎
As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, Harry would be playing in his first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, they would move up into second place in the house championship.
Hardly anyone had seen Harry play because Wood had decided that, as their secret weapon, Harry should be kept, well, secret. But the news that he was playing Seeker had leaked out somehow, and Harry didn't know which was worse -- people telling him he'd be brilliant or people telling him they'd be running around underneath him holding a mattress.
Harry felt really lucky to had Crystal as a friend. He didn't know how he'd have gotten through all his homework without her help, with all the last-minute Quidditch practice Wood was making them do.
Hermione also helped him when Crystal was very busy with other things and had also lent him Quidditch Through the Ages, which turned out to be a very interesting read.
Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it.
The day before Harry's first Quidditch match the four of them were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and Hermione had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar.
Crystal was sitting against the wall on a boundary, reading a different book which Dumbledore told her to study. Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing with their backs to the blue fire, getting warm.
"Crys, aren't you cold? Come here." Harry called her.
"I'm good." She said, "Really." she added when she saw the three of them looking at her with narrowed eyes.
Just then, Snape crossed the yard.
Harry noticed at once that Snape was limping. The three of them moved closer together to block the fire from view; they were sure it wouldn't be allowed.
Unfortunately, something about their guilty faces caught Snape's eye. He limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway.
"What's that you've got there, Potter?"
It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."
Then he looked around for the fourth member and found her sitting a few meters away.
"What's that you have, Calisto?"
"It's mine." She said.
"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"
"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly.
𖤍𖤓⌁☍❾¾➵♆△⍎⚔︎
The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Crystal, Ron, and Hermione sat together next to a window.
Hermione was checking Ron's Charms homework for them. She would never let them copy ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway.
Harry and Crystal had already done with their homework together. Crystal had went through Harry's schedule and found out a gap of time which was perfect for both of them in their hectic days. Hermione couldn't join them as she had other priorities for the order of subjects she wanted to study.
"Harry, are you really done with your homework?" Ron inquired him.
"Yeah... Two days ago?" said Harry.
"Good for you, Crystal helps you with the homework. Hermione wouldn't let me copy. Hey! You can let me copy, right?" Ron whispered then smiled at Crystal and said. "Let me join the study session with you next time, Crystal."
"Sure." she said.
"I don't need to copy. I do it on my own," snapped Harry, and turned to Crystal who was writing something in a notebook. "Crys, tell him."
Even though Crystal was busy, she was hearing what they were talking about. She didn't stop her work and spoke without looking up.
"Yeah... " She drawled.
"Can you be more specific?" said Harry leaning over to see what she was busy with.
"Yeah, Ron. It's me who's getting help in homework," said Crystal without looking up, "he doesn't look like it, but he's really intelligent. Happy?"
Harry felt heat rising his cheeks at the sudden compliment, that too from her who would never give compliments to an unworthy.
"What're you doing anyway? Didn't you complete your homework?" said Harry trying to cover up his embarrassment. "We don't have this subject in our course,"
"Nothing much." said Crystal not stopping from writing. "Just some work to do,"
"Why're you so busy these days?" Harry said trying to get a peek but couldn't understand what she was writing. "What are you and the Professors are doing?"
"Nothing. Just.... something," said Crystal, very busy writing. Harry left her to it, hearing her vague answers.
They were talking about something but Harry felt restless. He wanted Quidditch Through the Ages back to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow. Why should he be afraid of Snape? Getting up, he told Ron and Hermione he was going to ask Snape if he could have it.
"Better you than me," Hermione and Ron said together, Crystal waved him without looking up which he understood she won't go, but Harry had an idea that Snape wouldn't refuse if there were other teachers listening.
He made his way down to the staffroom and knocked. There was no answer. He knocked again. Nothing.
Perhaps Snape had left the book in there? It was worth a try. He pushed the door ajar and peered inside -- Snape and Filch were inside, alone. Snape was holding his robes above his knees. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Snape bandages.
"Blasted thing," Snape was saying. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?"
Harry tried to shut the door quietly, but --
"POTTER!"
Snape's face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes quickly to hide his leg. Harry gulped.
"I just wondered if I could have my book back."
"GET OUT! OUT!"
Harry left, before Snape could take any more points from Gryffindor. He sprinted back upstairs.
"Did you get it?" Ron asked as Harry joined them.
"What's the matter?" Crystal asked him, finally looking at his face which had gone white.
In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen.
"You know what this means?" he finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him -- he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"
Hermione's eyes were wide.
"No -- he wouldn't, she said. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."
"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. Crystal said that she suspects that a Professor must be involved. She told McGonagall that night!"
"I did say that. But we don't have any solid evidence against him or anyone and the Professors are still investigating," said Crystal.
"So you mean? I'm making hasty conclusions? But we can clearly see it and I heard him say that!" Harry tried to reason with her.
"What we saw or heard will not matter if we don't have evidence to prove it, Harry. I believe what you're saying is right but I also believe that Snape is not stupid, although he is twisted. If he wanted to get past Cerebus, I'm sure he would have had other methods up his sleeve, not just go and chomp -- get bitten."
"Exactly! Well put, Crystal!" Hermione thumped her back.
"What's a Cerebus?" said Harry.
"It's what that mythological creature, the three-headed dog is called. I read it in a book about Ancient Greek Mythology, they guard the entrance of Underworld, in short, door to hell. It's job is to prevent the dead leaving from hell. For more information please refer to the book,"
"Door to Hell..." Ron breathed.
"The book you were reading on the train?" said Harry.
"Yup, you're quite observing."
"No, I was just -- pissed what damn book you were so busy reading that you wouldn't even talk to me,"
"Why? Are you a famous actor that I would die to talk to?"
"Well, I'd be no less than one in future! I've potential to be one, look at my handsome face! Just two years and every girl in this school would be fawning over me!" said Harry with a cheeky smile, raking a hand through his hair. Crystal cringed and winced as she scrunched up her nose. Harry had a annoying knack of being narcissistic sometimes when he felt like joking.
"Harry, my friend, the medicine is so advance these days that I'm sure they've some cure for these types of disorder. Don't worry, you can be cured. God bless your soul."
"They're starting again...." Hermione muttered and Ron nodded.
"Guys! Let's focus back on the topic at hand?" said Ron cutting between them. "What's the dog guarding?"
"Then go to hell and find out what that dog is guarding!" Crystal ordered.
"Why will I go to hell?" Ron snapped. "You go!"
"Because you asked whereas I, for once am not curious at all. I know this would be equal to calling trouble so I have absolutely no intention of getting involved in this."
"Well, she's not wrong." Harry supported. "We don't know what is after that trapdoor,"
"Hey.... Weren't you guys were fighting a minute ago?" said Ron unbelievably.
"When?" said Crystal and Harry together equally baffled, mirroring Ron.
"They were just.... Wow. I'm done. I'm going." said Ron, gathering his things.
"If you're going go to hell -- " Crystal started.
"I'm not gonna go to hell!" Ron snapped.
Harry, Crystal and Hermione laughed.
"Oh, Ron, she's just teasing you." said Hermione, chuckling.
"But Crys, it doesn't seem like joke when it comes out of your mouth, all seriously." said Harry, chuckled.
"Shut up... " Crystal muttered.
Harry went to bed with his head buzzing with the same question. What is beyond the trapdoor? He tried to empty his mind -- he needed to sleep, he had to, he had his first Quidditch match in a few hours -- but the expression on Snape's face when Harry had seen his leg wasn't easy to forget.
𖤍𖤓⌁☍❾¾➵♆△⍎⚔︎
The next morning dawned very bright and cold. The Great Hall was full of the delicious smell of fried sausages and the cheerful chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match.
"You've got to eat some breakfast."
"I don't want anything."
"Just a bit of toast," wheedled Hermione.
"I'm not hungry."
Harry felt terrible. In an hour's time he'd be walking onto the field.
"Atleast eat this, chocolates and sweets always gives you energy and has calming effect, you'll like it." said Crystal placing a dish of chocolate dessert on his plate.
"But -- I'm not in mood,"
"Alright, I'll not ask you twice," Crystal said, eating a scoop from the spoon, "Oh, wow! This is the new flavour which I requested from the kitchen today. It's really delicious and it's all mine now."
Crystal scooped her spoon once more but just as the spoon reached her mouth, Harry leaned forward, grabbed her wrist and directed it towards his mouth.
"This is new.... Dark Chocolate and.... mango? Is this seriously mango?" said Harry, savouring the flavour and snatching the spoon from her hand and letting go. "It's sweet, not bitter at all, maybe a tiny little bit at last?"
"I thought you didn't want to eat?" said Crystal.
"You offered me first, then it's all mine! I'll eat it. Thanks." exclaimed Harry, pulling the dish in front of him. Crystal rolled her eyes and ate her chocolate spread toast.
"You still covet the things I get my hands on, Harry?" Crystal had a urge to tease him.
"I can't help it. If something catches your eyes then it must be good. And I don't want to miss out on good things," said Harry, finishing the dessert, "D'you have more of this?"
"Well, good luck." said Crystal with a smile and slid her portion of dessert towards him.
"Thanks!"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other amused, no one can handle Harry's stubbornness but no one can win against Crystal Calisto too.
𖤍𖤓⌁☍❾¾➵♆△⍎⚔︎
By eleven o'clock the whole school seemed to be out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars. The seats might be raised high in the air, but it was still difficult to see what was going on sometimes.
Ron, Hermione and Crystal joined Neville, Seamus, and Dean in the top row. As a surprise for Harry, they had painted a large banner on one of the sheets Scabbers had ruined.
It said Potter for President, and Dean, who was good at drawing, had done a large Gryffindor lion underneath. Then Hermione had performed a tricky little charm so that the paint flashed different colors. Crystal animated the Gryffindor lion to roar by a charm she read somewhere in library.
Meanwhile, in the locker room, Harry and the rest of the team were changing into their scarlet Quidditch robes.
Wood cleared his throat for silence.
"Okay, men," he said.
"And women," said Chaser Angelina Johnson.
"And women," Wood agreed. "This is it."
"The big one," said Fred Weasley.
"The one we've all been waiting for," said George.
"We know Oliver's speech by heart," Fred told Harry, "we were on the team last year."
"Shut up, you two," said Wood. "This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it." He glared at them all as if to say, "Or else."
"Right. It's time. Good luck, all of you."
Harry followed Fred and George out of the locker room and, hoping his knees weren't going to give way, walked onto the field to loud cheers.
Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand.
"Mount your brooms, please."
Harry clambered onto his Nimbus Two Thousand.
Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.
Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off. "And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor -- what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too --"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, Professor."
The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall.
"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve -- back to Johnson and -- no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes -- Flint flying like an eagle up there -- he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle -- that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and -- OUCH -- that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger --"
Slytherin Chaser Adrian Pucey took the Quaffle when Katie had been hit.
"-- Quaffle taken by the Slytherins -- that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger -- sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which -- nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, GO ANGELINA! -- a clear field ahead and off she goes -- she's really flying -- dodges a speeding Bludger -- the goal posts are ahead -- come on, now, Angelina -- Keeper Bletchley dives -- misses --GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"
Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.
"Budge up there, move along."
"Hagrid!" Crystal said happy to see him.
"Hello, Crystal!"
Ron and Hermione squeezed together to give Hagrid enough space to join them.
"Bin watchin' from me hut," said Hagrid, patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck, "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"
"Nope," said Ron. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."
"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'," said Hagrid, raising his binoculars and peering skyward at the speck that was Harry.
Way up above them, Harry was gliding over the game, squinting about for some sign of the Snitch. This was part of his and Wood's game plan.
"Keep out of the way until you catch sight of the Snitch," Wood had said. "We don't want you attacked before you have to be."
He was back to staring around for the Snitch. Once he caught sight of a flash of gold, but it was just a reflection from one of the Weasleys' wristwatches, and once a Bludger decided to come pelting his way, Harry dodged it and Fred Weasley came chasing after it.
"All right there, Harry?" he had time to yell, as he beat the Bludger furiously toward Marcus Flint.
"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the -- wait a moment -- was that the Snitch?"
A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear.
Harry saw it. In a great rush of excitement he dived downward after the streak of gold. Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch -- all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch.
Harry was faster than Higgs -- he could see the little round ball, wings fluttering, darting up ahead -- he put on an extra spurt of speed --
WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below -- Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose, and Harry's broom spun off course, Harry holding on for dear life.
"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors.
Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
Down in the stands, Dean Thomas was yelling, "Send him off, ref! Red card!"
"What are you both talking about?" said Ron.
"Red card!" said Dean furiously. "In soccer you get shown the red card and you're out of the game!"
"But this isn't soccer, Dean," Ron reminded him.
"They're playing really dirty." said Crystal. "That kind of rule should be here too,"
Hagrid, however, was on Dean's side and agreed with Crystal's statement.
"They oughta change the rules. Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air."
Lee Jordan was finding it difficult not to take sides.
"So -- after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating --
"Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall.
"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, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession."
Harry dodged another Bludger, which went spinning dangerously past his head. His broom gave a sudden, frightening lurch. For a split second, he thought he was going to fall. He gripped the broom tightly with both his hands and knees.
He'd never felt anything like that. It happened again. It was as though the broom was trying to buck him off. But Nimbus Two Thousands did not suddenly decide to buck their riders off.
Harry tried to turn back toward the Gryffindor goal posts -- he had half a mind to ask Wood to call time-out -- and then he realized that his broom was completely out of his control. He couldn't turn it. He couldn't direct it at all. It was zigzagging through the air, and every now and then making violent swishing movements that almost unseated him.
Lee was still commentating.
"Slytherin in possession -- Flint with the Quaffle -- passes Spinnet -- passes Bell -- hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose -- only joking, Professor -- Slytherins score -- Oh no...
The Slytherins were cheering. Crystal noticed that Harry was behaving strangely. He was slowly going higher, away from the game, jerking and twitching as he went.
"What is Harry trying to do?" said Crystal.
"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing," Hagrid mumbled. He stared through his binoculars. "If I didn' know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom... but he can't have...."
"But a broom cannot fly on it's own, can it?" Crystal muttered. "Magic doesn't support Artificial Intelligence, right? Oh, no no, of course not..." She answered her question herself.
Suddenly, people were pointing up at Harry too, all over the stands. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. Then the whole crowd gasped.
Harry's broom had given a wild jerk and Harry swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand. Crystal stood up from her seat, concerned what would happen if he fell down from that height.
"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus whispered.
"Can't have," Hagrid said, his voice shaking. "Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic -- no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand."
At these words, Hermione seized Hagrid's binoculars, but instead of looking up at Harry, she started looking frantically at the crowd.
"What are you doing?" moaned Ron, gray-faced.
"I knew it," Hermione gasped, "Snape -- look."
Ron grabbed the binoculars, but before he could see Crystal snatched it out of his hands, Snape was in the middle of the stands opposite them. He had his eyes fixed on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath. Then she looked around at other Professors too, and gave it back to Ron who huffed and grabbed it.
"He's doing something -- jinxing the broom," said Hermione.
"What should we do?" asked Ron.
"Leave it to me." said Hermione.
"Alright, then I'll keep a watch on Harry and keep him from falling on ground," said Crystal, ready to take out her wand immediately, if Hermione failed. Ever since that midnight dog encounter, Crystal started to keep her wand with her all time. Even though she didn't had practice or didn't know many spells but it could still be of some use.
Hermione had fought her way across to the stand where Snape stood, and was now racing along the row behind him; she didn't even stop to say sorry as she knocked Professor Quirrell headfirst into the row in front.
Reaching Snape, she crouched down, pulled out her wand, and whispered a few, well-chosen words. Bright blue flames shot from her wand onto the hem of Snape's robes.
It took perhaps thirty seconds for Snape to realize that he was on fire. A sudden yelp told her she had done her job. Scooping the fire off him into a little jar in her pocket, she scrambled back along the row -- Snape would never know what had happened.
It was enough. Up in the air, Harry was suddenly able to clamber back on to his broom.
"Thank god... " Crystal sat down again, relieved.
"Neville, you can look!" Ron said. Neville had been sobbing into Hagrid's jacket for the last five minutes.
Harry was speeding toward the ground when the crowd saw him clap his hand to his mouth as though he was about to be sick -- he hit the field on all fours -- coughed -- and something gold fell into his hand.
"I've got the Snitch!" he shouted, waving it above his head, and the game ended in complete confusion.
"He didn't catch it, he nearly swallowed it," Flint was still howling twenty minutes later, but it made no difference -- Harry hadn't broken any rules and Lee Jordan was still happily shouting the results -- Gryffindor had won by one hundred and seventy points to sixty.
𖤍𖤓⌁☍❾¾➵♆△⍎⚔︎
After the match, Harry was being made a cup of strong tea back in Hagrid's hut, with Ron and Hermione. Crystal sat farthest from Fang cautiously watching it.
"It was Snape," Ron was explaining, "Hermione, Crystal and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off you."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid, who hadn't heard a word of what had gone on next to him in the stands. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"
"I saw Quirrell too, muttering something," said Crystal, her eyes still on Fang.
"He's a poor bloke, wouldn' hurt a fly, Crystal," said Hagrid.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at one another, wondering if what she said was correct. But Harry decided to speak what was on his mind.
"I found out something about Snape," he told Hagrid. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding."
Hagrid dropped the teapot.
"How do you know about Fluffy?" he said.
"Fluffy?"
"That dog has a name?"
"Yeah -- he's mine -- bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year -- I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the -- "
"Yes?" said Harry eagerly.
"Now, don't ask me anymore," said Hagrid gruffly. "That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's trying to steal it."
"Rubbish," said Hagrid again. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."
"So why did he just try and kill Harry?" cried Hermione.
The afternoon's events certainly seemed to have changed her mind about Snape.
"I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!"
"I think both Snape and Quirrell are accomplice in this. They want to steal the thing Fluffy is guarding and Harry saw Snape injured leg that's why they wanted to silent him today forever, in the match disguised as an accident... Maybe..." said Crystal quietly. "This is just a theory."
"It really makes sense!" said Harry.
"Right, they wanted to disguise Harry's murder as an accident!" said Ron.
"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid hotly. "I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape and Quirrell wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all four of yeh -- yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. Yeh forget that dog, an' yeh forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel --"
"Aha!" said Harry, "so there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?"
"I think I've heard of Nicholas Flamel somewhere..." said Crystal.
Hagrid looked furious with himself.
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⫷ Author's note: ⫸
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Thank you for for reading this and voting.
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