chapter ten : gryffindor vs ravenclaw
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"So . . . Next Quidditch Captain, eh?" Draco said, as he and June were sitting on top of the Astronomy Tower. They shared a common interest in Astronomy, something that probably came from the Black family.
Juniper raised her eyebrow. "How do you know?"
Draco smirked. "News travels fast around here." He then became serious again. "Good job, by the way."
June smiled and glanced at her cousin. "Thank you, Draco, but I must warn you that I won't go easy on you."
"Dammit."
The black haired rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you're used to being beaten by Gryffindor by now so don't worry."
Draco glared at her.
"I'm kidding, Draco, dear," June laughed. "Although I don't think you guys ever won from us."
"Shut up."
The two of them continued to stare gaze in silence. June had managed to sneak Draco through the castle without being caught. Although she was a Prefect and she probably didn't get in trouble for it, June liked the idea of doing something without anyone else knowing about it, except Draco, of course.
"We should head back to our common rooms," June said, checking her watch. "It's almost twelve o'clock and I don't want you to be tired tomorrow."
"Can't we stay for a couple more minutes?" Draco asked quietly. "This is the only moment I can be myself."
June shuffled closer to Draco and pulled him into an embrace.
"You can always be yourself with me, Draco."
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"Look at the balance on it!" Madame Hooch exclaimed. She was still overseeing Gryffindor practices to keep an eye on Harry with the whole Black thing going on. June grinned at her expression. "If the Nimbus series has a fault, it's a slight list to the tail-end — you often find they develop a drag after a few years. They've updated the handle, too, a bit slimmer than the Cleansweeps, reminds me of the old Silver Arrow — a pitty they've stopped making them, I learnt to fly on one, and a very fine old broom it was too . . ."
She continued in this vein for some time, until Oliver said, "Er — Madam Hooch? Is it OK if Harry has the Firebolt back? Only we need to practice . . ."
"Oh — right — here you are, then, Potter," Madam Hooch said. "I'll sit over here with Weasley . . ."
She and Ron, who had also come to watch the practice, left the pitch to sit in the stadium, and the Gryffindor team gathered around Oliver for his final instructions for tomorrow's match.
"Harry, I've just found out who Ravenclaw are 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 . . ." Oliver 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, "OK, everyone, let's go —"
Juniper swung her right leg over her Nimbus and took off. In the process, she eyed Harry who rode his Firebolt for the first time. At first, he was careful, but soon enough, June noticed his confidence growing.
"That's quite a broom," Alicia told her, as the two of them hovered next to each other, both admiring the Firebolt.
It became the best practice June had ever had. The team, inspired by the presence of a Firebolt in their midst, performed their best moves faultlessly, and by the time they hit the ground again, Oliver didn't 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!" Oliver said. "Not unless — Harry, you've sorted your Dementor problem, haven't you?"
"Yeah," Harry replied.
"The Dementors won't turn up again, Oliver, Dumbledore'd do his nut," Fred said confidently.
"Well, let's hope not," Oliver said. "Anyway — good work, everyone. Let's get back to the Tower — turn in early . . ."
"I'm staying out for a bit, Ron wants a go on the Firebolt," Harry told Oliver.
June followed her team towards the changing rooms. All of them were chattering happily about tomorrow's 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," Alicia pointed out. "The match hasn't played yet."
"I side with Alicia," June said. "We can't lose concentration now, guys. We still have a match to win. And we have to do more than win, we have to crush them."
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June left with Harry for Breakfast the next morning. As they entered the Great Hall, heads turned in the direction of the Firebolt, and there was a good deal of excited muttering. Juniper saw, with enormous satisfaction, that the Slytherin Quidditch team were all looking thunderstruck.
"This might be the only moment your broom's going to be more popular than you are, Harry," June pointed out, as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.
Before he could reply, Ron fell down onto the seat next to him.
"Did you see his face?" Ron said gleefully, looking back at Draco. "He can't believe it! This is brilliant!"
Oliver, too, was basking in the reflected glory of the Firebolt.
"Put it here, Harry," he said, laying the brooms in the middle of the table and carefully turning it so that its name faced upwards. People from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were soon coming over to look. Cedric came over to congratulate Harry on having acquired such a superb replacement for his Nimbus.
Percy's Ravenclaw girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, asked if she could actually hold the Firebolt.
"Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!" Percy said heartily, 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, June — make sure you win," Percy said, in an urgent whisper. "I haven't got ten Galleon. Yes, I'm coming, Penny!" And he hustled off to join her in a piece of toast.
"Sure you can manage those brooms, Potter?" a cold, drawling voice said.
Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe and Goyle right behind him.
"Yeah, reckon so," Harry said casually, while June just raised an eyebrow at her cousin's behavior.
"Got plenty of special features, hasn't it?" Draco said, eyes glittering maliciously. "Shame it doesn't come with a parachute — in case you get too near a Dementor."
Grabbe and Goyle sniggered, while Juniper casted him a warning glance which he ignored.
"Pitty you can't attach an extra arm to yours, Malfoy," Harry said. "Then it could catch the Snitch for you."
The Gryffindor team laughed loudly and June had to admit that that was a good one, of course she would never tell Draco that. Draco's pale eyes narrowed and he stalked away. They watched him rejoin the rest of the Slytherin team, who put their heads together, no doubt asking Draco whether Harry's broom really was a Firebolt.
At a quarter to eleven, the Gryffindor team set off for the changing rooms. The weather couldn't have been more different from their match against Hufflepuff. It was a clear, cool day, with a very light breeze; there would be no visibility problems this time and June, though nervous, was starting to feel the excitement only a Quidditch match could bring.
They could hear the rest of the school moving into the stadium beyond. Juniper took off her black school robes, removed her wand from her pocket and stuck it inside the t-shirt she was going to wear under her Quidditch robes. If there would be Dementors, June would make sure Harry was going to be safe.
"You know what we've got to do," Oliver said, as they prepared to leave the changing rooms. "If we lose this match, we're out of the running. Just — just fly like you did in practice yesterday and we'll be OK!"
They walked out onto the pitch to tumultuous applause.
The Ravenclaw team, dressed in blue, were already standing in the middle of the pitch. Their Seeker, Cho Chang, was the only girl in the team.
"Wood, Davies, shake hands," Madam Hooch said briskly, and Oliver shook hands with the Ravenclaw captain.
"Mount your brooms . . . on my whistle . . . three — two — one —"
June kicked off and managed to grab the Quaffle.
"They're off," Lee Jordan commented, "and the big excitement this match is the Firebolt which 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-autobrake and —"
"Jordan!"
"OK, OK, Gryffindor in possession, Juniper Black of Gryffindor heading for goal . . ."
June dove under a Ravenclaw Chaser before racing towards the hoops and scoring the first ten points of the match.
"And she scores!" Lee exclaimed. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"
In the next ten minutes, Angelina scored three times, Alicia two times and June another two times.
"Gryffindor lead by eighty points to zero and look at that Firebolt go! Potter is really putting it through its paces now. See it turn — Chang's Comet is no match for it. The Firebolt's precision-balance is really noticeable in these long —"
"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!"
Juniper gritted her teeth as Ravenclaw were pulling back; they had now scored three goals, which put Gryffindor only fifty pints ahead — if Cho got the Snitch before Harry, Ravenclaw would win.
June ducked, avoiding a Bludger, and caught the Quaffle that Angelina threw at her. She scored and her head snapped up upon hearing Oliver howl, "HARRY, THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN! KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!"
Juniper rolled her eyes and flew after the Ravenclaw Chaser who had the Quaffle. She, Angelina and Alicia managed to grab the Quaffle from him and they flew back towards the Ravenclaw hoops.
Alicia scored and June wanted to give her a high five but her attention was pulled by three Dementors who were looking at Harry. However, before she could act, Harry had already taken out his wand and something silver white, something enormous, erupted from the end of his wand. Then, he stretched out his hand and managed to close his fingers over the Snitch.
"Great job, Harry!" June exclaimed, flying over to him and engulfing him in a tight hug.
"That's my boy!" Oliver kept yelling.
They all managed to make their way back to the ground. June got off her broom and looked up to see a gaggle of Gryffindor supporters sprinting onto the pitch, 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!" Percy said, looking delighted. "Ten Galleons to me! Must find Penelope, excuse me —"
"Good on you, Harry!" Seamus roared.
"Ruddy brilliant!" Hagrid boomed over the heads of the milling Gryffindors.
"Well done, June," both Fred and George said, grinning down at her. "We're in the league again!"
"Thanks guys," June said, smiling brightly. "Never could have done it without you having my back."
The both of them slung their arms around her shoulders.
"You're making us blush, June," Fred said, pretending to blush.
"How about a party in the common room?" George suggested.
Fred and June exchanged a glance before grinning broadly.
"Count us in."
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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 June disappeared for a couple of hours and returned with armfuls of bottles of Butterbeer, pumpkin fizz and several bags full of Honeydukes sweets.
Fred handed her a Butterbeer while George turned on the music. June took a swing of the bottle, casual leaning against the table while watching the other Gryffindors having fun.
"Let's dance!" Fred exclaimed, taking her hand and dragging her behind him towards where a small group of Gryffindors had gathered and were currently dancing.
Juniper laughed as they danced and joked around. The duo was soon joined by George, Lee, Angelina and Alicia.
It was rather late when the three girls decided to go to sleep. June didn't bother to exchange her robes for a pajama as she fell onto her bed. Seconds later, she was already sound asleep.
"AAAAAHHH!"
Juniper jolted awake, her hand flying towards her wand as she blinked a couple of times.
"What was that?" Angelina asked, yawning.
June didn't reply as she jumped out of bed and strode over to open the dorm room. The black haired descended the stairs, 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, Dean, Seamus and Neville.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming, Ron?"
"I'm telling you, I saw him!"
"Guys," June spoke up, lowering her wand, "what's the matter?"
"June — Sirius Black!" Ron exclaimed, dashing over towards her. "In our dorm . . . With a knife!"
For a couple moments June didn't reply, then —
"What?" Juniper looked puzzled.
"What's all this noice?"
"Professor McGonagall told us to go to bed!"
A few of the girls had come down the staircase, pulling on dressing-gowns and yawning. Boys, too, were reappearing.
"Excellent, are we carrying on?" Fred said brightly.
"Everyone back upstairs!" Percy said, hurrying into the common room and pinning his Head Boy badge for his pajamas as he spoke.
"Perce — Sirius Black!" Ron said faintly. "In our dormitory. With a knife! Woke me up!"
The common room went very still.
"Nonesense," Percy said, 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 authorize this, Professor!" Percy said, 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!"
Professor McGongall stared at Ron.
"Don't be ridiculous, Weasley, how could he possibly have got through the portrait hole?"
"Ask him!" Ron said, pointing a shaky finger at the back of Sir Cadogan's picture. "Ask him if he saw —"
Glaring suspiciously at Ron, Professor McGonagall pushed the portrait hole back open and went outside. The whole common room listened with a 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. Juniper shuffled nervously onto her feet.
"You — you did?" Professor McGonagall said. "But — but the password!"
"He had 'em!" Sir Cadogan said proudly. "Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!"
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 an utter silence, broken by the smallest of terrified squeaks. Neville, trembling from head to fluffly-slippered toes, raised his hand slowly in the air.
Oh, Neville, June thought, shaking her head.
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Published 28.09.2020
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