Chapter 66: 66
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As Easter Holidays arrived, the second years found that the time had come to choose their subjects for the third year. They had to keep their old subjects and pick a few new. Percy was always trying to see what Ginny choosing and tried to give her new advice, but Ginny refused.
"I know Perce, which subjects I'm taking." Ginny snapped at him. "I'll manage."
"But —" Percy tried to protest but at last left.
Colin was super confused. He almost asked everyone in the common room about subjects that sound more difficult. In the end, he came and sat beside Chris with a sigh.
"Everyone thinks differently. Few think Arithmancy is nice, few thinks Divination, few said, Muggle studies are difficult and few said, Study of Ancient Runes." Colin said looking at the subject list.
Chris chuckled. "Why don't you ask Ginny? She is all ready to choose."
Ginny, who was sitting opposite of Chris, rolled her eyes. "Well, you also decided, didn't you? You didn't ask for anyone's advice either."
"Actually — I did," Chris said smiling. "I asked for Hermione's advice."
"And?" Colin asked excitedly.
"And what?"
"Did you get any good advice?" Colin asked.
"Plenty. As she didn't suggest which subjects I should take, she explained the subjects to me." Chris smiled.
"Is it true she gave up Divination?" Colin whispered.
"Yeah. A few days ago." Ginny answered.
Suddenly a laughing sound came from outside. The fat lady was laughing very loud.
"It must be Luna," Ginny said.
"Wait, I'm going to bring her," Colin said and climbed out of the portrait hole.
Soon, he came back with Luna.
"What do you say every time to the fat lady? Why did she laugh so loud?" Ginny asked Luna.
"Oh. Nothing. I just told her about my father's few adventures." Luna said smiling.
"Luna, which subjects you're taking? Have you decided?" Colin asked.
"Yes. I've decided. I'm taking Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. These two are not completely based on books, so I liked it." Luna answered.
"True. But I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle studies. I like my father's work, so I'm interested in it, also Magical Creatures sounds fun with Hagrid." Ginny said.
"Wow. I didn't think like that." Colin said sadly. "What about you Chris?"
"Care of Magical Creatures, Studies of Ancient Runes and Divination," Chris said simply.
"You're taking three?" Ginny asked. "Are you sure? I mean look at them." Ginny pointed towards Harry, Ron, Neville and a few other third years. "They took only two subjects and they have so much homework."
"Relax, I'll manage. I got interested in Ancient Runes when I saw Hermione's Rune Dictionary and I like magical creatures, but I want to do divination, cause after hearing Harry and Hermione's class, I'm intrigued."Chris replied.
"Ok. If you're sure." Ginny smiled.
"So, which subjects should I take?" Colin asked looking still confused.
The girls laughed. Colin went pink.
"Take magical creatures, it's common in all three of us," Ginny suggested.
"I was thinking the same," Colin said thinking. "But I've no interest in Muggle studies and Runes so I'll take Divination cause Chris is taking it."
"So that I can help you?" Chris asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. No need to try a new subject where I couldn't get any help." Colin said innocently.
"Good or else you'll be in condition like Hermione." Ginny pointed at Hermione who was sitting in a corner in between her lots of books. She had shadows like Lupin's under her eyes and seemed constantly close to tears.
"She looks miserable," Luna said looking at her.
"I know," Chris said and sighed.
Wood came down suddenly and looked at Harry, Angelina, Fred and George. "Team! We have to practice." He turned towards Chris and Ginny. "Now. Get ready."
There was a "urghh" sound from every team member.
"Seriously Oliver? Now?" Angelina asked with an irritated face.
"Yes. Quidditch Final is near." Wood answered seriously.
"Yes. We know. First Saturday after Eastern Holidays." George said.
"So get ready." Wood said.
"You know Oliver, people usually take surprise tests, you take surprise practises," Chris said getting up.
"Couldn't agree more with that," Angelina said.
Wood made a face and everyone ran to their dormitory pick up their brooms.
The whole of Gryffindor house was obsessed with the coming match. Gryffindor hadn't won the Quidditch Cup since the legendary Charlie Weasley (Ginny's second-oldest brother) had been Seeker.
Never, in anyone's memory, had a match approached in such a highly charged atmosphere. By the time the holidays were over, the tension between the two teams and their houses was at breaking point. A number of small scuffles broke out in the corridors, culminating in a nasty incident in which a Gryffindor fourth-year and a Slytherin sixth-year ended up in the hospital wing with leeks sprouting out of their ears.
The Slytherins tried to sabotage Harry and Chris especially, Flint tried many times to push Chris from the moving stairs. He was very angry as Chris fired back their plan in the last match.
All usual pursuits were abandoned in the Gryffindor common room the night before the match. Even Hermione had put down her books.
"I can't work, I can't concentrate," she said nervously.
There was a great deal of noise. Fred and George Weasley were dealing with the pressure by being louder and more exuberant than ever. Oliver Wood was crouched over a model of a Quidditch pitch in the corner, prodding little figures across it with his wand and muttering to himself. Angelina was laughing at Fred and George's jokes with some of the other girls in her year. Harry, Chris and Ginny were sitting with Colin, Ron and Hermione, removed from the centre of things, trying not to think about the next day.
"You all are going to be fine," Hermione told them, though she looked positively terrified.
"You've got Firebolts!" said Ron. "Remember the last match."
"Yeah —" said Harry, and looked at Chris.
"We still should be careful. Slytherins are going to pull more dirty tricks this time." Ginny said seriously.
"I still can't believe they beat other teams and came to the finals," said Chris.
It came as a relief when Wood suddenly stood up and yelled, "Team! Bed!"
At night Chris started to have a weird dream again. It was a palace, a girl around sixteen-seventeen was running like mad and then stopped in front of another young girl, around the same age. The other young girl was very familiar.
"Rowena! Rowena!" The girl called, who just came running.
"What happened?"
"They found out. They found out — about you." The girl answered breathing heavily.
"How?"
"There is no time talking. You need to run. Now."
"But it's my home. Why should I run?"
"You should or else they'll do something horrible. Rowena you'll have to leave." An old man came in.
"Father?" The girl, Rowena, burst into tears. "I'm sorry father. You warned but I wasn't able to control my powers."
The man hugged her, "Don't cry, it's not your fault, that nature made you like me not like your mother."
"But you hid your powers for years. I —"
"Your powers are stronger than mine. And we're not bad, Rowena. We're just misunderstood, people." He patted her head. "Go. Save yourself. Before the King knows. Go, Rowena."
"But if they don't find me, they'll hurt you."
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"I'll see about that. You go. Now." He pushed her towards the other girl. "Take her. Leave."
The girl dragged Rowena out of the room. She cried.
Chris woke up with a strange sensation.
'We're misunderstood, people?' Her brain repeated the line. 'It was Rowena Ravenclaw. That's why she looked familiar. I didn't have this kind of dreams for a long time. Why suddenly?' Chris sighed and checked the clock. It was at five o'clock. Ginny was already in the shower. Chris went back to sleep, 'Ginny will wake me up.'
Chris and the rest of the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall to enormous applause. Chris couldn't help grinning broadly as she saw that both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were clapping them, too. The Slytherin table hissed loudly as they passed. Chris noticed that Malfoy looked even paler than usual.
Wood spent the whole of breakfast urging his team to eat while touching nothing himself. Then he hurried them off to the pitch before anyone else had finished, so they could get an idea of the conditions. As they left the Great Hall, everyone applauded again.
"Good luck, Harry!" called Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker, and Harry blushed.
"Good luck Harry," Chris said laughing as they left the Great Hall. Ginny giggled. Harry went red.
"OK — no wind to speak of — sun's a bit bright, that could impair your vision, watch out for it — ground's fairly hard, good, that'll give us a fast kick-off —" Wood paced the pitch, staring around with the team behind him. Finally, they saw the front doors of the castle open in the distance, and the rest of the school spill onto the lawn.
"Changing rooms," said Wood tersely.
None of them spoke as they changed into their scarlet robes. After getting ready Wood said, "OK, it's time, let's go —"
They walked out onto the pitch to a tidal wave of noise. Three-quarters of the crowd were wearing scarlet rosettes, waving scarlet flags with the Gryffindor lion upon them or brandishing banners with slogans such as "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "LIONS FOR THE CUP!" Colin was clicking pictures and he waved at Chris and Ginny as soon as he saw them. Luna wore a giant lion hat, which roared a few times as she waved at the Gryffindor team. Behind the Slytherin goalposts, however, two hundred people were wearing green; the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row, wearing green like everyone else, and a very grim smile.
"And here are the Gryffindors!" yelled Lee Jordan, who was acting as commentator as usual. "Potter, Johnson, Norton, Weasley, Weasley, Weasley and Wood. Widely acknowledged as the best side Hogwarts has seen in a good few years —"
Lee's comments were drowned by a tide of "boos" from the Slytherin end.
"And here come the Slytherin team, led by captain Flint. He's made some changes in the line-up and seems to be going for size rather than skill —"
More boos from the Slytherin crowd. Chris, however, thought Lee had a point. Malfoy was easily the smallest person on the Slytherin team; the rest of them were enormous.
"Captains, shake hands!" said Madam Hooch.
Flint and Wood approached each other and grasped each other's hands very tightly; it looked as though each was trying to break the other's fingers.
"Mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch. "Three — two — one —"
The sound of her whistle was lost in the roar from the crowd as fourteen brooms rose into the air.
Chris caught the Quaffle and saw Flint on her tail. She speeds up her Firebolt and went towards the hoop.
"And it's Gryffindor in possession, Christina Norton of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goalposts, looking good, Chris! Argh, no – Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing up the pitch –"
WHAM!
"– nice Bludger work thereby George Weasley, Warrington drops the Quaffle, it's caught by – Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina – nice swerve around Montague – duck, Angelina, that's a Bludger! – SHE SCORES! TEN–ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"
Angelina punched the air as she soared around the end of the pitch; the sea of scarlet below was screaming its delight –
"OUCH!"
Angelina was nearly thrown from her broom as Marcus Flint went smashing into her.
"Sorry!" said Flint, as the crowd below booed. "Sorry, didn't see her!"
Next moment, Fred Weasley had chucked his Beater's club at the back of Flint's head. Flint's nose smashed into the handle of his broom and began to bleed. Chris laughed loudly.
"That will do!" shrieked Madam Hooch, zooming between them. "Penalty to Gryffindor for an unprovoked attack on their Chaser! Penalty to Slytherin for deliberate damage to their Chaser!"
"Come off it, Miss!" howled Fred, but Madam Hooch blew her whistle and Ginny flew forward to take the penalty.
"Come on, Ginny!" yelled Lee into the silence that had descended on the crowd. "YES! SHE'S BEATEN THE KEEPER! TWENTY– ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"
Flint, still bleeding freely, fly forwards to take the Slytherin penalty. Wood was hovering in front of the Gryffindor goal posts, his jaw clenched.
"Of course, Wood's a superb Keeper!" Lee Jordan told the crowd, as Flint waited for Madam Hooch's whistle. "Superb! Very difficult to pass – very difficult indeed – YES! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! HE'S SAVED IT!"
"Wow," shouted Ginny and Chris together.
Soon, Angelina, Ginny and Chris were tearing up the field with goals. They were already fifty points up than Slytherins. Suddenly Montague, a Slytherin Chaser, had swerved in front of Ginny, and instead of seizing the Quaffle, had grabbed her head. Ginny cartwheeled in the air, managed to stay on her broom but dropped the Quaffle.
"Gryffindor back in possession and it's Ginny Weasley, Ginny for Gryffindor with the Quaffle, she's streaking up the pitch – THAT WAS DELIBERATE!" Lee shouted.
Madam Hooch's whistle rang out again as she soared over to Montague and began shouting at him. A minute later, Ginny had put another penalty past the Slytherin Keeper.
"SIXTY–ZERO! TAKE THAT, YOU DIRTY, CHEATING –"
"Jordan, if you can't commentate in an unbiased way –!"
"I'm telling it like it is, Professor!"
Suddenly Harry zoomed towards the Slytherins, everyone thought he saw the snitch. The two Slytherin beaters started to throw the Bludgers towards him. He dodged and went towards the ground as the beaters followed him. Then he turned the Firebolt upwards at the last second, and Bole and Derrick, the two beaters of Slytherin, collided with a sickening crunch.
"Ha haaa!" yelled Lee Jordan, as the Slytherin Beaters lurched away from each other, clutching their heads. "Too bad, boys! You'll need to get up earlier than that to beat a Firebolt! And it's Gryffindor in possession again, as Johnson takes the Quaffle – Flint alongside her – poke him in the eye, Angelina! – it was a joke, Professor, it was a joke – oh, no – Flint in possession, Flint flying towards the Gryffindor goal posts, come on, now, Wood, save –!"
But Flint had scored; there was an eruption of cheers from the Slytherin end and Lee swore so badly that Professor McGonagall tried to tug the magical megaphone away from him.
"Sorry, Professor, sorry! Won't happen again! So, Gryffindor in the lead, sixty points to ten, and Gryffindor in possession —"
It was turning into the dirtiest match ever played. Enraged that Gryffindor had taken such an early lead, the Slytherins were rapidly resorting to any means to take the Quaffle. Bole hit Angelina with his club and tried to say he'd thought she was a Bludger. George Weasley elbowed Bole in the face in retaliation. Madam Hooch awarded both teams penalties, and Wood pulled off another spectacular save, making the score sixty–ten to Gryffindor.
Chris scored.
Seventy–ten.
Fred and George Weasley were swooping around her, clubs raised, in case any of the Slytherins were thinking of revenge. Bole and Derrick took advantage of Fred and George's absence to aim both Bludgers at Wood; they caught him in the stomach, one after the other, and he rolled over in the air, clutching his broom, completely winded.
Madam Hooch was beside herself.
"You do not attack the Keeper unless the Quaffle is within the scoring area!" she shrieked at Bole and Derrick. "Gryffindor penalty!"
And Angelina scored. Eighty–ten.
Moments later, Fred Weasley pelted a Bludger at Warrington, knocking the Quaffle out of his hands; Ginny seized it and put it through the Slytherin goal: Ninety–ten.
Harry zoomed again after the snitch but suddenly, the Firebolt was slowing down, Malfoy had thrown himself forward, grabbed hold of Firebolt's tail and was pulling it back.
"He didn't — he didn't —" Chris muttered angrily and zoomed towards him.
But it was late, the Snitch had disappeared again.
Chris was about to punch him but Ginny caught her and whispered, "After the match. We don't want to take any more penalties now." Chris angrily zoomed away.
"Penalty! Penalty to Gryffindor! I've never seen such tactics!" Madam Hooch screeched, shooting up to where Malfoy was sliding back onto his Nimbus Two Thousand and One.
"YOU CHEATING SCUM!" Lee Jordan was howling into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall's reach. "YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B —"
Professor McGonagall didn't even bother to tell him off. She was actually shaking her fist in Malfoy's direction; her hat had fallen off, and she, too, was shouting furiously.
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As Easter Holidays arrived, the second years found that the time had come to choose their subjects for the third year. They had to keep their old subjects and pick a few new. Percy was always trying to see what Ginny choosing and tried to give her new advice, but Ginny refused.
"I know Perce, which subjects I'm taking." Ginny snapped at him. "I'll manage."
"But —" Percy tried to protest but at last left.
Colin was super confused. He almost asked everyone in the common room about subjects that sound more difficult. In the end, he came and sat beside Chris with a sigh.
"Everyone thinks differently. Few think Arithmancy is nice, few thinks Divination, few said, Muggle studies are difficult and few said, Study of Ancient Runes." Colin said looking at the subject list.
Chris chuckled. "Why don't you ask Ginny? She is all ready to choose."
Ginny, who was sitting opposite of Chris, rolled her eyes. "Well, you also decided, didn't you? You didn't ask for anyone's advice either."
"Actually — I did," Chris said smiling. "I asked for Hermione's advice."
"And?" Colin asked excitedly.
"And what?"
"Did you get any good advice?" Colin asked.
"Plenty. As she didn't suggest which subjects I should take, she explained the subjects to me." Chris smiled.
"Is it true she gave up Divination?" Colin whispered.
"Yeah. A few days ago." Ginny answered.
Suddenly a laughing sound came from outside. The fat lady was laughing very loud.
"It must be Luna," Ginny said.
"Wait, I'm going to bring her," Colin said and climbed out of the portrait hole.
Soon, he came back with Luna.
"What do you say every time to the fat lady? Why did she laugh so loud?" Ginny asked Luna.
"Oh. Nothing. I just told her about my father's few adventures." Luna said smiling.
"Luna, which subjects you're taking? Have you decided?" Colin asked.
"Yes. I've decided. I'm taking Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. These two are not completely based on books, so I liked it." Luna answered.
"True. But I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle studies. I like my father's work, so I'm interested in it, also Magical Creatures sounds fun with Hagrid." Ginny said.
"Wow. I didn't think like that." Colin said sadly. "What about you Chris?"
"Care of Magical Creatures, Studies of Ancient Runes and Divination," Chris said simply.
"You're taking three?" Ginny asked. "Are you sure? I mean look at them." Ginny pointed towards Harry, Ron, Neville and a few other third years. "They took only two subjects and they have so much homework."
"Relax, I'll manage. I got interested in Ancient Runes when I saw Hermione's Rune Dictionary and I like magical creatures, but I want to do divination, cause after hearing Harry and Hermione's class, I'm intrigued."Chris replied.
"Ok. If you're sure." Ginny smiled.
"So, which subjects should I take?" Colin asked looking still confused.
The girls laughed. Colin went pink.
"Take magical creatures, it's common in all three of us," Ginny suggested.
"I was thinking the same," Colin said thinking. "But I've no interest in Muggle studies and Runes so I'll take Divination cause Chris is taking it."
"So that I can help you?" Chris asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah. No need to try a new subject where I couldn't get any help." Colin said innocently.
"Good or else you'll be in condition like Hermione." Ginny pointed at Hermione who was sitting in a corner in between her lots of books. She had shadows like Lupin's under her eyes and seemed constantly close to tears.
"She looks miserable," Luna said looking at her.
"I know," Chris said and sighed.
Wood came down suddenly and looked at Harry, Angelina, Fred and George. "Team! We have to practice." He turned towards Chris and Ginny. "Now. Get ready."
There was a "urghh" sound from every team member.
"Seriously Oliver? Now?" Angelina asked with an irritated face.
"Yes. Quidditch Final is near." Wood answered seriously.
"Yes. We know. First Saturday after Eastern Holidays." George said.
"So get ready." Wood said.
"You know Oliver, people usually take surprise tests, you take surprise practises," Chris said getting up.
"Couldn't agree more with that," Angelina said.
Wood made a face and everyone ran to their dormitory pick up their brooms.
The whole of Gryffindor house was obsessed with the coming match. Gryffindor hadn't won the Quidditch Cup since the legendary Charlie Weasley (Ginny's second-oldest brother) had been Seeker.
Never, in anyone's memory, had a match approached in such a highly charged atmosphere. By the time the holidays were over, the tension between the two teams and their houses was at breaking point. A number of small scuffles broke out in the corridors, culminating in a nasty incident in which a Gryffindor fourth-year and a Slytherin sixth-year ended up in the hospital wing with leeks sprouting out of their ears.
The Slytherins tried to sabotage Harry and Chris especially, Flint tried many times to push Chris from the moving stairs. He was very angry as Chris fired back their plan in the last match.
All usual pursuits were abandoned in the Gryffindor common room the night before the match. Even Hermione had put down her books.
"I can't work, I can't concentrate," she said nervously.
There was a great deal of noise. Fred and George Weasley were dealing with the pressure by being louder and more exuberant than ever. Oliver Wood was crouched over a model of a Quidditch pitch in the corner, prodding little figures across it with his wand and muttering to himself. Angelina was laughing at Fred and George's jokes with some of the other girls in her year. Harry, Chris and Ginny were sitting with Colin, Ron and Hermione, removed from the centre of things, trying not to think about the next day.
"You all are going to be fine," Hermione told them, though she looked positively terrified.
"You've got Firebolts!" said Ron. "Remember the last match."
"Yeah —" said Harry, and looked at Chris.
"We still should be careful. Slytherins are going to pull more dirty tricks this time." Ginny said seriously.
"I still can't believe they beat other teams and came to the finals," said Chris.
It came as a relief when Wood suddenly stood up and yelled, "Team! Bed!"
At night Chris started to have a weird dream again. It was a palace, a girl around sixteen-seventeen was running like mad and then stopped in front of another young girl, around the same age. The other young girl was very familiar.
"Rowena! Rowena!" The girl called, who just came running.
"What happened?"
"They found out. They found out — about you." The girl answered breathing heavily.
"How?"
"There is no time talking. You need to run. Now."
"But it's my home. Why should I run?"
"You should or else they'll do something horrible. Rowena you'll have to leave." An old man came in.
"Father?" The girl, Rowena, burst into tears. "I'm sorry father. You warned but I wasn't able to control my powers."
The man hugged her, "Don't cry, it's not your fault, that nature made you like me not like your mother."
"But you hid your powers for years. I —"
"Your powers are stronger than mine. And we're not bad, Rowena. We're just misunderstood, people." He patted her head. "Go. Save yourself. Before the King knows. Go, Rowena."
"But if they don't find me, they'll hurt you."
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"I'll see about that. You go. Now." He pushed her towards the other girl. "Take her. Leave."
The girl dragged Rowena out of the room. She cried.
Chris woke up with a strange sensation.
'We're misunderstood, people?' Her brain repeated the line. 'It was Rowena Ravenclaw. That's why she looked familiar. I didn't have this kind of dreams for a long time. Why suddenly?' Chris sighed and checked the clock. It was at five o'clock. Ginny was already in the shower. Chris went back to sleep, 'Ginny will wake me up.'
Chris and the rest of the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall to enormous applause. Chris couldn't help grinning broadly as she saw that both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were clapping them, too. The Slytherin table hissed loudly as they passed. Chris noticed that Malfoy looked even paler than usual.
Wood spent the whole of breakfast urging his team to eat while touching nothing himself. Then he hurried them off to the pitch before anyone else had finished, so they could get an idea of the conditions. As they left the Great Hall, everyone applauded again.
"Good luck, Harry!" called Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker, and Harry blushed.
"Good luck Harry," Chris said laughing as they left the Great Hall. Ginny giggled. Harry went red.
"OK — no wind to speak of — sun's a bit bright, that could impair your vision, watch out for it — ground's fairly hard, good, that'll give us a fast kick-off —" Wood paced the pitch, staring around with the team behind him. Finally, they saw the front doors of the castle open in the distance, and the rest of the school spill onto the lawn.
"Changing rooms," said Wood tersely.
None of them spoke as they changed into their scarlet robes. After getting ready Wood said, "OK, it's time, let's go —"
They walked out onto the pitch to a tidal wave of noise. Three-quarters of the crowd were wearing scarlet rosettes, waving scarlet flags with the Gryffindor lion upon them or brandishing banners with slogans such as "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "LIONS FOR THE CUP!" Colin was clicking pictures and he waved at Chris and Ginny as soon as he saw them. Luna wore a giant lion hat, which roared a few times as she waved at the Gryffindor team. Behind the Slytherin goalposts, however, two hundred people were wearing green; the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row, wearing green like everyone else, and a very grim smile.
"And here are the Gryffindors!" yelled Lee Jordan, who was acting as commentator as usual. "Potter, Johnson, Norton, Weasley, Weasley, Weasley and Wood. Widely acknowledged as the best side Hogwarts has seen in a good few years —"
Lee's comments were drowned by a tide of "boos" from the Slytherin end.
"And here come the Slytherin team, led by captain Flint. He's made some changes in the line-up and seems to be going for size rather than skill —"
More boos from the Slytherin crowd. Chris, however, thought Lee had a point. Malfoy was easily the smallest person on the Slytherin team; the rest of them were enormous.
"Captains, shake hands!" said Madam Hooch.
Flint and Wood approached each other and grasped each other's hands very tightly; it looked as though each was trying to break the other's fingers.
"Mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch. "Three — two — one —"
The sound of her whistle was lost in the roar from the crowd as fourteen brooms rose into the air.
Chris caught the Quaffle and saw Flint on her tail. She speeds up her Firebolt and went towards the hoop.
"And it's Gryffindor in possession, Christina Norton of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goalposts, looking good, Chris! Argh, no – Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing up the pitch –"
WHAM!
"– nice Bludger work thereby George Weasley, Warrington drops the Quaffle, it's caught by – Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina – nice swerve around Montague – duck, Angelina, that's a Bludger! – SHE SCORES! TEN–ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"
Angelina punched the air as she soared around the end of the pitch; the sea of scarlet below was screaming its delight –
"OUCH!"
Angelina was nearly thrown from her broom as Marcus Flint went smashing into her.
"Sorry!" said Flint, as the crowd below booed. "Sorry, didn't see her!"
Next moment, Fred Weasley had chucked his Beater's club at the back of Flint's head. Flint's nose smashed into the handle of his broom and began to bleed. Chris laughed loudly.
"That will do!" shrieked Madam Hooch, zooming between them. "Penalty to Gryffindor for an unprovoked attack on their Chaser! Penalty to Slytherin for deliberate damage to their Chaser!"
"Come off it, Miss!" howled Fred, but Madam Hooch blew her whistle and Ginny flew forward to take the penalty.
"Come on, Ginny!" yelled Lee into the silence that had descended on the crowd. "YES! SHE'S BEATEN THE KEEPER! TWENTY– ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"
Flint, still bleeding freely, fly forwards to take the Slytherin penalty. Wood was hovering in front of the Gryffindor goal posts, his jaw clenched.
"Of course, Wood's a superb Keeper!" Lee Jordan told the crowd, as Flint waited for Madam Hooch's whistle. "Superb! Very difficult to pass – very difficult indeed – YES! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! HE'S SAVED IT!"
"Wow," shouted Ginny and Chris together.
Soon, Angelina, Ginny and Chris were tearing up the field with goals. They were already fifty points up than Slytherins. Suddenly Montague, a Slytherin Chaser, had swerved in front of Ginny, and instead of seizing the Quaffle, had grabbed her head. Ginny cartwheeled in the air, managed to stay on her broom but dropped the Quaffle.
"Gryffindor back in possession and it's Ginny Weasley, Ginny for Gryffindor with the Quaffle, she's streaking up the pitch – THAT WAS DELIBERATE!" Lee shouted.
Madam Hooch's whistle rang out again as she soared over to Montague and began shouting at him. A minute later, Ginny had put another penalty past the Slytherin Keeper.
"SIXTY–ZERO! TAKE THAT, YOU DIRTY, CHEATING –"
"Jordan, if you can't commentate in an unbiased way –!"
"I'm telling it like it is, Professor!"
Suddenly Harry zoomed towards the Slytherins, everyone thought he saw the snitch. The two Slytherin beaters started to throw the Bludgers towards him. He dodged and went towards the ground as the beaters followed him. Then he turned the Firebolt upwards at the last second, and Bole and Derrick, the two beaters of Slytherin, collided with a sickening crunch.
"Ha haaa!" yelled Lee Jordan, as the Slytherin Beaters lurched away from each other, clutching their heads. "Too bad, boys! You'll need to get up earlier than that to beat a Firebolt! And it's Gryffindor in possession again, as Johnson takes the Quaffle – Flint alongside her – poke him in the eye, Angelina! – it was a joke, Professor, it was a joke – oh, no – Flint in possession, Flint flying towards the Gryffindor goal posts, come on, now, Wood, save –!"
But Flint had scored; there was an eruption of cheers from the Slytherin end and Lee swore so badly that Professor McGonagall tried to tug the magical megaphone away from him.
"Sorry, Professor, sorry! Won't happen again! So, Gryffindor in the lead, sixty points to ten, and Gryffindor in possession —"
It was turning into the dirtiest match ever played. Enraged that Gryffindor had taken such an early lead, the Slytherins were rapidly resorting to any means to take the Quaffle. Bole hit Angelina with his club and tried to say he'd thought she was a Bludger. George Weasley elbowed Bole in the face in retaliation. Madam Hooch awarded both teams penalties, and Wood pulled off another spectacular save, making the score sixty–ten to Gryffindor.
Chris scored.
Seventy–ten.
Fred and George Weasley were swooping around her, clubs raised, in case any of the Slytherins were thinking of revenge. Bole and Derrick took advantage of Fred and George's absence to aim both Bludgers at Wood; they caught him in the stomach, one after the other, and he rolled over in the air, clutching his broom, completely winded.
Madam Hooch was beside herself.
"You do not attack the Keeper unless the Quaffle is within the scoring area!" she shrieked at Bole and Derrick. "Gryffindor penalty!"
And Angelina scored. Eighty–ten.
Moments later, Fred Weasley pelted a Bludger at Warrington, knocking the Quaffle out of his hands; Ginny seized it and put it through the Slytherin goal: Ninety–ten.
Harry zoomed again after the snitch but suddenly, the Firebolt was slowing down, Malfoy had thrown himself forward, grabbed hold of Firebolt's tail and was pulling it back.
"He didn't — he didn't —" Chris muttered angrily and zoomed towards him.
But it was late, the Snitch had disappeared again.
Chris was about to punch him but Ginny caught her and whispered, "After the match. We don't want to take any more penalties now." Chris angrily zoomed away.
"Penalty! Penalty to Gryffindor! I've never seen such tactics!" Madam Hooch screeched, shooting up to where Malfoy was sliding back onto his Nimbus Two Thousand and One.
"YOU CHEATING SCUM!" Lee Jordan was howling into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall's reach. "YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B —"
Professor McGonagall didn't even bother to tell him off. She was actually shaking her fist in Malfoy's direction; her hat had fallen off, and she, too, was shouting furiously.
As Easter Holidays arrived, the second years found that the time had come to choose their subjects for the third year. They had to keep their old subjects and pick a few new. Percy was always trying to see what Ginny choosing and tried to give her new advice, but Ginny refused."I know Perce, which subjects I'm taking." Ginny snapped at him. "I'll manage.""But " Percy tried to protest but at last left.Colin was super confused. He almost asked everyone in the common room about subjects that sound more difficult. In the end, he came and sat beside Chris with a sigh."Everyone thinks differently. Few think Arithmancy is nice, few thinks Divination, few said, Muggle studies are difficult and few said, Study of Ancient Runes." Colin said looking at the subject list.Chris chuckled. "Why don't you ask Ginny? She is all ready to choose."Ginny, who was sitting opposite of Chris, rolled her eyes. "Well, you also decided, didn't you? You didn't ask for anyone's advice either.""Actually I did," Chris said smiling. "I asked for Hermione's advice.""And?" Colin asked excitedly."And what?""Did you get any good advice?" Colin asked."Plenty. As she didn't suggest which subjects I should take, she explained the subjects to me." Chris smiled."Is it true she gave up Divination?" Colin whispered."Yeah. A few days ago." Ginny answered.Suddenly a laughing sound came from outside. The fat lady was laughing very loud."It must be Luna," Ginny said."Wait, I'm going to bring her," Colin said and climbed out of the portrait hole.Soon, he came back with Luna."What do you say every time to the fat lady? Why did she laugh so loud?" Ginny asked Luna."Oh. Nothing. I just told her about my father's few adventures." Luna said smiling."Luna, which subjects you're taking? Have you decided?" Colin asked."Yes. I've decided. I'm taking Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. These two are not completely based on books, so I liked it." Luna answered."True. But I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle studies. I like my father's work, so I'm interested in it, also Magical Creatures sounds fun with Hagrid." Ginny said."Wow. I didn't think like that." Colin said sadly. "What about you Chris?""Care of Magical Creatures, Studies of Ancient Runes and Divination," Chris said simply."You're taking three?" Ginny asked. "Are you sure? I mean look at them." Ginny pointed towards Harry, Ron, Neville and a few other third years. "They took only two subjects and they have so much homework.""Relax, I'll manage. I got interested in Ancient Runes when I saw Hermione's Rune Dictionary and I like magical creatures, but I want to do divination, cause after hearing Harry and Hermione's class, I'm intrigued."Chris replied."Ok. If you're sure." Ginny smiled."So, which subjects should I take?" Colin asked looking still confused.The girls laughed. Colin went pink."Take magical creatures, it's common in all three of us," Ginny suggested."I was thinking the same," Colin said thinking. "But I've no interest in Muggle studies and Runes so I'll take Divination cause Chris is taking it.""So that I can help you?" Chris asked raising an eyebrow."Yeah. No need to try a new subject where I couldn't get any help." Colin said innocently."Good or else you'll be in condition like Hermione." Ginny pointed at Hermione who was sitting in a corner in between her lots of books. She had shadows like Lupin's under her eyes and seemed constantly close to tears."She looks miserable," Luna said looking at her."I know," Chris said and sighed.Wood came down suddenly and looked at Harry, Angelina, Fred and George. "Team! We have to practice." He turned towards Chris and Ginny. "Now. Get ready."There was a "urghh" sound from every team member."Seriously Oliver? Now?" Angelina asked with an irritated face."Yes. Quidditch Final is near." Wood answered seriously."Yes. We know. First Saturday after Eastern Holidays." George said."So get ready." Wood said."You know Oliver, people usually take surprise tests, you take surprise practises," Chris said getting up."Couldn't agree more with that," Angelina said.Wood made a face and everyone ran to their dormitory pick up their brooms.The whole of Gryffindor house was obsessed with the coming match. Gryffindor hadn't won the Quidditch Cup since the legendary Charlie Weasley Ginny's second-oldest brother had been Seeker.Never, in anyone's memory, had a match approached in such a highly charged atmosphere. By the time the holidays were over, the tension between the two teams and their houses was at breaking point. A number of small scuffles broke out in the corridors, culminating in a nasty incident in which a Gryffindor fourth-year and a Slytherin sixth-year ended up in the hospital wing with leeks sprouting out of their ears.The Slytherins tried to sabotage Harry and Chris especially, Flint tried many times to push Chris from the moving stairs. He was very angry as Chris fired back their plan in the last match.All usual pursuits were abandoned in the Gryffindor common room the night before the match. Even Hermione had put down her books."I can't work, I can't concentrate," she said nervously.There was a great deal of noise. Fred and George Weasley were dealing with the pressure by being louder and more exuberant than ever. Oliver Wood was crouched over a model of a Quidditch pitch in the corner, prodding little figures across it with his wand and muttering to himself. Angelina was laughing at Fred and George's jokes with some of the other girls in her year. Harry, Chris and Ginny were sitting with Colin, Ron and Hermione, removed from the centre of things, trying not to think about the next day."You all are going to be fine," Hermione told them, though she looked positively terrified."You've got Firebolts!" said Ron. "Remember the last match.""Yeah " said Harry, and looked at Chris."We still should be careful. Slytherins are going to pull more dirty tricks this time." Ginny said seriously."I still can't believe they beat other teams and came to the finals," said Chris.It came as a relief when Wood suddenly stood up and yelled, "Team! Bed!"At night Chris started to have a weird dream again. It was a palace, a girl around sixteen-seventeen was running like mad and then stopped in front of another young girl, around the same age. The other young girl was very familiar."Rowena! Rowena!" The girl called, who just came running."What happened?""They found out. They found out about you." The girl answered breathing heavily."How?""There is no time talking. You need to run. Now.""But it's my home. Why should I run?""You should or else they'll do something horrible. Rowena you'll have to leave." An old man came in."Father?" The girl, Rowena, burst into tears. "I'm sorry father. You warned but I wasn't able to control my powers."The man hugged her, "Don't cry, it's not your fault, that nature made you like me not like your mother.""But you hid your powers for years. I ""Your powers are stronger than mine. And we're not bad, Rowena. We're just misunderstood, people." He patted her head. "Go. Save yourself. Before the King knows. Go, Rowena.""But if they don't find me, they'll hurt you."Find authorized novels in Webnovelfaster updates, better experiencePlease click www.novelhall.com www.webnovel.com for visiting. "I'll see about that. You go. Now." He pushed her towards the other girl. "Take her. Leave."The girl dragged Rowena out of the room. She cried.Chris woke up with a strange sensation.'We're misunderstood, people?' Her brain repeated the line. 'It was Rowena Ravenclaw. That's why she looked familiar. I didn't have this kind of dreams for a long time. Why suddenly?' Chris sighed and checked the clock. It was at five o'clock. Ginny was already in the shower. Chris went back to sleep, 'Ginny will wake me up.'Chris and the rest of the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall to enormous applause. Chris couldn't help grinning broadly as she saw that both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were clapping them, too. The Slytherin table hissed loudly as they passed. Chris noticed that Malfoy looked even paler than usual.Wood spent the whole of breakfast urging his team to eat while touching nothing himself. Then he hurried them off to the pitch before anyone else had finished, so they could get an idea of the conditions. As they left the Great Hall, everyone applauded again."Good luck, Harry!" called Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker, and Harry blushed."Good luck Harry," Chris said laughing as they left the Great Hall. Ginny giggled. Harry went red."OK no wind to speak of sun's a bit bright, that could impair your vision, watch out for it ground's fairly hard, good, that'll give us a fast kick-off " Wood paced the pitch, staring around with the team behind him. Finally, they saw the front doors of the castle open in the distance, and the rest of the school spill onto the lawn."Changing rooms," said Wood tersely.None of them spoke as they changed into their scarlet robes. After getting ready Wood said, "OK, it's time, let's go "They walked out onto the pitch to a tidal wave of noise. Three-quarters of the crowd were wearing scarlet rosettes, waving scarlet flags with the Gryffindor lion upon them or brandishing banners with slogans such as "GO GRYFFINDOR!" and "LIONS FOR THE CUP!" Colin was clicking pictures and he waved at Chris and Ginny as soon as he saw them. Luna wore a giant lion hat, which roared a few times as she waved at the Gryffindor team. Behind the Slytherin goalposts, however, two hundred people were wearing green; the silver serpent of Slytherin glittered on their flags, and Professor Snape sat in the very front row, wearing green like everyone else, and a very grim smile."And here are the Gryffindors!" yelled Lee Jordan, who was acting as commentator as usual. "Potter, Johnson, Norton, Weasley, Weasley, Weasley and Wood. Widely acknowledged as the best side Hogwarts has seen in a good few years "Lee's comments were drowned by a tide of "boos" from the Slytherin end."And here come the Slytherin team, led by captain Flint. He's made some changes in the line-up and seems to be going for size rather than skill "More boos from the Slytherin crowd. Chris, however, thought Lee had a point. Malfoy was easily the smallest person on the Slytherin team; the rest of them were enormous."Captains, shake hands!" said Madam Hooch.Flint and Wood approached each other and grasped each other's hands very tightly; it looked as though each was trying to break the other's fingers."Mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch. "Three two one "The sound of her whistle was lost in the roar from the crowd as fourteen brooms rose into the air.Chris caught the Quaffle and saw Flint on her tail. She speeds up her Firebolt and went towards the hoop."And it's Gryffindor in possession, Christina Norton of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, heading straight for the Slytherin goalposts, looking good, Chris! Argh, no Quaffle intercepted by Warrington, Warrington of Slytherin tearing up the pitch "WHAM!" nice Bludger work thereby George Weasley, Warrington drops the Quaffle, it's caught by Johnson, Gryffindor back in possession, come on, Angelina nice swerve around Montague duck, Angelina, that's a Bludger! SHE SCORES! TENZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"Angelina punched the air as she soared around the end of the pitch; the sea of scarlet below was screaming its delight "OUCH!"Angelina was nearly thrown from her broom as Marcus Flint went smashing into her."Sorry!" said Flint, as the crowd below booed. "Sorry, didn't see her!"Next moment, Fred Weasley had chucked his Beater's club at the back of Flint's head. Flint's nose smashed into the handle of his broom and began to bleed. Chris laughed loudly."That will do!" shrieked Madam Hooch, zooming between them. "Penalty to Gryffindor for an unprovoked attack on their Chaser! Penalty to Slytherin for deliberate damage to their Chaser!""Come off it, Miss!" howled Fred, but Madam Hooch blew her whistle and Ginny flew forward to take the penalty."Come on, Ginny!" yelled Lee into the silence that had descended on the crowd. "YES! SHE'S BEATEN THE KEEPER! TWENTY ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"Flint, still bleeding freely, fly forwards to take the Slytherin penalty. Wood was hovering in front of the Gryffindor goal posts, his jaw clenched."Of course, Wood's a superb Keeper!" Lee Jordan told the crowd, as Flint waited for Madam Hooch's whistle. "Superb! Very difficult to pass very difficult indeed YES! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! HE'S SAVED IT!""Wow," shouted Ginny and Chris together.Soon, Angelina, Ginny and Chris were tearing up the field with goals. They were already fifty points up than Slytherins. Suddenly Montague, a Slytherin Chaser, had swerved in front of Ginny, and instead of seizing the Quaffle, had grabbed her head. Ginny cartwheeled in the air, managed to stay on her broom but dropped the Quaffle."Gryffindor back in possession and it's Ginny Weasley, Ginny for Gryffindor with the Quaffle, she's streaking up the pitch THAT WAS DELIBERATE!" Lee shouted.Madam Hooch's whistle rang out again as she soared over to Montague and began shouting at him. A minute later, Ginny had put another penalty past the Slytherin Keeper."SIXTYZERO! TAKE THAT, YOU DIRTY, CHEATING ""Jordan, if you can't commentate in an unbiased way !""I'm telling it like it is, Professor!"Suddenly Harry zoomed towards the Slytherins, everyone thought he saw the snitch. The two Slytherin beaters started to throw the Bludgers towards him. He dodged and went towards the ground as the beaters followed him. Then he turned the Firebolt upwards at the last second, and Bole and Derrick, the two beaters of Slytherin, collided with a sickening crunch."Ha haaa!" yelled Lee Jordan, as the Slytherin Beaters lurched away from each other, clutching their heads. "Too bad, boys! You'll need to get up earlier than that to beat a Firebolt! And it's Gryffindor in possession again, as Johnson takes the Quaffle Flint alongside her poke him in the eye, Angelina! it was a joke, Professor, it was a joke oh, no Flint in possession, Flint flying towards the Gryffindor goal posts, come on, now, Wood, save !"But Flint had scored; there was an eruption of cheers from the Slytherin end and Lee swore so badly that Professor McGonagall tried to tug the magical megaphone away from him."Sorry, Professor, sorry! Won't happen again! So, Gryffindor in the lead, sixty points to ten, and Gryffindor in possession "It was turning into the dirtiest match ever played. Enraged that Gryffindor had taken such an early lead, the Slytherins were rapidly resorting to any means to take the Quaffle. Bole hit Angelina with his club and tried to say he'd thought she was a Bludger. George Weasley elbowed Bole in the face in retaliation. Madam Hooch awarded both teams penalties, and Wood pulled off another spectacular save, making the score sixtyten to Gryffindor.Chris scored.Seventyten.Fred and George Weasley were swooping around her, clubs raised, in case any of the Slytherins were thinking of revenge. Bole and Derrick took advantage of Fred and George's absence to aim both Bludgers at Wood; they caught him in the stomach, one after the other, and he rolled over in the air, clutching his broom, completely winded.Madam Hooch was beside herself."You do not attack the Keeper unless the Quaffle is within the scoring area!" she shrieked at Bole and Derrick. "Gryffindor penalty!"And Angelina scored. Eightyten.Moments later, Fred Weasley pelted a Bludger at Warrington, knocking the Quaffle out of his hands; Ginny seized it and put it through the Slytherin goal: Ninetyten.Harry zoomed again after the snitch but suddenly, the Firebolt was slowing down, Malfoy had thrown himself forward, grabbed hold of Firebolt's tail and was pulling it back."He didn't he didn't " Chris muttered angrily and zoomed towards him.But it was late, the Snitch had disappeared again.Chris was about to punch him but Ginny caught her and whispered, "After the match. We don't want to take any more penalties now." Chris angrily zoomed away."Penalty! Penalty to Gryffindor! I've never seen such tactics!" Madam Hooch screeched, shooting up to where Malfoy was sliding back onto his Nimbus Two Thousand and One."YOU CHEATING SCUM!" Lee Jordan was howling into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall's reach. "YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B "Professor McGonagall didn't even bother to tell him off. She was actually shaking her fist in Malfoy's direction; her hat had fallen off, and she, too, was shouting furiously.
