Quidditch try outs 1
Saturday, Hogwarts, near the gates
"Nervous?" Lia asked me as we were waiting for her grandfather to come and pick me up.
"Yes." I admitted.
I am indeed a little afraid to meet with Bellatrix. What if she doesn't like me? Or my personality? Or I am not pretty enough? Or-
"OUCH!" I cried out as my internal panic was disturbed by Lia flicking me on the forehead."WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?!"
"You were thinking about something stupid and ridiculous." She said with a shrug."And papa is here. Look." She nodded toward the gates.
And indeed, an older gentleman was walking towards the gates. His black robes flying in the non-existent wind, holding a cane in his left and many rings adorning both of his hands. Soon he arrived in front of the gates and then stopped just outside of them.
"Helia, its good to see you again." He said as Lia went and hugged him."And you must be Hermione. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Arcturus Black. Although you can just call me grandpa." He said as he hugged me too.
"It's nice to meet you Mister Black." I greeted back uncertainly. He was much more friendlier than I thought he would be.
"I told you to call me grandpa. But if you prefer formalities then it's Lord Black." He said with amusement."But enough of that. We need to go, if we want to be on time. Please grab my hand firmly. It will be very unpleasant, as it is your first time apparating."
Soon after I grabbed his arm I felt like being both stretched and squeezed at once while being spinned upside down. And it went on for an uncomfortably long amount of time, which could be anywhere between two seconds to two hours.
As such it wasn't surprising in the least when I doubled over and vomitted. Right into a bucket Arcturus put in front of me. Where did he get it? I don't know, but it is better than vomitting onto the streets. It took me a good minute to stop.
"This will make you feel better." And with a flick of his wand my face and mouth was clean, and the bucket vanished.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing. If you are feeling better then let's go." He said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
I just nodded and we started walking. And now that I am walking normally I finally have time to see where we are. Well, we weren't in Diagon Alley that's for sure. For one, this place is much cleaner and more crowded. Secondly, I am sure I have seen a woman with wings pass us.
"We are in France." He suddenly announced, as if he read my mind."And see that tower?" He pointed at a ten or so story tall lilac coloured tower."That's where we are going."
The rest of the way there was spent with him answering my questions about anything interesting I saw. Then we arrived to our destination, where we were led to a private room after a few words. Once there he knocked and after a short goodbye, left.
Then the door was opened by a beautiful woman. She had raven black hair that cascaded down to her shoulder in unruly curls, thin lips and dark heavy-lidded eyes and strong jaw. Combined with her confident bearing and sharp features, she made one hell of a beauty.
"Come in, Hermione." The siren, for she could only be one, said with a smile. And I found myself unable to resist.
Hogwarts, Gryffindor Common Room
"What do you think they are doing?" Harry asked as he brushed Ciel's fur.
"Probably being all lovely dovely with each other. Or having a debate about some obscure magical principle. Knowing those two it could be either." I answered him as I read my book."I am jealous. I wnat to go on a date with Fleur." I added grumpily.
"Please, spare me your rant about your veela." He said with an eyeroll."Why didn't you go to Beauxbatons if you miss her so much anyway?"
"Because I need to graduate from Hogwarts if I want to take up my seat in the Wizengamot." I told him flatly.
"Ah, yes. The idiotic rules of the even more idiotic ministry." He said with a chuckle. Then put away his brush and shooed Ciel away."Did you get it?"
"Yep." I said and fished out a small bag from my bag."Do use it sparingly. I only managed to get so much. Even this much took me three days to get."
"Thanks, I will." He said as he pocketed it.
"Is it for the twins? I noticed you became close with them lately." I said nonchalantly.
"They are nice. And interesting to hang out with. Although their brother is still a pain." He said as he took out his homework.
"Well, so long as you know what are you doing. Anyway. Are you going to the try outs tomorrow?"
"Yep. I confirmed with McGonagall, just to be sure, but so long as I meet the standards then I can play on the team."
"Good. Now if you forgive me. I am going to see if Fleur has her diary with her."
And with that I made my way to the dungeons. Once there it was easy to find the entrance to the common room and then go to my room. And after I locked my room's door, I flopped onto the bed and started writing into the diary the moment I could.
/Are you there?/ I asked hopefully. And then I waited.
When five minutes later I still got no reply I started to close the diary. But just as I did I saw words appear on the page and hurriedly opened it again.
/Yes, darling. Sorry for not writing yesterday. How have you been? How are the others?/
/I have been well. Just missing you. A lot. Harry and Draco are fine, if a little overexcited for tomorrow's quidditch try outs. Dora is like a headless chicken. Although I couldn't speak with her yet. She is too busy. And you?/ I told her while thinking about what else to write.
/I miss you too. It's good to hear that the others are in good health. Nothing interesting happened here. If you don't count that time when a firstie fell into the lake./
/I see. Are you interested in some gossip?/ She is always interested in gossip, so this might be a good topic.
/Always./
/We found Bella's soulmate./
/No way!!/ I can feel her shock even just from her voice. A shame I can't see her face, it must have an interesting expression.
/Yes way. She is also a first year and a muggleborn. Also, she is a huge bookworm, big enough to give Bella a run for her money. The two of them are on a date as we speak./
/I can't wait to get to know her. But. I am sorry. I have to go. Duelling club starts soon. Love you, mon soleil./
/I love you too./
And with that I closed the diary. Then I decided to take a nap. Sure, I have homework to do, but I don't want to do anything right now. Maybe talk a little bit more with Fleur.
Next day, during breakfast
"Spill the Botts, Mione! How was the date?" Harry asked as we sat down around her.
Me beside Hermione and Draco beside Harry, who was sitting on Mione's other side. Seeing the seating arrangement she sighed and resigned herself to talking. I could see it in her eyes.
"It was nice. We had lunch in a fancy restaurant, then went to a few antique and bookstores to look around. After that we went to a park and had a picnic while chatting about anything and everything. In the end she gave me this necklace and then grandpa came to pick me up." She told us with a dreamy look.
Said necklace was made of silver with a star shaped pendant. Inside the star was a black dagger that slightly glowed.
"Nice. Pretty standard as far as first dates go, but nice nevertheless." Draco quipped in with a smile."Better than the one this idiot took me on."
"You say as if you didn't like muggle London." Harry bit back.
But before any of us could say anything else the headmaster stood up and motioned for everyone to be silent.
"Good morning, everyone!" The old coot started."Yesterday night, I have been informed by the Board of Governors that they find the way that I manage Hogwarts...inadequate. Therefore the Board deemed it necessary to send here an Inspector.
The Inspector's duty will be to assess the teachers, the curriculum, the facilities and many other aspects of the school. They will also enforce the contents of the Hogwarts Charter if they deem it fit. And without further ado, let us greet the new Inspector. Arcturus Black!"
As the headmaster finished grandpa appeared in the middle of the great hall. He was then greeted with a small amount of cheering and clapping. The apparent lack of enthusiasm at his entrance didn't faze him in the slightest and he turned around and walked up to Dumbledore.
"Thank you for the introduction, headmaster." He said with his fake smile."It is my pleasure to be here. As your headmaster already said: the purpose of me being here is to make this school a better place. Do not worry though. These changes will be gradual and easy to adapt to. With that being said. If any of you have any grievances or complaints, don't hesitate to visit my office which is on the right side of the first year's potion classroom. Have a nice day!" And with that he was gone.
'Things should me more interesting from now on.' I thought as I shared a smirk with the others.