Familial Magic
On a cloudy Saturday morning in late October, we were eating breakfast when the owls came to deliver the post, like they did every morning, only this morning there was a large owl carrying what was obviously a broom. The package dropped at the Gryffindor table right in front of Harry.
“Ugh, Of course he gets a new broom.” Draco complained, as he opened a box of treats his mum sent and offered us all one.
I had just gone back to reading Alchemist Across the Ages when I glanced up and noticed Harry was coming our way.
“Hey,” Harry greeted as he approached the table, gesturing at the package, “Padfoot sent something, want to go to the pitch and open it with me?” He asked Draco hopefully.
Draco’s face lit up at Harry’s offer, “let’s go.” He said as he jumped to his feet. He looked over at me and Neville then turned back to Harry and said, “we should show those two what a real broom looks like.”
Harry smiled and agreed before leading us out the great hall.
On our way out of the school we were accosted by Nott and his henchmen. “First years aren’t allowed to have brooms,” he said as they blocked our path.
Harry rolled his eyes at them before responding, “I need it for quidditch, you know, since I’m on the team.” Nott sneered at Harry but he just chuckled and continued, “I guess I should be thanking you actually, for helping me get on the team a whole year early.”
Goyle cracked his knuckles and Nott lunged for the packaged broom when professor Flitwick rounded the corner and asked what was going on.
“Potters been sent a broom but first years aren’t allowed,” tattled Nott quickly.
The professor sighed and said “ah, yes, Mr.Potter has received approval for his new broom from the headmaster, therefore he hasn’t broken the rules.”
Not liking the answer he got, Nott and his little gang sulked back towards the castle with professor Flitwick following close behind.
When we finally made it to the pitch Harry and Draco set off unwrapping the gift. We were on a grassy oval shaped field that had three goal posts on either end with house coloured stands all around.
“No!” Draco shouted and I quickly looked back at the boys.
“Yes!” Harry exclaimed back as he held it up for Neville and I to see.
“No way!” Draco said, he looked as though it was made of gold.
“Am I missing something?” I asked confused and they all looked at me wide eyed.
“It’s a Nimbus 2000, Hermione,” Harry answered which clarified all of nothing so I turned to Draco hoping he would elaborate.
“Its the fastest broom in the world, the type professional teams use.” He said looking longingly at it.
“Oh, is that safe for you to use then?” I asked curiously.
Harry let out a small chuckle before he mounted it and shot off around the pitch. His speed worried me at first but that fear quickly died down as I heard Harry whooping and laughing as he zoomed around making sharp manoeuvres.
The three of us sat and watched Harry for a few minutes before Draco asked, “Did that Quidditch book you had, teach you anything about the actual game?”
“At the time I was mainly focused on the riding tips. I imagine the teams try to get through each other’s hoops.” I answered and gestured to the hoops near us.
They both chuckled then Neville said, “I don’t know much about Quidditch, but they don’t fly through the hoops.”
“The hoops are for the balls to go through.” Draco informed me.
“There’s more than one ball?” I asked curiously
“There are four: a quaffle, two bludgers and the golden snitch.” Draco answered then he pulled a small golden ball out of his pocket. When he set it down on his palm, two translucent wings popped out. “It’s Harry’s job as seeker to catch this one, if he does, his team will get one hundred fifty points and the game will be over.” Then he pulled out his wand and tapped the snitch and it shot off across the sky.
“If that’s his job, what are the other player’s jobs?” I asked
“The keepers job is to keep the quaffle from going through the hoops.” Said Draco as he pointed to three hoops. “The two beaters have bats, it’s their job to knock the bludgers away from their chasers and aim the towards the other teams chasers. The 3 chasers’ job is to get the quaffle past the keeper to score points for their team.” He explained to us, though Neville still looked a bit confused.
“Have you never seen a Quidditch game?” I asked Neville.
He looked a little sheepish when he answered, “I haven’t actually, dad’s away for work a lot so it’s usually just me, my mum and my gran. They don’t really follow quidditch, we spend most of our time in the gardens at home.”
Draco nodded in understanding at that then said “Harry’s godfather, Sirius, use to take us to watch the Falmouth Falcons when they played at home. My dad taught me how to fly, but Sirius is the one that made us fall in love with the game.”
“I guess it’s a good thing you two are in different houses then.” I said watching Harry, who seemed to be chasing something.
“Oh?” Asked Draco
“It’s the only way you can both be seeker.” I replied.
Draco chuckled, “what makes you think I want to be a seeker?” He asked
“I don’t think many people keep a golden snitch in their pocket.” I answered then Harry was dismounting his broom in front of us before he tossed said snitch back to Draco smiling.
“Want to give it a go, mate?” He asked and Draco quickly got to his feet.
After Draco rode for a bit Harry offered Neville and I a try but we adamantly refused. Personally, I’d prefer to keep both my feet on the ground.
On Halloween morning I woke up excited for the day. We could smell pumpkin baking from our dorms in the dungeons. By the time we arrived at breakfast we were all ready to devour the pumpkin pancakes the kitchen staff had been preparing.
After a double class with hufflepuff that morning in greenhouse 1 we made our way back to the great hall for lunch. Daphne and I went over our homework for our next class: Charms, which we shared with the Gryffindors.
When class started professor Flitwick paired us off to practice the levitation spell on feathers. I guess he wanted to separate us from our house mates cause we were all paired with the Gryffindors. Harry was with Draco, Neville got paired with Dean Thomas, Daphne with Seamus Finnegan, Blaise got Lavender Brown and I got stuck with Weasley. He looked just as upset with this as I did but I took the seat next to him and watched him attempt the spell.
“Now, don’t forget that nice wrist movement we’ve been practising!” Said the Professor, “swish and flick. And saying the spell properly is very important, never forget about the Wizard Baruffio, who said an “s” instead of an “f” and found himself with a buffalo on his chest!”
“Wingard um Lev osa!” Weasley shouted, swinging his long arms around like a windmill.
“You’re saying it wrong,” I snapped, “It’s Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa and you’re going to poke someone’s eye out swinging your wand around like that.”
“You do it, then, if you think you’re so clever,” he snarled.
I held my wand out, flicked it and said, “Wingardium Leviosa!”
My feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above our heads. “Oh, well done!” Shouted Professor Flitwick, clapping. “Look here everyone, Miss Granger has done it!” This just seemed to anger Weasley even more.
As we were leaving I heard him ranting to his friends. “It’s no wonder her housemates hate her,” he said as they made their way into the crowded corridor. “She’s a nightmare, honestly.”
I had heard enough. I shoved past him and made my way to the lavatory around the corner.
I felt ridiculous for letting his words upset me, I was too embarrassed to face my friends so I just locked myself in a stall and stayed there.
Sometime later I heard the door open and Daphne’s voice called out, “Hermione?”
I exited my stall and she met me with a hug.
“When you didn’t show up for history of magic I was worried something might be wrong. Then Neville told us what he heard Weasley saying, He said he saw you come in here.”
“Thank you for coming to find me,” I said as I hugged her back, “have I missed dinner?”
“No, it just started, we came to get you.” She said as she looped her arm through mine and led us out of the lavatory.
Draco and Neville were waiting outside and smiled at us when we walked up.
We were on our way down to the great hall when we were met with the worst smell ever and heard a loud grunting noise. We turned to each other and silently agreed to go back the other way. Unfortunately the only door in the corridor that was unlocked was the girls lavatory. Draco and Neville looked like they wanted to protest but I quickly shoved them through the door and shut it.
The lights shook with every loud step we heard, then a hideous 12 foot mountain troll burst through the door. I heard Daphne scream as it raised its club and started smashing up the bathroom, my wand was in my hand before I knew it. I quickly preformed the spell we learned today in charms, “Wingardium Leviosa!”
The troll swung it’s empty hand then looked around confused, when it looked up and saw it’s club hovering over it’s head I quickly ended the spell and watched as the troll was knocked out by it’s own club.
Daphne and Neville ran over and flung their arms around me saying “thank you” while Draco stared at the troll in astonishment.
A few moments later, someone cleared their throat, we turned to see three professors standing in the broken doorway wearing shocked expressions.
“What on earth are you four doing in here?” Asked Professor McGonagall, “all students were to go back to their houses.”
“Actually, I don’t recall seeing any of these students at dinner,” interjected professor Evans.
“We were on our way to the great hall when we heard the troll coming up the stairs,” I said, “this was the only place to hide.”
“Obviously not a good hiding spot.” Professor Snape drawled. “My question, is how did four first years incapacitate a fully grown mountain troll?”
Draco gave out a small chuckle and answered, “oh it was brilliant, Hermione took the troll’s club and knocked him out with it.”
Professor Snape looked unbothered but Professor McGonagall and professor Evans looked concerned. “Five points will be awarded to Slytherin,then. For shear dumb luck.” professor McGonagall huffed out before she left to inform dumbledore.
Professor Evans offered to walk us down to Slytherin. “You should’ve seen it, aunt Lily, it was absolutely brilliant.” Draco boasted before he asked, “but why was a troll roaming the castle?”
She sighed before she answered, “that’s what I’d like to know. We had just been served dinner when Professor Quirrell ran in screaming about a troll in the dungeons before he fainted. Then professor Dumbledore told all the students to return to their Houses while we handled the situation.”
“But, Professor, our house is in the dungeons.” I said a bit concerned as we reached the entrance to our common room.
The five of us entered and were greeted by all of Slytherin house scattered around eating dinner. Everyone seemed to notice our entrance as all eyes were on us. Blaise pushed his way through the older students and approached us.
“Where have you all been?” He asked looking us over and taking in our disheveled appearances.
“Knocking out the troll.” I deadpanned.
He chuckled, “no, really?” He asked.
Professor Evans cleared her throat, “the troll has been apprehended but we must insist that you all remain here until it has been removed from the castle completely.” She announced.
Blaise looked at us wide eyed, “you were being serious?” He asked.
We explained to him what happened while we ate then Blaise told us how they had been taken through a secret passage next to the great hall. They had been able to safely avoid the troll.
November brought with it cold grey days and the official start of the Quidditch season.
On the first Saturday of the month we were all eating breakfast when a an elegantly dressed witch and a wizard wearing a leather jacket and jeans entered the great hall. Draco immediately rose and went to greet them. I noticed Harry making his way to the pair as well.
Daphne leaned over and whispered, “That’s Draco’s mum, Narcissa Malfoy and Harry’s god father, Sirius Black. They’re distant cousins, I think that’s how the two knew each other before Hogwarts.”
Draco greeted his mother with a hug while Harry greeted Sirius similarly. Harry then hugged Narcissa as Draco shook Sirius’ hand. After that Harry led Sirius over to the Gryffindor table while Draco offered is mom is arm and led her to our table. Suddenly all the Slytherin girls were straightening their posture and fidgeting with their clothes and hair.
When they arrived at the table all the boys stood and Narcissa waved them off, “oh please, don’t let me interrupt your breakfasts.” She said and they all sat back down.
Draco introduced us to his mother, “these are my friends, Blaise Zabini, Neville Longbottom, Daphne Greengrass and Hermione Granger.”
She smiled when her eyes met mine, “ah yes, the young lady who took out a troll.”
Around that time, Harry walked up with his god father and introduced him. He seemed familiar but I’m not sure why. He has black shoulder length curly hair, a goatee and kind grey eyes. “What’s this I hear about a troll?” He asked as he shook my hand.
Harry quickly answered, “we think peeves let it in as a Halloween prank, Hermione knocked it out with its own club. Honestly, I hate that I missed it.” The adults both chuckled at that.
Professor Evans arrived at our table next, decked out in her Gryffindor attire. “It looks like your team is heading down to the pitch.” She said to Harry as she gestured to the players exiting the hall. Harry quickly ran to join them. Then she turned to the two adults and asked “Would you two like to sit in the faculty box with us?”
The two agreed and said their goodbyes before departing with the professor. The five of us finished up our breakfast then we headed down to the pitch and waited for the game to start.
Lily’s POV
After we exited the great hall Sirius offered Cissa and I both an arm as he escorted us down to the pitch.
“I still can’t believe the boy made seeker as a first year. James would have been so proud.” Sirius assures me.
It’s difficult to not immediately occlude when he mentions James. Instead I just nod and give a small smile. “He absolutely loves that broom you sent him, I see him out here flying every chance he gets.” I tell him.
“Do his friends fly with him?” He asked.
“Draco does, of course,” I answered and Cissa chuckled her agreement. “Hermione and Neville mostly watch. The pair seem to have an aversion to flying.” I finished as we drew nearer to the pitch.
“She wasn’t raised around brooms?” He asked curiously.
“No, Pads, she’s muggleborn.” I responded.
He chuckled at that and I glared at him. “What?” Cissa asked.
“Well, firstly, she’s in slytherin.” He informed us, like we didn’t already know. “Second, Cissa, did you see that hair?” He said as he gestured to his own dark curls before continuing “those frizzy curls are a black family trait, the only thing that actually works to tame our curls is a special potion that’s been passed down through the generations. Why do you think James and Harry’s hair is so uncontrollable? Dorea was a Black.”
“I’ve met her parents though, they’re both muggle dentists.” I said.
“Oh I’m sure they are,” he said “but is it possible she could have been adopted?”
“You think she’s a Black?” Cissa asked him.
“How familiar are you with familial magic?” He asked me.
“I’m not,” I admitted. “I’m guessing it’s a pureblood thing?”
They both nodded and I sighed, “then explain, please.”
“When I became the head of the house for the Black family I inherited the familial magic.” He explained. “Whenever I’m in physical contact with a Black descendent I can sense a familiar connection through their magic. I can feel it lightly with Draco, Harry and Cissa here. But when I shook her hand, it hit me like the Hogwarts express. I’d be willing to bet every Galleon in the Black vaults that little witch is a Black.”
It was quiet for a moment, then Cissa wondered aloud, “whose child do you think she could be?”
“Well,” Sirius pondered. “Can’t be Bella, she married a Lestrange and never had children.” He looked at me and added, “the family tree only shows the pureblood descendants.”
I scrunched my face at that but he continued, “Maybe Reg had a fling with her muggle mother.”
Cissa seemed to ponder this, “it would explain why she’s not on the tree and you’re right, Bella would never have a child that wasn’t a pureblood.”
I tried to ignore the way their references to their mad relative made my skin crawl but I wasn’t able to suppress the shiver. “If that’s the case she’d still technically be muggleborn, she was birthed by a muggle and raised by them, even if she’s genetically a halfblood.” I argued.
“Are her muggle parents like your sister and her husband?” Sirius turned to me and asked me a bit concerned.
“Oh, no.” I assured him, “they seem to adore her, besides you know Tuni is coming around more now to appease her son. He and Harry get on like a house on fire, probably drives her husband mad though.”
We all chuckled at that, then quickly made our way up to the faculty box, where we were joined by Sev. I noticed Sirius glaring at our interlocked hands but chose to ignore it. The two of them still seem to hate each other, but instead of antagonizing one another, they usually just completely ignore the other's presence.
The game started and Gryffindor scored the first goal. We watched as Harry did a couple loop-the-loops to celebrate.
After about thirty minutes I said, “Still no sign of the snitch.”
“Game just started, Lils.” Sirius replied, “right now Harry’s doing a good job of staying out the way and scanning the field for the snitch.”
Harry quickly dodged a bludger that had been aimed at him and my heart lurched.
“Slytherin in possession,” the commentator, a Gryffindor third year named Lee Jordan, announced. “Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys and Chaser Bell and he’s speeding towards the, wait, was that the Snitch?”
Harry must have caught sight of it cause he suddenly dove down towards it and we saw the Slytherin seeker doing the same. Harry was faster than the other boy though, ”WHAM!” Out of no where the slyhtherin captain, Marcus flint purposely smacked into Harry sending him flying off course.
“Foul!” Sirius was on his feet shouting.
Hooch had words with Flint, then Gryffindor was awarded a penalty shot. The snitch, of course, was unfortunately lost during all this.
Lee Jordan started, “So, after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating-“
“Jordan!” Said McGonagall, glaring at the boy.
He tried again, “I mean, after that open and revolting foul-“
“Lee Jordan, I am warning you!“ McGonagall declared.
“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 Spinnet, who puts it away, no problem, now we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession.”
Sev and Sirius both seemed to find this exchange between the commentator and the professor amusing. “Honestly I’m just ready for this aggressive game to be over, first a bludger almost hits him, now Flint is trying to knock him off his broom.” I vented.
Another bludger started hurtling towards Harry when suddenly his broom started violently jerking him around. It was making erratic movements but no one seemed to notice as it carried him higher and higher above the players. Severus started chanting a protection spell and I gripped his hand tight so he could channel me for it. Then, I quickly scanned the crowd with my binoculars but I didn’t see anyone unfamiliar in the stands.
All of a sudden, people started pointing up at him. His broom was rolling over and over, with him barely managing to hold on. Then the crowd gasped. Harry’s broom had given another wild jerk that knocked him off it and he was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand. I couldn’t stand to watch but I couldn’t pull my gaze away from him either.
“Do you think that boy, Flint, who blocked him earlier, did something to his broom?” Cissa asked
“Doubtful,” Sirius bit out, “nothing can interfere with a broom like that, except dark magic.”
Suddenly someone was shouting “Fire!” behind us and I heard Sirius let out a little chuckle when he had glanced back.
Professor Quirrell’s robes had been set ablaze with blue flames. He was still attempting to put the fire out when the crowd erupted into cheers. Harry had regained control of his broom and swung himself back on to it. I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.
A few moments after he reseated himself, Harry was diving towards the ground then he suddenly clapped his hand over his mouth, like he was about to be sick. He hit the pitch and dismounted before dropping to all fours, he coughed then something gold fell into his hand.
“I’ve got the Snitch!” he shouted waving it around and the game finally ended. Sirius could hardly catch his breath from laughing so hard.
Meanwhile, Lee Jordan was happily shouting the game results, Gryffindor had won with one hundred and seventy points to sixty.
As we were exiting the pitch we heard the Slytherin captain loudly complaining to Madam Hooch, “He didn’t even catch it, he nearly swallowed it!” Sirius was doubled over in laughter again.