Chapter 8
“Alyssa said that?” Hermione seemed shocked, but Draco simple nodded as Harry relayed the news. “It just seems kind of insensitive.”
“Think about it Hermione, last year they were on the scent of Quirrel and we let them focus on it because we were the ones mainly truing to figure out what the stone was. This year harry hears some weird whispering in the walls, so why not swap priorities? Let us do the weird part of things and let them work with Myrtle to figure out what’s going on.” Draco nodded. “It’s not even as cleanly split this time, they just… Do you blame them for not having the emotional capacity for something like this?”
“I guess not.” Hermione let out a soft sigh as they headed for the Greenhouse. Nevil had told them he would meet them there; he had wanted to ask Professor Sprout a few questions before class had started, but he had promised that they could talk later in the Base. “But that just feels a bit dismissive.”
“Hermione.” Harry paused, taking her shoulder’s despite the ice cold rain of October. “I went to their room in the middle of the night, and bothered them. When you are the one that would have the spells to even possibly be able to help. But I haven’t heard anything since.”
“Right, let’s get going so that we don’t all get sick.” Hermione said, pulling away, though harry didn’t miss the small smile on her lips. “But you are right Harry. You shouldn’t have bothered them so late, let alone so soon after a stressful event.”
Harry let out a soft chuckle before nodding, following his friends into to greenhouse.
“Hey, were working with Agromonia today!” Nevil was beaming and Harry nodded happily.
“It’s not too commonly used in potions.”
“Not at out level at least, but it’s not too dangerous of a plant to work with either.” Nevil nodded with a smile. “Come on, class is about to get started.”
Harry Let out a cold sigh as he headed out towards the Quidditch pitch. It was cold; a heavy downpour soaking him almost as soon as he had left the castle, and way too early to actually be up. But Wood had insisted that they trained extra hard to make sure that they were able to win the Quidditch cup again. He was graduating in two years, and he had insisted that they won the last few years that he was captain.
Of course, Harry didn’t mind training too much. The Quidditch robes were charmed to keep them cool during hot days, and warm during icy days so that they wouldn’t get sick. The rain was also not too much of an issue with them having charmed goggles that could neither fog up or get streaked with water.
No it was Slytherin’s dirty tactic that was driving him completely mad. Lucius Malfoy; Draco and Cassiopeia’s father, had payed off the Slytherin Quidditch Capitan; A large, blotchy skinned boy with slicked black hair named Marcus Flint, with the latest Nimbus brooms- the Nimbus Two-thousand and One- so that his darling daughter could be the new seeker. Draco had insisted that it was fine; that his condition would put them at a clear disadvantage, but it was clear that it hurt slightly. That he could see what he could have been. But there was also a gratefulness that he hadn’t become like them and Harry had to appreciate it.
“Twins; report.” Oliver said as soon as Harry reached the tower.
“The brooms are definitely fast. It wont be easy to out pace them. They were practically blurs.” Fred shook his head.
“Even with the house competitiveness I’m surprised Snape allowed this. Not like Cassiopeia earned her spot like Harry did.” George shook his head. “But I suppose he probably felt he didn’t have much of a choice and could use a bit of a technicality since the same was used for Harry.”
“Unfortunate, but that’s all the more reason to practice as hard as we can.” Oliver gave a nod before flying out onto the pitch, the entire team not far behind.
For the entire day Oliver ran them through complex drills and maneuvers, and by the time Harry finally landed his entire body was sore. He even hurt in ways that he hadn’t known he could hurt before, even after helping deal with thugs and rouges. In a strange way he was almost impressed.
Heading back to the castle he considered heading right to the hospital wing to get something for the pain; or at least see what the kind matron suggested he did about it, but decided against tracking mud into the hospital wing and instead made his way towards the base, hoping that a hot shower would do him some good.
As he was heading on his way however, his eyes landed on nearly headless Nick, Gryffindor’s main ghost. He seemed perturbed, and; with a slight sigh, Harry headed over to him.
“Half an inch, if that.”
“Hello Nick.”
“Hello hello.” Nick said standing and looking around. He; like all other ghosts, had become very diluted, and transparent enough for Harry to see through him. “You seem troubled, young Quinn.”
“Horribly sore really.” Harry chuckled warmly, carefully stretching his shoulder. “Wood’s been working us to the bone, but I’m hoping a hot shower will do me some good.” Harry winced slightly at the popping his spine gave. Even though it had felt good, the sound had even caused the ghost to grimace.
“I could almost feel that. I’ll inform madam Pom-“
“Before you go. I came to see if you were alright. I didn’t catch much of what you were saying but in your context… Dose it have something to do with your improper decapitation?”
“Oh… Unfortunately it dose. It was a foolhardy idea; not that I really anted to join, I just thought I would apply. Though apparently I don’t meet their requirements.” Despite the fact that he was trying to keep his voice airy, Harry could hear a deep bitterness to it. “But you would think wouldn’t you-“ He suddenly turned, letting his annoyance through. “That getting hit forty five times in the back of the neck with a blunt ax would qualify you to join the Headless Hunt.”
“Oh, I’m sorry about that.” Harry smiled softly as they headed down the hall. That can’t have been easy, being rejected for something /you couldn’t control.”
“Yes; no one wished that it would have come off quick and cleanly like it was supposed to than me. But no, the executioner was incompetence; or perhaps sadistic, and hadn’t sharpened his ax. He’s the reason I have to experience this shame and ridicule.”
“I would bet. I’m sorry that your situation didn’t classify you as decapitated.” Harry let out a small sigh. “Technicalities and all that. I mean I suppose their might be some activities you couldn’t partake in, but it still seems a bit… Mean spirited to not even consider an honorary position, you know?”
“I appreciate your honesty Harry.” He smiled, pausing at the purring at my feet. Glancing down Harry shuddered slightly at the sight of Mrs. Norris, Filtch’s cat. “You should get out of here, Filch isn’t in a good mood. He’s got the flue and some third years accidentally plastered some Frog brains on the ceiling of dungeon five; he;s been cleaning all morning and if he sees you-“
“Right.” Harry nodded, backing away towards the shadows.
“Filth!”
Flinching Harry stumbled away from Filch slightly, heart racing at the venom in his voice. “Mess and muck everywhere. I’ve had enough of it I tell you! Follow me Quinn!”
Harry wanted to say something snaky but he really didn’t have it in him. He just followed Filch back down the stairs to his office. It was large at least; though dingy and windowless, with cabinets and shelves lining the walls. Harry was far from surprised to learn that the twins had their own drawer.
When Harry’s eyes landed on the well polished chains he shuddered. Filch was always going on about how much he begged Albus to let him dangle students from the ceiling again and Harry was grateful that the Headmaster hadn’t fallen to that at least. Even from there he could tell they weren’t iron, they were silver.
Harry had long since stopped paying attention as Filch began rummaging behind his desk for a scroll. It was stupid that he was even possibly going to get into trouble, but he knew fighting it with Filch would probably be pointless. He could just explain himself to McGonagall and work it out with her.
The only thing that even remotely snapped Harry out of it was a loud bang that sounded from the ceiling off the office, the lamp lighting the room shaking wildly.
“Peeves!”
Quickly the man rushed out grumbling under his breath as he went to find the Poltergeist. Harry considered leaving as well, but could hardly bring himself to move for the pain that had genuinely taken hold in his body.
Carefully harry took a moment to stretch, at least partly hoping to ease the pain in his joints. At this point it was probably a combination of Oliver’s training and the rock hard chair that he had been left to sit on. He could hardly focus on his surroundings but thankfully it wasn’t too long before Filtch returned, only just paying enough attention as he was dismissed.
“Harry! Harry! Did it work?” Nick came gliding out of a classroom as Harry headed back upstairs, the wreckage of a beautiful gold and brown cabinet in the center of the room he had come from. “I convinced Peeves to smash it right above his office.”
“Yeah, I didn’t even get detention.” Harry smiled, though from the way Nick’s face fell he wasn’t hiding his pain very well. “I’ll be alright Nick. And I really am sorry about the Hunt, I would help if I thought there was anything I could do for you.”
Nick stopped so suddenly that Harry walked right through him, hissing as his innate coldness caused his muscles to seize up slightly.
“You know there is something. Though I- it might be asking too much- you probably-“
“Nick, what is it?”
“Well this Halloween will be my five-hundred and twenty-seventh death day. I’m holding a party down in one of the roomier dungeons and I was hoping that you would come along. Ms. Granger is fee to come too, any of your friends really. Though I would suppose that you would prefer to go to the feast.”
“No. I’ll come, at least for a bit. And I know Alyssa would get some entertainment from it, something up their alley to research. They’re looking into what happened to Myrtle, but I also think they’re trying to help her come out of her shell a bit and maybe even come into her own if she can.”
“Ghost’s don’t grow once they’ve died. I suppose we can somewhat change, but Myrtle is myrtle.”
“That’s fair.”
“Now you should get yourself to the Hospital wing, just knock for Madam Pomfrey.”
“I’d rather get cleaned off first, even if it earns me an earful. I don’t want to track mud there.” Harry responded, heading off towards the bathrooms to just have a quick shower. Heading in he got the water as hot as he could, though even it wasn’t helping his muscle at that point. Stepping out he toweled off, silently thanking whatever House Elf had taken his Quidditch robes and left him a much more comfortable outfit.
Heading out he quickly made his way to the Hospital Wing, smiling as a somewhat annoyed Madam Pomfrey headed up to him. She had only just taken in his stance when she was pushing him into the room, scolding him for not heading there right away.
“I was filthy, and while I was headed to have a shower I ran into Nick. He seemed upset so I talked to him for a bit and got caught by Filch.”
“He better of not given your trouble.”
“No, Nick got me out of it. Convinced Peeves to smash something above his office and that distracted him enough.” Harry shook his head. “I’m sorry if I messed up, made your work harder for you.”
“No.” Pomfrey let out a sigh, surprising Harry a bit. “Your in luck too. Ms. Labosca has been kind enough to help out where she can, she can tend to your aching joints and send you on your way.”
Harry nodded, following Madam Pomfrey to a much more private area where a few solum Massage beds lay separated by large curtains.
“I will have to talk to Mr. Wood about pushing his Seeker too hard, though Professor McGonagall will probably have his head for it.” A kind woman said, chuckling as Harry was brought in. “Thank you Madam, I can handle him from here.”
The woman was a beautiful woman. She had fair skin, and stunning blue eyes. Her hair was a brilliant silver, cut in a half shaved bob, and there were a few gray earrings in her ear.
“Hullo Harry, god to finally meet you. I’ve been really busy so I haven't had much time to go and visit Remus or the pack in a while, but Madam Pompfrey offered me some work here so I could. Chiara by the way.”
“That’s great.” Harry smiled. “Harry Queen, it is good to meet you. I’ve heard Remus mention you a few times but, didn’t want to intrude.”
“Now I do need you in your boxers if you don’t mind. Your clearly tense all over, but I’ve gotten good with working muscles. Comes with the territory.”
“So… Your?”
“Yeah.” Chiara nodded, and Harry paused in his undressing eyes going to her earing. “Oh, they aren’t actually silver. Fools silver actually. I do get the confusion though.”
“Right.” Harry nodded, allowing himself to relax and just accept the massage.