Weasley Invasion
November was tiring for all of the Slytherin first years. When classes or quidditch practice (Draco and Daphne were obsessed with the sport, and dragged most of their yearmates to watch practice with them) took them outside, they all took turns casting warming charms on everyone, which was exhausting magic, or begging one of the upper years to do it for them. Harry, especially, tended to be covered in extra layers so he wouldn’t annoy his fellows with his shivering. Ron and Hermione rarely left his sides, huddling for warmth.
The attacks on the Slytherins, particularly the trio, died down during the colder months as well. Not even the older Gryffindors seemed to have the energy to start anything in the corridors. The warmth of the common room kept some of the challenges from within Slytherin house ongoing, but Harry quickly found a favored spell that caused the target to speak only Mermish, unable to cast spells, and would dodge out of any spells heading his way, shoot the single spell, and sit back down before his seat got cold.
Quidditch was the worst for Harry. As much as he enjoyed flying and training with Flick’s younger brother, Terrence, once the adrenaline faded, Harry couldn’t help the sniffles and coughs that followed. Hermione had threatened an amused Marcus with an extended visit to Madam Pomfrey if Harry ended up there because he got too sick from practice.
Most nights after Quidditch saw the trio curled up in front of their usual fireplace, Harry wrapped around a mug of steaming chocolate and a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages. By the middle of the month, the house elf in charge of Slytherin, Tweak, had charmed a jam jar to be ever-warm, and pushed it into Harry’s hand, to sip on hot tea throughout the day. Hermione took that idea and charmed bluebell flames in more jars, sweet-talking Prefect Khan, who had a soft spot for her, to make them ever-lasting and the jars unbreakable. None of the first years went anywhere without them, save the potions classroom, after Harry scolded Pansy about it compromising the temperature of their potion. Snape watched this with a wry expression as he limped around on a favored leg.
None of his snakes dared stare too long at the injury, or even the implication of it existing. But the whispers among the students, muttered to Harry by a concerned Pansy, seemed to suggest that the limp began after the troll incident, though it was unsure if the troll was the cause, or if the rumors of Snape and Quirrell having heated words in a hallway had merit. Outside of Slytherin House, however, no snake dared to even suggest anything untoward, and anyone in green would swear on their mother’s life that of course Snape was injured battling a troll, saving students from a risk not even the Defense professor could stomach.
The colder weather was also hard on Hedwig, who was more than happy even with the cold to take any letters the trio needed to send once she was properly bribed with sausage. Ever since he received the blanket his mother made, Ron had the habit of writing home, both to his parents and to Ginny, at least once a week. Harry had a hand in this, using a bit of not-so-subtle prodding towards his friend, simply occasionally commenting on how nice it would be to have someone to write to, let alone parents and a sibling. Ron scoffed at his thinly-veiled techniques, but dutifully took out a quill. His relationship with his family could use some work, and while he could work on things with Percy in person, his parents would appreciate him writing. Hermione tried to keep up with her own family, but would usually write a bit every few days, and send it once it was longer so her parents wouldn’t have a strange owl tap on the window too frequently.
The first few letters to the Weasleys were stilted, but Harry and Hermione both started adding to the letters, especially the ones to Ginny. The exchanges began, of course, over quidditch, Ginny asking question after question about Harry’s training, and Ron just groaned and thrust it towards Harry over breakfast. Harry, confused about the entire thing, just shrugged and answered the questions patiently. Once Ginny got over the shock of the Boy-Who-Lived writing to her, she responded enthusiastically, and even started putting a page in the envelope for both Harry (about quidditch) and Hermione (about Hogwarts in general, as the boys didn’t really have the patience to answer her questions about school to her satisfaction, and Hermione was more patient than Percy). After Ginny started talking to them, Hermione stole one of Ron’s half-written letters to his mother and began asking her questions about the use of certain spells in the household. She turned the quill to Harry after the first one, and he awkwardly put a quick message thanking her for her help on the platform. Ron didn’t even blink at his letters home being added on, claiming that his mum has so many kids writing, she won’t notice a few more. One of the first had an addendum, written on the wall of the owlery by Ron to ensure that Harry didn’t have time to see it before sending it off.
Hope you don’t mind Harry and Hermione chiming in on some of these. Harry was just super confused when he realized I was still writing letters home, or that you would be upset that I almost got hurt at Quidditch class the other day. Hermione says the way he grew up, she’s not surprised. Those muggles of his are apparently a right nasty sort, and she thinks Harry never even got to learn how to be anyone’s child, and that’s why he’s always acting like he has to be an adult. Even guilted me into writing to Ginny, too, almost word for word like you did the night before the train. We’re trying to fix him of that, the twins are more than happy to help. Hermione doesn’t always approve of their methods, but once she sees the smile on Harry’s face, she can’t argue with the results. Can you maybe write to him? Well, both of them, I know it might be weird, but I think he feels a little left out that he doesn’t have anyone to write to when Hermione and I write home, and Hermione would feel better if she had someone in the wix world to write with too, to answer her questions without needing to prepare for another class in five minutes. Never thought this is where I’d end up, in a different House with a swot and a socially inept celebrity for best friends, but at least I’m making a different mark on Hogwarts.
Those letters seemed to work better than even Ron expected, as the morning of the first match of the Quidditch season, Slytherin vs Gryffindor, saw Professor McGonagall hovering awkwardly above the trio eating breakfast, Justin and Hannah ignoring the glares from those around them and stubbornly sitting with them at the Slytherin table.
“Mr. Weasley, if you and your friends would accompany me to the Entrance Hall.”
The three looked between each other, not knowing what they would be in trouble for. Justin laughed at them as Harry cast a quick look up at Snape, who met his gaze and made a shooing motion. Ron stood first, following the transfiguration professor out of the Great Hall, where two figures were waiting.
“Mum?” Ron grinned and ran across the hall to hug his mother, who was wrapped up in a shawl with a beaming Ginny right behind her.
“Oh, Ron, it’s so good to see you! Your father had work, but Ginny and I thought we’d come and support your brothers on their game, and meet your friends!”
Hermione stepped forward to hold out a hand to Mrs. Weasley as Ron picked up a giggling Ginny and swung her around.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Mrs. Weasley, thank you for your advice about the blue bell charm, it’s been extremely useful for us so far.”
Mrs. Weasley pushed her hand aside and pulled her in for a hug. Ginny, meanwhile, blushed furiously as she introduced herself to Harry, who grinned and just tugged at an errant strand of hair, muttering a joke under his breath. Ginny pushed his hand away with a smile and they turned to watch Mrs. Weasley titter. “You must be Hermione, please call me Molly. I was more than happy to send some household charms your way, I know these Scottish winds can bite. I can’t imagine the dungeons offer too much warmth.” She took a step back, holding Hermione at arm’s length. “You are just the most beautiful thing, aren’t you.”
Hermione blushed. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Molly patted her shoulder. “Molly, dear.” She turned her attention to a very stiff Harry as Ginny moved forward, wrapping Hermione in an eager but awkward hug. “Now, do you prefer Harry or Hadrian?”
Harry gulped. “Either, ma’am.”
She tsked as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “How about I call you Harry and you call me Molly, we’ll be on even footing. Can I give you a hug as well? You’re so thin, we need to get you back in there to finish your breakfast.”
Harry’s dark skin flushed as he let her hug him, Ron and Ginny laughing at them from the side.
“Mum, can I eat with them while you have tea?” Ginny piped up from Hermione’s side.
Molly turned to look at Professor McGonagall, who was watching all of this with a wry smile. “I don’t see why not, Molly, I’m sure she doesn’t want to sit in my office with us. Mr. Weasley, she’s under your charge, ensure she doesn’t wander. We’ll meet you at the stands before the game.”
“Oh, fine, but make sure you say hello to Percy, Merlin knows he probably will be hiding in the library rather than enjoy the game.”
Ginny grinned as the two women turned towards another hallway. “Thank Merlin, Mum was talking about how she had gossip for McGonagall about someone from the Hit Wizard force that she used to know.”
Ron matched her smile. “C’mon, I left a perfectly good waffle. Might be able to get you some rashers of bacon if the others haven’t eaten them all.”
They filed back into the Great Hall. Harry tugged at Ron’s sleeve before his focus could narrow back to his meal.
“C’mon, guys, let’s say hi to Percy, he’s sitting with the Ravenclaws today anyways.”
Percy gave a small smile when Ginny wrapped her arms around him from behind, and chatted with them all for a few minutes before shooing them back to their breakfast.
Ron and Ginny settled on one side of the Slytherin table while Harry and Hermione sat across from them, immediately digging back in. Hannah pulled Justin out of a conversation with Theo Nott and shook Ginny’s hand, then dragged the boy away to where a newly-arrived Susan was settling at the Hufflepuff table. Ginny’s eyes were wide as she took in the view, and her smile was still present as she stole a piece of ham from Harry’s plate.
“Shame you can’t actually play yet, Harry, it would have been awesome to see you fly today.” Her face was bright red as she stared down at the pumpkin juice she was pouring, ignoring Hermione’s knowing eyebrow.
Ron rolled his eyes. “You’ll see him fly plenty next year, Gin. Right now he’s so skinny a bludger even flying past him would knock him off his broom.”
“Still would be flying better than you, Weasley.” Malfoy settled a few feet away from them, picking up a copy of the Daily Prophet. He looked back up, eyebrows furrowed. “Merlin, are you lot multiplying? We’re going to be overrun by gingers at this point.”
Ginny gave a sharp grin. “Maybe not overrun, but definitely outflown.”
Malfoy’s expression went from slight shock to petulance to consideration. “Guess we’ll have to wait until you’re actually enrolled to see if you can back that up, Weaselette.”
Her eyes scanned him quickly. “Hm.”
Hermione scoffed. “Can we eat in peace, please? I’m already giving up my morning to watch a quidditch match, I don’t need my breakfast ruined as well.”
Harry leaned into her. “You’ll have to get used to it, once I’m actually playing next year.” He stole the cup of pumpkin juice Ginny had poured, sticking his tongue out at her when she made to grab it back. “How’d you talk your mum into bringing you to a match, Ginny?”
Her grin morphed into a pout. “I just missed my brothers so much, Harry, would you deny me the chance to see them after months of being alone?”
“I’m sure the fact that we told you today is the first quidditch match of the year had nothing to do with your sudden nostalgia for your brothers.” He smirked as her cheeks reddened again.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Potter. I don’t even read letters from you lot.” Her nose lifted, looking a lot like the blonde a few seats down.
Hermione was the one who laughed at that, pulling a book out to flip through. “I’ll remember that next time you ask for a new spell that your mom won’t want you to know.”
As Ginny began shaking her head, pleading to Hermione, Ron’s head whipped up. “What kind of spells are you teaching my sister, Granger? She doesn’t even have a wand yet!”
Harry laughed as Hermione and Ginny immediately blushed and turned away from the conversation. When Ron turned accusing eyes on him, Harry just shrugged. “Hermione just said it was ‘girl stuff’ and that I shouldn’t worry about it.”
Ron sighed and then tilted his head back, gesturing behind Harry. Harry leaned back, the top of his head butting against a solid chest as he looked up into the determined face of Marcus Flint.
“Alright, shortstack, listen up. Your job for the game is to keep an eye on the other team’s seeker. Figure out how he likes to fly, how he looks for the snitch. Terry can’t see the whole field, that’s on you this year.”
“Marcus, lighten up, it’s his first quidditch match ever. Let him actually enjoy it.” Terrence walked up behind him, straightening his uniform robes.
Flint rolled his eyes. “Sure. Enjoy it. Just make sure your eyes are on the match and not your little friends.”
A piece of toast flew and smacked him in the forehead. “Save your size issues for another day, Flint, some of us are trying to eat here.”
“Ronald! Your sister is right there.” Hermione hissed across the table, over the laughter of Harry, Ginny, and Terry. “Watch your language!”
Marcus grabbed Terry’s hood. “We’re off, then. We’ll leave you to squabble. Hadrian, eyes open. The rest of you lot, don’t distract him.” He walked off, Terry still laughing as he was dragged by his robes.
Not even a few seconds after the Slytherin quidditch team abandoned the breakfast table to head towards the field, two streaks of red and gold appeared over Harry’s shoulder.
“Hey! Why are you sitting with the enemies, Ginny?” Fred peered down at them.
George plopped down between Harry and one of the older Slytherin girls, who saw red hair with red robes and scooted down further. “None of this lot are even playing, and you’re in the midst of the snakes?”
Ginny tossed her hair over her shoulder as she stole her cup back from Harry. “I just go where the better company is.”
The twins both staggered, reaching for each other as the Slytherins watched impassively.
George fell backwards, giving dramatic groans. “Forge, our own sister, it hurts!”
As Fred and George lamented their pain, a tall shadow fell across the table. “Oi, let’s go! Stop fraternizing and get down to the field! Flint’s already left!”
The group looked up to see a cross Oliver Wood, arms a wall across his chest as he glared at his Beaters, eyes barely flickering to the Slytherins at their own table.
“You call your boyfriend by his last name?” Harry asked with a smirk.
The twins shot up, eyes wide as they spoke in unison. “Boyfriend?”
Wood flushed, arms still crossed. “Only on game day, Potter, and thanks for that. Weasleys, let’s get a move on.”
Ron sighed and stood. “Yes, sir.” The table laughed as Oliver rolled his eyes, turning away without engaging again, the twins only a few steps behind, pestering him with questions about the Slytherin Captain.
“Merlin, Potter, can’t we even have a weekend breakfast in peace without you and your shadows turning it into a show?” Malfoy sneered as he watched the Gryffindors leave.
Harry gave him a blinding smile. “Well, Draco, it’s not as if you preening over how proud your mummy is about your potions grade is entertaining, so I have to do something to keep people interested.”
Draco blushed furiously as those around him laughed, even Crabbe and Goyle, only Pansy biting her lip enough to offer him sympathy.
“So, Harry, have you figured out what professional team you’re going to follow? The Harpies can always use more fans.” Ginny waggled her eyebrows, very similar to her brothers that had just left.
“Oi, if my best friend is going to be persuaded to follow someone’s team, it better be mine! The Cannons need all the help they can get.” Ron’s voice fell to a mutter towards the end, settling back down.
A flash of ice-blonde hair walking behind Ron laughed. “Honestly, Ronald, even the Boy-Who-Lived’s fame couldn’t make the Cannons a good team again.” Daphne Greengrass paused in her departure from the room, Tracey Davis grinning behind her. “Hadrian, if you are looking for teams, my father is on the board for the Appleby Arrows, I’m sure I could find a ticket for you this season.” She gave a dainty smile and pulled Tracey along to head towards the doors.
“Morgana, you lot, I haven’t even watched a game, professional or otherwise, do I have to decide what team I’m supporting right now?” Harry took a napkin and wiped bacon grease off of his hands. “Besides, I’m hoping that I can choose a team based on merit, not just which friend I feel partial towards in the moment.”
Ron and Ginny both booed, and Harry had to duck at the bread being thrown at him. Hermione sighed as crumbs littered the pages of her book, and she dusted it off before slamming it closed.
“If we’re resorting to food fights in the Great Hall, can we go to the pitch? I’d rather sit in the cold than get pelted with breakfast food. And we’re setting a horrible example for Ginny, she hasn’t even started at school yet and Professor Snape is already glaring at her.”
The other three froze in place, before turning their heads to look up at the table of professors. Sure enough, the surly Potions Master was watching them over his mug of coffee, entirely unamused by the proceedings. Harry gave him a sheepish grin and quickly pulled Hermione away from the table, Ron and Ginny close on his heels.
“Blimey, that’s Snape? No wonder the twins call him the dungeon bat, he looks it.” Ginny gave a theatrical shudder as they pulled on hats and scarves, ready to brave the chill.
“He’s not that bad,” Hermione scoffed. “Fred and George just like to do their experiments in his class instead of actually following instructions.”
“Which is the worst class to mess around in—" Harry started, only to have Ron clap his hand over his mouth.
“Hadrian James, don’t you dare start on your potions tirade right now. It’s Saturday, and a quidditch day on top of that. You can warn Gin all about the proper etiquette of cauldron work when she’s actually about to take the class.”
Ron suddenly yelped and pulled his hand away, wiping it on his robes as Harry kept his tongue out from where he had licked his way to freedom. Ron’s eyes narrowed, and Harry gave a short laugh and quickly darted out of the door, racing between students on his way to the stands as Ron’s longer legs began to close the distance.
Hermione sighed with an indulgent smile and laced her arm with Ginny’s. “Harry’s become obsessed with Potions class lately. Professor Snape didn’t like to call on him at first, so stubborn little Harry decided to become the best student he has. I think it reminds him of cooking, he mentioned he cooked a lot growing up, and it’s nice to have something familiar in a new world.”
Ginny frowned. “He actually likes cooking? If Mum didn’t make me, I wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen before the food’s ready.”
She looked up at Hermione when the other girl didn’t answer, face tight. Noticing Ginny looking, she gave a small smile. “I’m sure Harry would rather tell you himself.” She shook her head, curls escaping her bun at the motion. “Anyways, Potions is a favorite of his now. Even more so now that Professor Snape actually acknowledges him. Maybe it’s that doing potions is a little more tangible than just waving a wand, he can actually see the ingredients working together. He’s got quite a knack for it as well.”
“You don’t look too happy about that,” Ginny laughed as she poked at Hermione’s sudden frown. “Is he ahead of you in the rankings?”
Hermione batted her hand away. “No. Luckily he’s utterly hopeless at written tests, so even if his potions occasionally turn out slightly better than mine, I’m still ahead of him.”
They walked the rest of the way in silence, arm in arm, watching students mill about and occasionally caught sight of a shock of messy hair darting between groups, followed by a flash of red.
An amused voice behind them made the girls turn back. “At least I can trust you’re in safe hands with Miss Granger, even if your brother seems to abandon his duties.” Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow at the pair, Molly pulling a scarf out of her patchwork handbag behind her.
“It’s just great to get to meet Ginny in person after writing back and forth all these weeks.” Hermione sent a sweet smile towards the adults. “The boys can move a little fast for me.” She looked back over her shoulder at the two dodging between trees, students, and the stands of the pitch. They all laughed as they watched Harry duck under Ron’s outstretched arm, only to flick his ear and run off again.
“Mum, I can sit with Hermione and the boys, right? Harry promised to point out some of the tactics the Slytherins will be using, and Ron said he had a jar of hot chocolate.”
Molly looked between her only daughter and the crowds of students warily, but when Ginny mentioned Harry, her face softened. “You stick by your brother, you hear me? And meet me at the bottom of the Staff Stands as soon as the game is over.”
The girl squealed and gave Molly a quick hug. “Thank you! This is the best day ever!”
“Come on, Molly, let’s go find our seats. Severus and I have a bottle of scotch on this match.” McGonagall pulled the worrying mother along, leaving Ginny with Hermione, who watched her with a hidden smirk.
“Very subtle, Ginny.”
As soon as her mother was out of sight, the redhead calmed. “Got what I wanted, didn’t I? And it’s not like you didn’t pull the same trick. ‘The boys move too fast’, as if they wouldn’t follow at your heels if you snapped for them.”
Hemione laughed. “I’ve got a few months in Slytherin to blame, what’s your excuse for how easily you got your way? To sit with your brother and his best friends, one of whom happens to be the boy you have a crush on?”
Ginny’s face turned crimson, clashing with her hair. “Shut up. I’m getting over that. It’s just weird growing up, having heard stories about him, and then writing to him, and then meeting him and seeing him like… that.” She gestured towards the laughing boy, who had finally been caught by Ron, and was now being dragged back towards the girls.
Hermione lowered her voice as the boys got closer. “Don’t worry. Ron had to go through the same realization when we first met on the train. We’re still training him on a few things, but I’m sure you can pick things up quicker.” She winked as Ginny giggled quietly.
“Oi! First I find out you’re teaching her spells, and now you two are whispering and conspiring!” Ron scowled as he loomed over the two of them. “What are you on about?”
Hermione just raised an eyebrow at him, watching him in silence.
A few moments passed, and Ron’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like this.”
Ginny laughed, tossing her hair back. “Maybe you shouldn’t have left me alone with her, then. Now let’s go, I’ll show you what kind of spells she’s been teaching me if we don’t get a good seat because you wanted to chase Harry around.”
The boys both spluttered and blushed, following the girls into the Slytherin section of the stands, where Flick gestured for them to sit in an empty area by her.
“Hadrian, c’mere, you’re gonna want to sit this way, you can hear him better than up with the other firsties.” She stuck out a hand towards Ginny. “You must be the littlest Weasley.”
Instantly, Ginny’s grin faded, and she put her hands on her hips with a glare. “Give me a wand and we’ll see how you decide to describe me.”
Flick just laughed, hand still outstretched. “Alright, spitfire, no offense meant. I’m Flick, Head Girl. Shake my hand and sit down.”
After the four of them had settled, Harry turned to Flick. “Hear who? I thought the commentary was broadcast through speakers throughout the stadium.”
She rolled her eyes. “As hilarious as Jordan is, he is definitely not a badger, and doesn’t see a point in being fair with his announcements. When I was a third year, the seventh-year prefect decided to start a new tradition amongst us snakes. You’ll see.” She turned to regard Ginny. “And it’s a House Secret, so if you better not speak a word of this to anyone until you’re officially in green, and even then, just those you trust.”
Ginny froze as the others started talking, no one even blinking at the assumption that Ginny would actually have a place in those stands the following year. She looked around, seeing how at ease her brother was in between Harry and Hermione, even with a Malfoy settling on the bench behind him. She watched the other students laugh and push each other, just like she imagined any other house doing as they got excited to watch their team. She thought back to what her other brothers said, calling Slytherins slimy, and untrustworthy, and cold. But sitting among them, having a random older student cast a warming charm over her as Hermione passed out jars filled with her mother’s favorite bluebell flames, Ginny didn’t see anything other than just another group of kids.
“You don’t have to, you know.” Harry’s voice broke through her concentration, and she blushed at the thought of him catching her analyzing his housemates. “Ron already broke the barrier; you can be whatever you want now. If your family can get over Ron in Slytherin, you’re pretty much golden to end up wherever is best for you.”
Ginny met his eyes, warm and knowing as he stared back at her. “Maybe not so golden,” she whispered, toying with the red scarf her mother had wrapped around her neck before they had Flooed into McGonagall’s office.
He laughed, leaning back. “Maybe not. But you don’t have to worry about that yet. Enjoy having your parents to yourself, and keep practicing on those brooms you need to get better about lying about. September will come quick enough.”
“I didn’t know you were so wise, Potter.” She dimpled at him, especially when he puffed his chest with exaggerated pride. “You must be spending too much time with Hermione.”
His posture collapsed with a rough exhale. “Ouch. Definitely not that golden.” He winked at her as he pulled a lock of her hair again.
Ron shushed them as a smug fifth year stood at the bottom of the stands, bowing to the applause of the other Slytherins. Flick and some other seventh years all waved their wands, and Harry could feel walls of magic around the snake section. She leaned in after they were done. “Basic wards for noise isolation. Over the years we’ve used runes to isolate whoever speaks in that circle down there,” she pointed to a runic array where the fifth year stood, “and the runestones that broadcasts the announcer’s words, and make it to where we won’t be able to hear Jordan, and Avery down there will be amplified for everyone in our section. We can still hear the rest of the stands, and any calls Hooch makes. But Jordan and his idiocy won’t breach, and Avery’s gotten quite good at working a crowd.”
Harry grinned. “Brilliant.” He reached across Hermione to pull Ron back down from where he had stood to get a better look at the runes. “Ron, we can look at them when the game isn’t about to start. Is that Typhon or Levi?” Harry asked Flick, looking down at Avery.
“Levi. Typhon is a Ravenclaw, prefect. Their cousin, Erin, is the fifth year Slytherin prefect. They barely talk anymore, unfortunately. Ty took to looking at Levi’s less academic nature as a sign that he didn’t care about Ty’s ministry dreams, and no matter what Levi says, Ty won’t believe him. Erin just tries to keep both in the family.”
Ron looked stricken, most likely thinking about his own brother. Harry squeezed his hand, and Ginny’s as she was scanning the stands for the Gryffindor section, for any shock of red she could see.
Hermione gave a thoughtful look to Avery, who had some sort of binoculars around his neck. “And if we aren’t listening to the official announcer, how do we know he’s not saying some information that he might need to be educated on?”
Flick gave her a wicked grin. “There’s always a few snakes who have friends or families in other houses, we take turns missing Avery’s comments to make sure nothing too untoward is said. After all, we must uphold our reputation.” She got chuckles and grins from everyone in range, but everything quieted when Avery started.
Hermione pulled out her camera and started taking pictures.
“Gooooooood morning wixen of Slytherin House and friends! Welcome to the first official match of the 91-92 Hogwarts Quidditch season, starring our very own Slytherin Seven, against the Lions of Gryffindor!”
The cheers were deafening from the rows and rows of students behind them, all clapping and stomping their feet, even when Avery announced the Gryffindor team. Flick stood, pulling a whining Hermione up with her, and within seconds the entire section was on their feet, the energy of the match building as the teams flew out onto the pitch.
“Surprisingly for a Slytherin team, the average year of the players is only year 4, with only Captain Marcus Flint, year 6, over the average. Gryffindors seem to be in the same carriage, with their average year being only year 3, and their captain only a year 5. As usual, Madam Hooch is insisting on a ‘clean game’,” Avery rolled his eyes, and chuckled when the stands booed, “but judging on the look of Flint and Wood’s faces, this is going to some relationship therapy about every argument they’ve had since the last game.”
There was a chorus of groans, Flick yelling out, "Oi, keep it kosher for the firsties!”
“Aaaaaaaaannnddd, the quaffle is up! Johnson of the lions grabs it first, and starts some very well executed dives around our chasers, but the bludgers are hungry for red! Whether that be blood or just a Weasley, we don’t know yet.”
Ron took a handful of Bertie Bott’s that Harry had bought from someone and threw them towards Avery, who just laughed as he ducked under the onslaught, binoculars aimed at the game.
“And Johnson goes for a pass to the reserve-made-first-liner Spinnet, who tries to return it, and HERE COMES FLINT! Racing towards the goalposts, too far ahead for a play with the other chasers, shoots, aaaaaannnnddd oof! Wood blocks the shot from his boyfriend and sends it towards Bell to head the other way! Looks like the Gryffindors are trying for a Harrow Stair formation, Spinnet and Johnson are getting to different levels around Bell—and Derrick with a bludger right to the back of Bell’s head! Ouch! Perrigrine has asked me to inform you all that while visiting a squib cousin in America this summer, he began playing a muggle sport called baseball, which apparently includes a bat very similar to the ones we use in Quidditch. Needless to say, he got a lot of extra practice in. Back to the game, Pucey pulls off a beautiful example of a Woollongong Shimmy, weaving through the lions towards the goals! Flint pulling alongside for—oh Merlin, excellent bludger from one of the Weasley Terrors, straight to the handle of Pucey’s broom, sending him spiraling and leaving the quaffle back into Johnson’s hands with an open field ahead of her. Bole sends a decent bludger her way, she dodges, throws, Bletchley dives, TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!”
The Slytherins groaned, but still gave a roar of cheers as flashes of green robes flew by.
“Slytherin back in possession, Pucey barely dodging a bludger following Gryffindor’s rookie seeker, a Welsh second-year named Birchwood. This girl has a lot to live up to after Charlie Weasley left last year. Some hoped the incoming Weasley would give Gryffindor a fighting chance next year, but… well, looks like we already ruined that dream.” Avery winked back at Ron, who stood and bowed as the upper years whistled and catcalled. “Speaking of Weasleys, one of the twins finally noticed the bludger following their seeker, sending it towards Flint, only to be blocked by Derrick. Pucey masterfully navigating the Gryffindor-heavy field, speeds towards Wood, and—was that the snitch?”
Everyone in the stands seemed to lean forward, Malfoy even using Ron’s shoulder to balance himself as he tried to see a glint of gold.
“Pucey barely manages to hold on to the quaffle as the snitch almost clips his ear, and sure enough both Higgs and Birchwood are closing in. The chasers all seem to be watching this race, Birchwood inching forward on Higgs, reaching o—oof! The snitch disappears as Captain Flint cobbs Birchwood, nearly knocking her off her broom. Gryffindor team is rather upset, Madam Hooch makes the call for a penalty, c’mon Flint, subtlety is one of our cornerstones.”
Harry looked to Ron, confusion marring his features. “Why’d Marcus do that?”
Ron shrugged, eyes locked on the game. “Better to let Gryffindor get another ten points and lose the snitch for now than win so soon without Slytherin even making the board.”
“Spinnet puts the free throw away, Gryffindor up twenty-nil. Slytherins back in possession, Hawkshead Formation as they head straight for Wood, with the Gryffindor chasers still recovering from the penalty shot. Flint in possession, Bell and Johnson try for a modified Parkin’s Pincer, Flint flies under, almost able to pull off a Sloth Grip Roll there, rights himself to—OUCH, bludger right to the face, if you had ‘Flint breaks his nose again’ on your betting ticket, you may have come into some galleons, but that doesn’t stop our captain, who manages to slip one past his boyfriend, bringing it down to a 20-10 loss!”
Ginny felt… exhilarated, standing with the others and cheering as loud as she could, massive grin on her face. Harry had grabbed her arm, shaking her as he jumped up and down, screaming Marcus’s name with an exuberance Ginny had never felt before. Judging by the soft, happy looks on Ron and Hermione’s faces, Harry hadn’t felt it much before either.
“Gryffindor heads back towards the opposite end, Bell in possession, keeping low as Johnson blocks attempts from Flint and Pucey, but no one seems to notice Warrington coming in from underneath, barely keeping his broom above the grass there, and—will he try it?—Yes, c’mon Cass, YES! Slytherin gains possession by an excellent punch by Warrington, who comes around to grab it and reverse pass to Pucey, with only Spinnet and Wood as obstacles on his way to tying the game. Passes to Flint, who dodges a bludger, passes it back, aaaaannnddd TIE GAME!”
The stands were deafening as even the most upperclass scions screamed for their team. Harry and Ginny shared a grin, and he leaned in to yell in her ear, “Is this better than listening to a professional game on the radio?”
She laughed, and nodded. “It’ll do for now, but only until I can be on the field myself!”
He slung an arm over her shoulder. “Hope you don’t mind being chaser with Malfoy, I think the seeker position is already taken.”
She pushed him away as he laughed.
“Spinnet in possession, Wood does NOT look happy, friends. Pass to Johnson, who lobs it way up the field, Bell barely able to snag it, aims, but Bletchley manages a beautiful save and passes it to Warrington, who tears down the field, past a furious Bell. Pucey does a tight reversal to support Warrington’s run, Flint doing an excellent job running behind the goalposts, distracting Wood, not the first time, I dare say.”
The crowd groaned again, the upper years picking up on innuendo the youngers didn’t quite get.
“Some decent formation looping by the two Slytherin chasers, Pucey peels off, Warrington rears back, aaaannddd SLYTHERIN TAKES THE LEAD! Definitely frustrated now, Wood passes the quaffle off to Johnson, who doesn’t seem to notice the Pincer attack here, Pucey coming up and blocking her pass to Bell, the quaffle drops—wait, how’d Flint get down there? Flint in possession, Warrington still by the Gryffindor goal, Wood blocks Flint’s initial attempt on the left, Warrington right there to get the rebound, shoots to the right, aaaanndd YES! Slytherin are up 40-20!”
The stands erupted once more, this time with a specific chant, with dozens of students in green yelling SLYTHERIN, FOR THE WIN! as loud as they could.
“Bell. Spinnet. Bell. Johnson. Blocked bludger sent by Bole, those Weasley twins just seem to be everywhere out there. Johnson speeds up the pitch, tries to fake out Bletchley, but it doesn’t work! Miles saves it and sends it—TERRANCE HIGGS IS PULLING OFF WHAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE WHAT COULD TURN INTO A WRONSKI FEINT, BIRCHWOOD YARDS BEHIND HIM, HE PULLS UP, ARM IS OUT, HAS HE SEEN THE SNITCH?”
Everyone was once again leaning forward, barely able to see the two seekers flying in the middle of the pitch, nearly on the ground. No one was paying much attention to the rest of the game, but luckily for the snakes, the rest of the game was still paying attention to the whole pitch.
“BIRCHWOOD IS KNOCKED OFF HER BROOM BY A BLUDGER FROM DERRICK! Luckily for her, she was only a few feet above the ground, she should be fine. Johnson eeks a goal past Bletchley, but HIGGS HAS NOT LET UP DOWN ON THE GROUND! HE MUST BE IN PURSUIT OF THE SNITCH! TERRY HIGGS IS GOING AS FAST AS I’VE EVER SEEN HIM GO, HE’S STILL GOT THAT ARM OUT, AAAANNNNDDDDD HE PULLS UP, FIST IN THE AIR, HE’S GOT IT! SLYTHERIN HAS GOT THE SNITCH, WINNING THE FIRST GAME OF THE YEAR 190 TO 30!”
Flick was the first to scream, grabbing Hermione and twirling her around. “That’s my brother! THAT’S MY LITTLE BROTHER!”
Ginny swore her voice would be gone by the time she got home, as she screamed with joy at the match’s outcome, Ron grabbing her around the neck and mussing her hair. Harry jumped on Ron’s back, both arms raised, and Ron laughed as he hoisted him up further. The Slytherins began a mass exodus towards the stairs leading to the field, Flick in the lead as Terry was lifted up by the rest of the team, who had landed and piled around him. Harry stayed on Ron’s shoulders, laughing as some of the upper years tugged at his hair as they passed.
They were heading down the first flight of stairs when Harry felt something tug at his robes, collar going taut around his neck, pulling him back off of Ron and over the banister that kept the students from a twenty-story fall.
Ron felt Harry’s legs fall from his hands, but before he could turn, something pulled him down the stairs, knocking into Malfoy and Goyle.
Harry shrieked, but couldn’t let out a sound for more than a second before started coughing, barely able to breathe with the tight collar around his throat.
Ginny had been right behind them with Hermione, and as Harry flew over the railing, she grabbed his ankle and tried to hold him up, screaming as she did so, especially when she heard a solid thunk from the other side of the wooden barrier from where Harry had hit it.
“Help! Someone help, I can’t hold him for long!” She felt her hands, clammy from the earlier excitement, start to lose grip on the skinny ankle.
One of the prefects behind her pulled out her wand and wordlessly levitated Harry back over the edge, everyone backing away and giving her room to settle him down.
His eyes weren’t open.
Hermione and Ron were immediately looking over her shoulder as she cast what Ginny assumed was a diagnostic charm.
“Farley? Is he okay?” Hermione asked as she tried to read the results of the charm.
The older girl nodded, but her face was grim. “He’s got a serious concussion from knocking into the stands, and his windpipe is bruised from whatever spell caused this, but he’ll be fine after a few hours in the Wing. I’ll get him up there, give me a few minutes before following, yeah? Poppy will want to verify my diagnosis and she’ll be more likely to let you in if you don’t interrupt her.” Without a second glance, she levitated Harry once more and started down the stairs again, grabbing her fellow prefect Khan as she went. The other Slytherins parted for them, and they were soon headed up to the castle.
Ron’s jaw was set, but he grabbed Ginny’s hand and headed across the stands rather than down. “C’mon, we gotta get you to Mum.”
Ginny tried to pull away. “No, Ron, what about Harry! We have to make sure he’s alright!”
“Gin, Farley is an apprentice with the Hospital Matron, and she takes that seriously. She won’t let anything else happen, and Khan will watch her back. Now, we need to get you to Mum and tell Professor Snape and probably Professor McGonagall what happened. Let’s go.”
The two of them sullenly weaved through the rest of the stands, heading towards the faculty seating. They barely noticed Hermione following, until she put a hand on Ron’s shoulder, and he instantly stopped.
“Listen, be quiet about this. Don’t wear your anger so clearly. We have no idea who just tried to kill Harry, and if you two go over there looking like this, they’ll know something didn’t go according to plan. Just… take a breath, and let’s make sure we tell the right people and no one else.”
“You said we’re telling McGonagall and Snape. How do we know one of them didn’t do it?” Ginny whispered, eyes flickering worriedly towards the professors’ area.
She didn’t even finish her sentence before both Ron and Hermione were shaking their heads in denial. Hermione spoke up. “Not that Professor Snape couldn’t be capable of something like this, but he and Harry settled their differences weeks ago, and he wouldn’t do something as public as this. And McGonagall is far too fair, and Light as they come. She definitely isn’t morally able to harm a child, let alone the child of two of her favorite students. Neither of them did this, and we can trust them.”
“Why don’t we just tell Dumbledore?”
Hermione scoffed. “He didn’t do this, but he’s not always the best at separating Harry from The-Boy-Who-Lived. Otherwise Harry wouldn’t have been in the muggle world all these years. And he’ll find out eventually. I just don’t want him in our way until absolutely necessary. Hence the need for us to play it down, Ronald.” She gave a pointed look towards him, as his face was still flushed and set in frustration.
“Now, of all times, you decide to get over your obsession with pleasing authority figures.” Ron gave an angry sigh but nodded, his face clearing into a soft smile. “C’mon, sis, time to get you home.”
Ginny’s mouth was agape. “How’d you do that so quickly? No way you were able to do that less than three months into the year.”
He gave her a grin as they kept moving, throwing his arm across her shoulders. “You just think about something else. It’s hard for me, that’s for sure, but in this instance, instead of focusing on Harry being hurt, I think of how satisfying it’s going to be to see what Hermione does to whoever hurt him.”
The girls both laughed at that, Hermione blushing as they entered the faculty section.
“Glad to see you all in such high spirits,” McGonagall said, eyebrow raised as she watched them approach. “Don’t get used to it, there’s plenty of time left in the season.”
Molly opened her mouth to respond, but before she could a smooth baritone made them all turn to the stands above them.
“And plenty of time for Slytherin to prove that wasn’t a fluke,” Snape sneered.
McGonagall turned more fully to start arguing on behalf of her lions, giving Molly the chance to take Ginny’s hand. “Alright, we should be… Well, where’s Harry? Surely I didn’t scare him off.”
Ron just side-eyed Hermione, gesturing for her to speak up, much to her wry amusement.
“Molly, professors, could we speak privately?” She dropped her voice, wary of the other professors still filing out of the stands.
Snape instantly cast his attention to her, and cast a privacy charm, moving down the stairs to be more on her level and nodding.
Even with how he still occasionally treated Harry, never let it be said Severus Snape didn’t take care of his snakes.
Hermione bit her lip and took a deep breath. “As we were coming down the stairs just now, to join the celebrations on the fields, something happened to Harry. It looked like someone had cast something like a powerful summoning charm on his robes, pulling him off the stands, and he was at such a height that had it worked, he could have been seriously injured, or worse. As it was, thanks to Ginny here, he only came away with a severe concussion and some other minor injuries, but someone definitely tried to seriously hurt Harry today.”
Molly and Professor McGonagall had their hands over their mouths in horror, but Professor Snape immediately went into his Head of House mode, as the students called it. “And where is Mr. Potter now?”
“Prefect Farley and Prefect Khan took him to the hospital wing. We decided to let Madam Pompfrey have a few minutes with him alone while we informed the two of you, and we’re heading there now.”
Snape nodded. “Minerva, you’ll see to any evidence here? I would prefer to see my students to Poppy as soon as possible.”
“Of course, Severus. I’ll check the stands now, and see if any of the other students saw anything that could help, though I’m sure they’ll let you know as well. I’ll come to you directly with my findings.” McGonagall quickly left, giving Molly a quick hug and disappearing into the alcove under the stands.
“Madam Weasley, I’m sure you would like to return to your home, but I will need to get a statement from Miss Weasley here, and I’d prefer to do that in the hospital wing. Would you prefer to come with us or see to your Gryffindor sons?” Snape nodded down towards the field, where the twins were rolling their eyes at a furious Wood.
Molly huffed out a sigh. “I was hoping to see them at lunch, eat with my kids. So Ginny and I will accompany you, Professor.”
Snape simply nodded and gently took Hermione’s shoulder. “You did the smart thing, coming to us immediately instead of trying to discover the truth for yourself. Come along.” He turned and led them towards the castle.
Hermione followed, a glint in her eye. “Of course, sir, it was the only logical thing to do. After all, I’m sure you’ll keep us informed. The only way to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again is if those affected by the incident understand all of the available information.”
Ginny felt her jaw drop when she heard a low chuckle from the surly professor.
“Indeed, Miss Granger. Indeed. Ten points to Slytherin for insight and the strength to ask others for assistance when their abilities outweigh your own.”
Ron rolled his eyes at the exchange. When he saw Ginny’s awe, he mouthed ‘I’ll tell you later’ to her, and she nodded and followed quietly.
They weaved through the students returning to their normal weekend routines, before beginning the climb towards the hospital wing. No one seemed to notice or care that the group was there, and they were able to arrive outside the doors of the wing without incident.
Snape held a hand up as Hermione was reaching for the door. “Wait here, if you’d please. I’ll talk to Poppy and see that you’re all allowed in to see him in the next few minutes. Patience is the best approach when dealing with the Keeper of Health.”
He ducked into the main room, leaving Hermione, Ron, and Ginny with an extremely worried Molly.
“Oh, poor thing. I can’t believe some older Slytherin would play a prank like this!” She turned to the doors as if she could see through them.
Ron quickly slapped a hand over Ginny’s mouth, as her eyebrows furrowed at the slight towards Slytherin House. When she looked up at him, he just shook his head.
The three of them let Molly rant, silently just rolling their eyes at her theatrics. Soon enough, the doors opened again, and Snape was ushering them in. Molly raced towards the bed that a now-awake Harry was propped up in, and the others took their time in their approach.
“Listen, mum’s been amazing and all about me being in Slytherin, but there’s some prejudices that just won’t go away so easily. We’ll work on it, but now’s not the time or place.” Ron brushed a lock of hair out of her face and went to pull a chair up to Harry’s bedside, forcing his mother to sit rather than loom over his friend.
Ginny looked over at Hermione, who was watching everyone in the room, including the Matron and the prefects, with a critical eye. “What did you do to him?” she whispered, stepping towards her to link their arms together.
“Hm? Who?” Hermione looked over to her.
“Ron. He’s so… logical. And understanding. It’s weird.”
Hermione hid her smile behind a hand. “Part of it is actually being in Slytherin, and getting to know these people. Part of it is realizing that things you lot were told growing up aren’t true, that just because a book somewhere says it doesn’t mean that’s how it actually is in the world.” She shrugged and nodded towards the hospital bed. “He still looks up sometimes, I think, and has to kick himself for thinking that Harry is some hero. It’s been difficult for him, adjusting. He did it for us, and we’ll always owe him for that. So, yes, part of it is me and Harry beating some sense into him. But most of it is just him, and time. He’s always been good with people, I’m sure, he just needed the chance to see multiple points of view.”
Ginny nodded along. “Is it sad that I’m looking forward to my viewpoint changing, maybe even more than I am to learning magic?”
“If anything, I think that makes you quite pragmatic. You could know all the spells that were ever created, but if you don’t know who to aim at, you’ll cause more trouble than it’s worth.”
“Oi! I thought I told you to stop influencing my sister before she even gets into school!” Ron called over, in a much better mood now that he’d seen his best mate awake.
Hermione rolled her eyes. “You’re just jealous she likes me more than you, Ronald.” She pulled Ginny over to the bed by their linked arms. Molly was apparently satisfied that Harry was okay, and had joined Professor Snape and Madam Pomfrey over by the Matron’s desk.
Harry grinned up at them. “Thanks for the save, Red. I owe you one.”
Ginny matched his expression. “Let me be seeker?” she asked with an innocent smile.
He was already shaking his head. “Should have let me die if you wanted that position.”
“Hadrian James, don’t you dare joke about that!” Hermione smacked his shoulder.
“Hey! I’m injured over here, don’t add insult on top of it!”
“Don’t say stupid things then!”
Ginny watched them bicker with a soft smile on her face, especially seeing the tension leak from her brother’s shoulders at Harry’s lack of worry.
She was glad to see that her favorite brother was in good hands.
And she knew she’d have the best housemates to look after her next year.