Chapter 6
After potions ended, I wanted to stay behind to ask Snape some questions, but to my utter disappointment he went into his office and shut the door. He probably was busy anyway with grading and other potions like things anyway. I go to lunch with the others instead. After saying hello to Percy and the twins I sit next to Neville who had come back from the hospital wing completely healed. A couple kids were staring at me, which I didn't understand but I paid them no mind and asked Neville how he was doing. He told me about the gross concoction he had to take while we ate, and it didn’t sound pleasant.
“Say Emery why are you sitting here with us? Wouldn’t you rather sit with the other Slytherins?” Dean asks. Neville had just introduced us and he seemed nice.
“Well Daphne and Pansy had a class, so their lunch is later I guess, and the boys said they were going to eat out on the quad. I didn't want to be stuck with them. Besides I wanted to see you guys. I know we kind of met a few days ago but you all are pretty cool and I figured we could all get to know each other.” I say and take a sip of my drink. I got a few smiles and some confused looks.
“What’s it like?” Ron asks and I divert my attention to him.
“What’s what like?”
“Your common room.” He says through a bite of food. Ever the manners on him. I thought.
“It’s interesting actually, partially underwater. Daphne and I heard some fourth years say sometimes you could see the lake squid, so we’ve been looking for it but no luck so far. The room is large, cold if you’re not by the fireplace and has a lot of green accents.” I rattle off trying to think of more to say.
“So, you’ve seen Malfoy then?” A girl called Sophie asked.
“Yeah he’s around. I don’t really know him yet.” I say. It was true, when we all met in the hall before our sorting, he was quite rude but every encounter after had been like we were friends or something close to friends. I wonder if it was genuine or just house loyalty.
“What about Snape, is he really as mean as he was today? I heard someone say he even eats like a snake.” Ron asks. I look down the table towards the twins but fortunately they were talking to Oliver Wood. I didn’t want them to hear me talking about Snape as Ron had said they didn’t like him.
“Uh, well I’ve only seen him in class like you guys and we've all seen him at meals so..” I trail off as I look back to Ron. He could come up with his own conclusions on the matter.
“He seems to like you guys better.” Seamus says. I didn’t know for sure if professors were more inclined to their houses but it would make a lot of sense if they were. We were technically their responsibility. I have only been here a day and I don’t want to judge anyone without interacting with them first.
“Well he is their head of house.” Hermione says.
“Maybe, I guess we’ll have to see.” I say and turn back to my food. Better to dismiss the conversation for now because I really didn’t want to go toe to toe with some kids I’d just met.
Eventually Seamus starts muttering something about rum and we all look up to see something explode in his face. That was twice in a day, what in the name of Merlin was he doing? He blinks and tries to wipe the soot from his face. Laughter erupts from the table.
“You okay?” I ask. He nods.
“Uh, Seamus, you’re eyebrows!” Neville exclaimed. Dean leans in closer from Seamus’ left.
“You’ve done it now mate.”
“What? What about my eyebrows?” He says and rises from the table dashing out of the room as we all look on. Before anyone can say anything else a screech comes from above as arious owls fly over us and I spot Rosina land in front of me with a parcel and letter. I give her a pet and she flies off towards the owlery. Neville opens his package and holds up a clear ball with flecks of gold.
“Hey look, Neville’s got a Remembrall.” Dean says. It was interesting and I had never seen one before. I quickly open up my letter. It was from my uncle.
“I’ve read about those. When the smoke turns red, it means you’ve forgotten something.” She says as it turns red.
“The only problem is, I can’t remember what I’ve forgotten.” He says and turns back to it. I look at the letter once more.
‘My dearest Emery. I’ve received quite a handful of letters about your house placement including your own. I’m proud of you regardless of what others may say. While I had assumed you were a Gryffindor through and through many spectacular witches and wizards have come from Slytherin. I know you’ll find your place there quickly. About your professor, he did attend Hogwarts the same time as your parents and I and was friends with your mother. I’ve enclosed a gift as it gets particularly cold in the dungeons during the winter months. All my love, Uncle Remus.'
Was friends with your mother.
I read the line a few times. So, it was official, Snape knew my mom, they were friends. So, the locket was probably a gift of some sort. I open the larger parcel to see a green knit blanket that was so soft. He always knew what to send.
“Hey Ron, somebody broke into Gringotts,” Harry says from my left and I look over to him.
“Listen, believed to be the work of dark witches or wizards unknown, Gringotts goblins, while acknowledging the breach, insist that nothing was taken. The vault in question, number 713 had in fact been emptied earlier that same day. That’s odd. That’s the vault Hagrid and I went to.”
“Why did Hagrid take you there?” I ask.
“I’m not sure. He said it was business from Dumbledore, something secret. He had to retrieve something from the vault.”
“Seems like whatever he acquired from the vault; someone is after it.” I say and we all share a look. After lunch we only had history of magic left for the day and while Draco found it boring, I thought it was a very informative class. Professor Binns seemed to drone on and on but everything he said but knew a lot of facts especially about various known rebellions of the wizarding world. He had actually introduced himself and told us all he only taught about the facts, not myths or legends.
…….
The next day I head outside to our first class of the day, flying. We spent the first part of class learning about how to care for our brooms, the history and some simple flying techniques. Madam Hooch then said we would be going outside to do some exercises with the brooms, which I wasn’t happy about. She said everyone had to at least learn to fly but it made me nervous. Heights weren’t a problem for me if I had my feet on something solid but being suspended in the air wasn’t my cup of tea. I’d rather be in Transfiguration or Potions. I was stood in one of the two rows of kids facing each other as Madam Hooch talked about the brooms.
“Well what are you waiting for? Everyone step up to the left side of their broomstick. Come on, hurry up. Stick your right hand over the broom and say up!” she says, and we did just that. Shouts of Up are heard all over.
“Up!” I say but nothing happens. I see Harry’s broom fly into his hand quickly. I try a second time, but nothing happens. Draco’s broom flies to his hand and he smirks.
“With felling!” Hooch says and I try again.
“Up!” I say and it flies towards my hand. I look over to Daphne to see she also had luck summoning her broom.
“Now once you’ve got ahold of your broom, I want you to mount it with a firm grip. You don’t want to be sliding off the end. When I blow the whistle, I want each of you to kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your broom steady, hover for a moment, then lean slightly forward and touch back down. On my whistle…3…2…” The whistle sounds and I mount the broom. I kick off and lean forward and hover for a few seconds before I hastily lower the broom and step away from it. That was enough flying for me. My eyeline catches Neville who seems to be having trouble coming back to the ground. He started to rise into the air.
“Mr. Longbottom.” Hooch calls.
“Neville what are you doing?” Someone else says.
“Neville, come back down!” Hermione says.
“We’re not supposed to take off yet Neville.” Seamus says and goes to grab his feet as everyone starts chanting his name. Neville tilted the broom towards the ground but not fast enough.
“M-M-Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Longbottom!” She tries again but his broom just tears through the air. He screams for help as he loses control and zips through the air suddenly smacking into a wall and I grimace. That had to hurt. I look around for Madam Hooch as I pass the kids on my left watching Neville who had somehow turned back towards us. We all move out of the way and Hooch does a barrel roll, so he doesn’t crash into her. He then zooms passed a statue with a spear and his robes get caught on it, leaving him hanging. We rush towards him as his cloak rips and he falls. Screams erupt from everybody, but his clothes get caught on a wall torch and he stops.
“Madam Hooch, is there any way to get him down?” I ask and she raises her wand, but Neville falls the rest of the way to the ground. Kids swarm him.
“Out of the way!” She says and runs over.
“Neville are you okay?” I ask as I stop by Dean and Daphne.
“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.” He held his wrist to his chest.
“Oh, oh, oh dear. It’s a broken wrist. Good boy come on now, up you get.” Hooch leads Neville towards the archway and I race up to her.
“Madam Hooch, do you mind if I tag along. I’m not feeling too well.” I say and she nods.
“Everyone is to keep their feet firmly on the ground while I take Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lupin to the hospital wing. Understand? If I see a single broom in the air, the one riding it will find themselves out of Hogwarts before they can say Quidditch. Come along you two.” She directs us to follow her.
“Neville what happened out there?” I ask as we walk on.
“I’m not sure exactly. As soon as I thought about flying upwards the broom lifted. I didn’t even know I was higher than I should’ve been until Seamus said. I’m sorry Madam Hooch.”
“You’ll have to be more careful in the future. You just need to learn control. If we can manage that we’ll make a Quidditch player of you yet."
“I don’t know if I want to fly again.” Neville said with a dejected look. I pat him on the arm.
“Don’t worry Neville, I’m scared to fly. I felt like I was gonna hurl back there just by watching you give it a go.” I say with a grimace.
“Madam Pomfrey will have something for you.” Hooch said and I nod. I was mostly fine now but the thought was nice.
…….
We arrived at the hospital wing promptly and met Madam Pomfrey. The room was vacant except for her and it was massive. It looked like a smaller version great hall only lined with beds and partitions. It smelled of clean linen and was eerily quiet.
“So, what’s happened here then?”
“Neville here, lost control of his broom, looks like a broken wrist.” Madame Hooch said.
“Over here, please child.” She gestures to a bed near her.
“I’ve also a student who could use a draught of peace.” Hooch gestures to me and Pomfrey nods and has Neville sit down.
“Would you like me to stay with Neville?” She gives me a look but then says.
“Hmm, alright I’ll allow it since I really must return to the students. Who knows what they’ve gotten themselves into.” She huffs and then leaves the room. I sigh and slump down onto the bed beside Neville’s.
“I take it you’re not fond of flying then?” Madam Pomfrey asks and I shake my head at her words.
“No, it utterly terrifies me. It’s a wonder I didn’t faint.” I say as she handles Neville’s hand with care as I look on.
“Is it broken?” Neville asks.
“Yes, but fixable,” She says and brings out her wand. “Brackium Emendo.” Neville gasps and flexes his hand like it wasn't broken at all.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Wicked,” I mutter as Neville waves his arm around. She smiles at us then moves over to a cabinet. “Say Madam Pomfrey, do we get to learn things like this?” I ask and gesture to Neville’s arm.
“I’m sorry Dear, but most of my training was done at St. Mungo’s before I was offered a positon here.” Healing wasn't part of the ciricumlum then. A pit it was honestly, those things couls come in handy.
“Oh dear,” She turns and looks to me. “I’ll only be a moment, I’ve to run to the dungeons for your potion.” I stand up.
“Madam Pomfrey there's no need now.” I felt better just being away from the brooms and didn’t want to trouble her.
“Dear are you sure?” She asks warily. I nod and she smiles at us once more.
“Alright, off you pop then and be careful on those brooms.” She says and we get up to leave.
As we walk down the coridor I ask Neville if he was interested in playing Quidditch to pass the time. Class would be over by now and the thought of dinner was nice.
“I don’t think I’d be any good.” he says and rubs his head.
“I’m sure with practice you can do it.” I say to him and offer a smile. It seemed like Neville was someone people liked to joke about but he seemed nice enough to me.
“You’re nice Emery.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“It’s just that Ron and Dean are always going on about how Slytherins are horrible but you’re not.”
“Oh, thank you Neville.” I say. I didn’t expect that from him. To be completely honest I was shocked. We cross into the main hall where the twins and Harry are talking to Ron.
“Freddie, George!” I say and run up to them. They both throw an arm around me.
“How’s our girl?”
“Peachy!” I say and wrap my arms around them, pulling them closer.
“The snakes have been treating you right then?” George asks as we walk.
“Of course.”
“If they don’t they’ll have us to deal with.” Fred says and I laugh at them. They were the best overprotective friends she had the closest to siblings, always looking out for me.
“Congratulations Harry!” Someone has as we walk down the hall.
“Congrats?” I ask and look at him.
“Harry’s made the quidditch team. He’s gonna be the new seeker.” One of the twins say.
“No, way. That’s spectacular.” I say to him with a smile. Getting on the team during first year was special, not many if anyone had done it if my readthrough of Hogwarts a History was accurate.
“You should’ve seen, they way he flew after the Remembrall.”
“Remembrall?” Neville asks.
“Oh yeah, here you go Neville.” Harry says and hand it to Neville. The smoke inside turns white, Neville makes a shocked face and runs away from us. Looks like he finally rembered what he'd forgotten. The twins laugh and say they’ll see us later as the duck into the courtyard.
“So seeker then, how’d that happen?” I ask.
“McGonagall thinks I’d be good, but I’ve never played Quidditch.” Hermione pops up beside us.
“You were flying circles around Draco Harry.” Ron says and I give them a confused look.
“When you went to the hospital wing, Draco was being a nimpty as usual but looks like Harry came out on top.” He says. I overlook Ron’s words, sometimes it was hard to tell if he was exaggerating something or not.
“What if I make a fool of myself?” Harry asks and scratches his cheek.
“You won’t make a fool of yourself. It’s in your blood.” Hermione says.
“What do you mean?”
“Come on follow me.” She says and steers us back towards the hall and up a few flights of stairs.