The Late Arrival

Chapter 6 - Caught out

The next morning, we made our way to the great hall for breakfast as usual, the sun was only just rising above the turrets of Hogwarts which were in view from the halls.

We walked past Oliver, who was on his way back from breakfast - walking towards the Quidditch pitch for his early morning practise. He gave me a little smile and a wave, to which I did the same.

"You do know he's a Gryffindor, don't you?" Pansy scoffed. "I don't imagine your Father will be best pleased if he found out you had a crush on a Gryffindor."

"I do not have a crush on him! We're just friends-" I snapped back, when a voice came from behind me.

"Your Father won't be best pleased about what? The fact that you skipped his lesson yesterday?" It was my Father, Severus Snape. He likes to stand, with his arms folded for dramatic effect. "Or the fact that you skipped it to spend time with a Gryffindor boy?"

My heart sank, how could he possibly have known? I stood there staring at him for a second as he glared back, eyes watching me from everywhere as the students walked past in the hallway.

"I'm sorry Father, I was in the library getting books for class and I lost track of time..."

"Lies." He snapped back. "50 points from Slytherin." He whisked away down the hallways, too quickly for me to say anything back.

Pansy sniggered a little - I'm not sure what she found so funny, considering Slytherin is her house. We walked into the great hall for breakfast, I didn't really eat much, I just pushed my food around my plate for a while. Pansy was in a strangely good mood for a change, she must have had an actual conversation with Draco recently instead of him just nodding while she speaks.

"Ooooo Oliver!" One of the twins shouted.

"Oliver Wood! Quidditch captain!" Shouted the other.

The twins had been taunting me all breakfast, even though I wasn't in the mood I can't help but find them both hilarious.

"Aren't you two missing Quidditch practise right now?" I shouted back with a smirk, knowing full well they were supposed to be there about a half hour ago.

They both looked at each other in shock, grabbing their bags and throwing them over their shoulder before running out of the great hall, tripping over one another as they ran. I watched them, chuckling to myself and grabbing my own bag to make my way to my first class.

———————————————————————————

As I walked out of charms class, I felt a firm grip on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Oliver, standing outside my classroom with his hand on my shoulder pulling me back over to him.

"How did you-?" I said slightly confused, Oliver was in the year above me so we didn't take any classes together.

"You're in Rons year, the twins told me which lesson you were in. I have a surprise for you! Follow me" he said, taking my hand and walking down the halls.

I was a little confused at first, as I hadn't yet gotten used to where the classrooms were placed and how to get around by myself - but after a few turns it became clear that he was leading me out to the quidditch pitch.

"I'm going to teach you how to play" he said, very enthusiastically.

It took a while but he finally persuaded me to at least give it a go. I wasn't very keen on the idea, I prefer to watch sport rather than take part - especially quidditch, it looks rather dangerous.

He went on explaining what the Bludger was, what the Snitch was and what the Quaffle was. Then, he handed me his broom gesturing for me to get on - I hesitated but eventually I mounted the broom and stood there looking at him for a second, I was trying not to show how nervous I was.

This clearly didn't work because he gave me a reassuring smile and nod for me to go. I kicked my feet off the ground and flew into the air, it was a feeling I'd never had before! It felt so free!

My old school never had flying lessons, it was a very old fashioned school so they said there was no need to fly when we have legs - my father said the same. Oliver had gotten another one of the brooms from Madam Hooch's cupboard and we were flying around having a great time, however it was soon cut short.

"Decsendo!" My Father yelled in his monotone voice, his wand pointed straight at me. I felt my broom jolt to a stop, then it pummelled to the ground with me still on it.

I hit the ground with a thud and got back up, brushing myself off. Oliver followed.

"If I catch you with this Wood boy one more time, there is going to be consequences. We don't associate with mudbloods Sayge, you'll ruin our name." He said, with a very cold and stern expression on his face.

Oliver didn't say anything, he just stood there holding his broom and looking down at his feet. I couldn't believe my Father, the shock on my face must have been very prominent because he didn't look pleased.

"Oliver is not a mudblood! He's a halfblood, and even if he was I don't care! He's my friend Dad.."

He just scoffed at my words, grabbed my shoulder and dragged me back towards the halls. I turned around quickly to throw Oliver his broom back and then followed my Father.

When we reached the halls he turned to me and said "Now, you get to your next class. No more talking to that Wood boy, or any other Gryffindors for that matter. You associate with Slytherin and ONLY Slytherin, understood?"

I just nodded and made my way to my next lesson. What does he mean 'consequences'? Surely he can't do anything... I'll just have to stay away from Oliver for a little while until he forgets.