Slytherin Weasley

Chapter 31

I woke some weeks later to brilliant sunshine and a light, refreshing breeze. 

"Perfect Quidditch conditions!" said Wood enthusiastically at the Gryffindor table, loading the team's plates with scrambled eggs as I walked past in my emerald robes. "Harry, buck up there, you need a decent breakfast." 

I sat down next to Addy and he smiled. "We've got this!" He grabbed my hand with his and squeezed.  

"I hope so," I grimaced and reached for a goblet of pumpkin juice. 

"Have you got a strategy for Potter?" He asked and I shook my head. 

"We're very different flyers and both extremely talented, it could go either way," I said and he nodded. 

"C'mon," He said "we better head down." 

We stood up and he grabbed a pumpkin pasty, pushing it into my hands as we followed the Gryffindor team down towards the stadium. 

I pulled my emerald robes on in the captains office and took a deep breathe. Striding out into the changing room, casting my eyes over the rest of the team. Draco being the only one dressed and ready. 

"Right boys, chop chop," I clapped my hands. "I want you out and having done at least one lap of the pitch before we start." 

They groaned and scrambled to get their robes on and out to the pitch. 

Both teams walked onto the field to tumultuous applause. Oliver Wood and the rest of the Slytherins took off for awarm-up flight around the pitch; Madam Hooch released the balls. The Gryffindors,who played in scarlet, were standing in a huddle, having a last-minute discussionof tactics. 

I was just mounting my broom when Professor McGonagall came half marching,half running across the pitch, carrying an enormous purple megaphone. 

My heart dropped like a stone. 

"This match has been cancelled," Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone,addressing the packed stadium. There were boos and shouts. 

Oliver Wood, lookingdevastated, landed and ran toward Professor McGonagall without getting off hisbroomstick. 

"But, Professor!" We shouted together. 

"We've got to play — the cup —Gryffindor —"

Professor McGonagall ignored him and continued to shout through her megaphone: "All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where theirHeads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!" 

Then she lowered the megaphone and beckoned Harry over to her. 

"Potter, I think you'd better come with me..." I saw Ron detach himselffrom the complaining crowd; he came running up to them as they set off toward thecastle.  "Yes, perhaps you'd better come, too, Weasley..." She then spun around again, and pointed at me before beckoning me over. "You too Miss Weasley and get Mr Pucey whilst your at it."  

"Addy!" I called and waved him over, he ran over confused. 

"What's going on?" I shrugged. 

"McGonagall" I said and we hurried of after the other three. 

Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match beingcancelled; others looked worried. We followed Professor McGonagall backinto the school and up the marble staircase.

"This will be a bit of a shock," said Professor McGonagall in a surprisingly gentle voice asthey approached the infirmary. "There has been another attack... a triple attack." 

We all looked at each other, fear etched deep on our faces. Professor McGonagall pushed the door openand we entered... Madam Pomfrey was bending over a girl with long,curly black hair and pale skin. I gasped as I saw the next bed over and Addy let out a cry, 

"Daphne!"  And on the bed next to her was — 

"Hermione!" Ron groaned. Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy. 

"They were found near the library," said Professor McGonagall. "I don't suppose any of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them..." 

She was holding up a small, circular mirror. Harry and Ron shook their heads, both staring at Hermione. "That's Daph's," I said. 

"She always has it," Addy added.  

"I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower," said Professor McGonagall heavily. "I needto address the students in any case and Professor Snape is waiting to escort you two back two the dungeons.

"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. Nostudent is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson bya teacher. No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All furtherQuidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more eveningactivities." 

The Slytherins all sat primly inside the common room listening to Professor Snape in deadly silence. He rolled up the parchment from which he had been reading and said in asomewhat less monotone voice, "I need hardly add that I have rarely been so distressed. It islikely that the school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught. Iwould urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about them to come forward." and with that he turned on his heel and swept out of the dungeon, and the Slytherins begantalking immediately.  

"That's two Gryffindors down, not counting a Gryffindor ghost, one Ravenclaw, and oneHufflepuff, and a Slytherin." Said Draco. "Which doesn't make any sense. A pureblood Slytherin as well. The Heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin, why would we be targeted?" he mused, to nods from the rest.

"Isn't it obvious Draco?" I asked. "You purebloods are the only ones who actually care about that, and as much as you would like to pretend there are muggle-born Slytherins." Someone cheered, before being quickly shushed. "And do you really think that this monster, what ever it may be is going to care? Clearly it just wants to kill." I said, frustrated and slumped back in my seat.   

"Are you ok?" Addy leaned in and whispered. 

I shook my head and he wrapped his arm around me.

I couldn't get rid of the picture of Daph, lying on the hospital bed as though carved out of stone.