The Other Black Book 2

Chapter 7 - Mudbloods and Murmurs

Harry spent a lot of time over the next few days dodging out of sight whenever he saw Gilderoy Lockhart coming down a corridor. Aurora helped him as best she could. Harder to avoid was Colin Creevey, who seemed to have memorized Harry's schedule. Nothing seemed to give Colin a bigger thrill than to say, "All right, Harry?" six or seven times a day and hear, "Hello, Colin," back, however exasperated Harry sounded when he said it.

Hedwig was still angry with Harry about the disastrous car journey and Ron's wand was still malfunctioning, surpassing itself on Friday morning by shooting out of Ron's hand in Charms and hitting tiny old Professor Flitwick squarely between the eyes, creating a large, throbbing green boil where it had struck. So with one thing and another, Harry and Aurora were quite glad to reach the weekend. They, Ron, and Hermione were planning to visit Hagrid on Saturday morning.

Aurora had spent part of the night putting the photo of the two Malfoys into her scrapbook, finding room on the first page that housed, at the time, two photos: one of Olivia and Taylor the day Aurora was left outside Bekker Street, and a photo of one-year-old Aurora that Reim Bekker had taken when Aurora Malfoy unknowingly became Aurora Ibe and taken in to what would be the worst ten years of her life. Aurora placed the photo of Elara and Janus in a space that formed a triangle with the photos.

Aurora went down to breakfast with Hermione and Ron. Ron told them that apparently Oliver Wood, the head of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and Gryffindor's Keeper, decided to get Harry up at the crack of dawn to practice for Quidditch. They decided that they'd grab some stuff to eat, then go watch the practice.

"Aren't you finished yet?" called Ron incredulously as Harry walked out onto the field.

"Haven't even started," said Harry, looking jealously at the toast and marmalade Ron and Hermione had brought out of the Great Hall. "Wood's been teaching us new moves."

He mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. He soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Fred and George.

"What's that funny clicking noise?" called Fred as they hurtled around the corner.

Aurora looked around the other stands. Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats, his camera raised, taking picture after picture, the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.

"Look this way, Harry! This way!" he cried shrilly.

"Who's that?" said Fred.

"No idea," Harry lied, putting on a spurt of speed that took him as far away as possible from Colin.

"What's going on?" said Wood, frowning, as he skimmed through the air toward them. "Why's that first year taking pictures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program."

"He's in Gryffindor," said Harry quickly.

"And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver," said George.

"What makes you say that?" said Wood testily.

"Because they're here in person," said George, pointing.

Aurora leaned over. Several people in green robes were walking onto the field, broomsticks in their hands. She motioned to Ron and Hermione, and they all got up and left. Ron looked puzzled, Hermione looked worried, and Aurora was a bit of both.

As they approached the group, although barely able to hear much of the conversation, she heard Marcus Flint say, "Oh look. A field invasion."

"What's happening?" Ron asked Harry. "Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?"