𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐘𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐇 ── harry potter

iv | just some gryffindor stupidity

ACT I — CHAPTER IV
Jᴜsᴛ Sᴏᴍᴇ Gʀʏꜰꜰɪɴᴅᴏʀ Sᴛᴜᴘɪᴅɪᴛʏ

⊱ ────── 𖥔 ✶ 𖥔 ────── ⊰

"Flying lessons! Finally, something worthwhile!"

Ever since Kevin had found out what Quidditch was, it was all he talked about. He was sad to learn that first years couldn't try out for their House teams, but this just meant he was determined to make the team his second year. The only problem was that he didn't know how to fly, but the notice that had been pinned up in the Ravenclaw common room would solve that problem.

"And look, all four Houses are learning together, which means we'll be able to see Justin," Morag pointed out

It was very difficult for the original four, or the "Train Gang", as Kevin declared them, to all spend time together because of Justin's separation. Quinn would try to suggest studying in the library together, but Kevin didn't like studying for more than twenty minutes. Sometimes they would go to the courtyard, but they could never all stay for long because someone always had homework or something else to do.

Sometimes they would sneak Justin into their common room. "Sneak" was a loose term because no one cared that he was there. Their prefect Robert would even greet Justin if he noticed him. Their other prefect, Penelope, was stingy about it sometimes. They knew she was in a bad mood if she kicked Justin out, and they knew she was in a good mood if she ignored Justin's presence as a whole.

Quinn had no interest in playing Quidditch. She liked to watch — sometimes Emmeline and Mary would take her to a match. But to actually play Quidditch herself? An immediate no. It was a bit too violent for her taste. She also had a terrible arm. Not to mention that she wasn't fond of heights, so when she did fly she always stayed close to the ground.

Morag did not care for the game. She thought it was boring. Quinn didn't know how anyone could think it was boring, as there was always something going on. Justin was in the same boat as Quinn. While he had never seen a match or flown on a broom, he still thought the concept was interesting, but had no desire to play.

The morning of their first flying lesson, Quinn, Morag, Kevin, Anthony, and Mandy Brocklehurst all sat together at the Ravenclaw table eating breakfast. Quinn could hear Draco from across the hall, loudly gloating about some gift his parents had gotten him.

Suddenly, a voice exclaimed, "It's a Remembrall!"

Quinn's head perked up, seeing Neville holding up a tiny glass ball that was full of white smoke.

"Gran knows I forget things — this tells you if there's something you've forgotten to do. Look, you hold it tight like this and if it turns red — oh," his face fell, because the Remembrall was glowing scarlet, "you've forgotten something."

Quinn watched as Draco, who must've heard Neville's exclamation as well, walk by the Gryffindor table and snatch the Remembrall from Neville's hand. Harry and Ron jumped up, and for a moment Quinn thought they would start fighting the Slytherin, but Professor McGonagall was there in a flash, having seen the soon-to-be commotion.

"What's going on?"

"Malfoy's got my Remembrall, Professor."

Scowling, Draco dropped the Remembrall on the table, mumbling, "Just looking."

He walked away, with Crabbe and Goyle following him.

Mandy scoffed, "The Gryffindors and Slytherins really take that internalized rivalry to heart. I'm glad we don't have to deal with that."