A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Chapter Ten

Nathan stands awkwardly looking at the brooms, Hermione stood next to him "It can't be that bad..." Hermione mumbles. "I-I guess." Nathan tells her. Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrives and looks at them "Well, what are you all waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up." she tells them. Everyone quickly moves so they're next to a broom "Stick out your right hand over your broom and say 'Up!'" Madame Hooch tells them. "UP!" everyone shouts, Nathan's goes into his hand after moving for a minute. Hermione looks at him in slight surprise "I d-don't know." he tells her, just a shocked. Valour sniffs the broom, unsure about it as everyone else continues getting their brooms up. Soon enough everyone has a broom in their hand, Madam Hooch going up and down the lines showing them how to mount and hold on properly "Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle, three, two-" Madam Hooch starts, stopping when Neville suddenly shoots into the air. "N-Neville!" Nathan exclaims in concern, watching his friend shoot into the air. "Come back, boy!" Madam Hooch shouts. Neville looses control as his broom shoots off, rolling and making him fall off with a nasty crack.

Madam Hooch rushes over and checks him over "Broken wrist. Come on, boy. It's all right, up you get. None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'. Come on, dear." she says, helping Neville up and leading him back into the school. As soon as they're out of earshot, Malfoy bursts into hysterics "Did you see his face, the great lump?" He asks, the other Slytherins joining in. "Shut up, Malfoy." Parvati Patil snaps.  "Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?Never thought you'd like fat little crybabies, Parvati." Pansy sneers. "Look! It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him." Malfoy says, picking up Neville's Rememberall. "Give that here, Malfoy." Harry g;ares, everyone stopping to watch. Malfoy smirks "I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find, how about... up a tree?" he says. "Give it here!" Harry yells, Malfoy leaping onto his broomstick taking off. "Come and get it, Potter!" Malfoy calls down. Harry grabs his broom. "No! Madam Hooch told us not to move, you'll get us all into trouble." Hermione tells him. Ignoring her, Harry takes off after Malfoy. Nathan anxiously sits on the floor, stroking Valour who nuzzles into him.

Hermione turns and sees him on the floor, making her join him "Nathan, you alright?" she asks. "I-I'm o-okay. J-Just need t-to gr-ground my-myself." Nathan tells her, focusing on the feel of Valour's hair. Hermione nods and stays next to him "Take your time, I'll stay with you." she tells him. "HARRY POTTER!" Professor McGonagall shouts, walking out as Harry lands with the Rememberall in his hand "Never, in all my time at Hogwarts- How dare you- might have broken your neck-" she continues, almost speechless with shock. "It wasn't his fault, Professor-" Parvati tries. "Be quiet, Miss Patil-" McGonagall cuts her off. "But Malfoy-" Ron starts. "That's enough, Mr. Weasley. Potter, follow me, now." McGonagall tells him, leading Harry back to the school. Ron turns to Nathan and Hermione, looking at Nathan "Thanks for backing Harry up." he tells him. "Really Ron, you can't see that he's trying to ground himself?" Hermione glares. Ron rolls his eyes and starts heading back into the castle with the rest of the class "You ready to go back in?" Hermione asks Nathan. "Y-Yeah, th-thanks." he nods, slowly standing. "It's no problem Nathan, we're friends." she tells him. Nathan smiles at the thought of having another friend "Th-thanks." he repeats as they walk back to the castle.