Sacrifices, Harry Potter Year 5

19. The Lion and the Serpent

Lilly's POV
Harry's mood had lightened these past two weeks. DA improved greatly these past few weeks. Neville had successfully disarmed me, Colin Creevey mastered the Impediment Jinx after three meetings, and Parvati Patil was able to do such a good Reductor Curse, she reduced the table carrying all the Sneakoscopes to dust. I remember mentioning to Harry, "Why don't we do a few duels? We can do an example with us and then maybe everyone else can start to try to duel?" He agreed and we did a demonstration. I was able to disarm Harry after a minute, it was quite intense because we just went back and forth with spells.

Hermione and I figured out a way to get information accross to the other houses. We used Galleons and I said, "You see the numerals around the edge of the coins? On a real Galleon that's just a serial number referring to the goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting. The coins will grow hot when the date changes, so if you're carrying them in a pocket, you'll be able to feel them. We take one each, and when Harry or I set the date of the next meeting we will change the number on our shared coin, and because Hermione and I have put a Protean Charm on them, they'll mimic to change his."
Hermione said, "Well, I thought it was a good idea, I mean, if Umbridge asked us to turn our pockets, there's nothing fishy about carrying a Galleon, is there? But, well, if you dont want to use them..."
Terry Boot asked, "Hermione, you can do a Protean Charm?"
She said, "Yes."
He said weakly, "But, that's, that's, N.E.W.T. standard, that is..." Hermione was trying to be modest and then he demanded, "How come you're not in Ravenclaw? With brains like yours?" She said the hat considered putting her in Ravenclaw, but chose Gryffindor instead. Everyone grabbed one and Harry mentioned how this was like how Voldemort communicated with Death Eaters. It was the initial idea, but, it was better than inking someone.

The first match of the Quidditch season was happening soon and Professor McGonagall was so keen on us winning that she lightened up on homework, Snape seemed to turn more deaf, especially when it came to people getting injured. I had to put a shield around myself whenever I walked the halls just to not get hurt, the jinxes just rebound to the person who casted it. Harry was use to the comments he got around the halls. Pansy made a remark saying, "Hey Potty, I heard Warrington's sworn to knock you off your broom on Saturday."
Harry replied, "Warrington's aim's so pathetic I'd be worried if he was aiming for the person next to me!"
Ron was nervous and he was just worried he would screw up.
We went down the next morning and Luna showed us her hat. It was a gigantic lion head and when she tapped it with her wand, it made a gigantic, realistic roar that made everyone jump in the vicinity! It was amazing! We left early and Neville wished me good luck.

We needed it, I was flying around the field constantly, I had to take on the role of partial Keeper as well, Ron wasn't doing his best. We almost lost, but Harry caught the Snitch. Malfoy was provoking George and Harry after the game, I had to hold them both back but I got hit in the stomach and fell backwards. They went to Professor McGonagall, and Professor Umbridge had a new Decree. Harry, Fred and George were banned I caught up with Umbridge and she said, "Very well done today, Miss Black, I'm sorry the results of the next game will be quite dreadful."
I smiled saying, "Oh, it's okay, they got what they deserved, they weren't thinking, as usual. I got elbowed in the stomach because of it! Ugh, why can't they just be civilized! I try to be civilized with Mr. Malfoy!" She nodded and I also said, "By the way, I loved how you handled Professor McGonagall, she was quite unfair to you."
She nodded and said, "I will have order!"
I nodded in agreement and said, "I must be going, nice to see you again, good night Professor Umbridge!"
She said good night and then Angelina found out we have no Beaters or a Seeker. She was furious that Fred was punished because he didn't do anything. He said, "It's not my fault I didn't. I would've pounder the little scumbag to a pulp if all of you hadn't been holding me back."
I said, "So, it's Angelina, Katie, Ron and me left..."
Everyone nodded solemly. I was so angry I threw a book into a wall and it actually dented the wall...
I repaired it and said, "Angelina, tomorrow, we need to find new Beaters and a new Seeker. I suggest Alicia takes my spot as a Chaser and I take over Seeker..."
She said, "No, maybe, I'm going to sleep and maybe this is all a bad dream."
I nodded, Fred, George, Ginny, Neville and soon everyone else went to bed. Only Harry, Hermione, and I were left in the common room. Ron finally came back and he looked freezing because it was snowing. Hermione told Ron everything and then I looked out of the window. I smiled saying, "Well, there is one thing that will cheer all of us up. Hagrid's back..."

Thanks for reading! Vote please! :)
-Lilly :)