Harriet Potter 1

Missing in action

At breakfast, Harriet was giddy and struggled to follow Hermione's words.

Harriet's hand drifted unconsciously to trace her lips as she glanced towards the staff table. Snape's usual seat however, lay empty.

"For Merlin's sake Harri! I would have thought you would be worried about Hagrid's inspection at least!"

Suddenly Harriet's focus snapped back to the present. "Of course I am" she replied guiltily.

"Oh come off it" Ron cut in "she's just nervous about Saturday - first match of the season."

"Well, how are you feeling about it?" Hermione asked him.

Angelina had cornered Harriet privately to let her know that while she had selected Ron, she was concerned about Ron's performance anxiety, and Hermione's questions were only going to make Ron's nerves worse.

At that moment Angelina herself strode over and pointed at Harriet, saving Ron from answering. "Best. Behaviour."

Harriet nodded vigorously.

She would just need to keep her mouth shut until Saturday.

It couldn't be that hard could it?

Ron, it seemed, had shared the same thought and had taken to jabbing Harriet in the ribs with a gangly elbow, any time she seemed likely to say something that could result in a detention.

By the end of Defence Against the Dark Arts, Harriet's ribs were sore. There had to be bruises!

Later that day, Ron gave Harriet a firm look as they waited outside the dungeon door for potions.

"Don't."

"You know what, I think I'll be fine this lesson," Harriet replied, fighting down the rising bubble of anticipation in her chest.

When at last the dungeon door opened, it was the face of an unfamiliar substitute that greeted them.

Harriet's heart sank, while beside her, Ron breathed a loud sigh of relief.

Was he unwell or was he just avoiding her?

After all, he certainly seemed well enough last night.

To Angelina's great relief, Snape did not appear for the rest of the week and it seemed that Gryffindor would have its seeker.

To Harriet, the week seemed to be a blur. Some part of her dimly registered that Hagrid's lesson inspection by Umbridge had been dismal.

Harriet, however, barely seemed to notice the buzz that built before the match. Hermione alone seemed to notice Harriet's melancholy as she scanned the great hall for his face.

"Who are you looking for?" She asked bluntly one morning as Harriet toyed with her yoghurt.

"Just, ah, practicing scanning for the snitch" she'd replied.

Judging from Hermione's frown however, she seemed unconvinced.

Would he be there for her match?