The Bravest Snake

CHAPTER 9

Draco had been working tirelessly with Hermione on his map. He finally got to all the stairs and was able to time how long they stayed stationary before they shifted, and was able to add timers on his map. Hermione was a big help in adding them and finding new places. After all, it wasn't really a one person job.

Finally they were able to get them all done and duplicated them for all the first years who wanted one in Gryffindor. He gave a few to Harry to distribute to the Slytherins, but he couldn't help thinking about the other Houses. He really should make friends in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw.

Neville was the most excited about receiving his map. ''Thanks Draco!'' he said with a big smile. ''Now I can finally remember where to go!'' 

Most people were focusing on the Quidditch season, which had just begun. Draco was eager to watch Harry fly in the first match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. ''You don't have to cheer for me,'' Harry said nervously at breakfast. ''You should cheer for your own House. I don't think anyone will be cheering for me anyway. What if I'm terrible?''

''You're not terrible,'' Draco replied and put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. ''Ron, Hermione, and I will be cheering for both Gryffindor and you.'' 

The Gryffindors bundled up in the cold November air with red and gold scarves, but Hermione, Ron, and Draco got green and silver sparklers from the Slytherins. They huddled in the stands together, Hermione closing her eyes and concentrating on her hand. Ron looked at her strangely, but his look turned into amazement when he saw a bright blue fire in the palm of her hand. ''Since when can you do wandless and nonverbal magic?''

''I practiced before I got to Hogwarts,'' Hermione said, then scoffed at the two boys' incredulous looks. ''It's not much, honestly. I can just do this and levitate small items, it's easy if you have the proper books and I bought a lot of books before coming here.''

Ron hung his head. ''I guess reading too much does pay off,'' he said and Hermione and Draco rolled their eyes.

''Hey Hermione!'' Seamus and Dean, two Gryffindor boys, waved Hermione over. ''We made this banner out of a sheet and wondered if you could perform a charm on it, since you're the best in our year.'' Hermione smiled and turned to the banner, which said POTTER FOR PRESIDENT and had a painting of a lion underneath. She moved her wand in a difficult maneuver and made the paint flash different colors.

Hermione made it back to her seat just in time to see the Gryffindors and Slytherins mount their brooms. Madame Hooch blew a sharp note on her silver whistle and the players were off in a blur of red and green. Lee Jordan, the Weasley twins' friend, was doing the commentary. Draco wondered how much bias he had towards Gryffindors, being one himself. He soon learned that Lee had a lot of bias.

The Quaffle was in the air, being passed to Gryffindor's Alicia Spinnet. Then the Slytherins took it, then they were blocked by Gryffindor's Keeper, then it was passed to the Chasers, then they managed to score a goal. ''GRYFFINDORS SCORE!'' Lee screamed out. Hermione, Ron, and Draco cheered along with their classmates and stamped their feet. 

''Budge up there, move along,'' said Hagrid, who had just joined them. Draco sat far away from Hagrid. It wasn't that he didn't like him, it was just that Draco didn't know Hagrid very well and he made him a little nervous. ''No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?''

They all shook their heads, watching Harry scan the sky for the telltale flash of gold. Due to his sudden dive, it was safe to assume he had seen it, and now he was neck in neck with Gryffindor's seeker, Julie Norden.

Everyone collectively held their breath as Harry's fingers brushed the Snitch. He suddenly had to dodge a Bludger that shot dangerously close to his head. Hermione let out a little squeak. Harry's broom instantly lurched, nearly throwing him off. He dangled from it using only one arm.

The broom started trying to buck him off, Harry holding on with all his might. It was like however Harry tried to direct it, it swerved out of his control. ''What is he doing?'' both Ron and Hagrid asked. But this didn't look like something Harry was doing.

Draco desperately scanned the teachers, gasping when he saw Snape muttering nonstop under his breath, his eyes fixed on Harry. He pointed him out to Hermione and Ron. ''Look at Snape, it looks like he's jinxing the broom.''

Hermione looked determined. ''I'll be right back,'' she said, and dashed away. Draco and Ron shrugged and watched Harry desperately try to climb back on his broom. The Gryffindors were scoring left and right, but no one noticed. Everyone was watching Harry, terrified.

Holding a jar of her bluebell flames, Hermione ran back. They saw that Snape was no longer looking straight at Harry, but at his robes. Whatever Hermione had done, it had worked. ''So what did you do?'' Ron asked.

''I set fire to a teacher,'' Hermione answered.

''You WHAT?''

Now Harry was able to clamber back on his broom, and resumed his hunt for the Snitch. Faster and faster he dived on his broom, until he stopped and coughed something into his hand. It was the Snitch. Slytherin had just barely won.

''Go Harry!'' Ron, Hermione, and Draco yelled as they jumped around, waving their sparklers. Everyone looked at them weirdly, but they didn't care as they raced over to Harry on the Quidditch pitch, surrounded by happy Slytherins.

''I knew you would do amazing!'' Draco said as he and Hagrid gave Harry a one armed hug. He, Ron, and Hermione told Harry what had happened with Snape all the way to Hagrid's house. Harry looked both furious and interested.

''I knew he was up to something,'' Harry snarled. ''Did you know I saw him talking to Quirell about that three headed dog? Maybe he's trying to steal whatever it's guarding.''

Hagrid looked incredulous. ''How do you know about Fluffy?''

Draco and Ron burst into laughter. ''Who in their right mind would ever name that beast Fluffy?'' 

''He's mine,'' said Hagrid. ''I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the - ''

''Yes?'' Harry asked eagerly.

''I'm not tellin' you! Don't meddle in things that don' concern yeh, alright? That's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel - ''

''So there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?'' said Harry triumphantly.

Wheels were turning in Draco's head, and he pulled out his map. Guess he was going to visit the portrait near the kitchens sooner than he thought.