Eternal Despair (Harry Potter/OC)

𝟝: Quidditch

Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since the boys had saved her from the mountain troll, and she was much nicer for it.

The day before Enzo and Harry's first Quidditch match, the four friends were gathered in the freezing courtyard during break. Hermione had conjured up a bright blue fire, safely contained in a jam jar, and they stood with their backs to it, basking in the warmth.

"This fire is brilliant, Hermione," Ron said, rubbing his hands together.

Harry nodded in agreement, then suddenly stiffened as he noticed someone crossing the yard. "Snape," he whispered urgently. "And he's limping."

They quickly huddled closer together, trying to block the fire from view. They were certain it wouldn't be allowed.

"Keep it hidden, I bet you he'd nick them for himself if he saw," Enzo muttered, glancing at the approaching figure.

Unfortunately, their guilty faces must have caught Snape's attention. He limped over, suspicion etched on his face. Though he hadn't seen the fire, he seemed determined to find a reason to tell them off.

"What are you doing?" Snape demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"Nothing, Professor," Hermione replied quickly, trying to sound casual. "Just... staying warm."

Snape's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer, "Potter, what do you have there?"

"Quidditch Through The Ages."

"Library books are not to be taken outside the schools," Snape said, "Give it to me, five points from Gryffindor." With a final, suspicious glance, he limped away.

The Gryffindor common room was loud and bustling that evening. Enzo, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together by a window, lit by the flickering firelight.

Hermione was checking their Charms homework, her quill moving quickly over their papers. She refused to let them copy her work, despite Enzo's constant pleading. "How will you learn?" she always said. But by having her check their answers, they ended up with the right ones anyway.

Harry felt restless. He wished he had "Quidditch Through the Ages" to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow's match. Why should he be afraid of Snape? He decided to ask Snape for the book back.

"Better you than me," the others said together. Harry thought Snape wouldn't refuse if other teachers were around so he went to get it back.

"Wha- I definitely got that question right!" Enzo snatched his homework from Hermione's grip.

"The answers aren't wrong it's your grammar, by the way it's spelled supposedly, not 'supposebly'." She grabbed the paper back.

"Potato, potato," Enzo muttered.

When Harry came back, Ron immediately asked, "Did you get it? What's the matter?"

Harry leaned in and whispered what he had seen, with Snape's injury. "You know what this means?" he finished, out of breath.

"Snape tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him - he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in to create a distraction!"

Hermione's eyes went wide with shock.

"No- he wouldn't," Hermione insisted firmly. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try to steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," Ron snapped, his frustration evident. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape."