meant to be (1)

22

As November came, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy grey and the lake like chilled steal. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows, defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch pitch, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit-fur hooves and enormous beaverskin boots.

The Quidditch season had begun. On Saturday, we would be playing our first match after weeks of training: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. If Gryffindor won, we would move up into second place in the House Championship.

Hardly anyone had seen Harry and I play because Wood had decided that, as their secret weapon, Harry and I should be kept, well,  secret. But the news that we were playing Seeker and Chaser had leaked out somehow and I didn't know which was worse. People telling me that I'd be brilliant or people telling me they'd be running around underneath me, holding a matress.

I was really lucky that Hermione was now part of our friend group. I didn't know how I'd get trough all the homework without her, what with all the last minute practice Wood was making us do. She had also lent me "Quidditch Through the Ages" which turned out to be a very interesting read.

Hermione also had become a bit more relaxed about breaking the rules since Harry and Ron had saved us from the mountain troll and she was much nicer for it.

The day before our first Quidditch match we were out in the freezing courtyard during break and Hermione had conjured up a bright blue fire which could be carried around in a jam jar. We were standing with our backs to it, getting warm, when Snape crossed the yard. I noticed that he was limping.

We moved closer together to block the fire from view, as we were sure it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, something caught Snape's eye and he limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell us off anyway.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?" he asked. It was Quidditch Through the Ages. I gave the book to him, after I've finished reading it. He showed him the book.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school" snapped Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

"That's not even a rule!" I said as he took the book out of Harrys hands. "You just made that up!"

"No need to protect your boyfriend" Snape said with a terrible smile and limped away.

"Wonder what's wrong with his leg?" Harry asked when Snape was out of sight.

"Dunno but I hope it's really hurting him." said Ron bitterly.

                                        🤍

The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I sat together next to a window. Hermione was checking Ron and Harry's Charms homework. She would never let them copy, but I knew that they were letting her check it to get the right answers.

I was already kind of nervous because of the match tomorrow and I had to do something to distract me.

"I'm going to ask Snape if I can have the book back." Harry suddenly said, standing up.

"I'm going to come with you." I said. "I need to distract myslef somehow."

"Obviously you chose me." Harry said, winking.

"You know, now that I think about it, it's better if I stay here." I answered, sitting back down in my armchair.

"No, it's okay, you can come with me" Harry said. "I know how much you love spending time with me, Jules."

"Let's go, Potter, before I change my mind" I said, standing back up and going to the potrait.

We were walking to the staff room.

"You know, I think you're really starting to like me." Harry said. "I mean you stuck up for me today"

"I didn't do it for you." I answered. "Snape just made me angry."

"That's another one of your excuses." Harry said. "You know, you loved Snape calling me your boyfriend"

"No, I don't actually." I said.

"One day, Jules, one day" he said as we arrived at the staff room. Harry knocked at the door, but there was no answer. I knocked again. Nothing.

"Open the door" I whispered to him. "Maybe he left the book in there."

Harry pushed the door ajar and a horrible scene met our eyes. Snape and Filch were inside, alone. Snape was holding his robes above his knees. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Snape bandages.

"Blasted thing" Snape was saying. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once."

I tried to shut the door quietly, but.

"POTTER! CLARKE!"

Snape's face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes to quickly hide his leg. I was ready to go but Harry asked: "I just wondered if I could have my book back."

"GET OUT! OUT!"

Harry and I quickly left and went back to the common room. We immediately told Ron and Hermione about what we saw in a low whisper.

"You know what this means" I said as we were finishing telling everything. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! He's after whatever it guards! And I'd bet my broomstick he let the troll in to create diversion."

Hermione's eyes were wide.

"No, he wouldn't" she said. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all the teachers are saints or something" snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry and Julie. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after. What's that dog guarding?"