Jinx Not-So-Malfoy

Chapter 20

Where on earth did I leave off?

I've been trying to do too much. So, I've decided to update once a week, or more if possible. My upload due date is Sunday, so I'll work on it during the week and if I can upload it earlier, I will.

I hope that makes sense.

Watch the video over there. It brings me to tears every time.

Once term had started, we were back to skimming through books for ten minutes during our breaks. Harry had even less time than the rest of us, because Quidditch practice had started again. Wood was working the team harder than ever. Even the endless rain that had replaced the snow couldn't dampen his spirits. The Weasleys complained that Wood was becoming a fanatic, but I was on Wood's side. If they won their next match, against Hufflepuff, we would overtake Slytherin in the house championship for the first time in seven years.

One day, we were sitting in the common room. (Shocking, right?) I was sitting in my chair by Ron and Hermione, who were playing chess.

"Hermione, that one goes there." I told her.

"Shut up, Jinx. This isn't checkers." She said back.

Harry came in from Quidditch practice then. He looked pretty low.

"Why so low, bro?" I asked. Harry didn't answer. He sat down beside Ron.

"Don't talk to me for a moment, " said Ron. "I need to concen --- "

He noticed Harry's face.

"What's the matter with you? You look terrible." Ron said.

Speaking quietly so that no one else would hear, Harry told the other two about Snape's sudden, sinister desire to be a Quidditch referee.

"Don't play." said Hermione at once.

"Say you're ill." said Ron.

"Pretend to break your leg." Hermione suggested.

"Actually break you leg." I said. "Here, I'll break it for you."

Harry gave me a scared look and shied away from me.

"I can't." said Harry. "There isn't a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor can't play at all."

"I'll play for you." I said immediately.

At that moment, Neville also toppled into the common room. How he had managed to climb through the portrait hole was anyone's guess, because his legs had been stuck together with what I recognized at once as the Leg-Locker Curse. He must have had to bunny hop all the way up to Gryffindor tower. We all fell over laughing except Hermione, who leapt up and performed the countercurse. Neville's legs sprang apart and he got to his feet, trembling.

"What happened?" Hermione asked him, leading him over to sit with Harry and Ron.

"Draco Malfoy." said Neville shakily. "I met him outside the library. He said he'd been looking for someone to practice that on."

"Go to Professor McGonagall!" Hermione urged Neville. "Report him!"

Neville shook his head.

"I don't want more trouble." He mumbled.

"You've got to stand up to him, Neville!" said Ron. "He's used to walking all over people, but that's no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier."

"I can get back at him." I said darkly. "I know all his secrets, his desires, his dearest wish."

"You'd be scary if you had black hair, black eyes, and wore black clothes." Hermione told me randomly.