Catching Water (Discontinued, rewrite in progress)

Nicholas Flamel

Harry’s POV

I look between Bethany and Selene, confused.

“Got what?” I ask.

They share a glance, then burst out laughing.

“Nothing of your concern!” Bethany says. “Just keep asking questions, don’t be afraid.”

Unfortunately, I never get to ask another question, because Neville bunny hops into the common room, under what we suspect is the leg-locker jinx. Everyone starts laughing except for Hermione, who springs up and performs the counter curse.

“Malfoy.” He explains, muttering under his breath.

Bethany looks outraged. “You have to stand up to him Neville! If you don’t he’s just going to start tossing you around!”

“Um...” Neville looks a bit nervous after being addressed by Bethany, normally only the boys in our dorm did. “You guys are the only ones I know that seem to be able to talk to him.”

Bethany starts muttering hurriedly in ancient greek, a habit that I’ve noticed is common. I suddenly am inspired by one of Bethany’s stories, the one where she gave her brother Bertie Botts every flavor beans to lighten the mood. I wasn’t going to prank anyone, but it would work well. I pull out the last chocolate frog that Hermione gave me and hand it to Neville.

“You’re worth twelve of Malfoy.” I tell him. “The sorting hat put you in Gryffindor, and where is Malfoy? In stinking Slytherin.”

Neville gives me a weak smile. “Thanks Harry.” He says. “Here, would you like the card? You collect them, don’t you?”

I thank him. “Dumbledore again.” I say. “He was the first one I ever—“

I suddenly gasp. I explain to Hermione, Ron, Bethany, and Selene of what I just found.

Emily's POV

I suspected that Bethany and Selene were up to something for days. when I found out during the first full moon of the term, the fact that they had done it was terrifying/amazing/honoring. 

They had been acting really weird. Selene seened to be trying to figure out a spell, which should have been normal, except it made her really frustraited. Bethany, surprisingly, had spent weeks pouring over books, struggling to make sense of them. when I asked Selene if she'd figured out a spell to help her, she said "Oh merlin! I've been so into trying to get this spell right I forgot I was going to try and find one that translates English to Ancient Greek."

This was not normal for Selene. She always made a list of spells that she made a goal to accomplish. 

"To master the wand, I have to master it's language." she'd told me when I asked how spell engineering had anything to do with wandlore. "Did you know that one of Mr. Ollivander's ancestors invented at least half of the spells in our first year course books?"

This behavior had gone on for weeks, and it was creeping me out so much that I didn't go back to the Gryffindor's common room, instead finding refuge in the Ravenclaw Dorm, reading the book 'What to do when Your Friends are Creeping you Out."

I, apparently, missed the revealation that Snape would be refereeing the next Quidditch matech. Not only that, but Bethany and Selene seemed almost normal again. In fact, they both had gone back to being their usual selves. Or, so I thought. 

The Gryffindor-Hufflepuff match was arriving quickly. I could tell that all of us were worried that Snape would attempt to kill Harry again. But, when the actual match came, I very much doubted it. 

"Look!" Ron said. "Even Dumbledore has come to watch.

He was right. When we glanced towards the teacher stand, we caught a glimse of dumbledore's silvery beard. I think all of us were so relieved you would of thought that someone had come back to life.

The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams made their way out onto the pitch, and we spotted Snape on the referee broom.

"If he tries anything," Bethany threatened. "I'll make another water bottle explode."

"Another?" Hermione questions. Bethany blushes.

"Never mind." She mutters. "But he best hope that the water in the black lake stays put."

We all laugh as we watch Harry rise into the air.

“I’ve never seen Snape look so mean!” Ron says. “Look—ouch!”

“Sorry Weasley, didn’t see you there.” Malfoys snide voice drifts into our ears. Hermione ignores him completely, not taking her eyes off Harry. I turn around, finding Malfoy grinning broadly, Crabbe and Goyle flanking his sides.

“Wonder how long Potter’s going to stay on his broom this time?” He smirks. “Anyone want to bet? How about you Weasley?”

Ron didn’t answer. Hermione and Selene had their fingers crossed, their eyes fixed on Harry who was circling the game like a hawk.

“You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?” Malfoy asks as Snape awards Hufflepuff another penalty for no reason at all. “It’s the people they feel sorry for. See, there’s Potter, who’s got no Parents, then there’s the Weasleys, who’ve got no money. All they need to add is Rose, who probably will spend her summers at an orphanage, and Longbottom, who’s got no brains.

Bethany had him pinned to the ground in a second. Crabbe and Goyle flexed their arms threateningly, but she just raised her eyebrows at them. “Just so you know, you two look like big giant dumb bears.”

They didn’t seem to like her analogy, but they eyed Malfoy, who had been pinned to the ground by her foot. It didn’t stop him from being smug.

“I’m worth twelve of you, Malfoy.” Neville stutters.

Ron, not daring to take his eyes off the game says “You tell him, Neville.”

“Longbottom, if brains were gold, you’d be poorer than Weasley, and that’s saying something.”

“I’m warning you Malfoy, one more word...” Ron threatened. Malfoy didn’t seem to realize he was still pinned to the ground under Bethany’s foot.

“Ron!” Hermione suddenly said. “Harry!”

“Where?”

“You’re in luck Weasley, Potter’s obviously spotted some money on the ground.”

I glue my eyes to the game as the sounds of a fight commence.

“Come on Harry!” Hermione screams.

Snape turned just in time to see Harry’s scarlet figure streak past him, scaring him out of his wits. Harry raises into the air, holding his arm up in triumph.

I smile.