The Story of Ruby Evans - The Beginning (A Harry Potter Fan Fiction) (Rewriting)

Chapter 10 - I BELIEEEEVE I CAN FLYYYYY... on a broom >:D

As November began, the weather got very very very cold. The mountains around Hogwarts became icy gray and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost, which made me feel happy 'cause it looked like sugar. We could see Hagrid from the upstairs windows, defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch field, bundled up in a long moleskin overcoat, rabbit fur gloves, and enormous beaverskin boots.

The Quidditch season had begun. YAY!!!!!

On Saturday, we had our first proper match ever: Gryffindor versus Slytherin.

If Gryffindor won, we would move up into second place in the house championship, so we all really wanted to win.

Hardly anyone had seen me or Harry play because Wood had decided that, as the secret weapons, we should be kept, well, secret. But the news that Harry was playing Seeker had leaked out somehow, and Harry wasn't happy about it. People kept coming up to him and either saying he'd be great or that they would be running around on the ground with a mattress to catch him. He looked quite ill whenever someone said either.

We were both very happy to have Hermione as a friend because without her we never would have goot through our homework, what with all the last-minute Quidditch practice Wood was making us do. She had also lent Harry Quidditch Through the Ages, which turned out to be a very interesting read (I stole it from him. Mwahahaha!!!)

Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron had saved us from the mountain troll. I was shocked! :O

The day before our first Quidditch match the four of us were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and Hermione had conjured us up a bright blue fire that 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 at once that Snape was limping. We moved closer together to block the fire from view; we were all sure it wouldn't be allowed.

Unfortunately, we must have looked guilty, or too innocent, as we caught Snape's eye. He limped over. He hadn't seen the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell us (*cough cough* Harry *cough cough*) off anyway.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?"

It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.

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

"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly and I grinned evilly.

The Gryffindor common room was very noisy that evening. Harry, Ron, Hermione and me sat together next to a window. Hermione was checking Harry and Ron's Charms homework for them. She would never let them copy ("How will you learn?"), but by asking her to read it through, they got the right answers anyway. I'd finished mine way  before but couldn't be bothered to help.

Suddenly Harry go up, he told us he was going to ask Snape if he could have Quidditch Through the Ages back.

"Better you than me," Hermione and Ron said together, but Harry said he had an idea that Snape wouldn't refuse if there were other teachers listening.

Harry disappeared off and came back about 10 minutes later, panting.

"Did you get it?" Ron asked as Harry joined us. "What's the matter?"

In a low whisper, Harry told us how he'd seen Filch bandaging Snape's leg and how Snape had said something about watching three heads at once.

"You know what this means?" he finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at 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 make a diversion!"