Megan Potter - A Saga of the Heart - Book 6 - Dark Temptation-

Chapter 34 - Casting doubts

The next morning, breakfast was the usual cheerful affair. Slytherins booed, while the Gryffindors cheered. Megan, who was used to it (and to her own surprise, did enjoy it a little), smiled and waved back. Ron on the other hand was pale and silent.

"Cheer up, Ron," Lavender cooed. "I know you'll be brilliant."

He ignored her. Samara, a few seats further down, tried to meet Ron's gaze, but he never looked her way.

"... How are you two feeling?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Fine." Megan replied, pouring some pumpkin juice into a goblet and holding it out. "Here, Ron. Drink up."

He shrugged and took the goblet she held out to him. Hermione's eyes went wide.

"Don't, Ron!"

He looked at her.

"Don't what? It's just pumpkin juice."

"Megan Jennifer Potter, I cannot believe you just did that!" Hermione said, scandalised.

"I suggested it, so back off," Harry said coolly.

"What are you all going on about?" Ron asked.

"Megan put something in your goblet!" Hermione hissed. "Don't drink it!"

"Stop bossing me around, Hermione." Ron said, and downed the drink before her outraged eyes.

"You could be expelled for that!" Hermione said furiously to Harry and Megan.

"Yes, that's true. I don't know what got into us. Must have been Confunded." Harry replied.

He had noticed the incident too, it seemed. Hermione glared at them. Megan cast her an apologetic look but she didn't see it as she stormed off. She sighed and turned to Harry.

"Harry, really... Maybe this wasn't such a good idea..."

"Trust me," Harry said. "Hermione never understood how serious Quidditch is."

"Yes, but..."

"C'mon, it's nearly time," Ron said blankly as he got up.

They made their way down the frosty grass to the stadium.

"Look how good the weather is," Harry said. "Lucky, isn't it?"

Ron shrugged. Ginny and Demelza had already changed when they arrived.

"Conditions look perfect," Ginny said. "And the Slytherin Chaser, Vaisey? He took a bludger to the head during their last practise sessions and he's too sore to play! And even better, Malfoy's off too!"

"He is?" Megan said.

"Why?" Harry asked at once.

"Dunno, but it's good news for us. They're playing with Harper, and he'd an idiot."

Megan frowned. Malfoy had once before claimed to be unable to play because of an injury and had arranged to have the match rescheduled for the Slytherins' convenience in her third year, making Gryffindor play Ravenclaw instead when they'd been preparing for Slytherin. Why was he doing it now...?

"Weird, isn't it? How Malfoy's not playing?" Harry asked.

"... I don't know... I guess it is..."

"I think it's lucky!" Ron said, suddenly a lot more enthusiastic. "And Vaisey's their best scorer, I wasn't too keen on facing hi-"

Then, his eyes widened.

"You used that potion, didn't you? The Flux Felicus?"

"Felix Felicis," Megan corrected. "Now hurry up, the game kicks off in five minutes."