Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Fourteen

Allison's Point of View.

It had been five days since Sirius Black had broken into Hogwarts. Ever since Halloween, Hermione and I had practically buried ourselves in schoolwork. 

Whenever we weren't with Harry, Ron, or the Cullens, we were in the library surrounded by parchment, textbooks, and half-empty cups of tea.

The Fat Lady's portrait had been removed to be repaired after Black's attack, leaving Sir Cadogan in charge of guarding Gryffindor Tower instead. Nobody liked it.

He changed the password twice a day, made them impossible to remember, and insisted on loudly challenging anyone who approached the portrait hole. Still, Sir Cadogan was the least of Harry's and my worries.

Ever since Sirius Black had gotten into the castle, the teachers had been hovering around us constantly. 

McGonagall somehow always appeared whenever Harry and I were alone too long, and Percy had started tailing us around the castle like an overprotective watchdog.

Eventually, I'd cornered him and demanded answers. Mum had ordered him to keep an eye on Harry and me. Carlisle and the Cullens, meanwhile, hadn't even tried hiding the fact that they were watching over us.

One afternoon, Harry and I had been summoned to Professor McGonagall's office.

Flashback:

"There's no point hiding it from you both any longer," Professor McGonagall said once Harry and I were seated in front of her desk. "Sirius Black is after," "we know," Harry interrupted quietly.

McGonagall blinked. Harry glanced toward me before continuing. "We overheard Allison's parents talking about it."

"My dad works for the Ministry," I added. "We heard him telling Mum." McGonagall looked momentarily startled before sighing deeply. "In that case," she said carefully, "you must understand why it is dangerous for you both to continue Quidditch practices in the evenings."

My eyes widened instantly. "But Professor, our first match is this weekend!" McGonagall remained firm. "Your safety must come first."

"But this is Oliver's last year," I argued immediately. "He's worked harder than anyone for this team. Gryffindor hasn't won the Cup in years, and he's poured everything into getting us ready."

I could hear the desperation in my own voice. McGonagall looked mildly taken aback by my outburst. "And what exactly would you suggest we do, Miss Weasley?" I leaned forward slightly.

"It's obvious Dumbledore has the teachers and the Cullens watching Harry and me anyway," I pointed out. "So why not just have Madam Hooch supervise practices?"

McGonagall studied me thoughtfully. Finally, she sighed in defeat. "You drive a hard bargain." A grin spread across my face. "Very well. Madam Hooch will oversee Gryffindor practices from now on."

"Yes!" McGonagall's lips twitched slightly. "Now off you go before I regret agreeing."

Flashback Ends:

That same night, Oliver had called an emergency Quidditch meeting. Slytherin had backed out of the match because of the weather conditions, meaning Gryffindor would now be facing Hufflepuff instead.

Since then, Oliver had become even more intense than usual. He walked beside Harry and me between classes, discussing strategies, formations, and possible plays like his life depended on it.

At the moment, however, Hermione and I were sitting in the Great Hall finishing homework before Defence Against the Dark Arts. I glanced down at my watch. "We should go," I told Hermione. "Class starts in ten minutes."