Cindy Potter: Book One (Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 19

"A toast, to Mr. Harry Potter, without whom, I would not be here." - Arthur Weasley

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Two very interesting things this week: Father's expression when I asked him if I could invite Harry, Ron and Luna over for Christmas and the Weasley twins bewitching snowballs to launch themselves at the back of Quirrel's head. It'd become a habit, staring out the window in History of Magic. Everywhere was covered in snow.

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Just last week Harry had gotten food poisoning and apparently the antidote would take a day to brew. So Wood had this brilliant idea that I should be the one to fill in for him. I have no idea how he managed to get Professor Macgonagall to approve. Probably since it was too late to find anyone else and according to him: if one twin is a natural at it, then the other, more or less, must've at least picked up on a little on the talent.

So when we entered the quidditch pitch you could tell everyone was surprised. They'd expected us to forfeit, especially the Slytherins. This made me even more suspicious that they had something to do with Harry's sudden case of "food poisoning". Just my luck-the match was against Slytherin-again. We kicked off the ground and waited for Madam Hooch to release the Quaffle.

After the Quaffle was released, I frantically moved out of the way as the chasers shot at it. Wood had advised me to stay out of the commotion until I spotted the snitch. One advantage I had over Harry was that I didn't wear glasses, so I didn't have to worry about them falling off. The score was now 20-30, and Lee was once again shouting profanities at the Slytherins.

"Move!" I heard as the Slytherin beater hit the bludger towards me. I shot up at the last minute and it shot pass me, knocking a Sytherin chaser of his broom. I stifled a giggle. "Nice one, C!" I heard Angelina yell.

I gave her a thumbs up and returned to searching for the snitch. It was then I spotted it-way down in the Slytherin stands, behind Draco Malfoy's ear. Without hesitation, I shot at it. His eyes widened as I shot at him like a bullet. He immediately dropped down and I grabbed the snitch, shooting up at the last minute, narrowly avoiding crashing into the stands. He got up and glared daggers at me. I grinned widely at Wood as I held up the snitch. His eyes widened. They were so shocked seeing me shoot at the crowd that no one noticed the snitch. Lee finally found his voice. "Cindy Potter has caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins 170-30!" At this he smirked smugly at the Slytherin captain, who glared back at him. We all landed on the ground and cheered.

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Father was very busy so we had decided to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas. This was fine with me as Harry would be staying too. I had managed to avoid Draco Malfoy for one week. He had pretty much forgotten about me until my little stunt at the Quidditch match last week. I had seen him creeping around the corridors a lot lately. It's like he knew my schedule. I had narrowly missed him a few times but I wasn't so lucky today. I was heading down to the Great Hall this morning to say goodbye to Luna before the holidays when I saw Crabbe and Goyle walking towards me. I ducked into the hidden passageway and just my luck-Malfoy was standing there. I groaned audibly.

"What, no hello?" He smirked at me. I didn't answer. "Cat got your tongue? Or did you swallow a snitch too, like your brother?" I backed away from him, not wanting to start anything that Father could hold against me. Before I could run, Malfoy grabbed my collar. I coughed and fell backwards. I stared up at him.

"What d'you want with me?" I whispered.

"I was actually considering leaving you alone, but that stunt you pulled deserves a punishment, doesn't it, boys?" He looked at his cronies. They nodded obediently at him.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to knock you over-" he dragged me up by my arm.

"You really think I'd believe that? I'll bet your brother told you to!" Holding me upright he draws out his wand. I visibly gasp. He seems to procrastinate for a minute, and eventually sticks it back in his robes. "Not worth it." He mutters. He glared at me for a moment and punched me in the face. I cry out in pain and cover my now swollen eye. I look up at him in fear and he returns it with an expression of loathing. "Let this be a warning." He turns and leaves, kicking me on his way.

I stand up after awhile. I'd gladly take this over having to explain to father that I was in a fight any day. Besides, I saw it coming. I walked into the Great Hall with my head down. I spotted Luna by the Christmas trees and made my way over to her. "Merry Christmas!" She looked up at me and smiled.

"Merry Christmas to you too, oh that reminds me, I have something for you!" She exclaimed. Then she frowned. "Did a Nargle hit you in the face?" I giggled and shook my head. "Well you ought to have Madam Pomfrey take a look at that." I shrugged.

"It'll heal."

"D'you want to visit during the holidays?"

"I'd love to, Luna, but I have to stay with father."

"Oh, I understand." I glance down again.

"Uh, Luna, where're your socks?"

"Nargles got to them." She answers dreamily. I frown.

"D'you want to borrow some of my clean ones?"

"No thanks, I'll get some more when I go home."

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We sat in Potions, waiting for father to come in. I sat as far from Malfoy as I could. I kept my head down. Harry had been bugging me about my eye for the past hour. "C'mon Cin-Cin, I know you're not that clumsy, who did it?"

"I told you I tripped, why won't you believe me?"

"Because you-"

"Settle down there." Father entered the dungeons. "Today we will be brewing a boil cure potion. The instructions are on the board. This will show us who has been paying attention and who has not..." His gazed drifted over to us. Neville gulped. "You may begin."

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After awhile I had finally managed to get my potion to turn from pink to green. I was squinting at the instructions at the front due to the fumes blurring my view. Every time I looked up, father would frown at me. I heard the Slytherins whispering. Maybe she got hit in the face by a a bludger." This led on a series of giggles. I ignored this and proceeded with my potion. At the end, I'd finally managed it. We brought up vials for sampling and as usual, Hermione got an Outstanding. I got an Exceeds Expectations. Poor Neville, he got his usual Dreadful and a killer glare from father. As I was about to leave the class, father called me.

"Miss Potter, please stay behind. "I walked up to his desk and waited. When everyone had left he dragged me to his office. He sat me down in the chair across from his and pointed his wand at me. I froze. I heard him muttering something. Suddenly my eye didn't hurt anymore. "Better?" I nodded.

"Thank you." I grinned and hugged him. He looked fairly uncomfortable and pried me off.

"Now go, don't be late for your classes." I looked at him in surprise.

"You're not going to ask me what happened?"

"Draco Malfoy." My eyes widened. "I'm not as clueless as you seem to think." He said coldly. I stood up and turned to leave.

"Can I come see you tonight?"

"I'm busy." I frowned and turned to leave. "Maybe tomorrow night." He called after me. I sent him a grin and left.

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Hi:)
So the next chapter is finally out. This is so much more enjoyable than in-class essay writing.😄it's holiday season, what's everyone celebrating? Are you going anywhere?

Lots of love,
-Lily