Not Just Our Story

Chapter 13: More Reasons to Hate Lockhart

November 1992

Draco Malfoy

"All right there, Scarhead?" I called out to Potter.

It was Gryffindor vs. Slytherin again and this time, I'll win this match for my team.

At least that's what I thought when a heavy black Bludger pelted towards Potter. She narrowly missed it as it swept past her hair.

"Close one, Harry!" one of the Weasley twins shouted as he hit the Bludger to Pucey. However, the Bludger changed direction and shot straight for Potter again. She dropped quickly to avoid it and the other twin whacked it hard toward me. I had barely swerved when it rebounded to Potter. She zoomed toward the other end of the pitch as it trailed after her.

Now, that's odd. It appears I wasn't the only one magnetically attracted to her.

One of the twins met her at the other end and swung at the Bludger with all his might. "Gotcha!"

The Bludger wouldn't quit. It was determined to follow her, and it did.

It started to rain.

"Slytherin lead, sixty points to zero."

"Someone's---tampered---with---this---Bludger---"

"We need time out."

And soon, Madam Hooch's whistle rang out. The Slytherins jeered at the Gryffindor team. Worry started creeping on me again. I hastily brushed that feeling away.

After time out, Potter kicked off the ground and did a couple of aerial stunts to dodge the Bludger. Despite the ringing laughter from the crowd, the Bludger couldn't change direction as quickly as she could, and she managed to avoid it again and again. I foolishly hovered as I watched her do a complicated spiral in midair. I quickly realized my mouth was hanging open, and hastily thought of something mean to say.

"Training for the ballet, Potter?" I laughed.

She glared at me then stopped. WHAM!

"Harry!"

I clamped my mouth shut. Luckily, no one heard me through the rain.

She had stayed still a second too long and the Bludger smashed into her elbow. She nearly slid off her broom, but she held on to it with her uninjured arm. She swerved as the Bludger returned. She suddenly dove toward me and I veered out of her way. She took her remaining hand off her broom and made a wild snatch.

There was a yell from the crowd when she plummeted to the ground. With a splattering thud, she hit the mud and rolled off her broom. I realized now that she caught the Snitch, and I was too distracted to see it.

And at that moment, I was too distracted by her injury. I zoomed to the ground and landed at a considerable distance from her. I squinted through the rain and saw the twins wrestle the Bludger into a box. Lockhart bended over Harry... I mean, Potter. "Not to worry, Harriet. I'm about to fix your arm."

"Can't I just go to the hospital wing?" Potter asked through clenched teeth. She was putting up a good fight with the pain. "Not to offend you or anything, professor, but you're not exactly a licensed doctor."

"It's just a simple charm, Harriet---"

"She should really, Professor," the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain said. "Great capture, Harry, really spectacular, your best yet, I'd say---"

"Stand back," Lockhart said as he rolled his sleeves.

Potter weakly stammered. "No, please don't---"