by Jilly H and Renee
 
 

Chapter 3
Second Year - Part 3
 

“Miss Granger, a moment please,” Professor Lockhart said, walking up to Hermione.

“Yes Professor?” Hermione asked, smoothing her hair back from her face.

“I decided that it is best if we have a practice this afternoon after all,” Lockhart said. “To work
on the routines for the upcoming game.”

“We are going to cheer at the Quidditch match?” Hermione asked, hugging her books closer to
her chest.

“That is why we have our team Miss Granger, to support our school sport,” Lockhart said.

Hermione flushed slightly with embarrassment. “Of course Professor,” she said. “Um, was that
all?”

“Yes it was,” Lockhart said. “Please be sure to inform your partner of practice. I’m sure Mister
Goyle wouldn’t want to miss this.” Hermione suppressed the snicker that wanted to rise out of her
throat. She highly doubted that Goyle would willingly participate. Though why he hadn’t just quit
after the first practice was beyond her.

“I’ll be sure to let him know, Professor,” Hermione said. She watched the man walk away then
turned around. She sought out Goyle and saw him sitting at the Slytherin table. She sighed and
headed over, adjusting the bag on her shoulder.

Draco glanced towards her as she stepped up behind Goyle, tapping his shoulder. “We have
practice this afternoon,” Hermione said quickly.

Goyle looked over his shoulder then nodded. “All right,” he said.

Pansy Parkinson sneered a bit. “Taking orders from a mudblood now, hmm?” she questioned.

Hermione blushed and lowered her head. She turned on her heel. Usually Pansy’s remarks didn’t
bother her, but she was becoming close friends with Draco, but he couldn’t defend her, and she
was growing to like Goyle as a friend through cheerleading, but he too couldn’t say anything. It
was some Slytherin code. She was almost sure of that. “Put a sock in it, Parkinson,” Autumn said
haughtily. She despised Pansy.

“Stuff it, Autumn,” Pansy growled.

“That is my sister,” Draco growled, his eyes not leaving his plate.

“Well, Gregory?” Pansy said looking at Goyle.

“You know, she might be a Gryffindor, but she’s not that bad,” Goyle said.

“I don’t understand how she can be a cheerleader, what with the cow that she is,” Pansy chortled.

“Don’t judge her by her robes,” Goyle said. “I almost threw her too hard because I did that. She’s
really very light, and a good cheerleader.”

“Is she your girlfriend now?” Pansy poked at him.

“You know--,” Autumn started.

Goyle looked Pansy straight in the eye. “You are a bitch,” he said. “Hermione maybe someone a
lot of us dislike, but until you know her completely, or deal with her, don’t judge her.” He got up
and grabbed his books and looked at Crabbe and Draco. “Meet you both in class,” he growled.

Autumn looked almost triumphantly at her. “Oh shut up,” Pansy said, glaring at her.

Draco finally turned to her. “Keep your mouth shut,” he said. “If you say that to my sister again,
I will hex you. Next time Pansy, it might do you well to try and not stick your foot in your mouth
as soon as you open it.” He stood and gathered his things before heading out of the Great Hall.
 

~~

Maria worked on her homework for Arithmancy as she waited for Oliver to show up for their
first tutoring session. She had books for the subjects that she knew he needed help with. She’d
already talked to Professor McGonagall to find out what areas Oliver needed help with most
urgently so they could concentrate on those. She figured they could work on less troublesome
material later.

Oliver walked in and looked around the library he sighed when he saw Maria surrounded by
books. Her dark hair was braided and hung over either shoulder, her wire-rimmed glasses sliding
down her nose. He walked over and cleared his throat. “Um, hi Maria.”

Maria looked up and pushed her glasses up onto her nose more securely. “Oliver, sit down. I
talked to Professor McGonagall so I could see what you needed help with most urgently.”

Oliver nodded, sitting across from her and pushing some of the books aside. “Um, so where will
we start?”

“I think Arithmancy. I’ve got our homework just about figured out, so you can work on yours,
and I’ll answer any questions you have and then look over your answers and help you correct
any that are wrong.”

Oliver nodded, “Um okay. Then, can I ask some questions about it first.”

Maria nodded and got up. She moved to sit next to him. “Makes it easier to see what you’re
doing or explain something to you.”

Oliver swallowed. He didn’t know why it made him so nervous for her to sit so close, but he felt
his whole body tense. He could smell the light perfume she wore, it reminded him of lilacs and rose.
He smiled and watched her.

Maria looked at him, “So, what’s your first question Oliver?”

Oliver opened his book, and the two of them settled into their study session, determined to
make the most of their two hours.
 

~~

Maria watched the game, never taking her eyes from the Gryffindor Quidditch hoops. She had
never really liked Quidditch; flying wasn’t really her strong suit. Still, she’d never missed a Gryffindor
match. Not when it meant seeing Oliver Wood fly and do what he did best. She felt her heart flutter
as she pictured his grin in her head. She found herself smiling to herself, but quickly removed it
before anyone else noticed.
 

~~

Alissa stretched, as she got ready for their first public appearance at Hogwarts. She smiled as
she looked over the squad getting ready to go on the field and cheer. They were a good squad,
especially for being new. Those that had stayed had hidden talents that had revealed themselves
and even though they were all from different houses, they’d pulled together as a team, putting
their differences aside.

She looked at her sister and smiled, “Ready?”

“Definitely. Let’s show those boys what we’re made of.”

Alissa nodded and whistled, gathering the team together. She smiled and watched as they all
gathered and she smiled. “Alright everyone, it’s our first public appearance. Let’s make an
impression.”

They all ran out onto the field and to the area where Dumbledore had decided they’d be safest.
They started to get into position. Alissa watched, as Hermione and Goyle got ready to do a stunt.
Morgana and Ron were already in a shoulder sit. She smiled and let her partner lift her into a
standing stunt watching everyone.
 

~~

Draco had noticed the cheerleaders from where he was standing with the rest of the Quidditch
team. They had begun doing some of their stunts before the fliers took off. He watched the stunt
that Hermione and Goyle did and was utterly shocked. He didn’t honestly think that Goyle had
been interested in the sport, let alone enough to take care with Hermione. And her skill in itself
had astounded him as well. Though he had to admit he didn’t understand why the image of
Hermione in Goyle’s arms was bothering him when Goyle caught her. They were just friends.
Right?
 

~~

The cheering was going well. So far, they’d attracted a few stares and some applause. She
smiled and whistled calling out for one of their bigger formations. She watched Hermione and
Goyle get into position in the back for the basket toss. She started to give the signal for the
start of the cheer when she felt water hit her. She looked up and growled as rain started to
pelt down on them. She muttered a curse and whistled and then hollered for them all to take
cover.
 

~~

Autumn watched the game in the Slytherin’s tower, her hands knotted in worry. She watched
as Harry flew, surrounded by Fred and George. One bludger seemed almost determined to knock
Harry off his broom. She held her breath at a near miss to Harry’s head. She clutched the rail in
front of her watching, her hands tight. How could they let the game go on? She didn’t hear the
words her brother was yelling at Harry.
 

~~

“All right there, Scarhead?” Draco yelled , shooting underneath him.

Harry had no time to reply. The Rogue bludger came pelting towards him; he avoided it so
narrowly that he felt it ruffle his hair as it went by.

“Close one, Harry!” George said, streaking past him, his club in his hand, ready to knock the
Bludger back towards the Slytherins. Harry watched as George hit the Bludger powerfully,
sending it towards Adrian Pucey, but it made a sharp turn in midair and shot straight towards
Harry. Harry dropped quickly and George hit it towards Draco, but it once again swung
around towards him.

Harry suddenly put on a burst of speed and zoomed toward the other end of the pitch. He
could hear the Bludger whistling along after him. Fred Weasley was waiting for the Bludger
at the other end. Harry ducked as Fred swung at the Bludger with all his might. It was knocked
off course for now. “Gotcha!” Fred yelled happily. And too soon. Harry was already zooming
past at full speed to avoid the damn thing. It had started to rain harder.

“Someone’s tampered with this Bludger,” Fred grunted.

“We need a time out,” George said, signaling to Oliver.
 

~~

Ron climbed the steps to Gryffindor with Hermione. He followed her into the stands and sat
down by Dean and Seamus. They looked at him, “What happened to cheering?”

“It’s raining you prats. Can’t do our stunts in the rain, too dangerous.”

Seamus looked at Dean and shrugged, “Oh.”

Ron looked, “What’s going on? Can’t see the game as well from the ground.”

“Not much. Slytherin’s in the lead. Harry really needs to get the snitch, but there’s a bludger
that keeps going for him.” Dean told Ron.

Hermione watched, “Look, they’ve called a time out.”
 

~~

“What’s going on?” Oliver asked as the Gryffindor team huddled together. We’re being flattened.
Fred, George, where were you when that Bludger stopped Angelina scoring?”

“We were twenty feet above her, stopping the other damned Bludger from killing Harry,” George
said angrily. “Someone’s fixed it. It won’t leave Harry alone.”

“But they’ve been locked on Madam Hooch’s office since our last practice,” Wood said.

Madam Hooch was walking toward them at that moment. “Listen,” Harry said. “I can’t get the
snitch with you two flying around me. Just let it be and let me deal with it.”

“Don’t be thick,” Fred said. “That this is out to take your head off.”

“Oliver this is insane,” Alicia Spinnet said. “You can’t let Harry-- .”

“If we stop now, we have to forgeit the game!” Harry said. “And we’re not losing to Slytherin
because of a crazy Bludger. Especially not when that daft and inept Malfoy is their Seeker!”

“This is all your fault!” George said to Oliver angrily. “Get the snitch or die trying? What kind
of advice is that to give him?”

“Ready to resume play?” Madam Hooch asked, joining them.

“All right,” Oliver said, noticing Harry’s determined look. “Fred, George, you heard Harry—leave
him alone and let him deal with the Bludger on his own.” The team rose into the air again and resumed
the game.
 

~~

Autumn watched the snitch as it suddenly appeared by Draco’s head. She wanted to call out to her
brother, but in this weather, and with the screams around them he’d have never have heard her. She
gave a sharp cry as the bludger that had been chasing Harry finally caught him, hitting him in the arm
and nearly knocking him off the broom. She leaned forward.

Morgana caught Autumn’s cloak, and held her to the platform securely. She watched the game and
looked as Harry suddenly headed straight for Malfoy’s head. She wondered what Malfoy had said
to provoke him until; Harry reached his hand out to close around something. The snitch, she thought,
he’s got the snitch.

Autumn screamed as Harry headed straight for the ground and then crashed, rolling off the broom.
 

~~

Hermione and Ron were both on their feet as Harry fell. They glanced at each other than ran for the
stairs and down them to head out onto the field. They saw Professor Lockhart kneeling beside Harry
and all of a sudden, his arm was flopping around aimlessly at his side. Hermione frowned. The two
of them walked over to Harry and helped him up. They noticed the horrified expression on his face
as he looked down at his arm. They led him to the hospital wing to get it mended.
 

~~

Fred and George walked into the common room, ready for the party. They felt much better after a
hot shower. They grinned as they saw the girls, sitting in a corner window, talking about something.
“So girls, what happened to your cheering?”

Alissa looked up at him, “It was raining. We had to stop.”

“We still played in the rain.” George looked at her.

Marissa rolled her eyes, “Can’t do stunts in the rain, too slippery, too much risk of danger.”

“Brooms get slippery in the rain too.”

Alissa looked, “Rules are rules. If conditions are dangerous, we don’t cheer.”

George looked, but didn’t say anything as Fred nudged him in the ribs. “You want to come down
to the kitchens with us. Sneak some food for the party?”

Alissa looked at Marissa, “Alright.”
 

~~

Maria had returned back to the common room before everyone else. She was happy they’d won,
but she had a lot of work to finish up. Helping Oliver, took an hour from her study time and she need
to grab all the extra time she could. She didn’t mind though, not when it meant spending an hour with
him. She’d had a crush on him since they’d started at Hogwarts. She could still remember the first
time she’d run into him. It had been on the Hogwarts train. She had just gotten on the train and was
trying to find an empty compartment when he’d come out of a side door and run right into her. She
remembered how he had picked up her bag that she’d dropped and handed it to him, giving her that
smile he was famous for. She’d felt her cheeks color red as she stammered a quiet thank you. He’d
just said your welcome and moved on with his new friends. Ever since then she’d not been able to
stop the fluttering of her heart whenever he was near.

Oliver went up to the common room to change before the celebration. They’d won, and Fred and
George had gone to commandeer some food for the celebration. No one knew how they did it, but
they were good at it. He walked in and stopped, seeing Maria in the corner of the room sitting in a
bay room studying. He walked over, “Did you even go to the game?”

Maria looked up at him, “Of course I did. I’ve never missed a Gryffindor game.”

“Why are you studying then?”

Maria looked, “Because I have work to do Oliver.”

“Its Saturday Maria. You can take one day off.”

“You don’t understand. Have fun tonight. You all deserve it. It was a good game.” Maria stood up
and moved to go upstairs.

Oliver caught her arm. “Stay. This one time Maria and have fun. Let down your hair a little.”

Maria looked at him. Oliver Wood was asking her to stay at a party. No one had ever asked her
to stay before. She didn’t know what to do.

Oliver watched her and smiled, “Come on. It’ll be fun. You’ll see. You’ve got all day tomorrow to
study. I’ll even work with you for an hour.”

Maria looked and nodded then looked up at him, “Okay. I’ll stay.”

Oliver grinned, “Cool. I need to go change. It probably won’t start for another 20 minutes or so,
so you can still study some if you want.”

Maria nodded, “Kay.” She watched as Oliver winked and then headed for his room. Her heart
pounding and her arm tingling in the spot where he’d held her.
 

~~

Autumn looked around the hospital wing and moved quietly towards Harry’s bed. “Harry?”

Harry groaned as he heard a voice nearby. At first he thought it might be Dobby coming back to
pester him to leave again. Still the voice was softer than Dobby’s sharp pitch. He slowly opened
his eyes, almost hesitantly. He looked, “What are you doing here?”

Autumn blushed, “I wanted to see if you were okay. That was quite a game.”

Harry looked, “I’d be better if Lockhart hadn’t interfered.”

Autumn giggled a little, “I think Dumbledore was ready to have his head for that one, Madame
Pomfrey too. Does it hurt?”

Harry looked, “Yeah, not real bad though.”

Autumn smiled, “Well I just wanted to say good job. See you tomorrow then.” Autumn turned
around to leave.

“Autumn.” Harry stopped her.

Autumn turned around.

“Why?”

“Why what Harry?”

“Why the concern? I beat your brother.”

“You humiliated my brother.”

“Well okay, that too. So why are you so nice to me?”

“I don’t have a reason to be mean to you. You’re just a person Harry. You’ve never been mean
to me and I’m your enemy’s sister.”

Harry looked and then watched her. “Well, um..”

“Good night Harry.”

“Yeah. Good night.” Harry watched Autumn turn and leave. He couldn’t believe how confused
she made him feel sometimes. He knew she was technically the enemy, but he couldn’t help but
like her.
 
 
 

Back to Chapter 2
Chapter 4