Everything Changes.
Chapter 1: A New Teacher. Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters nor anything to do with them, they belong to their respected owners. Any resemblance to existing stories is untended.
Summery: Harry, Hermione, & Ron start their fifth year at Hogwarts & there something strange. Lord Voldemort & his followers haven't made one appearance sence the end of their fourth year. Plus the unexpected return of a popular teacher & (the real) Moody could be out of retirement in the near future, could this mean something? I would also like to add that I'm not by any aspect J. K. Rowling. Nor will I ever be I just scraped up what talent I had & mixed it with my ideas & I got these stories.
They entered through the vast wooden doors as they had done for the last five years, Harry never grew tired of the bewitched ceiling of the great hall, with its many stars & countless candles suspended in the air, they took their seats to wait for the first years to enter. "It feels strange not to have Hermione sitting with us." Said Harry, glancing over to where she now sat at the head of the table with the other prefects, Ron nodded. Just then there was a low rumbling & the doors of the great hall slowly swung open once again to reveal the wave of first year students who were being lead by Professor McGonagall, whose now graying hair (which Harry suspected was partly caused by him) was as usual, pulled into a tight bun. A wave of pity came over Harry as he saw their terrified faces he remembered how he had felt. They watched each student scamper off to which ever house the old battered hat shouted out, before they knew it the Sorting Ceremony was over. 'That was quick.' Ron mouthed. There had been a trend of dwindling first years ever sense their fourth year. The talking & laughing stopped as Dumbledore stood up. "I have a few announcements to make before the feast begins." He said, it had become so quiet that a pin dropping would've sounded like a cannon going off. "We have a new teacher joining us this year." He said, murmuring started throughout the great hall, Dumbledore waited for quiet before continuing. "I would like you all to welcome Madam Scuie (pronounced 'sky')." A thin young woman that didn't look much older then Harry stood up. She was wearing a strange collage of clothes which consisted of a pale pink shirt with a silver tie under glittering robes, whose color changed to a light blue sheen when the candlelight hit them at a different angle. To top off her unsual outfit, she had on a silver witches' hat with a bright metallic glow which was tilted backward so far that Harry thought it would slip right off her head, the brim was wide & sagging at the front, hiding all but her chin from view. The pointed top sagged a little & hung slightly to the right, the tip had a four leaf clover stuck into it. Stuck in the brim were two long black feathers that had a purple sheen. She must me shy for she didn't look up & she was playing with the hem of her robes. Dumbledore nodded & she quickly sat down, seemingly greatful not to be on the spot any longer. Whispers rippled through the hall. "Where's Madam Hooch?" Harry heard someone whisper at the ravenclaw table. Dumbedore raised a hand; the twinkle in his eyes was unusually dim. "I'm afraid that Madam Hooch retired at the end of last year." He said sadly. Everyone gasped, 'why's?' 'when's?' started echoing around the hall. Once again, Dumbedore raised his hand & everyone quieted. "I'm afraid that I cannot tell you the details, I can tell you that she would be visiting from time to time." He said, everyone clapped & cheered.
"Wonder why she retired?" Ron said as he stared into the common room fire. "I did over hear her telling Professor McGonagall that her flying classes were getting more & more difficult, students not listening & such." Harry said as Hermione walked in & joined them. "It's going to be kind of sad, not seeing her refereeing the house matches anymore." She said. "Yeah I'll never forget when she examined my firebolt, she gushed over it for what seemed like an hour. I thought Wood was going to scream." Ron & Hermoine laughed. "Hey I have an idea, why don't we go & watch the first years learn with her? We don't have anything then & we could see what she's like before quiddich season." Ron suggested. "Okay, we'll see how good she really is." said Harry.
They made their way down to the courtyard, the class was already there, twenty school brooms lay in two neat parallel rows, it was just as they remembered it. "Here she comes." Hermione whispered, Madam Scuie came walking quickly down the rows, not any taller than the students, Harry saw that her right arm didn't swing as freely as her left. "Good day to you class." She called with a strong scottish accent. "Flying is one of the most dangerous things you will to here, any horseplaying will earn you a one way ticket out of my sight. Understand?" She barked as she made her way up the rows looking from face to face, the class nodded wordlessly. Harry looked at Ron "She doesn't seem shy at all now." Ron suddenly slapped himself on the forehead. "How could I be so stupid! That's Rophilla (pronounced roffilla) Scuie, she was the seeker for the Scottish quiddich team!" "Than what's she doing here?" Harry asked, Ron strugged. "Maybe she retired, but she seems a little young." She stopped at the head of the rows & turned on heel. Harry was surprised to find her eyes were a bright purple, her face was narrow & shapely, her skin very dark, & her features were fine. Her sleek florescent yellow hair was long enough to wrap around thin waist. Harry couldn't stop himself from finding her pretty, & from the look on Ron's face neither could he. "Wow, she never looked THAT good in the air!" he exclaimed, Harry laughed.
"Wow she really knows her stuff, she had those first years turning & stopping before the end of their first lesson." Harry said as they made their way to transfiguration, Ron nodded. "She definitely is good. Wonder if she's as good at refereeing matches as she is at flying lessons?" he added, Harry shrugged. "We'll have to find that out." "You're late!" Professor McGonagall barked as they walked in the room. "Sorry Professor, we were watching Madam Scuie teach flying lessons." Harry said quickly, Ron & Hermione nodded. Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows a little, peering at them over her spectacles. "Oh, very well then, just don't be late again!" she said sternly. Wicked, I can't believe we escaped detention." Ron whispered to Harry as they took their seats.
"Wonder where Snape is?" Ron said as they walked out of potions, Harry just shrugged, Snape had been absent ever sense their fourth year & Professor Antole had become their regular defence against the dark arts/ potions teacher. "I can't help wondering what he was asked to do, but I'm not in any hurry to see him back either. Professor Antole's nice & she teaches the class well." Hermione said, as they turned the corner to Professor Flitwick's class Harry knocked into someone. "Oh sorry." Harry said, realizing it was Madam Scuie who almost fell over from the impact. She was very short indeed, bearly coming up to his shoulders. "Harry Potter! I've been hoping I'd run into you, & so I have!" She cried as she shook Harry's hand briskly with both of hers, her bright purple eyes did the fimular flick upward to the scar on his forehead. "Er. these are my friends, Hermione Granger & Ron Weasley." He said awkwardly, she shook their hands robustly as well, it was then that Harry noticed his hurt from her grip, she was suprisingly strong for such a petite person. "Nice flying at the quiddich finals last year!" Ron said. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Unfortunately, I had to retire from quiddich all together after that game." She said, her gaze dropping. "May we ask, why?" Hermione said in a quiet voice, Madam Sciue sighed. "Well no use keeping it from you, I imagine you'll find out eventually. I was chasing after the snitch; I ducked under a chaser & got pummeled by a bludger. I made a wild grab for the snitch & somehow caught it, but I passed out just after the whistle blew & fell 60 feet. They did their best to repair my arm, but it came out like this." She pulled up the sleeve of her robes, her right arm looked as though she was wearing a silver evening glove. Harry tried not to shudder but he couldn't help it. "I can reach with it fine, but I don't have any strengh in it & besides, I cant manuver it as well as I could either." She said. "That's why I don't play quiddich anymore, gotta have full use in both arms & I have a silver replacement." She said. "Couldn't you have learned to catch with your left arm?" asked Ron. "Yes, I can catch with my left, but I don't have enough strength in my right arm to operate my broomstick, its very powerful if you'd like to see it I'll meet you in the courtyard at lunch now common I'll escort you to Flitwick's class so you don't get into trouble because of me." When they reached the door Professor Flitwick beamed. "Ah Madam Scuie so nice to see you again!" he squeaked. "I see you've met our Misters' Potter & Weasley & Miss Granger, one of my top students! Do come in & chat for a bit!" Madam Scuie nodded sidled through the door.
Lunchtime crawled around & they dashed off to the courtyard, Madam Scuie was already they're waiting for them. "Ah, right on time!" she said with a smile as she lead them to her office, to their surprise they stopped at a huge tree they'd never noticed before at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest behind Hagrid's hut with a trunk that looked a mile in circumference, four school brooms lay at its monumental base. "Here you'll need these." She handed each of them a broom. "You mean your office is at the top of that tree!" Hermione cried. "Well not at the very top, I'd say about half way now common better hurry up." She mounted the broom she was holding & kicked off the ground, steering with her left arm, her right hand behind it. Harry assumed it was from habit that she held it there. Harry, Ron & Hermione followed after her. Harry caught up with her first, she smiled at him. "Madam Hooch was right, you can fly well." Before they knew it they had arrived at a deck that resembled a landing platform, she dismounted her broom & walked to a wooden door with two entertwined Chinese Fireballs carved into it, she fumbled around in her robes & pulled out a monastery of keys. She selected a large iron one & pushed open the heavy wooden door. Her office resembled Dumbledore's by arrangement, but instead of a bunch of whirring contraptions; a large assortment of clocks hung on the wall, all set to the same time. But, instead of a phoenix, there was a huge ferocious- looking bird with silver eyes, a sharp yellow hooked beak & black feathers that had a handsome blue sheen to them. He was perched on one of the chairs surrounding a small round table. "Hello there Zeus." She said as the bird landed on her shoulder, careful not to squeeze to tightly with his long, sharp, silver talons. Harry stared in wonderment at how her small frame could handle the weight of the bird that was almost half her size. "What is that. thing?" Ron said, eyeing the bird cautiously as it turned its sharp head swiftly to eye him with an unblinking stare. "Zeus is a dragon hawk." "So that's what a dragon hawk looks like! My brother Charlie mentioned these in an owl he sent to mum & dad." He said. "He's the one that works with the Norwegian Ridgebacks am I right?" Ron nodded; Madam Scuie must have seen the confused looks on Harry & Hermione's faces because she started to explain. "A dragon hawk is the only species of bird that is capable of killing a dragon, they kill off the weak or the old & keep the herd strong, kind of like wolves do in the muggle world. Zeus here came from Hungary, he had a broken wing that never heeled properly so he can't fly very well & he gets tired easily. But we're working on that, he'll never be able to fly well enough to be released back in to the wild, too bad sense he's only a baby." She said, shroking his chest. "You mean he'll get bigger!" Harry cried. "Oh yeah, he'll probably be over six feet tall when he's done growing." She said. "Why did you name him Zeus?" Hermione said. "Because, I like Greek mythology a lot & he just looked the name. He's also very dominant & demanding, when I have an urgent letter to send I'll use him, he'll call & call outside the person's window until they open it to get the letter." She said, "his call kind of sounds like a wolf howl so it gets annoying after a while." She finished, Harry & Ron looked at each other & grinned. "Now were running out of time, I'll show you my broomstick before you go." They followed her, Zeus still perched on her shoulder into her bedroom, the walls were lurid pink & everything including the bedspred was a shade of blinding white. "Oh! I love you're sheets, are they satin?" Hermione said, Madam Sciue nodded as she stopped at the bed's headboard. There, housed in a glass case was the most magnificent broom Harry had ever seen. It was made of a silver colored wood & it was shaped similar to the Nimbus but instead of having 'Nimbus' plated in gold on a square handle, the handle curled into a spiral with the word 'Neptune' was branded into the wood. The tail was made of pale yellow twigs that had a gold sheen to them, the twigs were neatly arranged like the nimbus & they came to a perfect tight curl at the end. "this is the neptune 2200, it's lighter than the nimbus & faster than the firebolt, it's the superior broomstick." She said with a hint understandable pride, they all just stared. "W-where did you find it!" Harry sputtered. "My dad found it in Paris while on vacation in France last year." She looked at her watch. "Oh my! You're late to Divination!" she cried, ushering them to the deck. "Madam Scuie we can afford to miss divination." Ron started but Madam Scuie cut him off. "No sir you may NOT cut out of any class no matter how boring it may be! Now on with you! Lay these at the base of the trunk & I'll get them later." she ordered, shoving the brooms in their hands. To Harry she sounded, & looked fearfully similar to Professor McGonagall. Without question they mounted their brooms & sped down to the ground. When they reached the green grass so far below they quickly leaned the brooms against the massive trunk; they turned to look at the tree as they ran to their class. "Hey what's that?" Harry said, pointing to a yellow blur rocketing toward the tree. "I don't know, but we don't have time to wait around & find out!" Hermione cried.
It was the day of the first quiddich match (Gryffindor VS Ravenclaw) & as usual the whole school turned out. Harry missed the Weasleys' jokes before matches & Jordan's hilarious commentating. They stood in a circle around the tooled box that housed the bludgers, quaffle & snitch, Madam Scuie marched our onto the field clothed in the strangest chothes for a referee Harry had ever seen. They consisted of bright green robes, a matching tie, white cotton pants & a pair of strapped sandals. The most peculiar thing was that she wasn't wearing any leg or arm protection. Her neptune was on the ground next to the box. "Captains shake." She shouted over the crowd noise, Harry & the Ravenclaw captain shook hands. "On my whistle!" cried Madam Scuie, clutching a gold whistle that was sizably smaller than the one Madam Hooch had always carried around. The note from the whistle was so shrill that some people in the audience were covering their ears Harry didn't notice he was now 60 feet in the air looking for the snitch.
Before Harry knew it Gryffindor was 50 points ahead, then he saw it. a minute glitter of gold across the field, hovering about an inch from the grass. He raced toward it & hurtled downward. He stretched his hand out, pulled up & was forced to do kind of a loop/twist to keep the Ravenclaw seeker from cutting him off, he had it! "He's got it!" Ron howled through the megaphone. "He's have the snitch!" The stands erupted in cheers. "Gryffindor wins!!" Madam Scuie screamed as she blew her whistle & raised her right arm as best as she could toward the Gryffindor side of the field. Harry met Ron & Hermione on the ground; Ron shook his hand while Hermione gave him a bone-crushing hug. "Common your acting like I've won the quiddich cup or something!" he choked as she let go of him. "Nice flying Potter!" Harry turned to see Madam Hooch striding toward them, wearing conary yellow robes. "Your father would be really proud, it's no surprise that you're the captain of the team." "How do you." "know? Well Madam Scuie & I are good friends, I went to visit her yesterday shortly after you left." "It was you we saw in the air!" Ron cried. "Yes, Mr. Weasley I recently acquired a Nimbus 2006, great for long flights, Potter I really do hope you win the cup this year, now that I'm not refereeing anymore I can take sides." She said, her hawk-like eyes glittering. She turned swiftly to go, her yellow robes brushing the ground behind when Harry spoke up. "Err. Madam Hooch.?" she turned to face him, her long robes circling around her making her look as though she were standing in a pool of yellow paint. "Would you like to ride my firebolt?" he blurted out, Ron & Hermione's mouths fell open as Madam Hooch walked slowly back up to them saying nothing. Harry smiled. "Here, I read Quiddich through the Ages & it mentioned what quiddich referees have to go through & you mentioned that you've never tried out a firebolt so why not have a go?" he said, walking toward her broom cradled in his outstretched hands. She took the broom wordlessly, slowly mounted it & kicked hard off the ground. "I can't believe you did that." Ron whispered as they watched Madam Hooch zoom from one end of the quddich field to the other. "I think it was very nice of Harry." Hermione said, giving him an approving look. "Madam Hooch is a great flyer, his broom is in good hands." She added, Ron gave a nod still looking at the yellow streak that was now zig zagging all over. After what seemed like an eternity she came back down, sliding to a stop at Harry's right. "Thank you Potter." She said with a smile as she dismounted. "Anytime Madam Hooch, if you ever want to take a ride again you're welcome to." Harry called after her. "Harry, you're so much like your mother." She said over her shoulder. Ron looked at Harry open-mouthed. "She- she called you by your first name! I don't believe it! That means she sees you as an equal!" He exclaimed. "We have to go, were late for transfiguration again! Professor McGonagall will have us this time!" Hermione squealed. "I don't believe it, AGAIN this is going to mean Detention for all of you!" she snapped. "We were talking with Madam Hooch Professor." Said Hermione." "Yeah I let her ride my broom, it's my fault were late." Harry said, Professor McGonagall considered them for a moment. "I see, still I'm going to give you detention, you will report to my desk after class for your assignment." She said, peering over her spectacles at them. "Yes, Professor." They all recited. After class the three drudged up to Professor McGonagall's desk. "You will be helping Madam Scuie service the school Brooms up in her office tonight." Harry, Ron, & Hermione attempted to look disappointed. "Aw Professor! Common!" "DON'T Professor me Mr. Weasley, you will service brooms & that's that! Now off with you, I have work to grade."
"Did you go to Hogwarts, Madam Scuie?" Harry asked as he dipped his rag in more polish. She stopped scrubbing whiped her brow with the back of her hand, her long yellow hair was braided & stuck in the back of her dingy pair of grey sweat pants to keep it from getting in the way. "Yes, I was in Ravenclaw. It was here I met my good friends Madam Hooch, & Professors' McGonagall & Dumbledore. It was them who helped sign me on as the position here, they all have seen my talents on the quiddich field first hand before I was hurt & that were the deciding factor for the committee even if I couldn't do all the tests." She explained, Harry nodded. "Well, they all look very nice! Thank you all for your help, why don't you stay for tea." She waved her wand & a pink tea set appeared with cookies & sugar. "You three start, I have to go change, this outfit's had it." She said, whiping at the front of her shirt that was once white. In a moment she returned, wearing a blue shirt & a pair of white cotton pants. "I saw what you did yesterday after the match." She said, giving him a purple-eyed stare as she sat down across from him. "What do you mean?" Harry asked warily, hoping he didn't do anything wrong. "You let Madam Hooch ride your firebolt, & I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to her, you fulfilled her dream & she's whole now, kind of like what you won the quiddich cup a few years back." She smiled. "Hey I have an idea, I'll be right back." She shot up from her seat as though she'd received an electric shock. She ran to her bedroom, she reemerged caring the neptune. "Here Harry, how about we switch brooms?" They walked out the door. "Just follow me." She said, he watched her take a running start before kicking off. Harry did the same & was a bit worried when the broom dropped a little before leveling out. He couldn't believe it! This broom made his forebolt look like a joke, it shook with power & it swerved to either side at the mere thought of turning, he didn't dare do anything rash only a few loops but mainly focused on the speed. He was going so fast that the wind sounded like airplanes rushing by him, when he had his fill he pulled up along side Madam Scuie. "Wow this is out of this world! It's better than my firebolt!" Harry cried as they made their way to the deck. "Well actually the firebolt & the Neptune are in the same class get the two of them together & you'll see what I'm talking about-as a matter of fact lets race now first one to get to the hoops on the opposite side wins." They took off, they were neck & neck with they finished the race. "See what I mean? Besides it's really the broom that matteres, it's the talent that's riding it." Harry nodded
"Wow I can't believe you got to ride that Neptune!" Ron cried as they sat down to breakfast the next morning. "So, you think getting all buddy-buddy with the new house referee will increase your chances of winning the cup eh Potter?" Said a cold drawling voice. Draco Malfoy, who was flanked by Crabbe, Goyle & half the Slytherin Quiddich team appeared at their table behind Neville, who gulped nervously. "I don't have to make friends with the referee, I can win on pure talent which is more than I can say for you! Your daddy had to buy you a spot on your team." Harry spat, the Gryffindor table roared with laughter, some we're pointing, Malfoy recoiled. "You'll pay for that one Potter." He said, plunging his hand into his robes & pulling out his wand. Before Harry had even touched his, they heard "Expelliarmus!" They were astonished as they watched Malfoy's wand fly into the air & even more surprised at who caught it. Madam Scuie walked quickly toward them, Malfoy's wand clutched in her left hand & hers in her right, her purple eyes had changed to a frightening, blazing shade of voilet. "That was UN called for Mr. Malfoy I should teleport you to the Forbidden Forest for that stunt!" she said bitterly, wand pointed so closely at Malfoy that it was almost touching his forehead. "What's going on here?" a sharp voice called, Professor McGonagall had strided up to join them. "Mr. Malfoy here was about to use the Cruciatus Curse on Mr. Potter, I arrived in time to stop him with a disarming charm." Madam Scuie said, her blazing eyes on Malfoy as she sopke. "Is this true, Malfoy?" Professor McGonagall asked sharply, her nostrils flaring. Malfoy, who was still looking down the end of Madam Scuie's wand chose to say nothing, but he nodded. "50 points will be taken from Slytherin & you will serve a weeks detention for your actions Mr. Malfoy, if you try anything like that again you will surely be expelled. Now, report to your class post haste!" She barked loudly. Malfoy didn't argue, getting detention was better then facing Madam Scuie & her wand. As he passed Madam Scuie she tossed him his wand; he didn't look at her. When he was out of sight Harry, Ron & Hermione bursted into laughter. "That, was bloody Brilliant." Ron said but suddenly stopped, Madam Scuie wasn't joining in with the laughing. "Don't you lot have somewhere to be?" "Yes but." Ron began but she cut him off. "Well than get there! No use hanging around here!" she barked, they nodded & quickly ran through the doors of the Great Hall.
Gryffindors were still talking about Malfoy's run in with Madam Scuie as November faded into December in addition to the approching quiddich match (Gryffindor VS Slytherin). "This is great Harry, first Madam Scuie humilates him in front of all of us now you get to do it again Friday in front of the whole school!" Ron exclaimed as they headed to Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Harry was ecstatic to find that he'd managed to turn his chair into a dog (he was one of the few in the class that achieved it properly), Professor McGonagall looked quite pleased with him. "Well done Potter, you may stop now, you've got it down." She said, her expression as close to a true smile as he'd ever seen. When the bell rang Harry started out of class with Ron & Hermione. "Potter! I need to speak with you!" came Professor McGonagall's sharp voice. Harry looked at Ron & Hermione who just shrugged. "We'll wait for you outside." Hermione whispered, Harry nodded, turned around & walked tentatively toward Professor McGonagall's desk, where she sat grading paperwork. He cleared his throat nervously, she looked at him over her spectacles, there wasn't a smile in sight. "Er. you wanted to see me?" He said, she suddenly pulled open a drawer to her desk making him jump. She put the papers neatly in the drawer & slammed it closed, Harry jumped again slightly & backed away a step or two. She crossed her hands on her desk & looked up at him. "Er. you wanted to see me?" Harry repeated, in a bearly audible whisper. To his surprise she smiled. "I wanted to wish you good luck on Friday, being as I won't see you again." She said her smile not fading, Harry thought her face would crack under the strain of it. "T-that's all?! I thought I was in trouble!" Harry cried. "Why would you ever think that? I never said you're in trouble for a minute!" she said, her smile fading a little. "I-I-." Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows expectantly. "I- don't know, whenever you say my name, I just get this feeling that I've done something wrong." He blurted out, outside her classroom door Ron slapped his forehead. " That stupid git." He muttered "Now he's done it." Professor McGonagall's features softened a bit. "I'm sorry if I make you feel that way but I can't go showing favoritism in class now can I?" she said, Harry looked astonished. "So. you don't hate me?" he said. Professor McGonagall stood up, so that they were now facing each other, Harry was now a good inch or two taller than her but that didn't make her any less intimidating. "Of course I don't hate you Harry, you're Lilly & James' son. I couldn't hate you no matter what you did." She said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Is that why you got so mad at Malfoy, because he was going to hurt me?" Harry asked. "Well I wouldn't like to see any student hurt but yes, I suppose you're right. I would hate to see you hurt most of all, I get ever so nervous when you play quiddich." She said, giving his shoulder a slight squeeze before letting go. "Now you'd better go, you're late for lunch." She said rounding her desk & sitting back down; there was an awkward pause. "Hurry up Harry the food's not going to eat itself!" she barked while at the same time giving him a wink, he smiled & turned to leave.
Okay guys, this match is very important! If we lose this one were out of the running for the cup for sure!" he said "Oh relax Harry we'll do alright, you get ." Said Shawna Jonston. She, along with Katrine Smith Jennifer Holly had taken over the chaser positions. It was time, they marched out onto the field. "Potter, Micheals, shake hands!" said Madam Scuie, Harry held out his hand & nodded while the Slytherin captain seemed reluctant to touch him. "Madam Scuie lets the bludgers & the golden snitch loose." Said Ron through the microphone; he had taken up the job of commentating the matches sense Jee Jordan left. "On my whistle!" Madam Scuie said, holding the quaffle. She blew a shrill note from her golden whistle & 15 brooms rose towards the cloudy sky. "The quaffle is released. & the match begans!" Ron boomed. Harry rose above everyone else looking for a glint of gold, Malfoy tailing him as usual. For a nanosecond he thought he saw it but it was just the refelection of Madam Scuie's whistle. Then Harry heard the flutter of the snitch's little wings to his left, he turned just in time to see it zoom passed his ear its tiny wings brushing his hair. He put on a burst of speed but nothing happened, he turned to see Malfoy holding the tail of his firebolt while reversing with his Nimbus. "Let go of that Broom's tail RIGHT THIS MINUTE! What's wrong what you!" Madam Scuie screamed as she rushed between them. Malfoy gave Harry a dirty look but let go. "Penality shot for Gryffindor, & if I see you do anything like that again I'll throw you out of this match!" Madam Scuie said harshly to Malfoy & sped away. Malfoy muttered something under his breath, shot a hateful look toward Madam Scuie's retreating form & sped off in the other direction. Harry climbed back up above the rest of the players where he had a better chance of seeing the snitch. After what seemed like forever he spotted it again, lurking around the Ravenclaw stands he looked around for Malfoy, no sign of him so he took off. He looked around again; still no Malfoy Harry got suspicious & let the snitch disapear again, he knew Malfoy didn't stand a chance of finding it without him anyway. Just as he turned around Madam Scuie zoomed passed him, in hot pursuit of the Slytherin captain who had tried to knock Jennifer off her broom. All of the sudden Madam Scuie's broom gave a horrifying lurch & stopped in mid-air, Harry could see that there was something wrong. Had the Slytherin captain done something to it? As he got closer he was startled to find that she was crying out in pain. Suddenly he remembered the curses they'd studied in his fourth year 'the crucatus curse.pain.' He looked around at the crowd as well as the players franticly for the curser. Madam Sciue was doing her best to hold on but with only one good arm she wasn't fairing very well, her knee was crooked over her broom, if something wasn't done soon she'd be over the side, he looked around at his teammates but no one else seemed to notice. 'I have to do something!' He thought as he zoomed up to her but every time he got near her broom would jerk away, Harry realized he was doing more harm than good. "Try & hang on, Madam Scuie I'm gonna try to find who's cursing you!" She nodded, her face white & full of pain as he sped off. He stopped above everyone else again & strained hard, his gaze darted past Malfoy but stayed this time. He was acting odd, he had his wand out & was pointing at something, he wasn't blinking. Suddenly Hermione's words from their first year swam into his head, "I know a jinx when I see one, you've got to keep eye contact & Snape wasn't blinking at all." suddenly Harry realized what was happening, he zoomed toward the crowd where Hermione sat with Professor McGonagall. "It's Malfoy, he's using the cruciatus curse Madam Scuie, look!" he pointed, Professor McGonagall & Hermione both gasped. "What'll we do!" Hermione cried. "I'll take care of him!" Harry said as he sped off. "I can't bear to watch this." Professor McGonagall said as she covered her face with her hands, Hermione just stared on in horror. Harry sped closer, turned & hit Malfoy shoulder to shoulder knocking him completly over his broom & sending his wand flying out of his hand & down to the ground below, but the curse had already done its dead. Madam Scuie was dangling off her broom holding on by her good hand unable to swing back on, her fingers were slipping Harry got there just in time to grab her hand just as her broom slipped from her grasp. She was heaver than Harry ecpected, he was slowly sliding head first off his broom. "Let me go, save yourself." She whispered, Harry shook his head. "I couldn't do that, Madam Scuie." His legs were shaking from squeezing to stay on, his right knee crooked over his broom as Madam Scuie's hand started to slip from his grasp. Harry suddenly got an idea. "Oh why didn't I think of this before!" he slowly reached his left hand down. "I'm going to switch hands." He grasp her wrist with his left hand & slowly let go with his right, he gingerly slipped his hand into his robes & pulled out his wand, & looked around for the Neptune. He spotted it drifting toward the Forbidden forrest, he pointed his wand at it. "ACCIO!!!" He bellowed, the broom shot like a bullet torward Harry who put his wand in his mouth & caught it. "Madam Scuie, I'm going to throw your broom underneath you, when I say 'now' let go of my hand & drop on to it. Okay? She slowly nodded, with shaking hands he threw the broom. "Now!" he yelled, Madam Scuie dropped gently onto the safety of her Neptune. 'Thank you Hermione!' he thought to himself as he rose again (the game was still going on through all of this). Suddenly he spotted it, he zoomed after it made a swipe & his hand closed around cold metal. "Gryffindor wins!" Madam Scuie screamed, blasting her whistle. The stands erupted in cheers. "Professor you can look now, its over." Hermione said, Professor McGonagall slowly took her hands away from her face. "He cought the snitch too?!" she exclaimed. "He is good isn't he." Hermione said with a smile.
End of Chapter 1
Chapter 1: A New Teacher. Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters nor anything to do with them, they belong to their respected owners. Any resemblance to existing stories is untended.
Summery: Harry, Hermione, & Ron start their fifth year at Hogwarts & there something strange. Lord Voldemort & his followers haven't made one appearance sence the end of their fourth year. Plus the unexpected return of a popular teacher & (the real) Moody could be out of retirement in the near future, could this mean something? I would also like to add that I'm not by any aspect J. K. Rowling. Nor will I ever be I just scraped up what talent I had & mixed it with my ideas & I got these stories.
They entered through the vast wooden doors as they had done for the last five years, Harry never grew tired of the bewitched ceiling of the great hall, with its many stars & countless candles suspended in the air, they took their seats to wait for the first years to enter. "It feels strange not to have Hermione sitting with us." Said Harry, glancing over to where she now sat at the head of the table with the other prefects, Ron nodded. Just then there was a low rumbling & the doors of the great hall slowly swung open once again to reveal the wave of first year students who were being lead by Professor McGonagall, whose now graying hair (which Harry suspected was partly caused by him) was as usual, pulled into a tight bun. A wave of pity came over Harry as he saw their terrified faces he remembered how he had felt. They watched each student scamper off to which ever house the old battered hat shouted out, before they knew it the Sorting Ceremony was over. 'That was quick.' Ron mouthed. There had been a trend of dwindling first years ever sense their fourth year. The talking & laughing stopped as Dumbledore stood up. "I have a few announcements to make before the feast begins." He said, it had become so quiet that a pin dropping would've sounded like a cannon going off. "We have a new teacher joining us this year." He said, murmuring started throughout the great hall, Dumbledore waited for quiet before continuing. "I would like you all to welcome Madam Scuie (pronounced 'sky')." A thin young woman that didn't look much older then Harry stood up. She was wearing a strange collage of clothes which consisted of a pale pink shirt with a silver tie under glittering robes, whose color changed to a light blue sheen when the candlelight hit them at a different angle. To top off her unsual outfit, she had on a silver witches' hat with a bright metallic glow which was tilted backward so far that Harry thought it would slip right off her head, the brim was wide & sagging at the front, hiding all but her chin from view. The pointed top sagged a little & hung slightly to the right, the tip had a four leaf clover stuck into it. Stuck in the brim were two long black feathers that had a purple sheen. She must me shy for she didn't look up & she was playing with the hem of her robes. Dumbledore nodded & she quickly sat down, seemingly greatful not to be on the spot any longer. Whispers rippled through the hall. "Where's Madam Hooch?" Harry heard someone whisper at the ravenclaw table. Dumbedore raised a hand; the twinkle in his eyes was unusually dim. "I'm afraid that Madam Hooch retired at the end of last year." He said sadly. Everyone gasped, 'why's?' 'when's?' started echoing around the hall. Once again, Dumbedore raised his hand & everyone quieted. "I'm afraid that I cannot tell you the details, I can tell you that she would be visiting from time to time." He said, everyone clapped & cheered.
"Wonder why she retired?" Ron said as he stared into the common room fire. "I did over hear her telling Professor McGonagall that her flying classes were getting more & more difficult, students not listening & such." Harry said as Hermione walked in & joined them. "It's going to be kind of sad, not seeing her refereeing the house matches anymore." She said. "Yeah I'll never forget when she examined my firebolt, she gushed over it for what seemed like an hour. I thought Wood was going to scream." Ron & Hermoine laughed. "Hey I have an idea, why don't we go & watch the first years learn with her? We don't have anything then & we could see what she's like before quiddich season." Ron suggested. "Okay, we'll see how good she really is." said Harry.
They made their way down to the courtyard, the class was already there, twenty school brooms lay in two neat parallel rows, it was just as they remembered it. "Here she comes." Hermione whispered, Madam Scuie came walking quickly down the rows, not any taller than the students, Harry saw that her right arm didn't swing as freely as her left. "Good day to you class." She called with a strong scottish accent. "Flying is one of the most dangerous things you will to here, any horseplaying will earn you a one way ticket out of my sight. Understand?" She barked as she made her way up the rows looking from face to face, the class nodded wordlessly. Harry looked at Ron "She doesn't seem shy at all now." Ron suddenly slapped himself on the forehead. "How could I be so stupid! That's Rophilla (pronounced roffilla) Scuie, she was the seeker for the Scottish quiddich team!" "Than what's she doing here?" Harry asked, Ron strugged. "Maybe she retired, but she seems a little young." She stopped at the head of the rows & turned on heel. Harry was surprised to find her eyes were a bright purple, her face was narrow & shapely, her skin very dark, & her features were fine. Her sleek florescent yellow hair was long enough to wrap around thin waist. Harry couldn't stop himself from finding her pretty, & from the look on Ron's face neither could he. "Wow, she never looked THAT good in the air!" he exclaimed, Harry laughed.
"Wow she really knows her stuff, she had those first years turning & stopping before the end of their first lesson." Harry said as they made their way to transfiguration, Ron nodded. "She definitely is good. Wonder if she's as good at refereeing matches as she is at flying lessons?" he added, Harry shrugged. "We'll have to find that out." "You're late!" Professor McGonagall barked as they walked in the room. "Sorry Professor, we were watching Madam Scuie teach flying lessons." Harry said quickly, Ron & Hermione nodded. Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows a little, peering at them over her spectacles. "Oh, very well then, just don't be late again!" she said sternly. Wicked, I can't believe we escaped detention." Ron whispered to Harry as they took their seats.
"Wonder where Snape is?" Ron said as they walked out of potions, Harry just shrugged, Snape had been absent ever sense their fourth year & Professor Antole had become their regular defence against the dark arts/ potions teacher. "I can't help wondering what he was asked to do, but I'm not in any hurry to see him back either. Professor Antole's nice & she teaches the class well." Hermione said, as they turned the corner to Professor Flitwick's class Harry knocked into someone. "Oh sorry." Harry said, realizing it was Madam Scuie who almost fell over from the impact. She was very short indeed, bearly coming up to his shoulders. "Harry Potter! I've been hoping I'd run into you, & so I have!" She cried as she shook Harry's hand briskly with both of hers, her bright purple eyes did the fimular flick upward to the scar on his forehead. "Er. these are my friends, Hermione Granger & Ron Weasley." He said awkwardly, she shook their hands robustly as well, it was then that Harry noticed his hurt from her grip, she was suprisingly strong for such a petite person. "Nice flying at the quiddich finals last year!" Ron said. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Unfortunately, I had to retire from quiddich all together after that game." She said, her gaze dropping. "May we ask, why?" Hermione said in a quiet voice, Madam Sciue sighed. "Well no use keeping it from you, I imagine you'll find out eventually. I was chasing after the snitch; I ducked under a chaser & got pummeled by a bludger. I made a wild grab for the snitch & somehow caught it, but I passed out just after the whistle blew & fell 60 feet. They did their best to repair my arm, but it came out like this." She pulled up the sleeve of her robes, her right arm looked as though she was wearing a silver evening glove. Harry tried not to shudder but he couldn't help it. "I can reach with it fine, but I don't have any strengh in it & besides, I cant manuver it as well as I could either." She said. "That's why I don't play quiddich anymore, gotta have full use in both arms & I have a silver replacement." She said. "Couldn't you have learned to catch with your left arm?" asked Ron. "Yes, I can catch with my left, but I don't have enough strength in my right arm to operate my broomstick, its very powerful if you'd like to see it I'll meet you in the courtyard at lunch now common I'll escort you to Flitwick's class so you don't get into trouble because of me." When they reached the door Professor Flitwick beamed. "Ah Madam Scuie so nice to see you again!" he squeaked. "I see you've met our Misters' Potter & Weasley & Miss Granger, one of my top students! Do come in & chat for a bit!" Madam Scuie nodded sidled through the door.
Lunchtime crawled around & they dashed off to the courtyard, Madam Scuie was already they're waiting for them. "Ah, right on time!" she said with a smile as she lead them to her office, to their surprise they stopped at a huge tree they'd never noticed before at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest behind Hagrid's hut with a trunk that looked a mile in circumference, four school brooms lay at its monumental base. "Here you'll need these." She handed each of them a broom. "You mean your office is at the top of that tree!" Hermione cried. "Well not at the very top, I'd say about half way now common better hurry up." She mounted the broom she was holding & kicked off the ground, steering with her left arm, her right hand behind it. Harry assumed it was from habit that she held it there. Harry, Ron & Hermione followed after her. Harry caught up with her first, she smiled at him. "Madam Hooch was right, you can fly well." Before they knew it they had arrived at a deck that resembled a landing platform, she dismounted her broom & walked to a wooden door with two entertwined Chinese Fireballs carved into it, she fumbled around in her robes & pulled out a monastery of keys. She selected a large iron one & pushed open the heavy wooden door. Her office resembled Dumbledore's by arrangement, but instead of a bunch of whirring contraptions; a large assortment of clocks hung on the wall, all set to the same time. But, instead of a phoenix, there was a huge ferocious- looking bird with silver eyes, a sharp yellow hooked beak & black feathers that had a handsome blue sheen to them. He was perched on one of the chairs surrounding a small round table. "Hello there Zeus." She said as the bird landed on her shoulder, careful not to squeeze to tightly with his long, sharp, silver talons. Harry stared in wonderment at how her small frame could handle the weight of the bird that was almost half her size. "What is that. thing?" Ron said, eyeing the bird cautiously as it turned its sharp head swiftly to eye him with an unblinking stare. "Zeus is a dragon hawk." "So that's what a dragon hawk looks like! My brother Charlie mentioned these in an owl he sent to mum & dad." He said. "He's the one that works with the Norwegian Ridgebacks am I right?" Ron nodded; Madam Scuie must have seen the confused looks on Harry & Hermione's faces because she started to explain. "A dragon hawk is the only species of bird that is capable of killing a dragon, they kill off the weak or the old & keep the herd strong, kind of like wolves do in the muggle world. Zeus here came from Hungary, he had a broken wing that never heeled properly so he can't fly very well & he gets tired easily. But we're working on that, he'll never be able to fly well enough to be released back in to the wild, too bad sense he's only a baby." She said, shroking his chest. "You mean he'll get bigger!" Harry cried. "Oh yeah, he'll probably be over six feet tall when he's done growing." She said. "Why did you name him Zeus?" Hermione said. "Because, I like Greek mythology a lot & he just looked the name. He's also very dominant & demanding, when I have an urgent letter to send I'll use him, he'll call & call outside the person's window until they open it to get the letter." She said, "his call kind of sounds like a wolf howl so it gets annoying after a while." She finished, Harry & Ron looked at each other & grinned. "Now were running out of time, I'll show you my broomstick before you go." They followed her, Zeus still perched on her shoulder into her bedroom, the walls were lurid pink & everything including the bedspred was a shade of blinding white. "Oh! I love you're sheets, are they satin?" Hermione said, Madam Sciue nodded as she stopped at the bed's headboard. There, housed in a glass case was the most magnificent broom Harry had ever seen. It was made of a silver colored wood & it was shaped similar to the Nimbus but instead of having 'Nimbus' plated in gold on a square handle, the handle curled into a spiral with the word 'Neptune' was branded into the wood. The tail was made of pale yellow twigs that had a gold sheen to them, the twigs were neatly arranged like the nimbus & they came to a perfect tight curl at the end. "this is the neptune 2200, it's lighter than the nimbus & faster than the firebolt, it's the superior broomstick." She said with a hint understandable pride, they all just stared. "W-where did you find it!" Harry sputtered. "My dad found it in Paris while on vacation in France last year." She looked at her watch. "Oh my! You're late to Divination!" she cried, ushering them to the deck. "Madam Scuie we can afford to miss divination." Ron started but Madam Scuie cut him off. "No sir you may NOT cut out of any class no matter how boring it may be! Now on with you! Lay these at the base of the trunk & I'll get them later." she ordered, shoving the brooms in their hands. To Harry she sounded, & looked fearfully similar to Professor McGonagall. Without question they mounted their brooms & sped down to the ground. When they reached the green grass so far below they quickly leaned the brooms against the massive trunk; they turned to look at the tree as they ran to their class. "Hey what's that?" Harry said, pointing to a yellow blur rocketing toward the tree. "I don't know, but we don't have time to wait around & find out!" Hermione cried.
It was the day of the first quiddich match (Gryffindor VS Ravenclaw) & as usual the whole school turned out. Harry missed the Weasleys' jokes before matches & Jordan's hilarious commentating. They stood in a circle around the tooled box that housed the bludgers, quaffle & snitch, Madam Scuie marched our onto the field clothed in the strangest chothes for a referee Harry had ever seen. They consisted of bright green robes, a matching tie, white cotton pants & a pair of strapped sandals. The most peculiar thing was that she wasn't wearing any leg or arm protection. Her neptune was on the ground next to the box. "Captains shake." She shouted over the crowd noise, Harry & the Ravenclaw captain shook hands. "On my whistle!" cried Madam Scuie, clutching a gold whistle that was sizably smaller than the one Madam Hooch had always carried around. The note from the whistle was so shrill that some people in the audience were covering their ears Harry didn't notice he was now 60 feet in the air looking for the snitch.
Before Harry knew it Gryffindor was 50 points ahead, then he saw it. a minute glitter of gold across the field, hovering about an inch from the grass. He raced toward it & hurtled downward. He stretched his hand out, pulled up & was forced to do kind of a loop/twist to keep the Ravenclaw seeker from cutting him off, he had it! "He's got it!" Ron howled through the megaphone. "He's have the snitch!" The stands erupted in cheers. "Gryffindor wins!!" Madam Scuie screamed as she blew her whistle & raised her right arm as best as she could toward the Gryffindor side of the field. Harry met Ron & Hermione on the ground; Ron shook his hand while Hermione gave him a bone-crushing hug. "Common your acting like I've won the quiddich cup or something!" he choked as she let go of him. "Nice flying Potter!" Harry turned to see Madam Hooch striding toward them, wearing conary yellow robes. "Your father would be really proud, it's no surprise that you're the captain of the team." "How do you." "know? Well Madam Scuie & I are good friends, I went to visit her yesterday shortly after you left." "It was you we saw in the air!" Ron cried. "Yes, Mr. Weasley I recently acquired a Nimbus 2006, great for long flights, Potter I really do hope you win the cup this year, now that I'm not refereeing anymore I can take sides." She said, her hawk-like eyes glittering. She turned swiftly to go, her yellow robes brushing the ground behind when Harry spoke up. "Err. Madam Hooch.?" she turned to face him, her long robes circling around her making her look as though she were standing in a pool of yellow paint. "Would you like to ride my firebolt?" he blurted out, Ron & Hermione's mouths fell open as Madam Hooch walked slowly back up to them saying nothing. Harry smiled. "Here, I read Quiddich through the Ages & it mentioned what quiddich referees have to go through & you mentioned that you've never tried out a firebolt so why not have a go?" he said, walking toward her broom cradled in his outstretched hands. She took the broom wordlessly, slowly mounted it & kicked hard off the ground. "I can't believe you did that." Ron whispered as they watched Madam Hooch zoom from one end of the quddich field to the other. "I think it was very nice of Harry." Hermione said, giving him an approving look. "Madam Hooch is a great flyer, his broom is in good hands." She added, Ron gave a nod still looking at the yellow streak that was now zig zagging all over. After what seemed like an eternity she came back down, sliding to a stop at Harry's right. "Thank you Potter." She said with a smile as she dismounted. "Anytime Madam Hooch, if you ever want to take a ride again you're welcome to." Harry called after her. "Harry, you're so much like your mother." She said over her shoulder. Ron looked at Harry open-mouthed. "She- she called you by your first name! I don't believe it! That means she sees you as an equal!" He exclaimed. "We have to go, were late for transfiguration again! Professor McGonagall will have us this time!" Hermione squealed. "I don't believe it, AGAIN this is going to mean Detention for all of you!" she snapped. "We were talking with Madam Hooch Professor." Said Hermione." "Yeah I let her ride my broom, it's my fault were late." Harry said, Professor McGonagall considered them for a moment. "I see, still I'm going to give you detention, you will report to my desk after class for your assignment." She said, peering over her spectacles at them. "Yes, Professor." They all recited. After class the three drudged up to Professor McGonagall's desk. "You will be helping Madam Scuie service the school Brooms up in her office tonight." Harry, Ron, & Hermione attempted to look disappointed. "Aw Professor! Common!" "DON'T Professor me Mr. Weasley, you will service brooms & that's that! Now off with you, I have work to grade."
"Did you go to Hogwarts, Madam Scuie?" Harry asked as he dipped his rag in more polish. She stopped scrubbing whiped her brow with the back of her hand, her long yellow hair was braided & stuck in the back of her dingy pair of grey sweat pants to keep it from getting in the way. "Yes, I was in Ravenclaw. It was here I met my good friends Madam Hooch, & Professors' McGonagall & Dumbledore. It was them who helped sign me on as the position here, they all have seen my talents on the quiddich field first hand before I was hurt & that were the deciding factor for the committee even if I couldn't do all the tests." She explained, Harry nodded. "Well, they all look very nice! Thank you all for your help, why don't you stay for tea." She waved her wand & a pink tea set appeared with cookies & sugar. "You three start, I have to go change, this outfit's had it." She said, whiping at the front of her shirt that was once white. In a moment she returned, wearing a blue shirt & a pair of white cotton pants. "I saw what you did yesterday after the match." She said, giving him a purple-eyed stare as she sat down across from him. "What do you mean?" Harry asked warily, hoping he didn't do anything wrong. "You let Madam Hooch ride your firebolt, & I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to her, you fulfilled her dream & she's whole now, kind of like what you won the quiddich cup a few years back." She smiled. "Hey I have an idea, I'll be right back." She shot up from her seat as though she'd received an electric shock. She ran to her bedroom, she reemerged caring the neptune. "Here Harry, how about we switch brooms?" They walked out the door. "Just follow me." She said, he watched her take a running start before kicking off. Harry did the same & was a bit worried when the broom dropped a little before leveling out. He couldn't believe it! This broom made his forebolt look like a joke, it shook with power & it swerved to either side at the mere thought of turning, he didn't dare do anything rash only a few loops but mainly focused on the speed. He was going so fast that the wind sounded like airplanes rushing by him, when he had his fill he pulled up along side Madam Scuie. "Wow this is out of this world! It's better than my firebolt!" Harry cried as they made their way to the deck. "Well actually the firebolt & the Neptune are in the same class get the two of them together & you'll see what I'm talking about-as a matter of fact lets race now first one to get to the hoops on the opposite side wins." They took off, they were neck & neck with they finished the race. "See what I mean? Besides it's really the broom that matteres, it's the talent that's riding it." Harry nodded
"Wow I can't believe you got to ride that Neptune!" Ron cried as they sat down to breakfast the next morning. "So, you think getting all buddy-buddy with the new house referee will increase your chances of winning the cup eh Potter?" Said a cold drawling voice. Draco Malfoy, who was flanked by Crabbe, Goyle & half the Slytherin Quiddich team appeared at their table behind Neville, who gulped nervously. "I don't have to make friends with the referee, I can win on pure talent which is more than I can say for you! Your daddy had to buy you a spot on your team." Harry spat, the Gryffindor table roared with laughter, some we're pointing, Malfoy recoiled. "You'll pay for that one Potter." He said, plunging his hand into his robes & pulling out his wand. Before Harry had even touched his, they heard "Expelliarmus!" They were astonished as they watched Malfoy's wand fly into the air & even more surprised at who caught it. Madam Scuie walked quickly toward them, Malfoy's wand clutched in her left hand & hers in her right, her purple eyes had changed to a frightening, blazing shade of voilet. "That was UN called for Mr. Malfoy I should teleport you to the Forbidden Forest for that stunt!" she said bitterly, wand pointed so closely at Malfoy that it was almost touching his forehead. "What's going on here?" a sharp voice called, Professor McGonagall had strided up to join them. "Mr. Malfoy here was about to use the Cruciatus Curse on Mr. Potter, I arrived in time to stop him with a disarming charm." Madam Scuie said, her blazing eyes on Malfoy as she sopke. "Is this true, Malfoy?" Professor McGonagall asked sharply, her nostrils flaring. Malfoy, who was still looking down the end of Madam Scuie's wand chose to say nothing, but he nodded. "50 points will be taken from Slytherin & you will serve a weeks detention for your actions Mr. Malfoy, if you try anything like that again you will surely be expelled. Now, report to your class post haste!" She barked loudly. Malfoy didn't argue, getting detention was better then facing Madam Scuie & her wand. As he passed Madam Scuie she tossed him his wand; he didn't look at her. When he was out of sight Harry, Ron & Hermione bursted into laughter. "That, was bloody Brilliant." Ron said but suddenly stopped, Madam Scuie wasn't joining in with the laughing. "Don't you lot have somewhere to be?" "Yes but." Ron began but she cut him off. "Well than get there! No use hanging around here!" she barked, they nodded & quickly ran through the doors of the Great Hall.
Gryffindors were still talking about Malfoy's run in with Madam Scuie as November faded into December in addition to the approching quiddich match (Gryffindor VS Slytherin). "This is great Harry, first Madam Scuie humilates him in front of all of us now you get to do it again Friday in front of the whole school!" Ron exclaimed as they headed to Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. Harry was ecstatic to find that he'd managed to turn his chair into a dog (he was one of the few in the class that achieved it properly), Professor McGonagall looked quite pleased with him. "Well done Potter, you may stop now, you've got it down." She said, her expression as close to a true smile as he'd ever seen. When the bell rang Harry started out of class with Ron & Hermione. "Potter! I need to speak with you!" came Professor McGonagall's sharp voice. Harry looked at Ron & Hermione who just shrugged. "We'll wait for you outside." Hermione whispered, Harry nodded, turned around & walked tentatively toward Professor McGonagall's desk, where she sat grading paperwork. He cleared his throat nervously, she looked at him over her spectacles, there wasn't a smile in sight. "Er. you wanted to see me?" He said, she suddenly pulled open a drawer to her desk making him jump. She put the papers neatly in the drawer & slammed it closed, Harry jumped again slightly & backed away a step or two. She crossed her hands on her desk & looked up at him. "Er. you wanted to see me?" Harry repeated, in a bearly audible whisper. To his surprise she smiled. "I wanted to wish you good luck on Friday, being as I won't see you again." She said her smile not fading, Harry thought her face would crack under the strain of it. "T-that's all?! I thought I was in trouble!" Harry cried. "Why would you ever think that? I never said you're in trouble for a minute!" she said, her smile fading a little. "I-I-." Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows expectantly. "I- don't know, whenever you say my name, I just get this feeling that I've done something wrong." He blurted out, outside her classroom door Ron slapped his forehead. " That stupid git." He muttered "Now he's done it." Professor McGonagall's features softened a bit. "I'm sorry if I make you feel that way but I can't go showing favoritism in class now can I?" she said, Harry looked astonished. "So. you don't hate me?" he said. Professor McGonagall stood up, so that they were now facing each other, Harry was now a good inch or two taller than her but that didn't make her any less intimidating. "Of course I don't hate you Harry, you're Lilly & James' son. I couldn't hate you no matter what you did." She said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Is that why you got so mad at Malfoy, because he was going to hurt me?" Harry asked. "Well I wouldn't like to see any student hurt but yes, I suppose you're right. I would hate to see you hurt most of all, I get ever so nervous when you play quiddich." She said, giving his shoulder a slight squeeze before letting go. "Now you'd better go, you're late for lunch." She said rounding her desk & sitting back down; there was an awkward pause. "Hurry up Harry the food's not going to eat itself!" she barked while at the same time giving him a wink, he smiled & turned to leave.
Okay guys, this match is very important! If we lose this one were out of the running for the cup for sure!" he said "Oh relax Harry we'll do alright, you get ." Said Shawna Jonston. She, along with Katrine Smith Jennifer Holly had taken over the chaser positions. It was time, they marched out onto the field. "Potter, Micheals, shake hands!" said Madam Scuie, Harry held out his hand & nodded while the Slytherin captain seemed reluctant to touch him. "Madam Scuie lets the bludgers & the golden snitch loose." Said Ron through the microphone; he had taken up the job of commentating the matches sense Jee Jordan left. "On my whistle!" Madam Scuie said, holding the quaffle. She blew a shrill note from her golden whistle & 15 brooms rose towards the cloudy sky. "The quaffle is released. & the match begans!" Ron boomed. Harry rose above everyone else looking for a glint of gold, Malfoy tailing him as usual. For a nanosecond he thought he saw it but it was just the refelection of Madam Scuie's whistle. Then Harry heard the flutter of the snitch's little wings to his left, he turned just in time to see it zoom passed his ear its tiny wings brushing his hair. He put on a burst of speed but nothing happened, he turned to see Malfoy holding the tail of his firebolt while reversing with his Nimbus. "Let go of that Broom's tail RIGHT THIS MINUTE! What's wrong what you!" Madam Scuie screamed as she rushed between them. Malfoy gave Harry a dirty look but let go. "Penality shot for Gryffindor, & if I see you do anything like that again I'll throw you out of this match!" Madam Scuie said harshly to Malfoy & sped away. Malfoy muttered something under his breath, shot a hateful look toward Madam Scuie's retreating form & sped off in the other direction. Harry climbed back up above the rest of the players where he had a better chance of seeing the snitch. After what seemed like forever he spotted it again, lurking around the Ravenclaw stands he looked around for Malfoy, no sign of him so he took off. He looked around again; still no Malfoy Harry got suspicious & let the snitch disapear again, he knew Malfoy didn't stand a chance of finding it without him anyway. Just as he turned around Madam Scuie zoomed passed him, in hot pursuit of the Slytherin captain who had tried to knock Jennifer off her broom. All of the sudden Madam Scuie's broom gave a horrifying lurch & stopped in mid-air, Harry could see that there was something wrong. Had the Slytherin captain done something to it? As he got closer he was startled to find that she was crying out in pain. Suddenly he remembered the curses they'd studied in his fourth year 'the crucatus curse.pain.' He looked around at the crowd as well as the players franticly for the curser. Madam Sciue was doing her best to hold on but with only one good arm she wasn't fairing very well, her knee was crooked over her broom, if something wasn't done soon she'd be over the side, he looked around at his teammates but no one else seemed to notice. 'I have to do something!' He thought as he zoomed up to her but every time he got near her broom would jerk away, Harry realized he was doing more harm than good. "Try & hang on, Madam Scuie I'm gonna try to find who's cursing you!" She nodded, her face white & full of pain as he sped off. He stopped above everyone else again & strained hard, his gaze darted past Malfoy but stayed this time. He was acting odd, he had his wand out & was pointing at something, he wasn't blinking. Suddenly Hermione's words from their first year swam into his head, "I know a jinx when I see one, you've got to keep eye contact & Snape wasn't blinking at all." suddenly Harry realized what was happening, he zoomed toward the crowd where Hermione sat with Professor McGonagall. "It's Malfoy, he's using the cruciatus curse Madam Scuie, look!" he pointed, Professor McGonagall & Hermione both gasped. "What'll we do!" Hermione cried. "I'll take care of him!" Harry said as he sped off. "I can't bear to watch this." Professor McGonagall said as she covered her face with her hands, Hermione just stared on in horror. Harry sped closer, turned & hit Malfoy shoulder to shoulder knocking him completly over his broom & sending his wand flying out of his hand & down to the ground below, but the curse had already done its dead. Madam Scuie was dangling off her broom holding on by her good hand unable to swing back on, her fingers were slipping Harry got there just in time to grab her hand just as her broom slipped from her grasp. She was heaver than Harry ecpected, he was slowly sliding head first off his broom. "Let me go, save yourself." She whispered, Harry shook his head. "I couldn't do that, Madam Scuie." His legs were shaking from squeezing to stay on, his right knee crooked over his broom as Madam Scuie's hand started to slip from his grasp. Harry suddenly got an idea. "Oh why didn't I think of this before!" he slowly reached his left hand down. "I'm going to switch hands." He grasp her wrist with his left hand & slowly let go with his right, he gingerly slipped his hand into his robes & pulled out his wand, & looked around for the Neptune. He spotted it drifting toward the Forbidden forrest, he pointed his wand at it. "ACCIO!!!" He bellowed, the broom shot like a bullet torward Harry who put his wand in his mouth & caught it. "Madam Scuie, I'm going to throw your broom underneath you, when I say 'now' let go of my hand & drop on to it. Okay? She slowly nodded, with shaking hands he threw the broom. "Now!" he yelled, Madam Scuie dropped gently onto the safety of her Neptune. 'Thank you Hermione!' he thought to himself as he rose again (the game was still going on through all of this). Suddenly he spotted it, he zoomed after it made a swipe & his hand closed around cold metal. "Gryffindor wins!" Madam Scuie screamed, blasting her whistle. The stands erupted in cheers. "Professor you can look now, its over." Hermione said, Professor McGonagall slowly took her hands away from her face. "He cought the snitch too?!" she exclaimed. "He is good isn't he." Hermione said with a smile.
End of Chapter 1