9 – Revelations

Life for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Heidi changed dramatically after the events with Lucius. For a start, the whole school now knew that Draco was Heidi's elder brother. Harry felt very strange when Draco smiled at him as they passed in the corridors, or when the abusive comments suddenly stopped in potions, flying lessons or any other lessons that Gryffindor and Slytherin did together.

Ron and Hermione had taken longer to warm to Draco. For a while, they had thought it was one of Draco's big wind-ups, to get at Harry. Draco wasn't as kind to them as he was to Harry either. After a month, however, they finally threw aside their differences and all became good friends. Draco seemed to have abandoned Crabbe and Goyle, now he had real friends, though he was often seen with Pansy Parkinson.

It was now the beginning of December, and the weather had finally gone back to traditional English weather. Harry, Ron and Hermione wrapped their winter cloaks tightly around them as they left the castle one morning to go off to their flying lesson.

'They should cancel these in winter…' Ron muttered through his scarf. 'It's freezing!'

'Oh, stop complaining, Ron.' Harry said.

'Just because you're a natural at flying, and don't care what the weather's like.' Ron said back to Harry.

'Stop fighting!' Hermione quickly said, before an argument could break out between the two boys.

The three friends made their way to the Quidditch pitch, where the Slytherins were already standing in little groups chatting, green and silver scarves wrapped around them. Draco spotted them and came over to join them.

'Apparently, we're having a cover teacher today.' Draco told them. 'There was a message in the common room, Hooch is ill.'

'How can you have a cover flying lesson?' Ron asked. 'Madam Hooch is the only teacher who can fly… properly, any way.'

'Perhaps we'll be taken back inside.' Hermione said hopefully.

A shrill voice from behind them made them turn to see Professor McGonagall standing at the entrance to the Quidditch pitch. 'Your attention please!' She shouted over the chatter of fourth year Slytherins and Gryffindors.

'Madam Hooch is ill today, so you will not be flying. I ask you all to return to your common rooms until your next lesson.'  McGonagall continued. She led the students out the Quidditch pitch and back into the main school, before disappearing and letting the students go their separate ways.

***

Flying lessons were cancelled for the next few weeks as well, before Madam Hooch returned to work. Everyone noticed that she still looked rather ill – she was very pale, and seemed to have little or no idea of what was going on in lessons. Most of the Slytherins noticed and took advantage in this change in their usually lively and eagle-eyed teacher, and spent the lessons messing about on their brooms.

It was obvious that Madam Hooch had other things of more importance on her mind, and it was no more than a couple of weeks before she stopped teaching again.

Snape was also acting rather oddly – but not in the sense of being ill. He had ceased taking points from Gryffindor at every opportunity, even though he still took off points and still favoured the Slytherins above everyone else.

It was mid-January when Heidi and Draco were summoned to Snape's office. They had all just finished lunch, and were all walking towards the library, when Professor McGonagall appeared and took Heidi and Draco off.

Harry, Ron and Hermione went back to the common room, where Ginny was sitting with her head in a book. They tried to make conversation, but Ginny kept on muttering something about a Potions test after lunch break, and scuttled off to her dormitory to study in peace.

About half an hour later, Heidi reappeared in the common room, positively beaming. 'What did Snape want? Why are you so happy?' Harry, Ron and Hermione all asked at the same time.

'I can't tell you here, it's too crowded.' Heidi whispered, and led them out of the common room and along several corridors until they reached a deserted classroom, which Heidi ushered Harry, Ron and Hermione into.

'What is it?' Ron asked impatiently. 'What's so secretive that we have to come here?'

Whatever the news was, Heidi was dying to tell them. She suddenly blurted out, 'I'm going to have a new brother or sister… well, half-brother or sister!'

'What?' Harry, Ron and Hermione asked.

'Draco and me aren't supposed to tell anyone this, but dad's been going out with Madam Hooch for about a year and a half now, and now she's pregnant! She and dad have known for ages, but they didn't know how to tell us, I think they were scared we wouldn't accept it. But we're both really happy.' Heidi rambled on, while Harry, Ron and Hermione stood there, open-mouthed.

'When's the baby due?' Hermione asked.

'May – as I said, they've known for ages.' Heidi said. 'I don't think mum's best pleased, though.'