Chapter Text
That night at the common room Hermione and Ron appeared with their hands full. They dropped a shower of colour full sweets into their laps.
‘’Thanks’’ said Harry as he picked up a packet of tiny black pepper imps.
‘’Ooh acid pops.’’ Y/n said as he opened one and popped it into her mouth instantly feeling her mouth sting.
After Harry asked what they did they both launched into describing every place they visited. Which sounded like all of them.
‘’What did you both do?’’ asked Hermione. ‘’Did you get any work done?’’
‘’Yes’’ said Harry, ‘’But Lupin also made us a cup of tea in his office.’’ and then he told them all about Snape’s visit and the potion he made Lupin.’’
‘’Lupin drank it?’’ gasped Ron. ‘’Is he mad?’’
‘’We’d better go down, you know, the feast.’’ Hermione said after checking her watch.
The great hall had been decorated with hundreds of candle-filled pumpkins, a cloud of fluttering live bats and many flaming orange streamers, which were swimming lazily across the stormy ceiling like brilliant watersnakes.
The food was delicious, so much so even Hermione was bursting with food. Harry kept taking glances at Lupin who was as alive as ever. The whole dinner was such a good one that Harry’s good mood wasn’t spoiled by Draco taunting him with his usual dementor jokes.
As the quartet headed along with all the Gryffindors towards their tower they found it jammed with students. ‘’What’s going on’’ asked Hermione as she tried to look around a few heads.
‘’Probably Neville forgot the password again.’’ added Ron.
‘’Hey.’’ said Neville who was standing beside them.
‘’Oh, you’re here.’’ said Ron, smiling.
‘’Let me through, please. Excuse me” I’m head boy!’’ yelled Percy as he pushed his way through the sea of students. Then silence fell over the crowd. ‘‘Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick.’’ Percy said sharply.
‘’What’s going on?’’ asked Neville.
The next moment Professor Dubledore had arrived, the students all squeezed to let him pass.
‘’Oh, my-’’ gasped Hermione and grabbed Harry’s arm. The fat lady had vanished from her portrait, which had now been sliced across it.
‘’We need to find her.’’ said Dumbledore. ‘’Professor McGonaggal. please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady.’’
‘‘There’s no need for ghosts, professor. The fat lady’s there.’’ said Filch who had arrived not a second later after Dumbledore said his name. As he pointed towards the painting all students rushed to take a look for themselves. The fat lady was hiding behind a hippopotamus.
‘’Dear lady, who did this to you.’’ asked Dumbledore.
The fat lady peaked her head over the animal as she cried. ‘’Eyes like the devil, he’s got, and a soul as dark as his name. It’s him, headmaster- The one they all talk about. And he’s here, somewhere in the castle! Sirius Black!’’ she yelled as she wailed harder and hid once again.
‘’Secure the castle, Mr. Filch. The rest of you, to the great hall.’’ Dumbledore said as everyone started whispering the moment his name was said as they rushed away.
Minutes later they were joined by Hufflepuff, Ravenclaws and Slytherin who all had a confused expression on. After Dumbledore told them the reason why he was there they all started exchanging more worried looks.
With one wave of his wand Dumnbledore flew the tables to the edges of the hall and covered the floor with hundreds of sleeping bags.
‘’Sleep well.’’ he said, closing the door behind him. The hall immediately started buzzing with excitement as the Gryffindors told the rest of the school what had just happened.
‘’Everyone in their sleeping bags! Come on now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes’’ Yelled Percy as surprisingly everyone listened as they all chose a sleeping bag.
Y/n chose near Hermione, still it was more off to the side of the great hall. She could feel a few curious eyes go her way already, and now that everyone was bound to know she was dreading the next day.
Before Hermione could sit down next to Y/n, Harry took her spot.
‘’You alright?’’ asked Harry as he set himself inside the bag.
‘Yeah, just wasn’t expecting him to be so close. And well,’’ she said looking around to every pair of eyes she caught staring at her which were consistently growing. ‘’They’ve begun.’’ she sarcastically added as she set into her bag.
‘’What?’’ asked Harry with a chuckle, laying down sideways to look at her better.
‘’The rumors, Harry. I bet they’ll say it was me telling him the castle would be empty on Halloween.’’
‘’I bet they’ll say you’re guiding him to me.’’ he added as Y/n chuckled.
‘’I bet I’ll be more popular than you tomorrow Potter.’’
‘’That’ll be great.’’ he said, chuckling.
‘’Goodnight Harry.’’ she said smiling.
‘’Goodnight Y/n.’’
It didn’t take long for Y/n to fall asleep, even with all the whispers around her. Sleep didn’t find Harry easily. Eah hour a professor would check the hall. And around 3 in the morning, Harry who was still awake, heard Dumbledore’s conversation with Snape.
‘‘The whole of the third floor has been searched. He’s not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there, either.’’
‘‘What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney’s room? The Owlery?’’
‘‘All searched …’’
‘‘Very well, Severus. I didn’t really expect Black to linger.’’
‘‘Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?’’ asked Snape.
Harry raised his head very slightly off his arms to free his other ear.
‘‘Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next.’
‘‘You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before – ah – the start of term?’’ said Snape.
‘‘I do, Severus,’’ said Dumbledore, and there was something like a warning in his voice.
‘‘It seems – almost impossible – that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed –’’
‘‘I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it,’’ said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn’t reply.
‘‘I must go down to the Dementors,’’ said Dumbledore. ‘’I said I would inform them when our search was complete.’’
‘‘Didn’t they want to help, sir?’’ Asked Snape. (Percy actually asked but I don’t feel like writing all the conversation. srry)
‘’Oh yes,’’ said Dumbledore ‘’But I’m afraid no Dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am Headmaster.’’
Harry looked towards Hermione and Ron who were both awake.
‘’What was that about?’’ Ron mouthed.
The next few days Y/n was the center of attention, with everyone talking about the escape of her father and his attempt at entering the Gryffindor common room she was bound to.
As days went by, the rumours became more and more stupid in Y/n’s opinion. Hannah Abbot, a Hufflepuff, spent their next Herbology class telling everyone that Black could turn into a flowering shrub. She stopped when she saw Y/n staring right at her, and continued to do so each time she opened her mouth.
The knight that helped them the first day of classes to find the divination room was posted as the painting of their common room. No one was thrilled about the idea, but he was the only choice as no one wanted the job. He challenged to duel Harry and Ron each time they had to go into the common room, and his passwords changed at least twice a day.
Each time Y/n walked outside, eyes followed her, as did Harry. Teachers found excuses to walk together with Harry everywhere he went, Percy as well did.
‘‘There’s no point hiding it from you any longer, Potter,’’ Said McGonagall one day after she had summoned Harry to her office. ‘‘I know this will come as a shock to you, but Sirius Black –’’
‘‘I know he’s after me,’’ said Harry. ‘‘I heard Ron’s dad telling his mum. Mr Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic.’’
Professor McGonagall seemed taken aback. She stared at Harry for a moment and then said, ‘‘I see! Well, in that case, Potter, you’ll understand why I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be practising Quidditch in the evenings. Out on the pitch with only your team members, it’s very exposed, Potter –’’
‘‘We’ve got our first match on Saturday!’’ said Harry, outraged. ‘‘I’ve got to train, Professor!’’
Professor McGonagall considered him intently. Harry knew she was deeply interested in the Gryffindor team’s prospects; it had been she, after all, who’d suggested him as Seeker in the first place. He waited, holding his breath.
‘‘Hmm …’’ Professor McGonagall stood up and stared out of the window at the Quidditch pitch, just visible through the rain. ‘’Well … goodness knows, I’d like to see us win the Cup at last … but all the same, Potter … I’d be happier if a teacher were present. I’ll ask Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions.’’
The weather the next few days only worsened. And on the week before their first quidditch match ot was raining harder than ever.
‘’We’re not playing Slytherin’’ announced Wood. ‘’Flint’s just been to see me. We’re playing Hufflepuff instead.’’
‘’Why?’’ everyone asked.
‘’Flint’s excuse is that their seeker’s arm’s still injured.’’ said Wood as he sighed annoyed.
‘’There’s nothing wrong with Malfoy’s arm!’’ said Harry furiously. ‘’He’s faking it!’’
‘’I know that, but we can’t prove it.’’ said Wood. ‘’And we’ve been practising all those moves assuming we’re playing Slytherin, and instead it’s Hufflepuff, and their style’s quite different. They’ve got a new captain and seeker, Cedric Diggory-’’ Angelina, Alicia and Katie suddenly giggled.
‘’What’’ asked Wood, frowning.
‘’He’s the tall, good-looking one isn’t he?’’ said Angelina.
‘’Strong and silent.’’ added Katie as they all giggled again.
‘’He’s only silent because he’s too thick to string two words together,’’ said Fred impatiently. ‘’I don’t know why you’re worried, Oliver, Hufflepuff are a pushover. Last time we played them, Harry caught the Snitch in about five minutes, remember?’’
‘‘We were playing in completely different conditions’!’ Wood shouted, his eyes bulging slightly. ‘‘Diggory’s put a very strong side together! He’s an excellent Seeker! I was afraid you’d take it like this! We mustn’t relax! We must keep our focus! Slytherin are trying to wrong-foot us! We must win!’’
‘‘Oliver, calm down!’’ said Fred, looking slightly alarmed. ‘‘We’re taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously.’’ as he stared at the three girls.
The day before the match finally arrived, and Harry was late for Defense against the dark arts class because of Oliver stopping him between classes for tips.
‘’Where’s Harry?’’ asked Hermione as she sat down for class.
‘’Oliver stopped him for quidditch again. Why don’t you sit here?’’ asked Y/n wondering why she decided to sit beside Ron in front of her rather than taking the empty seat beside her.
‘’Just want to listen better.’’ she said turning around as soon as she finished to avoid anymore questions.
‘’Alright.’’ said Y/n as she got ready for class.
When the door slammed open and in came Snape rather than Lupin everyone was confused. With a wave of his wand he closed all windows and lowered a projector screen before making his way towards the projector itself.
‘’Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far.’’ Snape began talking but was interrupted.
Just as he said this Harry pulled the door open and dashed inside. ‘’Sorry Professor Lupin, I-’’ He looked up and saw Snape.
‘’This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we’ll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down.’’
But Harry didn’t move. ‘’Where’s Professor Lupin?’’ he said.
‘’He says he is feeling too ill to teach today. I believe I told you to sit down?’’ said Snape with a twisted smile.
But Harry stayed where he was. ‘‘What’s wrong with him?’’
‘‘Nothing life-threatening.Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty.’’
Harry walked slowly to his seat and sat down beside Y/n.
‘‘As I was saying before Potter interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far –’’
‘‘Please, sir, we’ve done Boggarts, Red Caps, Kappas and Grindylows,’said Hermione quickly, ‘and we’re just about to start –’’
‘‘Quiet,’’ said Snape coldly. ‘I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin’s lack of organisation.Today we shall discuss ’’
‘’Harry watched him flick through the textbook, to the very back chapter.
‘‘Werewolves,’’ said Snape.
‘‘But, sir, we’re not supposed to do werewolves yet, we’re due to start Hinkypunks –’’
‘‘Miss Granger, I was under the impression that I was taking this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page three hundred and ninety-four.’’ He glanced around again.
‘’Now, which of you can tell me the difference between an Anumagus and a werewolf?’’ asked Snape as she slowly walked back to the screen. ‘’No one?’’ he asked in that same monotone voice. ‘’How disappointing.’’
‘‘Please, sir,’’ said Hermione, whose hand was still in the air, ‘’an Animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice. With each full moon when he transforms he no longer remembers who he is. He’d kill his best friend if he crossed his path. Furthermore the werewolf only responds to the call of it’s own kind.’’
Draco lets out a low howl making only Crabbe laugh, Y/n shook her head still annoyed at him.
‘’Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. That’s the second time out of turn, Miss Granger,’’ said Snape coolly. ‘’Are you incapable of restraining yourself or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it.all?’’
‘’He’s got a point, you know.’’ whispered Ron making Y/n swat at his head with her parchment paper.
‘‘Five more points from Gryffindor.’’’ Hermione went very red, put down her hand and stared at the floor with her eyes full of tears.
‘’Not to be disrespectful sir but you asked a question and Hermione was the only one who could answer it. I don’t see how it’s fair you’re reprimanding when all she did was answer, yet Draco howled in class and all you said was thanks.’’ Said Y/n outloud annoyed how Snape always showed clear favoritism.
‘’Miss Black, I don’t remember calling on you. Five more points from Gryffindor.’’ Y/n was about to protest more as she stood up but before she could say anymore or Snape saw her standing up Harry grabbed her hand and sat her back down.
Y/n looked at him to protest him stopping her but he simply shook his head. So she just sat back with a huff and crossed her arms itching to answer back more.
It was a mark of how much the class loathed Snape that they were all glaring at him.
‘’As an antidote to your ignorance, and on my desk, by Monday morning,’’ Right at that moment Draco sent a flying piece of paper that landed on Harry’s notebook. ‘’two scrolls of parchment on the werewolf, with particular emphasis on recognizing it.’’ Everyone started moaning as he said this while he walked around the class.
‘’Sir, it’s Quidditch tomorrow.’’ said Harry, almost begging him to not give them all that work. But Snape leaned into his desk surprising Harry and Y/n.
‘’Then I suggest you take extra care, Mr. Potter. Loss of limb will not excuse you. Page three hundred and ninety-four.’’ he stood up again and continued his lesson.
‘’Term werewolf, is a contraction of he anglo-saxon word ‘wer’ which means ‘man’ and ‘wolf’, werwolf, man-wolf. There are several ways to become a werewolf.’’
Y/n had started taking notes but noticed Harry looking at Draco which caught her attention.
Harry opened the paper he had sent before and saw the animated drawing of Harry getting hit by a quaffle and then by lightning on his broom in a Quidditch field.
Y/n took a good look at it before turning to glare at Draco who looked away smirking. She grabbed the paper, scrunched it up with a very easy charm to make it a tad heavier, noticed she was on the clear from Snape and threw it directly at his head. He gasped lightly as he rubbed his head where it hit and saw a glaring Y/n.
‘’I’m warning you Draco, not in the mood of your stupid little pranks.’’ she whispered before turning her attention back to her notes and a very happy Harry.
The next morning, Y/n first caught a glimpse of Harry already in his quidditch robes, rain pouring like there was no tomorrow and everyone on the team already drenched. As she sat on top of the towers, trying to keep dry and see the game proved nearly impossible, she could only imagine how the players must be cold against the wind and in their brooms.
‘’He can’t see.’’ half yelled Y/n.
‘’What?’’ asked Hermione and Ron back, who also could barely hear.
‘’Harry was almost hit by a bludger and nearly hit two players, he’s roaming around the field. I think he can’t see.’’
‘’Right, he wears glasses.’’ said Ron.
‘’I’ll be right back!’’ yelled Y/n. ‘’Impervius right Mione?’’ she asked, making her nod.
As the Gryffindor team descended for timeout Y/n made her way to them.
‘’I’ve had an idea Harry!’’ she yelled as she got closer. ‘’Quick give me your glasses.’’ He handed them to her as the team watched. ‘’Impervius!’’ she said, tapping the glasses with her wand. ‘’They’ll repel water!’’
‘’Brilliant’’ said Wood looking relieved.
‘’Good luck’’ she said to Harry, giving him a quick hug before giving them back to him with a smile. She could have noticed a blush if he wasn’t already red in the face from the wind and water.
And as soon as she got to her seat it all happened so fast, first Harry was flying full speed towards the snitch disappearing behind clouds when a few seconds later he was falling out of the sky, passed out.
Y/n gasped as she saw his silhouette falling to the ground from a height that could surely kill him, thankfully Dumbledore stopped his fall, and soon Y/n, Ron and Hermione found themselves following a passed out Harry to the infirmary.
As everyone stood around him on his bed, the whole team covered head to toe in mud, Hermione and Y/n sat on each side of his bed and Ron held the pieces of his broom in his arms covered by a blanket, he slowly opened his eyes.
(a.n. for a better imagine imagine yourself where Seamus is at this scene in the movie. That’s the position I imagined when I wrote this.)
‘’He looks a bit peaky, doesn’t he?’’ asked Ron
‘’Peaky? What do you expect? He fell over 100 feet.’’ said the George
‘’Yeah, come on Ron. Let’s walk you off a tower and see what you look like.’’ added Fred
‘’Probably a rich sight better than he normally does.’’ said Harry as he woke up. Everyone sighed with relief as he sat up.
‘’How are you feeling?’’ asked Hermione
‘’Oh, brilliant.’’ he sarcastically said
‘’You gave us a right good scare there mate.’’ said Fred
‘’What, happened?’’ Harry asked
‘’Well, you fell off your broom.’’ said Y/n as she handed him his glasses
‘’Really? I meant the match. Who won?’’
‘’Um, no one blames you, Harry, the dementors aren’t supposed to be on the grounds. Dumbledore’s furious. As soon as he saved you, he sent them straight off. ‘’
‘’But the match.’’
‘’Diggory got the snitch.’’ said George, ‘’Just after you fell. He didn’t realise what had happened. When he looked back and saw you on the ground, he tried to call it off. Wanted a re-match. But they won fair and square…even Woods admits it.’’
‘’Where’s Wood.’’ asked Harry
‘’Still in the showers. We think he’s trying to drown himself.’’ said Fred. (I can only dream of becoming this dramatic)
‘’There’s something you should know too.’’ added Ron sheepishly as he beckoned Y/n to tell him.
‘’Why me?’’ she whispered, Ron simply mouthed a please. Y/n sighed as she grabbed the blanket Ron was holding.
‘’When you fell, your broom sort of blew into the Whomping Willow, and well you know the Whomping Willow, it doesn’t like being hit.’’ She said as she opened the blanket and let him see the pieces.
‘’Professor Dlitwick brought it back just before you came around,’’ said Hermione.
‘’We’re sorry Harry, I don’t think it’s repairable.’’ said Y/n as she set the pieces down.