Araminta Malfoy-Potter: Taking Hogwarts

LXIII.

Finally, it was Friday morning. The day of the Quidditch match to kick off the Hogwarts season. The day Gryffindor and Slytherin would face off, and the day Araminta might have to choose.

At breakfast, she was almost too nervous to eat anything. "Come on, have a little bit of toast or something," Draco said. "If you don't eat, you might faint."

"I never faint," Araminta protested woozily. "Okay, there was that one time, but it was because of all the stress."

"That's what I mean," Draco replied, pouring her some pumpkin juice. "Now, drink up."

Araminta swatted the cup away in irritation. "Stop babying me, Dad."

Draco got very still. "What did you say?"

Oops,

thought Araminta. Better pay attention. "Stop babying me, Draco."

Draco relaxed and put the cup down. "All right, if you'll eat something."

Araminta looked over at Millicent's plate. She was having spaghetti and meatballs for breakfast, with a slice of anchovy pizza on the side. The smell made Araminta a little dizzy, so she held her glass of pumpkin juice up to her face to block the odor. Yesterday, Millicent had had pickled pig's feet and kimchi for lunch. What horrible-smelling food would she come up with next?

"Millicent, you must have a strong stomach," Araminta remarked.

Millicent nodded her head. "I can eat anything. Actually, I've been eating a lot of strange things lately."

The bell rang, and Araminta used this as an excuse to leave the table without seeming impolite. She wouldn't want to hurt Millicent's feelings, after all.

Her first class of the morning was P.E. with Madam Hooch and all of the seventh years. "One, two, three, four," she shouted as everyone did some calisthenics. "All right, everyone, three laps around the lake. Be sure to stay on the trail, and don't go into the forest."

Araminta set off at an easy jogging pace. She was tempted to try her Animagus form, but decided that would be cheating since it was a better runner that she was naturally. Instead, Araminta amused herself by reading the minds of people who jogged by (just like in the movie What Women Want).

First, Draco sprinted past her. Araminta concentrated, and heard: never never never wear leather shorts to P.E. again never never chafe ow never...

Araminta put her hand over her mouth. Draco looked really good in leather, but apparently he didn't feel so good in it.

Next, Araminta turned her attention to Harry. She heard: let Malfoy wear himself out jerk I wonder what Araminta is going to wear tomorrow I wish I had some Chocolate Frogs Ron ate my last one...

Snickering, Araminta broke into Ron's thoughts: mmm that Chocolate Frog was good but I got Dumbledore's card again I wonder if I can get Sarah Michelle alone and...

Araminta disconnected so she wouldn't hear anything naughty by accident. Pansy's thoughts (Snape Snape Seeeeeverus Snape Snape) and Millicent's (urg ow urg hate running) were pretty predictable, so she only spent a few seconds on them.

Most of the students were mentally complaining about running, and Araminta was almost done with her third lap, so she knew she had only a minute more to read minds. If she had to think about something else, she wouldn't be able to do it anymore. Ah, she thought to herself, let's listen to what Hermione has to say.

Hermione was thinking: Draco Draco no Draco can't be the one Harry told me foretold love why I have to do the right thing for Harry Draco no please anyone but him don't take Draco away from me...

Araminta stopped in her tracks. She had thought that this problem was solved! Harry must have gone to Hermione for advice about the prophecy. She needed to talk to Hermione as soon as possible. However, now was not the time. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and sent them all to the locker room, and by the time Araminta was dressed in her green and gold robes, the bell for the next class had rung and she was already late.

***

LXIV.

Araminta was repotting a Venomous Tentacula for Professor Sprout when the summons came. In a magically magnified voice, Professor McGonagall said, "Araminta Malpot, please report to the headmaster's office immediately. I repeat, Araminta Malpot, please report to the headmaster's office immediately. If anyone sees Miss Malpot, they should inform her of this announcement. That is all."

Professor Sprout wended her way between the students and stopped next to Araminta. "That's you, then." She began brushing dirt off of Araminta's sleeve. "I know they said immediately, but be sure to stop long enough to Scourgify, dear."

Araminta left the Venomous Tentacula in Neville's capable hands and ran back to the castle, using her wand to clean herself up as she went. It wouldn't be good to appear dirty before the headmaster.

"Mountain Dew," she said, but the gargoyle didn't move. "Oh, darn it. That's not the password until the future." Araminta wracked her brain for possible alternatives. "Lemonade? Kool-Aid? Snapple? Orange juice? Sunny Delight? Irn Bru? Mello Yello?"

The stone gargoyle moved aside at last and allowed Araminta to pass up the stairs. She climbed them slowly, drawing out every step to make the time stretch. She wasn't quite sure if being called to the headmaster's office would be a good thing.

Finally, Araminta knocked softly, just once, on Dumbledore's office door. Maybe he wouldn't hear her, and then it would be a lie for her to say there had been no answer. Araminta twirled a clump of platinum blonde hair around one finger nervously. Just as she backed away, the door flew open with a bang.

"Araminta! Do come in." Albus Dumbledore flung his arms wide. "I thought I'd do something for my"--he lowered his voice to a whisper--"goddaughter"--he returned it to normal--"transfer student from Japan while she was here. Araminta, this is Madam Malkin."

Araminta smiled and shook hands with the pleasant-looking witch.

Dumbledore smoothed his beard and continued. "We've never had someone play for more than one Quidditch team before, so we didn't have a uniform for that. Madam Malkin and Madam Hooch worked together to come up with something."

Madam Malkin stepped behind Dumbledore's desk and unrolled a scroll of parchment. "This is the design we came up with. Do you like it?"

"I love it!" Araminta smoothed her fingers over the lines of the design, amazed by its simplicity and beauty. "But, how are you going to make it in time? The Gryffindor-Slytherin match is today!"

"It's no problem for an experienced witch like me," Madam Malkin laughed. "Now, stand up on this stool so I can see how you're made."

"I think I'll leave you two to it, then." Albus Dumbledore winked and went out the door.

"Hold your arms out." Madam Malkin's magical measuring tape wound around her, taking measurements from her nape to her arm; of her chest, waist, and hips; and even measuring the exact location of her bellybutton piercing so that there would be no seams rubbing against it and making it irritated or infected.

Madam Malkin stepped back and said, "Close your eyes, please."

Araminta did, and she could tell from behind her eyelids that a bright light like a thousand suns had filled the room. She could feel the fabric of her robes stretching and changing, its texture mutating against her sensitive skin. It was unnerving, but Araminta knew it would be worth every second.

When she opened her eyes, Madam Malkin conjured a full-length mirror for her and Araminta moved so that she could see her full reflection. "It's incredible," she gasped.

The design hadn't done justice to the reality at hand. Her pants, which looked like riding breeches, were a soft cream color, and her boots and shin and arm guards were a matching shade. The outer cloak was a cream that shimmered when she moved, and the lining was a rich green to represent her Slytherin side. Around the collar, gold threads were embroidered in a pattern of tiny lions to represent Gryffindor.

There was a knock at the door and Dumbledore poked his head in. "Is it safe? Is everyone properly dressed?"

"Thank you!" Araminta flew into his arms, squeezing him in a bear hug. "And thank you, too, Madam Malkin," she added over her shoulder as an afterthought. "I feel like a princess."

Dumbledore placed a hand benignly on her hair and patted her on the head. "You are. Now hurry down to the Quidditch pitch. I imagine they're waiting for you--time to talk strategy, I'm sure."

Araminta flew like the wind.

***

LXV.

Araminta went to the meeting for the Gryffindor players first. Harry, as team captain, was busy drawing little X's and O's all over a chalkboard and making them wiggle back and forth to show possible plays. A fierce light shone in his emerald green eyes and inspired all of the other players to get fired up. They were stomping their feet on the floor twice, then clapping once, and singing a song about rocking you.

She couldn't forget to find out about what was happening on the other side of the pitch and hurried into the Slytherin locker room. Draco, already dressed and dashing in his green Quidditch robes, was swaggering around the room and handing out brand new brooms to everyone. "I even got one for you, Araminta," he said.

"Thanks!" Araminta's new broom fit her just right. It had a shiny handle and new twigs. Draco said it had an antilock braking charm and dual front airbags in case of a mid-air crash.

"All right, everyone," Draco said, gathering the team together in a huddle. "I want you to listen up. This is the last time Slytherin will play Gryffindor while I'm at school, and I want you to whip their..."

"Draco!" Araminta exclaimed.

He rolled his eyes and went on with his speech. "Do whatever it takes. Keep your eye on the ball. Pay attention. Flint, no more chewing on your bat."

Flint, a Beater, put his gnawed-on bat aside guiltily.

"I think it's a nervous habit," Draco whispered to Araminta. He turned his attention back to his team "I want everyone to give it their all and win one for the skipper. Who's with me?"

He put his hand into the middle and each player stacked a hand on top. "One, two, three, Slytherin!" they yelled.

The huddle broke up and Draco followed Araminta outside. "Have you talked to Madam Hooch yet? I know they were supposed to have a talk with you about playing for both teams..."

"I'll be as fair as I possibly can, Draco. Trust me. Trust your instincts." Araminta gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

Draco gave her a dubious look. "I just don't know how this is going to be fair. There's something strange here, Araminta. Look, I know were good friends, but..."

"But what?" Araminta asked innocently.

Draco looked around. "Come with me." He grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the broom shed.

***

LXVI.

Draco made sure that no one had followed them behind the broom shed and then began to speak earnestly to Araminta.

"Araminta, I feel like I've known you--or that's you've known me--or that you could even read my mind. It's strange, because I know that you just transferred here from Japan, and I know that there's no one in my family named Malpot--not even in the parts of the family that we don't speak to, as they are beneath us. I...I just wanted you to know. It's sort of like when you're somewhere you've never been, but you know it already." He threw up his hands in despair. "Oh, I don't know how to say it. It's like--"

"Déjà vu?" asked Araminta.

"Yeah!" said Draco, pleased as punch. "That was exactly the word I was looking for."

Araminta smiled. "Glad to be of service."

"Anyway," Draco continued, "do you feel the same way?"

Araminta thought about it. This was harder than checking 'yes' or 'no' on a love note; telling Draco that they really would know each other in the future (so she did feel a sense of déjà vu around him at all times) would probably confuse him and make him even more suspicious. "Well, Draco..." She trailed off and fingered the twigs of her broomstick nervously. "Um, uh, I..."

The sound of the marching band honking their horns and flutes interrupted her train of thought. Saved by the bell, or, really, the brass, she thought. "I think we'd better go so we don't miss the start of the match."

Draco looked startled. "I almost forgot! All right, but just so you know, we'll talk more later."

Araminta nodded her head and tramped out to the Quidditch field behind him. The stands were full of spectators: Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were supporting both sides; and Gryffindor and Slytherin, fiercely loyal to their Houses, had packed the seats.

The scene was one of a carnival. Men and women carrying boxes threw warm peanuts down each row and caught the change handily. There was a run on butterbeer and cotton candy. The smell of hot dogs and hamburgers wafted on a charcoal-scented breeze.

Beyond the party food, the Quidditch pitch had been decorated specially for this event. Strings of Christmas lights and streamers in Gryffindor and Slytherin colors gave an aura of festive cheer to the proceedings.

The students on one side of the pitch shouted: "Gryff, Gryff, Gryffindor."

The students on the other side shouted: "Sly-the-RIN, Sly-the-RIN."

Each side held their hands up in the victory sign while the band--led by an old man who sounded like he had a hernia when he yelled out the commands--played "Dun dundundundundundun dundunDUN dun DUN dundundundundundun dundunDUN...dun DUUUUUUUUN."

Suddenly, the tune changed. "Duh duh duh duh, duh duh (rest), duh duh duh duh duhduh (rest), duh duh duh duh duh da duh DUH!"

"Charge!" screamed the boisterous crowd.

Madam Hooch stepped out onto the field. "I wish to open the Hogwarts Quidditch season! We kick off the festivities with Gryffindor versus Slytherin!"

The crowd went wild.

So did Araminta's stomach.

***

LVII.

Madam Hooch motioned for the crowd to settle down. "We have a few start-of-season details to attend to. Go about your business until the game begins."

The students cheered and danced and waved signs of support while Madam Hooch, Albus Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall walked onto the grass. The Slytherin and Gryffindor players lined up facing each other.

"Harry, Draco, Araminta, we'd like to speak to you three. The rest of you take a lap," said Madam Hooch. The other players took off running around the field.

Madam Hooch and the other professors each took out their Quidditch handbooks. Snape put on a pair of reading glasses and Madam Hooch lifted her monocle. "It says here that in the event a player is member of more than one House, they are required to play for both teams."

"I remember," said Araminta. She exchanged glances with Draco and Harry.

"What we neglected to see before," said Dumbledore, "was the part about the player's position."

"I don't understand," said Araminta.

Snape held up his book so that she could see the illustrations. "Positions, Araminta."

"I know that--there's Chaser, Beater, Keeper, and Seeker."

"Yes, Araminta," said Professor McGonagall, polishing her square-rimmed frames. "It's obvious that you played before and that you're not a newbie. But there's more that the headmaster needs to explain."

"You see, Araminta, you must truly play for both teams," said Dumbledore. "It cannot be an illusion; you must treat both sides fairly. Therefore, you do not have a predetermined position." He skimmed over his notes again. "It says here that such a player must play all positions and no positions, and that he or she must score with each team equally."

"I don't get it." Araminta was tired of the circular talk.

"I understand," said Harry. "He means that if you put the ball through the hoop for Gryffindor, you have to turn around and put the ball through the hoop for Slytherin."

"I could do that," said Araminta, looking at Harry and Draco in turn to assure them of her intentions.

"I think that since there are already Keepers for both teams, you won't need to hang around either end of the pitch, specifically," said Madam Hooch, who was flipping pages. "However, you'll be needing this."

Madam Hooch handed her a bat.

"I have to be a Beater for both teams too?" asked Araminta.

Madam Hooch nodded her head in confirmation. "You'll bat for both teams. You'll be a switch-hitter! You can do it."

Araminta held onto the bat with one hand and her broom with the other. This was going to leave her a lot to juggle with.

***

LXVIII.

Dean Thomas tapped on the microphone. "Is this thing on? Test? Test? One, two, three?"

Professor McGonagall, now sitting next to Dean in the stands, adjusted the volume so that Dean's voice could be heard throughout the Quidditch arena.

"Ah, there we go!" he exclaimed. "Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the season! Tonight we'll watch Gryffindor play Slythering--I mean, Slytherin!" he said as Professor McGonagall took a swipe at him with her hat.

"Taking the field right now: Slytherin. Team Captain and Seeker Draco Malfoy is followed by Keeper David Flint, Beaters Risti and Teh Curmudgeons, Chasers Bella Black, Phil Kyriakis, and Cloie Laine! Yes, in an unprecedented move, Captain Draco Malfoy bought new brooms for his entire team!"

The Slytherins held up their brooms so the crowd could see, which caused them to whoop with joyous glee.

"Now coming onto the field, Gryffindor!" Dean had to wait for the roar of the crowd to die down--everyone was so excited for the Lions!

"Captain and Seeker Harry Potter is accompanied by his Keeper, Ronald Weasley. Colin and Dennis Creevey, Beaters, will be joined by Chasers Natalie McDonald, Gary Locke, and Orlanda Bloom!"

Cheering and chanting started again from both sides. Dean Thomas had to shout the rest. "Also taking the field is Araminta Malpot, playing for both Gryffindor and Slytherin."

There was a moment of silence as everyone in the arena gave each other confused looks. She was on the Gryffindor team and on the Slytherin team? What fresh circle of the underworld was this? Everybody shrugged and went back to cheering, since this could only make things more exciting.

All of the Quidditch players mounted their brooms. Araminta got onto hers nervously, because she had to carry the bat and she wasn't used to flying one-handed. She'd played Quidditch with friends and family hundreds of times in her past-future, but she'd never had to play a game in front of a packed stadium with all the lights shining on her!

"Take to the sky," said Madam Hooch, and all of the players flew into position. Araminta, unsure of what to do, flew up and out of the way.

As if from down a long, long tunnel under a mountain Araminta heard Dean's voice over the loudspeaker. "The Snitch has been released...the Bludgers have been set free...the Quaffle is up...and the game begins!"

***

LXIX.

Araminta watched the Snitch flutter by, then swooped out of the way of the Bludgers, but she couldn't touch anything until the Quaffle was in the air. There was a terrible crashing sound as everybody dove for the ball and rammed into one another.

Once that was sorted out, Araminta tried to divide her time as best she could between Gryffindor and Slytherin. It was really hard to do since the Bludgers wouldn't seem to leave her alone. Every time she turned around they were flying right at her nose and she had to knock them away with her bat. Colin and Dennis tried their best to hit them at the Slytherins, but their aim just wasn't as good as Araminta's.

After about ten minutes the Bludgers got bored with following Araminta around like annoying little brothers and started bothering Araminta's Slytherin teammates, Risti and Teh. They hit the Bludgers back and forth with Colin and Dennis Creevey in what resembled a demented game of badminton without a net.

Luckily, this left Araminta free to pay better attention to the game.

"That's Cloie Laine scoring ten points for Slytherin, and if she wasn't so slippery, I'd have caught her in a broom closet by now--"

Professor McGonagall backhanded Dean gently. "No extra commentary, Mister Thomas. Your job is to call the plays and keep score!"

"Yes, ma'am," Dean replied with a disgruntled sigh. Cloie Laine made a dirty hand sign to show that she wasn't very interested in poor Dean Thomas. "Oh, oh, oh yeeeeessss!" Dean jumped out of his seat. "Gryffindor Chaser Orlanda Bloom puts one right past Keeper David Flint! Ten points to Gryffindor!"

Araminta let out a happy shriek and twirled her bat in the air. She knocked a passing Bludger right out of the stadium. Everyone was winning tonight.

"Here!" Natalie McDonald passed Araminta the Quaffle, and she tucked it under her arm and zipped past rows and rows of cheering spectators. She almost ran into Madam Hooch, who was the umpire for this game, but she swerved at the very last second.

Araminta faked left, then faked right, and then she heaved the Quaffle past Slytherin Keeper David Flint's groping fingers and into the hoop, earning ten points for her Gryffindors.

Dean Thomas shouted in glee, and Araminta saw the scoreboard change.

Oh no,

she thought. Now Gryffindor is ahead. We can't have that!

Araminta intercepted Flint's pass to Bella Black and headed toward the other end of the pitch.

Ron Weasley was waiting for her, his freckled cheeks flushed and his ears pink with anger. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm trying to be fair!" Araminta threw the Quaffle past Ron, earning ten points for Slytherin.

Now Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied, but neither team looked very happy with her. Araminta needed a plan.

***

LXX.

"That's it!" Araminta shouted as she smacked her palm against her forehead. "I know how Gryffindor and Slytherin can both win this game! Why didn't I think of it before?"

Araminta dropped her bat; she wouldn't be needing it anymore. She pointed her new broom toward the sky and flew to a new altitude high above the Quidditch pitch.

All she had to do, she realized, was catch the Snitch. As long as they were still tied--and they were, for the moment, because both Keepers were hopping mad and not allowing anyone to score against them--they'd have to end the game and divide the points evenly, or give them to both teams or neither team.

It was at this time Araminta also realized that a very fine rain was falling from the clouds above and making her broom slippery. She was having a hard time keeping a grip on the handle.

It was cold and wet up there, but Araminta was entertained for a few minutes while the crowd stood up and sang 'Weasley Is Our King.' She hummed along and tapped her fingers against the handle of her broomstick. She started to wish that someone would call a time-out, but she was afraid to distract either Harry or Draco from their Seeking duties for even a second.

Finally she saw it--a glimmering sphere of gold flying lower than she was but higher than where Harry and Draco were circling. She used a corner of her shimmery, cream-colored robe to dry the handle of her broomstick so that she could get a good grip, pointed herself nose down, and just went for it.

As she went like a rocket toward the ground, Harry and Draco, on opposite sides of the field, spotted the Snitch too. Now all three of them were on a crash course to win the game.

She gripped her broom tightly with one hand and stretched the other out in front of her as far as it would go. That ball was hers! It was close, so close... She could almost feel it with her fingertips... Suddenly, it changed direction and she pulled up as hard as she could.

Her cloak wrapped around her head for a second before she could bat it away. She saw something flying at her from the corner of her eye, but ignored it to close the Snitch within her outstretched palm. As she did, she felt something in her mouth, and she swallowed it by accident. All of a sudden, the world became a very dark place.

***