Harry Potter and the Magic Within

Harry Potter and the Magic Within

Chapter 19: 'The Simple Smile'

When Harry woke up, the first thing he noticed was that Hedwig was sitting on his bedside table. He put his glasses on and stroked her sleepily.

'Morning, Hedwig,' he said yawning. She hooted softly as he got changed and then she dropped a small piece of parchment at his feet. Harry picked it up and read:

Dear Harry,

Can you come round for tea tonight?

Great to have you back,

- Hagrid

Harry wrote 'Yes I'll be there' underneath Hagrid's untidy scribble and sent the note off with Hedwig before leaving the dormitory and going down in to the common room.

'Hi, Harry,' Ron said sleepily as Harry entered the common room. 'We'd better get some breakfast, the match is at eleven.'

'Right,' said Harry, and they went down to the Great hall.

'Oh, I am looking forward to this match,' said Hermione as Harry and Ron sat down next to her. 'It's so great to watch you two out there,' she smiled.

Ron and Harry exchanged raised eyebrows, then began to eat their breakfast quickly.

At ten minutes to eleven, Harry and Ron waved goodbye to Hermione as they went in to the changing rooms. Fred and George were talking animatedly to Katie, Alicia and Angelina.

'Oh, hullo, Harry,' said Fred brightly as they walked in.

'Ron, feeling up to a great game of Quidditch?' added George.

Harry grinned. Ron looked a little pale.

'I feel like I've eaten a crate full of snails,' said Ron to Harry as they got changed in to their red and gold Quidditch robes.

'You'll be fine, Ron,' said Harry, smiling.

And with that, they filed out of the changing room on to the pitch.

The cheers from the crowd were almost deafening. Lee Jordan was commentating with his usual vigour.

'And today's match is Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!' he was saying to the crowd.

Madame Hooch blew the whistle, both she and the two teams rose up in to the air. The Quaffle was released and the game began.

'Katie Bell for Gryffindor with the Quaffle - passes to Alicia Spinnet - passes back to Bell - going towards the hoops - scores!'

Harry circled the game from above. He saw Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker, not far below. She zoomed upwards and got level with him, then she smiled at him for a moment before she continued to search for the Snitch.

Harry felt his cheeks turn red before he turned his attention to his search of the small golden ball as well. He circled round and round, straining his eyes for any glimpse of gold. All the while he kept an ear open for the commentary so he knew what was happening in the game.

'Gryffindor and Ravenclaw both have sixty points,' Lee Jordan was saying some time later over the chattering crowd. 'Angelina Johnson with the Quaffle - no - a Ravenclaw chaser has just grabbed it and is going to the hoops - Ron Weasley the Gryffindor keeper saves it!'

It started spitting with rain. The game was going on for a very long time. The two teams were getting soaked. This, however, did not stop them playing well. Every time Gryffindor got a goal, the Ravenclaws got one a few minutes later. It seemed that the game could go on for days if someone didn't catch the Snitch soon.

Harry kept his eyes wide open in case of any sign of the Snitch, but he wasn't sure he would be able to see it in this weather, even if it was under his very nose.

The rain fell harder and Harry soon found it hard to see a thing through it. He tried taking his glasses off, but that only made everything fuzzy and blurred so he had no choice but to keep them on.

He heard the whistle and flew down to land on the pitch. A soaked George, Fred, Alicia, Katie and Angelina were already taking shelter at the side of the pitch. He joined them.

'This weather's terrible,' George was saying. 'Oh, Harry, we need to get the Snitch quickly.'

'I can barely see my hand, let alone the Snitch,' said Harry, shivering.

'Well, just try your very best then. If we win this match, we only have to beat Hufflepuff to win the Quidditch Cup,' said Fred.

And with that, the team got back on to the muddy pitch, mounted their brooms and as the whistle blew, they flew back in to the grey, clouded sky.

The time crawled by and still Harry could not see the Snitch. The rain started to subside and the sun came out through a break in the clouds. Harry listened to Lee Jordan's commentating as he searched the pitch.

'And Ravenclaw score! Ravenclaw are in the lead, one hundred points to seventy,' Lee was saying.

Harry then saw it. Finally after a whole game he saw the Snitch at the other side of the pitch. Cho was already half way there.

Harry streaked across the pitch at great speed. He got level with Cho and they turned this way and that, keeping the Snitch in sight.

'Watch out!' Harry yelled as a Bludger pelted towards Cho's head. She got the message and got out of the way just in time. Harry watched to see that she was safely out of the Bludger's way and then turned his attention back to the Snitch, which was not far ahead.

With a last spurt of speed, Harry's hand closed on the small Snitch. The crowd exploded with cheers.

Harry landed on the soft wet grass a moment later and the rest of the Gryffindor team, including a very worn out looking Ron came up smiling to his side.

Cheers were all Harry could hear for a few minutes. After about five minutes Harry was just about to follow the teams retreating backs to the changing rooms, when Cho called to him from behind.

'Harry?' she called. Harry stopped and turned to see her jogging up to him.

'Er - Yes?' he said, surprised.

'Thank you for telling me about that Bludger just now,' she blushed as she spoke, which amazed Harry.

'Well, you're welcome,' Harry said. Then he heard Ron calling him so he waved a goodbye to Cho and walked off towards the changing rooms feeling rather happy.

After getting changed out of his robes and meeting Hermione, Harry and Ron set off for Hagrid's hut.

They knocked on the door a short while later and it was opened by a beaming Hagrid.

'Harry! Hermione! Ron!' and with that, he gave them a big hug and told Harry how pleased he was to see him back at Hogwarts again and told both Ron and Harry how well they had played in the match.

They had a very pleasant chat with Hagrid. They all had a cup of tea as they spoke and they talked merrily for a long while.

Only when it was looking rather dark outside, did Harry, Ron and Hermione leave and set off to the castle once more.

They filed in to the entrance hall ten or so minutes later to find Neville, Dean, Seamus, Fred and George crowded around a notice.

'There's a trip to Hogsmeade the day after tomorrow!' said Dean happily.

'That's excellent timing,' said George grinning, 'we need to pick up a few things for experimenting, don't we Fred?'

'Yes, indeed,' Fred grinned and then they left whispering to each other.

'That should be fun!' said Ron smiling broadly. 'Oh, remember when we met Sirius at Hogsmeade, that was about this time of year I reckon,' Ron added recalling the memory with a wry smile.

Harry didn't have the same look on his face. Hermione noticed.

'What is it, Harry?' she said, looking at him.

'It can't have been a coincidence that Wormtail knew I would be in the common room by the fire that night,' he started, frowning slightly, 'he knew, and the only way he could have was if he was getting my letters to Sirius and sending the replies himself. Lupin said he had to find Sirius as he was leaving. I don't like the sound of that.'

For a long while after he had finished doing his homework in the common room, Harry lay awake thinking about Sirius and wondering how his letters had been intercepted. He couldn't rid his mind of a growing fear that Sirius might be in trouble and that it could be linked to Voldemort in some way.

He decided to go and see Genevieve the next day if it were possible. Surely she would know something if she was in contact with Lupin. He fell in to an uneasy sleep not long after these thoughts passed through his mind.

Harry Potter and the Magic Within

Chapter 20: 'The Passing Worry'

Harry woke up with a churning stomach. He wanted to see Genevieve as soon as he could. First he went to the Great hall for breakfast.

'Hi, Harry,' Ron said through his bacon.

Hermione was reading a large green backed book she had taken out for some extra reading. She, however, snapped The Worlds Wildest Witches shut when she asked Harry why he wasn't eating. He told them what was on his mind.

'Oh, well, I'm sure you have no reason to worry, Harry,' said Ron, slowly.

'No, of course not,' she Hermione curtly, 'Sirius is just busy keeping the Death Eaters at bay with Lupin. I'm sure Sirius is fine.'

'I'm going to go to Genevieve all the same,' Harry said, starting to eat a little of his food.

Hermione reopened her book and buried her nose in it until Harry and Ron had finished eating and it was time to get to Potions class.

They wandered down to the dungeons, not rushing as they didn't care very much for the destination, and lined up with the other Gryffindors when they arrived.

The door opened and to their surprise Dumbledore came out and ushered them inside.

'Good day,' he said smiling, 'I will be teaching you for your next few potions lessons because Professor Snape has been called away on some urgent business,' he explained.

Harry wondered where Snape had been required to go so urgently. A thought struck him. What if Voldemort had sent for him? He shivered.

Harry's mind was too occupied for the rest of potions to worry about those thoughts. Having potions with Dumbledore was such a change from their lessons with Snape. He actually made potions enjoyable.

'That was a great lesson!' exclaimed Ron as they left the class room and headed for the entrance hall. 'I wish Dumbledore could teach us Potions all the time.'

'Yeah,' sighed Harry.

'Harry,' said Hermione, nudging his arm. 'There's Argent. Go talk to her now before the next lesson.'

Harry left without another word and headed for Genevieve's retreating back.

'Professor Argent?' he called to her.

'Oh yes, Harry?' she said turning in the crowded corridor.

'Could I have a word, please?' Harry asked with a meaningful look.

She nodded, made her way towards him and opened a door to their left for them to talk in.

'Yes, Harry?' she said smiling kindly.

'Has Lupin told you where Sirius is?' he asked slowly.

She looked a little uncomfortable.

'Remus still doesn't know where he is at the moment,' she paused, 'but I am sure he will find him soon. He has been looking for a few days now,' she added at Harry's look.

Harry bit his lip. Genevieve put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Harry thought it was something like a mother would perhaps have done. He smiled a little and she grinned back.

'Would you like to show me some of this wonderful power you have gained?' she asked standing up. 'There is are a few minutes before the next lesson begins.'

Harry nodded and stood in the middle of the empty classroom. He concentrated very hard and held out his wand in front of him as he seemed to have most control over his power when he used his wand. He just hoped he could control what he did. He closed his eyes as his concentration wavered. Then he heard Genevieve gasp.

'Oh, that is amazing, Harry!' she cried. Harry opened his eyes.

His mouth dropped a little.

The hands of a small clock hanging above the blackboard were spinning around and around. The blackboard had about three pieces of chalk writing hurriedly on it. The teacher's desk carried a mass of untidy books, which were now sorting themselves in to neat piles. The desk itself was floating a little and the chair behind it was also floating about four inches off the ground.

The movement stopped a few moments later. Genevieve was grinning at Harry.

'Truly splendid,' she mused. 'That was a very talented display, Harry,' she said kindly. Then as she glanced up at the clock, which read the correct time and was working at the normal speed, and added: 'Oh my, you had better get to your next lesson.'

'Oh yes,' said Harry. 'Well goodbye for now,' he waved and left to go to his next lessons. Surely Lupin would find him. He had probably been worrying needlessly. Sirius might be teamed up with Lupin again already.

The rest of the day passed normally enough and Harry, Ron and Hermione were to be found that evening in the common room, doing as much revision as their minds could handle.

'Which simple charm enables you to change the colour of a small stationary object?' Harry read out as a test for Ron.

'Erm, Colurastosis?' asked Ron after a few moments thought.

Hermione shook her head from behind her History of Magic book.

Ron put his head on his elbow scowled at the pile of untidy books in front of him.

'Well, it was a hard one,' Harry said reasonably to make him feel better. It didn't work so well. Ron was certainly not looking forward to the tests. Harry suspected Ron doubted very much that he would pass the O.W.L's.

Harry did make Ron feel slightly better by talking about Quidditch and the trip to Hogsmeade the next day for the rest of their evening.

When they all left to their beds, they fell asleep within a few moments and were left to dream of the next day in which they would be able to buy sweets from Honeydukes and visit Zonko's to acquire a few odd joke items. Harry had an idea before he fell in to sleep. He could go to the post office and send an owl to Lupin. He was asleep a moment later.