Quidditch Match: Gryffindor v. Slytherin (Page 65)

~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Quidditch Arena, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: November 7th, 11:00 AM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 13 Years)~~~

It's a cold Saturday morning as the students pile into the stands to watch today's match. Quidditch is an exciting sport. Entirely wizard in its uniqueness. There isn't a muggle sport in the world that I know of that's close to it.

Then again, I'm not an expert in ancient or obscure sports. The rest of the Gryffindors are around me, cheering for our team before the match begins. Since Halloween, things have been tough for those linked to Potter.

Including myself. 

Not that I didn't expect it. The kid is a magnet for bad shit, and what happened last year is a perfect example. Withstanding my own issues with the Ministry of Magic and my development and recreation of a Sorcerer's Stone, I can say Harry is the center of attention.

My only priority is finding out what and where this Chamber of Secrets is. No one has found Tom Riddle's diary, so I haven't had to worry about that. But I fear that whatever the diary wanted to be done has been placed in motion.

There is so much that I wish I could find on my own. That's how it's always been. Hermione has been of help. I've noticed that she doesn't act the way she used to around me. 

At least, she's making a conscious effort not to. I think the message that I wanted some space from Daphne and Hermione has been heard since they haven't been as... Cumbersome, as of late.

My thoughts on the recent changes are temporarily halted as the players for each team fly out from their respective tents under the arena. It's no shock to see the Nimbus 2001s.

You can say all sorts of things about the Malfoys, and all of them are likely true. But one thing is for sure: they're rich.

As the match begins, my thoughts drift back to the many obstacles I face. Through my searching, I've found jack and shit when it comes to the Chambers of Secrets. Not to mention shit all in regards to who the heir is explicitly.

The obvious choice is Draco Malfoy or his father being behind whatever is going on. There is a theory that the simplest answer is usually the right one.

Usually.

But this isn't some usual happenstance in the natural or wizarding world. I've been looking more into what happened to Mrs. Norris. She was obviously petrified, as witnessed at the scene of the incident. But I don't know if it was from a spell or an animal.

Another train of thought I've been down is Salazar Slytherin himself. More specifically, what he stood for. What he wanted for Hogwarts before he left in shame.

Salazar was a massive advocate for blood purity and keeping magic exclusive to wizarding families. The history of the Chamber of Secrets lies in Salazar, who said that his heir was the one who'd open it.

In the History of Magic class, we learned the connection between Salazar and the Chamber. Whoever this heir is, they're responsible for what's happened to Mrs. Norris.

That leaves two options.

Either the person knows exactly who they are and what they're doing.

Or, it's a giant distraction from what's really going on.

There are a limited number of pure-blood families in Hogwarts, and the ones I know in my year don't strike me as psychopathic cat-petrifying lunatics.

Even Draco doesn't show a fondness for animal cruelty. He's just an idiot with a mind poisoned by his father. But that does strike an interesting line of thought. As I suspected before, his father could be involved.

If he's truly behind this, the odds are far higher that his father is doing most of this. He has a lot of power in the wizarding world and has a say in what happens at Hogwarts.

But I'm making a lot of assumptions that all of this is stemming from a single person. A single source.

Maybe more than one person is working toward this unknown goal. If so, it will be much harder to determine what's really going on.

I've been spending any and all my free time I have searching for answers to all the questions running through my head, but I've ended up at the same place every time.

With no answers, and a little more ticked off.

Suddenly, the crowd, ohs and ahs. Shouts about a race for the Snitch. I look out over the railing and see Draco and Harry chasing after the Snitch.

A hilarious scene plays out as Draco is sent flying on his face in the process of a few cartwheels. It's a bit crude to admit I enjoyed that. However, what catches my attention is how the Bludger is chasing relentlessly after Harry.

"It's bewitched..."

The words leave my lips in a whisper. No one heard it over the shouts. Harry himself pulls off a dangerous move by walking to the end of the broom and getting his arm smacked by the flying Bludger. But he doesn't give up.

He's got guts, that's for sure.

After another second, he reaches out his other hand and finally distorts the balance of the broom.

Everything seems to come to an end when Harry coughs up the Snitch. Winning the game for Gryffindor. Cheers erupt from the crowd as it happens.

However, they're cut short by another attack by the Bludger.

He dodges the rogue metal ball with a broken arm, and all I can do is watch with curiosity from my place in the stands. It doesn't last long, though.

Hermione makes sure his friend isn't hurt anymore. Destroying the Bludger in the process.

Sadly, Harry's misfortunes don't end there.

Lockhart continues to prove his incompetence.

All that goes on doesn't stop my mind from thinking of something. Something that I should've seen before.

Harry is being targeted.

Just like he was last year. And last year, the one who was targeting him was Voldemort. It actually gives a lot of answers.

The diary.

Ginny was possessed by it.

I need to do more research on Tom Riddle.

On Voldemort.

~~~(POV: Hermione Granger)~~~

~~~(Location: Gryffindor Common Room, Scotland, Hogwarts)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: November 7th, 3:45 PM, 1992)~~~

~~~(Age: 12 Years)~~~

Harry will be recovering in the infirmary for a while. From what I've heard, regrowing bones is a long and grueling process. However, Harry seemed to be in good spirits, considering what he went through.

I don't know how, but he always finds himself in trouble.

"Hermione."

My thoughts about my friend end as I hear a familiar voice from across the common room and on the other sofa. Alex is looking at me with heavy eyes.

He doesn't sleep very well. I worry about him, too. He doesn't talk about it, but I heard from Ron that Alex seems to have pretty terrible nightmares.

"Yes?"

His questioning voice tells me it's important. I rarely get to help Alex instead of him helping me.

"Do you know anything about an individual known as Tom Riddle?"

The name sounds familiar, but I can't say I know who that is. If Alex is asking about him, he's probably connected to whatever is going on around Hogwarts. Alex hasn't been working on anything else.

"Sorry, I don't know who that is. Do you?"

He takes on an unreadable expression. Making it impossible for me to tell what's going on. Instead of answering if he knows anything about Tom, he just releases a sigh and closes the book he's reading. 

Opting to set it on the floor next to him and lay down on the couch. Eyes staring up at the ceiling. He hasn't said anything, and as I watch him, my concern for him creeps out.

"Are you still having trouble sleeping?"

The words leave my lips with care and concern. Wanting to help my friend and be there for him the same way he's been there for me. Helped me when I needed it or asked for it. I watch as he slowly turns his head and looks at me.

His sleep deprivation and general exhaustion force a softer look to appear on my face. It happens so quickly that I can't hide it.

"Don't worry about me, Hermione. Something bigger than my sleep issues is going on."

I hate it when he shuts me out like that, but he does that to everyone. I've done a good job of not bothering him and giving him space, but his demeanor and mood made it clear that I was being pushy.

Asking that question might have caused a little setback, but I don't know for sure.

"If you ever want to talk about something... Anything... I'll listen."

The words come across as far more affectionate than I want them to be. Almost embarrasses me to the point I have to look away, but I don't break eye contact. I get a surprising response from Alex, but not a bad one.

He gives a gentle smile, one that I don't see on him. A rarity.

"I'll remember that."

His words come out soft and relaxed. Calmed down to the point that he sounded comfortable. It feels good that he's like that with me.

Even if it's only for a moment.