Chapter 10: Secure Secrets

Wednesday. Middle of the week. Two more days of school to suffer and then the weekend occurs, making everyone feel better. However, Wednesday was a fantastic day for Hogwarts students but this didn't cease them in their hard work for studies. Not even Shona now that she had taken Ben's advice. Shona really hadn't been the same since Tuesday night. 

She made sure she carried all her correct books everywhere, paid attention in class more and even asked sensible questions even if she did recieve strange looks from others. It was almost amusing how a few words from a stranger changed her perspective on life. Why should she take this advice? She barely knew Ben, yet it felt like she should trust him.

No matter what way you looked at it, though, she had trusted a complete stranger. Ben too had given advice to a complete stranger even if he thought he knew her. Before he'd only just seen prints of the gifted in the newspaper and facts that could or could not be true. He knew the Shona from the newspaper and not the living and breathing Shona who was more than ink on a piece of paper. Same went for Lucy and Snape. Nobody knew them unless they were close to them. Which was very few people. 

But when it was lunch on that particular Wednesday Shona still had her text books open and was studying; no textbook had been used this much before by Shona McGuire, ever. In fact Lucy too was amazed as she sat talking with Dean. 

"Who's your favourite teacher so far, Dean?" Lucy asked, trying to ignore Shona's new change of personality as it was worrying her. 

"Y-Your father!" He squeaked and then did a small salute. 

"Dean!"  Lucy whined, giving him a playful poke in the arm. "You don't have to say my father to be nice you can say anyone you like!" 

"Um well..." Dean thought for a moment. "I guess everyone is nice, even though your father is a little sharp — " Dean immediately starting whimpering and wondering out loud what he'd done. Lucy just patted him on the shoulder as she turned to Shona. 

"How did last night go?" Lucy asked her friend as she scanned the text book instensly until Lucy spoke to her. She lowered it until it reached her lap where she slipped a bookmark into the page and closed it slowly, as though not wanting to leave the story of fascinating Charms alone. 

"Good," Shona re-opened her book and held it up to her face again. But Lucy wasn't satisfied with the answer she got. She pressed two fingers against the top of the book's spine and lowered it down to see Shona's face again. 

"How did last night go?" Lucy repeated. Shona opened her mouth to give the same answer but then closed it to think about it. If she gave Lucy a proper answer she would leave her alone and stop dragging her away from the Charms book she was reading and enjoying so much. 

"It was OK, I guess. I went to the library and took this Charms book out — " Shona nodded to the book she was holding. "I studied it and that was it really." 

Lucy narrowed her eyes. "You're not telling me something." 

"I'm telling you everything!" Shona said in frustration and went back to her book. This time Lucy snatched it from her hands and handed it to Dean. 

"Here we go, Dean, you can study that part of Charms you didn't understand now," Lucy smiled at him before turning back to Shona who was repeatedly saying 'but but but...' "You can have your Charms book as soon as you tell me what happened last night." 

"I can't fool you, can I?" Shona sighed. 

"You've never acted so strange in your life! What's with the studying and asking sensible questions you ask? Where's the sarcastic Shona that makes everyone laugh and torments dad until he goes insane? Tell me what's wrong!" 

"Alright, fine, I'll tell you," Shona sighed. "You know Ben Truman, don't you?" 

"Of course I know Ben, I helped him get to class the other day and he's in the slug club," Lucy replied with a shrug. 

"Well..." Shona said and then began telling Lucy all about what had happened in the library. When she had finished Lucy just looked at her strange. 

"Ben Truman?" Lucy frowned. 

"Yes, Ben Truman." 

Lucy nodded and tried to hide her smile as she turned to look at Dean who was reading the Charms book upside down. He noticed her looking and quickly turned the book up the right way and laughed nervously. 

"I was experimenting," he whispered before Lucy turned back to Shona. 

"You like him, don't you?" 

"I-I — " Shona began but Lucy gave her a look. "Yes. I've only just discovered it but," Shona paused again. "What's it like to be in love?" 

"Well," Lucy thought for a moment. "It's nice I guess, you want to be with the person you love always. Some people have good gut instinct and choose the right person first time but as for me, I don't think I have that." Lucy looked away. 

"It wasn't your fault," Shona said. "That was Fred's fault, he was the one who blew it. You didn't do anything." 

"But I did," Lucy said sharply. "I abandoned him." 

"He abandoned you, he wasn't giving you space." 

No matter how the situation was put, Lucy could never work out who's fault it was in the relationship between her and Fred. Some relationships begin with a meaning but towards the end have no rhyme or reason. Cheating should never be an end to a relationship, if you don't want to be with them you should just tell them. That was Lucy's opinion, anyway. 

"Going back to you and Ben," Lucy turned back to Shona feeling her temper disappear. "I think that's really sweet. I honestly think you two could go together really well," Lucy said truthfully, she was serious about this. 

"Really?" Shona gasped as though trying to take back the fact that she liked Ben. 

"Of course! Opposites attract, right? But I think there's more of a meaning to that rather than gender. I think opposite personalities go together well, I could be wrong but that's what I think." 

"I like your theories," Shona smiled. "You should write a book on how to educate idiots on dating, you'd be in the charts for weeks!" 

"The charts?" Lucy repeated, not understanding what she meant just as Alex and Johnny walked into the Main Courtyard. They looked over at her and began laughing. 

"What are they doing here?" Shona asked and looked over at Alex and Johnny who were losing it now that they had got Lucy and Shona's attention. 

"And why are they laughing at us?" Lucy asked. She looked at her knee high socks and made sure they weren't odd coloured and then checked her skirt and shirt, nothing. She then checked her hair, still nothing. "I didn't think I looked that bad today." 

"I say we go find out what there problem is," Shona growled. She stood up and Lucy did too and it took Dean a few moments to realise that they were making a move as he was too engrossed in his book. 

Lucy and Shona stalked towards Alex and Johnny with faces ready to kill, while Dean followed clumsily behind still trying to read the book as he walked. When they approached them Johnny and Alex looked directly at Lucy ignoring Shona and Dean. 

"What's your problem?" Lucy asked in a foul tone. 

"Our problem?" Johnny replied. 

"There's none," Alex shrugged. 

"Really?" Shona spat. "What rubbish. Why laugh at us like idiots?" 

"We weren't laughing at you, McGuire, we were laughing at her — " Johnny put an arm around Lucy which she instantly fought off. 

"Why are you laughing at Lucy then?" 

"Oh, you know," Alex shrugged. "Got to have a laugh in life otherwise it's boring." 

Shona grabbed Alex by the front of the shirt even though he was taller and much stronger than her. But Shona didn't care how tall or how much muscle a man had, she would only accept they were stronger than her when they had broken every bone in her body. "Tell me now, Ugly, or you'll pay for it." 

"I'm not telling you anything." 

Shona rounded on Johnny "What about you, overgrown dog?" 

"Could say the same about Alex," Johnny shrugged. 

"HEY!" Alex barked. 

"Truth hurts, buddy." 

Just then Chris and Tyler joined the equation and joined in all the laughing. 

"What are your problems, you great ugly gorillas?" Shona barked advancing towards Chris and Tyler. 

"Nothing," Tyler shrugged. 

"Are you all stubborn like this?" 

"Maybe," Chris yawned. 

The four of them laughed in unison this time and Shona threw her hands in the air in frustration. Dean looked ready to step in but there wasn't really much he could do to a bunch of sixteen year old's. The four continued laughing until — 

"SHUT UP, YOU STUPID IDIOTS!"  

They all stopped laughing to turn to Lucy who had silenced them. She grabbed Johnny's tie (as he was the nearest) and forced him to bend down so that they met at eye level. You could practically see the fury in her eyes. 

"You better tell me what's going on or I'll seriously hurt you," Lucy spat. 

"Nothing's going on!" Johnny protested. 

In that moment Lucy tugged harder on his tie causing him to wince. 

"I-I swear!" Johnny whined. 

Lucy kicked him in the shin to gain a better reaction and Johnny yelled out in pain and Lucy smiled. "Are you going to tell me now?" 

"I told you! There's nothing I swear!" Johnny tried to say through the pain. "I'd tell you now if there was something, wouldn't I?" 

The others looked at him in shock, as if they were worried Johnny was really that weak and was going to say whatever they were hiding. But really, as soon as Lucy let go of him they began their laughing again and it was evident Johnny was never really in pain. 

"You kick like a girl," Johnny grinned before walking off with the other three. 

"Well I don't expect to kick like a man!" Lucy yelled after him. 

"They weren't that popular before..." Shona began. 

"Before the American boy arrived. It's like they were a pack of dogs looking for a ring leader and as soon as he came along they could finally form their group," Lucy finished. "What's their problem anyway? I know they're hiding something." 

"Because they're so stubborn and stupid they won't tell us." 

Suddenly Dean spoke up. "Can I make a suggestion?" 

"Go ahead," Lucy smiled. 

"It was just the four of them there, wasn't it?" (The two girls nodded.) "Where was that other boy that you think is the ring leader? Don't you think that tells us something?" 

"Yes! Dean's right! It's got something to do with him!" Shona called out as though they'd finally realised what was going on. 

"But why? Why were they all laughing at me? They even said they were laughing at me!" Lucy protested. 

"Not to sound mean but he might have just sent them over like on an order to bother you." 

"That sounds about right..." Shona nodded. 

Lucy stepped in. "And it wouldn't actually surprise me, would it you?" 

Shona shook her head. "Not at all." 

"Miss Snape!" A sharp hushed voice called. Lucy turned around and saw Professor McGonagall standing by one of the pillars, she ushered her over with a motion of her hand. 

"I'll be back in a moment," Lucy said to Shona and Dean who stood there and watched as Lucy walked over to Professor McGonagall. 

"I have the list of hopefulls!" She explained excitedly as Lucy sat up on the ledge and McGonagall handed her the list. It consisted of many names such as Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Katie Bell, Cormac McLaggen, Dean Thomas and many others. 

"Wow..." Lucy gasped. "There's a lot of people willing to try out! It seems Quidditch is really popular this year." 

"I don't think it's the Quidditch that's popular, I think it's you." 

"Me?" Lucy went wide eyed. "But everyone hates me!" 

"Some people dislike you but many still believe in you," McGonagall smiled before walking off down the corridor leaving Lucy to hold onto her list. 

She looked down at the list again and read everyone's individual handwriting over and over to see who was trying out this year. But the second time she read it over she noticed another name right at the bottom of the paper. It was written quite small because everyone else had taken up the space with their names, the name had just managed to fit on the paper! 

Lucy held it up to the light and tried to determine who's name was scruffily written there. It took her a few moments to realise who's name it was. But then it all made sense to her because just the other day she had been pestered as to when Quidditch trials would be by this person. 

Shona McGuire was trying out for Gryffindor Quidditch team this year. 

*      *      *

As soon as she had finished reading over the names Lucy had taken out a piece of parchment from her bag and wrote on it that the Gryffindor Quidditch team trials were being held tonight. (She understood it was short notice but she couldn't leave it much longer.) After that she rushed up to the Gryffindor common room, pinned the parchment to the notice board just as the bell rang for next lesson. 

When Lucy and Dean (who had met up after Lucy had left the common room earlier on) had finished the whole day, Lucy went to the Defense Against the Dark Arts quarters and got changed into her Quidditch uniform. 

"Ooh! I wish I had a uniform like that!" Dean grinned as Lucy walked out holding her Firebolt, still the fastest broom yet. 

"I could find you one if you wanted?" Lucy suggested.

Dean gasped. "Oh no! I'm not a wizard I don't deserve it..."

"I'll let you use my broom later if you don't want to wear a uniform."

"Really?" Dean squeaked. "Oh that would be fantastic!"

"I can't believe you're Quidditch captain," Snape shook his head. "You're still supposed to be in your first year being the youngest seeker in a — "

"Yes, I know, I know you have nostalgia. We all get that, right? I'm sorry but I only keep getting older, not any younger."

"I know that. Now why don't you go and start your trials? I heard a lot of people are trying out this year because of you." 

"McGonagall said that, I just said Quidditch is getting more popular." 

"I don't think you're right, I think Professor McGonagall is the correct one." 

Lucy rolled her eyes before saying goodbye to her father and walking down to the Quidditch pitch with Dean. They arrived at exactly the right time but as soon as they stepped onto the Quidditch pitch they were attacked by a swarm of people all ready wearing their Quidditch uniform. However, Dean shielded Lucy from getting hurt. 

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Dean ordered at the top of his lungs and everyone moved back to the centre of the Quidditch pitch where Lucy would talk to all of them. 

"Thanks, Dean," Lucy smiled. 

"Don't worry, it's my job," Dean shrugged as they walked over to the crowd of people wanting to try out for the Quidditch team. 

When Lucy stood in front of her crowd of hopefuls as they desperately grabbed for a good broom out of the selection of school brooms there were. As soon as they had stopped fighting over who had what broom Lucy ordered them to line up and that's when she saw Shona standing there awkwardly. 

"OK, I just want to point out that if you were on the team last year it does not gurantee you a place this year," Lucy said but then turned in Ron's direction and winked. She had promised him a place on the Gryffindor Quidditch team last year and would not break it now.

Lucy looked over to her right and left to see people sitting in the stands, some eager fans of her and others just friends. It was nice to see she did have some support in this and she wasn't alone at all. This made her turn back to her hopefuls with a smile. 

"OK, those who want to be Keepers stand over there — " Lucy pointed to a spot near the goal posts. "Those who want to be Chasers stand over there — " Lucy pointed to a spot near the centre. "Those who want to be Beaters stay here and I'm afraid this year I'm staying as seeker." 

Everyone scrambled to the correct places, Lucy noticed Shona heading for the Chasers spot while Ron took his spot with all the other hopeful Keepers such as Cormac McLaggen. When everyone had found their place Lucy addressed each group individually, she walked over to the Chasers first. 

"Alright, you lot split up into two teams and then use this quaffle and show me how good you are. Before you start I'll set up some Keepers and you can get going," Lucy handed the quaffle to Ginny who took it with a smile before they zoomed up into the air and waited patiently for the Keepers to be chosen. 

"Ron, Cormac and you — " Lucy pointed to a boy she didn't know. "Take the posts to the left of you while the rest can take the posts on the right," when the Keepers were all in position Lucy moved onto the Beaters. "The Bludgers are in the trunk, take them and try to hit the Bludgers while trying to save people, it's good practice." 

When everyone was in position Lucy joined the spot next to Dean and they watched intensely as everyone tried to show their skills in the best possible way so that they could join the team. After watching everyone else Lucy's eyes drifted off to Shona. 

"Is she good at Quidditch do you think?" Dean asked as they both watched Shona throw the Quaffle to Ginny. 

"Um..." Lucy paused as she watched. Ginny threw the Quaffle back to Shona and Shona threw it past the unnamed boy from earlier with Ron and Cormac, it entered the hoop and Shona gave a cheer. "We'll see."

Lucy listened to the crowd cheering certain people's name such as: "Go on, Cormac!" One person called. "Come on Ron!" Another yelled. It was nice to see everyone was getting support and this drew Lucy's attention to Cormac and Ron's performance as Keepers. Both were very good, Ron was a little nervous while Cormac was saving every throw aimed at the hoop behind him; he was very talented and that was no doubt. 

"Come on, Ron," Lucy muttered under her breath just as Cormac failed to knock out a quaffle. Lucy tried to hide the smile she had as Cormac looked around disappointed, while Ron's level of confidence seemed to have shot through the roof and was now even more confident at blocking his hoop. 

As Lucy looked back up at the stands she saw Johnny and Tyler sitting there laughing and joking with each other. What was their problem? Did they have something to say to her? Or was Lucy just being paranoid? Of course she was, this was Lucy we were talking about here. 

Dean followed her gaze. "Don't worry about them, if they try to hurt you I'll go after them." 

"Thanks, Dean," Lucy smiled. "But I think I got them good earlier on." 

"Oh you did!" Dean nodded his head vigorously. "I think Zuc would be very shocked if he saw that." 

"He's seen me fight before, in fact I was the one who was fighting him." 

"I still think he'd be shocked," Dean stared at his feet and Lucy gave him a one armed hug before she summoned everyone back down to the ground. She studied them for a moment before addressing them all. 

"Thank you, all, for turning up. I will try to make my decision by tomorrow as to who's made it to the team — you are dismissed," Lucy waved them off and they all left the Quidditch pitch, dumping their brooms in a pile on the ground leaving them for Lucy to pick up. 

Both Dean and Lucy bent down and began picking up all the brooms, when they had an armful each and had stood up Lucy heard someone behind her. She turned around and saw Shona holding her broom that she had used today. 

"You missed one," she smiled. 

"Thanks," Lucy took the broom from Shona's hand, but Shona didn't leave. "Can I help you?" 

"Can I talk to you in a minute?" 

"Of course, let me put these brooms away f — " Lucy began but Shona took out her wand and moved Lucy's armful of brooms as well as Dean's to the cupboard and then closed the door. "Apparently that minute is now?" 

"Yes, it is," Shona then nervously glanced at Dean and Lucy knew what she had to do. 

"Hey, Dean," Lucy said turning to her faithful bodyguard. "Why don't you have a go on my broom like I promised you could?" 

Dean gasped. "Really?!" 

"Of course," Lucy handed Dean her Firebolt. "You go careful up there, won't you? Call me if you need anything." 

Dean saluted her. "Yes, of course!" Dean then mounted the broom and tried to take off but nothing seemed to happen. "Oh..." 

Lucy pulled out her wand. "You might not have magic in your blood but I do," she then used a spell to get Dean going and in no time he was making the most of the Quidditch pitch, flying high and low with the help of Lucy's wand. 

"First question. I need to ask you about Ben," Shona pulled a face after she'd finished speaking, even out loud the sentence seemed pathetic never mind in her head. 

"What is it you want to ask about him?" 

"What do I do?" 

"What do you mean 'what do you do?'" 

"Look, Lucy..." Shona began but then stopped. She took a deep breath and started again. "I don't know where to start but you have to understand that I like him. I think he's a nice person but it's not even been a day yet and I feel so confused and — " 

Lucy stopped her. "Like you said, it's not even been a day. Let things sort themselves out first and then after a while lets see if you really love him or if it's just a one off thing. I just don't want you rushing yourself into things then getting hurt, that's the last thing I want to see. I'm not trying to put you off at all but you've got to understand that it's not even been twenty-four hours." 

"Alright, I understand..." 

"What's your next Question?" 

"OK, second question. Have you made any decisions about the team yet?" Shona asked as they made their way up into the stands so they could keep a better eye on Dean. Some people were still in the stands but Lucy and Shona wouldn't be overheard. 

"I've made a few," Lucy admitted. 

"Who have you chosen?" 

"It's a secret for now. You'll find out tomorrow." Shona's shoulders slumped but Lucy held her hand up. "Hey, you've got a fairly good chance — " 

"Oh what a splendid story I'll have now!" A voice laughed after a flash of a camera. Lucy and Shona turned in the direction of Ellen who was holding her camera, a notebook and quill. 

"Shove off, Ellen," Shona moaned. 

"Lucy Snape, Merlin's descendant hits her best friend! Oh how tragic!" Ellen pretended to wipe a tear from her eye as she showed Lucy and Shona a picture of what looked like Lucy about to hit Shona. 

"Oh how tragic that this isn't a muggle photo!" Shona pretended to cry. "But as this is the Wizarding world pictures move and this won't work," Shona took hold of the picture and ripped it in two. "Nice try, Quick Quills, but Lucy Snape and Shona McGuire are having none of your uncultured rubbish today." 

"Oh! How rude! That would make a perfect article!" 

"Why are you trying to put us down, Ellen?" Lucy asked. 

Ellen held onto her camera tightly. "It sells papers and if I sell papers the Quick Quills continues to be a successful business inside of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Now, smile for the camera!" Ellen held up her camera before Lucy could react and took a photo of her. Unfortunately, this time Dean wasn't there to save her. 

"I've just thought of the perfect article!" Ellen raised her clenched fist in triumph. "Lucy Eileen Snape, Merlin's descendant, seen on the Quidditch pitch on Wednesday afternoon insulting viewers of her Quidditch trials for distracting her players. Oh this is just perfect!" 

"Hey! You dare publish anything like that and I'll — " Shona began but Ellen just gave her a look. 

"You'll what? Tell Dumbledore? Unfortunately for you, McGuire, I have permission to do this," Ellen flipped her hair behind her shoulder and strutted off. 

"Are you going to hit her first or am I," Shona said under her breath just as Dean joined their side. 

"Whoever gets there first gets to do the honours," Lucy replied. Shona nodded in agreement and the two walked back up to Hogwarts without another word.