Chapter Eight, Halloween and Quidditch

Training with Oliver had been going rather well for Isadora, not only could she keep her eyes on the Snitch when Oliver couldn't, she apparently would make a fair Beater too. It had also become a regular occurrence to go to Hagrid's for tea after lessons on a Friday with Neville and Ron, and sometimes Fred and George accompanied them if they weren't planning pranks with Lee Jordan. Isadora had invited Hermione to come with them, trying to bridge the gap that had widened after Hermione had finished reading the books she borrowed from Isadora, but Hermione had turned her down.

The day after Isadora had written to Gringotts, she had gotten a tear stained letter from Mr and Mrs Weasley, stating that, although they were grateful they didn't need the money to take her in as they had wanted to. But Isadora had written back asking them to accept it as she wanted to earn her keep, and her parents had put it aside in their Will.
"Izzy, you don't need to earn your keep. Mum and Dad want to look after you and want you to live with us." Ron argued, seeing what she had written; attracting Fred, George and Percy's attention (who was taking more interest in his siblings and in Isadora).
"What do you mean, 'earn your keep'?" Percy asked, confused and concerned.
"I can't earn my keep while I'm here so I want to help." Isadora insisted. "My Mum and Dad set that money aside for whoever takes care of me until I'm seventeen or no longer living there; please accept it." She beseeched.

"Izzy," Fred said softly, placing a hand over her smaller one. "You don't have to earn your keep. All we do is a few chores in the summer and other holidays, and that's all you'll have to do too. You won't be doing anything of what the Dursley's made you do. And you most definitely won't have to earn your keep."
"If your parents put that money in their Will, then I'm sure Mum and Dad will honour them and will accept it." George assured Izzy.
"But she said-" Isadora trailed off with a sigh, and handed over both letters for the boys to read. Their eyes widened as they read it, shocked at the lengths Isadora's parents went to make sure that she was well looked after and that whoever took her in would be comfortable. They didn't care about her money or the amount they were just shocked but they each swore that it wouldn't change them. How could it? All they cared about was Izzy.

"She's just shocked that's all." Percy explained as he handed the letters back to Isadora. "But like George said they will be grateful, thankful and they will honour your parents wishes. Now, we best all get to class." Percy said.
"Take this to Mr and Mrs Weasley please, Hedwig." Isadora asked, tying her letter to her precious owl's leg, who hooted in agreement and affectionately nipped Isadora's finger before she took off.
"See you later Izzy, Ron." Fred, George and Percy said, as they went to their own classes.
"C'mon Izzy." Ron said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. They now knew where Isadora got her kindness and compassion from.

***

As September turned into October and Halloween was just around the corner Isadora became sad and nothing her friends did could cheer her up.
"What's wrong, Izzy?" Seamus asked, as he and Dean walked with her, Ron and Neville to Charms on Halloween. Her hair had been a light bluish grey since she'd woken up that morning.
"Seamus!" Ron and Neville hissed.
"What!?" Seamus asked confused as they entered the classroom.
"It's Halloween." Neville said with a pointed look. He knew how she felt as he was upset about tomorrow. He'd shared with Isadora what had happened to his parents the other night when he found her crying in the Common Room after everyone had gone to bed.

She had hugged him tightly once he'd finished, and offered her condolences as she promised she would be there for him if he needed her and would be there to talk or listen or whatever he needed, just like he'd promised her. Unbeknownst to them, however, was that Fred had heard them as he stood on the stairs. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop but he'd felt that she was extremely upset and went to find her and comfort her as he knew the anniversary of her parent's' death was coming up. He had only wanted to make sure she was okay, when he heard Neville's story and felt sorry for him. He hated that both Neville and Isadora were not only connected by being God-siblings but also by being orphans and by their grief. He swore then and there he'd help Neville if needed, just like he'd always help his Izzy, he knew how much Neville and Ron meant to her.

"So? We have a big feast tonight, and-" Seamus said excitedly, pulling Neville out of his thoughts as Ron slapped the back of Seamus's head. "Ow! What was that for!?" Seamus snapped, rubbing his head.
"Today is ten years since Izzy lost her parents, you idiot!" Ron snapped, as they all took their seats. Izzy with Seamus, Ron with Hermione and Neville with Dean.
"Oh. Oh! I'm sorry Izzy." Seamus apologised, his eyes wide, looking like a kicked puppy.
Isadora just smiled sadly at him but it came out more as a grimace as Professor Flitwick started the class.
Professor Flitwick frowned when he saw tears in Isadora's dull green eyes, the sadness on her face and the colour of her hair and felt sorry for the young girl who would never know her parents, he was just about to excuse her from the lesson when Miss Granger cast her spell.

"Well done Miss Granger five points to Gryffindor." He congratulated, just as a loud bang happened as Seamus burnt his feather causing soot to cover the side of his and Isadora's face.
"I think we're gonna need another feather over here Professor." Isadora said.
"Of course." Professor Flitwick agreed as he levitated a feather over to the pair.
When the lesson finally finished Ron was in a mood. He had done the spell wrong like Seamus and some of their other classmates, but instead of talking to him and helping him like Izzy does, Hermione instead spoke down to him and then smirked at him when she got it right in the first go which made Ron mad.

"Honestly she's a nightmare!" Ron complained, before he could continue Isadora elbowed him in the ribs giving him a stern glare.
"That's enough Ron! You don't need to start being rude. Yes, Hermione smirking when she got it right was wrong so was treating you like you were stupid, but going to call her names is rude, mean and unnecessary." She said sternly, just as she was nearly knocked over as Hermione shoved past her and stormed away. Sending a glare to the group of boys Isadora rushed after Hermione.
"Hermione! Hermione, wait!" Isadora shouted, as she ran after the girl following her into a bathroom.
"Go away!" Hermione shouted as she slammed the cubicle door in Isadora's face.
"I just want to make sure you're okay." Isadora argued.

"I said go away! Leave me alone!" Hermione shouted. Isadora sighed and shook her head. She didn't know why Hermione didn't like her, she just wanted to be her friend and help her as she was upset.
"Okay, come join us in the Great Hall when you're ready." Isadora sighed, as she left the bathroom she didn't really want to go to the Feast either if she was being honest.

Now that classes had finished for the day Isadora reluctantly joined her friends, Fred, George and Percy in the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast, she tried to enjoy it as her friends took her mind off of everything, but Hermione still hadn't come out of the bathroom. Suddenly the doors burst open with a loud bang startling everyone as Professor Quirrell came running into the Great Hall terrified.
"Troll! Troll in the dungeon!" He shouted in terror as all the Professors jumped to their feet. "Thought you ought to know." He muttered, before he collapsed to the floor unleashing terror upon the Hall as everyone jumped to their feet screaming.
"Silence!" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed across the Hall stopping the rising panic in its tracks.

"Everyone, please do not panic. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Prefects will take their House back to their Dormitories. Slytherin and Hufflepuff Prefects will take their House to the Library, and you will stay there until the dungeons have been properly searched. Your Head of House will collect you when it is safe. All of you stay alert and do NOT detour from where you have been instructed to go. Teachers follow me to the dungeons." She instructed, as everyone did as their Headmistress had instructed. However, as Isadora was walking up the Grand Staircase with her House she grabbed Neville and Ron's arms pulling them to a stop.
"What is it?" Ron asked, concerned.
"Hermione. She's in the bathroom and doesn't know about the Troll. How could a Troll get in anyway?"

"I don't know...maybe Peeves?" Ron said, but it came out more like a question. "C'mon then, but we can't let Percy see us."
"I'll keep him and the twins distracted while you save Hermione. But, Ron, Izzy please be careful." Neville begged in a whisper.
"We promise." Izzy said quickly, hugging her God-brother.
"Thanks Nev. Be careful too and we'll see you in a bit." Ron said as he and Isadora ducked in with the Ravenclaws while Neville ran to catch up with their House. When they got the chance they snuck away from the Ravenclaws and ran to the bathroom on the second floor, however, just as they were only a few metres away from the bathroom they heard heavy footfalls heading their way along with a horrible smell, like a backed up toilet, and quickly ducked into an alcove.

They waited with baited breath as the footfalls came closer and closer until they saw it was a large grey Mountain Troll wearing a brown loincloth and dragging a large and heavy club behind it as it entered the girls bathroom.
"No." Isadora whispered, before she darted towards the bathroom after the Troll.
"Izzy! Come back!" Ron hissed, he sighed before he ran after his sister and into the girls bathroom where loud growls, smashes and screams were coming from he hoped a teacher would get here soon attracted by the noise.
"Izzy!" Ron was frightened, when he saw the Troll about to hit her with its club as she tried to edge around it to get to Hermione who was hiding terrified under the sinks.
Izzy screamed and ducked quickly to the floor just as the club hit the wall where her head had been a moment ago.

In a panic to save his sister Ron started throwing bits of wood and broken pipe at the Troll but for all the good it did he might as well been throwing feathers at it.
"Ron, help!" Izzy cried frighted, as she tried to crawl away but the Troll just growled and brought its club down again causing Isadora to curl into a ball to avoid being hit which barely missed her.
"Swish and flick." Hermione instructed, doing the wrist movement to properly coach him unlike in class.
"Wingardium Leviosa." Ron cried desperately.
It worked.
The club came out of the Troll's meaty hand and floated above his head before it came crashing down on his head with a loud thump, knocking the Troll out.
"Izzy!" Ron cried, running towards her and pulled her into his arms in a tight hug.

"Are you alright?" He asked, checking her over and noticed her head was bleeding where a bit of debris had hit her but otherwise she was okay.
"I'm fine. Thanks Ron." Isadora said gratefully, as she returned the hug after a moment.
"Thank you." Hermione said softly. "Is it dead?" She asked nervously, as she slowly walked towards them covered in dust.
"I think it's just knocked out." Isadora replied, just as Professors McGonagall, Snape and Quirrell ran in only for their Head of House to gasp in shock clutching her heart as she spied the Troll on the floor with her three First Years, two covered in dust and one bleeding. Just as Fred and George ran in pushing their Potion Master out of the way as they ran towards Ron and Izzy looking terrified.
"Izzy, Ron are you okay? What happened? Why are you bleeding?" They fired off rapidly, but Isadora wasn't paying any attention.

Her attention was on Professor Snape who had a large rip in his right pant leg just below the knee, like a large mouth had torn it and it was bleeding quite badly. Spotting Isadora staring at it he quickly covered his leg with his robe and glared at her. "Messers Weasleys you are supposed to be in your Common Room and explain yourselves, all three of you!" Professor McGonagall ordered sternly, pointing at Hermione, Izzy and Ron.
"I felt that Izzy was scared and in pain and we couldn't find her or Ron in the Common Room so we followed it here." Fred explained, still with his arm around Izzy and Ron just like George was doing.
"It's my fault Professor." Hermione said before Izzy and Ron could say anything.

"I didn't listen to you when you spoke to me the first day here. So I got into an argument in Charms. Izzy tried to get me to come up to the Feast even though she didn't want to go either, but I refused. If they didn't come back for me I'd probably be dead. The Troll went for Izzy as she tried to get to me and she got hurt, Ron knocked it out with the Levitation spell." Hermione explained.
"I am very disappointed in you Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall spoke after a moment. "You failed to listen to my instructions and could have gotten yourself, Miss Potter and Mister Weasley killed. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your serious lack of judgement as well as one night's detention with me tomorrow." She said sternly.

"As for you two; I hope you know just how lucky you are. Not many witches and wizards could go up against a fully grown Mountain Troll and live to tell the tale. Five points will be awarded to each of you for sheer dumb luck. But, do not let this happen again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Professor." Isadora and Ron said.
"Professor Snape please see the elder Messers Weasleys back to the Gryffindor Tower while I take Miss Potter to the Hospital Wing to get checked out. Mr Weasley, Miss Granger you will come and get checked out too. Professor Quirrell, I'll leave you to deal with this Troll. Come along now." Professor McGonagall instructed, just as the Troll growled in its sleep startling their D.A.D.A Professor.

***

Two days later Isadora was stirring her fruit porridge around in the bowl not eating. Her stomach was in knots and she felt if she ate she would be sick. It was the first Quidditch game of the season and she was nervous as hell.
"Take a bit of toast, Izzy. Go on." Ron said, with a concerned frown on his face.
"Ron's right Izzy you're going to need your strength for today." Hermione said kindly. She had changed since they saved her from the Troll.
"I'm not hungry." Isadora insisted.
"Izzy-" Neville started, but he was interrupted.

"Good luck today Potter. Then again, now that you've gone against a Mountain Troll a little game of Quidditch should be easy work for you. Even if it is against Slytherin." Professor Snape sneered, before he limped away towards the teachers table.
"That explains the blood." Isadora realised, when she noticed him limping badly.
"Blood?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Halloween night I think Snape let that Troll in as a diversion so he could get past that Cerberus, but he got himself bitten and that's why he's limping." Isadora whispered quickly.
"But why would anyone go near that dog?" Neville asked, confused, he'd been filled in by Ron and Izzy and he would not be going anywhere near that corridor. Ever.
"Maybe to get what it's protecting." Ron suggested, making all their eyes widen.

Before more could be said Fred and George sat down on either side of Ron and Hedwig arrived carrying a long oblong package that almost hit Oliver and George in the head as she dropped it in Isadora's hands.
"Bit early for mail isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"But I never get mail." Isadora said surprised, looking at the parcel in wonder and missing the look Fred shared with Ron and George.
"Let's open it." Ron exclaimed, as he, the twins, Neville and Hermione helped her open it.
"It's a broomstick." Isadora said happily, she didn't have to use the school brooms now, Oliver would be happy.
"That's not any broomstick, my dear Izzy," Fred said.
"That's a Nimbus 2000." George finished.
"But who-?" Isadora asked, only to see Hedwig with Professor McGonagall who was stroking her owl and smiling at her.
'Thank you.' Isadora mouthed. Professor McGonagall nodded a smile on her face.

***

"Yes!" Isadora cheered, as Angelina scored another goal putting them in a greater lead against Slytherin. Her nerves that had risen at the start of the match thanks to Oliver (Fred had not been impressed with him), were slowly starting to ebb away now - that is until her broom started to try and buck her off, making her scream. In the stands her friends and Hagrid were watching terrified, while Professor Vector was trying to get her safely in one of the teachers' stands, Professor McGonagall and Lee were watching fearfully while the Professor was wishing she never put Izzy on the team. And Fred and George were ignoring the Bludgers and were trying to get her on to one of their brooms, but with all the attempts to get her to safety the broom was bucking wilder and wilder; until Isadora was only hanging on by one hand.

"It's okay Izzy. Fred and I are here." George shouted up to her, as he and Fred circled just below her getting ready to catch her if she should fall. As suddenly as it started the broom suddenly stopped trying to fling her off and she was able to swing back on to her broom and zoomed off towards the Snitch, that was just out of reach of the Slytherin Seeker, Terrence Higgins. The two Seekers battled it out trying to shove the other out of the way but Isadora used her small size against her opponent as she was able to make quicker turns to follow the Snitch or to come back on to the field when he shoved her away. As the Snitch flew straight towards the ground the Slytherin Seeker flew away while Isadora followed it, pulling her broom up at two feet from the ground and stood up on the broom to reach it.

Only her foot shifted too far to the front and she tumbled to the floor with a startled yell. When she stood up she gagged as she felt something in the back of her throat, only for the Snitch to come out of her mouth and into her hands.
"Isadora Potter has caught the Snitch!" Lee shouted into the microphone.
"Gryffindor wins!" Madam Hooch shouted as she blew her whistle, as cheers erupted all around the stand.
"Go! Go! Gryffindor! Go! Go! Gryffindor! Go! Go! Gryffindor!"

***

Once Isadora was changed out of her Quidditch robes and into her normal clothes, her coat and her Gryffindor scarf and gloves: she was walking towards Hagrid's Hut with Hagrid, Hermione, Ron and Neville as her three friends explained to Izzy what had happened to her broom which was currently being checked over by Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick.
"Nonsense." Hagrid denied. "Why would Snape put a Curse on Izzy's broom?"
"Who knows: why was he trying to get past that Cerberus on Halloween?" Isadora countered.
"Who told you about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked.
"Fluffy?" Ron and Neville asked, sharing a look over Izzy's head.
"That thing has a name?" Hermione asked.

"'Course he's got a name. He's mine." Hagrid said. "I brought him off an Irish fella I met down the pub last year, then I leant him to Dumbledore to guard the-"
"Yes?" Izzy, Ron, Neville and Hermione asked interestedly.
"Shouldn't of said that! No more questions! Don't ask anymore questions! It's top secret, that is!" Hagrid said firmly.
"But Hagrid," Isadora said carefully, she didn't want to upset her first friend but she had to warn him. "Whatever Fluffy's guarding Snape's trying to steal it!"
"He's not trying to steal it, Izzy. Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher." Hagrid said firmly.
"Hogwarts teacher or not!" Hermione snapped, she seemed to change her opinion on things after Izzy nearly died twice in two days.

"I know a spell when I see one, you've got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking!" Hermione snapped.
"Exactly!" Ron and Neville added, nodding their heads with a firm look on their face as their eyes darted to Izzy who stood in between Neville and Hagrid, before their eyes darted behind them to Fred and George hiding in the archway, who had their eyes locked on Izzy as if making sure she was still there like they were. Hagrid sighed as he looked at the four in front of him but still unaware of the two Third Years behind him, luckily they were too far away to hear what was being said.
"Now you listen to me. All four of ya. You're meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in, it's dangerous! What that dog is guarding is between Professor Dumbledore; now Professor McGonagall and Nicholas Flamel!"

"Nicholas Flamel?" Isadora asked.
"I shouldn't of said that! I should not have said that! I shouldn't of said that!" Hagrid berated himself as he walked off muttering.
"Who's Nicholas Flamel?" Neville asked.
"I don't know." Izzy, Ron and Hermione said, shrugging their shoulders. It seems they will have to find out for themselves.