Chapter Twenty-Six, Rogue Bludger

"Your attention please!" Professor McGonagall called, a few days after the meeting had been called. The Governors had worked rather quickly not only interviewing current staff and getting them to take the necessary tests and qualifications needed, but also some of them took the tests and qualifications themselves. There was still much to do for the following year but they were hopeful all would be completed in time, they had even agreed to allow the Seventh and Sixth years to stay on another year so they could complete the classes they wished to take and correct the injustices done to them. Everyone immediately quieted down at their Headmistress's words; they had been curious since they awoke this morning as there was new classes added to their times tables, there were new books amongst the ones they already had, and new teachers sat at the Head Table.

"Now, I'm sure you have all noticed the new books in your possessions, and classes added to your times tables. The reason for this is; I wish for you all to have a well rounded education and correct the injustices Dumbledore created. Along with raising Hogwarts' standing amongst the other schools. But more importantly than the standing is magic. All Muggle-raised and Pureblood students whose families don't follow the Olde Ways will now be taking 'Introduction to the Wizarding World' taught by Professor Mary Abbott for First Year.

Those currently above First year, will be taking this course as well to catch up, along with 'Wizarding Traditions and Etiquette' taught by Professor Narcissa Malfoy and 'Financial Management and Politics' taught by Professor Sirius Black." Professor McGonagall informed the school, Draco shrunk in his seat as he knew his mother wouldn't put up with his actions not like his Godfather did, whispers spread around the Hall only to silence when the Headmistress began speaking once more.

"Other changes to the staff are as follows: Lady Augusta Longbottom is now Deputy Headmistress allowing Professor Flitwick to have more time with his Ravenclaw's and any other students that need help. History of Magic will now be taught by Lord and now Professor Theodore Nott Sr, Professor Binns has been allowed to move on to rest. I wish for all Second Years and above to speak to their Head of House, and/or your other teachers, before picking their course electives for the following year; speak things through, ask questions, as this will affect your careers and the rest of your life. There will be new electives for all years as well as new mandatory courses. Current Sixth and Seventh years will be allowed to stay on for another year to study the new courses, if that is what you so desire. Lists for the new electives will be up in your dormitories by the Spring Solstice. Thank you."

As Headmistress McGonagall returned to her seat everyone started talking amongst themselves, their breakfasts becoming an afterthought, at best, or entirely forgotten about.
"Why do we have to take these types of courses?" Hermione complained. "I had a flick through the book this morning and some of the things like; always having your hair up and only your family and husband are allowed to see it down? It's -"
"Hermione enough." Izzy said annoyed. "You are not only insulting me and all the other Heiresses and other students who follow The Olde Ways but your insulting Mother Magic and to do so will cause dire consequences." She snapped, Gryffindor table suddenly falling silent as Izzy reprimanded her friend. "You're going to cause a Blood Feud if you go around saying things like that and then you'll be ruined.

This is not the Muggle World, it's the Wizarding World! Magic is dwindling from Britain because half the population are insulting Mother Magic by not following this or the holidays that pay tribute to her. You have to think things through before you say things."
"It's true." Fred spoke up, when Hermione opened her mouth to argue. "It's why our family and Malfoy's hate each other so much, as there was once a Blood Feud between our families, I know Dad struck off our ancestors that caused it, and made a public apology to Malfoy's father in the Ministry, not sure what happened after that though.

And I can't remember the exact details of what happened but it's why we didn't have much as we had to pay recompense. Thankfully it's been amended now and I was taking lessons on The Olde Ways and how to be a Lord from La - I mean Professor Longbottom."
"It's weird seeing my Gran up there." Neville mused.
"Bet it's weirder for Malfoy. Did you see his face when he saw his mother." Lee cackled. "He's got his mother, aunt and uncle here to keep him in check." He cackled again, as everyone turned to look at Draco and saw he looked extremely unhappy with his arms crossed over his chest and a sullen look upon his face.

***

"Could I have your attention, please?" Professor Tonks called to her distracted class. Unluckily she had the first class with her Second years after breakfast and everyone was distracted from not only that, but from what happened on Halloween or rather Samhain as well. "Today, we will be transforming animals into water goblets." She informed the class which immediately caught their attention. "Watch me closely. One... two... three... Vera Verto." She incanted, causing the black-white-casqued Horn-bill, perched on her desk to turn into a silver water goblet.
"Whoa!" was muttered around the classroom from shocked and impressed students.
"Now, who'd like to go first?" Professor Tonks asked, when no one replied she decided to pick someone.

"Mr Weasley you can go first." She said, walking to the desk in the second row on the left, which held Ron and Neville, the desk besides them holding Hermione and Izzy. "One, two, three. 'Vera Verto.'" Professor Tonks instructed.
Ron nodded his head while clearing his throat. He silently counted to three as he pointed his wand at the rat on his desk.
"Vera Verto!" Ron incanted, a wide grin appeared on his face when the rat turned into a silver water goblet. "I did it!" He cried happily, getting a pat on the back from Neville.
"Well done Mr Weasley. Ten points to Gryffindor!" Professor Tonks said proudly. Hermione quickly thrusted her hand into the air, a determined look upon her face.

"Yes Miss Granger?" Professor Tonks asked kindly, walking over to stand in front of Izzy and Hermione.
"Professor... I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione asked unsurely. Professor Tonks looked around the suddenly dead silent classroom; each and every student was paying rapt attention.
"Very well." Professor Tonks sighed, seeing no way out where she didn't have to talk about it. "You all knew, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago, in the tenth century by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin.

Three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously, however, one did not. Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed Magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, Pure-bloods." Professor Tonks explained, walking up and down the aisles, as she passed Draco he turned and gave Hermione a dirty look only to receive one back in double, by Izzy and Hermione before they paid attention once more. "Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school. Now, according to the legend... Slytherin had built a hidden chamber somewhere within this castle... known as the Chamber of Secrets. Though, shortly before departing he sealed it... until that time when his own true Heir returned to the school.

The Heir alone would be able to open the Chamber and unleash the horror within, and by so doing... purge the school of all those who... in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic."
"Muggle-borns." Hermione muttered, Professor Tonks nodded and pointed her wand at Hermione as if to say, 'correct'.
"Well, naturally, the school has been searched many times over the years. No such Chamber has ever been found." Professor Tonks concluded the rather ominous tale, trying to hide from her students how frightened she and her colleagues actually were.
"Professor? What exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?" Hermione asked.
"The Chamber is said to be home to something that only the Heir of Slytherin can control. It is said to be the home of a monster."

After that the lesson passed in a stunned silence as everyone digested the news about the Chamber while simultaneously wondering if the legends were true and if there was a monster hiding in the school. And they truly hoped there was not. As soon as the double Transfiguration lesson had finished Hermione, Izzy, Neville and Ron hurriedly fled the classroom with the two girls leading the way to the Library.
"Do you think it's true?" Neville asked his best friends.
"Do you really think there is a Chamber of Secrets?" Ron continued.
"Yes!" Hermione stated. "Couldn't you tell? Tonks is worried. All the teachers are."
"Sirius and Remus are terrified. They warned me to be extra careful and said we, as in the four of us, are not to get up to anything and to be extra careful." Izzy added.

"If there really is a Chamber and it's been opened, that means.." Neville trailed off.
"The Heir of Slytherin has returned to Hogwarts. The only question is, who is it?" Izzy continued.
"Let's think. Who do we all know who thinks all Muggle-borns are scum?" Ron asked sarcastically, as Draco with Crabbe and Goyle passed by them.
"If you're talking about Draco -" Izzy trailed off, not quite believing it's him as she believes he puts up a mask.
"Of course. You heard what he said!" Ron insisted.
"I heard him, but Malfoy the Heir of Slytherin?" Hermione scoffed.
"Ron could be right, Hermione." Neville insisted.
"Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson must know. Maybe we could trick them into telling." Ron said gleefully.

"Even they aren't that thick. But there might be another way but it'll be difficult and dangerous, very dangerous, and not to mention we'll be breaking, at the very least, fifty school rules." Hermione mused thoughtfully.
"You're not surely suggesting what I think you are, are you?" Izzy asked incredulously.
"It's the only way Izzy." Hermione insisted, hurrying to the Library. Once there Izzy, Ron and Neville waited in a corner behind some stacks while Hermione tricked a Prefect from Hufflepuff to get her Moste Potente Potions from the Restricted Section. Ten minutes later Hermione was hurrying back over to the trio with an old, large, faded white and green tome in her hands.
"Here it is. The PolyJuice Potion." Hermione said, flicking through the book to the right page as she hurriedly walked over to them.

Izzy looked over her shoulder and read the description out loud.
"'Properly brewed, the Polyjuice Potion allows the drinker to transform themselves temporarily into the physical form of another.'"
"Wicked." Ron said, amazed. "So, if Neville and I drink this stuff we'll turn into Crabbe and Goyle, Izzy'll turn into Parkinson and you, Hermione, will turn into someone else?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Hermione agreed.
"That's perfect Malfoy will tell us all anything." Ron said excitedly.
"Exactly." Hermione and Izzy agreed.
"But it's tricky. I've never seen a more complicated potion." Hermione mused worriedly.

"Don't worry Hermione, I know you and Izzy will be able to do it perfectly." Neville assured. "You're both top of the class. How long will it take to make?"
"Thanks Nev." Izzy said gratefully, bashfully smiling at her God-brother as her hair turned pink a little to match her cheeks.
"A month." Hermione revealed with a grimace. "I know there's more of a risk of someone other than Mrs Norris being attacked, but it's the only plan we've got."
"We better get started then." Izzy sighed, as they left the Library for their next class after Hermione checked the book out. It just so happened to be a two hour lesson of Introduction to the Wizarding World for Hermione and Ron, as Augusta had already taught this to Neville and Izzy. While the other two had Traditions and Etiquette for the first hour with Lady Malfoy, and for the second hour they had Sirius for Financial Management and Politics.

"Good morning class." Professor Mary Abbott greeted her class, which consisted of Muggle-Raised and some Purebloods from Second and Third year. "Today, we will be learning the importance of The Olde Ways and the holidays associated with it. Now, who can tell me what the eight holidays are? Yes, Mr Weasley." Professor Abbott asked, when Ron raised his hand.
"The holidays are: Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon, Samhain and Yule." Ron answered, having heard from Izzy and Fred what they'd been learning.
"Correct. Ten points to Gryffindor." Professor Abbott said impressed. "Now, who can tell me what are the meanings of these holidays and the rituals within them?" She asked next. "No one? Okay, then I want you to write this down, and for homework I want you to read the first two chapters of your book and write me an essay on, 'Why the Traditions are so important.'"

Professor Abbott looked around the classroom critically making sure they'd made a note of their homework before she continued.
"The eight Holidays are: Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon, Samhain and Yule, as Mr Weasley had correctly stated. Imbolc is held on the February 1st and was once a sacred day for both the Light and Dark sides. It's a celebration of life and rebirth, held on February 1st to welcome in the Spring. Celebrating the wellbeing of magic in the crops and babies. It's a renewal of life, energy, and strength. It's also, ritualised purification baths and celebratory bonfires. It is celebrated from February 1st through to sundown on February 2nd.

Ostara marks the Vernal Equinox or the March Equinox and is held between the 19-22nd of March. It is also known as the Alban Eilir to modern Druid traditions, this holiday is the second of three spring celebrations (the midpoint between Imbolc and Beltane), during which light and darkness are again in balance, with light on the rise. It is a time of new beginnings and of life emerging further from the grips of winter. Like with Imbolc, Ostara symbolises fertility, rebirth, and renewal. This time of year marked the beginning of the agricultural cycle, and farmers would start planting seeds. In mediaeval times in Europe, the March hare was seen as a fertility symbol, and a sign of spring.

However, today, we might go outside to meditate and perform a simple ritual to welcome the spring. Another common way to celebrate the coming spring is to plant seeds. Some families incorporate seasonal candy, such as peeps and chocolate rabbits, with their kids to help them get in the spirit of the event. Which the Muggles have also borrowed.

Beltane is our ritual on May 1st, and it's a ritual for health, fertility, and prosperity. It involves ritualistic sex. Though, those who don't wish to participate in the sex do not have to, however, they cannot judge others for doing so. Both participants have to be of age and enter this willingly, which is a main requirement of the ritual. Those who don't wish to participate in the sex part of that particular traditional ritual, can participate in the blessing of the fields of Mother Magic and her ancestors.

Litha, is our next holiday and ritual. Held between 19-23rd of June, and is also known as Midsummer, the term of which the Muggles borrowed. The sun is in its greatest strength and is greeted and celebrated on this holiday. While it is the time of greatest strength of the solar current, it also marks a turning point, for the sun also begins its time of decline as the wheel of the year turns. It is arguably, the most important festival of the Wizarding World traditions, due to the great focus on the sun and its light as a symbol of divine inspiration. It is celebrated with hilltop bonfires and dancing.

However, some people find a quiet spot and meditate about the light and dark forces in their world. While others, particularly those with children, celebrate this holiday outside. Lastly, some choose to observe Litha more traditionally, and they would hold a fire ritual. This might include a large bonfire, or a small fire in a fire-safe pot in one's house. Litha is also considered a good time to practise love magic or get married. The version of this ceremony is called handfasting, and it includes many of the same practices one might find at a wedding.

Lughnasadh also called Lammas, this sacred day marked the beginning of harvest on August 1st. It honoured the Celtic God of Lugh. The holiday honours Lugh, the Celtic god of light, but it also celebrates his mythical foster mother Tailtiu, who is said to have cleared the lands of Ireland to make way for the planting of crops. We celebrate Lughnasadh as a harvest festival, when the first crops of the year would traditionally have been reaped, along with celebrating the holiday with feasting, songs, and games. Some honour the harvest roots of the holiday by baking breads and cakes.

Finally, the name Lammas, derives from the Old English term for "loaf mass." It originated from early English celebrations of harvest time, during which loaves of bread were consecrated.

Mabon is our ritual that is otherwise known as the Autumn Equinox in September which takes place between the 21-24th, it's a welcoming of the Dark. Recognising that life is a cycle and that Death is a very natural part of life. Night is as necessary as Day. Winter lets the Earth rest in preparation for the coming Spring and Summer. It is the second harvest festival and a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess during the coming winter months. Many of us choose to have a huge feast on this day with their family and friends using seasonal foods such as apples, grapes, root vegetables and other seasonal products.

Samhain is on November 1st, and while some people, mainly those in the Light side who have been misinformed by those who should know better, view it as Necromancy, but it is actually, a time to meditate. A time to seek the presence of the people you love, who have passed on to the afterlife. A time for reflection, seeking love and advice. In some rituals the spirits of the departed are invited to attend the festivities. It is seen as a festival of darkness, which is balanced at the opposite point of the wheel by the festival of Beltane, which is celebrated as a festival of light and fertility. However, there was a time when the 'doorways' to the Otherworld opened, allowing supernatural beings and the souls of the dead to come into our world; while Bealtaine was a summer festival for the living, Samhain was essentially a festival for the dead.

And finally, Yule. Yule which is naturally in December. It's a time for feasting and giving. Giving thanks to Mother Magic herself in a burnt offering of meat and grain of life. A Yule log burns for days to symbolise the perseverance of life through the cold, dark winter and if your blessing has been accepted by Mother Magic she will bless your family and keep the Yule log burning well into January. It's a time for gathering family, friends, and allies to always prove that they will be there for each other through the difficult season. Therefore, it is time to acknowledge Mother Magic and how she supports her blessed children and helps them to survive." Professor Abbott explained, to the quiet classroom, eager faces peering up at her as the sounds of quills scratching against parchment filled the room.

***

The week had passed by very quickly filled with interesting lessons that everyone thrived on and were eager to participate in  and correct their world. Saturday morning had soon arrived, dawning a clear sunny day and with it the first Quidditch game of the season: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Unfortunately, the Slytherins had an unfair advantage with their Nimbus 2001 broomsticks that Gryffindor team with their Comets 360s could hardly keep up, however, they were still holding their own. The only one who could keep up, though was only required to keep up with Draco, was Izzy with her Nimbus 2000 broomstick. She knew Sirius and Remus were in the stands, and as it was the first time they were watching a game, she wanted to make them proud.

Izzy sighed angrily, her hair starting to turn scarlet as one of the Slytherin Chasers tackled Oliver out of the way so Flint could score another goal, and what was so annoying about it was as they were near the goal posts they couldn't be fouled.
"Another goal for Slytherin!" Lee yelled through the megaphone. "They lead Gryffindor 90 to 30." As the Slytherins took a lap of victory, despite the game not being over, Izzy had to quickly duck as they flew above her as one of the Beaters tried to whack her in the head with the club. Izzy flew off once more searching for the Snitch, pausing by the Gryffindor side of the pitch, when Draco flew up behind her.
"All right there, Scarhead?" Draco sneered at her, Izzy didn't bother to dignify him with an answer and just glared at him, only narrowly missing the Bludger that flew up towards her from below.

"Watch yourself, Izzy!" Oliver called to her, Izzy's eyes widened when she noticed the Bludger coming back towards them.
"Oliver! Look out!" Izzy shouted, but it was too late, the Bludger smashed into Oliver's broom breaking the tip of it, causing him to spin downwards out of control. Izzy didn't have time to worry about her friends as the Bludger suddenly started veering back towards her. She kept looking behind her to see the bludger was still behind her causing her to try to go faster to escape it. Everyone in the Gryffindor stands, including Luna, Hagrid, Sirius and Remus, and those on the team couldn't help but watch her worriedly. More so Fred who narrowly missed the other Bludger flying at him if not for barrel rolling at the last second.

Izzy kept flying, trying to shake off the very persistent and very annoying Bludger, she knew someone had tampered with it. She wasn't the only one who thought so, for she heard Hagrid's angry shout over raucous of the game and the symphony of the cheers: "Blimey! Izzy's got herself a rogue Bludger! That's been tampered with, that has!"
"I'll stop it!" Ron said determinedly, following the Bludger with his wand, his overprotective desire to protect his little sister shining through.
"No!" Hermione argued, suddenly pushing Ron's wand arm down. "It's too risky you could hit Izzy!"
"She's right, Ron, as much as I hate to say this; it's even too risky for Remus or I to try and stop it." Sirius said worriedly, his eyes fixed pointedly on his Goddaughter, not leaving her for a minute.

Finally, Izzy was able to shake off the Bludger for a moment, losing it in one of the teacher and guest towers near one the Slytherin sections.
"Training for the ballet, Pottah?" Draco mocked, not even noticing the Snitch hovering by his ear; but Izzy did. She looked behind her and dodged the Bludger, before she started chasing the Snitch. Draco started fighting her for it. Wherever the Snitch went, she went with Draco right besides her, but the problem was; wherever she went, so, too, did the Bludger.
"You'll never catch me, Potter." Draco mocked, from slightly ahead of her in the gutters below the pitch.
"I guess we'll see about that, won't we?" Izzy mumbled, turning her broom sideways to get through the beams and ahead of Draco.

As they came back up she saw a flash which she knew was Collin, but she didn't care about that, all she cared about right now was getting the Snitch. As they followed it out into the middle of the pitch Draco's broom struck one of the beams throwing him off of his broom and into the middle of the pitch where he ended up doing the splits before falling to the ground groaning in pain. Izzy was so focused on getting the Snitch that she didn't see the Bludger flying towards her from the right until it was too late. It flew into the elbow of her outstretched right arm, the very arm she'd broken earlier in the year, with a sickening snap, sending white hot agony up her arm.
"Shit!" She screamed in agony, holding her arm to her chest, but she wasn't going to let pain and broken bones stop her. She was used to them after all.

Reaching out with her left arm, Izzy tried to keep her broom steady only gripping it with her knees. Gritting her teeth she lunged forwards slightly. Although she caught the Snitch with her left hand, she also lost control of her broom and fell into the sand below the goalposts of the Slytherin area coughing sharply as the air was forced from her lungs.
"Isadora Potter has caught the Snitch. Gryffindor wins!" Lee announced excitedly into the megaphone, cheers ringing around the pitch gleefully.

Izzy smiled tightly at the Snitch in her hand as it tucked in its wings now that the game was over, until she saw the Bludger heading straight for her causing her to roll over onto her broken arm to dodge it; a hiss of pain passing through her teeth.
"Izzy!" Fred shouted, landing beside her, quickly tossing his broom to the floor and beating the Bludger back as it headed straight for Izzy once again, however, it just kept coming back.
Seeing his twin struggling and Izzy on the ground in agony, George landed on Izzy's left side to help beat back the Bludger, at least until help arrived as the teachers and other students were running towards them.

"What. Is. With. This. Bludger!?" George said through gritted teeth, caused by exertion, as he beat the Bludger back one more.
"Finite Incantatem!" Remus shouted.
"Pup, are you okay?" Sirius asked worriedly, kneeling before his daughter, nodding in thanks to the twins who nodded back panting a little.
"No. I think my arm's broken." Izzy hissed, as Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ron and Hagrid stood behind Sirius and Remus who was now kneeling besides Sirius. Angelina, Alicia and Katie were seen taking Oliver to the Hospital Wing.
"It's okay Izzy, Madam Pomfrey will help." Luna said serenely.
"Thanks Luna." Izzy smiled at her.

***

Arriving in the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey cast a Diagnostic Charm on Izzy tutting at the state of the break.
"It seems the setback you suffered last year, and breaking this very same arm earlier in the year, Izzy, has had more of a detrimental effect on combating Hypocalcaemia than we thought." Madam Pomfrey muttered, looking over the results. "Your bones as you know: are very thin and weak and this is a very nasty break. For it to heal cleanly I'll have to vanish the bones and give you Skele-Gro and ask Professor Snape to brew you a stronger dose of the nutrient and calcium potions. You'll be staying here tonight Izzy. Mr Malfoy, stop making such a fuss you're fine. You can go!" Madam Pomfrey ordered, heading towards her office where the potion cabinet was located. Izzy sighed as she knew she was in for a rough night tonight.

————————————————————————

Lindsay Duncan as Lady Augusta Longbottom - Deputy Headmistress

Gary Oldman as Professor Sirius Orion Black - Financial Management and Politics Professor

David Thewlis as Professor Remus John Lupin - D.A.D.A Professor

Helen McCory as Lacy Narcissa Malfoy - Wizarding Traditions and Etiquette Professor

Alexander Vlahos as Lord Theodore Nott Sr - History of Magic Professor

Poppy Drayton as Lady Mary Abbott - Introduction to the Wizarding World Professor