𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗬

ACT ONE, CHAPTER TWELVE
gryffindor vs. slytherin . . . what
else is new.

FORGETTING ABOUT WHAT Charlotte and Elijah had told her in the kitchens was hard. Continuing to be friends with Harry was easy.

They went about as normal, Venus pushing the thought of Harry potentially liking her back to the very back of her mind. The two of them never did end up going on that walk — things were getting busy between homework, D.A. meetings, and Quidditch practices for Harry and Ron to prepare for their first match against Slytherin.

Speaking of D.A. meetings, Hermione had created an extremely clever method of communicating the time and date of the next meeting. It would be pretty suspicious if people from different Houses were seen crossing the Great Hall to talk to each other. She gave each one of the members a fake Galleon.

"You see the numerals around the edge of the coins?" Hermione asked at the end of their fourth meeting, holding one up for examination, the coin gleaming under the light from the torches. "On real Galleons that's just a serial number referring to the Goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting. The coins will grow hot when the date changes, so if you're carrying them in a pocket you'll be able to feel them. We take one each, and when Harry sets the date of the next meeting he'll change the numbers on his coin, and because I've put a Protean Charm on them, they'll all change to mimic his."

There was a blank silence as they all stared at her, Venus even blinking, obviously impressed.

Hermione looked around at all of the faces uncertainly. "Well — I thought it was a good idea, I mean, even if Umbridge asked us to turn out our pockets, there's nothing fishy about carrying a Galleon, is there? But . . . well, if you don't want to use them . . ."

"You can do a Protean Charm?" Terry Boot questioned.

"Yes."

"But that's . . . that's N.E.W.T. standard, that is."

Ron nudged Venus before she could even ask. "Seventh year exams."

"Thanks," Venus whispered.

"Oh," Hermione stated, trying to look modest. "Oh . . . well . . . yes, I suppose it is . . . "

"How come you're not in Ravenclaw?" Terry demanded, staring at Hermione in wonder. "With brains like yours?"

"Well, the Sorting Hat did seriously consider putting me in Ravenclaw during my Sorting, but it decided on Gryffindor in the end. So does that mean we're using the Galleons?"

With a murmur of agreement, everyone moved forwards to collect one from the basket. Venus retrieved her and returned back to their small group of her, Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

Harry looked at Hermione. "You know what these remind me of?"

"No, what's that?" Hermione inquired.

"The Death Eaters' scars. Voldemort touches one of them, and all their scars burn, and they know they've got to join him."

"Well . . . yes. That is where I got the idea . . . but you'll notice I decided to engrave the date on bits of metal rather than on our members skin . . ."

"Good thinking," Venus said. "Not sure that mom and dad would be too happy if I was branded."

"Yeah . . . I prefer your way," Harry agreed with a grin, slipping his Galleon into his pocket. "I suppose the only danger with these is that we might accidentally spend them."

Ron examined his own Galleon in mourning. "Fat chance. I haven't got any real Galleons to confuse it with."

The D.A. meetings after that were forced to stop due to Angelina insisting on daily practices. Gryffindor versus Slytherin was obviously a huge deal in Quidditch. Even the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were taking a lively interest in the outcome. The Heads of House, even though they tried to hide it, were determined for their side to win. McGonagall even stopped giving homework, but Snape — the real jerk he was — kept booking the Quidditch pitch so Slytherin could practice and turned a blind eye to Slytherin attempts to hex Gryffindor players. Charlotte was even rooting for Gryffindor's win because of this, and she had admitted she always wanted Slytherin to win in Quidditch.

October left with howling winds and driving winds, while cold November arrived. There were hard frosts every morning and icy drafts that horribly bit at any inch of exposed skin. The enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall that showed the sky was now a pale, pearly gray, the mountains around the castle became snowcapped, and the temperature in the castle dropped to almost freezing.

Venus awoke that morning the day of the match to a bright and cold day. She rose from her bed and quickly got dressed. With the wave of her wand, she made her hair braid. She placed on her coat and her Gryffindor colored hat, scarf, gloves, and rosette. Hermione was doing the same — they had coordinated to do that yesterday with Ginny. And once they met up with Ginny in the common room, they began their trek down to the Great Hall.

They entered the Great Hall to a vibrancy of red and gold and green and silver. Venus scanned the Gryffindor table and finally found Harry and Ron. She smiled slightly and went to go join them, but the familiar figure of Charlotte stood in front of all three of them, making them top.

"The badges," Charlotte voiced.

"What badges?" Venus questioned in concern.

Charlotte nodded her head over to the Slytherin table. Venus' eyes zeroed onto the students. Sure enough, most of them were wearing this silver badge in the shape of a crown. Etched onto it were the words WEASLEY IS OUR KING. Venus' heart sank. Oh no . . .

"Malfoy and Nott made them last night," Charlotte explained. "Guys, you can't let Ron see them. He's already nervous enough."

"Thank you, Charlie," Hermione told her. "Come on."

Venus knew Charlotte would be sitting with the Slytherins today since Houses didn't really like to mix when outside at the Quidditch pitch, so they bid her goodbye and went to go join the boys at the table. As they approached, Venus saw Harry looking perfectly fine, but Ron looked like he was about to completely throw up. He wasn't even eating.

"How're you feeling?" Ginny inquired to her brother.

"He's just nervous," Harry answered.

"Well, that's a good sign, I never feel you perform as well in exams if you're not a bit nervous," Hermione added.

"Hello," a vague and dreamy voice said from behind them.

All of them looked over. Luna Lovegood was standing there, having drifted over from the Ravenclaw table. Many people were staring while others openly laughed and pointed. She was wearing a hat that was shaped like a life-sized lion's head, which was perched on top of her head.

"I'm supporting Gryffindor," Luna continued, unnecessarily pointing at her hat. "Look what it does . . ." She reached up and tapped the hat with her wand. It opened its mouth wide and let out a very extremely realistic roar. Everyone in the vicinity jumped, and Venus blinked in surprise. "It's good, isn't it? I wanted to have it chewing up a serpent to represent Slytherin, you know, but there wasn't time. Anyway . . . good luck, Ronald!"

She drifted back to the Ravenclaw table. Venus watched after her in amusement. That girl was so very interesting. It was quite endearing.

Angelina then approached the group, Katie and Alicia not far behind. "When you're ready, we're going to go straight down to the pitch, check out conditions and change."

"We'll be there in a bit," Harry reassured her. "Ron's just got to have some breakfast."

However, after about ten minutes, it became clear that Ron would probably throw up if he ate anything else. Harry and Ron rose from the table, and Venus instantly took Harry's arm to bring him to the side while Hermione said her good luck's to Ron.

"The badges the Slytherins are wearing?" Venus began. "You can't let Ron see. Charlie warned me about them. Trust me on this."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, all right."

Venus, without really thinking, then threw her arms around Harry in a hug. Harry froze for a moment before relaxing into it, his arms winding around her waist to draw her in closer.

"Good luck," Venus said quietly, indulging in the hug for a few moments longer before pulling away and staring up into his pretty green eyes. "You'll do amazing."

"You haven't even seen me play yet," Harry insisted.

"Shut up." She then turned to Ron and squeezed his shoulder. "Good luck to you too, Ron."

Harry and Ron then left the Great Hall. Venus sat back down to have more breakfast, her face slightly burning at the memory of how it felt to hug Harry.

After eating some more breakfast, Venus, Hermione, and Ginny decided to go down to the Quidditch pitch. Venus stared around as it as they walked in, the frosty ground crunching underneath the sole of her boots. She had of course seen Quidditch pitches before back at Ilvermorny, but that one was more used for Quodpot rather than Quidditch. Venus shook that off and climbed up the stands where the Gryffindors would sit.

"I'm anxious to see how Ron does," Hermione admitted as they waited for the game to start, rubbing her gloved hands together to keep warm in the icy air.

"Me too," Venus said. "He didn't look to well this morning . . . good weather for flying, though. Not too bright and not too windy. Maybe that'll help him."

There was a sudden cheer from the Slytherin stands. Venus looked over to see the Slytherin Quidditch team walking out onto the field, all of them also wearing their stupid badges. They had also started to sing something — what that something was, Venus didn't know since the cheers and whistles drowned it out. None of the other Houses cheered for Slytherin, though — which Venus found kind of sad.

The Gryffindor team then marched out onto the pitch in a straight line, their brooms resting on their shoulders. Venus cheered loudly and clapped for them as they walked underneath the dazzling sunlight. And then, so suddenly, the world seemed to slow down. Harry looked over and locked eyes with Venus in the stands even from so far away. He smiled brightly at her, one that made her heart race and butterflies flutter throughout her stomach. It was only heightened by the fact he looked good in his Quidditch uniform.

"Captains shake hands," the umpire — which Hermione told Venus her name was Madam Hooch — ordered, and Angelina shook hands with the Slytherin captain. "Mount your brooms . . ."

Madam Hooch blew her whistle. Instantly, the Quaffle, Bludgers, and Golden Snitch were released. Venus cheered as she watched Ron go towards the goal hoops and Harry soar around the pitch to look for the tiny golden ball.

Lee Jordan — naturally — was commentating the match. "And it's Johnson, Johnson with the Quaffle, what a player that girl is, I've been saying it for years but she still won't go out with me—"

"JORDAN!" McGonagall scolded.

"Just a fun fact, Professor, adds a bit of interest — and she's ducked Warrington, she's passed Montague, she's — ouch — been hit from behind by a Bludger from Crabbe. . . . Montague catches the Quaffle, Montague heading back up the pitch and — nice Bludger there from George Weasley, that's a Bludger to the head for Montague, he drops the Quaffle, caught by Katie Bell, Katie Bell of Gryffindor reverse passes to Alicia Spinnet and Spinnet's away—" His voice was then slightly drowned out for a moment from some sort of song, making Venus not hear his commentary. "—dodges Warrington, avoids a Bludger — close call, Alicia — and the crowd are loving this, just listen to them, what's that they're singing?"

Lee paused to listen to the song. The source of it was the Slytherin section of the stands.

Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring,
That's why the Slytherins all sing:
Weasley is our King.

Weasley was born in a bin,
He always lets the Quaffle in,
Weasley will make sure we win,
Weasley is our King.

"Oh my God," Venus whispered in horror, her eyes widening. "I can't — they — a song?"

"—and Alicia passes back to Angelina!" Lee yelled, trying to speak over the loud singing. "Come on now, Angelina — looks like she's got just the Keeper to beat! — SHE SHOOTS — SHE — aaaah . . ."

The Slytherin Keeper had saved the goal. He threw it to the Slytherin Chaser, who sped in between Alicia and Katie. The singing only grew louder as he drew near Ron.

Weasley is our King,
Weasley is our King,
He always lets the Quaffle in,
Weasley is our King.

"—and it's Warrington with the Quaffle, Warrington heading for goal, he's out of Bludger range with just the Keeper ahead—" Lee continued.

Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring . . .

"—so it's the first test for new Gryffindor Keeper, Weasley, brother of Beaters, Fred and George, and a promising new talent on the team — come on, Ron!"

Venus felt her chest tighten in anticipation. Ron dived wildly with his arms wide, but the Quaffle had soared right in between them, straight through the central hoop. The Slytherins all cheered, and Venus let out a breath of frustration. They were seriously screwing with Ron.

"Slytherin score!" Lee announced over the cheering and booing. "So that's ten-nil to Slytherin — bad luck, Ron . . ."

WEASLEY WAS BORN IN A BIN,
HE ALWAYS LETS THE QUAFFLE IN . . .

"Do you think it's legal if I kill them?" Ginny asked menacingly.

"You'd probably get a one-way ticket to Azkaban," Venus replied.

"Not if I cover it up. They would probably think I did it, but they just can't prove it."

"—and Gryffindor back in possession and it's Katie Bell tanking up the pitch—" Lee cried, still trying to drown out the singing.

WEASLEY WILL MAKE SURE WE WIN,
WEASLEY IS OUR KING . . .
WEASLEY IS OUR KING,
WEASLEY IS OUR KING . . .

Lee still bellowed out his comments. "—and it's Warrington again, who passes to Pucey, Pucey's off past Spinnet, come on now Angelina, you can take him — turns out you can't — but nice Bludger from Fred Weasley, I mean, George Weasley, oh who cares, one of them anyway, and Warrington drops the Quaffle and Katie Bell — er — drops it too — so that's Montague with the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Montague takes the Quaffle, and he's off up the pitch, come on now Gryffindor, block him!"

WEASLEY CANNOT SAVE A THING . . .

"—and Pucey's dodged Alicia again, and he's heading straight for goal, stop it, Ron!"

Ron didn't block the Quaffle. All of the Gryffindors groaned. At this point, Venus just wanted Harry to find the Snitch and end the game. She was literally so over the Slytherins.

THAT'S WHY SLYTHERINS ALL SING:
WEASLEY IS OUR KING.

"—and Katie Bell of Gryffindor dodges Pucey, ducks Montague, nice swerve, Katie, and she throws to Johnson, Angelina Johnson takes the Quaffle, she's past Warrington, she's heading for goal, come on now Angelina — GRYFFINDOR SCORE! It's forty-ten, forty-ten to Slytherin and Pucey has the Quaffle . . ."

Venus cheered loudly with the rest of her House. From the Ravenclaw section, Luna's hat roared.

"—Pucey throws to Warrington, Warrington to Montague, Montague back to Pucey — Johnson intervenes, Johnson takes the Quaffle, Johnson to Bell, this looks good — I mean bad — Bell's hit by a Bludger from Goyle of Slytherin and it's Pucey in possession again . . ."

WEASLEY WAS BORN IN A BIN,
HE ALWAYS LETS THE QUAFFLE IN,
WEASLEY WILL MAKE SURE WE WIN—

Venus suddenly looked up. Harry seemed very alert, and he dove down on his broom. Apparently he had seen the Snitch. Malfoy was not far behind, and they flew side-to-side with their arms extended. It was so close . . .

"Come on, Harry," Venus whispered. "Come on."

Harry's fingers then closed around the tiny golden ball. Venus let out a cheer of excitement as he pulled his broom upwards, holding up the ball for everyone to see. The Gryffindors screamed in approval around her. Honestly, who cared if Ron hadn't blocked the goals? Gryffindor had won in the end.

However, Venus suddenly gasped. Crabbe sent a Bludger straight towards Harry — even though the game was over — and hit Harry squarely in the small of his back. Her hand reached up to her mouth in shock as he flew forwards off of his broom. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and zoomed towards Crabbe. Venus, ignoring literally everything besides her worry for Harry, ran directly onto the pitch, Hermione right behind her.

"Harry, oh my God," Venus breathed out once she reached him. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Star," Harry reassured her. He noticed her worried expression. "Venus, I'm serious. I'm fine."

Malfoy then snorted from behind them. "Saved Weasley's neck, haven't you? I've never seen a worse Keeper . . . but then he was born in a bin . . . did you like my lyrics, Potter?"

Penelope Lestrange, who had also appeared, told Malfoy that his lyrics were awful. Venus then scanned the pitch for Ron. She spotted him dismounting his broom by the goalposts. Venus nudged Harry and pointed to him. The two of them watched him slowly walk back to the changing rooms alone before sharing worried expressions.

"We wanted to write another couple of verses!" Malfoy called as Katie and Alicia pulled Harry into hugs. "But we couldn't find rhymes for fat and ugly — we wanted to sing about his mother, see—"

"Talk about sour grapes," Angelina stated, casting Malfoy a bitter look as Penelope tried to get Draco to stop.

"—we couldn't fit in useless loser either — for his father, you know—"

Fred and George stiffened. They looked around at Malfoy, suddenly realizing what he was talking about. Penelope's protests got even more frantic, but Malfoy wouldn't stop.

Angelina took Fred's arm. "Leave it. Leave it, Fred, let him yell, he's just sore he lost, the jumped-up little—"

"—but you like the Weasleys, don't you, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "Spend holidays there and everything, don't you? Can't see how you stand the stink, but I suppose when you've been dragged up by Muggles even the Weasleys' hovel smells okay—"

George went to lunge. Venus' eyes widened and she grabbed a hold of his arm, trying to hold him back. Harry started to help her as well. Meanwhile, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were all trying to hold back Fred. Malfoy was still laughing openly.

Malfoy slightly backed away, shrugging off Penelope's hold on him. "Or perhaps, you can remember what your mother's house stank like, Potter, and Weasley's pigsty reminds you of it—"

And then, suddenly, Harry wasn't helping her anymore because he had rushed forwards. Venus' eyes widened as she watched him release George. Harry and George sprinted at Malfoy, and Harry instantly drew back his fist that was still clutching the Snitch and sank it right into Malfoy's stomach.

"Harry, no!" Venus protested, but it was no use. Harry and George were too busy punching Malfoy. "George — stop!"

Madam Hooch blew her whistle, but decided it wasn't enough, so she drew her wand. "IMPEDIMENTA!" Harry was knocked backwards. "What do you think you're doing?"

Harry leaped to his feet. Venus, still shaken up by watching Harry go that wild, took his arm and pulled him back. Harry looked down at her while breathing heavily, his green eyes now dark. She felt him slightly relax underneath her touch. Harry felt himself calm down just by staring at her. Because at first he had only seen burning red, but now as him and Venus kept eye contact, his sight turned golden — like daylight.

Madam Hooch screamed again, making them snap out of their trance of just staring at each other. "I've never seen behavior like it — back up to the castle, bothof you, and straight to your Head of House's office! Go! Now!"

Venus was forced to let Harry go. She watched as him and George marched off the pitch, both panting as they walked off towards the castle. The howling and jeering of the crowd around Venus faded into a dull buzz. Because, somehow, she had a sudden feeling that things were about to go terribly wrong.

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

"BANNED," ANGELINA REPEATED, her voice very hollow.

Venus sat there in shock. It was now later in the evening in the Gryffindor common room, and all of the team plus her, Hermione, and Ginny were sitting around the fire to discuss what had happened. Well, everyone except Ron, who no one had seen since the end of the match.

She couldn't believe how much of a horrible person Umbridge was. Venus, of course, knew from the very first day that she was awful, but banning someone for life because of one fight? Not to mention she had banned Fred, who hadn't even attacked Malfoy like Harry and George did. Suddenly, all the triumph from winning the match was gone.

"Banned," Angelina said again. "No Seeker and no Beaters . . . what on Earth are we going to do?"

"It's just so unfair," Alicia admitted numbly. "I mean, what about Crabbe and that Bludger he hit after the whistle had been blown? Has she banned him?"

"No," Ginny answered miserably. "He just got lines, I heard Montague laughing about it at dinner."

Alica hit her knee with her fist furiously. "And banning Fred when he didn't even do anything!"

"It's not my fault I didn't," Fred stated, a very ugly look on his face. "I would've pounded the little scumbag to a pulp if you three hadn't been holding me back."

Venus spared a glance to Harry. He looked miserable as he watched the snow fall from outside the window, obviously taking this news about being banned very hard. Even from the short months she had known him, Venus could tell he had a real talent for Quidditch, especially after seeing him catch the Snitch tonight. Speaking of the Snitch, it was now zooming around the common room. People were watching it fly while Crookshanks leapt around to try and catch it.

Angelina slowly got to her feet. "I'm going to bed. Maybe this will all turn out to have been a bad dream . . . maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and find we haven't played yet . . ."

If only it was that easy.

Alicia and Katie soon followed after her. Some time later, Fred and George headed off to bed. Ginny was not too long after that. Only Venus, Harry, and Hermione were left beside the fire.

"How's your hand?" Venus asked Harry.

He looked down at his bruised knuckles — which, Venus could admit, made him look intimidating and insanely attractive. "Fine. It'll heal."

"Have you seen Ron?" Hermione then questioned, and both Venus and Harry shook their heads. "I think he's avoiding us. Where do you think he—?"

However, at that precise moment, there was a creaking sound behind them. All of them turned to see the portrait of the Fat Lady swing open. Ron came clambering through the portrait hole, looking very pale and snow melting in his hair. He was even still in his Quidditch things. Once he saw the three of them, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Ron," Venus began cautiously, standing up. "You've been gone for hours. What have you been doing?"

"Walking," Ron mumbled. "With Penelope."

"You look frozen," Hermione noticed. "Come and sit down!"

Ron came and sat down into the chair the farthest from Harry's, avoiding all eye contact with him as the Snitch zoomed over their heads. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Harry inquired.

"For thinking I can play Quidditch. I'm going to resign first thing tomorrow. Penelope told me I shouldn't, but I'm not sure."

"Well, you should listen to her. If you resign, there'll only be three players left on the team." He then noticed Ron's puzzled look. "I've been given a lifetime ban. So've Fred and George."

"What?" Ron yelped.

Venus and Hermione then took turns telling the full story to her again. Once they had finished, Ron looked more anguished than ever.

"This is all my fault—" Ron voiced.

"You didn't make me punch Malfoy," Harry stated angrily.

"—if I wasn't so lousy at Quidditch—"

"—it's got nothing to do with that—"

"—it was that song that wound me up—"

"—it would've wound anyone up—"

Hermione then got up and walked to the window, watching as the snow swirled down against the pane to escape the argument. Venus shook her head and placed her chin into the palm of her hand. It was no use trying to stop them, because then they would just snap at her. She wasn't really in the mood for that.

"Look, drop it, will you!" Harry exclaimed. "It's bad enough without you blaming yourself for everything!"

Maybe I should give him some breathing exercises, Venus thought to herself. Didn't Charlie say something about him going to therapy on the first day? Let's get him some of that.

Ron gazed at the damp hem of his robes for a while before speaking up again. "This is the worst I've ever felt in my life."

"Join the club," Harry responded.

"Well," Hermione cut in, her voice trembling a little — which made Venus straighten up and look at her curiously. "I can think of one thing that might cheer you both up."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." Hermione turned away from the pitch-black, snow-flecked window with a broad smile on her face. "Hagrid's back."

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V MEETS HAGRID NEXT CHAPTER YAY

I was also very proud of that daylight reference <3