A Note from the Author; This chapter ended up being a bit long, I just felt this chapter couldn't be broken up, you know? Also sorry for the late update! I was getting another story started and I lost the time, ha, So I apologize! I hope you like anyways, my loves!
The next couple weeks passed, it seemed as if Snape had forgotten about my punishment, I was fine with. It meant I could go outside, and enjoy the cool mornings and evenings, as the winter season was slowly starting to take hold of everything. I've made a habit of going outside before my classes, and afterwards just to enjoy the frosty weather. I loved the cold, it was soothing. Usually, in the morning while I was outside, I'd make myself comfortable, sitting on a sheet I'd started bringing with me, that I would usually sit alone on and worked on various things A more like able more, then any one else I knew.
Sitting in the library now, we were having potions class in here, since the older brothers of Ron had set off a stink bomb in the potions classroom. Currently we were tasked with reading up on the next potion, the herbicide potion, though it'd seem I was the only one actually doing the task, as everyone seemed all giddy and excited for the first Quidditch match that was this weekend. Harry was practically jumping out of his seat. Hermione seemed to be trying to focus on the class, but got to enwrapped in the conversation with the Gryffindors. With Draco next to me, he was talking about how the current Seeker for the house had fallen victim to another joke from the Weasley twins, that had left the Seeker, Terence Higgs, terribly ill, causing him to be absent from the match. I had chanted my quill to take notes while I read about the potion. It was pretty basic, but useful, being able to kill or damage most plants. The book even went on to describe the taste of the potion, I wonder who of this class will be stupid enough to drink it. I looked up from my book looking at everyone carefully, first at Draco, no, he'd ask to many questions, then looking at Crabbe and Goyle, they might, they seem to down anything, without question.
As I was about to judge the next person, something had caught my eye, something green and coming at my direction, quickly reacting, I put my hand out in front of me catching whatever it was, a recognizable little, green ball, I knew what it was, so I threw it the way it came, praying and demanded it to be defective. The little ball had been used by, The Weasley twins had been throwing these little stink bombs everywhere, thankfully, the thing didn't go off. It was a defective, I sat back down and let out a breath of relief, Thank heavens.
"Wow, Amber, that was bloody awesome, I didn't even see the stink bomb coming" Draco stated, making it known to me that I was being stared at. Bloody hell, next time I'll just let it go off.
With sweaty palms, I gave a nervous smile, hoping everyone would go back to their talking of the stupid quidditch match. Just as I was about to go back to my book a hand was placed roughly on my shoulder, looking up I saw Snape, who was leaning to one side, favoring his with a wicked gleam in his eyes, which I didn't like.
"I believe I've just thought of the perfect punishment for you, for being out past curfew and on the third floor" He informed me, I tensed up, already guessing the punishment, but still praying I would be wrong. "You'll substitute Mr.Higgs this weekend, as the Slytherin Seeker."
"But, I don't-" I started but he only raised his hand, stopping me from talking.
"No objections, young lady" he said in a warning tone, going on, "I'll let Marcus Flint know during lunch, and you'll spend the next few days practicing, welcome to the team Ms.Ravenclaw" He gave a wicked smile, that was out of ordinary, sending chills through me.
As soon as he had limped away, I slammed my head onto my book, hurting my nose a bit, but I ignored it, I was to infuriated, Oh, bloody hell. If my parents don't hate me for not being in Ravenclaw, this will surly send them over.
"What? That's your punishment? When did you go to the third floor?" Draco started bombing me with questions.
I raised my head up, and looked at him, "a couple weeks ago, before holloween" I went on, feeling the need to explain myself, "It was an accident" I looked over, casting a gaze over towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. I wasn't going to sell them out.
On my way to lunch, the news of my punishment spread like wildfire. Though, like most news, there were different versions. I had gone to get Capone after Potions, feeling like I would need him for awhile. As I walked down the hall, I could hear the hushed whispers as I walked by groups, and I could feel the stares, man I should've let the stink bomb blow up. I felt a hand on my arm pulling me to a stop, I turned around to see Ava, with Susan Bones and some Ravenclaw student.
I already knew what she was going to say so I answered for her, with a glare, "Yes, I've been put on the quidditch team" I let out a huff, "I didn't have a choice, I wish I'd just taken the bloody detention."
"So, then you didn't flirt with Snape or anything to get the spot?" The random unnamed Ravenclaw questioned.
Causing me to shoot her a dirty look, "Is that really something people are saying? I didn't flirt, I'm being punished for a stupid mistake" I turned away, my anxiety turning into bitter rage, who started that version?
"Amber, hold up" Ava ordered, gripping my arm tighter, which only made me angrier. I didn't want to talk about this, I wanted to go outside and maybe jump in the lake, however what she said next stopped my rage, and made me freeze, "Mother and Father will find out, you're not in Ravenclaw, when they read the Daily Prophet, so you might want to let them know everything before this weekend, including the truth about how you got on the team, just in case the prophet makes something up." She was right, I turned back to her, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.
I shook my head, "I'll write them now, see you later, I need to step outside" I nearly whispered,walking towards the nearest exist. Only to stop, seeing Hermione, Harry and Ron, huddled close, acting and looking very suspicious. Squeezing myself into the group, I asked, "You three look very suspicious you know?"
This caused the three of them to stop and look from one another, they obviously had something on their minds, almost to hesitant to say whatever was on their minds, "Out with it already" I commanded tilting my head to the side, as did Capone.
"How often do you see Snape?" Hermione questioned, being the boldest to finally speak.
Thinking carefully, I shrugged, "About as often as you guys see your head of house, why what's wrong?" I questioned, wanting more details, I then added another question, in a nonchalant tone, "Are you going to ask about his limp?" Rons eyes widening answered the question, "before you ask, I haven't thought about what injured him, I've been to enwrapped with my punishment, for being on the third floor" I grumbled.
"We think he let the troll out, so he could go face the three headed dog" Harry replied, as he started walking, towards the great hall, "Today he was saying how, you're suppose to keep your eyes on all three heads at once? Do you know what that means Amber? He must've used the troll as a diversion, so he could steal what was under the trapdoor, but got bitten by the dog" I just raised a brow, Convincing story, but it didn't feel right, something had to be missing.
"I don't think so, Snape isn't that terrible, or not as terrible as you may think he is." I replied. I mean he's terrible, for making me take the Seeker, but not that bad.
We were then stopped by a tall Slytherin, he had large messed up teeth, he looked as if he could've been half troll. His shifty grey eyes went from Harry, to Hermione, to Ron than finally to me.
"Ravenclaw, come with me." He commanded, walking past me, before I could object, I reluctantly waved off my friends and followed the troll, already figuring out he was the Slytherin captain, Marcus Flint.
He had lead me out to the quidditch field, where there were six other guys, each holding a broom, while two more brooms laid on the ground, gez, enough testosterone? They were all tall, and somewhat muscular.
Marcus Flint truned to face me, picking up a broom for himself, "This is the team, Adrian, Graham and I are Chasers" He instructed, pointing out Adrian and Graham, as he went on, "Miles is our Keeper, Aragog, and Barmy are our beaters, now on your broom, we're going to do a play." Marcus ordered, "The last guy with us is, Charlie Atkinson, he'll be releasing the balls" he and the five members of the team then got on their brooms, and went up.
With a sigh I grabbed the last broom, before I got it I walked to a bench, placing my rob and bag onto the floor, setting Capone on them getting on it, "stay put, love" I ordered, then I joined them in the other Slytherins in the air.
"The rules are simple, you get the snitch, before the other team" Called Marcus.
Rolling my eyes, I responded, "I know how this works, stay in the boundary lines of the pitch, stay out of the way of the of the Quaffle, and the the Bugers, don't seize a hold of other players or brooms, and no ending of the game unless the Seekers get the stupid snitch"
"Good, then we don't need to dumb it down to much" He replied, "Game on!" He hollered down at Charlie. Whom nodded, first he tossed up the Quaffle, then released the Bludgers. Staying high above everyone I watched the practice. They were violent crashing into each other, trying to knock each other off, I'd hate to be on the other teams. I shivered at the thought.
I let out a sigh, what was I doing? I don't want to be here, I didn't want to play this stupid game. The stupid game that caused me and Ava to loose our eldest brother, Rowan Jr. Ravenclaw. He looked alike our father, but younger, more carefree. He was a Keeper for the Ravenclaw team, he was an alright player to most, but to us, his family, he was the best. Ava and I were about six or seven watching the match that had badly hurt him, a Blundger had hit him hard in the gut, causing him to fall off his broom, landing on his head. We were even there to watch him die, when our parents were told, that he was brain dead, and the healers couldn't do anything.
I was brought out of my sad memory, when I saw the gold gleam, the snitch, it wasn't as quick as I thought it would be. Or remembered it to be, I hardly ever saw it when I was younger watching matches. Tilting my broom slightly I dashed for the Snitch, almost with ease it was in my hand, I could feel the wings brushing against my palm, before it could dash away, i grabbed hold of it, coming to a stop, I looked at the Snitch closely, such a pretty little thing.
"Nicely done, Ravenclaw, let me release it again" Charlie called from below. Once he was handed the Snitch and I was a distance away, he let it go. This time it zoomed around the rest of the team, they didn't seem to see it move.
Going in quickly to get it, I noticed a Blundger flying towards me, as I reached for the Snitch, quickly, I rolled my broom so I was hanging from it with my hand still reaching for the golden ball. Gracefully, I caught it while I rolled back so I was sitting on my broom once again.
Three days of practicing, during lunch and after dinner, I wanted nothing more than to sleep once we were done. I managed to dodge the Blundgers twice. To be honest the team seemed slow. Now sitting outside, I had brought my lunch with me, I couldn't stand everyone in the great hall, everyone in there were to excited, what's the big deal? It's just a stupid sport. I let out a groan. Today was a bit warmer outside, than it has been, so I brought Capone out with me, laying on a small blanket that I had brought with, just so we weren't on the ground.
Capone was munching away on the bread of my sandwich, it didn't bother me. I was too nervous to eat, shocked I managed to drink some pumpkin juice. I had to play the stupid game, if I failed and let Harry get the Snitch, I doubt I'd hear the end of it, if i get the Snitch then Harry won't hear the end of it. Today wasn't going to be a good day. What I would give to just be in the library all day.
I had pulled out the diary, it had been a few days since I last wrote in it. I didn't know if I should, would it help me at all? Releasing a sigh I wrote in the book.
~Tom's Point of View~
I was lost in thought, what year was this girl in? I haven't even gotten her year, blood status, bloody hell it had better not be a filthy mudblood. Had my other half, the one outside of this book, found immortality? Had he gained enough power to command the Wizarding world? I doubt that he has, was the other Tom Riddle alive still? That bloody moron probably didn't even realize he had locked the sentient part of his soul away. As soon as I can escape from these pages, I would cast the killing curse and strangle my counterpart, myself.
Crossing my fingers I couldn't help but become a bit childish, despite the hate I had for my counterpart, the other half pf me, I hoped he had accomplished something notable.
I then noticed that the girl, Amber had written to me.
"Hello, Tom, sorry it's been awhile, I've been side tracked, by studies, a troll and my recent punishment. How have you been?"
Trolls? Punishment? Just more questions to be asked, I wrote a reply back.
"Greetings, I've been well, I'd like to know more about the troll and your punishment, what did you do?"
As I waited for a reply, he could feel something, energy, as the girls quill touched the book. Knowing it would be the way he could connect to the world, the one outside of this book, he could create a body. However, creating a body out of thin air wouldn't be so simple. It would require more consistent energy. Which didn't happen with this girl, she only ever seemed to write once a week.
"There was a troll roaming the school, a friend and I were in the bathroom when it came in and attacked us. As for what I did, I think I told you, I ran into the Runespoor on the third floor, got caught at the door way of the commons room, finally got my punishment, having to play Quidditch"
I laughed to myself, reading her punishment, as I went to respond, she had already wrote something.
"Gotta go now, match time. I'll tell you how it goes later."
And with that I was stuck alone, once again. With only my thoughts to keep me company.
~Ambers Point of View~
I rolled my eyes, hearing my name get called. Getting up I placed the diary at the bottom of my bag, followed by the blanket, and my charms textbook and notes. Once I had shut the bag, I quickly put a charm on it, to make sure no one went through it, while I was playing. Picking Capone up, I held him in my hand, as I walked back inside the school, and made my way towards the quidditch pitch. As I walked I was joined by Hermione, quickly making my way to her, with her were both Harry, Ron and Neville I gave a smile. Hopefully hiding the fact my guts were knotting up and my nerves were tense.
"Hey" I greeted them, "Hermione, would you mind holding onto Capone? I don't want him waiting with my stuff, where ever we put our stuff."
She gave a nod, holding her hand out for my little glider, "Of course, I don't mind, but he'll be sitting with us in the Gryffindor cheering section" she informed me, "Of course I'll still cheer for you, and Harry"
I nodded, already figuring she would cheer for her house, it made sense. Handing over Capone, I pulled my wand out as we all walked, looking at the Gliders blue scarf, wrapped around his neck, I thought about how I wanted the scarf to look, green with the Slytherin emblem on it obviously, going through the wand motion, Capone was coated in green smoke, once it cleared his scarf was green with the snake emblem at both ends of it.
Making it to the quidditch field Ron, Neville and Hermione, with Capone sitting on her shoulder left to take their seats, while Harry and I walked to meet with our teams.
"Nervous?" I managed to ask, a stupidly obvious question.
He nodded, "Terribly" his voice even shook, while I shook.
I smiled boldly, "Me too, but we'll be fine, just don't hate me, to much when I catch the Snitch" I was proud of how my voice managed to sound cocky, and brave, while I was shaking like a leaf in the win. I took off down the Slytherin side of the wall, where they were likely getting ready, as I ran i could hear Harry laughing as he went down the other way.
Finding myself in the small room, the rest of the team were dressed in their quidditch uniforms, none of them noticed me at first, giving me the time to quickly use the, Tethunois Millashe, spell, like I used earlier, on Capone. Once the green and black smoke cleared I had on instead of the school uniform, I wore the quidditch uniform. The green cape and jersey, with black shin and arm gaurds with a pair of matching fingerless gloves, I've never been a fan of my fingers being covered fully.
Once I was dressed, I placed my bag on the ground, with the other bags, then went to join the group, while I proceeded to tie my hair back, not wanting to morph it in any way.
"Ravenclaw there you are, since you don't have a broom you'll be using Hills broom." Marcus said, once he saw me, tossing me a dark wood broom, he then spoke to us all, "Alright, the usual play, rough, knock them off their brooms if you need to" He ordered, what a primiveal plan. If that's all we're doing we're surly going to loose, due to some foul.
He then turned around, walking us through the wall, where we could hear the cheering of everyone above us. I took a gulp of the warm air as we stepped foot onto the quidditch field, as we walked more into view, the crowds got loud, with cheering. The Slytherin side students, were waving banners and shooting green and silver sparks from their wands. The Gryffindor side did the same once their team walked out. As the stadium got louder, my nerves got worse and worse. As Madam Hooch walked on to the field, I saw Harry, he seemed more petrified than me, if that were possible.
"Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you" Hooch ordered, gazing mostly at Slytherin as she did, Now mount your brooms, please" We all did as we were told, I shot Harry a small smile, We'll be okay, game on Potter. The whistle was then blown, everyone rose off the ground, everyone in their positions, I rose a bit higher than the team, wanting to see more Harry seemed to followed my lead.
"Harry Potter currently being the new Seeker for the Gryffindor, while Slytherin has a Amber Rose Ravenclaw subbing in, it must be strange! I'm sure we're all still suprised, ever since the bird got placed in the house of snakes!" booms the voice of Jordan Lee, whom must've been warned, as he said sorry to a professor.
The game then started, I rose higher, staying out of the violent action, Gryffindor scored the first point. I kept my focus on searching for the Snitch, my broom wobbling slightly, every so often, as gusts of wind hit me. Then I saw it, the Snitch, dipping down, I gained acceleration, going faster and faster as I went down. Harry was following in tow.
WHAM! Harry was knocked off balance, by Marcus Flint, thankfully not getting me knocked off course, or kill my speed, while Jordan Lee called a fowl, I gained more speed, the Snitch zooming upwards, I left Harry and the pitch behind. Only to steer off course sharply as a Bludger zoomed passed, nearly grazing the broom. This caused me to loose site of the Snitch, I came to a stop, I was very high up, looking down at the pitch, it was amazing, I could still see most details from up here. My gaze went from watching the other players, as Slytherin playing roughly, Flint had knocked Oliver Wood,m the Gryffindors captain off his broom, while putting another player, I knew to be Angelina Johnson into a tower, I couldn't help but to smile. The girl had it coming, after being rude to me when I was sitting with Hermione, weeks ago. We were thirty points to twenty, with that short lead it meant I need the Snitch now.
I then looked to Harry who seemed to be have troubles with his broom, it was violently jerking him around was it being hexed or was it jinxed? The broom was fine earlier so I doubted it was defective or anything. His broom started to roll and and roll around. Till Harry was hanging on by a hand. I had an instinct to go help him, but then I saw the Snitch. Do I try to help Harry or get the Snitch? Making a choice I zoomed downward, my hair being blown back, I went after the Snitch. Slytherin was going wild below, as I reached my hand out, I could feel the wings burning my palm, as the wings were going fast, just as I was closing my fingers around it.
WHAM! I was slammed into, something had slammed into my gut, causing me to fall off balance, and off of the broom, loosing reach of the snitch, as I fell to the earth. I need to slow down! Taking a deep breath, I thought about the hovering charm, I knew I wouldn't hover, but maybe, just maybe it could slow me down. As I thought about it, I began to slow, My hunch being correct, even though I couldn't hover in one spot, and ease my way down, the charm was slowing me down, little by little. Once I was close to the ground, I covered my head, bracing myself, not wanting to suffer from a head injury, I landed harshly onto the ground, hearing a slight popping sound as the sand buried itself into my arm, till I slowed to a stop. I laid on my back for a moment, I couldn't feel anything at first, aside from blood rushing in my ear, on my right side. Once I sat up however, I could feel the searing pain, it felt like something was truly wrong, like my arm had been ripped out of my chest, I sat their gasping for breath, each breath almost bringing tears to my eyes. I didn't dare to look at my arm, fearing for the worse, as I stood up, quickly grabbing hold of the arm with my good hand, as the injured arm felt like dead weight, that hurt terribly as it moved.
I walked towards the broom, realizing that the game wasn't over, the Snitch hadn't been caught. I wasn't going to let it end just beause of me. I wouldn't let my pride be wounded. Thankful, for the cape being long enough to cover up, whatever injury my arm had taken. As I made my way to the broom, I had somehow not cried, as I tucked my entire right arm into my shirt, taking off the elbow pad, I had pulled the strap off, and wrapped it around me, across my arm, just so it wouldn't droop back down, but stay in one spot. I wanted to cry, scream and just lay down. But I couldn't, I couldn't risk looking like worthless child.
holding my hand over the broom, not daring to lean forward, the broom quickly went into my left hand. Once I was on it and back in the air, I realized the stadium had been quiet while, I was down, as when I rose back up, the Slytherin section, seemed to go wild, as did a few other parts of the stadium.
"Looks like she's back up! Missing it arm it'd seem, anyone see it down in the sand pit?" Jordan Lee's voice boomed in a joking matter, as he pointed out my right arm was out of view, he went on "Tough lady that one is, seem's unscathed!" He must've been told to focus on the game, as he went back to calling the score, forty to twenty. I didn't listen to the rest, as my arm was to distracting, every move I made, felt like my arm was going to fall off.
I then caught sight of the golden ball, Harry was after it. Leaning forward I chased him, and the snitch. With the excruciating pain, like my arm was screaming for me to stop. We were diving downward towards the Snitch. Harry only inches in front of me, he ended up standing on his broom, what the hell Potter? I then leaned towards his broom, harshly, knocking the broom right from under him, causing him to go forward, and ending up with his broom hitting me in the face and shoulder, causing me to fall off my broom, yet again. I had to let out a painful groan as I landed on the ground, again. Forcing myself to sit up, in time I saw Harry barf up the Snitch. Gross.
"He has caught the Snitch!" Jordan Lee seemed to scream, "Harry Potter receives 150 points for catching the Snitch!" Meaning they won. While people began to pile into the pitch around him, I stood up walking off the pitch, not wanting to be noticed. I just wanting to make it to the hospital wing, so my arm could get chopped off, just to make it stop hurting.
"Ms.Ravenclaw, come this way" Snape ordered, with hast, walking towards me, he must've noticed my urgent hast, as I walked past him towards the castle. A few moments of walking I was joined by Snape, "Mr.Flint will be bringing your belongings shortly." He informed me. I just nodded, not wanting to speak, knowing if I did I would likely burst and look like a pathetic weakling. Though deep down I was cursing at him, if he hadn't made this my punishment, I wouldn't be wanting to chop off my arm. Stupid quidditch, stupid Snape, stupid stink bomb, I'm a bloody buffoon for catching it, should've let it blown up!