THE PHOENIX

Chapter Five


The next week at dinner, when everyone was assembled in the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood to make an announcement. He stood proudly and regally at the center of the faculty table, his eyes showing that constant twinkle.

“As you know, every Halloween we like to do something special. This year it was suggested we hold a Wizard’s fund raiser for orphans of our world,” he paused to look out at the students. “For that week classes will be cancelled.” A roar of applause went through the Hall.

Dumbledore looked to the professors and smirked at their surprised faces, then held up his hands once more for silence. “There will be guests staying at the school and also some other friends camping out across the lake. Friends and family are welcome to participate for the week. For you motorcycle enthusiasts, a track will be set up on the grounds for races....to wizards that hold permits to drive the bikes. The prefects have a meeting scheduled for tonight, so if there are any ideas to raise funds, please talk to them, or to the Head Boy or Head Girl.” He then sat down as the students talked excitedly to one another.

Ron turned to Hermione who sat beside him, “Did you know about this ‘Mione?”

“I had an idea about it, but didn’t know it was a for sure thing,” she replied.

“Are you going to race Hermione?” Ginny whispered.

“Probably.”

“You know, ‘Mione.....you won’t be able to keep it a secret,” Harry stated referring to her racing persona.

“I know. But really, how many wizard’s read muggle motorcycle magazines,” she said, then looked to Harry. “Would it bother you if you were recognized?”

“Not really. But for me you couldn’t see my face.....and I was wearing more than you,” he smirked.

Hermione grinned back at him. “With the charms I used and the shaded glasses, I may not be too recognizable either,” she said. “Is Sirius coming?”

“He hasn’t said anything yet. I was going to floo him when we got back to the dormitory.”

“Well, let Ron know and he can tell me at the meeting tonight,” she smiled and changed the topic. “So is there still quidditch practice tomorrow?”

“Yes, you’ll do okay Hermione. You tried out and won the chaser position fair and square,” Ron said.

“I still can’t believe I made the team,” she said still amazed.

“With your skill on the bike, you had to have some with a broom. You just needed to feel confident enough to try it,” Harry stated.

“Thanks Harry,” Hermione replied and then got up with some of the other Gryffindors following her. She turned to Harry at her side. “So how’s Lavender?” She asked teasingly.

He smiled, “Fine.”

“I heard that you two have been busy,” she smirked.

“Malfoy?” He asked back.

“Yeah, he tried to get a rise out of me last week,” she said as they climbed the stairs. “You know he’s not that bad anymore.”

Harry grinned, “You like him don’t you?”

She shrugged. “I like bugging him,” she smirked.


That night Draco and Hermione sat in the library, the prefects sitting around them. They were still waiting for one or two more to get there, so they talked amongst themselves. Hermione leaned over to Ron who sat beside her. “Did Harry talk to Sirius?”

“Yeah, he’ll be coming with the others. They’ll be camping out across the lake. He mentioned he didn’t want any younger years at the camp while they were there.”

“Okay.” She turned to the others as they settled themselves down. “All right. So what did you think of the idea of the fund raiser for Halloween?”

All of them agreed it was a grand idea, the fact that there was no classes for the week also helped.

“Does anyone have any suggestions for events?” Draco asked.

“Motorcycle races definitely,” A Ravenclaw said.

“Or some stunt riding,” Hufflepuff added excitedly.

“Well.....I just found out that there will be wizards and witches that will be camping out across the lake that are bikers. A few of them are quite good on the bikes. Also, they have requested that they don’t mind students visiting.....but not the younger years,” she said.

“Maybe we should restrict the first to fifth years from visiting,” Draco said.

“I agree, but also taking account the curfew for the students,” Hermione replied. “We should start a list of students who want to sign up for the races.”

“How about a quidditch tournament?” Draco suggested.

“Excellent idea,” Ron agreed.

“Yes, that is a good idea. Maybe intermixing the house teams and maybe having some games with previous Hogwart’s students.” The others around the table whole heartedly agreed to this idea also.

“How about some stunts on the brooms or motorcycles?” A Slytherin suggested.

“We’ll start up lists for the students to sign up,” Hermione stated. “And suggest these ideas to Dumbledore.”

“Fred and George volunteered some prizes and fireworks from their shop,” Ron stated.

“Wicked, should be exciting,” Ravenclaw said. The Weasley twins were well known for their ingenuity in their inventions.

“Any other suggestions?” Draco asked. They all shook their heads. “Then I suggest we draw this meeting to a close. If there are any other suggestions that you come up with, you can come to me or Granger here.”

Everyone gathered up their parchments and left the library talking about the upcoming event excitedly.


The next day after classes the Gryffindor team were on the quidditch pitch going over some strategy. Hermione flew about the pitch looking around. She glanced to the Slytherin stands and saw that there were about ten students sitting there watching their practice, a certain blonde haired Slytherin standing out among his peers.

She nodded her head and smiled as she flew back down. The quaffle was thrown back and forth among the team. Hermione had the quaffle and was heading towards the hoops. She looked behind her and saw Seamus closing in on her. She flew towards the Slytherin’s, smirking to herself as she leaned down against the broom. She headed straight towards Pansy Parkinson and pulled up suddenly, the breeze from her broom ruffling the Slytherin’s hair.

Hermione threw the quaffle and sat on her broom that hovered by the Slytherin stands.

“You bitch! You did that on purpose!” Pansy cried out glaring at Hermione.

Hermione flew closer. “If I did it on purpose....I would have hit you Parkinson,” she smirked cockily.

“You filthy mudblood!” Pansy cried out.

“Is that all you got Pansy? That insult is getting old,” Hermione said dryly as she saw the rest of her team fly to her side. “Keep trying though, someday you’ll say something intelligent, or something worth ignoring,” Hermione smirked.

Draco hid his smile behind his hand, as did most of the other Slytherins. Pansy was on her feet glaring at Hermione. “I challenge you to a duel mudblood,” Pansy declared.

“A duel? Are you sure Parkinson?” Hermione asked hopefully.

Blaise grabbed Pansy’s arm, “Pansy....don’t be an idiot. She’s not Head Girl for being stupid.”

“Fine. One on one. No wands,” Pansy said.

“Whatever. When?” Hermione said glaring back at her.

“Tonight.....here. No professors, at 10:00 tonight,” Pansy said.

“Fine, till tonight Parkinson,” Hermione said as she turned her back on the Slytherins.

Once they touched down, Ron and Harry took Hermione aside. “Are you sure about this ‘Mione? Do you really think it will be just one on one?” Ron asked worriedly.

“Whatever Ron. I’m sick of her threats. I don’t want to fight her, and I won’t if I don’t need to.....but if she throws the first punch. I will retaliate,” she added, walking out of the pitch to the change rooms, angry at herself for letting Pansy rile her up.


Thanks Lessa for helping me with beta-ing. I have come to hate punctuation.