Quaffles, Anyone?

Chapter Eleven

Beyond The Field

The eleventh month of the year was about to come to a close while Harry, Ron and Hermione studied for a big test on Charms this Friday at the library.

“This is crazy! Twenty-seven charms that are in Latin and we need to memorize them all?” Ron said “And this is tomorrow? Why can't I be like her?” Ron pointed to Fiyuna who was sitting two tables away from them.

“What do you mean?” Harry asked

“Fiyuna's been reading since last month” Hermione said behind her Charms book “She's been reading the whole library” she snorted “As if everyone in this school hasn't”

“Hermione's jealous that Fiyuna can read the whole library than her” Ron muttered with a grin

“I'm not!” Hermione spat softly “I'm just saying that there are more to things than spending half of your life reading books”

“You should talk” Ron said calmly pointing to the tower of books beside Hermione

“Even though” Hermione said and went back to her book but looked as if she was thinking of something “I've been reading this many times, I'm going to bed” she closed her book, grabbed her bag and left Harry and Ron alone.

“I wish the faculty makes a book reading tournament” Ron said “so we can tell who is better”

Harry chuckled and looked at Fiyuna, she was reading a book that said Bringing The Dead Back To Life… Is it Possible? Why would someone read that kind of thing? Before Harry could think he felt like Fiyuna was watching him under her hood so he went back to his Charms book.

“Mr. Potter?” said a stern voice

Harry looked up and saw Professor McGonagall looking at him with her usual look

“Yes, Professor?”

“The headmaster asks for your presence” she said but a small smile spread across her face

Harry looked at Ron

“Don't worry, you go. I got this test to do and I bet Hermy tutored you since both of you would go in broom closets and study or do something more like-”

“Ron!” Harry said receiving a `Shh!' from McGonagall

“Sorry, professor” Harry said and glared at Ron who smirked at him

- - -

Harry followed McGonagall up the Grand Staircase moments later.

“Professor? Why's Dumbledore calling for me?” Harry asked as they entered the corridor that lead to Dumbledore's office

“Don't worry Potter, it's nothing serious” she said

They stopped in front of the gargoyle statue which was the usual entrance of Dumbledore's office

“Chocolate frog” McGonagall said as the gargoyle jumped out of the way revealing the staircase that lead to Dumbledore's office

“I'll be going now since this is not of my concern” McGonagall said and left Harry

He looked at the door of the office and heard mumbling inside, Harry thought this was a good opportunity to eavesdrop and placed his ear on the wood of the door.

He heard Dumbledore

“I see you are here to send a message to Rapticon Sr.? I'm afraid that he's ill and must need some time alone”

Then came another voice which was American-accented and Harry didn't recognize

“It's okay, we've been experiencing this with him since we are the same kind, reptiles I mean, so I can cope” the voice then chuckled as if he was talking about the good old days

“And besides” said a second voice which sounded lower and still had the American-accent “Even if his hallucinations come about, he knows it is us”

There was a pause then

“I suspect Yu -” said the first voice

“Ahem” said the second voice

“I mean I suspect Fiyuna's alright then?” said the first voice

“She is, in fact, she is in the library right now if you want to meet her” Dumbledore said “and you can meet Rapticon Sr. afterwards, stay as long as you want. Hogwarts' doors are open to both of you”

“Thank you headmaster” said the two voices

Harry heard footsteps coming to his direction and pulled himself away from the door and try to act as if he came when the door open revealing two shady characters.

The one in the left was wearing a dark blue coat and a fedora hat while the one in the right was wearing a black coat with matching fedora. Both had their hats down so their faces were concealed.

The one in blue looked at Harry and said

“Hello, Harry, nice meeting you” he had a jolly sort of voice “Rapticon Sr. speaks highly of you”

Then the one in black said

“I think we gotta meet Y-Y - I mean Fiyuna in the library so we can see Rapticon Sr. Oh, by the way” he said looking at Harry “Where's the hospital wing?”

Before Harry could speak the one in blue cut him off

“I thought you knew your way around this place?” he said jokingly as he whacked the back of the head of the one in black

“Sorry” the one in black said apologetically “I just wanted to talk to him. It is the Harry Potter after all”

“Well, autographs could wait” the one in blue looked at Harry “Sorry for his actions, Elvis could be a bit of star struck” he chuckled

“No I'm not” said the person in black whose name is Elvis

“Then how come your house is filled with memorabilia of Hollywood actors, Hmmm?” said the one in blue, Harry could see he was grinning through the light of the torch

“Never mind that” Elvis said and looked at his watch “C'mon Figment, Y-Yu - Fiyuna! Fiyuna! Fiyuna is waiting for us in the library. God, can I ever remember not say her name?”

“Shh! Elvis not in front of” the one in blue named Figment thumbed at Harry

“Whoops, there I go again” said Elvis

“Before Elvis slips that he has no underwear” said Figment ignoring Elvis' surprised jump on what Figment said “I just wanna say that I would love to chat with you Harry but we gotta go. See ya!” and with that, Figment and Elvis nodded at Harry and left.

Before Harry could enter the office he heard Figment said as they went down the staircase

“Oh, by the way, if you want to eavesdrop again Harry, please for your sake, try not to. It's very rude”

Harry raised his eyebrow when Figment and Elvis disappeared

“How'd he know that?” Harry said to himself

“Figment is a psychic” said Dumbledore from inside

Harry realized that Dumbledore was just inside waiting for him and said

“A psychic?” Harry said as he entered the office

“A psychic, yes, he is. A very gifted one” Dumbledore said as he stood up making his purple robes sown with stars and moons revealed

“Can he predict the future? Like a Seer?” Harry asked

“No, he can't do that unless you are watching those countless Muggle shows about psychics seeing the future” he chuckled and said “Figment is the real deal. He says that psychics can't see the future. Only Seers can”

“Then if psychics can't predict what's coming then what can they do?” Harry asked

“They can move objects with their minds” Dumbledore said “And read people's minds” he added

“Can Figment do that?” Harry said

“He just moved my dictionary without any hands and mind you, he even told me my favorite sweet” Dumbledore said with a smile

“Er - can he see through walls? Like Moody?”

“Er - no but he can sense heat sources” Dumbledore said sitting down

“Anyway, why did you call me for?” Harry asked

“Oh yes!” Dumbledore said looking around his desk “I'm kind of off-track ever since Figment amazed me with his psychic ability. Ah yes” Dumbledore said as he took out an emerald green box that had the Hogwarts symbol engraved on the leathery surface

“What is it?” Harry asked as Dumbledore gave it to him

“Ever since your first year, you've made Hogwarts look at a different perspective” Dumbledore said “and after you've done so much for us. The faculty decided that you should earn this prestigious award”

Harry opened the leather box and saw a golden badge that took the shape and design of the Hogwarts symbol, it had diamond encrusted edges and below the shield there was an engraved word that said: “Hogwarts Legend: Harry Potter”

Harry looked up and saw Dumbledore eye's twinkling at him

“Congratulations” Dumbledore said

“Thanks, Professor” Harry said as he took out the Hogwarts Legend badge and tried it on

“Er - don't get carried away or you'll end up like Percy Weasley” Dumbledore said chuckling

“Don't worry” Harry said as he placed the badge in the box “I won't”

“You know until now only four students and three faculty members earned those awards”

“Who?” Harry said

“Lets see” Dumbledore started ticking them off one by one with his fingers “The Weasley twins, Ms. Granger and you. For the faculty it is Severus, Minerva and Flitwick”

“Why don't you have one?”

“Because I founded the award” Dumbledore said

“I see” Harry said

“Don't worry, Hogwarts Legend Awards are usually awarded during Christmas unless a student or faculty member really deserves it and should have it right away”

Harry saw Dumbledore staring at the ceiling as he twiddled his thumbs

“Ms. Fiyuna told me that you have a big Charms test tomorrow so I think it would be wise if you go back to your common room to study” Dumbledore said as he stood up and stroked Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix

“How'd she know that?” Harry asked

“She loves going around the school when it's free time and would overhear classes” Dumbledore said as he went back to his desk

“I see… Er - can I ask you one question?”

“Fire away”

“Is `Fiyuna' Fiyuna's real name?”

“I don't know, do you have a premonition?” Dumbledore said

“Er - no, sir” Harry said

“She likes you Harry, why don't you ask her?”

“She might say no”

“But what if she said yes?” Dumbledore said

“I'll think about it” Harry said as he waved to Dumbledore and left

- - -

“Wow!” Ron said when Harry returned to common room a little later on “Hogwarts Legend? That's so cool. I knew you would get one”

“Dumbledore said that Hermione, Fred, George and I are the only ones who have it save for the three faculty members”

“I wish I had one” Ron said disappointingly as he examined the Hogwarts Legend box “I should get it for beating you in chess for the umpteenth time”

“Don't worry, Christmas isn't that far and Dumbledore says that Hogwarts Legend Awards are received during Christmas”

“I doubt I will get one” Ron said

“Of course you will” said a voice making Ron jump

“Hermione, can you stop doing that?” Ron said angrily

“Sorry” Hermione said as she sat with them “Anyway, I overheard what you said and I think you might get that award”

“Thanks Hermione” Ron said as he read his Charms book

Hermione was about to get her book when she noticed an emerald green box lying on top of Harry's Potion's essay

“Is that mine?” Hermione asked as she grabbed the box

“Nope” Harry said grinning

Hermione opened it and her face glowed with impression

“Congratulations!” Hermione said as she hugged Harry and pulled away from him “When did you get it?”

“Just now” Harry said

“I'm so proud of you! I know, lets celebrate, Hogsmeade weekend is next week and we can have a -” Hermione paused and started looking a bit worried and said “Oh yes, I forgot. Alex and I are going to hang out at that time. Damn” Hermione swore softly as she waved to a first year boy who blushed

“You and Alex, on a date?” Ron said surprisingly

“It is not a date” Hermione said blushing “It's just two friends getting together and er - not making out”

There was a brief pause then Ron said

“Sounds like a date to me”

Hermione shrugged and looked at Harry

“I'm sorry Harry. I wished we could go together”

“It's alright” Harry said and realized he seemed disappointed

“Are you” Hermione said “okay with that?”

“S-Sure” Harry said “I'm fine with that”

“I think this will cheer you up”

Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek which made him wide awake

“Well?” she asked biting her lower lip

“Thanks” Harry said as he touched his cheek feeling a little bit good about it

“I am a good kisser” Hermione said smiling “But I kissed you because you look disappointed” she added cautiously

“I know, I know” Harry said as he went back to his Charms book

“Aha!” Ron said punching the air triumphantly “Twenty-seven charms and I memorized them all! Who's your daddy now?”

“Where'd you get that quote? You know, the `Who's your daddy?' quote?” Hermione said looking taken aback

“Er - Professor Raptor said that when he played Russian Roulette with the class two days ago” Ron clarified as he sat down and looked a bit embarrassed but happy with himself

- - -

Figment and Elvis are still of an enigma to the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry except for their names and that they are friends of Rapticon Sr.

“Do you mind if we sit here, Harry?” said the voice of Figment in the Great Hall during lunch time. Figment and Elvis still had their faces hidden with their large fedoras

“Er - sure, why not?” Harry said as he scooted so Figment and Elvis can sit

“That's better” said Elvis “Oooh! Sandwiches!”

“Elvis! Stop thinking with your stomach! It's very rude especially in front of Harry” Figment said

“C'mon! I haven't eaten since we began venturing to this castle! Damn, I knew I should have eaten all of those raisins in Bristol” Elvis said rubbing his stomach

“Those weren't raisins” Figment said to him calmly “Those were droppings from a rat”

Harry, Ron and Hermione jumped when Elvis made a sudden movement and started spitting at the ground

“Yuck! No wonder they tasted stale!” Elvis said wiping his mouth with his sleeve “Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because I know you will eat anything that can fit your mouth” Figment said a matter-of-factly as Seamus and Dean laughed

“I don't eat everything” Elvis said taken aback

“Then what does `Figment! I've got to eat something! Anything!' mean?” Figment said

“Actually, I was acting” Elvis said staring up at the ceiling

“You don't go to acting school, dunderhead!” Figment said slamming his fist on Elvis' hand which were on the table

“Stop hitting me!”

“I'm not even hitting you” Figment said “I just hit you. If I was hitting you” Figment said emphasizing the `hitting' word “then I would be doing this!” He grabbed the Daily Prophet, rolled it and started whacking Elvis in the head making Harry, Ron, Dean and Seamus laugh except for Hermione who seemed startled since the Daily Prophet Figment was holding was the one she was just reading

“Ok, you can stop!” Elvis said grabbing the Prophet from Figment and putting it back on the table “Damn, are you that sensitive when it comes to lying?”

“Wanna find out?” Figment smiled mischievously as an apple floated in mid-air and hit Elvis shoulder

“I'm not lying!” Elvis spat

“I'm just testing” Figment said as he rubbed his fingernails on his chest

“Y-you did that without a wand!” Hermione said eyes widened

“I'm a psychic, Hermione”

“Wow!” Dean said “Can you predict the future and stuff?”

“No” Figment said and a smirk could be visible under his hat “I see muggle television has poisoned your mind” Figment pointed his finger on Harry's goblet which gave out a faint bluish glow and started floating.

“A psychic doesn't have the power to predict the future. They can only make objects move with their minds, read people's thoughts, detect heat waves, manipulate the six senses and if you are a powerful psychic, control the forces of nature” Figment explained as he made the goblet float around the area making students look up “But being a psychic has its negative effects too. When you are still fresh with your ability lots of thoughts from people go into you making you dizzy and vomit. Fortunately, you need psychic teachers to help you guide the way of being a proper psychic”

“Is psychic a form of magic?” Hermione asked as the goblet landed beside her plate

“Nope, it's a phenomenon. You see me ramming that apple on Elvis without a wand, didn't you?” Figment said as he grabbed an apple with his hand and ate it

“Why can't I eat?” Elvis said

“You can now” Figment said as Elvis helped himself with some sandwiches

“Can people learn it?” Seamus asked

“No” Figment said “but that is just a rumor, it is next to the impossible to learn psychic. So far, psychics are born with it” he looked at his wristwatch and said “Oh, look at the time! We should get to the hospital wing before Rapticon Sr. realizes he's captain of the wing. Well, see ya kids and study well!” and with that Elvis and Figment left the Great Hall

- - -

“Wow, a psychic” Hermione said as they left the Great Hall for Charms class “Now that's even better than Divination”

“Amen” Harry and Ron said together

“I just never knew psychics can't predict the future!” Hermione continued as they climbed the Grand Staircase “Reading minds are the things I know but - wow!” Hermione sighed as they entered the corridor to the Charms classroom

“I wish we can learn psychic” Ron said as they took a seat at the back of the classroom “so I can toss quaffles at Malfoy”

“That could be arranged with Figment” Harry said “We can tell him that Malfoy gave him a go and just imagine a swarm of fire seeds chasing him around the lake”

“I don't think that's a good idea” Hermione said as she took out a golden quill from her bag

“Where'd you get that?” Ron said amazed at the sight of a gold quill

“Rapticon Sr. and Fiyuna gave it to me on my birthday last September nineteen” Hermione said “I just realized they gave this to me so I decided to give it a try”

“Damn” Ron said “We forgot your birthday!”

“It's okay, you always missed it ever since first year” Hermione said looking at her Charms book that she took out

“Don't say that” Harry said “We both love you and would never forget your birthday”

“Alright” Hermione said “You can make it up by giving me a very nice present. Nothing that can help me in studying” she said “Something that has `sweet sixteen' on it”

Luckily, everyone finished the Charms test under thirty minutes and to Harry and Hermione's surprise, Ron aced it earning himself an `O'

“Are you sure this is an `O'?” Hermione said holding Ron's test paper as they went down the Grand Staircase after Charms

“A shiny `O' if you ask me” Ron said cheerfully “Mind you, I was studying”

“I think he used invisible ink on a piece of parchment” Hermione said looking at his test paper

“You're just jealous that you got two answers wrong” Ron said joyfully as they went down the Defense Against the Dark Arts corridor

“I'm not!” Hermione said looking a bit flushed “I'm proud of you acing the test but -”

“Are you saying you are better than me?” Ron teased

“N-No!” Hermione said as they entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom “Why would I say that?”

Ron shrugged and the three sat in their usual places in the classroom which was deserted. Ever since Figment and Elvis announced that Rapticon Sr. would be absent for a couple of days, the class would use Defense Against the Dark Arts for procrastinating as Elvis would say.

“I wonder why Snape didn't use this opportunity to substitute this class” Ron said

“I wish he didn't” Hermione said, she would never forgive Snape when he called her something really horrible when he substituted for Lupin during their third year

“Speaking of opportunities” Ron said smirking pointing to the door, it was Alex

“Break a leg” Ron said as Hermione's face turned red as she walked to Alex

Harry tried to ignore the voice in the back of his head that sounded like Rapticon Sr.'s “You are jealous”

After a few moments, Hermione came back looking all flustered

“Well?” Ron asked teasingly “What did Prince Charming asked you?”

Hermione looked at both of them as if she was floating on air

“He just wanted to have some time with me in on Saturday. He's so - I dunno” Hermione said looking so happy

“I'll give you three words” Harry muttered loudly

“What did you say Harry?” Hermione asked

“Nothing” Harry said as Hermione shrugged and went back to the dream world

Minutes has passed when the door opened revealing a very happy Rapticon Sr.

“I'm healed!” he called as the class cheered “And thanks to my two colleagues, Elvis and Figment, this wouldn't be possible”

Harry and Ron sighed in relief while Hermione just looked up at the ceiling, looking as if she had butterflies in her stomach

“Lets celebrate!” Rapticon Sr. said “I know, let's play -”

Before he could continue, the class took a dive under their tables except for Hermione who was still in reverie

“Um - what's going on?”

“You've been playing a game called Russian Roulette with the class” Hermione said casually still smiling

“I see” Rapticon Sr. said “for your information class I was planning to play pumpkin dueling” Rapticon Sr. went to his desk and grabbed two pumpkins “But I see you lot's not interested -”

“I am!” Malfoy shouted standing up while his Slytherin cronies followed suit

“That was dirty” Ron said removing bits of pumpkin on his robes minutes later

“I never knew pumpkin dueling is similar to dodge ball except pumpkins are being used than balls” Hermione said who was the cleanest in the class since Harry and Ron would block her from harm's way

“Dodge ball?” Ron asked “Dad mentioned that once”

“You idiots” Rapticon Sr. said “Don't you know how to clean? Scourgify!” he yelled and all the pumpkin chunks disappeared in the blink of an eye

After cleaning, the class left the room leaving Harry, Ron and Hermione alone with Rapticon Sr.

“You two go ahead” Harry said “I think I misplaced my wand”

“Ok, Harry” Ron said as he and Hermione left

Harry went to his desk and found his wand lying there

“Looks like you are enjoying yourself” Rapticon Sr. said as he cleaned his desk

“I am, sir” Harry said smiling at him

“Not to intrude or anything but aren't you gonna find a gift for Hermione?”

Harry looked at Rapticon Sr.

“How did you know that?”

“Figment can accidentally grab thoughts and came across what you said during Charms class”

“I see” Harry said

“Well? Have you found the perfect gift?” Rapticon Sr. said sitting behind his desk

“No, sir. Can I go now?”

Rapticon Sr. nodded. Harry turned on his heel but before he reached the door

“Harry!”

Harry turned and caught something Rapticon Sr. threw at him. It was a catalog that said Witch Jewel? Harry looked up at Rapticon Sr.

“That's a catalog of one of the finest jewelry in the Wizarding world” Rapticon Sr. said not looking at Harry “Get Hermione a great gift or I'm gonna dock points from you”

Harry smiled and said “Thanks, professor”

“No problem” Rapticon Sr. said as he started rummaging around his desk.

- - -

Harry waited in the Owlery two days later. After receiving that catalog from Rapticon Sr. the other day, Harry ran up the Owlery and ordered the best item in the catalog: Merlin's Ring, it was a ring with a gold band which is encrusted with rubies and diamonds, the biggest jewel is the sapphire which was placed on the top of the ring making it look brilliant.

Harry looked up when he saw an owl holding a parcel that had “To: Harry Potter” stamped across it. Harry ran to it, removed the owl's burden and tied a pouch of Galleons on its leg.

“Wait till Hermione sees this” Harry said as he opened the parcel and saw a small black box inside it

Harry went out of the Owlery and headed to the common room to give Hermione her present but she wasn't there

“Hey Ron” Harry said to Ron who had a screwed up face as he looked at a spoon

“Yeah Harry?” Ron said still looking at the spoon

“You can't bend it” Ginny said who was sitting on one of the squashy armchairs

“I can!” Ron said

“Ron!” Harry said

“What?”

“Have you seen Hermione?” Harry said

“She's at the Quidditch field” Ginny said “probably training or something. She seemed quiet when she left”

“Thanks” Harry said as he left the common room

Harry walked across the pitch moments later. It was empty.

“Where's she?”

Harry looked around: the bleachers, the locker rooms, bathrooms and the like.

“Searched everywhere” Harry said “Except for one more spot…”

Harry hasn't explored the hallways within the pitch yet, so he entered the hallway of the locker rooms and instead of going left which leads to the locker rooms, Harry turned right which lead to the pitch's high bleachers. After walking for a few moments, Harry took a turn to a new hallway and froze at mid-turn when he saw something that made his heart beat very fast.

There was Hermione and Alex, kissing. Fortunately, they were closing their eyes so they didn't see Harry. They were having a very passionate kiss and Harry couldn't help but stand there and watch Alex lip-lock his best friend because he was… well, he was - well, he is feeling something!

Harry saw as Alex held her waist and Hermione holding Alex's neck. They were kissing like there's no tomorrow.

Harry then felt something in his chest: for the first time ever, in his friendship with Hermione, he knew that if he was shocked seeing Alex and Hermione kissing each other, he felt like he wanted to interrupt it, or ask Rapticon Sr. to play Russian Roulette with Alex. Harry knew that seeing these two kissing behind his back made him feel - for the first time in his friendship with Hermione, mind you - the most jealous man in the world.

“I told you, you were jealous” said the voice of Rapticon Sr. behind his head, and you know what? He was right… after all.