Breakfast and Quidditch

The Breakfast Hall

Natilee wandered into the Great Hall, the book in her hands not a requirement for their school, but expected reading of a Ilvermory student. The charms book had her engrossed in a particularly interesting spell that allowed one to fold a towel into animal shapes. She finished the page as she slid into her spot at the Slytherin table. 

"Some spells are completely useless. Silly even. Give me one good reason to fold a towel into the shape of a bear?" Natilee asked looking at Asti who was currently eating a rather appetizing looking blueberry scone. She swallowed and took a drink of milk as Natilee grabbed a pumpkin muffin.

"Maybe being chased by a bear?" Asti offered and Natilee frowned thinking for a moment. 

"Wouldn't you just cast an illusionary charm? That way the bear actually thought there was another bear? Bears are not stupid creatures." Natilee pointed out curiously and Asti shrugged. 

"Maybe they don't know the illusion and have a fancy liking to animal shaped towels? I don't know Nati… have a bear claw?" She offers handing the pastry out and her eyes begging Natilee to stop. It's just too early for this line of questioning. She chuckled and took the offering settling in to breakfast with a contemplative look as she turned to the next page in the book. 

"My my, diligent this morning aren't we Miss Snape?" The Bloody Baron asked as he popped his head up through her book. She chuckled at the ghost with a grin. 

"Yes, as always Mr.Baron or how can I ever hope to be as esteemed as yourself?" She replied with a light purr. Her flattery almost tinged those silvery cheeks pink. 

"Kind of you to aspire to such greatness, I expect excellence from you." He replied flying out of her book and down the table a ways.

"I suppose I should close my book." Natilee put the book down on her lap and focused on breakfast. 

"Are you looking forward to Quidditch?" Asti asked curiously. "I hear Draco and the other players aren't happy. They are not allowed to play their normal positions in class." 

"That's probably best. We have 3 players on our side and Gryffindor only has Harry." Natilee admitted with a shrug. She wasn't exactly keen on taking such advantages. If they won, she wanted it to be fair. 

"True. What position do you think you will play?" Astoria asked honestly excited. There were no girls on their team, and it didn't seem like it would change any time soon. Natilee and Astoria would have to be content with their little play matches during class. 

"I am hoping Keeper or Beater." Natilee admitted fully pulled out of the book now. Astoria nodded. 

"I was hoping for a chaser myself. You really should go for a Keeper. You are Amazing at it." Astoria gushed remembering how well Natilee had done during camp. She nodded sipping her elderberry juice as Astoria talked. 

"Oh? So someone has some skills in the air?" Malfoy asked, his voice almost a teasing taunt. She looked back at him. 

"I'm fairly decent. Is that a problem?" Natilee asked batting her eyelashes at him. The flirtatious and yet slightly mocking tone to that expression set Malfoy off guard for a moment. She really seemed not to care who he was, and even dared to tease him. It was… fascinating. 

"Of course not, any skills in our class builds on the Slytherin way of life. Afterall, superior breeding; superior quality as we know." Malfoy replied nodding at her with a smile. She was fairly sure he was trying to bring her under his spell, the Malfoy Charm but she was equally sure she was too smart for that. 

"True enough. Are you going to try for chaser?" Natilee asked as he made it clear he intended to stay. Crabe and Goyal sat on his other side as Malfoy sat next to Natilee. 

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of being a beater and it can't be too hard to throw a ball through the hoop." Malfoy replied his tone boasting and Natilee nodded. 

"True enough." She agreed finishing her scone and looking at Astoria who was intensely focused on her plate. "Should we head to the broom closet, Asti? I need to get my hair pulled up and my broom." Natilee offered and Astoria nodded. 

"Oh what? Umm sure let's go." Astoria agreed slipping out of her chair and Natilee stood up as well, slipping her book into the leather satchel at her side. 

"Thank you for your company gentlemen, but we really must be going." Natilee nodded at Crabe and Goyal before leading Astoria away. The pair made it down the hallway close together, in harmony. 

"How do you do it? Sassy Draco like that? Hes so… domineering." Astoria asked once they were well out of earshot and Natilee laughed. 

"I lived in America, honey. Yes our European wizards of pure blood can be a little… precocious but in America… they really can be shamelessly proud and arrogant. The worst part is they are also very bold about it. Draco Malfoy is child's play verses Leo Winchester or Danny Nogerelli." Natilee laughed as she remembered both boys from her old school. A heavy sigh escaped her, she missed them and her old friends. The people were more honest and open even if a bit gruff. 

"Who?" Astoria was a bit lost when it came to American magic lines so neither name was familiar. 

"Well, Leon Winchester also known as Leo was a pure blood Wizard whose grandfather founded a firearm company in the states. He was a dashing young man but a bit naughty and extremely bold. Daniel Nogerelli however, was his opposite. A quite good boy who had a sly attitude and a shameless flirt. He could manipulate you into cutting your own throat in a deal and you think it was your idea." Natilee chuckled at Astoria's expression. "Come on holiday with me. I'll introduce you." 

"That could be amazingly fun." Astoria agreed giggling with her. "Oh but what if I make a fool of myself, or worse I get sick?" 

"Asti, you can't let this curse decide your fate. You have to live life, experience everything you can, leave a lasting legacy on this earth for when you are gone. What's the use in living your life if you are going to insist on living as if you are dead?" Natilee asked raising an eyebrow as they walked into the broom shed. Her broom and other items were placed in the slytherin room in a locker about the size of a matchbox. 

As she opened it; inside was a locker area big enough for a broom and gear to fly with, which for her included a box of scrunchies and padded bloomers. The knee and elbow pads were hung on the wall both etched with serpents. Astoria took her own things from her locker as well. Both girls suited up and did each other's hair while Astoria thought over what Natilee had said. 

"There now we look ready to fly." Natilee commented as she latched the last buckle on her arm. Astoria nodded smiling a bit as her hair waterfalls down her back in beautiful waves. Both girls looked more adorable than sporty. 

"Yes, it would seem so. Shall we?" Astoria asked hopefully and Natilee nodded leading out to the Quiddich field. Madam hooch had not arrived yet but a couple Gryffindors had. Hermione waved and Natilee smiled walking over to her. 

"Hermione, a pleasure to see you." Natilee greeted and Astoria agreed with a grin. 

"Nice to see you as well, Natilee. I have been doing a bit of light reading in the library. It seems Professor Snape's Potion for Erasing Permanent Stains is giving some students trouble." Hermione hinted and Natilee chuckled knowing what they were talking about instantly. 

"I think if you check out History of Fungi tomorrow morning it should have the information you're looking for." Natilee replied, Hermione's grin widened as she realized just how smart the Slytherin girl was. She nodded and was about to speak when A familiar Ginger haired boy walked up, roughly interjecting himself into the conversation.

"Are these two bothering you, Hermione?" He asked slipping a bit in the mud and grabbing onto the nearest thing to him to steady himself. That just happened to be Astoria's shoulder, jerking her back and nearly making her weak frame fall. Natilee tossed her arm around Astoria's waist and pulled her away from Ron. 

"Excuse me but that was rude." Natilee commented honestly put off by his manner. He was acting like they had done something wrong. 

"Rude? Have you looked at your scarf Miss?" He demanded. 

"Back off Weasley. Astoria and Natilee are above your class. Sorry excuses for pure bloods the lot of you. Take your mud blood and get on." Goyle barked parroting Malfoy's previous gilt to the Weasley family. 

Natilee almost turned to correct him when Malfoy stepped up. "Goyle, no need for such language. Miss Granger and the others aren't worth dirtying our mouths with such foul words as Mudblood." Malfoy smirked meeting Natilee's eyes and for a half second she felt her heart skip a beat. He actually paid attention to something she had said. Granted his way was just as appalling but at least it was something. 

"Stuff it Malfoy." a voice Natilee had longed to hear up close spoke and she turned to see Harry, his warm eyes so very much like her own looking at them with anger, almost hatred. The rivalry between Harry and Draco was legendary at this point. Everyone knew how he had started it and she secretly felt pride for her little brother. 

"Oh precious Harry Potter to the rescue is it?" Malfoy's sing song voice was obviously taunting and Natilee had to suppress a glare. 

"Enough boys. Come on. Before we get points deducted from either house, let's walk away." Natilee spoke up at that point knowing the two houses were neck in neck for points with Slytherin slightly in the lead. She really didn't know what else to use. She shot Hermione a apologetic look and see seemed to acknowledge it. 

The Slytherins looked at each other for a moment before their desire to win the house cup got the better of them. The group turned and walked to their place while the Gryffindors walked away as well. Astoria's eyes were filled with tears and annoyance. Her soft heart frustrated now. 

"I'm sorry, Natilee I almost screwed everything up." Astoria apologized quietly. She knew how much meeting Harry and making friends with Hermione meant to her friend. 

"It isn't your fault. He should have been more careful. If Weasley hadn't been so bull headed and rushed over like that he wouldn't have slipped and jerked on you. If anything it was my fault. I thought we could talk for a moment and break apart without there being any unpleasantness. I didn't realize the situation until it was too late." Natilee replied trying to soothe her friend's fears. This was going to be tricky but Natilee had expected that much. 

"Why were you talking to Granger anyway, Natilee?" Malfoy asked not catching half of the conversation's actual meaning. 

"I was having issues with a potion lesson. Dad is busy so I can't exactly bother him about it. I just wanted to figure out what she knew. Plus we have to collaborate for the Houses Four Potions club." Natilee pointed out and Draco scoffed. 

"I still can't believe that potions club is being opened to all students." Pansy snorted and Natilee almost couldn't decide which was worse, Ron's instant assumption that they were bullying Hermione, or the fact that it was believable due to her house mates behavior. Almost. 

"It's done that way because there are competitions that can be held between schools in a potions club. One member and one alternate of every house can compete." Natilee explained for the umpteenth time since the first fit Pansy had thrown.