Quidditch

[alt_seamus]

I heard some of the fifth years in the hallway saying something awful happened at the game between Puddlemere United and and the Chudley Cannons today. One of the Puddlemere Chasers fell off his broom? Or maybe it was one of their Beaters? Only it was worse than just a fall I guess.

Do you know if it's true People are saying There's a rumor he's sick, really sick. The player who fell I mean. Did anyone here anything?

The Cannons STILL LOST if you can believe it.

Comments

[alt_ron]

Where'd you hear that?

[alt_seamus]

I heard a couple of Hufflepuffs talking and one of them was holding the evening Prophet.

[alt_ron]

Yeah, I was just talking to Towler and Jordan. They said Morris, too, actually. Said he was paralysed. I dunno if it was because he fell or if he fell because he was paralysed, though, but then Johnson said all the Muggles and Muggleborns who've got sick were all paralysed, too, and that she'd heard that's what Morris has got.

[alt_seamus]

Its not supposed to affect half-bloods.

You don't suppose Morris is actually a mudblood and his mum lied about who his father was really?

[alt_ron]

Uh. I dunno. I read a big article about him in Quidditch Insider last spring, and it said his father was Bullnose Morris, y'know, the big star for the Magpies back in the 70s?

I mean, I guess that could've been wrong, but they kind of look a lot alike. There were pictures of them together and all.

[alt_seamus]

bugger

I think your right.

I hope he was just hurt in the fall anyway. The Ministry said

[alt_padma]

Wait. You mean he got sick the way the others

You mean he's got the same thing they think is happening in the camps?

But he's a halfblood!

[alt_ron]

Yeah. Way to keep up with the conversation, Patil.

[alt_padma]

Oh, hah. I was talking with Finnigan about important things, like how bad the Cannons are.

[alt_seamus]

Well maybe he DID just get hurt in the fall.

People sometimes get paralysed from falling.

I think.

[alt_padma]

Yeah, if he hurt his spine, right? But can't they fix that?

I guess it depends on whether he's okay tomorrow.

[alt_padma]

The Cannons would lose if Puddlemere had every man out other than their Seeker.

Was it Morris? Tamblyn says he's one of their best players, even if he had a Muggle mother. (Also Bradley says he's the best-looking player they have.)

[alt_seamus]

Too right about the Cannons!

I think it was Morris actually.

[alt_ron]

That's a totally ignorant thing to say about the Cannons!

[alt_padma]

I didn't say it, Tamblyn said it. Lakshmi's veil, Weasley, you act like someone petrified your mudblood.

[alt_draco]

He'd never have a mudblood.

Anyway, Morris is great. Too bad about what happened.

[alt_ron]

Too right.

[alt_padma]

Ha, no, you're right, he wouldn't. But it's an expression. I heard Laverty say it this week. It means he looks like someone stole his lolly.

I'm surprised you haven't heard anyone else in Slytherin using it. Laverty says she got it from her sister.

[alt_draco]

No, I've heard people saying it, I just thought it was amusing that you said it to Weasley.

Anyway, I think hearing people say things about petrified mudbloods is making Dennis nervous or something, he's been all skittish every since school started up again. Maybe he figures that the Heir must be back at the castle.

[alt_padma]

Well, that's why I said it!

You tell your Dennis that he's being a nit. Everyone knows the Heir isn't real, or your father and Marvolo's wouldn't have left you, would they?

Oh, sorry. That's still a sore spot, isn't it?

But I mean, honestly, I don't think there's really an Heir, do you?

[alt_seamus]

So what do you reckon happened to Bobby Stebbins? Not to mention Carrow's mudblood and that cat and Nick. I mean they didn't petrify themselves did they?

[alt_padma]

No, but you can't find anything about there being an actual Heir in any of your books, and there's nothing in the library, either. So apart from what Binns told the Slytherins earlier, there's nothing.

And since then, these attacks haven't really had any rhyme or reason, have they? I mean, a cat? A mudblood? Stebbins? (Well, Stebbins, I mean, anyone could understand wanting to hex Stebbins, but still, it's hard to imagine anyone taking him as a threat.)

I think it's just someone using the legend to make us all think it's a terrible monster.

[alt_seamus]

Yeah but whoever it is might go after Dennis next, I mean if they don't mind hacking off Malfoy.

[alt_padma]

Well, that's just ridiculous. Malfoy's not an enemy of the Protectorate! He's Marvolo's best mate, isn't he?

[alt_seamus]

Well yeah but was Stebbins an enemy of the Protectorate?

I don't know honestly I barely knew him. Maybe Ernie knows if he hasn't thrown his book into the lake.

[alt_ernie]

Bobby was a bit cheeky to Marvolo that one time, but if that makes him an Enemy of the Protectorate, we're all in big trouble. Otherwise he's as loyal as anyone else. I never ever heard him say anything bad about the Protectorate or the Lord Protector or anything.

We went up to visit him in the hospital wing the other day. He's just sort of lying there though, it's like he's dead. It's really horrible. We stayed for a while and told him everything that's been going on since we last visited. Madam Pomfrey says he can't hear us and it's just like being asleep, but you never know.

[alt_seamus]

Anyway I reckon your right that it's just someone going around and probably pretending to be the Heir of Slytherin to get everyone suspicious of the people from Slytherin House.

Its probably actually a Ravenclaw. Don't you think?

[alt_padma]

What?? Of course it's not a Ravenclaw!

(Well, I suppose it could be Fawcett, only she's too thick to plan something like this.)

How would you like it if I said it's a Gryffindor?

[alt_seamus]

I'd say you must not know very many Gryffindors if you think any of us are subtle enough to keep something like this up for months!

Besides it was the Gryffindor ghost who got petrified and we all LIKE Nearly Headless Nick.

[alt_draco]

There's either an Heir or something pretending to be the Heir. I don't really know which. But they better leave Dennis alone. And Granger.

[alt_seamus]

Oh your probably right Ron. Puddlemere would need there Seeker and there Keeper at least!

[alt_ron]

Ha bloody ha.

[alt_seamus]

Its not as if the Kestrels are having a good year either.

Then again at least they've hadgood years now and again...just not this year.

[alt_ron]

The Cannons have had great seasons. And they will again. It's just that they've been around for so long, you have to take a long view of things.

I mean, everyone knows the Kestrels were shite all through the 15th and 16th centuries, but when they pulled themselves together they were unbeatable for, like, thirty years, right?

Well, the Cannons' time is coming. You'll see.

[alt_seamus]

Oh your probably right Ron.

If your lucky it might even be within your grandchildren's lifetime!

[alt_ron]

Heh. Yeah.

[alt_susan]

That's the spirit Weasley! That's really bad about Morris though.

You know, there are diseases where people who can't catch it can still pass it on to other people. I really hope this one isn't like that. Because my dad was at that match.

[alt_ron]

Whoa! He was at the match? Did he write and tell you about it?