Chapter 713 - The REMATCH

Classwork begins to pick as November settles in as the surrounding mountain peaks have grown frosty including the lake which now has a layer of black-like ice. The grounds are covered in frost each morning as the gray skies promise that the first snowfall is not too far off in the distance. Even worse the dungeons have become chilly as everyone wears thick coats and gloves to keep out the bitter chill. While Astronomy had quickly turned into the most hated class of the year as the icy, bone-chilling wind raked through their clothes and froze them to the very bones each class held at Midnight or late at night. The students' teeth loudly clatter in the icy wind as their fingers numbly shook as they tried to chart the stars. Even the large figure of Hagrid was seen wearing a new, but thick moleskin overcoat, rabbit-sized thick wool gloves, and beaver-skin boots.

Naturally, those were not the only changes as immediately after the implementation of the mentorship within the four houses a flurry of changes was instantly made apparent. Suddenly, the number of detentions that were being given out dropped. The students largely comported themselves better and even were turning in much better-written homework to their professors. Professor Slughorn naturally was praised for his genius idea as Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout followed in Professor Babbling's footsteps. But more importantly, a great deal of the pressure on the Prefects had dropped by half as mentors were looking out for their proteges. Still, like all things, there was a bit of a trial period before everything clicked into place.

That and the fact that Professor Mortimer was the new assistant Head of House. The Slytherins possessed a healthy self-preservation instinct. Unlike Slughorn, who could be distracted or even bribed, Professor Mortimer was a whole other quidditch match. Especially knowing the fact that Professor Mortimer would become their new Head of House after the winter holidays with Professor Slughorn more than happily stepping down from the post. Even the younger snakelings were being cautious, and frankly speaking, Professor Mortimer was a far more terrifying figure than Professor Slughorn ever was.

Despite the frosty cold that had descended onto the grounds the halls of Hogwarts were filled with excited whispers for the first Saturday of November which indicated the first Quidditch match to be held Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Tensions were running high as friends found themselves on opposing sides. But more than anything else, Slytherin hungered for vengeance and felt that the Triwizard Tournament had robbed them of reclaiming the Quidditch Cup. With Regulus as their Seeker, they were confident in beating out the Gryffindor Seeker, Mary MacDonald.

During mealtimes, Sirius had taken to glaring at his younger brother, Regulus; with Regulus confidently glaring back at his older brother as if saying that he wasn't the same seeker as in his second year. This time around, he wouldn't be beaten by Gryffindor!

The same could be said for all the marauders as Sirius was the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and Keeper. Peter was the vice-captain and chaser for the team. And James was the team trainer for Gryffindor. Not to mention that Remus's girlfriend was Mary MacDonald and she was the Gryffindor team's seeker. Sadly, for the time being, friends were temporarily ignoring each other preparing eagerly for the Quidditch match to be shortly held!

Naturally, the same could be said for Severus, Rowan, Terry, and the rest of the girls as they would naturally cheer Regulus on and Slytherin for the win. Not a single group of friends was exempt as the day drew closer and house spirits ran high. For there could only be one winner!

Being Prefect's Rowan and Severus had awakened early the morning of the match to check the weather. The day was particularly cloudy with the possibility of rain and wind later in the day. Fulfilling their Prefect duties, they left a carefully written message on the common room board instructing their housemates especially the first years to dress warmly for the quidditch match.

Being a Prefect naturally, Rowan could not skip the match and had to ensure that none of their housemates especially the first years fell to harm. Having awakened rather early that morning, Rowan and Severus were the first ones to arrive in the Great Hall to eat. As they sat down, Rowan glanced up to see that the enchanted ceiling already reflected a cloudy sky with the possibility of rain.

Frowning at the weather, Rowan shakes her head and reaches for the food before her. Severus did the same and in fact, had already shoved a mouthful of food into his mouth. Forgetting his manners, Severus nosily chews and mumbles with a mouthful of food. "Mm, should we prepare some umbrellas just in case? The weather looks like it could take a turn for the worse."

"I already did," Rowan grunted as she scooped up a spoonful of oatmeal with honey and berries and shoved it into her mouth. After swallowing, she continues, "I charmed the umbrellas and shrunk them to a smaller size to carry them around. Remind me later to give you a handful of the shrunken umbrellas to pass out."

Rowan was about to eat another spoonful before she paused to sternly gaze at Severus. "Just remember to return the umbrellas normal, when you pass them around, "she pointedly instructed him, before taking another spoonful of oatmeal.

Severus rolled his eyes and let out a snort in annoyance. "Always nagging," he huffed under his breath, before digging back into his food.

Rowan ignored her twin brother's comment instead of focusing on her food. She needed to eat more usual this morning as she had the feeling, she was going to need every scrap of energy to deal with her housemate's antics. That and she was going to have to herd, either very excited or equally disappointed housemates back to the castle. Either way, she'd be playing catch-up for the rest of the day.

Finished chewing a bite of his pancakes, Severus sheepishly mumbles, "By the way thanks," before chewing again. The two steadily continued to eat, but tragically, their quiet morning did not last long as excited housemates arrived at the Great Hall in droves including that of Gryffindor. The Great Hall was soon buzzing with excitement as the more excited members of Gryffindor and Slytherin had their faces painted in house colors and made alpha animal-likes gestures to each other from across the Great Hall.

"Fanatics," Rowan grumbled under her breath as she carefully retreated to the entrance of the Great Hall to keep an on those wandering out of the Great Hall. She would rather ensure that tempers did not fly high before the match. Still, despite all her grumbling, she was still wearing a silver and emerald warm scarf in their house colors.

By the time 10:30 a.m. rolled around, Rowan was scowling left and right as she herded students towards the Quidditch stands to watch the match that is to start at 11 o'clock sharp. A bit of a wind had picked up, but nothing too bad. Although the clouds above them did seem a bit heavy that there was a distinct possibility for rain.

Despite the student's excitement, they obediently trotted across the frozen grounds towards the quidditch stands. Already waiting at the quidditch stands is Severus as he neatly herds and organizes the Slytherins. None dared to protest considering the darker expression on his face than that of his twin sister, Rowan. Most obediently did as they were told especially the first years as he handed out umbrellas to those lacking.

The Ravenclaws gathering on their own stands shook their heads and bem.o.a.ned their fate. The Prince Prefects were exemplary Prefects, brilliant, studious, and everything their house represented. Clearly, the Sorting Hat had placed them in the wrong house. They were undoubtedly better suited for Ravenclaw!

On the other hand, Slytherin loudly raises a massive emerald, silver banner on which an enchanted emerald serpent moves on its own! The Gryffindor's were not ones to remain silent as they eagerly rose up on their end of the field and held up their banners with orange lions that roared loudly on a crimson background. Needless to say, blood was boiling for both sides for their legendary rivalry spanned for hundreds of years since the very founding of Hogwarts.