Murky Waters - Chapter Two
Title: Murky Waters
Fandoms: the Harry Potter Universe
Rating: no one under 18. there will be sex and dirty language and whatever else i feel like tossing in here.
Warning: as i said, sex and dirty words.
Disclaimer: i do not own Draco or Lucius or Severus or... *wibbles* what do i own? i don't own Illiana. she belongs to Madam Shark. i do own Kendra, but that isn't saying much. not in the grand scope of things. all recognizable character from Harry Potter belong to the talent Jo Rowling and, as such, she has all the money. i have none of it. meaning, i make nothing in the writting of this. no money, no fame or glory. no... damn, why am i doing this again? oh yeah. right. the lovely, nice comments people leave me. and the adulation. um, is there any of that in this? no? bugger.
Author's Notes: this is probably still rough. and i don't know for sure that it was beta-ed. it may have been. but i doubt it. i'm pretty bad about having people look over my stuff...
Murky Waters: The Index
Chapter Two: Let The Games Begin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The spectator's towers were bursting with crowds later that day as the Quidditch Expo officially got under way. In fact, so many people had showed up to watch the games that extra towers had to be erected around the pitch to accomodate every one. The first series of games that day involved games between the Houses from each school, to show how each indivdual House did against it's own school mates. The first game was between Hogwart's Gryffindor and Slytherin teams. Illiana sat in one of the stands with her team mates and watched the game avidly.
Her eyes were mostly riveted onto Draco Malfoy as he circled high above the stands, watching for the Snitch. He sat his broom with the ease and confidence of the arrogant, his posture telling one he simply thought the Snitch should fall into his hands. Harry Potter, on the other hand, had well earned his reputation as one of the finest Seekers the game had ever had. She was of the opinion that Viktor was the better of the two, but the Potter boy was good. He was ever vigilant, his green gaze moving around as he searched for the Snitch. She was treated first hand to his abilities, when he spotted the Snitch from across the pitch and took off like a shot after it. Malfoy was only a few short lengths behind him, but it was all Potter needed to capture the Snitch in one of his more spectacular moves. Hanging upside down from his broom stick, using only one hand to guide it's direction.
The three schools each played their own teams that weekend, with Illiana and Viktor's team coming out as the winners from Durmstrang. The weeks between games were spent sight seeing and practicing for the coming weekend's matches. Together, she and Viktor had explored Hogsmeade completely. Her favorite place to spend her evenings was at The Three Broomsticks, where she often talked with the bar maid. A rather striking red head who was growing heavy with child. The girl was a rather easy going light hearted spirit, and Illiana found talking to her was easy. It came as rather a shock to see her take her lunch breaks with a rather severe looking man in black every day. The bar maid was obviously in love with him and he seemed indifferent.
The other schools were offered the opportunity to take tours of Hogwart's one evening, after classes had let out. It was interesting to walk about the castle and see the classrooms. The entire place was so different from Durmstrang. Each teacher would give a tour of his or her class room, with the heads of the Houses giving tours for their House's respective rooms. Illiana was more than surprised to see the dark man that came to the pub everday for lunch. He turned out to be the Head of Slytherin House, and he was the Potions Master. Professor Severus Snape. He had a sour expression on his face, giving her the distinct impression he was feeling rather put out by the entire experience. His manner of speech, harsh and abrupt, only served to enforce the impression. She had to wonder how the sweet bar maid had ever fallen for a man like him.
She was glad of the heavy robes that the Durmstrang teams wore. The fur was welcome when the weather turned cold, which wasn't very long after the Exposition started. The deep red color was striking against her slightly pale pink skin and silver hair. They proved a great comfort during the games and prcatices she was involved in, and she was glad she had kept them after she'd graduated.
~*~*~*~*~
The second weekend was more school competions, until finally Hogwart's Gryffindor team was the champion from that school. Her house took the final win for Durmstrang. The third weekend marked the beginning of the games between schools, and the first up for the Durmstrang team was Slytherin House of Hogwart's. Illiana was looking forward to it, as she would be able to watch Malfoy from a closer seat.
The two teams took the field, red and green robes flashing in the weak winter sun. Her eyes were drawn to Malfoy for a moment as he flew from the opening in the stands, watching him circle the pitch lazily, in his confident manner. She felt the same stirrings she had felt that first morning of practices. The man was bloody sexy, and she was left again to wonder what game the two of them were playing.
The score was 120 to 150, with Slytherin currently in the lead. She had to admit, they were excellent players. Her only complaint was the fact that their Beaters did their damndest to block Viktor at every opportunity they could. Any time his eyes narrowed on the Snitch, the two men were there, making it nearly impossible for Viktor to go anywhere.
There were also the instances where Draco made attempts at knocking Illiana from her broom. Several attempts at it. He would be hovering near her head, glancing about as if looking for the Snitch, and his gaze would stop and narrow on some point past her head. The first time, she had stolen a look to see what he was staring at. It had almost cost her the seat she had on her broom. She had seen him dive at her out of the corner of her eye, and she had barely managed to block his progress with her bat. The subsequent times, she had used either the bat in her hand, or her body to halt him. He had offered her more than one mocking smile, laced with some other sentiment. She was never sure what it was.
In payment for his futile attempts at unseating her, she sent the Bludger his way a time or two. They never actually hit him, merely sailed past his head in warning. He would turn a scowl on her at these times, and she would offer him his mocking smile back with her own lips. His delectable mouth would curl up then, a real smile on it. He was acknowledging their game.
It was during one of these moments of genuine smiling that she saw Viktor out of the corner of her eye. He was diving low, and she could just make out the faint blur of gold in front of him. She looked at Malfoy dead on, noting that he had yet to see the Snitch. She leaned forward, zipping past the golden godlet and leaving him completely confused. Until the announcer screamed out over the roaring crowd,'Viktor Krum has caught the Golden Snitch! Durmstrang beats Slytherin, 270 to 150!'
Illiana noticed the narrow look Draco shot her, and she merely smiled back at him, victory sparkling in her amethyst eyes. He moved closer, until he was only a few inches from her. 'You'd best be watching your back, because I will find some way to make you pay for that!' he warned her, his tone not laced with vindictiveness. Instead, he sounded as if he were making a promise.
'Oh, you poor boy. First no strength for Beating. And now you lack the proper eyesight for Seeking,' she replied, then turned and flew over to join her team mates as they celebrated the win. Hands were clapping Viktor on the back to congratulate him. Illiana went over to him and hugged him. The two had been friends from the very first, and still were. 'You were brilliant, Viktor!' she told him.
'You are having problems?' he asked, his gaze going toward the blonde some where behind her. She shook her head, letting him know all was well. She was impressed, as always, that in the years since the Tri-Wizarding Tournament, he had worked hard to improve and refine his English. He sounded much more at ease when using it now, and she had seen more than one group of girls flocked around him lately.
'Nothing I can't handle,' she reassured him. He nodded silently, trusting her decision. Then they were leaving the field to allow the next two teams to take the pitch.
~*~*~*~*~
It was the fourth weekend when the last games were played. One team from each school had come out on top, and the three would be up against each other. Illiana, Viktor, and the other Durmstrang team mates sat in one of the boxes as Gryffindor and the Beauxbatons took the pitch to play the first round of Quidditch that morning. Not surprisingly, the game was short lived. The combinations of Oliver Wood as Keeper, Fred and George Weasley as Beaters, and Harry Potter as Seeker was enough to decide the game before it started. In only an hour's time, the game was over. The Gryffindor team had won, the final score being 370 to 110. Drumstrang was next to take the pitch, against the French school as well. This game was as short lived as the previous one.
It was decided that the last game of the Expo would be played after the crowds broke for some lunch. The hour set aside for the noon meal seemed to drag by. The two teams preparing to meet each other on the pitch only picked at their food, their minds focused on the coming match.
The skies were clouding over when the players took to their brooms. The stands were once again packed to over flowing, and the noise rising up from the spectators was nearly deafening. Illiana watched as the Gryffindor team took their places, her eyes straying for a moment to their rather impressive Beaters. Red headed twins. Interesting. She watched as Harry Potter allowed himself to drift above the playing level and hover somewhere near the goals.
She watched as Viktor did the same on the other end of the pitch, almost mirroring Potter exactly. She had spent the games that Potter played in studying his style, and knew she was now capable of making sure he would not win the game. Madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle up, where it was snatched by one of her team mates. The game was afoot.
The sun was starting it's descent toward the horizon and still the two teams battled for the win. There had been several close calls on both sides, but no one had managed to catch the Golden Snitch yet. Illiana had her eyes peeled, watching for the Snitch and Bludgers. She had to admit a grudging respect for the Gryffindor team. The Keeper Wood was attentive, and the Weasley twins never missed an opportunity to knock the Bludger at one of her team, making jokes as they did so. They were good at their game, and the score showed it. They were nearly tied at 450 to 440, with Gryffindor in the lead.
She managed a moment to look at the other end of the field and saw that Potter and Viktor were racing after the small golden blur ahead of them. Potter had a slight lead, and she could see that he would grab the Snitch if she didn't do something. Her decision made, she leaned over her broom stick and sent the Firebolt hurtling at the two men.
There was shouting from behind her, and she could tell that someone was chasing her, but she paid no mind. Her eyes were locked on the form of Harry Potter before her. He was almost on top of the Snitch. She put on an extra burst of speed, slipping the end of her broomstick between his and Viktor's. Leaning to her left, she threw herself into the green eyed young man. He swerved to his left to avoid being thrown from his broom stick. She pulled back, and watched as Viktor's out stretched hand curled over the Snitch.
Her team mates gave off such a loud cheer that she couldn't even hear the announcer as he read off the scores. They flew together into a tight group, pounding each other on the back and offering up congratulations. The two teams slowly drifted to the ground, then dismounted. They formed two lines, walking in the opposite direction of each other, to shake hands. Illiana watched as Harry and Viktor faced each other. 'Good game, Krum. You're still the best,' Potter said with out rancor. The two shook hands as friends would.
'And you, Potter,' Viktor agreed. The two of the moved on, and she was face to face with Harry. He shook her hand and gave her a grin, letting her know he held no hard feelings. She grinned back, thinking that he was a humble young man, despite the responsibilities that had been tossed onto his shoulders at an early age. She was brought up to the first of the twins, and she smiled at him openly.
'You play bloody well,' the red head told her. ' I've never seen a woman play Beater as well. I'm bloody impressed.'
'Not as impressed as I am,' the other twin said. 'Fred and George Weasley,' he introduced them. She smiled at them both, shaking the second twin's hand.
' You two aren't bad yourselves. Illiana von Haifisch. It's a pleasure to meet you both,' she nodded. 'Perhaps we can get together some time and compare techniques.'
' We'll be looking for you at the after games party tonight,' the first one promised as she moved on down the line. The two teams had soon shaken hands all the way down, and they looked up to the stands. The crowds were on their feet, cheering loudly for the two teams. Then they were leaving the stands, heading for the Great Hall of the castle for the after games party.
~*~*~*~*~
For the evening's festivities, Illiana had changed into dark purple robes that matched her eyes almost perfectly. The Great Hall was filled to bursting with people, more of them spilling out into the outer corridors. The talk was of the games, how exciting they had been and the thrills from some of the more spectacular moves. She had come to the Hall alone, intent on circulating with some of the other teams without any of her own team mates tagging along behind her.
She carried a mug of cold pumpkin juice with her, idly sipping at it while wandering the floor. So far, she had seen no one she was looking for, making her wonder if they were going to attend after all. Her gaze moved from one side of the Hall to the other, landing on a blonde head near a flaming red one. Draco Malfoy was leaning idly against one wall, talking to the girl from the pub. She had a look on her face that Illiana wasn't quite sure about. Perhaps the two of them were...... Then what about the Professor?
The red head laughed at something Draco had said to her, and he smirked back. Then he leaned forward to press a kiss to her cheek before turning and walking in the other direction. Illiana decided to go over and speak with her, to try and pry information from her about the blonde. The bar maid was standing by herself, a glass in one hand. She was near the wall, looking out the window to her right. The robes she wore were a very plain, yet tasteful black. There were no frills, but the lines were very feminine and worked well to hide her pregnancy. The other girl looked up at her as she neared.
' I'm sorry if I'm intruding,' Illiana said immediately, but trailed off when the girl smiled at her.
'Not at all. I've seen you in The Three Broomsticks. And that move with Harry.....bloody brilliant. I don't think he's ever had anyone do that to him before,' she told her. ' I'm Kendra. Kendra MacLeod.'
' Illiana von Haifisch. You were at the games today?' she was surprised the gentle girl would enjoy a game like Quidditch.
'Oh yes,' she nodded. ' I love the game. Never got to play when I was in school. I was a bit of a wall flower. I'd give anything to be up on a broom, but I'm not allowed.' At this, she patted her stomach lovingly.
'Not allowed?' she questioned. At this point, the dark Professor stepped up behind the girl. She looked up at him, gifting him with a smile. He glared coldly at Illiana for a moment, then turned his black eyes on Kendra. She watched as his eyes softened the tiniest bit, showing a hint of something. It took her a few seconds before she realized that he was glancing at Kendra with true affection. It appeared that he wasn't the cold fish she thought he was.
'Severus doesn't want me on a broomstick until after the babe is born,' she replied, her voice plainly telling Illiana what she thought of the idea.
'Yes, funny that,' he drawled. ' I cannot imagine why I shouldn't want you on a broom. You could hurt yourself or my child. But of course, if you insist...'
'Stop it, Severus. You'll scare our guest. This is Illiana von Haifisch. She's the Durmstrang Beater that nearly knocked Harry off his broom.' she told the tall man. Something close to a smile passed over his pale features.
'You are now one of my favorite Quidditch players. It was a joy to see someone nearly unseat the Potter git,' Severus told her, his voice almost gleeful. She returned his near smile with a full one of her own. He turned to look at the red head standing near him. ' I will go and fetch you a plate of food. I want you to eat every last bite of it. I'll not have you growing weak with lack of sustanance.'
'So long as you don't pile it so high, I'll never be able to carry it,' she retorted good naturedly. 'Now off with you, you git. I'm going to talk girl talk.'
'Very well, brat. I shall leave you to your mindless prattle. But be warned, I shall return,' his words were harsh, but the tone of his voice conveyed his softness for the girl. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, a quick gesture of her affection. He scowled at her and wandered off. When the green eyes turned back to Illiana, she found the other girl wearing an expression of mild confusion.
'What?' Kendra asked softly. 'That? Oh, he's truly a big softee, if only you know how to handle him.'
' I must admit, I was concerned about your relationship with the man. He seems so cold and harsh. And you seem such a warm and loving girl. I could not.....'
'You couldn't imagine why such a sweet and bidable girl as myself would ever want the old bastard, eh?' Kendra laughed. ' I'm not so sweet and bidable. In fact, I was the one who instigated out relationship. He was a horrid man to me when I was a student. I got back at him in my own way. And here we are now.'
'So then, you and Draco are not?.....' Illiana's voice trailed off as she noticed the red head laughing at her.
'Draco Malfoy and I are most definitely nothing more than school mates who have an extreme dislike for each other,' she told her.
'Do you know much about him?' Illiana asked, trying to make it sound as if she were merely curious and not dying to know every single detail she could worm out of the other girl.
' I can tell you just about anything you could want to know. Up to and including his sexual insecurities,' Kendra admitted without any hint of embarrassment.
'Really?' Illiana quirked a silver brow. Oh, now that sounded just delicious. 'So, what exactly are his sexual insecurities?'
'Ah, I see someone has taken a fancy to the Dragon. All I can say is be strong and forceful. He likes that in his women,' Kendra told her, and Illiana had no idea that there was revenge prompting her words. Once she had gleaned all the information she could from the red headed girl, she had a plan. She was going to go hunting.
She was going to hunt the Dragon......
end chapter two.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
wanna catch up on all my stuff? check this link out. its got everything! The Ultimate ldf Fic Index
Fandoms: the Harry Potter Universe
Rating: no one under 18. there will be sex and dirty language and whatever else i feel like tossing in here.
Warning: as i said, sex and dirty words.
Disclaimer: i do not own Draco or Lucius or Severus or... *wibbles* what do i own? i don't own Illiana. she belongs to Madam Shark. i do own Kendra, but that isn't saying much. not in the grand scope of things. all recognizable character from Harry Potter belong to the talent Jo Rowling and, as such, she has all the money. i have none of it. meaning, i make nothing in the writting of this. no money, no fame or glory. no... damn, why am i doing this again? oh yeah. right. the lovely, nice comments people leave me. and the adulation. um, is there any of that in this? no? bugger.
Author's Notes: this is probably still rough. and i don't know for sure that it was beta-ed. it may have been. but i doubt it. i'm pretty bad about having people look over my stuff...
Murky Waters: The Index
Chapter Two: Let The Games Begin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The spectator's towers were bursting with crowds later that day as the Quidditch Expo officially got under way. In fact, so many people had showed up to watch the games that extra towers had to be erected around the pitch to accomodate every one. The first series of games that day involved games between the Houses from each school, to show how each indivdual House did against it's own school mates. The first game was between Hogwart's Gryffindor and Slytherin teams. Illiana sat in one of the stands with her team mates and watched the game avidly.
Her eyes were mostly riveted onto Draco Malfoy as he circled high above the stands, watching for the Snitch. He sat his broom with the ease and confidence of the arrogant, his posture telling one he simply thought the Snitch should fall into his hands. Harry Potter, on the other hand, had well earned his reputation as one of the finest Seekers the game had ever had. She was of the opinion that Viktor was the better of the two, but the Potter boy was good. He was ever vigilant, his green gaze moving around as he searched for the Snitch. She was treated first hand to his abilities, when he spotted the Snitch from across the pitch and took off like a shot after it. Malfoy was only a few short lengths behind him, but it was all Potter needed to capture the Snitch in one of his more spectacular moves. Hanging upside down from his broom stick, using only one hand to guide it's direction.
The three schools each played their own teams that weekend, with Illiana and Viktor's team coming out as the winners from Durmstrang. The weeks between games were spent sight seeing and practicing for the coming weekend's matches. Together, she and Viktor had explored Hogsmeade completely. Her favorite place to spend her evenings was at The Three Broomsticks, where she often talked with the bar maid. A rather striking red head who was growing heavy with child. The girl was a rather easy going light hearted spirit, and Illiana found talking to her was easy. It came as rather a shock to see her take her lunch breaks with a rather severe looking man in black every day. The bar maid was obviously in love with him and he seemed indifferent.
The other schools were offered the opportunity to take tours of Hogwart's one evening, after classes had let out. It was interesting to walk about the castle and see the classrooms. The entire place was so different from Durmstrang. Each teacher would give a tour of his or her class room, with the heads of the Houses giving tours for their House's respective rooms. Illiana was more than surprised to see the dark man that came to the pub everday for lunch. He turned out to be the Head of Slytherin House, and he was the Potions Master. Professor Severus Snape. He had a sour expression on his face, giving her the distinct impression he was feeling rather put out by the entire experience. His manner of speech, harsh and abrupt, only served to enforce the impression. She had to wonder how the sweet bar maid had ever fallen for a man like him.
She was glad of the heavy robes that the Durmstrang teams wore. The fur was welcome when the weather turned cold, which wasn't very long after the Exposition started. The deep red color was striking against her slightly pale pink skin and silver hair. They proved a great comfort during the games and prcatices she was involved in, and she was glad she had kept them after she'd graduated.
~*~*~*~*~
The second weekend was more school competions, until finally Hogwart's Gryffindor team was the champion from that school. Her house took the final win for Durmstrang. The third weekend marked the beginning of the games between schools, and the first up for the Durmstrang team was Slytherin House of Hogwart's. Illiana was looking forward to it, as she would be able to watch Malfoy from a closer seat.
The two teams took the field, red and green robes flashing in the weak winter sun. Her eyes were drawn to Malfoy for a moment as he flew from the opening in the stands, watching him circle the pitch lazily, in his confident manner. She felt the same stirrings she had felt that first morning of practices. The man was bloody sexy, and she was left again to wonder what game the two of them were playing.
The score was 120 to 150, with Slytherin currently in the lead. She had to admit, they were excellent players. Her only complaint was the fact that their Beaters did their damndest to block Viktor at every opportunity they could. Any time his eyes narrowed on the Snitch, the two men were there, making it nearly impossible for Viktor to go anywhere.
There were also the instances where Draco made attempts at knocking Illiana from her broom. Several attempts at it. He would be hovering near her head, glancing about as if looking for the Snitch, and his gaze would stop and narrow on some point past her head. The first time, she had stolen a look to see what he was staring at. It had almost cost her the seat she had on her broom. She had seen him dive at her out of the corner of her eye, and she had barely managed to block his progress with her bat. The subsequent times, she had used either the bat in her hand, or her body to halt him. He had offered her more than one mocking smile, laced with some other sentiment. She was never sure what it was.
In payment for his futile attempts at unseating her, she sent the Bludger his way a time or two. They never actually hit him, merely sailed past his head in warning. He would turn a scowl on her at these times, and she would offer him his mocking smile back with her own lips. His delectable mouth would curl up then, a real smile on it. He was acknowledging their game.
It was during one of these moments of genuine smiling that she saw Viktor out of the corner of her eye. He was diving low, and she could just make out the faint blur of gold in front of him. She looked at Malfoy dead on, noting that he had yet to see the Snitch. She leaned forward, zipping past the golden godlet and leaving him completely confused. Until the announcer screamed out over the roaring crowd,'Viktor Krum has caught the Golden Snitch! Durmstrang beats Slytherin, 270 to 150!'
Illiana noticed the narrow look Draco shot her, and she merely smiled back at him, victory sparkling in her amethyst eyes. He moved closer, until he was only a few inches from her. 'You'd best be watching your back, because I will find some way to make you pay for that!' he warned her, his tone not laced with vindictiveness. Instead, he sounded as if he were making a promise.
'Oh, you poor boy. First no strength for Beating. And now you lack the proper eyesight for Seeking,' she replied, then turned and flew over to join her team mates as they celebrated the win. Hands were clapping Viktor on the back to congratulate him. Illiana went over to him and hugged him. The two had been friends from the very first, and still were. 'You were brilliant, Viktor!' she told him.
'You are having problems?' he asked, his gaze going toward the blonde some where behind her. She shook her head, letting him know all was well. She was impressed, as always, that in the years since the Tri-Wizarding Tournament, he had worked hard to improve and refine his English. He sounded much more at ease when using it now, and she had seen more than one group of girls flocked around him lately.
'Nothing I can't handle,' she reassured him. He nodded silently, trusting her decision. Then they were leaving the field to allow the next two teams to take the pitch.
~*~*~*~*~
It was the fourth weekend when the last games were played. One team from each school had come out on top, and the three would be up against each other. Illiana, Viktor, and the other Durmstrang team mates sat in one of the boxes as Gryffindor and the Beauxbatons took the pitch to play the first round of Quidditch that morning. Not surprisingly, the game was short lived. The combinations of Oliver Wood as Keeper, Fred and George Weasley as Beaters, and Harry Potter as Seeker was enough to decide the game before it started. In only an hour's time, the game was over. The Gryffindor team had won, the final score being 370 to 110. Drumstrang was next to take the pitch, against the French school as well. This game was as short lived as the previous one.
It was decided that the last game of the Expo would be played after the crowds broke for some lunch. The hour set aside for the noon meal seemed to drag by. The two teams preparing to meet each other on the pitch only picked at their food, their minds focused on the coming match.
The skies were clouding over when the players took to their brooms. The stands were once again packed to over flowing, and the noise rising up from the spectators was nearly deafening. Illiana watched as the Gryffindor team took their places, her eyes straying for a moment to their rather impressive Beaters. Red headed twins. Interesting. She watched as Harry Potter allowed himself to drift above the playing level and hover somewhere near the goals.
She watched as Viktor did the same on the other end of the pitch, almost mirroring Potter exactly. She had spent the games that Potter played in studying his style, and knew she was now capable of making sure he would not win the game. Madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle up, where it was snatched by one of her team mates. The game was afoot.
The sun was starting it's descent toward the horizon and still the two teams battled for the win. There had been several close calls on both sides, but no one had managed to catch the Golden Snitch yet. Illiana had her eyes peeled, watching for the Snitch and Bludgers. She had to admit a grudging respect for the Gryffindor team. The Keeper Wood was attentive, and the Weasley twins never missed an opportunity to knock the Bludger at one of her team, making jokes as they did so. They were good at their game, and the score showed it. They were nearly tied at 450 to 440, with Gryffindor in the lead.
She managed a moment to look at the other end of the field and saw that Potter and Viktor were racing after the small golden blur ahead of them. Potter had a slight lead, and she could see that he would grab the Snitch if she didn't do something. Her decision made, she leaned over her broom stick and sent the Firebolt hurtling at the two men.
There was shouting from behind her, and she could tell that someone was chasing her, but she paid no mind. Her eyes were locked on the form of Harry Potter before her. He was almost on top of the Snitch. She put on an extra burst of speed, slipping the end of her broomstick between his and Viktor's. Leaning to her left, she threw herself into the green eyed young man. He swerved to his left to avoid being thrown from his broom stick. She pulled back, and watched as Viktor's out stretched hand curled over the Snitch.
Her team mates gave off such a loud cheer that she couldn't even hear the announcer as he read off the scores. They flew together into a tight group, pounding each other on the back and offering up congratulations. The two teams slowly drifted to the ground, then dismounted. They formed two lines, walking in the opposite direction of each other, to shake hands. Illiana watched as Harry and Viktor faced each other. 'Good game, Krum. You're still the best,' Potter said with out rancor. The two shook hands as friends would.
'And you, Potter,' Viktor agreed. The two of the moved on, and she was face to face with Harry. He shook her hand and gave her a grin, letting her know he held no hard feelings. She grinned back, thinking that he was a humble young man, despite the responsibilities that had been tossed onto his shoulders at an early age. She was brought up to the first of the twins, and she smiled at him openly.
'You play bloody well,' the red head told her. ' I've never seen a woman play Beater as well. I'm bloody impressed.'
'Not as impressed as I am,' the other twin said. 'Fred and George Weasley,' he introduced them. She smiled at them both, shaking the second twin's hand.
' You two aren't bad yourselves. Illiana von Haifisch. It's a pleasure to meet you both,' she nodded. 'Perhaps we can get together some time and compare techniques.'
' We'll be looking for you at the after games party tonight,' the first one promised as she moved on down the line. The two teams had soon shaken hands all the way down, and they looked up to the stands. The crowds were on their feet, cheering loudly for the two teams. Then they were leaving the stands, heading for the Great Hall of the castle for the after games party.
~*~*~*~*~
For the evening's festivities, Illiana had changed into dark purple robes that matched her eyes almost perfectly. The Great Hall was filled to bursting with people, more of them spilling out into the outer corridors. The talk was of the games, how exciting they had been and the thrills from some of the more spectacular moves. She had come to the Hall alone, intent on circulating with some of the other teams without any of her own team mates tagging along behind her.
She carried a mug of cold pumpkin juice with her, idly sipping at it while wandering the floor. So far, she had seen no one she was looking for, making her wonder if they were going to attend after all. Her gaze moved from one side of the Hall to the other, landing on a blonde head near a flaming red one. Draco Malfoy was leaning idly against one wall, talking to the girl from the pub. She had a look on her face that Illiana wasn't quite sure about. Perhaps the two of them were...... Then what about the Professor?
The red head laughed at something Draco had said to her, and he smirked back. Then he leaned forward to press a kiss to her cheek before turning and walking in the other direction. Illiana decided to go over and speak with her, to try and pry information from her about the blonde. The bar maid was standing by herself, a glass in one hand. She was near the wall, looking out the window to her right. The robes she wore were a very plain, yet tasteful black. There were no frills, but the lines were very feminine and worked well to hide her pregnancy. The other girl looked up at her as she neared.
' I'm sorry if I'm intruding,' Illiana said immediately, but trailed off when the girl smiled at her.
'Not at all. I've seen you in The Three Broomsticks. And that move with Harry.....bloody brilliant. I don't think he's ever had anyone do that to him before,' she told her. ' I'm Kendra. Kendra MacLeod.'
' Illiana von Haifisch. You were at the games today?' she was surprised the gentle girl would enjoy a game like Quidditch.
'Oh yes,' she nodded. ' I love the game. Never got to play when I was in school. I was a bit of a wall flower. I'd give anything to be up on a broom, but I'm not allowed.' At this, she patted her stomach lovingly.
'Not allowed?' she questioned. At this point, the dark Professor stepped up behind the girl. She looked up at him, gifting him with a smile. He glared coldly at Illiana for a moment, then turned his black eyes on Kendra. She watched as his eyes softened the tiniest bit, showing a hint of something. It took her a few seconds before she realized that he was glancing at Kendra with true affection. It appeared that he wasn't the cold fish she thought he was.
'Severus doesn't want me on a broomstick until after the babe is born,' she replied, her voice plainly telling Illiana what she thought of the idea.
'Yes, funny that,' he drawled. ' I cannot imagine why I shouldn't want you on a broom. You could hurt yourself or my child. But of course, if you insist...'
'Stop it, Severus. You'll scare our guest. This is Illiana von Haifisch. She's the Durmstrang Beater that nearly knocked Harry off his broom.' she told the tall man. Something close to a smile passed over his pale features.
'You are now one of my favorite Quidditch players. It was a joy to see someone nearly unseat the Potter git,' Severus told her, his voice almost gleeful. She returned his near smile with a full one of her own. He turned to look at the red head standing near him. ' I will go and fetch you a plate of food. I want you to eat every last bite of it. I'll not have you growing weak with lack of sustanance.'
'So long as you don't pile it so high, I'll never be able to carry it,' she retorted good naturedly. 'Now off with you, you git. I'm going to talk girl talk.'
'Very well, brat. I shall leave you to your mindless prattle. But be warned, I shall return,' his words were harsh, but the tone of his voice conveyed his softness for the girl. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, a quick gesture of her affection. He scowled at her and wandered off. When the green eyes turned back to Illiana, she found the other girl wearing an expression of mild confusion.
'What?' Kendra asked softly. 'That? Oh, he's truly a big softee, if only you know how to handle him.'
' I must admit, I was concerned about your relationship with the man. He seems so cold and harsh. And you seem such a warm and loving girl. I could not.....'
'You couldn't imagine why such a sweet and bidable girl as myself would ever want the old bastard, eh?' Kendra laughed. ' I'm not so sweet and bidable. In fact, I was the one who instigated out relationship. He was a horrid man to me when I was a student. I got back at him in my own way. And here we are now.'
'So then, you and Draco are not?.....' Illiana's voice trailed off as she noticed the red head laughing at her.
'Draco Malfoy and I are most definitely nothing more than school mates who have an extreme dislike for each other,' she told her.
'Do you know much about him?' Illiana asked, trying to make it sound as if she were merely curious and not dying to know every single detail she could worm out of the other girl.
' I can tell you just about anything you could want to know. Up to and including his sexual insecurities,' Kendra admitted without any hint of embarrassment.
'Really?' Illiana quirked a silver brow. Oh, now that sounded just delicious. 'So, what exactly are his sexual insecurities?'
'Ah, I see someone has taken a fancy to the Dragon. All I can say is be strong and forceful. He likes that in his women,' Kendra told her, and Illiana had no idea that there was revenge prompting her words. Once she had gleaned all the information she could from the red headed girl, she had a plan. She was going to go hunting.
She was going to hunt the Dragon......
end chapter two.
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