CHAPTER 6: MEETING PADFOOT


Eva woke up to a bright sunny day. Fall was here and the cool breeze swept into the room. She looked around but no one was in bed. She quickly grabbed her alarm clock but gave a sigh of relief. She was not late and just in time for breakfast too. She quickly got dressed and dashed down the stairs to find the rest of the girls.

"What the......." Everyone was crowding around the bulletin board in the common room. She spotted Hermione in the crowd and waved to her. "Hey Hermione! What's with all the fuss?"

Hermione tried to get out of the crowd. "They made Katie Bell the new keeper and so they are looking for a new chaser to replace her. Tryouts are next week."

"Hey Eva!"

Eva turned around and saw Harry and Ron dash towards her. "You've heard the news too?"

Eva laughed. "Who hasn't?"

Harry smiled. "So you planning to try out?"

Eva raised an eyebrow. "Me? Nah...count me out....I'm not too talented when it comes to sports....but I'll think about it." Eva wondered how it would be like to be on the Quidditch team. It was probably loads of fun. "Well I think I'm gonna get out of this crowd and head down for breakfast. You guys coming?"

"Yeah, I wanna get out of this crowd too." With that, the four of them headed down to the Great Hall.



"Can you pass me one of those muffins Eva?"

Everyone at the Gryffindor table had all settled down and started to have conversations about who will be the next chaser.

"Yeah sure." Eva grabbed a blueberry muffin and gave it to Ron.

"Thanks." He cut it open and started smearing butter on it. "So how come you're not trying out Eva? Practically everyone is."

Eva frowned. She didn't want to tell them she never played Quidditch in her whole life, let alone ride a broomstick. "I don't know....I'm not that good at it....."

Hermione grabbed her cup of pumpkin juice. "Well that's why you practice! I'm sure Harry will train you! He would love to have you on the team, wouldn't you Harry?"

"Of course I would! But then....." Harry looked down.

Eva understood what he meant. "Harry can't do that. He'll look like he's favoring me and that would be unfair for the others."

Harry frowned. "Sorry Eva....."

Eva laughed. "Sorry for what? Besides I don't think I'll try out anyways...."

"Oh that's too bad! With you on the team, it's a sure win for us!" Draco was back.

Eva turned around and glared at Draco. "Well at least I didn't BUY my way onto the team!"

Draco was in a fury. "I don't know what you're talking about! I got on the team cause I have pure talent!"

Eva grinned. "Yeah sure! Not having to catch a single snitch in your whole life....that takes a whole bunch of talent doesn't it?"

Ron and Harry burst out laughing. Draco glared at them then at Eva. "Well I don't see you doing any better! You're not even on the team!"

"You know what? You just talked me into trying out! Sign me up Harry! I want to show lil Malfoy here how Gryffindors really play!"

The whole Gryffindor table cheered as Malfoy and his gang went back to their table, muttering under his breath. "Filthy Mudblood....."

Eva flopped back into her seat. "Whew!"

Hermione was surprised. "Wow Eva! Didn't know you had that in you!"

Eva grinned. "Me neither."



"You okay Eva?" Harry glanced over at Eva as she stared into space.

"Huh? Oh...yeah I'm fine...." She took a bite out of her muffin. How was she suppose to make it on the team , with the state she was in? She has never played Quidditch in her life.....never flown on a broomstick....she was in big trouble.

Suddenly, Eva's thoughts were interrupted with the sound of flapping wings and screeches of owls.

"Mail's here! I've been waiting for Mom to send me my textbook that I forgot at home!" Ron searched everywhere for his owl.

Eva could spot a tiny little owl fluttering from one side to another, like a buzzing bee losing control. Obviously, the textbook was a little too heavy for the tiny thing.

Ron stood up. "Over here Pig!" The tiny owl dived for Ron and landed in his arms like he was catching a football. "Thanks Pig." He grabbed a small peice of toast and gave it to Pig. Pig started to flutter about, getting all excited.

Eva laughed. "Cute owl you got there Ron."

Ron shrugged. "You kinda get used to his....uh....enthusiasm."

Hedwig had gracefully landed on Harry's shoulder while glaring at Pig.

"I've got mail?" Harry looked puzzled as he took the letter from Hedwig's beak and gave her a biscuit from his plate. She nipped Harry affectionately on the ear, then flew off with Pig following behind her, stumbling as he tried to carry the peice of toast. Suddenly, the toast dropped from his beak and landed right on Draco's head.

He grabbed the peice of toast from his head. "Who threw this at me?!" He looked up as Pig dived for his face. Draco tried swatting the little owl. "Ahh! Get away from me!" Pig then snatched the toast from his hand and quickly flew off. "Stupid bird!"

Ron and Eva were about to fall off their seats from laughing. "Good job Pig!"

"What is it Harry?" Hermione had watched Harry as he opened the letter.

Ron and Eva turned around. "Who's it from?"

Harry smiled. "It's from Sirius."



"Wow really?!" Eva was excited. She wondered if she'll meet him one day....but wait...she wasn't suppose to know who he was! "Oh...huh? Sirius? Who's that? A friend?" Eva was nervous. Hope that was good enough.

Harry smiled. "He's my godfather."

Ron grinned. "You know....the used-to-be convicted criminal?"

Eva was relieved. "Oh the notorious Sirius Black! Wait...what do you mean....used-to-be?"

"He's cleared now. Right after the whole Vold....." Hermione kicked Harry and gave him a look that told him to shush.

"You know we're not suppose to talk about it!" Hermione whispered.

There it is again! That incident from summer....Eva wondered why it was all to be hushed.

"Oh yeah...right....ahem...anyways....I'm sure he will love to meet you sometime!"

Ron was anxious. "Come on Harry! What does it say?"

"Oh right! Almost forgot! Wait.......huh?" Harry looked at the peice of paper with confusement.

"What does it say?" Hermione asked.

"It says....I'll see you soon......and that's it."

"I'll see you soon? What does that mean? Is he coming to visit you?"

"I....I don't know.....he never said anything about it...."

Suddenly a cry from a student was heard. "Wow look at that!"



Everyone looked up. A Phoenix flew down with a letter in her beak and landed in front of Eva.

"Thanks Fiera." She grabbed a biscuit from her plate and gave it to her. She cooed then flew off. "Hey! It's a letter from my family!" Eva started to read it when suddenly she looked up. Everyone was staring at her.

Ron's eyes had widen. "You own a phoenix?! Bloody hell! That's so cool!"

Eva smiled. "Yeah....she's a gift from a friend of mine."

Harry smiled. "Wow, you're awfully lucky!"

"Yeah! Not a lot of people can handle a phoenix at such a young age." Hermione explained.

Eva laughed. "Guess I really am lucky." She then glanced over at Harry. He had a worried look on his face, still wondering about the note. "Don't worry about it Harry, I'm sure it'll be ok."

Ron grinned. "Yeah Harry! Why do you look so down? Sirius is actually gonna come visit!"

Harry smiled. "Yeah....you're right."

Hermione bolted up. "Oh my! We better get to class before we're late!"

With that, the four of them dashed to the dungeons for their potions class.



When they got into class, Professor Snape was in a very foul mood. They quickly sat down making sure they didn't do anything to make him mad.

"Wonder what's wrong with him? He's more grumpy then usual.....and that's pretty impossible!" Ron whispered.

"Yeah I know! You better watch out Eva.....since your detention was cancelled, Snape will try to do anything to get you another one." Hermione whispered.

Eva nodded. She wouldn't even risk thinking about what Snape would make her do if she did get detention. Fortunately, the class went by and they survived.

The rest of the day went as usual. But before the day was over, an annoucement was made. "Attention 5th year Gryffindors, please proceed to your Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

The four of them had headed back to the common room, thinking they didn't have class.

"What?" Ron was confused.

Hermione smiled. "Finally! They must've found a new professor!"

They quickly dashed to class, wondering who it could be. When they got to the door, Harry stopped suddenly in front, making the four of them tumble and fall flat on top of Harry. Eva looked up. "Who is he?"

Ron looked up. "It can't be!"

Harry frantically searched for his glasses and put them back on. "S...Sirius?"



Sirius smiled. "There you guys are. Now go find your seats and we'll get started."

The four of them got up and brushed themselves off before finding a seat.

Eva raised an eyebrow. "What the....." Everyone had chosen a seat as far away from the front as possible. Naturally, the four of them took the front seats. Eva giggled. Guess everyone was scared of him.

Sirius smiled. "Well at least some students aren't afraid of the dark arts." He winked at them then everyone started to slowly move forward. "Much better. Now everyone, take out your textbooks and turn to chapter 1."

Ron groaned. "Textbooks? I thought we would start off doing something."

Sirius smiled. "Patience Ron. I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt today would I? You all need to know the basics and we can start practicing tomorrow."

Eva smiled. Sirius Black is a professor! How cool is that? He was very laid-back and his eyes had a certain glint to it.

The class went by smoothly. Tomorrow, things were going to get exciting since they were going to start dueling using the counter curses they learned today. The rest of the class was very cautious around him. They were scared that he would attack them right on the spot. Everyone except Draco.

He grinned then whispered to Harry. "Well well well.....isn't lil Potter happy? Be careful, he might try to kill you when you're not looking....wouldn't that be a shame....." Crabbe and Goyle started to snicker.

Eva turned around and glared at him. "Yes that would be a shame....and that's more than I can say for you."

Draco glared. "Better watch your back Eva. I'll totally murder you in class tomorrow!"

Eva grinned. "We'll see about that."



At the end of the class, everyone started to rush out of the room, leaving Harry, Ron and Hermione to chat with Sirius. Eva packed up her books and started to leave when Harry jumped in front of her. "And where do you think you're going?" Harry grinned.

"Oh.....I didn't want to interrupt you guys or anything."

"Well, who do we have here?" Eva turned around and noticed Sirius looking back at her. He smiled. "You've never told me about her, Harry."

Eva couldn't help but blush. Harry grabbed her arm and led her to the desk. "Come on! I gotta introduce you!"

Sirius smiled and looked at his attendence sheet. "Eva Chu I presume?" Eva nodded nervously.

"Eva, I would like you to meet Sirius." Harry beamed. "My godfather."

Eva smiled. "It's such an honor to have you as a professor!"

Sirius shook her hand and laughed. "Well, you're pretty much the only one who thinks so!"

Eva smiled. She didn't know how anyone could ever suspect him to be a criminal.

"So Ron, how's Pig?"

"He's great! A big difference from Errol! That owl was going to keel over!"

Sirius laughed. "So Hermione, how's Crookshanks? Haven't seen him in a long time!"

"He's great! Just sleeping right now."

"Tell him to visit me sometime for me will ya? And Harry! How's the quidditch coming along? Dumbledore has told me all about how you became captain!"

"Oh no!" Eva shouted.

They all looked at her. "Something wrong?"

"Oh....uh....nothing.....hey, I gotta jet....I'll see you all later kay?" She started to dash out of the room. "It was nice meeting you Professor Black!"

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Wonder where she's off to all the time?"

Sirius beamed. "Did you hear that? She called me Professor Black!" Sirius grinned. "I like the sound of that......"



"Quidditch! I totally forgot about that! What am I going to do?!" Eva was heading for her training session with Dumbledore. She was getting very nervous, considering she had only one week to learn how to play Quidditch. It seemed impossible!

"Something wrong Eva?"

Eva had entered the office with a worried look on her face. "Oh it's nothing....."

Dumbldore peered over his glasses. "Are you sure?"

"Well......" She started to fidget. "Quidditch tryouts are coming up next week and well....I kinda wanted to go....but......"

Dumbledore smiled. "I see...well I guess we'll have to cancel today's lessons! We need to brush up on your flying skills! Come with me!"

Eva started to follow Dumbledore down the spiral staircase. "Wh.....Where are we going?"

He smiled. "You don't expect to fly on a broom in such a small room do you?"



Dumbledore led Eva to the field where Madam Hooch usually had her flying lessons take place. Eva noticed a lady with short, grey hair carrying a bunch of brooms off the field.

"Madam Hooch! Just the person I need to see."

"Ah good evening Professor Dumbledore! Is there something I can help you with?"

"Miss. Chu here would like to learn how to fly on a broom since she hasn't had much practice over at her old school. Do you mind taking some time off to teach her?"

Madam Hooch smiled as her yellow, hawk-like eyes glinted. "Not at all! Come with me Miss.Chu."

Eva turned around and mouthed the words "Thank you!" He waved at her then went back inside.

"So Eva, your old school never taught you well in the art of broomstick flying?"

"No.....not really...." She laughed to herself as she thought of her high school teaching students how to sit on a broomstick.

"Well you've come to the right person! Let's get started and see how it goes!" Madam Hooch handed her one of the school brooms. "Mount the broom and take a spin around the field."

"Uh...alright then....." Eva took the broom and mounted it carefully. This must look so silly Eva thought, just standing here, sitting on a broom. She looked at Madam Hooch. "Uh....can I start?"

She smiled. "Go ahead! I'll be watching you, don't worry!"

Eva gave a nervous sigh and held the broom tight. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. "I can do this.....how hard can it be?" She suddenly gave a hard kick off the ground and off she went.



"Wh...Whoa!" Eva had risen too fast and was trying to stop it from going any higher. She stumbled a little as she tried to go lower. She could hear Madam Hooch down below. "Steady Miss. Chu! Steady! Fly lower!"

"Ok Eva....come on...steady....." Eva held the broom tightly and hovered in the sky, then she looked up, and if by signal, she bursted forward and headed back down the field. The wind was rushing through her hair and robes. It was an adrenaline rush as she shot through the sky. Eva laughed. "Wow this is so cool!" It was such an amazing feeling to fly.

"Uh oh!" Eva was not paying attention and was heading right for the wall. She quickly swerved the broom around and shot down towards the ground. "Up! Up!" She pulled out of the dive and rushed forwards circling the field.

"Excellent flying skills Miss. Chu! Now come back down!" Madam Hooch yelled.

"Alright!" She swerved her broom around and headed for Madam Hooch. "Wh...Whoa! LOOK OUT!" She rushed past Madam Hooch and pulled her broom down. The broom skidded along the ground causing Eva to trip and fly off. She tumbled along the ground then came to a stop and just laid there.

"Oh my goodness!" Madam Hooch rushed over to where Eva was. "Miss. Chu! Are you alright?!"

Eva slowly got up and shook her head. "Pfft!" She had grass in her mouth. "Whew! That was so awesome! Can we do it again?!"

Madam Hooch laughed and pulled Eva back on her feet. "Of course! Wow! You're a natural for this! But....we need to work on your landing....."

Eva laughed and brushed herself off. "That's for sure...."



"Hey Eva....Whoa!" Harry eyed Eva up and down. "What happened to you?!"

"Huh?" Eva looked at herself. Her robes and clothes were all covered in grass and dirt. Her hair was all windblown and her face was probably all muddy. She laughed. "Oh it's nothing.....you know....shoelaces...just keep on tripping over them...I need to take a shower so I'll see you guys at dinner k?" She dashed off to the gryffindor tower.

Ron raised an eyebrow. "And I thought I was clumsy....."

Eva was excited. She finally learned how to fly on a broom! But was that enough?

"Whoops!" Eva bumped into someone. "Sorry bout that! I wasn't......" She looked up and saw Sirius looking back at her. "Professor Black!"

He grinned. "Aren't we in a hurry?"

"Well you see....I kinda need a shower....." Eva stepped back for Sirius to take a good look at her.

He started to laugh. "I don't see anything wrong."

Eva laughed. "Well I better head down to dinner then shouldn't I?"

Sirius grinned. "Wouldn't want you to miss dinner to take a shower do we?" He took out his wand and gave Eva a tap. She closed her eyes while a tingling feeling came over her. When she opened her eyes, she was completely clean.

Eva grinned. "You should really teach me how to do that!"

Sirius put his hand over her shoulder and laughed. "You know, I should really teach that in class...how to defend against your worst enemy...dirt."

Eva laughed. "Come on then! We'll be late for dinner!" With that, they both dashed for the great hall. Eva couldn't help but smile. She had made a new friend.



"Hey Eva! Glad you can join us!"

Eva plopped down on her usual seat beside Harry. "Hey guys! Did I miss anything?"

Harry smiled. "Well we were just talking about the weekend plans to Hogsmeade! You coming right?"

Eva's eyes filled with excitement. "Definitely! You guys gotta give me the grand tour! I've never been there before!"

Ron grinned. "All I have to say is you can't miss the Honeydukes store!"

"Or the Zonko's Joke shop!" Harry exclaimed.

Hermione smiled. "And you can't miss the Butterbeer over at The Three Broomsticks! It's the best there!"

Eva laughed. "Wow! I don't wanna miss any of those places! Can't wait!" But then, Eva's excitment faded when the word Quidditch popped up from across the table.

"Wow did you see Danny today on the field! He's so going to get that chaser position!"

"No way! Everyone knows the Gryffindor chasers are going to be girls! You should see how Jennifer plays!"

Eva looked down. She may have learnt how to ride a broom but she hasn't even learnt how to play Quidditch yet. It would be impossible to catch up to everyone else.

After dinner was over, the four of them headed back to the commonroom. Suddenly, Eva stopped Harry in the hallway."Uh Harry? Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Ron and Hermione turned around. "We'll just see you two in the commonroom then." And started to walk off.

Harry turned around and saw Eva's worried look. "What's wrong Eva?"

Eva looked at the floor. She didn't quite know how to explain it without getting him disappointed. "I.....I don't think I wanna try out for the team anymore."



"Wh...What?! Why?!" Harry was shocked. This wasn't like Eva to just give up.

Eva looked down. "I...I'm sorry Harry but...it's no use....I've never even played Quidditch before in my whole life! It's impossible to become talented at it in just one week!"

Harry frowned. "Have you even thought about what Ron and Hermione will say? What MALFOY will say?!"

Eva sighed. "He'll just make fun of me if I don't make it!"

"It'll be worse if you don't even try! Hey! I got to be on the Quidditch team right when I learnt how to ride a broom! If I can do it, then you definitely can do it too!"

Eva looked up and smiled. "You were born to play....."

"And maybe you are too! You won't know it till you try! I mean come on! What can't the brilliant Eva do?!"

Eva blushed. Harry had total confidence in her. She was so lucky to have him there to cheer her on. Suddenly, Harry's eyes widen. "Wait! Go to the commonroom and tell Ron and Hermione that I'll meet you guys there. I gotta go do something!" With that, he dashed off down the corridor leaving Eva puzzled.



"Hey Eva." Ron looked around. "Where's Harry?"

"Oh he just dashed off saying he had something to do. He'll be back." Eva sat down beside Hermione, who was finishing off her homework.

Hermione laughed. "He's just like you! Always running off somewhere!"

Ron grinned. "Where do you always go afterschool anyways?"

Eva blushed. "Sorry about that, I...I just......uh..."

Hermione understood. "Don't worry about it." Then she gave Ron a kick and glared at him. "So you all ready for tomorrow's class?"

Eva grinned. "More than ever! I can't wait to test out my curses on Malfoy...."

Ron grinned. "Well you can have what's left after I'm finished with him."

Hermione laughed. "You mean she can carry you to the hospital wing after Malfoy is finished with you!"

Ron glared at her. "If you haven't noticed, I've been practicing all day! So you just watch tomorrow! Come on Eva! Let's leave little Miss. Perfect here and go play some Gobstones."

Hermione got up. "Hmph! I'm going upstairs anyways!" And stormed off towards the dormitories.

Eva laughed. "You know...you shouldn't be so hard on her."

Ron was burning a bright red. "Well she started it!"

Eva rolled her eyes. "Fine fine....come on then." She couldn't help but laugh. They would make such a cute couple.



Eva yawned. Everyone was in bed and she had just finished the last game of Gobstones with Ron and Harry. Harry had returned to the commonroom with a smirk and didn't say anything about where he went.

She had washed her face for the tenth time, trying to get the smelly stuff off, that squirted in her face one too many times during the game.

She looked out the window. "Hmm....." She squinted her eyes and looked out into the darkness, searching for the thing she saw last night. She then decided it was probably just a shadow she saw and took her glasses off.

Suddenly, she noticed something stirring down on the field. She quickly put her glasses back on.and noticed two cloaked figures down by the Whomping Willow. Nobody should be out at this hour. She quickly ran to Hermione's bed. "Hermione! Wake up! Come look at this!"

Hermione got up and rubbed her eyes. "What is it?"

"Come! There are two people down in the field!" She ran back to the window to show her, but when she got back the two figures were gone. "Where did they go?"

Hermione stood beside Eva. "Where did what go?"

Eva tried to find them but didn't succeed. "Uh...nevermind.....I....I probably just saw a cat or something...."

Hermione looked worried. "You sure you're ok Eva? This is the second time this has happened."

Eva took off her glasses and started to slip into her bed. "Yeah....yeah I'm fine....probably just tired that's all.....my eyes playing games on me....."

Hermione gave her a suspicious look. " Just get some rest then....."

Eva stared at the ceiling. She was just overreacting.....it was probably just nothing....maybe a professor feeding the Whomping Willow or something. Finally, she slowly dozed off.

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