CHAPTER 7: CAUGHT IN THE ACT


Eva slowly opened her eyes and groaned. "What is it?" Someone was poking her hand. She got up and reached for her glasses. "Hedwig?"

Hedwig was sitting on her bed with a note in his beak. "Oh...thanks Hedwig....." She petted Hedwig and read the note:

Meet me downstairs in the common room.

-Harry

She looked at her alarm clock. It was only 5:30 a.m. "What is Harry doing up so early?" She looked around the room and seeing everyone was still asleep, decided not to wake up Hermione. Hedwig then went to the window and flew off into the sky while Eva slowly got up and went to get dressed.

She rubbed her eyes as she slowly went down the stairs. Harry was sitting on the couch but turned around and got up when he heard Eva coming. "Good Morning Eva! Have a good rest?"

Eva frowned. "I did."

Harry was wide awake and had a look of excitement sparkling in his eyes. "Come with me!" He grabbed Eva's arm and dragged her out of the commonroom.

Eva groaned. "Where are we going? I could be sleeping right now!"

Harry just smiled. "It's a surprise! Come on!" With that, Harry led her outside.



Eva shivered as the cool morning breeze welcomed them. Harry had led her to the middle of the field and Eva looked around. "The...The Quidditch field?"

Harry smiled. "Yep!" He handed her a broom.

Eva was confused. "But....but Harry....you....you shouldn't teach me how to play! This is ridiculous! People will think you're favoring me!" Eva then turned around and started to head back to the school.

"Who said Potter was going to teach you?"

"Huh?" Eva turned around as a quaffle headed straight for her. "Whoa!" She quickly caught it and turned to see who had thrown it at her. A burly youth on top of a broomstick was flying around the field and then landed right in front of her.

Harry grinned. "Why should I teach you when I've got a professional player right here?"

The boy smiled. "Hello! Potter has told me all about you! I'm Oliver Wood. You can just call me Wood if you'd like." He reached out and shook Eva's hand.

Eva was still shocked. "He..Hello.....I'm Eva.....Eva Chu."

Harry smiled. "Wood was the former captain and keeper of the team. He is now playing for the Puddlemere United reserve team! He's done a great job training us so I thought it would only be right if he trained you! That's why yesterday I went to Professor Dumbledore and asked if I could send a msg to him!" He turned to Oliver. "Thanks so much for coming!"

Oliver smiled. "It was no problem at all! I love to catch up on how the ol' Gryffindor team is doing!"

Eva jumped for joy and hugged Harry. "Oh Harry! I don't know how to thank you! I can't believe you did this all for me!"

Harry blushed. "Oh it was nothing....."

"So Eva, shall we get started?" Oliver got back on his broom and started throwing the quaffle up and down in the air.

"You bet!" Eva climbed onto her broom.

"Well, I'll just leave you two to practice! See you at breakfast then!" With that, Harry headed back towards the school.

Oliver grinned. "You do realize I'm not going to go easy on you. You sure you're ready?"

Eva knew that Oliver was going to put her through very vigorous training. If Oliver was an expert at something, that something was definitely Quidditch and he will do nothing to stop the Gryffindors from winning. She might still have a chance on making the team with his help. She gave a deep breath then grinned. "I'm ready for anything."



Oliver and Eva flew to the front of the hoops. "Ok, first thing's first. Shall I explain the basics of Quidditch or shall we just get started with some throwing?"

Eva thought about it for awhile. She did know a little about Quidditch so she thought she should just start with the training as quickly as possible. "I'm sure I can just start throwing."

Oliver smiled and threw her the quaffle."Great! Ok, now I just want you to grab the quaffle and throw it through the hoops. This should help on your accuracy and throwing arm."

"Um....alright then." She took the quaffle in her right hand and threw with all her might into the middle hoop. It missed. "Sorry....bad aim."

Oliver caught the quaffle then flew over to Eva and examined her. "Hmm.......are you left-handed?"

Eva was surprised. "Yeah......how did you know?"

Oliver threw her the quaffle. "Ok, this time try using your left arm."

"Okay....." She took the quaffle in her left hand and aimed it through the middle hoop again. It went right through this time. "Woohoo! I did it!"

Oliver smiled. "Excellent! Now we know which one is your throwing arm! Ok, now let's add some movement into it. First, I want you to go from one end to the other as fast as you can and right when you get to the hoops, you throw it. Do a couple laps of that."

The training was going well and Eva was learning quick. "Great job Eva! You're a natural! Now let's add some challenge into it. I want you to do the same thing but this time I'm going to add a bludger."

Eva stopped mid-flight. "Wh....What?" But before Eva had time to protest, Oliver had sent the bludger zipping through the air. "Uh oh....."



Eva quickly turned to Oliver. "W..Wood! I....I'm not ready! I.....Whoa!" The bludger barely missed her as she ducked. She had to think fast.

Quickly, she took the quaffle and headed down to the other side of the field. The bludger was close behind her. She never realized what a pain a bludger can be. She didn't want to look back and quickly headed for the hoops.

Suddenly, the bludger popped out in front of her. She skidded to a stop and quickly turned around. Rushing through the air, she quickly turned back around and headed for the hoops once again.

"Wood isn't trying to train me! He's trying to kill me!"

She looked around but the bludger was nowhere to be seen. The hoops were just a couple of feet away. Quickly she drew her arm back.....ready to throw the quaffle into the hoop......

WHAM!

A sharp pain suddenly grew in her side and Eva was knocked off her broom. She slowly fell to the ground and landed on the soft grass with a thud.



Eva slowly opened her eyes. Everything was blurry. She slowly got up but the pain in her side kept her from sitting up. She groaned.

"You should lie back down! You'll hurt yourself!"

She opened her eyes again and looking back at her, was a pair of brilliant green eyes.

"H....Harry?"

"Are you ok?" His eyes were filled with concern.

Eva smiled. "Yeah I'm fine...where am I?"

"You're in the hospital wing right now...." He couldn't look at her anymore. "I....I'm so sorry Eva! I should've told Wood to go easy on you!"

Eva turned red with embarassment. "No way! This was expected! I mean if I ever plan to be a chaser I gotta take these risks! Everyone's probably been hit with a bludger at least once! Don't worry.....I'm fine!"

Harry smiled weakly. "Wood told me how great you've done in training today.....he thinks you have potential to become a great Chaser."

Eva blushed. "He really said that?"

Suddenly they were interrupted by Madam Pomfrey who was followed by Ron, Hermione and Oliver.

They all had a worried look on their faces. "Eva! Are you ok?! Wood told us what happened this morning!"

Eva laughed. "I'm fine! Don't make it sound like it's such a big deal! Don't worry!"

Oliver looked down. "Sorry there Eva, I didn't know you've never played with a bludger before..."

"It's ok....I should've prepared for that...." Everyone was relieved that she was okay. Eva then started to grin. "So when's our next practice?"



Eva wasn't seriously injured and Madam Pomfrey did a excellent job healing her. She was ready to get back to class in the afternoon, which was perfect, since she wouldn't have to miss her Defence Against the Dark Arts class. She had looked forward to it all day.

"Hey Eva! Heard about your lil incident this morning...." Eva turned around. It was Draco, standing there grinning. "Poor little Eva, can't even keep on a broom...and you expect to try out for chaser when you can't even handle one little bludger? Pathetic!"

Eva turned red with embarassment. He was right for once, she was pathetic. Ron turned around. "Well you just wait when Eva pulverizes you today!"

Draco put on a shocked look on his face which was clearly fake. "Oh no! I'm sooo scared!" Crabbe and Goyle chuckled with Draco.

"Ok, quiet class!" Sirius had just entered class and was looking quite shabby and exhausted.

Eva whispered to Hermione. "Hey, is it just me or does Sirius look kinda tired?"

Before Hermione could answer. Sirius stood up and began to give instructions.

"Sorry class for being late. We'll begin class immediately. I hope you have all prepared for the duelling today. Please come to the front of the room."

With, that everyone got up from their desks while Sirius took out his wand and shoved all the desks to the side, leaving an empty lane in the middle. He walked towards the middle then turned around to address the class. "For today's lesson, we will start off with learning a simple counter spell to neutralize a curse. I'm sure all of you know the basics to duelling, so who would like to start us off with a quick demonstration?"

Everyone raised their hand but Draco stepped up. "You wouldn't mind if I could start things off? I'm sure Eva would love to volunteer with me." He glanced over at Eva and grinned.

Sirius turned to Eva. "Would you like to start things off?"

"My pleasure." She started to walk towards the middle when she was stopped by Hermione.

"Are you sure you want to? I mean you just got out of the hospital! Knowing Malfoy he might try to do something horrible to you."

Harry nodded. "She's right Eva, if you want, I can duel for you."

Eva smiled. "If you duel for me, Draco might think I'm scared of him! I can't let him think that!" She winked. "Don't worry I'll be fine."

With that she started heading towards the middle of the class where Draco had his wand out, ready to strike. "Hope you're well prepared Eva."

Eva grinned. "More than ever."



They bowed, Eva not taking her eyes off Draco. They turned around and took three steps. Eva was very nervous. What if Draco turned around and attacked her first?

"On the count of three!" Sirius glared at Draco. "1...2...."

Eva was shaking. She has never done this before.

"3!!"

Eva held her wand up but Draco had hit her first. "Engorgio!"

Eva's leg had turned 5 times bigger and was rooted to the ground. It was too heavy for her to move. She quickly flicked her wand towards Draco. "Furnunculus!"

Draco tried to block it but failed and starting growing boils on his face. "Ahh! Ahh!"

"Reducio!" Eva's leg grew back to it's normal size.

"Ok that is enough!" Sirius could tell this wasn't going anywhere. Eva stopped and put her wand down. She was relieved it was over.

Draco was clutching his face. "You'll pay for that Eva! Expelliarmus!"

Eva's wand flew out of her hand. "What are you doing?!" She quickly went to retrieve it but Draco blasted it away from her.

Draco grinned. "Try to block this! Obliviate!"

Eva's eyes widen as a bright flash spitted out of Draco's wand.



Eva quickly held her arms up to shield her face. The bright flash suddenly bumped into her then flew right back at Draco. He was thrown across the room, and collided into the desks with a crash.

Eva slowly set her arms back down and looked around to see what had happened. Draco was lying there, in a pile of broken desks. Everyone else was staring and pointing at her, whispering.

Sirius ran over to Eva. "Are you alright?!" A concerned look was on his face.

"Y...Yeah....I'm fine....." What had just happened? Eva was confused.

The Slytherins had gathered around Draco. They were stunned, not knowing what to do. Sirius went over to them and kneeled beside Draco. "Stupid boy! He just doesn't know when to quit! Enervate!"

Draco slowly opened his eyes. "W...Where am I?" His memory charm had backfired.

"Crabbe! Goyle! Take him to the hospital wing!"

Crabbe and Goyle quickly obeyed and each grabbed one of Draco's arms to set him back on his feet. Draco stumbled around and groaned. "Wh...What happened?"

"Quickly boys!"

Crabbe and Goyle flinched then quickly dashed out of the classroom.

"Ahem! Aren't you two forgetting something?" Sirius was tapped his foot while pointing at Draco, who was now sitting on the floor, still looking dazed and confused as ever.

"Wh..Whoops!" Crabbe and Goyle quickly came back and picked Draco off the floor, then carried him to the hospital wing.

"50 points from Slytherin for that foolish stunt of his! Never EVER use your wand against someone who is not armed! He is lucky I won't be suspending him but he will get what he deserves!" Sirius rubbed his forehead then closed his eyes. "Now will the rest of you please pair up and practice the defense charm. Any more foolishness will not be tolerated!" He slowly walked back to his desk to sit down then suddenly shot a glance at Eva.

Eva suddenly became worried.....he was suspecting something....



Class was finally over and the four of them started to pack up. Nothing bad had happened during the duels, except for some minor accidents.

"Hehe....Great job today Eva! Hehe....you sure taught him! Too bad Sirius didn't expell him....hehe...that would have been a dream come true! Hehe....and too bad Malfoy's memory charm wasn't that powerful....hehe.....wouldn't it be so cool if he didn't know who he was? Hehe....I would've made him my slave.....hehe....."

Eva raised an eyebrow and gave Ron a weird look. "Why are you giggling so much?"

"Hehe...it's Harry! Hehe...put a stupid...hehe....tickling charm on me....hehe....couldn't block it in time! Hehe....."

Hermione suddenly clapped her hand over Ron's mouth. "I think it's better if you don't talk till the spell wears off.....and besides....I don't think Malfoy is that thick."

Eva and Harry started to laugh. Ron pouted but decided not to speak.

Suddenly, Hermione had a look of concern on her face. "So anyways Eva, what did happen back there? How could you have blocked his attack without your wand?"

"Uh....."

"Eva, can I speak to you for a moment?"

They all turned around. Sirius was sitting at his desk waiting for Eva.

"Uh...sure....." She turned around. "I'll see you guys later kay?"

"Yeah sure Eva. We'll see ya later Sirius!" With that, the three of them headed back to the commonroom.

Eva slowly walked towards Sirius's desk while looking at the ground. She stopped and looked up. "You....You need to speak with me?"

"Yes.....it's about today's incident.....are you sure you're alright?" Sirius was giving Eva a very suspicious look.

Eva quickly responded. "Yeah of course."

Sirius looked at Eva as if he didn't believe her, but then shrugged it off. "Okay then, that's all I have to ask. You can go now."

Eva gave a sigh of relief. He didn't ask her about what had happened. "See you around then." She turned around quickly and headed for the door.

"Oh Eva?"

She turned around. "Yes?"

Sirius grinned. "Great job you did on that Malfoy boy."



"Argh! Why does this essay have to be so long?!"

Eva and Hermione were sitting in the commonroom doing homework, while the boys were off somewhere.

"Don't worry Eva, you're almost finished anyways. Just a foot more."

Eva sighed. "Easy for you to say! You've already finished!"

Hermione shot a glance at Eva. "So anyways....you never really did answer my question after school....."

Eva looked up from her parchment. "Huh?"

"You know...it was weird in class today, the wand was nowhere near you, yet you managed to block off Malfoy's attack. How is that possible?" Hermione looked worried as if it was a bad thing.

Eva started to laugh nervously. "You know Malfoy, can't even cast a spell correctly...... probably just accidently did something wrong and it backfired." Eva looked down at her parchment and started to write again, like it was no big deal.

Hermione gave a suspicious look. "Yeah....probably...." She paused for a moment then looked at her again. "You know Eva, if something's wrong.....don't be afraid to tell me or Harry....or even Ron! We'll always be there for you.....you can tell us anything."

Eva looked up and smiled. "I know." At that moment, Eva wanted to tell her everything. About herself, about J.K. Rowling, about everything. "Hermione....."

Hermione looked up. "Yes?"

Eva nervously looked at the ground. "I.....I need to tell you something....."



Hermione sat up and looked at Eva as if she was waiting for her to say something of great importance. "What is it?"

Eva looked down, searching for a way to tell her. "I.....I...." Eva closed her eyes and sighed. Hermione was getting confused. Suddenly, Eva opened her eyes again and grinned. "I think you and Ron would make such a cute couple!"

"Oh Eva!" Hermione sighed and sat back down. "Don't be silly!" She started to blush.

Eva laughed. "Hey! You told me I could tell you anything!"

Suddenly, the potrait hole burst open and the guys came back in. They were all out on the field playing Quidditch with Oliver. Seems that Oliver was going to stay to referee the Quidditch tryouts next week.

Fred and George both patted Oliver on the back. "Great to have you back Wood!"

Harry and Ron walked up to Eva and Hermione. "Hey you two! Finished your homework yet?"

Eva smiled. "Yep pretty much....you guys have fun?"

Ron glanced over at Hermione, who was still bright red. "What happened to you?"

Hermione started to pack up her stuff and quickly got up. "N....Nothing....I'm just a little tired so I'll see you guys later." With that, she quickly dashed for the dormitories.

Ron was puzzled. "Why does she always do that?"

Eva glanced over at Harry then they both started to burst out laughing.

Oliver suddenly approached Eva. "Hey Eva! How you feeling?"

Eva smiled. "I'm fine. Never felt better."

Oliver grinned. "Great! That means we can start practice again tomorrow morning!"

Harry frowned. "I don't know Wood......I mean Eva did just get out of the hospital earlier.....and it's the weekend! Our first trip to Hogsmeade is tomorrow!"

Eva smiled. "Don't worry Harry! It'll be fine! Besides, I need all the practice I can get and I'll be done before we go to Hogsmeade."

Harry sighed then nodded reluctantly. "Alright then."

Oliver smiled. "I like the way this girl thinks! Look at that dedication! The determination! She'll go far! I know it!"

Eva smiled. Maybe she did have a fighting chance.



That night, Eva had permission to borrow the computer from her Muggle Studies class, to email Jenny. Eva smiled at the thought of it. She missed Jenny as much as she missed her family.

She started to write about how school was going and about her new friends Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She paused for a moment then decided not to tell Jenny she was a witch.....just yet. This had reminded her of what happened earlier at the commonroom with Hermione. She sighed. She was so close to telling her, but she knew she wasn't allowed to tell anyone. What harm would it do though?

She finally finished off Jenny's email and looked over at her alarm clock. It was getting late and she had to wake up early for her Quidditch training. She yawned then slipped into bed, dreaming about her trip to Hogsmeade tomorrow.

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