Since the disastrous incident that was the Cornish Pixies, Gilderoy Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he opted to read passages from his books to them, and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits. He usually picked Harry for the reconstructions, which always brought a smile to Jake's face. So far in this specific lesson, Harry had been forced to play a simple Transylvanian Villager whom Lockhart had claimed to cure of a Babbling Curse, a yeti with a head cold, and a vampire who had been unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had supposedly dealt with him.
Jake obviously didn't believe a single word of this, but decided it wasn't worth wasting his breath to refute the claims.
Harry was hauled to the front of class immediately upon walking into their next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, this time acting a Werewolf. If he hadn't had a very good reason for keeping Lockhart in a good mood for today in particular, he'd have refused it without a second thought.
Jake was smirking the entire class as Harry and Lockhart reenacted the scene in the book.
"Nice loud howl, Harry - exactly - and then, if you'll believe, I pounced - like this - slammed him to the floor - thus - with one hand, I managed to hold him down - with my other, I put my wand to his throat - I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm - he let out a piteous moan - go on, Harry - higher than that - good - the fur vanished - the fangs shrank - and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective - and another village will remember me for forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of Werewolf attacks."
The bell rang and Lockhart sprang to his feet.
"Homework - compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!" He yelled out to them as they began to trickle out of class.
Harry returned to Ron, Hermione, and Jake waiting in the back of the classroom, "Ready?" He asked Hermione.
"Wait until everyone's gone..." she said, watching them leave. She snarled her nose up, glancing over at Lockhart. She had never let the man know of her detest for him, so playing the nervous fangirl would be easy in theory. It was keeping the act up that would be difficult. "All right... let's do this..." she sighed and walked up to his desk.
"Ah, Miss Granger, come to ask me for more details on how I defeated the Werewolf?" He asked in a boastful tone.
"W-Well, not exactly that book. I wanted to get a book o-out of the Library for some background reading," she inhaled deeply before continuing, holding out a slightly shaking hand with a piece of paper in it, "but the thing is, i-it's in the Restricted Section of the Library, so I need a teacher to sign a note to let me check it out. I'm sure it would help me u-understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls a-about slow-acting v-venoms..."
"Ah, Gadding with Ghouls !" Lockhart said loudly, taking the note to sign it immediately, "Quite possibly my favorite one. You enjoyed it?"
Hermione almost failed to act the part, "W-Well... absolutely, the way you trapped that last one with the tea-strainer, simply spine-chilling of a read."
"Well, I'm sure no one would mind me giving the best student of the year a little extra help," he said and she knew he was lying. Jake was better than her in the class, but Lockhart always gave him a difficult time and Hermione knew how unfair that was. Which is exactly why she loathed the man in front of her. He pulled out an enormous peacock quill, "Yes, nice isn't it?" He said, missing the look on the three boys' faces of utter disgust, "I usually reserve it only for book signings, but I can make this one exception," he said with a wink.
If Jake hadn't looked at Hermione's face, he'd have missed her trying to keep from vomiting all over Lockhart's desk.
He scrawled an enormous, loopy signature and handed it back to her, "So, Harry," he turned his attention to said boy as Hermione gently folded and stuffed the note into her bag, "Tomorrow's the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was a Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces. Still, if ever you feel the need for a little private training, don't hesitate to ask. Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players."
By then Jake, Ron, and Hermione had already made it to the door, but Lockhart spoke so loudly, you could hear him clear into the corridor. They were out of the classroom for a few seconds when Harry joined them, "I don't believe it," he said as Hermione pulled the note back out to take a look at the signature, "he didn't even look at the book we wanted."
"That's because he's a brainless git ," Hermione said, putting it back into her bag. "So self-absorbed... arrogant... I hate him." They made it into the Library and walked straight up to Madam Pince. As usual, she was a thin, irritable woman who looked like an underfed vulture.
" Moste Potente Potions ?" She asked as Hermione handed her the note, holding it up to the light as though she just knew it was a forgery. It proved to be the real deal for Pince and she went and got the book. She came back with an old, large, and moldy-looking book. Hermione took it and placed it carefully into her bag, not wanting to damage the worn down book.
They casually walked out of the Library and five minutes later, were barricaded in Moaning Myrtle's out-of-order bathroom once again. Jake didn't really want to be in there, but knew he had to, so he steeled his nerves and walked in. Upon seeing him, Myrtle started to flirt with him. He wasn't an idiot, he noticed her attitude was flirty only for him. She did eventually remember something that upset her and she flew into the toilet once again, crying as she did.
He let out a sigh and walked back to where Hermione had the book out. She opened it carefully, and it became painfully obvious why it was in the Restricted Section. Some of the potions had grueling effects or after-effects. Some of the illustrations were enough to make Hermione turn her head until Jake read through the Potion on the page. One of the illustrations even made him a little queasy, it was a man who looked like he'd been turned inside out.
Finally, Hermione turned the page and found it, "Here it is, The Polyjuice Potion ." It was decorated with drawings of people halfway through transforming into other people. "This is the most complicated Potion I've ever seen..." she said, scanning the recipe. "Lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed, and knotgrass," she murmured to herself, listing off the ingredients as she got to them, "Well, they're easy enough, they are in the student store-cupboard, we can help ourselves... Oh, look, Powdered Horn of a Bicorn - don't know where we are going to get that - shredded skin of a boomslang - that'll be tricky too, and of course, a bit if whoever we want to change into."
"Excuse me?" Ron asked sharply, "what d'you mean, a bit of whoever we're changing into? I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toenails in it-"
"Why do you immediately think of the toenails? It can be hair, you know?" Jake asked him.
"We don't have to worry about that yet, though," Hermione quickly said, "we add those bits in last."
Harry had some concerns, though, "Do you realize how much we are going to have to steal? Shredded skin of a boomslang? That's not in the students' cupboard. What're we going to do, break into Snape's private stores? I don't know if this is a good idea..."
Hermione shut the book with a snap, "Well, if you two are going to chicken out, then fine," she said forcefully. Her cheeks were pink, and she looked rather angry, motioning to herself and Jake twice as she spoke, " We don't want to break the rules, you know. We think threatening Muggleborns is far worse than brewing up a difficult Potion. But if you don't want to find out if it's Malfoy, then fine, I'll take this book back to Madam Pince and turn it back in!"
It was a moment before either of the other two said anything, "I never thought I'd see the day when you two would be persuading us to break the rules," Ron said, "Alright, we'll do it."
"How long until you say it'll be ready?" Harry asked, looking at her and the book.
Hermione looked notably happier and opened the book back up, "Well, since the fluxweed has to be picked on the full moon, and the lacewings have to be stewed for twenty-one days, I'd say a month from now? And that's only if we get all the ingredients."
"A month? Malfoy could have half the Muggleborns at school taken out by then," Hermione shot him a nasty glare.
"I still don't believe it's Malfoy," Jake said unsurely, "But it's the only lead we have."
Hermione checked the coast for them and they left the bathroom in a hurry. Jake wondered just what exactly could go wrong tomorrow? So far, danger seemed to follow them around like the plague.
*******
Come Saturday morning, Jake had woken up early to get a head start on the day. He didn't seem to be up as early as Harry, whose curtains on his bed were open, and he wasn't to be seen anywhere.
He went down the stairs into the Common Room and still saw no one. Hermione showed up from the girl's staircase a second later, "Morning," she greeted warmly.
"Good morning, Hermione," he smiled, "You know, I didn't see Harry at all, if he's up, I bet the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team is up as well."
"Probably in the Great Hall. Shall we go down as well?" She asked him.
"Of course," he said and let her go first. She thanked him for his chivalrous nature and led the way to the Great Hall. Sure enough, the Team was all in the Hall, eating and staying quiet. They clearly wanted to beat Slytherin, which would be challenging with the fastest brooms money could buy at their disposal, but they handled like garbage. Their best bet would be the Snitch early before Slytherin got too many goals, and he was sure they all knew that. They were counting on Harry.
As Eleven o'clock approached, everyone made their way to the stadium to watch the first and probably most crucial match. Jake sat with Hermione and Ron to watch the chaos that was about to unfold.
When the teams came out onto the field, Flint and Wood gripped each other's hands like they were going to rip it off. Soon, Hooch's whistle was heard and fourteen brooms flew into the air.
The game has just barely started, and as Harry and Draco hovered in place, a Bludger came barreling right towards Harry. Jake watched him dodge out of the way and George or Fred Weasley, one of them flew past him, bat in hand, ready to slug the Bludger towards a Slytherin player.
He hit it just fine, but halfway through the flight, it changed direction back to Harry, "What the hell is wrong with that Bludger?" Ron asked.
"I don't know, but it seems to be attracted to Harry like a bad fangirl," Jake said, earning a laugh from Hermione.
This went on for a minute with Fred and George both trying to keep Harry safe. Harry looked like he was trying to dance in midair or something with the maneuvers he was pulling off.
Eventually they had called for a timeout, and Slytherin was up by Sixty Points, with Gryffindor at Zero. Jake saw them argue on the ground for a little while and the match resumed play. Fred and George both leaving Harry alone now.
"Do you think someone tampered with the Bludger?" Hermione asked them both.
"No, it's not possible. The four balls have been locked in the chest since Gryffindor's last practice session a week ago. Hooch didn't let anyone else practice after us before the game," Jake informed her.
"Harry has to be careful, or it's going to kill him," Ron said, worried about his best friend.
They all watched Harry climb into the air as Slytherin got two more goals. He looped, spiraled, zigzagged, and rolled to try and avoid the rogue Bludger. Harry must've seen the Snitch, because he dove at record speed. Jake looked, but he didn't see a glint anywhere. Malfoy was chasing after him, proving to Jake that Malfoy had no idea what he was doing.
Harry suddenly pulled up, as did Malfoy, barely missing the ground. "Lucky bastard," Jake said, wishing Malfoy had crashed into the ground. It was actually a little impressive, given the handling on that broom. The Bludger showed itself again and was after Harry like a rabid wolverine.
He eventually had seen the Snitch and began to chase it. Malfoy followed him like a lost puppy. Harry outstretched his arm, ready to grasp the Snitch. Jake saw the tragedy that was about to take place, "Harry!" but it was too late; the Bludger crashed into him out of nowhere, causing him to fall off his broom, and the Snitch to be lost in the wind, once again. Everyone was up, rushing towards the field as Harry clutched his broken arm. The Bludger didn't stop, however, and continued to try and kill Harry.
Jake pulled his wand out and aimed it right at the Bludger, " Immobulus !" The Bludger froze in midair, ceasing all movement. By the time Jake realized that Lockhart was near Harry, it was too late. He'd already done the damage of not fixing Harry's broken arm like he said he would, but removing all of the bones from the elbow down, leaving his Humerus intact. "What the hell have you done!?" Jake demanded from him, but wouldn't get an answer as Oliver came up to him.
"Jake! We need you to go and change into your quidditch robes and get your broom. I know Harry's situation is dire, having no bones in his right arm, but the match is still in play. Please?" Oliver practically begged him.
"Fine..." Jake glared at Lockhart one final time before hurrying off to get changed into his Quidditch Robe. He was oddly excited, though, despite Harry's unfortunate situation. He would enjoy wiping the grins off of the Slytherins faces. He stood in the locker room and looked at his barely used Quidditch Robes. He wondered if they'd get any serious use in this match, but he didn't intend to let Slytherin get many more goals. He grabbed his Nimbus Two-Thousand, and glanced around at himself before he made his way back to the Field. He walked right up to Oliver, "Ready to go." Harry had already been taken away and he saw Hermione remain to watch him from the stands. The Bludger had also been unfrozen and seemed normal again, which was odd.
Katie Bell quickly walked up to him, "Good luck, Jake, not that you'll need it," she said with a smirk and walked back to her original spot.
"Alright, on my whistle," Madam Hooch said and the second her whistle was heard, all fourteen brooms flew into the air, once again.
Jake didn't fly too high, and Malfoy was right there, taunting him like he expected, "First Quidditch Match, Fernandes?"
Jake ignored him and he saw the Slytherin Keeper during his search for the Snitch. He was pretty good, Jake couldn't deny that, blocking almost every shot the Gryffindor Chasers tossed. It was almost every shot because Alicia did manage to fake him out and make one goal.
Jake resumed his look for the Snitch and Malfoy continued to taunt him, "Only goal Gryffindor is going to get."
"You might be faster, but on any sharp turn, your broom is outclassed by mine," Jake didn't even look at him when he spoke. Malfoy kept speaking, and he kept ignoring. He then heard Hermione's name mentioned and turned to tell Draco off, when he saw the Snitch hovering right beside his head. If Malfoy hadn't been so busy yacking his jaws, he'd have probably heard the low buzzing the Snitch gave off.
Jake sped immediately towards Malfoy, who thought he was under attack. He swerved out of the way, "Watch where you're-" he cut himself off.
Jake figured it was because he saw the Snitch as well. He and Malfoy both chased after the Snitch, with Malfoy taking the lead until the Golden Ball turned direction, then Jake overtook him for a bit.
It went like this for a while as they chased the Snitch; Slytherin getting four more goals, and Gryffindor managing two more, bringing the score One-Hundred to Thirty, Slytherins favor.
The Snitch suddenly veered straight up. Jake chased after it first, managing the Ninety Degree turn easier than Malfoy did. They both chased it straight up, heading for the clouds.
Everything went to slow motion for Jake. The Snitch made a sudden U-turn to head back to the ground. Jake followed it with his head. He suddenly, and without thinking jumped off of his broom, hand outstretched to grab the Golden ball.
His hand clasped around the Golden Ball, and he was smiling for a moment. He turned around midair and his smile disappeared as his eyes widened with fear as he plummeted towards the ground.
"Jake!" He faintly heard Hermione yelling over the stillness of the crowd as they all watched him falling towards his death.
He turned back around and raised his hand towards his broom. He didn't know why, but he saw it flying towards him. He grasped it and mounted it, pulling up at the last literal possible second before he hit the ground. He came to a halt and held his hand up, showing that he had in fact collected the Golden Snitch.
Roars of cheers rang out from three fourths of the stadium, drowning out the boos from the last fourth. He hit the ground and was charged by the Gryffindor Team, all congratulating him. To his surprise, Katie had kissed him on the cheek before the Weasley Twins lifted him up. He scanned the crowd that rushed the field, looking for Hermione's face. He saw her with a glare, meaning she had a bone to pick with him. He shrugged and just smiled at her, causing her to eventually cave and smile as well.
Gryffindor had won the match One-Hundred and Eighty to One-Hundred, and Jake was the happiest he could've ever been that day.