"Checkmate" declared Ron for the second time that afternoon. His oponent ruffled his charcoal black hair and scrunched up his forhead.
"All right, I give up. it's no use trying to dethrone King Weasley."
"Damn straight. After all- Weasley is your king!" Ron smugly sat back inhis chair and folded his arms behind his head while Harry began to put away the chess set.
Across the room a set of soft brown eyes was watching them. Hermione was knitting a hat in the Gryffindor colors for herself; she'd finally given up on freeing the houseelf population of Hogwarts, at least for now (they just WEREN'T cooperating). She sighed deeply. Hermione had admired Ron from afar for a while now, but when she was up close she didn't dare show it.
He was her best friend! If Hermione tried to start a romance, she could loose everything that they had. Not to mention what would Harry think about all this? Hermione's knitting needles clicked on endlessly, showing no sign of the inner debate she was having. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A chorus of angry shouts came from the sea of green as Weasley blocked yet another Slytherin goal from the center hoop. On the other side of the pitch a crowd of Gryffindors did the wave and whooped enthusiasically. Dean Thomas held up his "GO HOME SLYTHERIN, THIS IS THE LIONS' DOMAIN" high so that the colors shone brightly in the sunshine. Hermione beamed.
Harry was circling high above the game, squinting for the snitch. He caught a glimpse of something shiny flitting toward the stands. He flew over as nonchalantly as he could, so as not to attract Malfoy's attention (he was focused on the actual game at the moment, as Katie Bell was manuevering hither and thither to try and escape the feirce attack Crabbe and Goyle were sending at her in the form of a bludger). There was the snitch! Hovering just above Proffesor McGonnagle's left ear. Harry dived straight in the teachers' box and bowled over a few of the teachers.
He had the snitch! A roar of appreciation came from ¾ of the stadium, and he could swear he heard an actual lion-like roar from the Ravenclaw section. When Harry glided back the the ground his teammates were cheering him.
Hermione came rushing from the stands witht the other sixth years. Instead of gathering around Harry, like the others were, Hermione went straight to Gryffindor's valient keeper. "Ron!" she gushed, "You were. I mean, I uh." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. A moment later she turned bright red and turned to congratulate to Harry and Ginny. ____________________________________________________________________________ __________Please review! I know these chapters are really short. I'm sorry the inspiration just seems to come in little bursts. Hehe. I hope you liked it.