Chapter 6 – Bedknobs & Broomsticks

After Dinner, Hermione let Harry into Gryffindor Tower with the new password, and he carried his travel-trunk up the stairs to the guest room. It was higher up than he'd ever gone in the tower before, and as he passed his old dormitory, he noticed it now bore a new sign, reading "First Years".

He eventually reached the top of the staircase, and opened the door, marked "Guests". If he'd ever thought the student dormitories were impressive, they were nothing compared to this. There was a huge four-poster bed (easily twice the width of his old one in the dorm below), a nightstand with a radio on it, a pair of squishy armchairs, an en-suite bathroom, and a small table with a jug of pumpkin juice and two glasses on it.

Harry was just unpacking his trunk when there was a knock at the door.

'Come in,' he said, not looking up from the bed. He heard the door open, someone walk in, and the door shut behind them. He turned around to see who it was. 'Oh, it's you.'

'Of course it's me,' said Ginny, wearing her dressing gown and slippers, 'who else is going to come up here?'

Harry considered her question. 'Good point,' he concluded. 'How was practice?'

'Tiring, but I think we've got a good chance tomorrow, assuming Stanley lasts the match.'

'Who's Stanley?'

'Stanley Hicksworth; new seeker.'

'Any good?'

'He'll do I suppose; not a patch on you or Charlie, mind. Just have to hope we score a lot more than Slytherin so the Snitch doesn't matter.'

Harry frowned. 'Was there no-one better at trials?'

'There was no-one else at trials. Seems people think you're a hard act to follow.'

'Rubbish,' said Harry, now grinning. 'Just because I only lost one game the whole time I was here, and we won the cup three times, why would people think that?'

Ginny snorted a laugh, and then looked serious. 'So,' she said, 'we should talk.'

'We are.'

'No, I mean...'

'Yeah, I know what you mean; I was joking.'

'Oh right, sorry; I am tired.'

'We can talk tomorrow, if you want?'

'No no, we've put this off for long enough. Let's talk about it tonight and then maybe it won't be weird in the morning.'

'Yeah.'

'Ok then.'

There was an awkward silence for a moment; neither one really sure how to start the conversation.

'You realise, I'm not saying it was bad,' Ginny blurted out. She seemed to be worried about denting Harry's ego.

'Me neither,' he agreed, not wanting to dent hers either. 'Just... it didn't live up to expectations.'

'Yeah, I think we put too much pressure on ourselves.'

'Absolutely. I was talking to Hermione earlier, and she told me that she and Ron just let it happen when it happened. No planning, no worrying, no nervousness.'

'Wait, you're telling me they've done it too?'

'Night before us; went pretty well, apparently.'

'No, I mean, you're telling me?'

'Oh, yeah.'

'Eugh, Harry! That's my brother! I did not need to know that.'

Harry laughed. 'Sorry,' he said between sniggers, 'didn't think what I was saying.'

'So you think it's because we'd planned it?' she said, trying to ignore the thought of Ron and Hermione.

'I suppose it wasn't very spontaneous, was it? Not very romantic.'

Ginny thought for a moment, and nodded. 'Kinda like we were only doing it because we'd agreed to?'

'Exactly. Hagrid said we should just keep things simple; that that's always the easiest way.'

'You told Hagrid?'

'No, not really; he was actually talking about weeding his pumpkin patch at the time, but it seemed like good advice. Hermione said the same.'

Ginny shook her head, slightly bemused by this information. 'So what do you think?' she asked. 'Next time, just let it happen when it happens; let it be spontaneous?'

'Yeah, take the pressure off and not let it worry us.'

'Ok, then I think I should sleep here tonight,' she said, her voice swelling with confidence. 'Just so we get used to sleeping next to each other again, without anything happening.'

Harry smiled. 'That sounds nice.'

'So, tonight, nothing more than kisses,' she said. She got to her feet, and untied the waistband on her dressing gown. Removing it, she revealed that she was wearing a pair of slightly-too-big, buttoned-up, cotton pyjamas.

'I don't think we could if we wanted to,' Harry smirked. 'I'd never be able to get to you through all that!'

Ginny smiled, and rolled her eyes. 'Merlin help me Harry Potter; I have missed you.'

She wrapped her arms around Harry, and they hugged for a few moments, before Harry pulled her face up to his, and gave her a long, gentle kiss.

'I missed you too,' he said, smiling. 'Come on, bed time. You've got to get up early.'

Harry turned out the lights while Ginny pulled back the duvet. They climbed in to bed, cuddled up against each other, and, almost immediately, fell asleep in each other's arms.

x x x

When Harry woke, he found that Ginny was already gone. After rummaging around for his glasses, he found that she'd left him a note saying she'd already gone down to breakfast with the team.

He dressed, and headed down the stairs. When he reached the Entrance Hall, he was greeted by a familiar face.

'Morning,' said Ron brightly. 'Sleep well?'

'Very,' Harry replied. 'When did you get here?'

'Just. Hagrid let me in. You coming for breakfast?'

Ron led the way into the Great Hall, walked along the Gryffindor table, and tapped Hermione on the shoulder.

'This seat taken?' he asked.

'Ron!' she replied, looking up from a dusty old library book. She jumped up, hugged him, and gave him quite a long kiss. Across the hall, a few people wolf-whistled.

Harry (who had followed Ron through the Hall and was now stood, slightly awkwardly, beside them both) looked along the table to wear Ginny was sitting with the Quidditch team. He gave her a small wave; she smiled, and blew him a kiss back.

'Are you two done yet?' said Harry, without looking back at them.

'Yes, you can look,' said Hermione. 'Here, have some bacon.'

Harry took his seat beside them, and seeing that Ron and Hermione were already catching up, he struck up a conversation with Euan Abercrombie who was sitting beside him. Euan however, seemed quite terrified that Harry was talking to him, so Harry politely abandoned their chat, and turned back to Ron and Hermione (Euan looked quite relieved).

'So, who do you fancy for the match?' asked Harry.

'Dunno,' said Ron, 'I don't recognise any of the Slytherin players.' He gestured over to the Slytherin table, where their team was gathered together in their green and silver Quidditch robes.

'Me neither,' said Harry. 'Mind you, I only know Jimmy, Ritchie, Demelza and Ginny on our team.'

'Our new three any good?'

'Ginny didn't seem too thrilled about the Seeker,' said Harry. 'What are you reading Hermione?'

'It's Dark Groups & Evil Armies,' she said. 'I got it out of the restricted section last night. Can't find anything about a legion though. I don't think it exists.'

'I told you not to worry about that,' said Harry.

'What's this about?' Ron asked. Harry told him about the prophecy, and showed him the piece of parchment it was written out on.

'What do you mean you don't understand his gifts are lessened?' Ron asked, once they'd finished explaining. 'Isn't that obvious?'

'Is it?' said Harry and Hermione together.

'Yeah, you don't have that connection with You Know Who anymore, do you? You can't see inside his head now.'

'That's because he's dead, Ron,' said Harry, sarcastically.

'Ron's got a point though,' said Hermione. 'That was something you could do before, that you can't do now. Have you tried using any of the other abilities you got from him?'

'Like?'

'Can you still speak parseltongue?'

Harry thought about it. 'I don't think I've tried, actually,' he said. 'Haven't really been anywhere with snakes since May.'

'I'll bet that's it then,' said Ron. 'Shame really; that was getting pretty useful.'

They finished breakfast, and headed down to the Quidditch pitch to take their seats, wishing the team luck as they passed them.

Harry had never sat in the stands for a Gryffindor match before. Anytime time he'd previously been unable to play for the team, he'd always found himself in a completely different part of the school.

'Who's commentating?' Harry asked, as he took his seat next to Ron.

'See for yourself,' said Hermione, pointing over to the teachers' box where the commentator usually sat. Harry looked, and to his amusement, could see a large, fabric, lion's head.

'Not very impartial, is it,' said Ron, smiling. 'Bless her.'

The echoing voice of Luna Lovegood filled the stadium as she spoke into the magical megaphone.

'Hello everybody,' she said, 'it's a lovely crisp day today, so look out for Nargles; they love this weather. Anyway, as I'm sure you know, we're here for the first game of the new Quidditch season; Gryffindor versus Slytherin.'

There was a huge cheer from the stadium. There hadn't been any Quidditch matches under the previous year's Death Eater regime, so the students were all excited about the new season. It was apparent that the animosity between Slytherin and the rest of the school had in no-way lessened with Voldemort's downfall; it seemed the majority of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were supporting Gryffindor.

'Oh and here come the teams,' said Luna, diverting everyone's attention down to the pitch. 'Here's Gryffindor, led by new captain, Ginny Weasley, who's very nice. With her are Robins, Dawn, Peakes, Coote, Shepherd and Hicksworth.'

There were huge cheers from three sides of the stadium as the Gryffindor team walked out on to the pitch in their red and gold robes.

'And here come the Slytherins, led by their captain, Nigel Vaisey; I don't know him, but Nigel's a nice name. His teammates are Grimstone, Greengrass, Baddock, Pummell, Pritchard and Harper.'

The cheers from the Slytherin stand were not far short of the noise level made by the other three stands put together. Harry watched as Ginny and Vaisey shook hands with Madam Hooch, and then, very briskly, with each other.

'Teams; mount your brooms,' cried Madam Hooch from the pitch. She kicked open the crate that stood by her feet, releasing both Bludgers and the Golden Snitch. She picked up the Quaffle, and held it in her hands, ready to throw it up. 'On my whistle, you may begin.'

There was a moment of silence in the stadium before the whistle ripped through it and the crowd roared as all fourteen players zoomed into the air.

'And Ginny Weasley takes the Quaffle,' said Luna, through the cheers, 'she's flown past Greengrass, and passes to Robins; Robins dodges a Bludger, that's clever of her, and she shoots; Gryffindor score!'

There were more cheers from the Gryffindors, as the Slytherins let out one, collective groan.

'Ok, they're playing again,' Luna continued. 'Vaisey takes the Quaffle for Slytherin; he passes to Greengrass, who passes to Grimstone; ouch! That looked very nasty.'

Ritchie Coote had just sent a Bludger flying at Grimstone, striking him in the back. Madam Hooch blew her whistle to stop play, and Madam Pomfrey ran on to the pitch to check on Grimstone.

'Ooh yeh, that's gunna sting,' said Hagrid, sitting down beside Harry. 'Have I missed much?'

'We're winning,' said Ron, 'ten points to zero, but it's only just started.'

'Kyle Grimstone looks like he's going to be ok,' Luna continued. 'Madam Pomfrey's very good at healing injuries like that.'

'Miss Lovegood,' said Professor Flitwick's squeaky voice from the background of the megaphone, 'focus on the game, my dear.'

'Yes, sorry,' said Luna, 'so, Slytherin back in possession; Vaisey, passes to Grimstone, but intercepted by Jennifer Dawn for Gryffindor; Dawn passes one, passes two, she gives it to Weasley; Ginny Weasley scores! That's nice, isn't it?'

In the stands, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid were whooping very loudly.

'So Slytherin restart; Greengrass has the Quaffle and, oh my, look at that.'

Slytherin's Seeker, Harper, was tearing across the pitch. Harry followed his eye line, and spotted the Snitch, not far in front of Harper. Hicksworth was chasing after him, but he was too far behind to catch up.

'Ouch again!' said Luna. 'Excellent Bludger work by Jimmy Peakes this time.'

Peakes, having realised that Hicksworth couldn't get to the Snitch before Harper, had made an almighty swing at a passing Bludger, slamming it into the latter's broom handle, sending him off into a spin. Hicksworth had to swerve to avoid him, and in the confusion, the Snitch was gone.

'Weasley has the Quaffle!' said Luna, diverting the crowd, and the players', attention away from the two seekers. 'She scores! Gryffindor are still leading, thirty points to zero.'

The Slytherins in the crowd were beside themselves; either yelling at their Keeper to pay closer attention or at the Seeker to avoid the Bludgers.

'Slytherin have the Quaffle; Captain Nigel Vaisey flies up the pitch; he darts by Weasley and passes to Greengrass; she avoids a Bludger from Peakes, and shoots; Astoria Greengrass has scored for Slytherin. Oh dear...'

'I'd have got that,' Ron grumbled, tutting at the Keeper, 'where did Ginny find this guy?'

'Oh, calm down,' said Hermione, 'he's had nothing else to do; give him a chance.'

'No-one gave me a chance,' Ron muttered, 'when I conceded my first goal, the Slytherins started writing Weasley is our King.'

The game raged on. Harry had never known a Hogwarts Quidditch match last longer than about an hour before, but this one appeared to be determined to make it to nightfall; both Seekers unable to bring the game to a close.

At lunchtime, Gryffindor were leading by two hundred and seventy points to a hundred and ten. As nobody wanted to stop watching the match to go and get food, the castle's house elves brought vast trays of sandwiches down from the kitchens, serving them amongst the crowd along with jugs of pumpkin juice. The players were given a time out shortly after, so they too could eat and get a drink.

At eight o'clock, the match was still in full swing, though the players were starting to look tired. The teachers set up illumination charms over the pitch so that everyone, and especially the players, could still see the action.

'This is getting ridiculous,' said Harry, checking his watch. 'We're supposed to be leaving tonight.'

'It can't last that much longer,' said Ron, 'Hogwarts games virtually never last more than a day.'

'I wouldn't count on that,' said a voice behind them. Harry and Ron turned around to see that it was Bill. 'I've just checked with Professor McGonagall,' he said, 'and you're both fine to stay the night. You can leave in the morning.'

'Thanks,' said Harry.

'Where will I sleep?' asked Ron. 'No offence Harry, but I'm not sharing a bed with you.'

'You can have the other guest room,' said Bill, 'it's not in Gryffindor tower; it's for visitors from other schools.'

'Where's that?'

'And Robins scores again for Gryffindor,' said Luna, interrupting. She sounded very hoarse and not at all like her usual, dreamy-voiced self.

'It's on the fifth floor,' said Bill, over the crowd's semi-enthusiastic cheering, 'three doors along from the Prefects' bathroom. The password's "Catweazle".'

'Thanks,' said Ron. Bill nodded, and walked away back to the teachers' box.

'What's the score?' asked Hermione, looking up from her book. Having refused to give up her study time after the third hour of play, Hermione had been summoning her books one by one as the match went on.

'Seven hundred and thirty points to five hundred and ninety,' said Harry.

'So we're still winning?'

'Yes.'

'Good,' she said, returning to her book, 'tell me if something important happens.'

'And Jennifer Dawn takes the Quaffle for Gryffindor,' Luna wheezed.

'Would you like a drink, Miss Lovegood?' asked Professor Flitwick's voice from the background.

'Yes please, that would be lovely, thank you. Now, Dawn passes Vaisey, she's only got Graham Pritchard to beat; she scores! Pritchard looks exhausted.'

'An' he ain't the only one,' muttered Hagrid, with a yawn.

'So, they're off again; oh, thank you Professor,' said Luna, taking a drink from the goblet Professor Flitwick had just handed her. 'Now as I was saying, here's Greengrass for Slytherin; she shoots; saved by Jackson Sheppard for Gryffindor. He gives the Quaffle to Weasley; she's darting up the pitch; dodges one Bludger, now the other; passes Grimstone, she shoots! And she scores! Gryffindor lead Seven hundred and fifty points to five hundred and nin... Oh my! Look at Hicksworth.'

The Gryffindor Seeker was diving towards the Slytherin goalposts, but Harper was closer and had followed suit.

'It's there,' said Harry, pointing to the Snitch, 'by the left post.'

The two Seekers were neck and neck; they both reached out, clawing for the tiny winged ball.

'Come on,' Harry muttered to himself.

But it wasn't to be. Pummell, the Slytherin Beater had smashed a Bludger at Hicksworth, knocking him off his broom and into the grassy pitch below. Fortunately, he had only been a few feet above the ground, so he rolled safely across the turf. However...

'He's got it!' said Luna, sounding both relieved and disappointed. 'Darren Harper catches the Snitch for Slytherin, but Gryffindor win the match. Seven hundred and fifty points to seven hundred and forty.'

There was an astronomical sound explosion. The Gryffindors cheered, whooped, and clapped for their team's victory. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws cheered, mostly delighted that the match was finally over. The Slytherins, however, were booing their own seeker; apparently annoyed that he'd caught the Snitch when they were too far behind to win.

'Ginny scored the winner!' said Ron.

'I know,' said Harry, 'bet she's delighted!'

Professor Flitwick's voice boomed across the stadium as he took the megaphone from Luna. 'Up to the Great Hall for dinner please, as quickly as possible.'

'Come on,' said Harry, 'I'm starving.'

x x x

When they arrived in the Great Hall, Harry sat down across from Ron and Hermione, saving the seat beside him for Ginny. When the team eventually arrived in the hall (still in their Quidditch robes), there was another round of applause from the Gryffindor table.

Ginny took her seat beside Harry, and let out a long sigh.

'Well,' she said, 'that went on a bit, didn't it?'

'You could say that,' Harry grinned. 'Congratulations though; you got the winning goal.'

'Luckily,' she said. 'I can't believe how bad the Seekers were. One or the other I could understand, but both?'

Harry smiled and kissed her on the cheek. 'Have a pork chop,' he said, sliding a silver platter towards her. 'You must be starving.'

'Thanks.'

To Harry's surprise and amusement, Ginny lifted three chops on to her plate, and started eating without serving herself anything to go with them.

'Yeah,' said Harry, 'who needs vegetables?'

Ginny slapped him playfully, across the shoulder.

Harry, Ron and Ginny sat talking about the match for an hour (Hermione had a new book propped open against the water jug), interrupted every so often by Gryffindors coming over to congratulate Ginny on the victory.

'Right,' said Ginny, when she had finished her dessert. 'I'm going up to wash and change; I'm sick of these robes.'

'Are you going straight to bed after?' asked Harry.

'Maybe,' she replied. 'I'm not feeling very tired, but I think it might just be adrenaline.'

'I'll stay up for a bit then,' said Harry, 'I'll probably be in my room if you want to talk or whatever.'

'Ok,' she said, a twinkle in her eyes. Harry watched her leave the Hall, and turned back to Ron and Hermione.

'What?' he asked, seeing Hermione's beaming face.

'You patched things up then, I take it?'

'Patched things up?' said Ron, looking up from his profiteroles. 'When were they unpatched?'

'Oh Ron,' she said, 'don't you notice anything?'

'I'll see you in the morning,' said Harry, deciding this was a good moment to leave. 'Have a, erm... good night, you two.'

As he walked towards the door, he caught sight of Luna at the Ravenclaw table.

'Hey Luna, nice commentary.'

'Oh, thank you Harry,' she said, 'that's very sweet.' Her voice sounded better, and Harry noticed there was a goblet of turquoise potion on the table in front of her. 'Are you staying long?'

'No, I leave in the morning,' he said. 'I've got to get back to work.'

'Oh well, be safe. Carry a pair of earmuffs with you; it's Wrackspurt season, and I wouldn't want your brain going fuzzy on a mission.'

'Er, thanks. I'll see you soon, ok?'

'I hope so. Perhaps at Christmas.'

Harry said goodbye to Luna, left the Great Hall, and decided to make a detour past the library before heading back up to Gryffindor Tower.

'Mr Potter,' said Madam Pince, as she opened the door to him. 'Very late for reading, isn't it?'

'Yes, sorry, I was just wondering, do you know where I could find a book about groups of dark wizards?'

'Is this light reading, or Auror business?'

Harry considered the question, technically, it was neither, but he knew she wouldn't accept that. 'Both,' he said, instead.

'I see; one moment.' She disappeared amongst the shelves for a few minutes, and came back with two books; Sinister Allies and Dark Duos & Corrupt Circles.

'Try these,' she said, 'but they're not to leave the castle, so I'll need them back before you go.'

'Thanks very much,' said Harry, and set off for Gryffindor Tower.

'Bowtruckle eggs,' he said, when he reached the Fat Lady's Portrait.

'Same to you dear,' she replied, swinging forwards to let him in.

He clambered through the portrait hole, and climbed the stairs that led to the boys' dormitories.

When he reached his room, he stretched his back, stiff as he was from sitting all day. Deciding that he may as well get ready for bed, Harry pulled off his t-shirt, and untied his shoes. There was a knock at the door.

'Come in,' said Harry, still fiddling with his laces. As the door opened, he looked up to see who it was.

'Oh,' he said, 'it's you.'

'You keep saying that,' said Ginny. She was standing in the doorway, a soft but determined look in her eye, and a black satin night gown wrapped around her body, held with a sash. She was without her slippers this time, and Harry could tell from her bare legs that she wasn't wearing the cotton pyjamas either. A second later, the sash was untied, and a glimpse of her underwear had driven the pyjamas from his mind.

Before Harry knew it, she was across the room, and her lips were on his. The kiss was incredible; soft and tender, but exhilarating and passionate. Harry felt like the room was spinning around him. He could feel the warmth of her hands running through his hair and over his back; the soft, silkiness of her gown against his chest. For a few moments, he could hear no other sound than her gentle breathing.

'I've been thinking,' she said eventually, only parting from his lips enough so as she could speak, 'and I've decided, that I'd like to be spontaneous tonight.'

Harry grinned, and tangled his fingers into her hair. 'I take it you're not tired then.'

'Not even a little,' she replied.

With his arms wrapped around her, he lifted her off the floor, and together, they fell backwards on to the bed.