A/N: I want to thank everyone for your reviews. I love them!

I don't own Harry Potter nor the Easter eggs that may or may not be in this chapter or any other.

Chapter Ten: Quidditch and Birthdays…

Next morning brought another early run from Angie, it was a smaller loop than before thank the Great Divines. Then a shower, Quidditch friendly clothes and brooms in tow as we headed down to breakfast. Harry, Hermione, Neville and a bruised Ronald was already at the table. I sat down next to Hermione as Ronald scoffed.

"What you got that ugly stick for, Black?" he asked "doing to do women's work for once?"

"Oh, Ronald, good morning, didn't see you there," I greeted him cheerfully and then frowned "Great Divines, what happened to your face? Was it another door attack? I tell you, Ronald, you got to watch out for those doors, mate, they pack quite the punch."

Harry and Neville were smirking and trying not to laugh while Hermione glowered at the boy when his response was "piss off, Black."

"Good luck to you too, mate, which position are you trying for?" I asked with the same cheerful tone.

"I said 'piss off'!" he said loudly "are you deaf?"

"That's right, I am trying for chaser. I seemed to have done a good job over the summer that impressed Angie," I grinned at him "she insisted that I try out and wouldn't take no for answer," I sighed dramatically "family, what can ya do?"

Ron gritted his teeth, getting up from the table "let's go, Hermione, get away from this lot. We can go do homework."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him "I'm fine, thanks, I want to walk down to the pitch with Athena," he growled at her "if you want to work on homework, I was going to get everyone together after tryouts in the library or maybe here in the Great Hall, more space."

"I said, let's go, Hermione," the boy snapped "I've something I want to talk to you about."

"First off," Neville pivoted, one leg over the bench "Mione just said no, she already has plans. You should accept that and go about your business. Secondly, Hermione is not a dog and does not have to jump to your beck and call. You need to get your attitude checked, Weasley because you had made such progress last year, now you're back to first year," Neville shook his head "I'd suggest talking to one of the professors, Sprout's really good at listening if you don't feel comfortable talking to McGonagall."

Ronald left with a huff, stomping his way towards the doors. I looked to Hermione, who was watching him go with a frown. She looked back to me when I nudged her gently.

"He been that way with you before?" I asked "all demanding and whatnot?"

Hermione laid a hand on my arm "I can protect myself, Hammy, oh…I know what I want for my birthday!" she changed the subject, sneaky penguin "I want to pick up the dueling classes again and I want to learn how to cast that patronus charm you were talking about."

I glared softly at her "you changed the subject, little dove," I tapped her on the nose "and I'm not sure I like the way you said that you can defend yourself. Does that mean he's done something before?"

Hermione tapped my nose back "if I said yes, you'd punch him, Hammy."

I sputtered "yea, I would, in a heartbeat. Should I be punching him?"

The girl just giggled at me and shook her head "no, he's just been acting weird lately. Keeps asking where all I'm going when Hogsmeade weekend comes along; keeps wanting to go to the Shrieking Shake, just the pair of us because he wants to see the ghosts there."

"What's so special about ghosts? He wants to see a ghost he can just walk down the halls here," I shook my head dismissively "besides we're going to go see Alec and his chubby cheeks."

"Oh, man, I miss his chubby cheeks," Harry grinned "you can pinch em' and he does this gurgle thing…and no, it doesn't mean his diaper needs changed!" Harry said pointedly at me.

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Hermione looped her arm through mine, seemed to be a habit for her at this point, as we walked with Angie, Harry and the others down to the pitch. Oliver was waiting and it was a rather good turnout for potential players. The boy was grinning like a mad man as he told us that chasers were up first because there wasn't another position being tried for. Beaters were a given, Oliver wasn't given up his position and Harry was ace at finding the snitch.

Gran was in the stands sitting with Malcom and Izzy on either side of her as well as Hermione, Neville and anyone else who wanted to watch. Gathered quite the crowd. Most of them just wanted to see who their house would be competing against or their house try outs were after ours.

Alicia Spinnet wasn't too happy about having to try out for the spot she'd held the last two years or so. She complained about it to Oliver, it was unfair that only the chasers were up for try outs. The Quidditch-mad boy just told her that competition is good for the team and to get on her broom. Madam Hooch was supervising the try outs from the middle of the pitch. She grinned when she seen me.

"Well, well, Black, you've a new record, don't ya?" she asked teasingly "first weekend of the year and you don't have detention."

I shrugged "I'm trying something new."

She just snorted "well, keep it up, otherwise I'll be overseeing your detentions again this year because we became such good buddies your first year."

"You've an odd way of saying 'good luck in tryouts, Black,' ya know that?" I grinned at her.

The silver haired woman just shook her head and looked to the rest of our group "right, this is a series of tests. Passing, catching, general flying and team work. Wood, split them up how you want them so I can toss the quaffle."

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Angie, Katie and I were paired together with four other groups of three. First test was passing and catching, like a big game of aerial catch at different speeds. Angie had told me to treat this like just a backyard game and have fun while generally ignoring Wood. So I just followed hers and Katie's example and what they told me too.

The day was exhausting and I could barely lift my shoulders and the rest of me was sore by the end of it. Flying constantly and throwing what felt like hundreds of passes and scoring attempts. Oliver let me land once he realized I'd started aiming for his head. I laid there in the grass looking up to watch the rest of the try outs.

Most everyone had a fair shot, Angie and Katie were by far the best and I could see Oliver keeping them. Alicia wasn't happy…well, she was a lot less happy than before because there was some good talent flying over the pitch. I could hear her bitching about it with some girls in her year near the locker rooms.

Angie was helping me to stand when the tryouts had ended and Oliver was going to announce who he'd decided upon. She was working the knots out of my shoulders when the boy finally arrived and Madam Hooch went to talk with the Ravenclaws; they were going for seekers first. I could have fallen asleep on my feet with my broom propping me up by the time that Oliver decided speak.

"Well, it was a lovely turn out, you all did so well," he grinned "seen a lot of talent and I encourage the lot of you who didn't make it to try again next year for whomever the captain's going to be. For this year though," he drew a breath, very dramatically "I've going with Johnson, Bell and Black. We start practice next weekend. Good day."

"Damn," I swore under my breath and looked over my shoulder to Angie "this is your fault."

She laughed "you got in all on your own, little lion. I just made you come to tryouts, I never said you had to make the team."

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Hermione and Neville were sitting two rows back of McGonagall and the Holmes twins watching the Quidditch tryouts. Gryffindors were up first and it seemed the only position being tried for was chaser. Hermione may not have liked flying because of her fear of heights but she loved watching Athena fly.

In Athena's first ever game, Hermione had realized that the girl seemed a natural with a not so much graceful style but certainly a unique one. Sure Athena hadn't meant to catch the snitch and looked so dumbfounded that just the thought of it still made Hermione giggle. Last year, Hermione had really been looking forward to watching Athena play but then Athena had mentioned Harry's snake talking abilities and sent Hermione to the library which didn't turn out well.

Neville nudged the girl next to him with a sly grin "hey, Mione."

"Hmm?" she grunted in response

"When did you fall in love with Athena?" he asked in an innocent whisper

Hermione responded without thinking "when she hit Malfoy at the start of last….err…" Hermione blinked and slowly looked over to a smirking Neville "umm…w-what did-did you a-ask Neville?"

He leaned over and said "it's alright, you know. Harry and I figured it out. Athena's quite obvious about it, what she feels for you but if you're waiting for her to make the first move than you're going to be waiting for a while."

Hermione's blush put the Weasleys hair to shame "wha-what?"

Shaking his head, Neville looked out to where Athena was zooming about playing aerial catch "you two are obvious that you like each other in more than just friends, only people who don't see it are each other. My evidence," he looked back to her "most recent evidence is that little bit this morning when Athena offered to punch St. Weasley for you."

"What do I do, Neville?" Hermione asked sagging her shoulders "she's…she carried me to bed the other night when I feel asleep in the common room. I wasn't really awake but I know she did. She's…she's Athena. I'm so hopeless."

"Kiss her," Neville suggested as if it were simple "if you show her that you feel the same then she'll come round."

Hermione was about to respond when Ron plopped down on the bench next to her and grinned "what we talking about? Black get kicked out yet?"

Hermione scowled and moved to sit on the other side of Neville so to resist the urge of slapping the Weasley boy. Violence was Athena's thing and Hermione didn't want to resort when there were other options available. Ronald frowned and looked like he was trying to figure out what he'd done wrong.

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Two weeks passed since I made the Quidditch team taking most of September with it (Harry was ecstatic about my position and Angie had this proud mama look about her). DADA was quickly becoming a popular class; to be fair, Lupin was a really good teacher. He knew the subject and had a way of engaging students that made it easy to learn.

Second favorite for those fourth years and younger, select few Slytherins, was Potions with Rosenberg. For the first ever, potions was fun and not intimidating. There were no snide, cutting, know-it-all remarks about Hermione or other students and even Neville was passing so far without trouble.

Relations with Ronald did not improve whatsoever, Percy and Dean weren't helping matters. Hit Percy again; he thought he was safe to get in Angie's face if there were witnesses in an outside courtyard. The Ravenclaws didn't care when I came out of nowhere with a fist to his face, I mean, it was Cho Chang who'd alerted me to the problem. Percy tried getting me into trouble but Cho and Terry Boot alibied Angie and myself; we were chatting about Quidditch in a different part of the castle.

Hermione was still acting strange. I'd started making it a habit of drawing on her before class started, tracking when the drawing would disappear and reappear. She kept disappearing to the bathroom, would sometimes forget about things, seemed to be hungry all the time, studying for classes she couldn't possible have and I think she snagged the satchel that Danny gave me.

I found the blue and red boxes in my trunk and no satchel. Being worried, I asked Jubilee and Kreacher to keep an eye on her for me; just to make sure she got to bed on time. As it was, with the elves checking in with me, between Quidditch practice and Hermione's habit of using a book for a pillow in the common room I was starting to regain the muscle that I'd once had when I lived with Fraser. Carrying Hermione to bed was getting easier bit by bit.

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Gran was quite amused by Hermione's request to pick up dueling lessons again and quite receptive too. It was decided that those of us who wanted to learn would gather in Gran's classroom on the upcoming Sunday that was Hermione's birthday. Which the sun dawned onto a partly cloudy day which I saw as Angie was leading me on our morning jog.

Got a shower and was dressed in my favorite jeans and blue long sleeved shirt when Hermione found me. I was in the common room deciding if putting on shoes was worth the effort. She sat down on the couch beside me with a big grin on her face, staring at me.

I raised an eye brow before looking down at me shoes and asked "right or left shoe, Myne? I'm partial to the left shoe. It's always the one I find first and it just fits better than the right. Weird, right? I've no idea why but I think it's because there's an enchantment on my trainers and it's not working right," I looked up at her amused expression "do you think Aunt Andy's not happy that I've inherited Robert height? I feel lanky sometimes…is that normal?"

"I think you've given your trainers too much thought, Hammy," she giggled "and you are lanky. You're going to be as tall as McGonagall before we graduate."

I frowned and sighed "I'll have to get new shoes before then," Hermione descended into giggles again "so," I smiled while slipping my shoes on, finally "Miss Birthday Girl Granger, how's your morning been so far?"

Hermione beamed "entertaining, I came to see if you were ready for breakfast."

"Always," I shook my head at her "when have I ever turned down food?"

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I wanted to cheer when we got to the Great Hall. Jubilee had brought back fruits to the table. We'd a long chat one night after she'd helped me put Hermione to bed. I missed the fruit and the variety of foods. I miss the burritos that Uncle Ted makes and garlic bread.

Loaded a plate with bacon, pancakes, a sliced up banana and drenched it in blueberry syrup which Hermione promptly stole from with a grin. She was lucky that I liked her, more than was probably acceptable for simple friendship, but she got a glare and I had to find another plate. Added more fruit to the next one, crumbling up the bacon and added hash browns before another bath of blueberry syrup.

Mail came just as another platter of bacon appeared on the table. Gorgo had come back from the States. Yay, it was a letter from Helena Wells! Now, there was a woman who practically knew everything about me because I wrote to her about everything happening to me. I was munching on a piece of bacon, the other half of it was being devoured by my owl, when Leonidas arrived for Hermione. The two owls left together heading for a deserved rest.

Hermione's owl had brought her a good sized cardboard box. I gave him a treat while Hermione was busy reading the card that'd been taped to the top of the box. It was from her mum and dad. Hermione's smile grew as she read the card with Mickey Mouse on the front.

When she was done reading Hermione quickly tore the box open. There was a small coin purse that she shoved in her pocket and a very, very nice soft but heavy black cloak with red lining that had elaborate silver Celtic knot embroidered into the hood and shoulders. The twin clasps were bronze and carried the same pattern as the hood.

"It's warm," Hermione grinned happily.

Angie was petting at it "and soft, too. Nice, Hermione."

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Went to Gran's classroom after breakfast was over. Hermione happily wearing her new cloak, her arm looped through mine, as the rest of our friends and St. Weasley following along behind. Ron was muttering under his breath and had been since Hermione display of affection or habit…whatever it was.

Gran's classroom had been redecorated with all the desks pushed to the far wall. The woman herself raised an eyebrow at me when I hopped up to sit on her desk, the eyebrow went higher when I just grinned at her and stayed put. Shaking her head at me, the older witch started off doing the basics, it was both for the newer duelers and a refresher for the rest of us.

Spent the whole day in there in the classroom with Gran, Jubilee bringing us pizza (Hermione's favorite of sausage and onion) and lemonade at lunch time. It was fun, even when Malcom challenged me to a duel. He was being cocky and rolling his wand through his fingers; I just couldn't say no.

Used a rubber band that Luna gave me to tie back my hair before I went to face the boy, I was in need of another haircut. His blue eyes glinting playfully as we bowed and he tried to strike first but was laughing too hard when I hit him with a tickle charm. Disarmed the boy and it was over…only to have Colin take his place.

"I'm his second," Colin shrugged as if that was sound logic.

I just shrugged "alright."

Poor Colin didn't last much longer than Malcom had before his wand was clattering into the far corner of the room. He did managed to get off one spell that I dodged. Ginny came up next, saying 'shouldn't send boys to do a woman's job' as she took her position on the dueling track. I could hear Gran chuckling at that, Fred and George were making bets.

Ginny was a challenge. There was some spell tossing and I'm very sure that I don't want to find out what a Bat-bogey hex looks like. That was the first spell headed my way that bounced off a protego and she had her next spell on the way, tickling charm. She got four spells before I got her through a fumos and a jelly leg jinx before disarming the girl.

"Better luck next time, Ginny," I chuckled as Izzy and Annie helped the red headed girl to sit down before Gran used the counter-jinx to steady the second year out.

Ron jumped to his feet as I headed back towards my seat "that's cheating!" he cried

"How?" Harry and Neville asked at the same time, Harry frowned at Ron "the smokescreen is a legal move and useful too. It was used against Quirrell and the basilisk. Also, Pete More used it against Neerja of New Deli in a tournament at the beginning of the summer in London. She still won, so the move is not always help," Harry blushed when Luna grinned at him.

"I didn't know you were at that match, Harry," she said happily "you should have sit with Papa and me, I would have enjoyed the company."

Harry shook his head, his cheeks still red "I-I read about it in Athena's dueler magazine; the guardians were a bit busy to take us to the match."

"Hmm…maybe next time you and Athena can go with Papa and I," Luna retook her seat next to him "it'll be fun. Papa has season passes because of The Quibbler."

I chocked on my drink and had lemonade come out my nose when Hermione whispered in my ear "I think they're flirting. They'd make a cute couple."

Hermione was trying not to laugh behind her hand as I held my burning nose with water eyes. She failed in her efforts when I glared at her. Ron's remarks forgotten as I had to help Hermione stay in her chair because she was laughing so hard at me.

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There was cake at dinner that night. Hermione glared at me when I stole her slice and smacked me when I wouldn't give it back. Angie ended the violence upon me by giving Hermione another slice, told us her infant son was better behaved than us. Of course she'd know because Angie had special permission to leave the school every so often to see her little son. Using Gran's office floo to get there and back so not to have to deal with the dementors.

I was so looking forward to seeing Alec. Baby boy was in for some spoiling once his aunts and uncles got there. Anyway, before Hermione could get a bit of her new slice of cake, I switched them out and she got her original piece back. I got threatened with a fork.

The rest of Hermione's presents came after dinner back at the tower. Most of it was candy and ink wells from the younger crowd of our friends, a random novel about a Quidditch play turned vampire hunter from Ron, new gloves from Angie, joke related items from the Weasley twins. Hermione looked so excited about that too bad it didn't reach her eyes; when the boys happily shuffled away I was smacked.

"What was that for, little dove?" I demanded rubbing at my shoulder

Hermione leaned close and hissed "because you're already plotting something with those stink pellets, rubber chicken and fireworks, Hammy, don't even."

"I was going to give you my gift next," I pouted and gave her Nym's gift instead, it was a good sized box wrapped in Christmas paper because Nym figured it was good year round "but here. This if from Nym."

Hermione pouted as she took the box, sitting it in her lap. She pouted at me but I just folded my arms and looked away with a huff. There was chuckling amongst our friends. With a sigh, Hermione moved to open the box in front of her and found a record player like mine but had a different colored lid. The girl was grinning when she opened Uncle Ted's present that was the size of a milk crate that was heavy because it was a milk crate filled with records that the pair of them had talked about.

Aunt Andy gave her a hard to find edition of Camelot; the Fallen City. Hermione had been asking Aunt Andy about the whole legend. Also, if you believe Hermione, I'm the one responsible for Hermione's love of the legendary city and its seven knights. I just smirked when Hermione cooed over the book and stopped when I held my present out to her.

The book with the faded blue hardcover was set on top of the records on the floor next to her feet. Hermione gently worked the black paper (the only wrapping paper I could find at the house) to find a refurbished vintage jewelry box. Looked like an elaborately carved dresser that fit in two hands with jungle elephants on the side. Uncle Ted had helped me sand it down, re-stain it and paint the little elephants gold.

Hermione opened the top, the little mirror and the felt lining had been replaced, and found an old charm bracelet (60's maybe) that'd been in very bottom drawer of the box when I bought it. There were already charms on it; a red crystal wrapped in silver wire, an enameled lighthouse, small roman coin, a covered wagon and a cruise ship that looked a bit like the Titanic.

Before Hermione could put it on her wrist opposite her watch, Harry and Neville presented her with their gifts. Two more charms, a book and a steam powered train engine. Hermione was beaming as she attached the charms to the silver bracelet and put it on. Hermione shook her hand, seemingly fascinated by the way the bracelet moved against her wrist.

I chuckled at her antics before I started gathering up the discarded wrapping paper and started tossing it in the crackling fire. When that was done, Angie and I helped Hermione carry her gifts up to our dorm room. We set them on her bed so she could get them sorted and Angie stole a chocolate frog on the way out with a wink at Hermione.

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Hermione decided that she liked my player, probably because it was already set up, so her player went into her trunk with the candy plus the book she'd gotten from Ronald. The book from Aunt Andy and the jewelry box went on the mobile bookcase that fit between her bed, wall and privacy divider.

When that was done, Hermione put on one of her new records and pulled me from the study table were I'd been getting ready to work on Ancient Runes homework. We were alone in the dorm room with everyone still down stairs, Fred and George had mentioned something about getting goodies from the kitchens.

"What are we doing, Hermione?" I asked as she put my hands to her waist and then put her hands to my shoulders.

"Birthday dancing," she grinned happily "sway to the music, Hammy."