A guest reviewed my story and commented on how the language seems a bit much, even for Ron.

First off, thanks for reading :)

Second, I don't think so. Let's be real here. When kids, especially preteens and up, are in the company of their friends and their are no adults around, they will say the most vulgar things they can think of. Working at camps with preteens and teenagers have taught me that. You wouldn't believe the conversations and the language that I have overheard my 11 and 12 year old kids have and use when they think an adult isn't listening. Especially if they have older siblings whom they hear it from all the time.

Its no secret that Ron has a very vulgar mouth. Queen Rowling herself once said that she had Ron's mouth way more vulgar at first until the editors told her to turn it down, as they were children's books. So I think I may be good with his words. As he gets older, it'll probably get worse. Hope it doesn't deter you from my story lol. And I'm glad you're liking it.

Just giving you a head's up.

The only thing that won't be canon about this story is that the Hermione in here is black. Her race is black, and her skin is an almost light brown. For those of you that have read The War Over Hermione, The Lives Of The Broken, The Untouchables and, The Seventh Year, refer to the model I use there. That's my Hermione lol.

Why? Well, before the movies came out, I had always thought that Hermione was black. Her description, especially her hair, related to me, so I figured that she was indeed a black girl. Not to discredit Emma Watson, because she was a great Hermione. Besides, Queen Rowling herself said she never specified a color. And she didn't care if people thought she was black. Hopefully this doesn't offend anyone. I just wanted to give y'all a heads up so you wouldn't be surprised when Ron described brown skin and black person features.

Also, as much as I didn't want to, I left all of Lee Jordan's commentary in. Don't get me wrong, I looooove his commentary, but I felt kinda bad using it. However, it's part of the wonderful story Queen Rowling wrote, so it has to be included.

With that being said, on with the fic :)

Chapter 10: Quidditch

November came, and the weather started getting cold. It wasn't exactly snowing, but there were frost on the ground in the mornings, and the lake would sometimes have a thin layer of ice on it sometimes. Mum sent along a few jumpers and heavier coats. Warming spells had been learned quickly amongst us first years.

Hermione had started hanging around us more. She was a great help to both Harry and I, but especially to Harry, who would have never been able to balance quidditch and homework if it wasn't for her. She wouldn't let us copy her work, but she would help us find the right references and use proper wording.

Hermione was indeed a bookworm. She had told us about how she had learned to read at a very young age and she had been doing it ever since. When she had gotten her letter and was able to go to Diagon Alley, she had gotten all her textbooks and had finished them all in less than a week. She didn't have much else to do, as her parents were dentist (muggle teeth healers, why someone would want to work inside someone's mouth with their toxic breath was beyond my understanding) and weren't always around.

The day before Harry's first Quidditch match, we sat outside the freezing courtyard. Since it was indeed freezing, everywhere was crowded. There was hardly anywhere to properly hang out anymore. Hermione had conjured us up a bright blue fire called a bluebell that could be carried around in a jar. As we were standing with our backs to it, trying to getting warm, Snape and his greasy hair headed towards us. He was limping from the looks of it. I wasn't one to wish injury on anyone (unless it was the twins when they would do something to me), but I surely didn't feel sorry for him, and hoped that maybe Fang had decided to have an aggressive day and try to take a chunk out of the git. We tried to hide the fire, as we weren't for sure if it was allowed. He didn't see it, however, he didn't miss an opportunity to be a nasty prat to us, especially Harry.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?" he asked, pointing to the Quidditch Through the Ages book in Harry's hands.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

He snatched the book from Harry's grasp and limped off.

"He's just made that rule up," Harry grumbled. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him." I said, bitterly.

Later on, we were hanging in the crowded Gryffindor common room, doing our Charms homework as Hermione checked over our work.

Harry was irritated. He wouldn't stop thinking about the book, so he left us sitting by ourselves to go and get it.

This was the first time Hermione and I were left alone. It felt a bit awkward at first, so we stayed quiet and continued doing our homework.

I figured that now was a good time to talk, so I swallowed my nerves and opened my mouth.

"I never apologized to you." I said softly.

Hermione looked up from the book she was reading. 'I'm sorry, what was that?"

I groaned a little. I had never been good at apologizing. Mum said it was because I was the baby boy. But I knew it was because I hated to say sorry. It felt embarrassing. Still, it was the right thing to do, and I truly felt that way.

"I said I never apologized to you." I repeated. "You know, for making you cry? And...and for everything else. Being a wanker towards you and all."

She scrunched her nose at my use of the word wanker. Hermione hated our foul mouths, especially mine.

"You don't have to." she said.

"Yes I do. It wasn't right for me to make you cry. I shouldn't have called you a nightmare."

"Well, that's what you thought of me."

"Yeah, but I shouldn't have said it. I should have kept it to myself."

"Do...do you really think I'm a nightmare? she asked in a small voice.

I winced. I didn't want to tell her all the things that I had thought of her. She would have really been crying if I did that.

"I used to. But, I think we just started off on the wrong foot, you know? I don't think that anymore." I said honestly.

Hermione smiled. I couldn't tell if she was blushing, but she had that look on her face like she was.

"Thanks, Ron." she said. "And I'm sorry too."

"Sorry for what?"

"For being an annoyance sometimes. I know I'm not the most easiest person to get along with. And what you said about the not having friends thing was right. I've never had friends. Not even back at home."

That admission of hers made me feel even worse about what I said. "Not even in your muggle school?" I asked.

Hermione shook her head. "Everybody thought me a know it all and a teacher's pet because I would always answer questions and I would attempt to help then understand things...I guess even when they didn't ask for it. That can be annoying I gather. So I don't blame you and Harry for how you felt about me in the beginning."

"Well, we're friends now, so you won't have to worry ab-"

"Really?" interrupted Hermione. "You really consider me a friend to you?"

I laughed. "Of course, dingbat. I wouldn't be talking to you right now if I didn't."

"It's just that I only thought you were because Harry and I were friends and you felt obligated." she said looking down at her parchment.

I couldn't believe that she had said that. Merlin, I must have been a right ass for her to think that.

"You're my friend too, Hermione, and not because of Harry being your friend. Even if he wasn't, I believe we would still be friends. Friends stand up for each other, even when we don't have to. That's what my brother Bill says. And you didn't have to lie for us. You didn't have to help us with out homework or keep us warm, or even pay us any attention. But you do, and now I know, you're not so bad." I said, trying to make her smile.

It had worked. "You're not so bad yourself, Ron. Well, you are when you swear."

I laughed again. 'We're friends now, Hermione. You have to accept all my flaws."W

We laughed and talked some more until Harry came back into the common room.

"Did you get it?" I asked as Harry joined us. I noticed he looked almost frantic."What's the matter?"

In a low whisper, Harry told us what he'd seen. He told us how he had seen Filch playing nurse to Snape, bandaging up his left, and how Snape was complaining about our dear old friend, the three-headed dog. He had screamed bloody murder at Harry, and Harry took off.

"You know what this means?" he finished. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him, he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"

Hermione's eyes were wide.

"No , he wouldn't, she said. "I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something." I groaned. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"

"I don't think every teacher is a saint." grumbled Hermione as she crossed her arms.

The next morning , we headed down to the Great Hall. Breakfast smelled amazing. Biscuits, sausages, eggs, bacon, waffles, and fresh fruit was laid out banquet style.

"You've got to eat some breakfast." I said to Harry as I seen he had made a plate, but wasn't eating anything.

"I don't want anything." said Harry, glumly.

"Just a bit of toast?" tried Hermione.

"I'm not hungry."

Come on Harry, a biscuit, a slice of ham, anything." I said.

"Harry, you need your strength," said Seamus. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team."

"Thanks, Seamus," said Harry,sarcastically. "Now I'm ready for anything."

Seamus grinned.

After breakfast (with Harry eating a few bites of bacon and a mouth full of eggs to stop us from nagging him) we headed to the pitch, where Harry went to the locker rooms and Hermione, Dean, Neville, Seamus, and I went to the Gryffindor side of the stands. The stands were packed with tons of red and yellow on our side, and a mix of both house colors amongst everyone else but Slytherin, who flew their green and silver. Seamus had painted his entire face red and yellow, and I even managed to get Hermione to paint a red G on her cheek, even though she said she hated getting messy. Dean and I had made a huge sign for Harry.

Lee Jordan, the twins best mate, was commentating. He was always great fun and always had something funny to say, so I was excited to hear him.

We looked out and saw Harry and the rest of Gryffindor team come out and fly around a bit before they settled in the middle of the pitch. The Slytherin team did the same thing, with their ugly troll of a captain,Marcus Flint, whose teeth looked like he had been eating Hagrid's rock cakes for all of his life.

Madam Hooch gave a loud whistle, and they were off.

"And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor." boomed Lee. "What an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too-"

"JORDAN!"

"Sorry, Professor. And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - he's going to sc - no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goal posts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"

Us Gryffindors cheered loudly while the Slytherins and a few Ravenclaws moaned.

"Budge up there, move along."

"Hagrid!" I said, scooting over. Hermione had so scoot over as well as Hagrid sat his giant body on the bench beside her.

"Bin watchin' from me hut." said Hagrid, holding a large pair of binoculars. "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"

"Nope." I said. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."

"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'." said Hagrid, raising his binoculars and looking around for Harry.

Because Harry was a seeker, he stayed the highest in the any, along with the seeker on the Slytherin team. It was their job to find a small golden ball with fairy like wings that flew around very fast. Whoever caught that would get 150 points for the team, and the game would be over. Depending on when it's caught, could determine a win or a loss.

It also determined the time a game would last, because the game did not stop until someone caught the snitch. Because of this, there have been professional games that have gone on for weeks. Months even.

"Slytherin in possession." continued Lee Jordan. "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?"

Everybody got somewhat quiet as we searched the skies along with Harry and Terence Higgs, the Slytherin seeker. Suddenly Harry took a dive. He must have seen the snitch!

Higgs followed behind Harry, but he was no match for the Nimbus 2000, which Harry flew as if it was a part of him. Suddenly, Flint, the bloody wanker, slammed into Jarry, blocking him from scooping up the snitch. All of us Gryffindors booed, while Slytherin cheered. Bloody cheats.

"Foul!" screamed some of the Gryffindors.

Madam Hooch looked as if she was telling Flint off, and Gryffindor got a free goal post shot. However, the snitch had gotten away for the moment.

"Send him off, ref! Red card!" yelled Dean.

"What are you going on about, Dean?" I asked.

"Red card!" said Dean furiously. "In football, you get shown the red card and you're out of the game!"

"This is Quidditch, Dean." I told him. Dean really needed to learn about some wizarding games before he screamed the wrong thing again.

"They oughta change the rules. Flint coulda knocked Harry outta the air." yelled Hagrid.

"This game is completely barbaric." said Hermione, shaking her head in disapproval.

Lee Jordan had began commentating again.

"So, after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating..."

"Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall.

"I mean, after that open and revolting foul..."

"Jordan, I'm warning you..."

"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinner, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession."

"I just don't understand." squeaked Hermione.

"Don't understand what?"

"Why wasn't Marcus punished for what he did? He obviously cheated."

"Of course he cheated, Hermione." I said. "In Quidditch, the rules are somewhat laxed."

Hermione crossed her arms. "This is supposed to be a school sport..." she mumbled.

She did have a point. But I wasn't going to let her know that.

Lee was still commentating.

"Slytherin in possession. Flint with the Quaffle , passes Spinnet, passes Bell , hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose... Only joking, Professor...Slytherins score -A no..."

I looked up and noticed that Harry was flailing around funny for some reason. I didn't know if it was a distraction tactic, or if something was wrong.

"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing," Hagrid mumbled as he stared through his binoculars. "If I didn' know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom... but he can't have..."

Soon, everybody's eyes were on Harry. He looked like he was being tossed around by an invisible force. Suddenly, it appears as if the broom threw him off of it as he fell forward and grabbed the broom with one hand, hanging on for dear life.

"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus whispered.

"Can't have." Hagrid said. "Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic. No kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand."

Hermione snatched the binoculars out of Hagrid's hands and scanned the stands with it.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I knew it," Hermione gasped as she passed them to me "Snape, look."

I grabbed the binoculars and looked in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, Snape's eyes fixated on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath.

"He's doing something. Jinxing the broom." said Hermione.

That bloody snake! "What should we do?" I asked, beginning to panic.

"Leave it to me." said Hermione, taking off before I could get another word out.

I focused back on Harry, who was desperately holding on to the end of the broom, which looked like it was trying to shake his grip loose. He was so high up from the ground that if he was to fall, it would be instant death. I looked back over at Snape, his lips moving a mile a minute.

"Come on, Hermione, hurry it up..." I muttered desperately and impatiently. I was so afraid that he was going to fall.

Suddenly, there was a yelp from the teachers stands. I looked over with the binoculars and seen Snape stomping desperately on the bottom of his long black robes. He appeared to be trying to stomp out a tiny flame. He ended up falling over, and the flame quickly disappeared.

It was enough. Harry was able to climb back onto his broom.

"Neville, you can look now!" I said to a bawling Neville.

"Good on ya, Hermione." I whispered to myself.

Harry was speeding toward the ground when all of a sudden he fell. He looked as if he was about to throw up. He held out his hands, and spit something out his mouth.

"I've got the Snitch!" he shouted, waving it above his head.

The stands erupted with cheers and applause as Flint argued the fairness of the catch. It didn't matter because Harry had broken no rules. Gryffindor had won by one hundred and seventy points to sixty.

After we congratulated him, Hermione and I quickly dragged him to Hagrid's hut to fill him in on what we knew.

"It was Snape." I said. "Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering. He wouldn't take his eyes off you."

"Rubbish." said Hagrid, who apparently didn't hear Hermione and I's earlier conversation. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"

We all looked at him hesitantly. Should we let him know what we knew? Could we trust him enough to keep it secret?

"I found out something about him." began Harry. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding."

Hagrid dropped the teapot.

"How do you know about Fluffy?" he asked.

"Fluffy ?" said Hermione and I at the same time while Harry looked at Hagrid wondering why in the world did Fang have his name and a three-headed dog was called bloody Fluffy.

"Yeah . He's mine" said Hagrid, nervously. "Bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"

"Yes?" said Harry eagerly.

"Now, don't ask me anymore," said Hagrid, shutting down. "That's top secret, that is."

"But Snape's trying to steal it." I said.

"Rubbish!" repeated Hagrid, only this time, his voice was shaky. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."

"So why did he just try and kill Harry?" snapped Hermione.

Finally, the bookworm had gotten the clue that Harry and I were right. I made a mental note to boast about it later. She hated it when she was wrong.

"I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all, I saw him!" yelled Hermione.

"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" said Hagrid. "I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all three of yeh, yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel!"

"Aha!" said Harry. "So there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?"

Hagrid looked furious with himself. Meanwhile, we couldn't help but to display our smug grins.