Chapter 10 – The Game
Marcus had pronounced her healed three days earlier, and Genna was surprised to see she could walk on her foot with no pain. She had been able to drop one of her crutches and walk with only one, something she hadn't done in years as the pain had continued to grow as she grew and developed into a woman. But now, the pain was gone and she was fairly confident that by the end of the summer, she would be able to go short distances with no crutches at all.
"Genna!" called Ginny from her bedroom a floor up from Genna's.
"Yes!" answered Genna who was also in her bedroom.
"Get ready! You're playing today," said Ginny. "Harry cannot make it."
"Wh-what?!" she asked surprised. "Me?"
"Yes, you!" answered Ginny. "Harry said to take his broom if you don't want Viktor beating your arse."
"Oh! O-okay," said Genna.
Genna turned to Marcus who was grinning widely at his girlfriend.
"Wow!" said Genna nervously.
"You'll be fine," said Marcus, giving her a quick hug. "You'll beat his ass."
"Marcus, I know you blindly believe in me but Viktor Krum is the best Seeker in the world," she said. "Only Harry has ever beaten him."
"Well, he's in for a surprise, now is he not?"
And to everybody's surprise, even Genna's, Marcus was right.
She arrived at the Burrow with Ginny and Marcus, shaking nervously at the idea of playing with these professional players.
"Don't worry, you'll be just fine," said Ginny as they walked towards the changing room.
"But... But it's Viktor Krum!" said Genna, feeling like her breakfast was sitting uncomfortably in her stomach.
"So," said Ginny with a shrug. "You're Genna Hudon, best St. Leandre Seeker in generations."
Genna looked at Marcus who smiled at her encouragingly. Ginny left them a moment to go to the boys' changing room and got Harry's broom. When she returned, she handed it Genna and took her broom from her own locker.
"I'll be in the stands," said Marcus, kissing her forehead.
"Okay," said Genna.
Marcus gave her a reassuring smile and left her so she could get ready.
Fifteen minutes later, Genna was in the air, looking for the snitch. Already, Krum had tried to lure her into feints but she found his fame so distracting that she stopped looking at him. Another fifteen minutes later, once she had a good feel for Harry's broom, she tried a feint of her own and to her immense surprise, Krum bought it and went diving after her.
She had just pulled up from her dive and was looking at Krum with an amused smile when she saw the snitch behind him. Still smiling as to not give away what she saw, she flew slowly past him. Once she passed him, she suddenly accelerated, pursuing the gold ball. Krum had just reached the tail of her broom when her hand closed around the snitch, effectively winning the game for her team.
"Genna has caught the snitch!" said Lee Jordan, their announcer, over the microphone. "This is a first for us as today's game lasted only 41 minutes!"
Ginny flew to her with a large grin on her face.
"Congratulations, Genna!" said the older girl. "By the way, do you see the woman sitting two seats away from my mum?"
"Yeah," answered Genna.
"That's Gwenog Jones, our captain," she said. "I'm pretty sure she'll want to talk to you after your performance today. You're feint was convincing enough for Krum to fall for it."
"It is the luck of the beginner," said Krum, flying to them.
"Well, we could rematch if you want," offered Genna with a sparkle in her eyes. "We only played 40 some minutes after all."
Krum looked at Ginny who shrugged.
"Let me ask the others," she said, flying away.
An hour later, they were in the midst of their second game and Genna was scouting the field, flying around it and frequently changing her speed as to not give herself away. She hadn't been able to pull Krum into another feint, but more than once he had followed her when she would suddenly accelerate. As she was about to accelerate again, she saw the snitch flying away from her and towards Krum's position. She dove after it. A few seconds later, she saw Krum go after the golden ball also.
She was flying in a direct collision course with Krum and, at the very last minute, the snitch dove towards the ground. Without hesitation, Genna followed, almost colliding with Viktor as he also dove. They were neck-and-neck, Genna's and Viktor's hand outstretched, when Genna willed her broom to go faster.
The ground was now approaching dangerously fast and the snitch changed direction again, moving straight up. As they pulled up, the snitch went right pass them and Genna caught it.
"And Genna caught the snitch in a spectacular move, again!" announced Lee Jordan.
A moment later, she crashed to the ground as catching the snitch had distracted her from pulling out of her dive.
"Ouch!" she said, as her right foot hit the ground badly. 'I must have sprained my ankle again,' she thought.
She looked up and saw Marcus coming down the stands at a run. Sitting on the ground, she waited for him. Despite the pain, she couldn't help but grinning.
"Hey there," said Marcus, kneeling next to her, also smiling. "That was pretty impressive."
Ginny and the other players landed next to them.
"So, what have you got now?" asked Marcus lightly.
"Right ankle, sprained I think," answered Genna, still grinning.
Marcus took his wand and stone, and began to examine her ankle.
"Yep, a sprain... but also a fracture right over your ankle," he said with a sigh. "I'm glad it's not your left foot. Troovus would not have found this very funny. It's a very clean break however," he said, concentrating. "I've got to reset the bone... It'll hurt a little..."
Genna heard a crack followed by a sharp pain which made her wince and her eyes water. Suddenly, the ground started to spin.
"Lay down for a minute," said Marcus, gently pushing her to the ground. "Now close your eyes. The pain-numbing spell should take effect in a few seconds."
And true to Marcus' words, the pain went away a few moments later.
"Okay, I'm mending your bone now," said Marcus.
Genna felt a pleasant warmness on her leg.
"My love, did I tell you you were awesome out there?" asked Marcus while he worked.
"No," she answered. "So you think I was any good?" she asked from her position on the ground.
"You were brilliant, Miss Hudon!" said a new voice Genna didn't recognise.
Genna opened her eyes and saw Gwenog Jones and Ginny standing over her.
"He had it coming," she said with a smile. "He should not have asked for a rematch."
"I still maintain it is the beginner's luck," grumbled Krum, joining them.
"And I think it's determination," said Genna playfully. "We can rematch again, if you want."
Ginny and Gwenog laughed while Krum scowled and Marcus said: "No, my love, you're done for the day."
Marcus stood up and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet.
"You graduate school next year, yes?" asked Gwenog.
"Yeah," answered Genna.
"Well, we'll arrange for you to visit us for a little practice. That way, we can see if you would be a good match for the team."
"I'd – I'd love that very much," said Genna her eyes wide with surprise.
"Good! We'll keep in touch."
Gwenog left them and walked with the others towards the awaiting tent and dinner. Genna turned and looked at Ginny.
"Did she just invite me for a tryout?" she asked.
"Yes. Our Seeker is talking about retiring after this upcoming season. Your timing could not have been better."
"Does she... does she realize I live across the pond?"
"What's a little pond when you can use portkeys?" asked Ginny with a shrug.
Genna had to concede; she had a point.
ghghghghghghghgh
Genna was so tired, so bone-weary that she took a nap the minute she got home the next Friday. Since the visit by the Headmaster about three weeks ago, they had found out some of the specifics about who they were supposed to fight, or at least as much as was known at the moment. Genna, coming to terms with what was expected of her, had devoted as much energy to her training as she could. It helped her to know that every night, she got to share her bed with the man she loved. And she really did love him, with everything she had and everything she was.
Thoughts of him put a smile on her face and followed her in her dreams. Someone barging up the stairs woke her up a while later. Marcus had joined her a while earlier and was also woken by the noise.
"Dear Merlin, who could it be? Harry and Ginny are not that noisy," he said sleepily.
"I don't know," she said. "I was just dreaming of..."
But she never finished her sentence as the door flew opened and banged on the wall. In a heartbeat, Genna was sitting on the bed, her wand in her hand, ready to defend herself.
"Surprise!" exclaimed Mathiew, bursting in the room.
Genna had just enough reflex to deflect her curse which hit the wall a few feet away from Mathiew's head.
"Wow! I see that you are really excited to see me!" he said amused.
Genna could not help herself; she just laughed.
"Mathiew!" said Marcus who had stood up.
He walked to his friend, clasped his hand and gave him a fierce huge.
"I told you it was not a good idea to barge on them," said Audrey, walking in the room. "You could have been killed!"
"Audrey!" exclaimed Genna, jumping off the bed and taking the few steps to her friend. "Audrey!" she said again, hugging her, tears in her eyes.
Audrey hugged her back fiercely.
"Merlin! I missed you!" said Genna, pulling away to look at her friend.
"With him around," said Audrey, pointing at Marcus with her head. "I doubt it! Has he got into your pants yet?"
Genna blushed furiously.
"And has my cousin?" asked Genna instead of responding.
Audrey blushed but grinned, nevertheless.
"Now that you're asking, you're cousin has a lot of talent in the sack," she said.
"It must run in the family then," said Marcus.
If Genna was red before, she was literally scarlet now.
"Come, Mathiew, let's go talk about girls somewhere else," said Marcus playfully.
"What?!" exclaimed Mathiew. "No way! I rather stay here and talk about boys."
Genna and Audrey exploded in laughter while Marcus shook his head.
"Why do I have to have a best friend who is gay?" he said.
"Oh! Because you just love to hear about big boy's toys!" said Mathiew. "Admit it! You're closeted!"
"No way! He's not!" said Genna. "He makes my toes curl, and makes me scream so loud it's a wonder Ginny and Harry are not deaf yet!"
It was Marcus turn to blush furiously.
"Oh my! Isn't the secret out of the bag now!" said Mathiew, turning to Genna. "Please, my dear friend, do tell it all! This fag really wants to know the details!"
"So do I!" said Audrey.
"Hey! You lot!" called Ginny from downstairs. "Dinner's ready!"
"You are, shall we say, saved by the witch," said Mathiew with a wink.
"We're coming, Ginny," responded Genna.
She turned to her friends.
"I guess you were never meant to know," she told Mathiew.
"We'll see about that," he said, leaving the room.
Audrey, Marcus and Genna followed him down the stairs.
"Genna," said Audrey, looking at her funny. "Where are your crutches?"
Genna looked up at Marcus with a loving smile.
"Let's say that my boyfriend has surprising talents."
Audrey raised an eyebrow.
"Please! Do tell!" she exclaimed.
Taking a seat at the kitchen table across from Audrey, Genna told her what Marcus had found out and done to her foot.
"So, you'll be normal?" asked Audrey.
"No," answered Genna. "Marcus suspects there are other fragments somewhere which prevent my foot from being fully healed, but I walk a lot better and the constant pain is gone. Maybe, one day, if we ever find the other fragments, which are all about as big as a pin head, I may be able to walk normally. But for now, I'm really happy with what I can do."
"Can you dance?" asked Audrey.
"Yes! Yes! I can!" answered Genna. "And I'm going to, tomorrow when we go to the Burrow for Harry's birthday."
"This is so exciting," squeaked Audrey.
"So, Mathiew, still with the same guy?" asked Marcus.
"Oh no!" said Mathiew. "The idiot left running as if I had cut his parts when he found out I was a wizard. I had to obliviate him. Besides, I'm more looking for a guy like Harry here."
Harry choked on his soup and, without missing a beat, Mathiew, who was sitting next to him, slapped him on the back.
"By the way," he said, turning to Harry. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Mathiew Swanson. I'm gay. I like boys with penises."
"Is there any other kind?" asked Harry between two coughs.
"Now that you mention it," said Mathiew pensively with a finger across his lips, "no, there's not. And you?"
"Harry Potter, happily married to my wife Ginny, a woman, you know, with a vagina."
"Oh! Shame!" said Mathiew pouting. "I could have shown you so many things. We could have had so much fun."
Ginny, at seeing Harry's blushing face, exploded with laughter.
"Harry," she said. "We've got to let him loose in Diagon Alley! They just won't know what to make of him!"
Mathiew looked at her with an amused grin.
"Oh! The fun!" she continued. "He may actually make the front page of the Daily Prophet."
"Wait until Ron meets him," said Harry, which made Ginny laughed ever harder.
"I think we're in for an interesting week," said Ginny.
"I would say so," agreed Harry.
ghghghghghghghgh
"You're serious, aren't you?" asked Mathiew visibly shaken. "This is not... this is not a joke, is it?"
"I'm afraid not," answered Marcus sadly.
The four of them were in the Sitting Room, discussing over tea. After being told by Harry to do so, Genna and Marcus had told their friends what was going on and the real reason why they had been chosen to come to Britain.
"And if you hadn't... you know... consummated your relationship, would you still be in this situation?" asked Audrey.
Marcus and Genna looked at one another sadly.
"We might not," answered Genna, never taking her eyes from Marcus. "But we'll never know and, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't take it back even if I could," she added with a small smile at Marcus.
"That good, eh?" said Mathiew with his usual aloofness. "Such a shame you prefer girls, Marcus."
But his humour didn't have the same effect and when Marcus gave him a sad smile, Mathiew became serious again.
"So tell me: who is that threat?" asked Audrey after a few moments of heavy silence. "You still haven't told us."
"She's a vampire," answered Genna. "Hermione Weasley came to tell us about her just last week actually."
"They think she is a 7th generation or earlier, which is bad enough because the lower generation they are, the more powerful they are," said Marcus.
He then explained what he and Genna had learned about vampires.
"One of the latest things Hermione discovered is that there are humans who actually enjoy the feeling of a vampire draining their blood and they voluntarily give themselves to vampires once a month," continued Genna. "These people are called Blood Dolls and are a very prized possession to the vampire who 'owns' them. The more Blood Dolls a vampire has, the more powerful he is and the less likely he is to die from hunger."
"Ew!" said Audrey, bringing her hands up to cover her neck. "That's disgusting."
"And also very sad," said Marcus. "These Blood Dolls are actually addicts of some sort and need to feel the vampire's teeth."
"Some vampires try to get by with spoiled blood from donation clinic, which is a relatively safe and cheap way to get rid of the contaminated supplies when you think about it since it cannot affect those vampires," continued Genna. "Some others take the blood of animals. However this is not as efficient since they need twice as much blood when they do so."
"So, how was that vampire ever found?" asked Audrey. "I mean it seems to me she has been really secretive since nobody had ever heard of her. So how and why now?"
"The Headmaster did not say," answered Genna. "He only said his predecessor found out about her, but not how he did."
"Why did you tell us?" asked Mathiew serious again. "I mean I know we're pretty charming and all but this is definitely not common knowledge."
"Because I told them they have no chance of succeeding if they did not have help from their friends," answered Harry, walking into the room. "Of course, the others fought me tooth and nail but I'm the one who was in Genna's situation not too long ago and I would never have been able to do half of what I've done without my friends. It may be a lot for you to digest, but it's even worse for Genna and Marcus. And they cannot do it alone."
At that moment, Ginny walked in with a tray of biscuits and Harry's face lit up as if it was Christmas morning. Genna hoped with all her heart Marcus would one day look at her that way. Ginny winked at her and then looked at Marcus. Genna turned and saw Marcus look at her the same way Harry looked at Ginny. Her heart leaped in joy.
"I love you," he mouthed, without a sound. "Forever," he added, kissing her forehead.
Genna sighed with contentment.
"Forever," she whispered.
ghghghghghghghgh
"So, how do we find her?" asked Audrey the next morning over breakfast. "I mean, we got to find her to fight her, don't we?"
"I think she is more likely to find me then the other way around," said Genna. "After all, she has been after me all year. The Headmaster told us of other attempts on my life he defused before I got in danger," she added lightly.
"How can you be so calm, Genna? Some wacko murderous vampiress wants to kill you, in case you haven't noticed!" exclaimed Audray.
"It won't do me any good to panic, Audrey," said Genna sadly. "There is nothing I can do about it, except get ready, which I do every day of the week with Harry."
"Thank Merlin the Headmaster thought about that," said Audrey looking at her plate. "But it's so unfair that it is happening to you. I mean, you never did anything bad to anyone and you've always been nice to everyone, even the English. Why can't this not happen to somebody like Steve Smith? He would have deserved it!"
Audrey whipped her eyes jerkily before looking up at Genna again.
"I honestly think somebody like Steve Smith would have joined her rather than fight her," said Genna, smiling sadly. "But it means a lot to me that you think that way."
"Genna, I'm here for you, you know," said Audrey sincerely. "I may be rude and short and grumpy, but I'm here and I think Stephane would be here too if he knew."
"I know," said Genna. "We may have to involve more people before this is all over."
"What about the other two students who are here on internship? Do they know?"
"Not yet but Hermione and Neville said they are trustworthy. They have been observing them since we arrived to see if it would be safe for us to include them in our little group," answered Genna. "You know, even if I know we may need more people to get through this, I hate to put anyone else in danger. This is bound to get very ugly before it all ends."
"We know," said Audrey. "But Mathiew and I wouldn't let you face any of this alone. You're our best friends, you and Marcus, and we're here for you like we know you would be here for us."
ghghghghghghghgh
"I'm playing Seeker against Harry? You mean today? You mean now?"
"Yes," said Ginny. "Viktor just Flooed us to let us know he had an emergency and couldn't make it. Go get your things, Genna. We found you a decent broom already."
Harry Potter.
She was playing Seeker against Harry Potter on his birthday game, no less, the one he had been looking forward to all week. Genna had seen Harry play in the last few weeks and she believed Krum when he said Harry was better than him. She was as nervous to play against Harry as she had been to play against Krum.
After a few minutes, she was changed and joined the others in the kitchen, a backpack with a change of clothes on her shoulder.
"Why are you wearing your Quidditch uniform?" asked Audrey, who hadn't heard the previous conversation with Ginny.
"Because she's playing against me," said Harry, arriving in the kitchen with a broom on his shoulder. "Genna, we were supposed to give you this at the end of your stay but since you're going to need it today, we figured we'll give it to you early," he said, offering her the broom.
"For me?" she asked, surprised.
Then she looked at it closely and gasped; it was a Skygrazer 200, signed by Ginny.
"Breathe, Genna," said Harry with a laugh.
"But... but I can't accept this," she said. "It's just too much."
Even if it was not the latest model, this calibre of broomstick was so expensive she knew she would never hope to own one, unless she played professionally.
"Don't worry about it," said Ginny with a hand on her shoulder. "I just got the Skygazer 300 and since this one would stay in the closet, we figured you may have a better use for it."
"You'll need it, especially when you'll tryout with the Harpies in the Spring," said Harry, smiling.
"Oh! Thank you!" she said and hugged them both. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," said Harry, laughing. "Now, just don't hold back on the pitch this afternoon."
And Genna did not hold anything back. She gave her all and caught the snitch after a spectacular chase against Harry, two hours and thirteen minutes into the game, making her team win. Gwenog Jones was there again and congratulated her on a game well played.
"Genna, we will definitely be in touch," she said. "As soon as we have the tryouts in the Spring, we'll make sure you come."
"Thank you," said Genna. "I would love that."
Later that night, right after dinner, Audrey came and sat with her.
"Where is Mathiew?" she asked. "I lost him earlier."
"He went to talk with Connor, I think," answered Genna. "I saw them walk towards the front of the house."
Audrey looked around and spotted Marcus talking with Neville and Louis. She then looked at all the well-known people talking in small groups under the tent.
"This little birthday party is really a who's who of the Quidditch world, isn't it?" she said to Genna.
"Not just the Quidditch world," said Genna. "We're also surrounded by war heroes. It's like walking in a modern history book when you think about it."
"Spooky, like the British would say," said Audrey.
"You got that one right," said Genna. "I've been coming here every weekend since we arrived and I still have the impression I don't belong. Mind you, Harry and Ginny are the most normal people in the world but I don't think I could manage that type of popularity. I think I miss home, really."
"I think home misses you, too," said Audrey. "You've changed, you know."
"Really? How?"
"I don't know. You're more serious and less prone to drama, I guess."
"Prone to drama? I was never prone to drama, Audrey Perron! That's your cup of tea!"
"Okay, drama may not be the right idea. Let's say you're more willing to let what will happen happen and not fight it. Do I make sense?"
"Resigned?" asked Genna quietly.
"In a way," said Audrey.
"There's nothing I can do about what is going on," said Genna with a sign. "The only thing I can do is to prepare as best as I can."
A few minutes later, the tables were moved, a wood floor was set up, and a local band began to play. Mathiew joined them with a huge smile on his face.
"Oh! Dancing!" he exclaimed, clasping his hand and holding them together against his chest. "There is a serious lack of gay wizards here tonight but let's see if a straight witch wouldn't mind a gay moi!"
And he left to go ask one of the Harpies to dance with him, which she seemed to readily accept.
"Some things will never change!" said Audrey, laughing.
Genna spotted Marcus again, slowly making his way toward them, a smile on his beautiful face. When he got to them, he took her hand and brought her to her feet.
"I want you to dance all night with me," he whispered in her ear.
She looked at him with shiny eyes. She had wanted this for so long and never before could she have done it. But now that her foot did not hurt her anymore, and that she walked better, it was no longer impossible.
"Yes," she said. "Oh please yes!"
Later that night, they were the last one to leave the floor.
ghghghghghghghgh
"You know, tomorrow we return to Canada and, as much as I'm looking forward to it in a way, in another, I am not," said Marcus.
They had decided to spend the day in Muggle London, in a nice park with flowers, families, and happy couples. They were sitting on a blanket, in the shade of a tree.
"Why?" asked Genna.
"I'm not looking forward to not spending my nights with you," he said, kissing her mouth gently. "How am I going to manage without you?"
Genna sadly looked away at the passersby.
"We sure sound like a summer love story, don't we?" she asked quietly.
"Actually, I don't think we're a summer love story," said Marcus seriously.
He gently caressed her cheek to bring her attention back to him.
"Genna, I love you," he said and kissed her again. "I love you with all my heart and all my soul, and... and I would like you to marry me."
Genna just looked at him, not sure if she had heard him right, not sure if he had just asked her or not.
"Geneviève Hudon, would you do me the honour to become my wife?"
There could be no doubts now: Genna had heard him right. And his next move was confirmation of what he had just asked her. He fished in his pocket and took out a small box. He opened it and showed her a very nice and very simple white golden band with runs drawn on it. The ring was obviously magic.
"You're serious," she whispered shocked.
"Yes, yes I am," he said.
"Oh, dear Merlin! Yes!" she answered, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him with all the love she felt.
After a few minutes, they pulled apart and she gave him her hand.
"Now," he said, taking the ring in his hand. "There is something you need to know about this ring."
"It's magical, isn't it?" she asked.
"Very," answered Marcus, putting it on her finger.
The ring adjusted itself to Genna's finger.
"It was made by Ron and George Weasley."
He fished in his pocket and removed another box. He gave it to Genna.
"This is its twin," he explained. "Once you put it on my finger, our rings will allow us to feel what the other is feeling."
Genna opened the box and look at the identical ring. She took it in her hand and looked at it closely.
"George, Angelina, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Mr and Mrs Weasley all have similar rings," said Marcus.
"Will we feel them?"
"No, just each other. See the ring transmits to its twin the feelings of the first person who touched it," he explained. "Harry told me his ring helped him save Ginny's life. As for me, I wanted you to have one so you would never doubt how I really feel about you," he said, giving her his hand.
Genna put the ring on his finger and looked at him in wonder at the feeling of intense love which flooded her, an intense love which reflected her own for him.
"That much?" she asked him.
"Yes, that much," he told her, pulling her face to him and kissing her deeply.
"Wow," she whispered when they pulled apart. "I always hoped... but I never really knew," she said.
"I know," he answered, knowing perfectly well what she meant. "And right now, I want you so much, I wish we could Apparate directly into our bed."
"I know," said Ginny with a chuckle. "Let's get out of here before we throw the Statute of Secrecy to the winds."
"Good idea."
A few minutes later, they found a remote corner from which they Apparate directly into their bedroom.
Later that evening, Minister Shacklebolt performed the engagement binding rituals over dinner and Genna didn't think there would be an happier moment in her life than when she felt the magic formalize their promise of a soon-to-be 'forever'.