A/N – Here it is. The aftermath of the game. Sorry for the long wait. Hopefully the next chapter comes more quickly. That is the plan. For those interested, this fanfic is going to be roughly 30 chapters. I think that I'm going to give a sneak peak of the plot outline and my notes to a certain numbered reviewer. Probably 500 so it'll be towards the end of the story anyways. ;) Oh, and J.K Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything that goes with him.

Chapter 11: Tie Breaker

Hermione was breathless. Who won? Both teams seemed to be celebrating. Krum raced over to show her the snitch and at the same time Angelina was still blowing her whistle and making her way over to her.

"Who won?" she whispered to Angelina.

"I can't make the call," Angelina looked concerned.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked in desperation.

The chaos around them was increasing as everyone huddled up to Angelina and Hermione to hear the verdict.

"Let's go inside," Angelina suggested.

"Good idea," Hermione agreed as she tried to shake off Krum who was announcing how his love for Hermione had caught the snitch on its own and it was fate.

Angelina shut the doors to the great hall on the suitors.

"I don't know anything about quidditch, Angelina. I don't know how to judge the game," Hermione said in earnest.

"It's alright, Hermione. I'll explain it to you."

Hermione looked on expectantly.

"The problem is that theoretically, the two teams tied. Victor caught the snitch which scored his team 150 points which tied him with Harry's team who had 150. However, Draco scored a goal the same time the game ended. It's your decision on who won."

The doors the great hall opened. Hermione and Angelina expected 14 suitors to come storming in demanding the outcome of the game. Instead it was just Fred and Harry. Harry looked awful. He had cuts and scratches all over his face and arms. Hermione jumped up and went to him.

"What happened?"

"It's nothing Hermione," Harry winced as she touched his face softly, "Victor and I just had a small disagreement."

"Small?" Hermione asked skeptically.

"Don't worry, Hermione. Everything's taken care of," Fred said carefully while trying to look at Angelina, "Do you mind if I have a word with you?"

Hermione took one careful look at the way Fred was looking at Angelina with longing and then hope and pleading while he turned to look at Hermione.

"There's nothing that needs to be said, Fred," Hermione tried to smile reassurance.

"But…"

"I've decided who won."

"Hermione, can we talk about this first?" Harry tried to interrupt.

"Krum's team won," she announced to everyone's winces.

"Hermione," Harry said softly as he took her hands, "please reconsider."

Fred and Angelina stepped away as Hermione firmly took a step back and whispered with hurt, "You promised you would catch the snitch."

"I tried Hermione."

"Don't you love me?"

Harry didn't know what to answer. He did love her, didn't he? But why couldn't he catch that stupid flying gold ball.

"Hermione, it was just a game."

"This isn't just a game, Harry. This is my future and my heart we're talking about."

"I know. And I only want what's best for you."

"And what do you think that is, Harry Potter?"

"I thought it could be me."

"Well obviously you thought wrong."

"Hermione, you can't do this," Fred finally approached.

"Why not Fred? Isn't this my decision to make?"

"Yes, but you're not being fair."

"Fair to who?"

"To all of us. To me."

"Oh?" Hermione tried holding back her grin.

"Hermione, this is ridiculous. I know you know this. I'm not going to continue competing for you."

"You have to Fred, it's the…"

"The rules can be broken."

"Why would you break them Fred? Because obviously you won't let me break them by not participating in this ridiculous attempt to find me a husband, so what's so important that you can break them?"

Fred looked at Angelina, but he couldn't respond. His eyes saddened as he couldn't find a response. He watched Angelina walk away. She thanked Hermione kindly and kissed her cheek before leaving.

"That's it? Well, Fred Weasley. I'm afraid your grounds for breaking the rules are invalid. My decision stands as is."

"I'll prepare the farwell banquet then."

"The what?"

"The suitors toast the champions and wish the winners luck in the continuation of their quest for your hand," he said simply, "I thought we mentioned it to you."

"No," Hermione said darkly, "You must have forgot."

Fred shrugged, "Must have."

Hermione shrieked as Fred left, "How can they still be doing this to me!"

Harry carefully approached her, "I can get everyone to leave now, if you wish."

Hermione looked towards Harry and tried to not let her tears fall, "Oh Harry. What am I going to do?"

Despite his cuts and bruises, Harry tried holding Hermione in his arms, "It'll be ok. You'll be able to choose eventually and this will all blow over."

"Why couldn't you just win?"

"The game or you?"

"I'm not letting you leave."

Harry smiled in relief, "really?"

"I can't do this without you."

Whether it meant that Hermione was going to choose him in the end, Harry didn't care. She obviously needed him and he wasn't going anywhere.

Later during the banquet, everyone was in an uproar at the news at who won. Krum was flaunting. Draco was livid. Fred and George were trying to calm everyone down while trying to contain their own emotions.

Hermione grinned as she leaned in towards Harry to draw him in into a deep kiss. Harry blushed as more shouts went up. What was she doing? Harry's team lost. What did it mean? Why was she kissing the loser?

Through all the shouts, protests, and pleading, one eye caught Hermione's. George was looking at her with the deepest of hurts in his eyes. He had lost his chance with her, he knew. But he also knew that none of this was making her happy.

Hermione's eyes grew cold as she nodded curtly to him. If games where going to be played, she at least wanted to be in control of the playing field. And if that meant creating chaos and disaster for everyone, then so be it. Hermione was ready to enter her own game.