A/n: The Sequal has been chosen!

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Chapter 36

The atmosphere in the changing rooms that morning was intense. It was as if the waves of anticipation were radiating off of each and every one of the Gryffindor players who sat side by side listening to what Ginny had to say.

The redhead was stood in front of the group, completely dressed in her maroon robes. Her light eyes flicking to meet each pair staring up at her individually before she started to speak. "Right then, it's a big day for us all, and it's going to be a long one. Beaters, you best be on top form, keep those bludgers away from our players. We don't need any injuries this early on. Chasers, keep to the strategies we've gone over in practices. Storm, catch the snitch quickly, because we don't need to be up there for hours and keep your head down. We don't need them aiming for you" Ginny paused before addressing their keeper who was the youngest on their team. "Jones, just do what you do best, and we'll try to keep the quaffle away from you" She finished off, before a small smile tugged at her lips "We can win this, we're good enough. So get out there, and just play" She added as her smile got wider.

Even Ginny had seemed nervous for what was to come, but she hid it well and her speech was enough to put the rest of the team in a fighting mood. The atmosphere changed from shaky and calm, to a roaring excitement that swept over each and every member of the team like tidal waves, completely cleansing them. When it was finally time to step out onto the pitch, they all saddled up, brooms in hand and waited not so patiently to be announced.

Finally, it happened. The commentator's voice foreign, calling them onto the pitch surrounded by stands that reached up higher than they'd ever been before. As soon as they wandered out, led by the redhead who's maroon cloak billowed out behind her as she walked with purpose, the stands erupted in cheers that all melded into one loud roar. All Storm could hear was the throbbing of her heart deafening her as she looked to her other team mates then at the stands to try and see a familiar face. There were quite a few, but none she really wanted to see.

The day was perfect for it, the sky slightly cloudy and the wind mild and hardly anything but a breeze, and the sun wasn't too bright just yet. A quiet confidence filled her entire being, spreading out from the pit of her belly as she watched the redhead shake hands with the Hufflepuff captain. All too soon both teams where in the air, and the whistle shrieked its way around the stadium, initiating the start of the game. Storm went to work, keeping her attention split between the Hufflepuff seeker, the bludgers that had already started to sail her way, and the game going on around her in hopes of glimpsing the little golden ball first.

Luckily, Ginny had caught the quaffle before the Hufflepuff chasers, and was speeding across the pitch. Their practices coming in handy already as all three chasers put different formations into play. Keeping the large leather ball firmly away from the other team. Storm herself missed the first goal as a bludger snuck up on her and narrowly missed only due to the American rolling completely. Once righted, she continued her search in hopes of ending the game quickly and in their favour. Flying high above the other players, making sure she didn't get in the way as the chasers and beaters sped past her.

Ten minutes in, and Gryffindor were leading 30-10 and showed no signs of letting up as the Gryffindor supporters roared into action once again when Ginny landed the fourth goal, pulling them ahead by thirty points in total. Storm just smirked as the streaks of red whizzed past her once again, and caught the Hufflepuff seeker watching her rather intently, obviously hoping she'd see the snitch first, so he could snatch it off of her in the chase. Without much thought, the American went into a total nose dive, hoping she'd be followed. With a quick look back to make sure the Hufflepuff Seeker had been following her, she pulled up once again and doubled back, smirking at him on her way past. He wasn't as fast, or agile as she was and that was definitely going to be on her side when the snitch was seen.

"Another Goal to Gryffindor!" The Commentator all but screamed over the uproar that surged outwards from the stands. Storm herself had no doubt that they'd be the winners. Ginny was already signed to the Harpies, and that really made it an unfair contest. Though the shifter wasn't going to complain.

Her dark eyes scanned the air around her as she internally mused to herself, and with a stroke of luck the sun had caught something gold on the other side of the pitch, and it shone for a few seconds just hovering by the stands. Without hesitation she was off again, lowering herself to the handle of the broom, swerving and ducking to avoid players and bludgers as she crossed right through the centre of the pitch. Pelting as fast as she could, following the little golden ball with her eyes as it dipped and rose before zipping off again. Banking hard to follow it, she almost collided head first with a bludger that had been sent her way, but had seen in just in time to lean and avoid a broken nose.

"Another Ten points to Gryffindor!" The Announcer boomed, and the crowd erupted once again, the noise becoming so loud it was almost physical. Another bludger sent her way caused her to veer off course ever so slightly, and a loud crunch behind her told her it had hit someone dead on, and she didn't have to wait long to find out who.

The commentator's voice rang out and confirmed it "Summerby takes a bludger to the shoulder," It spoke with an air of disappointment "Fleet signals for a time out, the ref looks like she's thinking about it and…" Storm listened as best she could while chasing the snitch that was growing closer and closer, a few more seconds and… the whistle blew beneath them. Halting the game for the called time out, something the American wasn't entirely happy about as she gritted her teeth and pulled up to an abrupt stop mid-air before heading back down with the rest of her team. Landing heavily next to Ginny. "I had it!" She seethed, shaking her head slightly grateful Ginny looked just as annoyed.

"We know, we saw. They're trying to buy themselves more time, he didn't even get hit that hard" She spoke quietly, running a hand through her long red hair as she eyed the American with something akin to sympathy.

"I can't even see it anymore" Storm grumbled, searching the air above them for any signs of the snitch, hoping to get right back into the chase when the whistle blew again.

"It's fine, it can't have gone far, just don't dally. We need to keep these games short or we're all going to be exhausted by the end of the day" The redhead stated, and nodded towards Madam Hooch who was yelling over the noise.

"Time outs over, back in the air" She called, and in no time the game was back on. Storm having gone back to doing laps of the pitch, her attention totally focussed on finding the snitch once again. She listened out for the announcements to let her know exactly what was happening around her, as she scanned the air all around her. Another flash of gold not far from where she was had her off again, pushing herself to go as fast as her broom could take her, knuckles white as she gripped the handle of her broom with all she had. No one seemed to notice she'd spotted it, as Ginny headed for another goal all eyes were on her or so the Commentator made it seem.

"Griffin's off again!" Yelled the announcer, his voice sending waves of an odd quiet over the stands. "She's definitely seen the snitch! Summerby is miles away, there's no way he'll catch up!" he yelled just as Storm closed the last few feet between herself and the zipping little ball.

With one well-placed swipe, she wrapped her fingers around the struggling little ball. "She's got it! Gryffindor Win the first round!" The man yelled his voice sounding distant over the roar of the Gryffindor supporters, louder than they'd ever been. Storm had a fleeting thought, wondering if this is what it was like to place professionally before it was quite literally knocked out of her as their beater Jimmy very nearly climbed onto her broom to pull her into a crushing hug. Yelling well done's and we did it in her ear before she had chance to realise what was happening.

The next few moments passed in a blue of maroon robes and crushing hugs as her team celebrated their early victory. The score having been left 200-10 in the end and Storm herself couldn't help but feel bad for the Hufflepuff's. But that didn't last long as Hermione appeared out of the crowd to all but tackle her, followed quite swiftly by her father.

"One down, two to go!" The brunette beamed up at the American, wearing an identical jersey to the one Storm herself was wearing. Her team letters and name emblazoned on the back in gold writing.

"I hope they go just as well" Storm smirked, unable to really believe how easy it had been. She doubted the Slytherins or the Ravenclaws would be just as easy. The Slytherins played dirty no matter what, and the Ravenclaws were together as a team. "I'm not looking to playing Slytherin" She laughed, shaking her head slightly as she followed the rest of her team off of the pitch to make way for the next two. The noise was still deafening, as most people stayed in their seats to watch the other matches.

"Where are your parents?" The American quizzed, looking around for the two older Grangers.

"They wanted to watch the other games, they said to congratulate you on the win though, and mother said to congratulate you on dodging the bludgers. I think she was a little surprised that they're made out of Iron" The shorter witch stated, "A little horrified too" She added thoughtfully making Storm laugh again.

"Everything else was bent or dented by the bats, Iron was the only thing that lasted. I have a feeling the Slytherins will be making sure quite a few get sent my way." Storm spoke with a small frown, before she was interrupted by the cheering of the rest of her team, who seemed to have started the celebrations early.

"You'll just have to stay out of things" Hermione soothed, wrapping her arms around Storm's neck to pull her down for a brief kiss. "Just don't fall off your broom please, you gave me a heart attack doing whatever that roll was" the brunette admitted over the Gryffindor players.

"Well, I didn't have time to do anything else, and a bludger to the side of the head isn't a good thing" Storm smirked, shaking her head slightly before she was dragged into the thick of things.

-x-x-x-x-

The game against Ravenclaw had gone just as smoothly as the first. Ending quickly and with Gryffindor winning by a mile. Storm doing what she'd been told to do, grabbing the snitch at the earliest possible opportunity. They were top of the table, and regardless of whether they won or lost to Slytherin they'd be playing one of the other teams for the entire title the next day. Storm herself was ecstatic, and couldn't wait to get back in the air for the last game.

The Quidditch grounds hadn't been quiet for long all day, and with one final roar the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws finished their game. By the sounds of it, Ravenclaw had won by a small margin, and knocked Hufflepuff out of the runnings. If Slytherin lost, Ravenclaw would be playing the Gryffindors in the final, if they won it would be a different story.

Ginny once again took her place at the front of the group. A grin tugging at her features as she started her speech once again, "We don't need to win this, but I'd rather play Ravenclaw tomorrow. Slytherin play dirty, you know that, I know that. Don't let them get to you, and don't hurt yourself trying to get them back. Do what you've been doing all day, and we'll be fine." She finished, before pulling Storm to the side and muttering an unnecessary warning.

"Don't get in the middle of things, just stay out until you see the snitch. They'll be aiming for you, because if they take you out badly enough there's a chance you won't be able to play tomorrow and they'll win the entire thing." She spoke, worry evident in her voice.

"I'll be fine" Storm grinned, trying to reassure the redhead.

"Just be careful, that's all I'm asking" Ginny sighed, "Hermione will kill me if you get hurt" She admitted with a small shrug.

"I'm always careful!" Storm protested half-heartedly, a sheepish smile replacing her grin as Ginny fixed her with a raised brow.

"Fine" She stated simply, and the conversation was finished as the now familiar sound of the announcer called them onto the pitch.

It was safe to say the game wasn't over quickly, and Ginny hadn't been exaggerating. Storm had spent the entire match trying to dodge bludgers aimed her way, trying to avoid even the chasers flying at her. She'd lost herself at one point, and it cost her quite a bit. Both bludgers had slammed into her almost at the same time. The first into her face, blinding her as her eyes started to water, her nose all but smashed and her mouth filled with blood from teeth she was sure were now missing.

The second came when she was trying to quickly clear her vision of the tears when the second bludger slammed into her hip. Luckily Ginny had seen the first and a time-out was called right after the second impact. Five minutes were given, and Storm had to fight to see where the ground was through her bleary eyes.

With two missing teeth, a broken nose and bruised hip she returned to the air to finish the game. Luckily she'd grabbed the snitch just before the Slytherin seeker flew into her side, nearly knocking her completely off her broom. Claiming he hadn't had time to stop when he noticed she'd caught the snitch.

Ginny herself had taken a bludger to the ribs, and one of their beaters had been flown into the stands and was taken off to the hospital wing. The end of the game hadn't come soon enough, and Storm wasn't surprised to see both her mother, Hermione and Arty rushing to see how she was before she'd even touched down. Her father and Hermione's parents following hot on their tails as they approached.

The brunette got there first, and wasted no time in smothering the American's bloody and swollen face with kisses. "We need to get you to the hospital wing" she spoke finally, her hands locked behind Storm's neck to keep their faces at the same level.

"Yeh, They need to re-grow my front teeth" Storm spoke as best she could, flinching slightly when Arty grabbed her jaw and yanked her face around to examine.

"Your nose is broken too" The older sibling spoke, an eyebrow raised. "You should have let Madam Pomfrey fix it during the time out."

"See, this is why I hate this sport! Look at you!" Lori stated, her tone somewhere between scolding and worrying.

"Just leave it love" Joe spoke, shaking his head as he watched his wife frantically scan their daughter. Storm would have replied, but was cut off by a short older bloke aproaching.

"Excuse me" The man spoke loud enough to be heard over all the commotion. "Could I have a word with Miss. Griffin? I'm Phillbert Deverill, Manager of Puddlemere United" He introduced, and Hermione felt the American stiffen in her arms before pulling away entirely.

"Sure, would you mind if we stepped over here?" Storm stated, nodding towards a gap in the crowd before her mother could say anything and Hermione caught the slightly holey grin that had pulled it's way across the younger witch's battered features. She knew what was coming, but it seemed like everybody else was none the wiser.

"Of course" the burly man spoke before leading the seeker a few meters away. The pair being followed quite obviously by more than one surprised stare.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Storm asked politely once they were far enough away, having to raise her voice slightly to be heard over the cheers that still filled the stadium.

"Well Miss. Griffin, I'll cut right to the chase as I'm sure you're looking forward to heading to see Madam Pomfrey. Our Seeker is retiring, and we've had our eye on you as a replacement. We've seen enough today to know that we would definitely like to offer you a place to join our team come the new season. You've impressed a lot of people, and the word is you'll be encountering a few more managers hoping to get you onside. I'll leave you to think about it, but do contact me with your decision when you've made one" He spoke professionally, but a kind smile pulled at his slightly square features.

Storm stared at him through slightly puffy eyes for a moment, completely taken aback. "Puddlemere United want me?" She asked, disbelief evident in her tone.

"Yes Miss. Griffin, we want you to start as soon as the next season does. The contract is drawn up and waiting for your signature. I took the liberty of signing it myself before coming to speak to you." He spoke, pulling a folded up wadge of parchment from within his jacket pocket.

"Thank you" Was all the American could think to say as her brain kicked into overdrive. "I'll have a think and get back to you once I've talked it over with my parents and girlfriend" She grinned at him, and took the contract he'd held out for her.

"I'll be looking forward to your owl. I suggest you go get back to your family before they burst" He laughed, nodding towards the Griffin's and Hermione who looked torn between excitement and worry. The Grangers looking all together horrified and confused.

"I will do, have a nice rest of the week Mr. Deverill" She spoke as she turned to hurry back. Excitement threatening to spill over as she tried desperately not to break into a run.

Her father was her first stop, the rest listening in as she held the folded up parchment out to him. "Puddlemere United want me! They want me for next season!" She squealed and jumped up and down on the spot as she watched his face split into a lopsided grin.

"I told you! I knew you'd be signed! Did I not say that? Lori did I not say that?!" He boomed before lunging forward to wrap his youngest daughter up in a crushing hug.

Hermione watched on as Storm all but bubbled with pride, and as she watched she knew what would come. She knew, and she couldn't find anything in herself that objected. The gappy grin and sparkling eyes melting any sort of disdain she'd had, and turned it all into excitement; excitement and pride.

"I didn't even know they were looking!" Storm beamed as she turned to Hermione, ignoring the sour look on her mothers face.

"You did brilliantly" The brunette spoke quietly, her eyes fixed on those equally as dark; bright and tired all at the same time.

-x-x-x-x-

The next morning came in a flash, and Storm found herself heading back onto the quidditch pitch for the last game of the tournament. Her teeth had been regrown, and her nose had been fixed and put back into place. All in all, she couldn't complain one bit, the day before had been the best birthday she'd ever had. Regardless of injuries, it had gone pretty much perfectly.

She was looking forward to the game, and once again the stands were packed. But as hard as she tried, she couldn't focus on what was happening around her. There was a buzz that was exploding through her veins. An extatic buzz that would let her mind focus on not much else but how completely happy she was.

The night before had been surprising in so many ways. She'd expected Hermione to protest, or at least try to convince her to stay in school. None of that happened, instead she was dragged off to the Gryffindor common room where a party had already broken out. Storm opting to keep her news to herself for the moment. She'd been forced to calm down and head to the hospital wing, and hadn't been there long.

The party went on for hours, and when Hermione finally forced her to bed she had realised how exhausted she was. Her body stiff and aching from exertion, and her eyes tired and burning from flying all day. Hermione herself had forced her into the shower, claiming she wouldn't be happy sharing a bed with someone sticky with dried blood and sweat.

Once her head had finally hit the pillow, she'd all but passed out. Not once waking again until the blaring alarm roused her hours later. The dawn of the final day of celebrations was upon them, and before she knew it she was flying around the quidditch pitch once again in search of the snitch.

The Ravenclaws were putting up one hell of a fight, and the scores were pretty much tied when Storm had finally focussed enough to find the snitch. The Ravenclaw seeker had nearly beat her to it, but a swift collision knocked him off course enough for Storm to grab it. Finalising the win, and grabbing the title for Gryffindor when she swiped the snitch from the air.

As soon as her feet touched the ground the stands had emptied, and everyone was flooding onto the pitch. The sounds of shrieks and cries of celebration finally breaking out and cascading around the grounds. A mass party erupted then and there around the sweaty quidditch players. Even the Ravenclaws jumping and shouting, brushing off the loss as if it had never happened.

The atmosphere was nothing less than electric, currents surging and pulsing with the masses of witches and wizards, with the muggle parents and their magical children. The sense of unity was enough to envelope anyone in a thirty mile radius, and Storm was sure she even caught a glimpse of McGonagall setting off a box of Wildfire Whizbangs.

She pushed through the overwhelming crowd, her broom shrunk and shoved into her robe pocket as she shifted and took to the air above the mass of people in search of her girlfriend. It wasn't long until she was spotted with Harry, Ron and Ginny. Celebrating all the same, laughing and joking with the green eyed boy.

Storm took her chance and dropped down beside the witch, shifting and wrapping her arms tightly around the older girl who had noticed her presence before she'd landed.

Hermione spun in her arms, and before Storm knew it she was met with bright doe eyes staring at her with such an intensity it was painful. A longing erupted in her chest, in her gut in every fibre of her very soul and without a second thought she shouted "I love you" Over the noise of the crowd.

Hermione's features lit up brighter than they'd been, and the American knew she had everything she needed and would ever need right there. "I love you too!" The older witch yelled back, their bodies forced closer together by the sea of people surrounding them, people that had faded into the background and merged together.

They'd stayed, and joined in with their friends, their parents, their team-mates and classmates. They stayed for a while until finally Storm couldn't hold out for a moment longer. Taking Hermione by the hand, and dragging her through the labyrinth of fireworks and bonfires that rained light on the moon soaked grounds otherwise shadowed in darkness. Through music that had erupted from nowhere and thumped through grounds alive with excitement. Through the tents left abandoned in favour of the thriving celebration that had turned into something akin to a living beast. Breathing and swaying on it's own accord, but never faltering.

The two days leading up to that moment fuelling them as they went. They disappeared late that night, and finished off the celebrations the best way they could have; together.