Harry and Ron did not forgive Hermione for tattling on them about the brooms, but considering I felt guilty that she'd be on our own for the rest of the holidays, I made up with her and instead, helped her catch up with her homework since she had bitten off more than she could chew with all her classes. I had a suspicion of how she was managing to get to all the classes, but even if I asked she wouldn't tell me. In any case, there was little more I could do other than wait for my broom to be given back to me. Honestly, I could understand why they were worried Harry's might be jinxed, but why mine? Perhaps McGonagall only did it to be fair, but last I checked, it wasn't me that Black was after.
At least, as far as we know.
Regardless, Wood was positively glowing when he found out that not only did the Gryffindor team have not one but two Firebolts on side. He raved about it whenever we crossed paths, telling me that it was now going to be my job to handle the long streaks down the pitch with the quaffle and that he fully expected my best flying since we were now back in the running for the Quidditch Cup. The closer it came to the Ravenclaw match, however, the more nervous I became until finally, after several weeks longer than McGonagall had promised, mine and Harry's brooms were returned to us.
Coincidentally, mine was returned in the middle of class. Lupin's class, actually, and I was so excited that I grabbed it off Flitwick, yelled a quick 'thank you', waved my wand at the window to open it then launched myself into the air before anyone could stop me. It was incredible. The sheer acceleration was enough to almost make me lose my head as I heard my classmates cheering me off as I soared into the skies with several loud whoops. I looped and spiralled, performed trick after trick in order to learn the movement of the broom before simply flying upwards as high as I could before arcing into a steep dive.
It was perfect, fitting neatly into my hands and moved even with the slightest adjustment or shift of my weight. It outstripped my old broom a thousand times over, and when I flew back through the window of the classroom I glided to a stop right before Flitwick where I dove at him in order to give him a hug. "Thank you professor! Thanks for bringing it back!" Flitwick was startled by my enthusiasm, flushing slightly and stuttering uncertainly as I let go and everyone else crowded around, wanting to look at and touch my new broom.
"Alright, alright, settle down everyone settle down." Lupin finally called. "Mia, I suggest you run and put your broom away, and please refrain from riding it through the corridors. I very much doubt Professor McGonagall would be pleased." Still beaming, I hurried to do as Lupin suggested, though it was a shame he guessed my thoughts before they'd even popped into my head. I would have totally ridden the broom all the way back to the common room just for laughs, but since Lupin asked…well I just won't. This time.
Now that both Harry and I had our brooms back, practices went even better than before. Everybody had a go at least once, testing out the brooms in turn and the boost of confidence gave us some excellent practice time so when we came to face Ravenclaw, we felt more than ready. In fact, I was certain we were going to win. With the speed of the Firebolt it was effortless to outfly the other chasers, and with our system, we scored every single goal each time we pelted up the pitch. Katie and Angelina would take the quaffle forwards then throw it backwards, confusing the Ravenclaw chasers for me to soar over their heads, grab it, then put it through the hoops before anyone could figure out what happened.
Lee was having a cracking time, constantly trying to talk about the Firebolts but with McGonagall looming over him, he was constantly being reminded to focus on the game. After our fifth score, I spiralled upwards then held onto my broom with one hand, kicking my feet up in a pose before then falling back into line with Katie and Angelina as Gryffindor bellowed with eager enthusiasm. Ravenclaw seemed to buck up their ideas after that, scoring three times for themselves so I swung past Angelina. "Hey Ange! Fancy a switcheroo?" I yelled to her and she immediately grinned so we signalled Katie.
Once we were in possession of the quaffle, Katie streaked up the pitch directly down the middle and prepared to pass it forward. I flew ready to catch it, but at the last second I banked and circled with Angelina so that the quaffle fell between us in a mess of robes and brooms before we parted and no one realised who had the quaffle until it was too late. They dove for me, thinking I had it but when Angelina flew speedily up the pitch, people were suddenly screaming in awe when they realised that she was riding my Firebolt.
It was a dangerous manoeuvre but one we had perfected together. Everything depended on timing, and in the mad scramble Angelina and I had grabbed one another's brooms and promptly switched over with her taking the quaffle. Lee ranted about it in shock, hardly able to believe it as Angelina scored once more then came flying back to me. "Thanks for the broom!"
"No problem, but I want it back now." She grinned and together, we jumped across the air and high fived in the middle, earning a thunderous round of applause for our stunt as we caught hold of our own brooms then flew off once more. All the while Harry had been struggling to shake off Cho, the Ravenclaw seeker. She was a good flyer, I'd give her credit where it's due, but Harry was just too fast for her. Unfortunately, he was also a gentleman, which meant he was too polite to just push past her and because of that, lost the snitch twice.
Oliver yelled at him to just knock her off, and I was inclined to share a similar point of view. Gryffindor was streaking ahead points wise, but we still needed the snitch to end the game. Diving down to shake her off, Harry then rose and suddenly stretched out his hand, chasing after something that was too quick for me to see. I held my breath, watching as I flew to see if he would make it, but whilst he ascended he seemed to notice something else and suddenly grabbed his wand from within his robes. With a loud roar, he released a full formed patronus charm, much to my shock, and sent it cantering at three dementors which had arrived at the pitch below us. Everything happening at once, Harry then snatched the snitch from the air with his wand still in hand, Hooch's whistle blew and everyone on the team flew at Harry as he wheeled around.
I reached him first, crying and laughing at the same time as I seized his face and kissed him repeatedly all over, overcome with pure exhilaration. When the others reached us, there was a mass tangle of hugs and kisses, smiles stretching so far across our faces it made our cheeks hurt as we gradually descended to the ground where all of Gryffindor were rushing to meet us, waving flags, scarves and banners of all kinds at out win. We had a chance now, a real chance. That Cup was as good as ours.
Turns out the dementors were just Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Flint being arses and trying to frighten Harry off his broom again. McGonagall was furious and I had to say, it was nice to see her shouting at someone else for a change. Gryffindor celebrated for the entire day and most of the night, the twins and I often going out to restock supplies as I made sparkling figures on brooms shoot across the common room. Our Firebolts were practically worshiped, and I could not stop from smiling as people asked me how we came up with all those crazy manoeuvres. Oliver insisted that he had nothing to do with it and it was all cooked up by his chasers, so we were bombarded with questions.
Eventually we were told to go to bed by McGonagall, who had turned up in her dressing gown and it was only then we realised just how late it was. I went to bed with a warm feeling in my belly, glowing with pride and eager to get to our final match so we could finally have the Quidditch Cup where it belonged. In our hands.
