At the end of this week, Gryffindor's first game of the year happened, against Huffelpuff, and so everyone got ready.
Harry's team had trained hard and he was confident that he had gathered a very good team around him. Of course he chuckled when he realized that most of his team was Weasley. People had been talking about that and Harry knew that they had to win, to show that he had indeed chosen them because they were the best and not because they were his friends, almost his family. The Weasley players would have to prove, more than the others, their talent.
Rose's cheerleading team was ready to do its job as well. Since they were a large enough number, the house teams cheered alone, without their friends from Ravenclaw having to divide though they were in uniform too because, just before the game, they were doing a number all together to prepare the public and show what they could do. Once again they had invited Pansy's team to join but she had ignored them.
Hermione, who had worked a lot with them on cheers, music and the magic surrounding the teams, was also wearing the Gryffindor's team uniform, she was an honorary member. The girls were dressed, ready to cheer, when they went to get breakfast along with everyone else.
"Well Hermione, Rose, I'm glad I don't have to play you girls today." Draco complimented flirtingly as he walked pass them with members of his house.
"It's not like you'd play against us, we stay on the ground." Hermione chuckled.
"Still, I'll have to work on my concentration for our next game. Maybe look for a spell to prevent my teammates from seeing you on the ground." He replied with a playful wink before he went to his table, followed by his friends who now believed that he was truly working on winning them over, on charming Hermione so she'd be his little spy.
"I hate this guy." Ron whispered, nervous about his first game as keeper.
"He's not that bad, you should give him a chance." Hermione told him before she left, not giving him time to answer.
The previous night, he had finally opened again the book he had been dared to read almost a week ago, realizing that his time was almost up but he had been so nervous he barely read a couple pages before he went to bed. He'd have to read more tonight. He didn't have much time left and being owed a favor by someone like Rose Potter, was something he wouldn't pass up. He had read the first page on the first night but hadn't opened it at all since then.
"Here Rose, sit next to me so that everyone can remember that you're with me. I don't want them to forget who you're dating." Fred called out to his girlfriend.
"I'd love to." She smiled, dropping another kiss on his cheek, whispering "For good luck" in his ear.
"Where am I going to find that kind of luck?" George asked teasingly.
"You want me to drop one on your cheek George?" Neville asked daringly, feeling more confident now to tease people right back.
"I'm fine thanks. No offence, but you're not as cute as our Rosie here." George replied with a wink, making Neville chuckle along with them.
"Harry look, a letter from Dudley!" Rose exclaimed, showing her brother the letter Serenity had just dropped in front of her.
"I told him about the game today." Harry nodded.
"Well, his letter is rather short, but he's wishing you good luck and he says he wants to hear all about it." Rose replied before she handed Harry the letter.
"I'll write to him tonight or tomorrow, describe the game to him." Harry agreed, happy to have this new relationship with his cousin.
The kind of relationship he wished he had had with him all along.
.
Everyone cheered on the cheerleaders, enjoying the display of their talents, and their friendly competition during the Quidditch game. Both teams had trained well and had done a good job, making McGonagall glad that she had allowed it. The fact that the girls included magic in their show made her happy.
Lee Jordan's commentaries were even funnier than usual because he shared his attention between the game and the cheerleaders, especially since his girlfriend was one of them. He kept on repeating the girl's cheers and on encouraging them, sometimes forgetting the game.
"When I say GRYFFINDOR, you ROAR! Gryffindor?" Rose and her team mate yelled cheerfully at the other students who answered, for the most part, with loud roars.
Once again, Lee Jordan had Roared, making everyone chuckle, though he also answered the Huffelpuff's team cheers.
In the end, Gyffindor won, Ron had missed a few shots but blocked a few others and the rest of the team was good enough that they had caught up quickly. Huffelpuff's Quiddich team wasn't as good and despite their good cheerleaders, they lost all their chances at winning the game when Harry caught the snitch, which was flying right in front of Professor Dumbledore's nose. Once again, everyone enjoyed his catch, finding it very impressive.
"That was so cool! I can't wait for the next game!" One of the Huffelpuff's cheerleader declared when they regrouped.
"I know, it was great!" Rose nodded.
"Hermione, you did a great job on the sparkles and everything else!" Another girl congratulated Hermione who blushed her thanks.
"Come on girls, party in the common room!" Neville called out to them on his way to the Castle.
"When isn't there a party in the common room. I swear, they use any excuse for a party. Don't they need to study? We have important exams at the end of the year!" Hermione frowned, making Rose chuckle.
"They like celebrating happy moments." Rose chuckled, leading her friends to the common room.
"Ron has only one day left to read the book, right?" Hermione whispered on the way.
"He does, and Harry told me that he hasn't opened the book once this week. Not that he saw anyway. Just last night, a little bit."
"I hoped... You know, I hoped that he'd read the book and want to become like Gilbert Blythe, then he'd be the Gilbert to my Anne..." Hermione said in a soft, disappointed voice.
"He's a boy, it takes him longer to learn, give him a few months and he'll understand." Rose replied seriously before they both started laughing out loud.
"Maybe I should break a slate over his head." Hermione suggested with a chuckle.
"No slates here, but plenty of blackboards though." Rose replied, making her friend laugh harder.
Will Ron read the book? I swear I didn't intend this to turn into Ron bashing. Don't worry though, he will change before it's too late.
As you can see, there are a few references to Anne of green gables. Not many more though.
Lorelei Candice Black