Here is the next chapter in this weird story. It took a while to figure out exactly how I wanted all the moving parts to interact since this is ultimately a Harry/Hermione story but having them not speak in five close to six years will make it complicated. Anyway, enjoy and remember I too enjoy constructive ideas on this story

Harry's POV

Gameday come on Potter it's just another game, just one of 162. Gotta take it one at bat at a time one position at a time. I think as I rise knowing that it was complete shite. While in the greater schemes of things it is only one of 162 and that after this series, we have the Yankees coming to the Trop then we travel to Boston for a three-game set. Both teams are ten times better than Detroit that is heavy into a rebuild. I roll out of bed and step into the shower putting my speaker on as I do and blast 24 k Magic by Bruno Mars as I get ready for the day. Kevin Cash (skip) shot us the line up last night and I got to see that im playing first and batting second in the first game of this three-game set. Normally I play 2nd but he thought that it would be good for me to expand my abilities. He has done this a few times just to see how we stack up defensively and able to keep some of the big bobbers in the lineup. I mean it's whatever I told them I'm flexible to play where ever they needed me to as I get out of the shower and start to get ready, I see a text from Daph basically breaking down the schedule for the day since this is a big thing for the MLB and the Rays, we have to do another presser at the field at 3:30 pm local time then its batting practice (optional) and fielding practice. Then the Tigers have BP and fielding and first pitch is set for 7 PM (again Local Time) I put in my contacts and start to shave as the song changes to Hear Me by the Imagine Dragons and I get lost in my thoughts again. I know that there are tickets at will call charmed for everyone ready to go and I put an extra set for if Hermione and Ron use them just because I would need to know if I should run to the bus after the game or if I'll pluck up the courage and talk to them after the game. I check my phone again and see I got a text from Dove. It reads Stay calm and let's grab lunch. Don't worry D has given me your schedule and I know what time you have to be back to catch the bus. I'm glad that Dove is here in England just because she brings more of my new normal to this fucked up situation that I found myself in. After a few texts we agree on a spot for a quick bite and a place to talk around the corner from my Hotel. I walk in and see Dove I mean its kind of hard to miss a perky blond with a Rays navy Jersey on in this place. I sit down and she orders while I just get the fish and chips knowing that I'll have something to eat at the stadium so I try to keep it light plus shell have most of the chips anyways.

"So, H talk to me. Daph gave me the briefest of details of what this is like for her and you but I need to know where your head is at." She opens with knowing that an 'I'm fine' or 'it's another game' isn't going to cut it here I sigh and just look at my Pepsi that came with my order and say "To be honest Dove I'm both terrified and excited for the same reasons. Terrified that it's a contract year and I'm playing really well and I don't want to screw this up knowing that there is still a lot of baseball left. Add that I haven't spent a ton of time in my home country for the last five years and now in year six I have to spend four days here it's scary. I'm afraid that I'll screw this up in front of the people I left for this opportunity but at the same time I'm excited that I get to play today and after Thursday it's over and I can focus on New York and their monster of a rotation" I say finishing looking at her as our food gets to the table, we eat in a comfortable silence her processing what I said and me getting ready for the game tonight. Finally Dove spoke up after gathering everything "Harry, you are one of the best young players in the league. I mean you and Trout battle for MVP the last two years proved that, but sometimes you are that scared boy I met in 2016." I look at her knowing that it was the truth. We met as they were promoting the second Descendants movie. They had the five of them (Her, Sophia, Bobo, Cameron, and China) throw out the first pitch. I was to catch China's pitch but as we were talking afterwards, we found we had a bit in common and started hanging out. I was scared shitless for a while until we had a conversation and she helped me get over being in a new country and new lifestyle. I nod still in thought then I look at my watch as it read 1:30 PM. I sigh and she knows its about time to leave and for me to get into what she claimed as game mode. As we walk back up to my hotel we hug and she whispers in my ear "I also know about your walk-up music. Thing for game two and three you can change that for me?" I smile and tell her I'll think about it. She smiles because that meant that she will get her way and the music will change a bit. I already didn't feel right about it but hearing her voice the concern just hit home that Daph and probably some Rays staffer is worried on what the music will say about the leading vote getter in the AL for the All-Star game that is a month away.

Dove's POV (Before 1st Pitch)

I walk into the stadium after picking up my ticket from will call, and let me just say that London has done well for a baseball stadium. Not as nice as Boston or Baltimore but not bad for a country that doesn't really play the sport. I am starting to get to my box when I hear the conversation from the three people in front of me

"Mum, dad where is these seats again it seems like we have been walking forever I just want to see Harry." The young woman that had wavy brown hair said. "Now Hermione honey its not too much further and even if it was Harry is on the field and wouldn't be able to talk to you until after anyway." The middle-aged man who was with her said. I noticed that we were not far from my box so I spoke up.

"Sorry for eavesdropping but you said you wanted to talk to Harry, correct? As in Harry Potter of the Tampa Bay Rays? Im on my way to my suite myself and I would love to invite you so after we can go straight down and wait of the players after the game." The young woman looked like I just handed her the golden ticket and of it was who I thought then I defiantly wanted front row seats to the shit show that was bound to issue. I mean Daphne alone will blow up when she walks into the box as it is. We continue to walk to my suite and as I walk in I look to my right and sure enough Remus and Sirius were there already. Next to them were their wives everyone holding a drink already. As I go further in I see Daphne on the phone her back to the entry, so I go about hugging everyone else. Sirius releases me ans shouts "Hermione! What are you doing here?!" The young woman was caught off guard for a second then calmy said "I could ask you the same Lord Black. Last I knew you didn't have any connections to the Muggle world" I see both Sirius and Remus cringe at the tone of Hermione's voice as she continues "Professor Lupin and Auror Lupin pleasure to know I got the invitation to this shindig. I thought we were friends but I guess after everything that happened means nothing to you two." AS Hermione walks further in she picks up a drink of her own as Remus finally recovers from that verbal undressing. "Hermione. Im sorry we didn't tell you that we were in contact with Harry but you have to see where we are coming from. Harry just beat Voldemort and was wanting to just get away and said that it was going to be for a few weeks. Next thing we know Dobby is delivering Tonks and I letters from Harry explaining that he was drafted by Tampa and was going to play this mundane sport called baseball and to mot tell anyone in the order because they had their own lives to take care of."

"And he really didn't have to do that Granger, but my client was so guilt ridden of not telling someone who was not blood family. He originally was going to just let it eat at him. I was able to have him talk to Lupin." Daphne said spotting Hermione for the first time then realized just who was here "I should ask you how you got in as I have this place warded to friends and family of Potter. You were not in the list as your ticket is still at will call. Ginny's and everyone else's have peen picked up but yours and the human garbage disposal. By the way where is that piece of rubbish" My best friend asks looking around for another man. I look around too and its true Ginny Weasley and Fred and George were there. I met them all one weekend when Harry and I were together and went to a sport called quidditch. The US national team was playing a friendly against England and the Weasley's were on the team. Hermione looks at Daph like someone kicked her puppy, but simply said "I deserved to know you know Greengrass he was my best friend" and she walked away.

Just then the PA announcer's voice can be heard Welcome to Major League Baseball's International Series. This series is between the Detroit Tigers from the American League Central as some applause was for the Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League East more applause for the Rays probably because of Harry. Now the Starting lineup for each team first for the Tigers and he proceeds to give the lineup for them as each person lined up along the first base side finally when the Pitcher, Alex Lange, was announced the music changed to "Let's Dance by Vanessa Hudgens" AND NOW THE STARTING LINEUP FOR THE TAMPA BAY RAYS! Batting leadoff and playing third base Matt Duffy. Batting second and playing first base Britain's own HARRY POTTER! And I hear the stadium erupt. I look over to Hermione and her Parents and the older Grangers clapping while Hermione just looks at the video clip of Harry swinging the bat and mumbling to herself batting third, playing Right Field Avisail Garcia. Batting fourth playing short stop Brandon Lowe. Batting fifth playing Center Field Kevin Keirmaier. Batting sixth playing second base Christian Arroyo. Batting Seventh and playing Left Field Austin Meadows. Batting eight and catching Travis D'Arnaud. Batting Ninth an the Designated Hitter Tommy Pham. The pitcher for the Rays is Tyler Glasnow. I see each guy give each other fist bumps as their names were announced and I can see Harry is nervous.

Harry's POV (After the National Anthems)

Ok everything is done now its just a game of baseball. Time to go to work. I think as I trot out to First with a baseball to throw grounders to my teammates. I take a deep breath as I hear TD say "Balls in" I throw the ball back to the dugout. The first batter for the Tigers goes down on strikes thanks to Ty's slider that ended up out of the zone. Man that pitch was nasty even for Ty. He has his good stuff today. I think as the next pitch was it on a rope to Duff. The inning ended after the 3-2 pitch was popped up to B. Lowe. Three up, three down now time to get in the hitting mind frame. I run off the field and grab my helmet and bat off the rack as Duff and I walk out to see what Lange was working with. Finally Duff walks into the batter's box. He works the count to full after fouling three straight balls off. Finally hitting a single to the right fielder. I walk up as I hear my walk-up song go. I look over to the dugout as they started to clap thinking it was going to be my normal songs but quickly stop and stare at me. I dig in and get ready for my battle against Lange. Pitch one was his fastball high and pitch two was his Cutter that completely fooled me. The next pitch was his change-up that I just missed on OK be ready for the cutter again but adjust for the curve as I haven't seen that yet. I thought as I dug back in as sure enough, he threw the cutter that I was able to just get enough to shoot down the right field line for a double. I hear the fans cheer again and see the ball go into the dugout. I will be getting that one back no doubt. As I look to the third base coach as AG steps in. He unfortunately struck out and then B. Lowe flew out to the center Fielder that scored Duff 1-0. And then Lange walks KK leading to Christian up. He battles but Lange was able to get him on his four-seam fastball at the knees for a called strike three.

Third inning Daphne's POV

Well after the First inning Lange has seemed to settle down. Wish I could say the same up here. I'm going to kill Dovey I think as you could really cut the tension in the room with a knife. I thought that after Harry was announced that I would be able to just watch the game. I know Tyler is pitching well just by the way he got out of that last inning. Striking out the side and never getting a three-ball count is impressive. Granger still hasn't told me why Weasley wasnt here so I had to talk to Ginny to hear that Ron was back with Lavender. No wonder she hasn't talked about it. I would be embarrassed too but she still hurt Harry so I have to keep up the act. I see Matt get on again after hitting a double to left cetere. I see Harry dig in after his second song played and still laugh as the stadium gets ready to see what he does. All Harry has done is hit and hit well since being called up from Durham six years ago. AS the first pitch from Alex was high and tight to Harry, I hear Hermione gasp. If you only knew Granger Harry crowds the plate like Rizzo does with the Cubs. The next pitch was his curveball that Harry just got over the short stop for a single, and moving Matt to third. "Show time" Dove and I say and Hermione looks at us like we are crazy. "Look Hermione when Harry gets on first, he likes to get to the next base or 'scoring position' ASAP so he will what's called steal the base. Normally its risky because if he is unsuccessful then its an out and might take the bat our of the hand of his teammate. Since there is a guy on third, I doubt we will see the catcher throw to second though just cause then Duffy can get home and that would put the Tigers in a deeper hole. Daph and I said show time cause Harry will-"and just as Dove was finishing up Harry took off like a shot and was safe even though Dove was right and the throw wasn't going to be made. "That. He gets such a break on the pitcher he makes it 8 out of 10 times." Dove finishes. Unfortunately, Alex was able to get a Strike out, and a foul out and fly out so the score is still 1-0 Rays. Tyler steps out on the mound and I happen to look at the scoreboard and see that Detroit through three innings does not have a hit.

Huh this could be interesting as I look at Hermione and back to Harry who is now on the field.

Fifth inning Harry's POV

MAN! Ty is pitching his brains out. AS I come off the field after another 1-2-3 inning for Detroit, I get my batting helmet on and get my practice swings in. I take a deep breath and walk to the right handers batter's box with 'On to the Next One' blasts trough the stadium I dig in and take another deep breath and lock eyes with Alex. He shakes off then nods. He winds up and as soon as he started the pitch I saw it well Curveball. I swing hard and hear the sweet pop of my bat and both Alex and I knew that ball was gone. As I trot around the bases my walk-up song plays again. I give my third base coach a high five and touch home plate and that's when it really hit me. Holy fuck I just homered in my home Country, with Sirius and family in the stands. I miss you mum and dad. I did what I always did when I I homered which was pound my chest rite over my heart twice, kiss my index finger, and point to the sky as if to say that one was for you. This one I had to get into the tunnel and I broke down with seriousness of the moment hitting me like a ton of bricks. Ironically the only guy we were avoiding at the moment, Tyler, was there and supporting me. "They would be so proud of you Harry. You are handling all the shit as best you can. Now I need my first baseman out on the field here in a bit. Compose yourself and be ready to go ok?" I nod and he goes back to being isolated and I get up and wipe my face with the arm band take a deep breath and walk back to the Dugout. I see the ending of the double play to see KK go up and single and then Christian ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning. I go back out to the field and field grounders from my infielders again like every half inning and then get into the sixth. Tyler gets the first batter out with a nasty changeup guy must have been looking fastball there with how out in front of it he was The next batter smoked a ball rite to me and I was able to handle it on one hop. Ty started to head to first but I shake him off and step on the bag for the second out. The next tiger of the inning grounded to B. Lowe who tossed it to me just in time. The throw was a tad low and I had to dig it out but it was fine. As we were jogging off Ty said to me again " and that is why I wanted your head back in the game good dig HP" I look at the scoreboard again and see the replay but then I see the by inning tally with the Tigers having 0's across the board

Seventh inning Stretch Dove's POV

The game is going really well for the Rays and Harry. They are up 2-0 and Tyler has pitched well. Really well must fight the urge to look at scoreboard. I see Matt go up to bat and he has been having a good day with two hits and has played flawless at third, but then he is one of the top vote getters at third for that reason. He grounds out to second and Harry started to walk up with "Sorry Not Sorry" playing and even though it isn't his normal music I have to say that Harry has hit well too Let's see double in the first, single in the third and a homer last at-bat he only needs a… I gasp and look over to the others in the room. Sirius, Remus and Daphne all make eye contact with me and nod. Good so they know too hopefully we can keep it quiet for just a bit longer. The first pitch was a little chin music from the Tigers pitcher. The next one Harry just fouls off and grabs for some pine tar that was on the bat and breaths as I do the same. Then the Pitcher comes set and harry smacks it down the left field Line come on Run Harry Run! I see the left fielder misplay as harry checks and hits second going towards third. Come on come on Slide Harry I say the last part as the ball was being thrown to third. The ump calls OUT!. "NO FUCKIN WAY!" I yell "Dovey you know they cant hear you yea?" Daph made the joke at my expense, but can you blame me it was a bullshit call. Luckily, Cash thought the same and the play was in review. I look at the pay again when Hermione asks again god does this girl ever stop with the questions. :What are they doing now? The man in black called Harry out but now they have headphones on" Thankfully Ginny steps in and says "Just wait Hermione. It seems important if the ones in the room that know the most haven't said anything in awhile and the then it was a yell more than anything." She smirks at me as I ignore her and go back to watching the replay. Finally after what felt like forever the umps point to third and wave Safe " YES!" all of us yelled. "OK Hermione and others that were in the dark. What happened was that Harry just completed one of the hardest things in baseball to do which is hit for what's called a 'cycle'. That means he gets four hits (1) single (1) Double (1) Triple which is what he just got and a Home Run. Players rarely get it because the triple is the hardest to get unless you have a big ball park which this isn't too big, or a misplay. The latter was the case here. Now the umps called out but Harry's manager thought different. He asked Harry to stay where he was and asked the umpires to ask for help. They saw the replay and said he was safe. Thus Harry has just hit for the Cycle here in hi return to England." Sirus explained and Hermione looked at me ad said "YOU KNEW?! Why didn't you tell us earlier?" I look at her and say " Look I just didn't want to jynx it." I turn my attention back to the game to see Garcia hit a double down the right field line. Then Lowe walking before Kevin hit a single that scored two. The tigers got out of trouble after their pitching change and got a strike out and a ground out to the third baseman to end the inning. "Its going to be interesting if this continues, and no I'm not going to elaborate it right now Hermione. I'm superstitious" Well they are up 5-0 and Tyler still hasn't given up a hit. wait has he even given up a base runner?

Top of the 9th Harry's POV

Ok we are playing really well and Ty is only three more outs away. AS I go out to the field for the 9th time of the night I haven't ever been more nervous than I am now. Tyler is tired but he knows what has to be done. Travis lets us know its time to start the inning and they go to work. The first batter gets good contact but right to AG for out number one. Then Tyler get into a battle with the him having to throw 10 pitches before getting the strike out, his 8th of the game, and we are one out away from history. The last batter of the night (hopefully) steps up. Tyler almost hits him on the first pitch. I look over to the scoreboard and see we have 3 mound visits left so I call one right then. "You ok Ty," I ask and he talks into his glove, "Yea just tired is all. And maybe a little nervous." "ok. Just find her. Do that for me yea?" I say referring to his girlfriend Brooke. He spots her and I see his face light up. "OK now rock and fire and you two can celebrate" he nods and I go back to my position of first. Ty gets the pitch he wants and fires a tad high for ball two, but it was where Travis thought we could get him to swing so he hit his spot. The third pitch was fouled away. The count goes to 2-1 Tyler gets the sigh he wants, sets and fires crack the ball gets hit to me on a laser again and it was a tad high I leap up and land. I look at Ty first and he is jumping up and down, Travis comes out from behind home plate and bear hugs him. I look at my glove and see that I just caught the last out of Tyler Glasnow's perfect game. I bear hug him too and with force put the ball back into his mitt. "SEE Nothing but rock an fire TY!" We all celebrate as the announcer lets the fans know what Tyler just did. After a while as I was getting to do more press this time for my cycle I cant believe I forgot about that. I turn the corner and see Dove, Sirius, and Daphne along with all the others. Dove runs to me and I catch her "Congrats superstar" she whispers into my ear and I smile. She always called me that after a big game. Then I look over to Sirius and he steps aside and I see one of the last people I thought would be here. She walks up to me gives me her patented hug as the butterflies go off in my stomach for the first time in six years I hear her voice "congrats Harry. We have a lot to talk about." And all my mid could come up with for my mouth to say is in a hoarse whisper "Hermione? Is that you?" and see her nod before I get pulled into the press area.

A lot to talk about indeed

Well it's finally here. Sorry it took so long but I wanted to get the game in one chapter. I never knew how hard it would be to do it either. In the next chapter we will see Harry and Hermione talk and then the maybe a quick overview of game 2. Let me know if it should be like this or just a summary. I'm all for comments as long as they are constructive. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't make the inning Talley as a Table like it normally is or even as a bunch of numbers i guess. i tried to have it like it would show in the paper and still didn't come out the way i wanted, but with that being said The chapter was almost 5k words I mean wow…