Chapter 12 Brooms

Harry apparated directly onto the first floor landing, slipping into his dormitory where the other first years still slept soundly. Harry his mind at rest, took his shoes off, and climbed back in bed, almost instantly falling asleep.

"Harry!" Ron yelled.

What?" Harry asked sleepily, his head still buried in his pillow.

"Come on, your gonna be late." Ron said, almost whining.

"Then I will be, its not like I haven't been late before." Harry said, still half asleep.

Ron finally fed up grabbed his pillow, grabbing the open end and getting all the stuffing on one side, wound up and hit Harry with it right on the back of his head. Harry, after years of being an Auror, you didn't have time to think, just act, and that's exactly what he did. He grabbed his wand, casting a nonverbal Levicorpus at Ron. Ron didn't like the first time he had this charm done on him, and it held true this time too, except it was even more in fright.

Harry, now finally awake, realized the position Ron was in; he preformed the counter, dropping Ron on his bed. On an after thought he stuffed his wand away, not wanting Ron getting any ideas.

"What in the bloody hell was that?" Ron almost shouted at Harry.

Harry thinking on his feet came up with in his mind, a near perfect solution. "Ron, calm down, it was probably the twins, they are always up to something aren't they?"

"Ya, your probably right, they would think of something like that."

"Come on, let's go get some breakfast." Harry said, trying to get off that subject.

"Ok," Ron's face lighting up.

The boys got ready, and walked down to the common room in amiable silence. Hermione sat in a chair, and much to the boy's sarcastic surprise, was reading a book.

"Hermione you coming?" Ron asked as they stopped by her chair.

"Ya let's go." She said smiling, her face lighting up like Ron, but hers was not because of food like his was.

As they exited the common room, and into the halls, where no one was, Hermione asked, "Harry, can I ask you a question?"

"Lay off him Hermione, you ask him more questions than an arithmancy book does." Ron said in almost a harsh tone.

"Ron," Harry said, angry with his friend for hurting Hermione, "shut up. You are being a prat. And I don't mind answering Hermione, it's a small price I am more than willing to pay for being with the two of you, even if you are bickering."

Ron looked down, ashamed of his actions. Hermione looked like she was going to cry, so Harry put an arm around her and they headed down to the great hall, Ron trudging behind them.

"So, what did you want to ask?" Harry said kindly.

"Oh," Hermione said, getting red faced," Er—I was going to ask you, if you could help me with my Transfiguration homework?"

"Sure Hermione, you never have to ask, you have helped me more times than I can count, and it would be my honor to help you." Harry said squeezing her closer for a second. Ron just looked even more embarrassed. Coming to the great hall, they looked for seats, finding three, they sat down. Harry sat next to Fred, making sure that Ron and Hermione sat next to each other.

They sat in silence, Harry listened in on Fred and George's conversation that they were having in whispered voices and hushed tones.

"Well where is it?" Fred asked George.

"I don't know, I put it in my bag last night." George whispered back.

"Well it wasn't there this morning."

"I know I put it there, I am positive."

"Who else knows what it is, it just looks like parchment," Fred said, reasoning.

"Your right, we just have to find it." George said.

"Agreed."

Harry figured they were talking about the Marauders Map, he would have to return it tonight. But, on the other hand, it could come in handy. Harry, thinking about came up with an even more brilliant idea, he would make a new one, an updated one.

"Hermione I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, it was very mean and it hurt your feelings, it was stupid of me to say and I am really sorry, will you please forgive me?" Ron said, looking at his food but looking up at Hermione in the end.

"Of course I will Ron," she said, beaming.

"Cool," Ron said, apparently her smile was infectious because soon he was smiling as well, and because of their resolution, harry was smiling too. But unfortunately for Harry, all good things must come to and end, well at least for the short run.

"How was detention yesterday Potter?" Draco sneered.

"I wouldn't know, I wasn't there, I didn't get caught because I was hidden, and I saw Filch coming in and leaving of the Trophy Room. Someone told Filch exactly were we would be and when we would be there. That leaves exactly one person to tell him Malfoy, you, you big pansy."

Just as Harry finished, he cast a jelly legs jinx just strong enough to make Malfoy's knees wobble, and have him collapse to the ground, to everyone in the hall, it looked like he had collapsed in fear. The entire hall went silent. Casting the counter, he simply returned to eating, enjoying the delicious food, when people gave him funny looks, he just said, "What? I'm hungry."

Malfoy, standing, brushed off his robes and gave Harry a hateful glare at his back and stalked off, Crabbe and Goyle not following him as much as loyal lapdogs anymore, but more as two friends subjected to walk behind someone else.

The hall resumed eating and talking much to Harry's pleasure.

"Harry, that was brilliant!" Ron whispered at Harry.

"No it wasn't, Harry, you could have hurt him, but do have to admit, it may have been slightly amusing." Hermione said, almost smiling to herself. Ron and Harry looked at each other and then at Hermione.

"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione?" Harry asked, a smile on his face.

"Excuse me but I can have fun too." Hermione said, playing hurt.

"Oh really?" Ron said, joining in.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am going to have fun with two boys this afternoon." Hermione said firmly.

"And what two boys would those be?" Harry asked.

"I can't tell you, if I did, I would have to kill you." Hermione said with mock seriousness.

"Well are they extremely good-looking and have the names Ron and Harry?" Ron said.

"They just may, well, they aren't too good looking, one is really scrawny and the other, eats like a pig."

"I am not." Harry said.

"Do not." Ron said.

Hermione just laughed, "well I best be going, I need to study Transfiguration."

"Do you need my help?" Harry asked.

"Ya that would be great." Hermione said, standing.

"But I am still eating," Ron complained.

"Then grab some and let's go." Harry said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Grabbing food, the three of them walked back up to the common room, Hermione left to get her books while Ron and Harry got a couch. Hermione came back down and sat between them, opening the book she showed Harry the spell she wanted to learn.

"Hermione, this is a very complex spell, we wont learn it until at least fifth year." Harry said.

"Harry, please?"

"Alright, the incantation is crispum capillos. Just think the way you want it, and it will be just that, unless you are making it longer or shorter." Harry said.

"Thanks Harry, do you mind?" Hermione asked, motioning to Harry's head sheepishly.

"Lets do this." Harry said.

"Crispum capillos." Hermione said enunciating very clearly and doing the wand movement shown in the picture of the book. Harry's biggest and craziest tuft of hair started curling, the movement was miniscule but Hermione was visibly pleased.

After trying a few times, she could get all of his hair to curl slightly.

"Alright, one more time." Harry said, happy he could help his friend.

Hermione took a deep breath, and cast the spell, Harry's hair turned into somewhat of an afro, just small. Ron burst out laughing; Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"What did it work?" Harry asked confused.

"Here," Hermione said, handing him a mirror.

After looking at his ridiculous hair, Harry too couldn't keep from laughing.

Stumbling into the common room, Oliver Wood looked dazed.

"Oliver, what's up?" Harry asked, concerned for the older classman.

"McGonagall just told me, someone donated 10 brand new Nimbus 2000's for the specific use of the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

"Seriously?" Fred asked. Oliver just nodded.

"We are going to crush everybody." George said, hi fiving his twin.

"McGonagall gave us permission to use the pitch this afternoon to practice on them." Oliver said.

"Wicked," the twins said.

And just like that the entire school knew that the Gryffindor Quidditch team had Nimbus 2000's and were going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.

The new brooms were the talk all through lunch until a lone owl soared in, snowy white bird that was particularly fond of a raven-haired boy when he let her out. In her talons, she clutched a broom looking object, Harry immediately stood up and walked out of the hall, Hedwig following him. Going out on the grounds, he found a secluded spot and took the package from Hedwig, stroking her head.

"What's that Potter? First years aren't allowed brooms." Malfoy said with a sneer.

"He has a broom because I authorized it." McGonagall said, surprising the first years. "Now if you will excuse us, Mr. Potter has Quidditch practice to get to."

"But first years aren't allowed." Malfoy whined.

"In most cases, but Mr. Potter is a very rare case." McGonagall said, putting her hand on Harry's shoulder she guided him away. "Now run along, enjoy your afternoon."

"Thanks Professor," Harry said after they were out of range.

"Well I couldn't have my brand new seeker being bullied by a bunch of first years, plus, it was three to one." She said, trying to justify her actions. In reality she was trying to hide that she already much liked the small eleven year old. After all he was the child of her two favorite students, ones that she missed dearly.

Harry of course knew her real intentions, but he couldn't let on.

"Well thank you Professor." Harry said, his gratitude genuine.

McGonagall was touched by his gratitude; once again reminding her just how much he was like his parents. "Now get to practice, and don't be late." McGonagall said, trying to hide her eyes tearing up.

Harry wasn't fooled for a second, he had left early, so most people would just be leaving the great hall, and he was already at the pitch, he probably would be the first one there. Not minding the alone time, as it was one of the first since he had gotten to Hogwarts, he changed quickly and unwrapped his firebolt, amazed once again by the craftsman ship. Looking at the handle he saw not only Firebolt but right before it, it said Potter, a Potter Firebolt just for him. Smiling he ran out on the pitch, he took off thinking he had a few more minutes, he flew strait up, getting to a good height, he dropped, closing his eyes, he let the wind rush past him, feeling the power of flight. Opening his eyes, he pulled out of his free fall, his toes caressing the grass tips before shooting into the sky once against again. Hearing catcalls, he turned, seeing the team watching him in awe, the twins the ones doing the calling.

"Wood, you told us he was good, but you didn't say world class." Fred said.

Harry, landing looked shy, exactly what he was trying to pull off.

"Harry, were did you learn that?" Wood asked, clearly impressed.

"I just did what felt right." Harry said.

"You keep doing that and we will win the cup for sure." Fred said, clapping Harry on his back, everyone congratulating him as they walked past. Wood stayed behind, waiting to talking to Harry alone.

"So I guess you don't need to learn how to fly, but do you get the basics of Quidditch?" Wood asked Harry.

Oh I know more than the basics Harry chuckled to himself, "Ya, I think I do." Harry said.

"Good, then lets get going." Wood said, both eager to get flying.

The team swooped and soared, speeding faster and faster as the top of the line brooms outclassed the Hogwarts brooms by many times. Overall it was a great time for harry, not having to worry about anything but looking for the snitch as they were playing a mock game. Harry glimpsed the snitch right before it dropped. Diving once again, he flawlessly pulled out of his Wronski feint, snatching the snitch right out of the air. Pumping his fist in the air, he look around expecting to see a feisty little redhead coming to congratulate him. Seeing only Fred and George, he remembered Ginny, it would be a year before she came to Hogwarts, and probably another after that before she could play. Saddened he landed, missing the congratulations and the praise he received, he only wanted to hear that from one person. Taking off again, he kept flying, even after everyone else had long gone back to the castle. Just as the last rays of light left the sky, Harry realized just how late it really was. Quickly landing and rushing through changing, he was left in complete darkness when he exited the changing rooms. Casting Lumos, he climbed on his broom-flying strait up to Gryffindor tower.

Reaching the First year window, he tapped on it. Inside Ron looked like he was going to die of anxiousness, hearing the tapping he jumped about a foot, rushing over he opened the window, expecting an owl fly through. His eyes bulged as Harry gently flew through.

"Harry! Where have you been?" Ron asked.

"Ron, relax, you sound like your mother."

"When have you met my mother, oh right." Ron said, remembering.

"And besides, I was just flying." Harry said, hopping that Ron would leave him alone.

"Oh." Ron sounded almost envious looking at his broom with longing.

"Ron, you can have the first ride tomorrow, I promise." Harry said understanding Ron.

"Really?" Ron sounded incredulous.

"Absolutely." Harry said, holding it out, he offered it to Ron.

Looking at the broom with reverence, he stepped closer, inspecting it.

"Wait a minute this isn't a Nimb-" Ron said in confusion before Harry clapped his hand over Ron's mouth. Looking around at his other dorm mates, not noticing anything, he released his hand.

"Your right its not, its better, much better." Harry said, "It's called a Firebolt, and I will tell you every single thing I know about it in the morning, but right now, I need to sleep."

Harry, all the flying finally catching up with him, collapsed on his bed, falling asleep almost immediately.

Opening her eyes, Ginny felt totally encompassed by a warm muscular person with his arms wrapped around her. Turning around to face him, she saw Harry, his face totally serene. Remembering all the times before, she kissed him, slowly awakened by her kiss, Harry snaked his arms around her waist, holding her fast to him. As they continued kissing, she lost herself completely to him, finally when they came up for air, she realized her surroundings, and how acutely aware of her body she was, feeling fire almost everywhere Harry touched her, and that wasn't much. Feeling something grow and harden against her stomach, she lifted her hips to release it. Moving her hips back down, it pressed right into her, pushing down harder, it sank into her, feeling intense pleasure like she had never known, she fell asleep, content.

So sorry it took so long to update, i had a major writers block, and i went to new york. Here is 12 and 13 is on the way, thanks for being patient. The Jedi Wizard