Chapter 14: Press
Dumbledore nor McGonagall have said anything about me eating meals with the Slytherins.
If my life hadn't already revolved around the Slytherins, it does now.
Practices were every day, even on weekends. European Nationals were close and coming up. Wizarding World schools all over Europe have been competing in their own preliminaries, just like Hogwarts, and are finally suiting up to prepare for the National Cup.
When Gryffindor had won the House Cup, along with other houses, they chose not to participate in the National Cup. Oliver Wood had said it was an unnecessary competition and the glory of the House Cup was enough. Everyone would always go along with him, agreeing that Hogwarts didn't have a place there.
But, Slytherins think otherwise.
The European National Cup had always been their goal from the beginning of this year. No Hogwarts team has been to the National Cup before, this is their moment to shine.
The National Cup is an intense week for any quidditch player participating. It's match after match till the final two. The cup is not for the unprepared.
Our press conference from our win of the House Cup is today, and that's where we'll announce our presence at the National Cup.
The Great Hall had been cleared out and benches had been lined up on the lower level for journalists and photographers to sit. On the upper level, the teachers' table had stayed put, and that's where the players will sit.
Right now we are sitting in the antechamber filled with paintings behind the door that leads to the teachers' table. I hadn't needed to ask them to dress well, they already wore casual suits with their uniform robes.
Draco seemed to have enjoyed my comment about him looking particularly fit in his dark grey button-down shirt by the intense snogging he started after.
Looking over from my spot near the door, I could tell Theo was nervous, twiddling his thumbs as he whispered affirmations to himself. No one had prepared for the press to make such a big deal of their win, but when they were the ones to break a record, all media sources wanted to get a hold on them. When I sent out invitations to different newspapers and radios, I might've also hinted at their upcoming announcement to participate in the European National Cup.
The boys deserve all the love and attention.
My thoughts were interrupted when Professor Snape opened the door, peeking his head in before drawling "5 minutes"
I smiled a "Thank you" before turning to the guys. "Remember, best behavior and smart answers. We might not need the money thanks to you rich snobs, but sponsors and support is always good to have"
Draco walked over wrapping an arm around my waist, "We'll be fine, it's only 10 minutes"
"10 minutes of hell" Theo sighed under his breath.
I couldn't help but laugh and pat his back comfortingly "You'll do great, Theo"
Theo shook his head "Easy for you to say, you're not going to be up there"
Tilting my head, I exhaled "It's for the better I'm not"
"That's such bullshite," Blaise said, leaning against one of the walls.
I crossed my arms "And why is that?"
Adrian, who went to lean next to Blaise, noted "Because you're the captain and do half of what we should do because we're all too lazy to do it ourselves"
"That is true" I agreed, earning a scoff from a few of them that I was agreeing that they are lazy, "But these are questions for players and tactics, you guys don't need me to answer them. Having me be up there will just complicate things and take the attention away from the main focus which is you lot and the National Cup"
Theo rolled his eyes "The only reason things will be complicated if you were up there is because of the porno you and Draco did in front of everyone when we won"
I resisted the urge to stomp my foot as Draco swatted Theo on the back of his head, snapping "We didn't do a porno in front of anyone, a bit of light snogging is nothing"
Blaise chuckled, "If that was light snogging, I wonder what heavy snogging is like, or better yet, shagging"
I couldn't help but send a hex his way "Refrain from thinking about us shagging if you could Blaise"
Theo laughed, "That's gonna be hard, looks like he'll need new wanking material"
Draco sent a hex this time, just before they were called out to the Great Hall.
~0~
The Great Hall was packed with reporters and journalists from all over Europe, curious as to who this currently undefeated team is.
From left to right at the table on the upper level sat Vincent, Gregory, Theo, Draco, Blaise, Adrian, Graham. I chose to stay out of any camera's view by standing at the very back of the hall near Snape. A few people had noticed me, but after a stern glare, they decided it probably wouldn't be best for them to acknowledge my presence.
The boys were answering questions smoothly. The questions weren't hard ones, and they were never directed towards anyone specifically, just the positions.
"Would a chaser like to tell us what it's like to work with the other chasers?" A reporter from Quidditch Weekly asked.
Blaise was eager to answer "I think me, Theo, and Adrian, can all agree that it's very easy working together. Having been flying with each other for years, chasing with them has become more routine than my homework schedule"
That had received a laugh from everyone and Blaise grinned at the attention. I knew he'd be perfect for something like this.
A few other questions that were asked were simple ones about their futures and plans. Everyone spoke at least once, poor Theo on the verge of a heart attack when he was asked his favorite quidditch athlete. Graham gave his best effort, his question being "Was it hard jumping in to play only a week before the finals?"
Graham of course gave his answer in great detail "No"
I couldn't have asked for a better press conference, that was until we reached closer to 10 minutes.
"I have a question for Draco Malfoy" None other than Rita Skeeter asked, speaking louder than everyone in the room. Everyone quieted, knowing the power she had with her articles and following. I felt my whole body tense. Skeeter is known for her lies and gossip columns.
Draco sensed the storm brewing too, I could see it in the way his lips turned into a straight line.
"What is your relationship with Hermione Granger?"
Draco bit his cheek. We hadn't talked about what to say if he was asked about me, leaving me to wonder if he'll tell the truth or a cover story. "She is the team manager who helps us with basically everything," He said, laughing a little as everyone at the table nodded, "And she's also my girlfriend"
The Great Hall erupted in whispers and quills scratching hastily on parchment. I couldn't hide the smirk that formed on my face from the frown that grew on Snape's.
"I have another question regarding Hermione Granger," Skeeter said, once again silencing anyone else who wanted to ask a question. Draco inclined his head for her to continue. "Is it true that Hermione Granger was the reason past Slytherin Keeper and Captain, Marcus Flint, had to leave the team and become expelled from school?"
The whole team froze, a few eyeing each other out of worry. But Draco was able to answer smoothly "That's an off-topic question"
"Then why was Marcus Flint removed from the team and expelled from Hogwarts? In his statement to me prior to attending this event, he stated 'Make sure to ask about Hermione Granger, she knows how to ruffle their feathers.' Now knowing she works for the team, I, and I assume others, can't help but wonder what happened?" Skeeter said, reading one of her quick-quill's past notes.
Even from the back of the hall, I could tell Draco was doing everything to keep his temper in check. Looking over next to me, I got Snape's attention. "We need to end this now, it's been 10 minutes and questions are swaying off the subject"
Professor Snape seemed to agree, giving me one nod before attempting to get through everyone to get to the front of the room.
Draco saw Snape making a move and locked eyes with me in worry. I merely smiled at him, trying to act unbothered even though we both knew I unquestionably was bothered.
"Draco?" Skeeter pushed, tapping her foot impatiently. She turned to see what Draco was looking at, then she spotted me, trying to blend in, in the back of the room. "Ah, Hermione Granger"
I ducked my head as everyone turned to see me. Photographers started climbing over each other to get a shot. Luckily Snape had made it to the front by this time before reporters started to ask me questions. "Thank you all for coming, but the press conference is now over. Leave, the students need to get back to their studies" He droned.
Some people listened, others continued their journey for the best article towards me. Fortunately, Draco was by my side in an instant, pulling me with him and Adrian back to the antechamber.
Once the door was closed Draco pulled me into an embrace, "I'm sorry they talked about Flint, love"
I smiled into his chest, "It's alright, you did everything appropriate"
He pressed me a bit more into him, tightening the hug before letting me go with a peck to the forehead. "Think all this publicity is still a good idea?"
Laughing, I grinned "Of course, it's not everyday Hogwarts is going to the European National Cup"
"Speaking of the National Cup," Adrian said, "Do we know who we're competing against first?"
Smiling, I walked over to where I left my schoolbag, grabbing my quidditch binder. Flipping through a few sections I finally found the most recent mail from the secretary of the National Cup. I handed it over to Adrian, "I got this just this morning, I assume it's telling us the preliminaries playing schedule" I explained, "I was waiting for tonight to open with you all at practice, but we could just open it now"
Everyone nodded anxiously so Adrian tore open the seal, unwrapping the paper, reading aloud "Hogwarts Quidditch team, I reach out to you with your day 1 schedule" Adrian looked up, his eyes showing he was a bit apprehensive to continue reading "At 7 am, we play Harz School of Spells and Charms from Germany, at 1 pm we'll play the Dutch School of Wizardry from the Netherlands, and at 8 pm we are expected to play Durmstrang from Norway"
Crabbe scoffed, "No way I'm not the only one who doesn't know those first two schools"
I attempted to hide my grin as I answered "Well, they are the lesser-known wizarding schools, most just go to the big ones like Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. People tend to forget about the smaller institutions in each country"
"And we're expected to play 3 games in one day? Especially the first day?" Blaise asked, already sounding exhausted.
I shrugged "I guess so, but remember you just need to qualify for the bracket. The bracket should be announced on the morning of day 2"
"And how will the bracket be decided?" Theo asked.
"Based on the number of wins or points that are made, a team of officials will decide the bracket" I explained, a bit surprised he didn't know how something like this worked. "Well," I said, clapping my hands "Time to get back to class, see you all at practice tonight!"
I grabbed my bag, gave Draco a quick peck on the lips, and left to the groans of boys who didn't want to go to class.
~0~
I woke the next morning to the presence of someone else in my bed. "Draco," I sighed, "I wasn't expecting you so early in the morning"
"It's not Draco"
I shot up, wiping my eyes vigorously "Ginny?"
She sat there, knees curled into her chest with a frown evident on her face. "Harry and I broke up"
Without thinking I pulled her into a hug as she started sniffling onto my shoulder, "Oh, Ginny. I'm so sorry" I pulled back to look at her teary eyes "Do you want to talk about it?"
Nodding, she sat back, wiping her nose on her Molly Weasley 'G' sweater. "It's all because of you really" I cringed, but let her continue. "The things he and Ron are saying about you are revolting. I'm the one who has the most reasons to be upset with you, yet I'm the one telling them to knock it off. That's when Harry and I would get into dispute after dispute till finally, he ended it. It's like he thought I wasn't on his side and just gave up. I have a feeling Ron had something to do with it"
I nodded along "Ron undeniably had something to do with it, that sounds nothing like Harry. And Ginny" I said, taking her hand into mine. She resisted at first but finally let me clasp it. "I truly am sorry I'm the reason you and Harry argued and I'm sorry about my lies and secrets. I genuinely never meant to hurt anyone, I just thought it'd be easier for everyone if I didn't say anything at first"
"How would that have been easier?" She asked.
Playing with the hem of one of my blankets, I answered "I didn't want either team to fail, and knowing I was working with the Slytherin's, it would've thrown both teams off being competitive and such"
I waited as she tilted her head thinking, "It makes sense, but I hate how you felt you couldn't tell me, making it seem like I just wasn't a good enough friend to you"
I gasped "No, Gin! You're a great friend, I'm the bad friend in this situation, I was just worried you wouldn't understand me and the Slytherin's, especially Draco. You even said so yourself"
She grimaced, "Yeah, sorry about saying that about Malfoy. Although I don't like it, I have to admit he is fit and seems very infatuated with you"
I giggled "Yes, he is"
Her eyes widened "Hermione! Are you saying the two of you-"
I waved my hands, cutting her off "No, no, well...not yet at least"
"You slag!" Ginny laughed as I snickered with her. It felt good, giggling together on my bed as we used to before everything blew up in my face.
Once Ginny caught her breath again, her face got a bit more serious "Is there anything else that happened between yours and Ron's breakup to now?"
Shaking my head, "No, I don't think so"
She drew a piece of paper from her pocket, it looked like a newspaper clipping. "Then what happened with Marcus Flint?"
I felt my whole body go rigid. I hadn't talked to anyone about Flint. The boys already knew what happened, I didn't need to recall the story much, only the main parts to Dumbledore. But Ginny would need to know everything, she wouldn't let anything slip by her whether I liked it or not.
I looked at the clipping. It was Skeeter's article from the press conference, the part of the article where she tried to get info out of Draco about me and Flint.
"Once asked about Marcus Flint (past Slytherin Keeper and Captain), the team refused answers and ended the conference.
So, why so secretive about Hermione Granger and Marcus Flint?
Was there a love triangle? An affair?
Keep following me, Rita Skeeter, to find out the truth."
"So, what happened?" Ginny asked again, after knowing I read the article clipping.
I hadn't realized I started crying till Ginny pulled me into a hug this time. I told her everything about that night at the party, from when I left to when I woke up to her letter. Then I filled in the blanks, everything on how I remembered and what I remembered.
"And you didn't tell me?" She was crying too now. I hope it wasn't out of guilt.
I took her hand. "It wasn't you, I hadn't really told anyone but Draco, I kind of just...blocked it out I guess" She hit me hard on the shoulder "Ow!"
"Don't you ever do that again Hermione Jean Granger. I'm your best friend, you better tell me everything from now on"
I couldn't help but laugh at her serious face, "I will, promise"
She exhaled exhaustedly, "Good, I'm more disappointed that Flint got away before I could hex his bollocks"
After throwing my head back laughing, I looked back over at her "Does this mean we're okay, and we can talk again in public?" I asked nervously.
Squinting her eyes, she appraised me "I guess, just don't fuck up again"
I smiled as we got ready for classes together.
a/n: this chapter is a bit shorter than usual because I had to split it with the next one, so just think of it as a surprise chapter.
i think there will be 1 or 2 chapters left, then maybe an epilogue, so hold on tight, the end is near!
i'm aiming for only 16 chapters in total, but sometimes when i get writing, i just can't stop lol.
anyways, thank you for all the love!
